NFL
4 Reasons the Seattle Seahawks Will Win Super Bowl XLIX
All signs point to this Super Bowl being a close game, but Seattle's balanced defense could give them an edge.

The Russell Wilson Effect

Wilson finished this season ranked 15th in Passing NEP. He was 16th on a per-drop back basis. In his last 10 games, Wilson is averaging just 228.3 yards, 1.3 touchdowns, and 0.8 interceptions passing -- passable numbers.

But Wilson isn't just a passer: he's a total threat.

In those last 10 games, Wilson is averaging 50.3 yards on the ground, good for a 6.3 yards-per-carry average.

As you already know, Wilson's rushing metrics were tops in the NFL this season, but Wilson's Total NEP (combining Passing NEP, Rushing NEP, and Reception NEP) was ninth-best among quarterbacks, and he has never finished a season outside the top 10 in Total NEP.

The Seattle season looked to be waning when he struggled mightily against the Packers and was playing about 17 points below his normal expectation, but his turnaround helped mount one of the least probable comebacks in NFL history.

Without stud wide receivers to key on, the 17th-ranked Patriots run defense will be able to focus on Lynch. A second consecutive Super Bowl title might very well be on the arm and legs of Wilson.

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