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Super Bowl XLIX

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DateFebruary 1, 2015
StadiumUniversity of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
FavoritePick 'em (even/toss-up)[1][2]
RefereeBill Vinovich[3][4]
Ceremonies
National anthemIdina Menzel[5]
Halftime showKaty Perry[6] featuring Lenny Kravitz[7]
TV in the United States
NetworkNBC
AnnouncersAl Michaels (play-by-play)
Cris Collinsworth (analyst)
Michele Tafoya (sideline reporter)

Super Bowl XLIX is an upcoming American football game between the American Football Conference (AFC) champion New England Patriots and National Football Conference (NFC) champion Seattle Seahawks to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 2014 season. It will be the 49th edition of the Super Bowl and the 45th since the 1970 AFL–NFL merger. The game is scheduled to be played on February 1, 2015, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.[8][9] Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30pm MST (6:30pm EST/23:30 UTC).[10] This will be the second Super Bowl played in that stadium (XLII), and the third one held in the Phoenix metropolitan area (XXX at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe). The game will be broadcast in the United States by NBC.[11]

For the second season in a row, but only the third time in 21 seasons, the number one seed from each conference will meet in the league championship game. This will also be the first time in a decade that an NFL team will play in consecutive Super Bowl games, with the last such instance in 2004 and 2005, when the Patriots played in Super Bowls XXXVIII and XXXIX, respectively. Super Bowl XLIX will be the Seahawks' second consecutive Super Bowl appearance, having defeated the Denver Broncos 43-8 in Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014, while the New England Patriots will be returning for their eighth Super Bowl appearance, and their first since losing 21-17 to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI in 2012. With their appearance in Super Bowl XLIX, the New England Patriots will join the Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers as one of the three teams that collectively share the record for most Super Bowl appearances, as each has appeared in eight separate Super Bowls to date.

Background

Host selection process

Initial plan for Kansas City as host city

Arrowhead Stadium was originally selected for Super Bowl XLIX, but plans to add a retractable roof ultimately fell through.

NFL owners initially voted in November 2005 to award a Super Bowl to Kansas City, Missouri, in honor of Chiefs owner Lamar Hunt, the founder of the American Football League (AFL) in the 1960s who helped engineer the annual game. Then-NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue further announced on March 5, 2006, that Kansas City would host Super Bowl XLIX. However, the game was contingent on the successful passage of two sales taxes in Jackson County, Missouri, on April 4, 2006.[12]

The first tax to fund improvements to Arrowhead and neighboring Kauffman stadiums passed with 53 percent approval. However, the second tax that would have allowed the construction of a rolling roof between the two stadiums was narrowly defeated, with 48 percent approval. In the wake of the defeat, and opposition by the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and several civic and business groups, Hunt and the Chiefs announced on May 25, 2006, that they were withdrawing the request to host Super Bowl XLIX.[13]

Bidding process

University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, was chosen for Super Bowl XLIX.

After the Kansas City plan fell through, the following submitted bids to host Super Bowl XLIX:

Tampa and Miami both submitted bids after losing the Super Bowl XLVIII bid to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.[14] Arizona had declined to bid for Super Bowl XLVIII, citing the economy, to focus on bidding for Super Bowl XLIX.[15]

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed in April 2011 that Tampa and Arizona were selected as finalists.[16] The league then announced on October 11, 2011, that University of Phoenix Stadium will host Super Bowl XLIX.[9][16][17] This will be the second Super Bowl contested at University of Phoenix Stadium, which hosted Super Bowl XLII in February 2008, and the third Super Bowl contested in the Phoenix area, as Super Bowl XXX was held at Sun Devil Stadium in nearby Tempe in January 1996.

Teams

New England Patriots

Main article: 2014 New England Patriots season

The New England Patriots had a rough start to their 2014 season, starting the season with a 2-2 record and hitting a low point with a humiliating 41-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in week four. By this point, the Patriots faced heavy criticism in the media, especially quarterback Tom Brady.[18] Former Patriots safety and teammate Rodney Harrison declared Brady "looked scared to death" in the pocket and "doesn't have any confidence in his offensive line."[19] However, New England recovered with a seven game winning streak, beginning with a dominating 43-17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in week five, and went on to lose only two more games for the rest of the year (the latter of which was done while resting the starters the final week of the season), finishing the season with a 12-4 record and the number one seed in the AFC. They finished fourth in the NFL in scoring (468 points) and eighth in points allowed (313), and had the largest point differential in the NFL (with an average margin of victory of 9.7 points). The Patriots defeated the Baltimore Ravens 35-31 in the AFC Divisional playoffs, and then defeated the Indianapolis Colts 45-7 in the AFC Championship Game.

Brady had another fine season in his 14th year as the team's starter, earning his ninth Pro Bowl selection with 4,109 passing yards and 33 touchdowns, with just eight interceptions. His top target was Pro Bowl tight end Rob Gronkowski, who caught 82 passes for 1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns, along with wide receiver Brandon LaFell, who caught 74 passes for 954 yards and seven touchdowns. Wide receiver Julian Edelman was another key aspect of the passing game, with 92 receptions for 974 yards and four touchdowns, while also rushing for 92 yards and returning 25 punts for 299 yards and a touchdown. Running back Jonas Gray was the team's leading rusher with 412 yards and a 4.6 yards per carry average, while Stevan Ridley added 340 yards and Shane Vereen had 391. Vereen was also a reliable pass catcher, hauling in 52 receptions for 447 yards. On special teams, kicker Stephen Gostkowski was selected to his third Pro Bowl and became the third player ever to lead the NFL in scoring four times, converting 35 of 37 field goals (94.6 percent) and racking up 156 points. Wide receiver Matthew Slater also made the Pro Bowl for the 4th time as a special teams expert.

The Patriots defensive line was led by five time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Vince Wilfork and defensive end Rob Ninkovich, who compiled eight sacks. Behind them, linebacker Jamie Collins led the team in tackles (116) and forced fumbles (four), while also intercepting two passes. Linebacker Dont'a Hightower was also a big contributor with 89 tackles and six sacks. The secondary was led by Pro Bowl cornerback Darrell Revis, along with Logan Ryan and safety Devin McCourty, each of whom recorded two interceptions.

Seattle Seahawks

Main article: 2014 Seattle Seahawks season

Although the Seahawks qualified for a second consecutive Super Bowl appearance, they also started the season slowly just like New England, floundering near the season's midpoint with a 3-3 record. However, they went on from there to win nine of their final 10 regular season games, preventing their opponents from scoring any touchdowns in five of them. By the time they finished with a 12-4 record and entered the playoffs, they had earned the number one seed, and not allowed any touchdowns in the previous 10 quarters. Their defense ranked first in the NFL in fewest points allowed (254) and their offense was tied at first in rushing yards (2,762). The Seahawks defeated the Carolina Panthers 31-17 in the NFC Divisional playoffs, and then defeated the Green Bay Packers 28-22 in the NFC Championship Game.

Quarterback Russell Wilson was back in control of the Seattle offense, completing 63.1 percent of his passes for 3,475 yards and 20 touchdowns, with seven interceptions, while also rushing for 849 yards and six touchdowns. The team's leading receiver was Doug Baldwin, who caught 66 passes for 825 yards and three touchdowns. Receiver Jermaine Kearse was another reliable target with 38 catches for 537 yards, while tight end Luke Wilson caught 22 passes for 362 yards. Running back Marshawn Lynch was selected to his fourth Pro Bowl, ranking fourth in the NFL with 1,306 rushing yards and first in rushing touchdowns with 13. He also caught 37 passes for 364 yards and four more touchdowns. Running back Robert Turbin chipped in 310 yards and 16 receptions. On special teams, kicker Steven Hauschka ranked fourth in the NFL with 134 points and made 31 of 37 field goals (83.8 percent).

Michael Bennett anchored the Seattle defensive line, leading the team with seven sacks, while teammate Bruce Irvin ranked second with 6.5 and intercepted two passes, returning both for touchdowns. Behind them, linebackers K. J. Wright and Pro Bowl selection Bobby Wagner combined for a staggering 211 tackles (107 for Wright, 104 for Wagner), while Wright also forced three fumbles. But the strongest aspect of the team's number one ranked defense was their secondary. Known as the "Legion of Boom", they sent three of their four starters to the Pro Bowl for the second year in a row: cornerback Richard Sherman, free safety Earl Thomas, and strong safety Kam Chancellor. Sherman led the team with four interceptions, while Thomas had 97 tackles and forced four fumbles. Chancellor had 78 tackles and also recorded six passes defensed.

Playoffs

Main article: 2014–15 NFL playoffs

Pregame notes

Super Bowl XLIX is notable for featuring the coach of one team who had replaced the other coach at one point. Current Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was hired in 1999 to replace Pete Carroll, who is now the coach of the Seahawks. This is only the third time this has occurred. The other two times were in Super Bowl XXXVII and Super Bowl III. In both cases, the team coached by the man who was replaced by the other won the game.

The betting odds for Super Bowl XLIX initially opened after the conclusion of the conference championship games with the Seahawks favored by 2.5 points,[20] but within hours of opening, heavy betting on the Patriots had moved the line to a toss-up at most sportsbooks.[1][2]

Broadcasting

Television

United States

Super Bowl XLIX will be televised by NBC in the United States.

International

NFL Network will produce an international television feed of the game, with alternate English-language commentary provided by Bob Papa (play-by-play) and Charles Davis (color analyst).

Advertising

NBC set the sales rate for a 30-second advertisement at US$4.5 million, a price $500,000 above the record set by the two preceding Super Bowls.[21] NBC began selling advertising for the game in May 2014; as of January 2015, the game's advertising had not yet completely sold out, with approximately 5% of the advertising slots still up for sale.[21] A large number of automotive advertisers have reduced their advertising during the game, to be replaced by a wave of first-time Super Bowl advertisers, including Skittles, Carnival Cruise Lines, Loctite, Mophie and Wix.com, among at least ten others.[22] Universal Studios has revealed they will air a new trailer for Jurassic World.

International broadcasters

Country/territory Rights holder(s)
Arab world OSN Sports
 Australia Seven Network (SD) / 7mate (HD) and ESPN
 Austria Puls 4
 Belgium Telenet
 Brazil ESPN Brasil, Esporte Interativo
 Bulgaria ESPN America, Fox International
 Canada CTV simulcast NBC's coverage, RDS
 Czech Republic
 Hungary
 Moldova
 Romania
 Slovakia 		Sport 1
 Denmark TV3+
 Finland Nelonen Pro 1, Nelonen Pro 1 HD with Finnish commentary and Nelonen Pro 2, Nelonen Pro 2 HD with English commentary.
 France W9, BeIN Sport
 Germany SAT.1
 Greece Fox (Greece)
 Hong Kong Now TV
 Iceland Stöð 2 Sport
 Italy Fox Sports 2 HD, Italia 1 HD
 Israel FOX Sports, Sport 5
 Japan NHK BS-1
Latin America ESPN, FOX Sports
 Mexico Televisa, FOX Sports, TV Azteca, ESPN
 Netherlands Fox Sports (Netherlands)
 New Zealand Sky Television, Sommet Sports
 Norway Viasat 4, Viasat Sport
 Philippines TV5, AksyonTV
 Poland Polsat Sport
 Portugal Sport TV
 Russia NTV+
 Serbia Arena Sport
 Spain Canal+
 Sweden TV10
  Switzerland RTS Deux
 Thailand True Visions
 Turkey FOX Sports
 UK
 Ireland 		Channel 4, Sky Sports, BBC Radio 5 Live[23]

Radio

National coverage

The game will be nationally broadcast on Westwood One radio, with Kevin Harlan as play-by-play announcer, Boomer Esiason as color analyst, and James Lofton and Mark Malone as sideline reporters.

Local market coverage

The flagship stations of each station in the markets of each team carried their local play-by-play calls. In Seattle, KIRO-FM (97.3) and KIRO (710 AM) carried the "Seahawks Bing Radio Network" call with Steve Raible on play-by-play and Warren Moon with color commentary. As a clear-channel station, KIRO's commentary will be audible over much of the West Coast of North America after sunset. In New England, WBZ-FM (98.5) will carry the game, with Bob Socci on play-by-play and Scott Zolak with color commentary.

International radio coverage

Westwood One's coverage will be simulcast on TSN Radio in Canada.

In the United Kingdom, BBC Radio 5 Live returns to coverage after the previous year's NFL broadcaster, Absolute Radio 90s, dropped out of sports coverage. Rocky Boiman and Darren Fletcher return as commentators.

Entertainment

Pregame

Idina Menzel will perform the national anthem, and John Legend will perform “America the Beautiful.”[5]

Halftime show

In August 2014, it was reported that the NFL had a shortlist of three potential acts for the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show, including British rock band Coldplay, American singer Katy Perry, and Barbadian singer Rihanna.

However, it was also reported by the The Wall Street Journal that league representatives asked representatives of potential acts if they would be willing to provide financial compensation to the NFL in exchange for their appearance, in the form of either an up-front fee, or a cut of revenue from concert performances made following the Super Bowl. While these reports were denied by an NFL spokeswoman, the request had, according to the Journal, received a "chilly" response from those involved.[24][25]

Fans of "Weird Al" Yankovic launched an unsuccessful campaign to have Yankovic perform the halftime show to promote his album Mandatory Fun.[26][27][28]

On October 9, 2014, Billboard announced that Katy Perry will perform at halftime and the NFL confirmed the announcement on November 23, 2014.[6][29] On January 10, 2015, Perry announced that Lenny Kravitz would make an appearance at the halftime show.[7]

Officials

The game's officials are:[3][4]

  • Referee – Bill Vinovich (52)
  • Umpire – Bill Schuster (129)
  • Head Linesman – Dana McKenzie (8)
  • Line Judge – Mark Perlman (9)
  • Field Judge – Bob Waggoner (25)
  • Side Judge – Tom Hill (97)
  • Back Judge – Terrence Miles (111)
  • Replay official: Mike Wimmer
  • Replay assistant: Terry Poulos

Alternates:

References

  1. ^ a b "Vegas Bookies: Patriots-Seahawks pick 'em for Super Bowl". The Gazette. January 18, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2015. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  2. ^ a b "Seahawks-Patriots is pick 'em in Super Bowl XLIX spread". Sports Illustrated. January 18, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2015. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ a b Austro, Ben (January 14, 2015). "Bill Vinovich confirmed as referee for Super Bowl XLIX". FootballZebras. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  4. ^ a b "Super Bowl XLIX officials named; Vinovich to be head referee". NFL.com. January 20, 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  5. ^ a b "Idina Menzel to sing National Anthem at Super Bowl". NFL.com. January 16, 2015. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  6. ^ a b "Katy Perry to headline Pepsi Super Bowl XLIX Halftime Show". NFL.com. November 23, 2014. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  7. ^ a b "Lenny Kravitz joins Katy Perry for Super Bowl Halftime Show". NFL.com. January 10, 2015. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  8. ^ Klemko, Robert (October 11, 2011). "Arizona, not Tampa, will host Super Bowl XLIX in 2015". The Huddle. USA Today. Retrieved January 5, 2012. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ a b "Owners vote Arizona as Super Bowl host for third time". Associated Press. NFL.com. October 11, 2011. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
  10. ^ "Super Bowl official website". NFL.com. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
  11. ^ Barron, David (December 14, 2011). "NFL extends broadcast agreements through 2022, generating billions". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 19, 2011.
  12. ^ "K.C. to host 2015 Super Bowl if renovations approved". Associated Press. ESPN. March 5, 2006. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  13. ^ "No rolling roof, no Super Bowl at Arrowhead". Associated Press. ESPN. May 25, 2006. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  14. ^ a b c "Tampa, Miami move focus to 2015 Super Bowl after losing 2014 bid". NFL.com. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  15. ^ a b "Arizona opts not to bid for 2014 Super Bowl". The Arizona Republic. February 26, 2010. Retrieved June 2, 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  16. ^ a b "NFL says Tampa, Arizona are 2015 Super Bowl host finalists". NFL.com. April 28, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  17. ^ "NFL owners in Houston for fall meetings". Houston Chronicle. October 10, 2011. Retrieved October 10, 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  18. ^ "What's wrong with Tom Brady?". ESPN.com. September 30, 2014. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  19. ^ Schechter, Lee (September 30, 2014). "NBC Sports analyst Rodney Harrison says New England Patriots QB Tom Brady 'scared to death' in pocket". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  20. ^ Brinson, Will (January 18, 2015). "2015 Super Bowl odds/line: Seahawks early 2.5 favorites against Patriots". Sports. CBSSports.com. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  21. ^ a b Smith, Chris (January 16, 2014). Could a Super Bowl commercial really be worth $10 million? Surprisingly, yes. Forbes. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  22. ^ Horovitz, Bruce (January 7, 2015). Super Bowl ads still not sold out. USA Today. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  23. ^ BBC 5 Live to air Super Bowl XLIX from Arizona. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
  24. ^ Blistein, Jon (August 19, 2014). "NFL Asks Musicians for Money to Play Super Bowl". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 19, 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  25. ^ "NFL to Coldplay: Pay to Play the Super Bowl". The Wall Street Journal. August 19, 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  26. ^ Leopold, Todd (August 7, 2014). "Fans backing Weird Al for Super Bowl halftime". CNN. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
  27. ^ Bryant, Christian (August 8, 2014). "'Weird Al' at Super Bowl XLIX: What are the chances?". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
  28. ^ Watercutter, Angela (August 7, 2014). "You Can Help Weird Al Headline the Super Bowl's Halftime Show". Condé Nast. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  29. ^ "Katy Perry Performing at Super Bowl XLIX Halftime Show". Billboard. October 9, 2014. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
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