NFL Seattle Seahawks

Top 10 Storylines For Seattle Seahawks In Super Bowl XLIX

Top 10 Storylines For Seattle Seahawks In Super Bowl XLIX

Pete Carroll Seahawks
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For the second straight year, the Seattle Seahawks are in the Super Bowl. This time, they will face Bill Belichick and the three-time Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots. Here are the top 10 storylines for the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX.

10. Defensive Line

Kevin Williams Seahawks
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10. Defensive Line

Kevin Williams Seahawks
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The key to slowing down the Patriots is to pressure Tom Brady early and often, especially up the middle. If Kevin Williams and the rest of the defensive tackles can cause havoc up front, especially if Bryan Stork is out, the Patriots will have troubles on offense.

9. Return Units

Doug Baldwin Seahawks
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9. Return Units

Doug Baldwin Seahawks
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Against Green Bay, Doug Baldwin struggled just to get the ball to the 20-yard line on kick returns. He also had a crucial fumble, which gave Green Bay points. Without Percy Harvin or Paul Richardson, the return units will have to have a better performance than they did.

8. Wide Receivers

Jermaine Kearse Seahawks
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8. Wide Receivers

Jermaine Kearse Seahawks
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New England's defensive backs were dominant, holding the powerful Colts receivers in check. Seattle's receivers had their moments, but they did not face a corner like Darrelle Revis or Brandon Browner. The receivers will have to win most of their one-on-one matchups against the Patriots' aggressive DBs.

7. Special Teams

Jon Ryan Seahawks
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7. Special Teams

Jon Ryan Seahawks
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Seattle's special teams won Sunday's game. From an onside kick to a fake field goal, Seattle used every trick it could to win. Against New England, the Seahawks will have to steal a possession with a fake kick or a surprise onside in order to keep Tom Brady on the sideline.

6. Max Unger vs. Vince Wilfork

Max Unger Seahawks
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6. Max Unger vs. Vince Wilfork

Max Unger Seahawks
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In order for Seattle to have success running the ball, Max Unger will have to neutralize Vince Wilfork, one of the best defensive tackles of all time. If Wilfork is contained, Seattle will pound the ball down the Patriots' throats.

5. Dan Quinn's Future

Dan Quinn Seahawks
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5. Dan Quinn's Future

Dan Quinn Seahawks
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Dan Quinn, Seattle's defensive coordinator, is the favorite to land the Atlanta Falcons coaching job and would have been hired on Sunday if the Seahawks lost. Quinn will now have to stop Tom Brady knowing that he has one foot out the door in Atlanta.

4. The Health of Richard Sherman

Richard Sherman Seahawks
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4. The Health of Richard Sherman

Richard Sherman Seahawks
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Richard Sherman played most of the game on Sunday with a dislocated elbow. I am definitely not a doctor, but a dislocated elbow doesn't heal quickly. If Sherman isn't at his best, the Patriots won't be afraid to attack him, unlike the Packers.

3. Pete Carroll vs. Bill Belichick

Pete Carroll Seahawks
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3. Pete Carroll vs. Bill Belichick

Pete Carroll Seahawks
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The coaching matchup between Pete Carroll and Bill Belichick will be one of the best in the history of the Super Bowl. If Carroll can win the coaching matchup, he will rank among the best coaches of all time.

2. Marshawn Lynch

Marshawn Lynch Seahawks
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2. Marshawn Lynch

Marshawn Lynch Seahawks
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On the field, Marshawn Lynch is one of the best players in the NFL. Off the field, he is a distraction, no matter how good he is. From not speaking to the media to contemplating wearing gold shoes, you never know what you will get from him. He is the No. 1 player on offense for Seattle, and he has to be all-in and focused for this game.

1. Russell Wilson

Russell Wilson Seahawks
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1. Russell Wilson

Russell Wilson Seahawks
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Russell Wilson threw four interceptions against the Green Bay Packers, but made key plays in the fourth quarter and overtime to win. Wilson will definitely need a better performance on Super Bowl Sunday, and he will have to use his legs more than he did on Sunday to sustain drives. If he does that, Wilson will be in for a huge payday.

Brian Kalchik is a Houston Texans writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.

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