Jump to content

Super Bowl XLIX

Checked
Page protected with pending changes
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Super Bowl IL)
"2015 Super Bowl" redirects here. For the Super Bowl that was played at the completion of the 2015 season, see Super Bowl 50.

Super Bowl XLIX
DateFebruary 1, 2015
Kickoff time4:30 p.m. MST (UTC-7)
StadiumUniversity of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona[a]
MVPTom Brady, quarterback
FavoritePick 'em (even/toss-up)[1]
RefereeBill Vinovich[2]
Attendance70,288[3]
Ceremonies
National anthemIdina Menzel[4]
Coin tossTedy Bruschi, Kenny Easley
Halftime showKaty Perry[5] featuring Lenny Kravitz,[6] Missy Elliott[7] and the Arizona State University Sun Devil Marching Band[8]
TV in the United States
NetworkNBC
AnnouncersAl Michaels (play-by-play)
Cris Collinsworth (analyst)
Michele Tafoya (sideline reporter)
Nielsen ratings47.5 (national)[9]
61.0 (Boston)[10]
55.6 (Phoenix)[10]
52.1 (Seattle)[10]
U.S. viewership: 114.4 million est. avg.[11]
Market share72 (national)
Cost of 30-second commercial$4.5 million[12]
Radio in the United States
NetworkWestwood One
AnnouncersKevin Harlan (play-by-play)
Boomer Esiason (analyst)
James Lofton and Mark Malone (sideline reporters)

Super Bowl XLIX was an American football game played to determine the champion of the National Football League (NFL) for the 2014 season. The American Football Conference (AFC) champion New England Patriots defeated the defending National Football Conference (NFC) and Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, 28–24. The game was played on February 1, 2015, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, the second Super Bowl held at the stadium and the third in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

The Patriots' victory was their fourth overall and first since 2005's Super Bowl XXXIX, ending a 10-year championship drought. They finished the regular season with a 12–4 record en route to their eighth Super Bowl appearance, tying the record held by the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers, and sixth under the leadership of head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady.[13][14] The Seahawks, led by their Legion of Boom defense, also obtained a 12–4 record and were making their third Super Bowl appearance, in addition to their second consecutive after winning Super Bowl XLVIII. As the defending champions, the Seahawks were seeking to become the first to repeat since the Patriots in 2004. For the second consecutive season, both teams were the top seed from their respective conference.[15]

Super Bowl XLIX was kept within a one-possession margin until Seattle took a 10-point lead in the third quarter. New England responded by scoring 14 consecutive points during the fourth to take a 28–24 lead with just over two minutes remaining. The game is most remembered for the Seahawks' last play, in which they threatened to score a winning touchdown from New England's 1-yard line, but were intercepted in the final seconds by Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler. Butler's interception is regarded as one of the greatest plays in NFL history, while Seattle's decision to pass instead of run the ball is considered one of the worst calls of all time.[16]. Brady, who set the Super Bowl record for completions at 37, was named Super Bowl MVP for the third time, tying the record held by Joe Montana. Two years later, Brady would surpass both records in Super Bowl LI.

NBC's broadcast of Super Bowl XLIX set the record for most-watched program in American television history and is the fourth-most watched American television broadcast of all time.[17] The game was seen by an average of 114.4 million viewers, with it reaching to 118.5 million during the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show featuring Katy Perry[18] and peaking to 120.8 million during New England's fourth quarter comeback.[18] It is considered one of the greatest Super Bowls and was ranked eighth on NFL.com's 100 Greatest Games, the third-highest Super Bowl game.[19] Butler's game-winning interception was ranked fifth on NFL.com's 100 Greatest Plays, the highest defensive play.[20]

Background

[edit]

Host selection process

[edit]

Initial plan for Kansas City as host city

[edit]
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.[21]

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.[22]

Bidding process

[edit]
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.[23] Arizona had declined to bid for Super Bowl XLVIII, citing the economy, to focus on bidding for Super Bowl XLIX.[24]

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello confirmed in April 2011 that Tampa and Arizona were selected as finalists.[25] The league then announced on October 11, 2011, that University of Phoenix Stadium will host Super Bowl XLIX.[25][26][27] This is the second Super Bowl contested at University of Phoenix Stadium, which hosted Super Bowl XLII in February 2008, and the third Super Bowl played in the Phoenix area, as Super Bowl XXX was held at Sun Devil Stadium in nearby Tempe in January 1996.

Teams

[edit]

New England Patriots

[edit]
Main article: 2014 New England Patriots season
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.

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.[28] By this point, the Patriots faced heavy criticism in the media, especially quarterback Tom Brady.[29] 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."[30] However, New England recovered with an NFL season long 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.[31] 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.[32][33]

Brady had another fine season in his 14th year as the team's starter, earning his 10th Pro Bowl selection with 4,109 passing yards and 33 touchdowns, with just eight interceptions.[34] 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 (and the first since the NFL-AFL merger), converting 35 of 37 field goals (94.6 percent) and racking up 156 points. Matthew Slater also made the Pro Bowl on special teams for the fourth time.

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 Darrelle Revis, along with safety Devin McCourty, who recorded two interceptions and Brandon Browner, who added a physical presence to the secondary.

Seattle Seahawks

[edit]
Main article: 2014 Seattle Seahawks season
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.

After winning Super Bowl XLVIII the previous season, the Seahawks also struggled to begin the season, 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.[35] Their defense ranked first in the NFL in fewest points allowed (254) and their offense was tied at first in rushing yards (2,762).[36] The Seahawks defeated the Carolina Panthers 31–17 in the NFC Divisional playoffs, and later defeated the Green Bay Packers 28–22 in overtime in the NFC Championship Game.[37][38] Seattle became the first NFC team to advance to consecutive Super Bowls since the 1996–97 Packers in Super Bowls XXXI and XXXII.[39]

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.[40] 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 Willson 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 deflected.

Playoffs

[edit]
Main article: 2014–15 NFL playoffs

New England became the first playoff team to overcome two 14-point deficits to win a game as they defeated the Baltimore Ravens 35–31,[41] pulling ahead for the first time in the game on Brady's 23-yard touchdown pass to LaFell with 5:13 left in regulation. Then safety Duron Harmon iced the game by intercepting a pass from Joe Flacco in the end zone on Baltimore's ensuing drive. Although New England only had 14 rushing yards, Brady's franchise playoff record 33 completions for 367 yards and three touchdowns, along with a rushing score, were able to make up the difference.[41]

The Patriots had a much easier time in the AFC Championship Game against the Indianapolis Colts. Although the score was still a close 17–7 by the end of the half, New England dominated the game in the second with touchdowns on their first four drives. Brady had another great game, throwing for 226 yards and three touchdowns with one interception, while Blount rushed for 148 yards and three scores. New England's defense held Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, who had thrown for 4,761 yards and 40 touchdowns during the season, to just 12/23 completions for 126 yards.[42] By the end of New England's two postseason games, Brady set new NFL records for postseason passing yards and touchdowns, while coach Bill Belichick set the all-time record for most playoff wins.[43]

Seattle started off their postseason with a 31–17 win over the Carolina Panthers. The score was just 14–10 at the end of the first half, but the Seahawks took control of the game in the second, scoring 17 unanswered points. After a field goal and Russell Wilson's 25-yard touchdown pass to Luke Willson, Chancellor put the game completely out of reach by intercepting a pass from Cam Newton and returning it 90 yards for a touchdown.[44]

Seattle had to mount a furious comeback to defeat their next opponent, the Green Bay Packers, as they fell behind 16–0 before Jon Ryan's 19-yard touchdown pass to Garry Gilliam on a fake field goal in the third quarter got them their first score.[45] They still found themselves trailing 19–7 with just over 5 minutes left when Wilson threw his fourth interception of the day. But after Green Bay was forced to punt, Wilson led the team 69 yards to make the score 19–14 on his 1-yard touchdown run. On the ensuing kickoff, receiver Chris Matthews recovered an onside kick for Seattle, and they took their first lead on a 24-yard touchdown run from Marshawn Lynch. Now with the score 20–19, the Seahawks managed to go up by 3 points on a dramatic 2-point conversion play in which Wilson was forced to run all the way back to the 17-yard line near the right sideline before hurling the ball to the opposite side of the field, where Luke Willson, who had only been assigned as a blocker for the play, caught the ball and took it into the end zone. Although Green Bay kicked a field goal to send the game into overtime, Seattle's comeback could not be stopped. After winning the coin toss, the Seahawks took the ball and drove 87 yards to win the game on Wilson's 35-yard touchdown pass to Kearse, sending the Seahawks to the Super Bowl for the second year in a row.[46]

Pregame notes

[edit]
Downtown Phoenix before the event.

Super Bowl XLIX was the first Super Bowl matchup, and the first postseason matchup, between the Patriots and Seahawks; while Seattle was part of the AFC before moving to the NFC in the NFL's 2002 realignment, the teams had never met beyond the regular season.

The game was notable for featuring the coach of one team who had replaced the other as head coach; Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was hired in 2000 to replace Pete Carroll, who went on to become the coach of the Seahawks. This was only the fourth time this has occurred. The other three times were in Super Bowl III (Weeb Ewbank's New York Jets vs. Ewbank's former team, Don Shula's Baltimore Colts), Super Bowl XXXIII (Dan Reeves's Atlanta Falcons vs. Mike Shanahan's Denver Broncos), and Super Bowl XXXVII (Jon Gruden's Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Gruden's former team, Bill Callahan's Oakland Raiders). The only previous time that the old coach's former team had won was in Super Bowl XXXIII.

Seahawks linebacker Malcolm Smith, despite being the MVP of the preceding Super Bowl XLVIII, had been returned to a reserve role for the 2014 season and did not play in Super Bowl XLIX, since defensive coordinator Dan Quinn opted to retain Bruce Irvin, K. J. Wright and Bobby Wagner as the starting linebacker trio.[47][48]

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,[49] but within hours of opening, heavy betting on the Patriots had moved the line to a pick 'em at most sportsbooks.[50][51] Over most of the two-week run-up to the Super Bowl, the line held steady with the Patriots as slight 1-point favorites,[52] but, on the day before the Super Bowl, a surge of large bets on the Seahawks pushed the line back to a toss-up.[1]

After the AFC Championship Game, ESPN reported an NFL investigation discovered 11 of 12 footballs the Patriots had used during it were under-inflated, while none of the balls used by the Colts had been, although these findings were later shown to be false.[53][54][55] Patriots coach Bill Belichick denied any knowledge that the footballs his team used were not inflated to NFL standards. Tom Brady and Bill Belichick became large targets as controversy swirled around what colloquially became known as Deflategate just before the week of Super Bowl XLIX.[56] The effects of the incident would drag on for nearly two years, finally being resolved with Brady receiving a 4-game suspension at the start of the 2016 season.[57]

As the designated home team in the annual rotation between AFC and NFC teams, the Seahawks elected to wear their college navy home jerseys with navy pants,[58] which meant that the Patriots would wear their white road jerseys.[59]

Super Bowl XLIX was the first Super Bowl to be played in a retractable roof stadium with the roof open by league decision (previous Super Bowls played in such stadiums, including Super Bowl XLII, were played with the roof closed). The gametime temperature was 66 °F (19 °C), with clear conditions. It was the second time all season, along with the Pro Bowl, the stadium had its roof open during an NFL game or the College Football Playoff's Fiesta Bowl. It is the home stadium of the Arizona Cardinals, but all Cardinals home games in 2014 had it closed either because of warm temperatures or to provide home field advantage and hold in crowd noise.[60][61]

The Patriots had also appeared in the only other Super Bowl to be held at University of Phoenix Stadium to date, having fallen short in their quest for a 19–0 undefeated season with a 17–14 loss to the New York Giants there in Super Bowl XLII.[62] In fact, this game marked the Patriots' return to University of Phoenix Stadium for the first time since that contest.[63]

Team facilities

[edit]

The Patriots used the Arizona Cardinals headquarters, in Tempe, Arizona, while the Seahawks used the Arizona State University practice facilities, also in Tempe.[64]

Tickets

[edit]

Ticket prices for Super Bowl XLIX rose quickly, with the lowest-cost tickets reaching over $8,000 by January 29.[65][66][67] The average ticket price charged by brokers was $10,352, an increase of more than three times over the previous year's prices.[68] The raise in ticket prices was due to a shortage caused by the short selling practice of brokers and resale sites.[69][70] Jeff Miller, writing for the Orange County Register, observed that the cheapest tickets were nearly as expensive as a year's tuition at the University of Phoenix, and commented that the $28,888 price of seats near the 50-yard line "should not only buy you Katy Perry's halftime show but also Katy Perry singing again from your backseat halfway through your drive home."[66]

Broadcasting

[edit]

Television

[edit]

United States

[edit]

Super Bowl XLIX was televised by NBC in the United States, with play-by-play announcer Al Michaels and color analyst Cris Collinsworth calling the game from the booth and Michele Tafoya working as sideline reporter. Game coverage was preceded by a six-hour pre-game show featuring the Football Night in America crew, including Bob Costas, Dan Patrick, Josh Elliott, Tony Dungy, Rodney Harrison, Hines Ward, Mike Florio and Peter King. John Harbaugh served as a guest analyst. Michaels, Collinsworth and Tafoya also contributed to the pre-game coverage along with Liam McHugh, Carolyn Manno, Randy Moss and Doug Flutie.[71] It became the most watched broadcast in the history of American television, only one year removed from Fox's previous year's record-setting telecast of Super Bowl XLVIII.[17] The presentation of the Lombardi Trophy was handled by Dan Patrick of NBC.

A Spanish language telecast of the game was carried by NBC Universo, with play-by-play announcer René Giraldo and color analyst Edgar López. Formerly known as mun2, the network's re-branding was scheduled to coincide with the game.[72] As with other major events broadcast by the network, the telecast was cross-promoted with other NBCUniversal properties, with various NBC News and NBC Sports programs either broadcast from Phoenix or featuring reports from the game. Golf Channel cross-promoted the game with its early-round coverage of the Phoenix Open golf tournament (the weekend rounds of the tournament aired on CBS, as per agreements for CBS and NBC to swap tournaments if they conflict with the Super Bowl or Winter Olympics),[73] and live episodes of Feherty from the Orpheum Theatre.[74]

An episode of The Blacklist, "Luther Braxton", served as NBC's lead-out program. Following a break for local newscasts, a live episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon from the Orpheum was also broadcast.[75]

Advertising
[edit]

NBC set the sales rate for a 30-second advertisement at US$4.5 million,[76] a price $500,000 above the record set by the two preceding Super Bowls.[77] For the first time, the network also offered 15-second ad spots.[78] A large number of automotive advertisers reduced their advertising during the game, replaced by a wave of fifteen first-time Super Bowl advertisers, including Skittles, Carnival Cruise Lines,[76] Loctite, Wix.com,[76] Jublia, a coalition of Mexican avocado growers, and Always among several others. NBC posted the commercials on a Tumblr blog as they aired throughout the game; the blog was promoted through NBC's own live stream, as it did not contain all of the same commercials as the television broadcast.[78][79][80] The network had more difficulty than in recent years selling out the advertisements, with the last ads selling out four days before the game.[78]

Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios, Walt Disney Studios, 20th Century Fox, and Lionsgate paid for movie trailers to be aired during the Super Bowl. Paramount paid for The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water and Terminator Genisys. Universal paid for Fifty Shades of Grey, Pitch Perfect 2, Jurassic World, Minions, Furious 7, and the debut trailer for Ted 2. Fox paid for Kingsman: The Secret Service. Lionsgate paid for The Divergent Series: Insurgent during the pre-game show. Disney paid for Tomorrowland.[81]

International

[edit]

Super Bowl XLIX aired on Seven Network, 7mate, and ESPN in Australia, CTV in Canada, Sky Television in New Zealand, and Channel 4,[82] Sky Sports,[83] and BBC Radio 5 Live[84] in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

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

The Canadian broadcast was the most-watched broadcast on television that week, with 8.26 million viewers, while the pregame ceremonies in the half-hour preceding the game attracted 5.16 million viewers, making it the second most-watched program of the week.[85] In the United Kingdom, the game was watched by 191,000 viewers, making it the eighth highest-rated program on Sky Sports 1 that week.[86] It was the most viewed broadcast on pay television in Australia that day, with 94,000 viewers.[87]

The game aired live in France on channel W9.

The game was broadcast live in India on Sony SIX.[88]

Streaming

[edit]

NBC livestreamed the game for free on NBCSports.com on computers and the NBC Sports Live Extra app on tablets.[89] Mobile device rights were exclusive to Verizon Wireless NFL Mobile for its subscribers who pay for NFL Mobile and they had to use NFL Mobile app instead of NBC Sports Live Extra.

Radio

[edit]

National coverage

[edit]

The game was broadcast nationally 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. Jim Gray anchored the pre-game and halftime coverage, with Larry Fitzgerald, Tom Brady, Scott Graham, Rod Woodson and Kurt Warner contributing.[90] Scott Graham also handled public address duties inside the stadium for pregame introductions and postgame awards.

Local market coverage

[edit]

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 game, with Steve Raible on play-by-play and Warren Moon on color commentary. As a clear-channel station, KIRO's commentary was audible over much of the West Coast of North America after sunset. In Greater Boston, WBZ-FM (98.5) carried the game, with Bob Socci on play-by-play and Scott Zolak on color commentary. Per contractual rules, the rest of the stations in the Seahawks and Patriots radio networks carried the Westwood One feed.

International radio coverage

[edit]

Westwood One's coverage was simulcasted on TSN Radio in Canada.

In the United Kingdom, BBC Radio 5 Live returned 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

[edit]

Pregame

[edit]

Idina Menzel performed the national anthem and John Legend performed "America the Beautiful".[4]

Halftime show

[edit]
Main article: Super Bowl XLIX halftime show
Katy Perry headlined the halftime show
Lenny Kravitz made an appearance at the halftime show

On October 9, 2014, Billboard announced that Katy Perry would perform at halftime and the NFL confirmed the announcement on November 23, 2014.[5][91] At the start of the halftime show, on-field participants held up light globes which created a bird's-eye view of the Pepsi logo.[92] Perry entered the stadium riding atop a large, golden mechanical lion, opening her set with a performance of "Roar".[93] She then proceeded to sing "Dark Horse", with 3D rendering on the field creating a chessboard visual where the turf constantly turned into "different shapes and sizes", as acrobats surrounded the singer.[92][94] Following this, Perry joined Lenny Kravitz for a duet version of "I Kissed a Girl", which included her "rubbing up against" Kravitz and flames exploding behind them.[94][95] During these three songs, Perry was clothed in a "flame-adorned" dress, with her black hair in a ponytail.[94] The costume has been described as the "clothing equivalent of a flame",[96] and "dress of fire".[92] The stage and field rendering transitioned into a "breezy" beach setting, with dancers dressed as sharks, palm trees and smiling beach balls dancing around Perry. She underwent a wardrobe change, and progressed into a "campy" medley of "Teenage Dream" and "California Gurls".[93][94] Rapper Missy Elliott subsequently appeared, performing her songs "Get Ur Freak On" and "Work It", while Perry played "hype-woman" beside her, having now changed once again into a custom Super Bowl 49 jersey. After Perry briefly disappeared, Elliott performed "Lose Control".[94] Perry returned, now sporting a "star-encrusted gown" for her closing song, "Firework". She rose out of midfield on a narrow platform that was attached to a shooting star prop, and flew above the crowds. During this performance, fireworks exploded around Perry and the stadium.[94][96] The star Perry flew around the stadium attached to was heavily compared to The More You Know's public service announcements logo.[96][97] It is the most-watched halftime show of all time, with a total TV audience of 120.7 million.[98]

In August 2014, it was reported that the NFL had a short list of three potential acts for the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show, including Coldplay, Katy Perry, and Rihanna.[99] It was also reported by 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.[99][100]

Game summary

[edit]

First half

[edit]

After the teams exchanged punts to start the game, New England got the first scoring opportunity with a drive to the Seattle 10-yard line. However, on 3rd-and-6, quarterback Tom Brady threw a pass that was intercepted and returned to the 14-yard line by cornerback Jeremy Lane. Lane broke his wrist and tore his ACL on the play when he tried to break his fall with his arm extended after being tackled by wide receiver Julian Edelman, and was subsequently taken out of the game. After the Patriots forced another Seahawks punt to start the second quarter, they mounted a 65-yard drive in nine plays, which began with Brady's 17-yard pass to wide receiver Danny Amendola. Brady later completed a 23-yard pass to Edelman on 3rd-and-9, then finished the drive with an 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Brandon LaFell two plays later, giving the Patriots a 7–0 lead.[101]

After another exchange of punts, the Seahawks began to make progress when quarterback Russell Wilson completed his first pass of the day, a 6-yard completion to wide receiver Jermaine Kearse on 3rd-and-6 and with 5:36 left in the half. Wilson then completed a 44-yard pass to wide receiver Chris Matthews on the New England 11-yard line. Running back Marshawn Lynch also recorded six runs for a total gain of 25 yards during the drive, the last run being for a 3-yard touchdown to tie the game, 7–7. Only 2:16 remained in the half after Lynch's touchdown, but both teams' offenses abruptly exploded in the final two minutes of the half. Brady completed five of six passes for 59 yards on New England's ensuing possession, including three passes to running back Shane Vereen for 26 yards, and finished the drive with a 22-yard touchdown completion to tight end Rob Gronkowski with 31 seconds remaining in the half. Taking the ball back on their own 20, Seattle started off their drive with a 19-yard burst from running back Robert Turbin and a 17-yard scramble by Wilson. Then Wilson completed a 23-yard pass to wide receiver Ricardo Lockette, with a face-mask penalty on cornerback Kyle Arrington adding an extra 11 yards that gave Seattle a first down on the New England 11-yard line. Only six seconds remained until halftime at this point, but coach Pete Carroll decided to take a shot at the end zone rather than kick a field goal, a gamble that paid off as Wilson threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Matthews (the first NFL touchdown reception of his career) on the next play, tying the game at 14 with just two seconds showing on the clock.[102]

Second half

[edit]

Seattle took the second-half kickoff and drove 72 yards to the New England 8-yard line, featuring a 15-yard run by Lynch and a 45-yard reception by Matthews. After Lynch was stopped for no gain on 3rd-and-1 in the red zone, kicker Stephen Hauschka finished the drive with a 27-yard field goal, giving Seattle their first lead of the game, 17–14.[103] On the Patriots' next possession, Seattle linebacker Bobby Wagner intercepted a Brady pass and returned it 6 yards to the New England 34, but an illegal blocking penalty against cornerback Richard Sherman after Wagner's interception forced the Seahawks to start their ensuing possession at midfield. Just as with their last interception, Seattle lost a key defensive player to injury. Defensive end Cliff Avril lay on the field motionless. After finally getting to his feet, he entered concussion protocol and did not re-enter the game. Seattle's pass rush, particularly Michael Bennett inside and Avril outside, had hurried Brady into several drive-ending incompletions as well as the first interception. Wrote Gregg Bell of the Tacoma News Tribune, "At times that night in the desert Bennett and Avril controlled the line of scrimmage almost by themselves."[104] With Avril out, the Patriots were able to double-team Bennett and give Brady more time in the pocket.

Despite the penalty against Sherman, Seattle's offense took advantage of the turnover, driving 50 yards in six plays, which featured three runs by Lynch for 18 yards and a 15-yard scramble by Wilson. The drive ended with Wilson's 3-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Doug Baldwin, who was penalized 15 yards on the kickoff after the play for an inappropriate celebration.[105] The score increased Seattle's lead to 24–14, and it would remain this way going into the fourth quarter. Until this game, no team in Super Bowl history had come back to win after facing a fourth-quarter deficit of more than a touchdown.

With 12:10 left in the game, New England mounted a 68-yard drive to cut their deficit to a field goal at 24–21 on Brady's 4-yard touchdown toss to Amendola. The drive included two 21-yard completions from Brady to Edelman, the first one converting a 3rd-and-14 in what was described by Bleacher Report as "the NFL's worst nightmare". Edelman was clearly concussed by safety Kam Chancellor's helmet-to-helmet hit, "suffering an apparent brain injury, staggering around on the field in plain view of the biggest television audience ever, per Deadline.com, and receiving no treatment."[106] Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reported that "a medical observer was overheard radioing someone a second time saying Edelman needed to be examined."[107] "I thought he was going to go to sleep the way he was running," LaFell told Matt Pentz of The Seattle Times. Nevertheless, Edelman remained in the game and eventually caught the game-winning touchdown pass.

Following a three-and-out for Seattle, New England got the ball back on their own 32 at the 6:52 mark. Brady started off the possession with two completions to Vereen for 13 yards, and followed it up with a 9-yard pass to Edelman. Following an offensive pass interference penalty against Amendola (which was mistakenly called against Edelman), Gronkowski caught a pair of passes that moved the team up 33 yards to the Seattle 19. Over the next three plays, Vereen rushed for 7 yards, Brady passed to LaFell for 7 more, and running back LeGarrette Blount ran the ball 2 yards to the 3-yard line. Finally, with 2:02 left in the game, Brady gave his team a 28–24 lead with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Edelman.[108]

After a touchback gave Seattle the ball on their 20, with a chance to mount a game-winning drive, Wilson started off with a 31-yard completion to Lynch. Then after two incompletions, Wilson picked up another first down with an 11-yard pass to Lockette. The following play gave the Seahawks an opportunity to win the game. Wilson threw a deep pass down the right sideline to Kearse, who was covered by cornerback Malcolm Butler. Both players dove through the air for the ball, and Butler managed to deflect it with one hand, but the pass fell right into the hands of Kearse, who tipped it to himself and caught the ball while he was lying on his back. Butler managed to recognize the catch and recover in time to shove Kearse out of bounds as he got up, preventing a Seattle touchdown, but the play netted 33 yards and set up 1st-and-goal for the Seahawks at the New England 5-yard line with 1:05 left in the game. Announcer Cris Collinsworth compared the play to two other acrobatic receptions by Patriots opponents, both of the New York Giants, that had defeated them in prior Super Bowls: David Tyree's Helmet Catch in Super Bowl XLII (which took place at the same stadium) and Mario Manningham's sideline catch in Super Bowl XLVI. Al Michaels also compared it to Antonio Freeman's famous Monday Night Football catch known as "He did what?" (a play that Michaels had himself called).

Malcolm Butler, seen here in 2015, made the game-clinching interception

On the next play, Lynch ran the ball 4 yards to the 1-yard line where he was brought down by linebacker Dont'a Hightower. Since New England did not call a timeout, Seattle was able to run the clock down to 26 seconds before taking the snap for the next play. The Seahawks called a pass play in which Kearse would run a pick on the right side of the field to draw defensive backs away from Lockette as Lockette ran a slant to the middle, but cornerback Brandon Browner blocked Kearse at the line of scrimmage, preventing him from reaching Butler. Lockette appeared to be uncovered at the 1-yard line when Wilson threw him the ball, but before the ball arrived, Butler correctly read the play and rushed into position to make the interception.[15] The turnover—after an unsportsmanlike conduct call for excessive celebration—gave New England the ball on their own 1-yard line with 20 seconds remaining in the game.

The game was not quite over at this point. Since the ball was placed on the one-yard line, Brady had to take the snap in his own end zone. If he took a knee or the Patriots otherwise failed to advance the ball beyond the goal line, this would be a safety, awarding Seattle two points, cutting the New England lead to 28–26, and forcing the Patriots to kick the ball back to the Seahawks who could win with a field goal. However, Bennett moved across the line of scrimmage, earning a 5-yard encroachment penalty against the Seattle defense and moving the ball to the 6-yard line. Brady then took a knee, Seattle called its final timeout, and linebacker Bruce Irvin rushed some of the New England players, starting a brawl involving players from both teams that resulted in a personal foul penalty for Seattle for another 15 yards. Irvin received the first ejection in Super Bowl history for throwing a closed hand punch at Gronkowski.[109][110] Brady knelt one more time at the 21-yard line and the Patriots had won their first Super Bowl title in 10 years.[110]

Game statistics

[edit]

Brady completed 37 of 50 passes for 328 yards and four touchdowns, with two interceptions. His 37 completions set a new Super Bowl record, surpassing Peyton Manning's 34 set the previous year against Seattle in Super Bowl XLVIII. He also surpassed Joe Montana's record for career touchdown passes in Super Bowls, setting a new record with 13.[111] His top receiver was Edelman, who caught 9 passes for 109 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for seven yards and returning three punts for 27 additional yards. Vereen caught 11 passes for 64 yards and rushed for 13. For Seattle, Wilson completed 12 of 21 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns, with one interception, while also rushing for 39 yards. Lynch was the top rusher of the game with 102 yards and a touchdown, and also caught a pass for 31 yards. Matthews, an undrafted rookie who had not caught any passes in the regular season or postseason before the Super Bowl, caught four passes for 109 yards and a touchdown. Wagner had 12 tackles (10 solo) and an interception. Linebacker K. J. Wright had 11 tackles (10 solo).[102] New England became only the fourth team to win a Super Bowl despite losing the turnover battle (after the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl V and the Pittsburgh Steelers in both Super Bowls XIV and XL).[112]

In winning, Brady became the third quarterback in NFL history with four Super Bowl victories. Brady was also named MVP for a third time, tying the record set by Joe Montana. The Seahawks became the first defending champion since the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII to lose in the Super Bowl the next year. This also marked the 10th consecutive Super Bowl without a repeat winner (with the last one being the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX).

In a poll conducted by NFL.com a couple of months after the game, Super Bowl XLIX was voted by its readers as the "greatest Super Bowl game" of all time.[113] The article does report that the voting was structured to try to account for "recency bias" in relation to the game at the time when the poll was conducted, but voters still "pushed it through the competition".[113] Most lists of greatest Super Bowls continue to list it in the top few games.[114] [115]

Reactions to Seattle's final play

[edit]

After the game, Seattle faced heavy criticism for their decision to call a pass play on second and goal from the 1-yard line with 26 seconds and one timeout left instead of a rushing play. Following the play, Collinsworth stated, "I'm sorry, but I can't believe the call. … I cannot believe the call. You've got Marshawn Lynch in the backfield. You've got a guy that has been borderline unstoppable in this part of the field. I can't believe the call." He further added, "If I lose the Super Bowl because Marshawn Lynch can't get it in from the 1 yard line, so be it. So be it! But there is no way... I don't believe the call."[116][117] Sports Illustrated writer Peter King called the play one of the worst calls in Super Bowl history,[118] as did retired Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.[119] Retired running back Emmitt Smith, the NFL's all-time leading rusher, went even further, calling it the worst play call in the history of football.[120] Others, including University of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh and Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath, defended the call, crediting Butler for the play he made and pointing out that the Seahawks only had one time-out left.[121][122] Writing for Grantland, Bill Simmons said the Seahawks "took too much heat for the final play call" and noted Carroll opted to run the ball on fourth down at the end of the 2006 Rose Bowl, costing his team the game.[123]

Butler's interception, thanks to his quick "read-and-react to Ricardo Lockette's underneath route", has been considered one of the top clutch plays in Super Bowl history.[15] It would also be a launching point for Butler's career. Butler, an undrafted rookie who had started only one game during the season, had entered Super Bowl XLIX listed #5 on the Patriots depth chart.[124] But after this game, he would go on to start in all but one of the Patriots games over the next three seasons, as well as leading the team in interceptions in 2016, a season in which he helped them win another Super Bowl.[125][126]

In the game, Lynch had gained at least one yard on 22 of 24 carries.[127] While the Patriots in 2014 were ranked fifth-worst (28th overall) in the league in holding opposing backs for no gain or a loss, they had stopped him for no gain on both a third-and-2 and a third-and-1, the latter in the red zone.[103][127][128] On the season, Lynch had scored just once on his five attempts from his opponent's 1-yard line. From 2010 to 2014, he scored 45 percent of the time, ranking 30th out of 39 running backs; for his career to that point, he was successful on 42 percent of his attempts (15 of 36).[b][c]

Seattle offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell acknowledged making the call,[130] but also remarked that Lockette could have been more aggressive on the play.[131] Wilson said the play was a "good call", and lamented throwing the interception and "not making that play."[130] Carroll, though, said the last play was "all my fault", and called Bevell "crucially important to our future."[130] The head coach added that Seattle would have run the ball on a subsequent play,[130][132] as well that "we don't ever call a play thinking we might throw an interception."[133] Butler's interception was the only one against all 109 pass attempts during the 2014 NFL season from the 1-yard line.[134]

Box score

[edit]
Super Bowl XLIX: New England Patriots 28, Seattle Seahawks 24
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Patriots (AFC) 0 14 01428
Seahawks (NFC) 0 14 10024

at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona

Scoring summary
Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score
Plays Yards TOP NE SEA
2 9:47 9 65 4:10 NE Brandon LaFell 11-yard touchdown reception from Tom Brady, Stephen Gostkowski kick good 7 0
2 2:16 8 70 4:51 SEA Marshawn Lynch 3-yard touchdown run, Steven Hauschka kick good 7 7
2 0:31 8 80 1:45 NE Rob Gronkowski 22-yard touchdown reception from Brady, Gostkowski kick good 14 7
2 0:02 5 80 0:29 SEA Chris Matthews 11-yard touchdown reception from Russell Wilson, Hauschka kick good 14 14
3 11:09 7 72 3:51 SEA 27-yard field goal by Hauschka 14 17
3 4:54 6 50 3:13 SEA Doug Baldwin 3-yard touchdown reception from Wilson, Hauschka kick good 14 24
4 7:55 9 68 4:15 NE Danny Amendola 4-yard touchdown reception from Brady, Gostkowski kick good 21 24
4 2:02 10 64 4:50 NE Julian Edelman 3-yard touchdown reception from Brady, Gostkowski kick good 28 24
"TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 28 24

Final statistics

[edit]

Sources: NFL.com, Pro Football Reference.com,[135][136] The Football Database Super Bowl XLIX

Statistical comparison

[edit]
Statistic New England Patriots Seattle Seahawks
First downs 25 20
First downs rushing 1 8
First downs passing 21 10
First downs penalty 3 2
Third down efficiency 8/14 3/10
Fourth down efficiency 0/0 0/0
Net yards rushing 57 162
Rushing attempts 21 29
Yards per rush 2.7 5.6
Passing – Completions-attempts 37/50 12/21
Times sacked-total yards 1–8 3–13
Interceptions thrown 2 1
Net yards passing 320 234
Total net yards 377 396
Punt returns-total yards 3–27 2–6
Kickoff returns-total yards 3–49 0–0
Interceptions-total return yards 1–3 2–14
Punts-average yardage 4–49.0 6–44.8
Fumbles-lost 0–0 0–0
Penalties-yards 5–36 7–70
Time of possession 33:46 26:14
Turnovers 2 1
Records set
Most games started 6 Tom Brady
(New England)
Most games started at quarterback 6
Most pass completions, game 37
Most passing touchdowns, career 13
Most pass attempts, career 247*
Most pass completions, career 164*
Most passing yards, career 1,605* *extended his record
Longest punt 64 yards Ryan Allen (New England)
Most tackles, career 22[137] Bobby Wagner (Seattle)
Largest fourth-quarter comeback 10 points[138] New England
Most first downs earned, passing 21
Fewest kickoff returns, one team 0 Seattle
Fewest kickoff return yards, one team 0
Fewest kickoff returns, both teams 3 New England (3), Seattle (0)
Fewest kickoff return yards, both teams 49 New England (49), Seattle (0)
Records tied
Most Super Bowl MVP Awards 3 Tom Brady
Most games played 6
Most wins as starting QB 4
Most games as player, assistant, or coach 9 Bill Belichick
Most games, head coach 6
Most wins, head coach 4
Most Super Bowl appearances 8 New England
Largest comeback 10 points
Fewest first downs rushing 1
Fewest rushing touchdowns 0
Fewest fumbles, both teams 0  
Fewest fumbles lost, both teams 0  
Fewest field goals attempted, both teams 1 New England (0), Seattle (1)

Individual leaders

[edit]
Patriots passing
C/ATT1 Yds TD INT Rating
Tom Brady 37/50 328 4 2 101.1
Patriots rushing
Car2 Yds TD LG3 Yds/Car
LeGarrette Blount 14 40 0 9 2.86
Shane Vereen 4 13 0 7 3.25
Julian Edelman 1 7 0 7 7.00
Tom Brady 2 –3 0 –1 –1.50
Patriots receiving
Rec4 Yds TD LG3 Target5
Shane Vereen 11 64 0 16 12
Julian Edelman 9 109 1 23 12
Rob Gronkowski 6 68 1 22 10
Danny Amendola 5 48 1 17 7
Brandon LaFell 4 29 1 11 7
James Develin 1 6 0 6 1
Michael Hoomanawanui 1 4 0 4 1
Seahawks passing
C/ATT1 Yds TD INT Rating
Russell Wilson 12/21 247 2 1 110.6
Seahawks rushing
Car2 Yds TD LG3 Yds/Car
Marshawn Lynch 24 102 1 15 4.25
Russell Wilson 3 39 0 17 13.00
Robert Turbin 2 21 0 19 10.50
Seahawks receiving
Rec4 Yds TD LG3 Target5
Chris Matthews 4 109 1 45 5
Ricardo Lockette 3 59 0 25 5
Jermaine Kearse 3 45 0 33 6
Marshawn Lynch 1 31 0 31 2
Doug Baldwin 1 3 1 3 1
Bryan Walters 0 0 0 0 1

1Completions/attempts 2Carries 3Long gain 4Receptions 5Times targeted

Starting lineups

[edit]

Hall of Fame‡

New England Position Seattle
Offense
Brandon LaFell WR Doug Baldwin
Nate Solder LT Russell Okung
Dan Connolly LG James Carpenter
Bryan Stork C Max Unger
Ryan Wendell RG J. R. Sweezy
Sebastian Vollmer RT Justin Britt
Rob Gronkowski TE Luke Willson
Julian Edelman WR Jermaine Kearse
Tom Brady QB Russell Wilson
Michael Hoomanawanui TE WR Ricardo Lockette
Shane Vereen RB Marshawn Lynch
Defense
Rob Ninkovich LE LDE Michael Bennett
Vince Wilfork DT LDT Tony McDaniel
Sealver Siliga DT RDT Kevin Williams
Chandler Jones RE RDE Cliff Avril
Jamie Collins LB OLB Bruce Irvin
Dont'a Hightower LB MLB Bobby Wagner
Kyle Arrington DB OLB K. J. Wright
Darrelle Revis‡ LCB Richard Sherman
Brandon Browner RCB Byron Maxwell
Patrick Chung SS Kam Chancellor
Devin McCourty FS Earl Thomas
Source:[139]

Officials

[edit]

Super Bowl XLIX had seven officials.[2] The numbers in parentheses below indicates their uniform numbers.

  • Referee: Bill Vinovich (52), first Super Bowl[140]
  • Umpire: Bill Schuster (129), first Super Bowl
  • Head linesman: Dana McKenzie (8), first Super Bowl
  • Line judge: Mark Perlman (9), third Super Bowl (XL, XLIII)
  • Field judge: Bob Waggoner (25), second Super Bowl (XL as BJ)
  • Side judge: Tom Hill (97), second Super Bowl (XL)
  • Back judge: Terrence Miles (111), first Super Bowl
  • Replay official: Mike Wimmer, first Super Bowl
  • Replay assistant: Terry Poulos[141]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ The game was originally scheduled to be played at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
  2. ^ Rank is among players with a least 10 attempts and includes performance in the playoffs.[129]
  3. ^ He did not gain a yard on 12 of those attempts, and lost yardage in 9.[129]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Purdum, David (January 31, 2015). "Vegas books move lines to pick 'em". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Super Bowl XLIX officials named; Vinovich to be head referee". NFL.com. NFL Enterprises, LLC. January 20, 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  3. ^ "Chart: Super Bowl XLIX by the numbers". Star Tribune. February 2, 2015. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Idina Menzel to sing National Anthem at Super Bowl". NFL.com. NFL Enterprises, LLC. January 16, 2015. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  5. ^ a b "Katy Perry to headline Pepsi Super Bowl XLIX Halftime Show". National Football League. November 23, 2014. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  6. ^ "Lenny Kravitz joins Katy Perry for Super Bowl Halftime Show". NFL.com. NFL Enterprises, LLC. January 10, 2015. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  7. ^ Reed, Ryan (January 30, 2015). "Missy Elliott and Katy Perry Will Team Up for Super Bowl Halftime Show". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
  8. ^ "ASU marching band practices for Super Bowl pre-game and halftime shows". East Valley Tribune. February 1, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  9. ^ "Super Bowl 49 viewership sets US television record". Yahoo! Sports. February 2, 2015. Archived from the original on February 11, 2016. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
  10. ^ a b c Lewis, Jon (February 2, 2015). "Boston Top Market For Super Bowl 49; Seattle Down". Sports Media Watch. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  11. ^ Pallotta, Frank (February 2, 2015). "Super Bowl XLIX posts the largest audience in TV history". CNNMoney. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  12. ^ Castillo, Michelle (January 7, 2015). "NBC Has Sold 95% of Super Bowl Ads and Says $4.5 Million Per :30 'Is a Steal'". Adweek. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  13. ^ "Official New England Patriots News and Analysis". www.patriots.com. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  14. ^ "Super Bowl XLIX: Patriots vs. Seahawks, by the numbers". Raleigh News & Observer. January 31, 2015. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  15. ^ a b c "Ranking all 52 Super Bowls". NFL.com.
  16. ^ Schatz, Aaron (January 31, 2024). "Ranking every Super Bowl champion team from 1-57". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
  17. ^ a b Patra, Kevin (February 2, 2015). "Super Bowl XLIX is most-watched show in U.S. history". National Football League. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  18. ^ a b Kissell, Rick (February 2, 2015). "Update: Super Bowl on NBC Draws Record U.S. Television Audience". Variety. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  19. ^ "'NFL 100 Greatest' Games, No. 8: Patriots-Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX". NFL.com.
  20. ^ "NFL's 100 Greatest Plays: The final five unveiled". NFL.com. September 20, 2019. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  21. ^ "K.C. to host 2015 Super Bowl if renovations approved". ESPN.com. Associated Press. March 5, 2006. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  22. ^ "No rolling roof, no Super Bowl at Arrowhead". ESPN.com. Associated Press. May 25, 2006. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  23. ^ a b c "Tampa, Miami move focus to 2015 Super Bowl after losing 2014 bid". NFL.com. National Football League. May 25, 2010. Archived from the original on February 6, 2013. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  24. ^ a b "New York among remaining bidders". ESPN.com. Associated Press. February 26, 2010. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  25. ^ a b "NFL says Tampa, Arizona are 2015 Super Bowl host finalists". National Football League. April 28, 2011. Archived from the original on April 29, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  26. ^ "Owners vote Arizona as Super Bowl host for third time". National Football League. Associated Press. October 11, 2011. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
  27. ^ McClain, John (October 10, 2011). "NFL owners in Houston for fall meetings". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
  28. ^ Leger, Justin (September 29, 2021). "How Brady, Patriots embraced 'We're on to Cincinnati' mantra". NBC Sports Boston. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  29. ^ Monson, Sam; Williamson, Matt; Young, Steve; Hasselbeck, Tim; Parolin, John (September 30, 2014). "What's wrong with Tom Brady?". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  30. ^ Schechter, Lee (September 30, 2014). "Rodney Harrison: Tom Brady 'scared'". ESPNBoston.com. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  31. ^ "New England Patriots 2014 Games and Schedule". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  32. ^ "Divisional Round - Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots - January 10th, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  33. ^ "AFC Championship - Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots - January 18th, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  34. ^ "Tom Brady 2014 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  35. ^ "Seattle Seahawks 2014 Games and Schedule". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  36. ^ "2014 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  37. ^ "Divisional Round - Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks - January 10th, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  38. ^ "NFC Championship - Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks - January 18th, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  39. ^ Musgrove, Kole (June 24, 2023). "Seahawks still last NFC team to make consecutive Super Bowls". Seahawks Wire. USA Today. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  40. ^ "Russell Wilson 2014 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  41. ^ a b "Pats erase two 14-point deficits vs. Ravens, into AFC title game again". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 10, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  42. ^ "Tom Brady carries Pats to rout of Colts, claims sixth Super Bowl trip". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 18, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  43. ^ Verderame, Matt (January 18, 2015). "Belichick owns postseason wins record". SBNation.com. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  44. ^ "Russell Wilson, Kam Chancellor star as Seahawks roll into title game". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 10, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  45. ^ Drovetto, Tony (January 18, 2015). "Jon Ryan, Garry Gilliam team up for touchdown on Seahawks fake field goal vs Green Bay Packers". Seahawks.com. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  46. ^ "Seahawks rally to stun Packers in OT, clinch return trip to Super Bowl". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 18, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  47. ^ Shpigel, Ben (February 8, 2018). "Malcolm Smith Goes From M.V.P. to Capable Reserve on Seahawks' Deep Roster". The New York Times. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  48. ^ Kelly, Danny (August 30, 2014). "Seahawks release updated depth chart". FieldGulls.com. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
  49. ^ Brinson, Will (January 18, 2015). "2015 Super Bowl odds/line: Seahawks early 2.5 favorites against Patriots". CBSSports.com. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  50. ^ "Vegas Bookies: Patriots-Seahawks pick 'em for Super Bowl". The Gazette. Associated Press. January 18, 2015. Archived from the original on January 19, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  51. ^ "Seahawks-Patriots is pick 'em in Super Bowl XLIX spread". Sports Illustrated. January 18, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  52. ^ Purdum, David (January 27, 2015). "Vegas, fans favoring Patriots". ESPN. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  53. ^ Mortensen, Chris (January 21, 2015). "11 of 12 Pats footballs underinflated". ESPN. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  54. ^ "After further review, a theory on how #DeflateGate initially unfolded". NBC Sports. May 13, 2015. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  55. ^ Jenkins, Sally (July 30, 2015). "DeflateGate's real issue: Due process". The Washington Post.
  56. ^ Ellis, Ralph; Botelho, Greg; Hanna, Jason (January 23, 2015). "Tom Brady weighs in on 'Deflategate:' 'I didn't alter the ball'". CNN. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  57. ^ Farmer, Sam (May 11, 2015). "Tom Brady suspended four games, Patriots lose draft picks for Deflategate". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  58. ^ Farnsworth, Clare (January 22, 2015). "Thursday in Hawkville: Regardless of whether the Patriots run or pass, the Seahawks will be prepared". Seahawks.com. NFL Enterprises. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  59. ^ Hart, Andy (January 27, 2015). "Ask PFW: On to the Super Bowl". Patriots.com. NFL Enterprises. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  60. ^ Covitz, Randy (February 1, 2014). "Super Bowl notes: University of Phoenix Stadium roof left open for game". Kansas City Star. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  61. ^ Hartstein, Larry (February 1, 2015). "Super Bowl 49 big question: Why is roof open for first time all season?". CBSSports.com. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  62. ^ "Super Bowl XLII - New York Giants vs. New England Patriots - February 3rd, 2008". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  63. ^ "Game Preview: Patriots at Cardinals". New England Patriots. October 6, 2016. Archived from the original on October 24, 2017. Retrieved November 3, 2017. The Patriots have played two Super Bowls in the stadium, Super Bowl XLII on Feb. 3, 2008 and Super Bowl XLIX on Feb. 1, 2015
  64. ^ Root, Jess (January 19, 2015). "Super Bowl 49: Patriots to use Cardinals facility, Seahawks are home team in big game". SB Nation. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  65. ^ Breech, John (January 29, 2015). "Super expensive: Cheapest Super Bowl ticket costs over $8,000". CBS Sports. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  66. ^ a b Miller, Jeff (January 29, 2015). "Miller: Super Bowl prices out true fans". The Orange County Register. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  67. ^ "Super Bowl tickets 2015: Still available if you want to spend $9,000 each". The Times-Picayune. Associated Press. January 31, 2015. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
  68. ^ Wray, Cheryl (January 31, 2015). "How much does a Super Bowl ticket cost? More than you can probably imagine". The Birmingham News. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  69. ^ "The Biggest Super Bowl Ticket Scandals". fanhospitality.com. October 9, 2017. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  70. ^ Rovell, Darren (March 6, 2015). "Super Bowl ticket shortage suit filed". ESPN. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  71. ^ Kondolojy, Amanda (January 27, 2015). "NBC Sports Presents Six Hours of Super Bowl XLIX Pre-Game Coverage". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on January 31, 2015. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
  72. ^ "NBC UNIVERSO to Air the Exclusive Spanish-Language Telecast of Super Bowl XLIX for Millions of Viewers on Multiple Platforms". La Opinión. January 28, 2015.
  73. ^ "PGA Tour finds another title sponsor for Phoenix". Associated Press. Retrieved October 4, 2022 – via Golf Channel.
  74. ^ "NBCU's 'Big Event' Game Plan in Play for Super Bowl". Multichannel News. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  75. ^ Ringle, Hayley (January 28, 2015). "What it takes for the Orpheum Theatre to prepare for Jimmy Fallon's Super Bowl 'Tonight Show'". Phoenix Business Journal. Advance Publications. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
  76. ^ a b c Tadena, Nathalie (January 12, 2015). "Super Bowl Ad Prices Have Gone Up 75% Over a Decade". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  77. ^ Smith, Chris (January 16, 2015). "Could a Super Bowl commercial really be worth $10 million? Surprisingly, yes". Forbes. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  78. ^ a b c Steel, Emily (January 30, 2015). Newcomers buy ad time at the Super Bowl. The New York Times. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  79. ^ Horovitz, Bruce (January 7, 2015). "Super Bowl ads still not sold out". USA Today. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  80. ^ Spangler, Todd (January 21, 2015). "Super Bowl Ads: NBC Turns to Tumblr to Post Spots After They Air on TV". Variety. Retrieved January 29, 2015.
  81. ^ "2015 Super Bowl Trailers: What Ads to Expect During the Big Game Read More: 2015 Super Bowl Trailers: What Ads to Expect During the Big Game". Screen Crush. January 28, 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  82. ^ "Biggest ever season of American Football coming soon to Channel 4". nfluk.com. National Football League. September 2, 2014. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  83. ^ "Sky Sports agree five-year agreement with the NFL". nfluk.com. NFL Enterprises. September 25, 2014. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  84. ^ BBC 5 Live to air Super Bowl XLIX from Arizona. Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  85. ^ "Top 30 Programs (January 26-February 2, 2015)" (PDF). Numeris. February 10, 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 11, 2015. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
  86. ^ "Weekly Top 10". Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. Archived from the original on July 18, 2014. Retrieved February 17, 2015. Note: The ratings must be searched for.
  87. ^ Knox, David (February 3, 2015). "Monday 2 February 2015". TV Tonight. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
  88. ^ "Sony Six brings American football to India with NFL". Indian Television Dot Com. September 17, 2014. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  89. ^ Chowdhry, Amit (January 21, 2015). "NBC To Live-Stream Super Bowl XLIX Free Online Without Requiring A Cable Subscription". Forbes. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  90. ^ "Super Bowl XLIX on Westwood One". Westwood One Sports. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
  91. ^ Stutz, Colin (October 9, 2014). "Katy Perry Performing at Super Bowl XLIX Halftime Show". Billboard. Retrieved October 9, 2014.
  92. ^ a b c Chase, Chris (February 1, 2015). "Katy Perry blew away the Super Bowl halftime show". USA Today. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  93. ^ a b Peterson, Nate (February 1, 2015). "A recap of the crazy that was Katy Perry's Super Bowl halftime show". CBS Sports. CBS Broadcasting. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  94. ^ a b c d e f Lipshutz, Jason (February 1, 2015). "Katy Perry Shines During Super Bowl XLIX Halftime Show". Billboard. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  95. ^ Ishler, Julianne (February 3, 2015). "Lenny Kravitz's daughter mocks him for twerking on Katy Perry". AOL.com. AOL. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  96. ^ a b c Goodman, Jessica (February 1, 2015). "Katy Perry's Outrageous Super Bowl Halftime Show Includes Missy Elliott Throwback, Lenny Kravitz". The Huffington Post. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  97. ^ Sherman, Rodger (February 1, 2015). "Super Bowl halftime show 2015: Katy Perry kills it". SB Nation. Vox Media. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  98. ^ Patten, Dominic (February 5, 2018). "Eagles' 1st Super Bowl Win Draws 103.4M Viewers, Smallest Audience In Nine Years – Update". Deadline. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  99. ^ a b Blistein, Jon (August 19, 2014). "NFL Asks Musicians for Money to Play Super Bowl". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  100. ^ Karp, Hannah (August 19, 2014). "NFL to Coldplay: Pay to Play the Super Bowl". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved August 20, 2014.
  101. ^ Greenberg, Chris (February 1, 2015). "Brandon LaFell Does his Job and Patriots Take 7-0 Super Bowl Lead". Boston.com. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  102. ^ a b "Super Bowl XLIX: New England Patriots 28-24 Seattle Seahawks – as it happened!". The Guardian. February 1, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  103. ^ a b Barnwell, Bill (February 2, 2015). "Super Bowl Wrap-up: What Was Pete Carroll Thinking?". Grantland. Archived from the original on February 2, 2015.
  104. ^ Bell, Gregg (November 10, 2016). "Seahawks' Avril won't re-watch Super Bowl loss". Kitsap Sun. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  105. ^ "Baldwin mystery penalty". AOL.com. Associated Press. February 1, 2015. Archived from the original on February 2, 2015. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  106. ^ Schalter, Ty (February 2, 2015). "Julian Edelman Concussion Scare Was NFL's Nightmare, and It Can't Happen Again". Bleacher Report. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  107. ^ Chandler, Adam (February 2, 2015). "America's Ugly Super Bowl". The Atlantic. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  108. ^ "Patriots beat the Seahawks in dramatic finale". BBC Sport. February 1, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  109. ^ Scott, Nate (February 1, 2015). "Massive brawl breaks out in closing seconds of Super Bowl". USA Today. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  110. ^ a b Hoffmeyer, Evan (February 1, 2015). "Game Day: Patriots win Super Bowl XLIX 28–24". WTHR. Archived from the original on February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  111. ^ "Tom Brady rallies Patriots past Seahawks in Super Bowl". National Football League. Associated Press. February 1, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  112. ^ "Looking Back at Super Bowl XLIX Stats and Records". 101Sports.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
  113. ^ a b "Super Bowl XLIX voted greatest game of all time". NFL.com. April 3, 2015. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  114. ^ Myers, Gary (February 5, 2016). "From wide right and David Tyree to all those blowouts, ranking every Super Bowl game ever played from I to XLIX". Daily News. Retrieved January 23, 2017. Ranked #2
  115. ^ "2017 Super Bowl: Ranking all 50 Super Bowls, from worst to first". CBS Sports. February 1, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2017. Ranked #1; "Ranking the Super Bowls". NFL.com. January 27, 2015. Retrieved January 23, 2017. Ranked #3
  116. ^ Groller, Keith (February 2, 2015). "NBC's Collinsworth shined as much as Tom Brady on Super Bowl Sunday". The Morning Call. Allentown, Pennsylvania. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
  117. ^ Butler picks off Wilson to seal Patriots Super Bowl XLIX victory (YouTube). National Football League. February 1, 2015. Archived from the original on October 30, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  118. ^ King, Peter (February 2, 2015). "The Worst Play Call in Super Bowl History". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  119. ^ "Deion Sanders: 'Seattle Seahawks made worst call in Super Bowl history'". National Football League. February 1, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  120. ^ "Twitter reacts to Seahawks' call to throw on goal line". National Football League. February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  121. ^ Eaton, Nick (February 16, 2015). "Jim Harbaugh: Seahawks' Super Bowl pass was good call". Seattle Post Intelligencer. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  122. ^ Vrentas, Jenny (February 13, 2015). "Joe Namath: 'No One Has Ever Played the Game Better Than Tom Brady'". TheMMQB.com. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  123. ^ Simmons, Bill (February 4, 2015). "Retro Running Diary: Super Bowl XLIX". Grantland.com. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  124. ^ Haugh, David (February 2, 2015). "Unlikely Super Bowl stars provide a lesson about player evaluation". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 7, 2024.
  125. ^ "Malcolm Butler Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  126. ^ "2016 New England Patriots Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  127. ^ a b Kilgore, Adam (February 1, 2015). "Goal line play-calling dooms Seahawks, hands Super Bowl to Patriots". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015.
  128. ^ "Play by Play". National Football League. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015.
  129. ^ a b Bonesteel, Matt (February 2, 2015). "Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch isn't exactly money from the 1-yard line". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015.
  130. ^ a b c d Corbett, Jim (February 2, 2015). "Pete Carroll takes blame for Seahawks' failure to run Marshawn Lynch". USA Today. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015.
  131. ^ Cwik, Chris (February 1, 2015). "Seahawks' Bevell questions Ricardo Lockette's effort on final play". CBS Sports. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  132. ^ Orr, Conor (February 2, 2015). "What went wrong on the Seahawks' final play?". NFL.com. National Football League. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  133. ^ Blount, Terry (February 2, 2015). "Carroll: Throwing was part of the plan". ESPN. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015.
  134. ^ Leitch, Will (February 2, 2015). "The Seattle Seahawks' Circular Firing Squad". Bloomberg News. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  135. ^ "SB XLIX Page". pro-football-reference.com. February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  136. ^ "Bill Belichick coaching stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  137. ^ "Super Bowl Leaders page". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  138. ^ "Patriots had biggest second-half comeback in Super Bowl history". NBC Sports. February 2, 2015. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
  139. ^ "Super Bowl XLIX–National Football League Game Summary" (PDF). National Football League. February 1, 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 7, 2020. Retrieved January 8, 2017.
  140. ^ "Super Bowl XLIX officials named; Vinovich to be head referee". NFL.com. January 20, 2015. Retrieved June 15, 2024.
  141. ^ Kelly, Danny (January 20, 2015). "Bill Vinovich announced as Super Bowl head referee". Field Gulls. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Super_Bowl_XLIX&oldid=1257373650"