Super Bowl XLIX: The most likely unsung heroes

WR Doug Baldwin, Seattle

The Seahawks have laughed at many of the modern trends in the NFL, and they have gone about playing championship football with an old-school game plan. They want to run the football, stop the opponent’s running game and pressure quarterback.

While Wilson has a strong and accurate arm, the downfield passing game has not been a big part of their gameplan. The Seahawks ranked 27th in passing yards gained among Roger Goodell’s 32 teams, and neither Doug Baldwin nor Jermaine Kearse put huge numbers on the board.

The Patriots know that the Seahawks want to run the ball with Marshawn Lynch, and that Wilson likes to throw the ball on the run. The Patriots want Wilson to remain in the pocket and try to throw medium- and long-range passes to the wideouts.

Kearse caught the game-winning 35-yard TD pass in overtime vs. Green Bay that put the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX, and he may draw Revis in coverage. That means that Baldwin will likely have to face former Seahawk Brandon Browner.

This matchup should be a brutal war, since Browner is perhaps the most physical corner in the NFL. Baldwin was targeted 98 times this season, and he caught 66 passes for 825 yards and three touchdowns. If he is going to have an impact on this game, he must engage Browner, win the battle and make key catches that keep drives alive.

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