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Shutdown Corner's Super Bowl XLIX predictions

Now that deflate-gate and Marshawn Lynch's media appearances and whatever other noise is starting to fade, we can get down to the game. Isn't that refreshing.

Let's get right to the picks of the Shutdown Corner crew for Super Bowl XLIX. And be sure to listen to our Super Bowl preview podcast for even more on the game:

KEVIN KADUK

I picked the Broncos over the Seahawks in last year's Super Bowl so it'd stand to reason that I'd smarten up and pick Seattle this time around, right? Nope. While Seattle's comeback against the Packers was an all-timer, I can't rid my mind of the offensive ineptitude that marked most of that game for the Seahawks. Marshawn Lynch will leave his mark on the game, yes, but so will LeGarrette Blount (or maybe Jonas Gray if Bill Belichick really wants to screw with all of us). New England has the better coach, the better quarterback and the purpose that only dropping their last two Super Bowl appearances can provide. Tom Brady lifts the Lombardi after a 10-year absence.

Patriots 23, Seahawks 17

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JAY BUSBEE

When a game is this close odds-wise, I revert to a tried-and-true method of picking games: which mascot would win in real life. And a seahawk would totally destroy a colonial dude taking two minutes to reload his musket. In the real world, this game will turn on a couple of big plays, a couple of key mistakes, and the Seattle defense has the capability to make those plays and force those mistakes. I don't have a whole lot of faith in the Seahawks receivers (prove me wrong, Doug Baldwin, prove me wrong), but I do believe Marshawn Lynch could carry the entire Patriot defense into the end zone on his shoulder pads if need be. This will be a low-scoring but tense game throughout, and somebody's going to have their hopes crushed in the final minutes.

Seahawks 20, Patriots 17

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll talks with quarterback Russell Wilson (AP)
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll talks with quarterback Russell Wilson (AP)

ERIC EDHOLM

Defense usually trumps offense in big games, and while I am going against my August pick of Patriots over Seahawks, it's just too tough to go against this unit now. I do think LeGarrette Blount could hurt the middle of this defense, but I believe the Patriots will not have a complete game offensively. Michael Bennett will give Tom Brady fits as a rusher.

Seahawks 23, Patriots 20

BEN ROHRBACH

Because I'm a huge homer ...

Patriots 34, Seahawks 17

[WATCH Super Bowl XLIX LIVE on NBC Sports - Kickoff 6:30pm ET]

FRANK SCHWAB

After going 5-1 the past couple rounds, including 2-0 on championship Sunday (season record to date against the spread: 134-127-4), I feel pretty good picking the Patriots.

If Seattle won it would obviously not be a big surprise, but I still think the Patriots have a little better ability to score, especially after the Seahawks offense showed some issues in the NFC title game against Green Bay. For 55 minutes anyway. I also think the Patriots defense has been overshadowed this week. They're not as great as the Seahawks' defense, but they're really good. There's a reason the Patriots are 12-1 since September (not counting a Week 17 game in which they had nothing to play for and rested starters).

I think it's a great matchup between two fantastic teams, but I just think the Patriots get it done (as a bonus, put me down for LeGarrette Blount as MVP).

Patriots 27, Seahawks 20

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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdowncorner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!