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Super Bowl 2015: 20 Early MVP Candidates Between Seahawks and Patriots

Super Bowl 2015: 20 Early MVP Candidates Between Seahawks and Patriots

Super Bowl 2015
(Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

After an exciting Championship weekend, Super Bowl XLIX is officially set between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots.

From Russell Wilson to Tom Brady, here's a look at 20 early MVP candidates for Super Bowl XLIX between Seattle and New England.

20. Danny Amendola

Super Bowl 2015
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20. Danny Amendola

Super Bowl 2015
(Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Danny Amendola may not have lived up to his contract since joining the New England Patriots, but he earned every dollar after his five-catch, two-touchdown performance against the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Round.

The Seattle Seahawks will certainly have their hands full on offense--which could open the door for Amendola to fly under the radar.

19. Ricardo Lockette

Super Bowl 2015
(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

19. Ricardo Lockette

Super Bowl 2015
(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Speaking of wide receivers flying under the radar, it seems like everyone has been waiting for Ricardo Lockette to breakout this postseason--even though he's only recorded three catches in two games.

It may seem highly unlikely considering Lockette hasn't caught more than two passes in a game all season, but anything is possible when it comes to the Super Bowl.

18. Vince Wilfork

Super Bowl 2015
(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

18. Vince Wilfork

Super Bowl 2015
(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Vince Wilfork has spent his entire career with the New England Patriots and the defensive tackle knows a thing or two about playing in the big games.

Don't be fooled by the fact that Wilfork has zero sacks this season as he'll be a key factor in helping stop Marshawn Lynch and the Seahawks' offense.

17. Malcolm Smith

Super Bowl 2015
(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

17. Malcolm Smith

Super Bowl 2015
(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

If you're wondering if Malcolm Smith is only on this list after winning Super Bowl MVP honors last year--you're certainly right.

Smith's numbers may not be as impressive as some of the other defenders on Seattle, but there's always the possibility of history repeating itself for the linebacker.

16. Brandon LaFell

Super Bowl 2015
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16. Brandon LaFell

Super Bowl 2015
(Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

In his first year with the New England Patriots, Brandon LaFell set career highs in catches (74), receiving yards (953), and touchdowns (7).

LaFell has benefited from having Tom Brady as his quarterback this year and just like Amendola, the wideout could benefit from Seattle's defenders focusing on other targets.

15. Earl Thomas

Super Bowl 2015
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15. Earl Thomas

Super Bowl 2015
(Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Earl Thomas didn't let a shoulder injury prevent him from returning to the NFC Championship game against the Green Bay Packers.

Thomas has played in every single game for the Seahawks since he was drafted back in 2010 and he played a big part in helping the Seattle return to the Super Bowl this year.

14. Shane Vereen

Super Bowl 2015
(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

14. Shane Vereen

Super Bowl 2015
(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

From a fantasy football perspective, Shane Vereen can be one of the most frustrating players to deal with--mainly because he never seems to get used enough since he's forced to split carries in the backfield.

Still, the thing that makes Vereen so great is he's arguably one of the best running backs in the league when it comes to turning a short pass into a huge gain--which is why Brady and the Patriots love him.

13. Bobby Wagner

Super Bowl 2015
(Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

13. Bobby Wagner

Super Bowl 2015
(Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

There's a reason why the Seahawks were high on Bobby Wagner when they selected him in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Wagner may not receive the same type of attention as some of Seattle's other defenders, but there's no question he's been one of the most underrated leaders on this team during his first three years in the league.

12. Brandon Browner

Super Bowl 2015
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12. Brandon Browner

Super Bowl 2015
(Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Brandon Browner missed out on last year's Super Bowl as a member of the Seahawks after he was suspended for violating the league's policy on performance enhancing drugs.

Now, Browner will face his former teammates as a member of the Patriots and there's nothing sports fans love more than the "revenge factor" in these types of games.

11. Jermaine Kearse

Super Bowl 2015
(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

11. Jermaine Kearse

Super Bowl 2015
(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Two of Jermaine Kearse's four catches this postseason have gone for touchdowns--including the game-winning 35-yard touchdown catch in overtime against the Packers to send the Seahawks to the Super Bowl.

Kearse now has four touchdown catches over his last four playoff games--which makes him an interesting factor against the Patriots.

10. Darrelle Revis

Super Bowl 2015
(Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

10. Darrelle Revis

Super Bowl 2015
(Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

How ironic would it be if Darrelle Revis won the Super Bowl as a member of the Patriots after spending the first six years of his career as a member of the New York Jets?

Adding Revis was one of the best moves made by New England during the offseason and it will be interesting to see which wideout will be matched up on Revis Island.

9. Doug Baldwin

Super Bowl 2015
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9. Doug Baldwin

Super Bowl 2015
(Elsa/Getty Images)

His numbers may not be what you expect from a No. 1 wideout, but Doug Baldwin has emerged as a reliable weapon for Russell Wilson in the passing game after catching 66 passes for 825 yards with three touchdowns during the regular season.

Baldwin came up huge for the Seahawks in the NFC Championship by finishing with six catches for 106 yards--making up for an early costly fumble in the first half.

8. LeGarrette Blount

Super Bowl 2015
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8. LeGarrette Blount

Super Bowl 2015
(Al Bello/Getty Images)

There's something special about LeGarrette Blount facing the Indianapolis Colts in the playoffs as the running back found the end zone three times in the AFC Championship while finishing with 148 rushing yards on 30 carries.

After this type of performance, the Patriots would be wise to pound him with the football as much as they can against the Seahawks.

7. Kam Chancellor

Super Bowl 2015
(Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

7. Kam Chancellor

Super Bowl 2015
(Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

If there's anything to take away from the 2015 postseason, it would be Kam Chancellor is one of the most underrated defenders in the game who seems to thrive off doubters.

Don't think so? Just look at the game film against the Panthers in the Divisional Round and you'll see just how dangerous Chancellor can be to opponents.

6. Julian Edelman

Super Bowl 2015
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6. Julian Edelman

Super Bowl 2015
(Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Thanks to Julian Edelman, the Patriots have forgotten all about Wes Welker as the wideout has become one of Brady's favorite targets in the passing game over the last two seasons.

The fact that Edelman has 17 catches in two games this postseason shows how much Brady loves to use him in the passing game and you can guarantee similar targets in the Super Bowl.

5. Richard Sherman

Super Bowl 2015
(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

5. Richard Sherman

Super Bowl 2015
(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

When it comes to covering Edelman, Richard Sherman will have his hands full--assuming this is who the cornerback will be matched up against.

Just look at some of the wideouts he's shut down over the last two seasons and it's clear Sherman will be considered a heavy favorite to win MVP if Seattle ends up winning back-to-back championships.

4. Rob Gronkowski

Super Bowl 2015
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4. Rob Gronkowski

Super Bowl 2015
(Elsa/Getty Images)

In two postseason games, Rob Gronkowski has been targeted by Brady a total of 21 times. If the Patriots are going to have any chance of defeating one of the league's top defenses in the Seahawks, Gronk is going to have to play out of his mind in full Gronk mode.

3. Marshawn Lynch

Super Bowl 2015
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3. Marshawn Lynch

Super Bowl 2015
(Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

If it wasn't for Marshawn Lynch rushing for 157 yards and one touchdown in the NFC Championship, the Seahawks wouldn't be playing against the Patriots in the Super Bowl.

With New England ranking near the top of the league when it comes to stopping the run, we can't wait to see Beast Mode in action.

2. Tom Brady

Super Bowl 2015
(Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

2. Tom Brady

Super Bowl 2015
(Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Tom Brady will be playing in his sixth Super Bowl when the Patriots square off against the Seahawks and the best thing about this time around is doesn't have to worry about losing to Eli Manning and the New York Giants.

Everybody knows Brady is one of the most competitive players in the league and the last thing he wants to do is lose the Super Bowl for a third-straight time.

1. Russell Wilson

Super Bowl 2015
(Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

1. Russell Wilson

Super Bowl 2015
(Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Despite one of the worst performances of his career in the NFC Championship, Russell Wilson still managed to overcome a four-interception performance and still help the Seahawks rally for a thrilling overtime win.

Wilson has put himself in the elite category of quarterbacks and after taking down Peyton Manning last year, he'll look to take down another future Hall of Famer in Brady this time around.

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