NFL New England PatriotsSeattle Seahawks

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots

Fresh Videos

By @JordanWevers

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Seahawks vs. Patriots

New England Patriots v Seattle Seahawks
Getty Images

The Seahawks are returning to their second consecutive Super Bowl appearance in as many seasons on Feb. 1, while the Patriots have made it back to the big dance for the first time since their 2012 loss to the New York Giants. Here are some fun facts about the NFC and AFC representatives and some of their key personnel.

10. Pete Carroll's Resume

Pete Carroll
Getty Images

10. Pete Carroll's Resume

Pete Carroll
Getty Images

Before his decade-long hiatus from the NFL with the USC Trojans, Carroll's last stint as a head coach in the NFL was for the New England Patriots. He went 27-21 before being fired in 1999 after three full seasons at the helm. The following season, the Patriots would draft Drew Bledsoe's eventual replacement, Tom Brady.

9. The Replacement

New York Jets v New Engalnd Patriots
Getty Images

9. The Replacement

New York Jets v New Engalnd Patriots
Getty Images

After Carroll was let go, Bill Belichick was brought in to take over the reigns as New England's head coach. To say he was the correct hire is an understatement. Under Belichick, the Patriots have played in five Super Bowls -- winning three -- and have compiled an overall regular season record of 175-65. After beating the Colts on Sunday, he surpassed Tom Landry as the winningest head coach of all time in the NFL's postseason.

8. What Could Have Been

Cleveland Indians v Texas Rangers
Getty Images

8. What Could Have Been

Cleveland Indians v Texas Rangers
Getty Images

Had both teams' quarterbacks not chosen to pursue football as their top career priority, it's unlikely either would have found the fame they now possess. However, both could have had a future in Major League Baseball. Tom Brady was drafted as a catcher in the 18th round of the 1995 draft by the Montreal Expos. Russell Wilson was initially selected in the fifth round by the Orioles in 2007 and then again by the Rockies in the fourth round of 2010.

7. Wilson Overlooked As Collegiate Football Player

Seattle Seahawks v Houston Texans
Getty Images

7. Wilson Overlooked As Collegiate Football Player

Seattle Seahawks v Houston Texans
Getty Images

Seattle's QB was only a two-star recruit coming out of high school and was coveted by only three Division 1 programs in 2007 -- Duke, Virginia Tech and N.C. State. He finally settled on playing for the Wolfpack, but transferred to Big Ten school Wisconsin for his senior year in 2011.

6. Tom Brady Overlooked as Professional Football Player

New England Patriots v New York Giants
Getty Images

6. Tom Brady Overlooked as Professional Football Player

New England Patriots v New York Giants
Getty Images

Brady also ended his collegiate career with a Big Ten program, the Michigan Wolverines. Despite two years as a starter in his junior and senior seasons, being named a team captain as a senior and going 20-5 as a starter in his NCAA career, Terrific Tom was not so special on draft day. There were 198 players selected ahead of Brady in the 2000 NFL draft.

5. Patriots Ownership

AFC Championship - Indianapolis Colts v New England Patriots
Getty Images

5. Patriots Ownership

AFC Championship - Indianapolis Colts v New England Patriots
Getty Images

Robert Kraft -- of processed food fortune -- eventually purchased the New England Patriots outright in 1994 after a lengthy process for $ 175 million. Today, his personal net worth is about $ 4 billion, and his franchise was last valued by Forbes in August of 2014 at $ 2.6 billion.

4. Seahawks Ownership

Paul Allen
Getty Images

4. Seahawks Ownership

Paul Allen
Getty Images

Paul Allen -- of computer software fortune -- purchased Seattle's NFL franchise in 1997 after former owner Ken Behring balked at moving the team to Southern California. Like Mr. Kraft's investment, Allen's initial purchase of $ 194 million has also appreciated handsomely in worth as Forbes last listed the Seahawks' value at $ 1.33 billion. Allen's current overall net worth is just over $ 17 billion.

3. Next to Repeat?

Super Bowl XXXIX - Commissioner's Press Conference - February 4, 2005
Getty Images

3. Next to Repeat?

Super Bowl XXXIX - Commissioner's Press Conference - February 4, 2005
Getty Images

The last NFL team to repeat as Super Bowl champions were the 2004 New England Patriots, when they defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 24-21 in Super Bowl XXXIX. Exactly a decade later, the Seattle Seahawks have an opportunity to attain the same feat as the '04 Pats.

2. How Vegas Sees It

Las Vegas Strip Exteriors
Getty Images

2. How Vegas Sees It

Las Vegas Strip Exteriors
Getty Images

The only time the Patriots were an underdog in their post-2000 Super Bowl era appearances was in 2002, when the losing St. Louis Rams were a 14-point favorite. Since then, they have gone 2-2 in the Super Bowl, all as favorites. The Seahawks were an underdog last year against the Broncos before swiftly and decisively winning the game 43-8. As of Monday, Jan. 19, Seattle is only a one-point favorite according to some Vegas oddsmakers.

1. Head-to-Head

New England Patriots v Seattle Seahawks
Getty Images

1. Head-to-Head

New England Patriots v Seattle Seahawks
Getty Images

In the 2008 regular season, the Patriots beat the Seahawks by a score of 24-21. But the Hawks were a far different team then. Since Russell Wilson took over as quarterback in 2012, the Pats and Hawks have faced off only once. In 2012 at home, Seattle downed New England 24-23. So in their last two games, no more than a field goal has determined the outcome of either ball game. If that trend continues, Super Bowl XLIX could be a real barn-burner.

Share Tweet
Trending Now on