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iowajerms
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Most interceptions by both teams in a game (6)
It’s happened twice before (most recently in 2003, when Oakland Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon threw a record five), and this says more about the caliber of each team’s defense than the participating signal-callers. New England and Seattle rank ninth and 12th, respectively in opponent interceptions thrown percentage, so the chance for numerous turnovers through the air is quite high.
Most games lost by a franchise (5)
loss would give the Patriots a 3-5 record in Super Bowls, dropping them into a tie for most defeats with the 2-5 Broncos. On the one hand, New England is not playing the New York Giants, so you’d think it would have a good shot at winning the game. On the other, Seattle is going to be gunning to become the first back-to-back Super Bowl winner since … New England some 10 years ago.
Most games coached (6) and played (6)
Here’s the good news for Bill Belichick and Tom Brady: They get to tie the records for most Super Bowls coached (Don Shula) and played (Mike Lodish, pictured making a stop) merely by showing up Sunday. (A win for the Pats would tie Belichick with late Steelers coach Chuck Noll for most wins, with four.) The caveat, though, is that everything has been so harebrained and weird leading up to this game that almost nothing that happens beforehand would surprise us at this point.
Most safeties in a game (1)
Call this one a crazy hunch, because there have been only eight safeties in Super Bowl history – including one last season -- but something weird is going to happen in this game and it might involve a blocked punt (both teams ranked in the top 10 this season in blocked punt percentage) or some other kooky event. Blessed are the opportunistic, for they shall smother the QB in the end zone for a crucial two points.
Longest field goal (54 yards)
That’s it? A measly 54 yards? (By Buffalo’s Steve Christie in Super Bowl XXVIII.) This seems like one whose time has surely come. Seattle’s Steven Hauschka (who grew up a Pats fan in Needham, Mass.) has hit from 58 this season, and New England’s Stephen Gostkowski has made it from 54 before. Given the warm, dry and calm weather forecast, kicking conditions will be impeccable.
Most receptions by one player in a game (11)
It’s happened four times, and this one is aimed squarely at New England. Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski have received a combined 53.5 percent of Tom Brady’s pass targets during these playoffs, and if the Pats want to use Gronkowski as some kind of decoy in the middle, that would leave all signs pointing to a monster day for Edelman, who already has 17 catches in two postseason games. Oh, and the last two players to tie this mark were Patriots (Wes Welker and Deion Branch).
Most firsts down by both teams (50)
During the regular season, Seattle and New England combined for about 43 first downs per game. And considering both teams were in the top 8 in third-down conversions this year, they’re quite adept at moving the chains when it’s especially important. 49ers-Dolphins in Super Bowl XIX and Titans Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV hold the current record.
Most fumbles by one team (8)
Hey, it all depends on how those balls are inflated. At least, that’s my understanding. Maybe it was errant PSI that caused the Bills to lose the grip eight times in Super Bowl XXVII.
Super Bowl records were meant to fall -- 9 that could Sunday
It’s happened twice before (most recently in 2003, when Oakland Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon threw a record five), and this says more about the caliber of each team’s defense than the participating signal-callers. New England and Seattle rank ninth and 12th, respectively in opponent interceptions thrown percentage, so the chance for numerous turnovers through the air is quite high.
Most games lost by a franchise (5)
loss would give the Patriots a 3-5 record in Super Bowls, dropping them into a tie for most defeats with the 2-5 Broncos. On the one hand, New England is not playing the New York Giants, so you’d think it would have a good shot at winning the game. On the other, Seattle is going to be gunning to become the first back-to-back Super Bowl winner since … New England some 10 years ago.
Most games coached (6) and played (6)
Here’s the good news for Bill Belichick and Tom Brady: They get to tie the records for most Super Bowls coached (Don Shula) and played (Mike Lodish, pictured making a stop) merely by showing up Sunday. (A win for the Pats would tie Belichick with late Steelers coach Chuck Noll for most wins, with four.) The caveat, though, is that everything has been so harebrained and weird leading up to this game that almost nothing that happens beforehand would surprise us at this point.
Most safeties in a game (1)
Call this one a crazy hunch, because there have been only eight safeties in Super Bowl history – including one last season -- but something weird is going to happen in this game and it might involve a blocked punt (both teams ranked in the top 10 this season in blocked punt percentage) or some other kooky event. Blessed are the opportunistic, for they shall smother the QB in the end zone for a crucial two points.
Longest field goal (54 yards)
That’s it? A measly 54 yards? (By Buffalo’s Steve Christie in Super Bowl XXVIII.) This seems like one whose time has surely come. Seattle’s Steven Hauschka (who grew up a Pats fan in Needham, Mass.) has hit from 58 this season, and New England’s Stephen Gostkowski has made it from 54 before. Given the warm, dry and calm weather forecast, kicking conditions will be impeccable.
Most receptions by one player in a game (11)
It’s happened four times, and this one is aimed squarely at New England. Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski have received a combined 53.5 percent of Tom Brady’s pass targets during these playoffs, and if the Pats want to use Gronkowski as some kind of decoy in the middle, that would leave all signs pointing to a monster day for Edelman, who already has 17 catches in two postseason games. Oh, and the last two players to tie this mark were Patriots (Wes Welker and Deion Branch).
Most firsts down by both teams (50)
During the regular season, Seattle and New England combined for about 43 first downs per game. And considering both teams were in the top 8 in third-down conversions this year, they’re quite adept at moving the chains when it’s especially important. 49ers-Dolphins in Super Bowl XIX and Titans Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV hold the current record.
Most fumbles by one team (8)
Hey, it all depends on how those balls are inflated. At least, that’s my understanding. Maybe it was errant PSI that caused the Bills to lose the grip eight times in Super Bowl XXVII.
Super Bowl records were meant to fall -- 9 that could Sunday