New England PatriotsVERSUSSeattle Seahawks

Seattle arrived as defending champion with the Legion of Boom and the chance to become the first repeat winner in a decade. New England had not lifted the Lombardi Trophy since the 2004 season, making the matchup a collision between the league's reigning power and the Brady–Belichick partnership's attempt to reclaim the summit.

• The Seahawks had allowed the fewest points for a third straight season and were seeking to validate a defense already discussed among the era's best.
• Brady was making his sixth Super Bowl start and trying to join Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw with four championships.
• Seattle's core was young enough to suggest a dynasty, while New England's previous two Super Bowl trips had both ended in narrow losses to the Giants.

Sources: NFL game recap · NFL 100: Butler interception