Deflate-Gate

This one had to be here, it’s pretty much all anyone is talking about leading up to the Super Bowl (sorry, Richard Sherman).

While deflating a ball just two PSI doesn’t seem like a huge deal, hearing quarterbacks talkBill Belichick about their insanely specific preferences for pigskins – and many have chimed in during this conspiracy – makes you think there could be something to all of this. That, combined with the Patriots’ history of cheating, and this story deserves the attention it’s been getting pre-Super Bowl.

Of course this will all be moot come Sunday. Arizona’s balmy temperatures make it unnecessary to look for any competitive advantages gripping the ball like in wintry New England, and just in case there will almost assuredly be about 100 league personnel guarding the balls at all time.

Brady’s Legacy

A lot is riding on this game for Brady and how football fans will ultimately remember him. He’s already earned his spot as one of the Top 5 quarterbacks to ever play the game - maybe even Top 3 - by virtue of his sixth Super Bowl appearance, which is the most ever. Tom Brady

But a win would tie him with Johnny Unitas, Joe Montana, and Terry Bradshaw for most championships by a QB ever. A loss however would drop the 37-year-old’s record in the big game to 3-3 or .500; not exactly Peyton Manning level disappointment, but not anything to write the Hall of Fame about.

Perhaps more concerning would be the three straight Super Bowl losses for Brady, who was once considered the most clutch performer of his era. A streak of falling short like that can leave a lasting impression in the ‘best ever’ debate.

Gronkowski’s Healthy

Ninety catches to 82. 1,327 yards to 1,124. And 17 touchdowns to 12. Rob Gronkowski’s best two years have each culminated in a Super Bowl appearance, and while his 2011 and 2014 areRob Gronkowski very similar there’s one major difference this year – Gronk is heading into Super Bowl XLIX fully healthy.

Everyone remembers Gronk’s ankle injury from Super Bowl XLVII from his post-game partying, but regardless that poor decision his bum ankle limited Gronk to just two catches for 26 yards.

The 25-year-old had similar numbers in the AFC Championship Game, but also managed a touchdown and went off for a seven catches, 108 yards, and a touchdown in the Patriots’ Divisional Round win over the Ravens.

And Gronkowski may be even more important to the Patriots this time around. Aaron Hernandez is in jail now and Tom Brady’s other favourite target, Julian Edelman, is 5-foot-10.

Revis Island

Darrelle Revis has almost been a forgotten man leading up to this year’s Super Bowl. Part of that is there’s been a lot more to talk about with the Patriots these past couple weeks, part ofDarrelle Revis that is Richard Sherman stealing all the headlines from the Seahawks’ side of the field, and part of that is Revis going about his business a lot more quietly these days.

After a few newsworthy years towards the end of his run in New York, and one in Tampa Bay, Revis has settled in seamlessly with the Patriots, letting teammate and former Seahawk Brandon Browner do the boasting. 

But don’t mistake modesty for a lessening impact on the game however. The 29-year-old’s pass coverage ratings this year are in line with his career norms – save for his incredible 2009 – according to Pro Football Focus.

He may not be the top cover man in the league anymore, but he’s still right up there; and for a guy who was considered the best for a number of years, a Super Bowl win could cement his spot in Canton.