The Super Bowl this year will be between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, which might cause a lack of interest for fans who aren’t from Boston or Seattle. Each year this would seem to be a problem, yet the NFL continues to set viewership records year after year.
That is because in the two weeks leading up to the Super Bowl storylines emerge, and interesting personalities crop up to keep the proceedings interesting. Ahead of Super Bowl 49, here are the five best narratives and storylines to check up on.
5. Aaron Hernandez’s Murder Case
Not too long ago Aaron Hernandez was one of the NFL’s highest paid tight ends, and a crucial part of the Patriots’ future. New England had planned to make Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski the focal points of their offense, only for Hernandez to get locked up on murder charges. He’s now faced with accusations of three murders, and his trial for killing former friend Odin Lloyd is just getting underway.
He isn’t on the team anymore, but there’s no doubt his downfall and it’s effect on the team will be scrutinized.
4. Gronk Spikes, Porn Stars & Kittens
While Hernandez ended up a cautionary tale, Gronkowski is one of the NFL’s most important and entertaining players. On the field he’s a massive, unstoppable force who punctuates his many touchdowns by spiking the football so hard it seems an earthquake is inevitable.
Off the field, he’s a renowned party animal known to dance shirtless in plain sight and get drunk with porn stars like Bibi Jones. Stopping Gronkowski will be the biggest problem facing Seattle’s “Legion of Boom” secondary, but keeping Gronk out of trouble before the game might be New England’s tallest task.
3. Russell Wilson Becoming A Legend
Wilson was on his way to being a goat on Sunday with his four interceptions. Instead, he made one of the biggest throws of his career in overtime and erased an atrocious outing with a gutty few minutes that got the Seahawks past former league MVP Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.
Wilson has become the league’s premier rushing quarterback (849 yards, six TDs in regular season) and remains a respected passer. In just three years Wilson has started seven playoff games with a 4-1 postseason record and a Super Bowl under his belt. Adding another one would vault him instantly into the Tom Brady class of QB—and he is still on his rookie contract.
The too-short, third-round pick out of Wisconsin could become a two-time Super Bowl champion at age 26. Special.
2. Marshawn Lynch vs. the Media
Lynch’s postgame interactions with the media have become great comedy, but this will be the second straight year Lynch is subjected to the Super Bowl throng. This season Lynch has taken to offering up one-word utterances after games.
Lynch’s unfriendliness toward the media is nothing new, nor is his production on the field. Lynch is one of the NFL’s most entertaining players, but his watchability stems from physical play rather than athletic feats. The best example is his “Beast Quake” run vs. the New Orleans Saints in 2011.
1. Richard Sherman vs. Darrelle Revis
Sherman considers himself to be the top cornerback in the NFL. The point is debatable, although Sherman’s last few seasons give him a healthy claim. He’s also considered the best talker in the league, and that is less debatable.
Sherman’s felt no qualms about lobbing shots at Revis and saying his reign atop the CB rankings are over. Listen for yourself.
Darrelle Revis was less vocal on the airwaves, choosing to go at Sherman a bit via Twitter. He had less of a leg to stand on then, however, as he struggled for one season in Tampa Bay’s Cover 2 scheme. He has returned to shut down status this year with Bill Belichick, and their past beef is sure to be rekindled.
Revis may play it cool early on, but don’t expect Sherman to be able to stay quiet.
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