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{{main|2014 New England Patriots season}}
[[File:Tom Brady 2011.JPG|thumb|upright|Patriots quarterback [[Tom Brady]].]]
The New England Patriots had a rough start to their 2014 season, starting the season with a 2–2 record and hitting a low point with a humiliating 41–14 loss to the [[2014 Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs]] in week four.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leger |first=Justin |date=2021-09-29 |title=How Brady, Patriots embraced ‘We're on to Cincinnati' mantra |url=https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/how-brady-patriots-embraced-were-on-to-cincinnati-mantra/190531/ |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=NBC Sports Boston |language=en-US}}</ref> By this point, the Patriots faced heavy criticism in the media, especially quarterback [[Tom Brady]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Monson |first=Sam |last2=Williamson |first2=Matt |last3=Young |first3=Steve |last4=Hasselbeck |first4=Tim |last5=Parolin |first5=John |date=September 30, 2014 |title=What's wrong with Tom Brady? |url=http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11617114/tom-brady-espn-experts-analyze-struggles-new-england-patriots-quarterback |access-date=January 20, 2015 |website=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref> Former Patriots safety and teammate [[Rodney Harrison]] declared Brady "looked scared to death" in the pocket and "doesn't have any confidence in his offensive line."<ref>{{cite web |last=Schechter |first=Lee |title=Rodney Harrison: Tom Brady 'scared'|url=http://espn.go.com/boston/nfl/story/_/id/11618603/nbc-sports-analyst-rodney-harrison-says-new-england-patriots-qb-tom-brady-scared-death-pocket |publisher=[[ESPN.com|ESPNBoston.com]] |date=September 30, 2014 |access-date=January 20, 2015 }}</ref> However, New England recovered with an NFL season long seven game winning streak, beginning with a dominating 43–17 win over the [[2014 Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati Bengals]] in week five, and went on to lose only two more games for the rest of the year (the latter of which was done while [[resting the starters]] the final week of the season), finishing the season with a 12–4 record and the number one seed in the AFC.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New England Patriots 2014 Games and Schedule |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/2014/gamelog/ |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> They finished fourth in the NFL in scoring (468 points) and eighth in points allowed (313), and had the largest point differential in the NFL (with an average margin of victory of 9.7 points). The Patriots defeated the [[2014 Baltimore Ravens season|Baltimore Ravens]] 35–31 in the AFC Divisional playoffs, and then defeated the [[2014 Indianapolis Colts season|Indianapolis Colts]] 45–7 in the [[AFC Championship Game]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots - January 10th, 2015 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201501100nwe.htm |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=AFC Championship - Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots - January 18th, 2015 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201501180nwe.htm |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
Brady had another fine season in his 14th year as the team's starter, earning his 10th [[2015 Pro Bowl|Pro Bowl]] selection with 4,109 passing yards and 33 touchdowns, with just eight interceptions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tom Brady 2014 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BradTo00/gamelog/2014/ |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> His top target was Pro Bowl tight end [[Rob Gronkowski]], who caught 82 passes for 1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns, along with wide receiver [[Brandon LaFell]], who caught 74 passes for 954 yards and seven touchdowns. Wide receiver [[Julian Edelman]] was another key aspect of the passing game, with 92 receptions for 974 yards and four touchdowns, while also rushing for 92 yards and returning 25 punts for 299 yards and a touchdown. Running back [[Jonas Gray]] was the team's leading rusher with 412 yards and a 4.6 yards per carry average, while [[Stevan Ridley]] added 340 yards and [[Shane Vereen]] had 391. Vereen was also a reliable pass catcher, hauling in 52 receptions for 447 yards. On special teams, kicker [[Stephen Gostkowski]] was selected to his third Pro Bowl and became the third player ever to lead the NFL in scoring four times (and the first since the [[NFL-AFL merger]]), converting 35 of 37 field goals (94.6 percent) and racking up 156 points. [[Matthew Slater]] also made the Pro Bowl on special teams for the fourth time.
The Patriots defensive line was led by five-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle [[Vince Wilfork]] and defensive end [[Rob Ninkovich]], who compiled eight sacks. Behind them, linebacker [[Jamie Collins (American football)|Jamie Collins]] led the team in tackles (116) and forced fumbles (four), while also intercepting two passes. Linebacker [[Dont'a Hightower]] was also a big contributor with 89 tackles and six sacks. The secondary was led by Pro Bowl cornerback [[Darrelle Revis]], along with safety [[Devin McCourty]], who recorded two interceptions and [[Brandon Browner]], who added a physical presence to the secondary.
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{{main|2014 Seattle Seahawks season}}
[[File:Russell Wilson vs Vikings, November 4, 2012.jpg|thumb|upright|Seahawks quarterback [[Russell Wilson]].]]
After winning [[Super Bowl XLVIII]] the previous season, the Seahawks also struggled to begin the season, floundering near the season's midpoint with a 3–3 record. However, they went on from there to win nine of their final 10 regular season games, preventing their opponents from scoring any touchdowns in five of them. By the time they finished with a 12–4 record and entered the playoffs, they had earned the number one seed, and not allowed any touchdowns in the previous 10 quarters.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Seattle Seahawks 2014 Games and Schedule |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/sea/2014/gamelog/ |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> Their defense ranked first in the NFL in fewest points allowed (254) and their offense was tied at first in rushing yards (2,762).<ref>{{Cite web |title=2014 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2014/opp.htm |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> The Seahawks defeated the [[2014 Carolina Panthers season|Carolina Panthers]] 31–17 in the NFC Divisional playoffs, and later defeated the [[2014 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]] 28–22 in overtime in the [[NFC Championship Game]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks - January 10th, 2015 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201501100sea.htm |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship - Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks - January 18th, 2015 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201501180sea.htm |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> Seattle became the first NFC team to advance to consecutive Super Bowls since the 1996–97 Packers in Super Bowls [[Super Bowl XXXI|XXXI]] and [[Super Bowl XXXII|XXXII]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Musgrove |first=Kole |date=2023-06-24 |title=Seahawks still last NFC team to make consecutive Super Bowls |url=https://seahawkswire.usatoday.com/2023/06/24/seahawks-still-last-nfc-team-to-make-consecutive-super-bowls/ |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=Seahawks Wire|publisher=USA Today |language=en-US}}</ref>
Quarterback [[Russell Wilson]] was back in control of the Seattle offense, completing 63.1 percent of his passes for 3,475 yards and 20 touchdowns, with seven interceptions, while also rushing for 849 yards and six touchdowns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russell Wilson 2014 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WilsRu00/gamelog/2014/ |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> The team's leading receiver was [[Doug Baldwin]], who caught 66 passes for 825 yards and three touchdowns. Receiver [[Jermaine Kearse]] was another reliable target with 38 catches for 537 yards, while tight end [[Luke Willson]] caught 22 passes for 362 yards. Running back [[Marshawn Lynch]] was selected to his fourth Pro Bowl, ranking fourth in the NFL with 1,306 rushing yards and first in rushing touchdowns with 13. He also caught 37 passes for 364 yards and four more touchdowns. Running back [[Robert Turbin]] chipped in 310 yards and 16 receptions. On special teams, kicker [[Steven Hauschka]] ranked fourth in the NFL with 134 points and made 31 of 37 field goals (83.8 percent).
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New England became the first playoff team to overcome two 14-point deficits to win a game as they defeated the [[2014 Baltimore Ravens season|Baltimore Ravens 35–31]],<ref name="PatsErase">{{Cite web |date=January 10, 2015 |title=Pats erase two 14-point deficits vs. Ravens, into AFC title game again |url=http://espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=400749515 |access-date=February 3, 2015 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> pulling ahead for the first time in the game on Brady's 23-yard touchdown pass to LaFell with 5:13 left in regulation. Then safety [[Duron Harmon]] iced the game by intercepting a pass from [[Joe Flacco]] in the end zone on Baltimore's ensuing drive. Although New England only had 14 rushing yards, Brady's franchise playoff record 33 completions for 367 yards and three touchdowns, along with a rushing score, were able to make up the difference.<ref name="PatsErase" />
The Patriots had a much easier time in the [[AFC Championship Game]] against the [[2014 Indianapolis Colts season|Indianapolis Colts]]. Although the score was still a close 17–7 by the end of the half, New England dominated the game in the second with touchdowns on their first four drives. Brady had another great game, throwing for 226 yards and three touchdowns with one interception, while Blount rushed for 148 yards and three scores. New England's defense held Colts quarterback [[Andrew Luck]], who had thrown for 4,761 yards and 40 touchdowns during the season, to just 12/23 completions for 126 yards.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 18, 2015 |title=Tom Brady carries Pats to rout of Colts, claims sixth Super Bowl trip |url=http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=400749520 |access-date=February 1, 2015 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> By the end of New England's two postseason games, Brady set new NFL records for postseason passing yards and touchdowns, while coach Bill Belichick set the all-time record for most playoff wins.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Verderame |first=Matt |date=2015-01-18 |title=Belichick owns postseason wins record |url=https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2015/1/18/7551361/patriots-bill-belichick-most-postseason-wins |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=SBNation.com |language=en}}</ref>
Seattle started off their postseason with a 31–17 win over the [[2014 Carolina Panthers season|Carolina Panthers]]. The score was just 14–10 at the end of the first half, but the Seahawks took control of the game in the second, scoring 17 unanswered points. After a field goal and Russell Wilson's 25-yard touchdown pass to Luke Willson, Chancellor put the game completely out of reach by intercepting a pass from [[Cam Newton]] and returning it 90 yards for a touchdown.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 10, 2015 |title=Russell Wilson, Kam Chancellor star as Seahawks roll into title game |url=http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=400749516 |access-date=February 1, 2015 |website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}}</ref>
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Seahawks linebacker [[Malcolm Smith (American football)|Malcolm Smith]], despite being the [[Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Award|MVP]] of the preceding [[Super Bowl XLVIII]], had been returned to a reserve role for the [[2014 NFL season|2014 season]] and did not play in Super Bowl XLIX, since defensive coordinator [[Dan Quinn (American football)|Dan Quinn]] opted to retain [[Bruce Irvin (American football)|Bruce Irvin]], [[K. J. Wright]] and [[Bobby Wagner]] as the starting linebacker trio.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shpigel |first=Ben |date=February 8, 2018 |title=Malcolm Smith Goes From M.V.P. to Capable Reserve on Seahawks' Deep Roster |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/10/sports/football/malcolm-smith-goes-from-mvp-to-capable-reserve-on-seahawks-deep-roster.html |access-date=2024-06-12 |work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Danny |date=August 30, 2014 |title=Seahawks release updated depth chart |url=https://www.fieldgulls.com/2014/8/30/6088619/seahawks-updated-depth-chart-nfl-roster-cutdowns |access-date=August 30, 2016 |website=FieldGulls.com}}</ref>
The [[betting odds]] for Super Bowl XLIX initially opened after the conclusion of the conference championship games with the Seahawks favored by 2.5 points,<ref name="odds-cbs">{{cite news |last=Brinson |first=Will |title=2015 Super Bowl odds/line: Seahawks early 2.5 favorites against Patriots |url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/24975957/super-bowl-line-seahawks-early-25-favorites-over-patriots |work=[[CBSSports.com]] |date=January 18, 2015 |access-date=January 18, 2015 }}</ref> but within hours of opening, heavy betting on the Patriots had moved the line to a pick 'em at most sportsbooks.<ref name="odds-gazette">{{Cite news |date=January 18, 2015 |title=Vegas Bookies: Patriots-Seahawks pick 'em for Super Bowl |url=http://gazette.com/vegas-bookies-patriots-seahawks-pick-em-for-super-bowl/article/feed/196892 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119215129/http://gazette.com/vegas-bookies-patriots-seahawks-pick-em-for-super-bowl/article/feed/196892 |archive-date=January 19, 2015 |access-date=January 19, 2015 |work=[[The Gazette (Colorado Springs)|The Gazette]]|agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref name="odds-si">{{
After the AFC Championship Game, [[ESPN]] reported an NFL investigation discovered 11 of 12 footballs the Patriots had used during it were under-inflated, while none of the balls used by the Colts had been, although these findings were later shown to be false.<ref>{{cite web |first=Chris |last=Mortensen |title=11 of 12 Pats footballs underinflated |url=http://espn.go.com/boston/nfl/story/_/id/12202450/nfl-says-new-england-patriots-had-inflated-footballs-afc-championship-game |work=ESPN |date=January 21, 2015 |access-date=January 27, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{
As the [[Super Bowl#Home team designation|designated home team]] in the annual rotation between AFC and NFC teams, the Seahawks elected to wear their college navy home jerseys with navy pants,<ref>{{cite news|last=Farnsworth|first=Clare|title=Thursday in Hawkville: Regardless of whether the Patriots run or pass, the Seahawks will be prepared|url=https://www.seahawks.com/news/thursday-in-hawkville-regardless-of-whether-the-patriots-run-or-pass-the--115846|publisher=NFL Enterprises|website=Seahawks.com|date=January 22, 2015|access-date=June 1, 2020}}</ref> which meant that the Patriots would wear their white road jerseys.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hart|first=Andy|title=Ask PFW: On to the Super Bowl|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/ask-pfw-on-to-the-super-bowl-221886-x2229|publisher=NFL Enterprises|website=Patriots.com|date=January 27, 2015|access-date=June 1, 2020}}</ref>
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Super Bowl XLIX was the first Super Bowl to be played in a [[retractable roof]] stadium with the roof open by league decision (previous Super Bowls played in such stadiums, including [[Super Bowl XLII]], were played with the roof closed). The gametime temperature was {{convert|66|F|C}}, with clear conditions. It was the second time all season, along with the Pro Bowl, the stadium had its roof open during an NFL game or the [[College Football Playoff]]'s [[2014 Fiesta Bowl (December)|Fiesta Bowl]]. It is the home stadium of the [[Arizona Cardinals]], but all Cardinals home games in 2014 had it closed either because of warm temperatures or to provide [[home field advantage]] and hold in crowd noise.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/article8927579.html |title=Super Bowl notes: University of Phoenix Stadium roof left open for game |last=Covitz |first=Randy |date=February 1, 2014 |work=[[Kansas City Star]] |access-date=February 2, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25015833/why-is-roof-open-for-first-time-all-season |title=Super Bowl 49 big question: Why is roof open for first time all season? |last=Hartstein |first=Larry |date=February 1, 2015 |publisher=[[CBS Sports|CBSSports.com]] |access-date=February 2, 2015 }}</ref>
The Patriots had also appeared in the only other Super Bowl to be held at [[University of Phoenix Stadium]] to date, having fallen short in their quest for a 19–0 undefeated season with a 17–14 loss to the [[New York Giants]] there in [[Super Bowl XLII]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Super Bowl XLII - New York Giants vs. New England Patriots - February 3rd, 2008 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200802030nwe.htm |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> In fact, this game marked the Patriots' return to University of Phoenix Stadium for the first time since that contest.<ref name="patriots.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.patriots.com/news/2016/09/06/game-preview-patriots-cardinals|date=October 6, 2016|title=Game Preview: Patriots at Cardinals|publisher=[[New England Patriots]]|quote=The Patriots have played two Super Bowls in the stadium, Super Bowl XLII on Feb. 3, 2008 and Super Bowl XLIX on Feb. 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024044424/http://www.patriots.com/news/2016/09/06/game-preview-patriots-cardinals|archive-date=October 24, 2017|access-date=November 3, 2017}}</ref>
====Team facilities====
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A [[Spanish language]] telecast of the game was carried by [[NBC Universo]], with play-by-play announcer René Giraldo and color analyst Edgar López. Formerly known as mun2, the network's re-branding was scheduled to coincide with the game.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://laopinion.com/latinowire/nbc-universo-to-air-the-exclusive-spanish-language-telecast-of-super-bowl-xlix-for-millions-of-viewers-on-multiple-platforms/ |title=NBC UNIVERSO to Air the Exclusive Spanish-Language Telecast of Super Bowl XLIX for Millions of Viewers on Multiple Platforms |work=La Opinión |date=January 28, 2015 }}</ref> As with other major events broadcast by the network, the telecast was [[cross-promotion|cross-promoted]] with other [[NBCUniversal]] properties, with various [[NBC News]] and [[NBC Sports]] programs either broadcast from Phoenix or featuring reports from the game. [[Golf Channel]] cross-promoted the game with its early-round coverage of the [[Phoenix Open]] golf tournament (the weekend rounds of the tournament aired on [[PGA Tour on CBS|CBS]], as per agreements for CBS and NBC to swap tournaments if they conflict with the Super Bowl or [[Winter Olympics]]),<ref>{{Cite web |title=PGA Tour finds another title sponsor for Phoenix |url=https://www.golfchannel.com/article/associated-press/pga-tour-finds-another-title-sponsor-phoenix |access-date=October 4, 2022 |language=en |via=Golf Channel |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> and live episodes of ''[[Feherty (TV series)|Feherty]]'' from the [[Orpheum Theatre (Phoenix, Arizona)|Orpheum Theatre]].<ref name=mcn-bigeventplan>{{cite web |title=NBCU's 'Big Event' Game Plan in Play for Super Bowl |url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/marketing/nbcus-big-event-game-plan-play-super-bowl-xlix/387113 |website=Multichannel News |access-date=January 28, 2015 }}</ref>
An episode of ''[[The Blacklist (TV series)|The Blacklist]]'', "[[Luther Braxton]]", served as NBC's [[List of Super Bowl lead-out programs|lead-out program]]. Following a break for local newscasts, a live episode of ''[[The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon]]'' from the Orpheum was also broadcast.<ref name="pbj-orpheumfallon">{{
=====Advertising=====
NBC set the sales rate for a 30-second [[Super Bowl advertising|advertisement]] at US$4.5 million,<ref name="wsjtadena">{{cite news|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/cmo/2015/01/12/super-bowl-ad-prices-have-gone-up-75-over-a-decade/|first=Nathalie |last=Tadena|date=January 12, 2015|title=Super Bowl Ad Prices Have Gone Up 75% Over a Decade|newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|access-date=November 3, 2017}}</ref> a price $500,000 above the record set by the two preceding Super Bowls.<ref name=forbesads>{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Smith |title=Could a Super Bowl commercial really be worth $10 million? Surprisingly, yes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2015/01/16/could-a-super-bowl-commercial-really-be-worth-10-million/ |work=[[Forbes]] |date=January 16, 2015 |access-date=January 19, 2015 }}</ref> For the first time, the network also offered 15-second ad spots.<ref name=nytads>Steel, Emily (January 30, 2015). [https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/31/business/media/newcomers-buy-ad-time-at-the-super-bowl.html?_r=0 Newcomers buy ad time at the Super Bowl]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved February 1, 2015.</ref> A large number of automotive advertisers reduced their advertising during the game, replaced by a wave of fifteen first-time Super Bowl advertisers, including [[Skittles (confectionery)|Skittles]], [[Carnival Cruise Lines]],<ref name="wsjtadena" /> [[Loctite]], [[Wix.com]],<ref name="wsjtadena" /> [[Jublia]], a coalition of Mexican [[avocado]] growers, and [[Always (brand)|Always]] among several others. NBC posted the commercials on a [[Tumblr]] blog as they aired throughout the game; the blog was promoted through NBC's own live stream, as it did not contain all of the same commercials as the television broadcast.<ref name=nytads/><ref>{{cite news |last=Horovitz |first=Bruce |title=Super Bowl ads still not sold out |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2015/01/07/super-bowl-advertising-commercials-sell-out-marketing-nbc/21391839/ |work=USA Today |date=January 7, 2015 |access-date=January 19, 2015 }}</ref><ref name=variety-superbowltumblr>{{cite news |last=Spangler |first=Todd |title=Super Bowl Ads: NBC Turns to Tumblr to Post Spots After They Air on TV |url=https://variety.com/2015/digital/news/super-bowl-ads-nbc-turns-to-tumblr-to-post-spots-after-airing-on-tv-1201410862/ |website=Variety |date=January 21, 2015 |access-date=January 29, 2015 }}</ref> The network had more difficulty than in recent years selling out the advertisements, with the last ads selling out four days before the game.<ref name=nytads/>
[[Paramount Pictures]], [[Universal Studios]], [[The Walt Disney Studios (division)|Walt Disney Studios]], [[20th Century Fox]], and [[Lionsgate]] paid for movie trailers to be aired during the Super Bowl. Paramount paid for ''[[The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water]]'' and ''[[Terminator Genisys]]''. Universal paid for ''[[Fifty Shades of Grey (film)|Fifty Shades of Grey]]'', ''[[Pitch Perfect 2]]'', ''[[Jurassic World]]'', ''[[Minions (film)|Minions]]'', ''[[Furious 7]]'', and the debut trailer for ''[[Ted 2]]''. Fox paid for ''[[Kingsman: The Secret Service]]''. Lionsgate paid for ''[[The Divergent Series: Insurgent]]'' during the [[pre-game show]]. Disney paid for ''[[Tomorrowland (film)|Tomorrowland]]''.<ref>{{
====International====
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| caption2 = [[Lenny Kravitz]] made an appearance at the halftime show
}}
On October 9, 2014, ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' announced that [[Katy Perry]] would perform at halftime and the NFL confirmed the announcement on November 23, 2014.<ref name="Katy Perry to headline Pepsi Super Bowl XLIX Halftime Show">{{cite news |title=Katy Perry to headline Pepsi Super Bowl XLIX Halftime Show |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/katy-perry-to-headline-pepsi-super-bowl-xlix-halftime-show-0ap3000000433189 |publisher=National Football League |date=November 23, 2014 |access-date=November 23, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{
In August 2014, it was reported that the NFL had a [[short list]] of three potential acts for the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show, including [[Coldplay]], [[Katy Perry]], and [[Rihanna]].<ref name="NFLAsksMusicians">{{cite magazine |last=Blistein |first=Jon |title=NFL Asks Musicians for Money to Play Super Bowl |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/nfl-super-bowl-rihanna-coldplay-katy-perry-20140819 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=August 19, 2014 |access-date=August 19, 2014 }}</ref> It was also reported by ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' that league representatives asked representatives of potential acts if they would be willing to provide [[Pay to play#In music|financial compensation]] to the NFL in exchange for their appearance, in the form of either an up-front fee, or a cut of revenue from concert performances made following the Super Bowl. While these reports were denied by an NFL spokeswoman, the request had, according to the ''Journal'', received a "chilly" response from those involved.<ref name="NFLAsksMusicians"/><ref name="The Wall Street Journal-pay2play">{{cite news |first=Hannah |last=Karp |title=NFL to Coldplay: Pay to Play the Super Bowl |url=https://online.wsj.com/articles/nfl-to-coldplay-pay-to-play-the-super-bowl-1408465018 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |access-date=August 20, 2014 |date=August 19, 2014 }}</ref>
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==Game summary==
===First half===
After the first two drives of the game ended in punts, New England got the first scoring opportunity with a drive to the Seattle 10-yard line. However, on third-and-six, quarterback [[Tom Brady]] threw a pass that was intercepted by cornerback [[Jeremy Lane]] and returned to the 14-yard line. Lane broke his wrist and tore his ACL on the play when he tried to break his fall with his arm extended after being tackled by [[Julian Edelman]], and subsequently missed the rest of the game. The game remained scoreless until New England's first drive of the second quarter, which began with Brady's 17-yard [[Forward pass|completed pass]] to [[Danny Amendola]]. Brady later completed a 23-yard pass to Edelman on third-and-nine, and eventually finished the drive with an 11-yard touchdown pass to receiver [[Brandon LaFell]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Greenberg |first=Chris |date=February 1, 2015 |title=Brandon LaFell Does his Job and Patriots Take 7-0 Super Bowl Lead |url=https://www.boston.com/sports/new-england-patriots/2015/02/01/brandon-lafell-does-his-job-and-patriots-take-7-0-super-bowl-lead/ |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=Boston.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
Seattle began to make progress when [[Russell Wilson]] completed his first pass of the day, a six-yard [[Completion (American football)|completion]] to [[Jermaine Kearse]] on third-and-six and with 5:36 left in the second quarter. After a five-yard run by [[Marshawn Lynch]], Wilson completed a 44-yard pass to receiver [[Chris Matthews (gridiron football)|Chris Matthews]] on the Patriots 11-yard line, setting up Lynch's three-yard touchdown run to tie the game. Only 2:16 remained in the half after Lynch's touchdown, but the scoring was far from over. Brady completed 5/6 passes for 59 yards on New England's ensuing possession, the last one a 22-yard touchdown completion to tight end [[Rob Gronkowski]] with 31 seconds remaining. Taking the ball back on their own 20, Seattle started off their drive with a 19-yard burst from [[Robert Turbin]] and a 17-yard scramble by Wilson. Then Wilson completed a 23-yard pass to [[Ricardo Lockette]], with a facemask penalty on defensive back [[Kyle Arrington]] adding additional yardage that gave the team a first down on the Patriots 11-yard line. Only six seconds remained until halftime at this point, but coach [[Pete Carroll]] decided to take a shot at the end zone rather than kick a field goal, a gamble that paid off as Wilson threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Matthews on the next play, tying the game at 14 with just two seconds showing on the clock.<ref name=guardian>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2015/feb/01/super-bowl-xlix-new-england-patriots-v-seattle-seahawks-live |title=Super Bowl XLIX: New England Patriots 28-24 Seattle Seahawks – as it happened!|date=February 1, 2015|work=The Guardian |access-date=February 2, 2015 }}</ref>
===Second half===
Seattle took the second-half kickoff and drove 72 yards to the Patriots' eight-yard line, featuring a 15-yard run by Lynch and a 45-yard reception by Matthews. After Lynch was stopped on third-and-one in the [[red zone (gridiron football)|red zone]], [[Steven Hauschka]] finished the drive with a 27-yard field goal, giving Seattle their first lead of the game at 17–14.<ref name=barnwell_02022015>{{cite news|last=Barnwell|first=Bill|title=Super Bowl Wrap-up: What Was Pete Carroll Thinking?|date=February 2, 2015|work=Grantland|url=http://grantland.com/the-triangle/super-bowl-new-england-patriots-seattle-seahawks/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202172151/http://grantland.com/the-triangle/super-bowl-new-england-patriots-seattle-seahawks/|archive-date=February 2, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> On New England's next possession, linebacker [[Bobby Wagner]]'s interception of a Brady pass and six-yard return gave the Seahawks the ball at midfield. Just as with their last interception, Seattle lost a key defensive player due to injury. Defensive end [[Cliff Avril]] lay on the field motionless. After finally getting to his feet, he entered concussion protocol and did not re-enter the game. Seattle's pass rush, particularly Bennett inside and Avril outside, had hurried Brady into several drive-ending incompletions as well as the first interception. Wrote Gregg Bell of the ''Tacoma News Tribune'', "At times that night in the desert Bennett and Avril controlled the line of scrimmage almost by themselves."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://archive.kitsapsun.com/sports/seahawks-avril-wont-re-watch-super-bowl-loss-40fc5853-622c-6f2d-e053-0100007fefe2-400791801.html |title=Seahawks' Avril won't re-watch Super Bowl loss |work=Kitsap Sun |last=Bell |first=Gregg |date=November 10, 2016 |access-date=January 21, 2022 }}</ref> With Avril out, the Patriots were able to double-team Bennett and give Brady more time in the pocket.
Following Wagner's interception, Seattle's offense took advantage of the turnover, driving 50 yards in six plays and scoring on Wilson's three-yard touchdown pass to [[Doug Baldwin]], who was penalized 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct for an improper end-zone celebration.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aol.com/article/2015/02/01/baldwin-mystery-penalty-a-poop-joke/21137740/ |title=Baldwin mystery penalty |date=February 1, 2015 |work=AOL.com |agency=Associated Press |access-date=January 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202160036/http://www.aol.com/article/2015/02/01/baldwin-mystery-penalty-a-poop-joke/21137740/ |archive-date=February 2, 2015}}</ref> This made the score 24–14, and it would remain this way going into the fourth quarter. Until this game, no team in Super Bowl history had come back to win after facing a fourth-quarter deficit of more than seven points.
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Following a three-and-out for Seattle, New England got the ball back on their own 32 at the 6:52 mark. Brady started off the possession with two completions to running back [[Shane Vereen]] for 13 total yards, and followed it up with a nine-yard pass to Edelman. Following a penalty against New England, Gronkowski caught a pair of passes that moved the team up 33 yards to the Seattle 19. Over the next three plays, Vereen rushed for seven yards, Brady passed to LaFell for seven more, and Blount ran the ball two yards to the three-yard line. Finally, with 2:02 left in the game, Brady gave his team a 28–24 lead with a three-yard touchdown toss to Edelman.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/american-football/31065423 |title=Patriots beat the Seahawks in dramatic finale |date=February 1, 2015 |work=BBC Sport |access-date=February 2, 2015 }}</ref>
After a [[touchback]] gave Seattle the ball on their 20, Wilson started off the Seahawks' drive with a 31-yard completion to Lynch. Then after two incompletions, he picked up another first down with an 11-yard pass to Lockette. The following play gave Seattle an opportunity to win the game. Wilson threw a deep pass down the right sideline to Kearse, who was covered by rookie reserve cornerback [[Malcolm Butler]]. Both players dove through the air for the ball, and Butler managed to deflect it with one hand, but the pass fell right into the hands of Kearse, who tipped it to himself and caught the ball while he was lying on his back. Butler managed to recognize the catch and recover in time to shove Kearse out of bounds as he got up, preventing a Seattle touchdown, but the play netted 33 yards and gave the Seahawks a first down at the Patriots' five-yard line with 1:05 left in regulation. Announcer [[Cris Collinsworth]] compared the play to two other acrobatic receptions by Patriots opponents, both of the New York Giants, that had defeated them in prior Super Bowls: [[David Tyree]]'s [[Helmet Catch]] in [[Super Bowl XLII]] (which took place at the same stadium) and [[Mario Manningham]]'s sideline catch in [[Super Bowl XLVI]]. [[Al Michaels]] also compared it to [[Antonio Freeman]]'s famous ''[[Monday Night Football]]'' catch known as "He did what?" (a play that Michaels had himself called).
[[File:Malcolm Butler (American football).JPG|thumb|left|[[Malcolm Butler]], seen here in 2015, made the game-clinching interception]]
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After the game, Seattle faced heavy criticism for their decision to call a pass play on second and goal from the 1-yard line with 26 seconds and one timeout left instead of a rushing play. Following the play, Collinsworth stated, "I'm sorry, but I can't believe the call. … I cannot believe the call. You've got Marshawn Lynch in the backfield. You've got a guy that has been borderline unstoppable in this part of the field. I can't believe the call." He further added, "If I lose the Super Bowl because Marshawn Lynch can't get it in from the 1 yard line, so be it. So be it! But there is no way... I don't believe the call."<ref>{{cite news |last=Groller |first=Keith |date=February 2, 2015 |title=NBC's Collinsworth shined as much as Tom Brady on Super Bowl Sunday |url=http://www.mcall.com/sports/columnists/mc-superbowl-finetuning-0202-20150202-column.html |newspaper=The Morning Call |location=Allentown, Pennsylvania |access-date=March 22, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite video |title=Butler picks off Wilson to seal Patriots Super Bowl XLIX victory |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7rPIg7ZNQ8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/U7rPIg7ZNQ8|archive-date=October 30, 2021|medium=[[YouTube]] |publisher=National Football League |date=February 1, 2015 |access-date=February 8, 2015 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' writer [[Peter King (sportswriter)|Peter King]] called the play one of the worst calls in Super Bowl history,<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=King |first=Peter |author-link=Peter King (sportswriter) |date=February 2, 2015 |title=The Worst Play Call in Super Bowl History |url=http://mmqb.si.com/2015/02/02/super-bowl-49-russell-wilson-interception-slant-malcolm-butler/ |access-date=February 2, 2015 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}</ref> as did retired [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]r [[Deion Sanders]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Deion Sanders: 'Seattle Seahawks made worst call in Super Bowl history' |publisher=National Football League |date=February 1, 2015 |url=http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-super-bowl/0ap3000000467563/Deion-Hawks-made-worst-call-in-Super-Bowl-history |access-date=February 2, 2015 }}</ref> Retired running back [[Emmitt Smith]], the NFL's all-time leading rusher, went even further, calling it the worst play call in the history of football.<ref>{{cite web |title=Twitter reacts to Seahawks' call to throw on goal line |publisher=National Football League |date=February 2, 2015 |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/twitter-reacts-to-seahawks-call-to-throw-on-goal-line-0ap3000000467554 |access-date=February 2, 2015 }}</ref> Others, including [[Michigan Wolverines football|University of Michigan]] head coach [[Jim Harbaugh]] and Hall of Fame quarterback [[Joe Namath]], defended the call, crediting Butler for the play he made and pointing out that the Seahawks only had one time-out left.<ref>{{cite news |last=Eaton |first=Nick |title=Jim Harbaugh: Seahawks' Super Bowl pass was good call |url=http://blog.seattlepi.com/football/2015/02/16/jim-harbaugh-seahawks-super-bowl-pass-was-good-call/#30231101=0 |access-date=February 18, 2015 |work=Seattle Post Intelligencer |date=February 16, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Vrentas |first=Jenny |date=February 13, 2015 |title=Joe Namath: 'No One Has Ever Played the Game Better Than Tom Brady' |url=http://mmqb.si.com/2015/02/13/joe-namath-tom-brady-super-bowl-xlix-nfl/ |access-date=February 18, 2015 |website=TheMMQB.com}}</ref> Writing for Grantland, [[Bill Simmons]] said the Seahawks "took too much heat for the final play call" and noted Carroll opted to run the ball on fourth down at the end of the [[2006 Rose Bowl]], costing his team the game.<ref>{{cite web |last=Simmons |first=Bill |title=Retro Running Diary: Super Bowl XLIX |url=http://grantland.com/the-triangle/running-diary-super-bowl-xlix-new-england-patriots-seattle-seahawks/ |website=Grantland.com |access-date=February 18, 2015 |date=February 4, 2015 }}</ref>
Butler's interception, thanks to his quick "read-and-react to Ricardo Lockette's underneath route", has been considered one of the top clutch plays in Super Bowl history.<ref name="nfl.com"/> It would also be a launching point for Butler's career. Butler, an undrafted rookie who had started only one game during the season, had entered Super Bowl XLIX listed #5 on the Patriots depth chart.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Haugh |first=David |date=February 2, 2015 |title=Unlikely Super Bowl stars provide a lesson about player evaluation |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/ct-haugh-super-bowl-malcolm-butler-spt-0203-20150202-column.html |access-date=2024-06-07 |website=[[Chicago Tribune]]}}</ref> But after this game, he would go on to start in all but one of the Patriots games over the next three seasons, as well as leading the team in interceptions in 2016, a season in which he helped them win another Super Bowl.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Malcolm Butler Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/ButlMa01.htm |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=2016 New England Patriots Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees, Injury Reports |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nwe/2016.htm |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>
In the game, Lynch had gained at least one yard on 22 of 24 carries.<ref name=kilgore_02012015/> While the Patriots in 2014 were ranked fifth-worst (28th overall) in the league in holding opposing backs for no gain or a loss, they had stopped him for no gain on both a third-and-2 and a third-and-1, the latter in the red zone.<ref name=barnwell_02022015/><ref name=kilgore_02012015>{{cite news|last=Kilgore |first=Adam |title=Goal line play-calling dooms Seahawks, hands Super Bowl to Patriots |date=February 1, 2015 |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2015/02/01/goal-line-play-calling-dooms-seahawks-hands-super-bowl-to-patriots/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203060832/http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2015/02/01/goal-line-play-calling-dooms-seahawks-hands-super-bowl-to-patriots/ |archive-date=February 3, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Play by Play|publisher=National Football League|url=http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2015020100/2014/POST22/patriots@seahawks#menu=gameinfo%7CcontentId%3A0ap3000000467812&tab=analyze&analyze=playbyplay|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203030007/http://www.nfl.com/widget/gc/2011/tabs/cat-post-playbyplay?gameId=2015020100|archive-date=February 3, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> On the season, Lynch had scored just once on his five attempts from his opponent's 1-yard line. From 2010 to 2014, he scored 45 percent of the time, ranking 30th out of 39 running backs; for his career to that point, he was successful on 42 percent of his attempts (15 of 36).{{#tag:ref|Rank is among players with a least 10 attempts and includes performance in the playoffs.<ref name=bonestell_02022015>{{cite news|last=Bonesteel |first=Matt |title=Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch isn't exactly money from the 1-yard line |date=February 2, 2015 |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/wp/2015/02/02/seahawks-marshawn-lynch-isnt-exactly-money-from-the-1-yard-line/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203023912/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/wp/2015/02/02/seahawks-marshawn-lynch-isnt-exactly-money-from-the-1-yard-line/ |archive-date=February 3, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>|group=lower-alpha}}{{#tag:ref|He did not gain a yard on 12 of those attempts, and lost yardage in 9.<ref name=bonestell_02022015/>|group=lower-alpha}}
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==Officials==
Super Bowl XLIX had seven [[Official (American football)|officials]].<ref name="Super Bowl XLIX officials" /> The numbers in parentheses below indicates their uniform numbers.
* Referee: [[Bill Vinovich]] (52), first Super Bowl<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 20, 2015 |title=Super Bowl XLIX officials named; Vinovich to be head referee |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/super-bowl-xlix-officials-named-vinovich-to-be-head-referee-0ap3000000461220 |access-date=2024-06-15 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Umpire: Bill Schuster (129), first Super Bowl
* Head linesman: [[Dana McKenzie]] (8), first Super Bowl
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* Back judge: Terrence Miles (111), first Super Bowl
* Replay official: Mike Wimmer, first Super Bowl
* Replay assistant: Terry Poulos<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Danny |date=2015-01-20 |title=Bill Vinovich announced as Super Bowl head referee |url=https://www.fieldgulls.com/2015/1/20/7863137/super-bowl-referee-bill-vinovich-seahawks-patriots |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=Field Gulls |language=en}}</ref>
==Notes==
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* {{Official website|http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/49}}
* {{YouTube|id=0RFXLwZV_fA|title=Super Bowl XLIX: NFL Full Game}}
* [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201502010sea.htm Super Bowl XLIX Box Score]
{{Super Bowl}}
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