FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Can't stop thinking about Super Bowl XLIX.
So many things about the game resonate, and one of the thoughts that came to mind this morning was some of the links to the past.
For example, the game-ending embrace with head coach Bill Belichick, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia was a carbon copy of this image from 2004. It was a reminder to me of the passage of time, 10 years. And also how so much has changed since then, Belichick has obviously been one of the constants. Instead of Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel, this time it was McDaniels and Patricia. Their shining moment.
And then, from more of a game-specific standpoint, the Seahawks' sequence at the end of the second quarter was remarkably similar to what had unfolded in the 2012 game between the teams.
In 2012, the Patriots had the ball at the Seattle 3-yard line with six seconds remaining in the second quarter and decided to take one shot at the end zone. But when quarterback Tom Brady was called for intentional grounding on the play, the clock ran out on their chance to score any points.
In the Super Bowl, the situation was only slightly different. There was six seconds remaining in the second quarter for the Seahawks, they decided to take one shot at the end zone, only the ball was further out, at the 11. Touchdown.
What are the chances that nearly the same exact scenario could come up in a game between the teams two seasons later?
Just another aspect that made Super Bowl XLIX an unforgettable game.