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New England Patriots beat Seattle Seahawks, 28-24, in Super Bowl XLIX

Patriots owner Robert Kraft accepts the Vince Lombardi Trophy as NFL champions following the 28-24 win over the Seahawks.
(Michael Conroy / Associated Press)
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The Seattle Seahawks were one yard away from their second consecutive Super Bowl victory.

One yard away from talks of dynasties and answering questions about whether they could do it a third time, but the only “one” that matters is the number of passes quarterback Russell Wilson has intercepted.

The New England Patriots beat the Seahawks, 28-24, in a back-and-fourth game that ended with Wilson having a pass intercepted at the goal line on what would have been the go-ahead score with seconds remaining in the game.

It was Wilson and the Seahawks’ only turnover of the game.

Wilson completed 12 of 21 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns as Seattle rushed the ball 29 times, but not that last one.

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On the other side of the field, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady completed 37 of 50 passes for 328 yards and four touchdowns, but had two passes intercepted. He still earned his third Super Bowl MVP.

Receivers Brandon LaFell, Danny Amendola and Julian Edelman and tight end Rob Gronkowski all benefited from Brady’s big afternoon in front of a crowd of 70,288 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

Edelman lead the Patriots with nine catches for 109 yards and a score. Seattle receiver Chris Matthews matched Edelman’s production with 109 yards on just four catches.

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Running back LeGarrette Blount led the Partiots’ running attack with 14 carries for 40 yards. Fellow running back Shane Vereen rushed the ball four times for 13 yards and caught 11 passes for 64 yards.

The Patriots struck first with an 11-yard touchdown catch by LaFell before the Seahawks handed the ball to Marshawn Lynch, who tied the score with a three-yard blast up the right side to tie it, 7-7.

Rob Gronkowski caught a 22-yarder from Brady to give the Patriots the lead again, 14-7, but just before halftime Seattle Coach Pete Carroll elected to go with a passing play in the closing seconds of the second quarter instead of kicking a field goal for easy point.

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Matthews, making his first catches of his NFL career in the Super Bowl, caught an 11-yard pass from Wilson to tie the score, 14-14, before haltime.

In the second half, Seattle put up 10 unanswered points as the Patriots were forced to punt on two consecutive possesions. Kicker Steven Hauschka put the Seahawks up, 17-14, with a 27-yard field goal and Seattle extended its lead on a three-yard touchdown catch by receiver Doug Baldwin.

In the fourth quarter, Brady led scoring drives of 68 and 64 yards, connecting with Amendola on a four-yard pass and then Edelman on a three-yarder to take the lead, 28-24.

The Seahawks got the ball back with 2 minutes 2 seconds left in the game and were tasked with making an 80-yard drive and scoring a touchdown to take the lead.

As the Seahawks made their final drive up the field, receiver Jermaine Kearse, who had three catches for 45 yards, made an incredible play on a tipped, bobbled pass to put Seattle in a prime position to take the lead at the New England five-yard line.

Lynch, who carried the ball 24 times for 102 yards and one score, rushed for four yards on the first play before Wilson’s pass was intercepted, effectively ending the game.

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Gronkowski had six catches for 68 yards and a touchdown.

Patriots 28, Seahawks 24 (0:26 left in fourth)

Seahawks receiver Jermaine Kearse had the catch of the game, a tipped, bobbled 33-yard catch on his back to put Seattle on the New England 5 with 1 minute and 14 seconds left in the game.

A couple runs by running back Marshawn Lynch was sure to give Seattle the go-ahead score while limiting the Patriots to a half mary attempt at the end zone.

Lynch got the call on first down, a four-yard gain. On second down, however, quarterback Russell Wilson threw into traffic and rookie safety Malcolm Butler came up with the interception.

Patriots 28, Seahawks 24 (2:02 left in fourth quarter)

The Patriots need everything Tom Brady can give them right now, and he’s providing plenty.

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After forcing the Seahawks into a three-and-out, No. 12 took New England 68 yards down the field and connected with receiver Julian Edelman for his fourth touchdown pass of the game.

Brady threw eight passes as running back Shane Vereen, who caught three of those, rushed for seven yards on the Patriots’ nine-play drive in which they didn’t have to convert a single third down.

Stephen Gostkowski kicked it through the uprights to give the Patriots their first lead of the half with 2 minutes and 2 seconds left in the game.

Time for the ultimate two-minute drill.

Seahawks 24, Patriots 21 (7:00 left in fourth quarter)

The Seahawks’s next drive didn’t last long or go far.

Quarterback Russell Wilson had two more incomplete passes as Seattle went three-and-out after gaining just five yards on running back Marshawn Lynch’s 23rd carry of the game.

Wilson is now nine of 15 passing for 172 yards, but he hasn’t fumbled the ball away or had a pass intercepted.

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Efficient.

Seahawks 24, Patriots 21 (7:55 left in fourth quarter)

Patriots receiver Julian Edelman did the work, converting on third down twice with catches of 21 yards, but it was receiver Danny Amendola who got the one that mattered.

Amendola caught a four-yard pass for the score after running to the back of the end zone and sitting on top of Seahawks safety Earl Thomas III.

The Patriots rushed the ball just once on the nine-play drive, instead putting the ball in the hands of quarterback Tom Brady.

Brady targeted Edelman three times along the way, but a pass to the end zone was denied by Seahawks cornerback Tharold Simon, who was burned earlier on a touchdown pass to Brandon LaFell.

Stephen Gostkowski, as usual, converted on the PAT.

To make matters worse for the Seahawks, defensive end Cliff Avril has been ruled out for the rest of the game with a concussion.

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Seahawks 24, Patriots 14 (12:22 left in fourth quarter)

It’s hard to tell if the Seahawks were taking their foot off the pedal or just sticking to their game plan. Both involve handing the ball to running back Marshawn Lynch and seeing what happens.

This time, Lynch could only carry Seattle three yards, setting Russell Wilson up with a long third down.

Looking to throw, Wilson took another sack to end the Seahawks drive. New England defensive end Rob Ninkovich came up with the big play.

Wilson has been sacked three times.

Seahawks 24, Patriots 14 (14:28 left in fourth quarter)

The Seahawks’ defense clamped down the the Patriots again, forcing New England to go three-and-out.

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Running back Shane Vereen rushed for three yards on first down.

Receiver James Develin caught pass for six more yards but on third down, the Patriots’ 6-foot, 250-pound bowling ball also known as LeGarrette Blount was tackled for a loss.

Ryan Allen then ran out on to the field for his fifth punt of the game.

Seahawks 24, Patriots 14 (1:05 left in third quarter)

A confident Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson opened the next Seattle possession with a 25-yard pass to receiver Ricardo Lockette, who made the catch underneath the coverage of former Seahawk cornerback Brandon Browner over the middle.

Running back Marshawn Lynch got another carry for two yards on first down but Seattle gave the ball back to New England after failing to convert on third-and-2 on a pass to receiver Jermaine Kearse.

Seahawks 24, Patriots 14 (3:24 left in third quarter)

The Patriots needed an answer to keep up with the Seahawks. I think you know where this is going.

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Instead of a long drive and putting points on the board they went three-and-out the long way with a pass wiped off the board by a holding call on rookie center Bryan Stork.

On third-and-9, quarterback Tom Brady threw a dart over the middle to receiver Danny Amendola but it fell incomplete.

However, the Seahawks did suffer a loss on the Patriots drive. Defensive end Cliff Avril was taken to the locker room to be evaluated for a concussion.

Seahawks 24, Patriots 14 (5:00 left in third quarter)

Turnovers turn into points.

After linebacker Bobby Wagner’s pick, the Seahawks gave the Patriots a steady diet of their run offense.

Quarterback Russell Wilson and running back Marshawn Lynch broke off runs of 15 and 14 yards on the shortened field before No. 3 threw his first pass to receiver Doug Baldwin for a three-yard touchdown reception.

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Baldwin was flagged for unsportmanlike conduct on play, a 15-yard penalty that will be enforced on the kick.

Kicker Steven Hauschka converted again on the PAT.

Seahawks 17, Patriots 14 (8:15 left in third quarter)

Seattle linebacker Bobby Wagner was a difference maker when he returned to the Seahawks lineup after missing time with a toe injury.

He was a difference maker in the Super Bowl when he picked up another interception for the Seahawks in the third quarter.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady targeted tight end Rob Gronkowski for the seventh time, but Wagner was ready and pulled the ball away from Gronk’s outstretched arms.

Seahawks 17, Patriots 14 (11:13 left in third quarter)

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Seattle rookie receiver Chris Matthews had exactly zero NFL catches before today. He’s now got three on three targets in the Super Bowl for 100 yards and it’s only the beginning of the third quarter.

He picked a heck of a day for a coming out party.

Running back Marshawn Lynch broke a 15-yard run on second down to get the Seahawks drive going.

Quarterback Russell Wilson found the 6-foot-5 Matthews with a 45 yard pass to get Seattle right back into the end zone, but the Seahawks would settle with a 27-yard field goal to take their first lead of the game, 17-14.

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During the Super Bowl halftime show, Katy Perry rode a giant lion, there were some sharks, fireworks, and Lenny Kravitz and Missy Elliott also performed.

Perry also flew in the air during an impressive intermission show. It looked as incredible as it sounded.

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It’s too bad the Patriots and Seahawks were in the locker room for this one. If you didn’t see it, well, it’ll probably be replayed somewhere.

Patriots 14, Seahawks 14 (end of second quarter)

With just six seconds left on the clock, on second down from the New England 11, Seattle Coach Pete Carroll decided to take the easy points, a touchdown pass to receiver Chris Matthews.

Seattle stuck with its ground game but switched it up at running back, giving Robert Turbin his first carry of the game. Turbin took it 19 yards.

Quarterback Russell Wilson kept the ball on another 17-yard gain before setting up the game-tying score with a 23-yard pass to receiver Ricardo Lockette. Patriots cornerback Kyle Arrington gave Seattle another 10 yards with a facemask on the play.

Steven Hauschka was good again with another PAT.

Patriots running back James Develin returned the kickoff five yards, sending the game to halftime.

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The Seahawks needed just five plays to travel 80-yards for the touchdown.

Wilson completed four of seven passes for 84 yards in the first half, though he was sacked twice.

The Seahawks will get the ball to start the second half.

Patriots 14, Seahawks 7 (1:45 left in second quarter)

Seahawks linebacker Kam Chancellor has made every catch by tight end Rob Gronkowski difficult. But with linebacker K.J. Wright lined up against Gronk on the outside, it was really no contest.

Identifying the mismatch, quarterback Tom Brady watched Gronkowski break ahead of Wright and connected with the burly tight end on a 22-yard pass for another score before halftime.

The Seahawks are definitely hurting with the loss of cornerback Jeremy Lane.

The Patriots took advantage of the soft Seahawks coverage over the middle of the field as the traveled 80 yards in eight plays, though they were helped along the way by a nuetral zone infraction by Seattle, which resulted in a first down on third-and-short.

Brady hit with running back Shane Vereen with three more passes on the drive.

He’s now completed 20 of 27 passes for and two touchdowns.

Patriots 7, Seahawks 7 (2:22 left in second quarter)

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The Seahawks continued to feed the beast and were ultimately rewarded.

Running back Marshawn Lynch spun into the end zone on a three-yard carry to erase the Patriots’ 7-0 lead.

Lynch carried the ball six times on the Seahawks’ eight-play drive -- their longest of the game so far.

Quarterback Russell Wilson converted a third down with his arm with a six yard toss to receiver Jermaine Kearse before lifting the ball over the hands of Patriots cornerback Kyle Arrington to receiver Chris Matthews for a 44-yard gain.

It took three more Lynch carries before they hit paydirt. Kicker Steven Hauschka converted the PAT.

Patriots 7, Seahawks 0 (7:17 left in second quarter)

After previous drives of six, 13 and nine plays, the Seahawks finally force the Patriots into a three-and-out.

Quarterback Tom Brady threw three straight passes but only connected with receiver Julian Edelman for seven yards total.

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Seattle defensive tackle Tony McDaniel batted down one of Brady’s passes while another went incomplete.

Patriots 7, Seahawks 0 (8:17 left in second quarter)

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson felt the pressure of the Patriots defense once again and was brought to the ground for the second time.

Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones picked up a sack on Seattle’s first play putting them in a early hole on second down. Again, sticking to the gameplan, running back Marshawn Lynch had his number called and powered for a five-yard gain setting up another long third down for Seattle.

Forced to pass, Wilson looked for receiver Jermaine Kearse up the right side but Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan would have none of that business and batted the ball away.

Another three-and-out for Seattle.

Patriots 7, Seahawks 0 (9:47 left in second quarter)

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Patriots receiver Brandon LaFell lined up on the left side of the field before cutting inside of cornerback Tharold Simon to make an 11-yard touchdown reception and give New England the first points of Super Bowl XLIX. Stephen Gostkowski then converted the PAT.

The Patriots’ nine-play scoring drive was set up by receiver Danny Amendola, who caught a Brady pass on the left side of the field and took it 17 yards on the first play of the Patriots’ possesion.

No. 12 targeted LaFell on the next play but the ball bounced off of his hands and was nearly intercepted by Simon.

The Patriots picked up chunk yardage with short passes to LaFell and pass-catching running back Shane Vereen before they went deep again, this time to receiver Julian Edelman for a 23-yard pick up.

Patriots 0, Seahawks 0 (14:08 left in second quarter)

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson threw his first pass of the game on third-and-nine, on a play he extended with his legs for what seemed like an eternity.

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After running circles around the Patriots’ rush, Wilson targeted receiver Bryan Walters over the middle but his throw fell incomplete and Seattle trotted out punter Jon Ryan once again.

The Seahawks stuck with the run on their second possesion of the game. Wilson carried the ball seven yards before turning and handing the ball off to “Beast Mode” to move the chains for the first time on a four-yard gain.

The Patriots got to Wilson on the next play before eventually forcing the mobile quarterback into a passing situation on that long third down.

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Patriots 0, Seahawks 0 (1:50 left in first quarter)

The Patriots methodically worked their way down the field and as quarterback Tom Brady took his first legimiate strike at the end zone, but his pass, low and at the goal line, was intercepted.

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Seattle cornerback Jeremy Lane, making his first career interception, returned the pick to the 14-yard line but suffered an injury on the play. Lane’s left arm was immediately placed into an air cast on the sideline. His return is doubtful.

Brady had completed six consecutive passes on the drive, and with the help of running back LeGarrette Blount the Patriots had driven 58 yards. Blount accounted for 23 yards of that on the ground.

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Patriots 0, Seahawks (9:30 left in first quarter)

Take a guess who carried the ball three straight times for the Seahawks on their first possession.

Marshawn Lynch carried the ball three, five and zero yards before Seattle had to put punter Jon Ryan on the field.

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Patriots 0, Seahawks 0 (11:44 left in first quarter)

The Patriots’ first drive lasts six plays and goes 17 yards before New England is forced to punt.

New England opened the game with a short pass to tight end Rob Gronkowski lined up wide who dived forward for two yards.

Brady then hit receiver Danny Amendola with a pass on the opposite side of the field where he broke a tackle and picked up another six yards to give the Patriots a short third down situation.

Running back Shane Vereen caught a five yard pass to pick up the first down of the game.

New England then handed the ball off to LeGarrette Blount on back-to-back plays for four yards before Brady missed a connection with running back Shane Vereen.

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Punter Ryan Allen booted the ball back to the Seattle 35.

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The Seahawks win the coin toss and elect to defer. The Patriots will receive the opening kickoff of Super Bowl XLIX.

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The Patriots take the field to “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne. The Seahawks elect to go with The Verve’s “Bitter Sweet Symphony.”

Two very different moods.

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The Patriots and Seahawks have announced their inactives for Super Bowl XLIX.

Inactive for New England are running backs Jonas Gray and James White, receivers Josh Bryce and Bryan Tyms, defensive linemen Zach Moore and Joe Vellano, and offensive lineman Jordan Devey.

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Inactive for Seattle are quarterback B.J. Daniels, receiver Kevin Norwood, cornerback Marcus Burnley, defensive end David King, and offensive linemen Patrick Lewis, Keavon Milton and Garry Gilliam.

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Is the famed 12th Man boisterous enough to blow the roof off a stadium?

We won’t find out in Super Bowl XLIX.

The retractable roof at University of Phoenix Stadium will be open for the game, and so far the skies are cloudless. There was some doubt earlier in the day about whether the roof would be open for the game, because it was a rainy week and an uncharacteristically foggy morning (causing prolonged flight delays).

Arizona has one of the NFL’s four retractable-roof venues, with the others in Dallas, Houston and Indianapolis.

Under normal circumstances, it’s the home team that decides if the roof will be open, and that team has until 90 minutes before kickoff to make that call. Once opened, the roof cannot be closed except for hazardous conditions or rain.

According to NFL rules: “The roof will not be closed for rain any time after the five-minute mark of the fourth quarter, including overtime.” However, it can be closed at any time because of hazardous conditions such as lightning.

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Former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner preferred to play with the roof closed.

“For me, it was just a feel thing,” Warner said in a text Sunday. “Just think I was so used to it. But it made no difference in throwing the ball.”

As for the noise factor, it might be louder in the stadium if the roof is closed. Then again, the Seahawks’ and Patriots’ home fields are open-air stadiums, and their crowds can get plenty loud.

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