When it comes to breaking down Super Bowl matchups, you can never go too far. Every little thing, every small detail, matters. With that in mind, let’s get to the matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots.

New England is coached by Bill Belichick, who has 211 regular season wins, 21 postseason wins, treats the media as if it were poison and gets under the skin of so many in the national media they’ll believe whatever unfounded scandal you throw in front of them. Seattle is coached by Pete Carroll, who is just jovial enough nobody brings up the sanctions that hit the University of Southern California shortly after he bolted for the Seahawks.

New England’s quarterback is Tom Brady, one of the best quarterbacks of all time. Seattle’s quarterback is Russell Wilson, who is on pace to be considered one of the best quarterbacks of all time.

New England’s culinary gifts to the world are lobster and clam chowder. Seattle’s culinary gifts to the world are Starbucks and smoked salmon.

New England has Revis Island. Seattle has the Legion of Boom.

New England has LeGarrette Blount, a bruising running back. Seattle has Marshawn Lynch, the best bruising running back in the NFL.

New England has the Prudential Center. Seattle has the Space Needle.

New England averaged just over 29 points per game in the regular season. Seattle averaged just under 25 points per game. New England allowed just under 20 points per game in the regular season. Seattle allowed just under 16 points per game, leading the league.

New England and Seattle had five common opponents this season: Green Bay, San Diego, Denver, Oakland and Kansas City. Against those teams, New England was 3-2. Against those teams, Seattle was 3-2.

New England is home to Aerosmith, which wrote one of my favorite songs, “Walk This Way.” Seattle is home to Pearl Jam, which wrote one of my favorite songs, “Corduroy.”

New England’s defense forced five turnovers in two AFC playoff games. Seattle’s defense also forced five turnovers in two NFC playoff games.

New England’s has Rob Gronkowski, a 6-foot-6, 265-pound pass catching monster who looks like he was built in a secret government lab by scientists hoping to design the perfect tight end. Seattle has Kam Chancellor, a 6-foot-3, 232-pound tackling machine who looks like he was built in another secret government lab by scientists hoping to design the perfect safety. These scientists are hoping when Chancellor and Gronkowski collide, it doesn’t trigger an atomic chain reaction which causes the entire planet to get sucked into a black hole.

New England has duck boat tours in Boston, Portland and Cape Cod. Seattle also has a duck boat tour and, umm, actually I’ve taken it and it’s pretty cool.

New England has a clutch kicker in Stephen Gostkowski. Seattle has a kicker, Steven Hauschka, who grew up in New England (Needham, Mass.) and attended college in New England (Middlebury).

New England has young up and coming linebacker in Jamie Collins. Seattle has a young up and coming linebacker in Bobby Wagner.

New England has Mt. Washington, a 6,288-foot peak and home to some of the strongest wind gusts ever recorded. Seattle has Mt. Ranier, a 14,411-foot peak, and an active volcano which would make Seattle residents care not one bit for the Seahawks should it errupt.

So much to absorb. When it comes down to it, Aerosmith’s longevity gives New England a slight edge. Patriots 27, Seahawks 23.

Travis Lazarczyk — 861-9242

tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @TLazarczykMTM

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