Super Bowl XLIX: The Good, Bad and Ugly

Late interception saves comeback victory for the Patriots

The Patriots won their fourth Super Bowl in the Bill Belichick-Tom Brady era, beating Seattle in Super Bowl XLIX. But there was plenty of good, bad and ugly to go around:

The Good

Jermaine Kearse: A juggling catch for the ages … but it means nothing when Russell Wilson throws an interception moments later.

Julian Edelman: Patriots receiver makes go-ahead touchdown catch late in the game to cap an outstanding night, with more than 100 yards receiving.

Final two minutes of the first half: After just two TDs in the first 28 minutes, both teams score just before halftime. First Brady makes a great throw to Rob Gronkowski to put the Pats up 14-7. Then Pete Carroll makes a gutsy call to go for a TD with just seconds left on the clock, and Wilson and Chris Matthews team up for a tying score.

Commercials: Thumbs up for Esurance (with Lindsay Lohan and Bryan Cranston) and Fiat (and the little blue pill).

Chris Matthews: Released by Browns, the former Footlocker employee has zero catches before the Super Bowl, but then has two big catches in the first half for Seattle, including one for a TD, in a four-catch, 109-yard game.

Al Michaels & Cris Collinsworth: Broadcast team is, as usual, super.

Michael Bennett: Seattle defensive lineman puts the heat on Brady all night.

The Bad

Seahawks offensive start: Wilson completes just four passes in the first half -- but two of them come in the last two minutes to produce a TD.

Dropped ball: Kearse’s dropped pass on a third-and-2 at the end of the third quarter spoils potential scoring drive in a game decided by four points.

The Ugly

The game-losing interception: What was that call? Second and goal with Beast Mode in the backfield... and it’s a slant pass intercepted by Malcolm Butler. Game over.

Brady’s picks: A perfect spiral right into the hands of Seattle defender Jeremy Lane at the goal line to kill a long New England drive in the first quarter. Then gets picked off by Bobby Wagner in the third quarter to set up a Seattle TD.

Late-game pushing & shoving match: Much ado about nothing.

Teenage nightmare: Katy Perry’s red-white-blue-and-yellow outfit for "Teenage Dream" makes her look like an employee for Hot Dog on a Stick.

Toenail fungus? Unappetizing commercial right after halftime doesn’t quite go with the finger food at home in front of the big screen.

Contact Us