Seahawks vs Patriots: Live Blog and Open Thread

Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) greets Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) after Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) greets Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) after Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Whether you’re looking for live updates or want to join in the conversation, stick with Emerald City Swagger for coverage of the Seahawks’ Sunday Night Football clash with the Patriots.

While not returning to the scene of the crime per se, the Seattle Seahawks renew acquaintances with the Patriots on Sunday night, with memories still lingering over how Super Bowl XLIX ended. Head coach Pete Carroll is right to say this game is not about revenge — a regular season win is not going to erase what happened two seasons ago in Arizona — but you better believe the Hawks will be motivated for this one.

Helping this motivation — not that the Seahawks need any extra assistance — is the fact they enter the game as -7.5 underdogs. This is a significant number and speaks to the size of the task at hand.

However, even Carroll’s team cannot be too surprised by the size of the points spread, given how the two side have performed so far this season. It also doesn’t help that Tom Brady is in full-on eff-you mode, after being forced to miss four games through a suspension that really shouldn’t have stood.

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Brady has been sensational since returning, having completed 73 percent of his passes for 12 scores, while not yet throwing a pick. Given the Seahawks secondary’s struggles against Tyrod Taylor last week, it could be a long night in Foxborough.

One way to combat against this — especially given how much time the Hawks’ defense has spent on the field in recent weeks — is for Russell Wilson and company to register some long, time-consuming drives. Unfortunately for them, this would partly mean getting a ground attack going, which is not currently even average, never mind remotely comparable to previous seasons.

Emerald City Swagger will be providing regular updates as we draw closer to kick off at 5:30 pm PT. In the meantime, here is a selection of related articles from around the FanSided network:

Russell Wilson’s best game yet this season

Seahawks’ Week 10 injury report

Examining the Seahawks’ DVOA ranking

Tom Brady mastering the deep ball

The most anticipated matchup of the regular season

Next: Russell Wilson's best game of the season

Stick with us throughout the day, as we provide regular updates during the buildup and once the action begins. Scroll down to the comments section to join in the conversation.