Super Bowl 2015: Three key match-ups as the Seattle Seahawks meet the New England Patriots

A look ahead to where the Super Bowl will be won and lost

(Getty Images)

1) Tom Brady vs Richard Sherman

New England’s star quarterback has only met Seattle’s star cornerback once before but you get the impression the two despise each other. After their meeting in 2012, in which Sherman caught an interception as the Seahawks won 24-23, the cornerback said Brady had ridiculed the Seahawks’ defence throughout the game, calling them nobodies.

Sherman later posted a picture on Twitter of himself and Brady with the caption, ‘U MAD BRO?’ Brady’s waited ever since to get revenge and what better stage to do so than the Super Bowl.

2) Pete Carroll vs Bill Belichick

Belichick was Carroll’s successor at New England after Carroll was fired in 2000, although there are no grudges - Belichick said on Tuesday that there isn’t a coach he respects more than Carroll.

The pair have proven themselves to be the two of the best coaches in football. When Carroll lead the Seahawks to victory in last season’s Super Bowl he became only the third coach to win a Super Bowl and a college football national championship, while Belichick has won the Super Bowl five times, three as head coach of the Patriots and twice while an assistant coach with the Giants.

There are many similarities between Carroll and Belichick. Only one year separates their ages, both have spent time as defensive coordinators, and both have been the head coach of Robert Kraft’s Patriots.

3) Rob Gronkowski vs Kam Chancellor

Gronk is the unstoppable force; Bam Bam Kam is the immovable object. When Gronkowski catches a pass from Brady on Sunday, expect to see Chancellor nearby, preparing to lay a booming hit on the tight end.

Whether he manages to bring him down, something few players are able to do without help, remains to be seen. If Carroll vs Belichick is a battle of wits, this is a battle between two powerhouses.

The Independent will have live coverage of the Super Bowl from 11pm on Sunday night.