Super Bowl 49 Teams and Final Score
Super Bowl 49 featured the New England Patriots against the Seattle Seahawks at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The Patriots defeated the Seahawks 28 to 24, securing their fourth Super Bowl title. The game was played on February 1, 2015, and is widely remembered for its defensive intensity and late-game momentum shifts. The matchup pitted two highly ranked offenses against a league-best Seahawks defense that had dominated the regular season. For current financial context around the NFL and related media rights, see the NFL's official overview page and the latest Forbes coverage of the league's valuation and broadcast deals NFL valuation and media rights.
The Patriots entered the game with a 12-4 regular-season record, while the Seahawks finished 12-4 as well after winning the NFC West. Seattle had won Super Bowl XLVIII the previous season and sought to become the first team to repeat as champions since the New England Patriots themselves did so in 2003 and 2004. The game's broadcast drew an average of roughly 114 million viewers in the United States, underscoring the Super Bowl's role as the most-watched annual television event and a major driver of advertising revenue. The economic impact of Super Bowl 49 for the Phoenix metro area included hundreds of millions of dollars in tourism and hospitality spending, according to local and league estimates.
Key Players and Performances
Tom Brady started at quarterback for the Patriots, completing 37 of 50 passes for 328 yards and four touchdowns. His performance earned him Super Bowl MVP honors for the third time in his career. Julian Edelman was a standout receiver, catching 10 passes for 109 yards and a touchdown, including critical plays in the fourth quarter. On the Seahawks side, Russell Wilson threw for 206 yards and a touchdown while adding 26 rushing yards, but he was limited by a knee injury sustained earlier in the playoffs. Marshawn Lynch, the Seahawks' featured running back, rushed for 39 yards and a touchdown but was sidelined by a hamstring issue in the second half.
Defensively, the Seahawks were led by cornerback Richard Sherman, whose tipped pass in the final minutes sealed the Patriots' victory. Safety Kam Chancellor and linebacker Bobby Wagner anchored a unit that allowed just 28 points despite sustained Patriots drives. For the Patriots, defensive end Rob Ninkovich recorded two sacks, and linebacker Dont'a Hightower contributed key tackles and a fumble recovery. The game's defensive stats highlighted the contrast between Seattle's top-ranked regular-season defense and New England's disciplined, situational scheme. Additional player salary and contract context for NFL stars can be explored through resources such as the latest player earnings analysis on Forbes NFL player earnings and contracts.
Rosters, Coaching Staff, and Game Context
The Patriots' 53-man roster for Super Bowl 49 included veterans such as tight end Rob Gronkowski, wide receiver Wes Welker, and center Bryan Stork, alongside emerging players like rookie cornerback Malcolm Butler. Head coach Bill Belichick guided a roster built on disciplined execution, situational play-calling, and depth at key positions. The Seahawks' roster featured a mix of veteran leaders and young talent, with quarterback Russell Wilson, running back Marshawn Lynch, and wide receiver Doug Baldwin forming the core of their offensive attack. Head coach Pete Carroll emphasized an aggressive, high-energy defensive style that had carried Seattle to the previous season's championship.
Super Bowl 49 took place at the University of Phoenix Stadium, which has a seating capacity of approximately 73