Finally, the big game is right around the corner. Both the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks took care of business as the top seeds in their respective conference to meet up this Sunday in Super Bowl XLIX. Rarely do the two teams who most expected to be here at the beginning of the season actually meet up in the Super Bowl, but that is exactly the case this season.

This game is a very intriguing match-up between two incredibly skilled and well-coached teams. The stars are certainly out in this one as household names like Tom Brady, Russell Wilson, Rob Gronkowski, Marshawn Lynch, Darrell Revis, Richard Sherman and others will be representing the NFL on their biggest night of the year. These players will certainly have a massive impact when deciding which team will take home the Lombardi Trophy, but there are other players who will certainly play a huge role as well.

With a close game between two seemingly equal teams expected, the Seahawks and Patriots will need huge contributions throughout the roster. Many different players will have an impact on how this game will turn out, including some who have slipped under-the-radar.

Sure, the likes of Brady and Sherman will get most of the attention, but there are a handful of unheralded players for both sides who could strongly swing this game in one direction or another. Here are eight under-the-radar players to watch in Super Bowl XLIX.

Patriots Tight End Tim Wright

The Seahawks have almost inarguably the best overall defense in the NFL. They stop the run very well, and their incredible secondary makes them almost impossible to throw on at times. That being said, despite their incredible safety duo of Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas, and a great group of linebackers, the Seahawks have allowed tight ends to beat them throughout the season.

Holding Gronkowski will likely be a huge part of the Seahawks’ defensive game plan. While he is certainly talented enough to still make a huge impact regardless, it is fair to wonder whether another tight end could produce if Seattle sells out to stop Gronkowski.

After acquiring him right before the season in a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, tight end Tim Wright has been a solid weapon for the Patriots throughout the season, and could easily have an impact in this game. Wright is a talented receiving tight end who was a weapon for New England in the red zone all year long. He hauled in 26 receptions for 259 yards and six touchdowns through the regular season. With so many other players for the Seahawks to worry about, Wright could become the forgotten man and help swing this game in favor of New England.

Seahawks Tight End Luke Willson

The Seahawks are far from the best team at defending the tight end position, but the Patriots are worse. Led by Revis, Brandon Browner and Devin McCourty, the Patriots have a very good secondary, but their linebackers are typically run stuffing specialist. While that will certainly help them against Lynch and the Seahawks’ running game, it may become a problem as the Patriots try to defend the tight end position.

Luke Willson is a talented pass receiving tight end with raw skills. He tends to be the forgotten man at times, and is typically able to take advantage of that. He came up huge for the Seahawks in their Divisional Round match-up against the Carolina Panthers, finishing with four receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown. With Revis and company taking care of things on the outside, Wilson may look to his tight end to open things up in the middle of the field.

Patriots Linebackers Donta' Hightower and Jamie Collins

The number one obstacle for the Patriots defense in this game is trying to hold down the Seahawks’ league leading running game. Lynch and Wilson combine to make an incredibly tough duo to contain in the run game. Obviously, others will be involved in stopping the running attack, but the majority of the responsibility will fall on Patriots’ linebackers Donta’ Hightower and Jamie Collins.

Hightower is a bruising middle linebacker who specializes in the run game. His ability to sniff out the rushing attack and made solid tackles when Lynch gets the ball is key in this game. Collins is more of a versatile player, who has an impressive array of athletic skills. Against such a run heavy attack, the Patriots will rely on Collins more than usual against the run. He would also be the most obvious choice to spy Wilson if they decide to go that route.

The Seahawks’ ability to run the ball could easily be the aspect of this game that swings it one way or another. The ability of the Patriots’ linebackers to not only control Lynch, but contain Wilson in the running game could make the difference.

Seahawks Linebacker K.J. Wright

Gronkowski is clearly the most explosive and dangerous player on the Patriots’ offense. His natural size, speed and strength make him arguably the toughest player to defend in the entire NFL. The Seahawks’ defense rarely shows any tricks. They believe in playing it straight up and beating their opponent based on skill. While they will likely show him some extra attention and mix up who defends him, on paper outside linebacker K.J. Wright should be the guy most of the time.

Wright is a talented player who is an underrated, but key member, of the Seahawks’ defense. He has great natural speed and ability, and is very good in coverage for a linebacker. Wright will have to bring his “A” game to hold Gronkowski down, but he is certainly capable.

Patriots Wide Receiver Danny Amendola

Typically, the best way to attack the big and powerful Seahawks’ defense is with speed and quickness. Fortunately for the Patriots, they have plenty of those players. Julian Edelman has incredible speed and agility, and his style of play of running underneath routes is exactly what gives the Seahawks issues. Edelman is clearly one of most important players in this game, but he is not the only quick and shifty receiver that the Patriots have. Danny Amendola is a similar player, and he could also be a key factor in the Super Bowl.

Amendola does a very nice job of attacking the defense with short and intermediate routes on both the inside and outside. He is a talented player who could be overlooked by the Seahawks. Also, Amendola is the Patriots’ primary kick returner. Seattle has struggled with kick coverage throughout the season, so Amendola could surely make an impact on Special Teams as well.

Seahawks Center Max Unger

A first team All-Pro selection in 2012, Max Unger is typically considered to be one of the best players at the center position in the NFL. Injuries have held him back throughout most of this season, as he was only able to appear in six games. The Seahawks offensive line struggled without Unger, as they could not solidify the interior.

Unger has returned full-time for the post-season, and has made an immediate impact. He solidifies the entire offensive line, and will be a huge key for the Seahawks as they try to open up running lanes for Lynch.

Patriots Running Back Shane Vereen

The bulk of the running game talk on the Patriots side of the ball is centered around LeGarrette Blount, and after his 148 yard, three touchdown performance in the AFC Championship game, it is for good reason. That being said, attacking the Seahawks straight up with the power run game is unlikely to be a great strategy.

Seattle is an incredible run defense with tough and physical players. If the Patriots expect to be able to run the ball, running the ball in passing situations to catch the Seahawks off-guard may be the way to go. Shane Vereen is typically a pass catching back, but he can run the ball in certain situations as well.

As usual, Vereen will be an important receiver for Brady in the passing game, but he could really be a weapon in the run game as well, as he is the type of back who typically has more success against the Seahawks. The Patritos will look for every edge available, and Vereen could easily play in to their plans.

Seahawks Defensive End O’Brein Shofield

Everybody knows that getting pressure on Brady with four pass rushers is key. The future Hall of Fame quarterback has struggled in the past when a good defensive line was able to get consistent pressure on him. The Seahawks’ defensive front has gone through some changes this season, and they simply are not as good as they were a year ago. Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril are good players, but they have had to accept a larger role this season, and the consistent pressure has suffered because of it.

O’Brein Shofield is a pass rush specialist who will be key for the Seahawks in the Super Bowl. Shofield is a talented, yet inconsistent player who may not see the field all that often, but needs to make an impact when he is on it. The Patriots offensive line can be shaky, and if the Seahawks are going to exploit them, Shofield must be involved.

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About the author
Dan Schmelzer
Dan is a 25-year-old writer who specializes in Chicago Cubs content. Dan also writes about the Iowa Hawkeyes, Fantasy Football, and covers the NFL.