The Seattle Seahawks are looking to become the first back-to-back Super Bowl champions since the New England Patriots, their opponent Sunday, won Super Bowls XXXVIII and XXXIX in 2004 and 2005, respectively.

The Seahawks and Patriots will play 5:30 p.m. Sunday at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., in Super Bowl XLIX. The game will be televised on NBC.

The Northern Star Sports staff gives their predictions for the game.

Frank Gogola, Sports Editor

Seattle Seahawks 23, New England Patriots 17

When great offenses and great defenses collide, defense usually prevails. This Seattle defense is too talented to allow Tom Brady and the Patriots’ offense to walk all over them. I don’t foresee the lead going beyond 13 points either way, and I expect this game to be competitive well into the fourth quarter. The difference will be cornerback Richard Sherman and the Seahawks’ defense.

Steve Shonder, Sports Writer

Seattle Seahawks 26, New England Patriots 17

The Seattle defense is going to do enough to keep the offense in the game and set up quarterback Russell Wilson for some late-game heroics. The Patriots will make this Super Bowl more competitive than last year’s — a 43-8 blowout of the Denver Broncos by the Seahawks — but it won’t be enough. I’m calling a Seattle safety in the first quarter.