Live blogging Super Bowl XLIV.

First quarter.

• To start off the game Patriots test Sherman. First play of the game was a behind the line pass to Gronk on Sherman's side. Next play, Sherman was trailing and missed the tackle.
• First series on offense, Seattle goes 3 and out, all on runs. I would have gone 3 passes to make the safety play deep, to set up the run.
• Brady's pointing two hands to the head seems to indicate run, or otherwise, signaling for the alternate play.
• And just like you expected, the Legion of Boom picks Brady on 3rd and 6 in the red zone, while Brady gets dropped. NE player tackles Lane, and that player's helmet flies off -- if that's not a sign that the NE player was using his helmet, I don't know what is. Patriots are playing to take out Seahawks, it seems.

Second quarter.

• Seattle has gotten away from its bread and butter: the run option and bootleg with a deep fade. The receivers seem to be doing medium routes, not deep routes.
• Gronk has just two catches for 6 yards; he pushed off on the end zone throw and still failed to come down with the ball. Looks like the linebackers and Chancellor are doing a good job on Gronk.
• New England's passing game doesn't work deep and on the edges, but is perfect in the middle, including the middle slant, picking on Tharold Simon who came in for Jeremy Lane.
• Right in front of the ref and the don't call NE for a block in the back on the kick return. The refs are letting both sides play, it seems.
• It's a great game for defenses.
• Finally, a deep route with a pass that is far in front.
• No call, again, with hands to the helmet...James Carpenter's helmet didn't just fly off on its own.
• BEAST MODE hits the touchdown, with a spin and a reach.
• Contrary to belief, Seattle is the quick strike team while NE is the control team.
• Turns out, Brady pointing to his head is to shift to the alternate play -- X and Y receivers split out from tight run formation, for a quick throw.
• The deep safety bit on Brady's look-off, and as a result KJ Wright was left all alone on Gronk, and got beat deep. 
• As fast as NE scored, Seattle was much faster. Again, Wilson comes through. Does that surprise anyone?

Halftime.

• That show, given its limited time and budget, sure matches well with some Olympics opening ceremonies.
• Katy Perry wasn't singing live all the time, but it was still a solid performance with cameos from Lenny Kravitz and Missy Elliot.
• The graphics on the ground during Missy Elliot's appearance was absolutely awesome.

Third quarter.

• Chris Matthews, the guy who'd been signed to the 53-man roster in early December, has become the big play maker for the Seahawks in the post season. In this game, he's had three huge catches (3 for 100 yards and a touchdown). If they win, he might get the MVP, I think.
• Seattle is stopped, but still, they drove down the field like it was business as usual, and have taken their first lead in the game, 17 - 14.
• Kam hits the inside receiver on a short route. Blount can't get a yard. Defense has adjusted.
• Gronk gets that pass, but look at his numbers 4 catches for 44 yards.
• Refs missed intentional grounding. In the pocket, no one in the area.
• But that's okay, because Bobby Wagner gets the interception. I've said it before: the team who wins the turnover margin usually wins the game. Seattle is now +2.
• You see it, don't you? The light switch was flipped on and the game has definitely changed. Seattle has now scored 17 straight points in the game.
• Suddenly, the penalties are flying for the Patriots trying to hold off the Seahawks.
• What happened to the Patriots offense? Carroll's defensive adjustments, that's what. Aside from that first series, Brady hasn't even bothered to throw at Sherman's receiver. Sherman does not look injured at all. Neither does Chancellor.

Fourth quarter

• Legion of Boom is exerting itself onto this game, and the Patriots have gone three and out, two straight series.
• Patriots defense get their own 3-and-out, but took a huge risk with a run blitz. I expect Seattle to go to Willson on a TE slant in the next series.
• Legion of Boom missed their perfect opportunity to get another 3-and-out, but instead, go zone on 3rd and 14, giving up a 1st down. The margin of that pass was so small, but Brady, true to his form, made the tight fit. In the end, it would result in NE getting a touchdown.
• Refs miss another call, on passing interference against the Patriots. Butler fell down and still reached out to trip Lockette.
• Seattle's offense is playing to win (not going conservative), but it also means that they've now gone two series 3-and-out.
• Now NE has scored 14 straight points to take the lead back. They have fight in them, after all!
• Something perhaps the Patriots aren't aware of: Wilson lives for these moments of having to come from behind in the fourth quarter. Win or lose, this has been the modus operandi of Seattle under Wilson, either winning or losing it on their final possession.
• OMG! Kearse's juggling act to catch that long pass, are you kidding me? Seattle's got that lucky charm!
• WTH? Bad offensive call by Seattle. Marshawn Lynch should have been given the ball, absolutely no question about it.
• Center clearly nodded his head to simulate a snap, and the refs didn't catch it. Per NFL: "No interior lineman may move abruptly after taking or simulating a three-point stance...No player of offensive team may charge or move abruptly, after assuming set position, in such manner as to lead defense to believe snap has started." Instead, Seattle got called for offside. That's a dirty play by NE and the refs didn't catch it.
• Seattle's defense loses it and gets into fight on the field. That is ugly.
• And that's the game, folks. Game over, NE wins the game. Seattle fell short by a single call that will forever haunt Seattle fans and coaches, for not going with Lynch right up the middle.