Super Bowl XLIX

"2015 Super Bowl" redirects here. For the Super Bowl that was played at the completion of the 2015 season, see Super Bowl 50.

Super Bowl XLIX
DateFebruary 1, 2015
Kickoff time4:30 p.m. MST (UTC-7)
StadiumUniversity of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona[a]
MVPTom Brady, quarterback
FavoritePick 'em (even/toss-up)[1]
RefereeBill Vinovich[2]
Attendance70,288[3]
Ceremonies
National anthemIdina Menzel[4]
Coin tossTedy Bruschi, Kenny Easley
Halftime showKaty Perry[5] featuring Lenny Kravitz,[6] Missy Elliott[7] and the Arizona State University Sun Devil Marching Band[8]
TV in the United States
NetworkNBC
AnnouncersAl Michaels (play-by-play)
Cris Collinsworth (analyst)
Michele Tafoya (sideline reporter)
Nielsen ratings47.5 (national)[9]
61.0 (Boston)[10]
55.6 (Phoenix)[10]
52.1 (Seattle)[10]
U.S. viewership: 114.4 million est. avg.[11]
Market share72 (national)
Cost of 30-second commercial$4.5 million[12]
Radio in the United States
NetworkWestwood One
AnnouncersKevin Harlan (play-by-play)
Boomer Esiason (analyst)
James Lofton and Mark Malone (sideline reporters)

Super Bowl XLIX was an American football game played to determine the champion of the National Football League (NFL) for the 2014 season. The American Football Conference (AFC) champion New England Patriots defeated the defending National Football Conference (NFC) and Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, 28–24. The game was played on February 1, 2015, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, the second Super Bowl held at the stadium and the third in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

The Patriots' victory was their fourth overall and first since 2005's Super Bowl XXXIX, ending a 10-year championship drought. They finished the regular season with a 12–4 record en route to their eighth Super Bowl appearance, tying the record held by the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers, and sixth under the leadership of head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady.[13][14] The Seahawks, led by their Legion of Boom defense, also obtained a 12–4 record and were making their third Super Bowl appearance, in addition to their second consecutive after winning Super Bowl XLVIII. As the defending champions, the Seahawks were seeking to become the first to repeat since the Patriots in 2004. For the second consecutive season, both teams were the top seed from their respective conference.[15]

Super Bowl XLIX was kept within a one-possession margin until Seattle took a 10-point lead in the third quarter. New England responded by scoring 14 consecutive points during the fourth to take a 28–24 lead with just over two minutes remaining. The game is most remembered for the Seahawks' last play, in which they threatened to score a winning touchdown from New England's 1-yard line, but were intercepted in the final seconds by Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler. Butler's interception is regarded as one of the greatest plays in NFL history, while Seattle's decision to pass instead of run the ball is considered one of the worst calls of all time.[16]. Brady, who set the Super Bowl record for completions at 37, was named Super Bowl MVP for the third time, tying the record held by Joe Montana. Two years later, Brady would surpass both records in Super Bowl LI.

NBC's broadcast of Super Bowl XLIX set the record for most-watched program in American television history and is the fourth-most watched American television broadcast of all time.[17] The game was seen by an average of 114.4 million viewers, with it reaching to 118.5 million during the Super Bowl XLIX halftime show featuring Katy Perry[18] and peaking to 120.8 million during New England's fourth quarter comeback.[18] It is considered one of the greatest Super Bowls and was ranked eighth on NFL.com's 100 Greatest Games, the third-highest Super Bowl game.[19] Butler's game-winning interception was ranked fifth on NFL.com's 100 Greatest Plays, the highest defensive play.[20]


Cite error: There are <ref group=lower-alpha> tags or {{efn}} templates on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} template or {{notelist}} template (see the help page).

  1. ^ Purdum, David (January 31, 2015). "Vegas books move lines to pick 'em". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  2. ^ "Super Bowl XLIX officials named; Vinovich to be head referee". NFL.com. NFL Enterprises, LLC. January 20, 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2015.
  3. ^ "Chart: Super Bowl XLIX by the numbers". Star Tribune. February 2, 2015. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  4. ^ "Idina Menzel to sing National Anthem at Super Bowl". NFL.com. NFL Enterprises, LLC. January 16, 2015. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Katy Perry to headline Pepsi Super Bowl XLIX Halftime Show was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "Lenny Kravitz joins Katy Perry for Super Bowl Halftime Show". NFL.com. NFL Enterprises, LLC. January 10, 2015. Retrieved January 10, 2015.
  7. ^ Reed, Ryan (January 30, 2015). "Missy Elliott and Katy Perry Will Team Up for Super Bowl Halftime Show". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
  8. ^ "ASU marching band practices for Super Bowl pre-game and halftime shows". East Valley Tribune. February 1, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  9. ^ "Super Bowl 49 viewership sets US television record". Yahoo! Sports. February 2, 2015. Archived from the original on February 11, 2016. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
  10. ^ a b c Lewis, Jon (February 2, 2015). "Boston Top Market For Super Bowl 49; Seattle Down". Sports Media Watch. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  11. ^ Pallotta, Frank (February 2, 2015). "Super Bowl XLIX posts the largest audience in TV history". CNNMoney. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  12. ^ Castillo, Michelle (January 7, 2015). "NBC Has Sold 95% of Super Bowl Ads and Says $4.5 Million Per :30 'Is a Steal'". Adweek. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  13. ^ "Official New England Patriots News and Analysis". www.patriots.com. Retrieved May 2, 2023.
  14. ^ "Super Bowl XLIX: Patriots vs. Seahawks, by the numbers". Raleigh News & Observer. January 31, 2015. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  15. ^ Cite error: The named reference nfl.com was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. ^ Schatz, Aaron (January 31, 2024). "Ranking every Super Bowl champion team from 1-57". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
  17. ^ Patra, Kevin (February 2, 2015). "Super Bowl XLIX is most-watched show in U.S. history". National Football League. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  18. ^ a b Kissell, Rick (February 2, 2015). "Update: Super Bowl on NBC Draws Record U.S. Television Audience". Variety. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  19. ^ "'NFL 100 Greatest' Games, No. 8: Patriots-Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX". NFL.com.
  20. ^ "NFL's 100 Greatest Plays: The final five unveiled". NFL.com. September 20, 2019. Retrieved June 12, 2024.