Super Bowl XLIX is almost here! The big game will air Sunday, Feb. 1 at 6:30 p.m. EST on NBC.
If you had no idea about that because you don't pay attention to sports at all, I've got news for you. The Super Bowl is a national pastime. You really have no excuse for your indifference because there's something for everyone in this event. Yes, it's mostly a very long, drawn-out football game, but it's also so much more than that. Whether you're a football fanatic, an occasional viewer or think I'm just talking about soccer right now, here's what you need to know to get through and possibly even enjoy the Super Bowl this year.
1. The Basics
The New England Patriots will be facing off against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX, which will be played at University of Phoenix Stadium. Both teams are formidable opponents. Fresh off of winning last year's Super Bowl, the Seahawks certainly have some momentum behind them to take the top title this year. However, the Patriots are no stranger to the big game either. The team, whose home base is Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., has won three of the seven Super Bowl games in which it has played. But since the Patriots haven't won a Super Bowl in a decade, they're probably fired up to take the title this year.
2. You Only Need to Know One Word: #DeflateGate
So here's what went down. During the Patriots' AFC Championship game, the playoff game before the Super Bowl, 11 out of 12 of the Patriots' balls were found to be under-inflated 2 pounds per square inch below league requirements. This is a big deal because how much a ball is inflated can affect the way it flies through the air when thrown or the way it's gripped. There was a whole investigation into the matter, which of course included commentary from any athlete, pundit or celebrity the press could get a hold of. Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick later chalked up the change in pressure in the footballs to "atmospheric conditions" and the rubbing of the balls prior to the game. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady also denied that there was any wrongdoing, but he did manage to dazzle us with a vintage Patriots hat.
3. Tune in Early for the Singing of the National Anthem
Idina Menzel will be singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" before kick-off this year. Not only is she just a delight to watch perform but her TV performances are always must-see moments. John Travolta infamously flubbed her name, calling her "Adele Dazeem," while introducing her at last year's Academy Awards ceremony. She also grabbed headlines for missing that note, you know, that note, during her performance of "Let it Go" on Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest. No matter how well Menzel performs at the Super Bowl, we'll definitely be talking about it the next day.
4.The Super Bowl is the Best Excuse to Eat Junk Food
Chips, dips, buffalo wings, beer, punch, soda, pizza, quesadillas and any other ooey, gooey, delicious dish you can think of can be a part of your Super Bowl feast. You can either chow down on these noms while you're watching all the action unfold or instead of watching the game. Calories don't count on Super Bowl Sunday, after all. And if you're really bored, you can stay in the kitchen and cook while the game is on. Your guests will love you forever.
5. Super Bowl Commercials are the Only Good Commercials
I'm sure you've heard this before, but it bears repeating. The Super Bowl is not only the Super Bowl for football, but it's also the Super Bowl for the advertising world. Some of this year's Super Bowl commercials have already circulated online, such as those from Budweiser, T-Mobile and Victoria's Secret. However, there's sure to be at least one surprising ad during the commercial breaks. Basically, you should just use the actual game for your potty breaks.
6. Watch or Hate-Watch Katy Perry's Halftime Show Performance
Perry will headline this year's Super Bowl Halftime Show, and so far we know that her set will last for 12-and-a-half minutes, she'll be bringing the hits and Lenny Kravitz will randomly be there. Other than that, we can probably expect something colorful, wacky and outlandish from the songstress, who loves including elaborate costumes and set pieces in her performances. If you don't like Perry, you probably think the Halftime Show is going to be 12-and-a-half minutes of torture, but it's not. You can use that time to go to the bathroom, stretch or take a power nap to recharge for the rest of the game. However, even if you're not a fan of Perry's, you can still hate-watch her performance, that is, getting enjoyment from how terrible something is. It may not be the nicest thing to do, but hey, we're all friends here, right?
7. Last Resort: Watch Something Else
: Netflix
Tech Times Super Bowl Commercials Look Back
