Regardless of your motivations for doing so, chances are you have plans to watch the “big game” this Sunday. Many tune in to watch the NFL’s two best teams battle for supremacy, while others could care less and just want to see the outrageous commercials. Either way, it has been the most-watched TV program in America every year since 2010 and probably will be again in 2015. Consider that last one a freebie, because the following list contains 10 numbers you should learn before heading to your party this weekend. Worried you’re out of the loop? Don’t want to be “that person” at the party who can’t hold a conversation about the game? You’ve come to the right place.
(1) 6: NFL Record for Super Bowl Appearances By A Quarterback
When New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady takes the field on Sunday, he will officially own the record for most Super Bowls played by an NFL quarterback (6). If he wins, he will be in a three-way tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Terry Bradshaw and San Francisco 49ers’ Joe Montana for most Super Bowl wins by a quarterback (4).
(2) $4,833.25: Average Price of a Super Bowl XLIX Ticket
If you want to attend the biggest sporting spectacle of the year, it’ll cost you. A lot. This year’s average ticket price is $4,833.25, which is $1,118.25 higher than last year’s average price of $3,715.
(3) 1,250,000,000: Chicken Wings, A Lot of Them
It’s estimated that Americans will eat 1.25 billion chicken wings on Sunday. No report on how many calories that is, but do we really want to know?
(4) 8: Teams Who Have Won Consecutive Super Bowls
For the second year in a row, the Seattle Seahawks have advanced to the big game. If they win on Sunday, they will be the ninth team to win back-to-back NFL titles. And who was the last team to pull off this historic feat? The New England Patriots in 2004 and 2005. 2005 was also the last time the Patriots won it all after losing to the New York Giants in 2007 and 2011.
(5) $4,500,000: The Price of 30 Seconds
The average price of a 30-second ad this year is $4.5 million, which works out to $150,000 per second. It’s expected that a total of $359 million will be spent by advertisers this year.
(6) +51: Identical Turnover Margins
Since 2012 both the Seahawks and Patriots are +51 in turnovers during the regular and post-season combined. This means that they have taken the ball away from their opponents 51 more times than they’ve given it away. This is important because both teams rely heavily on defense and field position; turnovers will be key in determining who gets the upper hand on Sunday.
(7) 180: Countries Tuning In
Here in America we sure do love us some football, but we’re not the only ones. Sunday’s game will be broadcast in 180 countries across the globe.
(8) 20%: Weddings vs. Super Bowl
Twenty percent?of Americans would miss a close friend or family member’s wedding to attend the big game if their favorite team was playing in it. In fairness to them, who has their wedding in February anyways?
(9) $97,000: 97,000 Reasons to Win
You’d think winning the big game and the gaudy ring that accompanies it would be more than enough motivation, but every player on the winning team also receives a $97,000 bonus check.
(10) 3: Never Miss a Super Bowl Club
Don Crisman, Larry Jacobson and?Tom Henschel are the only three members of a very exclusive club: the Never Missed a Super Bowl Club. All three men have attended every Super Bowl in NFL history, and will continue the tradition this year courtesy of NBC. There was a fourth member, Robert Cook, but he passed away in 2011.
Final score prediction: Seattle 27, New England 20. Enjoy the game!
