2014 NFL Playoffs – Who Stands to Gain the Most From the Super Bowl?

The Super Bowl is a great time to be a football collector. Everything is urgent, everything is important, and everything matters for one last moment. Here is a breakdown of what the Super Bowl could mean for some of the hobby superstars involved.

Russell Wilson – QB Seahawks

There are divided camps surrounding Russell Wilson. Some believe he is the top guy in the hobby to collect, even over players like Andrew Luck and the like. Others believe he is a glorified game manager who benefits from a top defense. Without consideration paid to either group, this is the last year the Seahawks will be able to have him at a bargain, which will mean lots of changes next year. This could be the last chance with the current situation Wilson has to operate the way he has.

Check out where he is sitting right now:

2012 National Treasures Russell Wilson Auto Logo Patch RC BGS 9.5

2012 Topps Five Star Russell Wilson Auto Booklet Patch 5/5

2012 Contenders Russell Wilson Auto Ticket RC PSA 10

2012 Topps Supreme Russell Wilson Jumbo Patch Auto

His cards have already spiked as a result of his chance at a second ring, but that will fade quickly if he plays like he did in the NFC championship game. If he wins on Sunday and also can perform when the Seahawks have to pay him and let parts of the team go, good luck. He will be the guy for a long time.

Marshawn Lynch – RB Seahawks

I am a fan of Lynch in all his quirkiness. He is a hard nosed player who has a motor that never quits. I have always been someone that appreciates a good running back, and it has been painful to see the way the hobby has devalued them. He has his moments with some rare Seahawks cards, but overall he is still without the fireworks he delivers on the field.

Lynch’s rookies and autographs are quite low all things considered:

2007 National Treasures Marshawn Lynch Rookie Patch Auto /25

2014 Flawless Marshawn Lynch Auto Jumbo Patch

2007 Exquisite Marshawn Lynch Rookie Patch Auto

Lynch has not been a hobby superstar despite his dominating performances over the last few years, which is beyond unfortunate. I think people are turned off by the fact that he hasnt played in Seattle for his whole career, and that leads to his Buffalo Bills cards not having the value they maybe should.

As a position player in a hobby that doesnt care, he doesnt seem to have the popularity that others have. Collectors only care about QBs, and he feels the brunt of that burden.

Tom Brady – QB Patriots

The stupidity surrounding “Deflategate” will taint this victory if they win, and if they lose, his legacy may be damaged by a third straight Super Bowl loss to match his three wins. Brady has always been a polarizing figure because of who he married and who he plays for, but that is part of the allure for his value.

Brady is still one of the more valuable players in the league:

2000 Contenders Tom Brady Rookie Ticket Auto

2014 Topps Tom Brady SP Variation Auto

2000 Bowman Chrome Tom Brady RC

2000 SP Authentic Tom Brady RC BGS 9.5

He is one of the most “famous” football players of all time, and that wont change with this Super Bowl. However, I dont think his value will have the same spike it did the first few times around. Just be careful there.

Rob Gronkowski – TE Patriots

I love Gronk. Its hard not to. He is a big goofball, and he plays the game with the intensity of a Brady anyways. That is a fun combination. I think he will eventually go down as one of the best ever, with or without a ring.

Gronk is the most valuable TE around, but here is what that gets you:

2010 Topps Chrome Rob Gronkowski Auto

2010 Topps Five Star Rob Gronkowski Auto Patch

2014 Topps Valor Rob Gronkowski Auto Patch /25

As a TE, he faces the same situation that Marshawn Lynch does, even though he is more dominating at his position than Lynch is at his. That means that his value wont reflect his true worth.

If Gronk has a huge game, he could see a really nice bump in his value, simply because the controversy wont hit him the way it has with Brady.

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Overall, I dont think the Seahawks have a real weakness right now, which means the Pats wont be able to shift to exploit it the way they have with previous opponents. I think its going to be a close game, but I cant help but feel this will end up going Seattle’s way.

Seahawks 23 Patriots 17

Hopefully this plays out in the same amazing fashion that it did with the previous games.

One thought on “2014 NFL Playoffs – Who Stands to Gain the Most From the Super Bowl?

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