American Football: The dummies' guide to the Super Bowl

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady with the ball. Photo / AP

The greatest game in American sport is again upon us, with the defending champion Seattle Seahawks facing the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. Kris Shannon looks ahead to Monday's (NZT) action with a dummies' guide to the most watched television event in the United States

The quarterbacks

Tom Brady (Patriots): Brady holds the NFL postseason records for most starts at quarterback, most passing yards, most passing touchdowns and most Super Bowl appearances. He has won three Lombardi trophies but has also, most recently, lost twice in the showpiece game.

Russell Wilson (Seahawks): Wilson is currently in his third NFL season. The first was promising, the second produced a Super Bowl victory and this season has been no less impressive.

The key storylines

Deflate-gate: The controversy has dominated the fortnight since the Patriots beat the Colts to advance to the Super Bowl. Eleven of New England's 12 game balls in that clash were found to be underinflated, with lower air pressure creating easier grip, and the NFL's investigation is ongoing.

Marshawn Lynch: Seattle's gifted running back spent the week answering every media query with variations of "I'm just here so I won't get fined" or "You know why I'm here". Yesterday he launched a diatribe at the media for continuing to ask questions, before refusing to answer questions.

The halftime show

For many fans, what happens at halftime is as intriguing as the game itself. This year Katy Perry (top right) will entertain more than 100 million viewers, with help from Lenny Kravitz.

The gambling options

Both teams are paying $1.87 to win at the TAB but gamblers in the US can get creative. Punters can bet on whether the winning coach will receive a 'Gatorade bath', the length of the national anthem and even whether Perry will show cleavage .

How to sound smart

• P.A.T: Point after touchdown or a conversion worth one point.

• Field goal: A kick at the uprights worth three points.

• Incompletion: A pass from a quarterback that is not caught.

• Interception: When a defensive player catches a quarterback's pass to win possession.

• Line of scrimmage: Where the ball is placed to start a play.

• Sack: When a quarterback is tackled with the ball behind the line of scrimmage.

• Flag: A referee throws a yellow flag to indicate a penalty.

• Challenge: A video review on a play, instigated by a coach throwing a red flag.