I mostly agree with you except the part about the Seattle D being better than the Denver D (it's a hard pill to swallow I know, but this year...they are not. See facts). I do agree that it's D v. D and the O settles it in Carolina's favor. If I had a gun to my head and was forced to take it straight up...I'd go Carolina. But at the same time, the best D has won 9-2 in the last SB's - so anything can happen.

Ponder this. 2 years ago, ya'll insisted that the Seahawk D was going to destroy the #1 O in Denver. That's exactly happened and everyone crowed "defense wins championships". What's happened since then may I ask? Don't say Cam Newton. Denver scored 606 pts in 2013 which is WAY MORE than Carolina this year @ 500 pts. That's 106 pts or 6.625 pts / game difference. 606 is the most all time points scored in a season. Ever. Don't say "well it was the 2013 Hawks D that was superior". Denver has the same or better D stats wise THIS year than the 2013 Hawks (and definitely the 2015 version). IMO - It's same...same more or less.

So we are back to "d wins the ship", which is what I'm banking on. I totally respect Pants picks though if that's what you feel going into it. It's going to be tough - no doubt.