The pick is in and Roger Staubach (JLL Americas executive chairman, a Super Bowl MVP and NFL Hall of Famer) is going with the New England Patriots. JLL researchers found that NFL teams based in cities with higher office vacancy rates have taken home the Lombardi Trophy 60% of the time in the past 15 seasons, including a seven-year streak from 2000-2006. Seattle broke from that trend in 2014. Based on the numbers, Boston is still the pick. Boston’s vacancy rate is four points higher (14.7%) than Seattle’s rate of 10.7%. However, JLL considered other factors when examining this year’s game, like 2014 rent growth, which was 7.7% higher in favor of New England at 11.6% on the year. But, ask Seattle and there is more than just office statistics to support a victory, on paper. “There isn’t a better place for high-tech in the country with our mix of startups, venture capital and access to the most talented people in the country,” said JLL Seattle market leader Joe Smurdon. Seattle was ranked No. 2 in JLL’s annual high-tech report, compared to Boston’s seventh-place ranking. When pushed to counter Boston’s ability to attract venture capital due to its world-leading life sciences cluster, Smurdon said, “I’m just here so I won’t get fined. Go Hawks!”