Super Bowl Preview: Denver Broncos vs Seattle Seahawks
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
What, When and Where: Super Bowl XLVIII, Denver Broncos vs Seattle Seahawks. Sunday February 2, 6:30pm at Metlife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Well, folks, we’ve reached that time. Super Bowl weekend is upon us (I’m sure you’ve noticed considering the ridiculous amount of coverage this event garners) and now I’ll throw my unqualified hat into the ring in an attempt to predict the happenings of the game before they occur.
To me this is as god of a matchup as anyone could have wanted for this game. These are two exceptional football teams, but vastly different in style from one another. The Broncos are the offensive juggernaut, lead by Peyton Manning and his stable of weapons. They are calm and methodical offensive football team that will pick you apart the second any weakness is exposed. Manning had arguably the greatest statistical year in the history of the NFL, amassing 5,477 yards passing (NFL record), 55 touchdown passes (NFL record), only 10 interceptions, and a quarterback rating of 115.1. Remarkably, five Broncos scored ten touchdowns this season; Demaryius Thomas (14), Knowshon Moreno (13 total), Julius Thomas (12), Eric Decker (11) and Wes Welker (10). That’s every starting skill position player.
No team can make it this far without balance and Denver is no exception. The defense may not get the headlines, but they are an unsung and effective unit. They have a solid linebacking corps spearheaded by middle linebacker Wesley Woodyard and leading tackler Danny Trevathan. Future Hall of Fame corner Champ Bailey is making his first Super Bowl appearance after a long career. He is not the impact player he once was, but he still plays a vital role on the Broncos D.
The Seahawks are a very different bunch. They are the opposite of the stoic Broncos, they are a passionate bunch, and they aren’t bashful. They boast the leagues number one rated defense lead by the best secondary in the business. All-Pro corner Richard Sherman lead the NFL in interceptions this year but he is only one piece of the dominant starting defensive backfield quartet, the self proclaimed “Legion of Boom”, that will look to stymie Manning and the Broncos offense. Along with Sherman the backfield boasts Earl Thomas, who was also named to the NFL’s all-pro first team, and Kam Chancellor, a heavy hitting throwback style safety.
Seattle has offensive firepower as well. Young Quarterback Russell Wilson is turning into a star in the NFL in just his second season and running back Marshawn Lynch was a work horse for the team all year long, rushing for 1,257 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns this year. The Seahawks will lean heavily on Wilson and “Beast Mode” again on Sunday to carry the offensive load with their individual play-making ability.
Prediction: Denver Broncos 24 – Seattle Seahawks 23.
I think this is going to be one hell of a Super Bowl. This is a classic case of the unstoppable force against the immovable object. I like the Broncos to edge this one out with Peyton Manning orchestrating a game winning two minute drill. I think that the Seattle defense will keep Manning at bay for a while and the Seattle offense will be able to move the ball against the Denver defense, but in the end the Denver offensive depth will prove to be the difference.