Super Bowl XLVIII – Game Preview and Pick
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Seattle Seahawks – 13-3
Denver Broncos – 13-3
Super Bowl XLVIII. Two teams with two completely different styles will collide in the Super Bowl. The Denver Broncos with their high-powered offense and the Seattle Seahawks with their vaunted defense. Throughout the season it seemed almost inevitable that these two teams should meet for the championship, and now they will.
The Broncos are led by future hall of fame quarterback Peyton Manning, and the Seahawks defense is led by their bombastic yet highly talented cornerback Richard Sherman. Whichever one of the two players has the best game for his team, may end up determining who walks away with the Lombardi Trophy.
But what about the rest of the two teams. The Seahawks offense may have the advantage over the Broncos defense. Led by second year star Russell Wilson at quarterback. The Seahawks rise to championship contender seemed to really begin when Wilson rose up as a rookie to become their starting quarterback.
And the Seahawks smash-mouth style on football is epitomized by their rugged running back Marshawn Lynch. The Broncos who are without the injured Von Miller, are led on defense by linebacker Danny Trevathan and cornerback Dominique Rogers-Cromartie. Trevathan will need to have a big game if the Broncos are to slow down Lynch.
But ultimately the game will be in the hands of the quarterbacks. Manning has tried to avoid answering questions about his legacy, but it’s unavoidable. Win, and he cements his career among the all-time greats. But lose, and his detractors will continue to claim he can’t come through in the big games. This is what’s on the line.
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For Russell Wilson, it’s about establishing himself among the game’s best. And what better way to do that, than to beat the great Peyton Manning? And what of the coaches? John Fox will coach in his second Super Bowl, losing in the first one as coach of the Carolina Panthers. And Pete Carroll looks to win championships both in college and in the pros.
But who wins? It seems Manning is completely doing everything in his power to win. He’s driven to win, and the Broncos are following his lead every step of the way. But I don’t think the Broncos will win. Because Seattle plays the game differently than most of the Broncos opponents have.
Typically the Broncos enforce their offensive will upon their opponents, but I don’t think that happens in this game. The Seahawks are a physical team defensively, and will be proactive in getting Manning off his game. I look for the Seahawks to use Lynch to pound the ball allowing Wilson to move the ball through the air off play-action.
Which should work well when Denver stacks the line of scrimmage to stop Lynch. On defense I see the Seahawks secondary being very aggressive with the Denver receivers, throwing off their timing with Manning. The Broncos won’t be completely shut down, as that’s not possible. But all the Seahawks need is a few turnovers, and their offense will control the clock.
I’ve had the Seahawks ranked above the Broncos for most of the season, and now we’ll see why. I think the Seahawks will build a lead early, and the Broncos will mount a furious come back, but will come up short in the end. Seahawks win. 6:25 pm – FOX
Score prediction: 27-24 Seahawks
Points spread: Broncos – 2
Over/under: 48.5 – Over
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