Super Bowl XLVIII

[2-0-Sixx]

I've always been a believer a great defense beats a great offense. Maybe I'm wrong here and I know Manning IS special. But he hasn't faced a Seattle defense, he hasn't faced a Niner defense, he hasn't faced a Carolina defense. I know, it's Manning, the God, just saying.

Also I know some may find this reference stupid but I remember Oakland vs Tampa Bay Superbowl. Gannon had NFL records that season. Jerry Rice, Tim Brown, Jerry Porter. Offense was deadly. But Tampa's defense was special that year and destroyed the Raiders. Quite obviously Gannon was no Manning, I just remember a lot of people thinking that offense would be too much for Tampa to handle. I don't expect anything like that, but I do believe these Broncos will have their hands full with this Seattle defense. It will be up to Seattle's offense to get points on the board though of course.

 

[gimmefreemusic]

I believe defence win championships too but the versatility of this Broncos team compared to that raiders team is incomparable. Raiders lacked a legit run game, an all star tight end and like you said a Peyton.

I think Broncos for sure unless Seahawks D can force some turnovers and capitalize. But like Ive said before I'm glad I can actually watch a super bowl as pretty much neutral without being affected by the outcome, for once.

 

[HERESY]

You have to remember, throughout the season Seattle has only given up 20 something points in all of the first quarters combined. Peyton is going to really start the air attack in the second and third quarters. If you watched any of the games where Denver put up big points or started to mount a comeback because they were down, it was the second and third quarters where they went crazy (especially the third.) Shut them down in the first. Keep the pressure on them during the second and make sure you rest up at the half because Peyton is going to go nuts when he comes out in the third. The offense HAS to make the big plays and they can't let the Broncos stop them in the redzone like the 9ers did.

Yeah it is the superbowl but they can be beaten as they were beaten before and then Elway gave them a serious talk. He probably knew they would be facing each other in the superbowl, but whatever. He knows whats up.

 

[Tony]

I believe a great offense beats a great defense but not this time, lol

Seattle's defense has enough to throw Peyton's rythm off. Plus they don't have to worry about a qb running and popping off 50 yard gains like Kaeperpick was doing. All their D has to do is make Peyton hold the ball a little longer than he wants to, easier said than done but Seattle's secondary can play that press coverage.

I think it's going to be a good SuperBowl, I just hope the refs don't cheat Seattle like they did against Pittsburgh. Every big play Seattle had in that SB somehow got called back.

 

[Rasan]

I want the seahwaks to win, but the NFL wants denver to win.
I voted for Denver. if the seahawks win i'd be happy for the nig lynch.

 

[T-Rip]

I've always been a believer a great defense beats a great offense. Maybe I'm wrong here and I know Manning IS special. But he hasn't faced a Seattle defense, he hasn't faced a Niner defense, he hasn't faced a Carolina defense. I know, it's Manning, the God, just saying.

Also I know some may find this reference stupid but I remember Oakland vs Tampa Bay Superbowl. Gannon had NFL records that season. Jerry Rice, Tim Brown, Jerry Porter. Offense was deadly. But Tampa's defense was special that year and destroyed the Raiders. Quite obviously Gannon was no Manning, I just remember a lot of people thinking that offense would be too much for Tampa to handle. I don't expect anything like that, but I do believe these Broncos will have their hands full with this Seattle defense. It will be up to Seattle's offense to get points on the board though of course.

Kinda funny to even mention this but Manning shredded the Niners defense in preseason last year and i believe the Niners defense was better then. Also Gruden was Tampa Bays head coach, they literally knew a lot of the offensive plays and knew what to do before the ball was even snapped and the Raiders were missing there Center cuz he all of a sudden decided to be a nut job

 

[2-0-Sixx]

Pre season don't mean nothing though I mean Seahawks beat the Broncos 40-10. Manning had some good stats when he was in but he took some big shots too and was very slow to get up in particular from a big shot by Bobby Wagner. Means nothing though.

My point bringing up that Superbowl wasn't to compare Oakland to Denver or Seattle to Tampa, rather enforce my belief great defenses win championships. I believe Seattle is a much more physical team on both sides of the ball. As the game goes on that wears teams down. If Seattle can weather the storm early, keep the game close, they can pull away in the second half because of the physical nature of their offense and defense.

 

[T-Rip]

My biggest concern for Seattle is there offense. It hasnt really shown enough to tell me that Wilson is gonna outduel Peyton. Broncos defense has been really playing great themselves. If Seattles run game doesnt get really started it could be a long night for that offense. Peyton will get points on the board obviously and im not sure Seattle is gonna be able to keep up

 

[Rasan]

ESPN all on denver's dick. this whole NFL Live is about what denver is going to do.

 

[Tony]

My biggest concern for Seattle is there offense. It hasnt really shown enough to tell me that Wilson is gonna outduel Peyton. Broncos defense has been really playing great themselves. If Seattles run game doesnt get really started it could be a long night for that offense. Peyton will get points on the board obviously and im not sure Seattle is gonna be able to keep up

All Wilson has to do is take care of the ball because Seattle's D will keep them in it. No fumbles, no INT's, don't give Manning and that offense a short field to work with. I think if he turns the ball over 1 time, the defense will save them but if he turns the ball over more than one time, the Hawks could be in trouble.

Wilson has legs too and the Seahawks could run that read option because Denver hasn't seen it this post season. I think Seattle has a huge advantage not to mention Percy Harvin returning.

 

[2-0-Sixx]

My biggest concern for Seattle is there offense. It hasnt really shown enough to tell me that Wilson is gonna outduel Peyton. Broncos defense has been really playing great themselves. If Seattles run game doesnt get really started it could be a long night for that offense. Peyton will get points on the board obviously and im not sure Seattle is gonna be able to keep up

San Diego held them to what, 24 points? NE held them to 26. I think if Seattle can hold them to around that low to mid 20s they can get it.

Manning will get his yards the keys are to limit those drives to FG's, getting turnovers and Hopefully hitting Manning, make him just a bit uncomfortable.

 

[savage]

I don't think Denver has an answer for Percy. I think Percy might be a key factor in this game. On offense and kick returning.

 

[Tony]

Hopefully hitting Manning, make him just a bit uncomfortable.

That is what exactly LT (Lawrence Taylor) said...

Those Manning brothers do get jittery and they'll let the ball fly to avoid getting hit.

 

[savage]

Our defense got this

 

[Jazzo]

Seattle Defense (4-3 Under, Nickel, GAM, etc?)

Everyone keeps saying Seattle is going to win because of their defense, but when I ask them why, they can’t explain it. We all know that they will get killed if they run their base 4-3 or play vanilla style zone schemes like Cover 2 or 3. So obviously they will be playing a lot of bump and run man, but then how will they shade the Broncos WR’s? Denver loves to run crossing, drag, slant and in-routes, so should they shade the inside half? If they do that, they better hope their pass rush gets to Manning in time on posts, flags, flys, sluggos, wheels, etc.

The only way I feel Seattle will win is if Dan Quinn calls some exotic, hybrid defensive plays that will make their 4-3 look and act as more of a 3-4. This will confuse Denver’s offensive line and Seattle’s D-Line and LB’s will be able to put pressure on Manning. All I keep hearing about is the WR and CB match ups, but the interior line is where it will be won on both sides of the ball, IMO.

If I remember right, doesn't Quinn like to run a lot Nickel too? You Seattle fans can answer that question. If they do in this game, Peyton will audible like always and hand the ball off. That’s why I am looking forward to this match-up, because I want to see what Quinn’s defensive play calls will be.

 

[CreepNCrawl]

I've always been a believer a great defense beats a great offense. Maybe I'm wrong here and I know Manning IS special. But he hasn't faced a Seattle defense, he hasn't faced a Niner defense, he hasn't faced a Carolina defense. I know, it's Manning, the God, just saying.

Also I know some may find this reference stupid but I remember Oakland vs Tampa Bay Superbowl. Gannon had NFL records that season. Jerry Rice, Tim Brown, Jerry Porter. Offense was deadly. But Tampa's defense was special that year and destroyed the Raiders. Quite obviously Gannon was no Manning, I just remember a lot of people thinking that offense would be too much for Tampa to handle. I don't expect anything like that, but I do believe these Broncos will have their hands full with this Seattle defense. It will be up to Seattle's offense to get points on the board though of course.

yeah I agree with you here.. I picked Denver.. but I think personally Seattle will win.. IF like you said, their offence can put points on the board cuz you know their defence is gonna play hard.

 

[savage]

MetLife Stadium ‏@MLStadium
1 day away from #SB48 - We're looking forward to welcoming @Seahawks & @Broncos fans to our home! pic.twitter.com/hFjlE1F59V

 

[BUTCHER 206]

I hope the defense scores 14. Theyre greedy ball hogs and want those big contract extensions and the glory, I can easily see them scoring 14 or am i just being a delusional homer at this point lol

 

[E.S.LoCC]

"Omaha Omaha,Hurry Hurry"...Most people think Peyton is changing tha plays when he chants this,but really he is casting spells on his opponents...Black Magic...Or should i say Blue and Orange Magic.

BRONCOSGANG4LIFE!!!

 

[savage]

Five matchups to watch in Super Bowl XLVIII

The Seahawks have moved into the final hours of their two-week wait to play the biggest game of their collective lives against the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium on Sunday.

JERSEY CITY, N.J. – A look at the Seahawks’ Super Bowl XLVIII matchup against the Denver Broncos, including five matchups that could impact the outcome:

When: Sunday, 3:30 p.m. PT, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.

How they got here: Seahawks finished 13-3 in the regular season to win the NFC West and clinch the conference’s top seed in the postseason, where they beat the New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers to win the NFC Championship; Broncos finished 13-3 in the regular season to win the AFC West and clinch the conference’s top seed in the postseason, where they beat the San Diego Chargers and New England Patriots to win the AFC Championship.

TV: FOX (Q/13), with Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver and Erin Andrews

Radio: 710 ESPN and 97.3 KIRO FM, with Steve Raible, Warren Moon and Jen Mueller

Matchup microscope

Seahawks FS Earl Thomas vs. the Broncos’ bevy of 60-plus catch, 10-plus TD receivers: With the omni-passing Peyton Manning distributing the ball to Demaryius Thomas (92 receptions, 1,430 yards and 14 touchdowns during the regular season), Eric Decker (87 for 1,288 and 11), Wes Welker (73 for 778 and 10), Julius Thomas (65 for 788 and 12) and Knowshon Moreno (60 for 540 and three), the Broncos’ future Hall of Fame quarterback is going to complete his share of throws. And after facing the Seahawks twice this season, Saints QB Drew Brees said this week the best way to approach the best secondary in the NFL is to attack the middle and stay away from the perimeter – especially All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman. So if Manning does work the middle with his tight end (Julius Thomas), slot receiver (Welker) and running back (Moreno), Thomas will have to prevent those shorter passes from becoming longer gain by making the tackles. After a regular season where Thomas had five interceptions and 100 tackles, earning him All-Pro and Pro Bowl recognition, the Seahawks’ speedy, savvy centerfielder will need to continue coming up big in this biggest game.

One to watch

Seahawks C Max Unger vs. Broncos NT Terrance Knighton: His teammates refer to the 335-pound Knighton as “Pot Roast.” But rather than needling him to see if he’s done, “Pot Roast” likes to needle his opponents and uses Google to “guide out his personal life,” is the way Knighton put it this week. “Just everything, from his favorite food to his favorite color, where he grew up at, how many siblings he has. I want to know everything about him, and I’ll probably talk a little smack Sunday.” It’s a mind game with the game that DT John Randle played very well during his Hall of Fame career, which ended with a three-season stint with the Seahawks (2001-03). But Knighton will discover quickly that the best he’s likely to get out of Unger, the Hawaiian-born, All-Pro center, is a laugh. Which brings us to …

Fun to watch

Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch vs. the Broncos’ run defense: The interior of the Seahawks’ line – Unger and guards James Carpenter and J.R. Sweezy – can’t allow “Pot Roast” to turn himself into their main-course concern, because linebackers Danny Trevathan, Wesley Woodyard and Nate Irving will then be able to clog the lanes that Lynch needs to get to the second level. And that’s where the Seahawks’ Beast Mode back is at his tackle-breaking best. As productive as Lynch was in the regular season (1,257 yards and 12 TDs), he’s been even better in two postseason games (a playoff-leading 249 yards and three TDs). But then the postseason has been Lynch’s domain since he joined the Seahawks in 2010. He has four 100-yard rushing performances in six playoff games, including two this season; and four of his six TDs have been 25-plus yards. No one else in NFL history has more than two. The media-shy Lynch has been wrestling with the demands of almost-daily interview sessions this week, and now he needs to take out his frustration on the Broncos – who allowed an average of only 64.5 rushing yards in their first two postseason games.

One tough task

The Broncos’ kickoff coverage unit vs. Percy Harvin: In the biggest game of the season, the Seahawks will have one of the best kickoff returners in league history as Harvin returns from missing the NFC Championship game against the 49ers because of the concussion he got in the divisional game against the Saints – and also all but a handful of plays in one regular-season game after he had hip surgery Aug. 1. His only kickoff return this season was a 58-yarder against the Vikings, the team that traded him to the Seahawks in March. The Broncos allowed a league-high average of 29.3 yards on kickoff returns during the regular season, including a 108-yarder. They did not have a kickoff returned in two postseason games at Invesco Field, but the altitude at MetLife Stadium is not a Mile High so the air a lot heavier.

Don’t overlook

Russell Wilson vs. the moment: The Seahawks’ “too short” quarterback has come up so big in so many ways during his first two seasons, starting with tying Manning’s NFL rookie record with 26 touchdown passes last season and underlined by his 27-9 record. A lot has been made of his “struggles” down the stretch. Too much, when you consider Wilson has faced five Top 10 defenses in the past six games – the No. 5 49ers (twice), No. 8 Giants, No. 6 Cardinals and No. 4 Saints. This week, he has been the “other” QB in the Super Bowl conversations because of Manning’s resume, which now includes NFL single-season records for passing yards (5,477) and TD passes (55). The Seahawks’ response to all the QB-comparison questions: In Russell we trust. In this biggest game of the season, Wilson can’t get outside the game that has served him – and his team – so well to this point.

Worth noting

This is the Broncos’ seventh Super Bowl appearance, but first since now-executive VP John Elway quarterbacked them to back-to-back victories after the 1997 and 1998 seasons. … This is the Seahawks’ second Super Bowl appearance, as they lost Super XL to the Steelers after the 2005 season. … The Seahawks’ defense and Broncos’ offense ranked No. 1 during the regular season, making this the second Super Bowl since 1970 to match the top units in both categories. The Buccaneers’ top-ranked defense beat the Raiders’ top-ranked offense 48-21 in Super Bowl XXXVII. … The Seahawks allowed the fewest points in the league (231) and the Broncos scored the most points (a league-record 606) during the regular season, making this the fifth Super Bowl since 1970 with that distinction. The defensive team has won three of the previous matchups. … The Broncos scored 24 and 26 points in their playoff wins over the Chargers and Patriots, while the Seahawks held the Saints and 49ers to 15 and 17 points in their playoff wins. ... The Seahawks also led the NFL in takeaways (39), interceptions (28, including a league-leading eight by Sherman) and turnover differential (plus-20) in the regular season. … The Broncos had two fewer takeaways (26) than the Seahawks had interceptions (28). … Manning threw only 10 interceptions, but the Broncos lost a league-high 16 fumbles. … MLB Bobby Wagner (119) led the Seahawks in tackles during the regular season, while SS Kam Chancellor (25) and Wagner (24) are the leading tacklers in the postseason.

Five matchups to watch in Super Bowl XLVIII