Super Bowl XLVIII Preview/Prediction

By: Bradley Stewart

This is the type of Super Bowl the Football Gods have dreamed of.  The best defense against the best offense.  Wilson vs Manning.  Sherman vs Thomas. This is going to be great.

Analysis

Advantages for Broncos:

No 12th Man :  Seattle's 12th man has caused the most false starts since 2010.  But since it isn't in Seattle, the Broncos O-Line, doesn't have anything to worry about.

Experience:  The Broncos team is older than the Seahawks.  There is no question about.  For the Broncos : Welker, Mannning, and Prater.  While for the Seahawks : Wilson, Lynch, Sherman.  The Broncos team overall has played more games which could be huge.

Peyton Manning:  Obviously the best QB in the league.  Especially this season, 5,467 yards, 55 TD's, and a QB rating of 115.1, will make you say "Wow!".

Underrated Rushing Game:  When people think of the Broncos, they think of Peyton Manning immediately.  While Kowshon Moreno was a 1,000 yard rusher, with 10 touchdowns.  Don't overlook Moreno or Montee Ball.

Richard Sherman:  After Sherman's rant after the NFC Championship,  the undecided rooters turned to the Broncos. I'm sure Peyton Manning would love to light him up after that. (See other section for more)

Receiving Core:  The Broncos' receiving core is ridiculous.  Wes Welker, Julilus Thomas, Demaryius Thomas, and Eric Decker.  Too many capable hands to compete against a good secondary.  Except some big plays.

Defense:  Everyone criticizes the Broncos' defenses, but for good reason.  They rank 27th in the NFL in Passing Yards.  But in the past 4 games, the Broncos have given up 17 points or less, while stuffing the run.  Remember LaGarrette Blount? 4 touchdowns to nothing.

Russell Wilson:  Wilson hasn't been the same since Week 13.  Throwing 5 interceptions in the pass six games.  He has been sacked 7 times in the playoffs, and we know Denver likes to rush the passer.


Advantages for Seahawks:

Defense:  This is going to be the sixth time the #1 defense has faced the #1 offense in the Super Bowl. The defense is 4-1.  Also, the Seahawks defense doesn't give up points, they have given up more than 20 points only three times all season, while holding offenses to under 14 points, eight times.

Percy Harvin: The king of the PUP-List is scheduled to make a return in the Super Bowl.  Harvin adds even more to this dynamic offense.  If Harvin plays except Sweeps and Hail Marys.

Receiving Core:  Seattle's receiving core may look bad against the Bronco's all-star core, but don't mark me wrong.  Golden Tate and Doug Baldwin are both 50+ catch receivers, while coming up big in the playoffs.  And don't forget about Percy Harvin.

The Odds: Denver is favored to beat the Seahawks.  And over the past four seasons, the underdog has won the Super Bowl every time, and five out of the past six.  While adding that the Seahawks are 17-5-1, when the spread has been against them in the past three seasons.

Jerseys:  I know this sounds crazy, but it's not.  The Broncos are wearing orange jerseys.  In the Super Bowl, the Broncos are 0-3, while wearing their orange jersey.  While Seattle is wearing white tops with blue pants, a combo where they are 2-0 at this year, including a 23-0 win over the Giants in Met Life Stadium.

Richard Sherman:  Richard Sherman wants to prove that he is as good as he is saying.  Expect a big day from him.  Win or lose.

Weather:  The Seahawks are built to blizzards, monsoons, droughts, etc..  They can handle anything.  It is going to be snowy in New Jersey.  The Broncos are built on Manning, who is 4-7 in under 32 degree weather.  Remember snow.



Betting Odds: Denver -2.5
Above Odds: Denver 8, Seattle 7
Advantage: Denver Broncos

Overview

There is nothing really big going on publicity about this Super Bowl.  Except Richard Sherman.
Here's what I think:

He's disrespected.  People can think what they want, but nothing is ever going to change the fact that he is a smart and competitive guy.  This is football we are talking about, not tennis.  Trash-talking is apart of the game.  The game was still going on in his head.  He was pouring out his emotions.  Crabtree gave him crap, so he gave it back.  He is the best cornerback in the league.  He does backs up what he says with facts, unlike Skip Bayless (Sherman's own words).  Get off his back.  If you can't handle trash-talk, get out of the game.  Most of the people I've talked to say "This is why I hate Seattle." or "That's why I'm rooting for the Broncos.".  I can't help but thinking, "Be quiet."  If Erin Andrews hadn't interviewed him he wouldn't have said that.  Get off his back.  There is trash-talk in every football game, and the only reason people care about this one is that he is playing in the Super Bowl.  Everyone who knows him says he was a nice guy.  Which is why I am rooting for him, to prove Bayless and his haters wrong.

Prediction:

Here is the box score of my prediction:

As you can see, the 1st Quarter is dominated by field goals.  In the 2nd Quarter Manning's touchdown pass to Thomas, makes it 13-3 Broncos.

The Broncos are up 10 at the half.  But here comes the Seahawks.  A 20-yard touchdown run from Marshawn Lynch and a Steven Hauschka field goal makes it a tie game going into the 4th Quarter.

Instant classic!  Manning hits Welker, early in the 4th Quarter.  This gives the Broncos a 20-13 lead.  Another Steven Hauschka field goal makes it 20-16 with under 5 minutes left.  A Knowshon Moreno turnover, lets the Seahawks get the ball back.  Russell Wilson drives down the field, and with under 1 minute left, Russell Wilson hits Percy Harvin, to make it 23-20.

But the game is still not over.  Peyton Manning drives down the field.  But instead of trying to kick a chip shot field goal, the Broncos try and win it.  But they fail.  Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl Champions!

This is happening.

While this is happening.

And That's All I Got To Say 'Bout That!