We’re only two days away from the biggest football game of the year and it couldn’t get any better than Peyton Manning going up against an eerie Seattle Seahawks defense. The two titans will battle for the crown on national television at 6:30 eastern time.
For the first time since 2006, the 12th man will be cheering for their team in the Super Bowl. Led by second year quarterback, Russell Wilson and veteran running back, Marshawn Lynch, Seattle has a legitimate shot at securing its first ever Super Bowl title.
In two postseason games this season, Lynch has been the Seahawk’s Mr. reliable. He ran the ball 50 times for 249 yards and three touchdowns. However, Wilson hasn’t been inconsistent in the postseason.
In the game against the New Orleans Saints, the sturdy quarterback completed nine of his 18 passes for 103 yards and finished the game without a touchdown.
However, the former Wisconsin quarterback would redeem himself in the conference final against San Francisco 49ers. After fumbling the ball on the first play of the game, Wilson would finish with 215 yards and one touchdown. His touchdown came on a fourth down play early in the fourth quarter to give his team a 20-17 lead.
But the Seahawk’s offense won’t be John Fox’s primary concern.
During Manning’s record-breaking 2013, he didn’t face the Seahawk’s lion-hearted defense. Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor and the exuberant Richard Sherman, are some of the names on Pete Carroll’s defense that would make any quarterback shiver.
However, the Broncos have the players that can make the best defenders look like toddlers. An experienced Wes Welker, a reliable Eric Decker, a nimble Knowshon Moreno, a powerful Julius Thomas and an electrifying Damaryius Thomas will make life miserable for the Seahawk’s defense at the MetLife Stadium.
With the self-proclaimed “best corner in the league” on his roster, Seattle’s defensive coordinator, Dan Quinn, can prove that a great defense is the main ingredient of a championship team. But Manning will be inspired to win his second ring and secure his place in the history books.
Key Players
Denver Broncos
Peyton Manning: On his brother’s stomping ground, the legendary quarterback holds the fate of the Denver Broncos in his hands. If he is able to get going, there is no defense in the world that can stop him.
Damaryius Thomas: The 6’3” wide receiver proved he isn’t afraid of the big moment when he caught Tim Tebow’s pass to score the game-winning touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers. If he’s matched up against Richard Sherman, Thomas has to get good positioning on every offensive play, in order to avoid an interception
Defense: Against the New England Patriots, they only conceded three points in the first three quarters. They’ll need to be aggressive against Seattle’s running game.
Seattle Seahawks
Marshawn Lynch: “Beast Mode” is Seattle’s equivalent of Peyton Manning. He’ll need to be an unstoppable force to give Seattle a chance against the high-scoring Broncos.
Richard Sherman: He’s talked the talk, now he has to walk the walk. The best corner back in the league has to prove himself against the best receiving core in the league.
Earl Thomas: In a heartbeat, Wes Welker can explode for over 100 yards. Thomas has to keep a watchful eye on the veteran.
Prediction: Seahawks 20-23 Broncos
For the first time since 2006, the 12th man will be cheering for their team in the Super Bowl. Led by second year quarterback, Russell Wilson and veteran running back, Marshawn Lynch, Seattle has a legitimate shot at securing its first ever Super Bowl title.
In two postseason games this season, Lynch has been the Seahawk’s Mr. reliable. He ran the ball 50 times for 249 yards and three touchdowns. However, Wilson hasn’t been inconsistent in the postseason.
In the game against the New Orleans Saints, the sturdy quarterback completed nine of his 18 passes for 103 yards and finished the game without a touchdown.
However, the former Wisconsin quarterback would redeem himself in the conference final against San Francisco 49ers. After fumbling the ball on the first play of the game, Wilson would finish with 215 yards and one touchdown. His touchdown came on a fourth down play early in the fourth quarter to give his team a 20-17 lead.
But the Seahawk’s offense won’t be John Fox’s primary concern.
During Manning’s record-breaking 2013, he didn’t face the Seahawk’s lion-hearted defense. Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor and the exuberant Richard Sherman, are some of the names on Pete Carroll’s defense that would make any quarterback shiver.
However, the Broncos have the players that can make the best defenders look like toddlers. An experienced Wes Welker, a reliable Eric Decker, a nimble Knowshon Moreno, a powerful Julius Thomas and an electrifying Damaryius Thomas will make life miserable for the Seahawk’s defense at the MetLife Stadium.
With the self-proclaimed “best corner in the league” on his roster, Seattle’s defensive coordinator, Dan Quinn, can prove that a great defense is the main ingredient of a championship team. But Manning will be inspired to win his second ring and secure his place in the history books.
Key Players
Denver Broncos
Peyton Manning: On his brother’s stomping ground, the legendary quarterback holds the fate of the Denver Broncos in his hands. If he is able to get going, there is no defense in the world that can stop him.
Damaryius Thomas: The 6’3” wide receiver proved he isn’t afraid of the big moment when he caught Tim Tebow’s pass to score the game-winning touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers. If he’s matched up against Richard Sherman, Thomas has to get good positioning on every offensive play, in order to avoid an interception
Defense: Against the New England Patriots, they only conceded three points in the first three quarters. They’ll need to be aggressive against Seattle’s running game.
Seattle Seahawks
Marshawn Lynch: “Beast Mode” is Seattle’s equivalent of Peyton Manning. He’ll need to be an unstoppable force to give Seattle a chance against the high-scoring Broncos.
Richard Sherman: He’s talked the talk, now he has to walk the walk. The best corner back in the league has to prove himself against the best receiving core in the league.
Earl Thomas: In a heartbeat, Wes Welker can explode for over 100 yards. Thomas has to keep a watchful eye on the veteran.
Prediction: Seahawks 20-23 Broncos