Alright welcome in to a special post-Super Bowl full recap between the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos where the Seahawks have proven the old saying in sports that defense wins championships thrashing the Broncos and shutting down their #1 offense commanded by Peyton Manning in a shocking 43-8 rout to capture their first Lombardi trophy in just two Super Bowl appearances all-time.
Let me just say this first and foremost, I hate the Broncos, as a Raider fan they're #1 in the AFC West rivals I love to hate, but as a spectator of the game, that was stunning to watch to see that offense get shut out for the most part of the game. I predicted in my preview that this would be a closely contested game and I see the Seahawks pulling out a tight one, but in reality, they dominated all game long and full credit to coach Pete Carroll for preparing the Seahawks for such a virtuoso and flawless performance.
Ok let's start this out, usually I would start with the losing team. For the Broncos, like I said it was magical ride for them, but it was a nightmarish stop for them tonight. Their lone bright spot this game, Demaryius Thomas, he literally carried the rest of the offense. Thomas had a perfect 13 of 13 receptions for 118 yards and a TD and I could've sworn I heard that's like a Super Bowl record for a receiver, something like that. Anyways, Seattle matched him up with Byron Maxwell the rest of the game and sometimes they would put Richard Sherman on him, but Thomas did a hell of a lot of work for Denver's stout receiving corps. Wes Welker comes from behind secondly with 8 receptions for 84 yards, but Thomas was Manning's only reliable target the whole game, in the short passes, in the catch and run plays and he was the bright spot for them. Other than that, the rest of the team gets a big negative. As much as I respect Peyton Manning, it was obvious he didn't bring his A game tonight and that's what he will be remembered for, being a great regular season QB, but couldn't get it done when it matters the most. No doubt he's a first-ballot HOF, but his legacy just took a hit after this game. Manning had 280 passing yards, 34 of 49 completed passes, 1 TD, and 2 INTs, Manning finished with tonight. Aside from Manning, the running game couldn't get it going, Knowshon Moreno was held to just 17 yards on 5 carries and was out the rest of the second half with a back injury, credit to all the world to Seattle's defense for keeping him in check. Another negative, costly penalties; though the Seahawks commit more than them (after all they're the most penalized in the league), the Broncos have committed more critical penalties and ultimately that costed them some outstanding drives when Manning was turning it up with the no huddle. Let's throw it out there, Champ Bailey, I think it's time for him to call it a career because he was getting burned by Seattle's youthful and speedy receivers. A lot of respect for Champ, but it's time to retire or consider a permanent role at free safety.
For the Seahawks, there's a lot to talk about for the champs. They have dominated in all aspects of the game: offense, defense, special teams, you name it. Let's start out with the Super Bowl MVP of the game, Malcolm Smith, the first defensive Super Bowl MVP since safety, Dexter Jackson of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (yes I had to bring that up and that loss is still painful), he had 5 solo tackles, 4 assisted tackles, and that 1 pick 6 to return it for 69 yards. His interception (also the quick safety at start of the game), pretty much set the tone the rest of the game and transformed the crowd from a 50/50 split to a pro-Seattle crowd. Aside from the MVP, the defense from the front 7 to the Legion of Boom secondary just choked out the Denver offense despite losing Sherman during the game, though it didn't matter anyway since Seattle had it in the bag. I also said in my preview, the Seahawks have a chance to knock down Manning and they did it a bunch of times. The Ryan Clady absence was felt the most for the Broncos because Chris Clemons and Cliff Avril pressured Manning a lot this game followed by tight coverage from the LOB, just an absolute sick-em style of defense the Seahawks were playing against the top offense. On offense, Russell Wilson, he is just too good guys, he is just too good. Wilson completed 18 of 25 passes for 206 yards connecting 2 TDs to Jermaine Kearse and Doug Baldwin, he didn't play like a 2nd year man in the biggest stage of them all, he played like a veteran. Wilson stood firm in the pocket, ran when receivers were covered up well, ate up most of the clock majority of the game to put Denver's defense on the ropes early and leaving Manning off the field. Another positive, Percy Harvin, he was the dark horse this game. When Seattle made the trade to Minnesota, they added another dimension to this team; it's unfortunate he got hurt most of the season turning the trade into a bust, but he reminded the whole world what he can bring to the table on the national stage. Harvin 2 catch and run passes for 45 yards and just like Jacoby Jones' kickoff return last year, had a kickoff return for 87 yards, leaving the Seahawks soaring sky high for the rest of the game. The negatives, the negatives don't even matter because Seattle just completely had the game in their hands.
Overall, congratulations to the Seattle Seahawks for their first Super Bowl title for the city of Seattle. The Denver Broncos, this is a tough pill to swallow for them after a record-setting year. The loss against Baltimore last year was a heartbreaker, this one in the big game, is just a dagger straight to the heart and it just got ripped out. Also, congratulations to Zach Miller and Tom Cable for getting that ring. You both are missed greatly by the Raider Nation. Anyways, thank you guys for following my Super Bowl coverage and for the 2013 NFL Season. I'll see you guys next month again for free agency and in April for Draft Day. You all stay classy now.
Congrats Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl XLVIII Champions!
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