Feb 2, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; A general view of a roman numerals sculpture before Super Bowl XLVIII between the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Manning. The other reason doesn’t matter, but for the sake of giving more than one as requested by co-editor @marcusdoesurmom, I’ll give you 3 more. Demarius Thomas, Erik Decker, and Wes Welker. This was THE most prolific receiving corps in the NFL this year, arguably ever. Seattle doesn’t touch them with their corps.
Broncos establish run game and can control the clock and wear down the Seattle D and forcing Wilson and their offense to play from behind. Denver makes a big play on special teams on a return
1) Manning sends 300 Papa John’s Pizzas to the Seahawks hotel giving them the “food sweats” the day of the game. 2) If Denver runs a balanced attack. Going Sexy Rexy on Seattle will bite you in the ass (Sorry for making your brain work extra hard today, Julian – @wewosux)
Richard Sherman and Marshawn Lynch. Both will have to have significant impacts on this game for Seattle to compete. You know Marshawn Lynch will do his skittle thang. Can Sherman make a huge play? Obviously he’s capable, but he’s also going against the best QB in the NFL
They get an early lead and force Denver into having to throw the ball. Denver’s poor defense can’t get off the field all day with Lynch wearing them down and Wilson making timely throws.
1. Physical play by the Seahawks’ secondary creates early turnovers. 2. The officiating will change (for the worse against Seattle’s secondary) if the Broncos are struggling.
Seattle. Denver is capable of lighting up the scoreboard on anybody, anywhere. Seattle defense isn’t the same away from CentryLink Field. I mean come’on, Schaub threw 3 TDs when the Texans hosted the Seahawks…Okay, okay, only 2 were to his own teammates…
Seattle. Denver’s defense has quietly played very well in their past four games and will continue to do so. This coupled with the fact that there is no way the Broncos offense gets totally shut down.
Broncos, Seattle’s defense is no joke. If they can shut down Julius Thomas and Wes Welker, Peyton will be out of options with Sherman on Demaryius all day.
Denver. Say all you want about how good Manning is. But “REAL TALK!!!” *CLAPS HANDS* Seattle’s team is way more balanced. Their defense is ridiculous. Plus Richard Sherman wants any reason to call Skip Bayless a bitch. Add all that up = Broncos get blown out.
Denver Sleeper is Terrence Knighton (Pot Roast) because if Lynch goes crazy Seattle will be in the game no matter what. Seattle Sleeper is Kam Chancellor because he needs to keep those Denver Offensive weapons
Broncos kicker Matt Prater. Peyton will move the ball and Seattle will get their stops. If Prater continues to be automatic, it will be huge for Denver
Julius Thomas. Seattle does not have a answer for this guy. Earl Thomas is to small to cover him and the can not afford to put Sherman on him with Demaryius out there.