Super Bowl 48 Preview

DENVER BRONCOS vs. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

     On Sunday, the number one offense faces off against the number one defense. There really couldn’t be a better matchup in the Super Bowl. Let’s break it down:

Offense: Clear edge goes to the Broncos here. Peyton Manning is playing with five unstoppable toys in Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas, Eric Decker, Wes Welker, and the one people overlook, Knowshon Moreno. This offense is truly unstoppable because if a team tries to take out the passing game, they have the ability to run the ball wild. That was shown earlier this year when the Patriots limited Manning to just 150 yards. However the running game for the Broncos produced an astonishing 280 yards. Moreno also is capable of being a viable option out of the backfield. They also have two vertical threats on the sideline is Decker and Demaryius Thomas and there is only one Richard Sherman. Down the middle they have Julius Thomas and underneath they have Welker. To move the chains, they usually go to Welker or Julius Thomas. Pretty hard to cover both. And most importantly, Denver has by far the best offensive line in football. Manning has been TOUCHED twice this postseason and never been sacked. That’s also a credit to him for getting the ball out quick.

     The Seahawks will struggle mightily in the game because they are going against a Broncos defense that is ranked 7^th against the run. To prove they can still shut down, just last week they limited the hottest running back in the NFL in Legarrette Blount to just 12 yards. So the Seahawks will eventually have to go away from Marshawn Lynch and that will be when they start getting in trouble. They also very rarely are able to sustain long drives. Most of their scoring comes off of big plays. Last week Lynch had a 40-yard touchdown run, Jermaine Kearse had the touchdown on 4^th down, and Doug Baldwin had a 51-yard catch to set up another score. This means Manning will be on the field plenty, which means there will be plenty of opportunities for Manning.

Defense: The edge here clearly goes to the Seahawks. They have some of the best chemistry in the NFL on the defensive side. The Legion of Boom all work together in their zones and switch-offs. The front seven get pressure on the opposing quarterback, which helps the back end plenty. They have a tall task ahead of them though, as they face the deepest offensive juggernaut in NFL history. And to make it harder, they also boast the best offensive line in football capped off by the best quarterback in the NFL this year.

     For the Broncos, they have a very underrated defense. The past two weeks they have held Philip Rivers and Tom Brady to 17 and 16 points. Granted, those are not two very good offenses aside from the quarterback position but the confidence level is very high going into the Super Bowl where they face Russell Wilson and a mediocre receiving corp. If they take care of Marshawn Lynch, they can spell doom for the Seahawks.

Special Teams: This phase will be a huge factor especially because both teams have excellent returners in Trindon Holliday (Broncos) and Percy Harvin (Seahawks). They both also have great kickers and in a game played in these conditions, it could come down to that.

Coaching: You don’t get to this point without great coaching, but the edge goes to John Fox. He is a guy who has been here before and also, if he has to make adjustments, he has the veterans on both sides of the ball to do that on the fly.

Prediction: Broncos 23 Seahawks 10

Super Bowl 48 Denver Broncos vs. Seattle Seahawks: X-Factors

     Much of the attention the past couple of weeks has gone to Peyton Manning and Richard Sherman, and rightfully so. They are the leaders of the most interesting matchup of the game, Broncos offense vs. Seahawks defense. However, there are other areas and players that will have a major impact on the game, so let’s take a look at the things flying under the radar:

Weather: Whether it is pretty cold or brutally cold is something we will see on Sunday but one thing we do know: It will be cold. This can be a huge factor in the game. Peyton Manning’s cold weather issues are well documented. For receivers, it can be harder to catch the ball. This may cause both teams to try to win the game in a way they aren’t accustomed to doing so.

Special Teams: This will be a huge factor, especially because of the weather. With all the offensive things the weather could affect, it wouldn’t be surprising if a few special teams plays change the game. Watch for jersey #11 because each team has a premier returner in Trindon Holliday and Percy Harvin (assuming he stays healthy) and great kickers in Matt Prater and Steve Hauschka. Trust me, after the game it would not surprise me if we all are pointing to a special teams play that proved to be the difference.

Wes Welker: I realize this isn’t a guy really under the radar, but in the Broncos stacked offense, his importance can be overlooked at times. With Richard Sherman potentially on Demaryius Thomas and the safeties focusing on Julius Thomas, it could come down to Welker who will be counted on to catch those crucial 3^rd down passes from Manning.

Bobby Wagner: The Seattle linebacker will play arguably the most vital role on the Seahawks defense. We already know Richard Sherman and the Legion of Boom will try to contain the passing game. We know Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett will be counted on to pressure Manning and contain Knowshon Moreno. But it is Wagner who will be most counted on to do BOTH.

**Another thing to watch is Peyton Manning’s “ducks”. I know Richard Sherman was not disrespecting Manning but the way Manning responded, it would not surprise me if he went after Sherman just a little just to stick it to him.** 

Manning's Destiny

     Regarding the Super Bowl, we are coming off of a year where it just seemed like the Baltimore Ravens were destined to win it all and send Ray Lewis off into the sunset as a champion. After having a mediocre regular season, Joe Flacco turned into Joe Montana during the playoffs and cashed in bigtime.

     This year has a similar feel to it, but with Peyton Manning as the main character. No, Manning will probably not retire after the Super Bowl (He has refuted it, but reports have been that it depends on neck exams in March). But Manning has been through quite a bit of adversity the past couple of years, mostly regarding his injury. It is not surprising that Manning has been able to shatter so many passing records this year considering his arsenal, but unlike past years, he has been GREAT in the postseason. Manning won his lone Super Bowl in the 2006 season, and many could make a case that the team was winning in spite of him during the playoffs in which he had more interceptions than touchdowns. That isn’t completely true because Manning’s impact goes further than just the numbers, but it’s a thought.

     Now let’s think about this year. Manning stole Wes Welker, his archrival Tom Brady’s best offensive weapon. Welker played a huge part in the Championship game vs. the Patriots to send the Broncos past the Patriots by taking Aqib Talib out of the game (unintentionally). Coming into the playoffs, Manning’s kryptonite was said to be the San Diego Chargers. He put on an efficient performance to take care of business. He moved on to the Championship game where he faced the duo of Belichick and Brady, arguably the most consistent standard of greatness since their arrival. Manning out on a show and took care of business.

     Now Manning has just one thing left against him: his play in the cold weather. Well, this Super Bowl is being played in New York, where the temperatures will be frigid. He is going against the number one defense in the league in weather conditions that are not ideal for him. He started the playoffs by defeating his kryptonite and then beat the duo that eliminated him twice before in the playoffs. Now if he wins this Super Bowl, he will silence all the critics. Not to mention, in the home of his brother Eli, who two years ago went up to Indy and won a Super Bowl in Peyton’s home.

     Lastly, he is a Denver Bronco. There is a certain quarterback who was late in his career and won a couple of titles. Yes, that would be Peyton’s current President/CEO of the team, John Elway.

     This is something that could not be scripted any better. The chips have aligned perfectly for Peyton. It is all there for the taking this Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

Peyton Manning Legacy: Pre-Super Bowl Edition

     Since we have so much time before the Super Bowl to preview and analyze all aspects of the game, I will be breaking down many storylines. Right now, I want to analyze the impact this game can have on Peyton Manning. And while doing so, I will be firmly objective as I have always been, regardless of what people may think.

     By now, unless you have been living under a rock, you have heard that Manning just two years ago was under the needle and had FOUR neck surgeries. Now, he is playing in the biggest game in all of sports. And he is the reason.

     Manning has been marvelous throughout his career, doing things that very few quarterbacks can ever dream of doing. He sometimes knows the opposing defense better than maybe the players playing on that defense. His work ethic and drive for greatness in through the roof. As I have always said to be the case with the “legacies" of guys like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, as long as they keep playing, their legacies will keep changing depending on what they do. Nothing is set in stone. Brady has gone home. Manning is still standing.

     Manning is now playing in his third Super Bowl. His legacy through the years has been that he is “the greatest regular season quarterback” in NFL history. For a guy like Manning, that is an insult. He wants to be the greatest. Period, no questions asked. However, his January play has kept most people from saying that. This game can change so much. Let’s take a look.

     Coming into this years playoffs, Manning had a 9-11 postseason record. Manningpologist just say that it is a team game. True, but the quarterback is probably the guy who has the most influence in a game. Manning came into the playoffs and the first game he played was against his former offensive coordinator who was now the head coach of the team that has become his kryptonite: The San Diego Chargers. Manning wasn’t spectacular (by his standards) but he was very efficient and made all the plays down the stretch to secure the win. I said that was his best game of the season. Then came the two guys who have doomed Manning so much in the past: Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. Manning was spectacular in this game, picking apart a depleted Patriots team and throwing for 400 yards in the win. That game was huge, but as a sports fan, I can’t put too much into that because that Patriots team really should not have been there had it not been for Brady. They were also badly hurt, especially after losing Aqib Talib. This leaves Manning with a 11-11 record in the playoffs. Win the Super Bowl and he is 12-11. Winning record in the playoffs and two rings. Lose, and he is 1-2 in the big game and has the most playoff losses by a starting quarterback in history. Regardless, he would still be top three.

     I have always said that my top 3 quarterbacks have been Joe Montana, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. If I was to put them on a scale of 1-10 right now, Montana would be a 10, because to me, he is the golden standard right now. Brady a 9.9 because of how he does more with less around him and is a constant winner who can put up gaudy stats when given the arsenal. And Manning a 9.85 because he is consistently great but does have a few postseason struggles. If Manning can win this game, no matter how he does it, he really would leapfrog Brady to a 9.95 and be within striking distance of Joe Montana. If he falls short, then we can just wait till next year to start these talks again. Because if we have learned one thing about Manning over the past couple of decades it is: He will always have his team ready to make a run at a Super Bowl championship.

Richard Sherman Postgame Analysis

     The news of the past 24 hours has been the outburst of Seattle Seahawks All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman. This is partially because Sherman brought it upon himself and partially media promoted. If I had to place the blame, it would go to the media first of all, and then ignorant people. Not just ignorant fans, but people in general.

     What Richard Sherman said after the game to Erin Andrews was not appropriate. Not only do I believe that, but also so does Sherman himself, who publically apologized that his actions deviated attention away from a great play he made and an incredible effort by his football team. But that interview is not his fault. The greater question that should come to mind is: Why was there a camera in Richard Sherman’s face less than 30 seconds after his team had officially been sent to the Super Bowl? This is a former 5^th round draft pick with roots from Compton. After being All-Pro last year and this year, Sherman made the play to send his team to the biggest stage in American sports. Considering all he went through, you think emotions would be running high? Obviously.

     The funny thing is, that after the interview had happened, so many people took to twitter and started insulting Sherman and his intellect and aimed a lot of that towards his race (ironically on the eve of Martin Luther King Jr. Day). A couple of things people should consider before making that assessment: The guy that people are criticizing, graduated as the salutatorian (number 2) in his high school class with a 4.2 GPA. He went to Stanford and got a degree in Communications with a 3.9 GPA and even returned for his final year of eligibility to start pursuing his Masters. That’s a lot more school than most people can credit themselves for. Would people question the intellect of say Luke Kuechly if he did that? Fair to assume not.

     The other thing that bothers me is the dissatisfaction of the general public. We hate it when Bill Belichick says nothing in his answers, yet when Sherman answers a question, we are still quick to criticize. There are some parts of the Sherman stuff that was not right. He probably shouldn’t have gone to Crabtree after the interception but those things always happen. That’s what makes football FUN! As far as his comments that he’s the best corner in the game…Who’s better? It is brash for him to come out and say that but he plays CORNERBACK. To play that position on an island the way he does, you gotta have a certain swagger and confidence to yourself.

     So often this year, the media has scrutinized players for being “too emotional”. Tom Brady vs. the Jets. Dez Bryant vs. the Lions. Now Richard Sherman vs. the 49ers. Ask yourself this question: What is the common thread for those players? The answer is that they are one of the top few at what they do. Football is an emotional game. People are often different on the field and off. A prime example would be Tom Brady. The guy in the press conferences does not look like the same guy who’s veins start popping out when he gets frustrated. Emotions are a part of the game and only those who have played can attest to that. I’ve only ever played at a high school Varsity level and I can tell you, during the game I am nothing like the guy off the field. This was the NFL for the right to play in the Super Bowl. Come on.

     My point is, criticize all you want, but know what you’re talking about. Before you call Sherman dumb and uneducated, remember he has a degree from Stanford to back it up. Before you say Sherman is just a trash talker, remember he is an All-Pro cornerback that just sent his team to the Super Bowl. Just remember the facts and grow some think skin.