After a long NFL season that you may or not have watched, the game that everyone in North America stops and turns to watch each year is finally upon us this Sunday as for another year the Super Bowl will be in its commericalized glory for all to witness. This year the game will be in cold weather for the first time as the NFL put the game in New York, or East Rutherford if you want to be literal as MetLife Stadium will be the site of the big game that has an intriguing matchup of the two teams that were expected to be here when the playoffs started as #1 seeds in their conferences.
Don't know who to cheer for? Want to sound smart at your Super Bowl party? I have you covered with a quick rundown of what you need to know this Sunday.
Storylines
Seattle
In one corner there is the brash Seattle Seahawks, led by the "Legion of Boom" defense and cornerback Richard Sherman, who made quite the stir after the NFC Championship with a now infamous interview where he called out his opponent in Michael Crabtree following a win over their rivals in the 49ers. Loud, trash talking, hard hitting and equally as talented, the Seahawks will be led on offense by Russell Wilson who is trying to become just the second black quarterback to win the big game in just his second NFL season. If he completes the task, the passionate fanbase will see its first Super Bowl after losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers in their last appearance. The Seahwaks also have a Saskatchewan connection in punter Jon Ryan, who is from Regina.
Denver
The Broncos are led by arguably the greatest quarterback of all-time in Peyton Manning, who is looking to add to his legendary resume with a second Super Bowl after being shockingly upset by eventual champions Baltimore in overtime during the 2012 season. Manning, who was let go from the Indianapolis Colts following serious neck surgery, is looking to become the oldest Super Bowl winning starting quarterback since former Broncos legend John Elway did it in the late 90's.
With time working against him, Manning might be getting his last shot at glory this Sunday against the best defense in the NFL. If there was a more storybook matchup than this you would have to be a great storyteller. If Manning does win, we also might just be seeing his final game in his historic career.
Tale of Tape
Seattle
Seattle makes no apologies for being an old school NFL team trapped in the modern era. Physical, mean, and cocky there aren't many players on the Seahawks who don't do everything full speed. Running back Marshawn Lynch is the hardest player to tackle and runs with the swagger and power of someone who is from the mean streets of Oakland. Richard Sherman and the Seahawks secondary get all of the headlines and should be up to the task of covering the Broncos deep group of wideouts and their pass rush should be able to get to Manning. If the Seattle offense can put up enough points they should feel pretty good about their chances to win this game as without the presence of Peyton Manning they would be heavy favorites to win.
Denver
This Broncos is a team that was built to win now and has seen several players turn into stars with Manning under center. Wes Welker may be the most notable name, but wide receivers Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas have developed into two of the best pass catchers in the league.
The Broncos aren't terrible on defense either, even with their best pass rusher out for the year in Von Miller they have had no problems so far in the playoffs. If their offense continues to be unstoppable and their defense remains up to task, the Broncos could have another storybook chapter to end a legnedary QB's career unfold on Sunday.
Prediction
In a game that is very hard to predict due to the fact that both teams are so evenly matched, you have to look at outside factors to pick a winner. With the game being in the cold, weather has became that factor and the edge is going to the Seahawks whose power running game and defense will be bigger advantages if Peyton Manning can't throw deep in the frigid New York Temperatures.
Throw in the Seahawks secondary being able to blanket the Broncos wideouts like no other team can, the unstoppable running of Lynch and Wilson's ability to be a dual threat QB and run the football for large gains and I think the Seahawks pull of the "upset" with their playmakers turning into stars. Manning's moment might be the choice the networks and the NFL might want to see, but this looks like the Seahawks moment.
Final score: Seattle 27, Denver 24.
