What a matchup we have for Super Bowl XLVIII. The NFL's top offense goes up against the NFL's top defense when Denver and Seattle square off. Below is a look at which team we feel has the advantage at every position on the field, and our final prediction for Super Bowl XLVIII.
Quarterback
Russell Wilson has had a phenomenal start to his NFL career. He is currently tied with Ben Roethlisberger for the most wins in the first two years of a career in NFL history. He has to beat Peyton Manning to claim that record for himself. As good as Wilson has been in his two years, Manning has been as good as they come, ever. Manning's brilliance has always been undervalued because of his playoff disappointment. He has a chance to win his second ring, and cement his legacy as one of the best to ever play the game.
Advantage: Denver
Running Backs
The running game could eventually lead to determining the next Super Bowl champion. That sounds odd when you have the likes of Payton Manning and Russell Wilson under center, but the weather is expected to be a factor. Enter the ground game. Running the football is what Seattle does best on offense. Marshawn Lynch is a beast and blends power and quickness. He can pound the ball between the tackles and has the burst to break away from defenders. On the other side, Denver is more running back by committee. Knowshon Moreno has gotten the bulk of the carries, but expect Montee Ball to play a role in this game. The Broncos are capable of running the ball, but it's not what they do best.
Advantage: Seattle
Wide Receivers
There are a number of players on the outside that can impact this game in a big way. The majority of them play for the Denver Broncos. Denver has one of the best trios at WR that the NFL has ever seen. I would stack Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker, and Wes Welker up against any other receiving trio in recent years. Sprinkle in TE Julius Thomas and Peyton Manning has a plethora of options at his disposal. Seattle's corps is a little bit lesser known. Injuries have played a role in that, but young huts like Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse have stepped up and been reliable options for Russell Wilson. Reliable versus dynamic, take your pick.
Advantage: Denver
Offensive Line
And now we get back to the impact the weather could play on the Super Bowl. The possibility for inclement weather in the Big Apple on Super Bowl Sunday means the battle in the trenches will be pivotal. Both teams have underrated offensive lines. Each team is capable of punishing their opponents. Denver and Seattle have both had to battle injuries. The best way to overcome the injury bug is to have at least one dominant player. The most dominant player on either line this season was Denver Guard Louis Vasquez who was a terrific addition to the Broncos this season. He will need to be at his best against a nasty Seahawks D.
Advantage: Denver
Defensive Line
There isn't a ton of star power on the defensive lines, but both teams have units that work very well
together. Don't get me wrong, there are playmakers on these lines. Denver's Terrance Knighton has
been a stud in the postseason. Seattle is solid all over, up the middle and on the edge. That's why I give the Seahawks the advantage here. I expect Seattle to to get more pressure on Peyton Manning than he has seen in awhile.
Advantage: Seattle
Linebackers
The linebackers in Super Bowl XLVIII are similar to the defensive lines, solid but not spectacular. Denver has missed the pass rushing ability of all-pro Von Miller, but Danny Trevathan and Wesley Woodyard have made plenty of plays to fill that void. Bobby Wagner has been a beast in the middle of Seattle's unit, and Bruce Irvin packs a punch off the edge. Neither team overwhelms you with talent at Linebacker. But both teams play their scheme very well and the linebackers do their part. I'm not sure that one of these Linebackers will be a breakout star in this game, but I do like Seattle's corps slightly more. The Seahawks get a small advantage.
Advantage: Seattle
Secondary
There could be a lot of plays made in the secondary on Sunday night. Denver has an all-time great at Corner with Champ Bailey. Bailey has been one of the best at his position for over a decade, and he's finally getting a chance to play in the big game. His counterpart is Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. DRC has been inconsistent throughout his career, but has played in a Super Bowl with the Cardinals and is capable of shutting down any WR Seattle has. The Safeties for Denver have had their ups and downs. The best Corner in the game today suits up for the Seahawks. The flashy Richard Sherman made his presence known in more than one way when he made the NFC Championship saving play against the 49ers. Arguably the best Safety in the NFL, Earl Thomas, also plays for the Seahawks. So as capable as the Denver DBs are, they are not on the same level as Seattle's. No secondary in the
NFL is.
Advantage: Seattle
Special Teams
Denver and Seattle are so evenly matched that it is very possible that Special Teams decide the game. Both teams can be explosive in the return game. Denver's Trindon Holliday may be the fastest man in the NFL, and he gets a crease he is gone. Golden Tate can make a big play for the Seahawks as well. In the kicking game, the punters have both been solid. The difference could be with the kickers. Seattle's Steven Hauschka has been very accurate, but Matt Praterr had an All-Pro caliber year. Holliday's big play ability and Prater's dependability give the edge to Denver.
Advantage: Denver
Coaching
There are twelve active head coaches in the NFL that have coached in a Super Bowl. John Fox of the Broncos is one of them. It came a decade ago, and with a different team, but he knows what it's like to coach in this game. Pete Carroll has coached in his share of big games himself. But that was in college. This is the NFL. Carroll has a tremendous resume, but experience counts for something. John Fox has been a winner since he be me a head coach in the NFL. He was seconds away from leading the Carolina Panthers to a Super Bowl title ten years ago. Now he's back and with an offensive arsenal never seen before.
Advantage: Denver
Prediction
Super Bowl XLVIII is a classic matchup of offense versus defense. Denver was the #1 offense in the
league and Seattle was the #1 defense in the league. We have seen this in the Super Bowl before, and defense usually prevails. But this Denver team has fought through too much adversity to fall short now. Peyton Manning and John Fox deserve this. Peyton had the best statistical year for a QB in NFL history. Fox had heart surgery midseason. I picked the Broncos to hoist the Lombardi Trophy before the season began (http://ringersports.blogspot.com/2013/09/2013-nfl-predictions.html), and there is no reason for me to change my pick now.
Denver 28 Seattle 24
Den -2.5
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