On Sunday at 5:30 p.m., eyes across the nation will be focused on MetLife Stadium as Super Bowl XLVIII takes place in East Rutherford, N.J. The game pits the AFC Champions Denver Broncos against the NFC Champions Seattle Seahawks.
Fans will argue back and forth on the outcome leading up to the game, but no one can know for sure until kickoff. However, at the end of the day, I think the Denver Broncos will hoist the Lombardi Trophy.
The first reason the AFC champs will win on Sunday is because they have one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game of football, Peyton Manning. The 13-time Pro Bowler led the NFL this season with 5,477 yards – an NFL record – and set the record for passing touchdowns in one season with 55. Manning has far more playoff experience than his counterpart, Seattle’s second-year starter Russell Wilson, and has played in two Super Bowls, winning one.
The Broncos’ high-flying offense relies on more than just Manning. Denver was first in the NFL with 340.3 passing yards per game and averaged 117.1 rushing yards per game. Led by two-time Pro Bowler receiver Demaryius Thomas – who led the team with 1,430 yards receiving – the Denver offense set NFL records for both touchdowns in a single season and points scored. Other Broncos receivers, such as Eric Decker and Wes Welker, give Manning plenty of weapons with which to attack the Seahawks’ “Legion of Doom” defense.
It is not just the passing game that could run up the scoreboard. Running back Knowshon Moreno added another 1,000 yard rushing season and his backup, Montee Ball, pitched in more than 500 yards rushing himself. They are the go-to players for Denver when the game needs to slow down. The Broncos open up the field with the passing attack and produce yards when needed on the ground. With all this, you have to believe the Broncos will score at least three touchdowns against Seattle.
With all of the offense the Broncos have, you would think their weakness would be their defense. However, that statement could not be more false. The Broncos defense was eighth in the NFL in rush defense, only allowing 101.6 yards per game. Star running back Marshawn Lynch of Seattle will have to get through defensive monsters such as Shaun Phillips to go anywhere. With former Pro Bowlers such as Champ Bailey, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Quentin Jammer, the Broncos’ secondary plans on taking away the Seattle air-attack.
The bottom line is, the Broncos have practically the perfect team. I predict the Denver Broncos will run up the scoreboard on the Seattle Seahawks and win Super Bowl XLVIII.
