The Seattle Seahawks Will Win Super Bowl XLVIII

We've heard the argument that Denver are favourites going in. Peyton Manning is seemingly unstoppable, but he is going up against the self proclaimed (and little disputed) "best corner in the game". He's facing a defense that will cause more trouble than any other that he's faced this season. And he has to do this while hoping that his defense can keep their side of the bargain against a dynamic backfield duo of Wilson and Lynch.




Seattle have been brought this far by their defense. They're not '85 Bears, or '00 Ravens good but they're admittedly close. This doesn't mean that their offense has been sub-par, and brought along for the ride. They've put up points in spite of having to rely almost exclusively on the talents of Marshawn Lynch for most of the season. In the Super Bowl, they'll have one of their two top receivers back in the line-up. And provided Percy Harvin can stay healthy through the game he can at least provide a dilemma for the Denver defense with respect to double coverage. Without having to be a huge part of the gameplan he will be disruptive, and give Seattle an edge that they've come this far without.

These 11 men will be much more important than the 12th man.

The man of the hour, however, will be Marshawn Lynch. The Seahawks cannot win this game without Lynch and there's little doubt that he'll come up with a great performance regardless of the game going on around him. Russell Wilson, Percy Harvin and co are all there to make it easier for Lynch to run his way to a championship ring. The Seahawks have faced tougher defenses this season, most recently two weeks ago against the 49ers, who have one of the most formidable linebacking corps in football. This should leave Seattle with little trepidation going up against a depleted Denver defense.

Seattle have the luxury of having a truly three pronged attack, with Wilson able to run for good yardage in addition to Lynch. Sometimes the Broncos will get it right but most of the night they'll be chasing their tails just trying to prevent another big play.

"...he's still prone to the occasional error and the defense that's most likely to make that happen is the one standing between him and his second ring."

On the flip side of the football we have Peyton Manning facing the toughest defense in the league. Peyton is smart, too smart to force it deep or to throw in the direction of Richard Sherman. However he can't keep an eye on three Pro Bowl backs, and watch the rest of the field at the same time. Seattle will keep him guessing, and he'll be forced into running the football early in the game. He is one of the greatest to play the position, but he's still prone to the occasional error and the defense that's most likely to make that happen is the one standing between him and his second ring.

Some journalists have described Seattle as an island of misfits. The place that players no one else wants end up going. While this may seem the way of things at first glance, Pete Carroll and his staff have brought in a group of players that may not be the traditional lock in the first round of the draft, but he's brought in the players he needs for his scheme. He's worked like Bill Belichick, not taking the highest rated players, but taking the most valuable players to his organisation. You can imagine him sitting in the office like Billy Beane, offering other teams deals that appear to be something for nothing deals.

 "...in the NFC Championship they shut down Frank Gore."

All of this leads to a front seven with no all stars, but the most cohesive group in the league. The front seven that lead the league in rushing yards through the season. Even in the NFC Championship they shut down Frank Gore. They almost forgot to account for Kaepernick though, as though they were looking forward to this Sunday and a match-up with a much less mobile quarterback.

Denver will need 11 men to drag down Lynch on every play.

Seattle have the luxury of feeding the ball to Marshawn Lynch and daring the defense to stop him. They have the luxury of the best defense in the league going up against the best offense in the league, at this point they're the only team that can (or could) beat the Broncos on this stage. If they can force Peyton into a game for field position, and make him hand it off to Moreno more than he would like, this win will belong to Seattle.







Concluding:
Seattle Seahawks 23 - 20 Denver Broncos

MVP - Marshawn Lynch

Difference Makers:

Offense - Percy Harvin

Defense - Kam Chancellor