Defense wins championships; it’s really that simple.
If you don’t believe that, have a chat with the 2007 New England Patriots.
Statistically, the Broncos have to be the favorite going into Super Bowl Sunday, posting staggering offensive numbers like 457.3 yards of total offense per game and 340.2 passing yards per game during the regular season. They managed to score 37.9 points per game during that stretch.
However, if Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos expect success similar to what they had against New England last week in the AFC title game, they will receive a wakeup call on Feb. 2 against the stout Seattle Seahawk defense.
The Seahawks have all-stars at nearly every defensive position, including Richard Sherman at cornerback, who despite his narcissistic comments after defeating the San Francisco 49ers, really is the best at his position in the NFL. Sherman is just one member of a ball-hawking secondary that led the NFL in interceptions with 28 during the regular season, with Sherman producing a league-leading eight of them.
They only gave up 273 yards per game to opposing offenses this year and forced 39 takeaways, both league-highs. Saying that the Broncos will have their hands full is truly an understatement.
Understand that Manning is the best quarterback in the game. There is no doubt that his hands are all over the Broncos’ success this season, and his methodical technique of picking apart opposing defenses through the air may be the best the NFL has ever seen. He’s also blessed with undoubtedly the best set of receivers in the NFL, which includes Wes Welker, Demaryius Thomas and tight end Julius Thomas. Manning has an arsenal of weapons at his disposal, but will that be enough to defeat the Seahawks?
I think not.
Seattle’s defense is too good for Denver, despite the Broncos’ gaudy offensive numbers. They will be able to hurry Manning, disrupt his timing and cause turnovers. All it takes is one turnover for them to win. One miscue against Seattle can end your day.
The best part about the havoc they create defensively is how well it compliments their offense. By causing turnovers, they can run a balanced offense down the field, which fits right into their strengths on that side of the ball.
Because they are rarely behind, they don’t have to force young Russell Wilson to take on a huge load in the passing game, allowing them instead to spread the ball among their other playmakers like Marshawn Lynch, Golden Tate and Percy Harvin if he’s healthy.
It is hard to beat a team that plays good defense and can run the ball effectively, despite how pass-happy the NFL has become in recent years. If you can stop your opponent from scoring, create turnovers and run the ball, you can control the speed of the game.
The Seahawks’ defense relies on its offense’s ability to keep the opponent off the field with its ground and pound approach, just as their offense benefits from the Seattle defense’s ability to cause turnovers.
Manning will make his impressive throws and put a few scores on the board, but this should be a close game, coming down to one important play — a play that Seattle’s defense will make, much like it did against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC title game.
I predict a Seahawks win in one of the best Super Bowls of the last decade.