Last year, millions of people tuned in to watch the Seattle Seahawks embarrass the heavily favored Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII. Since then, both teams have taken quite different paths in the offseason, leaving only one as a legitimate contender for a repeat appearance.
The Denver Broncos, as of now, have undoubtedly had the best offseason acquisitions.
A defense that needed improvement found work for edge rusher Demarcus Ware, cornerback Aqib Talib and safety T.J. Ward. These three players should make an immediate impact on the team.
Ware has been a contender in league-leading sack totals virtually since he entered the NFL. Talib showed how strong and reliable he was during his tenure in New England, and his fresh, young talent should hold No. 1 receivers in check. Ward is coming off a breakout season, recording 123 tackles, 1.5 sacks and two interceptions.
This production should not dwindle in Denver.
Despite losing starting running back Knowshon Moreno to the Miami Dolphins, the acquisition of wideout Emmanuel Sanders from the Pittsburgh to increase offensive productivity. These acquisitions show me that Denver is not pleased with being second best, and is looking to not only return to the Super Bowl, but to win one for star quarterback Peyton Manning.
On the other hand, the Seattle Seahawks have lost key defensive starters through both free agency and roster cuts.
Cornerback Brandon Browner left for New England, and starting defensive ends Red Bryant and Chris Clemons are both headed to the Jacksonville Jaguars. All three of these starters were impact players for Seattle defensively, and for their defense to have the same dominance as it did last year without these players seems unlikely.
Wide receiver Golden Tate and tight end Kellen Davis were also lost in free agency, leaving few targets for third-year quarterback Russell Wilson. With no notable free agency acquisitions, one must question if the Seahawks are legitimate contenders for a repeat.
The Washington Redskins have shown that they’d like to improve from their 3-13 season. Wide receiver DeSean Jackson and the Philadelphia Eagles parted ways, and he signed within the division with the Redskins, a move that will likely come back to bite the Eagles. Jackson’s shiftiness and vertical ability are among the best in the league, and he is a first-string wide receiver and punt returner on any roster in the league.
Cornerback Tracy Porter and safety Ryan Clark should earn starting roles on the Redskins roster in 2014 after departing from the Oakland Raiders and Pittsburgh, respectively. Both players are capable of impacting games and will add consistency to the team’s secondary.
Even with these additions, however, I don’t see Washington competing for the Super Bowl next year. But their offseason activity is steering them in the right direction.
Despite losing running back LaGarrette Blount, inside linebacker Brandon Spikes and Talib, the Patriots have made several moves to improve their roster as well.
The acquisition of cornerback Darrelle Revis has made the biggest splash for the Patriots thus far, and with Revis’ game-changing defensive ability, the loss of Talib stings very little. Browner and Patrick Chung will add more depth to the Patriots secondary, which has seemingly changed faces every season in recent memory.
The best pick-up thus far for the Patriots, in my opinion, is wide receiver Brandon LaFell. LaFell is young and talented, and with quarterback Tom Brady’s skill and ability to work with new receivers and improve their productivity on the field, I expect LaFell to have a breakout season. Brady found a way to get to the AFC Championship with the least-talented receiving corps he’s ever had thanks to his high level of talent that makes many of his youthful weapons better. I expect the same results with LaFell.
It’s very early, but the likelihood of the Pats and Broncos facing off once again in the AFC Championship game doesn’t seem that far-fetched.
The NFC is much more wide open, but the San Francisco 49ers appear to be the favorite with the lack of activity we’ve seen from the Seahawks.
After rubbing my crystal ball, a 49ers-Broncos Super Bowl may be in store.