Super Bowl 48: City Of Champions Picks This Year’s NFL Champion
By Matt Gajtka
Jan 31, 2014; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell addresses the media at Rose Theater in advance of Super Bowl XLVIII. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Tunno: The Seahawks will be down 24-20 to the Denver Broncos with under two minutes remaining in the game, and their offense will surprise everyone with a methodical game-winning drive. Wilson connects on a screen pass to Lynch, as “Beast Mode” scores the touchdown.
In a matchup of top offense vs. top defense, the team with the top defense will prevail. I am a huge fan of Manning, but we know that defense wins championships. Manning and his offensive weapons will move the ball, but the Seahawks defense will make enough plays in the secondary to keep the Broncos in the 20s. Cornerback Richard Sherman and safety Earl Thomas will come up big against a Broncos offense that hasn’t seen a ‘D’ like this.
I think the weather (especially wind) may play an issue, and this could somewhat slow down the high-tempo Broncos scoring machine. I expect this game to be close throughout and an instant classic. Look for Pete Carroll’s Seahawks to win their first championship.
Manning will throw for “just” 250 yards and three scores (Welker, Thomas and Decker each get a TD), but it won’t be enough to win his second Super Bowl; however, Manning will elect not to retire and come back for another shot at the Lombardi. I expect Seattle receiver Percy Harvin to have his best game of the year, as he appears to be healthy. He may even create a special teams TD.
I’m excited not to see the Patriots and 49ers in the championship. I think Denver vs. Seattle will be the most watched Super Bowl, and it should be a fun, competitive battle. Hopefully, reporters will let Sherman calm down before his postgame interview. Seahawks 27, Broncos 24.
McDowell: For those NFL fans (like me) who will be wearing their team colors in vain on Super Bowl Sunday, we can at least be pleased that the game hosts this season’s two best teams: Seattle with the NFL’s top defense and best secondary versus the NFL’s premier offense and Denver’s top-ranked receivers.
The pro-Manning and anti-Sherman media show has grabbed too much of the focus this week. Sherman may have went a bit overboard in his postgame monologue, but the Seahawks youthful bunch have been squawking all season. Obviously, confidence is part of coach Carroll’s game. It’s quite a contrast to the older, and more-reserved Broncos led by John Fox. This plays in Denver’s favor.
Typically, a youthful and aggressive team playing on one of the world’s largest stages is not a good combination. Seattle can win if they can avoid costly penalties and get Wilson and Lynch loose in the slow Broncos secondary. While the Seahawks defense allowed the fewest points in the league, the Broncos were 21st, and that was before losing starting corner Chris Harris in the playoffs. Peyton knows he must help out his defense by not turning the ball over. If he does, Broncos president John Elway will be flying home with his third Lombardi Trophy.
As an aside, I don’t care for the way Sherman is vilified while two other infamous “Ole Yellers” in Tom Brady and Philip Rivers are recognized as “great leaders.” Both Rivers and Brady switch from verbally harassing the refs to screeching at their own teammates for dropped balls. I would rather have a teammate who chides his opponents rather than crying to the refs or ripping a teammate.
So if the yapping Seahawks win and blow my prediction, I won’t be mad. In fact, then I won’t have to glare evilly at a happy John “Horse Face” Elway once again. I still hate you, Elway. Does that make me a bad sport? Or just a competitor? Broncos 20, Seahawks 16.
Staff total: Tied 3-3