After the hard-fought days of Training Camp, after the hard fought divisional battles, after battling their way through the playoff gauntlet, only two teams remain. Fans of the underdogs were disappointed as the two teams expected to win their conferences did just that, with the Seahawks and Broncos punching their tickets to Super Bowl XLVIII on Sunday. Both teams came into the postseason as the number one overall team in their conference, so we should expect nothing less than this game being one for the ages. Here's how the position battle between both teams will break down: Offensive Line Pass protection has been the unsung hero of the top-ranked Denver passing attack, allowing only 20 sacks in 2013, good for 32nd in sacks allowed in the league. Guard Louis Vasquez has cemented himself as one of the best guards in football, and along with Manny Ramirez, Orlando Franklin, Chris Clark, and Zane Beadles, form one of the best Offensive Lines in football. The Seahawks have had their share of trouble on the line this season, with an injury to Pro Bowl Left Tackle Russell Okung causing him to miss eight weeks this season. Seattle has given up 44 sacks this season, despite Russell Wilson trying to escape and make a play. When it comes down to it, the winner of this game must protect their Quarterback. And the Broncos do that perfectly. Advantage: Broncos Running Backs Offensive Lineman not only have to block for the Quarterbacks, their run blocking must be precise and well-executed for the running game to have any success. The Seahawks come in with more experience in the backfield with Marshawn Lynch, who if you remember, had one of the greatest runs in playoff history a few years ago. Lynch has continued his success in Seattle since then, cemented himself as one of the elite backs in the league. On the other side of the field, Knowshon Moreno has taken the bulk of the carries for Denver and has had a great year, setting career highs for rushing yards, touchdowns, and receiving yards. Rookie Montee Ball has shown he is more than capable to carry his share in the backfield as well. Will Lynch be enough to produce against the stout Broncos rush defense? I believe, he's pulled off fantastic feats out of the backfield before, what's to say he can't do it again? Advantage: Seahawks Wide Receivers/Tight Ends One of the reasons this game is going to be so much fun is the amount of passing that we'll most likely see, meaning these guys will be racking up a ton of yards in the process. Hello, shattered Super Bowl records. Both teams have elite quarterbacks leading their offenses, (we'll get there) and have weapons all over the field at their disposal. The Broncos sport one of the best Wide Receiver groups in not only the AFC, but possibly in the league, highlighted by All-Pro Demaryius Thomas. Thomas past two seasons have placed him among the league's best, racking up over 2,800 yards and grabbing 24 TDs. Eric Decker has shared his success as well, putting up 1,000 yard seasons in both 2012 and 2013. One of the biggest offseason additions in the entire league, Wes Welker, has fit well into a role in the Broncos as well, hauling in a career high 10 TDs this season. Tight End Julius Thomas enjoyed a breakout year for Denver, racking up 788 yards and 12 TDs, with his breakout game coming in Week 1 against the defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens. Seattle spreads their offense among several different receivers this season, with Golden Tate leading the way for the Seahawks. Doug Baldwin has been a consistent performer for Seattle since being drafted out of Stanford three years ago as well. One interesting factor on the receiver play will be the health of Percy Harvin, who has played just one game this season. Even if Harvin plays, I think the Broncos are better across the board in the receiver department. Advantage: Broncos Quarterbacks I really like Russell Wilson, I do. (I mean, look at him) I thought the Seahawks got the steal of the draft taking him in the third round of the 2012 draft, with five other Quarterbacks going before he was selected, one being Brandon Weeden, who is currently the Browns backup QB. Wilson has been nothing but phenomenal since descending upon Seattle, 24-8 as the starter, and has led the Seahawks back to the Super Bowl for the second time in franchise history. But he's going up against someone in the midst of one of the greatest seasons in Quarterback history. 5,477 yards, 68% completion rate, 55 Passing Touchdowns. That more TDs than Peyton Manning threw in his first two seasons combined. I like Russell, and I think he'll go down as one of the best to ever put on a Seahawks jersey. But he will lose a shootout with Peyton and the Broncos 9 times out of 10. Just ask the Cowboys. Advantage: Broncos Defensive Line This game will probably be a shootout, but the battle in the trenches is going to be a really fun one to watch. Seattle's defense leads the league in many defensive categories, with the Broncos not far behind. Each defensive line has found their way into the backfield on numerous occasions this year, with both teams ranking in the top half of the league in sacks. (Seattle - 44.0, Denver - 41.0) With guys like Michael Bennett (team-leading 8.5 sacks), Cliff Avril (8.0 sacks), and Clinton McDonald (5.5 sacks) paving the way for the Seahawks, and Shaun Phillips (team-leading 10.0 sacks), Malik Jackson (6.0 sacks), and Robert Ayers (5.0 sacks) leading the way for Denver, expect the battle up front for both the be a dog fight all night. Advantage: Push Linebackers Both teams sport relatively young groups of Linebackers, with Bobby Wagner leads the way for the young Seahawks Linebacker corp, with a career best 15 combined tackles in last week's win over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. Danny Trevathan lead the Broncos LBs in their win over the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship, with 13 combined tackles and a forced fumble. It's close with how young each LB group is, so I don't see either with a clear advantage. Advantage: Push Secondary This game is all about "The Legion of Boom". The secondary quartet of Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, Earl Thomas, and Byron Maxwell have shut down offense after offense this season, pulling in a total of 20 interceptions, (which is more than what 25 other NFL teams have as a team), along with 43 pass deflections. They'll be set up against their toughest opponent yet in Peyton Manning, can they read him perfectly and get him off his game? Or will he exploit an unfound weakness in the Legion that could spell trouble for the Seahawks Defense? The Broncos secondary is a different story, as Denver is sixth in passing yards allowed this year. If Wilson and the Seahawks seize the opportunity, it could be a long night for guys like Champ Bailey and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. Advantage: Seahawks Special Teams Kickers are fun...right? Both Steven Hauschka and Matt Prater have had career years this season, with each making over 94% of their Field Goals, and nailing every single extra point. Prater made the record books as well, topping the record for longest NFL Field Goal with a 64-yarder this season. The return game for both teams hasn't posed much of a threat to any games this season, however, if Percy Harvin would be healthy enough to return kicks on Super Bowl Sunday, I think the the Special Teams pendulum could swing a little. Advantage: Push Projection This should be an exciting game from start to finish, with two quarterbacks raring to light up the score, and the intriguing matchups of guys like Sherman vs. Thomas, Avril vs. Vasquez, and many more that could very well define the outcome of the game. As I said earlier, Peyton Manning is having the best season of any QB in NFL history, and I'm assuming he has no plans of regressing now that he's made it back to the Super Bowl. Prediction: Broncos 38 - Seahawks 34
Student at the University of Missouri-Columbia who has an unhealthy love for College Football. There is no offseason, only eight months of re-runs. Studying the Art of Fat Guy Touchdowns.
