Super Bowl XLVIII Preview

     Does defense win championships? History has told us that most of the time, defensive teams prevail. The parity in the NFL has showed it's course. Everyone says that Peyton Manning laid the beat down on the Patriots, but it was really the Denver defense that kept Tom Brady in check. It does help to be up by two or

three scores though. The headline of course is that this is the NFL's #1 offense against the NFL's #1 defense. In almost every category, both the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos lead in each offensive or defensive statistic. The last time the Broncos were victorious and present at the Super Bowl, it was with John Elway in Super Bowl XXXIII. The Seahawks have never won a Super Bowl in their franchise history, but were last present in Super Bowl XL.
     This is a legacy game for Peyton Manning. If he wins this Super Bowl, the question on who is the best QB of all-time will always have Peyton Manning in the conversation. It was there before, but I think that there will be talk of him being a top five or top three QB of all-time. I think that it is silly, but Peyton Manning will get a lot of backlash if he does not emerge victorious. Manning has been in the zone since day one of the NFL season by throwing seven TDs against the Baltimore Ravens. If you're the type of person that believes in destiny, you could say that Peyton Manning is destined to win this Super Bowl. He'll have a lot of help with his great receiving core in Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker, Wes Welker, and Julius Thomas. If we're talking defense, then Terrance Knighton will be the key in trying to stop Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson. Knighton made himself known in the AFC Championship game, and he will be the x-factor for the Denver Broncos if they want to win the Super Bowl.
     The Seattle Seahawks will depend on their 'Legion of Boom' to stop Peyton Manning. Just like how the Broncos have so many weapons on offense, the Seahawks have just as many on defense. Going down the line from Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, and Bobby Wagner. My x-factor for the Seahawks will the receiving core. Doug Baldwin had a big game against the 49ers in the NFC Championship game and he, and Golden Tate, Jermaine Kearse, and Zach Miller will have to provide more than an adequate performance to help Russell Wilson. Some other players to watch out for are the defensive front of the Seahawks. They are fearsome and tough and Peyton Manning's offensive line will have their hands full trying to deal with these guys.
     Who do I think will prevail? I will be picking the Broncos to beat the Seahawks. The Seahawks remind me of last year's San Francisco 49ers. A young team who was overwhelmed by the atmosphere of the Super Bowl. I've listened to Bill Simmons talking to Colin Kaepernick on the B.S. Report about the Super Bowl loss, and Kaepernick talked about how the team was too hyped for the Super Bowl. The Seahawks will be back the Super Bowl because they are young and talented, but whether it is destiny or not, this is clearly Peyton Manning's year ever since day one. He has put up historic numbers and will end this historic year with a Super Bowl victory. This reminds me of LeBron James. For years, LeBron has received backlash for never winning the big one. He eventually did it, and now has become something that he has always been, the best player in the NBA. I see the same for Peyton Manning. We all talk about how Manning is only a regular season QB. How he can't pull through in the playoffs. Peyton Manning will become the best QB in the NFL, even though he already is. I see a close game throughout, not very high scoring. The Denver Broncos will win 21-20. Since I see a close game, I would put the bet on the Seahawks+2.5.
Pick: SEA+2.5
Overall: 6-2-2