Super Bowl Preview: Offense or Defense?

What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? This is the first question that comes to mind when the high-octane Denver Bronco’s offense faces off against the top ranked Seattle defense. Super Bowl XLVIII will showcase the brilliance of Peyton Manning and the Denver receiving core against the star-studded Seahawks defense, led by the talented and boisterous Richard Sherman.

When analyzing all of the hype leading up to this game, it is incredibly difficult to speculate which team will come out on top. Several media reports suggest that this will be a game that goes down in history in the NFL as one of the greatest Super Bowl match-ups ever. Some sources have even gone as far to say that the outcome of this game will be remembered as one of the most integral games played since the creation of the Super Bowl. It’s hard to remember so much hype leading up to a Super Bowl in years past, and it will certainly be quite the treat at kickoff time Sunday evening.

First, let’s discuss Denver’s offense. Yes, Peyton Manning set the record for passing yards and passing touchdowns this season. Yes, he has four dangerous targets to throw too, including two receivers in Wes Welker and Demaryius Thomas who both finished with over 10 touchdowns each this season. In addition, fellow wide receiver Eric Decker finished with over 1,000 receiving yards for the second straight season. On top of those impressive numbers, Manning also has the luxury in trusting the ground game to get the job done as the tandem of Knowshon Moreno and Montee Ball have been very successful at moving the ball between the chains in critical situations. When you look at all of these weapons coupled with arguably the greatest quarterback in the game today, it would seem almost impossible to slow down this offense.

However, the Broncos are indeed capable of defeat as they suffered losses to the Chargers, Colts and Patriots this season. They have been proven vulnerable at times as their pass defense ranks 19th overall in the NFL. On top of this, the Broncos have yet to have the distinct pleasure to face off against a top-tier defense such as the Seahawks throughout the season. The Seahawks are ranked first overall for defense in the NFL as their stout run defense allows just under 100 yards while their passing defense has been called impenetrable. This will have a gigantic affect on the success of the Bronco’s offense on Sunday night.

However, it appears that this game may be in the hands of sophomore quarterback Russell Wilson. With a strong receiving core in Doug Baldwin and Golden Tate, coupled with the return of the injury-plagued Percy Harvin, Wilson will have a strong arsenal to throw the ball to. The Seahawks will look to rely heavily on Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch to put the team on his back one more time as he lets his play on the field speak for his actions off of it.

The stage has been set; history will be written on Sunday evening. Will Manning finally capture his second Super Bowl, or will the Seattle defense and Russell Wilson flourish under the lights at Metlife Stadium? Only time will tell who will be victorious in one of the most promising match-ups in the history of the Super Bowl.