The Seattle Seahawks claimed their first Super Bowl victory with a 43-8 demolition of Peyton Manning’s Denver Broncos. Manning had been expected to dominate the game at the MetLife Stadium, as he has done throughout this season. The Denver quarterback broke record upon record on route to the Super Bowl but he was not able to replicate his regular season form when it counted.
The game was eagerly anticipated and expected to be a close affair. It was only the fourth Super Bowl that featured the best defence from the regular season (Seattle) against the best offence (Denver). The quartet of Seattle’s defensive backs, also known as Legion of Boom, did not disappoint. Richard Sherman, the self-proclaimed “best cornerback in the game”, used his presence to nullify the catching abilities of Bronco’s Wide Receiver Wes Welker. But it was Sherman’s fellow L.O.B members who stole the show. Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas both performed excellently in the safety positions.
From the start of the game there was a sense that it would not be Denver’s day. The Bronco’s conceded two points within the first twelve seconds after the ball was snapped over the head of Peyton Manning. It was recovered by Knowshon Moreno but only in time to give up a “safety”. The score was 8-0 at the end of the first quarter after the Seahawks finished their next two drives with Field Goals, whilst Denver couldn’t even make a first down with theirs. Just before the quarter was up Kam Chancellor intercepted a wayward Manning pass.
The Chancellor interception led to the first touchdown of the game from Seattle Running Back Mashawn Lynch. The aptly nicknamed “Beast Mode” powered over the line from one yard. Malcolm Smith, the man who later was to be crowned Super Bowl MVP intercepted Manning for the second time. The Linebacker caught the deflected pass on his 31 yard line and ran it all the way for a Touchdown. The half finished with the pre-game favourites 22-0 down.
Denver needed to come out all guns blazing in the second half. But alas it was not to be. Percy Harvin on his first game back from injury scored an 87 yard touchdown. He caught the bouncing Matt Prater kick-off and dodged many an advancing Bronco on his way to the end-zone. The fourth and final member of L.O.B, Byron Maxwell is often overlooked. But he was given all the recognition he deserves when he forced Demaryius Thomas to fumble after he’d caught Manning’s best throw of the night. The following drive resulted in a Seattle TD. Jermaine Kearse caught a Russell Wilson throw and shrugged off four attempted tackles to make the score 36-0.
Peyton Manning finally got on the scoreboard when his 14 yard pass was caught by Thomas who broke the Super Bowl record for most catches with 13. Wilson didn’t want Manning to finish with the games final score. The 5 foot 11 Quarterback threw to Doug Baldwin to complete the 43-8 thrashing.
The biggest surprise in this year’s Super Bowl may not have been the shock result but the public attention it got in the UK. There were many people staying up into the early hours watching American football. It is very likely that the continual growth of NFL in the UK will carry on increasing for years to come.
The Super Bowl is such an incredible spectacle that it deserves to be watched by all. This year’s didn’t live up to its billing. Seattle were too good and could even win a few more in the coming years especially considering they have the joint youngest Super Bowl winning roster ever. The opposite can be said for Peyton Manning. The 37 year old may have seen his last chance for a second Super Bowl pass and will undoubtedly go down as one of the greats even if that second title eludes him.
Caleb Dodd