Both the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos have a solid defense, but the secondary will play a huge role in Super Bowl XLVIII. The Seahawks secondary has been outstanding this season, but will they be able to hold off Peyton Manning and the Denver offense?
The Seattle secondary leads the league in total defense, turnovers forced, interceptions, and yards allowed this year. This Seahawks secondary is one of the best in the Super Bowl era, but they will have their hands full with Manning and his many weapons on offense.
Denver had four players with double digit touchdowns, Wes Welker, Julius Thomas, Eric Decker, and Demaryius Thomas, making them the first team in NFL history to do so. With such talented receivers, the always dangerous Manning has several options when deciding who to go to in the game. If the Seahawks attempt to take away Manning’s options downfield, he still has two reliable receivers in Welker and Thomas on single coverage.
This dominant secondary consists of Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, Walter Thurmond, and Byron Maxwell. Sherman has been very open when it comes to expressing his opinion on how talented he is as a corner and where he ranks in the league; and when you look at his career and the Seahawks stats this year, it’s hard to disagree at this point.
Seattle forced 17 fumbles this year, fifth in the league, intercepted 28 passes, first in the league, and were first in the NFL in takeaways this year. Sherman led the team with eight interceptions, and picked off Colin Kaepernick in the NFC Championship game to end the game and send the Seahawks to the Super Bowl.
Manning has been known to throw picks in the playoffs, but so far this year that hasn’t been the case for the veteran QB. On Sunday, this hungry Seattle secondary will look to steal a few from Manning and his receivers.
Seattle isn’t the only team with a solid defense as the Broncos have done very well defensively this year as well. The Broncos secondary consists of Champ Bailey, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Mike Adams, and Duke Ihenacho.
In 15 NFL seasons, Champ Bailey has never won nor played in the big game; this year they’ll try to get their star cornerback, and one of the best to play the position, a Super Bowl ring. Bailey had a short season this year due to injury, but was able to return in time for the playoffs. In his career, Bailey has made 909 combined tackles, three sacks, nine forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, and 52 interceptions.
As a whole, the Broncos secondary has fared well this year with 17 interceptions, and 18 forced fumbles. They, like the Seahawks, are capable of forcing turnovers and putting a lot of pressure on the offense.
Russell Wilson and the Seahawk offense are led by Golden Tate, Doug Baldwin, Zach Miller, and the run game of Marshawn Lynch. Miller is a good go-to guy, but isn’t targeted as much as Tate or Baldwin. Wilson can make the deep throws downfield, but this offense isn’t as threatening or explosive as that of the Broncos offense. For the most part, the Broncos will have to focus on stopping Lynch and cover Tate.
The Seahawks secondary clearly has the advantage heading into Sunday’s game. This group is extremely talented and have been dominant this season. This year’s Super Bowl is sure to be an entertaining one; with all eyes on Manning and a dynamic Broncos offense vs. Richard Sherman and the Seahawks physical secondary.