Super Bowl XLVIII belonged to the Seattle Seahawks from the start, as they routed the Denver Broncos 43-8, to win their first Super Bowl in franchise history. On the Broncos’ first offensive play, the ball was hiked before quarterback Peyton Manning was ready, and it resulted in a safety for the Seahawks. They added 2 field goals by kicker Stephen Hauschka to lead 8-0 after one period. With no offense for the Broncos in the first quarter, an 8-point deficit didn’t seem too bad.
The second quarter proved to be even worse for the Broncos. Seattle recovered a fumble, and proceeded to go 37 yards on 7 plays, finishing with a 1-yard touchdown by Marshawn Lynch, to give the Seahawks a 15-0 lead early in the period. Then things went from bad to worse for Denver. Defensive end Cliff Avril hit Manning’s arm as he was throwing a pass. The ball was intercepted by linebacker Malcolm Smith, who returned it 69 yards for a touchdown, to finish the first half scoring with a 22-0 Seattle halftime lead.
Denver kicked off to start the second half. Seattle put Percy Harvin, who is the fastest Seahawk, back to receive the kickoff. Bronco kicker Matt Prater kicked it short, so Harvin wouldn’t get a return, but it backfired. Harvin caught the ball on a bounce and went 87 yards for a touchdown. 12 seconds into the 3rd quarter and it was 29-0. I immediately texted one of my friends “Game Over!”
The Seahawks added yet another touchdown on a 58-yard drive, culminating with a 23-yard pass from quarterback Russell Wilson to receiver Jermaine Kearse to make the score 36-0. The Broncos finally got on the scoreboard at the end of the 3rd quarter, driving 80 yards on 6 plays, and scoring on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Manning to receiver Demaryius Thomas. After the successful 2-point conversion Denver trailed 36-8.
Seattle removed any remote chance for the Broncos with another touchdown early in the 4th quarter. Wilson threw his 2nd touchdown pass of the game, this time a 10-yarder to Doug Baldwin. The Seahawks shut down Denver the rest of the game, and won Super Bowl XLVIII 43-8. Seattle dominated the game completely, on offense, defense, and special teams. Remember, these Broncos set the record for most points scored (606) in a regular season, averaging just under 38 points per game, and they finished with 8. Smith was awarded the Most Valuable Player, with his interception return for a TD and his 14 tackles (9 solo and 5 assisted).
This game reminded me of many of the Super Bowls in the 1980s, which were also blowouts. Like many of those games, including 3 losses by present Bronco General Manager John Elway, when he played quarterback at Denver, turnovers played a big part in the outcome. This was the 5th Super Bowl loss for the Bronco franchise. You can’t give a great defense 4 turnovers (2 interceptions and 2 fumbles), and not get any yourself, especially when one is returned by a touchdown.
This Seahawk team should be good for several years, since they are so young. Now begins the long 7 month wait until football starts again in September.
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Sports With Frank Thomas
