Super Bowl XLVIII
This is a potentially great match up between the AFC champs Denver Broncos and their former division rival, the NFC champion Seattle Seahawks in the “Big Game.” The Seahawks have the #1 defense and Denver has the #1 offense, but the Broncos’ defense is not getting much respect lately. Over the last four games, which includes two playoff wins, they have allowed 17 points or less each time. Tom Brady and the Patriots couldn’t get anything going in their loss. For this reason, I don’t think that Seattle has as big an edge as some believe. It’s not the type of edge, for example, that Baltimore had in both of their Super Bowl victories. The Broncos defense could easily be the “talk” after the game.
The big edge for Denver is at the quarterback position with Peyton Manning. I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve been “burned” by Manning in the past. However, I believe he is going to have a very good game, and his experience at this level will be the difference in the outcome. It doesn’t hurt that he already played a game at Met Life and he gets advice from his little brother on how to play if the conditions are windy. Fortunately, it appears that conditions will be calm for Super Bowl Sunday, and that plays into Manning’s hands. Look for him to badly outperform the younger and less experienced Russell Wilson.
Take the Broncos – 2 1/2 over the Seahawks.
Good luck!
