The Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos no longer share a division as they prepare for Super Bowl XLVIII, but their rivalry still runs deep.
Seahawks fans might still have blue and orange nightmares from when the Broncos stomped Seattle year after year when the two teams shared the AFC West. And John Elway might still hear those loud “ELL-WAY, ELL-WAY, ELL-WAY” chants from the enclosed Kingdome in Seattle.
Overall, the Broncos hold a 34-18 regular-season advantage over the Seahawks, though most of those games were played in the ’80s and ’90s — when Elway was under center and not in the front office. The Seahawks will hope the Super Bowl turns out much like the last time these two teams played in the postseason — way back on Dec. 24, 1983.
The Seahawks won that game 31-7 in the Kingdome. Elway went 10-for-15 with 123 yards and an interception. Seahawks quarterback Dave Krieg was a near-perfect 12-for-13 with 200 yards and three touchdowns. Seahawks safety Kenny Easley — perhaps the original member of the Legion of Boom — had a sack for Seattle.
Sunday’s game matches the Broncos’ No. 1 offense against the Seahawks’ No. 1 defense. It will be strength against strength and weakness against weakness in the Super Bowl. Let’s check out the matchups below.
Broncos’ Passing Offense vs. Seattle’s Passing Defense
The Broncos ranked No. 1 in passing offense during the regular season with 340.2 yards per game. The Seahawks ranked No. 1 in passing defense, allowing 172 yards per game.
Something has to give in the Super Bowl. Cornerback Richard Sherman will be locked onto the left side of the field, covering whomever the Broncos decide to send at him, whether it’s wide receiver Eric Decker or Demaryius Thomas. Cornerback Byron Maxwell will take the other outside receiver on the right side, while Walter Thurmond will likely cover Wes Welker in the slot.
Safeties Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas will try to take out Broncos tight end Julius Thomas with the help of linebackers Bobby Wagner, K.J. Wright and Bruce Irvin.
The Seahawks typically run a “NASCAR” defensive front four when they’re in nickel, with Chris Clemons and Cliff Avril at defensive end and Clinton McDonald and Michael Bennett as undersized defensive tackles.
It’s one of the best pass-rushing defenses in the NFL. The problem for the Seahawks is that Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning gets rid of the ball exceptionally fast. It might not matter how quickly that unit can get after Manning. The Seahawks might need to jam the Broncos’ receivers at the line to force Manning to hold the ball longer. There’s a risk the Seahawks could get beat deep, but if their pass rushers reach Manning before his receivers get open, the advantage obviously goes to Seattle.
Edge: Seahawks
Broncos’ Rushing Offense vs. Seahawks’ Run Defense
The Broncos ranked No. 15 in rushing offense during the regular season with 117.1 yards per game. The Seahawks were No. 7 in run defense, allowing 101.6 yards per game.
The key for the Broncos is to run on the Seahawks when they’re in their nickel defense. The front four becomes insanely undersized in the “NASCAR” set. Opposing teams averaged 4.9 yards per carry against the Seahawks’ nickel defense and just 3.8 against their “regular” base defense.
The Broncos won’t have much success trying to run on the Seahawks’ base defense. The Seahawks essentially run a 4-3 with 3-4 personnel by shifting to the weak side. Red Bryant, a 323-pounder, plays strong side defensive end and can handle two gaps. Brandon Mebane plays nose tackle, Tony McDaniel plays “under” defensive tackle, and either Clemons, Bennett or Avril plays what Pete Carroll calls the “LEO,” which is a weak side defensive end split out wide.
The Broncos stay in 11 personnel (three wide receivers, one running back, one tight end) most of the time, which means the Seahawks will have to stay in nickel for most of the game, which they’re not used to doing. Since the Broncos will likely be running out of 11 personnel, the Seahawks could struggle to stop the run.
Edge: Broncos
Seahawks’ Passing Offense vs. Broncos’ Passing Defense
The Seahawks ranked No. 26 in passing offense during the regular season with 202.2 yards per game. The Broncos ranked No. 27 in passing defense, allowing 254.4 yards per game.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson had an up-and-down end to the season, but he recovered in time for the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers. The Broncos did a nice job shutting down Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in the AFC Championship Game, but Wilson’s mobility adds another element.
The Seahawks will have wide receiver Percy Harvin for just the third game this season. It will be difficult for the Broncos to prepare for Harvin, since there’s so little tape on him.
Edge: Seahawks
Seahawks’ Rushing Offense vs. Broncos’ Run Defense
The Seahawks ranked No. 4 in rushing offense during the regular season with 136.8 yards per game. The Broncos were No. 7 in run defense, allowing 101.6 yards per game.
Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch doesn’t like speaking to the media because he does his talking on the field. The Broncos will need to have a witty response to stop the Seahawks.
When Lynch was asked about the Broncos’ defense Thursday, he singled out “Pot Roast” Terrance Knighton. The Broncos defensive tackle has shined in both pass rush and run defense this season.
Edge: Seahawks
Overall
It appears for now that the weather won’t be a factor as the Seahawks and Broncos match up at MetLift Stadium in New Brunswick, N.J. There’s no snow in the forecast, and temperatures are in the low 40s.
On paper, the Seahawks look like the better team, but to win, they have to be able to get pressure on Manning to rattle him. If they can do that, Sherman should be able to make some plays, and the Seahawks will win their first Super Bowl.
Prediction: Seahawks 26-23
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Photo via Facebook/Seattle Seahawks
