The Seattle Seahawks traveled back in time for an old-school Super Bowl win.
The Seahawks’ 43-8 victory over the Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium was reminiscent of the 1980s or ’90s. Defense dominated in a blowout win.
The Seahawks were built out of the ’90s, too. Head coach Pete Carroll is still using the same defense he learned from Monte Kiffin and first attempted with the New England Patriots during his late ’90s run.
Check out the five defining moments of the Seahawks’ Super Bowl XLVIII win over the Broncos below.
1. The 12th Man causes a safety.
Someone probably could develop some conspiracy theories about this Super Bowl around the number 12.
The Seahawks’ amazing 12th Man made its presence known immediately — well, 12 seconds into the game, actually. Seattle fans were loud to start the game. When Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning went up to change his call at the line, center Manny Ramirez snapped the ball before Manning was ready. The ball flew into the end zone for a safety.
No one on the Seahawks caused the first score — it was their vaunted 12th Man. That’s pretty cool for one of the best fan bases in American professional sports.
2. Kam Chancellor picks off Peyton Manning.
The Broncos’ first drive ended after one play with a safety. They went three and out on the second drive, and the third lasted just three plays before Manning was picked off by Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor. Cliff Avril forced the wobbly “duck” throw from Manning when the Seahawks defensive end hit the signal-caller as he threw.
The Seahawks’ defensive backs — nicknamed the Legion of Boom — made their presence known early. Chancellor was a physical presence over the middle of the field all game. The linebacker-shaped safety blew up smaller receivers throughout the first quarter.
3. Malcolm Smith’s pick-six digs a deeper hole.
Seahawks linebacker Malcolm Smith made it a three-score game in the second quarter with a 69-yard pick-six. Avril again forced the interception when he hit Manning while coming from the left side of the Seahawks’ defensive line.
Smith weaved his way down the field for the Seahawks’ second touchdown of the game. A comeback looked bleak for the Broncos.
4. Percy Harvin takes a kick return to the house.
The Seahawks scored again 12 seconds into the second half. Percy Harvin, playing just his third game of the season, took a kick return 87 yards for a touchdown. The return alone was worth the first-round draft pick the Seahawks gave the Minnesota Vikings for the wide receiver last year.
5. Russell Wilson throws his first Super Bowl touchdown pass.
Once the game was out of hand, Wilson got into the mix with two touchdown tosses. He first hit Jermaine Kearse, an undrafted receiver out of Washington in 2012. Wilson later hit Doug Baldwin, an undrafted receiver out of Stanford in 2011, on the second score.
These Seahawks forever will be known for their defense, but Wilson played very well in his first Super Bowl. Seattle found a special player in No. 3. Even if he’s just 5-foot-10.
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