If linebacker Malcolm Smith was the MVP in the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl win on Sunday, then Peyton Manning was the LVP.
Manning had arguably his worst game of the season Sunday, turning the ball over three times (two interceptions, one fumble) in the Denver Broncos’ 43-8 blowout loss. While Manning’s unusually poor performance makes him the easy scapegoat in the loss, the Broncos’ offensive line, which was manhandled by the Seahawks’ front seven all night, is equally deserving of the blame.
Broncos offensive tackle Orlando Franklin tried to take pressure off Manning after the game Sunday, accepting some responsibility for the rout and saying the blame should be shared by all 53 guys in Denver’s locker room.
“It’s unfortunate that a lot of people are going to try to put it in on ’18,’ because he doesn’t deserve that,” Franklin said, per NFL.com. “We all had a hand in this loss.”
Franklin was something of a turnstile for Seahawks defenders in the game, allowing lineman like Cliff Avril, Chris Clemons and Michael Bennett to blow by him and pressure Manning time and again. Franklin didn’t make any excuses for his ugly play, instead crediting Seattle for being better prepared.
“They schemed the heck out of us,” Franklin said. “They did an extremely good job today, getting after guys.”
The Seahawks sacked Manning only once, but the constant pressure he faced up front caused all three of his turnovers and at least a few other miscues.
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