Well, I don’t think anyone saw that coming.
Certainly, no one discounted the possibility of a Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl victory, but no one could have predicted such a dominant effort from the NFC Champions. With two teams that were so evenly-matched on paper, the expectation was that we were in for a thrilling, tightly contested clash. That was never the case. The ‘Hawks controlled all phases of the game from whistle to whistle, turning in a 43-8 victory, one of the most convincing wins in Super Bowl history. This match-up had been billed as the irresistible force meeting the immovable object and the end result was clear:
The immovable object simply wouldn’t budge.
To be certain, much of the credit for this victory goes to Seattle’s league-best defense. They held the most prolific offense in NFL history in check all night long. In spite of a lack of blitzing attempts, Seattle’s pass rush was in Peyton Manning’s face all evening and the “Legion of Boom” had Denver’s receivers stymied by tight coverage at all times.
It’s was an impressive win from a team that has been brilliantly assembled by General Manager John Schneider and Head Coach Pete Carroll. The Seahawks are an excellent combination of savvy drafting, shrewd free agent signing, and blockbuster trading (Welcome back Percy Harvin). A young team that is comprised of many middle to late round steals, the Seahawks have a big window to remain competitive. While big-money deals likely loom in the near future for Russell Wilson, Richard Sherman, and Earl Thomas, many effective starters are locked up with team-friendly contracts.
Congratulations to the entire Seahawks franchise, as well as to the entire fan base are in order. I feel like I haven’ t written a column in weeks without referencing the “Twelfth Man.” It’s nice to see such a passionate group rewarded for their support. Enjoy your first Super Bowl victory. With a team this talented, it’s very possible that another one is soon to follow. This is the culmination of a season’s worth of hard work and preparation. Moments like this are what the game is all about.
One final note that needs to be addressed is the constant questioning of Peyton Manning’s legacy, especially in the aftermath of Sunday’s game. Frankly, it’s getting ridiculous. Manning has accomplished every imaginable accolade this game has to offer a quarterback. He’s done it all. How anyone can possibly spin losing a Super Bowl game (a team effort) into a blemish on his legacy is incomprehensible. It’s pretty difficult to play quarterback effectively in the face of constant pressure, and when no one is open down field. I expect Manning to be back next year with a vengeance, but if he were to decide to hang it up tomorrow, he would do so with the knowledge that he has nothing to prove to anyone.
While the 2013 NFL season is now in the books, things are just getting started here at Last Word on Sports. What makes the NFL so unique is the fact that its off-season is the most interesting and eventful in professional sports. While all the games have been played, there is much to look forward to in the coming months. The scouting combine kicks off in February, followed by free agency, and the much-anticipated NFL Draft is on the horizon as well.
The season of speculation is just beginning. Where will the top free agents go? What will the Houston Texans do with the first overall selection? Will they draft a quarterback? If so, which one? Our NFL coverage is just getting started folks, so don’t go anywhere. Thanks for reading, everyone. While there might not be any game’s to enjoy this weekend, football is very much still in the spotlight. We’re looking forward to watching the next chapter unfold with all of you.
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