The Denver Broncos were caught like dear in the headlights during their 2014 Super Bowl appearance against the Seattle Seahawks. While eager fans and the Broncos seemed quite surprised at the following performance, a look back at some footage reveals that may have had it coming.
Super Bowl XLVIII held a couple of important records. It was the largest viewing audience to date, 111 million people. This also marks the longest a team has maintained a lead in the Super Bowl to date. There were many factors that all lined up perfectly to help the Seattle Seahawks catapult to a shutout victory.
First, the Seahawks got an important early lead. Their offense focuses on ball control. They are able to slow down the clock and lean on their special teams. However, if the Broncos had scored out of the gate, the Seahawks may have had a tough time competing with their offense. However the Seahawks did get an early lead and they are known for protecting any advantage they have.
Seattle’s advantages continued as they employed scripted plays. Normally the Seahawks have utilized pretty predictable, uncomplicated offensive plays this season, but they changed it up for the Super Bowl. They pulled out scripted plays from every section of the playbook, keeping the game unpredictable, varied, and creative.
Another factor to consider, giving the Seahawks an advantage is that Percy Harvin was back on the field. He is perhaps their best offensive player and they used him during the Super Bowl in really smart ways.
The Seahawks also knew the importance of going for Peyton Manning. He came through the playoffs without being hit, but during the Super Bowl, Seattle was able to sack him once and hit him five more times. Additionally, they hurried him seventeen times. All of the pressure to get Manning off of his spot allowed the Seahawks to tame the Broncos offense.
The Seattle Seahawks pulled out all of the stops for this once and the Broncos just couldn’t keep up. Better luck next year.
from Douglas MacFaddin’s Sports Page http://ift.tt/1eiUMCK