Seahawks Destroy The Broncos At Super Bowl XLVIII

by Dugald Skene

As the confetti settles on Super Bowl XLVIII, there is much to mull on following Seattle's 43-8 defensive demolition of the Denver Broncos.

For all the talk in the unprecedented and intoxicating build up to the main event, the game boiled down to the best NFL defence dominating the NFL's best ever offense.

The 35 point difference in the final score line highlights the dominance of one team over the other, but the fact it was over the best offense to ever take the field (by numbers) is a testament to the scale of the achievement by Seattle.

Peyton Manning and his Broncos did not play at their best, but they weren't allowed to.  Manning himself didn't have a terrible game, he threw for 34 completions, more than any other quarterback in a Super Bowl, and for 280 yards. Demaryius Thomas received the ball a Super Bowl record 13 times.  It was the turnovers that killed them and the Broncos offense coughed up the ball 4 times in the game.

The overriding principle for the Seahawks defence is speed. Even for Manning who is the fastest in the NFL at releasing the ball (average of 2.3 seconds from snap to release in 2013), the edge rush and the speed in the back field gave him much smaller windows to complete passes than he had seen all season.

And that defence was backed from the off. After winning the coin toss (conducted by the slightly overdressed Joe Namath!), the Seahawks chose to kick, putting the Broncos offense straight on to the pitch. It was a fantastic and ballsy call.

The game got off to a bad start for Manning, as miscommunication with his centre Ramirez saw the ball fly over his right shoulder and into the end zone where it was claimed by a retreating Bronco but given up for a safety. 12 seconds, 2 points to the Seahawks.  They didn't look back. Every single member of the defensive unit made plays - Chancellor, Sherman, Wagner, Clemons, Wright, Thomas, Smith, Avril, Maxwell - they all had big games.

Manning's mishap saw the fall fly past him as the

Broncos conceded a safety

The Seahawks went into halftime 22-0 up, shutting out Denver offense and restricting them to just 11 yards total. Compare that to the 45 yards garnered by the resurgent Percy Harvin and the overall 161 yards notched up by the Seahawks offence.  Credit needs to go to that unit too.  Under second year QB Russell Wilson, they managed 4/6 3rd down conversions by halftime which was critical to keeping Manning off the field.  Ultimately though, 16 of the 22 points came from defensive plays and the Seahawks were rocking.

You'd have expected the Broncos to take a long hard look at themselves, and I'm sure they did.  The first message would have been not to panic. The second would have been to not concede first in the second half.

The restart kick was deliberately kicked short in an effort to stop Percy Harvin gaining any momentum.  The reality turned out somewhat differently as Harvin gathered the ball after the bounce and set off through a slew of half tackles and ran right through for an 89 yard kick off return TD. As in the first half, the Seahawks scored after 12 seconds, an unintentional but well received tribute to the 12th Man, the resolutely loyal Seahawks fan faithful.

Having only played 40 odd snaps of football all season, Percy Harvin was proving to be the difference maker in the Seahawks offence.

29-0 down, the game was over then if it wasn't before for the Broncos. Never before in Super Bowl history has a team overcome a deficit of more than 10 points. Only twice before in Super Bowls had a team scored more than 22 unanswered points. Both times it was 24 points and both times it was against the Broncos. Harvin's kick return smashed that record too.

The second half saw a more even contest but let's be honest, it couldn't have got worse for the Broncos from there.  The Seahawks continued to make defensive plays but Manning seemed to find more of a groove and tempo, resulting in a TD throw to Wes Welker on the stroke of the 3rd quarter.  For all the turnovers, the Seahawks offense still got their points. There were touchdowns for Lynch, Harvin, Kearse and Baldwin through the course of the game to add to the two defensive TDs.  On the night, the 3rd largest Super Bowl winning margin of 43-8 was fair.

Russell Wilson picked up the Lombardi trophy in his

second season, the 3rd youngest QB ever

Much of the talk before the Super Bowl was what a win or loss would mean for Peyton Manning and his position in the conversation of who is the greatest quarterback in the history of the game.  The fact is he is the greatest regular season quarterback ever. Record breaking numbers, 5 MVP awards - I don't think there's a debate there.  But to be the best, regular season records count for little.  Manning's post season record is below .500.  The Super Bowl loss last night made him 1-2 in Super Bowls and 11-12 in all postseason games.  For me it's simple, he cannot be considered the greatest of all time, but he is in the top 3 or 4.

There are some other sad stories from the Broncos. Veteran cornerback Champ Bailey, all time leading defensive player in Pro Bowl picks and finally in his first Super Bowl, came up short.  Wide receiver Wes Welker notched his third Super Bowl loss in as many attempts, an unenviable record.  I wholeheartedly agree with Peyton Manning who reacted in the post match interview that the Broncos performance was embarrassing.  That is an insulting word, for the effort that goes in can't be discounted.  They were just outplayed on the night.

The Seahawks, none of whom had any Super Bowl experience, played like it. They have played all season with an abandon and combined chip on their shoulder stemming from a lack of recognition from around the league, attention that has only really focussed on them through this season. 

Coach Pete Carroll, once denounced from the NFL for being 'too friendly' with his players when he was on the coaching set up at the Jets in the 1990's has come back via a stunning college football run to lead this young team to glory.  He will feel a certain sense of redemption, I'm sure.

I'm delighted for the Seahawks.  It's a combination of youth and enthusiasm with a balance and dedication that has seen them triumph.  They seem to live by the mantra of work hard, play hard.  Last night, they definitely did that.

NFL Conference Finals Are The Deserved Match Ups

by Dugald Skene

Never mind that the NFL conference final line ups are the ones we wanted to see, they are the match ups that all four teams deserve.

It's been many a year since the top 2 seeds from each conference have made it to their respective finals in the same year. Lately, there has always been an outsider, a wildcard team that has got hot in the post season.  Look no further than the Giants and the Ravens in the last two years as prime examples, both getting in through the back door to claim the Superbowl crown.

The divisional round didn't throw up any real surprises, and nothing like the exciting action of wildcard weekend (unless you're a fan of dominant defences slugging it out), but the cream has risen to the top, and the two match ups this weekend are generating many a headline.

The most obvious one is the difference in styles - the old versus the new, the young guns of the NFC taking on the stalwarts of the AFC.  The immediate advantage is that we will end up with a representative of each in the Superbowl and it doesn't really matter at this stage who progresses to the biggest stage - any combination of Seattle and the 49ers against the Broncos or Patriots is a mouth watering prospect.

With such even matched games, it's anyone's guess who will be in New York in February, but it won't stop me trying.

San Francisco at Seattle has everything - dominant defences, strong running games and two young quarterbacks that have the ability to carry their team when needed.

Colin Kaepernick of the 49ers has undoubtedly got the best arsenal at his disposal.  The triumphant return of Michael Crabtree at WR, together with veteran Anquan Boldin and TE Vernon Davis, means the 49ers have all their strongest options available to them.  The outstanding Seahawks secondary will have their hands full, but if there's any defence that can contain the 49ers wide men, it's the likes of Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor and co.  Each had an outstanding game against the Saints this past weekend, confining Drew Brees to a career low 34 throwing yards in the first half of that game.  More of the same will be needed this time.

This will be the 3rd time the 49ers and Seahawks have

met this season

The Kaepernick/Wilson battle is generating a lot of intrigue.  There's no doubt that Kaepernick has go hotter as this postseason has gone on, not least because of the return to fitness of Crabtree, and Wilson's form during the last 5-6 weeks hasn't been great.  Wilson's options are also limited.  Percy Harvin is a doubt after being concussed at least once by the Saints (a great and legal hit too, by the way), and Golden Tate was a shell of himself after taking an early hit in the 1st quarter on Sunday.  Doug Baldwin isn't a first choice WR and so much of Seattle's game plan will be to run the ball through Marshawn Lynch - Beast Mode. 

I'm not convinced a one-dimensional running game is going to cut it against that front 7 of San Francisco who have been epic against the run of late.  Even with the 12th man behind them, Seattle could struggle in this one.

Pick: San Francisco 49ers by 6

If I'm truly honest about it, I don't care so much about the AFC conference game.  It's certainly one for the old timers, the fans of the pocket passer and the old school general type quarterback.  Both Peyton Manning and Tom Brady have been here before - Manning going for his 3rd Superbowl appearance (and second win), Brady his 6th (and 4th win). 

Both men are under pressure for different reasons.  Talk in the NFL has been dominated by the idea of legacy and what it means for Manning to win or not win a second ring. There is no doubt he has been one of the best regular season QB's in the history of the game, but the regular season wins you nothing. His postseason record is poor  for a guy with his numbers.  Taking nothing away from his win with the Colts, with the Broncos he has the back up that might see him fulfil the undoubted potential of the last decade.  With WRs Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker and TE Julius Thomas, he has big men to throw at, as well as the small man with the big game aptitude, slot receiver Wes Welker.

This will be the 4th postseason game between Brady & Manning

 - Brady leads 2-1

Brady, on the other hand, hasn't won a Superbowl for 9 years, despite making it to the big one twice since the win in 2004.  A win this year could possible cement him as the best ever - the third quarterback to win 4 rings but easily the most consistent over the longest period.  This will be the Patriots' 3rd consecutive AFC conference game, and Brady and coach Belichik have won 11 divisional titles together

I see the Patriots going to Denver and playing hard ball.  If this past weekend has shown us anything, it's that the Patriots can evolve quickly, and lately their running game has come to the fore with LeGarette Blount - 8 TD's and almost 400 yards in his past 3 games. 

For Denver to win this, they need to get off to a strong start.  The longer the game goes on and Denver find themselves in a position where they need to make big offensive plays to win, the pressure might get just too much, and the Mile High crowd might not help their team as much as we might think.  When it comes to the clutch, I'd rather have Brady than Manning on my side.  That said, if the Broncos defence plays like they did for 3 quarters against the Chargers on Sunday, they're in with a very good start.

Pick:  Denver Broncos by 3

NFL Needs Officials Back Before Someone Gets Hurt

by Dugald Skene

It has been an outstanding start to the 2012 NFL season, with the first 48 fixtures throwing up more than its fair share of thrills and spills.

But the season so far has been dominated not by the plays or the touchdowns, but the officiating of the games.  The NFL is still in a lockout with the regular NFL standard officials and there doesn't seem to be any sign of the dispute being resolved until at least Week 5.

In the meantime, games are suffering for poor and lengthy decision making.  The first half of the Denver Broncos at Atlants Falcons game last Monday for example took a full 2 hours, around 45 minutes longer than usual due to the prolonged periods of review, and the sheer number of reviews required by the more inexperienced officials.

The effects of lengthy games are more tedious than any. It's the calls that are made that are wrong that are causing the real problems.  Things seemed to come to a head last night as the final play of the Packers at Seattle game came down to a 60 yard 'Hail Mary' pass from Seahawks QB Russell Wilson, lofted into the end zone in a 'hit and hope' effort.  The ball came down and appeared to be caught by defensive Packer MD Jennings, with Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate appearing to miss out as his hand came down on the ball, but not in control of it.

NFL's replacement officials have been dropping the ball in

more ways than one



The two officials on the scene gave conflicting signals, one indicating a Seahawks touchdown, one an interception. After a lengthy review and multiple replays, the score stood, and the Seahawks took the game 12-14 and relegated the Green Bay Packers to a second loss of the season.

This is probably the highest profile bad decision made so at, but there will be others.  And it seems the players are catching on to the opportunity to take liberties and play on the replacement officials inexperience at this elite level.  We've seen bad tackles and hits that have beggered belief, most notably the shocking and illegal hit on Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub by Broncos linebacker Joe Mays, who has since been fined $50,000 and suspended for only one game by the NFL, small change in reality.

With such a focus on player safety, it's contradictory that the league refuses to ban players for longer rather than fine them for committing potentially career ending tackles. Luckily, Matt Schaub got away with a cut ear and somehow only missed out on one play.

These high profile and dangerous tackles are one thing, but petulance also seems to be setting in, with lots of small scraps and fracases happening around the field with the knowledge the officials don't have the authority they are necessarily used to having to cut them out on the field of play.  Players are taking advantage of the replacement officials, and whether it be dangerous tackles, petty scraps or just bad decision making, it is harming the game and the precious reputation of the sport.

While they may be discipline players for dangerous plays, the NFL has come out and backed the decisions made by the replacement officials, but of course they would.  They can't be seen to be standing opposed to the men tasked with holding the fort while they are still at loggerheads with the people that are supposed to be on the field.

The sooner the usual officials are back, the better it will be for everyone; players, coaches and fans alike.

RGIII Impresses In The Battle Of The Rookies

by Dugald Skene

Opening weekend is always tough for rookies, not least the quarterbacks upon whom their respective franchises have gambled so much.

This is absolutely the case for this years first two draft picks, Indianapolis Colts' Andrew Luck and the Washington Redskins' Robert Griffin III. Two contrasting styles, it was always going to be interesting to see who would settle the quickest.

Conventional wisdom suggested that it would be Luck who was the more poised and accomplished QB coming into the NFL. Playing for a Colts team doing their best to forget the tribulations of last season, a trip to playoff contenders Chicago Bears at Soldier Field would provide the sternest of tests for Luck. And so it proved, as both teams struggled to get their offences clicking in the game. That aside, Luck grew into the game, throwing 23 of 45 for 309 yards, despite being picked off three times.  His more experienced Bears counterpart, Jay Cutler, threw for 333 yards on his return to NFL action after crashing out with injury halfway through last season. The final score of 41-21 to the Bears fairly reflected the performances of the individuals, but Luck showed clear talent and isn't the sort to get down after a single loss.  I see him leading the Colts to 7 wins this year, a distinct improvement on the 2 last year.

Robert Griffin III celebrates his first NFL touchdown pass

There were contrasting fortunes for Washington's RG3 as the Redskins travelled to the Superdome to take on perennial favourites New Orleans Saints. A far more athletic and faster quarterback in the mould of the Eagles' Michael Vick, Griffin showed that he is more than a fast runner, throwing to Pierre Garçon in the 1st quarter for a massive 88 yard touchdown, the longest for the franchise since 1988. His strong start was emphasised by his completion of his first 8 passes, finally finishing 19 of 26 for a total of 320 yards. He also rushed for 42 yards and finished with a final QB rating of 139.9.

There will be debate over whether the Skins winning in New Orleans was down to RG3's performance as much as the lack of head coach Sean Payton steering the Saints ship. Redskins fans will be happy though. A winning start, on the road against a strong Saints side who haven't lost at home since December 2010 represents a great statement of intent. With the Giants losing at home and the Eagles struggling against the poor Cleveland Browns, the Redskins will be looking at their division and eyeing up a playoff spot. There is still a lot to do, but winning is a habit and Washington have got it early.

Jets & 49ers Impress In Opening NFL Weekend

by Dugald Skene

It was a strong weekend for the AFC over the weekend, with conference favourites the New England Patriots and the Houston Texans starting strongly as expected, and the Atlanta Falcons racking up 40 points at Arrowhead Stadium.

But perhaps the most surprising and impressive win of the weekend went to the New York Jets, who powered past the hapless Buffalo Bills 48-28. Much of the preseason chat was about which of his two quarterbacks head coach Rex Ryan would plump for - franchise QB and last years starter Mark Sanchez or the newly arrived headline maker from the Broncos Tim Tebow?

Mark Sanchez calls the shots for Jets against Buffalo

It seemed we wouldn't be finding out as both quarterbacks took to the field, with Tebow lining up as a slot receiver.  But it was Sanchez who called the shots, getting the offence up and running from the off, finishing 19 of 27 for 266 yards. Tebow's contribution from the pivot role amounted to 11 rushing yards from 5 carries and didn't throw a pass.  It looked like the Jets contrasting stars may well work in the same team after all.

For all the positives in offence, it's the defence that suffered, allowing 195 rushing yards, 169 of which were racked up by the impressive CJ Spiller. His 56 yard TD was down to poor tackling as it was strong running. There is still a lot to work on for the Jets, but they'll get a lot of confidence from scoring their highest first week total in franchise history.

The NFC performance of the weekend came from the defensively dominant San Francisco 49ers.  Lambeau Field is no easy venue to win at, not least against a heavily backed Green Bay Packers team led by Aaron Rodgers. But even the Packers number 12 struggled at times to overcome the ferocious 49ers defensive line.

We've come to expect a strong defence from the west coasters, and so it was a pleasant surprise to see them equalling their effort on offence. With the additions of Mario Manningham from the Giants and the veteran receiver Randy Moss over the off season, quarterback Alex Smith now has a more balanced array of attacking weapons at his disposal.  No doubt boosted by his late season and playoff form last year when the 49ers were unlucky not to make it to Superbowl XLVI, Smith has continued where he left off.  Completing 20 of 26 for 211 yards, Smith connected with Moss and Vernon Davis. Aaron Rodgers' stats may have been stronger, throwing for 303 yards, but the Packers didn't have the running to compete with the 49ers. RB Frank Gore ran for 112 yards against the Packers defence, including a 23 yard TD.

Aaron Rodgers gets sacked in the first quarter by the 49ers defence

The Packers will be back, and despite losing the same number of games already this season as they did the whole of the last regular season, they will definitely be in the mix come the playoffs.  A rematch against Rodgers childhood team the 49ers is still very much on the cards for the NFC championship.

Saints Agree Record Breaking Deal With Brees

by Dugald Skene

Yet another sign of the burgeoning financial might of the NFL came to light last Friday as it was revealed by the New Orleans Saints they have finally met starting quarterback Drew Brees' wage demands, settling on a five year deal worth an average of $20 million a year.

This new deal represents the highest average wage payments to any player in the history of the game, beating the Indianapolis Colts who paid former star quarterback Peyton Manning an average $19 million a year.

Drew Brees has signed a record deal with the New Orleans Saints

The Saints have likely had to reorganise their finances to accommodate Brees' new wage agreement in order to keep to the $120.6 million salary cap. It means that one player will command 1/6 of the total available funds available for team wages. Of the $100 million, 5 year deal, $60 million is guaranteed, with $40 million of that due to Brees in the first year of the contract. This is an unprecedented payment to any player, and has shocked many in the game. The reason the Saints can do this is that they are allowed to spread the signing on fee of $40 million over multiple years, meaning that it'll likely only cost them around $10 million a year.

Brees, who broke the all time league record for passing yards last season, is by far and away the Saints MVP, with the franchise revolving around him. With all the scandal surrounding the Saints in the past few months with 'bountygate' and the subsequent suspensions, most notably of head coach Sean Payton, the talismanic Brees has become more and more the club's figurehead and face of the franchise.

In short, Brees could name his price and has waited more months than many feel was necessary for the Saints to agree his sum. Many fans have turned against Brees for his belligerence during the negotiations and some of his comments aimed at the organistation, but more have criticised the Saints for not settling sooner, particularly given the negative headlines of late. I don't think anyone can grudge Brees the deal, he has helped make the franchise the perennial Superbowl competitors they are and deserves to be rewarded.

Now that terms have finally been settled, attention for Saints fans now turns to pre season as the players head to camp for July 24th.  They will all be hoping that the Saints ship has now been stabilised and the team can look forward to another push for the playoffs in 2012.