Super Bowl XLVIII: What We Learned

Published on 3-Feb-2014 by Stacey Mickles

Football - NFL    NFL Daily Review

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Super Bowl XLVIII: What We Learned

Super Bowl XLVIII has come and gone, and like the Christmas season, you hate to see it end, especially this way.

Oh well, on with the show.

You can't turn the ball over and win games ... As good as the Denver Broncos offense was, even they can't turn the ball over four times and win a game. Don't get me wrong, the Seattle Seahawks are good, but the Broncos basically handed them the victory with all the turnovers.

Good defense trumps good offense ... Even if the Broncos offense had not turned the ball over, the Seattle defense was stout all night. They rattled Peyton Manning, shredded his protection, and kept his completed passes in front of them despite the fact that he had a Super Bowl record in pass completions. They also stopped Knowshon Moreno from giving the team momentum. Simply put, the Seahawk D was the best unit on the field.

Still don't know a lot about the Seattle offense ... Then again, didn't really need to. Yes, they scored 43 points, but most of those came off of turnovers, and two scores came late in the game. Marshawn Lynch didn't put on a clinic, and Russell Wilson did well, but we still don't really know what he can do in a pressure situation. They weren't unimpressive, but you don't have to be that impressive when your defense does most of the work for you. I'd like to see Wilson put in situation where he'd have to win in a shootout to see what he can really do.

Peyton Manning isn't the best QB of all time ... Peyton Manning may be the best quarterback in my generation, but he isn't the best quarterback of all time nor should he be. This is his second Super Bowl loss, and for him and his team to get thumped the way the did, this will fall squarely on him, and maybe it should. His turnovers turned into points for the Seahawks and the Broncos could never get back on track. The fault shouldn't be all his, but most of the blame should be.

The Seahawks are clearly the best team ... If there was any doubt who the best team in the NFL was, doubt no more. The Seattle Seahawks rightly claim the title. They proved it on offense, defense and even special teams. They were the best overall team and quite frankly with the way they played, you wonder how they lost at all this season. The bad news for the NFL, they may be your next dynasty.

Well, that wraps up the NFL season. Too bad the Super Bowl wasn't as competitive as the regular season, but hey, you can't win them all.

Congrats to the Seahawks, and see you next season!