Defense wins championships. For Seattle, this will be the motto until the final whistle blows this upcoming Sunday, especially with what looks to be ideal weather conditions at MetLife Stadium. But for an injury plagued Denver defense, this statement won't be as vital.
Though stopping Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch and a potentially healthy Percy Harvin will be an important game within itself, their worries will lie more with how to disrupt the No. 1 scoring defense in the NFL. All Denver needs to do is keep the lid on the Seahawks offense, which hasn't eclipsed the 25-point mark in the post season, and hope their offense can put up more points than the opposing side. This will simply be the only workable strategy for the current Bronco roster.
Defensive line
If there is one area the Broncos defense will need to focus on, it will be Beast Mode. Lynch has had one of his best statistical seasons this year, accumulating 1,257 rushing yards and a career-high 12 touchdowns on a formidable 4.2 yards per carry average, and has been the anchor for the Seattle offense. In combination with the Broncos losing linebacker Von Miller (ACL), safety Rahim Moore (compartment syndrome), and most recently cornerback Chris Harris (ACL), the defense as a whole will be undermanned, especially in regards to their run defense.
However, after ranking eighth in run defense, allowing just 101.6 rushing yards per game, the Broncos have surprisingly come into their own in the postseason. Though stopping Lynch will be no easy task, the Broncos have proven that they are capable of doing enough to win games, and even held the Chargers and Patriots to under 20 points each. In order to repeat another solid performance on the defensive end, the Broncos will have to figure out a way to penetrate a solid Seattle offensive line, because if they don't there is no telling what Russell Wilson and company can do with time.
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It should be noted however that Seattle's offensive line ranked ninth in run blocking this past year, but just 32nd in pass protection. Wilson was sacked 44 times this season, which was 14 more than Peyton Manning. This is where the defensive line will have to make some noise without Miller, which is a task that is not in Denver's favor.
Secondary
There is one evenly matched field between the Broncos and Seahawks, and it lies between their receivers and secondary. Seattle does return Harvin for just his third game this season, but that will remain an unknown factor until proven otherwise.
What is known is that Seattle ranked 26th in passing yards per game this past season, while the Broncos ranked 27th in opposing passing yards. Both sides have struggled in this department and it could make or break the game for both sides.
There is no question that the Seahawks have been shaky on the offensive end in the postseason thus far. A win is a win in the postseason, but Seattle hasn't been as sharp in their throwing game as they'd like to be. Heading into the game, Wilson's completion percentage has dipped five percent to 58.1, and he has recorded just one touchdown and a total of 318 passing yards. With a Super Bowl title on the line, this is not good timing for the Seahawks.
For the Broncos, matching up with the Seahawks receivers shouldn't be too much of a problem. Aside from Golden Tate and Doug Baldwin, the Seahawks don't pose a receiver who has racked up over 400 yards, something that has limited their potential on the offensive end. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who tied for a team-high three interceptions this season, will be waiting on the other side.
Having said that, Harvin will be the key for the Seahawks in the air. Wilson has been consistent in making plays when they matter, and if Harvin can resemble even a fraction of what he was pre-injury, this Seattle offense just might have enough in the tank to take advantage of a mediocre Denver defense. But as of now, both sides are subject at best.
Safety
Likely without Moore in the biggest game of the year, the Broncos will have to figure out how to fill the void. Interestingly, the Broncos have played well in the post season this year, holding the Chargers (nearly shut out) and Patriots to under 20 points before giving up the majority of the points in the fourth quarter. They will need that to continue for just one more game.
This is where Duke Ihenacho comes in. As one of the bright spots on the Denver defense, Ihenacho has held his own and has proven to be a formidable safety in the NFL. He finished the season with 73 total tackles (3rd on team) and three forced fumbles. With a Denver defense that is questionable in the age department, Ihenacho offers a youthfulness that just may be able to make some plays in the backfield.
Linebackers
Out of all the position groups on defense, none will be more important than the Denver linebackers. In their effort to slow down one of the best running backs in the league, the Miller-less Broncos, who actually boasted a 10-0 record and 21.8 opponents points per game average in his absence, will need to be able to minimize the damage that Beast Mode will surely bring. For a Bronco defense that is looking to slow down — not shut down — a Seattle offense, this is not completely out of the question.
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With updated weather reports pointing to ideal conditions this Saturday, the linebackers shouldn't have any outside distractions in regards to playing at their best. And with an experienced player like Wesley Woodyard on your side — who recorded the second most tackles on the team this season with 84 and tied for second most forced fumbles with three — the Broncos may actually be in better shape than you think.
Simply put, Woodyard and Danny Trevathan will be the keys to Super Bowl XLVIII in regards to breaking the game open. Both players will be vital in creating noise in the backfield and that is the one area that Seattle has done well in all season long.
Let's just hope Trevathan doesn't drop the ball at the goal line at any point in time during the game...
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Special teams
Though it is unclear as to what kind of impact Harvin will have in Super Bowl XLVIII, there is a good chance he can make contributions in the return game. Harvin has been an explosive return man throughout his career, recording over 3,200 yards and five touchdowns, and if he can break open in the field periodically throughout the game it will be a huge edge for the Seahawks offensively.
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Field position is crucial in every game — none moreso than the Super Bowl — and it could make or break this year's matchup. Harvin may be a question mark in all regards at the moment, but it only takes one missed tackle or opening for a player to make their mark in the Super Bowl. That within itself will keep Harvin under the radar. Especially in a game where the Seahawks are looking to score more than their roughly 20-point average in the postseason.
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