Super Bowl XLVIII Preview - Seattle's Offense vs Denver's Defense

The Seattle Seahawks have been playing hard-nosed solid football all season long, despite stumbling a bit down the stretch to close out the regular season. The NFC front-runner all season, Seattle has lived up to their expectations so far and now face an extremely difficult test in the Super Bowl against a Denver unit that has been just as dominating on the AFC side of the house. The young Russell Wilson leads the offense along with the help of Marshawn Lynch, a punishing back who will move piles and knock out would be tacklers every chance he can get.

Despite the weapons that Seattle has at their disposal - an up-and-coming star quarterback, a power running game, a solid receiving corps and a strong offensive line - the Seahawks offense will be no match for the Broncos if their defense can't slow down Manning and the most explosive offense in NFL history.

The Broncos, for their part, have improved greatly on defense during the second half of the season. While the offense has slowed a bit during the playoffs, the defense has picked up the slack and have helped punch Denver's ticket to the Super Bowl. The Denver D will have to play better than average if they want to slow down Seattle's power running game so they can get Peyton Manning and his charges back on the field. It's always easier to play defense when your offense gives you a 21-point lead to work with.


Super Bowl XLVIII Statistical Matchup
            *Note: None of these stats “mean” anything, but let’s have fun with them anyway… Numbers include playoff games


            Stat Keys:
                        Passing Points = Total Passing Touchdowns + ½ Total Field Goal Points
                        Rushing Points = Total Rushing Touchdowns + ½ Total Field Goal Points


                        Points per Passing Yard = Passing Points / Total Yards Passing
                        Points per Rushing Yard = Rushing Points / Total Yards Rushing

Category	Seahwks Offense vs	Denver Defense Allowed	When They Collide…
Rushing Values
Rushing Points	147	139
Rushing Yards	2477	1755	Each rushing yard worth
Points per Rushing Yard	0.059	0.079	0.069
At their Best (DEF worst)	218 yards	177 yards	198 yards = 13.7 pts = 14 pts
2013 Average	138 yards	98 yards	118 yards = 8.1 pts = 8 pts
At their Worst (DEF Best)	44 yards	23 yards	34 yards = 2.4 pts = 2 pts
Passing Values
Passing Points	239	238
Passing Yards	3532	4520	Each passing yard worth
Points per Passing Yard	0.068	0.053	0.061
At their Best (DEF Worst)	323 yards	470 yards	397 yards = 24.2 pts = 24 pts
2013 Average	196 yards	251 yards	224 yards = 13.7 pts = 14 pts
At their Worst (DEF Best)	89 yards	153 yards	121 yards =   7.4 pts =   7 pts
Projected Score Breakdown	Rushing + Passing	Combined Points
At their Best	14 pts + 24 pts	38
2013 Average	8 pts + 14 pts	22
At their Worst	2 pts +   7 pts	9

Projected Super Bowl XLVIII Score for the Seattle Seahawks: 23 points

Based on the Denver projections from yesterday versus the Seattle defense -

If both offenses come out blazing and the defenses stumble, expect Seattle to win a very close shoot-out, 38-35.

If both teams play as they have tended to play all season, expect another close game with Denver coming out on top, 24-21.

If a knock-down, drag-out defensive struggle takes place, expect the Seahawks to win on the strength of field goals by the score of 9-7.

Based on these statistical comparisons, if Seattle hopes to win, they need their offense to be on fire or their defense to be on fire. If both units play average, expect the Broncos to be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy after the game.


Check back tomorrow to see how these two Super Bowl franchises stack up to each other both in history and intangibles…