Super Bowl XLVIII was labeled to be one of the most even match ups in the game’s history.
The Feb. 2 game pitted the No. 1 ranked Denver Broncos offense against the Nov. 1 ranked Seattle Seahawks defense, putting teams leading in those areas on the same field since 2002.
Something had to give.
The weeks leading up to the big game were full of buildups such as the controversial postgame rant of Seattle star defensive back Richard Sherman after the Seahawks’ defeat of the San Francisco 49ers.
Sherman was criticized by a high number of other NFL players or sports analysts for what he said during the postgame interview, claiming he’s the best at his position.
The Broncos had an issue to take care of with the rumors going around that MVP quarterback Peyton Manning was going to call it quits after the Super Bowl, those rumors were shaken off eventually when Manning publicly stated he wants to play for as long as he can.
The game’s intensity started off quickly when Denver overthrew a snap that led to a safety which proved to lead the momentum into Seattle’s way to begin the game.
The Seahawks never looked back, putting the high-powered Broncos defense on check for the first quarter. After the safety, Seattle managed to kick two field goals.
The first quarter ended with the Seahawks leading 8-0.
During the second quarter Seattle’s Marshawn Lynch ran in a touchdown to put the Hawks up 15-0.
When the Broncos offense seemed to get the rhythm going, Manning’s pass intercepted by linebacker Malcolm Smith which was returned for a touchdown.
The play put the Seahawks on a commanding lead 22-0 going into halftime.
The second half started off with a bang and wiped away any thoughts of a tale of two halves ending to the game.
The Seahawks’ Percy Harvin returned the kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown and the Seahawks hold on to a 29-0 score.
Another drive had the Broncos looking like as if the team was ready to make a comeback. That stopped when receiver Demaryius Thomas fumbled and the Hawks recovered.
Seattle eventually scored when quarterback Russell Wilson threw a touchdown to Jermaine Kearse, put the team up 36-0.
Denver managed to score one touchdown the rest of the game as the Seahawks took the game with a dominating 43-8 final score.
The team proved why it is the No. 1 ranked defense in the NFL.
Smith earned Super Bowl Most Valuable Player honors, quarterback Russell Wilson threw for 206 yards and two touchdowns and defensive back Sherman was carted off the field with an apparent ankle injury.
The Super Bowl win marks the first in Seahawks franchise history.