Finally, more people pointing out the elephant in the room.

[monkey]

Denver's defense is just NOT that good! http://www.fieldgulls.com/football-breakdowns/2014/1/30/5358638/super-bowl-2014-48-broncos-defense-seahawks-nfl-terrance-knighton
I don't care what the bobbleheads are trying to convince everyone of, (seriously had anyone even heard of "Pot Roast" before he got a sack on a broken play, and it turned out his nickname was sort of funny??? Exactly!) the Broncos defense vs. the Seahawks offense, (a top ten offense BTW) is a HUGE mismatch favoring Seattle!!!

Now when some idiot starts telling you how easy this game will be for Denver, because of how terrific their defense really is, you can just link that article from Field Gulls. It breaks it down very well. It's a terrific read!

[Eaglehawk]

Thanks for that Monkey. Good stuff.
Part of me feels that Lynch will have an MVP day. RW will pass to his hearts content on this d, but Brady did not. Why? I don't know. If their secondary was so bad how was that possible?

Another part of me feels that it will our defense that kills the Broncos once and for all. Manning could get intercepted 4-5 times.
You can't win with those turnovers.

RW and offense will have to score, running or otherwise. Both are fine with me. I don't mind, as long as we win.

Weather will be a similar Giants-type-of-weather game. Manning for whatever reason has not done well in cold weather from what I have read.

Las Vegas is not anticipating that they blow us out. So this is definitely a game where the Hawks have the chance to make a statement to the League. Particularly our D. Mental toughness is the key here on out. Mental toughness.

[burrrton]

I've said it before.

We have a top-10 scoring offense going against their mediocre-to-bad defense. Advantage Seattle, even with Russell's ostensible "struggles".

They have a historically good offense going against a historically good defense. The asterisk? Their historically good offense is a one-trick pony, and it's a pony our defense is perfectly suited for.

I don't make predictions, but I see unit matchup problems for Denver. I guess we'll see.

[jshawaii22]

I agree. SF's front 7 D is better than Denver's and if Marshawn can get that 3 - 6 yards per play, and a few out on the second level, I think we can and will run on them, especially in the second half.

I also have Marshawn as the MVP. 140 + 2 tds as Denver must play against Percy. If Russell gets 200 yards, we're behind and we're playing to catch up... not what I'm expecting.

What about the "Percy Factor"? If we're smart, we'll use him as a decoy and keep him in the game a little longer.

js

[Seahawks4Ever]

While there are a few pundits who give Seattle props for making it this far all of them, except for ex Seahawk Heath Evans don't give Seattle any chance at all to win this game. You would think that Peyton Manning has never lost a game before. Manning has lost quite a few championship games including one other Super Bowl so they can't convince me that we are not going to lose this game.

I watched the Colts, Chargers, and the Patriots defeat the Broncos this year so there is a blue print to frustrating Manning. The Patriots were without Gronkowski in their AFC Championship game against the Broncos and that is one reason that they lost that rematch.

Oh, and listen to the tongues wag because of what Richard Sherman once said about Manning's arm strength and his throwing "ducks". Don't they know he is just baiting Peyton to throw it his way??? I mean, most QB's, even Drew Brees avoid throwing the ball to a receiver covered by Sherman, and if they try him once they don't try him again unless you are an idiot like Colin Kaphismouth.

I guess the new theory of the NFC Championship game loss by the 49whiners is that Boldin was beating Sherman all game long and that was who Kap was supposed to send after Sherman but got mixed up and sent Crabtree instead. What a bunch of B.S.

[Zorn76]

Nice breakdown and good find, monkey.

And I like the idea of Bevell getting RW into a rhythm early, which would accomplish, primarily, 2 things.
- Establish confidence early for Wilson
- Keep the Broncos honest since they will be selling out to stop Marshawn

It also sounds like our RB's could do some damage catching a few...what are they called... oh, yea, Screen Passes out of the backfield:)

As usual, it's a war in the trenches.
If Okung and Unger can just do their jobs adequately, then we should be OK.

In the end, it's all about balance. Keep it steady on offense, put Denver on their heals. Keep 'em on the field, keep 'em guessing. Beast Mode is key, and the hunch here is that he has a big day. The guy just fights on every carry, and knows if he keeps doing so that he'll break one, and in turn break the opponent's spirit.

GO HAWKS!!!

[Eaglehawk]

Nice breakdown and good find, monkey.

And I like the idea of Bevell getting RW into a rhythm early, which would accomplish, primarily, 2 things.
- Establish confidence early for Wilson
- Keep the Broncos honest since they will be selling out to stop Marshawn

It also sounds like our RB's could do some damage catching a few...what are they called... oh, yea, Screen Passes out of the backfield:)

As usual, it's a war in the trenches.
If Okung and Unger can just do their jobs adequately, then we should be OK.

In the end, it's all about balance. Keep it steady on offense, put Denver on their heals. Keep 'em on the field, keep 'em guessing. Beast Mode is key, and the hunch here is that he has a big day. The guy just fights on every carry, and knows if he keeps doing so that he'll break one, and in turn break the opponent's spirit.

GO HAWKS!!!

This is what got us to the Big Dance. The more I think about this, we have to use him as much as possible to win this.

[Eaglehawk]

NFL.com insiders are mostly coming out in favor of a win for the Seahawks.

http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/story/0ap2 ... 0_20140131


That means it is already in the soup. Game is over gentlemen. We will have our first Superbowl.
WOW.

[c_hawkbob]

I've said it before.

We have a top-10 scoring offense going against their mediocre-to-bad defense. Advantage Seattle, even with Russell's ostensible "struggles".

They have a historically good offense going against a historically good defense. The asterisk? Their historically good offense is a one-trick pony, and it's a pony our defense is perfectly suited for.

I don't make predictions, but I see unit matchup problems for Denver. I guess we'll see.

Totally disagree with your asterisk. That's a great offense top to bottom ad Moreno is a great back. Dinging their running game for being secondary to their passing game is like dinging our passing game for being secondary to our running game.

[monkey]

I've said it before.

We have a top-10 scoring offense going against their mediocre-to-bad defense. Advantage Seattle, even with Russell's ostensible "struggles".

They have a historically good offense going against a historically good defense. The asterisk? Their historically good offense is a one-trick pony, and it's a pony our defense is perfectly suited for.

I don't make predictions, but I see unit matchup problems for Denver. I guess we'll see.

Totally disagree with your asterisk. That's a great offense top to bottom ad Moreno is a great back. Dinging their running game for being secondary to their passing game is like dinging our passing game for being secondary to our running game.

Well I respectfully, but totally disagree with your disagreement
They are able to run the ball at a mediocre level, only because teams are scared spitless of Manning and those receivers. They do NOT however, have a balanced offense by any stretch. The Broncos run game is me-di-ocre, (statistically, analytically and any other way you want to slice it) but if you want to think otherwise, feel free.

[burrrton]

Totally disagree with your asterisk. That's a great offense top to bottom ad Moreno is a great back.

Eh, probably fair- I just remember a few games where their passing game wasn't clicking, at least not by their normal standards, and Moreno couldn't do anything to pick them up. If we can take care of Manning to any degree, I'm not convinced Moreno could carry them to victory.

I didn't follow them closely at all, though, so I'll defer to your judgement.

[kalibane]

Totally disagree with your disagreeance ...okay not toally but it just didn't have the same ring to it.

Moreno is no where close to being a great back. He's a servicable back who looks a lot better than he really is because he gets a lot of his hand offs on audibles against 5 and 6 man fronts (a lot like Dominic Rhodes in Indy). He's more versatile in the passing game and is good at picking up the blitz but a great back he is not. If Moreno has a lot of success running the ball it will be because Manning comes out hot and forces Seattle to back off to stop the pass and then the run comes against those favorable fronts.

[c_hawkbob]

I've said it before.

We have a top-10 scoring offense going against their mediocre-to-bad defense. Advantage Seattle, even with Russell's ostensible "struggles".

They have a historically good offense going against a historically good defense. The asterisk? Their historically good offense is a one-trick pony, and it's a pony our defense is perfectly suited for.

I don't make predictions, but I see unit matchup problems for Denver. I guess we'll see.

Totally disagree with your asterisk. That's a great offense top to bottom ad Moreno is a great back. Dinging their running game for being secondary to their passing game is like dinging our passing game for being secondary to our running game.

Well I respectfully, but totally disagree with your disagreement
They are able to run the ball at a mediocre level, only because teams are scared spitless of Manning and those receivers. They do NOT however, have a balanced offense by any stretch. The Broncos run defense is me-di-ocre, (statistically, analytically and any other way you want to slice it) but if you want to think otherwise, feel free.

The only thing I disagreed with is your evaluation of their running game. Don't try to sneak in the unquestionable fact that their defense is mediocre before laying the old "but if you want to think otherwise, feel free" on me! ... I was born at night but wasn't last night

[Eaglehawk]

The only thing I disagreed with is your evaluation of their running game. Don't try to sneak in the unquestionable fact that their defense is mediocre before laying the old "but if you want to think otherwise, feel free" on me! ... I was born at night but wasn't last night

To this day my mother still hits me with that line.

Yeah, Moreno may be suspect but he put up over 200 yards against the Pats(and his longest run was only 18 yards that game) I think it was during reg season. Ridiculous. And believe it or not, Denver lost that game. Moreno is like a dripping faucet, drip drip drip. So the Hawks will have to watch out for Denver's run game, even if it does not show up sometimes.
Now you get behind 3 scores, then you will see a different Manning. It will be a flying circus at that point.
But hopefully by then we would have run enough time off the clock as we did with Brees.

Broncos have a decent run game, I would not call it Adrian Peterson'esque, and probably not balanced, but then its Manning. He fakes defenses out, they know he is calling the plays and that most teams will expect him to pass. That is why my advice to our D is to COMPLETELY IGNORE MANNING and his audibles, Omahas, etc. Just believe what you see,make adjustments if needed and dominate these guys.

[kalibane]

Look that game against the Pats was an anomally. A function of the opposing team's game plan and just having a career day. He's been in the league 4 years and has 5 100 yard games in his entire career. Here are some names of a few other RBs who notched 200 yard games:

Beanie Wells
Derrick Ward
Lamar Smith
LeShon Johnson

Running for 200 yards in 1 game hardly makes you a great back. In that NE game, the Patriots were without Wilfork and Mayo (their best run defenders) and made a conscious decision to play 5-6 man fronts and just dare Manning to hand off the entire game figuring that even if they scored it would take longer, make the game shorter and they could stay close enough to pull one out. That's what ended up happening, despite the Patriots trying to give the game away with turnovers.

Their running game is predicated off of people being so scared of Manning that they will not bring people down into the box. It's not the type for instance that they can rely on to grind the clock out in a game where they are up 4 points with 4 minutes to go and the opposing team is loading up against the run.

[Eaglehawk]

Look that game against the Pats was an anomally. A function of the opposing team's game plan and just having a career day. He's been in the league 4 years and has 5 100 yard games in his entire career. Here are some names of a few other RBs who notched 200 yard games:

Beanie Wells
Derrick Ward
Lamar Smith
LeShon Johnson

Running for 200 yards in 1 game hardly makes you a great back. In that NE game, the Patriots were without Wilfork and Mayo (their best run defenders) and made a conscious decision to play 5-6 man fronts and just dare Manning to hand off the entire game figuring that even if they scored it would take longer, make the game shorter and they could stay close enough to pull one out. That's what ended up happening, despite the Patriots trying to give the game away with turnovers.

Their running game is predicated off of people being so scared of Manning that they will not bring people down into the box. It's not the type for instance that they can rely on to grind the clock out in a game where they are up 4 points with 4 minutes to go and the opposing team is loading up against the run.

I don't think Moreno is a great back. But he is not to be ignored.
And he is deadly on screens and in the flat from what I have seen. In fact I saw plays where he was wide open, but Manning threw to his 2nd read instead.

He's no Lynch, but he is not someone I am sure you agree that we should dismiss either.

[kalibane]

No I'm not dismissing them. He's a decent NFL level RB and you can't dismiss anyone who has enough athleticism to start at the NFL level. But they should be more worried about him in the screen game than the running game. Monte Ball is the bigger running threat. And I don't think in terms of running the ball that they should give Moreno any more thought than they'd have given guys lthey already played like Mark Ingram or DeAngelo Williams. He's simply not special.

Someone might counter with something, like "what about Mike James or Zac Stacy" but these were guys who no one had film on. There is plenty of film on Moreno.

[monkey]

The only thing I disagreed with is your evaluation of their running game. Don't try to sneak in the unquestionable fact that their defense is mediocre before laying the old "but if you want to think otherwise, feel free" on me! ... I was born at night but wasn't last night

I actually meant it respectfully, as in, not only do you have the right to disagree, but there are plenty of other people who agree with you. Granted, most of them are Bronco's fans but...
There are people out there who think Moreno is a good back, I'm not one of them, I think he's average at best personally, but I really meant it, if you disagree, that's cool because I can hear other viewpoints.
He's athletic.
He was really good in college, and maybe the system has held him back?
I know he has some talent, and is a tough runner...
I'm TRYING HERE!!

[monkey]

No I'm not dismissing them. He's a decent NFL level RB and you can't dismiss anyone who has enough athleticism to start at the NFL level. But they should be more worried about him in the screen game than the running game. Monte Ball is the bigger running threat. And I don't think in terms of running the ball that they should give Moreno any more thought than they'd have given guys lthey already played like Mark Ingram or DeAngelo Williams. He's simply not special.

Someone might counter with something, like "what about Mike James or Zac Stacy" but these were guys who no one had film on. There is plenty of film on Moreno.

I think Stacy is a better RB anyway, by quite a bit actually. Stacy was just an overlooked RB, he SHOULD have been their starter all along coming out of TC, they just screwed the pooch trying to get a guy who was faster to be their guy.
A common mistake in the NFL.

[kalibane]

Well that's basically my point. I think James and Stacy are better RBs (in terms of pure running), but no one knew who they were at the time so using them as nondescript RBs who had success would not be appropriate.

[NorthHawk]

I'm not sure I'm hearing enough respect for Denver.
Their run game is overshadowed by their passing game - and they are the opposite of us where we use the run to set up the pass.
That doesn't mean their run game isn't good.

The article talks about the whole season. When we get into the last few games of the season and into the playoffs, their Defense has stepped it up and have been playing quite well.
At the same time, our Offense has been either throttled back or not been able to make an improvement that most real good teams do in the playoffs.
It will be interesting to see which side (our Offense versus their Defense) will dominate.
We only have 55 or so hours to know how it worked out this year.

[monkey]

I'm not sure I'm hearing enough respect for Denver.
Their run game is overshadowed by their passing game - and they are the opposite of us where we use the run to set up the pass.
That doesn't mean their run game isn't good.

The article talks about the whole season. When we get into the last few games of the season and into the playoffs, their Defense has stepped it up and have been playing quite well.
At the same time, our Offense has been either throttled back or not been able to make an improvement that most real good teams do in the playoffs.
It will be interesting to see which side (our Offense versus their Defense) will dominate.
We only have 55 or so hours to know how it worked out this year.

I'm just saying that Denver running on us is probably the least of our worries right now, and if they do, it will be because we are too focused on stopping Manning, NOT because their run game is anything special. If some of you guys want to give credit where it isn't really due statistically, that's fine, and fair, because statistically our passing offense isn't very good either, but I think we can have our way with their secondary...so yeah, in terms of matchups, if we focus too much on stopping Manning and the pass game, we could get beat by the run.
That could happen, but NOT because it's a great running game is all I am saying.

[burrrton]

That doesn't mean their run game isn't good.

You're right- *that* doesn't mean it isn't good. What *does* indicate it's poorer than average are a host of other things already discussed.

I'm not saying I hope we overlook them- we won't. I just think their offense consists of one (very potent) threat- their passing game- and we're built on a historically good level to stop it.

We'll see...

[burrrton]

As for our offense, we've faced exactly 5 defenses that ranked in the lower half of the league (where all but 4 of Denver's opponents ranked).

Know what we scored in those games? Something north of 32 pts/game (if I heard Brock and Danny accurately).

We've got a good offense going against their mediocre-to-bad defense.

They've got a good offense going against our good defense.

Advantage Seattle.

[kalibane]

I think people are giving entirely too much respect to their defense and running game. I'f I'm proven wrong so be it. They aren't bottom of the barrell but seriously. They played the 2nd worst schedule in the league. And that strength schedule was augmented by playing a Chiefs team twice who's defense completely disappeared on them half way through the year.

Then in the playoffs they get a weak 9-7 Chargers team in the divisionals. Ryan Matthews was all banged up, left the game and they had to make do with Danny Woodhead. Matthews was their running game and the only reason they were able to hang with the Broncos during the regular season because he dominated time of possession. Then they get a completely injury decimated NE team (this time missing their 3 best run defenders, Wilfork, Mayo and Spikes). Terrence Knighton plays the game of his life (which really wasn't that dominating, great game but they act like he was living in the backfield like JJ Watt) and all of a sudden people want to compare him to Sam Adams? Please. Knighton is a good player... a guy I noticed before "Pot Roast" became a household name, but he's not Sam Adams or any where near him. Their run defense is certainly not better than the Saints or the Niners. And somehow shutting down LaGarrette Blount, a straight line plodder is a monumental feat because he ran for 4 TDs on a Colts defense that was getting gashed by Knile Davis?

Come on. They are not the worst defense in the league but they are league average. There are two players I worry a little about. DRC... he's hit and miss but when he's on he's a playmaker at CB. And Danny Trevathian... he has the type of speed and instincts that can keep RW from getting outside. Aside from them they just aren't that spectacular on Defense., and especially not when they aren't playing from 3 scores ahead. I don't worry too much about Pot Roast even though our guards aren't that great because he's not really a pass rusher. He's not going to collapse the pocket and sack Wilson, because Wilson isn't a statue like Brady. And there are other places to run.

This defense can be had. If the offense executes they are the better unit. And again Moreno is not spectacular. He had 59 yards against NE playing with a lead and 29 came on a 3rd and long draw play that would never happen against a defense with the speed the Hawks have.

The most worrisome thing about this game is Manning and the passing game... even with our great secondary it could still be enough. Too many people buying the hype and elevating these other Bronco players.

[Zorn76]

The Broncos rushing offense has been OK in the playoffs, but it still boils down to Manning having to throw 40 times or more in the SB.

[HumanCockroach]

Late to the discussion, but IMHO Moreno isn't a great runner, but he IS a "complete" back. I am NOT worried about the running game, as whether people want to admit it or not, he is not a great running back ( as evidence by almost half his total yards coming via a draw play in one form or another) that said, his ability to catch the ball, and pass protect are phenomenal. He is like a valuable third down back that plays every down ( which makes sense to me, because that offense operates that way in general) passing offenses generally seek the type of back Moreno is, and in general make them look more dangerous than they actually are.

Moreno is an "average" runner who's value is the "whole" as opposed to this particular "part".

He isn't going to "carry" the day, it is just something he isn't going to be able to do.

[Futureite]

I think people are giving entirely too much respect to their defense and running game. I'f I'm proven wrong so be it. They aren't bottom of the barrell but seriously. They played the 2nd worst schedule in the league. And that strength schedule was augmented by playing a Chiefs team twice who's defense completely disappeared on them half way through the year.

Then in the playoffs they get a weak 9-7 Chargers team in the divisionals. Ryan Matthews was all banged up, left the game and they had to make do with Danny Woodhead. Matthews was their running game and the only reason they were able to hang with the Broncos during the regular season because he dominated time of possession. Then they get a completely injury decimated NE team (this time missing their 3 best run defenders, Wilfork, Mayo and Spikes). Terrence Knighton plays the game of his life (which really wasn't that dominating, great game but they act like he was living in the backfield like JJ Watt) and all of a sudden people want to compare him to Sam Adams? Please. Knighton is a good player... a guy I noticed before "Pot Roast" became a household name, but he's not Sam Adams or any where near him. Their run defense is certainly not better than the Saints or the Niners. And somehow shutting down LaGarrette Blount, a straight line plodder is a monumental feat because he ran for 4 TDs on a Colts defense that was getting gashed by Knile Davis?

Come on. They are not the worst defense in the league but they are league average. There are two players I worry a little about. DRC... he's hit and miss but when he's on he's a playmaker at CB. And Danny Trevathian... he has the type of speed and instincts that can keep RW from getting outside. Aside from them they just aren't that spectacular on Defense., and especially not when they aren't playing from 3 scores ahead. I don't worry too much about Pot Roast even though our guards aren't that great because he's not really a pass rusher. He's not going to collapse the pocket and sack Wilson, because Wilson isn't a statue like Brady. And there are other places to run.

This defense can be had. If the offense executes they are the better unit. And again Moreno is not spectacular. He had 59 yards against NE playing with a lead and 29 came on a 3rd and long draw play that would never happen against a defense with the speed the Hawks have.

The most worrisome thing about this game is Manning and the passing game... even with our great secondary it could still be enough. Too many people buying the hype and elevating these other Bronco players.

I think Seattle wins most matchups. Decker/DT is not favorable for them V Sherman/Maxwell. People forget that physicality is only good to a certain extent at wr. Even if DT is bigger, he loses if he cannot disengage quickly. I do not believe he will. Decker is neither strong enough or quick enough to get consistent separation.

I also believe your LBs can hang with Welker and Thomas.

The problem is, that Peyton Manning guy cannot be accounted for. He distributes the ball and exploits matchups like no one we have ever seen. He'll audible to a run when you're in the perfect pass D. He'll check down when you flood the secondary. T

I am picking Seattle due to Lynch. But if he doesn't get going early, the Bronco O is going to be a nightmare.

[HumanCockroach]

Well, if Manning does it, he'll be the first in over two years to do it. Not saying he can't, because he IS peyton Manning and I respect the hell out of him, he can beat anyone, and that includes the Hawks. However if you think he is going to get away with floaters, and ducks with nothing behind them ( as he has done over and over again this year) or that those Broncos receivers are going to be turning those 3 yard passes into 80 yard TDS you are mistaken IMHO.

The Hawks have indeed played a gauntlet of excellent QB's in the last two seasons, not a one has become a "nightmare" for Seattle. If he does it, you tip your cap, just don't foresee him "going off" is all.

[RiverDog]

Well, if Manning does it, he'll be the first in over two years to do it. Not saying he can't, because he IS peyton Manning and I respect the hell out of him, he can beat anyone, and that includes the Hawks. However if you think he is going to get away with floaters, and ducks with nothing behind them ( as he has done over and over again this year) or that those Broncos receivers are going to be turning those 3 yard passes into 80 yard TDS you are mistaken IMHO.

The Hawks have indeed played a gauntlet of excellent QB's in the last two seasons, not a one has become a "nightmare" for Seattle. If he does it, you tip your cap, just don't foresee him "going off" is all.

That might be true, but there have been some very pedestrian QB's that have given us fits for 2 quarters of a game..like Matt Schwab, Kellen Clemens, and Mike Glennon. Our secondary has to bring their 'A' game for all 4 quarters. Any let down will be fatal.

[monkey]

I think people are giving entirely too much respect to their defense and running game. I'f I'm proven wrong so be it. They aren't bottom of the barrell but seriously. They played the 2nd worst schedule in the league. And that strength schedule was augmented by playing a Chiefs team twice who's defense completely disappeared on them half way through the year.

Then in the playoffs they get a weak 9-7 Chargers team in the divisionals. Ryan Matthews was all banged up, left the game and they had to make do with Danny Woodhead. Matthews was their running game and the only reason they were able to hang with the Broncos during the regular season because he dominated time of possession. Then they get a completely injury decimated NE team (this time missing their 3 best run defenders, Wilfork, Mayo and Spikes). Terrence Knighton plays the game of his life (which really wasn't that dominating, great game but they act like he was living in the backfield like JJ Watt) and all of a sudden people want to compare him to Sam Adams? Please. Knighton is a good player... a guy I noticed before "Pot Roast" became a household name, but he's not Sam Adams or any where near him. Their run defense is certainly not better than the Saints or the Niners. And somehow shutting down LaGarrette Blount, a straight line plodder is a monumental feat because he ran for 4 TDs on a Colts defense that was getting gashed by Knile Davis?

Come on. They are not the worst defense in the league but they are league average. There are two players I worry a little about. DRC... he's hit and miss but when he's on he's a playmaker at CB. And Danny Trevathian... he has the type of speed and instincts that can keep RW from getting outside. Aside from them they just aren't that spectacular on Defense., and especially not when they aren't playing from 3 scores ahead. I don't worry too much about Pot Roast even though our guards aren't that great because he's not really a pass rusher. He's not going to collapse the pocket and sack Wilson, because Wilson isn't a statue like Brady. And there are other places to run.

This defense can be had. If the offense executes they are the better unit. And again Moreno is not spectacular. He had 59 yards against NE playing with a lead and 29 came on a 3rd and long draw play that would never happen against a defense with the speed the Hawks have.

The most worrisome thing about this game is Manning and the passing game... even with our great secondary it could still be enough. Too many people buying the hype and elevating these other Bronco players.

I could not possibly agree more.
There are a few players the Broncos have who really are good on defense, but as a whole their defense is NOT special! Nor is their run game.
Some of you guys seem to be buying into the media hype.

Two weeks ago, maybe two or three of us could even name the Broncos starting DT. Now, because of one sack on a blown play, and because of a funny nickname, suddenly "Pot Roast" is a great player. He's a fine player, and until his name became a household thing due to his nickname, he was an underrated player, but what he was NOT is a truly great player.
The guy who I think is the Broncos best defensive player is an undersized LB who reminds me VERY much of Lofa Tatupu. He has good coverage skills and good hands too. He's NOT a tackling machine however, (though Like Tatupu, he's rarely out of position, and often puts his team into the right place to make a play), and can EASILY be washed out with good blocking.
DRC is actually a HORRIBLE tackler! (Though I do agree he's hit and miss in coverage and certainly has his moments).
In fact, their secondary is probably the single worst tackling secondary in the NFL, definitely bottom five.
If Lynch can get into that very bad tackling second level, the Broncos are SCREWED!!! For that matter, we have Golden Tate who breaks a butt load of tackles, Percy Harvin, who breaks a buttload of tackles, and of course Beastmode...these Bronco's defenders have their hands VERY full trying to do something they have been very bad at all year.

I'm just saying, some of you guys are so conditioned to worry about the opponent, you're missing the fact that in spite of what the media is saying, this is NOT a team we should be overly worried about, (with the caveat of Manning of course). The Niners, even with their idiot QB who has an entire LEGION living in his head rent free, were a much scarier matchup for us. The stats bear that out.

[HumanCockroach]

And plenty of great QB's we have made look pedestrian, works both ways. You can say those qb's looked great, my feeling is if you actually looked at what they produced, you might be surprised. No QB, and I repeat NO QB has created a "nightmare" for the Seattle defense, including but not limited to the examples you listed.

I have little doubt that Manning is better than some of those QB's, maybe even better than all of them, however, I know what I have seen, sometimes expectations skew opinions, and in this case, I believe that is what has happened with you, you expect greatness, and as such, actual ok games look far better than they actually were. There is a REASON that Brady had a passer rating BELOW 70, there is a reason, the same happened to Rodgers, Romo etc, etc, etc, and it wasn't good fortune.

[HumanCockroach]

I think people are giving entirely too much respect to their defense and running game. I'f I'm proven wrong so be it. They aren't bottom of the barrell but seriously. They played the 2nd worst schedule in the league. And that strength schedule was augmented by playing a Chiefs team twice who's defense completely disappeared on them half way through the year.

Then in the playoffs they get a weak 9-7 Chargers team in the divisionals. Ryan Matthews was all banged up, left the game and they had to make do with Danny Woodhead. Matthews was their running game and the only reason they were able to hang with the Broncos during the regular season because he dominated time of possession. Then they get a completely injury decimated NE team (this time missing their 3 best run defenders, Wilfork, Mayo and Spikes). Terrence Knighton plays the game of his life (which really wasn't that dominating, great game but they act like he was living in the backfield like JJ Watt) and all of a sudden people want to compare him to Sam Adams? Please. Knighton is a good player... a guy I noticed before "Pot Roast" became a household name, but he's not Sam Adams or any where near him. Their run defense is certainly not better than the Saints or the Niners. And somehow shutting down LaGarrette Blount, a straight line plodder is a monumental feat because he ran for 4 TDs on a Colts defense that was getting gashed by Knile Davis?

Come on. They are not the worst defense in the league but they are league average. There are two players I worry a little about. DRC... he's hit and miss but when he's on he's a playmaker at CB. And Danny Trevathian... he has the type of speed and instincts that can keep RW from getting outside. Aside from them they just aren't that spectacular on Defense., and especially not when they aren't playing from 3 scores ahead. I don't worry too much about Pot Roast even though our guards aren't that great because he's not really a pass rusher. He's not going to collapse the pocket and sack Wilson, because Wilson isn't a statue like Brady. And there are other places to run.

This defense can be had. If the offense executes they are the better unit. And again Moreno is not spectacular. He had 59 yards against NE playing with a lead and 29 came on a 3rd and long draw play that would never happen against a defense with the speed the Hawks have.

The most worrisome thing about this game is Manning and the passing game... even with our great secondary it could still be enough. Too many people buying the hype and elevating these other Bronco players.

I could not possibly agree more.
There are players the Broncos have who really are good on defense. As a whole their defense is NOT special! Nor is their run game.
You guys are buying into the hype.

Two weeks ago, maybe two or three of us could even name the Broncos starting DT. Now, because of one sack on a blown play, and because of a funny nickname, suddenly "Pot Roast" is a great player. He's a fine player, and until his name became a household thing due to his nackname, he was na underrated player, but what he was NOT is a truly great player.
The guy who I think is the Broncos best defensive player is an undersized LB who reminds me VERY much of Lofa Tatupu. He has good coverage skills and good hands too. He's NOT a tackling machine however, (though Like Tatupu, he's rarely out of position, and often puts his team into the right place to make a play), and can EASILY be washed out with good blocking.
If Lynch can get into that very bad tackling second level, the Broncos are SCREWED!!!

I'm just saying, some of you guys are so conditioned to worry about the opponent, you're missing the fact that in spite of what the media is saying, this is NOT a team we should be overly worried about, (with the caveat of Manning of course). The Niners, even with their idiot QB who has an entire LEGION living in his head rent free, were a much scarier matchup for us. The stats bear that out.

I really do find it interesting that it seems the television analysts and experts are all over the jocks of Denver ( something like a 80% pro Denver pick) while the written analysts/ beat writers/ Espn and NFL reporters are predominantly Seattle ( around that same 80% many of which are predicting a blow out by the Hawks). Not sure how to decipher that, but it was something I noticed and thought really, REALLY strange, it is almost like one or the other is making a conscious decision to be naive.

[monkey]

They're not naive, they are selling an angle, the Seahawks are the bad guys, Peyton Manning is a good guy, Champ Bailey is a good guy, and so the Broncos should win. Then when the stats don't back that up, (and believe me, the more you dig, the more you realize they don't!), then they make the stats back them up. You can make stats say anything you want when taken out of context.
If you start with the game after Wilson destroyed the Saints, he looks like a league average QB, if you look at his entire season, (which is the ONLY way to accurately assess him) he's a superstar. What the media does is talk about "trending" players or "hot" teams, completely ignoring the fact that, the Saints were the hot team until they ran into us, the Niners were the hot team until they ran into us, the Panthers were the hot team until they ran into the Niners...in fact "hot" means absolutely NOTHING! It's just a bunch of games taken completely out of context to make up a story.
Wilson isn't "hot" right now because Carroll has coached him to not take chances. Does that mean he is suddenly incapable of playing great football? Good grief no!!!
Watch Wilson light up that pathetic Denver secondary, and watch the media scramble to rewrite the story they were trying to sell. Watch them rush pell mell to be the first to find a way to claim that, they knew it all along and had been saying that Wilson was a Superstar!

That's what they do, make the news, rather than report on it. They manufacture the story they "report" on. It's a pretty sweet gig if you can get it!

[Futureite]

Well, if Manning does it, he'll be the first in over two years to do it. Not saying he can't, because he IS peyton Manning and I respect the hell out of him, he can beat anyone, and that includes the Hawks. However if you think he is going to get away with floaters, and ducks with nothing behind them ( as he has done over and over again this year) or that those Broncos receivers are going to be turning those 3 yard passes into 80 yard TDS you are mistaken IMHO.

The Hawks have indeed played a gauntlet of excellent QB's in the last two seasons, not a one has become a "nightmare" for Seattle. If he does it, you tip your cap, just don't foresee him "going off" is all.

In the last 2 yrs Matt Ryan put up 30 and Andrew Luck put up 34 on your D. So he Peyton would not be the first. I don't expect that to happen though, but it's more because of your O-line + Lynch than your D. I think they will wear Denver out by the 4th and your D will make enough plays to win the game. I like Hawks somewhere in the 10+ pt range. But if Lynxh does not get going sooner than early 2nd half it's going to be trouble. They have 4 legit threats in the pass game and an explosive back out of the backfield. No D on earth can hang with them cosistently on a nuetral field. You need to keep the ball out of Peyton's hands and make them start forcing the issue out of frustration ala 2007 Pats v Giants. It can be done, but it's a challenge.

[HumanCockroach]

Your definition of "nightmare" and mine vary greatly. How quickly people equate points to success in today's world. Ryan didn't have some amazing game, nor did Luck. They played "well" based on what this D can do, however BOTH had horrible halves against this D,don't expect you to remember it, but that is indeed what happened. Brees threw for 300 + yards on them as well in the playoffs, course he had 79 or something like it headed into the fourth quarter, suppose he was a nightmare as well? In that D has given up over 24 points in something like 4 of there last 52 games, you figure it out....

[Futureite]

Your definition of "nightmare" and mine vary greatly. How quickly people equate points to success in today's world. Ryan didn't have some amazing game, nor did Luck. They played "well" based on what this D can do, however BOTH had horrible halves against this D,don't expect you to remember it, but that is indeed what happened. Brees threw for 300 + yards on them as well in the playoffs, course he had 79 or something like it headed into the fourth quarter, suppose he was a nightmare as well? In that D has given up over 24 points in something like 4 of there last 52 games, you figure it out....

And how many of those 52 games were played on a nuetral field against an O that put up over 600 pts? You have a hell of a D, but there's no D on earth that is going to stop them if you keep giving Peyton the ball. Just heard Herm Edwards talking about his Eagle D of the 1980 season that gave up 13.6 ppg and was the league's best and could not stop Oakland. The Seahawks are not the 2000 Ravens. I am picking them becauae they are the better all around team - O, D and ST. If they rely on their D to win this though I can almost gurantee they will lose IMO.

[HumanCockroach]

Your definition of "nightmare" and mine vary greatly. How quickly people equate points to success in today's world. Ryan didn't have some amazing game, nor did Luck. They played "well" based on what this D can do, however BOTH had horrible halves against this D,don't expect you to remember it, but that is indeed what happened. Brees threw for 300 + yards on them as well in the playoffs, course he had 79 or something like it headed into the fourth quarter, suppose he was a nightmare as well? In that D has given up over 24 points in something like 4 of there last 52 games, you figure it out....

And how many of those 52 games were played on a nuetral field against an O that put up over 600 pts? You have a hell of a D, but there's no D on earth that is going to stop them if you keep giving Peyton the ball. Just heard Herm Edwards talking about his Eagle D of the 1980 season that gave up 13.6 ppg and was the league's best and could not stop Oakland. The Seahawks are not the 2000 Ravens. I am picking them becauae they are the better all around team - O, D and ST. If they rely on their D to win this though I can almost gurantee they will lose IMO.

Whatever. The Seahawks have been proving you wrong for two years, what's one more game? The defense doesn't NEED to stop him, just slow him down ( which they HAVE been doing regularly week in and week out for a LONG time). Use whatever excuse you want to use, to express their "neutral field issues" with Manning, we'll all get to see. My guess would be he will still throw for 300 and probably 2tds ( a good game by this defenses standard for an offensive player) my guess is though he will also turn the ball over 2 or 3 times, which in my book, isn't a "nightmare" as for the Ravens D comparison, you are right, they are actually BETTER ( only team since 85' bears to lead in all three major statiscal Some of what Kap said today is rididiculous ) and doing so in an era where it is skewed to "help" the offense score as much as possible. Denver will score less than they average, the Seattle O will score more than they average, and Lynch starting fast really matters little in the equation. He typically doesn't, he beats up a D and then tears their heart out, you have seen it enough, you would think you would remeber

[RiverDog]

And plenty of great QB's we have made look pedestrian, works both ways. You can say those qb's looked great, my feeling is if you actually looked at what they produced, you might be surprised. No QB, and I repeat NO QB has created a "nightmare" for the Seattle defense, including but not limited to the examples you listed.

I have little doubt that Manning is better than some of those QB's (Mike Glennon, Kellen Clemens, and Matt Schwab), maybe even better than all of them, however, I know what I have seen, sometimes expectations skew opinions, and in this case, I believe that is what has happened with you, you expect greatness, and as such, actual ok games look far better than they actually were. There is a REASON that Brady had a passer rating BELOW 70, there is a reason, the same happened to Rodgers, Romo etc, etc, etc, and it wasn't good fortune.

Manning is "maybe" better than Glennon, Clemens, and Schwab? LOL! You have to be the only person on the planet that harbors this doubt.

It's one thing to make quarterbacks like Brees, Brady, Rodgers, and Romo look pedestrian IN OUR HOUSE with the benefit of the biggest home field advantage in the league and quite another to make a quarterback who is perhaps the greatest to have ever played the game look pedestrian on a neutral field in what many are calling the biggest game of his career.

Don't kid yourself. This is going to be the biggest challenge this defense has faced in the 4 years Pete has been here. I'm with you in expressing confidence that we're going to meet that challenge, but let's not go overboard by equating Peyton Manning with the aforementioned "pedestrian" quarterbacks.

[Hawktawk]

No doubt RD. Manning is one of the best. But a good sign for the Hawks is that his postseason performance is not nearly as impressive as his regular season record. Hes a career .500 guy in the postseason who was possibly the worst player on the roster of many loaded teams in critical moments in the postseason. He seems looser this year and so we will see. The Chargers diagnosed him fairly well this year. Still to compare him to some of the stiffs Seattle has faced this year is ridiculous. So we will see. But I am certain that the Seattle Seahawks are well aware and prepared to deal with the challenges he represents