Feb 2, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Malcolm Smith (53) runs for a touchdown after an interception against Denver Broncos guard Louis Vasquez (65) during the first half in Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
What a strange first half of football for Super Bowl XLVIII between the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos, with the Seahawks leading, 22-0.
Never saw this happening after two quarters.
For the entire first half the Broncos looked like they were lost on offense and it wasn’t a pretty sight.
The defense did a lot of bending, but they did hold the Seahawks to a couple field goals even though they did allow a touchdown to Marshawn Lynch in the second quarter.
Feb 2, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) throws a pass against the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter in Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
That first touchdown though, in fairness to the Broncos’ defense, came following a interception thrown by Peyton Manning (intercepted by Kam Chancellor) in not so great territory for the defense. The TD drive had to go only 37 yards.
Manning is 17-of-23 for 104 yards with no TDs and two interceptions. Russell Wilson is 9-of-14 for 94 yards with no TDs or interceptions.
Then for good measure in the first half, the Seahawks made the Broncos look like the worst offense in the NFL and not the No. 1 ranked one, by pressuring Manning for a second interception, this one returned for a touchdown by Malcolm Smith and putting the Seahawks ahead 22-0 following the 69-yard return.
What can I say about the Broncos’ first except they look like they are in a preseason game and not the Super Bowl. They haven’t played with any urgency and began the biggest game of the year with a high snap that sailed out the end zone for a safety.
We should have realized from that first place, this half wasn’t going to go in the Broncos’ favor. It just wasn’t pretty.
The Seattle defense was nearly flawless in the first two quarters with the TD, two interceptions, a safety, pressuring the entire Broncos’ offense and causing havoc on basically every snap.
So far the Seahawks haven’t allowed the Broncos to throw down field at all, making the Broncos settle for short to intermediate passes. Oh, don’t forget they held the Broncos on a fourth-and-2 to an incomplete pass for a turnover on downs on the Seattle 19-yard line.
This first half has been disappointing for a football fan of neither team, who wanted to see a competitive game, because the only team that is competing at a “Super Bowl Level” is the Seahawks.
Let’s hope for a more competitive second half.