Forget the Legion of Boom. A better way to describe the Seattle Seahawks defense is Fast and Furious. That’s the way it played in demoralizing Peyton Manning and the Broncos’ heralded offense in Super Bowl XLVIII Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
Speed kills, and defense still wins championships, especially when a team can fly to the football the way the Seahawks did in whipping the Broncos 43-8 before a crowd of 82,529 that never expected a one-sided rout.
Manning will live with the legacy of throwing two interceptions in losing his second Super Bowl in three trips. But it was really the Seahawks’ defense that deserves the bulk of the credit for being too fast and too physical for the overwhelmed AFC champions, who were down 36-0 before scoring their lone touchdown.
“We really played in the style and fashion we’re accustomed to,” defensive coordinator Dan Quinn said. “We’re fast and we’re physical and we played this game on our terms.”
When the skies cleared and the cold departed to create ideal playing conditions, it was natural to think the Broncos and their No.1-ranked offense would have the advantage. But playing on a dry, fast turf actually favored the Seahawks’ No.1-ranked defense which never allowed the Broncos offense to establish any rhythm, especially in the first half where turned a safety and two Manning interceptions into a commanding 22-0 lead.
All week the Seahawks defense heard about Manning and his record-setting offense. But they weren’t intimidated. They knew the defenses the Broncos had played against all season weren’t as fast or as fundamentally sound as theirs.
“It was our time to show the world, that we’re a great defense and we did it on the biggest stage,” said linebacker Bobby Wagner. “They haven’t played a defense that flies around like we do and hits like we do. We do it on every play.”
Denver found that out the hard way. Manning’s two interceptions were the result of pressure from the Seahawks. Up 8-0, a blitzing Wagner forced Manning’s pass attempt to tight end Julius Thomas off-target. The ball floated into the hands of strong safety Kam Chancellor. Seven plays later, Marshawn Lynch bulled in for the score after a pass-interference penalty gave the Seahawks a first-and-goal at the 1.
Another Seahawks blitz forced Manning’s second interception just before halftime. Linebacker Cliff Avril hit Manning just as he released the ball. The wobbly floater landed in the hands of linebacker Malcolm Smith, who returned the interception 69 yards for the touchdown and a 22-0 lead.
“Everything is timing,” Avril said. “If you can throw [Manning’s] timing off, you can get hits on him.”
When the Seahawks weren’t forcing turnovers, they were pounding Broncos receivers. Chancellor sent a message in the first quarter when he blasted Julius Thomas on a crossing pattern.
“Every one of my teammates came to me and said that set the tone,” Chancellor said. “They look for me to do that and I love doing it.”
Amazingly, one of the most prolific offenses in NFL history was nearly shut out, scoring its lone touchdown on the final play of the third quarter. The Seahawks did nothing exotic. They were simply sound, aggressive and limited the Broncos yards after the catch. Manning would complete a Super Bowl record 34 passes on 49 attempts for 280 yards and one touchdown. But he hardly resembled the quarterback who won his fifth MVP this season.
Even when the Broncos looked like that were doing something good it turned out bad. Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas was headed for a 23-yard gain in the third quarter, but had the ball knocked from his hands by cornerback Byron Maxwell. Smith recovered and returned the ball to the Seattle 42.
“There’s a reason they’re the No. 1-ranked defense,” said Broncos coach John Fox.
So call the Seattle defense Fast and Furious if you like. You can also call them Super Bowl champions.