clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Super Bowl XLVIII Preview: Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos

Here is a look at today's Super Bowl XVIII matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos. Game time is 6:25 p.m. ET.

Lombardi Trophy
Lombardi Trophy
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

SB Nation 2014 NFL Playoff Coverage

Super Bowl 48 Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. matches the AFC champion Denver Broncos vs. the NFC champion Seattle Seahawks. It is the first time since the New York Giants defeated the Buffalo Bills, 20-19, in 1990 that the league's top-ranked offense (Denver) will face the top-ranked defense (Seattle) for the title.

In that 1990 game the Giants used a powerful ground game led by Ottis Anderson's 102 yards rushing and a pushing defense to control the ball for a Super Bowl record 40:33. The Giants ultimately won when Buffalo's Scott Norwood sent a potential 47-yard game-winning field goal wide right as time expired.

What will happen this time? The Broncos come into the game averaging 457.3 yards per game and having scored a league-best 606 points. The Seahawks surrendered a league-low 273.6 yards per game and a league-low 231 points. Both teams were seeded No. 1 in their conferences when the playoffs began. Both teams are 15-3 overall.

"We wouldn't have it any other way," says Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman. "They're an unbelievable record-setting offense with a Hall of Fame quarterback (Peyton Manning). That's as tough as it gets. The No. 1 defense against the No. 1 offense."

The Seahawks are making their second Super Bowl appearance and looking for their first title. The Broncos are appearing the game for the seventh time, seeking their third Lombardi Trophy.

Denver quarterback Peyton Manning set NFL single-season passing records with 5,477 yards and 55 touchdowns, becoming the first player in league history to pass for at least 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns in the same season.


Game Details

Here is a quick look at the basics for watching or listening to Super Bowl 48: