How Are We Feeling About The Game?

[StugotsIII]

Never mind the trolls, Peter King and party's...

This is a good matchup of two damn good teams with great unit and position matchups all over the field.

Denver's pass offense vs. Seattle's pass defense.

This isn't the first time Denver has played against a good pass defense. The last time was against Houston...ranked 3rd overall in pass defense in the NFL was torched by Manning for 400 yards and 4 TD's and it could have been more. Baltimore had a respectable 12th ranked pass defense and we all know how that ended. It's also been documented how Seattle really hasn't played against many good passing games and when they have they have been lit up. They have played against a lot of average QB's and feasted off them.

With that said...Seattle's pass defense is outstanding. Starts up front...they get good pressure on the QB, ranking 10th in the league in sacks. That combined with the secondary coverage makes for rushed, poor throws that often lead to turnovers. 28 interceptions this year...10 more than the next team behind them. Personally I think Denver just has too many weapons of offense. I just don't see Seattle being able to make Manning uncomfortable and being able to cover everyone. Denver will get theirs.

Advantage: Denver...but only slightly. Should be a great matchup.

Denver's rush defense vs. Seattle's rush offense

Denver has a damn solid rushing defense, but on paper at least is a little outmanned vs Seattle and their 2nd ranked rush offense. Again though, this isn't the first time Denver has gone up against a good rushing attack. Philly and New England come to mind. Philly had success running the ball using their spread attack. They didn't hurt Denver because the Broncos got up quickly and turned Philly into a passing team. Must of Denver's success in rushing defense comes from blowing teams out and forcing them to throw the ball.

I look for Seattle to run a decent amount of spread option principles and sprinkling in Harvin in the running game. I'm not horribly worried about Lynch...but Wilson and Harvin could really hurt Denver. Lynch will get production...but if the other two get production...it'll hurt.

Advantage: Seattle

Harvin

He is a real wild card for Seattle. This guy, while injury prone will be all over the field and command Denver's respect and attention. He is a game breaker and can score from anywhere on the field. The question is...how game ready is he? He missed almost the entire season sans a playoff game in which is sustained a concussion. In that game he only tallied 30 or so yards but was all over the field when he did play.

Moreno/Ball

The Denver RB stable has quietly become a dangerous weapon. Moreno had his best year in the NFL...rushing for a 1000 yards and scoring 13 total TD's. And after fumbling issues, Montee Ball posted 500+ rushing yards and has been a valuable contributor off the bench.

I don't see Denver running the ball more than they usually do. The plan is always to score at will and force the opposing teams offense to throw the ball. To do that Denver will throw and throw some more. But on 3rd and short and inside the redzone Denver will pound the ball. Something they have had success doing all year. Seattle's rushing defense is good...about the same as Denver's statistically...and for the same reason. A lot of Seattle's games have been blowouts.

Throw in Moreno catching a few balls out of the backfield via screens and check downs and the advantage goes to Denver...slightly.

To me it's sounds cliche and silly but if Denver doesn't turn the ball over (Holiday cannot be allowed to return punts ever again) and commit terrible penalties like they did vs. Indy, NW and SD (their only losses) Denver should win the game rather easily (IMHO).

Denver 34
Seattle 24

What say you?

[nyuk nyuk]

Denver by 7. Considering how Seattle performed at home in the playoffs, I'm not that impressed with their prowess. Denver is playing much cleaner, consistent football. While the media hypes Richard Sherman, we have 2 top DBs on our own. As good as their defense is, they don't have the #1 defense of all time and there's no way they're going to stop 5 players with at least 10 TDs. Just not going to happen.

Last check about an hour ago, forecast is sunny and 43 degrees.

Antonio Cromartie: Seahawks Defense Isn't Enough to Stop Broncos

[bpc]

That's the score I predicted, 34-24. I think Manning clinches it late.

I'm just ready for the game to get here. Tired of all the talk. Seattle fans are basically Oregon Duck fans. They are super obnoxious despite having never won anything. They are the most arrogant fan base i've ever seen, even more so than KC. At least KC has been humbled by years of failure. The hawks need to taste some of that.

[RepentWalpurgis]

Confident.

We have the better team.

[Arkie]

I predicted 20-14 Denver. Both defenses play great. Champ Bailey gets MVP.

[nyuk nyuk]

I think we lead the game, most of it if not all of it.

Seattle nearly lost at home. They fumbled several times and in spite of several SF fumbles, still relied on a late bad throw by Kaepernick. They did not look like a strong, Super Bowl-ready team in the NFC title game. Denver, however, did.

[WoodMan]

I like Denver's O-line vs Seattles front 7. I believe they will keep PFM upright and be able to run the ball when they need too. Manning with a little time is really tough to stop. He just goes through his reads quickly and usually throws to an uncovered receiver. Seldom into double coverage. I also think the no huddle causes Seattle problems. I look for Welker and JT to have good opportunities as I think Seattle tries to shut down the wide receivers. I like Denver's Defensive front seven to stop Seattle's running game and force Wilson to pass more than they would like. I hope for some turnovers if that becomes the direction of the game. I also think it will be about a 10 point Denver win. Broncos need to play mistake free in the turnover and penalty phases of the game. I don't think PFM will under-throw open receivers for interceptions like Capernick did in the NCCG. He gave away the game to Seattle with a couple of horrendous throws. Both in the second half. One at the end of the game in the red zone on first down if I remember right. If he put that ball where only Crabtree had a chance at it, we might be facing a different team on Sunday. So if I have to pick a score I would guess about 30-20 broncos.

[strafen]

I'm confident and have trust in this team, for sure...

[nyuk nyuk]

Seattle's OL isn't that great. They had Wilson running for his life half the game. The guy is such a newbie, he kept intentionally grounding the ball.

[DenverDynamite]

I think the stage is too big for Seattle and they will wilt under the spotlight. Russell Wilson is going to hand the ball to the Denver defense more than once. The Broncos offense will take advantage. The game will be close in the first half and like always Denver will open it up in the third, perhaps allowing a garbage-time touchdown to keep the score respectable in the 4th. I standby my original assertion that this Seattle team is simply the KC Chiefs in puke green.
Denver 28
Seattle 20

[gadlaw]

I like the analysis StugotsIII. I feel like Seattle is getting the benefit of a lot of 'let's make sure we keep everyone interested' hype. Reminds me of how draft choices get media boosts and move up and down the draft board based on changing hype. I feel like they had meetings at the NFL Network and at ESPN and said 'half you guys push for Denver, half you guys push for Seattle'. I see a lot of ways that Denver can win and I don't see a lot of ways that can point to a Seattle victory and I've been listening. But I'm ready for the game to get here already.

[GoHAM]

I am strangely calm and confident about this one. No doubt Seattle has a great defense, but in the end I don't see them as an all time great D ala 85 Bears or 2000's Ravens. I think our offense will be too much for them. I like Gase and Manning having two weeks to gameplan, against anyone. I like our run defense against Beast Mode. I like our defense against the whole Seattle offense. I'd love for it to be a laugher but lets be honest here, Russell Wilson is no John Elway dragging a decent, but not great, team to the Super Bowl. Seattle is a very good team, but I just can't see them getting the better of this Broncos team. I see a very similar game to our previous playoff games. Broncos win, say 27-17, but the score doesn't really reflect how much Denver controlled the game.

[Bronco]

Seattle sucks 34-17

[theAPAOps5]

Never mind the trolls, Peter King and party's...

This is a good matchup of two damn good teams with great unit and position matchups all over the field.

Denver's pass offense vs. Seattle's pass defense.

This isn't the first time Denver has played against a good pass defense. The last time was against Houston...ranked 3rd overall in pass defense in the NFL was torched by Manning for 400 yards and 4 TD's and it could have been more. Baltimore had a respectable 12th ranked pass defense and we all know how that ended. It's also been documented how Seattle really hasn't played against many good passing games and when they have they have been lit up. They have played against a lot of average QB's and feasted off them.

With that said...Seattle's pass defense is outstanding. Starts up front...they get good pressure on the QB, ranking 10th in the league in sacks. That combined with the secondary coverage makes for rushed, poor throws that often lead to turnovers. 28 interceptions this year...10 more than the next team behind them. Personally I think Denver just has too many weapons of offense. I just don't see Seattle being able to make Manning uncomfortable and being able to cover everyone. Denver will get theirs.

Advantage: Denver...but only slightly. Should be a great matchup.

Denver's rush defense vs. Seattle's rush offense

Denver has a damn solid rushing defense, but on paper at least is a little outmanned vs Seattle and their 2nd ranked rush offense. Again though, this isn't the first time Denver has gone up against a good rushing attack. Philly and New England come to mind. Philly had success running the ball using their spread attack. They didn't hurt Denver because the Broncos got up quickly and turned Philly into a passing team. Must of Denver's success in rushing defense comes from blowing teams out and forcing them to throw the ball.

I look for Seattle to run a decent amount of spread option principles and sprinkling in Harvin in the running game. I'm not horribly worried about Lynch...but Wilson and Harvin could really hurt Denver. Lynch will get production...but if the other two get production...it'll hurt.

Advantage: Seattle

Harvin

He is a real wild card for Seattle. This guy, while injury prone will be all over the field and command Denver's respect and attention. He is a game breaker and can score from anywhere on the field. The question is...how game ready is he? He missed almost the entire season sans a playoff game in which is sustained a concussion. In that game he only tallied 30 or so yards but was all over the field when he did play.

Moreno/Ball

The Denver RB stable has quietly become a dangerous weapon. Moreno had his best year in the NFL...rushing for a 1000 yards and scoring 13 total TD's. And after fumbling issues, Montee Ball posted 500+ rushing yards and has been a valuable contributor off the bench.

I don't see Denver running the ball more than they usually do. The plan is always to score at will and force the opposing teams offense to throw the ball. To do that Denver will throw and throw some more. But on 3rd and short and inside the redzone Denver will pound the ball. Something they have had success doing all year. Seattle's rushing defense is good...about the same as Denver's statistically...and for the same reason. A lot of Seattle's games have been blowouts.

Throw in Moreno catching a few balls out of the backfield via screens and check downs and the advantage goes to Denver...slightly.

To me it's sounds cliche and silly but if Denver doesn't turn the ball over (Holiday cannot be allowed to return punts ever again) and commit terrible penalties like they did vs. Indy, NW and SD (their only losses) Denver should win the game rather easily (IMHO).

Denver 34
Seattle 24

What say you?

Denver 34
Seattle 20

They are a weak offense. They can't and won't stop Manning, brah

[Taco John]

As confident as I have felt all year. I've watched a few of Russell Wilson's last few games, and he's been pretty pedestrian in all of them. Their confidence in him seems to be very low right now. Against the Saints, he was 9 for 18 for 103 yards. That's terrible.

Lynch is obviously the concern on the offensive side of the ball, and the Broncos have the best rushing defense in the league, bar none... Ryan Matthews is the only runningback who managed to do much against them, and it was after the Broncos had clinched.

This game is going to swing on whether or not the Seahawks can make something happen towards the end of the third and beginning of the fourth quarter. If our offense stalls at this time, we may be in trouble. But overall, this will be a typical game like we've played all year - they'll have a tough time containing the offense, and a tougher time getting things to work on their own offense.

If Russell Wilson throws an interception, we win this by two scores. Add in a Holliday Road, and it might even be three...