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?
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?
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