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Denver only finds the end zone once but Prater goes 5/5 on FG's including two from beyond 50 yards. Becomes the first ever kicker to become super bowl MVP.
I really do think Prater will play a big part in this game. I can easily see him with 4 FGs.
Peyton Manning and Co. exploit the over-hyped Seattle defense and Seattle's offense grinds to a halt once the running game in no longer a viable option.
I get why Denver's favored to win - there's no denying the greatness of Manning. But I keep coming back to one basic fact about the Super Bowl: it's usually a game that is won by the team that's most physical. The Ravens, the Giants, the Steelers of 2005 and 2008. That's not always true. The Steelers of 2010 were, in my view anyway, probably more physical than the Packers and still lost. So it's true that great quarterbacks can be difference makers. But even if you want to hold out the Packers as an example of what great QBs can do to tough defenses, think about what kind of QB Aaron Rodgers is and contrast that to Manning's style. Rodgers was able to beat Pittsburgh because his athleticism kept that defense on its toes. Manning, for all of his greatness, isn't going to be able to do that nearly as well. He doesn't take the pocket with him.
Obviously, predictions are just nothing more than empty air. Things can happen in games that change the trajectory. If Marshawn Lynch gets stripped of the ball, if Russell Wilson panics in the first few possessions and throws an INT or has a fumble like he did against SF, that can change the dynamics. But I felt like Seattle faced it's first real test against SF and passed it. The 49ers are a legit team Super Bowl team and Seattle has the confidence of knowing that they took their best shots. Denver poses an altogether different kind of challenge - more like their experience with Indianapolis. If I'm Denver, I'm looking at that game as a model for how Denver should approach Seattle. Spread the ball, hope that Denver's running game can keep Seattle from cheating in the secondary, and let Manning do the rest. I do like it to be a good, competitive game, but I think that the more physical team, Seattle, will walk away as Super Bowl Champions.
I think Denver has too many weapons on offense. Manning has 4 good receivers and their running game has been good of late. So as good as Seattle's defense is, they can't cover everything.And Manning is a master of knowing where to go with the ball. He is too smart, too experienced, and too prepared. This is football, not rocket science. It won't take Manning long to figure out Seattle, and Seattle can't just line up and say we're the best come beat us. Because like I said, Denver has 4 good receivers, not just one or two like most teams. Plus, Denver will run it if Seattle just focuses on the pass. Manning will be patient and take what Seattle gives him.
On the other side, Denver can concentrate on stopping the run because Seattle doesn't have a great passing game. They can be efficient at times but not spectacular. Denver beat both Rivers and Brady, and Brady had a running game.
But we can't account for turnovers, blown calls, penalties at crucial times, the intangibles, etc. Seattle is aggressive and can't try to force the issue. But I just think Manning is too experienced. So unless some crazy unforeseen thing happens, I'm taking Denver 26-16
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