By Dylan Lewis, News Staff
Super Bowl Sunday is nearly here, so get ready for the night of football’s biggest stage. In the two week lull between conference championships, a few stories have dominated Super Bowl coverage.
1) When the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks take the field on Sunday, the NFL’s best offense will be going up against its best defense. This is only the fifth time this has happened since the AFL-NFL merger in 1966. The Broncos averaged 37.9 points per game, while the Seahawks allowed a scant 14.4 per game. A Super Bowl hasn’t pitted the best teams on both sides of the ball against each other since 1990, when the Bills failed to beat the top-ranked Giants defense in Super Bowl XXV.
Peyton Manning is capping off the greatest statistical season by a quarterback ever, setting regular season passing records in touchdowns (55) and total passing yards (5,477). Trying to contain Manning will be a Seattle secondary that had three of its four starters, cornerback Richard Sherman, free safety Earl Thomas, and strong safety Kam Chancellor elected to the Pro-Bowl.
At time of publication, the Broncos are 3 <three? point favorites. Bookies are also giving a -140 moneyline to anyone that who thinks that all of the Red Hot Chili Peppers will keep their shirts on for their halftime performance. There’s never a shortage of interesting prop bets.
2) The NFL granted the Super Bowl hosting rights to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. shortly after plans to build the stadium were finalized. Typically, the big game is played down south or in a stadium with a dome.
Maybe I’m jaded from having grown up in the northeast, but I am sick of hearing about the weather leading up to the Super Bowl. If it snows, it snows. Who cares? Every other football game is scheduled with the possibility of inclement weather affecting the on-field product and fan experience. The “tuck rule” 2001 AFC Divisional Playoff game was played during a heavy snow storm in Foxborough and has lived on as one of the most memorable postseason games in recent history.. Even if it were 60 degrees and sunny, fans aren’t allowed to tailgate the event due to parking limitations at MetLife Stadium.
Despite all the drama, the league hasn’t ruled out letting a cold-weather city host again in the near future.
3) “Well, I’m the best corner in the game, and when you try me with a sorry receiver like Crabtree, that’s the result you’re going to get.”
Richard Sherman said this about 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree in a post-game interview immediately following the Seattle’s NFC Championship win. He’s received a lot of backlash for it — some have called him a “sore winner,” others have called him a “thug.” I happen to think it’s refreshing to hear an athlete speaking candidly and unapologetically with to a sideline reporter.
We’ve heard the same general post-game soundbyte: “Well it was a real team effort out there. I’m just glad we got out of this one with the win, those guys are tough.” Regardless of how you feel about Sherman, the man says what is on his mind.
He thinks he’s the best corner in the league. He backed it up with his play in the NFC Championship. Win or lose, I can’t wait to hear what he has to say after the Super Bowl.
Even if you haven’t watched a single game all year, having read this, you should be able to hold your own in any viewing party conversation. Just remember, no talking during the commercials.
