NFL preview: Denver Broncos face Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl rematch
Sunday 21 September 2014 16:51, UK
It’s not often the NFL schedule throws up a Super Bowl rematch in the following regular season, so we’re lucky to be able to witness an eagerly-anticipated clash between the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks in week three.
With the memories of Seattle’s crushing Super Bowl success in New Jersey still fresh in everyone’s mind, Sunday’s second live Sky Sports game sees the Broncos going in search of revenge, but it will not be easy as they make the much-feared trip to CenturyLink Field.
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Just over seven months have gone by since Pete Carroll’s Seahawks knocked the stuffing out of Denver in a 43-8 rout to lift their first Vince Lombardi Trophy, and the wounds will still be stinging as the Broncos head out in search of revenge.
Only five times before have we had a Super Bowl rematch in the following regular season, with this being the first since 1997, so there should be plenty of intensity to add further to one of the most atmospheric stadiums in the league.
Here's what to look out for in this Super Bowl rematch...
Last time….
We all know what happened here, the Seahawks came out hard and fast and Peyton Manning and the Broncos just couldn’t recover from a poor start as things went from bad to worse in a 43-8 embarrassing beat down. Seattle were stronger, faster, hungrier and hit harder on both sides of the ball, so Denver will need to be up for the fight this time around.
The crowd noise will obviously not help Manning and co, but the Broncos do feel they could have made some plays in the Super Bowl and were not far off from getting some success. They’ll need to stay patient, give Manning more time and find a plan b that was sadly lacking in New Jersey if they are to gain redemption on the road. In their favour they’ll be as hungry and motivated as a team can be given the manner of their defeat.
All Change
While there’s not been too many changes in Seattle, less than half of the Denver starting line-up will be facing the Seahawks on Sunday, with only three starters remaining on defence. Signing Aquib Talib improves the secondary and DeMarcus Ware beefs up the pass rush dramatically, plus the likes of Vonn Miller and Rahim Moore returning from injury gives Denver a totally different look defensively.
Manning’s offence is more settled although Montee Ball is the new starting running back and Emmanuel Sanders has replaced Eric Decker at receiver – he’s already slotted right in instantly. Having Ryan Clady fit again should also help give Manning more protection, so before writing these Broncos off it must be noted that they are not the same team as February.
Form
Denver have rebounded well with a good solid 2-0 start to the season, with Manning throwing six TDs and no picks, but the part their defence played in seeing out wins against the Colts and Chiefs will be the biggest plus for John Fox.
Seattle battered Green Bay in their season opener, but came unstuck in San Diego to drop to 1-1. A win against Denver will get them back on track, but the Chargers defeat will be a worry as Philip Rivers picked them apart in a similar style of play to Manning. They also had no answer for three-TD tight end Antonio Gates last week – and in Julius Thomas Denver have a player remarkably similar.
Identity
Denver are known for their prolific offence, and while they have won both games they haven’t put teams to the sword like last year, with 343 yards per game compared to 457 last year. Having Wes Welker returning from suspension will improve Manning’s options, although Sanders has slotted in nicely with 14 catches for 185 yards. Demaryius Thomas actually set a Super Bowl record with 13 catches against Seattle so he’ll fancy another big game.
It’s only early but Seattle’s famed defence is ranked just 11th in the league after two weeks. Losses on their defensive line look to have weakened their pass rush markedly and Rivers was able to get his passes away at times last week. At home though they’re still a force to be reckoned with – conceding an average of just 13.3 points in the last 19 games, allowing more than 20 just twice and losing just one game.
Quotes
"I'm sure this is a really important game to them again. As it is to us. I think there was something going on in the preseason. I think it was a big deal for them. I don't blame them one bit," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll.
"There's not a lot of 58-0 games in this league. It's all a concern but when you look at the first quarter of our season, every team is a 10-win team. One's the defending Super Bowl champs and we trot to their place this week," Denver coach John Fox.
"We've moved passed it, it happened, but we want to make our stamp on the league. As of right now it's just another game. We can't change the outcome of last season," Broncos safety David Bruton.
