I suffer from Super Bowl fatigue I recently discovered. All of the analysis, breakdowns, media coverage, and hype sometimes overwhelms my ability to enjoy a game that's so anticlimactic. This game, according to many, was supposed to be an epic battle of the best offense vs. the best defense. It wasn't. I actually stopped watching the game with 11 minutes left in the 4th quarter. It was ugly. Denver simply wasn't ready for the physical avalanche they encountered in New Jersey. All that being said I have a few takeaways from a game that ended up feeling like a Tyson fight.
1) Seattle's D is all time great. I'm talking '85 Bears, 2000 Ravens, 70's Steelers great. The fact that this team's schemes are not that sophisticated speaks to their physical talent and intelligence. This squad is incredibly intimidating and they simply make smart plays at every level of the defense. If they can keep the core of this defense together then it's going to be a tough road for NFC teams for the next five years.
2) This was not your typical Peyton playoff under performance. Peyton is an all timer, one of the best ever. He simply ran into the best defense in a generation with an offensive line that couldn't protect him and only one receiver that could get open consistently. Peyton played poorly, but he this poor performance was more about a total team failure than him throwing a crucial pick in a close game. When formulating a list of the all time greats I think you have to mention Montana, Brady, and Elway before you talk about Peyton. Manning is Marino with a ring.
3) Russell Wilson should have been MVP. Malcolm Smith played great, but if had not been for pick-6, a play that 90% of the Seattle D could have made, Wilson would have been the guy. Personally, I think Super Bowl MVPs are kind of pointless and I don't think Wilson will lose any sleep over not getting the award, but I do find it interesting how much of public and analysts opinion about this defense, the Ds performance in this game notwithstanding, influenced who got the MVP. Every other Super Bowl winning QB with stats like Wilson's has won the award. He was superb on third down like he's been all year, extending plays that give his offense more time on the field. The future of Seattle's success lies more with Wilson than with that amazing defense.
4) Seattle made Johnny Manziel a lot of money. Pocket QB's simply cannot succeed against a defense like Seattle's. Right now this defense is too good to give up big plays from set plays. Pocket QBs rely on timing and scheme more than mobile QBs and when a defense can diagnose quickly and make incredible physical plays guys like Manning, Brees, and Brady are at a serious disadvantage. Mobile guys like Luck, Kaep, and Cam have the ability to extend plays beyond what they've been designed to do and that's where any defense, even one as great as Seattle's breaks down. Everyone, if they aren't already, will begin to manage their personnel to model Seattle's team. Most teams will fail because it's really hard to pull off what Seattle has done, pro bowl talent at rookie free agent prices. Still, teams now know that unless they have a QB that can extend plays they're not going to beat teams like Seattle, San Fran, or Carolina. Manziel is seen as a great improvisor and while I wouldn't draft him as my franchise QB other teams will look at how Manziel gave Alabama trouble and think they'll at least have a shot at beating the best NFL defenses with a guy that can scramble when plays break down. Peyton only managing one TD in this game scares a lot of GMs who've been resistant to the idea of a mobile QB.
It was an interesting season that should have had a more exciting final game. It seems a new era of football is upon us as veteran wisdom is outmatched by young talent. I'm happy about that because it represents progress. Manning is a great one and will certainly be in the mix next season, but the focus on what wins in this league is/has shifted I think. There are a ton of topics to discuss during the offseason so check back with me as things progress. Next stop, the combine!
1) Seattle's D is all time great. I'm talking '85 Bears, 2000 Ravens, 70's Steelers great. The fact that this team's schemes are not that sophisticated speaks to their physical talent and intelligence. This squad is incredibly intimidating and they simply make smart plays at every level of the defense. If they can keep the core of this defense together then it's going to be a tough road for NFC teams for the next five years.
2) This was not your typical Peyton playoff under performance. Peyton is an all timer, one of the best ever. He simply ran into the best defense in a generation with an offensive line that couldn't protect him and only one receiver that could get open consistently. Peyton played poorly, but he this poor performance was more about a total team failure than him throwing a crucial pick in a close game. When formulating a list of the all time greats I think you have to mention Montana, Brady, and Elway before you talk about Peyton. Manning is Marino with a ring.
3) Russell Wilson should have been MVP. Malcolm Smith played great, but if had not been for pick-6, a play that 90% of the Seattle D could have made, Wilson would have been the guy. Personally, I think Super Bowl MVPs are kind of pointless and I don't think Wilson will lose any sleep over not getting the award, but I do find it interesting how much of public and analysts opinion about this defense, the Ds performance in this game notwithstanding, influenced who got the MVP. Every other Super Bowl winning QB with stats like Wilson's has won the award. He was superb on third down like he's been all year, extending plays that give his offense more time on the field. The future of Seattle's success lies more with Wilson than with that amazing defense.
4) Seattle made Johnny Manziel a lot of money. Pocket QB's simply cannot succeed against a defense like Seattle's. Right now this defense is too good to give up big plays from set plays. Pocket QBs rely on timing and scheme more than mobile QBs and when a defense can diagnose quickly and make incredible physical plays guys like Manning, Brees, and Brady are at a serious disadvantage. Mobile guys like Luck, Kaep, and Cam have the ability to extend plays beyond what they've been designed to do and that's where any defense, even one as great as Seattle's breaks down. Everyone, if they aren't already, will begin to manage their personnel to model Seattle's team. Most teams will fail because it's really hard to pull off what Seattle has done, pro bowl talent at rookie free agent prices. Still, teams now know that unless they have a QB that can extend plays they're not going to beat teams like Seattle, San Fran, or Carolina. Manziel is seen as a great improvisor and while I wouldn't draft him as my franchise QB other teams will look at how Manziel gave Alabama trouble and think they'll at least have a shot at beating the best NFL defenses with a guy that can scramble when plays break down. Peyton only managing one TD in this game scares a lot of GMs who've been resistant to the idea of a mobile QB.
It was an interesting season that should have had a more exciting final game. It seems a new era of football is upon us as veteran wisdom is outmatched by young talent. I'm happy about that because it represents progress. Manning is a great one and will certainly be in the mix next season, but the focus on what wins in this league is/has shifted I think. There are a ton of topics to discuss during the offseason so check back with me as things progress. Next stop, the combine!
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