Stopping Broncos star man Peyton Manning will be the top priority for the Seattle Seahawks.
With the forecast in New Jersey improving, attentions are now turning from the freezing temperatures to what should be a thrilling Super Bowl XLVIII between the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks.
For the first time since 1990, the best offence goes up against the squad with the premier defence.
In the eyes of many, the game comes down to whether Broncos’ quarterback Peyton Manning is able to attack Seattle’s stunning rearguard, the self-styled Legion of Boom.
Denver coach John Fox said: “A lot has been made of that, and rightfully so. Both sides have been fairly historic in what they’ve accomplished. We both have great pride.”
His opposite number Pete Carroll added: “For us, it is pretty obvious that we have to counter Denver’s offence and Peyton Manning. Nobody has really slowed them down. We take that as a big challenge.”
Manning will garner much of the attention. Regular-season brilliance has often preceded failures in the play-offs during his stellar career.
However, Manning has an opportunity to cement his legacy by winning his second Super Bowl ring.
“I’ve been asked about my legacy since I was 25, and I’m not 100% sure what the word even means,” said Manning. “I’m not sure you can have a legacy when you are 25, or even 37. I thought you had to be 70!”
With Manning versus the Richard Sherman-led Legion of Boom dominating much of the agenda, outstanding young Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has almost been overlooked.
However, Wilson is not overly concerned.
He said: “I want to change the game. There’s a difference between being good, and being great and changing the game.
“Guys like Peyton Manning change the game. One day I want to evolve to that.”
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