Super Bowl XLVIII Preview, Game Time, and Channel Info

Aug 17, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) speak following a 40-10 preseason victory by the Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

In 24 hours, the game that we have all been waiting for since early August will finally be here. The Denver Broncos will be taking of the Seattle Seahawks for the Super Bowl.

The game is going to be played at the controversial location of Metlife Stadium where the temperature is said to start at around 40 degrees and then will drop to around 30 degrees. This could come into play as the game goes on as Manning has a career record of 8-11 playing outdoors, 0-4 in the playoffs, with the temperature below 40 degrees at kickoff, with 30 touchdowns and 23 interceptions. He’s 1-2 this season

The game will air on FOX at 5:25 CT with Troy Aikman and Joe Buck on the call with Pam Oliver and Erin Andrews as the sideline reporters. The Terry McAuley and his crew will be the officials for the game. McAuley previously worked Super Bowl XXXIX between the Patriots and Eagles and XLIII between the Steelers and Cardinals.

The other officials for Super Bowl XLVIII are:

Umpire: Carl Paganelli (fourth Super Bowl)
Head linesman: Jim Mello
Line judge: Tom Symonette
Field judge: Scott Steenson (second Super Bowl)
Side judge: Dave Wyant
Back judge: Steve Freeman

Earnie Frantz will serve as the replay official and Brian Matoren will be the replay assistant.

This is the number one seed in the AFC vs the number one seed in the NFC. The number one offense vs the number one defense. It really doesn’t get much better than that.

The Denver Broncos finished their season 13-3 and beat the division rival San Diego Chargers and then defeated Peyton Manning’s rival, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship. This is Peyton Manning’s third Super Bowl, and this one could just cement his legacy as the greatest quarterback to ever play the game. The Broncos will be wearing their orange home jerseys.

The Seattle Seahawks also come into the game at 13-3 and defeated the high-powered New Orleans Saints and then beat their rival, the San Francisco 49ers, in the NFC Championship game. No player on the Seahawks has ever been to the Super Bowl. The Seahawks will be wearing their white away jerseys.

The game looks to be a close one with Vegas having the Broncos only favored by two. That could be bad for Denver as five of the past six teams that were favored, went on to lose.

NFL fans have probably heard all the stats by now, stats that will have no outcome on this game as every NFL game is different, but anyway, here are seven interesting stats for this Super Bowl.

• Peyton Manning is the fourth quarterback in NFL history to reach the Super Bowl after leading the league in yards and touchdowns. The other three went on to lose.
• Prior to this season, the eventual Super Bowl teams have met in the preseason six times since 1994. The preseason winner won five of those six Super Bowls. Back in August, the Seahawks beat the Broncos, 40-10
• The Seahawks don’t have any players with Super Bowl experience. Teams without any players with Super Bowl experience are 2-5
• The Seahawks will be wearing their white jerseys and  teams that wear their white jerseys have won eight of the last nine Super Bowls.
• This is the fifth time the number one offense has played the number one defense in Super Bowl history, defense is 3-1.
• EA Sports’ Madden game franchise is 8-2 in recent Super Bowl predictions, Madden predicted a 31-28 Broncos victory.
•  A Utah ape that has correctly picked the Super Bowl winner for six straight years predicted Thursday that the Seattle Seahawks will be the next NFL champion.

Injury Report

Players To Watch: Seahawks D-Line and Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning is said to not play well in big games, but Manning has played well throughout this post season and has barely been touched. To win the game Seattle is going to have to rattle Manning and force him into some throws.

Seattle only has three sacks the entire post season and they haven’t even seen Manning yet who gets rid of the ball in half the time a regular quarterback does.

Matchup To Watch: Demariyus Thomas vs Richard Sherman

This looks like the classic Colts and Patriots except Sherman could be playing the role as Ty Law and Thomas, Marvin Harrison. In those match ups more times that not Law came out on top.

It will be interesting to see just how much Sherman affects the Broncos offensive game plan and if Manning throws in Sherman’s general direction.

Last Meeting: Denver 31- Seahawks 14

The last time these two teams played was week two of Pete Caroll’s first season. It was Kyle Orton vs Matt Hassellbeck. Hasselbeck threw three interceptions and Orton threw for 307 and two touchdowns to lead the Broncos to a big victory.

Prediction: Denver 27 Seahawks 23

This is going to be a close game throughout, but I think the Broncos get a two score lead early and hold on to win. Peyton Manning is on a mission and he will not take “no” for an answer.