Here's a look back at the Stats and Info Blog's coverage leading up to Super Bowl XLVIII between the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos. Follow the links for the full stories.
Top Stats To Know
Want to impress your friends at the Super Bowl party with fun historical nuggets and notes about the matchup? Then click here for all you need to know about Super Bowl XLVIII.
The QB Matchup
What’s the difference between Russell Wilson and Peyton Manning? Other than 226 games, 151 wins, 63,908 yards and 471 touchdown passes (including the playoffs)?
The Super Bowl pits two quarterbacks as statistically different as possible against each other. We look at how Wilson and Manning play the same position in very different ways.
Key Matchup: Marshawn Lynch vs Broncos Defense
LynchSeahawks running back Marshawn Lynch has played in six career postseason games, and he’s rushed for at least 100 yards in four of them. The Broncos have allowed only one 100-yard rushing game by a player all season (Ryan Mathews, Week 15).
Both Lynch and the Broncos’ rush defense are peaking in the postseason, making this matchup one of the most important to watch in Super Bowl XLVIII.
Cold Weather a Problem for Manning?
The current kickoff forecast for Super Bowl XLVIII calls for temperature of 40 degrees and dropping throughout the game, which could pose a problem for Manning.
Manning has a career record of 8-11 playing outdoors with the temperature below 40 degrees, with 30 touchdowns and 23 interceptions. He’s 1-2 this season with losses to the New England Patriots and San Diego Chargers in night games and a win over the Tennessee Titans in an afternoon contest.
Matchup to Watch: Seahawks Secondary vs Manning
ManningManning threw for more touchdowns and yards than any quarterback in NFL history this season. The Seahawks were the first team to lead the league in points allowed, yards allowed and takeaways since the 1985 Chicago Bears.
How Manning and his receivers navigate the stingy Seahawks’ secondary is just one of the key matchups to watch between the Broncos' offense and Seahawks’ defense in the Super Bowl.
Broncos Offensive Line vs Seahawks Rush
Manning was pressured on a league-low 14 percent of his dropbacks this season. He had the best completion percentage under duress this season, but the pressure still affects his play, making his protection so important.
The Seahawks defense has pressured opposing quarterbacks on 32 percent of dropbacks this season, best in the NFL. How they are able to disrupt Manning will be another key matchup to watch Sunday.