Seattle Seahawks Must Get to Peyton Manning
By Todd Pheifer
Aug 17, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) calls out an audible during the 1st half against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Seattle defeated Denver 40-10. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
The Seattle Seahawks are playing in the Super Bowl against the Denver Broncos and they will be going up against one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. All the defense has to do is contain Peyton Manning.
Simple, right?
Ah, the obvious statements of sports. If the Seahawks can put pressure on Peyton Manning and force him into some bad throw, they have a great chance of winning the game.
Unfortunately, the challenges are also obvious. Manning was sacked a grand total of 18 times during the regular season. Compare that to Russell Wilson, who was sacked 44 times. Do you know how many times Manning has been sacked in the 2013 playoffs?
Zero.
This will present a dilemma throughout the game. Do you stack the box and try to rush Manning’s throw, knowing that he is one of the best in the league at getting rid of the ball? Or, do you play back, knowing that he is content to throw short passes all the way down the field?
Decisions, decisions.
It seems reasonable to assume that the Seahawks are not going to stop Peyton Manning. They may be able to contain the Denver offense, but the Broncos are going to find the end zone sooner or later.
This isn’t going to be about one player. It won’t be about Chris Clemons or Cliff Avril having a monster game. It won’t be about K.J. Wright and Bobby Wagner patrolling the middle. It won’t be about Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas holding down the back end.
This will be a team effort. Sure, it would be great for someone to step up and have a special performance. However, this is going to be about the Seahawks doing what they do best.
The ‘Hawks know how to play defense and they have faced great quarterbacks already this season. Peyton Manning is a legendary player, but he is beatable.
Legion of Boom. One more time.