February 2, 2014: February 1 is now a day Seattle Seahawks fans never want to remember. But, just a year ago from today they were celebrating one of the most dominating performances in Super Bowl history.
Today hurts, but the fact is this Seahawks team has a ring and did it by beating one of the greatest quarterbacks ever to play the game in Peyton Manning. And no one was questioning head coach Pete Carroll on this day.
The Seahawks (13-3) had one of the best defenses in NFL history that season. They led the NFL in fewest yards allowed per game (273.6), fewest points allowed (231), and most takeaways (39). They were the first team since the 1985 Chicago Bears to lead the league in all three categories.
The Denver Broncos (13-3) boasted one of the best offenses in NFL history.The led the league in points scored with 606, the highest total in NFL history, and yards gained (7,313). Manning had one of best seasons in the history of the game on his way to league MVP. His 5,477 passing yards and 55 touchdown completions both set new NFL records.
Seattle played an epic NFC championship game against rival San Francisco that came down to the very end when Richard Sherman's famous tip-interception play punched their ticket to the big game. Denver on the other hand, manhandled this year's champion New England Patriots.
Super Bowl XLVIII was a classic matchup of epic offense vs. epic defense. But only one side would dominate on this day, and it would be the Seahawks.
Denver was never in it from the opening snap when the ball sailed over Manning's head for a safety. Seattle's defense would fluster Manning all game and never allow him to get in a groove.
Seattle had a 22–0 halftime lead, and then a 36–0 advantage before allowing the Broncos' first score on the final play of the third quarter. The 43–8 final was the largest margin of victory for an underdog and the third largest point differential overall in Super Bowl history.
Seahawks linebacker Malcolm Smith, who returned one of Manning's two interceptions for a 69-yard touchdown, recovered a fumble and made nine tackles, on his way to Super Bowl MVP.
