A look back at the best moments of Super Bowl XLVIII

There was no stopping the Seattle Seahawks at the 48th edition of the Super Bowl

Over 100 million people sat down on Sunday night to watch what became the biggest Super Bowl rout in 21 years. Set against the glamorous backdrop of New York City, the Seattle Seahawks and their No. 1-ranked passing defence blew out Peyton Manning and the Broncos’ top-rated offence in spectacular fashion, stifling the Broncos’ receivers and coming away with a well-earned 43-8 victory.

If you missed the game, here is a recap of some of the biggest moments that Super Bowl XLVIII had to offer:

A breach of safety

On the very first offensive snap of the game, Broncos centre Manny Ramirez snapped the ball as Peyton Manning was walking up to the line to make an adjustment. The ball rolled towards the end-zone, and was recovered by running back Knowshon Moreno for a safety. With 12 seconds off the clock, it was the fastest score in Super Bowl history and was an early signal of the calamity to come for Denver.

Introducing the “Legion of Boom”

With Seattle leading 5-0, the Broncos’ offence finally had their first chance to get to work. Manning’s first throw, on 2nd and 7, was a completion across the middle to Demaryius Thomas for minimal gain.

It would have been a positive play for Denver were it not for “Legion of Boom” safety Kam Chancellor. Chancellor read the crossing pattern, came up from his safety position and put a hit on Thomas that knocked the receiver four yards backwards. The crowd erupted, the Seattle players responded and the tone was set for the entire game.

Not all of Peyton’s ducks go for touchdowns

Richard Sherman and Peyton Manning both agreed that Peyton throws a lot of “ducks” or flutter balls, but they also agreed that a lot of those ducks go for yards and touchdowns. That wasn’t the case in this game, though.

The Seahawks had completely dominated the early proceedings, but held only an 8-0 advantage after their first two drives. With just over one minute on the clock and situated deep in his own half, Manning threw a flutter ball down the middle of the field on 3rd and 7. The ball was too high for tight end Julius Thomas, and safety Kam Chancellor came down with the easy interception.

With good starting field position the Seahawks made the ensuing possession count, punching in a touchdown courtesy of Marshawyn Lynch to bring the score to 15-0. After starting their first three possessions with a safety, a punt after a 3 and out and now an interception, things were starting to look precarious for the Broncos.

Not all of Peyton’s ducks go for touchdowns, 2.0

Down only two scores despite being completely outplayed through the opening quarter, the Broncos recorded their first first-down of the game with just over 10 and a half minutes left in the second quarter. Three plays later they recorded their second first down. Three plays after that they got their third, and were beginning to move the ball. Three plays after that they got their fourth and they were comfortably in field goal range.

It was about here that things began to spiral downward for Denver.

With three and a half minutes to go in the second quarter, Cliff Avril came round the corner and hit Manning as he made a throw on third down. The ball spun straight into the air and into the hands of linebacker Malcolm Smith, who collected it and ran 65 yards the other way for a touchdown. Denver’s best drive of the game by far ended in the worst possible outcome, and it was suddenly 22-0 to Seattle.

Fourth down failure

Despite being down 22-0, the Broncos and their record breaking offence still had another shot to put some points on the board late in the first half, and perhaps take some momentum into the locker room at half time.

Faced with a 4th & 2 at Seattle’s 19 yard line, head coach John Fox elected to pass on a field goal and put the trust in his offence. It didn’t work, and the Broncos became the first team since the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV to be shut out in the first half of a Super Bowl. It would be a horrible thing to ponder over the extended half time break.