On August 4th, the Cowboys and Dolphins kicked off the Hall of Fame game, bringing the NFL Preseason to a start. 181 days later, the Broncos and Seahawks will finish the NFL season at Super Bowl XLVIII. Either Steven Hauschka or Matthew Prater will kick the ball off on February 2nd, and the most anticipated game of the year shall begin. Both teams- along with being first seeds of their conference- are the best teams in their respective conferences; however, they go about being the best differently. Seattle, boasting the best scoring defense in the league, will take on the number-one offense led by Peyton Manning and Knowshon Moreno.

The most important factor in this football game will be the line of scrimmage. Can the oft-injured Denver offensive line keep back Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril and the vaunted Seattle pass rush? Will they open enough holes to allow star running back Knowshon Moreno to burst through into the Seattle secondary? Most teams have been unable to do that this year, including the second-ranked offensive line of the San Francisco 49ers, per Rotoworld. Down to their 3rd string center, the Broncos will need excellent game management from Peyton Manning in order to keep the quarterback clean. Conversely, defensive tackle Terrance Knighton has been excellent for the Broncos, and keeping him away from Marshawn Lynch will be key for the ‘Hawks. Former HC Tom Cable has done an excellent job with the Seattle offensive line, despite their rank of 20th in the league going into the season, by Rotoworld.

The big number for the game will be 30, as in the 30 degree weather everyone is hoping for. Whether it be 30 or 10, this game is a cold-weather game that lends itself to running the football. Running the ball won’t be a problem for either team, as the Seahawks boast Pro-Bowler Marshawn Lynch and the Broncos boast the dynamic duo of Moreno and Montee Ball. Both Ball and Moreno will prove huge, as Manning may not have his usual targets open downfield. The best secondary in football, headlined by Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor, will look to take away Pro-Bowl receivers Wes Welker and Demaryius Thomas, along with big play threats like Eric Decker and Julius Thomas. Without the ability to throw the ball, Manning will turn to the run and screen game, looking for his backfield mate Knowshon Moreno to catch passes and run the ball.

Prediction: Seattle 24, Denver 21

SB MVP: RB Marshawn Lynch, Seattle

Ultimately, this game will be played in a way that greatly favors the Seattle Seahawks. The great playmaking ability of the Denver Broncos will keep this game close, but Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch, and the Seattle secondary will come up with the big play in the end that seals the Broncos fate.