The majority of predictions leading up to the Superbowl were people unsure about who the victor would be, but expected a very close game. Boy, were we wrong. In light of Seattles dominance over the Denver Broncos, we learned a few things. For one, defense triumphed over offense in this one-sided affair. This top ranked offense could do little against the "Legion of Boom" as Seattle showed how strong they really are.
Richard Sherman made an interesting comment after the game, saying, "the NFC Championship game was the Superbowl." Besides the fact that Sherman has not held back his thoughts in the slightest to the media, his statement should make us think. Two weeks before the Superbowl, the two division rivals in the NFC West battled it out to be the NFC's Superbowl representatives. The difference between the Superbowl and the NFC Championship game is very obvious. The NFC Championship game was close and entertaining.
Now let's look three weeks back when New Orleans went to Seattle for the second time this season. While New Orleans may have had a bit of an advantage having played in Seattle about a month before the divisional round of the playoffs, this game was still within one score.
In hindsight, the Superbowl seemed to be the easiest playoff game Seattle had played in. Still, many factors may have contributed to this near shutout. Percy Harvin, for one, made multiple big plays that helped to extend the Seahawks' lead. But the fact of the matter is, on this given Sunday, Seattle was better than Denver, and by a long shot.
Was Denver the best team the AFC had to offer? Many people said that if the Patriots made it to the Superbowl with so few pieces in place and such a young core of wide receivers, Belichick would be regarded as the best coach in history. Denver's road to the Superbowl may start to look a little less impressive when you look at who they played.
Before you start to question my sanity, I am not taking anything away from the Broncos, or Peyton Manning. What he did this year was unprecedented and an amazing accomplishment for someone who could easily be regarded as one of the best ever at his position. I am simply looking at how strong the NFC looks now that the season is over.
Now taking a look at the NFC besides Seattle, Carolina has put together one of the best defenses in the league with Cam Newton leading the offense. New Orleans went from having the worst defense in history to being ranked in the top five and still being regarded as an offensive minded team. San Francisco has made it to three straight NFC Championship games and has had a top rated defense in Harbaugh's three years. Chip Kelly seems as if he may have started something special in Philadelphia during his first season as head coach. I haven't even mentioned Green Bay, Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis, or even Atlanta, who is one season removed from an NFC Championship appearance.
To me, the entirety of the NFC looks ridiculously strong right now. I would not be surprised if one of the latter teams I mentioned rose to power in the NFC, but until next season's games are played, every team has an opportunity to make those slight adjustments that put them over the edge, making them contenders to be Superbowl champions.
