As is often the case in sports, a big game that receives a lot of hype and looks great on paper, often falls short of our expectations. Super Bowl XLVIII will certainly go down as a huge disappointment on the entertainment scale. Seahawks fans would certainly disagree with this assessment, but the game itself lacked the drama and excitement of more recent Super Bowl contests. You had to figure the game was going to be somewhat out of the ordinary when the scoring opened with a safety for the Seahawks. Although 2 points would appear to be insignificant to a Peyton Manning led offense, the play was certainly a catalyst that set the tone for one of the NFL's most dominating defenses. On this day, the Seahawks could do no wrong. The defense stymied the Broncos attack, the offense moved the ball effectively, the special teams were outstanding, and head coach Pete Carroll pushed all the right buttons en route to the 43-8 blowout.
I think the game was significant in many different respects. First, it illustrated that a dominating defense paired with a strong running game and solid special teams play is still a winning formula in the NFL. Despite the fact that the NFL is a passing league, the above mentioned formula is still a proven commodity, especially during the playoffs in December and January. Second, it proved that a young QB can win big games. Russell Wilson is special, and he exudes confidence and solid decision making skills for a young QB. It also helps that he is an exceptional athlete who can threaten defenses with his mind, feet, and arm. Finally, Pete Carrol's success is a myth buster in terms of what kind of approach you need to have in order to be successful in the NFL. Carroll is an ultra positive and compassionate man who smiles a lot, and seemingly wears his emotions on his sleeve. The 60 something coach behaves like a 'youth football coach' on the sidelines, celebrating each and every triumph with a contagious enthusiasm. His approach is a stark contrast to the hard driving, alpha male, egotistical 'grinder' types, who believe that football is the center of life. Carroll is unique in that he believes in having fun, and you can tell that he coaches with the attitude of a 'kid in a candy store.' Evidently, it rubs off on his players and the rest of the organization. Now, Carroll will get his due respect and the joy and satisfaction that comes with knowing he did it his way.
The question that will now be asked is can the Seahawks repeat? Does Seattle have the ability to embark on their own mini dynasty? Again, it seems logical and would certainly appear to be a reasonable assumption. They are very talented, young, and have a strong front office and an exceptional coach. There are always challenges to repeating, and many coaches would agree with the adage that staying on top is actually harder than getting to the top. Factors that always work against successful teams include changes in the coaching staff as coordinators take HC positions, selfishness and jealousy in the locker room, the big money to be made in free agency, and the issue of complacency. Sometimes, even elite athletes can get fat and happy. They may begin to lose focus on doing the little things that it takes to get to the top in the first place. On top of everything else, injuries can derail a team, and there is also the talent, drive, and determination of your opponents. For Seattle, the 49ers, Rams, and Cardinals round out one of the most challenging divisions in the NFL. From my perspective, Seattle will be a force to be reckoned with for several years to come. However, I don't see them repeating next year for the simple reason that so much can change from year to year in the NFL. If you don't believe me, then just ask the Baltimore Ravens.
Lights out.
