Well, here we are – Super Bowl Sunday.  On Groundhog Day…  In a game of opposites, we have a great game on hand with the league’s #1 offense pitted against the #1 defense.  The wise, 37-year old pocket-passing veteran vs. the 24-year old scrambler.  Super Bowl experience (and rings) lining the Denver roster against a Seahawk team with not one player having been to the Super Bowl.

Moving past all the pre-game hype and endless amateur analysis coming from your TV, all you really need to know about today’s game (and how to make your trophy-winning pick) is outlined below.

WHEN DENVER HAS THE BALL
The Broncos are more balanced on offense than most think, but still you have to first stop the Denver passing game (55 TD’s and over 5,450 yards passing in the regular season).  How many receivers had over 1,000 yards and 10 or more TD catches?  I think it was 4.  If you can do that, then you have to deal with Moreno and Ball.  While not flashy, they can chew up yards in big chunks.  The Seahawks must put pressure on Peyton.

The Seahawks have this swagger and a ton of talent capable of getting Denver out of synch.

Edge – Denver, with a full dose of “Omaha”

WHEN SEATTLE HAS THE BALL
Start with the pounding running game, featuring The Beast and his bag of Skittles.  QB Wilson is elusive, but not overly consistent.  The WR’s are mostly unheralded, but Percy is back (but it will take only 1 hit and the injury-prone Harvin will be watching from the bench).

The Bronco D is often overlooked, but is capable of stopping the run.  Even without All-Pro LB Von Miller, they are a solid unit.  Champ is chomping at the bit for a ring…

Edge – Neutral, unless the predicted rainy day reminds the Seahawks of a home game

INTANGIBLES

• Stomach butterflies – edge to Denver, as Seattle may be eating too many Skittles.
• Weather – oh, yeah, this is an outdoor game in New Jersey in the winter.  The weather forecast is pretty good and will make both teams feel at home.  No edge to either team.
• Special Teams – don’t forget the diminutive Bronco KR Trindon Holliday.  I see a huge return at a key moment for him.  Nothing really special about the Seahawk special teams.  Will Bronco K Jason Elam kick a 70-yard FG?  Edge to Broncos.

FINAL GAME SCORE
Broncos 37, Seahawks 16
Experience rules the day.  Jittery start for Seattle.  Someone forgot the Skittles.  Omaha becomes the Nation’s capital for a day.  4 more TD passes for Peyton.  CB Richard Sherman can’t deflect 2 TD passes to Demaryius Thomas.  A pick-6 for the Champ.  Or…

Seattle 20, Denver 19
A familiar score from a previous SB.  Ouch…  The Beast piles in from the 1 on his 3^rd attempt as the clock runs out.  The 12^th Man is for real.  Two security guards tear their ACL tripping over those blue and green Skittles littering the field (whatever happened to confetti?).  We lost count of how many times Peyton was sacked.  The Legion of Boom spells doom for the Bronco offense.

Kickoff is at 6:30pm EST so be sure to get those picks in on time.  The wings are already on slow-cook.  Beers cooling in the frig.  The jitters and pre-game butterflies are starting to build up for everyone, especially those at the top of the heap.  Will we have the largest comeback in HSBT history?  Or will someone eclipse the magical 1,000 point mark for the 1^st time?

Here is how The Commish sees it finishing up (you can follow real-time updates on the website or whatever device you have with access):

• Henrico FiveOh has had the lead at this juncture 3 times in the past and gone on to capture the trophy twice.  Getting hard to swallow right now.
• Greg the Great has a 420-point SB game under his belt and is within close striking distance.
• Comeback Kid needs a surge, and can do it.  Eenie, meenie, minie, mo – who is going to win?
• Pete the Terp is not on anyone’s radar, but he doesn’t have to factor in the Ravens for his prediction.  His 1st trophy is within sight…
• Buffalo Bill has picked 6 winning games in a row this season (matching Henrico FiveOh); will his 7^th be the one that gives him his 4^th trophy?  He’s the only one with the Broncos for his 100-point SB Bonus pick
• Ben the Butler – has local knowledge being a NYC-area resident.  What does he know that we don’t?  Other than he is planning to capture his 1st trophy…
• 2014 Winner – well, you know the outcome…

Good luck to all!

~~ The Commish