Super Bowl 2014 pick 'em: Picks and predictions

Jan 29, 2014; New York, NY, USA; General view of the Roman numerals of Super Bowl XLVIII at Super Bowl Boulevard on Broadway. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

The big game is just around the corner, which means it is time for everyone to go on record and make their picks and predictions for Super Bowl XLVIII between the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks.

This year’s game has been a split between the experts in the media and it is going to be interesting to see how it all plays out on Super Bowl Sunday.

Who does the FanSided Editorial Team have taking home the Lombardi Trophy on Sunday night?

Here is a look at our predictions:

Patrick Allen, VP of Content, FanSided: 39, 34, 27. Those are the number of points scored against the Denver Broncos in their only three losses of the season. Seattle averaged just a shade over 26 points a game this season. This game should be close but as good as the Seahawks defense is, the Broncos offense is nearly unstoppable. I just don’t believe that Seattle will be able to score enough points to keep up with Manning. Keep an eye on Lynch, though. If Seattle wins, it will likely be because Beast Mode is in full effect.Prediction: Broncos: 24, Seahawks: 20 /

Josh Sanchez, Editor-in-Chief, FanSided.com: This is the worst possible match up for the Denver Broncos. Seattle has a defense that can shut down the Broncos wide receivers on the outside, and athletic linebackers and safeties who can blanket Julius Thomas. On the opposite side of the ball, Marshawn Lynch has the talent to gash the Broncos secondary and keep Manning off the field. It is important to remember that the Jacksonville Jaguars had the Broncos number for the first half of their regular season meeting, and Jags head coach Gus Bradley is the former Seahawks defender. If Jacksonville was able to keep Manning in check with the same defensive scheme as the Seahawks and far inferior talent, just imagine what Seattle can do. Manning is also a sitting duck in the pocket, so Seattle can bring the pass rush and shake him early as they go on to show they’re all about that action, boss.Prediction: Seahawks: 31, Broncos: 17 /

Mike Dyce, Editor, FanSided.com: Defense wins championships, but the Denver Broncos defense isn’t as bad as you think. Do they struggle against the pass? Yes. Do they stuff the run? Maybe not as well as other teams but as a defense they’ve allowed the 8th fewest yards per game in the NFL. Add in the league’s best passing offense, and a quarterback who rarely gets sacked and it all looks like it could be too much for the Seahawks to handle, not to mention a more than serviceable run game.Prediction: Broncos: 27 Seahawks: 20 /

Josh Hill, Editor, FanSided.com: Everyone seems to think that Peyton Manning isn’t prone to interceptions anymore, but that’s hardly the case. The Seahawks force even great quarterbacks like Drew Brees to look mediocre which doesn’t bode well for Manning’s chances. Until Manning wins the Super Bowl, he’ll have exorcised no playoff turnover demons. That being said, he’s still the greatest quarterback ever and he lives for moments like the Super Bowl. We shouldn’t sleep on the Broncos defense either, as the Seahawks offense isn’t what you’d call an explosive unit. It’ll be a close one, but the inexperience of the Super Bowl Seahawks will rear it’s ugly head at the most inopportune time.Prediction: Broncos: 24, Seahawks: 21 /

Bryan Rosa, Assistant Editor, FanSided.com

: Great defenses often show up in the Super Bowl and that will be the case with the Seahawks, but Peyton Manning is an assassin and good as the Seattle defense is, they can’t stop all weapons at all times. It’ll be a nail biter but Denver squeaks out on top.

broncos /

Broncos: 24, Seahawks: 21

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Super Bowl 2014 pick ’em: Picks and predictions

By Josh Sanchez | Jan 31, 2014