2014 Panini Super Bowl XLVIII Champions Football Cards

Looking at the 2014 Panini Super Bowl XLVIII Champions Football Cards this week.  These were created after the Super Bowl.  Similar in design to the Super Bowl XLVIII Collection set but these cards focus on the winning Seattle Seahawks and includes cards with photos from the game itself.

 There are 18 cards in this set with some cards using the same fronts from the Super Bowl Collection set.  The backs do have updated write-ups.

  I like this set though a set with just photos from the Super Bowl itself would have been great.  But I won't complain.  This is a nice set and I enjoy these sets that center on the biggest game of the year.  

2014 Panini Super Bowl XLVIII Collection Football Cards

It is football Sunday and I picked up a few Super Bowl centric sets that I want to share over the course of this month.  All three were pretty cheap online so I didn't need much convincing to pick them up.  I like sets that concentrate on the Super Bowl and all-star games and Panini has done that with some of the recent games.  This is the 2014 Panini Super Bowl XLVIII Collection set.  

Nice enough card with photos of the players against an artsy background and a large NYNJ logo that seemed a bit large and out of place.  The backs gave a quick write-up on the player and a nice Super Bowl logo which might have also been nice on the fronts.  

There are 40 total cards with there being 10 each of the Seahawks, Broncos, Giants, and Jets.  It is annoying that they wasted space on the two New York teams whose stadium hosted the big game.  That is 20 cards that could have gone just about any direction except for that and been a better inclusion.  So while I'm ok with this set I do think there was plenty of room for improvement.  

Seattle Defeats Denver 43-8 In Super Bowl XLVIII

There wasn't much about this game that was a surprise.  Yes the 43-8 score and the ease in which Seattle won wasn't expected.  But I heard so much leading up to the game how good the Seattle defense was and how it was built to beat a team like Denver.  Peyton Manning is not mobile, the Seattle defense would be able to get pressure on Peyton while the defensive backs were capable of staying with the Bronco receivers, among others. 

For each of those arguments there was of course an argument to be made for the most potent offense in NFL history.  So while conventional wisdom said Denver could win this game with their great offense and vaulted leader we should have believed in the Seattle defense we had seen on the field all year long. 

Seattle didn't get all complicated with their defense they just played their normal game and took it to Denver.  While Peyton played at going downfield with the passing game they had nothing.  Their short passes were all they really had to offer up against the Seahawk defense.  And that wasn't enough.  Seattle did get pressure on Peyton Manning and his receivers were never running free in the secondary.  Manning connected well enough on short passes but it seemed like a Seahawk defender was right there to wrap up the receiver as soon as the ball got there. 

Seattle deserved the win last night as the better team and for the work they did all year.  It paid off with a dominating performance that won't be forgotten soon.  Denver just ran into a buzz saw of a defense that looked as though it had 14 players on the field most of the time.  I heard both of those clichés listening to the break downs of the game and was wondering if I could get them in here.  Score.  That just shows you what we got in the Super Bowl.  A whole lot of dominating play from one team.  Nothing worth analyzing in a ton of words.  I think you just have to enjoy what we saw.  The Seattle offense, while not showcasing "The Beast" (apropos considering his lack of participation in Super Bowl activities), was very efficient and took advantage of the opportunities given to them.

While I was rooting for Peyton and the Broncos I'm very happy for the Seattle Seahawks and their fans.  Every team and fan base deserves to the fun of winning a championship.  This was a fun young team whom it is very easy to be happy for.  I'll be curious to see how they react next season when everyone will be gunning for them.  Yes, I'm already looking forward to next season...  But this was a great one let there be no doubts. 

Super Bowl XLVIII - Seattle vs Denver

Seattle did a job on the 49ers and go into the Super Bowl with the number one defense and confidence.  I was surprised they beat San Francisco much less how they did it.  It wasn't easy but they took over the second half and put away doubts anyone should have about them as a team.  Their defense is no joke and I don't think it is overrated.  I keep wanting to poke holes in this team but they are for real.  With Marshawn Lynch leading the way the offense can control the ball and wear you down.  Russell Wilson is a young guy I didn't want to like but how can you not?  He is a smart quarterback and how can you not like him when you hear him talk.  Side note.  He sought out Terry Bradshaw and asked him what he needs to do to win the Super Bowl.  Kudos young man.  That is understanding your place and respecting those who went before you.  That aside his receivers won't scare most defenses but again they have made it work.  I think Seattle is poised to upset the Broncos to win their first Super Bowl.

Denver surprised me in how easily they beat the Pats.  No matter how I and everyone else knows the New England offense is lacking any weapons other than Tom Brady, stopping that offense has not been easy for anyone.  Of course the Bronco offense did well too.  They marched up and down the field like they owned the place.  Again the Patriot's defense won't be talked about as one of the all-time best but New England has gotten where it has by coaching to their strengths and exploiting weaknesses.  And it didn't look like Denver had any on Sunday.  The offense  scored at an historic rate this season and while the defense was 22nd in points allowed the team's overall 12.9 points a game positive differential were first in the league.  What that tells us is you had better shut down that offense or it will be a long day.   

 

This is definitely a tough one.  You have to love the defense, running game and quarterback in Russell Wilson that Seattle brings to the game.  But Denver brings an offense that seems capable of putting up enough points on anyone to win games.  Turnovers will be the key.  Yes, that could probably be said of any team.  But Denver had eight turnovers in their three losses this year.  They had only 21 in the other 13 games.  And with the defense Seattle has they are setup to cause turnovers by sacking Peyton Manning, interceptions or stripping the football from any ball carrier.  Still I think Peyton will figure out a way to score enough points to win this game.  Doesn't mean it will be easy.  Seattle's defense should give him and his receivers fits.  I'm just thinking that given two weeks to prepare that the Broncos will be ready and have some new wrinkles in their offense to offset the coverage.  I won't be surprised by the score unless Seattle wins.  Denver could win by one point or thirty.  It is all on the table.  They get on a roll and Seattle could press to stay close and shoot themselves in the foot in the process.  I'm also thinking the weather shouldn't be as big a factor as some are playing it up to be.  If weather is bad yes it will affect how the game is played but both teams are used to cold weather and will be ready for it. 

 

I'll be "rooting" for Peyton.  I'd love to see him get that second Super Bowl ring and be the first quarterback to ever win the Super Bowl with two different teams.  Would also love to see Wes Welker win one after coming so close in New England.  There are other on the Broncos as well who I'd like to see win.  That said if Seattle wins I'll be happy for Seattle's fans and the franchise as it would be their only Super Bowl win.  Every franchise and fan base should get the opportunity.  It is a feeling that can't be described.  So while I may be leaning one way I'm just hoping for a good game.