On Denver's first play, center Manuel Ramirez snapped the ball out of shotgun formation while Peyton Manning was in the process of calling an audible, resulting a fumble that went into the end zone. Running back Knowshon Moreno recovered the ball to prevent a Seattle touchdown, but he was downed for a safety to give the Seahawks a 2–0 lead. Seattle's score just 12 seconds into the game was the quickest to start a game in Super Bowl history. Following the free kick, receiver Percy Harvin gained 30 yards on an end around run to set up Steven Hauschka's 31-yard field goal, making the score 5–0. Denver was forced to a three-and-out on their next drive, and after the Denver punt, Russell Wilson completed a 37-yard pass to Doug Baldwin, leading to another Haushchka field goal, this one from 33 yards, that increased the lead to 8–0. On the third play of Denver's ensuing possession, Manning was intercepted by Kam Chancellor, giving Seattle a first down on the Denver 37. Aided by a 15-yard run from Harvin on the first play, Seattle quickly got the ball into the red zone. The Broncos defense eventually managed to force an incomplete pass on third down, but defensive back Tony Carter was flagged for pass interference in the end zone, giving Seattle a first down at the 1. One play later, Marshawn Lynch crashed into the end zone, hitting the line so effectively that he ended the play on his feet, scoring a 1-yard touchdown run that made the score 15–0 three minutes into the second quarter.
At this point, the Broncos offense finally managed to get moving, picking up a first down for the first time in the game at 10:37 and moving the ball to the Seattle 35. But on third and 13, Manning was hit as he tried to throw a pass to Moreno, causing a high short floater that was intercepted by linebacker Malcolm Smith and returned 69 yards for a touchdown. Following a Seattle punt, Denver mounted their best drive of the game. Aided by Demaryius Thomas's 19-yard reception on 3rd down and 5, Denver managed to get the ball all the way to the Seahawks 19-yard line. With just over a minute left in the half, Denver faced 4th down and 2. Rather than kick a field goal, they tried to pick up a first down, but Manning's pass was incomplete and the score would remain 22–0 at the end of the half. The 22-point deficit was the largest faced to by the Broncos all season.
In order to avoid a big kickoff return, Matt Prater kicked the second half kickoff short, hitting the ground near the Seattle 10. But it did not stop Harvin from picking the ball out of the air and taking off for an 87-yard touchdown return that increased Seattle's lead to 29–0. The touchdown took place 12 seconds into the second half, exactly the same amount of time that they took to score the safety in the first half. After an exchange of punts, Eric Decker gave Denver good field position with a 9-yard return to the Denver 45. Two plays later, Manning completed a 23-yard pass to Thomas, but cornerback Byron Maxwell knocked the ball out of his hands and Malcolm Smith recovered it, returning the ball 7 yards. An unnecessary roughness penalty against Denver added 15 more yards onto the end of the play, giving Seattle the ball at the Denver 42-yard line. Then Russel Wilson went to work, hitting receiver Luke Wilson for a 12-yard completion on 3rd and 7 and later completing a 19-yard pass to Ricardo Lockette. On the next play, he threw a short pass to Jermaine Kearse, who broke four tackles as he took off for a 23-yard touchdown reception.
Denver finally managed to respond on their next drive, advancing the ball 80 yards as Manning completed 6 consecutive passes, including a 22-yard completion to Wes Welker, and finished the drive with a 14-yard touchdown toss to Thomas on the last play of the third quarter. Then Welker caught a pass for a successful 2-point conversion, cutting the score to 36–8. However, any momentum Denver might have gained was quickly snuffed out as Seattle tight end Zach Miller recovered Prater's onside kick attempt on his own 48-yard line. He also caught a 10-yard reception as the Seahawks subsequently drove 52 yards, featuring a 24-yard reception by Kearse, and scored on Wilson's 10-yard touchdown pass to Baldwin, increasing their lead to 43–8. There were more than 11 minutes left in the game, but this would be the final score, as Denver's last three drives would result in a turnover on downs, a Manning fumble that was forced and recovered by Seattle defensive end Chris Clemons (the only sack of the game for either team), and time expiring in the game.
Wilson finished the game 18/25 for 206 yards and two touchdowns. Baldwin was his top receiver with 5 catches for 66 yards and a score, while Kearse added 4 for 65 and a touchdown. In addition to his 87-yard kickoff return touchdown, Harvin was Seattle's leading rusher with 45 yards, even though he only carried the ball twice. Chancellor had 9 tackles and an interception. Manning completed 34/49 passes for 280 yards and a touchdown, with 2 interceptions. His top target was Thomas, who caught 13 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown. Welker added 8 receptions for 84 yards. Linebacker Danny Trevathan had 12 tackles. Moreno was Denver's leading rusher, but with just 17 yards. Overall, Denver's record setting offense gained only 306 yards, with just 27 yards on the ground.
The Seahawks' Smith was named the Super Bowl Most Valuable Player, only the ninth defensive player to win the award. Denver fell to 2–5 in Super Bowls, while five-time league MVP Manning dropped to 11–12 in the playoffs, and 1–2 in the Super Bowl. Manning's 34 completions and Thomas' 13 receptions were both Super Bowl records.
With Malcom Smith winning the MVP award, it marks the 9th time in history that a defensive player has won the MVP award, and he became the 3rd linebacker to win MVP. The other two linebackers to win MVP are Ray Lewis in 2001 (Ravens) and Chuck Howleyin 1971 (Cowboys). In fact, since 2000, there have been only theree defensive players to win MVP, Smith (2011) Dexter Jackson (2003 and Lewis (2001). Otherwise its been either Quarterbacks (who won 9) and Wide Receivers (who won 3).
So congratulations to the Seattle Seahawks on their victory on Super Bowl 48!
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