After having some time to digest it, here are my thoughts on the Super Bowl:
(1) Was shocked, as it appeared the Broncos were, that the stadium was as noisy as it was. I am assuming that the Seahawks fans showed up in force and it wasn't just generic fans making all that racket.
(2) Seattle's defense is the real deal.
(3) Denver's O-Line easily put in the most disappointing performance. Had it settled in despite the disastrous first half, it could've still been a game.
(4) I thought Knoshawn Moreno had a very bad game. Not sure what was going on with him. He fumbled early (which the Broncos recovered). He failed to make a play for the ball or defender on the deflected pass that was intercepted and returned for a TD. He also didn't make much of an effort to track down Smith after the interception. Like the rest of them, he had a bad night.
(5) It's been awhile since Peyton's had "one of those games." The first pick was his (although he had to rush to throw it). The countless times the D got to him and hit his arm is on the O-line. The pick six was on the O-line.
(6) Denver's D did enough early to hold back the tide despite the horrific first quarter. Not great, but they held Seattle to field goals. Denver's O was atrocious. Then, in the second half, Seattle's O came alive and looked really good as well. Complete performance.
(7) It was a "perfect storm" for Seattle. That is not to lessen its victory at all. They played tremendously. However, not one thing went against them the entire game. Sometimes that happens.
(8) I wanted this game badly for Peyton. Just wanted to shut the critics up forever. The modern media age is just dreadful. People will do and say anything to get attention. It isn't even about legitimate debate anymore. It is all about how much of an insult you can lay down on someone or what kind of rise you can get out of people.
(9) The defeat was so decisive it is hard to even feel really bad about it. It's almost an absurdity.