BREAKING: Denver Broncos To “Host” Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) speak following a 40-10 preseason victory by the Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

It’s official: The Denver Broncos will play “host” to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII in New York/New Jersey on Feb 2.

We’ll have plenty of time to jump into analysis of the Seahawks, but let’s take a moment to appreciate just how difficult it is to make it to the big game.

Champ Bailey is making his first Super Bowl appearance in his 15-year career.

“That’s what it’s all about – get yourself to have a chance to get in the big one and that’s where we are now,” Bailey said. “We’ll enjoy this one for a couple days and then get right on the homework for whoever we play next.”

Bailey struggled health wise (foot), and only made an appearance in five regular season games. If there were any year for him to make it to the championship game, this was it just because we don’t know how his health will hold up in the future.

Like Bailey, this is Shaun Phillips’ first Super Bowl appearance. The ten-year veteran said that the feeling was “surreal.”

“When you play this game,  you play to win Super Bowls, you want to make as much money as you can, make pro bowls and all that but you also want to win a Super Bowl in this league,” Phillips said.

Forget the Super Bowl for a moment. Safety Mike Adams didn’t make the playoffs until his 9th year in the league. One year later, he’s heading to the big one.

For these Broncos especially, a Super Bowl appearance isn’t enough. A win is essential only because they know how difficult it is to get there.

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