Denver Broncos Lose to the Seattle Seahawks 43-8 in Super Bowl XLVIII

Broncos tight end Julius Thomas (80) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks strong safety Kam Chancellor (31) and cornerback Walter Thurmond (28) in the second half in Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium. (Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports)

No one expected the weather in New Jersey to be better than the Peyton Manning led record-setting offense, but that’s exactly how this one played out.

The Denver Broncos lost to the Seattle Seahawks 43-8 in Super Bowl XLVIII, which ties for the third largest loss in Super Bowl history.

The game started off in bizarre fashion with the Seahawks getting a safety within the first 12 seconds of the game. The second half started in much the same way with Percy Harvin returning the opening kickoff 87 yards for a touchdown within the first 12 seconds of the half.

Didn’t like the halftime performance of Bruno Mars? There was much more not to like about the Broncos performance in their first Super Bowl in 15 years.

The team turned the ball over four times, which included two Manning interceptions and a late Manning fumble. The defense gave up 135 yards on the ground. The offense rushed for 27 yards on 14 carries. The offense didn’t get their first points on the board until there were 0:03 seconds left in the third quarter. Russell Wilson went 18-for-25 for 206 yards and two touchdowns to become the third youngest Super Bowl winning quarterback is history.

The Broncos became the first team in NFL history to lose five Super Bowls.

It was Denver that had four players with Super Bowl experience. Seattle had zero.

Amazingly, Manning set the record for the most completions in a Super Bowl (34) while Demaryius Thomas set the Super Bowl record for the most receptions (13). That didn’t matter. The Broncos put up just 8 points, making it their lowest point total of the season by far. Hard to believe this is the same team that put up 49 against the defending Super Bowl champs in week one.

We’ll have plenty more insight and analysis this week. For now, we’ll celebrate this season much like the loss of your favorite 95-year-old grandfather. We’ll remember the good times, toast to the record-setting performances, and just be grateful for having been able to get to know this team.

Believe it or not, the NFL Combine is three weeks away. A new season is just around the corner.

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