Feb 2, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Nate Irving (56) tackles Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) during the first quarter in Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Containing “Beast Mode”
One of the rare things that stood out on the Broncos in the Super Bowl was their run defense.
Denver’s front seven did a fantastic job of bottling up running back Marshawn Lynch, otherwise known as “Beast Mode”. They held him to just 39 yards on 15 carries, continuing their dominance over opposing rushing attacks in the playoffs.
The Broncos will have to do more of the same this Sunday.
Their run defense is headed by the big man in the middle, nose tackle Terrance “Pot Roast” Knighton. He had his way with the Seahawks’ offensive line in the Super Bowl, and turned in arguably the finest performance on the Broncos that night.
After Knighton, Denver is absolutely ferocious.
They’ll be without their 2013 leading tackler Danny Trevathan, but where Trevathan is missed, stars like Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware, T.J. Ward and others will surely make up for his absence.
The Broncos haven’t been as sharp up front as they’d like to be against the run in their first two games, though. The front seven’s edge-to-edge speed is key versus Seattle and they’ll need to be ready for not only Lynch, but wideout Percy Harvin as he receives handoffs frequently.
Lynch’s punishing running style demoralizes and breaks down opposing defenses. Denver’s overhauled unit will try and build off of what they did in the Super Bowl when they handled “Beast Mode” with ease.