A Dumbass’s Guide to the Super Bowl

A DUMBASS'S GUIDE TO THE SUPER BOWL Don't know much about football? We can help. We may not be able to turn you into a loud-mouthed pundit, but here are the basic elements you need to know to watch Sunday's Super Bowl for something other than the commercials: WHO'S PLAYING? SEATTLE SEAHAWKS BRONCOS The Seattle Seahawks of the NFC and the Denver Broncos of the AFC. Both were the top seeds in their respective conferences during the playoffs, making this only the second Super Bowl in past two decades where the top-seeded team in each conference advanced to the Super Bowl. WHY WILL DENVER WIN? For most football fans, Denver's biggest selling point is quarterback Peyton Manning, who is defying the odds and playing at an MVP level in his late 30s. After a series of neck surgeries and being ceremoniously booted off his old team, the Indianapolis Colts, Manning broke two major quarterback season records this year and for the most part, has systematically destroyed most defenses. Knowshon Terrance Moreno Matt Prater Champ Bailey Knighton Peyton Manning Denver does have other players, believe it or not. Running back Knowshon Moreno, kicker Matt Prater and defensive stars Champ Bailey, Terrance Knighton and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie will need to contribute if the Old Manning is going to win his second Super Bowl ring (he won one with Indy). WHY WILL SEATTLE WIN? Defense wins championships, and Seattle had the league's best this season. Dubbed the Legion of Boom, the Seahawks' secondary was a quarterback's nightmare this season, with two players (Byron Maxwell and Richard Sherman) combining for 12 interceptions. 0000 Byron Maxwell Richard Sherman Russell Wilson Marshawn Lynch Lest you think Seattle's game is all about hitting - there's Marshawn Lynch. Wait, that's sort of about hitting, too. Lynch had more rushing attempts than all but one player this season and tied for the league lead in touchdowns. He's a strong, punishing back who can wear down a defense. There's a reason he's nicknamed Beast Mode. If the Broncos are able to cage the beast, Seattle can also rely on the quick legs and crafty brain of its quarterback Russell Wilson, playing in the NFL's biggest game in only his second season as a pro. WHERE ARE THEY PLAYING? METLIFE STADIUM MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., is the site of Super Bowl XLVIII. MetLife, which opened in 2010, hosts the Giants and Jets home games, so a good game will be quite a change of pace this season. NEW JERSEY IN FEBRUARY? ISN'T IT GOING TO BE COLD?! Probably. Meteorologists are predicting temperatures in the mid-30s at kickoff, which may favor the Broncos, who play in a colder-weather city than the Seahawks. And anyway, what do you care? You'll be toasty warm on your couch with a tall, cool beer in your hand. 00 HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE THERE? HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? 85,000 people are expected to attend. Currently on StubHub, the cheapest ticket is going for $2,548.90 WHAT'S WITH THAT CHANT? Back in April, Phish front man Trey Anastasio told a crowd at a Seattle show his plan to get Seahawks fans to chant "Wilson" from their popular song "Wilson" as the quarterback walks on the field. WILSON Then, when Phish played the song at The Gorge in July, Anastasio donned a Seahawks T-shirt bearing Wilson's name and number before reminding the audience of his grand plan. As you can hear, the band's plan has succeeded. WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD KNOW Want to seem well-briefed before you head out for a party Sunday? Here are a few other things you should know about this Super Bowl and about Super Bowls past. Quarterback Peyton Manning has a chance to be the first starting QB to win a Super Bowl with two franchises. Only two other players have even had a shot – Kurt Warner (St. Louis and Arizona) and Craig Martin (Dallas and Denver). 00 Manning and Wilson both joined their respective teams in the spring of 2012, Manning through free agency and Wilson through the draft. 75 The highest scoring Super Bowl ever was Super Bowl XXIX, which saw San Francisco (49) and San Diego (26) combine for 75 points. The lowest scoring? Super Bowl VII, when Miami (14) and Washington (7) combined for only 21 points. 21 The opening spread for this game is the lowest for a Super Bowl in 32 years. To the winning team goes the Vince Lombardi Trophy, named for the iconic coach. The football-topped trophy stands 20 3/4 inches tall, weighs 6.7 pounds and is valued more than $25,000. It is made of sterling silver by Tiffany & Company. $92,000. Each player on the winning team will receive Each losing player gets $46,000. How much money did you make today? 55:10 The biggest blowout in Super Bowl history was in Super Bowl XXIV when the San Francisco 49ers blasted Denver 55-10. played in a Super Bowl in its home stadium. This year, that's the Giants and Jets, No NFL team has ev who share MetLife Stadium. The next three will be in Arizona, San Francisco and Houston. This is why you watch, anyway, right? A 30-second commercial for Super Bowl XLVIII will cost In the first Super Bowl, it cost $42,000. $4 million. A total of 3,652,409 people have attended Super Bowl games. SOURCES http://www.greenvilleonline.com http://www.cbssports.com http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com http://detroit.cbslocal.com http://www.pro-football-reference.com http://www. http://www.nfl.com http://www.sbnation.com http://www.milehighreport.com http://www.jambase.com INFO GRAPHIC WORLD nwcn.com www.lnfographicWorld.com TICK TICKET fff!