A look back at the best moments of Super Bowl XLVIII

Bruno Mars performing at the Super Bowl

Welcome back, Percy

If the writing wasn’t on the wall before half time, Percy Harvin made sure it was written straight after.

After an upbeat half time show from Bruno Mars and an aged yet still shirtless Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Denver kicked the ball back to Seattle to start the third quarter already down 22-0. Harvin collected the ball on a bounce at the 13 yard line, and ran it back straight through the terrible tackling of the Broncos’ coverage team for Seattle’s third touchdown of the night. The score came 12 seconds into the second half, meaning that Seattle had scored after 12 seconds in both halves of the game.

At this point, with the score at 29-0, all but the most optimistic Denver fans were ready to crown Seattle. It was the definitive play for Seattle all evening, taking the air out of the Broncos side-line and stretching their lead to four scores.

One step forward, two steps back

In the third quarter, Manning’s side began to move the ball quite well. With their first two possessions of the second half, however, nothing would come of it. Firstly, they were forced to punt after moving quickly into Seattle territory.

On the second possession, disaster struck again. Seahawks cornerback Byron Maxwell stripped the football from Demaryius Thomas after the receiver had caught a 20 yard completion on the Seattle 21 yard line. The ball was recovered by Malcolm Smith, and the Broncos high-powered offence still had nothing to show on the scoreboard after four trips into Seattle territory on the night.

Broncos defence gives up

It didn’t take long after that turnover for the Seahawks to start turning the knife. Russell Wilson found receiver Jermaine Kearse for what would turn into a 15-yard touchdown, but not before Kearse bounced off several pathetic Bronco tackles on his way to the end zone.

The 36-0 lead and the lack of effort from Denver’s players confirmed what we had come to know an hour ago; that this game was well and truly over. Seattle had taken the heart right out of their opponents, and the only question remaining was by how much Pete Carroll’s side would eventually win.

Clock expired, Seattle are champions

The moment we had expected for the past two hours finally arrives. Denver finally scored a touchdown at the end of the third quarter and Chris Clemons forced Manning’s third turnover of the game late in the fourth, but the game had already been decided before any of that happened.

When the clock hits 0:00, the scoreboard reads 43-8 and the Seahawks are officially World Champions. Seattle led in the game for 59 minutes and 48 seconds, the longest in Super Bowl history. That stat alone should tell you everything you need to know about their dominance. The Seahawks had control of this game from start to finish, completely and utterly dominating a Denver side that had been so impressive in the regular season.

This Super Bowl has set up an interesting 2014 for the NFL. The Broncos are a team running out of time. Peyton Manning is now 37 years old, and the window of opportunity is closing.

The Seahawks, on the other hand, are headed in the opposite direction. They are now a team to be feared, and are on the cusp of becoming the next NFL dynasty. The team full of late round picks and outcasts that nobody wanted now hold the greatest expectations in the NFL. It is a reputation that they have definitely earned.