Why Russell Wilson Will Be Seattle Seahawks' Downfall in the Super Bowl

The Seattle Seahawks' golden boy, Russell Wilson, could end up being Seattle's Achilles' heel in the Super Bowl. Yes, he's been everything the Seahawks have needed to get wins, but that's the problem.  He's doing just enough to get the job done.

Despite the hoopla, Wilson really hasn't played well in the NFL playoffs and he's heading into a Super Bowl against a defense that is rolling.

Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com points out that:

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The Broncos have had five games this season when they have surrendered 17 or fewer points and four have come over their past four games, including Sunday's win to go with the divisional round victory over the San Diego Chargers. 

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In other words, the Broncos have found a rhythm at the right time. If this rhythm persists through the Super Bowl, Seattle will be forced to rely on their inconsistent passing game. 

Credit Wilson with making their offense seem better than it really is, but they've sputtered through the NFL postseason, putting up mediocre numbers. Wilson's stats actually look rough on paper, having thrown for fewer yards in two playoff games than Andy Dalton and Alex Smith threw in one game (via ESPN). His 58 percent completion percentage is also nothing to brag about, and he's thrown for only one touchdown in the postseason.

Now is not the time to sputter. 

He's also been sacked seven times over the last two weeks. If Seattle's offensive line doesn't bring their A-game to New Jersey, Wilson's going to scramble right into orange jerseys. With six total sacks in the playoffs, the Denver Broncos defense is allowing less than 65 rushing yards per game and getting into the backfield consistently.

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In two weeks, they've shut down one of the league's best run attacks against the New England Patriots and held the San Diego Chargers' 5th best offense to only 259 total yards.

Denver's coming into the game with a lot of defensive momentum backing up their record-breaking offense. Right now, Denver has all the momentum a Super Bowl winning defense needs.

There's no question that the Seahawks will already have their hands full with Peyton Manning. If Russell Wilson can't take pressure off his defense by driving down the field and winning the possession battle, then it's going to be a long night at Metlife Stadium.

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Vinnie Iyer of Sportingnews.com commented that, "Russell Wilson’s first NFC championship game began with a thud," and it did. 

Two big pass plays were the difference between Colin Kaepernick getting the headlines instead of Wilson.

However, if Wilson starts Super Bowl XLVIII with a thud, it may end the same way.