Super Bowl Picks 2014: Game Predictions for Top Players

In a game littered with action-packed matchups involving some of today's best players, Super Bowl XLVIII is shaping up to be the most exciting Super Bowl in years. The Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos are clearly the two best teams in the NFL, and both franchises boast a myriad of talented players who could make an impact.

The Broncos offense is lush with playmakers, a solid stable of runners and, of course, Peyton Manning. On the other side of the field, the Seahawks have arguably the best overall defense in the league, along with the self-proclaimed "best corner in the game."

Richard Sherman may have a knack for talking too much, but he is without a doubt one of the best corners of this generation. He and Manning are on a collision course that will come to a head this weekend in Super Bowl XLVIII. Besides those two, there are several other players who will surely mold the outcome to this game.

Richard Sherman

For all his trash talk, Richard Sherman is still one of the best players in the NFL. He's been a force on the Seahawks defense for a few years now, and will be a key player for them come Sunday. He will likely be tasked with covering Denver's No. 1 receiver, Demaryius Thomas, in what might be the most important matchup in this game.

The Star-Ledger-USA TODAY Sports

While the Broncos can run the ball, their bread and butter is throwing the ball deep to Thomas, although they may not have much luck with Sherman defending. He's allowed just under two catches a game with an average of 13 yards per reception—some of the best numbers of anyone in the NFL.

If Sherman can shut down D.T., then Denver's offense will surely struggle more than it's used to, which could open up the game for Seattle. Sherman will be one of the most talked-about players of the game whether he does well or has some issues himself, but I believe he will do just fine. 

Stat Prediction: 3 tackles, 1 interception

Terrance Knighton

Terrance Knighton, Denver's resident big man, has been the subject of many headlines since the playoffs started. From his run-stuffing presence to his resounding sack of Tom Brady, Knighton has been an integral piece of Denver's playoff run.

His ability as a run defender will be called upon in this game in an effort to stop Marshawn Lynch from gaining any momentum. We've seen the type of damage he can do regardless of how good the opposing defense is, and limiting his impact will be of monumental importance.

Not only is he an effective player on his own, but Lynch's running opens up the passing game for Russell Wilson and keeps Seattle's offensive hinges greased.

If Knighton can hold strong against Lynch, then that will get Seattle's offense sputtering, thus giving the Broncos an opportunity to capitalize. 

Stat Prediction: 3 tackles, 2 tackles for loss

Marshawn Lynch

Marshawn Lynch is the heart of Seattle's offense. He's a tremendous runner whose unique combination of size and speed make him an extremely serviceable, well-rounded back. It is imperative that Seattle gets Lynch going so it can make some things happen in the passing game with Wilson.

H/t Ryan Wilson of cbssports.com

Especially if it ends up as a bad-weather game, Lynch's duties will be that much more instrumental to a Seahawks victory. He will be going up against the stout front seven of the Broncos, and that may cause some problems for him.

As I mentioned above, Knighton has been a tremendous guy in the middle of Denver's line and could give Seattle's running game fits. Lynch will still get some yards and maybe even a score, but he will run into more problems than he's used to.

Stat Prediction: 18 carries for 80 yards, 1 touchdown

Knowshon Moreno

As the leader of Denver's resurgent rushing attack, Knowshon Moreno may end up being the hero of the game for Denver. If it does turn out to be a snowy battlefield in East Rutherford, Peyton Manning may struggle and the Broncos will have to rely on their running game, mainly Moreno, to help them win the game.

Even the weather is fair, Moreno will be of great importance to Denver. He's been a very solid piece of its backfield rotation and has given another dimension to its offense—no more throwing the ball 50 times a game. 

Unfortunately for Moreno and the Broncos, they'll be playing the best defense the NFL has to offer. He will have a harder time making an impact than Lynch, but Moreno will have a solid game nonetheless.

Stat Prediction: 15 carries for 65 yards, 3 catches for 35 yards

Russell Wilson

It's no secret that Russell Wilson is one of the best young signal-callers in the NFL, but his growing pains look like they've caught up to him a bit. He had a pretty good year overall, but it wasn't nearly as impressive as his freshman year in the league.

Opponent	Yards	TDs	INT	Completion %	Rating
Arizona Cardinals	108	1	1	40.7%	49.6
St. Louis Rams	172	1	0	65%	102.1
San Francisco 49ers	103	0	0	50%	67.6
New Orleans Saints	215	1	0	64%	104.6

Lately, Seattle has had to lean on Lynch and the running game a bit more than it's used to, but Wilson seemed to get back on track a little against the 49ers a couple of weeks ago. He was 16-25 for 215 yards and one touchdown; those aren't great numbers, but they were consistent and efficient.

Denver's athletic front seven will likely nullify Wilson's movement in and out of the pocket, forcing him to beat the Broncos with his arm. Russell Wilson: The Dual-Threat Quarterback will be shelved in this game, and we will see the true passer in RW3. 

It will be a tough outing for Wilson, but he's no stranger to being the underdog. 

Stat Prediction: 250 yards, 2 touchdowns

Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning will be one of the oldest men starting in this game, but he will also be one of the most important. Manning has wreaked havoc through the air this season, breaking record after record, but it will mean much more with a Super Bowl ring.

Manning versus the talented secondary of Seattle is a football match made in heaven, but it's one that Manning will get the best of. There's not a thing in the world that the Legion of Boom can do that Manning hasn't seen at one point or another in his illustrious 16-year career.

He won't have the blazing stat line that we've grown used to seeing, but he will definitely make a statement. 

Stat Prediction: 290 yards, 3 touchdowns

This game could really go either way, but it will be decided by which team does its job best. If these specific predictions do play out, then it will be the Broncos hoisting the Lombardi Trophy this weekend, but it's a tossup.

"Defense wins championships" is how the old adage goes, but that may not be the case in this game.