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For the second time in as many years, the NFC West is representing the conference in the Super Bowl. Unlike last year's entrant via San Francisco, its the Seahawks playing for the Vince Lombardi trophy this year.
Led by a stifling defense known as the Lesion of Bloom or something like that, the Seahawks were the only team to limit opponents under 15 points per game in 2013. Now having handled business against the Saints and 49ers, Seattle's back in the Super Bowl for the first time since their loss to Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XL, their only prior appearance in the final game.
Denver, on the other hand, has validated putting their franchise in the hands of the aging/aged yet still record-breaking Peyton Manning. Two years into his post-Colts career, he's got the Broncos in the Super Bowl since the 1997/98 Super Bowl-flecked denouement of John Elway's career.
Are the Broncos in for a retirement redux, or does Seattle finally find a chance to claim the throne of the league for a year?