Live Commentary: Super Bowl XLVIII: Seattle Seahawks 43-8 Denver Broncos - as it happened

Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of the Super Bowl as the Seattle Seahawks face off against the Denver Broncos.

Well, we are finally here. After five months of action in the NFL we are down to the final two teams as the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos, the winners of the NFC and the AFC respectively, are poised to battle for the Vince Lombardi Trophy in New Jersey.

We have the two best teams in the NFL in action as the Seahawks and the Broncos are both the respective numbers on seeds from their conferences. It's the first time that has happened since the 2009 season when Peyton Manning's Indianapolis Colts faced the New Orleans Saints, when the Saints ran out the victors. Manning will hope to avoid a repeat of that scenario this evening.

Speaking of Manning, what a season he had for the Broncos. Last night he claimed his record fifth MVP award for his outstanding performances in the 2013 season. The 37-year-old shattered the single-season passing touchdown record set by Tom Brady in 2007 of 50 touchdowns as he threw 55 strikes, while also throwing for the most yards in a single campaign with 5,477. A truly incredible feat and one that will be very hard to break.

That isn't bad for a player whose career could have been over two seasons ago, when he missed the entire 2011 campaign due to a neck injury which forced him to undergo four surgeries on the problem. He was released by the Colts, who he had been with since the 1998 campaign and was the most sought after free agent on the market. Several teams courted him, but it was Hall of Fame quarterback turned NFL executive for the Broncos, John Elway, who snagged him. What business that has been for the club, who have gone from plucky underdogs with Tim Tebow at quarterback to the brink of Super Bowl champions with Manning.

This game is very important for Manning although he won't want to admit it. His legacy in the playoffs ha been that of disappointment considering his outstanding form in the regulars season, bar his one triumph in the Super Bowl against the Chicago Bears in the 2006 season, which earned him his one ring to date. However, he has been put in the shadow of his brother Eli who has won two rings since in victories over the New England Patriots. This is perhaps his last chance to close the gap on not only his brother, but also long-term rival Tom Brady and legend Joe Montana to stake his claim to be the best quarterback in the history of the NFL.

A lot of pressure for the 37-year-old to deal with, and no-one will know about that more than his boss up in the stands this evening, who was the last quarterback to win the Super Bowl over the age of 35. That was when he guided the Broncos to two Vince Lombardi Trophy successes in a row in the 1997 and 1998 season, after three previous failures. Manning is 1-1 in the big game in his two appearances, the big question on everyone' lips is he can he make it 2-1?

It's been a memorable year for Manning and he should not be deterred by failure. As even if he loses tonight he can't possibly feel anymore shame than when he and his brother made this video, earlier this year.

Harsh but fair in my opinion, you can't get away with that even if you are Peyton Manning.

Manning's record-breaking season would never have occurred without his cast of excellent receivers. You can be the best quarterback in the NFL but without receivers making plays as well, you will not get the results. Luckily for Peyton he has four special players at his disposal in the form of Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker, Eric Decker and Julius Thomas. Not to forget running back Knowshon Moreno as well.

Each of these players has over 10 touchdowns each this season. That is truly remarkable. Demaryius leads the way with over 1,400 receiving yards to go with his 92 receptions and 14 scores. The 26-year-old had an excellent game in the AFC championship clash with the New England Patriots as he made seven catches for 134 yards along with a touchdown, that helped fire his side into today's game. A lot will be expected of him tonight to shine on the big stage like he has done for the majority of the season.

In case Demaryius isn't quite firing on all cylinders, fear not Broncos. Manning has Welker in the slot to turn to, along with Decker on the outside or Julius down the middle of the field. Welker was a steal in the off-season after he left the Patriots and Brady, he chose to a hard life of catching passes from the other active future Hall of Fame quarterback in the NFL. He exploded on the scene in the early season and made 10 touchdown snags, the most in his career, before a couple of concussions ended his regular campaign. He's been hit and miss in the playoffs, but is one of the few players in this team with Super Bowl experience, although he did lose both of those games.

Decker has been a solid pro for the Broncos and made crucial plays in the wins over the Kansas City Chiefs. He has 13 touchdown receptions and is a good playmaker for Manning down the field. However, it's Julius who has been a keen downfield threat for the Broncos in the post-season. He made crucial grabs for first downs for the Broncos against the San Diego Chargers and the Patriots and must continue to do that tonight against the best defense in the NFL, to give Manning a safety valve.

Another star for the Broncos has been Moreno running the ball. He has become more influential as the season has progressed and had great success rushing against the Patriots in the AFC title game, taking vital time off the clock and away from Tom Brady. He faces one of the best defensive fronts in the game tonight, so he has to be at his best, despite suffering a rib injury last time out.

Defensively it starts in the trenches for the Broncos. No player had a better game for John Fox's side other than Manning in the AFC title game than defensive tackle Terrance Knighton. He was a beast on the inside stopping the excellent run game of the Patriots, and made a crucial sack of Brady on a fourth-down play. The test gets even bigger tonight for the former Jacksonville Jaguars man, when he goes up against Marshawn Lynch. The Broncos have to stop the run from the Seahawks to stop their attacking threat, and force the game into the hands of Russell Wilson. Eyes will also be on veteran defensive end Sean Phillips to provide a pass rush and cornerback Champ Bailey in the secondary to lock down the Seahawks receivers, in what could be his final game in the NFL.

Now let us turn to the Seattle Seahawks and for them there's no better place to start than cornerback Richard Sherman. The 25-year-old who is no stranger to controversy for his outspoken ways, hit the headlines and course a media storm after making one of the plays of the post-season in the NFC championship game. With the match on the line and the San Francisco 49ers at their 20-yard line, quarterback Colin Kaepernick looked deep into the endzone for receiver Michael Crabtree. But, Sherman was there to knock the ball away and into the hands of his teammate Malcolm Smith, who made the game-winning interception. After the game he immediately went on a tirade about the receiver stating that Crabtree was "mediocre".

Just in case you missed his interview with Fox Sports, here it is again.

Sherman mentioned there that he is the best cornerback in the game. It's hard to argue with him over the past couple of years he has been outstanding. The 25-year-old is the key player on the Seahawks' defense and plays with fire and a chip on his shoulder. He was drafted in the fifth round of the 2011 Draft and obviously feels a sense of injustice to be taken so low. He appears to be taking that anger out on the other 31 teams in the NFL.

The Seahawks defense was ranked first overall in the 2013 regular season and it's hard not to see why with Sherman patrolling one side of the field as a true shutdown cornerback. He will look to take the player on his side of the field out of the game, allowing his teammates to press the other receivers in tight coverage. Sherman against Demaryius could be the matchup we want to see, and what a contest that could be.

Seattle are stacked with talent on their defense as along with Sherman there is fellow All-Pro Earl Thomas at safety. Another playmaker for the Seahawks he will patrol deep and ensure no receivers can get in behind them. He is the best player in his position at the NFL and his partner at the back Kam Chancellor is just as good. Chancellor will come down closer to the line of scrimmage and may take tight end Julius man-to-man to stop that release valve for Manning, as he did to Vernon Davis in the NFC championship game.

We're not done there with the self-named 'Legion of Boom'. Byron Maxwell has stepped in admirably on the outside after Brandon Browner was suspended for one-year. His size is similar to that of Browner and is able to press receivers at the line of scrimmage making it difficult for a quick throw and catch, the specialty of the Broncos. In the slot Walter Thurmond will likely draw Welker, that will be an interesting battle, as Manning could turn to Welker for his experience early in the game and it will be up to Thomas to shut that avenue down.

Did I mention the Seahawks have a talented roster? Along with their frighteningly good secondary, they also boast one of the best combination of pass-rushers in the NFL with their rotation on their defensive line. They have a very similar look to the New York Giants of the 2007 season in their Super Bowl triumph over the-then highest-scoring offense in NFL history, the Patriots, who have now been succeeded by the Broncos. They can get to the quarterback with four rushers, leaving seven in coverage which creates a lot of problems for a quarterback, as Brady discovered in Super Bowl XLII.

Looking to do the same to Manning, will be Michael Bennett who moved to Seattle in the off-season and has been a revelation especially in big games. He uses his big front to and long arms to evade the tackles, he's also quicker than he looks and has the unique ability to strip the ball from the quarterback's hand when hitting him. He's a key player tonight, if Seattle can't pressure Manning it's over for them. Bennett, along with other free agent Cliff Avril have to deliver.

Stopping the run is an understated storyline for the Seahakws. If Moreno is allowed to run, it will force them to put extra men in the box to counteract that leaving space for Manning. Red Bryant, Tony McDaniel and Clinton McDonald have to win their battles this evening to plug those holes on the line, to force the Broncos into being one-dimensional.

Russell Wilson has been outstanding since his arrival in the NFL last season. After Andrew Luck and RObert Griffin III drew all the focus last year, it's Wilson who becomes the first quarterback from the 2012 Draft class that goes to the Super Bowl. With limited talent around him, he has done it again and again in a variety of ways to have a crack at winning his first Vince Lombardi Trophy at the age of just 26. His ability to move around in the pocket is invaluable as it buys his less talented receivers time to get open. He can also make plays with his feet so you have to keep him contained in the pocket. More important he rarely makes mistake, he has thrown just 19 interceptions in his two years in the league, that's one year or half a season for some quarterbacks. An error-free game could be enough for the Seahawks this evening.

Big things were expected of Percy Harvin following his trade move from the Minnesota Vikings in the off-season as the Seahawks traded a first round Draft pick for his services. However, it hasn't quite gone to plan as a hip injury and a concussion has limited him to just two games in the entire year. He is fit tonight and a big game will erase all those memories of him being in active for 16 of his side's 18 games. The 26-year-old has the ability to take any play in the game for a touchdown, he has unique speed and elusiveness, so if Wilson can give him the ball in space, good things may happen for the Seahawks against the poor secondary of the Broncos.

Don't discount Golden Tate or Doug Baldwin either. They have come up big for Seattle in the absence of Harvin and are reliable. The duo run all the routes on the tree and can be a handful for any defense. Like Harvin, they are small and quick so any catch in space is a danger for the Broncos. Jack Del Rio will have to ensure his side limit the yards after the catch tonight, good tackling is the name of the game for the Broncos.

Seattle's offensive hopes rest of the form of Marshawn Lynch this evening. 'Beast Mode' was out in full force in the NFC title game. The 27-year-old has ran for over 100 yards in his two previous post-season games and will be looking to do it for a third time in the 2013 playoffs this evening. If he has a big game, the Seahawks could be looking at their first even Super Bowl win.

Queen Latifah has just performed America the Beautiful as part of the pre-game show we have here. The players will be making their way onto the pitch shortly so we'll take a look at the inactives.

SEAHAWKS INACTIVES: B. Walters, C. Michael, M. Bowie, C. Hauptmann, K. Davis, B. Mayowa, J. Hill.

BRONCOS INACTIVES: Z. Dysert, R. Hillman, Q. Jammer, V. Painter, C. Kuper, J. Dreessen, S. Fua.

The Seahawks enter MetLife Stadium to a ferocious roar from the crowd coming out to Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve. Odd choice of entrance theme but it's the Seahawks, nothing is ever usual with them.

INTRODUCING: The 2013 NFC Champs, the @Seahawks! #SB48 pic.twitter.com/IpwPmTJhYM — FOX Sports Live (@FOXSportsLive) February 2, 2014

Here come the AFC champions the Denver Broncos, entering to some happening beat that I've never heard of.

February 2, 2014. 2+2+14=18 #TimeToRide #SB48 pic.twitter.com/pCU5ETlUdI — Denver Broncos (@Broncos) February 2, 2014

Star Spangled Banner is belted out at MetLife Stadium by Soprano, no not Tony, Renee Fleming. We're slowly approaching kickoff here. The excitement is building.

We've been through all the battles, the big one is about to start. Whose nerves will get the better of them, and who will rise to the occasion? We are about find out.

COIN TOSS RESULT: Seattle wins the toss and the defer. Denver will receive the ball to begin the Super Bowl. Joe Namath tossed the coin and got way ahead of himself as threw the coin before any team called heads or tails, but referee Terry McAuley was on hand to make the catch before controversy reigned. Good job Terry.

PREDICTION: I think the Seattle Seahawks will come out on top and win their first Super Bowl with a 21-17 victory. It's going to be close but that defense just does enough to win the game for Pete Carroll's side.

The ball is on the tee. Steven Hauschka will get the Super Bowl underway kicking to Trindon Holliday. Let's go!!!

Holliday collects the kick and takes the ball out of the endzone, but he it hit at the 14 where Manning will take the field.

SAFETY! Disaster for the Broncos on the first play of the game as Ramirez snaps the ball when Manning is not ready. The ball flies over the head of Manning and goes into the endzone, the chase is on but fortunately for the Broncos Moreno gets there first and jumps on the ball to concede the safety.

Colquitt comes out for the free kick and he boots the ball to Tate who returns the ball to the 34-yard line.

Seattle have exploded out of the blocks here and have taken the game to the Broncos. Lynch gets four yards on his first carry of the game, then Wilson brings Harvin into the game with a clever endaround play and he breaks over the left side of the line for a huge 30-yard gain before he finally gets dragged down at the 31 of Denver.

The Seahawks continue to drive down the field as Wilson throws a dart to Kearse in the slot and he make a 12-yard reception down the middle of the field. That moves Seattle into the redzone, after they took a false start penalty on first which moved them back five yards and the quarterback missed wide open Miller with his first throw.

Wilson takes to his feet on back-to-back plays in the redzone. He gets five yards on both carries but the officials mark him short of the first down, and the Seahawks prepare to kick a field goal. However, Carroll comes out with the challenge flag as Wilson may have the first down here. What a start to the game.

Wilson was short and that will cost his side a timeout after Carroll challenge. That will leave a 26-yarder for Hauschka.

The Seahawks take a five-point lead in the Super Bowl as despite taking a five-yard false start penalty, Hauschka has no problem with his kick from 31 as he nails it between the posts.

Who had 5-0 after the first five minutes of the game. I certainly didn't. That safety is the fastest score in Super Bowl history.

Holliday allows the kickoff to go out of the endzone this time, but a 15-yard penalty on Lockette will move the ball to the 35-yard line.

Denver's rough start continues as they go three and out. The hitting from the Seahawks is tremendous Moreno is stopped in his tracks on first down, with a three-yard rush. Demaryius is absolutely hammered by Chancellor on second for a yard and on third Julius is taken down by Walter Thurmond. Colquitt's kick is caught by Tate at the 29-yard line.

Tate makes an excellent catch on a comeback route on the left sideline for a 10-yard reception to earn his side a first down on third and eight. This was after an incompletion on first to Baldwin and a two-yard Lynch run on second. Good stuff so far from Seattle.

Another first down pick up by Seattle as Baldwin this time makes an excellent catch over the middle of the field for a seven-yard reception. After Lynch got absolutely rammed on second down at the line of scrimmage, while Robinson got a six-yard reception on first down.

Big play for Seattle as Wilson goes deep on third down and he lofts it all the way to Baldwin, who makes an excellent back-shoulder catch and he takes the ball to the Denver six-yard line with a 37-yard reception.

Another big penalty on the Seahawks takes them off the six-yard line as Unger false starts. Lynch is met at the line of scrimmage again by the Denver defense as they clatter into him at speed. Wilson then tosses the ball out to Harvin on a screen and he drops it and Denver gather, it's ruled an incompletion but Fox challenges. This is a waste as the ball clearly goes forward.

The play is called as on field as an incompletion and Seattle have third and goal.

Kearse almost has a touchdown as Wilson lofts the ball to him in the endzone on third and goal, he makes the catch and tries to bring it down with both feet in bounds, but Irving is there for Denver to get his hand in the way to knock it out. A crucial play that will force Seattle into a field goal.

Hauschka fires his kick through the posts from 33 yards and the Seahawks take an eight-point lead.

Hauschka kicks the ball out of the endzone so Manning will start at the 20.

Can this start get any worse for the Broncos! Manning throws an interception as he looks for Julius deep downfield and he overthrows him, Chancellor is in the right place at the right time to make the pick. Disaster for Denver as Wilson will take over at the 42-yard line of the Broncos. That was a play after Moreno had fumbled. Error-prone Denver at the moment.

Harvin gets the handoff again from Wilson and he finds all sorts of space down the left sideline. There's no-one to stop him getting the first down and he takes the ball to the Denver 22, for a 15-yard gain.

Wilson goes short to Miller for a five-yard reception at the Denver 17-yard line, and that will end the first quarter.

Lynch gets the handoff and finally reaps some reward for his running so far, as he powers through the middle of the line to get the first down. Seattle at the 12-yard line now.

Carter commits a crucial error for the Broncos on third and four at the six-yard line. Wilson throws the ball to Tate at the back of the endzone and the pass falls incomplete, but the cornerback is guilty of pass interference. That hands the Seahawks a fresh set of downs and puts them on the one-yard line. Another Bronco, another mistake.

Lynch gets the handoff on first down and is repelled. However, on second down he can't be denied as he churns his legs through the line and he gets into the endzone standing up. The Seahawks are in command of this game now.

Holliday brings the ball out and again it's a poor decision as he gets levelled at the 15-yard line. A score here would be good for Denver, any score, just to stop the momentum.

Denver finally get a first down in this game as Moreno gets the handoff on third and one. He powers over the right side of the line for a five-yard gain, after Manning had found Thomas on two screen passes for five and four yards respectively.

Demaryius gets very lucky on third and one, as he collects a screen pass from Manning and decides to go backwards. Seattle swarm to him but he reaches out to get the first down with a leap. After Moreno had found two yards and Demaryius seven on an earlier pass. Better from Denver, but still every yard is a struggle.

Manning gets absolutely cracked on second and 10 but he releases the ball over the middle to Welker, who makes the grab for a first down and gets 16 yards into Seattle territory. A great catch and run over the middle by the 32-year-old.

Ball comes into the game and does well to find a tough yard on third and one, after taking a loss on second and one. He gets hit by Thomas but does enough to get over the marker. That was after Manning hit Demaryius for a nine-yard strike on a slant route over the right side of the field.

When I said things couldn't get worse for Denver, I was wrong! A penalty knocks them back 10 yards on first down and they can only get nine of it back after taking a two-yard loss on a screen to Tamme. That leaves third and 13 and against Seattle you don't want to be in third and long. Avril steams off the edge and attacks Franklin knocking him back into Manning, the rusher gets a hand on the throw and it comes out wobbly. Smith attacks the ball and gets ahead of Moreno, makes the interception and runs it all the way back 69 yards for the score. Incredible scenes at MetLife Stadium.

RUH ROH! Holliday takes the ball out of the endzone from the kickoff and he gets hit at the 32-yard line and the ball comes loose. Hauschka jumps on the ball and recovers the fumble. The play will go to review, and Denver's blushes maybe saved as Holliday's knee appears to be down. That could have been it for the Broncos.

Yes his knee was down and Manning will start at the 32-yard line.

Manning makes a great throw down the left sideline to keep his side's drive alive as he hits Demaryius on a back-shoulder fade for an 18-yard gain, that moves Denver into Seattle territory.

At the two-minute warning, Denver are inside the Seattle 30 as Manning hits Welker over the middle of the field for a five-yard gain and then goes deep to Julius for a 13-yard gain to the Seattle 28-yard line. A score here is a must for the Broncos.

Denver can't keep their drive moving as Manning is forced off the spot and he has to throw on the run to Moreno on third and nine, the back gets seven yards before he is brought down. The Broncos are going to go for it on fourth and two, rather than kick a field goal.

SEATTLE GET THE STOP! Manning is pressured as he throws and his pass falls incomplete, meaning Seattle will take over on downs at their own 25-yard line. That was a sure field goal, why not get yourself on the board there.

Seattle just run out the clock as the run Lynch into the line. Carroll takes his headset off and lets his side take a 22-point lead into the break.

Hands up, who saw this coming? I didn't and my prediction of 21-17 is already useless. Cheers Broncos. Seattle have been absolutely dominant and all over the Broncos' offensive line, Avril, Bennett and Clemons have been all over Manning and in his face as he tried to throw the ball. The pressure has told with two interceptions and a fumble as well by Moreno, every yard has been a struggle. You can point at one or two plays that set the tone of the game, but that safety was a terrible way to start by Ramirez. His side have been under the cosh ever since.

Denver had the chance to get some points on the board at the end of the half but they chose to go for it on fourth down. They failed on the conversion, which could come back to haunt them, as when I stated about Super Bowl XLII in a very similar game to this, when the Patriots were beaten up by the Giants, they didn't go for a 48-yard field goal and that cost them in the 17-14 defeat. Could this haunt John Fox on this occasion?

Now we have the treat of Bruno Mars for the half-time show. It's not quite Beyonce from last year, but I suppose it will have to do.

I'm back, I hope you enjoyed Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. From the show I gleaned that Mars doesn't believe in miracles and the Chili Peppers were singing Give it Away. Not good messages for Broncos fans, sorry guys.

A miracle is what the Broncos will need as the biggest deficit anyone has ever overturned in the Super Bowl is 10 points. But, if any offense can do it's this one. The first thing they will need is a stop from their defense, if Seattle are allowed to put a drive together at the start of the half, this one is over.

The teams have been away for 30 minutes so it is important that they keep their level of intensity especially the Seahawks, who wouldn't have wanted that half to end.

Prater will kick to Harvin to get us underway.

Put a fork in Denver they are done. For the second Super Bowl in a row the kickoff after half time goes all the way for a touchdown as Harvin returns the ball 87 yards for the score. Prater kicked the ball short trying to steal possession but Harvin was wise to it, he gathered and beat the first tackle and then used his express pace to get into the endzone. Incredible!

Holliday returns the kickoff to the 24-yard line where Manning will begin. If it was hard at the break, it's even harder now.

Manning gets his side moving as he fires to Welker down the middle of the field and he gets the first down with a 14-yard reception.

Manning goes short again and he finds Decker for six yards on a quick inside route beating Sherman in coverage, which is enough for a first down on third and four. That was after Manning was forced off his spot and had to throw to Moreno on second and 10, and he got six yards on the play before he got clattered by Wright.

Disaster could strike for Seattle here as Sherman is down on the field with an apparent injury after going down after tackling Demaryius. That could be huge in this game if he goes out.

Scratch that he runs off the field after receiving some treatment. Obviously not as serious as thought.

The Broncos get a break on third and three as Bryant jumps across the line and is offside. That gives the Broncos the first down and five yards to boot at the Seattle 38-yard line.

Denver's drive comes to a grinding halt, as Manning looks deep down the middle for Welker but he can't hold onto the ball under pressure from Chancellor. On third and 10, Manning hands off to Ball but he gets stuffed at the line. Instead of going for it Fox opts to punt with his side down by 29 points, that's a strange decision. Colquitt's punt is collected at the 10 by Tate.

Wilson hands off to Lynch and he finds a huge hole in the middle in the line. He crashes through it and gets to the 20-yard line of the Seahawks for an 18-yard gain before he gets hauled down by a good last-ditch tackle by Adams. He was nearly away there.

The Seahawks can't move any further as a penalty on Okung cancels out a first down run by Wilson. That puts them in second and 20, on two plays then can't get any yardage as Turbin, then Tate on a screen are stopped for no gain. Ryan's punt is taken to the Denver 45 by Decker, after he gathered the trickling ball.

Manning gets his side moving as he finds Demaryius over the middle of the field and he makes an man miss on a crossing route and gets the first down, before he is tackled by a posse of Seahawks players.

OH BOY! This is brutal from Denver. Manning fires deep to Demaryius down the seam and he goes up to make the reception deep inside Seattle territory. He makes a move but as he does that Maxwell knocks the ball loose and Smith jumps on it at the 20-yard line. This is just a horror show from the Broncos. A unnecessary roughness adds 15 yards to the play.

Wilson gets the first down for his side and they cruise into Denver territory as he fires to his rookie tight end Luke Wilson down the right sideline on third and seven. Luke makes the reception and takes the ball 12 yards on the play.

Wilson drops back in the pocket and he drills the ball to Lockette over the middle of the field, and he gets the first down with a 15-yard reception. A great catch as Rodgers-Cromartie was in tight coverage.

WHAT A PLAY! Wilson drops back in the pocket again and he drills the ball to Kearse on a slant route, he shrugs off the first tackle and takes a step. Ihenacho and Woodyard try to bring him down, but he bounces off their tackles as well. Finally he makes a move to avoid Carter and then sprints into the endzone for a 23-yard score. This is over!

Hauschka kicks the ball out of the endzone and Manning will start at the 20. That's if he wants to. I wouldn't.

The Broncos get a break as Manning throws the ball deep for Demaryius and Maxwell in coverage is tugging at his jersey. The officials throw the flag as they should for pass interference handing the Broncos a first down and 20 yards.

Manning goes quickly down the field as he hits Welker for a 12-yard gain, then Tamme for a 10-yard gain. He looks deep again when inside Seattle territory and hits Welker across the middle for a 22-yard reception with Thurmond in coverage, taking his side to the Seattle 14-yard line.

The Broncos finally get on the board as Manning completes the drive with an excellent throw to the endzone as he finds Demaryius with Maxwell draped all over him. The receiver makes a great one-handed catch for the 14-yard score. Denver will go for the two-point conversion here.

Manning fakes a handoff on the goalline and drills the ball to Welker, who makes the grab and goes in for the touchdown.

The Broncos try and onside kick but Prater's effort goes straight into the hands of Seahawks' tight end Miller who gathers the ball.

Baldwin keeps his side moving as he makes a good reception on third down as he makes a grab for a seven-yard catch, after Wilson had found Tate and Miller for eight and six-yard receptions on first and second. They came back from a holding penalty on first, which put them at first and 20. Great stuff from Wilson and his receivers in this game. They have played brilliantly.

Wilson fires down the seam to Kearse and he makes a back-shoulder grab to put his side inside the 10-yard line with a 24-yard reception. His great game continues.

This is a complete and utter blowout! Wilson fires short to Baldwin on the two-yard line, he makes a move and beats a couple of tackles before diving into the endzone for the 10-yard touchdown. That's far too easy and Seattle are just rubbing salt into the wound here. Another great play by Wilson and a good play by one of his receivers.

Hauschka's kick is collected by Holliday and he returns the ball to the 11-yard line before he is decked by Lockette. Ouch, that must have hurt.

The Broncos get the first down as Manning goes deep looking for Demaryius after Sherman leaves the game with an injury. His replacement Thurmond shoves Demaryius and a flag is thrown for pass interference for 15 yards.

Manning goes over the middle of the field and he finds Demaryius, who gets his 13th catch of the game, the receiver takes the ball 17 yards before he is dropped by Thurmond, at the Denver 48. Thurmond leaves the field with an apparent injury as well, Seattle are running out of cornerbacks.

Denver's drive comes stuttering to a halt as they go for it on fourth and two. Manning is pressure again and his pass to Ball falls incomplete, so Seattle will take over at their own 47. That was after Ball could only get one yard on first, Welker got seven on a crossing route on second, while a pass to Decker fell incomplete on third.

On the bright side for the Broncos, Manning has broken the Super Bowl record for the most completions beating Drew Brees's 32. While Demaryius also has the record amount of receptions in a Super Bowl as well.

Turbin gets the first down all on his own for the Seahawks as he gets three carries for 12 yards. He goes through the middle of line for all of them, as he gets five then four on second. On third he powers over the first-down marker for two yards to move inside the 40-yard line of Denver.

Seattle can't extend their drive as Wilson goes for in on fourth down and he can't connect with Turbin as he overthrows him. That was after Wilson got 16 yards on first down following a penalty, while Turbin carried for three yards on second and third down. Denver take over at the 30-yard line.

SACK! Denver go for it on fourth and 11, and Clemons beats Clark around the back and knocks the ball out of Manning's hand. Seattle jump on the ball but it wouldn't matter anyway as it was fourth down. That was after a bomb from Manning deep for Demaryius fell through his hands, while Ball was dropped for a loss on second.

The ultimate humiliation for the Broncos as Wilson is pulled from the game and replaced by backup Tavaris Jackson. He tries to get the first down but his pass to Tate falls incomplete on third and seven. Turbin just runs a short rush to kill the clock and he goes down. The Broncos will takeover at their 24-yard line.

Manning goes underneath to CJ Anderson and it looks as though he's happy to accept defeat.

Anderson plows to through the middle of the line, and that looks to be that as he gets eight yards on a carry at midfield.

Congratulations to the Seattle Seahawks as they win their first Super Bowl.

This was an absolute hammering by the Seahawks. The best offense in the history of the NFL was held to just eight points and truth be told the game was well over by the time they got on the board anyway. Seattle completely dominated all phases of the game and didn't let Denver get into any rhythm.

Seattle linebacker Malcolm Smith has won Super Bowl MVP! He had a fumble recovery and an interception for a touchdown.

. @seahawks' Malcolm Smith is 3rd LB in history to win @superbowl MVP, joins Ray Lewis (XXXV) & Chuck Howley (V)

— Jon Zimmer (@NFLhistory) February 3, 2014

Seattle owner Paul Allen, head coach Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson are lifting the Vince Lombardi Trophy on the podium, what a moment for them.

Pete Carroll has admitted that a lot of hard work has gone into the triumph and that he could not be prouder of his players, he told Fox Sports: "This is an amazing team, these guy started a long time ago. It took four years to get to this point and they have never taken a step sideways or backwards, we moved forward to where we are now. I'm so proud to be a part of them."

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Wilson told Fox Sports: "My teammates have been incredible. We have been relentless all season, ever since we lost in Atlanta last season in the playoffs I remember having a good feeling that we were going to the Super Bowl.

"It all started with the championship off-season we had going into training camp and having that mentality day after day. Tonight was unbelievable, at the end of the season you want to play your best football and that's what we did tonight."

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Super Bowl MVP Malcolm Smith has admitted that he didn't think he would have won the award in his wildest dreams. He also receives a very nice 4X4 car, he told Fox Sports: "No way, I felt good though. I woke up jumping and bouncing, and it turned out great for us tonight."

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Denver Broncos head coach John Fox has praised the Seattle Seahawks as they outplayed his side, but admits that he is very proud of his own players, he told Fox Sports: "We ran into a buzzsaw, we didn't play well enough to beat a very good Seattle Seahawks football team. My hats off to Pete and his staff as well as his players they played very well.

"[Peyton] is disappointed like all of us, he had a tremendous year. We didn't quite finish it the way we would have liked but we accomplished a lot of good things and I'm proud of all the guys in the locker room including Peyton."

Seattle are Super Bowl XLVIII champions. Let that sink in Seahawks fans! They were the best team throughout the season and certainly were tonight as the blitzed the Broncos into oblivion. We haven't had a blowout win like this since the 2002 season, so that's an achievement in itself by Pete Carroll's side. They will be the team to beat in the next campaign and will have the target on their back, but I'm sure this side won't mind one bit about that.

One final image of the game as tackle Breno Giacomini takes in his side's win.

Headline: #CHAMPS pic.twitter.com/RWLXdHYjvf — FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) February 3, 2014

That is going to do it for me this season. What a year it has been! It's 213 days until it all starts again for the 2014 campaign, but we'll be here with all the latest news from around the league, with free agency starting in March and then the Draft in May. Thank you very much for joining me this season, I'm Simon Sinclair, and until next time, goodbye.