Super Bowl forecast looks good
February 2, 2014 -- Updated 1821 GMT (0221 HKT)
A security guard stands in front
of MetLife Stadium Saturday, February 1, in East Rutherford, New Jersey,
the site of Sunday's NFL championship game between the Denver Broncos
and the Seattle Seahawks.
HIDE CAPTION
Buildup to Super Bowl XLVIII
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Previous coldest temperature at kickoff was 39 degrees in New Orleans in 1972
- MVP Peyton Manning not concerned with cold weather
- No Seattle player has previously played in a Super Bowl
- Analysts predict Seahawks, led by top defense, will prevail
But not only is that not going to happen -- Sunday night's game may not even set the record for coldest temperature at kickoff.
That seemed like a
certainty when the NFL awarded the game to East Rutherford, New Jersey,
making it the first cold-winter city to host the big game in an outdoor
stadium. New Orleans' record of 39 degrees in 1972 surely would fall.
But if the NFL was
secretly hoping for some snowflakes to fall during the game, which
starts at 6:30 p.m. ET, it missed by a day.
Sunday's forecast calls
for temperatures in the mid-40s for kickoff. There is a very slight
chance of rain during the game. If there is snow, it might come Monday
night.
Photos: Super Bowl by the numbers
A bird's-eye view of Super Bowl security
Super Bowl 2014 Predictions
And there's more good
news for quarterbacks Peyton Manning of the Denver Broncos and Russell
Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks: The wind shouldn't be a factor.
Sportswriters have noted
that Manning has a losing record (8-11, according to ESPN) when it is
colder than 40, but the NFL's MVP said earlier this week that he's
confident he has a grip on it.
"In my two years (with
the Broncos), I think we have seen a lot as far as on-the-field
situations -- weather, crowd noise, you name it -- with this team. So I
do feel comfortable," he said.
For the Seahawks, it is
as much about inexperience as the weather. Only one player on the
Seattle roster has taken part in a Super Bowl before (and he didn't
play).
But Seahawks coach Pete
Carroll told reporters that his organization has done everything it
could to cut down on the unique Super Bowl week distractions.
"There are a lot of
things going on," he said. "We have a tremendous support staff that will
keep us on track with all of the logistics and all that, but basically
we have to stay focused on the football."
He's not visibly concerned that Wilson, a second-year quarterback, will be overwhelmed by the demands of the week.
"He's got a great savvy about him and I think he's going to continue to show that," Carroll said.
So who is going to win?
Oddsmakers have made the Broncos the favorite. Most of the analysts at
NFL.com are predicting that the Seahawks, who have the No. 1 defense in
the league, will triumph.
Judy Battista writes:
"The Seattle defense -- along with the weather -- holds the Broncos'
passing offense and the scoring down. This allows the Seahawks to play
their ball-control style, thus limiting Peyton Manning's touches."
If that happens, Fox reporter Erin Andrews and Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman might meet again postgame, as they did for a memorable interview after the Seahawks clinched the NFC title. Let's hope it's as interesting as last time.
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