The Seattle Seahawks are world champions, and they made it look easy Sunday night. In an anticipated matchup of the NFL's top ranked offense in the Denver Broncos, versus the top ranked defense in the Seattle Seahawks, Super Bowl XLVIII wasn't much of a contest at all, as the Seahawks dominated from start to finish.

Seattle earned its first Super Bowl championship, blowing out Denver 43-8. The game began with the Broncos snapping the ball over Peyton Manning's head on the first offensive play of the contest, spotting the Seahawks a 2-0 lead. Seattle then drove down the field for a field goal, and leaned on their defense. Before Denver could acquire a first down, it was 8-0 Seattle, and the worst was yet to come.

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images
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Peyton Manning, a 5 time NFL MVP, turned the ball over twice in the first half. The first was an overthrown ball that was picked off by safety Kam Chancellor at the Denver 37. 7 plays later, Marshawn Lynch ran in the first score of the game, and Seattle led 15-0 in the 2nd quarter.

Denver's next possession lasted 15 plays, but ended with another costly Manning error. Just outside of field goal range, facing a 3rd and 10, he was hit as he threw. The ball sailed in the air, and was intercepted by linebacker Malcolm Smith, who returned it 69 yards for a touchdown.

With a 22-0 lead, the Seahawks heralded defense continued to dominate, turning Manning and the Broncos over on downs at the end of the first half.

The second half started much like the first half for the Broncos. Despite missing the majority of the season due to injury, Seahawks wide receiver and kick returner Percy Harvin looked game ready, especially at the start of the 3rd quarter, when he took the opening kickoff 87 yards to the house, crushing whatever little spirit the Broncos had left.

Harvin's score made it 29-0 Seattle, and made the Seahawks the first team in Super Bowl history to score on a safety, defensive touchdown, and kick return touchdown.

Manning connected with Demaryius Thomas on the following drive, and as he reached the red zone, he fumbled it away. Seattle took the gift, drove down the field, and scored again, this time on a Russell Wilson touchdown to Jermaine Kearse, giving them a 36-0 lead.

Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
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Eventually Manning found Thomas for a touchdown at the end of the 3rd quarter. He then connected with Wes Welker on a 2 point conversion, saving the Broncos from being shutout. In a blowout loss, Manning set the record for most completions in a Super Bowl at 34, while Thomas set a Super Bowl record for most receptions with 13.

One more touchdown was put on the board for good measure, as Wilson hooked up with Doug Baldwin on a 10 yard score, the only touchdown of the fourth quarter.

Smith was named Super Bowl MVP. In addition to his interception and a fumble recovery, Smith led Seattle in tackles with 10, and becomes the 8th defensive player in Super Bowl history to win the award, and only the third linebacker (Ray Lewis 2001, Chuck Howley 1971).

The Seahawks will undoubtedly be the favorites to win next year's Super Bowl. Vegas already has them listed at 8 to 1, tied with the 49ers for the best odds. With all key players under contract, and an average age of 26 years, 138 days, Seattle looks to be a continued dominant force in coming years.

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
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