Super Bowl 2014: Will It Be Just Like The Others?

By: Daniel Schwager

A Special to the Live Wire

Thirty-two teams kicked it off last September, each having this game as their ultimate goal. When the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks meet up in Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, on Sunday February 2, 2014, it will be different atmosphere than the previous 47 for many reasons.

The game will also mark the first time in NFL History that a Super Bowl is being played in an outdoor stadium in a cold weather city. NFL is taking precautionary measures, saying that the Super Bowl could be moved a day later on Monday if it snows on Sunday.

[Eric Grubman, NFL vice president of business operations] said he is preparing for worst-case scenarios. … The NFL is providing fans attending the game with a cold-weather survival kit that will be waiting for them at their seats. Along with a seat cushion, fans will receive earmuffs, text-friendly gloves, hand warmers, a knit cap, Kleenex, a cup holder, lip balm and an in-stadium radio that will allow them to hear the play-by-play call of the game. The NFL is ready for worst, but hoping for the best.

According to Weather Channel.com as of Wednesday, January 29, 2014. The weather for Sunday is predicted as clear and a high of 40 degrees, the kickoff temperature is expected to be in mid-upper 30s and should drop into the upper 20s as game goes on,  and a northwest breeze around 10 mph may linger into the game, but they’re expecting it not to be factor. Nevertheless, us New Englanders know that our weather is not easiest to predict this time of year. It should be interesting Groundhogs day.

Tickets for game are “Cheaper” this year than years past, but the reasoning for low ticket prices  is not just because of the weather, but the fact that the teams are not really drawing that big of crowd for the game. The Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks just do not have large media markets or fan base as Dallas, New England, New York teams would be.  Tickets can be purchased for as little as $1,643 per stub. That price is roughly 40 percent lower than what it was immediately following the AFC and NFC Championship games, according to CNN. This is one of lowest ticket prices in a decade.  But price has started going back up as the game gets closer, as New Yorkers are taking advantage of cheap prices for getting a once in a lifetime experience of going to a Super Bowl.

When Quarterback Peyton Manning takes the field with his high-scoring Broncos offense against Cornerback Richard Sherman and his very physical Seahawks defense, it will mark the first time that the best offense in league matches up against the best defense in league in Super Bowl history.

Sherman said that he has already played Sunday’s game several times in his head. “I think that’s the kind of preparation you have to have when you go into a game like this,” he said.

Manning’s Broncos and Sherman’s Seahawks will be prepared and ready to do battle on Broadway. However, the game is truly to going to come down to which team can be effective in all three phases of the game on Sunday, offense, defense, and special teams.

Other cold weather cities are hoping for a successful Super Bowl weekend, so they might have a chance to host the big game in the future.

 

 

 

Interesting Note:

• Denver Broncos’ Quarterback Peyton Manning,  who is well known for yelling “Omaha” during games over his career. Manning who yelled “Omaha” 75 times during the game against the New England Patriots in AFC Championship. The Omaha Chamber Of Commerce is pledging $1,500 for every time he says it during Super Bowl.  Nebraska City will donate the money to Peyton Manning’s Charity.
• This is also third time in Super Bowl history that 2 mascots for teams are animals
• 30 second Super Bowl AD is worth 4.5 Million Dollars