Broncos turn their attention to Seahawks

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos haven’t yet begun detailed preparations for their Super Bowl opponent, the Seattle Seahawks.

But on Monday they spoke respectfully about qualities they don’t need a lot of film study to understand.

“I know they’re a great football team,” coach John Fox said. “I know that Pete Carroll and his staff do a terrific job. I think they’ve kind of been the 1-seed all through the NFC, at least through the last six, eight weeks. I know they got after us pretty good when we got out there in the preseason. So we haven’t dug into them too in-depth yet, but any time you reach the world championship game, I think usually the opponent’s pretty good.”

Broncos and Seahawks met in an exhibition game Aug. 17 at Seattle’s CenturyLink Field, with Seattle winning, 40-10.

The stakes will be considerably higher Feb. 2 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey when the teams meet in Super Bowl XLVIII.

Still, Fox said some things can be taken from that earlier meeting.

“I think you take something away from every experience,” he said. “It will be something we look at, I’m sure they look at. We’ve got plenty of time to look at a lot of tape. There’s a whole season of tape out there on both teams.”

Asked what he knows about the Seahawks, Denver linebacker Danny Trevathan instantly named running back Marshawn Lynch.

“I played running back a little bit, so I grew up watching him a little bit,” Trevathan. “(Their offense is) athletic all around the board. If they get the running game going, they can really get going. And they play within their scheme; they play with the people that they have, they use them to their strengths. … They can get going anytime. We’ve got to be prepared for anything. It’s going to be a good Super Bowl.”

Tight end Julius Thomas was asked about finding space in the Seahawks secondary: “It’s the Super Bowl, so it’s going to be tough,” he said. “Nothing’s going to come easy. I’m pretty sure you’re going to see two teams playing as physical as possible. This is for all the marbles, so I’m pretty sure it will be a tough game all around.”

The Broncos qualified for their seventh Super Bowl with a 26-16 win over the New England Patriots on Sunday.

And among the things that Fox liked about his team that day was how it quickly transitioned its thoughts to the one game remaining in this season.

“I think we were pretty good, even in the locker room after the game,” he said. “This group has been pretty focused. They’ve responded well, and I don’t expect that to change moving forward.”

DEFENDING WELKER

Fox chose to steer mostly clear of the controversy that arose Monday when New England coach Bill Belichick called receiver Wes Welker’s crossing-route collision with New England cornerback Aqib Talib “one of the worst plays I’ve seen.”

“It was a deliberate play by the receiver to take out Aqib,” Belichick said. “No attempt to get open. I’ll let the league handle the discipline on that play, whatever they decide.”

A few hours after Belichick volunteered his remarks, Fox said he hadn’t heard them and therefore couldn’t comment. However, he added, “I know Wes Welker is a great player, high integrity. I can say we were not doing anything with intent.”

Under further questioning, Fox added “I think that most pass routes that we run, there’s an attempt to get open,” and he added that Welker is an unlikely candidate for goon work since he had suffered a pair of concussions this season.

Denver teammates also came to Welker’s defense.

“I’ve known Wes for quite a while now, and he’s definitely not that kind of guy,” Thomas said. “Things happen in football, and sometimes people get hurt. I don’t believe Wes would intentionally hurt anybody.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Abraham Lucas fist bumps a camper at the third annual League Advantage Youth Football Camp at Lucas' alma mater, Archbishop Murphy High School, on Saturday, June 28, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Seahawks’ Abraham Lucas hosts football camp at alma mater

The Archbishop Murphy alum hosts around 125 local kids for a free day of football activities.

Top recruit Kaleo Anderson commits to Virginia Tech

The King’s guard was The Herald’s 2025 Girls Basketball Player of the Year.

Everett AquaSox pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje throw against the Tri-City Dust Devils at Funko Field on May 10, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Shari Sommerfeld / Everett AquaSox)
Jurrangelo Cijntje, Lazaro Montes named to Futures Game

One current Everett AquaSox player and two former ones have… Continue reading

Everett AquaSox infielder Colt Emerson gets a high-five from teammate Lazaro Montes after scoring during the game against the Tri-City Dust Devils on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Vote for the Frog of the Week

Who is the Frog of the Week? Vote for the Everett AquaSox… Continue reading

AquaSox pitcher Evan Truitt throws a pitch during Everett's 19-8 loss to the Eugene Emeralds at Funko Field on Sunday. The 22-year-old right-hander allowed a grand slam in the fourth inning, the third one given up by the AquaSox this week. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Up Hit’s Creek: AquaSox blown out by Eugene in homestand finale

Two position players combine to pitch final 4 innings due to gassed bullpen in 19-8 loss.

AquaSox pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje delivers a pitch during Everett's 9-3 loss to the Eugene Emeralds at Funko Field on Saturday. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox scoring woes continue in loss to Eugene

Trouble plating runners and a fourth-inning blow-up on the mound doom Everett in 9-3 loss.

Kevin Harvick (right) speaks at the Mark Galloway 150 Shootout media lunch alongside his son, Keelan, at Evergreen Speedway on Friday. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
NASCAR legend set to return to Evergreen Speedway

Kevin Harvick and his son, Keelan, will face off in the Mark Galloway 150 Shootout on Saturday.

Everett Silvertips’ Carter Bear on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Carter Bear becomes Silvertips’ first NHL first-round pick in 10 years

The Detroit Red Wings select the forward 13th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft on Friday.

Everett AquaSox pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje throws against the Spokane Indians at Funko Field on May 31, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Evan Morud / Everett AquaSox)
AquaSox switch-pitcher’s long path leads to Everett

High-A baseball represents just another step in Jurrangelo Cijntje’s journey.

Lake Stevens’ Teegan Lawson maneuvers over the pole in the 4A boys high jump final on Saturday, May 31, 2025 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Wesco all-league boys track teams announced

Wesco has announced its all-league teams for boys track. WESCO 4A First… Continue reading

AquaSox pitcher Ashton Izzi throws a pitch during Everett's 8-2 loss to Eugene at Funko Field on Thursday, June 26, 2025. (Evan Morud / Everett AquaSox)
Fifth-inning grand slam sinks Frogs

AquaSox drop fourth straight game after 8-2 loss to Eugene.

Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners hits a single during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at T-Mobile Park on Thursday, May 29, 2025, in Seattle. (Stephen Brashear / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
M’s Cal Raleigh will participate in Home Run Derby

ARLINGTON, Texas – Major League Baseball announced today that Mariners catcher Cal… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.