Any plans for Sunday night? Thought not. The Denver Broncos play the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl, and here's why you should ready your excuses to miss work on Monday…
Let's get the basics out of the way…
The two best teams in the NFL meet at Metlife Stadium, New Jersey. And it should be a thriller. Both posted a 13-3 regular season record, with the free-scoring Broncos (ranked top for both scoring and yards) blazing a trail with a record 606 points, an average of 37.9 points a game.
VIDEO Scroll down to watch David Beckham discuss the Super Bowl
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Infamy: Veteran Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is looking to top a career-best season with a Super Bowl title
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Young pretender: But Russell Wilson is hoping to stop him and hand the Seattle Seahawks their first ever win in the big game
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The prize: The Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks will battle for the Vince Lombardi trophy
Intriguingly, the Seahawks' success is based on a stingy defense, conceding an average of 14.4 points a game. The Broncos are making their seventh Super Bowl appearance (they won back-to-back championships in 1997 and 1998), while the Seahawks are making their second after losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2006.
The Broncos will be in orange, the Seahawks in white. If you're a believer in fate, this is not a good omen for Denver, having lost their past three Super Bowls in the colour. It is the first outdoor, cold-weather Super Bowl and though conditions are not expected to mirror the Arctic as once feared, it's going to be a bit nippy.
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Celebrations: Denver Broncos cheerleaders make snow angels in confetti after the team beat the New England Patriots
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Last gasp: Richard Sherman's last minute play allowed the Seahawks to beat the San Francisco 49ers and advance to the Super Bowl
The greatest?
Many will tell you that Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is the best ever. And the future Hall of Famer's stats speak for themselves; 167 regular season wins, 64,964 career yards, 491 touchdowns and a 97.2 career passer record.
At 38, he is in the form of his life, throwing more touchdown (55) and posting more yards (5,477) than anyone had done before. He's won a Super Bowl (with the Indianapolis Colts in 2007) and will be the first quarterback to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy with two teams, should the Broncos triumph. He'll also level the record of his younger brother Eli, who led the New York Giants to wins in XXXX
However, detractors point to his his 11-11 postseason record (New England's Tom Brady has a clinical 18-8), and whether Manning wins the 'greatest ever' argument will depend on whether the Broncos win.
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Weapons: Manning led the Broncos to one of the greatest offensive seasons of all time this year
And the other guy?
Russell Wilson, a third round draft pick who was good enough at baseball to be drafted by the Texas Rangers, overcame worries about his height (he stands at 5ft 11in) to become one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the game. Now in his second year in the NFL, the mobile 25-year-old posted a 100 passer rating in each and 1,000 yards rushing, leading the Seahawks to 27 wins.
And he's done it all on the cheap. His 2014 salary is $526,217; Manning earns more in one game. He was the second top-selling NFL jersey this season, with Manning at No 1.
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Dynamic: Wilson is one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL
What's everyone (not) talking about?
In the seven days of the two-week build up, Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman was the news. He sealed victory over San Francisco with a last-gasp interception, thus booking the Seahawks' Super Bowl ticket, and launched a live post-game rant at 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree.
A divisive character, detractors label him a 'thug'. Yet the articulate Sherman, who has a Masters degree, is one of the best in the game with his reach, wingspan and ability - not to mention his mouth - making him a fearsome opponent.
A third round draft pick in 2011, his 16 interceptions over the past two seasons are the highest in the NFL during that period,
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In the spotlight: Sherman was branded a thug after his post-game outburst after the win over the 49ers
Meanwhile, running back Marshawn Lynch has been in Least Mode. As part of their contracts, NFL players are obliged to talk to the media. But the shy Lynch refused during the regular season, attracting a $50,000 fine.
He has been late for press duty all week and has left early.
'I really ain't got too much to say, boss,' said Lynch. 'I really don't. I appreciate it, but I don't get it. I'm just here so I won't get fined, boss. That's the only reason I'm here.'
But, as Sherman says, Lynch prefers to do his talking on the field. And he's great to watch, too. An aggressive runner with a fearsome stiff arm, he rushed for 1,257 yards during the regular season, his third consecutive season with at least 1,200 yards.
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Shying away: Marshawn Lynch has faced heavy fines because he's failed to make the required media appearances
Attacking options
In Wes Welker, Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker, the Broncos boast a fine receiving corps and with tight end Julius Thomas, Manning has plenty to throw at. All four caught 10 or more touchdown passes this season, putting on as many 50-point games (three) as the entire NFL. They've punted just once in the post-season and they've learnt to use the run game. Knowshon Moreno posted 1,038 yards - an average of 4.3 per carry - and he can catch too.
The Legion of what?
Boom! Seattle's fearsome defense features the hard-hitting Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor and Sherman. Brandon Browner is also a founding member, but he's been suspended for a year for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. They gave up the fewest passing yards per game (172) and forced the most turnovers (39). They are loud, brash and quite brilliant.
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The Legion of Boom: Sherman, Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas make up a fearsome Seahawks defense
Who's in charge?
Broncos head coach John Fox had open heart surgery in November after collapsing on a golf course. The 58-year-old compared the operation to 'a sprained ankle', missing four games (the Broncos went 3-1, losing to the New England Patriots). The perpetually hoarse Fox has been to the Super Bowl before, having lost with Carolina Panthers a decade ago.
Meanwhile, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, 62, has never been to a Super Bowl but he did coach USC to two BSC championships. He's transformed t5he Seahawks since joining in 2010, and has had unsuccessful stints as head coach with the New York Jets (1994) and New England Patriots (1997-99). Voted the coach players would most like to play for in a recent poll, Carroll is one of the best paid in the game after raking in $7m last season. Fox makes half that with the Broncos.
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The X-Factor?
Signed on a six-year, $67m deal from the Minnesota Vikings in the post-season, Percy Harvin has played just 40 snaps in a Seahawks shirt after an injury-hit season. An explosive receiver and kick returner, he could be a game-changer.
And there's a concert at half-time?
Pint-sized Hawaiian crooner and man of many hats Bruno Mars will rattle through his back catalogue, as will the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
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Pop star: bruno Mars (above) and the Red Hot Chili Peppers (below) will perform the half time show
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Any tickets?
Er, yes. And if you fancy braving the elements, it'll cost you $1,236. That is expected to fall.
How much?
A 30-second advert costs a meagre $4million. Expect to see Scarlett Johansson sucking a straw and David Beckham starkers.
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Sultry: Scarlett Johannson is expected to cause a stir with an advertisement for a soft drink
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Big spender: David Beckham's advert for H&M cost $4m
When's it on?
Channel 4's coverage begins at 10:30pm, Sky Sports 1 will be showing Fox's Super Bowl Daily from 7pm, with their coverage starting at 10pm.
What time will it finish?
3:00am, give or take. Sleep's overrated anyway…
SOURCE:Daliy Mail
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