Super Bowl XLVIII

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The game's narrative is defined by Seattle's complete defensive dominance from the very first play. Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril scored a safety on the first play from scrimmage, just 12 seconds into the game, setting a record for the quickest score in Super Bowl history. Seattle led 22–0 at halftime and ultimately went up 36–0 before allowing Denver's first and only score on the final play of the third quarter. The Seahawks set a record by making the first seven scores of the game; previously the record was four. The 36–0 lead was by far the largest shutout lead in Super Bowl history, surpassing the previous record of 24–0. The Seahawks became the first team in a Super Bowl to score on a safety, a kickoff return for a touchdown (12 seconds into the second half), and an interception return for a touchdown. Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, a five-time NFL MVP, threw two interceptions in the first half.

In Their Own Story

The Seahawks' 2013 defense is often regarded as one of the greatest defenses in NFL history following the game. The game was the first time since Super Bowl XXV that the #1 scoring offense (Broncos) went up against the #1 scoring defense (Seahawks). It was the fifth Super Bowl where the winning team outscored the losing team in every quarter. In addition, it was the first time the winning team scored over 40 points while holding the opponent team to under 10 in the Super Bowl. Seattle also tied the 1992 Dallas Cowboys for the third-largest blowout in Super Bowl history. In retrospect, Super Bowl XLVIII is considered among the worst Super Bowls due to the game's one-sidedness from start to finish.

Reader's Guide

Super Bowl XLVIII was the first Super Bowl victory for the Seahawks and the fifth Super Bowl loss for the Broncos, at the time a league record for the most of any team. This marked one of the few times that two former divisional rivals met in a Super Bowl, as the Seahawks and Broncos were in the same division (the AFC West) from 1977 to 2001. The Seahawks would make their third Super Bowl appearance the following year and ultimately lost to the Patriots 28–24. The Seahawks did not make another Super Bowl appearance until eleven years later in 2026, where they earned a Super Bowl XLIX rematch with the Patriots, winning 29–13 in Super Bowl LX. That victory marks the Seahawks' second Super Bowl win after their inaugural win from this game.

Did You Know?

• The Seahawks set a record by making the first seven scores of the game; previously the record was four.
• Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril scored a safety on the first play from scrimmage, just 12 seconds into the game, setting the record for the quickest score in Super Bowl history.
• The 36–0 lead was by far the largest shutout lead in Super Bowl history; the previous record was 24–0.
• The Seahawks became the first team in a Super Bowl to score on a safety, a kickoff return for a touchdown, and an interception return for a touchdown.
• The game was the first Super Bowl played outdoors in a cold-weather city and the first one played in New Jersey.