What they’re saying

Seahawks defense now also part of Super Bowl lore

The Seahawks’ “Legion of Boom” defense etched its name alongside the “Monsters of Midway,” the “Steel Curtain” and the “Doomsday Defense” as one of the NFL’s greatest units with a suffocating 43-8 victory over the Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII on Sunday night at MetLife Stadium.

In a matchup that pitted the league’s top-ranked defense and offense against each other, the “Legion of Boom” delivered a knockout punch … and settled any debate about its legacy.

JEFF MCLANE

Philadelphia Inquier

Game will be remember as changing of the guard

The game was built upon one quarterback’s past, set in the foundation of 16 record-breaking seasons and served up as referendum of a rightful place in football history.

The game will be remembered for a different quarterback’s future, for ushering in the NFL’s next great star, for the anointing of this year’s undisputed No. 1 team.

Peyton Manning’s story carried us into Super Bowl XLVIII. Russell Wilson’s story carries us out.

Backed by his ferocious defense, buoyed by his electrifying special teams and in command of his efficient offense, Wilson and his Seahawks destroyed Manning’s Broncos, burying Manning’s compelling quest for a second title in the relentless pursuit of their first.

A night that began with Manning’s startled face as an errant football sailed over his head finished with Wilson’s jubilant smile as celebratory fireworks exploded over his. Manning’s “then” had nothing on Wilson’s “now,” and the result leaves two quarterbacks at opposite ends of the career spectrum holding the same number of championship banners. One apiece.

TARA SULLIVAN

Hackensack (N.J.) Record

Victory at Meadowlands has to be extra sweet for Carroll

This time there was no fake spike to derail Pete Carroll, only celebratory spikes from his players as they found the end zone early and often to turn the Seahawks’ 62-year-old coach into a Super Bowl champion.

The fact that the 43-8 rout of the Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII occurred at the Meadowlands only added to the deliciousness of the evening for Carroll.

It was two decades earlier that he saw his only season as the Jets’ head coach ruined in part because of a play on which Dan Marino faked a clock-stopping spike, then threw a game-winning pass for the Dolphins.

No one ever has let him forget it, and he found himself talking about it again in the week leading up to the Super Bowl. Perhaps now he will be asked instead about winning a championship in a rout with a team that never had won a Super Bowl and that had not a single player on its roster who had played in one.

NEIL BEST

Newsday

Don’t take it too hard Peyton, it didn’t matter who was QB

If it’s any consolation to Peyton Manning, every quarterback’s legacy would have taken a hit on this night.

Pick a quarterback from any team, from any offensive system, from any era, and he’d have been smoked by the Seattle defense we saw Sunday night in Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium.

Joe Montana or Joe Namath.

John Elway or Johnny Unitas.

Bart Starr or Brett Favre.

None of them solves the Seahawks when Pete Carroll’s men are playing his system like this.

BOB GLAUBER

Newsday

Seahawks turn in one of greatest performances

Waiting to get their hands on the Lombardi Trophy, the Seahawks were surrounded by security guards in orange jackets, the first time anyone in that color stopped them all night.

The Seahawks stayed true to their mantra to make each day a championship day. They made Super Bowl Sunday the best day of all with one of the greatest performances in an NFL title game – sparked by a defense that ranks among the best ever.

BARRY WILNER

Associated Press