Listen to the full interview via the podcast

On Sunday week, Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos lock horns in Superbowl XLVIII at New York's Met Life Stadium.

The game will feature an intriguing clash of styles between the best defence (Seattle) and offence (Denver).

To reach the Superbowl, Seattle beat San Francisco 49ers 23 - 17 on Sunday night, while Denver beat New England Patriots 26 - 16.

But those results were overshadowed by the infamous post-match tirade aimed at the 49ers' Michael Crabtree by Seahawks corner back Richard Sherman which has become a high-water mark of post-match trash talking.

We were joined by Channel 4's Mike Carlson who started off by discussing Sherman's antics.

"I think Richard Sherman did a fantastic job at establishing a challenge, if not intimidation, towards the Denver receivers who are the best group of four in the league. But he also made himself the focal point of the Superbowl. On media day next week, the media are going to surround him looking for the quote. He's going to relish that. It's just part of a guy who is incredibly competitive and intelligent."

It is quite common to see players celebrating after successful tackles, to make sure that the cameras and sponsors note their individual contribution and Carlson added that "everyone in the NFL sees the value of celebrating or jumps at the opportunity to celebrate". 

As for the actual football, Carlson described the Seahawks v 49ers game as the best playoff game he has seen all year because the San Francisco defence is "not far behind" the exploits of the Seahawks' defence.

"It will be an interesting task for Peyton Manning and his receivers when they go up against such an aggressive defence whose strong points are really the pass rush on the outside and the tight coverage of the receivers," said Carlson of the upcoming Superbowl.

He has also been impressed by the Seattle fans who have broken noise records and caused mini-earthquakes and Carlson thinks that noise is an advantage to their team's defence. 

As for Manning's legacy as arguably the greatest quarter-back, Carlson believes it will be "unassailable" if he can win a second Superbowl.

 

Pictured: Richard Sherman and Peyton Manning