Seattle crushes Denver to win maiden Super Bowl title

The Seattle Seahawks' ferocious defense shut down the Denver Broncos and record-setting quarterback Peyton Manning in a 43-8 rout on Sunday to claim their first Super Bowl title.

Seattle, the NFL's top-ranked defense, turned two interceptions into second-quarter touchdowns for a 22-0 lead at intermission, the second coming on a 69-yard interception return by linebacker Malcolm Smith.

The Seahawks also recovered two fumbles in the lopsided contest that gave them their first Super Bowl crown in their 37 seasons.

The comprehensive victory began 12 seconds into the contest with a two-point safety on a bad snap over Manning's head into the end zone on Denver's first play for the quickest Super Bowl tally ever.

After Denver's second half kickoff, Percy Harvin also took 12 seconds to score, racing 87 yards into the end zone to confirm the romp was on in taking Seattle's lead to 29-0.

Second-year quarterback Russell Wilson, leading the second youngest team ever to play in a Super Bowl, took the spotlight from five-time NFL Most Valuable Player Manning by completing 18 of 25 passes for 206 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Malcolm Smith was named as the Most Valuable Player after helping his team to the victory.

Smith pulled off one of the biggest plays of the game when he intercepted a pass from Denver quarterback Peyton Manning in the second quarter and sprinted 69 yards for a touchdown.

The 24-year-old's touchdown effectively killed off Denver's chances of mounting a comeback. They were trailing 15-0 at the time and driving but Smith's interception gave his team a 22-0 lead.

Smith is just the third linebacker to win the prestigious award, joining Chuck Howley of the Dallas Cowboys and Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens.