Earl Thomas key to stopping Peyton

— -- JERSEY CITY, N.J. -- Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman has talked so much -- and so continually -- this week that many people have ignored some of the more interesting subplots of Super Bowl XLVIII.

One is that it's highly unlikely that Denver quarterback Peyton Manning will spend the bulk of his time challenging a talented defender like Sherman. Manning didn't get this far in his career by being reckless or dumb.

However, how Manning fares against Sherman's less bombastic teammate, free safety Earl Thomas, is a more fascinating angle to ponder as this game nears.

Sherman may claim to be the NFL's best cornerback, but Thomas is the most important defender in this contest. As much as people talk about how Manning terrorizes cornerbacks, it's the damage he inflicts on safeties that really puts opponents in positions they seldom want to be. He forces them into ill-advised movements with his eyes, tests them with his constant hand gestures and demands that they be at the top of their game if they're going to keep up with Denver's fast-paced offense. For a player as gifted as Thomas, it's the ultimate opportunity to prove how much he means to a Seahawks defense that has been the league's best all season.