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For the first time in NFL history, the best offense (by yards and scoring) will face the best defense (by yards and scoring) in the Super Bowl. 

This will be the fifth time since the AFL and NFL merged that the league’s top-scoring offense played the top-scoring defense in the Super Bowl, the first since the Buffalo Bills(top offense) and New York Giants(top defense) met to close the 1990 season. 

The NFC Championship Game was decided when Richard Sherman made the play of the game. Then he followed it up with the quote of the day.

Sherman deflected a Colin Kaepernick pass intended for Michael Crabtree in the end zone. The ball was intercepted by linebacker Malcolm Smith with 22 seconds remaining to seal the Seahawks' 23-17 win against the San Francisco 49ers.

After the game, Sherman, known for his bold statements, took a shot at Crabtree.

Oddsmakers had trouble picking the favorite in what figures to be one of the most evenly matched -- and heavily bet -- Super Bowls ever.

Bettors knew who they wanted, though, putting early money on Denver and making the Broncos a slight favorite to beat the Seattle Seahawks in most of this city's legal betting parlors.

Denver was favored by 1 point at several books in the early betting, while others had the Broncos as high as a 3-point pick. The move to the Broncos came after some books had initially made the Seahawks as much as a 2-point pick in the game.

The Seattle Seahawks booked their place in Super Bowl XLVIII with a dramatic victory over the San Francisco 49ers which was bookended by huge turnovers.

The Seahawks beat the 49ers 23-17 to win the NFC Championship and join the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl in New Jersey on February 2.

The San Francisco 49ers' long road trip to a Super Bowl return will now take them to Seattle after beating the Panthers 23-10 in Carolina.

The fifth-seeded 49ers will head to the noisiest stadium in the world to play in their third straight NFC Championship game after already logging thousands of playoff miles while earning victories in Carolina and Green Bay. San Francisco split two games with their division rivals this season, winning at Candlestick Park but losing in Seattle.

When he got around the edge, there was no one for Marshawn Lynch to hit. Directly ahead was open field, the end zone and the Seattle Seahawks' place in the NFC championship game.

 Once again, Lynch overpowered the New Orleans Saints in the postseason.

"That was maybe `Beast Mode II.' I don't know but it was a very cool way to end that game and give us the score that we needed," Seattle coach Pete Carroll said.

Lynch carried 28 times for 140 yards and two touchdowns and Seattle's defense flustered Drew Brees and New Orleans in a 23-15 victory Saturday in the NFC divisional playoff game.

The New Orleans Saints shook off the idea which they can't win while on the road in their playoff opener , though pulling off a victory at raucous CenturyLink Field in Saturday's NFC divisional matchup with the Seattle Seahawks are going to be a more daunting task .

Although it has yet to play a match between the Steelers and the Bengals, I will be free for you this week as the best player of the week, introduce Marshawn Lynch. With three touch down, Lynch was unsolvable enigma for the 49ers. 

Lynch scored on touchdown runs of 14 and 2 yards, and added a 7-yard TD reception in the second half. Lynch finished with 135 total yards, including 98 yards rushing, to make up for quarterback Russell Wilson hitting on only two of his first 10 throws and Seattle's receivers struggling to get open. His TD run on the first drive of the second half gave the Seahawks a 12-0 lead. His TD catch pushed the advantage to 19-3 early in the fourth quarter. 

It's simple, really: If you love football -- if you love sports -- then you LOVE the Seattle Seahawks hosting the San Francisco 49ers this Sunday night.

Why?

It's the single best rivalry in the NFL today.

Yes, I understand the amazing history between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears. I'm well aware of the classic battles waged by the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys. I know all about Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers -- that's a spectacular clash, fueled by smashmouth play and a whole lot of people (players and fans alike) who don't like each other. But it isn't Niners-'Hawks. Not now. In 2013, nothing gets the emotions flowing like this epic NFC West grudge match.

No other rivals truly loathe each other right now quite like San Francisco and Seattle. And pure hatred in today's NFL -- with free agency and general player movement -- is rare. Pure hatred is wonderful, needed and extremely juicy.

The Niners and Seahawks resemble each other in style and structure. They are the two best, deepest and most-complete teams in the NFL.

And to have this week's game in Seattle -- in front of the throaty "12th Man" crowd -- makes it even better.

This is The Game in professional football, and here are nine reasons why:

This personal rivalry goes back to the coaches' college days -- and it is flat-out awesome.

This will be the talk of this rivalry for years to come -- two young guns who ensure their respective teams will be in the Super Bowl race for the foreseeable future. These quarterbacks ooze leadership, talent, clutch play and likeability. And just like the teams in this rivalry, the signal-callers are similar in style. Both can throw deep, throw with pinpoint accuracy and effectively run the football. They are two of the brightest young stars in the NFL and two of my favorite players to watch.

Sherman is a great player. In fact, I think he's the best corner in the league. And if you don't believe in my assessment, just ask Sherman himself -- he'll be the first one to confirm this notion. He's loquacious, braggadocious and a whole lot of fun. He's the actor who steals the scene with his performance and personality.

In my opinion, the Seahawks and Niners boast the top two defenses in the NFL. They hit you hard -- and they let you know about it.

And they each will be tested by a strong offense on Sunday night. How cool is this?!

Both defenses are deep, talented, bone-crushing units that routinely churn out game-changing splash plays. It's not often that you call a defense "fun to watch," but that's exactly what we have here -- on both sides.

Lynch is a Bay Area product who starred at Cal, so many Niner fans rooted for him on the collegiate level.

With the rapid player movement in today's game, line cohesiveness has taken a hit. But not with the Niners. San Fran's offensive line is the best in the game. The unit does a brilliant job protecting Kaepernick and opening up holes for Frank Gore. These guys bloody you.

Silver: 49ers strike gold in Boldin

In his 32 Questions column, Michael Silver talks to Anquan Boldin following the receiver's dazzling debut with the 49ers. 

Throughout his entire career, Boldin has been the epitome of clutch. His debut effort as a Niner -- 13 catches for 208 yards and a touchdown last Sunday -- was astounding.

You know Boldin is going to do something to add his own chapter to this rivalry's book.

I know what you're thinking: It's Week 2. How is that possible?

Well, only one of these division foes can win the division. Sounds elementary, but it adds to the sense of necessity. A single win or loss can be the difference between a No. 1/No. 2 seed and playing on the road the entire postseason.

Move over Lambeau Field. See ya, Arrowhead. In today's NFL, no home-field advantage compares to the one experienced at CenturyLink Field. The place rocks at an unparalleled decibel level.

Article source: NFL; Adam Schein

Follow Adam Schein on Twitter @AdamSchein.