Carolina Panthers vs Denver Broncos: Super Bowl 50 Predictions & Preview
Well, it's finally here.
The biggest even of the year is here, and it's Super Bowl 50. The Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos will square off in a battle of the No. 1 seeds. There's no time for Cinderella teams this year. Only the best of the best survived this season. Can Peyton Manning go out on top? Or will the young Panthers spoil the party?
Carolina Panthers
Cam Newton has been the best player in the NFL all season, and you can bet he will eventually be named the regular season Most Valuable Player. But he doesn't want to stop there. Newton wants to be the first player since Kurt Warner in 1999 to win the regular season MVP and Super Bowl MVP in the same season.
Newton may not have outstanding wide receivers to throw to, but Greg Olsen is a great tight end to have for any quarterback. Olsen will be targeted all game long, and if the Broncos defense breaks through and gets pressure on Newton, then Olsen will be assigned to block more than expected. Ted Ginn Jr. has outstanding speed, and we know he can get open, but his issue is dropped passes.
Luke Kuechly and Josh Norman lead one of the best defensive units in the NFL. The Panthers secondary is going to have their hands full against the Broncos wide outs, but they should be in for the task. Fortunately for the Panthers, the Broncos don't have a great running game, so their linebackers won't have to blitz, thus leaving them to play a little zone coverage when needed.
The key X factor for the Panthers in this game will be Newton's mobility. Let's not forget what Russell Wilson did to the Broncos two years ago. Time and time again he made plays outside the pocket with his legs. Can Newton do the same?
Denver Broncos
This is it for the Broncos. John Elway has spent a ton of money on this stacked roster, and after this season, there's no telling where so many of the talented free agents will go. Manning could very well retire. The Broncos rolled through the AFC with big wins over the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers as the No. 1 seed in the postseason.
The Broncos will be wearing their white jerseys, which may be a wise decision. The Broncos are 0-5 when they wear orange jerseys, and 1-0 when they wear white. It's worth a try, right?
Vin Miller and DeMarcus Ware have to get quarterback pressure on Newton for the Broncos to win, it's just that simple. That's how the Broncos have had so much success this year, as they did lead the NFL in sacks with 52. Linebackers Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan have the biggest responsibility of all. If and when Newton gets to the outside and decides to run, they have to contain him from breaking away freely. If Newton avoids sacks and picks up first downs with his feet on a consistent basis, the Broncos are in big trouble.
Prediction
Hopefully we will have a close game that gets decided in the final minute. Remember last year? So many matchups to look forward to, and it all comes down to just one game. The Panthers and Broncos will be close at halftime, but it's who will pull away in the second half that that really matters. Newton has the overall arsenal, but it's tough to bet against Manning, who has a lot of Super Bowl experience, and he's always better after a bye week. In the end, the Broncos defense should have the last laugh.
Broncos win, 24-21
Follow Damon Salvadore on Twitter @DamonSalvadore1