The Denver Broncos versus the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 might turn out to be a classic throwback game reminiscent of the 60s and 70s. Why? Both teams bring a top ten defense to the party with Denver ranked fourth and Carolina sixth overall. That old saying “Defenses Win Championships” might very well be the deciding factor on Sunday. Carolina is rightfully the favorite to win with the current line favoring them by 5.5. The over/under is 44.5 suggesting a final score in the area of 25-20. If I had to pick versus the spread, I’d say take Carolina and give the points. I think Carolina wins 26-19. My heart is with Peyton Manning and DeMarcus Ware, but my wallet says Cam Newton and Luke Kuechly.
Carolina is the better team and therefore they should win and maybe win easily. Just ask Bruce Arians and Pete Carroll what it’s like playing from behind by 27 and 31 points early in the third quarters of both NFC playoff games. The Panthers led the league with the top ranked offense averaging 31.2 points a game so it’s game over right? Wrong! Denver’s defense is the primary reason they still have one game left on their schedule. The Broncos do bring one of the worst scoring offenses to a Super Bowl in the history of this game averaging 22.2 points per game. Does Peyton have one more magical moment up his sleeve or will Cam dance on his storybook ending? Let’s get defensive shall we?
Denver’s D allowed 18.5 points per game (fourth), 283.1 yards per game (first), 199.6 pass yards per game (first), and 83.6 rushing yards per game (third). In the AFC Championship, they pressured Tom Brady all day sacking him four times and forcing two interceptions. They’ll need to dial up another stellar effort on Sunday if they hope to send Peyton off into the sunset with a ring and farewell to an amazing career.
Carolina’s defense ranks right up there with the Broncos. Their 2015 defensive stats read like this: points allowed per game: 19.2 (sixth); total yards/game: 322.9 (sixth); passing yards/game: 234.5 (11th); and rushing yards/game 88.4 (fourth). The biggest difference I see is passing yards allowed but this isn’t the old Manning we’ve watched carve up defenses through the years. The Broncos may need him to be that guy on Sunday but if they do, it’ll probably be another disappointing lopsided victory for Carolina.
Here’s how the offenses stack up head to head. Carolina averages 31.2 points/game (first), 369.9 yards/game (11th), 224.3 pass yards/game (24th), and 142.6 rushing yards/game (second). Denver averaged 22.2 points/game (19th), 355.5 yards/game (16th), 248.1 pass yards/game (14th), and 107.4 rush yards/game (17th). Denver has a slight edge in the passing game but Cam Newton’s dual threat capability and the level he is playing at clearly tilts the advantage to the Carolina Panthers. Luke Kuechly, arguably the best linebacker in the game today, is my X factor to keep an eye on. He’s playing at such a high level and if he gets his hands on a Manning floating duck, it could be lights out early just like the NFC title game.
I want Denver to win for not only for Manning, but Ware too. I hated to see him leave Dallas but happy he’s finally getting to play in a Super Bowl. It’s doubtful he would’ve ever made it this far if he’d stayed with the Cowboys.
Prediction: Carolina 26 Denver 19, Cam Newton – MVP.
