Super Bowl 50 Preview: Panthers Favored but Broncos have Story

Super Bowl 50 is upon us, and it’s going to cap off yet another fantastic year of NFL football. An intriguing matchup presents two of the team’s top defenses squaring off against two of the league’s finest quarterbacks. Here’s how I see the game panning out.

The Carolina Panthers march into this game on the heels of an inspirational 15-1 regular season, and recently tore apart the Arizona Cardinals during the NFC Championship game. The Panthers’ offense is led by rising superstar Cam Newton, who is now living up to the potential that accompanied the number #1 draft pick (2011). He is an awe-inspiring talent. He has tremendous size and mobility, comparable to that of a tight end or defensive end. This helps him elude tacklers and power his way for yardage and touchdowns. But he’s also a tremendous passer and leader. He has already earned himself the MVP award this season, but this is his moment to take the league by storm. Superstar quarterbacks are judged by championships, and this Super Bowl presents his first opportunity.

Across the field is the Broncos’ living legend Peyton Manning, 39 years young and gearing up for his 4^th Super Bowl appearance (he was the NFL’s top draft pick in 1998). As a wily veteran, Manning is all about football smarts and understanding what the defense gives him. His passing ability has waned in recent years, but he’s still able to command an offense better than anyone else, and his knowledge and experience in these mega-games instills confidence in the fan base. He also has a Super Bowl ring to his credit.

Defensively, both teams are very good, but I give the edge to the Broncos, whose pass rush and coverage groups can be suffocating (just ask Tom Brady and the New England Patriots who were bounced in the AFC Championship game). In the end, while the Panthers are favored due in large part to Newton’s supreme athletic ability, I actually think the Broncos will find a way to capture this Super Bowl for Manning's second ring of his Hall of Fame career. They have the talent to stall the Panthers’ offense, and Manning’s veteran know-how will prove to be the difference in a tight, low scoring game.

AAA Sports Prediction: Broncos win 20-17.