Shawn: Super Bowl 50 is today. Continuing a trend for the last five Super Bowls, the Green Bay Packers will not be there.
That is unfortunate. However, before you commence with gnashing of teeth and rending of garments over that fact, consider that 50 of these have now been played and the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns have never played in a single one.
Who will be there are two teams that smacked the Packers and sent them spinning towards mediocrity — the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers.
The Panthers are favored by around 5 points going into this. As far as the match-up on paper goes, the Broncos match-up very well. They bring the No. 1 ranked defense in the NFL into the game, and that is usually a harbinger of success in this game. Ironically,two years ago the Broncos brought the No. 1 offense into the game to play against the Seattle Seahawks’ No. 1 defense, and the Broncos were summarily embarrassed in 1989-type fashion.
Historically, top-rated defenses typically have the advantage when matched against top-rated offenses. The Broncos can do something that most teams that have faced the Panthers have not been able to do, and that is stop the run. They can also get after Cam Newton and have the kind of athletes on the outside who can run with Newton and get him down.
Of course, the Panthers can also play a little defense, and the Broncos haven’t exactly been dynamic on the offensive side of the ball.
Personally, I think this is likely to be a defensive ball game. The two keys are probably the first 15 minutes and Peyton Manning. If the Broncos are tied or leading after the first 15 minutes, then they will be in good position to win this game. The Panthers have been getting out early on teams and forcing teams to play catch up. The Broncos are not equipped to play catch up. Peyton Manning was so bad this season, he was benched. He hasn’t been great in the postseason, but he has been good enough for the Broncos to get by.
Manning is 1-2 in Super Bowls and played terribly two years ago. If he plays poorly here, the Panthers’ defense will shut the Broncos down and set up their offense for easy scores. The Broncos cannot afford that. If Manning can play a solid game, then the Broncos have a good shot to win this game.
I think there are a lot of good reasons to pick the Broncos. However, the Panthers are on a roll. I thought the Seahawks and Cardinals matched up well with them too. Those teams got smashed. I think it would be crazy to pick against the Panthers now.
Panthers 24, Broncos 16
Monty: I’m simply going to look at this from a wagering perspective because I give no shits about either of these teams.
The line opened at 5for Carolina and got up to 8 in some places. The early money was going toward the Panthers and with good reason. They’re a pretty damn good team. It looks like the late money is being bet on the Broncos because the line is now back to 5 and even 4.5 in some places.
If you can still get 8 somewhere, run there and throw some money on Denver.
While I do not think Denver is the better team, I do think they can at least keep this game close. And if they do keep it close, then they have a chance to win.
It’s that defense.
The Broncos defense is outstanding. Is it 2000 Ravens or 1985 Bears good? We’ll find out today, but I think this Denver defense is close to those two units.
They can slow down Cam Newton and they can slow down the Carolina rushing attack. We all know, from watching him against the Packers, Newton isn’t the most accurate passer. If the Broncos make Carolina one dimensional on offense, the Panthers aren’t going score a lot of points like they did against Arizona and Seattle.
That gives the Broncos a fighting change.
Look, I have zero confidence in Peyton Manning. Not only was he garbage this season, but he’s always been a playoff choker. His one Super Bowl win came over a Bears team led by none other than Sexy Rexy Grossman.
I mean, c’mon.
The thing is, a great defense can win a Super Bowl for a mediocre quarterback. Just ask Trent Dilfer.
I won’t go so far as to pick Denver, but I most definitely would bet them.
In fact, I predict Peyton will have a chance to win it at the end and will fail to come through.
Panthers 21, Broncos 17
Manning will throw 2 pick. Throw in and a fumble too. On defense, the Broncos will produce zero pass rush as they fear Newton will run.
Panthers 42 Broncos 17
Close
Well, I was right about Manning’s performance. But I didn’t think the Broncos defense would come up so big.
Illuminati rules all, especially on a huge anniversary like this one. 21-20 Donkeys
Would like to see Manning win one more. Cam is just too cocky and arrogant.
Agree
Yep, Cam showed his true demeanor tonight. Tantrums all over the field and post game conference. Classless……
Donkeys D > Panthers, but CAR O >> DEN; Game hinges on Cam’s running ability, so they win by double digits: 27-16.
Not too late to place your bet.
Who cares!
Fuck the Donkeys, still mad about 98
I think you mean 97
This game kind of sucks.
I’m so glad Cam Newton isn’t our QB.
Broncos 24 Panthers10
Manning had two fumbles, an interception, and zero touchdowns. Yet everyone is gonna slob on his knob forever because “HE” won two super bowls. Just like they talk about how great Rapistburger is for having two rings but conveniently seem to forget about that 22.6 QB rating in SB 40.
On the other hand with all the talent Denver has, they won it all under the first year of a new coach because their last one couldn’t get it done. And that was with a declining P.Manning and his back up.
Hopefully it puts a little pressure on our coaching staff. Sets the precedent that being good but not striving to be the best is not the way to go.
It is a message for both, McCarthy as well as Big Ted. How can a manager field the top offense in 2013, and two years later after some personnel moves, have the best defense? That seems speed of light dynamism compared to our Ted.
The Broncos could probably have been better off if they had fielded Osweiler instead. Next year we may find out if true, provided they re sign the kid.
Wow, didn’t see that one coming. Congratulations to Denver’s Defense. One of the all time great Ds lifted up their aging legend of a QB and led them to victory.
The most important stat of this game is…Jared Allen did not win a ring. The Viking curse is real. Ask Randy Moss and the Patriots.
Just a testament that it takes a team to win a championship.
Or just a defense. Denvers offense didn’t do shit. I seen an article on how their offense actually played worse this year than when they got blown out by the Seahawks 43-8, yet still managed to win because of the D.
Clearly the Broncos showed how to win a Super Bowl. Free agency? Nope. Have a crappy year, get the second pick in the entire draft and get a guy like Von Miller.
Aqib Talib, DeMarcus Ware, Emannuel Sanders, Peyton fuckin’ Manning
wrong. both predictions. wrong.