The Denver Broncos are set to take on the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 on Sunday. The game is scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on CBS. Currently the NFL Odds for the game have the Panthers favored to pick up the win in this contest.
Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos can have the storybook ending in this one. Manning has obviously been banged up for some time now, but he fits the bill as one of the NFL's most beloved characters. Getting the chance to win a Super Bowl in what could be his final game absolutely has that special feeling attached to it. Manning's boss, John Elway, was able to have his ride off into the sun following a Bronco win in Super Bowl XXXIII.
Both Carolina and Denver sport very strong defenses, the Broncos are the best overall defensive unit in the league and have the tough task of trying to stop Cam Newton. Carolina looked very strong in wins over Seattle and Arizona to get to the Super Bowl, they run the football effectively and Newton always gives them a chance to punish the opposing defense. The Panthers have no problems scoring points, they put up 31 against Seattle and 49 against Arizona. During the regular season they were the highest scoring team in the league at 31.3 points per game, for the year Denver surrendered 18.5 points per game — which was the fourth best mark in the league.
Offensively for the Broncos, Manning isn't the ole gunslinging youngster he was the last time he played in the Super Bowl, but they are still a strong squad. Denver can run the football with a couple of different guys in CJ Anderson and Ronnie Hillman. Carolina has a defense made to stop the run, linebackers Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis eat up the opposition as both have registered at least 100 tackles each of the past four seasons. Davis just had surgery on his arm, but the Panthers expect him to start in this game.
Josh Norman is great in the secondary for Carolina, but his teammates will have to step up as well. Denver has a ton of options from Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders to Owen Daniels as a big-play making tight end. The Broncos will want to methodically move the football down the field, something they weren't able to do the last time they made the Super Bowl, getting crushed by Seattle.
Special teams could play an important role — Denver has the seventh-best special teams unit in the league, Carolina ranks 27th overall. Brandon McManus was solid as a kicker all season for the Broncos, Graham Gano was good as well. They each made 30 field goals during the regular season, but McManus does have the stronger leg, how much of that was due to playing in Denver, however?
Overall, a win by either team would certainly be historic. Carolina lost just once during the regular season, Denver has the Hall of Fame QB that's probably playing in his final game. If Denver is going to win, it will be a lower-scoring contest where possessions are important.
Free Pick: Denver 24, Carolina 20
This year's game is being played at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Carolina finished with a 15-1 regular season, Denver put together a 12-4 campaign despite Peyton Manning missing some time due to injuries. Both teams have great defenses that will play a big role in the game.
For the third straight season, the top overall team in both the AFC and NFC will meet in the Super Bowl. CBS is carrying the game on television with the team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms. Both Tracy Wolfson and Evan Washburn will be reporting on the game from the sidelines.
The national anthem prior to the game will be sung by Lady Gaga. The halftime show this year will feature Coldplay, with Beyoncé and Bruno Mars as well. The cost of a 30-second commercial for the game is listed at $5 million.
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