Going into the season, who would have honestly predicted this match-up? Denver, led by an aging and oft-injured quarterback (in recent seasons) - Peyton Manning - fell to Indianapolis early in the playoffs last year and appeared to be headed for similar fortunes this year. This was especially the case considering that Manning got banged up, was replaced by Brock Osweiler, and regardless of who was behind center, the offense failed to click throughout a large majority of the season. Manning took over the starting spot to lead his Broncos to a come-from-behind win over San Diego late in the regular season, which aided Denver to clinching home-field advantage throughout the (AFC) playoffs. On the year, Manning threw 9 touchdown passes, while tossing 17 interceptions. The ground game was inconsistent as well. So how did the team garner the 1-seed in the AFC and reach the Super Bowl? Their defense. Even when the offense was off its game and turning the ball over, the defense found ways to keep the Broncos in games, often taking things into their own hands, literally, and winning the game with a pick-6. The team is somewhat reminiscent of Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Baltimore Ravens teams of the past, who relied heavily on playing things conservatively on offense, and busting through with big plays on special teams and defense, en route to Super Bowl victories. So long as Denver doesn't turn the ball over, they've always got a chance.
Carolina, meanwhile, was coming off a 7-8-1 season, and lost their best receiver, Kelvin Benjamin, before the season even started. Cam Newton was banged up off and on throughout the season a year ago, and for as often as the man gets hit (in or out of the pocket), it's never a certainty he'll last through the duration of the season. Also, like with most other dual-threat quarterbacks, the Panthers' coaches had yet to find a way to call plays which would maximize Newton's potential. Well, that was until this season. Newton was often smart when he ran the football, limiting the big hits he took out of the pocket. Not only that, but the former Heisman Trophy winner greatly improved on his passing, making the most of the limited talent around him. When tight end Greg Olsen is your main receiving threat, you're limited weapons in the passing game. So how did the seemingly undermanned Panthers do? 15-1, with their only loss coming late in the season to NFC South rival Atlanta. Yeah, there's a good reason why most experts and analysts feel Newton is the inevitable league MVP. I'm inclined to agree.
So, like I said, anyone who claims they predicted this Super Bowl match-up preseason is either high, a die-hard Broncos and Panthers fan (for whatever reason), or lying. I know I didn't. I took Pittsburgh and Seattle. In any case, as far as the actual match-up goes, while I think Manning will play it safe behind center and the Broncos defense will keep the team in the game, I have a hard time seeing the Panthers losing this one. For as great as Denver's defense has been this season, they haven't seen a quarterback like Cam Newton this year. Just ask Seattle and Arizona, two of the top defenses in the league, what it's like to face Newton. Cam and company lit up the Seahawks and Cardinals for 80 points in the Panthers two playoff games to this point. No, I don't see Carolina continuing to carry that average of 40 points per postseason game against Denver, but I see them scoring enough to come out with the franchise's first Super Bowl victory. The Panthers are clicking in all phases of the game at the right time, and while Denver's defense is arguably the best in the league, their offense won't be able to muster enough points to provide Peyton Manning with a storybook ending.
Prediction: Carolina 27 Denver 20
Result:
Comments
Post a Comment