Two dominant defences, an ageing gunslinger saddling up for perhaps his last rodeo, and a brash, young quarterback. It’s the old school versus the new age.
It is the top scoring offence in the NFL versus the top defence.
And two number one overall picks, selected 13 years apart, will have the biggest say in who lifts the Lombardi Trophy in Santa Clara on February 8 (AEST).
After an epic conference championship round, the stage is set for Super Bowl 50.
The Panthers and Broncos will go head-to-head after Denver held off rivals New England and Carolina dismantled Arizona.
But until then we’ve got two weeks of dissecting every part of this match-up. So let’s get the ball rolling with a few storylines ahead of the Carolina Panthers versus Denver Broncos.
Manning’s last game?
Will this be Peyton Manning’s last game regardless of the result? Or, if the Broncos fail, will Manning be back again?
Manning will turn 40 this year and after his play regressed at an accelerated rate through season 2015 this will surely be his last season. We’ve talked about Father Time’s undefeated record before. But Manning will likely delay any answers on his future until after the season.
This may be his best chance to win a Super Bowl since the Colts fell to the Saints in 2010. Ironically, in the past Manning was able to win despite his defence. But this year he has had the benefit of the best defensive unit during his career.
Full credit to John Elway and management for amassing talent on that side of the ball. They were able to hold off the Patriots late in the Conference Championship. Let’s see if they can do the same against the Panthers.
Defence wins championships
Speaking of defences, there isn’t a team in the NFL that can match it with the Panthers defence when they are rolling. They start fast on both sides of the ball and have jumped out to big leads in both playoff games this season.
Luke Kuechly is playing like the defensive MVP, Carolina’s defensive front is getting pressure and stopping the run and even the Carolina defensive backs not named Josh Norman are playing lights out.
Meanwhile, it’s going to be a real treat for NFL fans to see Von Miller on the biggest stage. The Broncos outside linebacker combines silky smooth footwork with power and speed off the edge.
Miller and veteran DeMarcus Ware, who is playing in his first Super Bowl, lead a stellar Broncos defence that is excellent at all levels. It’s going to be hard for offensive coordinators to find any weaknesses in the game film. But they’ve got two weeks to do it.
Back to Carolina, it could be the absence of one of their defensive stars that plays a pivotal role in the game in two weeks…
Thomas Davis’s arm injury
We got a chance to see just how valuable Davis is to the Panthers during one play against the Cardinals on Monday (AEST).
Down 17-0 at the start of the second quarter, Arizona managed to hold the Panthers to a three-and-out for the first time in the game. But then Davis set the tone for the rest of the half, when he read a pitch play to Cardinals running back David Johnson, shot the gap and lit up the rookie for a six-yard loss in the backfield.
Seven plays later, Cardinals tight end Darren Fells tried to hurdle Davis on a pass play and ran his knee right into Davis’s forearm. Davis pulled out of the play immediately, clutching his arm, and came to the sideline. Later on he told US media his arm was broken, but he intended to play in the Super Bowl.
“I believe in our training staff,” Davis said. “I’ll do everything in my power to be ready to go.”
The linebacker also told Terry Bradshaw after the game, “I wouldn’t miss the Super Bowl for the world. We’ve worked too hard to get to this point.”
It’s a significant loss for the Panthers, with Davis serving as the heart and soul of Carolina’s defence after recovering from three major knee injuries during his stellar 11-year NFL career.
There are heaps more storylines in this Super Bowl match-up. Can you think of any?
pete bloor
Guest
I guess we'll see. Palmer was arguably the most effective QB in the air this year so no one is questioning his arm strength and so doing thing to cut down time early on that give up open shorter routes isn't probably as much of a concern as giving him the chance to look deep early.
pete bloor
Guest
I'm not a buyer of the "choking" thing. A one off game always gives old lady luck a bit of an extra say - plus the 16-0 pats were a pretty darn good team. this Carolina team isn't in that league
up in the north
Roar Rookie
;-)
bear54
Ron Riviera and Sean McDermott were sending DB's after Carson Palmer early and I expect them to do the same to Peyton. Mind you, though the Panthers D-line will create havoc on their own and allow the Bronco's less time for those tricky double moves.
bear54
Surely they would have KISS as the half-time entertainment for Super Bowl LIX......
New York Hawk
Guest
You are so right - this Carolina team won't choke. They are also so much more dynamic than either of those Pats teams. There is the potential for a real dynasty to be created here. In a decade, we may all be looking back on 2015 as the dawn of Cam Newton becoming the greatest player the game has seen, playing for one of the greatest teams ever. Just saying...
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Cheers Bear54, but what will they decide to do when super bowl LIX rolls around.
pete bloor
Guest
I would have thought using DB's to blitz would be the #1 thing on an aging QB's wish list. Given Manning's big strength is decision making he'll be able to use a short to intermediate passing game to move the chains through a softened zone. I'd be looking more as to how you manufacture decent pressure from your 5 man rush and put in coverage packages that make Manning take shots down field under pressure. Also I can't see Carolina not giving some help to the line backers in coverage early in the game givne the double moves being used against the pats. I think Carolina are firm favorite as no team has ever won with the Offence that Denver had this year, but then this Denver team is better than those Giants teams and the Panthers aren't those two Pats sides so maybe he should check out his brother's local church.
JGK
Roar Guru
This won't be close. Panthers by 24.
bear54
They're going back to the roman numerals next year. http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_29431953/super-bowl-50-nfl-gets-l-out-roman
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Now that it's known as SB50. Does that mean they'll be doing away with the roman numerals? Awfully confusing
bear54
While the story lines regarding Peyton and Cam understandably dominate this game it will be won and lost in the trenches. Carolina's O-line have been excellent giving Newton time to find Olson and Ginn in the seams every time they need a big gain as well as leaving holes for Cam to escape. Denver has been solid on the O-line but it's tough to protect an immobile QB or create holes when the opposition are determined to kill the run game and force Peyton to float his ducks downfield. If I was the Carolina DC I'd be sending a quick DB after Manning on every passing play. The key to the game for me will be Bronco's DC Wade Phillips. The man is a certifiable defensive genius. He brings pressure when it's necessary without over playing his hand and forces very good QB's (Brady & Roethlisberger) into uncharacteristic errors. If Phillips can bring the rush Cam will throw intercepts but he'll need to contain him with a Spy waiting to chop him down in the middle as Ware & Miller close from the outside. I'll be cheering for the Bronco's as it would be nice to see Peyton finish his career with a victory lap but really believe Carolina will be too good, winning the takeaways 3-1 and taking the game 34-14 with Greg Olson as MVP. (Be warned my preseason prediction for SB50 was Philadelphia to play Indianapolis and look how that turned out?????????)
Steve
Guest
Good write up, Sam. It should be a very interesting Super Bowl indeed. In my opinion, it's hard to see the Broncos stopping Carolina but the way these two teams match up - that offence vs that defence - will be fantastic to watch! The Broncos front 7 were amazing against the Pats and while Carolina are better on the O line than New England (and significantly better at tackle, which has been a huge problem for the Pats in recent weeks...Miami game, AFC Championship Game) it will be interesting to see how much Denver can disrupt the Panthers offence. I don't get to see all Denver games, but of the few that I saw this season the AFC Championship was Manning's best. If he can pull out just enough again then Denver are a chance. But Carolina are better than New England where it matters most against Denver - run game and pass rush protection - and that should mean a Panthers win. Early prediction: Carolina 35 - Denver 21.
James
Guest
at this point I would be shocked if TD doesn't play in the Superbowl. he has had surgery and early info is positive according to Ro and in the end he has worked too hard for too long to miss it. he will come out with a massive arm brace like Rey Lewis or a club like JPP if required but he will play. for half the game it will be the #1 bronco's defense vs the #1 panthers offense which will be great to watch with all that talent on both sides of the field but the game will be won on if Manning can get anything going against a Carolina's defense. Allen should be back, Harper should be back, Coleman has 9 INT's this year, Norman shutting his side of the field down, Short/Star causing chaos, best turnover creating defense all year long and the greatest Linebackers group in the league. Bronco's defense is clearly the #1 defense of the year but the Panthers defense is at least top 5 if not top 3 and they will be lining up against a very suspect Manning.