After four weeks of pre-season games, 17 action-filled regular season weeks and three weekends of intense playoff football, it all goes on the line in Santa Clara come Monday morning.
The Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos will square off for the NFL championship in Super Bowl 50.
Whatever your interest in the game, as a diehard fan like many of us, or a casual observer, the Super Bowl is always one of the biggest sporting events of the year and well worth watching, no matter who is playing and that for us Aussies it is played on a Monday morning.
More Super Bowl:
» Comprehensive guide to Super Bowl 50
» Super Bowl 50 live scores, blog
» Super Bowl live stream
» Super Bowl 50 preview
» Your say: Who wins Super Bowl 50
» The Super Bowl 50 stage is set
This year promises to be no different when the two number one seeds square off. Sub-plots and narratives abound. You need look no further than the quarterbacks for two of the most interesting stories.
Denver is led by the ageing warrior Peyton Manning, who is widely tipped to retire after this “one last rodeo”, as he told New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick it might be after the Broncos’ AFC Championship game win.
Manning would do anything to cement his legacy and go out with a second Lombardi Trophy.
An unescapable irony if this happened would be that after being the man almost all his career, Manning would be no more than a bit part player in this one. Defence and the running game has led the Broncos all the the way back to their second big dance in three years rather than Manning’s quarterback play.
Cam Newton followed his time in Melbourne during the off season with a career year, leading his team to a 15-1 record and two impressive playoff wins, all of which is expected to result in him being named the league’s Most Valuable Player this weekend.
Their battle will be one key to who comes out on top, but there is more than that to watch out for.
When Newton and the Panthers have the ball, we will see the league’s top offence in terms of points scored go up against the defence that gave up the fewest yards from scrimmage in the regular season.
The marvellous Denver defence, with star studded linebacking and defensive backs, will be the key to the game.
If the linebackers try to pressure Newton too much, it brings running back Jonathan Stewart into the game. Stewart has had a phenomenal season, as the largely no-name receiving group of Ted Ginn, Philly Brown, Jerrico Cotchery and rookie Devin Funchess.
Newton himself will hurt them with his running game. His connection with tight end Greg Olsen has reaped seven touchdowns so far this season.
They will need to restrict the Panthers to under 20 points to win it for mine, as the Broncos offence is hardly as potent as the one that went to the Super Bowl two years ago.
Manning will rely on his running game of C.J Anderson and Ronnie Hillman to open up the game for him, but don’t be surprised if he tries a long ball or two early on to test the Panthers defence in their biggest game ever.
Its highly doubtful that he will throw the ball anywhere near the direction of linebacker Luke Keuchly or cornerback Josh Norman, who have four picks each this year, including back-to-back pick sixes in the playoffs for Keuchly.
Will Manning will his team to a victory and ride off in to the sunset? Or will the best team across the season to date win when it really counts?
I really can’t see this being close, as much as I want it to be.
Panthers win 37-14
BigAl
Guest
I have a feeling Brock Osweiler will enter this game somewhere round the halfway mark.
1st&10
Guest
Cannot stand the thought of Scam Newton winning .... Go Peyton !!!! -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
steve
Guest
Cheer up Nate...at least your team's going to the big dance!
Pete McAloney
Roar Pro
I gotta agree, and it'd be great to see Cam take the title, just not as great as Peyton winning! It's been wonderful watching the Panthers this year, they bring a really good attitude, and Cam seems to be a very positive influence.
Chris Meister
Roar Guru
He sure did. I have family in Philly and was there in his rookie season as a kid. Loved him and still have his jersey. That Vikings team really wasted a great opportunity
Chris Meister
Roar Guru
Thanks Pete, appreciate the kind words. I really don't mind who wins just hope for a great game.
Chris Meister
Roar Guru
While there is life there is hope. It could be that this is Peyton and Denver's destiny
Pete McAloney
Roar Pro
Thanks for the preview Chris, it's a good read. Although I cannot agree with your conclusion, nor prediction. Let me gaze into my completely accurate crystal ball and share with you what's going to actually happen, instead of all this pointless guessing: - The Bronco's Defence are going to run a perfect plan, bespoke for the Panthers. I can't share the details, but it will involve keeping Cam in the pocket with the world's best pass rushing combo collapsing the edges while a pair of intimidating LB spies prevent Cam or Stewart from busting out the middle. And then the world's best secondary combo will either delay a pass long enough for the pocket to collapse and Cam getting smashed, or they'll pick off panicked passes. - Meanwhile on the other side, Peyton will dig deep and bring out the game of his career. He's going to be calling audible all day long and have the Panthers D totally bamboozled. He's going to finish with 4 TDs, 0 Ints, a 158.3 passing rating and game MVP to go with his second (and final) ring. - And to add icing to the cake, the Denver Special Teams will totally outclass the Panthers. I tell you, it's glorious stuff, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I certainly will! BTW, if none of the above take place that will be because we've slipped into another (inferior) dimension of reality as per the multiverse theory.
Brando Connor
Guest
No, no, no you've got it all wrong. Sure the Pathers will skip out to a 26-6 lead at the half. With their first TD coming off a Manning interception so badly under thrown you would have sworn he was passing it to Keuchly. But after that the night of the living dead Manning will claw the Broncos back into contention with a couple of TDs late in the 3rd and early in the 4th. The game will be decided with Von Miller running back a strip sack as the Panthers try to run out the clock. Final score 30-29 Broncos. Fans world wide are nauseated as every single jubilant Broncos player interviewed starts his response with "We just wouldn't say 'die'".
Nate
Guest
May as well not play the game huh? I mean, Denver has no chance. Just as they had no chance against New England.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Cunningham was such a naturally gifted player. I remember he took the odd punt with the Eagles, he did one at Giants Stadium that went 80 odd yards ( wind assisted ! ). His best shot at a ring was on that 15-1 Vikings team that imploded in the NFC Champ game.
Chris Meister
Roar Guru
Thanks Brad. The Panthers are great to watch, been a great story this year. I love Cam Newton and what he can do. He can get the championship my favourite QB growing up, Randall Cunningham, was never able to get
Brad Teuma
Roar Rookie
Great preview and totally agree with the blow out prediction. I generally hope for a close game in the "big dance", but the Panthers and Cam are so fun to watch, this is going to be great viewing!
Chris Meister
Roar Guru
Thanks for the kind words Worlds Biggest
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Thanks for the preview Chris, can't disagree with you at all. Like many fans I would like to see Peyton ( Like Elway ) ride off into the sunset with another ring but just can't see it happening. If this was the Broncos offence of 2013 then they would have been a decent shot. However Mannings arm is shot, his receivers aren't in form and the ground game is solid at best. The Broncs Defence will need to put in one of the great performances to stop Newton and Co. Panthers by 12.
Chris Meister
Roar Guru
Agree Steve, they have so many options it will just be a bit too much for the Denver D to handle
Chris Meister
Roar Guru
Can't disagree with any of that Hawk, really want this to be close and would love to see Manning go out a winner but just can't see it
steve
Guest
Agree with your thoughts on the final result. As much as i'd love this (and every) super bowl to be a 'down to the last play' classic, i just don't think it will be the case on Monday. The way Denver shut down the New England offense in the AFC championship was incredible. The fact that they played that well on defense and only won by 2 points (at home) should be the concerning bit for denver fans. As i've posted elsewhere on this site i think the Panthers are better equipped to handle the broncos defense (duel threat QB, stronger RB game and better O line). I can't see Carolina struggling to move the ball the way New England did and with the way Denver has played on offense most of the season it's difficult to see them keeping up. Carolina 34 - Denver 17.
New York Hawk
Guest
After Cam Newton and the Panthers obliterate Denver, it will be interesting to see what the commentators start saying about their place in history. To go 15-1 and thrash every team you play in the playoffs is surely worthy of being in the conversation of "who are the great teams of all-time?" Due to lack of big names at Carolina, my guess is that won't happen. Only way Denver win this one is if they can have two pick-sixes from Cam Newton. They won't score against the Panthers D and the Panthers O-line is a lot better than the Pats O-line, which will give Cam Newton time in the pocket to find his mark downfield or run himself. Unfortunately this will be a blow-out, as much as I would love to see Peyton win a Super Bowl on the way out.