The Carolina Panthers enter Super Bowl 50 as 5.5-point favorites and for a clear reason. The Panthers have lost just one game all season during the most successful run in team history. Let’s take a look at some reasons why Carolina will win its fist Lombardi Trophy in franchise history.
- It’s Super Cam’s Turn To Win A Ring
Let’s face it no one is having more fun playing the game of football than this guy. Cam Newton is driven by swag and the need to score. While Denver’s defense is the best in the game there is no stopping Newton at this point. During the Broncos run to the Super Bowl it is safe to say this will be the first quarterback they have faced all season that is equipped in the run game as well as his ability to throw. Cam Newton will be named the NFL MVP this season and has been on fire this entire postseason. The most under rated attribute of Newton’s game during this postseason run is his poise. Looking at some of the past Super Bowl Champs (Brady, Wilson, Flacco) all three are very good under pressure in fact raise their game under those circumstances. Newton has done that very well this postseason while the opposing quarterback Peyton Manning does not have a very good track record when it comes to pressure situations.
- Denver’s Offense Is Historically Bad
Football Outsiders has been gathering analytical data since 1989. Since that time this Bronco team will trout out the worst offensive team to ever appear in a Super Bowl. Even the 2000 Ravens who were led by Trent Dilfer had a statistically offense than this years Broncos team in a time period where the rules favor the offense drastically more than back in 2000. The Broncos struggled to put up 20 points on the Patriots two weeks ago. That is a point total that will likely be insufficient vs. this Panther team. Carolina has put up 80 points in just two postseason games this season. Not only is Denver’s offense historically bad but their offense line play is horrific. Michael Schofield and Ryan Harris will be the two tackles for the game. Ryan Harris if you can remember was the left tackle that consistently got beaten during Seattle’s championship season. This Panther defense could have a field day early and often prompting a quick end to the game if Denver fails to protect the decrepit Peyton Manning.
- Special Teams
While the kicking and punting units for each team are pretty comparable Ted Ginn has the clear edge in the return game. Ginn has returned a crazy 11 punts for touchdowns this season. Even if Ginn does not take one back to the house the chances are he will set the team up with great field position. While Britton Colquitt is a very good punter, his deep punts could give Ginn the opportunity for a big return.
- Carolina Has To Many Weapons
Tedd Ginn, Philly Brown, Devin Funchess, Greg Olsen, Mike Tolbert, and Jonathan Stewart give Carolina a very deep offensive core. While Denver’s defense is also very deep, part of the reason Carolina has been so great this season has been their ability to spread the ball around. Often times when you watch their games there is always a bust in coverage and for good reason. Offensive coordinator Mike Shula has been an excellent play caller all season. Defensively they have even more talent with 4 pro bowlers on defense (Kawaan Short, Thomas Davis, Luke Keuchly, and Josh Norman). On paper Carolina is the superior team.
For the Panthers to win this game suffocating Peyton Manning could be the key. Newton should give the Panthers a decent number of points. It will be the defenses job to limit Peyton Manning to as few of points as they can just in case Wade Phillips and co stifles Newton.
