The Denver Broncos come into Super Bowl 50 as 5.5 point under dogs. Despite having an incumbent Super Bowl winning quarterback most of the money has been placed on the Panthers to come out victorious. Let’s take a look at some keys to the game in order for the Broncos to secure the victory.
- Peyton Manning’s Enigma
Peyton Manning will be the oldest quarterback ever to start a Super Bowl at the age of 39. The 2nd oldest was John Elway who as you probably know also started for Denver and is now the President of Football operations. This was Manning’s worst statistic season of his career and much of the credit should be given to Elway who has assembled a great defense through controversial ways. While much of the league is worried about getting younger and cheaper, Elway decided to get older and more expansive and it worked! This of course could be Denver’s destiny to win the Super Bowl sending Peyton Manning out on top. We of course have seen this script before as recently as Ray Lewis going out on top. When this happens it is often a player who had a great impact on the game in a unique way. Lewis got his ring while being arguably the most motivational speaker in sports history. Manning could go out as the most intelligent quarterback of all time. Maybe that is enough to make the football gods favor Manning.
- Denver Has The Defensive Edge
While Carolina’s defense is great, Denver’s is the leagues best. Von Miller is the NFL’s best pass rusher as evidence of his 3.5 sack performance against New England in the AFC title game. DeMarcus Ware’s presence on the other side also helps tremendously in terms of pressuring the quarterback. The biggest key defensively may be run stuffer Derek Wolfe who is one of the games best in that category. If Carolina fails to establish the run their offense could become one-dimensional. Speedy linebackers Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathon have the tools to limit dangerous tight end Greg Olsen as evidence of the group effort limiting Gronk 2 weeks ago. The Bronco secondary is also very talented having the tools to shut down the mediocre receiving core for Carolina. Aqib Talib, Chris Harris, Bradley Roby, Darian Stewart, and T.J. Ward are the main cogs in the secondary. The success of the Denver defense will be the key to the game.
- The Broncos Have Played Well In Close Games
While many people have suggested the Broncos are the luckiest team in the NFL perhaps they have one of the most important traits of all; Finding ways to win close games. The Broncos have won 10 of their 12 games by only 1 possession. Carolina has been the complete opposite competing in very few close affairs. If the game comes down to the wire Denver may have the edge having so much experience having done so on the season.
4. Coaching
While Carolina has more talent, the coaching factor has to be in the Broncos corner. Gary Kubiak has done a great job with the offense in his first season with the team. While Peyton has free reign on the offense, Kubiak has done some great things with the running game and the inclusion of Owen Daniels in crucial passing downs. The coach worth mentioning is Wade Phillips who runs the defense. Phillips has always been a great defensive mind. His downfall was he was just a lousy head coach. Phillips uses tactical blitzes and funky coverages to confuse quarterbacks. Tom Brady looked awfully rattled vs this unit which is an accomplishment in itself. While the Carolina staff has done a great job as well the real coaching MVP’s are on the Denver sideline
In the end I expect a closer game than advertised which should favor the Broncos. If this is the case look for the future hall of famer Peyton Manning to get the late go ahead score to pull Denver out on top.
