It is that time of the season once again, the two best teams in the NFL will meet in Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.

The Carolina Panthers were the number one seed in the NFC after a dominant regular season, they enter the game with a 15-1 record and are favorites to lift the Vince Lombardi trophy.

However, the Denver Broncos have the best defense in the league and it may well be Peyton Manning's last outing, and the veteran is certainly not going to be a pushover.

This piece will take a look at how Carolina made it all the way to Super Bowl 50.

How Carolina clinched home field advantage

For quite sometime, the Panthers looked as though they were going to go the full regular season unbeaten, no team could find a way to stop them from making big plays on both sides of the ball.

The only loss came in week 16 against divisional rivals, the Atlanta Falcons, a team who they dominated just two weeks prior, shutting their opponents out in the 38-0 win at Bank of America Stadium.

However, there was a different look to the way Carolina played in that game, maybe nerves started to show, but the Falcons really managed to stop the, what appeared to be, unstoppable force.

Although, the Panthers did come out on top of some memorable games, including the 41-38 win over the New Orleans Saints and another close game against the New York Giantsthe 38-35 win saw Carolina clinch home field advantage in the playoffs.

Panthers celebrating their NFC title (Getty)
Panthers celebrating their NFC title (Getty)

Dominant NFC Playoffs

In the first half of their NFC Divisional round win over the Seattle Seahawks, the Panthers showed the world why they won 15 games in the regular season.

They humiliated one of the best teams in the league, cruising to a 31-0 lead at half-time, but a major collapse almost happened in the second-half, allowing the Seahawks to come back to within seven-points.

The 31-24 win meant the Panthers would play the Arizona Cardinals for the NFC Championship title at the Bank of America Stadium.

Newton led his team to a crushing 49-15 win to see them progress to the Super Bowl, they didn't allow Carson Palmer, Larry Fitzgerald and the Cardinals to find any consistency.

After scoring over 80 points in just two playoff games, can the number one defense really stop this team from playing the way they do?

Newton was voted the NFL's MVP (Getty)
Newton was voted the NFL's MVP (Getty)

Key Players for the Panthers

Cam Newton - The quarterback was awarded the Most Valuable Player in the league for the 2015 season, he has thrown 35 touchdowns and also ran for 10, he is strong in the pocket and elusive and powerful outside of it.

Jonathan Stewart - After DeAngelo Williams departed before the season started, Stewart became the number one running-back for the Panthers. He has rushed for 989-yards, scoring six touchdowns, he is a strong runner who can make big plays.

Ted Ginn Jr. - Ginn Jr. is in his second spell with the Panthers and this season really has appeared to resurrect his season, he has overcame some major obstacles and this season he has used his speed and impressive route-running skills to have his best season to date.

Greg Olsen - Olsen is up there with the most valuable tight-ends in the game, he is Newton's favorite target. He made 77 receptions for 1,104-yards and seven touchdowns in the regular season alone, he is versatile and has the ability to get open wherever he wants on the field.

Jared Allen - Allen is a veteran of the league who is in search of his first Super Bowl ring, he was traded by the Chicago Bears this season after just three games and found a home in Carolina, he missed the NFC title game, but is expecting to play in the Super Bowl.

Luke Kuechly - Kuechly is an All-Pro linebacker who has two interception returns for touchdowns in the playoffs, while missing only three games this season, he is among the league leaders in tackles, racking up an impressive 118 this season.

Josh Norman - Peyton Manning may not be wanting to throw Norman's way in the Super Bowl, the All-Pro is up there with the leagues best cornerbacks, his matchup with the Broncos' wide-receivers will be a highlight in the game.

Kawann Short - Short is also among the league's best like many of his teammates, his 11 sacks is tied most in the NFL, became a starter back in 2014 and hasn't looked back, he has made 55 tackles in the regular season alone.

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About the author
Andrew McDonnell
Sports writer based in the North-East of England, safe to say I have found my niche in sports writing and I strive to succeed with everything I do, including Vavel, both in the UK and USA. First official Writer of the week for the USA office too. Cover Manchester United, Watford, Cricket, MLS and NFL.