The dust has settled and each respective team have been preparing for Super Bowl 50, just a couple of days away at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. It’s the Denver Broncos vs. the Carolina Panthers.
This is the Broncos eighth Super Bowl appearance in franchise history. They have won the Super Bowl in two of their previous seven appearances. This is the Panthers second Super Bowl appearance in franchise history. In their lone Super Bowl berth before this season back in 2004, they fell 32-29 to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVIII. Let’s dive in and take a look at who has the advantage at each position.
Quarterback
Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton
Regular Season Stats: 16 GP, 296/495, 3,837 Passing Yards, 35 TD, 132 attempts, 636 Rushing Yards, 10 TD
Denver Broncos: Peyton Manning
Regular Season Stats: 10 GP, 198/331, 2.249 Passing Yards, 9 TD
Analysis
Peyton Manning is one of the best quarterbacks to ever but this year, injuries and age have caught up with him. Although, he did look very good in the AFC Championship game. However, Cam Newton has put together an incredible season that will likely end with him taking him NFL MVP honors.
Advantage: Panthers
Running Back
Carolina Panthers: Jonathan Stewart
Regular Season Stats: 13 GP, 242 attempts, 989 yards, 6 TD, 16 receptions, 99 yards, 1 TD
Denver Broncos: C.J. Anderson
Regular Season Stats: 15 GP, 152 attempts, 720 yards, 5 TD, 25 receptions, 183 yards
Analysis
Both teams’ starting running backs are quality backs all around. Running, receiving, and blocking. The Broncos also have Ronnie Hillman along with Anderson. Because of the two headed attack the Broncos have, they will get the slight advantage. If this were in terms of percent, it would be about 52% Broncos 48 % Panthers.
Advantage: Broncos
Wide Receivers
Carolina Panthers: Ted Ginn Jr., Jerricho Cotchery, Devin Funchess, Corey Brown
Denver Broncos: Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Jordan Norwood, Andre Caldwell
Analysis
Although the wide receiver play has been so well from the Panthers this year (thanks in part to Mr. Newton), the Broncos core of Thomas and Sanders is just way more deadly. Simple as that.
Advantage: Broncos
Tight End
Carolina Panthers: Greg Olsen
Regular Season Stats: 16 GP, 77 receptions, 1,104 yards, 7 TD
Denver Broncos: Owen Daniels
Regular Season Stats: 16 GP, 46 receptions, 517 yards, 3 TD
Analysis
Olsen is Cam Newton’s top target and is also one of the best tight ends in the league. Daniels didn’t do much damage in the regular season, but did have two touchdown catches in the AFC Championship. However, Greg Olsen is the better of the two.
Advantage: Panthers
Offensive Line
Carolina Panthers: Michael Oher, Andrew Norwell, Ryan Kalil, Trai Turner, Mike Remmers
Denver Broncos: Ryan Harris, Evan Mathis, Matt Paradis, Louis Vasquez, Michael Schofield
Analysis
The Broncos have had some issues at tackle this season, and despite a slow start from their o-line this season, they have stepped their game up as of late. However, the Panthers offensive line have done a fantastic job protecting Cam Newton this season.
Advantage: Panthers
Defensive Line
Carolina Panthers: Jared Allen, Star Lotulelei, Kawann Short, Charles Johnson
Denver Broncos: Derek Wolfe, Sylvester Williams, Malik Jackson
Analysis
Both teams have incredible defensive fronts but Denver’s DL is ranked top five in both run and pass defense. Panthers are top five in run defense but outside of the top 10 in passing defenses (rankings were adjusted strictly for just the defensive line). Starting DE Jared Allen is also suffering from a foot injury and won’t be at 100% for the Super Bowl.
Advantage: Broncos
Linebackers
Carolina Panthers: Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis, Shaq Thompson
Denver Broncos: Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware, Brandon Marshall, Danny Trevathan
Analysis
Both linebacking corps are the heart of each teams’ defense. It’s very tough to pick which LB core will have the edge here. The Panthers will be a little on the short end because Thomas Davis has a broken arm, but he will play through it. However, this position will be a split.
Advantage: Even
Safeties
Carolina Panthers: Roman Harper, Kurt Coleman
Denver Broncos: T.J. Ward, Darian Stewart
Analysis
The Panthers and Broncos have solid safety duos. However, Ward and Stewart are both banged up and Harper and Coleman have been on a roll during the Panthers two playoff games. Then again, who on the Panthers defense hasn’t been on a roll during the playoffs?
Advantage: Panthers
Cornerbacks
Carolina Panthers: Josh Norman, Cortland Finnegan, Robert McClain
Denver Broncos: Aqib Talib, Chris Harris, Bradley Roby
Analysis
Norman has had an incredible season this year, proving to be one of the best corners in the NFL in 2015. Finnegan’s career has been revitalized since being signed late in the season. The Broncos also have adequate corners in Talib and Harris. Because the Broncos CB’s have the better matchup (Olsen, Ginn, Cotchery, Funchess) opposed to the Panthers going against the elite Broncos pass catchers (Thomas, Sanders, Caldwell, Daniels), they have the slight edge.
Advantage: Broncos
Special Teams
Carolina Panthers: Graham Gano (K), Brad Nortman (P)
Denver Broncos: Brandon McManus (K), Britton Colquitt (P)
Analysis
Nortman has a higher yards per punt average than Colquitt, so the Panthers have the edge in the punting game. Both kickers had near identical regular season stats, with McManus going 30/35 (85.7%) and Gano going 30/36 (83.3&).
Advantage: Panthers
Head Coach
Carolina Panthers: Ron Rivera
Denver Broncos: Gary Kubiak
Analysis
Kubiak has reached the playoffs now three times as a head coach, but has failed in the playoffs as a coach until this year with the Broncos. He also reached the Super Bowl as a player. This season is also Rivera’s third playoff appearance as a head coach. However, Rivera has built a special bond with his players and gets his players to rally around him and play outstanding football. He also coached the Panthers to an NFL best 15-1 regular season record.
Advantage: Panthers
Overall Analysis
The Panthers have the number one scoring offense in the NFL, with likely to be named NFL MVP Cam Newton leading the charge. The offense has been running full throttle throughout the playoffs and has looked nearly unstoppable. But the Broncos have the number one defense in the NFL. It’s truly a battle of the best. Peyton Manning is getting old and battling injuries. He also wants to go out on top, as most assume this will be his last game in the NFL. However, this author sees this matchup ending sort of like when Peyton Manning and the Broncos offense went up against the Seattle Seahawks’ defense in the Super Bowl two years ago, but maybe not as brutal.
Advantage: Panthers
