Super Bowl 50 Predictions: Carolina Panthers vs Denver Broncos

Last time these two met in 2012, Broncos prevailed 36-14

     The Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos meet in Super Bowl 50 to decide who takes home the elusive Lombardi trophy. The Panthers are cruising in on a 17-1 total record and the Broncos are riding in on a 14-4 record. Who will walk away a champion Sunday, the dabbing Panthers or the Mile High Broncos? 

James Decker 

     This game is going to come down to the Broncos establishing their own tempo. In their win against New England they were able to possess the ball for a lot of the first half and kept New England's defense on the field with a couple of nice drives. Peyton really can't throw the deep ball well anymore, but in a way that can work into the Broncos' advantage because a lot of short passes and a decent ground game is what Denver's offense needs to have. If this game becomes a shootout, Denver doesn't have the firepower that Carolina has. My heart wants Peyton and the Broncos but my mind says Cam and the Panthers. Gonna go with my heart here and say that the Broncos defense leads the way and Peyton does just enough to ride into the sunset with his second Super Bowl title. Broncos 20 Panthers 17. 

Jack Nutting

     Peyton Manning is America's quarterback. He is tall, has a friendly accent, from the South, and looking for the ultra-American finish going out on top. But, as much as my heart wants Manning to win, my mind says no. The difficulties faced are too harsh. Cam should get the win in this Super Bowl. Final score: 27-17, Panthers with the win. I really, really hope I am wrong. 

Sal Pellone

     I like to think of this Super Bowl as that Step Brothers scene where Brennan vents to his dad about Nancy. We've all seen enough of the old bull (Peyton Manning), it's time for the young calf (Cam Newton) to shine. It'll be interesting to see how the Panthers' college-style offense can penetrate the Broncos defense, a defense that sacked Brady four times in the conference championship. The real pressure lays on Peyton though, who has had a historically terrible year for a Super Bowl quarterback and for Peyton himself. Can the Broncos muster enough points against Riverboat Ron's defense? I don't think so. I have to go with the Panthers winning this one 28-17.

Spencer Roman

     Super Bowl 50 features a generational matchup at the quarterback position. Peyton Manning, the future hall of famer approaching what may potentially be his final game on the gridiron, versus Cam Newton, the rising superstar who is ready to take his place among the game’s greats.  Much of the focus will be on the performance of these two players, and rightly so.  But with that said, this year’s championship game will be decided by DEFENSE.  The Denver Broncos feature a dominating group of personnel behind the line of scrimmage with a pass rush led by Von Miller and Demarcus Ware, who together combined for three sacks against Tom Brady in this year’s AFC Championship game.  The task will not be as easy against the Panthers who frequently implement a maximum protection offensive line, but it will be important to see who holds the upper hand throughout the game.  Carolina features a playmaking defensive squad who swallowed up four interceptions in the NFC Championship game against MVP candidate Carson Palmer.  I would not expect Peyton Manning to succumb to the pressure as Palmer did, but Luke Kuechly, Josh Norman, and Thomas Davis will make their presence felt throughout the game.  I expect the final score to be similar to Denver’s previous two postseason games, with the Broncos winning in a 20-13 affair.  To do so, Denver’s defense will need to keep the Panthers powerful offense in check and Peyton Manning will need to be as sharp as he has been all season.  If they can pull it off, Peyton Manning can call it a career with a win on the grandest stage the NFL has to offer.  

Jack Kavanagh

     Panthers 31 - Broncos 22... Carolina jumps out to another early lead.  Broncos are forced to play catch up throughout the game.  Broncos get within two in the fourth quarter before a long reception by Coastal Carolina alum Mike Tolbert sets up a late touchdown.  Panthers take a two possession lead and Peyton's final throw of his career is an interception to Coastal Carolina alum Josh Norman. 

Justin Orengo 

    The Broncos and Panthers are set to collide in what appears will be a smash mouth football game. You have arguably the two best defenses in the NFL but two teams that reached this game much in different style. The Panthers have dominated the league with a 17-1 record while steamrolling through the playoffs with soon to be MVP Cam Newton having an all time great season. The Broncos on the other hand have won 11 games by no more than 7 points and had major quarterback questions and even changes from midseason all the way to the playoffs. It just speaks to how great the Broncos defense has played all year. These teams will not allow either opponent to pull away early. Expect a defensive struggle that comes down to turnovers and if those turnovers will result in points. Peyton going out on top is a great story but it's been the year of Cam and when you have a game that will likely be close late, you have to bet on the quarterback who you trust more in a "got to have it" situation. While both teams will run the ball early and often, the quarterback who is able to make the critical throws in key situations will be the difference. I don't believe Peyton is that guy at this stage of his career. Cam Newton an MVP and a champion in the same year? Where have I seen that before? Panthers 20 Broncos 13.

Nick Del Bene

     "Carolina's gonna win, that's it." This way my final thought before finally writing this pick. The more I've researched, the more I've gone back and forth on my pick. Every time I thought I'd found the key to victory for Denver, Carolina had something to match it and vice-versa, and so the cycle went. It boils down to a lack of trust... a lack of trust in Peyton Manning. The defenses, though many may not realize, are nearly equal. The swaying point for me was this: Carolina had the highest turnover differential in the league this year (+20) and guess who had the most interceptions in the league-- that's right, the Denver Broncos (24:17 by Manning). All it will take is an early mistake by Denver. Once Carolina is playing from ahead they can limit their mistakes, utilize the run, and let their defense win the Super Bowl.