CBS analyst and Steelers’ Super Bowl XLIII winning coach Bill Cowher breaks down the Panthers-Broncos matchup with The Post’s Justin Terranova.
Q: What is the biggest challenge for a coach during Super Bowl week?
A: It is to adjust to the surroundings and make it as normal as possible. You don’t want to get away from what got you here. I always referred to them as potential distractions. This is about the time (Wednesday) when you start your meetings, reintroduce and fine-tune your game plan.
Q: What makes this Broncos’ defense so dominant?
A: They are just good at all three levels. Now, they’ll have (Sylvester) Williams playing a lot against the run game. Then at linebacker it’s Brandon Marshall and [Danny] Trevathan, speed guys. Corners who can match up with the best receivers in the league and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. They have the top defense in the league because they don’t give up big plays. So, the key for Carolina is can they stay patient as the game goes on.
Q: How does Cam Newton’s running ability change what the Broncos are able to do?
A: His improvisation at times creates another challenge for the Denver defense. The Broncos’ defense may do everything right, but his ability to run with the football can extend drives. You’re going to have to live with some of that, the biggest thing is not to lose your discipline, and get them in third-and-long situations to get them off the field. He’s taken his running skills to a new level this season, which is why he’s the MVP.
Q: How much better is this Broncos team than the one that got crushed in Super Bowl XLVIII?
A: You have a sense that this is a tougher football team than the one that was throwing it all over the place and Seattle pretty much manhandled. And to John Elway’s credit, they went out and made some changes: Aqib Talib, T.J. Ward, DeMarcus Ware — and they come back here with the No. 1 defense and an offense that’s in the middle of the pack.
Q: How do you remember the successful onside kick in Super Bowl XXX against Dallas: great coaching memory or part of a tough loss?
A: I don’t think of Super Bowl XXX as the onside kick game, I think of it as an opportunity we had to get back into the game and couldn’t do it. The Cowboys won, we lost and it’s a tough loss to work so hard to get here and then all of a sudden you’re just like 31 other teams.