SANTA CLARA, Calif. — If you still believe that defense wins championships, then you like the Broncos to win Super Bowl 50.
If you believe that MVP quarterbacks win championships, if you believe Cam Newton is a freakish force of nature about to cut a swath of destruction through the Orange Crush, then you like the Panthers to win Super Bowl 50.
“Two great defenses, so you’d think it’d be a tight game, but you never know. You never know what can happen, so it’ll be fun to watch,” Eli Manning said.
Yes it will be.
Here’s how The Serby Super Crystal Ball, still recovering from a horrific Super Bowl III miss, sees it:
As a Thrilla they will love as far as Manila.
It will be compelling theater and high drama deep into the fourth quarter.
Take your bathroom breaks during the commercials.
It might even be the first overtime Super Bowl.
Peyton Manning will be better than most think he can be or will be, and there is no way he will endure the humiliation of Super Bowl XLVIII. The two weeks between the AFC Championship game and Super Bowl 50 have been an immeasurable help to his 39-year-old foot and body. And giving Manning two weeks of preparation is akin to giving Bill Belichick two weeks of preparation.
Against the opportunistic Panthers defense, it isn’t likely Manning will continue his mistake-free playoff ways, but I expect him to start fast because he and coach Gary Kubiak know full well he isn’t built to play catch-up anymore.
With Manning’s nervous parents and brothers Eli and Cooper watching what likely will be his last game, he will find Demaryius Thomas, virtually invisible in the playoffs, early and often, even against Josh Norman.
“I don’t know if there’s a person you just totally avoid,” Eli Manning. “You got to throw it to your best receiver.”
Thomas, with his mother watching him play for only the second time since her release from prison, won’t have to worry about the lurking menace of a Kam Chancellor over the middle.
But if Norman shadows Thomas, Manning’s eyes should light up at the matchup between Emmanuel Sanders and Robert McClain. Manning barely overthrew Sanders in the end zone against the Patriots and will find him deep down the sidelines against McClain.
Manning has a synergy with tight end Owen Daniels, and he’ll need it because it will be tough sledding on the ground for Ronnie Hillman and C.J. Anderson. The Panthers’ defensive line will overpower the Broncos’ offensive line, and when they don’t, Luke Kuechly will be wherever the football is.
Newton will make a handful of jaw-dropping plays, but this is as tough and tough-minded a defense as he has encountered, and it will not waver. And defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, who tormented Tom Brady, will be able to confuse and disorient Newton on more than a few occasions with disguise.
The Broncos’ Three Amigos cornerbacks — Chris Harris Jr., Aqib Talib and Bradley Roby — will dominate the Panthers’ wide receivers enough for Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware to meet at the quarterback. Mike Remmers will need help with the explosive Miller, needless to say. But if Miller sacks Newton twice, don’t be surprised.
Tight end Greg Olsen is Newton’s most dangerous weapon. He will help move the chains, and be there when Newton scrambles out of trouble. Olsen will find a way to get open behind the Broncos defense at least once.
With Phillips deploying a Spy Cam, Jonathan Stewart could rush for 80 yards behind that nasty offensive line. But the Broncos will be hitting Newton hard every chance they get from jump street.
Newton will be jolted at the difference between the defense he has watched on film and the one that greets him on Super Sunday.
“I think it’s probably shocking to ’em how fast we fly around, and how on point we are, how we talk, how we just have a groove for one another,” linebacker Danny Trevathan said. “Even though it’s a mistake, you might not never know because we’re flying around having fun. We’re the No. 1 defense in the league and we’re gonna keep performing that way.”
The Panthers have thrived on playing that same respect card, and apparently no one has told them they are 5 ¹/₂-point favorites.
“There’s not really a weak point,” Eli said. “I think their offense helps them, the offense scores quickly, they jumped out, big leads on teams. They’re a great squad, Denver’s going to have to play a great football game.”
Ron Rivera can turn into Riverboat Ron at any given moment, so don’t rule out a misdirection reverse by electric receiver Ted Ginn Jr.
Shoulder pads will be popping. These are the two best teams. It could come down to a late field goal by Brandon McManus, followed by a sack of Newton by Miller. Peyton Manning’s last chance. Peyton Manning’s last dance. Take the points, and take it to the bank.