50 SUPERBOWL
WHO HAS THE EDGE?
Postmedia’s Kirk Penton breaks down the Super Bowl
QUARTER BACKS
Carolina’s Cam Newton is the MVP favourite after throwing 35 TD passes vs. 10 interceptions and ran for another 10 majors. Denver’s Peyton Manning, meanwhile, admits his arm isn’t what it used to be, and the 39- year- old is nearing the end of one of the NFL’s greatest careers. Even though Manning has plenty of power between his ears, it’s no contest.
RUNNING BACKS
Denver employs a two tailback set, with Ronnie Hillman and C. J. Anderson carrying the load. Carolina features Jonathan Stewart, who is 5- foot11 and 235 pounds, as its primary tailback, but Cam Newton is never afraid to take off with the pigskin. He’s essentially Carolina’s second running back, and that makes its ground game a dangerous thing.
OFFENSIVE LINE
According to Pro Football Focus, Carolina’s offensive line, which is anchored by nine year veteran centre Ryan Kalil, was third in pass protection and 20th in run blocking during the regular season. Even though they’re relatively young, they’re stout. Denver also has a young group due to injuries, but it hasn’t been as good as Carolina’s. It’s been better in the playoffs, but it’ll have to be great on Sunday.
RECEIVERS
Denver packs a decent 1- 2 punch in Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, although Thomas has slipped of late. That could have plenty to do with Manning’s decline, but he should still be able to go up and get the ball. Carolina’s No. 1 receiver is tight end Greg Olsen, who has been fantastic, and his supporting cast is better than Denver’s.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Carolina has a stud tackle in Kawann Short, but after that there are no dominant pieces to pressure Peyton Manning or stop the run. Denver defensive end Derek Wolfe, fresh off a new contract, is playing like a man possessed for the smothering Broncos defence, which, according to PFF, had the best run defence and second best pass rush this season.
LINEBACKERS
You really couldn’t go wrong with either group here. Denver’s dynamic outside duo of Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware are pass rushing nightmares, while Carolina’s Luke Kuechly might be the best inside linebacker in the game. Carolina’s Thomas Davis will play two weeks after breaking his arm, which could limit his productivity. Even if Davis was healthy, Denver still has the ability to disrupt the game more than Carolina’s unit does.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Carolina’s Josh Norman is an outstanding cornerback. It’s just that Denver’s duo of Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr. might be the league’s best. In addition, strong safety T. J. Ward and free safety Darian Stewart make Denver’s secondary second to none. Health, however, could be an issue, as Stewart, Ward and Harris are banged up. One statistic to note: Carolina free safety Kurt Coleman has nine interceptions in 18 games this year.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Denver placekicker Brandon McManus and punter Britton Colquitt have been stellar in the post- season, while Carolina’s Graham Gano had a slightly worse field goal success rate than McManus in the regular season. Denver lost kick returner Omar Bolden to injury in its divisional playoff win, but Carolina still has Ted Ginn Jr. and Fozzy Whitaker.
COACHING
Carolina’s Ron Rivera and Denver’s Gary Kubiak are well respected head coaches. Kubiak is just the seventh coach in NFL history to lead his team to the playoffs in his first year with the club. The best battle on Sunday will be Carolina offensive co- ordinator Mike Shula against Denver defensive co- ordinator Wade Phillips, who has been around the block a few times.
INTANGIBLES
It’s the league best offence, led by Newton, against the league’s best defence, anchored by crafty veterans. Carolina has lost only one game all season and is the favourite, while Denver had to scrape and claw its way to ugly, close victories throughout much of the campaign. It’s probably Manning’s last game, however, which is the biggest intangible of them all.
FINAL PICK
They say defence wins championships, which is why it wasn’t surprising to hear four of the last five Super Bowl participants that had the league’s best offence ended up losing the big game. All the Denver defence has to do is get after Newton early and make him uncomfortable. Then the battle- tested Broncos will be able to eventually pull it out in the end.