Broncos ‘turn over’ new leaf
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — In a defensive battle, the Broncos were the ones who forced the turnovers, and that is a big reason they came out on top in Super Bowl 50.
The Panthers had four turnovers in the game, as the hardhitting, lightningquick Broncos’ defense caused havoc for the Panthers in the 2410 Denver win.
The Broncos scored their first touchdown in the first quarter when outside linebacker Von Miller blew past Panthers tackle Mike Remmers and knocked the ball out of the hands of Panthers quarterback Cam Newton by the goal line. Malik Jackson recovered the ball in the end zone for a Broncos’ touchdown and a 100 lead.
Miller did it again in the fourth quarter to seal the game. On this one, he got Newton to cough up the ball with four minutes left and the Broncos’ 1610 lead feeling tenuous. T.J. Ward recovered the ball at the Panthers’ 4yard line. C.J. Anderson scored from the 2yard line and the party was on in Denver.
Ward also intercepted Newton in the third quarter, when the Panthers were putting together a nice drive. Newton had connected with Corey Brown on a 42yard pass to move into Broncos’ territory. Denver had just settled for a field goal to make it 167, but it felt as if Carolina was on the verge of taking the game back. Instead, Newton, throwing from the Denver 28, sailed one intended for Ted Ginn Jr. Ward caught the ball and then fumbled himself, but teammate Danny Trevathan was there to bail him out, recovering the ball on the Denver 7.
It was the second fumble recovery of the day by Trevathan, who picked one up in the first half that was fumbled by Panthers fullback Mike Tolbert.
The Panthers were the best team in the NFL this season in turnover margin at plus20. The Broncos were seventh in takeaways with 27.
The Denver defense, which finished No. 1 in a bunch of categories, including total defense, this season was an opportunistic bunch against the Panthers. They showed their dominance at all three levels of their defense. The pass rush was unstoppable, led by Miller. Trevathan, the inside linebacker, was around the ball all day. The safeties Ward and Darian Stewart also had big games.