The Golden Bowl: Super Bowl 50

                     

Destination: Santa Clara, California.     

Event: Super Bowl 50.

Teams: Denver v. Carolina.

Kickoff: Sunday 6:30 EST

Two former number 1 picks. Two Number 1 seeds. The Legend v. The Kid. The Sheriff v. SuperCam. The Number 1 scoring defense v. the Number 1 scoring offense. Keep Pounding v. Orange Crush. 

The stage is set for the Golden anniversary Super Bowl and there simply isn’t a better event in all of professional sports. For the third year in a row, the bowl with feature two number one seeds. Carolina is making just its second trip to the big game (0-1), while the Broncos are making their record tying eighth appearance (2-5). It will mark the fifth overall meeting between the two teams, and just the second time Newton will square off against Manning. Even more intriguing, back in 2011, Cam Newton was selected number one overall by the Panthers. Number two in that draft? Von Miller, selected by the Broncos. Now, they will face off in what will be one of the biggest matchups in the game -- Miller and the rest of the Broncos finding a way to contain Newton and company.

As we all know, Peyton Manning will be playing in what will most likely be the final game of his illustrious career. And unlike the past, where he’d pick you apart time and time again with his arm, he’ll be leaning more on his defense and running game this time around -- a game plan that has worked thus far throughout the playoffs. In a game of this magnitude, it will be a must to continue that trend if Manning wants to ride off in the sunset of retirement glory like many of his counterparts, most notably the man who brought him to Denver, John Elway, or most recently Ray Lewis. 

Their opponent, the Panthers, are just about as complete a team as possible, as evidenced by their one loss record, which no one could have predicted at the beginning of the season. MVP Cam Newton is playing at an unbelievable level, and in turn, elevating the play of his teammates. One more win and he will put himself in the discussion as orchestrating one of the greatest seasons of all-time. And watching him play it's no question the entire team feeds off the energy of his kid-like personality.

Both teams were quoted this week as saying, "the team that plays better will win". Well isn't that obvious. Beyond that however, is a number of things that factor into determining the champion. One major key to the outcome of the game will be which team can get off to a strong start. A few years ago, it couldn’t have started worse for the Broncos in the big game, as a mishandled snap led to a safety just seconds into the game. Not long after, things quickly spiraled downhill, leading to a 43-8 blowout loss at the hands of the Seahawks. Odds are, with a positive start, chances of bringing home the Lombardi increase substantially. In fact, the team to score first has gone on to win the last five Super Bowls, including seven out of the last eight. Meanwhile, Carolina is outscoring its opponents 55-7 in the first half of the postseason! If they’re able to repeat that trend, forget about it. Denver must find a way to minimize the damage early to keep the pressure on the Panthers. Controlling the ball and the clock will be key for the Broncos to have a chance. 

Another key will be the winner of the turnover battle. Only THREE teams in the history of the Super Bowl have won when committing more turnovers than their opponents. Not to mention, Carolina led the league with 39 takeaways this season, converting them into 148 points. The playoffs have only bolstered that number with an additional nine takeaways and 32 points. Simply put, a turnover can be debilitating not only to a team's drive but to the ultimate outcome of the game as well. And with the stakes that much higher, it becomes all the more important. Denver has to take chances but certainly not at the expense of losing the football. Easier said than done. 

So as the game approaches, everyone seems to be on Carolina’s bandwagon to win this game and deservedly so, as they are favored by a touchdown to win it all (6). Better yet, Cam Newton absolutely craves moments like this, with the spotlight on him and his lucky tank. But before we give them the W, let’s take a trip down history lane.

In Super Bowl III, Baltimore was three touchdown (18!!) favorites to defeat the New York Jets. New York won 16-7.

The very next year in Super Bowl IV, Minnesota was two touchdown (12) favorites to defeat Kansas City. The Chiefs won by more than two touchdowns, 23-7.

In 1998, the Green Bay Packers were favored by 11 to trounce the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXII. The Broncos won 31-24.

In 2002, the St. Louis Rams were favored by 14 over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXVI. The Patriots won 20-17.

The 2007 undefeated Patriots were two touchdown (12.5) favorites to defeat the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII. The Giants stopped perfection in its tracks taking down the Pats 17-14.

Fifteen times the underdog has hoisted the Lombardi, including four out of the last five (last year’s game neither team was favored). Quite simply, with one game to decide it all, anything can happen. Especially in today’s game, where four out of the last five Super Bowls have come down to the final play.

Try this on for size: 10 out of the last 11 teams to wear white uniforms in the Super Bowl have won...  
Denver will wear white.

Sunday marks the first Super Bowl for arguably the greatest dual threat quarterback in today’s game and the final game for arguably the greatest signal caller to ever play the game. Does the latter even stand a chance? On paper, maybe not, but all it takes is one opportunity. 

We saw what Wade Phillips was able to do to one of the greats in Tom Brady. Obviously, Cam Newton is having a year for the ages, and as opposed to Brady, is a dual threat machine. He heads an offense that can beat you in so many ways. But with two weeks of preparation, I’d have to think Phillips and Co. will have a game plan in containing the league’s MVP. Will it be enough? Only time will tell.  

In the end, I think it will be just enough to supplant the Panthers, and give Manning his elusive Lombardi-retirement party. After all, I love taking the underdog. 

Prediction: Broncos 24, Panthers 20