The Denver Broncos jumped out to a quick 10-0, but the Carolina Panthers bounced back and got themselves back in it at the half, trailing 13-7 heading into the tunnel at Super Bowl 50.
The Broncos got the ball first and quarterback Peyton Manning led what looked to be a promising opening drive, completing four of six passes for 47 yards.
The drive eventually stalled out in the red zone, with Brandon McMannus converting a 34-yard field goal to put the Broncos up first, 3-0.
The teams traded three and outs, before the game-changing defense of the Broncos showed up.
Von Miller broke through the line and hit Cam Newton hard as he stepped up to throw, forcing a fumble.
Malik Jackson scooped it up in the end zone for a Broncos touchdown, putting Denver up 10-0.
The Panthers were able to gain just 28 yards in the opening quarter.
Carolina got back in it with their first drive of the second quarter.
Newton helped lead the Panthers on a nine-play, 73-yard drive that ended with a leaping one-yard touchdown from running back Jonathan Stewart.
Newton was a perfect four for four, with 41 yards passing and added 23 yards with his legs.
The teams once again traded three-and-outs before Jordan Norwood took a punt return 61 yards to set the Broncos up inside the 15-yard line.
Denver cashed in with another McMannus field goal, this time from 33-yards out to push the lead to 13-7.
The Broncos defense got their second takeaway of the game, as safety Darian Stewart put his helmet right on the football and forced it away from running back Mike Tolbert to give it right back to Denver.
Carolina stopped what looked like at least another easy three points on the ensuing drive for Denver as defensive lineman Kony Ealy dropped into coverage and came through with a one-handed interception of Manning, returning it all the way to the Carolina 40-yard line.
The Denver defense still would not give much, as Carolina could not take advantage of the turnover and gave it right back after another three-and-out.
DeMarcus Ware ended the second quarter with a huge sack, making sure Carolina wasn’t able to generate any points before the half.
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