Carolina Panthers Must Mimic the Denver Defense in Super Bowl 50

Carolina Panthers Keys to Victory vs The Denver Broncos

NFL Super Bowl 50 on CBS

It’s been a very long couple weeks for the Carolina Panthers, but finally, Super Bowl 50 is less than 24 hours away. While Carolina is still being heavily favored to win this game, Cam Newton will still have to face the rowdiest defense in the League. And as for the Panther defense, they will still have to stop a rejuvenated Peyton Manning whom is in search of NFL immortality.

Everybody knows the Panthers scored more than anybody in 2015. Carolina’s 500 regular season points were tops in the NFL and was 145 points better than Denver (18th in NFL).

But fate has literally saved the best for last when it comes to the Broncos and their #1 ranked defense.

The Denver Broncos simply get after quarterbacks, it’s what they do. Most sacks in the NFL (52), this is common knowledge. What makes this match up interesting, is that a constant blitzing approach on Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers could spell disaster for Denver.

Newton rushed for more yards than any other quarterback in 2015, and more yards than pretty much any quarterback in recent history. Cam Newton can use and abuse an overly aggressive, non-disciplined pass rush, and especially on third down.

Then we have the Carolina defense, who will absolutely have to send the house several times if they want to bother the great Peyton Manning. Given time, Peyton can still dissect a very well designed defensive game plan, because let’s face it, “The Sheriff” has seen it all before.

-Keys to the Game

What I’m suggesting is, and this may sound absurd to some, I’m thinking we will see both defenses try to impersonate one another in Super Bowl 50. Denver may be better suited in staying their in lanes, dropping more back into coverage, and concentrating on the pocket containment of one Cam Newton. Yes, I realize Cam Newton has a good arm, he’s no slouch on the touch pass, but if he can run and throw, it will probably be a long day for Denver.

And to flip the coin, I’d also go further to say that the ever stingy Panther defense may be better off with a game plan consisting with lots of disguised blitzes, throughout the big game. Peyton Manning has gotten away with at least a few bad passes in the playoffs while under pressure. Manning’s receivers have bailed him out more than once, and to be honest a couple of defensive players have dropped some bona-fide “gimmies.”

Another key to the game, both teams will have to run the ball effectively. We all saw what happened to the Patriots and to the Cardinals without a running game. They say defense wins championships, this is true. With two defenses like these, defenses that can make NFL offenses become one dimensional, running the ball is crucial..

Even if it’s rough sledding early on, the Panthers will have to stay with the ground game. The Carolina offensive line will have to win the battle in the trenches, especially if the Broncos leave a spy on the field to concentrate on Cam Newton primarily. Simply put, Jonathan Stewart and Mike Tolbert will need to be productive on Sunday, otherwise it’s Cam vs the world out there.

-Biggest key to the game

The Carolina Panthers will have to continue with their first half domination. The Panthers defense limited the Seattle Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals to 7 first half points in the playoffs… combined. Meanwhile The Panthers offense put up 55 points in those same 4 quarters. Not only will Carolina need to start off hot, they will then have to keep piling the points on.

Peyton Manning may be 39 years old, but his 39 career 4th quarter comebacks are good for most ever in the history of the NFL (Brady 38). If the Panthers leave the door open at all late in the game, the Broncos have the defense and the Hall of Fame quarterback to find it.

–La Predicción

I too have a soft spot in my heart for Peyton Manning. It would be quite poetic to see him come in as the underdog and pull off the ultimate ending, sealing his legacy as the best to ever play the game. I just see the Panthers as being too tough to handle when weighing in all the factors of this game.

Carolina is so well coached and doesn’t come out flat in these types of big games. Cam Newton is playing better than anybody in the League. This Panther defense creates more turnovers than IHOP. So I just don’t see the storybook happy ending happening for Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. I do however think it will be a lot closer than most.

Carolina Panthers 27

Denver Broncos 24

Follow me on twitter at @ShawnRivard777 and enjoy the Super Bowl!!