Peyton Manning is the only five-time MVP in NFL history, one of the faces of the league and, at 39, the oldest starting quarterback to lead a team to the Super Bowl.
Cam Newton is at the opposite end of his career, just 26, making his debut in the big game. He also is expected to earn MVP honors for the first time, part of a new breed of dual-threat QBs as good at running as they are at throwing.
In two weeks, Manning’s AFC champion Denver Broncos (14-4) play Newton’s NFC champion Carolina Panthers (17-1) for the Lombardi Trophy in Santa Clara, California, on Feb. 7.
Who do you think is going to win? Vote here —
Here are some of the biggest story lines for the 50th Super Bowl, which will be Denver’s record-tying eighth and Carolina’s second:
SUPERMAN – Newton threw for 335 yards and two TDs, and he ran for 47 yards and a pair of scores, leading Carolina past the Arizona Cardinals 49-15 in the NFC title game Sunday night. It was the type of dynamic performance he put in all season, the sort of promise he showed while winning a Heisman Trophy in college at Auburn. “I keep saying it: We’re not finished. We’re not finished,” Newton said.
MILLER TIME – Broncos linebacker Von Miller was terrific Sunday, getting 2 1/2 sacks and an interception in a 20-18 victory over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in the AFC title game. “I wanted to do it for Peyton,” said Miller, who was injured and missed Denver’s loss to Seattle in the 2014 Super Bowl.
DOMINANT DEFENSES – Both of these teams excel at defense. The Broncos led the NFL with 52 sacks and allowed a league-low 283.1 yards per game, then made life difficult as can be for Brady on Sunday, knocking him to the ground over and over. No one forced more turnovers than the Panthers, and only five clubs gave up fewer points (the Broncos were one, naturally). Against Arizona, Carolina produced seven takeaways.
CAROLINA’S STARTS – If the Panthers are able to get off to the sort of start they’ve made commonplace lately, they might not even give the Broncos a chance to make a game of it. In their two games this postseason, Carolina outscored its opponents 55-7 in the first half. That includes leads of 17-0 after one quarter and 24-7 after two against Arizona. “We wanted to start fast,” Newton said. “We wanted to keep the pressure on.”
INJURIES – Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis said he broke his right forearm against Arizona — “I knew something was wrong,” he said — but sounded like someone who plans to play in the Super Bowl. The Broncos, meanwhile, lost both of their starting safeties — T.J. Ward and Darian Stewart — to injuries during Sunday’s game.
The Associated Press contributed to this article
Good for the Broncos. The Patriots luck ran out. Brady won 4 Super Bowls. 3 because of last second Adam Vinateri field goals and last year because of Seattle’s huge blunder. Brady isn’t on the same level as Montana or Bradshaw were . The cloud of deflategate still hangs over Brady. A decade ago the Patriots paid a fine for cheating. Good to have new teams in the Super Bowl.
I don’t like Brady, myself, but I will be truthful. He is a great quarterback and will be remembered for his accomplishments more so than either Montana or Bradshaw. That doesn’t make the latter lesser competitors but Brady has more technical know how to augment his great ability. Giving Brady 2 minutes on a football field will make him a winner on 90 % of his attempts. Got to give credit where credit is due.
No team should cheat there way to the Super Bowl. I wonder How many times, Brady cheated and did not get caught?
Main Street is an Idiot,some people just can”t stand excellence,trying to say that the only reason the Patriots won was because of cheating–and my guess is the last ten or twelve years the PATS have been rolling right over your favorite team to collect those Superbowl rings,you can say all you want about Tom Terrific and the Patriots—–they still won the Super Bowl 4 times and played in it 6—–and the AFC Championship games——–maybe this will deflate your blown up EGO——if your A student of the Game it doesn”t matter who wins as long as they play like Champs and act like them to—– thats why the Broncos are going to win number 50——-for Manning—a true Champion and role model for all of us? Can you argue that point to?
@T With your chip on the shoulder attitude, you must be a Patriots fan. Tommy teardrops Brady has NEVER won a title convincingly. He had to depend on Adam Veneteri’s last second field goals and Pete Carroll’s blunder last year to get his rings. Bradshaw, Montana etc. won by touchdowns. The Patriots paid a heavy fine 10 years ago for cheating. Deflategate is not yet resolved. Funny how Tommy the male model quarterback destroyed his cell phone. No problem. Charlotte or Denver will celebrate a Super Bowl win. It will spare us all from listening to the Patriots fans with their Mel Blanc accents boasting about a team noted for luck and cheating allegations.
Exactly T, no one can take anything away from the patriots, their an excellent team, they just got outplayed by a stellar Denver defense. Actually I like the fact that the Broncos are the underdog, playing at a neutral site. Defense wins championships, and both teams in the superbowl have great defenses. Denver’s is just better than Carolina’s. I don’t expect alot of turnovers from either team, and consistency during the whole game will be paramount. Unlike two years ago, Manning won’t have to be the one to have to win the game for Denver, because their offense isn’t as dynamic as it was two years ago, but still proficient enough. Now their defense,,,, WOW. But Carolina is great too.
Seriously T: Do you really root for a team with an over-rated male model quarterback, a convicted murderer, Hernandez as alumni and proven cheaters? Brady’s destroying his cellphone would make Nixon jealous. Such a breath of fresh air to see Denver vs. Carolina.
Actually T the Patriots went nine seasons in a row without a Super Bowl win in the Brady era. They won in 2005. Then it wasn’t until 2015 that they won thanks to Pete Carroll’s epic blunder. They played the NY Giants twice in a Super Bowl and lost. So Brady hasn’t rolled over many teams in the past 12 years in Super Bowls. Bradshaw and Montana didn’t have to rely on last second field goals or Pete Carroll’s stupidity to get rings. Again, so refreshing to have 2 new teams in this years Super Bowl.
It’s a new era. The glory days of Tom Brady & Peyton Manning have passed. It’s Cam Newton’s time, and he knows how to have fun while he’s conquering. If that hurts your feelings, “I wish they made band aids for feelings”.
Too bad for you or the Panthers that Manning isn’t the only Bronco playing then. I love being the underdog, makes winning that much better when people talk smack. Let’s see how Newton does against a real defense, instead of all the wannabe one’s he’s faced all year.
While I will be cheering for the Bronco’s, I’m afraid the Panthers will win big.
I think it will come down to Manning vs. Newton, superior thinking vs. superior athleticism, and that’s why I believe Denver will win.
I dislike ANY quarterback that insists on Kickers number (1-2-3) They diminish the game!
All you guys going for Cam Newton will be upset when the old man beats him.
Nevertheless, may the old man win!! Yes the Broncos have a superior defense, but then again I don’t think the Panthers have anyone less than 6’4″ 250lbs!! They r huge!!! Better hope ole Peyton doesn’t get sacked. Go Broncs! KCW
keep pounding panthers!!!