The Denver Broncos defense carried the team throughout the year and Super Bowl 50 was no exception. The third world title in franchise history came on the back of Super Bowl MVP Von Miller and a defense that would not let Carolina’s top-ranked offense in the regular season breathe all night long. They punished Panthers quarterback Cam Newton just like they had Tom Brady, hitting the mobile quarterback 13 times.
Denver forced four turnovers in the game, creating a plus-two margin that proved to be the real difference maker. Two of those came from Miller, who stripped Newton twice on what was no doubt the two most important plays of the game. The first led to a Malik Jackson recovery for a touchdown in the first half; the second put C.J. Anderson in position to score Denver’s only offensive touchdown on the day and seal the win.
Miller earned the MVP in the most important game of the season, while the league MVP had his worst performance of the season, being held to a 55.4 passer rating on just 18-for-41 passing and an interception to go with those two fumbles. And while Miller’s play was head-and-shoulders above everyone else in the game, Denver had contributors all over the defensive side of the ball.
T.J. Ward had an interception and recovered a fumble to go with his seven tackles. Danny Trevathan had two fumble recoveries on top of his team-leading eight tackles. DeMarcus Ware contributed two sacks. Darian Stewart had a sack and forced a fumble. And Malik Jackson recovered a fumble for a touchdown.
Those were just the guys who lit up the stat lines. Bradley Roby was stellar in coverage and Chris Harris made several key tackles in critical situations. The run defense, led by Derek Wolfe, held Carolina to 118 yards and 18 different defenders made tackles for Denver.
Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips deserves as much credit as anyone, having cooked up yet another brilliant gameplan and letting his best players do their thing.
It was a total team effort by the defense again, and the Denver Broncos will celebrate “all summer” as Miller said in his postgame speech.
As always, the MHS team was all over the action as it unfolded. Here’s what they had to say, alongside some of our favorite follows, about what was one of the best defensive performances in Super Bowl history…
Stewart is the defensive MVP so far. He is hitting everything breathing, hard! #Broncos #SB50
— Delano White Jr (@bigdeewhite) February 8, 2016
This is fuzzy, but the point is clear: #Broncos defense is eating Cam Newton in #SB50. pic.twitter.com/AMYr99MFH5
— Jon Heath (@ByJonHeath) February 8, 2016
Denver DBs on 3rd down have been like velcro!!
— Brian Dawkins (@BrianDawkins) February 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/AllbrightNFL/status/696505431905009664
Cam walking off the field very slowly. Hasn't seen a defense like this all yr long. But that DEN offense needs 2 give D a breather. #broncos
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) February 8, 2016
Somebody better tell Carolina that Denver has figured out the read option. #Broncos #SB50
— Delano White Jr (@bigdeewhite) February 8, 2016
At least the other great defenses had offenses that could sustain drives. Denver hasn't had that all year. This D is real #Broncos #SB50
— Delano White Jr (@bigdeewhite) February 8, 2016
#Broncos annihilated Rothlisberger, Brady, and now Newton.
This is, without a doubt, One of the greatest defenses in NFL history!
— Eric Goodman (@EricGoodman) February 8, 2016
This might be one of the most impressive defensive performances I've ever seen.
— Ameer Abdullah (@Ameerguapo) February 8, 2016
Denver Broncos D made a statement today. I'm very happy for Peyton Manning. Congratulations on a second Super Bowl. pic.twitter.com/5VsWbkU1A0
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) February 8, 2016
Cam Newton hits, by game. #Broncos did it again pic.twitter.com/ZWdG7Tja4A
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) February 8, 2016
https://twitter.com/AllbrightNFL/status/696536761564987392
BTW, the 8 highest scoring offenses in NFL history (including 2013 Broncos) did not win SuperBowl. I guess JElway knew what he was doing.
— Les Shapiro (@LesShapiro) February 8, 2016
Seven sacks, four takeaways, one defensive touchdown in a Super Bowl victory. Yeah, I'd say Denver has one of the greatest defenses ever.
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) February 8, 2016
Forget the 1985 Bears, the 2015 Broncos are the greatest defense in NFL history!
— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) February 8, 2016
Greatest defensive performance in super bowl history? I'd say so. That's the league's best offense boiled down to nuthin.
— Robin Carlin (@robincarlin) February 8, 2016