Normally, it’s fairly apparent which two players could end up being Super Bowl MVP. It’s a superstar award, and more often than not, a team’s top superstar is their quarterback. So when you hear that 55 percent of all Super Bowl MVPs have been a quarterback, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.
But this time around, things are a little more up in the air, particularly on the Broncos’ end of things. While Peyton Manning is unquestionably the biggest storyline of Super Bowl week, you’d be hard pressed to find anyone picking him for Super Bowl MVP.
In my eyes, and in the eyes of most, if the Denver Broncos win Super Bowl 50, it won’t be because Manning had a resurgent performance; it’ll be because the rest of the team has done everything they can to minimize his impact.
But that makes the MVP discussion much more complicated.
To help simplify things, here are five Denver Broncos with the best shot at winning the Super Bowl MVP:
5. Danny Trevathan
If Trevathan can successfully hold Newton in check, both on the ground and through the air, he could end up being the standout player on the Broncos defense come game’s end.
Plus, Trevathan isn’t a stranger to big plays. He’s already got five interceptions in his young career, one of which he returned for a touchdown; he would have had another pick-six, too, had he not dropped the ball as he was crossing the goal line.
The Broncos will need every bit of Trevathan’s speed and play-making ability if they’re going to slow down the Panthers’ dynamic offense.
4. DeMarcus Ware
Peyton Manning isn’t the only old guy looking to get a ring. In fact, DeMarcus Ware, 33, may be more desperate than anyone.
Despite being a nine-time Pro Bowler, a four-time First-Team All-Pro and future Hall of Famer, this is Ware’s first Super Bowl, and he’s taking advantage of the opportunity.
If the Broncos end up losing, it won’t be because DeMarcus Ware didn’t give it everything he’s got.
And while everybody wants to talk about Von Miller’s performance against the New England Patriots two weeks ago, Ware was just as impressive, especially on New England’s final few drives. He was everywhere, and I truly believe Tom Brady would have found a way to win had it not been for Ware’s unrelenting pressure.
We’re talking about one of the greatest pass rushers in NFL history, and I fully expect him to exemplify just that on Sunday. Two sacks, seven or eight pressures and the fact that everybody loves DeMarcus Ware could be plenty enough to earn him the Super Bowl MVP.
3. Von Miller
Peyton Manning may be the most famous person on the Denver Broncos, but Von Miller is definitely the most popular, and it’s well deserved.
Coming off what may have been the best performance of his career, Miller has been thrust into the national spotlight, and he loves it. He’s funny, he’s smart and he’s all about the Denver Broncos.
Part of what goes into deciding the Super Bowl MVP is simply how well everybody knows your name. And with the Denver Broncos defense being a main topic of discussion, everybody knows Von Miller’s name.
The only reason he’s not higher on this list is because Miller’s impact can go unnoticed at times. Offenses key on Von more than just about any other pass rusher in the league, and that means he’s not always going to put up the stats he put up in the AFC Championship game. Instead, he paves the way for guys like Malik Jackson and Derek Wolfe to clean up on the inside.
Plus, if Wade Phillips really wants to stop Cam Newton from scrambling, he’s going to have to get Miller and Ware to maintain containment, as opposed to crashing around the edge.
Nonetheless, even if the stats don’t reflect it, Von Miller is probably the most important person to a Broncos victory.
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2. Peyton Manning
Listen, I have a hard time believing Peyton Manning is capable of earning the Super Bowl MVP, but that doesn’t mean they won’t give it to him anyways.
If the Denver Broncos are Super Bowl champions, and Manning has any semblance of a good game, it’s his; it has to be. The story, the history, the everything … it all leads to the storybook ending where Manning grabs the Lombardi Trophy, is awarded Super Bowl MVP and rides off into the sunset.
It’s possible. Just ask John Elway.
And really, is it that crazy to imagine Manning having a renaissance performance? He’s as healthy as he’s been in months, I’d have a hard time imagining he’s ever been more focused and, oh yeah, he’s PEYTON MANNING! I don’t care if he’s lost all feeling in the left side of his body — though that might actually be a serious problem — no quarterback has ever played the game as intelligently as No. 18.
Again, all it takes is one or two good plays, and the league will have no choice but to give Manning the MVP.
1. C.J. Anderson
Let’s take a look back at the Denver Broncos’ biggest games of the year:
- 29-10 victory over Packers: C.J. Anderson rushes for 101 yards, 28 of which come on a touchdown run.
- 30-24 victory over Patriots: C.J. Anderson rushes for 113 yards and two touchdowns, including 48-yard game winner in overtime.
- 20-17 victory over the Bengals: C.J. Anderson gives the Broncos a fourth-quarter lead with a 39-yard touchdown run, helping cap off Denver’s comeback
- 27-20 victory over the Chargers: C.J. Anderson rushes for 95 yards and a touchdown to help the Broncos clinch the No. 1 seed.
- 23-16 victory over the Steelers: C.J. Anderson scores a fourth-quarter touchdown to give the Broncos a lead and push them towards the AFC Championship.
- 20-18 victory over the Patriots: C.J. Anderson breaks off a 30-yard rush that put the Broncos in position to kick what would become the game-winning field goal.
Notice any similarities?
Every single time the Broncos offense has had a big moment this season, it has come on the heels of a C.J. Anderson run.
If Denver can find a way to keep up with the Panthers offense, I have no doubt that Anderson will be the driving factor. The Denver Broncos need Anderson to be their Super Bowl MVP.