Enough with the Super Bowl hyperbole. Everyone knows it’s Super Bowl 50 and everyone knows what it means. It’s time to move on to the nuts and bolts of the game.
The quick observations are simple. Cam Newton is frustrated answering dumb questions. The Broncos look more relaxed. But, the truth is none of that matters. Sound bites and press conferences are for the birds; the X’s and O’s of this game will decide the winner.
There are five key matchups that’ll decide that the Super Bowl 50 champ.
Carolina’s offensive line versus Von Miller
Who stops Von Miller? Honestly, who on the Panthers can stop Von Miller?
Miller has been the best player in the NFL playoffs. Saying the Panthers have their hands full stopping him is understatement. He’s been a hurricane in the playoffs. If the Panthers want to win they have keep Miller away from Newton. But, Miller isn’t the only guy they have to plan for. Derek Wolfe, DeMarcus Ware and Malik Jackson are all playing great football. Carolina may need to focus on shutting Miller down, but they can’t forget about everyone else.
Josh Norman versus Demaryius Thomas
Norman is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. Thomas is one of the most athletically gifted wide receivers in the NFL. Something has to give.
Denver fans have been waiting all season for Thomas to take over a game; can he do it when it matters most and when it’s expected? Prevailing wisdom says no, but if he can there’s no reason Denver should lose. It’s time for Thomas to prove he can go out kicking and screaming.
Denver’s special teams versus Carolina’s special teams
Against New England the Broncos won the field position battle thanks to Britton Colquitt. They’ll need a similar effort against the Panthers.
Carolina is the best team in the league at finding points and turnovers in odd places – kick returns, punt coverage, etc. The Broncos need to make sure that they don’t do the Panthers any favors on special teams. If the special teams portion of the Super Bowl is boring it’s a Denver win.
Luke Kuechly versus Peyton Manning
What Manning is on offense, Kuechly is on defense; it’s the ultimate chess match. Manning may not have the physical tools he once did, but his football mind is as sharp as ever. He has to use those wits to put his offense in the perfect position because they aren’t that good.
Outthinking Kuechly is no easy task; there’s a reason his defense was the best at creating turnovers in the NFL. Manning needs to make sure that Kuechly and Company are always guessing, otherwise they’ll be all over the ball (and probably be taking it away).
Cam Newton versus the (entire) Broncos defense
Newton averaged five yards per carry on designed runs this season. His 10 rushing touchdowns were the second most in the NFL for any player. He has become the most dynamic player in football and Super Bowl 50 will be won (or lost) on Wade Phillips’ ability to corral the likely NFL MVP.
Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan will have to do most of the heavy lifting when it comes to stopping Newton. When he escapes the pocket they need to bring him down immediately. The Broncos have no chance to win if Newton is able to control the game with his legs and move the sticks.
Do the Panthers look tight this week? Sure, but no one can say for sure that it will translate to a poor performance on the field. Broncos fan shouldn’t expect that it would.
Throw hyperbole and clichés out the window. Sound bites and small talk mean nothing. Denver knows what they need to do to win and whom they need to contain. It’s executing the proper plan that’ll make all the difference.
