It's Super Bowl Sunday. It's Manning vs. Newton. It's Denver vs. Carolina. Nothing more needs to be said. Here are some of the many important questions that will be answered today.
Important Question: Will CJ Anderson's momentum carry over?
Although Peyton Manning grabbed the headlines after the AFC Title game, the guy who made the Broncos offense go was there running back, CJ Anderson. Anderson gained 72 yards on just 16 carries against New England and played a key role in Denver's triumph. However, it must be said that Anderson was going up against a very banged up Pats front seven. Although the heart and soul of Carolina's defense, linebacker Thomas Davis, is nursing a broken arm, he says he is ready to go. Aside from Jared Allen, The rest of the Panthers front 7 is healthy, and I think it will be very tough for Anderson or Ronnie Hillman to find the holes needed to gain a lot of yardage. I predict that Shaq Thompson, Luke Kuechly, and company will hold the Broncos to under 100 yards rushing, as the Panthers defense is too good for Anderson or Hillman to carve up.
My important answer: No
Important question: What is the #1 match-up to watch
There are a few options to choose from, such as Manning vs. Newton, Newton vs. Wade Phillips or Carolina's read option vs. Denver's league best run defense. All of those are important, but I think the most important match-up to watch will be between Carolina corner back Josh Norman against Denver receiver Emmanuel Sanders. The two men have had somewhat of a war of words this past week, and it's time for them to either put up or shut up. Sanders is a fine receiver, but Norman is the best corner back in the NFL right now. If he can shut down top receivers such as Juilo Jones and Dez Bryant, then I don't think Sanders will be too much of a factor.
My Important Answer: Norman vs. Sanders, Norman wins.
Important Question(s): What will Wade Phillips run, and will it work?
Two weeks ago, Denver defensive coordinator Wade Phillips had an ultra- conservative game plan, relying heavily on a mere 3-man rush to stifle Tom Brady. The plan worked to perfection, but there is a big defense between the pass-happy Patriots and the Panthers, who run the read option, which relies more on running the ball. Phillips has a few options to choose from to stifle Cam Newton and company
A. Have his best outside linebacker, Von Miller, guard Carolina's best- receiving threat, tight end Greg Olson.
B. Use the QB Spy extensively, which would require Denver to watch Newton's every move, or
C. Keep Miller and DeMarcus Ware on the outside, forcing running back Jonathon Stewart to go inside, where Malik Jackson and company will be waiting.
All 3 of these options make sense, but I think Phillips should and will choose option B. Newton is the one player Denver does not want to have beat them, and I think Denver's game plan will center on watching his every move in an effort to neutralize him at all costs. But will it work? I think that Newton will be confused at times early in the game, only to make the necessary adjustments as time goes on. Denver's defense was awesome against New England, but the Patriots had no running game or offensive line. Carolina has both, and they will do what they need to do to stop Denver's vaunted D from taking over the game. I could be wrong, but I doubt it.
My important answer: The QB Spy, won't work well enough
Important Question: Is Cam up to the task?
Cam Newton is a polarizing athlete. Either you love him or you hate him. Newton's team is the favorites to win this game, and he is the leader, so if they do not get the job done, he will take a lot of heat from fans and haters alike. Add all of this to Newton being an outspoken man who is not afraid to stir up some controversy, and you can say that "Superman" has a little bit of pressure on him. Does Joseph Arthur Smeltzer think that Cam can handle it? Absolutely.
Cam will not succumb to the pressure . Say whatever you will about him, but nobody works harder, and he has won at every level of the game. I am confident that he will be more than up to the task, and I think that his comments recent comments on how people see him will be used as self-motivation. Cam will throw 2 TD's and run for another. Believe that.
My Important Answer: Yes
Important Question: Is this the end for Peyton Manning?
Peyton Manning is one of the greatest players ever to grace a gridiron, and he is also an honorable man. However, I think that ole #18 is all used up. If the Broncos win this game in spite of Manning, then Peyton will be able to retire into the sunset. If Denver loses this game, Manning will not want to risk declining any further by playing another year. So, win or lose, this is the last time you will ever see Peyton Manning play an NFL game. Cherish the time you have left watching him. Unfortunately, I see no fairy tale ending for Mr. Papa John's Pizza....
My Important Answer: See you in Canton, Peyton
The most important question: Who. Will. Win?
Joe: Last year's match-up between Seattle and New England was dead even. This years is not. Carolina is the better team. They have one of the best offenses in the NFL and a defense that is just as good. Denver has had a good ride, but they are hardly a dominant football team. Carolina is. I expect this to be a close game when halftime rolls around, with a touchdown pass from Manning and a short TD run from CJ Anderson. But Manning will throw two key interceptions late: One for a pick-6, another setting up a Carolina score, and the Panthers will pull away for a 34-21 victory. The game's MVP will be none other Newton because it just has to be that way. It's Carolina's year, and nobody stops them.
Panthers 34, Broncos 21
MVP: Cam Newton
Now, what's see what my family thinks?
Bradley Stewart: I am picking the Broncos to win this game 21-20. The Panthers have not faced as good of a defense as the Broncos all year, and I see the injuries to Thomas Davis and Jared Allen hurting Carolina. They are playing, but they will be limited, and I don't see how being limited will help your team. Peyton Manning has two large receiving threats in Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders as long as a defense that can pressure the quarterback fast and furious. The Patriots did not prepare well with arguably the best Head Coach-QB combo in NFL history in Bill Bilichick and Tom Brady. The Panthers are inexperienced, and that's why I see the Broncos pulling out an improbable Super Bowl victory.
David Rutz: Panthers 27, Broncos 14. The Carolina defense will swarm Peyton Manning and make his life miserable. While Denver's D might make a few big plays, Cam Newton and the Panthers offense will eventually break it open in the second half.
Jeff Stewart: Panthers. They have a great offense with a great QB. They are well balanced. If you try to stop Cam with the run, he'll beat you with the pass. The same vice versa. There defense is truly elite and will over power the Broncos offense.
Ryan Stewart: Panthers 21, Broncos 10. The Panthers defense will hold Manning at bay for the most part, giving up a limited amount of big plays. Denver will do a good job of draining the clock as much as possible to keep the game low scoring, and they will also be helped by the young Panthers taking this game more lightly than they should. That said, the Panthers are a far better team with better skill players. They will pull out the win.
Thanks for reading, and thanks for reading all of our NFL previews! It's been a fun ride, and as always, credit to Bradly W. Stewart for the awesome job he did of creating all of our graphics.
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