By Andrew Bernstein and Graham Kessel
The much-anticipated Super Bowl 50 will be hosted on February 7 at 6:30 p.m. in Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. The Denver Broncos (12-4) will match up against the Carolina Panthers (15-1) in a Super Bowl between the two best defenses in the league.
Quarterback Cam Newton, who is likely to win MVP this season, will be under center for the Panthers. With a victory next Sunday, Newton would be named the first quarterback to complete the trifecta: winning a College National Championship, the College Heisman crown, and the Super Bowl trophy. He has led his powerhouse of a team to a 15-1 record during the regular season.
In the playoffs, the Panthers have defeated the tough defense of the Seattle Seahawks and the offensively-minded Arizona Cardinals in the NFC championship. This exhilarating momentum will make it difficult for the Broncos to secure a victory in the upcoming Super Bowl matchup.
The Denver Broncos, led by quarterback Peyton Manning, will have to use the strength of their defense to interfere with Cam Newton’s game plan. The aging of Peyton Manning has deeply affected the offensive play of the Broncos. Manning, drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 1998, has had a successful and brilliant career. Win or lose, he will be known as one of the best players and competitors of all time.
This leaves fans and spectators wondering what will happen (in terms of retirement) at the end of the big game. If the Broncos were to win on February 7 Manning would be the oldest Super Bowl winning quarterback in NFL history. It would really be a fairytale ending for Manning. This game will come down to which quarterback, young Cam Newton or wise Peyton Manning, can lead his respective teams to the coveted Lombardi trophy.
