The Bay Area is hopping right now as preparation for the Super Bowl is live and busy. From Newton and Manning to Irvin and Rice, everyone is there answering questions and sharing their opinions. The big game is in Santa Clara at Levis Stadium this Sunday as the 17-1 Carolina Panthers get ready to take on the 14-4 Denver Broncos. Both teams are coming off impressive wins against the number two seated teams in each conference, as the number one teams are meeting up thanks to their defense. The Panthers recovered three fumbles and grabbed four interceptions, one each from Luke Keuchly who ran one in for a touchdown. The Broncos had two interceptions, but brought on the pressure with four sacks, 2.5 of which belonging to Von Miller.
The difference in this game however will be the guy who looks to be getting this years MVP award as the Panthers did lead the NFL in scoring this season. Now Peyton Manning did pick up 176 yards against New England but was sacked three times. Cam Newton got 335 passing yards and was only sacked once. Newton may have been better protected, but his mobility is what will make the difference and bring Carolina the win. Both of these teams have amazing defense, but while Newton runs to the outside, Broncos D-men will start breaking in expecting him to run, which will make people such as Greg Olsen wide open for the big plays. Owen Daniels was Manning's clutch target in the AFC Championship, but since Manning stays in the pocket, people such a Keuchly and Norman wont be leaving their zones and Manning's tight end wide open.
The Broncos however, are trying to turn to luck as they have selected to wear white jerseys for the game which is a bit surprising since they are the designated home team. The superstition stems off their past Super Bowls as they are 0-4 when wearing Orange, 1-0 when wearing blue, and 1-1 when wearing white. While 10 of the last 11 Super Bowls have been taken by the team wearing white and Manning is 1-2 in the Super Bowls he has played in, wearing white only the one time he was victorious. We will see if the Broncos catch breaks thanks to their white jerseys.
Denver has their defensive weapons with Talib and Ware, but I think Carolina's younger weapons of Short and Keuchly will bring more energy and the pressure needed to give Carolina the win. The spread favors the Panthers by 6. I wish Manning luck, as it appears to be his last game but I predict a 27-20 Panthers win with turnovers making all the difference in this one.
Conference Championships: 1-1
Record: 165-101
No comments:
Post a Comment