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Super Bowl 50: Dominant defense leads Broncos past Panthers

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Super Bowl 50: Dominant defense leads Broncos past Panthers

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(UPDATED) Denver is able to win the NFL title for the 3rd in the franchise's 8th Super Bowl appearance

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Led by a dominant effort from their league-leading defense, the Denver Broncos were on top from start to finish in their Super Bowl 50 win over the Carolina Panthers, 24-10, on Sunday, February 7 (Monday, February 8 in Manila), at the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Despite scoring just one offensive touchdown, Denver was able to win the NFL title for the 3rd in the franchise’s 8th Super Bowl appearance.

Carolina went 17-1 in the regular season and playoffs prior to losing to Denver.

Denver running back C.J Anderson crashed over for the decisive touchdown late in the fourth quarter as the Broncos defense harried Panthers quarterback Cam Newton into a string of mistakes.

The much anticipated duel between Peyton Manning – the oldest starting quarterback in Super Bowl history – and NFL Most Valuable Player Newton never materialized.

Instead it was left to Denver’s suffocating defense to decide the contest, with Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware smothering the Panthers at every opportunity as the Broncos racked up a record-equalling 7 sacks.

Miller ultimately set up the crucial Denver score, forcing Newton into a fumble which the Broncos recovered close to the Carolina goal line, handing Anderson the chance to barge over.

Manning, 39, was largely a peripheral figure throughout, struggling to make any impression with his passing game as defenses dominated.

Carolina rattled

An absorbing first half saw defenses on top, with Denver’s vaunted unit rattling the free-scoring Carolina offense.

Denver drew first blood, Manning quickly into his rhythm to march the Broncos upfield in a 10-play 64-yard drive that culminated with Brandon McManus drilling over a 34-yard field goal.

After punting on their first possession the Panthers looked nervy on their second possession, unable to find any room for maneuver in the face of Denver defenders playing like men possessed.

Disaster struck on a long third down on the Carolina 15-yard line, when Miller swarmed through to smother Newton, stripping the ball loose and allowing Malik Jackson to recover for a dramatic touchdown for 10-0.

As the first quarter drew to a close there were signs that Newton was finally kicking into top gear.

A trademark 11-yard run and another 12-yard gallop upfield stretched Denver’s defense and helped propel Carolina deep into the red zone from where Jonathan Stewart barreled over from one yard for the touchdown.

IN ACTION. Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (L) scrambles with the ball in the second quarter of the NFL's Super Bowl 50 between the AFC Champion Denver Broncos and the NFC Champion Carolina Panthers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, USA, February 7, 2016. John G. Mabanglo/EPA

Graham Gano duly added the extra point and suddenly the Panthers were on the front foot, forcing Denver to kick away three consecutive possessions.

Chance spurned

Denver went 13-7 up with another McManus field goal before Carolina spurned the chance to draw closer when Gano missed a 44-yard effort.

It was left for Denver to get the first points on the board in the second half, with Manning twice connecting with Emmanuel Sanders in a 54-yard drive to Carolina’s 12-yard line.

Once again though, the Broncos were unable to make a red zone visit pay with a touchdown, with McManus adding his third field goal to give Denver a 9-point lead.

Carolina looked to be building ominous momentum on the next drive, when Newton launched a long pass to find Corey Brown for a 42-yard gain.

But the drive ended when Newton’s long pass to Ginn was intercepted by Broncos safety T.J. Ward who fumbled only to see his team-mates recover.

Denver were unable to make any impression on the Carolina defense and seemed to be content to punt again knowing that the Panthers were getting little joy from the Broncos defense.

CELEBRATION. Denver Broncos players celebrate running back C. J. Anderson's (R) touchdown in the 4th quarter of the NFL's Super Bowl 50 between the AFC Champion Denver Broncos and the NFC Champion Carolina Panthers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, USA, February 7, 2016. Tannen Maury/EPA

The tactic proved vindicated on the next Carolina drive, which stalled when Miller sacked Newton for the second time in the match forcing a punt.

But Denver’s own offense was always struggling to capitalize on their opponent’s problems, and they squandered a 1st and 10 situation on Carolina’s 37-yard line when Manning twice fumbled on successive plays to hand the ball back to the Panthers who reduced the deficit to 16-10 with a Gano field goal.

Yet once again Denver’s defense came through when it mattered, and when Miller forced Newton into his late fumble, Denver were home.

The title win also served as a potential sweet ending to the career of quarterback Manning, who won his second career NFL title in what is likely his last season.

“It’s very special, I’m very proud of these guys,” Manning said afterwards. “I’m just glad we didn’t have to play against our defense.”

Manning was coy about his possible retirement, saying he was unwilling to make a decision in the heat of the moment.

“I’ll take some time to reflect,” he said.

“It’s been an emotional week and it’s an emotional night.” – With reports from Rob Wollard, Agence France-Presse / Rappler.com 

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