This year the #1 seeded team from each conference will face off. That's not very common, but there are some more interesting bullet points to keep in your back pocket when trying to sound like a real football expert this Sunday.
- Newton and Manning are both former #1 overall picks.
- They are also both former Heisman Trophy winners.
- Newton will most definitely win the MVP award Saturday night, so it's safe to say we will have two league MVP's facing off as well.
- Both head coaches are former players and have appeared in Super Bowl games (Rivera as a LB & Kubiak as a back up QB)
- Newton is the first QB in NFL history to ever pass for 30+ TD's and also Rush for 10 in a single season. (In case anyone asks why he's so special LOL)
- Thomas Davis, Panthers LB, will play in this game... 14 days after breaking his arm. Insane.
- Lady Gaga is singing the national anthem and Coldplay is the halftime performer. (Feel free to mute your television)
- Manning is the oldest QB to ever start a Super Bowl (39).
- If Manning retires after this game he will own most of the QB records imaginable, accept for an important one. He is currently tied for most wins with Favre. So there would be some incentive for him to return in 2016.
Here are some of my predictions for the big game:
MVP candidates include obvious players like the two QB's, Von Miller, and Luke Kuechly. Defensive players very rarely get the MVP nod in the big game, but there are some real game changers in this one. My dark horse MVP winner is Ted Ginn Jr. He makes big plays offensively, including running the ball on reverses, but he also returns kicks. He could feasibly have a TD rushing, passing and on special teams. Keep an eye on the resurrected WR who had previously been labeled as a first round bust.
I predict a defensive battle in about 48 hours from now. Denver's offense has many more issues than the decline of Peyton. Demaryius Thomas has looked a lot more like a $700,000 receiver as opposed to a $70,000,000 one. CJ Anderson and Ronnie Hillman have both been lack luster to say the least. The addition of Vernon Davis has been a complete waste of time. Feel free to point the finger at #18, but this offense has issues across the board.
So, nobody is predicting Denver to light up the scoreboard, not only because of the aforementioned issues, but also because of an outstanding Panther defense. As for the Panthers offense, they are dynamic. They have one of the best offensive lines in the league, which was a bit of a surprise to some. They have a couple of impactful rushers including Stewart, Tolbert and yes, Cam Newton. But, they don't have a #1 WR. Well, they do have one, but he's been on IR since the preseason. I like Brown, Cotchery and Ginn. I also like Olsen as a true clutch pass catcher. But, any of these guys can be handled one-on-one. That's a big advantage for Denver's defense.
Denver's D boasts the best pass rushing front 7 in the game. Looking back at their loss to Pittsburgh at the end of the regular season, they really struggled when they had to try to double and triple team Antonio Brown. The more players you have to commit to pass coverage the less you have rushing the passer. In this game Denver will be able to bring 5+ pass rushers on any and every play. Chasing down Newton is challenging enough, but getting him on the ground when you get there is a whole other task.
So with all of this being said, what is my final prediction for the Big Game #SB50 ???
I see a low scoring affair... but I think the Panthers pull it out. Overtime is a real possibility in this one.. but when it's all said and done I see 19-16 with both field goal kickers getting a heavy workload. Carolina's kicker is much more experienced. I wonder how much that plays an important role in this game.
One final prediction... and this is an aggressive one, Peyton gets pulled in the 2nd half in favor of Brock Osweiler. I HOPE I am wrong about this one, but if Peyton struggles the way I think he might, Kubiak will have no choice but to give the young gun a shot.
Enjoy the game!!!!!!!!!!!
-Jay Wagner
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