J-Speaks: Super Bowl 50 Preview

In less than 24 hours, the National Football Conference Champion and No. 1 Seeded Carolina Panthers (17-1) will face the American Football Conference Champion and No. 1 Seeded Denver Broncos on Sunday Feb. 7 at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, CA in Super Bowl 50. It will a matchup featuring one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history trying to cap his career with one more title while his opposite is trying to create his own legacy and lead his team to what hopefully is the first of many Super Bowl wins. This is also a contest that will take on the mantra of the irresistible force versus the immovable object.

The Panthers, who had the best season in franchise history in terms of wins are led by the likely MVP 2015 Cam Newton, who had a career-high in passing touchdowns with 35 and just 10 interceptions and threw for 3,837 yards. He also rushed for 636 yards and 10 touchdowns, which made him the first signal caller in NFL history to throw for 30-plus TDS and rush for 10-plus TDS.

Since Week 10 of this season, Newton has thrown for 24 TDs and just two interceptions, the best TD-INT ration in that span.  

Newton’s arm and legs were a big reason why the Panthers led the NFL in total yards per contest at 385.5 per game. Only the Buffalo Bills rushed for more yards per game than the Panthers, who averaged 142.6, thanks to Newton and the 989 yards and six scores of veteran running back Jonathan Stewart. The Panthers finished tied with the aforementioned Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs in rushing touchdowns with 19 in the regular season

To put the versatility of the Panthers rushing attack into perspective, Newton had 24 designed runs, which was the most in the league by a quarterback. The Panthers averaged 5.4 yards per rush from the shotgun/pistol formation, which was third in the league and their 139 rush attempts via the famed Zone Read were No. 1 in the NFL.  

While the passing attack was ranked just 24^th in the league with 3,589 total net yards, the Panthers were able to be balanced enough to where they led the league in points scored at 500 and points per game at 31.3.

The passing game is led by veteran tight end Greg Olsen, who led the NFC champs in receiving yards for the third year in succession with 1,104 yards receiving and seven touchdowns in the regular season. Behind him was Ted Ginn, Jr., who had the best season of his nine year career with 739 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Ginn had nine receiving scores total between 2008-14.  

The play of Olsen, Ginn and the play of wideouts Jericho Cotchery (485 receiving yards, 3 TDS), Devin Funchess (473 receiving yards, 5 TDS) and Corey Brown (447 receiving yards, 4 TDS) all but made up for the loss of last season’s No. 1 receiver Kelvin Benjamin, who has missed this entire season because of a knee injury he sustained in training camp.

To win in the NFL, you have to play both sides of the ball and the defense of the Panthers is one of the best in the league.

They were No. 1 in the league in interceptions with 24; in takeaways overall with 39 and led the NFL in points off of their opponents miscues with 148.

The Panthers were ranked No. 6 in total net yards allowed at 322.9; No. 4 in rushing yards allowed at 88.4; No. 6 in points allowed at 19.3 and quarterback sacks with 44; tied for third with the New England Patriots in force fumbles with 24.

This stellar defense is led by the likes of linebackers Luke Kucehly and Thomas Davis, who each recorded 118 and 105 tackles respectably during the regular season and each recorded four interceptions, A.J. Klein and Shaq Thompson.

On the defensive line are the likes of defensive tackles Kawann Short, who had 11.0 sacks and 55 tackles in the regular season, Star Lotulelei and Dwan Edwards and defensive ends Kony Ealy (5.0 sacks), veteran Jared Allen, who the team acquired from the Bears earlier in the season, Mario Addison and Charles Johnson.

The defensive backs, responsible for a number of those interceptions is led by Josh Norman, who was tied for second on the team with four interceptions, Kurt Coleman, who led the Panthers with seven interceptions, Robert McClain, former New Orleans Saint strong safety Roman Harper, Cortland Finnegan, Tre Boston and Dean Marlowe are as good as it gets in terms of playing the run and playing the pass.

The Panthers came out of the gates like gang busters in 2015 winning their first 14 games, winning 10 of those games by double digits. They scored 27 points or more 12 times and scored 30 or more on six occasions.

In games decided by seven points or less in 2015, the Panthers were 6-1 with their only setback of this season in Week 16 two days after Christmas when they lost at their NFC South Division rival Atlanta Falcons 2013.

Newton was just 17 for 30 for 155 yards passing with no passing touchdowns, but did have one score rushing. The Panthers had just seven first downs; were just 4 for 10 on third down; had no interceptions and the Falcons dominated the time of possession to the tune of 35:28 to the Panthers’ 24:22.

The Panthers bounced back big time in their season finale at home where they took to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 38-10 and clinched the No. 1 Seed in the NFC.

Newton went 21 for 26 for 293 passing yards and threw two touchdowns, while also running for two more scores. Funchess was great with seven catches for 120 yards and a touchdown.

Bucs signal caller and Rookie of the Year candidate in Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston was 29 for 47 for 325 yards, but threw two interceptions.

The Panthers were 7 for 10 on third down; had 366 total yards; went 4 for 4 in the red zone and dominated time of possession holding the ball for 31:50 as to Tampa Bay who had the pigskin for 28:10.   

In the Divisional Round against the NFC reigning champion Seattle Seahawks (11-6), the Panthers took control right from the jump 14 points in the first quarter and then 17 in the second quarter to take a 31-0 lead into intermission. While the Seahawks came all the way back, the Panthers were able to hold on for a 31-24 win.

While the offense produced just 295 total yards, they went 3 for 3 in the red-zone scoring touchdowns. Newton was 16 for 22 for 161 yards passing, a touchdown and no interceptions. Stewart rushed for 106 yards and two touchdowns. Olsen had six catches for 77 yards and a touchdown.

Kuechly had 11 total tackles and an interception in the first quarter that he turned into a score.

The Seahawks were held to 78 yards rushing and while signal caller Russell Wilson went 31 for 48 for 366 yards and three touchdowns, which all came after intermission, he had two interceptions and was sacked five times.

The Panthers put it all together in the NFC title game two weeks ago when they demolished the NFC West champion Arizona Cardinals 49-15 to capture their second NFC crown in franchise history.

Newton had a game to remember going 19 for 28 with 335 passing yards and two touchdowns, while also running for two scores.

Brown and Olsen had 113 receiving yards each and Stewart had 83 yards of the Panthers 152 yards on the ground.

The defense made life miserable for Cardinals QB Carson Palmer the entire evening as he was 23 for 40 for just 235 yards, one touchdown; four interceptions; two lost fumbles and was sacked three times. Rookie running back David Johnson and his understudy Andre Ellington had just 60 yards combined on 16 carries.

The Broncos, champs of the AFC West path to Super Bowl 50 was no walk in the park. It had more ups and downs particularly on offense than the stock market.

Even though they came out of the gates 6-0, it was their defense that allowed them to pull out games by the skin of their teeth.

That six victory came in front of a national audience when they took down the mighty Green Bay Packers 29-10.

Manning went 21 for 29 for 340 yards, but no touchdowns. Running backs C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman had a combined 161 yards on the ground and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas had 168 yards on eight receptions.

The defense held signal caller Aaron Rodgers to just 77 passing yards and sacked him three times. The Packers had just 90 yards on the ground and were just 2 for 8 on third down.

The offensive problems for the Broncos came to out of the closet the next two weeks as they lost at the Indianapolis Colts 27-24 and versus their Chiefs, things got really ugly as they lost 29-13.

Manning was just 5 for 20 for an appalling 35 yards, no passing touchdowns, four interceptions, two sacks and was pulled from the game late in the third for Brock Osweiler, who went 14 for 24 for 146 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Osweiler started the next three games and the Broncos came out victorious with a 17-15 win at the Chicago Bears in Week 11 on Nov. 22; a 30-24 overtime win versus the arch rival New England Patriots in Week 12 on Nov 29 and a 17-3 win at the division rival San Diego Chargers in Week 13.

Things did not goes as well the next two weeks as the Broncos blew double-digit leads in setbacks versus the arch rival Oakland Raiders 15-12 in Week 14 on Dec. 13 and 34-27 at the Pittsburgh Steelers one week later.

The Broncos managed to pull themselves out of the fire again with a come from behind win of their own on a Monday night versus the AFC North champion Cincinnati Bengals 20-17 in overtime in Week 16, three days after Christmas.

With the AFC West crown at stake in Week 17, the Broncos offense was again out of sink and head coach Gary Kubiak returned to Manning and the Broncos found a way to get past the Chargers again this time 27-20 back on Jan. 3 to win the AFC West for the fifth season in a row and clinched the No. Seed in the AFC as well.

The Broncos were able to get to the point that they stood after Jan. 3 because of their stellar defense.

They finished fourth in points allowed at 18.5 per contest; fourth in rushing yards allowed; first in rush yards per attempt at 3.3; No. 1 in yards per reception at 6.2; No. 1 in sacks at 52 and tied for eighth in takeaways with 27.

That stellar defense under the direction of Defensive Coordinator Wade Phillips is led by defensive end DeMarcus Ware and linebacker Von Miller, who each had 11.0 and 7.5 sacks respectably in the regular season; defensive end Derek Wolfe, who had 49 total tackles and 5.5 sacks in the regular season and Antonio Smith; linebackers Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan defensive backs Chris Harris, Jr. Bradley Roby, Aqib Talib, Darian Stewart, T.J. Ward and Omar Bolden.

Their stellar play was a major factor in the Broncos become the fourth team to reach the Super Bowl and have the offense score just 30 points in regulation just one time during the regular season.

Manning for just the second time since his rookie year in 1998 had more interceptions (17) than touchdowns (9).

While receivers Thomas (1,304) and Emmanuel Sanders (1,135) each had over 1,000 yards receiving on the season and six touchdowns each, there were times no matter if it was Manning or Osweiler at quarterback, they left their fair share of plays on the field. The one pass catcher that they could count on is tight end Owen Daniels, who had 77 receptions for 517 yards and three touchdowns. The running backs in Hillman and Anderson had 863 and 720 rushing yards on the season.

In a nip and tuck contest in the Divisional Round, the Broncos offense could not get started once again as they trailed the Steelers 13-12 entering the fourth quarter and possibly the end of Manning’s legendary career.

A fumble by backup running back Fitzgerald Toussaint at the 10 minute mark of the final stanza gave the Broncos the ball back and Manning led a 13-play 65 yard drive that was capped by a one-yard score by Anderson and a two-point conversion catch by Thomas that gave the Broncos the lead 20-13.

A sack of Steelers’ quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on their final drive all but ended their chances of a comeback as the Broncos drive in position for place-kicker Brandon McManus to kick his fifth field goal of the contest that gave the Broncos a 23-13 lead and eventually a 23-16 win.

In what is very likely the final matchup between future Hall of Famers in Manning and New England Patriots (14-4) signal caller Tom Brady, the “Battle of 1812” went to Manning as the Broncos defeated the Pats 20-18.

The defense took center stage as they frustrated Brady, who was 27 for 56 for 310 yards, but was sacked four times and threw two interceptions. The Pats were held to just 4 yards rushing as compared to the Broncos, who had 99 yards on the ground.

Manning was a respectable 17 for 32 for 176 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.

On the Pats final drive, they drive all the way down on eight plays for 50 yards and it concluded with a touchdown to all-world tight end Rob Gronkowski, who had eight catches for 144 yards and the aforementioned score. The two-point conversion pass to wideout Julian Edelman failed when Roby picked off the attempt that sealed the Broncos trip to Super Bowl 50.

For both the Panthers and Broncos, who are the 6^th pair of No. 1 Seeds to reach the Super Bowl in the current playoff format that began in 1990, the pressures of what they facing this Sunday night are very high.

In the case of the Panthers, their head coach Ron Rivera, who at one-point in his time with the team was on the chopping block is trying to join Tom Flores, Mike Ditka and Tony Dungy as the only men to win a Super Bowl as a player and head coach. Flores was the quarterback of the Chiefs when they captured Super Bowl IV and was head coach of the Raiders when “The Silver and Black” won Super Bowl XV and XVIII. Ditka, a Hall of Famer and now co-host of ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown” and “Monday Night Countdown” was a tight end for the Cowboys when they won Super Bowl, VI and the head coach of the Chicago Bears when the “Monsters of the Midway” captured Super Bowl XX. Dungy, an analyst for “Football Night in America” on NBC played for the Steelers when they won Super Bowl XIII and was the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts led by Manning when they won Super Bowl XLI.

Newton is not only trying to led the Panthers to their first title in their second appearance in the “Big Game,” but he is trying to join Doug Williams and Wilson as the only African American quarterbacks to lead their teams to victory on Super Sunday.

For the Denver Broncos, they are gunning for their first Super Bowl win since General Manager John Elway led them to glory on Jan. 31, 1999 when they defeated the Atlanta Falcons 34-19 in Super Bowl XXXIII. It was the back-end of the team’s back-to-back titles. 

Manning is trying to become the first quarterback, with the combination of his body of work in the regular season and postseason, to win the 200^th game of his soon to be Hall of Fame career.

Kubiak is trying to win his first Super Bowl as a head coach and his third overall. He won two as the Broncos’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach with the Broncos and one as the quarterbacks coach for the San Francisco 49ers. He coached Hall of Famer and ESPN football analyst Steve Young, who threw a record six touchdowns as the 49ers won Super Bowl XXIX 49-26 over the Chargers.

One way or another, history is going to be made in Super Bowl 50 this Sunday night. Will the Frank Sinatra of quarterbacks in Peyton Manning be able to ride off into the sunset like Elway did 17 years ago or will the Jay-Z, a.k.a Shaun Carter of the NFL in Cam Newton join Hall of Famers Joe Montana and Joe Namath as the only signal callers to win a Super Bowl and be the primary signal caller for a National Championship winning college team?

Those questions will be answered this Sunday night, with coverage of Super Bowl 50 beginning at 6 p.m. on CBS, with the pregame festivities from James Brown, Tony Gonzalez, Bill Cowher, Bart Scott and Boomer Esiason and the call of the game from Jim Nantz and Phil Simms from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA.

Information and statistics are courtesy of 2/4/16 news crawl reports from ESPN; 2/5/16, 3:30 p.m. edition of “NFL Live” on ESPN with Trey Wingo, Mark Schlereth and Tedy Bruschi; Page A48 of the Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2015 Sports section of Newsday; www.epsn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/den/denver-broncos; www.espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/car/carolina-panthers; www.espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/_/seasontype/2; http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denver_Broncos; http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolina_Panthers.