[Jim W N]

The crux of this game will revolve around how well Carolina’s tough running game will do against Denver’s equally tough run defense. It is unusual for the top scoring team in the NFL (Carolina) to have such a low ranking passing game (24th) so another thing to watch is if Carolina decides to pass a lot.

Although all the hype is about these two QB’s, Manning and Newton, neither team has had a very good passing offense this season. Oftentimes, a coaching staff new to the Super Bowl with a weak passing game has a tendency to step out of their strength and start passing a lot to score quickly. This would be deadly for Carolina against the top Denver pass defense. Watch for Denver to intercept and sack.

The key may be Carolina’s coaching staff sticking to the run including Cam Newton’s running ability without getting hurt.

Projected winner: Carolina

[bubbacluck]

I thought I had read that Belicheck said he had been out coached by Mr. Phillips. Here’s hoping he does it again on Sunday. Go Broncos!

[11th Commandment]

In other news, pitcher and catchers report to spring training Monday.

[T-Bird45]

If the Broncos study any other game film than when the Atlanta Falcons beat the Panthers, they’re wasting time. The question then becomes whether the Bronco defense can execute in the same way and if the Bronco OL can protect Peyton long enough for a receiver to truly get open since his passes have no zip. I’m just hoping for a good game and I’d like to see Peyton go out with a win but will not be surprised with a Carolina win.

[FlingWingFlyer]

Thanks. I’ve been trying all week to come up with a reason to waste my time watching the Super Bowl. This didn’t help.

[TomGuy]

If the brouhaha over the Oscars is any indication, the NFL should just default an Affirmative Action win to Newton. After all, the old guy on the other team already has a SuperBowl ring.

The Broncos, of course, would still get participation trophies.

[/s]

[rollo tomasi]

If Denver's Dt and two ends can push back the pocket and not allow Newton to step up in front of rushing LB's, then Broncos have a chance. Of course easier said then done.

If not, Newton will just take the angle in front of Ware/Von Miller and run all day.

Phillips will probably call a lot of inside blitzes too in order to apply pressure up front. Will be interesting to watch; however if Newton can consistently find Olsen this Super Bowl will be boring as heck to watch.

[JimRed]

This is a tough one for me. I’d like to see class-act Manning go out on top, yet I’d also like to see the upstart Panthers and darned good young guy Cam win. Best I can hope for is a thriller of an overtime game in which everybody plays well and nobody gets hurt.

[Will88]

A major question I have is whether Manning’s problems this year have been more due to injuries or due to age. If more due to injuries, has he recovered enough over the past few weeks to have a good day throwing the ball?

Or will we see Osweiler (sp?)?

[OKSooner]

Cam is not only big and strong and hard to tackle, able to shake guys off and still get the ball away (for example like Ben R. at Pittsburgh), but he's also got some jets he can use to get out of trouble and throw the ball out on the perimeter or maybe even run for positive yardage.

And... the Panthers exploit that in him by using a zone-read running game that makes him a constant threat to run. The RB usually gets the ball, but Cam can keep the ball and run it "his own self". The defense has got to stay honest and account for that in some way.

Run how many times in a game? I don't know, I've only seen the Panthers play once this season. If the QB runs too many times in a game his risk of getting hurt increases. But again, Cam is a big, strong dude. You've got to respect this guy's abilities. I'm not sure anyone in the NFL compares to him right now...

[discostu]

Because Cam can run.

[bluejean]

Title is silly. The Broncos won’t prepare for the Panthers like they did for the Patriots. They’ll prepare for the Panthers. Amazing grasp of the obvious alert! DOH!!

[outofsalt]

This Manning/Newton thing is sounding a lot like a Trump/Cruz thread. Yikes!

[Slyfox]

I want to see DeMarcus Ware get a SuperBowl ring and then flash it in front of Jerry Jones’ face.

[Wheelman81]

Wow! Not the kind of content I would have expected from Business Insider. If you pressed me, I’d take Denver and the points on a bet. That said, I’m not at all sure anyone knows how it will turn out, so it would be a very small bet!

The Panthers have an extraordinary running attack. It’s going to be tough for the Broncos to get pressure on Newton. He’s bigger than any cornerback or safety, so I question whether 180-200 lb. guys are going to be able to tackle him. Wade Phillips is a cagey old bear, though, and it would not surprise me if he found a way to thwart Carolina.

Then again, it could be close for 3 quarters, the Broncos tire, and Carolina blows it open. The uncertainty is what makes it fun!

[Jim W N]

Excellent article with excellent links BTW. Thanks.

[fortheDeclaration]

Yes, they will use a different strategy.

[Colofornian]

Why the strategy the Broncos used to clobber Tom Brady may be useless against Cam Newton

Why the author of this piece should stick to writing Business items for Biz Insider vs. "branching out" to NFL assessments, of which he prepped himself mighty sparsely.