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
Carolina will get more points than the Denver offense can muster against a stout Carolina defense.
Denver will be the best defense Carolina has faced this year. Carolina should have lost 3 or 4 games this year. The Giants came back from 28 down to take it to overtime and could have easily won. Then Seattle completely dominated them after waking up at half-time and deciding to play. If the game had been a couple minutes longer Seahawks would have won. The entire year Panthers had a hard time holding on to leads. I also think Cam Newton is overrated. Even with healthy receivers and a running game this year he was the 9th rated quarterback in the league for efficiency. I think this great season for them has been an aberration and next year they’ll revert back to being in the middle of the pack in their division. Usually great defenses win games. That’s Denver, not Carolina.
If Carolina has a front line that shows up, they will do better than the Patriots.
The Panther's have been given an easy ride with both of the other teams melting down early.
If the Broncos can keep it close, they will win.