3 reasons why the Broncos will win Super Bowl 50
The Denver Broncos will compete in their eighth Super Bowl in franchise history, but enter the contest against the Carolina Panthers as significant underdogs.
The Broncos' offense is not the dominant unit it has been in years past, leading many to question how they will managed to keep up with a Panthers team that's averaging 40 points per game in the playoffs.
However, Denver shouldn't be counted out just yet.
Here are three reasons why the Broncos will win Super Bowl 50:
Von Miller and a ferocious pass rush
In Von Miller, the Broncos possess one of the few game-breaking defensive talents in the league. If anyone had any remaining doubts about Miller's ability to take over a game, they were firmly put to rest when he made Tom Brady's life hell during the Broncos' AFC Championship Game win over the New England Patriots.
However, what makes the pass rush of the Broncos so dangerous is that the focus can never solely be on stopping Miller. His partner in crime DeMarcus Ware is still an excellent edge rusher and Shane Ray and Shaquil Barrett offer excellent depth at the outside linebacker position.
The outside rotation of pass rushers is aided by pressure generated inside by defensive linemen Malik Jackson, Derek Wolfe, and Antonio Smith.
Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is arguably the hardest quarterback to bring down, but the Broncos might not need to rack up sacks to win. They're capable of both pressuring Newton inside and outside the pocket and also neutralizing his running threat. If they can do so on Super Sunday, they'll force Newton into bad decisions throwing the ball and keep the game from becoming a shootout.
Peyton Manning's experience
Whether you truly believe Peyton Manning becomes a different quarterback in the postseason or not, there is no denying the vast disparity in experience between he and Newton in this type of game.
Manning will be starting the fourth Super Bowl and the 27th playoff game of his career. Only Brady and Elway have appeared in more Super Bowls and only Brady has started more postseason games.
The 39-year-old is far from the player he once was, but he understands the defense is what will win the game for the Broncos. He can use his mind and his experience to manage the game on offense, allowing the defensive and specials teams units to dominate the game.
Newton - for all his confidence - has never played on the NFL's biggest stage. Manning appears to know it will likely be the last game of his career and will not waver or lose focus when he has the chance to ride off into the sunset with a second Lombardi Trophy.
The NFL's premier CB trio
The pass rush isn't the only elite area of the Broncos' defense. The secondary also boasts immense talent, with arguably the best group of cornerbacks in the NFL.
Chris Harris, Aqib Talib, and Bradley Roby have the skills to shut down any passing game in the NFL, and will face one of the weaker receiving units in the NFL.
While wide receivers Ted Ginn Jr., Corey Brown, and Devin Funchess have performed admirably this season for Carolina, they aren't a group that instills fear, or one you'd expect to get the better of the Broncos' cornerbacks.
Tight end Greg Olsen is the best receiver on the team, but the lack of talent outside means that Denver can focus on him, likely double-teaming Olsen often or even using Talib to cover him.
Newton has elevated the play of those around him this year, but if he is thrown off his game by the Broncos pass rush, this trio of cornerbacks can lock down the passing game of the Panthers.