Super Bowl 50: Five Things To Know for Panthers vs Broncos

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Feb 5, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; General view of Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos helmets prior to Super Bowl 50 at the Golden Gate bridge. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; General view of Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos helmets prior to Super Bowl 50 at the Golden Gate bridge. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Can you smell it?

The 50th edition of the Super Bowl is upon us. In one corner, you have QB Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos.  A team with the #1 defense in the league led by LB Von Miller, FS TJ Ward, and CBs Chris Harris and Aqib Talib.

In the other corner, there is Cam. Cam Newton. Arguably the most talented, disliked player in the league. With him is a physical team that boasts the best LB in football, Luke Kuechly, his partner-in-crime LB Thomas Davis and an up-and-coming cornerback in Josh Norman.

On the surface, we all know the headlines/storylines that has paved a clear path on what to expect: Cam vs. Peyton showdown, elite pass rushers in Von Miller and Demarcus Ware having one motive and that’s to make Newton’s day as hectic as possible, Norman matching up against one of the best receivers in the NFL in Demaryious Thomas, and plenty of more.

Taking the time to peel back the surface, this game between both teams has other key aspects that is worth keeping an eye on. A lot of elements can play a part in determining the final outcome.  What are five critical things you must know about this game? Well, since you asked:

More from NFL News

  1. Super Bowl 50 would be Denver’s eighth appearance in a Super Bowl which would tie them with Dallas, New England, and Pittsburgh. The franchise already owns the record for most Super Bowl losses by a team (five).
  2. The “road” team has won four of the last five and nine of the last 10 Super Bowl contests.
  3. The last matchup of two SEC quarterbacks (Super Bowl XLI – Colts/Bears) was Peyton Manning’s only Super Bowl victory.
  4. Seven of the last nine Super Bowls were won by the team who scored first.
  5. Super Bowl 50 is the matchup since Super Bowl XX (Mike Ditka vs. Raymond Berry) to have both head coaches were also former NFL players.