Historic game sees outstanding defensive play
This year marks the NFL’s fiftieth Super Bowl, and to mark this historic occasion the past Super Bowl MVPs were honoured before the game started. Anticipation was high among fans regarding the matchup between Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers, and Peyton Manning of the Denver Broncos. This is the second time in the franchise’s 21 years that the Panthers have made the Super Bowl. The Broncos, on the other hand, have been to the Super Bowl eight times since the team was founded in 1960, and hold three Super Bowl titles after this year’s game.
At the age of 39, Peyton Manning is the oldest quarterback to start in a Super Bowl game. He has one Super Bowl to his name prior to this game, and won MVP of Super Bowl XLI in 2007with the Indianapolis Colts. 2016 marks Manning’s fourth Super Bowl appearance, and his second with the Broncos.
The Panthers’ Cam Newton was a first round pick in the 2011 draft, and a 2015 MVP winner. Newton is also the first Heisman trophy winner since Marcus Allen to play in the Super Bowl. A team that has gone 15-1 or better has never won the Super Bowl, nor has a team with an MVP winner playing in the Super Bowl.
If the first half indicated anything, it was a close defensive battle compared to the high-offensive match-up that was predicted. The score of the first half was 13-7 for the Broncos as the number one defense in the league held their ground, forcing three turnovers. Newton was sacked four times and stripped of the ball once, leading to the Broncos’ only touchdown in the first half. The second turnover by Mike Tolbert was the most Carolina had in the first half all season.
Both quarterbacks were held to 60 and 58 yards of passing each. The Carolina defense held strong, forcing two field goals, one sack and an interception. Both defences put on a display, stopping big plays and disrupting the effectiveness of their opponent’s offensive weapons. The longest play was special teams Jordan Norwood’s Super Bowl record-breaking 61-yard punt return.
The second half mirrored the first, as both defensive lines dominated the play. The start of the second half saw the longest throw of the game to that point from Manning and Newton. The Panther’s first drive of the second half led to a missed 44-yard field goal. The Bronco’s first second-half drive led to another Bronco field goal, the third of the night for placekicker Brandon McManus.
The second Panther drive led to a 42-yard pass, followed by an interception. Following another punt, the 13th of the game, Newton was strip-sacked, causing another fumble and allowing Denver to get the ball in the end zone.
With three minutes remaining in play, Manning and the offense took possession of the ball. On the third down, a passing-interference penalty was called, giving the Broncos offense another set of downs. The next down, the Broncos score a rushing touchdown and make the two-point convert, giving Denver a 24-10 lead. This was the fatal blow as the Denver defense proved to be too much for the Carolina offense.
Several records and firsts were achieved in this defensive chess match of a Super Bowl. Manning is the first to record 200 wins, Broncos coach Gary Kubiak is the first to win a Super Bowl for the same team he spent his playing career with, and the most sacks were recorded combined by both teams in a single Super Bowl game.
The tough, resilient defence deserved the MVP for its performance, and it was Broncos linebacker Von Miller’s impressive play that made him Super Bowl 50 MVP. If this is the last game of Manning’s career, this is the way to go out: on top. The successful season that Carolina had and the impressive plays of Cam Newton will translate into future success for this team.