Denebola Sports Predicts Super Bowl 50

By Sam Rosenblatt, Liam O’Brien, Alex Kiritsy, Cam Miller, Thomas Patti
Managing Editors of Sports, Sports Reporters

Sam Rosenblatt, Managing Editor of Sports
Final Score: Broncos 27, Panthers 24

My gut tells me Carolina will win, but I’m listening to my heart with this pick. Peyton Manning will win this game and ride off into the sunset with his second Super Bowl victory. This game will be a nail-biter. Carolina will get out to a big advantage early on the strength of Cam Newton’s explosive quarterback play and their multitude of playmakers on defense. Down by two scores, the Broncos defense will settle in and limit Newton’s production, while Denver’s rushing attack will shorten the game and keep Newton’s offense on the sideline. Manning probably won’t throw for more than 250 yards, but his teammates’ performances will propel the AFC’s top seed to a championship.

Bold Prediction: Panthers linebacker Luke Keuchly intercepts a Manning pass and returns it for a touchdown early on in the game. Manning bounces back by throwing the go-ahead score, and his only touchdown pass of the game, to tight end Owen Daniels.

Liam O’Brien, Managing Editor of Sports
Final Score: Panthers 24, Broncos 20

Denver’s dominant defense will make it difficult for Cam Newton and the Panthers to prevail in an overwhelming fashion. The Broncos ranked first in the NFL in total yardage defense in 2015 and first in passing defense as well. Denver features a formidable pass rush with the likes of ends Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware in combination with a secondary capable of locking down Carolina’s offensive weaponry. Newton has yet to face this daunting of a defense. Let’s not forget the struggles that Denver caused Tom Brady in the AFC Championship game, intercepting him twice while limiting him to a season-low 48% completion percentage. However, the menacing Panthers defense will be the deciding factor in this contest. Expect the Carolina cornerback tandem of Josh Norman and Cortland Finnegan to bottle up the Broncos receiving corp of Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas. In addition, if the Panthers limit Denver from completing Peyton Manning’s short, intermediate routes, it will be a strenuous evening for the Broncos offense, putting the pressure on running backs C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman to deliver against Carolina’s No. 4 ranked rushing defense.

Bold Prediction: A Denver turnover in the closing minutes of the contest seals the Panthers’ first Super Bowl victory.

Alex Kiritsy, Sports Reporter
Final Score: Panthers 20, Broncos 17

I think the game will be low scoring due to both teams’ elite defenses. The Broncos will stifle Cam Newton in the first half with hard pressure from Demarcus Ware and Von Miller, but Cam Newton will make adjustments at halftime to turn it around and lead the Panthers to a game winning drive. Peyton Manning will operate as a game manager and not have any turnovers, but will not have enough in him to overcome an elite secondary spearheaded by Josh Norman.

Bold Prediction: Jonathan Stewart will have more rushing yards than Peyton Manning has passing yards.

P.S. The halftime show featuring Coldplay and Beyonce will be the most memorable part of this Sunday night.

Cam Miller, Sports Reporter
Final Score: Broncos 13, Panthers 37

The Broncos will score one touchdown, but will not be able to overcome the Panthers strong defense, led by Luke Kuechly and Josh Norman. The Panthers defense will score a touchdown, and will be the biggest factor in the game. This, combined with Peyton Manning’s aging arm, is the recipe for a game not unlike the Super Bowl two years ago, in which the Seahawks’ stellar defense led to a disaster for Manning and the Broncos.

Bold Prediction: The Panthers’ defense will force at least three turnovers, two of which will be Peyton Manning interceptions. Cam Newton will rush for 75+ yards and a touchdown, while throwing two touchdown passes.

Thomas Patti, Sports Reporter
Final Score: Panthers 34, Broncos 13

A fired-up Carolina D should suffocate Peyton Manning and his Broncos. With Josh Norman shutting down passing games and Luke Kuechly terrorizing QBs up front on a consistent basis throughout the Panthers’ historic 2015-16 campaign, I anticipate more of the same in this one. The Carolina offense has a tall task ahead of them, squaring up against a stout Broncos’ defense. But, as proven in their shredding of a top defense in Arizona during the NFC Championship game, the Panthers can handle anything thrown their way. The Panthers take this one convincingly and spoil what could be future-HOFer Peyton Manning’s final game.

Bold Prediction: Greg Olsen hauls in two TDs on 100+ receiving yards. The Broncos have a handful to deal with on the ground against Carolina, between Cam Newton and Jonathan Stewart. Defensive lapses in the passing defense should allow the elite TE to have a field day in Super Bowl 50.