Carolina Panthers vs. Denver Broncos Predictions
The Russell Street Report staff gives their Panthers vs. Broncos predictions. Will Peyton’s last ride end in a championship or will Cam Newton get a ring in his first?
Those who pick the Broncos to win
Drew Forrester
I have no idea how, why, when, who wins the MVP or what call near the end of the game turns the tide in Denver’s favor. I really don’t know what’s going to happen.
But my guess is the league REALLY would like to have Peyton go out a winner.
And even though everything about the match-up says this could be a repeat of what Seattle did to Denver a couple of years ago, I just have this weird feeling the Broncos are going to prevail.
Denver wins 27-24.
Mike Popovec
The Arizona Cardinals would have been an easier matchup for the Broncos, but many seem to gloss over the fact that, while it wasn’t pretty, Peyton and the offense did enough against very aggressive and athletic Steeler and Patriot defenses to get them here. Carolina’s defense won’t be a shock to their system; the Broncos “O” is battle-tested.
Denver wants to keep this a low-scoring FG-type of game. My gut says Peyton will surprise and make a few big plays with his arm whether it’s to Thomas, Sanders or both. Despite their lack of touchdowns this postseason, they are both very talented, and they should open up Owen Daniels, Cody Latimer or Jordan Norwood (whose first catch in about three years came against the Ravens Week One) to keep the sticks moving.
Ironically Peyton wins his second relying primarily on defense and the run game with a few big plays mixed in.
Denver 21 Carolina 19
Kyle Rate
I’d take the “Under” in this contest. I’m always more fascinated with defense than offense, and these two defensive squads are top notch. Yes, Cam is electric (and I seem to like him more than most), but players like Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis, Josh Norman, Von Miller, and Aqib Talib will be a blast to keep an eye on.
Cam gains 350 all-purpose yards, but Denver shockingly surrenders just one touchdown to Superman–mostly because the Carolina receivers won’t have as much room to operate as they have enjoyed throughout this magical run. Carolina will miss an extra point, Peyton will throw two touchdowns, and the game will be a low scoring nail-biter.
For those with mixed feelings on whether they want to see Peyton’s last ride culminate with a Super Bowl victory, let me offer a brief aside. Living in Knoxville, Tennessee for five years I’ve bumped into a few people who know Peyton really well and can relate the following story to you all on really good authority:
As we all know Peyton is very visible on commercials and ads, but there’s a local health care group here that really wanted him to do a TV commercial for them, and Peyton took a hard stance and wouldn’t participate at the price that they were asking. As the story goes, he turned them down time and time again, asking for more money each time. Finally, the group agreed to his high-ball offer and he gladly did the commercial….and donated every penny to a local charity. He drove up the price just to see how much money he could donate.
Peyton walks off into the sunshine 17-15.
Those who pick the Panthers to win
Tyler Lombardi
I like Peyton Manning. In my younger years, I didn’t, but I do now. When I started to come around was during his 2011 absence. The league just didn’t feel the same without him on the field, and I started to look back and appreciate the hard work and effort he brought to the game of football. He was talented, sure, but not nearly as talented as players like Aaron Rodgers or even Joe Flacco, yet he will go down as one of the three best quarterbacks of all time. That, combined with the fact that I always thought some of his commercials were hilarious – and so was his appearance on Saturday Night Live – gave me a new perspective, one that makes me, unlike Ken up there^, hopeful that he remains in the limelight (except not Papa John’s commercials).
As for the game, I have more than a few predictions, based off of some of these prop bets.
– O/U number of towels on his body at once – 2.5: I’ll go with the over. Cam Newton will throw an interception once, look at the overhead shots, and then cover himself up in at least 4 towels early in the game.
– O/U time on screen with a smile – 3 minutes 15 seconds: That’s a tough one, but I’ll go with over. He’ll have a tough day throwing the ball, so we won’t see much of his pearly whites until late in the game, but the Panthers are going to open the game up late. He’ll have plenty of time to think about the fact that he will be a world champion.
Panthers lead just 10-7 at halftime and just 17-13 at the end of the third quarter, but while attempting a comeback, Peyton Manning turns the ball over three times, and the Panthers turn all of them into touchdowns.
On a side note, I found this.
Panthers win 38-13.
Mike Fast
The score will be 3-3 at the end of the first quarter, with Denver driving at the break. Carolina holds them to a field goal, but responds with one of their own (and a touchdown) before halftime.
Beginning the second half with a 13-6 lead, the Panthers turn the ball over on offense, giving the Broncos new life. However, the Panthers defense stems the tide by way of a Jared Allen sack-fumble and a Thomas Davis recovery.
From there, Carolina scores 10 unanswered points, creating a three-possession margin. But, Peyton Manning and the Broncos come back with authority, scoring two touchdowns in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter.
With the ball, on the final two-minute drill of the season, Cam Newton makes a statement to his haters, once and for all. He leads his team down the field, despite blitzes from every angle, for a field goal, which puts the game out of reach for the Broncos.
Panthers 26, Broncos 20. Cam Newton MVP.
Ryan Jones
I’d really like to see Denver win this game for two reasons. Reason number one is I think Peyton Manning generally seems like a solid guy and his commercials crack me up. “Chicken Parm you taste so good.” Reason number two is I don’t think there is any doubt he retires if the Broncos win. If they don’t I think we’ll have to sit through an offseason full of sensationalized reports speculating about his future
However I don’t think it’s in the cards for Manning. Denver’s defense is good and I think they’ll limit Cam Newton and Carolina’s offense to an extent. But I just don’t see anyway the Broncos offense can be productive against the Carolina defense. Their run defense is vicious and Josh Norman will likely make Demaryius Thomas a non-factor. Denver will be lucky to score 20 points, and that just won’t be enough.
Panthers 28 Denver 17
Brian Bower
Cam is going to dance and ruin the NFL’s dream of Peyton Manning riding off into the sunset without his second Super Bowl ring.
It won’t be a blowout by any means, but the Panthers defense will force Manning to throw multiple interceptions setting up short fields for Newton and the rest of his no-name offense.
The Broncos’ stout defense will keep them in the game; however, former Ravens tight end Ed Dickson will score the game winning touchdown.
Panthers 24 Broncos 20
Ken McKusick
There are a number of proposition bets on the board for any Super Bowl, but the one I like is DeMarcus Ware to win the MVP (currently available at 80-1). He may well thrash Oher much in the way he did Vollmer in the AFCC (half a sack among 7 QHs). Defensive Super Bowl MVPs aren’t common (5 in 49 games), but Manning won’t pile up the stat line to earn one (I’m hoping the writers don’t give him a lifetime-achievement MVP). If the Broncos win, Ware and Von Miller (who is less juicily priced at 25-1) will lead the way. If you want to spread your risk, you can also get Aqib Talib at 150-1 (all quoted prices are the best among 19 books offering MVP lines on Oddschecker).
Honestly, I think Peyton is about as much of a “fan favorite” as Pete Rose was. He was undeniably great. But did fans outside of Indy feel sorry for his interception that sealed the deal for the Saints? Feel sorry for him being denied Super Bowl shot after 2012 by the F Bomb? Feel sorry again when he was thrashed by Wilson in SB XLVIII? Feel sorry when he was benched for Brock Osweiler this season because his passes look like he’s tossing a nerf ball? Ever really enjoy his commercials? Not me. Once he’s gone, there will be a year or so of Nationwide and Papa John’s reminders and then another 6 months of visibility around his HoF induction. If we’re lucky, he’ll disappear from the public eye and not resurface as a broadcaster or coach.
I’m going to say this game reverts to Super Bowls past with a blowout win by one team (by 17+), but I’m not sure who. Either team is capable of imploding if they get behind. Carolina is and should be the favorite, so I’ll take the Panthers to win and cover.
Joe Polek
Peyton Manning may not have been great this season, but he won nearly every game he started. He may not have had the strength to his passes that he once had, but he did enough to help his team move the ball down the field. With a Broncos Defense that has been dominant, Manning just needs to help move the offense down the field and the Defense can win them the game (It reminds me of another team from 2000).
The Carolina Panthers are a well rounded team. They can beat you on either side of the ball. Cam Newton is going to be a bigger threat because if the Denver D puts pressure on the pocket, Cam can run effectively.
I see Denver’s D coming out tough and keeping Carolina to just 10 points in the first half, their lowest by far in the playoffs.
Peyton Manning uses the running game to his advantage and creates enough room to hit one long pass in the second half to pull his team into Halftime with 14-10 lead.
Cam doesn’t let let effect him and his comes out and runs for a few first downs in the 3rd and the Panthers pull ahead.
Carolina wins 31-23.
Kyle Casey
Denver’s pass rush and the expected extra effort from Peyton Manning are the only reasons I expect this to be a close game. Carolina simply overpowers Denver all around, and I don’t expect Cam Newton’s MVP-worthy season to slow down on Sunday.
Newton totals 300 yards between the air and ground and accounts for two touchdowns, and Luke Kuechly notches a pick-six to earn Super Bowl MVP honors. The Panthers fend off a late Denver push.
Carolina wins 27-23.
Derek Arnold
Give me Carolina 23-20 in a very close & entertaining game. Cam Newton, a night after grabbing the NFL’s MVP award, adds to his mantle with a Super Bowl MVP.
Tony Lombardi
I can see this game going one of two ways…a dominant win by the Panthers or a game that goes down to the wire, decided by 3 points. I’ll go with the former and predict a 27-17 win by Cam Newton. My heart is with Peyton but then again, my heart has been wrong all season. Why should Sunday be any different. Now to some BOLD predictions:
– Cam Newton will out-rush all Broncos running backs
– Ted Ginn will out-drop DeMaryius Thomas by a 2-1 margin
– Former Ravens TE Ed Dickson will score a touchdown
– Luke Kuechly will be the MVP
– Peyton Manning’s passer rating will be 75 or lower
– There will be a horrific penalty called that Mike Carey will agree with
– Phil Simms will announce his retirement immediately after Peyton Manning does (wishful thinking)
– The Panthers will sack Manning five times; Broncos will get to Cam just twice
– Cam will do the Dab four times and Brylcreem will make a comeback. After all a “little dab will do ya!”
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