Super Bowl 50: Panthers are clear favorite to win it all

Super Bowl 50 is almost here as the biggest event in NFL history will showcase the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos. Can anything stop the surreal offense of the Panthers?

If you were to tell me before the 2015 regular season started that the Carolina Panthers would have the hottest offense in the NFL, mixed with an impressive defense and would secure a spot in the Super Bowl, there’s a very good chance I would’ve given you a look as if you had two heads. I have nothing but tremendous respect for what the Panthers have accomplished throughout the regular season and the NFL Playoffs.

This is a team that lost key players such as DeAngelo Williams via free agency to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kelvin Benjamin suffered a season-ending knee injury during training camp, and former Jets’ receiver Stephen Hill who was a member of the Panthers was also lost for the entire season due to injuries. Even Luke Kuechly missed some time during the beginning of the season due to a concussion and this Panthers’ offense and defense still defied the odds and went undefeated for the first 14 games of the year.

Something I think a lot of people have forgotten, including myself, is that the Panthers’ defense has ranked among the top-10 for three consecutive years. Not only has the Panthers’ defense lived up to its expectations this season being ranked as the leagues sixth best defense in 2015, but the entire offense has been completely unstoppable.

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Carolina has a young, healthy quarterback in Cam Newton, a solid and reliable back in Jonathan Stewart, a stout offensive line and a star tight end in Greg Olsen.

Carolina’s offense led the NFL in scoring, averaging 31.2 points per game, a majority of the offenses success must be granted to their quarterback, Newton is playing MVP level football.

Besides Newton, Olsen, and Stewart, the Broncos must stay aware of other X-factors such as Corey Brown and Ted Ginn Jr. Both of which made huge plays during the NFC Championship Game, one thing the Broncos’ secondary must keep in mind is the speed of Brown and Ginn.

Let’s also not forget about the Panthers’ rookie wide out Devin Funchess. He did not have an impressive rookie campaign but his 6-foot-5 frame is not something you should take lightly. Funchess could be a sleeper during Super Bowl 50, if Denver focuses their attention primarily on Newton, Olsen, Stewart, and both Ginn and Brown, expect Funchess to steal some much-needed spotlight.

Carolina in my opinion is the clear favorite to win Super Bowl 50. I’m a firm believer in defenses wins championships but this Panthers’ offense is on a completely different level of dominance. Why do I think Carolina will beat Denver this Sunday you ask? The Broncos haven’t faced a mobile quarterback like Newton this entire season.

Newton posted an impressive 10 rushing touchdowns during the regular season and added another two rushing during the NFC Championship Game. I highly doubt facing the leagues No.1 defense will at all intimidate Newton. The Seattle Seahawks were the leagues second best defense and the Panthers were able to pile up 31 points during the first half of the divisional playoff game.

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The following week, the Panthers hosted the Arizona Cardinals and their fifth ranked defense in the NFL and completely wiped the field against it, scoring 49 total points compared to the Cardinals mere 15 during the NFC title game. With the chemistry the entire Carolina offense has developed throughout the season, I don’t see the Bronco’s defense being able to keep it a close game primarily because I don’t see Denver’s offense at all outplaying Carolina’s.

In the end, I see the final score being Carolina 38 Denver 20. Newton will throw for over 250 yards, three passing touchdowns, and tact on 50+ rushing yards for a touchdown.

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