James Gike:
We are on the eve of one of the most popular sporting events in North America. The golden anniversary of the Super Bowl is coming to a screen near you tomorrow evening. There’s a theme that shrouds the 50th year of the Super Bowl with excitement: old versus young, new versus old, current gen versus next gen. Peyton Manning has recovered well from injury to lead an often haphazard Denver offence into the big game. Cam Newton on the other hand has been leading the charge for the Panthers the whole season. Very seldom have we seen their offence stifled. Denver’s defence has been the best in the NFL this season, and on Sunday they will be put to the test to see just how good they are. If they are able to shut down Newton and force him into making a mistake they may be able avoid yet another blowout in a Super Bowl. But if Newtown just keeps the course set he’ll win and cap off a memorable season.
Prediction: Broncos 14, Panthers 28
I’ll also go as far to say that the Panther’s will be leading by a touchdown late in the 4th quarter, the Broncos will be pinned back in their own end and Luke Kuechly will intercept a pass and return it for a touchdown to seal it.
Luca Rosano:
This is the game everyone has been waiting for. I don’t want this incredible football season to end, it’s been too much fun. As for the game itself, all I’ve been hearing is that Peyton Manning and the Broncos are going to get outplayed and blown out yet again in the big game. I’m a firm believer of story book endings and fairy tale finishes (ok, not so much), but in this case I’m buying into the story line of Peyton Manning walking into the sunset with the Vince Lombardi Trophy. He wins and then announces his retirement thereafter. I think the Broncos defense will figure things out under defensive coordinator Wade Philips and they will contain the explosiveness of the Carolina offense. I also think the “sheriff” makes on more big play than Cam Newton. This will be a back and forth affair and I’m hoping I’m right. People deserve an exciting game to conclude the season.
Prediction: Broncos 27, Panthers 24
I think this game is won off the leg of kicker Brandon McManus and Peyton Manning in fact walks away a winner.
Image courtesy of www.vegascoverage.com.
