When speaking to the media after Carolina’s big 49-15 win over Arizona in the NFC Championship, the Panthers’ quarterback had the flawless food-based comparison for his five-year journey to the Super Bowl.
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And though the Broncos’ defense carried Denver past the Patriots 20-18 for the AFC crown Sunday, Carolina’s defense was just as destructive. At one point, the Cardinals had turnovers on three consecutive plays: a fumbled punt, Palmer’s fumble, and Kurt Coleman’s first of two picks. It picked off Carson Palmer four times, forced two fumbles by him, and never let up the assault.
In a few days, Cam Newton would receive the much-needed validation with the MVP trophy.
Newton was at his best Sunday, dropping perfectly thrown passes inches over the outstretched hands of defensive backs, running over defenders and dancing to the delight of the 74,000-plus at Bank of America Stadium.
After being shutout in the passing game with just one target and one run for 11 yards against Seattle, Ginn finished with 74 yards and a touchdown on just three touches (1 run for 22 yards, 2 receptions for 52 yards).
Davis said after the game Sunday he planned to play in the Super Bowl.
Is it really any wonder Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton has led his team to Super Bowl 50?
Denver tied Dallas, New England and Pittsburgh for the most Super Bowl appearances in National Football League history with eight. The Panthers already were thin defensively, needing to sign and plug in two players – Robert McClain and Cortland Finnegan – at cornerback because of injuries. It was the most points for a victor of an NFC title game. That was more yards than the second-year pro from Ohio State had in any one complete game this season.
In the background, as many on the Panthers’ sideline are likely imagining themselves in Super Bowl 50, will be the worry surrounding the injury status of Thomas Davis.
The Carolina Panthers All Pro linebacker Thomas Davis has come back from smashed fingers, torn ligaments as well as the various manglings of the body that come as standard in the NFL.
“They owned it”, Panthers coach Ron Rivera said of his team’s performance in the second half.
“I had dreams that I was going to make a play on that post”, said McClain, who had six tackles and two passes defended.
Ginn, who played last season for Arizona before rejoining the Panthers, then scored on a 22-yard reverse on a play in which he reversed field after picking up about half of the necessary yards. We changed a lot of things up because of the size of me [5-11].
This time, the Panthers will meet another quarterback destined for the Hall of Fame. He had several jarring hits that set the tone for the Panthers to build a 17-0 lead. At that point Newton broke into a smile, as he considered playing Peyton Manning in his first Super Bowl, and then referred to Manning by his nickname.
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Newton made a similar grits and greens analogy right after the Panthers drafted him first overall in 2011, long before you could tell how they were going to turn out. The last time was in 2012, Manning’s first year with the Broncos.
