Two and a half of those sacks belonged to Broncos’ linebacker Von Miller who was named Super Bowl L MVP.
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Denver’s league-best defense, coordinated by former Buffalo Bills head coach Wade Phillips (who just won his first ring), put on a clinic in the big game.
Running back C.J. Anderson plowed through a Luke Kuechly tackle for a 2-yard touchdown, and wide receiver Bennie Fowler caught the two-point conversion pass to give the Broncos a 24-10 lead.
The Broncos scored on a recovered Panthers fumble; it’s the first Super Bowl touchdown from a fumble recovery in 22 years. Newton started with a 42-yard pass down the middle of the field to Corey Brown, who out-jumped/out-maneuvered cornerback Aqib Talib and safety T.J. Ward, an inexplicable play for the Denver defense.
The Broncos became the only team to win the Super Bowl with one offensive touchdown.
The only time Newton produced came on a 73-yard drive to make it 10-7. Miller then effectively ended the game with a forced fumble giving the offense the ball at the 25.
He said after the game that he would “take some time to reflect”, which basically means he’ll say it when he’s ready and not before.
Manning had one of the least productive games Sunday of his brilliant career. In a season that has seen Newton hit record low sack percentages, it was an astonishing turnaround in fortunes for the Panthers.
Ware smothered Newton at the Carolina 6-yard line with 2:40 left in the game for Denver’s seventh sack in the game.
However, it has been the defense, not Manning, that has carried the Broncos this season, and it has helped them win several close games; Denver went 11-3 in games decided by seven points or less, including the AFC Championship Game against the Patriots. Newton finished 18-of-41 passing for 265 yards and one interception.
“We had our opportunities”, Newton said. From Panthers to Broncos, both have exhibited a significant ability to surprise in the field. This marks the 10th time in Super Bowl history that a defensive player has received the honor.
Carolina is favored to win Super Bowl 50. It’s “Super Bowl 50”, not “Super Bowl L”.
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Halftime was a hit, with Beyonce joining Coldplay and Bruno Mars performing together on stage.
