The Carolina Panthers have the NFL’s best record and best offense. “If their defense dominates and wins this game”, Simms said, “it’s going to go down as one of the greatest ever”.
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That’s a compliment, and the Broncos can do it again. Fox didn’t have the noise turned up at practice and also had his team switch hotels on the eve of the game.
But Rivera is desperate to spoil the party and has backed his own quarterback star Cam Newton to make sure Manning, 39, finishes as a loser.
He’s had hard recent seasons, missing 2011 entirely because of neck surgeries, then struggling in last year’s playoffs. Newton scored 10 rushing touchdowns during the regular season. The Panthers might have been underdogs if the Patriots beat the Broncos in this year’s AFC Championship Game, but they are significant favorites after winning three more games than Denver this season. He’s won one of them.
“With Peyton, it’s been a great fun ride right now”, he says.
Cam Newton is the best quarterback now. “I’m excited and can’t wait for Sunday”.
Manning has not turned the ball over in the postseason, which has been a good sign for the Broncos. That defence doesn’t match the stats of the Broncos, who ranked first overall, but it’s just as impactful. There, Hunt got to spend some time with Manning, his brother Eli (quarterback for the New York Giants) and their brother Cooper (Fox Sports host).
Quote: “Like I’ve said from the get-go, our defense has gotten us to this point”, Manning said.
With it being the 50 installment of the big game, though, there’s obviously going to be a substantial amount of talk about the history of the National Football League and the history of the Super Bowl itself.
“I’m a smarter player, I think I’m a better player and I’m going to get more chances to make plays on Super Sunday than I did two years ago sitting on the sideline”, he said.
The NFL’s popularity in Germany has been helped by live broadcasts of select games on basic German cable all season, with German former player-and-coach-turned commentator Patrick Esume explaining the finer points of the game.
Carolina is far more likely to find balance on its offence; Jonathan Stewart is the best running back on either roster, and Newton’s power and breakaway ability toting the ball are unmatched for the quarterback position.
Both must take advantage of opportunities and relieve pressure on the offensive line and Manning.
Newton, who completed 70% of his passes in playoff wins over the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals, will face his sternest test of the season Sunday against a defense that has beaten two of the NFL’s great quarterbacks, Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger, this postseason.
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The speedy Hillman and powerful Anderson have been a productive combination for a Denver franchise making its eighth Super Bowl appearance.
