They say that defense wins championships, and that was most certainly the case in Super Bowl 50.
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If this was the final game of his magnificent career, what a Super way to go out for Peyton Manning.
“This game was much like this season has been, testing our toughness, our resiliency, our unselfishness”, he said. Denver’s 11 first downs were the same as Manning would’ve racked up in a quarter a few years back. Miller, selected second overall in the 2011 NFL Draft after Newton went first, got the better of the matchup on Sunday. I’m going to go kiss my wife and my kids….
Miller, who was credited with 2.5 sacks in game, provided Denver with most of its offense, too.
With all the talk about Cam Newton and Peyton Manning this week, there’s been a tendency to overlook the Broncos defense. “He came in and figured out how to utilize the guys, utilize the talents”, he said.
No dabbing. No sideline photos. It was very disrespectful. That career could be coming to an end.
But it was the top-ranked Denver defence that can claim credit for the victory in Super Bowl 50, after holding the league’s highest-scoring offence to a single touchdown and 10 points. The primary question on Sunday might not be whether they’ll win the franchise’s first Vince Lombardi Trophy, but if they’ll hand the Broncos another Super Bowl blowout.
Manning finished the game 13 of 23 passing for 141 yards and an interception.
Here are three big takeaways from the Broncos’ third-ever Super Bowl championship. However, Denver stopped Carolina on three consecutive possessions without allowing a first down, limiting the Panthers to minus-13 net yards before producing the clinching touchdown.
The start of the second half was disastrous for the Panthers, with a missed field-goal attempt and an interception of Cam Newton.
Looking back to the beginning of the season it was hard to picture either team in this year’s Super Bowl.
It was a far cry from two years ago, when the Broncos were routed by Seattle 43-8. Denver’s pass-rushing duo of Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware is a nightmare for quarterbacks, and they were on fire vs. Tom Brady. The other one, a one-yard push by C.J. Anderson, was set up after Miller’s strip of Newton deep in Carolina Panthers territory in the fourth quarter.
“All that he brought as a player he brings to our meeting room”, Cotchery said.
Miller actually lamented not having more sacks. With the ball on the ground, Newton did not to enter the pile in an attempt to recover the ball.
The only time Newton produced came on a 73-yard drive to make it 10-7.
Sloppiness – and strong defense – marked the rest of the game.
Manning hasn’t said publicly whether he will retire after Super Bowl 50, and apparently hasn’t said it privately either.
Jordan Norwood is off to the races on his 61-yard return.
SEE ALSO: What is a catch in the NFL? Norwood would have reached the end zone, except for terrific hustle by 260-pound Mario Addison, who chased down Norwood and tripped him up at the 14. The Panthers’ Brad Nortman and the Broncos’ Britton Colquitt are solid, but not spectacular. Then his counterpart, McManus, made his 10th in as many postseason tries for a 16-7 margin.
The debate has raged on for years over whether or not a running quarterback can get you to the Super Bowl.
Gano made a 39-yarder with 10:21 remaining. Miller knocked the ball free, and it was recovered by Denver safety T.J. Ward at Carolina’s 4-yard line.
“He really helped us a lot”, Tory said. “We turned the ball over”.
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Remmers gave up two sacks where Newton would be stripped.
