Like many Americans, President Obama and the First Lady are hosting a Super Bowl party to watch the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos, but they’re enjoying a pretty extensive menu – and unlike most of us, they won’t have to clean up afterward.
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Manning’s postseason production (539 passing yards, two touchdowns, 55.4 percent completion rate) against the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots and Panthers didn’t live up to his historically significant standards, but it was enough to propel the Broncos to the Super Bowl victory, and to their second appearance in the game in three years. He was sacked five times and fumbled twice, one of which was lost.
The Denver Broncos lead the Carolina Panthers 13-7 going into halftime.
Denver’s suffocating defense kept Cam Newton jittery all day.
According to The Indy Channel, Peyton’s brother Eli Manning noted that fans should not expect an announcement from his brother even if the Broncos win the Super Bowl. The only problem I have had with them is the penalties by Aqib Talib. “To all the guys that’s having a rough time right now, all you’ve got to do is be consistent and keep pushing, and you can be right here where I’m at”. Malik Jackson recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchdown to put the Panthers in an early 10-0 hole they could never dig out of.
Still, old man Manning faces his doubters and some think the Panthers defense is just as good as Denver’s. I could have quarterbacked Denver to this win. Cam Newton would get two chances to work the magic that he conjured all season.
Panthers center Ryan Kalil, among the offensive linemen charged with providing time for Newton, said preparing for Denver’s defense “makes for a tough film week”.
One of the reasons Carolina was favored coming into the game is because many were unsure how a depleted Manning would fare if the Broncos got behind against a strong Carolina defense.
Newton was sacked six times – receiver Ted Ginn Jr., went down once on an aborted trick play – and if Miller wasn’t torturing him, DeMarcus Ware was.
It was all part of quite a display by Denver’s defense, making the NFC champion Panthers (17-2) and the league’s top-scoring offense look decidedly mediocre.
Back came Carolina though, and in Newton’s only drive of note, he set-up Jonathan Stewart to leap over the pile-up and score from close range to reduce the lead.
Although the Panthers cut the deficit, the Broncos had a response, as kicker Brandon McManus connected on a 33-yard field goal with 6:58 to play in the first half. “We know what we have to do to get back in the games”, Anderson said.
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“Those are my priorities at this point”, Manning said with a grin.
