SAN FRANCISCO The Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos gathered at Levi’s Stadium for team pictures on Saturday after proclaiming themselves fit and raring to go for Super Bowl 50. But it all turns out to be the same: “You always want to get as many turnovers as you can and hold the opponent to as few first downs as you can”, Broncos defensive line coach Bill Kollar said. Live coverage returns to BBC with full coverage beginning on BBC Two at 10:50pm.
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If rules changes and offensive innovations have made pro football a decidedly “Who can score more?” sport, it’s noteworthy that a pair of clubs boasting such capable defenses made it to the season’s final game.
Two weeks ago, I tried to talk myself into the Denver Broncos. Carolina quarterback Cam Newton is obviously much more mobile than Brady, but the bigger difference is that the Panthers will be able to run the ball more effectively than the Patriots.
Sure, there were bumps in the road: Manning was out for part of the season and, at times, the Broncos’ marquee defense faltered. The iconic five-time MVP has looked a shadow of his former self, unaided by lingering injuries suffered throughout his illustrious career. Manning can do the same Sunday if he musters one more magical performance out of his 39-year-old body and that quick mind. Police officers stopped Cam Newton while he was dabbing, thinking that he was being a unsafe black man next to a white person.
Denver had three players limited in practice on Wednesday, but all 53 practiced fully on Friday for the second straight day, including safeties T.J. Ward (ankle) and Darian Stewart (knee), and guard Louis Vasquez (knee). The trio are now likely to play on Sunday. We’re new to the scene.
“Really?” Newton says, entertained by the comparison.
(Daija Barrett/ News Connection Reporter): “All right, so Super Bowl is going to be great all the way around, but I think I’m going to put my money on the Broncos”. Denver’s defense is really good.
(AP Photo/Jeff Chiu). Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib speaks to reporters in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016.
“I think it is important to use all of your experience to your advantage”, Manning says.
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“His work has been excellent”. “I got to know him fairly well over the past years, and the National Football League quarterback fraternity lost a great one, lost a legend when we lost ‘The Snake.’ I reached out to his family and told them they were in my thoughts and prayers”. “It was at the stage of, ‘What do I have to lose here?’ I was just sitting on the couch, hoping to get a chance”.
