Skip to content

Who has been backed to win the Super Bowl this weekend?

Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers talks to Peyton Manning #18 of the Denver Broncos after their game at Bank of America
Image: Cam Newton (left) and Peyton Manning will go head-to-head in Super Bowl 50

It's Super Bowl weekend so we've asked Richard Graves of Sky Sports News HQ to talk us through the biggest game on the planet...

Peyton Manning v Cam Newton

Carolina's offence v Denver's defence. NFC champions v AFC champions.

Whichever way this is dressed up, there's no denying this match-up is a mouth-watering prospect. Of course the sub-plot to Super Bowl 50 centres on the quarterbacks. Can Peyton Manning claim a second Lombardi Trophy or will Cam Newton get his first.

Live NFL: Super Bowl 50

No doubt by the time kick-off arrives, Newton will have been named the NFL's MVP but Manning's been here, done it and has the ring to prove it. The question remains, has the 18-year veteran got one, last big game in him?

Newton appears to have come of age. This season he has been sensational and his confidence has been infectious. With a receiving corps made up of journeymen and rookies, Newton has been the architect of the league's top-scoring offense. He's become the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for at least 30 touchdowns while rushing for 10 in the same season. With a record, including the post-season, that reads 17-1, the Carolina Panthers are the best team in the NFL.

Road to Super Bowl
Road to Super Bowl

Where did it all begin for the Carolina Panthers?

Compare that to Peyton Manning. Prior to the AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots, he'd only thrown one touchdown pass at home all season. He's thrown 17 interceptions! Yet in two post-season games he's not thrown a single pick.

He threw two touchdown passes against the Patriots and while no one would argue he's the player he once was, he's shown himself capable of raising his game when it matters most. He will need to again if Denver are to beat the Panthers.

Also See:

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Laura Woods is joined by Kirk Cousins to preview Super Bowl 50

Defence

The Broncos' No 1-ranked defense is largely the reason they claimed the top seed in the AFC. In the post season, they delivered big plays in clutch situations to win games, with Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware excelling. To win on Sunday, these two players will be integral to their cause, as will Denver's secondary. They were able to cover New England's receivers long enough to allow their pass rush to get to Tom Brady and that is the key to disrupting Cam Newton - something Atlanta excelled at in handing Carolina their only defeat this season.

The Panthers' defence leads the league in takeaways and turnover differential. Their linebackers and their secondary are ball hawks. However, they've shown themselves to be inconsistent against the pass and have let big, double-digit leads slip throughout the second half of the season. The fitness of Thomas Davis, Roman Harper and Jared Allen is also an issue even though all three will likely play. 

Members of the New England Patriots celebrate with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Seattle Seahawks 28-24 in Sup
Image: The New England Patriots won last year's Super Bowl

Ultimately defence wins championships. If Carolina jump out into a big lead early, as they have done in both post-season games this season, this could be a blowout. However, if Denver can keep the game close and their offensive line does a good enough job of protecting Peyton Manning, this can be a very different game to the one many are anticipating.

On Super Bowl opening night, Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips praised his players' ability to come through in clutch situations. He highlighted the number of big plays they've made with the game on the line and says he's never coached such a talented unit. Against New England, Pittsburgh and Kansas City, Denver have taken the ball away to win games this year. They've made the biggest plays in the biggest moments. Whenever everyone else has said it has not been possible they've made it so.

Road to Super Bowl
Road to Super Bowl

How the Denver Broncos made it to Santa Clara

Denver are the healthier team right now, their defence is the best unit in the league and as impressive as the Panthers have been to this point, they haven't been completely ruthless. If defence truly does win championships, it'll be the Broncos who claim Super Bowl 50.

Pick: Denver Broncos

Not a Sky Sports subscriber? Fear not, you can still watch the Super Bowl via NOW TV by selecting a Day Pass to just see the game, or a Week Pass to absorb the unique atmosphere of the build-up.

By purchasing a Sky Sports Day Pass for £6.99 or Sky Sports Week Pass for £10.99, you can enjoy access to all seven Sky Sports channels and watch on a TV with a NOW TV Box or on a range of devices.

The Super Bowl is also available in pubs nationwide - find your closest venue by visiting skypubfinder.com but ensure you avoid disappointment by calling ahead to check they are showing the game.

Around Sky