Cam Newton v Peyton Manning, Denver defense and fast starts

Where the game will be won in San Francisco on Sunday

By Paul Prenderville

Image: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers talks to Peyton Manning #18 of the Denver Broncos hold the key to the game

Super Bowl winner Torry Holt has given us his three key areas where he feels Super Bowl 50 will be won as Carolina and Denver meet in San Francisco.

Who better to preview Sunday's showdown than a man who has been there, done it and won the ring - Sky Sports spoke to former NFL wide receiver Holt who has played in two Super Bowls.

As part of the St Louis Rams' 'Greatest Show on Turf', Holt played in Super Bowl XXXIV and Super Bowl XXXVI, beating the Tennessee Titans in Atlanta in Georgia in January 2000 in his rookie year.

So where does Holt think the key areas lie in Sunday's clash? And what battles will prove key to any victory?

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CAM NEWTON v PEYTON MANNING

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Peyton Manning is a future Hall of Famer, he's played 18/19 years at a very high level. He has led two franchises to Super Bowls, has tonnes of passing yards, tonnes of games. A true ambassador for the NFL.

Cam Newton is a young gun, he's up and coming. He will win the MVP and he's deserved it.

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He can beat you with his legs, he can beat you with his arm and now he is beating people with his mind and I think, with his talent and his skillset, he can put his teams in positives situations with every play - it makes him very dangerous.

Two really good quarterbacks, personalties are extreme. Peyton is a more traditional and a conservative type of guy and Cam is the new era of athlete. Both are outstanding players.

If Peyton decides to move on and retire I think the game is in great hands with Cam Newton, Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers and Eli Manning - we are in good shape.

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BRONCOS DEFENSE

The Denver defense has got to play really well and create turnovers. They have to tackle well too, that's an issue that is an underrated part of this game. Who is going to tackle well?

The Panthers have guys like Newton, Jonathan Stewart and Ted Ginn, guys who can make plays - you have to get those guys down on the ground and not let them get yards after the catch.

Image: Von Miller (L) and DeMarcus Ware (R) are a key part of the Denver defense who Torry Holt believes will have to play well

And the same thing goes for Carolina. Can they tackle well? Can they create turnovers like they have done all year?

Especially in post-season, the Panthers defense has been able to create turnovers and score on those turnovers. Can they continue that?

FAST START

All year the Panthers have got off to amazing starts, they've been up on teams 24-0, 28-0, 31-0, 28-7. They've got out on teams quickly and they have the right formula when they do get out. They can run the football and eat up the clock and they can play good defense.

Image: Ted Ginn #19 and the Carolina offense have made rapid starts this season, can they do so again?

I don't think Denver have enough on offense. Peyton still has a lot of playmaking ability and he will make plays but if the Panthers can get in front and keep them in long third down situations, forcing Peyton to throw long down the field, that is not his strength anymore. That plays to the Panthers' advantage

Emanuel Saunders and Demariyus Thomas have to have big games. Ronnie Hillman and Anderson will have to run the ball very well. The Panthers main goal will be to stop the run - if they feel they can stop the run that puts Denver in a situation to be one dimensional and I don't think Peyton is the Peyton of old and while he will make plays, it might not be the plays we are accustomed to seeing him make.

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