Everyone want to point to the Denver D as a reason why they have a chance or why it will be close. However I feel they are a tad overrated and that Carolina's unit is a whole lot closer to them than Denver's O and Special teams are to Carolina's. The thing that gets so overlooked about Carolina is that they dominate the line of scrimmage consistently on both sides of the ball. Their O-line is stout and Cam will not be running for his life like Brady, he will be running down the sideline for TD's. Peyton and the Denver O struggled mightily against the Pats D, Carolina's D is at a whole different level. I would be shocked if the game is close in the second half.
I agree Panthers are probably gonna win and if they win the turnover battle they may blow Denver out...but I think Denver's D can shut down the Panthers offense and keep it a low scoring game. Panthers have been padding the scoreboard with tons of turnovers.
Great post. Agreed that everyone seems to be focusing on the Denver D as a reason that Denver can compete, but that is overlooking what is likely to turn this game into a blowout. Based on what we saw in the Seahawks and Cardinals game, the Panthers D is well positioned to annihilate that Denver offense and force multiple turnovers (and potentially score off those turnovers). That's why this game is not likely to be close in the 2nd half. However, I do feel that Carolina can hit big plays on the Broncos D. Just look at the two games the Broncos played against the Steelers, and the amount of success that the Steelers had in ripping Denver for huge plays down the field in the passing game. Newton has an absolute cannon and can extend plays with his legs. He is going to challenge the Broncos secondary in ways that Ben was able to, and in ways that Brady simply cannot. I think Carolina is going to attack downfield early and often. And let's also see how the Broncos D responds to Carolina's power running game led by Newton. They have not seen anything like that this season.
In 18 games The Panthers have scored under 20 -- Once The Panthers have scored under 27 -- Three times The Panthers have score over 30 -- 10 times (and 8 of last 9 games)
If Denver's front 4 plays like they did vs. Brady then the game will have to be close. Something tells me that almost felt like their Superbowl because they didn't play that way vs. Pittsburgh (while still playing well). I've never really seen a defense play like that, even when the Giants first implemented the Nascar package. Maybe someone can confirm, but how Von Miller played yesterday has to be how LT was? Despite how they played this year Brady is still a better pocket passer than Cam Newton is, with much better weapons. The Panthers offensive line is better, and one would think they will max protect. Can Ted Ginn/Olsen/Funchess find enough openings in that defense before the pocket collapses? The game all depends on what Denver defense shows up. Carolina is susceptible to big plays, but that's only when they get a big lead and blitz 7 at the line. They did that vs. Seattle and surprise they got burned when Russell Wilson made the correct reads. They took their foot off the pedal against Palmer and let him throw down the field into double coverage all game long. The problem is Manning can't hit big plays. Denver's passing attack needs to be game planned and called very well. Dare I say to use a trick play, which has virtually never been done in Manning's career?
A good reason why the Denver D line looked unstoppable is the Pats O line sucks. That front 4 is in for a much different time against the Panthers O line, they might have some success but nothing near what they could do against the Pats. Carolina didn't let up as much as some people think against the Hawks, Wilson did what Wilson does and pulled off some great plays after the play broke down by escaping the pocket.
Not to mention by most advanced stats the Seahawks were the best team in football (in some of those stats by a considerable margin). To have gone up by 31-0 over that Seahawks team is nothing short of incredible. Wilson and that D are simply too good to be blown out for 60 minutes, law of averages said that game had to tighten eventually. By the numbers, Denver is the worst opponent Carolina will have played in the playoffs, and the worst offense by a mile. If Carolina can play the way they did the last two weeks (which is a pretty big if), Denver has virtually no chance to win. They are simply not capable of playing at that level in all 3 phases, they have not shown that this season. But it's football and Carolina may be due for an off performance after two dominant games. Similarly, there could be fluky bounces of the ball or special teams plays that serve to even up this game.
Carolina didn't let up at all and was playing man coverage across the board while sending blitzes. That's why they started to give up points. They didn't do that vs. Arizona and started playing more 2 deep and robber coverages. It's really a moot point because even when Peyton got the ball down the field he's no longer accurate at ir. He had enough arm strength to hit Sanders on a couple go routes but overthrew him which I didn't think was possible. He needs to nail down his accuracy over the next two weeks and re-learn his arm. His accuracy has suffered because he doesn't know how hard he needs to whip his arm around anymore to get what velocity and distance on the ball. Just remember that Carolina's passing attack is run through play action and down the field passing. They can't methodically move down the field like New England or other offenses can, or at least haven't shown the ability too. If the run game isn't working they need to work their short passing game in because of the pass rush. Maybe I'm trying to rationalize it in my head too much because I want to see a good game. The lack of weapons for Carolina could become a problem for the first time all year vs. 2 All-Pro corners and middle linebackers that can cover.
Newton's arm and legs makes all of those guys weapons. He can zip it into tight spaces or buy extra time for them to find space. Any doubts I had about Carolina were put to rest against the Seahawks. That game proved without a doubt how versatile and dangerous their offense can be, and how difficult it is to get them off the field. I mean, I understand why some people give Denver a shot in this game. They had a good season. That offense is brutal though. It's not playoff-caliber, let alone SB-caliber.
This could be Manning's last game. I don't expect a thrashing that so many are predicting. All broncos will be ready and it will be a good Superbowl.* Sent from my LG-LS720 using Tapatalk
It's just hard to understand the comments. So many inconsistencies. Belichick is so much smarter than everyone else, as Patriots fans like to remind everyone. Would he flout the league's rules for years if it didn't provide him with an advantage? Carolina's WRs are not good. It's amazing the offense has done this well without receivers. Kelvin Benjamin was by far and away Carolina's best receiver and they lost him in August. Ted Ginn is not very good, as he has reminded us many times (this is now his 9th season. If not for his return abilities, he would've been out of the league several years ago, I'd imagine). Cotchery is maybe a mediocre third option. Funchess has yet to really produce in the NFL. The only good receiving option is at tight end, Olsen is a great receiver at that position. Denver has better WRs by a wide margin, the issue is someone to get the ball to them.
It could be his last game and that's because he's washed up. It would make for a great Disney movie if the once great washed up QB willed his team to victory in the superbowl because he knew it was his last game. This isn't a Disney movie. The Broncos are going to get lit the fuck up and Manning may finish the game in the training room.
He broke a rule, it provided him with the advantage of logistics. I think the same exact outcome could have been orchestrated with 2 people taking notes or one of the 70,000 people in the stands holding a camcorder, so I never thought of it as a big deal. The penalty always has seemed like it had more to do with commercialization of the league. That league isn't measured in wins and losses or even HOF'ers but revenue. And one team being perceived to get special treatment is bad for the league. And the entire world thought the NFL front office was basically working for the Patriots. All these non controversy controversies seem to have more to do with handicapping the league and giving writers and fans of under performing teams something to hang onto. The outright NFL fraud in deflate gate proved that, IMO. There isn't a single person who has peeled back that onion and come back thinking it has any validity. This is all stupid shit anyway. The game itself is much more interesting. Next year I'm sure the Jets will be part of the playoff/superbowl conversation. I think the Pats and Jets will be battling it out like never before an be the two teams to watch in the AFC. Dolphins and Bills have talent but I'm not seeing it.
I think the Broncos defense is somehow still underrated. One thing I'm curious about is the conditioning for both teams. Bronc's D will get a workout, the 4th quarter and time of possession are going to be the keys to that game IMO. Oh, and penalties. I also think in big games like this, if there's one guy who can come out against a new defense and figure it out on the LOS, it's Manning. They really need to pound the ball anyway. He doesn't need to be awesome he just needs to check off and hit the under routes in the right situations to be effective. I'm excited for Newton too. I like his antics, and I think he's incredible but experience trumps youth in big games for me so I'm gonna go with the Broncos.
Broncos D is very good, but they aren't going to be able to pin their ears back and feast on a crap o-line here. They have a much bigger challenge in the Panthers than they did in the Pats. The Pats o-line sucks a big dick, they have no running game and Brady is a pocket passer. The Panthers o-line is much better, the Panthers have a very good running game and Cam Newton will make them pay with his legs if they play much man coverage.
Goodbye cheats. Karma finally got your ass. The Brady window is closing. Hopefully that suspension will still get enacted next season.
