Written by Ray Dozier at RedDirtReport
No. 1. The goal of every sports team and this year’s Super Bowl is filled with that numeral.
When Carolina (17-1) meets Denver (14-4) at Santa Clara’s Levi’s Stadium on Sunday (5:30 p.m. CBS) it will mark the third straight year (and 11th time overall) that two No. 1 seeds from each conference have squared off in the big game.
Super Bowl 50 will be a first when the two quarterbacks compete against each other that went No. 1 overall in the draft. The Broncos’ Peyton Manning was the top choice in 1998 by the Indianapolis Colts. Thirteen years later, the Panthers picked Cam Newton.
Carolina was No. 1 in the NFL in scoring and Denver was No. 1 in yards allowed. Will the Panthers be able to move the ball on the Broncos’ stubborn defense?
Carolina averaged 31.2 points per game in 2015, and 40 in their two playoff victories. Newton, who by the way wears No. 1, is one reason this offense moves the ball and scores often. He threw 35 touchdowns and ran for 10 more to become the only player in NFL history to throw for at least 30 touchdowns and run for at least 10 TDs in the same season.
The Panthers have been bolstered up front by a couple of Pro Bowl linemen (center Ryan Kalil and guard Trai Turner). Tight end Greg Olsen was Newton’s top target with 77 receptions for 1,104 yards and & TDs in ’15. Olsen also grabbed 12 passes for 190 yards and scored on in the two playoff games.
The NFC champions were second in the league with 142.6 rushing yards per game. Jonathan Stewart led the ground attack with 989 yards, fifth-best in the NFL. He ran for 198 yards and scored twice in the two playoff wins. The Panthers were 24th in the NFL with 224.3 passing yards and 11th in total offense (367 yards per game). Fullback Mike Tolbert, a punishing 250-pound fullback made the Pro Bowl, not for running the ball (256 yards) but for his crushing blocks.
Carolina’s success is attributed to Newton’s quick reads and smart decisions. The offense’s natural balance might create problems for Denver’s defense.
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