Super Bowl 50 preview: Broncos vs. Panthers
The ultimate Super Bowl 50 preview.
Coming into Super Bowl 50, the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers are aiming to make history. For Carolina, it is hoping to ensure its first Super Bowl win in franchise history after entering the National Football League in 1995. Denver is making its seventh appearance in the Super Bowl, aiming for a third victory and first since 1998.
Carolina is a 5.5-point favorite over Denver, mostly because of the quarterback situation. Cam Newton is likely to be the Most Valuable Player this season after accounting for more than 70 percent of Carolina’s yardage and scoring 45 touchdowns. Newton is flanked by an impressive group including Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis, Kawaan Short, Jonathan Stewart, Mike Tolbert, Josh Norman and others.
The Broncos went 12-4 in the regular season and then dispatched the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots in the AFC playoffs. Denver has started both Brock Osweiler and Peyton Manning throughout the campaign, with Osweiler getting seven starts before being benched in Week 17. Manning tossed 17 interceptions in the regular season but has played better in the postseason, going two games without a pick.
How to watch and listen
TV: CBS
Broadcasters: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms and Tracy Wolfson
Radio: Westwood One
Announcers: Kevin Harlan, Dan Fouts, Boomer Esiason, James Lofton, Mark Malone
Time: 6:30 p.m. EST
Where: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif.
Officials
Referee: Clete Blakeman
Umpire: Jeff Rice
Head Linesman: Wayne Mackie
Back Judge: Keith Ferguson
Side Judge: Scott Edwards
Field Judge: Boris Cheek
Line Judge: Rusty Baynes
Halftime Show
Bruno Mars will be performing along Beyonce and Coldplay.
Super Bowl team histories
Carolina Panthers
Super Bowl XXXVIII: New England 32, Carolina 29
Denver Broncos
Super Bowl XII: Dallas 27, Denver 10
Super Bowl XXI: New York Giants 39, Denver 20
Super Bowl XXII: Washington 42, Denver 10
Super Bowl XXIV: San Francisco 55, Denver 10
Super Bowl XXXII: Denver 31, Green Bay 24
Super Bowl XXXIII: Denver 31, Atlanta 19
Super Bowl XLVIII: Seattle 43, Denver 8
Bingo Card
Team-themed drinks
Carolina: The John Daly (Sweet Tea and Vodka)
Denver: Duck Fart (Layered shot with Bailey, Whiskey and Kahlua)
Party Ideas
1. Foot-long subs of multiple variety (Meatball, Italian, Turkey, Ham)
2. Super Bowl Bingo
3. 30-pack of PBR (unless you are underage, then Mountain Dew until it hurts)
Next: Predicting the Super Bowl