Fansided

Super Bowl 50: Five reasons the Denver Broncos can win

By Dan Buffa

Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) waves to fans after the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.Denver Broncos defeated New England Patriots 20-18 to earn a trip to Super Bowl 50. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) waves to fans after the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.Denver Broncos defeated New England Patriots 20-18 to earn a trip to Super Bowl 50. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
Jan 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) throws against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter of the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) throws against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter of the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

5. The Peyton experience factor

For the veteran quarterback who has dominated the regular season yet found a mixed bag in the playoffs in his long illustrious career, the Super Bowl is no stranger to Manning. He has been there before against a variety of opponents and an elite set of quarterbacks on the other side — well, set aside for Rex Grossman.

For all the talk that Manning isn’t a great playoff quarterback, his play in the Super Bowl isn’t as bad as some would assume. He has never truly had a terrible performance in the big game. Against the Bears in 2006, he threw for 247 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Against the New Orleans Saints, Manning threw for over 300 yards and mixed in another touchdown with one pick, which was not the best of his career. He had a rough game against the Seattle Seahawks, but that was a total meltdown by the Broncos’ offense as a whole and the game for them evaporated quickly. In that one, Manning threw for 280 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. His passer rating was only 73 but he completed 69 percent of his passes.

As he nears 40 years of age, Manning isn’t a gunslinger these days. He learned his lesson early on in the 2015 season in understanding that the running game powered mostly by C.J. Anderson is going to run a lot of drives and he has to avoid turnovers by being smart with the football. Being smart helped Manning against the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game and it will help him in the Super Bowl. He knows how to manage a game, has been there before and understands the big stage he’ll be on. This is one last ride for Manning, chasing that second ring as his career comes to a close. The veteran factor comes into play here at quarterback as he takes on a tough Panthers defense.

Carolina ranked 11th in pass yards allowed but just 4th in points per game. They will look to squeeze Manning and shut down the short passing game to make him go deep. As he seems to be able to do, Manning will find a way when it counts to counter this and the experience factor will be a big player here.

Next: 4. Deadly Denver pass rush

Home/Carolina Panthers