5 things Peyton Manning must do to win Super Bowl 50

1. Execute in the Red Zone

Perhaps the most important thing Peyton Manning can do for the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50 is to score touchdowns when his team gets in the red zone on offense. Denver can afford to settle for field goals, but not in red zone situations.

This is when Manning will have to channel every bit of football greatness he has left to ensure that his Broncos score touchdowns when they get to the Carolina Panthers’ 20-yard line. Precision is key, as the space available in the field of play shrinks with every yard closer to the end zone Manning’s Broncos get.

Given that Manning has always thrown for a high completion percentage and that the short passing game is one area of the game he still has a great feel for, this is ideal for the Broncos to strike aerially on Carolina in goal-line situations.

Manning still has great receiving options on his team in wide receiver Emmanuel Sander, wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, and tight end and Gary Kubiak disciple Owen Daniels. All three receiving targets are more than capable of catching a touchdown pass 20 yards or less thrown by Manning to give the Broncos a chance in this game.

Though it could happen, Manning isn’t likely going to go 100 percent on his attempts to get Denver touchdowns in the red zone, so expect a Brandon McManus field goal to occur if Denver comes up short inside the Carolina 20.

However, Manning needs to score touchdowns on at 66 percent, probably 75 percent of his red zone trips for the Broncos to stand a chance at beating the Panthers in Super Bowl 50. Focus is key in the red zone, but Manning’s intellect come pay dividends when put in those key goal-line situations running the Broncos offense.