Super Bowl 50: 5 keys for the Carolina Panthers

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Jan 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) returns an interception for touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Force turnovers on defense

Astoundingly enough, the Panthers have racked up six interceptions in just two games this postseason. That’s bad news for the Denver Broncos, especially considering their starting quarterback finished 2nd in the NFL with 17 interceptions despite only playing in 10 games.

All-Pro linebacker Luke Kuechly is more than just a captain on the Carolina defense: he’s the heart and soul of that squad, and when paired up with Thomas Davis he forms perhaps the most dangerous linebacking tandem in the league. Kuechly himself already has a pair of pick-sixes in the playoffs, one against Seattle and one against Arizona, and he’ll be going for the hat-trick against Manning, especially if the Broncos are forced to start drives backed up by their own end zone.

It’s not as if things are anything easier on the outside if Peyton wants to throw to the sidelines. Josh Norman established himself as one of the league’s best cornerbacks this year, and he’ll most likely be assigned to shadow Denver’s top weapon in Demaryius Thomas. Norman’s main objective will simply be to take Thomas out of the game, but if he can snag an interception or two while he’s at it he may just challenge Newton for Super Bowl MVP should the Panthers win.

In summation, it doesn’t really matter who comes up with the ball for Carolina so long as someone does. If the Panthers can continue to force back-breaking turnovers the way they have all season long, they’ll almost certainly be crowned Super Bowl 50 champions when all is said and done.

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