Pricey_sky said:
Panthers have been giving away balls on TD's all season
I know you didn't mean it that way, but it sure was prophetic.
The Denver defense is being considered by some as one of the best in SB history, along with SE just two years ago and the Steel Curtain teams of 1970s. Probably should also mention the Bears in the mid 80s and the Ravens in the beginning of this century, though the teams they played were not considered especially strong offensively. The Denver team that SE blew out two years ago was higher-scoring than the Panthers this year, but their offense was pretty one-dimensional, whereas the Panthers were a threat both running and passing.
Also, Denver’s defense this year was handicapped by a weak offense. That means the defense spends more time on the field, has generally bad field position, and is always operating in a situation where giving up one score can be devastating. The Seahawks moved the ball well in the SB two years ago, and built up a big lead that forced Denver to change its game plan. Denver’s offense this year set a SB low of less than 200 yards, with only 11 first downs and 51 plays and less than 30 minutes possession. Manning’s performance, honestly, was one of the worst by a QB in SB history. His turnovers cost the team probably six points (one FG they probably would have made, and one FG the Panthers probably wouldn’t have made). In a close, low-scoring game, that put a lot of extra pressure on the defense, but the Broncos were up to it. By the numbers, Newton was no better than Manning.
Newton is a great talent, but has a lot of growing up to do. He wants to celebrate in the EZ when he scores, and thinks everyone should understand it’s all fun and games, but then when he loses, he sulks and walks out of the press conference. Sure looks like a guy who can dish it out but can’t take it.
Patriots are already the betting favorites to win the SB next year, with the Panthers and Seahawks right behind them.