By Andrew Hoenig | Assistant Editor
Levi Stadium, Cali. – The Broncos earned their third Super Bowl trophy after the vaunted Denver defense did its job.
The Broncos defense was ferocious all season long with its consistent blitzing and stifling secondary play. The defense lead the way for the team, being 1st overall in yards allowed per game and pass yards allowed per game. The team was 4th in points allowed and 3rd in rush yards allowed. Stars like defensive ends Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware, cornerback Aqib Talib, and safety T.J. Ward highlighted the most fearsome group in the NFL this past year. Lead by their defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, who was in his first year with the team, the group grew into a powerhouse that stifled the likes of quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers this season.
They took care of business on Sunday, February 7th at Levi Stadium in San Francisco, California. Cam Newton, the hottest NFL quarterback all year and the newly crowned NFL Most Valuable Player of the year, was knocked down and defeated along with his Carolina Panthers in the biggest game of the year on the 50th anniversary of the game. After going 15 -1 on the season and destroying teams with their young and emerging quarterback, who had his best season as a pro, the Panthers fell flat in the big game. Whether it was the slippery Levi Stadium turf or the nerves of being in only the team’s second overall Super Bowl appearance in the franchise’s 22 year history, it was quite apparent the Panthers weren’t quite ready to hoist their first Lombardi trophy.
However, the Broncos were. Overall the Denver offense did not play a fantastic game with star quarterback Peyton Manning having completed only 13 of 23 passes for 141 yards. He also threw one interception and completed a successful two-point conversion attempt. Manning’s season was a rocky one highlighted once again by his play in the Super Bowl, but thankfully the Broncos defense and running game held strong.
Cam Newton was held in check all day by Von Miller and the Denver defense, turning the ball over three times including a key fumble near his own endzone which was picked up for a touchdown by defensive tackle Malik Jackson of the Broncos. The fumble was caused by the game’s eventual MVP, Von Miller who had 6 tackles and 2.5 sacks. The points off the fumble was the Broncos only touchdown until there was three minutes and eight seconds left on the game clock in the 4th quarter. The leg of Broncos kicker Brandon McManus came through for the team with three made field goals on three tries. The running game for Denver also provided a spark with running back C.J. Anderson rushing for 90 yards on 23 carries, as well as his team’s only offensive touchdown.
The game was defined by a solid defensive effort from both teams but overall Denver’s defense came out on top as they dominated. Manning and wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (6 catches for 83 yards) as well as the rest of the offense did just enough to put the team in position to win its third Lombardi trophy; the last one coming in 1999 when John Elway, the Broncos current general manager, was the team’s quarterback. Peyton Manning has now won two Super Bowls in his storied 18 year career, one with the Indianapolis Colts and now Super Bowl 50 with the Denver Broncos. Many think this will be Manning’s last game in the NFL in what was one of his worst seasons statistically since his rookie year in 1998. Only time will tell as the new National Football League year will begin on March 9, but for now Manning is soaking in the glory of winning his second Super Bowl.
The game was defined by hard hits and a veteran presence that inspired the Denver Broncos to go out and win by showing everybody around the sport of American football that the team could beat even the most explosive offense in the NFL by controlling the game defensively.
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