S PORTSMONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2016
Regular season: 355.5 Regular season: 366.9
Regular season: 357Regular season: 314
Regular season: 283.1
Regular season
Sparking the ground game Baby you were born to run
Broncos, Panthersclash on the big stage
COACHES’ CORNER COACHES’ CORNER
an Peyton Manning write a storybook ending to his Hall of Fame-quality career? Manning isn’t saying outright this is the end of his Hall of Fame-caliber career despite all the indications
it will soon be over. Manning knows it was the Broncos’ defense that has made the difference to this point and Denver’s All-Pro linebacker, Von Miller, again keys the unit. All season, the best record in the NFL has belonged to the Panthers. And while much of the focus is on Manning, Cam Newton deserves at least equal billing. The NFL’s most dynamic offensive weapon this season, threw for 35 touchdowns and ran for 10, setting an NFL record with that combination. Carolina is in its second Super Bowl, Denver in its record-tying eighth. But the Panthers are the favorites.
PROJECTEDSTARTERS
PLAYERS WITHSUPER BOWL EXPERIENCE
16
WHEN PANTHERS HAVE THE BALL
242 989 4.1 44 6
(RUSHING)
60.939.1
First downs
Postseason
Postseason: 284.0
Postseason: 366.0
OFFENSETotal yards (avg.)
Passing Rushing
DEFENSEYards allowed (avg.)
Passing Rushing
Rushing Passing Penalty
SCORING (PPG)
Points forPoints allowed
Points forPoints allowed
Postseason: 31
28
2
199.6 83.6
301.5
22.218.5
21.517.0
64.5
180.0 104.0
85 201
821
248.1 107.4
Offensive weaponPass yds: 3,837 (reg.) • 496 (post.)Touchdowns: 35 (reg.) • 3 (post.)
WEEK
Win LossYARDSTDS
BYE
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
WCDIV
CONF
175
124
183331
293
265
161
248297
217246
335
340
269
195315
197
142
APSOURCES: National Football League; STATS LLC
Touchdown passesby distance
71
3
1-1920-2930-39
40+
1-1920-2930-39
40+
REGULARAND POSTSEASON
0 MANNING
NEWTON
26
4
44
YARDS
First downs
Postseason
Regular season
Regular season: 322.9
Postseason: 385.5
Postseason: 345.0
OFFENSETotal yards (avg.)
Passing Rushing
DEFENSEYards allowed (avg.)
Passing Rushing
Rushing Passing Penalty
SCORING (PPG)
Points forPoints allowed
Points forPoints allowed
Postseason: 40
19.2
19.5
15 232
234.5
276.0
31.2
40.0
224.3
237.5
136
142.6
148.0
19724
88.4
69.0
51.248.8
PLAY SELECTION (PCT.)Regular season Postseason
PASS RUSH PASS RUSH
Constructing a contender
Team makeupCurrent 53-man roster
Blueprint for successTeam makeupCurrent 53-man roster
Drafted Free agents
Trades 519 29
Gary Kubiak
Spent eight seasons coaching the Texans after being John Elway’s backup for much of his playing career. Elway summoned him to replace John Fox after last January’s postseason debacle against Indianapolis.
Career record(Reg. season)
7368L
W
NFL Coach of the Year in 2013 and is a front-runner for the award this season. A solid defensive assistant and coordinator for years, he finally got his own team in 2011 and has gone 49-34-1, with three straight NFC South crowns.
Ron Rivera
A godsend for the Broncos, Anderson came from nowhere to seize the starting job in 2014. Short but stocky and powerful, also has a nice burst. Knows how to find the end zone.
Stewart became the true No. 1 runner this season when DeAngelo Williams departed. Rushed for 989 yards and six TDs during season, and had 59-yard sprint on Panthers’ first play of postseason. Strong runner with a burst to break big plays.
JonathanStewart
C.J.Anderson
N F C C H A M P I O N • S E AT T L E S E A H AW K SN F C C H A M P I O N • C A R O L I N A PA N T H E R SA F C C H A M P I O N • D E N V E R B R O N C O S
Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif. • Sun. • 6:30 p.m. EST (CBS)
Career record (Reg. season)
4732
1LT
W
SPECIALTEAMS
SPECIALTEAMS
Newton has been the NFL’s most dynamic offensive weapon this season, ultra-dangerous when on the run. Denver will try to slow him down with their NFL top-ranked defense. DeMarcus Ware, Danny Trevathan and Brandon Marshall will try to get
in Newton’s face and mind, whether in the pass rush or popping up in unexpected spots. Carolina will counter by
getting RB Jonathan Stewart involved early.
Passing yds: 2,249 (reg.) • 398 (postseason)Touchdowns: 9 (reg.) • 2 (postseason)
Win Loss
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
WCDIV
CONF
WEEK
175
266290
28135
340
324256
213
69
176222
BYE
YARDSTDS
Battle tested
Cam NewtonPeyton ManningHasn’t played at elite level
during this injury-
ravaged season.
Never should be
under-estimated.
Strong in the pocket, elusive and power-ful outside of it. Near the goal line, he can be unstoppable.
DEFENSE
Noscore
Field goals
OFFENSE
9
Touchdowns
23 21
25 10
RED ZONE
PLAY SELECTION (PCT.)Regular season PostseasonPASS RUSH PASS RUSH59.6 52.340.4 47.7
D E N V E R
BRONCOS
C A R O L I N A
PANTHERS
PROJECTEDSTARTERS
PROJECTEDSTARTERS
Drafted
Waiver 3
Free agents
21 28Traded 1
152 720 4.7 48 5
(RUSHING)
WHEN BRONCOS HAVE THE BALL The Broncos have not given Manning great protection all season, but it has been good enough in two postseason wins. Carolina will blitz to try to make Manning uncomfortable. One way to defeat that, of course, is getting RBs
C.J. Anderson and Ronnie Hillman involved early. When Manning throws, the theory has been he can’t get the ball deep with enough juice on it. Accurate or
not, he’s still tough on the shorter passes and play-action. WRs Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas, TEs Owen Daniels, Virgil Green
and Vernon Davis, plus Anderson supply plenty of targets.
FIELD GOALS
MadeMissed
PLAYERS WITHSUPER BOWL EXPERIENCE
5
FIELD GOALS
MadeMissed
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
OFFENSE
DEFENSE
DEFENSE
No score4
Field goals
OFFENSE
Touchdowns
49 17
24 1011
RED ZONE
4
RONCOS
D E N V E R
BR
clash on the big stageBroncos,
clash on the big stagePanthersBroncos,
clash on the big stagePanthers
clash on the big stagePanthers
ANTHER
A R O L I N A
RSPPA
C
314Regular season:
: 355.5Regular season107.4
104.0
201
248.1
180.0
85
RushingPassing
(avg.)otal yardsTToOFFENSE
284.0Postseason:
First downs
28
RONCOSBRONCOS
clash on the big stageC
Newton deserves at least equal billing. hasrecord in the NFLL
this point and Denver. Manning knows it was the Broncos’it will soon be over
isn’t saying outright this is the end of his Hall of Fame-caliber career despite all the indications an Peyton Manning write a storybook ending to his Hall of Fame-quality caree
28
clash on the big stage
The NFLNewton deserves at least equal billing. has belonged to the Panthers.
on M, VVoAll-Pro linebackers ’this point and Denver. Manning knows it was the Broncos’
isn’t saying outright this is the end of his Hall of Fame-caliber career despite all the indications an Peyton Manning write a storybook ending to his Hall of Fame-quality caree
clash on the big stage
fensive ws most dynamic offf’The NFLAnd while much of the focus is on Manning, Cam
All season, the best , again keys the unit. on Miller defense that has made the dif. Manning knows it was the Broncos’
isn’t saying outright this is the end of his Hall of Fame-caliber career despite all the indications an Peyton Manning write a storybook ending to his Hall of Fame-quality caree
ff
clash on the big stage
Regular season: 357
Regular season
fensive weapon this season, And while much of the focus is on Manning, Cam
All season, the best ference to made the dif
isn’t saying outright this is the end of his Hall of Fame-caliber career despite all the indications ? Manning ran Peyton Manning write a storybook ending to his Hall of Fame-quality caree 224.3
237.5
Passing
oTToOFFENSE
Postseason:
First downs
Regular season: 357
: 366.9Regular season
ER
142.6
148.0
197
224.3
237.5
136
RushingPassing
(avg.)otal yardsOFFENSE
385.5Postseason:
First downs24
ANTHERANTHERSPPAPPA
283.1Regular season:
201
21
83.6
85
199.6
PenaltyPassingRushing
RushingPassing
(avg.)ards allowedYDEFENSE
Postseason: 366.0
28
Postseason: 31
82
Sparking the ground game
is in its second Super Bowl, Denver in its record-tying eighth. But the Panthers are the favorites.threw for 35 touchdowns and ran for 10, setting an NFLPenalty
28
Knows how to find the end zone.but stocky and powerful, also has a nice burst. nowhere to seize the starting job in 2014. Short
godsend for the BroncosAA
s Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif. • Sun. • Levi’
Sparking the ground game
is in its second Super Bowl, Denver in its record-tying eighth. But the Panthers are the favorites.threw for 35 touchdowns and ran for 10, setting an NFL
Knows how to find the end zone.but stocky and powerful, also has a nice burst. nowhere to seize the starting job in 2014. Short
Anderson came from godsend for the Broncos,
s Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif. • Sun. •
Baby you were born to run
is in its second Super Bowl, Denver in its record-tying eighth. But the Panthers are the favorites. record with that combination. Carolina threw for 35 touchdowns and ran for 10, setting an NFL
bi lfirst play of postseason. Strong runner with a burst to break
TDs during season, and had 59-yard sprint on Panthers’six DeAngelo Williams departed. Rushed for 989 yards and Stewart became the true No. 1 runner this season when
p.m. EST6:30s Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif. • Sun. •
Baby you were born to run
is in its second Super Bowl, Denver in its record-tying eighth. But the Panthers are the favorites. record with that combination. Carolina
234.5
Rushing
Passing
YYaDEFENSE
Postseason: 345.0
Regular season
Postseason: 40
15
first play of postseason. Strong runner with a burst to breakTDs during season, and had 59-yard sprint on Panthers’
DeAngelo Williams departed. Rushed for 989 yards and Stewart became the true No. 1 runner this season when
(CBS)
197
88.4
136
234.5
PenaltyPassingRushing
RushingPassing
(avg.)ards allowedDEFENSE
Postseason: 345.0
322.9:Regular season
Postseason: 4022315
Regular season
64.5301.5
22.2
21.5Points allowed
Points for
Points allowedPoints for
(PPG)SCORING
Postseason
17.0
18.5
.)(PCTSELECTIONYYPLAAY
64.5
5
(RUSHING)
48 720 4.7 152
Regular seasonYDS TDLONGGAVTAT
P t
AndeC(RUSHING)
TD
StewJonat
big play
6
(RUSHING)
44 4.1 989 242
Regular seasonYDS TDLONGGAVCAR
276.0
31.2
40.0
SCORING
Postseason: 345.0
Regular season
Postseason
PLA
P t
69.0276.0
31.2
40.0Points allowed
Points for
Points allowedPoints for
(PPG)SCORING
Postseason: 345.0
Regular season
Postseason
19.5
19.2
.)(PCT SELECTIONYLAAY
CORNERCOACHES’
(Reg. season)Career record
RUSHASSPRUSHASSPPostseasonRegular season
47.740.4 52.359.6
RUSHPostseason
47.7
n
J.nus
COACHES’
lP
Regular season
48.8
E
Career record
els
CORNERCOACHES’
39.1 60.9RUSHASSPPARUSHASSP
PostseasonRegular season.)(PCT
48.8 51.2
areer recor
WL 68
73(Reg. season)
against Indianapolis.s postseason debacle January’
replace John Fox after last . Elway summoned him to career
backup for much of his playing exans after being John ElwaTTe
Spent eight seasons coaching the
Gary Kubiak
88 • WR
s postseason debacle
. Elway summoned him to backup for much of his playing
s exans after being John Elway’Spent eight seasons coaching the
M
. Schofield asquezL. VVa M. Pa
R. Harris
RDE
E. Mathisaradis
10 • WR
Ron Rivera
got his own team in 201coordinator for years, hedefensive assistant award this season. and is a front-runner for the NFL
W
TL
(Reg. season)
s
Ron Rivera
1 and got his own team in 201 finally coordinator for years, he
and defensive assistant solidAAaward this season.
and is a front-runner for the ear in 2013 YYeCoach of theNFL
132
47
eg. season)
EXPERIENCESUPER BOWL
YERS WITHPLAAY
16
FIELD GOALBrando
58 • WLB
27 • LCB L Kue
S Thompsonechly
straight NFC South crowns.has gone 49-34-1, with three got his own team in 201
straight NFC South crowns.has gone 49-34-1, with three
EXPERIENCESUPER BOWL
YERS WITHPLAAY
5
D GOALS
50+
40-49
30-39
20-291-19
ARDSYYA
MissedMade
McMan
50+40-49
30-39
20-29
MissedMade
GanoGraham
Current 53-man rosteream makeupTTe
Constructing a contender
2821
Free agentsDrafted
seasonRegular
Constructing a contender
M
Blueprint for success
Current 53-man rostereaTTe
Drafted
Blueprint for success
Current 53-man rosteream makeup
2919
Free agents Drafted
seasonRegular
line, includes postseason:line, includes postseason:Production inside the 20-yardProduction inside the 20-yard
2123
ouchdownsTToOFFENSE
goalsField
scoreNo
DEFENSE
RED ZONE
3aiver W1raded T
4
dd
10 WR
9
DEFE
19 WR
oTToOFFENSE
RED ZONE
line, includes postseason:Production inside the 20-yard
1749
29195radesT
ouchdownsOFFENSE
goalsField
4No score
RED ZONE
line, includes postseason:Production inside the 20-yard
91025
(reg.) • 9ouchdowns:TTo(reg2,249Passing yds:
WinTDS ARDSYYA
175
WEEK
1
Los
Battle tested
DEFENSE
D.
54 • ILB
59 • ILB
LL
Srd
DEFENSE
101124
(post.)3 (reg.) • 5 (post.)496 (reg.) •
weapon
WinTDS ARDSYYA
Loss
1 175
DEFENSE
BYE
213
256324
340
35281
290266
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
Peyton
ravaged
7ARDSYYA
MANNING0
AND POSTSEASONREGULA
30-3920-291-19
1
by distanceouchdoTTo
injury-during this
at elite level Hasn’t played
ManningPeyton
line, he can be MANNING
AND POSTSEASONRREGULA
by distanceouchdown passes
Near the goal ful outside of it. elusive and power-Strong in the pocket,Cam Newton
12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
BYE
197
315195
269
246217
297248
331183
124
SOURCES: National Football League; STATS LLC
222176
69
CONFDIVWC
17 16 15 14 13
SOURCES: National Football League; STATS LLC
estimated.44
440+30-3920-291-19
40+ 3
under-should be
Never season.ravaged
unstoppable.
26
ONNEWT
line, he can be
CONFDIVWC
17 16 15 14 13
AP
142340
335161
265
293
331
Denver Broncos vs. Carolina PanthersFeb. 7 • 6:30 p.m. EST • CBS
S U P E R B O W L 5 0
SOURCE: National Football League AP
OFFENSE
PLAY SELECTION (PCT.)
DEFENSE
SCORING (PPG)
First downs
Postseason
Postseason: 284.0
Postseason: 366.0
Total yards (avg.)
Passing Rushing
Yards allowed (avg.)
Passing Rushing
Rushing Passing Penalty
Points forPoints allowed
Points forPoints allowed
Postseason: 31
28
2
199.6 83.6
301.5
22.218.5
21.517.0
64.5
180.0 104.0
85 201
821
248.1 107.4
Regular season Postseason
First downs
Postseason
Postseason: 385.5
Postseason: 345.0
Total yards (avg.)
Passing Rushing
Yards allowed (avg.)
Passing Rushing
Rushing Passing Penalty
Points forPoints allowed
Points forPoints allowed
Postseason: 40
19.2
19.5
15 232
234.5
276.0
31.2
40.0
224.3
237.5
136
142.6
148.0
19724
88.4
69.0
Regular season Postseason
60.939.151.248.8PASS RUSH PASS RUSHPASS RUSH PASS RUSH
59.6 52.340.4 47.7
Regular season: 355.5 Regular season: 366.9
Regular season: 314
Regular season: 283.1 Regular season: 322.9
Regular season Regular season
Regular season: 357
SANTA CLARA: A perfectly scripted quarterback duelbetween Peyton Manning and Cam Newton will takecenter stage as America comes to a standstill for the50th edition of the Super Bowl.
More than 100 million households across the UnitedStates and millions more worldwide will tune in to see ifManning can inspire the Denver Broncos to an upsetvictory over Newton and the Carolina Panthers.
The climax of the National Football League season isthe biggest event on America’s sporting calendar, amoney-spinning commercial juggernaut which seesmillions gather for day-long viewing parties in bars andhomes.
The 39-year-old Manning-poised to become the old-est starting quarterback in Super Bowl history when theteams run out at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara-will be asentimental favorite for many.
The five-time NFL Most Valuable Player has battledthrough to Sunday’s showpiece after arguably the mostchallenging season of his 18-year career which includeda mid-term slump that saw him benched as Broncosstarter.
POIGNANT FAREWELL? Manning’s fourth Super Bowl appearance is also
shrouded by the poignant knowledge that it may wellhis final game.
Manning has consistently stated that he has not yetdecided on his future in the build-up to the game,which kicks off at 3:30pm local time (2330 GMT).
“I haven’t made my mind up and I don’t see myselfmaking a decision until after the season,” said Manning,who passed Brett Favre this season to become the all-time leader in passing yards at 71,940.
The key to Manning’s hopes of adding a secondSuper Bowl ring to the one he earned with theIndianapolis Colts in 2007 may well rest with Denver’sformidable defense. But whether Denver’s defense canput the brakes on Newton and the free-scoringPanthers remains to be seen.
The Panthers demolished the Arizona Cardinals inthe NFC title game, winning 49-15 against a side whohad been expected to threaten them.
At the heart of the Panthers dominance this season-they carry a 17-1 record into the Super Bowl-has beenNewton, whose scoring statistics have almost seen himredefine the role of quarterback.
The 26-year-old’s twin threat of passing and runningability-which includes a staggering 10 rushing touch-downs in the regular season-has asked questions thatfew opposition defenses have been able to answer.
STAR-STUDDED CROWD A star-studded capacity crowd of 73,000 will cram
into the $1.2 billion (1.1 billion euro) home of the SanFrancisco 49ers to watch the Manning-Newton duel.
Pop diva Lady Gaga will sing the national anthemwhile British rockers Coldplay will headline the halftimeentertainment show which will also feature perform-ances from Beyonce and Bruno Mars.
Only a limited number of tickets with a face value ofbetween $500 and $1,800 went on general sale, withmost ending up on the resale market.
The Stubhub website said the average price of a tick-et on the secondary market was $4,900.
A vast security blanket will be draped over the event,which has seen an estimated one million visitorsdescend on San Francisco for the game and festivitieslinked to the extravaganza.
Federal officials revealed this week they had consult-ed officials in France “constantly” to help plan against aParis-style terror attack, while emphasizing there wasno evidence of a credible threat.
“Our intelligence and analysis directorate, me, thedeputy secretary and numerous others have consultedthe French, and we continue to do so,” HomelandSecurity Secretary Jeh Johnson said Wednesday.
“We try to anticipate things that could happen frommultiple different directions. We’re always informed byrecent events and what we see and the world situation,”Johnson added. — AFP
Manning, Newton to duel as America stops
for Super Bowl 50
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