The Denver Broncos showed Sunday in Super Bowl 50 that defense can indeed win a championship as they manhandled the Carolina Panthers offense all game on their way to a 24-10 win at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
The Broncos defense sacked Panthers quarterback Cam Newton 6 times Sunday and Denver linebacker Von Miller was responsible for 2.5 of them. Miller, who had 6 total tackles in the game, also forced two Newton fumbles and both led to Denver touchdowns. He was named the game’s MVP for his performance. Newton ended the game with only 18 completions on 41 pass attempts with no touchdowns and one interception.
In what may have been the final game of his long career, Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning completed 13 of his 23 pass attempts in the game for 141 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. While the Broncos offense only managed to convert one of their 14 third down opportunities in the game, it was good enough for the win thanks to play of their defense.
Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders led all pass catchers in the game with 6 receptions for 83 yards and Denver running back C.J. Anderson led all rushers in Super Bowl 50 with 90 yards on 23 carries.
Denver jumped out to a 3-0 lead on the game’s opening possession as they drove 64 yards on 10 plays only to stall at the Panthers 16-yard-line. They increased their lead to 10-0 after Denver defensive end Malik Jackson recovered a Newton fumble in the end zone for a touchdown following a sack by Miller.
While the Panthers were able to get back within 3-points with a 9-play, 73-yard touchdown drive with 11:25 left in the first half, it would wind up being the only time they would find the end zone all game as the Broncos defense did not allow a single third down conversion in the second half on 8 Carolina possessions.
Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly recorded 10 total tackles and one sack in a losing effort.
The Broncos have now have three Super Bowl championships thanks to their win on Sunday over the Panthers.
