Defense leads Denver to 24-10 win over Carolina in Super Bowl 50

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In an era where offenses reign supreme, Super Bowl 50 showed that defense still wins championships.

In what could be his last game, Denver quarterback Peyton Manning captured his elusive second Super Bowl title, but the Denver Broncos were able to topple the heavily favored Carolina Panthers 24-10 thanks to their defense.

Denver’s pass rush disrupted Carolina quarterback Cam Newton early and often, sacking the MVP six times and forcing four turnovers, including a fumble recovered in the end zone by Malik Jackson to put the Broncos up 10-0 early in the first quarter.

It was not always pretty, however, as both offenses failed to capitalize on a bevy of opportunities throughout the game.

After a 10-play, 64-yard drive to open the game was capped off by the first of three Brandon McManus field goals, the Broncos offense had a number of opportunities to put points on the board.

A Super Bowl record 61-yard punt return by Jordan Norwood put the Broncos 14 yards away from the end zone. A 34-yard run by CJ Anderson put the Broncos on the cusp of the red zone.

Denver could only muster three points from those two opportunities.

The Panthers gained more yards (315 to 194), totaled more first downs (21 to 11), and held the Broncos to 1-of-14 on third down.

It did not matter.

The Broncos defense orange crushed a Carolina offense that scored a league-leading 500 points, holding the Panthers to a season-low ten points.

After falling behind 10-0, the Panthers seemed to gain momentum after Newton led a nine-play, 73-yard touchdown drive to pull the Panthers within three. From that point forward, the Panthers were unable to capitalize on a couple of 40-yard pass plays that put them in position to score in the second half. Both drives resulted in mistakes, with one being a missed field goal by Graham Cano, and the other being a TJ Ward interception.

Denver linebacker Von Miller led the way. Miller collected 2.5 sacks and was the catalyst for one of the greatest team defensive performances in Super Bowl history. He caused both Newton fumbles, one resulting in the early touchdown, and another that set up the game-clinching touchdown run by CJ Anderson.

With the win, the Broncos became the ninth franchise to win at least three Super Bowls. The Panthers have yet to win a Super Bowl.

Featured image by Steve Jurvetson

Edited by Cody McClure