What may have been the final Brady-Manning match up, did not go the way people in New England wanted.
The game started off rough when Gostkowski missed the first point after attempt since 2007. In an interview Gostkowski said “It’s a terrible feeling. I feel like I lost the game for us.”
The game ended with the Broncos coming out on top in a 20-18 victory. It was decided then that the Broncos would be representing the AFC in the milestone Super Bowl 50 while the Panthers had a blowout game (that was expected) of 45-16 over the Cardinals for the right to represent the NFC in the big game.
This will be the first match-up of two first round pick quarterbacks in Super Bowl history. This will be a tough match-up for both teams so let’s see what some key points are for this milestone event. First, let’s take a look at the Broncos.
Owen Daniels: he had 2 touchdowns which helped secure his team's win for the AFC title. This tight end is very good not only at holding onto the ball, but he is a danger in the red zone. Expect to see a fair amount of passes going his way.
Wide Receivers: Demaryius Thomas didn’t play much of a big role in the Broncos win, which was a surprise to most people. It’s safe to say the Panthers will stick their best cornerback or safety on him to make sure he is held back and not able to make big plays.
Running: Running in the AFC title game was pretty much non-existent between both teams. The Broncos made one good run play, but other than that it was the quarterbacks who had the longest yards. Expect something similar from the Broncos again.
Now here are the Panthers' keys. Coming out hot: This team has been on fire this season, putting down the Seahawks and serving an embarrassing loss to one of the most well-rounded teams (Cardinals) in the NFL. If they keep up this momentum, you can be sure to see some great plays from them. Greg Olson: I said last time and I’ll say it again; Greg Olson is a fantastic tight end. He is one of Cam Newton’s top targets and a very big play maker. He will have a very big role in this Super Bowl game. Defense: This game will feature two great defenses so it will come down to who can break through first. The way the Panthers have been playing seems to suggest that they show no sign of stopping the power they have on offense. This Super Bowl will be an interesting game with outcomes that could change a lot for both teams. If the Panthers win, that will be the first Super Bowl win for their franchise, and if the Broncos win, then Peyton Manning might retire on a high note. Either way, it will have a historic outcome.