Photo Credit: Jack Dempsey/The Associated Press
This could be Peyton Manning’s “last rodeo” as he called it, but Peyton Manning is not the reason why the Broncos will win Super Bowl 50. In fact, the three-time league MVP might be more a liability than an asset. The Broncos got to the Super Bowl with a ferocious defense. The team that boasts Von Miller, Derrick Wolfe, and DeMarcus Ware can definitely get after the quarterback.
While this team goes into the game as five point underdogs, they are ready for the challenge of taking down Super Cam. Cornerback and leader Chris Harris Jr. understands why people doubt the Broncos’ chances on Sunday, telling the Denver Post, “There are no blowouts with us. We’ve won ugly every week. It’s not appealing — to fans, to media, to anybody — how we play football and how we win games. We like the games ugly.” Harris also admits that if the game came down to a late drive by Newton against the Denver defense, the advantage goes to Denver.
Harris has reason to believe in his team. Denver has been unbelievable at stopping teams from developing a passing game, ranking second in passing yards allowed. This team has been able to get pressure on the quarterback all season even without the use of a blitz. Miller and Ware alone combined for three sacks eleven of the team’s twenty knockdowns against the great Tom Brady. Having four or five top pass rushers has allowed defensive backs to stay back with their receivers. Forcing Newton to beat them with his arm only will help limit Carolina’s play-calling and possibly force Newton to make throws off balanced.
The Broncos will have to score if they plan on avoiding another historic Super Bowl loss. While Josh Norman will likely shadow Demaryius Thomas all game, this team has another option, Emmanuel Sanders. Sanders is much smaller than Thomas, however, he has proven vital for the Broncos’ offense. His quarterback had nothing, but the highest praise for the receiver, telling The Denver Post, “The way he runs his routes, you can see him. You can tell when he drops his hips and is going to break out. It doesn’t happen with everybody. He is a tremendous competitor. He loves football. He loves working on his craft. I really enjoy playing with the guy.” The Broncos will have to get the ball in his hands one way or another if they expect to make any noise on the field.
