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Greg Garber joined ESPN in 1991 and provides reports for NFL Countdown and SportsCenter. He is likewise a regular contributor to Outside the Lines and a senior writer for ESPN.com.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — A superb, marquee matchup of quarterbacks? Uh, well, maybe not on this given Sunday. The most effective two defenses in the NFL made Peyton Manning and Cam Newton look like stinky cheese.
Perhaps it was fitting that in the 50th Super Bowl, the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers need to have actually pulled on throwback jerseys — an ode to the early, run-heavy Super Bowl days. In truth, it was a celebration of the stay clear of offense. The final score: Denver 24, Carolina 10.
Collectively, the two quarterbacks completed only 31 of 64 passes, were sacked 12 times and selected off twice.
This was only the fourth Super Bowl not to feature as much as a single touchdown pass. It was vaguely reminiscent of the 2000 Super Bowl, once Trent Dilfer and Kerry Collins flailed about and made a collective 33.2 passer rating.
Yes, Manning is 39 years old. After 18 seasons, well, that among us has actually that kind of pep in his step? The funny thing? On his last step to Canton, Ohio, he’s a winner in the Super Bowl for the second time. There were a few wounded ducks in the early going, yet Manning avoided the major mistake until late in the second quarter once Carolina’s Kony Ealy managed to grab his hands on a pass. It was Manning’s initial interception since re-entering the lineup in Week 17. Only two quarterbacks have actually thrown interceptions in four different Super Bowls. Manning (four) — and Denver general manager John Elway (five). It’s good, and bad.
There were likewise two fourth-quarter fumbles. Manning regained control of the initial yet wasn’t so lucky a little later once he was stripped by Ealy and the ball was recovered by defensive end Charles Johnson.
Newton? He had three turnovers and put the ball on the ground along with four minutes left in the game, which sealed the Panthers’ fate.
OK, that’s enough concerning the disappointing quarterbacks (and great, excellent defenses). Let’s grab to the rest of The most effective and worst of Super Bowl 50.
Best save … and a beauty: Newton was selected off by Denver durable safety T.J. Ward, yet Ward put the ball on the ground once he was tackled by Mike Tolbert. Thankfully for Ward, linebacker Danny Trevathan came from the pile along with the ball. The second-half play could have actually ended up along with Carolina mere yards from the Denver end zone. They would certainly never grab closer.
Best candidate for MVP: Von Miller. His strip-sack produced Denver’s initial touchdown, and his next set up the other. A dominant performance.
Best defense versus a good defense: Just what else? A good defense. The Broncos, that hit Tom Brady 20 times in the AFC championship game, the most of any quarterback this season, kept Newton scrambling. He was pressured a career-higher 19 times. True, he saved a handful of sacks along with his feet and his upper-physique strength, yet he was just battered.
Best presentation: Simply prior to kickoff, the previous Super Bowl MVPs were introduced to the Levi’s Stadium crowd, from Packers quarterback Bart Starr (I and II) at his residence in Alabama, to nattily attired Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (XLIX). Bay Area heroes (along with the exception of San Mateo’s Brady) drew warm applause, led by 49ers quarterback Joe Montana (XVI, XIX, XXIV), 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice (XXIII), Raiders quarterback Jim Plunkett (XV), and 49ers quarterback Steve Young (XXIX). Broncos quarterback John Elway (XXXIII), Denver’s current general manager, likewise got a nice ovation.
Worst ball security I: Newton dropped spine to pass on third-and-10 midway through the initial quarter and Miller blasted in to your man for a sack and aggressive strip. Denver teammate Malik Jackson fell on the ball in the end zone and Denver was off to a surprising 10-0 lead. It was the Panthers’ second-largest first-quarter deficit of the season; they rallied from a 14-0 score in Week 13 versus the Saints to win 41-38.
Worst ball security II: Tolbert put his head down and attempted to bulldoze Denver free safety Darian Stewart, yet the ball came out. Trevathan recovered at Denver’s 40.
Worst ball security III: Manning wasn’t sharp early, yet he avoided the big mistake — until he was intercepted by Denver linebacker DeMarcus Ware late in the second quarter. Manning was attempting for receiver Emmanuel Sanders, yet Ware made an acrobatic, one-handed knockdown and catch.
Best ground game: Newton had to carry the Panthers, yet C.J. Anderson ended up leading both groups along with 90 yards on the ground.
Worst display of restraint: Denver cornerback Aqib Talib was whistled for three penalties in the game’s initial 18 minutes, 35 seconds. It was the initial three-penalty initial half for a gamer in a 10 NFL postseasons. Only three various other gamers in Super Bowl history were tagged for three in a game; one of them was Carolina’s Kris Jenkins in Super Bowl XXXVIII. It was only the second three-flag game for Talib. That said, Talib ended up playing very well, especially once matched up along with Panthers tight end Greg Olsen.
Best example of holding: Lady Gaga crushed the national anthem, along with an impassioned, operatic version of the song that clocked in a stately 2 minutes, 15 seconds. Wearing a bedazzled red pants match and blue nails, she pounded her heart and (like the true professional she is) held the final note nearly a dozen seconds through the dramatic flyover.
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