February 8, 2016

Quarterback Peyton Manning of the Denver Broncos holds up the Super Bowl trophy on Sunday, February 7, 2016, in Santa Clara, California. The Broncos won 24-10. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

On Sunday, February 7, the Denver Broncos overwhelmed the Carolina Panthers 24-10 in a defense-dominated Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Denver linebacker Von Miller recorded 2 1/2 quarterback sacks and two forced fumbles, including one that was returned for the game’s first touchdown. He was named the championship game’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). It was the third Super Bowl victory for the Broncos in team history and the first since the team won consecutive titles after the 1997 and 1998 seasons.

The Carolina Panthers were slightly favored to win the game. Led by their quarterback, National Football League (NFL) 2015 season MVP Cam Newton, Carolina had the NFL’s top offense, averaging 31.3 points-per-game. The Panthers finished the regular season 15-1. But the Broncos, sporting the NFL’s top-rated defense, kept Newton contained for much of the game. He completed only 18 of 41 passes for 265 yards, with one interception and two fumbles lost. The key play occurred with Denver already up 3-0 in the first quarter. On the Panthers own 15-yard-line, Von Miller charged off the line and sacked Newton, stripping the football and knocking it into the Panther’s end zone, where Broncos defensive end Malik Jackson fell on the ball to give Denver a 10-0 lead. It was the first fumble recovery for a touchdown in a Super Bowl in 22 years. Denver running back C.J. Anderson added a touchdown late and kicker Brandon McManus kicked three field goals in the win.

Denver QB Peyton Manning, who at age 39 was the oldest quarterback to start a Super Bowl game, completed 13 of 23 passes for only 141 yards, with one interception and one lost fumble. But the stifling Denver defense did not require any more offense as they thoroughly controlled the game. The victory gave Manning his second NFL championship in four Super Bowl appearances. Most experts believe that the victory will be a crowning achievement for the Hall of Fame-bound quarterback, and that he will likely soon announce his retirement.

February 3, 2014

The Seattle Seahawks won their first National Football League (NFL) championship in franchise history with a convincing 43-8 rout of the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XVIII yesterday at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford New Jersey. Denver quarterback Peyton Manning had set NFL records for touchdowns and total passing yards during the regular season, on his way to being named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) for a record fifth time. But the Seahawks, who lead the NFL in points and yards allowed, thoroughly dominated the game from start to finish and never let Manning and the Denver offense gain any momentum.

Most experts predicted a close game between the NFL’s best defense (Seattle) against the best offense (Denver). Instead, Seattle posted the fastest score in Supper Bowl history. Twelve seconds into the game, Seattle scored a safety on the first play from scrimmage, as the snap from center sailed over the head of Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and into the end zone. The Seahawks never looked back. They scored on offense, defense, and  special teams, as wide receiver Percy Harvin ran back the second half kickoff for a touchdown. Seattle’s swift and physical defense kept Denver out of the end zone until the end of the 3rd quarter. Seattle linebacker Malcolm Smith was named the MVP of the game. He returned a second-quarter interception 69 yards for a touchdown.

Seattle’s second-year quarterback Russell Wilson had a relatively easy time compared to Manning. He completed 18 of 25 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns. The Seattle offense didn’t turn the ball over, and Wilson was not sacked at all during the game.

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