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.