Super Bowl 50: Golden Gate Sports Staff Predictions

Nick Avila

The age old battle of offense versus defense has been debated by sports analysts for as long as one can remember and this year’s Super Bowl will be no exception. The Carolina Panthers had the second most rushing yards per game this season, and were 11th overall in total offense, while the Denver Broncos were first in the NFL allowing the fewest yards per game of any team during the regular season.

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While the Broncos defense had a tremendous year, the Panthers weren’t too shabby either as they allowed the sixth fewest yards per game. The drastic difference between the two teams is at the quarterback position. Cam Newton, the young gun, will be battling the old veteran, Peyton Manning, who’s already been to two Super Bowls in his Hall of Fame career.

Newton has had the Panthers playing on another level this postseason and that’s why I see the Panthers getting the victory over the Broncos. In their two playoff games, the Panthers have taken huge leads from the get-go and haven’t looked back.

They led 31-0 over the Seattle Seahawks before hanging on for the 31-24 win and they finished the Arizona Cardinals season with a 49-15 thrashing.

You have to ride the hot hand when you’re talking playoffs and that’s exactly what I’m going to do. The Panthers are averaging 40 points per game and are first in yards per game in the playoffs, but it hasn’t just been on offense either as the Panthers have forced nine turnovers in their two playoff games combined,albeit seven came against the Cardinals. Panthers force an early Manning pick and I see the final score being 27-17 Panthers.

Next: Phillip Benson