Super Bowl 50: Golden Gate Sports Staff Predictions

Andrew Greenblatt

Super Bowl 50 is slated to be a game of opposites. On one side, we have one of the most famous and marketable quarterbacks of all time, Peyton Manning. While the other, Cam Newton, is slated to become just that in the not-so-distant future. Try watching any NFL game and avoiding a commercial with one of them in it, it’s pretty hard to do.

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This game will surely feature it’s fair share of dabbing and quarterback comparisons, not to mention the gratuitous amount of scenic shots of San Francisco-despite the fact that the stadium is actually nearly an hour away in Santa Clara- that will be showcased as they come back from commercial breaks.

Ultimately, both the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos have spectacular defenses, making great QBs like Carson Palmer and Tom Brady look hapless against them. There’s no real concern about defensive issues in this game. Von Miller, Josh Norman, and the rest will come to play, that’s the only safe bet in this year’s big game.

As for rest of the aspects of the game, the teams are seemingly even on special teams. Where the game will be won and lost, is on big-time third down conversions. It seems likely that the team that can convert that one down to extend a drive, or score a touchdown rather than settling for another field goal late in the game will come out on top.

In terms of predictions; here are some bold and not-so-bold ones:

QB Cam Newton both throws and rushes for a touchdown.

FS Kurt Coleman picks off Peyton Manning.

TE Ed Dickson catches a touchdown on a slant route.

Final: Carolina 24 Denver 18

MVP: Cam Newton

Next: Johanna Bear