Super Bowl 50: Golden Gate Sports Staff Predictions

Kevin Saito

Defense wins championships. It’s an old belief and ordinarily it’s true. And certainly, the Denver Broncos have a defense capable of taking over a game and dominating it. Much like those old Ray Lewis led Ravens defenses, Denver’s defense this year is playing on another level.

Live Feed

Niner Noise

Unfortunately for the Broncos, you do still need some offense to go with even the most stellar of defenses. Even those old Ravens squads had enough offense behind the likes of Trent Dilfer to get the job done – though just barely.

The Broncos though, have not faced a quarterback or an offensive unit like Carolina’s this season. In the playoffs, the Broncos have totaled 43 points – a number the Panthers exceeded in their 49-15 romp over the Arizona Cardinals. That was a Cardinals defense that was ranked fifth in the league this season, by the way.

The Broncos defense, as good as they are, don’t score a lot of points. Certainly not nearly enough to overcome a Carolina offense that’s pretty good. In fact, the Panthers were the league’s highest scoring team this season, putting up a tick over 31 points a game. Added to that is the fact that Denver’s offense hasn’t exactly been lighting it up this season, scoring just over 22 points a game this year.

While the sentimental pick is to go with Peyton Manning and the Broncos in what may be the final game of his storied career, the Panthers are simply too balanced and to explosive. Peyton will have to ride off into the sunset and be content entering the Hall of Fame with just one ring because this game is going to go to Cam Newton and the Panthers. Carolina 28 – Denver 13