UNDER 22.5 in First Half Lines
The Panthers have witnessed fast starts in their two playoff games, and if that trend stays true, they could be on for another solid starts. However, the game-changer here is that they’ll be facing a Denver defense that has perfected the art of taking away potential scoring opportunities from opposing defenses, a key reason why they’ve allowed 20-plus points in just two of their last 10 games. This defense should be able to slow down Carolina and prevent a strong start. Meanwhile, Denver’s offense is often comfortable of sitting back and scoring opportunistic points. A good example is their second half against New England, where they constantly played it close to the vest by repeatedly punting the ball and orchestrating several running plays to salt away the game; something that is likely to be repeated this week. Added to the fact that Super Bowls typically start very slow and only light up towards the end, an UNDER 22.5-point total looks like the best bet here.Carolina to Win First Super Bowl Title
Whereas the Broncos squeaked their way past Pittsburgh and New England, the Panthers dominated both Seattle and Arizona, underlining their true potential as the team to beat in the playoffs. And to boost their agenda to win Super Bowl 50, Carolina enters the Big Game with the No. 1 scoring offense in the league with 32 points on .487 points per play. In addition, Carolina’s 3.8 touchdowns per game ranks first in the NFL, with Newton and his crew making the best of their opportunities count inside the red zone with a 70 percent touchdown rate inside the 20-yard line. Such explosiveness will be tough for Denver’s defense to handle throughout the game. Meanwhile, the Panthers are also strong defensively, topping the league with a +1.6 turnover margin, fueled by their league-best 2.7 takeaways per game. Against the 2015 turnover-prone version of Manning, Denver’s offense will find itself in tons of trouble, meaning the Broncos will have a tall order in their quest for a win. Added to Carolina’s solid special teams unit, the Super Bowl 50 stage looks well set for Carolina’s taking.Newton Will Complete More than 60% of His Passes & Combine for At Least 3 Total TDs
When the Panthers last played the Broncos in 2012, Newton was just a second-year QB at the time, and his greenness showed his game, as he threw for 241 yards and two TDs plus two interceptions. Looking at Newton right now as a fifth-year QB, his game is much more refined. His passing mechanisms are very good, showing more accuracy on slant routes and generally throwing the ball better, whether he’s facing pressure from the defense or not. Not to mention, he has developed a better understanding of the game, making him able to read and throw off defenses while connecting better with his receivers. This, plus his outstanding running ability, is the reason he had 10 running touchdowns (best among QBs) along with 35 passing TDs (second only to Brady’s 36).