SUPER BOWL

Super Bowl 50 scouting report, prediction: Carolina Panthers vs. Denver Broncos

Kent Somers
azcentral sports
Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning looks to add to his sterling resume and claim his second NFL title when Denver faces the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 on Sunday.

The Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos clash for the NFL title. 

Who will take home the hardware?

azcentral sports' Kent Somers previews and predicts Sunday's Super Bowl 50 in Santa Clara, Calif.

Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos meet in Super Bowl 50 at different stages of development

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Panthers on offense

The Panthers don’t think their receivers get enough respect, but it’s hard to grant them more when Ted Ginn, Jr., is the No. 1 wide out. So how did the Panthers lead the NFL in scoring this season? It’s a bit of a puzzler. The defense helped by coming up with 39 turnovers, at least 10 more than anyone else in the NFL. The Panthers’ offense is tricky to defend, mostly because of Cam Newton. There isn’t anything he can’t do. He can stay in the pocket and throw. He can scramble. He can gain yards on planned runs. He is deadly on third-and-short situations. It’s simplistic to say the Broncos must stop the run, but it’s true. Everything the Panthers do is built upon the running game. The problem is they get to their running plays in various ways, with Newton under center, with Newton in the shotgun and pistol, through spread formations. Sell out to stop the run and Newton finds tight end Greg Olsen open down the middle. But Denver’s defense is extraordinary, too. They have strength and size up the middle. Their linebackers are fast, and their secondary should be able to lock down Ginn and company.

Edge: Broncos

Carolina Panthers receivers motivated by doubters

Broncos on offense

They have to be able to run the ball. Have to. Have to. Have to. Quarterback Peyton Manning reportedly threw great in practice all week, but the Broncos aren’t going to beat the Panthers with Manning throwing the ball 45 times. That wasn't the Broncos’ style in 2015, anyway. They won with defense, keeping the score close and figuring out how to win in the fourth quarter. The Cardinals had some success running the ball against the Panthers in the NFC title game. In fact, it was the only thing that worked for them offensively. The interior of the Broncos' line must battle the Panthers’ defensive tackles Kawann Short and Star Lotulelei to at least a stand-off. They are large, powerful men and present a big problem to guards Evan Mathis and Louis Vasquez and center Matt Paradis. While the Broncos don’t want this game placed on Manning, he will have to be on top of his game when he does throw. And his receivers will need to come up with more than their share of 50-50 passes. Manning’s biggest challenge, however, is not committing turnovers. He can’t take many chances against this defense. It will make him pay.

Edge: Panthers

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Special teams

Panthers punt returner Ted Ginn, Jr., was a slip away from breaking one against the Cardinals. He’s dangerous but can be contained, and the Broncos’ coverage teams are solid. The main goals for both these groups are to limit penalties and avoid the gaffe that could cost their teams the game.

Edge: Broncos

Wade Phillips leads Broncos defense like a boss

Coaching

Carolina’s Ron Rivera and Denver’s Gary Kubiak come from different sides of the ball. Rivera’s background is in defense; Kubiak is a former quarterback. But they are similar in that both are very even-keeled. They realize the game is long and they won’t panic. The match of wits between Panthers offensive coordinator Mike Shula and Broncos coordinator Wade Phillips will be fascinating to watch. Shula will use a lot of different formations and personnel groups, while Phillips tends to keep things simple. Phillips has seen most everything in his 38 years in the NFL, but controlling Newton is a difficult challenge.

Edge: Broncos

RELATED: More NFL coverage from Kent Somers

Bottom line

Unless one team implodes, ala' the Cardinals in the NFC Championship Game, I think this will be a low-scoring game. Both defenses are too good to be shredded. Carolina is favored by a touchdown or so, but I think the Broncos are going to pull the upset. Gut feeling.

Prediction: Broncos 20, Panthers 17

Super Bowl 50

Broncos vs. Panthers

When: 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

Where: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif.

TV/radio: Channel 5/KGME-AM (910).