Panthers vs. Broncos: Super Bowl 50 Odds, Predictions Before NFL Honors

Danny WebsterFeb 6, 2016

Super Bowl 50 is fast approaching on Sunday, and nothing has changed. The Carolina Panthers are still comfortable betting favorites over the Denver Broncos.

The Panthers are still listed as 5.5-point favorites over Denver, while the total remains a defensive-friendly 45, per Odds Shark. With the NFL Honors set to take place Saturday at 9 p.m. ET, it's a safe bet that the Panthers will head into Sunday's game as near-touchdown favorites over Peyton Manning and Co.

Both teams rely on their top-tier defenses, but more than just those units will make a difference in this year's Super Bowl.

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Here's the latest info you need from the books, as well as the keys for both teams on how to win Super Bowl 50.

Updated Odds, Total and More

Matchup: Carolina Panthers vs. Denver Broncos

Line: Panthers -5.5

Total: 45

TV: CBS

Time: 6:30 p.m. ET

Keys To Winning Super Bowl 50

Denver Broncos

Establish the Running Game

Since Manning became the Broncos' full-time starter once again, the running game has taken a slight dive. Denver has only amassed 208 rushing yards in the playoffs compared to the 323 rushing yards accumulated in the last two regular-season games.

More importantly, the Broncos need to find a way to get running back Ronnie Hillman involved and running effectively. Evan Silva of Rotoworld has this breakdown of Hillman's carries in the playoffs:

Manning has not turned the ball over in the postseason, which has been a good sign for the Broncos. But for Denver to keep this game close, the Broncos will need to run the ball and do it well. That's going to be a huge challenge, seeing how Carolina has allowed a combined 138 rushing yards in the playoffs.

Contain the Panthers' Zone-Option

It's not to say that Denver needs to control Carolina's offense as a whole, but the Broncos need to play much better against the zone-option attack that Cam Newton and the Panthers will run.

The Broncos don't need to look any further than their play against the Kansas City Chiefs on Nov. 15. While that game highlighted what seemed to be the end of Manning as we knew it, the Chiefs also countered Denver's aggressive pass rush with their zone-option attack.

While the Chiefs didn't have as much success on the ground against Denver, the zone-option attack allowed Alex Smith to throw for 204 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 33 yards on six carries.

The Broncos will need to account for Newton's ability to not only make plays out of the pocket but how he can attack the defense when he keeps the ball and prepares to throw.

Carolina Panthers

Jonathan Stewart Needs to Be a Difference-Maker

The Panthers' chances of winning this game will come down to the play of Newton, but he'll need some help from his featured tailback along the way.

Jonathan Stewart accumulated his most rushing yards in a season (989) since 2009, and he's been a force in the playoffs. On 38 carries in Carolina's two playoff games, he averaged 4.97 yards per carry. Running for 106 yards on 19 carries against the Seattle Seahawks in the divisional round was his coming-out party.

And it won't be easy for the Broncos to take down Stewart, per Pro Football Focus:

Newton will do everything in his power to win this game by himself, but he'll have a better chance to do that if Stewart has a good outing.

The Defense Needs to Pressure Manning

If Carolina wants to make this an even chess match, the Panthers need to apply as much defensive pressure on Manning as the Broncos are sure to send at Newton.

Carolina's defense totaled 44 sacks during the regular season and has run up eight more in the postseason, with five of them coming against Russell Wilson in the divisional round. Denver's offensive line, meanwhile, allowed only one sack against the Pittsburgh Steelers and three against the New England Patriots.

With Manning not turning the ball over, it's essential for the Panthers to bring enough pressure to rattle him in the pocket. The less time Manning can get to set his feet and observe the defense, the more of an advantage goes to Carolina.