Super Bowl 2016: Matchup Date, Odds and Broncos vs. Panthers Breakdown

To borrow the words of Swedish rock band Europe, it's the final countdown. After an action-packed 2015 regular season, the stage is set for Super Bowl 50, with the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers set to square off in Santa Clara, California, in February. 

Finishing the regular season with the best record in the league at 15-1, the Panthers have been the heir apparent in the NFC for weeks.

However, after a shaky start to the year and multiple missed games for quarterback Peyton Manning, the Broncos had to fight for their entry into the matchup as the AFC representative. 

Let's break down how to watch the game and what to watch for on Feb. 7. 

How to Watch 

Date: Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016

Location: Santa Clara, California

Time: 6:30 p.m. ET

TV Info: CBS

Odds: CAR (-3.5)

What to Watch 

Do the Broncos really have a shot at beating the red-hot Panthers in two weeks? 

Apparently Vegas thinks so; Carolina opens as only a 3.5-point favorite in the matchup. 

Why isn't Carolina expected to defeat Denver by at least a touchdown? Can Peyton Manning and the Denver offense not only score on the Panthers defense, but also match blows with Cam Newton and the Carolina offense?

Breaking down scheme alone, it's possible. 

As a starting-off point, here's a statistical breakdown of the matchup. This helps shape the story of the matchup, but does not offer the complete picture: 

In the case of the Panthers' explosive offense vs. the stout Broncos defense, something has to give. 

This matchup pits the league's top-scoring offense against a defense that is allowing just 18 points per game, and that makes for compelling television. 

Can Broncos-Panthers help answer the question of whether an elite offense or an exceptional defense wins championships?

Well, perhaps, but the matchup is confounded by the fact that on top of their high-scoring offense, the Panthers also feature a strong defense.

And while Denver's offense struggled through much of the season and ranks 18th in scoring, the Manning-led Broncos looked improved against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. Manning threw two touchdowns and no interceptions, and running back C.J. Anderson rushed for 72 yards, averaging nearly five yards per carry.

Some, such as Alex Marvez of Fox Sports, think Manning and his Broncos have no chance against the young, talented and hungry Panthers. This game, Marvez argues, represents the passing of the torch:

Not so fast, others say.

For instance, Steve Palazzolo of Pro Football Focus explained how the stout Broncos front four that dominated quarterback Tom Brady and the Patriots could find similar success against the Panthers.

"If the Broncos are going to be crowned Super Bowl champions, it will come down to another dominant performance from their front four; [Von] Miller, [DeMarcus] Ware, [Malik] Jackson, and [Derek] Wolfe may just be up to the task," Palazzolo wrote. 

That's what everything boils down to: pressure. Keep Newton from doing his thing, and the Broncos have a chance.

But if Newtown has a clean pocket or a hole to bolt through, it's going to be a nightmare night for Denver in Santa Clara. 

NFL odds courtesy of Odds Shark and current as of Jan. 25.