Super Bowl 50: Predictions for Panthers vs. Broncos Stats, Final Score and MVP
Quarterback Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers will win Super Bowl 50 by a score of 30-23, but the likely MVP of the 2015 season won't get the same award for the big game.
The 26-year-old signal-caller will produce a solid performance on Sunday while leading his team on a couple of scoring drives against a nasty Denver Broncos defense, but it will be a member of the Panthers' underrated defense who takes Super Bowl MVP.
Count on that guy being linebacker Luke Kuechly. Per NFL Network on Twitter, Kuechly was asked by a fan what he will do if he wins the Super Bowl. Here's his response:
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He'll have to come up with something a little more specific considering his team will be the victor come Sunday.
All season long Kuechly has been an impact player from his linebacker spot. He's shown a nose for the ball and excellent leadership on his unit. According to Pro Football Focus, no linebacker was better against the run in the NFL in 2015:
He wasn't bad against the pass either.
The 24-year-old had four interceptions in the regular season and collected two more in the playoffs. He's scored a total of three times in the regular season and the postseason combined. Look for him to find paydirt again after he picks off a pass from Denver quarterback Peyton Manning.
Since we're making bold and specific predictions, let's also say Kuechly will force or recover a fumble at a crucial point in the game that helps set up a short field for Newton and the offense. When it's over, this stat line for the Panthers linebacker will earn him Super Bowl MVP honors:
| 14 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Let's not leave out Newton. He'll obviously be a key player in the Panthers' Super Bowl victory. Here are his predicted statistics:
| 21 | 30 | 215 | 1 | 1 | 50 | 1 |
The running game will be a major part of the Panthers' success. It's the element the New England Patriots were unable to establish when they lost to the Broncos in the AFC Championship Game. Led by running back Jonathan Stewart's workmanlike performance, Carolina will establish an effective ground game:
| 21 | 80 | 0 | 0 |
The Panthers' top receiver should come as no surprise. Teams have tried to take tight end Greg Olsen away all season, but it hasn't worked. Olsen won't have a humongous game, but he'll be the Panthers' top receiving threat, just as he was all season long:
| 7 | 11 | 82 | 1 |
On the other side, Manning will play well, but his interception to Kuechly will be costly. Still, the following stat line wouldn't be a bad performance for the future Hall of Famer if he decides to hang up his cleats after the big game:
| 24 | 40 | 229 | 2 | 1 |
The Panthers defensive line has received the credit it deserves. Kawann Short and Star Lotulelei have been absolute studs against the run, and their ability to thwart the Broncos' ground game will be one of the biggest reasons the Panthers win on Sunday.
Take a look at the predicted rushing statistics for both teams:
| Carolina | 34 | 151 | 1 | 0 |
| Denver | 24 | 69 | 1 | 1 |
Like most games, turnovers could be the biggest determining factor. Carolina will win the plus-minus battle:
| Carolina | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Denver | 2 | 1 | -1 |
On the strength of those advantages, the Panthers will win their first Super Bowl in franchise history.
Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter.
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