Here we are, after many months of predictions, reactions, and overreactions to all 266 NFL regular and post season games to get to this: Super Bowl 50. This Super Bowl is one of the more interesting match-ups that we’ve seen in a Super Bowl over the last few years. #1 seed versus #1 seed, #1 draft pick versus #1 draft pick, and #1 offense versus #1 defense, what more could you ask for?

In one corner, you have the Carolina Panthers, who surprised everyone by winning their first 14 games this season (mind you, this was after many critics and experts called them “the worst undefeated team”) until falling at the hands of their division rival, the Atlanta Falcons, en route to a 15-1 regular season and the #1 seed in the NFC Playoffs. Up first were the Seattle Seahawks, who looked lost in the first half, as the Panthers took a 31-0 lead into halftime, then let the 2-time defending NFC Champions back in the game, with the final result being a 31-24 win. The Cardinals were up next, who were coming off one of the best games of the season in  a thrilling overtime win against the Packers. The Cardinals proceeded to get blown out 49-15. All of this despite the fact that the Panthers lost emerging wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin to a torn ACL.

In the other corner, you have the Denver Broncos, the AFC contender no one expected to be here, especially after Peyton Manning’s early season struggles, and eventual benching led to all kinda of speculation from the media and the fans about this team. Who would be the starter in the postseason? The young Brock Osweiler? Or The Sheriff himself: Peyton Manning? A week 17 game against San Diego helped determine the outcome, as an ineffective Osweiler was benched in favor of a now healthy Manning, who led the Broncos to a victory and a surprising #1 seed in the AFC. In the playoffs, two foes of old came to Denver in the forms of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New England Patriots. First came the Steelers, as the Denver defense nearly shut down the once powerful Steeler offense in a 23-16 win. Then came Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, the game all the experts though was won on paper. Manning threw for 2 touchdowns in the 1st quarter to lead his team to a 20-12 lead in the 4th quarter. Brady had the ball with a chance to tie the game, scored a touchdown in the last few moments, but the 2 point conversion failed, as Denver held on to win 20-18.

PREDICTION:

This is a game that has 2 interpretations of the old football ways: running the ball and playing good defense to win a championship. The Broncos have taken the more old school approach: relying on their defense and run game, and using a quarterback who takes good care of the football to win, while the Panthers have employed a much more modern NFL offense that features option plays and designed quarterback runs to help move the offense. The last time we saw the #1 offense go against the #1 defense was in 2013, the Super Bowl between the Broncos and the Seahawks, where the #1 offense of the Broncos was stifled by the Seahawks relentless defense. Because of the history of the #1 defense doing well in Super Bowls, and the experience of the Broncos, I think the lack of experience by the Panthers will hurt them for about a quarter. That’s just enough to get you beat, the final score of Super Bowl 50 will be:

Denver Broncos: 21

Carolina Panthers:17