Broncos and Panthers to meet in Super Bowl 50

“We’ve been doubted. We’ve been slated; all of the above, but yet when you have turnouts like (Sunday) it makes it all worthwhile”, Newton said after the win against the Cardinals.

The Denver Broncos will play the Carolina Panthers in the Super Bowl in Santa Clara, Calif., on February 7. “Jeezy posted a picture of all three of them, and Future shared one of him and Cam mid-handshake, exchanging words of inspiration”.

The Panthers’ own Top 10 defence roughed up and flustered Cards QB Palmer to such an extent, you’re not wrong to be legitimately concerned for Peyton Manning’s health in the Super Bowl. Taking chances against a Panthers defense that ranked first in interceptions (24) and takeaways (39) might seem misguided, but Palmer might be able to find his spots on Sunday. Sunday was the 17th meeting between the surefire hall-of-fame quarterbacks.

Newton is 7 of 9 for 135 yards and one touchdown.

“After 160 regular-season games played, 5,443 passes attempted, 259 touchdown passes thrown, Palmer has seen his career boiled down to a simple question: Does he have what it takes to win a championship – this season or otherwise?”

While Newton was running (and throwing) wild, the other side of the ball for Carolina was simply merciless with Carson Palmer and the NFL’s No. 1-ranked offense.

GINNED UP: Ted Ginn Jr. spent a very unproductive 2014 with the Cardinals, who quickly released him after that season.

The Panthers responded with Newton’s 5-yard touchdown toss to wide receiver Devin Funchess – followed by a two-point conversion pass – with 5:26 remaining. Ginn had a 32-yard punt return to set up his weaving 22-yard touchdown run and chased down All-Pro cornerback Patrick Peterson to prevent a second-quarter touchdown. Michael Floyd scored twice against the Packers last week, but had just three catches for 37 yards and no scores on eight targets Sunday. Palmer and his receivers will work with favorable matchups against Carolina’s banged-up secondary, but if the Cardinals put up points, the Panthers can keep up thanks to the SN Offensive Player of the Year. Palmer has only won one playoff game in four attempts and can thank Larry Fitzgerald for that.

His shaky playoff form continued against the Panthers as the Cardinals fell behind 17-0 in the first quarter and their offense devolved into a string of miscues.

Last season the Cardinals looked like the best team in football.

Palmer’s performance was so bad that it resembled the play of third-stringer Ryan Lindley in last year’s playoff game against these same Panthers.

Newton made history by becoming the first man in the Super Bowl era to throw for 300-plus yards and run for multiple touchdowns, per ESPN.com’s David Newton, but it wasn’t just the dynamic signal-caller who performed well on the Carolina side. The win over the Cardinals may have been the most complete game played by the Panthers defense this season. Today’s big game has a scheduled start time of 6.40 p.m. ET and takes place from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.