Broncos overcome historically bad Super Bowl offense to beat Panthers

Initially, the Broncos went for it fourth down and converted on a run from C.J. Anderson, but a holding penalty backed them up 10 yards and forced the field goal try. The loose ball was recovered by his team-mate, Malik Johnson, to score a defensive touchdown and put the Broncos out to a 10-0 lead.

The seeds of the performance were planted two years ago, when Denver learned what a difference a great defense can make in an embarrassing 43-8 Super Bowl loss to Seattle, as the Seahawks’ star-studded group smothered an offense that scored the most regular-season points in National Football League history.

General manager John Elway set out to build the Broncos’ D, adding players such as DeMarcus Ware, T.J. Ward and Aqib Talib. “I’ve got some ideas”.

Miller dabbed in the end zone in front of legions of orange-clad Broncos fans after Denver’s first defensive touchdown in a Super Bowl. He also shared a third-down sack with Derek Wolfe to get Denver the ball back at the end of the third quarter. When the Panthers kept pounding, the Broncos pounded back even harder. So I think Von Millers wins MVP, and the Broncos win it for Peyton.

They’ve won 22 of their last 24 games, including a 3-1 mark in the post season.

“This game was like this season has been”, Manning said.

It was all part of quite a display by Denver’s defense, making the NFC champion Panthers (17-2) and the league’s top-scoring offense look decidedly mediocre.

A trademark 11-yard run and another 12-yard gallop upfield stretched Denver’s defense and helped propel Carolina deep into the red zone from where Jonathan Stewart barreled over from one yard for the touchdown.

Panthers center Ryan Kalil, among the offensive linemen charged with providing time for Newton, said preparing for Denver’s defense “makes for a tough film week”.

The question surrounding the Panthers all year long was whether their wide receivers would be good enough for Newton after Kelvin Benjamin went down with a season-ending knee injury in training camp. On their next drive, Pro Bowl fullback Mike Tolbert fumbled for the second time in the game.

Denver’s first touchdown came when Miller blew past Remmers and ripped the ball out of Newton’s grasp.

Denver went 13-7 up with another McManus field goal before Carolina spurned the chance to draw closer when Gano missed a 44-yard effort.

Ealy – who was in the midst of a huge three-sack, one-interception night – again struck, swatting the ball out of Manning’s right hand on the very next play. “He has a plethora of moves”, Marshall said.