NFC CHAMPIONSHIP: Newton, Panthers rout Cardinals, 49-15

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton dives for a touchdown in their win over the Arizona Cardinals.

Peyton Manning is back in the Super Bowl.

Here are five things to know about the Panthers before they take on the Denver Broncos at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on February 7. Newton gave it back when Peterson picked him off and ran 72 yards to the Carolina 23 – and Palmer gave that one back with a weak throw Kurt Coleman intercepted in the end zone.

The Panthers pounced on seven Arizona Cardinals turnovers and the gang celebrated on the sidelines during the two-minute warning before the end of their 49-15 romp as “Sweet Caroline” blared over the loudspeakers. He is expected to be honored as the MVP for the first time – fans chanted those three letters during the NFC championship postgame ceremony – and he’ll be playing in his first Super Bowl.

It will be the first Super Bowl for Newton and the second trip to the big game for the Panthers (17-1), who lost to New England 12 years ago. There’s Kuechly, who has returned three interceptions for touchdowns this season, including two in the postseason, all while being one of the league’s best run stoppers.

Carolina’s Graham Gano opened the scoring with a 45-yard field goal and Ted Ginn electrified the Carolina home crowd by scoring on a 22-yard run as the Panthers seized a 10-0 edge just 10:29 into the first quarter.

A monstrous and dominating performance by the Broncos defense led the way while quarterback Peyton Manning silenced critics after a season of injury and hardship left many pondering whether he would hang up his cleats.

A first-team All-Pro this season, Gostkowski went 52-for-52 on extra point attempts during the regular season to lead the National Football League in accuracy.

“I kept digging us in a hole and we just couldn’t come out of it”, Palmer said.

After throwing four interceptions and looking completely rattled for most of the game, Palmer faces an offseason of people asking whether or not he’s capable of taking his team to the next level.

Newton completed 19 of 28 passes for 335 yards.

“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?”

– Rob Gronkowski, Patriots, had eight catches for 144 yards and a TD in a losing cause as New England fell to Denver 20-18.

Carolina All-Pro linebacker Thomas Davis left the game with a broken right forearm in the first half.

He had several jarring hits that set the tone for the Panthers to build a 17-0 lead.

“I ain’t missing the Super Bowl”, Davis said after the game. Running back Jonathan Stewart rushed for 83 yards.

Arizona has plenty of young talent in David Johnson, Michael Floyd, John Brown, Patrick Peterson and others, but the championship window is closing for the 36-year-old Palmer.