Peyton Manning Dodges Retirement Questions Better Than Defensive Linemen

Though the Broncos were underdogs, and the 39-year-old Manning entered the game with questionable arm strength and lackluster performances for most of the season, Denver’s defense helped the NFL’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns and passing yards end his career with a second Super Bowl title.

Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) reacts as he calls a play against the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

The Denver Broncos win the Super Bowl 50, beating the Carolina Panthers by 24-10.

Broncos’ linebacker Von Miller was named MVP of Super Bowl 50.

Miller had 2 ½ sacks and forced two fumbles, DeMarcus Ware had two sacks and the Broncos tied a Super Bowl record with seven sacks. The Broncos, who led the league in total defense, harassed and hit star quarterback Cam Newton, diminishing the potency of Carolina’s offense, which led the league in scoring.

The unheralded second-year defensive end even caught Manning by complete surprise – not to mention most everybody else in Levi’s Stadium – when he made a snazzy, one-handed grab to secure a second-quarter interception with Denver driving at the Carolina 20.

Challenge debate: Rivera won his second-quarter challenge, gaining 7 yards with the play being overturned, but he was then out of challenges for the remainder of the game.

The No. 2 overall pick in 2011, next to Newton, had 11 sacks this season and was an absolute monster in the playoffs.

Finally, when Carolina claimed a spot in Super Bowl 50, the Panthers were at long last viewed as the best team.

It’s a disappointing end to a stellar season for Cam Newton and the Panthers.

Manning referenced his former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy when talking about the state of his career.

Manning hasn’t thrown an interception since November 15, a stretch of three games and 78 attempts.

“What our guys did, the way they played, they will be in the conversation”, said Broncos general manager John Elway, when asked if Denver’s defense is one of the best of all-time.

“I thought at that time I could be number one, but (Carolina) didn’t see it that way”. A couple tipped passes that get intercepted. “No we want the sulking, upset, talking to my linemen, my running backs, “I don’t know what’s going on” Cam Newton – and that’s what we got”.

The fifth-year quarterback, who sulked in his postgame press conference before walking out, appeared to get down on himself during the game as well.

Back on January 31, 1999, in Super Bowl XXXIII, Elway, then 38, earned Super Bowl Most Valuable Player honors for guiding the Broncos to victory over the Atlanta Falcons.

The first touchdown came thanks to Von Miller who threw Newton off his game all day.

But once the game began, Newton got the kind of attention he did not desire from the Denver Broncos. “I’m going to go kiss my wife and kids”.

“I’m going for the ball every time”, he said.