Ron Rivera passing on Mike Ditka’s advice to Panthers

Future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning will be a headline-maker as he pursues his second career Super Bowl win, but this version of the Denver attack is more about balance and timely plays than it is lofty scoring totals. The Broncos’ defense has carried the offense and Manning, who’s looked like a shell of his old self, even in victory. When they’re at their best, both units cause huge problems for opposing offenses. The game will mark Rivera’s first appearance in the Super Bowl since 2007, when he served as the Bears’ defensive coordinator under coach Lovie Smith.

Cam Newton has been the quarterback for the Panthers for five seasons now, and it’s been an up and down ride for the former number one overall pick. Denver beat the New England Patriots by two points in the AFC Championship, and they could have a tough time against a Panthers team that’s been much more dominant this season. Newton’s 86-yard pass to Corey Brown in the first quarter on Sunday was the longest touchdown in an NFC championship game since Brett Favre connected with Donald Driver for 90 yards in the 2007 season. Six of the turnovers were made by Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer, who threw four interceptions and lost two fumbles. Fans always say how talented of a team this is and given an average quarterback, they could be a Super Bowl caliber team. “The players, I mean you go across the board-we talk the morning after the game about players of the game and stuff”.

The Panthers are on their way to the Super Bowl for just the second time in franchise history.

Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib will be one of the men charged with handling Newton in the Super Bowl, and said on Monday it will be a hard task.

“I keep saying it: We’re not finished”, Newton said.

Newton cut a swathe through opposing defenses in the regular season running up 35 passing touchdowns and rushing for 10 more.

And now that the Panthers have realized those expectations, the fifth-year coach believes they’re capable of bringing home the organization’s first Vince Lombardi trophy.