Super Bowl Notebook: Carolina WRs embrace roles

We’re just hours away now from Super Bowl 50, which features the Denver Broncos taking on Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers.

T.J. Ward #43 of the Denver Broncos reacts after a play against the Carolina Panthers during Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium on February 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, California.

Denver was the 12th team to bring the NFL’s top-ranked defense to the Super Bowl, and 10 times the top-ranked defense has won.

The 26-years-old Newton is playing in just his first Super Bowl and the 39-year-old Manning is playing in his fourth National Football League title game.

After a three-and-out by the Broncos and Panthers, Denver had their seventh three-and-out of the game, Carolina got the ball back with 4:51 on the clock.

-First-and-10, Denver from own 20.

Broncos linebacker Von Miller, who went to Texas A&M, reaches in to get a hand on Cam Newton as the Panthers quarterback tries to pass. Miller forced two fumbles and had 21/2 sacks.

The Panthers were much shakier with Newton badly overthrowing his first pass, Jerricho Cotchery dropping a key pass and Newton getting sacked by Von Miller and fumbling on Carolina’s second drive. He was 13 for 23 for 141 yards and one interception. Stewart returned to action later in the quarter.

The teams then traded turnovers with Mike Tolbert losing a fumble for Carolina and Manning getting intercepted by defensive lineman Kony Ealy with Denver in position for another score.