It seems like it was just last week that the Seattle Seahawks opted to throw a pass instead of handing it off to Marshawn Lynch on the goal line and got intercepted by the Patriots, who then ran out the clock and helped Tom Brady win his fourth Super Bowl ring and go into elite company.
That was 12 months ago and now we’re gearing up for Super Bowl 50.
There are many intriguing storylines surrounding this matchup. The obvious one is that of Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, who has what is probably his last shot at winning another ring. If he’s able to do that, he will become the first quarterback to win a Super Bowl with two different teams. Others have come close but not been able to pull it off in the long run. Manning’s age has somehow become attached to his name. We often hear about “39-year old Peyton Manning” but haven’t heard it that way about other quarterbacks.
Although Manning is the biggest storyline on the Bronco’s side, the true recipe for success is their defense. Von Miller and Demarcus Ware did a great job of getting to Tom Brady but the blueprint to stop Cam Newton is a different one. Brady and Newton have two completely different styles. As a Cowboys fan, I’d love to see Ware get a ring. I just wish he would have been able to get it done in Dallas.
Newton is another great story himself. A lot of people have strong negative feelings about him. I’m not sure if it’s because he received money while playing college ball at Auburn or just because he has somewhat of an arrogance about him but he is one heck of an athlete. I will be rooting for the Broncos but I think the Panthers come out with the win.