Panthers vs. Broncos Super Bowl 50 Predictions: Will Denver cover?
By Anthony Rome
Will that vaunted Denver defense be able to slow down Cam Newton and Co. when the Broncos take on the Panthers in Super Bowl 50 tonight at 6:30PM ET?
According to oddsmakers from online sports book RealBet.eu, the Broncos are 6-point underdogs versus the Panthers for tonight's championship game. As for the total, it opened at 45 but has dropped to 44.5.
Why Bet Denver…
Some NFL pundits act dismayed at how the Broncos reached the Super Bowl given the limitations of Peyton Manning. But it's no secret that Denver's defense has been at the root of the team's success all season long. The Broncos ranked first in total yards allowed this season (283.1 per game), first in passing yards allowed (199.6), third in rushing yards allowed (83.6), and fourth in points allowed (18.5).
Granted, the Broncos haven't played a quarterback like Newton this year, or an offense as dominant on the ground as Carolina. But many underestimated Denver in the AFC Championship Game two weeks ago when 78% of wagers were on the Patriots to cover the 3.5 points and the Broncos won outright.
Wade Phillips has seen it all in his time in the league and most importantly, he has the pieces on every level of his defense to combat what the Panthers will bring to the table this evening. If the Broncos are once again on point defensively, Peyton doesn't have to be great for four quarters - he just has to give Denver a couple of key drives in the second half to put points on the board. It's the same recipe for success that the Broncos used in their two previous playoff games.
Six points is a lot to lay against a team with as good a defense as the Broncos.
SUPER BOWL 50 FREE PICK: DENVER BRONCOS +6