The SiriusXM Sports’ guide to Super Bowl 50

Two teams and one game left in the 2015 NFL season. While Super Bowl 50 between the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos is still two weeks out, that doesn’t mean the scrutiny and media obsession hasn’t already begun! To that end, SiriusXM Sports has crunched the numbers to provide you with some readily digestible facts and figures for you to toss around the ol’ water cooler and to impress your friends.
Peyton Manning is arguably the greatest quarterback of all time, however, in 2015 he has struggled mightily. Whether it be Father Time catching up with him, injuries sapping his throwing arm or a witch’s hex, Manning has been wholly un-Manning like this season. Meanwhile, Cam Newton is on pace to win the MVP award after a record-setting regular season that saw him toss 35 touchdowns, rush for another 10, and only throw 10 interceptions on 495 attempts.

Meanwhile, Cam also rushed for 636 yards this season, or, nearly the same amount of yardage that Peyton Manning has rushed for in the entirety of his career! So, yeah, MVP is Cam’s, folks.

However, Peyton and Cam are also going to be facing two incredible defenses. Both Carolina and Denver rank in the top-six for total defense, passing defense and rushing defense this season. Led by DeMarcus Ware, Von Miller and Aqib Talib, Denver’s defense has been a virtual black hole for opposing quarterbacks all season long. Carolina is led by Josh Norman, Luke Kuechly and Kurt Coleman and they’ve been nearly as impressive in getting to the Super Bowl. The hiccups for both squads have been few and far between and the game could be something of a defensive struggle despite the 45 point over/under.