Thanks to wins in yesterday's AFC championship game and NFC championship game, respectively, the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers will meet in Super Bowl 50, scheduled to be played in less than two weeks in Santa Clara.
Denver defeated the New England Patriots at home, 20-18, to advance to the big dance for the second time in the last three seasons (they lost to Seattle in Super Bowl 48 to close out the 2013 season). Peyton Manning tossed two first-half touchdown passes to spot the Broncos a lead, and then their league-best defense harassed Tom Brady early and often, making just enough plays to prevent a Patriots comeback late in the fourth quarter.
Carolina handled the Arizona Cardinals with ease to advance, winning 49-15 at home thanks in large part to a whopping seven Cardinals turnovers. Much like they did in the divisional round of the playoffs, Carolina took a commanding early lead (17-0), but this time, it wasn't squandered, as the closest the Cardinals came to mounting a comeback in the second half was a 19-point deficit.
After a weekend off to heal up and accommodate the Pro Bowl, Carolina and Denver will square off in a Super Bowl matchup featuring two elite quarterbacks at very different points in their careers, two excellent defenses, and two physical running games. Who do you think will emerge victorious in the big game?
Super Bowl 50
Panthers (17-1) vs. Broncos (14-4)
- Date: Sunday, February 7, 2016
- Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
- TV (announcers): CBS (Jim Nantz, Phil Simms)
- Referee: Clete Blakeman
- Halftime show: Coldplay ft. Beyonce and Bruno Mars