Super Bowl 50: Broncos vs. Panthers
On February 7th, 2016, Super Bowl 50 will be played between the 15-1 Carolina Panthers and the 12-4 Denver Broncos. The Broncos and Panthers will face off at 5:30 pm. This will only be the third Super Bowl in NFL history to host both number one seeded teams.
This will be the second career match up between Panthers QB Cam Newton and Broncos QB Peyton Manning, and it will also be Newton’s Super Bowl debut. This puts Cam Newton at a historical advantage according to ESPN, as quarterbacks making their debuts have won four straight Super Bowls over quarterbacks with Super Bowl experience. Currently, Manning is 1-0 against Newton.
The Super Bowl will be played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Levi’s Stadium is the newest NFL stadium which opened July 17th, 2014. Despite being new, the stadium has a capacity of 68,400 people, which is among the lowest in the NFL.
The halftime show will be headlined by Coldplay, with another performance by Beyonce, according to The Washington Post.
Manning has been to the Super Bowl more than once. On February 4, 2007, in Super Bowl XLI, Manning came away victorious against the Chicago Bears, while playing for the Indianapolis Colts. Three years later, Manning went to Super Bowl XLIV, but lost to the New Orleans Saints. In 2014, as a Denver Bronco, Manning lost to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII.
This will be the Broncos’ eighth Super Bowl appearance. They are currently on a five game losing streak, the most in the NFL.
After the AFC Championship game as the opposing teams and crew dispersed onto the field, Manning was congratulated by New England coach, Bill Belichick.
According to USA Today, Manning stated that Super Bowl 50 might be his last game.
“When they embraced, Manning leaned in and told Belichick, ‘Hey listen, this might be my last rodeo. So, it sure has been a pleasure…Belichick responded, ‘You’re a great competitor’”.
As for the Carolina Panthers, they have had one previous appearance in the Super Bowl. In Super Bowl XXXVIII, the Carolina Panthers lost to the New England Patriots 32-29. Last Sunday, in the NFC Championship against the Arizona Cardinals, the Panthers demolished the Cardinals 49-15, which is a much bigger margin of score compared to the AFC Championship.
This will be the first year the Super Bowl logo will have modern numbering. The past 49 Super Bowl logos have had roman numerals, where this year’s will be the number 50 written as opposed to the roman numeral for 50 which is ‘L’.
After this Super Bowl, the NFL will go back to the roman numeral system. In June of 2014, the NFL gave a press release that explained the change is a way to “further elevate and celebrate the historic 50th Super Bowl.”
