Who is the best player in Super Bowl 50?
I went with Von Miller, the Denver Broncos' dominating edge rusher. This is a passer and pass rusher league, and Miller showed why he's so valuable in the AFC Championship Game with his beatdown of Tom Brady.
Miller had 2.5 sacks, an interception in coverage and was a force the entire day. His play this week will be huge if the Broncos are to slow down the Carolina offense.
That's why I made him the top player in my rankings of the Super Bowl 50 starters. He got a slight edge over Carolina quarterback Cam Newton, who will be the NFL MVP -- and got my vote for that honor.
Newton has been fantastic this year and is clearly more valuable to his team than Miller is to his -- quarterbacks always are -- but I chose Miller as the top player because I think he tops the list of edge rushers in the league. Newton isn't the best quarterback, although he's in the conversation.
This list is made up of 46 players because I included the nickel corners for both teams. They are like starters these days, being on the field for 63-percent or more of the defensive snaps. I also included all three of the starting linebackers. There are no kickers or punters.
Some interesting things of note about the list:
There are eight defensive players in the top 10, including five Broncos.
The only two offensive players are from Carolina, Newton and tight end Greg Olsen.
Denver has eight defensive players in the top 20, while Carolina has five.
The Broncos don't have an offensive lineman ranked in the top 20. Carolina's highest-ranked offensive lineman is center Ryan Kalil at No. 11. But both their guards are also in the top 20.
Denver quarterback Peyton Manning is ranked 23rd, but his impact on the game will be much higher than that. PS: It's strange to put him that low, but based on his season that's where he belongs.
So dive in and take a look. I'm sure there will be plenty of complaints.
1. Von Miller, OLB, Broncos: He showed in the AFC Championship Game how he can dominate. Edge rushers are so valuable in big games. He's the best in this game.
2. Cam Newton, QB, Panthers: He has grown up as a quarterback and a person. It shows. He can now stand in the pocket and make the reads. He's a star.
3. Luke Kuechly, MLB, Panthers: He is a tackling machine who can also play well in coverage. He will be big in this one if Denver tries to run it.
4. Kawann Short, DT, Panthers: Why so high? The tape doesn't lie. This kid has developed into a force inside with 11 sacks this season. What a great pick in the second round in 2013.
5. Chris Harris Jr., CB, Broncos: Do they come any tougher? He played the title game with a shoulder that was really banged up. He's great at playing in the slot and taking away that part of an offense.
6. Josh Norman, CB, Panthers: This free agent to be is about to be a rich man. He can play in zone or handle man if asked. He is tall and athletic.
7. Greg Olsen, TE, Panthers: He is Newton's go-to guy in the passing game and has developed into a downfield threat. He must be handled if Denver is going to win.
8. Malik Jackson, DE, Broncos: He plays the run well and he can rush the passer. There is great value in a down player who can pressure the way he does.
9. DeMarcus Ware, OLB, Broncos: He is playing on a sore knee, but still remains an effective pass rusher. Did you see him in the fourth quarter of the title game?
10. Aqib Talib, CB, Broncos: He remains a quality cover player who can do a lot of things. Would it shock to see him on Greg Olsen some?
11. Ryan Kalil, C, Panthers: He is the best offensive lineman in the game. He gives Carolina a heady inside player to go with two young, talented guards.
12. Demaryius Thomas, WR, Broncos: I know he has had some drops and hasn't been the star we've expected to see this season, but he's still a capable No. 1 receiver.
13. Thomas Davis, LB, Panthers: He broke his arm in the title game, but might be back for this one. He is a steady player who can run, despite having three knee surgeries.
14. Derek Wolfe, DE, Broncos: The Broncos re-signed him this month for a reason. He's a rising power player on their line. He can also push the pocket.
15. Trai Turner, G, Panthers: He was named to the Pro Bowl after an impressive season inside. He is strong in the run game, but can also do a nice job in pass protection.
16. Star Lotulelei, DT, Panthers: This former first-round pick missed time early in the season, and struggled some. But he's back to being a good player next to Short.
17. Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Broncos: His production has been down this season in the new offense, but he is still more than capable of making big plays down the field. If the Panthers focus on Thomas, it could be a big game for Sanders.
18. Andrew Norwell, G, Panthers: He has really emerged as a top-flight guard this season. He is aggressive and really excels in the run game.
19. Danny Trevathan, LB, Broncos: He will be a free agent this spring, so this is another chance to show what he can do. He is a speed linebacker who is asked to do a lot in coverage.
20. Brandon Marshall, LB, Broncos: He can run and cover and is good in the run game. He has been one of the pleasant surprises the past two years for the Denver defense.
21. Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers: When he's been on the field, he's put up big numbers. Injuries limited his numbers some this season.
22. Charles Johnson, DE, Panthers: He missed eight games, which hurt their pass rush, but he's back playing at a high level. He's had sacks in each of the past two games.
23. Peyton Manning QB, Broncos: He isn't close to what he used to be as a passer, which is why he's down this low. But that mind is still lethal. You don't fool him much.
24. Evan Mathis, G, Broncos: He's been bothered by injuries this season, but he's still Denver's best lineman.
25. Bradley Roby, Nickel, Broncos: This former first-round pick has emerged as a quality corner. He is long and does a nice job in man coverage. On any other team, he's a starter, not the nickel.
26. Mike Remmers, T, Panthers: He's better in the run game, but this will be a week where pass protection by the tackles will be key. He's improved the past two years.
27. T.J. Ward, S, Broncos: He got dinged in the title game, but is expected to play with a sore ankle. He can slide into the box or play in the deep middle. I think he's better closer to the line.
28. C.J. Anderson, RB, Broncos: He is Denver's leading rusher and had a solid game against New England. He might need to come up big this week. Injuries slowed him this season.
29. Darian Stewart, S, Broncos: He got banged up in the AFC Championship Game with a knee injury, but he is expected to play this week. He's been a nice addition to their defense this season.
30. Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Panthers: Yes, he drops a lot of passes, but he can still fly. He's also a big threat in the return game.
31. Matt Paradis, C, Broncos: In his first year as a starter, he has been solid. Not great, but decent.
32. Shaq Thompson, LB, Panthers: This rookie linebacker brings another speed element to the Carolina defense.
33. Kony Ealy, DE, Panthers: With Jared Allen missing last week's game, Ealy stepped in and started. He's been a nice rotation player all season long and has five sacks.
34. Devin Funchess, WR, Panthers: After a slow start to his season, he has come on in the second half. He has flashed big-play potential in the second half of the season.
35. Louis Vasquez, G, Broncos: He has settled back in at guard after playing right tackle last season. He's not to the level he once was, but he's a solid player.
36. Kurt Coleman, S, Panthers: He had two picks last week and has improved in coverage from earlier in his career. He's also solid in the run game.
37. Mike Tolbert, FB, Panthers: As far as fullbacks go, he's one of the best. He's a good lead blocker and he can catch it when needed.
38. Michael Oher, T, Panthers: He has held up pretty well at times this season, even if he isn't close to being the player many thought he would be coming out of college. He will have his hands full this week.
39. Roman Harper, S, Panthers: In the run game, he's a good player. In the passing game, he can struggle at times.
40. Owen Daniels, TE, Broncos: He had two touchdown catches in the championship game to show he can still get it done.
41. Corey Brown, WR, Panthers: He showed some big-play speed against Arizona with an 83-yard touchdown catch. He can stretch a defense.
42. Sylvester Williams, NT, Broncos: He starts on the nose, but didn't play that much last week against New England. He will play more against Carolina.
43. Ryan Harris, LT, Broncos: He's a backup forced into a starting role. But he's just OK. Not much more than that.
44. Robert McClain, CB, Panthers: With Charles Tillman out, McClain has moved in as the starter. He's been OK, but he was picked on some last week. Expect the Broncos to go after him some.
45. Cortland Finnegan, CB, Panthers: He came out of retirement and is playing as their nickel. He hasn't been awful.
46. Michael Schofield, RT, Broncos: At times this season, he has been a turnstile. He might have major problems protecting Peyton Manning this week.
