Here are 10 things from Super Bowl 50 that intrigue me:
1. Who will be the under-the-radar hero? Since I don’t think Denver will run it all that well, I think short passes underneath will help beat the Carolina defense. With that in mind, I will put up Ronnie Hillman as the under-the-radar hero. I think he will do to Carolina what Shane Vereen did to Seattle last year. His versatility will be key. The Carolina zone defense has holes short when the linebackers drop out so fast. Hillman will take advantage of that.
2. How will Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning play in what could be a legacy game? The two weeks off has to be a good thing for the 39-year-old Manning. His body isn’t as fast to recover, so it should help. I know a lot of people said he didn’t have velocity on his throws in the title game, but I beg to differ. He made the throws when he needed to make them. Can he get it done for one more big game?
3. Will this be it for Manning? Does he walk away, win or lose? The guy is a competitor, but he might be content to win the game and then retire. There has been no indication either way, but you have to believe a victory would help make that decision for him.
4. Will Panthers quarterback Cam Newton get caught up in the hype of his first Super Bowl or continue to show his MVP tools? Newton, who will be the NFL MVP this season, loves the big moment. I bet he relishes it. There is nothing in his makeup that would make you think otherwise. He will be play it just like another game. That’s who he is as a player -- I think.
5. How will Carolina slow Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller? Their read-option runs will help, but they would be wise to help with the backs and get some tight end chipping on obvious passing situations. I don’t think right tackle Mike Remmers has the ability to handle him on his own.
6. How will the Broncos defend Newton? They love to play man, but that’s risky against a quarterback who can run like Newton. I have a sneaky suspicion they will still do what they do -- which is play man and come after him. That could lead to big plays for the passing game and when he gets outside the pocket.
7. Carolina’s inside three on their offensive line against Derek Wolfe and Malik Jackson: When the Broncos go to their third-down package, they will move Wolfe and Jackson in on the guards. Wolfe and Jackson are really good, but center Ryan Kalil and guards Trai Turner and Andrew Norwell have had a great season inside for the Panthers. Something has to give here.
8. Will Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas show up? In six of his nine playoff appearances, he hasn’t done much. His best game came with Tim Tebow under center. He has to be a player who shows up in this one for Denver.
9. Will Josh Norman cover Thomas in man or will the Panthers continue to play more zone? The Panthers play a lot of zone coverage, but Norman can sometimes follow a receiver. If he does, it would be Thomas. When he does, will he do his weird tell before playing press-man? Carolina’s zone-based scheme will likely keep that from happening as much as some would expect.
10. How will the Broncos defend Greg Olsen? Olsen is Newton’s crutch. Whenever he needs a big play, he goes to his tight end. Olsen has come up big in big games this season, and he will have to here with the Broncos manning up the outside receivers with their corners. I bet Denver doubles him like they did Rob Gronkowski in the AFC Championship Game. They should.
