First off, let me just say that pretty much everything points to the Panthers dominating the Super Bowl. Denver may have a better defense but it's not like Carolina is a slouch in that department. Carolina's offense is better than the Broncos and their aging Manning. But Manning is actually the reason I think they will win.
Manning has pretty much been a choke artist his whole career, right? Even going back to college, he doesn't show up in the big game. But the important thing is that he has been to the big game. Even more importantly, it wasn't that long ago that he and the rest of the Broncos were punked by the Seahawks in the Super Bowl. That memory is still there and still fresh. They will be ready. I don't see a big game jitters problem for them.
The Panthers, on the other hand, have not. Sure their two playoff games were big, but they weren't Super Bowl big. We saw some signs of them wilting under the pressure during the game against the Seahawks. They also benefited immensely in two straight games from very improbably lucky starts to their games. While they did learn to put the boot on the throat a little better yesterday than they did against Seattle, Palmer practically tied the laces on their boots for them.
Don't get me wrong. Things could certainly go sideways for the Broncos from the beginning too. It's not like it hasn't happened to them before. But I don't think it will. And I think they will be able to keep the pressure on the Panthers and the Panthers will eventually crack under pressure.
P.S. I also think it will help that if there is anything to the "NFL wants X outcome and the officiating reflects it," it will be to having Manning ride off into the sunset as a Super Bowl Champion.
Manning has pretty much been a choke artist his whole career, right? Even going back to college, he doesn't show up in the big game. But the important thing is that he has been to the big game. Even more importantly, it wasn't that long ago that he and the rest of the Broncos were punked by the Seahawks in the Super Bowl. That memory is still there and still fresh. They will be ready. I don't see a big game jitters problem for them.
The Panthers, on the other hand, have not. Sure their two playoff games were big, but they weren't Super Bowl big. We saw some signs of them wilting under the pressure during the game against the Seahawks. They also benefited immensely in two straight games from very improbably lucky starts to their games. While they did learn to put the boot on the throat a little better yesterday than they did against Seattle, Palmer practically tied the laces on their boots for them.
Don't get me wrong. Things could certainly go sideways for the Broncos from the beginning too. It's not like it hasn't happened to them before. But I don't think it will. And I think they will be able to keep the pressure on the Panthers and the Panthers will eventually crack under pressure.
P.S. I also think it will help that if there is anything to the "NFL wants X outcome and the officiating reflects it," it will be to having Manning ride off into the sunset as a Super Bowl Champion.