The Denver Broncos kicked their way to a third Super Bowl last night and put in one of the best defensive performances of the year.
C.J. Anderson's two-yard rushing touchdown, in addition to three field goals from kicker Brandon McManus and a defensive score, helped the Denver Broncos to a 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 in front of more than 71,000 fans at Levi's Stadium.
Von Miller, who was responsible for two strip-sack fumbles of Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, was named Super Bowl Most Valuable Player.
After the game, Broncos quarter back Peyton Manning discussed his future with reporters and gave no indication as to whether or not this would be his final ever game.
"You know, I'll take some time to reflect," Manning said. "I have a couple of priorities first. I want to go kiss my wife and my kids, I want to go hug my family.
"I'm going to drink a lot of Budweiser tonight. I promise you that. I'm going to take care of those things first, and say a little prayer to thank the man upstairs for this great opportunity. I'm just very grateful."
At 39-years of age, Manning becomes the oldest starting quarter back in Super Bowl history.
Peyton Manning holds aloft the Vince Lombardi trophy. Image: Ben Margot / AP/Press Association Images
NFC champions, the Carolina Panthers, struggled to impose themselves on the game offensively and trailed after the first quarter.
Panthers won the toss but chose to kick to the Broncos, who steadily progressed up the field before settling for a field goal to give them an early 3-0 lead.
After that, it was the turn of the highest scoring offense (averaging just over 31 points per game) in the regular season and their conductor Cam Newton to test out the Broncos defensive unit.
It was during their second turn on offense that the game's first big score came.
On Carolina's 15-yard line, Miller strip-sacked Newton forcing a fumble for an 11-yard loss, while defensive end Malik Jackson gathered the ball for the game's opening touchdown and gave Denver a 10-0 lead.
Malik Johnson scores the first fumble recovery touchdown in the Superbowl in 22 years. Image: Julie Jacobson / AP/Press Association Images
Broncos' cornerback Aqib Talib then opened the door to allow the Panthers back into the game; his hold facemask hold penalty allowed running back Jonathan Stewart cross over from a 1-yard drive to bring the game back to 10-7.
A punt return just before half time gave the Broncos a chance to extend their lead further, but they had to settle for just three points to make it 13-7 at the break.
Broncos tacked on another three points after the break to give them a nine-point advantage and were lucky not to have coughed up possession when TJ Ward's fumble in the third quarter was collected Danny Trevathan.
TJ Ward fumbles under pressure from Mike Tolbert. Image: Ben Margot / AP/Press Association Images
Graham Gano's earlier field goal miss was atoned for to cut the Broncos lead to six once again. With the scent of a comeback strong in the nostrils of the Panthers, Von Miller stepped up.
MVP-elect Miller once again strip-sacked Newton and the Broncos collected to charge inside the Panthers ten-yard line.
CJ Anderson scored the game's final touchdown from the two-yard line to make it 24-10 after a successful two-point conversion.
On the day, Miller had 2.5 sacks, six tackles, two forced fumbles, two hurries and a pass defensed.
"I just wanted to key into my guy, key into my tackle, the center, key into Cam," Miller said on his sacks.
"His cadence is definitely one of the hardest to get down in the National Football League. We just keyed in. That's the type of defense that we've been playing all year long."
Von Miller strips Cam Newton of the ball. Image: Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP/Press Association Images
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