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Panthers Research Paper

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Front-runner

In Carolina’s two games this postseason, the Panthers have jumped out to huge leads. Leading 31-0 against the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional Round and 24-7 against the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship Game at halftime of both games, the Panthers have become accustomed to front-running. Carolina has been a front-running team all year, scoring early and often en route to a league-high 15 wins. If the Panthers can get out to a big early lead against the Broncos, Denver’s offense doesn’t seem equipped to make a big comeback. Carolina quarterback Cam Newton, who was named NFL MVP Saturday night, was the runaway front-runner to win the award after a stellar regular season.

Pressure

After applying constant pressure to …show more content…

Peyton Manning is 39 years old, and he isn’t the quarterback he once was. Newton is 26 years old and entering his prime. Although Manning is no spring chicken, Carolina’s defense is capable of giving up big plays with key injuries in the secondary. The Panthers defense has Pro Bowlers Luke Kuechly and Josh Norman, but the unit can be thrown on. Can Manning complete deep throws down the field to exploit the Carolina secondary? With speculation that this could be the last game of Manning’s career, will he let loose and take shots downfield? Denver will need big plays from their quarterback to win the …show more content…

The Panthers also have a knack of getting a little complacent and letting their opponents sneak back into the game. Against the New York Giants in the regular season and against Seattle in the playoffs, Carolina held an overwhelming lead but let both teams climb nearly all the way back. In the biggest game of their lives, can the Panthers maintain their composure throughout the entire game? An extra long half-time break and the pre-game hype that surrounds the Super Bowl could be a factor. Manning hasn’t always played well in the big game, just look at the Broncos’ 43-8 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl two years ago. Yet, Manning’s and his teammates’ Super Bowl experience could be a crucial mental

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