NEWSLETTER
The Denver Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 on this day in 2016. Peyton Manning won his second Super Bowl just two seasons after the Seahawks crushed the Broncos in the Super Bowl. But it wasn’t Manning who led the way for the Broncos.
Manning threw for just 141 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception. Instead, Super Bowl MVP Von Miller and the Denver defense led the way.
Von Miller had six tackles, 2 1/2 sacks, two hurries, two forced fumbles, and a pass defended. One of Miller’s sacks led to a Cam Newton fumble that Malik Jackson recovered in the end zone for a touchdown. That touchdown gave the Broncos a 10-0 lead in the first quarter.
“It feels great,” said Miller. “Peyton and DeMarcus and coach Phillips and all the guys that have been deserving their whole, whole career. I did this for them. I put my neck on the line for those guys.”
Cam Newton was sacked six times, and receiver Ted Ginn Jr. went down once on an aborted trick play. If Miller wasn’t torturing Newton, DeMarcus Ware was. Ware had two of the seven sacks, which matched the most by a team in the Super Bowl.
The Panthers scored over 500 points in the regular season but were held to just 10 in Super Bowl 50. Von Miller and the Broncos’ defense had Newton on his heels all game.
Seven of Carolina’s 10 points came on a one-yard touchdown run and the ensuing extra point by Jonathan Stewart in the second quarter. The only other points for the Panthers’ offense was a Graham Gano field goal.
Denver kicker Brian McManus hit three field goals to help the Broncos get on the board despite gaining only 194 yards of total offense. Denver’s 194 yards gained are the fewest by a Super Bowl winner.
After the game, Peyton Manning said he would drink plenty of Budweiser’s and think about his future in the NFL later. However, that would be Manning’s final game. The Hall of Fame quarterback announced his retirement a month later.
“There’s something about 18 years, 18 is a good number, and today I retire from professional football.”
You can watch the whole game here.
