Ceci Ferrara
February 8, 2016
Sports Writer
Sports Insider
If this is it for Peyton Manning, he couldn’t have asked for a better ending. As the 39-year old–the oldest quarterback ever to start in (and win) a Super Bowl–hoisted the Lombardi trophy for the second time in his storied career Sunday night, things seemed different. Things were different. Unlike his first victory in 2007, the quarterback was the sidekick, not the star. He was a background singer for a dominant Denver defense that was No. 1 in the league all season, and who shone on football’s biggest night.
“This game was much like this season has been, testing our toughness, our resiliency, our unselfishness,” Manning said. “It’s only fitting that it turned out that way.”
The Broncos were the underdogs heading into the big game. Their opponent, the Carolina Panthers, were favored to win–and with good reason. Carolina had lost just one game all season, and were one of the top offenses in the league, with 500 points. Their quarterback, Cam Newton, was named league MVP Saturday night and many thought he would win that honor in the championship game as well.
But there wasn’t much opportunity for Newton to showcase his talents on Sunday night, as the Denver defense suffocated Carolina’s offense and grounded “Superman”. He was just 18-of-41 for 265 yards, one interception and no touchdowns. The defense also sacked Newton six times, and overall, the Panthers had four fumbles which resulted in three turnovers.
Manning didn’t have a vintage performance, but he did just enough to propel his team to a stunning 24-10 victory. He completed four of his first six passes to lead his team down the field for a quick field goal and a 3-0 lead. Von Miller, who finished with 2.5 sacks, had a strip sack that resulted in the game’s first touchdown and set the tone for the remainder of the game.
After getting shutout in the first quarter, Carolina charged 73 yards down the field capped off with a 1-yard rushing TD by Jonathan Stewart to cut the deficit to three. Denver added another field goal before the half, but the 13-7 lead halftime lead was not insurmountable. The Panthers defense did a good job of limiting Manning and the Broncos offense, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to overcome the stifling Denver defense.
Carolina missed an opportunity at the start of the third when kicker Graham Gano missed a 44-yard field goal. The missed try gave Denver excellent field position and despite their inability to reach the end zone, the short field and a completion by Manning set the Broncos up for a field goal. Newton’s interception also came at an importune time–with his team charging down the field, his pass, intended for frequent target Ted Ginn, landed in the hands of Denver’s TJ Ward instead.
Denver took a 16-7 lead into the fourth quarter before Carolina scored their second, and final points of the game on 39-yard Gano field goal. The points cut the Broncos lead to just one score. Trailing by six points late in the fourth quarter and needing a touchdown to go ahead, Newton once again got the ball stripped from Miller, who was named the game’s MVP.
“It feels great,” Miller said of the honor. “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.”
The Broncos recovered and took over on the 4-yard line. A few plays later, C.J. Anderson punched the ball in for a touchdown. The final offensive play of the game, and possibly of Manning’s career, was a successful two-point conversion to put the Broncos ahead for good, 24-10.
Citing former coach Tony Dungy’s advice not to make an emotional decision, Manning was committal about his future after the game. “I’ll take some time to reflect,” Manning said. “I got a couple priorities first. I’m going to kiss my wife and my kids, celebrate with my family…I’m going to drink a lot of Budweiser tonight.”
All signs point to this being Manning’s final game, and if so, it would be a fairy-tale ending to his storied career. Manning’s second Super Bowl title, which has eluded him for the past nine years, came at the end of his worst season since his rookie year. In fact, after being benched in November, it seemed unlikely the future Hall of Famer would ever step foot on a football field again.
But after missing six games, Manning took over in the final game of the season, and led his team through the playoffs, and Sunday night, a Super Bowl victory. He was vocal about taking a new role in the offense, and appreciative that his defense was doing the heavy lifting.
“I feel very, very grateful,” Manning, who finished 13 of 23 for 141 yards, one interception and no touchdowns, said. “Obviously it’s very special to cap it off with a Super Bowl championship.”
Newton, who had dabbed and danced through the season, was visibly upset after the game. In his post-game press conference the usual upbeat and fashionable quarterback wore a black hoodie over his uniform and didn’t offer much insight into why he felt his team, who had been almost perfect all season, fell short in the big game.
“We dropped balls,” he said. “We turned the ball over. We gave up sacks. We threw errant passes. That’s it.”
There were no smiles, dancing, or dabbing for Newton or the Panthers on Super Bowl Sunday. But as one quarterback rides off into the sunset, another is just getting rolling in the NFL. For those he let down, Newton could only offer one promise.
“We’ll be back.”
And with the season they had, and the player that he is, there is very little doubt he is right.
