Those wanting offense were disappointed. Others (like myself) seeking defense were pleased. We knew that regardless of who won between the top two ranked league defenses, "defense wins championships" - simple as that. Lets' have a look at how the teams did on Sunday night.
PASSING: As I anticipated the older Manning wasn't going to have a stellar performance in another big game. After the opening drive, it was all down hill from the almost over the hill quarterback. Cam showed that he was prepared to throw the football when his legs or his backs weren't a viable option.
RUN: We'll get to the main reason I think the Panthers drop the mark in this category. But even when Newton was in situations he had previously seemed to welcome running himself didn't work out so well. However, Denver's running game was almost as ineffective. Again, that opening drive wasthe biggest positive in this department.
DEFENSE: Outside of the first and last drive, Carolina had a normal day at the office it seemed. Denver was just that much more aware and quicker on this day. his save what would've been an otherwise boring first half (and overall game).
SPECIAL TEAMS: Nothing that wowed you other than that new record for single punt return yards. early in the second half before everyone fell asleep despite the then close score. No matter who caught the ball for Carolina, they just couldn't return the ball - punts or kickoffs.
COACHING: Kubiak has come a long way since departing for the mile high city since being let go by the Texans in 2013 and spending brief time in 2014 as a Ravens assistant. But it came down to the defensive strategy of defensive coordinator and former NFL head coach Wade Phillips, who most controversially of all during his career started Rob Johnson over Doug Flutie in the loss during the Music City Miracle (a.k.a. "the Revenge" as I have dubbed it). It seemed like the rush was everywhere surrounding Cam Newton, no thanks to his offensive linemen. No discredit to Ron Rivera and company, but he did everything right and things still went a bit wrong for his Panthers.
Super Bowl C (100) would be just after my seventy-fourth birthday and it surely will have similar hype as this golden Super Bowl. But until then, we'll keep the nostalgia going.
-Ricky
PASSING: As I anticipated the older Manning wasn't going to have a stellar performance in another big game. After the opening drive, it was all down hill from the almost over the hill quarterback. Cam showed that he was prepared to throw the football when his legs or his backs weren't a viable option.
RUN: We'll get to the main reason I think the Panthers drop the mark in this category. But even when Newton was in situations he had previously seemed to welcome running himself didn't work out so well. However, Denver's running game was almost as ineffective. Again, that opening drive wasthe biggest positive in this department.
DEFENSE: Outside of the first and last drive, Carolina had a normal day at the office it seemed. Denver was just that much more aware and quicker on this day. his save what would've been an otherwise boring first half (and overall game).
SPECIAL TEAMS: Nothing that wowed you other than that new record for single punt return yards. early in the second half before everyone fell asleep despite the then close score. No matter who caught the ball for Carolina, they just couldn't return the ball - punts or kickoffs.
COACHING: Kubiak has come a long way since departing for the mile high city since being let go by the Texans in 2013 and spending brief time in 2014 as a Ravens assistant. But it came down to the defensive strategy of defensive coordinator and former NFL head coach Wade Phillips, who most controversially of all during his career started Rob Johnson over Doug Flutie in the loss during the Music City Miracle (a.k.a. "the Revenge" as I have dubbed it). It seemed like the rush was everywhere surrounding Cam Newton, no thanks to his offensive linemen. No discredit to Ron Rivera and company, but he did everything right and things still went a bit wrong for his Panthers.
Super Bowl C (100) would be just after my seventy-fourth birthday and it surely will have similar hype as this golden Super Bowl. But until then, we'll keep the nostalgia going.
-Ricky
No comments:
Post a Comment