I was one and a half quarters late to the Seattle-Carolina playoff game, and when I did finally tune in, it reminded me uncannily of the Brazil-Germany playoff game from the 2014 World Cup. Similar to the crushing 5-0 scoreline in favor of Germany after just a third of the game had passed, Carolina led 31-0 just 25 minutes in. In fact, Carolina accomplished a feat which is arguably more terrifying than what Germany managed to do. Against the traditionally tough-to-crack and second ranked defense in the NFL, Carolina posted four touchdowns and a field goal before the halftime whistle blew. Not only did they do that on the offensive side of the ball, they kept the fourth-ranked Seattle offense completely silent, forcing Russell Wilson into two turnovers. A week after that, they demolished the Arizona Cardinals to the tune of a 49-15 victory. Their two largest challenges from the NFC were not much of a challenge at all. The other team which threatened the 
Panther’s chances at a Super Bowl was the always consistent New England Patriots. After the Pats lost to the Broncos in the AFC championship, the only thing standing between Carolina and a Super Bowl is Peyton Manning, who honestly seemed like he was at least six million years old throughout the season.
But not only have all of Carolina’s real sources of competition been sent home, the Panther’s are still a darn good football team. This season has been the coming-out party for Cam Newton. He has finally added an accurate throwin
g an arm to the already devastating speed and scramble ability he had. Add that to his 6’5″, 248 pound frame and you have the scariest quarterback in the entire league. The Broncos defense will struggle to contain him. Von Miller, the undoubted leader of the pass-rushing Broncos defense, is 2 inches shorter and only 2 pounds heavier than Cam. When you’re going for the sack, it’s not going to help having the quarterback be the same size as your linebackers.
However, Cam elevating the Carolina offense to new heights is only one half of the equation, their impressively improved defense brings the second half. Their pass rushing, led by Kawann Short, is going to give the weak Broncos offensive line fits. Add that to Peyton Manning old, 
slow legs and you can expect to see a ton of sacks during the game. In the case that Manning somehow gets a pass to leave his hand, Carolina still has one of the most terrifying defensive back corps in the NFL. The Josh Norman led group got 4 interceptions alone in the game against Arizona – and that was against a team with a quarterback who can still throw the ball. With Manning’s shaky mechanics and and fading accuracy, these backs are going to feast on turnover opportunities.
And finally, perhaps most importantly, these Panthers are not walking into the game cocky and overconfident. They did that against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15 and lost their perfect season. After that loss, they have looked sharper than they ever 
have before and they’re going to bring that same sharpness to the championship game. These are a grounded team with all the things they need to win. Denver is led by a 38-year-old quarterback who is long overdue for retirement. This game is for all the marbles. And Carolina is not going to let Denver have even a single one.
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