Super Bowl 50 Preview

Best Bets

2 Pts Carolina Panthers (-5 Handicap) to beat the Denver Broncos (10/11 Sky Bet)

2 Pts Peyton Manning to pass for under 229.5 yards (5/6 Paddy Power)

1 Pt Ted Ginn Jr Anytime Touchdown Scorer (2/1 General)

So we are finally here and after a long season two teams are left standing. The Carolina Panthers have blown everyone away this season with unbelievable offence and an over par defence. The Denver Broncos on the other hand have had to battle all the way and arrive here courtesy of their defence. To say the Broncos defence is elite is a disservice. This is one of the best defensive units ever assembled, but their might will be put to the test on Sunday against the unstoppable force that is Cam Newton.

The bookies see this one being a one sided affair. The spread is around 5.5 pts with most bookies, and everyone else favouring the Panthers. We don’t dispute the bookies and simply put, we think the Panthers will get the job done this week. The Broncos have come past some tough outfits this year, but this match will be a different level. Peyton Manning is struggling to produce significant yardage through the air and against a stout Panthers defence he will likely struggle again in San Francisco. So our first bet this week favours the Panthers to get the job done on the spread. The Panthers have covered this spread against the Seahawks and the Cardinals on route to this match, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see them win by double digits on the ultimate stage.

In terms of the Super Bowl MVP odds Cam Newton leads the way by a long way. Best odds of around 8/11 are available and we are happy to avoid this. He is the most likely man by far, but we will swerve this bet at that price. On the other side of the pitch at QB position stands Peyton Manning, and although some are expecting a Cinderella type performance this week we are going to side against Manning. He is under strict directive not to throw the deep ball, and Denver will run the ball heavily as they have in their previous playoff matches.

Manning went for 176 yards against the Patriots in the conference championship match. In the divisional round he managed 222 yards against the poor pass defence of Pittsburgh. Looking at his performances closely it’s simple to see that he is struggling to generate any kind of passing consistency. Given that this is the case and the Panthers pass defence is superior to both New England and Pittsburgh’s we are happy to make a bet on Manning to pass under 229.5 yards. He will likely struggle to gain any significant yardage, and against the league leaders in pass interceptions he will be wary of the deep ball.

Our final bet for the Super Bowl is for Ted Ginn Jr to score an anytime touchdown. Ginn has established himself as the number one wideout for Carolina this year. He has ten touchdown receptions which leads the Panthers for the season. He is likely to be a key option for Newton in this match and will be looking to make big plays just like he did against the Cardinals. At 2/1 for an anytime touchdown score there is definite value to be had here.

As far as we are concerned Newton will establish himself as the premiere quarterback in the NFL this weekend on his way to a Super Bowl victory. To ask Manning to turn up and upset the odds in this match looks too tall of a task, even for one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. We are happy to side with the Panthers and sit back and hopefully witness another Cam Newton masterclass.