Godfather of Sports (guest star 'Hank Stram') Pick Super Bowl 50

Denver Broncos vs. Carolina Panthers (Super Bowl 50)
Kickoff 6:30 on CBS

Super Bowl 50 is today and I will be giving you three keys to the game all with the help of former Kansas City head coach Hank Stram! 

First off, the Carolina Panthers are 5 point favorites and that is one pretty generous spread. But, there is one stat that is very impressive and may warrant such a spread. The Panthers averaged 1.10 points EVERY TIME they had the ball. That means they scored more than they had to punt the ball away. The Denver Broncos were 10th with .21 points per drive but that is almost not worth mentioning. While on the subject of offense, the Panthers' QB Cam Newton ran the table last night at the NFL Honors Show picking up both the AP Offensive Player of the Year and AP Most Valuable Player awards... Check to the Panthers. 



Second, the Broncos have the #1 Defense and the Panthers,the #1 offense *Cliche alert* defense wins championships. And only one out of 15 teams to reach the Super Bowl with the #1 offense have ever won (2009 Saints.) I can hear the whining from Charlotte all the way up in NY: 'But Luke, aren't the Panthers a top 5 defense too?' Yeah, b*tchy Panthers fan, they are. But, here is something I want you to take a look at... Broncos are one of the best teams getting three and outs on defense while the Panthers are one the the leagues' worst. This is huge. If the Broncos can take their time on offense and 'matriculate' the ball down the field they will be able to keep the MVP and his offense on the sidelines. Check to the Broncos.
 

Third... and I can't believe I am saying this... Kickers are people too. And this year in both the regular season and the post season they have made the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Those reasons being missed field goals and missed extra points. I don't know how I feel about the XP being moved back but that sure is a subplot to games now. Denver's kicker Brandon McManus, including the post season, was 88% kicking FG AND 37-38 on XP. While Carolina's kicker Graham Gano was 84.6% on FG and... 65-68 on XP. That is what this game is going to come down too and I would rather send McManus out there over Gano. Check to Broncos.



Side note: Good to great officiating is hard to come by. And the best refs are the ones you don't even talk about during or after the game. Let's hope for the officials not to make Super Bowl June 14 (Flag Day.) 


So, after those keys, my guy and input from one of my favorite coaches I concurred with his pick. I like Denver to win 27-24 in a tight one. Below is his pick for those of you that missed it!


Stats, figures and facts: www.nfl.com, www.espn.com, www.cbspsorts.com, www.footballoutsiders.com

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