Super Bowl 50: Who to bet on?

Let’s face it. Part of the charm of the Super Bowl is all of the action the games gets in Vegas, and in some not-so-legal areas as well. It’s fun to sit down and lay some money on either the AFC or NFC champion and root for your side, whether it be with buddies or bookies.

This year, Super Bowl 50 gives us the Carolina Panthers and the Denver Broncos. Carolina has put together one of the more impressive seasons in National Football League history, going 15-1 before blowing out the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals in the NFC playoffs.Quarterback Cam Newton is likely to win the league MVP trophy, accounting for 45 touchdowns and over 70 percent of Carolina’s offense.

On the flip side, Denver went 12-4 but had some struggles toward the end of the year, especially at quarterback. Brock Osweiler started the final seven regular-season games before being benched for Peyton Manning. Manning has not been great in the playoffs after throwing 17 regular-season picks in just nine starts, but he’s taken care of the football – no interceptions – and gotten Denver to the ultimate game.

So, who is the right bet in Super Bowl 50? Carolina.

In most places, the Panthers are either laying 4.5 or 5.5 points. Don’t be scared by the number. Traditionally, many Super Bowls have been blowouts, and this one could follow suit. Also, in most cases, it is the favored team that comes away on top. Only two years ago, Denver played in Super Bowl XLVIII and got crushed by the Seahawks, 43-8. Now, this is not the same team, but many of the same problems are lurking for the Broncos.

Much like Seattle, the Panthers have a mobile quarterback who can make you pay with both his feet and right arm. Newton is not going to be phased by the pass rush coming off the edges from Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware. If the Bronocs are going to cause him any issues at all, it needs to be from pressure up the middle. If it only comes from the perimeter, Newton will step up and out of the way.

The other reason to bet on Carolina? Defense. Denver has a bad offense, one that struggles to block and certainly has problems stretching the field. Look for Josh Norman to take away either Demaryius Thomas or Emmanuel Sanders, while the other receiver sees coverage rolled over him. The Broncos are also going to have no ability to throw to the tight end with a plethora of quality linebackers and safeties covering Owen Daniels, including Thomas Davis, Luke Kuechly, Roman Harper and Kurt Coleman.

With good coverage, the front of Kawaan Short, Star Lotulelei and Jared Allen will get home. It is going to be a long day for Peyton Manning and the Broncos, who are outgunned and outclassed in this contest.