Super Bowl 50: Key Match-ups, Overview and Betting Information

It is finally here! The 2016 NFL Super Bowl is about to kick-off between the Panthers and the Broncos live at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara California. It was a long and exciting road to get this far and both teams are revved up and ready to fight for the most coveted honor in professional football.

Newton vs Manning

The key battle that everyone is talking about is between Cam Newton, QB for the Panthers, appearing in his first-ever Super Bowl, and veteran QB, 5-time league MVP, Super Bowl XLV winner and MVP, 14-time Pro Bowl selection Peyton Manning. Newton vs Manning will undoubtedly decide the winner of Super Bowl 50, and Newton definitely has the athletic advantage over injury-weary Manning. In fact, it could be Manning's last NFL game, while Newton's career is just getting started and he is already the favorite in this battle.

This will be the first ever time in a Super Bowl that two quarterbacks that were both first picks in the NFL draft in their respective years (1998, 2011).

Cam Newton is a machine. He set a new league record for quarterback rushing touchdowns in a single season at 14. In fact, Newton has tied Steve Young for most ever career quarterback rushing touchdowns at 43. Difference is that it took Steve Young 15 seasons, while Newton accomplished the feat in just 5.

The Best of Defense

This is the eighth time in NFL history that the first and second place defenses from the regular season will meet in the championship. The Broncos led the league in fewest yards per play and the Panthers were a close second place. The Panthers explosive offense has not faced a defense like the Broncos', and it will be the most important fight of the night.

O-line vs D-Line

The Carolina Panthers offensive line will have a very tough task on their hands. Mike Remmers, Trai Turner, Ryan Kalil and Andrew Norwell (right to left) will need to stop a fast and furious Denver defensive line, known for its blitz's and ability to stop the rush. The Panthers have had the most effective run game in the league this season, but their offensive line had better be ready for serious pressure from Derek Wolfe and Malik Jackson, one of the best defensive duos in the game.

If the Broncos can stop the Carolina rushing attack, they will most-likely win this game.

Peyton Manning vs Kawann Short

Manning will have another, more threatening battle than the one he has with Cam Newton. Kawann Short is the best 4–3 pass-rushing defensive tackles in the league and has the number 18 in his cross hairs tonight. He had 14 sacks and 13 quarterback hits, as well as 53 hurries, which will be a good way to mess up Manning's night if he doesn't get the right protection.

The Broncos offensive line was one of the main reasons that the 39 year old Manning was able to get the time he needed to get the ball down the field. It will only be a matter of time until before the Panthers defense gets to Manning in the backfield and whether or not his body can handle many big hits is still a big question.

Super Bowl 50 Odds and Betting Preview

Super Bowl 50 is set to break all single sporting event records for most wagered upon. All of the major online sportsbooks are competing for business, as the game approaches, but few are as competitive, or as generous as bet365 Sports. The famed UK Sportsbook has been offering props bets ahead of the Super Bowl and have already registered millions of pre-game wagers from punters eager to win lucrative cash.

The Panthers are outright favorites to win this game at 1.44, while the Broncos are at 2.85. bet365 is offering over 300 individual props bets, and will have a ton of live in play betting markets throughout the game. If you would like to try a Parlay Bet, the sportsbook has a special deal to suit your needs.