Broncos Win Super Bowl 50 Led by MVP Von Miller

The Denver Broncos won their third World Championship in eight appearances Sunday night, soundly defeating the Carolina Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50.

Given the Denver defensive onslaught, it was fitting that the game’s MVP Award went to a defensive player for only the tenth time in the game’s 50 year history. The recipient, linebacker Von Miller, finished with 6 tackles and 2.5 sacks, including 2 strip sacks that led to each of Newton’s game-changing fumbles.

The Broncos got off to a quick start, holding a 10-0 lead by the end of the first quarter, and out-scored Carolina 14-10 over the game’s final three quarters. Denver’s number-one ranked defense smothered Carolina’s high-powered offense. The Broncos held Panthers’ quarterback and NFL MVP Cam Newton to 310 total yards (265 passing, 45 rushing), no touchdowns, and three turnovers, including two costly fumbles.

Miller praised his teammates after the game, saying in his postgame press conference, “If I could cut this award, I would give it to DeMarcus (Ware) and (Derek) Wolfe and all the other guys. That’s what I would do. This is all great and stuff, but for me, I want to be with my guys. I would take the (championship) ring. The MVP is great, but I’ll take the ring. I want to go in there with my teammates.”

While Miller took the on-field accolades and Newton’s subpar performance will surely be the subject of many “hot-takes” in the coming weeks, no player garnered more attention after the game than Denver’s Peyton Manning.

Amidst mounting retirement talk, the  Broncos’ legendary QB didn’t have anything close to a classic-Manning game (throwing for only 141 yards with no touchdowns and an interception), but did finally secure his long-sought second Super Bowl title.

After the game, the 5-time NFL MVP was non-committal on his future, saying that he needed to take time to reflect.