So Super Bowl 50 has arrived. In a couple of days the two best teams in American Football this season will go head to head for the trophy that all eyes in the US have turned too. Carolina Panthers verse the Denver Broncos. Everywhere you look there are articles on the amount of money involved – how much tickets cost, how much an advert costs, what the total revenue will be.
It’s easy to forget that there will be a cracking game of football on the day.
With that said, we thought we would focus on that particular part – yes, the football. But in a certain kind of way. We already previewed the teams and reviewed the year they’ve had, and you can view those write ups here (for Denver) and here (for Carolina).
We could talk about specific statistics that might play a part in how you fair in the betting stakes, such as Total Yards Per Game (Carolina’s 366.9 to Denver’s 355.5) or Passing Yards Per Game (224.3 to 248.1). We could go further: Rush Yards Per Game (142.6 to 107.4) or be specific to the stars of the game (Cam Newton’s 35 Touch Downs for the year to Peyton Manning’s 9). But maybe you’ve had enough of statistics.
We could discuss the fact that it might be Manning’s last game, and how that could influence his play. Will his entire Broncos outfit lift to deliver one last success for him? Or will they fold under the pressure, and his age finally show through?
Instead, we want to focus on the psychology of the young buck on the scene – Manning’s opposite number for Carolina: Cam Newton. Here at Hello Punter, we’re big fans of the psychology of sport, and it’s telling to look at how the youngster has dealt with the pressure coming his way. We mentioned it briefly in the write-up linked above, but it has only grown more extraordinary as the final week has progressed.
Newton took it to a new level the other day, admitting bemusement – if not annoyance – at questions being put to him about pressure and the like. To the NRL’s official site, he said:
“You know what’s confusing? How can I reword questions I’ve been asked so many times? Golly.”
Although some may see this a sign that the tension is getting to him at long last, his fans will say he is pointing out that constant badgering by the media will not sway him from his poise. He continued:
“Nothing pretty much has changed since I’ve seen you guys 24 hours ago. I had an unbelievable sleep, but yet I’m up here again. It’s cool. It’s like I don’t know how you want to say it…”
Carolina has never won the Super Bowl, and they had a heartbreaking loss (32-29) in their only other appearance (2004 verse New England Patriots). Our tip is that the cool head and confidence of Newton is what will likely spoil the party on Manning’s farewell. Carolina to win. Convincingly.
Super Bowl 50 Betting Odds at Betfair
Moneyline
- Caroline Panthers: 4/9
- Denver Broncos: 9/5
Disclaimer: All opinions expressed herein are that of the author and not necessarily those of Hello Punter, and should not be taken as betting advice. No bets are guaranteed, and you may lose more money than you get back. Please gamble responsibly.
