**Why the [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR) will win:** The [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR)' interior defensive line will dominate the line of scrimmage and get after [Peyton Manning](/player/peytonmanning/2501863/profile).

**MVP:** [Luke Kuechly](/player/lukekuechly/2533056/profile)

**Bold prediction:** [Kawann Short](/player/kawannshort/2539296/profile) will collect two sacks and force a fumble ... in the first half. Carolina Panthers 24, Denver Broncos 20

**Why the [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR) will win:** The [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR) run out to an early start and cruise behind a ball-hawking defense that makes life miserable for [Peyton Manning](/player/peytonmanning/2501863/profile) in his final game.

**MVP:** [Luke Kuechly](/player/lukekuechly/2533056/profile)

**Bold prediction:** [Jonathan Stewart](http://www.nfl.com/player/jonathanstewart/949/profile) rushes for 150 yards due to the special attention the [Broncos](/teams/denverbroncos/profile?team=DEN) pay to [Cam Newton](/player/camnewton/2495455/profile). The [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR) wear out the [Broncos](/teams/denverbroncos/profile?team=DEN) with a variety of zone-read plays that allow Stewart to crease the defense down the middle on the way to a spectacular performance. Carolina Panthers 24, Denver Broncos 17

**Why the [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR) will win:** Denver's inability to run the ball costs them the game.

**MVP:** [Cam Newton](/player/camnewton/2495455/profile)

**Bold prediction:** Carolina pass-catcher [Ted Ginn](/player/tedginn/2507166/profile) Jr. steals the show with more big plays than the [Broncos](/teams/denverbroncos/profile?team=DEN)' wide receivers. Carolina Panthers 18, Denver Broncos 16

**Why the [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR) will win:** Carolina will move the ball early, but Denver's defense will force field goals instead of touchdowns, keeping [Peyton Manning](/player/peytonmanning/2501863/profile) in the game. In the end, however, [Cam Newton](/player/camnewton/2495455/profile) will engineer the game-winning drive.

**MVP:** [Cam Newton](/player/camnewton/2495455/profile)

**Bold prediction:** The [Denver Broncos](/teams/denverbroncos/profile?team=DEN)' defense will stymie the [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR)' rushing attack, holding [Jonathan Stewart](http://www.nfl.com/player/jonathanstewart/949/profile) and the rest of the Carolina ground attack to their first sub-100 rushing game in 31 contests. Carolina Panthers 24, Denver Broncos 21

**Why the [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR) will win:** I'd like Peyton to win his second championship, but I think [Cam Newton](/player/camnewton/2495455/profile) and Co. are too good right now. They are proving everybody wrong. Matchup-wise, Carolina's defense has the upper hand against the [Broncos](/teams/denverbroncos/profile?team=DEN)' offense, and Peyton hasn't been that hot.

**MVP:** [Luke Kuechly](/player/lukekuechly/2533056/profile)

**Bold prediction:** Denver kicker [Brandon McManus](/player/brandonmcmanus/2541556/profile) is going to keep the [Broncos](/teams/denverbroncos/profile?team=DEN) in the game, making a number of clutch field goals. Carolina Panthers 28, Denver Broncos 24

**Why the [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR) will win:** I've gone back and forth all week about who will win this game. The [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR) are more of a complete team, and if they get into a shootout, the defense and Cam will be able to pull through and lead the [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR) to victory. My fear for Denver is if they get into a shootout, does Peyton have enough in the tank to win the game? I'm not sure he does.

**MVP:** [Luke Kuechly](/player/lukekuechly/2533056/profile)

**Bold prediction:** [Cam Newton](/player/camnewton/2495455/profile) rushes for 150 yards and throws for 350 yards. Carolina Panthers 23, Denver Broncos 16

**Why the [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR) will win:** In a game featuring two high-profile quarterbacks, the defense for both teams come to play. Carolina forces [Peyton Manning](/player/peytonmanning/2501863/profile) into his first pick of the playoffs.

**MVP:** [Luke Kuechly](/player/lukekuechly/2533056/profile)

**Bold prediction:** Kuechly racks up 10 tackles and keeps his postseason interception streak alive. Denver Broncos 42, Carolina Panthers 28

**Why the [Broncos](/teams/denverbroncos/profile?team=DEN) will win:** The [Broncos](/teams/denverbroncos/profile?team=DEN) haven't turned the ball over lately, and that's key. Carolina takes a lot of chances and is going against a Denver defense that has a really good front seven and a secondary that can cover. As long as [Peyton Manning](/player/peytonmanning/2501863/profile) doesn't turn the ball over, the [Broncos](/teams/denverbroncos/profile?team=DEN) will win.

**MVP:** [T.J. Ward](/player/t.j.ward/494323/profile)

**Bold prediction:** The [Carolina Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR) don't rush for 100 yards, ending their 31-game streak of doing so. Carolina Panthers 30, Denver Broncos 21

**Why the [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR) will win:** The interior three of the [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR)' offensive line ( [Ryan Kalil](/player/ryankalil/2495655/profile), [Trai Turner](/player/traiturner/2543606/profile) and [Andrew Norwell](/player/andrewnorwell/2550589/profile)) and their defensive line may be underrated, but they carry the day for Carolina, despite an excellent effort from [Broncos](/teams/denverbroncos/profile?team=DEN) QB [Peyton Manning](/player/peytonmanning/2501863/profile).

**MVP:** [Cam Newton](/player/camnewton/2495455/profile)

**Bold prediction:** The field of Levi's Stadium, which [has been an issue](http://www.mercurynews.com/mark-purdy/ci_28597450/purdy-49ers-levis-stadium-still-plagued-by-turf) in the two-year-old venue's young life, will shock everyone by holding up well. Yes, this current field [was recently installed](http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/ct-super-bowl-stadium-sinkhole-20160203-story.html) just for this game, but the field has been re-installed, re-sodded, *re-everythinged* prior to this latest -- and likely most fevered -- incarnation. My prediction is that this one will hold up, and the field will be a non-factor despite the scrutiny given to it in pregame discussions. Carolina Panthers 34, Denver Broncos 13

**Why the [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR) will win:** The [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR) enter the conversation among the best teams of the [Super Bowl](http://www.nfl.com/superbowl) era after *another* high-profile blowout of a league superpower.

**MVP:** [Cam Newton](/player/camnewton/2495455/profile)

**Bold prediction:** Newton has a hand in every [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR) touchdown passing and rushing. Denver Broncos 23, Carolina Panthers 20

**Why the [Broncos](/teams/denverbroncos/profile?team=DEN) will win:** The [Broncos](/teams/denverbroncos/profile?team=DEN) will win because of two reasons. The defense, particularly [Chris Harris](/player/chrisharris/2530510/profile) Jr., has been phenomenal. The [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR)' defense will stop the run, and it will all fall on the shaky yet incredible arm of [Peyton Manning](/player/peytonmanning/2501863/profile). He's going to get it done.

**MVP:** [Von Miller](/player/vonmiller/2495202/profile)

**Bold prediction:** Manning will be literally carried off the field. Carolina Panthers 34, Denver Broncos 17

**Why the [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR) will win:** It's going to be a defensive battle. For me, it's a wash, defensively; the only game-changer you can't account for is [Cam Newton](/player/camnewton/2495455/profile). Because he's in the [Super Bowl](http://www.nfl.com/superbowl), he's going to be the champion and [Super Bowl](http://www.nfl.com/superbowl) MVP.

**MVP:** [Cam Newton](/player/camnewton/2495455/profile)

**Bold prediction:** There will be three miscellaneous touchdowns by the [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR). They will score two on defense and one on special teams. Carolina Panthers 30, Denver Broncos 17

**Why the [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR) will win:** Carolina's versatile running game will be too difficult to stop, even for the vaunted [Broncos](/teams/denverbroncos/profile?team=DEN) defense.

**MVP:** [Cam Newton](/player/camnewton/2495455/profile)

**Bold prediction:** [Kawann Short](/player/kawannshort/2539296/profile) will record 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble in the game, exposing a weak [Broncos](/teams/denverbroncos/profile?team=DEN) offensive line. Carolina Panthers 20, Denver Broncos 14 (OT)

**Why the [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR) will win:** I think this game, as all games do, will come down to quarterbacks, and as great as [Peyton Manning](/player/peytonmanning/2501863/profile) once was, the torch has been passed. [Cam Newton](/player/camnewton/2495455/profile) simply makes big plays for Carolina, and I see him making the game-winning play in overtime, perhaps in the form of a big run.

**MVP:** [Cam Newton](/player/camnewton/2495455/profile)

**Bold prediction:** [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR) left tackle [Michael Oher](/player/michaeloher/71419/profile) will help keep [DeMarcus Ware](/player/demarcusware/2506349/profile) sackless. Carolina Panthers 26, Denver Broncos 20

**Why the [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR) will win:** Carolina will bottle the run enough to force the [Broncos](/teams/denverbroncos/profile?team=DEN) out of the run game, forcing punts and winning field position.

**MVP:** [Cam Newton](/player/camnewton/2495455/profile)

**Bold prediction:** The first score of the game comes on defense! Carolina Panthers 41, Denver Broncos 29

**Why the [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR) will win:** Carolina scores twice in the first eight minutes of the game and rolls from there.

**MVP:** [Shaq Thompson](/player/shaqthompson/2552447/profile)

**Bold prediction:** Denver will miss an extra point in the first quarter. Carolina Panthers 27, Denver Broncos 17

**Why the [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR) will win:** The [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR)' offense is so hard to defend because with [Cam Newton](/player/camnewton/2495455/profile) and the run game, there are so many different facets that it's hard to simulate that for your defense. They are doing so many different things that it paralyzes the defense. Carolina is so physical and it reminds me of the [Seahawks](/teams/seattleseahawks/profile?team=SEA), who also beat Denver on this same stage two years ago.

**MVP:** [Cam Newton](/player/camnewton/2495455/profile)

**Bold prediction:** [Ted Ginn](/player/tedginn/2507166/profile) Jr. will have two touchdowns. Carolina Panthers 27, Denver Broncos 20

**Why the [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR) will win:** At the end of the day, the [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR)' run game is what's going to get them through.

**MVP:** [Cam Newton](/player/camnewton/2495455/profile)

**Bold prediction:** [Ted Ginn](/player/tedginn/2507166/profile) Jr. will have two touchdowns. Carolina Panthers 31, Denver Broncos 10

**Why the [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR) will win:** If anybody has watched the last two games for both teams, I don't know how anybody could pick the [Broncos](/teams/denverbroncos/profile?team=DEN) to win this game. If both teams play equally well, the [Broncos](/teams/denverbroncos/profile?team=DEN) will lose. There is always a chance they could win because of injuries, defensive scores and other factors, but I don't see that happening.

**MVP:** [Cam Newton](/player/camnewton/2495455/profile)

**Bold prediction:** [Cam Newton](/player/camnewton/2495455/profile) will throw for 300 yards and rush for 100. Carolina Panthers 27, Denver Broncos 14

**Why the [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR) will win:** The [Panthers](/teams/carolinapanthers/profile?team=CAR) play with a physical mentality and are tough on both sides of the ball. There are a lot of underdogs on that team because people thought they didn't have a big name starting off, so they play with a chip on their shoulder. The camaraderie that team has and the way [Cam Newton](/player/camnewton/2495455/profile) has led, it feels like they are destined to win it.

**MVP:** [Cam Newton](/player/camnewton/2495455/profile)