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Super Bowl 50: Watch Out, Watch Out, for Emmanuel

By John Woodcock

Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) dives for but cannot catch a pass in the end zone against the New England Patriots in the second quarter in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) dives for but cannot catch a pass in the end zone against the New England Patriots in the second quarter in the AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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The key offensive weapon of Super Bowl 50 for the Panthers to worry about may be number 2 receiver Emmanuel Sanders.

Super Bowl 50 pits the Carolina Panthers against the savvy of Broncos veterans. For the Panthers, the Denver Broncos offense becomes the item of intense study for the next two weeks. It will be a little like looking in the mirror.

The Broncos operate on a run first scheme designed to keep the Broncos defense resting and therefore able to be more aggressive. However any follower of the Panthers defense knows that is not likely to be the story of the game.

The Panthers will likely do one of two things to C.J. Anderson and his rushing offense. They will either stop it or they will build a first half lead that takes the running game off the table. If either of those two things happens then the Broncos are left on the arm of Peyton Manning to try to pull it out.

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That will radically change who the most important player for the Broncos on offense is. When things are going well that should be Anderson or Ronnie Hillman, but in this scenario it is the wide receivers that you have to look at.

Ideally Manning would like to engage Demaryius Thomas, otherwise known as the big wide receiver who went to Georgia Tech not named Megatron. Yet Thomas is the best wideout on the team, which means that he will draw the attention of Josh Norman, the Panthers shutdown corner. With Norman on Thomas, Manning will have to look at other options.

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That other option is Emannuel Sanders, the former SMU and Pittsburgh Steeler star. Sanders will be the responsibility of Robert McClain, who still has to be viewed as the weak link in the defensive backfield. The Panthers will adjust coverages to aid McClain but Sanders is no easy cover.

Sanders was responsible for 1135 yards receiving this year and matched the touchdown total from Thomas (six). He was even better than his counterpart at yards per reception despite less targets from Manning or Brock Osweiler. Manning is a student of the game and he will go to Sanders every time if they can get McClain in some compromising positions.

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So the matchup of the game for me is McClain vs Sanders. It could be rendered null and void if the Panthers defensive line gets lots of pressure on Manning as they were able to do against Carson Palmer. The next player to watch would be tight end Owen Daniels on dump off and safety blanket routes to counter pressure.

The Carolina Panthers tee up Super Bowl 50 on February 7th.

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