I realize there are many Peyton Manning and Cam Newton fans, but please that’s enough Super Bowl HYPE already!
How many times do we have to hear about whether this will be Peyton’s final game and how he is the total opposite of Newton?
And yes, we are aware that the splashy Newton will be named League MVP on Saturday.
Please, can we just get on with the game?
After two weeks of hoopla, the Super Bowl kicks off on Sunday (3:30 PST).
On this day, millions of North Americans will be partying, eating food, sitting in front of large screen TV’s, and of course, enjoying the most anticipated football game of the year.
Yes, whether you live in Prince George. B.C., Waterloo, Ontario, Waterloo, Wisconsin, Pottsville, Pennsylvania, or any other city, this four hour spectacle (including the lengthy half time show) has evolved into a North American tradition.
Indeed, this is a time when fans and non-fans alike will tune in, some just to catch a glimpse and experience the excitement of the biggest extravaganza in North American sports.
It is nearly impossible for this Carolina-Denver game to live up to its advanced billing, although last year’s thriller between New England and Seattle did fulfill the promised drama.
Double digit outcomes have decided 29 of the 49 Super Bowls while 36 of the games have been decided by five or more points.
However, four or less points have decided seven of the last 12 games.
Interestingly, overtime has not factored into any of these contests.
This is only the 4th time in the last 16 years, all since 2009, the #1 seeds from each Conference will play in the Super Bowl.
While Manning and Newton have received much of the attention, the Broncos & Panthers rank 1st and 2nd in defensive efficiency.
They were the top 2 teams in that statistic the last nine weeks of regular season.
It seems the Denver defense has received more credit than the Carolina defense which likely isn’t sitting well with the Panthers, who have been seeking respect much of the season.
The Panthers led the NFL with a league-leading 39 Takeaways compared to 19 Giveaways for a turnover ratio of plus 20.
The Broncos, on the other hand, had a turnover ratio of minus 4 with 27 Takeaways compared to 31 giveaways.
This match-up brings more passion from fans than most other Super Bowls because Newton is arguably the NFL’s most despised or loved quarterback.
He is flamboyant, polarizing and even though his skill set is unmatched, there are still many purists that don’t appreciate his celebrations and mannerisms.
He is new face of the League, but many still prefer one of the old faces which Manning represents.
This is the Broncos record tying 8th Super Bowl (2-5).
It is the second Super Bowl appearance for the Panthers (0-1).
Throughout the season, Carolina had the best rounded team backed by a 17-1 record compared to Denver’s 14-4.
The Panthers are favored by 5 1/2 points.
The game comes down to many of the usual factors, but if Manning is not accurate throwing deep, the Broncos offence will likely be held to 20 points or less.
No doubt, a Denver win will enhance Peyton’s legendary status.
On the other hand, I don’t think another Super Bowl loss will taint Peyton’s remarkable career.
On paper, this Super Bowl should come down to a key late in the game big play or field goal, but my sense is to expect the unexpected.
Yes, there’s still time to dissect, analyze, scrutinize, study, evaluate and examine every little detail about these two teams but I’m sure you will agree that kickoff cannot come soon enough.
The Pick: Carolina to win by 8
Here are some “out of the ordinary Super Bowl facts”:
Just one in 20 people will watch the game alone.
The average number of people at a Super Bowl party is 17.
35% of people who attend the game write it off as a corporate expense.
80 per cent of all Super Bowl tickets sold go to corporate sponsors of the NFL and of the Super Bowl.
Super Bowl Sunday is second in food consumption behind only Thanksgiving Day. (The amount of food consumed includes an estimated one billion number of chicken wings and 28 million pounds of potato chips)
On the Monday following the Super Bowl, an average of six percent of the workforce calls in sick.
On the same Monday, antacid sales show a 20 per cent increase.
More drivers are involved in alcohol-related accidents on Super Bowl Sunday than any other day of the year (except St. Patrick’s Day).
One out of every 12 people viewing the game on television only does so to see the commercials.
Of the top 10 most watched television programs of all time, nine of them are Super Bowls.
Over 700,000 footballs are produced annually for official NFL use and 72 of them are used for the Super Bowl.
Source:http://www.yumsugar.com/Super-Bowl-Fun-Facts-125068
#
Over 500 friends and family packed Westwood Church to celebrate the life of Matt Pearce, the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame member and former Winnipeg Blue Bomber, who died unexpectedly on January 23rd at age 48.
Pearce was remembered as a leader, teacher, an elite athlete and “a giant of a man” with a unique sense of humor.
He loved to win at everything but his biggest thrills came from spending time with his two children, Tenley and Colburn, and wife Sherrie, his high school sweetheart.
Several long-time friends gave a tribute in the 1 ½ hour service that reflected on Matt’s childhood, role in community sports and role in the teachers union.
Kent Jomha, Matt’s friend since Grade 4 at Foothills Elementary, delivered the eulogy and attributed much of Pearce’s strong drive and determination to his parents, Ross and Eileen.
Colleague, Tina Cousins, said he was a hero and symbol of strength to teachers.
Family friend and fellow teacher Al Erricson said it was Matt’s character that set him apart from others in his many roles.
As a lasting tribute, Pearce’s family has created the Matt Pearce Memorial Fund set up to establish a scholarship for Prince George high school graduates.
Contributions can be made at www.vancouverfoundation.ca/mattpearce.
From the Quote Rack:
Apparently a couple of the Denver Broncos’ team buses were involved in a minor traffic accident – “a small wreck” according to one of the players. No injuries reported. So the biggest wreck in this postseason still remains Carson Palmer.
Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
Boomer Esiason compared Peyton Manning to Bartolo Colon. Peyton also took testosterone?
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
CBS Sports reports an increase of 58% more concussions from 2015 to 2014. This number was due mostly to Seahawks fans back in February slapping themselves on their foreheads.
Comedy writer TC Chong of Vancouver http://alwaysfunny.com/
Millions of dollars spent on polling, and what a waste, because we all know who is winning the GOP Iowa caucus: John Scott.
Comedy writer Marc Ragovin
And in case you missed it:
LeBron James suggested the media gets more coaches fired than he does. Calling him a coach-killer is the pot calling the kettle Blatt.
Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
Hartley Miller is the sports director and morning news anchor for 94.3 the Goat. He also is the 94.3 radio color commentator for P.G. Cougars home games. His column appears Fridays on myprincegeorgenow.com. Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected]
Follow him on twitter: @Hartley_Miller