Reporting from SANTA CLARA — The Denver Broncos learned a hard Super Bowl lesson two years ago.
They went into the championship game with the NFL’s top-ranked offense and got blown out.
So the Broncos changed the formula. They built a dominant defense. A defense, as it turns out, for a generation.
Linebacker Von Miller on Sunday led an onslaught that threw NFL most valuable player Cam Newton off his game and gave the Broncos a 24-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium.
The victory made Hall of Fame-bound quarterback Peyton Manning a two-time Super Bowl champion and sent him off to ponder retirement after a 15-4 season.
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“It’s been an emotional week, emotional night, and the night is just beginning,” Manning said. “I look forward to celebrating with my friends and family and I think I’ll take some time after that.”
Miller, voted the game’s most valuable player, had 21/2 of the Broncos’ seven sacks and forced two fumbles, one that defensive end Malik Jackson recovered in the end zone for a touchdown. Running back C.J. Anderson rushed for a touchdown and Brandon McManus kicked three field goals as the Broncos won the Super Bowl for the first time since winning consecutive titles in the 1997 and 1998 seasons.
It was a season-long performance that drew comparisons to the 1985 Chicago Bears and other great NFL defenses of the distant and recent past.
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Miller did not want to get into comparisons.
“Comparisons make me uncomfortable,” he said. “A lot of legendary guys that came before us, the Hall of Fame guys they put their back on the line to change the game to what it is now.”
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Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning looks at the Vince Lombardi Trophy during the Super Bowl 50 awards ceremony following Denver’s 24-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers.
(Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)
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Denver quarterback Peyton Manning is handed the Vince Lombardi Trophy by a teammate during the awards ceremony at Super Bowl 50.
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Broncos General Manager John Elway holds aloft the Vince Lombardi Trophy after Denver defeated Carolina in the Super Bowl in February. (Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)
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Panthers quarterback Cam Newton walks off the field after losing to the Broncos in Super Bowl 50.
(Larry W. Smith / EPA)
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Quarterbacks Cam Newton and Peyton Manning share a brief moment following Super Bowl 50.
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Broncos Coach Gary Kubiak is doused with Gatorade in the closing seconds of a 24-10 victory over the Panthers in Super Bowl 50.
(David J. Phillip / Associated Press)
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Broncos center Matt Paradis reacts as teammate C.J. Anderson scores on a two-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl 50.
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Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning reacts after C.J. Anderson’s two-yard TD run against the Panthers.
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Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) strips the ball from Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) during the fourth quarter.
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Broncos defensive back T.J. Ward recovers a fumble by Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (not pictured) in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl 50.
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Broncos defensive backs Darian Stewart and T.J. Ward celebrate after Ward recovered a fumble by Panthers quarterback Cam Newton in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl 50.
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Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is brought down by Broncos defensive end Malik Jackson during the fourth quarter.
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Panthers receiver Corey Brown (10) makes an off-balance catch against Broncos defensive backs T.J. Ward (43) and Aqib Talib (21) during the second half of Super Bowl 50.
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Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe reacts after sacking Carolina’s Cam Newton (not pictured) during the second half.
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Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning reacts to an incompletion during the second half of Super Bowl 50.
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Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) scrambles from the Broncos’ pass rush during the second half of Super Bowl 50.
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Chris Martin of Coldplay performs during the halftime show of Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday.
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Beyonce gives a hair-raising performance during the Super Bowl 50 halftime show at Levi’s Stadium.
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Bruno Mars, a last-minute addition, performs during the Super Bowl 50 halftime show.
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Chris Martin of Coldplay lays it on the line as he performs during the halftime show of Super Bowl 50.
(Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)
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Beyonce, Chris Martin and Bruno Mars perform together during the halftime show of Super Bowl 50.
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Broncos receiver Jordan Norwood (11) runs the ball deep into Panthers territory on a 61-yard punt return in the first half of Super Bowl 50.
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Panthers quarterback Cam Newton sits on the turf after being knocked down during a pass attempt in the first half of Super Bowl 50.
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Broncos running back C.J. Anderson stiff-arms Panthers defensive back Cortland Finnegan during the first half of Super Bowl 50.
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Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) leaps over the line of scrimmage against the Broncos for a one-yard touchdown in the first half.
(Julie Jacobson / Associated Press)
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Quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates with reserve quarterback Derek Anderson after the Panthers scored a touchdown in the first half.
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Panthers tight end Greg Olsen tries to fend off Broncos linebacker Danny Trevathan on a 19-yard reception in the first half.
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Panthers quarterback Cam Newton unleashes a pass against the Broncos in the first half of Super Bowl 50.
(Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)
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Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib tackles Panthers receiver Corey Brown by using the facemask, drawing a penalty during the first half of Super Bowl 50.
(Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images)
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Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) is sacked by Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) during the first half.
(Julio Cortez / Associated Press)
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Broncos running back C.J. Anderson signals first down after he’s brought down by Panthers defensive end Jared Allen in the first half.
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Broncos linebacker Von Miller (58) strips the ball from Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, leading to a fumble recovery for a touchdown by Malik Jackson (not pictured).
(Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)
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Broncos defensive end Malik Jackson (97) recovers a fumble by Panthers quarterback Cam Newton for a touchdown during the first half.
(Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)
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Broncos defensive end Malik Jackson (97) celebrates after scoring a touchdown on a fumble recovery in the first half of Super Bowl 50.
(Jeff Chiu / Associated Press)
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Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning attempts a pass against the Panthers during the first drive of Super Bowl 50.
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Broncos receiver Andre Caldwell makes a 22-yard catch against Panthers defensive back Tre Boston in the first half.
(Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images)
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Broncos kicker Brandon McManus converts a 34-yard field goal in the first half to open the scoring in Super Bowl 50.
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Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) makes a reception against Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis (58) during the first half.
(Charlie Riedel / Associated Press)
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The Blue Angels perform a flyover during pregame ceremonies for Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium.
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Lady Gaga sings the national anthem before the start of Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium last February. (Larry W. Smith / EPA)
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Former Jets quarterback Joe Namath, MVP of Super Bowl III, is introduced before Super Bowl 50.
(Matt Slocum / Associated Press)
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Past Super Bowl MVPs are introduced before Super Bowl 50 on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.
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Denver’s Corey Nelson (52) and Max Garcia (73) take a moment in the end zone before Super Bowl 50.
(Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)
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Panthers receiver Corey Brown warms up before Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium.
(Tim Donnelly / Associated Press)
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NBA star Stephen Curry greets Panthers Coach Ron Rivera before Super Bowl 50.
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Broncos linebacker Von Miller greets NBA star Kevin Durant before Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday.
(Jeff Chiu / Associated Press)
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Denver Broncos fans cheer during warmups before Super Bowl 50 on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.
(Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
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Panthers quarterback Cam Newton stretches during warmups before Super Bowl 50 on Sunday.
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A Carolina Panthers fan watches as the teams warm up before Super Bowl 50.
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Bonrcos quarterback Peyton Manning warms up Sunday at Levi’s Stadium before Super Bowl 50.
(Matt Slocum / Associated Press)
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Fans enter the Levi’s Stadium for Super Bowl 50 on Sunday.
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Fans take s selfie near military personnel outside Levi’s Stadium before Super Bowl 50 on Sunday.
(Timothy A. Clary / AFP / Getty Images)
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Denver Broncos fans arrive at Levi’s Stadium for Super Bowl 50 on Sunday.
(Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)
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A Panthers fan arrives at Levi’s Stadium for Super Bowl 50 on Sunday.
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Large dryers are used several hours before Super Bowl 50 to make sure the paint is set in the end zone at Levi’s Stadium.
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Workers take pictures outside Levi’s Stadium before Super Bowl 50 on Sunday.
(Charlie Riedel / Associated Press)
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A security member arrives at Levi’s Stadium before Super Bowl 50 on Sunday.
(David J. Phillip / Associated Press)
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A soldier stands guard Sunday outside Levi’s Stadium before Super Bowl 50.
(Matt Slocum / Associated Press)
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A soldier stands guard outside Levi’s Stadium before Super Bowl 50 on Sunday.
(Ben Margot / Associated Press)
Linebacker Brandon Marshall had no problem weighing in.
“In my opinion, we’re the greatest defense to ever play the game,” he said. “Ever. It’s a bold statement, but we have the greatest talent, from the rushers to safeties to linebackers. Better than anybody’s ever done it.”
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Broncos Coach Gary Kubiak, a longtime Broncos backup to legendary quarterback John Elway, won the title in his first season.
“The credit goes to the players buying into what we were doing,” Kubiak said. “Understanding that we could get it done this way [and] that there’s not just one way to win.”
Elway won his first title as the franchise’s general manager and paid tribute to owner Pat Bowlen, who is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
“I’m going to say this — and he wouldn’t want me to say this,” Elway said from a stage during the postgame celebration, “This one’s for Pat!”
Broncos players said all week that they hoped to win a title for veterans such as Manning and linebacker DeMarcus Ware, who had two sacks.
“I’m just glad I was on the same team with that defense and didn’t have to play against them,” said Manning who completed 13 of 23 passes for 141 yards, with an interception.
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It was a major turnaround from the 2014 Super Bowl, when the Seattle Seahawks routed the Broncos on a cold night at MetLife Stadium at East Rutherford, N.J.
On Sunday, it was sunny and warm, apparently perfect conditions for a Broncos defense that was coming off a spectacularly destructive performance against the New England Patriots two weeks ago in the AFC championship game.
In that game, Miller, Ware and their teammates hit quarterback Tom Brady 20 times.
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Carolina Panthers fans watch Super Bowl 50 during a pensive moment at Beelman’s Pub in downtown Los Angeles. Most of the fans at Beelman’s are part of the Roaring Riot, the largest unofficial Panthers fan union in the nation.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Chelsea Gilligan, left, and Cali Overvack are in knots as they watch the Panthers try to rally against the Broncos in Super Bowl 50.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Julian Gonzalez, 3, sleeps as Carolina Panthers fans watch Super Bowl 50 at Beelman’s Pub in downtown L.A.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Carolina Panthers fans, including a screaming Chelsea Gilligan, watch Super Bowl 50 at Beelman’s Pub.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Panthers fan Chelsea Gilligan throws her hands up in frustration as she watches Super Bowl 50 at Beelman’s Pub.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Carolina Panthers fans dab in tribute to Cam Newton as they pose for a group picture during halftime of Super Bowl 50 at Beelman’s Pub.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Broncos fan and bartender Josh Critchfield serves shots as he watches Super Bowl 50 at Cheba Hut in Denver.
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A Denver Broncos fan holds up the “D-Fence” sign during the first half of Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium.
(Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
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Fans of the Denver Broncos cheer during the first half of Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium.
(Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)
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Denver Broncos fans celebrate the team’s 24-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 near the intersection of 20th and Market streets in Denver.
(David Zalubowski / Associated Press)
Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips developed another outstanding game plan to control the more mobile Newton. The league’s most valuable player had passed for 35 touchdowns and run for 10 during the regular season, and had passed for two and run for two in the Panthers’ NFC championship game victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
But Miller and Ware overwhelmed from the edges. Derek Wolfe and Jackson pressured from all angles and nose tackle Sylvester Williams pushed up the middle and got his hand on a Newton pass.
Broncos defensive backs also broke up plays and safety T.J. Ward ended a threat with an interception.
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Newton completed 18 of 41 passes for 265 yards, with an interception and two fumbles lost.
The Panthers finished the season 17-2.
“There wasn’t anything special that they did,” Newton said. “We dropped balls. We turned the ball over, gave up sacks, threw errant passes.
“That’s it.”
The pivotal play occurred with the Broncos leading 3-0 in the first quarter.
On third and 10 at the Panthers’ 15-yard-line, Miller came off the left edge and slammed into Newton.
He stripped the ball from the Panthers quarterback while getting the sack, and Jackson fell on the ball for a touchdown for a 10-0 lead.
It was the first fumble recovery for a touchdown in a Super Bowl in 22 years.
The Broncos led, 13-7, at halftime and went ahead, 16-7, on McManus’ third field goal midway through the third quarter.
On the ensuing drive Newton connected with receiver Ted Ginn Jr. for a long gain, but Ward intercepted a pass that tipped off Ginn’s hands to end the threat, sending the Broncos into the fourth quarter with a nine-point lead.
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The Panthers had another chance when lineman Kony Ealy grabbed Manning’s arm on a pass attempt and forced a fumble.
Graham Gano’s field goal pulled the Panthers to within 16-10.
But with just under five minutes left and the ball at the Panthers’ 24, Miller knocked the ball out of Newton’s hand and the Broncos recovered.
A few plays later, Anderson scored on a two-yard run, and Manning tossed a two-point conversion pass to Bennie Fowler to start the celebration.
Gary Klein covers the Los Angeles Rams for the Los Angeles Times. Before that, he covered USC’s football program and athletic department. He began working for The Times in the San Fernando Valley edition and has reported on high school, college and pro sports. He grew up in Southern California and graduated from Cal State Northridge.
