Jeff McLane and Paul Domowitch predict the big game

One of the common refrains heard here in the Bay Area in the lead-up to Super Bowl 50 is that if it is a blowout the Panthers will win and if it is a nail-biter it will be the Broncos who come out on top. While it is true that the Panthers have more overall talent on both sides of the ball, it's not as if the Broncos are chumps.

They had the No. 1 overall defense during the regular season and managed to make Tom Brady look ordinary in the AFC championship game. Cam Newton had an MVP season for 15-1 Carolina, but he is no Brady, or at the least, doesn't have his experience in directing game-winning drives in the biggest of moments.

But one thing Newton has that Brady doesn't - at least this season - is a run game. And the Panthers ground attack is one of the most diverse and sophisticated in years. Running back Jonathan Stewart and fullback Mike Tolbert pound the middle, while Newton, often on designed runs, pressures defenses on the edges.

The Broncos have two of the best edge rushers (Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware) and two of the best cornerbacks (Chris Harris and Aqib Talib) in the NFL, but they're susceptible up the middle. Denver defensive coordinator Wade Phillips may be able to force Newton to throw more than the Panthers want, but the quarterback hasn't made many mistakes through the air this season.

Peyton Manning has. He's a shell of his former self. But in the postseason he has managed to avoid the interceptions that hurt the Broncos in the regular season. He's facing a much better defense than he did against the Steelers and the Patriots, though. Panthers cornerback Josh Norman should be able to nullify receiver Demaryius Thomas, which could limit Manning's options.

Manning's still as smart as quarterbacks come, though. Does he have one last hurrah in him? Many want to see him go out on top, but the Panthers have other plans.

I'm not going to try to overanalyze this game. In football, the team that commits fewer turnovers usually wins, particularly in the Super Bowl.

Just twice in the last 20 years has a team committed more turnovers than its opponent and still hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. The collective turnover differential of the winning team in the last 20 Super Bowls: plus-37.

If you look at the two combatants, the Panthers clearly have the edge in the giveaway-takeaway department. Carolina was first in the league in both takeaways (39) and turnover differential (plus-20). The Broncos' 31 giveaways were the third most in the league. They finished tied for 19th in turnover differential (minus-4).

The Panthers also forced nine turnovers in their playoff wins over Seattle and Arizona.

Peyton Manning is one of the best quarterbacks ever, but he's had little to do with the Broncos' success. They're at the Super Bowl because of their No. 1-ranked defense.

The 39-year-old Manning missed six games with a foot injury and didn't play well in the other 10. His 67.9 passer rating was the worst of his career. His 59.8 completion percentage and 6.79 yards-per-attempt average were his lowest since his rookie year. He had a minus-8 touchdowns-to-interception differential. Other than the fact that he hasn't thrown an interception, his playoff passing numbers are very un-Peyton-like.

The Panthers have a terrific defense, but they have been occasionally susceptible to the deep ball. Trouble is, Manning and the Broncos haven't been very good throwing the ball down the field this season.

The Broncos need to be able to run the ball to take the pressure off Manning. They've done a decent job of it lately. But the Panthers have given up more than 78 rushing yards just once in their last 11 games.

The Broncos defense needs to put a muzzle on Cam Newton and the Carolina offense in the first half, and Manning needs to strike early and protect the ball. Could happen, but I don't think it will. Another big day for kids with seats in the end zone.