A first look at Super Bowl 50: Denver Broncos vs. Carolina Panthers - Los Angeles Times
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A first look at Super Bowl 50: Denver Broncos vs. Carolina Panthers

Broncos linebacker Von Miller celebrates with teammates after defeating the Patriots in the AFC championship game.

Broncos linebacker Von Miller celebrates with teammates after defeating the Patriots in the AFC championship game.

(Doug Pensinger / Getty Images)
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On one side, Denver’s Peyton Manning. On the other, Carolina’s Cam Newton. That makes Super Bowl 50 the first to pit two quarterbacks selected No. 1 overall.

The Broncos and Panthers, top-seeded in their respective conferences, have played each other four times — in 1997, 2004, ’08 and ’12 — with Denver winning three of those.

In that game four years ago, Denver linebacker Von Miller had a sack, a forced fumble, and four tackles for a loss. Miller was nearly unblockable Sunday in the AFC championship game against New England.

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But the Broncos will have their hands full trying to contain Newton, the NFL’s presumptive most valuable player, and tight end Greg Olsen.

One person who could be in demand Super Bowl week: Chicago Coach John Fox. He led both Carolina and Denver to Super Bowls — but went 0-2 in those games.

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