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Published 12:55 5 Feb 2016 GMT
Updated 08:42 7 Feb 2016 GMT
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He might infuriate cranky traditionalists with his 'Super-Cam' antics and endzone dances, but the tradition of handing touchdown ball to children in the stands that he started is among the coolest in sport right now.
On the field, in addition to the running ability and his much improved passing from the pocket, Newton stands 6ft 5in and 111kg and is built like a tight end, bigger than most of the linebackers and safeties attempting to bring him down in the open field.
https://twitter.com/NFL/status/691442123430735873
There is absolutely nobody else in the league that could make the two plays above, on successive snaps against the Cardinals, and that size makes him not only a threat to scramble on broken plays, but on designed runs too. According to NFL Films' Greg Cosell, Newton has gained more than 400 yards on planned quarterback runs this season, double that of second placed Wilson.
Newton adds another layer of complexity to a running game that also has an unusual level of success from passing formations, making it unlike anything the Broncos top-rated defensive unit will have faced all year.
Given Denver's own struggles on offence, their total of 43 points is only slightly more than half Carolina's in the play-offs, the Broncos know they have to keep Newton in check, especially early on, and that responsibility rests on Miller and company being able to execute whatever plan Phillips concocts.
The verdict:
Carolina started out as 3.5-point favourites but despite many sharp bettors favouring Denver, an overwhelming amount of the public have weighed in on the Panthers, pushing the line up to 5.5. As you can probably tell, we're a little sceptical of the Broncos ability to score more than 20 points, and while we'd certainly have preferred to be lumping on the Panthers at -3.5, we'll still give the slight edge to the favourites to cover the larger number.
(NB, if, like us, you like Carolina but are afraid of the spread, you could do worse than taking the 8/11 odds on Newton for MVP. For those and all the other weird and wacky Super Bowl 50 markets, check out our betting preview here).Dallas Cowboys star Marshawn Kneeland dies aged 24
Awful news just in. Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland has died aged 24. The team confirmed his death. In a statement, they wrote: “It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning. “Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and […]
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