A long time ago, I remember a fellow football fan telling me that when it comes to Super Bowl victories, the only one that truly matters is the first one that your franchise wins. For a long time I truly believed in that. Super Bowl XXXII was a special day in my household and in my life after watching the Denver Broncos lose three other Super Bowls prior to that. 

But as time has gone on, I'm coming to realize that particular way of thinking is just wrong when it comes to Super Bowls. Every single one your boys go to is special, and every single one they win...is magnificent. Because getting to the big show is a monumental task in and of itself, but to win one in dominant fashion...well that's just legendary and less than twenty four hours removed from Super Bowl 50...I'm still basking in the glow of last night's victory for the Denver Broncos and the reality of how monumental and special a win this was for the players, the franchise and the fans is just now starting to sink in.

After all, this was a game that so many expected Denver to lose. Peyton Manning's play this year was so so at best and the running game was nothing to fear for that matter either. Not to mention, despite the defense's accomplishments throughout the season, the team's 12-4 record seemed to make everyone think that Cam Newton and the Panthers would pick the squad to pieces. Yet here we are, the Broncos shocked the Panthers and sent them home in tears while they fly back home to the Mile High City to celebrate with the fans in a ticker tape parade on Tuesday. Their mission is now accomplished. The Denver Broncos are Super Bowl 50 Champions and they are bringing the Lombardi Trophy home for Owner Pat Bowlen. In fact Pat Bowlen is where the extra meaning begins. Because I know I teared up when John shouted "This one's for Pat!" on the podium during the trophy presentation and with good reason, Mr. Bowlen has always understood the glory of the sport and the respect that comes with winning and keeping a franchise classy through its actions and attitude and that's really what made this Super Bowl win so extremely special, the fact that it was about restoring respect for this proud franchise.

After all, we know the story leading up to last night. Josh McDaniels and his shady affairs, the embarrassment that came with it and the hit the franchise's reputation took...all of it led to John Elway's return. John clearly knew what Pat knew, a Super Bowl Championship was the only way to return the Broncos to the glory and respect they knew four years ago and he would need hungry players to do it quickly and that's why he's made the personnel moves that so many have questioned. After all, this is a team filled with players and coaches that are in essence cast aways. Everyone thought Aqib Talib would cause more trouble. He's turned out to be an incredible corner. DeMarcus Ware was released and thought to be done...he's been nothing but a dominating pass rusher. Coach Kubiak and Philips were forgotten as well with Wade out of football in 2014 and Kubiak spending time as the offensive coordinator in Baltimore after an ugly departure in Houston as the Head Coach.

But most importantly, Elway took the biggest gamble of all on the most important position on the team, quarterback. Peyton Manning had unfinished business in this league and the Colts were quick to part ways with him rather than wait and see when it came to his injuries. They thought he was done. Much of the league thought he was done, in the twilight of his career with a short shelf life. Why is making mention of all these players and coaches important? Because they're Super Bowl Champions now. They were rejected, forgotten and left for dead if you will. They knew they had something left in the tank, they just needed a shot to prove it and Elway gave them that chance and a second chance grants a man great power mentally. They truly believe they can do anything when given that opportunity and that's exactly what they have done. Talib shut down receivers. Ware terrorized quarterbacks. Coach Kubiak and Philips outwitted their counterparts and Peyton...he destroyed records, learned to play his role...and hoisted the Lombardi trophy once again. 

The quest for a Super Bowl in Denver went beyond mere honor and glory and the promise of a ring bigger than a player's eyes. It was about giving great men the opportunity they deserved to earn the one prize they craved and at the same time remind everyone why they have been considered elite. It was about giving the fans the joy they all deserved for standing by this team in the good times and the bad. It was about paying respect to Pat Bowlen and his vision for this team. But most importantly, it was a reminder why we love this game. The Super Bowl is about chasing a dream, of being the best at what you do and it inspires us on so many levels and that's what made this particular victory, all the more special. After all, if a team full of "has beens" can win the biggest game in all of the land through hard work and dedication...imagine what the people they inspired last night will do in the days to come. 

If you are like me, you know that there is much more to the Super Bowl than just the football game, there is betting!  Now I love watching what starts to surface about the Prop Bets surrounding the game, since it gives you something else to watch for…and they are usually fun.  Now, we are not a gambling site, so I will not give you the odds on any of these, but they are fun to read over and see what people will be freaking about on Monday when the game is over and talk about how they lost their hard earned money on a bad bet.

First, the National Anthem will be sung by Lady Gaga.  So, yesterday I saw her giving an interview on the NFL Network and she seemed to be dressed like a normal person.  I have never seen this before and I did not know who she was.  So the first bet of the game will have to revolve around her.  What will Lady Gaga be wearing to sing the National Anthem?  Will she be in normal person street clothes, or will she be in one of her more outrageous costumes?  My money will have to be on a costume, but I know little about her other than she has a fantastic voice.  But we are not done with Gaga just yet, the next thing that people will be putting money on is how long the National Anthem will last.  The over/under time on this is 2:20 and that seems to be a pretty standard singing of the Anthem.  I like the under on this, since she seems to be straight to business when she is working, no messing around.
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Then there are the prop bets that surround the game and some of these are pretty fun.  The Denver defense is at a 2.5 for sacks against Cam Newton.  OVER!!! I think that the defense is going to light up the back field a little bit more than Carolina has been used to over the season, that one will be fun. The over/under for sacks in this game is set at 5.5. I think that this will be accomplished by one team alone, since both teams have a great pass rush, both quarterbacks should be eating some turf.  The list goes on and on with how many different things you can bet on during the Super Bowl and I know several of my prop bets will be listed, but I am giving my own odds.

On Field Prop Bets – Scotty Style
How many times will Peyton Manning say Omaha?  This seems to be one of Peyton Manning's favorite towns and a go to to change up the play call, so this one is set high, over/under at 45.  But you must take into account, during the playoffs, he has not finished saying Omaha, it has been OmaHut, so those do not count.

Will Von Miller dance or show the ‘S’ on his chest after sacking Cam Newton? These two have only faced off once before and Miller took the signature move of Newton after bringing him down.  I would say a that a Dance is warranted for this match up since Von has grown up a bit and has been thrilling the fans during workouts by dancing to some Michael Jackson music. So my over/under on this one is going to be 2.
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How many check offs will Cam Newton call at the line of scrimmage?  Cam is not big on changing the plays at the line, but has been known to do it when needed.  Facing the best defense in the league, I can see him getting a little bit more rattled this game and stepping up to change the plays.  My over/under is 8, as he only averages about 4 a game in the playoffs thus far.
How many interceptions will Peyton Manning throw to Josh Norman?   Over/Under 1 and I would have to take the under on this.  Manning is no fool and you do not throw towards the best corner in the game, no matter who he is covering.

Broadcasting Prop Bets – Scotty Style
How many Super Bowl memories will Phil Simms share during the broadcast? Over/Under 6.  If you are a Bronco fan, you know how much Phil Simms likes to talk about himself during the games and this is a pretty safe bet that it will not end in this game.

How many times will Johnny Manziel be brought up during the broadcast?  Over/Under 3 times. It does not seem to matter what is going on in the league, Johnny Football is always in the middle of it.  I think it is a shame that he would be mentioned in during the game, but it is news and it has been all over the sports talk this week.  Will this craziness never end???

How many times will the cameras turn to the Manning family?  Archie and Eli should be there to see Peyton in what might be his last game.  I am setting the Over/Under at 6 and that might be a little bit low.  As the retirement talk looms, the family is always focused on, maybe they should show Peyton’s kid instead.

How many time will the Rodger Goodell Ejection rule be commented about?  This is the biggest arena in the game of football and emotions will be running high.  Over/Under 4.  I like this number because what was said is that when a player gets two personal fouls, they will be ejected.  I can see a couple tempers flaring in the game and a couple of late hits, I just hope no dirty hits like we have seen earlier this season.

Halftime Prop Bets – Scotty Style
I will be honest, I do not listen to Coldplay, so this will be a tough one.  How many songs will be mixed into one medley?  This is something that most artists tend to do during the halftime show.  Over/Under 5.  Seems to be sound.

How will Beyoncé be introduced?  From under the stage? Walking through the crowd?  From a skyline?  I would say from under the stage, I am not sure it's safe for anyone to fall from the sky. Which Bruno Mars song will be featured?  I do listen to Bruno Mars, so I have an idea on this one.  Uptown Funk, Happy, Lazy Song, Grenade.  Listening to Coldplay a little bit as I write this, the only song they would sound right in singing is Grenade, so going with that one.  But I would love to hear Uptown Funk with Beyoncé.

Will there be a wardrobe malfunction?  Yes, No?  I would say No, but the people that will be moving around the stage will be Beyoncé and Bruno, so anything can happen, need I remind you of what happened with Left Shark.

Postgame Prop Bets – Scotty Style
Who will the winning quarterbacks thank first in the postgame interview?  Family, Owner, Coach, GM? If Peyton wins, I am taking family first, although I would love for him to thank Pat Bowlen first.  If Cam wins, Coach, no doubt about it.

Who will hoist the Lombardi Trophy first?  For the Broncos the options are Peyton, Von Miller, Gary Kubiak, or John Elway. If the Broncos win, Peyton.  For the Panthers it could be Cam, Ron Rivera, Jerry Richardson, or Jared Allen  If the Panthers win, Jerry Richardson.

How many people will be going to Disneyland? Over/Under set at 2.  Usually it is only one person, but with how close these groups are, I can see a group making the statement. How many selfies will be taken on the field by the winning team players?  Over/Under 45.  Most of our everyday technology is not allowed on the field, but that seems to be lifted during the Super Bowl, and the Panthers are notorious for taking selfies after a win, Peyton will probably have to be taught how to do one by one of his receivers.

Well there you go, things to watch when watching the big game. I don’t have a Gnome bet on this and that upsets me, but hopefully one magically appears on the field, besides being a hundred thousand to one shot, I might put money down on that one.   I hope that you all enjoy the list of prop bets I have compiled and may your odds of winning big cash if you bet on these be great!

In the past fifteen years or so, the Super Bowl has evolved as a game. It went from being a touch more emotional to a game that purely focused on perfection. That's not a bad thing mind you, in order to be the Champion of the National Football League, you have to be the best, but this era of dynasties and record breaking has lessened the focus on what matters most, the men who try to win the game...until today. 

It seems fitting in fact that for the golden anniversary of the Super Bowl, a different kind of game is coming together. Sure the Championship still matters, but a few extra elements are being thrown into the mix, respect and legacy. After all, this is a game where the two quarterbacks taking the field are looking for both. Cam Newton is trying to silence all of his critics and show to the football world he is worthy of the number one overall draft pick the Panthers selected him with in 2011 and on the other side of the ball, Peyton Manning is working to cement his status as the greatest of all time and wipe away the stigma that he cannot win the big game and at the same time potentially ride off into the sunset and retire as a champion. But even with those incredible storylines before us, and despite the extra meaning this game will have come kickoff...there can be only one Champion and the great question still hanging over all of our heads is simple, who will win Super Bowl 50? Well here are our thoughts on who will hoist the Lombardi Trophy later today.

SCOTTY'S PICK
Well, the big game is finally upon us and I am surprised to no end that the Broncos have made it to the show once again.  It is hard to say anything bad about the Denver Broncos this season since they have been able to overcome all odds and continue to win games that they should not have.  With this possibly being Peyton Manning's last game, I am sure that he would like to end it in style with a win, but unfortunately, the Panthers are standing in his way.  With a very inconsistent receiving corps that never seems to know what to do with a ball that is thrown to them and a running game that has a hard time getting started, this will be a huge struggle for the Broncos to overcome.  I do however like how the Defense has stayed consistent all season long, keeping the team in the game until the final whistle blows.  Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware, Malik Jackson and Derek Wolfe are all great off of the snap and can hassle the best quarterbacks in the game, but they have not faced Cam Newton or anyone close to his caliber this season.  The Panthers are hot like fire and when you watch the offense take the field, it is like a game of Madden as the game plays out.  With a strong running and passing game, and Cam Newton who can break a forty yard run at will, it seems like the Broncos will have a ton to worry about.  But the offense is not what frightens teams about the Panthers, it is their ball hawking defense that leads the league in turnovers.  Watching what they did to Carson Palmer in the Conference Championship, it made me sad for the great veteran, and knowing that Manning cannot throw half as hard as Palmer, their might be more turnovers in this game than the Broncos want to give up.  The Panthers defense is built just like the Broncos and they have not been given enough credit for what they have done this year, even in a weaker division, they are scary for any offense to have to face.  With another one of their pass rushers healthy, Jared Allen has a legacy of his own that he wants to solidify and the outstanding Luke Kuechly should be a household name for the season he has put under his belt.  This should be a battle of defenses rather than a high powered offensive game, but when it comes to Super Bowls, you never know what will happen until the first snap. Panthers 24, Denver 17.
SUPER BOWL 50 CHAMPIONS - THE CAROLINA PANTHERS

JOHN'S PICK
Two years ago, on the eve of Super Bowl XLVIII, I had a funny and unpleasant feeling forming in the back of my mind about the game. I was worried that the Seahawks would shock the Broncos and win the game and it turns out it was a feeling that was absolutely correct. The Broncos were a spoiled team back then. Peyton Manning was scoring at will, and the defense didn't have to do a hell of a whole lot but sit back and let the offense do all of the work. Today, as we count down the hours to Super Bowl 50, I have that same funny feeling in the back of my head...but for the Carolina Panthers. Yes, they have a better defense than Denver did back then...but there's a certain sense of entitlement surrounding this team right now. They simply EXPECT to win. Even their Super Bowl 50 photo featured that all annoying dab and I honestly think that their overconfidence will finally be their undoing. This is a Denver Broncos squad that is no longer spoiled, they have had to earn every single win the hard way this season making them battle tested and mentally strong. The Panthers however, were handed many a win with a soft schedule and opponents that quite frankly gave up along the way. So what does that mean for today? Simple, one incredible Super Bowl. This one will be a lot closer than people give it credit, mainly because I fully expect the Broncos defense to confuse, frustrate and test Cam Newton like he has never been tested before. This talented pass rush will wear down and break down the Carolina offensive line, and that's when things will get interesting. Plus I'm certain that Gary Kubiak has put together a game plan that will tire out the Carolina defense and keep them honest to minimize turnovers and keep Manning safe. Either way, I think the Denver Broncos know what's at stake, those still on the team from Super Bowl XLVIII remember the sting of that loss and have shared the pain of it with their teammates and today...is going to be different. Today, the Denver Broncos will be the team to surprise the Carolina Panthers. Today, the Denver Broncos will get Peyton Manning his second Super Bowl Ring, DeMarcus Ware his first and Pat Bowlen his third. Because today is the day, that the Denver Broncos will win the Super Bowl.
SUPER BOWL 50 CHAMPIONS - THE DENVER BRONCOS

What a long and strange season it has been for the Denver Broncos. It's offensive woes and rotation at quarterback due to injury should have spelled doom for this team on several occasions...but the Broncos just kept winning thanks to the best defense in the league that made miracles happen on the field in the most unlikely of moments. This is a battle tested team with a chip on their shoulders since everyone sees them as the underdog and here is what we can expect from the Denver Broncos when they take the field for Super Bowl 50.

STRENGTHS
It's all about the defense in Denver and with good reason...they have some of the most talented players in the league on that side of the ball at every position. Their pass rush is absolutely magnificent since they have Von Miller, Demarcus Ware and Derek Wolfe at their disposal to bring the quarterback to the ground and that defense is only strengthened by their incredible secondary. Chris Harris Jr., Aqib Talib and Bradley Roby make up a terrifying tandem of defensive backs that blanket receivers and shut down their opponents passing game with ease. Expect the pass rush and the cornerbacks to make life difficult for Cam Newton all night long as they take away his quick routes and collapse the pocket on a regular basis.

​WEAKNESSES
The Denver Broncos biggest weakness in this game...is its offense. That's a sentence I never thought I would type with Peyton Manning at the helm, but it's complete and utter fact. The offensive line is hit or miss, which leads to either Manning taking on too much pressure or the run game being ineffective and unfortunately for Denver, the receivers have also caught a bad case of Droptheballitis as well. If the Broncos want to stand a chance, that O Line has to stop everything Carolina throws their way in order to give the passing game and the running game time to develop.

KEYS TO SUPER BOWL 50
In order for Denver to win this game...the offense has to play its best game of the year. The line has to protect Manning and the receivers have to hang on to the ball, and most importantly...the Broncos have to finish drives on offense and get points on the board. If they can do that, the defense will do what it does best. They'll shut down the Carolina rushing attack and spend all day in Cam Newton's face, either pulling him to the ground or disrupting his game. If all these things come together, the end result is simple, Denver will win it's third Super Bowl Championship and help cement Peyton Manning's status as one of the greatest players of all time.

When it comes to the 2015 season for the Carolina Panthers, it's been about one thing, gaining respect. This is a squad that has not been taken seriously around the NFL, a trend that has continued this year regardless of their success. But whether or not you're a Panthers fan, credit is due where credit is due. Their 15-1 record was the best in the league as they blew out opponents and dominated the NFC this year and here is what we can expect from the Carolina Panthers tomorrow when they take the field for Super Bowl 50.

STRENGTHS
Let's call it like it is, the Carolina Panthers are a powerhouse team on all sides of the ball. They have a stifling defense that loves to create turnovers on a regular basis courtesy of their strong pass rush and stout secondary and once the defense has done its damage, the offense goes to work to finish the job. Their power running attack wears down opposing defenses with little effort and that is only enhanced by the strong play of their quarterback Cam Newton. He may not be the most accurate passer in the league, but he will make big plays with his big arm down the field, or surprise you on the ground with his legs. Expect to see plenty of this three pronged attack on offense to try and confuse the Denver D and expect the Carolina defense to attack Peyton Manning all day long.

WEAKNESSES
Despite how strong this team is when they take the field, there are flaws that Denver can exploit. For starters, they have yet to face a solid defense thanks to their soft schedule and the Denver D is the best in the league. Why does that matter? Because the one team that beat them this season put forth a blueprint that no one else chose to follow. Disrupt the Carolina offense and attack Cam directly...and suddenly they're a totally different team on the field. If Denver can get into Cam's head and stop the run, this powerhouse offense will be left scrambling for answers. 

KEYS TO SUPER BOWL 50
If Carolina wants to hoist the Lombardi trophy, there's one key thing they have to do...they have to shut down the Denver Broncos defense and that's easier said than done. This is a resilient and battle tested team they are going against, which means the Panthers have to do two key things. First, they can't score at will like they are used to doing. They need long and sustained drives to wear down the Broncos and at the same time, they have to completely neutralize Denver's run game and disrupt Peyton Manning and his receiving corps. If they can do those two things, Denver's defense will be vulnerable and the Panthers can claim their first Super Bowl Championship.