Game threaders were unanimous that the Panthers just did not show up.
I'm trying to remember a team that underperformed expectations in a title game so badly vs their regular season dominance. Not coming up with one offhand (maybe the Colts in SB III?)
So why did the Panthers shit the bed?
The obvious reason is that the Broncos D clowned the Carolina OL. I'm interested in looking further.
I'm usually reluctant to go with this kind of "analysis," but I think the Panthers were mentally unprepared. It makes me cringe to resort to Cardinals-fan type "play the game the right way" bromides, but when the QB makes a show of warming up in bespoke gold foil Superman Tshit and "MVP" high-tops, it indicates that his focus, and the team's, was not where it needed to be.
The offensive game plan was terrible. The offense generally seemed completely unprepared for Denver's defensive speed. Olsen was a nonfactor. The penalties. Gano looked so tense it was like he was facing a firing squad.
Again, it's really facile, but Rivera did not seem to have his guys ready to compete.
I'm trying to remember a team that underperformed expectations in a title game so badly vs their regular season dominance. Not coming up with one offhand (maybe the Colts in SB III?)
So why did the Panthers shit the bed?
The obvious reason is that the Broncos D clowned the Carolina OL. I'm interested in looking further.
I'm usually reluctant to go with this kind of "analysis," but I think the Panthers were mentally unprepared. It makes me cringe to resort to Cardinals-fan type "play the game the right way" bromides, but when the QB makes a show of warming up in bespoke gold foil Superman Tshit and "MVP" high-tops, it indicates that his focus, and the team's, was not where it needed to be.
The offensive game plan was terrible. The offense generally seemed completely unprepared for Denver's defensive speed. Olsen was a nonfactor. The penalties. Gano looked so tense it was like he was facing a firing squad.
Again, it's really facile, but Rivera did not seem to have his guys ready to compete.