Super Bowl 50: Manning fairytale as Denver stun Carolina

Peyton Manning clinched a fairytale second Super Bowl victory as the Denver Broncos produced an astonishing defensive display to defeat the Carolina Panthers 24-10 here Sunday.

Denver running back C.J Anderson crashed over for the decisive touchdown late in the fourth quarter as the Broncos defense harried Panthers quarterback Cam Newton into a string of mistakes at the Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.

The much anticipated duel between Manning - the oldest starting quarterback in Super Bowl history - and NFL Most Valuable Player Newton never materialised.

Instead it was left to Denver's suffocating defence to decide the contest, with Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware smothering the Panthers at every opportunity as the Broncos racked up a record-equalling seven sacks.

Miller ultimately set up the crucial Denver score, forcing Newton into a fumble which the Broncos recovered close to the Carolina goal line, handing Anderson the chance to barge over.

Manning, 39, was largely a peripheral figure throughout, struggling to make any impression with his passing game as defenses dominated.

The veteran quarterback is widely expected to call time on his career at the end of the season, and can now do so with a second Super Bowl ring to set alongside the one he earned with the Indianapolis Colts in 2007.

The Denver Broncos won their third National Football League championship with a 24-10 upset victory over the top-seeded Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 on Sunday.

Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller was named the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl 50 following his team's 24-10 triumph over the Carolina Panthers at Levi's Stadium on Sunday.

Miller forced a pair of fumbles from Carolina quarterback Cam Newton that led to touchdowns to boost the Broncos to their third Super Bowl triumph and first in 17 years.  

The Denver Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers 24-10 on Sunday to win Super Bowl 50 and claim the National Football League championship.

The underdog Denver Broncos, relying on their top-ranked defence, increased their lead to 16-7 over the Carolina Panthers heading into the fourth quarter of Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium on Sunday.

A missed field goal and costly interception allowed the Broncos to continue to hold down the top-seeded Panthers, the league's highest scoring team in the regular season.

With Carolina quarterback Cam Newton, the league MVP, throwing with confidence, the Panthers marched down the field to open the second half while trailing 13-7.

But the drive stalled and kicker Graham Gano's 44-yard field goal attempt went off the right upright.

Broncos kicker Brandon McManus did not squander his chance at three points when he converted a 30-yarder for his third field goal of the game to increase Denver's lead to 16-7 after Denver quarterback Peyton Manning hit Emmanuel Sanders on strikes of 25 and 22 yards.

A 42-yard reception by speedy Ted Ginn Jr. from Newton put Carolina in scoring range again.

But a bad overthrow by the Panthers quarterback was intercepted by T.J. Ward, who fumbled but Denver retained the ball when Danny Travathan recovered it on the seven-yard line for his second recovery of the game.

The Panthers, who trailed 10-0 after the first quarter, charged back at the start of the second quarter as quarterback Cam Newton, the league MVP, led Carolina on a touchdown drive.

Newton, the National Football League's best dual-threat quarterback, ran for 11 yards and again for seven and then hit Greg Olsen and Corey Brown on passes to set up a one-yard touchdown plunge by Jonathan Stewart to make it 10-7.

But Denver answered right back when Jordan Norwood cut across the field on a Super Bowl record 61-yard punt return to set up a Brandon McManus 33-yard field goal that put Denver ahead 13-7.

Denver had jumped out in front in the opening quarter on a stunning sack-fumble on Newton caused by pass-rusher Von Miller that sent the ball bouncing into the end zone where defensive end Malik Jackson scooped it up for a touchdown.

That brilliant play followed a 34-yard field goal by McManus after Denver quarterback Peyton Manning led the Broncos on a 64-yard opening drive of the game.   

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