Super Bowl Sunday’s matchless match up: Manning vs. Newton
Peyton Manning. Photo courtesy of Denver Broncos.
Cam Newton. Photo courtesy of Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez, Carolina Panthers.
Alex Forster, Staff Writer
Super Bowl 50 will feature a premier matchup of two of the NFL’s best quarterbacks — Peyton Manning of the Denver Broncos and Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers.
Manning has been in the NFL for 18 years and has solidified his place as one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game. He was drafted no. 1 overall in 1998 after playing college football at the University of Tennessee. He holds numerous records in the NFL, including most touchdowns thrown (539). This season, Manning has thrown nine touchdowns and 17 interceptions in the regular season (251 in his career) despite only playing 10 games due to injury.
Newton was drafted no. 1 overall in 2011, winning rookie of the year. So far in his career, Newton has thrown 117 touchdowns and 64 interceptions. In the regular season alone, Newton threw and rushed for a combined 45 touchdowns, compared to only 10 interceptions. Despite his athleticism, Newton’s excessive celebrations and showmanship often generates criticism.
So who is the better quarterback? The statistics lean in favor of Manning. He has more 4,000 yard seasons than any other quarterback in NFL history by five seasons, the next closest competitor being Drew Brees with nine. However, that doesn’t mean that Manning will outperform and outplay Newton in this year’s Super Bowl. Newton has led the Panthers to a league leading 15-1 record, while having possibly the best season of his young career, in which he remains the front runner to win league MVP.
Here are what some NGU students had to say when asked who they preferred when it came to Manning or Newton.
“Manning. Newton is way too cocky, he’s not as good as everybody thinks he is. I’d be a better quarterback than him,” said Daniel Golden.
“Well I’m an Alabama fan, so naturally I hate Cam (Newton played college football for Auburn). Just for that, I’m with Peyton all the way,” said Tyler Childs.
“Cam Newton, no question. He’s always been underrated, and now that he’s got a good team around him, there’s no way he doesn’t win,” said Sterling Dotson.
This Sunday’s elite matchup may be the start to the legendary career of Newton, or it may be the end to one of the greatest careers ever, as Newton and Manning battle on football’s biggest stage.
