10:30am AEST on Friday, September 9, 2016 at Sports Authority Field, Denver
Match odds
Carolina Panthers – $1.60 at WilliamHill.com
Denver Broncos – $2.40
Handicap betting
Carolina Panthers (-3.0) – $1.88
Denver Broncos (+3.0) – $1.96
WEEK one of the 2016 NFL campaign commences with a blockbuster affair between last season’s Super Bowl combatants.
While the Denver Broncos triumphed 24-10 on that day at Levi’s Stadium, Carolina ($1.60 at WilliamHill.com) is the bookies’ favourites here.
Taking nothing away from Denver’s stubborn stoppers, the Panthers were their own worst enemy at Super Bowl 50.
While the Panthers defence kept Peyton Manning in check, restricting the Broncos’ QB to only 141 pass yards gained, numerous offensive fumbles made it impossible for them to keep pace.
It was also a dirty day for Carolina quarterback Cam Newton, who copped heavy criticism for his play and his post-match behaviour.
But when speaking to reporters this week, the reigning MVP was adamant that redemption and revenge were the last things on his mind.
“I’m so focused on the lead-up to our game on Thursday. I can’t look back,” Newton said.
“A lot of people are going to make it a rematch, but it’s not a rematch. It’s just our next opponent.”
Newton’s chief attacking support will come from tight end Greg Olsen – Carolina’s leading receiver last season – and Kelvin Benjamin, who returns after missing NFL 2015 with a ruptured ACL.
They will have to make their way through a Broncos outfit that will rely heavily on its defensive line.
Von Miller was crucial in putting Newton off his game at the Super Bowl, but he knows the Denver defence will need to be at full capacity to thwart one of title favourites once again.
“In my opinion, we’re going to see the same championship type of team from the Carolina Panthers,” Miller told the press.
“They only lost two games last year. They had plenty of opportunities to win the [Super Bowl] last year. They just didn’t execute.”
With Manning retired, Denver ($2.40 to win at WilliamHill.com) will need to offer maximum protection to their new starting quarterback.
Trevor Siemian has just one NFL appearance, and a few iffy moments in preseason have Broncos fans more than a little nervous.
Carolina linebacker Luke Kuechly, however, reckons he and Thomas Davis will have to be on their game to stop the “smart” and “confident” Siemian, who was only confirmed as Denver’s first stringer after the third game of preseason.
“I think he’s smart; I think he’s confident in what he’s doing, and they do a good job of running the ball – that makes everything easier,” Kuechly said.
“I think he has a good grasp of what they’re trying to do offensively, and we have to make sure we’re prepared for it.”
Broncos vs. Panthers NFL betting picks
Despite what their star QB might say, the Panthers will be desperate to atone for Super Bowl 50.
They lost just one game in the regular season and had more than enough chances to put Denver to the sword in the big one, only to get the jitters when it counted most.
But their attacking unit is second to none and Newton, while as culpable as anyone for the Super Bowl defeat, is a certified gun.
Denver’s defence is formidable, and they could restrict Carolina from scoring as freely as they might otherwise, but the Panthers should have the class to kick off the season with a win on the road.
First touchdown bets
Kelvin Benjamin – $10 at CrownBet
The 2015 was a nightmare for Benjamin, who sat on the sidelines nursing a torn knee ligament while his comrades steered the Panthers to their first Super Bowl appearance since 2003. He is a top-notch wide receiver and we’d love to see him cap his comeback with the first touchdown of 2016.
CJ Anderson – $8.50 at CrownBet
The Broncos running back scored the last TD of Super Bowl 50, so why not tip him to pick up where he left off? He’s the favourite among online bookmakers to opening the scoring in game one of NFL 2016, and we reckon that’s about right.
