Three for Denver. One for Carolina. That's the way our four News Tribune sports prophets have the outcome of Super Bowl 50 pegged.
Here's the reasoning from each of our alleged experts:
The difference for Denver
By Jason Strickland, News Tribune
Most of the talk about Super Bowl 50 has been Cam Newton vs. Peyton Manning.
What happened to defense wins championships? Well, this game will prove defense wins championships.
We can stop all of the quarterback talk and focus on two of the best defenses in the league.
Yes, Newton is a big-time dual-threat QB who scores a lot of touchdowns and racks up yards and yes, Manning is one of the best players of all time, but which defense can stop the opposing quarterback will win.
Carolina will win if it can get Manning to turn the ball over, which he hasn't done this postseason except for a backward pass New England recovered in the AFC title game.
Denver will win if its defense can rattle Newton's cage like it did to Tom Brady.
It seems the overwhelming consensus is Carolina will win or even blow out the Broncos, but that will be difficult against Denver's defense.
I'll go with the Broncos with the hopes Manning can end his career with his second Super Bowl victory.
Jason predicts: DENVER 27, CAROLINA 24
Same ol', same ol'
By Tony Hawley, News Tribune
When I tune in to the Super Bowl today, I'll be hoping for a Hollywood drama. Unfortunately, I'll probably get a documentary.
What I mean by that is I would love to see a storybook ending, with Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning getting to cap off a brilliant career by pulling off a huge upset.
Instead, I'll likely have to sit through another Super Bowl blowout, as I don't think there's any way the Panthers don't win this one going away.
The reasons for rooting for Manning are pretty simple.
First, and most importantly, I'd like to see him win a second Super Bowl to silence a number of foolish critics. You know, the ones who say he's not an elite quarterback since he doesn't even own the most Super Bowl wins in his family, with brother Eli of the Giants having won two.
Eli constantly had elite level defenses, the most important factor in winning titles, something Peyton never had. Plus, Eli is one helmet-catch by David Tyree away from only having one title. So knock off that talk.
Second, a win would allow Peyton to retire and not consider coming back for one more run at the title. As someone who's liked him for a long time, it would be painful to watch another regular season as mediocre as the one he had this season.
Finally, who doesn't like to like rooting for an underdog? The Panthers are 5 1/2-point favorites, but I'd have that number a lot bigger. So bring on the drama of an upset.
But be prepared for the downer ending of a documentary on the Panthers' run to an 18-1 season.
Tony forecasts: CAROLINA 28, DENVER 17
Lettering the numbers
By Tom Rackers, News Tribune
Super Bowls and Star Wars have almost singularly kept Roman numerals relevant in the past half-century. With some notable exceptions (Super Bowl XLVIII and Star Wars I, II and about half of III are notable exceptions), you have a pretty good idea you're going to see something good.
But 50? 50 is boring. 50 is an AARP card.
Speaking of retirement, this looks like it will be the final game for Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning. I was a fan of Manning's when he was slinging it while with Indianapolis, not so much with Denver. Of course, Manning could decide to be the quarterback of Los Angeles Rams Part II, but that's no way for one of the game's best to go out. It didn't work out so well for Joe Namath and he's no Peyton Manning.
If the Broncos are going to win today, it will be because of their outstanding defense and ball control. If Manning throws more than 25 passes, that's a sure sign Denver is done and will finish on the short end of the scoreboard.
Cam Newton appears poised to take over as the face of the NFL. Charismatic and athletic, Newton can take over games seemingly by himself using either his powerful arm or speed running with the football.
Carolina's defense, while not quite up to Denver's standard, is no slouch. The Panthers flustered and frustrated a pretty good Cardinal offense in dominating the NFL championship game.
But Peyton and Cam are the focal points heading into today's game. Old style vs. new style.
Opting for old style for the pick, but going new style in the pick.
Tom foresees: CAROLINA XX, DENVER XVI
Game won't be a cakewalk
By Brandon Foster, News Tribune
Here are my Super Bowl predictions: A Missouri Tiger will win. Beyoncé will overshadow Coldplay. Mike Carey will be wrong.
Oh, and one that actually requires going out on a limb - though just barely.
The Carolina Panthers will win their first Super Bowl today.
Cam Newton is playing better than anyone right now, as was reaffirmed Saturday when he was named MVP and offensive player of the year. Only six quarterbacks have ever accounted for more than 45 touchdowns in a season. Cam is one of them.
That said, I don't think this is going to be a cakewalk. Denver's defense is good, and if Wade Phillips can outcoach Bill Belichick, maybe he'll be the one guy to stop Cam this year. (Well, he and Dan Quinn.)
Plus, I think Peyton's got enough juice (pun somewhat intended) to put up a fight. And, to be fair, he's also accounted for 45-plus touchdowns in a season - twice, in fact.
Add it up I'm picking a close Carolina win.
Brandon prognosticates: CAROLINA 21, DENVER 13