30 NFL Experts Who Predicted Panthers Would Beat Broncos in Super Bowl 50

The vast majority of Super Bowl 50 bettors put their money on the Carolina Panthers to beat the crap out of your Denver Broncos. Why? One reason may be the influence of NFL journalists, broadcasters and media figures. Most people who make their living by predicting the outcome of NFL...

By Michael Roberts

February 8, 2016

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "12017618",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17242653",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261320",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18838239",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17261321",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

The vast majority of Super Bowl 50 bettors put their money on the Carolina Panthers to beat the crap out of your Denver Broncos.

Why? One reason may be the influence of NFL journalists, broadcasters and media figures.

Most people who make their living by predicting the outcome of NFL games thought the Panthers would win the game, too.

Below, see thirty pro-Carolina picks from some of the most powerful pundits in the business, as culled from sources such as NESN.com, USA Today, NFL.com and CBSSports.com.

And we could have showcased a whole lot more.

As you'll see, many of the pundits thought the game would be close — but not all. Note former Super Bowl MVP turned ESPN analyst Steve Young, whose predicted Carolina margin of victory is actually a touchdown smaller than the Panthers blowout he foresaw during an appearance on Pardon the Interruption.

Better luck next time, experts.

Greg Bedard, Sports Illustrated: Panthers, 22-19

Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Network, Panthers 21-13

Melissa Jacobs, Sports Illustrated: Panthers, 27-17

Gil Brandy, NFL.com, Panthers 20-14 (OT)

Jason La Canfora, CBS Sports: Panthers, 24-17

Lindsay H. Jones, USA Today, Panthers 24-21

Jared Dubin, CBS Sports, Panthers 20-16

Bucky Brooks, NFL.com, Panthers 24-20

Ike Taylor, NFL Media: Panthers, 24-21

Nate Burleson, NFL Media: Panthers, 34-17

Gregg Rosenthal, NFL Media: Panthers, 30-17

Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA Today, Panthers 21-10

Charley Casserly, NFL.com, Panthers 24-17

Sean Wagner-McGough, CBS Sports, Panthers 28-17

Tom Pelissero, USA Today, Panthers 27-20

Willie McGinest, NFL Media: Panthers, 27-14

Kevin Patra, NFL.com, Panthers 18-16

Bill Barnwell, ESPN: Panthers, 24-16

Stephania Bell, ESPN: Panthers, 24-17

Michael Robinson, NFL.com, Panthers 28-24

Cris Carter, ESPN: Panthers, 27-21

John Clayton, ESPN: Panthers, 27-17

Lorenzo Reyes, USA Today, Panthers 27-23

Mike Ditka, ESPN: Panthers, 24-17

Herm Edwards, ESPN: Panthers, 27-24

Keyshawn Johnson, ESPN: Panthers, 35-17

Adam Schein, NFL.com, Panthers 23-16

Eric Prisbell, USA Today, Panthers 23-17

Ray Lewis, ESPN: Panthers, 24-20

Steve Young, ESPN: Panthers, 28-10

KEEP WESTWORD FREE... Since we started Westword, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Denver, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.

Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

Contact: Michael Roberts

Follow:

Facebook: 111180895657427

Twitter: @mikerobertscolo