The difference between our defense and the Denver defense is miniscule

[MVPccaffrey]

Isn't it funny how the media talk earlier this year about our defense carrying us has all but disappeared as our defense stands in the shadow of the Denver defense, at least that's how it's being portrayed.

But when you look under the hood at the most important numbers, it doesn't paint the picture that the Denver defense is so much better than the rest of the league.

First thing Denver defenders will talk about is how you can't use scoring defense stats because of all those offensive turnovers and 3 and outs they had, and that we should focus on yards only.  Well let's just find a stat that accounts for that, in fact one that isn't based on volume, such as points allowed per drive.  

 

Carolina Points per drive allowed this season:  1.46 - that's second in the whole league!

Denver points per drive allowed this season: 1.43 - a whole 0.03 points per drive difference, wow!

 

But, but surely Denver's turnover problems are giving them a big disadvantage from opposing field position, right?  Not so much, our opponents start on average from the 27 yard line, while Denver's do between the 29 and 30.  A whopping two to three yard difference!  Sure that's a slight advantage our offense provides, but hey, doesn't getting these huge leads and then playing prevent zone D as the result of our offense, hurt our defensive stats too?  You know that's not a problem Denver has to deal with because they haven't sat on a big lead but once all year, I think.

 

That's it.  The great Denver D is barely marginally outperforming ours this season, even when you use stats that don't punish them for their offensive woes.  Which speaking of, are mighty.  When comparing our 2.57 points per drive -- first in the NFL -- denver's 1.64 looks downright pathetic.  

[NanuqoftheNorth]

I really believe that the Panthers D is better than the Broncos D.

The rest of the world will realize this come SB Sunday.

[wardvette]

Add in the turnover difference and I'll take our D

[Donald LaFell]

Stats don't mean a thing for either rationale, we'll just have to see

[Jangler]

Stats are for the Denver Broncos.

[Dunn]

The turnovers are such a landslide in our favor this shouldn't even be a conversation on how good our Defense is.  I'll take turnovers all day long over a yardage defense.

[Dunn]

9 minutes ago, Kuechly59 said:

Denver was 7th in takeaways with 27.

 

 

so 12 less times then us, and 70 points less then us on turnover chances...thats quite a bit.

[pstall]

I have to think teams that lead in takeaways always rock in the SB.

[uncpanther]

I would take our defense over any other NFL defense out there and that's not being a homer. I Can't wait to see these guys flying around the field destroying Peyton in the Super Bowl, its going to be epic!

 

[propagandamachine]

They havent played a BIG BAD QUARTERBACK... who goes out there and gets 12 yards when he needs them. 

 

What makes you think Cam will let anyone get in his way of Greatness... 

[UKPanther94]

On the most simplistic level, Denvers seems to be a more grinding defense, while ours is more boom or bust, against Peyton that could be beneficial to us as he doesnt really have the arm strength or the mobility to torch us over the top like say Wilson did in the second half of the Divisional game

[UpstatePanther]

6 hours ago, propagandamachine said:

What makes you think Cam will let anyone get in his way of Greatness... 

I think this is going to be an understated facet of this game. Every time Cam has had the chance to win a championship, he has thrown his team on his shoulders and won the game with them or in spite of them. Win or lose, I think we see the Ultimate Cam Newton Show on Sunday. Good thing is, our defense is no slouch either. This game will come down to three outcomes: the Panthers make too many mistakes to overcome and lose, the Panthers make enough mistakes to make it a close game that they end up winning, or we fugging blow them out. Hoping for the last option, realistically? Idk...

[TheNewStandard]

I haven't heard a single word about the Bronco's defense until they beat the Pats. 

Its ironic that they suddenly get the trump card after beating the biggest bandwagon-of a-team this side of the NFL.

Wondering how much fanfare they'd be getting if they had beaten any other team besides the NFL's most heralded team by the media.

when was the last time Denver beat a team with a strong rushing offense?

[MadHatter]

26 minutes ago, TheNewStandard said:

I haven't heard a single word about the Bronco's defense until they beat the Pats. 

Its ironic that they suddenly get the trump card after beating the biggest bandwagon-of a-team this side of the NFL.

Wondering how much fanfare they'd be getting if they had beaten any other team besides the NFL's most heralded team by the media.

when was the last time Denver beat a team with a strong rushing offense?

Yep...and that heralded team lost  4 of its last 7.