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The 2016 Super Bowl schedule is set. The Denver Broncos held on to beat the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers blew out the Arizona Cardinals in the Championship round on Sunday.
Denver returns to to the Super Bowl for the second time in three years. The Broncos got blown out to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII. Peyton Manning is clearly past his prime and won't be able to carry his team like he used to do. The Broncos' defense is now the strength of the team. Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips deserves a lot of credit for how his unit has performed.
The Panthers, meanwhile, are back in the Super Bowl for the first time since they lost Super Bowl XXXVIII to the Patriots in 2004. Cam Newton, who deserves to be the NFL MVP, led his team to a nearly undefeated season at 15-1. Carolina's defense is also very good.
The Broncos and Panthers have only played each other four times. Denver leads the series at 3-1. Never before have they met in the playoffs. The last time these teams played was when the Broncos beat the Panthers in Carolina during the 2012 NFL season.
There are a number of former Eagles players in this game. Evan Mathis, Jordan Norwood, and Ryan Harris used to be on Philadelphia's roster at different times. Kurt Coleman starts at safety for the Panthers.
It should be a good game. For the third year in a row, it's the No. 1 seed in the NFC versus the No. 1 seed in the AFC It's the battle of the best. At first glance, I'd give the Panthers the edge in the big game.
Who are you pulling for, Eagles fans?
Here's all the information you need to know about the big game.
Date: Sunday, February 7, 2015
Time: 6:30 pm EST
Location: Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California
TV Channel: CBS
Online streaming: CBS Sports
Announcers: Jim Nantz (play-by-play), Phil Simms (color analyst), Tracy Wolfson and Evan Washburn (sideline reporters)
Odds: SB Nation Odds Page
Halftime show: Coldplay featuring Beyonce and Bruno Mars
Referee: Clete Blakeman