It’s that time of year again for football junkies: the Super Bowl. Super Bowl Sunday is one of the most iconic days in sports, and it’s right around the corner. People are busy planning their parties, while the team and coaching staff are working hard to prepare for this legendary game. The Denver Broncos will be playing the Carolina Panthers; both teams have earned number one seed in their respectable conference. The Super Bowl is notorious for the halftime show, funny commercials and, of course, the matchup between the two best footballs teams in America.

On Sunday, Jan. 24, the Broncos defeated the New England Patriots 20-18 to secure their spot in the Super Bowl. At 39 years old, Peyton Manning isn’t done yet. This will be Manning’s fourth Super Bowl appearance. “It’s a great honor to be going back to the Super Bowl,” Manning said in an interview with CNN. “I’m really looking forward to it.”

The Carolina Panthers advanced to Super Bowl 50 after defeating the Arizona Cardinals 49-15. Cam Newton, along with the rest of his team, smothered the Cardinals. The Panthers surged away after Newton’s deep pass to Corey Brown, good for an 86-yard score to make it 17-0. Newton finished his game with 19 of 28 passing for 335 yards and was responsible for four touchdowns and one interception. Once the game was clearly in the Panthers favor, Newton got to sit out the remainder of the game.

All eyes are on the matchup between the starting quarterbacks, Cam Newton and Peyton Manning. They are both former SEC players: Newton played for Florida and Auburn, and Manning played for Tennessee. They were both number one draft picks. This may be the final chance for Manning to put the cherry on top of his brilliant career, while it would mark the beginning of Newton’s. The Panthers are an early favorite heading into the game, despite the people who doubt Newton. Here at Dunbar, students seem to be favoring the Carolina Panthers, according to the poll found on the Lamplighter’s home page. This includes Dunbar student Mikayla Flinn.

“Cam Newton, this season, is 4-0 against top five defenses in the NFL, and the Broncos have the number one defense,” said Flinn. “Peyton Manning is losing his arm strength and won’t be able to throw it against their defense.”

Dunbar student Tim Michael, however, isn’t convinced yet.

“It’s either going to be the Panthers by 60 or the Broncos in a close game,” said the senior.

The Super Bowl 50 will be played this year at the Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California at 7pm on CBS.