Feb 7, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after being named the Super Bowl MVP after beating the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Von Miller was named the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl 50 with a monster performance that included 2.5 sacks, a pair of forced fumbles and a key pass breakup in the Denver Broncos’ 24-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday.
Spearheading the league’s top-ranked defense, Miller was all over the choppy turf at Levi’s Stadium.
With the Broncos leading 3-0 in the first quarter, Miller got to Panthers quarterback Cam Newton for a strip-sack. The ball was recovered by Broncos defensive end Malik Jackson for the first touchdown of the game and a 10-0 Denver lead.
Miller finished the first half with a sack, a quarterback hit and four tackles, and he was just getting started.
With the Panthers driving to open the third quarter, Miller broke up a pass deep down the right sideline intended for wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery. He later ended another Carolina drive with a sack in the final minute of the quarter.
The Denver offense continued to scuffle, however, and coach Gary Kubiak opted for a conservative approach with his team clinging to a 16-10 lead. That included calling three consecutive run plays and punting the ball back to Carolina with 4:55 remaining.
That’s when Miller struck the last — and deciding — blow.
He blew past beleaguered Panthers right tackle Mike Remmers and again got to Newton before the league MVP could find an open receiver. Miller knocked the ball free, and it was recovered by Denver safety T.J. Ward at Carolina’s 4-yard line.
Even Denver’s scuffling offense managed to punch it into the end zone from there — albeit after a holding penalty on third down on Panthers cornerback Josh Miller provided a new set of downs.
As a team, the Broncos tied a Super Bowl record with seven sacks.
