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Broncos to face Panthers in Super Bowl 50 on Sunday, February 7

Carolina was the NFL's best for most of the regular season, so seeing them run through the playoffs into the Super Bowl isn't much of a surprise. However, Denver had to overcome a lot to make it this far, and they'll be underdogs in what likely will be Peyton Manning's final game.

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

The NFL's final game of the 2015-2016 season is set and the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers will face off in Super Bowl 50.

Denver is back in the big game for the second time in three years after defeating the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots in the AFC Championship. It was a game in which the Broncos never trailed as they controlled the game with an amazing effort from their defense. They pummeled Tom Brady for four quarters and rarely allowed him to make throws without getting planted into the Mile High dirt.

But despite netting just 12 points through the first 59 minutes of the game, Brady would rally the Patriots by hitting All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski in the back of the end zone on fourth down in the closing seconds. That pulled the score to 20-18, but Bradley Roby picked off Brady's pass on the 2-point attempt that would have tied it with 12 seconds left, and Denver would recover the ensuing onside kick to seal the win.

This will be the eighth Super Bowl Denver has made, which is tied with the Patriots, Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers for the most all-time. Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning will be making his fourth Super Bowl appearance, trailing only Brady (6) and John Elway (5) in NFL history.

As fun of a thriller as that game was, the NFC Championship would have no such intrigue as Carolina dismantled the Arizona Cardinals. It was a game in which the Panthers also never trailed and dominated throughout on both sides of the ball. Cam Newton tossed two scores and ran for two more to carry the offense.

But, the story was the defense, which forced seven turnovers, six of which were committed by Carson Palmer, including a pick-six in the fourth quarter.

You could make the case for three or four different teams having been the AFC's best, but there's no question Carolina has been the NFC's and NFL's best to this point. That's why they'll undoubtedly be favored in the big game, which will feature two of, if not the league's best defenses.

Here is a quick glance at the game info for Super Bowl 50:

Game: Denver Broncos vs Carolina Panthers

Where: Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California

When: Sunday, Feb. 7

Game Time: 6:30 p.m.

TV Channel: CBS

Online StreamCBS Sports

MobileCBS Sports App

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

Panthers SB Nation Blog: Cat Scratch Fever

Broncos SB Nation BlogMile High Report