Panthers Smash Their Way to the Super Bowl

After a 49-15 beatdown of the Arizona Cardinals that had all but Carolina Nation checking the TV listings for alternate programing by halftime, the question had to be asked.

Who handed the Panthers their only loss of the season, anyway? The Navy SEALs?

Oh. That's right. It was a Newton-free zone that day.

But Cam & the Crew were on point in the NFC title game:

Of course, the Denver Broncos are heading to Santa Clara with the intent of crashing that coronation.

As if Denver needs added motivation, this could be Peyton Manning's swan song. No idea how much more physical punishment his body can take, but odds are both Bronco coach Gary Kubiak and the Panther defense plan to find out.

It well may.

Carolina opened as a 5½-point Super Bowl favorite, but that quickly dropped to -4.

Favorites have gone 33-15 straight up in the big game -- last year's Patriots-Seahawks clash was a pick'em -- so if history is any indication, the Panthers' date with destiny as one of the all-time great champions is breaking from the inside lane.