The Denver Broncos took control in the first quarter of Sunday's Super Bowl, and they lead the Carolina Panthers 10-0 going into the second frame. Peyton Manning led a safe field goal drive on the opening possession, then Von Miller and the Denver defense came up huge on a Carolina possession where Cam Newton was stripped of the football deep in Panthers territory.
Super Bowl score: Broncos take double digit lead in 1st quarter, 10-0
The Broncos got a defensive touchdown and lead the Panthers 10-0 going into the second quarter of the Super Bowl.
Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
The ball was recovered by Malik Jackson in the end zone for a touchdown.
The Panthers won the opening coin toss -- and if you are a betting person, you probably already know that they called tails -- and elected to defer, so the Broncos took over at the Denver 20-yard line. What followed was an impressive, calculated 10-play drive that took them 64 yards and ate up just over four minutes off the clock.
Unfortunately, Manning couldn't lead the Broncos to a touchdown, and they settled on a 34-yard Brandon McManus field goal for the first points of the game. After that, both the Panthers and Broncos had a three-and-out before things went terribly, terribly wrong for Carolina. Newton was sacked and fumbled, courtesy of Miller, resulting in the Denver touchdown before they took back over at their own 21-yard line with six minutes to go in the first quarter.
Carolina's next possession was set to end in a quick punt, but Denver cornerback Aqib Talib was called for taunting on the third-down play, giving the Panthers a new set of downs. Unfortunately for Carolina, they were unable to do anything with it, going nowhere over the next three plays and forced to punt it again.
Denver had a quick three-and-out on the ensuing possession, and the Panthers were driving down the field when the quarter came to an end.
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