As Super Bowl 50 inches closer, former NFL linebacker Chad Brown said on Afternoon Drive with Eric Goodman and Les Shapiro on AM 1340 that the Denver Broncos defense needs to focus on the Carolina Panthers’ running game.

As he’s been covering both teams in San Francisco, Brown has heard a few things coming out of Carolina’s camp. “Carolina’s comfortable, cocky, [and] loose,” he stated.

But that’s nothing new for that team, is it?

Meanwhile over in the Broncos camp, they’re staying focused, knowing that they deserve to be where they are, regardless of what people are saying. Nevertheless, the Broncos are still going to have to prove it this Sunday by putting down the high powered Panthers.

Carolina’s offense is primarily made up of two men, running back Johnathan Stewart and, of course, quarterback Cam Newton. Sure they have Mike Tolbert, a strong fullback, and Greg Olson at tight end. But when it comes to really shutting down this Panthers offense the two players that the Broncos defense must play aggressive against are the two most frequently lined up in the backfield.

When Shapiro asked Brown who his key one-on-one matchup would be, Brown replied with, “it won’t be a one-on-one, it’ll be a one-on-two.” He sees the biggest matchup as Demarcus Ware and Von Miller versus Cam Newton.

Brown probably isn’t wrong with that prediction. Newton has rushed for 10 touchdowns this season alone. Goodman noted that there are only four other players in the entire NFL with more rushing touchdowns, and they’re all running backs who have run for just one more each with 11. In addition to taking the ball into the end zone, Newton also knows how to keep drives alive by faking out defenses and rushing forward for first downs. He’s averaging 4.8 yards per carry which is more than even his running back is averaging. When it comes to yards per game on the ground, Newton averages 39.8 yards. Think of how many potential first downs that could be. Third and two – first down. Third and seven – first down. Fourth and two – first down. That could be a scary picture for the Broncos.

Running hard isn’t the only thing the Panthers offense has going for them, either. The setups they come out with can throw off defenses, says Brown. They can go with the wishbone, the pistol, shotgun, zone read, the I-formation just to list a few.

“They don’t have to block you one-on-one.” Brown continues, “They scheme you defensively to slow you down.”

It will be necessary for the Broncos front seven to play with “clean eyes” and really watch where Newton is going with the ball, he says. One too many big runs by Newton could be enough to make the Broncos defense second-guess themselves. On the other hand, one too many big hits by the Broncos might influence Newton to rethink running next time. And the Broncos can lay a some powerful hits.

Fortunately for the Broncos, this game won’t be their first against a rushing quarterback. Earlier this season they played against the Colts and their running QB Andrew Luck. They also had to play twice against the Chiefs who also have a quarterback that knows how to run. After losing to those two teams, defensive coordinator Wade Philips has had a sit down with his players to watch film and pinpoint things to improve.

Containing and preventing Newton from rushing is critical. After that, the next focus for the Denver D is putting an end to Johnathan Stewart’s and Mike Tolbert’s running game. It’d be a lie to say these two Pro-Bowl players aren’t a threat. Then again, the Panthers will be going up against the number three rush defense, something they really haven’t faced this year – outside of Seattle who had the number one rush defense.

Catch the full conversation between Brown and Afternoon Drive in the podcast below…

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