As we draw closer to Super Bowl 50, it’s time to delve deeper into the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos. There are a number of players on both teams who have received a ton of praise this season, which is natural when a team makes it this far. However, not all of them truly deserve the amount credit they have been given. With that in mind, here are the five most overrated players to keep an eye on in Santa Clara.
5. Jonathan Stewart - RB - Carolina Panthers
Getty ImagesWith that said, he pulled a number of vanishing acts during the regular season, and was held under 70 yards in six games, while eclipsing 100 yards just twice.
Stewart doesn't make many receptions on check-downs, and is average at picking up a blitz when necessary. Stewart is undoubtedly a solid player, but he's far from elite and tremendously benefits from playing in the same backfield as Cam Newton.
There's no denying what Jonathan Stewart has accomplished in the playoffs. Stewart ran roughshod over a stingy Seattle Seahawks run defense in the divisional round for 106 rushing yards and two TDs, and was solid in the NFC championship game against Arizona with 83 yards over 18 carries.
With that said, he pulled a number of vanishing acts during the regular season, and was held under 70 yards in six games, while eclipsing 100 yards just twice.
Stewart doesn't make many receptions on check-downs, and is average at picking up a blitz when necessary. Stewart is undoubtedly a solid player, but he's far from elite and tremendously benefits from playing in the same backfield as Cam Newton.
4. Josh Norman - CB - Carolina Panthers
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Norman put up a solid stat line of four INTs (two returned for touchdowns), three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, but wasn't always able to provide Carolina shutdown coverage against the NFL's premier wide receivers.
Atlanta's Julio Jones torched the Panthers for 16 receptions, 266 yards and one TD in two games. New Orleans' Brandin Cooks had 13 receptions for 188 yards and a TD in two games of his own, and Odell Beckham Jr. managed six receptions for 76 yards and a TD in his meeting with Norman. He's a great player, but far from impregnable.
Let me preface this by saying I recognize Josh Norman had an excellent season in 2015. With that said, he's simply not on the same level as Darrelle Revis was in his prime as many NFL aficionados have claimed of late.
Norman put up a solid stat line of four INTs (two returned for touchdowns), three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries, but wasn't always able to provide Carolina shutdown coverage against the NFL's premier wide receivers.
Atlanta's Julio Jones torched the Panthers for 16 receptions, 266 yards and one TD in two games. New Orleans' Brandin Cooks had 13 receptions for 188 yards and a TD in two games of his own, and Odell Beckham Jr. managed six receptions for 76 yards and a TD in his meeting with Norman. He's a great player, but far from impregnable.
3. Aqib Talib - CB - Denver Broncos
Getty ImagesIn the divisional round against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Martavis Bryant demolished the Broncos for nine receptions and 154 yards. Denver gave up 339 receiving yards as a whole, so even when Talib wasn't on Bryant, he was getting smoked elsewhere in the field.
If a focused Talib shows up to Santa Clara, the Broncos should be in good shape against Carolina's receiving corps. But if not, Denver's defense is in deep trouble.
Aqib Talib makes this list for one main reason: He's a feast-or-famine player with all the talent in the world, but disappears too often in big spots.
In the divisional round against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Martavis Bryant demolished the Broncos for nine receptions and 154 yards. Denver gave up 339 receiving yards as a whole, so even when Talib wasn't on Bryant, he was getting smoked elsewhere in the field.
If a focused Talib shows up to Santa Clara, the Broncos should be in good shape against Carolina's receiving corps. But if not, Denver's defense is in deep trouble.
2. Ronnie Hillman - RB - Denver Broncos
Getty ImagesHillman had a few decent games for the Broncos, but his campaign as a whole wasn't incredibly impressive. Over 207 carries, Hillman rushed for 863 yards (lackluster 4.2 yards per carry), but did tally a solid seven TDs in fairness.
The idea floating around that Hillman will be able to make mincemeat of the Carolina Panthers is laughable, as he's not built to expose a defense of the Panthers' stature.
While C.J. Anderson was struggling early on in the regular season, clamors from many NFL fans and media alike were heard in support of Ronnie Hillman, as he had flashed glimpses of brilliance in the past for Denver, and was projected to shine in new head coach Gary Kubiak's system.
Hillman had a few decent games for the Broncos, but his campaign as a whole wasn't incredibly impressive. Over 207 carries, Hillman rushed for 863 yards (lackluster 4.2 yards per carry), but did tally a solid seven TDs in fairness.
The idea floating around that Hillman will be able to make mincemeat of the Carolina Panthers is laughable, as he's not built to expose a defense of the Panthers' stature.
1. Devin Funchess - WR - Carolina Panthers
Getty ImagesFunchess got his act together around midseason and finished with a respectable 31 receptions for 473 yards and five TDs, but the Panthers still don't appear to have an overwhelming amount of trust in his skillset, as his role hasn't grown as it should have.
In fairness, Funchess came through with two receptions for 21 yards and one TD in the NFC championship game against Arizona, but he was nowhere to be found against Seattle a week prior, and doesn't deserve the endless praise he's been given of late.
A tight end for most of his college career at Michigan, Devin Funchess struggled at wide receiver early on in his first NFL campaign, and a team that was ransacked by injuries at the position had to look elsewhere for difference makers.
Funchess got his act together around midseason and finished with a respectable 31 receptions for 473 yards and five TDs, but the Panthers still don't appear to have an overwhelming amount of trust in his skillset, as his role hasn't grown as it should have.
In fairness, Funchess came through with two receptions for 21 yards and one TD in the NFC championship game against Arizona, but he was nowhere to be found against Seattle a week prior, and doesn't deserve the endless praise he's been given of late.
