As we draw closer to Super Bowl 50, it’s time to delve deeper into the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos. Everyone knows which stars to look for in the big game, but identifying the unsung heroes often goes overlooked. With that in mind, here are the five most underrated players to keep an eye on in Santa Clara.
5. Kawwan Short - DT - Carolina Panthers
Getty ImagesKawann Short led Carolina in sacks during the regular season with 11, and was the Panthers' sole consistent menacing presence on the line, as the unit dealt with a plethora of injuries.
At 6-foot-3, 315 pounds, Short's brute strength overwhelms even the stoutest of offensive lines, so you better believe the Broncos have a tall order ahead of them to keep this behemoth away from Peyton Manning.
Interior defensive linemen never receive enough praise for what they do. Battling it out in the trenches isn't the flashiest job in the NFL, but it's undoubtedly one of the most important.
Kawann Short led Carolina in sacks during the regular season with 11, and was the Panthers' sole consistent menacing presence on the line, as the unit dealt with a plethora of injuries.
At 6-foot-3, 315 pounds, Short's brute strength overwhelms even the stoutest of offensive lines, so you better believe the Broncos have a tall order ahead of them to keep this behemoth away from Peyton Manning.
4. C.J. Anderson - RB - Denver Broncos
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Anderson struggled early on, and quickly became hated among the fantasy football community. As a result, he was labeled as a complete failure by many NFL fans. But the truth is, he had a much better season than he's received credit for.
Anderson played well over the past month or so of the campaign, and finished with 720 rushing yards over 152 carries (good for a solid 4.7 YPC) and five TDs on the ground, to go along with 25 receptions for 183 yards in the pass attack. Averaging 4.7 YPC over the course of a long season is incredibly difficult with the amount of touches Anderson received. Clearly, Anderson got a bum rap from the masses.Big things were expected from C.J. Anderson in 2015, as he won the No. 1 running back role in training camp, and many anticipated a heavy workload in Gary Kubiak's run-first offensive scheme.
Anderson struggled early on, and quickly became hated among the fantasy football community. As a result, he was labeled as a complete failure by many NFL fans. But the truth is, he had a much better season than he's received credit for.
Anderson played well over the past month or so of the campaign, and finished with 720 rushing yards over 152 carries (good for a solid 4.7 YPC) and five TDs on the ground, to go along with 25 receptions for 183 yards in the pass attack. Averaging 4.7 YPC over the course of a long season is incredibly difficult with the amount of touches Anderson received. Clearly, Anderson got a bum rap from the masses.3. Owen Daniels - TE - Denver Broncos
Getty ImagesDaniels was huge for Denver in the AFC championship game, as he scored the Broncos' only two touchdowns. He's had a truly underrated career mainly due to the fact he played for Houston for six of his eight seasons. Owens has 5,661 receiving yards and a solid 36 TDs under his belt, which is nothing to sneeze at.
Daniels is not a star by any means, but he's much better than NFL aficionados give him credit for.
Owen Daniels didn't have the sensational campaign many were expecting in 2015, but much of his struggles had to do with Peyton Manning's inability to get him the ball early in the season. Despite playing with an injured Manning and an inexperienced Brock Osweiler, Daniels tallied a resepctable 46 receptions for 517 yards and three TDs.
Daniels was huge for Denver in the AFC championship game, as he scored the Broncos' only two touchdowns. He's had a truly underrated career mainly due to the fact he played for Houston for six of his eight seasons. Owens has 5,661 receiving yards and a solid 36 TDs under his belt, which is nothing to sneeze at.
Daniels is not a star by any means, but he's much better than NFL aficionados give him credit for.
2. Jerricho Cotchery - WR - Carolina Panthers
Getty ImagesCotchery tallied 39 receptions for 485 yards and three TDs during the regular season, which was excellent considering how limited his role was.
Don't be surprised to see Cotchery make a few clutch plays in the Super Bowl, as QB Cam Newton knows he can rely on the grizzled veteran in key situations.
Jerricho Cotchery has been underrated for essentially his entire career, going back to his time in the early 2000s with the New York Jets. At 33 years old, he's not winning any races, but he's still capable of making a big play if called on.
Cotchery tallied 39 receptions for 485 yards and three TDs during the regular season, which was excellent considering how limited his role was.
Don't be surprised to see Cotchery make a few clutch plays in the Super Bowl, as QB Cam Newton knows he can rely on the grizzled veteran in key situations.
1. Derek Wolfe - DE - Denver Broncos
Getty ImagesIn the AFC championship game, Wolfe was all over the place, tallying six tackles, one pass deflected, a sack and two hits on Tom Brady. The Broncos sent Wolfe after Brady from a number of spots on the field, and almost every time he beat the blocker assigned to slow him down.
If the Panthers don't show Wolfe enough respect and instead focus all of their attention on Ware and Miller, they are going to be in a whole heap of trouble.
Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware are superstars, so they often get most of the credit for the dominant pass-rush the Broncos showcase. However, DE Derek Wolfe's presence on the line is crucial to Denver's scheme.
In the AFC championship game, Wolfe was all over the place, tallying six tackles, one pass deflected, a sack and two hits on Tom Brady. The Broncos sent Wolfe after Brady from a number of spots on the field, and almost every time he beat the blocker assigned to slow him down.
If the Panthers don't show Wolfe enough respect and instead focus all of their attention on Ware and Miller, they are going to be in a whole heap of trouble.
