Having the No. 1 offensive line in the league is hard to beat, but having the No. 1 defensive line in the league is the key to being unstoppable.

This Sunday, the Denver Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50.

Carolina, who had nearly an undefeated season with only one loss, was favored to win this year. But Payton Manning and his bucking Broncos were able to compensate for the No. 1 offense with their game-winning, unbreakable, number one defense, an essential key to their victory.

“Coming into the game we were the underdogs,” said Broncos fan, senior Austyn Ferguson. “But we were all year long, so nothing was new.”

Ferguson, a life-long Broncos fan, said he thought the game went well, despite all the penalties and errors made by the team.

The Broncos, who received the kickoff, were the first to put points up on the board with a 34-yard field goal kick.

Ferguson credits the first drive as a key to the game. A team can control the momentum of the game based off the first drive, he said.

“Being the underdogs had a major role,” Ferguson said. “It’s like someone saying you can’t do something, and then putting your mind to it and doing it, just to prove them wrong.”

It wouldn’t be until later in the second quarter, with a Broncos touchdown in between, that the Panthers would put their first points up on the board.

“I thought (after the Panthers scored) that we were finally going to start racking up points,” Panthers fan, junior Grant Theide said.

Theide was disappointed in his team’s offensive play.

“I think our offensive line couldn’t block,” he said. “Their cornerbacks had great coverage so none of our wide receivers could get open.”

After a sack and fumble recovery for a touchdown on Carolina quarterback Cam Newton, the Broncos were able to score their first touchdown of the game, leading 10-0 with six minutes left in the first quarter.

As the second quarter started, Carolina was able to score their first touchdown of the night with No. 28 J. Stewart launching himself over the Bronco’s defensive line for a gain of 7 points.

As the quarter went on, the Broncos were able to once again sneak another three points on the board with a 33-yard field goal to wrap up the first half 13-7, Broncos.

To start off the third was Carolina who received but were not able to capitalize on crucial plays with a six point deficit to overcome and the time running down.

As the game went on, the scoring slowed as neither the Broncos nor the Panthers were able to score a touchdown in the third. The Broncos scored the only points in the quarter with a field goal, making the score 16-7.

“I felt like Cam had too much pressure on him to win,” Ferguson said. “He wasn’t mature enough to handle the situation.” A point that seemed to ring true as the night progressed.

In the last quarter of the game, the Panthers were only able to kick one 39-yard field goal early in the fourth, ending their scoring for the night.

“It was a great game if you like a more old time ground and pound game,” Theide said. “But it was really poor play by our offense.”

The Broncos scored their last touchdown of the game and possible Manning’s last touchdown as a player. Denver was able to complete their two point attempt, making the final score of the game 24-10. With rumors of Manning retiring after this season, a Super Bowl victory is a great way to go out.

“Defense wins championships,” Ferguson said. “And we have had the best defense in the NFL all year long.”