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Super Bowl 50: Early MVP Candidates Between Denver Broncos And Carolina Panthers

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Following just over four months of football, we finally know who’s going to meet in Super Bowl 50. It will be Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos taking on Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers on Feb. 7. We’ve decided to rank the 15 most likely Super Bowl MVP candidates to get you ready for the big game.

15. Derek Wolfe

Derek Wolfe Getty Images
Wolfe had a brilliant game against the Patriots as he recorded six tackles, a sack and a pass defensed among multiple hits and hurries on Tom Brady. While Cam Newton is a different animal, Wolfe has the athleticism to put pressure on the Panthers' quarterback.

Wolfe had a brilliant game against the Patriots as he recorded six tackles, a sack and a pass defensed among multiple hits and hurries on Tom Brady. While Cam Newton is a different animal, Wolfe has the athleticism to put pressure on the Panthers' quarterback.

14. Ted Ginn Jr.

Ted Ginn Jr. Getty Images
While the Broncos certainly possess the best cornerback duo in the NFL in Aqib Talib and Chris Harris, Ginn has the type of speed that can cause problems for any corner. Expect Cam Newton to take a couple deep shots to Ginn, who could come down with a couple.

While the Broncos certainly possess the best cornerback duo in the NFL in Aqib Talib and Chris Harris, Ginn has the type of speed that can cause problems for any corner. Expect Cam Newton to take a couple deep shots to Ginn, who could come down with a couple.

13. Demaryius Thomas

Demaryius Thomas Getty Images
Thomas has been nonexistent in the playoffs, which has led to a struggle for the entire Broncos' offense. Expect Gary Kubiak to attempt to get Thomas involved early and often. I would've had him higher on this list if he wasn't going to be matched up with All-Pro Josh Norman.

Thomas has been nonexistent in the playoffs, which has led to a struggle for the entire Broncos' offense. Expect Gary Kubiak to attempt to get Thomas involved early and often. I would've had him higher on this list if he wasn't going to be matched up with All-Pro Josh Norman.

12. Thomas Davis

Thomas Davis Getty Images
For as much as Cam Newton and Luke Kuechly have done from a leadership standpoint, the team's spiritual leader is Thomas Davis. He's the heart and soul of this team and he's already said he's going to play with a broken arm in Super Bowl 50. Expect Davis to be a big problem for the Broncos.

For as much as Cam Newton and Luke Kuechly have done from a leadership standpoint, the team's spiritual leader is Thomas Davis. He's the heart and soul of this team and he's already said he's going to play with a broken arm in Super Bowl 50. Expect Davis to be a big problem for the Broncos.

11. C.J. Anderson

C.J. Anderson Getty Images
The Broncos have struggled to run the ball all season long, but Anderson has begun to turn it on a little down the stretch. With the Panthers likely focusing on stopping the Broncos' receivers, Anderson could be in for an impressive showing.

The Broncos have struggled to run the ball all season long, but Anderson has begun to turn it on a little down the stretch. With the Panthers likely focusing on stopping the Broncos' receivers, Anderson could be in for an impressive showing.

10. Kawann Short

Kawann Short Getty Images
While Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis and Josh Norman receive all the notoriety for the Panthers' defense, Short has been the most important piece of the unit all year long. His ability to create pressure up the middle has caused numerous rushed throws that have led to interceptions.

While Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis and Josh Norman receive all the notoriety for the Panthers' defense, Short has been the most important piece of the unit all year long. His ability to create pressure up the middle has caused numerous rushed throws that have led to interceptions.

9. DeMarcus Ware

DeMarcus Ware Getty Images
Outside of Von Miller, the Broncos' best pass rusher is Ware. The Panthers will likely attempt to double-team Miller, which could open the gates for Ware to have a big game.

Outside of Von Miller, the Broncos' best pass rusher is Ware. The Panthers will likely attempt to double-team Miller, which could open the gates for Ware to have a big game.

8. Greg Olsen

Greg Olsen Getty Images
Olsen is Cam Newton's favorite target, which means he will be heavily involved in the passing game. With his innate ability to get open in the red zone, Olsen could easily end up with over 100 yards and a couple of touchdowns.

Olsen is Cam Newton's favorite target, which means he will be heavily involved in the passing game. With his innate ability to get open in the red zone, Olsen could easily end up with over 100 yards and a couple of touchdowns.

7. Emmanuel Sanders

Emmanuel Sanders Getty Images
Sanders is the most elusive of the Broncos' receivers, which makes him the hardest to cover. With Robert McClain likely drawing Sanders in coverage, it could equal a big day for the diminutive wide receiver.

Sanders is the most elusive of the Broncos' receivers, which makes him the hardest to cover. With Robert McClain likely drawing Sanders in coverage, it could equal a big day for the diminutive wide receiver.

6. Jonathan Stewart

Jonathan Stewart Getty Images
Stewart has been one of the most dominant running backs in the NFL this season and he leads the league in rushing during the postseason. With the Panthers' run-heavy offense, Stewart could easily win Super Bowl MVP honors.

Stewart has been one of the most dominant running backs in the NFL this season and he leads the league in rushing during the postseason. With the Panthers' run-heavy offense, Stewart could easily win Super Bowl MVP honors.

5. Kurt Coleman

Kurt Coleman Getty Images
Coleman personifies the term "Ball Hawk" perfectly. He led the Panthers in interceptions during the regular season and picked off Carson Palmer twice in the NFC Championship Game. With Manning struggling, Coleman could collect a couple more in the Super Bowl.

Coleman personifies the term "Ball Hawk" perfectly. He led the Panthers in interceptions during the regular season and picked off Carson Palmer twice in the NFC Championship Game. With Manning struggling, Coleman could collect a couple more in the Super Bowl.

4. Luke Kuechly

Luke Kuechly Getty Images
As important as Cam Newton is to the Panthers' offense, Kuechly is of equal importance to the team's defense. He's recorded an interception return for a touchdown in both playoff games so far and could be primed for his best game of the season against the Broncos.

As important as Cam Newton is to the Panthers' offense, Kuechly is of equal importance to the team's defense. He's recorded an interception return for a touchdown in both playoff games so far and could be primed for his best game of the season against the Broncos.

3. Von Miller

Von Miller Getty Images
Miller was unblockable against the New England Patriots as he made Tom Brady's day miserable. If he can create the same kind of havoc on Cam Newton, he could easily be in the running for Super Bowl MVP.

Miller was unblockable against the New England Patriots as he made Tom Brady's day miserable. If he can create the same kind of havoc on Cam Newton, he could easily be in the running for Super Bowl MVP.

2. Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning Getty Images
I can guarantee you that if the Broncos win, and Manning plays decent, he will be named the Super Bowl MVP and ride off into the sunset as a two-time Super Bowl champion.

I can guarantee you that if the Broncos win, and Manning plays decent, he will be named the Super Bowl MVP and ride off into the sunset as a two-time Super Bowl champion.

1. Cam Newton

Cam Newton Getty Images
Newton is the obvious choice for the NFL's 2015 MVP so he should be the obvious choice to be the favorite to win the Super Bowl MVP as well. His ability to change the game with his legs and his arm make him the most dangerous player in the game.

Newton is the obvious choice for the NFL's 2015 MVP so he should be the obvious choice to be the favorite to win the Super Bowl MVP as well. His ability to change the game with his legs and his arm make him the most dangerous player in the game.

Jason Fletcher is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
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