Watch CBS News

The Panthers And Broncos Are Both Playing The 'Underdog' Card For Super Bowl 50

By Matt Dolloff, CBS Boston

BOSTON (CBS) -- If any fanbase has gotten a hefty share of championship teams feeding off manufactured disrespect, it's that of the New England Patriots. Even when the Pats were the clear favorite to win the Super Bowl in 2004, guys like Rodney Harrison continued to create a sense of doubt from the outside as far as what the team could accomplish. Harrison famously said "Nobody believed we could do it" after the 14-2 Patriots won their second Super Bowl in a row.

There's nothing wrong with establishing some kind of enemy or obstacle that generates added motivation not only to win the Super Bowl (which no one should need added motivation for in the first place) but to silence your critics. It can only help. It has around here. So which team between the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos enters the Super Bowl with the proverbial chip on its shoulder?

Apparently, both. Get ready for the Battle Of The Underdog No. 1 Seeds!

I had to do a double-take when I saw these two headlines right in a row on Pro Football Talk: "Panthers still convinced no one believes in them" followed by "T.J. Ward: [Broncos] feed off the underdog role." Is it possible to have a game with two underdogs? Technically, someone has to be favored, right? I'm not missing some third option from another dimension?

The Panthers enter the Super Bowl as a five-point favorite as of Tuesday, and have only lost one game all season, but they are still playing under the impression that nobody believes they can win one more game.

"You can't take that chip off our shoulder," said Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson on Monday's Super Bowl Opening Night. "That's something that's permanent."

On the other side, Broncos safety T.J. Ward expressed the same sentiment, which drove them harder in their effort to beat the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, in which New England entered as the favorite even though the Broncos were the No. 1 seed playing at home.

"We feed off the underdog role. It sounds clichéd but I feel like every time challengers knock on the door or the media says what we can't do, we always answer the challenge," said Ward. "I'm eager to get to Sunday."

There's no problem with either team playing this card. It has clearly helped them in some capacity throughout the season. It's just interesting to see both sides going with the same strategy. It remains to be seen which team feels disrespected more.

Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.