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It may be slightly overshadowed locally by Mardi Gras, but local sports fans are still anxious for Super Bowl Sunday
The Times interviewed football fans across the Houma-Thibodaux area this week, collecting their thoughts on the weekend’s big game between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers.
While some opinions differ, the vast majority of fans have the same thought process: Root for Denver, but do it cautiously, because Carolina will likely win.
“I hate the Panthers,” Houma native Jeff Beadle said. “They are our one of our big rivals. I can’t root for them to win the Super Bowl. There’s no way. But, you know how it goes -1 won’t be out on the field, so what I think doesn’t matter. I think the Panthers will probably win it.”
“It might be a bad one,” Thibodaux native Sandy Thomas added. “I love those Manning boys, but Peyton is running on fumes. We’re hoping he gets it, but Carolina looks meaner this year. They seem to be the fastest racehorse in the dirt.”
Just about everyone asked said that Manning is the key to the game.
Locals fawned over Manning’s great career – one which has now spanned 18 seasons, and has included a historic 539 touchdowns, 71,940 yards and 6,125 completions.
But Manning, 39, is at the twilight of his career, and had by far his worst statistical season in 2015. Many speculate that win, lose or draw, this Super Bowl will be the final ride for the New Orleans native, who has won one Super Bowl and will be playing in the big game for the fourth time.
His ability or inability to be dominant, locals believe, is the No. 1 key for Denver to score the upset over the heavily favored Panthers.
“Denver’s defense is excellent,” Raceland native Joe Ross said. “If Peyton can protect the football and make a few plays, I think they have a shot. The Saints did good things against Carolina. It’s not impossible. But if you press and try too hard, they will get interceptions and eat you alive.”
“I have my doubts that he can do it,” Houma native Victor Guidroz added. “But if Peyton can find that magic just one more time, I think the Broncos are going to win. He’s been there before, and will have a little bit less nerves than the Panthers, who are on this stage for the first time. It all comes down to Peyton and what he’s able to do.”
When asked about the Carolina Panthers, folks reluctantly praised Cam Newton.
Unpopular around the country because of his cocky personality and love for showboating, dancing and other football faux pas activities, Newton has ascended to superstardom in 2015-16 with a truly dominant season.
Newton completed 296-of-495 passes for 3,837 yards, 35 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions. As always, Newton was also a significant weapon with his legs, rushing for 636 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Houma native Joel Allen said he’s been a Newton fan dating back to his days at Auburn. Allen said the quarterback needs to get more respect from fans around the country. He said Newton is disrespected for the wrong reasons.
“I think people dislike him because of jealousy, and they just blame all of the dancing and all of the other things and use them as a crutch,” Allen said. “Aaron Rodgers dances. Plenty of other guys dance. They don’t get heat. Locally, fans here dislike Cam because he’s an antagonist. He beat LSU, and that makes people unhappy. He beats the Saints, and that makes people unhappy. The dancing is just a crutch people use to sound less petty and jealous about the whole situation.”
Houma native Trudy Collins said she doesn’t root for the Broncos or Panthers, but added that she thinks the Panthers defense will be the huge factor in the game.
She said their ability to cause mistakes is huge and will be a factor in the game.
She said she watched the NFC Championship Game from start-to-finish and became convinced that the NFC South Champions were the best team in the NFL after their performance in that game.
“The Cardinals had so many turnovers in the last game against Carolina,” Collins said. “The Panthers are so good at making you screw up. They thrive on making it be an ugly game. I think Denver will have a hard time getting momentum against them. I really would like to be wrong, but I just think it might be Carolina’s time to shine.”
And now for predictions? It was almost a clean sweep for Carolina, but some locals do have hope that Manning will ride off into the sunset.
Of 11 locals asked, nine said that they thought Carolina would win the game. Some out of that bunch thought the Panthers would win by a wide margin.
“I think it’ll be 35-14,” Collins said. “The Panthers are too good.”
“Give me Carolina in a win,” Beadle added. “It pains me to say that, but I think they win by a touchdown. I’d say 28-21.”
“Carolina wins 24-13,” Thomas agreed. “Peyton can’t get it done.”
But even for as one-sided as it may be in terms of predictions, locals said they “100 percent” will find time to watch the game – even in the middle of Mardi Gras.
“It’s a national holiday,” Houma native Mark Simmons said. “The world will be watching, and I know we will be, too.
“Mardi Gras or not, I’ll be tuned in.”
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton slings a pass down the field during a game against the New Orleans Saints this season. With Mardi Gras parades rolling on Sunday, locals said they expect the Panthers to use their winning ways to march past the underdog Broncos.
