Defense leads Broncos to Super Bowl win

Feb. 8, 2016 4:49 PM PT

7:44 P.M.

Broncos rely on defense to beat Panthers in Super Bowl

Gary Klein

(Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)

Peyton Manning triumphantly completed what could be his final season with a Super Bowl title.

The Hall of Fame-bound quarterback can thank the Denver Broncos defense for making it possible.

Linebacker Von Miller on Sunday led an onslaught that threw NFL most valuable player Cam Newton off his game and gave the Broncos a 24-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium.

Miller, voted the game’s most valuable player, forced two fumbles, one that defensive end Malik Jackson recovered in the end zone for a touchdown, C.J. Anderson rushed for a touchdown and Brandon McManus kicked three field goals as the Broncos won the Super Bowl for the first time since winning consecutive titles in the 1997 and 1998 seasons.

The victory gave Manning his second championship in four Super Bowl appearances. The Broncos finished with a record of 15-4. They are now 3-5 in Super Bowl games.

Von Miller named Super Bowl 50 MVP

7:28 P.M.

Famous last words

7:26 P.M.

Papa John gets a handshake from Peyton Manning

7:23 P.M.

Peyton Manning wins his second Super Bowl

7:17 P.M.

The Broncos are just wrapping up loose ends now

7:08 P.M.

C.J. Anderson rambles into the end zone, Broncos lead Panthers, 24-10

7:02 P.M.

Von Miller with what could be the defining play of Super Bowl 50

6:59 P.M.

Broncos turn back to their defense in the final five minutes

6:51 P.M.

...And Marshawn Lynch appears to have announced his retirement

6:50 P.M.

Preparations for the game winner taking place in Santa Clara

6:48 P.M.

Now it’s time for a commercial Drake

6:45 P.M.

Panthers down, 16-10, after a 39-yard field goal

6:38 P.M.

Kony Ealy forces another fumble, Panthers ball

6:34 P.M.

Alternate Super Bowl commentary

6:31 P.M.

Early returns on the Super Bowl 50 MVP voting

6:29 P.M.

Injury update: Panthers’ Philly Brown, Broncos’ Shaquil Barrett

6:28 P.M.

Beyonce crashes Coldplay’s halftime show

Coldplay was billed as the marquee act for the halftime show at Super Bowl 50, but Sunday evening it was hard to watch without thinking that the British band had been upstaged by one of its guests.

Three years after she headlined the gig, Beyoncé returned to pop’s biggest stage (this time at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara) for a fiery performance of her brand-new single, “Formation,” which came out Saturday without warning and instantly ignited the Internet with its message of radical black positivity.

—Mikael Wood

6:27 P.M.

Broncos defense comes through again

Gary Klein

The Broncos’ pass rush has been outstanding and the secondary has been strong.

T.J. Ward’s interception of a Cam Newton pass that bounced off the hands of receiver Ted Ginn Jr. was the latest example.

Safety Darian Stewart and cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr. have made plays and Kayvon Webster had a good play early in the game on punt coverage.

6:18 P.M.