Cam Newton vs. Peyton Manning: How do they really stack up?

Super Bowl 50 is about the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos facing off, yes, that’s true. But let’s be straightforward here: The quarterback battle is quite fascinating. We can’t help but consider it over and over again.

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Newton is going up against the Broncos’ defense, not Manning, and Manning has to face the Panthers’ D. Both men have tall challenges in that regard. They’ll never be on the field at the same time on Sunday, and yet it’s impossible not to consider the few things they have in common (former No. 1 overall picks out of the SEC) and how much they are different.

Yes, Manning has changed a lot since he left Tennesee in 1999 — did you know he was not slow then? — and even Newton has come a long way in 2011 after his one brilliant season at Auburn. It’s fun to look back at where they came to where they are now, with Manning perhaps on the verge of his final game and Newton maybe ready to take over the mantle as the league’s best young QB.

[Broadcaster? Quarterback? What will Peyton Manning do next season?]

Check out this Tale of the Tape to see how Newton and Manning stack up side by side.