Denver start at the 15. Manning finds Emmanuel Sanders for a gain of seven, but on the next play he's sacked by Luke Kuechly for a loss of 10 and the Broncos must punt.

Mike Carlson
NFL analyst

"What was happening there was they had guys waiting. It’s like a push rush. They’re just waiting to see what happens and then they’re coming. It’s going to make Cam’s life unbearable because receivers don’t make plays."

Can Carolina make it count? No. Newton tries to find Jerricho Cotchery over the middle on third down, but he's all covered up Brandon Roby. So Carolina do have to punt this time.

Well well, this could be a huge moment. Newton is sacked by Darian Stewart - it should be a punt for Carolina, but Denver back Aqib Talib is penalised for taunting and Carolina have a first down instead.

Fozzy Whitaker makes a gain of 15 yards and the Panthers pick up a first down. On the next play, Newton has Ted Ginn wide open downfield but feels the pass rushers breathing down his neck and overthrows. This is an uncharacteristically nervy start by the MVP...

Right, Carolina begin again at the 20. They really need to make a play here, to settle their nerves as much as anything...

Brandon McManus pops over the extra point conversion. How controversial could that failed challenge be now?

Image source, Reuters

Disaster for Carolina! On third and long, Newton takes a little too long in the pocket and Von Miller hits him like an articulated lorry. He forces the ball and Malik Jackson hoovers it up and runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown. What a start for Denver!

Image source, Getty Images

Yep, it's an incomplete pass. Carolina are denied a big field position gain. The TV commentators think that was the wrong call, by the way...

Jon Fisher, Islington Is it true that the only way Denver can win is to out-team and out-heart the Panthers?

Anonymous It's going to be a long day in the classroom tomorrow; sorry kids! From a teacher in Staffs who ought to know better than staying up late on a Sunday!  

Image source, Reuters

Cotchery definitely clutches onto the ball at the second attempt, but it seems to be a question of whether it rolled out when he hit the floor. Here comes the verdict.

Image source, Reuters

Newton rips a fast ball up the middle - it should be a huge gain but Jerricho Cotchery has an attack of the butterfingers. Or does he? Coach Ron Rivera throws the challenge - he thinks the catch was completed at the second attempt. The TV officials will adjudicate this one...

Britton Colquitt comes in and punts, Ted Ginn Jr tries to run it back, but Kayvon Webster smashes into him and prevents a big gain. Carolina will begin at the 15-yard line.

Sanders make a gain of seven on a short pass, leaving them two plays to make three yards. But they can't capitalise. First Luke Kuechly, makes a bone-juddering tackle, then Thomas Davis makes a stop. Denver have to punt.

Martin O'Neill
Republic of Ireland manager on BBC Two

"It's just a great experience for me to come here. Myself and Roy Keane decided that if we qualified for the Euros, we would treat ourselves to come here. Roy is here - he was too shy to come on TV. I've been a Peyton Manning fan for a long, long time. What a great start for him - to get a few points on the board. I'm talking as if I know what I'm talking about."

Martin O'Neill is in the BBC studio. Wonderful. Apparently he's here with Roy Keane. I wouldn't like to be the hotel receptionist who has to tell Keano that they've accidentally booked them a couples suite.

So, Carolina punter Greg Nortman comes out and Emmanuel Sanders calls for a catch at the 20-yard line. Denver with the advantage after the early skirmishes.

Newton scurries around in the pocket and eventually finds his number one target, tight end Greg Olsen. He only needs to make a yard but he's immediately enveloped by Aqib Talib and he can't get the first down. That's a big win for Denver's defence.

Image source, ap

So, Carolina takes the ball and we get our first look at the NFL's number one offence. The first play is a running play and it doesn't work too well - Jonathan Stewart is stopped for a modest gain of about two. Second down, Newton has a wide-open receiver but overthrows him. Early jitters? Third and eight...

Daniel Kelly: I've got Hobnobs, Jaffa cakes and endless tea - I'm ready for Super Bowl Sunday!

Matt, Eaton Bray: Forget the matchsticks - the bourbon and buffalo wing combo is the way forward!