CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The clock is ticking, but linebacker Thomas Davis and defensive end Jared Allen have a good shot to face the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50.
Davis, who broke his right arm in the second quarter of Sunday’s NFC Championship, underwent surgery Monday morning. He likely had a plate put in, and he’ll have to play with a cast, but the Carolina Panthers should have the guy most consider the heart of their defense available when they kick off in Santa Clara in 13 days.
“My understanding is if everything goes well, it is something he most certainly will be able to play with,” coach Ron Rivera said Monday, about 14 hours after Davis told him he’d be ready to play.
“I didn’t doubt him. He said it with the same type of sincerity he said to me when he told me he was coming back from the third ACL. There is something about his conviction and I think that’s what makes him who he is today. So I have no doubt that as long as everything continues to heal the way it’s supposed to, he’ll be out there.”
After Davis had watched the second half of the Panthers’ 49-15 blowout win over the Arizona Cardinals with his arm in a sling, he gave the media the same vow he told Rivera.
“I’ll be ready to go. I can guarantee that,” he said. “I’m not missing the Super Bowl.”
Allen, a 12-year veteran, doesn’t want to miss his first chance to play in a Super Bowl.
Allen wasn’t happy that Rivera held him out Sunday with a broken bone in his foot, but now that Allen has nearly two more weeks to heal, it’s almost like Rivera had a plan.
“I love coach, I have nothing but respect for him and I respected his decision. Obviously, I wanted to be out there, but he must have had a crystal ball; he knew something I didn’t,” Allen said with a smile. “The guys played great and I’m just excited to get back on the field and play one more game.
“I’m ready to rock and roll. It’s going to be the longest two weeks in the world getting ready for this game.”
While it’s tough to see Rivera keeping Allen out of his one Super Bowl shot, that small possibility does exist – for now.
“I’m excited for the fact that he has two weeks to get ready and prove to me that he’s ready to roll, which I believe he will, knowing him,” Rivera said. “He probably could have played Sunday, but this is one of the decisions I had to make going forward.”
REPORT CARD VS. CARDINALS
–PASSING OFFENSE: B-plus. Quarterback Cam Newton threw just his second interception in his past 10 games, but that was his only big mistake. He completed 19 of his 27 other attempts for 335 yards and two touchdowns. Newton was sacked only once while tight end Greg Olsen and receiver Philly Brown each finished with 113 receiving yards.
–RUSHING OFFENSE: B-plus. Running back Jonathan Stewart had a workman-like performance, picking up 83 yards on 19 carries. Newton added 47 yards on 10 attempts, including two that went for scores. The Cardinals had allowed just one rushing touchdown by a QB all season.
–PASS DEFENSE: A. The Panthers pressured QB Carson Palmer from the start and he never had a chance to become comfortable. Palmer imploded, throwing four interceptions, his most since December 2013. He was sacked three times, including two strip-sacks.
–RUSH DEFENSE: A. Rookie running back David Johnson scored a 1-yard touchdown in the second quarter, but the Cardinals were held to 60 rushing yards on 16 carries. Like they’ve done with so many opponents this season, the Panthers never allowed the Cardinals to even try establishing the run.
–SPECIAL TEAMS: A-minus. One of the game’s biggest plays came on a botched punt return by cornerback Patrick Peterson. Carolina cornerback Teddy Williams was there to pounce on the loose ball. Receiver Ted Ginn Jr. set up the Panthers’ first score with a 32-yard return. Kicker Graham Gano made both of his field-goal attempts.
–COACHING: A. In a matchup of the only coaches to win Coach of the Year since 2012, Ron Rivera outclassed Bruce Arians. The Panthers came out loose and ready; the Cardinals were anxious and mistake-prone. Offensive coordinator Mike Shula never took his foot off the gas, even with a big second-half lead. Defensive coordinator Sean McDermott flustered Palmer with a variety of blitzes.