Five key matchups: Panthers vs. Broncos

There may be no bigger challenge for a first-time starter than to have Luke Kuechly on the other side of the line of scrimmage. But that's exactly what Trevor Siemian must cope with as he guides the offense on Thursday night. Kuechly won't influence every passing play, but it only takes a single throw for the one of the NFL's best players to alter the game. The former ninth-overall pick recorded a pick-six in each of the Panthers' postseason wins last season and notched two interceptions on consecutive plays in a Thanksgiving win against the Cowboys. Siemian must avoid the disaster play to help put the Broncos in the prime position for a win.

Kelvin Benjamin is back. Just over a year after tearing his ACL during the Panthers' 2015 training camp, Benjamin returns to battle the Broncos. The 6-foot-5 wide receiver poses a litany of problems for any cornerback, as his physicality and length is hard to contain. Pro Bowler Aqib Talib will likely draw the assignment during at least part of the game, though third-year player Bradley Roby will match up with Benjamin at times. The Broncos must decide whether they'll press him at the line or play off him as Newton gets another weapon back on the outside. In the Super Bowl, the Broncos' ability to limit the Panthers' passing game was a big reason behind Denver's victory. If they can replicate the performance, the result may very well be the same.

In the Super Bowl, the Broncos defense frustrated Carolina running back Jonathan Stewart and limited him to just 29 yards on 12 carries. That performance comes after Stewart averaged 94.5 yards per game in the Panthers' first two postseason contests. Linebacker Brandon Marshall will take over the responsibility for taking down Stewart in the box and forcing Newton to win the game through the air. If the Broncos make the Panthers one-dimensional, their chances of winning will skyrocket.

Offensive tackle Russell Okung will anchor the left side of a re-engineered offensive line that will trot out for the Broncos on Thursday. Okung, who came to Denver from Seattle in the offseason, will be handed the difficult task of containing Panthers defensive end Kony Ealy. The third-year Carolina player racked up five sacks in 2015 and recorded an interception during Super Bowl 50 when he dropped back into coverage. Whether or not Okung and the rest of the offensive line can give Trevor Siemian enough time to set his feet and throw will go a long way in determining the outcome.

Any mention of Thursday's game would feel incomplete without the battle between Von Miller and Cam Newton. You know Miller's Super Bowl stats: 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. But it was his impact on all other plays that really changed the game. The 2015 NFL MVP rarely had time to step into throws and he never looked comfortable during the Broncos' win. If the Broncos want to leave Sports Authority Field at Mile High with another win, Miller may need a repeat performance. Newton is one of the league's most dangerous players and can alter the game's direction with a single highlight. But Miller said this week he feels like a "different Von," and if he's any better than he was during last year's playoff run, that would be scary news for the Panthers.