Denver took the opening kickoff and started out strong with Peyton Manning completing an 18-yard pass to tight end Owen Daniels and a 22-yard throw to receiver Andre Caldwell. A pair of carries by C. J. Anderson moved the ball up 20 yards to the Panthers 14-yard line, but Carolina's defense dug in over the next three plays. First, linebacker Shaq Thompson tackled Ronnie Hillman for a 3-yard loss. Then after an incompletion, Thomas Davis tackled Anderson for a 1-yard gain on third down, forcing Denver to settle for a 3–0 lead on a Brandon McManus 34-yard field goal. The score marked the first time in the entire postseason that Carolina was facing a deficit.
What team received the opening kickoff? Who was at the receiving end of a 22-yard pass from Peyton Manning? Who lost 3 yards on a tackle by Shaq Thompson? Who kicked a field goal for Denver? Who ran the ball twice for 20 yards on this drive? How many yards was the pass on the first drive? Who tackled Ronnie Hillman for a loss of yardage? Who kicked the field goal for Denver on the first drive of Super Bowl 50? This was the first time that the Carolina team faced what in the post season? Which team had the first kickoff? Who did Peyton Manning complete an 18 yard pass to on the opening drive? Which Denver player took the ball to the Panthers 14 yard line? Who scored the first points for Denver? What did Carolina face in the opening drive that they had not faced the entire postseason?