I'm a Patriots fan, and I'm getting the same feeling I got when the Pats lost to the Broncos two seasons back...maybe it's a good thing the Pats aren't going to the Super Bowl against that NFC buzzsaw. I didn't think the Panthers could dismantle the Cardinals so easily (or run up the score so much in the first half of their previous game against the Seahawks). They look unbeatable, much like Seattle did during the 2014 playoffs.
As much as Denver's ferocious defense impressed me yesterday, their offense didn't impress me much. And while their outside pass rushers knew just where to meet this week (where Tom Brady would likely be standing in the pocket), if they rush too wide against Newton, he'll no longer be in the pocket when they get there...he'll be running downfield for a sizeable gain.
Denver's D should keep things close but I think Carolina's the better, more balanced team.