With a storyline of epic proportions, two of football’s finest quarterbacks will square off in Super Bowl 50.

Advancing over wins in the National Football Conference (NFC) and American Football Conference (AFC) finals, the Denver Broncos will face off against the Carolina Panthers in what is pegged to be a game for the history books. Super Bowl 50 will showcase the size and athleticism represented in the new era of football with Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and the old school pocket passing tradition of the Broncos’ quarterback Peyton Manning.

It’s a storyline with a twist, making fans everywhere want more. Can the once No. 1 pick, veteran, cap his career on a high note and closeout the history books in epic fashion?

In Sunday’s victory over the reigning Super Bowl champs, the New England Patriots, Manning pulled in Patriots’ head coach Bill Belichick to thank him for his competitiveness.

“Hey listen, this might be my last rodeo. So, it sure has been a pleasure,” said Manning.

Manning has had a season in decline. Now coming in at his 18th season in the league, Manning has battled the adversity that rises with injuries and bruises. The ability to scramble out of the pocket is all but a memory and his days of firing the long-ball are but a faint memory. The 39-year-old can’t help but show his age.

Carrying the lowest passer rating in his 18 years in the league, 67.9, the numbers don’t add up to a Super Bowl quarterback.

It’s been a series of ups and down for the veteran quarterback. After starting the season with seven victories, things came to a screeching halt when the Kansas City Chiefs intercepted Manning four separate times. Manning was pulled from the field, and understudy Brock Osweiler took his place.

It was later revealed Manning was troubled with a lingering battle of plantar fasciitis. He would sit out the remainder of the the regular season.

Manning wants to give the Broncos a fighting chance, but the old drop-back style Manning has made famous is part of a dying industry.

The competition is represented by the Carolina Panthers’ new-era quarterback, Cam Newton.

Newton is a part of the new generation leading the change of the game. The former Heisman winner has worked a miracle season from a salvaged roster. After his top target, former first-round pick Kelvin Benjamin, fell to a season-ending knee injury, Newton has defied the odds to produce a season-leading record of more than 35 touchdowns.

Newton, a physical specimen standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and more than 250 pounds, is larger than most opponent’s defenders. He has proved his dexterity on offense rushing for more than 600 yards and eight touchdowns. It’s a new era of football, and quarterbacks are proving the need to do more.  

Newton’s elusiveness in the pocket has defensive coordinators scratching their head. The Panthers steamrolled their way through the regular season, and now with one game left, the Panthers won’t hold back for the great Peyton Manning.

Super Bowl 50 will welcome the new age while paying tribute to the past. It’s a time to recognize how diverse the sport has become.