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The Denver Broncos kicked a field goal to take a 3-0 lead over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50. They had +375 odds to score first with a field goal.
According to OddsShark, the probability of the Panthers scoring a touchdown to get on the board first is +150, followed by +225 odds for a Broncos TD. A Carolina field goal is third at +350 with the chances of a Broncos FG being calculated at +375.
Though the Broncos have the No. 1 defense in the NFL, the Panthers scored the most points in the league and have torn through dominant defenses throughout the postseason. They put up 31 first-half points against the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional round and dropped a whopping 49 points on the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship. Seattle and Arizona had the second- and fifth-ranked defenses in the league this year, respectably.
Cam Newton was expected to get the scoring starting, with OddsShark putting the chances of him finding the end zone first at +700. Newton is followed by teammates Greg Olsen (+750) and Jonathan Stewart (+800). The first members of the Broncos on the list are C.J. Anderson, Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, who are all at +900.
| 1st Score | Who scores? |
| Panthers TD (+150) | Cam Newton (+700) |
| Broncos TD (+225) | Greg Olsen (+750) |
| Panthers FG (+350) | Jonathan Stewart (+800) |
| Broncos FG (+375) | C.J. Anderson (+900) |
| Panthers Safety (+3300) | Demaryius Thomas (+900) |
| Broncos Safety (+3300) | Emmanuel Sanders (+900) |
Though it's a long shot to bet on a safety kicking off the scoring in the Super Bowl, keep in mind that's how Super Bowl 46 opened just four years ago. New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was flagged for intentional grounding in the end zone, spotting the New York Giants two points. That was the first safety in the Super Bowl, however, in 22 years.