Von Miller earns Super Bowl MVP with dominant pass-rush clinic

Von Miller, you just won the Super Bowl! Where are you going now?

Straight to the bank.

The free agent-to-be cashed in big time with one of the more dominant pass-rush performance in Super Bowl history, leading his Denver Broncos to a 24-10 win in Super Bowl 50 over the Carolina Panthers.

Miller won game MVP honors with 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles, both of which led to Broncos touchdowns, harrassing regular-season MVP Cam Newton and the Panthers all game. The linebacker almost added another one just before the two-minute warning, and it would have been for a safety.

Decent timing, with Miller's contract set to run out. Even before this game, the Broncos were preparing to pay him as one of the game's elites — and perhaps as the top defensive player in the NFL.

Newton finished the game 18-of-41 passing for 265 yards with an interception, and he was sacked seven times. Miller also added six tackles, spied on Newton a few plays and also had beautiful one-on-one coverage on Panthers receiver Jerricho Cotchery on a wheel route in the second half.

Miller's first sack was a big one, stripping Newton and having the ball recovered by Broncos teammate Malik Jackson in the end zone. That gave the Broncos a 7-0 lead, and they never trailed in the game.

His second full sack came at an equally crucial time. The Broncos' offense was flagging, and the Panthers had just under five minutes to drive for a potential winning score. But Miller beat tackle Mike Remmers around the edge to strip the ball, and Miller also fell on it for the recovery. Three plays later, the Broncos jammed it in for a touchdown, and the game was academic at that point.

Why the Panthers let Remmers try to handle Miller is anyone's guess.

Miller's 2.5 sacks are the third-most in Super Bowl history. Green Bay Packers defensive end Reggie White (XXXI vs. New England Patriots) and Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Darnett Dockett (XLIII, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers) each had three in a game.

Oh, and if you had money on Miller as MVP of the game, you did well for yourself. On a night the Broncos' offense struggled roundly — their first offensive TD came with three minutes left — the D stole the show.