Nebraska, Minnesota, Texas & Stanford get set for semifinals.

SAN FRANCISCO — If this was the final game of his magnificent career, what a Super way to go out for Peyton Manning.

He can thank Von Miller and the Broncos’ swarming, big-play defense for his second NFL championship.

Adding that ring to his five MVP awards, Manning certainly can be satisfied and comfortable in retirement should Sunday’s 24-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers be his finale. He wasn’t the star — game MVP Miller seemingly was everywhere on every Carolina play — but Manning really hasn’t been the headliner in this injury-shortened season.

Emulating his Broncos boss, John Elway, the 39-year-old Manning can ride off with the Lombardi Trophy after leading Denver to its third NFL title, first since 1999 — when Elway was the quarterback.

“I’ll take some time to reflect,” Manning said when asked if Super Bowl 50 is the end. “I got a couple priorities first. I’m going to go kiss my wife and my kids. … I’m going to drink a lot of Budweiser tonight. Take care of those things first.” Complete Super Bowl coverage on CBSSports.com Obamas share Super Bowl traditions with CBS’ Gayle King Denver’s suffocating defense kept Cam Newton jittery all day.