Super Bowl LII - Sunday, Feb. 4, 2018
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Phildelphia Eagles (15-3) versus New England Patriots (15-3)
Philadelphia Eagles
vs.
New England Patriots
When I was a kid, the Super Bowl fascinated me. It was not that old of a tradition back when I first started to watch and follow it. The first Super Bowl that I ever watched was Super Bowl XVI, pitting the Cincinnati Bengals against the San Francisco 49ers. There was no way of knowing at the time that Joe Montana would become one of the greatest, most iconic names in Super Bowl history. At the time, it seemed to surprise people that the 49ers and Bengals were even there, as it was one of only four Super Bowls in history to match up two teams that had never been there before. These days, it would require the appearance by either the Detroit Lions, or some other as of now non-existent NFC team, matching up against either the Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns, or Houston Texans, or, perhaps again, some other as of now non-existent team in the AFC.
Montana's 49ers had defeated the Giants in the NFC divisional playoffs following a 13-3 regular season record, and so I hoped that the Dallas Cowboys would knock them off in the NFC title game, which of course wound up being epic. The most iconic image from that memorable game, and one of the most memorable moments in NFL history even to this day, is of "The Catch" that not only propelled San Fran into their first Super Bowl, but launched a dynasty. I cried when the Cowboys lost (I was flirting with being a fan of Dallas back then), and hoped the Bengals could pull it off in the big game. They could not, though.
I would not always be so upset at seeing the 49ers win the big game, however. In fact, the best game between the 49ers and Bengals that I remember came in Super Bowl XXIII, the first of the really exciting big games. Most remember how the upstart Bengals seemed on the verge of pulling off a major upset, only to have Montana lead his team on a memorable drive and, at the key moment, toss a touchdown pass to John Taylor with only 34 seconds left, lifting the 49ers to another Super Bowl title. Ultimately, the 'Niners won four titles in the 1980's.
Since then, of course, there have been quite a few other great Super Bowl games, as well as other great teams and moments in the big game, as well. Who could forget Scott Norwood's missed field goal in XXV? Or the quarterback showdown between Favre and Elway that went down to the final minutes of the fourth quarter? Or the Titans falling just one yard shy of a tying touchdown as time expired? Who could ever forget David Tyree's one-handed catch against the helmet after Eli Manning somehow broke out of what seemed a sure sack, helping to lift the Giants over the undefeated Patriots? One year later, Roethlisberger hit Santana Holmes in the corner of the end zone with very little time left, providing the Steelers with their record sixth, but most dramatic, Super Bowl win? Everyone recalls the uter shock of watching Seattle's 2nd and 1 call of a pass that was ultimate intercepted, and cost them a chance at a second straight Super Bowl championship? And, of course, who could ever forget New England's unbelievable rally from 28-3 down in last year's Super Bowl, with Edelman's incredible catch late in the fourth helping the Pats in their epic comeback effort, to force overtime and, ultimately, to capture their second championship in three seasons, in whar will surely be the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history?
There have also been some incredible, immortal moments that also live on in people's memory. Some very good, even heroic, and others, not so much. Max McGee's one-handed, behind the back touchdown catch in the first ever Super Bowl, which helped lift the Packers to victory. Joe Namath, wagging the "Number 1" sign with his finger after leading the Jets to the greatest upset in Super Bowl history. A few years later, we saw Garo Yepremian's botched pass that ultimately led to a Washington touchdown, and seriously threatened Miami's undefeated season (they won anyway). Lynn Swann leaping up for a catch, and completing it after a bobble or two against Dallas? John Riggins breaking free against Miami to run for the touchdown that would put Washington up for good in the fourth. "The Refrigerator" William Perry's rather clumsy and frightening one-yard run as the Bears embarrassed the over-matched and helpless Patriots. Montana to Taylor for the winning score. Hostetler holding onto the ball in what perhaps should have been a fumble recovered by Buffalo to provide a nearly insurmountable lead and, later in that game, Mark Ingram's shake 'n bake after his catch, to somehow get 14 yards and a first down on 3rd and 13. Thurman Thomas misplacing his helmet and being unable to play on the no-huddle Bills first couple of offensive plays. Mark Beebe catching up to the hulking and bragging Leon Lett, who was less than a yard away from a touchdown before Beebe slapped it away in the last second. Neil O' Donnell throwing it right into the waiting arms of Larry Brown to ice a third victory in four years for the Cowboys. Elway running and being flipped around by Green Bay's physical defense in trying to lift his Broncos to their first Super Bowl title. "The Greatest Show on Turf" Rams offense reigning supreme one year, then the Ravens record shattering defense taking the championship the next year. Brady winning his first ever title, and shocking the powerful and heavily favored Rams in the next season. The fireworks on the field when Carolina and New England met. The Giants stunning heavily favored New England not once, but twice. New Orleans shocking the Colts with a fake kickoff that was recovered by the Saints, and gave them the momentum necessary to go on and win their first title ever. The nearly forty minute delay during the game between the Harbaugh brothers. Again, the 2nd and 1 that will live in infamy. Denver recovering from Seattle's crushing defensive dominance to lay down their own defensive brilliance against the Panthers two years later. And, yes, last year's unbelievable comeback by New England.
And, the teams. Dynasties and one-year dominance. The great Packers teams of the 1960's, capped by two back-to-back Super Bowl titles. The undefeated Miami Dolphins in the 1972 season. The rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers, the two most successful franchises of the seventies, with both meetings being won by Pittsburgh. San Francisco's dynasty in the 1980's. The 1985 Chicago Bears, who remain the most dominant team for any single season that I have ever seen, certainly in NFL history, and quite possibly, in sports history. Washington's run of three titles in nine years, capped with the very dominant 1991 season. That young and cocky Dallas dynasty of the 1990's. The Broncos finally winning their first title, then doing it again the next year, in Elway's curtail call. The Colts finally getting their long awaited title, with Peyton Manning and coach Tony Dungy. The Patriots of the early 2000's, and the Steelers capturing a couple of titles later in the decade.
Now, of course, the New England Patriots threaten to be a dynasty once again. If they win this one, they are, once again, undeniably the dynasty of our era. But they have to get past the Eagles, and that powerful defense first, of course.
It should be a good game! Let's see what memories this game has in store for us!
There have also been some incredible, immortal moments that also live on in people's memory. Some very good, even heroic, and others, not so much. Max McGee's one-handed, behind the back touchdown catch in the first ever Super Bowl, which helped lift the Packers to victory. Joe Namath, wagging the "Number 1" sign with his finger after leading the Jets to the greatest upset in Super Bowl history. A few years later, we saw Garo Yepremian's botched pass that ultimately led to a Washington touchdown, and seriously threatened Miami's undefeated season (they won anyway). Lynn Swann leaping up for a catch, and completing it after a bobble or two against Dallas? John Riggins breaking free against Miami to run for the touchdown that would put Washington up for good in the fourth. "The Refrigerator" William Perry's rather clumsy and frightening one-yard run as the Bears embarrassed the over-matched and helpless Patriots. Montana to Taylor for the winning score. Hostetler holding onto the ball in what perhaps should have been a fumble recovered by Buffalo to provide a nearly insurmountable lead and, later in that game, Mark Ingram's shake 'n bake after his catch, to somehow get 14 yards and a first down on 3rd and 13. Thurman Thomas misplacing his helmet and being unable to play on the no-huddle Bills first couple of offensive plays. Mark Beebe catching up to the hulking and bragging Leon Lett, who was less than a yard away from a touchdown before Beebe slapped it away in the last second. Neil O' Donnell throwing it right into the waiting arms of Larry Brown to ice a third victory in four years for the Cowboys. Elway running and being flipped around by Green Bay's physical defense in trying to lift his Broncos to their first Super Bowl title. "The Greatest Show on Turf" Rams offense reigning supreme one year, then the Ravens record shattering defense taking the championship the next year. Brady winning his first ever title, and shocking the powerful and heavily favored Rams in the next season. The fireworks on the field when Carolina and New England met. The Giants stunning heavily favored New England not once, but twice. New Orleans shocking the Colts with a fake kickoff that was recovered by the Saints, and gave them the momentum necessary to go on and win their first title ever. The nearly forty minute delay during the game between the Harbaugh brothers. Again, the 2nd and 1 that will live in infamy. Denver recovering from Seattle's crushing defensive dominance to lay down their own defensive brilliance against the Panthers two years later. And, yes, last year's unbelievable comeback by New England.
And, the teams. Dynasties and one-year dominance. The great Packers teams of the 1960's, capped by two back-to-back Super Bowl titles. The undefeated Miami Dolphins in the 1972 season. The rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers, the two most successful franchises of the seventies, with both meetings being won by Pittsburgh. San Francisco's dynasty in the 1980's. The 1985 Chicago Bears, who remain the most dominant team for any single season that I have ever seen, certainly in NFL history, and quite possibly, in sports history. Washington's run of three titles in nine years, capped with the very dominant 1991 season. That young and cocky Dallas dynasty of the 1990's. The Broncos finally winning their first title, then doing it again the next year, in Elway's curtail call. The Colts finally getting their long awaited title, with Peyton Manning and coach Tony Dungy. The Patriots of the early 2000's, and the Steelers capturing a couple of titles later in the decade.
Now, of course, the New England Patriots threaten to be a dynasty once again. If they win this one, they are, once again, undeniably the dynasty of our era. But they have to get past the Eagles, and that powerful defense first, of course.
It should be a good game! Let's see what memories this game has in store for us!
Enjoy the Super Bowl everybody!
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