HISTORY has been unkind to teams playing in their first Super Bowl against an opponent that’s been there before.
Today’s Falcons-Broncos matchup is the 12th such situation. In the previous 11, the fledgling team is 2-9 outright and 2-9 against the spread. Below, first-timers are listed in italics.
Super Bowl II: Packers 33, Raiders 14. Vince Lombardi wins second title in row, then leaves Green Bay. (Packers cover at -13).
Super Bowl V: Colts 16, Cowboys 13. Jim O’Brien’s field goal helps Baltimore atone for loss to Jets. (Colts cover at +2).
Super Bowl VI: Cowboys 24, Dolphins 3: One year wiser, Big D dominates. (Cowboys cover at -6).
Super Bowl VII: Dolphins 14, Redskins 7: Don Shula’s team wins ’em all and wins it all. (Dolphins cover at +2).
Super Bowl IX: Steelers 16, Vikings 6: The first trend-buster. The Steel Curtain wins first of four titles in six years. (Steelers cover at -3).
Super Bowl XII: Cowboys 27, Broncos 10: Denver’s first dance is an Orange Crusher. (Cowboys cover at -6).
Super Bowl XIV: Steelers 31, Rams 19: Only Ram team to make it to Bowl leads 19-17 in the fourth quarter, but can’t withstand TDs by old pros John Stallworth and Franco Harris. (Steelers cover at -11).
Super Bowl XV: Raiders 27, Eagles 10: Dick Vermeil keeps Eagles off Bourbon Street while Raiders party hearty. Tight Philly team is killed by early turnovers. (Raiders cover at +3).
Super Bowl XXI: Giants 39, Broncos 20: Bill Parcells brings the better team to Pasadena and Phil Simms guns down Dan Reeves’ Broncos. (Giants cover at -9).
Super Bowl XXV: Giants 20, Bills 19: Parcells brings backup QB to Tampa and beats Buffalo on Scott Norwood’s missed FG. (Giants cover at +6).
Super Bowl XXIX: 49ers 49, Chargers 26: Current Falcon Tony Martin has complained about the Chargers’ shoddy preparation for this game, in which Steve Young threw six TD passes. (49ers cover at -18). *TODAY’s game will be played outdoors and on grass, both of which are native to the Broncos and foreign to the dome-dwelling Falcons. However, the Falcons are 2-1 both outright and against the spread this season in these conditions – winning at Carolina and New England and losing at San Francisco.
