THE Broncos like to throw around the ‘D’ word, sensing that if they gain their second straight Super Bowl triumph they will be viewed as a dynasty. Little do they know that the other ‘D’ word is the reason why they will be denied.
The Falcons will win Super Bowl XXXIII. It’s destiny.
Not that destiny will block or tackle or put springs in Jamal Anderson’s legs, elastic in Chris Chandler’s right arm or make a vise out of Jessie Tuggle’s hands. This upstart Atlanta entry is no fluke and does not need fate or something freakish to complete what it started and emerge as the most improbable Super Bowl champion in history.
As bizarre as this may seem to those of us accustomed to dismissing this franchise as a doormat to be stepped on, the Falcons have it all. They are exquisitely balanced, able to shred opponents on the ground with Anderson, burn secondaries through the air with a resurgent Chandler and targets Terance Mathis, Tony Martin and O.J. Santiago.
The Falcons swallow up running backs with one of the league’s best run defenses and although they are prone to giving up big plays, they make up for that failing with an NFL-high 44 takeaways.
Of course, change the names of the teams, and Denver backers can make many of the same arguments. The Broncos deserve to be a 7-point favorites, as they have superior big-game experience, know what it takes to win a title and can lean on their 31-24 upset of the Packers last year in San Diego as proof that they can once again get the job done.
Where the Broncos fall short, and the main reason they won’t win, is that they are the logical choice but the Falcons are the emotional choice. There comes a time when it is simply a team’s turn, and this is Atlanta’s turn. No team that has gone through what the Falcons did with Dan Reeves is going to be denied this close to making a miracle happen.
Just as last year’s entire Super Bowl buzz revolved around John Elway’s quest for his first ring, this year’s theme centers squarely on Reeves. His return from heart bypass surgery is the stuff of legend, and the inspiration the Falcons derive from Reeves’ return cannot be measured but will be felt.
There are signs that the Broncos are ripe for a defeat. After steamrolling the disinterested Dolphins, Denver was ready to be beaten playing at home in the AFC Championship Game, ready to be dethroned, if only the Jets didn’t fall all over themselves, fumble and bobble the ball away and prove that they were not ready to accept the gift that the Broncos were willing to provide.
Also, Elway is a fading superstar. The Broncos won in spite of him against the Jets as well as in last year’s Super Bowl.
There is a sharp contrast with the way the Broncos meandered into this Super Bowl and the way the Falcons soared here. Knocking off the still dangerous 49ers was a chore. Next came the Vikings, an offensive juggernaut, a scoring machine that was supposed to crush all in its path, riding a purple wave into Miami. When Minnesota rolled to a 20-7 lead in the Metrodome, the Falcons appeared doomed. Yet they persevered and won a thrilling 30-27 overtime classic.
Too much momentum has been built up for the Falcons to be stopped now. They are 16-2 and shouldn’t have to apologize for anything they’ve accomplished. Reeves has captured the imagination of casual fans and most everyone who does not reside in the Mile High City is pulling for good old Dan to finally win the big one.
Reeves, grateful to be alive and thrilled to be going to his fourth Super Bowl as a head coach, surprised all around him in Minnesota by actually flapping his arms in a less-than-artistic attempt at the Falcons funky Dirty Bird. Hopefully, in these two weeks Reeves has had a chance to practice his steps. He’ll be dancing again soon.
PREDICTION: Falcons 24, Broncos 21.
