The 5 greatest NFL storylines going into a Super Bowl ever
By Erik Lambert
The buzz going around NFL circles is that Super Bowl LIII might be one of the worst in recent memory in terms of interesting side stories.
One of the things that can so often make this game great is the storylines that come with the matchups. The Los Angeles Rams and New England Patriots have no reason to feel bad about being in the game. It’s merely that neither team has anything interesting to offer the wider public. Something that compels them to tune in and watch the game for anything else than it’s the Super Bowl and the last game of the year.
That brought up a fun question. Looking back over the vast array of big games the past 52 years, what have been the most compelling storylines to enthrall fans before a big game. Here are the five that stood out the most.
05: John Elway slays the dragon
Everybody understood what was at stake by January of 1998. John Elway was already destined for the Hall of Fame. His outstanding career dating back 14 years assured that much. He’d done everything there was to do including post tons of stats, go to several Pro Bowls, and win an MVP. The one prize that has eluded him was a Super Bowl title. He’d already flopped on his previous three chances in the 1980s, losing each of those games a combined 136-40.
Going into Super Bowl XXXII against the defending champion Green Bay Packers, most agreed this was his last shot to exorcize his demons. He was 37-years old and nearing retirement. A loss in this game would’ve put one final blotch on an otherwise magnificent career. However, a win would’ve finally validated him as one of the most clutch quarterbacks in NFL history.
It didn’t come easy. Elway made his share of mistakes in the game. Still, 157 yards and three TDs from Terrell Davis and a couple of huge plays from the old quarterback including the iconic “helicopter” run for a first down helped Denver finally get over the hump.