If the best team won every time an athletic contest was staged, these sorts of competitions might just end. Since sports competitions from the beginning of time, it has been perfectly clear that almost anything can happen. But sometimes, in sports, a sure thing comes along.
The 1998-99 Denver Broncos are a sure thing to win this Sunday's Super Bowl.
Their AFC-best record, their thrashing of playoff opponents and their weak Super Bowl competitors aside, the Broncos will win because they are a team of destiny.
Admittedly the term destiny has been severely overused in referring to sports clubs, especially this season. In this case, though, regardless of all others, the characterization is appropriate.
First, Denver's second straight Super Bowl victory will likely be the final game of John Elway's illustrious career. For those who don't know about Elway -- and where have you been the last 15 seasons? -- he is arguably one of the two best quarterbacks ever to play the game and is clearly the king of comebacks.
With the exception of a last second game-winning touchdown pass by the Duke of Denver, an overwhelming victory in the season's biggest game is the perfect way for a man who made many defenders look overwhelmed to finish his career.
The down-to-the-wire finish is tempting to predict because it would make an even greater story for when the movie of Elway's life is produced. However, there are other reasons why this game won't even be close.
Among football sayings, there are two that explain Denver's great advantage this weekend: 'defense wins Championship' and 'a good running game establishes the passing game.'
While each Super team has a talented complement of defensive stars and top runners -- in fact the two highest yardage gainers this season -- Denver reigns superior.
The Broncos have a strong front four, a good defensive backfield and two of the best linebackers around. John Mobley, a young star, plays on the right opposite Bill Romanowski, a fierce veteran of several Super Bowls. Steve Atwater, the Broncos free safety has been pummeling NFL receivers for years.
As for the running game, this season Terrell Davis became only the third player to rush for 2,000-plus yards in NFL history. He lead the league with 2,008 yards, 162 more than the Falcons' Jamal Anderson. More importantly Davis earned his yardage on 19 less carries, averaging over half a yard more per carry. He is supported by an experienced offensive line and powerful fullback Howard Girffith.
Furthermore, the Broncos' passing game -- thanks to a spectacular running game -- scores often and does not turn the ball over.
Denver had two receivers catch more than 1,000 yards in passes, Ed McCaffrey and Rod Smith. McCafrey and tight end Shannon Sharpe each hauled in 10 touchdown catches. The Broncos boast nine Pro Bowlers, tops in the NFL.
And they have good special teams.
Finally, the Broncos have Super Bowl experience. A great deal of the team's current roster returns from last season's Championship winners, and even several players remain from the late 1980's when the Broncos went to three Super Bowls in four years. Not least among these players is Elway, who would like nothing more than to push further from memory the pain of three crushing defeats.
