We finally get to find out which teams will play in Super Bowl 50 on Sunday, as the New England Patriots square off with the Denver Broncos and the Arizona Cardinals take on the Carolina Panthers. Just as interesting as the teams moving on will be the potential for each quarterback’s legacy to be strengthened over the next two weeks. Even though just four NFL passers remain, they all have taken different paths to get to this point and winning this year’s Super Bowl would mean different things for all four.
The big question, then, is which story would be best when the dust settles, and for which quarterback would winning it all mean more for?
Riding Off into the Sunset
Peyton Manning looked done in week one of this season and he really only regressed from there. Whether it was the new offensive system, old age or injuries, he just never looked right. He returned in week 17 to help the Broncos claim the AFC West and the AFC’s #1 overall seed for the playoffs, though, and last wee did just enough to squeak past the Pittsburgh Steelers. As much as it seems he’s on his way out, there is still the chance he musters enough to push his Broncos to another Super Bowl. Once there, he could again play the game manager role and lean on an elite defense to possibly secure his second championship. If he were able to do that, he could probably come to grips with his career being over and exit the NFL as a champion.
Number Five
While a story of mild redemption and going out on top is definitely interesting, so is one of utter dominance. Tom Brady carries the Patriots into an AFC title game for the 10th time and has a chance to reach the Super Bowl for a remarkable seventh time. A win would give him five Super Bowl rings, likely putting him above all other legendary quarterbacks as the most successful post-season passer ever. Five Super Bowl titles would be a first for any quarterback, and even with all of the arguable asterisks around New England wins, few could deny Brady’s place in history. It all depends on what side of the fence you reside, however. Many see the Patriots as football’s Yankees, so New England winning yet again could just be annoying to most of the NFL and it’s fans.
One Glorious Run
Carson Palmer is definitely not know for his playoff success, as he’s only been to the playoffs a couple of times and just last week earned his first ever playoff game. It would be quite impressive for him to put the Cardinals on his back en route to a Super Bowl title for two reasons: it’d be the franchise’s first Lombardi Trophy and he’s never come close to achieving this much success in a season. For a guy who has been around as long as he has, it’d be quite the ending to what has been a pretty magical run ever since the Cardinals traded for him back in 2014.
Carrying Carolina
From one glorious run to another, Cam Newton is the youngest passer in this bunch by far and he has a totally different perspective here. He’s the only dual threat passer, he’s to this point had very nominal playoff and regular season success and he’s even viewed as a little cocky and arrogant. It could also be perceived as a new breed of quarterback, one that wears his emotions (and confidence) on his sleeve and simply plays the game like he’s lucky to be on the field. It’d be all the more impressive when you consider the manner in which Newton and co. have won a lot of their games – in the clutch and without elite weapons in the passing game. In fact, many left Carolina for dead when #1 wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin went down with a torn ACL this summer. Instead of caving, Newton responded by putting the Panthers on his back and starting the season off at 14-0. Carolina can’t go 19-0, but Newton could put an exclamation point on his young career by bringing Carolina their first ever championship in pro football.
This writer tends to side with the Palmer story-line. This is a guy who has not enjoyed much success in terms of winning, yet has experienced a total career revival under head coach Bruce Arians in Arizona. Brady and Manning, in at least some regard, always can be expected to be here. Newton, as Carolina’s franchise quarterback and a former #1 overall pick, also was expected to one day get the Panthers far in the playoffs. Palmer was a #1 pick with high expectations, too, but he looked to have flamed out years ago due to injury and is now on his third NFL team. A story of long travel, braving failures and true redemption – plus a successful return from a torn ACL a year ago – take the cake for me.
Have a different view? Tell us which quarterback story you like best in the comments below!
