The losing fanbase from a Superbowl matchup often walks away thinking next year will be our year. Fans may reason the foundation is in place, the core stars are under contract, and the team will only get closer from the sour taste in the mouth. The reality is that teams do not make it back to the Superbowl the year after a loss. The only team to make it back in the past twenty-five years from that scenario is the New England Patriots, who won Superbowl 53 after losing Superbowl 52 to the Eagles. Contrary to popular belief, most players who get one shot at a championship never get another shot to claim glory. In this article, we will review five missed opportunities by quarterbacks to win the Superbowl and the fatal consequences following the game.
Number 5: Steve McNair and the Titans come up just short-the game started as a defensive battle during the first half. The Rams offense moved the ball down the field better than the Titans and managed to get into field gold range to take a 9–0. Then, in the third quarter, Rams quarterback Kurt Warner found Torry Holt for a touchdown pass to push the lead to 16-0. However, Steve McNair lead a furious comeback along with Eddie George to tie the game at 16-16. Late in the fourth quarter, Warner hit Issac Bruce on a deep pass, and with some nifty moves by the wide receiver, he found the end zone for a touchdown. With under 2 minutes left, McNair led his team down the field. With 5 seconds left in the game and the Titans at the 10-yard line, McNair found Kevin Dyson on a short pass but was stopped one yard short on a brilliant tackle by Rams linebacker Mike Jones. Despite coming so close and the excruciating manner of the loss, McNair never made it back to the Superbowl again. Steve only lasted five more seasons in Tennessee and played two additional seasons with the Ravens before retiring. The Titans have not made another Superbowl appearance, and this season had another brutal loss in the divisional round despite being the number one seed.
Number 4: Jimmy Garoppolo folds in the 4th quarter-with just over 8 minutes left in the game, the 49ers led Superbowl 54 over the Chiefs 20-10. However, Patrick Mahomes went to work, and Tyreek Hill delivered big plays. Mahomes found Kelce in the end zone to pull the game to 20-17. The 49ers staff inexplicably failed to run the ball, and the 49ers made a quick three and out. Mahomes then found Sammy Watkins for a big completion and ended the drive with a 5 yard Damien Williams touchdown pass. The 49ers failed to make plays and turned the ball over on downs. Damien Williams capped the comeback with a 38-yard rush TD. On the last 49ers possession, Jimmy threw a bad interception to end the game 31-20. Jimmy Garoppolo has never been the same since that game. The 49ers decided to climb in the draft and give up assets to draft Trey Lance. Jimmy had the chance to cement his legacy but instead failed. It appears he will not be the starter next season and will be looking for another team to trade for him. Garoppolo’s example exemplifies the need to seize the moment.
Number 3: Russell Wilson throws a bad interception to end the game-Superbowl 49 was a hotly contested game with proceedings tied at 14 by halftime. However, the Seahawks surged ahead to lead 24-14 to start the fourth quarter. Tom Brady rose to the occasion and led his team down the field by hooking up with Julian Edelman for 42 yards on two key 3rd downs. After a quick three and out, Brady led his team on a 10-play drive, 64-yard touchdown drive to put the Patriots up 28-24 with 2 minutes. It left Russell with too much time to operate and he found Marshawn Lynch and Jermaine Kearse on big plays to put them in the red zone. After Lynch gained 4 yards on a 1st & Goal run it put the ball at the one-yard line, Wilson inexplicably threw the ball on second down to be picked off by Malcolm Butler in the end zone. It was one of the most shocking plays ever in a sports event. Although the Seahawks did win Superbowl 48 the previous year, the loss seemed to be a divisive tipping point for the players and hindered the formation of a potential dynasty. The defensive unit who called themselves the “legion of boom” started to question why Wilson threw the pass instead of Lynch running the ball. The star players on defense eventually moved on including Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, and KJ Wright. The franchise has not appeared in another Superbowl, and Wilson is rumored to be looking for a new team.
Number 2: Cam Newton gets destroyed by the Broncos Defense-in 2003 the Panthers made their first Superbowl appearance in a heartbreaking loss to the Patriots. In Superbowl 50, the franchise looked for redemption and their first title. The team was led by their 2011 number one draft pick, Cam Newton, who had put together an MVP Season. However, Von Miller and the Broncos defense destroyed any chance of a Panther win by sacking Newton 6 times and intercepting a pass in a 24-10 victory. Panthers fans perhaps felt that this team had many more chances to get back to the Superbowl, and quickly. Sadly in subsequent years, Newton was played with injuries, and the team struggled to win. Newton later played for the Patriots for a season and made a mini-comeback with the Panthers this year. The Panthers are now looking at a team rebuild, and Newton is staring at retirement.
Number 1: Matt Ryan and the Falcons squander monumental lead-Superbowl 51 was going perfect if you are a Falcons fan because it was 21-0 at halftime and 28-3 in the middle of the third quarter. Then, Tom Brady clawed back in the game thanks to an Edelman circus catch, 2 touchdown passes to James White TD, another to Danny Amendola, a field goal, and a two-point conversion. The Falcons aided the comeback by failing to run the ball, being putrid on offense, and losing a key fumble. In overtime, the Patriots won the toss and marched down the field with White capping the win with a 2-yard run. The Falcons have not recovered from this remarkable collapse with Coach Dan Quinn fired in subsequent seasons. Julio Jones is now on a different team, and despite an MVP season that year, Matt Ryan has not played at that high level.
Therefore, as Matt Stafford and Joe Burrow lace up their cleats on Sunday, they should contemplate these examples and seize the moment because it may never come along again.
Game prediction-Bengals 34-Rams 31
