War Room Position Matchups: Offense

Click here for more on this story

Posted: Thursday January 28, 1999 02:23 PM

This is the part of a three-part series from The War Room, breaking down Super Bowl XXXIII by the matchups at each position. Check back on Friday for the defensive matchups and on Saturday for a closer look at special teams.

Quarterback

A pair of veterans will step under center for their respective teams in Super Bowl XXXIII. Both quarterbacks had tremendous seasons leading their squads this season but their careers have taken distinctly different paths.

Journeyman Chris Chandler had started games for five NFL teams before joining the Falcons in 1997. Both seasons in Atlanta have been very productive with a 95.1 passer rating last year and an impressive 100.9 rating this season and Atlanta has won 21 of 24 games that Chandler has started. The problem for this 33-year-old has been staying healthy. It is not that Chandler is not tough -- just that he has played quarterback behind some porous offensive lines where he sustained tremendous hits over his 11 years in the NFL.

His toughness and leadership have been part of the glue that has held the Falcons together and kept them focused during this magical season in Atlanta. The veteran has been a very effective ball-handler in Dan Reeves' run-based offensive scheme that utilizes a variety of play action passes. While Chandler is not a strong-armed bomber he is an accurate short and medium-range passer with a nice touch and placement on play-action long balls. Chandler can throw the out-cut and his experience is evident when witnessing his touch on screen passes or the anticipation of throwing only where his receivers can catch the ball avoiding costly interceptions.

Chandler is particularly efficient in the red zone since arriving in Atlanta, where he has thrown 22 red-zone TDs without a single interception. He took over the NFC Championship game on grit and desire as he led his offense on a flawless opening drive right down the field in the hostile Metrodome and finished the game with an impressive drive the length of the field to force the overtime with an uncanny calm. This clutch performance was not unique as for the season his fourth-quarter passer rating was an impressive 121.2 -- the NFL's best!

The veteran journeyman has found his home in Atlanta and is establishing his reputation with his positive attitude and by winning big games. Chandler could fulfill his career dream with a win this Sunday in Miami.

John Elway may take the helm for the last time in Super Bowl XXXIII to end what is sure to be a Hall of Fame career. Elway has passed for more than 50,000 yards in his phenomenal career and after the dramatic upset victory over Green Bay in last year's Super Bowl his Hall of Fame career seemed complete. The competitor in Elway came back to defend the title of World Champions and lead his Broncos for a shot a repeating. The beginning the season with 13 straight wins Denver enters the Super Bowl with a 16-2 record equal to that of the surprising Falcons. The "ironman" Elway missed only 10 games due to injury in his first 14 years (Denver lost eight of them without Elway) but showed signs of aging missing four games this season with some nagging injuries (Denver won all four). The 38-year-old star has earned his reputation of leading comeback victories with both his deceptive scrambling abilities and rifle arm. This season Denver defends their title with an incredibly balanced attack behind Terrell Davis' running and John Elway's passing. The competitor in Elway will do whatever it takes to succeed and remains incredibly dangerous every time he steps under center. John Elway must avoid the distractions of the "Reeves-Shanahan" controversy this week and keep his teammates from being distracted. Elway may go down as the greatest "come-from-behind" quarterback in NFL history. Having experienced the pressures of big games throughout his career and led his team to victory numerous times in dramatic fashion Elway is the perfect man to lead Denver to repeat their World Championship.

WAR ROOM EDGE: Denver Broncos -- but don't count out Chandler.

Running Back

It is only fitting that the best two running backs in the NFL face each other in the Super Bowl. In his encore to last year's Super Bowl XXXII MVP award, Denver's Terrell Davis became only the fourth running back in league history to break the 2,000-yard barrier. Falcons running back Jamal Anderson quietly became a force in the NFC by gaining more than 1,800 yards as a key component in the offensive scheme that got the Falcons to their first Super Bowl.

Anderson finished his third consecutive season rushing for over 1,000 yards but didn't gain national notoriety until the Falcons won the NFC West division title and head into the playoffs. His confidence was not shaken by the lack of respect, rather he fed off it, smashing his way to 1,846 yards averaging 4.5 yards per carry and rushing for 14 TDs. Anderson was the most durable runner in the league with an NFL record 410 carries and he added 27 catches with two more touchdowns.

That gave Anderson 16 opportunities to popularize his "Dirty Bird" touchdown dance. The Atlanta fans need to credit former general manager Ken Herock with the foresight to draft the Utah Ute in the 7th round of the 1994 NFL draft. Since being drafted behind so many other running backs the engaging Anderson enjoys the notoriety now thrown his way and feeds off of a need to prove how good he is every time he steps on the field. The powerfully built back bounces and skates his way through the line delivering punishing blows on defenders attempting to tackle him. At1anta lost lead blocker FB Bob Christian to injury late in the season and replacement Brian Kozlowski has been solid. Anderson gained over 100 yards in every game since Christian's injury until getting shut down in the NFC Championship game in Minnesota. The powerful runner wears down opponents as can be evidenced by his gaining more second-half yards than first half yards this season. The key for Atlanta will be to establish the ground game with Anderson and utilizing the rush to set up their play-action passing game.

The 1995 6th round draft choice for Denver proved to be a good pick. The Georgia running back added to the roster has become the best runner in the NFL. After leading the Broncos to a Super Bowl XXXII Championship with his MVP performance Terrell Davis has had the best season of his career accounting for 2,008 yards on the ground in defense of the title. Davis' career regular-season rushing average of 105.1 yards per game sets an NFL record breaking Hall-of-Famer Jim Brown's record. After his dominant 1998 season, Davis has stepped his game up to an even higher level for the playoffs averaging 148.2 yards per game on the ground. That average is an NFL record that smashed the previous mark of 110.7 yards per game held by John Riggins. The Broncos offense is predicated on Davis' running and with his attacking running style he continues to produce at record setting levels. His trophy case already contains both the Super Bowl MVP and the NFL MVP statues and numerous NFL records but this total team player would like nothing more than to add another Super Bowl Championship ring to his collection.

WAR ROOM EDGE: Denver Broncos.

Wide Receiver

Both teams have veteran quarterbacks who each have a terrific tandem of receivers to stretch the opponents defenses with tremendously productive passing attacks.

Atlanta has a pair of receivers who have been productive all season with clutch catches in pressure situations. Tony Martin and Terance Mathis combined for a total of 2,317 receiving yards with virtually identical numbers (Martin 66 receptions for 1,181 yards averaging 17.9 yards/catch & Mathis 64 receptions for 1,136 yards averaging 17.8 yards/catch) This dynamic duo was second only to the Viking's Carter and Moss, whom they beat in the NFC Championship Game, as the NFL's most productive pair. Martin is the speed receiver looking to stretch defenses vertically and is a constant home-run threat on play-action. Mathis is a cat-quick receiver who runs crisp routes and runs well after the catch as is evident by his 11 touchdowns. This pair will test the discipline of a Broncos secondary that likes to cheat up to help defend the run. If Denver falls into that trap Mathis and Martin will make them pay with big plays.

Denver counters with an outstanding pair of starters that have been tremendously productive and keep defenses honest as they are a constant threat. In his best year ever, Rod Smith hauled in 86 balls for 1,222 receiving yards and Ed McCaffrey snared 64 passes for another 1,053 yards. These two receivers work exceptionally well with the veteran signal caller to give Elway passing lanes and create plays when he scrambles. The deep threat is Smith, who plays fast and has the ability to use his body position well to make downfield catches. He will use his size and strenght to his advantage giving the gifted Elway confidence that only he will catch the ball and not the defender. The 6-foot-5 McCaffrey is adept at running precision routes and has a knack for finding openings in coverage for Elway to throw to his big target. McCaffrey has outstanding hands and was rewarded for his standout performances by being selected to the Pro Bowl by his peers. Denver will test an improving and confident secondary that also must be concerned with Terrell Davis and Shannon Sharpe.

WAR ROOM EDGE: Even -- the team that establishes the run will open up the airways in Miami.

Tight End

Once again, the big game will feature talent on both teams at another position. The tight end play will be a factor in the outcome of Super Bowl XXXIII so we will evaluate Denver All-Pro Shannon Sharpe and Atlanta's rising star O.J. Santiago.

The Falcons tight end is credited with creating the TD dance known as the "Dirty Bird" but he is feared by defenses because he has the ability to create matchup problems and make them adjust schemes. Santiago is a quality receiver who with his great size (6-foot-7, 267 pounds) will find mismatches when covered by safeties and is a great target for Chandler to find in seams and creases in zone coverage. This big receiver will make tough catches over the middle and has enough speed to stretch coverage downfield. This season he caught 27 passes for 428 yards and 5 "Dirty Birds" for an average of nearly 16 yards per reception. He is a serious threat that must be game planned for although in the NFC Championship Game he had a crucial fumble after a catch. Chandler likes to use his big tight end and the Falcons scheme will find him downfield in the creases of the defense.

Shannon Sharpe is a perennial star for Denver who brings exceptional receiving talent to the already potent offense. One of Elway's favorite targets over his nine years, Sharpe was once again an important weapon in the Denver arsenal this season. Sharpe had an amazing 64 catches for 768 yards and 10 touchdowns this year for the Broncos. A gifted athlete, Sharpe is experienced at finding holes in coverage with the ability to run away from defenders and great hands to make tough catches in traffic. His talents force opponents to cover him with a safety or nickel cover guy limiting the number of coverage combinations that Denver will face. By moving him in the formation Denver can sometimes dictate the type of coverage they will face or create a mismatch that Sharpe can exploit. Sharpe gets the nod based on experience and confidence but the big Santiago is a force to be reckoned with both this Sunday and in the future.

WAR ROOM EDGE: Denver Broncos.

Offensive Line

This comparison pits an up and coming young group against a cohesive veteran bunch. Denver is easily the most balanced offense in the league while Atlanta also has been effective in both the run and the pass.

Atlanta starts a young unit that has shown steady improvement all season. That improvement, under the direction of coach Art Shell, was necessary as this group had given up too many sacks but has been very impressive blocking for the run game and leading the league in offensive time of possession. The sacks situation did not entirely disappear as this unit allowed their quarterback (fragile Chris Chandler & 44-year-old Steve DeBerg) to be taken down 53 times during the regular season and 5 times in the two playoff games. This is an area that could surface as an Achilles heel during the Super Bowl against the Denver defense. The starting lineup includes rookie right tackle Ephraim Salaam, right guard Gene Williams, center Robbie Tobeck, second-year left guard Calvin Collins, and left tackle Bob Whitfield. This unheralded unit must have its best outing ever on Super Bowl Sunday to allow their team to compete with Denver.

The Broncos offensive line has an experienced group that works well together as the second-highest scoring offense in the league is proof of. This unit gelled into the efficient and cohesive group that it was due to excellent personnel and good health. Not one of the starters on the Denver offensive line missed a start in 1998. Right tackle Harry Swayne, right guard Dan Neil, center Tom Nalen, left guard Mark Schlereth, and left tackle Tony Jones have been ironmen not missing a single start all season. That fact alone makes this group formidable plus you add in over 40 years NFL experience and having been to and won Super Bowl XXXII over Green Bay and this offensive line becomes the benchmark for the league. This group likes to jump on their opponents and get an early lead having outscored the opposition 144-54 in the 1st quarter this season -- that is the third-highest scoring differential in NFL history. Look for this group to battle the improved Falcons defensive line to establish the line of scrimmage and the running attack. Denver averaged 154.3 yards on the ground while Atlanta only allowed an average of 75.2 rushing yards per game. The winner of this battle may win the big war!

WAR ROOM EDGE: Denver Broncos.