Today’s Matchups
Sizing up the Super Bowl, by position:
Receivers
Green Bay’s Robert Brooks and Antonio Freeman have demonstrated they do some of their best work when everything is on the line. Freeman, for example, produced his season high in per-catch average 26.8 yards in the NFC title game. Watch out for tight end Mark Chmura in the red zone. Denver has much better quality than it brought to previous Super Bowls. Shannon Sharpe and Ed McCaffrey are excellent, tall, possession targets, but Rod Smith sometimes is infected with the bobbles.
Edge: Green Bay.
Offensive line
It’s often noted that Denver has one of the smaller blocking corps in the league - which shows you where the game has gone, since a 290-pound average is considered small. But these guys are accomplished blockers, particularly tackle Tony Jones and guard Brian Habib on the right side. Gary Zimmerman is still formidable at left tackle. Green Bay’s line is more hodgepodge, but guards Aaron Taylor and Adam Timmerman do just fine.
Edge: Denver.
Running backs
No contest here. Terrell Davis of Denver is strides ahead of anyone Green Bay can offer. He rushed for 1,750 yards and 15 touchdowns, and is the rare back who can pound away when needed and still have enough flash left to break a big one. Dorsey Levens has done a commendable job filling in for Edgar Bennett (out all season with a torn Achilles’ tendon).
Edge: Denver.
Quarterbacks
No one can match the accomplishments of Green Bay’s Brett Favre during the last three years, as he has excelled in a system perfectly suited to his skills. But Denver’s John Elway has gained comfort with much the same system since Mike Shanahan came aboard as coach, and Elway adds the uncanny intangibles of doing some of his best work in the crunch.
Edge: Even.
Defensive line
Reggie White is the better-known member of the Packers’ line because of his career body of work, but the NFL’s all-time sack leader is slowing down a bit at age 36. The key figures here are nose tackle Gilbert Brown, who not only can tie up multiple blockers but also exhibit quick feet, and tackle Santana Dotson, who offers 6-5 height and athletic ability that can swat down passes on short drops by the quarterback. Denver’s Neil Smith and Alfred Smith have been finding their way to the quarterback (team-high 8-1/2 sacks each during the season), but it’s essential that tackles Keith Traylor and Maa Tanuvasa plug up the Green Bay running lanes.
Edge: Green Bay.
Linebackers
It’s difficult to find a more athletic outside ‘backer than Denver’s John Mobley, who led the team in tackles and added four sacks - unusual for that position. Inside, Denver’s Allen Aldridge and Green Bay’s Bernardo Harris are both solid.
Edge: Denver.
Defensive backs
Strong safety LeRoy Butler could give Elway fits, since he can crowd the line, blitz and cover with the best of them. Elway is no surprise to free safety Eugene Robinson, the longtime Seattle Seahawks star. Denver safeties Steve Atwater and Tyrone Braxton could have trouble staying with the Packers receivers, particularly after the catch. The cornerbacks on each team have had strong seasons, but Green Bay’s athletic Doug Evans has stepped ahead of them all.
Edge: Green Bay.
Special teams
Denver’s Jason Elam missed five of eight kicks in the 40-yard range. Green Bay’s Ryan Longwell has been steady all year. Darrien Gordon is a speedy punt returner for the Broncos who averaged 13.6 yards per runback. The Packers’ Travis Jervey will go to the Pro Bowl on the strength of his cover work.
Edge: Green Bay.