Super Bowl 50: Top 15 quarterback performances of all-time
By John Buhler
John Elway was able to go out on his own terms by being named Super Bowl MVP in his final NFL game in Super Bowl XXXIII. Elway’s Denver Broncos clobbered the NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons, 34-19, down in Miami.
Elway had finally won a Super Bowl the year before, when his Broncos beat Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl XXXII, but that game was also about running back Terrell Davis’ superhuman effort. Super Bowl XXXIII was Elway’s stage and his alone.
Elway completed 18-of-29 passes for 336 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also ran the football three times for two yards and a touchdown. His favorite receiving target in picking apart the Falcons’ secondary was wide receiver Rod Smith, who had five receptions for 152 yards – including an 80-yard touchdown catch.
Atlanta needed to play its A game to stand a chance in this game, even despite going 14-2 during the 1998 NFL season. They didn’t, and Elway went out and crushed Atlanta in Super Bowl XXXIII.
It was one of those games where everybody watching at home knew that Elway was going to come out on top. Finishing his outstanding NFL career with back-to-back Super Bowl victories in his late 30s may never be replicated.
Tom Brady is the only quarterback to win back-to-back Super Bowls since Elway retired and he did that before he entered his prime as a passer. Super Bowl XXXIII was the perfect sendoff to the brilliant Hall of Fame career for Elway, the greatest Bronco of all-time.
Next: 7. Super Bowl XLII