Super Bowl Xxxiii

SUPER BOWL XXXIII pitted the defending champion Denver Broncos against the upstart Atlanta Falcons. Although emotion favored the newcomers, the veteran team from Colorado knew when and how to adjust its game plan, while the Georgia squad’s ideas didn’t end up leading to success.

Trailing 7–3 in the second quarter, the Falcons intercepted a John Elway pass at the Denver 35-yard line for the game’s first turnover. Three plays later, Atlanta faced fourth-and-one. Coach Dan Reeves elected to go for the first down rather than kick a field goal, but the gamble failed. Keith Traylor tackled Jamal Anderson for a two-yard loss to give the ball back to the Broncos.

Denver went up 10–3 on a 26-yard Jason Elam field goal. On Atlanta’s next possession, Morten Andersen missed his 26-yard attempt. The next play turned the tide in Denver’s favor.

Studying a photo taken earlier, Mike Shanahan’s offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak noticed that the Falcons’ safeties bit on a play fake to running back Terrell Davis. The assistant coach inserted a play Denver hadn’t used since midseason.

Kubiak called for wide receiver Rod Smith to run a deep post route rather than a curl. Elway faked to Davis, then threw a perfect spiral to Smith. He caught the ball in stride at the Atlanta 43 and coasted into the end zone, putting the Broncos in front 17–3.

Interceptions on two consecutive drives in the fourth quarter set up touchdowns for Denver, and the lead proved insurmountable. Denver cruised to a 34–19 victory and back-to-back Super Bowl wins.

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POINT During the game, the Falcons moved inside the Broncos 30-yard line seven times. Interceptions, missed field goals, and turnovers on downs doomed Atlanta. The Falcons’ plans to score points and put the ball in the end zone never worked out. But Denver’s idea to implement an infrequently used play worked perfectly.

In the Old Testament, Job had a special relationship with God. He knew God could do whatever he wanted—that all of God’s ideas worked out exactly how he planned. God’s plans still are flawless today.

GOAL! Think about how Atlanta might have changed their plans to win. Then think of some areas in your life that need changing.