|
Atlanta won the coin toss and elected to receive.
| First Quarter | ||
| Atlanta (15:00) Elam kicks off to Dwight at 6, 31 return to Falcons 37, tackled by Coghill. | ||
| Atlanta (14:49) | ||
| A 37 | 1-10 | J.Anderson 13 run off left tackle, tackled by Cadrez. |
| 50 | 1-10 | J.Anderson off right tackle for no gain tackled by Haselbach. |
| 50 | 2-10 | Chandler 4 pass on right sideline to Martin, Crockett on coverage. |
| D 46 | 3-6 | Chandler incomplete pass up right sideline, intended for Martin. 25-yard defensive pass interference penalty on Broncos Atwater. |
| D 21 | 1-10 | J.Anderson 7 run off right tackle, tackled by Atwater. |
| D 14 | 2-3 | J.Anderson 2 run up the middle, tackled by Atwater. |
| D 12 | 3-1 | Chandler 2 run up the middle, tackled by Haselbach. |
| D 10 | 1-G | J.Anderson 2 run off left tackle, tackled by Tanuvasa. |
| D 8 | 2-G | J.Anderson 7 run off right tackle, tackled by Atwater. |
| D 8 | 3-G | Chandler sacked by Romanowski for 7-yard loss. |
| D 15 | 4-G | Andersen 32-yard field goal, 9:35. |
| Atlanta 3, Denver 0 Andersen kicks off, Hebron downs ball in end zone. | ||
| Denver (9:25) | ||
| D 20 | 1-10 | Elway incomplete pass in right flat intended for Davis. |
| D 20 | 2-10 | Elway 12 pass to Sharpe, tackled by White. |
| D 32 | 1-10 | Davis left sweep for 1 yard, tackled by Buchanan. |
| D 33 | 2-9 | Davis 2 run off left tackle, tackled by Smith. |
| D 35 | 3-7 | Elway 41 pass to R.Smith, pushed out of bounds by Brooking. |
| A 24 | 1-10 | Davis 1 run off right tackle, tackled by Dronett. |
| A 23 | 2-9 | Davis 9 run off left tackle, tackled by Bradford and Crockett. |
| A 14 | 1-10 | Davis run up the middle for loss of 1, tackled by Smith. |
| A 15 | 2-11 | Elway 14 pass over the middle to Sharpe, tackled by Buchanan. |
| A 1 | 1-G | Griffith 1 run off left tackle for TOUCHDOWN, 3:55 Elam extra point is good. Denver 7, Atlanta 3 Elam kicks off to Kozlowski at 11, 16 return to Falcons 27, tackled by Loville. |
| Atlanta (3:46) | ||
| A 27 | 1-10 | Chandler pass intended for Santiago on right side incomplete. |
| A 27 | 2-10 | J.Anderson draw up the middle for 9 yards, tackled by Bradford and Atwater. |
| A 36 | 3-1 | Anderson run for no gain, tackled by Williams. |
| A 26 | 4-1 | Stryzinski 39 punt, downed by Sauer at Broncos 25. |
| Denver (2:12) | ||
| A 25 | 1-10 | Davis 6 run up the middle, tackled by Tuggle. |
| A 31 | 2-4 | Elway incomplete pass intended for Sharpe in right flat. |
| D 31 | 3-4 | Elway pass intended for Sharpe, intercepted by Bradford and returned 1 yard to Broncos 35. |
| Atlanta (1:27) | ||
| D 35 | 1-10 | Dwight 6 run, tackled by Atwater. |
| D 30 | 2-5 | J.Anderson 3 run, tackled by Cadrez and Mobley. |
| END OF FIRST QUARTER: Denver 7, Atlanta 3 | ||
| Second Quarter | ||
| D 26 | 3-1 | J.Anderson no gain off left tackle, tackled by Cadrez. |
| D 26 | 4-1 | J.Anderson right sweep, tackled by Traylor for loss of 2 yards. |
| Denver (14:15) | ||
| D 29 | 1-10 | Elway 13 pass over the middle to Chamberlain, tackled by Robinson. |
| D 42 | 1-10 | Davis 1 run up the middle, tackled by White. |
| D 43 | 2-9 | Davis 8 run on right side, tackled by Fuller. |
| D 49 | 3-1 | Elway 4 pass to Chamberlain, tackled by Bennett. |
| D 45 | 1-10 | Elway 18 pass to R.Smith, tackled by Buchanan. |
| A 27 | 1-10 | Elway incomplete pass intended for Carswell, batted down by Smith. |
| A 27 | 2-10 | Davis 13 run off right tackle, tackled by Buchanan. |
| A 14 | 1-10 | Davis 6 run up the middle, tackled by Dronett and Bradford. |
| A 8 | 2-4 | Elway pass thrown out of bounds. Denver calls first timeout at 9:25. |
| A 8 | 3-4 | Elway incomplete pass intended for Chamberlain in right flat. |
| A 8 | 4-4 | Elam 26-yard field goal, 9:17. Denver 10, Atlanta 3 Elam kicks off to Dwight at 9, 18 return to Falcons 27, tackled by Lynn. |
| Atlanta (9:08) | ||
| A 27 | 1-10 | Chandler 16 pass to Mathis who ran out of bounds. |
| A 43 | 1-10 | Chandler 30 pass to Mathis on right sideline, tackled by Cadrez. |
| D 27 | 1-10 | Chandler 9 left screen pass to J.Anderson, tackled by Gordon. |
| A 18 | 2-1 | J.Anderson 3 run off left tackle, tackled by Williams. |
| D 15 | 1-10 | J.Anderson 6 run up the middle, tackled by Atwater. |
| D 9 | 2-4 | J.Anderson 1 run up the middle, tackled by Gordon and Mobley. |
| D 8 | 3-3 | Chandler overthrew Dwight in end zone. |
| D 8 | 4-3 | Andersen 26-yard field goal attempt wide right. |
| Denver (5:07) | ||
| D 20 | 1-10 | Elway 80 pass to R.Smith for touchdown, 4:54. Elam kicks extra point. Denver 17, Atlanta 3. Elam kicks off to Dwight at 9, 42 return to Broncos 49, tackled by James. |
| Atlanta (4:43) | ||
| D 49 | 1-10 | Chandler incomplete pass intended for Martin. |
| D 49 | 2-10 | Chandler 23 pass to Martin who ran out of bounds. |
| D 26 | 1-10 | Chandler 10 scramble, tackled by Tanuvasa. |
| D 16 | 1-10 | Chandler 5 pass to Kozlowski in left flat, tackled by Mobley and Cadrez. |
| D 11 | 2-5 | Chandler incomplete pass intended for Harris, broken up by James. |
| D 11 | 3-5 | Chandler incomplete pass intended for Martin in end zone, broken up by Gordon. |
| D 11 | 4-5 | Andersen kicks 28-yard field goal, 2:25. Denver 17, Atlanta 6. Andersen kicks off to Hebron at 12, 16 return to Broncos 28, tackled by Fuller. |
| Denver (2:16) | ||
| D 28 | 1-10 | Davis 15 run, tackled by Robinson. TWO MINUTE WARNING |
| D 43 | 1-10 | Davis 2 run off right tackle, tackled by Bennett and Hall. |
| D 45 | 2-8 | Elway 12 pass to Chamberlain over the middle, tackled by White. Denver calls second timeout at 1:13. |
| A 43 | 1-10 | R.Smith 1 run on reverse, forced out of bounds by Bradford. |
| A 42 | 2-9 | Elway 5 pass to R.Smith, tackled by Bradford. Denver calls third timeout at :56. |
| A 37 | 3-4 | Elway incomplete pass intended for Griffith, overthrown in end zone. 10-yard holding penalty on Neil to Falcons 47. Atlanta calls first timeout at :49. |
| A 47 | 3-14 | Davis right sweep for 2 yards, tackled by Fuller and Hall. Atlanta calls second timeout at :40. |
| A 45 | 4-12 | Rouen 35 punt to Dwight who makes fair catch at Falcons 10. |
| Atlanta (:34) | ||
| A 10 | 1-10 | Chandler incomplete pass intended for J.Anderson in right flat, Johnson on coverage. |
| A 10 | 2-10 | J.Anderson 6 run on draw, tackled by Mobley and Atwater. |
| END OF SECOND QUARTER: Denver 17, Atlanta 3 | ||
| Third Quarter | ||
| Denver (15:00) Andersen kicks off to Hebron at goal line, 26 return to Broncos 26, tackled by Booker. (14:48) | ||
| D 26 | 1-10 | Elway 18 pass McCaffrey on the right sideline, tackled by Robinson. |
| D 44 | 1-10 | Elway 11 pass over the middle to Davis, tackled by White. |
| A 45 | 1-10 | Davis 2 run up the middle, tackled by Tuggle. |
| A 43 | 2-8 | Elway 7 screen pass on left side to Griffith, tackled by Bradford. |
| A 36 | 3-1 | Griffith 3 run off left tackle, tackled by White. |
| A 33 | 1-10 | Davis 2 run off left tackle, tackled by Dronett. |
| A 31 | 2-8 | Elway pass incomplete, intended for McCaffrey, batted down by Hall. |
| A 31 | 3-8 | Elway 14 pass to McCaffrey over the middle, tackled by White. |
| A 17 | 1-10 | Davis 7 run on left side, tackled by Tuaolo and Robinson. 10-yard holding penalty on Carswell. |
| A 27 | 1-20 | Elway bootleg for loss no gain. Tackled by Bennett. |
| A 28 | 2-21 | Davis run for no gain, tackled by White. |
| A 28 | 3-21 | Elway 8 pass to Smith, tackled by Robinson and Bradford. |
| A 20 | 4-13 | Elam misses 38-yard field-goal attempt wide right. |
| Atlanta (8:01) | ||
| A 28 | 1-10 | Chandler 29 pass to Martin, tackled by Romanowski. |
| A 47 | 1-10 | Chandler 12 run, tackled by Cadrez. |
| D 41 | 1-10 | Chandler sacked for loss of 6 yards by Mobley. |
| D 47 | 2-16 | Chandler pass intercepted by Johnson, 28 return to Falcons 42, tackled by Salaam. |
| Denver (5:53) | ||
| A 42 | 1-10 | Davis 11 up right side, tackled by Robinson, after missed tackle by Tuggle in backfield. |
| A 31 | 1-10 | Loville 2 run, tackled by White. |
| A 29 | 2-8 | Elway incomplete pass intended for R.Smith, Robinson on coverage. |
| A 29 | 3-8 | Elway pass to McCaffrey for no gain, tackled by Fuller. |
| A 29 | 4-8 | Elam misses 48-yard field goal wide left. |
| Atlanta (3:49) | ||
| A 38 | 1-10 | J.Anderson 13 run on left sweep, tackled by Crockett. |
| D 49 | 1-10 | Chandler 13 pass to Mathis on right sidleine, tackled by Crockett. |
| D 36 | 1-10 | J.Anderson 15 run on draw up the middle, tackled by Cadrez and Atwater. |
| D 21 | 1-10 | Chandler pass deflected by Traylor, intercepted by Gordon, 58-yard return to Falcons 24, tackled by Chandler. |
| Denver (1:46) | ||
| A 24 | 1-10 | Davis 4 run off right tackle, tackled by Tuaolo. |
| A 20 | 2-6 | Elway pass incomplete in end zone, intended for McCaffrey, broken up by Buchanan. |
| A 20 | 3-6 | Elway 15 pass to McCaffrey, tackled by Tuggle. |
| A 5 | 1-G | Griffith 4 run off left side, tackled by Tuggle. |
| END OF THIRD QUARTER: Denver 24, Green Bay 17 | ||
| Fourth Quarter | ||
| A 1 | 2-G | Griffith 1 run for touchdown, Elam kick 14:56. Denver 24, Atlanta 6. Elam kicks off to Dwight at 5, 25 return to Falcons 30, tackled by Loville. |
| Atlanta (14:46) | ||
| A 30 | 1-10 | Chandler 13 pass to Santiago, tackled by Braxton. |
| A 43 | 1-10 | Anderson 15 run on right side, tackled by Romanowski and Smith. |
| D 42 | 1-10 | Chandler 16 pass to Martin on left sideline, out of bounds, covered by Gordon. |
| D 26 | 1-10 | Chandler pass intercepted by Gordon at Broncos 2, returned 50 yards to Falcons 48, tackled by Santiago. |
| Denver (12:37) | ||
| A 48 | 1-10 | Elway 39 screen pass to Davis, knocked out of bounds by White. |
| A 9 | 1-G | Loville 6 run off left tackle, tackled by Robinson. Denver calls first timeout at 11:24. |
| A 3 | 2-G | Elway 3 run for touchdown, 11:20. Elam kicks extra point. Denver 31, Atlanta 6. |
| Denver (12:37) | ||
| Elam kicks off to Dwight at 6, 94 return for touchdown, 11:01. Andersen kicks extra point. Denver 31, Atlanta 13. 15-yard personal-foul penalty on Denver's Traylor. Andersen onside kick from Atlanta 45, recovered by Chamberlain on own 46. | ||
| Denver (10:57) | ||
| D 46 | 1-10 | Davis 4 run, tackled by Hall. |
| 50 | 2-6 | Davis 1 run off left tackle, tackled by Dronett and Smith. |
| A 49 | 3-5 | Elway 25 pass to McCaffrey on left sideline, tackled by White. |
| A 24 | 1-10 | Davis 4 run on left side, tackled by Tuggle. |
| A 20 | 2-6 | Davis 2 run on left side, tackled by Tuggle. |
| A 18 | 3-4 | Elway pass incomplete, intended for Green, Booker on coverage. |
| A 18 | 4-4 | Elam kicks 37-yard field goal, 7:08. Denver 34, Atlanta 13. Elam kicks off to Kozlowski, no return at 24, tackled by Burns and Coghill. |
| Atlanta (7:00) | ||
| A 24 | 1-10 | Chandler pass batted down by Williams. |
| A 24 | 2-10 | Chandler 6 run, tackled by Tanuvasa. |
| A 30 | 3-4 | Chandler 17 pass to Martin on left sideline, Atwater on coverage. |
| A 47 | 1-10 | Chandler pass deflected by Williams. |
| A 47 | 2-10 | Chandler 4 pass to J.Anderson, tackled by Johnson. |
| D 49 | 3-6 | Chandler 9 pass to Mathis, tackled by Romanowski. |
| D 40 | 1-10 | J.Anderson 3 run, tackled by Washington. |
| D 37 | 2-7 | Chandler 3 pass to Mathis, tackled by Crockett. |
| D 34 | 3-4 | Chandler incomplete pass, intended for Dwight, broken up by Romanowski. |
| D 34 | 4-4 | Chandler 10 pass to Mathis who ran out of bounds on right sideline, Crockett on the coverage. |
| D 24 | 1-10 | Chandler 8 pass to Harris over the middle, tackled by Romanowski. |
| D 16 | 2-2 | Chandler overthrew Dwight in right side of end zone. |
| D 16 | 3-2 | Chandler 13 pass to Harris on left side, knocked out of bounds by Crockett. |
| D 3 | 1-G | Chandler pass intended for Dwight in end zone, broken up by Atwater. |
| D 3 | 2-G | Chandler pass incomplete, intended for Santiago, broken up by Braxton. |
| D 3 | 3-G | Chandler 3 pass to Mathis for touchdown, 2:04. Chandler pass failed on two-point conversion. Denver 34, Atlanta 19. Andersen onside kick recovered by Chamberlain at Falcons 39, 2 return to Falcons 37, tackled by Downs. |
| Denver (7:00) TWO MINUTE WARNING | ||
| A 37 | 1-10 | Davis no gain on left side, tackled by White. Atlanta calls first timeout at 1:53. |
| A 37 | 2-10 | Davis 3 run off right tackle, tackled by Dronett. Atlanta calls second timeout at 1:46. |
| A 34 | 3-7 | Davis 4 run up the middle, tackled by Dronett. Atlanta calls third timeout at 1:40.Atlanta calls third timeout at 1:40. |
| A 30 | 4-3 | Elway throws incomplete pass in end zone. |
| Atlanta (1:34) | ||
| A 30 | 1-10 | Anderson 8 run, fumble forced by Coghill, recovered by Braxton and returned 10 yards to 28. |
| Denver (1:23) | ||
| A 28 | 1-10 | Elway takes a knee for loss of 2 yards. Brister replaces Elway. |
| A 30 | 2-12 | Brister takes a knee for loss of 2 yards. |
| FINAL SCORE: Denver 34, Atlanta 19 | ||
| FINAL RECORDS: Denver 17-2, Atlanta 16-3 | ||
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Lineups
Denver Broncos Atlanta Falcons
OFFENSE DEFENSE OFFENSE DEFENSE
WR 80 R.Smith LE 96 H.Hasselbach WR 80 T.Martin LE 92 L.Archambeau
LT 77 T.Jones LT 94 K.Traylor LT 70 B.Whitfield LT 98 T.Hall
LG 69 M.Schlereth RT 93 T.Pryce LG 68 C.Collins RT 75 S.Dronett
C 66 T.Nalen RE 98 M.Tanuvasa C 61 R.Tobeck RE 90 C.Smith
RG 62 D.Neil LLB 51 J.Mobley RG 69 G.Williams WLB 97 C.Bennett
RT 74 H.Swayne MLB 59 G.Cadrez RT 74 E.Salaam MLB 58 J.Tuggle
TE 84 S.Sharpe RLB 53 B.Romanowski TE 88 O.J.Santiago SLB 94 H.Crockett
WR 87 E.McCaffrey LCB 39 R.Crockett WR 81 T.Mathis LCB 34 R.Buchanan
QB 7 J.Elway RCB 21 D.Gordon QB 12 C.Chandler RCB 20 M.Booker
RB 30 T.Davis SS 34 T.Braxton RB 32 J.Anderson SS 35 W.White
FB 29 H.Griffith FS 27 S.Atwater FB 85 B.Kozlowski FS 41 E.Robinson
SUBSTITUTIONS SUBSTITUTIONS
K 1 J.Elam,QB 6 B.Brister,P 16 T.Rouen,CB 20 P 4 D.Stryzinski,K 5 M.Andersen,CB 21
T.James,RB 22 V.Hebron,CB 25 D.Johnson,CB 28 E.Williams,CB 23 R.Bradford,S 25 D.Bush,RB 28
T.Paul,RB 31 D.Loville,FB 37 A.Lynn,FB 42 H.Green,CB 29 R.Fuller,FB 45 G.Downs,LB 52
D.Smith,S 48 G.Coghill,LB 56 K.Burns,G-C 63 C.Sauer,LB 54 R.Hamilton,LB 56 K.Brooking,LB
D.Diaz-Infante,T 78 M.Lepsis,WR 82 M.Nash,WR 59 B.Talley,G 64 B.Hallen,C-G 67 A.Schreiber,T
85 W.Green,TE 86 B.Chamberlain,TE 89 76 J.Portilla,WR 82 R.Harris,WR-KR 83 T.Dwight,
D.Carswell,DE 90 N.Smith,DE 91 A.Williams,DT TE 86 E.Smith,DE 91 J.Burrough,DT 95 E.Tuaolo,
95 M.Washington,DT 97 M.Lodish,LB 99 S.Joyner DE 96 A.Edwards
DID NOT PLAY DID NOT PLAY
NOT ACTIVE NOT ACTIVE
QB 14 B.Griese,S 26 E.Brown,LB 54 N.Wayne,C 60 QB 13 T.Graziani,CB 26 D.Anderson,S 27 O.Brown,
K.C.Jones,T 70 T.Teague,DE 73 C.Brown,G 79 S 47 C.Bayne,G-C 79 D.Widell,TE 84 R.Monroe,WR
C.Banks,WR 83 J.Armour 89 T.Kinchen,DE 93 S.Swayda
Posted: Mon February 1, 1999 at 2:25 a.m EST
MIAMI (Ticker) -- If this is the end, John Elway went out like a Super Bowl MVP.
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Elway completed 18-of-29 passes for 336 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score to lead the Denver Broncos to a 34-19 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII at Pro Player Stadium.
The Broncos (17-2) became the first AFC team to repeat as Super Bowl champion since the 1978-79 Pittsburgh Steelers. Denver beat the Green Bay Packers, 31-24, last year in Super Bowl XXXII.
The 38-year-old Elway indicated this would probably be his final season and he may ride off into the sunset with back-to-back Super Bowl titles.
"This is what we play for, to have this opportunity," Elway said. "To be able to do it two years in a row is unbelievable. I have been around for 16 years, and the last two is the only time I have ever been able to get to win the Super Bowl."
However, if Elway decides to return for a 17th season, he would have a shot at becoming the only quarterback to win three straight Super Bowl titles.
"(It) definitely will go into the thinking and throw a kink into the thinking on what I decide to do next year," said Elway, who today became the first quarterback to start in five Super Bowls. "But I am not going to cross that bridge for awhile."
 John Elway scores on a 3-yard touchdown run in the fourth-quarter. (AP Photo) |
Ironically, Elway's finest Super Bowl game came against former coach Dan Reeves, who guided the Falcons to the first Super Bowl appearance in the franchise's 33-year history. Under Reeves, Elway endured three miserable Super Bowl losses by a combined 136-40.
Rod Smith was Elway's favorite target in the first half before he shifted the passing attack to Ed McCaffrey in the second half. Smith had four receptions for 144 yards and a demoralizing 80-yard touchdown in the first half and finished with five catches for 152 yards. McCaffrey caught five passes for 72 yards, all in the second half.
This time, NFL rushing champion Terrell Davis took a back seat to Elway, although he did run for 102 yards on 25 carries and set an NFL record with his seventh straight 100-yard game in the playoffs. Last season, Davis earned Super Bowl MVP honors with 157 yards rushing and three touchdowns.
Fullback Howard Griffith scored on a pair of one-yard runs and the Denver defense, overshadowed by the team's offensive prowess most of the season, again delivered a big-time performance. The Broncos intercepted Chris Chandler three times in the second half, including two which cornerback Darrien Gordon returned 50 and 58 yards to set up a pair of touchdowns.
"We just went out and the D-line did a great job with the pressure to force Chandler into some bad decisions," Gordon said. "And I was in the right place at the right time."
The lone touchdown allowed by the Broncos defense came with just 2:04 left after the outcome had long been decided.
Denver coach Mike Shanahan, fired by Reeves as an assistant with the Broncos after the 1991 season, became the fifth coach to win back-to-back Super Bowl titles. Shanahan has a 7-1 career record in the postseason.
"I think it's special for everyone in the organization," said Shanahan. "One guy doesn't do it. A head coach doesn't do it. A quarterback doesn't do it. You have a lot of people going in the same direction. That's the only way you win championships."
Reeves appeared in the Super Bowl for the ninth time as a player, coach or assistant. However, he has lost all four times as the head man, joining Marv Levy of Buffalo and Bud Grant of Minnesota as the only other coaches with 0-4 records in the Super Bowl.
"Congratulations to the Denver Broncos, what a great football team," Reeves said. "We just didn't play well and I knew if we didn't play well, we would get beat. We just didn't get the job done."
It was a tough day for Reeves and the Falcons, who had to deal with the embarrassing escapade involving free safety Eugene Robinson, the team's most outspoken leader. On the eve of the Super Bowl, Robinson was arrested and charged with solicitation of a prostitute.
Super Bowl XXXIII Play of the Game. (AP Graphic) |
The players did not use the distraction as an excuse.
"The situation shocked us, but it didn't affect us," said Falcons linebacker Cornelius Bennett, who became the second player to lose five Super Bowls.
"We don't point fingers on this team," Falcons middle linebacker Jessie Tuggle said.
Robinson played a horrific game. He was victimized by Smith on the long touchdown and made numerous incorrect reads over the middle.
"I really got no sleep," Robinson said. "However, when it came to the game tonight, I was extremely focused on the game. It did not affect my play today because it was pretty much therapeutic. I really don't think we played well enough to win the game."
Morten Andersen kicked a pair of field goals to account for Atlanta's only scoring in the first half, but missed a 26-yard attempt in the second quarter.
Falcons rookie Tim Dwight returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter after Denver had built a 31-6 lead. In collecting the fifth kickoff return for a score in Super Bowl history, Dwight was Atlanta's best player with five kick returns for 210 yards.
This was the first Super Bowl featuring the NFL's top rushers. Atlanta's Jamal Anderson nearly matched Davis with 96 yards on 18 carries, but was nowhere near the factor the Falcons hoped.
"This is the team we wanted to play," Anderson said. "We feel bad we didn't get it done for him. A lot of guys were choked up with emotion in the locker room right after the game."
Chandler, who was virtually mistake-free in two playoff wins, was intercepted on three successive possessions in the second half when Denver pulled away. He finished 19-of-35 for 219 yards and a touchdown.
"I can sit here for a long time and try to explain exactly a lot of things that happened and it wouldn't do any good," Chandler said. "It sounds like excuse-making."
The Broncos played the entire second half without seven-time Pro Bowl tight end Shannon Sharpe, who suffered a twisted left knee in the first quarter when he was submarined by fellow trash-talker Ray Buchanan shy of the goal line after a catch.
"I knew something was wrong as soon as I hit the ground," Sharpe said. "My knee was hurt and I just got up and ran off the field. I tried to come back but it just wasn't stable enough. I knew it would do more harm than good to try to play on it."
The Falcons struck first on the game-opening drive when Andersen kicked a 32-yard field goal, but it would be their only lead. Dwight returned the opening kickoff 31 yards and the Falcons drove 48 yards in 10 plays to set up the kick.
The Broncos responded with a 10-play, 80-yard drive, capped by Griffith's first touchdown. Shanahan always scripts Denver's first 15 plays and it usually results in points. On 3rd-and-7, Elway connected with Smith on a 41-yard pass and Sharpe had two catches for 26 yards in the drive.
The Falcons, who led the NFL with 44 takeaways this season, created the first turnover when cornerback Ronnie Bradford intercepted a pass that deflected off Sharpe at the Denver 35. It was the eighth interception for Elway, an ignominious Super Bowl record. He had been tied with Craig Morton and Jim Kelly.
However, Atlanta could not capitalize. The Falcons reached the Denver 26 and Reeves decided to go for it on 4th-and-1 rather than attempt a field goal. On a pitch right, Anderson was trapped for a two-yard loss by defensive tackle Keith Traylor.
The Broncos drove 63 yards in 11 plays and increased their lead to 10-3 when Jason Elam kicked a 26-yard field goal with 9:17 left in the second quarter. Davis rushed four times for 28 yards and Elway hit Smith for 18 yards to key the drive.
The Falcons appeared to seize the momentum when Chandler completed three straight passes for 55 yards, but the drive stalled at the Denver 8 and the normally reliable Andersen hooked a 26-yard field goal attempt to the right.
"It was a mechanical blunder on my part, I missed the kick," Andersen said. "I was a little too quick through the ball. I just didn't get it done."
 Super Bowl XXXIII MVP John Elway. (AP Photo) |
On the very next play, Elway faked a handoff, rolled to his right and lofted a pass over the middle to Smith, who raced past Robinson and turned it into an 80-yard touchdown to give Denver a 17-3 lead with 4:54 left in the second quarter.
"We ran one keeper earlier, and Eugene had come out of center field, so we knew that that play would be open," Elway said. "Eugene stayed flat, and we were able to run the post behind him."
"That play wasn't even in the game plan," Smith said. "We put the play in on the side, right before the play happened."
A 42-yard kickoff return by Dwight set up the Falcons at the Denver 49. Chandler hit Tony Martin with a 26-yard pass and scrambled for 10 yards to set up a 28-yard kick by Andersen with 2:25 left in the half.
The Broncos opened the second half with a drive which consumed nearly seven minutes. After being held without a reception in the first half, McCaffrey had two catches in the drive for 32 yards. However, Elam missed a 38-yard field goal attempt wide right.
Chandler made the first of his three turnovers when he tried to hit Mathis with a pass over the middle. Nickel back Darrius Johnson picked it off and returned it 28 yards to the Atlanta 42. Elam missed another kick, this one wide left from 48 yards.
The Falcons again threatened as Anderson picked up 28 yards on just two carries to move the ball to the Denver 21. Chandler had a pass deflected at the line of scrimmage by Traylor and intercepted by Gordon, who returned it 58 yards to the 24 before he was tackled by Chandler.
Five plays later, Griffith scored his second touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter to give Denver a 24-6 bulge.
Atlanta again moved downfield, only to have Chandler make yet another mistake. Anderson broke off a 15-yard run and two completions by Chandler netted 29 yards to the 26. But Gordon picked off a pass intended for Martin at the 2 and returned it 50 yards to the 48.
Davis turned a screen pass into a 39-yard gain. Two plays later, Elway scored on a three-yard run up the middle to open a 31-6 lead with 11:20 left.
Dwight returned the ensuing kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown and Chandler hit Mathis with a three-yard TD pass around a 37-yard field goal by Elam.
Television coverage was provided by the FOX Network.
© 1999 Sportsticker Enterprises, LP
 Atlanta can't get a handle on Terrell Davis. (Robert Seale/The Sporting News) |
 Terrell Davis makes a move against Chuck Smith. (Robert Seale/The Sporting News) |
 Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis (30). (Al Bello/Allsport) |
 Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis (30). (AP Photo) |
 Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis (30). (AP Photo) |
 Denver Broncos running back Terrell Davis (30). (AP Photo) |
 Bill Romanowski sacks Falcons QB Chris Chandler. (Robert Seale/The Sporting News) |
 Bill Romanowski celebrates a sack of Chris Chandler. (AP Photo) |
 John Elway drops back and scans the field for a receiver. (AP Photo) |
 John Elway hands the ball to his best friend, Terrell Davis. (Bob Leverone/The Sporting News) |
 John Elway celebrates his 80-yard pass to Rod Smith. (Albert Dickson/The Sporting News) |
 Rod Smith blows past the Atlanta secondary on an 80-yard strike. (Bob Leverone/The Sporting News) |
 Rod Smith. (AP Photo) |
 Rod Smith. (AP Photo) |
 Super Bowl 33 MVP John Elway scores a TD in the fourth quarter. (AP Photo) |
 John Elway, MVP of Super Bowl 33, celebrates. (Allsport Photo) |
 John Elway, MVP of Super Bowl 33, holds up the Vince Lombardi Trophy. (AP Photo) |
 Terrell Davis holds up the Vince Lombardi Trophy. (AP Photo) |
 Shannon Sharpe gets upended after a reception. (AP Photo) |
 Darrius Johnson celebrates an interception. (Robert Seale/The Sporting News) |
 Morten Andersen misses a field goal in the second quarter. (AP Photo) |
 Tony Martin drops a potential TD, one of many missed Falcon opportunities. (Albert Dickson/The Sporting News) |
 Jamal Anderson slashes through the Denver defense. (AP Photo) |
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 Jamal Anderson looks for any running room against the Broncos. (Jason Wise/The Sporting News) |
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 Atlanta Falcons fans do the "Dirty Bird" before the Super Bowl. (AP Photo) |
 KISS performs during the Super Bowl 33 pregame festivities. (AP Photo) |
 Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway. (AP Photo) |
 Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway. (AP Photo) |
 Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway. (AP Photo) |
 Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway. (AP Photo) |
 Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway. (AP Photo) |
Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway. (AP Photo) |
 Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway. (AP Photo) |
 Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway. (AP Photo) |
 Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway. (AP Photo) |
 Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway. (AP Photo) |
 Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway. (AP Photo) |
 Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway. (AP Photo) |
 Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway. (AP Photo) |
 Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway celebrates a fourth quarter touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII in Miami, in this Jan. 31, 1999 photo. Thursday 29 January 2004: (AP Photo/Doug Mills) |
 Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway drops back to pass against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter of Super Bowl XXXIII in Miami, in this Jan. 31, 1999 photo, at Pro Player Stadium. Thursday 29 January 2004: (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta) |
 Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway celebrates the Broncos 34-19 win over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl XXXIII, in Miami, in this Jan. 31, 1999 photo. Thursday 29 January 2004: (AP Photo/John Gaps III) |
 John Elway holds up the Vince Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl XXXIII. (Getty Images/Tim Clary) |
 Super Bowl XXXIII trophy. (AP Photo) |
 Atlanta Falcons Chris Chandler. (AP Photo) |
 Atlanta Falcons Chris Chandler. (AP Photo) |
 Atlanta Falcons Chris Chandler. (AP Photo) |
 Denver Broncos kicker Jason Elam. (AP Photo) |
 Atlanta Falcons Tim Dwight. (AP Photo) |
 Atlanta Falcons Tim Dwight. (AP Photo) |
 Atlanta Falcons Tim Dwight. (AP Photo) |
 Atlanta Falcons Tim Dwight. (AP Photo) |
 Atlanta Falcons Tim Dwight. (AP Photo) |
 Atlanta Falcons Tim Dwight. (AP Photo) |
 Quarterback John Elway drops back to pass in Super Bowl XXXIII. (Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates) |
 Defensive end Maa Tanuvasa picks up a sack on Atlanta quarterback Chris Chandler. (Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates) |
 Wide receiver Ed McCaffrey pulls away from linebacker Jesse Tuggle in Super Bowl XXXIII. (Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates) |
 Wide receiver Rod Smith scores on an 80-yard touchdown pass that opened a 17-3 first-half lead for the Broncos. (Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates) |
 Quarterback John Elway and guard Mark Schlereth have a small chat after Elway scored on a 3-yard run. (Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates) |
 Terrell Davis gets into the open on one of his 25 carries for 102 yards. (Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates) |
 Cornerback Darrien Gordon returns his second interception, which set up a fourth-quarter Denver touchdown. (Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates) |
 Linebacker John Mobley celebrates the Broncos second straight Super Bowl championship. (Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates) |
 For his gritty performance, which included a rushing touchdown and another by air, quarterback John Elway earned Most Valuable Player honors in Super Bowl XXXIII. (Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates) |
 Safety Steve Atwater gives the thumbs up while the celebrations are taking place on the field after the game. (Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates) |
 Cornerback Ray Crockett, holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy in one hand and his son in the other, gets mobbed by photographers after the game. (Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates) |
 Cornerback Ray Crockett, holding the Vince Lombardi Trophy in one hand and his son in the other, gets mobbed by photographers after the game. (Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates) |
 The halftime show at Super Bowl XXXIII included a fireworks display and performances by Stevie Wonder, Gloria Estefan and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. (Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates) |
 Head Coach Mike Shanahan does a postgame interview with FOX's Terry Bradshaw after receiving the Vince Lombardi Trophy. (Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates) |
 Linebacker Bill Romanowski acknowledges the fans while running to the locker room after the game. (Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates) |
 Quarterback John Elway prepares for a postgame interview after being named Super Bowl XXXIII's Most Valuable Player. (Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates) |
 Head Coach Mike Shanahan expresses his goals to the team following their win in Super Bowl XXXIII. (Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates) |
 An arial shot of Civic Center Park shows the enormous amount of fans that showed up for the Broncos victory parade and celebration. (Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates) |
 With the Capitol building in the background, fans line up for the victory celebration. (Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates) |
 Davis, with Broncos Owner Pat Bowlen, and other teammates shows off the Super Bowl trophy at a rally at Civic Center Park in Downtown Denver. (Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates) |
 Fans show their love for Broncos quarterback John Elway at the Broncos Super Bowl victory celebration. (Eric Lars Bakke/Rich Clarkson and Associates) |
 Denver Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan. (AP Photo) |
 Atlanta Falcons running back Jamal Anderson (32). (AP Photo) |
 Atlanta Falcons running back Jamal Anderson (32) sits on the bench late in the game. (AP Photo) |
 John Elway. (AP Photo) |
 Super Bowl XXXIII celebration. (AP Photo) |
 This photo provided by the NFL shows an aerial view of Pro Player Stadium in Miami prior to the start of Super Bowl XXXIII between the Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons Sunday, Jan. 31, 1999. (AP Photo/NFL, Dave Cross) |
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