#super-bowl-history

#super-bowl-history

Sam Darnold was a game manager Sunday evening and is fine with it. A system quarterback who reached the pinnacle of his profession at Levi's Stadium. He probably feels a lot like Peyton Manning did 10 years ago when his arm was hanging by a thread and the Denver Broncos beat Carolina 24-10 in Super Bowl 50 at Levi's. Or Tom Brady in Super Bowl 53 when the New England Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3.

At 39 years old and having dealt with a left foot injury that limited him to nine starts during the regular season, Manning wasn't playing anywhere near his previous Hall of Fame level when the Broncos made it to the Super Bowl. But Manning had done enough in the postseason to take a shot at a second Super Bowl title and potentially ride off into the sunset with a championship, just like another legendary Broncos quarterback: John Elway.

Much of the attention during Super Bowl week is usually on the star players like Drake Maye and Jaxon Smith-Njigba for good reason. But if history is any indication, some lesser-known players could have a big impact on the Super Bowl on Sunday between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. Milton Williams helped key a dominant defensive effort for the Philadelphia Eagles in a win last year over Kansas City, leading to his big free agent contract this offseason with New England.