January 25, 1998: The night God answered our prayers

The defending Super Bowl champion Packers took the opening kickoff and marched 76 yards in just over four minutes, scoring the first points on Brett Favre's 22-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Freeman. The Broncos responded with a 10-play, 58-yard drive capped by Davis's 1-yard run to tie the game.

Tyrone Braxton intercepted Favre two plays later, and John Elway scored on a third-and-goal play to begin the second quarter. Steve Atwater forced Favre to fumble three plays later, and Neil Smith recovered at the Packers' 33. Jason Elam converted a 51-yard field goal, the second longest in Super Bowl history, to give the Broncos a 17-7 lead with 12:21 left in the half.

After an exchange of punts, the Packers produced a 17-play, 95-yard drive that consumed 7:26 and finished with Favre's 6-yard touchdown pass to Mark Chmura on third-and-5 with 12 seconds left in the half.

Tyrone Williams forced and recovered Davis's fumble at the Broncos' 26 on the first play from scrimmage in the second half. However, the Broncos' defense kept the Packers out of the end zone as Ryan Longwell's 27-yard field goal tied the game with 11:59 left in the third quarter.

After another exchange of punts, Elway's 36-yard pass to Ed McCaffrey keyed a 13-play, 92-yard drive capped by Davis's 1-yard touchdown run with 34 seconds left in the third quarter. Tim McKyer recovered Freeman's fumble at the Packers' 22 on the ensuing kickoff return, giving the Broncos a golden opportunity, but Eugene Robinson intercepted Elway's pass in the end zone on the next play.

Sparked by Robinson's play, the Packers took just four plays, three on passes to Freeman, to score the tying touchdown with 13:32 remaining. Each defense stiffened, forcing two punts, but the Broncos got great field position following Craig Hentrich's 39-yard punt to the Packers' 49 with 3:27 left and the score tied 24-24.

Terrel rushed for two yards on the first play, but Darrius Holland's 15-yard facemask penalty moved the ball to the Packers' 32. Elway threw a 23-yard pass to Howard Griffith two plays later, and after a holding penalty, Davis rushed 17 yards to the Packers' 1 with 1:47 left. After a timeout, Davis waltzed into the end zone to give Denver a 31-24 lead with 1:45 remaining.

Freeman returned the kickoff 22 yards to the Packers' 30, and Favre completed 22- and 13-yard screen passes to Dorsey Levens to reach the Broncos' 35 with 1:04 left. But after a 4-yard pass to Levens and incompletions to Freeman and Brooks, John Mobley knocked away Favre's pass to Chmura with 32 seconds left to give the Broncos the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

John was 12 of 22 for 123 yards, with an interception. Brett was 25 of 42 for 256 yards and a touchdown, with one interception. Freeman had nine receptions for 126 yards. Terrel was named the game's most valuable player.

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[303MileHigh420]

@codeking32 elway would have won more championships than montana did with the 49ers if he was in san fran in montanas place. montana had a hall of fame lineup around him and honestly should have done much more than he did - if elway was in his shoes - elway would own all superbowl records - wins/yards/touchdowns ect. elway took the broncos to superbowls that the broncos had no business being in practically all by himself with little to no help thats why he will ALWAYS be the best.

[303MileHigh420]

7:44 a classic. notice how there were NO flags - today - in the pussyfied nfl - where there isnt even any kickoff returns anymore because someone might break a nail - there would have been a 15 yard flag on the broncos - which could have changed the outcome of superbowl 32 - a possible ejection from the game and then later - a 50,000 fine by the pussyfied nfl comissioner/front man for the owners. ahhh yes!!!! this is when the nfl use to be a game still!! r.i.p. nfl

[MrSlik25]

@303MileHigh420 John is an all time great...but What more could Montana have done but win 4 Superbowl rings? Stats are meaningless when it comes to that amount of winning...4 rings is the only relevant statistic involved here...John Elway did carry his team

[Blastfimine80]

its good to see a Nebraska corn husker taking lead f the d in the super bowl go big red and neil smith wooooo!

[chucky0o]

@rriqueno your the man

[XhmOngSouLjax]

I'm sure John Elway sees shades of what he used to be in Tebow but won't admit it. I'm sure he knows that if Tebow keeps playing, he'll turn out to be great just like him. I can't wait for the new season to start, because I want to see what Tebow has learned from John.

[Cantankerous65]

@303MileHigh420 I totaly agree with you here Elways has always been my Fave QB and am not a denver fan but always by far was the best QB of all time

[rriqueno]

@BudtheMainah Me to brother although I was a kid in 86 The drive. This game was the culmination for all bronco fans across the world, Im from Puerto Rico. I remember watching this game alone in my room, tears dropping, cheering, there were not to many football fans in my country but it still was sweet!! Like you I loved ELWAY then and still love him, hes the best Ive seen

[ncngrr5]

To "codeking32" above and after reviewing the seasons, if Elway or Marino would have been

a 49er, the 49ers would have 7 SB titles in the era that Elway 1a or Marino 1b would have played. Elway wins with mobility, Marino was a better passer but a statue.

[ncngrr5]

I too, tear up, my dad and I where in heaven, any us true die hard Bronco fans would have given our life for Denver to win, at all costs, and then they did it twice, from the Heavens above!

[spongemill]

I Tear up and get the shivers when I see this. Everydam time!