American Football: History and Favre dog underdogs

History and current form suggest that Green Bay will prove too strong for the Denver Broncos, but the underdogs are not without hope, and if they can keep the Packers in their sights going into the second half, an upset in Super Bowl XXXII is a possibility.

If the Broncos manage to execute a flawless game, they stand every chance. In their running back Terrell Davis, they have a player who pounded out 1,700 yards during the season. Containing Davis will be crucial for the Packers, and much will depend on the fitness of defensive tackle Gilbert Brown. When he is healthy, Green Bay are notoriously difficult to run against, but Brown has been slowed by an ankle injury in recent weeks.

"The key for us to win is to just play our game," said the Packers' formidable defensive end, Reggie White. "If we don't, this Denver team will definitely beat us. They are capable of beating anybody." Should Davis fail to impose himself on the contest, the Broncos could lose heavily. In contrast, the Packers have an arsenal of offensive weaponry at their disposal, sufficient to keep the best prepared defence off balance.

Their quarterback, Brett Favre, is guilty of occasional lapses in concentration, but no one can match his capacity to create something out of nothing. His primary targets, Robert Brooks and Antonio Freeman, are both potential match-winners, while in tight end Mark Chmura, the Packers have a sure- handed, reliable performer. When they run the ball, Dorsey Levens is effective behind the punishing blocks of full-back William Henderson.

"Everybody knows about Green Bay's offense, those guys are just explosive," said the Broncos' cornerback, Ray Crockett. "They can make big plays any time, and they have the best quarterback in the game."

In the National Football League, size matters, and it is at the line of scrimmage that the Packers enjoy a big advantage. Green Bay's offensive front will look to dominate their lighter, faster opponents. If they are successful, Favre will have the time he needs to run riot.

Denver's quarterback, John Elway, will need time too, a commodity likely to be in short supply should the Packers utilise the power of White and the speed of the linebackers Seth Joyner and Brian Williams.

In four previous Super Bowl attempts, Denver have never come close to victory. In contrast, the Packers have yet to taste defeat, and have compiled an NFL record 12 championships in their distinguished history. Tomorrow evening in southern California, 13 looks like being unlucky for the Broncos.

- Nick Halling, San Diego