Super Bowl QB Matchup: Matt Stafford vs. Joe Burrow
This year’s Super Bowl features one of the most fascinating quarterback matchups in recent memory.
It’s not a battle between a GOAT and his heir to the throne or a superstar quarterback trying to end his career by riding off into the sunset.
Instead, it is a duel between a quarterback with a career-long run of disappointment in the postseason and a rising star who was riding the bench in college just a few years ago.
Matthew Stafford had to have associated pain with the postseason in his first twelve seasons in the NFL, all with the Detroit Lions.
Nine out of twelve times he was home before the playoffs began and the three times he did make the postseason he was blown out twice and lost a heartbreaker to Dallas.
Stafford even usually played well in these games but lost due to turnovers or a lackluster Detroit defense.
On the other side of the field, Joe Burrow is not far removed from the adversity of his own.
Despite most probably remembering his Heisman Trophy, National Championship and throws to NFL caliber wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase at LSU, Joe Burrow was riding the pine at Ohio State just before then.
From 2015 to 2017 Burrow sat on the bench at Ohio State before transferring to LSU. Even in his first year with the Tigers, Burrow was not impressing too many NFL scouts.
Going into his senior season, fans around the NFL were coining the phrase “Tank For Tua” referencing the Alabama star quarterback.
However, Burrow tore up the turf in his senior year throwing for well over 5,000 yards and shooting to the top of draft boards.
Burrow still had more to overcome as he had doubters arguing his late bloom was due to the star talent around him at LSU and things did not get any easier when he suffered a torn ACL near the end of his rookie season.
The doubters continued to grow as the Bengals turned away from drafting an offensive lineman to help protect their franchise star and instead picked his college buddy Ja’Marr Chase at wide receiver.
Needless to say, the naysayers have been proven wrong all season long as Burrow and Chase have been the best quarterback-wide receiver duo in the league this year and brought Cincinnati its first playoff win since the early 1990s.
Burrow has the swagger and story that has captured the heart of the country, but the grit and amount Stafford has had to overcome has resonated with long-time NFL fans.
Stafford has been a talented quarterback his entire career who has been stuck with a poor Detroit Lions team. He has been overshadowed by Tom Brady, Drew Brees and in his division Aaron Rodgers.
Now Stafford is in the spotlight and is looking to win the Super Bowl many believe he deserves. Meanwhile, Burrow looks to take his popularity through the roof by bringing the starved Bengals their first-ever Super Bowl.
Maclain Young is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email macyoung21@gmail.com.
