After a grueling regular season followed by two high-stakes rounds of postseason play, the stage is finally set for Super Bowl XXXIII. The defending champion Merry Men will look to cement their place in league history by repeating as champions, but standing in their way are the Huskers, who have completed a stunning worst-to-first turnaround in a rematch of Super Bowl X.
Adversity Tests the Defending Champions
The road back to the title game has been anything but smooth for the Merry Men. A wave of injuries tested both the depth of the roster and the patience of owner Steve Dugas, who was forced to juggle lineups week after week just to stay afloat. Despite the adversity, the Merry Men found a way to survive, largely thanks to their quarterback room.
Purdy's Postseason Dominance
Brock Purdy has been the star of this year's postseason, highlighted by a career-high 30-point explosion in the AFC Championship Game. That dominance is even more impressive considering Purdy missed eight games during the regular season due to injury. When Purdy was sidelined, backup Mac Jones stepped in and delivered one of the more remarkable success stories of the season. Jones totaled 92 points across those eight games and guided the Merry Men to a 5-2-1 record, keeping the defending champions firmly in the playoff hunt and preventing the season from slipping away.
A Patchwork Passing Game, A Steady Backfield
Injuries also wreaked havoc on the wide receiver corps, as CeeDee Lamb, Xavier Worthy, and Jayden Reed all missed significant time. Dugas was forced to piece together a patchwork group on the perimeter, but stability came from the backfield. The running back duo of Bijan Robinson and Kyren Williams proved to be the foundation of the offense all season long.
Peaking at the Perfect Time
Now fully healthy at the right time, the Merry Men enter the Super Bowl as one of the league's hottest teams. Winners of seven of their last eight games and coming off two playoff performances totaling 149 points, they look poised to become just the fifth team in league history to capture back-to-back championships.
The Huskers' Worst-to-First Revival
The Huskers' presence in Super Bowl XXXIII may be the most remarkable story of the season. After finishing 4-10 in 2024 with the worst record in the league, the Huskers flipped the script entirely, claiming the NFC Wild Card and riding a wave of young talent all the way back to the sport's biggest stage.
Youth Fuels the Turnaround
You cannot tell the Huskers' story without focusing on the youth movement that fueled their rise. While sophomore wideouts Marvin Harrison Jr. and Brian Thomas Jr. experienced some growing pains, both remained key contributors throughout the season. The real spark came from the 2025 draft class. Rookie running back Ashton Jeanty and rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart injected immediate life into the offense and quickly established themselves as two of the most exciting young players in the league.
Veteran Stability Meets Explosive Potential
That youth was balanced by veteran leadership, as Josh Jacobs and Darren Waller provided stability and experience, while Rico Dowdle emerged as one of the season's biggest surprises. The result was one of the most explosive offenses in the league, with the Huskers topping 60 points in five different games.
Stumbles, Then a Statement
A late-season stumble saw the Huskers lose three of their final four games, including a pair of forgettable performances that produced just 27 points in Week 11 and 16 points in Week 13. For a moment, it looked like the Cinderella run might come crashing down. Instead, the Huskers responded the same way they have all season. They dismantled the Mallards in the Wild Card round, then outlasted the Brothers in a hard-fought NFC Championship Game, erasing the memory of a combined six wins over the previous two seasons.
It All Comes Down to This
And with that, the stage is set. Super Bowl XXXIII will decide whether the Merry Men can complete a repeat and add another chapter to their dynasty, or if the Huskers can finish one of the greatest worst-to-first runs in league history. The action kicks off on Christmas Day, with a championship on the line.