Photo courtesy of Craig Hawkins

This year, for the big game, I will sit down with friends, reminisce about our beloved Broncos’ magical season and enjoy the celebration that encompasses the last football game of any meaning until August.

So why does this holiday seem a little empty?

While watching highlights of the Patriots’ absolute domination of the Broncos in their playoff match up this year, tear-soaked tissues in hand of course, I realized the problem.

The holiday felt empty because the Broncos were not part of the celebration. Had the Broncos made it this far, which I know seems idealistic, the two weeks leading up to the Super Bowl would be a jubilant celebration for millions of Bronco fans.

“You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.”

Thanks Mr. Lennon.

If the Broncos were in the Super Bowl, Denver, and of course the team, would shine in the Nation’s spotlight for two consecutive weeks. Instead, more New York and Boston egos are fed. Great.

If the Broncos were in the Super Bowl, media outlets from around the country would line up to do interviews with old Bronco greats, and even non-greats who just happened to be a part of one of six Bronco teams to make it to a Super Bowl.

Tom Jackson, Rod Smith, Steve Atwater — these are just some of the great Broncos we could be hearing from. Reliving these memories would certainly brighten the holidays.

More fond memories would be recalled when different television shows played highlights of old Bronco Super Bowls, a tradition among the media during the two week hype machine the NFL creates.

I, along with the rest of the country, would be watching John Elway’s famous first down dive from super bowl XXXII, a play which helped propelled Elway to greatness, and the Broncos to the first of their two Super Bowl victories.

Even highlights from four of the Broncos’ Super Bowl losses would be enjoyable to watch. Sure we got splattered 55-10 and 42-10 in two of those games, but watching the old-school bright orange and blue helmets run up and down the field on the grandest of stages sends chills throughout my spine.

Instead, I have had to watch the repeat of the Patriots against the Giants Super Bowl from 2007 over and over. And over.

During the actual breakdown of the Big Game that lies ahead, different analysts have been highlighting different players from both the Giants and Patriots as the reason their team made it this far.

Watching this has saddened me, as it becomes crystal clear just how far away the Broncos really are from making another Super Bowl, or even having the talent to compete with Super Bowl caliber teams like the Patriots or Giants.

Obviously if the Broncos were in the game, none of these issues would be a problem.

Cue Mr. Lennon.

Maybe it’s just me being selfish. The Broncos get their fair share of national attention right, especially with Tebow? And the game should be good, competitive.

So I’ll enjoy the holiday, surrounded by friends and a few (lot of) Blue Moons, but I will also hope that next year the Broncos enjoy all of the accolades that come along with earning a trip to the Super Bowl.

How realistic is that?

Unfortunately, Bronco fans, you can fuhgettaboutit.

Tags: Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, New York Giants, Super Bowl, top

People: John Elway, Rod Smith, Steve Atwater, Tom Jackson