So the premise here is a new column where I will take two opposing sides of conflict and pit them against each other here in a titanic literary smackdown! I want to stay as current as possible but I will jump around to all time frames if I feel froggy enough. (Call me the Rip Hunter, of the Blogoverse) 

So with that being said, we had some very significant events happen in the form of two professional championship football games to decide the NFL Championships. We had on the AFC side, the evil empire of the gridiron: New England Patriots, led by Tom “Terrific” Brady vs the Heroes of the Mile High: Denver Broncos flanked by Peyton “Iron” Manning.

Image via http://dailysnark.com/nfl-stars-super-heroes/

Like their many clashes before this again was one for the ages. It had action, drama, suspense, and was full of shock and awe. This was tooth and nail till the final tick of the clock and no matter what side you were on, in the end you were proud to be a football fan. (Being a native New Englander myself I had the urge to wear black in the midst of my morning today but, I came to my senses soon enough) Yes I was surely dejected that my team lost (Don’t look so surprised, I root for the Sith against the Jedi too) but was proud of the fight and they never gave up till the end.

When the smoke had cleared, the victors stood tall. Peyton Manning is going back to his 4th Super Bowl and will try to write what may be the final chapter of a long standing epic career. He will be looking to close this story with a big W on February 7th in front of the bright lights with the millions and millions looking on.

Victory comes with it’s price though. As the now battle weary heroes will have to do battle once more before they can lay claim to that holy grail. One thing is for sure, it will be a challenge the likes of which they’ve never seen.

Which brings us to the other side of the coin. The showdown in the NFC for the vaunted title between the New Kids on the Block: Carolina Panthers spearheaded by their now folk hero-like one “Super” Cam Newton who would throw down with the Wily Veterans of the West: Arizona Cardinals and their field general: Carson “Power” Palmer.

Image via http://dailysnark.com/nfl-stars-super-heroes/

Unlike the AFC showdown this did not resemble anything of a titanic struggle between two forces at all. Super Cam all but dispatched of his foes almost single handedly. It wasn’t even a fight, since the other team decided not to show up. (Sorry Cardinals fans, it was downright embarrassing and I felt truly sorry for you 49-15, your team should have called in sick)

With their enemies vanquished on the field, the stage is now set. Today, February 7th, in Santa Clara, CA we will see a battle for the ages. It’s young gun v. old gun and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Both teams are heading out west to go to war for the richest prize in all of sports: The Beli, er.. Lombardi Trophy. This signifies you are the best of the best in the world. It doesn’t get any more gunslinger than that folks. Problem is, one of these outlaws is going to have to go home empty handed and fully of heavy heart.

So if your on either side, what do you do? Well the key to victory is all in the preparation. You have to know your enemy. In order to do that you have to see what both sides bring to the table.

In today’s society we pretty much revere sports superstars as folk heroes of sorts. Since the place where this final war will take place is aptly known as the “Super Bowl” I thought let’s have some fun and re-imagine both team quarterbacks as just that.

It’s Super Cam v Iron Manning in a battle for all of football supremacy with our sports laden hearts hanging in the balance. Depending on what side you are on, you may classify this as good v. evil, Marvel v. DC, Batman v. Superman, or even yes Trump v. Everyone.

Each hero has their own unique way of achieving victory time and time again. For Super-Cam he has the ability to shoulder tremendous pressure and never lose sight of the victory at all times. His devil may care like approach allows him to thrust himself into the fray in a moments notice and never once have a second thought about the danger involved. The opposing forces always try to bring him down through various schemes but he always pulls through. He’s good at the long bomb and allowing time for the enemy to make a mistake so he may capitalize on it with the help of his troops. To the untrained eye it would almost seem that this man of apparent nigh invulnerability has no weakness to even speak of.

However like even his personal hero Superman, Cam has his form of kryptonite: his ego. The one hindrance that can bring even the mightiest warrior down. He is almost shameful in his display of this fact. For if someone could find away to twist this against him, it could be his Achilles heel. Cam loves to grandstand and play to the crowd as much as possible. If he is put into a situation where he is forced to rely on the other members of his team, he can be neutralized. The bad news is, many a force has tried this and almost next to none have succeeded. He has but one blemishing chink in his armor this season, which makes this almost an otherworldly task to accomplish. It can be done however. If one has not tasted the bitter agony of defeat time and time before, then one will surely be unaware of the pitfalls that may await them. It will be up to Iron Manning and his Denver Revengers to take the fight to Cam. It shouldn’t be a battle of brawn, but better yet a battle of wills. There is one hero in this fight who through constant tribulations, has a will that is tempered.

Which brings us to Peyton now. Peyton is no stranger to the agony of defeat. He has tasted it’s mighty sting before and maybe shall yet again. This time though he has an edge. He is going to war with a foe who is in all new territory. Cam has never been to the mountain top and is not familiar with the terrain that lies ahead. This can be used to his advantage. Being on this front for a long time, Peyton’s skills are not what they once were. That’s okay though, they don’t need to be. All he has to do is be as good once, as he ever was. (Hey that reminds me of a song) If he can be great, one more time it might just be good enough. The good news is, where Cam’s ego is his folly, Peyton is not afflicted the same way. Earlier in his career he may have been more of a center focus, he is now seemingly melded to his team. They are a more in sync machine. All of them with parts to play. This could be a tactical advantage against his one man show foe. If he forces Cam to make mistakes, and the defense keeps bringing the heat, the war could be his. It’s exuberance against experience. The latter may be the one key that can be useful to breaking the Panthers Cinderella spell.

So who will win the battle of skill v. will? Only time will tell. One thing for sure is, history will be made on that day. The remaining question is.. which side are you on?

Originally posted on The Epic Grail