Super Bowl 2012: Super Subplots Worth Watching

It is easy to become jaded about a game that will not feature a discount double check celebration, or a Tebow genuflection from the man himself. Super Bowl XLVI will still be an amazing affair, and the reasons are simple. 

The nation mourned some exciting stories that died a cruel death this past weekend. Drew Brees and his record-breaking season was dismissed in an instant classic against the 49ers. 

Aaron Rodgers and his second Super Bowl title was put on hold after losing out to a crisp playing Giants defense. Then there was Tim Tebow. While we all knew the Broncos wouldn't feature in the Super Bowl, it didn't make their ousting any easier to deal with. 

Where the hell are we going to get some interesting angles from now? Not to worry, the No Fun League, as it turns out, is full of engaging subplots that will keep our butts firmly inching toward the edge of our seats. Here are the best that remain. 

Harbaugh Bowl

Fans of Rex Ryan-level hype will love the opportunity to see Harbaugh Bowl 2.0. Sure, we got a 16-6 Ravens victory in Harbaugh Bowl I, but this one would really matter. 

Forget regular season hype, this is the Super Bowl. We would have a couple weeks of hearing about family loyalties and Jim Harbaugh gunning for his brother's soul. You want biblical? Forget Tebow, as Cain vs. Abel comes flooding to the small screen. 

Tom Brady

Remember this guy? You might recall that he is the former most-talked about quarterback in the league. 

Brees and Rodgers take a breather letting the man that just annihilated the Broncos for 363 yards and six touchdowns take over. The Ravens defense doesn't mess around, so getting past them and then winning the Lombardi would establish Brady as best QB ever. So, there is that discussion to enjoy. 

Little Brother Grows Up

It is usually enough to win just one Super Bowl MVP award. When your brother is Peyton Manning, accolades and attaboys are pretty lean. 

It's time to accept the fact that Archie Manning raised two legendary quarterbacks. At least, that is what we should say is Eli Manning takes home his second Super Bowl of his career despite living in the shadow of his big brother and other more marquee names. 

We have been clamoring for a little engine that could story, and picked Tim Tebow to lead the cause. Eli Manning is nearly as good a story as he continues to prove he is underrated and far from justly appreciated. 

This Super Bowl will be an amazing one, and these few subplots guarantee that. 

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