Tom Brady

Here's what's at stake on Championship Sunday

Published Jan. 23, 2016 6:30 p.m. ET

Sid Saraf

It's finally here.

Championship Sunday has seen more than its fair share of dramatic moments over the years and it often shapes the destinies of those players and coaches who can gut out a victory and get to a Super Bowl. This year is no different. The Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots and Denver Broncos all have a tremendous amount riding on the outcomes of Sunday's games.

So, let's break down what a win would mean to some of the major players on this major day.

CARSON PALMER ERASES CURSE OF KIMO VAN OELHOFFEN

Back in 2005, Palmer was a third-year Cincinnati Bengals QB with an extremely bright future. He had his team in a first-round playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers when a defensive tackle with an awesome name plowed into Palmer's knee and ripped it to shreds. Things were never the same after that for Palmer, who did recover physically, but his time with the Bengals ended bitterly — and a stint with the Oakland Raiders didn't go well either.

Then Palmer landed in Arizona under new head coach Bruce Arians, and the former Heisman Trophy winner began to flourish. He picked up the first postseason win of his career last week over the Green Bay Packers and a win on Sunday would propel the big redhead and former No. 1 pick with the tight spiral into the Super Bowl. All the bad feelings of the past officially would be left behind.

BRUCE ARIANS GETS BRAGGING RIGHTS

Remember all those teams that never gave Arians a head-coaching job, despite all those years of success as an offensive coordinator? As the typical Twitter troll would say, "Where you at?!"

Not only would Arians score a measure of personal glory with a win, but he also would get to thumb his nose at the Steelers and Indianapolis Colts, neither of whom have sniffed a Super Bowl since Arians left town.

BILL BELICHICK BECOMES AWARD-WORTHY

People forget that Belichick hasn't just had success as a head coach. He's been to nine Super Bowls over the years, if you count his stints as an assistant coach with the Giants and Patriots. Point to another coach with that kind of résumé. Another Super Bowl appearance would set him up to win a record fifth championship ring as New England's head man in charge. And since it's blasphemy to suggest changing the Lombardi Trophy to bear his name, maybe the Coach of the Year Award should become the Belichick Award. Or the "Hoodie."

TOM BRADY CAN TOP TERRY BRADSHAW

FOX's own beloved analyst won four Super Bowl rings with the Steelers in the 1970s. If Brady takes care of business on Sunday, he'll get a shot at winning an unprecedented fifth ring. That would end the debate. Just based on numbers, Brady will be the greatest quarterback to ever win the game. In addition, a win Sunday would earn Tom Terrific an NFL-record seventh Super Bowl appearance for a starting QB.

CAM NEWTON JOINS THE ELITE

With all due respect to the Baltimore Ravens QB and onetime Super Bowl champion, this isn't Joe Flacco we're talking about here. Newton has led his team to a 15-1 record and is almost guaranteed to be named the 2015 NFL MVP. But that wouldn't even be the sweetest part of getting this win. Let's rewind a few years to when Newton was coming out of Auburn poised to be the top pick in the NFL Draft. Then this blistering assessment of his character came out. Allow me to refresh your memory:

"Does not command respect from teammates and will always struggle to win a locker room . . . Lacks accountability, focus and trustworthiness — is not punctual, seeks shortcuts and sets a bad example," said one source, who shall not be named.

Anyone who has watched No. 1 play this season can testify that he not only commands respect from his teammates and has won over the locker room, but he also has been a shining example of focus and trustworthiness. Just goes to show, draft pundits are often wrong. Gloriously and indefensibly wrong.

RON RIVERA CAN PUT DOWN ROOTS

Speaking of someone who got raked over the coals, here were reviews of the Panthers head coach's job performance from not all that long ago:

"The Panthers may not be on New Orleans' and Atlanta's level quite yet. But if a Tampa Bay team, featuring a quarterback they couldn't give away, can remain competitive and relevant for the majority of a season, why can't Carolina? Two words, Ron Rivera," one source said.

". . . but it sounds like the Panthers think it might be time to move on from Rivera as well," another said.

"The franchise would be better off with another 2-8 start. Then there would be no doubt that new leadership is needed," another doubter opined.

After a 2014 season in which Rivera rallied his troops to the playoffs despite a disastrous start and now an outstanding 2015 run, a Super Bowl appearance could keep his job safe for the foreseeable future. So, he can buy a second house if he wants. Maybe a third.

PEYTON MANNING GETS ONE MORE SHOT

Come on, you don't want to see a career as entertaining as Manning's end with him limping off the field after another loss to the Patriots, right? Yes, it's true his 39-year-old arm seems to be hanging by a thread and every time he gets hit, it's hard not to cringe and cross your fingers. But, it would be so sweet for The Sheriff to get to the big game one more time. Maybe he'll even get the win when he gets there and can ride off into the sunset with his second ring.

That would be sweet to watch, if you're not a Patriots fan.

JOSH MCDANIELS BECOMES JEWEL OF NEXT BLACK MONDAY

Poor guy. The Patriots offensive coordinator didn't get a chance at another head-coaching gig this year, so he'll have to "slum" it in New England for a while longer. But trust me, his time is coming. Some team out there probably can't wait to fire its bum of a head coach so it can bring this wunderkind in. Here's hoping Josh has learned how to control his temper.

LARRY FITZGERALD CAN MAKE THE WORLD SMILE

Is there a nicer man in the NFL world than the Cardinals wide receiver? No, there isn't. He, by all accounts, is an absolute delight and deserves a second chance to get a Super Bowl ring.

GARY KUBIAK WILL LOOK LIKE A GENIUS

Remember the Brock Osweiler era? The Broncos head coach will get a good amount of credit heaped on his head if Denver gets past New England with Peyton Manning under center. Kubiak didn't give in to popular demand and will be rewarded for his intuition.

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