Who are these Carolina Panthers and how did they get to the Super Bowl after going 1-15 just two seasons ago?

And how did a relatively faceless team such as New England get back to the title game for the second time in three years with no true superstars?

Simple.

Both teams present the ultimate product of free agency and the salary cap. They are flawed but have managed to make the most of their strengths and minimize their weaknesses to get to the Super Bowl.

And, of course, there’s another reason.

There are no more dynasties or near dynasties. No more 1970s Steelers, 1980s 49ers or 1990s Cowboys. No more Terry Bradshaws, Joe Montanas, John Elways or Troy Aikmans back for a second, third and fourth time.

Since 1999, including this season, eight franchises have reached the title game; the Patriots and St. Louis Rams are the only ones to go twice.

“The fans want the heavyweight championship: Peyton Manning against Brett Favre,” said Hall of Fame coach Marv Levy, who took Buffalo to an unprecedented four straight Super Bowls from 1990-93.

Sorry, but this game instead will feature two staunch defenses and quarterbacks Tom Brady and Jake Delhomme.

Brady is a highly efficient, highly decorated quarterback in his third season as a starter. He was the MVP in New England’s 20-17 Super Bowl victory over St. Louis two seasons ago.

But he’s just a star — not a STAR like Montana, Bradshaw, Aikman, Favre, Manning, Steve Young or Elway. He doesn’t electrify fans with perfect 40-yard spirals or Houdini-like scrambles.

“I think I may be the slowest quarterback in the NFL,” Brady said.

And Delhomme?

Until he signed in the offseason with the Panthers, he had thrown just 86 passes with New Orleans. In fact, Delhomme didn’t even get on the field in 1997 and ’98, spending time on the practice squad or as the third quarterback. Nor did he take any snaps in the 2000 and ’01 seasons.

He did establish a reputation as a solid clutch quarterback in his first year as a starter after signing with Carolina as a free agent. The Panthers have won four of their five overtime games, including a double-overtime playoff victory at St. Louis that Delhomme won with a 69-yard pass play to Steve Smith.

With two weeks to hype the game, television will ensure that viewers are aware of the players in what looks like one of the most star-starved Super Bowls ever.

“I think the number of people who tune in is pretty much the same because the Super Bowl has become such a huge event,” said Sean McManus, president of CBS Sports. “What determines the rating is the competitiveness of the game. If it’s close, people will continue to watch.”

Still, with a week to go, few people can identify more than a handful of the players, especially on the Panthers.

Carolina’s standout in the playoffs has been cornerback Ricky Manning Jr. (no relation to Peyton), a third-round draft pick who had three interceptions against the Eagles in the 14-3 victory for the NFC championship.