Super Bowl Fever
"I got a fever....and the prescription is more football."
Well this is it folks, another year of football comes to an end on Sunday. For many of us, this brings that slight twinge of depression, and monthly cleanses (hey, why not make your monthly cleanse during the shortest month of the year??).
Rather than lament about the end of football, let's discuss what should be a hell of a game. Like most talking heads, I've got this game coming down to the wire with the winner taking it with the slightest of margins. However I do have a few more points being thrown out there. Let's present our case for each team here starting with the Pats.
Why New England Will Win
1. They have Tom Brady and Tom Brady will go down as one of the best if not the best quarterback to play the game. Couple that with what we know about the importance of the quarterback position (and what we know about Tom Brady) and there you go. Nuff said.
2. The Pats have a defense too. And a good one. Big man Vince Wilfork to clog the middle; young, athletic linebackers in Dont'a Hightower and Jamie Collins who are capable of spying and (at times) containing Russell Wilson. And don't forget about Darrelle Revis. Remember him? He's pretty good too. All of these components come together to form a very solid and balanced defense.
3. The Pats also have a pretty good running game too. LeGarrette Blount is a bruiser, no doubt, but he's also struggled against the top running defenses in the league (which Seattle most certainly is). But New England is more than a one-trick pony at the RB position as we saw throughout the year. Shane Vereen and lesser-known Jonas Gray (who, by the way, was the team's leading rusher this year) are more than capable of coming in and being a change of pace type runner to keep the chains moving, or even snap off a big run. With all the talk and attention on Lynch, don't sleep on these guys. They could be the quiet difference makers in a Patriot's victory.
4. Gronk. Last 2 Super Bowls that New England narrowly lost were without Gronk (or, at least without a healthy Gronk). He's that kind of player. Whether it's enough to secure a win remains to be seen, but I can almost guarantee that he will be a difference maker in this game. Oh, by the way, Seattle has been one of the worst in the league in defending tight ends (ironic).
5. Because they're the freaking Patriots. Best QB in the last 15 years, if not ever. One of the best coaches if not the best coach. Ever. It's very, very hard to bet against the Patriots, especially with so much on the line in the legacy department.
Why Seattle Will Win
1. Top to bottom, Seattle's roster simply has better talent across the board. They don't necessarily have a better QB or a better nose tackle, but the do have a better team. At this level of football, in the championship game like this, talent matters. A lot. (See last week's AFC Championship game).
2. They got options. One thing that New England is very good at is taking away a team's first offensive option. They are masters at making you beat them with our second, third and fourth options. But taking away Lynch AND Wilson is a tough order of business. If you think about the teams who have tried to instill a college-minded zone read into this league, you'll find history littered with failed attempts. Except of course for Seattle. When you have a runner like Marshawn Lynch and a smart, savvy (and athletic) quarterback like Wilson, that really opens things up for you. If New England can successfully contain Lynch while also containing Wilson, give them the trophy right now.
3. Beast Mode. I mean, this guy just gets stronger and stronger as the season (and games) go on. To be down by 2 scores with 3 minutes to go as Seattle was in the NFC title game...and to NOT abandon the run is a testament to their faith in Lynch. And a testament in his ability to deliver. They made a huge comeback on the back of Marshawn Lynch. And that shit just doesn't happen in the NFL.
4. Legion of Boom. If there's a group out there that can rattle Brady and make him work harder than ever for every inch he gets, this secondary group is it. I have to believe Thomas and Sherman will be fully healthy and ready to go. I also have to believe Brady is going to test Sherman's side of the field to confirm said health.
5. They have time to focus on their key weakness in this match up - defending the tight end. Two full weeks is ample time for the Seattle staff to put in some wrinkles to defend Gronk. Of course, the fact that New England will play him all over the field won't help, and I'm certainly not suggesting they'll shut him down, but they'll be able to contain him. Look for multiple match ups and looks in defending the tight end on Sunday.
Great, so what does it all mean?
I gotta stick with my prediction I made in the podcast this week. Higher scoring than most have, but I think these offenses are good enough to tilt this game towards the over.
Seattle - 31
New England - 30
Other Random Thoughts Around the NFL
Well this is it folks, another year of football comes to an end on Sunday. For many of us, this brings that slight twinge of depression, and monthly cleanses (hey, why not make your monthly cleanse during the shortest month of the year??).
Rather than lament about the end of football, let's discuss what should be a hell of a game. Like most talking heads, I've got this game coming down to the wire with the winner taking it with the slightest of margins. However I do have a few more points being thrown out there. Let's present our case for each team here starting with the Pats.
Why New England Will Win
1. They have Tom Brady and Tom Brady will go down as one of the best if not the best quarterback to play the game. Couple that with what we know about the importance of the quarterback position (and what we know about Tom Brady) and there you go. Nuff said.
2. The Pats have a defense too. And a good one. Big man Vince Wilfork to clog the middle; young, athletic linebackers in Dont'a Hightower and Jamie Collins who are capable of spying and (at times) containing Russell Wilson. And don't forget about Darrelle Revis. Remember him? He's pretty good too. All of these components come together to form a very solid and balanced defense.
3. The Pats also have a pretty good running game too. LeGarrette Blount is a bruiser, no doubt, but he's also struggled against the top running defenses in the league (which Seattle most certainly is). But New England is more than a one-trick pony at the RB position as we saw throughout the year. Shane Vereen and lesser-known Jonas Gray (who, by the way, was the team's leading rusher this year) are more than capable of coming in and being a change of pace type runner to keep the chains moving, or even snap off a big run. With all the talk and attention on Lynch, don't sleep on these guys. They could be the quiet difference makers in a Patriot's victory.
4. Gronk. Last 2 Super Bowls that New England narrowly lost were without Gronk (or, at least without a healthy Gronk). He's that kind of player. Whether it's enough to secure a win remains to be seen, but I can almost guarantee that he will be a difference maker in this game. Oh, by the way, Seattle has been one of the worst in the league in defending tight ends (ironic).
5. Because they're the freaking Patriots. Best QB in the last 15 years, if not ever. One of the best coaches if not the best coach. Ever. It's very, very hard to bet against the Patriots, especially with so much on the line in the legacy department.
Why Seattle Will Win
1. Top to bottom, Seattle's roster simply has better talent across the board. They don't necessarily have a better QB or a better nose tackle, but the do have a better team. At this level of football, in the championship game like this, talent matters. A lot. (See last week's AFC Championship game).
2. They got options. One thing that New England is very good at is taking away a team's first offensive option. They are masters at making you beat them with our second, third and fourth options. But taking away Lynch AND Wilson is a tough order of business. If you think about the teams who have tried to instill a college-minded zone read into this league, you'll find history littered with failed attempts. Except of course for Seattle. When you have a runner like Marshawn Lynch and a smart, savvy (and athletic) quarterback like Wilson, that really opens things up for you. If New England can successfully contain Lynch while also containing Wilson, give them the trophy right now.
3. Beast Mode. I mean, this guy just gets stronger and stronger as the season (and games) go on. To be down by 2 scores with 3 minutes to go as Seattle was in the NFC title game...and to NOT abandon the run is a testament to their faith in Lynch. And a testament in his ability to deliver. They made a huge comeback on the back of Marshawn Lynch. And that shit just doesn't happen in the NFL.
4. Legion of Boom. If there's a group out there that can rattle Brady and make him work harder than ever for every inch he gets, this secondary group is it. I have to believe Thomas and Sherman will be fully healthy and ready to go. I also have to believe Brady is going to test Sherman's side of the field to confirm said health.
5. They have time to focus on their key weakness in this match up - defending the tight end. Two full weeks is ample time for the Seattle staff to put in some wrinkles to defend Gronk. Of course, the fact that New England will play him all over the field won't help, and I'm certainly not suggesting they'll shut him down, but they'll be able to contain him. Look for multiple match ups and looks in defending the tight end on Sunday.
Great, so what does it all mean?
I gotta stick with my prediction I made in the podcast this week. Higher scoring than most have, but I think these offenses are good enough to tilt this game towards the over.
Seattle - 31
New England - 30
Other Random Thoughts Around the NFL
- I don't, for one second, believe Brady, Belichek or anyone knowingly instructed some punk kid ball boy to deflate any balls. This is beyond ridiculous
- BUT, I do believe that the NFL has the duty to fully investigate and vet the situation anytime there is accusations of cheating.
- Tough year for Roger Goodell.
- Who brought it all on himself. He needs to reach out to and listen to Tagliabue. Or someone. Anyone. He's been a train wreck and the he's lost the trust of the fans (and players).
- I listened to the Pro Bowl on the radio driving back from Dallas last Sunday. Brutal.
- I'm not ashamed to admit that a Katie Perry wardrobe malfunction would not upset me one iota.
- I'm going to see how much pre game I can watch on Sunday. I'm shooting for 3 full hours. We'll see.
posted by The Bearden Wonder at 8:41 AM
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