Super Bowl Stuff

Super Bowl Sunday is nearly upon us.  Broncos vs Seahawks. Offense vs Defense.  The Super Bowl is always one of the most watched events of the year, and with that comes a plethora of media coverage leading up to the big game.  Nearly every storyline is dissected and analyzed.  Here’s my take on a few of the stories that have garnered much of the attention.

Richard Sherman:

One of the first Super Bowl stories started with the play that helped crown the NFC winner – the potential game-winning pass to Michael Crabtree batted away by Richard Sherman.  (Side note: Has anyone mentioned that it was Malcolm Smith’s heads up effort to follow the entire play and actually make the interception that essentially ended the game?  It was 1st and 10 at the time, so the 49ers would have had a few more chances to get into the endzone.)  It was a phenomenal play, but it was the Richard Sherman interview following the game that really roused a lot of attention.  Check it out here if you haven’t seen it.  And check out this hilarious version even if you have seen the original.

The reaction to this interview was crazy.  People immediately jumped on Sherman and called him a “thug” and much worse for the explosive interview.  Others quickly came to his defense, pointing out the high emotion of the game, his rough up-bringing, Crabtree’s off the field comments, the fact that Sherman graduated with a high GPA from Stanford, that he is a master at his craft  (arguably backing up the claim that he is the greatest at his position), and that he puts in a great deal of time and research.  He’s also a pretty great writer, see here. (His claim in that article, that Manning throws “ducks” is, by the way, 100% accurate. As a huge Manning and Colts fan who has watched his entire career, I know that every game, Peyton will throw at least one or two balls that wobble — you just hope that those throws aren’t picked off.  This has become the newest story — trying to stir up the “ducks” comment)  After the interview, the media has been dying to get more out of Sherman, but he hasn’t given them that satisfaction.  He has appeared at the required media events but hasn’t said much, and kept his time minimal (at one of the events, only staying around for about 6 minutes).  I don’t blame him and see this as a smart move on his part – the media is only trying to get another reaction or quote from him and he isn’t going for it.  Instead we’ll see what he does on the field against one of the all-time great quarterbacks — that should be the story that matters, the one that happens on the field.

The Venue and the Weather:

This year the game will be played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where both the Giants and Jets play.  This is an outdoor stadium in the northeast.  This matters, in large part, because the entire country has had an unusually rough winter.  The Polar Vortex in the Midwest and Northeast along with large amounts of snow could make for an interesting Super Bowl weekend if the next batch comes in at the wrong time.  Most experts agree that this kind of rough weather, be it strong winds or snow, would be an advantage favoring the Seahawks.

looks chilly (the polar vortex in chicago)

Sure, both teams would have to play in the same conditions, but the Broncos record breaking passing attack would almost surely be slowed, while the Seahawks’ ground game would likely be much less affected.  As for now, the weather forecast doesn’t seem terrible (low 40s to start the game and dropping from there), but we won’t know until it happens.  Additionally, some people are saying that NYC is too big for the Super Bowl.  It’s such a large city with so much going on, that the Super Bowl isn’t even center stage; it’s eclipsed by the usual hustle and bustle of the Big Apple (even though the stadium is technically located in Jersey, it’s still the New York Super Bowl).  With all of the critiques of the outdoor venue in such a terrible winter, if you are the type of person who loves the old school play through blizzard smash mouth football, then you better enjoy this Super Bowl, because I think that the NFL will stick with domes and/or warmer weather for the next several years.  (If Peyton sticks around after this year for a few more seasons, I think he will appreciate that if he finds himself in future Super Bowls.)

Manning:

It’s all about Peyton, let’s be honest.  Manning is considered an all-time great quarterback on nearly everyone’s list, but his playoff record has been mediocre (11-11, also see here), especially given his high level of success during the regular season. He has been to two super bowls and has won one, so this wouldn’t be his first ring.  But after this game he’ll be 2-1 or 1-2 in Super Bowls, a huge difference.  So it’s an important second ring for Manning.  It’s especially big because he’s never been in a position where he’s had access to such an impressive arsenal of weapons.  Receivers, tight ends, a pretty good running game, and a pretty good defense to back him up; he never had it so good in Indy.  If he doesn’t come out of this Super Bowl with a victory, all of the regular season records and accolades will be for naught; the entire year will be a failure.  That seems drastic, but I don’t think it’s overstating the position that Manning and the Broncos are in, even though they are facing a talented and physical defense and secondary in the Seahawks.  I’m a Manning fan, and I’m hoping he’ll play well, regardless of what the Seahawks (or the weather) throw at him.

The Betting:

Of course, it’s always fun to keep on eye on some of the betting that gets action.  Here are just a few Super Bowl bets that you can put your money on (credit here):

Over/Under for Renee Fleming to sing the National Anthem: 2:23

Over/Under times Eli Manning is shown on TV: 1.5

Over/Under number of times Peyton Manning says “Omaha” during the game: 27.5

Over/Under passing yards for Peyton Manning: 289 yards

Over/Under rushing yards for Marshawn Lynch: 92 yards

The actual spread is Broncos: -2.5

Happy Betting!

For me, I want a good game, though I do have a horse Colt Bronco in the race.  I’m a Colts fan, and a Manning fan.  I harbor no bad feelings or bad blood towards him as a Bronco.  He put the team on the map, and gave us a lot of great football and success over the years.  Plus, if he wants to eclipse Tom Brady (which I desperately want for him), he needs to be 2-1 and not 1-2, as stated above.  Go Peyton!  Go Broncos!  Broncos win: 27-17.

I’m a Denverapolis Broncolts fan for this one!

 

NFL Playoffs

Well, friends it’s playoff time in the NFL this weekend.  I’m looking forward to watching as many of the games as I can.  Below is a short article I wrote outlining my predictions for this first-round of the playoffs (it is also posted on this site):

The NFL Playoffs are set.  While this means that there are fewer games to watch this weekend, it also means that the stakes – and level of competitiveness – will be ratcheted up.  A Super Bowl victory is now a legitimate possibility for the twelve teams who made the playoffs.

Let’s take a look at this weekend’s first-round games to see who I think will move one step closer to hoisting the coveted Lombardi Trophy.

AFC:

First-round byes: Broncos (13-3) and Patriots (12-4).  See you both next round.

Bengals (10-6) at Texans (12-4): Saturday 4:30pm

To say that the Texans have stumbled heading into the playoffs would be an understatement.  The Texans were 11-1 before losing three of their last four, along with the top seed and a first round bye.  In order to make a serious super bowl run, you usually want to be playing well going into the playoffs, and the Texans certainly appear to be doing the exact opposite.  The Bengals, on the other hand, have won three of their last four games and as they secured the sixth and final playoff position in the AFC.

Despite the recent trends for these teams, I just don’t see the Bengals winning this one.  Arian Foster will lead the way on the ground and help control the clock.  This will only help to open things up for Schaub and the aerial attack to Andre Johnson as well as his other talented receivers and tight end.  JJ Watt will wreak havoc on the defensive side of the ball, and the Texans will win this one handily, 31-20.

 

Colts (11-5) at Ravens (10-6): Sunday 1pm

Anyone who said that they saw the Colts finishing this season at 11-5 and earning a playoff berth is probably not telling the truth.  The team looked completely lost last year and essentially dismantled much of the team while at the same time saying good-bye to Peyton Manning.  They took Andrew Luck with the number one overall pick and managed to grab some other talented rookies who have produced in a big way.  The Ravens have Ray Rice who should have a big game against the Colts’ flimsy run defense.  The other Ray – Ray Lewis (maybe you’ve heard of him?!) – has announced his retirement for next year which will likely inspire his team to play with some extra emotion to help him make one last run in the playoffs.

Despite the Colts’ youth versus the Raven’s seasoned veteran team, I am picking with my heart on this one and saying that the Colts will find a way to win this game.  That’s really not that far of a leap as the Colts have been finding ways to win close games all season.  Luck has looked like anything but a rookie as he has led the team to an incredible seven fourth-quarter comeback victories.  Add another notch to his belt as the Colts win in a close one, 23-17.

NFC:

First-round byes: Falcons (13-3) and 49ers (11-4-1).  See you next round.

Vikings (10-6) at Packers (11-5): Saturday 8pm

Adrian Peterson managed to put the Vikings on his back and run them straight into the playoffs as the sixth seed in the NFC.  Along the way, he managed to come within nine yards of breaking the single-season rushing record.  He deserves the League MVP Award for doing this on a team that clearly lacks any sort of passing threat.  The Packers have somehow managed to fly just under the media radar this year as they got off to what some would say was a shaky start.  Perhaps not going 15-1 with huge pressure and expectations will pan out this time.

These two teams met twice in the regular season with each team winning a game.  Peterson ran all over the Packers both games.  Unfortunately for the Vikings, this one-sided running assault won’t be enough to keep up with Packers’ playoff passing attack.  Packers win, 35-17.

 

Seahawks (11-5) at Redskins (10-6): Sunday 4:30pm

This match-up featuring two rookie quarterbacks (which makes three playoff teams with starting rookie quarterbacks) is the most difficult pick of the weekend.  Both quarterbacks have minimized mistakes while leading their respective teams to impressive seasons.  Wilson’s ascension has been slightly more gradual and he has been able to lean heavily on the running game featuring Marshawn Lynch.  The Seahawks defense as well have proven to be one of the most tenacious in the league.  RGIII’s success was a bit more immediate and has certainly garnered the lion’s share of the media attention.  However, it is hard to say that this team would have had this kind of success without the efforts of another rookie on that team, Alfred Morris, running the football effectively all year.

Again, I have the most difficulty picking this one.  These teams didn’t meet in the regular season, and it’s hard to pick Russell Wilson over RGIII in a big playoff game.  But that Seahawks defense has looked stout.  And the final stretch of the season they showed that they were capable of putting points – lots of points – on the board.  I give the slight edge to the Seahawks on this one, 24-20.