Super Bowl XLII

[Jedi Master Carr]

The Super Bowl is less than a week away and the game is between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants. So everybody make your picks.

[Miranda Tarkin]

New England Patriots :D

[Yog]

New England Patriots

I hope for a miracle though, but that will almost certainly be in vain. I always pick with my head, not my heart.

[Park Kraken]

This time I am using both. Although I don't like the Pats, I like the Giants even less.

So my pick is New England Patriots.

[Liam Jinn]

The Brady Bunch

[Rutabaga]

The Brady Bunch

Which one of them is Alice? :p

Anywho, this shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone....

New York Giants

I'm going to keep at this until I finally get it right, the Patriots HAVE to lose a game someday, y'know. :D

And I'll say again what I said when these 2 teams faced off in the last game of the regular season...if Eli Manning can pull this off, I'll finally let go of the grudge I've been holding against him since he dissed San Diego when they drafted him.

[Nathanial K'cansce]

Giants.

Please oh please let the Giants win.

[jjwr]

Pats 38-14

[Jedi Master Carr]

Patriots 35-21

[Aurelias Kazaar]

New England Patriots.

[Yog]

It's game day for Super Bowl. Wish I could say I am excited, but the matchup is so brutal. My hope is the Giants will be able to put up a fight like they did the last time vs the Patriots.

[Figrin D'an]

New England

I guess the one positive out of this from my perspective is that Junior Seau will finally get a ring.

I think this game could get ugly. I don't think the Week 17 matchup means anything. It may not be a complete blowout, but if the Giants get behind and have to rely on Eli Manning to bring them back, they're in trouble.

[Yog]

So far, the Giants have been holding pretty good.

7-3 in the second quarter, and it's still a game.

Edit: Monster 38 yard catch by Toomer!

Edit2: Oh no! Manning intercepted in Patriots FG range. What a wasted opportunity. Now Pats have the ball.

Edit3: Manning sacked. The game is still close, same score. But if the Giants are going to have a serious shot at this, they need to stop doing these huge mistakes. Sooner or later it will bite them in the rear end.

[Yog]

Half time. Hard to believe the game is so even.

[Jedi Master Carr]

This is one of the lowest scoring first halfs I can remember in a super bowl. It is not the lowest because of Super Bowl 5 (I think) which ended like 9-6. Watch the second half be high scoring :p

[Yog]

81 yards of offense by the Patriots in the first half. I believe that pretty much sums it all up. Great defense by Giants.

[Yog]

What kind of rule is that?? The player is off the field before ball is kicked, and he is on his way out. Jesus, no common sense.

Edit: ahahahaha! Fiasco ending of that drive by the Pats.

Edit: entering 4th quarter!

Toooooooouchdown Giants!!!

[Celcia]

Brady.... -slaps forehead-

[Miranda Tarkin]

Touchdown Pats :dance

[Jeseth Cloak]

I don't have cable, so I can't watch it! >_<

Anyone know of a stream? Though the game is pretty much over now... :(

edit: Never mind. Hurrah for the Patriots!

[Yog]

Moss... :x

[Daniella Tur'ilian]

Wow! Dani has her own football commercial! ^_^

[Yog]

Amazing throw! Could the Giants pull the upset???

Touchdown!!!!!!!!!!! YESSSSSSS!!!

[Yog]

Now the pressure is on the Patriots :evil

19 seconds left. First time out used by Patriots. Awful field postion. Giants defense showing up!

10 seconds left!

[Daniella Tur'ilian]

Oh piffle. :(

[Yog]

I LOVE AMERICA!!! I LOVE THE GIANTS!!!! :D

Go suck it Patriots!!! :lol

[Jedieb]

God bless the New York Football Giants.
http://constitutionclub.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/champagne-4.jpg

[Rutabaga]

Good God...I swear I have no fingernails left and I'm sure I've developed an ulcer by now, but...

Eli Manning, all is forgiven.

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:dance

[Jedi Master Carr]

I hate the darn Giants. They are one of my least favorite teams next the Raiders, Cowboys and Broncos. To hell with them I am so pissed right now.

[Yog]

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/7869/39dfe16e5462fbce0843b23xe7.jpg

[Rutabaga]

I'm not a Giants fan at all, but I just had to root for them since I've grown so tired of the Patriots and their underlying arrogance. This will teach them for trademarking the "19-0" logo and already having the victory parade time and route all planned out. :p

I also love storybook endings. :)

BTW, is this history? Two brothers winning Super Bowls back to back?

[Jedi Master Carr]

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/7869/39dfe16e5462fbce0843b23xe7.jpg

Burn that picture:verymad I just hate them this loss brings back bad memories from the time the Giants beat 91 49er team in the Championship game and when they just about broke Montana's back. I was teased for weeks by this one Giant fan kin who said Montana should retire and he wish the Giants and took his head off. Ugg I am so mad.

[Jedi Master Carr]

I'm not a Giants fan at all, but I just had to root for them since I've grown so tired of the Patriots and their underlying arrogance. This will teach them for trademarking the "19-0" logo and already having the victory parade time and route all planned out. :p

I also love storybook endings. :)

BTW, is this history? Two brothers winning Super Bowls back to back?

Well I can't I hate them and I hate all New York Teams. I don't think I am going to comment any more because I have too much anger in me.

[Yog]

I'm not a Giants fan at all, but I just had to root for them since I've grown so tired of the Patriots and their underlying arrogance. This will teach them for trademarking the "19-0" logo and already having the victory parade time and route all planned out. :p

I also love storybook endings. :)

Damn straight. That was beautiful. IMO, of course :)

[Jedieb]

I would put my Pats hatred up against Carr's NY hatred any day. :evil

I've hated this team since they upset the Rams and won their first Superbowl. This was simply beautiful. After all of the 'greatest team ever' crap that's been spewed, this is simply gorgeous! Now Pats fans and Bills fans can argue about who's the greatest team to ever LOSE a Superbowl! :lol :lol :lol

[Figrin D'an]

BTW, is this history? Two brothers winning Super Bowls back to back?


It is, to my knowledge. Certainly for starting QBs it is.


Anyway... Eli made me eat my words. When New England scored the go ahead touchdown with 2:45 to go, I wasn't sure Eli could put together a game winning drive. I'll certainly give credit were it's due however. He was outstanding in the 4th quarter, and save for the one INT, he played very well throughout the game. He made plays when the pressure was on, which is the hallmark of a great quarterback.


I think the best part about the Giants winning, however, is that Manning can stick this right in the face of the classless Tiki Barber, who essentially gave up on the organization last year and caused a major distracting with his mid-season retirement announcement, and spent a good portion of this season ragging on Eli's lack of leadership and overall development as a QB from his booth analyst job. Now, Eli has a ring, and Tiki has nothing.

[Jedieb]

All ragging aside, that was the best defensive performance I've ever seen in a Superbowl. Yes, they gave up 2 touchdowns, but after the season the Patriots offense had what the Giants defense did tonight was historic. It was very similiar to how the Giants beat the Bills, and how the Patriots beat the Rams. That defensive line of the Giants should have had the MVP trophy divided between them, they were that great. They dominated the best offensive line in the league.

[Jedi Master Carr]

I would put my Pats hatred up against Carr's NY hatred any day. :evil

I've hated this team since they upset the Rams and won their first Superbowl. This was simply beautiful. After all of the 'greatest team ever' crap that's been spewed, this is simply gorgeous! Now Pats fans and Bills fans can argue about who's the greatest team to ever LOSE a Superbowl! :lol :lol :lol

Well I still have my Red Sox :p I didn't agree with the greatest team stuff anyway. To me the greatest team was the 89 49er team. That team demolished the Vikings by 30, the Rams by 20 and the Broncos by 40 points in winning the SB. They were the best team I have ever seen.

[CMJ]

We're talking about the greatest team to lose a Superbowl Carr.

I'd say this one, the Bills that lost to NY in XXV and the Cowboys that lost to Pittsburgh in XIII.

I believe the NFC now holds a 22-20 advantage in Superbowls.

[Jedieb]

BTW, is this history? Two brothers winning Super Bowls back to back?


It is, to my knowledge. Certainly for starting QBs it is.


Anyway... Eli made me eat my words. When New England scored the go ahead touchdown with 2:45 to go, I wasn't sure Eli could put together a game winning drive. I'll certainly give credit were it's due however. He was outstanding in the 4th quarter, and save for the one INT, he played very well throughout the game. He made plays when the pressure was on, which is the hallmark of a great quarterback.


I think the best part about the Giants winning, however, is that Manning can stick this right in the face of the classless Tiki Barber, who essentially gave up on the organization last year and caused a major distracting with his mid-season retirement announcement, and spent a good portion of this season ragging on Eli's lack of leadership and overall development as a QB from his booth analyst job. Now, Eli has a ring, and Tiki has nothing.

Couldn't agree with you more about Barber and Eli Fig. I thought Manning played a great game and that INT wasn't his fault. I don't care if he did throw that ball hard, it should have been caught. Was that pass any harder than bullets that guys like Favre and Elway throw to guys?

2 TD's in the 4th quarter got him the MVP, but he wouldn't have had a chance without that defensive line. The Cowboys had two defensive players split a Superbowl MVP ( I believe Randy White was one of them, I'm sure Court could rattle it off the top of his head), the voters should have found a way to split it amongst a couple of D-linemen.

Make no mistake, I traditionally HATE the Giants, but I hate the Patriots and teams New England even MORE. And you know diehard Dolphins fans must be going ape right now. If you couldn't stand Mercury Morris and the gang before, you're going to hate them even more now.

[CMJ]

]I've hated this team since they upset the Rams and won their first Superbowl.

You just hated them because you picked against them every round. :lol

[Jedieb]

They're going over the game on ESPN right now. They just said Brady got knocked off his feet 18 times. And that DOESN'T include the sacks. That front 4 was amazing.

[CMJ]

The Cowboys had two defensive players split a Superbowl MVP ( I believe Randy White was one of them, I'm sure Court could rattle it off the top of his head), the voters should have found a way to split it amongst a couple of D-linemen.

Harvey Martin.

[Jedi Master Carr]

We're talking about the greatest team to lose a Superbowl Carr.

I'd say this one, the Bills that lost to NY in XXV and the Cowboys that lost to Pittsburgh in XIII.

I believe the NFC now holds a 22-20 advantage in Superbowls.

Well I phrased that wrong, I was referring to the people who were saying the Patriots were the greatest team ever until now. I think even if they had won they wouldn't have been.

[Jedieb]

]I've hated this team since they upset the Rams and won their first Superbowl.

You just hated them because you picked against them every round. :lol

I pick against them because I HATE them. Finally, some NY justice for NE. You guys were getting too cocky. ;)

[Yog]

Now, Eli has a ring, and Tiki has nothing.

Poetic justice!

[Jedieb]

The Cowboys had two defensive players split a Superbowl MVP ( I believe Randy White was one of them, I'm sure Court could rattle it off the top of his head), the voters should have found a way to split it amongst a couple of D-linemen.

Harvey Martin.

Didn't I say Rainman would know the answer? :thumbup

[Jedi Master Carr]

]I've hated this team since they upset the Rams and won their first Superbowl.

You just hated them because you picked against them every round. :lol

I pick against them because I HATE them. Finally, some NY justice for NE. You guys were getting too cocky. ;)

Now watch the Celtics win :p

[Jedieb]

Now, Eli has a ring, and Tiki has nothing.

Poetic justice!

The guy does look like a jerk right now. He retired when he had plenty of gas in the tank. I've heard a lot of pundits say that these Giants were actually better off without their "best" player because he was such a distraction and drained energy from that locker room. I bet he'll be wolfing down humble pie on the Today show tomorrow.

I think the Giants won this thing in Week 17. If they had rested their starters I don't think they would have put this run together. I think that game did something amazing for this team. It completely changed their season. Without that effort I think they could have easily lost to the Bucs the next week. I think they walked away from that game believing that not only could they beat the Patriots, but that they could beat ANYBODY.

[CMJ]

I pick against them because I HATE them. Finally, some NY justice for NE. You guys were getting too cocky. ;)

Oh, I'm not a Patriots fan. And I meant you hated the Patriots since 2001 because you picked against them EVERY GAME in 2001. I remember you picking against them that whole playoff run, and then thinking they were idiots for not benching Brady when Bledsoe got healthy.

[Jedieb]

]I've hated this team since they upset the Rams and won their first Superbowl.

You just hated them because you picked against them every round. :lol

I pick against them because I HATE them. Finally, some NY justice for NE. You guys were getting too cocky. ;)

Now watch the Celtics win :p

Court knows of my love for Larry Bird, so there's actually one New England team I don't hate. It's good for the NBA for the Celtics to be relevant. What's happened to that franchise since the death of Len Bias has been tragic. They're the greatest franchise in the history of that league and they should be a team that's at least a threat every few years.

[Jedieb]

I pick against them because I HATE them. Finally, some NY justice for NE. You guys were getting too cocky. ;)

Oh, I'm not a Patriots fan. And I meant you hated the Patriots since 2001 because you picked against them EVERY GAME in 2001. I remember you picking against them that whole playoff run, and then thinking they were idiots for not benching Brady when Bledsoe got healthy.

Like I said, Rainman knows all facts sports related, even SWFans ones. I should have known you had all of our playoff picks mentally rolodexed for the last 10 years. ;)

[CMJ]

Court knows of my love for Larry Bird, so there's actually one New England team I don't hate. It's good for the NBA for the Celtics to be relevant. What's happened to that franchise since the death of Len Bias has been tragic. They're the greatest franchise in the history of that league and they should be a team that's at least a threat every few years.

I do think the NBA needs the Lakers and Celtics to be relevant. Champions? Not necessarily...but those 2 teams need to be relevant more often than not. It's like in MLB. I hate the Yankees and I hope they don't win a title for another generation or more, but you need them to be relevant. At least in the playoff picture.

[Yog]

Miracle play by Eli Manning up on NFL.com:
http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d8067d05e

[JMK]

This is simply blissful.

Belichick shows (again) what a classless clown he is. Great coach, pitiful man. I'm so glad Evil Hoodie gets his comeuppance.

Brady gets to taste defeat in a Super Bowl. Talk of best team ever goes away. An undefeated regular season completely gone to waste.

It doesn't get much better than this. :crack

[Mu Satach]

One word-

niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiice

[Jeseth Cloak]

Miracle play by Eli Manning up on NFL.com:
http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d8067d05e
That looked like it really hurt.

[CMJ]

Like I said, Rainman knows all facts sports related, even SWFans ones. I should have known you had all of our playoff picks mentally rolodexed for the last 10 years. ;)

How about these golden oldies from 2002.


Brady played one of the great games a young QB has ever had in the playoffs. Yes, he never should have had the chance, but that's irrelevant now. I didn't think he had it in him. He and the Pats have to be very confident going into the big ketchup bottle. The Steelers however, look too damn strong. Even with no Bettis and a sub par performance from Stewert, they DOMINATED the loudmouthed-overbearing-material-witness-to-a-homicide Ravens. This game could easily be a blowout, I think the Steelers are that good. The Patriots may keep it close for awhile, but I think the Steelers will wear them down and win by double digits. Then we can get a match up of the two BEST teams the league had this year!


I really think the Steelers can not only beat the Patriots, but blow them out. The Patriots are lucky to be here, while the Steelers have been a dominant team for most of the season. The offensive line should be able to dominate the lighter Patriots D-line. Once they establish the run it should free things up for Kordell. Theymay get stuck in the red zone a couple of times, but I still see them putting together 4-6 long drives against the Patriots today.

The Steelers defense is should rule the day here. Yes the Pats get a chance to practice against more than other teams because Bellichk's defense runs it sometimes, but they're still going to get punished by it. The Steelers love to hit and their linebackers are very athletic. I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a couple of interceptions from linebackers today.

Steelers 31 Pats 10




Now we get the Pats in the Superbowl. I smell a blow coming next week. But then again, I smelled one today and looked what happened so what do I know!


I fear we are headed towards another dreaded blowout. The Rams could easily win this one 45-10. There's a better than even chance the game could be over by halftime. Here's a scary thought, 3/4 of the secondary that Favre torched in NE's last Superbowl is STILL playing for the Patriots. This could get out of hand quick.



The highlight of this Superbowl could end up being Paul McCartney and U2.



Hey, I've made my share of mistakes in predicting stuff. I didn't even quote your downgrading Brady and pumping up Bledsoe. :lol My point wasn't to make you look like some sort of moron, but to show after all of that, I don't think your hatred of NE was because they always won. It was BEFORE they always won when they(and especially Brady) made you look bad. ;)

[Rutabaga]

Miracle play by Eli Manning up on NFL.com:
http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d8067d05e

I can't seem to get it to play, but what the heck, I saw it live. And nearly fainted when it happened. :lol

If you didn't see it, my friends, that clip is the reason why Eli Manning won the MVP award, plain and simple. :clap

[Yog]

I am going to bed now. What a great way to end a sunday night. Thank you Eli and the Giants for making this a glorious, exciting and hilarious superbowl.

I will have sweet sweet dreams of Belichik missing out on his perfect streak:
http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/1194/611e91e86cf5b4b180f7bf2ig3.jpg

[Rutabaga]

I am going to bed now. What a great way to end a sunday night. Thank you Eli and the Giants for making this a glorious, exciting and hilarious superbowl.

I will have sweet sweet dreams of Belichik missing out on his perfect streak:
http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/1194/611e91e86cf5b4b180f7bf2ig3.jpg

HAHAHAHA! :lol

It's like the headline I just saw at MSNBC:

"19 & Oooooh No!"

:lol :dance :clap :thumbup :rollin

[Nathanial K'cansce]

I would put my Pats hatred up against Carr's NY hatred any day. :evil

I've hated this team since they upset the Rams and won their first Superbowl. This was simply beautiful. After all of the 'greatest team ever' crap that's been spewed, this is simply gorgeous! Now Pats fans and Bills fans can argue about who's the greatest team to ever LOSE a Superbowl! :lol :lol :lol


Hey hey hey, let's leave the Bills out of this for now! ;)


I actually think this was one of the better superbowls to watch in a long time. Geeat game!

That defensive front four of the Giants was amazing. Some of the hits they put on Brady were nasty. x_x

[JMK]

The sad part for Pats fans is, if they had lost a game near the beginning of the season and ended up going 18-1 with a SB win, they'd still be in the "best ever" discussion. That '1' in the loss column is going to haunt that team and its fans F-O-R-E-V-E-R!

This is just delicious!

Paraphrased from a post-game interview with Belichick:

"Bill, what do you tell your players after an 18-1 season that ends with a loss in the Super Bowl?"

"Go home".

Nuff said about this guy.

[Jedi Master Carr]

I don't think the game was that entertaining except it went down to the very end. I can think of several super bowls that were better.

Also about Montana, I was surprised not to see him there honoring Bill Walsh. He was like a father to him from what I know. Of course he could have had personal commitments that he couldn't break.

[Jedi Master Carr]

The sad part for Pats fans is, if they had lost a game near the beginning of the season and ended up going 18-1 with a SB win, they'd still be in the "best ever" discussion. That '1' in the loss column is going to haunt that team and its fans F-O-R-E-V-E-R!

This is just delicious!

Paraphrased from a post-game interview with Belichick:

"Bill, what do you tell your players after an 18-1 season that ends with a loss in the Super Bowl?"

"Go home".

Nuff said about this guy.
I am not really a pats fan, going to have to ask jjwr how he feels, but they did win 3 super bowls and were the best team of this past decade. They are a still a dynasty in the same league with the packers, Steelers, Niners, and Cowboys so I don't see what Patriot fans have to be ashamed of. Also as a Chiefs fan I envy Patriot fans. My team is a laughing stock.

[Yog]

Paraphrased from a post-game interview with Belichick:

"Bill, what do you tell your players after an 18-1 season that ends with a loss in the Super Bowl?"

"Go home".

Nuff said about this guy.

Did he tell the reporter to go home, or his players?

[jjwr]

I am not really a pats fan, going to have to ask jjwr how he feels, but they did win 3 super bowls and were the best team of this past decade. They are a still a dynasty in the same league with the packers, Steelers, Niners, and Cowboys so I don't see what Patriot fans have to be ashamed of. Also as a Chiefs fan I envy Patriot fans. My team is a laughing stock.

No question the game is a dissapointment and considering they're calling it one of the greatest upsets ever should tell you everthing you need to know. Pats still had a ridiculous year, set tons of records and are still the only team to go 16-0 in a season. No quesiton this is a dynasty and they're not done, easy schedule next year, all the core is returning and they have money to spend in FA so get ready to see them again in a year :)

As for the game, no one can or will every say the G-Men have more talent than the Pats but that doesn't always matter. For the first time in a while this Pats team looked like it would out coached, out gameplanned and under prepared. For a team who has made its living off making adjustments it didn't really seem to adjust to the Giants D until the 4th quarter when it finally scored a TD. Had they went to a similar quick strike attack in the 2nd quarter rather than keep trying to force the ball Deep they would have tired out that pass rush sooner and scored consistently, instead they kept trying delayed handoffs and mid to deep passes which weren't working against the Pass rush.

Honestly their game plan made no sense and thats what was so frustrating to watch, had they changed up sooner the G-Men would have been gassed and they'd have gotten more than just that late TD in.

Kudo's to the Giants but no doubt in my mind the Pats deserve this, its not like them to be this unprepared which is whats most shocking about this.

This very well could be the reason a team will never go 19-0...so much mounts on the team and builds up, had they lost a game earlier in the say, say the game to Baltimore I think they'd have still gone 18-1 but be celebrating right now rather than whatever they happen to be doing.

[Yog]

Here is some comment I read on the Interweb about Eli Manning.. :)


Eli's receivers dropped more passes than any other team all season. You writers were wrong the entire season about him. The Giants had a tough schedule, they played the Cowboys three times, Green Bay twice, and the Patriots twice this season. They also played the Redskins twice, a tough Buffalo team in Buffalo, Detroit when they were hot, and yet all the "experts" talked about their soft schedule. Whatever. Don't even get me started on the terrible conditions they played in (wind) at the end of the season. The Giants beat the three best teams to win the superbowl, believe me, Eli didn't suddenly "turn a corner", he's been great.

I suggest you go back and watch the week one shoot out against Dallas and tell me Eli wasn't a good quarterback at that time.

And for all you New England fans. No, your team isn't the greatest of all time and no, Brady isn't better than Montana. Good luck next year.

[jjwr]

I love the instant revisionist history in today's news. No question Eli played great down the stretch but to say he's been great all along? Please....he's about as inconsistent as they come and has had some horrible games this year.

I love the shot at Brady at the end, real quality writing here.

[Yog]

I love the instant revisionist history in today's news. No question Eli played great down the stretch but to say he's been great all along? Please....he's about as inconsistent as they come and has had some horrible games this year.

I love the shot at Brady at the end, real quality writing here.

I think we all underestimated Eli before this game though. Heck, last week I thought Patriots were handed the lombardi trophy on a silver platter, and that the Giants would have less than 1% chance to win. That proved to be a huge exaggeration.

Here are some highlights from the game:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XYMH-R_jZc

[jjwr]

The media as usual was getting too far ahead of itself. No different than in '01 when the Pats beat the Rams. If nothing else that has to help the Giants constantly hearing they are going to lose and the Pats really can't do anything about it, they're not the ones talking and crowning themselves but its still out there.

Highlights? Were there any ;)

There were a few nice plays in the game but even the big plays were typically ugly, the game also set the record for longest streak without a score which was about 33 minutes.

[Yog]

The media as usual was getting too far ahead of itself. No different than in '01 when the Pats beat the Rams. If nothing else that has to help the Giants constantly hearing they are going to lose and the Pats really can't do anything about it, they're not the ones talking and crowning themselves but its still out there.

Yeah, I think that gave the Giants a psychological advantage. Everyone expected the Patriots to win. I think even the Pats themselves had a hard time believing what was happening on the field out there.

Quoting Brady:
"I probably need some time to reflect on the game and some time to reflect on the season." said Brady. "It is extremely disappointing. This isn't something any of us prepared for."

No matter how dominant your team is, you always got to be prepared for the posibility to lose.


Highlights? Were there any ;)

There were a few nice plays in the game but even the big plays were typically ugly, the game also set the record for longest streak without a score which was about 33 minutes.

A close and low scoring game is more interesting than a walkover IMO, although you probably do not agree with that in this case.. ;)

Of course, a shootout would have been better.

[CMJ]

Of course, a shootout would have been better.

Balloney. Can't anyone appreciate great defense anymore? Some of the best games I've ever seen have been defensive wars.

[jjwr]

I'm not saying it wasn't a great game, just saying highlights typically refers to great individual plays and there weren't a lot. This was more a game of attrition fought over long stretches rather than flashy 80yd TDs.

[Yog]

Balloney. Can't anyone appreciate great defense anymore? Some of the best games I've ever seen have been defensive wars.

Maybe you are right. I am a little too used to watching continental style football (also known as "soccer), where 1-1 games are far less interesting than 4-5 etc. Also, in soccer, tied games are really common. It's more fun to see a winner.

[jjwr]

Sadly its the way the games are forced down our throat after the fact from the Media. THe Giants Defense won the game but all your hearing about is the great game Eli had and how he won it at the end. Ummm...no...it was the Giants D that won the game by pressuring Brady. Manning was average at best with one lucky drive. And believe me thats not a bitter Pats fan, he threw up a few balls on that last drive that most of the time would have gone incomplete or been INTs but they fell the right way for big gains. He got lucky...the D won it and one of those guys should have been MVP.

[Yog]

He got lucky...the D won it and one of those guys should have been MVP.

It's hard to nominate one guy in the defense though, when they all fought like heroes. Someone needed to stand out for the MVP. The fairest thing to do would be giving the whole defense the MVP, but I guess that was not practical for some reason.

[Mu Satach]

I don't think that anybody who saw the game or even the Giants themselves believe that anything but the defense won it for them.

[jjwr]

I know you can't give it to the D-Line and with so many people voting the votes for them are split up so they end up working against each other.

[CMJ]

This was definitely a Randy White/Harvey Martin type of deal. Then again, I felt the defense deserved the MVP in the first Patriots Superbowl win a few years ago and Brady got it.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Balloney. Can't anyone appreciate great defense anymore? Some of the best games I've ever seen have been defensive wars.

Maybe you are right. I am a little too used to watching continental style football (also known as "soccer), where 1-1 games are far less interesting than 4-5 etc. Also, in soccer, tied games are really common. It's more fun to see a winner.

Well I don't like an all defense game. Most of the game was ugly, except the 4th quarter. I don't mind games in the teens and low 20's. I prefer what we got in Super Bowl 23 When the Niners won like 20-17 or when the Rams beat the Titans, that game was in the 20's. I prefer a more balance game where the offense has it say but the defense doesn't completely fall apart.

[CMJ]

Well I don't like an all defense game. Most of the game was ugly, except the 4th quarter. I don't mind games in the teens and low 20's. I prefer what we got in Super Bowl 23 When the Niners won like 20-17 or when the Rams beat the Titans, that game was in the 20's. I prefer a more balance game where the offense has it say but the defense doesn't completely fall apart.

Ugly to me implies sloppy play and alot of penalties. Neither of which this game had.

For the record SuperBowl XXIII was 20-16 San Francisco and Rams beat the Titans 23-16.

And both were fantastic games. But you do realize in each of those games, a touchdown wasn't scored until the 2nd half. Would that be "ugly" and "boring"?

[jjwr]

I felt the defense deserved the MVP in the first Patriots Superbowl win a few years ago and Brady got it.

Agree 100%, Ty Law should have gotten the MVP that first Superbowl the Pats won but as typical they like the QB's. Just like Peyton shouldn't have gotten it last year, he played a pretty lackluster game overall.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Well I don't like an all defense game. Most of the game was ugly, except the 4th quarter. I don't mind games in the teens and low 20's. I prefer what we got in Super Bowl 23 When the Niners won like 20-17 or when the Rams beat the Titans, that game was in the 20's. I prefer a more balance game where the offense has it say but the defense doesn't completely fall apart.

Ugly to me implies sloppy play and alot of penalties. Neither of which this game had.

For the record SuperBowl XXIII was 20-16 San Francisco and Rams beat the Titans 23-16.

And both were fantastic games. But you do realize in each of those games, a touchdown wasn't scored until the 2nd half. Would that be "ugly" and "boring"?

I thought those games were more exciting overall. This game had a very boring first half unless you like defense.

[CMJ]

I thought those games were more exciting overall. This game had a very boring first half unless you like defense.

Superbowl XXIII
Bengals 3
49'ers 3

Halftime score

Superbowl XXXIV
Rams 9
Titans 0

Halftime score


Yes, there were more points scored in the 1st half yesterday than in either of those conests.

[Figrin D'an]

The Giants simply proved that the old cliche of "Defense wins championships" still rings true, and that there's nothing that can replace being able to generate a pass rush with just the front four. The Giants were the only team this season that were able to consistently get pressure on Brady with just 4 or 5 people (and that 5th pass rusher was constantly changing throughout the game).

[Jedieb]

Hey, I've made my share of mistakes in predicting stuff. I didn't even quote your downgrading Brady and pumping up Bledsoe. :lol My point wasn't to make you look like some sort of moron, but to show after all of that, I don't think your hatred of NE was because they always won. It was BEFORE they always won when they(and especially Brady) made you look bad. ;)

Dude, they were 14 pt dogs, that's an even bigger spread that last night's game, I wasn't the only one who thought they were going to get crushed by the Rams. I picked against them because I didn't think they were that good and I didn't have any love for that franchise, never did. I didn't care that they made my picks look bad,that happens to everybody. Everybody outside of NE looked bad that year. Just like this year most people look bad this morning.

And how about Bellijerk leaving the field with 1 second to go. If you were someone who ripped Moss a few years ago for leaving the field before the game was over, you should rip Bill as well. Get your broody butt back on the sideline for the kneeldown Hoody, it's called CLASS, try and show some. Man did this guy deserve last night's humble pie.

[CMJ]

Just seemed you had an axe to grind then(when they WERE underdogs, which you normally root for) and ever since Eb.

[Jedieb]

Oh, I think I need to go out and buy a few of these.
http://ll.atdmt.com/b/4IBTSBTSABS7/18_1AD.jpg

[Jedieb]

Just seemed you had an axe to grind then(when they WERE underdogs, which you normally root for) and ever since Eb.

Some underdogs I like, others I don't. I never rooted for any of the Bulls' opponents in the 90's and they were certainly dogs. And I'm a Yankees fan, which makes me part of the evil empire that loves to crush hapless underdogged and underpaid opponents. Some big machines I like, some I hate, it's the way of the world. But damned if Brady hasn't always come across as smug, at least to me. Good to see that he's never going to match Bradshaw and Montana. (Both guys that I hated as a kid but give grudging respect to now.) Nah, screw it, I'll always HATE the Golden Boy. :shootin

[JMK]

And how about Bellijerk leaving the field with 1 second to go. If you were someone who ripped Moss a few years ago for leaving the field before the game was over, you should rip Bill as well. Get your broody butt back on the sideline for the kneeldown Hoody, it's called CLASS, try and show some. Man did this guy deserve last night's humble pie.


No kidding. I don't think people are paying enough attention to this. Mike Carey (the ref) went to Belichick, and I presume he told him that there was another second to go. Apparently Evil Hoodie didn't care. He ran off to the locker room in shame. This guy has absolutely no class. People CRUSHED Randy Moss for this, and you're right Eb, Belichick deserves to get hammered for this as well. Ever since Spygate he played the rest of the season with his middle finger flipped to the media, fans, league and his opponents by burying them by 35+ points. He deserves every bit of scorn he gets for being a childish sore loser.

[Yog]

Superbowl ads at myspace.com. Good stuff :)

http://www.myspace.com/superbowlads

[Rutabaga]

I thought Belichick leaving the field with 1 second left was completely disrespectful. Yes, it was only 1 second and we all knew Eli would take a knee, but still, to turn your back on the team that just whupped your hiney truly is the sign of a sore loser. I can't imagine any other coach in the NFL who would have done that. Heck, I was surprised that he even congratulated Coughlin, I thought for sure he'd just mumble at him and give him barely a handshake or something.

As for the commercials, I thought most of them were completely unmemorable, and some were downright bad. But I loved the E*Trade talking baby ads, those were great :).

[Yog]

Not only did he leave the field with 1 second on the clock. But he did it in the Super Bowl, while 90M people were watching, many overseas. What a great ambassador for the sport.. :rolleyes

[Mu Satach]

But damned if Brady hasn't always come across as smug, at least to me.

Same here, I'm really tired of seeing his little fits on the field he throws when plays don't work the way he wants. And Belichick just confirmed what I thought of him at the end of the game. Throwing a little hissy fit because win number four wasn't handed to you on a platter? Please.

[Doc Milo]

I'm not a Giants fan at all, but I just had to root for them since I've grown so tired of the Patriots and their underlying arrogance. This will teach them for trademarking the "19-0" logo and already having the victory parade time and route all planned out. :p

I also love storybook endings. :)

BTW, is this history? Two brothers winning Super Bowls back to back?

Well I can't I hate them and I hate all New York Teams. I don't think I am going to comment any more because I have too much anger in me.

I do not consider the Giants a NY team, at all.

They haven't changed their name, which is detestable. To me, the Giants and the Jets are both New Jersey teams. The only true NY team is the Buffalo Bills.

I hate the Giants as well. I have no love for the Patriots, and all during the playoffs I was hoping someone would knock them out. But in this game, I could not bring myself to root for the Giants.

[jjwr]

Same here, I'm really tired of seeing his little fits on the field he throws when plays don't work the way he wants. And Belichick just confirmed what I thought of him at the end of the game. Throwing a little hissy fit because win number four wasn't handed to you on a platter? Please.

So you guys hate Peyton Manning too then right? I know he's always super nice and never throws a fit on the field...

[Mu Satach]

Yes, and I hate the Colts too. :)

[Nathanial K'cansce]

I think every quarterback should throw a fit on the field if a play doesn't go according to plan, or something goes array like a dropped ball or something. There is nothing wrong with a QB who strives for perfection.

[Mu Satach]

Even if it's the QB fault the play got farked up?

[Yog]

I don't mind so much Brady or Manning throwing a fit on the field. They are players expressing frustration of their plays in the moment. I expect more maturity from the coaches. What I do mind is unsportsmanlike conduct or showing disrespect towards your opponent (like shrugging off a handshake, walking out the field with 1 second on the clock or blatant cheating to name some examples). Also, in the comparison of Manning and Brady, the former knows to show some humility, while the latter reeks of arrogance.

[Figrin D'an]

QBs are the leaders of the offensive team... the truly great ones are as much excellent field generals as players with top level ability. When a play is messed up, it's part of their job to make sure the same mistake doesn't happen again. If the mistake it the QBs fault, they own up to it and make the necessary adjustment.

Guys like Brady, Manning, Favre, etc, yelling when a play goes awry isn't a bad thing. It's part of what comes with being a top level quarterback. I don't see it as a big deal.

[Mu Satach]

I'm not against "yelling" per se, legit "what the frack was that" moments and one has to yell a bit on the field to be heard...

I'm more anti what looks like a 3 year olds temper tantrum. It irks the snot out of me when I actually get the time to watch a game to see that.

[jjwr]

Also, in the comparison of Manning and Brady, the former knows to show some humility, while the latter reeks of arrogance.

LOL....thanks for the laugh, thats the funniest thing I've read in a while. Don't mistake overexposure for humility or someone avoiding the limelight for Arrogance.

[Yog]

LOL....thanks for the laugh, thats the funniest thing I've read in a while. Don't mistake overexposure for humility or someone avoiding the limelight for Arrogance.

Always glad to entertain :)

[Jedi Master Carr]

Yes, and I hate the Colts too. :)

Montana and Elway did the same thing so I guess you hated them too. All the greats who are used to winning act that way and I can understand it.

[Kale]

I thought Belichick leaving the field with 1 second left was completely disrespectful. Yes, it was only 1 second and we all knew Eli would take a knee, but still, to turn your back on the team that just whupped your hiney truly is the sign of a sore loser. I can't imagine any other coach in the NFL who would have done that. Heck, I was surprised that he even congratulated Coughlin, I thought for sure he'd just mumble at him and give him barely a handshake or something.

I can't agree with this kind of reaction. When that last pass fell incomplete, most everyone on the field thought the game was over. The Giants rushed the field, and the Patriots left it. Bill Belichick ran across to shake hands with Coughlin and then turned to go into the locker room. It took the refs a few minutes to clear the field so the Giants could run that final play.

If Belichick's already in the tunnel, does he really need to come back out and shake Coughlin's hand again? I really don't see anything wrong with what he did. He wasn't effusive in his congratulations, but, as far as I can tell, he paid appropriate respect to his victorious opponent. I don't like Belichick any more than the next guy, but I think some people are just looking for excuses to rag on him.

[JMK]

If Belichick's already in the tunnel, does he really need to come back out and shake Coughlin's hand again? I really don't see anything wrong with what he did. He wasn't effusive in his congratulations, but, as far as I can tell, he paid appropriate respect to his victorious opponent. I don't like Belichick any more than the next guy, but I think some people are just looking for excuses to rag on him.


Yes, he does. Period. He is not to leave the field until the clock reads 00:00. Not 00:01. People have labelled him a classless man, and I tended to believe that, with plenty of evidence I think. When he had the chance to show that he actually had some class, he turned tail and ran. It's not like he had a big speech for his guys. All we was going to tell them was to "go home". What was the rush to get to the locker room? He's a petulant, self-absorbed jerk. The ref had his ear as he was running away, and I'm sure he was telling him that the game was not over, but Belichick, like the arrogant knob that he is.

He has a duty to represent his team and his owner in a positive manner, and just because he wins a lot more than he loses does not mean that he should act that way. It's just pitiful for a grown man to behave that way. I hope Spygate II comes crashing down on him again. He'd deserve every last bit of shame that may come from it.

[Jedi Master Carr]

If Belichick's already in the tunnel, does he really need to come back out and shake Coughlin's hand again? I really don't see anything wrong with what he did. He wasn't effusive in his congratulations, but, as far as I can tell, he paid appropriate respect to his victorious opponent. I don't like Belichick any more than the next guy, but I think some people are just looking for excuses to rag on him.


Yes, he does. Period. He is not to leave the field until the clock reads 00:00. Not 00:01. People have labelled him a classless man, and I tended to believe that, with plenty of evidence I think. When he had the chance to show that he actually had some class, he turned tail and ran. It's not like he had a big speech for his guys. All we was going to tell them was to "go home". What was the rush to get to the locker room? He's a petulant, self-absorbed jerk. The ref had his ear as he was running away, and I'm sure he was telling him that the game was not over, but Belichick, like the arrogant knob that he is.

He has a duty to represent his team and his owner in a positive manner, and just because he wins a lot more than he loses does not mean that he should act that way. It's just pitiful for a grown man to behave that way. I hope Spygate II comes crashing down on him again. He'd deserve every last bit of shame that may come from it.

Actually the clock read 0 and then 01 than 0 again it took a few minutes for the refs to figure out there was still time left. Of course I shut the game off at that point. I can't stand the Giants so I couldn't take watching them celebrate. Also there won't be a spygate 2. The NFL has said it is over. Who cares what Arlen Spectar says. Spectar is a jerk. There are more important things that a football game. We got people dying in Iraq, the stock market is crashing, people don't have insurance, the environment is a wreck, and all Specter cares about is if there was cheating going on in the NFL.

[JMK]

But at least his name is back in the news. ;)

[Jedi Master Carr]

But at least his name is back in the news. ;)

LOL you mean Spectar? That is probably why he is doing it. Typical politician:p

[Yog]

Michael Silver at Yahoo! Sports rates SBXLII as one of the best ever:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ms-thegameface020808&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

[Jedi Master Carr]

Michael Silver at Yahoo! Sports rates SBXLII as one of the best ever:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ms-thegameface020808&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

I am not sure about that. I still think the Rams, Titans game was the best I have ever seen. Although I am biased and probably would rank the 49er-Bengal game the best. It had one of the best finishes ever.

[JMK]

If there's a poll out there and a large market like New York votes on this being the best ever, and all the people that were ecstatic to see the Pats lose voted on this as the best ever...then guess what? It will be perceived as the best ever. I don't know if I agree with that. It depends on what your definition of "best" is. I think this was the most dramatic Super Bowl that I've ever seen, but I don't know if it's the best played game I've ever seen.

[Jedi Master Carr]

I would say best played was probably Rams-Titans. That was a great game. I remember that because I didn't really care who won and I was into the whole thing. If I had to vote I probably say SB 23 but I am biased and still think Montana was the greatest ever.

[Figrin D'an]

I have to agree with Carr, Super Bowl XXXIV (Rams-Titans) was probably the best game. Literally a half a yard made the difference.