Looking back at my 49 Stops To Super Bowl XLIX, let's see where those trends I included hit on the actual game:
#46-AFC LOVES FEBRUARY: The Super Bowl will be held on February 1st. Since the first February Super Bowl in 2002, the AFC is 7-5 in those games held in the calendar's shortest month ... though the NFC has won four of the last five:
Well, the AFC won again, making them 8-5 in February Super Bowls.
#45-SCORE EARLY AND OFTEN: The team who scores first in a Super Bowl is 32-16.
*Teams who score at least 30 points are 25-2. Only the Cowboys (SB XIII) and the 49ers (SB XLVII) scored at least 30 points and lost.
*Teams that score the first TD are 35-13.
*Teams leading at the half are 36-10 (there have been two ties)
The Patriots scored first, so that makes the record 33-16 in Super Bowls. Also, teams that score the first TD are now 36-13. This was also just the third halftime tie in Super Bowl history.
Showing posts with label super bowl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label super bowl. Show all posts
Monday, February 2, 2015
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Patriots Become Third Team To Win Super Bowl After Being Down Double-Digits
The Patriots were down 24-14 in the fourth quarter. They would score two touchdowns to pull out the championship with a 28-24 victory. They join the 1987 Washington Redskins and 2009 New Orleans Saints as teams to do that.
The Washington Redskins went down 10-0 to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXII. However, the Skins would go on to score 42 unanswered points, including 35 points in a wild second quarter alone, to win 42-10. The Saints were also down 10-0 to the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV before scoring 13 straight points to take the lead. The Saints would go on to win 31-17.
That is the big difference and what makes this comeback special. The Redskins and Saints made their moves in the 2nd quarter ... while New England was down 10 points in the 4th quarter. Amazing.
The Redskins and Saints not only were down 10 points in that Super Bowl, they also would lead (and win) by more than 10 points. These Patriots won by just 4. Still, it is a win.
Sunday, January 25, 2015
49 Stops To Super Bowl XLIX
Every year since Super Bowl XL, I have used this blog for my "Stops To Super Bowl" list. Every year, I create a list of smart, dumb, inane and chat worthy items for you to use in any banter leading up to and during the Super Bowl.
This year, it is 49 Stops to Super Bowl XLVIX and I'm back with some more (and some of the same) little items for you about the upcoming big game.
#49-BY THE TIME I GET TO ARIZONA: The Phoenix area will be hosting their third Super Bowl. Their first one was SB XXX, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, when the Cowboys beat the Steelers, 27-17. They hosted it again for SB XLII, this time at the University Of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, for the immortal Giants 17-14 win over the Patriots that ended New England's perfect season.
Super Bowl XXVII was supposed to be held at Sun Devil Stadium as well, but when the state chose not to observe the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, the NFL backed out of the site and held the game in Pasadena. In that game, the Cowboys pummeled the Bills, 52-17.
#48-WE'RE NOT NEIGHBORS: Seattle and Foxborough, MA are 2,488 miles apart, making it the third longest distance between Super Bowl opponents in history. Only the 49ers-Dolphins (Super Bowl XIX) and Raiders-Eagles (Super Bowl XV) were further apart. As you can see, the west coast team won both previous games.
#47-BELICHICK KNOWS SUPER BOWLS: Bill Belichick ties Don Shula with his sixth Super Bowl appearance as a head coach. Belichick has taken the Patriots to the big game each time. Shula took the Dolphins to five Super Bowls and the Colts to one.
Belichick was also the defensive coordinator for the Giants in Super Bowls XXI and XXV and an assistant head coach for the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI. That's nine Super Bowls he's coached in.
Amazingly, in his 15 seasons as the Patriots head coach, Belichick has taken his team to 9 AFC Championship games.
49 Stops To Super Bowl XLIX (#1-9)
Every year since Super Bowl XL, I have used this blog for my "Stops To Super Bowl" list. Every year, I create a list of smart, dumb, inane and chat worthy items for you to use in any banter leading up to and during the Super Bowl.
This year, it is 49 Stops to Super Bowl XLVIX and I'm back with some more (and some of the same) little items for you about the upcoming big game.
#9-STILL HAVEN'T WON ONE: There are now four franchises that have never appeared in a Super Bowl (Lions, Browns, Jaguars and Texans). But there are nine others that have never won the Super Bowl in any of their appearances. They are the Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Tennessee Titans, San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals. The Bills and Vikings have lost four games apiece; the Bengals and Eagles have each lost two. The rest lost on their only trip.
And while the Jaguars (1995) and Texans (2002) haven't been to the big game, they don't have quite the drought as some other franchises. The Jets haven't been to the Super Bowl since the 1968 season. The Chiefs went to two of the first four Super Bowls but their last appearance was after the 1969 season.
It's been a while since the Vikings (1976), Dolphins (1984), Bengals (1988) and Redskins (1991) have been there as well.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Not-So-Final Observations Of Super Bowl XLIII
First off, it was a great game. I had no dog in the fight but I found myself rooting for Arizona. I typically hate the Cardinals (that's my Redskins fandom remembering those old NFC East days).
Here are some other thoughts about the game.
-Kurt Warner is is awsome. Yeah, his team lost but he now owns the three best passing days in Super Bowl history. That is unreal no matter who you are.
-Santonio Holmes has become a star. I must admit that I haven't thought too highly of him as a great receiver. But Holmes came up big all game and especially that final drive. Ya know, the drive that ended on his amazing TD grab.
-The officiating was suspect. I'm normally not a guy that bangs on the refs. That is a bitch of a job. Still, there are a few calls I didn't understand. The roughing the passer call, a couple of the holds and the fact they didn't at least look at Kurt Warner's fumble. I can get the call on that one, but how in the heck did they not take a look at it.
-Arizona had this game. It's one thing to lose a game of this magnitude. It's quite another when you let it slip from your hands. Forget the fact that the Cards held a 23-20 lead with just over 2 minutes left. They could have had a 23-13 then if they had not let James Harrison return that pick for a TD. They could have had a 30-13 or 26-13 lead if they had coverted on some points on that drive.
-Bruce Springsteen is still The Boss. I'm not a huge Springsteen fan though I do have several favorite songs. But this was the first time in a long time that I actually watched the halftime show.
-The commercials weren't that funny. There were some good ones, but you can see the effect of the economy on our comedy.
-My Super Bowl feast was perfect. I don't do Super Bowl parties anymore because I want to watch the game. So my wife and I just create a small feast of grub for the two of us (and anyone that stops by). I had the bacon cheddar fries, buffalo wings, garlic wings, mozzerella sticks, chips and dip and my Pepsi (McGruber). We didn't even get to cook up the onion rings, spinach bites or pizza bites.
-Big Ben was indeed "big". I know Holmes was huge in that final drive, but Ben Roethlisberger deserved the MVP. He made some outstanding throws on that drive and spent the entire game buying time and making something out of nothing. He just eliminated all that talk about how bad he was in Super Bowl XL.
-Was this the chippiest Super Bowl? There were more personal fouls in this Super Bowl than any one I can remember. The pushing, shoving and fighting going on made this game look like it was between division rivals that are sick of each other. Oh, and how Harrison wasn't thrown out after decking the Cardinals' tackle is beyond me.
-Steelers Dynasty? I don't think it is, but what Pittsburgh has just done cannot be dismissed. With the youth of the team and the coaching staff (save Dick LeBeau), they can keep this up for a while. Pittsburgh has placed themselves up with the Dallas Cowboys as the ultimate Super Bowl franchise. The Steelers now have a record six titles and has now done it in two different eras. The Cowboys did something similar in the 1970s and early 1990s.
Here are some other thoughts about the game.
-Kurt Warner is is awsome. Yeah, his team lost but he now owns the three best passing days in Super Bowl history. That is unreal no matter who you are.
-Santonio Holmes has become a star. I must admit that I haven't thought too highly of him as a great receiver. But Holmes came up big all game and especially that final drive. Ya know, the drive that ended on his amazing TD grab.
-The officiating was suspect. I'm normally not a guy that bangs on the refs. That is a bitch of a job. Still, there are a few calls I didn't understand. The roughing the passer call, a couple of the holds and the fact they didn't at least look at Kurt Warner's fumble. I can get the call on that one, but how in the heck did they not take a look at it.
-Arizona had this game. It's one thing to lose a game of this magnitude. It's quite another when you let it slip from your hands. Forget the fact that the Cards held a 23-20 lead with just over 2 minutes left. They could have had a 23-13 then if they had not let James Harrison return that pick for a TD. They could have had a 30-13 or 26-13 lead if they had coverted on some points on that drive.
-Bruce Springsteen is still The Boss. I'm not a huge Springsteen fan though I do have several favorite songs. But this was the first time in a long time that I actually watched the halftime show.
-The commercials weren't that funny. There were some good ones, but you can see the effect of the economy on our comedy.
-My Super Bowl feast was perfect. I don't do Super Bowl parties anymore because I want to watch the game. So my wife and I just create a small feast of grub for the two of us (and anyone that stops by). I had the bacon cheddar fries, buffalo wings, garlic wings, mozzerella sticks, chips and dip and my Pepsi (McGruber). We didn't even get to cook up the onion rings, spinach bites or pizza bites.
-Big Ben was indeed "big". I know Holmes was huge in that final drive, but Ben Roethlisberger deserved the MVP. He made some outstanding throws on that drive and spent the entire game buying time and making something out of nothing. He just eliminated all that talk about how bad he was in Super Bowl XL.
-Was this the chippiest Super Bowl? There were more personal fouls in this Super Bowl than any one I can remember. The pushing, shoving and fighting going on made this game look like it was between division rivals that are sick of each other. Oh, and how Harrison wasn't thrown out after decking the Cardinals' tackle is beyond me.
-Steelers Dynasty? I don't think it is, but what Pittsburgh has just done cannot be dismissed. With the youth of the team and the coaching staff (save Dick LeBeau), they can keep this up for a while. Pittsburgh has placed themselves up with the Dallas Cowboys as the ultimate Super Bowl franchise. The Steelers now have a record six titles and has now done it in two different eras. The Cowboys did something similar in the 1970s and early 1990s.
Like It Or Not, Kurt Warner Is a Hall Of Famer
There has been alot of debate about whether Kurt Warner is a Hall Of Famer. I must admit that I've been on the fence about this.
On one hand, his career isn't very lengthy and featured a gaping hole in the middle of it. Aside from his bursting on the scene in St. Louis and his resurrection in Arizona this year, he could be considered a journeyman.
Still, he has two MVP awards, a Super Bowl title, three Super Bowl appearances and now owns the three highest passing totals in Super Bowl history. Not just the No. 1 spot ... the top three spots.
Don't we always lean on a guy's postseason accomplishments as a mark of how great they are? Dude has brought it in all three times in the big game. Remember his bomb to Issac Bruce that won Super Bowl XXXIV? Yeah, he lost Super Bowls XXXVI and XLIII, but he led his teams to magical comebacks to put them in position to lose at the buzzer.
To me, that's Hall Of Fame worthy.
If the Rams had found a way to beat the Patriots or the Cardinals defense had any ability to slow down the Steelers' final drive, Warner would be sitting on two or three rings. That is in that Joe Montana, Tom Brady, Troy Aikman and Terry Bradshaw range.
Yeah, reality is that he only has one ring and that puts him in the Mark Rypien, Trent Dilfer, Jeff Hostetler, Brad Johnson range. But it is also the same number that Joe Namath, Brett Favre and Peyton Manning have won ... and more than Frank Tarkenton, Dan Marino, Jim Kelly or Dan Fouts won.
It isn't just the Super Bowl efforts. He is 3rd all-time in QB rating and 2nd all-time in completion percentage. He also has the highest average of passing yards per game in NFL history (minimum 100 games).
So, let's see: Not only has he done great things in the regular season (the stats and two MVPs prove that) but has also come up better than anyone when it counts.
How is that not Hall of Fame worthy?
On one hand, his career isn't very lengthy and featured a gaping hole in the middle of it. Aside from his bursting on the scene in St. Louis and his resurrection in Arizona this year, he could be considered a journeyman.
Still, he has two MVP awards, a Super Bowl title, three Super Bowl appearances and now owns the three highest passing totals in Super Bowl history. Not just the No. 1 spot ... the top three spots.
Don't we always lean on a guy's postseason accomplishments as a mark of how great they are? Dude has brought it in all three times in the big game. Remember his bomb to Issac Bruce that won Super Bowl XXXIV? Yeah, he lost Super Bowls XXXVI and XLIII, but he led his teams to magical comebacks to put them in position to lose at the buzzer.
To me, that's Hall Of Fame worthy.
If the Rams had found a way to beat the Patriots or the Cardinals defense had any ability to slow down the Steelers' final drive, Warner would be sitting on two or three rings. That is in that Joe Montana, Tom Brady, Troy Aikman and Terry Bradshaw range.
Yeah, reality is that he only has one ring and that puts him in the Mark Rypien, Trent Dilfer, Jeff Hostetler, Brad Johnson range. But it is also the same number that Joe Namath, Brett Favre and Peyton Manning have won ... and more than Frank Tarkenton, Dan Marino, Jim Kelly or Dan Fouts won.
It isn't just the Super Bowl efforts. He is 3rd all-time in QB rating and 2nd all-time in completion percentage. He also has the highest average of passing yards per game in NFL history (minimum 100 games).
So, let's see: Not only has he done great things in the regular season (the stats and two MVPs prove that) but has also come up better than anyone when it counts.
How is that not Hall of Fame worthy?
Are We In a Golden Age Of Super Bowls? Steelers Win Wild Super Bowl XLIII, 27-23
I am 33 years old. I'm only telling you that so you can understand my reference points for this story.
When I was a kid through my teenage years and into my 20s, the Super Bowl was usually one of the biggest letdowns in sports. From 1984 (when Bruce Springsteen's Born In the USA came out) to 1999, most Super Bowls ended up as blowouts. Only the Niners-Bengals, Giants-Bills and Broncos-Packers matchups had me glued to my seat for most, if not all of the game.
So how lucky has this decade been? We had that amazing stop on the 1-yard line in the Rams-Titans game, the improbable upset in the Patriots-Rams tilt, a wild finish to the Patriots-Panthers and a close Patriots-Eagles game. Take a second look at the Colts-Bears Super Bowl and it was closer than you think. The last two Super Bowls (Giants-Patriots, Steelers-Cardinals) have featured two amazing finishes that saw the lead change a few times in the closing moments. The game has been living up to the hype.
Aside from the Ravens-Giants (blowout), Buccaneers-Raiders (blowout) and Steelers-Seahawks (boring and mistake filled), we have been treated to some of the greatest Super Bowls over the past ten years. I mean, remember when it used to be the big joke that the Super Bowl was sports biggest dog? We were seeing scores like 55-10, 52-17, 42-10, 38-16, 46-10 and 49-26. Sure, the final scores for the Redskins-Bills and Broncos-Falcons aren't that bad, but those games weren't in doubt either.
We've had six Super Bowls decided by 7-points or less this decade. In the prior 33 Super Bowls, only eight of them were decided by 7-points or less.
So this has to be the golden age of Super Bowls, right? I'd be willing to bet that the Rams-Titans, Patriots-Rams, Patriots-Panthers, Giants-Patriots and Steelers-Cardinals are at or near the very top of the list of great Super Bowls. Over the last 10 years, six of the games have been decided by a TD or less; five have been decided by four points or less; five saw the winning team score the go-ahead points with under three minutes remaining; and three with less than 40 seconds left.
Forget the stats. The last decade has given us "The Tackle", Adam Vinateri's two game winning FGs in the closing seconds, David Tyree's catch and now San-Toes-Nio Holmes grab.
When I was a kid through my teenage years and into my 20s, the Super Bowl was usually one of the biggest letdowns in sports. From 1984 (when Bruce Springsteen's Born In the USA came out) to 1999, most Super Bowls ended up as blowouts. Only the Niners-Bengals, Giants-Bills and Broncos-Packers matchups had me glued to my seat for most, if not all of the game.
So how lucky has this decade been? We had that amazing stop on the 1-yard line in the Rams-Titans game, the improbable upset in the Patriots-Rams tilt, a wild finish to the Patriots-Panthers and a close Patriots-Eagles game. Take a second look at the Colts-Bears Super Bowl and it was closer than you think. The last two Super Bowls (Giants-Patriots, Steelers-Cardinals) have featured two amazing finishes that saw the lead change a few times in the closing moments. The game has been living up to the hype.
Aside from the Ravens-Giants (blowout), Buccaneers-Raiders (blowout) and Steelers-Seahawks (boring and mistake filled), we have been treated to some of the greatest Super Bowls over the past ten years. I mean, remember when it used to be the big joke that the Super Bowl was sports biggest dog? We were seeing scores like 55-10, 52-17, 42-10, 38-16, 46-10 and 49-26. Sure, the final scores for the Redskins-Bills and Broncos-Falcons aren't that bad, but those games weren't in doubt either.
We've had six Super Bowls decided by 7-points or less this decade. In the prior 33 Super Bowls, only eight of them were decided by 7-points or less.
So this has to be the golden age of Super Bowls, right? I'd be willing to bet that the Rams-Titans, Patriots-Rams, Patriots-Panthers, Giants-Patriots and Steelers-Cardinals are at or near the very top of the list of great Super Bowls. Over the last 10 years, six of the games have been decided by a TD or less; five have been decided by four points or less; five saw the winning team score the go-ahead points with under three minutes remaining; and three with less than 40 seconds left.
Forget the stats. The last decade has given us "The Tackle", Adam Vinateri's two game winning FGs in the closing seconds, David Tyree's catch and now San-Toes-Nio Holmes grab.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
43 Stops To Super Bowl XLIII: #8-11
The "43 Stops to Super Bowl XLIII" is a series that will feature stories, stats and interesting trivia that you can use to act smart as you prepare for Super Bowl XLIII. I've done this on SPORTZASSASSIN.COM for Super Bowls XL and XLI and for AOL's FanHouse for Super Bowl XLII.
#8-MAKING FUN OF ARIZONA: Last year, I wrote this at FanHouse:
The Super Bowl will be held in Arizona, of course, who could use a good dose of good NFL football. The desert has become ... well ... a desert when it comes to the bounties of great football teams.Since the Cardinals arrived to Arizona in 1988, they've had exactly one winning season. In 1998, the Cardinals went 9-7 and made their lone playoff appearance in 25 seasons and winning their only playoff game in half a century. The Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals have won just 35% of their contests, had eight different head coaches.Obviously, the Cardinals have never seen an 16-win regular season like the New England Patriots. In fact, the "Phoenix/Arizona" Cardinals have never seen consecutive seasons that add up to 16 wins (you must go back to the 1983-1984 St. Louis Cards to find that). The 2007 New York Giants won 10 regular season games. The Cardinals haven't had a 10-win season since 1976.
#9-NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE UNDERDOG: Okay, the Arizona Cardinals aren't expected to win this game. For every one person that believes that, there are three more picking Pittsburgh. Don't let that bother you, though, Cardinals fans. We all know that NO ONE was picking the Giants to win last year's Super Bowl. Here is a short list of huge upsets:
Super Bowl III: The Baltimore Colts came in as 18-point favorites. They left watching the Jets' Joe Namath fulfilling his prediction of an upset.
Super Bowl IV: The Kansas City Chiefs spanked the Minnesota Vikings, despite being a 12-point underdog.
Super Bowl VII: Oddly, the undefeated Miami Dolphins entered the game as 1.5-point underdogs to the Washington Redskins.
Super Bowl XXV: The Buffalo Bills would begin their four game Super Bowl losing streak by succumbing to the Giants, who were 7-point dogs.
Super Bowl XXXII: The Denver Broncos, an 11.5-point underdog, ended the AFC's thirteen game losing streak by beating Green Bay.
Super Bowl XXXVI: These New England Patriots began their dynasty by beating the St. Louis Rams, who were 14-point favorites.
Super Bowl XLII: The 12-point dog Giants ended the Patriots perfect season with a magical game.
See, it can happen. Just because we all think one way doesn't mean we cannot be shocked. After all, those 2001 Rams were juggernauts who were former champions and were heavy favorites. They left without the trophy.
#10-BUT DON'T DISMISS THE FAVORITES: Yeah, there are upsets, but don't count on them. The favorite has won seven of the last 10 Super Bowls. In fact the favorite is 29-13 in the Super Bowl. Teams favored by at least 7 points are 18-6.
#11-DON'T WIN THE COIN TOSS: The team that wins the opening coin toss is just 20-22 in the game. That averages out to ... well ... the flip of a coin. However, the coin toss winner has been the Super Bowl loser in 9 of the last 12 games.
SB 42: Giants won the toss ... and the game
SB 41: Bears won the toss, lost the game
SB 40: Seahawks won the toss, lost the game
SB 39: Eagles won the toss, lost the game
SB 38: Panthers won the toss, lost the game
SB 37: Buccaneers won the toss ... and the game
SB 36: Rams won the toss, lost the game
SB 35: Giants won the toss, lost the game
SB 34: Rams won the toss ... and the game
SB 33: Falcons won the toss, lost the game
SB 32: Packers won the toss, lost the game
SB 31: Patriots won the toss, lost the game
Sunday, January 25, 2009
43 Stops To Super Bowl XLIII: #16-19
The "43 Stops to Super Bowl XLIII" is a series that will feature stories, stats and interesting trivia that you can use to act smart as you prepare for Super Bowl XLIII. I've done this on SPORTZASSASSIN.COM for Super Bowls XL and XLI and for AOL's FanHouse for Super Bowl XLII.
#16-SUPER BOWL DATES: Here are just a few dumb notes about Super Bowl dates. Super Bowl XXIX was the only Super Bowl that was played on the same day (29) as the Roman numeral of the game. January 26th is the most popular date for a Super Bowl as a record four games have been played on that date. And, if you go in order from the earliest date (January 9th) to the latest (February 6th), the only days to not have held the Super Bowl are January 10, 19, 23 and February 2.
This will be the second Super Bowl held on February 1st.
Jan 9-XI
Jan 11-IV
Jan 12-III, IX
Jan 13-VIII
Jan 14-II, VII
Jan 15-I, XII
Jan 16-VI
Jan 17-V
Jan 18-X
Jan 20-XIV, XIX
Jan 21-XIII
Jan 22-XVIII, XXIII
Jan 24-XVI
Jan 25-XV, XXI, XXXII
Jan 26-XX, XXVI, XXXI, XXXVII
Jan 27-XXV
Jan 28-XXIV, XXX, XXXV
Jan 29-XXIX
Jan 30-XVII, XXVIII, XXXIV
Jan 31-XXII, XXVII, XXXIII
Feb 1-XXXVIII, XLIII
Feb 3-XXXVI, XLII
Feb 4-XLI
Feb 5-XL, XLVI
Feb 6-XXXIX, XLV
Feb 7-XLIV
#17-THE CARDINALS RED GLARE: The Arizona Cardinals are designated the home team and will wear their home red uniforms. That means the Steelers will wear all white. In Super Bowl history, Pittsburgh is undefeated in their white unis. In fact, the team that has worn white uniforms has won the last four Super Bowls (Giants, Colts, Steelers, Patriots).
Arizona is trying to become the first team to win a Super Bowl while wearing a red uniform since the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XXIX.
#18-STILL HAVEN'T WON ONE: I mentioned before than there are now five franchises that have never appeared in a Super Bowl (Lions, Browns, Jaguars, Texans and Saints). But there are nine others that have never won the Super Bowl in any of their appearances. They are Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Tennessee Titans, San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and Seattle Seahawks. The Bills and Vikings have lost four games apiece; the Bengals and Eagles have each lost two. The rest lost on their only trip. An Arizona loss puts them on this list.
#19-SUPER BOWL UNDEFEATEDS: On the flip side, if Arizona wins then they will join a list of four other franchises to be undefeated in Super Bowl play. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens each won their only trip to the Super Bowl. The San Francisco 49ers have won all five of their Super Bowl appearances.
#16-SUPER BOWL DATES: Here are just a few dumb notes about Super Bowl dates. Super Bowl XXIX was the only Super Bowl that was played on the same day (29) as the Roman numeral of the game. January 26th is the most popular date for a Super Bowl as a record four games have been played on that date. And, if you go in order from the earliest date (January 9th) to the latest (February 6th), the only days to not have held the Super Bowl are January 10, 19, 23 and February 2.
This will be the second Super Bowl held on February 1st.
Jan 9-XI
Jan 11-IV
Jan 12-III, IX
Jan 13-VIII
Jan 14-II, VII
Jan 15-I, XII
Jan 16-VI
Jan 17-V
Jan 18-X
Jan 20-XIV, XIX
Jan 21-XIII
Jan 22-XVIII, XXIII
Jan 24-XVI
Jan 25-XV, XXI, XXXII
Jan 26-XX, XXVI, XXXI, XXXVII
Jan 27-XXV
Jan 28-XXIV, XXX, XXXV
Jan 29-XXIX
Jan 30-XVII, XXVIII, XXXIV
Jan 31-XXII, XXVII, XXXIII
Feb 1-XXXVIII, XLIII
Feb 3-XXXVI, XLII
Feb 4-XLI
Feb 5-XL, XLVI
Feb 6-XXXIX, XLV
Feb 7-XLIV
#17-THE CARDINALS RED GLARE: The Arizona Cardinals are designated the home team and will wear their home red uniforms. That means the Steelers will wear all white. In Super Bowl history, Pittsburgh is undefeated in their white unis. In fact, the team that has worn white uniforms has won the last four Super Bowls (Giants, Colts, Steelers, Patriots).
Arizona is trying to become the first team to win a Super Bowl while wearing a red uniform since the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XXIX.
#18-STILL HAVEN'T WON ONE: I mentioned before than there are now five franchises that have never appeared in a Super Bowl (Lions, Browns, Jaguars, Texans and Saints). But there are nine others that have never won the Super Bowl in any of their appearances. They are Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Tennessee Titans, San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and Seattle Seahawks. The Bills and Vikings have lost four games apiece; the Bengals and Eagles have each lost two. The rest lost on their only trip. An Arizona loss puts them on this list.
#19-SUPER BOWL UNDEFEATEDS: On the flip side, if Arizona wins then they will join a list of four other franchises to be undefeated in Super Bowl play. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Jets and Baltimore Ravens each won their only trip to the Super Bowl. The San Francisco 49ers have won all five of their Super Bowl appearances.
43 Stops To Super Bowl XLIII: #20-23
The "43 Stops to Super Bowl XLIII" is a series that will feature stories, stats and interesting trivia that you can use to act smart as you prepare for Super Bowl XLIII. I've done this on SPORTZASSASSIN.COM for Super Bowls XL and XLI and for AOL's FanHouse for Super Bowl XLII.
#20-SUPER BOWL LOGO: The Super Bowl logo features the two main colors of blue and green. The colors represent the regional waterways and landscapes of the Tampa area. The eight yards on the logo represent the champion of the 08 season.
#21-CARDS AND STEELERS HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE: This will be just the third Super Bowl that will be played between teams who have been around since the pre-expansion era (1960). The Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Rams met in Super Bowl XIV and the Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears met in Super Bowl XLI. It is interesting that the Rams (Cleveland), Colts (Baltimore) and Cardinals (Chicago) all played their Super Bowls in their relocated cities.
#22-FUTURE SUPER BOWLS: Just a reminder about upcoming Super Bowls. XLIV will be played in Miami. This will be the first time since Super Bowls XXI and XXII that consecutive Super Bowls will be played in the same state. Those Super Bowls were played in Pasadena and San Diego, CA, respectively. The only other time it has happened was when Miami hosted both Super Bowls II and III.
Super Bowl XLV will be played in the Dallas Cowboys new stadium. Super Bowl XLVI will be played at Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis.
#23-KURT WARNER IS THE NEXT CRAIG MORTON: Warner will be making his third Super Bowl start and will become only the second QB to start for two different organizations. Warner made his other two starts as a member of the St. Louis Rams. The only other man to do that is Craig Morton, who started for the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl V and Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XII.
By the way, only six quarterbacks have started more Super Bowls than Kurt Warner: John Elway (5), Terry Bradshaw, Joe Montana, Tom Brady, Roger Staubach and Jim Kelly (4). His three Super Bowl starts tie him with Troy Aikman, Fran Tarkenton and Bob Griese. All of those men, aside from Tom Brady, are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I'm sure Brady may get there, too. The jury is still out on Warner.
#20-SUPER BOWL LOGO: The Super Bowl logo features the two main colors of blue and green. The colors represent the regional waterways and landscapes of the Tampa area. The eight yards on the logo represent the champion of the 08 season.
#21-CARDS AND STEELERS HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE: This will be just the third Super Bowl that will be played between teams who have been around since the pre-expansion era (1960). The Pittsburgh Steelers and Los Angeles Rams met in Super Bowl XIV and the Indianapolis Colts and Chicago Bears met in Super Bowl XLI. It is interesting that the Rams (Cleveland), Colts (Baltimore) and Cardinals (Chicago) all played their Super Bowls in their relocated cities.
#22-FUTURE SUPER BOWLS: Just a reminder about upcoming Super Bowls. XLIV will be played in Miami. This will be the first time since Super Bowls XXI and XXII that consecutive Super Bowls will be played in the same state. Those Super Bowls were played in Pasadena and San Diego, CA, respectively. The only other time it has happened was when Miami hosted both Super Bowls II and III.
Super Bowl XLV will be played in the Dallas Cowboys new stadium. Super Bowl XLVI will be played at Lucas Oil Field in Indianapolis.
#23-KURT WARNER IS THE NEXT CRAIG MORTON: Warner will be making his third Super Bowl start and will become only the second QB to start for two different organizations. Warner made his other two starts as a member of the St. Louis Rams. The only other man to do that is Craig Morton, who started for the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl V and Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XII.
By the way, only six quarterbacks have started more Super Bowls than Kurt Warner: John Elway (5), Terry Bradshaw, Joe Montana, Tom Brady, Roger Staubach and Jim Kelly (4). His three Super Bowl starts tie him with Troy Aikman, Fran Tarkenton and Bob Griese. All of those men, aside from Tom Brady, are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I'm sure Brady may get there, too. The jury is still out on Warner.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
43 Stops to Super Bowl XLIII: #24-27
The "43 Stops to Super Bowl XLIII" is a series that will feature stories, stats and interesting trivia that you can use to act smart as you prepare for Super Bowl XLIII. I've done this on SPORTZASSASSIN.COM for Super Bowls XL and XLI and for AOL's FanHouse for Super Bowl XLII.
#24-BOTH QBs HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE: This is the first Super Bowl since Super Bowl XXIX that features two starting quarterbacks that have won Super Bowls before. Kurt Warner won Super Bowl XXXIV with the Rams and Ben Roethlisberger won Super Bowl XL with the Steelers.
The interesting thing about Super Bowl XXIX is that both starting QBs had won Super Bowls as backups. Steve Young had a couple of Super Bowl rings backing up Joe Montana with the 49ers and Stan Humpries won a Super Bowl ring with the Redskins as Mark Rypien's backup.
The last Super Bowl to feature two starting QBs that actually started and won previous Super Bowls was Super Bowl XVIII. That would be the Raiders Jim Plunkett against the Redskins Joe Theismann.
#24-COIN TOSS MEMORIES IN YEARS THAT END IN "9": The coin toss for Super Bowl XLIII will feature Roger Craig, John Elway and Lynn Swann. Those men won Super Bowls in 1989, 1999 and 1979, respectively. Joe Namath, who won the Super Bowl in 1969, will be part of the postgame presentation of the Vince Lombardi trophy.
#25-ARIZONA CARDINALS ARE SECOND TO CHICAGO CUBS: The Cardinals' last NFL championship was 1947. Their 61 seasons since their last title is the second longest drought in major professional US sports. Only the Chicago Cubs' 100 seasons since their last title is longer.
#26-ITS GOOD THAT NO ONE ACTUALLY ISN'T TALKING ABOUT THIS: Mike Tomlin will be the third African-American coach to lead his team into the Super Bowl. The first two, Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith, met two years ago in Super Bowl XLI.
#27-NBC NEEDS FIVE HOURS: NBC will have a record 5-hour pregame show before the Super Bowl. Why? I mean, I know they have 72 people on camera during their Sunday Night Football coverage during the season. I guess they need to get all of them good air time on Super Bowl Sunday. By the way, this will be the last Super Bowl shown in an analog broadcast.
#24-BOTH QBs HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE: This is the first Super Bowl since Super Bowl XXIX that features two starting quarterbacks that have won Super Bowls before. Kurt Warner won Super Bowl XXXIV with the Rams and Ben Roethlisberger won Super Bowl XL with the Steelers.
The interesting thing about Super Bowl XXIX is that both starting QBs had won Super Bowls as backups. Steve Young had a couple of Super Bowl rings backing up Joe Montana with the 49ers and Stan Humpries won a Super Bowl ring with the Redskins as Mark Rypien's backup.
The last Super Bowl to feature two starting QBs that actually started and won previous Super Bowls was Super Bowl XVIII. That would be the Raiders Jim Plunkett against the Redskins Joe Theismann.
#24-COIN TOSS MEMORIES IN YEARS THAT END IN "9": The coin toss for Super Bowl XLIII will feature Roger Craig, John Elway and Lynn Swann. Those men won Super Bowls in 1989, 1999 and 1979, respectively. Joe Namath, who won the Super Bowl in 1969, will be part of the postgame presentation of the Vince Lombardi trophy.
#25-ARIZONA CARDINALS ARE SECOND TO CHICAGO CUBS: The Cardinals' last NFL championship was 1947. Their 61 seasons since their last title is the second longest drought in major professional US sports. Only the Chicago Cubs' 100 seasons since their last title is longer.
#26-ITS GOOD THAT NO ONE ACTUALLY ISN'T TALKING ABOUT THIS: Mike Tomlin will be the third African-American coach to lead his team into the Super Bowl. The first two, Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith, met two years ago in Super Bowl XLI.
#27-NBC NEEDS FIVE HOURS: NBC will have a record 5-hour pregame show before the Super Bowl. Why? I mean, I know they have 72 people on camera during their Sunday Night Football coverage during the season. I guess they need to get all of them good air time on Super Bowl Sunday. By the way, this will be the last Super Bowl shown in an analog broadcast.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
43 Stops To Super Bowl XLIII: #28-31
The "43 Stops to Super Bowl XLIII" is a series that will feature stories, stats and interesting trivia that you can use to act smart as you prepare for Super Bowl XLIII. I've done this on SPORTZASSASSIN.COM for Super Bowls XL and XLI and for AOL's FanHouse for Super Bowl XLII.
#29-NBC IS BACK! NBC will be televising the Super Bowl for the first time since 1998. The network has shown 15 Super Bowls (CBS has shown 16). From 1993-1998, NBC has shown four of the six Super Bowls.
#30-TAMPA IS BACK! Tampa will be hosting their 4th Super Bowl. In Super Bowl XVIII, the LA Raiders smoked the Redskins 38-9. Super Bowl XXV was the classic Giants-Bills game. Ten years later, the Ravens beat the Giants 34-7 in their Super Bowl title.
#31-SUPER BOWL MVP'S IN CANTON: Winners of 20 Super Bowl MVP awards have gone on to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. You have Bart Starr (twice), Joe Namath, Len Dawson, Roger Staubach, Larry Csonka, Franco Harris, Lynn Swann, Fred Biletnikoff, Randy White, Terry Bradshaw (twice), Joe Montana (three times), John Riggins, Marcus Allen, Troy Aikman, Steve Young and John Elway. Other winners, like Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Ray Lewis can look forward to seeing their busts in Canton one day (that hikes the number up to 26). Granted, not all winners of the Super Bowl MVP award go on to anything much. Guys like Larry Brown, Harvey Martin, Dexter Jackson, Desmond Howard, Mark Rypien, Deion Branch and Jake Scott have also won the award and the Hall is no where in their future.
#32-THE FIVE WORST SUPER BOWLS: 1-Super Bowl V: This one was nicknamed the "Blunder Bowl" for good reason. There were 11 turnovers in the game with the Colts ... who won ... committing seven of them. The Dallas Cowboys were called for 10 penalties. This game sucked so bad that the MVP award was given to Chuck Howley ... of the losing Cowboys (the only time the Super Bowl MVP played for the losing team). Sure, Jim O'Brien kicked the game winning field goal at the end of the game ... but even that was set up by a turnover.
2-Super Bowl XII: Dallas was in yet another sloppy game. Good thing that the Broncos were sloppier (Denver turned the ball over eight times ... and completed just eight passes). Denver QB Craig Morton was horrible -- he completed just four of 15 passes for 39 yards and four interceptions. Yikes! There was also lingering questions about the IRS checking into his tax returns. Both teams combined for 20 penalties.
3-Super Bowl XL: It was a ho-hum game that's only excitment came on an Antwaan Randle-El touchdown pass to Hines Ward. That's pretty all the Steelers had: three big plays that ended up with TDs (the above play, a Willie Parker 75-yd TD run and an awkward pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Ward). Seattle shot themselves in the foot with bad penalties, bad red zone efficiency and turnovers. The game is one of the most controversial as many people felt that the Seahawks had a lot of bad calls go against them. Big Ben's QB rating is the lowest by any Super Bowl winning quarterback.
4-Super Bowl XX: The Bears dominated and we all loved seeing the Fridge plop into the endzone. Still, this looked like an exhibition game against a local high school team than a Super Bowl. Chicago dominated this game with their defense and made Pats QB Tony Eason look foolish (he is the only starting QB to not complete a pass). There have been several blowouts in Super Bowl history, but this is the only one where the losing team looked like it had no business being there. The saddest thing is that Walter Payton didn't get a shot at running in a TD. Jim McMahon snuck in a TD twice and the Fridge got a shot ... but not Walter. A shame.
5-Super Bowl VII: The one where the Dolphins completed the perfect season? A dud. Miami is the only team to be shut out for an entire half and still win the game. The Phins got out to a 14-0 lead before halftime and hung on for the win. If not for that botched field goal attempt (where Miami kicker Garo Yepremian's "pass" was picked off by Mike Bass and returned for a TD), the Redskins would've been the only team shut out in Super Bowl history. That score, with 2:07 left in the game, is the longest it has taken for a Super Bowl team to score.
#29-NBC IS BACK! NBC will be televising the Super Bowl for the first time since 1998. The network has shown 15 Super Bowls (CBS has shown 16). From 1993-1998, NBC has shown four of the six Super Bowls.
#30-TAMPA IS BACK! Tampa will be hosting their 4th Super Bowl. In Super Bowl XVIII, the LA Raiders smoked the Redskins 38-9. Super Bowl XXV was the classic Giants-Bills game. Ten years later, the Ravens beat the Giants 34-7 in their Super Bowl title.
#31-SUPER BOWL MVP'S IN CANTON: Winners of 20 Super Bowl MVP awards have gone on to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. You have Bart Starr (twice), Joe Namath, Len Dawson, Roger Staubach, Larry Csonka, Franco Harris, Lynn Swann, Fred Biletnikoff, Randy White, Terry Bradshaw (twice), Joe Montana (three times), John Riggins, Marcus Allen, Troy Aikman, Steve Young and John Elway. Other winners, like Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Ray Lewis can look forward to seeing their busts in Canton one day (that hikes the number up to 26). Granted, not all winners of the Super Bowl MVP award go on to anything much. Guys like Larry Brown, Harvey Martin, Dexter Jackson, Desmond Howard, Mark Rypien, Deion Branch and Jake Scott have also won the award and the Hall is no where in their future.
#32-THE FIVE WORST SUPER BOWLS: 1-Super Bowl V: This one was nicknamed the "Blunder Bowl" for good reason. There were 11 turnovers in the game with the Colts ... who won ... committing seven of them. The Dallas Cowboys were called for 10 penalties. This game sucked so bad that the MVP award was given to Chuck Howley ... of the losing Cowboys (the only time the Super Bowl MVP played for the losing team). Sure, Jim O'Brien kicked the game winning field goal at the end of the game ... but even that was set up by a turnover.
2-Super Bowl XII: Dallas was in yet another sloppy game. Good thing that the Broncos were sloppier (Denver turned the ball over eight times ... and completed just eight passes). Denver QB Craig Morton was horrible -- he completed just four of 15 passes for 39 yards and four interceptions. Yikes! There was also lingering questions about the IRS checking into his tax returns. Both teams combined for 20 penalties.
3-Super Bowl XL: It was a ho-hum game that's only excitment came on an Antwaan Randle-El touchdown pass to Hines Ward. That's pretty all the Steelers had: three big plays that ended up with TDs (the above play, a Willie Parker 75-yd TD run and an awkward pass from Ben Roethlisberger to Ward). Seattle shot themselves in the foot with bad penalties, bad red zone efficiency and turnovers. The game is one of the most controversial as many people felt that the Seahawks had a lot of bad calls go against them. Big Ben's QB rating is the lowest by any Super Bowl winning quarterback.
4-Super Bowl XX: The Bears dominated and we all loved seeing the Fridge plop into the endzone. Still, this looked like an exhibition game against a local high school team than a Super Bowl. Chicago dominated this game with their defense and made Pats QB Tony Eason look foolish (he is the only starting QB to not complete a pass). There have been several blowouts in Super Bowl history, but this is the only one where the losing team looked like it had no business being there. The saddest thing is that Walter Payton didn't get a shot at running in a TD. Jim McMahon snuck in a TD twice and the Fridge got a shot ... but not Walter. A shame.
5-Super Bowl VII: The one where the Dolphins completed the perfect season? A dud. Miami is the only team to be shut out for an entire half and still win the game. The Phins got out to a 14-0 lead before halftime and hung on for the win. If not for that botched field goal attempt (where Miami kicker Garo Yepremian's "pass" was picked off by Mike Bass and returned for a TD), the Redskins would've been the only team shut out in Super Bowl history. That score, with 2:07 left in the game, is the longest it has taken for a Super Bowl team to score.
43 Stops To Super Bowl XLIII: #32-35
The "43 Stops to Super Bowl XLIII" is a series that will feature stories, stats and interesting trivia that you can use to act smart as you prepare for Super Bowl XLIII. I've done this on SPORTZASSASSIN.COM for Super Bowls XL and XLI and for AOL's FanHouse for Super Bowl XLII.
#32-CAN WE GET A PUNT RETURN? There has never been a punt returned for a touchdown in Super Bowl history. However, there have been three blocked punts that have been returned for scores.
#33-SOME MORE STATITUDE: Here is another piece of trivia for you. There has been at least one successful field goal in 40 of 42 Super Bowls. Teams that have been shut out for one half (either the first or second) are a combined 1-18. The lone winner was those 1972 Dolphins who went scoreless in the second half of Super Bowl VII.
#34-DON'T TRAIL BY DOUBLE DIGITS: Teams that are facing a double-digit deficit are 1-37. A couple things are interesting about that stat. First, the only team to come back from a 10-point deficit and win is the 1987 Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XXII. The Skins trailed 10-0 before scoring the next 42 points. That makes that Super Bowl the only one where both teams faced a double digit deficit. Also, it is quite amazing that 37 of 42 Super Bowl have seen one team go up by at least 10 at some point in the game.
#35-FIVE BEST SUPER BOWLS: Here are what I believe are the five best Super Bowls, ever. You can debate this all you want (which is fine), but these five were all great games with exciting finishes and are memorable in one way or another.
1-Super Bowl XXV: This was a great matchup in every way. With a backdrop of war, this game had all kinds of emotion as the game began (thanks, Whitney). That vaunted Bills offense against the stuffy Giants defense. The lead changed times on four occassions. In the end, an old guy like Ottis Anderson ate up the clock and Scott Norwood missed the only time the winner of the Super Bowl came down to the final play (even if Vinatieri missed those Pats FGs, the games would've went into overtime). Giants defensive coordinator Bill Belichick's defensive gameplan for this game in enshrined at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
2-Super Bowl XLII: Yes, the Giants take the top two spots. Their amazing run just to get to the Super Bowl and matching the undefeated Patriots blow-for-blow. Eli Manning's escape and David Tyree's catch has become one of the top plays in Super Bowl history. Second biggest upset ever.
3-Super Bowl XXXIV: Not only was this a surreal matchup (remember that St. Louis and Tennessee weren't NFL cities six years earlier), but some cat named Kurt Warner was shredding up this game. The Titans staged one heck of a comeback (they were down 16-0) to have it ripped away from them on a bomb to Issac Bruce. Also, it had one of the greatest endings any football game could ever have.
4-Super Bowl XXIII: There were so many game changing moments in this one. Remember that the only times the 49ers led this game was at 3-0 ... and after Joe Montana's pass to John Taylor at the end of the game. Cincinnati had this one, but Super Joe took it away.
5-Super Bowl XXXVIII: The problem with this Super Bowl is that the 1st and 3rd quarters sucked. However, the 2nd and 4th were just outstanding! In the fourth quarter alone, there were 37 points scored ... which is a Super Bowl record for points scored in a quarter. It was just the second to have five TDs scored (the Redskins did that by themselves 16 years earlier). And it ended with an Adam Vinatieri field goal with :04 left. Oh, and we got a little nipple action at halftime.
#32-CAN WE GET A PUNT RETURN? There has never been a punt returned for a touchdown in Super Bowl history. However, there have been three blocked punts that have been returned for scores.
#33-SOME MORE STATITUDE: Here is another piece of trivia for you. There has been at least one successful field goal in 40 of 42 Super Bowls. Teams that have been shut out for one half (either the first or second) are a combined 1-18. The lone winner was those 1972 Dolphins who went scoreless in the second half of Super Bowl VII.
#34-DON'T TRAIL BY DOUBLE DIGITS: Teams that are facing a double-digit deficit are 1-37. A couple things are interesting about that stat. First, the only team to come back from a 10-point deficit and win is the 1987 Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XXII. The Skins trailed 10-0 before scoring the next 42 points. That makes that Super Bowl the only one where both teams faced a double digit deficit. Also, it is quite amazing that 37 of 42 Super Bowl have seen one team go up by at least 10 at some point in the game.
#35-FIVE BEST SUPER BOWLS: Here are what I believe are the five best Super Bowls, ever. You can debate this all you want (which is fine), but these five were all great games with exciting finishes and are memorable in one way or another.
1-Super Bowl XXV: This was a great matchup in every way. With a backdrop of war, this game had all kinds of emotion as the game began (thanks, Whitney). That vaunted Bills offense against the stuffy Giants defense. The lead changed times on four occassions. In the end, an old guy like Ottis Anderson ate up the clock and Scott Norwood missed the only time the winner of the Super Bowl came down to the final play (even if Vinatieri missed those Pats FGs, the games would've went into overtime). Giants defensive coordinator Bill Belichick's defensive gameplan for this game in enshrined at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
2-Super Bowl XLII: Yes, the Giants take the top two spots. Their amazing run just to get to the Super Bowl and matching the undefeated Patriots blow-for-blow. Eli Manning's escape and David Tyree's catch has become one of the top plays in Super Bowl history. Second biggest upset ever.
3-Super Bowl XXXIV: Not only was this a surreal matchup (remember that St. Louis and Tennessee weren't NFL cities six years earlier), but some cat named Kurt Warner was shredding up this game. The Titans staged one heck of a comeback (they were down 16-0) to have it ripped away from them on a bomb to Issac Bruce. Also, it had one of the greatest endings any football game could ever have.
4-Super Bowl XXIII: There were so many game changing moments in this one. Remember that the only times the 49ers led this game was at 3-0 ... and after Joe Montana's pass to John Taylor at the end of the game. Cincinnati had this one, but Super Joe took it away.
5-Super Bowl XXXVIII: The problem with this Super Bowl is that the 1st and 3rd quarters sucked. However, the 2nd and 4th were just outstanding! In the fourth quarter alone, there were 37 points scored ... which is a Super Bowl record for points scored in a quarter. It was just the second to have five TDs scored (the Redskins did that by themselves 16 years earlier). And it ended with an Adam Vinatieri field goal with :04 left. Oh, and we got a little nipple action at halftime.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Sportz' Useless Conference Championship Picks
I must admit that I've had a bad time picking these playoff games. I have gotten exactly two right out of eight games. That's 25% to you and me.
Still, I gotta pick the AFC and NFC title games that will be played later today.
EAGLES OVER CARDINALS: I'm going to not trust Arizona again. I mean, it's worked so well thus far. I just love the way Philly is playing defense right now and they have the secondary that can at least slow down that Cardinal passing attack. The key will be Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook dominating on offense. Philly 31-27
STEELERS OVER RAVENS: Baltimore is just too beat up right now. They've played two tough physical playoff games and are a little worn out right now. For once, the Ravens defense won't be the best on the field. Pittsburgh 20-14
And there you have it. An all-Pennsylvania Super Bowl.
Still, I gotta pick the AFC and NFC title games that will be played later today.
EAGLES OVER CARDINALS: I'm going to not trust Arizona again. I mean, it's worked so well thus far. I just love the way Philly is playing defense right now and they have the secondary that can at least slow down that Cardinal passing attack. The key will be Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook dominating on offense. Philly 31-27
STEELERS OVER RAVENS: Baltimore is just too beat up right now. They've played two tough physical playoff games and are a little worn out right now. For once, the Ravens defense won't be the best on the field. Pittsburgh 20-14
And there you have it. An all-Pennsylvania Super Bowl.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
How In the Heck Do We Have an Eagles-Cardinals Championship Game?
Okay, this is getting ridiculous. Its one thing that Arizona went into Charlotte and beat the Panthers; it is quite another when Philly goes into New York and beat the Giants again.
Now we are treated to a Eagles-Cardinals NFC Championship Game. Add in the Ravens in the AFC Championship game and we have three teams left that are named after birds (the Falcons lost to the Cardinals last week).
A month ago, the thought of that happening would be insane. The Cardinals were nothing more than paper champions; they won the worst division in the NFL and were usually hammered when they had to deal with anyone else. Now they have beaten two NFC South teams and will actually host the NFC title game.
Philadelphia hasn't put two good games together all season long. Now they've looked outstanding in three straight. They destroyed the Dallas Cowboys in a de-facto playoff game in the season finale, they went into Minnesota and downed the Vikings and now they've dethroned the defending champions. All this after the Eagles looked so horrid against the Redskins just a month ago. All this after Donovan McNabb was benched and it looked as if the Eagles were falling apart.
This should be a great game. You have two QBs that have had a lot of grief over the past several years and one of them will be leading his team to the Super Bowl.
Now we are treated to a Eagles-Cardinals NFC Championship Game. Add in the Ravens in the AFC Championship game and we have three teams left that are named after birds (the Falcons lost to the Cardinals last week).
A month ago, the thought of that happening would be insane. The Cardinals were nothing more than paper champions; they won the worst division in the NFL and were usually hammered when they had to deal with anyone else. Now they have beaten two NFC South teams and will actually host the NFC title game.
Philadelphia hasn't put two good games together all season long. Now they've looked outstanding in three straight. They destroyed the Dallas Cowboys in a de-facto playoff game in the season finale, they went into Minnesota and downed the Vikings and now they've dethroned the defending champions. All this after the Eagles looked so horrid against the Redskins just a month ago. All this after Donovan McNabb was benched and it looked as if the Eagles were falling apart.
This should be a great game. You have two QBs that have had a lot of grief over the past several years and one of them will be leading his team to the Super Bowl.
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