Now that the Super Bowl is over, here are some random thoughts on it (basically because I don't feel like putting them in any logical order):
1. Congratulations to the Saints! If I have to be proven wrong in my prediction (yes, I wrongly picked the Colts), I enjoy having it done by sheer coaching genius. Sean Payton brought his "A" coaching game. After dominating the Colts in the 2nd quarter, yet still losing on the scoreboard, the idea to run an onside kick to start the 3rd quarter was a no-lose situation for the Saints: If they recover the kick, which they did, they get to compound their already dominant time-of-possession, while disheartening their opponents; if they didn't recover the kick, the Colts end up with a short field, which still leaves the Saints dominating time-of-possession should the Colts score.
2. On the other hand, Jim Caldwell was a major coaching disappointment. He ran the same game plan the Colts have used all season.
3. I would be willing to bet the NFL did not actually hear The Who perform live anytime recently. If they had, they would have realized Roger Daltrey's voice ain't what it used to be. That halftime show was easily the WORST I have ever heard! If the NFL is going to insist on trotting out dinosaur rock bands, then I have a suggestion for next year's Super Bowl halftime: Prop up Elvis's corpse and play his songs over the speakers. It couldn't be any more hideous than what they inflicted on us this year.
4. Too bad Carrie Underwood butchered "The Star Spangled Banner". But I always thought Bo Bice should have won "American Idol" that year.
5. The best commercial was easily Punxsutawney Polamalu: "He saw his shadow! Six more weeks of football!" If that thought doesn't warm a football fan's heart, nothing will.
Showing posts with label New Orleans Saints. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Orleans Saints. Show all posts
Monday, February 08, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Jets Grounded, Saints in Heaven
So I was wrong: The Colts beat the Jets.
However, I give the Colts all the credit in the world. They played relatively mistake-free football, especially by comparison to the Vikings last night (losers to the Saints).
But I stick by one part of my prediction: the winner of the Super Bowl will come from the Colts-Jets game. Considering the Saints were not able to capitalize on the Vikings many mistakes, allowing the Vikings to drag them into overtime, how will the Saints do against a team like the Colts which makes few mistakes?
This Super Bowl will be ugly folks: Colts over Saints by 21 points.
However, I give the Colts all the credit in the world. They played relatively mistake-free football, especially by comparison to the Vikings last night (losers to the Saints).
But I stick by one part of my prediction: the winner of the Super Bowl will come from the Colts-Jets game. Considering the Saints were not able to capitalize on the Vikings many mistakes, allowing the Vikings to drag them into overtime, how will the Saints do against a team like the Colts which makes few mistakes?
This Super Bowl will be ugly folks: Colts over Saints by 21 points.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Super Bowl Prediction
With the conference championship games this weekend, it is time for me to make a Super Bowl prediction.
The best game this weekend will easily be the Colts against the Jets. While this game could go either way, I lean towards the Jets for these reasons:
When I look at the Colts, I see one thing: Peyton Manning. Don't get me wrong, Manning could be enough to beat the Jets. Just look to what Dan Marino did to a similar Bears team on a Monday night back in 1985. Never underestimate the ability of a great quarterback to bring a win at any time. And Manning is loudly making his case for the Hall of Fame with his stellar play.
However, in a game between a great player versus a great team, I'll take the team. JETS OVER COLTS BY 4 POINTS.
In the NFC, this game requires no deep analysis. The Cowboys and Cardinals had no business being in games against the Vikings and Saints, respectively. That said, the Saints won't make things as easy for the Vikings defense as the Cowboys boneheaded offensive gameplan did. Expect Drew Brees to sit back and shoot the Vikings down with a vicious short-passing game. On the other side, the Saints will stuff Adrian Peterson all day, forcing the-quarterback-who-retired-and-came-back-and-retired-and-came-back into beating them with his arm. In a battle between Favre and Brees, I'll take Brees. SAINTS OVER VIKINGS BY 3 POINTS.
Finally, in the Super Bowl, expect the Jets in the biggest upset since, dare I say... Joe Namath? JETS OVER SAINTS BY 11 POINTS.
The best game this weekend will easily be the Colts against the Jets. While this game could go either way, I lean towards the Jets for these reasons:
1. Offensive line: The Jets O-line may be the best in the NFL. The last time I saw a line that got that kind of push in the running game was the Cowboys back in the 90's.
2. Defense: Evil, wicked, mean, and nasty. Gotta love 'em! Seriously, they play a style of defense I haven't seen since the Ravens earlier this decade, minus the Ray Lewis star power. There isn't a star in this bunch. This is a true blue-collar defense with an attitude. And in the playoffs, I cling to the old adage: Defense wins championships.
3. Rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez: No, he is NOT Peyton Manning. At this point in his career, he is more comparable to Trent Dilfer in 2000 for the Ravens: A great game manager who can give you a big play occasionally to keep the opposing defense honest.
4. Buddy's boy Rex Ryan: Next to Mike Singletary, Rex is my favorite head coach in the NFL. As bombastic as his father, Rex may be the most hated coach in the NFL. But I love his style, and apparently so do his players. But I think too many people look at his style, and overlook Rex's defensive genius. Before his career is over, I suspect people will be mentioning him in the same breath as guys like Buddy Ryan and Bill Parcells. Yes, he is that good.
5. The Big "Mo": The Jets are coming into this game looking like a team on a roll. Momentum is a dangerous thing in the playoffs. Just ask the Steelers, who last year had the "mo" and beat teams who had better seasons. Just ask the Cardinals, who barely slipped into the playoffs last year, but just managed to get enough "mo" to carry them to the Super Bowl.
When I look at the Colts, I see one thing: Peyton Manning. Don't get me wrong, Manning could be enough to beat the Jets. Just look to what Dan Marino did to a similar Bears team on a Monday night back in 1985. Never underestimate the ability of a great quarterback to bring a win at any time. And Manning is loudly making his case for the Hall of Fame with his stellar play.
However, in a game between a great player versus a great team, I'll take the team. JETS OVER COLTS BY 4 POINTS.
In the NFC, this game requires no deep analysis. The Cowboys and Cardinals had no business being in games against the Vikings and Saints, respectively. That said, the Saints won't make things as easy for the Vikings defense as the Cowboys boneheaded offensive gameplan did. Expect Drew Brees to sit back and shoot the Vikings down with a vicious short-passing game. On the other side, the Saints will stuff Adrian Peterson all day, forcing the-quarterback-who-retired-and-came-back-and-retired-and-came-back into beating them with his arm. In a battle between Favre and Brees, I'll take Brees. SAINTS OVER VIKINGS BY 3 POINTS.
Finally, in the Super Bowl, expect the Jets in the biggest upset since, dare I say... Joe Namath? JETS OVER SAINTS BY 11 POINTS.
Monday, October 05, 2009
Random NFL Thoughts
I recently moved, so this was the first weekend of this NFL season that I got to sit down and watch some games. Some random thoughts about what I saw:
1. Bears QB Jay Cutler is awesome. He may not be Mr. Charisma, but the guy knows how to run an offense. You can watch him reading the defense, looking off receivers, and then gunning the ball where it needs to be. Cutler has the brains and the natural ability to be a great NFL quarterback for years to come. The Bears are lucky to have him.
2. The Oakland Raiders have HUGE problems. Their defense might be good enough for them to win some games, IF they had an offense. They have no passing game to speak of, which leaves their running game at the mercy of opposing defenses. It is going to be an ugly year for Raider fans.
3. The Jets defense is one of the best I have seen since the Ravens in 2000. If their offense was even mediocre, they would be dominant. Unfortunately, QB Mark Sanchez is a work in progress.
4. The Saints running game will end any Super Bowl hopes they have eventually, although the quality of the NFC might allow the Saints to slip into the Super Bowl, where they will get dispatched.
1. Bears QB Jay Cutler is awesome. He may not be Mr. Charisma, but the guy knows how to run an offense. You can watch him reading the defense, looking off receivers, and then gunning the ball where it needs to be. Cutler has the brains and the natural ability to be a great NFL quarterback for years to come. The Bears are lucky to have him.
2. The Oakland Raiders have HUGE problems. Their defense might be good enough for them to win some games, IF they had an offense. They have no passing game to speak of, which leaves their running game at the mercy of opposing defenses. It is going to be an ugly year for Raider fans.
3. The Jets defense is one of the best I have seen since the Ravens in 2000. If their offense was even mediocre, they would be dominant. Unfortunately, QB Mark Sanchez is a work in progress.
4. The Saints running game will end any Super Bowl hopes they have eventually, although the quality of the NFC might allow the Saints to slip into the Super Bowl, where they will get dispatched.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)