Super Bowl 50 Prediction

Super Bowl 50
Denver Broncos vs. Carolina Panthers
Line: Panthers by 5.5

First, I would like to apologize for my unexpected hiatus over the past few weeks.

Now, on to Super Bowl 50.

Both the Broncos and the Panthers have incredible defenses with the potential to both score a lot of points and get turnovers to give the ball back to their offenses. MVP Cam Newton will have his hands full with Denver's #1 ranked overall defense, but he has offensive weapons such as Greg Olsen around him. If this is truly Peyton Manning's 'last rodeo', then he will go down as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. However, I believe that overall Carolina has a more well rounded team on both sides of the ball, as well as the NFL MVP.

While I hope Peyton gets to go out on top, like Elway before him, I think that the Panthers edge them out.

Final: Denver 17, Carolina 28

Super Bowl XLIX Prediction and Opinion

Tonight, the Super Bowl kicks off in Arizona.
For the Patriots, it is the setting of Super Bowl XLII, which was probably the biggest disappointment in franchise history.
For the Seahawks, it is a familiar setting, the home of division rivals. Not quite home field advantage, but home time zone advantage.

So at the end of the night who hoists the Lombardi? Is it Seattle, the first team to repeat since the Patriots in 2004, or is it New England, with history on the line for Brady and Belichik. While I do think that Russell Wilson is certainly no Tom Brady, I think Marshawn Lynch is a game changer, unlike Blount on the other side for NE. But then again, who are the Seattle receivers again? Overall, it would appear that the Patriots' offense has a slight edge, but that also seemed to be the case last year with Denver. I think defense will be the game changer in this game. New England has a decent defense, but Seattle's shows up when they need to -- the Super Bowl being their main venue. Their defense is dominant on every level and has proven that the pressure doesn't get to them. They say defense wins championships, probably because offense tends to be one mistake away from losing the game. I think it will probably be a closer game than last year, but Seattle will win. Let's be honest, we're all just only looking forward to Katy Perry at half time.

Pick: Seattle Seahawks

Super Bowl XLVIII

Here we are. The biggest day of the year, some would say, (including me). Tomorrow is Super Sunday.

Here's the fast version.

Seattle Seahawks (1) vs. Denver Broncos (1)
Line: Den by 2.5  
Pick: Denver

There's a lot on the line with this Super Bowl.
Number one offense vs. number one defense.
Peyton Manning's legacy.
Seattle's big talk.
A 'cold weather' Super Bowl.

And it all comes down to this.

The bottom line is that I feel like Denver has more drive, more fire power. As much as I like Russell Wilson, I don't think that he can keep up with Peyton Manning. Denver has too many wide receivers for Seattle's powerful secondary to keep track of. Plus, people forget that Denver also has a pretty good defense. Certainly not on the level of Seattle's, but compared to the gap between the two offenses, the gap between the defenses is much smaller. I think it will be a close game, competitive for sure, and that Seattle does have a chance. But overall, I think Peyton wants to cement his legacy and this is the only way he can do so. Five MVPs are nice, but rings are the things that talk the loudest. 

Post Super Bowl Reaction

My dear readers,
Firstly, sorry for the long break. Let me spin you a tale of being completely in awe and in shock of what I witnessed on February third.

For those of you who don't know, I had the privilege to attend the Super Bowl in New Orleans. Yes, I had tickets to the game. Yes, I supported the Ravens. Yes, they won. Yes, I cried.

But the game had larger implications than my own personal emotions; SuperHarBowl I, the possibility of 6 Super Bowls for the 49ers, Ray Lewis going out on top, the coming of Kaepernick, a proper farewell for Art Modell.

The game was everything it promised to be and more. But I won't spill more ink over a description of the game, but rather as I did last year, write about the implications and what the future may hold for both teams, beginning with the victorious Baltimore Ravens.

For the Ravens, it was the second Super Bowl win in their short history, already separating them from long standing organizations. It meant a ride into the sunset for Ray Lewis, who despite his divided history, will go down as one of the greatest linebackers of all time. It was further vindication for the late Art Modell, who bravely moved the team from Cleveland and knew when it was time to share the reigns with both Ozzie Newsome and Steve Bisciotti, both of whom will continue building on his foundations.
 
As far as football implications, both Coach John (I will be referring to both coaches by first name to avoid confusion) and Joe Flacco were vindicated. After two AFC championship losses, they proved that they could break through the barrier and win one on the biggest stage of them all. That Flacco was worth the first round pick. That Harbaugh was a good choice for head coach, seemingly coming out of no where. That they choke. That they couldn't beat the Colts. That they couldn't beat Peyton Manning. That they couldn't beat Tom Brady. That all being said, I see Flacco as an elite QB, though I think his contract was a little over-inflated, as most NFL contracts are these days. If these two can put together another championship run, they have a chance to be seen as an dynasty and put all the doubts to rest.

For the 49ers, the game brought their first Super Bowl loss. But by all means they are not down and out. In fact, many have penciled them into the big game again this year. Coach Jim proved that he made the right choice by pulling Alex Smith for Kaepernick. He also proved that despite his sometimes emotional and abrasive manor, he is both a great college and professional coach. It is clear that his team wanted to run through a wall for him, which pushed them to come back when all hope seemed lost. It takes a strong team to make a push like that, which would have been the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history. (Though the long blackout didn't hurt, either.)

The future looks more than bright for the 49ers. I would be surprised if they don't find their way back to another Super Bowl soon. They seem to be doing most things the right way, even if their coach sometimes brings the media down on his head. They must continue to build if they are to stave off the Seahawks within their own division, much less the rest of the NFC pack. They cannot get complacent if they wish to bring the 49ers back to their former glory of Montana, Walsh, Rice and Young.

Overall, the Super Bowl went from a normal blowout into an epic struggle, one which will take its place among the Super Bowls of the past for its many firsts. But the Ravens, the team of destiny, walked away with the trophy, the glory and most importantly the family bragging rights. 

Super Bowl XLVII Prediction

Here it is -- the day we've all been waiting for.
The Super Bowl. The Big Dance. In the Big Easy.

First, let me say a few things. Yes, I am biased because I am a Ravens fan. I've gone so far picking them, I really can't in good conscious go back. And yes, I am here in New Orleans. And yes, I have real tickets to the game and will be in the Superdome tomorrow. And yes, it is going to be one of the greatest days of my life regardless of the outcome.

Baltimore Ravens vs. San Francisco 49ers
6:30 EST CBS
49ers by 4.5
Game Pick: Ravens    Spread Pick: Ravens
Reason: The Ravens are simply a better team than the 49ers. They're a more experienced team in so many ways -- vertern leadership, including a tenured head coach, playoff success and a quarterback who had just outperformed the two best quarterbacks of the decade. Football playoffs are all about the mometum, and guess what, the Ravens most certainly have it. Yes, the 49ers have had success. But the Falcons and the Packers are not the teams that the Broncos and the Patriots are. IF the Ravens can control Kaepernick, and I believe they can, they will win the game. Don't underestimate the 49ers, but I just believe that they're not ready and Jim isn't the coach that John is. Sorry. It'll be a close game, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Ravens pulled one out in a last mintue field goal. Take note, Justin Tucker, the world is watching.

Super Bowl XLVI Wrap

What a game.

Super Bowl XLVI certainly lived up to the hype – yet the end result was the same.

The Giants outplayed the Patriots in the clutch. I’m not even going to touch the specifics of the game right now for several reasons. I haven’t looked at the game film and ESPN and co. have dealt with it plenty. I probably will go through it at some point.

Rather, I would like to discuss the ramifications of this game – basically what it all means.

Firstly, the question now needs to be raised ‘Are the Giants a dynasty in the making?’ Let me elaborate. Over the course of the last five Super Bowls, the Giants have won two of them. Once knocking off the ‘perfect’ Patriots through superior play in the clutch, something New England used to be known for. If Eli and Coughlin win one more in the next three or four years, I think the topic needs to come up.

On a similar subject, Eli had become ELIte. Leave him alone. I know many people don’t like him because of the way he acted on draft day. That was eight years ago. And it looks like a pretty good decision now, doesn’t it? Regardless of how one personally feels about him, one must admit that he has turned elite. I’m not a huge fan of Brady, but will admit that he is an elite quarterback. Between setting the record for 4^th quarter touchdowns and beating Green Bay, Sand Francisco and the Patriots (all on the road), in the playoffs when it mattered most, Eli had proven he needs to be in the conversation. Big bro Peyton may have four NFL MVPS, but Eli had two Super Bowl MVPs and rings. Both against New England, Peyton’s kryptonite.

Tom Coughlin—now the oldest coach to ever win a Super Bowl—has also changed the way he will be viewed in NFL history. He has now won as many Super Bowls as greats such as Lombardi and Parcells. He has survived New York. He has prepared his team under pressure. He has adapted to the new NFL, yet maintained enough of the ‘old’ coaching style. He had proved that the way to win Super Bowls is the way coaches have for years—quiet preparation, not big talk. He is not Rex Ryan. He controls his team, but not with an iron fist like he used to. And he had maintained a winning atmosphere  

Now, on to New England’s Head Coach and Quarterback.

Let me start by saying that I understand both Brady and Belichick are first ballot hall of famers. Nothing will change that. What I’m  talking about is how they’re viewed. Basically the legacy effect.

Here’s what it comes down to—for Brady more than Belichick.

They won their three Super Bowls in a small window of time—just four years. Yes, dynasty. No doubt. But long term, they didn’t have dominant success. Yes, the 16-0 season, but Indy gave theirs up two years later and Green Bay almost had one this year. And because they did lost the super Bowl that year, it becomes a novelty in NFL history. A what if statement. Then followed several years of regular season success and playoff disappointment. This year, they once again fell short on the big stage.

All I’m saying is that a lot of the credit for New England’s success in those years (2001-2004) went to Brady. Though he was good during those years, the Patriots of today have shown that there was more going on there than just a good quarterback. Those teams proved attitude, that a team first mentality can win championships without dominant players and create a dynasty. Players on those teams say that this mentality was the key to their success –it helped them stay together in times of trouble and have faith they could win the tough games. Those Patriots teams were great—there is no doubt. All I want to raise here is how much of a role Brady truly played. Widen the scope on those teams. Next time you want to say Brady is better than Manning look closer at the talent around each of them. Compare the mentality of the teams. Anyway, that is a discussion for a later time. It appears now that Brady and Belichick have lost the magic.

Over all, this Super Bowl was good for the Giants’ legacy, yet a blemish on New England’s long term picture. It will go down as a great Super Bowl, though not as epic as the first match-up. After all, you only get a chance to make a team go 18-1 once. 

Super Bowl XVLI

Let’s talk about the Super Bowl.

Firstly, I was right in thinking it would be rematch of a fairly recent Super Bowl. I was just about seven years too early. On a later date, I’ll address the conference championship games. Right now, it hurts too much for us poor, 35 yard field goal victims.

So it’s Giants vs. Patriots in the Super Bowl. A rematch of the infamous Super Bowl XLII—the one that changed how the recent Patriots were seen for a long time and still does today. And this one could have similar ramifications. Here they are.

If the Giants win:

Tom Coughlin will be seen as an elite coach.

Eli will be “Elite Eli”, as he claimed he was before the season started.

The Giants pass rush, their entire defense, will go down as a unit that performs well under pressure and as one of the elite units, if it isn’t already.

The Patriots’ legacy will be challenged – except for Belichick’s. (More on this later).

If the Patriots win:

Belichick will go down in history s the modern Walsh, with Tom Brady as his Montana, unequaled in the last fifteen years.

The Patriots will prove that they don’t choke in the big games, playoff games, in recent memory.

Defense doesn’t need to win championships.

However, I think the Giants will win. Here’s why – defense still wins championships.

They’ve already beaten New England once this season. It will be a close game, don’t get me wrong. But Eli will pull it out, like he has all season, setting the record for fourth quarter touchdowns this season. The Giants are their best under pressure and there is no greater pressure than the Super Bowl.

New England has offense, but several key players are banged up. Notably “Gronk” and Matt Light. Those two players could tip the balance in favor of the Giants if they don’t play well. And the Giants are fairly healthy. Advantage – Giants.

But I really feel that the Giants’ defense will tip this game for New York. They’ve got great players n every level—defensive line, linebackers and secondary. Because their front four can bring so much pressure, so consistently, they will throw Brady off, out of rhythm. This takes the pressure off the ‘backers and the secondary. The secondary is opportunistic, and many of them were here for the last Super Bowl—notably, Webster, the leader. They will not waste any misfires by Tom Brady. And there will be some, with all the pressure brought in the trenches.

With ‘Gronk’ hobbled, the pressure will rest on the shoulders of the other receivers and running backs. Wait, they have other offensive players? The Giants need to be careful of Welker, always a threat, but manageable with their big linebackers to jam him on the line of scrimmage. Just don’t let him out into the flat. He’ll kill you out there.

All this being said, I think that it will be a low scoring, close game.

23-20 Giants.

Bring it Super Sunday.