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Philly scored a FG first, only for NE to respond with one of their own. Philly then capped off a huge scoring drive with a 34-yard TD pass, but they missed the extra point. Thankfully NE missed one of the easiest FGs you'll ever see. 9-3 Philly, for now...
Philly scored another TD but stupidly went for the 2-pointer, and failed. Take points when you get them! Luckily after NE scored a FG, they scored a TD and missed the PAT. Philly have a 4th & 1 at NE 1. Surely they have to take the 3 points.
WOW! Someone called T.Burton threw a TD TO Nick Foles! 22-12 Philly! Can NE pull off a late score?
« Last edited by Matt77 on Feb 4th 2018 »
~ Sometimes people change, but sometimes you just open your eyes & realise who they truly are ~
538 yards and 41 points given up, what happened to the Patriots defense? It didn?t turn up in Minneapolis for the biggest game of the season. I had a feeling the Philadelphia offense under Foles would put up points but I expected the Patriots defense to play better than that. Amazing that Brady had a great day throwing for over 500 yards and 3 Touchdowns and still lost. Nick Foles walks away with the MVP after leading his team to victory. This is surreal, back to back superb games in the Super Bowl.
Have to put this loss on an unmotivated Patriot defense who expected Brady and the offense to win the game for them. Have to give credit to the Eagles team for rallying around Foles after Wentz went down for the season, he?s repaid their faith in him with the city of brotherly love?s first Super Bowl. Matt Ryan and Carson Wentz must be sick with envy after seeing that performance which has to be one of the best ever in a Super Bowl. Even more so when historians look back at it in years to come and see what the guy was up against. Like I said before I knew Foles was no idiot, he went to the Pro Bowl a couple of years ago and the only way you get there is to be voted by your peers. What?s next for him now though? I don?t think the Eagles will be able to keep him and Wentz in the same team, this reminds me of the Montana and Young scenario in San Francisco in the early 90?s, both guys are good enough to lead a team to the Super Bowl.
Sorry Matt, missed your question about Teddy Bridgewater. I personally think he will end up being the back up to Keenum in Minnesota. Bradford and Bridgewater have inury histories which makes them a gamble and Case Keenum has proved he has the potential to lead the Vikings to a championship. If that does happen though Bridgewater will probably get poached by another team. Basically Keenum, Bradford and Bridgewater are all good enough to start for an NFL team. It will be interesting seeing what happens in Minnesota during the offseason in regards to their quarterback situation. I wouldn't be surprised if Sam Bradford ends up in Arizona if he becomes available.
With 2 minutes left and 2 timeouts, NE were trailing by 5 points. It looked like the classic NE escape, and if Brady wasn't strip-sacked it very well could've been one.
Before the game I mentioned that there were 2 ways teams can beat NE, and I thought the defensive scrap tactic was the way to go. But they went the shootout method, and once again NE lost a shootout. That defense was suspect at the start of the season and that awful defense returned, that was the difference.
I think Foles will stay with Philly next season. When he went off to St. Louis his career got destroyed and it was only saved once he returned home. Here he has achieved the best regular season possibly in history with a 27:2 ratio, & now has lead an underdog team to a Superbowl over Tom Brady & his 500 yards. Here he is a hero and is loved by all. That way if Wentz doesn't make it back for Week 1 next season, there is a competent backup waiting. He's crazy if he thinks he can recover from an ACL in 9 months.
It's quite unbelievable. Thank god NE didn't win; they deserved NOTHING this season. That cakewalk schedule came to an end today, and we saw the true NE. A very good team, but not the best anymore. Also, they are a classless team. Tom Brady didn't even shake the hands of Philly players; not even Nick Foles. Instead he ran off to the locker room to sulk that he's not invincible. So glad Miami stole a victory from them this season.
~ Sometimes people change, but sometimes you just open your eyes & realise who they truly are ~
I've been reading a lot recently how NFL experts believe New England are somehow beating the system by cheating pretty much like Lance Armstrong did and that eventually they will become exposed. Apparently there's no way a team can be as dominant for so long as they have without doing something they are not supposed to be doing. I know they've been caught deflating footballs and spying on other teams but these NFL experts think there is something else they are doing. Personally I think it's just a case of New England just so having the best ever quarterback to play the game along with the best ever coach and that combination is difficult to beat. I hear the NFL are also contemplating blocking all radio signals to the stadium to stop teams using A.I. to help them with their play selections.
Disappointing to hear Brady and the Patriots were such sore losers, it doesn't surprise me though, all Tom Brady is interested in is his own personal legacy and this defeat tarnishes it a bit. When you compare Joe Montana's Super Bowl stats with Brady's Joe Cool's are better even though he only played four games. Brady now has three defeats in Super Bowls. Some would argue that Brady has played in the game more times but when Montana played it was a tougher era and you had nightmare teams like the Washington Redskins, NY Giants, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, and Buffalo Bills to compete with, all of which are easily better than the 2017 Patriots.
Thought for sure New England was gonna score a game winning touchdown like they always do. Brady could've hit the RB on the play that ultimately was the sack-fumble, but he instead was looking for Gronk. If it wasn't for the two botched Field Goals for New England, I'm convinced they would've won. Too many mistakes, and too bad of Defense. You can't allow 41 Points and expect to win any game, much like the Steelers with the Jaguars scoring 48. It just isn't going to happen.
New England is going to look quite different next year, that I'm sure of. Their Offensive Coordinator is expected to become the Colts new Head Coach, so the same for their Defensive Coordinator with the Detroit Lions. Obviously those two will need to be replace, but those are really a dime a dozen for New England since they still have Belichick and Brady. Honestly, they need to draft all defense, outside of a real RB and another WR. Clearly New England will be the favorite to win it all next year, which I wouldn't be surprised to see. No one in the AFC can handle them, at least not in the playoffs, and I don't think any NFC Champion will be able to defeat them after last night. Brady is going to be gunning for everyone.
It's way too early, but I'm going to put New England in next year's Super Bowl. As for the NFC, it's much harder to say. I honestly doubt the Eagles will be making it back. They reminded me of the Carolina Panthers from years ago, except they were lucky enough to have to play against the poor New England Defense. On top of that, the Giants, Redskins and Cowboys will all be much better. Besides, no one has repeated as Super Bowl Champs since the Patriots almost fifteen years ago. If Atlanta doesn't lose all of their pending Defensive Free Agents, and if they can actually find a suitable third WR and good TE, they would be as dangerous as always. And let's not forget Green Bay, which will have a healthy Rodgers next year, and Seattle, who could bounce back if they can get Wilson some help on Offense. If I had to pick now, it would have to be down to Atlanta and Green Bay. Brees is just so old, and unlike older, taller QBs, his arm strength is fading fast, which is why I don't see the Saints reaching the Super Bowl. I see Minnesota reverting back to what they had been before last year, especially since there is no indication who will be their QB.
It's just a case of a very good team, one of the best coaches of all time, and one of the greatest QBs of all time all being together. For some reason in the NFL teams don't have mini-dynasties, and it's rare for a team to appear in consecutive SBs. Down here with the AFL the equivalent to NE, the Hawthorn Hawks, won 3 Premierships in a row from 2013-15 while also winning one in 2008, & appearing in the 2011 equivalent to the championship game, & came runners up in the 2012 final. They simply had a master coach that will one day be remembered as one of the greatest, and a good system to generate success. They also took pay cuts to ensure good players could be recruited through free agency. The Geelong Cats won the 2007, 2009, & 2011 Premierships, while coming runner up in 2008, & lost the championship game equivalent in 2010, 2013, 2016, & last season. In those earlier years, they too took pay cuts so that the team could stay together and generate success. Once New England won those few SBs in the early 2000s, it generated success and the club was seen as a place of success rather than a laughing stock. Much like Geelong have dominated the competition for the last decade, NE have done very much the same. In the last 10 years Geelong have made the last four 8/10 times. In the last 7 years, NE have made the AFC Championship game every year.
If your club has a culture of success, then you'll do very well. For a team to start a dynasty of sorts they just need some early success and they'll be on their way. NE are known for being a champion team that always hangs around and are well known for great escapes in matches. You always think they can win even when they're down and out. With GOAT candidates for coach and QB it's really no surprise why they've been so successful. People that suggest NE cheat the system and just desperate for a headline. It's VERY unlikely to be true.
I still think after recovering from 3-28 down on the biggest stage it locks you in as the GOAT. NE easily could've won this SB. Philly had a 4th and 1 late in the game that was very close to not being completed. At that stage Philly were down 32-33. If that failed, NE go and get minimum a FG to lead 36-32, or a TD that ices the game for 40-32. To throw for 3TDs, 0INTs, & 505 yards in a Superowl, but still lose is incredible. Just goes to show how valuable Brady is. Yes he's classless and a sore loser, but he's a damn good player. A 5-3 record in SBs is nothing to be ashamed of. You could argue that Montana is the GOAT in SBs, but overall Brady gets the title.
Warrior - You have to remember this Patriots team is inferior to last season's. This season they've had a cakewalk schedule and were finally exposed by a contender. Their running game has been pretty inconsistent, and while it's done ok in terms of total yards, there's not a player you can really rely on. I said straight away that waiving LeGarrette Blount was a stupid move, and a huge win for Philly. Brady had to do too much; when your QB passes for 500 yards yes it's great, but it also points to an average running game. NE aren't really on the decline, but I'd be fairly confident saying they're not the #1 AFC team anymore. They may prove me wrong, but Jacksonville seem too good. They fell by 4 points, away from home, from pulling off the upset.
My WAY WAY too early AFC pick would have to be Jacksonville right now. Give them another off-season to mature, and awful performances like Arizona, Tennessee (twice), SF etc won't happen that often. When on song, that defense is brutal, and if the D plays badly, the offense usually thrives, even under Blake Bortles. New England need a pickup in free agency to get their mantle back. For the NFC it'd have to be New Orleans. Philly could falter like you say, and Minnesota too. Atlanta will be on the up, but I predict will lose the championship game. New Orleans can start again at 0-0 rather than 0-2, and don't have to deal with old & rusty RBs that stop young talent (Kamara) from playing.
« Last edited by Matt77 on Feb 5th 2018 »
~ Sometimes people change, but sometimes you just open your eyes & realise who they truly are ~
Unfortunately it?s almost a given that New Orleans will be representing the AFC in the Super Bowl next year. The Patriots have the Steelers number and they won?t be taking Jacksonville lightly again. Nobody else in the AFC worth mentioning, there is a big gap until the next best team. All the up and coming powerhouses are in the NFC with about ten teams in with a shout. I have a feeling it?s going to be Atlanta, the Falcons when they are on are as good as anyone, all it needs is for Matt Ryan to play like he did in 2016 and I think they?ll go all the way and beat the Patriots in the final. The danger team in their way are the Saints and I think time has run out out on Drew Brees, I think this year was his best chance of reaching the big game, I think he?s on the recline and teams have figured out how to stop New Orleans running attack because they definitely weren?t putting up the same numbers down the stretch. Atlanta on the other hand started looking good defensively in the stretch when every game was crucial and if they can take that progress into next season they will be tough to beat. Philadelphia won?t repeat even if Wentz does come back, Minnesota will look threatening but won?t do anything and neither will the Cowboys who rely too much on Elliot.
If the Patriots reach another Super Bowl and lose again it will badly damage their legacy as people will realise they only made so many appearances because the AFC was so weak at the time.
American Football Conference. The other is the National Football Conference. They're the 2 conferences in the NFL.
Dennis if that defense of NE's doesn't get sorted out over the off-season they are screwed. What an awful performance on the biggest stage, where they would've been trying as hard as they have all season. Yet they allowed Nick Foles to throw for 3 TDs, 1 unlucky INT, & 373 yards. The running game was also fairly effective when it was used. If Atlanta had played 4 quarters last season they would've won their SB by something like 41-20. Then we would've looked at it as a decline by NE, conceding 41 points in 2 consecutive SBs.
I'll be changing my NFC pick though. I forgot how poorly the running game has been in the last 6 weeks. Green Bay are fading, & Seattle has 0 running game. Perhaps LA Rams are going to go up another level. Atlanta's success will all depend on how Matt Ryan plays, and whether Julio Jones can catch a football. If he could, Philly would've been one and done with a 15-17 loss.
~ Sometimes people change, but sometimes you just open your eyes & realise who they truly are ~
Even with their current defense the Patriots are still good enough to represent the AFC again next year. For teams to beat New England they have to outscore Brady and there's no team good enough in the AFC that can do it on a regular basis. What team in the AFC would you feel comfortable picking against the Patriots at Foxboro?
I think what has happened is the teams in the NFC are that much better to be honest, if the Patriots where in that NFC I think they'd be looking at a 10-6 and not 13-3. They'll get found out again next year on the big stage after entering the playoffs again with another impressive record.
Just looking at the Patriots schedule for 2018, we'll find out early how good they are when they take on Aaron Rogers and the Packers on Week 2. Another easy schedule though, they play the Packers Chiefs and Vikings at home so they'll probably win those. Two games I think they will get beat is Jacksonville away and Miami away. They will probably drop maybe two more but that's about it.
Atlanta I have a feeling will come out all guns blazing after being embarrassed by the Eagles who showed them on Sunday how to win a Super Bowl, something they should have done last year.
Miami can beat NE for some reason, Jacksonville can, Houston can, & Kansas City can. They won't all beat them obviously, but they all have a chance. Miami won by 7, Jacksonville lost by 4 away from home, Houston lost by 5 away, & KC won by 15 away. NE were also almost beaten by NY Jets, Tampa Bay, & Pittsburgh. They also had a loss to Carolina at home. With bad luck, NE would've finished 10-6 this season. They are beatable, but it's a matter of whether teams can take advantage of a slump. KC, Carolina, & Philly took advantage of woeful defense. Miami took advantage of no Gronk.
Miami - W Miami - W NY Jets - W NY Jets - W Buffalo - W Buffalo - W Jacksonville - L Houston - L Tennessee - W Indy - W Pittsburgh - W Kansas City - W Minnesota - L Detroit - W Green Bay - W Chicago - W
It is amazing, and I see what you mean. While I think they'll digress slightly, they should finish minimum 13-3. God dammit, why can't NE move to a different division?
~ Sometimes people change, but sometimes you just open your eyes & realise who they truly are ~
Matt, what do you make of Malcolm Butler not playing in the Super Bowl at the last moment. He was a second-team All-Pro last season, he played a team-high 97.8 percent of New England?s defensive snaps in the 2017 campaign and is one of the best defensive players on the Patriots roster at a key position. Belichick pulled him at the last moment and changed the defense around, the guy was even suited up and singing the national anthem. Hearing lots of rumours why Belichick did it but whatever way you look at it what happened helped the Eagles immensly.
One of the rumours I've heard is that Belichick did it on purpose to get back at Kraft the owner of the Patriots for siding with Brady and getting rid of Garapollo to San Francisco something he didn't want to do as he was grooming the quarterback for the future of the franchise. Seems a bit far fetched to me, if anything it was probably drugs and Belichick sent out a warning to the rest of the team that regardless of the player or the game you cross the line you're out.
Apparently he had drugs and girls in his room, obviously breaking team rules. But to essentially leave him out of the team in such a huge game is a BIG mistake that ultimately cost NE a Superbowl title. Yes, he would've been the difference in such a close game. Belichick let his ego get the better of him. Scold him and lay down the law, but don't completely remove him from the Superbowl. Now the guy is gonna leave NE. Yay
It's another bonehead decision; something that NE aren't usually known for, and that's why I predict a slight decline. Last season (2016/17) they got rid of LeGarrette Blount, who was a beast at RB and lead the league in TDs by far. Now they bench their best defensive player, who will now surely leave the club.
~ Sometimes people change, but sometimes you just open your eyes & realise who they truly are ~
I've been keeping an eye on the 2018 draft for a few months now, there's some good players to be had in this years installment.
You can cross off San Francisco as a landing spot for Kirk Cousins, looks like the 49rs didn't like him as much as everyone thought as they have now signed Jimmy Garappolo to a long term deal.
Had to laugh at the Philadelphia Eagles training sessions, they were adding in fake plays just in case the Patriots were cheating again by secretly filming their workouts.
An interesting development this season for running backs I just found out about, apparently they now wear chips in their shoulder pads and stats are now being taken to work out who is the most elusive runner in the NFL. This stats helps reveal which backs gain extra yardage after opposing defenders close in on them, whether via broken tackles, evasion or other elusive moves.
The top 10 last season were:
1) Kareem Hunt 2) Dion Lewis 3) Derrick Henry 4) Jordan Howard 5) Mark Ingram 6) Ezekiel Elliott 7) Jay Ajayi 8) Marshawn Lynch 9) Todd Gurley 10) C.J. Anderson
Names not on that list that were top 10 rushers last season were:
Le'Veon Bell LeSean McCoy Melvin Gordon Leonard Fournette
Looks like the runners above should be thanking their offensive line during the off season for the lanes they gave them to run through to help get their yardage.
Bell was seriously overrated last season, and I'm glad the tracker proved it. Yes he made a heap of yards, but his average yards per gain were pretty average. Antonio Brown is the star of that team. The star RBs may make a lot of yards, but perhaps they aren't all putting in 100% to scrap every yard they can get. It's like when I see players just run off the field instead of diving forward or evading a tackle to try make at least a few more yards. Those few yards can be valuable when it comes to long range FGs. Yes they're trying to avoid injury, but if you're getting payed tens of millions of dollars you need to pull the hard yards, literally. Some players don't run any further than the marker signaling the yards needed for a first down.
Speaking of the draft/trading, what do you think will happen at Indy? Before Luck's injury I thought last season they could've been a surprise bolter and win the division. When healthy Luck is minimum an above average QB, with one of the best WRs in the game to throw to. Sort out that woeful o-line (remember they allowed poor Jacoby Brisset to be sacked 17 times by JAX) and they're not a bad team. Still, do you risk playing an injury-prone QB, or a young guy with a bit of talent? Give Brisset a bit more composure and Indy definitely would've got a few more wins. He was bright in places. And if Luck gets the nod, as I think he will, what happens to Brisset? I think he's good enough for a team to pick him up as a test project. After all he is an ex-NE player.
~ Sometimes people change, but sometimes you just open your eyes & realise who they truly are ~
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