New England Defeats Seattle 28-24 For Fourth Super Bowl Win

They did it and they did in about as exciting a fashion as you could imagine.  Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots defeated the Seattle Seahawks for their fourth NFL title.  This puts Brady and Belichick in some elite company among quarterbacks and coaches with four Super Bowl wins.  This game lived up to the hype.  Going down to the final seconds after two New England fourth quarter drives to take a 28-24 lead.  Seattle, as they did at the end of the first half went right downfield and again looked like they'd score a touchdown this time to win the game.  And then little used, even less known rookie cornerback Malcom Butler jumped a route and made a fantastic interception to seal the victory with 20 seconds left.  A great breakdown of the play can be found here.  Tom Brady was smartly named the MVP.

What a game.  I think we were able to see the best of both teams throughout the game.  The Patriots' offense looked as good as ever on their four scoring drives and had it not been for a horrible Tom Brady pass on the first drive of the game, that would have been five drives.  Their game plan wasn't the most sexy but the dink and dunk got them 28 points in the end helped by an offensive line that did very well at protecting Tom Brady.  Their defense also stepped up big in the fourth quarter with stops on Seattle.  Yes, they did play poorly at the end of both halves but they played well when it counted allowing Brady and the offense to retake the lead.  And then with 20 seconds left they made maybe the biggest play of any Super Bowl ever.  New England showed they deserved to be champions.

Seattle also showed they deserved to be there on the cusp of winning their second straight title.  While the offense wasn't spectacular it did show some brilliance but too many times didn't show enough of what made them so good.  That run option is almost unstoppable, or so it seems and I thought they didn't showcase that enough.  Marshawn Lynch was very good and I thought they should have counted on his and Russell Wilson's legs more.  The defense was not as stout as I expected it to be.  The injuries probably played a part but even a dinged up Seahawks defense is better than probably 90% of the league.  Still they weren't quite up to stopping the Pat's offense when it counted and they just didn't seem to have those "oh wow" moments where you thought "now this is the Legion of Boom".  That swagger just wasn't there. 

Again a great game!  I can't say enough about how fun it was to watch.  I of course rooted for my Michigan guy in Tom Brady.  I felt good when the Patriots took the four point lead with just over two minutes left in the game but it was nagging at me that Seattle had way too much time left to score.  They didn't disappoint.  Then came "the call".  Don't hate on it.  It might not have been smart, or maybe it was.  Maybe it was the execution.  I'll never know.  But as Tom Brady said after the game "I'm glad they ran it". 

Super Bowl XLIX: Seattle Seahawks vs New England Patriots

Great matchup in the Super Bowl this year and I can't wait.  My wife called this matchup before the season.  Don't ask what I predicted.  I just hope the game lives up to the expectations.  I think Seattle wins the Super Bowl in a close game.  I am very surprised Seattle isn't favored in more forums.  True they barely beat Green Bay but I look at that as their offense playing horribly for 43 minutes, turned the ball over five times and they still won.  How many times does that happen?  I thought the Seattle's defense was excellent giving up only 22 points and allowing the offense to finally get on track sending the Seahawks to their second straight Super Bowl.  New England should make this a good game.  Their offense was the fourth best scoring offense in the league this year but like the rest of the NFL should struggle against the Seattle defense.  The other issue I see is New England dealing with the Seattle run option.  They haven't seen it much this year and I worry about how they can defend it.  Marshawn could have a big day. 

 

All that said I'm rooting for the Patriots.  I want to see Brady (my man crush) and the Patriots get their fourth Super Bowl ring and join the all-time greats in rarified air.  I just think it will be tough.  Seattle can always shoot themselves in the foot again like they did in the Green Bay game but I think that is too much to ask for.  New England is great at game planning their offense but I doubt Seattle really has to do much different no matter what is thrown at them.  Their corners allow them to just play their game without much concern on the outside.  Hopefully Gronkowski can be the disruptive force New England will want him to be and maybe make Seattle do things they don't want to.  Again I think Seattle wins this but I don't see a blowout - 23-17 Seahawks.  

4th and Inches...Week 2

Powered by special teams, Buffalo pitched a shutout in the first half and didn't let up in a 29-10 victory over Miami.  Kicker Dan Carpenter hit on five field goals while C.J. Spiller ran back a kickoff 102 yards for a touchdown.  Sammy Watkins added the other scoring on a touchdown pass from EJ Manuel for the first of his career.  Spiller added 69 yards rushing averaging 5.8 yards per carry while Watkins totaled 117 yards receiving.  The defense had four sacks and an interception while only allowing Miami to convert 5 of 16 third downs.  EJ Manuel played well and didn't throw an interception again helping his team win by minimizing mistakes.  Great win that puts Buffalo in sole possession of first place after two weeks.  Yes it is only two weeks but when was the last time we could say that?  If feels good. 

Atlanta was not as lucky.  Cincinnati's defense held the Falcons to 309 total yards while allowing them to convert only 3 of 12 first downs and forced three turnovers.  Matt Ryan was the sole culprit as he threw three interceptions.  Bad day for him and so went the Falcons.  Atlanta averaged 5+ yards per carry but without watching the game it is hard to say in what context or is it easy to figure out why they didn't run more.  I would like to see how Cincy took Atlanta out of their game.  Ryan was only sacked two times and no quarterback hits.  Hopefully they haven't figured something out the rest of the league can mirror.  Atlanta has Tampa Bay in week three.  Hopefully they can bounce back but with the Bucs looking for their first win they are sure to be tough. 

What a week for finishes.  Kansas City doesn't convert a fourth and goal with just 15 seconds left as they tried to tie the game...  Cleveland wins on a short field goal after starting a drive from their four yard line and the New Orleans' defense blows the coverage to set up the game winning kick...  Tampa Bay isn't able to attempt a game winning field goal with eight seconds left when their receiver is injured and can't get up.  Tampa had no timeouts and the automatic 10 second run off meant the game was over...  The Jets find a way to lose when they nullify a game tying touchdown on 4th down when their sideline called a timeout.  No it wasn't coach Rex Ryan, the only person allowed to call the timeout, but a defensive end who saw the offensive coordinator signaling for a timeout.  And yes they did not convert the subsequent replaying of said 4th down...  Chicago pulled off a great comeback against San Francisco who once again did nothing in the second half.  And the Bears did this behind Jay Cutler who threw for 176 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions.  Wow.  Not a line you see from Cutler very often...  Did San Diego take it to Seattle or what?  I'll be curious what San Diego does with this win.  Can they keep the momentum at Buffalo in week three?  I say no.  Sorry Yaj...  What the heck happened to the Lions?  To fall that flat against Carolina is a huge letdown after their great performance in week one...

4th and Inches...Week 1

Buffalo and Atlanta came up with outstanding week 1 overtime wins.  Atlanta needed a late field goal to send it to overtime then capitalized on a Saints' turnover to kick yet another field goal to win the game.  Both field goals were over 50 yards.  While the Saints defense won't be confused with the '85 Bears anytime soon you have to love how the Falcons looked.  Matt Ryan looked more like Dan Marino as he threw for 448 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.  I think everyone figured the Falcons offense would be better this year but wow.  The defense though took a beating giving up 34 points and 472 total yards.  As long as they don't do that every week the Falcons could live up to my playoff prediction.  This week Atlanta plays Cincinnati and it will be a great test as their defense is very good.  Great week 1 win and love how the season is starting. 

The Bills pulled off a bona fide upset as they won in overtime against the Chicago Bears.  EJ Manuel was efficient - 16/22, 173 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT.  Not great but he didn't turn over the ball too much and kept Buffalo in the game.  The real hero was the running game that averaged 5 yards per carry while racking up a total of 193 yards.  Fred Jackson led the way with 61 yards and it was his long run at the start of overtime that put Buffalo in position to kick the winning field goal.  The defense forced four turnovers to help Buffalo with the impressive win.  I love this.  This is a great start for Buffalo.  A win at home against Miami this week would be even better.  A two and 0 start might really make me believe this team could pull out a .500 record.  Exciting win and I really think me wearing my Thurman Thomas jersey Sunday was the key. 

We had garbage games on TV all day Sunday due to where we live but I received an early Christmas present.  The channels swapped to both the Atlanta and Buffalo games at the conclusion of the early contests.  That was awesome to see the last few minutes of the Atlanta game and the overtime periods for both.  You might call it excitement overload.  Great day for me!

WEEK 1 NOTES:  As good as Denver looked in the first half I'm real disappointed in how they played in the second half..  They need to play two halves or next time they may not be able to fend off their opponent's rally.  Ditto for San Francisco...  New England melted down the second half of their game as Miami took it to them with a key division win early in the season...  Look I know Seattle is good but I expected some sort of hangover after their Super Bowl victory.  That didn't happen and they look just as good as last year...  I really liked how Detroit looked while the Giants look like they'll suffer through another tough year...  Can't believe San Diego lost their game late again.  This seem like a very bad habit that has plagued them for some years now...  Kansas City looked lost or actually like they did down the stretch last year.  I thought their playoff game last year showed promise as they once again put points on the board but they were horrible Sunday. 

4th and Inches: 2014 NFL Season to Come

How can you not like Raider fans?
 

The new season is upon us and as always I like to throw out my thoughts.  I've already done my previews of the Bills and Falcons so I'll concentrate on the rest of the league.  First my picks:

AFC:  NE, Cincy, Indy Den  Wild Card:  KC, SD
NFC:  Philly, GB, NO, Sea    Wild Card:  SF, Atl

Super Bowl:  Denver vs New Orleans    Winner:  Denver

You could only be disappointed by the Broncos' performance in the Super Bowl last year.  Still I think they are the best team in the AFC.  New England is the only team I believe can challenge them but I think they fall short again.  Indy isn't quite ready to contend for the conference crown but I love Andrew Luck and think they could be the next best thing.  Cincy, KC and San Diego round out my playoff teams but none have what it takes to challenge for a Super Bowl appearance. 

In the NFC you have four top teams with Green Bay, New Orleans Seattle and San Francisco being the cream of the crop.  Seattle and that defense could very well go to their second straight Super Bowl but as it so rarely happens I'm placing my bet on the field, or rather New Orleans to be specific.  I just think Drew Brees can get New Orleans back to the Super Bowl in their second year removed from "Bounty Gate".  While Seattle will be good I don't see their defense having the same kind of year and while Russell Wilson is good he can't carry this team.  Also not sure Marshawn Lynch will be the running stud of years past to take pressure off him.  Green Bay would be the other team I can see at the top of the NFC.  Aaron Rogers may be the best overall quarterback in the league but I'm not sold on the Packer defense.  Doesn't help that Green Bay's starting center is out and they must start a rookie.  San Francisco has way too much drama around it and probably takes a step back.  Philly and Atlanta will be good stories but aren't contenders. 

Mike and Mike of ESPN morning radio show fame mentioned that a minimum of four new teams make the playoffs each year with I think a total of eight new teams making it one year.  That is amazing and pertinent because I have zero AFC playoff teams changing from last year and only one NFC team making it back after missing out last year.  So the odds are I'm wrong.  No shocker there but I really didn't see anyone else in the AFC challenging except maybe Baltimore and Pittsburgh.  The NFC is more wide open so who knows how the wild card plays out there. 

I'm really curious to see how Tampa Bay does.  I like the pickup of quarterback Josh McCown who was the best available passer available.  Getting Lovie Smith as the coach is also a huge plus for this team that has talent and I think they can win nine games if things break their way some.  I've always liked Carson Palmer as a quarterback and there are stats showing he was one of the top tier quarterbacks the last seven weeks of the 2013 season.  I'll be curious to see if he and Arizona can build on some of the momentum from their good season last year.  San Diego could win ten games if their defense improves and they tried using the draft and free agency to make it a better unit.  Phillip Rivers played great last year and if he can do the same as last year there is no reason they can't be even better. I liked Jacksonville's bold pick of Blake Bortles early in the draft.  I'm sure he'll get significant playing time this year and I can't wait to see how he does. 

2014 Atlanta Falcons Season Preview

The 2013 Atlanta Falcons finished the year 4-12 after injuries, including starting receivers Julio Jones and Roddy White, decimated the team.  The only good news was the high draft pick the Falcons landed that turned into offensive tackle Jake Matthews.  This was a team that averaged 12 wins the three previous season so I do think the talent is here for this team to be in the playoffs once again.  Whether or not they can compete with the big boys of the NFC is still to be seen.

Atlanta must first keep quarterback Matt Ryan on his feet.  Their 44 sacks allowed were 10th worst in the league.  The fact Matt Ryan was able to throw for 4,515 yards and complete 67% of his passes seems amazing given that fact and his two primary receivers were either off the field or hampered by lingering injuries for the bulk of the year.  First round Jake Matthews should help solidify the line but the loss of starting left tackle Sam Baker may offset some of that gain.  They did make another key move in adding Jon Asamoah via free agency.  Hopefully it will be enough.  Receiver Harry Douglas is a quality number three option and played very will when filling in for Jones or White.  At running back I'm very worried.  Stephen Jackson is one year older after having the worst year of his career.  He missed four games due to injury and wasn't effective when he was on the field.  Backup Jacquizz Rogers didn't show anything that makes me think he is the heir apparent in the backfield.  Some are high on rookie Devonta Freeman from Florida State.  I think that is a lot to ask of a rookie back.  Add to that the retirement of hall of fame tight end Tony Gonzalez and the offense isn't in the clear yet.  And no there isn't a passing tight end waiting in the wings.  Still this team should be able to score some points.  I just hope the line can hold and we aren't talking about a Matt Ryan injury at some point. 

The defensive line was helped in the offseason via the draft in hopes of shoring up the run defense (31st in yards allowed).  Hopefully the moves work.  If teams continue to run over the defense it may not matter how good the rest of the team is.  The linebackers didn't get much help but if healthy they have to be better than last year.  Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford give the Falcons decent cornerbacks in the secondary.  The safety position is in flux after Thomas DeCoud left for Carolina.  William Moore leaves some veteran presence back deep but who will play opposite him isn't settled.  They reached in the third round of the draft for safety Dezmen Southward and signed Dwight Lowry who was waived by the Jaguars.  A lot of question marks here.  Good health will help some but rookies will need to play well and others will need to improve on previous years performances for the defense to make any headway.  A lot to ask for. 

Atlanta has it's work cut out for it.  The offense should be better this year (20th in points last year) which will be good. New kick return Devin Hester should also help with providing improved field position.  I think the defense will be where the Falcons struggle the most.  No matter how much they score I think the defense will keep opposing teams in the game.  Even with Carolina, New Orleans and what should be an improved Tampa Bay team in the same division Atlanta can get back to the playoffs.  But again it will hinge on the offense and staying healthy.  That is asking much but that is what we fans do.  In the end I think Atlanta gets nine wins and will be in the hunt for the final wild card spot.

2014 Buffalo Bills Season Preview

After a 6-10 2013 regular season the Buffalo Bills traded up in the first round to pick highly touted receiver Sammy Watkins to help EJ Manuel and the offense get better in the hopes that this year they could not only hit the .500 mark but also make a run at the playoffs.  This seems a bit optimistic to me but I've heard this in a few media outlets and previews.  I'm all about optimism but last year didn't leave me with much. 

And why is that?  Rookie QB EJ Manuel hit 59% of his passes adding 11 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.  He had some moments but I did see two Bills games and didn't get that he was very comfortable in the pocket yet.  He either isn't reading the defenses yet or doesn't have a grasp on the offense.  Watkins and Mike Williams who the Bills received via trade along with tight end Scott Chandler does give Manuel a good receiving corps.  Add to that CJ Spiller and Fred Jackson who combined for 1800 yards rushing and I should be thinking this could be a good year.  The offensive line was also tinkered with so it too could be better than last year.  But then you see what Buffalo has done in the preseason this year and Manuel has looked horrible and Watkins has had to leave two games with a rib injury.  This could be bad. 

When Buffalo moved up to take Manuel as the first quarterback in the draft two years ago it was a huge gamble.  Looks great it if works but if not they'll get roasted for not taking the more highly touted Geno Smith or addressing other needs.  It is still too early to say he won't work out, and I'm not going there, but this has to be a critical year for Manuel.  Buffalo had the 2nd best rushing attack in the league last year while the passing game (28th) and points scored (22nd) left a lot to be desired.  Manuel has to be a better passer this year or no matter what the Bills do elsewhere they'll be watching the playoffs from home...again.

The defense definitely a bright spot - 10th in total defense, 4th in passing defense, 2nd in sacks, 2nd in interceptions.  They did have issues with their rush defense (28th) and giving up points (20th).  Pro-bowler safety Jairus Byrd left for New Orleans because his price was too high.  Still this team has good defenders in the secondary (Stephen Gilmore, Leodis McKelvin, Aaron Williams).  A decent linebacking corps took a big hit with Kiko Alonso out for the year.  Takeo Spikes does come over from the Patriots but I don't see much improvement here and Buffalo gave up 19 runs of 20 yards or more.  The defensive line, while great at chasing the quarterback, must do better at stopping the run.  If new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz can't find an answer I'm not sure this defense will be able to control games on the ground.

I like coach Doug Marrone but this will be huge for him.  I'm sure the pressure by fans and the front office is huge.  Another 6-10 season will only bring bad things and with Buffalo trading away next year's first round pick there is no immediate superstar coming to save the day even if they get a top draft position.  There are some new coaches and hopefully between him and the new blood Buffalo can take a step ahead.  I think they 8 wins will be a stretch but it is doable.  If the running game stays true and Manuel can stay in there and hit his receivers this will be a good year.  I do think it is a bit much to expect the playoffs but with the drought reaching 14 years I too find myself getting pretty tired of watching other teams in the playoffs.