Super Bowl - in-depth analysis

[yanks12025]

The only in depth analysis needed is.... Denver will win! After the game we can watch Richard Sherman making a bigger joke then he did two weeks ago.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by yanks12025

The only in depth analysis needed is.... Denver will win! After the game we can watch Richard Sherman making a bigger joke then he did two weeks ago.

He's already done that with endorsements that resulted from the Andrews interview and the ones that followed it. Are you referring to additional endorsements, and possibly the game MVP award?

[freakhappy]

Originally Posted by Runscott

He's already done that with endorsements that resulted from the Andrews interview and the ones that followed it. Are you referring to additional endorsements, and possibly the game MVP award?

Scott, don't let Brock distract you. Sherman is one of the best defenders in the game and you know that, but he was a total d-bag during his last game. By announcing the Crabtree is mediocre, he proclaimed that he shutdown a mediocre receiver...that's not saying much. Anyway, we know how great both of these teams are and what a good game this should be. Sherman will have his hands full with D. Thomas? and it won't be so easy this time around. That being said, this game could go in a variety of ways and I think the biggest factor is how Denver's D does against Seattle's O. Let's be honest, Lynch is one of the best and he usually always gets his, but I think it will be on Wilson and whether or not he can make a few clutch throws and scramble a bit...this is what makes them so tough to defend. Wilson isn't a great QB, but he's a leader and makes plays when he needs to...let's see how he does on the big stage.

Seattle's D ended up being the best in the league, but Andrew Luck absolutely thrashed them earlier in the year, so we know they can be beat...we'll see though.

I won't be surprised one way or the other, but I'm a Manning fan and more than anything will be rooting for him. If Seattle plays the way they know how, they will be a monster to beat.

[DeanH3]

I feel Wilson is underrated. Is he great?? Not right now, but he is the first QB in NFL history to have a passer rating over 100 in their first two seasons. Along with 26 TD's in each season. The same amount Peyton Manning had his first two seasons. I'm not saying Wilson is, or will be, Manning. But he is being overlooked in my opinion. He doesn't do anything flashy but he FINDS a way to win. This kid should only improve with time.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by freakhappy

Scott, don't let Brock distract you. Sherman is one of the best defenders in the game and you know that, but he was a total d-bag during his last game. By announcing the Crabtree is mediocre, he proclaimed that he shutdown a mediocre receiver...that's not saying much.

Mike, I have been watching the Sherman interview analyses for two weeks now. I haven't missed any of this. Yes, he was a D-bag during the interview. I doubt anyone would argue with that. Before that I was always impressed with his interviews, so this one had me scratching my head more than a Brock post. Erin Andrews' reaction really says it all.

But it's also important to note how Sherman handled it afterward. I watched all of the interviews, and I have an informed opinion of him that isn't much less than before this mess. I'm sure my opinion differs from that of many others. The only danger with his performance today will be if he is overconfident and overplays balls, resulting in long touchdowns - it could certainly happen.

Regarding the Colts game, that was one of only three all year where any team put up any meaningful numbers against Seattle, the Vikings were getting blown out (and still only scored 21), and Tampa Bay scored all their points early because (in my opinion) Seattle didn't take them seriously enough. No one else did much. I still think the Broncos get five scores.

A note on 'Omaha'. Re-watching the AFC Championship game yesterday, one of the announcers confidently stated that Manning uses the word to indicate to his team that the clock is running down and he has to snap it quick. The next three plays the clock was at over 10 seconds each time he said Omaha.

We watched 'Remember the Titans' last night, and guess what word the quarterback used at least once? Maybe Manning got it from that movie.

[freakhappy]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Mike, I have been watching the Sherman interview analyses for two weeks now. I haven't missed any of this. Yes, he was a D-bag during the interview. I doubt anyone would argue with that. Before that I was always impressed with his interviews, so this one had me scratching my head more than a Brock post. Erin Andrews' reaction really says it all.

But it's also important to note how Sherman handled it afterward. I watched all of the interviews, and I have an informed opinion of him that isn't much less than before this mess. I'm sure my opinion differs from that of many others. The only danger with his performance today will be if he is overconfident and overplays balls, resulting in long touchdowns - it could certainly happen.

Regarding the Colts game, that was one of only three all year where any team put up any meaningful numbers against Seattle, the Vikings were getting blown out (and still only scored 21), and Tampa Bay scored all their points early because (in my opinion) Seattle didn't take them seriously enough. No one else did much. I still think the Broncos get five scores.

A note on 'Omaha'. Re-watching the AFC Championship game yesterday, one of the announcers confidently stated that Manning uses the word to indicate to his team that the clock is running down and he has to snap it quick. The next three plays the clock was at over 10 seconds each time he said Omaha.

We watched 'Remember the Titans' last night, and guess what word the quarterback used at least once? Maybe Manning got it from that movie.

You know your stuff, Scott and I feel you definitely know the Seahawks. I've been rooting for the Seahawks ever since last year (so bummed when they lost vs. the Falcons) and I think it just took me by surprise when he went off like that...most of those types of rants are in the past and don't happen as much, but I still like the Hawks as a team. Honestly, I'm not going to blame him for it as much as I originally thought because there was a lot of emotion and it is what it is.

I'm not sure about everyone else, but I'm getting really pumped up for this game! I'm very happy the weather shouldn't play a big factor in the game...could have been huge if it were snowing or really cold The Super Bowl is my favorite game of the year by far

[Runscott]

Thanks Mike. There has been a lot of analysis of his behavior and most agreed that you just shouldn't interview a player that soon after a big play - there is a level of adrenaline and emotion from the 'battle' that non-football players probably can't understand. Maybe we don't really want to know what these guys are thinking when they are pumped up.

[familytoad]

It is rare for me to watch the Super Bowl with any strong ties to the winner...
I typically hope for a close game and hope to get good numbers in my squares
But that's because the Seahawks, Saints and Dolphins are not usually playing!!

This time its all about cheering "my" team to victory.
I know the 12th man is real in Seattle, I've been there when you cannot speak to the person next to you and man, its fun to attend.
This time the yelling will be in my own living room, but maybe it will still work!

I think the Seahawks can win because they will be free to assign a linebacker to blitz or cover the short timing passes. They had to spy on Kaepernick last game and that took some of fhe flexibility from that great defense. It will be crucial to get Manning moving in the pocket as he is not as effective when he has to avoid the rush. He won't have wide open receivers to pass to either like he has recently against underwhelming defenses. When Talib went down for the Pats early in the AFC Championship game, they were toast.

And as always, the key to stopping a top QB is to not let him have the ball.
Beast Mode to keep the clock running and Wilson escaping pressure to keep the chains moving. Of course, the Broncos know this but these two guys are special football players. Not since Earl Campbell days have I seen a RB more fun to watch than Marshawn Lynch. That man refuses to be tackled easily. You bring him down and you have EARNED it!

I don't expect a lot of statisical success from the 'Hawks...just solid, well coached football to win the game.
Plus, I'll be "coaching" from the sidelines of my easy chair too, so we should be able to conquer this game.

Defense wins Championships!

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by familytoad

I think the Seahawks can win because they will be free to assign a linebacker to blitz or cover the short timing passes.

I like this idea a lot. If they are allowed to, they will make slightly early hits and disrupt some of the timing plays, and if the receivers get held up at the line, the linebackers will have even more influence. My understanding is that the refs calling this game have not called a lot of penalties this year.

[iwantitiwinit]

From a simplistic point of view I think it will be very difficult for Seattle to win because their margin for error in my opinion is very very slim. Think about it, a run, run, pass mentality requires success on 4-5 consecutive series. The chances of that happening several times enabling Seattle to keep up with what has been Denver's prolific offense just seems less than probable. That said I would think a successful game plan involves establishing very early pressure on Manning (not rocket science here), maybe even take a first series late hit penalty if necessary. Perhaps even more importantly, Seattle must force a relatively weak armed Manning to make longer passes to the sidelines. Seattles corners need to take inside position to force Decker and Thomas to the outside. Seattle's linebackers must cover those inside routes and at times even drop their ends into coverage looking to clog the shorter routes. Thats a lot to ask and a lot that has to go right for Seattle to win. I see it close though as I think Seattle will accomplish a lot of things I mentioned. Final Denver 27 Seattle 25, if you waited and got Seattle +2.5 I think you'll be happy..

One side note, I attended the Knick v. Celtic game tuesday night at MSG and sat directly next to Richard Sherman. We were in adjoining boxes and he happened to sit down right against the low plexiglass divider between the boxes, I was on the other side. I spoke to him for a few minutes and was surprised at how big he was, he's not a 5-10 corner, he's at least 6-3. I told him it was 60-1 that he scores the first TD and he just laughed.

[t206blogcom]

Because all threads need a T206



Go Denver.

[ctownboy]

Living in Central Indiana and having watched Peyton Manning since his rookie year, I say he is a great QB against bad teams and only an average QB against good teams. This is because he is stuck in his routine and doesn't like to deviate.

In the rookie year of one of his receivers (Dallas Clark ?) the receiver made a reception and was about to get tackled. As he was getting tackled, he lateraled the ball to another receiver who ran the ball in for a TD. In the post game interview, the receiver was asked about the play and said he was excited about it BUT was told by Manning that that was never going to happen again. Guess what? There was never a lateral again.

Against bad teams, Manning can do things even when the defense knows what is coming. Against good teams, Manning struggles because THEY KNOW what is coming and can be ready for it.

In the second Super Bowl he played in, the Colts were behind late in the game and Manning had them on the move. However, becaue he stuck to what he usually does, Manning threw and interception and the game was pretty much over with.

After the game, the DB who intercepted the ball was asked about the play and he said that in that area of the field, the defense KNEW what plays Manning like to use and what receivers he liked to target. So for him to get the interception, all he had to do was use the proper technique and to not drop the ball when it came his way.

As far as Seattle and their QB goes, I think Wilson is just a caretaker. Something like Joe Flacco a few years ago. Just hand the ball off to Lynch, make the short, safe throws and rely on the defense to take care of business. If WIlson has to make plays and throw the ball a lot, the Seahawks are in trouble.

As far as "Omaha" goes, I think all it means is the play is set and to hike the ball on the snap count. In previous games, if Manning didn't say "Omaha" then it meant he was still changing things around. However, once he said "Omaha" then the ball was ALWAYS snapped.

As far as THIS game goes, the only prediction I am going to make is that if either QB is behind and has to make a game winning drive then I don't think they do it. Manning because he will stick to his regular routine and the Seattle defense will KNOW what is coming, depending on down and distance and where on the field they are. With Wilson, I think he will get the yips if it comes down to him having to throw the ball and not have Lynch doing the work.

David