Stupidity Rules the Day!!!!

[HRBAKER]

It was by sheer luck on that incredible reception that they were in a position to score in the first place, Cinderella just turned back into a pumpkin 20 seconds too early. They didn't give the game to anyone - The Pats (Tom Brady) carved them up for 14 points on a near perfect performance in the 4th quarter to even be close - and that's the best D in football as we have been reminded ad nauseum for the past two weeks. Look at it this way - they simply gave back the one Brady gave them in the first half in the end zone.

Jeff
(also far from a Pats fan)

[Runscott]

Jeff - you are right on.

Before the game, the analyses that made the most sense to me were that Brady's short pass game was similar to what the Chargers had used to beat Seattle, and there was no indication that Seattle was prepared to react any differently. We did a good job of making quick tackles the first half, but just got torn to pieces in the second half for yards-after-catch. The Kearse catch was as close to a miracle as you'll see.

[nolemmings]

While the Kearse catch was indeed lucky, the Seahawks were moving the ball down the field anyway, and New England did not show great signs of stopping them. The ball would have been inside the 40 with a minute or so to go had that pass to Kearse dropped incomplete. Who knows what happens. The point is if that ball gets handed off to Lynch we almost certainly have a different champion and Brady not only does not win MVP, he is likely considered the second best QB on the field.

Just edited to add that I'm not taking anything away from the Patriots, and thank both teams for a very entertaining game.