N.F.L. Season 2018-19 (7 Viewers)

[zblang]

While the game wasn’t exciting in the traditional sense, with offenses slinging the ball all over the place and scoring like madmen, for me, it was equally as exciting. As a pats fan, it was so stressful! With no scoring, you just knew whoever scored that first td was going to win! But who was it going to be???
It reminded me more of a soccer or hockey game where each score mattered so much!

 

[Warrior]

While the game wasn’t exciting in the traditional sense, with offenses slinging the ball all over the place and scoring like madmen, for me, it was equally as exciting. As a pats fan, it was so stressful! With no scoring, you just knew whoever scored that first td was going to win! But who was it going to be???
It reminded me more of a soccer or hockey game where each score mattered so much!

That game was just as stressful as a shootout, both defenses came to play.

Once they scored that TD, I knew it was over, then Goff threw the INT and that did it...……….

Unbelievable, you run out of words to describe this team.

They're going to look a lot different next year, a number of players will be gone, Gronk is probably going to retire, McCourty too, they've got 8 picks in the top 100, time to reload.

As long as Brady and Belichick are here they've got a shot.

 

[zblang]

I’d like one of those picks to be our future quarterback

 

[Combat]

That was a painful game to watch. The Rams haven't been the same team that put up 54 on KC after they lost Kupp and Gurley to injuries. They lost to the only playoff caliber teams they played toward the end of the season and struggled even with doormat teams like the Niners and Cards. Without a healthy Gurley, the Rams were one dimensional against good defenses. Teams could pressure Goff and without Kupp - who is very Edelman like - there wasn't much he could do. It was a miracle they beat the Saints. The Super Bowl was very much like the fugly 15-6 loss to the Bears when the Rams couldn't generate any offense. The takeaway from this Super Bowl is that Belichick is the greatest coach in history. He has been the key guy all along. Brady might very well be the greatest QB if winning is the only factor but he would not be the player that he is without Belichick. The Pats have a near unbeatable system that takes good players and makes them all look like HOF performers. The system puts their players in a position to win. If you put Brady on the Rams last night and Goff on the Pats, NE still wins. The Rams D played lights out though. They did everything possible to slow Brady but with no offense it was an impossible task absent some break that never came. Belichick was the MVP in that game. Onward to next season.

 

[tdubel]

That was a painful game to watch. The Rams haven't been the same team that put up 54 on KC after they lost Kupp and Gurley to injuries. They lost to the only playoff caliber teams they played toward the end of the season and struggled even with doormat teams like the Niners and Cards. Without a healthy Gurley, the Rams were one dimensional against good defenses. Teams could pressure Goff and without Kupp - who is very Edelman like - there wasn't much he could do. It was a miracle they beat the Saints. The Super Bowl was very much like the fugly 15-6 loss to the Bears when the Rams couldn't generate any offense. The takeaway from this Super Bowl is that Belichick is the greatest coach in history. He has been the key guy all along. Brady might very well be the greatest QB if winning is the only factor but he would not be the player that he is without Belichick. The Pats have a near unbeatable system that takes good players and makes them all look like HOF performers. The system puts their players in a position to win. If you put Brady on the Rams last night and Goff on the Pats, NE still wins. The Rams D played lights out though. They did everything possible to slow Brady but with no offense it was an impossible task absent some break that never came. Belichick was the MVP in that game. Onward to next season.

Quite true.

There was only 1 flaw in the Rams D I couldn't understand and it was the defensive play calling on what became the game winning drive. They got flustered and played too soft in the secondary, if they could take that back, bet they would.

TD

 

[jazzeum]

With apologies to Gary Lineker of soccer fame,

“Football is a simple game. Twenty-two men play the game for 60 minutes and at the end, the Patriots always win.”

 

[Currahee Chris]

I think this is the best NE Defense that they have ever had- no offense to Brusci or McGinnest. The O Line for NE was opening gaps I could have probably run through- back was getting 6-7 yards down field before first contact and then lowering their helmet to bang out another 2-3 yards. Having two backs that compliment themselves as much as those two do is a really good thing.

But to me the difference was obvious at the end of the game- Brady's jersey still milk white, Mahomes, not so much. The Chiefs need to learn they don't have to win every play- you have three sacks of Mahomes for 14,15 and 14 yards- that's twice the NFL Average. The one took them out of FG position in the 2nd quarter. Then the punt return where the kid in the third loses 15 yards. Those losses are monstrous. You cannot replace them. Your opponent is going to make plays. Take the loss and regroup- lose the 7 yards and reset. OC's have reasonable contingencies for 2nd and 12, 3rd and 9- when it gets to third and 18- that's a much steeper hill to climb.

For the life if me, even Romo saw it- why do you have a 5'10" DB trying to single cover Gronk going down the stretch at the end of the game??? The Chiefs defense was 31st in the league for a reason. You could see it on the D- Line at the goal line towards the end of the game- a lot of huffing and puffing and just not in shape.

I love the line matchups for this Super Bowl. It is going to be really interesting to watch. I agree with what COMBAT said and that the best way to beat Brady is to put him under pressure. But I think that is a taller task than it sounds. That line is solid.

I'm taking NE by 10. I think the Rams are the Chiefs 2.0. NE has the better defense and QB. The Rams have the better backfield. The Rams have the better D- Line but I think NE with the two back system they run keeps their guys fresh. Their line may bend but it wont break.

Hogan had probably one of the finest clutch performances I have ever seen.

As I stated on Jan 22nd- NE by 10

 

[Currahee Chris]

I think this is the best NE Defense that they have ever had- no offense to Brusci or McGinnest. The O Line for NE was opening gaps I could have probably run through- back was getting 6-7 yards down field before first contact and then lowering their helmet to bang out another 2-3 yards. Having two backs that compliment themselves as much as those two do is a really good thing.

But to me the difference was obvious at the end of the game- Brady's jersey still milk white, Mahomes, not so much. The Chiefs need to learn they don't have to win every play- you have three sacks of Mahomes for 14,15 and 14 yards- that's twice the NFL Average. The one took them out of FG position in the 2nd quarter. Then the punt return where the kid in the third loses 15 yards. Those losses are monstrous. You cannot replace them. Your opponent is going to make plays. Take the loss and regroup- lose the 7 yards and reset. OC's have reasonable contingencies for 2nd and 12, 3rd and 9- when it gets to third and 18- that's a much steeper hill to climb.

For the life if me, even Romo saw it- why do you have a 5'10" DB trying to single cover Gronk going down the stretch at the end of the game??? The Chiefs defense was 31st in the league for a reason. You could see it on the D- Line at the goal line towards the end of the game- a lot of huffing and puffing and just not in shape.

I love the line matchups for this Super Bowl. It is going to be really interesting to watch. I agree with what COMBAT said and that the best way to beat Brady is to put him under pressure. But I think that is a taller task than it sounds. That line is solid.

I'm taking NE by 10. I think the Rams are the Chiefs 2.0. NE has the better defense and QB. The Rams have the better backfield. The Rams have the better D- Line but I think NE with the two back system they run keeps their guys fresh. Their line may bend but it wont break.

Hogan had probably one of the finest clutch performances I have ever seen.

As I stated on January 22- NE by 10- wasn't too far off the mark on that one {sm4}{sm4}- admittedly, I saw it playing out 17-7, 20-10 maybe 24-24. Didn't see 13-3.

As a fan of Line play, this SB was a treasure trove of all sorts of incredible schemes and plays and really should be studied by anyone who has any interest in football- both from a coaching and players perspective (not sure it was such a landmark game for "skill" position players) but both sides of the line did some incredible stuff that you rarely see. I was thoroughly entertained from kickoff till the final tick.

I did not see the Rams taking Hogan out of the game like they did- perhaps he was a decoy through the playoffs and that was BB's plan all along.

 

[Warrior]

As I stated on January 22- NE by 10- wasn't too far off the mark on that one {sm4}{sm4}- admittedly, I saw it playing out 17-7, 20-10 maybe 24-24. Didn't see 13-3.

As a fan of Line play, this SB was a treasure trove of all sorts of incredible schemes and plays and really should be studied by anyone who has any interest in football- both from a coaching and players perspective (not sure it was such a landmark game for "skill" position players) but both sides of the line did some incredible stuff that you rarely see. I was thoroughly entertained from kickoff till the final tick.

I did not see the Rams taking Hogan out of the game like they did- perhaps he was a decoy through the playoffs and that was BB's plan all along.

I have to give you credit Chris and when you called this the best defense New England has ever had, I have to admit I did not agree with it, but wow did you prove me wrong.

Their secondary played extremely well all playoffs long, it's probably the best in the game, the defense dialed up the pressure too, first on Rivers, then Mahomes, then Goff, all game long up the middle.

And yes, Gurley being hurt was huge, the run was not a threat, so you're only defending the pass, the Rams were a one dimensional team, but still, what an effort, 3 points in a Super Bowl is outstanding, those came on a 52 yard FG that knuckled left then hooked back, they almost pitched a shut out.

 

[Currahee Chris]

All,

This is the most BORING Super Bowl EVER. Second to the Broncos Super Bowl a few years back. Thank God my food was good.

John from Texas

I have heard a lot of this today and even last night. For me, I'm not really a "skill" position guy- I enjoy blocking schemes and D-Line performance. This SB, for me, was one for the ages in that regard. I think anyone who wants to learn about the sport of football can look at the play of both teams on defense and pick up on some very key subtleties that make it a truly defining game where one can sit down and pick the tape apart and learn so much that your Football IQ would go through the roof. A lot of people are beating on Goff for not making throws when we as viewers don't see what he is seeing- there were a TON of coverage sacks and pressures on the Pats side that threw Goff out of rhythm. You take any other 23 year old QB starting in the SB and he chucks 4-6 picks and this game is 48-3. In a lot of ways, IMO, this game was close because he didn't make a lot of rookie/ young player mistakes like that. I think a lot of that is missed from many fans. Goff is a very smart player and will be a top tier QB for many years to come with the right coaching.

I just didn't see enough with LA to lead me to believe going into this game, that they were any different than the Chiefs. I also think Suh and Donald had a legitimate claim on being MVP's in their own right. 8 possessions by their team resulting in punts and they are still out there going full throttle and forcing fumbles is incredibly impressive.

From a business perspective- I'm certain many many fans wanted an all out shoot em up 49-42 final like they have been spoon fed during the Goodell era. But BB just doesn't play that way in the playoffs and this game was probably a snooze fest for many fans who weren't pulling for NE.

 

[jazzeum]

I think the overall problem in viewing this as a “boring” game is perception. The NFL is — or tries to be — an offensive league. They and most of the public would have been happy with the results we saw when the Saints played the Rams or the Pats played the Chiefs the first time. When you give defensive gurus two weeks to come up with a plan, yesterday will be the result.

 

[Rutledge]

Another perspective on the SB....

 

[jrsteel]

I enjoyed this low scoring defensive game. It looked like football not like that 54-51 joke of a game between the Rams and Chiefs. The Rams offensive line was terrible which probably contributed to why Goff was so terrible. Aaron Donald and Suh were not as disruptive as I thought they would be. I think a big play was the phantom holding call on the Rams after a 12 yard run by Gurley in the third quarter. It was 3-3 at the time and they would've had a first down near midfield. It looked like they were gaining momentum but that holding call killed the drive.

 

[Panzer ace]

Congrats to George but condolences to Doug.

Hey, Swami, what numbers should I pick in Lotto? ^&grin

Not a great game to behold but do you think George and the NE faithful care? I doubt it.

Brad:

Echoing your post, congrats to George and condolences to Doug.

Lotto numbers are tough to pick, but I will go out on a limb and say that the Patriots will win the Super Bowl again next year.

Who they will be playing is another question all together.

-Jason

 

[Warrior]

Quite true.

There was only 1 flaw in the Rams D I couldn't understand and it was the defensive play calling on what became the game winning drive. They got flustered and played too soft in the secondary, if they could take that back, bet they would.

TD

Tom,
I watched the replay of the game today on the NFL Network.

On the game winning drive, the Patriots were in their 22 personnel (FB, RB, 2 TE's, 1 WR), so the Rams had four linebackers on the field and played single high safety, then the Patriots spread out the formation and threw to Gronk, then to Burkhead, then Edelman twice, then Gronk down the seam.

The Rams were screwed; if they substituted CB's for LB's and the Patriots ran the ball, you've got two big TE's and a FB blocking CB's, a total mismatch.

Genius on the OC's part...………….that's two games in a row the Patriots outcoached the other team on both sides of the ball.

Unreal.

 

[Warrior]

I enjoyed this low scoring defensive game. It looked like football not like that 54-51 joke of a game between the Rams and Chiefs. The Rams offensive line was terrible which probably contributed to why Goff was so terrible. Aaron Donald and Suh were not as disruptive as I thought they would be. I think a big play was the phantom holding call on the Rams after a 12 yard run by Gurley in the third quarter. It was 3-3 at the time and they would've had a first down near midfield. It looked like they were gaining momentum but that holding call killed the drive.

That's because the refs made an error not in the penalty but in who they attributed it to. In real time, as soon as the tackle downfield is made, you see John Simon -- hop up making a holding signal.The hold was downfield, not on the center (as the replay showed).

There was a holding penalty on the play, they called the wrong number is all, watch the play again and you'll see the holding on the edge, it's as clear as day.

 

[Panzer ace]

Red Sox; MLB Champions
Patriots; NFL Champions
Bruins and Celtics; you're up next

In the sports battle of California vs. Massachusetts, it is 2-0 Massachusetts.

SoCal (Dodgers and Rams) could not bring California a championship so I guess it is up to NorCal (Warriors) to do it.

 

[sammy719]

Congrats to George and his Patriots once again, to all of us who thought it was a boring, uninteresting game, the fans of the winning team beg to differ!!!

 

[Combat]

I enjoyed this low scoring defensive game. It looked like football not like that 54-51 joke of a game between the Rams and Chiefs. The Rams offensive line was terrible which probably contributed to why Goff was so terrible. Aaron Donald and Suh were not as disruptive as I thought they would be. I think a big play was the phantom holding call on the Rams after a 12 yard run by Gurley in the third quarter. It was 3-3 at the time and they would've had a first down near midfield. It looked like they were gaining momentum but that holding call killed the drive.

That was a killer. The one moment in the second half when the Rams seemed to have momentum and I thought they might steal this game. You could call holding on almost every single play of an NFL game. The other weird play was the delay of game on the punt when the Pats appeared to jump offsides. That would have been a huge first down. That seemed like a quick clock. The Rams likely got one on the Robert Woods catch when he appeared to have only one foot in bounds. Somehow the Rams managed to snap the ball before it could be reviewed. For a Super Bowl with ten million cameras, they didn't show a lot of replays on the telecast. Maybe the NFL discouraged them giving all the crying about the Saints game. The refs generally let them play and did a good job. No personal foul when Donald threw Brady to the ground or when the Pats defender drilled Goff on his way out of bounds.

 

[Panzer ace]

That was a killer. The one moment in the second half when the Rams seemed to have momentum and I thought they might steal this game. You could call holding on almost every single play of an NFL game. The other weird play was the delay of game on the punt when the Pats appeared to jump offsides. That would have been a huge first down. That seemed like a quick clock. The Rams likely got one on the Robert Woods catch when he appeared to have only one foot in bounds. Somehow the Rams managed to snap the ball before it could be reviewed. For a Super Bowl with ten million cameras, they didn't show a lot of replays on the telecast. Maybe the NFL discouraged them giving all the crying about the Saints game. The refs generally let them play and did a good job. No personal foul when Donald threw Brady to the ground or when the Pats defender drilled Goff on his way out of bounds.

Whether you wanted to Patriots to win or the Rams, and whether you thought it was a boring game or an exciting one, the best part of this game is that it did not come down to a blown/controversial penalty.