Super Bowl

Are you ready for two weeks of hype for a Brett Favre versus Peyton Manning Super Bowl?

Well TOO FREAKING BAD! The Saints were having none of it today. And what a coincidence that in a year marred by missed field goals, it was on the leg of lesser-known Saints kicker Garrett Hartley that the Saints earned a spot in their first ever

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h Steelers needed to drive 78 yards to the end zone, regaining the lead and winning the forty-third Super Bowl. I won’t waste your time recapping plays like James Harrison’s 100-yard interception return or Larry Fitzgerald’s 64-yard catch and run. You watched those on Sunday. Instead, I’ll try to hit the nuances and little snippets you may have missed as you stuffed down wings and left the room during gameplay so you wouldn’t have to miss a commercial.

Continue reading "Joey A's Final Drive: Super Bowl XLIII"

Arizona:  This should be an amazing Super Bowl…aren’t they all?  Even the blowouts are fun…because it’s the biggest game of the year!  These two teams know each other fairly well.  The coaching staff of the Cardinals is littered with Pittsburgh connections.  Some say that this should give the Cardinals the advantage…and I agree.  The Steelers may have the No. 1 defense in the league, but that won’t make a difference to Kurt Warner and the Cards.  Look for a high scoring affair in this contest.  Boldin should have a great game, with everyone keying on Fitzgerald.  He may even give Warner a run for MVP honors.  Pittsburgh will keep it close until the 3rd quarter, but then the Cards will fly to victory and bring the Lombardi Trophy to the desert.  Arizona 41, Pittsburgh 27.   

Continue reading "Predictions Super Bowl XLIII"

now everyone in the country who is on TV, writes for a newspaper, blogs, or breathes has made their Super Bowl pick.  I’m not going to do that.  I will not succumb.   

Continue reading "I'm Not Picking the Winner"

37-year old Kurt Warner is leading his second team to a Super Bowl and will be the key to any Cardinal upset. Well, he could be the key if the offensive line protects him against Dick LeBeau’s blitzing linebackers. Pittsburgh plays a 3-4 defense, meaning three linemen and four linebackers. In that type of defense, you’re typically going to rush at least one linebacker in passing situations. The Steeler linebackers excel at sacking the quarterback, and defensive MVP James Harrison isn’t the only concern for the Cardinal offensive line. Every Steeler linebacker is a playmaker and makes the man beside him that much better. Keeping Warner upright is of the utmost importance, because he’s known to have a fumbling problem as he gets pressured up the middle. As long as Russ Grimm’s offensive line lets Kurt step up in the pocket, he’ll be accurate and quick on his deliveries. How else are Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, and Steve Breaston going to be able to get all of their touches? Another important note will be the running of Edgerrin James out of the backfield. His production could offset the pass rush by keeping the defense on the heels and not on their toes. If he fails to make any significant ground or offensive coordinator Todd Haley gives up on the run, Arizona will be in a load of trouble. Troy Polamalu will be stalking in the secondary, ready to snap up an interception of any forced or pressured Warner throws. If Arizona falls behind early, it will be an almost insurmountable climb out of the hole.

Continue reading "Joey A's Super Bowl Opening Drive: Game Preview"

This season’s trip to the Super Bowl is a testament to Ben Roethlisberger’s ability to make the big play when it matters, unlike their Super Bowl season in 2005 when he was just managing the game and handing off to Jerome Bettis. Roethlisberger is a top-tier NFL quarterback because of his ability to take big hits and keep the play alive, which ironically is the biggest flaw in his game and could cut his career short. He had a few scares this year, injuring his throwing shoulder, throwing hand, and suffering a mild concussion in the regular season finale, but he’s rebounded dramatically to lead his team through the playoffs against brutal competition in the Chargers and rival Ravens. Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes are a dangerous combination at wide receiver, with Ward’s blocking and chain-moving grabs and Holmes’s explosive speed. Tight end Heath Miller, Big Ben’s favorite target, missed a few games during the middle of the year, but finished strong as the Steelers climbed to the number two seed in the AFC. Miller is a big part of the Steelers’ red zone offense, and Ben loves to look his way. On special teams, Holmes has bolstered his value with timely touchdowns or great field position for his ball-control offense off of his punt returns.

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The Eagles grabbed a lead in the fourth quarter, but the Cardinals proved they belonged in the Super Bowl with an outstanding drive to regain the lead and win the NFC title. The Arizona defense has been the biggest surprise coming out of these three victories as they have completely shut down their opponent’s running game.

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You and your buddies have been planning your Super Bowl party for months.  Deep down inside, you know the party with its canned beer, half-eaten bag of stale chips and a couch that seats three will suck, but at least you’ll be around your boys for the most hallowed of all sports days.

Continue reading "How To Host A Successful Super Bowl Party"

p; If you get the chance…read his book!  

The Eagles are flying high with their Super Bowl run, but I have to say I am disappointed with Donovan McNabb.  What was he thinking of when he picked up the telephone on the Giants sideline?  If that were Terrell Owens or Pacman Jones, Goodell would have suspended them by now.  D-Mac…you know better, don’t you?   

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times this year.  The problem is that with all the pre-season hype about the Cowboys making a Super Bowl run, it’s somewhat of a disappointment that more players were not selected.  I’ll be the first to admit that having 13 players selected from one team is ridiculous.  No team is that good at nearly every position! 

Continue reading "Snubbed"

The superstition in the National Football League regarding the "Super Bowl Hangover" - the unfortunate losing seasons that teams defeated in the Super Bowl seem to suffer the year after their momentus loss - has a new twist and a greater meaning with the absurd finale to last year's

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But I thought I'd reflect on the instant classic that was Super Bowl XLII, three months following the shocker that saw the New York Giants knocked off the previously undefeated New England Patriots in a thrilling 17-14 comeback win. 

Continue reading "Super Bowl XLII in Review"

>Ohmigosh! They did it! All that skepticism and doubt – poof! The New York Giants have won Super Bowl XLII!  Congratulations G-Men! Here’s the 5 keys to the game that I think did it for you:

Continue reading "5 Reasons the New York Giants Won Super Bowl XLII"

ting outcomes of football games, although last year I nearly predicted the exact final score of the Super Bowl while hitting on seven of my nine prop bets. (My prediction was 26-17, the final was 29-17.) For whatever reason I had a very good feel for that game. This year's

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The two major trends going into Super Bowl XLII are the Patriots' utter domination in the win column, and the Giants' road winning streak, which is pretty remarkable in its own right. One of those trends will come to an end in less than a week.

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You New England Patriots players are a laugh riot! Imagine, Donté Stallworth or Wes Welker taking over as quarterback from Tom Brady. Actually, it was rather amusing. Each of these players calmly answered the speculation of their MVP’s health by saying Bill Belichick had asked them to take over the helm. Each never flinched, as if to say how absurd the speculation is. I agree, Tom Brady is likely just fine and will play remarkably in Glendale, Az on February 3. In case you haven’t noticed, QBs often play when hurt – case in point Philip Rivers. Don’t forget that the offensive line gives Brady all day to throw the ball, so even if his leg hurts a bit he’ll likely play up to par.

Continue reading "Hardy Har Har – How to Laugh at the Super Bowl"

This is the team that still lives in my mind. The only team to bring my hometown a Super Bowl win. Sure, I follow other clubs in the NFL now. It is hard not to when yours has deserted you! At any rate, I drive around town in my black car with the black Raiders license plate frames in honor of days long passed…

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I seriously had the New York Giants written off as Super Bowl contenders. Also, I assumed that Eli would never actually come into his own and learn how to be effective in the NFL. Written off as nepotism, I was one of those naysayers that figured he would be a back-up QB sooner rather than later.

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mes got another chance to kick it through and garner the win.  The Giants are moving on to the Super Bowl because they wanted it more.

Through the playoffs I have learned one very import

Continue reading "Giants Look Super Again On Way To Super Bowl"

>As we near the last – sniff – weekend of the NFL season to decide who is going to the Super Bowl, I realize that empty feeling is coming back. You dedicated fans know what I am talking about! It’s that feeling you get when your beloved jersey gets ripped, your lucky hat disappears, or the store is out of your favorite beer. Yep – that vacant, lonely feeling that begins to creep in this same time every year. Sure, we savor this last weekend and then spend two weeks planning for the big day. Afterward, we are numb and feign interest in the Pro Bowl, just kidding ourselves that it is an actual game.

Continue reading "It’s almost over!!!!"

When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had their magical run to the Super Bowl the main reason they made it was on their defense. The offense really couldn't get out of their own way so without the number one defense at the time they wouldn't have made it.

Continue reading "Does Defense Really Win Championships?"

ced that there are some really strong young guys that are following in the footsteps of that great, Super Bowl winning D. Barrett Ruud has over 100 tackles for the year. Phillip Buchanan has about 59 tackles on the year and an interception today (his second this season). In addition, Jermaine Phillips has 83 tackles for the season. Don’t forget Jovan Haye and Gaines Adams with 6 sacks apiece. I was so excited when the broadcasters were announcing those stats that I almost tripped on my way to the kitchen! Luke MCown is proving to be a viable backup as well. While he does make some rookie mistakes, he completed 21 of 28 passes against Carolina. Overall, his completion percentage is just over that of Jeff Garcia. I sit in excited anticipation for the game next week. I only wish I could fly out and actually be there! Fire them cannons!

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the New England Patriots are a dynasty, oh and wait – the Indianapolis Colts are the reigning Super Bowl Champs. Go figure!

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lineman are the positions which need to be improved in order to get the Broncos back in line for a Super Bowl." 

Continue reading "Denver Broncos Fan Guts Squad"

I clearly remember a Bucs loyalist telling me that Tampa has hosted more Super Bowl games than any other city. Whippee! Whatever helps you sleep at night, I guess. One day – all of that changed. I went to a pre-season game one year while a student at the University of Tampa. It was the last one before the start of the regular season – Bucs vs. New England Patriots. Being the smart-ass I normally am, I purchased a Bucs shirt and Pats hat from some parking lot vendors and proceeded to go into the game. I’ll never forget the look on the faces of many of the fans. It was a strange mix of delight and disgust. I can’t blame ‘em though. In my defense - I have always been a football fan. It has been hard for me to get totally behind one team since Georgia’s greed ruined the one I grew up with and the only one that won a

Continue reading "My Guilty Pleasure"