2011 NFL Thread: The Final Four

[KalMart]

Uhh, I know I'm a little biased being a Giants fan, but that was probably the best/most exciting SB I've ever seen.

It's probably the best one ever, really.

 

[Erzengel]

Thanks for the correction.

 

[Boom]

Newton vs. Tebow ought to be entertaining.

 

[Wheels]

No doubt that Super Bowl XLII was the greatest of all time. Watching Eli and Plax destroy the Pats storybook ending might be the best moment in NFL history.

 

[KalMart]

I think what we've noticed more over recent years with low-seed and/or wild card teams in the playoffs is that being underrated is a great motivator. It's like teams (granted, with some actual talent) play better when they feel they have nothing to lose, whereas a team that's been hyped all year has got a lot more pressure on them to live up to it. The 'upset' is something as an extra level that one team will fight extra hard for, whereas the other one may fear it, leading to a level of tenseness and bad mistakes.

In the not-so-distant past, with teams like the Cowboys and Niners, it was pretty much a given that the #1 seed would make it to the big show. I think today, it sets the team up with so much more to lose that it's got to get in their heads more...with more media coverage and 'embarrassment', and so on. Of course it's not a sure-fire recipe, but you can really see a team feed off it.

 

[Erzengel]

Well in the past 6 years, half the Superbowl winners have been wild card teams.

 

[Erzengel]

No doubt that Super Bowl XLII was the greatest of all time. Watching Eli and Plax destroy the Pats storybook ending might be the best moment in NFL history.

It's because of the 16-0 record. If this was a 14-2 Patriots team and the game played out the same way, it would still be memorable but probably not ranked as high in most people's books.

 

[Wheels]

It's because of the 16-0 record. If this was a 14-2 Patriots team and the game played out the same way, it would still be memorable but probably not ranked as high in most people's books.

Completely true. That was the happiest I've ever been to see a team besides the Steelers win the Super Bowl.

 

[KalMart]

It's because of the 16-0 record. If this was a 14-2 Patriots team and the game played out the same way, it would still be memorable but probably not ranked as high in most people's books.

Drama's part of the whole thing, no doubt...but it also became an epic game towards the end. Whatever the reason for the excitement and drama...it was undeniable and you'd be hard-pressed to find another Superbowl with that kind of air. Would another NY/NE be a 'rematch'?

Hell yes...any way you slice it, any way the players would talk about it. Even if that's something that only the fans and media attach...the grudge match....it's going to be there and it's going to add something to the experience of watching the game. Who wouldn't want that?

 

[Showtime]

If the Patriots make it to the big show, I hope they dont have to face the Giants. They look ridiculous right now. I was talking about Eli not being on the same level as Rodgers, Breeze, and Brady, but him and Brady are the two QBs left right now.

 

[Themanofbat]

Thry're really just a team that relocated.

It's not that intriguing.

They don't have the previous records/history from the Browns... that still belongs to Cleveland...

According to the NFL, the Ravens are an expansion team, while the Cleveland Browns have existed since 1946 with them being on "hiatus" from '96 to '98...

 

[KalMart]

If the Patriots make it to the big show, I hope they dont have to face the Giants. They look ridiculous right now. I was talking about Eli not being on the same level as Rodgers, Breeze, and Brady, but him and Brady are the two QBs left right now.

If it comes down to the Pats and NY, it'll be very interesting. The Pats probably aren't as good a team as '07, but they don't have the same pressure of maintaining a prefect season...and boy will Brady be motivated to get some revenge. So they might be in a better position to win it. But their D isn't as good, and Eli & the passing game is much better than it was back then, and they still have a really good pass rush. It would be fascinating.


Anyway...the Giants have also earned a good deal of extra hatred in recent years. There's always been the obligatory NFC East inter-divisional hatred...but with the Cowboys in particular, the Giants have spoiled things for them pretty specifically...'07 Divisional game and this year's week 14 and 17 for division title/playoff berth. Packers...'07 NFC title and this year's Divisional. Pats...'07 SB for the perfect season, week 9 was I think the first Pats home loss in a while...who knows what will happen for the '11 SB.

That's some pretty deep pain there, and cause for some real hatred besides being someone like the Cowboys run by Jones or what have you.

 

[KalMart]

They don't have the previous records/history from the Browns... that still belongs to Cleveland...

According to the NFL, the Ravens are an expansion team, while the Cleveland Browns have existed since 1946 with them being on "hiatus" from '96 to '98...

For all intents and purposes, the Ravens were the relocated Browns. They even had Jim Brown come in and give them a pep talk.

 

[Poeman]

Is the most miserable fanbase in the NFL the Browns or Vikings?

 

[Spider-Fan]

If the Patriots make it to the big show, I hope they dont have to face the Giants. They look ridiculous right now. I was talking about Eli not being on the same level as Rodgers, Breeze, and Brady, but him and Brady are the two QBs left right now.

Don't count out the 49ers, just yet. I think in the wake of a possible Pats/Giants rematch, we're forgetting we have the 49ers and Ravens standing in the way, and both teams are good enough to win those games, also. I actually think the 49ers win over the Saints was more impressive than the Giants beating the Packers because the Saints went into Candlestick the hottest team in football, while the Packers were starting to decline toward the end of the season (and frankly, I felt they were overrated all year). I am seeing Patriots vs 49ers, myself.

 

[KalMart]

Is the most miserable fanbase in the NFL the Browns or Vikings?

Right now?

Jets.


For a while...maybe the Chiefs?

 

[Spideyfan93]

A lot of Jets fans are still incredibly mad at their results for this season and their loss against the GMEEEEEEEN!

They need to get the stick out of their asses and take a deep breath. It's not the end of the world.

 

[KalMart]

Don't count out the 49ers, just yet. I think in the wake of a possible Pats/Giants rematch, we're forgetting we have the 49ers and Ravens standing in the way, and both teams are good enough to win those games, also. I actually think the 49ers win over the Saints was more impressive than the Giants beating the Packers because the Saints went into Candlestick the hottest team in football, while the Packers were starting to decline toward the end of the season (and frankly, I felt they were overrated all year). I am seeing Patriots vs 49ers, myself.

Niners are probably the toughest match for the Giants this postseason because of the individual matchups. And like the Giants, they're playing like they have nothing to lose and nothing to live up to....even with their great season record. They're the new kids on the block and they're firing on all cylinders. The odds I think re a pretty accurate reflection...a real toss-up, with the only real advantage being home field. Neither would be a surprise to win....makes it even more exciting.

 

[KalMart]

A lot of Jets fans are still incredibly mad at their results for this season and their loss against the GMEEEEEEEN!

They need to get the stick out of their asses and take a deep breath. It's not the end of the world.

Yet another source for cute Xmas cards for the Giants....who might end up the most hated team of the past five years because of what they've spoiled. t:

 

[Erzengel]

Who's left from Superbowl XLII on each team?

I think there's more Giants still playing then Patriots for their respective teams.

 

[DoomsdayApex]

Newton vs. Tebow ought to be entertaining.

I agree. Newton is gonna wipe the floor with Tebow. t:

However, are the Broncos truly dedicated to Tim Tebow? It's a massive risk to NOT draft a QB in April. Remember, the Wildcat ceased its effectiveness the following season, and the Dolphins struggled on the offensive side of the ball.

 

[Poeman]

Right now?

Jets.


For a while...maybe the Chiefs?

Yeah. I mad.

 

[Immortalfire]

They don't have the previous records/history from the Browns... that still belongs to Cleveland...

According to the NFL, the Ravens are an expansion team, while the Cleveland Browns have existed since 1946 with them being on "hiatus" from '96 to '98...

By that logic, I wonder if the Seattle SuperSonics are on hiatus. ???

 

[Spideyfan93]

Who's left from Superbowl XLII on each team?

I think there's more Giants still playing then Patriots for their respective teams.

Well Osi, Manning, Tuck, most of the O Line, Webster, Ross

Brady...all I can remember, not too familiar with the Pats roster, but Teddy is an ESPN analyst now and I wonder how he feels about all this. Also dudes like Randy Moss are too busy doing nothing.

 

[Showtime]

Don't count out the 49ers, just yet. I think in the wake of a possible Pats/Giants rematch, we're forgetting we have the 49ers and Ravens standing in the way, and both teams are good enough to win those games, also. I actually think the 49ers win over the Saints was more impressive than the Giants beating the Packers because the Saints went into Candlestick the hottest team in football, while the Packers were starting to decline toward the end of the season (and frankly, I felt they were overrated all year). I am seeing Patriots vs 49ers, myself.

That's why I used the word "if".

As evidenced by this past weekend, you never know who is going to win.