***OFFICIAL SUPERBOWL XLVIII Thread***

[Childs]

Denver played a number of top 12 defensive teams in scoring.

SCORING
Kansas City -- 19.1 (#6)
Indianapolis -- 21.0 (#9)
New England -- 21.1 (#10)
San Diego -- 21.8 (#11)
Baltimore -- 22.0 (#12)

As an aside, CBS had Seattle and San Fran #3 and #4, respectively, rated before the Super Bowl. Behind Denver AND New England. The East Coast bias is crazy.

I think total defense is a better indicator, since I've seen the top 5 play quite a few times this year and those defenses are much better than number 7-32. Its a case when the stats match the my eye test, so I believe it more than stats alone.

One of those teams put up 48 against Denver and only 16 against KC. We had this discussion quite a few times with AMDZen. Denver and KC had nearly identical schedules, except for the Colts before they met.

Yeah, that was a crazy game (Den vs Dal). Only thing I can say to that is KC was still an unknown when they played Dallas. And, its Dallas, so they find ways to lose. KC ended up being decent though. If it wasnt for injuries they would have throttled Indy. But defensively they dropped off when they started playing teams with winning records. Some of it is injuries, but I think its more strength of schedule.

 

[smackababy]

That playoff game doesn't help that they lost Charles on the first drive IIRC. Granted, their defense really gave up and let Indy come back, but it could have been a lot harder had they had Charles to run the score up.

 

[zinfamous]

That playoff game doesn't help that they lost Charles on the first drive IIRC. Granted, their defense really gave up and let Indy come back, but it could have been a lot harder had they had Charles to run the score up.

they lost what, 3 defensive starters within the first half, as well?

it wasn't just the loss of Charles that boned them in that game.

 

[Childs]

they lost what, 3 defensive starters within the first half, as well?

it wasn't just the loss of Charles that boned them in that game.

They lost the backup running back as well.

 

[smackababy]

they lost what, 3 defensive starters within the first half, as well?

it wasn't just the loss of Charles that boned them in that game.

Yeah. But, they should still see this as a win. That team had a spectacular turn around from the years prior. I think they've shown they can be playoff contenders under the new regime.

 

[BoomerD]

If nothing else, Denver Donkey fans can still say that their team got to play one more game this season than any of the other teams except Seattle...

Win the SuperBowl or lose, both teams still ended up at the winners of their conferences. That's nothing to be ashamed of.

 

[Nintendesert]

speaking of--has anyone checked on AMD? is he okay?

....seppuku.

 

[Nintendesert]

If nothing else, Denver Donkey fans can still say that their team got to play one more game this season than any of the other teams except Seattle...

Win the SuperBowl or lose, both teams still ended up at the winners of their conferences. That's nothing to be ashamed of.

2nd place is just 1st place loser. There's only one champion. All the Donkies did was fall further and further in the draft.

 

[manly]

If nothing else, Denver Donkey fans can still say that their team got to play one more game this season than any of the other teams except Seattle...

Win the SuperBowl or lose, both teams still ended up at the winners of their conferences. That's nothing to be ashamed of.

Call me crazy, but losing the Super Bowl (esp. in lopsided fashion) has to hurt way more than losing 2 weeks earlier. Everyone is playing for the NFL championship, not to be second best. Not to mention history hasn't been kind to SB runner-ups lately. Many have missed the playoffs entirely the following season.

As for Seattle's prospects, their best shot is next season. It's impossible to keep all their young guys a couple years down the road, for no other reason than Russell Wilson is gonna get a monster payday eventually. The only question is how greedy he'll be.

edit: that doesn't preclude fans from taking some measure of pride in a conference championship, including by beating Belichick & Brady.

 

[smackababy]

Call me crazy, but losing the Super Bowl (esp. in lopsided fashion) has to hurt way more than losing 2 weeks earlier. Everyone is playing for the NFL championship, not to be second best. Not to mention history hasn't been kind to SB runner-ups lately. Many have missed the playoffs entirely the following season.

As for Seattle's prospects, their best shot is next season. It's impossible to keep all their young guys a couple years down the road, for no other reason than Russell Wilson is gonna get a monster payday eventually. The only question is how greedy he'll be.

Seattle has got to milk those low rookie contracts now, because that is going to hurt them once they're up. I don't think Wilson will be greedy, but the Players Association won't let him take a small contract.

 

[BoomerD]

Call me crazy, but losing the Super Bowl (esp. in lopsided fashion) has to hurt way more than losing 2 weeks earlier. Everyone is playing for the NFL championship, not to be second best. Not to mention history hasn't been kind to SB runner-ups lately. Many have missed the playoffs entirely the following season.

As for Seattle's prospects, their best shot is next season. It's impossible to keep all their young guys a couple years down the road, for no other reason than Russell Wilson is gonna get a monster payday eventually. The only question is how greedy he'll be.

Well...according to Richard Sherman...the Denver Donkeys are NOT the second best team in football...that would be the 49ers this year...

NEW YORK — Richard Sherman said after the Super Bowl that the San Francisco 49ers — not the Denver Broncos — are the second-best team in the NFL, according to Sports Illustrated’s Peter King on his MMQB blog.

“The NFC Championship was the Super Bowl,” Sherman said in an interview with King hours after the Seahawks crushed the Broncos 43-8. “The 49ers were the second-best team in the NFL.”


http://q13fox.com/2014/02/03/sherma...oncos-are-2nd-best-team-in-nfl/#ixzz2sO0j191Z

 

[Printer Bandit]

i'd love to be a football player and relax for the next 6 months. what a life.

 

[smackababy]

Well...according to Richard Sherman...the Denver Donkeys are NOT the second best team in football...that would be the 49ers this year...

After watching the games, I'd agree. At least, the Niners put up a fight.

 

[manly]

Seattle has got to milk those low rookie contracts now, because that is going to hurt them once they're up. I don't think Wilson will be greedy, but the Players Association won't let him take a small contract.

well it's all relative. Let's use Joe Flacco as an example. I feel he demanded and got top dollar at $20M avg. per season. Arguably even $17M overpays him but that would be my definition of "not so greedy". It's not like any SB winning QB these days can accept just $10M/yr and certainly not one of the caliber of RW (if his first 2 seasons are indicative of the next 2).

Nothing controversial there, the Niners were a popular preseason pick to hoist the trophy this year. And they were a Richard Sherman play away from perhaps doing just that.

 

[JulesMaximus]

If nothing else, Denver Donkey fans can still say that their team got to play one more game this season than any of the other teams except Seattle...

Win the SuperBowl or lose, both teams still ended up at the winners of their conferences. That's nothing to be ashamed of.

:thumbsdown: As a longtime Buffalo Bills fan I can tell you that this is complete horseshit. There is exactly zero point zero consolation in that.

 

[zinfamous]

:thumbsdown: As a longtime Buffalo Bills fan I can tell you that this is complete horseshit. There is exactly zero point zero consolation in that.

also, 18-1 really has to sting a bit, doesn't it?

 

[smackababy]

well it's all relative. Let's use Joe Flacco as an example. I feel he demanded and got top dollar at $20M avg. per season. Arguably even $17M overpays him but that would be my definition of "not so greedy". It's not like any SB winning QB these days can accept just $10M/yr and certainly not one of the caliber of RW (if his first 2 seasons are indicative of the next 2).

Let's be honest Flacco was greedy. He is the highest paid QB in the league and far from the most productive or the best.

If Seattle dominates the next 2 years (let's say the make it to another SB) and the GM went up to Wilson and said "Hey, Rus, if you were to take $5 million a year, we could keep all current players or upgrade and keep the same team OR you can take $15 million a year, and we lose a few of those big impact players" I find it hard to believe he'd go for the $15 million. Sadly, regardless of his choice, the PA will come in and say "No!!!! You can't offer a 'small' contract to a SB winning QB or it sets a precedent and all players are worth less, thus our cut goes down!"

 

[smackababy]

:thumbsdown: As a longtime Buffalo Bills fan I can tell you that this is complete horseshit. There is exactly zero point zero consolation in that.

Well, if they had just lost one it wouldn't have been that bad. I mean, that was a close game in '91 against the Giants.

But, making it to 3 more in a row and being decimated by the NFC East must have been a bit tough though. =(

 

[dainthomas]

Let's be honest Flacco was greedy. He is the highest paid QB in the league and far from the most productive or the best.

If Seattle dominates the next 2 years (let's say the make it to another SB) and the GM went up to Wilson and said "Hey, Rus, if you were to take $5 million a year, we could keep all current players or upgrade and keep the same team OR you can take $15 million a year, and we lose a few of those big impact players" I find it hard to believe he'd go for the $15 million. Sadly, regardless of his choice, the PA will come in and say "No!!!! You can't offer a 'small' contract to a SB winning QB or it sets a precedent and all players are worth less, thus our cut goes down!"

I've said this before. I believe Wilson is an extremely humble, selfless kind of guy. But I can't envision a scenario where he's going to turn down that kind of cash. He's still a human being, and he's a family guy who needs to watch out for their interests too. As short as NFL careers can be, you need to get the cash while you can. I don't particularly blame Flacco either, you need to take what you can get.

 

[Red Storm]

As someone who had no horse in the race, all I wanted was a good game but instead that was quite possibly the most boring Superbowl I've ever seen.

 

[bradley]

The Cleveland Browns were interested in Dan Quinn for a head coaching position post-Super Bowl. I can only imagine the amount of suitors lining up for him now.

So... next season, if a young/hungry Seattle duplicates 2013 (within sniffing distance of the Super Bowl without Dan) I will change my opinion about them being in the perfectly right place and right time to win.

Otherwise, I just rewatched the Super Bowl (and the Conference Championships) no way is Denver THAT bad or Seattle THAT good, no way.

BTW, I also had no horse in the race, just wanted a good game. Worst Super Bowl EVAR.

 

[dainthomas]

Otherwise, I just rewatched the Super Bowl (and the Conference Championships) no way is Denver THAT bad or Seattle THAT good, no way.

BTW, I also had no horse in the race, just wanted a good game. Worst Super Bowl EVAR.

What is that observation based on? Seattle even let off the gas so it's not like they ran up the score.

 

[zinfamous]

Otherwise, I just rewatched the Super Bowl (and the Conference Championships) no way is Denver THAT bad or Seattle THAT good, no way.

BTW, I also had no horse in the race, just wanted a good game. Worst Super Bowl EVAR.

I still can't help compare the regular season schedules of the two teams.

Seattle played SF and Arizona twice this year--these 3 teams were easily top 10 NFL teams this year, with Seattle/SF certainly being top 3, maybe even top 2...depending on who you talk to.

They opened with Carolina on the road, another top 10 team. Thoroughly destroyed NO at home--maybe top 10 at one point, but I would argue NO were too inconsistent as the season went on.

I can't say the same for teams like KC and SD--very good teams at certain points of the season, and especially certain games, but so incredibly inconsistent.

Denver definitely isn't that bad--but I think it just shows that Seattle very well is that good...to do that to a very good Denver team.

 

[smackababy]

I would say Seattle was easily that good. Look at their kick coverage. Even with the ball kicked to the 1, the runner was not even making it to the 15 before contact. That is incredible, and quite a few of those are special teams players. And Holiday isn't exactly a slow guy. Seattle just built their team around large, fast defenders who aren't afraid of contact.

 

[dainthomas]

I would say Seattle was easily that good. Look at their kick coverage. Even with the ball kicked to the 1, the runner was not even making it to the 15 before contact. That is incredible, and quite a few of those are special teams players. And Holiday isn't exactly a slow guy. Seattle just built their team around large, fast defenders who aren't afraid of contact.

One problem I did see with their defenders being so fast is (especially on those short passes) two or three guys are getting to the receiver at the same time, often running into each other.