Finally

[Jangles]

Finally a good forum dedicated to Football.

So what are your guys predictions for the big game. I assume this being a Pats forum we all want them to go 19-0 but what do you think the key points to the game will be.

I think the first time they played the Giants Moss and Brady were just trying to capture those records. I think they would have beat the Giants by plenty more if they would have played more for the win rather then those records.

The Giants have however been playing well in the Postseason so I think it could be a close game.

Thoughts? and please be sensible, dont say the Pats will win just because, why do you think they will win.

 

[edzo44]

1.) Last time the Pats played the Giants they only got real pressure on Brady a couple of times.

2.) Three of our OL starters weren't playing due to injuries, they will be playing this time so it's the full starting unit and they are a damned good offensive line. The run will be better because of it which in turn will help the passing game. You will see balance in their attack.

3.) All the Giants saw the last time was a very vanilla defense. What Eli saw the last time will not remotely resemble what he sees this time. It will be significantly changed. Eli will get confused by what he's seeing, just like his brother, trying to adjust. The confusion will lead to mistakes passing or the defense getting to him while he's trying to find someone open.

4.) Lastly this one's for all the marbles, the Lombardi and a spot in NFL history. The Pats have been here before and they will play for the full 60 minutes. I don't think the Giants are good enough and experienced enough to take it away.

 

[DarrylS]

When BB develops a game plan with a two week layover, and does it for a team that we have played 2x before.. he will know every tendency, weakness and vulnerability of the team.. I expect a pretty sophisticated gameplan particularly on D..Eli will not see what he saw in game #17.. our O line is healthy and we have 3 TE's.. our offense will also pull out all the stops.

I worry to the extent that I should worry about a pretty good team who is on a streak, but our team has too much talent and too well coached to loose.

 

[scott c]

We need to stop the running game or else............

 

[Rawky77]

i think In week 17 Eli had nothing to lose....he plays much better without any pressure....this time there will be plenty of pressure and Eli will stumble....if they could not beat us with three of our starting linemen out and us playing vinilla defense and focusing on the records instead of the score they are in for a huge surprise come Sunday.

Pats win by at least 3 scores.

 

[Jangles]

We need to stop the running game or else............

We did that against Jags pretty well. You are right though.

 

[Menlo]

Troll

 

[Jangles]

what??????

 

[TheBigDawg]

One mistake and we can lose this game. The Giants didn't just squek into the Superbowl. They're a good team with an unbeliveable pass rush. Were gonna be in a fight.

 

[Wildo7]

Troll

hahahaha, pot kettle, kettle pot.

 

[shmessy]

Patriots: 21 players with WINNING SB experience.

Giants: 2 players with LOSING SB experience. Only one with a WINNING SB experience (Grey Ruegamer - - 2001 Patriots).

Since week 9, the Patriots haven't played inside and in any game conditions warmer than 45 degrees.

This will be in a dome.

'Nuf ced.

 

[Jangles]

Thats a bit of information I never paid much attention too. Interesting.

 

[Snake]

Patriots: 21 players with WINNING SB experience.

Giants: 2 players with LOSING SB experience. Only one with a WINNING SB experience (Grey Ruegamer - - 2001 Patriots).

Since week 9, the Patriots haven't played inside and in any game conditions warmer than 45 degrees.

This will be in a dome.

'Nuf ced.

Ruegamer has more experience chewing the nuts off lambs than he does in the Super Bowl.

 

[shmessy]

Correction to my earlier post:

Patriots have 20 players with WINNING SB experience. 1 player with LOSING SB experience (Seau).

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

Correction to my earlier post:

Patriots have 20 players with WINNING SB experience. 1 player with LOSING SB experience (Seau).

I think you were right the first time. By my unscientific count, I count 21 players on the Pats with winning SB experience, 20 with the Patriots and one with the Ravens (AD). He was on the roster for the 2000 Ravens. This doesn't include Seau...

-----------------
Winning experience (20)
Light Koppen Neal Brady Colvin Wilfolk Green Harrison Vrabel Bruschi Gay Samuel Wilson
Faulk Izzo Paxton Hochstein T.Brown, Seymour Warren

A. Thomas (Ravens SBXXXV)

Seau (SD lost)

 

[apricissimus]

Correction to my earlier post:

Patriots have 20 players with WINNING SB experience. 1 player with LOSING SB experience (Seau).

Shouldn't you count Troy Brown, Tedy Bruschi, and (I think) Lonnie Paxton who lost in SB XXXI against Green Bay? (Forgive me if I missed anyone else.)

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

Shouldn't you count Troy Brown, Tedy Bruschi, and (I think) Lonnie Paxton who lost in SB XXXI against Green Bay? (Forgive me if I missed anyone else.)

I think he was referring to those that have winning experience as well as any losing experience. Seau is the only one of the 20 or 21 or 22 to have only lost a Super Bowl and not experienced the thrill of victory....

 

[NEPatriot]

Patriots: 21 players with WINNING SB experience.

Giants: 2 players with LOSING SB experience. Only one with a WINNING SB experience (Grey Ruegamer - - 2001 Patriots).

Since week 9, the Patriots haven't played inside and in any game conditions warmer than 45 degrees.

This will be in a dome.

'Nuf ced.

While experience doesn't hurt, I think it's over rated. At the end of the day we have to play better. Is the dome going to be closed?

 

[shmessy]

While experience doesn't hurt, I think it's over rated. At the end of the day we have to play better. Is the dome going to be closed?

In THIS case experience is not overrated.

The SB is unlike any other game. Comparing any NFL regular season or playoff game to the SB is like comparing Japanese League baseball to MLB. It's a completely different setup. Pregame warmups with 2 hour delays to the game, 45-50 minute halftimes. There are cases galore of first time players losing their steam before the game even begins.

For that reason, I believe that one of the keys for the Pats in 2001 was their previous experience in losing in 1996. So many of those players were on both teams (Otis, Lawyer, Ty Law, Willie Mac, Bruschi, Ted Johnson, Marty Moore, Bledsoe, Troy Brown, Vinatieri, etc.). Brady credited Bledsoe with really hammering home to him what to expect vis-a-vis the difference in gametiming. This is why he took that famous nap before that game. He said he never does that any other time.

 

[mrrhodeisland]

Is the dome going to be closed?

Just checked the forecast here and it says some showers so I would say probably, but time will tell. Its still a week away.

http://www.weather.com/weather/wxdetail/USAZ0166?dayNum=7