Small plays gain magnitude in the Super Bowl

[upstater1]

Duh.

But as I'm watching NFLN replay Super Bowls, I tortured myself with Patriots-Giants 2012.

In the mid 4th quarter, Patriots are up 17-15, and they have the Giants on the ropes, backed up on their own 5 yard line, 3rd and 7. The Giants center jerks his head up then snaps the ball. Ninkovich moves a hair before the ball is snap and the refs call offsides. The play was an incomplete, and Nink's offside was inconsequential. In fact, the Giants ere trotting off the field. It would have been Patriots ball around the 45 or so of the Giants. On 3rd and 2, the Giants convert a short pass. Multiple times this drive, they convert 3rd downs. They eat up clock, take the ball all the way down to the Patriot 37 before they are stopped.

This drive tired out the defense and ate up huge clock and gave the Patriots very poor field position at their 5.

Granted, Brady completes 5 or 6 straight passes to bring his team down to the 45 of the Giants.

And then another subtle play. The Patriots got down there by passing the ball. Bill O'Brien calls a jumbo package, and they run it. Loss of 2 yards. Big play. On 2nd and 12, the famous Welker drop (seeing it again, Collinsworht is right, big drop). But now with the 1st down gaining nothing, Brady is forced to go 15 yards over the middle to Branch. But Branch doesn't settle, he keeps running past the ball and allows the DB trailing him to knock it out.

 

[upstater1]

Holy cow, just noticed.

They rolled 3 seconds off the clock after the whistle blew on the play where Brady spiked the ball after Hernandez got a first down.

Brady spiked with 20 seconds left, and they rolled 3 seconds off the clock. Unreal because the Hail Mary at the end was with 5 seconds. If there were 8 oj the clock, you might try a quick sideline pass to get closer.

 

[Mack Herron]

How about stripping the ball from Nicks inside the red zone for a turnover, then getting called for 12 men on the field? Giants TD.

 

[Archeryaddict12]

It is amazing just how each play matters and how many key mistakes were made in key moments.

 

[DocHoliday]

God that game was absolutely brutal.

I hate you for even reminding me

 

[captain stone]

Late 2nd quarter, during the drive before the half-ending TD drive, 3rd/3 or 4 inside the jints 10,
Edelman/Branch/the Receiver bunched left, the Prisoner tight right, Edelman is left Wide Open
after Branch & the Receiver release, but Brady instead tries to loft a pass over the DL's arms
to the Prisoner, pass is knocked down, Pats settle for FG, 4 extra points flushed down the toilet.

 

[Uncle Rico]

God that game was absolutely brutal.

I hate you for even reminding me

Yup. Agonizing right to the final play.



Time for another drink.

 

[Uncle Rico]

By the way, just checked into NFLN, reshowing SB48. It's halftime now — they're showing the very bizarre Bruno Mars-Chili Peppers pairing — but I hear the first play of the second half is a beauty.

6:04 p.m. Eastern, 2/8

 

[supafly]

What in God's name are you trying to do to me, upstater1?

I get the importance of the smaller plays in the close SB's, but bringing up SB 42 or 46 is just wrong, under ANY circumstance.

I will never revisit either game.

 

[upstater1]

What in God's name are you trying to do to me, upstater1?

I get the importance of the smaller plays in the close SB's, but bringing up SB 42 or 46 is just wrong, under ANY circumstance.

I will never revisit either game.

I watched it again. It's therapy for me at this point. Watching lots of slasher films too... have a family member who is very ill, you have to understand. Saw a James Bond movie with a very funny line about a murder. Good stuff.

 

[1960Pats]

I watched it again. It's therapy for me at this point. Watching lots of slasher films too... have a family member who is very ill, you have to understand. Saw a James Bond movie with a very funny line about a murder. Good stuff.

James Bond: You expect me to talk?
Goldfinger: No Mr Bond, I expect you to die.

 

[upstater1]

James Bond: You expect me to talk?
Goldfinger: No Mr Bond, I expect you to die.

That's what I'm talking about.

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER

Bond throws Peter Franks over a banister.

Tiffany: "Is he dead?"
Bond: "Let's hope so."

 

[BelichicksHoodie]

Maybe it's just me, but I have the hardest time in the world watching replays of games that have already taken place(especially losses.) You guys and your masochistic tendencies :ballchain:

 

[PatriotReign]

Just bringing up that train wreck again makes me want to punch something. Argh!

 

[captain stone]

I still have the last 4 playoff losses taking up space in my DVR. What does that say about me, doctor?

 

[supafly]

It's therapy for me at this point. Watching lots of slasher films too... have a family member who is very ill, you have to understand.

To each his own, my friend. I just witnessed the sudden loss of my father last week, only 18 months after my only younger brother died from a drug overdose, and I couldn't imagine how re-visiting those games could possibly be therapeutic on any level. As a matter of fact, I think I may consider it to be the straw that breaks the camel's back for me.

I'm glad that it's helping you though, and thanks for the slasher film pointer. I seriously may give that a try....although again, I'm not so sure that's going to be putting any good ideas into my head. I'll remember to call you first for bail money.

 

[supafly]

I still have the last 4 playoff losses taking up space in my DVR. What does that say about me, doctor?

Goodness...

I wouldn't even know where to attempt to start with you, Cap'n

While you're not on Joker's level (thankfully, not many are), you're one "wild and crazy guy." Keeping our last 4 losses on your DVR may actually be the craziest thing you've done yet.

 

[Gumby]

I still have the last 4 playoff losses taking up space in my DVR. What does that say about me, doctor?

Any chance you know TB's cable-service technician and can get those loaded up in his machine ....... say around 1 jan next year???


Get him good and motivated.

 

[upstater1]

To each his own, my friend. I just witnessed the sudden loss of my father last week, only 18 months after my only younger brother died from a drug overdose, and I couldn't imagine how re-visiting those games could possibly be therapeutic on any level. As a matter of fact, I think I may consider it to be the straw that breaks the camel's back for me.

I'm glad that it's helping you though, and thanks for the slasher film pointer. I seriously may give that a try....although again, I'm not so sure that's going to be putting any good ideas into my head. I'll remember to call you first for bail money.

My father was put in a hospice this morning. We all do our best to cope. Sorry to hear about yours. Mine was sudden too, and infuriating. A medical care eff-up.

 

[supafly]

My father was put in a hospice this morning. We all do our best to cope. Sorry to hear about yours. Mine was sudden too, and infuriating. A medical care eff-up.

I am terribly sorry to hear that, and will be thinking of you and your family.