Is that the most tainted sports championship you've witnessed?

[XLIX]

They spent 2 years and $800,000 preparing the field for this game and it was terrible, that's the NFL.

Like I said, this seems to happen regularly at Super Bowls. I am certainly no grass expert (insert joke here) but I am starting to think they’d be better off if they just left the same grass in that was used all year long in the stadium. Since it was AZ (and next year LV) it’ll have 5 weeks to recover.

 

[crawhammer]

Just kidding on this. It is what it is. Officiating this offseason was uneven and it's obviously disappointing it came down to that call at the end. However, that being said, if Hurts doesn't fumble and they go up 21-7, it's a completely different ball game and honestly, that was definitely the difference in this one, more so than the call.

Hurts was denied an opportunity for a game-tying or game-winning drive on a completely bogus call. I guess I'm not as forgiving as you. And that officiating crew probably should stay away from Philadelphia next season at least.

 

[Ian]

Hurts was denied an opportunity for a game-tying or game-winning drive on a completely bogus call. I guess I'm not as forgiving as you. And that officiating crew probably should stay away from Philadelphia next season at least.

Had he not had a fumble returned for a TD - I'd agree with you. But you can't do that on that stage. Let's be honest, if New England made that mistake in 2018/19 against the Rams, that game could have turned out for us the way it did for the Eagles.

 

[crawhammer]

Had he not had a fumble returned for a TD - I'd agree with you. But you can't do that on that stage. Let's be honest, if New England made that mistake in 2018/19 against the Rams, that game could have turned out for us the way it did for the Eagles.

The fumble was a disaster however Hurts was mostly outstanding in this game. Kept Philly alive as their defense fell to pieces and Reid made them look foolish. Hurts got robbed of an opportunity for a historic finish and an all-time great MVP performance. As far as I'm concerned the refs flushed a great game down the toilet.

 

[Ian]

The fumble was a disaster however Hurts was mostly outstanding in this game. Kept Philly alive as their defense fell to pieces and Reid made them look foolish. Hurts got robbed of an opportunity for a historic finish and an all-time great MVP performance. As far as I'm concerned the refs flushed a great game down the toilet.

True, but he shot himself in the foot with that turnover. You go from potentially being up 21-7 to 14-14. Ended up really being the difference in the game. Could have even been 28-7 (I think they forced a three-and-out after they scored following the turnover) and the rout would have been on because then you force KC to have to pass on every down. It was a back-breaker.

 

[Guts]

The fumble was a disaster however Hurts was mostly outstanding in this game. Kept Philly alive as their defense fell to pieces and Reid made them look foolish. Hurts got robbed of an opportunity for a historic finish and an all-time great MVP performance. As far as I'm concerned the refs flushed a great game down the toilet.

They ruined what would've been a top 3 Superbowl of all time maybe? Now probably just a Top 10 Superbowl because of that call

But the Eagles have nobody to blame but themselves. They didn't get one single stop in the 2nd half.

 

[crawhammer]

They ruined what would've been a top 3 Superbowl of all time maybe? Now probably just a Top 10 Superbowl because of that call

But the Eagles have nobody to blame but themselves. They didn't get one single stop in the 2nd half.

For a moment there I thought you were mocking me.

 

[crawhammer]

True, but he shot himself in the foot with that turnover. You go from potentially being up 21-7 to 14-14. Ended up really being the difference in the game. Could have even been 28-7 (I think they forced a three-and-out after they scored following the turnover) and the rout would have been on because then you force KC to have to pass on every down. It was a back-breaker.

I agree with the turnover being really bad. He was great otherwise. Refs screwed him in the end imo. Who knows if he'll ever get another shot like that.

Brady threw a horrible pick 6 once that put his team in a 0-21 hole. In the end there he turned it around for an all-time great Super Bowl performance. He doesn't complete the comeback (or he's denied the opportunity through poor officiating) and people would be saying the pick 6 was the difference.

 

[upstater1]

They ruined what would've been a top 3 Superbowl of all time maybe? Now probably just a Top 10 Superbowl because of that call

But the Eagles have nobody to blame but themselves. They didn't get one single stop in the 2nd half.

Would it have been a top 3 just because of the score? Because I'd argue both teams made huge mistakes and it was poorly played for a lot of it.

There was brilliance from Mahomes and Hurts, some great coaching from Reid, and it was hard hitting in parts, so that was all very good.

But so many missed tackles, whiffing on Pacheco, WRs left all alone not because of Reid's brilliant designs but because of total CB brainfarts, and of course Hurts' inexplicable ball drop that lead to 7 for KC. Defenses that could not stop the run or the pass. One of the worst defensive displays we'll ever see, rivaling the '17 Super Bowl, but in that case the QBs threw for an ungodly amount of yards. This game was full of breakdowns.

 

[Sam Bam Cunningham]

True, but he shot himself in the foot with that turnover. You go from potentially being up 21-7 to 14-14. Ended up really being the difference in the game. Could have even been 28-7 (I think they forced a three-and-out after they scored following the turnover) and the rout would have been on because then you force KC to have to pass on every down. It was a back-breaker.

A single mistake should never be held against a QB. The Hurts fumble was not a back breaker, it came with plenty of time left. It was the Eagles inability to stop Mahomes in 2nd half that was the back breaker.
If Hurts had gotten another shot, extremely likely he would have tied it up or took it the length of the field for a TD.

Hurts is and was clutch

 

[LightSkinSmurf]

I think the Eagles not getting one single stop prior to that flag had more to do with them losing.

People love to highlight the last play or few plays like everything prior didn't play just as big if not a bigger part in the outcome.

 

[Real fan 02]

Because the AFCCG and the superbowl both had some really shady **** that made their whole playoff run feel like that had a the refs tilting the balance.

I get it, the NFL isn't the most honest and fair entity so I can understand why people feel that way. Especially after the damar incident moving the game to neutral site totally disrespecting other teams.

However no one is surpassing our excellence we displayed through 2 decades.. I don't believe anyone gets more than 6 I'm the modern NFL.. We've caught plenty of breaks through the years.. all championship teams have some good fortune on thier side..

Didn't really matter to much to me who won as I am confident saying no franchise is out doing what we created.

 

[JarOfMayo51]

the superbowl was less sketch than the afccg, that is where the refs were putting in overtime to help the nfl get chiefs in SB

 

[Triumph]

The Eagles defense is overated.

The Chiefs scored on every possession in the 2nd half. KC ran the ball for 6.1 YPC which is nearly what they were passing for @ 6.7 YPP. Nobody WRs were all alone and walked in for TDs. The Eagles offense scored 28 points. That's plenty to win.

The Eagles defense and KC cracking off the longest punt return in SB history did them in. It also boils down to the fact that the Eagles faced subpar QBs all season and in the postseason until Mahomes. All the premiere QBs are in the AFC and the best QB usually wins these big games.

 

[drewskie]

I get it, the NFL isn't the most honest and fair entity so I can understand why people feel that way. Especially after the damar incident moving the game to neutral site totally disrespecting other teams.

However no one is surpassing our excellence we displayed through 2 decades.. I don't believe anyone gets more than 6 I'm the modern NFL.. We've caught plenty of breaks through the years.. all championship teams have some good fortune on thier side..

Didn't really matter to much to me who won as I am confident saying no franchise is out doing what we created.

I wouldn't be so sure. The league has made it clear they will gave KC/Mahomes every opportunity (aided with timely calls late in the AFCC and SB), which we saw first hand in the few NE/KC matchups when Tom was here. It was an uphill battle even in the 2018-19 AFCC (remember the Dorsett TD with clear DPI not called, the Damien Williams wheel route TD that wasnt called for an obvious pick play? Tom got one clear call in his favor he didnt deserve that game which was 1 roughing the passer call). If NE had the same level of calls Mahomes has been getting, we would likely have 10 SB wins by now (the 2 vs NYG including no blatant holding called on O'Hara on the Tyree catch, the 06-07 AFCC vs Peyton, and the Foles SB). Even the 2019 RS matchup vs KC was highlighted by THREE terrible calls ALL in KC's favor (fumble for defensive TD blown dead was one of them).

I have nothing against Mahomes personally. He's humble, respects the game, let's his play do the talking. Plus, he has evolved as not just a home run hitter relying on Hill, but will take what the defense gives him. In the second half vs PHI, Andy Reid drew up some really good calls as expected, and KC actually attacked the main weakness of the PHI defense (stopping the run) while consuming clock. Well played.

For people saying dont let the refs decide it by keeping the game close, news flash. You are making excuses for crooked officiating, period. That said, this wasnt the most tainted sports championship by any measure relatively speaking. Many of Lebron's championships have been of the same variety as KC's (see phantom Curry foul trouble in game 6 2016 nba finals as one example).

 

[Kdo5]

Even the Eagles DB admitted it was a hold and didn’t begrudge the officials for the call.

 

[Real fan 02]

I wouldn't be so sure. The league has made it clear they will gave KC/Mahomes every opportunity (aided with timely calls late in the AFCC and SB), which we saw first hand in the few NE/KC matchups when Tom was here. It was an uphill battle even in the 2018-19 AFCC (remember the Dorsett TD with clear DPI not called, the Damien Williams wheel route TD that wasnt called for an obvious pick play? Tom got one clear call in his favor he didnt deserve that game which was 1 roughing the passer call). If NE had the same level of calls Mahomes has been getting, we would likely have 10 SB wins by now (the 2 vs NYG including no blatant holding called on O'Hara on the Tyree catch, the 06-07 AFCC vs Peyton, and the Foles SB).

I have nothing against Mahomes personally. He's humble, respects the game, let's his play do the talking. Plus, he has evolved as not just a home run hitter relying on Hill, but will take what the defense gives him. In the second half vs PHI, Andy Reid drew up some really good calls as expected, and KC actually attacked the main weakness of the PHI defense (stopping the run) while consuming clock. Well played.

For people saying dont let the refs decide it by keeping the game close, news flash. You are making excuses for crooked officiating, period. That said, this wasnt the most tainted sports championship by any measure relatively speaking. Many of Lebron's championships have been of the same variety as KC's (see phantom Curry foul trouble in game 6 2016 nba finals as one example).

Valid points all around you make!! My question would be in today's nfl would the tyree catch be ruled an actual catch?

I still feel no one organization is going to surpass 6 titles, KC has 2, also I don't feel either one of these QBs Allen, mahomes will have as long careers as GOAT..

 

[drewskie]

For the most part, I thought the officiating was fairly consistent. My observations were:
1) They let the offensive linemen on both sides get away with ticky-tack holding that generally gets called at least a couple of times per game.
2) They also mostly ignored the hands to the face penalties that generally get called several times a game (the one they did call on Suh was so flagrant they had to call it).
3) One thing they chose to ignore as much as possible was defensive linemen lining up in the neutral zone. Even though they got called twice for it, the KC defensive linemen were lined up in the neutral zone multiple times that weren't called. The only way to stop that is to flag them until they stop. This is what happened to the Falcons when they played the Patriots in the SB. They were holding the Patriots receivers virtually every pass play until the officials called three penalties on them on the same drive. This convinced the Falcons they needed to stop doing it.
4) They also chose to ignore the Philly offensive line (mainly the right guard) not being set before the ball was snapped. This happened multiple times and I think this was only called once (the penalty that turned a 4th and 1 to a 4th and 6). As you all know, the next snap was Hurts with the unforced fumble that was returned for a TD.
5) As for the defensive holding at the end of the game, we all probably saw way more contact and grabbing on both teams that weren't called. Why they chose to call the one defensive holding at the end of the game when worse ones happened earlier is still a head-scratcher. The official who called that penalty was the same official who deemed a more blatant defensive holding in the second quarter to not be a penalty. Both the call and non-call happened on the offense's left/defense's right so the official should have been in roughly the same relative position to view it. Why ignore the more blatant defensive hold in the first half and then call what most people (outside of Chiefs fans) would say was rather insignificant in comparison?

It couldnt be more obvious, but if the same team/player keeps getting key timely calls late in the AFCC and then SB, the message is crystal clear - KC is the preferred outcome.

And all NE/Brady haters should be smart enough to see, if the league was really in NE/Brady's back pocket, why go out of your way to smear his image with hatergate, the undefeated season that wasnt due to "missed" penalties on the defining play of the game?

Actions speak louder than words in terms of who the league really caters to AND against.

 

[Real fan 02]

The Eagles defense is overated.

The Chiefs scored on every possession in the 2nd half. KC ran the ball for 6.1 YPC which is nearly what they were passing for @ 6.7 YPP. Nobody WRs were all alone and walked in for TDs. The Eagles offense scored 28 points. That's plenty to win.

The Eagles defense and KC cracking off the longest punt return in SB history did them in. It also boils down to the fact that the Eagles faced subpar QBs all season and in the postseason until Mahomes. All the premiere QBs are in the AFC and the best QB usually wins these big games.

Also Hurts is still growing as a passer.. not to long ago his team wasn't even sure if he was the answer.. a GM makes a stupid move and gives away A.J brown and next thing you know his career takes off! But mahomes Clealy is the best QB and as you stated all the best QBs are in the powerhouse AFC.. imagine the buyers remorse Jerry Jones must have on the DAK contract..

 

[drewskie]

Valid points all around you make!! My question would be in today's nfl would the tyree catch be ruled an actual catch?

I still feel no one organization is going to surpass 6 titles, KC has 2, also I don't feel either one of these QBs Allen, mahomes will have as long careers as GOAT..

People in general bring up the age/longevity angle too much imo. You have guys like Tom and Lebron playing well past what many expected. Modern medicine, training regiments and nutrition along with committed athletes leads to many playing at a high level contrary to those in previous generations. 40 is the new 30 lol.

If Mahomes is really as good as advertised (he is imo), combined with a brilliant offensive master mind in Reid and the refs in their back pockets, they will most certainly be a threat. Personally, I really have no issue with greatness being on display. I just do NOT respect when guys like Mahomes/Lebron consistently get calls to tilt the field/court in their favor. This is the dark side of pro sports - its an entertainment business first and foremost (and a billion dollar industry). Meaning externals factors come into play and nothing in life is ever really "fair".