Expect a slow start.

[PatriotsNumero1Fan]

Related question - if NE wins the toss does Bill defer or take the ball? In SB 49 he took the ball and that set the tone for the Pats offense, which was counter to what he normally does.

I am hoping we defer.

 

[luuked]

I don't think making sense of what analytics may mean, is "garbage".

It may just be a coincidence, but it's certainly happened a crapload of times in SB history.

I don't want the theory to hold, thanks very much.

Like I said, there is a reason why a team is settling for a FG in the first place.

This is not analytics. This is at best trivia and at worst garbage.

The reason why a team settles for a FG is because 3 points are better than punting or turning the ball over in a game where possessions might be scarce.

 

[Pats1989]

No to the FG. I believe it's 1 maybe 2, SBs in my lifetime, where the team that scores first with a FG, LOSES.

I was doing cartwheels when Viantieri missed his first FG in SB 38. No joke.

I think what it means is, you aren't good enough to score TDs, so settling for FGs, means you're actually inferior, offensively. And that trend seems to find itself throughout the game, especially considering you've scripted your first drive, so that MIGHT be the best drive of the game.

It's amazing how that stat actually holds up, by the way.

We need a TD for once. 7 points and a nice 3 and out, would be beautiful.

Err....didn't the Rams have a 3-0 lead when Law took it to the house?

 

[Pats1989]

35-0 by halftime.

For Philly. Patriots cut it to 35-32, have the ball at 4th and 3, 1:10 remaining on Eagles 47 yard line. Brady throws a beautiful pass to Dwayne Allan...who drops it in the endzone.

OT here: Patriots have trailed at some point in every SB under BB & Brady. Granted, the Panthers & Eagles leads didn't last long. But just making a point.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

At this point id be shocked if we blew anyone out in a sb. Considering the slow starts and feeling out process, its just not happening. Especially after going into last year expecting the first one, we did actually have firm control of the game early on and about to get an early lead till Blount fumbled and that just started a crazy domino effect. If not for that fumble always wondered if itd look like this years game with Atl and just ran right over them.

Ah well I just think every sb with brady/bb is destined to be close and gut wrenching.

 

[mosi]

I almost feel that Brady is Clark Kent until they go down 10+ points. Then he becomes Superman. It is like he is nervous and tentative to start but once he is down, he knows he has to act and act fast.

 

[Tb12goesinya]

I think Cooks Hogan and Dorsett are going to feel the difference of not being covered by Ramsey and Bouye and will get in a groove early