Thought Experiment: Reset and Replay the Super Bowl

[slam]

After a game with so many fascinating twists and turns, events and adjustments, I wonder what the game would be like if it were re-played but with the knowledge gained from the first go around. Resetting both squads to the original health at the start of the game, so Seahawks get Lane and Avril back, how would the game go?

My take: The health of the Seahawks defense helps a bit, but not that much. The Patriots had five receiving options that were productive all game in the three WR, Gronk and Vereen. They were moving down the field smartly before the goal line INT, and the game plan wouldn't have to shift at all. Blocking Bennett will still be a concern. He'll kill a drive or two. If they were to play with a lead, they could try running Blount more, but I'd expect good ball movement all game with a few chances for turnovers as happened in the game. I'll venture a guess and say that Lane and Avril's presence might blunt a few scoring drives, turn a few TDs into FGs.

For the other side, the Pats won't be taken by surprise by Chris Matthews this time and can start with Malcolm Butler as the nickel, with Arrington on the bench and Logan Ryan left back in Foxborough. I think they'd be totally screwed as Lynch and the read option alone wouldn't be enough to sustain drives the length of the field. It's throw it deep and hope for miracles (again) or else grow a short passing game in a hurry.

If it's a more defensive struggle, I'd think there'd be more punts which I think would favor the Pats, giving Edelman a chance to break one.

All in all, I think a rematch would go a much less exciting 20-10 Pats.

 

[FourierSeries]

Rematch would be 31-17 Pats.

 

[Demosthenes]

The game wouldn't be close. The Seahawks didn't and don't have an answer for Edelman or Vereen running quick, short crosses. Their offense in the first half consisted of throwing jump balls to Matthews. Once Browner shifted over to him, he disappeared. Their offense in the 2nd half consisted of a lucky bounce on a pass that was well defended. Chances of it happening twice are very slim.

 

[AzorianPats]

Truth is, this was the second time in what 3 years that we played Seattle, and both times Brady moved the ball at will on that defense. If you remember that game at Seattle in 2012, Brady left some points on the field 2, difference between that game and the SB, we didn't have a defense to stop them.

I'm having fun trolling Seattle fans, just cuz they're ignorant smucks, and I take pride that we beat them, but that is a great defense. I just think with the scheme they play, it's tailor made for Brady to carve them up. Styles make matchups, and that's a favorable matchup for Brady.

 

[RayClay]

Browner would have covered the tall guy who never caught a pass before, so there goes most of Seattles big plays.

 

[sambam94]

wilson would have run more

 

[SVN]

I watched the game 3-4 times in bits and pieces .I am no film expert but the pats really played their B game. and they still dominated them and the right team won. Seattle's last two minute offense for e.g was mostly lucky and dumb. All of us are asking why lynch didn't run it in or BB didnt call it. But the biggest two stupid calls of the game were IMO, the timeout Seattle took after an incomplete pass broken up by butler which already stopped the clock and then another timeout where they were busy celebrating the kearse catch which ended up with only 1 timeout in the last sequence. Just average clock management and coaching on the 2 min drive. This was a high school jump ball offense which didn't even utilize their QB's running ability.
On hindsight ,wish pats put butler on lockette on the 3rd down instead of ryan. They might not even gotten the 3rd and 10.

 

[Bruins29]

Again, even stupider was the 6 seconds on the clock at the end of the half and the Pats LET them score a touchdown when all the had to do was tackle the receiver. Terrible!!! Gave them 4 point for no reason.

 

[SVN]

Again, even stupider was the 6 seconds on the clock at the end of the half and the Pats LET them score a touchdown when all the had to do was tackle the receiver. Terrible!!! Gave them 4 point for no reason.

As Ed Reed said, pats shouldve just committed a PI before even the ball was caught. I think the pats assumed they were just bluffing and were going to take a TO and kick a FG.

 

[Bruins29]

As Ed Reed said, pats shouldve just committed a PI before even the ball was caught. I think the pats assumed they were just bluffing and were going to take a TO and kick a FG.

The ball in the Air Ryan has to tackle that guy so he cant catch the ball. Whatever they won.

 

[Dr Pain]

The patriots physically beat the Seahawks. The Seahawks were in it because of a few big plays but the Patriots had far and away more consistent and better play

 

[SVN]

God breer hates the pats

Albert Breer @AlbertBreer · 4h4 hours ago
And god, did that Cliff Avril injury loom large in the fourth quarter.


@AlbertBreer Brady w/Avril on field:15-23 passing, 106 yds, 0 TD, 2 INT, 24.8 QBR. No Avril on field:22-27, 214 yds, 4 TD, 0 INT, 97.7 QBR

 

[reflexblue]

After a game with so many fascinating twists and turns, events and adjustments, I wonder what the game would be like if it were re-played but with the knowledge gained from the first go around. Resetting both squads to the original health at the start of the game, so Seahawks get Lane and Avril back, how would the game go?

My take: The health of the Seahawks defense helps a bit, but not that much. The Patriots had five receiving options that were productive all game in the three WR, Gronk and Vereen. They were moving down the field smartly before the goal line INT, and the game plan wouldn't have to shift at all. Blocking Bennett will still be a concern. He'll kill a drive or two. If they were to play with a lead, they could try running Blount more, but I'd expect good ball movement all game with a few chances for turnovers as happened in the game. I'll venture a guess and say that Lane and Avril's presence might blunt a few scoring drives, turn a few TDs into FGs.

For the other side, the Pats won't be taken by surprise by Chris Matthews this time and can start with Malcolm Butler as the nickel, with Arrington on the bench and Logan Ryan left back in Foxborough. I think they'd be totally screwed as Lynch and the read option alone wouldn't be enough to sustain drives the length of the field. It's throw it deep and hope for miracles (again) or else grow a short passing game in a hurry.

If it's a more defensive struggle, I'd think there'd be more punts which I think would favor the Pats, giving Edelman a chance to break one.

All in all, I think a rematch would go a much less exciting 20-10 Pats.

well theres a good chance you'll get to see that next year.