Super Bowl – Fansmanship

My Twitter feed says the Seahawks should have run the ball

owenmain — Mon, 02 Feb 2015 03:55:15 +0000

Like everyone else I thought to myself, “why?”

Why did Seattle throw the ball there? With Marshawn Lynch and plenty of time to run two or three more plays, why would you throw the ball?

This was one of the most unanimous responses to anything sports-related on my twitter feed, so I thought I’d share some of it. Just seemed like the right thing to do.

Crazy. Seahawks had that game and then shit themselves. Maybe that pooping celebration was a harbinger.

— Ann Killion (@annkillion) February 2, 2015

Why the hell would you throw the ball there?! Run it!!!

— Rich Kurtzman (@RichKurtzman) February 2, 2015

Why – not – Beastmode?

Time to fire your offensive coordinator…

— Beth Balbierz (@bethbalbierz14) February 2, 2015

Yeah let's not let the greatest red zone running back punch it in.

— Stephan Teodosescu (@steodosescu) February 2, 2015

Why are you not running the ball?

— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) February 2, 2015

Like legitimately the worst play call I've ever seen in any sporting event in my life. #SuperBowlXLIX

— Matt SantaMaria (@MattSantaMaria) February 2, 2015

Entire legacies just turned on that play.

— Jim Rome (@jimrome) February 2, 2015

You deserve to lose if u have the best RB in the game and don't give him the ball

— Mitch Haniger (@M_Hanny19) February 2, 2015

Ned Yost would have bunted.

— D.J. Short (@djshort) February 2, 2015

Worst play call in the history of sports. Pete Carroll face

— Jason Whitlock (@WhitlockJason) February 2, 2015

On my death bed I will wonder why they didn't give it to Marshawn

— Flea (@flea333) February 2, 2015

I for one can not wait for Marshawn Lynch's postgame press conference. #SuperBowlXLIX

— Matt SantaMaria (@MattSantaMaria) February 2, 2015

Lynch was averaging 4.3 yards per carry and had 102 in the game before that pass play

— Pat O'Rourke (@BayAreaBias) February 2, 2015

Text from buddy: "I'm in shock right now. Seattle scores, I win 15k in my box pool."

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 2, 2015

That is the worst play call at the end of a Super Bowl ever. Ever.

— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) February 2, 2015

Who the F made that play call?!?!? Are you kofding me? That was our game to win and we just blew it.

— Ashley Ryan (@AshleyLolaRyan) February 2, 2015

Worst Play Call, greatest ending EVER! …unreal #SB49

— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) February 2, 2015

YOU GOT MARSHAWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE JUST RUN IT!!!!

— Qadry Ismail (@QadryIsmail) February 2, 2015

Yes. Worst play call ever. But give rookie Malcolm Butler credit for a brilliant play.

— Jim Rome (@jimrome) February 2, 2015

Greatest Super Bowl finish EVER.

— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) February 2, 2015

Worse call in NFL History. Pete Carroll will never recover from this. Give the damn ball to MarShawn Lynch. Horrible! Horrible! Horrible!

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) February 2, 2015

Grady Little has company.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) February 2, 2015

Hmm I bet Lynch has something to talk about now!

— ryan nece (@ryannece) February 2, 2015

That was the worst play call I've seen in the history of football.

Why throw the ball from the two? #QuestionThatWillHauntPeteCarolForever

— Les Lukach (@LesLukach) February 2, 2015

SEATTLE BRAIN-FART.. ON PATS ONE…. GOT TIME.. BEAST-MODE.. RAJIN… YA THREW A LOOK-IN PASS? WORST CALL ON FOOTBALL HISTORY..

— VIC THE BRICK JACOBS (@vicfeelingyou) February 2, 2015

Why the hell would you throw the ball there?! Run it!!!

— Rich Kurtzman (@RichKurtzman) February 2, 2015

Levines’ NFL Team Rankings

Matt Levine — Fri, 05 Sep 2014 16:16:59 +0000

Rankings, rankings, rankings. Everyone always wants to talk about rankings and for good measure as rankings normally give us a good depiction on which teams are better and who has more upside. People trust rankings and because of this rankings have become so popular especially in the NFL. Here are my team rankings for the season and some predictions for the awards that will be given out at the end of the year:

Will Russell Wilson lead the Seahawks back to the Super Bowl in 2015? Or will another team dethrone them? By andrewtat94, via Wikimedia Commons

1. Seattle Seahawks: Until they are dethroned they are the champs and still are the best team in the NFL.

2. New Orleans Saints: This is one of the only teams I see giving the Seahawks a scare in the NFC

3. New England Patriots: Their offseason additions put them slightly over the Broncos for now in my book

4. Denver Broncos: Peyton Manning will be Peyton Manning, but will it be enough to reach the Super Bowl again?

5. Green Bay Packers: A healthy Aaron Rodgers? Sign me up!

6. Indianapolis Colts: The growth of Andrew Luck shows again and playing in the weakest division will help the Colts, who are on the move into contention.

7. San Francisco 49ers: Their defense took a shot with the suspension of Aldon Smith but they will rebound like they always do.

8. Cincinnati Bengals: Potentially scary offense and a top-three defense that gets back Geno Atkins and Leon Hall. It’s not too bad to be a Cincy fan these days.

9. Philadelphia Eagles: Not 100 percent sold on Foles but I expect them to repeat in the NFC East

10. Baltimore Ravens: Missing the playoffs should give Flacco and company motivation to reach them again so I’m not betting against them

11. Chicago Bears: Lets see if Jay Cutler can really have an MVP-type season. If he does, the Bears can go far.

12. Kansas City Chiefs: Alex Smith has his money, but will he do enough as the quarterback to lead this defensive oriented teams.

13. San Diego Chargers: Phillip Rivers had a career year last season and if he builds on that then the Chargers could make the playoffs again.

14. Arizona Cardinals: This team is good, I mean really good. Carson Palmer is the X-factor here. This team could be top-ten or bottom-five, but will probably end-up somewhere in the middle.

15. Atlanta Falcons: A healthy Roddy White, Julio Jones and others can help the Falcons get back to the playoffs.

16. Carolina Panthers: A sexy pick last season lost many key pieces during the offseason without replacing them well.

17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Lovie Smith was a great hire, plus the additions on defense may help the Bucs be relevant again.

18. Pittsburgh Steelers: They could prove me wrong but I don’t see them team making the playoffs, they are just getting too old and worn-down.

19. New York Jets: Geno Smith will have to show that he really can play in the NFL, otherwise we may see Michael Vick take the field as the starter.

20. Detroit Lions: I really like this Lions team, but Matthew Stafford throws way too many interceptions for me to rely on him as a quarterback to take a team to the playoffs.

21. Miami Dolphins: Again, I like this team and they could make the playoffs but let’s see how Ryan Tannehill does first.

22. New York Giants: They played well toward the end of last season. Maybe that will carry over into this year for Eli Manning and the Giants?

23. Minnesota Vikings: This team could surprise people with their playmakers on offense and having Mike Zimmer as the coach could help the defense

24. St. Louis Rams: Before the Sam Bradford injury, I liked this team but with Shaun Hill running things… not so much.

25. Washington Redskins: RGIII needs to be the RGIII from his rookie season if the Redskins want to do anything this season.

26. Tennessee Titans: A good young team but not enough weapons to actually compete yet.

27. Dallas Cowboys: It’s strange to see the Cowboys so low, but they were god-awful on defense last season and have only gotten worse during the off-season.

28. Cleveland Browns: Good additions to the defense, but without Josh Gordon on offense who do they have to throw too?

29. Oakland Raiders: If Derek Carr plays well, things could get interesting for the Raiders this season. He’s still a rookie, though.

30. Jacksonville Jaguars: I am hopeful that the Jags start Blake Bortles sometime in the first few weeks to at least give the fans something to cheer about this year

31. Buffalo Bills: Losing Kiko Alonso hurts the Bills defense a lot plus I am not sold on EJ Manuel, whatsoever.

32. Houston Texans: Their defense will scare some teams and may help win games but their offense will stink yet again this season. The Texans become bottom-feeders.

Postseason Awards

NFL MVP: Packers, Aaron Rodgers

Offensive Rookie of the Year: Panthers, Kelvin Benjamin

Defensive Rookie of the Year: Ravens LB, CJ Mosley

Offensive Player of the Year: Seahawks, Russell Wilson

Defensive Player of the Year: Texans, JJ Watt

Coach of the Year: New Orleans Saints, Sean Payton

Comeback Player of the Year: Falcons WR, Julio Jones

Levine’s 2014-2015 NFC Preview

Matt Levine — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 18:51:42 +0000

While the AFC conference in the NFL has been flashier and higher powered with the likes of Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, etc. running the show, the NFC has quietly taken its place as the dominant conference in the NFL. The reining Super Bowl champs hail from the NFC, and after the beat-down the favorite Broncos took from the Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVII, the NFC will look to continue being an underdog powerhouse going into the 2014-2015 NFL season. Here is a breakdown of all 16 NFC teams and how the standing will look like when the season is all said and done:

Will Dree Brees lead the Saints to a trip back to the White House in 2015?

NFC West:

Seattle Seahawks: The only thing the Seahawks have to worry about in the 2014-2015 season is not having a Super Bowl hangover as most teams do after winning it all. Look for the Seahawks to be right back where they were last season, atop the NFC West and looking to be the first team to repeat since the Patriots back in 2005.

Record: 11-5, winning tie-breaker for division title

San Francisco 49ers: One of the most talked-about teams in sports, especially after the huge contract that was given to quarterback, Colin Kaepernick. The 49ers are one of the deeper teams in the NFL and given the way they have played the last few seasons, I look for this to finally be the year the team breaks through and plays to its capability for a full season. The loss to the Seahawks in the NFC title game should motivate them and having Navarro Bowman back should add a spark to the boys from the bay.

Record: 11-5

Arizona Cardinals: One of the more surprising teams from last season, the Cardinals won 10 games and even so, missed the playoffs. Signing veterans Antonio Cromartie and Ted Ginn Jr should add some firepower to this team and they will look to build on a strong season but it will all depend on quarterback, Carson Palmer. Throughout his career he has been very Jekyll and Hyde with his year-by-year performances. Because Palmer can’t be relied-upon, I believe the Cardinals will take a step back this season.

Record: 8-8

St. Louis Rams: The Rams are one of the most underrated teams in the NFL — especially on the defensive side of the ball. They pose a tremendous threat at almost every defensive position and will make it hard for teams to score. The one question I have about the Rams is whether or not Sam Bradford can finally step up and be the leader that when he was drafted first overall, everyone thought he could be. Running back, Zac Stacy, quietly became one of the better backs in football, so look for the Rams to improve on their 7-9 record from last season in a division where no teams finish under .500.

Record: 8-8

NFC East:

Philadelphia Eagles: Coming into the 2013-2014 season, people expected Chip Kelly and the Eagles to excel but maybe not at the pace that they did. Nick Foles took over the reigns at quarterback and led the Eagles to the playoffs. The Eagles are a very good team and will be back to the playoffs again in 2014-2015, looking to make an even longer playoff run.

Record: 11-5, division winner

New York Giants: After going 0-6 to start the season, the Giants stumbled back and finished with a respectable 7-9 record. It seems as if every season, the Giants either win the Super Bowl or miss the playoffs and everyone freaks out. That being said, the Giants won’t be making the playoffs this season again but will play better than they did last season.

Record: 8-8

Washington Redskins: RGIII, RGIII, RGIII. Finally, the Redskins got rid of Mike Shanahan, a move that is loved by many fans. Now maybe the team and the owner will change the name but that’s a story for a different time. Adding DeSean Jackson will make the Redskins’ offense more explosive and having an assumed healthy RGIII will solidify the team but the defense is still bad. That isn’t going to change so the Redskins will still be searching for answers, this time with new coach Jay Gruden who I’m not completely sold on as an NFL coach.

Record: 6-10

Dallas Cowboys: Tony Romo. Jerry Jones. No defense? Need I say more?

Record: 5-11

NFC North:

Green Bay Packers: After an injury-riddled season for Aaron Rodgers, the Packers were still able to make the playoffs and almost beat the 49ers. Adding a fully-healthy Rodgers back into the fold, look for the Packers to be back at full strength and win the division yet again.

Record: 10-6, division winner

Chicago Bears: After missing the playoffs again, the Bears went out and tried to fix their defensive problems. They added veteran Jared Allen from the rival Vikings, which should spark the defense and give them a leader again. On the offensive side of the ball, Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery and Matt Forte should be enough to carry them. As long as this team stays healthy and plays to the level they should be able to play at they should once again reach the postseason, but only barely.

Record: 9-7

Detroit Lions: The Lions do have Calvin Johnson who has basically become an unstoppable force, but that’s not enough. Matthew Stafford keeps throwing interceptions and although the Lions defense on paper looks good, they actually aren’t as good as advertised. The Lions will probably start hot again and fizzle out like they do almost every season.

Record: 8-8

Minnesota Vikings: The is the one team with a new first time head coach that I am excited about. Mike Zimmer is a genius and will get his players to perform at levels they never thought possible. Even with Zimmer’s leadership, the Vikings will be at the bottom of the standings again. Adrian Peterson isn’t enough and I didn’t like the pickup of Teddy Bridgewater, but I hope he proves me wrong. The future is bright in Minnesota, just not this upcoming season.

Record: 5-11

NFC South:

New Orleans Saints: Ahh the Saints. They are the team who almost went into Seattle and beat the Seahawks in the playoffs and if fate had changed, the Broncos might be the champs. The Saints are going to be the Saints — very good at home and pretty good on the road. Until Drew Brees declines or retires, the Saints will contend.

Record: 12-4, division winner

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: It might be a surprise to some people but I like the Bucs in 2014. I love the signing of Lovie Smith as coach. Smith was fired unfairly in Chicago and has another chance now in Tampa. I also loved the drafting of Mike Evans to pair with Vincent Jackson to make for the tallest wide receiver duo in the NFL. Adding Michael Johnson and Alterraun Verner on defense creates potential for a great defense. Quarterback, Josh McCown, will look to continue his surge from Chicago and transfer it over to Tampa.

Record: 9-7

Carolina Panthers: After winning the division last season, the Panthers are poised to gain from their success but much like the Cardinals, I am not fully-sold on them. Don’t get me wrong, I was on the Carolina train last season but that was until they lost all their receivers and didn’t do much to replace them. They added Jerrico Cotchery from the Steelers and drafted Kelvin Benjamin from Florida State but will that be enough for Cam Newton. The defense is still strong but it remains to be seen if they were a one-year wonder. It happens all the time in the NFL.

Record: 8-8

Atlanta Falcons: A Super Bowl favorite prior to last season, the Falcons completely collapsed last year. Injuries and lack of experience on defense led to this so the Falcons will look to regain some of that winning form. A Super Bowl isn’t for them this season but they might have a shot at the playoffs might be if they can stay healthy.

Record: 7-9

Playoff Standings:

New Orleans Saints
Seattle Seahawks
Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers
San Francisco 49ers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers/Chicago Bears (week 12 meeting will determine this)

In contention: Carolina Panthers, Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, and Detroit Lions

Even More Pressure On The Broncos

Matt Levine — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 21:57:06 +0000

After going 13-3 and basically steamrolling through the AFC on the way to the Super Bowl, the Broncos were in for a rude awaking in the biggest game of the year. Not only did they lose to the Seahawks but they got manhandled in every aspect of the sport. They were beat up at the line of scrimmage and were just flat-out beaten down all over the field. It was a very bitter end to a very strong season for the Broncos organization and their fans. Any knowledgeable fan or executive of the NFL knows that Peyton Manning’s his Hall of Fame career is coming to an end soon. Like last season, the time is now to try and win another Super Bowl and the Broncos seem to be willing to do whatever it takes.

Time is running out for Peyton Manning to add another Super Bowl title to his legendary career. By Jeffrey Beall [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

As the 2014 offseason began, nobody expected the Broncos to make major moves as they were considered the best team all season long.

Boy, we were all wrong.

First they signed ex-New England Patriot Aqib Talib, stealing him away from the rival Patriots and adding to a secondary that was questionable in 2013. Next up was Cleveland Browns safety T.J Ward who, despite playing for the lowly Browns, put up very consistent numbers.

Replacing wideout Eric Decker (who left Denver for the Jets), the Broncos signed Emmanuel Sanders, who will add to an already explosive offensive attack. Finally and in my opinion the biggest splash the Broncos made was signing defensive end, DeMarcus Ware after the Cowboys cut him. Ware may not be the player that he once was because of injuries, but he is still a defensive force and having him and Von Miller lining up next to each other should put fear into opposing offenses.

The Broncos were criticized heavily for their average defense in 2013. With all the moves they’ve made, they might have built a defense that is just as scary if not scarier than their offense. People thought that the Eagles built a “super team” a few seasons ago but they were wrong; the Broncos have built a “super team.”

With time running out for Manning, the Broncos’ front office knew that they needed to make moves that would win Number 18 a title now. The moves they have made this offseason sure look as if the Broncos are seriously going for it all. If you thought last season was a let-down for the Broncos, imagine if the same result happens. Anything short of a Super Bowl victory for the Broncos will be considered a complete failure. I’m sure it’s right where Peyton wants to be.

Old Fashioned Football Strikes Again

Matt Levine — Fri, 07 Feb 2014 03:52:22 +0000

As many of us found out yet again in Super Bowl XLVIII, defense wins championships. Far too often, fans and analysts of the NFL forget about the defensive side of the ball and solely put their focus on flashy offense. As a viewer I understand why, but let’s not forget about the old fashioned style of football that the great game once was known for. I’ve heard people call this past Super Bowl a “boring” one. Yes it was a blowout and wasn’t as intense as previous games but it was a complete and utter show of domination by the Seahawks. To me, dominating play is anything but boring.

Seattle and its Legion Of Boom are the Super Bowl Champions, and rightfully so after their domination of the Broncos. By Mike Morris, via Wikimedia Commons

I enjoyed watching each and every minute of that game. How often are you able to watch a championship game and see a team look so overpowering and dominant? After watching the game, I wondered how the Broncos even made it to the title game, even though I knew they were the best offense in the league.

Seattle showed why they were the best team all season long and they deserved their Super Bowl victory. People doubted them all year because of their “mediocre” offense and their supposed inability to win away from Seattle. They lost only two games away from Seattle this season, both being in the final seconds of the game (at Indianapolis and at San Francisco) so I don’t understand where this myth comes from about them not being able to win on the road.

Lets also not forget who they beat en route to the title — Drew Brees, Colin Kaepernick and Peyton Manning. They held all three teams under 20 points and I would say that is a pretty impressive feat to accomplish.

But until they pulled off what might go down as the most dominant performance in a Super Bowl in history, the numbers didn’t speak that loudly. People wondered what would happen against one of the best quarterbacks of our generation playing his best football.

What their defense was able to do against Denver is incredible. The Legion of Boom and the rest of the Seahawks are now the champions and will be until someone else dethrones them next season. That might be easier said than done though, as the Seahawks are a very young, talented and now experienced team that could be on the verge of a potential dynasty if they make all the right moves as they have done in the past. Defense, not offense wins championships, and the Seahawks reminded everyone of that once again.

Richard Sherman and his awesome antics

Matt Levine — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 00:04:37 +0000

Richard Sherman. Over the last few days, Sherman’s name has been all over the headlines in the sports world and for good reason after the Seahawks ousted the defending NFC champion San Francisco 49ers to advance to their first Super Bowl since 2005.

On the last play of the game, 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick decided to test Sherman, the best cornerback in the NFL, by throwing a pass towards the end zone trying to find Michael Crabtree for what would have been the go ahead touchdown with under 30 seconds left. It was the first time all game that Kaepernick decided to throw towards the all pro cornerback and I bet Colin is regretting it now.

Richard Sherman is stirring up the headlines after the NFC Championship game. By Jeffrey Beall (Own work), via Wikimedia Commons

The ball was tipped away from Crabtree by Sherman and was intercepted by Malcom Smith, ultimately sealing the NFC crown for Seattle. Following the play, Sherman, who is known for his extensive trash-talking, patted Crabtree on his rear and it looked as he held his hand out to say “good game.” Crabtree shoved Sherman in the face, causing a pointless penalty since the game was mathematically over. Everyone knows that the Seahawks and 49ers don’t like each other, but in the seconds following the game, the hated rivalry became even more heated.

Everybody knows that Sherman is a fiery competitor but nobody expected that kind of a post game interview. In the days following the game, people have had mixed feelings towards Sherman’s interview. Some have called him a thug and some have praised him for him emotion and love of the game. Sherman even wrote about it himself.

After I watched the interview live, my initial reaction was strictly wow. I couldn’t believe what I had heard, I couldn’t believe that he called Crabtree a “sorry receiver,” yet I loved every minute of it. I rewound the interview many times to make sure I heard it all correctly and never for a second did I not enjoy it. I’ve had a few days to think it all over and my thoughts are the same as they were when everything happened live. Good for Sherman. Too many times in sports nowadays players get scrutinized for simply being passionate and showing emotion. What is so wrong with a player showing emotion after a huge play or win as long as it doesn’t physically hurt someone or isn’t so inappropriate that it offends people everywhere? We forget that the players we all love to watch and admire are still human and they are just like us just with gifted athletic abilities.

I love everything about what Sherman did and said and for the people who have a problem with it then those are the ones who shouldn’t be watching sports. Sports leagues, especially the NFL, need more players like Sherman who aren’t afraid to speak their minds and show emotion. The rivalry between the Seahawks and 49ers has become the most heated in the NFL and after the NFC Championship game, it looks as if it will stay that way for a long time.

Now, let’s wait and see if Sherman calls Peyton Manning a “sorry quarterback” after the Super Bowl. That, I think, would be a little bigger story.

Top 5 Moments of the 2013 Sports Year

Matt Levine — Tue, 31 Dec 2013 17:50:15 +0000

Without the greatest sports moment of 2013, the San Antonio Spurs would have been having a parade instead of the Heat. By Michael Kain, via Wikimedia Commons

Can you believe that it is almost 2014? It seems like just yesterday 2013 started and we were looking forward to another great sports year and it lived up to the hype indeed. There were many great sports moments and memories this season but only five can make my list. Here for my Top 5 Moments of the 2013 Sports Year:

5. October 13, 2013. Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts. 2013 ALCS Game 2

Heading into the bottom of the eighth inning, it looked as the Detroit Tigers would come into Fenway Park and take the first two games of the ALCS, heavily swaying the series in their favor heading back into Detroit. But David Ortiz had other ideas. Trailing 5-1 with two outs left, David Ortiz stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded to face Tigers closer Joaquin Benoit. Nothing had gone the Red Sox’s way on this night but with one pitch, one moment, that would change. Ortiz rocketed a pitch over the outstretched arm of Torii Hunter over the wall in right field to tie the game up. In that, “moment” I knew that this was the Red Sox’s year. Fenway was rocking and all the momentum swayed back to Boston. It was an “I don’t believe what I just saw” type of moment and makes it way onto my list at #5.

4. June 24th 2013. TD Bank Garden. Boston, Massachusetts. 2013 Stanley Cup Finals Game 6

Trailing 2-1 in the game with under two minutes to play it seemed that the Blackhawks would be forced back to Chicago for a series deciding game 7. But the miraculous happened, with 1:16 left to play the Blackhawks tied the game up at 2, stunning the crowd in Boston. The game looked like it would go to overtime yet again, only to have the Blackhawks score another goal only 17 seconds later. Watching this game live, I didn’t believe what I had witnessed. Down by one not even a minute ago, the Blackhawks were up by one with under a minute to play. After the game winning goal went into the net, I knew it was over. The Bruins were shocked to a level that was unseen before and the Blackhawks would finish up that final minute and claim another Stanley Cup trophy for the city of Chicago.

3. November 30, 2013. Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Alabama. 2013 Iron Bowl

One of the most incredible sports moments in history only makes it as #3 on my list because it wasn’t for a championship but it was still such an amazing and shocking play that it makes the list nonetheless. Coming into the Iron Bowl both Auburn and Alabama still had a chance to make the BCS Title Game and the winner would more than likely make it there. Trailing by a touchdown late in the fourth quarter, Auburn tied the game at 28. Alabama then drove the ball down the field only to set up what would be the game winning field goal. The field goal went wide right and was improbably returned for a touchdown by Chris Davis to win the game and stun the college football world. An incredible play, incredible moment and hopefully won’t be for nothing as long as Auburn can claim another National Championship.

2. February 3, 2013, Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA. Super Bowl XLVII

The blackout game. Leading 28-6, the Ravens seemed as if they were running away with the Super Bowl title until a mysterious blackout happened and swayed the entire game in favor of the 49ers. In what was legendary linebacker Ray Lewis’s final career game, it was only fitting that the game would end on a defensive stand, something the Ravens have been known for in their history. San Francisco made it interesting, driving the ball down to the goal line only to be stopped four times in a row leading to a Ravens victory. In one of the more memorable Super Bowls in recent memory and it goes on my list as the #2 sports moment in 2013.

1. June 18, 2013. American Airlines Arena, Miami, Florida. NBA Finals Game 6

In what might be the greatest NBA Finals game in history, it not only defined the series but the legacy of LeBron James. One rebound, one boxout and the San Antonio Spurs would have been the world champions but Chris Bosh and Ray Allen saved the Miami Heat’s season and the legacy of the “Chosen One”. The Heat were trailing most of the game and it seemed as if they would not repeat as champions. Even their fans believed they would lose as many of them left the stadium early only to attempt to return as the Heat made something of the game. Down by three, Lebron missed what would have been the tying three pointer only to have Chris Bosh snag the ball out of the air and throw it back in the corner to the best three point shooter in NBA history in Ray Allen. Of course Allen was going to make the tying three, of course he was and he did. Sending the Spurs into disbelief, something we had never seem before from San Antonio. The Heat would go on to win the game in overtime and then eventually win game 7 to claim their re-peat. If that Ray Allen three doesn’t fall, LeBron falls to 1-3 in the NBA Finals and we all look at him differently. But what a game. What a series.

New England Patriots; not as dominant as we think?

Matt Levine — Thu, 08 Aug 2013 04:59:52 +0000

The New England Patriots…when you hear those words what do you think of?

Champions

Success.

Classy.

This has been the standard for the Patriots, but lately I have begun to question those words describing this organization.

Since 2000 the Patriots have won three Super Bowl titles all coming with future Hall-of-Famer Tom Brady at the helm, which is the most titles in the NFL in those 13 years. Led by Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick, the Patriots have been one of the most successful and highly praised sport teams in recent memory. Why is it that year in and year out, we as NFL fans praise the Patriots as an unshakable force to be reckoned with?

Will 2013 be the year that Tom Brady and the Patriots break the 8 year title drought? By Keith Allison (originally posted to Flickr as Tom Brady) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

While the Patriots have won three Super Bowl titles within the last 13 years, they all came early in the 2000’s. While they have lost two since their last Super Bowl victory, many people seem to forget that it has been nearly eight years since the Patriots last won a Super Bowl.

Here is a look at each of the Patriots seasons since their last title:

2005: [10-6], lost in Divisional Playoffs (Broncos)

2006: [12-4], lost in Conference Championship game (Colts)

2007: [16-0], lost in the Super Bowl (Giants)

2008: [11-5], missed playoffs

2009: [10-6], lost in Wild Card Playoffs (Ravens)

2010: [14-2], lost in Divisional Playoffs (Jets)

2011: [13-3], lost in the Super Bowl (Giants)

2012: [12-4], lost in Conference Championship game (Ravens)

While the Patriots have accomplished so much regular season success since their last Super Bowl title, they have failed to bring back the Lombardi trophy for a fourth time. Past success is important as it provides something for you to look back on and learn from but nowadays national sports fans are more focused on “what have you done for me lately.” I look at the Patriots as consistent contenders as they have been lucky enough to be a consistent playoff team year in and year out but like the Lakers and Yankees, to name a few, the Patriots organization has the mentality of championship or bust. Anything else is a disappointment and by this measure, New England has been a disappointing team for the second half of Tom Brady’s illustrious career.

What do you think? Have they been a bust? Do they have a prayer of making noise again this year with all their injuries and distractions?

Smith benching sealed 49ers’ fate

Matt Levine — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 16:46:29 +0000

Alex Smith’s benching sealed San Francisco’s fate. By John Martinez Pavliga (originally posted to Flickr as IMG_7552), via Wikimedia Commons

As the 2011 San Francisco 49ers walked off the field of Candlestick Park after losing a close NFC championship game to the eventual champion New York Giants, you could tell that although they had lost, this team had a demeanor about it. It seemed clear that they would be contenders for a long time. They had something to prove and it prove it they did by going into Lambeau Field in week-one and beating the Packers. During their first eight games, the 49ers went 6-2 under quarterback Alex Smith, including Smith going 18-19 while throwing for 232 yards and three touchdowns on a Monday night game against the Arizona Cardinals. Everything seemed to be going well for the 49ers, until during their bye week when they got the news that Alex Smith had suffered a concussion. They opted to sit Smith for the week 10 matchup against the St. Louis Rams and start second year quarterback Colin Kaepernick. The 49ers and the Rams tied the game and questions began to surface whether or not Smith would return as the starting quarterback.

Kaepernick gave the 49ers a dual threat and skill-set that Smith did not have. Coach Jim Harbaugh liked this option very much and named Kaepernick the starter for the remainder of the season. Kaepernick thrived as the starting quarterback and had the 49ers a favorite to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

This decision must have left Smith wondering his value to the team and many wondered if he would accept his new role as a backup. Smith, being the team player that he is, took the new role with grace and watched Kaepernick take his team all the way to the Super Bowl. Under Kapernick, including the playoffs, the 49ers had a record of 7-3-1 and under Alex Smith the 49ers went 6-2.

I never agreed with coach Harbaugh’s decision to bench Smith for Kaepernick, but I guess that’s why I’m not coaching in the NFL. I always felt like it was completely unfair for Alex Smith. The guy led the team to the NFC championship game and if not for a few dumb fumbles, the 49ers would have made the Super Bowl. With Alex Smith. Not to mention, he was 6-2 in the first eight games with 13 touchdowns and only five interceptions. It was a risky move by Harbaugh, one that did pan out as the 49ers did reach the Super Bowl only to come up short.

How ironic is it that the drive that could have sealed the 49ers Super Bowl dreams, came down to a few red-zone plays where Kaepernick just needed to make a good throw? The whole game he was missing key throws that could have changed the game, for instance, his interception. He could have easily dumped it off to his running back who was wide open rather than throw the ball down the field, very high over Randy Moss’s head into the arms of Ed Reed. The 49ers’ performance was lackluster in the first half and I believe without the very odd power outage, the Ravens would have destroyed them at the end of the game just like they did in the first half, but props to the 49ers for making a comeback and the game interesting. Kaepernick and the 49ers had an incredible year and will probably win a Super Bowl in the next few years. But I think the 49ers were destined to lose this season from the moment Alex Smith was replaced as the starter. Karma bites, and the 49ers found that out the hard way.

It’s That Time of Year Again

Andrew Stevens — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 01:18:07 +0000

With the Super Bowl right around the corner, the time of year has returned once again. This particular pocket on the calendar serves as the preparation point that will give way to the onslaught of sport for the year to come.

As we speak, New Orleans is being blitzed and invaded by 49ers fans and Ravens fans alike, not to mention the straight-up football fans and “party fans” that are piling in. It is Bourbon Street, after all.

Even the First Super Bowl Party gets a little loose! By White House (Pete Souza) / Maison Blanche (Pete Souza) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Not only does this time of year deliver the penultimate party, but the world series of degenerate sports gambling rears its ugly head near center stage once again. Someone who has never placed a bet in their lives will be throwing down a bill of low denomination in the hopes Beyonce will expose a full booty cheek during the halftime show.

We know the pageantry and performance of the big game won’t disappoint. The annual pinnacle of American sport never lets us down, and even if the scoreboard is lopsided, one of your friends at the party seems to always end up that way as well, making the whole Super Bowl party experience a let-down-free zone.

Pushing all the rif-raf to the peanut gallery, the 49ers open, and will most likely remain, favorites – and with good reason. Colin Kaepernick is a dynamic force that is currently surfing the wave that most young phenoms always seem to – “they don’t even know where they are right now.”

The combination of Colin Kaepernick riding the whitewash of momentum, coupled with his elite, dual-threat ability coming of age right before our eyes, makes the 49ers an extremely dangerous favorite. The 49ers could win by a slim margin or a big margin. This is something you can’t necessarily say about the Ravens.

If the Ravens get over, it will be a ‘Rice, Rice, Flacco to Boldin or Pitta 3rd down conversion’ type of game. The deep bomb to Torrey Smith is something I don’t really see the defense of the 49ers allowing, given the prowlace their two all-pro safeties. At the same time, I would also be foolish if I didn’t consider the magic a retiring Ray Lewis and his defense seem to have going. Underdogs can still overachieve.

Analysis of the game aside, the unbridled fun of the Super Bowl also serves as a recognizable signaling of the year to come in all other arenas of sport.

The NBA all-star game is on the horizon, and unfortunately for most fans, the taste of purple and gold is impossible to remove from the palate of NBA water-cooler talk everywhere.

Dwight Howard throw-downs have been few and far between so far this season. By Fido (Flickr: Bucks @ Lakers) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Kobe Bryant looks old and tired. Steve Nash looks handcuffed. Dwight Howard looks stripped of the ball as well as any sense of confidence. Pau Gasol looks alienated. Metta World Peace looks the best of the five. What does it all equal? Mike D’Antoni looking fired the second the season ends.

I know everyone is exhausted with the revolving Laker discussion, but the reason the Lakers continue to hoard the headlines is a reason you rarely equate with this franchise – their ineptitude.

Give me an “A” or give me an “F,” right? Unfortunately, “F” sells in a huge way, and sadly, sells even more than “A” does – but you can’t blame the Lakers for all the attention they are recieving. Another main reason the Lakers are hogging print and air waves is because nothing around the rest of the NBA is making waves.

The Heat are dominating in their defense of the title. The Celtics, Knicks and Rose-less Bulls are still nipping at their heels in the East. Great.

In the West, the Thunder are still running, the Spurs are still lurking, and the Clippers and Grizzlies are still up-and-coming. Great.

Yawn. Alright! I’m awake!

Moving on — what or who else looms near this time of year? You got it – everyone’s favorite worst guy ever, the infamous “bracket guy.”

Unrightfully so, no one pays an emphatic amount of attention to the national NCAA basketball scene until March rolls around, but when it does, get ready to throw down your bracket and your bucks.

Cinderellas will be the overlying theme as they always are, and golden chariots will turn back into pumpkins in the end like they always do – but the overall saga of March never comes up short. One. Shining. Moment. I’m welling up just thinking about it. No I’m not.

Seamheads are beyond hyped this time of year as well. Everyone is a potential pennant winner in spring training, and pitchers and catchers report in less than a month.

With the Giants coming off another World Series Championship and the Dodgers having huge expectations, the rivalry only looks to get juicier. By andyrusch (http://www.flickr.com/photos/asrusch/5748267516/) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

The San Francisco Giants are running down their big brothers, finally. Their second World Series title in the last three years brings the championship tally since both teams moved West in 1957 to 3-2, Dodgers. Blue holds a slim lead – a slim lead going on a bigger lead.

Money, money and more money has morphed a perpetual big-market underachiever into the new West coast version of the New York Yankees. Trading for the gigantic contracts of super stars has given way to monumental stadium renovations for the Dodgers, which will create more revenue, and eventually give way to taking on even more gigantic contracts of super stars.

Moneyball may get you to the dance, but big money allows you to go home with the prom queen in the end. The Dodgers have officially taken on the new face of baseball’s dark side, and will become even more of a polarizing team than they were before.

Spoiler alert: yes, the rebels eventually win in Star Wars, but in baseball the empire always eventually wins in bulk. Blue thinkers finally realizing gold once again could be right around the corner.

From progression to regression – congratulations on almost killing your sport one more time, Gary Bettman. Hockey is back, but now the few casual fans that existed before care even less.

Kings captain Dustin Brown hoists the cup, a trophy of a dying sport. By Eric Chan from Hollywood, United States (DSC00815 Uploaded by JoeJohnson2) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

I liken it to a WTA tennis tournament director locking out tennis’s best players. Imagine if the tournament director of the Australian Open refused to let the Williams sisters partake because he wanted to scam another buck or two out of the split between player and torunament? And this is happening in a sport that is struggling to barely stay relevant? Disgusting, right?

On a positive note, the Kings raising the banner was beyond due. It was an awesome run last season and a championship that was well deserved for Kingdom loyalists — but the realistic future of hockey has essentially become a dimming light, one that now can barely even be seen by a telescope in the night sky of the American sporting realm.

It wouldn’t be an all discussion without mentioning eagles and earplugs, two associations about to start the longest campaigns of any professional leagues in the United States. 10 months? Forget campaigns, try marathons.

There are niches in our sports melting pot that absolutely live for the PGA and Nascar circuits. And strangely enough, they couldn’t be more polar opposites. Its the quietest sport and the loudest sport. Its the high-class perception and the low-class perception. And given the differences, it’s kind of ironic how the hardcore fans of both circuits would probably never get along, yet the 19th hole and the 5th wheel effectively serve the same purpose. I guess that’s one thing everyone can agree on – booze.

So there it is and here it comes – the great American sporting landscape. And with all of the anticipation and excitement on the horizon, there’s honestly nothing I can see that could put damper on the cornucopia of sport all of us fans are in line for, could there be?

April 15th. Yea, the smartass went and did it.