Super Bowl XLIX (including 2014-15 playoffs)

[DrumNFeather]

Another opportunity to call your shot and look really smart...


Denver over New Orleans.

[LA Ute]

Seahawks fan porn:

Kam Chancellor is a bad man (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2015/1/11/7526995/kam-chancellor-seahawks-bad-man-smash-destroy-panthers)
I don't like the Seahawks because Pete The Cheat is their coach, but I admire Chancellor.

[NorthwestUteFan]

Seahawks fan porn:

Kam Chancellor is a bad man (http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2015/1/11/7526995/kam-chancellor-seahawks-bad-man-smash-destroy-panthers)
I don't like the Seahawks because Pete The Cheat is their coach, but I admire Chancellor.

Funny article.

Kam knew the snap count. The Panthers ALWAYS snap the ball 5 seconds after the signal, per game film review. That is why he timed it so perfectly.

On the last kick they snapped it at 4 seconds to shake things up. Should have snapped it at 6 just for the Offsides penalty.

[LA Ute]

I don't recall seeing a worse choke job than the one the Packers just put on against the Seahawks. Wow. I had no team in the game but I dislike Pete Carroll so I was margially pulling for the Pack.

[NorthwestUteFan]

Seattle made the right adjustments on Defense. And they found a tiny bit of Offense and Special Teams magic at the perfect time.

The two big questionable things in my mind were Aaron Rodgers not throwing at whomever Richard Sherman was covering when he was obviously injured, and selling out for the run on the last play.

I am especially happy for Russell Wilson after the rough year he had. He is only one of a large group of very good people on this team. Just like Larry K, Pete Carroll and John Schneider don't want any turds on their team (ahem...Percy Harvin and Golden Tate).

Now, Go Pats!

[LA Ute]

Seattle made the right adjustments on Defense. And they found a tiny bit of Offense and Special Teams magic at the perfect time.

The two big questionable things in my mind were Aaron Rodgers not throwing at whomever Richard Sherman was covering when he was obviously injured, and selling out for the run on the last play.

I am especially happy for Russell Wilson after the rough year he had. He is only one of a large group of very good people on this team. Just like Larry K, Pete Carroll and John Schneider don't want any turds on their team (ahem...Percy Harvin and Golden Tate).

Now, Go Pats!

I don't believe that about Pete. He's a cheater.

[SeattleUte]

I don't recall seeing a worse choke job than the one the Packers just put on against the Seahawks. Wow. I had no team in the game but I dislike Pete Carroll so I was margially pulling for the Pack.

I didn't see any choke. The Seahawks made plays, and they played like there was no tomorrow, which there wouldn't have been had they lost.

[NorthwestUteFan]

It is amazing to think that Aaron Rodgers was paid nearly TWICE Russell Wilson's annual salary for just this game. The amount of money is just mind boggling.

[LA Ute]

I didn't see any choke. The Seahawks made plays, and they played like there was no tomorrow, which there wouldn't have been had they lost.

LOL. Yes, and the Seahawks skillfullly caused that Packer receiver to drop the onside kick that hit him in the hands. They also caused the Packer DBs to stand there helplessly while Wilson's wounded duck desperation pass fluttered into the Seahawks receiver's hands for a 2-point conversion. No, there was no choke!

Look, they outplayed the Packers and won the game. The Packers should be ashamed of themselves for blowing a game they had won. But the Seahawks won by makinbg fewer mistakes. There's no shame in that. It's how games are won and lost.

[SeattleUte]

LOL. Yes, and the Seahawks skillfullly caused that Packer receiver to drop the onside kick that hit him in the hands. They also caused the Packer DBs to stand there helplessly while Wilson's wounded duck desperation pass fluttered into the Seahawks receiver's hands for a 2-point conversion. No, there was no choke!

Look, they outplayed the Packers and won the game. The Packers should be ashamed of themselves for blowing a game they had won. But the Seahawks won by makinbg fewer mistakes. There's no shame in that. It's how games are won and lost.

You and I have a different understanding of the meaning of "choke" in this context. And I've felt that you and I estimate differently this collegiete or professinal game of football playing's or coaching's level of difficulty.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, choke means: "(In sports) fail (http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/fail) to perform at a crucial (http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/crucial) point of a game or contest (http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/contest) owing (http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/owe) to a failure (http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/failure) of nerve (http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/nerve)." I didn't see any failure of nerve on the Packers' part. Maybe you can second guess their judgment (Monday morning quarterbacking); e.g., that they should have gone for it at fourth and goal, or they got too conservative after the interception with five minutes to play.

Do you have any idea how hard it is to get your hands around a live ball that bunces high off turf amid a pack of brawny and determined football players? Look at the play in real time motion and see how fast everything happened. Brandon Bostic says that he was supposed to block but the ball undexpectedly went sailing through the air right at him but over his head. He jumped, trying to snag it a the arc's peak, and couldn't handle the ball. How many times did I see Seahawk receivers do the same thing, though after the ball left Willson's hand -- at least twice that led to interceptions. Indeed, the most visible choking occurred in the game's first three quarters plus by Russell Wilson and his receivers. I think they actually were having a collective nervous breakdown.

Whether you consider what happened to be a great comeback or a choke depends on your bias or perspective. I look at the last three Seattle drives and what I see is amazing execution on Seattle's part, and Lynch was a but for cause of it; he was the heart and soul of the rally, and nobody but you thinks what he did was a Green Bay "choke". There was no Bill Buckneresque faux pas.

You've been clear about your hatred for Pete Carroll, so you don't want to give him or his teams any credit for their achievements -- Pete Carroll, a guy who started as a graduate assistant at Pacific and clawed his way to the pinnacle of both the college football and professional football professions. Have you asked yourself whether maybe you should reevaluate your bias. There's nothing but circumstancial evidence and conjecture about Pete Carroll participating in any "cheating" at USC. Indeed, he had no need or incentive to cheat; USC recruits at will, and he coaches college football like Urban Meyer. Regardless of that, here is what Ted Miller has written about the NCAA sanctions: “It's become an accepted fact among informed college football observers that the NCAA sanctions against USC were a travesty of justice, and the NCAA’s refusal to revisit that travesty are a massive act of cowardice on the part of the organization." Things are always more complicated than they seem to be.

[LA Ute]

C'mon, SU. Everyone knows Green Bay blew the game. The receiver who tried to catch the onside kick wasn't supposed even to try - he had a different assignment. That's why his coach was yelling at him after the play. It was a boneheaded mistake.

No, I don't think much of Carroll. This is hardly an outlier point of view. Of course you troll along with a loaded word like "hatred." Do you never tire of such parlor games?

[SeattleUte]

C'mon, SU. Everyone knows Green Bay blew the game. The receiver who tried to catch the onside kick wasn't supposed even to try - he had a different assignment. That's why his coach was yelling at him after the play. It was a boneheaded mistake.

No, I don't think much of Carroll. This is hardly an outlier point of view. Of course you troll along with a loaded word like "hatred." Do you never tire of such parlor games?

The ball flew straight at him. He wasn't supposed to jump and try to catch it? A swarm of Seahawks were right there. A good onsides kick will do exactly what this ball did.

I think you do hate Carroll -- you repeatedly mention that you don't like the Seahawks because you think he cheated at USC-- and you're very much in the minority. He's immensely charming and intelligent by any measure, and gives a lot to the fans, the media, charity, and, needless to say, his players, who abolutely love him, though he's a hard ass like Meyer and no players' buddy coach like Neuheisel.

[LA Ute]

The ball flew straight at him. He wasn't supposed to jump and try to catch it? A swarm of Seahawks were right there. A good onsides kick will do exactly what this ball did.

I think you do hate Carroll -- you repeatedly mention that you don't like the Seahawks because you think he cheated at USC-- and you're very much in the minority. He's immensely charming and intelligent by any measure, and gives a lot to the fans, the media, charity, and, needless to say, his players, who abolutely love him, though he's a hard ass like Meyer and no players' buddy coach like Neuheisel.

SU, buddy, you need to up your game. You're the Sinatra of CG and CUF. You need your own version of "From Here to Eternity."

[SeattleUte]

SU, buddy, you need to up your game. You're the Sinatra of CG and CUF. You need your own version of "From Here to Eternity."

I'm only reacting to this emotive flotsam you keep introducing that you are against the Seahawks because Carroll is a cheater. This time it was, "I'm against the Seahawks because Carroll is a cheater. Did you see the Packers' choke?"

It doesn't matter how you try to diminish the game and both teams' efforts; every outlet form the New York Times to Sports Illustrated to ESPN to NFL.com is calling this one of the great NFL games of all time and one of the greatest playoff comebacks of all time.

[LA Ute]

I'm only reacting to this emotive flotsam you keep introducing that you are against the Seahawks because Carroll is a cheater. This time it was, "I'm against the Seahawks because Carroll is a cheater. Did you see the Packers' choke?"

It doesn't matter how you try to diminish the game and both teams' efforts; every outlet form the New York Times to Sports Illustrated to ESPN to NFL.com is calling this one of the great NFL games of all time and one of the greatest playoff comebacks of all time.

1357

[NorthwestUteFan]

The more I think about it the more I see the game as a complete blowout that was only close because Seattle turned the ball over 5 times. It was almost like watching the game vs OSU last year (but with a different outcome).

Seattle started slow as possible. The only thing keeping them in the game was superb Defense that held GB to Field Goals after two short field turnovers. In fact GB only managed to get two FGs, two punts, and in interception on five turnovers. That is spectacular Defense.

When Seattle protected the ball and ran the spread-option to perfection, they were unstoppable. They moved the ball at will and GB couldn't figure out how to slow the onslaught. On the drives where they scored Seattle covered a tremendous amount of the field in a very short time. The only 'short field' they had started on the 50 after the onside kick.

Seattle's drives went thusly:
Int, Fumble, Punt, Punt, Int, Int, Halftime, Punt, TD!, Punt, Punt, Int, TD!-Onside Kick-TD!, OT- TD!.

When it works it is devastating to opposing defenses. But when it doesn't work it looks inept and the coach fires the OC after the end of the year. This is Utah football.

With all that said, Go Pats.

[LA Ute]

Pigskin Physics: What's the Big Deal About Deflated Footballs?
http://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/pigskin-physics-whats-big-deal-about-deflated-footballs-n290466

[Two Utes]

Pigskin Physics: What's the Big Deal About Deflated Footballs?


http://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/pigskin-physics-whats-big-deal-about-deflated-footballs-n290466

We always try to deflate the balls before each of my little league games. We do it because we are a running team and it is easier to hold onto the ball. We value winning the turnover battle. In fact it is critical in little league.

I'm just telling you why I do it.

I give it to the ref and sometimes he gives it back to me and tells me to put some air in it. Sometimes he doesn't.

[Two Utes]

We always try to deflate the balls before each of my little league games. We do it because we are a running team and it is easier to hold onto the ball. We value winning the turnover battle. In fact it is critical in little league.

I'm just telling you why I do it.

I give it to the ref and sometimes he gives it back to me and tells me to put some air in it. Sometimes he doesn't.


And LA, apparently the 12 balls the Colts used were not under inflated. Remember, it was raining really hard. If your footballs are under inflated they are easier to hold onto.

[LA Ute]

And LA, apparently the 12 balls the Colts used were not under inflated. Remember, it was raining really hard. If your footballs are under inflated they are easier to hold onto.

I am agnostic on the issue. Just thought it was interesting. I don't have a favorite in the Super Bowl, and that's kind of a nice way to go into a big game. Anxiety-free, I can just enjoy the high level of play. I am not a fan of either Peter Carroll or Bill Belichick, but I like watching Russell Wilson and especially Tom Brady play. For football fans, watching Brady is like opera fans watching Pavarotti or Domingo.

[NorthwestUteFan]

I hated Michael Jordan with a white hot passion, but I absolutely loved watching him play. Tom Brady is similar and I would think that anybody who enjoys watching stellar QB skills will likewise enjoy watching the #199 draft pick at work.

[concerned]

This is probably interesting only to me, but what the heck. I just saw this tweeted by Peter King

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B8iJVW1CYAEsjsr.jpg


this is a picture of Russell Wilson in high school, with his father Harry. Harry and I were law school classmates. we weren't close friends but we played softball and other stuff together. He was a great guy. He died several years ago. Russell looks just like him, and whenever I see Russell, I see Harry too.

[Two Utes]

This is probably interesting only to me, but what the heck. I just saw this tweeted by Peter King

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B8iJVW1CYAEsjsr.jpg


this is a picture of Russell Wilson in high school, with his father Harry. Harry and I were law school classmates. we weren't close friends but we played softball and other stuff together. He was a great guy. He died several years ago. Russell looks just like him, and whenever I see Russell, I see Harry too.

For those who don't know, concerned has degrees from very "prestigious" schools. Probably explains why Russell Wilson is so articulate, as football players have the stereotype of not being smart but he clearly has great genes.

Me, I'm just a U grad.

[SeattleUte]

This is probably interesting only to me, but what the heck. I just saw this tweeted by Peter King

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B8iJVW1CYAEsjsr.jpg


this is a picture of Russell Wilson in high school, with his father Harry. Harry and I were law school classmates. we weren't close friends but we played softball and other stuff together. He was a great guy. He died several years ago. Russell looks just like him, and whenever I see Russell, I see Harry too.

Very interesting and beautiful.

[SeattleUte]

For those who don't know, concerned has degrees from very "prestigious" schools. Probably explains why Russell Wilson is so articulate, as football players have the stereotype of not being smart but he clearly has great genes.

Me, I'm just a U grad.

O linemen tend to be very articulate.

[concerned]

Karma karma karma

Dallas beats Detroit on a gift because the refs miss a blatant pi call, then gets screwed the next week on the Dez Bryant catch ruling (and i say that as a Packer fan.). Green Bay then loses the next week, on the on sides kick bonehead play that was a gift to Seattle (among many others). Patriots almost loses a third consecutive super bowl on a fluke c0atch, this time by Kearse, but then get their own gift on the interception.

You could argue that Dallas should not have been on the field against the Packers, the packers should not have been on the filed against the Seahawks, and the Seahawks should not have been on the filed against the Pats.

the football gods giveth one week, but taketh away the next.

[LA Ute]

Bill Plaschke of the LA Times:

Pete Carroll blows it for Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX
(http://www.latimes.com/sports/nfl/la-sp-super-bowl-plaschke-20150202-column.html?track=lat-email-latimessports)
Concerned has a good point. The game was almost won on a great catch, and was eventually won on a great interception. Two great plays. No referee nonsense. No choking by either side. Just a great game.

[LA Ute]

I could certainly see a "Seattle choked" point of view.

Oh, I don't know. If Lockette catches that pass, Carroll's a genius who cunningly exploited the green rookie Butler to win the Super Bowl. Butler made a play no one envisioned him making.

[LA Ute]

Playing to be a genius turns out to not be as good as playing to win. Hand it off to Lynch a few times. That's as close to 100% certainty as can be achieved in sports. I think everyone knows that was a truly horrible call.

But beyond the bad call, Seattle had a 10 point lead in the 4th quarter. They didn't choke as badly as Green Bay did two weeks ago, but there is at least some level of choke here.

Yeah.

[Applejack]

First Patriots player to celebrate with Malcolm Butler after the pick? Sealver Siliga. :cool:

[SoCalPat]

Playing to be a genius turns out to not be as good as playing to win. Hand it off to Lynch a few times. That's as close to 100% certainty as can be achieved in sports. I think everyone knows that was a truly horrible call.

But beyond the bad call, Seattle had a 10 point lead in the 4th quarter. They didn't choke as badly as Green Bay did two weeks ago, but there is at least some level of choke here.

This year, Seattle was 1 for 5 in goal-to-go from the 1 and giving Lynch the ball.

This is classic results-based thinking, which of course, I don't subscribe to. You're Seattle, you have 2nd and goal from the 1, 19 seconds left and 1 timeout. You're absolutely going to throw at least one time here, because your chances of scoring increase significantly if you get to run three plays from the 1 instead of two. And Lynch getting stuffed for a 3-yard loss will happen far more often than the INT. People blasting this call just aren't that smart -- Lynch scoring is nowhere guaranteed, history says it's nowhere close to a guarantee, and it's nowhere close to being as unforgivable as Belichik's decision to drain the clock instead of playing out the worst-case scenario of leaving yourself time in case Seattle scored.

[concerned]

This year, Seattle was 1 for 5 in goal-to-go from the 1 and giving Lynch the ball.

This is classic results-based thinking, which of course, I don't subscribe to. You're Seattle, you have 2nd and goal from the 1, 19 seconds left and 1 timeout. You're absolutely going to throw at least one time here, because your chances of scoring increase significantly if you get to run three plays from the 1 instead of two. And Lynch getting stuffed for a 3-yard loss will happen far more often than the INT. People blasting this call just aren't that smart -- Lynch scoring is nowhere guaranteed, history says it's nowhere close to a guarantee, and it's nowhere close to being as unforgivable as Belichik's decision to drain the clock instead of playing out the worst-case scenario of leaving yourself time in case Seattle scored.

i read a couple of comments that Belechick did not call the time out because he did not want to give Seattle the opportunity to regroup and change its personnel. I guess he thought draining the clock presented a better chance of success than getting the ball back with about 40 seconds and one time out. Turns out he made the right call; it certainly wasn't unforgivable.

[justaute]

Here is an interesting, data-drive analysis of that last play-call.

http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/a-head-coach-botched-the-end-of-the-super-bowl-and-it-wasnt-pete-carroll/

[mUUser]

This year, Seattle was 1 for 5 in goal-to-go from the 1 and giving Lynch the ball.

This is classic results-based thinking, which of course, I don't subscribe to. You're Seattle, you have 2nd and goal from the 1, 19 seconds left and 1 timeout. You're absolutely going to throw at least one time here, because your chances of scoring increase significantly if you get to run three plays from the 1 instead of two. And Lynch getting stuffed for a 3-yard loss will happen far more often than the INT. People blasting this call just aren't that smart -- Lynch scoring is nowhere guaranteed, history says it's nowhere close to a guarantee, and it's nowhere close to being as unforgivable as Belichik's decision to drain the clock instead of playing out the worst-case scenario of leaving yourself time in case Seattle scored.

24 carries. 22 of those carries wins the game. The other 2 for no gain. Lynch didn't have a negative play all day. This was a no brainer, particularly with a timeout remaining -- put the ball in Lynch's hands.

[LA Ute]

24 carries. 22 of those carries wins the game. The other 2 for no gain. Lynch didn't have a negative play all day. This was a no brainer, particularly with a timeout remaining -- put the ball in Lynch's hands.

I'll just play devil's advocate. Those other running plays were not on the 1-yard line. In that situation Seattle made the TD only 1 out of 5 times during the entire season.

[SoCalPat]

24 carries. 22 of those carries wins the game. The other 2 for no gain. Lynch didn't have a negative play all day. This was a no brainer, particularly with a timeout remaining -- put the ball in Lynch's hands.

Against NE, 5 times Seattle ran Lynch on short yardage (2 yards or fewer). One TD, one first down, three carries went for no gain. Anyone saying absolutely that you run Lynch, it's a no-brainer, etc. in that situation isn't very smart or has a bad memory.

2nd and goal, 1 timeout and 19 seconds left, you've got the whole playbook open there. Also, per the 538 link above, that was the first INT thrown from the 1 this year, vs. 66 TDs.

[NorthwestUteFan]

The Patriots had 8 men in the box. They would have stuffed Lynch.

In college, 7 times out of 10 that quick slant is a TD with 2 drops and one INT. In the NFL that number shifts, but it is still more likely that a rookie who has played ~140 snaps in the NFL will get caught following his receiver on that play and Seattle wins the game. The numbers were on Pete Carroll's side, and he was smart to give his team 3 chances to win instead of 2-ish.

But the truth is Butler made a perfect play. And he completely redeemed himself after Kearse made the spectacular juggling catch after he tipped it. Butler was an undrafted rookie out of a D-2 school. That he was the hero of the Super Bowl has the makings of a Hallmark After School Special.

[LA Ute]

The Patriots had 8 men in the box. They would have stuffed Lynch.

In college, 7 times out of 10 that quick slant is a TD with 2 drops and one INT. In the NFL that number shifts, but it is still more likely that a rookie who has played ~140 snaps in the NFL will get caught following his receiver on that play and Seattle wins the game. The numbers were on Pete Carroll's side, and he was smart to give his team 3 chances to win instead of 2-ish.

But the truth is Butler made a perfect play. And he completely redeemed himself after Kearse made the spectacular juggling catch after he tipped it. Butler was an undrafted rookie out of a D-2 school. That he was the hero of the Super Bowl has the makings of a Hallmark After School Special.

If you watch the replay a few times you can see that Butler read the pick play perfectly and was right where he needed to be (even knocking the Seahawk receiver off the ball) to make that interception. Pete Carroll's not my favorite guy at all but I don't blame him or Revell for making that call.

[concerned]

I thought the Seahawks might run the read option form the 1, with Lynch diving into the line. That play where Wilson kept it was deadly against the Packers near the goal line. But I think the pats were specifically watching for it, because they kept a player spying on the outside on the pass play.

[concerned]

If you wath the replay a few times you can see that Butlet read the pick play perfectly and was right where he needed to be (even knocking the Seahawk receiver off the ball) to make that interception. Pete Carroll's not my favorite guy at all but I don't blame him or Revell for making that call.

This graphic emphasizes your very point--that it looked clear to Wilson. He just should have thrown it lower and led the receiver more.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/02/02/sports/football/wilson-saw-a-window-to-victory-but-butler-stole-the-show.html?ref=sports&_r=0

[LA Ute]

I really don't understand this "that call wasn't so bad" movement. What is driving it? Who did not watch that and immediately know it was a bad call? It was an absolute gift to people like me who were pulling for the Pats.

Look at the graphic concerned linked to.

BTW, have you checked your PMs yet?

[mUUser]

If you watch the replay a few times you can see that Butler read the pick play perfectly and was right where he needed to be (even knocking the Seahawk receiver off the ball) to make that interception. Pete Carroll's not my favorite guy at all but I don't blame him or Revell for making that call.

Both Butler and Browner have said that they knew that play was coming based on the 3 receiver inside stack. The Seahawks had run the play before, and the Pats had practiced defending the play many times prior to the game.

When the game's on the line, you put the ball in your playmakers hands.

[LA Ute]

Sancho and muuser, will you at least concede that Butler made a great play? :D

[mUUser]

Sancho and muuser, will you at least concede that Butler made a great play? :D

Indeed.

And how about Matthews? Prior to this game he had more tackles than receptions in his NFL career!!

[NorthwestUteFan]

Indeed.

And how about Matthews? Prior to this game he had more tackles than receptions in his NFL career!!

That is a great story too. He was stocking shelves at a grocery store at one point (or equally low-skilled, low-paying, but honest, job).

One thing I love about both of the teams is the distinct lack of 'blue chippers' in their starting lineups. Neither team's starting lineup had a 5 Star HS athlete, and there were very few First Round draft picks.

[Diehard Ute]

Indeed.

And how about Matthews? Prior to this game he had more tackles than receptions in his NFL career!!

And his sister is a Ute

[LA Ute]

That is a great story too. He was stocking shelves at a grocery store at one point (or equally low-skilled, low-paying, but honest, job).

One thing I love about both of the teams is the distinct lack of 'blue chippers' in their starting lineups. Neither team's starting lineup had a 5 Star HS athlete, and there were very few First Round draft picks.

Someone said a day or two ago that Belicheck (so?) may end up being the Hall of Fame coach with the most success with the fewest Hall of Fame players ever. I'm not a fan, but that's impressive.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[NorthwestUteFan]

Cranky Bill is making a solid case for greatest football coach of all time.

And for the record, and despite your hatred for him, I am extremely impressed with Pete Carroll. He is always Mr Positive
He also has a knack for getting the very most he possibly can out of his players.

[LA Ute]

Cranky Bill is making a solid case for greatest football coach of all time.

And for the record, and despite your hatred for him, I am extremely impressed with Pete Carroll. He is always Mr Positive
He also has a knack for getting the very most he possibly can out of his players.

I think it was Seattle Ute who started this idea that I hate Carroll. I don't hate anyone, to begin with, and I don't hate Carroll; I just dislike the way he coaches.

[jrj84105]

Awesome play. How cool for a rookie from nowhere st. to make that play! His emotion on the sideline was really great to watch too. Living a dream!
I thought he was going to pass out on the sideline. He definitely had the look of fading out for a moment.

[SoCalPat]

If you are dead set on running 3 plays, the order has to be run-TO-pass-run. That might increase your odds over run-TO-run (maybe not though, interceptions occur on 2-3% of pass attempts in the NFL).

Nope. The entire playbook is open on second down because the result of an unsuccessful pass play is going to be a clock-stopping incompletion over 95 percent of the time. And there's no "might" about it -- your odds to score are better running three plays than they are two.

[NorthwestUteFan]

You are still missing some info. Per Pete Carroll, the Pats had 8 big guys in the box with three corners. He recognized that Marshawn Lynch is not going to find positive yardage attempting to carry upward of 3000# of angry athletes, so he wanted to try a quick pass away from the teeth of the defense.

Marshawn's positive gains in the game did not come from situations where he was facing a goal line defense, so there was a very good chance that the play would have lost yardage.

If the pass was a few inches to the right (to the receiver's back shoulder), the Seahawks win the game. And if Brady takes a sack in the first quarter rather than throwing a pick in the end zone, then we aren't even having the conversation because the Pats are up by at least 7 or even 10 points when the Seahawks got the ball back with 2 min left in the game.

[NorthwestUteFan]

It is a numbers game. Typically in a game situation you can use your 5 O linemen plus the TE to apply pressure and blow a hole through the 4 D linemen, and seal an LB. This works because the Defense is required to cover more than just the first yard or two from the LOS. If you are 1st and 10 from your own 20 and the D lines up in Goal Line defense, you simply toss the ball over the D for a huge gain and likely a TD. If you attempt to run up the middle or off tackle against a Goal Line D (where _every gap_ is covered, 8 men on the line) you wont have a lot of success.

The Patriots goal line defense gave them a numbers advantage in the tackle box as they had every man covered and every gap filled. The numbers say you will lose that battle on that play, and will burn a lot of clock and one timeout. That is why Carroll wanted a pass play right there.

Also the Pats were in a position where they could gamble a bit and an Offsides penalty wouldn't necessarily cost them the game. They were going to have several players in the backfield at the point of contact.

You run a play based on the defense you face for that sitiation, and not for whatever worked on a running play from the 2nd quarter with a different down and distance (and thus a completely different defensive scheme).

[NorthwestUteFan]

That said, Russell Wilson should have thrown the ball out of the end zone rather than force it into traffic...

[NorthwestUteFan]

Here is Russell Wilson today doing what he does every Tuesday, visiting sick children at Seattle Children's Hospital. He is a great example.

http://i.imgur.com/SFvM33m.png?1