The New England Patriots lost ! Lost to NY Giants 17-14.
I dont want to talk @ it or hear it or discuss it anymore.
Eli Manning got his first Superbowl MVP title and like everyone says the deserving team on the field (on that particular day) won.
The 1972 dolphins uncorked their champagne bottles one more time, never this late any season, but the champagne never tasted so sweet. I hate Mercury Morris.
I honestly don't think anyone deserves it more than the New England Patriots. No team riding on luck can be 18 against zilch in their record any season. They are the first ever team in NFL history to finish 16-0 in regular season. The 1972 Miami Dolphins "Perfectville" have 17-0 season including post season, 2 matches less than the Patriots.
But i don't say so, just because they are AFC Champions now and with a clean 18-0 slate. Just look at who they faced this season. Not all teams face so strong teams in a season and yet able to maintain a clean record.
Week 2 (home) : San Diego Chargers. What's so special about them, they reached AFC championship later after defeating Indianapolis Colts, unarguably 2nd best team in AFC. Chargers had also defeated Colts at home in a close shave earlier this season.
Week 6 (away) : Dallas Cowboys. No ones needs a telling on how tough it is to beat the NFC no. 1 ranked Cowboys at home. Both Patriots and Cowboys had 5-0 record entering the game. Tony Romo in prime form and a strong physical defense. Result : Pats won by a margin on 21.
I believe this must be the match where they really started chasing perfection.
Week 9 (away): Indianapolis Colts. The defending Superbowl Champions. Both teams 8-0 going into the game. With the AFC Championship loss last season to Colts not off his memory, Tom Brady overcame 10 point deficit against chamption Colts, Pats defense picked off Manning and they turned the game over. Victory never tasted better. One of the best matches of the season.
Week 14 (home): Pittsburgh Steelers. Now this year they were not playing really well, yet they were rank 4 at the end of the season. They were also ranked 1 in defense then. Expectations were they would shut off Brady. But what happened, Brady threw 399 yards, 4 TD passes no interception. The defense could not reach Brady even once, so well did their offensive line. Pats defense built wall to stop 4th and 1 twice, once at 1 yard line.
Week 17 (away): New York Giants. This was the dream of every Pat fan, a perfect regular season. With everything on line, Pats overcame 12 point deficit and won by margin of 3. Giants played exceptionally well, got their confidence back, carried the same momentum and performed exceptionally well in playoffs. But Pats, you have to give it to them. They fought it hard. They just did not want to lose their perfect record.
Pats had unexpectedly close matches against NY Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens. If they are so great, how come 2nd rung teams like these can give them a run for their money. Well , that's the greatness of Pats. Sometimes, you don't get your game going. Sometimes, even weather hurts, someone may get injured, or on your 3rd downs the ball slips out of receiver's hands, or u give away a fumble. The 'one bad day' can frustrate you, compel you to give it away at crucial moments, make u rethink ur decision of calling a play. But they did not fall prey to it. They fought against it, so much so that they just did not know losing, no matter what. If their favorite passing game isnt working, switch to running game, long passes wont work, fine switch to bullets. Keep mixing. They outthought everyone. People would stand up to the task. No wonder they have the best record in 4th quarter in the league.
If you have knocked off AFC rank 2, rank 3, rank 4 teams, NFC rank 1, rank 5, rank 6 teams in regular season (and that gave you AFC rank 1) and yet maintain immaculate record, you know you are the best team in the league.
They have so many plays. No team can be 18-0 with weakness in some department, hoping every time their strong hold would bail them out. You can't win so many matches with just defense, with just running game, with just passing game. If Randy Moss is given double coverage by opposition defense, use Wes Welker, use Kevin Faulk, use Gaffney. Maroney can run when you need him. Their offensive line has been rock solid. Brady has thrown record 50 touchdown passes this season, 23 of them to Randy Moss, both new records. This 18-0 isn't just a dream run, there is lot of hard work, professionalism, never give up spirit into it. There is an icy coolness in the way they execute their work on the field in clinical fashion. They have mercilessly routed their opponents (including NFC rank 6 Washington Redskins : 52 vs 7), and they have also won over rivals in a calculated, textbook display of football.
Now what happened in Playoffs. Tom Brady wasn't the lead passer nor any Patriot was leading receiver in either of their games. That is quite unusual of Pats. They instead got running game going. Killed almost last 9 mins off clocks against Chargers to hive them off any chances of a comeback. That's patriots.
Giants, now tagged 'road warriors' are on a roll. Eli Manning found his touch against Pats in week 17 and looks to have still kept at it. The Last Manning Standing on field, is exhibiting flawless display in playoffs. Not a single interception, no turnover ! That's special. The way they silenced Cowboys at Dallas and froze Packers fans in their seats in Green Bay is highly commendable. Guess no one calls them underdogs now. They are going to go all out on Sunday trying to steal the glory from Pat's perfection dream, one more time.
Going back, I am not a super fan of Pats. But i still want them to win. A team that has come this far does not deserve to lose the biggest game of the season, their ticket to Perfectsville, the culmination of their quest for perfection, the finishing touch on the record which no one can better at most equal, the Superbowl.
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