And so we are given a rematch of a game that was so significant it aired on three networks – and ironically, said rematch will air on the one over-the-air broadcast partner frozen out of that televised trifecta of Dec. 29. If Fox wants to share the air, maybe the Dumont network could be revived for such a purpose.
NEW ENGLAND 21, SAN DIEGO 12
Perhaps it’s appropriate that the Patriots sealed their fourth Super Bowl trip of the decade and sixth in the last 22 years with a final score that was a palindrome. After all, any way one disseminates the unbeaten New England side – forwards, backwards, sideways, upside down – the conclusion is the same, one of greatness that until this year seemed unattainable.
But this game might have been their most unsightly to date, punctuated by three Tom Brady interceptions that all-but gift-wrapped the game to the visiting Chargers, who proceeded to return the gift by marching to four Nate Kaeding field goals and nothing more.
Thus created a game where the Chargers had more scores … but the Patriots had more points, thanks to a pair of Brady touchdown passes and a Laurence Maroney scoring run.
New England makes an opponent believe it must be perfect in order to win. Sunday, perfection wasn’t required from the Chargers … but an end-zone trip or two would have given them the chance to author end-game heroics similar to the ones they conjured seven days earlier at Indianapolis.
N.Y. GIANTS 23, GREEN BAY 20 (OT)
As Green Bay’s hardened followers hunkered down in the open-air meat locker that was Lambeau Field, it was their team that frozen
Victory was in their sights, and even seemed destined after Ryan Grant forced a fumble following a Brett Favre interception, allowing the Packers to continue marching towards a game-tying Mason Crosby field goal that seemed all the more impressive as Lawrence Tynes misfired on a pair of field-goal attempts in the final moments of regulation.
The coin toss went Green Bay’s way, but given its offensive struggles following Grant’s forced fumble, it seemed that they might have been better served by playing defense and working field position from that angle. At least that’s what the fellow sitting next to me at Bob Baumhower’s Wings Sports Grille in Daphne, Ala. and I agreed upon as Tynes kicked off to start overtime.
Moments later, those sentiments seemed prophetic.
For the Packers and their chilled, distraught supporters, Favre’s fateful overtime toss was hauntingly familiar, mimicking an equally optimistic pass that ended in a Philadelphia interception during the divisional playoffs three years ago.
That errant pass merely cost the Packers a shot at a championship.
Sunday’s robbed them of a title altogether.
… Talk to you Monday as Senior Bowl week gets under way; we’ll be at the practice that will NOT be covered by NFL Network. They’re canvassing the North team’s practice at Mobile’s Ladd-Peebles Stadium; we’ll be chronicling the South team’s doings at nearby Fairhope High School. We’ll have plenty of pictures, stories, blog entries and Broncos TV pieces for you this week, so join us if you have a few moments to share.
And rest in peace, Suzanne Pleshette. One of the true gems of television, The Bob Newhart Show, couldn’t have flourished without you.
Until later Monday, vaya con Dios from the chilly, windswept shore of Mobile Bay.
Tags: Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, New York Giants, Playoffs, San Diego Chargers
Although it seems highly unikely, I would love to see the Giants beat the Pats in the Super Bowl. My brother-in-law is from New Bedford;Red Sox win World Series against Rockies. Broncos don’t even make the playoffs. Celtics look like Patriots of the NBA. A N.Y. win could start a new curse and save me earfulls for years. Who would have thought that Eli Manning and not Peyton Manning would be introduced at this years SB @ the begginning of the year. The Patriots Defense is suspect and the offense hasn’t been firing as it did early in the season, there is hope and the Giants have played spoiler before-game 14, 1998 against the Broncos. Looking forward to see what Denver does in the off-season.
RD 1 Kenny Phillups*
RD 2 Dre Moore*
or
Lynch stays (better S draft class next year) or sign Ken Hamlin (FA)
RD 1 Sedrick Ellis-Pat Simms*
RD 2 Frank Okam-Dre Moore*-Trevor Laws
Trade up to get
WR/KR- Donnie Avery
Go Giants- & Broncos
I want Amani Toomer to have the best game of his career. And if Brady keeps throwing picks, it will be a great game.
Enjoy it down there in Mobile Andrew,
I’m going to try to get down there next year and it’d be awesome to maybe meet up.
It’s cool you’re going over to cover the South’s practices.
Do you know which Broncos scouts are in attendance?
If you see them talking to any players, let us know!
Looking forward to the reports and clips from Mobile! Hope that the Broncos can countinue the trend of improved drafts.
LEARN TO PATS, SHANAHAN!
The Pats O-line is one the Broncos should try to replicate. Talented, but also smart. All their O-linemen have high IQ’s for those complicated offensive schemes.
looked to me like D Hixon played a big part in the Giants win with a number of good returns and a fumble recovery . glad we could help out the G-men. I never could fingure that one out when he got sent to the practice squad. when asked about it Shanny said it was either him or A. Hall. if i remember right, he brought in another wide receiver(whose name escapes me) who he dumped after the game that week. BAD SHANNY!
the Pat’s seem to be unraveling a bit and the Giants are growing bigger every week! I’d rather lose money than bet on the Pat’s so i’m picking the G-men to pull the upset like another N.Y. team did a long time ago, Joe Willy and the Jets ! Go G-men! guess the Giants have done that before against our Broncos so we know they have it in them!
Have a fun time Andrew and keep us informed! I am sorry to hear Suzanne P. passed. She was great in Newhart and easy on the eyes.
GO BRONCOS !
While I love my Broncos each and every one, one of my favorite NFL players will be lacing it up for the G-Men in Plaxico Burress. The man is an inspiration as he does nothing but make plays and he does so without practicing on a consistent basis. Also, it’s good that Dungy’s back with the Colts. The NFL’s a much better place with him than without. War Belichick, Brady and Pats fans getting humbled after the Giants take care of business!
Just goes to show how lucky New England have been.
The Chargers got so close to New England with 3 of their best players injured it seems a certainty they would have won with a fully fit team, especially when they had more scores.
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