I don't do predictions, because they suck when they're wrong.
Both teams have HUGE fanbases, so I doubt that the fanbases will cause the lines to move (i.e., they'll balance each other out). If they do, it will be due to the gambling public, I'd expect.
Most NFL Championships versus most Super Bowls. Not marquee enough.
This *should* be an awesome, high-scoring, close game, but with both teams getting shutout (offensively) in the second half of their respective games (GB in the last 40 minutes), I dunno.
"As you may have read in Robert Parker's Wine Newsletter, 'Donaghy Estates tastes like the urine of Satan, after a hefty portion of asparagus.'" Jack Donaghy, 30 Rock
The Lovely Mrs. Tracker is rooting against Ben but for Polamalu. She correctly picked the Super Bowl teams back in September. I called the Packers, but I figured the team couldn't bounce back from losing their starting QB for a quarter of the season.
I think it's better for pro football in almost every way for the Pack to win, but I grew up in awe of the black-and-yellow. I'm torn.
"To be the man, you gotta beat demands." -- The Lovely Mrs. Tracker
I think a lot rides on whether Pouncey plays and whether he can be effective.
GB seems like by far the toughest of the Steelers' SB opponents (although I remember Seattle ranking pretty well in both offense and defense). It was reassuring to see Rodgers look human again for most of that game.
I wonder if the new "hey here's something to just start saying, try and stop us!" media narrative will be that this game is the sea change, Brady and Manning are old & busted and Rodgers and Roethlisberger are the new hotness.
Originally posted by JustinShapiroI think a lot rides on whether Pouncey plays and whether he can be effective.
If there's no Pouncey, I expect Ben to be repeatedly BJ'ed by force (which will be a weird reversal for him).
To me, Rodgers was ineffective for most of the game for three reasons: 1) He got banged up on the touchdown, and further banged up on the Peppers' earholing. 2) Bad weather/bad field (possibly more field and weather) 3) He was playing against a damn good defense.
I expect only the third to be applicable in the Super Bowl, so I expect better than yesterday, worse than Atlanta. Put him down for the Philly stat line.
All told, I'm going to say GB 21, Pitt 17.
It is the policy of the documentary crew to remain true observers and not interfere with its subjects. "Well. Shit." -hansen9j Go Pack Go! (10-6, NFC champions) Let's Go Riders! (getting pretty tired of being the bridesmaid)
Originally posted by JustinShapiroI wonder if the new "hey here's something to just start saying, try and stop us!" media narrative will be that this game is the sea change, Brady and Manning are old & busted and Rodgers and Roethlisberger are the new hotness.
Originally posted by JustinShapiroI wonder if the new "hey here's something to just start saying, try and stop us!" media narrative will be that this game is the sea change, Brady and Manning are old & busted and Rodgers and Roethlisberger are the new hotness.
Ben ain't the *new* hotness. With another ring, he's on a higher plane of existence.
Mentions of the name "Favre" will be in lockstep with mentions of the name "Rodgers". It'll be sad. Aaron almost needs the win more.
Originally posted by Mr ShhBen ain't the *new* hotness. With another ring, he's on a higher plane of existence.
Mentions of the name "Favre" will be in lockstep with mentions of the name "Rodgers". It'll be sad. Aaron almost needs the win more.
It really is too bad that sports isn't more fair, because Rodgers DOES need the win more, but the win will more than likely go to the guy that cornered a helpless woman in the bathroom not even 12 months ago. Sad, really, but that's how the world of sports works. It rarely leans towards the more interesting narrative.
Originally posted by dunkndollazI'll be in Vegas on the Thursday night before the Super Bowl - time enough to make some of those crazy bets
I'll actually be there that weekend (meaning the annual Best Commercial thread will be a little later than usual) and I almost shudder to think of the gridlock I'll find at the sportsbook.
"You wear a disguise to look like human guys, but you're not a man, you're a chicken, Boo!"
Going with my fantasy QB this year, Aaron Rodgers and his Packers.
Packers 33 Steelers 24
"Put on your helmets, we'll be reaching speeds of 3!" "It was nice of you to give that dead woman another chance." "All right, look alive everybody...oh sorry Susan."- MST3K: Space Mutiny Click Here (myspace.com)
Originally posted by JustinShapiroI wonder if the new "hey here's something to just start saying, try and stop us!" media narrative will be that this game is the sea change, Brady and Manning are old & busted and Rodgers and Roethlisberger are the new hotness.
Ben ain't the *new* hotness. With another ring, he's on a higher plane of existence.
I've always felt that way, but in vacuous sports media terms, I don't think Roethlisberger has really been seriously put in the conversation until just now. Even after the Super Bowl 43 drive, I think most people still saw him behind Brees, Rivers, and Rodgers. It was really this week when Brady was subpar for his 4th straight playoff game that a lightbulb seemed to go on in terms of how much Roethlisberger has accomplished and some of his numbers-based achievements like his playoff record and his career QB rating and yards per attempt.
You know you've made it into rarified QB company when you have a bad game statistically and everybody still uniformly talks about how great you played.
I did kind of a "wait what?" the first time it was mentioned Ben and Rodgers were drafted only one year apart. Ben starting as a rookie while Rodgers took his long apprenticeship makes them seem a whole football generation apart.
Originally posted by It's Falsethe win will more than likely go to the guy that cornered a helpless woman in the bathroom not even 12 months ago
Wow, the media hegemony really railroaded him with the selective reporting of that investigation. At least they'll probably make it up to him with the easy "amends made through success at football" stories.
Originally posted by hansen9jIf there's no Pouncey, I expect Ben to be repeatedly BJ'ed by force (which will be a weird reversal for him).
Everyone's seen Mendenhall rape Ben at the end of the game, right? Disturbing.
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In a move that wasn't so surprising, Freddie Mitchell is no longer an Eagle. So, will anyone take a chance on this clown? http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2054583