National Football League

[Alpe d'Huez]

Well, the US is big. I guarantee you it won't be 18c in New York. While not likely, -18c is more probable.

Good win for Denver, game went similar to what I expected, only I thought more points. They were solid everywhere, but four questions come to mind:

- The Pats rarely touched Manning. Perfectly clean jersey. Why? Because the Pats played hard, but couldn't blitz. They don't have the pass rush, or man defenders. The Broncos are not likely to have this luxury against Sea or SF, are they?

- There was no other pressure on Manning. Hence, the Broncos jumped to an early lead and kept it. What happens if the isn't the case in the SB and he has to bring them back late? Will he get unnerved?

- How banged up did the Broncos get? They are already missing some players, and more went down this game, some hard. How bad are they hurt?

- The Patriots gave up on the run early. Maybe they had to. Can Denver hold Seattle or SF's run offense to the same?

 

[The Hitch]

Refs screwing san Fran on some absolutely massive decisions.

 

[ChewbaccaD]

Refs screwing san Fran on some absolutely massive decisions.

Good.

And remember, if they had given the ball to SF, it would have given them worse field position than the ended up with, so the reality is that the call didn't matter because Seattle didn't score.

 

[ChewbaccaD]

Looks like Carolina was an underdog for a reason.

Looks like SF was an underdog for a reason

 

[Oldman]

This was the game they could let Russell Wilson loose when it was necessary. His stats have been down for a reason but you saw his accuracy when it counted. You also saw Kapernick under pressure and the picks that occurred in the 4th qtr were waiting to happen. The first half the Niners got every lucky bounce so, between that and some questionable officiating there should be no second guessing the outcome.

Great game and another to come.

 

[leftover pie]

the 4am game was not worth getting up at 4am for but the seahawks and 49ers more than made up for it.

really looking forward to the superbowl.

 

[The Hitch]

Good.

And remember, if they had given the ball to SF, it would have given them worse field position than the ended up with, so the reality is that the call didn't matter because Seattle didn't score.

Probably not, though they did have to withstand another attack and also Lynch learnt from his fumble the next time he got the ball. Seattle don't get given the ball and maybe he makes that mistake the next time round instead.

Anyway, what I was talking about mainly was the roughing the passer decision that should have given San Fran a first down with a 15 yard gain, rather than Seattle the ball near the center from which they scored their td.

That mistake probably did cost the 49ers the game.

 

[ChewbaccaD]

Probably not, though they did have to withstand another attack and also Lynch learnt from his fumble the next time he got the ball. Seattle don't get given the ball and maybe he makes that mistake the next time round instead.

Anyway, what I was talking about mainly was the roughing the passer decision that should have given San Fran a first down with a 15 yard gain, rather than Seattle the ball near the center from which they scored their td.

That mistake probably did cost the 49ers the game.

I'd go with the three turnovers in the 4th quarter

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

What a tough game. While I didn't like some of the officiating, I don't think it changed the outcome of the game. Not as much as SF not being able to execute when they needed to. Like, the last drive for example.

I'll stick with my previous prediction, and take Seattle in the Superbowl. More details later.

 

[The GCW]

Cannabowl!

Denver vs. Seattle: both have legalized cannabis.

CANNABOWL

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

What a tough game. While I didn't like some of the officiating, I don't think it changed the outcome of the game. Not as much as SF not being able to execute when they needed to. Like, the last drive for example.

I'll stick with my previous prediction, and take Seattle in the Superbowl. More details later.

Agree officiating was bad but did not change the outcome. And even as a Hawk fan I was really glad that Seattle did not score after Seattle incorrectly retained possession on the Kearse fumble at the one yard line, which was recovered by Bowman who was injured on the play. IMO, that was justice for a poor call. I also feel bad for injuries to Bowman and Iupatti.

Should be a good SB matchup between the NFL's #1 offense and the #1 defense. A possible game changer.... Harvin should be back from his concussion injury.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

Seahawks should win it besides i do not wanna see a manning win the SB again.

sherman
https://v.cdn.vine.co/r/videos/4855...p4?versionId=DBVtAxsIR2C0G5tvnScPu3AT8V7I89qb

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

That injury to Bowman was horrible. I hope it wasn't as bad as it looked and he's able to recover.

I also have to wonder what Crabtree and Sherman were saying to each other throughout the game. Sherman was very...animated there at the end. But later seemed almost sheepish for scaring Erin Andrews. But what a great player. The shoe Seattle secondary is just scary. I aso didn't realize Chancellor was as big as he is. He reminds me of Jeff Fuller.

 

[leftover pie]

That injury to Bowman was horrible. I hope it wasn't as bad as it looked and he's able to recover. .

and they kept showing it over and over again

gotta feel for him, makes a great play but then in the blink of an eye his next season is probably ruined AND they award the ball to the seahawks.

 

[The Hitch]

I'd go with the three turnovers in the 4th quarter

And falling behind in the 4th quarter purely due to a bad referee decision did not contribute to that?

I don't think it's fair to attack 1 young quarterback for making the mistakes when his team was unfairly put in a position where he had to start taking risks, and the other was not.

In a game as close as the one yesterday giving the ball to the wrong team in great field position before sf have committed any turnovers, while they are in the lead, is massive.

 

[ChewbaccaD]

And falling behind in the 4th quarter purely due to a bad referee decision did not contribute to that?

I don't think it's fair to attack 1 young quarterback for making the mistakes when his team was unfairly put in a position where he had to start taking risks, and the other was not.

In a game as close as the one yesterday giving the ball to the wrong team in great field position before sf have committed any turnovers, while they are in the lead, is massive.

He turned the ball over 3 times which means he had the ball in his hands, with a chance to drive down the field for a score 3 times, and he didn't do it. That you think that is less important than a questionable roughing the passer non-call is mystifying to me. He turned the ball over 3 times in less than 9 minutes in fact. Even if Seattle doesn't score, you factor in the time it will take for Seattle to play 3 downs per turnover at a minimum, and you can see that he left his team with too little time to accomplish their goal.

And if you think attacking a QB involves pointing out that committed 3 turnovers during the most critical time of the game, you seem to miss the difference between abject fact and insult.

The refs didn't lose the game for SF. SF lost the game for SF. As a Panther fan, I could have made similar arguments last week, but I didn't because when it came time to get the job done, we didn't. Neither did SF. Period.

EDIT: He11, if he just protects the ball and gets a first down or two and doesn't allow Seattle to score one of their field goals, they are in a position to tie at the end and don't need to chuck the ball into the end zone into coverage from one of the best corners in the game.

And to counter your first sentence: Staying behind in the 4th quarter purely due to 3 turnovers. The goal was on their foot and they missed it.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

That was beautiful (game 1) vs ugly (game 2*).
I guess most people prefer beautiful, and thus should root for DEN.
Whatever, if Manning brings his B game in the SB that should be enough. I don´t see SEA scoring much points vs DEN.
If Manning brings his A game (and Fox comes up with an agressive game plan), DEN will slaughter SEA.
My early prediction is somewhere in the middle:
DEN 24, SEA 10

(* thanks god i was drunk enough by the time this game started, and thus hadn´t to witness too much of this struggle )

Edit: Vegas has DEN as early 1.5 to 2 point fav...

 

[Oldman]

And falling behind in the 4th quarter purely due to a bad referee decision did not contribute to that?

I don't think it's fair to attack 1 young quarterback for making the mistakes when his team was unfairly put in a position where he had to start taking risks, and the other was not.

In a game as close as the one yesterday giving the ball to the wrong team in great field position before sf have committed any turnovers, while they are in the lead, is massive.

SF got the ball in the first Seattle play, first quarter inside the Seattle 20. They couldn't get in the end zone and settled for a field goal. They got a TD that was an inch from getting picked later in the half and had Seattle down 10-0.
If the "roughing the kicker" turnover was the pivotal moment it was pivotal because SF couldn't stop Seattle, not because Kap can't handle the pressure (which I noted much earlier he can have a problem with).
Seattle BEAT San Francisco and they did it by making big plays.

As for those that don't think Russell Wilson can score; you'd better look at the early games where they turned him loose. Seattle can score...a lot. Everyone's healthy and they appreciate your lack of faith.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

That injury to Bowman was horrible. I hope it wasn't as bad as it looked and he's able to recover.

I also have to wonder what Crabtree and Sherman were saying to each other throughout the game. Sherman was very...animated there at the end. But later seemed almost sheepish for scaring Erin Andrews. But what a great player. The shoe Seattle secondary is just scary. I aso didn't realize Chancellor was as big as he is. He reminds me of Jeff Fuller.

well there is an article on the bleacher Report quoting Richard Sherman's brother as saying that Michael Crabtree tried to start a fight last summer with Sherman at a charity event put on by the Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald. So if that is the case then I completely understand Richard Sherman post game response. Now Larry and Richard get along fine as respect is given both ways. But it is clear Richard will not back off once dissed or otherwise crossed.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Probably not, though they did have to withstand another attack and also Lynch learnt from his fumble the next time he got the ball. Seattle don't get given the ball and maybe he makes that mistake the next time round instead.

Anyway, what I was talking about mainly was the roughing the passer decision that should have given San Fran a first down with a 15 yard gain, rather than Seattle the ball near the center from which they scored their td.

That mistake probably did cost the 49ers the game.

um I don't recall a roughing the passer. I recall a roughing the punter call that was missed. but to say that cost San Fran the game is a reach because up to that point Sea was doing a good job stopping SF, and so it is equally likely SF would have punted anyway after another set of first downs. Sea defense lives off of big plays. ..which is what I mean by saying "D" wins championships. .. so another set of fresh downs could have ended up with a pick-6 for Sea. No way you can say that blown call cost SF the game.

 

[Oldman]

um I don't recall a roughing the passer. I recall a roughing the punter call that was missed. but to say that cost San Fran the game is a reach because up to that point Sea was doing a good job stopping SF, and so it is equally likely SF would have punted anyway after another set of first downs. Sea defense lives off of big plays. ..which is what I mean by saying "D" wins championships. .. so another set of fresh downs could have ended up with a pick-6 for Sea. No way you can say that blown call cost SF the game.

Hitch must've missed two other "blown" calls: 1)Kap fumbles, then kicks it to his lineman...on their 20. That would have been automatic loss of down and Seattle possession on SF's 20. 2)Bouldin's push off to get space for his TD catch. Seattle's defender stillalmost picked it...

 

[ChewbaccaD]

Hitch must've missed two other "blown" calls: 1)Kap fumbles, then kicks it to his lineman...on their 20. That would have been automatic loss of down and Seattle possession on SF's 20. 2)Bouldin's push off to get space for his TD catch. Seattle's defender stillalmost picked it...

Agree. Blaming officials is generally for losers. SF had ample opportunity to win the game.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Well, I do agree the roughing the punter call was wrong, I don't see how it changed the outcome the game.

My early prediction is somewhere in the middle:
DEN 24, SEA 10

So, Seattle's offense puts up 24 on SF's D, but can only score 10 against Denver? And Denver puts up 26 on no-name players for New England in perfect weather, and can almost match that against Seattle in 40 degree colder temps?

Meanwhile, Belicheck is saying the play where Talib got injured was a deliberate play by Welker to take NE's best defender out of the game. I watched the replay and its a definite pick, but deliberate?

Early reports are a torn ACL for NaVarro Bowman.

 

[The Hitch]

My impression that san Fran received the short end of the stick was a result of what the commentators over here were saying- that san Fran can feel really aggrieved, and it certainly seemed that way from the clips they showed and talked over.

It's not the refs fault, but the system, which places too much faith in humans when video evidence is available (even challenged decisions go strongly in favour of whichever team got the initial call because if the "evidence to overturn stipulation, as Seattle saw against Arizona). Of course they go both ways in every game but it often brings the game down to luck.

I'm against the system. I think it's a bit unfair to say people who complain about it are "losers". Plenty of people want better officiating first and foremost.

 

[FoxxyBrown1111]

So, Seattle's offense puts up 24 on SF's D, but can only score 10 against Denver? And Denver puts up 26 on no-name players for New England in perfect weather, and can almost match that against Seattle in 40 degree colder temps?

Common Alpe, you know it better and you can do better.
How did SEA put 23 on the 49ers? (I have to guess a little, b/c I wasn´t that clear in mind when the game was under way I think I had just one beer too much )
Let´s start with Harbaugh. As I was still clear enough I saw the stat line of Kaep at the half. Actually I was shocked (3/5 for 17). He did the exact same mistake as Payton: A coward game plan that favoured SEA. At this point I said to myself SF is doomed (didn´t tell it to my guys in the bar, since many are 49ers fans) no matter if Kaep would go on to rush for 200 yards... Yet everything went the 49ers way early (Wilson fumble, 10 point lead). Harbaugh threw away the gifts, literally. He is to blame for the missed SB opportunity (and the refs for not calling the grounding that led to 3 important SEA points). And before I get some flak: No one can convince me that you can´t throw against SEA when you have a good QB on your offense. You can, but you have to try (see NO 2nd half, Kaep 2nd half until the usual desperation Int, that comes when you are forced to do things when the time is your enemy). Go down big or win big. But playing SEAs game is the blueprint to lose (I can only pray PM has enough saying for the game plan, so that Fox doesn´t go too conservative, and that the weather won´t be too bad, b/c Fox would certainly go even more conservative). I stand by my old saying: You can run as long until you or your opponent drops, but wins come by efficient passing.

To the SEA points; one FG was a gift by the refs (see above), one TD came after the SF CB thought an NFL QB can´t throw 60 yards (may he watched too much Mirer footage as kid, who knows ), one TD came with a free play on 4th down. Will get SEA that lucky in the SB like the past two weeks (look also how they won vs NO; a coward game plan by Payton, missed FGs by the NO leg swinger, Colston throwing forward instead of going OoB)?
I don´t think so. You can´t count on luck forever. More likely: Wilson gets his high sack rate, may has one or two big plays, but not the way the 49ers and refs gifted him/SEA three times.
Take away the above mentioned plays, and Wilsons stat line is 14/23-129-4 sacks for a measly 4 Y/PP. The same crap like last week or vs AZ, actually since recent weeks all together.
Add in that SEAs average drives started at their 39yL (SFs at their 24)! Their scoring drives averaged just 41 yards (inclusive !! the gifted big plays). I combine all those facts with what I saw with blurred eyes (an ugly game by both teams), and I come up with 10 points for SEA, max. 17 for the SB...