[Bender2]

Gadzooks, that well oiled circus known as the Super Bowl has come full circle again... to roll back into town with it uninflated balls hanging out--

First, some old biz-- There are posters here on FR who claim to read these NFL Thread religiously... yet they do not know my team is the Dallas Cowboys-- First, Last & Always.

I won't say they are at best liars... as I will leave it to those who have been regulars on these NFL Threads for years to make judgement--

Now, as for Infaltifada Uprising known as Ballgate, let us go back a few years to the home of those pointing the longest fingers. The NFC Wild Card playoff round on January 6, 2007, where the Seattle balls handlers picked the newest, slickest, hardest to handle and catch football to give to the refs for my Cowboys to attempt a game winning field goal as time ran out. The rest, as they say is history--

Now, as the years have passed I have not harped on that. Neither has Tony Romo even when that failed attempt is shown each and every year ad nauseam.

Each team works up the footballs for their quarterbacks and kickers. Use Google or youtube to see what is common knowledge among more knowledgeable NFL fans.

Every team in the NFL looks for the best advantage and takes what it can to get the job done. That job is winning. Period. Second place is for the coaches who get pink slips--

As they says, "Sprinkles... are for winners!"

So, was the psi of the footballs at Gillette Stadium the only thing that made a difference in who won the game. Perhaps if the game had been real close or depended on one single play--

For instance let us say... that PAT attempt in Seahagland back in the 2006 season.

The Pats won last Sunday because they routed the Indy Colts in all areas of the game: passing, running and butt-kicking--

But in the long run, facts or common sense do not take away the tinfoil. Unfortunately those shiny-manureheads and their conspiracy forever outlook will be with us like bad weather and certain fans who turn off even their own.

Now I am not a fan of the Patroits... Don't believe me, ask big.

D'oh! Bendy sure ain't no fan... of my Pats.

Back in 2007 the New England Patriots were on the verge of being the only 19-0 team in NFL history. During that season there was one particular poster on the NFL Thread that made nearly everyone sick with his outlandish rants and sharp taunts to anyone. I found myself rooting for the New York Giants to win Super Bowl XLVI--

Gadzooks! Just saying that... caused me to throw up a little in my mouth--

So, here we are with the Seahags playing big's Patty Cakes in the Big One-- The Whole Enchilada-- Super Bowl XLIX

While I need to give the devil their due, the Seahags pulled off a miracle finish last week... but I don't think they will repeat as NFL Champs. Where the Packers didn't have a killed instinct last Sunday. The Pats did, do and will let the hot air out of Seattle's slick, overinflated balls.

If I am wrong, and the Seahags win, I will not shout they cheated or rigged the game. I will just suck it up... and start planing for my Boy being in Super Bowl 50!

Now, get you picks in... before I accuse you all of killing Kennedy!

[Bender2]

Bend, I got no dog in this hunt... but I do hate them Seahags more than I do the Pats.

Holy Air Pump, Batman... Hank is not getting his pick in!

Before you can make your pick, Darling, you have to grab the bull... by the corn--

Al just loves it... when I grab his corn!

Look, get your pick in, folks, before... I use up all the hot water--

BTW big, to ease the Packer getting the nasty end of the stick last Sunday... I made these up for you:

From http://www.ebay.com/itm/15-Jan-1967-AFL-NFL-Championship-Super-Bowl-I-5-of-6-Cachet-Cover-A-/281570479179?ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT:

From http://www.ebay.com/itm/15-Jan-1967-AFL-NFL-Championship-Super-Bowl-I-5-of-6-Cachet-Cover-B-/281570479343?ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT:

From http://www.ebay.com/itm/15-Jan-1967-AFL-NFL-Championship-Super-Bowl-I-5-of-6-Cachet-Cover-C-/281570479437?ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT:

[Ken H]

Why all the focus on a game?

We've got big economic problems to deal with, such as deflation.

[big'ol_freeper]

Well said my friend.

I would add:

Colts’ Dwayne Allen: Patriots Could’ve ‘Played With Soap For Balls And Beat Us’

Deflategate Would be a Non-Issue For Anyone but the Patriots

Former Tampa Bay QB Brad Johnson Says He Paid People to Tamper with Footballs

ELI MANNING LIKES HIS FOOTBALLS DOCTORED

Phil Simms: Aaron Rodgers Prefers Over-Inflated Footballs For Better Grip

I could post more

In the Army we had a saying. If you have a standard and you accept less than that standard then you've established a new lower standard. Sounds to me like there has been a lot of ball manipulation going on and the Pats were just playing to that standard.

Now to the game....

The New England Patriots will roll over the Seattle Seathugs just like they did the crybaby Folds of Indianapolis

Bank on it. It's money

[RainMan]

People are picking against my HAWK’s thinking that last week is a precursor to next week ... but look at it this way. The hawks rarely have consecutive bad weeks, and had they not spotted GB 5 turnovers and average field position in their own territory, the game could very well have been a blowout for Seattle. (i.e, GB does what they did w normal down and distance and they would have scored about 9 and the final score would have been 16-9 WITHOUT overtime or the on-side kick.) They basically limited Aaron Rodgers (QBR 55) and the entire GB offense (135 rushing yards) to nuttin honey. So ... Seattle has a “normal” game, which means they win the turnover differential, and their defense is just as stout as it was this last week, and their offense does what their offense does (put up around 250 in the air and 200 on the ground) and ... it will be a long day for the NE de-flators. Seahawks 28, NE 13

[hoagy62]

A storm is brewing...

[doorgunner69]

My pick is to record and ignore. Play back if I find out later something of interest happened.

I cannot stand either coach, nor do I care about the teams. So, I will sit this one out for the first time in many years.

Hard to say which I would prefer: Carroll humiliated or Belicheat getting his due.

[lwd]

The vegas line opened at SEA-2.5 and quickly moved to NE-2 (at some books). I have to respect the opening line. Seahawks win by less than a TD.

[Starstruck]

In years like this, when all the teams I like are eliminated, it comes down to which owner/head coach do I dislike the most. But come on, Belichick vs Carroll! What kind of choice is that? This year’s Super Bowl is probably going to be on mute in the background while I watch something on Netflix.

[rollo tomasi]

For now NE by 4 PSI but might change prediction.

Injuries to Sherman and Thomas are factored in. Chancellor if 100% can take care of Gronk most of the time so dink, dunks (With a few shots down the field) and crossing routes will probably be the strategic choice for Brady. Seattle will have a tough time since they excel at north/south coverage.

[PapaNew]

Here's my take from my annual Fearless Predictions rollout:

Summary: This Super Bowl is the kind of matchup you want to see with the two top-ranked teams in the NFL against each other and a top offense (NE) against a top defense (Seattle). The whole game should be enjoyable to watch. The most skilled matchup will be when NE has the ball. But Seattle’s offense and NE’s defense are both better than average so that also will be a fun matchup to watch. Both teams tend to come on late in the game and can score quickly. The Pats scored 21 points in the last two quarters against a tough #6 Panthers’ defense. The Seahawks scored 15 points within two minutes in the fourth quarter against GB. It could come down to things like turnovers, penalties (Seattle has a problem with this), and special teams (Seattle’s special teams were the reason they scored 15 points inside of two minutes). Over the last three seasons and postseasons, Seattle and NE are tied for the NFL’s best turnover ratio at plus 51. Below are some more run/pass, offense/defense details if you’re interested. Just don’t take my seat when I go for more pizza.

NE: NE’s #4 offense has struggled with top defenses and Seattle is the #1 defense in the NFL. In the regular season, NE lost to KC (#2 defense in the NFL) and lost one and won one against the Bills (#4 defense). In the playoffs, they had a near miss against the Panthers (#6 defense), against whom they had to score 21 points in the last two quarters to win. 21 points in two quarters against a #6-ranked defense is pretty amazing. Well, NE, who has shown they can score quickly against good defenses, will have to play at the top of their game to score enough points against Seattle’s tough defense. NE’s #8 defense has done well in the playoffs against the top passing teams of the Colts and the Broncos. Seattle is not a top passing team, so NE should do well against Seattle’s pass. NE’s run defense is stronger than their run defense but Seattle running game is one of the best in the NFL. On defense, the key to NE’s success will be stopping Seattle’s running game.

Seahawks: Seattle’s #10 offense could be neutralized by NE’s #8 defense. But Seattle has shown it can score quickly - it scored 15 points in less than two minutes against GB’s #13 defense, but it was a fairly miraculous series of events, a TD from a fake field goal try and a successful onside kick, helped. Outside of that, Seattle’s best chance on offense is their top running game. Seattle’s #1 defense will be challenged by NE’s #4 offense which can also score quickly. Seattle must stop helping the opposing team with all their penalties. Seattle will have to watch their turnovers. Although Seattle is tops in turnover ratio over the last three seasons, they were minus three against GB.

Projected winner: NE but it should be close. I think NE’s defense will stop Seattle enough for NE’s offense to blitz Seattle one too many times.

[TomGuy]

Will this one be a blow-out by one team or be a competitive nail-biter to the bitter end?

Too many times we see ‘great’ teams literally fold during the playoffs/Superbowl.