My Super Bowl prediction last year (go ’Hawks!) was made completely out of spite. Might as well keep the tradition alive.
Denver’s head coach (a.k.a. "the Mastermind") finally solved the puzzle; the Broncos did not lose to the Colts in this year’s playoffs. Nevertheless, I still loathe Indy’s NFL squad and predict the Bears will win. In fact, they will win 23-17.
I really have no idea who will win. It seems everyone thinks the Bears have no chance, though, which isn’t the case. Two reasons:
The Bears are better than advertised. The Bears are nearly a complete team. You already know about the defense and rookie Devin Hester, already the league’s best returner. The offensive line plays well whenever I see them, helping transform Thomas Jones, a famous bust, into a solid running back.
Yes, Rex Grossman is hot-and-cold. But everyone seems to be forgetting the “hot” part of that. He’s not on every week, but when he is, he throws a gorgeous deep ball and the Bears strike quickly. Grossman’s not the efficient passer to move the team down the field eight yards at a time, but the Bears don’t ask him to do that. Instead, they mix it up taking shots downfield, and they might need only one or two big passes to change the game. Will Grossman make those throws? I don’t know, but he certainly can.
Lovie Smith’s having a terrific year, too. So’s Tony Dungy, so it’s not like Chicago has a huge edge. But the biggest danger for a Super Bowl team is having the way-worse quarterback (like Chris Chandler) or the way-worse head coach (like Mike Martz), and I don’t think Chicago has either.
And the Colts are worse. Sorry to keep harping on this, but I’m still not quite sold on the Colts. Their first two playoff wins, though nice, came against teams with absolutely no idea what they were doing. Their win over the Patriots was very impressive, no question. But the Broncos had an impressive playoff win over the Patriots last year, too, and look where that got them.
Manning is better than I’ve ever given him credit for, and it’s possible the comeback over the Patriots will make him truly fearless. I doubt it, though. I’ve never seen anyone turn their career around on one game, no matter how important. Here’s my thing. Manning threw three picks in the first round, then threw for two more picks and for fewer yards than Steve McNair in the second. Why does everyone think Chicago has the only shaky quarterback? Manning’s been up and down, too. Another negative: the only player worse in big games than Peyton Manning is Marvin Harrison. And that defense isn’t worth all the pub they’ve been getting-they could barely slow the Patriots, the only real attack they’ve faced.
All I’m saying is, the Bears could win it.
3 comments:
Soft prediction-I like the Bears. I think Manning is soft, how many true leading qbs call for their backup to get really in the waning minutes of the game, and don't give me this weak "he was doing what was best for the team" crap-Favre played incredibly with broken thumb and concussion alike, Elway played with broken ribs, and Deberg or Simms play with the shattered left hand-Bear's D and Special teams is too good, and their conservative offensive play calling won't give the Colts a chance, Manning makes the big mistake-Gould will factor in, and maybe Vinatari missed something big-Bears 17, Colts 10
I love that you included Steve DeBerg on that list.
If I recall, Favre was a little short of "incredible" with the bad thumb, and Elway left a game after about three plays when he had the rib injury his last season. (The Chargers tackled him, he fell on the ball and was out for the game, and the NFL fined the Broncos a bunch for not revealing the injury adequately, even though Elway DID start and surely planned on playing.) Besides, Manning's missed what, like one play in his career? I think he's been very soft mentally, and he's obviously not Elway or Favre tough, but to call him a wuss for revealing an injury to his backup is pretty harsh.
I hate crap like Harrison-Rice comparisons because Jerry Rice was so amazing, and it wasn't very long ago. Rice was more like Harrison's steadiness + McCaffrey's toughness and hands + Moss' deep threatiness + Rod Smith's leadership and blocking. Maybe I exaggerate...but only a little.
And also, Vinatieri missing something big? Um, wow. Didn't expect anyone to say that.
Cap's right about Grossman, too. I always thought he was an overrated chump in college, but I'm pulling for him now.
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