Underrated Superbowl Moments

[crystalline]

Oh I don't know. I thought it was blatant and definitely gave Brady more time. I thought it was the right call.

I agree. It looked bad in realtime and I was hoping for no penalty since I didn't see any flags, but that was the right call.

I thought the refs did a good job with the call on the late hit to Vereen too. That one doesn't get called all the time but was clearly correct. And given the fight at the end, the refs did well to make the call to keep the game under control.

I could quibble about a missed DPI call on a Seattle DB using an arm bar deep along the left sideline (on Amendola?). And a defensive illegal contact call on the Pats (Browner?) looked ticky-tack on replay.
But it was a good showing by the refs overall.

 

[In Vino Vinatieri]

 
Welker drops that ball.

 
Welker definitely doesn't make that catch.  It's a great contrast to a throw earlier in the game to a diving Amendola where he let up a little bit instead of getting murdered to make a short gain.  People in the game thread correctly noted Brady was trying to get him killed, and it's perfectly understandable for him to avoid the hit even if it meant an incompletion.
 
Later on in the game, on a much more meaningful play, Brady was trying to get Edelman murdered on a must-win third down, except it was more like Eisenhower trying to get everybody murdered in Normandy.  Not only did he catch it, and take the hit, but he almost stayed up for and ran another 20 yards like an injured dog who only knew the direction of the endzone.  When Seattle started scoring and the Pats were becoming a little unraveled, he was the knot that held it all together and he topped it off by making that play.
 
I almost wish he had gotten SB MVP to get the national recognition he deserves, but it's such a qb-centric award and we just won the Super Bowl so I can't even care.  Can't forget about the tackle after the first half INT either.  He really fucking stepped up to do not just the things asked of him, but whatever he fucking could to make sure they came away with a trophy.
 
Edelman is a fucking legend. 

 

[Ed Hillel]

Welker dies on the field.

 

[Kull]

 
Welker definitely doesn't make that catch.  It's a great contrast to a throw earlier in the game to a diving Amendola where he let up a little bit instead of getting murdered to make a short gain.  People in the game thread correctly noted Brady was trying to get him killed, and it's perfectly understandable for him to avoid the hit even if it meant an incompletion.
 
Later on in the game, on a much more meaningful play, Brady was trying to get Edelman murdered on a must-win third down, except it was more like Eisenhower trying to get everybody murdered in Normandy.  Not only did he catch it, and take the hit, but he almost stayed up for and ran another 20 yards like an injured dog who only knew the direction of the endzone.  When Seattle started scoring and the Pats were becoming a little unraveled, he was the knot that held it all together and he topped it off by making that play.
 
I almost wish he had gotten SB MVP to get the national recognition he deserves, but it's such a qb-centric award and we just won the Super Bowl so I can't even care.  Can't forget about the tackle after the first half INT either.  He really fucking stepped up to do not just the things asked of him, but whatever he fucking could to make sure they came away with a trophy.
 
Edelman is a fucking legend. 

 
Great post!

 

[minischwab]

I want to say that was the Belichick Sound FX thing from NFL Network but not 100% sure.

It was Marquise Hill. BB asked whats the penalty for offsides and Hill says "5 yds." Then BB asks whats the penalty for a false start and he says "5 yds." BB says no its on the goalline, the penalty is half an inch.

http://boston.barstoolsports.com/random-thoughts/my-sound-fx-bill-belichick-running-diary/

 

[crystalline]

Drawing Bennett offsides was a huge, huge play. I'd love to hear the rationale for the Victory formation lineup. Was that meant to get Seattle excited about the prospect of a safety? Would the Pats spend a timeout if Seattle didn't jump? Would they just have taken a delay of game penalty (why not do that until Seattle jumps?). 
 

Me too. Besides just trying to draw Seattle offsides, it could be that they would have let Brady take a slow slow knee for the safety.

If so that gives Seattle the ball deep in their own territory, but it means a FG now wins it.

I've just talked myself into your scenario. If they don't get the penalty, they call timeout and hand off to Blount.

 

[brandonchristensen]

 
Welker definitely doesn't make that catch.  It's a great contrast to a throw earlier in the game to a diving Amendola where he let up a little bit instead of getting murdered to make a short gain.  People in the game thread correctly noted Brady was trying to get him killed, and it's perfectly understandable for him to avoid the hit even if it meant an incompletion.
 
Later on in the game, on a much more meaningful play, Brady was trying to get Edelman murdered on a must-win third down, except it was more like Eisenhower trying to get everybody murdered in Normandy.  Not only did he catch it, and take the hit, but he almost stayed up for and ran another 20 yards like an injured dog who only knew the direction of the endzone.  When Seattle started scoring and the Pats were becoming a little unraveled, he was the knot that held it all together and he topped it off by making that play.
 
I almost wish he had gotten SB MVP to get the national recognition he deserves, but it's such a qb-centric award and we just won the Super Bowl so I can't even care.  Can't forget about the tackle after the first half INT either.  He really fucking stepped up to do not just the things asked of him, but whatever he fucking could to make sure they came away with a trophy.
 
Edelman is a fucking legend. 

That tackle changed the game, too. Ended up SHATTTTTTERING Lane's arm.

 

[GBrushTWood]

To me, the key is switching Brandon Browner to cover Chris Matthews instead of Kyle Arrington and Logan Ryan. Matthews was eviscerating us in the 2nd & 3rd quarters. Apart from the Kearse horseshoe/lucky and Lynch's long catches towards the end, I don't recall Seattle recording many long completions after that switch.
 
I think Browner's role in this game will be underrated for a long time to come. Without him and his size to cover Matthews, they are screwed in this game. Especially if it was the Pats secondary from the last few years without many tall guys.
 
 
Instead of Matthews being the "guy nobody heard of who won the Super Bowl", it's our guy, Butler.

 

[rodderick]

To me, the key is switching Brandon Browner to cover Chris Matthews instead of Kyle Arrington and Logan Ryan. Matthews was eviscerating us in the 2nd & 3rd quarters. Apart from the Kearse horseshoe/lucky and Lynch's long catches towards the end, I don't recall Seattle recording many long completions after that switch.
 
I think Browner's role in this game will be underrated for a long time to come. Without him and his size to cover Matthews, they are screwed in this game. Especially if it was the Pats secondary from the last few years without many tall guys.
 
 
Instead of Matthews being the "guy nobody heard of who won the Super Bowl", it's our guy, Butler.

 
Apparently Browner is the one who lobbied for it too. Dude's been as advertised.

 

[crystalline]

To me, the key is switching Brandon Browner to cover Chris Matthews instead of Kyle Arrington and Logan Ryan. Matthews was eviscerating us in the 2nd & 3rd quarters. Apart from the Kearse horseshoe/lucky and Lynch's long catches towards the end, I don't recall Seattle recording many long completions after that switch.
 
I think Browner's role in this game will be underrated for a long time to come. Without him and his size to cover Matthews, they are screwed in this game. Especially if it was the Pats secondary from the last few years without many tall guys.
 
 
Instead of Matthews being the "guy nobody heard of who won the Super Bowl", it's our guy, Butler.

Deadspin said Browner begged the coaches to put him on Matthews. Which they did only after the first drive of the 3Q. If the Patriots lost, the decision to keep Browner off Matthews coming out of the half would have been the worst decision if the game.

Here's what I haven't figured out. The CB depth chart was Revis, Browner, Arrington (preferred in slot), Ryan, Butler.

When Browner was moved to Matthews that brought Butler into the game. Were Ryan or Arrington benched for poor play, or was this just because of slot/sideline matchups?

 

[Tony C]

I'm guessing benched for poor play.
 

The Edelman hit pissed me off too until I realized his knee touched and they got the 15 yards anyways.  Didn't have any problem with the refs overall as others have noted upthread.

 
Wait. They spotted the ball where his knee touched, no? Or did they give him the run?
 

There was only one call/non-call that I hated: the holding penalty on Stork that erased an 18 yard pass to Edelman. It was ticky tacky and not consistent with the way lineman were reffed in any playoff game this year, let alone this one where they were letting a lot of stuff go.

 
If tackling a guy about to sack your QB is "ticky-tack" then, sure....

 

[twothousandone]

 

Not only did he catch it, and take the hit, but he almost stayed up for and ran another 20 yards like an injured dog who only knew the direction of the endzone.  

I can't help but wonder if Edelman suffered a concussion on that play. Minor one, if any, but I'm unclear on the protocol. I was surprised that Avril had to get tested -- which, of course, kept him out of the game after he failed.
 
I guess I'm not the only one.
 
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2015/02/01/julian-edelman-super-bowl-new-england-patriots/22724097/

the sideline late hit on Seattle was a bad call also, this site would have flipped its shit had it been the other way

The ref's announcement was/is "hitting out of bounds." Of course, the play ends when the whistle blows, not when the player is out of bounds. As with Harmon NOT diving in on Kearse on the circus catch, you can't win against the "spirit of the law" even if you follow the letter of the law on defense. 

 

[BoneForYourJar]

Putting Browner on Chamberlain was little noticed at the time, but it finally put an end to those infuriating jump balls.

And if Browner doesn't jam Kearse on that last 2nd and goal....

 

[Carlos Cowart]

I just rewatched the game and a play or twon before they complete the circus catch Wilson takes a shot downfield that Revis defends and gets 2 hands on the ball. I think if you replay that 10 times Revis ends the game on 8 of them and none of us had to piss our pants.

 

[ivanvamp]

Deadspin said Browner begged the coaches to put him on Matthews. Which they did only after the first drive of the 3Q. If the Patriots lost, the decision to keep Browner off Matthews coming out of the half would have been the worst decision if the game.

Here's what I haven't figured out. The CB depth chart was Revis, Browner, Arrington (preferred in slot), Ryan, Butler.

When Browner was moved to Matthews that brought Butler into the game. Were Ryan or Arrington benched for poor play, or was this just because of slot/sideline matchups?

 
I am pretty sure Arrington got benched for poor play.  He got beat a bunch of times last night.

 

[Stitch01]

Me too. Besides just trying to draw Seattle offsides, it could be that they would have let Brady take a slow slow knee for the safety.

If so that gives Seattle the ball deep in their own territory, but it means a FG now wins it.

I've just talked myself into your scenario. If they don't get the penalty, they call timeout and hand off to Blount.

They couldnt take a second straight timeout, but they could take a delay of game or just intentionally false start.
 
I think Brady sneaking was more likely than ever handing it off there.  Formation still makes sense, the victory formation guys behind Brady have one assignment, look for a loose ball and jump on it.

 

[TFP]

I just rewatched the game and a play or twon before they complete the circus catch Wilson takes a shot downfield that Revis defends and gets 2 hands on the ball. I think if you replay that 10 times Revis ends the game on 8 of them and none of us had to piss our pants.

That was Browner, not Revis.

 

[GBrushTWood]

 
Apparently Browner is the one who lobbied for it too. Dude's been as advertised.

 
No doubt. To me, him and Revis were the guys that made this a Super Bowl caliber team. How many years in a row did we have complete dogshit secondaries? Must have been at least 4-5 years. Browner added some Rodney Harrison type attitude to that secondary. I can totally live with his penalties if the majority of his other plays are positive contributions. 
 
The fact that him and Revis basically stayed healthy the entire year was also a miracle. I figured at least one of them would go down, and expose some of the more average cover guys on the depth chart. Super happy we had a healthy Browner and Revis all year long.
 
Now that I think of it, that goes for the entire squad as well. Apart from Mayo and Ridley, you could also argue the most underrated part of the 2014 Patriots was health. If you have a healthy Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, and Darrelle Revis for 16 games, you are going to kick some ass. Also goes for just about every other part of the roster. You typically don't see this every year, so when it happens, seeing them capitalize on the opportunity makes the victory even sweeter.

 

[8slim]

 
I am pretty sure Arrington got benched for poor play.  He got beat a bunch of times last night.

 
Correct, that was why Butler was in the game.
 
After he got torched yet again early in the 2nd half my 11 year old daughter started ranting "get Arrington out of the game!".  So proud.

 

[Merloni Magic]

The running into the kicker call was clearly the wrong call.  It should have been roughing the kicker.  Points on the opening drive would have been huge.

 

[8slim]

 
No doubt. To me, him and Revis were the guys that made this a Super Bowl caliber team. How many years in a row did we have complete dogshit secondaries? Must have been at least 4-5 years. Browner added some Rodney Harrison type attitude to that secondary. I can totally live with his penalties if the majority of his other plays are positive contributions. 
 
The fact that him and Revis basically stayed healthy the entire year was also a miracle. I figured at least one of them would go down, and expose some of the more average cover guys on the depth chart. Super happy we had a healthy Browner and Revis all year long.
 
Now that I think of it, that goes for the entire squad as well. Apart from Mayo and Ridley, you could also argue the most underrated part of the 2014 Patriots was health. If you have a healthy Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, and Darrelle Revis for 16 games, you are going to kick some ass. Also goes for just about every other part of the roster. You typically don't see this every year, so when it happens, seeing them capitalize on the opportunity makes the victory even sweeter.

 
Great point.  The deflation nonsense distracted most from the fact that in more recent SB appearances we had spent the 2 weeks prior obsessed with which of our multitude of injured players would play, and how many would be effective.  Outside of Stork there was none of that this time.  Given how the NFL is ultimately a war of attrition that was pretty remarkable.

 

[Cabin Mirror]

Before the final TD to Edelman, Brady took a shot in the end zone to LaFell. The DB Simon defended it well, but LaFell had held Simon's left arm probably preventing interception number 3 and likely the death knell.

 

[Red Averages]

Underrated?  Youngest team to win the superbowl ever with an average age of 25.  They definitely have a chance to maintain if this is they can have another good offseason.

 

[wiffleballhero]

Edelman's tackle on Lane was enormous. It warrants repeated mention.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

Brady calling a triple "hut" on the end zone play was great timing in order to pull them offsides. 

 

[Kevin Youkulele]

Brady calling a triple "hut" on the end zone play was great timing in order to pull them offsides. 

This was a piece of a larger theme.  Seattle lost their composure at the end.  They had to call timeout after the miracle catch.  I think they might have been caught off guard by BB not calling a timeout after Lynch was tackled at the 1.  Who knows whether Wilson had his head in the right place at the moment of the critical throw (an INT is the one thing you can't do and you have to know that).  Then the offsides and the brawl.  No way all these things happen if the shoe was on the other foot.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

Does Seattle usually have one guy lined up in the neutral zone when they're on defense? There were a large number of times last night one guy was in the neutral zone when the ball was snapped and it was never called.

 

[Marciano490]

Does Seattle usually have one guy lined up in the neutral zone when they're on defense? There were a large number of times last night one guy was in the neutral zone when the ball was snapped and it was never called.

 
I noticed that on the play where Stork was called for holding.  Looked like the Seattle player (Bennett?) basically had his helmet on Stork's before the snap. 

 

[SumnerH]

The running into the kicker call was clearly the wrong call.  It should have been roughing the kicker.  Points on the opening drive would have been huge.

Yep. That and the Pats getting away with a pretty obvious OPI later on were the two biggest ref miscues in a pretty well officiated game.

 

[E5 Yaz]

Golic and Jeff Saturday said the most underrated moment was Nink's tackle of Lynch to force the field goal

 

[Captaincoop]

 He may not have touched down oob but the hit occurred a good 2 or 3 feet off the field of play. Spirit of the rule.

 
Well, not to mention they had missed an egregious helmet-to-helmet hit one play earlier.  That one felt like a makeup.

 

[Steve Dillard]

Hightower getting just enough of Lynch on first and goal to bring him down. There was a split second where he looked absolutely home free. In the chaos of the final minute the tackle was not really highlighted. Massive play sure to be forgotten.

 

[8slim]

 
Well, not to mention they had missed an egregious helmet-to-helmet hit one play earlier.  That one felt like a makeup.

 
Yep, that's what I thought too.  I'm not sure that NFL refs do make up calls like they do in the NBA, but at the time I said that it seemed like one to me.

 

[Silverdude2167]

 
I nearly jumped offsides from my couch. The little tap he does at Stork sold it perfectly. Masterful.

Edit: nvm

 

[ifmanis5]

Still underrated that they did this without the captain of their defense and their featured running back. Of course, not mentioned at all yesterday.

 

[MentalDisabldLst]

Golic and Jeff Saturday said the most underrated moment was Nink's tackle of Lynch to force the field goal

 
That is a great pick.  Reminded me of Willie McGinest at Indy... or about a dozen moments in Tedy Bruschi's career.  Nink just shot off the RT unblocked and trucked the RB at full speed.  We didn't stuff Lynch many times last night, but that was a crucial moment where we did.

 

[Stitch01]

In the lucky it didnt matter category, have to see the all-22 but Brady might have had Vereen for a TD on that 3rd down pass that he turfed in the second quarter when Edelman fell down.

 

[Zososoxfan]

Don't know where else to post, but I feel like this request will be met here: what is your favorite in-game image from the Superbowl and/or this playoff run? For the Sox' 2013 WS, I bought a beautiful print of Papi, Taco, and Xander signaling 'safe' as Gomes slid home and got it framed - it's wonderful. This championship run deserves an equivalent homage. Here are some ideas, but I'd like to hear others as well:
 
1) Edelman to Amendola - a view of the field and Amendola being wide open would be ideal
2) Butler INT - THE moment of the SB
3) Vereen one-handed grab - probably the most eye-popping play of the SB (pro-Pats division)
 
Edit: And if anyone has suggestions for places to check out good pictures, please let me know. Thanks.

 

[dbn]

I was just coming here to post that same picture. Not to clear up who did or didn't make the tackle, but because it was awesome.

 

[snowmanny]

This isn't an underrated moment, but I have questions regarding the first play of the game: that weird play where they split Gronkowski way outside and Brady threw him the ball with Sherman on him.  
1) Was that something they've run before? I don't remember that play.
2) Did they throw at Sherman again?
3) Assuming the answer to 1 is basically no, and the answer to 2 is basically no, was there some purpose to that play in dictating coverage on the Seattle side, or was this simply a play they tried that didn't work?

 

[Jettisoned]

This isn't an underrated moment, but I have questions regarding the first play of the game: that weird play where they split Gronkowski way outside and Brady threw him the ball with Sherman on him.  
1) Was that something they've run before? I don't remember that play.
2) Did they throw at Sherman again?
3) Assuming the answer to 1 is basically no, and the answer to 2 is basically no, was there some purpose to that play in dictating coverage on the Seattle side, or was this simply a play they tried that didn't work?

 
The answer to 1 is yes.  They split Gronk out wide frequently this year.

 

[scottyno]

This isn't an underrated moment, but I have questions regarding the first play of the game: that weird play where they split Gronkowski way outside and Brady threw him the ball with Sherman on him.  
1) Was that something they've run before? I don't remember that play.
2) Did they throw at Sherman again?
3) Assuming the answer to 1 is basically no, and the answer to 2 is basically no, was there some purpose to that play in dictating coverage on the Seattle side, or was this simply a play they tried that didn't work?

They threw at Sherman twice if you count that play, the other one was the 2nd play of the game where Amendola broke his tackle.

 

[StupendousMan]

Edelman in of itself is awesome. Everyone was proclaiming the Pats dead after Welker left and Edelman was basically considered a shit version of him. For him to emerge to a level that not a single person on the planet would trade Welker for him straight up but to make a defining clutch play in the Super Bowl, given Welkers well-known dropped pass, well it's just weird how stuff works out.

 
Stats in 2013 and 2014 seasons, after Welker went to Denver:
 
Welker: 122 catches for 1242 yards, 12 TD, 73 first downs.  21 punt returns for 144 yards, no TDs.
Edelman: 197 catches for 2028 yards, 10 TD, 103 first downs.  60 punt returns for 673 yards, 1 TD.
 
Oh, and Edelman has added 12 rushes for 105 yards during these 2 years.   And threw one touchdown, too.

 

[E5 Yaz]

This isn't an underrated moment, but I have questions regarding the first play of the game: that weird play where they split Gronkowski way outside and Brady threw him the ball with Sherman on him.  
1) Was that something they've run before? I don't remember that play.
2) Did they throw at Sherman again?
3) Assuming the answer to 1 is basically no, and the answer to 2 is basically no, was there some purpose to that play in dictating coverage on the Seattle side, or was this simply a play they tried that didn't work?

 
The way I heard it this morning listening to analysts was that by splitting Gronk out, they hoped to further open the middle for YAC from Edelman, Vereen and Amendola. Forgot who it was, Jeff Saturday maybe, who said Seattle has had trouble getting smaller quicker guys down with their inside backer(s) and safeties

 

[Cellar-Door]

 

I can't help but wonder if Edelman suffered a concussion on that play. Minor one, if any, but I'm unclear on the protocol. I was surprised that Avril had to get tested -- which, of course, kept him out of the game after he failed.
 
I guess I'm not the only one.
 
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2015/02/01/julian-edelman-super-bowl-new-england-patriots/22724097/
The ref's announcement was/is "hitting out of bounds." Of course, the play ends when the whistle blows, not when the player is out of bounds. As with Harmon NOT diving in on Kearse on the circus catch, you can't win against the "spirit of the law" even if you follow the letter of the law on defense. 

Avril failed the sideline concussion test, once that happens the protocol is that you have to go to the locker room for evaluation and can't return. Jules passed his test (though it appeared that they didn't give it until after the series)

 

[Infield Infidel]

I missed the first five minutes, Were there any replay reviews? I don't remember any. 

 

[Super Nomario]

 
The way I heard it this morning listening to analysts was that by splitting Gronk out, they hoped to further open the middle for YAC from Edelman, Vereen and Amendola. Forgot who it was, Jeff Saturday maybe, who said Seattle has had trouble getting smaller quicker guys down with their inside backer(s) and safeties

If Seattle puts a CB on Gronk, that means they're putting a LB or S on a WR somewhere else. Or they can decide to move Sherman to the slot (where he doesn't play much) and put a LB / S on Gronk outside - which was the look on Gronk's TD and a few of his other catches.
 
Josh McDaniels is a smart dude, you guys. He knew what looks would stress Seattle's D and pushed those buttons repeatedly. Not everything worked, because the Seahawks are so tough and smart and talented, but it was a far cry from the performance of Denver's "greatest offense of all time" last year.

 

[GBrushTWood]

How about some love for Josh McDaniels? The guy gets shitted on when anything bad happens on offense, and fades into the background when they succeed. The Pats just put up 28 points on the #1 defense in football.  His game planning and in game adjustments for all 3 playoff games were excellent, particularly against Baltimore. Even Belichick gave credit to him (and the other coaches) for putting the Seattle game plan together while Belichick fended off the deflation centered media wolves. 
 
In the first Giants Super Bowl, I think McDaniels deservedly took a lot of heat for abandoning the run and failing to adjust to pressure from the Giants front 4. Towards the middle of the game yesterday, it felt like Seattle figured out how to stop the Patriots short passing attack, but McDaniels helped make adjustments.
 
There are actually some pretty good quotes from McDaniels in Peter King's article today:

"And it’s just a reminder to me … I think our staff did a phenomenal job of adjusting, or correcting problems. We had some issues. Michael Bennett—he’s one of the best defensive linemen we’ve faced—created some problems for us in the first half. He’s as good a down player as we’ve played all year. And so we had to do a couple things, try to get two bodies to him. We had Tom send the protection that way and I thought Bryan Stork did a great job of trying to go over that way and help when he had the opportunity to do so, and then the guards just kept fighting. That’s just the way Bill coaches. Have poise. Fix things. It’s never a perfect game."
 
 
http://mmqb.si.com/2015/02/02/super-bowl-49-patriots-defeat-seahawks/
 
 

 

[Stitch01]

Yup, Josh and the offense deserve loads of credit.  Good game plan, but really hard to implement properly because Seattle doesnt give much easy YAC and the Pats needed to execute 8, 10, 12 plays to get down the field and were going to take some punishment in doing so.  Running game probably didnt give the Pats as much as they hoped, but they found ways to work around it.  
 
I came away from that game feeling like Seattle was the best team the Pats had played in a number of years, which made the win even sweeter.

 

[SoxVindaloo]

And he did it with a bum shoulder too. 100% man.

Barnwell does a great job of breaking that play down. It is awesome how quickly Hightower sheds Okung to desperately lunge at Lynch. He gets him most of the way down and Ayers finishes the job in the nick of time. Right up there with Nink's several great tackle for Loss/No Gain plays right behind Butler's INT.
 
http://grantland.com/the-triangle/super-bowl-new-england-patriots-seattle-seahawks/