WhatIfSports Patriots Tournament

[BaseballJones]

I'm playing a 24 team Patriots tournament on WhatIfSports.com's simulator. These 24 teams are the following, by seeding, using pro-football-reference's SRS rating as the guide. The simulator only goes back to 1971, so no team earlier than that can be considered for this exercise. I also had to bump a couple of teams that finished ahead of the 2001 team, which, while it won the SB, was ranked much lower by SRS than you might think. I *had* to have all the SB-winning teams in this tournament; to not would be absurd. I also bumped teams that didn't even make the playoffs.

1. 2007 - bye
2. 2010 - bye
3. 2012 - bye
4. 2004 - bye
5. 2009 - bye
6. 2014 - bye
7. 2019 - bye
8. 2006 - bye
9. 2016
10. 2011
11. 2017
12. 1976
13. 2021
14. 2015
15. 2003
16. 2013
17. 1985
18. 1986
19. 1997
20. 2018
21. 1996
22. 1978
23. 2001
24. 1998

So here's the bracket. All games will be played with a "home field advantage" - all in New England, of course, but the HFA designation does give that team a little advantage.

Belichick Region
1. 2007
32. bye

16. 2013
17. 1985

8. 2006
25. bye

9. 2016
24. 1998

- - -

Berry Region
4. 2004
29. bye

13. 2021
20. 2018

5. 2009
28. bye

12. 1976
21. 1996

- - -

Fairbanks Region
2. 2010
31. bye

15. 2003
18. 1986

7. 2019
26. bye

10. 2011
23. 2001

- - -

Parcells Region
3. 2012
30. bye

14. 2015
19. 1997

6. 2014
27. bye

11. 2017
22. 1978


I'll give you guys a little chance to make some predictions or give some thoughts on who you're "rooting" for. In a one-and-done bracket I have no idea which team will come out on top. I wonder how true to these seedings the games will play out on the WhatIf simulator. This afternoon I'll give the results of the Belichick and Fairbanks regions first round games.

 

[moretsyndrome]

It's incredible that the 2001 team probably doesn't get out of the 1st round. That would fit into the Celebrating What Is thread!

Don't sleep on 1978. That team could run the ball!

 

[BuellMiller]

It's incredible that the 2001 team probably doesn't get out of the 1st round. That would fit into the Celebrating What Is thread!

Don't sleep on 1978. That team could run the ball!

That 2001 team certainly wouldn't be afraid of a higher seed. Plus, if Edelman has to spend any time covering Troy Brown out of the slot, that's a matchup that even a young Tom Brady would pick apart all day. Although, Milloy, Vrabel, Phifer, and/or McGinest would certainly have their hands full between Gronk, Hernandez, and Woodhead. Maybe 2001 BB puts Law on Hernandez, O-T-I-S on Branch, and Terrell Buckley gets Welker?

 

[Brohamer of the Gods]

A very important question - what year's pass interference rules will be followed?

 

[BaseballJones]

Ok here's the two games from the Belichick Region.

(17) 1985 Pats at (16) 2013 Pats

1985 beat 2013, 16-12. The 2013 squad led 6-3 at the half, but the 1985 team scored the game's only TD in the third quarter, on an 8-yard pass from Tony Eason to Irving Fryar. Two consecutive Stephen Gostkowski field goals gave 2013 a 12-10 lead, but Tony Franklin gave 1985 the lead with 4:30 left in the game on a chip shot from 26 yards out. The 2013 team failed on a 4th and 1 on their next possession, leading to another Franklin field goal to make it 16-12. The 2013 squad had one last chance, but Fred Marion picked off Tom Brady to seal the game. The '85 team held Tom Brady to just 11 completions in 25 attempts for a mere 111 yards. Craig James led the '85 team with 60 rush yards and 26 receiving yards.

(24) 1998 Pats at (9) 2016 Pats (edited to correct the seeding and the 1998 Pats team)

2016 beat 1998, 26-9. The 2016 team took a commanding lead of 20-0 at the half, and cruised to victory, with the 1998 team scoring the last 9 points late in the game when the outcome was no longer in any doubt. Tom Brady went 19-30 for 255 yards, 2 td, and 0 int for the 2016 team.


So the next round of the Belichick Region is:

(17) 1985 at (1) 2007
(9) 2016 at (8) 2006


And now the two games from the Berry Region.

(20) 2018 Pats at (13) 2021 Pats

2021 beat 2018, 23-20 in overtime. 2021 jumped out to a 14-0, and then 20-3 lead with just over three minutes remaining in the third quarter. But 2018 came roaring back behind two James White TD runs, the second of which tied the game with 20 seconds left in regulation. Taking the ball on the first possession of OT, the 2021 team moved down the field and set up a 50-yard Nick Folk field goal to win it. Mac Jones was efficient, going 14-17 for 200 yards, 1 TD, and 0 INT. 2021 also pounded out 225 rushing yards behind Damien Harris' 85 yards, Rhamondre Stevenson's 57, and James White's 47.

(21) 1996 Pats at (12) 1976 Pats

1976 beat 1996, 9-7. Curtis Martin led off the scoring for 1996 with a 28-yard TD run in the first quarter, but 1976 came back with a TD of their own in the 3rd quarter. John Smith missed the PAT, leaving 1976 with a one point deficit at 7-6. Both teams struggled in the air but had effective ground games, with Martin rushing for 84 yards on 20 carries for 1996, and Sam Cunningham going for 105 yards on 17 carries for 1976, and Andy Johnson adding 56 yards on 13 carries. 1976 won the game on a Smith field goal with 1:18 left.


So the next round in the Berry Region is:

(13) 2021 at (4) 2004
(12) 1976 at (5) 2009

 

[tims4wins]

Wait you have 1996 twice

 

[BaseballJones]

Wait you have 1996 twice

I have them as the #21 seed, that's it. What am I missing?

Oh duh, in the second Belichick Region game I meant to type (24) 1998 at (9) 2016. The 2016 team beat the 1998 team, 26-9. I'll fix it.

 

[tims4wins]

I have them as the #21 seed, that's it. What am I missing?

Oh duh, in the second Belichick Region game I meant to type (24) 1998 at (9) 2016. The 2016 team beat the 1998 team, 26-9. I'll fix it.

Yeah.

Also, the OT rules would have given the 2018 Pats another chance with the ball. I wouldn't bet against Tom Brady in that situation.

 

[BaseballJones]

Yeah.

Also, the OT rules would have given the 2018 Pats another chance with the ball. I wouldn't bet against Tom Brady in that situation.

Well I can't do anything about that. I have to go by the WhatIf simulator.

 

[tims4wins]

Well I can't do anything about that. I have to go by the WhatIf simulator.

Well I just got 2018 Pats 31, 2021 Pats 19... ha.

 

[BaseballJones]

Well I just got 2018 Pats 31, 2021 Pats 19... ha.

THIS IS MY TOURNAMENT!!!!!

 

[tims4wins]

THIS IS MY TOURNAMENT!!!!!

Fine I ran it again and got 2021 17, 2018 16, with Gost missing a 42 yard field goal with a minute left. 2021 prevails.

 

[BaseballJones]

Fine I ran it again and got 2021 17, 2018 16, with Gost missing a 42 yard field goal with a minute left. 2021 prevails.

LOL. Mac over Brady. Who'd a thunk it?

 

[BaseballJones]

Fairbanks Region First Round Games

(18) 1986 Pats at (15) 2003 Pats

2003 beat 1986, 24-6. After Antowain Smith's first quarter TD for 2003, two Tony Franklin field goals narrowed the score to 7-6 at the half. But 2003 dominated the second half, with 17 unanswered points. Tom Brady threw a TD to Troy Brown, then had a 2-yard run to account for the second half touchdowns. Neither team moved the ball very effectively, but 2003 went 7-15 on third downs, while 1986 went just 3-13 and 0-2 on fourth downs.


(23) 2001 at (10) 2011

2011 dominated 2001, 28-10. 2001 jumped out to a 21-0 lead at the half, and cruised to victory. Antowain Smith had 145 yards rushing for 2001, but three Tom Brady ('01) interceptions was 2001's undoing. For the 2011 team, Danny Woodhead had one rushing TD and one receiving TD. The 2011 rushing attack dominated the game, with BenJarvis Green-Ellis rushing for 89 yards on just 13 carries, Stevan Ridley adding 81 yards on 7 carries, and Woodhead chipping in with 74 yards on 7 carries. 2001's rush defense was helpless all game long.


Next round in the Fairbanks Region:

(15) 2003 at (2) 2010
(10) 2011 at (7) 2019

 

[BaseballJones]

Parcells Region
3. 2012
30. bye

14. 2015
19. 1997

6. 2014
27. bye

11. 2017
22. 1978

(19) 1997 at (14) 2015

1997 upset 2015, 31-14. Curtis Martin's 15 yard TD run opened the scoring in the first quarter for 1997, but 2015 came back with two Tom Brady to Julian Edelman touchdowns in response - one from one yard out, and the other from 25 yards out. An Adam Vinatieri field goal for 1997 capped the first quarter scoring. Drew Bledsoe hit Troy Brown from 11 yards out to give 1997 a 17-14 lead at the half. The second half was dominated by 1997, as they got two Vinatieri field goals and a 12 yard TD pass from Bledsoe to Ben Coates. Curtis Martin rushed for 113 yards on 23 carries for 1997, and Bledsoe was on target, completing 13 of 19 passes for 149 yards, 2 TD, and no interceptions. Brady had 254 yards passing and two TDs for 2015, but his two second half interceptions proved costly.

(22) 1978 at (11) 2017

2017 beat 1978, 23-16. 2017 jumped out to a 13-0 lead on the strength of two Stephen Gostkowski field goals and a 14 yard pass from Tom Brady to Danny Amendola. A late 1978 field goal cut the lead to ten at the half. After a 20 yard Horace Ivory touchdown run narrowed it to 13-10, 2017 expanded the lead to 23-10 on a short Brady to Rob Gronkowski touchdown pass and a long Gostkowski field goal. 1978 got a late touchdown to trim the final margin. 1978 managed 225 rushing yards on 39 carries with Sam Cunningham (69 yards), Andy Johnson (66 yards), and Ivory (54 yards) leading the way. The 2017 offense was led by Brady's efficient 16-22 day, compiling 198 yards and 2 touchdowns.


Next round in the Parcells Region

(19) 1997 at (3) 2012
(11) 2017 at (6) 2014

 

[BaseballJones]

Second round matchups:

Belichick Region
(17) 1985 at (1) 2007
(9) 2016 at (8) 2006

Berry Region
(13) 2021 at (4) 2004
(12) 1976 at (5) 2009

Fairbanks Region
(15) 2003 at (2) 2010
(10) 2011 at (7) 2019

Parcells Region
(19) 1997 at (3) 2012
(11) 2017 at (6) 2014

 

[bakahump]

Whoever wins this should then await the winners of an "All Time NFL Tournament"
Basically each teams Best teams battle it out just like you have done for the Pats
Those are your "Tournament Champions"

You then take the Top 2 teams for each team (Say 2003 and 2007 met in the Patriot Tournament Final) and they make the "Big Dance". (32 teams x top 2=64)

You can seed based on SRS once again.

You could even have a play in game for the 4 best SRS teams that did not make the Big Dance.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

I missed 2 in the first round - did not see the wins for 2021 and 1997 coming.

Second round picks

• 2007 over 1985
• 2016 over 2006
• 2004 over 2021
• 1976 over 2009
• 2003 over 2010
• 2011 over 2019
• 2012 over 1997
• 2014 over 2017

 

[Section15Box113]

Now EJ has me wishing I’d done a SoSH picks thread for this one.

 

[BaseballJones]

Regional Semis

Belichick Region
(17) 1985 at (1) 2007

2007 beat 1985, 20-7. 2007 dominated from the first quarter on, taking a 20-0 lead before 1985 scored a late touchdown to narrow the margin. Despite being known for its rushing attack, 1985 had lots of trouble moving the ball on the ground against 2007, gaining just 91 yards on 30 carries. Tony Eason went just 9-22 for 96 yards and one interception. Meanwhile for 2007, Laurence Maroney had 81 yards on just 15 carries all on his own, and Tom Brady carved up the 1985 defense, completing 17 of 21 passes for 184 yards, 1 td, and 0 int.

(9) 2016 at (8) 2006

2016 destroyed 2006, 31-10. After bolting to a 10-0 lead on a Tom Brady to Martellus Bennet 1-yard TD pass, 2006 made it 10-7 midway through the third period on a short Kevin Faulk run. After that, it was all 2016, as Brady hit Chris Hogan for a 15-yard TD, and LeGarrette Blount powered for two touchdowns of 18 and 1 yards, respectively. 2016 outgunned 2006, 418 to 249. Blount had 101 yards rushing, and Tom Brady (2016) passed for 298 yards and 2 touchdowns.

 

[BaseballJones]

Berry Region
(13) 2021 at (4) 2004

2021 upset 2004, 20-13. The teams swapped field goals and 2004 was up 6-3 after one quarter. But a Rhamondre Stevenson 15 yard TD run and then a Nick Folk field goal gave 2021 a 13-6 lead at halftime. The third quarter was scoreless but 2021 put the game nearly out of reach with a 36 yard Damien Harris touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. Corey Dillon romped for a 58 yard TD run with six minutes to go to narrow the score to one touchdown. 2004 got the ball back with just under two minutes to go, but consecutive pre-snap penalties put them in a hole, forcing Brady to try for two Hail Marys at the end, both falling incomplete. Corey Dillon rolled to 174 yards rushing on just 22 carries for 2004, but Brady was held in check. Meanwhile, 2021's rushing game totaled 136 yards on 35 carries, and Mac Jones was efficient, completing 14 of 19 passes for 210 yards.

(12) 1976 at (5) 2009

1976 upset 2009, 23-15. Down 9-6 at the half, 1976 opened the third quarter with a long scoring drive, culminating in a 3 yard Sam Cunningham TD run. Stephen Gostkowski's fourth field goal trimmed it to just one point, but Steve Grogan's 13 yard TD pass to Russ Francis made it 20-12. A John Smith field goal made it 23-12, and 2009 could only muster one more Gostkowski field goal to account for the final margin. The 1976 defense allowed a lot of yards - 107 rushing and 322 passing by Tom Brady, but they created three turnovers - a fumble by Laurence Maroney and two Brady interceptions. The last of Brady's interceptions came at the 1976 22 yard line as 2009 was driving for a potential tying score. Mike Haynes picked off Brady with 1:03 to go, allowing 1976 to run out the clock.

 

[BaseballJones]

Fairbanks Region
(15) 2003 at (2) 2010

2010 beat 2003, 19-15 in a low scoring contest dominated by the defenses. After a 2010 field goal, 2003 got a 4 yard Antowain Smith TD run to take a 7-3 lead. Shayne Graham's second FG trimmed the lead to one point for 2010, but Adam Vinateri matched Graham's effort to put 2003 up 10-6 with just 19 seconds left in the half. The game turned on the last play of the half, however, as Brandon Tate used a little trickery to take a lateral 63 yards for a touchdown that stunned the 2003 squad. A third Graham FG early in the third quarter increased the lead to 16-10. On the ensuing possession, 2003 drove the length of the field and got to the 2010 15 yard line. But Tom Brady (2003) was intercepted by Rob Ninkovich at the three yard line, denying 2003 a score. On the next play, however, Mike Vrabel sacked Brady in the end zone for a safety to cut it to 16-12. After a stop, 2003 got another Vinateri field goal to make it 16-15. 2010 got another Graham FG to make it 19-15, setting up the 2003 team for one last drive. They marched down to the 12 yard line, but Brady threw incomplete on both third and fourth downs to preserve the win for 2010.

(10) 2011 at (7) 2019

2011 edged 2019, 26-24 in a tense, back-and-forth affair. After Stephen Gostkowski opened the scoring with a field goal for 2011, James White's 11 yard TD pass from Tom Brady (2019) gave 2019 a 7-3 lead. A Nick Folk field goal increased the lead to 10-3, and then following another Gostkowski field goal, Brady hit Julian Edelman from 32 yards out to make it 17-6 in favor of 2019. But the third quarter was dominated by 2011 and Stevan Ridley in particular, who scored two TDs, one from one yard out and the other from 35 yards out, to give 2011 a 20-17 lead heading into the fourth quarter. A Gostkowski field goal from 25 yards out made it 23-17, but Tom Brady hit Mohamed Sanu from five yards out to give 2019 the 24-23 lead with just 1:29 left on the clock. On a key third down, Brady hit Wes Welker for 11 yards to keep the drive moving as the 2011 squad tried to get into field goal range. Brady hit Welker again before scrambling down to the 2019 42 yard line with just seconds to go. Gostkowski lined up for a 59 yard field goal attempt, and drilled it right down the middle to give the 2011 team the 26-24 win.

 

[BaseballJones]

Parcells Region
(19) 1997 at (3) 2012

2012 handled 1997, 19-9. A battle of Stephen Gostkowski and Adam Vinateri field goals had 2012 up 9-3 after three quarters, before Gostkowski added another one to put 2012 up 12-3 early in the fourth quarter. The 1997 offense could do very little against 2012's stingy defense, as both the running game of Curtis Martin (22 yards on 20 carries) and the passing game of Drew Bledsoe (14-25, 203 yards) struggled to get on track. Tom Brady hit Rob Gronkowski from 10 yards out with 5:29 left in the game to give 2012 a 19-3 lead, and a late Curtis Martin touchdown (the 2 point conversion failed) led to the final margin. Stevan Ridley rushed for 136 yards on just 19 carries for 2012, and Rob Ninkovich had three sacks of Bledsoe.

(11) 2017 at (6) 2014

2017 upset 2014, 23-20 in a game won on the last play of the contest. The teams traded field goals in the first quarter, but Tom Brady (2014) hit Rob Gronkowski for a 6 yard TD pass to give 2014 a 10-3 lead at the half. Brady (2017) hit Chris Hogan from 7 yards out to give 2017 tie the game at 10, before Stephen Gostkowski gave 2014 the lead with a 51 yard bomb late in the third quarter. Jonas Gray increased the lead for 2014 with a 2 yard TD run, giving 2014 a 20-10 advantage with 14:16 left. But 2017 came storming back. They got a 48 yard Gostkowski FG to trim the lead to 20-13, and then with 3:15 left, Rex Burkhead powered in from 3 yards out to tie the score at 20. 2014 went three and out, and punted to 2017. From there, Brady (2017) hit Danny Amendola for 15 yards, Rob Gronkowski for 7, and Brandin Cooks for 19. Three short runs to run the clock down set up a 22-yard field goal attempt by Gostkowski, who drilled it on the game's final play to give 2017 the win.

 

[BaseballJones]

Elite Eight

Belichick Region: (9) 2016 at (1) 2007
Berry Region: (13) 2021 at (12) 1976
Fairbanks Region: (10) 2011 at (2) 2010
Parcells Region: (11) 2017 at (3) 2012

 

[tims4wins]

I'm feeling
2016 over 2007
1976 over 2021
2010 over 2011
2017 over 2012

2016 over 1976
2010 over 2017

2010 over 2016

 

[BaseballJones]

It's kind of funny that there's only one SB-winning squad left in this tournament (2016), and they have a monster matchup with 2007 in the regional final.

Should I go neutral site now? Or keep it with HFA? Or go HFA until the final four? I know I'm going to have the championship on a neutral site, but not sure what to do up til then.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

I missed three this time: 2021 over 2004, 2010 over 2003, and 2017 over 2014.

Next round:

• 2007 over 2016
• 1976 over 2021 (against my better judgment, the 2021 team seems favored by the game)
• 2011 over 2010
• 2017 over 2012

 

[Ralphwiggum]

Any given Sunday and all that but the 2004 team probably beats the 2021 team 7 or 8 times out of 10.

 

[BaseballJones]

Elite Eight

Belichick Region: (9) 2016 at (1) 2007

2016 beat 2017, 34-29. Tom Brady (2007) kicked the scoring off with a short TD pass to Randy Moss early in the first quarter. The teams swapped field goals, and 2007 led 10-3 before Tom Brady (2016) ran a QB sneak for a TD to tie the game at 10. Three field goals later and at the half, 2007 led 16-13. 2016 dominated the third quarter, thanks to an 11 yard Dion Lewis touchdown run, and a 20 yard TD pass from Brady to Rob Gronkowski, giving 2016 a 27-16 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Brady (2016) hit Malcolm Mitchell from 12 yards out to give 2016 a 34-16 lead before 2007 countered with two late scores, a 4 yard Laurence Maroney run and an 8 yard pass from Brady to Wes Welker. The two point conversion failed, and 2016 managed to run out the clock as Dion Lewis ran for 6 yards on third down, putting the game away. For 2016, LeGarrette Blount ran for 151 yards on 18 carries, and Tom Brady went 19-21 for 330 yards and a TD.

Berry Region: (13) 2021 at (12) 1976

1976 edged 2021 in dramatic fashion, 31-27. The game was dominated by the rushing attacks of both teams. 2021 saw Rhamondre Stevenson run for 127 yards and 2 touchdowns, as they managed 170 total rushing yards on the day. For 1976, Andy Johnson had 100 yards, Sam Cunningham had 60, and Don Calhoun added 21 as they rushed for 187 on 43 carries to control the clock. Johnson kicked off the scoring with a 7 yard TD run, followed by a one yard Mac Jones to Nelson Agholor TD to tie it up. A John Smith field goal followed by a short Cunningham run made it 17-7 in favor of 1976, but Nick Folk's long field goal cut into the lead just before the half. Stevenson's 31 yard run tied the game at 17 early in the third quarter, and that's when the fireworks really began. Steve Grogan hit Marlin Briscoe for an 18 yard TD pass to give 1976 the lead at 24-17, but Folk countered with a chip shot field goal to make it 24-20 heading into the final quarter. With 7:00 left, Stevenson's second TD run from one yard out gave 2021 the lead, but 1976 worked their way down the field in the waning moments, largely through the air. Grogan completed 6 of 7 passes for 80 yards on the drive. Cunningham punched it in from the one yard line with 29 seconds left to give 1976 the win.

Fairbanks Region: (10) 2011 at (2) 2010

2010 rolled 2011, 38-13 in the Fairbanks final. It was really a tale of two quarterbacks named Tom Brady. 2010 Brady was masterful, completing 18-24 passes for 235 yards, 3 td, and 0 int. But 2011 Brady had one of his worst career days. Even though he completed 24-32 passes for 272 yards and a touchdown, he threw 4 interceptions, dooming the 2011 squad. 2011 had taken a 6-3 lead on a pair of Stephen Gostkowski field goals, but 2010 proceeded to score 35 unanswered points, in nearly every way imaginable. Shayne Graham kicked four field goals during this stretch, Brady threw three touchdown passes - two to Wes Welker - and the 2010 defense even got a safety when Gary Guyton sacked Tom Brady (2011). Welker finished with 7 catches for 101 yards and 2 touchdowns for the 2010 squad.

Parcells Region: (11) 2017 at (3) 2012

2017 continued their impressive run to the Final Four, beating 2012, 38-22 in the tournament's highest scoring game so far. Dion Lewis ran wild, totaling 87 yards on just 13 carries, rushing for 3 touchdowns in the win. Two Lewis TD runs (26 and 9 yards) gave 2017 a 14-0 lead in the first quarter before a 48-yard Brandon Bolden run cut the lead in half for 2012. A Stephen Gostkowski 48 yard field goal increased the lead to 17-7 but Tom Brady (2012) hit Wes Welker from 8 yards out in the last minute of the second quarter to make it a 17-14 game at the half. Brady (2017) hit Rob Gronkowski with a 9 yard TD pass, James White rumbled for 25 yards, and Lewis capped his impressive day with a 27 yard scamper to make it 38-14 in favor of 2017. Brady (2012) connected with Gronkowski from 9 yards out and, along with the 2-point conversion, cut the lead to 38-22, the game's final margin. For 2017, Tom Brady went 20-29 for 313 yards, 1 td, and 0 int, as the 2017 team piled up 28 first downs and 480 yards of total offense.


So the Final Four is:

(12) 1976 vs. (9) 2016
(11) 2017 vs. (2) 2010

 

[BaseballJones]

Team capsules for the final four participants:

(12) 1976
- 11-3 record
- #2 scoring offense, #8 yardage offense, #11 scoring defense, #11 yardage defense
- 8.6 SRS

(9) 2016
- 14-2 record
- #3 scoring offense, #4 yardage offense, #1 scoring defense, #8 yardage defense
- 9.3 SRS

(11) 2017
- 13-3 record
- #2 scoring offense, #1 yardage offense, #5 scoring defense, #29 yardage defense
- 8.9 SRS

(2) 2010
- 14-2 record
- #1 scoring offense, #8 yardage offense, #8 scoring defense, #25 yardage defense
- 15.4 SRS

 

[tims4wins]

Hey I nailed the Elite 8!

Sticking with 2016 over 1976 and 2010 over 2017, then 2010 over 2016 for the title

 

[BaseballJones]

I'm going to go neutral site for the Final Four. No idea if that will matter at all, but that's how it's going to work. Still have one SB-winning team left in the tournament (2016).

 

[snowmanny]

The winner plays the equivalent year Giants, right?

 

[BaseballJones]

The winner plays the equivalent year Giants, right?

I don't want to tempt fate, no.

 

[Old Fart Tree]

I'm going to go neutral site for the Final Four. No idea if that will matter at all, but that's how it's going to work. Still have one SB-winning team left in the tournament (2016).

Isn't New England definitionally a neutral site?

 

[Eddie Jurak]

Lost 2 more in that round, not picking 2016 or 2010.

Final picks:

• 1976 over 2016
• 2017 over 2010
• 1976 over 2017

Sugar Bear's revenge!

 

[BaseballJones]

Final Four

(12) 1976 vs. (9) 2016

2016 beat 1976, 30-12. LeGarrette Blount rumbled for 125 yards on the ground, and Tom Brady threw for 208 yards and three touchdowns to lead the 2016 squad. It was close at the half, with 2016 leading 10-9 (the difference being a missed John Smith PAT). Martellus Bennett and Don Calhoun traded touchdown receptions, and Stephen Gostkowski and Smith trading field goals. But the second half belonged to 2016. Brady hit Dion Lewis for a short TD pass to expand the lead to 17-9, and minutes later, Brady connected with Julian Edelman from 7 yards out to make it 24-9. 1976 got within two scores early in the fourth on another Smith field goal, but couldn't muster any more offense. 2016 added two Gostkowski field goals as insurance. The 2016 defense was stellar, holding 1976 to just 10 first downs and 198 total yards, while intercepting Steve Grogan twice.

(11) 2017 vs. (2) 2010

2010 rolled 2017, 30-10, in a game that was never in doubt. 2010 jumped out to a 24-0 lead by the early stages of the third quarter. Tom Brady (2010) hit Deion Branch for a 33 yard TD to open the scoring in the first quarter. BenJarvus Green-Ellis added an 8 yard TD run, and after a short Shayne Graham field goal made it 17-0, Brady connected with Wes Welker from 7 yards out to make it 24-0. 2017 finally got on the board when Rex Burkhead scored from 8 yards out, and actually closed the gap to two scores following a Stephen Gostkowski field goal early in the fourth quarter. But 2010 sealed it when Fred Taylor scored from 7 yards out (PAT was missed) to account for the final margin. 2017 struggled all day to move the ball, accumulating just 241 total yards. Meanwhile, 2010 got 142 yards rushing, led by Ellis' 75 on just 15 attempts, and another 278 yards passing by Brady, to go with 2 TD passes and no interceptions. Wes Welker led the receiving corps with 73 yards and a score for 2010.


SUPER BOWL MATCHUP:
(9) 2016 vs. (2) 2010

 

[Section15Box113]

Admit I was enjoying the ’76 team’s Cinderella run.

 

[tims4wins]

I’m on a roll. Sticking with 2010 over 2016 for the title.

 

[Phil Plantier]

This has been an entertaining read, thanks! Lots of great players I passively recall.

As in real life, Grogan should have started for the 1985 team.

 

[BaseballJones]

Super Bowl
(9) 2016 vs (2) 2010

2016 won the WhatIfSports Patriots all-time tournament by beating the 2010 squad, 29-24, in dramatic fashion. The first quarter was quiet, as the only score the two teams could muster was a 40 yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski for the 2016 squad. 2010 countered with 10:59 left in the second quarter as Danny Woodhead sprinted in from 6 yards out to give 2010 a 7-3 lead. They increased the lead to 11 when Tom Brady (2010) connected with Woodhead on an 18 yard screen pass for a touchdown. But 2016 got a 34 yard run by LeGarrette Blount to set up a Gostkowski field goal to trim the margin to 14-6 with just 44 seconds left in the half. Deciding to open it up and try to score before the half, 2010 found themselves facing a 4th and 2 from the 2016 42 yard line. Brady overthrew his target, however, giving 2016 the ball with 19 seconds left. Brady (2016) connected on two straight completions, setting up a 45 yard Gostkowski field goal as time expired at the end of the half, making it 14-9, 2010.

2010 added to their lead on a long Shayne Graham field goal, but Gostkowski countered with his fourth field goal of the game, from 35 yards out, to make it 17-12 in favor of the 2010 squad. After a quick three-and-out by 2010, the 2016 team marched right back down the field, a key play being an 18 yard Brady-to-Rob Gronkowski completion on 3rd and 1. From there, Dion Lewis raced for a 39 yard touchdown run, and the PAT made it 19-17 in favor of 2016.

In the fourth quarter, Gostkowski kicked yet another field goal to make it 22-17, but the 2010 team wasn't done. Brady (2010) hit Deion Branch, who sped down the sideline for a 68 yard touchdown, giving 2010 a 24-22 lead with 4:49 left. From there, Brady (2016) connected with Chris Hogan for 19 yards, Julian Edelman for 10, Malcolm Mitchell for 9, and Edelman again for 29, setting them up with first and goal from the 2010's eight yard line. 2010's defense stepped up and kept 2016 from gaining any yards, but on 3rd and goal from the eight, Brady hit Malcom Floyd for the go-ahead score, making it 29-24 with just 1:38 to go.

Facing a long third down, Brady (2010) converted on a 10 yard pass to Wes Welker, but on the next play, Rob Ninkovich sacked Brady for a six yard loss. After two plays netted seven yards, the 2010 squad faced a 4th and 9, but Brady overthrew his target. 2016 took a knee to run out the clock and clinch the championship.

For 2010, Brady was 15-26 for 252 yards, 2 td, and 0 int. Deion Branch was his primary target, with 4 receptions for 106 yards and a score. Woodhead totaled 39 yards from scrimmage and two scores - one rushing and one receiving.

For 2016, Gostkowski kicked four field goals, and the offense was led by Blount's 131 rushing yards on 19 carries (Lewis chipped in with 46 yards and a TD), and Edelman's 104 yards on 6 receptions. Brady completed 18 of 25 attempts for 278 yards, 1 td, and 0 int.

Over the course of the tournament, Blount was named overall MVP, as he rushed for more than 100 in all five games they played:

- 18 rushes for 137 yards, 1 td vs. 1998
- 17 rushes for 101 yards, 2 td vs. 2006
- 18 rushes for 151 yards vs. 2007
- 17 rushes for 125 yards vs. 1976
- 19 rushes for 131 yards vs. 2010

Blount totaled 89 rushes for 645 yards (7.2 y/a) and 3 touchdowns during the tournament.

 

[Dick Drago]

This was a really enjoyable read, thank you for sharing. The 2016 team was pretty amazing-I’d forgotten Gronk was active half the season and averaged over 21 yards per catch! If he’d stayed healthy the offense with both he and Bennet as TEs was pretty unstoppable.