John Crichton
First Post
I'd first off like to say that I will be at work during the entire game so I will be (GASP!) taping it. Hey, it worked last year and I got to see a great football game. I'm giving it another shot this year.
Anywho. For those keeping score I was one of the few who picked the Bucs and Raiders to win last week. Hey, every blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while.
Since no one started one yet, I feel the need to get this coversation rolling and to get everyone's picks. The meek have been eliminated. Only the strong and adaptive (Sports Darwinism at its best and ugliest) remain. We have now come down to (pauses for drama) the Gruden B... >ahem< Super Bowl! In the league where they play... for pay.
Super Bowl: Bucs vs. Raiders
The Raiders may have been the favorite in the AFC just about all season. A solid team from top to bottom with a bunch of hardened veterans, a MVP QB and 2 Hall of Fame receivers. Not many weaknesses here. They have a great O-line, tough D-line and only their defensive secondary is a potential weakness. Luckily, the Bucs don't have great receivers or a big offensive line to take advantage of it. The Bucs will have to leave a tight end or 2 back to block or get creamed.
But enough of all that. This game pits the NFL's best offense vs. the best defense. Much has been made of this for good reason. Yes, it is important that Tampa put some points on the board against the Raider D, but this is where the game will be won or lost. If the Raiders can run the ball the Bucs will tire out in the 4th quarter and will lose. If the Raiders rely on the pass, they may not get into the end zone that much as a good running game is need to do so. They have the O-line to do it, even against the Bucs.
The Bucs have a counter. They may not have a whole bunch of offense, but they did manage a decent chunck of points against a better Eagles D last week. They also have Gruden. That is their biggest weapon. He built the Raiders to what they are now and knows most of their weaknesses. He showed last week that his game plan was better than his opponent's (Andy Reid of the Eagles). This will be all about the game plans and who is able to make the adaptations during the game to keep the other team off their game.
I see a higher scoring game than most. Something in the late 20's, early 30's perhaps? I'm not going to call a score. I'm not going to even listen to my guts because they lie. I'm going to go with the team that has showed the most improvement late in the season. The Bucs. That's right, Tampa will emerge from the field in victory and we will hear it from Sapp, Keyshawn and company until Opening Day next year.
I'm not routing for the Bucs as I actually dislike both teams very much but I do want to see a darn good game. So congrats to both teams and I hope to see a great 60 minutes of football waiting for me on my TiVo when I get home late Sunday night/Monday morning.
Anywho. For those keeping score I was one of the few who picked the Bucs and Raiders to win last week. Hey, every blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while.
Since no one started one yet, I feel the need to get this coversation rolling and to get everyone's picks. The meek have been eliminated. Only the strong and adaptive (Sports Darwinism at its best and ugliest) remain. We have now come down to (pauses for drama) the Gruden B... >ahem< Super Bowl! In the league where they play... for pay.Super Bowl: Bucs vs. Raiders
The Raiders may have been the favorite in the AFC just about all season. A solid team from top to bottom with a bunch of hardened veterans, a MVP QB and 2 Hall of Fame receivers. Not many weaknesses here. They have a great O-line, tough D-line and only their defensive secondary is a potential weakness. Luckily, the Bucs don't have great receivers or a big offensive line to take advantage of it. The Bucs will have to leave a tight end or 2 back to block or get creamed.
But enough of all that. This game pits the NFL's best offense vs. the best defense. Much has been made of this for good reason. Yes, it is important that Tampa put some points on the board against the Raider D, but this is where the game will be won or lost. If the Raiders can run the ball the Bucs will tire out in the 4th quarter and will lose. If the Raiders rely on the pass, they may not get into the end zone that much as a good running game is need to do so. They have the O-line to do it, even against the Bucs.
The Bucs have a counter. They may not have a whole bunch of offense, but they did manage a decent chunck of points against a better Eagles D last week. They also have Gruden. That is their biggest weapon. He built the Raiders to what they are now and knows most of their weaknesses. He showed last week that his game plan was better than his opponent's (Andy Reid of the Eagles). This will be all about the game plans and who is able to make the adaptations during the game to keep the other team off their game.
I see a higher scoring game than most. Something in the late 20's, early 30's perhaps? I'm not going to call a score. I'm not going to even listen to my guts because they lie. I'm going to go with the team that has showed the most improvement late in the season. The Bucs. That's right, Tampa will emerge from the field in victory and we will hear it from Sapp, Keyshawn and company until Opening Day next year.
I'm not routing for the Bucs as I actually dislike both teams very much but I do want to see a darn good game. So congrats to both teams and I hope to see a great 60 minutes of football waiting for me on my TiVo when I get home late Sunday night/Monday morning.
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