I’ve had my grievances towards the NFL, much more than usual. Whether it’s the overpopulating hoopla over certain extremely overrated teams like the Cowboys, Bills, Jets, Eagles, Redskins, Giants, etc., or the ridiculous amount of stupid penalties and fines being flung around like free candy, or even the inability to celebrate after a touchdown; the NFL is trying very hard to suck the very energy of its own sport. My viewing time towards the Super Bowl dwindled a bit, even with my good ol’ Dolphins adopting college football-like offense and advancing to the title. The NFL needs a bit of changing, that’s for sure. However, all this is thrown out the window with the Super Bowl I just witnessed.
Holy crap on a dipstick that was some of the tensest and crazy fourth quarter action I’ve ever seen. In a game that featured three of among the best plays in Super Bowl history, crazy lead changes, crazy close calls, players about to fight opposing team coaches, great plays reversed, and of course, penalties up the ying yang. Topping it all is a rather surprisingly awesome performance by Bruce himself. What else can I say? Yikes man, the NFL looked good for this one night---until the final play.
Let’s start with the Cardinals. With perhaps the easiest schedule out there, the Cardinals tweaked into the playoffs because of the easy division and easy schedule. No other team had such rough numbers entering the playoffs. However, they became a different team in the playoffs, and especially the Super Bowl. This team was hungry, just like the underrated and underappreciated Rays back in 08’ when they went to the World Series. Kurt Warner played like his old self and definitely outplayed Big Ben in the big game. There were two major reasons why the Cardinals lost: Penalties and the 100-Yard Interception. Both teams had their share of penalties, but boy did the Cardinals learn that the NFL doesn’t like physical contact anymore.
Personally, I thought the refs were consistent, and the defense made some stupid, stupid, stupid decisions and penalties. Over 100 penalty yards? Seriously? Then that final drive, when they just couldn’t stop anybody, and were way too far downfield, allowing for the Steelers to hack away on a charge to the end zone. Then let’s go to the 100-yard interception; that was a blend of good playcalling by the defense with bad luck against the Cardinals. Longest play in Super Bowl history, and easily the main reason why Pittsburgh has a 6th trophy. It went from a potential 14-10 to a 17-7 halftime show.
The Steelers, I saw them winning this game, and by a much wider margin than 4 points. They had the defense, experience, and grueling matches to be able to prepare for the big showdown. Big Ben is overrated, sorry guys, but he is. Outside the final drive, albeit amazing, he didn’t perform that well. Exactly like Manning a year ago, Big Ben made the magic when he needed it the most; and of course the Arizona defense collapsed on that final drive too. The Steelers got quite a scare by giving away such a lead. And for those complaining that the officiating was in favor of the Steelers, the Cardinals did get an odd, questionable penalty that went from a 20+ yard play to a safety.
The fourth quarter was a roller coaster of emotions. Ranging from anger to shock to disbelief to happiness to sadness to confusion to shouting anarchy; the 4th quarter pretty much had it all. Kurt Warner was amazing, however, the defense on that final drive; that was just embarrassing. 3 minutes left, all they needed was one final stop; at least cut it to a field goal. Unfortunately, they left people wide open, played too deep, and just couldn’t get the job done. Warner should retire because this is probably as close as he’ll ever get with the Cardinals. Poor coaching in the end there. The game was a nail biter, Fitzgerald and Warner played spectacular. Another lingering question was: why did it take so long for the ball to reach Fitzgerald? He was basically quiet in the first half. After that amazing run by Fitzgerald, I wanted the Cardinals to win it all and complete the incredible upset.
Last, but not least, the final, final play. The game was grand; the game was epic, a lot of storylines---but no major review on the fumble/potential interception? This is where the NFL fails miserably. The stupid, stupid, stupid rule about no red flags in the final two minutes; why? If we are to ban this, it should be up to the refs to question every single questionable play. Warner I believe could have gotten the call and the game could have gone down to yet another play. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, whether its conspiracy, a willingness to just end all the drama, or whatever, it didn’t happen. It’s sad that such a marvelous game will be remembered for the one play that could have continued the game, but the refs didn’t allow for the opportunity to happen.
The NFL’s biggest issues were all out displayed for everyone to see on that final drive. The NFL has too many lame rules, and the refs do not know all of them. Some fans know more about the league and its rules than the people officiating them. This isn’t the first time a playoff game ended because of questionable refs not trying to review what occurred. Few people remember this one, but the 49ers and the Giants playoff game in 2003 also ended with refs not checking the play and resulted in making a mistake that cost the Giants the entire game. That’s just one obscure fun reference.
Bottom Line: Amazing game that proves why the Super Bowl remains the most-watched game in America—however, also proved that the NFL needs some fixing. Of all the umpires and refs in all major sports, the NFL ones are clearly the worst, and they have the most help and support to keep them from making boneheaded decisions. Congrats. to the Steelers, but it might take a while before everyone actually accepts your victory.
P.S.: James Harrison should have been ejected from the game instantly.
P.P.S.: The last play was supposedly reviewed, but deserved a deeper look than just a quick glance.
P.P.P.S.: The halftime show was surprisingly good. However, we still need more energetic bands performing in the big show. Metallica anyone? Maybe Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Green Day....
P.P.P.P.S.: The commercials weren’t that grand, but a lot of good-looking movies. Transformers 2 (woah) Year One (Cera + Black = hilarious) and G.I. Joe (Not 100% sure on that one)
P.P.P.P.P.S.: The top commercial was probably the budget cut Bud Light commercial and the MacGuyver spoof from Pepsi. The best car commercial was the Audi one with Statham.
P.P.P.P.P.P.S: Is it baseball season yet?
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