There it was in the newscasts and newspapers on Monday morning. In the NFC Play-Off Game, two “old-timers” squared off against each other, and it was pretty exciting before the final whistle blew. Tampa Bay won by a score of (7—14—7—3——31) to (0—10—13—3—— 26) over Green Bay with two “experienced” stalwarts giving it their “alls” at the quarterback positions.
In addition to the close final scores, the game statistics were relatively close, too. 1st downs had Green Bay ahead by 23—19. The Packers also led in total net yards, 381—351, and passing yards 314—275. The Titans did outrush 76—67. Kick-off returns, though, favored Tampa Bay 121—30, and that made a pretty big difference, in my opinion! And, the fact they sacked the “Pack” five times, compared to being sacked by them only once, also loomed larger and larger as the game progressed.
RESULT: “Very Veteran” Tom Brady and crew (11 wins and 5 losses for the season) will be playing again two weeks after this game, and Quarterback Tom did not look or play as if he is actually 43 years old. He also did not look or play like you might expect for an original 6th round draft choice! He will be seeking his 7th SUPER BOWL CROWN! The Titans had a regular season record of 11 wins and 5 losses.
In the other big game for the other spot in the Super Bowl, the game had some excitement, but not as much as the first, in my opinion, even though Buffalo put nine points onto the scoreboard before Kansas City knew what had hit them! However, to the shock on my part but not the others watching the Themer ‘big screen,” the Chiefs went on a rampage with twenty-one points scored while their opponents seemed to look on stunned!
The “sacking” of Josh Allen four times, while the Bills could retaliate only once, was much of the undoing by the Chiefs, and a “concussion-free” Patrick Mahomes, hitting 29 of 38 passing attempts, blazed more than one path to the end zone!
Kansas City led in 1st downs, 29—24, net yards, 439—363, and passing yards, 325—234. Buffalo did manage to outrush the Chiefs, 129 yards to 114.
RESULT: “Very Young” Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, with his three touchdown passes and precision playmaking in this game, looked very much the veteran and not the 25-years-old “nearer rookie” 10th round draft pick that he is/was. The final score was Kansas City (0— 21—10—7——38) over Buffalo (9—3—3—9—— 24), and the Chiefs and Mahomes will be seeking their 2nd straight SUPER BOWL victory. They had a 14 wins and 2 losses regular season record.
GAME TIME on television is listed as 5:30 p. m. on February 7, 2021, Channel 11, for the 55th playing of this classic!
SUPER BOWL LV at Tampa, Florida, PREVIEW—The question being asked is whether or not this will mark the quarterback “Battle of the Old vs. Young, the traditional Drop Back Passer vs. the just as likely to RUN or at least SCRAMBLE.” Of course, usually how the quarterback goes, so goes the TEAM!
It seems that today, innate athleticism and ability are rapidly becoming the norm rather than the exception and that quarterbacks are becoming more ready to run for yardage and not just for survival! Case in point, very mobile and willing Josh Allen seems hardly ever to get that “smashing blow” that will knock him out of a game, much less a season, while others known for being purely “drop back” seem to be getting those unprotected/unexpected hits more often.
In the “old days,” a “scrambling” quarterback was usually the result of an “emergency” and not a “plan.” More and more today, the scramble is starting to seem like always a possibility! My, how things change! Do you remember several years ago when we thought Aaron Rodgers ran a lot, and now my friends consider him to be a “drop backer?”
So, this game will match one of the remaining “mainly drop-backers” against the “mainly always have an option to extend the scope of the play.” This past year, Mahomes ran for an average of 5 yds. per carry on 62 rushes, while Brady averaged 0.2 yds. per carry on 30 rushes.
Brady completed 401 passes out of 610 attempts with 40 TDs and 12 interceptions (21 sacks), while Mahomes completed 390 passes out of 588 attempts with 38 TDs and 6 interceptions (22 sacks).
TAMPA BAY rushed for 1519 yards and passed for 4626 yards and held their opponents to 1289 yards rushing and 3945 passing yards. KANSAS CITY rushed for 1799 yards and passed for 4854 and held their opponents to 1954 yards rushing and 3799 passing yards. TAMPA BAY defensively gave up 355 points for the season (22.2 per game) and allowed 5234 total yards for the season.
KANSAS CITY defensively gave up 362 points for the season (22.6 per game) and allowed 5733 total yards for the season.
TAMPA BAY averaged 45.2 yards per punt and allowed 5 yards per return, while recording 15 interceptions, 976 tackles, and 48 sacks.
KANSAS CITY averaged 45.0 yards per punt and allowed 4.6 yards per return, while recording 16 interceptions, 951 tackles, and 32 sacks.
Covid-19 List statistics for the season: Kansas City lost for awhile 8 players to the List, and Tampa Bay lost 11.
The most recent team to win BACK-to-BACK Super Bowls were the Brady’s ’03—’04 PATRIOTS. If Kansas City accomplishes this feat, they will be the first in 16 years to do so, and will have to do it in Tampa Bay and against Tom Brady! In 2014, Seattle failed against New England, and in 2017, the Patriots lost to the “surprising” Philadelphia team! The Pittsburgh Steelers pulled off two different “back-to-backers”—1974 and 1975 and then again in 1978 and 1979!
Soooooo!! What do you say for this year?
The X-SPURTZ say that Super Bowl LV will be won by------“pick-em”-----Chiefs by 1.5 pts.-----Chiefs by 1.5 pts.-----“pick-em”-----Chiefs by 3 pts……The “ever pull for the old guy” Themer says Titans by 13. But he also says don’t bet more than $5.00 on that unless Mahomes decides not to play!
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