Sunday, February 5, 2012
Live-Blogging the Super Bowl
I don't watch any of the pre-game coverage of the Super Bowl, but I vaguely recall that a long time ago, the Giants beat the 49ers and the Patriots beat the Ravens, so I'm assuming those two teams will be participating tonight. If we have any comments, they'll go here.
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Red states, represent!
ReplyDeleteMiranda Lambert and Blake Sheldon do a great job on "America, the Beautiful."
Then Kelly Clarkson and bunch of earnest-looking Hoosier high schoolers do a moody version of the National Anthem while NBC shows us a bunch of soldiers watching from somewhere in the Middle East.
As always, I am impressed that we managed to come up with a national anthem that ends on a question mark.
Many years ago, the Packers were designated as the home team for Super Bowl I, and ever since then the NFL or NFC champion has been the home team in odd-numbered Super Bowls, while the AFL or AFC champion has been the home team in even-numbered Super Bowls.
ReplyDeleteSo the Patriots will be the home team this year, and they will be wearing the soul-less uniforms that, to me, represent the worst aspects of modern American capitalism.
The Giants will be wearing almost exactly the same uniforms that they wore in the 1950's. They look great.
Chris Collinsworth tells us that whichever team can get the most pressure on the QB will probably win. That's some great analysis right there.
ReplyDeleteI remember when the pre-game show for Super Bowl XII ended with Brent Musberger referring to bio-rhythms in his prediction. Those were the days.
Now they're introducing the newest members of the NFL Hall of Fame. I've heard of Cortez Kennedy, and that's about it. So, at least from my perspective, it's not exactly a Hall of "Fame."
ReplyDeleteThe Giants call tails, it comes up heads, and New England defers their choice to the second half.
ReplyDeleteAl Michael tells us that this is the first time in the last 15 Super Bowls that the AFC champion has won the coin toss.
OK, I'm turning down the sound on the TV to try the radio broadcast. Sirius Radio is a bunch of different broadcasts in various languages. I only know English, so I'm going to try the BBC's broadcast.
ReplyDeleteIt's almost midnight in London, so I'm impressed by anyone in England who's listening to the game.
ReplyDelete9,801 fans have checked into the GameTracker on CBSSports.com to follow the game. They are split 50-50 between Giants and Patriots fans.
ReplyDeleteVictor Cruz catches a pass for a Giants first down. The BBC tells us that the fans are not booing; they are yelling "CRUUUZZ!"
ReplyDeleteI've seen every Super Bowl since number V, and remarkably I've never had a rooting interest in any of them. For me, this game always makes a nice break from really important games -- like UK's SEC basketball games.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of important games, congratulations to Coach Jim Larranaga and his Miami (Florida) Hurricanes. This afternoon Coach L, who took George Mason to the Final Four in 2006, led the Canes to a 78-74 overtime victory over Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
ReplyDeleteThe BBC coverage, by the way, consists of a British play-by-play guy and two Americans giving color commentary. I have no idea who any of them are, but they're doing a good job so far.
ReplyDeleteAfter two weeks of build-up about the greatness that is Tom Brady, the Patriots' quarterback avoids getting sacked in the end zone by hurling the ball 40 yards downfield. The officials call intentional grounding in the end zone, which is an automatic safety. Not Brady's finest moment.
ReplyDeleteThe BBC explains the safety rule, and tells us that the Giants now lead two-nil.
After the safety, the Giants are deep in Patriots' territory when the Patriots apparently recover a huge fumble. But no! The Patriots are called for having 12 men on the field!
ReplyDeleteThe BBC says that the Patriots are "unraveling a bit."
Touchdown for the Giants! CRUUUUZZZZ catches a two-yard pass from Manning.
ReplyDeleteThe BBC tells us that Lawrence Tynes, the kicker for the Giants, grew up in Greenock, Scotland and is a big fan of Celtic. I never knew that.
Giants lead 9-0.
Arsenio Hall is going to be on Celebrity Apprentice. Off the top of my head, I can't think of anyone who's career has gone downhill further and faster than Arsenio Hall.
ReplyDeleteChevy goes with a commercial about how, after the entire global civilization was destroyed in the Mayan 2012 disaster, the only people still alive are those who were driving Chevy Silverados. It might be possible to imagine a commercial in worst taste, but it wouldn't be easy.
ReplyDeleteAnd then, at the next commercial break, the annual GoDaddy.com commercial reminds me that Chevy's ad is not the only one in bad taste.
ReplyDeleteThe BBC explains the meaning of the term "Red Zone." The Patriots stall in the Red Zone, and kick a field goal to make the score 9-3.
ReplyDeleteNow we have a commercial about tax preparation that involves a little boy urinating in a pool.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that the commercials have been pretty grim so far. Don't these people know that the economy is getting better?
Now we have a remarkable for the Danny Devito Lorax movie, which -- for my money -- is probably the single worst movie adaptation of a book ever.
ReplyDeleteThen we get Howard Stern shooting a fire hose at people on "America's Got Talent." The laughs just keep coming.
The Giants stall at midfield, and punt the ball into the end zone. I don't understand why no one kicks for the coffin corner any more.
ReplyDeleteThe Patriots go three-and-out, and the Giants will take over at their own 23.
ReplyDeleteThe BBC is promoting ticket sales for the Rams/Patriots game in London on October 28, 2012.
Greg Brady, a Canadian talk show host, is one of the North American voices providing color commentary on the BBC.
ReplyDeleteThe other North American commentator is Rocky Boiman, a former Colts' linebacker. He's doing well.
The Giants' drive stalls, and their punt is downed at the New England 4. The Patriots will take over with 4:03 left in the first half. Giants still lead 9-3.
ReplyDeleteNow we have a commercial for the 3-D version of Star Wars Episode I, which even my kids -- who are just about the world's biggest Star Wars fans -- have identified as a pure rip-off.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! Apparently all of those bad Marvel movies that you haven't been watching in recent years -- Thor, Captain America, The Hulk, and some others -- are all going to be combined into one really bad movie. I can hardly wait.
ReplyDeleteIt turns out I was totally wrong here. "The Avengers" is an excellent movie.
DeleteWith 29 seconds left in the half, the Patriots have a first-and-10 at the Giants' 22. Great drive from Brady, who is 13-16 for 135 yards in the game.
ReplyDeleteNow the Patriots have 2d and 2 at the 3 with 18 seconds left.
ReplyDeleteNew England tries a draw, but Jason Pierre-Paul makes a great play to hit the Patriots for a two yard loss.
On 3d and 4 from the 5, Brady hits Danny Woodhead in the end zone to cap off a 96-yard drive. Great drive by the Patriots. Pats lead 10-9 with eight seconds left before halftime.
ReplyDeleteThere is a certain class of people who only watch the Super Bowl for the commercials. But this year, the football game has been excellent, and the commercials have been terrible.
ReplyDeleteManning: 13-17 for 120 yards and 1 TD.
Brady: 15-18 for 147 yards and 1 TD.
No interceptions
No lost fumbles.
Great game so far.
OK, so now we have Madonna. I actually went to a Madonna concert -- back in the summer of 1990, when she was still in her prime. She and I are both a lot older now.
ReplyDeleteMadonna is going with some sort of Ancient Egypt theme. As usual, she is trying to go right up to the line without going over.
ReplyDeleteShe opens with Vogue.
Now she does "Music" with a bunch of large men who are dancing around on a thing that looks like football bleachers. Then there are some DJ's, and a lot of dancing, and a guy on a wire flying up in the air, and it's clear that Madonna is in full Last Days of Pompeii mode.
ReplyDeleteMadonna's clearly not singing, by the way. The whole thing is lip-synced in a very over-the-top artificial manner.
ReplyDeleteNow we've got a whole bunch of women who look like cheerleaders from Lucifer University. They do a new single that uses a lot of the cheerleader stuff from Avril Lavigne's "Girlfriend." It wasn't too bad.
Then a marching band comes out and we get about 30 seconds of "Open Your Heart" with a marching band sound.
And here's a huge choir with lots of African-Americans, so this must be "Like a Prayer." And it is.
ReplyDeleteThis is, of course, the greatest of all Madonna songs, and the one that I definitely would have chosen for Super Bowl, so I'm feeling pretty happy right now.
While Madonna sings, or "sings", the audience holds up lights of some kind.
And then Madonna disappears into the stage, leaving behind the words "World Peace."
ReplyDeletePeople can, and will, make whatever cracks they want regarding Madonna and her over-the-top ways. But give her credit for this: whatever you expected when you heard that she was doing to Super Bowl halftime show, that's pretty much what you got.
I thought she was exactly as good as she was at Live-Aid in 1985.
DeleteOK, so here's where things stand so far:
ReplyDeleteThe game: very good.
The commercials: far below par -- not one has been as good as the typical Geico commercial.
The half-time show: quite good, if you like Madonna -- and if don't like Madonna, why were you watching?
Clint Eastwood does a really great commercial for Chrysler all about how America is coming back and recovering. He closes with the words: "It's halftime, America -- and our second half is about to begin."
ReplyDeleteObama could pretty much use that commercial word-for-word this fall. He should call Eastwood.
Karl Rove hated it.
DeleteAs you could tell from my comment, I think everyone in D.C. interpreted the commercial as extremely pro-Obama.
DeleteThe Patriots, who deferred their choice until the second half after winning the coin toss, decide that they will take the ball to open the second half. They run the kickoff out to their own 21.
ReplyDeleteOn 1st down, Brady hits Chad Ochocinco(!) for a 21-yard pass. It's his 12th consecutive completion.
The Patriots, going down the field as if they're running a practice session, have a very easy time of it as they march 79 yards for a touchdown to go up 17-9.
ReplyDeleteBrady capped off the drive with his 16th consecutive completion, a 12-yard pass to Aaron Hernandez. He is now 20-23 for 201 yards and 2 touchdowns, and he is justifying the hype.
The Giants run the kick-off back to their own 35. Between two long drives by the Pats, and the extra-long halftime show, Manning hasn't thrown a pass for quite some time.
ReplyDeleteNow here comes Manning. An array of short passes quickly puts the Giants inside the Pats' 25.
ReplyDeleteBut the Patriots hold, and the Giants call on the man from Scotland to try a field goal. He hits the upright, but the 38-yard kick goes through, and the score is now 17-12 with 6:43 left in the 3d quarter.
ReplyDeleteNow Pepsi runs their annual anti-Coke commercial. This one features Regis Philbin, but is otherwise not memorable.
ReplyDeleteI haven't mentioned the Coke commercials, which have been pretty dull. They're going with the polar bears again.
The first Pepsi commercial, with Elton John and some woman and Flava-Flav, was the best of the Super Bowl so far.
DeleteIs this woman head-butting John Stamos his wife?
I thought that Elton John commercial was too weird and too dark, like most of the commercials this year.
DeleteThe Patriots will start from their own 17, because they tried to return a kickoff that should have been left in the end zone.
ReplyDeleteThis is how I'm following the Super Bowl and it's been great coverage so far.
ReplyDeleteYEAH! LOUISVILLE!
ReplyDeleteThat's right, baby! LOUISVILLE!
ReplyDeleteNow we have a pretty good Seinfeld commercial, which has something to do with a car. The best thing about this commercial is the idea that Seinfeld has his own network of ziplines to travel around Manhattan. But then Jay Leno shows up, and so my interest wanes.
ReplyDeleteDid you see the Louisville GE ad? That was awesome. Go, Louisville! Go, America!
ReplyDeleteEric is celebrating because GE came on with a very earnest and sincere commercial about how much the people in GE's Louisville facility care about making good appliances. It was actually one of the best commercials of the night.
ReplyDeleteThe Giants finally sack Brady on 3d and 8, and the Patriots will have to punt with 5:50 left in the third quarter.
ReplyDeleteNot a great punt, and the Giants will take over at the New England 47.
Now Budweiser has a commercial about Budweiser through American history. The 1980's are represented by the Miracle on Ice and some break-dancers. GO, 1980'S!
ReplyDeleteThis, too, was a pretty good commercial.
Delete1. Louisville's GE Appliance Park/Hooray for America!
2. Elton John's Pepsi
3. Budweiser dancing
Here in Moscow we are watching Dora.
ReplyDeleteThere's also an NFL Fantasy commercial that is based on the premise that fans have fantasies based on their team. So the 49ers fan is sitting in a bathtub of gold pieces, the Dolphins fan has a giant swimming pool with dolphins everywhere, and the Jets fan flies around in a green Lear jet.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what the commercial is about, but I like the use of team symbolism. If Canton, Ohio ever organizes itself into an NFL community as Eric has suggested, they should set up a fantasy zone for each team.
Tell Dora to follow the map, and to watch out for Swiper.
ReplyDeleteManning is still on fire, and the Giants have a 1st and 10 at the New England 11. 2:30 left in the 3d quarter.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteFair point. It was dark.
DeleteBut on 3d and 8 from the New England 9, Manning is sacked on the 15.
ReplyDeleteTynes makes the 33 yard field goal, and score is 17-15 with 35 seconds left in the third quarter.
ReplyDeleteThe BBC says it will come down to who has the bottle in the fourth quarter.
I wonder if all the Celtic fans are now rooting for the Giants.
DeleteThe BBC reports that every topic trending on Twitter in the UK is about the Super Bowl.
ReplyDeleteOf course, it's 2 A.M. in Britain, so the only people awake right now in Britain are the ones watching this game.
The Patriots take over at their own 20.
ReplyDeleteMy wife just got in from a church youth-group Super Bowl party. She's wearing an aqua T-shirt with a Dolphins helmet on the front, and the facemask has only bars--like Bob Griese used to wear. It's awesome.
ReplyDeleteTwo bars, I meant to say.
DeleteAnd she is awesome, I meant to say.
Now a very nice commercial on the history of the NFL, which appears to be designed mainly to assure us that the NFL will deal with the whole concussion issue.
ReplyDeleteNew commercial rankings:
ReplyDelete1. Louisville GE Appliance Park
2. NFL.com/evolution
3. Budweiser dancers
You convinced me about the too-dark Elton John.
The 4th Quarter starts with the Pats facing a 2d and 3 on their own 38.
ReplyDeleteOn 1st and 10 from the New England 43, Brady makes a great play to escape from the Giants rush, then throws a long bomb to Gronkowski -- but it's INTERCEPTED by Chase Blackburn, the Giants' linebacker.
ReplyDeleteIt's very odd to see a guy wearing number 93 making such an interception.
The Giants take over on their own 8.
Facing 3d and 7 from their own 11, the Giants call time out. Acura now runs their other big commercial, with Matthew Broderick doing a very energetic tribute to Ferris Bueller. (He calls in sick to the movie studio and then does a bunch of Ferris Bueller stuff.) It's well done, but it makes me feel old.
ReplyDeleteThis has been a very, very good game.
ReplyDeleteIf this year's playoffs had taken place in 1977, this would be remembered as one of the greatest seasons in NFL history.
DeleteThe Pats hold on 3d and 7, but they are offsides.
ReplyDeleteThe Giants get another chance on 3d and 2, and Manning completes a pass to the Giants 28. First and 10. That penalty might prove to be very important.
Giants still on the move. They have a 1st and 10 at their own 45 with 11:38 to go. Manning makes a huge pass between two defenders for the first down.
ReplyDeleteAnother completion. First and 10 at the New England 43.
ReplyDeleteManning now 24-31 for 217 yds and 1 TD.
Big play for the Giants. 3d and 5 at the New England 38. The Giants call their second timeout; they only have one left.
ReplyDeleteAnd the Giants commit a false start! Now they face 3d and 10 at the New England 43.
ReplyDeleteOn 3d and 10, the Patriots hold. The Giants wanted a pass interference call, but they won't get it, and they have to punt.
ReplyDeleteThe Patriots will take over at their own 8 with 9:24 left in the game.
This seems like a good time to point out that the Patriots have always been cheaters. Proven cheaters.
DeleteIf I were a Patriot fan, my view would be that if we don't score on this drive, we're probably going to lose.
ReplyDeleteI hate the Patriots, and I really, really hope they lose.
DeleteOn 3d and 5 from their own 13, the Patriots beat the blitz with a quick pass to Woodhead who races for 19 yards. 1st and 10 at the New England 32.
ReplyDelete8:35 to go.
The BBC tells us that Danny Woodhead weighs only 13 1/2 stone.
ReplyDeleteNow Samsung runs a commercial premised on the notion that its iPhone -- whatever it's called -- is better than the real iPhone.
ReplyDeleteThe Patriots run a reverse to Wes Welker, and he dashes for another first down. 1st and 10 for the Patriots at their own 46. 6:36 to go.
ReplyDeleteAnother third down conversion for the Pats. First and 10 at the New York 43. Giants really starting to run out of time. Only 5:22 left.
ReplyDeleteProven cheaters. Let's not forget this: proven cheaters. And, really, there's no reason to think they haven't cheated again somehow this season, too.
DeleteAt least twice (and maybe three times), Tom Brady has yelled out "93" right before the Patriots snapped the ball and then handed off to Danny Woodhead, who then runs a misdirection against the back of New England's pulling line.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could Tweet this information to Justin Tuck right now.
With 4 minutes to go, Wes Welker is wide open at the Giants 22, but he DROPS THE PASS. This sets up 3d and 11 from the Giants 44.
ReplyDeleteOn third and 11, Brady has all day -- but his pass over the middle is broken up.
ReplyDeleteThe Giants take over at their own 12, and now Eli can win the game.
3:46 to go.
If this ends well for the Giants, Cris Collinsworth is going to go nuts about Eli Manning in the fourth quarter. He's been talking about Eli Manning in fourth quarters since about Columbus Day.
ReplyDeleteOn first down, Manning throws a long pass down the sideline to Mario Manningham, who appears to catch it at the 50!
ReplyDeleteThe Patriots challenge the call, claiming that Manningham didn't come down in bounds. But the BBC says the call will stand.
That was a fantastic deep-route catch, and Manningham is the Giants' third receiver. Their receivers are just terrific.
ReplyDeleteThat pass from Manning was the stuff of legend. He put that ball right in between two defenders.
ReplyDeleteThe CALL STANDS.
ReplyDeleteFirst and 10 for the Giants at the 50, and the Pats have now lost one of their timeouts.
On first and 10, a pass from Manning to Manningham falls well short.
ReplyDelete2d and 10 from the 50. 3:34 left in the game.
On 2d and 10, Manning hits Manningham for 16 yards to the New England 34.
ReplyDelete2:59 left. 1st and 10.
On 1st and 10, Manning hits Manningham for 2 yards to the NE 32.
ReplyDelete2:14 left. 2d and 8.
To the 18 ... also a fantastic, fantastic catch. Hakeem Nicks.
ReplyDeleteThe BBC, thinking of the Giants' kicker, asks "Could a man from Scotland win the Super Bowl?"
ReplyDeleteOn 2d and 8, Manning hits Hakeem Nicks for 14 yards to the New England 18. The clock stops for the 2 minute warning.
ReplyDelete2 minutes left. 1st and 10.
On 1st and 10, Bradshaw runs for 7 yards.
ReplyDelete2d and 3 at the NE 11.
On 2d and 3, Manning throws to Nicks, who goes out of bounds at the 7.
ReplyDeleteFirst and goal. 1:09 left. Patriots call time.
The BBC guys are screaming about how the Patriots have to let the Giants score a TD so that Brady will have time for a comeback.
The Patriots listen to the BBC, and they allow Bradshaw to go into the end zone unmolested. Giants lead 21-17.
ReplyDeleteBradshaw looked like he was going to take a knee at the goal line, but his momentum carried him into the end zone. Now the BBC guys are angry with Bradshaw for not stopping short of the goal line.
The Giants go for two, but don't make it.
ReplyDeleteThe Giants lead 21-17 with 59 seconds to go.
Bradshaw will be criticized for not taking a knee. I think that he charged into the line expecting to be hit, and by the time he figured out what was going on, it was too late to stop.
I completely agree.
DeleteThe kick goes into the end zone, and Brady will have 57 seconds and 1 time out to go 80 yards.
ReplyDeleteOn first and 10, Brady throws to Branch, who drops the ball at about the 40.
ReplyDeleteOn 2d and 10, Brady throws to Hernandez, who also drops the pass.
ReplyDeleteOn 3d and 10, Brady is SACKED. The Pats are forced to call their last timeout with only 39 seconds to go.
ReplyDelete4th and 16 for the Pats from their own 14.
On 4th and 16, Brady hits Branch for 19 yards and Branch gets out of bounds.
ReplyDelete1st and 10. 32 seconds left.
On first and 10 from the 33, Brady hits Hernandez at the NE 44.
ReplyDeleteOn first and 10, Brady spikes the ball.
17 seconds left.
On second and 10, Brady throws the bomb, which falls incomplete.
ReplyDeleteThe Giants are called for having 12 men on the field, giving NE a 2d and 5 at their 49 with 9 seconds to go.
On 3d and 5, Brady's pass to Hernandez is incomplete.
ReplyDelete5 seconds left.
On the last play of the game, Brady throws the ball into the end zone, where IT FALLS INCOMPLETE!!!
ReplyDeleteTHE GIANTS WIN THE SUPER BOWL 21-17!!!
That last play was amazing. The Giants tipped the ball, and Gronkowski had a shot to catch it in the end zone, but it fell just outside his grasp.
ReplyDeleteGood.
ReplyDeleteThat was a very good season.
The Giants had the ball at the 18 with two minutes to go. Given that New England ended up letting the Giants score anyway, wouldn't they have been better to let them score with two minutes left, instead of one minute left?
ReplyDeleteExcellent point.
DeleteIn terms of everyone's reputation, this is one of the most important Super Bowls ever. The drumbeat from those who say that the Patriots couldn't win big games without cheating will only grow louder.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, this is the first time since the 1995 season that the NFC East Champion has won the Super Bowl. (The Giants won the title after the 2007 season, but Dallas won the NFC East that year.)
ReplyDeleteGiants also become the first team to win the Super Bowl after giving up more points than they scored during the regular season.
ReplyDeleteI'm also amazed to think that Tom Coughlin is going to the Hall of Fame.
ReplyDeleteI'm just so happy New England lost.
ReplyDelete