Super Bowl LIV Thoughts and Reaction

I have never done this before, but I might make this an annual thing, where I go over things that happened in the Super Bowl.  I will go over how it affects how I view each of the two teams, what I thought about the officiating, and how it impacts everyone's legacies.

The Kansas City Chiefs are Super Bowl champions for the first time in fifty years.  Despite the Seahawks playing in the same division as them until 2001, I have always liked the Chiefs.  They've almost always been a fun team to watch (except for the Brodie Croyle/Tyler Thigpen years).  I think the Chiefs are now my second favorite team, after the Seahawks.  The Chiefs haven't beaten the Seahawks (at least not recently), as the Hawks beat them in Seattle in 2018.  They are about as fun to watch as they've ever been, with a superstar quarterback in Patrick Mahomes.  They've also got passionate fans with a great stadium atmosphere.

I thought the game was fairly entertaining; it was definitely more entertaining than last year's game.  The officiating was good, although a few calls stand out that I'd like to go over:

- The offensive pass interference call on George Kittle: Watching Sportscenter after the game, Scott Van Pelt said it's technically a correct call according to the rulebook, but that he didn't like it.  The only reason I didn't really like the call was because I've seen that sort of small push-off with one arm not called most of the time.  I also thought Kittle would have caught the ball without that push-off.  But any push-off by a receiver that gives you an advantage is by rule, offensive pass interference.  This was just a call that was strictly enforced, and 49ers fans can only be upset at the fact that that referee noticed it.

- Damien Williams touchdown reception: Was it a touchdown?  It was mighty close.  What I find most hard to believe is that on the biggest football game of the year, they can't have a camera that goes right down the goal line.  They had one that was close, but it was still at a slight angle.  Why can't we get one where the goal line and the sideline make a right angle?  Who knows.  Honestly, I think his foot stepped out a very split second before the ball broke the plane of the goal line, but they couldn't overturn it without clear evidence.  On first watch of the play at live speed, I didn't think he was in.  The replay, however, made me think it was very close.

- The 49ers delay of game not called: I hate that teams can technically get away with a delay of game if they time it right.  For a delay of game, the umpire needs to see the clock at 0, then he has to see the ball.  If the ball is starting to get snapped, they let it go.  On a replay, they showed the umpire starting to run up to signal a delay of game, but then the ball got snapped, so they let it go.  It should only take a split second for the umpire to notice the ball hasn't been snapped at 0, and then immediately blow his whistle.  However, to the 49ers fans that are upset that they didn't call delay of game because the play resulted in a turnover on downs, what if a first down happened on that play?  You would've been glad you got away with it.  I don't think it was poorly handled by the officials, but I do think the NFL needs to tighten up on when they signal for delay of game.

- Pass interference on 49ers defender covering Travis Kelce: On one of the Chiefs touchdown drives in the 4th quarter, a 49ers defender (sorry, didn't get the name) was called for defensive pass interference while covering Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.  This was the correct call.  I only bring this up because I heard or read somewhere that 49ers fans were salty about that call.  It's textbook.  The defender did not turn to play the ball, and inhibited Kelce from being able to make a play on the ball while making minor contact.  Kelce wasn't trying to come back to the ball, but anytime contact is made on a play like that, pass interference is going to be called.

- The Chiefs being offsides on 49ers 3rd down attempt: It was Tanoh Kpassagnon who was close to being offsides on this play.  I will say he definitely started moving before anyone else.  Watching it in real time, it's not overtly clear he was offsides unless you watch him specifically.  I didn't see it when I watched it live, and I always watch the lines at the start of plays.  In watching multiple replays, yes, it does appear he was offsides, if barely.  So should this have been called?  Probably, but I've seen this type of offsides call missed many times before.  Usually, the offsides that gets called on defensive lineman is when they jump early and go back, trying to get back before the ball is snapped.  By the way, Kpassagnon didn't seem to gain any unfair advantage from the play, as he was pancaked on the play and was not one of the rushers chasing after Garoppolo.  And, even if it was called, the down becomes 3rd and 9, which is still a tough conversion to make.

The problem with these borderline and close calls is that they all went the Chiefs way.  There was a forceable blow to each quarterback's helmet, both went uncalled, so it didn't favor either team.  But when so many calls go one team's way, it's understandable for people to think the officials are favoring one team.  They cannot go into a play thinking "Well, we just favored the Chiefs on the last call, the next close call we should favor the 49ers".  That is not how they are supposed to officiate.  They officiate by trying to make the correct call each time.  No one call had a significant impact on the outcome of the game, and the 49ers really only have themselves to blame.

Officiating aside, what does this mean for each of the teams?  Well for the Chiefs, it means only good things.  The Chiefs could be the AFC's next dynasty.  Andy Reid cemented his legacy as one of the greatest coaches of his era and will be in the Hall of Fame some day.  Patrick Mahomes has gotten off to one of the best starts to a career ever by a quarterback, and even if he doesn't win another Super Bowl, he's probably bound for the Hall of Fame, so long as he plays close to another ten plus years.  As for the 49ers, Kyle Shanahan will be scrutinized for sure.  He was the offensive coordinator for the Falcons when they blew a 28-3 lead.  He seemingly can't protect a lead on the biggest stage.  But he and his team are very young and have many opportunities in front of them.  They cannot let this heartbreaking loss affect them going into next season.

I think both the Chiefs and 49ers will be competitive next season as well, although it's hard to expect both of them to return to the Super Bowl.  Last year at this time, I would've bet money the Rams would return to the playoffs, yet they did not.  Anything can happen in the crazy league that is the NFL, and 2020 should be just as entertaining as the previous season.  Can't wait!

2019-2020 NFL Playoffs – Predictions and Top 10 Super Bowl Matchups!

The 2019 NFL regular season is over, and the playoffs start next weekend.  Who will be playing in Super Bowl LIV in Miami?  I’m going to predict the playoffs, even including scores, and then afterwards I will list my top 10 Super Bowl matchups. 

Wild Card Round
AFC:
(6) Titans at (3) Patriots: Titans 24, Patriots 20
Yup.  The Patriots get upset at home in the playoffs.  Tennessee is the more complete team and more physically imposing, and Derrick Henry has a great day.

(5) Bills at (4) Texans: Bills 19, Texans 17
The Bills defense is really good.  The Texans defense isn’t that good.  I see yet another upset here, with Josh Allen winning his first ever playoff game.

NFC:
(6) Vikings at (3) Saints: Saints 30, Vikings 23
No Minneapolis Miracle here, especially since the game is in New Orleans this time.  The Vikings claw back from a deficit but are unable to get another opportunity to score.

(5) Seahawks at (4) Eagles: Eagles 27, Seahawks 19
One and done for the Hawks.  The Seahawks are not the same team that played Philadelphia over a month ago, and the Eagles are playing better football since then.  Result: Eagles win. 

Divisional Round
AFC:
(6) Titans at (1) Ravens: Ravens 34, Titans 21
The Titans have trouble keeping up with a rested and efficient Ravens team. 

(5) Bills at (2) Chiefs: Chiefs 26, Bills 17
Arrowhead in January proves too much for these Bills.  The Chiefs won’t light up the scoreboard, but neither will the Bills. 

NFC:
(4) Eagles at (1) 49ers: 49ers 28, Eagles 13
The 49ers defense dominates, getting turnovers and sacks galore.  The 49ers have control of the game all game long and mostly run and kill the clock. 

(3) Saints at (2) Packers: Saints 27, Packers 20
The Saints upset the Packers in a cold game.  Normally indoor teams don’t do well in these environments, but the Saints are out to prove they are better than the Packers and deserved the higher seeding. 

Conference Championships
AFC:
(2) Chiefs at (1) Ravens: Chiefs 28, Ravens 26
The Ravens get a few field goals from Tucker, but the Chiefs have CC game experience which proves to be the difference.  Lamar Jackson has yet to beat the Chiefs and it remains that way, proving the Chiefs are his kryptonite.

(3) Saints at (1) 49ers: 49ers 28, Saints 24
As much as I’d like to say the Saints upset the 49ers in this one, I just don’t see it happening.  The 49ers beat them once before, they can do it again.  Also, the division most represented in the Super Bowl for the NFC in recent memory is the NFC West. 

Super Bowl LIV: Chiefs 35, 49ers 31
In a wildly exciting game, the Chiefs emerge victorious.  Mahomes gets the ball last, down 31-28, and instead of going for a field goal and overtime, connects with Mecole Hardman for a game-winning score.  Mahomes wins Super Bowl MVP.
Wow, not terribly far off!  The Chiefs won, as I predicted, but the score wasn't quite as high for either team.  I was right on predicting Mahomes for MVP, but he was a clear favorite to begin with.


My Top 10 Super Bowl Matchups:
#1 – What I predict: Chiefs vs. 49ers
Again, this is my Super Bowl prediction, the battle between Joe Montana’s two teams.
And this just so happened to be the matchup that happened!  Yet again, we have a Super Bowl with two teams who had first-round byes.  We'll see if my predicted score above holds true for the game.

#2 – The obvious choice of #1 seeds: Ravens vs. 49ers
The most likely Super Bowl matchup every year is the two #1 seeds meeting, and in this case would be the Ravens and 49ers.  It would also be a rematch of Super Bowl XLVII, in which the Ravens won.

#3 – The two hottest teams: Ravens vs. Packers
These are the two teams with the longest winning streaks in the NFL. 

#4 – My mid-season Super Bowl picks: Ravens vs. Saints
This was my mid-season pick for the Super Bowl, Charm City vs. the Big Easy.  New school vs. Old School.

#5 – The Super Bowl matchup I’ve wanted for YEARS: Patriots vs. Packers
Can we finally get a Brady vs. Rodgers matchup in the Super Bowl?  Probably not, but it doesn’t hurt to hope.  This, and the one below this, would tie for the matchup between the oldest franchises in the playoffs. 

#6 – A fitting rematch: Chiefs vs. Packers
A rematch of Super Bowl I in the NFL’s 100^th season?  That would be very fitting.  It’s also a matchup of the two State Farm QB’s, which we were deprived of earlier in the season because Mahomes was hurt.

#7 – To pad the Hall of Fame Resume: Patriots vs. Saints
The next best thing to Rodgers vs. Brady to me would be Brees vs. Brady.  To some, this would be a better matchup.  This matchup would be legendary, with the winner padding his resume for Canton even more, not that either of them need it.

#8 – Battle of the Birds: Ravens vs. Seahawks
The NFL is due for a wild card team getting to the Super Bowl.  They’re due for a team winning three road games on their way to the Super Bowl.  The Seahawks, I believe, have the best shot at doing that of any 5 or 6 seed.  And to see Jackson vs. Wilson would be pretty awesome.

#9 – Rematch of an epic game: Patriots vs. Seahawks
If the Seahawks were to make it back to the Super Bowl, wouldn’t it be fitting for it to be against the Patriots?  Marshawn Lynch is on the roster again, and perhaps we could give him that opportunity he so deserves. 

#10 – Two of the biggest dynasties in NFL history: Patriots vs. 49ers
Arguably, the two biggest dynasties in NFL history would be the 49ers from the 80s to the mid-90s and the Patriots  from the 2000s to the 2010’s.  Would be fitting for the NFL’s 100^th season.  Also this would pit Jimmy Garoppolo against his former mentor, Tom Brady. 

My Solution to the NFL's Overtime Rule

Ever since the vaulted Chiefs offense of 2018/19 did not get an opportunity to take the field in overtime of the 2019 AFC Championship game, NFL fans (mostly Chiefs) have clamored for a change to the NFL overtime rules.  They want both teams to have an opportunity to possess the ball.  And I have to admit, I agree.  If two teams meet, and each team has a great offense and sub-par defense, the coin flip really does determine who wins the game.  I know it's been 7 months since that AFC Championship game, but I have just thought of a solution to fix overtime in the NFL.  I want to add that I have modified my original overtime proposal which allowed games to extend beyond two possessions.  This does not (unless it is a playoff game).

Here is my solution: Each team gets one opportunity to possess the ball on offense.  The only exception being if the defense scores on the first possession.  If the first team to possess the ball scores, the opposing team will get one shot to tie or beat them.  After those two possessions, the game is over.  If the game is tied after two scoring possessions, the game becomes a tie (unless it's a playoff game).  If the first team to possess the ball gets a TD and goes for two and succeeds, that means the best the opposing team can do is tie the game.  If it was a playoff game, they'd have to get a touchdown and two point conversion to keep the game going.  I must add that in this version of overtime, there is no game clock, just like in college.  Just possessions and a play clock.

Confused at all?  I wouldn't blame you if you were.  Here are some hypotheticals (and we'll use the Patriots and Chiefs to make it easy).  And we are using regular season overtime rules (unless otherwise specified).

- The Patriots get the ball first in overtime and kick a field goal.  The Chiefs then kick a field goal.  The game would then be a tie.  In the playoffs, the Patriots would get the ball back, now with the game in sudden death mode.

- The Patriots get the ball first in overtime and score a touchdown and get the ensuing PAT.  The Chiefs get the ball themselves and score a touchdown as well.  They kick the PAT as well.  This would result in a tie.  The Chiefs could go for two points, and if they successfully get it, they win the game.  If they fail to get it, they lose.  Talk about drama.

- The Patriots get the ball first in overtime and score a touchdown and get the two point conversion.  The Chiefs would then get an opportunity to match.  If they don't, the game obviously ends with a Patriots victory.  If they do, the game ends in a tie.  In the playoffs, they would continue to play now under sudden death (next score wins).

- The Patriots get the ball first and either punt or turn the ball over.  The Chiefs get the ball.  Any score wins it for them.  If they fail to score at least a field goal (because with the offense on the field, they can't score a safety), the game ends in a tie.  In the playoffs, the game would continue until someone scores.

I hope that clarifies things.  This way, both teams get a chance to possess the football, and the game always ends after two possessions, unless it's the playoffs.  The interesting scenario this creates is for the second team to possess the ball.  Do they go for the tie or the win?  I'd say 90%+ of the time you go for the win; one exception being if a loss knocks you out of the playoffs, but a tie or win and you're in the playoffs.

Here are the pros and cons of this format.

PROS:
- Both teams get a chance to go for the win if they so choose, unless the first team gets a TD and 2 point conversion.  If the first team does get both, then the second team loses the ability to go for the win.
- Would make for exciting and dramatic football as we could see a lot of "Do or Die" plays
- Would make for a lot of interesting and tough coaching decisions (Go for 2?  Go for it on 4th?  Kick or receive?)
- It's about as fair as OT can be to whoever wins the toss, and I could see some teams wanting the ball first while others want it second

CONS:
- Can be a tad confusing
- There could be an increase in the number of ties since any teams that do the same in the overtime period would count as a tie.
- This could increase the amount of time players have to play in overtime if they're always forced to play at least two possessions.

To counter those three cons I listed, for the first one, I came up with a simplified way of explaining these rules and it is this: Each team gets one possession.  Whoever does better wins.  If they do the same, they tie.  That's it. Once people get used to these rules, they become very easy to explain.

Secondly, it's hard to really say if the number of ties would increase.  If just one team scores, the chance that there will be a tie dramatically drops, because the second team to possess the ball more than likely won't go for a tie.  And with defenses that have been on the field for a half hour each (on average) already, it means offenses playing against gassed defenses and more than likely, one of the offensive units would get at least a field goal.  Also, you would not see many teams "going for a tie", such as kicking a field goal when the other team kicked a field goal, because a head coach would instantly and forever be harshly criticized for not having the courage to go for the win.

Thirdly, this could indeed increase on average the amount of time overtime periods go.  Right now, overtime can end on one possession.  It still could now (if there's a defensive score), but most often we'd see two possessions.  My argument is that I think players would be willing to play a bit more for a better chance to win the game.  Think back to the AFC Championship game this past season.  I'd guarantee each of those Chiefs offensive players, from QB Patrick Mahomes to the offensive linemen, they all wanted to go back out there.  They all wanted one more shot.  There are only 16 games a season plus a maximum of 4 playoff games for one team.  Each game is critical, and everyone on the team would love a shot to go out and win a game that goes to overtime.  Let's give them that shot.