Game Time for Saints vs Colts in Superbowl 44

In the end, it wasn’t the Giants. It wasn’t the Patriots. And it wasn’t the Cowboys either. Instead, the Saints and the Vikings will be squaring off against each other in Superbowl 44. It wasn’t always this clear, but for the first time in a while, it’s the two top seed teams for this year’s Superbowl. That’s only happened eight times since 1975 and and not once since 1993 when the Cowboys and the Bills clashed in Georgia.

So can we expect to see an incredible Superbowl Sunday? You better believe it! While it may not be quite the same as the last classic, when the Patriots were taken down by the Giants in the closest Superbowl in history, it should be a really great game. Think Yankees vs. Red Sox, Ohio vs. Michigan and you’ll understand what we can expect in a few weeks.

The question is of course what this will mean. Are these really the top two teams in the NFL or did they just get lucky? Don’t forget that the two teams were the top seeds within their divisions, not necessarily the tops in the NFL.

I’m not going to make predictions about who is going to win in a few weeks, but I will say this: The Saints currently hold the number one scoring position and the highest point differential in professional football. That’s gotta count for something.

Then again, let’s take another look at the Vikings. I have two words for you my friend: Brett Favre. The most career touchdown passes, the most passing yards, the most career pass completions. The list goes on and on. This guy is a superstar of the superstars.

But will one superstar be enough to overcome the dominance of the Saints? Let’s take a look at the other all-American sport, baseball and we may find our answer. A-Rod spent years with the Yanks before he finally played a World Series. He blew it against the Sox, letting them have their first victory in 86 years (in all fairness, it wasn’t just his fault, but his poor production sure didn’t help). So if history is any guide, just having a superstar may not be enough for the win in Superbowl 44. However, it does mean it’s gonna be a really cool game to watch. Grab some beer and get some nachos ready. February 7, 2010 is coming soon. It’s football time!

Super Bowl 44: NFL Selling Postgame Field Experience & Miami Busy with the Events

superbowl-xliv-499×275.jpg” alt=”" title=”superbowl-xliv” width=”499″ height=”275″ class=”alignleft size-large wp-image-75″ />The NFL is selling fans access for the first time to the scene on the field after the Super Bowl. An invitation from the NFL On Location unit has been issued for 700 fans to buy an “Exclusive Postgame On-Field Experience” after Super Bowl XLIV on 7 February at Dolphin Stadium. But these tickets are quite expensive. Individual ticket prices run from $5,749 to $9,799 that will depend on seat location. For that amount, customers will get their game ticket, four nights of hotel room, pregame and postgame parties, preferred parking and some other goodies. Access of the Super Bowl field is usually restricted to players and their families, TV crews and league staff. But the NFL is now trying to get a bigger part of the hospitality market.

Here is how it works, according to the league’s senior vice president of events Frank Supovitz. Fifteen minutes after the trophy presentation of Vince Lombardi, the 700 fans will be cycled by the league into the field. Each fan is entitled about 30 minutes. They can watch while TV reporters’ conduct interviews with game stars and players celebrate with their wives and kids. The postgame scene will last all night. There is a lot of time of live TV. There are players with their families with a considerable amount of time for drinking in the experience.
The regular ticket prices for the Super Bowl XLIV in Miami will be $500, $800, $900 and $1,000.

In February, Florida will be hosting its third Super Bowl in four years at Land Shark Stadium in Miami Gardens. One week before the event, the stadium will be used for the Pro Bowl of National Football League in its first mainland U.S. appearance in 35 years. The Pro Bowl will be returning to Hawaii in 2011 and 2012. Rodney Barreto is the leader of the South Florida Super Bowl XLIV Committee Group CEO. He says that they are still working on the private sponsorships. They are working with all government partners to ensure that all three counties will look right. There is a lot of work behind-the-scenes to make sure road construction will not be a problem, streets opened up and landscaping is in place.

An estimate of $400 million will be generated. An additional 40,000 people will be drawn by the Super Bowl who has no intention of going to the game and the stadium can hold 75,000. The city will probably spend around $15 million on a Super Bowl, between the cash and in-kind that will be raised. The host committee will provide the hotels of the two visiting teams.

Super Bowl 44 Matchups To Root For

superbowl-44-cheerleader-478×600.jpg” alt=”" title=”superbowl-44-cheerleader” width=”319″ height=”400″ class=”alignleft size-large wp-image-50″ />With Super Bowl XLIV or plainly just go back to using 44 in South Florida merely few days away to go, it has never been too early to start reflecting on all the probable matchups, with all their interesting storylines. Taking in the scope of the complete 12-team playoff field, in any case while it lasts, here is a simple sample prediction of the top 10 hoped-for Super pairings. First is Jets vs. Packers, these are the two former Brett Favre’s who will meet in the Super Bowl, but he is not there. Second is Chargers vs. Saints, The Drew Brees Bowl, it will be a battle of the Brees against Philip Rivers, the quarterback who substituted him in San Diego, would be the primary storyline of the game.

Third is the Colts vs. Vikings, Will this be an exhibition matchup? It will be Peyton Manning versus Brett Favre. This may be a journalist item for a real article write up. Fourth is Chargers vs. Cowboys, Wade Phillips was picked up by Jerry Jones in the early 2007 as his head coach and the other choice would have been Norv Turner for the job. Both Phillips and Turner have cached three different NFL teams but have not ever won in a Super Bowl. This will be a Vindication Bowl. Firth is Saints vs. Colts, It is every Manning for himself on the Super Bowl, especially with Peyton playing against Archie, his fathers former team. Sixth Jets vs. Vikings, Favre will face the team he made that 2008 cameo role. Most probably by now the Jets fans have forgiven him for tanking at the season end and in the process getting New York’s head coach fired.

Seventh Jets vs. Eagles, it will be very interesting to see Rex Ryan the New York head coach seeking revenge against the team that fired Buddy Ryan his father after being winless for three straight playoff trips from 1988-90. Eight is Saints vs. Patriots, the Saints were blown out in Week 12 and surely the Patriots would love to try again and stop the team that beat them in the Superdome. NIneth is Ravens vs. Eagles, a great match up between coaches, the mentor and the protégé. It will be Coach Andy Reid against John Harbaugh his former assistant in the Eagles. Last is Colts vs. Cowboys, this will be a remake of the Blooper Bowl, Super Bowl V which should be forgotten, this is a pairing that makes the top list of Super Bowls worst-played. Now you can make a pick on the Super Bowl 44 Matchups.

Superbowl 44: Q & A Part 4

10. Are the San Diego Chargers this season’s 2006 Colts — a not so lucky team hardened by harsh playoff frustration (2007 AFC Championship Game loss) to finish on the brink of celebrating a Super Bowl 44 breakthrough? The guys have been around for a while and have suffered a lot of heartaches and lots of disappointments, A.J. Smith Chargers general manager says. Going to the playoffs all the time pays extra. The longer time you’re in the tournament, the more the tremendous pressure of trying to get to the Super Bowl. We already know the experienced. Rivers is playing at his best football of his career at the proper time. Can this be his time to win a Super Bowl title and follow 2004 first-round draft classmates Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger? He also wants to win it, Smith says of QB Philip Rivers. With a bit of luck, that will happen for all of us.

LaDainian Tomlinson Running back is in good health for the first time after his injuries limited him for the past two postseasons. And he’s behind the game’s best line, Madden said, who is keep an eye on the league closely in retreat and trying to bring acknowledgment to the game’s best offensive lines in a crusade with Prilosec. I will tell you that the offensive line has gotten better, said Madden.

11. Can coach Sean Payton and Drew Brees get a Lombardi Trophy for the Hurricane Katrina-ravaged Gulf Coast region they recognize as their calling?
Can they ignite their offense after hitting the postseason in a three-game tailspin?
Drew Brees and the Saints have a remarkable offense, Greg Cosell NFL Films analyst says. No one does it better than Sean Payton in terms of formations and personnel. A concern is about their 26th-ranked pass defense. They found out that Malcolm Jenkins cannot play corner.

12. Can Peyton Manning & the team justify Colts coach Jim Caldwell’s decision to pull out his starters in Week 16 versus the Jets, which passed a possible 19-0 in favor of preserving a Super Bowl 44 title run? Even if there is a rash of injuries, the Colts hold the seventh ranked scoring defense. They allow 19.2 points a game, and their sixth ranked offense has an average of 26 points. They won most games this decade with 115. They have a Super Bowl title to show for that success, compared with the Patriots three and the Steelers two during that span. This shows how great the competition will be in the next Super Bowl 44.

Superbowl 44: Q & A Part 3

Continuation to the Super Bowl 44 Q & A. 7. Can the New England Patriots run the game as a wild card, with the distinction to the victorious favorite that lost its flawless dream season in Super Bowl XLII? Just when they thought that they have everything under control, the Patriots lost their very strong offensive heart and soul, when Wes Welker their slot receiver and his league-leading 123 receptions, got a serious knee injury on Week 17. A scoring defense on the fifth-rank allowed 17.8 points and the game has clamped down. Every one is still pointing at their defense. Is the pass rush still there for team New England? Ask Miller. They have shown the capability for the past couple of weeks to pressure the quarterback. It is a team that is starting to get its composure back together again.

8. Is Tony Romo prepared to take the Cowboys for the first time to a Super Bowl since 1996? Romo was able to remove his December mischief goblin, and came out as a poised decision-maker and clutch winner with the Cowboys’ 24-17, Week 15 victory against the New Orleans who were then unbeaten inside the Superdome. As Trent Dilfer ESPN analyst notes, Romo is making confident pre-snap reads and taking advantage of his group of running backs Felix Jones, Marion Barber and Tashard Choice to set up play-action strikes to Jason Witten, Miles Austin, Patrick Crayton and Sam Hurd. Their wild-card rematch against NFC East rival Philadelphia is Romo’s opportunity to achieve deliverance for his 0-2 playoff record. They are already starting to play like a Super Bowl team, said Miller. Because of the victory over New Orleans, they have already set a standard. If they can continue with it into the playoffs, they will be a tough team to beat.

9. Can Brett Favre lead the Vikings to that Lombardi Trophy he came off his Mississippi tractor to win? Moon said he really think they have as good shot as any team to win in the Super Bowl. They can run the ball on offense and they can also stop the run on defense as good if not better than anybody. And they have Brett Favre a quarterback who has a great deal, if not more, playoff experience than anybody. Those things are really a plus factor for them. What happened, why did they loose two of their last three? They have transferred into Brett Favre’s team, instead of Adrian Peterson’s team; this is what analyst Greg Cosell of the NFL Films says. Peterson has two times as many lost fumbles as 100-yard rushing games.

Super Bowl 44: Q and A Part 2

4. Is it the same New York Jets? No. The same old Jets could have missed the playoffs in spite of the late-season gifts from the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals, who substituted their starters to rest while the Jets make the most of a win scenario with back-to-back victories. You can dismiss them as lucky at your own risk. Rex Ryan made an unpredictable overload blitzing scheme that was backed by the Pro Bowl cornerback Darrelle Revis’ shut-down is allowing a league-best 14.8 points a game. The Jets made a league-best rushing attack averaging 172.2 yards.

Ryan said the Jets should be favored to win Super Bowl, their weakness? Rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez. After starting with a 3-0, in the April draft he was the fifth over all selection, he hit the rookie wall, and forgot to slide. He’s 0-5 and he throws more than one interception. Whether they were lucky into the playoffs with Indianapolis pulling out their starters, the Jets are definitely good enough, says Miller. They have great defense and run the football. But the immaturity in their quarterback spot could cost them the game.

5.With Chris “Beanie” Wells the rookie averaging 4.5 yards rushing, can the Arizona Cardinals who are more balanced finish what they have not done in the final minutes of Super Bowl XLIII versus the Steelers? These Cardinals are now even better than the previous heavy team that came within a last-minute Ben Roethlisberger pass to Santonio Holmes touchdown pass of winning their first Super Bowl. Miller asks what quarterback has been better in postseason play than Kurt Warner? Now, they are a more well-rounded football team. But what about Kurt Warner? If he is hot, they are a sure winner, but if he is off in any of the game, then the team will lose. In four of their five losses where Warner has played, he has thrown 11 out of 14 interceptions.

6. Can the Bengals cope up with the scoreboard? Marvin Lewis the coach of the Bengals has been steady in guiding the tea, through two tragic losses, the sudden, October death of Vikki Zimmer, wife of Mike Zimmer defensive coordinator, and the tragic Dec. 17 death of Chris Henry wide receiver. But a 22nd-ranked scoring offense that is run-oriented is least potent among the playoff field. Take away Chad Ochocinco the receiver and Palmer has no other big-play options, as his one 300-yard passing game reflects. If they are two touchdowns down, can they catch-up? ask Miller. They need the game to be close where it’s only a touchdown or a field goal. If it boils down to a shootout, the Cincinnati Bengals can’t compete.

Superbowl 44: Q and A Part 1

Because of the NFL playoffs that will be starting this weekend, USA TODAY posted 12 questions for each teams contending for the Super Bowl XLIV.

1. Who will emerge from wild-card weekend as the 2010 version of the New York Giants 2007, who won everything as a fifth seed; or the sixth seed from 2005, the Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl XL champion? You can consider the Green Bay Packers. After a gap of one-year from the playoff, coach Mike McCarthy’s team is making its best play since the loss last 8 November that was very embarrassing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who were then-winless, having won seven of its last eight. Quarter back Aaron Rodgers is playing a good game in the league right now; this was said by former Ravens coach Brian Billick.

The Dom Capers, 3-4 defense has a made a league-high 30 interceptions.
Linebacker Rodgers has shown toughness and became an inspiration to teammates in shaking off a league-worst 50 sacks and became the first quarterback in the history of the league to throw for 4,000 yards his first two seasons as a starter. Aaron Rodgers is a phenomenal player, says Jim Miller from Sirius NFL Radio, a former quarterback. The Packers seem to have found their game with the help of Ryan Grant. But Mason Crosby a kicker is 27-for-36, translating 75% of his field goals and the postseason games can be reduced to a field goal, said Miller.

2. Can the Baltimore Ravens who are sixth-seeded, overcome a lot of injury from its secondary and with destructive tendencies as the second team with the most penalties? Cam Cameron Offensive coordinator has created a balanced, ninth-ranked scoring offense that runs Ray Rice running back through, who has 2,041 yards from disputes and a team-best 78 receptions. Miller said that he like this Ravens team all. Now, they have started to focus on running the football than earlier in the year. There are some issues regarding the secondary that lost Lardarius Webb and Fabian Washington. Now, they don’t have the ability to prevail over their mistakes like they could then. Before, they were able to impose their will when they failed with the lack of steady offense. Now after making mistakes, they cannot overcome them.

3.Can the Philadelphia Eagles who are sixth-seeded, survive the loss of center Jamaal Jackson to a knee injury on Week 16? Coach Andy Reid is a former offensive lineman from Brigham Young University knows that postseason runs start up front. Nick Cole a right guard replaced Jackson, with Max Jean-Gilles stepping in for Cole. Can the Eagles finally win that hard to get Super Bowl with the most dangerous weapons of McNabb’s career? It will be hard because he is a great player and a big guy that can restore the line of scrimmage, says Miller. Jamaal Jackson is a nasty player. Losing the key block in the center position is a very big loss.

Which Team has Appeared in the Most Super Bowls

It’s football season again! Yes, if it’s October, the Yankees are in the playoffs like they always are (last year was an aberration), the Red Sox are saying wait ’till next year and the most important day in American sports is just a few months away. The Superbowl is coming! Okay, so it’s still to early to make guesses at who will be in the Superbowl this year, but at a time like this, it’s a great opportunity to look back over history and ask that all important question: which team has appeared in the most Superbowls? The answer? The Yankees of the football world, America’s team, the Dallas Cowboys.

The Dallas Cowboys have an enviable record indeed. Theirs is by far the most successful franchise in the National Football League. In just 49 years of existence, this team has had well over a .500 record for winning seasons and it seems they make the playoffs almost every single year. They’ve been to 8 Superbowls and won 5 of them. In fact, from 1966 to 1985, the Dallas Cowboys had an unbroken streak of 20 winning seasons.

However, if you’re going to ask the question, which team has appeared in the most Superbowls, then you also need to know who the second and third most winning teams are. In fact, while the Cowboys have been to more Superbowls, the Pittsburgh Steelers have won more of them than the Cowboys. The Steelers have been to 7 Superbowls and won 6 of them for the most Superbowl wins in history.

The Steelers are one of the oldest National Football League franchises in the game. They were founded in 1933 by a true sports fanatic named Art Rooney. He purchased the right to an NFL franchise for just $2,500 (I bet you wish you could buy a sports team for that kind of money). Originally known as the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Steelers made 8 decades of history is the Steel Capital of the United States and in the modern era of football, they of course won a total of 6 trophies.

We don’t know who is going to be playing in the Superbowl this season, but when you’re sitting around drinking beer, betting on the game and munching wings and nachos, just remember, when a friend asks the inevitable question, which team has appeared in the most Superbowls, you’ll know the answer to give him and then some.