SportsNation Blog Archives
New York Giants
Should Cruz get paid?
Victor Cruz didn't do all that much in the Super Bowl -- just 25 yards and a touchdown on four receptions -- but his performance over the 2011 season was exceptional. Now he wants to get paid like an elite receiver.
Nicks or Cruz?
Cruz and Hakeem Nicks were the Giants' 1-2 punch on offense this season. Nicks, in particular, was practically uncoverable during the Super Bowl.
Too much emphasis?
Bill Belichick evidently respected Cruz and Nicks enough to place most of the coverage on them during the Super Bowl in order to force the ball to receivers like Mario Manningham. It backfired on one play, but was it the right call?
Eli triumphant?
SportsNation could barely pick a winner after more than 800,000 votes, but in the end, the small majority that favored the Giants proved to be in the right, as Eli Manning's squad triumphed over the fading Patriots dynasty.
Did the Patriots blow it?
The Giants played well in the fourth quarter to seal the win, but was the game lost thanks to a series of uncharacteristic Patriots errors?
The worst error?
Speaking of those mistakes, it's tough to determine which was the worst by New England. When your game starts off with a safety, however, you know you're in for a bad night.
Better catch?
The Giants needed two big-time catches in their most recent Super Bowl wins -- one from David Tyree in Super Bowl XLII and another from Mario Manningham in Super Bowl XLVI.
Should Gronkowski have played?
Rob Gronkowski was a nonfactor in the Super Bowl, catching two passes for 26 yards and indirectly contributing to a momentum-killing interception when he was outpositioned by Chase Blackburn on a deep pass.
The game: How confident are you?
When it comes to picking a winner, SportsNation voters are split down the middle after almost 500,000 votes. But how confident are you that you're right?
The game: Will Rob Gronkowski help?
With Rob Gronkowski's father replacing Rob Lowe as the most unlikely NFL insider, the tight end's ankle has been the story of Super Bowl week.
The game: Can Tom Brady be rattled?
The Giants made news this week (not that it's difficult during Super Bowl week) by suggesting they rattled Tom Brady in a Week 9 win.
The game: Who will win MVP?
Quarterbacks have claimed four of the past five Super Bowl MVP awards, including Eli Manning the last time these teams met.
The music: Kelly Clarkson or Madonna?
It seems safe to assume Madonna is the bigger pop icon, but is the halftime performer a better singer than Kelly Clarkson, who will handle the national anthem?
The commercials: Are they still good?
It may be the only day all year when people look forward to the commercial breaks, but have Super Bowl ads lost any luster?
The food: What's to eat?
All those New Year's dietary resolutions go out the window on Super Bowl Sunday, as the food comes in the door. But what's the must-have food?
The legacy: All on line for Patriots?
The winner of this game will become just the fifth franchise with at least four Super Bowl wins, but are the Patriots already in the mix for an even greater legacy?
Which coach has more on the line?
Bill Belichick could join Chuck Noll and become only the second coach with four Super Bowl wins, but if you feel Belichick's legacy is secure either way, would a second win for Tom Coughlin mean more?
The toughest test for Belichick?
Mike Martz has the best winning percentage among coaches who faced Belichick in a Super Bowl, followed by Andy Reid (.609) and then Coughlin (.555).
Will Coughlin's seat finally cool?
It was about a month ago that Coughlin's job seemed in jeopardy ... again. Would he earn a reprieve from the hot seat with a second ring?
Who are the best coaches with a Super Bowl win?
For the first time in a long time, we know the Super Bowl won't produce a new member of the club every coach wants to join. Both Bill Belichick and Tom Coughlin already have Super Bowl wins, making them two of just 28 coaches to do so. Who are the best in that club?
Super Bowl coaches
Bill Belichick
Bill Belichick
Record: 3-1
Super Bowl XXXVI
Patriots 20, Rams 17
Super Bowl XXXVIII
Patriots 32, Panthers 29
Super Bowl XXXIX
Patriots 24, Eagles 21
Super Bowl XLII
Patriots 14, Giants 17
Brian Billick
Brian Billick
Record: 1-0
Super Bowl XXXV
Ravens 34, Giants 7
Tom Coughlin
Tom Coughlin
Record: 1-0
Super Bowl XLII
Giants 17, Patriots 14
Bill Cowher
Bill Cowher
Record: 1-1
Super Bowl XXX
Steelers 17, Cowboys 27
Super Bowl XL
Steelers 21, Seahawks 10
Mike Ditka
Mike Ditka
Record: 1-0
Super Bowl XX
Bears 46, Patriots 10
Tony Dungy
Tony Dungy
Record: 1-0
Super Bowl XLI
Colts 29, Bears 17
Weeb Ewbank
Weeb Ewbank
Record: 1-0
Super Bowl III
Jets 16, Colts 7
Tom Flores
Tom Flores
Record: 2-0
Super Bowl XV
Raiders 27, Eagles 10
Super Bowl XVIII
Raiders 38, Redskins 9
Joe Gibbs
Joe Gibbs
Record: 3-1
Super Bowl XVII
Redskins 27, Dolphins 17
Super Bowl XVIII
Redskins 9, Raiders 38
Super Bowl XXII
Redskins 42, Broncos 10
Super Bowl XXVI
Redskins 37, Bills 24
Jon Gruden
Jon Gruden
Record: 1-0
Super Bowl XXXVII
Buccaneers 48, Raiders 21
Mike Holmgren
Mike Holmgren
Record: 1-2
Super Bowl XXXI
Packers 35, Patriots 21
Super Bowl XXXII
Packers 24, Broncos 31
Super Bowl XL
Seahawks 10, Steelers 21
Jimmy Johnson
Jimmy Johnson
Record: 2-0
Super Bowl XXVII
Cowboys 52, Bills 17
Super Bowl XXVIII
Cowboys 30, Bills 13
Tom Landry
Tom Landry
Record: 2-3
Super Bowl V
Cowboys 13, Colts 16
Super Bowl VI
Cowboys 24, Dolphins 3
Super Bowl X
Cowboys 17, Steelers 21
Super Bowl XII
Cowboys 27, Broncos 10
Super Bowl XIII
Cowboys 31, Steelers 36
Vince Lombardi
Vince Lombardi
Record: 2-0
Super Bowl I
Packers 35, Chiefs 10
Super Bowl II
Packers 33, Raiders 14
John Madden
John Madden
Record: 1-0
Super Bowl XI
Raiders 32, Vikings 14
Don McCafferty
Don McCafferty
Record: 1-0
Super Bowl V
Colts 16, Cowboys 13
Mike McCarthy
Mike McCarthy
Record: 1-0
Super Bowl XLV
Packers 31, Steelers 25
Chuck Noll
Chuck Noll
Record: 4-0
Super Bowl IX
Steelers 16, Vikings 6
Super Bowl X
Steelers 21, Cowboys 17
Super Bowl XIII
Steelers 35, Cowboys 31
Super Bowl XIV
Steelers 31, Rams 19
Bill Parcells
Bill Parcells
Record: 2-1
Super Bowl XXI
Giants 39, Broncos 20
Super Bowl XXV
Giants 20, Bills 19
Super Bowl XXXI
Patriots 21, Packers 35
Sean Payton
Sean Payton
Record: 1-0
Super Bowl XLIV
Saints 31, Colts 17
George Seifert
George Seifert
Record: 2-0
Super Bowl XXIV
49ers 55, Broncos 10
Super Bowl XXIX
48ers 49, Chargers 26
Mike Shanahan
Mike Shanahan
Record: 2-0
Super Bowl XXXII
Broncos 31, Packers 24
Super Bowl XXXIII
Broncos 34, Falcons 19
Don Shula
Don Shula
Record: 2-4
Super Bowl III
Colts 7, Jets 16
Super Bowl VI
Dolphins 3, Cowboys 24
Super Bowl VII
Dolphins 14, Redskins 7
Super Bowl VIII
Dolphins 24, Vikings 7
Super Bowl XVII
Dolphins 17, Redskins 27
Super Bowl XIX
Dolphins 16, 49ers 38
Hank Stram
Hank Stram
Record: 1-1
Super Bowl I
Chiefs 10, Packers 35
Super Bowl IV
Chiefs 23, Vikings 7
Barry Switzer
Barry Switzer
Record: 1-0
Super Bowl XXX
Cowboys 27, Steelers 17
Mike Tomlin
Mike Tomlin
Record: 1-1
Super Bowl XLIII
Steelers 27, Cardinals 23
Super Bowl XLV
Packers 31, Steelers 25
Dick Vermeil
Dick Vermeil
Record: 1-1
Super Bowl XV
Eagles 10, Raiders 27
Super Bowl XXXIV
Rams 23, Titans 16
Bill Walsh
Bill Walsh
Record: 3-0
Super Bowl XVI
49ers 26, Bengals 21
Super Bowl XIX
49ers 38, Dolphins 16
Super Bowl XXIII
49ers 20, Bengals 16
Ready for some football?
We survived a week without football (and if you watched the Pro Bowl, you know it doesn't count), so it's time to start the countdown to Super Bowl XLVI. Are you on the edge of your seat?
Are we overdue for a rout?
The past few years have offered a rare run of close Super Bowls, with most up for grabs in the fourth quarter. Are we due for a rout?
Do you have a rooting interest?
The Giants and Patriots are two of the higher-profiles franchises in the league, but if neither is your team, have you adopted one for this week?
What are the best games in Super Bowl history?
We know the Patriots and Giants will have a difficult time topping the last championship game they played when the two teams take the field in Indianapolis for Super Bowl XLVI, but is this a rematch of the best Super Bowl ever? Submit your rankings for 15 of the best games on record.
Best Super Bowls
III
III
Jets 16, Colts 7
X
X
Steelers 21, Cowboys 17
XIII
XIII
Steelers 35, Cowboys 31
XIV
XIV
Steelers 31, Rams 19
XXIII
XXIII
49ers 20, Bengals 16
XXV
XXV
Giants 20, Bills 19
XXXI
XXXI
Packers 35, Patriots 21
XXXII
XXXII
Broncos 31, Packers 24
XXXIV
XXXIV
Rams 23, Titans 16
XXXVI
XXXVI
Patriots 20, Rams 17
XXXVIII
XXXVIII
Patriots 32, Panthers 29
XLII
XLII
Giants 17, Patriots 14
XLIII
XLIII
Steelers 27, Cardinals 23
XLIV
XLIV
Saints 31, Colts 17
XLV
XLV
Packers 31, Steelers 25
Is Flacco a net positive?
Joe Flacco has come under a lot of criticism for his playoff performance, but it may not be fair to him. After all, we can't all be Tom Brady.
Coming through in the clutch?
Speaking of Tom Brady, the Patriots' offense has been putting people on notice for most of the season. That's not to say that the Ravens' defense will just roll over on Sunday, however.
Gronkowski vs. Rice?
Both Rob Gronkowski and Ray Rice cause humongous matchup problems for opposing teams; Gronkowski with his size and surprising speed, and Rice with his craftiness and elusive running style.
Ed Reed's status?
The Ravens' defense is top-notch, but the Ravens' defense without Ed Reed is a poor imitation of the real thing. It also is lacking in sweet beards.
Which defensive stars are better?
Both the 49ers and Giants have some big names on defense, but only one quartet is going to make a difference on Sunday.
Harbaugh or Coughlin?
Jim Harbaugh's positivity and youthful vigor contrasts greatly with Tom Coughlin's dour authoritarianism, but both coaches have gotten the most out of their teams this season.
Which running game would you take?
Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs have been the Giants' go-to ball carriers for several years now. Are they better than the combo of Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter?
Cruz or Nicks?
Victory Cruz and Hakeem Nicks have been terrifying opponents in the playoffs, getting open on long routes and pulling down Hail Mary passes with startling regularity.
The most impressive NFC quarterback?
Most of SN expected this to be a debate about Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees. Was Eli Manning beating Rodgers in Lambeau more impressive than Alex Smith beating Brees at home?
Does either team have an edge?
Going back to the regular season, Smith ranked ninth in the NFL with a 90.7 passer rating, two spots behind Eli Manning at 92.9.
Did Alex Smith win you over?
How much of a difference did one game make in how you define Alex Smith, he of the 68 career touchdowns and 58 career interceptions?
The clutch brother in the family?
Eli Manning won't match a lot of Peyton Manning's numbers, but he's two wins away from passing his older brother in rings and beat both Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers in Lambeau Field.
Who had bigger cleats to fill?
Smith had to live with the comparisons to Joe Montana (above) and Steve Young throughout his time in San Francisco, but Manning has been Peyton's brother his whole life.
Are the Giants on a playoff run?
The Giants had the league's No. 32 rushing offense this season but piled up 172 yards last week.
Vote: Five questions for Giants at Packers
Do you trust Eli Manning?
Eli Manning threw 16 interceptions in the regular season and has had a pick-prone career. The Packers rely on turnovers to cover the league's worst pass defense.
Who has better targets?
It's tough to know who is Manning's No. 1 target, but is the combination of Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks better than Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson?
Will not-so-frozen tundra matter?
The field itself won't be frozen in Green Bay, but will cold temperatures hurt one offense more than the other?
Ray Rice or Arian Foster?
Ray Rice edged Arian Foster in rushing yards, 1,364-1,224, but Foster led in yards per game.
Vote: Five questions for Texans at Ravens
Is T.J. Yates the QB for the job?
A week ago, 49 percent of SN thought Jake Delhomme gave the Texans the best chance to win. Did T.J. Yates convert skeptics?
Does what happened in October matter?
That's Matt Schaub getting hit in a Week 6 loss against the Ravens. Schaub won't be out there this week, but does that result still matter?
Last home game for two legends?
It won't be if the Ravens and Broncos both win, but that scenario aside, will Ray Lewis or Ed Reed return next season?
Last team standing?
SportsNation is picking the Patriots (65%), Ravens (75%), Packers (67%) and Saints (66%) to advance to the conference finals.
How would you rank the remaining NFL playoff teams?
The Broncos showed their resiliency with a hard-fought, overtime win against the Steelers behind Tim Tebow's season-high 316 passing yards. Meanwhile, the Texans won their first playoff game in franchise history riding on the shoulders of wide receiver Andre Johnson and rookie quarterback T.J. Yates.
Over in the NFC, the Saints put up 45 points on the Lions as Drew Brees threw for 466 yards, placing him second only to Bernie Kosar for most passing yards in a playoff game. The Giants dominated the Falcons through the air and on the ground while Big Blue's defense held Atlanta's offense scoreless.
With the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds back in action, which team do you think is the favorite to win the Super Bowl?
Cast your vote now! You must submit at least FIVE for your votes to count!
NFL divisional playoff teams
49ers
49ers
Regular season: 13-3
Broncos
Broncos
Regular season: 8-8
Wild-card: defeated Pittsburgh 29-23 OT
Giants
Giants
Regular season: 9-7
Wild-card: defeated Altlanta 24-2
Packers
Packers
Regular season: 15-1
Patriots
Patriots
Regular season: 13-3
Ravens
Ravens
Regular season: 12-4
Saints
Saints
Regular season: 13-3
Wild-card: defeated Detroit 45-28
Texans
Texans
Regular season: 9-6
Wild-card: defeated Bengals 31-10
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