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Before I get to my pick for the Super Bowl, I can't help but think about the NFL's un-champions. The teams that could have, and in some cases, maybe should have been in Sunday’s game...

The NFL Picks Column: Super Bowl XLII Edition

by Sean Crowe (Senior Writer)

20

942 reads

Sports

January 30, 2008


Before I get to my pick for the Super Bowl, I can't help but think about the NFL's un-champions.

The teams that could have, and in some cases, maybe should have been in Sunday’s game.

These teams had a chance to do something special, but instead took it to a whole new level of entertainment and playoff failure.

In no particular order, let's take some time to honor the lovable losers of the 2007 NFL Playoffs...

 

The Indianapolis Colts

With LaDainian Tomlinson on the sidelines, Antonio Gates unable to play effectively, and Philip Rivers out with a partially torn ACL, the Colts had everything going for them. 

More importantly, they had a three-point lead in the fourth quarter.

The vaunted Colts’ defense managed to allow future Hall-of-Famer Billy Volek to drive 78 yards for a touchdown. 

Then the unstoppable Colts’ offense managed zero points on consecutive possessions inside Charger territory.

This was a collapse of epic proportions. A choke-job more than worthy of accolades and mockery.

 

The Green Bay Packers

It was supposed to be Brett Favre’s opportunity to show the world that he’s still the best. 

It was supposed to be Brett Favre vs. Tom Brady—the Gunslinger vs. the Kid.

It was supposed to be the Green Bay secondary against the Patriots’ wide receivers.

Unfortunately, the Packers forgot they had to beat the Giants first.

In a game that will forever be remembered as the day Old Man Winter defeated Old Man Favre, the Packers forgot how to run the ball, forgot that they shouldn’t throw the ball to the other team, and decided that a 5’10 corner could man up on a 6’4 wide receiver.

Good show, Packers. If there’s one thing we hate it’s predictability. Their gameplan certainly couldn’t have been predicted.

Of course, it wasn’t predicted because it was so damn horrible. But we respect them sacrificing their biggest game of the year to keep us on our toes.

Good show, coach McCarthy. Good show indeed.

 

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20 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Michael Whittenberg about 1 year ago

    Great column, but blaming Jessica Simpson is something I simply can't agree with.

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  2. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    This game is gonna be a lot closer then you ever imagined SeanMc. You obviously don't think the giants deserve to be here or you would give them a little more credit with you prediction. Well i gotta say thanks because nobody (you included) has given them a chance since the playoffs began and they have put their foots in each of your mouths for the past month. Now don't get me wrong I'm a giant fan and honestly believe they have a shot but obviously it's gonna be quite a battle to win this one. I don't see this game being more then a 10 point difference by games end just don't be surprised if a Manning wins the trophy for a second onsecutive year. I'll be the one on Monday morning writing a message basically saying "I Told You So."

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  3. Patrick Houston about 1 year ago

    I agree with the anon.these guys aren't going to lay over like some fruitcake in prison.they are going to play 60 minutes, I expect it to be another close one but the Patriots come out on top.

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  4. Will Norton about 1 year ago

    Some fruitcake in prison....like Mike Vick?

    Can't blame anything on girlfriends man....it ain't their fault!

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  5. Shari Toomey about 1 year ago

    Eli "Glad I'm Not a Charger" Manning is going to have a huge game. People who only tune in at the end to verify a Pats win are going to be disappointed they missed an epic game. My prediction: Patriots 28 - Giants 24 -in a game worth watching.

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  6. John Fennelly about 1 year ago

    The Patriots burners you've referred to are fading out.

    This game will be won by the New England Patriots, but by a score of 34-27

    JF

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  7. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    Remember when the lines were in the low 20's and the Patriots covered the spread every single week? It's gonna happen again, and you will see Eli back in early season form.

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  8. Roy MacB about 1 year ago

    The total blame for the Cowboys loss is sqaure on the shoulders of TONY ROMO...period. He can't make it happen in the big games and we all know it. He loves the media and his love life more than a super bowl ring and that's where he will stay. He can throw the ball,,sometimes,,but to the wrong team. Can he drive a car ?? Man he is the most overated QB in a long while and he proved he is just a "Hick" and I noticed one thing ,,,Tony isn't smiling anymore now,,,,maybe he grew up this time but we will have to see him next year and I really doubt he has or ever will.
    Ship him up to the CFL and let him learn what it's like to have to throw the ball long and hard all day and run his guts out and maybe he could return and be a Warren Moon or Doug Flutie ???

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  9. JW Stringer about 1 year ago

    Sean, Billy Volek certainly didn't look to shabby during the drive. I love the commentary in this article - great job!

    You should check out http://www.pregame.com.

    Perhaps you could get a few people to follow your bandwagon with that pick.

    I, myself, see the Giants covering the spread.

    Enjoy the game!

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  10. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    Dallas was the only team qualified to play the Patriots - but when p,aying the Giants they failed at every level , when it most mattered .

    The defence gave away the lead at the end of the first half . The offensive line couldn't protect Romo when he most needed it . The offensive play calling kept wanting to go deep when the offensive line proved ( time and again ) that it couldn't provide the protection ( did Whitten get the plague ? ) , the inability to play disciplined football ( penalty after penalty ) and last , but by no means least , the team leader and should-be star had a complete IQ collapse ( sack after sack and THEN delay of game ) , and failed to execute - lots of time to win the game in their zone , at the end , but Romo couldn't get it done .

    This was an entire team's failure - from the coaches to the players . They are a talented team ; they could make some history . They should all be ashamed of themselves . Fortunately America herself is better than America's team - at least this year's team .

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    • Sean Crowe about 1 year ago

      Coaching was a problem with the best teams in the league this year. Even Belichick had a few off games in the playoffs. Wade Phillips is a walking off-game....

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  11. Anonymous about 1 year ago

    Guess you were dead wrong Sean! Gosh that must suck.

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