Biggest Choke by a Superbowl Favorite ever? (balls, teams, people)
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Bad plays happen in big games -teams recover once they have time to settle down. Denver never recovered because Seattles defensive pressure tool away their options and never gave manning good options. That's different from a choke
That's the way I see it too. Seattle's defense was just too much for Denver. Really, the Seahawks played an outstanding game in all aspects. I don't think any team would have beaten them yesterday. With that being said, it was fairly obvious that Denver gave up later in the game. I don't really see that as a choke either. They were getting their butts whooped and they just gave up...lol.
One team showed up focused and determined. One team just showed up and it showed. It reminded me of when a Young Dallas Cowboys team laid a beat down on the Bills.
Manning and the Broncos choked on a seagull! Surely, most spectators expected much more from Manning and the Broncos.
The Broncos' defense appeared way too porous. They (the Broncos) seemed too anxious to get back into scoring position too quickly, thus exacerbating their lack of focus which resulted in additional mistakes (e.g., pass interceptions).
Minnesota Vikings were a 13 point favorite and the performance by the Vikings was so bad KC Chief coach Hank Stramn laughed and compared the Vikings antics to a .." Chinese fire drill "
People misread the Vikings ever since the franchise came into being. One of the best regular season teams ever, especially under Bud Grant. But even the Purple People Eaters couldn't handle Super Bowl conditions. When the original owners departed, it only got worse.
I knew the minute I saw Manning on the sideline before the game it was over. He, the more experienced, seasoned veteran had that, "deer in headlights" lost and confused look. For some professional athletes, that is how it works. When you get the end all, be all, final, they take it all in and panic and forget everything that got them there. He could not play his game and Seattle fed on it and picked up more and more steam as the game went on.
I think this ranks in the top 2 all-time superbowl chokes for sure. It was the most boring superbowl I ever recall, that is for sure.
Here's an interesting theory. Manning knew something no one else on the field knew. Something that meant he wasn't bringing his A game. What was it? Manning would know. Maybe there's something going on with the whole Manning family. Look at Eli's year. Seriously, it looks like the Mannings aren't themselves this year. But families aren't necessarily open about their private woes. Yeh, this is a pretty radical theory, but so are all the attempts to explain this blowout.
Apparently the Seattle defense figured out how to read Manning. For such a great QB that obviously puts down the yards, I didn't expect any D to read him like a book. But apparently Seattle did. Sherman was saying you could see it in his eyes where he would go. If you can read a QB that well, it doesn't matter how many head fakes and audibles you call, you're gonna get stomped.
Can you teach an old dog new tricks? That's the question for Manning. If he can get even trickier and if he could adapt to new defensive strategies, then he will be far more lethal next season.
Another thing: Denver needs to get better all around teams. Their defensive line played OK. Their offensive line sucked, their receivers must have mini black holes that suck in all the balls so there's no need to develop them more. You can't build a team on a 3 man offensive team. You have to have a unit that plays well together.
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