Macca

Don't ya just love stats ... Apparently the Pats faced 6 rushes on the 1 yard line this season and allowed 5 TD's ... that's right 5 TD's (and none of them were from 'beast mode') I guess they were overdue to stop one Anyway, for a bit of lighthearted entertainment, here's this mornings episode of 'Highly Questionable' (with Dan Le Batard, his Dad & Bomani Jones) For the first 10-12 minutes they chat about the SB ('that' play is discussed with both sides of the story given fair hearing) They also go back in time and look at their over reaction to the Pats plight after their loss in KC (about 4 minutes in) ... Highly Questionable Podcast

The play they chose can probably be "explained" a hundred different ways but it's the play they chose not to use which will be talked about (for a long time I'm reckoning) You nearly always need to do what the opposition doesn't want you to do ... handing it off to Lynch was the play. 3rd & 4th down plays might have been a different story as they'd already used 2 of their time-outs (some are saying they used them needlessly) There's also talk that the Pats knew about the play that they did use. Malcolm Butler made mention that they'd been practicing that play in that exact type goal line situation. Belichick probably should be getting the credit if that is the case.

The Pats would have counted themselves unlucky to lose whilst Seattle would have been counting their lucky stars if they'd won (courtesy of a freak catch) However, Seattle still should have won ... they were gifted an opportunity and blew it

All the more reason to hand it to off to Lynch - he was overdue. Stats are often meaningless anyway - a coach often needs to go with his natural instincts, regardless of the plan of his OC. Lynch was having a top game and it was a no-brainer to hand it off to him in that situation. He'd already ran in a TD in from 6 or 7 yards. Seattle are often renowned for doing what they do in a fairly obvious manner and asking the opposition to beat them at it ... they went away from that thinking at a critical moment and it cost them a chance at a title. This is not hindsight stuff either - at the time it was happening, I, along with probably millions of others thought it was a no-brainer to hand it off to Lynch. Try anything else and live with the consequences. And they are going to have to live with the consequences of their decision.

The biggest issue for Seattle going forward is how can they possibly pay Wilson & Lynch enough money and stay within the salary cap. Wilson is currently earning a pittance (less than 1 mil) whilst Lynch is on about 7.5 mil a year. There's talk that Wilson might take a discount because he can make so much money off the field but in an open market he'd be worth 20 million plus a year and Lynch would command big big figures as well. Also, they really need to spend some money on some decent WR's. After today, other teams might come bidding for Matthews as well (Matthews salary is less than a mil a year) ... Seattle Seahawks Contracts Last year they lost Tate to the Lions because they couldn't pay him enough and they were quick to offload Percy Harvin (which would have eased pressure on their cap)

Seeing we're on a new page, I'll bump this post ... And we have joints winners in the playoff tipping comp ... congratulations to JV7 & Go the Biff Well played to all and thanks for participating Playoff tipping comp leaderboard (final tally) 11 - JV7, Go the Biff 10 - pantaloons 7 - Gorgoroth, Macca 6 - Georgiou R.R. Martin 3 - cowboy_from_hell Regular Season Tipping Competition Year Winner Runners up 3rd place 2013 cowboy_from_hell/ pantaloons/ Gorgoroth Strafford Macca 2014 Dappa Dan Georgiou R.R Martin Gorgoroth Post Season Tipping Competition Year Winner Runners up 3rd place 2013 titan_uranus DemonDave cowboy_from_hell/ Macca 2014 JV7/ pantaloons Gorgoroth/ Go the Biff Macca

Bobby Wagner (Seattle LB) ... "We've got Marshawn Lynch ... one of the best running backs in the league. Everyone makes their decisions and unfortunately we didn't give him the ball" The more you look at 'that' play, the more you see the danger ... The ball almost certainly has to be thrown hard There's a ridiculous amount of pressure (about one minute of play left) There's no one that's really open The ball can easily be bobbled or tipped in that tight situation Wilson & his offense may have been in a somewhat confused state because of the call The alternative is to hand it off to beast mode (they were on the 1 yard line) All the great plans of mice and men.

Exaggeration? I don't care what their plan was ... they had to go with Lynch. Carroll is already putting his hand up and so he should. It's a stuff up of monumental proportions and even when the dust settles, that's how it will be viewed. They got too cute and should have gone for the kill - without hesitation. They had the best RB in that situation and they blew it. Pure and simple.

And we have joints winners in the playoff tipping comp ... congratulations to JV7 & Go the Biff Well played to all and thanks for participating Playoff tipping comp leaderboard (final tally) 11 - JV7, Go the Biff 10 - pantaloons 7 - Gorgoroth, Macca 6 - Georgiou R.R. Martin 3 - cowboy_from_hell Regular Season Tipping Competition Year Winner Runners up 3rd place 2013 cowboy_from_hell/ pantaloons/ Gorgoroth Strafford Macca 2014 Dappa Dan Georgiou R.R Martin Gorgoroth Post Season Tipping Competition Year Winner Runners up 3rd place 2013 titan_uranus DemonDave cowboy_from_hell/ Macca 2014 JV7/ pantaloons Gorgoroth/ Go the Biff Macca

You make a decent point but it won't be remembered that way. There was way less risk with Lynch and 'beast mode' probably only needed one shot at it (he's that good)

Imagine being a Seahawks fan? They'd be absolutely filthy. Good on the Pats for a great comeback though. Great match - it had everything.

Seattle blew it ... worst call ever?

Freak finish ... should have handed the ball off to Lynch

Unbelievable!

If the Pats win will Brady do a "you mad bro" in Sherman's face?

3pt game Game on!

They at least need a field goal - then it's a 7pt game.

2 picks on Brady now ... so instead of the Pats scoring, the Seahawks get the chance to score. Is Wilson the most elusive 'good' QB in the game?

lol

Can anyone imagine the AFL doing the half time entertainment even 10% as good as that? Katy Perry = awesome

An incompletion would have left 2 seconds on the clock but of course, something could have gone wrong

Gutsy call ... wow, what a play!

Great throw by Brady ... centimetre perfect

Terrible penalty ... could be costly

Big catch by Matthews ... finally got some offense going Edit: Beast mode !