Super Bowl ending

[WindyCitySteel]

AFTER the penalty, I mean. Is there anything less dramatic that watching one team try not to score against a team trying to let them score? For two whole minutes?

We see this more and more now as the game has swung so far in favor of the offense than you'd rather take 3 than 7 just so you don't have to throw your defense out to defend 75 yards in 1:45, because you know the deck is stacked against them.

Smart game management, but just feels dirty watching. How long before defensive teams are instructed to keep the ball carrier up and carry him into the end zone?

[flippy]

This is the new NFL. I feel like it’s getting more like basketball every day where the first 99% of the game doesn’t matter most of the time.

[Eich]

It does make the end a little anti-climatic. It is what it is in that situation. That's what made the end of XLIII so amazing. Even after Ben/Holmes scored our last TD, there was still 35 seconds for the Cards to try for a miracle. And our D took care of business to eliminate even a hail Mary attempt.

Smart game management, but just feels dirty watching. How long before defensive teams are instructed to keep the ball carrier up and carry him into the end zone?

They probably already are instructed to do that if they can. Would be pretty difficult to do when running back is just throwing himself to the ground.

[Eich]

This is the new NFL. I feel like it’s getting more like basketball every day where the first 99% of the game doesn’t matter most of the time.

I don't feel like that at all. At least not yet. There's so much more to the story in the 3/4 of the game. In XLII for example again, James Harrison's incredible int. for a TD is something you remember for the rest of your life. It mattered a great deal in that game, even though the game still came down to the last seconds.

It's just too easy to score in basketball. Constant back and forth. Nothing so memorable happens in the first half of basketball games. I don't feel that comparison to football.

[feltdizz]

AFTER the penalty, I mean. Is there anything less dramatic that watching one team try not to score against a team trying to let them score? For two whole minutes?

We see this more and more now as the game has swung so far in favor of the offense than you'd rather take 3 than 7 just so you don't have to throw your defense out to defend 75 yards in 1:45, because you know the deck is stacked against them.

Smart game management, but just feels dirty watching. How long before defensive teams are instructed to keep the ball carrier up and carry him into the end zone?

I’ve never been a fan of the “smart football play” to not score.

Its like 4 corners in basketball.

I get grinding the clock down with a game winning drive but sliding instead of scoring a TD feels gross.

Its legal point shaving

[Starlifter]

Change the rules back to before they had to neutralize Mel Blount - and that strategy will no longer be necessary.

But this is correct for todays offense driven league.

[flippy]

I don't feel like that at all. At least not yet. There's so much more to the story in the 3/4 of the game. In XLII for example again, James Harrison's incredible int. for a TD is something you remember for the rest of your life. It mattered a great deal in that game, even though the game still came down to the last seconds.

It's just too easy to score in basketball. Constant back and forth. Nothing so memorable happens in the first half of basketball games. I don't feel that comparison to football.

True. It’s not quite basketball and I enjoyed that play too. But like you said, the game still came down to the final seconds.

Some games end close like XLIII and feel natural, but when guys go down at the goal line to run out a clock feels like a let down.

Maybe they could make a rule that a player cannot give himself up. No knees. No slides. Even for QBs. Would even make QBs think twice about running if they know they have to get out of bounds or take a hit.

[Joel Buchsbaum]

I’ve never been a fan of the “smart football play” to not score.

Its like 4 corners in basketball.

I get grinding the clock down with a game winning drive but sliding instead of scoring a TD feels gross.

Its legal point shaving

Smart coaching, game clock management, and use of time outs matter! The Steelers lack this. Who's the head coach?

[WindyCitySteel]

Change the rules back to before they had to neutralize Mel Blount - and that strategy will no longer be necessary.

But this is correct for todays offense driven league.

I agree - eliminate penalties for holding and PI and let teams adjust. Scheme up better routes, work on route running, DL learn to use their hands to chop away OL's hands, scheme up pressure, etc.

You could literally call holding on almost every play, so picking and choosing which just causes inequity and controversy.

[brothervad]

How many of us here would be lambasting Najee if he didn't give himself up there, scored,, and the Steelers end up losing a Super Bowl in OT?

You know there would thousands of posts claiming how selfish he was...

What McKinnon did was completely team first and smart football.

BTW, CTE and other health reasons will prevent any thoughts of getting rid of "giving yourself up rule."

And Floppy to kind of answer your question...from Bradshaw to Cunningham it didn't stop them from taking off from running. The warrior spirit will live on forever!

Brothervad