14 posts tagged “patriots”
We watched the Superbowl last night - how disappointed I am. My Patriots managed a perfect season, 16-0, then get through the playoffs to win the AFC championship, only to lose the Superbowl in Arizona by three points (17-14) to the Giants.
I must say, though, disappointed as I am, the Giants played brilliantly, while the Patriots offensive team was not up to scratch. Where was QB Tom Brady's protection in the pocket?
Some trivia - with 97.5 million viewers, Superbowl XLII was the most watched Superbowl yet. Only one TV broadcast drew more viewers - the finale of M*A*S*H in 1983.
Well, the Pats ended the season and post-season 18-1, which means the 1972 Miami Dolphins are the only team to end fully undefeated, though it was a shorter season (14-0). I still think 18-1 is an amazing achievement.
Because of the time zone difference between Arizona and South Africa, the Superbowl broadcast began here at 01h00 this morning, so I have recorded it and intend to watch tonight. Thankfully, Eskom did not cut the power!
In the meantime, I have to avoid all blogs and all news sites that may refer to the game. The real challenge will be my colleagues. Although I am the only person in the company who follows the NFL, my colleagues do hear about the Superbowl on the news. When the Pats made the Superbowl before, I did not watch because in two consecutive years a colleague rushed up to me and blurted out: "I see your team won the Superbowl!"
I so hope this year will be different.
I watched the AFC championship game last night (because of the time difference between here and the US I have to record games and watch them the next day) and I am, of course, thrilled that my New England Patriots are the AFC champs and are going to the Superbowl!
Going to the Superbowl!
I was very pleased to see that the defence had picked up its game a bit after some reasonably weak recent performances. Tom Brady did not have too great a game, but the main thing is that the Pats won against the Chargers.
And did I mention they are going to the Superbowl?
First off, please don't tell me about the AFC championship game - because of the time zone difference I recorded it (it started at 10pm here last night) and the minister of home affairs and I are planning to watch it this evening.
Yesterday we spent the day at the minister of home affairs' aunt, who was celebrating her 60th birthday, while the day before we shopped for low-cholesterol foods to take with us. The minister made a very impressive fruit platter as well as some wholewheat cucumber sandwiches. It was a good move - everyone there piled in. Not that there wasn't food there already - just that the minister's was better!
It was all quite pleasant - I just wish the weekend had not flown by so quickly!
I am, of course, thrilled that my New England Patriots won their AFC playoff game against Jacksonville.
We get one of the ESPN channels here in South Africa - I think it's ESPN2. In any case, it meant we were able to watch the game.
What I am not thrilled about is the quality of the Patriots defence. From what I could see, the defensive team consisted of Seau and Harrison, with the occasional appearance by Vrable. The coaches need to get the defence up to scratch if this is going to be a Superbowl team.
Let me take this opportunity also to say that I sympathise with my good friend, a Cowboys fan, whose team lost against the Giants in their playoff game this weekend. I was really hoping we would see a Pats-Cowboys Superbowl. Sorry, mate.
I forgot to mention yesterday that one of the big highlights of my summer holidays was the Patriot's final regular season game, in which they beat the Giants to become the first NFL team to end 16-0 in a season. Sixteen wins, zero losses! And if I am not mistaken, they are also the first team to reach 19 consecutive wins in regular season games.
Now for the playoffs!
Show us your favorite team mascot.
Here he is - Pat Patriot, the mascot of the New England Patriots.
Yep, Patriots 49, Dolphins 28
Need I say more?
I must say, the minister of home affairs' team did better against mine than I had predicted. I had expected my Pats to win 48-10.
The halftime score was 42-7 and apparently the 42 is a franchise record for a half.
So now Pats are 7-0.
Dolphins are 0-7, apparently for the first time in their 42-year history.
What a great score. Sadly, they decided not to broadcast the game here, which is bizarre, but in any case my Pats are now 6-0!
Show us what makes you a die-hard fan.
I have a tattoo of Pat Patriot on my forearm:
OK, I don't really. I don't have anything to show here to prove I am a die-hard fan.
I did actually meet a guy when the minister of home affairs and I visited the USA in July who had this tattoo on his forearm.
The minister was busy in a conference, and I was wandering around one of the Disney World theme parks - can't remember which exactly. I happened to be wearing my Patriots cap at the time.
This guy walked up to me and asked, "Are you a Patriots fan?"
To which I replied, "Absolutely."
He responded by pulling his sleeve up and exposing Pat Patriot.
Now that's a fan!
And just in case you ask, no, I have no intention of following suit. I may be a fan, but I'm not nuts!
(Purely coincidentally, I happen to be wearing my Tom Brady jersey as I write.) Go Pats!
