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Post by Panda on Feb 4, 2007 14:47:40 GMT 1
Super Bowl XLI takes place tonight in Miami. It sees the AFC champions, the Indianapolis Colts taking on the NFC champions, the Chicago Bears.
It is the Colts' first Super Bowl for 36 years and the first since they moved to Indianapolis in the 80s. They have a 1-1 record in the big game.
The Bears won the Super Bowl in their only previous appearance, 21 years ago, when they beat the New England Patriots 46-10 in what was a record scoreline for the big game at the time.
The Colts' star player is Peyton Manning, probably the best quarterback in the NFL, a former #1 draft pick who has done pretty much everything except play in the Super Bowl. He's supported by receivers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne.
The Bears are led by Rex Grossman who is brilliant when on form, but awful when he isn't. He's in his 4th year as a pro but this is his first full season as a starter after suffering terrible luck with injuries. The Bears' strength, however, lies with their defense. Brian Urlacher is arguably the league's top linebacker and the defense looked dominant in the first half of the season but less so more recently after losing Tommie Harris and Mike Brown to injury.
The Colts will start as strong favourites due to Manning and the erratic form of Grossman but the Bears do have a chance. If they can establish the run, with the duo of Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson, that will take the pressure off Grossman. The Colts were ranked last in rushing defense during the regular season but have improved greatly in the playoffs. The Bears must be able to stop the Colts on the ground and try and force turnovers. That's how they beat the Saints to get here.
If the Bears play to their potential, it could be an exciting, close game and we could see and upset. If not, the Colts could have it won by half time.
Interesting side note: the Bears have won 24 games in a row when they've led at half time.
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Post by Panda on Feb 4, 2007 15:01:27 GMT 1
Expected starters for the game:
CHICAGO (Offense) QB Rex Grossman RB Thomas Jones FB Jason McKie TE Desmond Clark WR Muhsin Muhammad WR Bernard Berrian T John Tait G Ruben Brown C Olin Kreutz G Roberto Garza T Fred Miller
CHICAGO (Defense) DE Adewale Ogunleye DT Ian Scott DT Tank Johnson DE Alex Brown LB Hunter Hillenmeyer LB Brian Urlacher LB Lance Briggs CB Charles Tillman CB Nathan Vasher S Danieal Manning S Chris Harris
CHICAGO (Special teams) K Robbie Gould P Brad Maynard LS Patrick Mannelly KR Devin Hester
INDIANAPOLIS (Offense) QB Peyton Manning RB Joseph Addai TE Dallas Clark TE Ben Utecht WR Marvin Harrison WR Reggie Wayne T Tarik Glenn G Ryan Lilja C Jeff Saturday G Jake Scott T Ryan Diem
INDIANAPOLIS (Defense) DE Robert Mathis DT Anthony McFarland DT Raheem Brock DE Dwight Freeney LB Rob Morris LB Gary Brackett LB Cato June CB Nick Harper CB Jason David S Antoine Bethea S Bob Sanders
INDIANPOLIS (Special teams) K Adam Vinatieri P Hunter Smith LS Justin Snow KR Terrence Wilkins
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Matt Aloud
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Post by Matt Aloud on Feb 4, 2007 16:55:51 GMT 1
i don't know who I shall back wish it was my Broncos there
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Post by Panda on Feb 4, 2007 19:20:23 GMT 1
Ack, Broncos had their time nearly 10 years ago.
I've been waiting 20 years to see the Bears in the Super Bowl. It'll be very difficult for them to win, but of the top 4 AFC teams, the Colts are the team I would've thought the Bears had the best chance of beating.
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Post by Earl Purple on Feb 4, 2007 23:38:27 GMT 1
1986 was the first superbowl I ever saw and was also the year I went to the USA (although I didn't see the superbowl there) so I will have to go for the Bears.
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Kristofferson67
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Post by Kristofferson67 on Feb 5, 2007 0:02:49 GMT 1
No idea, but just started to watch it!
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Kristofferson67
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*Northern Soul: a way of life*
Driven By You
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Post by Kristofferson67 on Feb 5, 2007 0:28:50 GMT 1
A 4 second, 92yd touchdown! I know f*** all about this game, but I'm assuming by 'wows' and 'oh yes' from the American commentator - it was good! #cheer#
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Post by Earl Purple on Feb 5, 2007 0:32:17 GMT 1
I made it 14 seconds. But yes it was pretty spectacular. We'll now see if the Bears can prevent the Colts from getting a touchdown when they have possession.
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Kristofferson67
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*Northern Soul: a way of life*
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Post by Kristofferson67 on Feb 5, 2007 0:35:49 GMT 1
I made it 14 seconds. But yes it was pretty spectacular. We'll now see if the Bears can prevent the Colts from getting a touchdown when they have possession. I missed the '1' off sir. Apologies.
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Post by Zodiac on Feb 5, 2007 0:36:54 GMT 1
I reckon a team from Indianapolis or Chicago may win it
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Feb 5, 2007 0:47:36 GMT 1
go colts!
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Post by Earl Purple on Feb 5, 2007 0:54:18 GMT 1
yay, 14-6 now.
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Post by Admin on Feb 5, 2007 11:33:51 GMT 1
So did anyone stay up, or did we all fall asleep?
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Post by Panda on Feb 5, 2007 12:07:48 GMT 1
I stayed up. Shame about the result but the Colts deserved to win. The Bears just couldn't create enough offense. Many will point to Rex Grossman and although he didn't have a great game, I think the play-calling was too conservative in the first half.
At least there won't be talk forever of Peyton Manning being the greatest quarterback never to win the Super Bowl...
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Si.
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Post by Si. on Feb 5, 2007 17:32:12 GMT 1
i watched the first quater, but then fell asleep - but didnt miss too many scores, and i did want the bears to win and had some money on them scoring first!
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Post by Razzle Dazzle on Feb 5, 2007 17:55:18 GMT 1
go colts, looks like im the only one who voted for them
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Post by Panda on Feb 5, 2007 18:30:07 GMT 1
i watched the first quater, but then fell asleep - but didnt miss too many scores, and i did want the bears to win and had some money on them scoring first! I wanted to put a bet on Devin Hester getting the first TD but BlueSq weren't offering odds on him...
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