Super Bowl 46: Letting Ahmad Bradshaw Score a Touchdown Was New England’s Only Option

All, NFL, Super Bowl, Video Jason McIntyre February 6th. 2012, 4:21pm

For reasons that I don’t quite get, Joe Posnanski called this, “perhaps the strangest play in Super Bowl history.” Hyperbole much, Joe?

The play before this, the Giants got a first down, and were all set to milk the clock and kick the game-winning field goal. The only decision New England had was to let the Giants score. Everyone yelled this at their television right after Hakeem Nicks caught the first down pass.

New York, however, had many options. Eli could have taken a few kneel downs and then Tynes could have kicked another game-winner with :10 left on the clock (3rd down kick in case the snap was botched). They could have chewed up more time setting the ball in the middle of the field for Tynes. And of course, Bradshaw could have fallen down at the one, something he tried to do. Was this really that strange of a TD? I wouldn’t even call it strange. Funny works. I laughed when Bradshaw tried to stop, but then fell into the end zone.

If you’re “ranking” the biggest plays in the game, here’s my list:

1. Wes Welker’s drop
2. Eli bomb to Manningham
3. Chris Snee recovers Bradshaw’s fumble at the Giants
4. Patriots having 12 men on the field on the same play they recovered a Giants’ fumble at the 10-yard-line; Giants scored two plays later
5. Chase Blackburn’s interception of a terribly underthrown Tom Brady pass early in the 4th quarter
6. Deion Branch’s drop on the final drive. The pass was tipped by a NYG DB, but it still hit Branch in the hands

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62 Responses to “Super Bowl 46: Letting Ahmad Bradshaw Score a Touchdown Was New England’s Only Option”

1
kaiserwilhelmreems Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:24 PM
1. Wes Welker’s drop
2. Eli bomb to Manningham
3. Chris Snee recovers Bradshaw’s fumble at the Giants
4. Patriots having 12 men on the field on the same play they recovered a Giants’ fumble at the 10-yard-line; Giants scored two plays later
5. Chase Blackburn’s interception of a terribly underthrown Tom Brady pass early in the 4th quarter
6. Deion Branch’s drop on the final drive. The pass was tipped by a NYG DB, but it still hit Branch in the hands
might be the first list you’ve writen i can agree with.
2
HuskerDawg Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:26 PM
For reasons that I don’t quite get, Joe Posnanski called this, “perhaps the strangest play in Super Bowl history.” Hyperbole much, Joe?
Dennard Robinson is exciting, but is he the most exciting player in the last 20 years?
The Cam Newton story is the biggest in college football history, no?
/we’re all guilty of hyperbole from time to time
3
rittyrich Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:26 PM
I can’t remember – how far did Brady throw that interception? I seem to remember him throwing it as far as he could but I’m not positive.
4
Dr. Tom Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:26 PM
Deion Branch’s drop on the final drive. The pass was tipped by a NYG DB, but it still hit Branch in the hands
I thought the Hernandez drop was bigger as there was NO excuse for dropping that ball. The next play was a sack and a timeout I believe which just about sealed the game.
5
ATL_Badger Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:27 PM
“Hyperbole much” line from the guy who said Spygate was the biggest problem the NFL’s had in the last decade?
6
rittyrich Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:27 PM
The Cam Newton story is the biggest in college football history, no?
Damn, someone thought that highly of Cam winning the national title?
7
spencer096 Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:27 PM
5. Chase Blackburn’s interception of a terribly underthrown Tom Brady pass early in the 4th quarter
def wasn’t “terribly” underthrown.
/we’re all guilty of hyperbole from time to time
//bears repeating
8
ATL_Badger Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:28 PM
/we’re all guilty of hyperbole from time to time
let he who hasn’t said “that girl gives the best blow jobs ever” cast the first stone
9
Clayton Cargill Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:30 PM
/we’re all guilty of hyperbole from time to time
when it comes to hyperbole, Spencer is worse than Hitler. And the moleman is a spencer’s hyperbole denier.
10
Clayton Cargill Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:31 PM
For reasons that I don’t quite get, Joe Posnanski called this, “perhaps the strangest play in Super Bowl history.” Hyperbole much, Joe?
that was some fucked up shit, it’s undeniable. I’ve never seen a stranger play in the Superbowl.
11
spencer096 Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:31 PM
the third reach is going to be the greatest of all time.
12
HuskerDawg Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:31 PM
let he who hasn’t said “that girl gives the best blow jobs ever” cast the first stone
I lol’d
13
PL StabbinKabin Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:33 PM
Bradshaw did a quality job of “Trying to stop”. At least he made it look like he was trying to stop and than just fell off the toilet. The guy might not get another oppurtunity to say he scored a touchdown in the Super Bowl. I don’t blame the guy.
14
HuskerDawg Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:34 PM
that was some fucked up shit, it’s undeniable. I’ve never seen a stranger play in the Superbowl.
Someone said it best this morning. He scored the game-winning TD in the Super Bowl and he was bummed about it. Very strange.
15
ButtersBC Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:34 PM
Just glad people seem to be in agreement that Belichick did the right thing, football intelligence has come a long way since Mike Holmgren let Terrell Davis score and was lambasted
16
kaiserwilhelmreems Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:39 PM
i could almost argue the safety was the biggest play since that essentially make the pats play for the win rather than the tie on the last drive, but that’s digging pretty deep.
17
MP Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:40 PM
The play before this, the Giants got a first down, and were all set to milk the clock and kick the game-winning field goal.
Wrong. The play before that, Bradshaw ran for 1 yard. Actually, New England should have let him score on that play and saved a timeout and a few seconds.
18
Senator Jersey Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:41 PM
I asked if it was the worst td ever scored in the SB, but then my buddy’s girl shot back “I bet the Ravens wish they could have scored it instead of going for the fg.” Big touche.
19
ButtersBC Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:42 PM
worst td ever scored in the SB
The one Washington scored thanks to Garo Yepremian probably claims the prize here
20
José Ovechkin Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:44 PM
For reasons that I don’t quite get, Joe Posnanski called this, “perhaps the strangest play in Super Bowl history.” Hyperbole much, Joe?
Absolutely not. That was pretty fucking weird.
Who was the 1st person to decided to not score in situations like that? The 1st I remember was MoJo; it’s brilliant, but simultaneously the exact antithesis of what football is supposed to be about, especially in the “National Football League”
21
QueeferSutherland Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:44 PM
There wasn’t anything remotely controversial about that call. In fact, it speaks to how poorly coached most NFL teams are — and therefore, what most NFL fans are accustomed to — that this is viewed as shocking.
As a general rule, teams punt far, far too often on fourth and short, and fail to let the other team score when the clock is their biggest enemy. Hate to sound like Easterbrook here, but its because coaches are afraid of being second guessed by fans, media, and the owner if the move doesnt work, regardless of whether the percentages say its the right call.
22
José Ovechkin Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:45 PM
i could almost argue the safety was the biggest play since that essentially make the pats play for the win rather than the tie on the last drive, but that’s digging pretty deep.
That was also weird as shit. I guess it was intentional grounding, but it’s not a call you feel good about making, even though it needed to be made.
23
Irvin Pankey Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:49 PM
Jimmer, First Team All Rookie <—way worse
24
Pastor of Muppets Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:49 PM
That was also weird as shit. I guess it was intentional grounding, but it’s not a call you feel good about making, even though it needed to be made.
Agreed 100%. Bad, bad brainfart from Brady. Something you would not expect from a Belichick-coached team. Can’t argue with it though; Tuck was about to drop him, he was in the tackle box, and there was NO ONE within 15 yards of where that ball was. Pretty textbook definition,
25
Cowboy Mike's Red Hot Ricochet Barbecue Sauce Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:50 PM
Is anyone arguing the other side of this?
26
Pastor of Muppets Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:50 PM
There wasn’t anything remotely controversial about that call. In fact, it speaks to how poorly coached most NFL teams are — and therefore, what most NFL fans are accustomed to — that this is viewed as shocking.
Again, agreed 100%. If you were paying attention, you would have realized that was the ONLY chance the Pats had. Bradshaw goofed on that one, but it didn’t come back to bite them.
27
ButtersBC Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:50 PM
Who was the 1st person to decided to not score in situations like that?
Brian Westbrook against the Cowboys in 2007? Not sure when the MJD one was…I enjoyed how much it pissed off fantasy players
28
starkweather Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:52 PM
Hate to sound like Easterbrook here, but its because coaches are afraid of being second guessed by fans, media, and the owner if the move doesnt work, regardless of whether the percentages say its the right call.
I didn’t read this as anti-Semitic at all, you’re safe
29
arkbadger Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:52 PM
Tynes could have kicked another game-winner with :10 left on the clock (3rd down kick in case the snap was botched)
thanks for clearing that up.
30
Broccoli Beef Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:55 PM
Tynes could have kicked another game-winner
We did a pool where you picked a name that could be MVP ($5 entry) and I had the field. I was praying for Bradshaw to stop there so I could have an opportunity to maybe backdoor the MVP from Eli.
31
starkweather Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:56 PM
I was praying for Bradshaw to stop there so I could have an opportunity to maybe backdoor the MVP from Eli.
That sounds hot
32
Pastor of Muppets Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:58 PM
1. Wes Welker’s drop
2-6. Nothing else matters.
/fixed
33
squawkbox Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:58 PM
Can we please call Wes Welker’s drop what it truly was … Brady’s poorly thrown ball to a wide open Welker.
34
starkweather Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 4:59 PM
Are we getting a preview post for the Hoyas great road victory on Wednesday?
35
Pastor of Muppets Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 5:02 PM
Can we please call Wes Welker’s drop what it truly was … Brady’s poorly thrown ball to a wide open Welker.
Yeah, but it wasn’t. It was back-shoulder for a reason. Watch the replay, and you’ll see Welker had both hands around the ball. He needs to make that catch. He’s a professional Wide Receiver.
36
HuskerDawg Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 5:03 PM
Yeah, but it wasn’t. It was back-shoulder for a reason. Watch the replay, and you’ll see Welker had both hands around the ball. He needs to make that catch. He’s a professional Wide Receiver.
Welker said it was a catch you have to make (which it was). It wasn’t an easy catch, but it was one he makes normally. It was just a bad time to have a drop.
37
Senator Jersey Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 5:06 PM
Like I said on twitter, if every ball in the NFL was perfect, we wouldn’t need professional receivers. Your in the league because you can make plays. Make a play. Both hands were in the ball and no one hit you. Catch the ball.
38
mmonast Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 5:06 PM
Is anyone arguing the other side of this?
I heard a radio guy in Cleveland saying it was the wrong decision because “they lost the game”
39
squawkbox Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 5:06 PM
Still don’t agree. Brady was late which required it to be an acrobatic catch. And no, he doesn’t make that catch 100 out of 100 times. Maybe 50 out of 100. That was a difficult catch.
40
squawkbox Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 5:07 PM
Welker said it was a catch you have to make
Of course he did … he’s not Gisele, he’s a team guy.
41
MP Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 5:10 PM
Why can’t it be a poor throw and a drop?
42
kaiserwilhelmreems Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 5:11 PM
Still don’t agree. Brady was late which required it to be an acrobatic catch. And no, he doesn’t make that catch 100 out of 100 times. Maybe 50 out of 100. That was a difficult catch.
the one handed diving catch he made earlier in the game was a difficult catch.
this was a “must catch” pass, especially if you can make a one handed diving catch on a ball thrown even more poorly than the one you got two hands around.
the throw could have been better, but it’s not like welker had to jump 4 feet in the air covered by 3 guys tugging on his jersey.
43
Urinal Mint Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 5:12 PM
They should’ve let the Giants score immediately after the cross into the red zone. They burned a minute playing “maybe we can block the FG” roulette.
44
squawkbox Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 5:13 PM
Why can’t it be a poor throw and a drop?
Because on the interwebs, you’re either right or you’re wrong. No negotiation.
/Thank God I’m right
45
Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez has the highest WAR evah! Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 5:17 PM
The biggest play was the holding call on Boothe that took away a first down when the Giants were on the verge of blowing the doors off the Pats.
46
PL StabbinKabin Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 5:21 PM
Of course it was the right decision and everyone is calling it gutsy. It takes balls to open up the 2nd half of a super bowl with an onside kick. That’s fuckin gutsy.
47
Sir Spicious Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 5:22 PM
For reasons that I don’t quite get, Joe Posnanski called this, “perhaps the strangest play in Super Bowl history.” Hyperbole much, Joe?
it was odd, and he qualified his statement.
I think calling it “Welker’s drop” is a disservice. he got his hands on it, but he had to jump and twist for a not good throw. not an easy play.
48
Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez has the highest WAR evah! Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 5:23 PM
Welker had to turn 180 degrees in the air just to get his hands on the ball that was above his head. The only way he could have caught that is he was wearing some serious stickem.
49
Senator Jersey Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 5:23 PM
Why can’t it be a poor throw and a drop?
The ball still hit him in the hands. Not every ball is going to be in stride. That was a damn good throw from Brady considering the corners sitting underneath and the safety that was coming in Welker’s direction.
50
Senator Jersey Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 5:24 PM
Welker had to turn 180 degrees in the air just to get his hands on the ball that was above his head. The only way he could have caught that is he was wearing some serious stickem.
I can think off the top of my head half a dozen times this season where Green Bay and the Saints made the same type of adjustments on balls. There’s drills for them and everything.
51
rondoman Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 5:26 PM
:10 left on the clock (3rd down kick in case the snap was botched)
No, they would have needed that 3rd down to run more clock since the Pats had 2 TO’s.
Kicking it on 3rd down would have given the Pats about 45-50 seconds and they would have only needed a FG.
52
rondoman Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 5:27 PM
The ball still hit him in the hands. Not every ball is going to be in stride. That was a damn good throw from Brady considering the corners sitting underneath and the safety that was coming in Welker’s direction.
This. Plain and simple, Welker needs to make that play.
53
rondoman Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 5:32 PM
I heard a radio guy in Cleveland saying it was the wrong decision because “they lost the game”
Idiot sports radio rationalization.
You let them score to have a chance. If you dont let them score, you still lose, and never had a chance.
Just becomes something does not work out does not mean it was the wrong call. I see idiots at the blackjack table say this dumb shit all the time.
54
Babar 2.0 Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 5:35 PM
I got more insight from Lisk’s twitter feed. Let him cover the NFL.
55
José Ovechkin Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 5:38 PM
Like I said on twitter, if every ball in the NFL was perfect, we wouldn’t need professional receivers.
Is the converse not true? Not trying to blame everything on Brady or give the Giants D-Line even more credit than they deserve (though I’m not sure if you can), but I’m sure Brady would want a few of those throws back. Some of the drops were inexcusable though.
56
José Ovechkin Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 5:40 PM
Why can’t it be a poor throw and a drop?
Because on the interwebs, you’re either right or you’re wrong. No negotiation.
Oh yeah, I forgot about that.
57
mmonast Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 5:42 PM
Just becomes something does not work out does not mean it was the wrong call. I see idiots at the blackjack table say this dumb shit all the time.
I didn’t listen to his explanation after he said it. I am hoping he realized that not letting them score would have led to a certain loss. The morning crew is particularly idiotic so I am guessing his rationalization was something like “derr derp sports cliche sports cliche they lost I’m right!!”
58
PL StabbinKabin Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 5:42 PM
The ball still hit him in the hands. Not every ball is going to be in stride. That was a damn good throw from Brady considering the corners sitting underneath and the safety that was coming in Welker’s direction.
Yuuuuup.
59
Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez has the highest WAR evah! Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 5:53 PM
I can think off the top of my head half a dozen times this season where Green Bay and the Saints made the same type of adjustments on balls. There’s drills for them and everything.
back shoulder throws when thats the design of the play are done every game. But the throw still has to be on the shoulder. Brady gets paid the big bucks to fit that pass into the wide open window he had, but got spooked by Kenny Phillips, and put his receiver in a spot where he had to make an extremely difficult catch. The throw Brady should have made is easier than the catch he forced Welker to make.
60
QueeferSutherland Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 8:48 PM
I cannot believe people are claiming that a sprinting wide receiver having to turn on a time in mid air to catch a bullet pass should have caught the ball, no question. If Welker had hauled that in it would have been better than Manningham’s snag.
61
oskie Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 9:03 PM
The biggest play was the holding call on Boothe that took away a first down when the Giants were on the verge of blowing the doors off the Pats.
he gets it. this game was full of minutia.
WORLD CHAMPION NEW YORK FOOTBALL GIANTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
62
Nick Jett Says:
February 6th, 2012 at 9:15 PM
Is it over yet? Another week and this will all blow over.