Super Bowl XLI

Although Republicus finds the political sensibilities of leftist--and erstwhile resident troll-- Lee Harvey (a.k.a. Jeff-Jeff-Jeff) to be repugnant on multiple levels, the man does know football.

Republicus himself has never cared to study the minutiae of player statistics and how off-season horse-trading, hold-outs, hired Heisman holders, and other variables can change the equation from season to season.

And there are other factors which football connoisseurs (like odds-makers in Las Vegas and fans like Jeff) study and understand schematically and so are able to forecast probable outcomes with some reliability (although hardly an exact science).

Instead, Republicus (like anyone else, naturally), generally determines a team's excellence by their accumulating game-by-game performance, perhaps going back a season or two, and recognizes a gathered or gathering momentum which stands out and breaks a team free from the rest of the crowd.

Sometimes, one can recognize exceptionality and an inevitable march to glory early on and have that recognition redeemed, as demonstrated by the 1972 Miami Dolphins, the 1985 Chicago Bears, and the 1991 Washington Redskins; but at other times that regular season recognition is repealed, as with the 2005 Indianapolis Colts (who were the last team to remain undefeated at 13-0 before losing their first game in the home stretch and then being eliminated in the play-offs to finish 14-2, though coming just about as close as anyone has to touching the 1972 Dolphin's perfect season of 17-0).

Sometimes, admittedly--especially when concerning the Redskins--there is no rational indicator of post-season contention, or even hope for a run-of-the-mill, regular season game except for the belief in some kind of football fairy who can wave her wand and give da boyz (i.e. the Redskins) the eight points they need to win the game with less than a minute remaining.

Wishful thinking aside, however, Republicus indeed saw excellence--albeit belated-- in his Washington Redskins during the home stretch of the 2005 season, when they abruptly went from a measly 5-6 to a momentous 11-6 and entered the playoffs with a Wild Card win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers...

...before losing to the Seattle Seahawks in the first round.

Nevertheless, that was great football, and Republicus believed that the long-awaited Redskins Renaissance was at hand (assuming that even if they were to play just a little better in the '06 season than they did in '05, it would be enough to dominate the rest of the league seeing as how most of the games they had lost were very close and would have been won if they were indeed just a little bit better and more experienced).

And so Republicus felt confident--if not foolhardy--enough to venture this prediction to Jeff in the April 25, 2006 post "Way To Go, Tony!":

John said...

Da Boyz could very well go to the Super Bowl this year Jeff.

Jeff said...

Dreaming, I say they take a step back this year.

He was right.

And so Republicus cannot predict the outcome of Super Bowl XLI with any real authority--or even too much interest, for that matter, as his favorite teams have been eliminated, but he will say this:

Even though he was rooting for the New England Patriots in last night's AFC Championship game, the 12-4 Colts played great and won both the game and the respect of Republicus, having well-earned their ticket to Miami, and proving that last year's regular season domination was not a fluke.

Da Bearz at 13-3, however, know how to rumble, too.

Mayhem in Miami February 4.

And may the better team win.