The 2001 Super Bowl

[Nate]

The teams have been decided for this years Super Bowl. We have the Baltimore Ravens, who defeated the Raiders 16-3, and the New York Giants, who slaughtered the Vikings 41-0.

Now that the teams have been decided, what are everyones predictions for the game?

I hope the Ravens pull it out. I don't know too much about these two teams, but my general loathing of any New York team points my favor to Baltimore.

Should be an interesting game. My prediction: Ravens win in a close-scoring game.

[Edited by natedogg on 01-15-2001 at 01:02 AM]

[Spike]

I'll have to think about it and get back to you on a prediction.

I'm still kind of bummed that I won't get to see a Vikings-Raiders' Super Bowl. Would have been nice to see Charles Woodson and Randy Moss do battle again oh well.

Actually, I hate to say it but I'm not that enthusiastic about this Super Bowl matchup. I might not even watch it. I might just flip on C.B.S. after the game when "Survivor" starts.

[Tom Baker]

Points might be hard to come by in this one. The Ravens' D is swarming--you could see it in Oakland, even when Gannon managed to complete a pass the receivers had no room for yards after the catch, with the exception of that big Kirby run at the end of the game.

Meanwhile the Giants' D is solid, and the Baltimore O is nothing particularly special--although Sharpe and Lewis are a couple of decent weapons.

Right now I think I'll take the Giants, 17-14. That could change, though.

[Marc]

Like Spike, I feel it's too early to make predictions, so I'm holding off for a while so I can think more. I know it will be a low scoring game, though!

[iFroggy]

I'll take the Giants.

[JakeLitwicki]

The Vikings ARENT going to DisneyLand!

*Makes me Sad*

[Jersey Devil]

Even though New York (New Jersey, call them what you want) is in the Superbowl, you've gotta expect this game to grab one of the lowest ratings in history.

There is almost nothing exciting to look for in this game.

I'm not saying these teams suck, since they made it all the way, but come on ...

I feel sorry for the advertisers who are going to be shelling out those millions and millions of dollars for the ads this year.

[Jersey Devil]

Of all the Superbowl possibilities, did ANYbody in their right minds pick this one?

[Tom Baker]

The ratings for this game may be down from previous years, but it will still easily win the night's ratings and be watched by more people than any other single program that night or probably that week. That's millions and millions of eyes--at homes, at bars, at parties--that are ready to be impressed by advertisers.

Personally, I'll never feel sorry for the companies that have millions to shell out on 30 second commerical spots, nor the networks that are so intent on profits that they start coverage at noon for a game that doesn't kickoff until after 6. They're shelling out millions because that's what the market will bear--that's the going rate for advertising on one of the biggest TV events of the year, if it ends up low-rated compared to games with broader appeal.

[Tom Baker]

Once again, the Ravens defense will decide this game. If the Ravens are up to shutting down one more team, they will win the Super Bowl. If the Giants get loose for just a couple of big plays, they will likely win the title.

There doesn't seem to be a lot of interest in this game yet, but I think it could be very interesting, one of the best Super Bowls in history. It will be hard to top last year's game, but the potential for a great game is there--at least for the next two weeks.

[DiamondDave]

I've been thinking about this, pretty much since the results were final on Sunday....

The Giants have an advantage of 20 YPG on offense.. have a great pair of corners that should nutralize the top 2 WR threats of Baltimore... and gave up 2 less turnovers this season...

However; the Ravens have several advantages. One of the biggest is the turnover differential, Baltimore forces turnovers like nobodies business.... Baltimore has a 37.8 YPG advantage on defense.. Baltimore has a much larger ammount of defensive stuffs... Baltimore actually scored more points during the season... Baltimore has a definate advantage in special teams with a more accurate FG K, the top punter for punts inside the 20, and a more dangerous punt returner (while the Giants punt return situation is in limbo while Barber is still hurt)... Baltimore has fared well against teams of all fashion (good defensive teams, balanced teams, and good offensive teams), and have played a tougher schedule. Whereas the Giants seem to struggle a bit against defensive teams (notable exception of Philly)...

Head to head... Baltimore's defense matches up in a superior fashion to any offense in the league.. they have dominated much better than the Giants offer... The Giants match up well with the DL against the Baltimore OL, and with their DB's against the WR's of Baltimore. The Giants will probably have a problem with covering the TE's (Sharpe and Coates, who will probably see action again) with either the LB's or the safties. This should be a game of turnovers and field position...

And since I think this will depend on the turnover, ST's and Field position (more than individual offensive output (except for maybe the T.E. situation mentioned above)).. I say Baltimore has the definate advantage in the game... I do not think either team will score 20, and I believe that the Giants O is shut down very effectively and the Baltimore O may be reduced to a big play or 2 by Sharpe or Coates...

My prediction (until I get to analyze a bit more thuroughly) is Baltimore 13 Giants 6.

[Tom Baker]

The Ravens D was everywhere--Oakland couldn't get any room, no matter what they did. Even if a pass was complete it went for virtually no yards after the catch. That Baltimore D is everywhere.

The only time the Raiders had anyone in the open field, it was that Terry Kirby catch and run (which was quite correctly ruled NOT a fumble) late in the game, when the Ravens were playing a looser defense to try and eat some clock.

Unless the Giants come up with some ways to get some separation, the Ravens could be in a position to win late. I also expect a low scoring game, although maybe a few more points than DiamondDave.

[SNichol]

I'm going with the Giants winning 14-10. Whoever has the ball last will pull this one out.

[Marc]

Maybe, but also, I think it will be a game of turnovers. Whoever makes the less mistakes will probably win. If the Ravens can cause and score a lot of turnovers on defense like they did against the Titans, it could be a long day for the G-man.

[NickHammy]

I know the Baltimore D is great and all but their offense is not that good. Throughout the playoffs, the offense hasn't scored many points. In the Tennesse game, it was all the defense that scored everything.
I think that if the Giants can avoide turnovers and big offensive plays from the ravens, they will win.

I'll pick the Giants.

[Edited by NickHammy on 01-18-2001 at 10:16 PM]

[H. Tiemann Jr.]

In a very low scoring game, I see the Ravens winning something like 14-10.

It's pretty upsetting. I really wanted a Vikings-Raiders SuperBowl. Oh well. :)

[Tom Baker]

Originally posted by M. James
Maybe, but also, I think it will be a game of turnovers. Whoever makes the less mistakes will probably win. If the Ravens can cause and score a lot of turnovers on defense like they did against the Titans, it could be a long day for the G-man.

If it comes down to turnovers, give the edge to the Ravens. Their D forces a ton of turnovers. I think they may have led the league in that category...although some enterprising stat fan should double-check me on that...

[DiamondDave]

Yes they are the league leaders with 49 total take aways in the regular season (and have had the most take aways in the post season)... They also lead in turnover differential with a +23

The Giants had 31 take aways and had a +7 differential

Baltimore has the advantage in every statistical defensive category (usually by a good amount)..

And offensive stats are split between the 2 teams.. Baltimore with more points, rushing offense, 3rd down conversion... Giants with more pass offense, 20YPG total advantage, total 1st downs, 4th down conversions

[HyperBaseball]

Ravens. Been supporting them since they started, and glad to see them and Baltimore kick Tagliabue in the @$$.

[Tom Baker]

One week to go and counting...the hype machine will really start cranking now! Baltimore still listed as a 3 point favorite.

[topdawg33]

some think its to early to predict the winner of the super bowl, but i dont belive this. i dont like either of the teams in the bowl but i will choose the giants to win because they have a good D and they have a better O than the Ravens.

[Marc]

Anyone else care to post their predictions? Time is running out, folks!

[Tom Baker]

Well, almost...it's only 11:30 EST but there's probably some kind of pregame show on somewhere...

Still not picking up a lot of excitement, but I think it could be a great game simply because the teams seem evenly matched and it's for the highest stakes in the sport. Could go down to the last few plays.

Give it to the Ravens, 14-13, on a late Shannon Sharpe TD catch in the corner of the end zone.

[Spike]

I guess I'll make a last minute Super Bowl pick here. Giants 17, Ravens 10. The Ravens' offense just still seems too pedestrian to me.

Brian Billick doesn't trust Trent Dilfer at all. You guys remember when Rich Gannon fumbled deep in Raiders' territory in the 2nd half of the A.F.C. Championship Game? Billick didn't let Dilfer throw the ball once at all and they settled for a field goal when a touchdown at that point would have put the game away.

I think the key to this game is Kerry Collins. He's not bad. But throughout his career, you never know what you're going to get from him. He's King Kong one minute and Fay Rae the next. I do hope the Giants come out and pass this game though and don't do like the Raiders. Sure it wouldn't be the element of surprise like the Giants had on the Vikings but you cannot run against the Ravens. It's been proven time and time again and if you can run against them it'll have to be the pass setting up the run, not the other way around like previous great New York Giant teams.

[iFroggy]

Well, its over. The Ravens blew them out! Kerry Collins had a very poor game.

[Nate]

Well, game over. Ravens 34. Giants 7. I don't think too many people thought it would be this much of a victory. Congrats to the Ravens and their staff!

[Tom Baker]

The Ravens D was everywhere Sunday night, once again. Once again, when the question "does defense win championships" is asked, the answer can be a resounding YES.

The last two Super Bowl champions were very different teams. The Rams were a high-octane offense with a just good enough D. The Ravens were a terrorizing defense with just enough O.

So it can work either way. The Ravens proved that defense CAN be the driving force of a championship team.

Congrats to the Baltimore fans--they've been starved for some positive news from one of their teams ever since the Orioles last took the World Series in '83.

[Marc]

This year's game was sloppy, uneven, and plain out boring. Three and punt. Three and punt. We saw more punters than wide receivers. I wanted some action, some offense, and when we finally did get some, it all came so close together, it didn't sink it like it could have. Maybe it's because I despise of both teams, but I didn't enjoy this year's game.

[Tom Baker]

It was hard to like the game, unless you're a fan of punts. I was really hoping for a more interesting game, but there's no denying the power of the Ravens' D. Best ever? Hard to say. But certainly the best this year.

To be honest, I kept watching for commercials, and even they weren't interesting enough sometimes...my remote control finger started to wander. As soon as the Ravens had 17 points I knew it was done, no matter what happened on the kickoff returns.