was the Super Bowl fixed?

[DarkAngel]

A guy I know seems to think the Super Bowl was fixed. His words specifically were: "And they say wrestling's fake." That kind annoys me, because it seems to say that anytime a dominant team loses, it's because the game was fixed. Same thing was said about game 1 of the Lakers/Sixers championship series last year.

What do you think? I didn't see any evidence of anyone throwing the game. The turnovers didn't seem unnatural to me.

[Danielle]

It looked perfectly fine to me. In fact, if the Rams had won, *I* would've said it was fixed. :D If it was really fixed, they would let them keep their touchdowns after a penalty! Lousy referees.... :p

[The Green Hornet]

did the Rams throw the game? HELL NO

did the officials ignore some roughing the passer calls, pass interferences and some OB hits? yeah....they are always hesitant to call ANYTHING in the super bowl. also refs HATE giving the Rams ANY calls

add those two factors up and i kinda wonder why we needed the officials at all (well they did make that nice goal-line call of holding-- should have been unsportsmanlike conduct-- he wrapped his body around poor faulk!!!!)

did the patriotic themes before and durring and in the middle of the game sway the fans? yeah. no question. by halftime that crowd was solidly for the patriots

was the game rigged......eh no

was the NFL's big tribute to america, heroes etc kind of biasing while the pats were playing? yeah. was it fair to show a bunch of GIs rooting on the patriots? probably not if the crowds in the stadium got to see it-- or when that commentator said "go pats" that wasnt too cool either (he was over in kandahar)

again-- rigged? no.

would i hope that the NFL shows a little more consideration in the future? yeah. would i hope that they tell the officials to make the call if the penalty is there, even in the super bowl? yeah. would i tell you that the game was rigged? nope.

[Failure]

Nah, if it was, Tebucky Jones' fumble return would've counted. Faulk was holding McGinest as much as McGinest was holding Faulk, not to mention that it happened away from the play anyway.

It annoys me that these accusations of "fixing" sports events gets thrown around so often. #1, it's often a case of sour grapes. #2, do they even think about the possible shots a league would take to its reputation if fixing was ever discovered? Take what the Black Sox did to baseball back in the day and then multiply it by infinity due to our ever cynical natures and the omnipresent media. The league would be destroyed, advertising would shrivel up, attendance would bomb, and etc, etc, etc.

[The Green Hornet]

watch that reply again son-- marshall was the intended reciever on that route and it was obvious

ne way the NFL would be DESTROYED if it was found out they rigged a game

for that matter i might even say most of proffesional sports would be as well -- most people nowadays would just assume that other sports are rigged as well

[Failure]

It wouldnt be destroyed, but remember how the strike hurt baseball? If people found out sports was fixed, the ramifications would make the baseball strike look like pudding. Eventually the league would recover, but there are huge costs to it.

I'll have to watch the replay to be sure, but why would Warner roll right while Faulk went left? It's bad fundamentals to run one way and then throw across the field the other way.

[The Green Hornet]

no the strike was one thing, a game being rigged by the league would be another altogether

[Failure]

I think a rigging would be far worse. Especially since more people swear by the Super Bowl than the World Series. It's like a religion to some people.

[The Penguin]

I don't think there is anyway the Super Bowl was rigged. If you look at it by the logic of Patriots won because of the patriotic theme, then the Yankees should have won the World Series after what happened in New York. It makes it more poetic that the Pats won but I'm positive no one planned it that way.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

Originally posted by DarkAngel
A guy I know seems to think the Super Bowl was fixed. His words specifically were: "And they say wrestling's fake." That kind annoys me, because it seems to say that anytime a dominant team loses, it's because the game was fixed. Same thing was said about game 1 of the Lakers/Sixers championship series last year.

What do you think? I didn't see any evidence of anyone throwing the game. The turnovers didn't seem unnatural to me.

Nah, I don't think so.

About the NBA game, I really can't see how basketball can be fixed, though. Yes, the refs can be biased, but it's really all about making shots, and you can't "fix" shots. Unless the basketball is remote controlled or something...

[Failure]

Officiating is a thankless job, no matter how much you train for it, you're still going to miss a lot of calls. And of course everyone has their personal take on things, there are those who are really tight with their calls, and others who like to let the players play the game. Of course, it's a well known fact, that most refs are more willing to give a benefit of the doubt to an established player compared to a rookie, but I dont think anyone goes out of their way to affect the game. I think there was a quote that went something like "the only time you know you did a good job is when no one's talking about you afterwards."

[Sheamon]

The only people spouting off this 'rigged' stuff is fans of the Rams, Steelers, and Raiders fans because they lost. It happens all the time. In a few months when the NBA and NHL playoffs occur, the losers will say it was rigged. Next world series, the losers will say it was rigged. And so on forever and ever. Your team lost to the best team in the NFL. Get over it. Its as simple as that.

*celebrates first championship in the area in 16 years* :D :D :D

[Evil Dr. Reef]

This is just the result of a few Rams fans looking for a way to explain how they lost (no offense to any Rams fans). Although, it was pretty miraculous how the Pats made that field goal...

[Sumi_Masen]

Originally posted by The Penguin
If you look at it by the logic of Patriots won because of the patriotic theme, then the Yankees should have won the World Series after what happened in New York.

Yeah!!! Yankees for life!!! :D

Anywho, I don't think the game was rigged, it would be kinda hard......it's all great that the Pats won, but to tell you the truth, I was rooting for the Rams.....that's my team right there! :p

[atf487]

Well, my friend said the exact same thing. I said quite bluntly "face it. the rams are not that good. Be happy your local team won" He's also one of the 5 or so kids that wanted the yankees to win the World series. Personally, I don't like New York.

[Sumi_Masen]

Let's be happy I wasn't rooting for my local team this season, THE PANTHERS......I didn't care to much when the Rams lost, at least they actually made it to the Superbowl.....and the Yankees thing, I guess it's like my history teacher said, "Destiny over Dynasty." There's always next year..... :D

[The Green Hornet]

RAMS NOT THAT GOOD??!?!? THEY HAVE ONLY HAD THE TOUGHEST SCHEDULE IN THE NFL FOR TWO YEARS NOW AND HAVE ONLY MANAGED OVER 500 POINTS PER SEASON for THREE SEASON NOW against THE BEST TEAMS

dont you dare give me that line of bs that the rams arent that good

[Failure]

Actually in 2000 the Rams had the 2nd weakest schedule in the league. And this year they had only the 9th toughest schedule.

http://cbs.sportsline.com/u/football/nfl/2000/strength.htm

http://cbs.sportsline.com/u/football/nfl/2001/strength.htm

But, yes the Rams offense is scary good. In a best of 7, NE would've had little to no chance.

[atf487]

In a best of 7, NE would've had little to no chance. Once again, they get no respect. I think if that was the circumstances, they could have pulled it off.

[Failure]

Originally posted by atf487
Once again, they get no respect. I think if that was the circumstances, they could have pulled it off.

Maybe. You gotta believe I guess. But usually the more talented team winds up winning in a longer series.

[atf487]

Well, can't argue there. They are my favorite, and local team, so I'm going to be biased.

[The Green Hornet]

you have to grade the rams schedule on a curve

EVERY team that plays them treats it like their own little super-bowl (2 years running now) and usually plays heads and shoulders above what they would against ANYONE else (ahhh 49ers are the exception here tee hee, and no offense to panthers fans)

the rams have a pretty tough schedule next year if the cardinals continue to improve-- and seattle was almost a playoff team this year were they not?

[ccffan01]

I confess I fixed it.

[Memphis Bleek]

The Super Bowl wasn't rigged. Did the rams think that they just had to show up to the stadium to win the game? Yes, the rams did. Turnovers have been the Rams Achilles heel all season. When the rams lose to the Saints earlier this season they turned the ball over 8 times. When the Rams lose to the Bucs this season they turned over the ball four times. The Rams turned over the ball three times, and the Patroits score 17 points of the three turnovers. The Rams plays selections was always terrible. The Rams throw a twenty yard pass on 3rd and less than 1, and pass was incomplete. How do you not give the best player and best runningback in football Marshall Faulk the ball on a 3rd and less than 1. Every time the rams' recievers attempted to catch the ball, they (the rams' receivers) got laid out by a Patriots' defender. The Patriots play like a team. The Patriots maxmize out their talent and oppuniriunties in the Superbowl. The rams play like were trying to protect their reputation as an unstoppable passing team. Even with all this said the score was 17 to 17 with 1:41 second on clock. Tommy Brady completed a couple of pass to the backup running Redmond, and a huge thirty yard completion to Troy Brown who was able to get out bound despite the fact that he caught in the middle of field. This completion set up Vinateri game winning 48 yard field goal. The idea that anyone would lose a Super Bowl on purpose after working so hard get to Super Bowl is ludicrious!

[Sheamon]

That previously posted strength is worthless when it comes to this season because all the win loss records are based on last season. What matters is how well the teams they faced played this season. Last year the Minnesota Vikings and the NY Giants were tough spots on the schedules while the Patriots and Bears were garbage that teams looked forward to stepping on. This year the exact opposite was the case. Anyway, here's the real list, and as is obviously shown the playoff teams always end up getting the easier schedule cause they don't play themselves, while the teams in the same division as good teams like the Colts and Panthers have the toughest. Neither Super Bowl team this year had a very tough schedule. And they never will.

Panthers: 147-109
Colts: 144-112
Buccaneers: 137-119
Bills: 136-120
Browns: 136-120
Falcons: 136-120
Jaguars: 134-122
Vikings: 134-122
Titans: 133-123
Giants: 133-123
Chiefs 132-124
Lions: 131-125
Ravens: 131-125
Bengels: 131-125
Dolphins: 128-128
Cowboys: 128-128
Saints: 127-129
Eagles: 127-129
Chargers: 124-132
Rams: 121-135
Redskins: 121-135
Raiders: 120-136
49ers: 119-137
Bears: 119-137
Jets: 118-138
Patriots: 115-141
Cardinals 114-142
Seahawks: 113-143
Packers: 111-145
Steelers 108-148

[Failure]

Well the links I posted were pre-season schedule strength rankings. Thanks for the new rankings though. Sheesh no wonder the Bills did so bad!

Ultimately though, if you're good enough, it doesnt matter how tough your schedule is, you just win.

[SilverKnight]

Originally posted by TheFastestManAlive
did the Rams throw the game? HELL NO

did the officials ignore some roughing the passer calls, pass interferences and some OB hits? yeah....they are always hesitant to call ANYTHING in the super bowl. also refs HATE giving the Rams ANY calls

add those two factors up and i kinda wonder why we needed the officials at all (well they did make that nice goal-line call of holding-- should have been unsportsmanlike conduct-- he wrapped his body around poor faulk!!!!)

did the patriotic themes before and durring and in the middle of the game sway the fans? yeah. no question. by halftime that crowd was solidly for the patriots

was the game rigged......eh no

was the NFL's big tribute to america, heroes etc kind of biasing while the pats were playing? yeah. was it fair to show a bunch of GIs rooting on the patriots? probably not if the crowds in the stadium got to see it-- or when that commentator said "go pats" that wasnt too cool either (he was over in kandahar)

again-- rigged? no.

would i hope that the NFL shows a little more consideration in the future? yeah. would i hope that they tell the officials to make the call if the penalty is there, even in the super bowl? yeah. would i tell you that the game was rigged? nope.

Dude, get off your damn soap box already. I'm sorry that your team lost, okay? But it was a good game anyway--far better than any other superbowl I've ever seen. Just to let you know, most people probably didn't want the Pats to win because it was patriotic, they did it because they were the UNDERDOGS. If it had been reversed, and the Pats were favored, most people probably would've wanted the Rams to win. Underdogs. Furthermore, I personally wanted the Pats to win because the Rams were acting like smug, hotdogging jackasses. If you don't like that, fine. If you think they should've won, fine. But stop whining about it.

And the game wasn't rigged. The guy who commented on it being rigged was probably just a sore loser. :D

[DarkAngel]

Originally posted by SilverKnight

Furthermore, I personally wanted the Pats to win because the Rams were acting like smug, hotdogging jackasses.

I wanted the Rams to lose to. To be fair, I think all dominant teams come across as arrogant, though. By nature of being dominant, the top teams usually roll through all the others, thereby alienating most of the viewers.

For me, it's a more personal "hate" as I'm a 49ers fans. Naturally, I've been more than upset at the Rams success. My feeling toward them is not unlike how I felt about the Cowboys during the early 90s when they were beating the Niners and the Pack during the mid 90s when they were beating the Niners. Now the Rams have jumped to the top of my "hate" list in football.

They are definitely good. Can't deny that. But I feel they're overrated and not on the level of past greats like the teams I mentioned above. Maybe it's just the fact that they've beaten the Niners that's clouding my judgment. I don't know.