# NFL - PLAYOFFS - CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME of Thrones **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [January 14, 2020, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-conference-championship-game-of-thrones/846410 "2020-01-14T16:05:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2020, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-conference-championship-game-of-thrones/846410/61 "2020-01-21T03:59:51Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > For the next thread, may I suggest… > > “SUPER BOWLing for dollars” > > or, if you’re feeling more literary… > > “SUPER BOWL and the pussycat” “Superb Owl and the Pussycat” I just like the fact that this Super Bowl has the same name as Steven Tyler’s daughter. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2020, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-conference-championship-game-of-thrones/846410/62 "2020-01-21T05:03:35Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I just like the fact that this Super Bowl has the same name as Steven Tyler’s daughter. One of my failed rap names is “MC LIX” ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2020, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-conference-championship-game-of-thrones/846410/63 "2020-01-21T16:38:10Z")
Well, that could have gone better. The Niners are clearly a better team, and I think the Packers knew that. They missed tackles, missed assignments, and simply couldnt stop the run game. The Packers, with that pass rush and secondary, are built to beat the stereotyped “modern”, pass first, RPO, QB is the only thing that matters, NFL. The Niners are not that team and just whupped the Packers ass. Kudos to that defense and running game. Outstanding. I’m super excited for this Super Bowl. Two great teams, each different, facing off. Unstoppable force v. Immovable object. And since I like Andy Reid and I like defense and running game, no matter who wins, I’ll be fine. I just want a good game. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2020, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-conference-championship-game-of-thrones/846410/64 "2020-01-21T18:27:32Z")
Weirdly, I think the 49ers are a better team, but I also think the Chiefs are a lock to win. You do make an interesting point, Hamlet, and the Titans game notwithstanding, it could be the same kind of deal in the Superbowl that gives the 49ers the win. I’m slightly rooting for the Chiefs, but it’s close enough that I could go back and forth all game. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2020, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-conference-championship-game-of-thrones/846410/65 "2020-01-21T20:41:38Z")
Reminds me of SBXXV, Bills-Giants. The Bills with the explosive passing game, the Giants with the old-fashioned ball-control game. The Giants consumed 40 minutes of time of possession and narrowly won a low-scoring contest. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2020, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-conference-championship-game-of-thrones/846410/66 "2020-01-21T21:16:30Z")
Technically, the Giants weren’t quite doing old school ground game football that game because they didn’t even try to stop the run. Belichick had to convince his defense in the game plan because they knew going in that Thurman Thomas was going to have a monster game, which was a tough sell since they had allowed the 4th fewest rushing yards all season. Essentially, the defense had to swallow their pride to get the win. Belichick’s brilliance was on full display: We’re not going to stop the run (Thomas rushed for 135 yards on just 15 carries) or even pressure the passer. Instead, they focused on pressuring _the receivers_. That wouldn’t fly in today’s game – DPI all day long – but in 1990 it was a master stroke of innovative genius. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2020, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-conference-championship-game-of-thrones/846410/67 "2020-01-22T22:05:20Z")
We don’t have an offseason thread yet but Eli Manning is retiring. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2020, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-conference-championship-game-of-thrones/846410/68 "2020-01-22T22:11:12Z")
And Philip Rivers moved to Florida, rumors are he may be replacing Winston in Tampa Bay. > **[Philip Rivers is moving to Florida and here's the NFL team in the state he's...](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/philip-rivers-is-moving-to-florida-and-heres-the-nfl-team-in-the-state-hes-already-being-linked-to/)** > > This could be a wild offseason I’ve also heard rumors of Brady going to the Chargers, even before this. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2020, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-conference-championship-game-of-thrones/846410/69 "2020-01-22T22:23:58Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > And Philip Rivers moved to Florida, rumors are he may be replacing Winston in Tampa Bay. > [https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/philip-rivers-is-moving-to-florida-and-heres-the-nfl-team-in-the-state-hes-already-being-linked-to/](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/philip-rivers-is-moving-to-florida-and-heres-the-nfl-team-in-the-state-hes-already-being-linked-to/) > > **I’ve also heard rumors of Brady going to the Chargers, even before this**. There’s no way this happens…right? ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2020, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-conference-championship-game-of-thrones/846410/70 "2020-01-23T03:05:54Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > There’s no way this happens…right? I’ve also heard about him going to the Raiders. I guess we’ll see. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2020, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-conference-championship-game-of-thrones/846410/71 "2020-01-23T05:10:24Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > There’s no way this happens…right? Looks at old pictures of [Unitas](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-89cPDYQXQas/VyjuFMfZlLI/AAAAAAAAAew/SZFemDhyLyc5gEjJVlfHhRNqb3BbNQx8wCKgB/s1600/Unitas%2B1973%2BChargers%2BJohnny-Unitas-Chargers-amazonaws.jpg), and [Namath](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c3/20/5a/c3205af8a1615fec1333d851fee23a3f.jpg), and [Montana](https://b.fssta.com/uploads/content/dam/fsdigital/fscom/nfl/images/2014/01/22/101713-9-NFL-Chiefs-Joe-Montana-OB-PI_20131017183202791_730_350.vresize.1024.576.high.14.JPG), and [Manning](https://cdn.britannica.com/32/179232-050-7205F9A1/Peyton-Manning-2013.jpg). No, there’s no way this happens. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![racepug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@racepug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racepug)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2020, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-conference-championship-game-of-thrones/846410/72 "2020-01-23T06:16:00Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > Weirdly, I think the 49ers are a better team, but I also think the Chiefs are a lock to win. > > You do make an interesting point, Hamlet, and the Titans game notwithstanding, it could be the same kind of deal in the Superbowl that gives the 49ers the win. > > I’m slightly rooting for the Chiefs, but it’s close enough that I could go back and forth all game. To me the 49ers are the better team, overall, and I like their “old school” approach. But Patrick Mahomes is a real handful. I expect a close (and hopefully well-played) game. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2020, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-conference-championship-game-of-thrones/846410/73 "2020-01-23T15:57:04Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Reminds me of SBXXV, Bills-Giants. The Bills with the explosive passing game, the Giants with the old-fashioned ball-control game. The Giants consumed 40 minutes of time of possession and narrowly won a low-scoring contest. I guess I see the similarities, but I’d argue that both of these offenses are pretty explosive. And I’ve come to believe that “control the clock” just doesn’t really work in the NFL unless you get turnovers - both teams get the ball the same number of times. In that SB, for example, even with a 2-to-1 clock advantage, both teams earned almost exactly the same yardage and points. Also, lest we trigger Bills fans, they really should have won… The big question to me for this SB is can the SF passing defense slow down the Chiefs offense at all. If they can pressure Mahomes, while containing him if he runs, and somehow stick with Kelce, Hill, Hardman, and Watkins then they have a chance. I don’t have a ton of confidence in the Chiefs defense to control the SF offense like they did the Titans, so I don’t think a 20-19 final like in Bills-Giants is on the cards. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2020, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-conference-championship-game-of-thrones/846410/74 "2020-01-23T16:38:16Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > I guess I see the similarities, but I’d argue that both of these offenses are pretty explosive. And I’ve come to believe that “control the clock” just doesn’t really work in the NFL unless you get turnovers - both teams get the ball the same number of times. In that SB, for example, even with a 2-to-1 clock advantage, both teams earned almost exactly the same yardage and points. Also, lest we trigger Bills fans, they really should have won… > > The big question to me for this SB is can the SF passing defense slow down the Chiefs offense at all. If they can pressure Mahomes, while containing him if he runs, and somehow stick with Kelce, Hill, Hardman, and Watkins then they have a chance. I don’t have a ton of confidence in the Chiefs defense to control the SF offense like they did the Titans, so I don’t think a 20-19 final like in Bills-Giants is on the cards. I just read an article in The Athletic that basically confirmed your point on time-of-possession. The article argued that it’s not how long you possess the ball, it’s what you do when you possess the ball. For instance, in the Chiefs-Titans game on Sunday, the Titans possessed the ball for over 19 minutes in the first half and scored on 3 of their 4 possessions (2 TDs, 1 FG). The Chiefs, then, had the ball for less than 11 minutes, but also scored on 3 of their 4 possessions (3 TDs), and had the lead at halftime. In the second half, however, it was KC that controlled the ball. TOP ended up virtually even, and it was the Chiefs that had a long time-consuming drive: 13 plays, 73 yards, 7:08 off the clock. This drive featured only 3 passes (1 of which was incomplete) and ended up with a touchdown. In the NFC championship game, the Niners had 285 yards rushing and 69 yards passing. But their TD drives, which were mostly (all?) on the ground, were basically quick strikes. The Packers actually won the TOP, 31 minutes to 29 minutes. Your point about both offenses being explosive is spot on. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoffs-conference-championship-game-of-thrones/846410.md?page=3)