# Superbowl 53 game thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [February 3, 2019, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-53-game-thread/828897 "2019-02-03T18:55:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-53-game-thread/828897/81 "2019-02-04T13:49:34Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > But the Pats dominance is like having a never-ending sports movie where the bad guy wins over and over. The duck boat parade will take the usual route on the usual day. 😉 I liked the Red Sox congratulating the Pats on breaking the city’s three-month-long championship drought. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-53-game-thread/828897/82 "2019-02-04T13:52:01Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > As I understand it, the QB helmet has a radio in it. Might be installed or being checked. Maybe the officials go over it to ensure that it is within the rules. Right. The defensive player who makes the calls on that side, usually a middle linebacker, also has a helmet radio. Radio helmets have green stickers on the back. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-53-game-thread/828897/83 "2019-02-04T13:52:46Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > I hate to say it, but this game all but made me conclude that Bellicheat is the best NFL coach of all time. The way he could gameplan to stymie yet another top offense team (playing a new brand of offense apparently) and hold them to 3 points is just amazing. It was a master class, and McVay simply had no response. It didn’t hurt that Goff is young and played very poorly, but the Pats played a lot more zone coverage and did a lot more twisting and stunting on the defensive line than in most games they put on tape. Their ability to be versatile and come up with a gameplan to defeat a specific team is simply outstanding. In the last 15 years, the Pats have had a top 10 scoring defense in every season except 2. And Tom Brady’s streak of never winning a Super Bowl without a top 10 scoring defense goes for another game. Goff was absolutely terrible, but the Patriots defense was outstanding. If they hadn’t been outstanding, the Rams might still have won; after all, 14-17 points is a bad day, but would have won yesterday. > [@asahi](#): > > The Patriots are becoming a super dominant franchise, like the New York Yankees in baseball. The Patriots are quite literally twenty or thirty years away from that. What the Yankees did from 1921 to 1964 has no parallel in any other major North American sport. What the Patriots would have to do, of course, is to continue their run of dominance with a different head coach and different QB. The thing about the Yankee run is that they started with Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig managed by Miller Huggins, and then those guys were gone but they continued on with Joe DiMaggio and Lefty Gomez managed by Joe McCarthy, and then those guys were gone and they kept winning with Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berra as managed by Casey Stengel, and in there they also won with managers Bucky Harris and Ralph Houk and were thiiiiiis close to winning another with Yogi Berra managing. The Patriots would only be approaching that if, prior to the Belicheck/Brady era, they had been the team who drafted Joe Montana and hired Bill Walsh and had won THOSE Super Bowls, too, and then after that they got all the Cowboys stars and won those ones as well. Of course, where the Patriots get extra points (ha!) is that the 21st century NFL is a much bigger league - literally twice the teams of the Yankees-dominated MLB - and has in place structures to enforce competitive balance that did not exist in MLB prior to 1964. In fact, during the great Yankees superdynasty, MLB didn’t even have an amateur draft. MLB had effectively no competitive balance rules of any kind until the bonus baby rule of 1946, didn’t implement the Rule V draft until 1959, and didn’t have the amateur draft until 1965. It was easier to a team like the Yankees to dominate then. Winning the World Series in the 1950s was likelier than winning a Super Bowl today, but still, the Yankees went 44 years winning the pennant more often than they didn’t. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-53-game-thread/828897/84 "2019-02-04T14:05:24Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > The duck boat parade will take the usual route on the usual day. 😉 The Boston PD started restricting parking in Kenmore square on Sunday morning (or earlier) for the expected Tuesday parade. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-53-game-thread/828897/85 "2019-02-04T14:11:50Z")
The Bruins with Bobby Orr (the nest American to ever play the game), the Celtics with The Bird, and now the Patriots with Tom Brady. Go, Boston sports dynasties. And the Red Sox are looking pretty good. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-53-game-thread/828897/86 "2019-02-04T14:24:51Z")
Bobby Orr was from Ontario, but wha’evs. 12 titles in 18 years. ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-53-game-thread/828897/87 "2019-02-04T14:45:28Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > Loved this quote. > > “Maroon 5, masterful at creating hits that take an active mental effort to distinguish from one another, did not enter this gig with the burden of great expectations.” Speaking of which, how do they manage to set up and tear down that big stage so quickly, plus import all the idiots who stand there mindlessly waving their arms around? My theory is that it’s all a hologram. ---
**Author:** ![Urbanredneck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ea5d25/32.png) [@Urbanredneck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Urbanredneck)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-53-game-thread/828897/88 "2019-02-04T14:53:40Z")
Few people in Kansas City watched it after we got ripped off. But then, why would the NFL want a small market team in there? I noticed in the pre-game one of the major sponsors was Turkish Airlines, which doesnt fly out of KC but does out of Boston and LA. Also in the pre game you can tell they had been planning all these Tom Brady and Patriots highlights to show so no way were they going to let KC win. Now a Saints vs Chiefs game would have been good. ---
**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:** [February 4, 2019, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-53-game-thread/828897/89 "2019-02-04T15:01:27Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > Few people in Kansas City watched it after we got ripped off. I like the Chiefs, hate the Pats, but KC has no tenable claim to getting “ripped off”, especially in light of what happened to the Saints. The Pats beat them, fair and square. > [@Urbanredneck](#): > > NFL want a small market team in there? I noticed in the pre-game one of the major sponsors was Turkish Airlines, which doesnt fly out of KC but does out of Boston and LA. Also in the pre game you can tell they had been planning all these Tom Brady and Patriots highlights to show so no way were they going to let KC win. Are you seriously positing that the NFL fixes games to get the championship game they want? That would certainly help give me the information I need to determine the level of respect I should give your football opinion. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-53-game-thread/828897/90 "2019-02-04T15:04:20Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > Few people in Kansas City watched it after we got ripped off. But then, why would the NFL want a small market team in there? I noticed in the pre-game one of the major sponsors was Turkish Airlines, which doesnt fly out of KC but does out of Boston and LA. Also in the pre game you can tell they had been planning all these Tom Brady and Patriots highlights to show so no way were they going to let KC win. > > Now a Saints vs Chiefs game would have been good. The game is watched by people all over the country, not just in the cities where the teams play. That Turkish Airlines claim is asinine. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-53-game-thread/828897/91 "2019-02-04T15:08:17Z")
I get \*so \*sick of seeing New York and LA teams in the Super Bowl \*every \*year, don’t you? ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-53-game-thread/828897/92 "2019-02-04T15:17:34Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > As I understand it, the QB helmet has a radio in it. Might be installed or being checked. Maybe the officials go over it to ensure that it is within the rules. That makes sense, but ISTR that the Rams QB wore his helmet onto the field. > [@](#): > > Speaking of which, how do they manage to set up and tear down that big stage so quickly, plus import all the idiots who stand there mindlessly waving their arms around? My theory is that it’s all a hologram. I recall reading newspaper articles in the past about just this thing. Not sure if the “fans” are paid or volunteers, but ISTR they had to rehearse, and were bussed in from some remote site and back again, just for the halftime. ---
**Author:** ![WreckingCrew](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wreckingcrew/32/4080_2.png) [@WreckingCrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WreckingCrew)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-53-game-thread/828897/93 "2019-02-04T15:31:16Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Steelers still have more class. (Well, except that prick, Roethlisberger. I can’t wait until he retires) > > Not that I’m aware of, although someone can correct me if I’m wrong. Well let’s start with the Steelers’ team doctor getting a ten year sentence for steroid and pain killer distribution and go from there. [https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/03/23/former-steelers-doctor-gets-10-years-for-steroid-and-painkiller-distribution/](https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/03/23/former-steelers-doctor-gets-10-years-for-steroid-and-painkiller-distribution/) [http://www.espn.com/espn/otl/news/story?id=3832996](http://www.espn.com/espn/otl/news/story?id=3832996) [https://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/04/steve-courson-from-the-heart-and-from-the-grave/?\_r=0](https://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/07/04/steve-courson-from-the-heart-and-from-the-grave/?_r=0) ---
**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:** [February 4, 2019, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-53-game-thread/828897/94 "2019-02-04T15:35:55Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > Few people in Kansas City watched it after we got ripped off. But then, why would the NFL want a small market team in there? I noticed in the pre-game one of the major sponsors was Turkish Airlines, which doesnt fly out of KC but does out of Boston and LA. Also in the pre game you can tell they had been planning all these Tom Brady and Patriots highlights to show so no way were they going to let KC win. > > Now a Saints vs Chiefs game would have been good. I’ve long been of the opinion that if the NFL is indeed fixing games, it is doing so quite poorly. Sure, it may get a short-term boost by jobbing small-market teams in favor of big-market ones, but that’s eating its seed corn. A league in which only 5-6 teams make the Super Bowl regularly is worse off than one in which 20+ teams always have a legit shot at entering. It would be better to rig games so that small-market teams like Kansas City have as much of a fair chance. Sure, the ratings for the SB might not be as great in the short term, but it’s what’s better for the long run. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-53-game-thread/828897/95 "2019-02-04T15:37:11Z")
[This site is a good compendium.](https://yourteamcheats.com/) The Steelers are listed as “Well above average” cheaters. ---
**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:** [February 4, 2019, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-53-game-thread/828897/96 "2019-02-04T16:52:06Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > Few people in Kansas City watched it after we got ripped off. But then, why would the NFL want a small market team in there? I noticed in the pre-game one of the major sponsors was Turkish Airlines, which doesnt fly out of KC but does out of Boston and LA. Also in the pre game you can tell they had been planning all these Tom Brady and Patriots highlights to show so no way were they going to let KC win. > > Now a Saints vs Chiefs game would have been good. Oh please. Most of us Chiefs fans know that we had every opportunity to beat the Pats in KC two weeks ago and didn’t get it done. Sure, a couple of calls went against the Chiefs, but it’s not like KC didn’t have a chance to win the game. Chiefs defense, once again, couldn’t stop NE with the game on the line. And don’t you think the NFL would want to see Patrick Mahomes, the league MVP, in the Super Bowl? The Chiefs-Rams game during the regular season was one highlight after another. I would think that a rematch would be a dream come true for the NFL. ---
**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:** [February 4, 2019, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-53-game-thread/828897/97 "2019-02-04T17:07:12Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > The Steelers haven’t won 6 Super Bowls? Guess all those shiny graphics and data sets and history notebooks have it wrong. While the Patriots are indeed the team of the last two decades, proclaiming them undeniably “BEST EVAR” happily ignores almost a century of NFL history. I’d argue that winning in multiple eras, like the Steelers, is a sign of greatness in a franchise, not just a coach/QB combo. Hell, Green Bay only needed 7 seasons to be the best in the NFL five times, not 15. Well, obviously I was an idiot for forgetting the Steelers. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-53-game-thread/828897/98 "2019-02-04T17:21:51Z")
You have to go back into the Seventies to find some Steelers wins for the total. The Patriots’ 6 have all been with Belichick and Brady. Have you \*seen \*what Chuck Noll and Terry Bradshaw look like today? ---
**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:** [February 4, 2019, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-53-game-thread/828897/99 "2019-02-04T17:40:59Z")
Back to the Super Bowl, it reminded me of the Bears-Rams game earlier this year: > **[Rams vs. Bears - NFL Game Summary - December 9, 2018 | ESPN](https://www.espn.com/nfl/game?gameId=401030817)** > > Get a summary of the Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears football game. Two dominant defenses and awful offenses. The Bears beat the Rams because their offense was slightly less terrible (Rams had 4 interceptions, no TDs, Bears had 3 interceptions and one TD). The 15-6 score was also similar to the 13-3 score of the Super Bowl. ---
**Author:** ![whitetho](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whitetho/32/1059_2.png) [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2019, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-53-game-thread/828897/100 "2019-02-04T17:42:55Z")
In yesterday’s game, did the Patriots miss the first field goal attempt because their team property staff accidently provided one of their deflated footballs instead of a regular one? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-53-game-thread/828897.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/superbowl-53-game-thread/828897.md?page=6)