Author: @spot_bills

51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XLIII

51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XLIII

Posted by | Jan 25, 2018 |

The Super Bowl is just 9 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 9 years ago to honor this not-so-significant occasion! Tampa hosted Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009. The game pitted the NFC champion Arizona Cardinals against the Pittsburgh Steelers of the American Football Conference. Arizona was brand new to this stage while Pittsburgh was going for an NFL record sixth Super Bowl championship! Arizona Cardinals 9 Years Ago Former Steelers’ assistant Ken Whisenhunt was the head coach of the overachieving Cardinals. They had a solid offense featuring veterans Kurt Warner at quarterback and Edgerrin...

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51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XLII

51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XLII

Posted by | Jan 24, 2018 |

The Super Bowl is just 10 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 10 years ago to honor this not-so-significant occasion! Glendale, Arizona hosted Super Bowl XLII on February 3, 2008. The game pitted the NFC champion New York Giants against the New England Patriots of the American Football Conference. New England Patriots 10 Years Ago  Simply put, the 2007 Patriots are one of the most famous teams in NFL history. Their story starts at the end of 2006 when their stable of no-name wideouts was criticized for struggling in the AFC championship game. Thus, the Pats...

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The Least Deserving Pro Bowlers of 2017-18 Season

The Least Deserving Pro Bowlers of 2017-18 Season

Posted by | Jan 23, 2018 |

Every season when a Pro Bowl roster is announced, we get inundated with material about who got snubbed. Fan bases and game analysts go bonkers about how certain players were unfairly left out. Truthfully, if every alleged snub received an invitation to the Pro Bowl, there would be about one hundred players per roster. There has to be a line drawn somewhere. Therefore, for someone to have actually been snubbed, somebody made the team that did not deserve the honor. Here are the top ten who least deserved to be named 2017 Pro Bowlers. Top Five Least Deserving AFC...

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51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XLI

51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XLI

Posted by | Jan 22, 2018 |

The Super Bowl is just 11 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 11 years ago to honor this not-so-significant occasion! South Florida hosted Super Bowl XLI on February 4, 2007. The game pitted the NFC champion Chicago Bears against the Indianapolis Colts of the American Football Conference. Chicago Bears 11 Years Ago The 2006 Chicago Bears were coached by Lovie Smith. Smith in his third year completed his rebuild project with an outstanding 13-2 record in meaningful games. The offense was 2nd in points scored and 3rd in points allowed. Rookie Devin Hester returned three punts...

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51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XL

51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XL

Posted by | Jan 22, 2018 |

The Super Bowl is just 12 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 12 years ago to honor this not-so-significant occasion! Detroit hosted Super Bowl XL on February 5, 2006. The game pitted the NFC champion Seattle Seahawks against the Pittsburgh Steelers of the American Football Conference.  Seattle Seahawks 12 Years Ago The Seahawks had reached a crossroads under head coach Mike Holmgren. Holmgren won the Super Bowl with Green Bay in 1996, but struggled to duplicate that success with the Hawks. In 2005, he put it altogether for one of the best seasons in franchise history....

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51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXXIX

51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXXIX

Posted by | Jan 21, 2018 |

The Super Bowl is just 13 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 13 years ago to honor this not-so-significant occasion! Jacksonville hosted Super Bowl XXXIX on February 6, 2005. The game pitted the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles against the defending World Champion New England Patriots. The Patriots looked to become the first time to repeat since the Dallas Cowboys 11 years earlier. New England Patriots 13 Years Ago The Patriots made a significant change on offense during the offseason adding the powerful running back Corey Dillon. In 2004, Dillon rushed for a career-high 1635 yards. Consequently,...

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51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXXVIII

51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXXVIII

Posted by | Jan 20, 2018 |

The Super Bowl is just 14 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 14 years ago to honor this not-so-significant occasion! Houston hosted Super Bowl XXXVIII on February 1, 2004. The game pitted the NFC champion Carolina Panthers against the New England Patriots of the American Football Conference. The Panthers were in their ninth season of existence. Yet, they already had one exciting ride to the NFC championship, two head coaching changes and one rebuilding project. Carolina Panthers 14 Years Ago The 2003 Panthers coached by John Fox were in their second year of the aforementioned rapid...

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Bortles Is Definitely Not Trash at Quarterback

Bortles Is Definitely Not Trash at Quarterback

Posted by | Jan 20, 2018 | ,

Blake Bortles does not have a great reputation as a starting quarterback in the NFL. For example, Houston Texans’ defensive end Jadeveon Clowney famously called Bortles “trash”. Tennessee Titans’ defensive tackle Jurrell Casey claimed that Bortles “chokes under pressure”. Even Seattle Seahawks’ safety Earl Thomas labeled Bortles as “subpar”. Does Bortles really deserve all this derision? Perhaps he did coming into the 2017 season. His career record was a dismal 11-34 as he threw 51 interceptions in just 45 starts. In fact, head coach Doug Marrone did not name Bortles as his starter until he won the competition over...

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51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXXVII

51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXXVII

Posted by | Jan 19, 2018 |

The Super Bowl is just 15 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 15 years ago to honor this not-so-significant occasion!  San Diego hosted Super Bowl XXXVII on January 26, 2003. The game pitted the NFC champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the Oakland Raiders of the American Football Conference. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 15 Years Ago After the famous “tuck rule” game, Jon Gruden was traded from the Raiders to the Buccaneers for a bunch of draft picks. The pieces were already in place for Tampa Bay to make a run at the title thanks to a fantastic...

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51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXXVI

51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXXVI

Posted by | Jan 18, 2018 |

The Super Bowl is just 16 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 16 years ago to honor this not-so-significant occasion! New Orleans hosted Super Bowl XXXVI on February 3, 2002. The game pitted the NFC Champion St. Louis Rams against the New England Patriots of the American Football Conference. The game was played less than five months after the horrendous terrorist attacks of September 11th. So, there was an air of patriotism on Super Bowl Sunday. Low and behold, a team named the Patriots made it to the Super Bowl and made American football history. St....

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51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXXV

51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXXV

Posted by | Jan 17, 2018 |

The Super Bowl is just 17 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 17 years ago to honor this not-so-significant occasion!  Tampa Bay hosted Super Bowl XXXI on January 28, 2001. The game pitted the NFC champion New York Giants against the Baltimore Ravens of the American Football Conference. Baltimore Ravens 17 Years Ago The Ravens’ franchise came into existence in 1996. In their first ever draft, they had two first round choices. They selected UCLA OT Jonathan Odgen with the fourth pick and Miami linebacker Ray Lewis with the 26th pick. Thus, Baltimore started off with...

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A Look at Belichick’s Patriots in AFC Championship Game Action

A Look at Belichick’s Patriots in AFC Championship Game Action

Posted by | Jan 16, 2018 | ,

Bill Belichick has coached the New England Patriots for eighteen seasons. Incredibly, he will be coaching in his twelfth AFC championship game, including an unprecedented seventh straight. Let’s take a look back at Belichick’s first eleven appearances in the AFC title bout. 2001-02 Patriots 24 Pittsburgh Steelers 17 New England was the prohibitive underdog against Bill Cowher’s Steelers at Pittsburgh. Tom Brady injured his ankle midway through the second quarter so former starter Drew Bledsoe led the Patriots the rest of the way. The Pats notched two touchdowns on special teams and held off Pittsburgh 24-17. This great win...

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51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXXIV

51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXXIV

Posted by | Jan 16, 2018 |

The Super Bowl is just 18 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 18 years ago to honor this not-so-significant occasion! Atlanta hosted Super Bowl XXXIV on January 30, 2000. The game pitted the NFC Champion St. Louis Rams against the Tennessee Titans of the American Football Conference. Rams Revival The Rams came into the 1999 season off nine consecutive losing seasons. And, they certainly were not projected to contend for the Super Bowl in ’99. On the plus side, Head Coach Dick Vermiel had turned programs around before in his coaching career. He revived the UCLA...

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51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXXIII

51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXXIII

Posted by | Jan 15, 2018 |

The Super Bowl is just 19 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 19 years ago to honor this not-so-significant occasion! South Florida hosted Super Bowl XXXIII on January 31, 1999. The game pitted the NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons against the defending World Champion Denver Broncos of the American Football Conference. The Broncos, who had a sorry Super Bowl history in the 80’s, came into the 1998 season footloose and fancy free. They won their Super Bowl; they won the AFC their first Super Bowl in 13 seasons. And, in 1998, they were loaded. Denver Broncos 19...

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51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXXII

51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXXII

Posted by | Jan 14, 2018 |

The Super Bowl is just 20 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 20 years ago to honor this not-so-significant occasion! San Diego hosted Super Bowl XXXII on January 25, 1998. The game pitted the defending World Champion Green Bay Packers against the Denver Broncos of the American Football Conference. Green Bay Packers 20 Years Ago From day one, the Packers were the heavy favorites to repeat. In fact, there was preseason hype that this team could potentially go undefeated. However, they dropped two of their first 5 to temper the buzz somewhat. The Packers were awesome...

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51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXXI

51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXXI

Posted by | Jan 14, 2018 |

The Super Bowl is just 21 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 21 years ago to honor this not-so-significant occasion!  New Orleans hosted Super Bowl XXXI on January 26, 1997. The game pitted the NFC champion Green Bay Packers against the New England Patriots of the American Football Conference. Green Bay Packers 21 Years Ago The Packers would be playing in their first Super Bowl since the Lombardi era. Eve before the season, they were the popular pick to dethrone the Cowboys & 49ers. Brett Favre was the best player in the league in the mid-90’s...

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51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXX

51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXX

Posted by | Jan 14, 2018 |

The Super Bowl is just 22 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 22 years ago to honor this not-that-significant occasion!  Tempe hosted Super Bowl XXX on January 28, 1996. The game pitted the NFC champion Dallas Cowboys against the Pittsburgh Steelers of the American Football Conference. This was the first and only time that franchises met in the Super Bowl on a third occasion. The Steelers won both tussles in the 70’s. This time, they were the decided underdog.  Dallas Cowboys 22 Years Ago Under Coach Barry Switzer, the Cowboys were one of three very strong...

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51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXIX

51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXIX

Posted by | Jan 11, 2018 |

The Super Bowl is just 23 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 23 years ago to honor this not that significant occasion! South Florida hosted Super Bowl XXIX on January 29, 1995. The game pitted the San Francisco 49ers against the San Diego Chargers of the American Football Conference. If ever there was a predictable Super Bowl, this was the one. San Francisco 23 Years Ago The 49ers were undoubtedly the team of the 1980’s. They continued their stellar play into the ’90’s but had yet to win the Super Bowl. In 1990, they were stunned...

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51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXVII

51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXVII

Posted by | Jan 11, 2018 |

The Super Bowl is just 25 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 25 years ago to honor this not so significant occasion! Pasadena’s Rose Bowl hosted Super Bowl XXVII, on January 31, 1993. The game pitted the NFC champion Dallas Cowboys against the two-time defending AFC champion, Buffalo Bills. Dallas Cowboys 25 Years Ago The Cowboys, known as “America’s Team” due to their tremendous popularity in the late ’70’s, had fallen on hard times in the late ’80s. But, Jerry Jones and Jimmy Johnson replaced the venerable Tom Landry regime and heads rolled. The biggest deal...

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51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXVIII

51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXVIII

Posted by | Jan 11, 2018 |

The Super Bowl is just 24 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 24 years ago to honor this not that significant occasion! Atlanta hosted Super Bowl XXVIII on January 30, 1994. The game pitted the defending World Champion Dallas Cowboys against the three-time defending AFC champion Buffalo Bills. It was a Super Bowl rematch that turned out to be a mismatch. Dallas Cowboys 24 Years Ago The Cowboys lost their first two games, including one at home to Buffalo. Emmitt Smith’s hold out demonstrated just how valuable he was to his team. He came back after...

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51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXVI

51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXVI

Posted by | Jan 9, 2018 |

The Super Bowl is just 26 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 26 years ago to honor this not that significant occasion!  Minneapolis hosted Super Bowl XXVI on January 26, 1992. The game pitted the National Football Conference champion Washington Redskins against the defending AFC champs, the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo Bills 26 Years Ago   The ’91 Bills struggled on defense compared to the 1990 team. Bruce Smith missed significant time due to injury. Jeff Wright and Phil Hansen’s injuries left the front end weakened.  They finished with the league’s 27th-ranked unit.  However, their offense was...

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51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXV

51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXV

Posted by | Jan 8, 2018 |

The Super Bowl is just 27 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 27 years ago to honor this not-that-significant occasion!  Tampa Bay hosted Super Bowl XXV on January 27, 1991. The game pitted the NFC champion New York Giants against the Buffalo Bills of the American Football Conference. The United States was at war while this game was being played. President Bush launched an attack on Iraq for invading the small nation of Kuwait. There was an air of patriotism at the stadium for the big game not seen heretofore.  New York Giants 27 Years Ago...

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51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXIV

51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXIV

Posted by | Jan 7, 2018 |

The Super Bowl is just 28 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 28 years ago to honor this not that significant occasion!  Louisiana’s Superdome hosted Super Bowl XXIV on January 28, 1990. The game pitted the NFC champion San Francisco 49ers against the Denver Broncos of the American Football Conference. The 49ers were looking to defend their World Championship and attempting to win their fourth Super Bowl in nine seasons. The Broncos captured their third AFC championship in the last four seasons. However, they were still seeking that elusive first Super Bowl championship. San Francisco 49ers...

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51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXIII

51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXIII

Posted by | Jan 6, 2018 |

The Super Bowl is just 29 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 29 years ago to honor this not that significant occasion!  South Florida hosted Super Bowl XXIII on January 22, 1989. The game pitted the NFC champion San Francisco 49ers against the Cincinnati Bengals of the American Football Conference. This was the third rematch in Super Bowl history. The 49ers won Super Bowl XVI over the Bengals 26-21. San Francisco 49ers 29 Years Ago The 1988 49ers were very ordinary through the first eleven weeks. They tallied a 6-5 record including two awful offensive showings...

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51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXII

51 Super Bowls in 51 Days – Super Bowl XXII

Posted by | Jan 5, 2018 |

The Super Bowl is just 30 days away. Let’s look at the Super Bowl from 30 years ago to honor this not that significant occasion!  San Diego hosted Super Bowl XXII on January 31, 1988. The game pitted the NFC champion Washington Redskins against the Denver Broncos of the American Football Conference. The 1987 season was one of the most bizarre and unpredictable campaigns in NFL history due to the players’ strike. One game was cancelled, and three other games were played by replacements. Washington Redskins 30 Years Ago When the dust cleared, the Redskins had the jumpstart on...

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