A Tough Act To Follow

A day later and Super Bowl 51 seems even more unbelievable that it seemed in real time. The numbers simply don't correlate with the emotional context. The Falcons only rushed for 104 yards? Really? It seemed like 250. I'm sure Atlanta fans wish it had been 250. Or even 125 for that matter. I heard today that Brady passed for 246 yards in the 4th quarter alone. As ridiculous as his record-setting Super Bowl line of 43/62/466 was, that 4th quarter projects to a full game of 984 yards!

Wait - What?

That can't be right.

So yeah, I Googled it. 21 or 27 for 246.

Just imagine if he hadn't gotten off to a slow start.

The Greatest of All Time

It can't get any better than this, can it?

That's what I thought after Super Bowl 49.

Then Super Bowl 51 happened. The biggest comeback in Super Bowl history. The first overtime game in Super Bowl history. Tom Brady sets records for attempts, completions and yards, winning his 5th Lombardi Trophy and his 4th MVP. Julian Edelman made The Catch. James White set a record for receptions and scored 3 touchdowns including the game winner. Trey Flowers and Dont'a Hightower making plays. A defense that was gashed by the Falcons for forty minutes got back up on their feet and stoned Atlanta's league leading offense while Brady led the Patriots to 31 unanswered points that included two 2-point conversions.

I guess I was wrong. Sometimes life is like a movie.

Super Bowl 51 Drinking Games - Patriots Edition

We're down to hours. The big game is almost upon us. Guacamole will be dipped. Lucky chili will be eaten. Drinks will be drunk.

And if you need any encouragement, I can offer the following…

Julian Edelman's Beard

I'll admit, I don't really like to know the intimate details of celebrities' lives. Especially the ones I like. Okay, just the ones I like. My heroes, if you will. The rest I'm more than willing to listen if you have something quirky or salacious or just plain creepy. (Unless it's about Mariah Carey. Too creepy. Clear your browser history creepy.) I like Julian Edelman because he plays for the Patriots but I'm not all that interested in his obsession with hamburgers or his Swedish baby mama.

Okay, yes I am.

And yes, his beard is impressive, though I'd say Rob Ninkovich's is better. I don't really care to know the details of beard grooming but I guess we're down to that, aren't we?

And still five days to go…

Let's do this. Let's take the road more traveled…

It's The Same Old Song

I guess there's no other way to put it. I've just been blackout drunk on the Patriots win in the AFC Championship Game. I finally woke up today and after a quick look around, all I could think was...

I really could use a drink.

I guess Willie Shakesberg was right; there really isn't anything new under the sun. Everyone west of the Connecticut River hates the Patriots. The Patriots are cheaters. (These two narratives may be related.) Bill Belichick is a genius albeit of the evil variety. (This may also be related to the "everyone hates the Patriots" narrative.) Everyone west of the Connecticut River hates Tom Brady. (Sensing a pattern now.) Tom Brady is the GOAT. Or not. Either way he's smug, condescending and arrogant. Blah, blah, blah.

What Was Your Question?

Well, I guess the Patriots defense finally played somebody.