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2014-15 NFL season thread
- Thread starter einmusiker
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MacNut
macrumors Core
SactoGuy18
macrumors 603
In the end, I still think what HeadSmart Labs demonstrated is still very plausible. I mean, let's consider the most likely timeline:
1. The Colts gave the referees 12 "seasoned" footballs, and the Patriots gave the referees 12 "seasoned" footballs. Being "seasoned" footballs, they may be more subject to air pressure deflation than a brand new football.
2. The Colts' footballs were inflated to 13.5 PSI or 93 kPa (the preference for Colts QB Andrew Luck) and the Patriots' footballs were inflated to 12.5 PSI or 86.1 kPa (the preference for Patriots QB Tom Brady). They were inflated and certified by testing gauges in a heated locker room (heated to around 72° F. or 20° C.) circa 2 hours 15 minutes before the "normal" kickoff time for the AFC Championship Game, which was just after 6:00 pm.
3. The footballs were brought out to the field at around 6:00 pm. Outside air temperature is around 50° F. or 10° C. and raining outside.
4. Due to the NFC Championship Game going into overtime, the footballs may have sat out in the colder temperatures and rain for around 30-35 minutes.
5. The footballs were used until the end of the first half, about 90 minutes in real time as the temperature dropped into the 40's (around 7-8° C.) and the rain continued.
6. At the end of the first half, the Colts' footballs--because of the higher initial pressure reading and the way it was "seasoned" to Luck's preference--probably dropped in PSI pressure to around 12 to 12.5 PSI or 82.7 to 86.1 kPa, which is just within the legal limit. The Patriots footballs--because of the lower initial pressure reading and the way it was "seasoned" to Brady's preference--dropped to around 11.5 PSI or 79.3 kPa, with one ball dropping under under 11.0 PSI or 75.8 kPa, both under the legal limit.
7. As such, the Patriots were playing with another set of 12 footballs pressurized to 12.5 PSI or 86.1 kPa, likely pumped up outdoors. It was during the second half with supposedly "legal" footballs that the Patriots literally blew the doors off the Colts.
In the end, this entire debacle points out the need for NFL officials at the game to constantly control the location of the football, just like they do with the K balls used to kick field goals, punts and kickoffs. It may also mean no more "seasoning" of footballs by individual teams, but to a uniform standard done by NFL officials themselves.
1. The Colts gave the referees 12 "seasoned" footballs, and the Patriots gave the referees 12 "seasoned" footballs. Being "seasoned" footballs, they may be more subject to air pressure deflation than a brand new football.
2. The Colts' footballs were inflated to 13.5 PSI or 93 kPa (the preference for Colts QB Andrew Luck) and the Patriots' footballs were inflated to 12.5 PSI or 86.1 kPa (the preference for Patriots QB Tom Brady). They were inflated and certified by testing gauges in a heated locker room (heated to around 72° F. or 20° C.) circa 2 hours 15 minutes before the "normal" kickoff time for the AFC Championship Game, which was just after 6:00 pm.
3. The footballs were brought out to the field at around 6:00 pm. Outside air temperature is around 50° F. or 10° C. and raining outside.
4. Due to the NFC Championship Game going into overtime, the footballs may have sat out in the colder temperatures and rain for around 30-35 minutes.
5. The footballs were used until the end of the first half, about 90 minutes in real time as the temperature dropped into the 40's (around 7-8° C.) and the rain continued.
6. At the end of the first half, the Colts' footballs--because of the higher initial pressure reading and the way it was "seasoned" to Luck's preference--probably dropped in PSI pressure to around 12 to 12.5 PSI or 82.7 to 86.1 kPa, which is just within the legal limit. The Patriots footballs--because of the lower initial pressure reading and the way it was "seasoned" to Brady's preference--dropped to around 11.5 PSI or 79.3 kPa, with one ball dropping under under 11.0 PSI or 75.8 kPa, both under the legal limit.
7. As such, the Patriots were playing with another set of 12 footballs pressurized to 12.5 PSI or 86.1 kPa, likely pumped up outdoors. It was during the second half with supposedly "legal" footballs that the Patriots literally blew the doors off the Colts.
In the end, this entire debacle points out the need for NFL officials at the game to constantly control the location of the football, just like they do with the K balls used to kick field goals, punts and kickoffs. It may also mean no more "seasoning" of footballs by individual teams, but to a uniform standard done by NFL officials themselves.
impulse462
macrumors 68020
Lol yes I'm being immature about this. But I do find it too convenient that the patriots keep coming up on cheating charges
MacNut
macrumors Core
And Seattle beat the Packers. The Ravens and Packers should have won but they didn't so they are not playing anymore.
impulse462
macrumors 68020
what are you even talking about? ravens didn't have a melt down. pats intercepted flaccos poorly thrown ball to end the game. jesus christ your bias is so insufferable.
MacNut
macrumors Core
Did you even read what is in the thread? I was responding to what you see on top there.
impulse462
macrumors 68020
You said it should be a packers/ravens superbowl. You're implying that the packers meltdown is the main reason seattle won. You're also implying that the pats didn't win that game against the ravens, but that the ravens lost it.
While your statements about the packers (up 19-7 with 5 mins to go) might have some merit, there is no merit of this idea to the Patriots/Ravens game because the patriots actually won that game. Your implication that "the ravens should have won" is quizzical to me. That's what I was referring to.
MacNut
macrumors Core
The Ravens gave the game to the Patriots just as the Packers gave the game to the Seahawks. You could argue that they earned it but I think Green Bay and Baltimore lost it.
Queen of Spades
macrumors 68030
He's a bit biased and he's trying to bait me/Patriots fans. 😛
Anyone who argues that coming back from TWO 14-point deficits and then holding the opponent to a field goal when it mattered is nuts, biased, or doesn't watch football. MacNut, take your pick.
MacNut
macrumors Core
The Patriots won, I do think the Ravens had their chances and really could have won that game. The Colts on the other hand had no business even being there. The Packers for the most part choked at the end against the Seahawks.
Now the Seahawks and Patriots were the favorites going in, and it's all about how the ball bounces, (or doesn't when there is no air in it) 😛 Had the Ravens beat the Patriots I don't think New England fans would be as pissed off as Packers fans seem to be.
MacNut
macrumors Core
Thomas Veil
macrumors 68030
I don't think you get the reason for Nye debating creationists, but that's another topic for another part of the forum.
So I see that some scientists are claiming Belicheck's explanation is possible. Others refute that. Wilson, the company that makes the game balls, also says it's bunk.
Then there's this, which suggests that the Patriots may have been doing this since 2007.
pivo6
Suspended
As a reminder for everyone here, all reports critical of the New England Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick are:
- Born out of envy and jealousy. YOU wish your team was as successful
- Biased. The team is under a constant witch hunt from the league
Enjoy the rest of your day.
bigjnyc
Suspended
Oh Please Patriots fans need to really get over themselves with this BS... nobody is jealous or envious of their team, people just genuinely dislike them, mainly the coach because of his pompous arrogant attitude..... and there is no witch hunt they just happen to be repeat offenders and are treated as such... Once you develop a reputation for doing something you lose the benefit of the doubt... So get over this everybody is jealous of us and out to get us nonsense.
aaronvan
Suspended
impulse462
macrumors 68020
What is the reason for the constant debates then? When it just gets nowhere. I'm genuinely curious. He's left his post of doing actual scientific research (publishing papers).
As for your link, it might SEEM that way, but Brady and Manning pushed for all teams to have the ability to modify their footballs the way each QB sees fit as long as it's in the rules. So...every team can change the balls the way they see fit. Pats changed them to the way Brady likes them. Still don't see a link between that and deflated balls.
63dot
macrumors 603
This is ridiculous. It was a very hard fought game that was tied in the 4th quarter. Nobody dominated on this one.
Both teams played very hard and very well and if you remember this was no game where the winner or loser only had 14 points or less. It came down to the Patriots D who rushed, should I say pounded Joe Flacco, probably causing him to make a bad long pass. It went into the hands of the Pat's defender and this was the only time where the fate of the game was known.
Both QBs passed a lot but the key in the game was the interception late in the game. It's this clutch defensive performance that will make a difference in the Super Bowl.
The Seahawks Russell Wilson may have had two years where he got his way when passing, and avoiding interceptions, but this is his first year under 100 and the Patriots have to expose that. Some of Wilson's weaknesses on the pass was shown in the Green Bay game. Had it been in the two years previous, Wilson would have racked up the yards as was the case with those years of a 100 rating or better.
I think while Russell Wilson is a great quarterback, he's not on the same trajectory of big points as he was this time last year when he broke out and showed the world he was an elite quarterback and not just somebody who had a freakishly good first year.
----------
This is not disputable. These are not only the two best teams right now, but have dominated at least the entire second half of the season. Yes, Brady wasn't at his usual high QB rating right off the bat and Seattle's great players looked early to be sitting on their laurels, but past week 8 these two were on top or nearly there.
What we have right now is different from a one dimensional Broncos and a full on Seahawks. This time we have two deep, equally matched teams where it will be close.
The best QB is Brady, but the best running back is beast mode, the best TE is the gronk, and the best CB is Sherman. But overall both teams are pretty much equal. There is no way Seattle is going to totally exploit a weak defense as was the Broncos, because the Pats will be ready for Wilson and beast mode. But Brady won't face a clueless defense because Seattle will have thought of everything Belichick will throw at them. When two teams have the smarts, the coordination, and the hard won conference titles, then it comes down to old school, physical football. The factor may come down to who is stronger and who has more stamina. Don't expect successful trick plays or outrageous interceptions run back for touchdowns.
But expect ball control and even players getting carried out with injuries. This won't be any touch football, powder puff game.
Moyank24
macrumors 601
Am I the only one who thinks Marshawn Lynch is an ass? He's an amazing football player, but still, an ass.
There are a lot of ridiculous rules in the NFL, but if you can't answer normal questions that everyone else in the NFL can answer, you're an ass.
I'm no fan of the Pats, but if Tom Brady pulled that crap, he'd be getting killed from coast to coast.
There are a lot of ridiculous rules in the NFL, but if you can't answer normal questions that everyone else in the NFL can answer, you're an ass.
I'm no fan of the Pats, but if Tom Brady pulled that crap, he'd be getting killed from coast to coast.
Peace
Cancelled
No you're not the only one.
Every fan of the teams Seattle beat think he's an ass also.
But all the non-words Marshawn speaks are better than the cardboard cutout of Brady.
😉
Moyank24
macrumors 601
I'm a Jets fan, so that would mean I think everyone who ever played in the NFL is an ass....
That being said, if that guy was on my team, I'd say the same thing. Dude is an ass. Doesn't mean he isn't a lovable, cuddly, teddy bear, but he's acting like an idiot.
