Proving the Case: Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth hate Tom Brady
Observations from a fan.
"Be great."
"Work harder than everyone else."
"Achieve."
"Compete."
Words to inspire and motivate the modern athlete. But folded into these simple and innocent statements is an unspoken caveat...don't dare to be too great. Because if you do, we will tear you down. If you happen to cross the ambiguous threshold of being too great, for too long, and we tire of your greatness... we will let you know about it. And we may even conspire to minimize your greatness to whatever degree we can.
Are you tired of the Patriots hate and bias? I am. Don't get me wrong, gamesmanship, competition and rivalry are the hallmarks of the game of football and the passion exhibited by the nation's fan-bases is a staple of American culture. However, I believe the Patriot bias and hate on display with the national media is both unfortunate and distasteful.
Agenda driven media outlets are pervasive throughout news and political realms and it's a shame that this sort of slanted perspective-shaping reporting has spilled over into the sports world.
There has been a negative Patriots bias in the media the past few years and while I don't necessarily care what most wannabe hacks or local beat guys think of the team, it does interfere with my enjoyment of watching the game when the announcers begin to show the colors of this bias and envy.
I've noticed this pattern for years, but it really started to bother me during 2013's AFC championship game. Unfortunately, I have not broken that game down yet, so I only offer my opinion that Jim Nanc and Phil Simms were biased - and not cold hard facts.
Of course there is always the age old sentiment that, “Every fan thinks the media is biased against a particular team”. I say ‘Bullshit’ and offer into evidence my argument below.
To prove out my point I watched Superbowl XLIX 12 times and documented every color comment made about the Quarterbacks in the game. I can tell you, in general, the announcers were much more effusive about Seahawks players than Patriot players. I also think that the general, underlying disdain for Tom Brady was on full display.
Further, a really interesting observation was that the Seahawks had live shots from their sideline during the game coverage and the Patriots did not. (Remember the '24' closeup of Richard Sherman taunting Revis)...hmmm
Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth (and probably the network) hate Tom Brady and the Patriots.
Here we go.
Obviously, any broadcast entity has pre-production meetings and strategizes a ‘gameplan’ on how they will present a program. They work diligently to define all of the major plot lines and prepare the event for mass consumption.
Bear in mind that, in the case of the NFL, the networks are also in a "star-building partnership" which is partly a revenue catalyst designed to serve both parties. This is an important point to consider given the negative Brady slant that polluted the Superbowl broadcast. On some level you really have to wonder what the motives are.
After watching the game 12 times and quantifying the data, it seems obvious to me that the general game plan from the network was as follows:
- Stay neutral to negative on Brady, if you have to say something positive, counter it with a negative
- Build Russell Wilson as a Star
- Build the Seahawks defense as a Star
- Be sure to keep deflategate on the public’s mind
Brady vs. Wilson
Game Stats
Brady: 37-50 328 Yds 4 TDs 2 Ints
New Superbowl Records: Career: Completions, Attempts, Passing Yds, TouchDowns, Superbowl Starts Single Game: Completions, Completions in a half, Biggest comeback in Superbowl History Tied Superbowl Records: Superbowl Wins (Montana/Bradshaw), Superbowl MVPs (Montana)
Wilson: 12/21 247 Yds 2 TDs 1 Ints
SuperBowl Records: Second longest streak without a completion to start a game in Superbowl history.
If you were to look at the commentary alone (full game commentary below) and not the game stats, one may surmise that Brady and the Patriots actually lost this game.
All of the color commentary from the game, specifically related to the Quarterbacks that was documented was categorized as Positive, Negative or Neutral, Here are the findings:
Brady: Commentary/Remarks on Player/Play: 5 Positive, 28 Neutral, 3 Negative
Wilson: Commentary/Remarks on Player/Play: 12 Positive, 7 Neutral, 1 Negative
Only 14% of the comments made about Brady were positive compared to 60% of the comments made about Wilson. What is striking about these statistics is that they run contrary to what we actually saw on the field that night. Russell WIlson did not complete a pass for the first 20 minutes of the game. Further, when the Patriots were on offense, there were entire drives and large parts of the game where Brady was not mentioned at all.
Here are some of the superlatives used to describe the players during color commentary:
Brady: “razor-sharp”
Wilson: “something special”, “great” (3 times)
Here are some of the comments after specific plays:
Brady ties Joe Montana for the most touchdown in SuperBowl history.
Al Michaels: “Well that would figure…”
Full comment: “Well that would figure... most career td passes in a Superbowl... Joe Montana and Tom Brady... each with 11 - 2 tonight for Tom.” (No Comment from CC)
(His tone was literally that of someone who just had their cornflakes pissed in)
Russell Wilson completes his first pass with 5 minutes left in the first half.
Chris Collinsworth: “I love watching Russell Wilson…”
Full comment: AM: “Wilson, who's got a great arm throws downfield.”
(Continues) CC: remember watching him practice the other day how great Russell Wilson was at throwing the deep ball. The one thing I love watching Russell Wilson... not only does he throw the deep ball well, but he throws them high... he has enough strength in his arm to get it up high so a big tall receiver like Matthews can go up and get it.”
(Continues) CC: remember watching him practice the other day how great Russell Wilson was at throwing the deep ball. The one thing I love watching Russell Wilson... not only does he throw the deep ball well, but he throws them high... he has enough strength in his arm to get it up high so a big tall receiver like Matthews can go up and get it.”
Russell Wilson Scrambles
Cris Collinsworth: “This guy is something special.”
Full Comment: AM: “Wilson ...with time....look how elusive he is…”
CC: “...you cannot get a hand on Russell Wilson. This is hilarious, Chandler Jones ...dead to rites.. right? Can’t even get a finger on Russell Wilson. Wilson saw it coming the whole time, he just very casually looked like he was looking downfield and saw him out of the corner of his eye and took off. This guy is something special.”
CC: “...you cannot get a hand on Russell Wilson. This is hilarious, Chandler Jones ...dead to rites.. right? Can’t even get a finger on Russell Wilson. Wilson saw it coming the whole time, he just very casually looked like he was looking downfield and saw him out of the corner of his eye and took off. This guy is something special.”
Brady Sets Record for Most Career Superbowl Touchdown passes
No mention of it during the play, but later an infographic showing Brady passing Montana is displayed.
Full Comment: AM: “Tom with his 3 touchdowns tonite has now passed Montana... all alone as the guys throwing the most in the history of this game, a dozen.” (No comment from CC)
Full Comment: AM: “Tom with his 3 touchdowns tonite has now passed Montana... all alone as the guys throwing the most in the history of this game, a dozen.” (No comment from CC)
Russell Wilson Game Clips
Cris Collinsworth: “...what makes Russell Wilson great?”
Cris Collinsworth: “...what makes Russell Wilson great?”
Full Comment: CC “...what makes Russell Wilson great? His escapability- even when you think you have him completely under control you don't have him under control...you have him dead in your sights, you can't get a hand on him and then the deep ball... high arcing throws giving his receivers a chance. Those two component have been the difference here for the Seattle Seahawks so far. And as you get to this point in the game Russell Wilson running the ball becomes a big threat.”
Finally, I will offer up that Brady’s first half interception was mentioned as a negative 8 times. The announcers never mentioned Russell Wilson or his culpability on his goal line interception at the end of the game. That entire conversation revolved around a ‘bad play call’. Admittedly, this is probably a fair statement, but what is interesting is Cris Collinsworth specifically mentions that the Seahawks “should run a quick slant” when they were on the goal line with six seconds left in the first half.
The Seahawks Defense
The Seahawks defense was called legendary and historic by the announcing team. But, Cris and Al also seemed very concerned about continually illustrating the injury problems with the unit. They continually harped on the fact that they were undermanned whenever there was a positive Patriots play. I watched the game 12 times, watch it again and judge for yourself.
In general the Seahawks were given more player highlights as positive exposés than the Patriots as follows:
Patriots: Exposés/Animated Gameplay/Highlights: 5 Positive, 0 Neutral, 1 Negative
Seahawks: Commentary/Remarks on Player/Play: 8 Positive, 0 Neutral, 0 Negative
Deflategate and Spygate
Deflategate and Spygate were mentioned liberally throughout the game. It was mentioned in the beginning of the game. It was talked about before the half - preempting the play by play of the Patriots pre-half 2 minute drive. It was mentioned during crunch time in the 4th Quarter and finally it was also mentioned at the end of the game.
I have no problem with the announcers talking about either of these issues. They are newsworthy and on people’s minds, but it seemed that were intentionally mentioned during these high profile portions of the game.
It is also noteworthy to point out that there were probably half a dozen times where the announcers said something positive about Tom Brady and then immediately followed it up with the negative of these other issues.
Full Game log of all Comments
The following is a breakdown of all of the remarks offered by Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth during Superbowl XLIX related to the two quarterbacks as well as the game graphics and stats as they pertain to each team.
Opening remarks
Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth in the booth.
Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth in the booth.
Patriots
General comments about deflate-gate and spygate and about how, when surrounded with controversy, they come up big. No mention of specific players.
Seahawks
Seahawks
CC: "...lets talk about Russell Wilson, I think he is one of the most charismatic young leaders to come into the NFL in a long long time. And today he has a chance to beat Tom Brady and Peyton Manning in back to back Superbowls... how strong is that?
AM: The two players that will be most impactful?
CC: Tom Brady and March lynch
AM: The two players that will be most impactful?
CC: Tom Brady and March lynch
Start of Game
14:58 Stats (NE)(neutral) - Brady SuperBowl win/loss record - neutral to generally complimentary commentary
12:29 Stats (SEA)(positive) - Seattle’s defensive stats AM uses term 'legendary' - “...they are becoming legendary right now.”
11:44 Incomplete on 3rd down - (NE)(neutral) CC: (on Tom Brady) “...that time a little antsy in the pocket, got rid of it quickly and missed the throw.”
11:30 Stats (SEA)(positive)- starts against Superbowl winning quarterbacks - generally complimentary
9:08 Exposé (SEA)(positive) - Kam Chancellor
8:35 Short completion to Edelman - (NE)(neutral) CC: “This is exactly the type of game Tom Brady and the New England Patriots want 2 play here, you have to get the ball out of your hands quickly whenever you play Seattle…”
6:22 Completion to Gronkowski - (NE)(neutral) CC: “Tom Brady never even got a chance to find the laces on that one, he didn’t care, he found the big guy... number 87”
4:02 Stats (SEA)(positive)- Graphics, Seattle’s Defense/Stats - AM uses term “spectacular”
3:16 Stats (NE)(positive)- Brady’s opening passing stats AM: “...so far Brady has missed only one pass 8 of his first 9.”
3:16 Stats (NE)(positive)- Brady’s opening passing stats AM: “...so far Brady has missed only one pass 8 of his first 9.”
Stats (NE)(neutral)- On screen graphic showing Patriots red zone production in the post season - basic commentary
2:41 (NE)(negative) AM: “Most Quarterbacks, obviously, would be better in a clean pocket, but with Tom the difference with him between a clean pocket and getting contacted is enormous.
(NE)(neutral) CC: “It’s easy to have a clean pocket when you’re getting rid of it in a second and a half.”
(NE)(neutral) CC: “It’s easy to have a clean pocket when you’re getting rid of it in a second and a half.”
2:15 Exposé (SEA)(positive) - Michael Bennet
1:46 - Jeremy Lane INT of Brady in end zone
1:39 (NE)(neutral) CC: “Hard to believe that Tom Brady just made that mistake, under pressure, yes, but really just threw that one up.”
1:24 Wilson scramble for 9 yds - (SEA)(positive) AM: “That's where Russell Wilson can really kill you...not only with his arms, but his legs.”
End of 1st Quarter: Discussion about the long drive with an interception - Seattle has 19 yds
1:39 (NE)(neutral) CC: “Hard to believe that Tom Brady just made that mistake, under pressure, yes, but really just threw that one up.”
1:24 Wilson scramble for 9 yds - (SEA)(positive) AM: “That's where Russell Wilson can really kill you...not only with his arms, but his legs.”
End of 1st Quarter: Discussion about the long drive with an interception - Seattle has 19 yds
15:00 Mention of the Brady interception again
14:20 Mention of the Brady interception again
14:08 Wilson incompletion - (SEA)(neutral) CC: “...for Russell Wilson he really needs to find a little rhythm throwing the ball, but so far this coverage is too much.”
AM: “0-1 is Wilson, the other play was a sack. Revis got credit for a sack on a play that ended the 1st quarter.”
13:30 Animated Game Play (SEA)(positive)- Graphics, Michael Bennet animated game play
11:58 Incompletion to Gronkowski (NE)(neutral) AM: “In all of Brady's Superbowls - 3 wins 2 losses...on passes that he has thrown more than 20 yards from the line of scrimmage he’s 1 for 22...but he’s great on the short stuff.”
11:58 Incompletion to Gronkowski (NE)(neutral) AM: “In all of Brady's Superbowls - 3 wins 2 losses...on passes that he has thrown more than 20 yards from the line of scrimmage he’s 1 for 22...but he’s great on the short stuff.”
TD NE - 7-0 - Brady to Lafell, No commentary -discussion was around a Seattle injury that may have happened on the play.
9:40 Russell Wilson Superstar (SEA)(positive) - Russell Wilson Exposé
9:14 Wilson short scramble (SEA)(neutral) CC: “So far here Russell Wilson has got nothing going at all, sort of like the beginning of the championship game against Green Bay. 0-4 in that one, 4 interceptions until 4 mins to go in the game and a Quarterback rating of 7.”
(Continues) (NE)(positive) AM: “Wilson hasn’t comp a pass, Brady has completed 14.”
8:46 Exposé (NE)(positive) -Jamie Collins Exposé
8:12 After Russell Wilson Incompletion (SEA)(neutral) CC:”The storyline of this game has been so far, I will tell you, the utter domination in man coverage of the Patriots coverage people, all over the place...There's been nowhere to throw this football, Ive been watching it on almost every play... there just is nothing there.”
(Continues) (SEA)(negative) AM: “The game is almost 22 minutes old and Wilson has not completed a pass.”
5:55 Exposé (NE)(positive) - Dont'a Hightower Exposé
4:57 Russell Wilson’s first completion (SEA)(neutral) CC: “Finally Russell Wilson steps up and makes a play…”
AM: “Wilson’s first completion.”
4:13 Pass downfield to Matthews (SEA)(positive) AM: “Wilson, who's got a great arm throws downfield.”
(Continues) (SEA)(positive) CC: remember watching him practice the other day how great Russell Wilson was at throwing the deep ball. The one thing I love watching with Russell Wilson... not only does he throw the deep ball well, but he throws them high... he has enough strength in his arm to get it up high so a big tall receiver like Matthews can go up and get it.”
9:40 Russell Wilson Superstar (SEA)(positive) - Russell Wilson Exposé
9:14 Wilson short scramble (SEA)(neutral) CC: “So far here Russell Wilson has got nothing going at all, sort of like the beginning of the championship game against Green Bay. 0-4 in that one, 4 interceptions until 4 mins to go in the game and a Quarterback rating of 7.”
(Continues) (NE)(positive) AM: “Wilson hasn’t comp a pass, Brady has completed 14.”
8:46 Exposé (NE)(positive) -Jamie Collins Exposé
8:12 After Russell Wilson Incompletion (SEA)(neutral) CC:”The storyline of this game has been so far, I will tell you, the utter domination in man coverage of the Patriots coverage people, all over the place...There's been nowhere to throw this football, Ive been watching it on almost every play... there just is nothing there.”
(Continues) (SEA)(negative) AM: “The game is almost 22 minutes old and Wilson has not completed a pass.”
5:55 Exposé (NE)(positive) - Dont'a Hightower Exposé
4:57 Russell Wilson’s first completion (SEA)(neutral) CC: “Finally Russell Wilson steps up and makes a play…”
AM: “Wilson’s first completion.”
4:13 Pass downfield to Matthews (SEA)(positive) AM: “Wilson, who's got a great arm throws downfield.”
(Continues) (SEA)(positive) CC: remember watching him practice the other day how great Russell Wilson was at throwing the deep ball. The one thing I love watching with Russell Wilson... not only does he throw the deep ball well, but he throws them high... he has enough strength in his arm to get it up high so a big tall receiver like Matthews can go up and get it.”
TD SEA - 7-7 - Lynch TD run.
2:16 Mention of the Brady interception again
(Deflategate talk during most of the beginning of the Patriots 2 minute drive)
2:00 Stats- Quarterback Comparison
Tom Brady: 16/22 129yds 1/1
Russell Wilson: 2/4 50yds
2:00 Stats- Quarterback Comparison
Tom Brady: 16/22 129yds 1/1
Russell Wilson: 2/4 50yds
Stats- Quarterback Comparison (NE)(neutral) (SEA)(neutral) AM: “Quarterback comparison, some weird numbers. Brady with alot of short stuff and the one pass to Lafell that got them in to the end zone....Wilson did not complete a pass until that last drive.
TD NE - 14-7 - Brady to Gronkowski.
:31 (NE)(neutral) cc td -... there was no doubt at the the snap of the ball where that one was going...
(Note that later the key play on the drive was outlined as being the 3rd down the Seahawks jumped offside on)
Exposé (NE)(positive) - Rob Gronkowski Exposé
Exposé (NE)(positive) - Rob Gronkowski Exposé
:31 Stats- Brady ties Montana for most career SuperBowl Touchdown passes (NE)(neutral) AM:
“Well that would figure... most career td passes in a Superbowl Joe Montana and Tom Brady... each with 11 - 2 tonite for Tom.”
Continues (NE)(positive) CC: “Had the one mistake early but has been razor sharp since.”
Continues (NE)(neutral) AM: “uh huh (recites Brady’s stats) ...alot of short stuff, but twice he has gone long and it has paid off for him.”
Continues (NE)(neutral) AM: “uh huh (recites Brady’s stats) ...alot of short stuff, but twice he has gone long and it has paid off for him.”
After the kickoff - More breakdown of Touchdown
Continues (NE)(neutral) CC: “The ball is out of there so quickly he knew it presnap - all he was going to do was look-off the safety. It was so easy to read the coverage and the one thing about the Seahawks...they don't change.”
Stats (NE)(neutral)- Brady stats - most completions in a Superbowl half - AM: “So, Tom Brady 20 of 27 - after the wackiest 2 weeks of his career…”
:28 Exposé (NE)(neutral) Brady Exposé -AM: “37... we all know the story- drafted in the 6th round. He was the 199th pick, got a chance to start in 2001 when Drew Bledsoe got hurt and the rest is history...he's written most of it.”
:06 INTERESTING: Seattle in the re zone with time running out and CC mentions the Seahawks have to throw something quick “like a slant”.
:06 Mention of the Brady interception again (as highlight of first half replacing the Patriots first scoring drive.)
:06 Mention of the Brady interception again (as highlight of first half replacing the Patriots first scoring drive.)
:02 TD SEA - 14-14 - Wilson to Matthews
HALFTIME
Stats (NE)(neutral) (SEA)(neutral)- Beginning of second half qb comp
AM: “Brady… his numbers... 11 career sb td passes… 2 in the 1st half” - “Russell wilson took him a long time to get started didn’t have a completion until there were about 5 and 1/2 mins left in the first half. Threw that td pass at the end.”
13:43 Pass downfield to Matthews (SEA)(positive) CC: “Look at the height that Russell Wilsson puts on that ball ...perfect. We saw him make so many throws like that in practice.”
11:09 FG SEA - 17-14
11:09 Exposé (NE)(positive) - Coach/Quarterback duo Exposé - showing Brady/Belichick v. All time greats. AM: “...doesn’t get much better...Brady and Bill Belichick playing in their 6th superbowl.”
10:09 Short run Blount sets up 3rd down pass rush comment (NE)(neutral) CC: “It’s been Tom Brady's ability to get rid of the football before that pass rush can get there that has allowed them to move the football up and down the field.”
8:29 Mention of the Brady interception again
8:10 Brady intercepted by wagner
8:07 Talking about the interception (NE)(neutral) CC: “..sometimes ...even though you don’t get the sacks, if you get the hits... it accelerates the process in the Quarterback's mind and I think they hurried the clock in Tom Bradys mind on that throw.
6:37 Wilson scramble (SEA)(positive) AM: “Wilson ...with time....look how elusive he is…”
(SEA)(positive) CC: “...you cannot get a hand on Russell Wilson. This is hilarious, Chandler Jones ...dead to rites.. right? Can’t even get a finger on Russell Wilson. Wilson saw it coming the whole time, he just very casually looked like he was looking downfield and saw him out of the corner of his eye and took off. This guy is something special.”
5:03 Sideline shot (NE)(negative) CC: “Here's where you really... if you’re Tom Brady, you just keep it together right? OK you made a big mistake to start the first half, you make a big mistake here in the second half...but these two teams have played from behind in the entirety of these playoffs... no big deal.”
6:37 Wilson scramble (SEA)(positive) AM: “Wilson ...with time....look how elusive he is…”
(SEA)(positive) CC: “...you cannot get a hand on Russell Wilson. This is hilarious, Chandler Jones ...dead to rites.. right? Can’t even get a finger on Russell Wilson. Wilson saw it coming the whole time, he just very casually looked like he was looking downfield and saw him out of the corner of his eye and took off. This guy is something special.”
5:03 Sideline shot (NE)(negative) CC: “Here's where you really... if you’re Tom Brady, you just keep it together right? OK you made a big mistake to start the first half, you make a big mistake here in the second half...but these two teams have played from behind in the entirety of these playoffs... no big deal.”
Mention of the Brady interception again
4:54 TD SEA - 24-14 - Wilson to Baldwin (Baldwin celebration penalty)
4:48 Back after break after Touchdown (NE)(neutral) AM: “This is the biggest deficit brady has faced in any of his 6 superbowls ...10 points.”
4:48 Back after break after Touchdown (NE)(neutral) AM: “This is the biggest deficit brady has faced in any of his 6 superbowls ...10 points.”
3:15 Exposé (NE)(negative) - Jamie collins Exposé with game graphics - ended the segment calling out his mistake in not containing Russell Wilson.
2:59 Wilson completion (SEA)(positive) CC: “They go to the bootleg play out of here and watch Russell Wilson, they say he doesn’t read defenses? My foot. He must of looked at 4 different receivers on that play until he finally comes all the way across back to the backside. Russell Wilson is getting very comfortable....3 tds and a fg in the last 4 drives.”
(SEA)(neutral) AM: “After no yards or completions in the first quarter and most of the second quarter.”
:55 From the booth (SEA)(positive) CC: “....marshawn lynch and russell wilson putting on a show as well.”
End of 3rd
14:50 Stats (SEA)(positive) Chris Matthews game clips - Chris Matthews infographic 109yds
12:10 Stats -game break (NE)(negative) - Shows Brady's stats - Highlights interceptions - AM: “...Brady's numbers right there. The 2 tds tying him Montana all time with 11 and we’re getting a little closer to serious crunch time.” Cc: No doubt about it and for Tom Brady it has been a week of distractions, he's had some good moments in this game... he's made some big mistakes - I'm sure it's been tough to focus this week.” AM:”... two full weeks.”
11:24 Break down of deflategate - (NE)(neutral) - CC: “...I said tom look me and the eye and tell me you couldn't have possibly said anything to a ballboy an assistant coach somebody in their organ that led them to believe that you wanted air let out of that football and he said absolutely not he could not have been more emphatic.”
14:50 Stats (SEA)(positive) Chris Matthews game clips - Chris Matthews infographic 109yds
12:10 Stats -game break (NE)(negative) - Shows Brady's stats - Highlights interceptions - AM: “...Brady's numbers right there. The 2 tds tying him Montana all time with 11 and we’re getting a little closer to serious crunch time.” Cc: No doubt about it and for Tom Brady it has been a week of distractions, he's had some good moments in this game... he's made some big mistakes - I'm sure it's been tough to focus this week.” AM:”... two full weeks.”
11:24 Break down of deflategate - (NE)(neutral) - CC: “...I said tom look me and the eye and tell me you couldn't have possibly said anything to a ballboy an assistant coach somebody in their organ that led them to believe that you wanted air let out of that football and he said absolutely not he could not have been more emphatic.”
8:41 Completion to edelman (NE)(positive) - CC: “...and brady brilliantly just waits for him to get on the other side of the d lineman..”.
8:00 Mises edelman open on goal line - (NE)(neutral) - CC: “..and brady missed the throw....no reason hurry that one, that was game set and match.”
7:55 TD NE - 24-17 - Brady to Amendola
(NE)(neutral) - CC: “As poor as the last throw was from brady this one is that good.”
infographic showing Brady passing montana
7:55 Stats (NE)(neutral) - Infographic showing Brady passing Montana - AM: “Tom with his 3 touchdowns tonite has now passed Montana all alone as the guys throwing the most in the history of this game, a dozen.”
7:40 Game Clips (SEA)(positive) - Russell Wilson game clips. CC: “...what makes Russell Wilson great? His escapability- even when you think you have him completely under control you don't have him under control. You have him dead in your sights... you can't get a hand on him and then the deep ball high arcing throws giving his receivers a chance; those two component have been the difference here for the Seattle Seahawks so far. And as you get to this point in the game Russell Wilson running the ball becomes a big threat.”
6:20 Stats (NE)(neutral) - Brady stat - 8 game winning drives in 4th quarter of post season - most in NFL history - no commentary.
5:03 Completion to Edelman- (NE)(Positive) Edelman expose.
4:23 Completion to Gronkowski (NE)(neutral) - AM: “Brady hung in under pressure.”
7:55 Stats (NE)(neutral) - Infographic showing Brady passing Montana - AM: “Tom with his 3 touchdowns tonite has now passed Montana all alone as the guys throwing the most in the history of this game, a dozen.”
7:40 Game Clips (SEA)(positive) - Russell Wilson game clips. CC: “...what makes Russell Wilson great? His escapability- even when you think you have him completely under control you don't have him under control. You have him dead in your sights... you can't get a hand on him and then the deep ball high arcing throws giving his receivers a chance; those two component have been the difference here for the Seattle Seahawks so far. And as you get to this point in the game Russell Wilson running the ball becomes a big threat.”
6:20 Stats (NE)(neutral) - Brady stat - 8 game winning drives in 4th quarter of post season - most in NFL history - no commentary.
5:03 Completion to Edelman- (NE)(Positive) Edelman expose.
4:23 Completion to Gronkowski (NE)(neutral) - AM: “Brady hung in under pressure.”
3:54 Completion to Gronkowski (NE)(neutral) - CC: “Al, here it is again. They're telling Tom Brady this is man coverage...everybody in the building, who knows anything about football, knows that’s man coverage and 1000 percent of the time they are gonna throw right there when they get that look.”
2:25 Stats - game break - (NE)(neutral) - Brady stats - AM: “Tom Brady tonite has put it up tonite 49 times... the 36 completions is a Superbowl record. Crazy two weeks, great game, who knows what the immediate future holds.”
CC: (talks more about deflategate) “...isn't it glorious for these 3 or 4 hrs here you can just enjoy a football game. “
2:02 TD NE - 28-24 - Brady to Edelman
(NE)(neutral) - CC: “Came back to it Al. They came right back to it. Worked brilliantly before, Brady missed the pass come right back to it and edelman gets it done ... and Tom Brady takes them right down the field.
(NE)(neutral) - Largest 4th quarter comeback graphic - no commentary (discussion around Russell Wilson)
2:02 Pass downfield to Lynch, Big Gain (SEA)(positive) - CC: “Russell Wilson saw Marshawn Lynch 1 on 1 against a linebacker Jamie Collins... slant and go to a running back... that is confidence in the ability not just of Russell Wilson but Marshawn Lynch and a trust with the season on the line... brilliant call, brilliant throw.”
:28 INT Butler
:20 Offside Seattle - (NE)(neutral) - CC: “Give brady credit, he just drew them (offside)”
Game ends
:20 Offside Seattle - (NE)(neutral) - CC: “Give brady credit, he just drew them (offside)”
Game ends
AM: “...Brady and Bill Belichick have certainly burnished their legacy.”
