Monday Trends and Indexes 01/22

[Udog]

Six-Pack for Monday


Opening line for Super Bowl: Colts, -7. Total, 48.5.

Bears had 22-yard edge in average field position, starting five drives in Saint territory.

Saints couldn't overcome -6 in penalties, -3 in sacks and most damaging, -4 in turnovers. No one wins like that.

Last time Colts were in Super Bowl was 36 years ago, as Baltimore edged Dallas, 16-13. Bears beat New England 21 years ago, in their only other Super Bowl appearance.

Colts had 32 first downs Sunday; thats an awful lot.

New England had 12-yard edge in average starting field position, fairly large, but once the Colt offense got rolling, they were going to score from anywhere on field.

[Udog]

Monday's List of 13:

Wrapping up a sports weekend....

13) If you don't feel good for Tony Dungy, you're either a fan of the Patriots, totally heartless, or both. The guy is so classy so well-respected; the way he carried himself last year, after his son died, was totally impressive. A terrific leader.

12) During the first half, I was clamoring for Peyton Manning being banished from commercials for a year, as punishment for constantly playing so badly in these big games. Well, just forget I said anything.

11) Manning always seemed cursed; Tennessee won national title the year after he left. Manning's Vols never beat Steve Spurrier's Florida teams, but now, he gets to play on game's biggest stage, against Rex Grossman, a Florida Gator.

10) Congrats to the Saints on a tremendous season. They did so much for a region that needs so much more.

9) Maybe if the Patriots had spent a little more money, they'd still be playing. Brady can't do everything by himself.

Elsewhere........
8) Golfer Jeff Quinney was tied for lead after nine holes in the final round at Bob Hope, but then gave away four shots to par over next seven holes, before he aced 17 to get back into contention. He didn't win tourney, but he won a new car.

7) Not to say we've become a nation of hypochondriacs, but WebMD now advertises on NFL playoff games, so they have to be doing pretty well for themselves.

6) Jim Mora Jr surfaces as secondary coach in Seattle, and a logical eventual successor to Mike Holmgren.

5) I wonder if older Bear fans look at Reggie Bush and see a certain number 40, Mr Gale Sayers?

4) Punter Brad Maynard won the game for the Bears, booting one out at the 5-yard line, setting up the Bears' safety. Bears had a 22-yard edge in average starting field position, thanks in large part to Maynard's punting.

3) Little things aren't so little: Ark-Little Rock lost 61-60, in a game where they made only 9 of 21 foul shots. Boise St lost by a point Thursday, when they were 9-19 from charity stripe.

2) In their last three games, Clemson Tigers are 21-54 on treys (38.9%), a pretty good clip. Over their last two games, Tigers are 9-28 from foul line, which is inexcusable.

1) Loyola Md is surprising leader in MAAC, behind a former Maryland assistant, Jimmy Patsos; part of the reason Terps are struggling in ACC is that Gary Williams has had to get all new assistant coaches; that can be disruptive.