Cugel
02-05-2016, 02:49 PM
The following is not proof that the Broncos will win the SB, but it is food for thought. Defense wins championships. Record setting offense? Not so much:
Know what the top 5 all time scoring offenses in NFL history have in common? None ever won a SB.
Out of the top 10 scoring offenses in NFL history 1 (1999 Rams) won the SB.
The Panthers scored 500 points. Fifteen teams before them scored 500 points or more in a season in the history of the NFL. Four of those teams won SBs and 11 failed.
Only teams to score 500 or more points and win the SB prior to 2000? '94 49ers, '98 Broncos, '99 Rams. Prior to 2000 scoring 500 or more points was such an accomplishment that 3 out of the 4 teams that did it won the SB (exception was the '98 Vikings).
But, in the 2000's scoring exploded after the NFL changed the rules to protect the QB and defenseless receiver and instituted the 5-yard limitation on blocking the receiver.
Scoring exploded. Eleven teams teams have scored 500 or more points in a season since the 2000 season, but only 1 of them has won the SB - the 2009 Saints.
Scoring the most points in NFL history, in order:
#1 - 2013 Broncos
#2 - 2007 Pats - Anointed prior to the game as the "greatest team of all time" after they won 16 games in the regular season, but they lost in SB to the Giants
#3 - 2011 Packers - lost in the playoffs to the Giants
#4 - 2012 Patriots - lost AFC Championship game to Ravens.
#5 - 1998 Vikings - had Randy Moss & Chris Carter, but lost the NFC Championship game to the Falcons.
#6 - 2011 Saints - lost in the divisional round.
#7 - 2000 Rams - lost in the divisional round.
#8 - 1999 Rams - Beat Titans in the SB.
#9 - 2004 Colts - Peyton Manning's best season prior to 2013 - lost to the Patriots in the playoffs.
#10 - 2010 Patriots - wild card, lost divisional playoff.
#11 - 2011 Patriots - went 16-2 that season but lost SB to the Giants.
#12 - 2009 Saints - Beat Peyton Manning & the Colts in the SB.
#13 - 1994 49ers - Beat the Chargers in the SB.
#14 - 2001 Rams - lost in the divisional playoffs.
#15 - 1998 Broncos - Beat the Falcons in the SB.
#16 - 2015 Panthers ????
The Broncos might still lose of course, but history does not favor record setting offenses in the SB. One reason why might be that the refs "let them play" a bit more in the SB because the NFL does not want the refs deciding a SB game with a penalty. So, only rather flagrant penalties get called. A "no-call" is always less controversial than a penalty even on a flagrant foul.
Expect that blatant holding of Broncos defenders won't be called. Expect that defenders will get away with some pass-interference especially in tight coverage over the middle. That should favor the Broncos defense.
Know what the top 5 all time scoring offenses in NFL history have in common? None ever won a SB.
Out of the top 10 scoring offenses in NFL history 1 (1999 Rams) won the SB.
The Panthers scored 500 points. Fifteen teams before them scored 500 points or more in a season in the history of the NFL. Four of those teams won SBs and 11 failed.
Only teams to score 500 or more points and win the SB prior to 2000? '94 49ers, '98 Broncos, '99 Rams. Prior to 2000 scoring 500 or more points was such an accomplishment that 3 out of the 4 teams that did it won the SB (exception was the '98 Vikings).
But, in the 2000's scoring exploded after the NFL changed the rules to protect the QB and defenseless receiver and instituted the 5-yard limitation on blocking the receiver.
Scoring exploded. Eleven teams teams have scored 500 or more points in a season since the 2000 season, but only 1 of them has won the SB - the 2009 Saints.
Scoring the most points in NFL history, in order:
#1 - 2013 Broncos
#2 - 2007 Pats - Anointed prior to the game as the "greatest team of all time" after they won 16 games in the regular season, but they lost in SB to the Giants
#3 - 2011 Packers - lost in the playoffs to the Giants
#4 - 2012 Patriots - lost AFC Championship game to Ravens.
#5 - 1998 Vikings - had Randy Moss & Chris Carter, but lost the NFC Championship game to the Falcons.
#6 - 2011 Saints - lost in the divisional round.
#7 - 2000 Rams - lost in the divisional round.
#8 - 1999 Rams - Beat Titans in the SB.
#9 - 2004 Colts - Peyton Manning's best season prior to 2013 - lost to the Patriots in the playoffs.
#10 - 2010 Patriots - wild card, lost divisional playoff.
#11 - 2011 Patriots - went 16-2 that season but lost SB to the Giants.
#12 - 2009 Saints - Beat Peyton Manning & the Colts in the SB.
#13 - 1994 49ers - Beat the Chargers in the SB.
#14 - 2001 Rams - lost in the divisional playoffs.
#15 - 1998 Broncos - Beat the Falcons in the SB.
#16 - 2015 Panthers ????
The Broncos might still lose of course, but history does not favor record setting offenses in the SB. One reason why might be that the refs "let them play" a bit more in the SB because the NFL does not want the refs deciding a SB game with a penalty. So, only rather flagrant penalties get called. A "no-call" is always less controversial than a penalty even on a flagrant foul.
Expect that blatant holding of Broncos defenders won't be called. Expect that defenders will get away with some pass-interference especially in tight coverage over the middle. That should favor the Broncos defense.