The REAL. BIG. Blog

There has never been snow in the Super Bowl.  There have never been below-freezing kickoff temperatures for a Super Bowl.  In fact, the NFL requires that a Super Bowl stadium must be in at least a 50 degree climate, or be indoors and climate controlled. 

In 2014, things will change.

The NFL just announced that the 2014 Super Bowl will be held at the New Meadowlands Stadium, co-owned by the Giants and the Jets.  New Meadowlands Stadium is located in East Rutherford New Jersey, seats over 82,000 and is open to the elements.  The New York/New Jersey bid was in competition with Tampa and South Florida, which have hosted Super Bowls in the past.  Obviously, the NFL has decided to ignore the requirement, and test out a cold weather Super Bowl.    

Not surprisingly, East Rutherford is not a warm place in February.  The average temperature there is a chilly 24 to 40 degrees, and there is usually several inches of rain or snow throughout the month.

Opinion seems divided on what impact this will have on the game.  Some believe that snow and cold temperatures will ruin the game, because players will struggle and not be able to perform.  Others believe that the elements will provide a challenge, and that the best team will rise to the occasion.    

The tag line of the NY/NJ big is “Make Some History,” and in choosing the New Meadowlands Stadium, the NFL has indeed made history.  It remains to be seen whether they made a good decision or not.

By Rebecca Moodie

Dare I say it, but after watching the coveted Brett Favre underthrow pass after pass against a woeful Seahawks secondary, a Jets fan has to wonder…would the Jets have been better off this season with Chad Pennington at QB???

Of course we all did back flips when we heard the announcement that the Jets had signed Brett Favre.  I still have the newspaper announcement taped to my front window.  But is Favre just a has-been, washed-up star who should be spending his final days playing BINGO and shuffleboard?

Entering week 16, the AFC East remains locked in a three-way tie.  The New York Jets, New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins, all with 9-5 records, are battling for the title of division leader with just two remaining games in the regular season.

Each of these teams has there own little Cinderella story upon arriving to this point.  The New York Jets finished last season with a woeful 4-12 record.  But BIG off-season acquisitions (perhaps the biggest being the arrival of Brett Favre to be posted behind a revamped o-line) have helped them snap back from last season’s demise.  The Miami Dolphins almost succeeded in achieving the dreaded winless season last year, but instead finished with a 1-15 record. 

By Apryl DeLancey

All year I’ve been picking the Oakland Raiders to upset someone…until this week!  They finally came through and beat the Denver Broncos.  I had a feeling it would be someone in their division, but I somehow missed this one.  Argh.  I just knew it!  They not only beat the Broncos…they beat them by three touchdowns!  Why did I miss this one!  It figures.

At least I am not a Detroit Lions fan.  I really feel for you folks!  Don’t get me wrong, I was definitely rooting for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  It was nice to see Cadillac Williams back in action, however limited.  I just find it sad to be 0-11.  I find it especially sad to score 17 points and then stop completely as if they thought the game was over.  Oops.  Okay, they did score another field goal, but still…they had the game…they just needed to finish it!

I really thought the San Diego Chargers would pull out the “W” over the Indianapolis Colts.  NOT!  What the heck has happened to the Chargers?  And LaDainian Tomlinson…what the heck?  I am so sad to see him playing so badly.  Where is that monster stud player that cluttered the airwaves with endorsements and highlight reels?  What happened to his “better”?

Oh my gosh – and what was that final score of the New Orleans Saints vs. Green Bay Packers game?  Saints 51 and Packers 29?  Geez!  If you’re the betting type I’ll venture to guess the over/under wasn’t close to that.  Deuce McAllister got his 54th touchdown as a member of the Saints in the slaughter.  Good for you, Deuce.

I really only picked a few right this week – I had the Washington Redskins over the Seattle Seahawks.  That wasn’t too hard to get right.  As I mentioned, I picked the Bucs over the Lions.  That first part of the game really had me worried. I did pick the Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, and New York Jets as well.  I just happened to go a little crazy on the upset picks.  I really didn’t have faith that the Tony Romo and Terrell Owens combo would get back in sync.  I was wrong.  I thought it would be a fun time to pick the San Francisco 49ers to win that one.  My bad.

It doesn’t really matter.  The fun thing about picking games is the wild ones.  I don’t bet any money on these picks and I’m not one of those that absolutely has to be right or I’ll have feelings of inadequacy and depression.  Nah, football should be fun.  I can’t wait to see what the rest of the season brings.  I know I’ll be making more wild picks!

Go underdogs!  That means you Oakland Raiders!

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this post do not represent those of Fathead, LLC.    Although, on a personal note from a lifelong Lion’s fan…I must admit the big “0” in the W category is getting rather depressing!

New York Jets Logo Fathead Wall Graphic

By Rebecca Moodie

New York Giants Logo Fathead Wall Graphic

On Sunday, the New York Jets gave me the best birthday present ever; they all but DESTROYED the undefeated Tennessee Titans 34-13, executing a consistent offense and a dominant defense.  The defense held the Titans to just 3 points in the first half and although we don’t see Brett Favre as the gunslinger he was in his early Packer days, he has developed into so much more for the Jets by becoming the on-field leader they desperately needed.

So with this one W, the Jets have achieved the unthinkable. As division leaders and arguably the best team in the AFC, their game seems to be more complete and balanced then ever before and they look to be unstoppable right now. They have suddenly made their way into the conversations about the “big game” and they are finally getting the respect they deserve from outside their fan base.

So with the Jets and New York Giants playing the way they are, dare I say we may see the first ever “Subway” Super Bowl??? (Knock on wood.)  It would be the game of many lifetimes, a story to pass down to generations come, possibly the most exciting game in sports history! (Okay so I’m obviously from New York.  But come on, it would definitely be one for the books).

I don’t want to jump the gun, as there are still many weeks to play.  As they say, “any given Sunday”.  Of course, anything can happen at this point, but there is still a flicker of hope inside me for that headline… “Jets Take on Reigning Super Bowl Champs in Tampa”.  Maybe we can finally end our 40 year drought.  Fingers crossed!

By Ignacio Salazar

Tennessee Titans Helmet - Fathead Wall Graphic

New York Jets Helmet - Fathead Wall Graphic

I’m giving you a fair warning Houston. At least a year in advance. Don’t pinch yourself next year when you’re tuning into some NFL football and you notice the Houston Oilers playing the New York Titans in Nashville. Why you ask? It’s the 50th anniversary of the AFL and the NFL will honor the original AFL teams next year.

Tennessee Titans owner, K.S. “Bud” Adams Jr., said he will honor the Oilers teams when they play the New York Jets, originally the Titans, by breaking out the old Columbia blue uniforms.

The Oilers uniforms will make a second appearance when Adams’ team squares off against the team formerly known as the Dallas Texans, now the Kansas City Chiefs. Talk about weird: the two original Texas teams playing a game in Missouri.

What do you think Houston? Will you be happy to see that oil derrick on the side of the helmet again?

Notes:: The original AFL teams are the Houston Oilers (Tennessee Titans), Dallas Texans (K.C. Chiefs), L.A./San Diego Chargers, Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Boston Patriots, New York Titans (Jets), Cincinnati Bengals and the Denver Broncos.