re: Barnwell's 2018 NFL playoff preview: Super Bowl stories for all 12 teams

The "back when ESPN was good" sentiment is applicable when it's Stephen A Smith or Collin Cowherd, but don't bring that to a Bill Barnwell discussion. Barnwell provides thoughtful analytics insight to 90% of the stuff he writes. This is just a little football fan-fiction exercise. Have some fun.

I thought it was obvious but OK.

PI is a spot foul penalty. Brees can’t throw a 54 yard pass. Let’s say Saints have the ball at the 25. He takes a 7-step drop (18 yard line or there abouts) and heaves a pass. The foul would have to occur at the opposing 21 yard line (61 air yards).

Dude doesn’t have that arm strength.

Downvotes a-comin’ but I am just trying to keep it in the realm of possibility here.

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The SB was pretty damn close. Porter's pick 6 come with less than a minute left I would definitely put it above.

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I think you could argue the Super Bowl (at the least the 1st half) was a little more slow than the NFCCG. In the first quarter Indy got a FG and it remained 3-0 until right before the end of the quarter when Indy scored a TD to make it 10-0. The Saints never really got on track offensively in the second, settling for two FG's to go to the half 10-6. The second half picked up the pace immediately with the onsides kick.

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Porter's pick 6 come with less than a minute left I would definitely put it above.

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That actually happened with about 3 minutes left. The Saints made Indy waste most of the remaining 3 minutes on the ensuing drive that ended inside the Saints' 5 yard. The last 3 minutes or so were rather non-eventful with the Saints up 14.

The NFCCG seemed to never let you breath. Vikings take the opening kick and score 7. Saints immediately respond with 7. Vikings go up 14-7 for a few minutes before the Saints answer. Minnesota then looks like they are going to go into the half with a lead..only to fumble inside the Saint's 5.

The second half the Saints score 7 on the opening drive. The Vikings answer right back. After that there were huge turnovers, big plays and eventually a final drive by Minnesota tied at 28-28. I just remember the feeling of helplessness watching the Vikings come down for what looked like the game winning FG...until Porter's INT. I'll never forget Hokie screaming like a fan over Henderson in complete shock..."INTERCEPTED!!!!!"

Anyone read the Eagles scenario?

Cliffs: Armstead doesn't start, Drew gets beaten up, they prey on our secondary.

Lol

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this would be cool and all but what is the point of ESPN getting someone to write up a fictional story about the playoffs. Seriously, WTF is ESPN doing?

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It's like a choose-your-own-adventure article for the ESPN staff.













Actually, since we're talking about ESPN here...

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Don't know about realistic, but that would definitely change the PI from a spot to a 15 yarder in the offseason.

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As is tradition after the Saints win in the playoffs

A 54 yard pass interference call from Brees to Ginn? For that to happen, Brees would need to throw it 54 yards in the air basically. Not hating...but that ain’t happening. This dude must not have seen Brees play since 2009.

Even knowing that this is a work of fiction I still got sad when I read that Brees retired. Don’t know if I will ever be ready for that