The Narrative (TM): Tom Brady is not Allowed to Embrace Underdog Role
“How are people even typing this headline without either laughing out loud or vomiting all over themselves? Not since holding a clip board for Drew Bledsoe has Brady ever been considered an underdog to anyone and he certainly isn’t now.”
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In this business, I certainly understand the need to create narratives surrounding big games. The media thrives on the human interest stories, hype and stats in order to get the fans pumped and excited. We are all somewhat guilty of exaggerating a story line or two to gain readership and get people buzzing.
The AFC Championship week has just begun, and the ridiculous narratives have already started to surface. This column will most likely become a weekly one, as I weed out and dispel the fabricated story lines and made-up drama that is popping up on our televisions, airwaves and computer screens.
First up: “Tom Brady is Embracing Underdog Role”.
How are people even typing this headline without either laughing out loud or vomiting all over themselves? Not since holding a clip board for Drew Bledsoe has Brady ever been considered an underdog to anyone and he certainly isn’t now.
Sure, on paper the Broncos have a slight edge to the Patriots heading into the AFC Championship game. Denver gets to play this game at home, a mile above sea level and in front of their amazing, loyal fan base.
Peyton Manning has a larger slew of weapons than Brady, as the Bronco receiving corps has managed to not commit any heinous crimes and stayed relatively healthy throughout the 2013 season.
However, that’s about where the advantages end.
Both defenses have sustained major injuries and are entering this matchup hobbled and held together with duct tape and a few rubber bands.
A factor that cannot be ignored is New England Head Coach Bill Belichick. As long as that hoodie wearing evil genius is on the sidelines, the Patriots can never be considered an underdog. You can provide Belichick with a team filled with the cast from Wildcats – for you young folks it was an 80’s film with Goldie Hawn about a misfit football team, and he can create a scheme that will work.
I get that being anointed the underdogs gives a team more incentive to win. So maybe that’s the reasoning behind finding that headline in a Boston Paper? Beats me.
The 2013 AFC Championship game is shaping up to be an amazing battle between two future hall of fame quarterbacks nearing the end of their respective careers. The two signal callers will face off for the 15th time on Sunday, with the winner and their team earning a trip to the Super Bowl on February 2, 2014.
Brady holds the crown with a 10-4 lifetime record against Manning, including 2-1 in the playoffs. Tom Brady as the underdog? I think not.
So please, let’s move on from this ridiculous narrative to something that is actually relevant to the game.
