Eli Manning to Mario Manningham was a better play than the "Helmet Catch" (interpret "better" any way you want).
John Schmeelk: Fact- The definition of "better" is what drives this question, and I take it as determining which play was better executed. In that case, it has to be the Mario Manningham play. The "Helmet Catch" was more exciting, improbable and played a bigger role in leading to a victory, but there was a lot of good fortune involved. The offensive line leaked, forcing Manning to break tackles to free himself from a potential sack. He was close to being called "in the grasp" - which would have ended the play. Manning chucked the ball high in the middle of the field, which is not considered a smart decision. His throw to Manningham, on the other hand, was perfect. Manningham ran a precise route, giving Manning room along the sideline to fit the ball in away from the converging safety. It was perfectly executed, which is not something that can be said about the "Helmet Catch."
Lance Medow: Fact- Let's get this out of the way right from the start. They're both ridiculous plays but if you peel back the layers, Eli Manning's pass to Mario Manningham in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl 46 is near perfection. Eli put the ball in the only place it could have been thrown - over Manningham's outside shoulder. It was either going to be a completion or incomplete. Manning's ball placement didn't allow either of the Patriots defenders to record an interception because he used the sideline as a barrier. That's just one half of the play. Manningham not only made a great grab, but he managed to keep both feet inbounds with very little space to operate. With respect to the David Tyree helmet catch, both he and Eli made two impressive extra-effort plays - with Manning escaping twice and Tyree winning a jump ball - but there was a lot of luck involved. The former was a result of precision and strategy.
There won't be as much scoring as people think in Super Bowl LV.
John Schmeelk: Fiction- Get the calculator ready, because the points are going to be raining in Tampa Bay. Even though the Chiefs only scored 27 points in their first game against the Bucs, they gained 543 yards! They struggled to score in the red zone, which is why the score was held down. The Bucs had 417 yards, but 286 of those came in the second half. I don't see either defense having many answers for the opposing offense. The Bucs secondary could have a real problem in coverage. I give Steve Spagnuolo a better chance of scheming against Tom Brady than Todd Bowles against Patrick Mahomes. If I had to guess, both teams will exceed 30 points.
Lance Medow: Fiction- The two teams combined for 51 points in their Week 12 regular season meeting as the Chiefs beat the Bucs, 27-24, in Tampa. The Bucs are averaging just over 30 points per game this postseason while Kansas City is at 30. Both teams ranked in the top six in scoring in the regular season with the Bucs (30.8) finishing third while the Chiefs were sixth (29.6) and both finished in the Top 10 in scoring defense as Tampa Bay was eighth (22.2) and Kansas City tied for 10th (22.6). Given the consistency of these two teams, I'm expecting the scoring to be in line with what we've seen up to this point.
Whichever team has more sacks will win on Sunday.
John Schmeelk: Fiction- I would be shocked if the Chiefs had more sacks than the Bucs in this game, and I think they will win the game. This is the pathway for the Bucs, however, to pull off an upset. The Chiefs' starting offensive tackles are injured, which will give Jason Pierre-Paul and Shaq Barrett a chance to wreck the game. Patrick Mahomes is elusive and effective under pressure, however, and I think he overcomes it and wins the game. It might actually be more important for those two edge defenders to keep Mahomes in the pocket and contain him rather than get to him.
Lance Medow: Fiction- While I think the Chiefs will win if they have more sacks than the Bucs, I don't think it's a guarantee for Tampa Bay. Patrick Mahomes is the type of quarterback than can easily make up for negative plays, so that's why I wouldn't assume the Bucs will win simply by collecting more sacks. In the last Super Bowl, the Niners had more sacks than the Chiefs (4-1) yet Kansas City won, 31-20.
Patrick Mahomes will join the small club of quarterbacks to defeat Tom Brady in a Super Bowl.
John Schmeelk: Fact- I gave away the farm on the last statement. As much respect as I have for Tom Brady, I cannot pick against Patrick Mahomes. He is too good and has too many weapons around him. If he is put into a situation where he needs a touchdown to win a game, I have no doubt he will do what he needs to get that score. I feel the same about Tom Brady, but there have been too many times this year where he has made a mistake in the downfield passing scheme of the Bucs which led to an interception. It happened three times against the Packers in the NFC Championship game, but Green Bay had turnovers of their own. That won't happen to Patrick Mahomes. Chiefs win, 34-30.
Lance Medow: Fact- Quarterbacks don't beat quarterbacks in the NFL. Rather "teams with starting quarterbacks" defeat other "teams with starting quarterbacks." But I think the Chiefs will win the game. No deficit seems to be too overwhelming for Kansas City and it has several game changers surrounding Patrick Mahomes. On top of that, the Bucs' defense has been extremely opportunistic and, thanks to those takeaways, Tampa Bay's offense has had short fields more often than not. The Bucs have scored 41 points off seven takeaways this postseason (five interceptions and two fumble recoveries), but one of those takeaways ended the Saints game - that means they've scored a touchdown off every takeaway in which they had a legitimate chance to score. What happens if the takeaways aren't there?
View photos of former Giants and current Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo of the New York Giants directs play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers November 8, 2015 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. The Giants won 32 - 18.
New York Giants defensive coach Steve Spagnuolo looks on from the sidelines during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams at Twickenham Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016 in London.
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo talks with quarterback Eli Manning (10) during NFL training camp practice on August 9, 2016 at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants' defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo participates in a NFL football practice in East Rutherford, N.J., Wednesday, June 14, 2017. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo talks with former linebacker Jessie Armstead during rookie football camp on May 9, 2015 at the Quest Diagnostic Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday December 10, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, right, runs a drill with his players during the team's organized team activities at its NFL football training facility, Thursday, May 25, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo makes a point during football mini-camp Thursday, June 14, 2007, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo walks on the field prior to an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants head coach Steve Spagnuolo, left, hugs quarterback Eli Manning (10) after an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won 18-10. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
New York Giants head coach Steve Spagnuolo watches his team play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo, left, talks to umpire Butch Hannah (40) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants head coach Steve Spagnuolo during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 23-0. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians, right, greets New York Giants head coach Steve Spagnuolo after an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 23-0. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
New York Giants interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo runs onto the field before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants interim coach Steve Spagnuolo gestures before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo, left, talks with long snapper Zak DeOssie (51) before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo, walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, center, runs a drill with his players during the team's organized team activities at its NFL football training facility, Thursday, May 25, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Giants interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo, walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo watches his team during NFL football practice, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo talks with Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid before a NFL football game on Sunday, November 19, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
FILE - In this Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017, file photo, New York Giants interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo watches during NFL football practice in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
New York Giants' Jason Pierre-Paul, left, talks with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo during NFL football training camp in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, July 30, 2017. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo watches pregame warmups before the 2015 NFL week 4 regular season football game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015 in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Giants won the game 24-10. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
New York Giants interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo talks to his team following an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on Sunday December 31, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90) talks with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo at the team's NFL football training camp, Sunday, July 31, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo makes a call from the sideline during NFL football game against the Cleveland. Browns on Monday August 21, 2017 in Cleveland. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo during a NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday December 24, 2017 in Glendale, Ariz. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo during a preseason week 3 NFL football game against the New York Jets on August 27, 2016 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett (left) talks with New York Giants interim coach Steve Spagnuolo (right)
during a 2017 NFL week 14 regular season game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Cowboys defeated the Giants, 30-10. (James D. Smith via AP)
New York Giants coach Steve Spagnuolo yells during the NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2015 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won, 22-12. (Ric Tapia via AP)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo looks on before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo talks with quarterback Eli Manning (10) following a week 5 NBC Sunday Night NFL football game against the San Francisco 49erson October 11, 2015 at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo walks on the field during NFL football practice, Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo watches drills during NFL football mini camp, Tuesday, June 16, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, left, and head coach Tom Coughlin, right, work the sidelines in the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Cincinnati, Friday, Aug. 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
New York Giants interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo during a NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on Sunday December 31, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo checks out his play tablet on the sideline during the 2016 NFL week 4 regular season football game against the against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday, Oct. 3, 2016 in Minneapolis. The Vikings won the game 24-10. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo of the New York Giants calls and motions toward his defense on the field during the game against the New England Patriots at Super Bowl XLII at the University of Phoenix Stadium on February 3, 2008 in Glendale, Arizona. The Giants defeated the Patriots 17-14. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo looks up from the field during a NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, October 1, 2017 in Tampa. The Buccaneers won the game 25-23. (Paul Jasienski via AP)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo during a pre season football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 22, 2015 at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey ( Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90) talks with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo during NFL training camp practice on July 29, 2016 at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo during a week 3 Thursday Night NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on September 24, 2015 at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Former NFL quarterback Archie Manning, center, talks with his son, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, left, and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo during NFL football minicamp, Thursday, June 18, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Giants interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo during a NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday December 24, 2017 in Glendale, Ariz. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo walks on the field during player warmups before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo talks with former player Justin Tuck during NFL training camp practice on August 3, 2016 at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo during a week 17 NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on January 3, 2016 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo work the sideline in the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants in Cincinnati, Friday, Aug. 14, 2015. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is shown on the field during warmups of the game against the New York Jets Saturday Aug. 26, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo during a NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday October 22, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo walks with former linebacker Antonio Pierce during NFL football training camp on July 28, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo watches pregame warmups before the 2016 NFL week 4 regular season football game against the against the Minnesota Vikings on Monday, Oct. 3, 2016 in Minneapolis. The Vikings won the game 24-10. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo looks on from the sidelines in action against the Green Bay Packers during an NFL NFC wildcard playoff football game on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017 in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Giants 38-13. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
New York Giants interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo during a NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday December 17, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo shows a Microsoft Surface Tablet to New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90) during a week 10 NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on November 14, 2016 in East Rutherford, NJ. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo talks with New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90) before a week 9 NFL football game against the on November 8, 2015 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida( Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo walks the field prior to action against the Philadelphia Eagles during a NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, in Philadelphia. The Eagles won 27-24. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo talks to his players during an NFL football mini camp, Tuesday, June 16, 2015, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo looks on from the sidelines during the NFC wild card NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Jan 8, 2017, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 38-13. (Scott Boehm via AP)
New York Giants interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday December 10, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo hides his mouth with his play chart as he calls a play on his headsets during the NFL week 14 regular season football game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday, Dec. 14, 2015 in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Giants won the game 31-24. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
New York Giants interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo talks with tight end Evan Engram (88) before a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday December 10, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo looks on from the sidelines during the NFC wild card NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Jan 8, 2017, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 38-13. (Scott Boehm via AP)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo looks on during a week 9 NFL football against the New York Giants on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J. Los Angeles won 51-17. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo during organized team activity on June 1, 2015 at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo looks on prior to action against the Green Bay Packers during an NFL NFC wildcard playoff football game on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017 in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Giants 38-13. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo during NFL training camp practice on July 31, 2016 at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo watches from the sideline during a week 8 NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on November 1, 2015 at the Mercedes- Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana (Evan Pinkus via AP)
Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo of the New York Giants talks to players during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Giants Stadium on November 16, 2008 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the Ravens 30-10. AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo talks with linebacker Antonio Pierce (58) during an NFL divisional football playoff game against the Philadelphia EaglesSunday, Jan. 11, 2009 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo looks on during an NFL divisional football playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, Jan. 11, 2009 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants assistant coach Steve Spagnuolo looks on during practice Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants will host the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFL divisional playoff game on Sunday. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90) talks with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo during NFL football training camp practice on July 29, 2017 in East Rutherford, N.J. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is seen during football training camp in Albany, N.Y., Monday, July 28, 2008. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin, right, talks on his headset as defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo stnads nearby during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on Thursday night, Sept. 4, 2008, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants won 16-7. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is seen during football training camp in Albany, N.Y., Friday, July 25, 2008. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo during rookie football camp on May 8, 2015 at the Quest Diagnostic Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey (AP Photo/Evan Pinkus)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo directs the cornerbacks during the NFL football team's practice Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants take on the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII on Sunday, Feb. 3, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo of the New York Giants yells toward the field during the game against the New York Jets at Giants Stadium on October 7, 2007 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the Jets 35-24. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo during NFL mini-camp on April 29, 2016 at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Evan Pinkus via AP)
