Auric Polaris’s Super Bowl Preview (QB/TE)

Brian Wisniewski

How the fuck did we let this happen? This was supposed to be the year where the AFC was wide open, and we would see a new team emerge to compete for a Super Bowl. But after a long bloody playoff, it’s the frog voiced fuck and his walrus coach once again claiming the top of the AFC mountain. This year was supposed to be different. Supposed to stop the makings of a Dynasty. But, alas, poor Auric, it was not to be. Three young QBs took up the mantle to stop tyranny and bring peace, freedom, justice, and security to not only the AFC, but the NFL. Rememebr the fallen: Tua Tagovailoa, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson all slaughtered by Darth Kermit. 

As for the other side of the of the NFL, the 49ers have reclaimed their throne atop the NFC. I think most of the football world was cheering for the Lions (Bears, Packers, and Vikings fans aside, of course) and Dan Campbell to make the Super Bowl and win the damn thing. But, the fated path of a Lions fan always leads to pain. My heart goes out to my friends up north. I don’t think they’ll fade into the dark like the Falcons did after their run, but it’ll certainly be a hard crawl back, especially with the Packers re-finding their footing and the Bears on the up and up. But the 49ers were the clear cut best team in the NFC and I think it’s not surprise we find them in the Super Bowl, with Mr. Irrelevant leading the way. 

Speaking of, the difference between the two starting Quarterbacks’ narratives is massive. On one hand, we have Patrick Mahomes, who people were whispering about the GOAT conversation have flipped the page and started an out cry for it. While I personally think it’s way too early for such talks (No, the Brady fan in me is not getting defensive [I’m terrified]), he’s quickly climbing the ranks and it’s getting harder to dispute his accomplishments. He’s incredible. He’s inevitable. He’s invincible. On the other hand, we have Brock Purdy who has claimed the new system quarterback discussion throne. Was he put into an almost perfect situation for a young QB? Yes. Does he have weapons? Yes. Does he have one of the best minds in the game right now as a coach? Yes. But why does that take so much away from what he’s done? It shouldn’t. 2-2 on going to the NFC Championship game and might have been 2-0 in those games if not for injury. It’s only his second year and he’s made the Super Bowl with a stacked line up. But the Dolphins, Ravens, Bills, and Cowboys all have stacks of household named players and all of them failed to reach the Big Game. 

Before we go any further let’s talk about the elephant in the room. T-Swizzle. The (un)lucky lady I’m seeing is a huge Swiftie, but even so, I will let my takes fly. It’s no secret that the NFL does not hate that the Chiefs made the Super Bowl so they can milk her fans for clicks, views, and love, but i don’t think it’s a bad thing. Is it a bit over the top and a tad annoying? Yes. But getting more eyes on a product you love is rarely a bad thing. It’s given opportunities to NFL fans and Swifties connect. How many relationships were started or saved by no longer having the discourse of how Sundays are spent or what music to listen to in the car? I’d say, at least seventeen. Maybe more. Maybe even in the triple digits. Did Taylor Swift save football? No. But the new love affair between football fans and Swifties isn’t something we should fear or hate. What we should hate instead is the NFL constantly shoving it down everyone’s throat. Let Taylor go to the game and cheer on her future husband (yeah I said it). I’m sure she’s even tired of the attention. And can you blame her? We’re all searching for our Travis Era.  

Just like the QBs, the Tight Ends are different as well. Travis Kelce might go down as the greatest pass catcher in TE history. But that doesn’t make him the greatest TE ever. I’m not saying he doesn’t block, but he doesn’t block nearly as well as half the TEs in the league (eye test only, go away stat nerds). The man on the other side? Geroge (Greg) Kittle? Man’s a down and dirty DAWG. Kittle seems to take more joy in a pancake or planting your ass in the ground over catching passes. Which is not to say he can’t do that either. He’s a certified bad ass. He’ll kick out your best Defensive End and then take a ball for 30 plus yards in back to back plays. My favorite (hypothetical) prop bet I’ll do this Super Bowl is called Tight Ends and Tee-Dees, each to have 75+ yards, 6+ catches, and a TD. They don’t play on the field at the same time, but this is the classic dual between Hunk vs Hoss. 

This blog is meant as a jumping off point. I took some time off. I started a new job. I’m still trying to find a good routine with the new gig and balancing life outside of work. I haven’t even really been streaming recently. So this was a quick, 1000 or so word blog to get me back in the game. The goal is to pump at least one 1000 word blog and one 300 (plus) blog out every week from here on in for 2024. The nights I don’t work OT or stream will have the focus on growing Moonstamp Sports. Though speaking of streaming, I am streaming Lethal Company with some friends tomorrow at 6 pm central (@ twitch.tv/auricpolaris) and hopefully get it up to two streams a week as well. Shameless plug can be checked off my list for this blog as well now. Until then, peace and love to all of you and to all a fucking awesome Super Bowl.