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Super Bowl Live Blog: | 1st Qtr | 2nd Qtr | 3rd Qtr | 4th Qtr | |
Colts 16 Bears 14- A couple of halftime thoughts before we start the third quarter:
* Prince's stage was cleverly designed to look like his "symbol," but it was neon and 50-yards long.
* Prince sported four-inch heels and an orange and teal shirt/suit combo -- what I can only assume was an homage to the Miami Dolphins.
Somehow, I don't think Nick Buoniconti was impressed.
* For "Purple Rain, " Prince donned the symbol-inspired -- purple -- guitar. Just putting that out there.
Unfortunately, no wardrobe malfunctions, but on the upside no Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson either. In fact, Prince was pretty freakin' good. Okay, to the second half...
- That guy in the photo above, that's
- Some halftime stats:
* Manning threw for 193 yards; Grossman had 32 (that's not a misprint);
* The Colts had 14 first downs; the Bears had 3;
* The Colts ran 46 offensive plays; the Bears ran 19;
* Both teams had three turnovers.
- Indy gets the ball to start the third quarter, and Wilkins gets it out to the 37.
Manning to Addai for five yards on first down, and Addai all by himself for eight yards on second down. Manning, in the shotgun from midfield, hits Addai on a swing pass for a one-yard gain. On the next play, Manning throws a slip screen -- while falling down -- to Clark who goes for a yard. On third-and-8, Manning finds Utecht near the marker and ... it's enough for the first down.
Utecht is shaken up on the play -- the trainers walk him off -- but the Colts have first-and-10 from the Bears 38.
Addai takes the handoff for 10 yards ... and another first down. You know, coming into this game Indy's rush defense had a bunch of question marks. Through two quarters, the Bears have struggled against the run. Go figure.
Phil Simms: (in the voice of Charlie Brown's teacher) "Blah blah blah blah blah ... etc."
CBS just showed this graphic:
Time of Possession
Colts: 24 minutes
Bears: 10 minutes
I'm guessing the Bears defense is a little tired. Manning is wearing out Chicago's defense with draw plays and short passes. Kind of the "Death by 1,000 Short Yardage Play Calls" game plan. So far, it's working.
Phil Simms: "You're not allowed to make sudden moves not related to the game of football." Even Prince?
After a false-start penalty, Manning finds Clark on third down, but short of the sticks. It's still raining like crazy, by the way. Dungy challenges if Chicago had 12 men on the field. Simms, to his credit, is able to count to 11 and identifies all the Bears defenders on the field at the snap. Referee Jerry Markbreit agrees. (I know, I know, Markbreit retired last century, but I like the guy. Sue me.)
After all that, Vinatieri comes in for a 24-yarder -- still in the driving rain -- and he knuckles one through. Not pretty, but it counts. Nice hold by Smith too.
Colts 19 Bears 14
- It might be time for Hester to take over because the Bears offense hasn't been able to put anything together. Of course, Vinatieri squibs it and Hester doesn't get a chance.
- Nantz says the Bears offensive has gone 56 minutes between snaps. It's hard to get in a rhythm, I'd imagine. As I type this Simms says the same thing (I just punched myself in the face) and Grossman completes two consecutive passes. On the next play, Booger McFarland pressures Grossman up the middle and he's sacked (he tripped, but whatever) for an 11-yard loss.
On third-and-12, EVIL REX bungles the snap ... the second time tonight, and in comes Maynard. Chicago's defense has got to be exhausted ... and Chicago's offense ain't helping.
- The Colts start on their 35 and on the first play Addai stutters left makes a couple of (really tired) guys miss, and 25-yards later he's finally tackled. This could be the most important series of the game for the Bears.
Rhodes goes for eight a play later ... and the Colts get 15 more on a face-mask penalty. Now it's first-and-10 from the 10. Manning finds Wayne in the end zone, but he catches it out of bounds. On second down, Clark drops a pass; and on third down, a draw play to Rhodes comes up two yards short of the goal line. Didn't expect a run there.
- Vinatieri converts the 20-yarder ... and a Bears defender runs into the kicker. Because it's not an automatic first down, the Colts take the field goal.
Colts 22 Bears 14
Super Bowl Commercial Update
I didn't think it possible, but the second-half commercials are worse than the first half. That said, the mobile phone D.Wade-Charles Barkley spot was pretty good. But that's been it so far. Back to the game...
- Chicago's lucky to still be in this game. The defense has bent but not broken (cliche alert). On the kickoff, the Colts squib it ... again, and after a late hit out of bounds against Indy, the Bears will start on the Colts 40.
Super Bowl Commercial Update
And ... I spoke too soon. K-Fed's Nationwide commercial just played and I agree with the National Restaurant Association (or whatever they're called): Federline is an embarrassment to
- Jones goes for eight yards on first down, and three more on second down. Now at Indy's 28, Grossman throws incomplete on first down. Jones gets a couple on second down, and on third-and-7, Grossman takes the snap scrambles backwards, scrambles right, scrambles left ... and then almost throws a pick. Not the prettiest sequence I've seen tonight.
Robbie Gould makes his first appearance of the game ... and stripes a 44-yarder. Nice kick.
Colts 19 Bears 17
Phil Simms: "In this day and age you're surprised when a field goal kicker misses a kick." Really? You think the 2005 Colts and the 2006 Cowboys would agree?
- Indy starts on their 32, and Rhodes is tackled for a two-yard loss. A play later, Manning finds Harrison for a nice sideline catch but the ruling on the field is that he's out of bounds. Simms: "I could tell from up here that he was out of bounds."
Replays show Harrison was in, Dungy challenges, the plays overturned and Simms still looks like a buffoon. All is right in the world. The Colts now face third-and-2.
Manning drops back and ... finds Wayne for five yards.
Okay, one quarter to go...
Colts 19 Bears 17

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
2-04-2007 @ 8:29PM
mik said...
Oh that was the best half time performance ever not to mention it was raining while he was singing Purlpe rain just to add to his totally commanding performence.
Reply
2-04-2007 @ 8:30PM
TB said...
The absolute worst halftime show I've ever seen. Prince is horrible. My kids had no idea who he was and he stunk when he was in his prime.
Is the NFL just stupid or did they get a great deal on this guy? He sucked...
Reply
2-04-2007 @ 8:30PM
BearsFan99 said...
I heard that an estimated 350 million gallons of water was going to be flushed during the halftime show. I do not know if that is true or accurate or not but it was a fact I heard on Fox News Channel recently.
Reply
2-04-2007 @ 8:31PM
Ray said...
Would someone please tell CBS to lower the crowd sound? I can't hear Jim or Phil.
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2-04-2007 @ 8:32PM
bladesbullet said...
Prince? Couldn't they have come up with someone better?He is horrible and a has been!!!
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2-04-2007 @ 8:34PM
terpfan said...
thought prince was better than cirque de soleil, commercials are stupid, commentators neither good nor bad, game is good but sloppy, go bears
Reply
2-04-2007 @ 8:36PM
Abhinav Gautam said...
well the halftime is over, now lets see if Bears come back...
and the halftime show ... was well ok, not vey special
gadha,
http://firefoxupdates.blogspot.com/
Reply
2-04-2007 @ 8:38PM
Sonny said...
What is Going ON? The BEARS NEED TO PUT MANNING ON HIS BACKSIDE, EACH & EVERY PLAY!!!
NOW GET AFTER HIM!!!
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2-04-2007 @ 8:38PM
Rhonda said...
It would be nice if the announcers weren't biased. It seems it is all about the Colts. This is a close game so far. Can we give the Bears some credit They did make it to the super bowl. I am a Bears fan but even if I weren't I would like to see the Bears win just to shove it down the announcers throats.
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2-04-2007 @ 8:41PM
Ed said...
Don't CBS or NFL learn to really check out the halftime acts. Prince is a freak from way back in the 80's. Knowing kids are watching, what the hell was that phallic shadow dance that creep was doing with the guitar and the yellow curtain...just plain bad. The whole thing sucked overall also. Shame. Thanks NFL and CBS....not!
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2-04-2007 @ 8:41PM
D Reeves said...
Just tuned in right before half-time. Have yet to see an interesting commerical. Just Grammy and CSI ads for the most part. What's up with that?
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2-04-2007 @ 8:42PM
Dave's Football Blog said...
Did you people see the same halftime show I did? Prince was AWESOME. He dressed in Miami Dolphins colors and dropped a Foo Fighters song in the middle of the show and made it work.
Stop hating, people.
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2-04-2007 @ 8:42PM
D Reeves said...
Just tuned in right before half-time. Have yet to see an interesting commerical. Just Grammy and CSI ads for the most part. What's up with that?
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2-04-2007 @ 8:45PM
jessica said...
who is prince?????????????????????????????
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2-04-2007 @ 8:45PM
Slick Rick aka The Voice of Reason said...
Hey, I gotta admit that so far I'm quite pleased with seeing good sloppy throwback football. Chicago had better wake the hell up though if they really want this because Indy definitely has that "it's comin' soon and furious look" to them. BTW knock it off TB, Prince put on a pretty decent performance at halftime, albeit a back to the future vibe was real heavy for sure.
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2-04-2007 @ 8:48PM
Geebo said...
OMG! THE COLTS ARE WINNING!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!! GOOOOOOO COLTS!!! and i liked the half time sho...prince is preeety coolio! GOOO COLTS!
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2-04-2007 @ 8:48PM
Tammy said...
Man what was with Prince? COuldn't they have had someone a little more exciting and what is with these commercials. The worst I have ever seen.!!!!! Hope the Bear's get it together would like to see them win. GO BEARS
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2-04-2007 @ 8:48PM
Marty said...
Prince was awesome. What a professional entertainer to preform in the pouring rain and provide a quality half time show. He should be applauded for a job well done.
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2-04-2007 @ 8:50PM
C said...
Super Bowl-Isn't About Getting Here But What You Do When You Get Here.Isn't About What Team Is Better But Who Has The Most Heart.
Peyton Manning && His Colts Have The Most Heart.
Go Colts =]
But Win By 3 So I Can Have Extra-Credit In Math =] haha.
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2-04-2007 @ 8:50PM
Sonny said...
I Really hate to say this, but it has become painfully obvious, that Today is NOT Rex Grossman's day.
If I was Lovie, I believe he needs to replace Rex with Brian Griese and hopefully the Defense can knuckle down to keep this game in reach.
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