Our NFC Championship Game experience (long w/pics)
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For those who know me personally, you know how tough it is for me to write something like this. I wish I had the scribe skills that George possesses, but unfortunately mine don't come anywhere close to his. With that being said, I hope I can at least give you a sense of what it was like to be there in person. Carry on.
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A special weekend, with an expected outcome, in an epic city with *mostly* gracious people. That sums up our quick trip to New Orleans for the 2019 NFC Championship game.
I made the decision to go to the game while driving to work the Monday morning prior to the game. By lunch, between myself getting the game tix and the wife purchasing plane tickets no less than 3 times (cancelling twice and eating the fees), we are set to go. In on Saturday, out late Monday. Not a lot of time but we were going there on a mission - to watch the Rams beat the Saints in their house.
No cockiness here, just confidence.
As I told everyone prior to leaving, I felt we were heading to see a historic game. One for the ages…….
Our flight in had a connection in Dallas….. A sign of sorts in my mind. Upon exiting the flight into DFW, this is the first thing I see -
Upon arrival at NO, we were greeted with the occasional “WhoDat” since as most people who know me are aware of, I wear Rams gear all the time. Win or lose. I wasn't going to stop now…. LOL! As people subtly tossed them at us, I’d simply give them a thumbs up or a wink. I *knew* we were leaving NO as winners.
One thing I begin to notice as we make our way downtown…. There aren't many Rams fans on the streets. I begin to wonder how many I’ll see at the stadium on Sunday. Fingers crossed that we represent. We pass the Superdome on our way to the World War 2 Museum (highly recommended by the way)-
After several hours at the museum, we decided to head back to the hotel and settle in and caught a bite to eat at the restaurant across the street. Nothing special from a food’s perspective since I wanted to keep my gut in check for the game tomorrow. No tables available, so we hit the bar area which can always be risky when you’re a visiting team’s fan wearing your gear. But it was the exact opposite…. the people sitting at the bar with us were some of the kindest people you’ll ever meet in an opponent’s city. We talked about sports, families, the weather, news….. They were as welcoming as any people I’ve ever come across as a visiting team’s fan, and this being as high stakes of a game as you can possibly have (not sure that it’s less than a SB - I personally think the Conference Championships are higher). Can't say enough about the NO people and the Saints fan base to this point. Nothing but class.
Sunday rolls around and we head down to the stadium via Uber at 10:30 AM - it’s cold and windy as hell and I didn't pack a heavy coat, so I put my Youngblood jersey on over my Salute to Service hoodie and hoped that was enough to keep me semi-comfortable. It wasn't. My wife is wearing her customized 99 - Kolakowski jersey. We stand out in the sea of gold and black. I like it.
We get dropped off at the Dome right where the NFL Network is doing their thing. SWEET! Crowd is small so it should be easy to get on TV. They had just wrapped up a live spot so I knew it would be a while before they came back. Reggie Bush and Amber TheoHarris signed some auto’s rather quickly and then headed for the comfort of their vehicle while MJD hung out and talked to a pair of Saints fans. We decided after a couple of minutes to move in and try to get a picture with him. Well low and behold, he was even more accommodating than the NO locals. We ended up talking for an extended amount of time. He gave me some inside info on some things off the record that I won't share, and he also said that the team was confident, and as they had against Dallas, they had some tells from their tape study that they thought they could take advantage of. He really liked their chances. I thanked him for both his time and his openly biased Rams fandom and told him how much I respected his game back in the day as he posed for a pic with us. A very classy individual - if you ever get the chance to talk to him, you definitely need to do so. We left to find the Gleason statue and would then come back and try to catch a live feed and see if we can get on TV.
Tried to hook up with George but he was like front row at the stage for the Cheap Trick concert…. No way possible we can get to him. So we agree to meet up at the Saints tunnel in section 155.
Walked around the outside concourse and took in the stadium. For being an older building, man that place is pretty cool. Found the Gleason statue and of course, multiple Saints fans offered to take our picture -
Noticed that strangely we’re not catching a whole lot of flak at this point. As we get back to the NFL Network set, we yack it up with the Saints fans that have congregated. All are pretty humble, but respectfully cocky. The guy with the Sean Payton head and the dude with the 70’s knitted faux-hawk tobogin were pretty cool. Faux-hawk Saints fan said his wife is an Audiologist and that last week she recorded a 123.4 db reading at the game. I nodded in appreciation of how much of an effort it takes for a group of fans to pull that off.
Another guy talked up the Rams and how good we were…. Heck, he had me believing we were a great team by the time he was done talking. LOL. The producer shouts at us that we have 3 minutes until we go live, so everyone jockeys for prime position. The producer ensures that the Peyton head is kept at the correct height by barking out instructions to the fan holding it. They go live…. And we’re on TV. Had some fun heckling the Saints fans as they chanted, and even started a two person “Who’s House??” chant at the end that got no reaction from the Saints fans. Shaky tells me via text that he had seen us as did several others.
It’s now about 15 minutes until the gates open and I’m ready to get my cold azz in the dome, so we get in line with a 6 pack of Rams fans and wait. A mother and her 20-something son were from St. Louis. I talked up the St. Louis Rams with her and how great the people of St. Louis are.
As they fire up the metal detectors and start to let people into the Superdome, my Stub Hub app decides not to load for the first time ever…. Oh the joy. As the last person in front of me gains entry, my tickets show on my screen…. I’m hoping this isn't a sign of things to come. I thank both the football and cyber gods (and my cardiologist) for allowing me passage into the Superdome without too much drama.
We head towards 155 to wait for George since Cheap Trick had just gone on stage as the gates opened. We get there and the usher asks to see our tickets. I tell her I’m in the club level but want to try and get some autographs. She said if she lets me in, she’ll lose her job. I have no comeback for that. She offers to take our picture -
We decide to head up since there’s no reason to wait for George - he wont be getting in to the section either since he’s also in club level with us, so we grab a bite to eat in the club level dining area
George shoots me a text with a pic of his son’s hat that was signed by Peters…. I’m like “How did you get that?” He says he’s down by the tunnel. I tell him about the usher stopping us and he divulges his secret to how he got in to the lower bowl. I wont share since it may incriminate him, and he’ll be sure to deny anything I say. LOL! I appreciate the tip George… I’ll be ready for the next time my friend. ;-)
We find our seats and talk to the surrounding Saints fans. Again, very cordial. Nothing to worry about here, we’re in good hands. LOL. They had placed towels on all the seats for the fans to twirl.
I begin to watch Zuerlein warming up. Goes 1-2 from 59 away from us (the direction of the game tying kick), hits from 61 coming towards us as best as I can tell (the direction of the game winning kick) but I'm not sure. The Saints kicker was watching him the entire time in awe…. Heh heh.
As the game starts, when the Rams get the ball for the first time, the scoreboard starts to show a barrage of quotes from Rams players and staff in regards to how the noise wont have an impact…. One from Robert Woods…. I dont remember the others. I thought it was bush league’ish. The decible meter on the scoreboard is definitely not accurate as the place hits full throat. It’s loud, but I’m doubting we’re at 115 db as the scoreboard says. I could be wrong. It may have been louder. But as the game played out, the meter was way off at several points so I know it’s just a number that somebody is tossing up there. I also feel as if the they’re piping in crowd noise. It would ramp up so quickly/suddenly that it seemed unnatural. It was pretty obvious and repetitive/consistent in nature which made me take notice. This is not a slam in any way against the fans, as they did their part for five quarters. Also, gotta give a shoutout to whomever it was that came up with the redneck noise makers - an empty beercan of your choice with 2 quarters inserted into it. Noticed them becoming more numerous as the game progressed. LOL! They actually worked pretty well for rattle cans.
The first quarter and a half of this game was an absolute nightmare/worst case scenario for me, other than the fact that the defense holds up pretty damn well. Once we get to half time and look to have our feet back under us so to speak, I tell the Saints fans in our section that the Saints shouldn't have let us hang around, and that it’s going to be a battle in the second half. The Rams hammer that point home by going 3-and-out to start the 3rd quarter….. LOL.
But the defense is balling, and even though we as Rams fans knew it, they were also starting to convince the Saints fans that their vaunted offense was not going to be able to pull away and put the game out of reach. I’m not sure how much the level of physicality that the Rams defense imposed on the Saints offense showed on the broadcast, but they were laying the smackdown on any and all ball carriers. It was taking a toll for sure.
By the end of the 3rd quarter, I began to hear the subtle rumblings from the Saints faithful… “We’re going to lose.”.... “Man, is this happening?”... “The Rams are going to beat us… I can feel it.”.... Etc. That last statement was so true, you could *feel* it. Something was going to happen to get the Rams a win. As the 4th quarter gets underway, I notice the woman next to me bent over with her head in her hands…. She cant watch. She *feels* it. She stays in this position for the majority of the remainder of the game. The cordial guy a row above us that was talking with us about the game all of a sudden goes into shutdown mode. Things are getting serious as the clock keeps ticking and the Saints can't pull away. He *feels* it. The Rams get the ball down to the 1 yard line and dont go for it on 4th down. At this point, my *feeling* begins to waiver as GZ splits the uprights - Why not go for the juggler there, with the way the Rams were dominating the LOS? I guess that’s why I’m not a NFL HC. What do I know…..
As we get to the two minute warning after the flutter-bomb to Ted Ginn, I’m running the numbers in my head and it looks as if we can get the ball back with about a minute or so left and no TO’s, assuming Sean Peyton calls the correct plays to make us burn the TO’s. Wait, he’s passing on 1st down? Incomplete? OH SNAP! The Saints fans are going bonkers….. LOL! Second down and they run the ball….. Which earns Payton a bronx cheer from the Saints fans around us. LOL. Then, *it* happens….
The No-Call Heard Around the World.
Right in front of us - our seats were Club Level end zone on the Saints side looking directly up their sideline (sec 326). I have the perfect view and expected a flag, as did 70k other people who didn't have as good of a view as we did. But, in the ref’s defense, the play looks much closer in real-time versus the terrible angles they keep showing in the stadium. Someone tosses a massive coke from the upper deck. Police are dispatched to our section to keep the peace. I begin to realize how much that call changed even the most cordial of Saints fans. Lots of cussing and expletives. I’m now officially thankful that I spent the extra coin to get into the Club Level since I’m guessing the upper tank was not a good place to be at the moment. The lady next to me has her head in her lap still. She’s done. I feel bad for her. Sort of…. ;-)
The Saints take the lead on the ensuing FG. I’m having flashbacks to the prior possession where McVay didn't go for the TD on 4th down. Is that really going to be the difference? Focus…. We’ve got time, we’ve got a gift timeout. We’ve got a great kicker. Our offense has been moving the ball up and down the field with ease since the middle of the second quarter. We’ve got a shot here.
They move the ball down the field with ease, and actually had two chances to take the lead with passes to Robert Woods on the drive (one was caught as he stumbled, otherwise it’s a house call) and another a couple of plays later where he’s WIDE OPEN on the exact same route but Goff doesn't see him. It was a total coverage bust.
The Rams are well within GZ’s range at this point, but I feel that the football Gods are going to make things right in regards to the missed call and force a miss. The two Saints fans in front of me are thinking the same thing. Needless to say, I’ve never been happier to be wrong about something in my entire life….. LOL! GZ sneaks it inside the right upright, and you can *feel* the tension. The game was over, or so it seemed. It was only a matter of time. You could *feel* it. I pat the lady next to me, with her head still buried in her lap, on the shoulder in an attempt to console her. She doesn't move.
The Saints win the toss and get the ball. I’m good with that. Wait, they’re moving the ball some… not what I expected. Then Fowler almost gets home and JJ makes a nice INT on the play. The Rams are in business.
I break out the phone to record the NFC Championship winning drive. I flip the camera around and say “The Rams are going to the Superbowl….. “ Goff hits Higbee for a solid gain and we’re on the edge of FG range, though it's going to be a long one if we don't get any closer. Damn…. CJ LOSES 3 yards on first down? Goff hits Higbee again for 6 or so to get a little closer and then a bubble screen incomplete sets up a win or lose kick from 57 for GZ (lose meaning where we’ll be giving the Saints the ball on a miss would basically put them 10 yards from FG position).
If he makes this, then I will have seen him make kicks of 60, 58 and 57 live (I was at the Seattle game with Ungulate (RIP my friend) back in 2012 in St. Louis where he kicked the 60 and 58 yarder plus 2 others). What are the chances?
Hecker handles a bad snap, but GZ is unphased as he pounds it through the uprights on our end of the field as if it was an extra point from the 2014 season - me and the wife are crying, hugging, jumping up and down, screaming “We’re going to the Superbowl!!” “We’re going to Atlanta!!” “Oh my God!!!” - and the Saints fans are stunned. Things are being thrown onto the field. A couple of fans try to run some smack but at this point, it didn't matter. WE JUST WON THE NFC CHAMPIONSHIP!! Without ever leading at any point in time during the game, in the Saints’ house, in front of 70k+ rabid Saints fans, in one of the loudest environments I’ve ever been a part of. I’m shaking. Did this just happen?
I get tapped on the shoulder…. It’s the lady who had her head in her lap for the entire 4th quarter who couldn't stand to watch it. Her eyes are bloodshot from weeping. She tells us “Congratulations and good luck.” and then walks away. Very classy. I’m sure that was hard for her to do.
We let the stadium clear out so that we have less people to deal with on our way outside. We were planning on walking to the casino to Manning’s (yes, the Manning’s as in Archie and the kids) to watch the AFC Championship, but I’m beginning to think that it may not be a safe thing to do after seeing the way people were reacting to the fallout of the non-call. I decide to speak to a sweet lady usher after getting kicked out of our seats and get her opinion on what she would do if she were in our shoes -
“Well, if you can get to the casino, you’ll be fine. The walk from here to there could be a challenge. There are a lot of hurt Saints fans at the moment. I’ve never seen so many grown men crying as they walked by me…..” - I cut her off, telling her thanks for her advice as I get my phone and set up an Uber ride back to the hotel. We’ll watch the AFC Championship in the safe confines of the hotel.
While walking around the stadium trying to make our way to the Uber, we are catching flak from the occasional drunken Saints fan. Lots of cursing, some aggression. But for every person who decided to show their azzes to us, several others would be sure to apologize to us for the others’ actions, mentioning that we as Rams fans did nothing wrong and that this isn't how the people of New Orleans act. Very classy on their part indeed, and greatly appreciated.
As we get to the Uber, it starts to set in…. We just witnessed one of the most historic playoff games in NFL history.
But as most Rams fan know, we’re usually on the wrong side of these types of games. Not today.
WE’RE GOING TO THE SUPERBOWL!!!!
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/26/2019 01:40PM by Ramsrule.
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A special weekend, with an expected outcome, in an epic city with *mostly* gracious people. That sums up our quick trip to New Orleans for the 2019 NFC Championship game.
I made the decision to go to the game while driving to work the Monday morning prior to the game. By lunch, between myself getting the game tix and the wife purchasing plane tickets no less than 3 times (cancelling twice and eating the fees), we are set to go. In on Saturday, out late Monday. Not a lot of time but we were going there on a mission - to watch the Rams beat the Saints in their house.
No cockiness here, just confidence.
As I told everyone prior to leaving, I felt we were heading to see a historic game. One for the ages…….
Our flight in had a connection in Dallas….. A sign of sorts in my mind. Upon exiting the flight into DFW, this is the first thing I see -
Upon arrival at NO, we were greeted with the occasional “WhoDat” since as most people who know me are aware of, I wear Rams gear all the time. Win or lose. I wasn't going to stop now…. LOL! As people subtly tossed them at us, I’d simply give them a thumbs up or a wink. I *knew* we were leaving NO as winners.
One thing I begin to notice as we make our way downtown…. There aren't many Rams fans on the streets. I begin to wonder how many I’ll see at the stadium on Sunday. Fingers crossed that we represent. We pass the Superdome on our way to the World War 2 Museum (highly recommended by the way)-
After several hours at the museum, we decided to head back to the hotel and settle in and caught a bite to eat at the restaurant across the street. Nothing special from a food’s perspective since I wanted to keep my gut in check for the game tomorrow. No tables available, so we hit the bar area which can always be risky when you’re a visiting team’s fan wearing your gear. But it was the exact opposite…. the people sitting at the bar with us were some of the kindest people you’ll ever meet in an opponent’s city. We talked about sports, families, the weather, news….. They were as welcoming as any people I’ve ever come across as a visiting team’s fan, and this being as high stakes of a game as you can possibly have (not sure that it’s less than a SB - I personally think the Conference Championships are higher). Can't say enough about the NO people and the Saints fan base to this point. Nothing but class.
Sunday rolls around and we head down to the stadium via Uber at 10:30 AM - it’s cold and windy as hell and I didn't pack a heavy coat, so I put my Youngblood jersey on over my Salute to Service hoodie and hoped that was enough to keep me semi-comfortable. It wasn't. My wife is wearing her customized 99 - Kolakowski jersey. We stand out in the sea of gold and black. I like it.
We get dropped off at the Dome right where the NFL Network is doing their thing. SWEET! Crowd is small so it should be easy to get on TV. They had just wrapped up a live spot so I knew it would be a while before they came back. Reggie Bush and Amber TheoHarris signed some auto’s rather quickly and then headed for the comfort of their vehicle while MJD hung out and talked to a pair of Saints fans. We decided after a couple of minutes to move in and try to get a picture with him. Well low and behold, he was even more accommodating than the NO locals. We ended up talking for an extended amount of time. He gave me some inside info on some things off the record that I won't share, and he also said that the team was confident, and as they had against Dallas, they had some tells from their tape study that they thought they could take advantage of. He really liked their chances. I thanked him for both his time and his openly biased Rams fandom and told him how much I respected his game back in the day as he posed for a pic with us. A very classy individual - if you ever get the chance to talk to him, you definitely need to do so. We left to find the Gleason statue and would then come back and try to catch a live feed and see if we can get on TV.
Tried to hook up with George but he was like front row at the stage for the Cheap Trick concert…. No way possible we can get to him. So we agree to meet up at the Saints tunnel in section 155.
Walked around the outside concourse and took in the stadium. For being an older building, man that place is pretty cool. Found the Gleason statue and of course, multiple Saints fans offered to take our picture -
Noticed that strangely we’re not catching a whole lot of flak at this point. As we get back to the NFL Network set, we yack it up with the Saints fans that have congregated. All are pretty humble, but respectfully cocky. The guy with the Sean Payton head and the dude with the 70’s knitted faux-hawk tobogin were pretty cool. Faux-hawk Saints fan said his wife is an Audiologist and that last week she recorded a 123.4 db reading at the game. I nodded in appreciation of how much of an effort it takes for a group of fans to pull that off.
Another guy talked up the Rams and how good we were…. Heck, he had me believing we were a great team by the time he was done talking. LOL. The producer shouts at us that we have 3 minutes until we go live, so everyone jockeys for prime position. The producer ensures that the Peyton head is kept at the correct height by barking out instructions to the fan holding it. They go live…. And we’re on TV. Had some fun heckling the Saints fans as they chanted, and even started a two person “Who’s House??” chant at the end that got no reaction from the Saints fans. Shaky tells me via text that he had seen us as did several others.
It’s now about 15 minutes until the gates open and I’m ready to get my cold azz in the dome, so we get in line with a 6 pack of Rams fans and wait. A mother and her 20-something son were from St. Louis. I talked up the St. Louis Rams with her and how great the people of St. Louis are.
As they fire up the metal detectors and start to let people into the Superdome, my Stub Hub app decides not to load for the first time ever…. Oh the joy. As the last person in front of me gains entry, my tickets show on my screen…. I’m hoping this isn't a sign of things to come. I thank both the football and cyber gods (and my cardiologist) for allowing me passage into the Superdome without too much drama.
We head towards 155 to wait for George since Cheap Trick had just gone on stage as the gates opened. We get there and the usher asks to see our tickets. I tell her I’m in the club level but want to try and get some autographs. She said if she lets me in, she’ll lose her job. I have no comeback for that. She offers to take our picture -
We decide to head up since there’s no reason to wait for George - he wont be getting in to the section either since he’s also in club level with us, so we grab a bite to eat in the club level dining area
George shoots me a text with a pic of his son’s hat that was signed by Peters…. I’m like “How did you get that?” He says he’s down by the tunnel. I tell him about the usher stopping us and he divulges his secret to how he got in to the lower bowl. I wont share since it may incriminate him, and he’ll be sure to deny anything I say. LOL! I appreciate the tip George… I’ll be ready for the next time my friend. ;-)
We find our seats and talk to the surrounding Saints fans. Again, very cordial. Nothing to worry about here, we’re in good hands. LOL. They had placed towels on all the seats for the fans to twirl.
I begin to watch Zuerlein warming up. Goes 1-2 from 59 away from us (the direction of the game tying kick), hits from 61 coming towards us as best as I can tell (the direction of the game winning kick) but I'm not sure. The Saints kicker was watching him the entire time in awe…. Heh heh.
As the game starts, when the Rams get the ball for the first time, the scoreboard starts to show a barrage of quotes from Rams players and staff in regards to how the noise wont have an impact…. One from Robert Woods…. I dont remember the others. I thought it was bush league’ish. The decible meter on the scoreboard is definitely not accurate as the place hits full throat. It’s loud, but I’m doubting we’re at 115 db as the scoreboard says. I could be wrong. It may have been louder. But as the game played out, the meter was way off at several points so I know it’s just a number that somebody is tossing up there. I also feel as if the they’re piping in crowd noise. It would ramp up so quickly/suddenly that it seemed unnatural. It was pretty obvious and repetitive/consistent in nature which made me take notice. This is not a slam in any way against the fans, as they did their part for five quarters. Also, gotta give a shoutout to whomever it was that came up with the redneck noise makers - an empty beercan of your choice with 2 quarters inserted into it. Noticed them becoming more numerous as the game progressed. LOL! They actually worked pretty well for rattle cans.
The first quarter and a half of this game was an absolute nightmare/worst case scenario for me, other than the fact that the defense holds up pretty damn well. Once we get to half time and look to have our feet back under us so to speak, I tell the Saints fans in our section that the Saints shouldn't have let us hang around, and that it’s going to be a battle in the second half. The Rams hammer that point home by going 3-and-out to start the 3rd quarter….. LOL.
But the defense is balling, and even though we as Rams fans knew it, they were also starting to convince the Saints fans that their vaunted offense was not going to be able to pull away and put the game out of reach. I’m not sure how much the level of physicality that the Rams defense imposed on the Saints offense showed on the broadcast, but they were laying the smackdown on any and all ball carriers. It was taking a toll for sure.
By the end of the 3rd quarter, I began to hear the subtle rumblings from the Saints faithful… “We’re going to lose.”.... “Man, is this happening?”... “The Rams are going to beat us… I can feel it.”.... Etc. That last statement was so true, you could *feel* it. Something was going to happen to get the Rams a win. As the 4th quarter gets underway, I notice the woman next to me bent over with her head in her hands…. She cant watch. She *feels* it. She stays in this position for the majority of the remainder of the game. The cordial guy a row above us that was talking with us about the game all of a sudden goes into shutdown mode. Things are getting serious as the clock keeps ticking and the Saints can't pull away. He *feels* it. The Rams get the ball down to the 1 yard line and dont go for it on 4th down. At this point, my *feeling* begins to waiver as GZ splits the uprights - Why not go for the juggler there, with the way the Rams were dominating the LOS? I guess that’s why I’m not a NFL HC. What do I know…..
As we get to the two minute warning after the flutter-bomb to Ted Ginn, I’m running the numbers in my head and it looks as if we can get the ball back with about a minute or so left and no TO’s, assuming Sean Peyton calls the correct plays to make us burn the TO’s. Wait, he’s passing on 1st down? Incomplete? OH SNAP! The Saints fans are going bonkers….. LOL! Second down and they run the ball….. Which earns Payton a bronx cheer from the Saints fans around us. LOL. Then, *it* happens….
The No-Call Heard Around the World.
Right in front of us - our seats were Club Level end zone on the Saints side looking directly up their sideline (sec 326). I have the perfect view and expected a flag, as did 70k other people who didn't have as good of a view as we did. But, in the ref’s defense, the play looks much closer in real-time versus the terrible angles they keep showing in the stadium. Someone tosses a massive coke from the upper deck. Police are dispatched to our section to keep the peace. I begin to realize how much that call changed even the most cordial of Saints fans. Lots of cussing and expletives. I’m now officially thankful that I spent the extra coin to get into the Club Level since I’m guessing the upper tank was not a good place to be at the moment. The lady next to me has her head in her lap still. She’s done. I feel bad for her. Sort of…. ;-)
The Saints take the lead on the ensuing FG. I’m having flashbacks to the prior possession where McVay didn't go for the TD on 4th down. Is that really going to be the difference? Focus…. We’ve got time, we’ve got a gift timeout. We’ve got a great kicker. Our offense has been moving the ball up and down the field with ease since the middle of the second quarter. We’ve got a shot here.
They move the ball down the field with ease, and actually had two chances to take the lead with passes to Robert Woods on the drive (one was caught as he stumbled, otherwise it’s a house call) and another a couple of plays later where he’s WIDE OPEN on the exact same route but Goff doesn't see him. It was a total coverage bust.
The Rams are well within GZ’s range at this point, but I feel that the football Gods are going to make things right in regards to the missed call and force a miss. The two Saints fans in front of me are thinking the same thing. Needless to say, I’ve never been happier to be wrong about something in my entire life….. LOL! GZ sneaks it inside the right upright, and you can *feel* the tension. The game was over, or so it seemed. It was only a matter of time. You could *feel* it. I pat the lady next to me, with her head still buried in her lap, on the shoulder in an attempt to console her. She doesn't move.
The Saints win the toss and get the ball. I’m good with that. Wait, they’re moving the ball some… not what I expected. Then Fowler almost gets home and JJ makes a nice INT on the play. The Rams are in business.
I break out the phone to record the NFC Championship winning drive. I flip the camera around and say “The Rams are going to the Superbowl….. “ Goff hits Higbee for a solid gain and we’re on the edge of FG range, though it's going to be a long one if we don't get any closer. Damn…. CJ LOSES 3 yards on first down? Goff hits Higbee again for 6 or so to get a little closer and then a bubble screen incomplete sets up a win or lose kick from 57 for GZ (lose meaning where we’ll be giving the Saints the ball on a miss would basically put them 10 yards from FG position).
If he makes this, then I will have seen him make kicks of 60, 58 and 57 live (I was at the Seattle game with Ungulate (RIP my friend) back in 2012 in St. Louis where he kicked the 60 and 58 yarder plus 2 others). What are the chances?
Hecker handles a bad snap, but GZ is unphased as he pounds it through the uprights on our end of the field as if it was an extra point from the 2014 season - me and the wife are crying, hugging, jumping up and down, screaming “We’re going to the Superbowl!!” “We’re going to Atlanta!!” “Oh my God!!!” - and the Saints fans are stunned. Things are being thrown onto the field. A couple of fans try to run some smack but at this point, it didn't matter. WE JUST WON THE NFC CHAMPIONSHIP!! Without ever leading at any point in time during the game, in the Saints’ house, in front of 70k+ rabid Saints fans, in one of the loudest environments I’ve ever been a part of. I’m shaking. Did this just happen?
I get tapped on the shoulder…. It’s the lady who had her head in her lap for the entire 4th quarter who couldn't stand to watch it. Her eyes are bloodshot from weeping. She tells us “Congratulations and good luck.” and then walks away. Very classy. I’m sure that was hard for her to do.
We let the stadium clear out so that we have less people to deal with on our way outside. We were planning on walking to the casino to Manning’s (yes, the Manning’s as in Archie and the kids) to watch the AFC Championship, but I’m beginning to think that it may not be a safe thing to do after seeing the way people were reacting to the fallout of the non-call. I decide to speak to a sweet lady usher after getting kicked out of our seats and get her opinion on what she would do if she were in our shoes -
“Well, if you can get to the casino, you’ll be fine. The walk from here to there could be a challenge. There are a lot of hurt Saints fans at the moment. I’ve never seen so many grown men crying as they walked by me…..” - I cut her off, telling her thanks for her advice as I get my phone and set up an Uber ride back to the hotel. We’ll watch the AFC Championship in the safe confines of the hotel.
While walking around the stadium trying to make our way to the Uber, we are catching flak from the occasional drunken Saints fan. Lots of cursing, some aggression. But for every person who decided to show their azzes to us, several others would be sure to apologize to us for the others’ actions, mentioning that we as Rams fans did nothing wrong and that this isn't how the people of New Orleans act. Very classy on their part indeed, and greatly appreciated.
As we get to the Uber, it starts to set in…. We just witnessed one of the most historic playoff games in NFL history.
But as most Rams fan know, we’re usually on the wrong side of these types of games. Not today.
WE’RE GOING TO THE SUPERBOWL!!!!
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/26/2019 01:40PM by Ramsrule.
