SEATTLE – Forget the final score. The Seahawks had it safely in the bag Sunday against the New York Giants even before the hired lackeys from the NFL could set up their ITU-R 468 Noise Weighting devices, unpack their quasi-peak sound detectors and strap on their state-of-the-art mics.
This one was done in the first quarter, roughly 10 minutes after Eli Manning threw his first of three interceptions and right around the time defensive end Michael Strahan screamed at some kid on the sidelines for offering him water until the poor kid’s ears bled.
With abundant help from their amped-up, soy-latte-fueled fanatics, the Seahawks quickly established vast superiority over the Giants and kept it up until garbage time set in, which was shortly after Matt Hasselbeck tossed his fifth touchdown pass that gave Seattle a 42-3 advantage in the third quarter.
So thorough and quick was the whipping that the Seahawks hold one of the rare distinctions of a team that took its own crowd out of the game. The din died down in direct relationship with the widening margin shortly after unleashing the supersonic blast the league was busy “investigating.”
The mugging came at the excruciating expense of one of the NFC’s leading Super Bowl contenders. Certainly, the New York Giants gained some street cred the previous week when Manning led them to a 30-24 overtime victory against the Philadelphia Eagles following a 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
The four-wideout formation gives the Seahawks even more flexibility in their passing offense, which is bad news for the rest of the league.
So what’s it all mean?
It means make reservations for Miami.
Yes, Miami, home of Super Bowl XLI. The game is Feb. 4.
Let us be the first to get all Joe Namath and guarantee the Seahawks will make it.
They have a 12-game win streak at thundering Qwest Field and have won 24 of their past 27. The streak won’t end anytime soon, not with the diverse weapons the Seahawks wield, coupled with the deafening blare inside Qwest.
They’ll take advantage of Qwest through the playoffs, since we’re also guaranteeing they’ll feast on home cooking after easily piling up the NFC’s best record.
Why are we sure? The rest of the NFC West is again the NFL’s 98-pound weakling and there’s little reason to believe the Seahawks won’t duplicate last season’s six-game sweep over division foes.
That leaves next week’s game at Chicago and the Dec. 3 game at Denver as the schedule’s only thorns. That means 14-2, at worst.
Gravy.
With that in mind, allow us to introduce some comfortable and affordable air and hotel packages for Miami Feb. 2-5, leaving from Seattle on America West.
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Three packages available on expedia.com are particularly appealing to the bargain-seeking football fan. You can stay at the Sixty-Six Resort Residences for a mere $948 per person. The property is just two blocks from the sandy beaches of the Atlantic and just three miles from the historic Art Deco District of South Beach.
Or there’s the New Casablanca on the Ocean, on the northern stretch of Miami Beach for only $511. Rooms include kitchenettes and are decorated with simple, palewood furnishings and fabrics in muted sea tones.
Or try the lovely Miccosukee Resort and Gaming, located just 12 miles from the Everglades National Park and 18 miles from downtown Miami. Amenities include 24-hour dining options, a martini bar and room service. Guests also enjoy the use of the resort’s finest bathrobes and slippers. Just $634.
Book now and save.
For dining, may we suggest Shula’s Steak House (entrees from about $20), owned by you-know-who. Or for seafood, try Joe’s Stone Crab Restaurant in South Beach.
No trip to Miami is complete without the Mai-Kai Polynesian Dinner Show (from $38.13 per adult). Here’s the official description: Agile warriors and beautiful maidens perform native dances from the South Pacific (note not included in official description: Miami is a continent away from the Pacific) while you enjoy tropical dishes from an award-winning menu.
We hope this supplies you with a taste of the many wonderful opportunities in sunny Miami. Remember, we at The Herald are here to help fulfill your Super Bowl travel dreams.
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