This AP recap of the game on ESPN.com brought a lot of different elements behind the game into this story. The author did a good job of contrasting the two coaches throughout the story. He compared the stolid composed Bill Belichick to the rowdy gregarious Rex Ryan. This game was much more to the players than just a playoff game and the emotion was really captured by this story.
However, it does seem to get a little confusing when he is reporting on the actually game. Towards the end of the story the writing seems to get a little choppy and unorganized. The author also seems to throw in pieces that should just be left out. It’s almost like he just wanted to push that metaphor in there. The line about Tom Brady before the game getting as close to the end zone seemed especially forced.
The author also did have quotes from the players and coaches at the end of the game to really show their personalities rather than just telling it. He even had a good quote about the Jets are already starting to talk trash about the Steelers.
Since both of these teams were in the AFC East this story had to be about the rivalry. All the hype all week was just about the rivalry between the two teams, and the author did a good job of continuing that idea past the game, but left out some pieces of the actual game.
The story also ended by describing the end of the first half instead of the very end of the game. That seemed different to me as well. This story was more focused on the difference between the two teams instead of focusing on the actual game. If this were a piece on the differences between the two teams it would have been better, but because it is supposed to recap the game I feel like it was only mediocre.
