If you're a Football Outsider you're a TRUE player and true players don't stick to one passion only, so here's something else to excite you while you're waiting for the game to start. How about a free $30 chip to play slot machine games for as long as you want?
Everybody knows what the Jets need to do on defense to beat the Colts: basically what they have been doing the last two weeks, with a couple wrinkles as described by Schatz, Tanier, and Farrar here at FO. On Offense they also need to use some of the handoff/long ball Flacco-like offense we saw from the Ravens last year. One or two Sanchez to Edwards bombs could make all the difference in this game.
And as much as I am rooting for the Irony factor (Jets in playoffs due to week 16 vs Colts)(and how does Peyton Manning in all seriousness say, "okay coach, we can lose this game. I don't care about the perfect season")(and at least the 2007 Pats WENT for it), I think the Colts are too strong and too consistent. That or I'm too afraid to actually pick the Jets.
And lets be honest about the Vikings and Saints: this game is a coin flip. There are 1,000 different possibilities and ways to arrive at either of two outcomes, and regardless of who actually "wins" this game tonight, I think we know that both teams are pretty good. Maybe I "feel" the Saints will pull it off because the OL has a good game and Brees has time to set up and throw. Maybe they will hit a few plays, and maybe Favre takes a couple drive-ending sacks. Maybe.
"Just look at that pumpkin."
-John Madden, looking at the moon.
My weekend is already beyond awesomeness and now there's 2 matches coming up I'm really looking forward to.
Colts - Jets: if there is a defense that can stop the colts, it would be the Jets. But I don't see it happen. The Jets play too much small ball to keep up. They need a great game from Sanchez...
Saints - Vikings: The story ends here. The Saints will stop HWSNBN. Add some Peterson fumbles and the Vikings won't keep up with the Saints offense.
Sints and colts in superwbowl XLIV heard it here firts.
by The Guy You Don't Want to Hear (not verified) :: Sun, 01/24/2010 - 4:00pm
I really hope the Vikings don't lose on Peterson fumbles. He'll be lynched while [Vikings QB] is hoisted upon the fans' shoulders in triumph and paraded around the city. Of course, that will also happen if they win.
I just hope that if either of those occurs, they stick to their side of the river.
On an intellectual level, the Colts/Jets is quite interesting to me. Good matchups on both sides of the ball to watch and see how things unfold. I'm really curious to see which Sanchez shows up if the Colts are able to force the Jets into third and long situations.
It is impossible for me to be objective about the second game at this moment. Maybe yesterday or the day before, but not today. I am a New Orleanian. 'Nuff Said.
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Sports talk radio and sports message boards are the killing fields of intellectual discourse.
by soxfanscott (not verified) :: Sun, 01/24/2010 - 4:11pm
Colts GM BIll Polian's rule changes after Ty Law's 3 picks in 2003 AFC Championship game are still affecting the way the game is played. If Revis picks Manning off a few times today, Will we have some new rules for 2010?
Phil Simms is making some astute comments this game.
Unfortunately, they get drowned out by his usual inanities.
"Colts, 2nd and 2 in the championship game. Manning under center, hey, let's talk about that 'How I met Your Mother' promo..."
And the Jets have now eclipsed every single scoring prediction in this thread thus far. Awesome!
Damn, nice touchback by Feely there.
-- Overall, I'd be kind of embarrassed to critique something when I didn't know what the hell I was talking about, but then, oh yeah, my NAME is on what I write, isn't it?
by Levente from Hungary :: Sun, 01/24/2010 - 5:41pm
So far NY could only move the ball with tricky moves. IND won't fall for it continuously. Meanwhile the Colts drove down the field 3 times against the supposedly very stout defense. And now they proved that they can score TD as well. Indy should turn it around.
by Terrapin (not verified) :: Sun, 01/24/2010 - 5:58pm
The Jets better hope Greene is ok and can return. Thomas Jones is a poor runner without huge holes and against a good D. He seems to shut down and not find anything.
Watching the Colts, it seems as though they play the game for a while, trying different offensive strategies, and then Tom Moore tells Peyton, "Heck with it. Just score a touchdown," and they get a touchdown.
It's always seemed to me the Peyton just keeps picking at potential soft spots in the D. Exploits one when he finds it. The D either doesn't react and he keeps milking it or overreacts and then the field is wide open for him. Either way it seems to cause a surge in offensive productivity.
by Levente from Hungary :: Sun, 01/24/2010 - 6:41pm
That's what I meant in my halftime comment. Since the 3rd drive they have 4 long scores, one quick out and a fumble (not Manning's fault). Incredible.
Meanwhile NY only succeeded on 2 early drives.
I was 'distracted' early first half, but yeah. The Colts are rollin'. The Jets are struggling an uphill battle.
Sanchez is not able yet to provide a steady passing game to win in the play offs. Let alone vs the Colts.
by an old ref (not verified) :: Sun, 01/24/2010 - 6:49pm
I swear, I think Manning's game today is one of the greatest I have ever seen. Sanchez has been magnificent, and he's hardly fit to stand in Manning's shadow, that's how good Peyton has been.
by Micranot (not verified) :: Sun, 01/24/2010 - 6:56pm
Memo to the rest of the league: Please note that the Colts are currently dissecting the #1 pass (and overall) defense in the league. They are doing this by going to their #2 and #3 receivers for over 100 yards each and at least a TD.
It almost certainly won't matter, but why kick the FG there? 4th and 1 from the 3 with just over 2 left and a 10-point lead, why not go for it? If you score the TD, game over. Get the first down but not score, you can run out the clock (if the Jets are out of timeouts, can't remember). If you miss, they're pinned inside the 5 needing 2 scores in just over 2 minutes. There's really no downside.
Kicking the field goal leaves it a 2-score game, but it give the ball back with a chance for something screwy to happen - a kick return score, Edwards catching the ball, etc. It probably won't matter, of course, but kicking the field goal was the best way to leave the Jets in the game.
Oh, interception. Never mind, it doesn't matter at all.
I thought that the Colts should have gone for it as well. But maybe they wanted to avoid a fumble and long return like the Bettis fumble against the Colts in the playoffs a few years ago (the play where Big Ben made the tackle to save the Steelers).
Of course, the chip shot field goal could have been blocked and run back for a touchdown, like what happened in a playoff game in the 1970s between the Rams and the Vikings. On fourth and goal, needing only inches for a touchdown, the conservative Rams chose to try a field goal. The Vikings blocked the kick and ran it back 90 yards for a touchdown in what turned out to be the key play of the game. I'm sure Will Allen remembers that, although he's probably busy right now . . . .
It might have already been discussed, but why does the NFL keep promoting Pro Bowl and Superbowl as South Florida instead of Miami? Is anything happening in other cities?
that is a huge point of contention locally. The Dolphins have a palm beach county coordinator and I imagine one for broward as well. Even on local radio they're supposed to always say "south florida". In some ways it was a big issue for the baseball stadium as well, but they put it farther away rather than closer to the other two counties...
Sort of like that. Miami has South Beach, which is a place of sin and debauchery. The idea, dumb as it is, is to try to avoid encouraging that. South Florida sounds more peaceful and less like a silicone-enhanced madhouse.
ok, not in a row, but on successive series. I was beginning to wonder if this was going to be a game like that WI-Michigan state game several years ago over in tokyo.
"put down their 3rd tight end..." boy, sure is a tough career path. "I'm sorry, but you didn't make the team. But we can't have you passing along any information to anyone, so I'm afraid we're going to have to make sure that doesn't happen."
3rd TE is like the 1st or 2nd fullback for teams that carry one.
Also, those guys are good for special teams. Just like the 3rd safety or the 6th lineman.
Peterson is more of a liability than an asset. His fumbling is worse than Slaton's when he got benched, and his production is not great enough to justify it.
As an embittered Packers fan who's been rooting against 4 all year, I can't say this is how I wanted it to end. That was a pretty questionable hit to put it nicely.
The brief moments between Vilma's interception and the commercial break were, in a nutshell, why I really don't want to see the Vikings in the Super Bowl. FOX found time for two shots: one, a replay of QB #4 getting hit, and then a shot of him limping off. No replay of the actual pick. To top it off, they come back from the break not with the relevant replay, but rather a shot of QB #4 laying on a training table. I understand that it's interesting and relevant that he was shaken up on the play, but that can be stated. (Also, as much sympathy as I have for Vikes' fans, I don't sympathize enough to want to see the hearts of GB fans torn out, stomped on, and shredded the way it would be if QB #4 were to win it with the Vikes.)
by Jim B. (not verified) :: Sun, 01/24/2010 - 10:15pm
Getting Brett Favre to quarterback your team is like making a pact with the Devil. He'll grant you riches temporarily, but you'll always find yourself paying the ultimate price in the end: the emergence of Bad Brett and the 5+ turnover game.
"That was the first throw by Brett Favre that I've seen in a long time where I just thought 'Gosh, what was he thinking'"
Okay, so you missed that nearly not a pick earlier in the game, and that actual pick too? Well, that'd explain the level of commentary.
by The Guy You Don't Want to Hear (not verified) :: Sun, 01/24/2010 - 10:22pm
That fumble sent the radio announcers instantly from sounding like they were sure the Vikings were in the Super Bowl to depressed and wanting it all over with.
I find it ironic but oddly just that the (possible) final game for a player known for his durability and 'gunslinging' involves him getting injured and everyone else on his team committing turnovers.
by Martial (not verified) :: Sun, 01/24/2010 - 11:08pm
I'm in Denmark too, at a conference. The clock just passed 4:00 am. Conference starts at 9:00. But I'll miss the Super Bowl (on an airplane), so this is the last football of the season for me. What a game! Weird. Very weird.
What's the rule on what movement a quarterback can do without it being a false start? On that 3rd and 18, Brees was moving his arms and head quite a bit on the hard count, trying to get the Vikings to jump. Should that have been a false start?
The fact that they very deliberately and obviously went into Chillyball mode once they got that 1st down, content to attempt a 51 yard field goal. If not for that penalty, they were nearly certain to slam into the line again and try for the 50 yarder. In a postseason full of examples of why that's a stupid strategy.
It's not like they had 475 yards gained to that point or anything. 10 yards could've been had.
It was totally Favre's fault, he should have just ran the ball. As you said, a 54 yarder was outside of realistic field goal range, so I have no problem with calling a pass there. It was a terrible throw.
by snik75 (not verified) :: Sun, 01/24/2010 - 10:58pm
I thought the exact same thing. You CAN'T be settling for a 50+ yd FG there, and that must have been killing Favre on the 2 hand-offs. With that said, run the darn ball, Brent!
by snik75 (not verified) :: Mon, 01/25/2010 - 12:02am
Not finding excuses, really. But it was terrible coaching. And a terrible interception. Which he has been known to throw when he is "trying to make a play". Which is probably why they ran the ball the first two times. Which might piss him off a bit. I don't know, I was glad to see him leave the Packers, but I did hope he'd get to the next game here.
I'd rather see them play a full 15-minute OT period in the playoffs, instead of sudden death. C'mon, who wouldn't have liked to see this game go another full 15 minutes?
by The Guy You Don't Want to Hear (not verified) :: Mon, 01/25/2010 - 12:11am
I think that's a good idea--I've put it forth before. However, I would also like to get rid of regular season overtime. Just call it a tie there. I know that I'm an idiot because ties are the worst thing ever to happen to the universe, so no one needs to tell me.
by snik75 (not verified) :: Mon, 01/25/2010 - 12:18am
I say first one to score 6 more points wins it. In my mind the problem isn't as ,uch that one offense never gets to touch the ball as that you can win it with a few first downs and a field goal. Just doesn't seem the proper way to end an otherwise exciting game that was even atthe end of regulation.
by Scott P. (not verified) :: Mon, 01/25/2010 - 1:18am
Well, if the game is tied with 2:00 left, whoever has the ball can win with a few first downs and a field goal, and nobody seems to complain about that.
by ukRaider (not verified) :: Wed, 01/27/2010 - 8:40am
Just checked in to read the FO community comments on the NFC game before I re-load it for a second viewing, and I have to say that I really like Scott P.’s comment when he said ‘Well, if the game is tied with 2:00 left, whoever has the ball can win with a few first downs and a field goal, and nobody seems to complain about that.'
After a few seasons now of hearing a variety of views on the topic, I’ve still found my view to be fundamentally different from every other one I come across, and Scott P.’s comment partly expresses my disagreement with those who call for both offenses/QB’s to touch the ball in O.T.
So I recently created a blog over at NFLUK to share my views by making a couple of postings on the subject, and would be greatly interested to hear from the community on it – particularly Scott P. - as I have regarded FO as the best football site since I found it a few years ago.
I have no idea what Saints fans would have preferred before the coin toss. But I (who by the way am not a Saints fan) have always loved the NFL sudden death overtime format. So my preference would have been the same at the end of regulation, or in the middle of last week. And it will be the same in the future.
Not really. While a 54 yard figgie is not terribly likely to go in there's got to be at least a 20-30% chance it does (particularly in a dome), throwing a pick gives you no chance of winning in regulation. Beyond that Favre should have ran the ball, it looked pretty clear that he could have at least gained a few yards doing that.
Actually, no. Watching live, I was pretty sure their feet got tangled and it was uncatchable.
Just because a guy throws his hands up doesn't mean the ref automatically has to call a foul.
As for the PI, it's literally been years since I've seen a play like that not called as PI. Whether a ball is "catchable" is not something that refs consider so much any more, esp. not when the defender, who has no idea where the ball is, crashes into the WR.
To put it another way, "but it wasn't catchable" died at least 10 years ago.
It still gets called (there is still a ref signal for it players sometimes make like they are soccer players or something), but imo it is rarely called on balls that land in the field of play as opposed to 5 yards OB. If the ref thinks there was illegal contact, the receiver is given every benefit of any doubt on "uncatchable" (DPI being at its essence giving the WR the benefit of all doubts). Would a receiver running at speed in the right direction not contacted at all have a chance to catch that ball that landed in bounds? Sure.
It seems the issue on that one (and I didn't see any full-play isolated replays) was whether the contact was PI. The defender came up claiming OPI (which seems iffy), but perhaps there is some argument there was some mutual incidental contact early in the ball's flight through the air. Would have liked to have seen the whole interaction from the snap, because by that time there could have been some plus-5 yard contact, and I am not sure if Brees would be considered outside the pocket.
Vikings problem not the refs, but having the game go into OT in the first place.
That was some ridiculous effing OT reffing. I was almost feeling bad for Favre at that point(who I can't stand) until I remembered he choked a chance to win the game on that triple-o stooopid throw across the field. Play calling was also stupid, but 20 year veteran QB might notice (knowing he had a time out) that he had pretty clear sailing right in front of him for 5 yards at least. It's not like he doesn't like to go over the line of scrimmage with the ball in his hand.
by an old ref (not verified) :: Sun, 01/24/2010 - 11:34pm
PI cannot be reviewed, and the fact that the defender didn't look back for the ball probably sealed the deal, just like Porter in the end zone. The incompletion, well, "indisputable visual evidence is a high bar." Just because you are sure you saw something on the teevee doesn't mean it meets that standard.
The game shouldn't have been in that position to begin with. The Vikings gave it away with turnovers, and refereeing did not give a worse team the game.
That being said, the referees played a huge part in the last drive with the pass interference call. It was not pass interference. At all. I didn't think so live. It was clearly not catchable, and it's unfortunate that it ended that way.
by Gryfyn1 (not verified) :: Sun, 01/24/2010 - 11:24pm
so what did Farve say to Sean Payton there?
.." Hey, man you need a QB for the Superbowl?, really I got a tearful 'Im retiring' speech already filmed. I can retire, run home, ride a few laps on my Tractor and Waffel for a week then I can be ready for media day.... Seriously, you in? I think I can even get Childres to drive me!"
really? The Browns have an NFL championship. They have several. Plus some AAFC championships.
The Vikings have one NFL championship that preceded a loss to the Chiefs in the pre-merger.
I mean I'll admit their team at the moment doesn't look as bad as the Browns. But at least the Browns have had seasons that ended triumphantly... (I'm counting the old franshise pre-move and the current franchise).
Yeah, I know you had "the drive" and "the fumble". I didn't have an emotional investment in those, I feel for ya on that. But this somehow seems worse....
Plus, since they are just about the lowest profit margin team in the NFL (them or the Raiders apparently) once we go capless and the restrictions are off they'll never compete again. They probably had to win it all to get any traction towards a stadium.
by snik75 (not verified) :: Sun, 01/24/2010 - 11:38pm
Even as a Packer fan, this Farve INT was worse. The Giants outplayed the Pack, and it was only 2 missed Tynes' FGs that got the Packers to OT, as I recall. It was exciting when they got the ball first in OT, but that is a lot different than being on the 35 with 2 timeouts left tied with 1 minute to go... ugh, what a bad couple of plays there.
Eh, the Giants had pretty great fumble luck in that game (I think they recovered 5 of 6 fumbles between both teams, including one right at the goal line that Kampman never saw go under him and was punched in for a TD afterwards, and a punt return muff/fumble that a Packer blew a clear shot at), so I think it canceled out a bit.
I think both INTs were about equally dumb. In both cases it was a tie game, not super critical field position so no need to absolutely make a huge play, and in both cases a better option (running today, dump off to Grant over the middle for an easy 5+ yards in 2008). Actually, this play was on 3rd down while the 2008 play was on 1st or second down, so the one for GB might have been a bit dumber, since a throwaway would have given more chances to advance the ball.
by GoJetsGO (not verified) :: Sun, 01/24/2010 - 11:34pm
I can't wait to see the DVOAs for this game. I haven't seen a team (Vikings) dominate another team (Saints) this badly and lose since the Chargers and Patriots in 2006.
by Packer Pete (not verified) :: Sun, 01/24/2010 - 11:41pm
Packers - Eagles in the famous 4th and 26 game. Packers hammered the Eagles; couldn't separate on the scoreboard. In OT, Favre tosses his worst interception of all time, the inexplicable pop fly to centerfield that set up the Eagles' winning field goal. Some things never change.
by Corrections (not verified) :: Mon, 01/25/2010 - 2:43am
Really? I saw it last year with Tennessee over Baltimore and it was even bigger. If the Ravens hadn't nearly broken Chris Johnson in half and knocked him out the Titans would have rolled that game.
Well hey at least both games were interesting! Though the NFC Championship seemed like either a case of both teams competing for the honor of not playing Indy or I dunno. Such a totally wacky game.
by Packer Pete (not verified) :: Sun, 01/24/2010 - 11:38pm
My preseason prediction came true: the Vikings' season would end on a horrible Favre interception. Not that I have any amazing prognosticating powers--I've just seen this story several times following Favre with his final ten seasons with the Packers. Death, taxes, and Favre drops back to throw with the game on the line...
Just amazed that Favre threw away an NFC championship game for the second time in 3 years. Can we officially remove him from any "best QB ever" discussion? The best QB ever doesn't make a game-losing INT in two NFC championship games twice in two years.
by Packer Pete (not verified) :: Sun, 01/24/2010 - 11:43pm
What the heck is Reggie Bush doing on the announcers' platform with Drew Brees? The Saints have a couple dozen more deserving players than Bush who should be getting national face time.
NFC Teams, Last Appearance in the Super Bowl (* means only Super Bowl Appearance)
Detroit Never
Minnesota 1977
Washington 1992
San Francisco 1995
Dallas 1996
Green Bay 1998
Atlanta 1999 *
St. Louis 2000
Tampa Bay 2003 *
Carolina 2004 *
Philadelphia 2005
Seattle 2006 *
Chicago 2007
New York Giants 2008
Arizona 2009 *
New Orleans 2010 *
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Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
This is football's best day.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
PREDICTIONS!
Everybody knows what the Jets need to do on defense to beat the Colts: basically what they have been doing the last two weeks, with a couple wrinkles as described by Schatz, Tanier, and Farrar here at FO. On Offense they also need to use some of the handoff/long ball Flacco-like offense we saw from the Ravens last year. One or two Sanchez to Edwards bombs could make all the difference in this game.
And as much as I am rooting for the Irony factor (Jets in playoffs due to week 16 vs Colts)(and how does Peyton Manning in all seriousness say, "okay coach, we can lose this game. I don't care about the perfect season")(and at least the 2007 Pats WENT for it), I think the Colts are too strong and too consistent. That or I'm too afraid to actually pick the Jets.
And lets be honest about the Vikings and Saints: this game is a coin flip. There are 1,000 different possibilities and ways to arrive at either of two outcomes, and regardless of who actually "wins" this game tonight, I think we know that both teams are pretty good. Maybe I "feel" the Saints will pull it off because the OL has a good game and Brees has time to set up and throw. Maybe they will hit a few plays, and maybe Favre takes a couple drive-ending sacks. Maybe.
"Just look at that pumpkin."
-John Madden, looking at the moon.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
One or two Sanchez to Edwards bombs could make all the difference in this game.
Assuming that Edwards actually catches the ball.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
Exactly. He's the wildcard.
"Just look at that pumpkin."
-John Madden, looking at the moon.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
And he did. Long TD.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
...but someone else can throw the ball too.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
My weekend is already beyond awesomeness and now there's 2 matches coming up I'm really looking forward to.
Colts - Jets: if there is a defense that can stop the colts, it would be the Jets. But I don't see it happen. The Jets play too much small ball to keep up. They need a great game from Sanchez...
Saints - Vikings: The story ends here. The Saints will stop HWSNBN. Add some Peterson fumbles and the Vikings won't keep up with the Saints offense.
Sints and colts in superwbowl XLIV heard it here firts.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
I really hope the Vikings don't lose on Peterson fumbles. He'll be lynched while [Vikings QB] is hoisted upon the fans' shoulders in triumph and paraded around the city. Of course, that will also happen if they win.
I just hope that if either of those occurs, they stick to their side of the river.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
On an intellectual level, the Colts/Jets is quite interesting to me. Good matchups on both sides of the ball to watch and see how things unfold. I'm really curious to see which Sanchez shows up if the Colts are able to force the Jets into third and long situations.
It is impossible for me to be objective about the second game at this moment. Maybe yesterday or the day before, but not today. I am a New Orleanian. 'Nuff Said.
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Sports talk radio and sports message boards are the killing fields of intellectual discourse.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
Colts 17, Jets 9.
Saints 34, Vikings 17.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
Colts 17
Jets 13
Vikes 41
Saints 38
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Men are more ready to repay an injury than a benefit because gratitude is a burden and revenge a pleasure.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
Colts 30
Jets 17
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
Nice pick.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
That's a TERRIBLE pick!
Now if he said Colts outrun Jets, or Jets have a higher percentage on 3rd downs, that would have been eerie.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
Colts 31, Jets 3
Saints 34, Vikings 17 (That's what I guessed before, so I'll stick with it even though it's the same as miqewalsh.)
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
Colts 40, Jets 7
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
Colts GM BIll Polian's rule changes after Ty Law's 3 picks in 2003 AFC Championship game are still affecting the way the game is played. If Revis picks Manning off a few times today, Will we have some new rules for 2010?
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
I have polyps lining my colon that sre smarter than you.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
Well, there's some karmic realignment for the Jets on field goal accuracy.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
Nice run by Goddammit Donald up the middle.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
Awesome. I'm never calling him anything else.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
HE CAUGHT IT!!!!
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
someone check Dropwards' hands for stickum!
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Men are more ready to repay an injury than a benefit because gratitude is a burden and revenge a pleasure.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
That was the best promo I've seen in a while, courtesy of Nantz losing the script.
"How I Met Your Mother... well, I hope you watch it."
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
Joseph Addai: USER JUKE.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
Phil Simms is making some astute comments this game.
Unfortunately, they get drowned out by his usual inanities.
"Colts, 2nd and 2 in the championship game. Manning under center, hey, let's talk about that 'How I met Your Mother' promo..."
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
Barnsey Wells?
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
why does sanchez look like such a beast right now?
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
Because the Colts don't believe in defensive backs.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
and today's officials don't believe in offensive holding.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
kinda surprising they almost went undefeated with the secondary looking like it does...i suppose they've had a lot of luck, but still
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
Holy Shit!
Huge turnover. I don't think that you can really blame Addai much on that one, though.
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Sports talk radio and sports message boards are the killing fields of intellectual discourse.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
no way, he diddn't see that coming
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
And the Jets have now eclipsed every single scoring prediction in this thread thus far. Awesome!
Damn, nice touchback by Feely there.
--
Overall, I'd be kind of embarrassed to critique something when I didn't know what the hell I was talking about, but then, oh yeah, my NAME is on what I write, isn't it?
-Les Bowen
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
Collie got it. Finally.
Manning looks like "we're not on... this sucks" till now.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
What I wrote times 2.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
Don't shoot Mongo ...
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
Austin Collie = Braylon Edwards
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
So far NY could only move the ball with tricky moves. IND won't fall for it continuously. Meanwhile the Colts drove down the field 3 times against the supposedly very stout defense. And now they proved that they can score TD as well. Indy should turn it around.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
"Tricky moves"? If a pump fake is a "tricky move" to the Colts' DBs, the Jets may actually have a chance.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
Perhaps "Braylon Edwards actually catching the ball" is considered a trick play.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
OK, then let me rephrase it to freak plays - they won't have many 80-yard pass plays.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
Apparently the Jets plan was to win in a barrage of long FGs...
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
Collie > Edwards
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
The Jets better hope Greene is ok and can return. Thomas Jones is a poor runner without huge holes and against a good D. He seems to shut down and not find anything.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
Manning is off today.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
And yet his QB rating as of now is about 126. Not bad for an off day.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
...aaaaand he throws 6. He is off, but still very good.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
This offense is quite efficient when they are on like they were on this drive. Wow.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
He (Simms?) said Manning is 6-6. Isn't he 6-5 as in "6-5, 230 pounds, laser-rocket arm"?
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
Wiki and NFL both say he's 6'5.
It's never enough so why not lie he's 6'6?
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
Height inflation--he probably comes from a place where all the kids are above-average, too.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
Nope, that's the other end of the Mississippi.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
Watching the Colts, it seems as though they play the game for a while, trying different offensive strategies, and then Tom Moore tells Peyton, "Heck with it. Just score a touchdown," and they get a touchdown.
Re: Conference Championship Discussion Thread
It's always seemed to me the Peyton just keeps picking at potential soft spots in the D. Exploits one when he finds it. The D either doesn't react and he keeps milking it or overreacts and then the field is wide open for him. Either way it seems to cause a surge in offensive productivity.
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How much you wanna bet I'd throw a flag if Jim Leonhard got revenge for that on Peyton?
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The Jets are setting up nicely for another missed FG.
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Jets fans wish.
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And that right there is why the NFL won't release the All-22's....
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Yup. People would finally see how often I get the non-reviewable calls wrong.
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At this point, Schottzie Jr can pick his NFL head coaching job. Impressive gameplanning and calling, even when it doesn't quite come off.
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The Jets stopped moving around pre-snap on defense, and since then, they haven't been close to stopping the Colts.
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They started with two sacks on tow drives, and then, for some reason, went straight up, and Manning has been unstoppable ever since.
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Sanchez should pretend every down is third-and-long.
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Manning will never lose this game.
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That's what I meant in my halftime comment. Since the 3rd drive they have 4 long scores, one quick out and a fumble (not Manning's fault). Incredible.
Meanwhile NY only succeeded on 2 early drives.
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I was 'distracted' early first half, but yeah. The Colts are rollin'. The Jets are struggling an uphill battle.
Sanchez is not able yet to provide a steady passing game to win in the play offs. Let alone vs the Colts.
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Time for Curtis Painter?
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I swear, I think Manning's game today is one of the greatest I have ever seen. Sanchez has been magnificent, and he's hardly fit to stand in Manning's shadow, that's how good Peyton has been.
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they started strugling, but with the blocking adjustments vs the blitz, and with the Jets playing more mellow, they are unstoppable.
Jets should've stick to their gameplan and rush the crap out of Manning. They are one of the few teams that could do it.
That's Metallica btw in the highlight reels.
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Leonhard should have WASTED Garçon on that play. Absolutely feet-off-the-floor annihilated. And he didn't.
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Memo to the rest of the league: Please note that the Colts are currently dissecting the #1 pass (and overall) defense in the league. They are doing this by going to their #2 and #3 receivers for over 100 yards each and at least a TD.
And next year they get back Gonzalez who led the league in receiving DVOA (http://footballoutsiders.com/stats/wr2007) in 2007.
GL!
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I believe the GL is a Colts fan. Or maybe just had some money on the game.
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lol
Stover's arms are so small he can stick his arms though his facemask and put his helmet on his elbow.
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Is there any evidence that squib kicks result in less big returns?
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I think the idea is to give up yardage for less risk of a big return.
Dunno if it works.
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Yea, I know that's the idea, but it seems like most of the time a squib return gets to the 35-40 anyways, so why not just kick it out of bounds?
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Well. So much for that.
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It almost certainly won't matter, but why kick the FG there? 4th and 1 from the 3 with just over 2 left and a 10-point lead, why not go for it? If you score the TD, game over. Get the first down but not score, you can run out the clock (if the Jets are out of timeouts, can't remember). If you miss, they're pinned inside the 5 needing 2 scores in just over 2 minutes. There's really no downside.
Kicking the field goal leaves it a 2-score game, but it give the ball back with a chance for something screwy to happen - a kick return score, Edwards catching the ball, etc. It probably won't matter, of course, but kicking the field goal was the best way to leave the Jets in the game.
Oh, interception. Never mind, it doesn't matter at all.
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a 10 lead when you don't make it leaves them with a FG and a TD. a FG leaves them with 2 TDs.
It's the safe bet. Coaches do that.
That's why. :)
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I thought that the Colts should have gone for it as well. But maybe they wanted to avoid a fumble and long return like the Bettis fumble against the Colts in the playoffs a few years ago (the play where Big Ben made the tackle to save the Steelers).
Of course, the chip shot field goal could have been blocked and run back for a touchdown, like what happened in a playoff game in the 1970s between the Rams and the Vikings. On fourth and goal, needing only inches for a touchdown, the conservative Rams chose to try a field goal. The Vikings blocked the kick and ran it back 90 yards for a touchdown in what turned out to be the key play of the game. I'm sure Will Allen remembers that, although he's probably busy right now . . . .
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Gives us more time for sex until next game.
Out.
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and by sex I assume you mean mast...
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eeeeeeeeeh no.
Perception of others is the mirror to yourself?
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Heck, I only need a time out.
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anybody get a good look at what caused freeney to limp off the field?
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Looked like he stepped on Sanchez and rolled his ankle or jammed his foot.
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Edwards - 2 catches, 100 yards, long - 80. If that wasn't a freak play, then nothing.
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Edwards becomes the 90th ever receiver with 100 yards or more on just 2 receptions.
Most ever: Homer Jones, NY Giants, 1966: 173 yards on 2 catches. That's 86.5 yards per catch!
Oh and Brian Mitchell is the only ever 100-yard rusher on just 2 rushes.
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It might have already been discussed, but why does the NFL keep promoting Pro Bowl and Superbowl as South Florida instead of Miami? Is anything happening in other cities?
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that is a huge point of contention locally. The Dolphins have a palm beach county coordinator and I imagine one for broward as well. Even on local radio they're supposed to always say "south florida". In some ways it was a big issue for the baseball stadium as well, but they put it farther away rather than closer to the other two counties...
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I wonder if "South Florida" markets better as people might think of sun and sand as opposed to "Miami" as people might think of drugs and crime?
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Until CSI: South Florida debuts next fall--then they're screwed.
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Sort of like that. Miami has South Beach, which is a place of sin and debauchery. The idea, dumb as it is, is to try to avoid encouraging that. South Florida sounds more peaceful and less like a silicone-enhanced madhouse.
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The SB in Jerry's cathedral will be in "North Texas". Get used to it.
But technically - not from the area - the stadium simply is not in Miami.
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in this favre interview (on fox) they keep playing a 60-minutes style ticking clock in the background... isn't that copyrighted by CBS?
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Buck & Aikman. I'm stoked. WOO.
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No, let's not have Harry Connick Jr. Let's have the national anthem be an ad for Fox.
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He's sure having fun out there. (in there?)
Coach called 5 run plays and he audibled to passes 5 times.
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Do the Saints plan on playing any football during this football game?
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That was pretty impressive for an opening drive.
They pretty much did everything they wanted to.
well, the cards also scored their first trip, so can't read too much into it. But better than not scoring.
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Makes sense for Saints start in no huddle. Vikings had trouble with no huddle often this year.
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First to 50 wins!
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winner of this game could break the 100 mark in the play offs in 3 games.
What is the record?
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Pretty sure it was the 1994 49ers.
131 pts in 3 games.
Other 100 pt threshold teams:
1989 49ers - 126
1990 Bills - 114
1991 Redskins - 102
1983 Raiders - 106
1996 Packers - 100
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Benny Sapp put his pants on the ground.
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Saints/Viking on Fox its Tackleless-tastic!!!
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Look at me! Throwing flags for whiffs!
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Your gimmick amuses me. Good show.
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Favre playing well, getting killed.
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I really thought the punt team was going to cash the easiest play check ever.
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Yikes! Let's leave that quintuple reverse, or whatever that was, in the playbook okay, Sean?
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No penalty because the quarter expired before it happened?
Lemme get this right. So at the end of each quarter you can slug someone as long as it happens after the quarter ticks down and its no foul?
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There was no penalty on the play. The clock ran out before the ball was touched. There's no "because" between the two, they are separate incidents.
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depends on what the penalty is, dead play or in play
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.
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2 punts in a row?
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Okay... It's earplugs. Big woop.
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ok, not in a row, but on successive series. I was beginning to wonder if this was going to be a game like that WI-Michigan state game several years ago over in tokyo.
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One of the best throws I've seen.
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"put down their 3rd tight end..." boy, sure is a tough career path. "I'm sorry, but you didn't make the team. But we can't have you passing along any information to anyone, so I'm afraid we're going to have to make sure that doesn't happen."
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3rd TE is like the 1st or 2nd fullback for teams that carry one.
Also, those guys are good for special teams. Just like the 3rd safety or the 6th lineman.
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ok, apparently, as long as your holding jared allen, its not a penalty
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After making sure the punters earned their pay, we now return our scheduled programming.
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Nice tackle from Sharper.
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Brett Favre's hometown "has a population of two thousand and fifty seven miles from Loiusiana."
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I'd let Brett Favre's daughter play center for me anytime
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hm. would this be a good place for a fake punt?
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4th and 1 from the 42, go for it.!
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Knew the Vikings O-Line is bad, but the Saint's front 7 shutting down the run? Wow.
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you have to be kidding.
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That was awesome.*
*Results may vary.
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this is almost surreal.
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Double WHOA! That's unbelievable. Bush fumbles it, then Fujita recovers it back.
WTF?
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. . . . lookin' like a fool with the ball on the ground.
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Peterson is more of a liability than an asset. His fumbling is worse than Slaton's when he got benched, and his production is not great enough to justify it.
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ok, so it's tied at halftime, which is about what everyone would expect given the point spread, but how they got there is just, well, unexpected.
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Nice return. I wish they would go back to only having WR use #'s in the 80's...
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Was that TD play more the Vikings respecting the pass too much, or just good execution?
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Just fall on the ball. Geesh.
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That TD is why "scoop and score" isn't always a good idea. Especially not in traffic.
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AAAAAAADRIIIIIIAAAAAANNNNN!!!!
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I think you forgot your "Yo"
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holy fuck. 3rd time. this is nuts
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ROUGHING THE FAVRE
15 YARD PENALTY
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Bench the fucker - he's not that good atm anyway.
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Roughing the passer penalties have gotten beyond out of hand. What a damn joke that the Vikings get to keep the ball because of that "penalty".
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Horrible call. Everything nonpredictive (read luck) going Vikes way.
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man QB Vikings is just getting pummeled.
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Justice, as Favre is gang-picked.
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(and possibly a Brady-rule infraction, since the defender went rather far on his knees before making contact.)
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(on a better angle, never mind.)
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As an embittered Packers fan who's been rooting against 4 all year, I can't say this is how I wanted it to end. That was a pretty questionable hit to put it nicely.
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The radio suggests that [Vikings QB's] return to the game is "at best questionable." My father is already blaming me.
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If Tjax has to play, this game is over.
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Time for the Saints to forget about the run....
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Aikman just invoked the name of Tarvaris Jackson. Are Vikes fans vomiting at the thought, or banging their heads against the wall?
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so through 3 quarters we still don't know which team is better
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The brief moments between Vilma's interception and the commercial break were, in a nutshell, why I really don't want to see the Vikings in the Super Bowl. FOX found time for two shots: one, a replay of QB #4 getting hit, and then a shot of him limping off. No replay of the actual pick. To top it off, they come back from the break not with the relevant replay, but rather a shot of QB #4 laying on a training table. I understand that it's interesting and relevant that he was shaken up on the play, but that can be stated. (Also, as much sympathy as I have for Vikes' fans, I don't sympathize enough to want to see the hearts of GB fans torn out, stomped on, and shredded the way it would be if QB #4 were to win it with the Vikes.)
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hehe...all those fast dbs and wr and rb's chasing after the ball, and...the fat guy gets it.
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What is up with the ball security?!
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All this fumbling is putting a serious dent into Viking QB's interception total.
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Hahaha
Seriously, though, this is nuts. I don't think I've seen a game with more fumbles on one side of the ball this year, maybe ever.
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The Cardinals fumbled the ball 6 times against the Niners 6-7 weeks ago on Monday Night Football, they lost 5 of them.
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I did not see that game.
The Vikings are trying hard to break that record, though.
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go for it.
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I hate to admit it, but I chuckled at the Wal-Mart commercial.
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TD. No brainer. GFI, if it stands.
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So, is this officially the Rusher McFumble Bowl?
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It is now! Great takeaway in the red zone!
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Getting Brett Favre to quarterback your team is like making a pact with the Devil. He'll grant you riches temporarily, but you'll always find yourself paying the ultimate price in the end: the emergence of Bad Brett and the 5+ turnover game.
When will people ever learn?
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there was another INT. Oh well. I guess that's why he's a db and not a wr.
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"Can the legend grow any larger?"
It can if Joe Buck is there to fellate it.
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"That was the first throw by Brett Favre that I've seen in a long time where I just thought 'Gosh, what was he thinking'"
Okay, so you missed that nearly not a pick earlier in the game, and that actual pick too? Well, that'd explain the level of commentary.
Also, 6 fumbles by the Vikings wheeeeeeeeee
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Peterson has the sickest acceleration. Two steps and he's at top speed.
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Good lord. Another one??
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Apparently.
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The football gods are balancing their accounts.
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Are you kidding me? this is bonkers...
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That fumble sent the radio announcers instantly from sounding like they were sure the Vikings were in the Super Bowl to depressed and wanting it all over with.
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Is that ball being smeared with grease before every Vikings possession??
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Will the fumbling never end? And as I type this, another fumble, this time from NO. Did they grease the ball just to slow down the scoring?
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Spot a team quarterbacked by drew Brees 3 turnovers and it'll win 98 percent of the time.
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I find it ironic but oddly just that the (possible) final game for a player known for his durability and 'gunslinging' involves him getting injured and everyone else on his team committing turnovers.
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Who is advising Payton on challenges? Mike McCarthy?
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Well, he did just get a TD on a challenge
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I would be interested to know if anyone's tried a Turnover Drinking Game during NO-MN.
...and survived.
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I'm nervous that NO hasn't been able to put them away despite all the turnovers.
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It's pretty bad that Joe Buck has to end every AP run with "and he holds on to the ball."
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Seriously.
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It looked like Berrian dragged Porter down on top of him
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That was pretty clear DPI.
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if this goes to OT i might pass out. 3:37 am, here i DK and i'm toast...
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I'm in Denmark too, at a conference. The clock just passed 4:00 am. Conference starts at 9:00. But I'll miss the Super Bowl (on an airplane), so this is the last football of the season for me. What a game! Weird. Very weird.
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Oh! Another droppy.
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And another fumble! Whoopeeeeeeeeeeeee
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I'm glad I have the sound muted for this vikings possession. Well, I've had it muted for most of the game, I guess.
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I can haz pick-6? PLZ?
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close enough--gunslinger!!!
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What's the rule on what movement a quarterback can do without it being a false start? On that 3rd and 18, Brees was moving his arms and head quite a bit on the hard count, trying to get the Vikings to jump. Should that have been a false start?
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We call it so inconsistently that the rule might as well not be written down.
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A 2 minute comercial during 2 min warning of the NFCCG?
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Buck really forcing the Longwell/Hartley non-storyline.
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As much as I hate Farve, what an incredible throw that was to Rice...
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Drew Brees: 24 attempted passes.
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And it's all gonna come down to Ryan Longwell's right foot...
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Please tell me I just jinxed them.
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And I did. I win. :-)
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Why is stupid Childress content with a 50 yard FG?
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Because he's about one Princess short of losing the kingdom.
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YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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GUNSLING!
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Wow. That's all I can say. Is this game an instant classic?
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No. The second half was a comedy of errors.
The Saints won because the Vikings simply could not stop turning the ball over.
Truly amazing.
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Wow... just when it was looking like Childress/Favre weren't going to choke this one... (though it's still not over)
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Could [Vikings QB] be the first person ever to throw an interception to lose the conference title game two years in a row?
And, amazingly, the play-by-play guy on local Minnesota radio is incensed at [Vikings QB].
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Maybe, but only if he does this again next year. He was on the Jets in 2008.
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That was dumb (on my part, I mean).
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Consecutive playoff years then?
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Waalllll, the ol' Gun-slangah done made a po' choyss.
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Jesus, Favre.
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And another Favre gem. Now it's OT!
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There is bad coaching, there is awful coaching, and then there is whatever just happened.
Holy hell, what was that?
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They were out of realistic field goal range, so I'm not really sure what you're referring to.
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The fact that they very deliberately and obviously went into Chillyball mode once they got that 1st down, content to attempt a 51 yard field goal. If not for that penalty, they were nearly certain to slam into the line again and try for the 50 yarder. In a postseason full of examples of why that's a stupid strategy.
It's not like they had 475 yards gained to that point or anything. 10 yards could've been had.
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That's where they started.
Run for no gain.
Run for no gain.
12 men on the field.
So they are up against it. How do you get that penalty, and why do you repeatedly run into 10 men in the box when you need to get close?
12 men on the field? On offense? Really?
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After a timeout too, right?
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"You play 19 years in the NFL, you're gonna have some of them."
Really, Troy? That was just the law of averages, not a template for a great chunk of the ol' Gun-slangah's havin' fun career?
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That intercption was smore Chilrdress's fault than Favres'. I suspect Favre knew that a 54 yard fg attempt was outside of Longwell's range
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It was totally Favre's fault, he should have just ran the ball. As you said, a 54 yarder was outside of realistic field goal range, so I have no problem with calling a pass there. It was a terrible throw.
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I thought the exact same thing. You CAN'T be settling for a 50+ yd FG there, and that must have been killing Favre on the 2 hand-offs. With that said, run the darn ball, Brent!
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Wow.
The human capacity for finding excuses never ceases to amaze me.
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Not finding excuses, really. But it was terrible coaching. And a terrible interception. Which he has been known to throw when he is "trying to make a play". Which is probably why they ran the ball the first two times. Which might piss him off a bit. I don't know, I was glad to see him leave the Packers, but I did hope he'd get to the next game here.
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Commencing complaints about overtime rules in 3...2...1...
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Not from me. I love the NFL's overtime rules. It's even more exciting in the playoffs.
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Exciting, yes. Good, not in my opinion.
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Better than nude cheerleader Jell-o wrestling?
I think it's time the cheerleaders got more involved in the game.
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I'd rather see them play a full 15-minute OT period in the playoffs, instead of sudden death. C'mon, who wouldn't have liked to see this game go another full 15 minutes?
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I think that's a good idea--I've put it forth before. However, I would also like to get rid of regular season overtime. Just call it a tie there. I know that I'm an idiot because ties are the worst thing ever to happen to the universe, so no one needs to tell me.
I also rather like the "Last Clear Chance" idea Jason Lisk proposed at pfr: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/blog/?p=1152
But I also do not mind leaving it how it is now.
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I say first one to score 6 more points wins it. In my mind the problem isn't as ,uch that one offense never gets to touch the ball as that you can win it with a few first downs and a field goal. Just doesn't seem the proper way to end an otherwise exciting game that was even atthe end of regulation.
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Well, if the game is tied with 2:00 left, whoever has the ball can win with a few first downs and a field goal, and nobody seems to complain about that.
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Just checked in to read the FO community comments on the NFC game before I re-load it for a second viewing, and I have to say that I really like Scott P.’s comment when he said ‘Well, if the game is tied with 2:00 left, whoever has the ball can win with a few first downs and a field goal, and nobody seems to complain about that.'
After a few seasons now of hearing a variety of views on the topic, I’ve still found my view to be fundamentally different from every other one I come across, and Scott P.’s comment partly expresses my disagreement with those who call for both offenses/QB’s to touch the ball in O.T.
So I recently created a blog over at NFLUK to share my views by making a couple of postings on the subject, and would be greatly interested to hear from the community on it – particularly Scott P. - as I have regarded FO as the best football site since I found it a few years ago.
Here are the links:
NFL O.T. Rules: Awarding The Advantage http://forum.nfluk.com/blog.php?b=1479
NFL O.T. Rules: Awarding The Advantage (Part II) http://forum.nfluk.com/blog.php?b=1485
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I actually agree about regular season ties to go with the fifteen-minute OT in the playoffs. So I guess we're both idiots.
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I wouldn't have liked to see that. And every Saints fan wouldn't, either.
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After the fact, no. But at the end of regulation, before the coin toss?
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I have no idea what Saints fans would have preferred before the coin toss. But I (who by the way am not a Saints fan) have always loved the NFL sudden death overtime format. So my preference would have been the same at the end of regulation, or in the middle of last week. And it will be the same in the future.
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" As you said, a 54 yarder was outside of realistic field goal range, so I have no problem with calling a pass there. It was a terrible throw."
An incomplete pass in that situation is almost as bad as the INT, might as well throw it up and hope if nobody is open
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An incomplete pass is undesirable, but is nowhere near as bad as the INT.
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Not really. While a 54 yard figgie is not terribly likely to go in there's got to be at least a 20-30% chance it does (particularly in a dome), throwing a pick gives you no chance of winning in regulation. Beyond that Favre should have ran the ball, it looked pretty clear that he could have at least gained a few yards doing that.
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I'm glad I'm not a Vikings fan tonight. That and NO's kicker.
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Possible block in the back on that PT kick return?
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THROW THE DAMN BALL!
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Patriots, redux.
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Today the Saints receivers have been spectacularly good at catching balls just short of the first down marker.
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That pass interference call was ridiculous. Uncatchable and feet tangled.
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On instant replay, sure. Live though, it's hard not to call.
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Actually, no. Watching live, I was pretty sure their feet got tangled and it was uncatchable.
Just because a guy throws his hands up doesn't mean the ref automatically has to call a foul.
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Can Favre's last NFL pass be an interception... again???
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Just because replays can only come from the booth, doesn't mean they have to!
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Bobbled yes, but did it ever hit the ground?
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I'm rooting against the Vikings, but I've got to say that they've gotten hosed by the officials on this first drive in OT.
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The PI yeah but I see why the call was made. The bobbled pass, not so sure.
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The bobbled pass never hit the ground.
As for the PI, it's literally been years since I've seen a play like that not called as PI. Whether a ball is "catchable" is not something that refs consider so much any more, esp. not when the defender, who has no idea where the ball is, crashes into the WR.
To put it another way, "but it wasn't catchable" died at least 10 years ago.
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It still gets called (there is still a ref signal for it players sometimes make like they are soccer players or something), but imo it is rarely called on balls that land in the field of play as opposed to 5 yards OB. If the ref thinks there was illegal contact, the receiver is given every benefit of any doubt on "uncatchable" (DPI being at its essence giving the WR the benefit of all doubts). Would a receiver running at speed in the right direction not contacted at all have a chance to catch that ball that landed in bounds? Sure.
It seems the issue on that one (and I didn't see any full-play isolated replays) was whether the contact was PI. The defender came up claiming OPI (which seems iffy), but perhaps there is some argument there was some mutual incidental contact early in the ball's flight through the air. Would have liked to have seen the whole interaction from the snap, because by that time there could have been some plus-5 yard contact, and I am not sure if Brees would be considered outside the pocket.
Vikings problem not the refs, but having the game go into OT in the first place.
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That was some ridiculous effing OT reffing. I was almost feeling bad for Favre at that point(who I can't stand) until I remembered he choked a chance to win the game on that triple-o stooopid throw across the field. Play calling was also stupid, but 20 year veteran QB might notice (knowing he had a time out) that he had pretty clear sailing right in front of him for 5 yards at least. It's not like he doesn't like to go over the line of scrimmage with the ball in his hand.
IMO Colts kill Saints.
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Terrible PI call and appeared to be incomplete. Baffling officiating at the end.
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PI cannot be reviewed, and the fact that the defender didn't look back for the ball probably sealed the deal, just like Porter in the end zone. The incompletion, well, "indisputable visual evidence is a high bar." Just because you are sure you saw something on the teevee doesn't mean it meets that standard.
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Mark Brunell just wins games.
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The game shouldn't have been in that position to begin with. The Vikings gave it away with turnovers, and refereeing did not give a worse team the game.
That being said, the referees played a huge part in the last drive with the pass interference call. It was not pass interference. At all. I didn't think so live. It was clearly not catchable, and it's unfortunate that it ended that way.
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It felt a bit like a make-up call to me. Vikings had the one in the end-zone, so....
Not that that is right, but it feels like that is how it goes sometimes.
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Chilly forgot that you play to win the game. Hello?
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SAINTS WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Well, the Saints played okay... but this really might have been more a case of "The Vikings Lose!" Whatever that means.
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so what did Farve say to Sean Payton there?
.." Hey, man you need a QB for the Superbowl?, really I got a tearful 'Im retiring' speech already filmed. I can retire, run home, ride a few laps on my Tractor and Waffel for a week then I can be ready for media day.... Seriously, you in? I think I can even get Childres to drive me!"
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AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAa
this is worse than 1998. Worst than 1975.
I don't know why I keep following this team.
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cleveland fans will be happy to switch spots
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really? The Browns have an NFL championship. They have several. Plus some AAFC championships.
The Vikings have one NFL championship that preceded a loss to the Chiefs in the pre-merger.
I mean I'll admit their team at the moment doesn't look as bad as the Browns. But at least the Browns have had seasons that ended triumphantly... (I'm counting the old franshise pre-move and the current franchise).
Yeah, I know you had "the drive" and "the fumble". I didn't have an emotional investment in those, I feel for ya on that. But this somehow seems worse....
Plus, since they are just about the lowest profit margin team in the NFL (them or the Raiders apparently) once we go capless and the restrictions are off they'll never compete again. They probably had to win it all to get any traction towards a stadium.
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And the Minnesota Vikings' Super Bowl aspirations have just been Favre'd.
Cue flashback to 2007 NFCCG where untimely Favre interception leads to OT field goal Lawrence Tynes!
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"OT field goal *by* Lawrence Tynes"
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Even as a Packer fan, this Farve INT was worse. The Giants outplayed the Pack, and it was only 2 missed Tynes' FGs that got the Packers to OT, as I recall. It was exciting when they got the ball first in OT, but that is a lot different than being on the 35 with 2 timeouts left tied with 1 minute to go... ugh, what a bad couple of plays there.
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Eh, the Giants had pretty great fumble luck in that game (I think they recovered 5 of 6 fumbles between both teams, including one right at the goal line that Kampman never saw go under him and was punched in for a TD afterwards, and a punt return muff/fumble that a Packer blew a clear shot at), so I think it canceled out a bit.
I think both INTs were about equally dumb. In both cases it was a tie game, not super critical field position so no need to absolutely make a huge play, and in both cases a better option (running today, dump off to Grant over the middle for an easy 5+ yards in 2008). Actually, this play was on 3rd down while the 2008 play was on 1st or second down, so the one for GB might have been a bit dumber, since a throwaway would have given more chances to advance the ball.
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My prediction, for the record: for once, Favre announces he is coming back. Then, sometime after the draft, changes his mind and retires.
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And then we still have months before we're actually sure.
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Just a horrible game.
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The Football Gods are hellbent on Favre's last pass in the NFL being a "wtf?" interception in overtime.
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I can't wait to see the DVOAs for this game. I haven't seen a team (Vikings) dominate another team (Saints) this badly and lose since the Chargers and Patriots in 2006.
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I disagree. As a Vikings fan, the Vikings did not dominate. Turnovers say otherwise. Turnovers are a huge part of the game.
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and they are a big part of DVOA, too. Those fumbles that they recovered will count just as much as the fumbles they didn't.
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Packers - Eagles in the famous 4th and 26 game. Packers hammered the Eagles; couldn't separate on the scoreboard. In OT, Favre tosses his worst interception of all time, the inexplicable pop fly to centerfield that set up the Eagles' winning field goal. Some things never change.
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Yeah, that one was worse than this or 2006. Because first 4th and 26, and then that toss-up... up UP!
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Really? I saw it last year with Tennessee over Baltimore and it was even bigger. If the Ravens hadn't nearly broken Chris Johnson in half and knocked him out the Titans would have rolled that game.
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Well hey at least both games were interesting! Though the NFC Championship seemed like either a case of both teams competing for the honor of not playing Indy or I dunno. Such a totally wacky game.
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My preseason prediction came true: the Vikings' season would end on a horrible Favre interception. Not that I have any amazing prognosticating powers--I've just seen this story several times following Favre with his final ten seasons with the Packers. Death, taxes, and Favre drops back to throw with the game on the line...
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Just amazed that Favre threw away an NFC championship game for the second time in 3 years. Can we officially remove him from any "best QB ever" discussion? The best QB ever doesn't make a game-losing INT in two NFC championship games twice in two years.
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Dude, lighten up -- he's just having fun out there...
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Yep. But on the other hand, maybe they can give him a special "Gunslingah" exception when they vote on his enshrinement in Canton.
As in, "But he's have so much fun out there! He loves the game! S*** happens when you're having so much fun out there!"
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What the heck is Reggie Bush doing on the announcers' platform with Drew Brees? The Saints have a couple dozen more deserving players than Bush who should be getting national face time.
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NFC Teams, Last Appearance in the Super Bowl (* means only Super Bowl Appearance)
Detroit Never
Minnesota 1977
Washington 1992
San Francisco 1995
Dallas 1996
Green Bay 1998
Atlanta 1999 *
St. Louis 2000
Tampa Bay 2003 *
Carolina 2004 *
Philadelphia 2005
Seattle 2006 *
Chicago 2007
New York Giants 2008
Arizona 2009 *
New Orleans 2010 *
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Parity?
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That, and the decline of the 80's/90's elite NFC teams (Washington/SF/Dallas; New York has survived better), and Detroit's ineptness.
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