How come teams never decline "Delay of Game" penalties, especially the intentional punting ones?

RE: 272

The online things often call INTs in the end zone (touchbacks) safeties. The monkeys handling it don't know what a touchback is.

This game is seriously unbelievable.

I never thought I'd see the day when I was hoping Seattle would just do the right thing and lose.

RE: 293

The Seahawks are trying to lose. The Giants want to win, but Feely keeps mucking up the plans.

LMAO @ NYG/SEA

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

The Fox affiliate in Indy cuts away from the Giants-Seahawks game in overtime to show ... something else. Frankly, I don't care what it is.

I hate network TV.

That's almost enough to get me to buy Sunday Ticket on the spot.

I LOVE JAY FEELY!

Line it up again Feely!

Wait, I think I remember this part, he misses it.

...

Yup!

ARE YOU F****NG SERIOUS?!

Jeez, will no one win this game? We're just six minutes away from a tie, now.

Another Feely miss. Jeebus.

Feeley misses AGAIN! Does he get cut tomorrow?

Wow, what a game.

Feeley misses his third in a row to keep it going.

At least its a good day for Tiki and Eli fantasy owners.

and Hasselbeck has looked TERRIBLE in overtime.

Seahawks - Kicker Killers.

hahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!

Who is paying this kicker?!

Is there a mercy rule to just rule this a tie now?

It's like the movie Groundhog Day. But even funnier.

Seattle Passing Game Siting.

Intentional grounding? Can anyone who's getting this game on TV tell me - are the fans simply in shock at this point, or what?

hahaha .... i miss new york but one good thing about moving from there is that i dont have to be a giants fan anymore.

I'm watching the Fox affiliate in Indy, WXIN, up in Carmel and it never cut off the game for me. I wouldn't be surprised if Feeley got fired before this game ended. I can't remember the last time I saw an NFL kicker come up 5 yards short on a 45 yarder.

RE: 285

But the collapse didn't matter to them today. They're on their way to a win, and they're close to locking up the #1 seed in the NFC.

The intentional grounding call was a bad one, Shaun Alexander was right there. They were trying to set up a screen.

This reminds me of the Rangers-Caps game last night, that needed FIFTEEN rounds of shootout to decide the game. Let's see if Marek Malik is going to come up with something funky to win it here.

Does anyone else think Jay Feely is fired?

oh, i guess the Seahawks found their offense.

Seahawks in the red zone. Did the Giants defense just give up? Anyone see the irony in the Giants' having the #1 Special Teams DVOA ranking most of the season, and now it's their Special Teams that's literally giving the game away?

I'm naming my next son Josh if Brown can end this game.

Freak, that's just the nature of the beast, isn't it? I think people who look deeper will always try to question received wisdom, which in Favre's case is that he is as a god among men and capable of winning games on his own. No-one is, and I think any negativity comes from a desire to maybe redress the issue a little. I think most folk would say that Favre is still a good player. It's no criticism to say that at 36, he's not the best any more.
With regards to MM, I think you guys did pretty good against him, it was the run that beat you. Weird as it is for me to type that about the Eagles...

Man, even Josh Brown tried to miss his kick

Outside of intentionally taking a safety, the Seahawks did everything they could to lose that game.

feely just treated us with the "tom-coughlin-is-going-to-cut-off-my-testicles" face on his trot off the field. 'tis the season...

By the way, I think this is a good time to say this -

You all just witnessed the cream of the NFC.

wow. maybe fumbles aren't the only thing determined by luck.

I have no idea what I'm supposed to think as a Seattle fan. I was getting excited and willing to write off the SF game as just one of those things. But now? How did they win this game? And will they be the worst #1 seed in the playoffs ever? This is just like the Mariners--even won they won 116 games, everyone knew they wouldn't win the World Series ...

RE: 300

I have not seen what you are talking about. Certainly not enough to warrant your every post on this thread complaining about Favre-bashers.

Yes, Favre's supporting cast is terrible this season. No, that does not excuse his play.

Jay Feeley = The Anti-Vinateri!

Y'know, I think the Bears have to be seeing that game and really looking hopeful.

Huge win for Seattle, despite them trying to make it a huge win for the Giants.

I'm now off to bed. Although I have tomorrow off work, I am not staying up all night to watch the Jets play the Saints.

RE: 337

But I honestly think they'll make it to the Super Bowl.

Well, that was fun in a trainwreck sort of way.

Now back to watching my Als get crushed.

Aaron, were you serious about watching the Grey Cup instead of SNF? Let me know what you think.

tom:

I'm a Bears fan. My team will clean the Packers clock when the time comes.

Well hush my mouth on the Seahawks.

How can a Tom C. team be so bad on special teams? I thought Mr. TaskMaster would take care of something that coaches insist is about repetition and effort??

But he didn't play for it like Marty. Eli was throwing. Just couldn't connect.

You all just witnessed the cream of the NFC.

And how sad is that?

re: 342 personally I would be pretty steamed if the Seahawks made the Superbowl just to get beat by the Broncos... years in the AFC West fostered no love for the Mr. Ed's

From the tangential information department:

Michael Irvin arrested on misdemeanor drug paraphenalia charges.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2238758

Sid:

Sigh. I was alluding to prior threads replete with Favre commentary. Or is each thread a confined, finite posting space where the past doesn't exist?

And as a point of fact what about posts 106 and 114 to refute your remark? And I could continue.

Hey, you made the claim. I don't enjoy the nits but if "facts" are going to be presented then they should be accurate.

Which surprises me. You are one of the more sensible folks around here.

re 347: you know, things couldn't have gone better for the Eagles this week. Petty, I know...

RE: 348

I appreciate the compliment. My point is that you turned this thread into a personal thing against Favre-bashers, when this wasn't even the appropriate place. If you want to attack Favre-bashers with biting, sarcastic criticisms, hit 'em where they post.
Most of the mentions of Favre here have been sarcastic posts by you.

And as a point of fact what about posts 106 and 114 to refute your remark? And I could continue.

I was exaggerating. I was aware of the other posts.
181 and 193 in particular appeared to be rather out of place.

Sid:

Understood. But I am trying to beat the Xmas rush.

I read posts like 288 and my head hurts. If folks are going to question his play then do it where appropriate like last year's flameout against the Vikes.

But people bring up the Rams playoff debacle or the Eagles interception in overtime as examples of Favre losing it.

As points of fact, five of the six interceptions against the Rams were clearly NOT Favre's fault. Three tipped passes directly in the hands of receivers and two bad routes by Mensa candidate Bill Schroeder. But favre takes the flack for his teammates.

Favre had played WELL against a very good Eagles defense through four quarters. If Mike Sherman's b*lls don't shrink to the size of watermelon seeds on 4th and 1 that OT never happens. Or what about the call at the end of the first half? Or the obvious blowup on defense with the infamous 4th and 26 conversion?

Has Favre done dumb stuff this season? Absolutely.

But again, I will be happy to sit down with the game film with anyone and point out that half of his interceptions this season were clear mistakes by his own receivers.

He is desperately TRYING TO MAKE A PLAY. He KNOWS that if he doesn't nobody else WILL.

I will also point out that the one area where he NEEDS a firm hand is game management. Holmgren did THAT very well with Favre. He beat into his head the need to sometimes pull back to fight for another day. Sherman is either too much of a wuss or cannot get through to the guy. Because Favre's sometimes careless throws escalated significantly once Sherman became the coach.

Combine mostly pedestrian receiving corps and that is a deadly mix.

Right now the man is quarterback, coach, counselor, cheerleader, and lightening rod for the team.

Folks look at the 2-9 record and declare him a failure. I see a guy doing everything HE can in the face of absurd circumstances and see an almost heroic figure.

Byron Leftwich cracked his ankle. He's out for 3 weeks.

NFC Central Freak:
I apologize. I just thought your posts were a bit out of place.

Re #347,
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

My only comment on the Michael Irvin thing is to say that it's ridiculous we had to wait for Irvin to get arrested for one of his myriad crimes. ESPN should have fired him long before. It should not have had to come to this. [This all of course is referring to the way that Irvin would be shut up.]

Yeah it is hard for me to have sypathy on coke abusing millionaire pre-modonnas when our society comes down so hard on coke users in general, particularly the poor kind.

I am glad that SEA won as they were clearly going to win the west anyway and it makes the east more interesting.

Am I the only one awake watching NO@NYJ?

#'s 357 and 357:

Prima-Donna. But otherwise I agree, both about enforcing the law and Irvin's annoying TV persona.

NFL Classifieds

Looking for a QB who is willing to end his career via a serious injury. Previous experience and success not necessary. Talent in running for your life a must. Offering excellent disability package. For serious applicants, please contact Mr. Herm toll free at 800-JETS-SUCK.

That should say 356 and 357.

I can't be the only one waiting with bated breath for Adam's parody, right?

Mike Patrick: 2nd and 10 for the Saints from their own 42 and it's a run to AARON STECKER WHO FINDS A SEAM AND EXPLODES THROUGH FOR A GAIN OF 3 TO SET UP A 3RD AND 7. How ABOUT Aaron Stecker? Truely one of the 10 best running backs in the NFL today.

Joe Theisman: I had a chance to sit down with Jim Haslett this week and he told me that if Aaron Stecker weren't blocked by Deuce McCalister and the ghost of Fred Mccafee that Aaron Stecker would be a pro bowler today. Not a Pro Bowler in the sense that he'd be in Hawaii every year but a pro bowler in the sense that he'd be a gods honest pro on the PBA tour.

Paul Maguire: When you watch Aaron Stecker the key to him, and any back really, is his footwork. Watch the mans feet.

Mike Patrick: When you watch the New Orleans Saints you REALLY have to tip your cap to head coach Jim Haslett and the job he's done this year.

Joe Theisman: Oh absolutely. What a fantastic job he's done with everything he's been dealt this year he's really kept this team together and kept them playing hard. And if they really want to win this game it's going to have to be Jim Haslett that leads the charge.

Mike Patrick: 3rd and 7 for the Saints and Aaron Brooks drops back to pass AND HE IS GOING TO BE SACKED BY SHUAN ELLIS AND THATS GOING TO BRING UP 4TH DOWN.

Paul Maguire: did you see that? DID YOU SEE THAT? Isn't it 3rd and 7 right now? What are the New Orleans Saints doing running this play on 3rd and 7? It's 3rd and 7 people. Get past the first down marker? Geez oh man.

Joe Theisman: Boy, when you watch plays like this you really have to wonder how long head coach Jim Haslett is going to keep his job. This playcall right here is all on the head coach, I realize the Saints have been dealt a hard hand this year but sometimes you have to play with the cards you've been given and Jim Haslett just isn't coming thru for them right here.

Paul Maguire: Wayne Gandy just gets eaten alive here on this play. Watch him. Right there. POW! HEHEHEHEHEHE

Joe Theisman: I had a chance to sit down and eat dinner with Jets head coach Herm Edwards this week and what he told me really made me think. He told me that the key to this game was going to be how quickly they could get to Aaron Brooks and how quickly they could disrupt his rythm. we are seeing it right now and Herm Edwards has got to be pleased.

Mike Patrick: And now it's time to check in with Suzy Kolber down on the sidelines, what have you got for us Suzy?

Suzy Kolber: Well guys you were talking about how tough it's been for the New Orleans Saints this season and there is no better example of that than Saints Quarterback Aaron Brooks who not only has had to deal with the events of Hurricane Katrina, but the hurdles that have been the New Orleans Saints recievers and the problems they've had actually hanging on to the football. It's certainly something to keep an eye on in teh 2nd half.

Mike Patrick: Thank you Suzy, Paul what do you think about the Saints Recievers woes?

Paul Maguire: I just don't understand how you can run a 4 yard route on 3rd and 8. What are you thinking?

Joe Theisman: I spent 4 hours in a hottub with Mike Ditka this week and he told me that when he was with the Saints the biggest obstacle for him was how he was going to get Ricky Williams 200 touches a game.

Paul Maguire: This is where one of these teams really needs a Ray Lewis to turn this game around.

Mike Patrick: Jets take over first and 10 on their own 20 after the punt and Brooks Bollinger under center, 3 step drop, fires an out pattern to Justin McCareins who MAKES A MAN MISS, SPINS OFF ANOTHER TACKLE, JUKES MAN, DIVES FORWARD AND PICKS UP A HUUUUUGE GAIN OF 4 YARDS OUT TO THE 24! WHAT A PLAY BY JUSTIN MCCAREINS, TRUELY ONE OF THE BEST PLAYERS AT HIS POSITION RIGHT NOW.

Joe Theisman: Oh absolutely, when you think of playmakers at Wide REciever you obviously think of Chad Johnson, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens but you never think of Justin McCareins. What does that tell you?

Paul Maguire: IT TELLS YOU THAT THESE PEOPLE NEED TO WAKE UP!

Mike Patrick: Whats it going to take for Justin McCareins to get the recognition he deserves around the league? Things that make you think.

Mike Patrick: 2nd and 6 for the Jets from their own 24....Bollinger going to hand it off to Martin who dances and jukes his way for a gain of 7 and HE WILL PICK UP THE FIRST DOWN!

Paul Maguire: Wow. Just wow. This is whats going to get Curtis Martin to the hall of fame. It's not the speed. It's not the durability. It's not the toughness. It's the footwork. Great running backs have great feet, and no running back has better feet than Curtis Martin.

Joe Theisman: I agree Paul but lets get back to Justin McCareins for a minute, if you can name me 10 players better that are going right now i'd love to hear them.

Mike Patrick: I certainly can't name that many.

Paul Maguire: Ahh, see that? See that? These people are morons.

Joe Theisman: I've been telling you that for years now Paul. If the New York Jets want to win this game and I mean REALLY want to win this game, I mean if they are REALLY in it to win this game they have got to get away from Curtis Martin and really concentrate on getting the football to Justin McCareins.

Paul Maguire: Joseph......you're really groping me now.

Mike Patrick: 1st and 10 for the Jets..Bollinger under center, throws a quick out to McCareins, spins out makes a man miss LUNGES FORWARD AND LOOOSES THE FOOTBALL! THERES A PILE UP AND WHO HAS IT?

Paul Maguire: The Jets got it back. The Jets have this.

Joe Theisman: This is going to be the Jets Football, BJ Askew at the bottom of the pile is going to come up with it.

Mike Patrick: AND THE SAINTS COME UP WITH IT! WHAT A HUGE BREAK FOR NEW ORLEANS!

Joe Theisman: Just when you thought the Jets had some sort of rythm going here on offense they went and got away from Curtis Martin and tried to put the football into the hands of Justin MccAreins, and if you REALLY want to win this football game you just can't be doing that.

Paul Maguire: ARE THEY NUTS?!

It's like on cue. Just like last week.

For a matchup between two 2-8 teams, this game really hasn't been that bad so far.

Adam, that was awesome. Every week, you come through.

A lot of parts were funny, but I especially liked this:

Joe Theisman: I agree Paul but lets get back to Justin McCareins for a minute, if you can name me 10 players better that are going right now i’d love to hear them.

Mike Patrick: I certainly can’t name that many.

HAHAHAHA!

I was waiting for it too.

Anyway, that was a TD for me.

NFC Central Freak:

The Green Bay defense (which has not been decimated by injuries) just lost to Runyan, Westbrook, LJ Smith, Akers and a bunch of scrubs on offense.

That really is pathetic.

Aside from them, the Eagles had:

Mike McMahon at Quarterback (5th year, 8 career starts)
Todd Herremans at Left Tackle (rookie, no career starts)
Adrien Clark at Left Guard (2nd year, no career starts)
Jamaal Jackson at center (2nd year, 2 career starts)
Shawn Andrews at Right Guard (2nd year, 11 career starts)
Greg Lewis at Wideout (3rd year, 10 career starts)
Reggie Brown as 2nd Wideout (rookie, 10 career starts)
Billy McMullen as 3rd Wideout (3rd year, originally 5th wideout on depth chart)
Josh Parry as fullback (3rd year, 23 career starts)

Really, to lose to that lot is kind of pathetic.

My favorite observation about these guys is how they love to pimp a head coach about how great a job he's doing when it's obvious he's done a horrible job. Case in point: Jim Haslett.

BTW, that was a touchdown. The refs are out to screw the Jets. Or maybe they feel bad for the Saints. How do you overturn that?

Did one of the Jets fans give the ref the finger? That was great!

I liked the shot of the woman right after the guy gave the ref the finger. She was wearing a jersey (It might have been a Justin McCareins jersey) and just she just stood there with her mouth wide open for like 10 minutes and they kept the camera on her for like, the entire time.

Adam, you're a riot. Too bad you weren't around in the 1970's. You would have had a field day with Howard Cosell and Don Meredith on Monday Night Football.

Adam,
your cadence is exceptional

Wow. The Grey Cup looked like it was a lot more entertaining than this game has been. I especially liked the QB in overtime punting the football in a last ditch effort to win the game. Why hasn't Brett Favre thought of that yet?

And did anyone see Chris Berman read the story about Michael Irvin getting busted? HA!

Andrew:

Why are you telling me what I already know?

I'm a Bears fan. I am looking forward to Chicago crushing GB next week. Right now the line is only 7, and I think double digits would be in order if the Bears could ever sustain a drive longer than 20 yards.

But the flip side of your post is that the Eagles defense is still solid as are its special teams.

So while the Packers have a mediocre defense, poor offense, and sub-par special teams the Eagles are above average in two of the three categories.

Andy Reid is also a much better coach than Mike Sherman. MUCH better.

The Eagles should win a matchup like this.

DID YOU HEAR IT? DID YOU HEAR IT?

Mike Patrick: Jim Haslet is the type of guy that can really motivate a ball club.

Damn i'm good.

Jim Haslett has done a HELLUVA job.

I shouldn't make fun of Jim Haslett because he like me is a graduate of IUP. Jim is a brother. We all shall recognize.

LOL. While the Jets play, the Grey Cup MVP goes to Ricky Ray.

Re 377
Did you hear at the beginning of the game when one of them (don't remember which one) said Haslett should be up for coach of the year because of the job he'd done with the Saints?

Did Joe Thiesmann just mention Australian Rules Football?

Wow. I didn't expect him to be that well-versed.

I'm surprised he didn't mention his own punting career........

What did he say? As (I think) the only Aussie present at the moment, I'd be betting his comment on Aussie Rules is very superficial and likey wrong....

Or even his own punt returning career.

WEE! Can't overturn this one!

If I remember well, he mentioned the punter not holding the ball like most NFL punters do, but like they do in Aussie Rules Football.

Unfortunately I was only listening at that point, not watching, so I didn't get to see what he was talking about.

The following things have happened today in the world of sports:

1. Brooks Bollinger threw a touchdown pass in the NFL.

2. Kyle Boller threw THREE touchdown passes in ONE NFL game.

3. Michael Irvin got arrested.

4. Raul Mondesi announced he is running for mayor in his hometown.

I love sports.

and the ghost of Fred Mccafee

Bwahahaha!

Priceless, Steel...er... Adam.

Adam, the Grey Cup was a blast. My Alouettes (I'm from Montreal) ended up losing, but at least they put up a good show.

I don't really understand why the CFL doesn't get more coverage than it does in the US. Sure the caliber is lower than the NFL (and maybe even college, I dunno), but I figure the offense-first type game would turn at least a few heads. It makes me think of the AFL, and the AFL has a national deal.

I was hoping someone would love the reference to Fred McCafee. Why am I not surprised that it's Calig23?

If I weren't already married Calig, I'd offer you a drink.

So what happens when Mondesi decides the town he's...uh, "mayoring," stinks? Does he disappear for awhile, and hope he gets kicked out of office, so he can go mayor some other city?

Mike Nugent is the anti-Jay Feely.

That's so sweet of you, Steel. Julie better not catch you saying things like that...

I actually went to a CFL game when I was in Toronto a few years ago. I'm not going to try and pretend I know something about the CFL (Because I don't) but i'm going to guess that Toronto is not one of the football hungry towns in Canada? Half of the place was half empty. In other words, it was about 1/4 full. Toronto was playing Hamilton, which excited me because Hamiltons uniforms looked a lot like the Steelers. I thought that was cool.

The game itself was interesting to say the least. It was no surprise to me that Doug Flutie excelled there. The game seems to be built for a guy that can move around a little.

I still couldn't get used to watching Wide Recievers running forward before the snap.

No fair catch rule is interesting though.

And I still never really grasped that one point thing.

For my part Adam..

I really loved the part about Ditka and R williams :)

Did Paul Maguire just say "poor baby?"

Adam, I was just about to comment on that too.

That was just weird. He should stick to commenting on peoples feet.

Question for debate:

I'm going to wear a Steelers Jersey underneath my clothes to work tomorrow in support of my boys in Black and Gold as they prepare for their run to glory against the much talked about Indy Horses.

The question I have is:

Does this mean I have a problem (or obsession)?

If you need a biased response from another Steelers fan, then no, I dont see a problem...

That was NOT intentional grounding. The refs really are out to screw the Jets.

If you thought this game was boring the LA Lakers scored 28 points in the first half of their game tonight.

Also of note, The name Fahkir Brown was just mentioned by Mike Patrick. To most people that wouldn't really register in their minds. But to me it makes me laugh out loud because of one of Fahkir Browns first ever NFL games. I can't remember who he was playing for exactly, but it was against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Myron Cope was commenting on something as was normally the case, and Fahkir Brown was involved on the play in question. Myron, needless to say, had a hard time getting this first name out. He said atleast 420 different variations of Fahkir before he finally let this one go:

"And on the play was that Fahkir, fock-here? F**k*r Brown."

Silence.

No one said anything for atleast 10 seconds. And then Myron just went right back into his anaylsis.

Adam, Toronto is the city where the CFL draws the least, followed by Hamilton -- I'm sure it's no coincidence that the NFL (Buffalo Bills) is only 2 1/2 hours away. I know that the Bills draw a lot of fans from Southern Ontario.

The rouge (single point) is a pretty easy concept, if you fail to return a field goal try out of your end zone, you start from the 35 but the other team gets one point. Don't forget that the goalposts in the CFL are at the goal line, not the end line, so returns on missed FG's are a lot more common.

I never gave it much thought, but it's true that Hamilton is considered the steel city of Canada... I wonder if the Ti-Cats matching the Steelers' coulours was intentional?

When Paul McGwire said "Then they go back to their hotel," was he trying to be funny or am I reading too much into things?

N2Deep had a song called "Back to the Hotel" in the early 90's, so I was just wondering. It would easily win obscure reference of the week.

How good has Mike Nugent been this year?

Brooks Bollinger.....he just Tommy Maddox-ed it.

52 yards for the win.

LOL!

Joe Theisman: Paul, calm down. They can't hear you.

I can use that next week.

Joe Theisman just sounded like my wife.

If my wife new I said that she'd hit me.

mike nugent with a game winning field goal try, somewhere aaron is sweating.

Hey.

Do you guys remember when the Jets beat the Bucs and all the commentators were saying that Vinny just saved the Jets season?

...

Yeah.

that was the herm edwards "holy crap, we spent a 2nd round pick on a guy who can't kick the ball 50 yards face".

Dont have the time or inclination to check, but it seems like the overall FG% for kickers today was much lower than usual.

(or maybe just these late games are affecting me)

It's a good thing the games are decided by the players and not the officials. It would be a shame if a team got 4 points taken away from by the officials and then lost by less than 4...

I was listening to the radio when the Coles TD was reversed... the announcers (John Riggins and someone else) and their sideline man (Rick "Doc" Walker) didn't think they could overturn it.

The NFL needs to re-define "possession"... is "possession" the same thing as "control"?

Just saying, it seems the Jets were hosed by that call at the end of the first half.

re: the CFL

One night I was sitting around with some friend and we started talking about CFL football and we landed on the idea of having a league where you merge the NFL, CFL, and Arena Football League.

The home team's field rules apply, the franchise carries a 53 man roster, and you pick the game-day roster according to the type of game being played that week, (i.e., in the Arena games the iron-man rules apply, so you can only activate 20).

Great fun to think about even though it will never happen.

re 413: I already looked up the "possession" today, the link is on 221.

“When a player controls the ball throughout the act of clearly touching both feet, or any other part of his body other than his hand(s), to the ground inbounds.�

So, given 415: Did anyone see that Coles did not have control of the ball when either both his feet or his elbow hit the ground in the end zone? It was moving around after he rolled over out of bounds -- but that was clearly after he got down both feet and one elbow in bounds in the end zone.

Possibly the worst overturned call I've seen this year.

Someone has probably mentioned this before, but it would be great if this new agreement with foxsports led to them having a DVOA/DPAR option for online FF leagues in 2006. I for one would work hard to convince my leagues to migrate there.

(I am disgusted because that Bears FF and recovery on the TB .5 yardline got me 0 pts in one league and 1pt in another even though it was basically a TD (6pts))

Just got back a little while ago from Jets game (your sympathies are appreciated). A couple points:
1. I'm glad to see my thinking that the Coles catch being overturned was one of the most awful replay calls is not due to my being a Jets fan, but rather is due to having two functioning eyes. Obviously it's different crews, but Coles had a lot more possession than Shockey did on his TD where he was hit and dropped the ball today.

2. Awful defensive play on Saints third TD. Safety Kerry Rhodes gets in position before the play to cover the slot WR. He is a safety, he must know there is only one other safety in on the D, and he is on the other side. Yet, he stays with his man for 5-10 yards, then lets him go as if he's passing him off to someone else, makes no effort to stay with him, and it's a TD. It may be excusable when an LB or CB passes his man off expecting a safety to pick him up. But Rhodes has to know there that HE IS THE SAFETY! No one else is there to take his man.

3. Right after that TD, with score 20-19, in the 4th quarter, the Jets burn a timeout because they were surprised the Saints were going for 2. Inexcusable.

4. On the Saints final punt, first attempt, a Jets player (I think Strait) runs off the field, because he thinks there's 12 on the field, then runs on a little before snap because he actually was 11. Penalty on the Saints, so they punt again. This time, Jets only have 10 on the field, Vilma, who i'm pretty sure is not a punt return team, runs on the field, putting his helmet on as the ball is being snapped. Completely inexcusable. THE SAINTS JUST PUNTED THE PLAY BEFORE! HOW CAN YOU NOT KNOW WHO IS SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE FIELD!!!

Sorry about the long comment about a game between two awful teams that I'm sure very few people care about, just had to get this off my chest.

In the past hour or so I have seen an article and two interviews that claim STL's playoff hopes are still alive, and from the rhetoric you might even think they were in good shape.

What are these people smoking? They might not make it even if they win out (and they play @ DAL & MIN and host WAS, PHI, & SF).

Now that isn't exactly a murders row, but STL cannot afford to lose another game and they are really inconsistent and have little defense.

Just assuming for a second that they finish with a better record than either PHI or WAS (both also at 5-6). They would still need to pass 3 of MIN (6-5) ATL, TB, and DAL/NYG (all 7-4). That is a pretty tall order to fill. Does anyone in their right mind actually think they will do this.

Personally I think MIN has a VERY tough row to hoe and they at least have an extreme outside shot at winning their division (need to go 3-1 or 4-0 in next 4 and then beat CHI), a luxury STL doesn't have.

Anyway, just surprised to hear pundits jump on the STL bandwagon to nowhere.

The STL love fest is just the natural reaction of the bobble-heads to a Hahvahd man coming in and rallying from a 3 TD deficit against the worst team in the league.

"Fitz has got moxy and the Rams have swagger when he is under center" blah blah blah yadda yadda yadda...

re: 419: uh, I looked at it again, and though I still think that the bobble-heads are just jumping on the hero de jeur, the Rams can make the playoffs, if the stars align.

NFC Seeds as of the end of Sunday:

1. Seattle (9-2)
2. Chicago (8-3)
3. Carolina (8-3)
4. Dallas (7-4)
5. NY Giants (7-4)
6. Tampa Bay (7-4)

So that means that STL is behind Atlanta and Minnesota right now, with five games remaining.

If every team were to go 3-2 to end the season, that would mean that even if the Rams win out and finish the season at 10-6, they would then face a tie break with three other teams to compete for two wild-card spots.

They lose the tie-break to the Giants based on a head-to head loss and against Tampa Bay, since they would have a better winning percentage against the four common opponants between them (.750 vs .600 against New Orleans, Minnesota, San Francisco, and Washington because TB plays NO twice, which could be the wrong way to calculate it). (to go 3-2, like the hypothetical requires, they have to sweep NO, since they also play ATL and CAR in the last 5 games.)

So not very likely, but in after this weekend filled with goofy stuff, who knows?

"I love how these announcers contradict themselves within a period of 15 seconds. From you keep the ball, to 'no doubt you make them rekick.'

RE: 413

Not to mention the horrible grounding call on Bollinger late in the game.

RE: 419

I give Minny a better shot than the Rams, but I don't think either team will make it.

That was kind of my point Sid. That MIN is about 5X as likely to make it, and that is still not very likely.

Aaron, you might as well admit that you asked Santa for a authentic Mike Nugent jersey this year and quit with this charade.

So, basically, the Jets used their top two picks this year on Doug Jolley and Mike Nugent.

Never before have I turned on you
You look too good to me
Your beady eyes, they could cut me in two
And i just can't let you be
Well, it's a free for all, and I heard it said
You can bet your life
Stakes are high and so am I
It's in the air tonight

See you there with your cheshire grin
I got my eyes on you
Shake yout tail feather in my face and there's no tell in what I'll do
Well looky here, you sweet young thing: the magic's in my hands
When in doubt, I'll whip it out. I got me in a rock'n'roll band
It's a free for all

Here we go ! Look out below ! I'm on the prowl tonight
When it's said and done, I'll have my fun. I can chew anything I bite
Come on, come all, to a midnight ball. The invitation's there
Come alone and I'll drive it home. I'll help you, I do declare
It's a free for all

Never before have I turned on you
Well you look too good to me
Your beady eyes, they could cut me in two
And i just can't let you be
Well, it's a free for all, and I heard it said
You can bet your life
Stakes are high and so am I
It's in the air tonight
It's a free for all

YEAH!

Steve Mariucci was fired this morning.

Go IND I need big points from Edge and Clark for FF.

Well, a buddy of mine is a big Steelers' fan, so he and I have lunch riding on tonight's game... He would have gone SU, but I felt guilty about taking that, so I gave him 6.5.

Given the way the last week or so of my life has gone, Vanderjerk will get a GW FG at the end to sink my fantasy team, and those 6.5 points I gave away will come back to haunt me too...

Oh well, the mantra this season is a Colts win makes up for any number of fantasy losses... (good thing too!)

I'm all for nothing, I have Manning, Colts D and Vandy. I could use a 49-0 game.

I think Fantasy Football is a bit ridiculous. I'm in second to last place in my league, with the second-highest number of points. The guy with the most points in .500. It really is just a lot of random nonsense.

(and I won last year, so this isn't just sour grapes.)

The Colts are getting a lot of press, but the Steelers certainly aren't bad. They match up better with the Colts then the Bengals do. The Bengals and the Colts are sort of the same team. The Steelers are a ball control, deep pass offense when they do throw that play defense.

This game will come downto I think whether the Steelers outsmart themselves with their blitzes or not. You can confuse Peyton Manning a little bit but if Blitzburg shows up and they keep sending 6, 7 men into max protect offenses, they'll be killed.

Nick Harper on ESPN just said something that I think will be telling of this game.

"Yes, you can pound us up the middle but who has the patience to keep doing that over and over and over while our offense is scoring points?"

I can think of one team that has the patience to run the ball up the middle. That same team also activated all 3 of their RBs.

well, that makes the start better...

did tmq just write "game over" in his notebook and turn in early?

And the rout is on.

Before the first play from scrimmage, Ben picked his nose. That should make Peter King happy.

438: Doubt it. The Steelers haven't launched a maroon-zone punt or thrown a crazy pass into triple coverage yet.

well, the colt cheerleaders were clearly showing professionalism earlier...

That was the longest play in Harrison's career.

RE: 432

That's because head to head leagues are stupid. People like them, but real fantasy football is straight points or rotisserie.

Pitt is running it, but Parker is going nowhere. The key for Pitt keeping it close will be to stay with the run and to limit the blitzes.

Two kickoffs and both times Colclough stepped in front of Quincy Morgan (or whoever the other return guy was) to take the kick. Bad news.

one thing i really miss from watching the games in South America is when the announcers scream "LA CAPTURA!!!" whenever there is a sack. it's almost ast enjoyable as hearing them struggle not to scream "GOOOAL!!!" when there is a touchdown.

Looks like Ken Whisenhunt didn't bother coming up with a gameplan this week...

Whisenhunt blows...

I'm no expert, but...

I think that if you're playing man-to-man coverage, and facing an opposing QB who is renowned for his outstanding playfaking ability, and have no semblance of safety help on they play, it just might be a bad idea to peek into the backfield and let a Hall of Fame receiver run unopposed down the field behind you. Maybe. I'm really not sure on this one. Maybe some experimental data could confirm this crazy hypothesis.

Yeah, Colclough stinks on returns. I have no idea why they use him back there.

Something tells me the Steelers D can't afford to have its customary terrible first quarter.

Trogdor (#449 )--

But how could you possibly test that hypothesis in pratice?

Oh, and I guess Dick LeBeau did, too.

Sigh...

Marvin Harrison to Ike Taylor: I WILL KILL YOU AND EAT YOUR SOUL!

Come on, wasn't anyone else reminded of Mortal Kombat?

Let the Colts haters whine about how unfair it was that they dared snap the ball before Pittsburgh was ready. OK... now!

I think it was clear marvin had ike's facemask throughout the entire play and after the whistle blew before taylor retaliated. i think for once the refs got it right and didn't penalize the second party..

Fnor-

The other way around that is to realize that in head to head leagues consistency and knowing matchups is A LOT more important than gross points. After drafts I usually have a team in the middle of the pack by standard measures, but I focus on cosistent players (ones who put up 6 pts every week instead of ones who go 20,0,15,0,20,0).

This have served me very well and right now my teams are 11-0, 11-0, 10-1, 9-2 and I am top 3 in pts in every league.

That said I would rather not play in head to head leagues, but that is what my friends play and half the fun is comisserating/bragging with your buddies.

The Steelers have to stop getting into 3rd and long....

Becephalus: I usually think so too, but this is our family's league, so we really wouldn't have it any other way. The thing is, I tried to play it that way. I got Bulger and Delhomme and Roethlisberger, Smith instead of someone like Moss, Dillon (hah!) and Jones and Witten and all that. It's just that everyone seems to have their best games against me. One week I won 110-105. Everyone else was around 50. It's really bizzare.

Anyway. New topic. Cheerleaders: Why the hell do profesional teams think they need them? Because all the (mostly married) adult men that follow football can stare at some girl for a couple of seconds each hour? It confuses me.

Lots of PF's so far for Indy... Are they normally undisciplined?

The officials just tried to call an unnecessary roughness penalty on Jerome Bettis... on a punt.

Was Freeney lined up in the neutral zone? Because it sure looked like the center started snapping before he moved.

That's three personal fouls on Indy, including 2 on #36. Are they just trying to prove they can play with a physical team like Pitt and just getting carried away?

Dexter Reid has given more field position to the Steelers their their entire team has earned for itself.

Taylor has been terrible.

Nice moves by Troy!

Troy INT!!!

Thought of the day: Why don't we have Polamalu returning punts?

Is it just me or Peyton just threw the ball directly to Palumalu? Seriously, what was he going for, there?

If the Steelers have to settle for a FG.....

Re 470: He was hyptonized by Troy Polamalu's dredlocks.

Well, at least these false starts weren't on the same guy on the punt team. Or like the Browns did yesterday, getting consecutive false starts on wide receivers inside the 10 with 12 seconds left in the 1st half. But really, consecutive false starts are never good.

TD!

I found a nice article:

http://www.thebrushback.com/Archives/refereeforced_full.htm

TD!!!!

TOUCHDOWN HINES WARD

I was going to say that Roethlisberger wasn't looking so great tonight, but man was that a pretty pass.

We lost our satellite feed for about fifteen seconds and missed the INT.

Well the Steelers spotted the Colts an 80-yard touchdown play and the Colts spotted the Steelers a 7-yard touchdown drive.

Now the real game begins.

What a penalty-fest this game is turning out to be...

470

Peyton made the mistake of expecting Marvin Harrison to use his inside position to go up and make a play. But Marvin Harrison NEVER takes a ball away from a DB. He makes a lot of great catches, but never where he has to fight for the ball.

If I were a D coordinator, what I would when playing IND would be to tell my linemen to take turns just screaming, so when Manning starts to call his audibles, he has to either yell over a bunch of screaming guys or stick with the play.

I'm glad that the Steelers D woke up early today.

That's four points for Ben. No way Maddox gets more than three on that third down.

Colt stuffed on short yardage. Same old, same old. Maybe some day the pundits will actually figure out that the O-line isn't very good. Maybe they can check out FO stats.

Wow. The Colts were out-everything-ing the Steelers, but now it's a game. Bad INT there, gave Pittsburgh hope!

Can we please stop false-starting?

Colclough showed some great talent for returns in the preseason. However, I would have to say 5 weeks into the regular season of average returns at best should have gotten him moved down--he hasn't shown any of that promise in regular season. Morgan has been doing quite good in kickoffs, let him take them all.

Heath Miller has that Big Back-esque quality of always taking the tackler forward for an extra yard or two. now, if only the steelers RB would show that same knack tonight..

RE: 485

Colt stuffed on short yardage. Same old, same old. Maybe some day the pundits will actually figure out that the O-line isn’t very good. Maybe they can check out FO stats.

But FO stats show that Indy has the best OL in the league by far.

stan: FO line stats have the Colts as #1 in run and pass blocking. I agree that the Colts arn't phyiscal enough on the line, but FO stats won't show anything different.

Hey, Pittsburgh caught the Colts napping. Those cheaters!

Great execution by Pittsburgh.

Made it look like they would huddle, then rushed to the line when the Colts started substituting.

Result: six-yard gain on a QB sneak.

Wow. That was a horrible play-call...

17 missed FGs in the NFL this week.

Bob Sanders's and Troy Polamalu's hair should meet for a fight to the death.

Apparently nobody informed Jeff Reed he was on the left hash.
Straight as an arrow, six inches wide left.

And a missed FG...

Somebody tell Jeff Reed there's no wind in a dome.

And burned by Harrison again...

Said it before, say it again - nobody jinxes quite like Al Michaels.

FO research question - is there actually a disparity between false start penalties by home/away teams? Discount teams like Arizona where the crowd clearly isn't a factor.

One more catch for negative yardage for Randle El would help out my Loser League team. That team needs it. They have Marcel Shipp (penalty+a bunch of points), Troy Brown (penalty+points) and Marty Booker (penalty).

What ever happened to Booker, anyway?

And Reid actually does something right. Now he needs to get another personal foul to balance out the good play.

You know...

Peyton Manning is really annoying.

That is all.

Carry on.

Hey guys go check the stats. The Colts have moved all the way up to 25th in power running. That is a vast improvement from the last few years. In fact, earlier this year they were 30th in power running.

Just saw the O-line screw up protection, but Manning threw it away to avoid a sack.

As long as they have Manning to help them with draws and the zone stretch, they can get rushing yardage without getting any push at all up front. But if they have to get a push, they are screwed.

Where's the colts' bad run D? I guess it's whereever the Steelers' non-predictable play calling is.

Essex did a nice job on Freeney there.

There you go, Ike..

Strange stats. They said Manning has no TDs outside the hashes. I seem to remember him scrambling to his right against NE and hitting Harrison for a TD.

I do so enjoy a defensive struggle.

Pretty good series for the Pitt D there. Any time you can hold the Colts to a long FG after giving them the ball on the 36, you've done pretty well.

Interesting decision not to take the penalty and back the Colts up. Is the chance of the Colts converting (and then driving for the TD) greater than the chance of hitting a 48 yd FG?

With Vandy? Yes.

Also: STOP THROWING SCREENS ON THIRD AND LONG

The Steelers offensive playcalling is horrible on a Ramsian level, only it's the anti-Rams. Run up the middle, run up the middle, crappy call that gets 2 yards less than needed, punt.

As usual... the kick coverage blows...

Manning needs to get back into rhythm. Maybe with the help of Loggins (but not Messina).

Little too much chatter there Manning.

That play where Joey Porter smacked his arm is the kind that puts a lot of QBs on IR.

Hah! Delay of game!

That'll teach you, Mr. Manning.

Or probably not.

Delay after the 2-minute warning. Not kewl.

Although I believe that scenario was predicted (somewhat) by DJ Gallo in his Page 2 article today.

Indianapolis's punter puts some sweet spin on the ball. Does he do that all the time?

That was very close to being a personal foul on Polamalu. That hit was way late, what saved him was that he largely missed.

This is a very interesting chess match when Indy is on offense. Indy who switches plays on offense or threatens to all the time, and Steelers defense who does the same. It looks to now be getting to Manning.
Of course on the other side, it looks more like twiddlywinks, boring as hell.

I don't know how often he spins it like that. How often do you think he actually punts?

Why is the minor league baseball field lit up?

Essex just got flattened...

So the Steelers call timeout, and Ben Roethlisberger goes to the sidelines, to ask some advice from... TOMMY MADDOX?!?!?

Roethlisberger should have just run it. He had an easy first down out of bounds.

Man, that was supposed to be a joke.

Wha? Low block? Does he mean the *tackle*?

Re 528: Apparently Maddox's advice was "scramble around then throw it right to the Colts." Admit it, you're not suprised.

how do you get flagged for a low block when you are on defense?

So on a lot of plays, Manning is walking to the line, shouting out a player's number, and assigning pass protection based on that. Do the Steelers then automatically adjust (the player identified drops into coverage, someone else takes his place if he was supposed to rush)? Does Manning then anticipate this counter, and identify a decoy player, knowing he'll then drop off?

Wow, how is that a personal foul on Hartings? Maybe because he didn't hit Doss directly, but hit the guy blocking for him?

WTF???? A low block on the throwing team on a pick? Nice call ref.

Food for thought about the Seahawks/Giants game:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2239970

Of course, this has to be taken with a grain of salt. Nothing says a TD wouldn't have occurred on the very next play. Nothing says that the Seahawks didn't benefit from penalties that enabled them to score. In the end, though, it looks like both sides got a little lucky.

That was a terrible call by the Refs. They just gave the Colts a shot at 3 points.

Time to change the channel for 15 minutes.

"Those who say asthma can't stop the bus didn't see the game in jacksonville."

Bettis gave Maddox asthma? Asthma is contagious?! Oh crap!

Also: can't low tackle through a guy on change of posessions, but can on every single other play? That's ridiculous.

Even if that is against th e rules, there's no way in hell it should be called 'low block' If you can't name it, you shouldn't be calling it.

And thank you Al Michaels for the rules clarification. It looked like it was still a borderline call, but at least there was apparently a basis for it.

Of course, if the Steelers don't leave Harrison open yet again, the Colts probably don't get that FG...

Inre: 519

If you really want to see who Manning would love to help him back into his rhythm, click the link on my name.

539: Ha, ha.

He's talking about a game several years ago.

Apparently that "low block" nonsense is in the rule book. That is a very stupid rule.

How wierd is it that when the NFL wants to find somebody uncontreversial for the halftime show, they pick the Rolling Stones? I just hope they'll get the Hells Angels to do security.

Yet another obscure rule hurts the Steelers on MNF. (Remember the Chargers game? The fair catch interference on the bobbled ball?) It's like we're playing Calvinball out there.

So this week, we get a Thanksgiving themed "I like it, I love it." Whee.

I don't mean to make fun of it, but that feature is lost on me for several reasons.

Whose idea was it to have Tim McGraw babble senselessly for 5 minutes?

They'd be better off just showing the plays. With no "musical" accompaniment.

re: 536: the Shockey TD came on 3ed & 7 at the end of the first half, so that probably would have ended up at a 3.

The Toomer TD was on 1st & 16, in the fourth quarter, right before the two minute warning, slightly more likely to end up as a TD, but hard to say whether a 2pt conversion would have tied it.

Interestingly, I got the impression from the article that the replay was handled right, but that the call on the field was wrong in both cases - meaning that the challenge should have been to _get_ the TD, not stop it.

#536: is it just me or did they not explain what the league felt was wrong about the Toomer touchdown call?

From what I saw, Toomer did drag his right foot, it's just that his left foot seemed to be touching the end line by about 1/16". Which is to say that it's not exactly what I call "irrefutable evidence." So I'm a bit surprised the league said "we blew this one."

So what's the skinny on Giron?

551: Dick Jauron, you mean? Well, he was coach of the year in 2001, but he designed an offense for the Bears where every pass play was a 2-3 yard out. Not really the kind of offense that plays to Detroit's skills.

...Onside kick?

Why do teams that call these onside kicks that don't go 10 yards?

Geez! how about showing some guts by throwing downfield on third and long instead of little screens, not kicking an onside kick!

re: 551: The impression i got was that the call on the field was wrong, not the replay. They seemed to be implying that in close calls, the points shouldn't be given, and that is what replay is for. Kind of like how they want refs to not call 'down-by-contact' too early on fumbles.

Well that was a great onside kick.

If Reed hits it 15 yards, it's Pittsburgh ball. Instead he hits it 8, and the Steelers aren't allowed to touch it.

Guess who's the goat if the Steelers lose?

Interesting onside kick call. So far the Pittsburgh D is playing pretty well, normally you'd expect to see that from someone who knows they have no other chance (Tennessee last year).

Oh well, that's a 'genius if it works' call. Kudos to Cowher for having the guts to try it, and to Indy for being disciplined enough to get it.

Boy, does Sam Ryan have great hair or what? Much better than Tony Siragusa's.

On a related note, whatever happened to Jill Arrington?

I liked the call to do an onside kick.

But that ball was kicked WAY too short. The steelers couldn't even touch it if they wanted.

well, that kills any momentum the steelers defense had coming out of halftime. yikes.

*sigh* Every other play seems like a 15 yard penalty. It's amazing that these penalties aren't killing the Colts.

I've seen low block called a handful of times this season. Once was for sure Sean Taylor during a Redskins kickoff against Seattle. Another was during an interception in some other game.

#559: thank you for writing a name I was having the darnest of times remembering.

Acording to Wikipedia, she's back to doing College Football at ESPN. Too bad, I thought she was kind of hot.

I call play-action pass.

QB sneak.

QBs almost always can make that yard. Roethlisberger is a big guy.

I think I figured out what I don't like about Freeny. His answer to everything is to spin. Sure, he has a great spin move, but that's all he does. The right side of the line looks like a washing machine half the time.

Why wasn't Freeney in there? Did he go out hurt and I just missed it?

Is it me or are the Colts tackling very surely?? I haven't watched a lot, but they seem to be wrapping up very well.

I should add (to show that I'm not sexist) that part of the reason I liked her was because you could tell she came from a football background.

Too bad a mishap cost her her CBS career.

#555, I can see how the Shockey call was wrong, I just think the Toomer one was close enough to give the ref the benefit of the doubt. All we have is one angle saying *maybe* his foot was on the line. Even the announcers didn't say a word about it.

i really wonder what percent of punts from inside opp 45 are touchbacks, and what percent are within the 10.

That 3rd down pass just looked bad. I know it was complete, but having two receivers that close usually means someone ran the wrong route (or they're decoys to draw coverage away from someone else). It's rare to see the pass thrown in there though.

And its not a good sign when your longest play occurred on a goal-to-go play

#570:

What was the mishap- mispronouncing David Pollack's name? I mean, that was silly, but I didn't think it was a hanging offense.

Okay, those problems stopping 3rd and long...starting to look really ugly right about now.

re 571: Not really passionate about it, but I think that the tell on the Toomer call was that with two officials on the back line watching the play, neither one of them called the TD.

It was clear that neither one of them knew irrefutably that Toomer was inbounds, which is what the league is saying, I think. Let the offense prove they were in instead of forcing the defense prove the reciever was out.

Alright, Steelers. Time to try the deep ball.

You know, if the Colts had a coverage team, Hunter Smith would be one of the best punters in the league. He had four punts land inside the 5 yard line, and the Colts only managed to down one of them.

Well, blitzing the Colts has turned out just weird.

A few completions, a sack, a few run stuffs, and eventually, a stop.

That run play ended w/ 28 seconds on the clock, you're down 16 and it's about to be the 4th quarter. WHY NOT RUN THE PLAY BEFORE THE QUARTER IS OVER???

Manning sacked twice in 3 quarters? Must be a 3-4 defense.

Cowher, this is officially your AFC Championship meltdown game. If you make it to the AFC championship, pretend you had your melt down...here. That's all I ask. Why in the hell are they running time off of the clock like they have the lead. Get the damn ball snapped and a play off before the end of the quarter.

cedrick wilson sighting!

One of these plays, Roethlisberger is going to get hit and get up very, very slowly.

Since when is the deep middle "the hole between the corner and safety" against a cover 2?

Look, even Al Michaels is criticizing the play calling.

Please tell me that wasn't a designed QB draw. With an injured, franchise-quality QB on 4th and 4, with an absolute must-win next weekend.

Was that QB draw on 4th-and-4 really planned? Oy vey.

#589:

Don't forget "with Tommy Maddox as the backup."

RE: 541

What was Michaels's explanation?

#576: I could be wrong; it's just more or less the last I saw of her (I don't get ESPN).

#578: Okay, I see your point. Thanks.

On a related note (to 576): has Collinsworth quit FOX? I think it's been Buck and Aikman for a t least a month now...

#587: Cover 2 is the new black. Need to talk about the defense? Throw in some nonsense about the cover 2. Even if it isn't a cover 2. But you know, whatever.

MDS, I thought they should have kicked it there too.

a big randel el return is the only thing that could possibly save the steelers here...

RE: 591

I agree. If it was 4th and 1, I probably would've gone for it. Not on 4th and 4.