Jets fans in the New York area are missing the big game:
Pats-Jags

Why? The stinking Giants are at home, so CBS can't put that game on against it.

Ravens at Steelers

I really don't know how this game is going to turn out. Both teams really need it, Pittsburgh to have any playoff hopes at all, Baltimore to have any chance for an opening round bye.

Both teams hate each other, which usually makes for a very physical brand of football. There's no way the Steelers are as bad as they looked earlier this year in Baltimore. (I'm a Ravens fan who had the privilege to watch that demolition in person.) Jonathan Ogden is questionable for the Ravens--if he doesn't play, I suspect smart money would take Pittsburgh.

Would be interested to hear intelligent comments from others--but not rank, unsubstantiated homerism. Fans of all teams know the distinction...

RE: 2

I disagree. Baltimore could use a win, but not THAT badly. It's just seeding. Pittsburgh isn't getting in the playoffs either way. They'd need a miracle which they won't get.
But both teams hate each other, which should make it interesting.

C'mon! Titans at Bills! Emerging star and ROY candidate Vince Young vs. a speedy Bills D, including Nate Clements in a contract year. Continued maturation of J.P. Losman vs. Pacman and a talented Titans linebacking corps. NFL sack leader Aaron Schobel. Travis Henry's shot at revenge. Robo-punter 2006 Brian Moorman. Rob "60 yards" Bironas. Two teams crawling from oblivion to .500, both on a very hot streak. The Bills coming off their first shutout since 2003, the Titans coming off an offensive performance so horrible it would even make Kerry Collins' eyes bleed...and they won anyway. Two teams with outside shots and dreams of making the playoffs. THIS is the game of the week!

(/homer)

HEALTH CHECKS REQUIRED

To go with Tomlinson,...any news on...

ATL Norwood
NYJ Houston
NEP Maroney

Or do I start SDI Turner as well?

Norwood should play. Cedric Houston probably won't. If he does, it'll be in a limited role.
Maroney is a game-time decision, but probably will play (although you never know with New England).

So then I'm down to LT & Turner (playing both SD RBs - an interesting strategy), or LT & Norwood, which is hoping that Dunn isnt going to take all the carries....

I'm rooting for the Pats and the Dolphins this weekend. That's so weird. And please, can we have a moratorium on NFL players named "Norwood"? That name still makes me feel sick.

Just wow... Check out how Atlanta does vs. #1 and #2 WRs. Amazing.

Right now I have Sexy Rexy starting and Vick on the bench. The gimpy groin makes me nervous, as it seemingly takes away the attribute that makes Vick worth starting. Can anyone convince me to switch them, or is this the right call?

It’s just seeding.

There's no such thing as "it's just seeding" when a bye is at stake. Having one fewer game to play, in and of itself, basically doubles your probability of going to and winning the Super Bowl, never mind the home field implications in subsequent rounds.

Come on K, no references to January 8th, 2000?

RE: 11

Baltimore is sitting players out. Obviously Billick doesn't agree with you.

Anyway, I'm starting Rex Grossman and Jeff Garcia over Cutler and Rivers.
We'll see whether it's a good call.

January 8, 2000 never happened, thank you very much. It was a damn forward pass.

pats fan stuck in Morristown, NJ. Is the Pats/Jags game blacked out here?

We have it down here in Carolina. For some reason.

And Cincinatti at Denver. Shouldn't everyone in the Galaxy be able to watch the Seattle - San Diego game today? I've got LT and Shaun. And can't watch them. Arrgh.

10: Vick's groin has been a problem for a while. Remember, he IS Ron Mexico...

(no Ogden vs Porter)
+ (no Starks vs Suggs)=
bad day to be a QB in Pittsburgh.

Other interesting tidbits besides Atl sucking against WR1&2:

Chicago's DVOA against WR1 ranks 23rd. It is top 5 against everything else

Jax is the only team in the top 10 against every type of receiver.

The Pats are in the bottom 5 against WR2 and RB and in the top 5 against WR1, other WR, and TE

Miami is 2nd best against RBs and ranked in the 20's against everything else.

Pit, like Atl, is ridiculously bad against 1st and 2nd receivers (25.3% and 47.2% respectively), but is obscenely strong against other WRs (-83.2%)

KC is first against WR1, 26th against WR2, and dead last against other WR.

NO is 31st against WR1, but 4th against other WR and RB.

DET is 3rd against WR1, below average against RB, and very bad against everything else.

I'm going to guess that Fred Thomas just got beat by Burress for 55 yards. Haven't seen anything on the local Fox affiliate, since I get ATL/CAR. BTW, Vick and Dunn are the first 1000 yard rushing duo in about 20 years. Interesting accomplishment.

Texans score first ... i guess not a lot of us saw that coming!

re: 15

giants have a home game so CBS can't put a game on opposite it. Almost the entire rest of the country is getting that game.

22: This will be about my 874,345,135th complaint about the foolish broadcast rules by the NFL. Look, not everyone in Atlanta are Falcons fans, particularly since just about everyone in this city are imports.

I know that not a lot of you would be in India, but they are playing some christmas carols with a 10 year kid singing great ... 15 mins to Dec 25 ... merry x'mas to FO, staff and readers

Morton fumbles a punt, Saints first and ten at the Giants 24...

what are they reviewing in the Pats game? Was the catch clean?

RE: 20

Yep. He fell down right at the beginning of the play. Easy throw for Eli, and Burress managed to fake out two Saints DBs and dive and get the ball inside the pylon.

Wow! Texans are up 14 against the colts. I wonder if there is a upset in the works

3rd and 5 and MJD runs for it. Impressive. He was hit about 2 yards into it and bulled his way the rest of it.

Boy, that Peyton Manning sure is a choker. Down 14 already. Next he'll give up more rushing TDs.

Brees is looking horrible early. The Saints have had two possessions starting in NY territory and scored 3 points from them.

3 Scrambles/runs for Brady in the first quarter itself. Calm down, big fella - we want you to win the game with your hand not your legs.

1-10-NYG 33 (6:07) D.Brees pass incomplete short right to R.Bush.
2-10-NYG 33 (5:58) D.Brees pass incomplete short middle to R.Bush.
3-10-NYG 33 (5:53) (Shotgun) D.Brees pass incomplete short middle to R.Bush.
4-10-NYG 33 (5:48) B.Cundiff 51 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-K.Houser, Holder-J.Martin.

OOPS.

McNair to Clayton. Great catch for the TD.

So far Brees has had a completion to Colston, short completion to Deuce, a tipped pass, a drop by Bush, and a couple passes that missed Bush completely.

Three 20+yd TDs at the same time - IND, BAL and DET

Is it the wind that's affecting Brees's passing, or is it the Giants' defense?

It looks more like the wind.

The Giants pick up a first with a REALLY questionable spot. Saints challenging.

Will the Pats go for it on 4th down and 1?

Gustowski had some english on that field goal. it drifted out and halfway there it came right back. Either that or it was some wind at that altitude that he gauged right somehow.

Sophandros, I don't really think it's either. They misses to Bush were short. One was a miscommunication and one was just out of his reach on a swing pass.

Mark Campbell just drops a pass and is slow to get up.

OK, I was scared that the Saints were facing Good Eli (or Bad Eli for beating up on his hometown team) and were discovering Bad Drew, but if it's a wind thing, then the 2nd quarter might be different.

Gostkowski with a 48 yd FG. I think he has come a long way from the beginning of the season when the team was avoiding putting him out for 35+ yd FG attempt.

Baltimore is sitting players out. Obviously Billick doesn’t agree with you.

Here's a bit of advice for the future: when appealing to authority, make sure it's more of an authority than Brian Billick.

Well, shoot. Are we witnessing Bad Drew, then?

And another pass is tipped.

This passing game is really keeping it short, like there's no hint of them sending anyone long. I don't know wtf is up, but they just keep running 5 yard routes that don't connect or get nothing. What's even more puzzling is that they're doing this in a spread offense, lining up 4 guys and having them run crosses and outs.

I was checking the score on the 2 current hot teams - TEN v/ BUF. Scores tied at 10. Seems that these teams have joined MIA as second half beauties.
Side note: During my school days (academic years are btw june to apr in india), we had a score of kids who flunked quarterly, half yearly exams but buckled up for the annual exams and these kids were termed MARCH BEAUTIES. Guess, the same applies to TEN, BUF, MIA now!

wow! Maurice Jones torches NE. Can someone explain how this happened?

crap.

The defense however, is looking good aside from Fred Thomas. Tiki had a good first run but since then it's been nothing.

48.

He got hit behind the line by one of his own guys and fell down. Everyone on NE assumed he had been knocked down by one of the NE defenders and was down.

Basically just stood up, and ran the length of the field. Nobody even started chasing him till he was 15 yards past everyone

If Weinke gets hurt, who is Carolina's QB? And how bad is THAT guy?

As Tarik Glenn gets his weekly false start penalty (1 and only 1, every single week), MJD makes the Pats D look like ... well, the Colts D.

46: Hmmm. Sounds like the Saints have decided to run the Chris Scelfo offense.

51: All Garrard does is win games.

53.

I wouldnt say Indy's D, I'd say NYG's Defence. Kiwanuka to be exact.

51: thanks.
that looks like a school-kid mistake!

The empire strikes back!
Colts have wiped off the 14 point deficit.
Wish Manning was in control of the US national deficit control rather than fight deficit against the texans!

Kalyan, so you guys only had one month off?

51

Not really, as Jones-Drew stood up, Tully Banta-Cain wrapped him up, and then basically let go and threw his hands up in the air in that "I didnt touch him" look. Looks like he let go fearing the penalty.

Drew's looking better, just had a long pass dropped by Devery and a decent 20 yarder to Colston. But he just had another pass tipped on 2nd and 2, that's his 3rd.

Another Tom Brady pass 3 yards behind the WR.

Sweet.

61: Wow. Devery dropped a pass...

Wind took a long pass to bush who bobbles it as he's going out of bonds. Called a catch but challenged, saints couldn't get a play off in time.

nearly 2 months ... school got over before April 14 (vernacular calendar new year) and started around mid-june till high school where they used to start by first week of june

That hit on Brady looked bad...

The coverage of the Lions game is trying really hard to not show the crowd during plays.

I'm only watching it to see the walkout...

So is it like Charlie Weiss was responsible for telling Brady to not throw it behind receivers?

RE: 57

It was kind of a fluky play, though credit still goes to Jones-Drew: he knew the play wasn't over. He bounced off his own blocker, Kyle Brady, and fell on his ass. The Pats seemed to think there was no way that anyone could fall that hard by running into his own blocker.

Hmm...Maurice may have invented a new trick play...

And the Saints convert on 4th and 2! Brees escapes the pass rush and gets it to Copper who holds onto the ball.

Wow, I just saw that Jones-Drew run. There were 2 pats around him. It seems like everytime someone goes down any defender in the area touches them just to make sure. Don't the Pats do that?

Umpire down

GARRARD KILLED THE UMP.

Garrard drilled an umpire in the ear. He's still on the ground.

Oh wow, Garrard just DRILLED the umpire in the side of the head with a pass.

BAL/PIT is just ugly. The Steelers can't move the ball at all, can't defend quick passes in the flats, and can't get any pass pressure at all. They can't even pretend to keep up in field position either -- PIT punts are netting about 35 yards, BAL punts are netting about 50.

3-4-JAC 45 (8:50) (Shotgun) D.Garrard pass incomplete short middle to R.Williams. Pass hit the umpire.

That read very funny!

So, I take it that Garrard just committed Umpiricide?

oh my my! howz the umpire?

oh my my! howz the umpire?

David Garrard just kills umps?

apologies for the double post

1:50 of game time until this walkout if you care...

In other news, the BAL pass rush is completely dominating the PIT protection. AGAIN. Every time they blitz, someone is coming free. Every time they show blitz and drop out, there are two Steelers standing in the backfield doing nothing while the receivers are totally blanketed.

... more passes where brady misses recievers....

I really dont want to hear anyone bitching about brady's recievers anymore. Hes regulary making shitty passes, and theyre bailing him out.

If it happened, it wasn't obvious... boo...

Aah, so Pittsburgh's game plan is finally clear. Let the Ravens go up early, hoping the defense takes the second half of the game off while they sit all offensive starters.

*spacemonkey tries to look hopeful

84: To be fair, they can do this only because Ben Roethlisburger is playing like Drew Bledsoe. Holding onto the ball for ten minutes when blitzes are coming, missing open receivers, etc.

OK, take out the bomb to Plaxico, The Giants have 32 yards.

A theory on why the NE Offense is ranked #8 as per DVOA.

Disclaimer: I consider that the Pats defense has been pretty ordinary over the season and wrote to Aaron last week on the same.

I think DVOA rewards 'success' and most of Brady's pass are for 6-8 yds, thus having a high success rate. the same can be said about their running as well (as i type, Faulk gets 4 yds on a 2-2 situation). Pats might have had the lowest 20+ yd plays in the game, both passing and rushing and that is why the perception that the offense is anaemic!

RANT OVER!

OT: checking on TVU to see what else is on, I must say that Telecapri (Italy Sports) has some call in show that I can't understand a word of. But it doesn't matter...

Colts/Texans looks like it's turning into a shootout between Peyton Manning and Ron Dayne

TMQ Pleased!
Texans ran 11 times in a 14 play, 75 yard TD drive. The drive ate 8 mins in the second half and kept the colts offense a.k.a THE EMPIRE on the sidelines

Reggie Bush has 4 carries for 36 yards. Runs of -1, 7, 13, and 16.

90.

Kaylan, I agree.

The patriots offense is pretty much exactly what DVOA is looking for: High success rate.

The problem is, a single penalty can kill a drive in that sort of offense, as can a single failed play.

Or 5 for 43. Interesting development.

Raise your hands if you predicted Tom Brady will have the longest rush for the Pats Offense in the first half ..

McDaniel, your vote doesn't count!

Bush just hopped over a pile and Demps put a hat on him, his neck snapped back hard but he's okay. No helmet to helmet.

Bush gets another first down, he's on fire, all they're doing is giving the ball to him. He has like 3 firsts on this drive.

95: Rich Conley

Thanks. I even read on some article earlier in the season that all things need to go perfect for Pats to score on any drive. With them, you cannot have a slam dunk 4 plays, 80 yd drive that has happened to some other teams

When you want to clash with teams like san diego in post-season, that is as much a factor as a good defense.

Last night on NFL Matchup they were showing footage of Philly/NY where the Giants had tried to use a defensive lineman to cover Brian Westrook on a few plays; are they doing the same against Reggie Bush?

Corey Webster just grabbed Coppper's jersey and Copper fell, then they waved off a 40 yard penalty.

Talking idiots are saying they got it right, but Copper's feet didn't even TOUCH Webster, and they're STILL SAYING their feet got tangled up.

Saints have converted two 4th and 2s in Giants territory.

Bush with another 10 yard run.

Will Reggie have 100 yards by the half?

A Steve McNair interception inside 2:00 leads to a 1-yard TD toss by Roethlisberger. The Steelers' no-huddle offense looked much sharper than their regular offense, which has been the case almost all season. They should seriously consider not waiting for the 2:00 warning in the second half to break it out again.

hell of a run by drew.

Carries the entire patriots linebacking core about 5 yards.

Darrell, it was really hard to tell if he grabbed the jersey or just touched it. You could call that, I guess, but it's very iffy. Not sure why the Saints are throwing the ball anyway.

Corey Webster just grabbed Coppper’s jersey and Copper fell, then they waved off a 40 yard penalty.

Former LSU players cheat...

RE: 97

Damn. I was really looking forward to saying "I told you so."

The Saints have Balls, they're 3 for 3 on 4th downs, and one was the sickest TD to Colston ever. He jumps and does a sick twist in the air to catch a fade.

Isnt the play of T Brown (TEN) foolish? With the clock that has run out, you gifted the Bills an untimed down and 3/7 points for christmas

Sweet play of Ravens/Steelers first half:
Jamal Lewis blows up Joey Porter at the end of a play on a reception, then kicks Porter and hits him in head as he gets off the ground. Then the next play Lewis converts a 3rd and one, and when he was lying on the ground, Porter jumps on him and grabs his helmet. 15yd penalty! Joey Porter is a retard.

I didn't see anyone mention it so I will. That first touchdown pass by Eli was horrible. I mean so bad I literally could have thrown it. He underthrew Burress by maybe 10 yards?

Eli deserves basically zero credit for that play, as I cannot imagine emergency backups screwing that play up.

If we were working on a d20 system Eli rolled a 2 there.

Can anyone tell me what happened with TEN/BUF at the end of the half?

108: As i read your comments, something inside my head exploded and it took me more than a couple of mins to control my laughter.

BTW, it is 1 AM in India and i know it because my dad woke up and gave me an earful for waking him with my laugh!

Man, the IND Run defense has to be bad when you realize that RON DAYNE has 20 carries for 113 yds and 2 TDs.

A horrifying start to the 2nd half of the Bucs/Browns game. All the mics apparently were off...except for the booth.

Jeremy Shockey has no excuse. None.

4th and 2 at midfield, wide open Shockey caught the ball near the sideline and took off upfield without the ball.

The Saints return the favor though by dropping passes on 2nd and 3rd down.

Did the Pats find out something against the Jags? They seem to be in shotgun on most of the passing situations.

That was an amazing catch by the Wendy's guy.

Wow! i complain about Pats lack of 20yd+ plays and they give us 2 in one drive. Both with rookie TE - D. Thomas. Is this the end of the road to Graham?

Baltimore converts a 3rd and 13. Nobody was even trying to cover Todd Heap for some reason. Next play, TD pass along the left sideline behind Troy Polamalu.

That's the 2nd TD against Polamalu, and both times, it's looked like he was expecting help up top that he never got.

Someone with a DVR check this, did Bush get out of bounds before the clock ran out in the NYG/NO game?

Ravens are abusing Polamalu in coverage. Thats the second TD Clayton and now Williams just whipped him.

Re: 122

Play challenged and upheld: it was a TD. Helluva catch, and this should be the last year on the Pats for Graham, as that was the plan I thought when they drafted two TEs. However, I believe the amazin-pass-droppin Graham is now Team Captain or something, so it'll be interesting to see. As of that play, I am in favor of replacing Graham Cracker with the Wendy's Guy.

what was with the D.Thomas TD that it was challenged by the Jags? Can someone let me know.

This just in...Colts run defense reeeeeally sucks...oh, and MJD just scored on the Colts again.

Hi Aaron, I was in boston between 2004 and 2006, for a grand total of SIX times for a project that i manage (i work for a Indian IT major)

Two of these visits was during the superbowl (38 & 39) and turned into a huge football fan!

Re: 128

They thought that Thomas may have lost control of the ball when he hit the ground, but replays showed no evidence of this, so the call was upheld.

It is absolutely amazing how often Peppers is held out in the open and it is not called. Really, truly amazing.

131: Thanks

131: Thanks

oops. something wrong with my system (second double post!). my apologies

The Panthers are playing without a QB on 3rd down and DeAngelo Williams is 7 for 8 rushing for the conversion.

Ryan Lindell is going to win me a fantasy championship!

The Steelers come out in their normal offense and -- surprise, surprise -- they're having no success. Runs for no gain, a false start, and a ball in the dirt on third down.

Although, considering how the Baltimore offense has looked, even if PIT did go no-huddle, I would have complete faith the Ravens could match their production.

Note on the Falcons: I don't know if you guys have heard about this, but this week DeAngelo Hall said that things are "cool" between him and TO. Look, if some dude spat on my face, things wouldn't be "cool" for a long time. Just another reason that Hall is a punk beotch.

The pats with a good field position (courtsey the missed FG!). Can we have some points that would take us one step closer to another post-season?

looks like a shoot-out in St. Loius. I guess not a lot of people saw that coming?

BTW, a question to the WAS mgmt? What will you do with Druckett at the end of the season?

What's bothering me is that in the last three weeks, teams seem to have been getting to Brees more often. Not a good think heading to the playoffs.

gnah! Stupid raven turnovers are keeping Pittsburg in this game. The total yardage is something like 300yds for the Ravens and 80yds for the Steelers.

3rd and 7 -- McNair hits Williams for 20 yards in "double coverage." I put that in quotes because both defenders were on the same side of the receiver, so the second guy was contributing nothing. Pittsburgh has looked really inept...

...except for recovering that fumble. Let's see what the offense has got.

141: Good question concerning Duckett. From what I saw of him in Atlanta, he's a servicable back, but where does he fit in?

Ugh.

My fantasy team has both REggie Wayne and Andre Johnson, who have combined for a total of 21 yards recieving today.

GameCenter says Ngata is hurt for the Ravens. Anyone see the play?

something strange in NFL gamecenter. It states TB to Bam Childress for 2 yds, but fails to list BC in the receiver stats section

147: He walked off without help. They didn't replay the actual play, though.

Graham's false start costed the team 3 points! The game still remains too close for my comfort.

Time for one more pot of tea!

RE: 149

Glad to hear it; it would be a major bummer for the Ravens if that guy was hurt badly.

Gostkowski missed a Field Goal! Bring back that other guy!

Hentrich just had a 19 yard punt. Not good in the NATIONAL. FOOTBALL. LEAGUE.

What do the Steelers do with the fumble? Go 4 and out. That's right, failed 4th-and-2 attempt tipped by a Raven.

I can hear TMQ scribbling already.

i don't know if anybody else is watching redskins-rams, but:

1. the redskins' o-line is absolutely mauling the rams front seven. betts is hitting the hole hard on running plays, but the most ridiculous thing is the time jason campbell has to throw on passing downs. he looks like he could take a nice refreshing nap and still get the ball downfield.

2. sean taylor is not having a good game. he was flat-out embarrassed on the 44-yard bruce reception, got beat in one-on-one coverage on some nameless TE for a touchdown, and looked like a scared little kid on steven jackson's long catch and run. he was the last man and had to come up and make an open-field tackle, and instead backpedaled all the way into the end zone as jackson sprinted into the end zone untouched. seriously, it was a shocking play.

Weinke is currently 3-6 for 27 yards with a TD. If the Panthers hold on, then do we say that Weinke just wins games, even if he lost 17 straight?

oh c'mon, hats ridiculous. THis roughing shit is absolutely out of control.

that's a huge turn of events in jax/ne

If there is anyone following the cover-your-eyes Tampa-CLE game, Derrick Brooks with a INT returned for TD.

Guess he realized that it was the only way to score a TD in this game.

A question. Will Brooks get any consideration for HoF?

I sense a Big Ben pick 6 coming...

Theyre completely ruining this sport with the "you can't touch the QB" shit.

Earnest Wilford!

Another penalty-aided Jaguars TD has them back in the game. That Roughing the Passer call was a dogshit call.

can someone describe the roughing the passer penalty? seems NE is drawing atleast one every game?

Re: 155
Since it would be his second victory ever, we could say he now wins games. But he has to get that elusive 2nd victory first. 1-17 I think so far.

And when did Copper decide that he would be able to hold onto the ball? Not that I'm complaining, of course.

and they wonder why the quality of tackling has gone down in the nfl

Peppers!

"Guess he realized that it was the only way to score a TD in this game."

You mean besides that 74 yard TD Drive the Bucs had two possessions ago?

"8 Ball and" MJD (very obscure hip hip reference) should be the OROY, with Colston finishing second.

169: Sorry missed that!

TD, Reggie!

It's not just NE. Everyone has been getting burned on roughing the quarterback, touching the quarterback, and glaring harshly at the quarterback this year. It has got to stop. It is ruining way too many games.

DOnt let the door hit you on the way out, Daniel Graham.

Detroit leads Chicago on a Roy Williams TD. Interesting.

Did someone see D Thomas coming? I thought i saw his reference in a couple of games, but today looks like his break-out party

No prob Kalyan, didn't mean that to sound so snippy.

Regarding Brooks, he's definitely lost a step or two this season, but I think his body of work (9 consecutive Pro Bowl trips and a SB ring) get him into the HoF on the first ballot, unless it's a really tough class that year.

173: You forgot about thinking about thinking about touching the QB's pinky.

Reality check on MDJ: outside his fluke 74 yd run, he has had an ordinary 13-36, though on 2 occasions he carried a few NE linebackers for first down yards.

177: Thanks for the Brooks HOF answer.

177: Plus, taking a bunch of inner city kids to Africa every year can't hurt. I can see character being a huge factor in HOF voting from now on, because sportswriters are doing the voting.

Weinke is so bad. Wow. Can you believe some Panther fans were insisting he was a better QB than Delhomme?

Chris Weinke is so slow and immobile and he takes so long to throw the ball that he has been sacked as often as he has completed a pass.

Bush for a punt return TD. Boy, we are gonna see Peter King raving about RB in MMQB tomorrow

Nothing is more fun than watching the Giants have another meltdown.

(I'm an Eagles fan and a Chargers fan. Makes Eli public enemy #1)

Talk about home field advantage:
penalties
Pitt 3
Balt 11
One of the most obvious holding calls I've ever seen blown on Big Ben's 21 yd run.

-27-NYG 16 (7:01) J.Feagles punts 41 yards to NO 43, Center-R.Kuehl. R.Bush for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Play Challenged by NYG and REVERSED. J.Feagles punts 41 yards to NO 43, Center-R.Kuehl. R.Bush to NYG 49 for 8 yards (R.Kuehl).

Dammit.

Colts offense has had 6 possessions so far...2:41 left to go in the game.

not to mention the phantom holding call on Scott on a 3-8 incomplete to keep the drive alive.

187: see the brighter side

atleast we can avoid peter king refering to bush's greatness in MMQB

185: I'm pulling for your NFC guys tomorrow...

How are the Bears losing to the Lions without having turned the ball over like 6 times?

Texans still have 3mins to go down 30+ yds for atleast a FG and burn the COLTS.

Go TEXANS. Go

Lions are winning? did they do the walkout?

I'm not quite clear of the rules needed for a "tackle." I thought the contact had to cause the player to go down, or be on a player already down to be a tackle. Guess not - can't find anything about in the annotated rule book on nfl.com.

Because really, the Bush play was weird. He fell forward and got up, and was able to take it to the house. It was reviewed and when he was in the air, falling forward, the long snapper's hand brushed his calf.

190: Yeah, but I'm still a Saints fan, so a Reggie TD is a good thing to me. PK will be PK regardless.

Did anyone watch the ref in the ATL-CAR game throw a flag 40 yards for a penalty that didn't happen? How is that allowed? You can't throw a flag for a penalty you can't possibly see. That's the sort fo thing that just steams me. If the ref is out of position and 40 yards away, don't call a penalty.

Great...we've got enough idiot Pats fans in the New England area...now we've got them in India too?

:)

What happens if Houston beats Indy? Is the Williams pick justified, since that was the rationale given for it?

How can these jackass refs see so many holds by the Panthers yet miss Peppers being held every other play?

The panthers have run the ball 47 times today?

Request to FO staff: Can we have an analysis on Pats Defense on 3rd down situations.

My perception is that on 3rd & short and/or when the opposition tries a run - they are succesful. I feel they have been burned on 3rd & long/opposition passing on 3rd down situation.

Any quick responses

Texans are in field goal range with less than a minute to go.

Kris Browne 48 yard FG to win it.

198: Remember, i can claim to have lived in New England area too ... :)

48 yds seperate the texans and a popular win!

201: Weinke (at what point do we start calling him Weinker?) has only thrown 7 passes. The Panthers have set NFL football back 50 years.

Are they going to run the single wing against the Saints next week?

Texans win 27-24.

TEXANS WIN. That will mean that the Colts will have to play the wildcard round as well. Doesn't bode well for their defense.

Popular win?

That's enough.

And Houston have just justified the Williams pick. (tongue firmly in cheek)

Happy Holidays, Texans fans!

TD Titans!

Vince Young to Brandon Jones.

Seems that this week is Bush's coming out party as a running back.

Derek Anderson in Cleveland takes a tough sack and lands on his shoulder hard. Ken Dorsey warming up.

shitsticks

Tom Brady just got speared in the back

I did say the Titans/Bills game would be exciting, didn't I?

What's the "walkout" everyone's tlaking about? Not knowing anything about it and knowing it concerns the Lions, I'm guessing the fans staged a massive "walkout" during the game in the latest "Fire Millen" campaign tactic?

Uh, Tom Brady, that's why quarterbacks like you don't run the ball.

where's the call on that for hitting a guy on the ground helmet first? With all the bullshit calls, how do you not call one there?

Steelers Offensive Game Plan:

1st down: run up the middle, no gain
2nd down: run up the middle, no gain
3rd down: incompletion or sack, your choice
4th down: 30 yard punt or failed conversion, your choice

Damn you, Kevin Gilbride!

*spacemonkey shakes fist at TV screen in a fury, then realizes the playbook from long ago was accidentally used for this game

The Saints just dropped a Deuce on the Giants. Nine yard TD.

How long has it been since the Colts lost a game to each of its division rivals in the same season? 1999?

Um, RichConley, I hope you were this angered about Geathers' hit on Trent Green. At least Green went feet first.

Take out that 55 yard TD to Burress, and Eli has completed 8 passes for 19 yards. Ye Gods.

As things stands as of now, i think TB is going to have a good DPAR for the week. Lots of run DPAR points on third downs.

224

Green didnt get hit helmet first. Brady did.

Nice block by Vrabel

TD Maroney. Killer. Now if the Bills can just hold on and beat the Titans.

Touchdown Maroney! Pats win!
Suck it Addai!

Johnston just said in the Panther game that Carolina's offense has done their job, they put up ten points, it's up to the defense to contribute now.

Score is 10-3.

I should add the Bills/Titans game is exciting despite the flag happy crew of Tripplette.

Giants just fumbled away again. I'll bet 100-1 odds Coughlin is done at the end of the year.

What are the Giants fans chanting? I have little kids here so I have the sound down a bit

The fire Coughlin chants have started!

Can someone remember a deeper RB class than the class of 2006? Reggie Bush, LM, Addai, Drew, Deangelo (to a lesser extent), Norwood, Washington(?-Jets), Lundy (?-Texans). All seem to have made a mark in atleast one game.

Morganja (#430 )--

10 points from the offense led by Weinke? I wouldn't complain.

Weinke Wins!
Weinke Wins!
Weinke Wins!
Weinke Wins!
Weinke Wins!
Weinke Wins!
Weinke Wins!

9/20 109 yards, 2 Picks. I guess that Vick hasn't "got it" yet.

Part of me really wants for him to succeed, because he is such a talented and exciting athlete. Another part of me doesn't care because he plays for the Falcons.

Hey, Rich, watch the tape. Geathers hit Green in the head after Green had already gone feet first. Brady dove headfirst and got drilled in the back. I personally think it was a hit intended to injure, the cheapest of cheap shots, but sauce for the goose, know what I'm saying? Maybe it's Rodney Harrison karma.

I absolutely hate the prevent defence.

238

Geathers hit with the shoulder, you tard. Watch the video, like you said. The hit on brady was a spear.

oh no, griese? I started Rex on my fantasy team. AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!

Pats leaving it a little too close for comfort. With LM & CD, i am hoping that the Pats can run out the clock.

Pats leaving it a little too close for comfort. With LM & CD, i am hoping that the Pats can run out the clock.

1-10-PIT 37 (6:16) (Shotgun) W.Parker left end to PIT 32 for -5 yards (H.Ngata).

*spacemonkey shrieks like a stuck pig

I love that you can count on Jack Del Rio to always make the conservative call and kick the ball away, even when it pretty much guarantees a loss.

Did Grossman get hurt? I see Griese seems to be playing QB now.

Oops. Third double post

I started Rex on my fantasy team.

Why? I know it's against Detroit, but it's still Rex.

Grossman is fine, just no reason for him to be in the game.

Weinke outpassed Vick.

Is the Jacksonville D fired up or what? I'm supposed to be working on my pickup artist stuff but I cant tear my eyes off this game.

That was a terrific blitz pick up by the Patriots, but Brady flat out missed Brown.

And Brady misses another WIDE open reciever.

What a hit by Jimoh!

The Jags need 25 - 30 yds to take to FG range. Pats defense need one good play

4/7, 32 yards and one TD. And this guy "wins" the game...

I wonder if Brady's hurt or if that was one of his weekly ridiculous overthrows?

Did Tennesse just come back against Buffalo? Is someone watching that game? What the hell just happened?

I would LOVE to see them in the playoffs.

Ah, tard. I love the aroma of a well-chosen bon mot. Geathers' went to the head while Green was sliding. Brady was diving forward. He chose not to protect himself. RBs take that hit all the time. Brady wasn't down. He was diving. Like I said, cheap shot, but Golden Boy should've slid.

Bironas kicks another one out of bounds. Bills ball on their own 40, down by 1 point, 2:10 left, no timeouts.

3-3-PIT 10 (4:05) J.Lewis right guard to PIT 6 for 4 yards (J.Farrior, I.Taylor).

*spacemonkey turns off TV and gets a head start on the egg nog

Well that's it for this season, Stillers. I can't bear to watch any more *blush*

Best wishes and a happy holidays to all of you.

And thanks FO for being a great resource.

Anyone watching Buffalo/Tennessee?

Garrard was throwing it in my opinion.

If they overturn that, I'm gonna shoot the TV.

Its way too close to go either way..call on the field stands.

All David Garrad does is win, baby

NFL Gamecenter sas 1-10 at JAX 45: Play under review. Can someone let me know what happened?

Is this going to be another Losman comeback? If so, he's looking more and more like the QB he was during his junior year in college.

Losman sacked but a 15 yard face mask. Bills are almost in FG range at the 2 minute warning but are moving into a stiff wind.

Well, there's a reasonable chance that Pittsburgh will get an opportunity to knock the Bengals out of the wild card next week, so at least there's that.

"I dont think the tuck rule applies because it doesnt look like he was trying to pull it down"

Another example of the announcers having no idea what the rules are....

I think he was passed the line of scrimmage anyways...

Garrard had a receiver there, you can tell who he was throwing to. (I have no interest in the game).

But they rule it a fumble.

All David Garrard does is fumble, baby.

yay, Patriots win.

Those with NE/JAX might be getting bonus coverage of the Ten Buf finale in just a moment. After we watch them kneel out the clock, of course, because that's important.

Kaylan, Garrard got sacked from behind, and the ball popped out. They were reviewing fumbler/incomplete. Call on the field stands: fumble. Game over.

Looks like a pass by the guy who just wins, to me.

NE WINS. They have none to blame for leaving it close.

In the end, the defense has to make one close play and they made it, with their first sack & turnover of the day.

All the same, once the protection broke down , Garrad has to just take the sack there.

Betts with a long run to potentially lead to an easy field goal and a win for the Redskins...fumbles at the end of the run - Rams recover, march down the field, and kick the short field goal...and it's no good.

Overtime in St. Louis.

276: Thanks.

Very nice win for the Pats on the road against a good team.

WHAT ARE THE BUFFALO BILLS THINKING?????

"Touchdown Maroney! Pats win!
Suck it Addai!"

Your honor,

Exhibit Number 1,253,934 why no one likes Pats fans who aren't Pats fans.

Sincerly,

The Rest of the Country

As close as the score was, that game really was kinda one sided. ALl of JAX points basically came off the MJD 74 yard run, and that roughing the passer call.

4th and 5 from the 30.... and they go for it, a desperation scramble... heaved up as a prayer.... and intercepted.

Why not kick it?

Good win by NE, and impressive performance by Brady against a tough D. Their D still has some issues, but their offense is appearing to click some. Jacksonville...gah, why did you get rid of Leftwich?

And what the heck happened in the Indy/Houston game? I know Indy didn't do well on rushing defense, but why could Manning only get three TD drives against Houston? Weird. SD and Baltimore, 1-2 for byes. That won't be a fun trip for the rest of the AFC.

Losman is intercepted on third down, Titans win again.

I am at a loss here. down by 1, 45 yard field goal and the Bills go for it on 4th and 5. And their kicker was 5/5 on the day. and they don't even seem to have a reasonable pick up the first down play called, it was a desperation heave for the end zone.

I don't think I've ever seen a team so blatantly give away a game. They playing for a draft position?

At least both Reggie and Deuce went over 100 today.

C'mon, I know there's a stiff wind, but 45 yard attempt? You'd rather go for 4th and 5? If you were going to go for it on 4th then couldn't you have called a better play than a 20 yard pass on 3rd down? I'm going to go drink myself into a coma now. Later, enjoy the late games.

I think you should attribute the Bills loss to the coach or bad decision by QB. They were on the 25 yd line & within FG range. They should have tried to get as many risk-free yards and kicked a FG. Instead a christmas present to the red hot Titans, who have a realistic chance of post-season.

David - that was 4th down. I don't believe there is another coach in the league who wouldn't take their chances with a 45 yard field goal.

I'm awaiting news of something like their kicker hurt himself on the sideline...

If you throw a pick to Fred Thomas...

288:
We didn't "get rid" of Leftwich. He had season-ending surgery on his ankle. Why does everyone forget that? Just because a lot of stupid fans wanted Leftwich out doesn't mean the coaches are that brain-dead.

I don't see how they don't overturn that fumble at the end. His arm was pretty clearly going forward, he was close to the line (but your whole body has to be over the line for illegal forward pass... and even if it's an illegal forward pass, fine call that penalty and give the ball back), and there was a receiver in the direction he was throwing. Close game, why not let the players play if you're not sure?

I would be heavily in favor of firing the offensive coordinator this offseason. And the receivers coach.

re: 296

Garrard's hand was hit pretty much at exactly the moment he started to move it forward. I don't see how the ruling on the field could have been overruled. The video evidence has to be stronger than it was.

FWIW I think Garrard has shown now that he is not the longterm answer. He's been in the league longer than Leftwich and has been asked to do less, and hasn't been able to protect the ball when it counted. If he doesn't know by now when to take a sack, or how to run with the ball so as not to fumble, or even how to figure out if a receiver is open or not, why do we think he'll figure it out in year 6 and beyond?

Repeat after me: 9 completions for 19 yards. That's what Eli Manning accomplished against the Saints defense on passes where cornerbacks don't fall down.

296

"Why not let the players play"

They did...and they called it a fumble. The video was inconclusive. It might have been a pass attempt, but theres no way to CONCLUSIVELY see that on the video, so the call on the field stands.