Harrison has been announced as "out".

THE CHARGERS ROCK!!!

WE ARE GITTIN' AFTER IT BABY!!!

WE'RE #1 AND WILL PROVE IT ON FEBUARY 4th!!!!!!!!

#2: Beautiful. Please keep posting. Be sure to chime in about how DVOA under-rates the Chargers.

Dear Charger Charlie,
I believe your logic is faulty. Clearly the Chargers are a very good team, especially on offense as is shown by their #2 ranking in offensive DVOA, trailing only the powerful Colts. However, you should worry about your team's middle of the road performance on defense, #14 ranked according to DVOA. I believe the Patriots team, while not "great" in any one facet of the game are solidly good in every category, will be able to assemble several consistent scoring drives that will render the Chargers fancy pass-rush moot. Have a pleasant evening.

The Patriots are the most physicsl team in the league. Combined with the Chargers shody tackling and Porous secondary. Nevermind a first time QB. The Charger don't have a chance. The Pats defence is going to smack Tomlinson in that new "Glass Jaw" he got in the Chiefs game an "Down goes Frazier". Don't ever underestimate the Patriots, they like to give concussions not get them, NFL Statistics confirms it.

I just wonder if the commenting on future posts running gag will beat the dead horse here. Because #30, you're way off.

CHARGER CHARLIE IN THE HIZZ-OUSE!!!

Let me break it down for y'all: New England's defensive line can play 2 gap, defeat their blocks, do everything right, and LT can still make them miss at the line, thus eliminating negative plays. He's the only NFL running back who can consistently turn "no gain" into 4-5 yard gains. And those are the plays when the defense has called the right scheme.

RE: #7
But does LDT have the proper swagger? Clearly, he is lacking in swagger, isn't he?
Although Rivers is a great QB because all he does is win. Right?

7: LdT's success rate: 49%
M. Turner's success rate: 55%
I'm gonna have to go with "no" on your declaration that LdT is unstoppable.
5: If New England is the most physical team in the league, how come they keep giving up long gains on missed tackles? (See, the Jets game, Titans game, Jaguars game, etc)

I'm stoked at the game in general, but I have a funny idea: what happens if both offenses crap bricks on the field? (Ouch...)

But seriously, would a 10-6 victory by either team be a serious letdown what with all the hype surrounding this game?

If both teams play their best, I do feel like the Chargers will win....but then, I've been aching for a playoff victory since I was 11, so....

Re 10:
So... you're 21 or 22? Don't tease the old folks about playoff wins - there are some Lions and Cardinals fans that would switch places with you.

Re 88:
Oh c'mon, the refs call that 9/10 times, it's not a bad call.

There are some rumors buzzing around Boston that Bruschi will be retiring when the season is over. At least one source is former Pats' TE Russ Francis's radio show.

While the Chargers are rightfully favored, I can't believe NBC's Tom Curran saying (at least on Boston radio) that it would be an upset on a par with the Pats upsetting the Rams in SBXXXVI. Come on.

Pats Fan: Russ Francis has a radio show?

Re: #14

Yeah. On 890AM (a.k.a. worst signal in creation)

Admit it, Aaron -- you're now rooting for SD to win tomorrow so that you don't have to worry about FO's servers crashing while serving The Thread Which Cannot be Named.

:)

How can anyone in NE get that signal with 880WINS out of New York right next to it?

16 Don't worry, if the Pats win, THIS thread will devolve into the 2nd Thread That Shall Not Be Named.

But yeah, there's a good chance that other one will look like Norm Peterson's bar tab on Cheers (in one episode it was a stack of greenbar printer paper about one foot thick) if printed out. And that will double after the game. Paulette will return after a few years absense to remind me that "It's all about Vinces" as she once said and if Indy loses, I'll just weep into my keyboard... like every other January.

Go Pats. See ya in Indy for a rousing 9-6 game.

#16

Fans from 28 other teams will just close their eyes, stick their fingers in their ears, and yell out "na na na nana naaaaa! I can't hear you na na na na!" for a week straight until its over when they can get back to watching the NFL and the Super Bowl in peace.

Fans of the Saints and Bears/Hawks will be exposed to The Topic and as a result question their faith in the sport.

Like everyone else, I can't help but think "Wow, this a pretty freaking good matchup."

Aside from that, I think:

That it's too bad Rodney Harrison is out. I want to see the best teams with their best players. And Rodney's not only a great piece in that Pat D, but he played for the Chargers for a long time. Oh well. I'm putting his injury @ #3 on the big board of potential mainstream media reasons for the loss. I'm including both teams here, and although the Chargers are rightly favored, #1 and 2 apply to a Bolt loss: A Marty Meltdown and a Phil Rivers 'rookie' collapse. I'd bump the Harrison injury to #2, but god knows the media loves the inexperienced QB angle, especially with a so-called witch Belichick gunning for him.

Oh, and one more thought. The only thing more disgusting/hilarious than Peyton Manning getting a ring on the back of his defense and get all the credit would be Peyton Manning riding the defense in every game but the AFC Championship, where he throws for 450 and 4 tds/0 ints yards against a banged up Pats secondary. You know why it would be so awful? Because that Pats game would make it impossible to convince any major sportswriter to share the credit to the Colts D, even though he was mediocre to bad in all but that game. Oh, and as someone else pointed out in another thread, the reason it would be disgusting in the first place is because we've all been saying that Peyton doesn't need to drag a bad defense to a Superbowl to prove himself, and so for him to actually be carried by his defense and then anointed as a HoFer QB by the press, more of the same f*cked up logic, would really be ironic. We got what we wanted, but we had to get it their way.

After the Colts win the SD/NE game looms as the de facto Super Bowl.

No it doesn't, 21. I agree that the Colts match up terribly against both these teams, but they've already beaten the Patriots once this year, so it isn't reasonable to dismiss their chances so glibly. The Indianapolis victory was achieved in a manner I would not expect to see repeated, but that doesn't mean they can't win again. From a roster perspective, NE have more injuries than they did then, too.

Re 21, 22: Just as I predicted in the BAL-IND thread, post 588.

I thought WINS was 1010?

Thought so. 880 is WCBS.

Gerry- Yeah, my bad. But WCBS is even worse, now that I think of it. Many jigawatts of NY broadcast detritus.

I can get it on my toaster and my fillings.

Russ Francis was easier to find when he was double covered.

too many turnovers that first pats-colts doomed the pats. That shouldn't happen again unless evil kevin faulk shows up or/and brady thinks "oh yeah ben watson can beat bob sanders up the seam for a 25 yd pass."

I'm setting the over-under on comments for this thread at 779

I'll take the under. I'm thinking closer to 650.
Go Patriots!

I actually don't post during games I have a rooting interest in, so I won't be artificially inflating the post numbers on this one. You all may want to factor that into your predictions.

Why not? I always root for one team or the other in every game, so I just always post. In the interest of full disclosure, I'm pulling against the Pats in this one, but I won't be that upset if either team wins.

31,
I'm too busy throwing shit at the Tv and telling my fiancee how the ref is an idiot. I don't type well when I'm in a tizzy.

Pat OTB...if your not posting, I revise my over/under to 250+/-

I'll be rooting for the Chargers for two reasons. Firstly, the electric blue DVOA graph in the game previews, and secondly I'd like to be able to access this site in a week...

Should be a great game, though. It's too bad that San Diego is portrayed as having far superior talent to New England, with NE's 'mojo' narrowing the gap. If the Chargers lose because the Patriots were more talented, I don't want to have to hear about what a choker Marty is.

I do think #88 has a valid point.

Where can I get a Diet Pepsi, here in My Country?

Let's just hope that someone brings Marty and Philip Rivers a Diet Pepsi or else there's gonna be trouble...

35: San Deigo, apparently.

This game has a lot to live up to, as does this thread...

34: I agree. If the Chargers lose, the stories will be about Marty and Rivers choking and Brady and Belichick being clutch. As a Charger fan, I can take the Patriots winning the game and being the better team, but the stories if they do win will drive me crazy.

Man, I dislike Shannon Sharpe

Hey, isn't there supposed to be a game on at 4:30?

Underdogs (all road teams) 3-0 vs. the spread so far...this league is crazy.

wow, cbs playing up the Patriots mvp shut downs, nice angle.

Love the Magic Beans intro. And shouldn't we wait until the decade's a bit more, you know, over, before declaring the Patriots the "Team of the Decade"? Still have 4 more Super Bowls to hand out here, ya know.

Can Bill Simmons go 0-4? I'm excited to find out.

I agree that Shannon Sharpe is *terrible.*

Did Nantz just call Simms "Earl Simms"?

I wonder if Merriman cycled up for the game today.

Isn't it a bit ironic that the Sony "Brought to you in HD" commercial isn't shown in HD?

That NFC game was a nice appetizer for the main course.

Tomlinson for 11. Not a good way for the Pats to start the game if they way want to shut him down

This weekend a year ago Bill Simmons went 1-3. He then wrote a column where he claimed the Playoff Manifesto was dead, because he took it behind the woodshed and slew it to smithereens.

And he's got the pats in this game. Not a great omen for New England

A man could make a fortune picking the exact opposite of Billy Simms. I should try

Hi. I'm an announcer with a week to prepare for a game. On the very first play I'm already stumbling over the pronunciations of non-obscure player names. What else am I working on during the week, exactly?

53: Well, you have all those special "dinners" with the coaches.

According to my (vastly inferior) stats, the Pats s/b 2.5 dogs, so that gives them a decent chance of winning.

However, I expect this game to be a blowout, one way or the other. After two close NFC games, I think NE blows out SD, but we'll see.

Wonder if the Pats will use much 4-3, as I recall they used it to good effect against the Steelers in the AFC CG 2 years ago. (Assuming that their strategy of conceding the 1st 80 yards of the field might not work today.)

And meetings with players, where you talk about their families, their pregame rituals, eating habits, etc.

Wow. Looked like a catch and fumble to me. Probably should've let that play go a bit so they could challenge on the recovery.

How is catching it, taking a few steps, and starting to turn upfield not a "football move"? What the hell is a football move?

That was SO a fumble.

I thought I heard a whistle, write when contact was made... I thought they were blowing it dead for forward progress or something.

Maybe I heard something from the stands though.

So, what happens when the "Armed and Famous" guys arrest a real celebrity?

I was really hoping someone would say "The announcers spend all their time breaking down game film and strategy, and learning about techniques, so they can give the best possible description of the action on the field." Then we could all have a good laugh.

How many interceptions have been dropped today? Five now?

oh, clinton hart, how do you miss that gift

Jump ball - arrow to NE.

I'm not sure San Diego are good enough to turn down presents like that one.

61: That's why they filmed it in Muncie, IN, as far away from celebrity as you can get. Only if one of the Colts or Pacers wander out that way, or maybe if Letterman heads to the area for some reason.

Ugh, brady is back to overthrowing recievers over the middle.

Not a good sign.

Wow, that ball should have been intercepted TWICE. Don't see that often.

Seriously, how did he drop that? That took effort to screw up there.

The Pats punter, Sauerbrun -- wasn't he the one who got cut by the Broncos after a 4-game suspension? Now he's in the playoffs and the Broncos aren't.

Just finished watching the Chicago-Seattle game on Sky+ to avoid the adverts....damn. Was really hoping for the Bears to lose. At least the nightmare scenario of a Baltimore-Chicago Superbowl has gone. As long as the Saints can beat Chicago and the winner of this game beats the Colts, I don't mind who wins the Superbowl.
On an esoteric note for UK viewers, I was just talking with a mate of mine and we decided that if we really tried, we still couldn't come up with a more shit presenting team than Sky have managed for this evening.
Revenue question : does the home team keep all the money from ticket sales?

Wow. I have no idea how you drop that. Tipped twice, but you have a good read on where it's going. It's nice and slow. You don't have to move at all. And yet...

ARGH. San Diego secondary have been dropping sure interceptions all season, and they continue doing it now.

Well, they get the ball at the fifty, so the dropped pick may or may not cost them a lot, but the Patriots aren't always going to miss converting on third down

Very clutch move by Brady making the defender drop the gift pick. It's clearly some kind of spin he put on the ball, so it would be impossible to catch after it's deflected. I call it "clutch spin", the same spin you find on the elusive "clutch quark". ManningLabs, Inc has been searching for clutch quarks for over a decade, but so far they only find the twin, "choke quark".

Okay, so each team has given away an easy turnover in the first 4 minutes...Im excited.

#72

Yes they could. We could have Scott McCready and Huggy Bear...

71- Yep. Carolina punter before that. He's gotten the better end of the deal, but he will forever live in my heart for forcing a fumble on a return last year against the Pats

Two drops by Parker.

Chad Scott is surprisingly not acting like Human Toast today.

If the Chargers were wearing powder-blue i bet they wouldn't be dropping passes and interceptions.

Lousy choker Schottenheimer forgot to tell his players to catch the ball today. Lack of preparation like that is his real downfall.

I told you the ball was too slick!

HEEEEEEESSSSS BAAAACCCKKK

Long live the King

Scifres and Plackenmeier, a punting masterclass. If only their names weren't so difficult to spell.

Does it seem like the King takes an awful long time to get in there, since he's unblocked and all? Maybe he's just got deceptive speed, but it's just hidden by his flowing cape and frightening mask instead of plain whiteness.

#84
No, you just suck! With me starting we would've won!

To answer you question, Paul:

Ticket revenue is split 60-40, the larger share going to the home team.

Anyone watching the game not on a .com feed want to explain why Troy Brown keeps fair catching punts inside his 10?

Amateur hour in the playclock booth

Of course, I remember when Art Modell and Bill Belichik promised Cleveland fans that when Cleveland built a new stadium, that Modell and Belichik would bring back Superbowls. They kept their end of the deal, so I don't understand why Cleveland fans are upset.

This playclock is killing the crowd..

If you don't believe in Jedi mind tricks, then you didn't see what Tom Brady did to make the Chargers drop an interception twice. That can only be done when subjected to a jedi mind trick.

I am really hoping for a classic in this game, the early game was a great game. But so far, both teams are playing sloppy. But, it's early, we have time.

102: you're such a homer, your opinion doesn't really even count. Please use DVOA at least occasionally when making your points... Geez...

89: Cause he doesn't want to get killed. Also the second one was Faulk, not Brown.

Wow, Matt light just destroyed Merriman on that play.

Re 72
Too close to call. How can Sky have not employed Mike Carlson?

And in responce, merriman blows by Light.

Clearly the problem is that not enough of these players are heroic steroid-users like Mr. Merriman.

Tom Kelso: The first one was a good decision, cause he had two guys behind him ready to down the ball, but the second one was pretty dumb.

Paul in UK - did you just reply to yourself? Just curious...

89

He's kickin knuckleballs that go straight up and down, so the coverage team is waiting as the ball comes down. If the returner didn't fair catch them, they'd probably get downed even closer to the goal line.

Between Merriman and Sauerbrun it's the Roids Bowl.

Who is the Sky presenting team for tonight? Their normal team is bad enough. I would usually be watching but my lectures got moved to 9am on a Monday morning and if I go out to the pub to watch I won't get home until half past 1. Damn it.

What the hell is Simms talking about with Merriman? And how can you go on about his surprising power without mentioning the chemical assist he gets? Think he'd get fired for throwing out "of course he's stronger than you'd expect, otherwise he needs to get some better roids"?

It's a game of shadows out there.

Are players and coaches put in that Diet Pepsi ad without their consent, or are they reimbursed for it?

Paul, "where's Mike Carlson?" is a question I ask every Sunday. Carlson, Shaun Gayle and Kevin Cadle hosting the show would be awesome.

104- He might get fired, but he'd gain my respect. Okay, that might not be a fair trade-off.

Thanks for the info -- the benefits of watching live.

Woah I can get this on a .com feed? Where? Does it work for macs?

Glad to see Pats fans have already given up on the game. They are already bitching about Merriman.

Re 100
Whoops....re 78. Should probably put a cork in the Bordeaux but it's the only way I can watch Sky's studio crew.

110

You're the only person I see whining at this point.

110: Bitching? The guy used steroids and got caught. It's not like we're making stuff up here.

Alright, Rivers has no ability when running/throwing against the grain

Since Reebok has such strong guidelines on what coaches can wear on the sidelines, how come they allow Belichick to cut off his sleeves on his hoody?

I mean, he looked like a slob before, but now it's just ridiculous

Paul in UK, do supply us with tidbits from the announcers as you hear them while we have our US commercials. I lived in Japan for several years and found some of the best entertainment to be what the announcers say to each other and to others while commercials are running in the US.

Wow. What a block by Rivers. If Parker hadn't slipped that would have completely sprung him.

That reverse could only have been worse if Rivers had been injured falling over ball carrier.

Welcome to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Eric Parker Edition.

1,2,3 and punt.
Quick - what rhymes with punt?
0.75 yds per pass play? Was Rex teleported into Brady? Of course, the DVOA will say it's not as bad as it seems, right?

I really like Rivers after his block of 59. Most quarterbacks would just hit the floor going for the legs.

Nice play by Hobbs after getting burned.

Rivers definitely underthrew a TD there.

Nice play by Hobbs to knock down the ball, but if Rivers puts a little more on it, it was a TD

Re #116,

As an example, it was suggested that the Pats would like LT to see lots of the ball, because that was the gameplan that Belichick used as DC for the Giants against the Bills. Because of course, San Diego has a Hall of Fame QB who you'd be scared shitless of...

Outstanding discipline by Colvin on that reverse. Even if the receiver didn't slip he could've delayed him enough for pursuit to keep it from being too huge.

All-out blitz, and the ball's just a bit underthrown. Nice play by Hobbs to recover and knock it away, but that should've been a touchdown.

113 and he got punished and he served his punishment and he has been tested throughly afterwards and has not been found using. So stop bitching.

Just as I'm thinking Rivers is looking a little panicked out there, he makes a nice completion.

"Slipped on a little bit of sodden ground [...] that was recently replaced."

What? How is it that the announcers can't pronounce players' names right, but they know which portion of the field was recently replaced?

And there goes another missed INT.

hummer makes awful consumer motor vehicles, but their commercials are nice. they ought to trade them for chevy's john cougar mellencamp, and then immediately go out of business.

As the Manning-McNair virus spreads west -- is no AFC quarterback going to play well this weekend?

Chargers going for it on 4th and 11? Rivers to punt?

Marty going for it on 4th and 11? This is anti-Martyball.

going for it? Wow

At what point does Bellichick's Genius Player-Personnel-Guy Certficate expire? They're a 3-4 team whose youngest quality LB is gonna be 30 next year, they have zero depth at corner, and the receivers are a just a joke.

Now thats big. Thats a 40 yard loss of field position right there.

That absurd. Why on earth would you go for it on 4th and 11 in field goal range? Just a dumb decision.

So that's basically what, same as a missed FG?

wow, i'm in awe of the chargers offense this year and i wouldn't have gone for it on 4th and 11

Phil Simms' commentary makes no sense

He claims the Chargers were expecting blitz so they kept two guys in the backfield, but both took off on routes after the snap.

And Rivers is hit and fumbles it away.

Sorry, I'm wrong -- a missed FG at least initially offers you the chance of a made FG.

Marty ball strikes again. Of course, safermetrics would've gone for it on 4th and 11, right?

Did Marty just say his team can't make a 47 yard FG?

133: The first year he doesn't win the AFC East.

ChrisV,

It was a Browns fan who brought up the steroids.

Also, I think that sack would have been better if Vrabel didn't force the fumble. The ball went forward.

Instead of being extremely conservative, Marty I guess is going to be extremely stupid this game.

Chargers just tossed away all that field positrion they gamed for -- watch NE march down for a score now.

138, the backs' assignment is to pick up an outside blitz, if any, and then go out on circle or flat routes if not.

Rivers looks a little nervous. His accuracy has been a bit spotty so far this game. Now I can't explain why Brady doesn't look good. Maybe SD's defense is doing well. But I will say that Rivers looks a little nervous. Maybe the 1st time in the playoffs jitters. And then he fumbles the 4th down play...

A missed FG gives the Patriots 17 more yards of field position. But I'd have kicked, too.

The Chargers are absolutely stunned that Brady is running the hurry up. I mean, how you possibly expect that?

whats the % on 47 yarders though? Its gotta be 75% +

Chance on 4th and 11 has got to be less than 20%.

Interesting to watch the playcalling here given that the Pats are almost surely in 4 down territory (4th and single digits anyway).

150: A 47 yard field goal is about a 50% chance league average. I don't think there is any analytical system that would suggest going for it on 4th and 11 in a non-endgame situation.

Re: 140

You need about a 70% chance of success to make it worth going for it on 4th down if you ignore all other considerations. Going for it on 4th and 11 requires an awful lot of other considerations.

Did the announcer just say that Brady can't throw when theres no wind?

Did Phil Simms just say that Brady overthrew that ball due to the GOOD CONDITIONS???

148: Only 7 yards for the snap, actually.

did i just hear simms say that corey dillon gave himself his own nickname?

you've got to be something of an asshat to give yourself a nickname.

Belichik going for the figgie. If Gostkowski misses I'll laugh. Nope. Dead center. Schottenheimer looks like some sort of genius now, eh?

103 : Nick Halling (the thinking man's arsehole), Rob Hart and the pretty boy who stands in for Kevin Cadle.

106 : Do you think if we agreed to an increase in our Sky subscription, they would go with your suggestion?

116 : Unfortunately, we only get the off air commentary when Sky are showing an "alternative" game. All we have this evening when you go to adverts is a bunch of phoneys who think they are both knowledgeable and entertaining.

I think Marty is going to regret that call... He let newengland out of their endzone, and its cost him 3 now, and let the NE offence get some rythm going.

156- It's actually eight. Seven in college. That was a fifty yarder from the 32 yard line

#145
nice call

What's Merriman got in that mask?

The Bears, Colts, and Saints all scored first this weekend and won.

Last week, the Colts, Patriots, and Seahwaks scored first and won. Only the Giants scored first and lost.

In the 8th game of the playoffs, Marty passes up a field goal opportunity to try a 4th and 11 conversion, and turns it over. The pats then score first.

Hmmmmmmmmm

Nice blocking on that kick.

Tomlinson's getting almost 7 1/2 yards/carry

7 for 52 at the moment

Was Ditka talking about Ricky Williams in that press conference?

163: a tube of cream or clear, I can't tell which.

Gamecenter listed the 4th down play as a sack. That's a mistake, right? Sure looked like a fumble to me.

I only mention it because it makes a 2 pt difference in my fantasy league.

Nantz brings the Def Poetry:
He's trained to run,
Talking bout Tom-lin-son.

I really like how the SD offense is looking but I still can't believe Marty went for it on 4th and 11. What kind of message does that send to your team?

Re: 169

It counts as a sack, too, when the fumble is forced from the quarterback.

Actually, I guess if the wind is too much it makes sense to go for it. Judging by the amount of extra Gostkowski had on that 50 yarder it must be kind of breezy down there.

166
Hes got runs for
3
3
3
3
14
15
11

So sayin 7 yards a carry isnt really true. Hes either getting 10+, or nothing.

End of the 1st and has anyone seen Maroney? I'm getting worried.

Probably a good one to the offense, a bad one to the kicker, and a bad one when you fail to get it

I am glad LT has a visor. You always know where he is.

#171: That Martyball is dead.

171: One of three messages. Either it shows immense, but somewhat misguided faith in the offense. It shows a great deal of faith in the defense. Or it shows an absolute lack of faith in the FG kicker and the punter who he doesn't think can lay it inside of the 10 from there. I'm not sure which, but that was a weird call, especially from Marty...

NE seems to be tackling exceedingly well today.

133: Banta-Cain is 30? I thought he was 26 or so. But, yes, their linebackers are old, and receivers aren't great. But, are there any other personnel issues with the team? The DL is deep and excellent, the secondary is good, if not great, and has extremely good potential. The LBs are old, yes, but they are still good players. They will need replacements, but TBC is definitely working well, for what it's worth. Vrabel isn't exactly young, but he's not too old yet, either. That leaves Bruschi, who might be in his last season, and Colvin, who, like Vrabel, still has a few good years left. Does Seau stay for next year? He played okay this year, and could make for a servicable backup next year.

On offense, I think it's clear that their only weakness is simply not having a star receiver. The group they have now is clearly workable, and they have a much stronger rushing game now than they did in 2003.

IMO, at the moment, they are in a similar position as they were in 03 - they have some weak areas that aren't killing them, and with a couple good personnel decisions, they could pull another dominant 2004 season. Worst case, we are looking at another 2005, where they are a good, but not great team, and any team can fall apart in 2 years.

Re: 153

I get about 45/50% to go on 4th. Considering the NE defense, either punt or FG is better. I guess I should've used the /sarc tag, Maarty is usually conservative, as we all know.

Sweet missed block by #79 on Vrabel. Just get a piece of him and Tomlinson might go for 30. Who was he going out to block, exactly?

blatant PI.

Bruschi was all over LT way before the ball got there.

174- But he's always getting yardage. I believe he had one where he got stopped for zero, but he's consistently picking up 3-10 yards. A lot of guys like Shaun Alexander are more like

3
0
2
-1
4
0
8
4
0

So 4th and 11, you go for it, but 4th and 4, you punt?

159: Damn, that almost makes me glad I can't watch this game. Gayle and Carlson would be an interesting studio team provided they got somebody decent to lead it as neither of them appear to be skilled at that and Cadle just makes to many mistakes for my liking.

So now on a fourth and 4, when you're not giving up a decent shot at a field goal, you decide to kick and not go for it?

174: No, he's getting either 10+ or 3, which is definitely not nothing.

174: You mean how every running back, ever, has played? That's actually a remarkably good set of runs anyway, the league median is 2, punctuated by a bunch of long runs. Getting 3 and occasionally going for 15 is fantastic.

187 -- my thoughts exactly. I don't understand his decisionmaking process.

So better to go for 4 & 11 from the +32 than 4th & 4 from the +40? Oh, Marty...

185: Glad to see the Chargers fans have already given up on the game and are complaining about the refs.

179: They would have been punting from the 30 and allegedly there is a decent breeze they would be kicking into on a 48 yarder. Neither of those options would be very good. If they fail, NE gets the ball back at the 30, which isn't too bad; I doubt the average value on punts from the 30 yard line is more than 15 yards or so.

Wow, it sure looked like a penalty on that third down play to me. Linebacker draped all over LT

187: given that 4th&11 was from the 30, and 4th&4 was from the 41, yes. From outside the 40, a good punter can still play field position, and with more than 2 to go, converting's hardly a sure thing.

I don't think anyone's giving up on the game. But as an impartial observer, it looked like holding to me.

JPS

I live in Japan now, but my Japanese is not good enough to follow anything the announcers say. But I can imagine it is commical.

During commercials they are always shoing hilights from last week's game with Metalica or Guns N Roses playing in the background.

194: No, no, we're complaining about Marty more than the refs now.

that was an awesome timing blitz by mccree

194- Mentioning a blatant penalty that was never called is giving up on the game? Not hardly

well at least it's consistent, letting the DB's mug a bit.

Way to tackle the reciever before the ball gets there.

This is starting to resemble the Giants @ Eagles last week. SD, like NYG, have had good field position for most of the first half and have done nothing with it. That didn't turn out so well for the Giants.

SD pissing away great field position to start the game reminds me of Giants/Eagles.

Well, i guess the refs decided to give the chargers a free PI too to even things up a bit.

There's the Maroney appearance...

I think I understand it now. The touchdown is like the designated hitter in baseball. Only one of the conferences plays with it. Which rule do they use in the Super Bowl?

Looks like Peyton Manning flew to SD a week early to play some QB.

FWIW: Stephen Gostkowski's 50-yard field goal is the longest in Patriots playoff history. The previous long was 48 yards, by Adam Vinatieri, which happened twice (2004 AFC Championship Game and Super Bowl XXXVI).

I think 194 was being ironic, considering who they replied to

187 - 4th and 4 is a definite go. Another reason why the earlier call on 4th and 11 is so bad. It causes the coach to make a second bad decision. Belichick would've gone for it on 4th and 4 down 3. It's a no-brainer (although with NE defense, only a smal edge).

James, London- I like the way you think.

Johnnyblazin,

Likewise.

I'm amazed how many guys are getting into the backfield and missing Tomlinson. Hes scarier than I thought.

All right, surely now you go for it, right Marty?

Now you have to go for it.

4th and 1 at the NE 39. Now HERE you go for it!

... and this time, it works.

Michael Turner is scary

lorenzo neal goes down easy for a guy of his size.

great line blocking on that michael turner run.

How the hell is that ruled a completed catch?

There was no football move

Two notes on that play.

1) Mcneil is a stud.

2) Sanders and Scott, whatever you want to say about their coverage, are great tacklers.

San Diego is going to set a record for most time in opponent territory without scoring.

so that was a catch and the earlier one wasn't??

Surely that's not a catch. If Eric Parker didn't catch it earlier, then that can't be.

good play call that time on the 4th and 1. It makes sense there.

is being dragged to the ground by a defender, even if you get both feet down, a "football move" of some sort?

One thing I learned from Mike Pierra is that falling down is a football move, so that's a catch and a fumble.

Rivers' receivers are killing him.

No catch. He bumped the ball out of his own grasp with his hip as he was coming down. I'm pretty sure you can't make a "football move" without actually touching the ground.

What's Turner's FA status? Is he still unrestricted? And if so, I would love to see him in purple and black, since Lewis and Anderson are both likely gone this off-season.

So, is falling on your butt a football move or not?

228

THerye calling it a catch because they didnt call the Parker one a catch, when it should have been.

(not saying this one was)

That is clearly not a catch.

Phill Simms is such a jack ass. I hate him sooooo much

im not sure i know the definition of 'football move' (hell im not sure anyone knows) but that didn't look much like a catch to me

If that had happened in the end zone, it would be ruled incomplete.

If that's a catch, I have no idea how the Parker fumble earlier wasn't.

Bill Belichick is now employing his Ref Mind Control Powers like in the Vikings game earlier this year. Just wait and see.

It looks more like a catch in the slo-mo they constantly show because you don't realize Gates held onto it for like less than a second.

235 -- when I play football, it's the only football move i've got.

Kuato,

If you have a Bilingual option on your TV, you used to be able to hear the American commentators on the Bilingual channel during US commercial breaks. They'd ask for stats and talk with each other about what to say next while something Japanese was going on the primary channel. I have fond memories of Dick Enberg and Merlin Olsen sounding quite unlike their TV personalities during commercial breaks, and Bob Costas being an absolute cutup. :-)

Squatting down while the ball squirts out is a bowel move, not a football move.

Now that was an easy 4th down decision.

But how could that one be a catch/fumble when the first one wasn't? I honestly have no idea what the "football move" is if "falling towards the ground and losing the ball on the way down" counts, but "catching it, taking several steps, and turning upfield" doesn't.

If this is a fumble, the first one absolutely should've been. If that wasn't, there's no way this one was. I don't care either way as a fan, I'd just like it to be somewhat consistent.

Although if NE gets the ball here, it gives a good chance for Merriman and Castillo to roid-power their way to a safety. But if they don't, it gives Sauerbrun a chance to roid-kick it 85 yards.

incomplete, baby

I should have gone under on this one. My actual pick was was NE SU.

For the record, I took Ravens (didn't know that the Colts had such a good D) and both NO -6 and Philly SU (yuck, yuck and yuck).

Go Vrabel. Always good to see someone from Ohio make good (see also Belichick, Marty, etc..)

Oh, and I have CHI for SB. Da Bears.

Incomplete pass? I wuz robbed!

Thats now 3 plays where Hobbs has nocked the ball out of the reciever's hands.

235: Falling on your butt is a football move, but he never had possession. I'm changing my ruling.

Turner is a restricted free agent. All kinds of speculation on what's going to happen to him, but no real consensus, as far as I can see.

That SD Chargers sign was sweet. Is there a NFL medeival heraldy fan logo website I can go to?

Money.

SD approaching 3-1 advantage in yards, Pats very lucky to only be down 4.

Finally SD make it count.

Okay, now the pats finally get the ball outside their own 10.

The crowd really seems to like this Tomlinson character. Anyone know anything about him?

U. R. screwed

The chargers got some bulletproof boots and it paid off.

LDT ltd.

Chargers with a 5 minute time of possession advantage already. If I'm the Pats average age of 47 defender I'm a little concerned about 4th quarter Michael Turner with 4 carries coming in.

NE should hire LT to do the Big Dig for Boston. I'm used to seeing linemen submarine, but that was impressive.

And almost 85 minutes of AFC playoff football without a TD mercifully comes to an end.

Obviously, SD is spurred on by their new anthem from P.O.D. (click link in name)

oh good the chargers are going to help out Tom Brady.

#241: I remember that, Wiggins took 4 steps (not exagerating)with the ball secured and they said it was incomplete after the review; it was absolutely mind-boggling.

*Stomach Dropping*

I was just thinking Brady was due for a pick

San Diego rushes only 3 and good things happen...

so i know donnie edwards doesn't do much near the line of scrimmage, but the dude can run, wraps up, and plays the pass like a good safety. i wonder if maybe the chargers miss him more than they expect when he's gone.

Wow, Simms actually blames the QB for an INT. Mark this day down on your calendars.

JPS-Yeah, I do listen to the American feed. But they don't keep the sound live anymore. Too bad, that would be sweet.

Now they cut to the Japanese crew or show the same highlight reel about 50 times per game.

Ouch. NE defense on the field again. With the '85 Bears I rooted for the defense on the field, but not here. NE D is strong, but they need some rest time.

Supervision comically couldn't keep the action in the frame

Thanks CBS

If nothing else these refs are consistent.

There are a lot of similarities between this game and the Denver game last year, between the tipped passes and horrible field possesion for the pats. Which is not a good thing if you're a Pats fan.

And someone hangs on to an interception!

OK, so three drops and falling down on the reverse for -7. A fine day for Mr. Parker.

Terrible call. His hand moved up on the ball when his elbow hit the ground, but he never bobbled

Defense bail Brady and co out once again....

Looked like a catch to me, as a Chargers fan.

I'm thinking these refs have some big money on the under for this game.

Anybody else think the new Dr. Pepper commercial is just slightly better than the Diet Pepsi commercial?

re: 234
Tom, you're telling me that you're not getting psyched about a Musa Smith/Cory Ross backfield in 07?

good call on the pass to parker. he bobbled right at the end.

I guess Martyball conservatism includes not challenging....

285-

If they challenge and don't get it, it's their last challenge for the game. Given the way these refs are going, I want to keep that challenge around for a more egregious mistake.

Come on Tom let's complete a pass here, whaddaya say

Re: 285

You only get 2 challenges per game. It's better for him to save it for later.

I want to strangle Jim Nantz. Oh great, and now we get highlights. I just changed to a random channel for the duration, and apparently I'm now watching "Grannies on Safari" on PBS HD. Sure beats watching epic Browns playoff losses.

QBs are a combined 10 for 27 with 97 yards, no TDs, and a pick

Hooray!

Wow. Brady has really been shut down.

Going back to the Gates incomplete and the Wiggins incomplete, and from what I've seen all this season, I believe you should challenge almost every catch/incomplete/fumble? calls because the refs seem to have absolutely no idea what constitutes what.

I'm beginning to think that the NFC actually has a chance.

re: 285

Given the other incomplete calls earlier in the game, theres no way that is.

If the Pats don't make any adjustments, the 4th quarter is going to be a nightmare

The Patriots have managed to tackle Tomlinson when he gets into the second level and limit him to around 10-12 yards each time... that's to their credit..,.

Nice screen

re: 283

Oh, God. Just pour the strychnine into a coffee mug and let me gt it over with.

one of the things tomlinson's best at is setting up his blocks.

also, he's friggin' fast.

That was UNBELIEVABLE. That might have been one of the nicest runs I've ever seen with the juke early in the run, the speed late in the run. Amazing.