Football

[kirdape3]

I mean, 29 yards?!  Special teams actually completely lost that game for the Colts, Manning's stone awful day notwithstanding.  Sproles ran wild on them and Vinatieri couldn't hit a chip shot to win the game for them.

Also, if I'm San Diego's GM, I'm calling Schottenheimer back and begging him to take his job back.

[Meddling Mike]

So this is what happens when you take away Peyton's weapons like Harrison and Clark eh?

I think I'm going to start referring to Vinatieri as "The Sleeper Agent" he's missed everything longer than 40 yards this year.

[Vegeta2711]

I mean, 29 yards?!  Special teams actually completely lost that game for the Colts, Manning's stone awful day notwithstanding.  Sproles ran wild on them and Vinatieri couldn't hit a chip shot to win the game for them.

Also, if I'm San Diego's GM, I'm calling Schottenheimer back and begging him to take his job back.

I'm really surprised that the Colts were in a position to win after forgetting how to play special teams and Manning just having one of the worst days ever. Despite being stone awful for the first half with little to no help, his second half wasn't all that bad, reminds me of the Romo game earlier this season. Still wanted to see another 'idiot kicker' blast from Manning after Vinatieri helps lose the game. San Diego is straight BAD though, Rivers is horrible this year and LT is shooting daggers at Norv everytime he looks at him. Speaking of which, how do you not give him the ball once when your backed up that far in your own territory, let alone when you know Rivers can't do jack?

One of the more informed guys on one of the Football forums I trawl posted this up, which was funny and won't happen, but sadly pretty accurate.

SSOG wrote...

Seriously, how weird would it be if SF, Miami, and SD all just took a mulligan? Miami could send Cameron back to be the OC in SD, SD could send Turner back to be the OC in SF, SD could re-hire Schottenheimer, and Miami could get itself a new hot coaching prospect.

[Apollyon]

San Diego is straight BAD though, Rivers is horrible this year and LT is shooting daggers at Norv everytime he looks at him. Speaking of which, how do you not give him the ball once when your backed up that far in your own territory, let alone when you know Rivers can't do jack?

LT's performance was pedestrian yesterday. He had what? 21 rushes for 76 yards for an average of just over 3 and a half yards per rush? Or the fact that he hasn't been amazing this year? He's putting up pretty good numbers. He's about average for running backs in terms of yards / attempts. There's only a few guys that have been given the ball more, and there are only a few guys with more yards than him.

San Diego is a good example of how important a coach is. They got rid of Schottenheimer, who can at least put up good regular season records and brought in Norv Turner, who makes a very good coordinator, but a terrible head coach.

Interestingly, Rivers is one of the worst fantasy QBs in the league over the weekend and Vinatieri is the worst fantasy kicker over this weekend. Peyton got a ton of yards and 2 TDs to keep his point total positive.

[Meddling Mike]

So the Patriots embarrassed the Bills at home, no surprise there. What really surprised me was the Steelers. They've been inconsistent, but losing to the JETS? Maybe I overestimated them. Indy barely beating the chiefs at home was a nice touch. Good to see Vinatieri can still hit 2/4.
Patriots Magic Numbers:
To win the AFC East 1 (v. Bills)
To win a 1st round bye 4 (v. Steelers, Jaguars)
To get homefield throughout the playoffs 4 (v. Colts)

[Clown of Tresserhorn]

Ugh...seriously, Sauerbrun is fired.

[MadManiac21]

Sauerbrun got his shit owned.

Pats narrowly escaped. Their D underperformed after Samuel led off with that int the rest of the game imo. AJ feeley gettgin 350 yds? wtf.

Brady goes for 380 and only gets 1 TD. Ugly, but I'll take the step closer to the perfect season.

[Vegeta2711]

Philly played way above their head tonight, towards the end of the 3rd quarter you got the impression they could actually win. Gotta love how well the Eagles offensive line played.

Actually today was a pretty good day football-wise for Bay Area fans. Both local teams won, we got to see the end of the Denver - Chicago game (lol Hester lol) and the SNF game didn't suck for a change.

[Dxfiler]

I laughed when I went to ESPN.com towards the end of the third quarter and their headline was "Touchy Feeley"

That headline didn't last long  :p

I told my friend who I watched the game with to just wait for AJ to lob it up one more time and Samuel would come through.  It was simply a matter of time.

NBC constantly putting up Feely's stats side-by-side with Brady's was a total joke, but at the end of the game the real team won.

I actually feel for Philly right now since they have about 4 different issues going on at once with the team and it's essentially the Westbrook show, but there's no way that the game should have ever been this close... ever.  I'm kind of glad it was though because the Pats are going to get the biggest serving of humble pie from Bellichick they've had yet. 

I fully expect them to run the table but every team is going to be throwing the kitchen sink at them.  I don't agree with the commentator's that Philly has shown the 'blueprint' on how to beat the pats.  Besides stating the obvious that they didn't beat the pats, you can pressure Tom Brady until your face turns blue because there simply isn't another quarterback in the league who plays under pressure better than he does.

It was an overall exciting game and I expect similarly contentious ones for the Pats down the road.  No more running up the score but they should still go undefeated.

- Dave

[Apollyon]

The only touchy-feely that was going on during the game was the Eagles' cornerback on Moss. Moss couldn't move without being grabbed. On at least one attempt to Moss, the guy grabbed Moss's jersey and pulled it enough that it ended up around mid-bicep when it snapped back.

The Eagles had one of their best outings and the Patriots one of their worst for the year, and the Eagles still lost.

[Vegeta2711]

The Eagles had one of their best outings and the Patriots one of their worst for the year, and the Eagles still lost.

Well gee really? It's the Eagles without McNabb and a few defensive injuries, why do you think Welker had such free reign? They were down to their 3rd string strong safety and I believe the announcers even mentioned Philly didn't even have a back-up on hand if something happened to him. They should have gotten crushed.

But, wait, the Patriots won the time of possession battle, had over 400 yards of total offense, were better at converting 3rd downs, won the turnover battle 3-0, and scored more points, yet some are saying that the Patriots played poorly and that the Eagles play a near-perfect game? Interesting... I guess the Eagles just had the luckiest team alive and none of it was actually game planned at all.

Basically NE planned to take out Westbrook (Which they did an admirable job of) and keep pressure on Feely. Unfortunately for them on the second point, the iggles O-line stepped up to the challenge and gave Feely a significant chunk of time nearly every down and started picking apart the NE secondary.

The Colts and Eagles haven't given the rest of the NFL a perfect blueprint, but instead laid out some guidelines that seem to work. In both of those games, the closest the Pats have had this year, basically opposing teams accepted that the Pats would reduce or practically eliminate of whatever factor they think is most dangerous against them. For the Colts it was deep passing and Dallas Clark, so they responded well by pounding Addai all thoughout the game. With the Eagles it was eliminating Westbrook, so they went for a mostly short-mid range passing attack that included pretty much every receiver they had. Essentially take what the Pats give you and execute well on that and it seems to work to an extent. Now teams have to work on is actually getting a TO or two.

[Apollyon]

McNabb's a good quarterback, but the Eagles have a good backup QB because of how he's perenially hurt. While Feely isn't a great QB, he's certainly a good one who can do a competent job. 2 of the interceptions were just very good plays by New England's secondary.

The Eagles certainly did have a very good game plan, I'm not going to deny that. They realized that the Patriots were going to try and neutralize their biggest threat, so they worked around it. New England did the same thing by not throwing to Moss very much.

I agree that the Eagles's Offensive line did a very good job. Feely was knocked down a lot, but he managed to get the ball away early on a lot of those hits, turning a loss into 10 yards.

As to the Patriots having a bad game, it's all about expectations. Steinbrenner expects to win lots of World Series trophies because the Yankees payroll is 200 million bucks a year. Many a Patriots fan was upset because Tom Brady only threw for 1 TD and the WRs had a lot of drops.

[Meddling Mike]

Personally, I felt like the Eagles were playing Balls to the Walls style of football because they acknowledged that they'd have to get lucky on some high risk plays in order to keep up with the Patriots. I'd say the onsides kick with a 14-14 tie in the second quarter is pretty good evidence of their approach. Feeley spent the whole game trying to thread the needle with high risk passes and he got burned by this on the first play of the game and then twice more later in the game. I'm not saying that this is a bad approach if your team is really overmatched, but if things had panned out differently (i.e. Patriots recover the onsides kick, Feeley trows more INT's from his high risk passes or gets more drops from his receivers or no phantom offensive pass interference call against Moss to bring back a TD or the subsequent missed easy chip shot by Gostkowski) and this game wasn't as close.

The officiating wasn't the best this game. They really took a "let them play" attitude for most of the game, there was some holding occurring by both teams that went uncalled; which I'm fine with because it was even, but then they called an offensive pass interference call to overturn a touchdown that had just about everybody including the announcers scratching their heads.

[kirdape3]

One thing's for certain though, it's going to be increasingly difficult for the Patriots if they simply refuse to run the football.  The Eagles played extraordinarily well on defense, but it's asking a lot for the Patriots to go completely one-dimensional (notice during the year they've averaged 31 rushing attempts per game and last night they had 16).  Also their defense did not play very well when it was obvious that the Eagles were simply going to let Feeley throw all over the field - Samuel was good but when Greg Lewis gets two TDs on you then something's up.

Sure, the Patriots are by far the best team in the league, but there was a little more hope for Don Shula and his boys.

[LordHomerCat]

I dunno, not running seems to be the 'in' thing this year.  I mean, you have the Pats undefeated and the Packers at 10-1 and neither team has any running offense to speak of.  Its more of the classic west coast style "4 yard passes are our running plays" offense.  Personally, I really like how its been working for the Packers, as the receiving corps seems very suited to that style of game and Favre is playing better than he has in a decade.

Who says you have to run the ball to win football games nowadays?

[Yare]

While I am a Steeler fan, I kind of wanted to see the game go to 0-0 at the end of regulation.  A 3-0 win is still fairly epic though.

[Meddling Mike]

Yeah, the running play v. pass play ratio really isn't a good barometer for the actual game plan of the patriots. Their short low risk passing game IS their running game. With Sammy Morris on IR and Laurence Maroney pretty banged up it's not surprising that quick outs to Kevin Faulk and Wes Welker are making up the difference in the Patriots offense. If the Patriots get a top 5 pick I'm thinking Darren McFadden for the Patriots could add a respectable running game to this team.

That Steelers game....wow....not sure if they should be proud for the shutout or embarrassed that they needed a last minute field goal to get a 3-0 win over the Dolphins at home. Barely beating the Dolphins is about as good as a loss, I no longer fear the Steelers.

[Vegeta2711]

Sean Taylor of the Redskins died in the hospital today after receiving a gunshot wound to his upper leg the other night when someone broke into his home.

RIP. What a waste.

[kirdape3]

Ryan Grant would be quite sad to think that there is no Packers running game.  Back to back 100 yard games is pretty tight, and it is how the Packers actually finish off games the last six or so weeks.

As for the Patriots, it's going to be more difficult to execute in the playoffs in the Northeast if you have to make the ball travel through the air any length of distance rather than hand off to some goon who can plow forward for three yards when it's 15 degrees out and -10 wind chill.  Does anybody really think that if the weather's that inclement that it will benefit the Patriots to throw it to Welker and hope he gets there thirteen times rather than stuffing it in Maroney's gut and hoping he smashes forward twenty or twenty-five times?

If the weather's good, short passing attacks are deadly if you have the right personnel.  When the weather isn't good, you'd better be able to line up and smash people off the ball.  Most games this season they've been pretty good about running it - 31 carries for 124 yards per game, seventh in the league.  They simply won't get away with another 16 carry performance in the playoffs unless the weather's pristine.

[MadManiac21]

To quote the great Blues Brothers:

"We're on a mission ... from God."

That really is all there is to say about that Pats win.

Bwhahaha

[Vegeta2711]

This is the week of terrible ref calls.

Kellen Winslow on the final play of the Arizona game should have been ruled a force-out, because it was obvious if both AZ defenders don't push him both his feet land in bounds. That was stupid.

Ravens got very jobbed the last NE drive of that game. Multiple times. Like to the point where the ol 'conspiracy' bullshit from the Ravens doesn't sound anywhere near as half-assed an excuse as it should have. Big ones were:

First off Rex Ryan can't even call a TO according to NFL rules. So that was bullshit and the game should've already been over.

The call in the end zone was ridiculous. Gaffney bobbled the ball and it was pretty clear he didn't have control once he shifted the ball arm to arm. I don't think I've ever seen one of those types of catches upheld.

The holding call is semantics and I can understand why some people are pissed they called it and why others are fine with it. The other two are kind of weird.

Still it's boggling to me that the Kyle Boller Ravens and the Feely led Eagles put up such resistance against 'greatest team ever' :lol:.

Seriously, here's the new four step plan:
1. Put in your back-up QB who will undoubtedly have the best game of his career because they don't have tape of him.
2. Play inspired defense
3. Don't get jobbed in the last 4 minutes by the refs.
4. Profit

[MadManiac21]

Still it's boggling to me that the Kyle Boller Ravens and the Feely led Eagles put up such resistance against 'greatest team ever' :lol:.

Are you laughing at the fact that they're the greatest team ever?

Because if they do continue to the undefeated season, they clearly are. Even the dolphins had some close wins on their run.

[Smmenen]

Seriously, here's the new four step plan:
1. Put in your back-up QB who will undoubtedly have the best game of his career because they don't have tape of him.

Not to mention, who won the HEISMAN Trophy the year before. 

I was FURIOUS at the Ravens mishaps.   I thought, at multiple times, that the Ravens had it in the bag.   I couldn't believe how that game ended.   

I despise the Patriots, but I almost want to see them go X-0 and run the table, just so I can laugh at how silly NFL football is from a false sense of superiority. 

[Kowal]

I despise the Patriots, but I almost want to see them go X-0 and run the table, just so I can laugh at how silly NFL football is from a false sense of superiority.

I feel kind of similar, I just don't say it very loud because I'll get lynched.  That said, I genuinely enjoy watching Tom Brady play football, and I like the way he acts around the press.  I think at heart I just hate the idea of cheering for the home team, because it feels so half assed.  Though, I hate cheering for -good- teams too, so that might have something to do with it.

Go Cleveland, bitches!  Bullshit calls can take one week away from you, but with the Jets and Cincy in the closing weeks of the season, you can cling to that wild card seat with white knuckles and clenched teeth.

Also, Pittsburgh eats a fat one.  Regularly.

[Vegeta2711]

Are you laughing at the fact that they're the greatest team ever?

1985 Bears are the greatest team ever.

And unless the Pats DO go undefeated; the 89 Niners, 93 Cowboys along with the most loaded Steelers team from the 70's (Which is arguable in itself) are right there too. Consider that the Bears had a scoring differential of 81 points, with 91 points scored to 10 points allowed in the playoffs. Meanwhile the 89 Niners won all three playoff games by a combined 100 points. These are ridiculous margins considering how good some of the opposing teams were. The Miami team that beat the Bears in the regular season was a Marino led Dolphins club that went 12-4 and was expected to play a rematch in the Super Bowl.

Take off the rose tinted glasses, especially since this isn't January and the playoffs have yet to be played. The only way they are even in the discussion of the greatest ever is if they roll through the playoffs. 16-0 doesn't mean shit except to the 72 fins if they don't win the Super Bowl.

[Clown of Tresserhorn]

I really thought New Orleans had Tampa this week...Oh well, I guess there's always next year...

[MadManiac21]

Take off the rose tinted glasses, especially since this isn't January and the playoffs have yet to be played. The only way they are even in the discussion of the greatest ever is if they roll through the playoffs. 16-0 doesn't mean shit except to the 72 fins if they don't win the Super Bowl.

So, if - and when - they go undefeated and win the Super Bowl, you will concede - along with the rest of the NFL-fan world - that they are the greatest team ever, right?

[kirdape3]

Seeing as how the 'greatest team ever' would have to contend with the following competitors:

1972 Dolphins - 14-0 regular season, Super Bowl win.  Most powerful offense (two 1000 yard running backs and Morrall combined with Griese for the most efficient passing attack in the league) mated to the most powerful defense in the league, as well as Yepremian to kick from 50 and in in a dead ball era. 

1948 Browns - 14-0 regular season, AAFC championship win.  Paul Brown's best team, they simply destroyed the competition aligned against them in a league that assimilated into the NFL in 1950.

1962 Packers - 13-1 regular season, NFL championship win.  Lombardi's best team; their only loss was to an 11-3 Detroit squad that repeatedly challenged the Packers during the Lombardi era.  They were #1 in scoring and #1 in defensive scoring - they gave up 10.6 points a game and scored 29.6.

1985 Bears - 15-1 regular season, Super Bowl win.  The last great Monsters of the Midway team, second in scoring only to the last Air Coryell San Diego team that literally wouldn't play defense.  The devastation that this team wrought in the playoffs was in fact legendary - two shutouts and a 46-10 beating of the Patriots in Super Bowl XX.

Does New England compare favorably to any of those teams?  They can potentially, but they're first going to either win out or go X-1 and they're going to have to destroy people if they do the latter.

[Meddling Mike]

How does one determine the "Greatest team ever"? Do we count in the factors of the time like the lack of a salary cap? Their record? The margin of their wins? Their strength of schedule? Who would actually win if you had a time machine and could get both of those teams on the field.

I don't think you can ever say with any kind of confidence who the best team ever is.

I think these last two games were anomalies. The Pats have been on cruise control, who can blame them after the way they've been beating everybody, but they'll wake up for the Steelers at home this Sunday. Then, back on cruise control for the Jets (Provided Belichick takes a water under the bridge approach) and the Dolphins with the first round bye wrapped up. It might actually be better for the Patriots to lose those games so maybe the 49ers will fall under them and get themselves a higher draft pick, but somehow I don't think that's what the Pats have in mind.

The Pats Magic Number for both the 1st Round Bye and Homefield advantage throughout is 2.

A Patriots win and a Colts loss on Sunday would wrap up the first seed as would winning against the Steelers and the Jets.

This reminds me of the Red Sox at the All Star Break, if they do lose, it won't be because they played a better team, it will be because they're on cruise control until the playoffs when they'll come out ready to kick ass again.

I was FURIOUS at the Ravens mishaps.   I thought, at multiple times, that the Ravens had it in the bag.   I couldn't believe how that game ended.

Just like how you thought that Detroit was a shoe in for another World Series and how Cleveland had the ALCS in the bag?

*PUMPS FIST*

HE SHOOTS HE SCORES!

But seriously though, please don't pick any Boston sports teams to win anything Steve.

[Meddling Mike]

Yeah, Patriots won again.

Anybody catch Dallas/Detriot? That guy who couldn't pick up the fumble coming right to him to win the game, what a donk!