Originally posted by HitTheSnoozeButtonWell isn't that tremendous logic, seeing as Ben got to them for 2 TD passes and played a flawless game last time, whereas Brady was the one who made the big mistakes. Expect the Steelers (Big Ben included) to play much better this week. I'm with Shapiro, bring em on, because I guarantee you the Steelers aren't intimidated, and the best fans in football aren't either.
Ben's "flawless" game will have been quite a while ago, and seeing as it's the Patriots' time of year and Big Ben looked a bit like Uncle Ben against the Jets, excuse me for questioning whether he'll be able to look like a superstar instead of a rookie. Please remind me who the last QB was to look horrible in a playoff game to bounce back and look great his next time out against an even better team.
At least on your side you have the coaching matchup in hand, since they don't call him "Big Game" Bill Cowher for nothing. (They don't? Oh.)
He doesn't need to be a superstar. He needs to be a slightly above average quarterback and not make the mistakes he made last game. If he does that, the Steelers will win because they are the superior team in all other facets except coaching. I'll cede to you that Belichik is a far superior coach to The Chin, but that's all. Plus, how much of a difference will Corey Dillon make against the NFL's number 1 rush defense? I say not much.
Finally, you asked me to name the last QB that looked horrible and then bounced back? I ask you to name the last rookie QB to go 14-0 to start his career and consistently get up off the mat when many were saying he couldn't do it (Last-minute drive at Jacksonville, coming back to beat the Giants, coming from 10 down to beat Dallas, again on the raod, making a big throw to ice the first game against the Jets...I could go on). It's about time he got bailed out and wasn't able to do it himself.
I'm done arguing about this, you're obviously entitled to yours and I'm entitled to mine. Say what you want about the Steelers basically having no chance, but seeing as I've watched them bounce back time and again from injuries and the stigma that a rookie QB "Just can't get it done" that were supposed to be big roadblacks in their path to get even this far, you'll forgive me if I'm not ready to roll over and die on my own team.
EDIT: The stigma thing.
(edited by HitTheSnoozeButton on 17.1.05 1947) ONE FOR THE THUMB 2005
If Andy Reid watches tape of how the Panthers and the Saints played the Faclons, he will win this game. It was pretty obvious that Mike Martz had NO CLUE how to contain Vick, which really bugged me. How can you show up to a playoff game that unprepared?
As for Steelers/Patriots... I haven't gotten to see a Steeler's game all year except for this past one, and yeah, they didn't look that great. But Pats fans... c'mon. You scored twenty whole points on the Colts. Your defence forced three turnovers and gave you numerous stops, and yet you only scored twenty points. On the Colts. The Pat's offense is going to have to do better than that if they expect to win.
-Jag
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Originally posted by HitTheSnoozeButtonseeing as I've watched them bounce back time and again from injuries that were supposed to be big roadblacks in their path to get even this far, you'll forgive me if I'm not ready to roll over and die on my own team.
You took the words right out of MY mouth, except *I* get to add Belichick and Brady never lose playoff games, too. No need to get catty, though, as I was really picking a fight with Mr. "Call out JJD ten weeks or so after the fact that he posted that the Steelers wouldn't be the #1 seed"-Sha-PIE-roh.
EDIT!!!
Originally posted by JaguarYou scored twenty whole points on the Colts
What?! Are you SERIOUS?! Did you not WATCH the game?! They put in a ball-control offensive gameplan and worked it like a charm. They had the ball, what, 23 minutes of the second half, when the Colts HAD to get it back but couldn't? Come ON.
(edited by JayJayDean on 17.1.05 1654) “To get ass, you’ve got to bring ass." -- Roy Jones Jr.
"Your input has been noted. I hope you don't take it personally if I disregard it." -- Guru Zim
"I was really picking a fight with Mr. "Call out JJD ten weeks or so after the fact that he posted that the Steelers wouldn't be the #1 seed"-Sha-PIE-roh."
Geez, and I went to all that trouble trying to point out that I was not trying to be a jerk. It is not my M.O. to win football games via message board conversation with obnoxious Bill Simmons sassiness, and I have chastised my Steelers associate A Fan for the talking of shit in the past.
"They put in a ball-control offensive gameplan and worked it like a charm."
That is da thing. I completely understand the Patriots being favored, but while the Colts win was an extremely impressive performance, I don't think the idea that if X then Y necessarily applies to this game, because the Steelers will not be deploying their high-flying Ben-N-Shoot offense, and if the Pats have three eight-minute long drives controlling the ball, I will give you $2. But I would guess they're going to try the exact opposite and go to a spread and whatnot.
Originally posted by JaguarIf Andy Reid watches tape of how the Panthers and the Saints played the Faclons, he will win this game. It was pretty obvious that Mike Martz had NO CLUE how to contain Vick, which really bugged me. How can you show up to a playoff game that unprepared?
Mike Martz unprepared and with no clue during a playoff game? Sounds like a normal week for him. Remember, the Saints game the Falcons laid down in, and the Panthers game the Falcons did win after Vick made the miracle dive on 4th and a dozen. Kansas City did hold the Falcons to 10 points, but I still wouldn't study the KC defense out of fear that some of its general crapiness might rub off.
Originally posted by JaguarIf Andy Reid watches tape of how the Panthers and the Saints played the Faclons, he will win this game. It was pretty obvious that Mike Martz had NO CLUE how to contain Vick, which really bugged me. How can you show up to a playoff game that unprepared?
Mike Martz unprepared and with no clue during a playoff game? Sounds like a normal week for him. Remember, the Saints game the Falcons laid down in, and the Panthers game the Falcons did win after Vick made the miracle dive on 4th and a dozen. Kansas City did hold the Falcons to 10 points, but I still wouldn't study the KC defense out of fear that some of its general crapiness might rub off.
I always thought the under prepared arguement could work for a Tony Dungy team as well (I'm not sure what his postseason record is). They sure are great in the season, but they just don't seem to up for the playoff games. Tony Dungy could be one of those guys that can build you a great team and get you to the dance, but I don't think he can win the big game for you. Both his Tampa and Indy teams just seem to be lacking that urgency or fire or something. Then again Tony Dungy could be one of those guys that puts egg on my face next year as well.
Originally posted by redsoxnationMike Martz unprepared and with no clue during a playoff game? Sounds like a normal week for him. Remember, the Saints game the Falcons laid down in, and the Panthers game the Falcons did win after Vick made the miracle dive on 4th and a dozen. Kansas City did hold the Falcons to 10 points, but I still wouldn't study the KC defense out of fear that some of its general crapiness might rub off.
The Chiefs D actually held them to *3* points, the other 7 came on a punt return. But it was more because Vick completely and totally sucked than because of anything the defense did. It was Vick's worst game ever, but it wasn't entirely his fault. Mostly it was. But when stuff happens like Crumpler getting wide open for a TD, not looking back for the ball, and then swatting it away at the last second like he thought someone threw a cup at his head, it just isn't your day.
Man, when I saw the Jets going for that second field goal, I thought "poor Justin!". What kind of team has a kick-ass season, gets a first round bye, and then pees it all away in the first game. I hope the Steelers and Atlanta win. And the sissy mary Colts, boy am I sick of these guys.
"Man, when I saw the Jets going for that second field goal, I thought "poor Justin!". What kind of team has a kick-ass season, gets a first round bye, and then pees it all away in the first game."
Well you're not going to believe this, but I, in turn, was finding time to think about you. I was like "this is so foreign, we always way until the conference game to totally blow it; the divisional is more of a KC thing, I thought."
Originally posted by PsychoticMidgetAll due respect and awe and everything to the Patriots, I'm still sticking by my Steelers winning the Super Bowl pick. Why? Pittsburgh's due. It'd make a great story. Pittsburgh's awesome. Oh and did I mention that it is Pittsburgh's time?
Bullshit. Bullshit, bullshit, bullshit, bullshit, and furthermore, bullshit. Pittsburgh's going to the AFC Championship for two reasons; a botched feild goal, and another botched field goal. My boss is a Steelers fan, and even he admits that the game was a gift, not a win.
GRAH!!!! WHY? As if it isn't blatently obvious, I'm a huge Jets fan, and now that the Jets actually have a defense to follow up a damned fine offense, the season ends because the kicker doesn't show up. Granted, you could make the argument that two missed field goals are two offensive opportunities that didn't pan out into touchdowns, but the JETS DIDN'T NEED A FRIGGIN' TOUCHDOWN!
I really want to know who paid that guy off to shank TWO field goals.
Hold nothing sacred and you'll never be dissapointed. Especially not this statement.
Originally posted by LexusI really want to know who paid that guy off to shank TWO field goals.
I know you're half-kidding, but I wanted to remind you that he hit the crossbar with the first one, so that's not really a SHANK.
If I were you I'd be more pissed that Herman Edwards, well...let's review:
- was about to lose the Charger game UNTIL Marty Schottenheimer decided to sit on the ball at the 23, THEN run a stupid play that put the ball on the right hash, making his ROOKIE kicker try an even more difficult field goal under the most trying circumstances
- THEN DID THE EXACT SAME THING HIMSELF! GAH! The ONLY way that could have been worse is if the center exchange on the kneel-down had gone badly and we had Joe Pisarcik II (especially with Herm Edwards RIGHT THERE, sorry to pieman for mentioning that, btw). You've only got the MOST RELIABLE NON-FUMBLING BACK IN THE NFL back there...get closer for God's sakes! (Though honestly, after he missed the first figgie, I thought on second down the Jets should've taken a shot at the end zone, but that's just me.)
Originally posted by JaguarAnd the Colt's D leaks like a sieve. Do you really think that the Pats can sit on a 6 to 3 lead and work the clock on the Steelers?
Different team. Different strategy. I'd suspect that the Pats would be a bit more aggressive about trying to score and make big plays themselves with you Mr. Roethlisberger on the other sideline than Peyton Manning and the great Colts' offense. They need to win the field position battle though and not give the Steelers a short field to work with, which is essentially what they were doing against the Colts, I think, just getting the ball from deep in their territory to midfield would have been ok if they had punted and set the Colts back deep.
I wasn't feeling REALLY good about the Colts game until New England went up 13-3...give me that lead again on Sunday and I'll be feeling pretty good again.
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Originally posted by JustinShapiro(Denver was also favored @Pit in '98, although that would be a better story if Denver hadn't won.)
Interesting--I didn't know that. I always thought the Steelers were favored since they beat the Broncos that year in the regular season, although maybe some Bronco players were injured for that game (I can't remember).
I also think the Patriots will win on Sunday. Belichick will figure out a way to slow down the Steelers running game and forcing Ben to throw. Once that happens, the Patriots will win.
I also think the Patriots will win on Sunday. Belichick will figure out a way to slow down the Steelers running game and forcing Ben to throw. Once that happens, the Patriots will win.
Hey, on the bright side, if it weren't for Pisarcik, would the Giants have fired their coaches and hired the Big Tuna?
I think that's a fair trade-off.
"We've got separation of powers, checks and balances, and Margaret, vetoing things and sending them back to the Hill!"
Originally posted by JaguarIf Andy Reid watches tape of how the Panthers and the Saints played the Faclons, he will win this game. It was pretty obvious that Mike Martz had NO CLUE how to contain Vick, which really bugged me. How can you show up to a playoff game that unprepared?
The only thing I'd say in defense of Martz is that the Rams D had clearly been studying tapes of the Pack from last week for tips on how to miss tackles. Poor play calling + awful execution = BLOWOUT!
The Falcons offense is far from unstoppable. Vick kinda makes them into the epitomy of an 'any given Sunday' team, but he realyy is an average passer, and for all his mobility he gets sacked WAY too often. Moving Kearse around and using him as a spy on occasion should help, and I'd be surprised if Vick's anything like ready to figure out where our blitzes are coming from next.
Our offense also looked OK minus Owens. Westbrook's almost impossible to cover at times, and Freddy Mitchell actually looked like a proper grown-up receiver at times. He also gets mucho kudos for the reverse moon
Barring Vick having a career day, and McNabb sucking, Eagles win it by 10.
I'll take the Pats over the Steelers, if only cos I got burned thinking the Colts had a chance in Foxboro. I'm fast starting to realise betting against Belichick is not the way to go at this time of year.
Well, 3 out of 4 of my picks made it to the Championships, so time to re-evaluate.
Championship Weekend - New England 13 Pittsburgh 10 If anyone out there is any sort of a fan of New England/Boston sports, this is by far the most amazing time. Enjoy the time on top, 'cause I've never seen anything like this and I'm sure it won't be happening again anytime soon. (*Prays for Tribe, Cavs, Browns, and Buckeyes to win championships all next year*)
Atlanta 24 Philadelphia 17 Vick goes crazy-go-nuts.
Super Bowl (revised) - New England over Atlanta
Go Pats!
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"Interesting--I didn't know that. I always thought the Steelers were favored since they beat the Broncos that year in the regular season, although maybe some Bronco players were injured for that game (I can't remember)."
Did Green Bay play at San Francisco for the NFC game? Because I sort of recall a "how about that" for both the road teams being slightly favored. But I may be lying and the line ultimately switched back to Pittsburgh by a couple.
Originally posted by JustinShapiroDid Green Bay play at San Francisco for the NFC game? Because I sort of recall a "how about that" for both the road teams being slightly favored. But I may be lying and the line ultimately switched back to Pittsburgh by a couple.
Yep, we went on the road and beat San Francisco for our return trip to the Super Bowl. If I recall, 1996 was the last year that both home teams advanced (or both #1 seeds, something like that).