Divisional Playoffs

[Smokedawg]

Pittsburgh/Baltimore could be a 6-4 thriller for an AFC title game

 

[SportsNut]

I don't care what anybody says. Until I see Big Ben play well with my own eyes, his health is in question.

Nut - I totally get what you're saying...but any time you beat someone in your division, no matter the score, it's impressive. SD has REALLY impressed me in their last two games.

What has Pittsburgh done? Crushed a hapless Cleveland team, with Romeo practically on his way out the door. Got creamed by Tennessee. BARELY squeeked by Baltimore, winning 13-9. And beat a crumbling Dallas squad by one TD in DECEMBER, when Dallas hardly ever wins.

IMO, San Diego's wins were much more impressive. Crushed Denver. Crushed Tampa. Struggled against, but managed to beat KC. And, crushed Oakland.

Just my opinion of course.

Not sure how to express I 100% AGREE with what you said . However your leaving out the fact that Pitt played a portion of their schedule nicked up . The other part is this team had no rest at all . What was I said earlier they played 12 tough games in the season. Just look at the schedule no breaks . Week after week its a tough game . Until Cle they played Indy , SD , Cincy on 3 days , @ NE , Dallas , @ Balt , @ Tenny .....thats 4 playoff teams an the 2 best teams not to make the playoffs . Dallas may have folded at the end but when they played Pitt they had not yet . Dallas at 75% is still much better then SD , @ Tenny check the game as I said in my writeups that week it was Tenny Super Bowl that week could nOT afford to lose(wasted season if they did) , They made crucial plays and teh score is nowhere indicative of the battle it was , what team could win @ NE , @Balt , @ Tenny in a months time ?

They may have played one of the toughest schedule's ever in the NFL if we look at some of the earlier games and used not how the teams finished but they expecttaions they had coming into the season.

I agree SD has played well but nothing is impressive about the DEN game . I said previous to it no team who has lost the previous week in what would be their clicnhing game to be in the playoffs really showed up that Sunday . Denver had lost 3 straight and SD won 3 straight , SD had revenge , DEN had placed its 7th running back on IR , just didnt seem like DEN had any chance and just remember when the season started SD opened -1 @ DEN and closed +1.5 ..say it was PK flip home field advantage and your looking at -7 in SD and DEN lost alot of bodies since that game...Indy was a good game but it was similiar to the 1st meeting and I pointed out how close every single Indy game was this season on the road ...Minny , Houston , Jax , Pitt all 4th Q comebacks...

I am continually going at because of how clear I see I feel I see this game. The one question mark is Big Ben and thats hopefully to my advantage creating more interest in SD.

SD will not run the ball , the OL will have to somehow improve in pass protection because it was terrible last year . Look at every SD game they won all started off the season I bet ...long pass play to Vincent Jackson on the 1st scoring drive...I havent even checked and can remember almost SD win (ATS) that they started by hitting a deep ball to Jackson after running the ball some...plus cross country again and you can motivate yourself all you want but that back and forth travel takes a toll when you do it as mch as SD especially off an OT win .....

The Chargers were just +3 @ TB and I fully believe this should be at least -7 ...

Just look at the games SD fought tooth and nail to get here ...cross country in the cold , missing a few players , vs a Pitt team who had the week off and also finished up at home ...dont knock Pitt for playing an incredible top schedule....

I believe so much in Pitt that I would be fine with Byron Leftwich at QB ..

SD since the BYE 20 , 10 , 16 , 20 ,34 (oak) , 22 , 41 (21 in the 4th Q @ TB) , 52 vs Denver , 23in ot onTD vs Indy ....so the offense has worked only vs a tired and fading TB and DEN team plus Oak ther step bitch who they beat 10,11 straight times now..<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=bg3 id=title vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD class=bg4 align=middle colSpan=4>September</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle colSpan=9>Passing</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle colSpan=5>Rushing</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle colSpan=2>Fumbles</TD></TR><TR class=bg4 align=left><TD>Gamedate</TD><TD>Opp</TD><TD>Result</TD><TD>GS</TD><TD>Att</TD><TD>Comp</TD><TD>Pct</TD><TD>Yds</TD><TD>TD</TD><TD>Int</TD><TD>Rate</TD><TD>Sac</TD><TD>Yds</TD><TD>Att</TD><TD>Yds</TD><TD>Avg</TD><TD>Lg</TD><TD>TD</TD><TD>Fum</TD><TD>Rec</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=game vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD align=left>09/07</TD><TD align=left>HOU</TD><TD align=left>W 38-17</TD><TD align=left>Yes</TD><TD align=left>14</TD><TD align=left>13</TD><TD align=left>92.9</TD><TD align=left>137</TD><TD align=left>2</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>147.0</TD><TD align=left>2</TD><TD align=left>15</TD><TD align=left>2</TD><TD align=left>17</TD><TD align=left>8.5</TD><TD align=left>17</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>2</TD><TD align=left>1</TD></TR><TR class=bg3 id=game vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD align=left>09/14</TD><TD align=left>@CLE</TD><TD align=left>W 10-6</TD><TD align=left>Yes</TD><TD align=left>20</TD><TD align=left>13</TD><TD align=left>65.0</TD><TD align=left>179</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>110.2</TD><TD align=left>2</TD><TD align=left>15</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0.0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=game vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD align=left>09/21</TD><TD align=left>@PHI</TD><TD align=left>L 6-15</TD><TD align=left>Yes</TD><TD align=left>25</TD><TD align=left>13</TD><TD align=left>52.0</TD><TD align=left>131</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>50.6</TD><TD align=left>8</TD><TD align=left>35</TD><TD align=left>4</TD><TD align=left>6</TD><TD align=left>1.5</TD><TD align=left>2</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>2</TD><TD align=left>0</TD></TR><TR class=bg3 id=game vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD align=left>09/29</TD><TD align=left>BAL</TD><TD align=left>W 23-20</TD><TD align=left>Yes</TD><TD align=left>24</TD><TD align=left>14</TD><TD align=left>58.3</TD><TD align=left>191</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>80.4</TD><TD align=left>3</TD><TD align=left>23</TD><TD align=left>2</TD><TD align=left>3</TD><TD align=left>1.5</TD><TD align=left>4</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>0</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=total vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD class=bg4 align=left>Total</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left></TD><TD class=bg4 align=left></TD><TD class=bg4 align=left></TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>83</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>53</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>63.9</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>638</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>4</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>2</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>93.3</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>15</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>88</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>9</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>26</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>2.9</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>17</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>0</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>5</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>1</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=bg3 id=title vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD class=bg4 align=middle colSpan=4>October</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle colSpan=9>Passing</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle colSpan=5>Rushing</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle colSpan=2>Fumbles</TD></TR><TR class=bg4 align=left><TD>Gamedate</TD><TD>Opp</TD><TD>Result</TD><TD>GS</TD><TD>Att</TD><TD>Comp</TD><TD>Pct</TD><TD>Yds</TD><TD>TD</TD><TD>Int</TD><TD>Rate</TD><TD>Sac</TD><TD>Yds</TD><TD>Att</TD><TD>Yds</TD><TD>Avg</TD><TD>Lg</TD><TD>TD</TD><TD>Fum</TD><TD>Rec</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=game vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD align=left>10/05</TD><TD align=left>@JAC</TD><TD align=left>W 26-21</TD><TD align=left>Yes</TD><TD align=left>41</TD><TD align=left>26</TD><TD align=left>63.4</TD><TD align=left>309</TD><TD align=left>3</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>100.6</TD><TD align=left>3</TD><TD align=left>23</TD><TD align=left>2</TD><TD align=left>2</TD><TD align=left>1.0</TD><TD align=left>3</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD></TR><TR class=bg3 id=game vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD align=left>10/19</TD><TD align=left>@CIN</TD><TD align=left>W 38-10</TD><TD align=left>Yes</TD><TD align=left>28</TD><TD align=left>17</TD><TD align=left>60.7</TD><TD align=left>216</TD><TD align=left>2</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>108.6</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>2</TD><TD align=left>-1</TD><TD align=left>-0.5</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>1</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=game vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD align=left>10/26</TD><TD align=left>NYG</TD><TD align=left>L 14-21</TD><TD align=left>Yes</TD><TD align=left>29</TD><TD align=left>13</TD><TD align=left>44.8</TD><TD align=left>189</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>4</TD><TD align=left>38.5</TD><TD align=left>5</TD><TD align=left>35</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>3</TD><TD align=left>3.0</TD><TD align=left>3</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>0</TD></TR><TR class=bg3 id=total vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD class=bg4 align=left>Total</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left></TD><TD class=bg4 align=left></TD><TD class=bg4 align=left></TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>98</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>56</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>57.1</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>714</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>6</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>5</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>79.2</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>8</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>58</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>5</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>4</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>0.8</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>3</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>0</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>2</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>1</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=bg2 id=title vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD class=bg4 align=middle colSpan=4>November</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle colSpan=9>Passing</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle colSpan=5>Rushing</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle colSpan=2>Fumbles</TD></TR><TR class=bg4 align=left><TD>Gamedate</TD><TD>Opp</TD><TD>Result</TD><TD>GS</TD><TD>Att</TD><TD>Comp</TD><TD>Pct</TD><TD>Yds</TD><TD>TD</TD><TD>Int</TD><TD>Rate</TD><TD>Sac</TD><TD>Yds</TD><TD>Att</TD><TD>Yds</TD><TD>Avg</TD><TD>Lg</TD><TD>TD</TD><TD>Fum</TD><TD>Rec</TD></TR><TR class=bg3 id=game vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD align=left>11/03</TD><TD align=left>@WAS</TD><TD align=left>W 23-6</TD><TD align=left>Yes</TD><TD align=left>17</TD><TD align=left>5</TD><TD align=left>29.4</TD><TD align=left>50</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>15.1</TD><TD align=left>3</TD><TD align=left>6</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>1.0</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=game vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD align=left>11/09</TD><TD align=left>IND</TD><TD align=left>L 20-24</TD><TD align=left>Yes</TD><TD align=left>41</TD><TD align=left>29</TD><TD align=left>70.7</TD><TD align=left>280</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>3</TD><TD align=left>59.0</TD><TD align=left>2</TD><TD align=left>13</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>-1</TD><TD align=left>-1.0</TD><TD align=left>-1</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>1</TD></TR><TR class=bg3 id=game vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD align=left>11/16</TD><TD align=left>SD</TD><TD align=left>W 11-10</TD><TD align=left>Yes</TD><TD align=left>41</TD><TD align=left>31</TD><TD align=left>75.6</TD><TD align=left>308</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>96.4</TD><TD align=left>4</TD><TD align=left>22</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0.0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=game vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD align=left>11/20</TD><TD align=left>CIN</TD><TD align=left>W 27-10</TD><TD align=left>Yes</TD><TD align=left>30</TD><TD align=left>17</TD><TD align=left>56.7</TD><TD align=left>243</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>94.2</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>3</TD><TD align=left>13</TD><TD align=left>4.3</TD><TD align=left>8</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD></TR><TR class=bg3 id=game vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD align=left>11/30</TD><TD align=left>@NE</TD><TD align=left>W 33-10</TD><TD align=left>Yes</TD><TD align=left>33</TD><TD align=left>17</TD><TD align=left>51.5</TD><TD align=left>179</TD><TD align=left>2</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>75.2</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>7</TD><TD align=left>3</TD><TD align=left>6</TD><TD align=left>2.0</TD><TD align=left>5</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=total vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD class=bg4 align=left>Total</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left></TD><TD class=bg4 align=left></TD><TD class=bg4 align=left></TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>162</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>99</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>61.1</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>1060</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>3</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>5</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>73.6</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>10</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>48</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>8</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>19</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>2.4</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>8</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>2</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>1</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>1</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=bg3 id=title vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD class=bg4 align=middle colSpan=4>December</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle colSpan=9>Passing</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle colSpan=5>Rushing</TD><TD class=bg4 align=middle colSpan=2>Fumbles</TD></TR><TR class=bg4 align=left><TD>Gamedate</TD><TD>Opp</TD><TD>Result</TD><TD>GS</TD><TD>Att</TD><TD>Comp</TD><TD>Pct</TD><TD>Yds</TD><TD>TD</TD><TD>Int</TD><TD>Rate</TD><TD>Sac</TD><TD>Yds</TD><TD>Att</TD><TD>Yds</TD><TD>Avg</TD><TD>Lg</TD><TD>TD</TD><TD>Fum</TD><TD>Rec</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=game vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD align=left>12/07</TD><TD align=left>DAL</TD><TD align=left>W 20-13</TD><TD align=left>Yes</TD><TD align=left>33</TD><TD align=left>17</TD><TD align=left>51.5</TD><TD align=left>204</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>80.9</TD><TD align=left>5</TD><TD align=left>36</TD><TD align=left>5</TD><TD align=left>17</TD><TD align=left>3.4</TD><TD align=left>9</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>0</TD></TR><TR class=bg3 id=game vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD align=left>12/14</TD><TD align=left>@BAL</TD><TD align=left>W 13-9</TD><TD align=left>Yes</TD><TD align=left>40</TD><TD align=left>22</TD><TD align=left>55.0</TD><TD align=left>246</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>81.9</TD><TD align=left>3</TD><TD align=left>26</TD><TD align=left>4</TD><TD align=left>21</TD><TD align=left>5.3</TD><TD align=left>9</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>0</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=game vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD align=left>12/21</TD><TD align=left>@TEN</TD><TD align=left>L 14-31</TD><TD align=left>Yes</TD><TD align=left>39</TD><TD align=left>25</TD><TD align=left>64.1</TD><TD align=left>329</TD><TD align=left>2</TD><TD align=left>2</TD><TD align=left>86.4</TD><TD align=left>5</TD><TD align=left>28</TD><TD align=left>3</TD><TD align=left>14</TD><TD align=left>4.7</TD><TD align=left>9</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>4</TD><TD align=left>0</TD></TR><TR class=bg3 id=game vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD align=left>12/28</TD><TD align=left>CLE</TD><TD align=left>W 31-0</TD><TD align=left>Yes</TD><TD align=left>14</TD><TD align=left>9</TD><TD align=left>64.3</TD><TD align=left>110</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>58.6</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0.0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=total vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD class=bg4 align=left>Total</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left></TD><TD class=bg4 align=left></TD><TD class=bg4 align=left></TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>126</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>73</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>57.9</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>889</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>4</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>3</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>80.4</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>13</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>90</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>12</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>52</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>4.3</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>9</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>0</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>6</TD><TD class=bg4 align=left>0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

So 4 games that dont mean anything really Houston , Cle , Cincy and @ Cincy ..., then 2 games away vs decent defenses that dont mean much @ Jax because their pass defense was terrible but credit Big Ben for an excellent showing that game we all remember that SUnday effort but @ CLE some windy conditions as well and the defense in general was okay vs the pass early (probably not even medicore) ..

That leaves 10 games against very good teams which all have good or great defenses...

<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=bg2 id=game vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD align=left>09/21</TD><TD align=left>@PHI</TD><TD align=left>L 6-15</TD><TD align=left>Yes</TD><TD align=left>25</TD><TD align=left>13</TD><TD align=left>52.0</TD><TD align=left>131</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>50.6</TD><TD align=left>8</TD><TD align=left>35</TD><TD align=left>4</TD><TD align=left>6</TD><TD align=left>1.5</TD><TD align=left>2</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>2</TD><TD align=left>0</TD></TR><TR class=bg3 id=game vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD align=left>09/29</TD><TD align=left>BAL</TD><TD align=left>W 23-20</TD><TD align=left>Yes</TD><TD align=left>24</TD><TD align=left>14</TD><TD align=left>58.3</TD><TD align=left>191</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>80.4</TD><TD align=left>3</TD><TD align=left>23</TD><TD align=left>2</TD><TD align=left>3</TD><TD align=left>1.5</TD><TD align=left>4</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>0

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=bg2 id=game vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD align=left>10/26</TD><TD align=left>NYG</TD><TD align=left>L 14-21</TD><TD align=left>Yes</TD><TD align=left>29</TD><TD align=left>13</TD><TD align=left>44.8</TD><TD align=left>189</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>4</TD><TD align=left>38.5</TD><TD align=left>5</TD><TD align=left>35</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>3</TD><TD align=left>3.0</TD><TD align=left>3</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=bg3 id=game vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD align=left>11/03</TD><TD align=left>@WAS</TD><TD align=left>W 23-6</TD><TD align=left>Yes</TD><TD align=left>17</TD><TD align=left>5</TD><TD align=left>29.4</TD><TD align=left>50</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>15.1</TD><TD align=left>3</TD><TD align=left>6</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>1.0</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=game vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD align=left>11/09</TD><TD align=left>IND</TD><TD align=left>L 20-24</TD><TD align=left>Yes</TD><TD align=left>41</TD><TD align=left>29</TD><TD align=left>70.7</TD><TD align=left>280</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>3</TD><TD align=left>59.0</TD><TD align=left>2</TD><TD align=left>13</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>-1</TD><TD align=left>-1.0</TD><TD align=left>-1</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>1</TD></TR><TR class=bg3 id=game vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD align=left>11/16</TD><TD align=left>SD</TD><TD align=left>W 11-10</TD><TD align=left>Yes</TD><TD align=left>41</TD><TD align=left>31</TD><TD align=left>75.6</TD><TD align=left>308</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>96.4</TD><TD align=left>4</TD><TD align=left>22</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0.0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=bg3 id=game vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD align=left>11/30</TD><TD align=left>@NE</TD><TD align=left>W 33-10</TD><TD align=left>Yes</TD><TD align=left>33</TD><TD align=left>17</TD><TD align=left>51.5</TD><TD align=left>179</TD><TD align=left>2</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>75.2</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>7</TD><TD align=left>3</TD><TD align=left>6</TD><TD align=left>2.0</TD><TD align=left>5</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=bg2 id=game vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD align=left>12/07</TD><TD align=left>DAL</TD><TD align=left>W 20-13</TD><TD align=left>Yes</TD><TD align=left>33</TD><TD align=left>17</TD><TD align=left>51.5</TD><TD align=left>204</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>80.9</TD><TD align=left>5</TD><TD align=left>36</TD><TD align=left>5</TD><TD align=left>17</TD><TD align=left>3.4</TD><TD align=left>9</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>0</TD></TR><TR class=bg3 id=game vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD align=left>12/14</TD><TD align=left>@BAL</TD><TD align=left>W 13-9</TD><TD align=left>Yes</TD><TD align=left>40</TD><TD align=left>22</TD><TD align=left>55.0</TD><TD align=left>246</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>81.9</TD><TD align=left>3</TD><TD align=left>26</TD><TD align=left>4</TD><TD align=left>21</TD><TD align=left>5.3</TD><TD align=left>9</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>1</TD><TD align=left>0</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 id=game vAlign=center align=right height=15><TD align=left>12/21</TD><TD align=left>@TEN</TD><TD align=left>L 14-31</TD><TD align=left>Yes</TD><TD align=left>39</TD><TD align=left>25</TD><TD align=left>64.1</TD><TD align=left>329</TD><TD align=left>2</TD><TD align=left>2</TD><TD align=left>86.4</TD><TD align=left>5</TD><TD align=left>28</TD><TD align=left>3</TD><TD align=left>14</TD><TD align=left>4.7</TD><TD align=left>9</TD><TD align=left>0</TD><TD align=left>4</TD><TD align=left>0

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

This are the 10 playoff type teams he played . Half your schedule is pretty ridiculous to begin with . Anyway AFC built on solid defenses while the NFC is sort of the Big 12 minus the NFC East .

They only went 6-4 but after the Philly game they basically beat themselves in the other three . The Colts game Big Ben's untimely INTs especially right before halftime , the NYG game penalties hurt remember Washinton caught a 2nd long TD pass that was called back , and dont forget the 12 penalties at SD , the missed FG and the stop on the 1 foot line on 4th down which both happened in the 1st Quarter ..., lets look at the Tenny game ...

1st Q Pitt fumbles at the Tenny 1 yd line , Tenny gets a FG after pinning Pitt inside the 5 and starting the drive at the Pitt 41 , Pitt fumbles on a sack to Big Ben at their 40 . short field for Tenny the get a TD , Pitt gets the ball drives the field for a TD , with a 1:43 Pitt takes the ball over at their 1 and get to the Tenny 15 with 4 seconds left then Reed misses from 33 yds ....So at half down 10-7 have missed a 33 yd FG and fumbled on the 1 yd line and lost another fumble which setup a TD for Tenny ...pretty significant damage in the turnover category ..Pitt loses 6-10 pts on offense and Tenny gained 7 ...

2nd H pitt strikes 1st gets a TD for the lead.., with 5:25 lef facing 3rd and 20 at the Pitt 40 they get 19 yds ...facing 4th and 1 they pass on the FG and go for it and Johnson breaks through for a 21 yd TD run...(how often does that happen ??) ..now 17-14 Tenny next possession Big Ben picked and big return starts Tenny at the Pitt 37 ,Tenny moves the ball gets it deep but faces 4th and 1 at the 4 yd line , Harrison called for an unsportsmanlike penalty instead of the FG they get 1st down and punch it in ...another 4 pt gift , Last TD Big ben picked off at the Tenny 17 and its a pick 6 .....

So everything went right for Tenny and everything worng for Pitt . Alot of Big Ben turnovers but also how many times will Pitt allow a 3rd and 20 conversion ? Which led to a TD and the next TD should not have happened either because of a silly penalty . So 2 FGs turn into 2 TDs.....

Back t the SD game before that he was 2 TDs and 10 INTs in 5 games but had no turnovers in that one or TDs and then finished 6 Tds vs 3 ints in the next 4 . Which look at the Tenny game turnovers again were their downfall.. He had his best passer rating and game of the season vs a playoff team and what followed was also much stronger statisically...

1st 5 games 74 /136 2TD 10INT 841 yds (much worse until the indy game)
2nd 5 games 112/186 6TD 3 INT 1266 yds

Went 2-3 then 4-1 ...much better since the Indy game ...much better ..in the 1st 5 games he didnt have Willie Parker for Balt , ind and NYG ..so even if he hasnt been that productive Big Ben has seemingly been better ...

How bad is the concussion ? Not sure ...:shake:

 

[SportsNut]

pitt was on a ridiculously tough run at the time. pitt played @ NE, vs DAL, @ Balt, then @ Tenny. Jeff Fischer even said they caught pitt at the perfect time. I really think the defense was weary at the time. Choice went for 88 yards, and CJ went for 69. Choice had a great game by Pitt's D standards, but still no score and only 3.8 per carry.

I'll stick to my guns and say nobody is gonna run on this team, especially not an undersized back.

It was a fluke win . Game meant so much to Tenny they needed it for the #1 seed if they lose they had 3 losses and finished @ Indy ...Tenny got all the breaks ....and Pitt had just won a bunch of tough games and it didnt fall their way this time ...

Thinking 20-23 to 10-13...:cheers:

 

[SportsNut]

The way it looks now assuming I like Pitt this week as much as did Balt last week..

 

[Tide High]

yeah, i'm unloading my tiny bankroll on pitt. may not play anything else based on how much i like this game. where is the line headed?

 

[SportsNut]

yeah, i'm unloading my tiny bankroll on pitt. may not play anything else based on how much i like this game. where is the line headed?

The only way Pitt gets cheaper if something about Big Ben comes out ...more then happy with -5.5 would expect LT being out makes it jump...so looking to get -5.5 -110 but if I have to pay -120 thats fine...hate laying -6 always want that OT out ...lol..:shake:

 

[Ale10]

I don't care what anybody says. Until I see Big Ben play well with my own eyes, his health is in question.

Nut - I totally get what you're saying...but any time you beat someone in your division, no matter the score, it's impressive. SD has REALLY impressed me in their last two games.

What has Pittsburgh done? Crushed a hapless Cleveland team, with Romeo practically on his way out the door. Got creamed by Tennessee. BARELY squeeked by Baltimore, winning 13-9. And beat a crumbling Dallas squad by one TD in DECEMBER, when Dallas hardly ever wins.

IMO, San Diego's wins were much more impressive. Crushed Denver. Crushed Tampa. Struggled against, but managed to beat KC. And, crushed Oakland.

Just my opinion of course.

No way SD's wins were more impressive. Are you kidding? Do you think they could beat Dallas AND win IN Baltimore? No way. On the other hand the Steelers would beat the weak teams like KC or DEN easily.

 

[Ale10]

It was a fluke win . Game meant so much to Tenny they needed it for the #1 seed if they lose they had 3 losses and finished @ Indy ...Tenny got all the breaks ....and Pitt had just won a bunch of tough games and it didnt fall their way this time ...

Thinking 20-23 to 10-13...:cheers:

Exactly what i think. Something like 23-10.

 

[Ale10]

And one more thing. Against the Colts Sproles got all the returns. (4 kickoffs, 3 punts) I'm not sure he will get that opportunity against the Steelers. I mean if you are Norv Turner could you put Sproles up to risk on all the returns with LT out? I'm really not sure.

But if they will do that i expect the Steelers to go hard after him on every return.

 

[Blue_Chip]

The only way Pitt gets cheaper if something about Big Ben comes out ...

... or if SD gets pounded by smart money, which I think it very well could. Right now, I'd have to imagine most SD bets were bought to 7 or taken at low/no juice at 6 and 6'

 

[Blue_Chip]

pitt is the best defense in the nfl, and they've played the toughest schedule in the nfl. they are rested and at home in what should be considered one of the most hostile places in the league. i don't see what the big deal is with 6 points.

The line closed at 4' earlier this season when SD lost 11-10 at Heinz Field. The weather was cold but can't remember if sloppy. I also have a rule of thumb that QBs come back rusty after concussion, but that's my opinion.

 

[Ale10]

The line closed at 4' earlier this season when SD lost 11-10 at Heinz Field. The weather was cold but can't remember if sloppy. I also have a rule of thumb that QBs come back rusty after concussion, but that's my opinion.

Don't forget the wrongly withdrawn Polamalu TD at the end of the match.

 

[Blue_Chip]

Don't forget the wrongly withdrawn Polamalu TD at the end of the match.

The refs might have a ticket for the Superchargers in their pocket this weekend as well

 

[Ale10]

Multiple news outlets in San Diego report that Vincent Jackson was arrested for DUI on Tuesday morning.

10News San Diego reports that Jackson was booked by California Highway Patrol early Tuesday. News 8 says Jackson was pulled over at 4AM and released from jail hours later.

 

[Tide High]

shiit, jumping on pitt right now

 

[Tide High]

FYI not because of the word... i was ALREADY gonna pound pitt, and i don't want to lay 7 just in case people get stupid and do what i just did (pound pitt)

 

[Ale10]

The National Football Post reports that Vincent Jackson was already on probation in San Diego for a previous DUI before Tuesday's second violation.

Jackson's first DUI must never have been reported because we can't get it confirmed. The NFP also reports that Jackson refused a breathalyzer test upon this morning's arrest.

 

[Joe Public]

It's on ESPN now, too, basically they say it won't effect his status for this weekend.

Which is surprising, but not surprising at all. If he's actually guilty, as a two-time offender, you suspend that guy to make a statement. Of course, this is the NFL, so right up until they find that body in the trunk, Rae Carruth, you're good to go.

 

[Streakin]

It's on ESPN now, too, basically they say it won't effect his status for this weekend.

Which is surprising, but not surprising at all. If he's actually guilty, as a two-time offender, you suspend that guy to make a statement. Of course, this is the NFL, so right up until they find that body in the trunk, Rae Carruth, you're good to go.

And didn't Ray Lewis kill someone? And now he is praised as an emotional leader and future coaching genious (should he so choose)?

Very funny league......as long as you can ball, there is no problem:seeya:

 

[Ale10]

Vincent Jackson claims he is innocent of the DUI he was charged with early Tuesday after refusing a breathalyzer test.

"I look forward to clearing my name and proving my innocence," he said. The Chargers are aware of the arrest, but will not discipline him at this time. "Obviously we're disappointed," GM A.J. Smith said. "We take these issues very seriously. We will monitor the situation and have no further comment."


What a joke. Smith should just say this: "We take these issues very seriously but if you think i'll suspend my best WR before a playoff game then you are crazy."

 

[SportsNut]

By BRIAN LEWIS

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Last updated: 7:26 am
January 6, 2009
Posted: 2:27 am
January 6, 2009
When the Giants last hosted Philadelphia on Dec. 7, linebacker Antonio Pierce took much of the heat for Brian Westbrook's dominant performance and shouldered much of the blame for Big Blue's 20-14 loss.
With Big Blue hosting Philadelphia in Sunday's NFC Divisional playoffs, Pierce said that December defeat is as irrelevant as 2008's late-season funk or 2007's Super Bowl win.
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He insists all that matters is the Giants getting the chip back on their shoulders and their focus on the task at hand: Beating the Eagles.
"It's irrelevant at this point. We're 0-0; the team we're facing is 1-0. Being the 2007 Super Bowl champions does not scare anybody," Pierce said. "For us it's about going out there and getting our swagger back, getting that chip on our shoulder, listening to all these critics and opinion-makers . . . and go out there and play football.
"We have 35-40 guys who were on the team last year and know exactly what we're walking into. We've drafted some guys, brought in some through free agency; now those guys have to step up, rise to the same level. We have to bring that (2007) level and go even further than that, because it's more.
That tunnel-vision must be squarely on Westbrook, who sealed the Eagles' wild-card win by taking a screen pass 71 yards for a touchdown with 6:37 left.
In last month's meeting, Westbrook had 203 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns.
Commentators held Pierce - who'd been grilled at the Manhattan district attorney's office two days earlier concerning his involvement in the Plaxico Burress fiasco - culpable on both.
"There are no individual matchups in football. It might look like that on TV," Pierce said. "It's an assessment of whoever wants to have an opinion about it. I don't have an opinion about it. All I know about that play is it's irrelevant come Sunday . . . so if that's the play everybody wants to talk about, they can talk about it. I'm not."
On the first TD, Westbrook caught the Giants in a run blitz - and Pierce out of his lane - for a 30-yard sprint up the middle.
On the second, Pierce got left in man coverage on a circle route and Westbrook outraced him for a 40-yard score.
But coach Tom Coughlin said Pierce wasn't to blame.
"No, because we took the blame for that by the virtue of the coverage we were in," Coughlin said. "We said that right after the game. If you knew that was the attempt to isolate, you certainly wouldn't have been in that coverage."
brian.lewis@nypost.com

 

[Ale10]

I just saw Tomlin's interview and heard what Hines Ward said about "we'll ride Ben until the end". I like the Steelers more and more.

 

[Milos NS]

Great write-ups people...

I think Giants are best side in this card. I dont buy that Eagles are playing well story. Giants are world champs, and Giants know how to win in play offs. People are not taking them as seriously as they should. The Giants didn’t really have a lot of motivation in their last few games. Giants are not my favorite team, and I dont like Eli, but they are much better team than Eagles and McNabb that is the fact.

Giants are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games in January.
Giants are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 playoff games.
Giants are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games following a S.U. loss.
Giants are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games as a home favorite of 3.5-10.0.
Giants are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games as a favorite.
Giants are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a home favorite.

Giants at -4 are my pick there.

 

[Blue_Chip]

And didn't Ray Lewis kill someone? And now he is praised as an emotional leader and future coaching genious (should he so choose)?

He didn't do the stabbing, I think he was just part of the crowd. My friend that was a poker pro in AC met one of the attorneys on his legal counsel. Anyway, players do this all the time -- Irvin, Lett, Lewis, ... Carruth is the only one that didn't get away with it and that's because he was caught pretty much red-handed.

 

[Blue_Chip]

I'm starting to think the Carolina game could be a blowout. Arizona's defense on the road combined with Carolina's wins at home. Williams/Stewart against a bad road D and the big play is always a possibility with deangelo in the backfield.

 

[SportsNut]

I'm starting to think the Carolina game could be a blowout. Arizona's defense on the road combined with Carolina's wins at home. Williams/Stewart against a bad road D and the big play is always a possibility with deangelo in the backfield.

Arizona's road defense wasnt really aproblem though until they started struggling and it appears they were somehwat interested in going to Philly on T-Day and NE in the cold/snow...the Jets score was all turnovers and then alot of quick scoring in the 2nd H ..really arizona only needs 20 pts to split the dog/over combo ...I dont know to be honest ..I like Zona because i think the road angle is wrong with them but a big loss wouldnt exactly shock me . You have to think 8-0 means inflated line ...but I hated ARI playcalling last week as well...:shake:

 

[horses]

Maybe San Diego is peaking right now compared to how the played the rest of the year; I'll tell you this though...they aren't playing as well now as they were this time last year. They had no business beating Kansas City on the road in Week 15; they were down 13 points with 4 minutes left to a team that went 2-14 (or whatever it was). The win at TB has to be dismissed as well, as the Bucs lost to the Raiders in week 17 with their playoff hopes still alive. Basically, the Chargers have beaten stiffs (and just barely) or teams that were choking down the stretch (TB and Denver). I applaud them for their home win against Indianapolis last week. A hard-fought victory.

Sproles is off the game of his life and was completely exhausted after the game; to think he will even approach the numbers he had last week is a stretch.

If Big Ben can equal or stay close to Rivers in this game, the Steelers ought to whitewash the Chargers. The Steelers very well may have had the toughest NFL schedule in the last 5 years this year; check out the teams they had to play and how they came thru and STILL had the #1 rated defense in the NFL.

Now they get a west coast team coming to the east coast, forecast 17 degrees, that they outgained 2:1 the first time they played with a penalty differential in yards of about 120 to...5. That won't happen again either.

I think many things will have to go right just for the Chargers to stay in the game.

Steelers are the best bet of the week IMO and I'll be on them and the Titans.

 

[Tide High]

i'm with you horses. rested home teams with the defenses should cover this week. lines are a bit shaded from peoples view of the road teams the last few weeks. considering NYG too

 

[horses]

Glad to hear it Tide...

I like all the home favorites this week as well, in this order:

Pittsburgh (already bet)
Tennessee (already bet)

Carolina (Fox's style of coaching scares me laying this many pts; probably pass)
NYG (these are downright death matches; like NYG but wouldn't bat an eye if the champs went down this wknd, pass).

 

[madshooter]

I
IMO, San Diego's wins were much more impressive. Crushed Denver. Crushed Tampa. Struggled against, but managed to beat KC. And, crushed Oakland.

Just my opinion of course.

Denver - was a revenge game and Denver was riding there 3 game losing streak, team sucked pretty much the whole year

Tampa- went from 9-3 playing Carolina for 1st place and possible bye week to losing the every shit team imaginable. This team quit after the Panthers game.

KC- SD was totally dominated in every facet of the game, by pure luck they came back and won, and if KC kicker didn't kick it wide we wouldn't even be talking about SD right now.

Oakland - :36_11_6: (no need to explain this one)




I hope you really don't believe what you typed above, please think about it clearly for a moment, it is just not true that SD's wins were more impressive, in fact I would venture to say that the Lions played just as tuff the last few weeks as did SD, but didn't have the ball bounce there way.

 

[aplous]

I'm starting to think the Carolina game could be a blowout. Arizona's defense on the road combined with Carolina's wins at home. Williams/Stewart against a bad road D and the big play is always a possibility with deangelo in the backfield.

Loving this one. Dumptruck game of the week. Line is beggin for AZ action IMO. I could write a "SportsNut" book about this one.

AZ going east is terrible......Fox has gotten over his past "not being able to cover as a home chalk" thing......Carolina won by 4 earlier this year when they weren't playing that well and hadn't gotten DWill established yet, AZ was at the top of their game at the time........When AZ loses they get smashed.....lost by 40 at NE, 21 v. Minny, 28 @ Philly, 8 v. NYG.....0-5 SU on the east coast this year......Boldin will be slowed by the hammy...Carolina getting back Otah and their DL that have missed. We know AZ cant run, so you have Peppers and crew going after the statue like Warner.......not like this really matters, but it reminds me of a true playoff game....a pair of average lowers going for $500 a pair for Saturday night in Charlotte....good sign that the place will be hyped......Carolina 5-2 as home chalk this year, 3-0 at the 7-10 pt range......Zona 1-4 as a road dog this year.

Line went to 9.5 and I hit it.

 

[horses]

Carolina 5-2 as home chalk this year, 3-0 at the 7-10 pt range......Zona 1-4 as a road dog this year.

Thanks APlous, saved me the trouble. Starting to warm up to this as well; really think Boldin will be compromised in this one and they won't come anywhere close to the success on the ground they had LW. Guy that worries me (as far as the Panther cover goes) is Breaston...

 

[SportsNut]

Good stuff fellas ...

I am on the other side though . Just havent bought the Zona going East angle and the Cards have been great to me this year ...(have some at +10.5-120 may add tmrw)...Carolina's defense getting healthy is what concerns more then anything...the problem with the Cards going East is they played teams that were equal or better and couldnt find ways to win IMO:cheers:

 

[MusicCityGambler]

Maybe San Diego is peaking right now compared to how the played the rest of the year; I'll tell you this though...they aren't playing as well now as they were this time last year. They had no business beating Kansas City on the road in Week 15; they were down 13 points with 4 minutes left to a team that went 2-14 (or whatever it was). The win at TB has to be dismissed as well, as the Bucs lost to the Raiders in week 17 with their playoff hopes still alive. Basically, the Chargers have beaten stiffs (and just barely) or teams that were choking down the stretch (TB and Denver). I applaud them for their home win against Indianapolis last week. A hard-fought victory.

Sproles is off the game of his life and was completely exhausted after the game; to think he will even approach the numbers he had last week is a stretch.

If Big Ben can equal or stay close to Rivers in this game, the Steelers ought to whitewash the Chargers. The Steelers very well may have had the toughest NFL schedule in the last 5 years this year; check out the teams they had to play and how they came thru and STILL had the #1 rated defense in the NFL.

Now they get a west coast team coming to the east coast, forecast 17 degrees, that they outgained 2:1 the first time they played with a penalty differential in yards of about 120 to...5. That won't happen again either.

I think many things will have to go right just for the Chargers to stay in the game.

Steelers are the best bet of the week IMO and I'll be on them and the Titans.

Great breakdown on SD/PIT. That's exactly how I see it. GL

 

[brewer]

What you think bout Zona? I hope they take the "can't play on east coast trend" and shove it down the media's throat. But that's just me and I like to root for those kind of things.

 

[SportsNut]

What you think bout Zona? I hope they take the "can't play on east coast trend" and shove it down the media's throat. But that's just me and I like to root for those kind of things.

Think its 2 aspects that decide how this game plays out . Arizona turnovers especially early in the game . Then other run game vs run game . Does Carolina run all over Zona or do they stop them & does Edge continue to get consistent carries and stay productive or do they make Zona 1 dimensonal ??

I may wind up playing more ZONA 1st Quarter and 1st Half then game...

The EAST COAST has had ZERO effect on Arizona 's play and I mean ZERO !

@ Wash , @ NYJ , @ CAR ....had nothing to do with travel

1st east trip was @ Wash. Skins scored on the opening drive , Zona had 4th and 1 at the Skins 41 get the 1st but penalty takes it away and punt , they lose 1st Q 7-0 and after an Edge fumble they allow a FG and Skins led 10-7 at half . 1st H for Wash was TD , Punt , FG after the turnover , Punt , Punt ..18plays 32 yds after 11 for 60 allwoed on the opening drive while Zona had 30 plays 156 yds ...Zona was 2-0 coming off after wiping Miami and Skins 1-1

@ jets 1st Q ended 0-0 .....the Cards 1st possession had the ball 1st and goal at the jet 9 after moving it 70 yards on 9 plays but wind up taking a sack and consecutive fumbles and get zero which followed the jets initial possession of 3 and out . next possession Jets are 3rd and 2 at midfield and Favre tosses a pick now Arizona ball at the Jet 14 they take it 3rd and 2 at the 8 and another penalty this one 11 yards and the FG is no good blocked or missed I dont recall.....this is when Zona unraveled and jets win teh 2nd Q 34-0 ....LOL....

@ Car the 1st Q ended ARI up 3-0 . They go 13 plays an d80 yds but stall inside the CAR 5 for a FG . The rest of the 1st Q is punts for each team. Car fumbles and Zona get a cheap TD to go up 10-0 then Car mirrors Zona 1st drive and like them settles for just 3 pts. With a tad more then5 left Zona gets the ball back and drives down the field and on 3rd and 5 another bad Warner sack wher ehe fumbles as well and loses 10 yards . They skip the 38 yd FG and go for a fake but only get 10 of 15 yards ....33 plasy 183 yds NET and it was much better then that when you take away the penalties and negative plays while Car was 29 for 104 yds before the last 38 yds they gained after the punt fake and they as well looked worse due to penalties and neg yards but still ARI was better ......

At the end of the year ...game @ Philly is useless IMO. Arizona had basically clinched , it was the last game on thanksgiving and Warner said they didnt want to be there even before the game started but it was Thanksgiving and it was tradition , great sign when the team says before hand they dont want to play , mix in the short week vs a rising Eagle team and bad mix IMO ......same deal @ NE they were okay early but once they fucked a few times they unraveled ...they were in a funk and NE wa speaking , the weather was COLD but snow and etc ......

the EAST COAST thing even at 2-19 is all myth IMO.....Cards are essentially a 500 team and what easy games are on the EAST COAST ? ATLANTA ? Ther tend not to be very many weak teams on the East ...what are the softest divisions in football ? AFC and NFC West ........lightbulb ...so every road game outside those 2 conference tends to be fairly tough for any team ....

I can assure you that ZONA wants to be here NOW......if Car covers thinks its more because of the 2nd Half....:cheers:

 

[SportsNut]

<TABLE class=datasmall cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1><TBODY><TR class=datahead><TD colSpan=5>Rushing</TD></TR><TR class=datarow><TD> </TD><TD>ATT</TD><TD>YDS</TD><TD>TD</TD><TD>LG</TD></TR><TR class=datarow><TD>Clinton Portis </TD><TD>21</TD><TD>68</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>9</TD></TR><TR class=datarow><TD>Jason Campbell </TD><TD>4</TD><TD>26</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>16</TD></TR><TR class=datarow><TD>Ladell Betts </TD><TD>4</TD><TD>23</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>9</TD></TR><TR class=datarow><TD>Devin Thomas </TD><TD>1</TD><TD>16</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>16</TD></TR><TR class=datarow><TD>Mike Sellers </TD><TD>1</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>3</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


<TABLE class=datasmall cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1><TBODY><TR class=datahead><TD colSpan=5>Rushing</TD></TR><TR class=datarow><TD> </TD><TD>ATT</TD><TD>YDS</TD><TD>TD</TD><TD>LG</TD></TR><TR class=datarow><TD>Thomas Jones </TD><TD>18</TD><TD>46</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>9</TD></TR><TR class=datarow><TD>Leon Washington </TD><TD>7</TD><TD>26</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>13</TD></TR><TR class=datarow><TD>Brad Smith </TD><TD>1</TD><TD>17</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>17</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


<TABLE class=datasmall cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=1><TBODY><TR class=datahead><TD colSpan=5>Rushing</TD></TR><TR class=datarow><TD> </TD><TD>ATT</TD><TD>YDS</TD><TD>TD</TD><TD>LG</TD></TR><TR class=datarow><TD>DeAngelo Williams </TD><TD>17</TD><TD>108</TD><TD>1</TD><TD>15</TD></TR><TR class=datarow><TD>Jonathan Stewart </TD><TD>8</TD><TD>10</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>4</TD></TR><TR class=datarow><TD>Brad Hoover </TD><TD>1</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>3</TD></TR><TR class=datarow><TD>Jake Delhomme </TD><TD>2</TD><TD>-2</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>-1</TD></TR><TR class=datarow><TD>Steve Smith </TD><TD>1</TD><TD>-6</TD><TD>0</TD><TD>-6</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


That is the 3 above games I mentioned and how the opponents ran the ball...Car 26c/118yds but all D'Angelo , Jets 25c 72 yds , Skins 26c 94yds ......Does not include runs by QBs or WRs.....

 

[SportsNut]

Balt @ Tenny : I like Balt was really hoping for a better number though closer to 4 or 4.5 ...at essentially 2.5 not sure how much value presents itself..

Have the OVER 34 and really prefer this ... but weather is questionable ..Ravens now 6-2-1 OVER on the road both unders could have went different @ Indy and last week @ Miami ..while tenny is 6-2 Over at home this year ...think both teams WILL have to throw more then they are used to

Earlier meeting :
It was the last of several personal foul calls in a game marred by numerous skirmishes. Tennessee was penalized 10 times for 78 yards, including a pair of 15-yard infractions that fueled both Baltimore's scoring drives.
The Ravens (2-2) were assessed 11 penalties for 91 yards in a matchup between two teams that once were, and seem to still be, bitter rivals.
"We are the bad boys of football. They are always going to look at us like that," Suggs said. "From the way the game was going, I think the referee just probably wanted to feel important."

In the Carolina night game have the Over 47.5 and Cards +10.5 both at -120 so far . Think we may see less offense then expected @ Carolina though looking at the 1st meeting again. Alot of long drives for FGs overlooked because of some quick turnover scores .....as I said with the ground game being so important for each we might see a slower pace then anticipated at least to start ...so could be looking to play the UNDER as a middle ...

My thoughts on this game are above . My concern is this Zona game mirrors the recent Denver game for Carolina...:cheers:

 

[SportsNut]

Played so far :

Over 34 Baltimore
Over 47.5 Carolina -120 (might wind up a middle)
Cardinals +10.5 -120
Steelers -5.5 -120 (Sunday max play )

Interested in( Saturday) :
1st Quarter Balt
1st Half Balt
1st Half Over @ Tenny
game over 33.5 or cheaper ...will add
1st Half Under @ Carolina
1st Quarter Arizona
1st Half Arizona
1st Quarter Under @ Carolina

Teaser : Over 24 balt , Steelers +4 and Giants +6 & Cards +20 , Ravens +13 , Steelers +4 ...

Figure more out tmrw ..:cheers:

 

[SportsNut]

For some reason at this point I changed my mind yet again....figured this would be gone tmrw so acted now ....on BALT

Ravens +3.5 -130 (200)
Ravens +3.5 -135 (200)
1st Half Ravens +1 (200)
1st Quarter +0.5 -155 (40)
Over 34 Balt (200)


Cardinals +10.5 -120 (240)
Over 47.5 Carolina -120 (200)

Teaser : (280)
Over 24 Balt , Balt +13 and Steelers +4

Think I have 2 teasers pending from CFB still ....


Why now on Balt ? I think Tenny has to throw the ball and will be able to but we saw what happens vs the Balt defense when your throwing backed up and your throwing in long yardage situations ....

Knock Flacco all you want but look at his passer rating and overall play away it was very good . Big deal he is facing the Tenny defense the kid faced Balt twice ontop of them ...! Collins saw Pitt at the end of the season in a game which meant loads more to tenny and Steelers had just huge game after huge game ...

Titans were 3/14 on 3rd down vs Pitt and had 323 yds of offense and scored the last 21 pts of the game including a pick 6 ...otherwise what in the last 9 games impressed you see they proved to everyone vs Indy they were legit ?

19-16 win vs GB in OT
21-14 @ Chi with Orton OUT
24-14 @ Jax score 21 straight and couple bombs
13-34 vs Jets banged up some
@Det ..insert joke
28-9 Cle so they leaned on the run but blah imo
12-13 @ Houston and granted they should have won but where is the offense
0-23 @ Indy scrubs or not thats bad and no one is acknowledging it

Losing your starting center a 15 yr vet who made 1st team and his replacement has 1 start where he lost 23-0 and faces uhm the Ravens frontline....

Just to talk about Balt ...early on they took the Steelers into OT on the road and they won the LAST GAME @ DALLAS on top of winning their 1st road playoff game with Flacco......

now Balt is essentially 1-3-1 in their 5 losses ATS the tie being the 1st Tenny meeting which was 3 but did manage to close that Sunday at 1 ...

Essentially I have Pitt being -2 vs Balt and that makes it clear to me to that Balt is about -1 or -1.5 vs Tenny at this point ....so expect this to close down at 1 or 1.5 tmrw which is where it should be ........Titans essentially 5-4 ATS L9 and won as DD favs or games where they were cheaper then -3 which means dogs as well ..

:cheers:

 

[Joe Public]

If I feel like I should be asleep, I 'know' you should.

Yeah, at 3.5 you've gotta take the points.

I have this horrible, horrible suspicion that Tennessee wins by three tomorrow. Everyone and their first cousin seems to be on the Ravens which worries me. The other thing about it is, Joe Flacco completely got let off the hook last week based on how poorly Penny played and how good their defense was.

I think a lot more pressure for him to execute is put on him tomorrow and I'm not sure we have a good idea how he's going to react to that.

Not saying I don't like your play, no way would I lay 3.5, not a chance, but I have a bad feeling about the Ravens tomorrow that I just can't shake.

 

[SportsNut]

Also last thing that sold me on saying fuck it and playing Balt was the fact everyone( when I say everyone I am never referring to CTG more as in everywhere) thinks they are being shrewd ...public loves Balt and things of that nature ....maybe its true here but I just feel like whatever money the books get on Tenny laying points they will be more then happy with ...at this point BALT is clearly the better team. Pitt beat themselves @ Tenny had very little to do with Tenny IMO ..take out the starting center , Haynesworth wont be 100% that I am pretty sure of and KVB has missed a ton of time , what about Nick Harper , Thornton banged up and Ball out at DE .....

These teams hate eachother and while Tenny has the clear coaching edge IMO clear talent edge goes to Balt ...good thing Chris Johnson is bitching about awards at this point in the year .....

I think the question is what play side or total misses by enough to kill all the teasers ....

Thats my take :36_11_6::cheers:

 

[Joe Public]

That said, your write up makes me want to dump a bunch of money all over Baltimore.

=)

 

[SportsNut]

If I feel like I should be asleep, I 'know' you should.

Yeah, at 3.5 you've gotta take the points.

I have this horrible, horrible suspicion that Tennessee wins by three tomorrow. Everyone and their first cousin seems to be on the Ravens which worries me. The other thing about it is, Joe Flacco completely got let off the hook last week based on how poorly Penny played and how good their defense was.

I think a lot more pressure for him to execute is put on him tomorrow and I'm not sure we have a good idea how he's going to react to that.

Not saying I don't like your play, no way would I lay 3.5, not a chance, but I have a bad feeling about the Ravens tomorrow that I just can't shake.

I think everyone is trying to outsmart someone and play Tenny as a value play. Tenny is just not very impressive IMO. I dont think Flacco played poorly at all they just called a terrible game @ Miami. When the offense needed to move he did it..

Flacco in yards
+18 , inc , +11 , +10 , +31 , inc , inc (2nd and goal at the 5 and 3rd and goal at the 5 yd line) ..1st 5 pass plays were 1st and 10's ,2nd and 8 and 2nd and 11)

inc , inc , +11 , Inc , inc (threw on 1st & 10 ,2nd and 10 , 3rd and 10 coverting ,2nd and 9 and 3rd and 9)..7 plays only 1 run called

+9 , +31 , inc ,inc ( 1st and 10 own 41 , 1stand 10 Miami 48 , 2nd and 6 Miami 13 then 3rd and 6 Miami 13 which were with 30 seconds left nefore half with no timeouts )..had 1:37 left at his 41yd line

7/16 121 yds ..essentially had 4 incompletions deep inside the red zone which were the only times he threw when needing less then 8 yards to move the chains..

2nd H
Inc , inc ..still trying to understand why 2nd and 7 at Miami 36 yd line they dont keep running the ball . Pass on 2nd and 3rd down and rather then attempt a 53 yder punt ...

+6 ..3rd and 5 at the Miami 14 gets the 1st down conversion ..

Those were his only pass attempts the entire 3rd Quarter . From 13 to play before HALF until the 4th Quarter started he attempted 7 passes going 3/7 46 yds ....

Inc, inc (on 1st and 10 Balt 20 and 3rd and 6 balt 24)
+8 , inc (picked up 8 yds on 3rd and 1 to the RB and was inc on 2nd and goal inside the 5 yd line)

2nd H : Only 2/7 14 yds but both completed 3rd down conversions ...Last 43 minutes of the game was asked to throw 11 passes completing only 4 but all big ones and had 3 inc inside the Miami 15 which made 0/5 in that situation all game of his 9/23 ..

They really shackeld Flacco would have liked a much different gameplan ...think we see it this week though:cheers:

 

[SportsNut]

That said, your write up makes me want to dump a bunch of money all over Baltimore.

=)

Somebody is getting Fucked here ..is it he Balt backers believing in the defense which I think can be thrown on OR is it the Tenny backers not realizing this team was barely medicore last 9 games ...best wins -close one vs GB at home in OT and the Pitt game which Steelers selfdestructed otherwise needed to outplay Jags awa in the 2nH , Bears in the 2nd H with a backup Qb and beat DET and CLE ..lol but lose to Indy in a tuneup @ Houston and vs jets....

Curious to see how it works out ..:cheers:

 

[SportsNut]

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=yspsctbg align=middle><TD class=ysptblhdr colSpan=10>Passing</TD><TD class=yspwhitebg noWrap width=1 rowSpan=200><SPACER width="1" height="1" type="block"></TD><TD class=ysptblhdr colSpan=6>Rushing</TD><TD class=yspwhitebg noWrap width=1 rowSpan=200><SPACER width="1" height="1" type="block"></TD><TD class=ysptblhdr colSpan=3>Sacked</TD><TD class=yspwhitebg noWrap width=1 rowSpan=200><SPACER width="1" height="1" type="block"></TD><TD class=ysptblhdr colSpan=3>Fumbles</TD></TR><TR class=ysptblthbody1 align=right><TD class=yspdetailttl align=left height=18>Situation</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl height=18>G</TD><TD></TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>QBRat</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>Comp</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>Att</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>Pct</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>Yds</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>Y/G</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>Y/A</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>TD</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>Int</TD><TD></TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>Rush</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>Yds</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>Y/G</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>Avg</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>TD</TD><TD></TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>Sack</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>YdsL</TD><TD></TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>Fum</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl>FumL</TD><TD></TD></TR><TR class=ysprow2 align=right><TD class=yspscores align=left>Total</TD><TD class=yspscores>16</TD><TD></TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>80.3</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>257</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>428</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>60.0</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>2971</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>185.7</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>6.9</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>14</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>12</TD><TD height='\"16\"'></TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>52</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>180</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>11.3</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>3.5</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>2</TD><TD height='\"16\"'></TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>32</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>276</TD><TD height='\"16\"'></TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>11</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>2</TD><TD height='\"16\"'></TD></TR><TR class=ysprow1 align=right><TD class=yspscores align=left>Home</TD><TD class=yspscores>8</TD><TD></TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>66.8</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>108</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>197</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>54.8</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>1280</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>160.0</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>6.5</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>4</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>7</TD><TD height='\"16\"'></TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>26</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>81</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>10.1</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>3.1</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>2</TD><TD height='\"16\"'></TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>8</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>94</TD><TD height='\"16\"'></TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>4</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>0</TD><TD height='\"16\"'></TD></TR><TR class=ysprow2 align=right><TD class=yspscores align=left>Away</TD><TD class=yspscores>8</TD><TD></TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>91.7</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>149</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>231</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>64.5</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>1691</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>211.4</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>7.3</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>10</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>5</TD><TD height='\"16\"'></TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>26</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>99</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>12.4</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>3.8</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>0</TD><TD height='\"16\"'></TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>24</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>182</TD><TD height='\"16\"'></TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>7</TD><TD class=yspscores height='\"16\"'>2</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[SportsNut]

BALTIMORE -- The blitzes came quickly and they didn't stop. The Jacksonville Jaguars thought they could rattle rookie quarterback Joe Flacco. Then, something strange happened.
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=220 align=left><TBODY><TR><TD width=220>

</TD><TD width=15></TD></TR><TR><TD width=220>Flush Flacco from the pocket? Blitz him? No matter, he's cool under pressure. (Getty Images) </TD><TD width=15></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Instead of Flacco getting flustered, the Jaguars did.
On many of Baltimore's first-half offensive possessions, the Jaguars blitzed. Flacco beat it almost every time. It was a remarkable sight -- the rookie outsmarting a veteran defense.
Flacco's beating of the blitz got so maddening for the Jaguars that one Jacksonville player threw up his hands in disgust after failing to reach Flacco. As the Ravens started to roll offensively, that feeling of disgust began to spread.
Jacksonville took an early 7-3 lead, then Baltimore opened up the offense, scoring on its next three drives with Flacco completing lengthy passes including one for 47 yards. In those drives, in the face of constant blitzing, Flacco completed 12 of 13 passes. Flacco was 14-for-17 in the first half and finished 17-for-23 for the game with a passer rating of 115.8.
The haircut looks like he was just walked out of Army basic training. His arm is strong but not Elway-ian. On the surface, little about Flacco says franchise thrower. Nothing except his record and naked ability.
He'll be better than Jay Cutler -- doesn't throw as many picks. Better than Tony Romo (bigger winner), Brady Quinn, Matt Schaub, Vince Young and a number of other young throwers.
He hasn't even really learned how to play the sport, and he's already in the playoffs.
The difference between this Baltimore team and past editions is the play of Flacco. The Ravens have always possessed an explosive defense. The offense, meanwhile, used to sit by on the sideline with a dry thumb up its rear. Now, Baltimore has an offense that can do some damage.
Imagine that: an explosive Baltimore offense.
The Ravens have handled Flacco the way Atlanta has Matt Ryan. Both teams let their rookies throw downfield, and neither is coddled or overly protected. Young quarterbacks usually need a bailout plan, but in Flacco's case the playbook isn't shrunk to miniature size. Against the Jaguars, Flacco had five passes of more than 20 yards.
"He's exceeded a lot of people's expectations, but he hasn't exceeded ours," Baltimore's Derrick Mason said of Flacco. "We knew what we had in a quarterback. He's playing pretty well. This is when we need him to play even better going down to Miami."
It has been some time since Ravens fans were this ecstatic about a quarterback. Maybe it's the bad John Unitas haircut, I don't know, but the reaction to Flacco has been stunning. "Wacco for Flacco" T-shirts flooded the stadium Sunday and when his grill was shown on the large video screen, fans roared.
"All that stuff's just crazy," he said. "To go out there and just prove to everybody that we're a playoff team has been great. Now we just want to continue to show we're a Super Bowl team, the best team in the NFL."
People have waited for Flacco to fail, or maybe a better way to put it: People have waited for Flacco to play like a rookie. The Jaguars took that approach with their constant blitzing.
And that will be the key in the postseason. Will the rookie crack once the playoffs begin?


http://bleacherreport.com/articles/108484-baltimore-ravens-thinking-they-are-not-getting-enough-respect



Thats enough for now might be playing some Tenny 4th Q maybe 3rd Q plays as a hedge ...short rest vs 2 weeks off

 

[Milos NS]

I will stay away from Ravens game... Flacco is third rookie QB who won his first play off game from 1990 till now (Big Ben is one of other 2). I can remember Bens rookie playoff streak and he eventually broke down. I think Flacco is going to brake down today. It's time for "rookie wall" too much on stake for rookie IMO.

 

[Streakin]

Somebody is getting Fucked here ..is it he Balt backers believing in the defense which I think can be thrown on OR is it the Tenny backers not realizing this team was barely medicore last 9 games ...best wins -close one vs GB at home in OT and the Pitt game which Steelers selfdestructed otherwise needed to outplay Jags awa in the 2nH , Bears in the 2nd H with a backup Qb and beat DET and CLE ..lol but lose to Indy in a tuneup @ Houston and vs jets....

Curious to see how it works out ..:cheers:

Come on Nut...that is some BS....don't tell me you are strting to listen to ESPN etc. on this......only the national media could make the AFC #1 seed be barely mediocre.

As much as they hate it, everyone will have to talk about the Titans for another week IMO.

And Albert is ready from all local accounts.

Good health on your plays, but this Titans team is VERY GOOD...not mediocre

 

[Milos NS]

Come on Nut...that is some BS....don't tell me you are strting to listen to ESPN etc. on this......only the national media could make the AFC #1 seed be barely mediocre.

As much as they hate it, everyone will have to talk about the Titans for another week IMO.

And Albert is ready from all local accounts.

Good health on your plays, but this Titans team is VERY GOOD...not mediocre

Very good point m8. Must say that I'm thinkin' about backing Titans all week, and can't decide for days now.

But as match gettin' closer, Titans seem like right choice 4 me. :moose: