There are certain beliefs about modern sports media that I try not to trade in. Bias for or against certain teams/athletes, for one. I've come to realize that about 98 percent of those complaints are just fans being myopic, like fans tend to do. There's also the idea that media always creates stories and/or demand for stories, which I've always believed is overblown, even if it does look like it happens on occasion. As inane as the Patriots' ball scandal is (I refuse to call it "Deflategate" because Watergate wasn't about water), I think people are genuinely interested in what happened and how it's going to play out.
But when it comes to Marshawn Lynch, I'm making an exception.
To recap (on the off chance that you haven't heard enough about this already): Lynch has been... reluctant... to talk to reporters after games. He's been at it for at least the last two years now, and he was fined $100,000 after not speaking to reporters after the Seahawks-Chiefs game in November. Yet he hasn't changed his stance. He doesn't like doing postgame interviews because he finds them boring and doesn't really like talking about himself.
At this point, these guys (and they're almost always exclusively national guys) have to know, right? The man said at Super Bowl Media Day that he was going to give the same answer to every question. He even told the reporters what the answer was going to be! And he did the same thing again yesterday! Yet they keep going back to him, somehow thinking, "Today's gonna be the day! I can FEEL it!" knowing full well that today will not, in fact, be that day. They have no one to blame but themselves.
Look, I'm not saying that Lynch is some kind of hero for standing up to the big, bad media conglomerate by shutting up and not giving them what they want. And I'm well aware that by not addressing the media, he's breaking a clause in the NFL contract and is subject to a fine. I know it's against the rules. But it's a bad rule that has absolutely no effect on anything that's actually important. (The NCAA has a million rules like this, by the way.)
This story only exists because the media has made itself the story.
They're looking for something to be mad at, and whenever Lynch "hurts
their feelings" by not playing along, he becomes an easy target for
self-righteous hot takes and self-promoting phony outrage born out of a misplaced sense of entitlement. It's lazy,
egotistical, self-serving, and assumes the worst about everything... in other words, everything that's wrong
with modern American media.
This is the same media, by the way, which doesn't seem at all interested in asking why Lynch's $100,000 fine for not talking to them earlier in the season is higher than every other fine the NFL levied this year that wasn't because of a suspension. Chase Coffman hit a Ravens assistant coach on the sideline and was fined $30,000. Ryan Clark hit a defenseless receiver -- which he's made a career out of -- and was fined $22,050. Muhammad Wilkerson gets into a fight against the Packers and was fined $20,000. Chris Baker blindsided Nick Foles and it didn't cost him a dime. (Source for fine amounts: Spotrac.com) The only injuries Lynch inflicted were some bruises to the inflated egos of some media members and he got fined more than all four of those clowns combined. Strange that the media doesn't see the problem with that.
(This is also the same media who's given Bill Belichick a pass on this exact behavior for 15 years. I wonder why that is.)
I think there's something else going on here, too. A lot of the whiners are from the old-school, traditional mold, from an era where sports writers actually had the ability to make or break a player's reputation and public perception because it was the only way to do it. With the decline of real reporting and the willingness to actually challenge the establishment in favor of hot-take columns and "Talk about..." questions, as well as athletes' newfound ability to not only find their own voice, but use it on their own terms, that's not the way it works anymore. And a lot of these guys who are complaining about Lynch not wanting to talk to them either haven't realized that or don't want to admit that they're not as powerful as they used to be -- which is still far less powerful than they believed they were in their own minds.
Newsflash, guys: You need Marshawn Lynch a lot more than he needs you.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Saturday, January 24, 2015
By The Pigskin Of Our Teeth: The Big Letdown
OK, now the NFL's just being a baby with this threat to ban Lynch for wearing gold cleats. I mean, fining him 100 G's for not talking to the media is as dumb as him not actually talking to the media, but this just reeks of pettiness. Reeks.
All right, let's get this party started. The Seahawks are committing a bunch of avoidable penalties. Did we ever find out what happened to Maxwell last week? That's... that's about how that was gonna end.
Now it's the Seahawks turn. To turn it over as well, apparently. And that's a moronic penalty by someone who wasn't even involved in the play. That's a good stop. That's another one. They're kicking a field goal? That seems like a bad move. I mean they made it but still.
Is this a fumble on the kickoff? It is! Lacy with some good carries here. Rodgers JUST missed Nelson in the end zone on 2nd and goal. Stopped again! The Packers are getting punked in the red zone right now.
Meanwhile, the Seahawks can't do anything on offense. They haven't even run enough plays for two three-and-outs. Well at least the rain's stopped. Buck: "We've had every season in the last hour here in Seattle." Hey, a successful short-yardage pickup. Another offsides? Touchdown! Did no one on the Seahawks see Cobb in the end zone all by himself? Did they not realize it was a free play? I don't know how that happens. This is not going well for the Seahawks at all. How did Rodgers miss Cobb? Avril and Bennett have been peppered with flags. Crosby out to kick a real field goal. What was that, Russ? It's raining again. I don't understand this game anymore. Did Nelson fall down on the route? Maxwell caught it, too — it didn't hit the ground. Finally, Lynch gets free. Wide receiver screen? Lynch barely got that first down. Isn't that supposed to be a penalty? Bad pass by Wilson and great interception by Shields.
There was nothing there. The Packers are just gonna chill until halftime, right?
The Seahawks are going to need Lynch to turn it up in the second half to have any shot at this. That won't help. Wilson had no chance on that sack. That Baldwin catch was the same as the Cobb touchdown — everyone else just stopped. He just knocked it out of Lynch's hands after waving his arms in front of him to mess up his vision.
FAKE FIELD GOAL PUNTER THROWS A TOUCHDOWN PASS TO A LINEMAN. Hey, you do what you gotta do at this point. The Seahawks blew up that screen with the rush. Did Rodgers grab his leg? It seems important that Lacy's having a better game than Lynch, too. Starks! Had he even carried the ball yet today? This game honestly hasn't been very exciting. That field goal actually feels daggerish. Lynch did all he could to get that one. Punting here probably isn't the right decision either. That one's not Wilson's fault.
The Seahawks are about to run out of time here. Touchdown Seahawks! Did Lynch stay inbounds? There's about three spots here where he might not have.
They put him out at the 9. Do you want to score before or after the two-minute warning here?
Well, they scored before, so let's see what happens. They recovered it?!?!?! Wow, 86 on the Packers had the ball hit him in the head as he reached for it.
Hey, they let Wilson run the ball again. HOLY CHRIST. And then a tip goes the Seahawks' way as Willson catches the two-point conversion — on the same bad, across-the-field, across-his-body throw that Sherman picked Rodgers on in the first quarter. And by the way, how bad does that and kicking the field goal on 4th and goal from the 1 look now? Not to mention this thing that I completely missed:
And yet the Packers still have plenty of time (and all three time outs). Rodgers just hit two quick passes, then gimped a run out of bounds for another first down.
Then he misses twice. Sherman's still in pain. Why call time out so early, Packers? The coaching in this game has been mostly abysmal. That's the first really good throw Wilson's made today. KEARSE FOR THE WIN!! All of that was amazing.
If he didn't have a Super Bowl ring he'd be fired. MICHAEL BENNETT'S DOING A VICTORY LAP ON A BIKE.
(Seahawks 28, Packers 22, OT)
I legit haven't seen Shane Vereen in three months. That's not gonna help the cause, Colts. Seriously, Cribbs? Again? Didn't you learn anything after you nearly died last week? The Colts didn't hit that dude hard enough. That looks like a touchdown. Oh, wait, no it doesn't. That one does. Some pretty bad drops on this drive by the Colts' receivers. Holy crap. I don't think I've ever seen Viniatieri miss that badly.
Blount is just running through these dudes. Bad decision, Brady. That saved this game from getting out of hand. That's how you flip the field. I don't know what to make of Jamie Collins. Every game he seems to do two great things and two terrible things. Fleener's down. It's close, but he's down. And the Colts punch it in for a much-needed touchdown. This may be a game yet. Blount making moves? Really? This is ridiculous. That wasn't worth the risk, Brady. Belichick, unlike McCarthy, will go for it here. I think he got it. Man, the Colts have bottled up Gronk. Good work to hold the Patriots to three there. They brought out the wrong balls? How do you even do that?
Clearly "tackling LeGarrette Blount" was not discussed in the Colts' locker room at halftime. Nor, apparently, was "signing LeGarrette Blount" discussed at any point after he left the Steelers... he'd be their best back right now. Solder? The LEFT TACKLE?!? And he ran 10 yards to get to the end zone!
The beauty of this is that you still don't expect it from anywhere other than the goal line. But at the same time, how do the Colts not see what's coming after last week? The Colts didn't help their cause with that sequence, either. This really isn't a good roster when you look at it. I mean, if you lined up the Colts, Pats, Packers and Seahawks starters 1 through 22, would any of the other three teams take anyone off the Colts? Have the Colts even had the ball in the second half? The Patriots have guys just running free now — Edelman scores if he's not falling backwards to the turf. Gronk again. This one's over. Hey, Revis is back. Now it's REALLY over. Studebaker didn't have to die, man. We're still in the third quarter? Good Lord.
Is LaFell getting in on the act now? That's Blount's third, I believe. Not good, Luck.
Where's Jimmy Garoppolo? (Patriots 45, Colts 7)
let’s stop saying this is about the cleats, though. this is about telling lynch what to do. subtle but significant distinction.
— Bomani Jones (@bomani_jones) January 18, 2015
All right, let's get this party started. The Seahawks are committing a bunch of avoidable penalties. Did we ever find out what happened to Maxwell last week? That's... that's about how that was gonna end.
Maybe fear was the better option. #GBvsSEA
— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) January 18, 2015
YOU CANNOT THROW AT SHERMAN LATE!! IF YOU'RE NOT ON TIME AND ACCURATE GO ELSEWHERE!!#
— Seth Joyner (@sethjoyner) January 18, 2015
Now it's the Seahawks turn. To turn it over as well, apparently. And that's a moronic penalty by someone who wasn't even involved in the play. That's a good stop. That's another one. They're kicking a field goal? That seems like a bad move. I mean they made it but still.
"If it makes the opposing crowd cheer, then you shouldn't do it" -- @greggrosenthal on Packers settling for a field goal.
— Chris Wesseling (@ChrisWesseling) January 18, 2015
Is this a fumble on the kickoff? It is! Lacy with some good carries here. Rodgers JUST missed Nelson in the end zone on 2nd and goal. Stopped again! The Packers are getting punked in the red zone right now.
We'll
be talking about these wasted opportunities in about an hour. Three
trips deep into Seattle territory, six points. Too
conservative.
— Sheil Kapadia (@SheilKapadia) January
18, 2015
Meanwhile, the Seahawks can't do anything on offense. They haven't even run enough plays for two three-and-outs. Well at least the rain's stopped. Buck: "We've had every season in the last hour here in Seattle." Hey, a successful short-yardage pickup. Another offsides? Touchdown! Did no one on the Seahawks see Cobb in the end zone all by himself? Did they not realize it was a free play? I don't know how that happens. This is not going well for the Seahawks at all. How did Rodgers miss Cobb? Avril and Bennett have been peppered with flags. Crosby out to kick a real field goal. What was that, Russ? It's raining again. I don't understand this game anymore. Did Nelson fall down on the route? Maxwell caught it, too — it didn't hit the ground. Finally, Lynch gets free. Wide receiver screen? Lynch barely got that first down. Isn't that supposed to be a penalty? Bad pass by Wilson and great interception by Shields.
Seattle touchdown? #ReplacementRefs
— Andrew Brandt (@adbrandt) January 18, 2015
There was nothing there. The Packers are just gonna chill until halftime, right?
(Cardale Jones parachutes into Seattle at halftime)
— Ryan Nanni (@celebrityhottub) January 18, 2015
The Seahawks are going to need Lynch to turn it up in the second half to have any shot at this. That won't help. Wilson had no chance on that sack. That Baldwin catch was the same as the Cobb touchdown — everyone else just stopped. He just knocked it out of Lynch's hands after waving his arms in front of him to mess up his vision.
I'm thankful that Wilson won the Super Bowl before having this playoff performance. The reaction would be unbearable.
— Cian Fahey (@Cianaf) January 18, 2015
FAKE FIELD GOAL PUNTER THROWS A TOUCHDOWN PASS TO A LINEMAN. Hey, you do what you gotta do at this point. The Seahawks blew up that screen with the rush. Did Rodgers grab his leg? It seems important that Lacy's having a better game than Lynch, too. Starks! Had he even carried the ball yet today? This game honestly hasn't been very exciting. That field goal actually feels daggerish. Lynch did all he could to get that one. Punting here probably isn't the right decision either. That one's not Wilson's fault.
4th interception for Russell Wilson, all when targeting Jermaine Kearse
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 18, 2015
The Seahawks are about to run out of time here. Touchdown Seahawks! Did Lynch stay inbounds? There's about three spots here where he might not have.
If he was wearing his gold cleats, the call would be easier to make. C'mon.
— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) January 18, 2015
They put him out at the 9. Do you want to score before or after the two-minute warning here?
First keep off read option that play could've been open all day long in the running game for Russell Wilson
— mark schlereth (@markschlereth) January 18, 2015
Well, they scored before, so let's see what happens. They recovered it?!?!?! Wow, 86 on the Packers had the ball hit him in the head as he reached for it.
Bostick is supposed to block the Seahawk, and let Nelson catch it there. Ooof.
— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) January 18, 2015
Hey, they let Wilson run the ball again. HOLY CHRIST. And then a tip goes the Seahawks' way as Willson catches the two-point conversion — on the same bad, across-the-field, across-his-body throw that Sherman picked Rodgers on in the first quarter. And by the way, how bad does that and kicking the field goal on 4th and goal from the 1 look now? Not to mention this thing that I completely missed:
Did we ever figure out why that Packer went into a post-interception slide with 5 mins left and a wide open field in front of him?
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) January 18, 2015
And yet the Packers still have plenty of time (and all three time outs). Rodgers just hit two quick passes, then gimped a run out of bounds for another first down.
No spoilers but good episode of NFL this week.
— Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) January 18, 2015
Let's see if #12 can cancel out the 12th man.
— Frank Caliendo (@FrankCaliendo) January 18, 2015
Then he misses twice. Sherman's still in pain. Why call time out so early, Packers? The coaching in this game has been mostly abysmal. That's the first really good throw Wilson's made today. KEARSE FOR THE WIN!! All of that was amazing.
This was an incredible bad coaching performance by Mike McCarthy. We're gonna be telling our grandkids about it.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) January 18, 2015
this is interfering with the tween-game dinner run, though.
— Bomani Jones (@bomani_jones) January 18, 2015
Congratulations to the Green Bay Packers on beating the Green Bay Packers.
— Laurie Stenger (@LaurieStenger10) January 18, 2015
If he didn't have a Super Bowl ring he'd be fired. MICHAEL BENNETT'S DOING A VICTORY LAP ON A BIKE.
Fourth & Goal. Twice. RT @LesBowen I think this is way worse than fourth and 26 for the Packers...
— Brian Solomon (@Brian_Solomon) January 18, 2015
I figured there was no way that you could top last year's NFC Championship Game -- I cannot believe this
— Danny Kelly XLIX (@FieldGulls) January 18, 2015
(Seahawks 28, Packers 22, OT)
Ok Colts Vs. Pats. It's like The Stones, Beatles, and Led Zeppelin all together just opened up for you.
Don't be Christopher Cross.
— Eric Stonestreet (@ericstonestreet) January 18, 2015
I legit haven't seen Shane Vereen in three months. That's not gonna help the cause, Colts. Seriously, Cribbs? Again? Didn't you learn anything after you nearly died last week? The Colts didn't hit that dude hard enough. That looks like a touchdown. Oh, wait, no it doesn't. That one does. Some pretty bad drops on this drive by the Colts' receivers. Holy crap. I don't think I've ever seen Viniatieri miss that badly.
“watch out for 81 for the patriots.” few years late with that advice, jim.
— Bomani Jones (@bomani_jones) January 19, 2015
Blount is just running through these dudes. Bad decision, Brady. That saved this game from getting out of hand. That's how you flip the field. I don't know what to make of Jamie Collins. Every game he seems to do two great things and two terrible things. Fleener's down. It's close, but he's down. And the Colts punch it in for a much-needed touchdown. This may be a game yet. Blount making moves? Really? This is ridiculous. That wasn't worth the risk, Brady. Belichick, unlike McCarthy, will go for it here. I think he got it. Man, the Colts have bottled up Gronk. Good work to hold the Patriots to three there. They brought out the wrong balls? How do you even do that?
Amendola has worked out like Welker so far for the Pats. Underachieving Dolphins Welker, that is. #NEvsIND
— Paul S-ielski (@thebigpeezy) January 19, 2015
Clearly "tackling LeGarrette Blount" was not discussed in the Colts' locker room at halftime. Nor, apparently, was "signing LeGarrette Blount" discussed at any point after he left the Steelers... he'd be their best back right now. Solder? The LEFT TACKLE?!? And he ran 10 yards to get to the end zone!
New England's gonna throw a pass to Bryant Reeves before this game's over.
— Ryan Nanni (@celebrityhottub) January 19, 2015
Got to be the first time in championship history where 2 olineman score into separate games
— mark schlereth (@markschlereth) January 19, 2015
Solder tight end at Colorado. Perfect guy to run that with.
— MikeTirico (@miketirico) January 19, 2015
The beauty of this is that you still don't expect it from anywhere other than the goal line. But at the same time, how do the Colts not see what's coming after last week? The Colts didn't help their cause with that sequence, either. This really isn't a good roster when you look at it. I mean, if you lined up the Colts, Pats, Packers and Seahawks starters 1 through 22, would any of the other three teams take anyone off the Colts? Have the Colts even had the ball in the second half? The Patriots have guys just running free now — Edelman scores if he's not falling backwards to the turf. Gronk again. This one's over. Hey, Revis is back. Now it's REALLY over. Studebaker didn't have to die, man. We're still in the third quarter? Good Lord.
@LesBowen Patrick Chung who couldn't cover Stephen Hawking with Eagles your starting SB safety
— Ken Taylor (@KT_Express) January 19, 2015
Is LaFell getting in on the act now? That's Blount's third, I believe. Not good, Luck.
Left in and throwing in a 45-7 game, Brady takes a shot to the legs. Careful, Icarus.
— An Evan Williams Guy (@skaboomizzy) January 19, 2015
Where's Jimmy Garoppolo? (Patriots 45, Colts 7)
Thursday, January 15, 2015
By The Pigskin Of Our Teeth: Don't Cross the Torches
Plenty of time for Flacco so far. Jesus, the Ravens coasted down the field. No pass rush from the Patriots whatsoever and the Ravens did nothing but throw. Fumble? This is a heck of a scrum right here. This doesn't seem like a good time to challenge a catch. They reversed it? Oooo-kay. Isn't this the same drive? Oh, the Ravens ran the ball a few times. This is too easy.
The Ravens might want to cover Gronk. The Ravens might want to cover Gronk with a stronger man. Blount got STUFFED. Brady: "Fine, you worthless peons. I'll do this myself."
Sounds like the Pats don't have a No. 53. How is that not interference? McCourty jumped up Daniels' back. Some crappy tackling by the Ravens on the Amendola TD.
That's one of the worst passes Brady's ever thrown. I mean EVER. Make them pay, Flacco. BANG! Daniels again. The Patriots get the ball to start the second half and immediately go three and out. This is potentially big. Wow! Flacco completed the pass to Torrey Smith despite the interference. As good as Justin Tucker is, I like it. Throw it upand see if you get a big play for a flag and they got both.
Now it's big drive time for the Patriots. Gronk. I remember this other dude. Wait, who's eligible? Whatever that was, it worked. Harbaugh is LIVID. What else is new? GRONK. Wide receiver pass? OK. Tie game! I don't know why this review is taking so long but whatever. Then Flacco makes a bad throw — I mean, he overthrew the receiver and it had no chance of resulting in anything good, but it ended up being the worst outcome. Oh wow. What's this? Is it a fumble? Oh, there's a flag? Holding on Revis?!? Good God. That's the second one?
The Patriots can't stop Forsett. At all.
And Revis may have gotten away with another hold. The Patriots don't fold and the Ravens have to kick. Wait, what? Did anyone even see the ball come out? Looks like his knee's down. The Ravens still aren't giving Edelman a lot of respect. Good God, that throw to LaFell. Did Flacco slip? That was odd. So it's incomplete? Why did they call time out? And now the Patriots call time out for no discernible reason. He threw that into coverage and Daniels caught it.
Oops. Flacco overthrew it but that's a well-hidden coverage. I'm not sure they needed to go for it all at that point, though. There was 1:30 left! What's Belichick doing? There's gonna be time left. Why did Jones field that punt? That wasted about four seconds trying to get out of bounds. This won't work.
Actually, that may be backwards. (Patriots 35, Ravens 31)
I don't like Cam's chances or surviving the night. That was... ill-advised. You can (and should) test Sherman, but that's not the way to do it.
A better throw by Wilson and Kearse is strutting into the end zone. Dropped snap? Oh, their regular center's back. That was a missed opportunity.
Carolina fumbles? Gotta catch that, dude. Touchdown Seahawks. Nice catch by Baldwin going backwards and out of bounds. Notice the Panthers have moved Brown off of Sherman's side. They brought Tolbert in, then called a Newton sneak. Interesting. This is the best chance the Panthers have — run the ball and keep the Seahawks' rushers honest and off Cam's back. And he threads the needle to Benjamin to cap off a good drive with a touchdown. Remember what I said earlier about how Wilson's first throw to Kearse could have been better?
That's what I was talking about. Olsen needs to catch that. Yeah, that's a face mask. Maxwell's having shortness of breath? I like how Lynch both criticized the idea of all-star officiating crews and still praised this group. Newton got some blocks on that run. Wait, he got the first down before that, didn't he? Is that reviewable? Why did Rivera let the clock run down? I don't think Cam made it. What an odd play call. He got it! Interesting. Man, the Panthers utterly botched those last 20 seconds. First they waste about 12 seconds before calling time out, and then Newton telegraphs his throw to the end zone and it gets intercepted. Or does it? Incomplete and the Panthers get a break. A DRAW play? What the hell? Then Chancellor just jumped OVER the entire line. How didn't he block that? That's amazing. HE DID IT AGAIN AND BLOCKED IT. Wait, did he block it?
Running into the kicker? That's not bad acting. And Gano makes it finally. I don't like these pitches the Panthers are running. They don't play to anyone's strengths. WILSON RUNNING. About time Lynch joined the party. I don't know... I don't think he's out of bounds there. That's... you can't ask Roman Harper to do that at his age.
Somebody came flying across the screen and almost blocked that Hauschka field goal. Huh? That's not a penalty? Tolbert should have caught that, though. Why is Luke Willson great? Burkhart: "And now this is a defense that smells blood." Whoa! BIG catch by Olsen. Oh, Cam. You shouldn't have waited. Chancellor just closed the book on this one. Newton has his flaws but he's doing all he can here. (And make no mistake, they're not even playing in this game without him.) I mean, they can't win this game and he's still gunning it. Good job by Benjamin to stay inbounds this time. Oh, is Unger hurt again? He JUST came back. Now I have to ask the same question of the Panthers that I did when the Seahawks ended up in exactly this situation: Was this a good season? (Seahawks 31, Panthers 17)
The Packers are facing token resistance. Rodgers isn't gonna run this, is he? Oh. The Packers could have gotten to Romo there probably. Holding? Oh. And this'll be holding on the Cowboys. Romo made somebody miss a tackle. I'm not sure the spot will make a huge difference here. Hmmm... that's close. I'm not sure about that one. Who's THAT guy? Bad overthrow by Rodgers on the corner blitz — that could have been a touchdown. "Prior to the pass"? There was no pass. That was a chaotic six seconds. The Cowboys receivers are doing a good job at not being tackled. I have a bad feeling about this. That's another miss by Rodgers and he's not right. Nelson needs to catch that one. Buck: "Last time Masthead punted at home we were still in daylight savings time." The Packets can't stop Jason Witten. Is it 2006 again? That's a real generous spot. Oh, they reviewed it and made the right decision. Why not run it, Cowboys? Bad snap and the receiver in the end zone still almost caught it. Good Lord, Bailey missed it worse the second time. Oh, someone got a hand on it? That makes sense. Cobb made two really good catches on this drive. That dumb decision by the Cowboys swung this game six points.
Oh McCarthy, don't challenge THIS. Romo threw it with his eyes closed? No, Troy, it was not worth a challenge. Fumble! Packers ball! And Lacy ran through the hole that Murray just had when he fumbled. Three Cowboys were needed to drag Adams down and now we've got a scrum. Packer Nation is displeased. I'm not sure who that pass was actually intended for. Now Romo's hobbling.
Murray scores and I really don't like where this is headed. Rodgers' throws have varied greatly in quality. Adams just brushed somebody off. Touchdown! Go for two now or no? I say no. Clutch sack. Randall Cobb, running back. The Cowboys don't have a pass rush, which they could use right now. Aikman just said what I was thinking — Rodgers normally would have run that one into open field. Another clutch sack. Beasley won't make it. You have to go for this, right? Dez! McCarthy's gonna lose this challenge, too. Oh man... that ball's loose. He might win this.
That's the FIRST challenge he's won all year? I didn't even know that before making that joke.
This Adams kid is coming up big. That may have iced it. How did Cobb catch that? THAT iced it.
Ah, the circle of life. (Packers 26, Cowboys 21)
Josh Cribbs did that to himself. That's what they didn't call on Clay Matthews' late hit on Romo on his first-quarter touchdown pass in the first game. Julius! Yeah, the Colts need to cover Demariyus with a corner. LaRon Landry's not up to that task. The Colts aren't even trying to run the ball, and they can't go down the field for some reason, and that's not a good recipe. Did McAfee jump into that contact? The Colts are starting to go a little deeper — the pass to Fleener on the left sideline was one example. That seems to have loosened things up as well, as Herron didn't have too much trouble scoring. Fumble! Colts have it! So someone not involved in the demonstrations was the one who false-started. OK. Talib's having a bad day so far. He was getting abused by Hilton earlier... and that was Hilton he held just then. And the Colts take the lead. It's been a while since Peyton's overthrown dudes.
Viniatieri MISSED? What's going on today? Both of these teams have become one-dimensional.
Luck took two chances on that series and neither one paid off. Yeah, it's the equivalent of a mediocre punt, but what that interception does is save time. Demariyus dropped another one? At least Sanders can still catch. Is it just me or has Welker done nothing this year? They ended up not needing those eight seconds or so they saved but it was nice to have. Wow, Peyton could have run for that first down and didn't. Even he could have made it.
Nice leaping catch by Fleener. How did Luck get to the end zone so easily? Oh, that's how. Look at Hakeem Nicks being physical again. It's amazing how few guys on the Broncos' offense have played well today.
Man, they're angry. Fumble? WHAT? That's on Cribbs. You HAVE to fair catch that.
How do you not see the defender bearing down on you? They overturned it? Apparently nobody can throw a decent deep ball today. The screens aren't working. The run game hasn't been great. The Colts are daring Peyton to beat them deep and he can't. You know what this feels like? The Bengals shutout. The Broncos are extremely lucky they didn't draw a flag for that nonsense. Whoa! Anderson was dead to rights TWICE on that run. Now did he save the season or simply postpone the inevitable? Yep, it's the Bengals shutout. The Colts are keeping everything in front of them just like in that game where I'm pretty sure the Bengals' yards after the catch was in the single digits.
Chuck Pagano's dad's cigar game is the TIGHTEST. This drive seems interminable. Now the Broncos can't stop the run. Has DeMarcus Ware done anything today? Or Von Miller? I've barely heard either of their names. Why the hell would you try a long field goal here, Phil? There's not enough time left for that to make a difference. Why didn't Demariyus go out of bounds? Bad day for him too.
Joyful Colts! Too bad they're gonna get smashed next week. (Colts 24, Broncos 13)
Ravens' attitude when they play the Patriots: We don't give a...
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) January 10, 2015
The Ravens might want to cover Gronk. The Ravens might want to cover Gronk with a stronger man. Blount got STUFFED. Brady: "Fine, you worthless peons. I'll do this myself."
Tom Brady just tied Curtis Martin for the franchise postseason record for rushing touchdowns. That just seems weird.
— Joe Posnanski (@JPosnanski) January 10, 2015
@BillSimmons Bill, Vince isn't on Goodell's level of evil, and you know it.
— Phillip Quinn (@PhilMQuinn) January 10, 2015
Sounds like the Pats don't have a No. 53. How is that not interference? McCourty jumped up Daniels' back. Some crappy tackling by the Ravens on the Amendola TD.
Brady: <O>
— Justin Shapiro (@jmshapyro) January 10, 2015
That's one of the worst passes Brady's ever thrown. I mean EVER. Make them pay, Flacco. BANG! Daniels again. The Patriots get the ball to start the second half and immediately go three and out. This is potentially big. Wow! Flacco completed the pass to Torrey Smith despite the interference. As good as Justin Tucker is, I like it. Throw it upand see if you get a big play for a flag and they got both.
Majority of NFL coaches punt there from the 36. Or try long field goal. I love Harbaugh letting his best player make a winning play. #Ravens
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) January 10, 2015
Now it's big drive time for the Patriots. Gronk. I remember this other dude. Wait, who's eligible? Whatever that was, it worked. Harbaugh is LIVID. What else is new? GRONK. Wide receiver pass? OK. Tie game! I don't know why this review is taking so long but whatever. Then Flacco makes a bad throw — I mean, he overthrew the receiver and it had no chance of resulting in anything good, but it ended up being the worst outcome. Oh wow. What's this? Is it a fumble? Oh, there's a flag? Holding on Revis?!? Good God. That's the second one?
and #shoutout to whoever remembered bobby brown is from boston.
— Bomani Jones (@bomani_jones) January 11, 2015
The Patriots can't stop Forsett. At all.
Heres what Collingsworth aint saying, the LBs arent filling and thats how Forsett is finding all these seams.
— Stephen White (@sgw94) January 11, 2015
And Revis may have gotten away with another hold. The Patriots don't fold and the Ravens have to kick. Wait, what? Did anyone even see the ball come out? Looks like his knee's down. The Ravens still aren't giving Edelman a lot of respect. Good God, that throw to LaFell. Did Flacco slip? That was odd. So it's incomplete? Why did they call time out? And now the Patriots call time out for no discernible reason. He threw that into coverage and Daniels caught it.
that stadium singing the outfield in unison is why boston can't get the olympics
— Rembert Browne (@rembert) January 11, 2015
Oops. Flacco overthrew it but that's a well-hidden coverage. I'm not sure they needed to go for it all at that point, though. There was 1:30 left! What's Belichick doing? There's gonna be time left. Why did Jones field that punt? That wasted about four seconds trying to get out of bounds. This won't work.
Old Manifestation of Evil beats New Manifestation of Evil, 35-31.
— Chris Jones (@MySecondEmpire) January 11, 2015
Actually, that may be backwards. (Patriots 35, Ravens 31)
I don't like Cam's chances or surviving the night. That was... ill-advised. You can (and should) test Sherman, but that's not the way to do it.
“We can’t fly there, sir.”
“Why the hell not?”
“That’s Richard Sherman airspace."
— Ryan Nanni (@celebrityhottub) January 11, 2015
A better throw by Wilson and Kearse is strutting into the end zone. Dropped snap? Oh, their regular center's back. That was a missed opportunity.
"Hi I'm Rob Lowe." "And I'm 'I-Don't-Understand-Football' Rob Lowe." RT @atotalmonet: lol pic.twitter.com/rsD2H8vLOu
— Chris B. Brown (@smartfootball) January 11, 2015
Carolina fumbles? Gotta catch that, dude. Touchdown Seahawks. Nice catch by Baldwin going backwards and out of bounds. Notice the Panthers have moved Brown off of Sherman's side. They brought Tolbert in, then called a Newton sneak. Interesting. This is the best chance the Panthers have — run the ball and keep the Seahawks' rushers honest and off Cam's back. And he threads the needle to Benjamin to cap off a good drive with a touchdown. Remember what I said earlier about how Wilson's first throw to Kearse could have been better?
Ohhhhhh hello
— Erin Andrews (@ErinAndrews) January 11, 2015
That's what I was talking about. Olsen needs to catch that. Yeah, that's a face mask. Maxwell's having shortness of breath? I like how Lynch both criticized the idea of all-star officiating crews and still praised this group. Newton got some blocks on that run. Wait, he got the first down before that, didn't he? Is that reviewable? Why did Rivera let the clock run down? I don't think Cam made it. What an odd play call. He got it! Interesting. Man, the Panthers utterly botched those last 20 seconds. First they waste about 12 seconds before calling time out, and then Newton telegraphs his throw to the end zone and it gets intercepted. Or does it? Incomplete and the Panthers get a break. A DRAW play? What the hell? Then Chancellor just jumped OVER the entire line. How didn't he block that? That's amazing. HE DID IT AGAIN AND BLOCKED IT. Wait, did he block it?
how do you let him do that two snaps in a row
— Yumbo Tsuruta (@tholzerman) January 11, 2015
Running into the kicker? That's not bad acting. And Gano makes it finally. I don't like these pitches the Panthers are running. They don't play to anyone's strengths. WILSON RUNNING. About time Lynch joined the party. I don't know... I don't think he's out of bounds there. That's... you can't ask Roman Harper to do that at his age.
if no one on the team asks roman harper about what selma was like, y’all ain’t real. not the movie. i mean SELMA.
— Bomani Jones (@bomani_jones) January 11, 2015
Somebody came flying across the screen and almost blocked that Hauschka field goal. Huh? That's not a penalty? Tolbert should have caught that, though. Why is Luke Willson great? Burkhart: "And now this is a defense that smells blood." Whoa! BIG catch by Olsen. Oh, Cam. You shouldn't have waited. Chancellor just closed the book on this one. Newton has his flaws but he's doing all he can here. (And make no mistake, they're not even playing in this game without him.) I mean, they can't win this game and he's still gunning it. Good job by Benjamin to stay inbounds this time. Oh, is Unger hurt again? He JUST came back. Now I have to ask the same question of the Panthers that I did when the Seahawks ended up in exactly this situation: Was this a good season? (Seahawks 31, Panthers 17)
"New York Bozo." He's actually from Jersey, Aaron.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 11, 2015
The Packers are facing token resistance. Rodgers isn't gonna run this, is he? Oh. The Packers could have gotten to Romo there probably. Holding? Oh. And this'll be holding on the Cowboys. Romo made somebody miss a tackle. I'm not sure the spot will make a huge difference here. Hmmm... that's close. I'm not sure about that one. Who's THAT guy? Bad overthrow by Rodgers on the corner blitz — that could have been a touchdown. "Prior to the pass"? There was no pass. That was a chaotic six seconds. The Cowboys receivers are doing a good job at not being tackled. I have a bad feeling about this. That's another miss by Rodgers and he's not right. Nelson needs to catch that one. Buck: "Last time Masthead punted at home we were still in daylight savings time." The Packets can't stop Jason Witten. Is it 2006 again? That's a real generous spot. Oh, they reviewed it and made the right decision. Why not run it, Cowboys? Bad snap and the receiver in the end zone still almost caught it. Good Lord, Bailey missed it worse the second time. Oh, someone got a hand on it? That makes sense. Cobb made two really good catches on this drive. That dumb decision by the Cowboys swung this game six points.
Packers successfully ran a hurry-up offense with a QB who couldn't hurry up
— J.A. Adande (@jadande) January 11, 2015
Oh McCarthy, don't challenge THIS. Romo threw it with his eyes closed? No, Troy, it was not worth a challenge. Fumble! Packers ball! And Lacy ran through the hole that Murray just had when he fumbled. Three Cowboys were needed to drag Adams down and now we've got a scrum. Packer Nation is displeased. I'm not sure who that pass was actually intended for. Now Romo's hobbling.
you’re about to be reminded of how tough romo is. cuz no way in hell brandon weeden sets foot on the field unless tony’s dead.
— Bomani Jones (@bomani_jones) January 11, 2015
Murray scores and I really don't like where this is headed. Rodgers' throws have varied greatly in quality. Adams just brushed somebody off. Touchdown! Go for two now or no? I say no. Clutch sack. Randall Cobb, running back. The Cowboys don't have a pass rush, which they could use right now. Aikman just said what I was thinking — Rodgers normally would have run that one into open field. Another clutch sack. Beasley won't make it. You have to go for this, right? Dez! McCarthy's gonna lose this challenge, too. Oh man... that ball's loose. He might win this.
That was also kinda fun to watch at a Dallas sports bar
— Elika Sadeghi (@steakNstiffarms) January 11, 2015
I’ve been consistent in this point regardless who is involved: they’ve made catching a football way too complicated.
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) January 11, 2015
That's the FIRST challenge he's won all year? I didn't even know that before making that joke.
WHERES MY GODDAMN CHRIS CHRISTIE CUTAWAY
— Zoo With Roy (@zoowithroy) January 11, 2015
Crazy thing is if that was a run, He would have been down by contact because his knee hit first
— Mark Cuban (@mcuban) January 11, 2015
This Adams kid is coming up big. That may have iced it. How did Cobb catch that? THAT iced it.
Also, Cowboy fans complaining after last week's magical disappearing pass interference call is borderline O. Henryian.
— Butch Rosser (@thebutchrosser) January 11, 2015
Ah, the circle of life. (Packers 26, Cowboys 21)
did peyton die what are these intros
— Lana Berry (@Lana) January 11, 2015
Josh Cribbs did that to himself. That's what they didn't call on Clay Matthews' late hit on Romo on his first-quarter touchdown pass in the first game. Julius! Yeah, the Colts need to cover Demariyus with a corner. LaRon Landry's not up to that task. The Colts aren't even trying to run the ball, and they can't go down the field for some reason, and that's not a good recipe. Did McAfee jump into that contact? The Colts are starting to go a little deeper — the pass to Fleener on the left sideline was one example. That seems to have loosened things up as well, as Herron didn't have too much trouble scoring. Fumble! Colts have it! So someone not involved in the demonstrations was the one who false-started. OK. Talib's having a bad day so far. He was getting abused by Hilton earlier... and that was Hilton he held just then. And the Colts take the lead. It's been a while since Peyton's overthrown dudes.
@billbarnwell Lesnar?
— joe f (@b1joe) January 11, 2015
Viniatieri MISSED? What's going on today? Both of these teams have become one-dimensional.
Luck took two chances on that series and neither one paid off. Yeah, it's the equivalent of a mediocre punt, but what that interception does is save time. Demariyus dropped another one? At least Sanders can still catch. Is it just me or has Welker done nothing this year? They ended up not needing those eight seconds or so they saved but it was nice to have. Wow, Peyton could have run for that first down and didn't. Even he could have made it.
Denver has 136 total yards in the first half against an Indy defense that really isn't very good.
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) January 11, 2015
Nice leaping catch by Fleener. How did Luck get to the end zone so easily? Oh, that's how. Look at Hakeem Nicks being physical again. It's amazing how few guys on the Broncos' offense have played well today.
Peyton Manning's Kobe impression is spot-on but not appropriate for this game.
— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) January 11, 2015
Man, they're angry. Fumble? WHAT? That's on Cribbs. You HAVE to fair catch that.
3rd ill advised catch by Cribbs. That time he got killed
— DECManagement (@davidcanter) January 11, 2015
How do you not see the defender bearing down on you? They overturned it? Apparently nobody can throw a decent deep ball today. The screens aren't working. The run game hasn't been great. The Colts are daring Peyton to beat them deep and he can't. You know what this feels like? The Bengals shutout. The Broncos are extremely lucky they didn't draw a flag for that nonsense. Whoa! Anderson was dead to rights TWICE on that run. Now did he save the season or simply postpone the inevitable? Yep, it's the Bengals shutout. The Colts are keeping everything in front of them just like in that game where I'm pretty sure the Bengals' yards after the catch was in the single digits.
There have been few greater, and even fewer classier, than Peyton Manning. But this day comes for them all.
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) January 12, 2015
Chuck Pagano's dad's cigar game is the TIGHTEST. This drive seems interminable. Now the Broncos can't stop the run. Has DeMarcus Ware done anything today? Or Von Miller? I've barely heard either of their names. Why the hell would you try a long field goal here, Phil? There's not enough time left for that to make a difference. Why didn't Demariyus go out of bounds? Bad day for him too.
Great coaching by Indy today. They shellacked John Fox. Also, Indy's secondary was terrific. Biggest surprise: Indy's decent run game.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) January 12, 2015
Joyful Colts! Too bad they're gonna get smashed next week. (Colts 24, Broncos 13)
Friday, January 9, 2015
By The Pigskin Of Our Teeth: The Drop
The last time these two teams played a playoff game here, Jake Delhomme's career ended. He only remembers it when he doesn't take his medicine, though, so it's OK. Wasn't SPEED on the Panthers in that game? No, he wasn't — he hasn't been around as along as I thought he had. How do you screw up the coin toss? That's exactly what the Cardinals didn't need, including the short punt. Cam misses one and has one broken up and the Panthers are settling for three. That's really what the Cardinals didn't need. Newton's starting to cook now. Three straight completions, was it? Then Stewart breaks four or five tackles for a touchdown. This could be over quickly.
Good extension by Floyd to get that much-needed first down. Uh-oh, that punt was almost blocked. And it's the best one so far — it hit the return man! Cardinals ball!
Wow. That's a problem. That's already the Cardinals' second time out. Running the ball isn't working, guys. And I don't think Lindley has the skills to exploit this secondary. He just missed Fitzgerald badly there. That's a bad throw into traffic and Fitzgerald caught it somehow. That was easy enough. These penalties are also not helping the Cardinals' cause. Stewart's only 27? Nice fake to DeAngelo Williams. Even caught Tirico off guard. That's a missed opportunity there. Did Lindley drop the snap? Get away from that punt, kid. Cam's cooled off. Down at the 2. So many things can happen here. Tirico: "Watch the back line!" Two Cardinals in the same spot? Who screwed up? They're gonna need a punter after this, too. Jesus. What was THAT? Cotchery was looking the other way and I don't think Cam ever saw Cromartie, who was behind Cotchery.
A Logan Thomas sighting? Did he fumble that? He... that's a touchdown.
Ball breaks the plane and he's not down. The refs got it right and the Cardinals have the lead.
Yeah, that's interference. The Panthers — and Cam especially — needed that. The Cardinals' blitz has gotten home a few times, if a bit late, but enough to screw things up for the Panthers. It's still good. That was pointless. Cam keeps missing open receivers. He hasn't played well either but he can still save drives with his legs. He got that pass away just in time. I don't punt here. Cardinals still can't do anything without help. That's another crappy punt. Seriously. Fozzy Whitaker? Who the hell is Fozzy Whitaker? No. 77 just killed a guy. Touchdown!
SPEED 2 FUMBLES THE KICKOFF?!?!? Serves him right for bringing it out from that deep when his offense needs the best field position possible. Of course, if you figure that there's no way this offense can go 80 yards, it's kind of defensible, I guess. Still, you can't cough the ball up like that. That whole sequence was a mess. Did that go backwards or no?
Yet another Cardinals three-and-out. This one's definitely a fumble. And Lindley immediately throws an interception! I know he was under pressure but that was positively Gabbert-esque.
The Cardinals' defense is tired. Understated: This may be the worst punting display I've ever seen in a playoff game. It's so remarkably bad that it actually stands out. Safety.
This game came with a warning label. If only we'd heeded it. (Panthers 27, Cardinals 16)
Did the crew actually leave Pittsburgh? Man, no rest for the newbie Ben Tate. So Brown had to reach behind his body, catch it, make the defender miss, and still didn't get the first down? That's gotta hurt. So they ran all those screens away from Suggs like Cris was just talking about, then they send poor Dri Archer right into his mouth. I don't always understand you, Steelers.
Good Lord, the seas parted on that Pierce touchdown run. How did Heath Miller get THAT wide open? That was close but Brown was out of bounds. YOU'RE NOT ON THE LIST. Former special teams coach John Harbaugh should be livid. And that's another good reason not to lead with your head. Wait, Antoine Cason's a Raven now? When did he leave the Panthers? Steve Smith is mad that he fell down. "First of all, you don't slap a man." How did that not turn violent? That one didn't have a chance. That was a lot to go through for a 47yard Suisham field goal. The Ravens caught a break that the center was there to fall on that. That's a close call but it's probably right to put the flag away. Feet get tangled. It happens. Steve Smith! The Ravens have the Steelers on their heels now. Somebody just wiped out Harrison, who was about to harm Flacco. Touchdown! And now the Steelers are in a bind. I think they have to go for this here. It's the right decision. Got it. And then they lose 10 yards. I haven't mentioned Le'Veon Bell tonight but the Steelers obviously miss their best player. This 4th and inches decision is something else. They don't do this against any other team, I'm convinced. Sneak! Flacco made it. FUMBLE!! BANG!!! That didn't take long. Is it too early to go for two? No touchdown? The question still stands, though. Who moved? The Steelers. Bryant! They're going for two... and it's the complete opposite of successful. That's an obvious hit out of bounds. Mike Mitchell appears to be the Steelers' Nate Allen. Whoa! Torrey Smith just missed a touchdown because Flacco's deep ball was too deep. That was 3rd and 1?? Tucker never misses either, though, so it's OK. That is one weirdly staggered line. Note to self: That's no good for pass protection. Wait, Suggs snared that between his knees? And that touchdown to a guy I've never seen before will probably put a bow on this one.
Free plays! Ben runs like a panicky walrus. The Ravens are playing kind of soft. This is coming back? Yep. Is Ben hurt? What are the Steelers trying to do, stall for time? Terrible throw upon Ben's return and that's a wrap.
Blocked punt safety? Too little too late, most likely. That's a wicked hit Will Hill put on Wheaton. Another fumble. That's that. (Ravens 30, Steelers 17)
Gresham's out too? The Bengals already don't have Green because of a concussion... now they're in real trouble. They're not booing; they're saying "Boooooom." How did Hilton NOT catch that? Oh, Newman knocked it out. Meanwhile, the Colts have found a back and his name is not Trent Richardson. That was almost too easy. Yeah, it's gonna have to be a Jeremy Hill show for the Colts.
Wait, Boomer's middle name is "Julius"? Good Lord. Norman Julius Esiason. I'd demand to be called "Boomer", too. That's two big plays Hilton's missed so far. Like I said, it's gonna need to be Hill's day. The Bengals cross midfield... that's already an improvement over their first meeting, isn't it? Who's this Burkhead dude? Touchdown Bengals, which is a definite improvement over last time.
Wait, Josh Cribbs is on the Colts? OK, whatever. The field opened up for Luck on that run. Hey, Hilton got one finally. Malaluga going down just adds to the Bengals' problems. Nice play by Kirkpatrick to break that up even though it might have gone high anyway. That's the best catch Hakeem Nicks has made in three years. Lot of overthrowing going on in this game on both sides. Nice blitz pickup. Strip fumble? I forgot the Bengals even ended up drafting Dennard. I think it's the first time I've seen him this year. Are the Bengals somehow not going to get points out of this?
57 yards? Well, they are indoors. Nugent... BANKS it in! Fleener seems snakebitten today. Wait, they called a penalty on a guy who wasn't even on the field? That's hilarious. The Colts are having trouble going downfield for some reason — it's hard to see how good coverage is. Great throw on the run by Luck for the touchdown. That's hard to do. And another Bengals drive goes nowhere.
Fleener IS snakebitten. He finally catches one, for a touchdown, no less, and it gets called back. Cribbs doesn't believe in the fair catch, does he? I just noticed that Herron has eye black on one eye. How does that even work? Man, Richardson can't even get in the game ahead of No. 37? He must be sick. You know how hard it is to bust as a running back? Why aren't the Bengals in a hurry-up? That's a fumble and that'll do it. (Colts 26, Bengals 10)
The Cowboys are gonna need more than that from Murray. Dez got CLOCKED. Probably not the best decision Golden Tate has made. We just gonna keep dropping the ball all over the place? Tate! That took no time at all.
It's hard to find Cole Beasley sometimes. The Lions' front four will play like their namesake when warranted. And I don't think that was a blitz, either. Best shanked punt ever. They took the penalty? Damn. "A career-low 4,200 yards." WHAT. You can pretty much find any excuse to find Calvin Johnson somewhere. He ran into the punter? That's a killer. That Stafford run looked like it was doomed but he bounced off No. 20 and someone threw a block. That fake end around took a little too long to set up but it still worked. I'm kind of surprised the Lions are running the ball so well — I thought there was a chance that they could expose the Cowboys, but I figured it would be through the air.
Reggie Bush still has moves. The replays showed well the wide receivers blocking. Witten did well to catch that in traffic, and after it was tipped, at that. Holy hell that blitz. Romo had no chance. This one's short anyway. There goes Romo again, just falling down when he's about to get blitzed. I don't see any other quarterback do that as often as he does. A lot happening on that punt. Possible hit on the punter, the muff, then a scuffle afterward. The unthrown flag wouldn't have given the Cowboys a first down, though. Offensive pass interference? So much for that. And so much for THAT. There's no need to leave Calvin Johnson in single coverage, Cowboys. I don't think that's a good spot but you can't really know with these things. They changed it! I'm surprised. That was a BAD throw by Stafford and he got very lucky. That kick JUST made it. Yeah, that's not a good snap. Tipped ball? Interception. Good job by whoever grabbed Murray's foot. I don't think anyone has said Suh's name today. Bailey MISSED?!?!?!? That was legitimately shocking. And now it's like that sucked the life out of the defense. Was Romo looking at an Etch-a-Sketch? Aikman's right about the 3rd down miss — that's a touchdown if Tate breaks off the route sooner. Is Murray starting to heat up? That would help. I thought Dez only had one catch. You can't cover him with a linebacker, I don't care how good he is. Touchdown! Or not. A pitch to Witten? Why do that? I'm surprised he got a yard. First time they've said Suh's name today. Cowboys going for it? They went outside and got it. And they needed to get a stop on defense to follow that and they did. The Lions need to get No. 39 off the field. Beasley just got smashed. How did he hold on? Suh's starting to assert himself finally. Yeah, that was interference. Wait, what? They picked the flag up? HUH?
I mean, that's interference personified. They didn't even say why, either. As much as we make fun of Ed Hochuli's long-winded explanations, you can damn well bet he'd have given us one. The Lions have to go for this now, right? They're not? Oh Christ. That's a terrible decision by Caldwell that he never should have been forced to make. That punt would have fit right in in Cardinals-Panthers.
This thing has completely turned now. The Lions are falling apart.
Both these teams can't choke, right? Touchdown Williams. This is unbelievable. Legitimately unbelievable. All right, Stafford. Let's see what you've got. Oh, a fumble. So this is how it's gonna — AND THE COWBOYS FUMBLE IT RIGHT BACK. Just fall on it, you clown.
And the Lions gained three yards to boot. I don't care if Calvin is quintuple-covered — he gets the ball to the exclusion of everyone else. A nation is depending on you! You can't get SACKED. That was sickening on so many levels.
These "all-star" officiating crews have proven to be anything but. They screwed up, didn't say why they screwed up, then offered a half-hearted correction long after the irrevocable damage has been done. Which is pretty much how the NFL seems to do everything these days. (Cowboys 24, Lions 20)
the cardinals may come back and win. but 10 offensive points seems highly unlikely. bowles needs to call a diamond-and-one or something.
— Bomani Jones (@bomani_jones) January 3, 2015
Good extension by Floyd to get that much-needed first down. Uh-oh, that punt was almost blocked. And it's the best one so far — it hit the return man! Cardinals ball!
kid rock nooooo
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) January 3, 2015
Wow. That's a problem. That's already the Cardinals' second time out. Running the ball isn't working, guys. And I don't think Lindley has the skills to exploit this secondary. He just missed Fitzgerald badly there. That's a bad throw into traffic and Fitzgerald caught it somehow. That was easy enough. These penalties are also not helping the Cardinals' cause. Stewart's only 27? Nice fake to DeAngelo Williams. Even caught Tirico off guard. That's a missed opportunity there. Did Lindley drop the snap? Get away from that punt, kid. Cam's cooled off. Down at the 2. So many things can happen here. Tirico: "Watch the back line!" Two Cardinals in the same spot? Who screwed up? They're gonna need a punter after this, too. Jesus. What was THAT? Cotchery was looking the other way and I don't think Cam ever saw Cromartie, who was behind Cotchery.
turns out a team with a losing record and a team with a third string quarterback doesn't make a good playoff game
— Lana Berry (@Lana) January 3, 2015
A Logan Thomas sighting? Did he fumble that? He... that's a touchdown.
That replay is Exhibit A for why every NFL stadium should have a fixed camera on each goal line.
— Peter King (@SI_PeterKing) January 3, 2015
Ball breaks the plane and he's not down. The refs got it right and the Cardinals have the lead.
It's impossible to blow a 10-0 lead at home in the playoffs against Ryan Lindley... unless you do all the stuff Carolina just did.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) January 3, 2015
Yeah, that's interference. The Panthers — and Cam especially — needed that. The Cardinals' blitz has gotten home a few times, if a bit late, but enough to screw things up for the Panthers. It's still good. That was pointless. Cam keeps missing open receivers. He hasn't played well either but he can still save drives with his legs. He got that pass away just in time. I don't punt here. Cardinals still can't do anything without help. That's another crappy punt. Seriously. Fozzy Whitaker? Who the hell is Fozzy Whitaker? No. 77 just killed a guy. Touchdown!
A 7-8-1 team gets TDs from Fozzy Whittaker and Mike Tolbert in one two-minute span. Plz expand the playoffs tho
— Patrick Daugherty (@RotoPat) January 3, 2015
SPEED 2 FUMBLES THE KICKOFF?!?!? Serves him right for bringing it out from that deep when his offense needs the best field position possible. Of course, if you figure that there's no way this offense can go 80 yards, it's kind of defensible, I guess. Still, you can't cough the ball up like that. That whole sequence was a mess. Did that go backwards or no?
When Ed gave us the non backward pass explanation, I thought of billy Madison scene about how much dumber we are after that answer
— Mike Golic (@espngolic) January 4, 2015
Yet another Cardinals three-and-out. This one's definitely a fumble. And Lindley immediately throws an interception! I know he was under pressure but that was positively Gabbert-esque.
This is Ryan Lindley's last playoff game. Enjoy it.
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) January 4, 2015
The Cardinals' defense is tired. Understated: This may be the worst punting display I've ever seen in a playoff game. It's so remarkably bad that it actually stands out. Safety.
Well, that's three hours of our lives we'll never get back.
— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) January 4, 2015
This game came with a warning label. If only we'd heeded it. (Panthers 27, Cardinals 16)
Ike Taylor looking at the camera like he just sat through that Cardinals-Panthers game, too
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) January 4, 2015
Did the crew actually leave Pittsburgh? Man, no rest for the newbie Ben Tate. So Brown had to reach behind his body, catch it, make the defender miss, and still didn't get the first down? That's gotta hurt. So they ran all those screens away from Suggs like Cris was just talking about, then they send poor Dri Archer right into his mouth. I don't always understand you, Steelers.
I'm trending again!! #Ravens pic.twitter.com/zrxwB7ueHP
— tara strong (@tarastrong) January 4, 2015
Good Lord, the seas parted on that Pierce touchdown run. How did Heath Miller get THAT wide open? That was close but Brown was out of bounds. YOU'RE NOT ON THE LIST. Former special teams coach John Harbaugh should be livid. And that's another good reason not to lead with your head. Wait, Antoine Cason's a Raven now? When did he leave the Panthers? Steve Smith is mad that he fell down. "First of all, you don't slap a man." How did that not turn violent? That one didn't have a chance. That was a lot to go through for a 47yard Suisham field goal. The Ravens caught a break that the center was there to fall on that. That's a close call but it's probably right to put the flag away. Feet get tangled. It happens. Steve Smith! The Ravens have the Steelers on their heels now. Somebody just wiped out Harrison, who was about to harm Flacco. Touchdown! And now the Steelers are in a bind. I think they have to go for this here. It's the right decision. Got it. And then they lose 10 yards. I haven't mentioned Le'Veon Bell tonight but the Steelers obviously miss their best player. This 4th and inches decision is something else. They don't do this against any other team, I'm convinced. Sneak! Flacco made it. FUMBLE!! BANG!!! That didn't take long. Is it too early to go for two? No touchdown? The question still stands, though. Who moved? The Steelers. Bryant! They're going for two... and it's the complete opposite of successful. That's an obvious hit out of bounds. Mike Mitchell appears to be the Steelers' Nate Allen. Whoa! Torrey Smith just missed a touchdown because Flacco's deep ball was too deep. That was 3rd and 1?? Tucker never misses either, though, so it's OK. That is one weirdly staggered line. Note to self: That's no good for pass protection. Wait, Suggs snared that between his knees? And that touchdown to a guy I've never seen before will probably put a bow on this one.
The Ravens owe Reggie Nelson an extra playoff share.
— Bart Hubbuch (@BartHubbuch) January 4, 2015
Free plays! Ben runs like a panicky walrus. The Ravens are playing kind of soft. This is coming back? Yep. Is Ben hurt? What are the Steelers trying to do, stall for time? Terrible throw upon Ben's return and that's a wrap.
The Ravens will now have SEVEN road playoff victories with Joe Flacco at quarterback. That is ridiculous.
— Bart Hubbuch (@BartHubbuch) January 4, 2015
Blocked punt safety? Too little too late, most likely. That's a wicked hit Will Hill put on Wheaton. Another fumble. That's that. (Ravens 30, Steelers 17)
Gresham's out too? The Bengals already don't have Green because of a concussion... now they're in real trouble. They're not booing; they're saying "Boooooom." How did Hilton NOT catch that? Oh, Newman knocked it out. Meanwhile, the Colts have found a back and his name is not Trent Richardson. That was almost too easy. Yeah, it's gonna have to be a Jeremy Hill show for the Colts.
Josie is intently watching this, I hope she doesn't learn quarterback play from Andy Dalton
— Yumbo Tsuruta (@tholzerman) January 4, 2015
Wait, Boomer's middle name is "Julius"? Good Lord. Norman Julius Esiason. I'd demand to be called "Boomer", too. That's two big plays Hilton's missed so far. Like I said, it's gonna need to be Hill's day. The Bengals cross midfield... that's already an improvement over their first meeting, isn't it? Who's this Burkhead dude? Touchdown Bengals, which is a definite improvement over last time.
"In a playoff game, as you know, everything is important." - He Captain Obvious'd himself. #CINvsIND
— Phil Simms Quotes (@philsimmsquotes) January 4, 2015
Wait, Josh Cribbs is on the Colts? OK, whatever. The field opened up for Luck on that run. Hey, Hilton got one finally. Malaluga going down just adds to the Bengals' problems. Nice play by Kirkpatrick to break that up even though it might have gone high anyway. That's the best catch Hakeem Nicks has made in three years. Lot of overthrowing going on in this game on both sides. Nice blitz pickup. Strip fumble? I forgot the Bengals even ended up drafting Dennard. I think it's the first time I've seen him this year. Are the Bengals somehow not going to get points out of this?
i’d get it if the bengals fired marvin lewis after this year. dunno who you think would have won there in the last 12 years, though.
— Bomani Jones (@bomani_jones) January 4, 2015
57 yards? Well, they are indoors. Nugent... BANKS it in! Fleener seems snakebitten today. Wait, they called a penalty on a guy who wasn't even on the field? That's hilarious. The Colts are having trouble going downfield for some reason — it's hard to see how good coverage is. Great throw on the run by Luck for the touchdown. That's hard to do. And another Bengals drive goes nowhere.
this “you can’t blame andy dalton” argument is flawed. why? because he’s put up these same numbers WITH all his guys.
— Bomani Jones (@bomani_jones) January 4, 2015
Fleener IS snakebitten. He finally catches one, for a touchdown, no less, and it gets called back. Cribbs doesn't believe in the fair catch, does he? I just noticed that Herron has eye black on one eye. How does that even work? Man, Richardson can't even get in the game ahead of No. 37? He must be sick. You know how hard it is to bust as a running back? Why aren't the Bengals in a hurry-up? That's a fumble and that'll do it. (Colts 26, Bengals 10)
a loss today would make this the worst day for Cowboys fans since Jeter retired.
— OHB (@ohholybutt) January 4, 2015
The Cowboys are gonna need more than that from Murray. Dez got CLOCKED. Probably not the best decision Golden Tate has made. We just gonna keep dropping the ball all over the place? Tate! That took no time at all.
@bomani_jones and he burned church who pretty much put a bounty out him 😂😂😂
— Don Cosey (@cosey86) January 4, 2015
It's hard to find Cole Beasley sometimes. The Lions' front four will play like their namesake when warranted. And I don't think that was a blitz, either. Best shanked punt ever. They took the penalty? Damn. "A career-low 4,200 yards." WHAT. You can pretty much find any excuse to find Calvin Johnson somewhere. He ran into the punter? That's a killer. That Stafford run looked like it was doomed but he bounced off No. 20 and someone threw a block. That fake end around took a little too long to set up but it still worked. I'm kind of surprised the Lions are running the ball so well — I thought there was a chance that they could expose the Cowboys, but I figured it would be through the air.
This is the Cowboys defense everybody predicted in the preseason.
— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) January 4, 2015
Reggie Bush still has moves. The replays showed well the wide receivers blocking. Witten did well to catch that in traffic, and after it was tipped, at that. Holy hell that blitz. Romo had no chance. This one's short anyway. There goes Romo again, just falling down when he's about to get blitzed. I don't see any other quarterback do that as often as he does. A lot happening on that punt. Possible hit on the punter, the muff, then a scuffle afterward. The unthrown flag wouldn't have given the Cowboys a first down, though. Offensive pass interference? So much for that. And so much for THAT. There's no need to leave Calvin Johnson in single coverage, Cowboys. I don't think that's a good spot but you can't really know with these things. They changed it! I'm surprised. That was a BAD throw by Stafford and he got very lucky. That kick JUST made it. Yeah, that's not a good snap. Tipped ball? Interception. Good job by whoever grabbed Murray's foot. I don't think anyone has said Suh's name today. Bailey MISSED?!?!?!? That was legitimately shocking. And now it's like that sucked the life out of the defense. Was Romo looking at an Etch-a-Sketch? Aikman's right about the 3rd down miss — that's a touchdown if Tate breaks off the route sooner. Is Murray starting to heat up? That would help. I thought Dez only had one catch. You can't cover him with a linebacker, I don't care how good he is. Touchdown! Or not. A pitch to Witten? Why do that? I'm surprised he got a yard. First time they've said Suh's name today. Cowboys going for it? They went outside and got it. And they needed to get a stop on defense to follow that and they did. The Lions need to get No. 39 off the field. Beasley just got smashed. How did he hold on? Suh's starting to assert himself finally. Yeah, that was interference. Wait, what? They picked the flag up? HUH?
43,164 interference calls this season and that wasn't one?
— Glen Macnow (@RealGlenMacnow) January 5, 2015
People are talking about the refs way too much during games. Maybe the NFL should work on improving things.
— the guy (@theguyotc) January 5, 2015
Leaving aside issue of how you can wait that long to pick up a flag, that WAS pass interference. Pettigrew couldn’t get hands up to catch.
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) January 5, 2015
y’all are talking about the nfl like y’all talk about the nba. that’s how crazy it was to pick up that flag.
— Bomani Jones (@bomani_jones) January 5, 2015
I mean, that's interference personified. They didn't even say why, either. As much as we make fun of Ed Hochuli's long-winded explanations, you can damn well bet he'd have given us one. The Lions have to go for this now, right? They're not? Oh Christ. That's a terrible decision by Caldwell that he never should have been forced to make. That punt would have fit right in in Cardinals-Panthers.
That punt, after the delay of game, netted five yards
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) January 5, 2015
This thing has completely turned now. The Lions are falling apart.
The Lions have no chance at this point: It’s 17 on 11, plus the replay official.
— Norman Chad (@NormanChad) January 5, 2015
Both these teams can't choke, right? Touchdown Williams. This is unbelievable. Legitimately unbelievable. All right, Stafford. Let's see what you've got. Oh, a fumble. So this is how it's gonna — AND THE COWBOYS FUMBLE IT RIGHT BACK. Just fall on it, you clown.
Bad flashback: marlon mccree, chargers vs pats, 06 divisional round
— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) January 5, 2015
And the Lions gained three yards to boot. I don't care if Calvin is quintuple-covered — he gets the ball to the exclusion of everyone else. A nation is depending on you! You can't get SACKED. That was sickening on so many levels.
Y'all saw Jerry Jones and Chris Christie jumping and hugging, yes? Meet ya at the bar. We have work to do. #MindErasers
— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) January 5, 2015
These "all-star" officiating crews have proven to be anything but. They screwed up, didn't say why they screwed up, then offered a half-hearted correction long after the irrevocable damage has been done. Which is pretty much how the NFL seems to do everything these days. (Cowboys 24, Lions 20)
Friday, January 2, 2015
By The Pigskin Of Our Teeth, Week 17: Roads' End
Signal Finder: PHI@ NYG, SD @ KC, DET @ GB, CAR @ ATL
So Rex's last game is Geno's best? Figures. (Jets 37, Dolphins 24)
It's CHASE DANIEL time, y'all! But not just yet, as the Chiefs deferred the opening kickoff. Why not call a fair catch, DeAnthony Thomas? That's how people get killed. NOW it's Chase Daniel time and he starts with a pitch. This guy can run too. The main cameraman getting fooled is always a precious thing. This drive is most of what you could want but the finish wasn't ideal. Eagle just accurately described Rivers' throw to Royal as dropping it in the bucket. Wait... is this a Chiefs wide receiver catching a touchdown pass? NO IT IS NOT. They ruled that Bowe fumbled into the end zone and Kelce recovered it, so he gets the credit.
Daniel's played well so far. Bomb to Royal! And Oliver finishes it off. The Chargers needed that. I keep expecting Jenny Dell to be blonde and I don't know why. I've seen her at about eight games this year and I know she's not blonde. If the Chargers lose this game it's because they couldn't protect Rivers. That's a key sack by Freeney, who I keep forgetting is a Charger now. That's what, the Chiefs' fourth sack already? Justin Houston has 20 sacks this year? Wow. I had no idea. Another Chiefs field goal. Good Lord, Kurt Coleman just made the first play of his career. The Chargers are toast.
FUMBLE. That's also Houston's 21st sack. Chiefs ball! Of course, they keep settling for field goals and keeping the Chargers kind of still in it. ANOTHER sack. It's the timing of these that's been the bigger issue. Rivers just made a Sanchez-esque throw into too-tight coverage. Theyre trying a 52-yarder? That's desperation. Missed it left. Touchdown Chargers! Good throw by Rivers. Wait, they overturned it? What happened? Oh, the ball hit the ground. And now Royal's hurt and NOW the Chargers have to go for it on 4th. Nope. They should have called a run on 3rd down. The clock's stopped and it's four-down territory — there's no reason to kick a field goal down 12. I mean, I just don't want the Ravens to make it. Is that asking too much?
4th and 1 and the Chargers get stuffed. That's that. And Houston finishes Rivers off with No. 22. So that interception won't count? Not that it matters. (Chiefs 19, Chargers 7; Ravens 20, Browns 10; Texans 23, Jaguars 17)
The Buccaneers BLEW that lead? Wait, of course they did. Hey, Marcus. You ever been to a strip club? (Saints 23, Buccaneers 20)
And that result may well leave Jameis Winston for the Titans and Ken Whisenhunt. Ken Whisenhunt and quarterbacks. That'll go well. (Colts 27, Titans 10)
Does nobody on this team know to turn around and look for a pass? Randle isn't even that good and there were two guys on him. That was quick. That was just as quick.
Apparently nobody's planning on playing defense today, at least so far. Two bad throws by Eli lead to a punt. I think that's three straight plays with a penalty. Sanchez can't make that throw. I don't mean situationally, I mean that's a throw he's never been able to make with any consistency or accuracy. Unless they're saying dude grabbed Cooper's arm? I mean, sure. Did McCoy slip at the half-yard line? Celek worked for that one.
Beckham runs sharp routes — Carroll got fooled on that out route. Hey, a defensive stop that was actually because of defense. Terrible drop by Donnell. He juggled it three times. Brutal.
Sanchez won't escape that one. That was so telegraphed. Then Eli throws into triple coverage and Jenkins almost comes up with it. Hey, Boykin made a play! That's what the second one this year? If you're the Giants, why would you ever kick a field goal in this game? You're 6-9. Hell, if you're the Eagles, why would you ever kick a field goal in this game?
Hey, at least Watkins turned and looked for the ball. Beckham's got to calm down. It was incidental contact. If anything, they could have flagged Jenkins for the late hit, and then there should have been a flag on Beckham for taking his helmet off. Now Cary drops a pick in the end zone. Eli's been alternating between great and horrific from play to play. Wait, the Eagles are driving? You can't leave anyone uncovered in this league. Even Riley Cooper. That one was almost picked off. And the Eagles go into halftime with the lead after all. BLOCKED PUNT!! TOUCHDOWN!! Was that the first time Weatherford's had one blocked in his career? Yep, sure was. 3rd and 24. Giants should get this. Now it's 3rd and 29. It's a LOCK. What? The Eagles held on a 3rd and 29? THE TIDE IS TURNING. The Giants need to dump Will Beatty. Dude is hurt half the time, stinks the other half and just cost them a touchdown with a holding call. Sanchez just missed a long pass to Huff. That's a great play by Watkins to break up that pass. McCoy just faked somebody out of his pants.
Then Watkins loses his feet and Beckham has no trouble with that one. Good work salvaging that one, Matthews. Then Nate Allen swoops in with the pick on another bad Eli throw. Thank God that's over. (Eagles 34, Giants 26)
Did the Cowboys really call an onside kick in the second quarter up two touchdowns? That's straight-up disrespectful until you remember that this is a revenge game. (Cowboys 44, Redskins 17)
No extraneous violence? In a division rivalry game, no less? I'm disappointed, you scrubs. (Vikings 13, Bears 9)
The following tweet epitomizes the Buffalo Bills:
(Bills 17, Patriots 9)
An end around to the opposite side of an unbalanced line? I like it, Panthers. I like it a lot. The Panthers have always needed a running game with their backs to be successful. Like, forever. (Their biggest problem is that they overpaid both of these guys and now can't afford a line to block for them.) Touchdown. There are still fullbacks? Well, maybe not after that drop. That cost the Falcons four points. You can't leave the middle of the field open if you miss Cam on a rush.
That's the only way Roman Harper can make plays anymore — throw the ball right to him. I mean, that was bad. And he's been declining for four years now. Is this another Falcons turnover? Yeah, that's a fumble. There was a lot of perfectly legal pushing on Cam's touchdown run. Matt Ryan just got sacked again. Settle down, Riverboat Ron. That's interference at any level. The Falcons fans didn't even cheer the penalty announcement. And then on the same drive, Ryan throws another interception that gets returned for a touchdown. Game, set, match.
Wait... we finally have a repeat NFC South champion. (Panthers 34, Falcons 3)
Sometimes people just don't get along and never will. After last week, I was actually wondering if a loss here could get Harbaugh fired outright, because what difference does it really make what you call it when he's leaving anyway? Plus, that would have been five straight losses to end the season, which is closer to Rich Kotite territory than anyone should ever want to be. Meanwhile, I can't remember a team going into the playoffs colder than the Cardinals are. (49ers 20, Cardinals 17)
Hey, at least Brock Osweiler got to play this time. Even threw a couple balls around. (Broncos 47, Raiders 14)
That Stafford stat (0-15 on the road against winning teams) is whatever the bad version of phenomenal is. The Packers are suddenly struggling in the red zone. They're going for it? How hard is it to call a running play? How does that take so much time? And then it didn't even work! That's huge for the Lions. And of course, they get no yards out of it AND GIVE UP A PUNT RETURN TOUCHDOWN. The Lions are inside their own 20 again? Hey, they got out. Every time a team recovers its own fumble it feels like luck. Lacy fumbled? Who has it? This should be Lions ball. Stafford just overthrew Calvin. The Packers are really struggling to tackle Joique Bell. Is it starting to snow? The Lions should go for this 4th down because their kicking game has been terrible all year. Also, why did they go away from the run on this drive before this? Still, going for it was probably the right move even though the pass was bad. Throw a better pass next time. UH-OH. Rodgers completed the touchdown pass but he's limping badly. Hey, Matt Flynn has a history of cutting the Lions up. They'll be fine if it comes to that. They're carting him off.
Stafford just threw a ball right to an official. Wait, Tate didn't get the first down? Doesn't matter. I'm not a fan of these "tap the QB on the head and it's a flag" flags. That's a sick throw by Stafford for a much-needed touchdown. And here's Flynn. Nothing much happened there. Now Rodgers is out on the sideline. Good throw by Stafford to Tate. Lions going for it on ANOTHER 4th down. Stafford sneak? Did he get it? He did! Stafford is so confounding. He's like a better Dalton but he fills the Cutler role at the same time. Megatron! We're tied.
Kickoff out of bounds? Good job, good effort. Rodgers is back in. The Packers just ran down the field and took the lead again. We've hit a dead spot. The Lions block a field goal, but Stafford fumbles the ensuing snap. This is why they don't win here. That's a facemask. Touchdown Packers. Wait, what? They called grounding in the end zone? This is what I was talking about earlier with Stafford. How does he not know where he is? Cobb muffed the free kick? That's legitimately amazing. The Lions just don't get breaks like that. Touchdown! They have a chance! And now they don't. (Packers 30, Lions 20)
And after all that... the Seahawks still got home field advantage. (Seahawks 20, Rams 6)
We need an update on Ben's stomach. WE NEED IT. Jebus. Is there a bug going around? Ben just went back to the locker room. I can't get over the weird setup they have at Heinz Field, where the teams go down a side staircase that's cut into the stands. Antonio Brown just reversed direction on that punt return and scored. Dalton could have a field day tonight. Or not.
I guess Ben's full of Pepto. This is kind of what I meant when I said Dalton could have a field day tonight — all of the Steelers' corners came directly off the street. Touchdown Gio! And now a low snap gives the Bengals the ball back. They got a field goal out of it, which is something. I still don't remember Bell being as involved in the passing game in college. That's a high throw but Green's better than not catching it. Jesus, Bryant AND Sammy Watkins? How did anyone stop Clemson? Oh, right, Clemson stops themselves. I remain amazed that James Harrison is still contributing in 2014. That Sanu pass wasn't good. What's taking so long? I'm not sure Hill made it. That Dalton sneak was odd. Not that they did it, but everything around it — the initial stop, the Steelers signaling no good while Dalton was still pushing — a lot going on there. I think I'd have considered going for this, too. Is this the bad end of Heinz Field, also? I can't remember. Anyway, Nugent missed. The deep ball hasn't been a friend to either side tonight. Bell being down is not good. That's the end result of guys trying not to go high — they go low and that happens. And that interception isn't better. So there were as many penalties on that play as there had been in the game up to that point. Cris mentioning the fallen Bengals we'd forgotten about. Speaking of which, do the Steelers even really have a backup running back? That's a very important touchdown for the Bengals. Well, that answers THAT question, holding penalty aside. Fake punt... gets intercepted by a wide receiver? If y'all say so. Green is wide open, makes the catch, then gets the ball stripped and the Steelers recover and he gets a forearm to the face for his troubles. This is why the Bengals don't win these games. Actually, Dre Kirkpatrick falling down and Antonio Brown scoring despite running into his own teammate is why the Bengals don't win these games. See, I hate this. Wouldn't you try to score a touchdown first? Well, you can't take a sack. It's hard to tie in passing yards. Ravens-Steelers? In the playoffs? NBC has the biggest erection right now. (Steelers 27, Bengals 17)
RANKINGS
TOP 4:
1. New England (12-4) — Home freeze home
2. Green Bay (12-4) — Rules Northern kingdom again
3. Seattle (12-4) — Back to opening night form
4. Denver (12-4) — Seem to be having an identity crisis
BOTTOM 4:
29. Washington (4-12) — A final embarrassment
30. Oakland (3-13) — Still running in place
31. Tennessee (2-14) — Not a good time for football in the Volunteer State
32. Tampa Bay (2-14) — This feels like order has been restored
Geno Smith records a perfect passer rating of 158.3. Believe it, or not, he’s the only @nfl QB to do it all season.
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) December 28, 2014
So Rex's last game is Geno's best? Figures. (Jets 37, Dolphins 24)
It's CHASE DANIEL time, y'all! But not just yet, as the Chiefs deferred the opening kickoff. Why not call a fair catch, DeAnthony Thomas? That's how people get killed. NOW it's Chase Daniel time and he starts with a pitch. This guy can run too. The main cameraman getting fooled is always a precious thing. This drive is most of what you could want but the finish wasn't ideal. Eagle just accurately described Rivers' throw to Royal as dropping it in the bucket. Wait... is this a Chiefs wide receiver catching a touchdown pass? NO IT IS NOT. They ruled that Bowe fumbled into the end zone and Kelce recovered it, so he gets the credit.
Only a Chiefs wideout fumbles at the one-inch line. You can't make those guys up.
— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) December 28, 2014
Daniel's played well so far. Bomb to Royal! And Oliver finishes it off. The Chargers needed that. I keep expecting Jenny Dell to be blonde and I don't know why. I've seen her at about eight games this year and I know she's not blonde. If the Chargers lose this game it's because they couldn't protect Rivers. That's a key sack by Freeney, who I keep forgetting is a Charger now. That's what, the Chiefs' fourth sack already? Justin Houston has 20 sacks this year? Wow. I had no idea. Another Chiefs field goal. Good Lord, Kurt Coleman just made the first play of his career. The Chargers are toast.
These next 90 minutes are lining up for (A) Houston getting a 6-seed w/ a 4th-string QB, (B) JJ Watt as MVP and (C) JJ Watt in the playoffs
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) December 28, 2014
FUMBLE. That's also Houston's 21st sack. Chiefs ball! Of course, they keep settling for field goals and keeping the Chargers kind of still in it. ANOTHER sack. It's the timing of these that's been the bigger issue. Rivers just made a Sanchez-esque throw into too-tight coverage. Theyre trying a 52-yarder? That's desperation. Missed it left. Touchdown Chargers! Good throw by Rivers. Wait, they overturned it? What happened? Oh, the ball hit the ground. And now Royal's hurt and NOW the Chargers have to go for it on 4th. Nope. They should have called a run on 3rd down. The clock's stopped and it's four-down territory — there's no reason to kick a field goal down 12. I mean, I just don't want the Ravens to make it. Is that asking too much?
Death, taxes, the Browns ruining things for others.
— Ryan Nanni (@celebrityhottub) December 28, 2014
4th and 1 and the Chargers get stuffed. That's that. And Houston finishes Rivers off with No. 22. So that interception won't count? Not that it matters. (Chiefs 19, Chargers 7; Ravens 20, Browns 10; Texans 23, Jaguars 17)
The Saints almost look like they're throwing this Tampa game so they don't have to deal with Mariota for the next 15 years.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) December 28, 2014
The Buccaneers BLEW that lead? Wait, of course they did. Hey, Marcus. You ever been to a strip club? (Saints 23, Buccaneers 20)
And that result may well leave Jameis Winston for the Titans and Ken Whisenhunt. Ken Whisenhunt and quarterbacks. That'll go well. (Colts 27, Titans 10)
Does nobody on this team know to turn around and look for a pass? Randle isn't even that good and there were two guys on him. That was quick. That was just as quick.
There's the effort and professionalism you expect from a player like DRC.
— Brad Rutter (@bradrutter) December 28, 2014
Apparently nobody's planning on playing defense today, at least so far. Two bad throws by Eli lead to a punt. I think that's three straight plays with a penalty. Sanchez can't make that throw. I don't mean situationally, I mean that's a throw he's never been able to make with any consistency or accuracy. Unless they're saying dude grabbed Cooper's arm? I mean, sure. Did McCoy slip at the half-yard line? Celek worked for that one.
The defense in this Giants-Eagles game makes it look a bit like the Pro Bowl, only without all the really good players.
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) December 28, 2014
Beckham runs sharp routes — Carroll got fooled on that out route. Hey, a defensive stop that was actually because of defense. Terrible drop by Donnell. He juggled it three times. Brutal.
Sanchez won't escape that one. That was so telegraphed. Then Eli throws into triple coverage and Jenkins almost comes up with it. Hey, Boykin made a play! That's what the second one this year? If you're the Giants, why would you ever kick a field goal in this game? You're 6-9. Hell, if you're the Eagles, why would you ever kick a field goal in this game?
Honestly can't fault Jaylen Watkins there. Great catch.
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) December 28, 2014
Hey, at least Watkins turned and looked for the ball. Beckham's got to calm down. It was incidental contact. If anything, they could have flagged Jenkins for the late hit, and then there should have been a flag on Beckham for taking his helmet off. Now Cary drops a pick in the end zone. Eli's been alternating between great and horrific from play to play. Wait, the Eagles are driving? You can't leave anyone uncovered in this league. Even Riley Cooper. That one was almost picked off. And the Eagles go into halftime with the lead after all. BLOCKED PUNT!! TOUCHDOWN!! Was that the first time Weatherford's had one blocked in his career? Yep, sure was. 3rd and 24. Giants should get this. Now it's 3rd and 29. It's a LOCK. What? The Eagles held on a 3rd and 29? THE TIDE IS TURNING. The Giants need to dump Will Beatty. Dude is hurt half the time, stinks the other half and just cost them a touchdown with a holding call. Sanchez just missed a long pass to Huff. That's a great play by Watkins to break up that pass. McCoy just faked somebody out of his pants.
Again: Chris Polk on 4th and 1 from the 28-yard-line vs. the Redskins instead of a 46-yard field goal with an injured kicker? Maybe?
— Reuben Frank (@RoobCSN) December 28, 2014
Then Watkins loses his feet and Beckham has no trouble with that one. Good work salvaging that one, Matthews. Then Nate Allen swoops in with the pick on another bad Eli throw. Thank God that's over. (Eagles 34, Giants 26)
The Cowboys recovered an onside kick against Washington up 20-7. They are trying to get everyone on WAS fired. I approve
— Chris B. Brown (@smartfootball) December 28, 2014
Did the Cowboys really call an onside kick in the second quarter up two touchdowns? That's straight-up disrespectful until you remember that this is a revenge game. (Cowboys 44, Redskins 17)
No extraneous violence? In a division rivalry game, no less? I'm disappointed, you scrubs. (Vikings 13, Bears 9)
The following tweet epitomizes the Buffalo Bills:
The convoluted scenario the Bills needed to make playoffs ACTUALLY OCCURRED except that they lost to the 2-12 Raiders in week 16. Unreal.
— The Six Seat (@TheSixSeat) December 28, 2014
(Bills 17, Patriots 9)
An end around to the opposite side of an unbalanced line? I like it, Panthers. I like it a lot. The Panthers have always needed a running game with their backs to be successful. Like, forever. (Their biggest problem is that they overpaid both of these guys and now can't afford a line to block for them.) Touchdown. There are still fullbacks? Well, maybe not after that drop. That cost the Falcons four points. You can't leave the middle of the field open if you miss Cam on a rush.
Falcons just tried to block Kony Ealy (275 pounds) with Jacquizz Rodgers (196 pounds). Didn’t go great.
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) December 28, 2014
That's the only way Roman Harper can make plays anymore — throw the ball right to him. I mean, that was bad. And he's been declining for four years now. Is this another Falcons turnover? Yeah, that's a fumble. There was a lot of perfectly legal pushing on Cam's touchdown run. Matt Ryan just got sacked again. Settle down, Riverboat Ron. That's interference at any level. The Falcons fans didn't even cheer the penalty announcement. And then on the same drive, Ryan throws another interception that gets returned for a touchdown. Game, set, match.
Arthur Blank need to flash them pink slips , shake it up
— Big Boi (@BigBoi) December 28, 2014
Wait... we finally have a repeat NFC South champion. (Panthers 34, Falcons 3)
As I watch the end of SF win over AZ, still amazes me nothing could be worked out between people who've had great success the last few years
— Mike Golic (@espngolic) December 29, 2014
Sometimes people just don't get along and never will. After last week, I was actually wondering if a loss here could get Harbaugh fired outright, because what difference does it really make what you call it when he's leaving anyway? Plus, that would have been five straight losses to end the season, which is closer to Rich Kotite territory than anyone should ever want to be. Meanwhile, I can't remember a team going into the playoffs colder than the Cardinals are. (49ers 20, Cardinals 17)
Hey, at least Brock Osweiler got to play this time. Even threw a couple balls around. (Broncos 47, Raiders 14)
That Stafford stat (0-15 on the road against winning teams) is whatever the bad version of phenomenal is. The Packers are suddenly struggling in the red zone. They're going for it? How hard is it to call a running play? How does that take so much time? And then it didn't even work! That's huge for the Lions. And of course, they get no yards out of it AND GIVE UP A PUNT RETURN TOUCHDOWN. The Lions are inside their own 20 again? Hey, they got out. Every time a team recovers its own fumble it feels like luck. Lacy fumbled? Who has it? This should be Lions ball. Stafford just overthrew Calvin. The Packers are really struggling to tackle Joique Bell. Is it starting to snow? The Lions should go for this 4th down because their kicking game has been terrible all year. Also, why did they go away from the run on this drive before this? Still, going for it was probably the right move even though the pass was bad. Throw a better pass next time. UH-OH. Rodgers completed the touchdown pass but he's limping badly. Hey, Matt Flynn has a history of cutting the Lions up. They'll be fine if it comes to that. They're carting him off.
Heard that sound before at Lambeau when Favre stayed down one time. Could hear a pin drop. The sound of silence. #aaronrodgers
— Andrew Brandt (@adbrandt) December 28, 2014
Stafford just threw a ball right to an official. Wait, Tate didn't get the first down? Doesn't matter. I'm not a fan of these "tap the QB on the head and it's a flag" flags. That's a sick throw by Stafford for a much-needed touchdown. And here's Flynn. Nothing much happened there. Now Rodgers is out on the sideline. Good throw by Stafford to Tate. Lions going for it on ANOTHER 4th down. Stafford sneak? Did he get it? He did! Stafford is so confounding. He's like a better Dalton but he fills the Cutler role at the same time. Megatron! We're tied.
Rodgers grabbing a his helmet after the Lions TD - returning to the game.
— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) December 28, 2014
Kickoff out of bounds? Good job, good effort. Rodgers is back in. The Packers just ran down the field and took the lead again. We've hit a dead spot. The Lions block a field goal, but Stafford fumbles the ensuing snap. This is why they don't win here. That's a facemask. Touchdown Packers. Wait, what? They called grounding in the end zone? This is what I was talking about earlier with Stafford. How does he not know where he is? Cobb muffed the free kick? That's legitimately amazing. The Lions just don't get breaks like that. Touchdown! They have a chance! And now they don't. (Packers 30, Lions 20)
And after all that... the Seahawks still got home field advantage. (Seahawks 20, Rams 6)
We need an update on Ben's stomach. WE NEED IT. Jebus. Is there a bug going around? Ben just went back to the locker room. I can't get over the weird setup they have at Heinz Field, where the teams go down a side staircase that's cut into the stands. Antonio Brown just reversed direction on that punt return and scored. Dalton could have a field day tonight. Or not.
This is why you don't put gingers in charge of things!!!
— Jessica Welman (@jesswelman) December 29, 2014
I guess Ben's full of Pepto. This is kind of what I meant when I said Dalton could have a field day tonight — all of the Steelers' corners came directly off the street. Touchdown Gio! And now a low snap gives the Bengals the ball back. They got a field goal out of it, which is something. I still don't remember Bell being as involved in the passing game in college. That's a high throw but Green's better than not catching it. Jesus, Bryant AND Sammy Watkins? How did anyone stop Clemson? Oh, right, Clemson stops themselves. I remain amazed that James Harrison is still contributing in 2014. That Sanu pass wasn't good. What's taking so long? I'm not sure Hill made it. That Dalton sneak was odd. Not that they did it, but everything around it — the initial stop, the Steelers signaling no good while Dalton was still pushing — a lot going on there. I think I'd have considered going for this, too. Is this the bad end of Heinz Field, also? I can't remember. Anyway, Nugent missed. The deep ball hasn't been a friend to either side tonight. Bell being down is not good. That's the end result of guys trying not to go high — they go low and that happens. And that interception isn't better. So there were as many penalties on that play as there had been in the game up to that point. Cris mentioning the fallen Bengals we'd forgotten about. Speaking of which, do the Steelers even really have a backup running back? That's a very important touchdown for the Bengals. Well, that answers THAT question, holding penalty aside. Fake punt... gets intercepted by a wide receiver? If y'all say so. Green is wide open, makes the catch, then gets the ball stripped and the Steelers recover and he gets a forearm to the face for his troubles. This is why the Bengals don't win these games. Actually, Dre Kirkpatrick falling down and Antonio Brown scoring despite running into his own teammate is why the Bengals don't win these games. See, I hate this. Wouldn't you try to score a touchdown first? Well, you can't take a sack. It's hard to tie in passing yards. Ravens-Steelers? In the playoffs? NBC has the biggest erection right now. (Steelers 27, Bengals 17)
RANKINGS
TOP 4:
1. New England (12-4) — Home freeze home
2. Green Bay (12-4) — Rules Northern kingdom again
3. Seattle (12-4) — Back to opening night form
4. Denver (12-4) — Seem to be having an identity crisis
BOTTOM 4:
29. Washington (4-12) — A final embarrassment
30. Oakland (3-13) — Still running in place
31. Tennessee (2-14) — Not a good time for football in the Volunteer State
32. Tampa Bay (2-14) — This feels like order has been restored
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