NFL 2008: The year of bouncing Brett

[Mr.E]

It's a shame that the refs squandered such an opportunity for the Dallas since everyone else in the Wild Card hunt with them lost as well. Perhaps more amazingly, they actually control their own destiny now since the Falcons lost the tiebreaker with a conference loss. Unfortunately, they have to get through the toughest December schedule in the NFL to do it.

Despite that, I was expecting for Dallas to win (and they should have) and was rooting for the Falcons earlier today. But now they lost and will probably break the NFC South curse. Sorry birds, but you had a good run.

[Drago]

What a lovely week of football. Here's an arrogant headline for you;
NFL RANKINGS
#1 Tennessee Titans 12-1
#2 New York Giants 11-2
Seems as though New York keeps forgetting they have to win the games they're supposed to win. About the only mis-steps would be Indianapolis staying in the playoff hunt with a win over Cincin (like that was a surprise) and Dallas not managing to slow down Pittsburgh. With just three games left, I'd like for Tennessee to have a little more distance from their nearest competitors. Hopefully Baltimore can come out with a little fire next week.

[Jeff]

That "touchdown" was bull$#!%.

[Jeff]

Wow, how could the Ravens top that 77-yard touchdown run? Oh yeah, with an 82-yard one in the same quarter.

Yeah it would have been fitting for the Cowboys to have won the last regular-season game in their stadium, but dang it I want my team in the playoffs.

[Roy Karrde]

Screw you NFL Network, Screw you Wade Phillips.

The game, the last game, and you show it on this piece of poo network? And you Wade Phillips, Mr Cupcake, Mr Softy, it's time for a demotion, either get the frig out or become a Defensive Cordinator becuase you won't be frigging around next season as head coach.

NFL Network, My God are you guys dip sticks, not only does your commentary suck. But you skip the post game ceremony for what? An interview with Tony Romo and some commercials? Screw That.

Now I don't know about anyone else but this ceremony was hyped beyond belief in the Dallas Media, especially on ESPN Radio. And they miss it for a Press Conference? Thank God that KDFW 33 is showing it, or else I would be... well I don't think there is a word. The only problem is KDFW's coverage right now is that it's incredibly washed out sound wise, there is a buzzing noise and you can hear Tony Romo's Conference behind it, like they quickly half assed it.

Jesus F'ing H Christ I am pissed.

Edit: And KDFW 33 goes to commercials just as they start introducing the 90s players. Great idea a-holes, piss off a bunch of angry gun toting rednecks, who are already half drunk and pissed after the loss.

Drago Edit: Emotion aside, that's a little excessive Roy.

[Mr.E]

Well, at least the Bucs lost to the Chargers. Go 'boys! Denver also lost so lol 8-8 for division winner next week. 8) It'd be kinda nice to see the Chargers still get in despite having such a ridiculously disappointing, underachieving regular season.

Week of choke artists. Fraud Jets could've sealed New England's fate with a victory against the hapless Seahawks. Philly basically poured their playoff hopes down the drain. Best still, the Lions continue their quest for 0-16!

[kainashi]

just lose, baby!

[Drago]

How exciting that we've had this ride together all over again... The only difference from now and last year is I like the Dolphins - I'm more than happy to see that woeful Detroit team claim their piece of history. Any guesses on who's coaching the Lions next year?

[Ghost]

Unfortunately I think the Lions are going to try and steal Spagnuolo from the Giants

And what about that game last night? Derrick Ward is gonna get a big fat check to start somewhere.

[Clark]

my raiders SHUT down tampa. eat it gruden.

[mr_pikachu]

Congratulations to the sucktacular 2008 Lions, new owners of the worst record in NFL history. Thanks for making every other team feel better.

[kainashi]

Congratulations to the sucktacular 2008 Lions, new owners of the worst record in NFL history. Thanks for making every other team feel better.

now the '76 bucs can sleep better at night knowing they aren't the worst team ever anymore.

[mr_pikachu]

Pittsburgh vs. Arizona. What's your call?

I like 'zona in this game. From a personal standpoint, I've been a Warner fan ever since his stint with the Rams (Super Bowl XXXVI was a heartbreaker, by the way), and the Cardinals rank among my favorite teams. I also just can't see Roethlisberger handling the big-game pressure. He's never struck me as the kind of person with any mental or physical fortitude. Granted, the Steelers' defense will be tough to crack, but I'm calling this one 20-10, Cards.

[mr_pikachu]

Think you're better than those losers you see on TV every Sunday? Then try out for Survivor: NFL!

...I'm serious.

[mr_pikachu]

The game is underway, and... this Cardinals defense needs to get it in gear. A simple fake just threw the whole defense for a loop, and Ward gained 20 yards after being left wide open. The next play, Parker sprints up the left side for an easy 9... we're barely a minute in, and the Steelers are close to the red zone.


EDIT: Wow! HUGE challenge by Arizona brings back what would have been a big rushing touchdown by Roethlisberger. With 4th and inches, they kick the field goal. A smart challenge saves four points.


EDIT2: Unbelievable. With seconds left in the half, Warner throws a pick at the goal line that's returned 100 yards for a TD. The call stands after an official review, and a drive that could have ended in an Arizona lead instead sees the Steelers up ten.

[Jeff]

It's off to the playoffs for my team!

And go Lions! Congrats guys, I knew you could do it

[Drago]

Might as well take a peek back at earlier comments, eh? For one thing, after Tom Brady's injury I had jokingly said that the Titans were the clear favourites in the AFC, not realising that I was actually right - quite glad I got that one right. Predicted Colts to take a fall, which looked fairly accurate at first - amazing how they managed to finish 12-4. My more specific predictions?

Superbowl pick: Pittsburgh vs. Dallas
Pitt's still got a chance but has got to get through the Titans if they want to make it there - Dallas were disappointing this season, and Romo's injury was enough to hold them out of the playoffs. I'd say they'll bounce back next year as long as they can avoid injuries.
(alluded to actual prediction being New England) - And we know how that turned out.

Best team: New England Patriots
Your MVP quarterback goes on IR in week 1 and you still eke out 11 wins, only to watch a playoff berth go to scrubs like 8-8 San Diego, simply because their division was so lousy? New England weren't the best team by record, but you can't say that they didn't perform fantastically considering what they were up against. Funny how I've often written the AFC East off as a one-team division, only to watch three teams fight for the division crown right up until the end, while Buffalo had some definite highlights of their own this year.
If you consider the Giants the best team, it would have been an easy, safe pick, but the Titans were a definite surprise - they really hadn't made any big steps forward in free agency, I thought they might tail off from their 10-6 campaign to finish 7-9 this year.

Worst team: Miami Dolphins
In all fairness, this was made before the Chad Pennington signing. Had I known that would happen, I would have opted for Kansas City as my choice for worst team. Seeing the Dolphins surge this year to take the division title was a nice surprise for me. They certainly have some bad moments though, so I don't think they'll fare well at all against the Ravens.
My other option of the Chiefs wasn't too inaccurate; 2-14 would be enough to make you the worst team most seasons, but when you're also performing against the '08 Rams and the most futile team in NFL history in the 0-16 Lions, you look kind of okay in comparison.
I would have placed the Lions in the top five worst teams in any given season except this year, thinking that Jon Kitna had finally given them a bit of stability to work off of and that Kevin Jones wasn't too bad at running back; draft picks like Ernie Sims and Calvin Johnson look good for the future... could be a surprising team capable of hitting perhaps even 9-7? Nope. They cycle through something like five QBs and Kevin Jones is playing backup for the Bears. Funny how much difference a (football) year can make.

[mr_pikachu]

Alright, time for my playoff predictions... let's go for some long shots!

Wild Card Round
Atlanta def. Arizona
Indianapolis def. San Diego
Baltimore def. Miami
Minnesota def. Philadelphia

Divisional Playoffs
Tennessee def. Baltimore
Baltimore def. Carolina
Atlanta def. New York Giants
Indianapolis def. Pittsburgh

Conference Championships
Atlanta def. Baltimore
Indianapolis def. Tennessee

Super Bowl XLIII
Atlanta def. Indianapolis

If that last result ends up being accurate, I will laugh so hard at Michael Vick. *grins*

[mr_pikachu]

Alright, time for my playoff predictions... let's go for some long shots!

Word.

Funny how my "Indy vs. Atlanta" prediction died before my "Vikings move to Baltimore" one... what does that say about the Colts and Falcons?

[Mr.E]

New England weren't the best team by record, but you can't say that they didn't perform fantastically considering what they were up against.

You mean the easiest schedule in the NFL?

[Roy Karrde]

SHOCKER! Arizona actually won?! For the last few weeks I was under the impression that Arizona actually... sucked.

BTW did mr_pikachu just EPIC FAIL?! And if so could he please make predictions of Phili and New York winning the Super Bowl next?

[The_Missing_Link]

I didn't know the Ravens could play twice in the divisionals

[Jeff]

They're that good.

[Ultimate Charizard]

Thats why theyd lose the Divisional Playoffs. Theyd be knackered after playing more than the others

[Drago]

Clearly he means the Baltimore Vikings.

[Jeff]

Oh, so he's saying the Vikings are relocating to Baltimore before the divisional playoffs? Wow, that's quite a prediction.

[Drago]

Brian doesn't mess around, man. He makes the hard picks.

You mean the easiest schedule in the NFL?

I repeat, from MVP to Matt Cassel. I knew less about Cassel before this season than Rohan Davey.

[Mr.E]

I wish the refs loved Dallas as much as they loved Pittsburgh. Well, go Cardinals... I guess.

[Jeff]

It really defies belief that, despite the fact that I live about an hour from both Baltimore and DC, but quite a long way from Pittsburgh, there are a ton of Steelers fans here where I live. What's more is that some of them are the most obnoxious fans out there. And of course yesterday gave me another reason to detest the Steelers.

Yeah, I'll be rooting for the Cardinals.

[Drago]

Arizona Cardinals in the Superbowl... did you ever think in a million years you'd see it happen? I've long forgiven Kurt for his undoing my Titans in that Superbowl all those years ago, and I'm a big fan of his now, as well as the Cards. They've always been those lovable losers, but now, here they are. I'm not quite so confident about their chances (they can get rattled by great defence), but nonetheless I'll be cheering for them all the way! GO CARDS!!

[Mr.E]

SURPRISE Steelers pay off the refs in the Super Bowl yet again!

[mr_pikachu]

I was inclined to argue with you until that roughing the passer penalty. Are you kidding me? -_-


EDIT: Yeah, this is a bunch of crap. I'm waiting for one of the Arizona players to just pick up a Steeler, slam him into the ground, and stomp on his head. I mean, they may as well; they're getting called for it even when it's not there.

Granted, the Cardinals aren't playing like they want to win, but still. The refs shouldn't just hand it to Pittsburgh.

[Roy Karrde]

The refing in this game has been absolutely, absolutely horrible.

[mr_pikachu]

Honestly, it doesn't even feel like a Super Bowl at this point. The refs are deciding the game... there's no rhythm at all to the play, which takes away a lot of the opportunity for those "magical moments" that we've come to anticipate in the biggest game of the year. Bias aside, at some point they've gotta stop splitting hairs, calling all these half-penalties and let the players play.


Roughing the Passer

Definition: Flagrantly running into or hitting the quarterback after the ball has been released. Can also be called when a defender hits the quarterback in the head, or when anyone comes within 10 yards of Ben Roethlisberger.

Examples: Roughing the passer is a personal foul and results in a 15-yard penalty against the offending team.

[Mr.E]

brb shitting bricks

EDIT: ass hurts because I had to shit more bricks

[mr_pikachu]

Well, that was a bunch of shit. That's one way to hand a team a Super Bowl. Don't review an OBVIOUS missed call.

Thanks, refs. The halftime show sucked as usual, the commercials were subpar at best, and now the game isn't even worth watching.

[Jeff]

...

That's all I can say, I'm just beyond words right now. My God.

[Roy Karrde]

Pathetic...

[Mr.E]

Fitting for the most poorly officiated NFL season ever to end on yet another bad call?

The problem with the Cowboys is they spend too much on their players and not enough on the refs.

[mr_pikachu]

I actually expected this to be a good year for officiating because the force-out rule was removed. To compensate for that, though, they pretty much found every other conceivably possible way to screw up.

NFL 2008: The year of stupid referees.