Steeler D -- Epic Fail

[franko]

Not a huge NFL fan by any means, but watch the playoffs . . . and since there wasn't much happening today flipped between the Senators over the Flyers [Flyers still need to work on the goalie problem] and then watched the Steelers comeback against the Broncos and watched the humongous fail -- first, the Bronco d shut down Big Ben on the last drive to take the Steelers out of filed goal range, then watched the terrible Steeler d on the first play of OT as the Broncos -- with Tebow, who was destined to be an NFL failure -- win on an 80 yard pass and run.

Way to go . . . Dick

[blny]

Though for sure my Broncos had found a way to lose after having a really strong second and third quarters. Tebow magic in OT.

I hate Roethlisberger and the Steelers too, so it's doubley sweet. On to the Patriots.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

Want to know how to throw a game, just ask Falcon coach Mike Smith. Guess his team might have thought they were Patroits. However, unlike the Patriots who converted their fourth-down conversions (and probably practiced them too), the Falcons simply couldn't pull it off. It cost them points, momentum and the game, IMHO anyway.

The Steeler defence has been suspect for most of the season. They had a shutout a few weeks back but that might have been a glimmer at best. All Teebow did was complete 10 the whole game, but he averaged 31.6 yards per pass. He also ran for a TD as well.

The Broncos are going up against the Patriots who, unlike the Steelers, have a fully-healthy offence. They're a completely different animal than the Steelers, but the Patriot defence is suspect as well. The problem for New England, here, is that their d sometimes simply can't get off the field. Teebow might be able to exploit that, but if it comes down to a shooting match, Brady should win it hands down. He simply has more weapons. It will be interesting to see if Denver uses a lot of nickle backfields to counter Brady's passing attack. NE by two converted touchdowns. Teebow time might be over.

Future matchups.

NY Giants vs Green Bay

Many of the sports pundits are picking GB, but they're also quick to point out that there are similarities to the Giants' team that took out Farve and the Packers a few years back. And when I look at the regular season result, an OT victory by the Packers, I think the Giants have an excellent chance. I'm looking for the Giants to have a lot of nickle backfields to counter Rogers passing and I suspect they'll run the ball a lot on offence mainly because GB isn't all that effective stopping the run for long stretches. On the BG side, I think Rogers will keep the game simple. Ryan Grant has been excellent coming out of the backfield in recent games and if they get the running game going, it might force NY into less nickle backfields so as to counter the ground game, which in turn, will allow Rogers to spread the backfield out. GB has a much more lethal receiving corps than they did under Farve and they'll have Greg Jennings back as well. I have to go with the Packers by three.

New Orleans vs San Fransico

The Saints have been rewriting the record books just about every quarter now. They have an excellent, balanced offence that can wreak havoc. However, their D is almost as porous as GB's. If SF can exploit that weakness I think the game can go either way. On the other side, SF's D is a lot stronger than Detroit's and I think NO will have to punt the odd time, which is something they didn't have to do against the Lions. The Saints by a touchdown based just on their offensive numbers of late.

Huston vs Baltimore

The Texans third-string QB will have his work cut out for him. More so with the tough Baltimore D, which was reason they took out SF earlier in the year. Without getting longwinded, I think the Ravens have an excellent chance at advancing to the Super Bowl just on their D. Ravens by ten.

Early Super Bowl prediction: Packers over the Ravens by four.

Cheers.

[halihab]

Jan 8, 2012 20:17:00 GMT -5 blny said:

Though for sure my Broncos had found a way to lose after having a really strong second and third quarters. Tebow magic in OT.

I hate Roethlisberger and the Steelers too, so it's doubley sweet. On to the Patriots.

Big time Steeler fan here. Hats off to the Broncos for playing a great game. Steelers gaffed on that overtime play, but in all honesty I have to give them credit for battling back with 9 starters out, 6 alone on Defence. They battled injuries to key personnel all year long and still were a respectable 12-4.

Say what you want about Big Ben, he is by far the toughest player pound for pound in the NFL.

If the Steelers had a full squad this year, nobody would beat them, not even Rogers and Green Bay.

Oh, I guess I have to watch Brady(ugh) destroy Denver and put Tebow in his place.

Always next year I guess.

[blny]

There's no doubt that the Steelers were short-handed, and their coach in the induced coma had to be on their minds some.

Denver was down some people too. They lost Decker in the first. Cooper, one of their better lineman, was lost last week. Dawkins is out with a neck injury that could end his long career.

We'll see what happens on Saturday. I don't expect the Broncos to win, but if they get anything resembling their normally good defense they'll be okay. The Pats have the worst run defense in the league, and the Broncos had the best rushing attack in the league.

[halihab]

I hope Denver beats New England BLNY. I just don't see it happening. Patriots offense can overcome their poor Defense. They will control the game with time of possesion and keep Tebow off the field.

[blny]

Jan 9, 2012 14:16:51 GMT -5 halihab said:

I hope Denver beats New England BLNY. I just don't see it happening. Patriots offense can overcome their poor Defense. They will control the game with time of possesion and keep Tebow off the field.

Denver's D isn't that bad really. They've been exploited in a couple of games, but it had as much to do with being on the field too much as anything.

Their front seven is really quite good, and they showed that they could play man up against the VERY fast Steeler receivers.

I think the key will be ball control. In the last meeting, they set the pace early by pounding the ball. The Pats had little response. Denver's weak spot has been the second quarter - for whatever reason - and they seemed to exorcise that demon Sunday. It was the first time they'd scored points in the quarter ALL YEAR. I'd like to see them continue using play action passes, but they should be able to run the ball successfully against New England. The Pats D, esp their run D, is at the bottom of the league.

If it's a shootout, Pats win. If Denver can run the ball, and avoid mistakes, they'll at least keep it interesting.

I don't know if it was the Denver O-line stepping up, but I watched in disbelief as at no point did Pittsburgh at least attempt to get Tebow to roll left. We'll see if the Pats can accomplish it.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

Denver's D is what has given Teebow a chance to do what he's done.

But there's a lot of good defences in the playoffs. It's odd but all three high-scoring teams, Green Bay, New England and New Orleans all have shotty defences. If it turns out to be a NO/GB conference final we'll probably see a good old-fashioned shootout. He who punts even once may lose the game.

IMHO, it's developing into possibly one of the best playoff years in recent memory for the NFL.

Cheers.

[blny]

They mentioned one interesting stat last night during the game. The last three times the Broncos and Steelers have met in the playoffs, the winner has gone on to the Superbowl.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

They were really pushing Giant defence on just about every sports show I've watched tonight. The thing is too, they've had big success on the ground against Green Bay.

There's no gimmies in this game. It will be good.

Cheers.

Edit: I can't remember a playoffs where there was so much offense.

[franko]

usually only in the CFL ;D

[Disgruntled70sHab]

Epic Fail = Packers ...

Three lost fumbles, six dropped passes and two overthrows by Rodgers.

Why the guys decided to implode is beyond me. Beating yourselves is not the way to go out.

That GB defence needs an overhaul as well.

Cheers.

[blny]

I went into the weekend with a hunch the Giants would win. They're classic regular season under achievers. They flipped the switch the last couple of weeks of the season, and are just the sort of team you DON'T want to face in the playoffs. I think we're looking at a 2008 Super Bowl repeat of the Pats and Giants.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

I'm wondering if that funeral didn't have some measure of distraction, BLNY. I remember Rodgers being unable to find the right words when he was interviewed.

Still, you have to hand it to the Giants. They were much more prepared than the Packers. They simply wanted it more and it showed.

This might be a good thing for the Pack, though. They'll probably remember the loss and use it next year. Hope so anyway.

Cheers.

[habernac]

The Packers offensive co-ordinator lost his son last week, I think htat had a definite effect on how they prepared for thei game this weekend.

Has there been a more fun ending to a game that the last quarter of the Saints/9ers game?

And Tom Brady....what he did to the Broncos just wasn't fair. Brilliant work by the entire team, the defense daring Tebow to throw. And Brady dismantling the defense. I don't think I've ever seen him throw that well.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

Jan 17, 2012 11:09:54 GMT -5 habernac said:

Has there been a more fun ending to a game that the last quarter of the Saints/9ers game?

And Tom Brady....what he did to the Broncos just wasn't fair. Brilliant work by the entire team, the defense daring Tebow to throw. And Brady dismantling the defense. I don't think I've ever seen him throw that well.

I'm wondering if we didn't witness one of the best playoff games of all time. The 49ers D might give the Giants some fits, but at the same time the Giants are actually where GB was last year; having to win the final game to get into the playoffs and then carrying that momentum into the post-season.

Hard one to call now. It can go either way with the 49ers/Giants.

Anyone think the Baltimore D can hold off Brady? They're not the Broncos.

Cheers.

[seventeen]

It should be interesting as are most games this late into the playoffs. I've always been a 49'ers fan, so their fall into mediocrity was disappointing, but they're back now. I'm still not sold on Smith, but he's made the plays when necessary. Their defense is definitely the backbone of their success. I hope they pummel the Giants....another NY team...grrrrrr.

I can't see the Ravens winning on Saturday. Great D, which may hold Brady to 20 points or so, but that offense....yuck.

[franko]

32 yards. you get paid to do one thing, is to kick field goals, and you run on to the field and miss one from 32 yards? way to go, Cundiff. join Scott Norwood in the hall of shame.

'course, Coach Harbaugh joins you for trying o a fourth down instead of trying a tying filed goal earlier

[Disgruntled70sHab]

Jan 22, 2012 18:44:25 GMT -5 franko said:

32 yards. you get paid to do one thing, is to kick field goals, and you run on to the field and miss one from 32 yards? way to go, Cundiff. join Scott Norwood in the hall of shame.

'course, Coach Harbaugh joins you for trying o a fourth down instead of trying a tying filed goal earlier

I think the Ravens could have won that game, Franko. The drive before they lost a fourth-down conversion that could have been a game-tying kick. Then they get a second crack at it ...

Watching the Giants/49ers and both teams are competing hard.

Man! Those Packers really stunk out their own joint.

Cheers.

[seventeen]

No to mention one of the Ravens having a TD catch in his hands and letting it be batted out.

Then the 49ers lose to NY.

My nightmare coming true, as are so many of my sports nightmares this year. Both teams I wanted eliminated, playing in the Superbowl. Oh well, it frees up my Sunday 2 weeks hence.

[franko]

Jan 22, 2012 23:16:07 GMT -5 seventeen said:

No to mention one of the Ravens having a TD catch in his hands and letting it be batted out.

thought that at least was good d.

coaching and specialty teams . . . where am I hearing that refrain?

[Disgruntled70sHab]

I stopped my NFL Pro Line when Green Bay imploded ... I'm still not over that ...

The Ravens could have won that game, but two missed opportunities late in the game and that was all she wrote. Brady admits he sucked, but he also knows just how lucky the Patriots were to advance. It was handed to them by the Ravens.

I really didn't want the Giants to advance. But they just outfought the 49ers in this one. A tough, entertaining game to watch.

Have to mention the Packers ... a good pass rush can make the secondary look very good. GB had none of that all year long and it gave every opposing QB as much time as they needed to throw the ball. That weakness was exposed when Cullen Jenkins signed the Eagles. After he left opposing offenses were focused on Clay Matthews and BJ Raji. The result is a defense ranked last in the league.

I won't be betting on the Super Bowl. I think the Giants will win. I like the way they competed in taking out San Fran. And I think the Patriots are lucky to be where they are.

Cheers.

[CentreHice]

Entertaining Super Bowl....in terms of going down to the wire.

Don't have a favourite team...so I'm glad the Boston Pats lost.

[franko]

really didn't care one way of the other.

wanted the Pats to win simply because I'm tired of hearing about Manning, but had the Giants winning by 4 [or more]

[CentreHice]

Quite a remarkable run, though.....after only 9 regular season wins.

Beat the Packers and 49ers on the road.

That's impressive.

[Bones]

Feb 5, 2012 22:05:37 GMT -5 CentreHice said:

Quite a remarkable run, though.....after only 9 regular season wins.

Beat the Packers and 49ers on the road.

That's impressive.

Now it's the Habs turn!

[Deleted]

Giants win!

[Disgruntled70sHab]

The Giants were able to carry their pre-playoff momentum right through to the Super Bowl. If you want to know what a good pass rush can do for a team just look at the Giants. And speaking of defence, it's what has allowed the Giants to become giant killers; Green Bay and New England had top-ranked offences but in the end it was the defence that actually held the Patriots to just 17 points.

That was one of the better Super Bowl games I've seen. I thought the Giants were going to win it all when I saw that deep, sideline completion to Mario Manningham. One of those, "there-they-go-again" kind of things.

I always like it when a player can back up his words. Good on Eli Manning on backing up his statement that he's one of the elite QBs in football. However, in the end I thought it was the Giant defence that stood out the most throughout the playoffs.

Cheers.

[jkr]

Feb 6, 2012 7:16:54 GMT -5 Disgruntled70sHab said:

The Giants were able to carry their pre-playoff momentum right through to the Super Bowl. If you want to know what a good pass rush can do for a team just look at the Giants. And speaking of defence, it's what has allowed the Giants to become giant killers; Green Bay and New England had top-ranked offences but in the end it was the defence that actually held the Patriots to just 17 points.

That was one of the better Super Bowl games I've seen. I thought the Giants were going to win it all when I saw that deep, sideline completion to Mario Manningham. One of those, "there-they-go-again" kind of things.

I always like it when a player can back up his words. Good on Eli Manning on backing up his statement that he's one of the elite QBs in football. However, in the end I thought it was the Giant defence that stood out the most throughout the playoffs.

Cheers.

This loss is on Welker. If he makes that catch he gives the Patriots a new set of downs around the Giants 20 with less than 4 minutes to go. The Pats were moving down the field & eating up the clock. NY had one timeout left & IMO, were looking a little desparate. Way to go Wes.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

Feb 6, 2012 7:49:00 GMT -5 jkr said:

Feb 6, 2012 7:16:54 GMT -5 Disgruntled70sHab said:

The Giants were able to carry their pre-playoff momentum right through to the Super Bowl. If you want to know what a good pass rush can do for a team just look at the Giants. And speaking of defence, it's what has allowed the Giants to become giant killers; Green Bay and New England had top-ranked offences but in the end it was the defence that actually held the Patriots to just 17 points.

That was one of the better Super Bowl games I've seen. I thought the Giants were going to win it all when I saw that deep, sideline completion to Mario Manningham. One of those, "there-they-go-again" kind of things.

I always like it when a player can back up his words. Good on Eli Manning on backing up his statement that he's one of the elite QBs in football. However, in the end I thought it was the Giant defence that stood out the most throughout the playoffs.

Cheers.

This loss is on Welker. If he makes that catch he gives the Patriots a new set of downs around the Giants 20 with less than 4 minutes to go. The Pats were moving down the field & eating up the clock. NY had one timeout left & IMO, were looking a little desparate. Way to go Wes.

Yes, and Welker took it pretty hard in the post-game conference. However, he wasn't the only receiver dropping some of Brady's passes. I counted four dropped passes and two of them were in the same set of plays.

Have to hang onto the ball in the Super Bowl.

Cheers.