OFFICIAL 2010-2011 NFL season & predictions thread:

[whirlwind]

The BIGTIME difference was Mendenhall's turnover.

While I don't disagree with you that Mendenhall's turnover was big, it wasn't the reason that the Steelers lost this game. As I said previously, it was miraculous that the Steelers were even in this game. The Packers did everything (namely dropping pass after pass) they could to allow the Steelers to hang around. Pittsburgh never once led and in my opinion, Ben is THE REASON they lost that game. He simply didn't play well and made far too many huge mistakes for his team to win the game.

I agree on all points John.

After digesting this overnight, the Steelers honestly got dominated. Rodgers was impeccable, he made Polamalu pay for his aggressiveness, and the fact of the matter is that Rodgers should have thrown for 5 or 6 TDs had Jordie Nelson not come down with a bad case of Braylonitis before the game . Ben was horrible, and that 2 minute drill at the end was horrendous. I was sitting there saying the Steelers had it in the bag for sure after GB was forced to settle for three. Ben simply didn't produce like he has in those situations before, and that horrendous, inefficient, 2 minute drill bogged down by miscommunications has to fall back primarily on him.

Great game though. The Steelers are a great team, but frankly, their offense got exposed. Ben's turnovers forced them to go through the air more. Once they were forced to go that route and take the game out of the trenches pounding the ball on the ground, it was over, regardless of how close the game got in the end. The Packers, on the other hand, were able to play their brand of football. And they won because of it.

This game has to fall back primarily on Ben. Losing Woodson should have given Ben a decent chance to make some things happen, and he just couldn't do enough. Dishonorable mention goes to the reigning Defensive PotY, Polamalu, who was shockingly ineffective not just last night, but throughout the whole playoffs. The guy is great, but he is injured far too often for my own tastes.

Your prediction on the score were almost spot on. Good show!

[whirlwind]

Sorry, it was Everett!

[Everett]

Sorry, it was Everett!

Yeah i was surprised myself and i was just kidding. I was off by 1 point damn that 2 point conversion

[Enigma869]

After digesting this overnight, the Steelers honestly got dominated.

I agree. It's about a lopsided 6 point game as you'll ever see. Honestly, the only time that I ever really believed the Steelers had a chance was when Woodson went out. That is a HUGE loss and simply guy who can't be replaced, but the Steelers simply aren't a good team at throwing the ball down the field, so really couldn't take advantage of that huge hole.

Rodgers was impeccable, he made Polamalu pay for his aggressiveness, and the fact of the matter is that Rodgers should have thrown for 5 or 6 TDs had Jordie Nelson not come down with a bad case of Braylonitis before the game .

Polamalu was a complete non-factor in that game. Also, it wasn't just Jordie Nelson. How about Jones down the sidelines dropping a sure TD when he had nobody near him? I honestly don't think I've ever seen that many dropped passes in a Super Bowl. Green Bay is simply fortunate that the Steelers had zero interest in winning that game.

Great game though.

Superb game, but honestly, they all are lately. The last blowout in a Super Bowl was Tampa versus Oakland and I believe that was in 2002.

The Steelers are a great team,

The Steelers are not a "great team", AT ALL. This isn't revisionist history on my part. I made the comment before the game yesterday that this isn't a great team. They're a good team with some VERY good defensive parts and a very average offense. The reality is that the Patriots completely toyed with the Steelers when they played them so they're not close to a dominant team. Their past Super Bowl teams were far better than this team. They're an above average team who was fortunate enough to receive favorable matchups in the playoffs.

Dishonorable mention goes to the reigning Defensive PotY, Polamalu, who was shockingly ineffective not just last night, but throughout the whole playoffs. The guy is great, but he is injured far too often for my own tastes.

Couldn't agree with you more. I love Polamalu, but he's really starting to turn into a fragile guy, and the fact that he was given the defensive player of the year award this season is a farce. Listen, the guy is a REALLY, REALLY good player and I'd take him on my team any day. That said, there were defensive players more deserving than he was this season. I honestly thought it was a joke when I heard he got the award, and it's not a knock on him as a player. It's simply the reality that I don't believe he earned the award this season.

[Saint John]

I saw 2 very equally matched teams. The Steelers lost the game by straying from their game plan and turning the ball over. They had 40 passes and 24 runs. Those numbers should have been reversed. For the game, they averaged just over 5 yards per carry. That's a pretty nice clip, but getting down early really strayed them from a place I felt like they could dominate ... on the ground. The Steelers had more total yards, more plays, 7 minutes more time of possession and a far more balanced attack (261 yards passing and 126 yards rushing to the Packers' 288 yards passing and 50 yards rushing).

Just when they really started to figure Green Bay out and start taking over the game, Mendenhall coughed it up and they never really recovered. They were dominant in the 3rd quarter, allowing just one first down and starting to really wear down the Green Bay defense. Mendenhall let all of the wind out of their sails and Green Bay went right down and scored, when in their previous 4 possessions they had netted about 20 total yards and punted 4 times.

Big games are won and lost by sticking to your game plan and protecting the ball. Pittsburgh was able to do neither and it ultimately cost them the game. I really think these teams could have played 10 times and you would probably see each team win 5 games. It was a good game. Good, but not great.

[conversationpc]

Dishonorable mention goes to the reigning Defensive PotY, Polamalu, who was shockingly ineffective not just last night, but throughout the whole playoffs. The guy is great, but he is injured far too often for my own tastes.

Couldn't agree with you more. I love Polamalu, but he's really starting to turn into a fragile guy, and the fact that he was given the defensive player of the year award this season is a farce. Listen, the guy is a REALLY, REALLY good player and I'd take him on my team any day. That said, there were defensive players more deserving than he was this season. I honestly thought it was a joke when I heard he got the award, and it's not a knock on him as a player. It's simply the reality that I don't believe he earned the award this season.

At least he's not a Bob Sanders...yet.

[Saint John]

I gave Stu the cold, hard facts yesterday. Troy's days as a strong safety are just about over. It's time to bulk him up a few pounds and make him a rushing (outside) linebacker. He's lost a half step and his "instinct" plays only seem to work against half-assed QBs anymore. The guy had 0 passes defended and 2 of his 3 tackles were on plays of over 30 yards. I have a feeling that he's going to be a perpetual injury case throughout the rest of his career, but replacing a linebacker mid-game or mid-season is a lot more of a seamless transition than replacing a strong safety. He summed up the game well, though:

“When we give up this many points, and with the way we gave them up, fingers are going to be pointed at the secondary,” Polamalu said. “You can point them at me with the way I played.”

[lights1961]

I AM SAVORING the win as a LIFER PACKER FAN...but having a really crappy work day... so it is a mixed bag kinda day...

ONE MORE TIME... GO PACK GO... until the next season of the NFL starts... whenever that will be...

[S2M]

I AM SAVORING the win as a LIFER PACKER FAN...but having a really crappy work day... so it is a mixed bag kinda day...

ONE MORE TIME... GO PACK GO... until the next season of the NFL starts... whenever that will be...

I don't know your particular story, Rick...but I challenge you on your fan status. You didn't watch the game, and you said you would watch the DVR of it when you 'found the time'....can't be THAT much of a fan.

[lights1961]

I AM SAVORING the win as a LIFER PACKER FAN...but having a really crappy work day... so it is a mixed bag kinda day...

ONE MORE TIME... GO PACK GO... until the next season of the NFL starts... whenever that will be...

I don't know your particular story, Rick...but I challenge you on your fan status. You didn't watch the game, and you said you would watch the DVR of it when you 'found the time'....can't be THAT much of a fan.

sometimes life happens... when the Packers were playing the Broncos 1998 super bowl, I was skiing in Colorado...this time down at disneyworld...but always a a supporter of the TEAM... win or lose...

[Ehwmatt]

Polamalu was a complete non-factor in that game. Also, it wasn't just Jordie Nelson. How about Jones down the sidelines dropping a sure TD when he had nobody near him? I honestly don't think I've ever seen that many dropped passes in a Super Bowl. Green Bay is simply fortunate that the Steelers had zero interest in winning that game.

Man, I forgot about that Jones play. That was TERRIBLE. Rodgers should have had a transcendent game/statline. He had to merely settle for superb/great bc of his wideouts.

Superb game, but honestly, they all are lately. The last blowout in a Super Bowl was Tampa versus Oakland and I believe that was in 2002.

The Bears-Colts game was pretty awful. I also thought last year's between NO and Indy was a pretty big dud too, to be honest.

The Steelers are a great team,

The Steelers are not a "great team", AT ALL. This isn't revisionist history on my part. I made the comment before the game yesterday that this isn't a great team. They're a good team with some VERY good defensive parts and a very average offense. The reality is that the Patriots completely toyed with the Steelers when they played them so they're not close to a dominant team. Their past Super Bowl teams were far better than this team. They're an above average team who was fortunate enough to receive favorable matchups in the playoffs.

Well, I agree with you. They had gaping weaknesses on both sides of the abll. My great team remark should have read great organization and they'll be back. This year, they simply were not quite as intimidating as they were two years ago when their defense just didn't budge. Ever.

[Ehwmatt]

I saw 2 very equally matched teams. The Steelers lost the game by straying from their game plan and turning the ball over. They had 40 passes and 24 runs. Those numbers should have been reversed. For the game, they averaged just over 5 yards per carry. That's a pretty nice clip, but getting down early really strayed them from a place I felt like they could dominate ... on the ground. The Steelers had more total yards, more plays, 7 minutes more time of possession and a far more balanced attack (261 yards passing and 126 yards rushing to the Packers' 288 yards passing and 50 yards rushing).

Just when they really started to figure Green Bay out and start taking over the game, Mendenhall coughed it up and they never really recovered. They were dominant in the 3rd quarter, allowing just one first down and starting to really wear down the Green Bay defense. Mendenhall let all of the wind out of their sails and Green Bay went right down and scored, when in their previous 4 possessions they had netted about 20 total yards and punted 4 times.

Big games are won and lost by sticking to your game plan and protecting the ball. Pittsburgh was able to do neither and it ultimately cost them the game. I really think these teams could have played 10 times and you would probably see each team win 5 games. It was a good game. Good, but not great.

The reason they were not able to stick to their game plan is because the Packers exploited their match-up problems, Consetlessberger made huge mistakes, and they were down too big to stick to their normal game plan. The Packers built that lead because they were the BETTER team on both sides of the ball. Pittsburgh's decision to deviate from their game plan didn't happen in a vacuum - it's because they didn't have the talent to match up with the Pack with their normal game plan! That's what usually happens in sports. So, I disagree that they were evenly matched.

[Saint John]

I saw 2 very equally matched teams. The Steelers lost the game by straying from their game plan and turning the ball over. They had 40 passes and 24 runs. Those numbers should have been reversed. For the game, they averaged just over 5 yards per carry. That's a pretty nice clip, but getting down early really strayed them from a place I felt like they could dominate ... on the ground. The Steelers had more total yards, more plays, 7 minutes more time of possession and a far more balanced attack (261 yards passing and 126 yards rushing to the Packers' 288 yards passing and 50 yards rushing).

Just when they really started to figure Green Bay out and start taking over the game, Mendenhall coughed it up and they never really recovered. They were dominant in the 3rd quarter, allowing just one first down and starting to really wear down the Green Bay defense. Mendenhall let all of the wind out of their sails and Green Bay went right down and scored, when in their previous 4 possessions they had netted about 20 total yards and punted 4 times.

Big games are won and lost by sticking to your game plan and protecting the ball. Pittsburgh was able to do neither and it ultimately cost them the game. I really think these teams could have played 10 times and you would probably see each team win 5 games. It was a good game. Good, but not great.

The reason they were not able to stick to their game plan is because the Packers exploited their match-up problems, Consetlessberger made huge mistakes, and they were down too big to stick to their normal game plan. The Packers built that lead because they were the BETTER team on both sides of the ball. Pittsburgh's decision to deviate from their game plan didn't happen in a vacuum - it's because they didn't have the talent to match up with the Pack with their normal game plan! That's what usually happens in sports. So, I disagree that they were evenly matched.

Pittsburgh was pass happy just about the entire game. They deviated from the game plan very early. They had one (third quarter) drive were they really forced the running game down Green Bay's throat and they went through them like Heath Ledger through an 8 ball. Unfortunately, they fumbled back all of their momentum in one play and it was evidenced how the Packers, a team that mustered one first down the entire 3rd quarter, seemed rejuvenated and marched right down the field for a TD. Had the Steelers taken the lead, instead of fumbling, you would have seen the same Aaron Rodgers that went the last 2 and a half quarters against the Bears without scoring a point. He was doing the same thing here, but Mendenhall bailed him out. Virtually no team that gives up 3 turnovers and has them all converted for touchdowns and gets 0 turnovers doesn't have a chance to win the game, but the Steelers did. Tells me they kind of shit on their shoes a bit. Shit game, really. And I think it's directly attributable to the 2 weeks off.

[Enigma869]

So, I disagree that they were evenly matched.

Hey...that's progress for Dan. Before the game, earlier on in this thread, he basically said that Pittsburgh was better at just about every position (which I found laughable) with the exception of one or two positions. By the way, QB is one of the positions he claimed Pittsburgh was better at

[S2M]

Both teams were lucky to be in the SB. DeSean Jackson's punt return buried NY -giving GB a WC berth, and Stevie Johnson's TD drop in OT allowed Pitt to win AFC North....another thing - there was too much being made of the fact that these two teams were 1 and 2 in overall defense. WAY too much. NE beat both teams. Polamolecule disappeared in the NE game, and he was a non-factor in this game. And other than that one play on Ben's arm - GB did nothing special on 'D'. Congrats to both teams though....now we can put an end to Ben being mentioned in the same breath as Brady.

[Saint John]

So, I disagree that they were evenly matched.

Hey...that's progress for Dan. Before the game, earlier on in this thread, he basically said that Pittsburgh was better at just about every position (which I found laughable) with the exception of one or two positions. By the way, QB is one of the positions he claimed Pittsburgh was better at

Going into the game, that's how I felt. Rodgers was certainly the better QB yesterday, but he has better weapons and had far more time in the pocket.

[Enigma869]

Rodgers has better weapons and had far more time in the pocket.

So has Peyton Manning for most of his career and it hasn't won him much of anything! I can't believe that ANYONE who really watches football would come away after watching Rodgers and Ben play QB and think Ben was the better QB. It's actually not even close between the two of them. Rodgers is a FAR more accurate, down the field passer and scrambles every bit as well (even though I don't think scrambling is remotely relevant to play the position of QB) as Ben does.

[Saint John]

Both teams were lucky to be in the SB. DeSean Jackson's punt return buried NY -giving GB a WC berth, and Stevie Johnson's TD drop in OT allowed Pitt to win AFC North....another thing - there was too much being made of the fact that these two teams were 1 and 2 in overall defense. WAY too much. NE beat both teams. Polamolecule disappeared in the NE game, and he was a non-factor in this game. And other than that one play on Ben's arm - GB did nothing special on 'D'. Congrats to both teams though....now we can put an end to Ben being mentioned in the same breath as Brady.

Green Bay earned their trip and that is absolutely irrefutable. They went on the road to Philly and won, on the road to Atlanta and won, on the road to Chicago and won, and played a team in the Super Bowl with a ton of experience and won. Nobody, and I mean nobody, gives a fuck that New England beat both teams. They had 2 weeks to prepare for the Jets, the same Jets that told the entire world they were going to come into Foxboro and steamroll the Patriots ... and they did just that. It's the fucking NFL playoffs, and you're only as good as your first loss. Besides, only a sore loser would tout regular season victories, and I bet Bill Belichick and Tom Brady-Bundchen would tell you as much.

[Don]

If James Jones hadn't dropped that pass on the first drive of the third Quarter, we wouldn't even have to speculate about "what ifs" concerning the Steelers fumble later.


Besides the other two turnovers from Ben, you had a Pittsburgh Defense who couldn't shut down a one dimensional offense with no running game. It really appeared that the ENTIRE Steelers team left their A Game in Pennsylvania.

[S2M]

Both teams were lucky to be in the SB. DeSean Jackson's punt return buried NY -giving GB a WC berth, and Stevie Johnson's TD drop in OT allowed Pitt to win AFC North....another thing - there was too much being made of the fact that these two teams were 1 and 2 in overall defense. WAY too much. NE beat both teams. Polamolecule disappeared in the NE game, and he was a non-factor in this game. And other than that one play on Ben's arm - GB did nothing special on 'D'. Congrats to both teams though....now we can put an end to Ben being mentioned in the same breath as Brady.

Green Bay earned their trip and that is absolutely irrefutable. They went on the road to Philly and won, on the road to Atlanta and won, on the road to Chicago and won, and played a team in the Super Bowl with a ton of experience and won. Nobody, and I mean nobody, gives a fuck that New England beat both teams. They had 2 weeks to prepare for the Jets, the same Jets that told the entire world they were going to come into Foxboro and steamroll the Patriots ... and they did just that. It's the fucking NFL playoffs, and you're only as good as your first loss. Besides, only a sore loser would tout regular season victories, and I bet Bill Belichick and Tom Brady-Bundchen would tell you as much.

They earned their way into the SB, but they backdoored their way into a WC berth....also irrefutable. Also, I wouldn't call it steamrolled. You mentioned the Jets, I didn't.

[Saint John]

Rodgers has better weapons and had far more time in the pocket.

So has Peyton Manning for most of his career and it hasn't won him much of anything! I can't believe that ANYONE who really watches football would come away after watching Rodgers and Ben play QB and think Ben was the better QB. It's actually not even close between the two of them. Rodgers is a FAR more accurate, down the field passer and scrambles every bit as well (even though I don't think scrambling is remotely relevant to play the position of QB) as Ben does.

Let's not forget about the disappearing job Rodgers pulled in Chicago. He went over 2 and a half quarters without producing a single point and probably would have been watching the Bears and Steelers in the Super Bowl if the Bears' 3rd string QB hadn't thrown a pick 6. He had 0 TD passes, 2 INTs and a measly 1 yard TD run in that game (not to mention another INT that was brought back by a penalty). That's worse than what Ben did yesterday. Rodgers got bailed out in his shit game and Ben didn't. Simple as that.

[Saint John]

they backdoored their way into a WC berth....also irrefutable.

It's very refutable. They played the Giants in what was basically a "winner controls their own destiny" game and beat the living shit out of them 45-17. I know you're gonna go back to that Philly/Giants game, but it doesn't work that way. The 2 teams in question, Green Bay and New York (Giants), settled it on the field. That is not "backdooring" your way in. That's knocking the fucking door down. Every team has a "what if" scenario, but these 2 teams had the unique opportunity to settle it on the field, and that takes the "what if" out of the equation. You're dismissed.

[conversationpc]

they backdoored their way into a WC berth....also irrefutable.

It's very refutable. They played the Giants in what was basically a "winner controls their own destiny" game and beat the living shit out of them 45-17. I know you're gonna go back to that Philly/Giants game, but it doesn't work that way. The 2 teams in question, Green Bay and New York (Giants), settled it on the field. That is not "backdooring" your way in. That's knocking the fucking door down. Every team has a "what if" scenario, but these 2 teams had the unique opportunity to settle it on the field, and that takes the "what if" out of the equation. You're dismissed.

I Love this Bar

[Enigma869]

Let's not forget about the disappearing job Rodgers pulled in Chicago.

Dude...I'm starting to think that you have a man crush on The Rapist. While I don't disagree with you at all about your point with Rodgers in the Chicago game, you conveniently forget to mention that The Rapist did the same exact thing against the Jets!

[Don]

they backdoored their way into a WC berth....also irrefutable.

You're dismissed.

[S2M]

Let's not forget about the disappearing job Rodgers pulled in Chicago.

And in NY, and In Detroit.....

[S2M]

they backdoored their way into a WC berth....also irrefutable.

You're dismissed.

Be honest...Pitt lost that game. GB was decent - at best. Kudos to GB for the scoreboard, but they didn't set the world on fire. And neither did NE in their THREE wins....so save the comebacks.....lol

[Don]

NY, Detroit, Chicago.
Meaningless.
It's all about the ring.

[S2M]

NY, Detroit, Chicago.
Meaningless.
It's all about the ring.

That ring is gonna be VERY lonely....

[Don]

NY, Detroit, Chicago.
Meaningless.
It's all about the ring.

That ring is gonna be VERY lonely....

Tell that to Marino, Tarkenton, Jaworski, Gannon, etc.

By the way, Isn't this Green Bay's 13th NFL Championship?