OFFICIAL NFL Week by Week Thread:

[YoungJRNY]

Could this be the works of the Madden Curse?

[YoungJRNY]

No, that call against Polamalu was horrid, if anything it was offensive pass interference. Troy was playing the ball and had perfect coverage.

Dude...whether you agree with the call or not, it doesn't change the fact it's a judgment call. The larger point, is the penalty you're bitching about didn't even count, because there was a penalty against the Titans on the same play, so it was a do-over! Bitch about penalties that affected your towel boys... not about a penalty that didn't have one single affect on the game!

I understand that but judgment call or not, that was a bad call! If the right call was made, and it wasn't they had a holding call. Never mind that, it's old news. This is what separates the good teams from the bad, this drive right here. Steelers have been here before, playing right into our game.

[RedWingFan]

Yessss!!! Ward pulled a Byner!! Needed that turnover!!!

[YoungJRNY]

Rare, rare, rare, are. WOW. Hines never fumbles. Game over right there. Get it done right here. Stuff right back down their throat!!!!!!!

Ben since the first QRT is 24-27 I believe not sure, for over 220 yards. THAT is why he is elite. We need heroics once again. By the way last year went, this is all too familiar and it's almost like we welcome the challenge. Gives me a heart attack.

[YoungJRNY]

A hard fought 1-0!!!!!! This is what's expected in crunch time when it comes to Pittsburgh, and I'm glad the whole world saw it. This is what we do best. You give me these hard fought, in the trenches battles over a high scoring game anytime!

Impressed with the O-Line and the pass protection. Ben gaining momentum in the 2nd half, as always and finishing 33-43 (Accuracy of Jamarcus Russell) , 363 yards, completing his last 17 or so balls. Ben's 18th comeback win in his career, amazing. Way to pick up a H.O.F receiver in Hines (Nice stick on that in OT on that corner!) Santonio I don't think will ever drop a ball in his life, and the Rookie Mike Wallace coming up big. Running game a concern. Must get that fixed or else. Defense is just too good, even if the best player in the NFL goes down! Liking what I saw overall, beating a good Tennessee team (twice on both drives if you count Hines not fumbling) and getting it done. Special teams will be monstrous this year. Sitting good. Bring on Chicago.

[ProgRocker53]

Pittsburgh will be tough to top this year, yet again.

Mike Wallace impressed me. And the offensive line is SICK.

As a Bengals fan I'm quite concerned.

[YoungJRNY]

Troy is reported to have an MCL sprain, but not yet confirmed. By the looks of it, this is the best case sceniorio. Hoping for a fast recovery. Also, Santonio Holmes and Hines Ward both going over 100 yards in receiving. I'll take it!

Prog, Cinci will have a good squad this year. They will be the NFL's best improved team. Not enough to compete in this division, but enough to be worthy.

[ProgRocker53]

Troy is reported to have an MCL sprain, but not yet confirmed. By the looks of it, this is the best case sceniorio. Hoping for a fast recovery. Also, Santonio Holmes and Hines Ward both going over 100 yards in receiving. I'll take it!

Prog, Cinci will have a good squad this year. They will be the NFL's best improved team. Not enough to compete in this division, but enough to be worthy.

You heard it here first, and this isn't a fanboy speaking.

Cincinnati will have one of the NFL's top ten best defenses this year.

[YoungJRNY]

Troy is reported to have an MCL sprain, but not yet confirmed. By the looks of it, this is the best case sceniorio. Hoping for a fast recovery. Also, Santonio Holmes and Hines Ward both going over 100 yards in receiving. I'll take it!

Prog, Cinci will have a good squad this year. They will be the NFL's best improved team. Not enough to compete in this division, but enough to be worthy.

You heard it here first, and this isn't a fanboy speaking.

Cincinnati will have one of the NFL's top ten best defenses this year.

Possible. I think starting Maualuga early, and providing fresh young legs to a linebacking core in need of a player like him will do wonders. He should pan out as their future star, and be a big part of building Cinci's defense to compete week in and week out.

[ProgRocker53]

Troy is reported to have an MCL sprain, but not yet confirmed. By the looks of it, this is the best case sceniorio. Hoping for a fast recovery. Also, Santonio Holmes and Hines Ward both going over 100 yards in receiving. I'll take it!

Prog, Cinci will have a good squad this year. They will be the NFL's best improved team. Not enough to compete in this division, but enough to be worthy.

You heard it here first, and this isn't a fanboy speaking.

Cincinnati will have one of the NFL's top ten best defenses this year.

Possible. I think starting Maualuga early, and providing fresh young legs to a linebacking core in need of a player like him will do wonders. He should pan out as their future star, and be a big part of building Cinci's defense to compete week in and week out.

I want to get a Maualuga jersey. I love that dude, I literally did a cartwheel on draft day when the Bengals picked him.

I see the Steelers going at LEAST 12-4. Bengals and Ravens will compete for a wildcard spot, their games against one another will be huge. I say both wind up at least 8-8 while the Browns end up 4-12 if not worse.

As for the rest of the NFL.. Patriots, as always, will be in the thick of it while it will be between the Eagles and the Vikings for the NFC bid.

The most "up for grabs" division will probably be the AFC South. I can easily see Indy, Houston, Jags, and Titans ALL going 8-8 or better. It'll be interesting.

[Enigma869]

Way to pick up a H.O.F receiver in Hines

Hines Ward shouldn't be a Hall Of Fame receiver, in my opinion. He's had a good career and has certainly been better than average. That said, in an 11 year career, he has only gone over 1000 yards 5 times (less than half his career) and has only scored at least 10 TD's three times in an eleven year career. He's only finished in the top 10 for receiving yards twice in an eleven year career, and one of the two times, he finished 9th! He has never finished in the top 3 in receiving yards over an 11 year career. Because the NFL weighs post-season success more than ANY other league when it comes to HOF voting, I think he certainly will get consideration, even though I don't think that he should, based on his numbers. Richard Seymour (the guy the Patriots just tried to trade) has won more Super Bowls than Hines and been voted to more pro bowls than Hines, and I don't think that he's a Hall of Famer either (even though he'll probably get in)! At this point, he's not even the best receiver on his own team!

[RedWingFan]

Way to pick up a H.O.F receiver in Hines

Hines Ward shouldn't be a Hall Of Fame receiver, in my opinion. He's had a good career and has certainly been better than average. That said, in an 11 year career, he has only gone over 1000 yards 5 times (less than half his career) and has only scored at least 10 TD's three times in an eleven year career. He's only finished in the top 10 for receiving yards twice in an eleven year career, and one of the two times, he finished 9th! He has never finished in the top 3 in receiving yards over an 11 year career. Because the NFL weighs post-season success more than ANY other league when it comes to HOF voting, I think he certainly will get consideration, even though I don't think that he should, based on his numbers. Richard Seymour (the guy the Patriots just tried to trade) has won more Super Bowls than Hines and been voted to more pro bowls than Hines, and I don't think that he's a Hall of Famer either (even though he'll probably get in)! At this point, he's not even the best receiver on his own team!

If Cliff Branch isn't in, there's no way Ward should get in.

[lights1961]

GO PACK GO..

[Enigma869]

If Cliff Branch isn't in, there's no way Ward should get in.

Ward definitely is NOT a hall of fame player, based on his numbers. Because of Pittsburgh's success, I would not be stunned to see him get serious consideration. The precedent has already been set with stiffs like Lynn Swann and John Stallworth being inducted. If you look up Swann's and Stallworth's numbers, they are AWFUL, and are the absolute worst of any receivers in the HOF. Over 14 seasons, John Stallworth averaged an embarrassing 620 yards and 4 TD's per season. Those are god-awful numbers...even in a 14 game season! Swann averaged 606 yards and 5 TD's per season over 9 years. Neither one of these guys ranks in the top 175 receivers in the history of the NFL, but they both got in the HOF, simply because the teams they played on were very good. Hines Ward really doesn't belong in the HOF, but the NFL has a history of putting guys in there who simply don't belong!

[YoungJRNY]

I thought you weren't all about stats John? Look, the Hall of Fame consideration is on its path to changing. The Hall was made for the best football players to ever take the field, regardless of stats. Stats is only a small apart of the game, it's what you do, and how you do it in the situation when it becomes your calling. If the Hall was all about stats, then it would hold no more credibility than fantasy football!

That's the way I see it, and that's how players are now voting. Individual effort, and what you mean to a team, as far as leadership and actions are solid point of making it to the Hall. He set the standard for being the most ruthless player to play his position, and also was a Super Bowl MVP. They had to even name a ruling after him. This man plays football the way football was meant to be played, then some. At an age where players are less productive, Hines is still going up against #1 corners, and getting separation week in, and week out. Let's take a closer look of what Hines Ward accomplished in Pittsburgh. Considering how the Steelers operate things, it's remarkable!

A big season should put Ward in the top 10 on the NFL's career receptions list. He has 808 catches. He also needs just 117 receiving yards for 10,000, another of the many franchise records he holds.

All of his numbers are staggering for multiple reasons.

One, he has played with six quarterbacks: Kordell Stewart, Mike Tomczak, Kent Graham, Tommy Maddox, Charlie Batch and Roethlisberger. He never had a Joe Montana like Jerry Rice did or a Troy Aikman like Michael Irvin did -- until now with Roethlisberger.

Two, he has caught a lot of balls in bad weather and sloppy conditions at Three Rivers Stadium and Heinz Field unlike, say, NFL receiving stars Marvin Harrison and Cris Carter, who played in domes.

Three, he plays for a successful organization that mostly plays from ahead in games and tries to kill clock by running the ball instead of playing from behind and throwing on every down.

And four, the Steelers long have believed in winning with a power running game. Comparing Hines's stats to other guys is like comparing apples and oranges. Like some, hard earned stats were NEVER given to him. His name is mentioned with Swann and Stallworth. It's enough for him having all of the franchise's receiving records and plays for one of the top NFL franchises. And to him, it's all about winning. He has 2 Super Bowl rings.

I like what he said to Santonio recently. He said "We don't play for stats around here, we play for rings." Love that. Hines Ward is far from being done and to say he doesn't belong is a puke & wash to any football player who has ever played the game!

Hines Ward will be in the H.O.F GUARANTEED.

[Enigma869]

I thought you weren't all about stats John?

I'm not all about the stats, but you certainly can't ignore them. Jeff George always had stats and he sucked! The point is that a guy's stats absolutely, positively, should matter, when it comes to getting into the HOF, in my opinion. I think the true measuring stick for ANY athlete to get into any HOF is the following question..."Was he the best of the best at any point of his career when compared to his contemporaries"? The answer in the case of Hines Ward is an unquivocal NO! There isn't a single point during Ward's career that I've felt he's been a top 5 receiver in the NFL. That's not to say he sucks. He just isn't "that guy".

. If the Hall was all about stats, then it would hold no more credibility than fantasy football!

Sorry, but I'll say it again...Stats matter, and they matter A LOT! Sports are all about numbers. Guys get paid based on the numbers they put up. There are certainly other elements that go into a player's game, but you're not getting HOF consideration just because you're a nice guy! That's not how it works! You need to bring more to the table than just a smile.

He set the standard for being the most ruthless player to play his position

Huh? I don't even know what this means or what it has to do with anything! That fucker was smiling like a goofy fuck (watch the replay) while the ball was being stripped out of his hands last night, so I'm not sure how that equates to "ruthless". Ruthless and Hines Ward (or any other receiver, for that matter) don't EVER belong in the same sentence!

also was a Super Bowl MVP.

Right...one time! So were Doug Williams, Mark Rypien, Larry Brown, Desmond Howard, and Deion Branch!

This man plays football the way football was meant to be played

No disagreement from me. I think Hines Ward is a class guy, ALL THE WAY. I've always liked him as a player. I simply don't think he is a HOF player, based on his entire career that I've watched. While playing the game the way it's meant to be played is commendable, it's not a reason to put anyone into the HOF!

Hines is still going up against #1 corners

EVERY team's top receiver goes against the number 1 corner on the other side!

One, he has played with six quarterbacks: Kordell Stewart, Mike Tomczak, Kent Graham, Tommy Maddox, Charlie Batch and Roethlisberger. He never had a Joe Montana like Jerry Rice did or a Troy Aikman like Michael Irvin did -- until now with Roethlisberger.

It's a fair point, but Batch and Graham didn't start 10 games between them during their entire time in Pittsburgh! I just don't think he's been a top receiver even when he has had stability at the QB position. He's a good player. I just wouldn't ever mention him along with the Jerry Rices of the world!

Two, he has caught a lot of balls in bad weather and sloppy conditions at Three Rivers Stadium and Heinz Field unlike, say, NFL receiving stars Marvin Harrison and Cris Carter, who played in domes.

You play where you play, my friend. Randy Moss set an NFL record for most TD's EVER by a receiver in a worse climate than Pittsburgh and with no dome stadium anywhere in sight! Also, Carter and Harrison were FAR better players than Ward, and oh, by the way...if you look up Carter's career, I'm confident that he had just as many QB's throwing him the ball over the course of his career!

His name is mentioned with Swann and Stallworth.

Well no shit his name is mentioned with them. Considering he plays for the same freakin' team, that's not exactly saying anything. My argument is that his numbers are every bit as shitty as Swann's and Stallworth's!

Hines Ward will be in the H.O.F GUARANTEED.

We don't even disagree on this. I actually think he will get in, simply based on how the NFL does things. I just believe that his numbers do not make him worthy of getting in!

[RedWingFan]

If Cliff Branch isn't in, there's no way Ward should get in.

Ward definitely is NOT a hall of fame player, based on his numbers. Because of Pittsburgh's success, I would not be stunned to see him get serious consideration. The precedent has already been set with stiffs like Lynn Swann and John Stallworth being inducted. If you look up Swann's and Stallworth's numbers, they are AWFUL, and are the absolute worst of any receivers in the HOF. Over 14 seasons, John Stallworth averaged an embarrassing 620 yards and 4 TD's per season. Those are god-awful numbers...even in a 14 game season! Swann averaged 606 yards and 5 TD's per season over 9 years. Neither one of these guys ranks in the top 175 receivers in the history of the NFL, but they both got in the HOF, simply because the teams they played on were very good. Hines Ward really doesn't belong in the HOF, but the NFL has a history of putting guys in there who simply don't belong!

True..But you have to consider John, the rules that have been changed since those guys played. The defense could take alot more liberties with guys trying to get off the line, a fact that also works against mediocre guys like Ward.

[Enigma869]

True..But you have to consider John, the rules that have been changed since those guys played. The defense could take alot more liberties with guys trying to get off the line, a fact that also works against mediocre guys like Ward.

It's an argument that's flawed for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, most of the guys who played in the era you're alluding to had better numbers than Stallworth and Swann and had to deal with the same rules. Also, regardless of what the rules are at any given time in any league, they are the same for EVERYONE. That's precisely why it's VERY difficult to compare a guy from one era against a guy from another era, playing under completely different rules. My litmus test for a hall of famer in ANY sport comes down to one very simple question...Did he dominate his sport during the time he played. I'm not sure even a guy dying his fecal matter yellow can tell you that Hines Ward "dominated" his era. If you look at the receivers in the NFL over the past 10 years, I could think of 20 of them off the top of my head who were better than Hines Ward! If there are 20 guys better than you, then you're definitely NOT close to "dominating" anything!

[YoungJRNY]

Huh? I don't even know what this means or what it has to do with anything! That fucker was smiling like a goofy fuck (watch the replay) while the ball was being stripped out of his hands last night, so I'm not sure how that equates to "ruthless". Ruthless and Hines Ward (or any other receiver, for that matter) don't EVER belong in the same sentence!

I'm not sure why you're talking about smiles, being nice guys, or about watching replay's. What I mean by my comment is that Hines Ward plays his position like a linebacker, and is the most violent receiver ever to play the position. If you ask anyone else, they couldn't help but agree, and this will be a strong bid for him when his time is up. (Like I said, he got a long way to go, and what Hines Ward provides for the team, giving the circumstances that he's always been dealt with, people under appreciate what kind of player he actually is.) Also, I said Ward is in the same company of Swann and Stallworth because he has passed them in every franchise category that they ever held in Pittsburgh. You don't see people lumping Bobby Shaw or Troy Edwards with the likes of Swann or Stallworth just because they played for the Steelers.

There are many things you've said that's just irrelevant to why Ward is not deserving to be in the Hall of Fame. It'll be an on-going argument, as with everything that's ever discussed around here. You have your opinion and I have mine. You talk about dominance. I feel Hines Ward was a dominant player on one of the most dominant teams and apart of one of the most dominant franchise's in all of sports. When you think Steelers football, you think Hines Ward. The football gods will ultimately decide in the end once everything is thrown out the door. You give me 11 Hines Ward's lining up every play to go to battle with, you got yourself one helluva team. I'd be one happy guy to land a player like Ward if I was a coach at any level.

[Enigma869]

I said Ward is in the same company of Swann and Stallworth because he has passed them in every franchise category that they ever held in Pittsburgh. You don't see people lumping Bobby Shaw or Troy Edwards with the likes of Swann or Stallworth just because they played for the Steelers.

I understand exactly what you're saying. I'm telling you that there are a whole lot of guys who have passed Swann and Stallworth...Just not in Pittsburgh. Listen, I have MUCH respect for the Steelers and all the titles they've won. I'm simply telling you that their championships have ALL been won on defense, period, end of story! Swann and Stallworth were simply fortunate enough to be on STACKED defensive teams. They were both VERY, VERY average NFL receivers and their numbers simply aren't that good! Guys like Irving Fryar and Stanley Morgan, who both spent most of their careers with HORRIBLE Patriots teams have FAR, FAR, FAR better numbers than both Swann and Stallworth, and neither guy is in the Hall Of Fame! While winning certainly should matter, it doesn't mean that every guy who is on a winning team is HOF worthy. Bradshaw's numbers are putrid also, but he was the QB. The guy touching the ball on EVERY down is getting into the HOF EVERY time (and should) if he wins that many Super Bowls! I can tell you that if Swan and Stallworth had played their careers with the Patriots, nobody would even know who they are!

[Blueskies]

The Cowboys and the Falcons both won today! Woohoo!

[Enigma869]

The Cowboys and the Falcons both won today! Woohoo!

Maybe the Fraud Boys like the fact that not anyone outside of Dallas is picking them to win anything, for the first time in many seasons! Also, for what it's worth, none of the so-called experts on ESPN picked the Patriots to win the Super Bowl and only Keyshawn even picked them to get near it. Ahhhhh...the role of the underdog!

[Blueskies]

The Cowboys and the Falcons both won today! Woohoo!

Maybe the Fraud Boys like the fact that not anyone outside of Dallas is picking them to win anything, for the first time in many seasons! Also, for what it's worth, none of the so-called experts on ESPN picked the Patriots to win the Super Bowl and only Keyshawn even picked them to get near it. Ahhhhh...the role of the underdog!

Yep, I always like to see people rally and prove they can achieve when they're told they can't. Especially my teams.

[ProgRocker53]

I. Can't. Believe. The. Bengals.

[Enigma869]

I. Can't. Believe. The. Bengals.

Nothing not really to believe, dude. The Bungles have been competing for last place for most of the past 20 years, so it's really nothing new. In their defense, that was the ultimate fluke play that they lost the game on. That said, their offense looked horrendous, so they're definitely going to have to get it together if they're going to keep The Brownies in the basement!

[squirt1]

I have watched multiple games every week since c1970. Now can you guys explain to me why the clock was changed from 20 secs to 38 ? This will be shown in the same light as the Immaculate Reception. I think it was Hall that tipped it and he did his job. This is perhaps Mike Brown Karma. Prog , I figure you may have went to the game . If so, are your clothes dry yet after you jumped into the Ohio River.

[YoungJRNY]

I have watched multiple games every week since c1970. Now can you guys explain to me why the clock was changed from 20 secs to 38 ? This will be shown in the same light as the Immaculate Reception. I think it was Hall that tipped it and he did his job. This is perhaps Mike Brown Karma. Prog , I figure you may have went to the game . If so, are your clothes dry yet after you jumped into the Ohio River.

Even though it was a sick play, this play could never even hold a candle light to the Immaculate Reception, let alone a shadow. (my dad's first game btw, he was 15.) Givin' the circumstance of one of the hottest rivalry's in all of sports, at the time at least, Pittsburgh's first playoff birth at home, and considering a voo-doo ending on 4th down with seconds to go, this set the stage that put the NFL on the map, let alone setting the stage to break Pittsburgh out of meritocracy. And to think this didn't even air on Television until the next day! If anyone wants to give bullshit lip about the ball hitting the ground watch this ( a video of the original broadcast of the actual game, not snippets from NFL Films that you've probably NEVER seen.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xMDIcsUMmA

You see the ball doesn't even come close to nipping the ground. What a moment of pure magic. But to say that this play today will be mentioned in the same breath as the IR is absurd. These were two horrible teams that were playing to get out of the stadium to get first dibs on the bus, has no history of any rivarly being built, and has no future stars in the making. This play won't change things and will be forgotten after this week's top ten listings. SICKKKK ending though to a diarrhea of a game.

[RedWingFan]

I have watched multiple games every week since c1970. Now can you guys explain to me why the clock was changed from 20 secs to 38 ? This will be shown in the same light as the Immaculate Reception. I think it was Hall that tipped it and he did his job. This is perhaps Mike Brown Karma. Prog , I figure you may have went to the game . If so, are your clothes dry yet after you jumped into the Ohio River.

Even though it was a sick play, this play could never even hold a candle light to the Immaculate Reception, let alone a shadow. (my dad's first game btw, he was 15.) Givin' the circumstance of one of the hottest rivalry's in all of sports, at the time at least, Pittsburgh's first playoff birth at home, and considering a voo-doo ending on 4th down with seconds to go, this set the stage that put the NFL on the map, let alone setting the stage to break Pittsburgh out of meritocracy. And to think this didn't even air on Television until the next day! If anyone wants to give bullshit lip about the ball hitting the ground watch this ( a video of the original broadcast of the actual game, not snippets from NFL Films.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xMDIcsUMmA

You see the ball doesn't even come close to nipping the ground. What a moment of pure magic. But to say that this play today will be mentioned in the same breath as the IR is absurd. These were two horrible teams that were playing to get out of the stadium to get first dibs on the bus, has no history of any rivarly being built, and has no future stars in the making. This play won't change things and will be forgotten after this week's top ten listings. SICKKKK ending though to a diarrhea of a game.

The play should have been ruled illegal because the ball hit Frenchie Fuqua first before the ball rebounded to Harris....That was an illegal forward pass back then.

[YoungJRNY]

I have watched multiple games every week since c1970. Now can you guys explain to me why the clock was changed from 20 secs to 38 ? This will be shown in the same light as the Immaculate Reception. I think it was Hall that tipped it and he did his job. This is perhaps Mike Brown Karma. Prog , I figure you may have went to the game . If so, are your clothes dry yet after you jumped into the Ohio River.

Even though it was a sick play, this play could never even hold a candle light to the Immaculate Reception, let alone a shadow. (my dad's first game btw, he was 15.) Givin' the circumstance of one of the hottest rivalry's in all of sports, at the time at least, Pittsburgh's first playoff birth at home, and considering a voo-doo ending on 4th down with seconds to go, this set the stage that put the NFL on the map, let alone setting the stage to break Pittsburgh out of meritocracy. And to think this didn't even air on Television until the next day! If anyone wants to give bullshit lip about the ball hitting the ground watch this ( a video of the original broadcast of the actual game, not snippets from NFL Films.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xMDIcsUMmA

You see the ball doesn't even come close to nipping the ground. What a moment of pure magic. But to say that this play today will be mentioned in the same breath as the IR is absurd. These were two horrible teams that were playing to get out of the stadium to get first dibs on the bus, has no history of any rivalry being built, and has no future stars in the making. This play won't change things and will be forgotten after this week's top ten listings. SICKKKK ending though to a diarrhea of a game.

The play should have been ruled illegal because the ball hit Frenchie Fuqua first before the ball rebounded to Harris....That was an illegal forward pass back then.

True, but if you look close you could see the ball hits #31 in the chest, giving the affect of the ball bouncing that high in the air at a line drive. Frenchie to this day never made a clear statement and never could really confirm on who the ball hit first. But you're right about that rule.

[Peartree12249]