OFFICIAL NFL Week by Week Thread:

[Maui Tom]

We are truly horrendous. Now we have likely gotten Cribbs seriously hurt as time expired for no reason... he left on a stretcher. Hollywood's best writers (not that that is saying much these days) couldn't script something more ridiculous.

My GOD the Browns are the 62 Mets....

[Ehwmatt]

I don't even feel bad for us. I seriously just laugh. I'm drunk as a skunk right now and couldn't care less, I reconnected with an old friend tonight, haven't seen him for 4 years, and we just sat here and roared at the game the whole time in hysterics as if we hadn't missed a beat hanging out. It's just funny at this point

[YoungJRNY]

Cleveland's playing VERY well tonight. They are playing exceptionally well on the defense side of the ball. Impressed. I must say, what EXACTLY are these defenders supposed to do when pursuing the Quarterback? The Browns just made a helluva play on Flacco and disrupting his timing on a screen and they simply took him to the ground in a nice effort.. roughing the passer. TERRIBLE. Football isn't the same game that revolutionized the sport some centuries ago. These rules are really damaging to the game.

You spoke too soon my man.

Pretty much. As the game went on, the flow of the game got worse, and worse, and worse. Cleveland's offense.. scratch that, Cleveland's housewives needs a complete overhaul. The coach, the players, the water boys, the trainers, the equipment managers, ALL THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE CLEVELAND BROWNS, needs a long and thought out over haul. This will take more than 3 years to even get to a point to muster up a .500 season. They were fortunate enough that the game was 0-0 at half, and even though the defense showed glimpses, it was clear that the Browns can't even score a single point, let alone 5 yards. The Ravens fall from grace is in the making. They are in serious trouble and didn't look like half the team they were a year ago, or 3 games in. I was never sold on this squad.

[S2M]

That pass interference is going to be called EVERYTIME. Not only was the N.E defender holding his jersey the whole way downfield, but he bumped into him when attempting a jump ball, interfering with his route. It will continue to be called as well. But taking the QB to the ground is really something that just needs to happen.

If the defender is looking back for the ball, incidental contact is allowed....and Butler was NOT face-guarding....he was looking back. And I have no idea what you are talking about when you claim he was pulling on a jersey....that was the first PI call - I agree with that call. I'm talking about the Colley-Butler play.

Once the receiver 'jumps' there is no 'route' to interfere with....at that point as long as the defender is looking back for the ball - anything goes. Learn the rules, Trav.

Defensive Pass Interference
According to the NFL Rulebook--which can be accessed online at the official NFL Website, there are six actions that result in a call of defensive pass interference. The first is contact by a defender who is not playing the ball that keeps the intended receiver from making the catch. The second is "playing through" a receiver's back while trying to make a play on the ball. The third is grabbing hold of an offensive player's arm while he tries to make a catch. The fourth is blocking the receiver's access to the ball with an outstretched arm, and the fifth is by cutting off a potential receiver's path while making no effort to defend the ball. Finally, the sixth way to draw a pass interference call is to hook a receiver's arm while going for the ball and making the offensive player's body to change direction before the ball arrives.


I believe this was the call....AND what you are refering to. But Butler DID look back.

[YoungJRNY]

That pass interference is going to be called EVERYTIME. Not only was the N.E defender holding his jersey the whole way downfield, but he bumped into him when attempting a jump ball, interfering with his route. It will continue to be called as well. But taking the QB to the ground is really something that just needs to happen.

If the defender is looking back for the ball, incidental contact is allowed....and Butler was NOT face-guarding....he was looking back. And I have no idea what you are talking about when you claim he was pulling on a jersey....that was the first PI call - I agree with that call. I'm talking about the Colley-Butler play.

Once the receiver 'jumps' there is no 'route' to interfere with....at that point as long as the defender is looking back for the ball - anything goes. Learn the rules, Trav.

Defensive Pass Interference
According to the NFL Rulebook--which can be accessed online at the official NFL Website, there are six actions that result in a call of defensive pass interference. The first is contact by a defender who is not playing the ball that keeps the intended receiver from making the catch. The second is "playing through" a receiver's back while trying to make a play on the ball. The third is grabbing hold of an offensive player's arm while he tries to make a catch. The fourth is blocking the receiver's access to the ball with an outstretched arm, and the fifth is by cutting off a potential receiver's path while making no effort to defend the ball. Finally, the sixth way to draw a pass interference call is to hook a receiver's arm while going for the ball and making the offensive player's body to change direction before the ball arrives.


I believe this was the call....AND what you are refering to. But Butler DID look back.

Once the receiver 'jumps' there is no 'route' to interfere with....at that point as long as the defender is looking back for the ball - anything goes. Learn the rules, Trav.

I understand the rules just fine. I don't know what your gripe is, that is pass interference EVERY-SINGLE-TIME. Just because it is a "jump ball' you're still not allowed to interfere with his body in any way shape or form unless it is either tipped, touched or swatted before hand. Butler was covering ground because he got beat (look at the replay, he's tugging on Collie's jersey the whole way down the field to begin with) and he simply interfered and bumped into Collie as the receiver was going for the ball. It's that simple. Again, that gets called every time and that's textbook to go deep for that reason. It was pass interference, obviously. (That was a first down play anyhow, so even if he didn't bump into him, judging by the way the Colts were moving the ball, they would of probably scored on that drive anyhow.)

[YoungJRNY]

Week 11 Power Rankings

1. Indianapolis Colts
2. New Orleans Saints
3. Minnesota Vikings
4. Cincinnati Bengals
5. New England Patriots
------------------------------
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
7. San Diego Chargers
8. Arizona Cardinals
9. Dallas Cowboys
10. Philadelphia Eagles
------------------------------
Spots 9 & 10 were TOUGH to place. Even though GB beat Dallas, I still think they aren't top 10 worthy & while Philadelphia lost to the Chargers, I gave them the 10th spot over Houston, Green Bay, Baltimore or possibly Miami, who I think is still in this and a good team. This is the time of the year that after the top 5 their hard to place, after #7 it's a toss up for the last 3 spots.

On the fringe: Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans , N.Y Giants, Miami Dolphins, , Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49'ers

[S2M]

That pass interference is going to be called EVERYTIME. Not only was the N.E defender holding his jersey the whole way downfield, but he bumped into him when attempting a jump ball, interfering with his route. It will continue to be called as well. But taking the QB to the ground is really something that just needs to happen.

If the defender is looking back for the ball, incidental contact is allowed....and Butler was NOT face-guarding....he was looking back. And I have no idea what you are talking about when you claim he was pulling on a jersey....that was the first PI call - I agree with that call. I'm talking about the Colley-Butler play.

Once the receiver 'jumps' there is no 'route' to interfere with....at that point as long as the defender is looking back for the ball - anything goes. Learn the rules, Trav.

Defensive Pass Interference
According to the NFL Rulebook--which can be accessed online at the official NFL Website, there are six actions that result in a call of defensive pass interference. The first is contact by a defender who is not playing the ball that keeps the intended receiver from making the catch. The second is "playing through" a receiver's back while trying to make a play on the ball. The third is grabbing hold of an offensive player's arm while he tries to make a catch. The fourth is blocking the receiver's access to the ball with an outstretched arm, and the fifth is by cutting off a potential receiver's path while making no effort to defend the ball. Finally, the sixth way to draw a pass interference call is to hook a receiver's arm while going for the ball and making the offensive player's body to change direction before the ball arrives.


I believe this was the call....AND what you are refering to. But Butler DID look back.

Once the receiver 'jumps' there is no 'route' to interfere with....at that point as long as the defender is looking back for the ball - anything goes. Learn the rules, Trav.

I understand the rules just fine. I don't know what your gripe is, that is pass interference EVERY-SINGLE-TIME. Just because it is a "jump ball' you're still not allowed to interfere with his body in any way shape or form unless it is either tipped, touched or swatted before hand. Butler was covering ground because he got beat (look at the replay, he's tugging on Collie's jersey the whole way down the field to begin with) and he simply interfered and bumped into Collie as the receiver was going for the ball. It's that simple. Again, that gets called every time and that's textbook to go deep for that reason. It was pass interference, obviously. (That was a first down play anyhow, so even if he didn't bump into him, judging by the way the Colts were moving the ball, they would of probably scored on that drive anyhow.)

Trav, you fail to see the 'big' picture....you would never be confused with a tactician. lol

Big chunk of yardage in ONE play, and no time clicks off the clock. I agree that was first down. But if the PI was not called it would have taken more time to march down the field, and they wouldn't have been given a 30+ yard gimme. Thus, at the end of the game there is less time on the clock to comeback. Everything interlaces into everything else.

FYI - what was the reason for the LATE, yeah I said LATE flag on that play....if Butler was grabbing jersey all the way down the field it would have been an immediate flag. and you are wrong about him being beat and there being contact. If Butler was looking back, as long as he is not hooking colley's arm, not displacing colley's body in relation to the ball, or any other contact that prevents Colley from making a catch.....and I'll repeat that integral part yet again - BUTLER IS LOOKING BACK - incidental contact is allowed. You don't know the rules.

[YoungJRNY]

That pass interference is going to be called EVERYTIME. Not only was the N.E defender holding his jersey the whole way downfield, but he bumped into him when attempting a jump ball, interfering with his route. It will continue to be called as well. But taking the QB to the ground is really something that just needs to happen.

If the defender is looking back for the ball, incidental contact is allowed....and Butler was NOT face-guarding....he was looking back. And I have no idea what you are talking about when you claim he was pulling on a jersey....that was the first PI call - I agree with that call. I'm talking about the Colley-Butler play.

Once the receiver 'jumps' there is no 'route' to interfere with....at that point as long as the defender is looking back for the ball - anything goes. Learn the rules, Trav.

Defensive Pass Interference
According to the NFL Rulebook--which can be accessed online at the official NFL Website, there are six actions that result in a call of defensive pass interference. The first is contact by a defender who is not playing the ball that keeps the intended receiver from making the catch. The second is "playing through" a receiver's back while trying to make a play on the ball. The third is grabbing hold of an offensive player's arm while he tries to make a catch. The fourth is blocking the receiver's access to the ball with an outstretched arm, and the fifth is by cutting off a potential receiver's path while making no effort to defend the ball. Finally, the sixth way to draw a pass interference call is to hook a receiver's arm while going for the ball and making the offensive player's body to change direction before the ball arrives.


I believe this was the call....AND what you are refering to. But Butler DID look back.

Once the receiver 'jumps' there is no 'route' to interfere with....at that point as long as the defender is looking back for the ball - anything goes. Learn the rules, Trav.

I understand the rules just fine. I don't know what your gripe is, that is pass interference EVERY-SINGLE-TIME. Just because it is a "jump ball' you're still not allowed to interfere with his body in any way shape or form unless it is either tipped, touched or swatted before hand. Butler was covering ground because he got beat (look at the replay, he's tugging on Collie's jersey the whole way down the field to begin with) and he simply interfered and bumped into Collie as the receiver was going for the ball. It's that simple. Again, that gets called every time and that's textbook to go deep for that reason. It was pass interference, obviously. (That was a first down play anyhow, so even if he didn't bump into him, judging by the way the Colts were moving the ball, they would of probably scored on that drive anyhow.)

Trav, you fail to see the 'big' picture....you would never be confused with a tactician. lol

Big chunk of yardage in ONE play, and no time clicks off the clock. I agree that was first down. But if the PI was not called it would have taken more time to march down the field, and they wouldn't have been given a 30+ yard gimme. Thus, at the end of the game there is less time on the clock to comeback. Everything interlaces into everything else.

FYI - what was the reason for the LATE, yeah I said LATE flag on that play....if Butler was grabbing jersey all the way down the field it would have been an immediate flag. and you are wrong about him being beat and there being contact. If Butler was looking back, as long as he is not hooking colley's arm, not displacing colley's body in relation to the ball, or any other contact that prevents Colley from making a catch.....and I'll repeat that integral part yet again - BUTLER IS LOOKING BACK - incidental contact is allowed. You don't know the rules.

Malone, you fail to see reality. I didn't make the call. A paid NFL referee did. Many refs have made that call many times before and again, it'll be called every time whether you like it or not. Get over it. It was the right call. IMO, it's an ultimate judgment call and no matter how much you want to argue since you're a natural born arguer and whiner, the call was made. If that call WASN'T made at that point, where contact did exist, then it certainly would of upset a lot higher ups and a no-call would of put that ref's job in serious jeopardy. He HAS to make that call since contact was made, one on one, in open field.

This call reminds me of such tactics by an offense, Earlier in the season. It reminded me of a play in Week 1 with the Steelers VS the Titans. Troy Polamalu was in GREAT position to defend a long ball of Kerry Collins to I think Kenny Brit. On the play, Polamalu, playing the ball, made a beautiful defense on the ball and batted it down in spectacular fashion. A flag was called for defensive pass interference since contact was made during the play down field. Problem was, it was Britt running his body into Polamalu, causing the defensive pass interference. Yet, it benefited the offense. IT ALWAYS WILL. This just goes to show that referee's are going to make that call down field when ANY sort of contact is made on a long ball that could determine interfering with a receivers body. I also played this game throughout my life. In football practice and in situational 2 minute drills, we'd practice to go for the long ball with the first thing on our minds was # 1, catch the ball if necessary at all times, and #2, draw a penalty. PERIOD. It was a nice tactic to go deep and the Pats got the call for the pass interference where contact was indeed made. You lose.

[S2M]

"Malone, you fail to see reality. I didn't make the call. A paid NFL referee did. Many refs have made that call many times before and again, it'll be called every time whether you like it or not. Get over it. It was the right call. IMO, it's an ultimate judgment call and no matter how much you want to argue since you're a natural born arguer and whiner, the call was made. If that call WASN'T made at that point, where contact did exist, then it certainly would of upset a lot higher ups and a no-call would of put that ref's job in serious jeopardy. He HAS to make that call since contact was made, one on one, in open field.

This call reminds me of such tactics by an offense. earlier in the season. It reminded me of a play in Week 1 with the Steelers VS the Titans. Troy Polamalu was in GREAT position to defend a long ball of Kerry Collins to I think Kenny Brit. On the play, Polamalu, playing the ball, made a beautiful defense on the ball and batted it down in spectacular fashion. A flag was called for defensive pass interference since contact was made during the play down field. Problem was, it was Britt running his body into Polamalu, causing the defensive pass interference. Yet, it benefited the offense. IT ALWAYS WILL. This just goes to show that referee's are going to make that call down field when ANY sort of contact is made on a long ball that could determine interfering with a receivers body. You lose."


You got one thing right.....

[YoungJRNY]

Are there really ANY words left to describe the Browns?

Browns offense: 160 total net yards.
Brady Quinn 13-31, 99 yards, 2 int's, pick 6.
5 offensive touchdowns in the last 15 games.

[Ehwmatt]

Are there really ANY words left to describe the Browns?

Browns offense: 160 total net yards.
Brady Quinn 13-31, 99 yards, 2 int's, pick 6.
5 offensive touchdowns in the last 15 games.

Pictures of poop

[YoungJRNY]

http://nflfromthesidelines.blogspot.com/

Tuesday with Tomlin-Polamalu update

Mike Tomlin said the injury to All-Pro strong safety Troy Polamalu is not as serious as the team feared when he left Sunday's loss to Cincinnati.

Tomlin said Tuesday that Polamalu's injury is a PCL strain as opposed to a re-injury to the MCL that forced him to miss four games earlier this season.

"Troy's status for this game is questionable, at best," said Tomlin as the Steelers prepare to play at Kansas City Sunday. "Although we have had some favorable information in regards to where he is from a health standpoint. We're going to take it day-to-day with him."

Polamalu is fine. I was very scared early that game since he didn't return and tweaked the same knee that made him miss 4 games. Glad to hear Troy is okay and his season isn't over, to which I feared. Sigh of relief. Still, obviously that knee is weak in some area's so I'd give him 2-3 games of rest if necessarily to prevent further damage. Dodged a bullet there.

[YoungJRNY]

It's official..

Running back Larry Johnson inks deal to join the Cincinnati Bengals

Larry Johnson is a Bengal after agreeing to terms on a one-year contract with the team this morning. The Bengals still have not made an official announcement since they still have to make a roster move to put Johnson on the 53-man roster.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Johnson will receive the $4 million still owed by the Chiefs, who had to pick up the salary when he wasn’t claimed off waivers, plus the veteran’s minimum, which would be $306,764.43 for the remaining seven games.

Shit, am I reading that right and the Bengals are getting Johnson for the rest of the year free? Or did the reporter just screw up and Cincy will pay the minimum $306 grand?

Cincy has to be paying the minimum.

They pretty much paid nothing. Chump change. What Schefter reported recently, is that Johnson will obviously only be an insurance policy and backup at best. His signing does no harm to Benson's status, but due to injury, Johnson was givin' a chance to make the team, esp that of a team that's heading towards a playoff spot. I don't see him being no more than a 3rd down option, unless he catches on really fast. Who knows how he's going to be used but I'd expect him to be a decoy the majority of the time.

[Ehwmatt]

It's official..

Running back Larry Johnson inks deal to join the Cincinnati Bengals

Larry Johnson is a Bengal after agreeing to terms on a one-year contract with the team this morning. The Bengals still have not made an official announcement since they still have to make a roster move to put Johnson on the 53-man roster.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Johnson will receive the $4 million still owed by the Chiefs, who had to pick up the salary when he wasn’t claimed off waivers, plus the veteran’s minimum, which would be $306,764.43 for the remaining seven games.

Shit, am I reading that right and the Bengals are getting Johnson for the rest of the year free? Or did the reporter just screw up and Cincy will pay the minimum $306 grand?

Cincy has to be paying the minimum.

I don't see him being no more than a 3rd down option, unless he catches on really fast.

Awwwwww shiiiiit dawg, I don't see him not goin nowhere on nothin but any 3rd downs

[Since 78]

Are there really ANY words left to describe the Browns?

Browns offense: 160 total net yards.
Brady Quinn 13-31, 99 yards, 2 int's, pick 6.
5 offensive touchdowns in the last 15 games.

Pictures of poop

Good one!

[Enigma869]

That pass interference is going to be called EVERYTIME. Not only was the N.E defender holding his jersey the whole way downfield, but he bumped into him when attempting a jump ball, interfering with his route. It will continue to be called as well. But taking the QB to the ground is really something that just needs to happen.

Sorry...I'm with Malone on this one and it has nothing to do with the team I have an allegiance to. The pass interference call against Butler was fucking ABSURD, period! The NFL has a real problem with phantom interference calls, league-wide, and they REALLY need to get a handle on it, because it's fucking embarrassing. I thought the call against Butler was atrocious even before I saw the replay. The replay confirmed what an awful call it was.

On another note, here is one of many articles floating around defending Belichick's decision, even though I didn't agree with it. For the record, this is not a Boston writer.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=A ... &type=lgns

[Ehwmatt]

That pass interference is going to be called EVERYTIME. Not only was the N.E defender holding his jersey the whole way downfield, but he bumped into him when attempting a jump ball, interfering with his route. It will continue to be called as well. But taking the QB to the ground is really something that just needs to happen.

Sorry...I'm with Malone on this one and it has nothing to do with the team I have an allegiance to. The pass interference call against Butler was fucking ABSURD, period! The NFL has a real problem with phantom interference calls, league-wide, and they REALLY need to get a handle on it, because it's fucking embarrassing. I thought the call against Butler was atrocious even before I saw the replay. The replay confirmed what an awful call it was.

On another note, here is one of many articles floating around defending Belichick's decision, even though I didn't agree with it. For the record, this is not a Boston writer.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=A ... &type=lgns

I mean, it's just like anything else. If Faulk doesn't bobble that ball every fucking douchebag sports writer is waxing poetic about Belichick's football genius. I don't think you can defend it outright or condemn it outright.

My take: It's a regular season game, the stakes are high, but it's not sudden death being the playoffs or the game to decide the wild card/division winner etc. I say you play the percentages in this situation and punt it and trust your D to hopefully stop em and give you a shot at home field advantage down the road. Conversely, you perhaps go for it in a road playoff situation if you really are truly convinced your D can't stop Peyton, as Belichick apparently was.

[Enigma869]

Dick Jauron fired as head coach of the Bills. Not too often that you see any coach in the NFL get fired during the season.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4664167

[Ehwmatt]

Dick Jauron fired as head coach of the Bills. Not too often that you see any coach in the NFL get fired during the season.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4664167

This was a question of when, not if he was gonna go. Hopefully Manwiener is next

[S2M]

That pass interference is going to be called EVERYTIME. Not only was the N.E defender holding his jersey the whole way downfield, but he bumped into him when attempting a jump ball, interfering with his route. It will continue to be called as well. But taking the QB to the ground is really something that just needs to happen.

Sorry...I'm with Malone on this one and it has nothing to do with the team I have an allegiance to. The pass interference call against Butler was fucking ABSURD, period! The NFL has a real problem with phantom interference calls, league-wide, and they REALLY need to get a handle on it, because it's fucking embarrassing. I thought the call against Butler was atrocious even before I saw the replay. The replay confirmed what an awful call it was.

On another note, here is one of many articles floating around defending Belichick's decision, even though I didn't agree with it. For the record, this is not a Boston writer.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=A ... &type=lgns

I mean, it's just like anything else. If Faulk doesn't bobble that ball every fucking douchebag sports writer is waxing poetic about Belichick's football genius. I don't think you can defend it outright or condemn it outright.

My take: It's a regular season game, the stakes are high, but it's not sudden death being the playoffs or the game to decide the wild card/division winner etc. I say you play the percentages in this situation and punt it and trust your D to hopefully stop em and give you a shot at home field advantage down the road. Conversely, you perhaps go for it in a road playoff situation if you really are truly convinced your D can't stop Peyton, as Belichick apparently was.

Matt, at this point the decision is a moot point. The fact is that the patriots got jobbed on that play because they couldn't review it. At the point in which the ref lost sight of the ball - it should have been ruled in favor of the 1st down. The call on the field was ruled on INCONCLUSIVE evidence. Pretty funny that in a review the evidence has to be conclusive, but a call on the field can be ruled using inconclusive evidence.

[bluejeangirl76]

Dick Jauron fired as head coach of the Bills.

We didn't like him either.

[Don]

Dick Jauron fired as head coach of the Bills. Not too often that you see any coach in the NFL get fired during the season.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4664167

He probably could have saved his job for another week if he would have gone over and knocked Bud Adams out of his golf cart.

[Enigma869]

I mean, it's just like anything else. If Faulk doesn't bobble that ball every fucking douchebag sports writer is waxing poetic about Belichick's football genius. I don't think you can defend it outright or condemn it outright.

My take: It's a regular season game, the stakes are high, but it's not sudden death being the playoffs or the game to decide the wild card/division winner etc. I say you play the percentages in this situation and punt it and trust your D to hopefully stop em and give you a shot at home field advantage down the road. Conversely, you perhaps go for it in a road playoff situation if you really are truly convinced your D can't stop Peyton, as Belichick apparently was.

I don't disagree with anything you're saying Matt (we agree way too fucking much these days). The funny thing is Belichick went for it against Atlanta when it was 4th and 3 earlier this season and nobody said a fucking word about it because they got the first down. Like I said, I didn't agree with the call, and didn't agree with the call against Atlanta, even though he made it. I'm an old school football guy and think you simply have to play the percentages. That said, if you look at the Colts' scoring drives during that entire game, the longest one took 3:30 and two of them took under two minutes. There were over two minutes left in the game, so Belichick was reasonably confident that his best chance to win was letting his offense get the first down and not relying upon an inexperienced defense to stop one of the top 5 QB's in the history of the NFL! Honestly, even though I didn't agree with the call, I'm not convinced that Manning wouldn't have marched the ball 68 yards down the field in the same time, had the Patriots punted the ball. The smarter play would have been Merriweather allowing Addai to score when there was still 1:16 left. At that point, all the Patriots needed was a field goal to win and that is ample time for Brady to have gotten into field goal range. Oh well...bring on the Jets! My early pick...Patriots by a minimum of three touchdowns this week!

[Enigma869]

Hopefully Manwiener is next

No hope needed my friend. Eric The Genius is definitely on his way out! The clock is ticking and he hears it.

[S2M]

I mean, it's just like anything else. If Faulk doesn't bobble that ball every fucking douchebag sports writer is waxing poetic about Belichick's football genius. I don't think you can defend it outright or condemn it outright.

My take: It's a regular season game, the stakes are high, but it's not sudden death being the playoffs or the game to decide the wild card/division winner etc. I say you play the percentages in this situation and punt it and trust your D to hopefully stop em and give you a shot at home field advantage down the road. Conversely, you perhaps go for it in a road playoff situation if you really are truly convinced your D can't stop Peyton, as Belichick apparently was.

I don't disagree with anything you're saying Matt (we agree way too fucking much these days). The funny thing is Belichick went for it against Atlanta when it was 4th and 3 earlier this season and nobody said a fucking word about it because they got the first down. Like I said, I didn't agree with the call, and didn't agree with the call against Atlanta, even though he made it. I'm an old school football guy and think you simply have to play the percentages. That said, if you look at the Colts' scoring drives during that entire game, the longest one took 3:30 and two of them took under two minutes. There were over two minutes left in the game, so Belichick was reasonably confident that his best chance to win was letting his offense get the first down and not relying upon an inexperienced defense to stop one of the top 5 QB's in the history of the NFL! Honestly, even though I didn't agree with the call, I'm not convinced that Manning wouldn't have marched the ball 68 yards down the field in the same time, had the Patriots punted the ball. The smarter play would have been Merriweather allowing Addai to score when there was still 1:16 left. At that point, all the Patriots needed was a field goal to win and that is ample time for Brady to have gotten into field goal range. Oh well...bring on the Jets! My early pick...Patriots by a minimum of three touchdowns this week!

PLus the fact - after that horrid PI call against Butler....I'm sure the Colts would have hummed it downfield a second time hoping(and probably getting) that PI call again....

[Rockindeano]

I mean, it's just like anything else. If Faulk doesn't bobble that ball every fucking douchebag sports writer is waxing poetic about Belichick's football genius. I don't think you can defend it outright or condemn it outright.

My take: It's a regular season game, the stakes are high, but it's not sudden death being the playoffs or the game to decide the wild card/division winner etc. I say you play the percentages in this situation and punt it and trust your D to hopefully stop em and give you a shot at home field advantage down the road. Conversely, you perhaps go for it in a road playoff situation if you really are truly convinced your D can't stop Peyton, as Belichick apparently was.

I don't disagree with anything you're saying Matt (we agree way too fucking much these days). The funny thing is Belichick went for it against Atlanta when it was 4th and 3 earlier this season and nobody said a fucking word about it because they got the first down. Like I said, I didn't agree with the call, and didn't agree with the call against Atlanta, even though he made it. I'm an old school football guy and think you simply have to play the percentages. That said, if you look at the Colts' scoring drives during that entire game, the longest one took 3:30 and two of them took under two minutes. There were over two minutes left in the game, so Belichick was reasonably confident that his best chance to win was letting his offense get the first down and not relying upon an inexperienced defense to stop one of the top 5 QB's in the history of the NFL! Honestly, even though I didn't agree with the call, I'm not convinced that Manning wouldn't have marched the ball 68 yards down the field in the same time, had the Patriots punted the ball. The smarter play would have been Merriweather allowing Addai to score when there was still 1:16 left. At that point, all the Patriots needed was a field goal to win and that is ample time for Brady to have gotten into field goal range. Oh well...bring on the Jets! My early pick...Patriots by a minimum of three touchdowns this week!

Nice post.


Now, why didn't NE allow the Colts to score when they were on the 4yd line and about to go in, but used up clock? Fuck, let em in and get the ball back with a minute to go.

Nevermind, you made that point that I recklessly responded to. WTF?

[Ehwmatt]

I mean, it's just like anything else. If Faulk doesn't bobble that ball every fucking douchebag sports writer is waxing poetic about Belichick's football genius. I don't think you can defend it outright or condemn it outright.

My take: It's a regular season game, the stakes are high, but it's not sudden death being the playoffs or the game to decide the wild card/division winner etc. I say you play the percentages in this situation and punt it and trust your D to hopefully stop em and give you a shot at home field advantage down the road. Conversely, you perhaps go for it in a road playoff situation if you really are truly convinced your D can't stop Peyton, as Belichick apparently was.

I don't disagree with anything you're saying Matt (we agree way too fucking much these days). The funny thing is Belichick went for it against Atlanta when it was 4th and 3 earlier this season and nobody said a fucking word about it because they got the first down. Like I said, I didn't agree with the call, and didn't agree with the call against Atlanta, even though he made it. I'm an old school football guy and think you simply have to play the percentages. That said, if you look at the Colts' scoring drives during that entire game, the longest one took 3:30 and two of them took under two minutes. There were over two minutes left in the game, so Belichick was reasonably confident that his best chance to win was letting his offense get the first down and not relying upon an inexperienced defense to stop one of the top 5 QB's in the history of the NFL! Honestly, even though I didn't agree with the call, I'm not convinced that Manning wouldn't have marched the ball 68 yards down the field in the same time, had the Patriots punted the ball. The smarter play would have been Merriweather allowing Addai to score when there was still 1:16 left. At that point, all the Patriots needed was a field goal to win and that is ample time for Brady to have gotten into field goal range. Oh well...bring on the Jets! My early pick...Patriots by a minimum of three touchdowns this week!

This is what the talking heads should REALLY be analyzing - why not let Addai in? Great point. As Belichick, you can't have it both ways there: Either you were afraid of Peyton's ability to punch it in for 6 (apparently the case since they didn't punt) or you simply let them in once you've made it a foregone conclusion. You can't say you're afraid he's gonna put up 6 points from at least halfway down the field, likely more, but then think you're gonna hold him to a field goal when you practically hand 6 to him. It's admittedly a bit of a hindsight analysis, but I mean hey... it's a foresight analysis in a way when you consider why they didn't punt in the first place.

I'm also generally a percentages guy in all sports, with the caveat that when you are losing playing the "safe" way, you try something new (hello Mangoonie). That obviously didn't apply here, at least not directly (argument to be made that they were losing playing it "safe/the percentages" and allowing defense to do their job).

[S2M]

Down 7 with 5 secs to go.....you score the TD. Do you kick the PAT, play for the tie(safe)? Or go for 2, play for the win(agressive)?

I would always play for the win......cause I wouldn't want to lose the coin toss in OT.

Or be that bonehead Buffalo head coach who defered the ball in OT.

[Ehwmatt]

Down 7 with 5 secs to go.....you score the TD. Do you kick the PAT, play for the tie(safe)? Or go for 2, play for the win(agressive)?

I would always play for the win......cause I wouldn't want to lose the coin toss in OT.

Or be that bonehead Buffalo head coach who defered the ball in OT.

Regular season - Kick the pt

Playoff - Go for 2

[S2M]

Down 7 with 5 secs to go.....you score the TD. Do you kick the PAT, play for the tie(safe)? Or go for 2, play for the win(agressive)?

I would always play for the win......cause I wouldn't want to lose the coin toss in OT.

Or be that bonehead Buffalo head coach who defered the ball in OT.

Regular season - Kick the pt

Playoff - Go for 2

Your thought process should be the same regardless if it is post season or regular season. IMHO. You got 16 games. Every game counts. As we saw this past Sunday night. You don't think there was alot riding on that regular season game?