OFFICIAL NFL Week by Week Thread:

[mikemarrs]

however this year i don't see no one beating indy in the playoffs and that includes the chargers.

[RedWingFan]

Way to go refs.....phantom 'illegal Formation' call. We know how bad the league wants 2 undefeated teams in the SB....

You need a new act, dude! Jacksonville lost the game because Garrad is fucking DREADFUL and continuously missed open receivers, and then finally threw the game away with under a minute left when he threw to the wrong color jersey. The Colts are going undefeated. Get over it. As the Patriots already proved, going 16-0 means absolutely NOTHING. If it makes you feel any better, the 2007 Patriots team would run this Colts team off the field!

There is not a chance in hell this Colts team makes the Super Bowl imo. I love Peyton but they are far too vulnerable. On the other hand, perhaps the fact they find ways to win all of these nailbiters is just a sign of destiny. But I'm inclined to believe their luck will run out when it counts the most.

I disagree. With Peyton at the helm, this offense is completely flawless. I've never seen an offense with a quick strike offense like the Colts have. Give Manning 20 seconds on the clock down by 7 and that would be PLENTY of time to drive his offense 80 yards to pay dirt, they are THAT GOOD. The defense have been steppin' up time and time again to make the plays at the RIGHT time and is a nice compliment to that offense since making crucial plays are needed for Manning to operate. I just don't see how the Colts could lose with that good of a offense playing flawlessly while driving football fields. They look awesome.

Hey Trav, mind to enlighten us why Manning is sitting on your bench with his 27 fantasy points he accumulated tonight? Matt Shaub over Manning? It's the playoffs yo!

[Don]

San Diego is one big potential roadblock for the Colts.

Perhaps. I think the Chargers have a better team but their history in January SUCKS, so I wouldn't bet a nickel on that team. They have a pussy running back who more than likely will find another excuse not to play when it counts and a dopey head coach who if given the opportunity, would fuck up a free lunch and ask for change!

I figure they will beat Indy, and remain true to form by choking in the next game, be it AFC Championship or SuperBowl.

[Don]

I would love to see Drew Brees put a whuppin' on his former team, the Lightning Bolts in the big game. I'm not to sure that the Saints can get past the Vikings though.

[YoungJRNY]

Way to go refs.....phantom 'illegal Formation' call. We know how bad the league wants 2 undefeated teams in the SB....

You need a new act, dude! Jacksonville lost the game because Garrad is fucking DREADFUL and continuously missed open receivers, and then finally threw the game away with under a minute left when he threw to the wrong color jersey. The Colts are going undefeated. Get over it. As the Patriots already proved, going 16-0 means absolutely NOTHING. If it makes you feel any better, the 2007 Patriots team would run this Colts team off the field!

There is not a chance in hell this Colts team makes the Super Bowl imo. I love Peyton but they are far too vulnerable. On the other hand, perhaps the fact they find ways to win all of these nailbiters is just a sign of destiny. But I'm inclined to believe their luck will run out when it counts the most.

I disagree. With Peyton at the helm, this offense is completely flawless. I've never seen an offense with a quick strike offense like the Colts have. Give Manning 20 seconds on the clock down by 7 and that would be PLENTY of time to drive his offense 80 yards to pay dirt, they are THAT GOOD. The defense have been steppin' up time and time again to make the plays at the RIGHT time and is a nice compliment to that offense since making crucial plays are needed for Manning to operate. I just don't see how the Colts could lose with that good of a offense playing flawlessly while driving football fields. They look awesome.

Hey Trav, mind to enlighten us why Manning is sitting on your bench with his 27 fantasy points he accumulated tonight? Matt Shaub over Manning? It's the playoffs yo!

Well, I looked at the schedule. The Jags always play the Colts tight and if it was any team for Manning to struggle against, it would of been against the Jags tonight in the midst of all this resting players, not resting players non sense. Since this is always a tight game and Manning threw 3 bad picks last week, the only reason why I sat Manning was because I have Shaub on the bench playing against St.Louis (27th ranked D and give up an average of 370 yards per game) this week so I figured he was going to have a bigger game than Manning when comparing opponents. Of course it looks to be a bad move at this point but Shaub can come away with big results also.

[YoungJRNY]

this offense is completely flawless.

This offense isn't remotely close to "flawless". The truth of the matter is that the Colts have a fucking DREADFUL running game. There are only two teams in the entire NFL who have a worse running game than the Colts. Manning is a great player and makes a whole lot of things happen on his own. That said, this isn't close to the best offense I've seen in the NFL...not even close!

I've never seen an offense with a quick strike offense like the Colts have.

I have. The Minnesota Vikings scored whenever they felt like scoring when Chris Carter and Randy Moss were there. The 2007 Patriots scored whenever the mood struck them (and usually on long passing plays), and this year's Saints score just as quickly when the mood strikes them. The Colts are a very good team but they're not doing anything that hasn't been done.

Of course those teams are a shoe in but giving the time the Colts need to go length of the field is incredible and do it in a handful of plays when their defense is giving up points left and right is incredible. That Miami game did it for me. They had the ball for like 3 sec in the 2nd half and they still pulled it out. (They only ran 13 plays in the 2nd half and was dominated in 45 min of T.O.P) That's just absolutely amazing. I think the Colts only punted once tonight and when the defense is giving up 30 some points and the offense needs to be this relied on this severely then this offense is more dangerous than advertised. At least the Pats and Vikes had a defense that played above average ball consistently on those squads. New England ranked 4th in total defense in '07 while Minny ranked 13th in '98. Indy ranks 17th as of right now in total defense in '09. Indy's offense as of right now is smooth and looks like they can't be stopped but I agree that SD is breathing hot down their neck.

[S2M]

Look, I'm going to say it again. Play calling is an underrated concept for most fans when breaking down why a team lost. My 'ref' comment was valid because at that point Indy was down 3, and Jville was marching down to making it a 10 point game. And Indy only scored 7 pts from then on. Hence, Jville wins if not for that bogus call. A call in which the announcers didn't even know what the call was, and they didn't even show a replay in which to show 'us' where it happened.

Back to play calling. In essense, Jville made the task tougher for themselves by suspect play calling. Now one may say that Indy stopped which ever play Jville ran, but so what. That may be true, but the plays that Indy stopped(minus the dunbass overthrows by Garrard) were the wrong plays for the situation. Take that Belichick-like 4th and 2 - MJD was running great, and they chose to throw it! WRONG play call. At the point in the game where Jville had Indy punting(twice BTW), They should have been playing in possession mode, meaning marching down the field in 10 yrd increments; just enough to get the first downs, while eating clock. Cause as you know giving Duckface more than 20 secs with 3 timeouts is suicide. They didn't do that. Instead, they choose to try and get huge chunks of real estate and thus putting garrard in overthrow mode.....

Indy was ripe for a beating in this game...and just like in the NE game -the opposing team bailed them out. BAD PLAY CALLING.

BTW, just as an aside.....What ifs aside. NE only really got their ass handed to them by the Saints.....they were in the rest of the games. the main reason they lost those games: Bad play Calling.

[YoungJRNY]

Look, I'm going to say it again. Play calling is an underrated concept for most fans when breaking down why a team lost. My 'ref' comment was valid because at that point Indy was down 3, and Jville was marching down to making it a 10 point game. And Indy only scored 7 pts from then on. Hence, Jville wins if not for that bogus call. A call in which the announcers didn't even know what the call was, and they didn't even show a replay in which to show 'us' where it happened.

Back to play calling. In essense, Jville made the task tougher for themselves by suspect play calling. Now one may say that Indy stopped which ever play Jville ran, but so what. That may be true, but the plays that Indy stopped(minus the dunbass overthrows by Garrard) were the wrong plays for the situation. Take that Belichick-like 4th and 2 - MJD was running great, and they chose to throw it! WRONG play call. At the point in the game where Jville had Indy punting(twice BTW), They should have been playing in possession mode, meaning marching down the field in 10 yrd increments; just enough to get the first downs, while eating clock. Cause as you know giving Duckface more than 20 secs with 3 timeouts is suicide. They didn't do that. Instead, they choose to try and get huge chunks of real estate and thus putting garrard in overthrow mode.....

Indy was ripe for a beating in this game...and just like in the NE game -the opposing team bailed them out. BAD PLAY CALLING.

BTW, just as an aside.....What ifs aside. NE only really got their ass handed to them by the Saints.....they were in the rest of the games. the main reason they lost those games: Bad play Calling.

BTW, just as an aside.....What ifs aside. NE only really got their ass handed to them by the Saints.....they were in the rest of the games. the main reason they lost those games: Bad play Calling.

Welcome to 2009 Pittsburgh Steelers football. The Steelers lost games of 3, 3, 7, 3,3, 3, and 7. (2 losses in OT.) That's 7 points or less and a stop here or there. It's the game of football. Doesn't matter who your playing, there's more problems that go into a game when either your blowing leads, play calling or just blaming the god damn referee's.

That's great and all but when it comes down to it, the Colts offense is just too good to put away. Del Rio had more of an attack ground game and controlled the clock fairly well, and even more important in a game plan like this, they put the ball in the endzone. They had the right formula to beat any givin' team. The Colts made every team pay for not putting them away, it's just they are THAT good and Manning is THAT good to bring his team back from any deficit. Credit the Colts. Not the refs, or anything else for that matter.

[S2M]

You know what Trav? Let's not blame Hoculi for the Denver-SD game either.....

BTW, I wasn't aware of the small margin of defeat for Pitt in those games....


and lest we not forget that the Patriots were putting Indy away until that phantom interference call....

I smell league collusion....

[Enigma869]

the main reason they lost those games: Bad play Calling.

I think the playcalling for New England has been AWFUL the entire season. That said, they've lost most of their games because they're simply not that good of a team and aren't executing ANYTHING. I've seen more dropped passes this season than I've seen in the previous 5 seasons, and you're not going to win a whole lot of games dropping every pass thrown your way!

[YoungJRNY]

You know what Trav? Let's not blame Hoculi for the Denver-SD game either.....

BTW, I wasn't aware of the small margin of defeat for Pitt in those games....

I was watching ESPN the other day and a GREAT thing to me came before my eyes. It was the GM of Soccer talking about if they need replay. He said some interesting stuff but ONE thing stuck out to me and it was this and I'm paraphrasing a little: "Referee's are human, not robots and we expect them to remain human, so there will be no instant replay in the game of soccer to derail the game." I applaud him for making such a statement, and it's true. There's a lot that goes into a football game than bad judgment calls and as I stated before, there are PLENTY of opportunities for a professional football team to capitalize on regarding of how the refs rule things.

But yes, that's a telling stat for the Steelers. Even worse is, is that they had 4th quarter leads in each of their losses but 2. I think people are looking into these losses to much and dwelling on things, but the thing that I've been saying all along and the reason why we're losing down the stretch is being out of position and then MISSING TACKLES. Tackling is important, esp in the open field and the Steelers are simply not making plays in the open field and that's killing them, first and foremost. Ohwell, I just hope they come out strong these next 3.

[YoungJRNY]

the main reason they lost those games: Bad play Calling.

I think the playcalling for New England has been AWFUL the entire season. That said, they've lost most of their games because they're simply not that good of a team and aren't executing ANYTHING. I've seen more dropped passes this season than I've seen in the previous 5 seasons, and you're not going to win a whole lot of games dropping every pass thrown your way!

I've been saying this time and time again but was labeled into making it as an excuse but I don't see it as any excuses. Jacksonville played well last night, played well enough to win. They just got beat by a better team, period. But how the Pats and how the Steelers are losing is simply self inflicted. I'm with you. I've never seen so many dropped balls this season from the Steelers, or simple catches, throws or dumb false starts inside the redzone, or dropping passes in the end zone or as something simple as knowing where your feet is at on the field. In the Chicago game earlier in Week 2, I counted at least 6 easy dropped passes, one for a touchdown. In the Cincy game, we made a huge play in the game and went deep, completed the ball and rookie Wallace just dropped the ball out of nowhere. It's stuff like that that derails a team. Play calling is at it's all time worse in Pittsburgh and that is going to change. It's routine and if you can't do the routine things in the game, you're right, you won't win much. That's just telling signs of a bad team, regardless of what the other team does.

[lights1961]

Only game I care about this weekend is the PAckers and Steelers...

GO PACK GO---we need to beat the STEELERS on their home turf if the Packers are to be pretenders or contenders in the NFC uphill climb still!! BUT, this is the game that puts them to the next level if they win...

Rick

[7 Wishes]

Indy would have lost were it not for that kick return. They didn't look that much better.

[Rick]

Indy would have lost were it not for that kick return. They didn't look that much better.

This season is impossible to figure out.

[YoungJRNY]

Only game I care about this weekend is the PAckers and Steelers...

GO PACK GO---we need to beat the STEELERS on their home turf if the Packers are to be pretenders or contenders in the NFC uphill climb still!! BUT, this is the game that puts them to the next level if they win...

Rick

The Steelers have now become the Packers worst nightmare. 5 game losing streak, pissed off city, pissed off team, and pissed off fans. This has a Steelers wrath and re-emergence written ALL OVER IT. Too bad we've said the same thing about the Chiefs, Ravens, Raiders and Clowns game.

PS- I'm in the house again. Just got the call to receive two tickets. I'll be the one going crazy and try to rile up Steelers Country. BRING ON THE PACK!

[NealIsGod]

Steelers suck without Troy. So they will suck again on Sunday. I just hope he is out next week.

[lights1961]

Only game I care about this weekend is the PAckers and Steelers...

GO PACK GO---we need to beat the STEELERS on their home turf if the Packers are to be pretenders or contenders in the NFC uphill climb still!! BUT, this is the game that puts them to the next level if they win...

Rick

The Steelers have now become the Packers worst nightmare. 5 game losing streak, pissed off city, pissed off team, and pissed off fans. This has a Steelers wrath and re-emergence written ALL OVER IT. Too bad we've said the same thing about the Chiefs, Ravens, Raiders and Clowns game.

PS- I'm in the house again. Just got the call to receive two tickets. I'll be the one going crazy and try to rile up Steelers Country. BRING ON THE PACK!

THAT WOULD BE AWESOME... love NFL GAMES LIVE!! Hines field looks like its a great venue... have fun!!

[YoungJRNY]

Steelers suck without Troy. So they will suck again on Sunday. I just hope he is out next week.

We only suck in the 4th QRT without Troy. First 3 QRT's is no fuckin problem! But Troy is said to be out for the next couple and is aiming for a return for Miami, so you could breathe, NIGGY. That would be too fun to knock the Raturds out of the playoffs!

Good luck, Rick I have nothing bad to say about Green Bay. Much respect. One of the best and respected franchises. May the best team win. Hopefully it's a good game!

[lights1961]

Steelers suck without Troy. So they will suck again on Sunday. I just hope he is out next week.

We only suck in the 4th QRT without Troy. First 3 QRT's is no fuckin problem! But Troy is said to be out for the next couple and is aiming for a return for Miami, so you could breathe, NIGGY. That would be too fun to knock the Raturds out of the playoffs!

Good luck, Rick I have nothing bad to say about Green Bay. Much respect. One of the best and respected franchises. May the best team win. Hopefully it's a good game!

with the Packers winning their last 5...they are due for a slip up... I have a felling about this game... but will be hoping for a MUST WIN... good luck to you as well!!

[Ehwmatt]

Steelers suck without Troy. So they will suck again on Sunday. I just hope he is out next week.

We only suck in the 4th QRT without Troy. First 3 QRT's is no fuckin problem! But Troy is said to be out for the next couple and is aiming for a return for Miami, so you could breathe, NIGGY. That would be too fun to knock the Raturds out of the playoffs!

Good luck, Rick I have nothing bad to say about Green Bay. Much respect. One of the best and respected franchises. May the best team win. Hopefully it's a good game!

You guys sucked every quarter against us.

[YoungJRNY]

Steelers suck without Troy. So they will suck again on Sunday. I just hope he is out next week.

We only suck in the 4th QRT without Troy. First 3 QRT's is no fuckin problem! But Troy is said to be out for the next couple and is aiming for a return for Miami, so you could breathe, NIGGY. That would be too fun to knock the Raturds out of the playoffs!

Good luck, Rick I have nothing bad to say about Green Bay. Much respect. One of the best and respected franchises. May the best team win. Hopefully it's a good game!

You guys sucked every quarter against us.

Funny thing to me is that was the best the Browns have looked all year. Even though the Steelers had their WORST game of the season, BY FAR, and we've had bad ones, we STILL had a shot to tie it at the end. As bad as they looked I was shocked we still had a shot on a game tying drive.

There shouldn't be no validation that goes into the Browns win. Youngstown State would of beat Pittsburgh that night. Like I said before game time, this was the perfect time for the Browns to face the Steelers.

The Browns was just as bad as the Steelers, and that's PRETTY BAD considering we didn't click once all night. Point is, both teams blew major asshole and it's fortunate for you that someone had to win the game. Congrats on winning the retard bowl. Now that the Browns got their win that they wanted so badly for their ailing franchise, they can go get cremated the rest of the way. Just like the Chiefs & Raiders, and MAYBE the Steelers can finish with pride.

[YoungJRNY]

For all you stat junkies. Do stats REALLY mean ANYTHING besides a pro bowl key?

What happens when you combine the NFL's fourth-ranked defense with an offense featuring a 3,000-yard quarterback (Ben Roethlisberger), two potential 1,000-yard receivers (Santonio Holmes and Hines Ward) and a potential 1,000-yard rusher (Rashard Mendenhall)?

You get the 6-7 Steelers.

The Indianapolis Colts entered Thursday night's game against Jacksonville with a 13-0 record, along with the NFL's 17th-ranked defense. The New Orleans Saints, also 13-0, feature the league's 21st-ranked defense.

How is it that two unbeaten teams have defenses ranked lower than the Steelers, who along with the Washington Redskins, are currently the only two teams with Top 10 defenses with losing records?

"There's probably a lot of teams in the league that'd like to be where we are,'' defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said regarding his defense following Thursday's practice. "The bottom line is: We haven't won enough games, and we have to do something about that.

"That's not offense, defense or special teams. That's all of us.''

LeBeau said this year's defense is being compared with last year's unit that ranked No. 1 in total defense, No. 1 against the pass and No. 2 against the run.

"I said last year, that's an aberration,'' LeBeau said. "You take the top team this year. They'd be way behind what we were last year.''

Last year, the Steelers led the league in total defense, permitting 237.2 yards per game. This year, the New York Jets are currently ranked No. 1, allowing 264.7 yards per game.

On paper, the Steelers' defense is ranked higher than the two teams who, entering last night's game, were tied for the best record in the league.

The Steelers are No. 1 against the run and No. 13 against the pass. Indianapolis was No. 17 against the run and No. 20 against the pass. New Orleans is No. 19 against the run and No. 23 against the pass.

Overall, the Steelers' defense isn't making enough plays to compensate for an offense that ranks below two of the league's elite units.

The Steelers are second in the league with 39 sacks and haven't permitted a 100-yard rusher in the past 31 regular-season games. However, the Steelers have recorded only eight interceptions, compared with 15 for Indianapolis entering last night's game and 24 for New Orleans.

"Their offenses are making plays,'' Steelers safety Tyrone Carter said of the Colts and Saints. "But if you look at it, their defenses are stopping guys and making plays. Last week against Atlanta, New Orleans came up with an interception, and they made another key stop. That's two possessions that the Saints stopped and got their offense in position to make plays.''

The Steelers' offense ranks No. 9 overall — No. 12 rushing and No. 16 passing. Indianapolis is No. 4 overall — No. 5 rushing, No. 3 passing. New Orleans boasts the league's top-ranked offense - No. 5 rushing, No. 3 passing.

Said Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward: "You really can't pinpoint why we don't have a better record. We're all in it together.''

So weird how a couple plays in the game of football can take 6-7 to a 10-3 status.

[Enigma869]

For all you stat junkies. Do stats REALLY mean ANYTHING besides a pro bowl key?

What happens when you combine the NFL's fourth-ranked defense with an offense featuring a 3,000-yard quarterback (Ben Roethlisberger), two potential 1,000-yard receivers (Santonio Holmes and Hines Ward) and a potential 1,000-yard rusher (Rashard Mendenhall)?

You get the 6-7 Steelers.

The Indianapolis Colts entered Thursday night's game against Jacksonville with a 13-0 record, along with the NFL's 17th-ranked defense. The New Orleans Saints, also 13-0, feature the league's 21st-ranked defense.

How is it that two unbeaten teams have defenses ranked lower than the Steelers, who along with the Washington Redskins, are currently the only two teams with Top 10 defenses with losing records?

"There's probably a lot of teams in the league that'd like to be where we are,'' defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said regarding his defense following Thursday's practice. "The bottom line is: We haven't won enough games, and we have to do something about that.

"That's not offense, defense or special teams. That's all of us.''

LeBeau said this year's defense is being compared with last year's unit that ranked No. 1 in total defense, No. 1 against the pass and No. 2 against the run.

"I said last year, that's an aberration,'' LeBeau said. "You take the top team this year. They'd be way behind what we were last year.''

Last year, the Steelers led the league in total defense, permitting 237.2 yards per game. This year, the New York Jets are currently ranked No. 1, allowing 264.7 yards per game.

On paper, the Steelers' defense is ranked higher than the two teams who, entering last night's game, were tied for the best record in the league.

The Steelers are No. 1 against the run and No. 13 against the pass. Indianapolis was No. 17 against the run and No. 20 against the pass. New Orleans is No. 19 against the run and No. 23 against the pass.

Overall, the Steelers' defense isn't making enough plays to compensate for an offense that ranks below two of the league's elite units.

The Steelers are second in the league with 39 sacks and haven't permitted a 100-yard rusher in the past 31 regular-season games. However, the Steelers have recorded only eight interceptions, compared with 15 for Indianapolis entering last night's game and 24 for New Orleans.

"Their offenses are making plays,'' Steelers safety Tyrone Carter said of the Colts and Saints. "But if you look at it, their defenses are stopping guys and making plays. Last week against Atlanta, New Orleans came up with an interception, and they made another key stop. That's two possessions that the Saints stopped and got their offense in position to make plays.''

The Steelers' offense ranks No. 9 overall — No. 12 rushing and No. 16 passing. Indianapolis is No. 4 overall — No. 5 rushing, No. 3 passing. New Orleans boasts the league's top-ranked offense - No. 5 rushing, No. 3 passing.

Said Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward: "You really can't pinpoint why we don't have a better record. We're all in it together.''

So weird how a couple plays in the game of football can take 6-7 to a 10-3 status.

Not sure why you and that dope Hines are so perplexed. You're boasting about the "ninth ranked offense" like it's some badge of honor Since when is being ranked 9th in anything worth even talking about? They have the ninth ranked offense and are ranked 10th in a playoff spot in the AFC. Sounds about right to me!

[YoungJRNY]

For all you stat junkies. Do stats REALLY mean ANYTHING besides a pro bowl key?

What happens when you combine the NFL's fourth-ranked defense with an offense featuring a 3,000-yard quarterback (Ben Roethlisberger), two potential 1,000-yard receivers (Santonio Holmes and Hines Ward) and a potential 1,000-yard rusher (Rashard Mendenhall)?

You get the 6-7 Steelers.

The Indianapolis Colts entered Thursday night's game against Jacksonville with a 13-0 record, along with the NFL's 17th-ranked defense. The New Orleans Saints, also 13-0, feature the league's 21st-ranked defense.

How is it that two unbeaten teams have defenses ranked lower than the Steelers, who along with the Washington Redskins, are currently the only two teams with Top 10 defenses with losing records?

"There's probably a lot of teams in the league that'd like to be where we are,'' defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said regarding his defense following Thursday's practice. "The bottom line is: We haven't won enough games, and we have to do something about that.

"That's not offense, defense or special teams. That's all of us.''

LeBeau said this year's defense is being compared with last year's unit that ranked No. 1 in total defense, No. 1 against the pass and No. 2 against the run.

"I said last year, that's an aberration,'' LeBeau said. "You take the top team this year. They'd be way behind what we were last year.''

Last year, the Steelers led the league in total defense, permitting 237.2 yards per game. This year, the New York Jets are currently ranked No. 1, allowing 264.7 yards per game.

On paper, the Steelers' defense is ranked higher than the two teams who, entering last night's game, were tied for the best record in the league.

The Steelers are No. 1 against the run and No. 13 against the pass. Indianapolis was No. 17 against the run and No. 20 against the pass. New Orleans is No. 19 against the run and No. 23 against the pass.

Overall, the Steelers' defense isn't making enough plays to compensate for an offense that ranks below two of the league's elite units.

The Steelers are second in the league with 39 sacks and haven't permitted a 100-yard rusher in the past 31 regular-season games. However, the Steelers have recorded only eight interceptions, compared with 15 for Indianapolis entering last night's game and 24 for New Orleans.

"Their offenses are making plays,'' Steelers safety Tyrone Carter said of the Colts and Saints. "But if you look at it, their defenses are stopping guys and making plays. Last week against Atlanta, New Orleans came up with an interception, and they made another key stop. That's two possessions that the Saints stopped and got their offense in position to make plays.''

The Steelers' offense ranks No. 9 overall — No. 12 rushing and No. 16 passing. Indianapolis is No. 4 overall — No. 5 rushing, No. 3 passing. New Orleans boasts the league's top-ranked offense - No. 5 rushing, No. 3 passing.

Said Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward: "You really can't pinpoint why we don't have a better record. We're all in it together.''

So weird how a couple plays in the game of football can take 6-7 to a 10-3 status.

Not sure why you and that dope Hines are so perplexed. You're boasting about the "ninth ranked offense" like it's some badge of honor Since when is being ranked 9th in anything worth even talking about? They have the ninth ranked offense and are ranked 10th in a playoff spot in the AFC. Sounds about right to me!

For a team being 6-7 and have the 9th ranked offense in the league (Ranked 4th in passing) and the 4th ranked defense, you would automatically assume without looking at any records that that team would at LEAST be a couple games over .500. Even though they put up some nice yardage throughout the season, it doesn't mean jack shit when you don't put the ball in the endzone and that's where the Steelers can't blame anyone but themselves. They can move from 20 to 20 but it's inside the 20 or even 10 where they became gun shy. For a STEELERS team to rank that high offensively and having their usual top 5 defense, then you'd think they would be doing fairly well for themselves. Frustrating nonetheless.

[Enigma869]

DAL @ NO - ***UPSET ALERT*** I can't believe that I'm picking Dallas to win anything in December, but I say they win this one by a field goal.

NE @ BUF - With Brady, Wilfork and Ty Warren banged up, I don't love the Patriots in this game and wouldn't be stunned to see them lose the game. That said, I'm picking them to win a low scoring game...17-13.

ARI @ DET - Detroit packed it in weeks ago. Cardinals by two touchdowns.

MIA @ TEN - Titans by 10.

HOU @ STL - Texas by 17.

CLE @ KC - The who cares bowl. Kansas City wins 24-14.

ATL @ NYJ - Even with no Matt Ryan, I like the Falcons to win by a TD.

OAK @ DEN - Denver by 14.

CIN @ SD - Tough game to pick on the heels of Chris Henry's death. Football is an insanely emotional game and sometimes raw emotion is enough to steal a win. I think the Chargers are a much better team but am picking the Bengals by 3.

CHI @ BAL - Ravens roll.

SF @ PHI - The Eagles continue to show that they are quickly going to become the team in the NFC to beat. Eagles by 14.

TB @ SEA - Another who gives a crap game. Seattle wins it 3-2

GB @ PIT - The Packers are a FAR superior team to the Steelers at this point, but I am going to pick the Steelers in the upset. Shitsburgh wins 21-17.

MIN @ CAR - Minnesota by 20.

Mon, Dec 21
NYG @ WAS - The Giants absolutely MUST win this game. Two months ago, I would have picked the Giants to win this one by three TD's, but they have proven that they're not that great of a team. I still think that they're better than Washington and win by a TD.

[Michigan Girl]

DAL @ NO - ***UPSET ALERT*** I can't believe that I'm picking Dallas to win anything in December, but I say they win this one by a field goal.

REALLY, John?!?!?

I'll be watching the game w/Cowboy and Saints
fans...it's going to be a war, I can't wait!!
No matter the turnout, I'll be
happy and disowned!!

[Ehwmatt]

I believe Saints will lose tonight... and I've said it before, I truly believe the best thing for both the Colts and the Saints to do is to lose a game before the playoffs. The pressure is just mounting week after week and something will likely have to give for one, if not both of them come playoff time if they go in there undefeated. I just think the added pressure of going undefeated is too much when you're gunning for a Super Bowl

[Enigma869]

The pressure is just mounting week after week and something will likely have to give for one, if not both of them come playoff time if they go in there undefeated. I just think the added pressure of going undefeated is too much when you're gunning for a Super Bowl

In past seasons I would have agreed with you. This isn't like the Patriots in 2007 when they were the only undefeated team, and a team hadn't even gotten to 14-0 since the world was flat. Because there are two teams who are undefeated, the pressure isn't close to what it was two years ago. The media simply can't follow one team like they could two years ago. Not to mention, going 16-0 already happened, so neither of these teams is going to do anything that wasn't just done 20 minutes ago, unless they finish it off. I just don't see the "pressure" you're speaking about and haven't seen it all season long. I knew if two teams could stay undefeated that it would make it a whole lot easier on both teams than if it were only one team. The Patriots had EVERY media outlet across the country in their locker room every day from the moment they were about 8-0, on. Indianapolis and New Orleans are tiny media markets and neither team has seen one tenth of the influx from national media outlets. It's all being treated very casually, and that's a great thing for both of these teams if they want to go undefeated.

[Ehwmatt]

The pressure is just mounting week after week and something will likely have to give for one, if not both of them come playoff time if they go in there undefeated. I just think the added pressure of going undefeated is too much when you're gunning for a Super Bowl

In past seasons I would have agreed with you. This isn't like the Patriots in 2007 when they were the only undefeated team, and a team hadn't even gotten to 14-0 since the world was flat. Because there are two teams who are undefeated, the pressure isn't close to what it was two years ago. The media simply can't follow one team like they could two years ago. Not to mention, going 16-0 already happened, so neither of these teams is going to do anything that wasn't just done 20 minutes ago, unless they finish it off. I just don't see the "pressure" you're speaking about and haven't seen it all season long. I knew if two teams could stay undefeated that it would make it a whole lot easier on both teams than if it were only one team. The Patriots had EVERY media outlet across the country in their locker room every day from the moment they were about 8-0, on. Indianapolis and New Orleans are tiny media markets and neither team has seen one tenth of the influx from national media outlets. It's all being treated very casually, and that's a great thing for both of these teams if they want to go undefeated.

All valid points, but those arguments aside, I'd still rather get my "off day" in in one of these last couple games rather than show up flat after the bye week in the playoffs against a fired up team coming out of the first round if I were either of those teams. On the other hand, both of these teams have faced adversity, needing comebacks and last second wins more than once, unlike the 07 Patriots who to my recollection pretty much dominated every game they won. So who knows.

In the mean time, 14-0 Dallas 2nd quarter.