NFL "Week 16" Talkback

[The Penguin]

As we head into the Christmas weekend, NFL Network brings (the select few of) you two division games. Tonight, see the Vikings visit the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field, with their chances at making the playoffs slipping away. Saturday has the still alive Chiefs taking on the AFC bottom-feeders, the Oakland Raiders.


http://library.toonzone.net/talkbacks/sports.jpghttp://library.toonzone.net/talkbacks/nfltb.jpgWEEK 16
Thursday, Dec. 21
Minnesota at Green Bay, 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 23
Kansas City at Oakland, 8:00 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 24
Baltimore at Pittsburgh, 1:00 p.m.
Carolina at Atlanta, 1:00 p.m.
Chicago at Detroit, 1:00 p.m.
Indianapolis at Houston, 1:00 p.m.
New England at Jacksonville, 1:00 p.m.
New Orleans at N.Y. Giants, 1:00 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Cleveland, 1:00 p.m.
Tennessee at Buffalo, 1:00 p.m.
Washington at St. Louis, 1:00 p.m.
Arizona at San Francisco, 4:05 p.m.
Cincinnati at Denver, 4:15 p.m.
San Diego at Seattle, 4:15 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 25
http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/sp/v/nfl/teams/1/80x60/phi.gif at http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/sp/v/nfl/teams/1/80x60/dal.gif, 5 p.m.
N.Y. Jets at Miami, 8:30 p.m.

[Duke]

Question: Is the Vikings offense really that bad or is the Packers defense really that good? Or could it be a fluke?

[RAINMAN]

It was just a crappy game. I`m just glad this is the last thurday night game of the year.

[Tanooki]

it's because brad childress, the "offensive genius", believes in the "run, run, two yard pass, punt" offense

tired of following the vikings now. go bears, i guess

[The Penguin]

Well, I guess you have really be the home market to get the NFL Network games. Here in South Dakota the Vikings are our 'home team' but NFL Network was the only place we had the game. Sounds like I was a saved a lot of pain and a waste of my time though.

[bigddan11]

I was surprised when I came home and found out the NFL Network was on Dish Network's basic package, so I got to watch parts of Thursday's and Saturday's games, and I must say Bryant Gumble is the worst play-by-play man I've ever heard. Collinsworth tried to make it entertaining, but to much free space caused a bunch of dullness to occur. The games weren't that great either. At least NFL Nework appears to have 2 good Bowl games next week.

[Duke]

Yea, Bryant Gumbel wasn't all that hot when I watched the Ravens/Bengals game. Greg Gumbel's MUCH better.

That fumble by Walter right before halftime was completely and utterly pathetic.

[The Penguin]

Christmas Eve gives us a full slate of games as several teams will do what they can to lock up a play-off spot. Others will have to win and then watch another game with their fingers crossed. With only one week left to go, a win today is key for every team in the league (unless they're looking at the number one pick in the draft ;) ).

Christmas night features an NBC/ESPN double-header with two East battles. In the early game, the NFC's Philadelphia will take on Dallas, if the Eagles win, both teams will have the same record. And then over in the AFC, the N.Y. Jets visit Miami. Both teams in that game are on the wild card bubble.


http://library.toonzone.net/talkbacks/sports.jpghttp://library.toonzone.net/talkbacks/nfltb.jpg

[Duke]

Wow, that was....I dunno what to think. I think I experienced all emotions during the Ravens/Steelers game.

First half: Awesome, kick ass, all that good stuff (until the INT & TD near the end of the half). Joyous Christmas Eve so far.

Second Half: Great opening, lousy middle (turnover, stupid penalty, stupid penalty, turnover, REALLY stupid penalty, turnover, etc.), good ending. About time the Ravens actually managed to cross the 30-point plateau.

Interesting fact: First time the Ravens have won at Heinz Field since 2001 and the first time ever the Ravens have swept the Steelers in the regular season.

Also, MAJOR props this week have to go to Houston. For this week (and likely this week only), Houston is my 2nd favorite team. Seattle has a chance to also be my 2nd favorite depending on what they do later today.

[Condiment King]

This was actually a perfect week for me. The Steelers and the Bills lost and are now eliminated. The Jaguars lost so they don't control their own destiny. Cincinnati or Denver (preferably Denver) will lose so they won't control their own destiny. And you know who will? The New York football Jets. Now we just need the actual wins against Miami and Oakland.

Also, I love that the NFC is being made into a joke once again like it was two years ago. The Giants and Falcons both lost, guaranteeing at least one of the NFC Wild Card teams to be a lousy 8-8. Now there's a cluster of 7-8 teams too with the Giants, Panthers, Falcons, Rams, Packers, and potentially 49ers all at the 7-8 mark. If Seattle loses out somehow and the 49ers win out, we could have an 8-8 division leader in the terrible NFC West. This is hilarious.

[Mr. Manager]

Dammit. If the Seahawks lose the next two, they'll be 8-8 going into the playoffs, and that's just embarassing.

[sag_2002]

What has happened to the Giants? New York suffered yet another humiliating loss (30-7 to the Saints, who lock up the #2 seed in the NFC with a Dallas loss tomorrow night), their 6th in their last 7, and after winning 5 in a row, the chances of them making the playoffs are microscopic and shrinking by the second.

Atlanta's slim hopes took a major hit after their 4th straight home loss, 13-7 to the Panthers. Atlanta's highlights came from Michael Vick, who became the first NFL QB to rush for 1,000 yards in a season, and Morten Anderson, who booted his NFL record 539th career field goal.

In the game of the day so far, the Rams kept their slim postseason aspirations kicking with a dramatic 37-31 OT win against the 'Skins.

In the AFC, how 'bout them Titans? Yet another win (this time over Buffalo, who aided them with a questionable last second pass attempt when the Bills were in field goal range) keeps their playoff hope alive.

New England all but put the final nail in the Jags' playoff coffin, while securing their 4th straight AFC East crown (becoming the 3rd team in NFL history to accomplish this feat)

The losses by Jacksonville and Buffalo open the door for Cincy, who can get in with a win over Denver. However, the Broncos, who need to win out to punch their own ticket after KC won last night, are currently leading 14-7 midway through the 2nd.

[Punisher]

Man, there are few sweeter things in life than seeing the Steelers get owned by the Ravens. The game was slow to start off, as expected, but then it became all Ravens. If Mark Clayton(who had a tremondous day) hadn't tipped that very catchable pass, it could very well have been another shutout. But, as it stands, I'm perfectly happy with the results and seeing big Ben get sacked time after time. And the icing on the cake was seeing another empty stadium at the end of the game, we've done that to KC, Tampa, and now Pitt. And one last thing, that was a very bonehead play by McAllister. He's a great corner, but just once I'd like to see a game without him getting flagged.

And in other action, the Bills blew it, but I'm still standing by them being the AFC East champs next year. Losing to a red-hot Tennessee team by one point isn't at all embarassing. And Houston(who from the looks of it had very cool looking uni's on, and whom I picked to win) upset the Colts, which is nothing but good news. A Seahawks win would be nice, but more than likely not happening, so we'll have to settle with the number 2 seed.

[Duke]

And one last thing, that was a very bonehead play by McAllister. He's a great corner, but just once I'd like to see a game without him getting flagged.
I'll take a McAllister flag if the offensive line stops getting false starts and Hayley can stop being flagged on every single kick off.

Oh, and the Bengals/Broncos game went from a good game to a fun game, all because the snow is picking up. Snow makes football even better. :)

[Supernovametalstar]

Wow. I feel bad for the Bengals. I was expecting a sure overtime game, but the snap for the extra point was royally messed up. I wouldn't want to be that guy when they go back to Cincinatti.

[sag_2002]

Yet another reason why extra points are not automatic, especially when snow is involved. Cincy loses and squanders a chance to score a playoff berth, while Denver keeps their own hopes alive.

[RedNinja84]

Im the sickest fan here, the Bengals don't deserve to go to the playoffs after that excuse for a game.

[Robin2099]

Im the sickest fan here, the Bengals don't deserve to go to the playoffs after that excuse for a game.
No I'm just as sick as you. The Bengals played another horrible game in the first. And even though he would never make an excuse about it, I really think Palmer's shoulder was effecting his play big time, because he was just all over in throwing the football. Then the Bengals rally to tie up the game, and the extra point is screwed up. Something is really wrong in Cincy, I don't know what it is, but the Bengals need to get their act together before next season. On another note I hope to god that Philly beats Dallas tomorrow.

[Duke]

Dammit, Seattle. You only had 40 seconds left in the game! You couldn't cover the deep pass for 40 freaking seconds!?

[Condiment King]

I hate to be morose but I was really pulling hard for San Diego to come back and win it. The NFC playoff picture just gets more and more hilarious.

[bigddan11]

Would someone let the Cowboys know they have to show up and play games at home? They haven't had a good game at home since Thanksgiving Day against the Bucs, and now they'll probably be headed to Seattle to play on Wild Card Weekend. The sad thing is the Cowboys will probably have the better record (10-6 if they beat Detroit, whereas the Seahawks will probably lose Sunday and drop to 8-8). I guess I can hope or the Falcons to pull the upset, but it looks like we'll have Giants/ Eagles 3 in the Wildcard round of the playoff.

[Condiment King]

That Jets/Dolphins game nearly gave me a heart attack at the end. A little too close for comfort but Chad Pennington (and Leon Washington) stepped up when it counted and the right team won.

[Duke]

I guess I can hope or the Falcons to pull the upset, but it looks like we'll have Giants/ Eagles 3 in the Wildcard round of the playoff.
Which is completely pathetic given how they played on Sunday. I'm personally rooting for the Packers to make it in.

Anyway, so ends ESPN's first season of Monday Night Football. Overall, I liked it. The commercials for it were typical ESPN excellence (I particularly liked the Christmas commercial), the ESPN intro was awesome, and while it's not my favorite rendition, the new MNF intro grew on me (and was MUCH better than the abomination that is NBC's SNF intro). Turico was excellent as the play-by-play guy, Tony started out rough but got better as the season went along (I miss the e-mails though), and Joe Theisman was....well...Joe Theisman. Though at least I managed to pay attention to him. I usually tune out Madden's random babbling about 2 minutes in. I also liked how ESPN embraced MNF by re-working Primetime, putting Monday Night Countdown on location, and the new Postgame on ESPNEWS.