NFL "Wild Card Weekend" Talkback

[The Penguin]

The playoffs. Now your actions must speak for themselves. There is no recovery time, there is no getting back on track next week. Lose and there is only next year, there is no tomorrow. Win. Or go home.


http://library.toonzone.net/talkbacks/sports.jpghttp://library.toonzone.net/talkbacks/nfltb.jpgWild Card Weekend
Saturday, Jan. 5
Washington at Seattle, 4:30 p.m. on NBC
Jacksonville at Pittsburgh, 8:00 p.m. on NBC

Sunday, Jan. 6
NY Giants at Tampa Bay, 1:00 p.m. on FOX
Tennessee at San Diego, 4:30 p.m. on CBS

[Anarky]

ya think Seattle is pumped for this game???

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/ABPub/2008/01/04/2004108342.jpg

courtesy of The Seattle Times
Go 12th Man!!!

[bigddan11]

Remember that all these games will also be available on many of your NFL on Westwood One Radio affiliates, should you not be able to watch the game at home.

[Wolf Boy2]

HAIL REDSKINS!!! HAIL VICTORY!!

Please, guys don't let me down. C'Mon Joe Gibbs, you've done before old buddy ...

[The CN WB Kid]

Ugh. I was really thinking the Skins would win this, but 4 minutes left and it's 28-14

[bigddan11]

http://static.nfl.com/static/site/img/teams/WAS/WAS_logo-80x90.gif (9-8) Washington Redskins 14
http://static.nfl.com/static/site/img/teams/SEA/SEA_logo-80x90.gif (11-6) Seattle Seahawks 35

Despite me having picked the Skins to win, I was actually worried they would win when they went up 14-13. They've given Dallas 2 of their hardest games of the year. I have no doubt that Dallas can beat Tampa or the Giants with Glenn, Owens, and Gurode all coming back for their Divisional playoff game.

Next up for Seattle: at Green Bay Packers- Next Saturday- FOX- 4:30 PM

[The CN WB Kid]

Wow, two touchdowns in the Steelers-Jags games already. Heh, much more than that Hawks-Skins scoreless matchup.

[Burgundy Ranger]

What a roller coaster. But that's the great part of being emotionally invested in your team. (Now, there's also something to be said for not having your dog in the fight and being able to watch the hopefully great play without the extremes of watching your team play).

But the biggest missed opportunity came on the kickoff after the Redskins went up 14-13 ... the one that WASN'T muffed and should have been 21-13. But still, with the ball on the 11 there should have been points.

This team won't be forgotten any time soon by the Redskins faithful -- with all it had to endure.

The season, OTOH, might be one to forget.

[Anarky]

That WA-SEA game was wild! Here's hoping the 'Hawks can steal a win @ Lambeau next weekend.

[Draft]

See.., the Skins were no match for Seattle (althoguh they aren't very good anyway).

Jaguars will prolly win, along with Giants and San Diego

[Anarky]

What a roller coaster. But that's the great part of being emotionally invested in your team. (Now, there's also something to be said for not having your dog in the fight and being able to watch the hopefully great play without the extremes of watching your team play).

But the biggest missed opportunity came on the kickoff after the Redskins went up 14-13 ... the one that WASN'T muffed and should have been 21-13. But still, with the ball on the 11 there should have been points.

This team won't be forgotten any time soon by the Redskins faithful -- with all it had to endure.

The season, OTOH, might be one to forget.

I was at a bar so I don't know what the ruling was on that play. From what I gather, Seattle never touched the ball after the kickoff. When the 'Skins recovered the ball, the runner was down hence the TD run that followed was null and void. That play was the momentum changer because the 'Skins were unable to convert that opportunity to points on the board (even missing that FG). From then on it was all Seahawks.

[Burgundy Ranger]

From what I gather, Seattle never touched the ball after the kickoff.I had the rule mixed up. I thought an untouched kickoff was advance-able by the kicking team. (I swear I remember some of those 'pop-up' style onside kicks when the kicking-team player caught it on the dead run and just kept on going).

But the rule is that the only time the kicking team can advance a recovered ball is if the return team had established possession and then fumbled.

Muffs and untouched kicks cannot be advanced.

[bigddan11]

I stopped watching half way through the third quarter with the score still 21-7. When I turned it back on only 4 and a half minutes remained, and Pittsburgh had a 29-28 lead. I wish I could have seen what sparked the comeback.

http://static.nfl.com/static/site/img/teams/JAC/JAC_logo-80x90.gif (12-5) Jacksonville Jaguars 31
http://static.nfl.com/static/site/img/teams/PIT/PIT_logo-80x90.gif (10-7) Pittsburgh Steelers 29
After a 7-2 start, Pittsburgh went 3-5 down the stretch, including the playoff loss. Part of that was losing Parker, and part of that was losing a key defender, but you'll still have others that solely say Pittsburgh choked. The three interceptions that led to 14 of Jacksonville's points and the late game fumble showed though you can't have turnovers and expect to win.

[Kyuss]

bigdan,

It also didn't help that Tomlin kept going for 2 after the last two TDs instead of just kicking the extra points. Then, at least, it would have been OT and the Steelers might have had a shot to win the game.

[bigddan11]

bigdan,

It also didn't help that Tomlin kept going for 2 after the last two TDs instead of just kicking the extra points. Then, at least, it would have been OT and the Steelers might have had a shot to win the game.

I'm not sure that would have been the case. The Jags played for the FG, but they were in easy TD range. The two failed two point conversions may have made it where they were only up by one (and the second time actually made more sense since it would put them up by 3), but if the Jags go and get that touchdown, then they have the four point lead and your point is moot.

[Bones Justice]

I was one of the few (only?) that picked Seattle to beat Washington. The Seahawks are tough at home, 8-1 this year. The analysts on Friday were saying that the Redskins were the "hottest team in football" and had all of the momentum from their four game winning streak. After the game, they were reversing that by saying the Redskins had "used up" their momentum winning those four games. :rolleyes2: Also, what's up with the announcers saying the Redskins had a chance to "put the Seahawks away" with that field goal in the fourth quarter? I mean, c'mon, it only would have been a 16-14 lead if he had made it and still have eleven minutes left in the game. :shrug: Anyways, both teams played hard but the Seahawks just outplayed the Redskins today. The Seahawks defense was really strong through three quarters and their offense played well enough to win, driving for the winning touchdown in the fourth quarter, 21-14. The two pick-six's were the icing on the cake. RIP Sean Taylor, your teammates played proud.

Cris Collinsworth called a good game even if Seattle spelled his name wrong. :D


I stopped watching half way through the third quarter with the score still 21-7. When I turned it back on only 4 and a half minutes remained, and Pittsburgh had a 29-28 lead. I wish I could have seen what sparked the comeback.


I would say the spark was David Garrard throwing two interceptions in the second half. Those clearly gave Pittsburgh the chance to get back into the game. Garrard is usually a lot more careful with the football -- only threw three picks this year -- so I was really surprised when he threw the second one in one game! The Jaguars did a good job of sticking with the running game most of the way but that also helped Pittsburgh stay in the game. I don't know if I agree that the Steelers choked but Roethlisberger could have played better. I think the Steelers made the right call both times going for two since it was the fourth quarter, though maybe I would have kicked it after the penalty forced them to try for two from the twelve-yard line.

Jerome Bettis needs to get over his Pittsburgh bias for the half-time and post-game analysis. I mean, really, he's as bad about it as Terry Bradshaw. Take a lesson from Tiki Barber already.

Speaking of penalties, bigddan11, I think you should add a "referee-watch" to your playoff talkbacks. I mean, this is the third year in a row that the officiating has been questionable in the NFL playoffs. Here are my choices for bone-headed calls so far:

Seattle - Washington:
#1 - Todd Collins is hit and fumbles the ball. Seattle recovers as called by the refs on the field. Joe Gibbs throws the challenge flag. The referees go over to talk to Gibbs then call it an incomplete pass instead -- without reviewing it! Since it's no longer a fumble, it can't be reviewed. Looking at the replay, I'm not sure if Collins' arm had actually started forward before the ball came out. But at the very least, they should have reviewed it since the flag was thrown. Ridiculous.

#2 - Fourth and one, the Redskins throw a go route. The wide receiver and defensive back get their feet tangled and Seattle is called for pass interference; first down, Redskins. They claimed that the Seahawk defender reached out and grabbed the receiver's arm as he was falling. But the replay clearly shows the defender's arm stretched out with his hand turned outwards away from the receiver. Instead of a turnover on downs, the Redskins went ahead to score their first touchdown.

Pittsburgh - Jacksonville:
#1 - The Steelers go for two and convert on a corner route. The play is called back for holding by the Steeler's center. The replay doesn't show any holding; in fact, the center knocked his opponent down.

#2 - Fourth and goal, the Steelers throw another pass to the corner for Hines Ward, incomplete. But the Jacksonville defender is called for interference. The replay clearly shows that Ward had the defender by the facemask and pulled him along! Anyone that has ever been face-masked knows that you pretty much have to go where-ever it's pulled. Anyways, this blown call lead to a first and goal for the Steelers who then scored the go-ahead touchdown.

---

A lot of coincidences in both games:

Seattle - Washington:

Four interceptions, a missed field goal, and two interceptions returned for touchdowns.

Pittsburgh - Jacksonville:

Five interceptions, a missed field goal, and one interception returned for a touchdown.

---

Both games were relatively injury free. Hasselback potentially has a hand injury from hitting a helmet after a pass but seemed okay during the game. One referee was also knocked out of the game (status unknown).

[New Noise]

I have nothing against the Jaguars, but for some reason, I'm pretty ticked off that they beat the Steelers. I'll be rooting for the Titans to win today. I've been dying to see Young versus Brady all year.

[The CN WB Kid]

I have nothing against the Jaguars, but for some reason, I'm pretty ticked off that they beat the Steelers. I'll be rooting for the Titans to win today. I've been dying to see Young versus Brady all year.
I would also like to see the Titans win, although it's unlikely. I'd prefer Jacksonville to not have to play New England, because maybe they'll have a chance if they face the Colts. After my Top 3 teams have been eliminated (Browns, Bears, Eagles) my only hope is for Jags to pull it out :P

[Draft]

Personally, I hope the Titans win too (Since the Patriots can destroy them by at least 28 poitns because they didn't deserve to get into the playoffs). Although I'd like to see the Jags so we can have a better game, the Jags can have another shot at gettting revenge against the Colts

[Anarky]

The big story leading up to the WA-SEA game was about scalpers getting burned by their own greed. The secondary market was flooded w/ excess tickets. I wonder how hard these schlubs got hit.

[bigddan11]

I was one of the few (only?) that picked Seattle to beat Washington. The Seahawks are tough at home, 8-1 this year. The analysts on Friday were saying that the Redskins were the "hottest team in football" and had all of the momentum from their four game winning streak. After the game, they were reversing that by saying the Redskins had "used up" their momentum winning those four games. :rolleyes2: Also, what's up with the announcers saying the Redskins had a chance to "put the Seahawks away" with that field goal in the fourth quarter? I mean, c'mon, it only would have been a 16-14 lead if he had made it and still have eleven minutes left in the game. :shrug: Anyways, both teams played hard but the Seahawks just outplayed the Redskins today. The Seahawks defense was really strong through three quarters and their offense played well enough to win, driving for the winning touchdown in the fourth quarter, 21-14. The two pick-six's were the icing on the cake. RIP Sean Taylor, your teammates played proud.

The score would have been 17-13, not 16-14, if Washington had made the field goal, but I think the missed FG gave the Seattle defense the spark it needed in the fourth quarter. Instead of giving up 17 straight points, which would have been the case had the FG been made, they ended up with four straight possession stoppers, two of which were Interceptions returned for Touchdowns. I thought it'd be a 27-21 style game. Seattle's D was much stronger than I gave them credit, but there success hasn't been on the road, so they are in trouble now.

[bigddan11]

http://static.nfl.com/static/site/img/teams/NYG/NYG_logo-80x90.gif (11-6) New York Giants 24
http://static.nfl.com/static/site/img/teams/TB/TB_logo-80x90.gif (9-8) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 14

Resting everyone three of the last four weeks seemed to help the Bucs for about one quarter. After an early touchdown pass from Garcia though, the Bucs offense couldn't stay on track. Two third quarter turnovers led to a 10 point Giants lead, a lead which they never gave up, and while the teams scored equal amounts in the fourth, it was too little, too late for the NFC South Champions as Garcia lost his first playoff game. Meanwhile the Giants must head to a Dallas team that dominated them twice this year and is getting three main offensive weapons, two of which are Pro Bowlers, (Gurode, Owens, and Glenn) back for the game.

NFC Divisional Weekend:
Both games on FOX Sports and Westwood One Radio
Times listed are Eastern
Saturday, January 12- 4:30 PM- Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers
Sunday, January 13- 4:30 PM- New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys

[Hyper Shadow X]

I actually liked the Steelers-Jags thought it was the much better one of the day yesterday.

[bigddan11]

The second half was what I thought the first half would be. The Chargers have made good second half adjustments all year though at home, so while Vince Young was efficient, it only took a few plays to make him less than effective. I guess the parable "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" is true. The Chargers got shut out in the first half, but the Titans got shut out in the second half.

http://static.nfl.com/static/site/img/teams/TEN/TEN_logo-80x90.gif (10-7) Tennessee Titans 06
http://static.nfl.com/static/site/img/teams/SD/SD_logo-80x90.gif (12-5) San Diego Chargers 17

AFC Divisional Weekend:
Both games on CBS Sports and Westwood One Radio
Times listed are Eastern
Saturday, January 12- 8 PM- Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots
Sunday, January 13- 1 PM- San Diego Chargers at Indianapolis Colts

[Ajax]

I was one of the few (only?) that picked Seattle to beat Washington. The Seahawks are tough at home, 8-1 this year. The analysts on Friday were saying that the Redskins were the "hottest team in football" and had all of the momentum from their four game winning streak. After the game, they were reversing that by saying the Redskins had "used up" their momentum winning those four games. :rolleyes2: Also, what's up with the announcers saying the Redskins had a chance to "put the Seahawks away" with that field goal in the fourth quarter? I mean, c'mon, it only would have been a 16-14 lead if he had made it and still have eleven minutes left in the game. :shrug: Anyways, both teams played hard but the Seahawks just outplayed the Redskins today. The Seahawks defense was really strong through three quarters and their offense played well enough to win, driving for the winning touchdown in the fourth quarter, 21-14. The two pick-six's were the icing on the cake. RIP Sean Taylor, your teammates played proud.
I too was surprised that everyone was jumping on the Redskins bandwagon without considering the following:
A. There last four victories werent all that impressive and isnt something you could label as momentum. They played 2 medicore teams from the North which they struggled to win, then played a Giants team that for some reason just down right stinks at times and played a Dallas team that had nothing to play for.
B People got strung up all the whole RIP Sean Talyor and were making bigger deals out of that four game winning streak then they really should of.
C. Seattle passing offense>Washington Pass defense
Washington only really got close cause of a horrible screw up on special teams on Seattles part, but to put it in plainest terms, Washington wasnt so much a playoff team, then just a team that had the scehdual go in there favor.

[Duke]

You know, the Titans should just be happy they made it into the playoffs at all, despite getting ransacked in the second half of the game on Sunday. Considering Vince Young was under the Madden Curse, the Titans did extremely well, and since Young will no longer be under the curse next year, he should have a monster season.

[Squall]

Well, I got what I wanted on Saturday, but not on Sunday.

I was cheering for Seattle, Tampa Bay, Jacksonville, and Tennessee. (I tend to favor expansion teams and underdogs - as well as my local teams.)

Next week, I hope that Seattle beats Green Bay, Dallas beats the N.Y. Giants, San Diego beats Indianapolis, and Jacksonville beats New England. My favorite Super Bowl XLII scenario right now (however unlikely it might be!) - Dallas vs. Jacksonville! :p

[RAINMAN]

I stopped watching half way through the third quarter with the score still 21-7. When I turned it back on only 4 and a half minutes remained, and Pittsburgh had a 29-28 lead. I wish I could have seen what sparked the comeback.

http://static.nfl.com/static/site/img/teams/JAC/JAC_logo-80x90.gif (12-5) Jacksonville Jaguars 31
http://static.nfl.com/static/site/img/teams/PIT/PIT_logo-80x90.gif (10-7) Pittsburgh Steelers 29
After a 7-2 start, Pittsburgh went 3-5 down the stretch, including the playoff loss. Part of that was losing Parker, and part of that was losing a key defender, but you'll still have others that solely say Pittsburgh choked. The three interceptions that led to 14 of Jacksonville's points and the late game fumble showed though you can't have turnovers and expect to win.



In other words, they did choke the game away. The only time the jags score points whitout pitts helping them was one time.

[Lazerboy5000]

Game 1: Redskins at Seahawks

The Seahawks were dominating throughout most of the entire game. There was, however, a 2min 30sec glimmer of hope for the Redskins as they pulled off two straight scores to go up 14-13 early in the 4th quarter. But that was it. Seattle put the petal to the metal and ended up winning 35-14. And so the Cinderella story comes to and end.
The Seahawks now travel up the Lambeau Field to play the 13-3 Packers.


Game 2: Jaguars at Steelers

If the Redskins were the hottest team coming into the playoffs, then the Jaguars were second. But the Jaguars looked just like how we thought they would look. They were winning 28-10 at one point, but the Steelers, being the Steelers, found a way to come back, eventually taking a 29-28 lead. But the Jags didn’t give up, and scored the final field goal to win 31-29. But remember, Pittsburgh missed two, 2-point-conversions in this game. So if they would have just went for the extra point, this game may have been tied.

The Jaguars will now take on the undefeated Patriots next week.


Game 3: Giants at Redskins

The Giants were another hot team coming into the playoffs. Manning just outplayed Garcia, simple as that. The Giants had no turnovers, and that turned out to be the key stat in this game. The Bucs played well, but the Giants simply played better.

The Giants will play the Cowboys for a third time this season next week.


Game 4: Titans at Chargers

The Titans were giving us on hell of a game. They were dominating for the entire first half. But the Chargers found their rhythm in the second have, and they even managed the beat the spread (-10) with a less than convincing 17-6 win.

The Chargers play the 13-3 Colts next week.

[hobbyfan]

I just have to say I went 4-0.

Seattle-Washington. Like Bones, I went with the Seahawks, citing the fact that they beat the Skins the last time the two teams met in the playoffs. I did have some anxious moments. As for the fumble that wasn't, I think someone remembered the tuck rule. The zebras were probably trying to give Washington at the very least a fighting chance----and they blew it!

Jacksonville-Pittsburgh. Without Willie Parker, all Pittsburgh had left at RB was Najeh Davenport, who also had to return kicks. If Pitt somehow got past J-ville, they were going to get killed by New Scumland next week for sure. Now, the Pats get a fresh opponent they haven't seen, another team that can run on them. That's going to be a great game.

Giants-Tampa Bay. New York gets a couple of postseason monkeys, including Jeff Garcia, off their backs. What do they get for a reward? A return trip to Dallas, where they had their only road loss of the year. Might as well mark it down now. Dallas goes on to the conference championship.

San Diego-Tennessee. And they say it never rains in Southern California?;) :p Well, at least the Chargers finally won a playoff game. Unfortunately, Indianapolis is next, hungry for revenge after losing that Sunday night game a couple of months back, and this time, it's in Indy.

[Bones Justice]

The score would have been 17-13, not 16-14, if Washington had made the field goal, but I think the missed FG gave the Seattle defense the spark it needed in the fourth quarter. Instead of giving up 17 straight points, which would have been the case had the FG been made, they ended up with four straight possession stoppers, two of which were Interceptions returned for Touchdowns. I thought it'd be a 27-21 style game. Seattle's D was much stronger than I gave them credit, but there success hasn't been on the road, so they are in trouble now.

Oops, my bad, you're right, it would have been 17-13. But I still didn't see how that would have put the Seahawks "away" like the announcer was saying. With over eleven minutes left, anything could have happened. The Seahawks defense was shutting the Redskins down almost the entire game. I think holding the Redskins to just a field goal (even if they made it) would have been a boost to Seattle's morale anyways. I guess we'll never know for sure but Seattle had more offense in general all day while the Redskins had a couple of good minutes boosted by a questionable call from the refs.



http://static.nfl.com/static/site/img/teams/NYG/NYG_logo-80x90.gif (11-6) New York Giants 24
http://static.nfl.com/static/site/img/teams/TB/TB_logo-80x90.gif (9-8) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 14

Resting everyone three of the last four weeks seemed to help the Bucs for about one quarter. After an early touchdown pass from Garcia though, the Bucs offense couldn't stay on track. Two third quarter turnovers led to a 10 point Giants lead, a lead which they never gave up, and while the teams scored equal amounts in the fourth, it was too little, too late for the NFC South Champions as Garcia lost his first playoff game.


Wow, this was a fast game, just under three hours total. Once the Giant receivers actually started catching the ball on a semi-regular basis, the Bucs were done. Other than the dropped passes early, the Giants made few mistakes. The Giants have looked good two weeks in a row. I wasn't really surprised by this win. I give credit to the Bucs for a good opening drive but their offense was flat the rest of the day, something that happened to them far too often this year.


The second half was what I thought the first half would be. The Chargers have made good second half adjustments all year though at home, so while Vince Young was efficient, it only took a few plays to make him less than effective. I guess the parable "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" is true. The Chargers got shut out in the first half, but the Titans got shut out in the second half.

http://static.nfl.com/static/site/img/teams/TEN/TEN_logo-80x90.gif (10-7) Tennessee Titans 06
http://static.nfl.com/static/site/img/teams/SD/SD_logo-80x90.gif (12-5) San Diego Chargers 17


This game was a lot closer than I expected. I thought the Chargers would run all over Tennessee but the Titans did a great job of shutting down LT early. Apparently, though, the Titans defense doesn't have enough discipline with their zone defense because at least twice in the second half, somebody went the wrong way and left a Charger wide open. Maybe it was the free safety both times but I don't know what defense they were running for sure so it could have been the corner who was supposed to take the deep zone. At least the second time, when the Chargers' wide receiver was wide open, it looked like the linebacker thought he had the short zone so I think the corner should have dropped back, I dunno. I'm still not overly impressed with Rivers at this point but credit him with finding the open man when the Titans blew the coverage. Meanwhile, the Titans running game was going places in the first half. They had one long drive with (I think) seven runs and only one pass but fumbled in the red zone. I think they should have went back to that strategy while the game was still close but they didn't.

The Titans offense opened the game with that weird offensive line shift. I was waiting for them to try it again later. Actually, it sort of reminds me of something we ran back in middle school -- the tackles, ends, and halfbacks would line up wide on each side, with the center, guards, quarterback, and fullback isolated over the ball. Coach called it X-formation. We had more luck with it than the Titans did with theirs. :p


In other words, they did choke the game away. The only time the jags score points whitout pitts helping them was one time.

Well, in my opinion, the Steelers got a huge gift from the refs on that fourth and goal when they called Jacksonville for the pass interference. Ward clearly had the defender by the facemask so if anything, the penalty should have been on the Steelers. That would have also given the Jaguars the ball due to a turnover on downs. The way the Steelers had been moving the ball and shutting the Jags down, I would have kicked the field goal on fourth and goal but they opted to go for the touchdown instead. Really, the Steelers were lucky to have taken the lead at that point because without the (incorrect) penalty call, they would have come away with no points and still been behind.


the Jaguars looked just like how we thought they would look. They were winning 28-10 at one point, but the Steelers, being the Steelers, found a way to come back, eventually taking a 29-28 lead. But the Jags didn’t give up, and scored the final field goal to win 31-29. But remember, Pittsburgh missed two, 2-point-conversions in this game. So if they would have just went for the extra point, this game may have been tied.


I've heard a lot of people second-guess the Steelers going for two but I think they made the right decision. It was the fourth quarter and they were trying to give themselves protection against a Jaguar field goal. I think the Steelers got robbed on their first two-point conversion because it was called back for holding when the replay showed no holding. But I do think the Steelers should have kicked the extra point instead once they had been backed up by the penalty. Anyways, after they missed the first two-point conversion, they really had no choice the second time because a two point lead wouldn't really be better than a one point lead if they failed.

[Punisher]

I really enjoyed the Jags-Steelers game, mainly because the Steelers were put away. They managed to make it interesting at the end, but there's no doubt Jacksonville was the better team. I'm a bit sad to see the Redskins out so early, but it's really no surprise considering who they were playing. Didn't watch either Sunday game because those were a lot easier to pick and the results were as expected.

Too bad that my work schedule is going to make me miss the Jags-Patriots game. It's the one game in the playoffs I really have to watch. Bah.

[Bones Justice]

Too bad that my work schedule is going to make me miss the Jags-Patriots game. It's the one game in the playoffs I really have to watch. Bah.

That always sucks. Fortunately, for me, we got a couple of televisions for work now so I can still catch most games when I'm on the road. I was home for Saturday's games but was still able to see almost all of Sunday's games, albeit often with no sound. Often times, my job consists of a lot of "hurry-up and wait" which is the reason they let us have television for down times.

I also TiVo all of the games so that if I miss something, I can at least catch up when I get home. I can't really stand to watch if I already know the outcome but I do like to see the odd play or questionable call over again to see what really happened. Sunday's games seemed fairly straight-up, though, with the exception of the Titans' first play from scrimmage.

[RAINMAN]

I don`t know why people think the jags will give the pats a hard time? Why are people expecting this to be a game worth watching? Their win over the steelers was a fluke. The pats won`t make the same foolish mistakes or bad play calling like the steelers did.

[Ajax]

I don`t know why people think the jags will give the pats a hard time? Why are people expecting this to be a game worth watching? Their win over the steelers was a fluke. The pats won`t make the same foolish mistakes or bad play calling like the steelers did.I know your a Steelers fan, but that was no fluke win. The Steelers coming back from a two touchdown deficet was more of the fluke. Garrard throwing 2 ints in a game when he had only thrown 3 pics all season was more of the fluke. The Jags having owned the Steelers the last two seasons is not a fluke. Foolish mistakes and bad play calling are not what you call flukes, around the NFL they call it Medicore/Bad teams. And thats what the Steelers were. Even if they did somehow beat the Jags, the Steelers werent going to any Superbowl, Im even willing to bet they werent going past the divisonal round. Tp but it in lamest terms this Steelers team wasnt primed to win anything so you shouldnt really get down. If they hadnt lost now they would lost later, and if not then the Patriots would of destoryed them.

[Lazerboy5000]

I just read on NFL.com that Joe Gibbs retired.

I kind of feel bad that he wasn't able to go farther in the playoffs his last year.

But, he was a great coach. Hats off to him.

[Duke]

I just read on NFL.com that Joe Gibbs retired.
He retired as the coach. He's now going to be a special advisor to Daniel Snyder.

[Squall]

I know your a Steelers fan, but that was no fluke win. The Steelers coming back from a two touchdown deficet was more of the fluke. Garrard throwing 2 ints in a game when he had only thrown 3 pics all season was more of the fluke. The Jags having owned the Steelers the last two seasons is not a fluke.

I would absolutely love to see Jacksonville beat New England this weekend.

Not just because New England is way overdue for a loss, but because Jacksonville is one of those NFL teams that never gets much attention, or respect. Winning that game would put Jacksonville on the map for the average NFL fan for years to come. :p

[Lazerboy5000]

^ I agree. The Jags have been under the radar for ever. And the Pro-Bowl voting just proves it.