09 NFL Discussion Thread

Sueven · Post by **Sueven** » January 5, 2009, 2:27 am

The big play is important and it was worth 7 points. But it makes his statistics misleading. If you just look at the fact that he averaged 4+ yards a carry, you would assume that he was typically successful when he was running, getting the team into second and short and third and short positions and converting third downs. He wasn't. He did not run for a single first down the entire game. His longest run (minus the big one) was 6 yards.

And yes, Brian Westbrook was completely bottled up outside of his one big play as well.

I would love an Eagles - Cardinals matchup down the road.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=281127021

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » January 5, 2009, 3:22 am

Sueven wrote:
I would love an Eagles - Cardinals matchup down the road.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=281127021

That game was in Philly. Rematch would be in Arizona.

Cardinals have excellent chance to beat the Panthers. They led 17-3 at halftime and led most of the game @ Carolina earlier this year, only losing the lead at the very end. It's a very winnable game for Arizona, although still underdogs.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » January 6, 2009, 1:27 pm

Carolina is a tough fuckin' team and can pound the ball with their raunning back tandem (not going to use the retarded nickname). However, if AZ shows up like they did the other day it should be one hell of a matchup.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » January 6, 2009, 8:40 pm

Canelek wrote:Carolina is a tough fuckin' team and can pound the ball with their raunning back tandem (not going to use the retarded nickname). However, if AZ shows up like they did the other day it should be one hell of a matchup.

Right now, the big question for Arizona is if Boldin can go. He pulled a hammy on his long run after the catch for a TD last game, played one series after halftime and then didnt return to the game. Breaston (Michigan!) is a quality 3rd Receiver but Arizona needs all three of their receivers to combat the Panthers excellent ground game.

Carolina won the game but Steve Smith had a TD that was questionable IMO after a replay showed him stepping out of bounds. Very close. Anyway, they won. Those kind of plays go both ways.

Receiver Anquan Boldin's left hamstring is strained, not torn, and his status for Saturday's divisional playoff game against Carolina is uncertain.

"When you're dealing with hamstrings, you never know," coach Ken Whisenhunt said Monday. "I've seen guys that come back and play a couple of days later. I've seen guys that are out three to four weeks."

Boldin likely will be limited in practice this week, if he's even able to practice. The Cardinals usually don't provide detailed injury information, and Boldin's status probably won't be determined until shortly before Saturday's 6:15 p.m. kickoff.

Boldin suffered the injury during a 71-yard touchdown catch in last Saturday's victory over the Falcons.

Gzette · Post by **Gzette** » January 6, 2009, 11:38 pm

I hope he can go. He did fantastic for my fantasy team this year. I think the Cards are the team I'm rooting for now to win it all. That would be absurd.

Trek · Post by **Trek** » January 11, 2009, 3:11 am

Cards played a decent game, Jake was horrible or worse. If the Eagles can manage to get past NYG in a game I see as a toss-up I really like their chances at AZ.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » January 11, 2009, 4:02 am

Go Eagles!

Grats Cards! Awesome two games they've played. Fitzgerald is a beast and the defense is playing out of their minds.

Would love to play the Philly at home (as opposed to NY away)

Trek · Post by **Trek** » January 11, 2009, 6:35 pm

Got the matchup I was hoping for, now its up to the Eagles to execute much better on offense then they have been.

Spang · Post by **Spang** » January 11, 2009, 7:12 pm

Spang wrote:The winner of the Giants/Eagles game will go onto the Super Bowl and win it.

The Eagles will win the Super Bowl.

Trek · Post by **Trek** » January 11, 2009, 7:48 pm

lol I wish it was that easy

Tyek · Post by **Tyek** » January 12, 2009, 2:27 am

GO Steelers!!

I hope they play that well offensively against Baltimore.

Kluden · Post by **Kluden** » January 12, 2009, 10:24 am

GO Steelers!

I'm with you on that one about the offense doing that well against baltimore, but after the first two games, I really don't see either team running away with it in this game...will be another nail biter, which means for those that don't care, just tune in for the last 5 minutes of the game to see the winner drive for a score.

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » January 12, 2009, 10:34 am

If the Pitt offensive line can just pass protect as well agaisnt Baltimore as they did against SD, this will be another one of those 35-10 Steelers wins. If they play like they have been all year, it is basically a coin toss.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » January 12, 2009, 2:51 pm

This weekend will be fun!

Look for the Steelers and Ravens to play one down to the wire. The Cards are fueled by years of Haterade and the Eagles were pretty much written off (mostly by their anger-fans). I would not put money on either game!

Aardor · Post by **Aardor** » January 12, 2009, 2:57 pm

Classic NFC east match up!

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » January 12, 2009, 7:00 pm

Aardor wrote:Classic NFC east match up!

I was thinking that during the game yesterday. 3 of the 4 final NFC teams were out of the "classic" NFC East. My favorite division in football. (even with the Cardinals out of there)

I'm fired up for the game. I'm a weak Eagles fan, being from eastern PA sort of. Of course I'm hoping for a Cardinals win but think it's going to be a very entertaining game. I'm guessing less than a TD margin of victory with a 31-27 type final score. I wouldn't put much weight on the blowout earlier in the season. It's a home game for the Cardinals where they've been very dominant and they are playing their best football as are the Eagles. Good stuff!

Thankfully, Boldin is just a bonus if he can play. Cardinals are 4-1 without him in games this year. Cards will be missing Sprach (TE) which seems minor but he was doing a good job at TE. Pope blows. Hope he or another TE can step up. Eagles appear healthy although they had to play a physical game against the Giants so hopefully Westrbook took a few good shots which it looked liked he did. Edge Hightower and Arrington are healthy going into the game with Edge showing signs of life the past two games.

Jice Virago · Post by **Jice Virago** » January 14, 2009, 11:39 pm

I like seeing the underdogs win. It just goes to show you how much parity there is in the NFL, compared to other sports. It also demonstrates how some teams with creampuff schedules can get stuffed when they suddenly face a team with a chip on its shoulder. The Cardinals success does not actually suprise me, honestly. Warner has always been good at racking up points and Delhome has alway tended to choke a fat dick whenever it was a big game. The Eagles situation isn't that much of a suprise, either. They are always dangerous if they make it to the playoffs. The two teams they faced were both one dimensional, thanks to Buress being gone, offensively. I think Cards win this one, though.

Trek · Post by **Trek** » January 18, 2009, 6:59 pm

Got the matchup I wanted for the Eagles and got smoked.....always sucks to be an Eagle fan

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » January 18, 2009, 8:26 pm

SUPER BOWL!

Trek · Post by **Trek** » January 18, 2009, 8:34 pm

Sucks to end the season with that non-call that would have kept the drive going. Even with that the Eagle missed a lot of opprotunities

Tyek · Post by **Tyek** » January 18, 2009, 8:43 pm

Well,

I am here with my knife and fork ready to eat a lot of crow.

I never expected the Cardinals to get here, but congrats. It was really amazing seeing that stadium so red. That must have been a first.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » January 18, 2009, 8:52 pm

Trek wrote:Sucks to end the season with that non-call that would have kept the drive going. Even with that the Eagle missed a lot of opprotunities

Like the kick off called out of bounds that wasn't out of bounds? Both teams missed opportunities or got screwed by calls). The Cardinals capitalized on more opportunities than the Eagles.

I guess that's three games now the Cardinals got lucky in the playoffs...not that McNabb is the supreme choker in playoff games.

Time to be underdogs again in the Super Bowl. It's all good!

The Eagles game plan was to stop Fitzgerald? 9 catches, 152 yrds, 3 TDs

Don't you want to stop someone that had 8 catches, 166 yards, 1 TD the game before?

Last three games, the Cardinals have scored 30, 33 and 32 points. The team that beats them is going to have to score 30+ against a defense on the rise. (Eagles had allowed 14 and 11 points the two previous playoff games)

Trek · Post by **Trek** » January 18, 2009, 9:37 pm

It hit his arm when he was standing out of bounds, so even if reviewed it was a dead ball. That is nothing like tackling the reciever with the ball enroute on a 4th down and 2 minutes to play and not calling it. But as always you are an ass Winnow, thanks for playing.

Janx · Post by **Janx** » January 18, 2009, 9:54 pm

No way did that hit his arm. And seriously, fuck the eagles and their cheap shots on the quarterback that's kicking their ass. You want to behave like that, you don't deserve a Superbowl ring.

Gonzoie - Luclin · Post by **Gonzoie - Luclin** » January 18, 2009, 10:57 pm

Janx wrote:No way did that hit his arm. And seriously, fuck the eagles and their cheap shots on the quarterback that's kicking their ass. You want to behave like that, you don't deserve a Superbowl ring.

You failed physics didn't you? Im sure the ball changed trajectory on its own the same time it came near his forearm. You are correct.

The game was poorly called all night, on both sides of the ball for both teams. Not one call mattered as much as the non-called pass interference tho.

Oh, and for the cheap shots on the Cardinals, at least they got called. Warner could have ran out on the field and tackled Donovan mid play and im sure it wouldn't have been called.

Trek · Post by **Trek** » January 19, 2009, 12:36 am

Janx wrote:No way did that hit his arm. And seriously, fuck the eagles and their cheap shots on the quarterback that's kicking their ass. You want to behave like that, you don't deserve a Superbowl ring.

As I recal that was one rookie that did that, he also got burned for a TD and all in all isnt good anyways and I doubt he returns because of that hit. That ball did hit his arm, but really what does it matter, the Eagles lost and I just mentioned I wished it didnt end for them with that non-call.....get over it, I did.

Xyun · Post by **Xyun** » January 19, 2009, 12:39 am

It all boils down to the Cardinals last drive. After the Eagles came back and took a 1 point lead, it was up to their defense to win the game or at the very least hold them to a field goal, but the Cards offense went down and scored a TD. They earned that victory. Good luck in the Superbowl, Pittsburg is no joke, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the Cards win. I'm done being surprised by them.

Trek · Post by **Trek** » January 19, 2009, 12:41 am

Xyun wrote:It all boils down to the Cardinals last drive. After the Eagles came back and took a 1 point lead, it was up to their defense to win the game or at the very least hold them to a field goal, but the Cards offense went down and scored a TD. They earned that victory. Good luck in the Superbowl, Pittsburg is no joke, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the Cards win. I'm done being surprised by them.

I totally agree

Kluden · Post by **Kluden** » January 19, 2009, 1:50 am

With their playoff scores, they should be favored for the superbowl. at least that is my opinion. The current #1 pass offense vs. the season's #1 pass defense. Couldn't ask for a better storyline. it will probably all come down to who stops the run, which will be ironic I imagine.

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » January 19, 2009, 1:58 am

Yup. Cards deserve to be in the big game. They have been outstanding during their playoff run. All about getting hot at the right time. Pitt has been quite good as well. This will be a very good SB!

Tyek · Post by **Tyek** » January 19, 2009, 3:13 am

GO Steelers

And seriously, one call does not change a game. The non pass interference call was bad, but even if they get it, it does not mean they would have scored a touchdown on that drive.

If you didn't give up 21 in the first have you win, if you stopped them on the drive when you took the lead you win. The Eagles put their season on the line with their play, they left themselves in a position to have a refs call hurt them and it did.

This is just like the Tennessee game, people claiming the missed call lost them the game when they turned the ball over near the goal line, made multiple mistakes, etc...

I have said it before, refs do not cost teams games, you put yourself in the position to have a refs decision cost you a game, look back at any game and they could have changed just as easily on one executed play as any call.

Trek · Post by **Trek** » January 19, 2009, 10:02 am

Fucking christ, sure if the Eagles get a 1st down there they still have to get a TD, really? Big fan of Madden are you? In that half they moved the ball well and got into the end zone, so if their drive continued I would have liked their chances on that. Yes they blew many chances, yes they played poorly, yes its their fault it came down to that 4th down play, I still wish their season didnt end on a non call, that really was a huge play and if the CB didnt tackle the reciever causing him to be falling before the ball arrived I think the catch is made and the drive continues. Its just a disappointing end to the season, I dont like seeing any game end like that but it happens.

Wulfran · Post by **Wulfran** » January 19, 2009, 1:27 pm

I honestly believe the old adage that bad reffing affects both teams equally. A bad call can change momentum sometimes but by the same token, the Eagles had 50 some odd other minutes to stake their claim on tickets to Tampa and failed to do so. I missed the tail end of the Cards-Eagles doing some chores before the Steelers-Ravens. I think Fitzgerald is scary good but I don't know how he and the Cards will fare against that defense of the Steelers. Warner isn't a rookie and has been making some good decisions for them but Big Ben has been doing the same for the Steelers. Wisenhunt's presence on the Cardinal sideline makes things more interesting but its not a game breaker.

I'll quote the other old adage here: offense wins games but defense wins championships. The Steelers have it over the Cards there. And it ain't in Arizona...

(disclaimer time - my picking NFL playoff winners this year is the shits: the only winners I have picked were the Steelers all the way through so that makes me like 2 for 10. I'll also admit I was cheering for the Cards despite Winnow but didn't think they would do it)

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » January 19, 2009, 2:57 pm

If the refs will throw flags for holding by the Cards tackles when Harrison rushes, the Steelers will win this SB easily. If they do not flag holding (pretty much like they have failed to do in any game this year) then the Cards are going to win. I know it is hard to block a guy like that, but just because he keeps coming free on nearly every play, it does not mean you ignore the rules. Watch that game yesterday close and you can see at least a dozen times where the tackle had him completely wrapped with an arm around his neck and they only threw the flag one time the entire game....and that was when he was literally tackled. I will need Valium watching the Super Bowl if the trend continues.

Aslanna · Post by **Aslanna** » January 19, 2009, 3:31 pm

Sounds like Steelers fans already coming up with excuses for them if they lose the Super Bowl. Obviously must have been poor penalty calling!

Aardor · Post by **Aardor** » January 19, 2009, 4:38 pm

It took my like 20 minutes to realize Tyek wasn't arguing with himself.....

Sueven would argue with me a bunch about this, but what actually cost the Eagles the game was not having another playmaker on offense besides our always-hurt-in-the-playoffs small running back who we use to do everything.

Jice Virago · Post by **Jice Virago** » January 19, 2009, 4:53 pm

This game is going to be a lot closer than people are giving it credit for.

On one hand: Cardinals are hot at the right time and Pitt's D isn't nearly as solid when away from their home turf (and weather), so this puts the pressure on the Pitt offense. Pitt is also more beat up, between having just played the Ravens and the fairly brutal stretch of games leading up to that. Pitt hasn't really played against a quality pass offense in a while, either, though this is not their weak point to be sure. Finally, the Cards have a pretty good blueprint for facing the Steelers, as Philly is similar in a while lot of ways.

On the other hand: The Pitt defense is good enough to win the game on its own, even if Big Ben shits the bed all game. The Card defense is very succeptible to having a bad game, witness letting Philly back in the game as an example. Pitt has much more big game experience and will not make big mental errors like some of the teams the Cards beat to get to the SB. Power teams tend to prevail over finesse teams in the big games and that is certainly the matchup we are getting.

I agree that this game will ultimately boil down to who stops the running game, which would paradoxilly seem to favor the Cardinals, but it is hard to take the statistics seriously, given the talent of Pitts line. Bottom line, if the Cards can move the ball and keep pitts D off balance, they have a good shot at winning. If Pitt can keep the score baseball-like, they will wear down the cards and destroy them much like they did the Chargers.

Spang · Post by **Spang** » January 19, 2009, 5:00 pm

This is the year of the black man.

Steelers 20

Cardinals 17

Ashur · Post by **Ashur** » January 19, 2009, 5:02 pm

Full credit to Jice for using "paradoxilly" in a commentary on football. I'm still picking the Steelers based on their quality defense.

Tyek · Post by **Tyek** » January 19, 2009, 5:14 pm

Aardor wrote:It took my like 20 minutes to realize Tyek wasn't arguing with himself.....

Sueven would argue with me a bunch about this, but what actually cost the Eagles the game was not having another playmaker on offense besides our always-hurt-in-the-playoffs small running back who we use to do everything.

DOH, sorry, the combo of this pnuemonia and really strong cough medicine may have made my comments lack some brevity and coherence.

And Trek, If Donovan hits his tight end in stride, not throwing behind him, it is not 4th and 10, so sorry if I don't agree that a non-call ended the season. There were 3 other plays to get at least a few yards and make life easier.

Wulfran · Post by **Wulfran** » January 19, 2009, 5:42 pm

Ashur wrote:Full credit to Jice for using "paradoxilly" in a commentary on football. I'm still picking the Steelers based on their quality defense.

'cept he could have spelt paradoxically right

and I don't know how he can say Hightower + cranky, old Edge James vs the Steelers run D > Willie Parker vs the Cards run D...

Gzette · Post by **Gzette** » January 19, 2009, 8:04 pm

My cat was lying on my stomach during this play. I freaked the little asshole out something fierce with my yelling "HOLY FUCKING SHIT!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XZgckAwHAY

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » January 19, 2009, 8:16 pm

You can't look at the season statistics when it comes to the Cardinals rushing. The light bulb finally turned on for the offensive line, which they've been building for awhile now.

Keep in mind, the Cardinals beat the Steelers 21-14 the last time they played a year ago and it wasn't some sort of miracle game.

I don't know if the Steelers will try to cheap shot Warner like the Eagles did but at least the refs were calling that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d55_bDKGJmU

Hopefully the Steelers are classy enough to not put bounties on players. When you have to try and cheap shot one of the opposition's key players out of the game, you get a good idea for how desperate the Eagles were.

Here's how I see the edge:

Offense: Cardinals

They aren't getting lucky. They've scored 30+ on whatever defense they've faced in the playoffs.

Defense: Even

Cardinals lead in takeaways and completely shut down the #2 and #3 rushing offenses in the league (Falcons and Panthers). I don't know how the Eagles ranked in rushing but their running attack was a non factor as well. The Steelers also have a good defense but I don't know that it's that much better than the Cardinal's defense to make up for the disparity in Offense.

Coaching: Cardinals

Just listen to the announcers every single playoff game, praising Whisenhunt and his defensive and offensive coordinators. The Cardinals have an excellent coaching staff. Tomlin is a good coach for the Steelers but the Steelers screwed up in letting Whisenhunt go in favor of Tomlin. Head to head: Whisenhunt: 1, Tomlin: 0

Special Teams: Even

They both have solid special teams. Whisenhunt calls at least one trick play a game as well in the regular game and on special teams, ala Bill Cowher

Intangibles: Cardinals

Who stops Fitzgerald? No one stops him. You can't shut him down no matter who you put on him because he catches in traffic, with players draped all over him:

Eclipsing Jerry Rice's post-season receiving record with 419 yards and still a game to spare, Fitzgerald has been in awesome form and will be a huge threat in the big game.

That's 419 yards with teams specifically game planning to take him out of the offense.

I see a close game in the Super Bowl. The Cardinals need to get off to a good start and take the lead as their MO is to let teams back into the game in the second half. The Steelers need time of possession to be in their favor, and not let the Cardinals ring up a few early touchdowns to take away the Steeler's running game. The Steelers will win if they managed to run the ball, unlike the other three playoff teams that have faced the Cardinals. The Cardinals win if Fitzgerald and Warner remain healthy through the game, and Boldin calms his ass down and plays some football instead of whine about play calling.

Cardinals 27, Steelers 24 (Cardinals are officially -6.5 underdogs, I wish it was -10 or more)

Steelers win if they score over 30 but I see them coming up short.

My previous prediction:

I'm guessing less than a TD margin of victory with a 31-27 type final score. I wouldn't put much weight on the blowout earlier in the season.

That one ended up 32-25!

Tyek · Post by **Tyek** » January 19, 2009, 8:33 pm

Did Winnow say defense was even?

You do know the Steelers had the top defense in football this season right?

A good three week run does not even out the play of an entire season.

Spang · Post by **Spang** » January 19, 2009, 8:48 pm

Dick LeBeau > Arizona Cardinals

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » January 19, 2009, 8:57 pm

Tyek wrote:Did Winnow say defense was even?

You do know the Steelers had the top defense in football this season right?

A good three week run does not even out the play of an entire season.

Did four previous Super Bowl victories help the Steelers the last time they played the Cardinals? Nope!

Of course a team getting hot at the right time matters. Ask Atlanta. Ask the Panthers who beat Arizona earlier in the season and ask the Eagles who crushed the Cardinals earlier in the season.

If there's any coaching advantage, it goes to Whisenhunt for having spent six years as an assistant coach in Pittsburgh. He's familiar with a lot of the players.

Trek · Post by **Trek** » January 19, 2009, 9:43 pm

Tyek wrote:[And Trek, If Donovan hits his tight end in stride, not throwing behind him, it is not 4th and 10, so sorry if I don't agree that a non-call ended the season. There were 3 other plays to get at least a few yards and make life easier.

In reference to that drive being over when Curtis would have caught that ball and kept the drive going, it ends the season. I am not talking about the 18 games and 48 some odd minutes that led to that and im not even using it as an excuse, they lost, I just wish that it did not end for them that way.

If Ward is healthy I think the Steelers pull it out 34-21

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » January 19, 2009, 9:58 pm

Are you actually on drugs? If you are looking back to a 2007 Arizona home game to use as your basis, then you are completely delusional. Actually, after even bothering to compare their defenses as "even", then delusional is a fact.

Arizona was not even the #1 offense that Pitt will play the year. The Houston Texans had a better offense (Arizone was #4). Pitt will have ended the year facing the #3, 4, 5, 9, and 11 offenses and the #2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10 , 11, and 12 defenses. In case you missed it, they ended up 12-4 with a brutal schedule. Arizona was 24th in case you missed it. grats on getting hot and having things fall perfectly. You may even pull out a win if things go well for you. I defintiely would not underestimate Dick Lebeau and what he can do. The Colts and some other high powered offenses (see San Diego) found out the hard way. I have a feeling they will double up Fitzgerald and Boldin and force Arizona to beat them with a running game. Even with only 7 in the box and moving the chains it will turn the game into a slow possession kind of game like they want.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » January 19, 2009, 10:42 pm

Kilmoll the Sexy wrote:I defintiely would not underestimate Dick Lebeau and what he can do. The Colts and some other high powered offenses (see San Diego) found out the hard way. I have a feeling they will double up Fitzgerald and Boldin and force Arizona to beat them with a running game. Even with only 7 in the box and moving the chains it will turn the game into a slow possession kind of game like they want.

If they try that, look for lots of short screen passes where both Boldin and Fitz also excel. You can't double both Boldin and Fitz and leave Breaston (another fine receiver) and the middle of the field open for TE's (and RBs out of the backfield) to have a field day caching passes. Warner's too smart a QB not to recognize and check down to the open receivers. Arizona has too many receiving weapons which has been bolstered by a revived running game. Edge is picking up the short yards needed for 1st downs and getting the 3-4 yards on first down to set up the pass and Hightower is pounding his way to the end zone and beating people on sweeps.

Watch the blocking on this play:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_pQrpHpNRI

If you keep watching, the announcers break down the play later in the vid.

Boldin is the decoy on this play. You've got Fitz by himself on one side, demanding double teaming and attention, and you've got Boldin and Breaston on the other side, demanding much attention as Boldin is really a RB/WR and so with Breaston out there to throw blocks, that whole offensive set demands all sorts of attention on the outside, leaving the inside open for what you just saw. With the improved blocking of the O line and a veteran QB like Warner, I wouldn't want t try and defend the Cardinals in the red zone.

Tyek · Post by **Tyek** » January 20, 2009, 12:09 am

Trek wrote:
Tyek wrote:[And Trek, If Donovan hits his tight end in stride, not throwing behind him, it is not 4th and 10, so sorry if I don't agree that a non-call ended the season. There were 3 other plays to get at least a few yards and make life easier.
In reference to that drive being over when Curtis would have caught that ball and kept the drive going, it ends the season. I am not talking about the 18 games and 48 some odd minutes that led to that and im not even using it as an excuse, they lost, I just wish that it did not end for them that way.

If Ward is healthy I think the Steelers pull it out 34-21

I understand your frustration completely Trek, it was a foul, the defender slipped and either accidentally hit the receiver while falling or purposely tackled him.

I was just talking about some of the comments I have heard on radio and tv that it cost them the game. I heard the same comments on TV, I forgot the commentator who said the Tennessee non-foul cost them the game, I was stunned and so was his co-commentator who pointed out they still could have stopped the play, could have stopped the drive, or scored themselves.

I was more surprised by the play before, if he completes that I think the drive continues at least a little longer. They played their asses off the second half, they just dug themselves to deep of a hole.

I am hoping the Steelers can avoid the quick strike leads the Cards have been getting. If they stay close early I think they win. Unfortunately it will probably be a nail biter because the Steelers like to give their fans heart attacks.