Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

A thin legal pretext to veneer over their personal religious and political desires.

Hey Washington Post, “Democracy Dies in Darkness” is supposed to be a warning, not a mission statement.

Another missed opportunity for Jamie Dimon to just shut the fuck up.

We know you aren’t a Democrat but since you seem confused let me help you.

You cannot shame the shameless.

So many bastards, so little time.

“Cheese and Kraken paired together for the appetizer trial.”

It’s the corruption, stupid.

Meanwhile over at truth Social, the former president is busy confessing to crimes.

Compromise? There is no middle ground between a firefighter and an arsonist.

Let’s not be the monsters we hate.

Whoever he was, that guy was nuts.

Wow, I can’t imagine what it was like to comment in morse code.

Republicans: slavery is when you own me. freedom is when I own you.

I was confident that someone would point it out and thought why not me.

FFS people, this was a good thing. take the win.

The frogs are rarely mistaken.

Bogus polls are all they’ve got left. Let’s bury these fuckers at the polls a year from now.

“Joe Biden deserved better than he got from some folks in his own party.”

Their boy Ron is an empty plastic cup that will never know pudding.

If you are in line to indict donald trump, stay in line.

It looks like winning debates is a black job!

New McCarthy, same old McCarthyism.

Tide comes in. Tide goes out. You can’t explain that.

You are here: Home / Sports / Steelers/Colts

Steelers/Colts

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If you expected anything of substance out of me today, you better think again. Steelers/Colts, baby!

I do not feel very good about this game, but I feel more confident than I did when we met earlier in the season. About to have my bagel and cream chease with smoked salmon, sit down, and root for the Steelers.

Go Black and Gold!

*** Update ***

Halftime, Steelers leading 14-3. About as good as I could have hoped for.

*** Update ***

If the refs ove8rturn this interception by Polamolu, they are actively trying to give the game to the Colts.

*** Update ***I

between the pass interference call, the non-call on the offsides, and that bs int, the game is fixed.

*** Update ***

I can’t even watch the last four mintues, because this game is fixed and I am going to have a heart attack. Non-call on the blatant PI on Randel El, the non-call when the entire Colts was offside, and overturnjing that INT. Total Bullshit.

*** Update ***

We fight the refs and win, and the blow it on the 2 yard line. I fucking quit.

*** Update ***

Any questions I may have had about the health of my heart have been answered. If I lived through that, I am fine. My God. I need a drink.

Reader Interactions

191Comments

  1. 1.

    Geek, Esq.

    Winner of this game goes to the Superbowl. Denver played all right, but New England really beat themselves yesterday.

  2. 2.

    Louise

    Thank goodness. I kept coming back to the computer, refreshing this page, waiting for the game thread. Pittsburgh fans in Kansas need support.

  3. 3.

    Doug

    Maybe some payback for that game in January of ’96 where Harbaugh was *this* close to completing that garbage pass into the endzone for the win. Payback might not be the right word. The Colts had no business being in that game, let alone winning it. But we were really really close.

  7. 7.

    Louise

    Hush, Geek. I’m thrilled, too, but HUSH.

    SEE?? SEE?? (Actually, that’s classic announcer-jinx at work: “All of his passes have been perfect.” GAH! SHUT UP!)

    I have no life. I need a drink.

  9. 9.

    capriccio

    With the Pats out, I’m trying to transfer a little allegiance to the Steelers, but I’m having a serious problem. Is that hat on Cowher’s head mauve?

  11. 11.

    Geek, Esq.

    That’s the worst quarter I’ve ever seen any team play in any sport.

    The Colts should never, ever, ever, ever be taken seriously as a Super Bowl contender again. Ever.

  12. 12.

    Joey

    Geek, Esq. Says:

    That’s the worst quarter I’ve ever seen any team play in any sport.

    The Colts should never, ever, ever, ever be taken seriously as a Super Bowl contender again. Ever.

    A little heavy on the hyperbole, aren’t we?

  13. 13.

    Geek, Esq.

    Uh, no.

    Same old Colts. No defense. Soft on offense. Punch them in the mouth, and the roll over and die.

    This game is O-V-E-R.

  14. 14.

    Joey

    Uh, no.

    Same old Colts. No defense. Soft on offense. Punch them in the mouth, and the roll over and die.

    This game is O-V-E-R.

    Oh, for Christ’s sake….

  15. 15.

    Geek, Esq.

    Are you watching the same game I am?

    Colts just got a pity no-call on that pass.

    That’s right–they’re getting pity calls because they’re so lame.

  17. 17.

    Joey

    Geek, Esq. Says:

    Are you watching the same game I am?

    Colts just got a pity no-call on that pass.

    That’s right—they’re getting pity calls because they’re so lame.

    Okay, you’re an ass, and I’m done responding.

  19. 19.

    Geek, Esq.

    The Gods intervene sporadically. The Colts play this exact kind of game every year in getting eliminated from the playoffs.

  20. 20.

    Brad R.

    What’d I tell ya, John? Just let Big Ben throw the ball and good things happen. I think Cowher has finally figured out that doing nothing but running plays won’t be effective against teams like Indy.

  21. 21.

    Kirby

    THIS AIN’T OVER!

    The Colts only need to play one good half to beat a weak sister like the Steelers. They were just toying with them in the first half.

  22. 22.

    Quintapalus

    Does anyone know if John is still alive? His heart hasn’t exploded out of his rib cage yet, has it? John, for these games, I think it would be in your interest to establish some sort of “buddy” system, just in case.

  24. 24.

    Geek, Esq.

    Kirby:

    Thanks for the laugh. I’m sure we’ll see the stirring rally that the Colts have shown in the past, when they’ve been bitch-slapped and bounced by tougher teams like the Patriots in the first half, only to be further bitch-slapped further in the second half.

    Game over. Tony Dungy and Payton Manning aren’t big-game performers. Never have been, never will be.

  25. 25.

    joshua

    What’s that coughing and gagging sound I hear? Is it…could it be? Peyton, get that big game out of your mouth before you choke to death! Someone, anyone, please: Heimich Maneuver, stat!

  26. 26.

    Brad R.

    Game over. Tony Dungy and Payton Manning aren’t big-game performers. Never have been, never will be.

    It’s mystifying. I’ve never seen anyone with so much talent choke so routinely. At least Marino made it to the Superbowl. If Peyton can’t do it this year, he never will.

  27. 27.

    Geek, Esq.

    Marino made it only once–his rookie year, right?

    Manning is definitely this generation’s Marino–all stats, no meaningful accomplishments.

  29. 29.

    Brad R.

    To be fair to Marino, though, he NEVER had the kind of talent that Peyton has surrounding him. Marvin Harrison is a Hall of Fame lock, the Edge is getting there. On most other teams, Reggie Wayne would be a #1 receiver. Mark Clayton was good, but nearly as good as Harrison.

  30. 30.

    Geek, Esq.

    You’re forgetting Mark Clayton.

    Honestly, I think Dungy is the problem. His teams always underachieve in the playoffs–he just can’t get them ready for big games. I know it’s not a popular sentiment to blame him with the tragedy in his family, but he’s not the man who’ll get a team to the Super Bowl.

  32. 32.

    Geek, Esq.

    Question for Steeler fans:

    Do you sit Big Ben for the 4th Quarter and rest him for the game against Denver?

  34. 34.

    Geek, Esq.

    I’d sit Big Ben for the 4th–this game is wrapped up, and there’s no sense in exposing him to further injury.

  35. 35.

    Brad R.

    You’re forgetting Mark Clayton.

    No I’m not. I said Clayton was very good, but not on the caliber of Harrison, who has received for 1100+ yards in each of the last SEVEN years.

  38. 38.

    Halffasthero

    I am not sharing any startling revelations but an earlier post here is right. This game is over and the Colts did fail to show up. They should have won this game with the weapons they had.

    Early congratulation to the Steelers.

  39. 39.

    Brad R.

    As a Patriots fan, I really, really want the Steelers to win next week. But it ain’t gonna be easy. Denver is a BITCHY place for an opposing team to play. I mean, yes the Pats gave the game away, but you also gotta give credit to the Broncs’ special teams and defense for making some devastating hits. Big Ben would also be wise to not throw anything in Champ Bailey’s general direction.

  41. 41.

    Geek, Esq.

    Seriously, though, where do the Colts go from here?

    It’s pretty clear that it wasn’t that the Patriots had them figured out, but that they don’t have the stomach and backbone to win in the playoffs. Mentally weak.

  42. 42.

    joshua

    Marino in the mid 80s had pretty close to the talent that Manning has around him, but no running back. I love the Dolphins and Marino, but the man did not want to hand the ball off. The biggest problem the Fins faced with Marino was scoring too quickly. When they beat Pittsburgh in the 85 AFC title game (Marino’s second year, BTW) it was a shootout with a total score of 60+ points. Then the 49ers and Montana came along and put them down like rabid dogs. You don’t have to be perfectly balanced to win the big game, but you do have to at least make the other team believe that you might run the ball every once in a while.

  43. 43.

    Kirby

    O.K. Now it’s over.

    I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a talented team fail so miserably at every level.

  45. 45.

    Geek, Esq.

    Dungy was going to punt?

    That, in a nutshell, is why this team is such a postseason loser–NO BALLS.

  47. 47.

    Geek, Esq.

    That’s Tony Dungy for you–a cautious loser who’ll always make the “safe” call even when it’s the obviously wrong one.

  48. 48.

    Pooh

    I can almost write this week’s TMQ:

    “Why are you (almost> punting? Down 21-3 with 20 seconds left in the third, Dungy sends out the punting unit on 4th-and-2, TMQ writes, then crosses out “Game over” in his notebook”

  51. 51.

    Brad R.

    Agree re: Dungy. He’s coaching not to lose. You gotta go for it there.

    The best part about this is, they can’t use any of their tired excuses anymore. They can’t whine and moan about how cold it is up here in New England. They had home field advantage all throughout the playoffs. They had one of the most talented defenses in the league, and an offense with incredible weapons. And. They. Still. Blew. It.

  52. 52.

    Geek, Esq.

    I have to give Manning props there for sending the punting team back to the sidelines–that took some character.

  54. 54.

    Louise

    There will be lots to chew over in the Indy press this week, but Manning overruling Dungy on 4th down and passing for a touchdown? Yikes.

    Now. Let’s see what’s up with Ben.

  63. 63.

    Ian

    He flinched. It would have been funny in if the Steelers challenged that play and it was called a false start.

  70. 70.

    Louise

    I know I’m the pessimist around here, but I really really hope Ben’s ok. We’ve seen two passes since that hit: one a mess, immediately afterwards, and one not-so-great.

  71. 71.

    Geek, Esq.

    Indy’s defense has been better than Indy’s offense, which in turn has been better than Indy’s coaching.

    Losing is a team effort.

  72. 72.

    demimondian

    Losing is a team effort.

    If I ever needed evidence that you were, in fact, an attorney…

  77. 77.

    Louise

    Third time’s the charm, folks!

    Meanwhile, Peyton’s MasterCard commercial — with him looking happy to be in a salad bar apron — is not so funny considering his overall performance today.

  78. 78.

    demimondian

    Hey, does Manning play for the Yankees during the off-season? I mean, that was an up-3-games-to-none-and-finding-a-way-to-lose kind of choke…

  83. 83.

    demimondian

    Yeah — he must play for the Yankees. That was Yankee stadium officiating by the guys from the league, too.

  92. 92.

    Pooh

    The reffing in the AFC playoffs has been NBA level bad. I almost expect to see Knick Bavetta out there mkaing the call…

  93. 93.

    Chris

    During the last commercial break I told my wife that if they overrule the INT, I will be convinced there is a NFL Consipiracy to get the Colts into the SB XL . . . and what do you know . . .

  98. 98.

    Jeremy

    Wow, I don’t care who wins this game (sorry John), but the fix is clearly in here. I can’t believe that any impartial observer thought that that was not a pick… but hey, that’s the NFL for you.

  99. 99.

    Halffasthero

    I turned the game back on and saw the interception that was overturned.

    Mere words are not enough. That call was…stunning, to say the least. It would be an easy accusation to say the ref’s are bought off. I think they were just very very damn wrong.

  101. 101.

    Geek, Esq.

    That interception call reminds me of the one that went against the Raiders against the Patriots about 5 years ago.

  102. 102.

    Brad R.

    I can’t believe that any impartial observer thought that that was not a pick… but hey, that’s the NFL for you.

    I know. It’d be like Having George W. Bush as QB with Powerline and Hugh Hewitt as the refs.

  103. 103.

    Thomas

    Did the ref just make up that right knee shit on the spot? I’ve never heard anything like that before.

    Seriously, though, this is still the Steelers game to lose. Only the fans are allowed to fall to pieces and yell at the television.

  104. 104.

    Dave Ruddell

    ‘Tuck rule’ Part II, Electric Boogaloo? I’m sure the Director of Officiating will have a rationale as to why that was the right call.

  105. 105.

    Brad R.

    That interception call reminds me of the one that went against the Raiders against the Patriots about 5 years ago.

    Oh gawd, let’s not go there again…

  106. 106.

    Joey

    Wow. Just wow. This officiating crew is incompetent, and the Colts have no business winning this game, if that should happen. But all the same, go Colts. I guess.

  108. 108.

    Joey

    You’re wrong on the offsides, John. It should have been a false start, so you guys got lucky on that one.

  110. 110.

    physics geek

    I was thinking of the “tuck rule”, too, when I heard “because his knee was still on the ground, despite the fact that he had obvious possession and control of the ball, so we’re giving the ball back to the Colts because they’ll give us higher ratings next week” ruling from the judge. Or something like that, anyway.

    Anyone ever see this particular ruling before? I’m actually curious.

  112. 112.

    Jeremy

    Funny that all the bad calls have gone against the Steelers though (except maybe the false start, but if they didn’t see that then the non-call was Bull). I actually think Pittsburgh will still pull it out, but this has been really, really sad officiating at best.

  116. 116.

    Louise

    John is not wrong, Joey, because if they didn’t call the false start, they had to call offsides on the Colts. It’s all BULLSHIT.

  119. 119.

    demimondian

    Did the ref just make up that right knee shit on the spot? I’ve never heard anything like that before.

    No, it’s the rules. He’s ruling that that the play was dead before the fumble, ergo, no catch.

    Hell of a bit pass coverage on the tird down pass, tho.

  123. 123.

    Louise

    Well, I love my folks, but I just called my Dad and told him that, if Indy wins this game, they shouldn’t call me for a day or two.

    BLITZ!! That’s the way. Go. Go. Go. Go…

  142. 142.

    demimondian

    he caught it, fell down, got up and dropped it

    Question is, did he catch it and fall down, or did he fall down while still juggilg the ball.

    Now, come on, you idiots. Losing the ball on first and 1 on a turnover on DOWNS?

    Are you guys going to say that the officials had anything to do with that?

  143. 143.

    ppGaz

    Manning with some time, some timeouts, and field position, and a chance to win.

    I would not want to be a Pittsburgh fan at this moment.

  149. 149.

    ppGaz

    Oh my God, this is a classic game. Can’t sit down. And I don’t even have a favorite in the fight.

  152. 152.

    ppGaz

    Wasted plays — that pass to the end zone was a mistake.

    Get the field goal position. Too late now.

  167. 167.

    Pooh

    Shank That Kick! Shank that Kick! Shank That kick!

    (of course in Indy, they are probably saying Shank that Kicker! Shank that Kicker! But that’s a felony…)

  172. 172.

    Kirby

    What a finish. The most exciting quarter of football I ever watched.

    I can’t believe Vanderjagt not only missed, but missed huge!

    I wish every football game was this exciting. I might watch more NFL.

  173. 173.

    Dodd

    Just came by to see if you were alive, John. I hope your heart attack held off until after Vanderjagdt missed. That was one helluva game – definitely one of those they’ll be talking about for years to come.

  178. 178.

    SeesThroughIt

    I think I had 20 simultaneous heart attacks when Bettis fumbled. Not to mention the several other coronary incidents over the course of the game. Plus, I really hurt my hand punching the wall when the refs took away Polamalu’s obvious interception. The refs can bite me, the Colts and Patsies can go the hell home, and god bless Big Ben.

  181. 181.

    capriccio

    To bring it all back to politics, Peyton Manning’s 3 quarter coup was right out of the George W. Bush playbook, and the look on Tony Dungy’s face had United States Congress written all over it.

  182. 182.

    Brad R.

    Brad, that is wrongly wrong. Well played.

    I’m a Pats fan, and if the Pats can’t win, I can at least enjoy watching Peyton lose.

  183. 183.

    Bob In Pacifica

    A lot of questionable calls, both by the refs and by the coaches, but bottom line, the Steelers blitz took the Colts’ offense out of the game for three quarters and for a few very important series near the end of the game.

    I understand the reasoning, but I would have kneeled three times to force the Colts to use up their timeouts, then take the field goal and have a six-point lead, but then I’m a cautious, truly CONSERVATIVE guy. Likewise, if I’d been the Colts with third and two and with those timeouts in my pocket, I would have gone for a new series of downs instead of throwing downfield and then having to leave it to a field goal.

    A very entertaining game, though. I’ve got a good feeling about the Bears in the last game, but every team I thought was going to win has lost.

    John, relax and have a tall one. Just stay away from the raspberry beer.

  185. 185.

    Far North

    Officiating has sucked during the playoffs this year. But there is one bad call that stands out for me. It is the mother of all bad calls. It didn’t happen this year. It happened in January 2002 – Raiders vs New England. That was when NFL fans were introduced to the “tuck” rule.

    BTW, I can’t fucking believe the Colts, on the Steelers 29, threw on second and 2 then again on third and 2. They had two fucking timeouts. Was Manning calling those plays or was it the O-Coordinator?

  186. 186.

    Pooh

    More tuck rule bleating. Which conveniently ignores that Woodson speared Brady on the play and it wasn’t called…

  187. 187.

    capriccio

    “That was when NFL fans were introduced to the “tuck” rule.”

    Actually New England fans were introduced to it earlier in that 2001 season when it was called for the Jets…and against the Pats.

    Give it a rest.

  188. 188.

    Dodd

    It happened in January 2002 – Raiders vs New England. That was when NFL fans were introduced to the “tuck” rule.

    Guess which referee is calling the Bears-Panthers game….

  189. 189.

    Far North

    Would that be Walt Coleman?

    Pooh – On New Englands first touchdown in that game, there was holding on the play and it wasn’t called.

    A penalty can be called on any play in the NFL. Penalties are called and they are not called. That’s pro football. Replay has nothing to do with penalties. What gets me is that Brady was ruled to be throwing a pass. Did that that look like a pass to you? It didn’t look like a pass to anyone but New England fans. All I’m saying is that you don’t overturn the call on the field with “evidence” like Brady’s tuck. Just like the interception today.

    Spin it whichever way you want but the tuck was the worst call in NFL history. The game was on the line. The Raiders had to come up with a big play. They did. The officials said Brady was throwing a motherfucking pass. What the fuck!!! The Raiders came up with a big play to win the game and the officials basically said, “Nope, you have to come up with 2 big plays.”

    Brady was throwing a pass just like Saddam attacked us on 9/11.

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