Hope it is a good game, but I am really thinking that after two close games this season, we are looking at a game that will probably break wide open pretty early.
Not sure why I think that, but I do. Go Steelers!
*** Update ***
That was the worst half of football I have seen in a long time. Phantom and/or bad calls on both teams (WTF was up with that roughing the kicker call? What about that blatant late hit on Ben? And apparently you have to run ten yards before anything is consider “by rule” a catch), hideous clock management from the Steelers, and bizarre play calling from the Ravens. As bad as both teams have been, the refs were worse.
If this keeps up I am going to suggest we just give the Lombardi trophy to the Cardinals.
And I would be remiss if I did not mention Sweed’s apparent teflon hands (nothing sticks).
Josh Hueco
Nevermore.
Just kidding…fuck Ray Lewis and fuck the Ravens. Go Steelers!
Svensker
Wow – Cards to the Super Bowl! I am really happy for Kurt Warner.
OK, now, let’s go Stillers.
Just Some Fuckhead
Go Ravens!
demimondian
Ravens. Steelers. Steelers. Ravens.
Go EMTs!
scruncher
Go Steelers! Congrats to the Cards and their patient fans!
passerby
@demimondian:
Demi, I’m in the same place.
Ha!
Hope it’s a good game.
Laura W
I would like to remind everyone that if at the end of this game you need cheering up, or wish to prolong your mirth and joy, The Flight of the Conchords comes back on HBO at 10EST.
Because I was a Steelers Chick in high school, I shall be supporting them tonight.
I have muted the anthem and will begin this game with the Conchords performing my personal favorite, Business Time.
I am suffering severe link challenges lately on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGOohBytKTU
Joe Lisboa
Wait, did this just become Rocky?
"Adrian?! Where’s Adrian?!"
dmsilev
Off topic, but a note about your PJ ads: Any book that is blurbed by Jonah Goldberg as "extremely thoughtful" is …unlikely to be of much merit except as a source of unintentional humor.
Especially if said book is written by John Fund.
-dms
Just Some Fuckhead
Here’s a little pickmeup for Philadelphia fans.
Dr. Rockso
Poor Philly Phans will have to settle for a great NFL playoff run and a World Series this year…
Kathy
Sorry Adrienne, I had an inconsolable 8 year old on my hands who needed comforting. Sadly he is waking up to the reality of being an Eagles fan. Of course my hubby has pointed out that there are worse fates in life-like being a Lions Fan. I guess if I had to choose between disappointment and humiliation, humiliation is worse.
It’s been quite a ride. Go Steelers.
shirt
John,
I’m so sorry for you. The steelers do not even change their whites between practices, everybody knows that.
Rhonda
Well, I’m a disappointed Eagles fan, but I root for the Steelers as a fellow PA team. Go Steelers!
John O
Hard to beat a good team 3 times in one season, at any level of sports.
I don’t see how it can’t be close. Either coach might consider taking 17 at the beginning of the game and bet on their defense to win it.
Laura W
@Just Some Fuckhead: weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
It took forever to load, Fuckhead.
I think you just sent a bazillion football freaks to Sleepy Tigers Heaven.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
dan robinson
Not that I give much more than half a shit, but go ravens. Any team named after a Edgar Allen Poe poem gets my vote.
Josh Hueco
@dan robinson:
I wish there were more teams named after HP Lovecraft stories…The Cthulhus, The Sothoths…
passerby
d.r., that’s as good a reason as I’ve ever heard to pull for a team when you don’t have blood in it.
Salut. (clink)
Just Some Fuckhead
Three passes in a row on Baltimore’s opening series? Should I be worried they’re letting the rookie go or happy they’re letting the rookie go?
Just Some Fuckhead
How does that fat motherfucker sneak up on anyone?
demimondian
@passerby: Better still, named after an Edgar Allan Poe poem written in iambic octameter. I mean, there is no clumsier imaginable English metre, and Poe wrote eight interminable, not to mention lethally sappy, verses in it.
And introduced the immortal phrase "her whom the angels call Lenore".
demimondian
@Josh Hueco: The Great Old Ones. Gotta have the R’leyeh Great Old Ones.
passerby
@Just Some Fuckhead:
Now now JSF, he’s not a fat mf, he’s a professional athlete and a rookie at that. Your right of course, someone that size cannot sneak up.
Dr. Rockso
Ouch. Welcome to the Conference championship, rook…
GuyFromOhio
Meh – with two defenses like these? I expect another 11-10 yawner. Go Stillers, because CBS had the presence of mind to put the obligatory Duquesne Incline shots in the opening credits, and I simply hate the Ravens.
Nice pick, Townsend.
passerby
Yep. Rookie mistake.
Andy K
DYK?: Kurt Warner bagged groceries while waiting for the shot he finally got from the Arena Football League? It’s a fact!
I like the guy, "I’d like to thank my Lord and Savior," and all, but I’m very scared of the exposure Brenda Warner is going to get over the next two weeks.
Cain
That picture really just says "crotch shot". I bet tweety would enjoy that picture.
cain
Jay Severin Has A Small Pen1s
Heinz Ward forced out of the game.
Cheap shot or not?
passerby
WTF? He had control of that ball until he hit the ground!
Edit: Now that I’ve heard the ruling, I repeat: W.T.F??
Just Some Fuckhead
@Jay Severin Has A Small Pen1s: Nah, it’s pretty obvious when it’s a cheap shot: Ward is doing the hitting.
GuyFromOhio
Not, just an unfortunate position when he got tackled.
John Cole
@passerby: Not to mention, that if they are going to say the ball came loose, it did so IN THE END ZONE. The only logical options are a catch at the one or a TD. An inc. pass is not an option.
John O
Tough call. I think he had it when the ball hit the ground, too.
demimondian
@GuyFromOhio: "Just an unfortunate position when he got tackled" == wide-receiver for the Pittsburg Steelers
Just Some Fuckhead
@John Cole: That’s the sorta airtight logic one would expect from a Steelers fan.
John Cole
That was a total bullshit call. If he lost control of it, it was after he broke the plane of the end zone. Bullshit.
John O
Which t John’s point means it’s 6.
John Cole
@Jay Severin Has A Small Pen1s: Of course it wasn’t a cheap shot.
scruncher
Officiating sucks. Interference. Late hit. Plain as day.
Just Some Fuckhead
@John Cole: When you don’t maintain control of the ball all the way to the ground on a catch, it’s considered an incomplete pass.
passerby
@John Cole:
This is some bullshit call. That man caught that ball, now whether his knees were down and was it a touchdown is worthy of a review, but, he caught that ball. (again I say)
Bad call # 1.
Just Some Fuckhead
Christ, you Steelers fans are bigger whiners than the Eagles fans.. must be something in the water in PA.
passerby
@Just Some Fuckhead:
Here in E. TN we drink Tn River water and you are correct, after that coal ash catastrophe, yes, there is something in the water…but, but, that man caught that ball.
Kathy
Great signage in the Pittsburgh stands:
mere mortal
That call at the goal line was terrible.
The receiver caught the ball, put three feet plus a hand down, and stretched for the end zone.
There is no provision in any rule that should judge that an incomplete pass.
GuyFromOhio
LOLs. That and the cheerleader-split thing he was executing while some giant moke sat on him.
There seems to be a lot of tag being played in the backfield today. Credit Big Ben, even when he knows giant mokes are inbound, he stands. The venerable Steeler blitz seems to have rattled Mr Flacco early.
Steelers OC ought to consider something different for Mr Parker. Six runs up the middle for a mind-numbing 11 yards ain’t cutting it.
Zzyzx
John – it was the correct call. If the ball comes loose when you go to the ground it’s an incomplete. You could argue that it’s a dumb rule, but it is the rule.
…and yes I’m still bitter from XL ;)
ETA Oh and I’ve never seen a play where both teams challenged and both teams would have won their challenge. If the Steelers hadn’t gotten greedy, they would have had 1st and goal from the 1.
Just Some Fuckhead
@passerby: Yeah, and last time they played, catching it on the three yard line was a TD. Special rules for a special team.
John Cole
What you fail to understand is that JSF is just trolling.
Just Some Fuckhead
@John Cole: If correcting your nonsense is trolling, ya got me there.
scruncher
Fuck, that hit hurt Ben.
GuyFromOhio
From the NFL Digest of Rules:
Review made the right call.
Zzyzx
They changed the rule about 2-3 years ago to say that it’s not a catch unless you maintain possession upon hitting the ground if you don’t take a few steps first.
Wow that 4th and inches play was amazing on both ends for the penetration and the second effort that fell just short.
Just Some Fuckhead
@GuyFromOhio: Now yer trolling.
Dr. Rockso
Steelers D is doing quite well. This is a long first quarter…
Thlayli
Love that "LeBron plays for the Browns" ad.
passerby
@Just Some Fuckhead:
I was expecting the reffing to favor the Steelers because the "market" for a Pitts SB would be more profitable. You’re right about the "special team" bias, but I still think they was robbed on that call.
Jay Severin Has A Small Pen1s
Touchdown Steelers!
Brenda Warner is shaking in her Spiritual PJs.
http://www.armorofgodpjs.com/
John Cole
Not sure how Polamalu had any leverage on that qb sneak.
Ninerdave
Well I have an hour of paused time on the Tivo so I can skip commercials. That should get me through the 1st quarter.
Go Steelers! Not that I’m a big Steelers fan, but I definitely can’t stand the Ravens.
GuyFromOhio
By quoting the NFL rules? Now there’s a low bar.
There’s your fricking TD.
Zzyzx
OK that TD was AMAZING. I thought he was sacked for sure.
Thlayli
Now that is a touchdown.
passerby
HA! Holmes. Flappin wings in the endzone.
Josh Hueco
John Cole +13
Notorious P.A.T.
THAT was awesome.
John Cole
Uh oh. Holmes dropped the ball while doing his end zone celebration. Clearly an incomplete pass.
Dr. Rockso
Now THAT was an incomplete pass…
BettyPageisaBlonde
That was a fine, fine play.
NutellaonToast
Best. Run. After. Pass. Ever
NutellaonToast
Oh, and
Best. Avoiding. Pass. Rush. And. Throw. Ever.
passerby
@Zzyzx:
Oh.
BTW Zzyzx, do you (or anyone) have a site you could recommend for NFL rules?
Just Some Fuckhead
Unbelievable. They pass every down until they’re thirteen points down, then they decide to run every down.
Mr. Nobody
I’d have to say that this one wins out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sub4YQhjeaM
Just Some Fuckhead
Wasn’t Dick Lebeau on Hogan’s Heroes back in the day?
Laura W
@Just Some Fuckhead: Dunno but Mellencamp is rockin’ Pink Houses for the Obamas and friends on the concert replay. Damn. I hope I can buy the concert on amazon soon.
demimondian
@John Cole: Sorry, John. It sucks to actually have to play by the rules, I know, and I know that your guys are unused to it…but that’s just the way life is.
GuyFromOhio
This one is useful for settling most arguments, unless fists and furniture are already flying.
Just Some Fuckhead
@Laura W: I may have to find something else to do. Ravens’ playcalling is killin me.
Laura W
@Just Some Fuckhead: Well, you missed James shower the people you love with love show them the way that you feel Taylor, so don’t go hoping for that.
(I’m sorry I missed it, too. He sounds real good right now.)
sgwhiteinfla
JSF
I gotta know what McClain did to get regulated to lead blocker today. He has been running through people all year and in the playoffs. Now on 4th and 1 he doesn’t even get a shot? And hell if you want a blocking back why isn’t Lo Neal in there? Ravens are killing themselves right now and doing shit they haven’t done all year. It may well end up being a blow out because even the Ravens D can’t keep stopping anybody when they are on the field this much
John O
This is just like the first game.
Nobody ain’t won nuthin yet.
passerby
@GuyFromOhio:
Thanks, GFOhio. I’ve got that one bookmarked, but I’m looking for, and have yet to find, The "Official" rules site. Why wouldn’t such a link be available from the NFL site. (shrugs) The "digest rules" are lacking the detail I’m looking for.
Just Some Fuckhead
@sgwhiteinfla: I can work myself into a depressed funk without yer help, sg. :)
sgwhiteinfla
I am just wondering if the Ravens think anybody is buying their option run play where Flacco fakes like he might keep the ball. What would make them want to run that play in this game? It boggles the mind.
2liberal
@andy K
Brenda is not so frightening these days. the haircut is much better.
Zzyzx
Now THAT will be a catch. Bad challenge. Now the Ravens can’t challenge again.
Zzyzx
@passerby: For some reason the NFL has decided to not let the public access the rule book. No one knows why. You can’t even buy it.
sgwhiteinfla
JSF
Sorry about that but I just hate when teams start trying to do stuff they never do in big games. I wanted to see a good game tonight and the Ravens are just giving the game away at the moment. Of course with their D they are just one play away from coming back, but DAMN!
Dr. Rockso
One of my favorite Onion entries ever was a picture of Brenda Warner with the caption "Kurt Warner cheered on by wirey-haired Man-Goblin."
And that pass was obviously incomplete.
Just Some Fuckhead
Great job blocking on the return, 84. Christ Jesus.
passerby
@Zzyzx:
Hmm. How convenient for them.
Reminds me of Bush/Cheney and their use of the constitution. Kinda fast and loose. Lotsa options.
sgwhiteinfla
Get the ball in the red zone and start off with a pass. Second play a draw. You gotta be fucking kidding me.
Just Some Fuckhead
I didn’t see that interference.
sgwhiteinfla
If McCain doesn’t touch the ball now I will have to say somebody got paid off.
sgwhiteinfla
Uhmmm nevermind
John Cole
Steelers 13, Ravens 7, Refs 7.
Josh Hueco
Shit….Baltisore sucks.
sgwhiteinfla
Cole
Are you trying to say that wasn’t a PI? In the words of Keyshawn Johnson "Come on, man!"
Jim
Poor Ravens can’t get a call.
Laura W
@John Cole: Better go eat your Reuben.
demimondian
@John Cole: karma is *such* a bitch, isn’t it?
(Like Xyzzy, not forgetting XL any time soon.)
Throwin Stones
@John Cole: Bad Call.
Left hand on ground while stretching the ball with possession in right arm. Bad call with replay.
Laura W
Over to HBO…Usher, Shakira and Stevie Wonder doin’ Higher Ground.
Crusty Dem
Agggh. I hate Phil Simms so much, is he supposed to provide color commentary? The man is completely devoid of insight, he’s the Tom Friedman of football.
John Cole
@sgwhiteinfla: No, I am saying that was a TD by Holmes, a missed roughing the passer on Ben, and a missed call on the hands to the face to Kemoeatu.
John Cole
If Phil Simms tells me the Ravens have this game right where they want it one more time, I am going to curbjaw him. Apparently the Ravens like being behind with no offense. Moron.
passerby
@Laura W:
What Laura W said. It worked before. During half-time go get you some fresh rye bread and kraut. Do it now.
Josh Hueco
@Crusty Dem:
I’d say the same for Troy Aikman.
GuyFromOhio
Shakira in skin-tight leather bodes well for the next four years.
sgwhiteinfla
Can somebody explain to me why any team keeps punting to Holmes? There used to be a time when a punter could kick the ball out of bounds.
passerby
CHOKE, when CLUTCH was called for.
Edit: stop the booing. He’s 24.
sgwhiteinfla
Sweed can’t catch a cold bucket naked in the North Pole. Get up faker.
Wow, gotta love the "bruised ego" comment.
Just Some Fuckhead
Haha.. thought that was Dwight Stone when he dropped a wide open perfect pass.
JL
John, Did Tunch jump when you just swore at the TV Set?
Laura W
@GuyFromOhio: Every time I see her or hear her I ask myself: "Self, why do you not own any of her stuff?"
(and then I ask myself why don’t I look like her and then it all spirals down into the big abyss of hopelessness and despair.)
Go Steelers!
scruncher
@GuyFromOhio:
Shakira was awful, the one bad note in an otherwise decent show.
sgwhiteinfla
Edgar Jones just cut himself.
Just Some Fuckhead
WTF
John Cole
That was a bullshit call on the Ravens. Are these refs smoking rock?
Jim
OK, that was a horrible call. Sorry Ravens.
Nice hit Sweed!
Crusty Dem
Awesome block by Sweed. That almost makes up for the block…
Andy K
I hate to say it, but judging by the broadcating careers of Pat Summerall and Frank Gifford, those network guys love their former Giants.
Crusty Dem
Awesome block by Sweed. That almost makes up for the
blockdrop…John Cole
Where’s Brien? I am assuming that block deserves the death penalty too.
sgwhiteinfla
Helmet to helmet. Damn they need to do something about that.
J. Michael Neal
Tyrone Carter is still in the NFL? The kid was fantastic here at the University of Minnesota, but I figured no one in the league would have a use for a 5’7" safety.
GuyFromOhio
I had the sound off, bouncing between that and the net, the Cards/Eagles game. It could’ve been Chipmunk Christmas for all I heard.
LauraW – I hear ya, I don’t own any of her stuff either, I’m just a sucker for that kind of outfit. Despair not, Stillers are keeping the Ravens in place.
Zzyzx
I’m still stunned over that roughing call.
Just Some Fuckhead
Jesus must be a Ravens fan for that to end at the half 13-7.
Brick Oven Bill
I see Baltimore winning this game by 2 points. I’ll guess 21-19. I agree that the Steelers receiver had control of the ball and was running, having made several ‘football moves’ when he broke the plane.
Throwin Stones
Poor time management.
John Cole
Great fucking clock management. Who the fuck is coaching and reffing this game? I guess we know what happened to all those Lehman Brothers executives.
Neue Internetpräsenz
Don’t worry, they made up for the non-existent roughing call by graciously not kicking the field goal.
Ben
Mm, this is a bit like that Jerome Bettis is going to Win the Superbowl, we have decided it superbowl.
Zzyzx
Great clock management there.
That dropped pass injury cost the Steelers the timeout they needed there…
…I don’t understand why teams are penalized a TO when the clock is already stopped… the spirit of the rule should let players get injured with no cost to the team then.
Joe Lisboa
I was gonna get pissed, but consider that ending some instant karma for the questionable roughing call.
Neue Internetpräsenz
P.S. Did that first half take longer than the entire history of football up until 6:30 EST, January 18, 2009?
Joe Lisboa
*hiccup*
sgwhiteinfla
Zzyzx
Because lets say the offense is still trying to go hurry up and the defense has the wrong personnel in or they are getting the call in slow. Back in the day they would just fake an injury so they could get set up properly. Understand that the rule was really aimed at defensive players. But they had to make it apply to everyone.
Notorious P.A.T.
@scruncher:
Blasphemer.
John Cole
??? the Ravens have like 50 yards in offense. They DESERVE to be losing and are only in this because of the refs.
passerby
John, break out the puppies, lie on the floor, grill up a reuben, this aint over yet. Since the Cards won the NFC, the NFL needs a big draw (aka Steelers) to make the SB profitable, it all comes down to the puppies and a reuben. Where’s your sister? Get Huck for good measure.
Just Some Fuckhead
@John Cole: Completely agree.
4jkb4ia
@passerby:
Kurt Warner vs. Joe Flacco is a great story line! But it will not happen.
passerby
@Zzyzx:
Those young’uns have a tendency to "have" an injury after they’ve fucked up a play. They’re playing big boy ball now so the clock management is on the coaching staff as is the thorough ass chewing the droppers deserve.
Thlayli
Garth Brooks is still alive?
passerby
@4jkb4ia:
Agreed 4jkb4ia. There’s only one slot for a cinderella team at the superbowl, and the Cards are in it. I like Flacco’s success story this year. Good luck he’ll have it next year unless he’s a fluke.
Laura W
"before anything is considered", John.
Please don’t hit me.
passerby
Time out in time my ass.
sgwhiteinfla
Ok I guess that answers my question. And that was a dumb fucking play.
demimondian
@passerby: Nah. FOX, now, *Fox* needs a big draw, but the NFL makes its dough either way.
Just Some Fuckhead
@sgwhiteinfla: Must be the collective rookieishness catching up to us.
sgwhiteinfla
JSF
I swear they are calling plays like Flacco is Tim Tebow or something. WTF?!
Just Some Fuckhead
@sgwhiteinfla: No idea, my only guess is they decided that what they could do good wasn’t enough to beat the Steelers since they lost the last two, so they decided to just try everything else. Hmm??
passerby
@demimondian:
You’re right Demi. It’s the TV network that wants the big "market".
But isn’t the football business at large aiming for Big Market results? moneymoneymoney. Money is god. Money rules all. Isn’t it the NFL who decides on what network the SB will be played?
Bob In Pacifica
In case you missed it, multiple bombings in Baghdad today.
sgwhiteinfla
Ravens have to score on D to have any shot. I don’t know if that’s gonna happen though.
Just Some Fuckhead
Is it too late to get Billick back?
Comrade Kevin
Down goes the statue.
Comrade Kevin
Nice recovery there, after the sack.
Litlebritdifrnt
We are watching the game, however we are sort of nya nya on it, don’t really care who wins…. (although me being me is pulling for the Steelers cause I like John) PS) the inaugural thingy is getting to be over the top, even for me, I mean really. Can you stop making me cry right now, please, cause I am tired of crying, really I am. Tuesday is going to have me in a fit of crying that I have never seen, or never will see again. Blubbering will be the order of the day.
GuyFromOhio
Nice, CBS just went into cryogenic suspension. Thanks Time Warner.
Comrade Kevin
@GuyFromOhio: They want you to watch Frank Caliendo instead.
Ben
Eh, not that the Ravens don’t deserve to be losing. But when it comes to blown personal foul calls I tend to find errors of commission worse than omission.
passerby
@Bob In Pacifica:
Bob, I am aware that atrocities such as this, as well as what is happening in Palestine are occurring on this planet as we speak. What can I do about these acts of violence? What can you do?
I understand your point, but my moping and snarling and gnashing teeth and rending clothes DONOT stop these events nor do they have a measureable effect on them.
I reserve the right to enjoy life. Go Superbowl!
GuyFromOhio
I’m digging the gal with the hat and harmonica on HBO. Oh wait, CBS has defrosted …
Jay Andrew Allen
Sweed just caught that catch, and I swear he pointed to the camera and said, "FUCK YOU, JOHN COLE!"
John Cole
Well, I just broke my god damned remote and tunch is under the bed. Why the fuck did they just throw on third down and 1?
J. Michael Neal
Watchmen looks fabulous. I don’t know if it will be any good, but it looks fucking fabulous.
Apsaras
I switched over to CNN just in time to see Larry King ask Gov. David Paterson if he ever thought he’d see a black man elected president.
Jesus Christ, Larry.
John Cole
The refs are playing too much of a role in this game.
Just Some Fuckhead
YES! That is blatant as interference gets.
Edit: But he had to, because it was a TD catch otherwise.
Brick Oven Bill
The 21-19 prediction figured each team would score twice in the second half. Pittsburgh field goals, Ravens touchdowns. Tracking fairly well, I might add.
Ash Wing League
I’m not a Steelers fan and even I’m beginning to hate Bruce Arians.
Just Some Fuckhead
Good field position.
elmo
Damn you, Cole, I’m a Charger fan and I wouldn’t have a dog in this fight, but because of you I’m rooting hard for the Steelers and they are just determined to throw this game away. So I’m over here whiteknuckled and having anxiety — because of some dude in West Virginia I’ve never fucking met.
Damn you!
Just Some Fuckhead
Scratch the good field position. Sigh.
passerby
@John Cole:
Good God man. This no time for terror attacks. Get that reuben goin’.
Dial up some puppyhood.
TheFountainHead
Fuck everyone who wears white with black stripes. Period.
TFH +7
Svensker
@Just Some Fuckhead:
What happened on that penalty? I missed it!
Just Some Fuckhead
@Svensker: A Raven threw a Steeler outta bounds after he was already outta bounds.
Punchy
I think I predicted this finny. All I need to completely nail my predic is the 48’er by stover.
John Cole
@Svensker: Believe it or not, a personal foul that was more blatant than the pass interference in the end zone. One of the Ravens threw a Steeler to the ground about ten yards behind the Ravens bench.
Josh Hueco
Terrible Towels are a slap in the face to the hygenically-challenged.
Comrade Kevin
That’s probably the game, right there.
elmo
WOOT!!!
Okay, John, I love you again.
Joe Lisboa
Awesome.
Svensker
Holy cripes. Troy P. is da man.
Throwin Stones
Polamalu, Mrs. Stones favorite Stiller.
edit: A, not O
passerby
Polomalu (sp) SWEET.
Smacks of rookie choke.
John Cole
FUCK YOU SHANNON SHARPE AND YOUR “YEAH BUT WHEN ED REED GETS THE BALL ON AN INT HE SCORES.”
SUCK ON THAT.
CAPS LOCK IS CRUISE CONTROL FOR COOL.
Just Some Fuckhead
Ack, that’s prolly game.
John Cole
Kick the extra point before the fucking zebras call it back.
TheFountainHead
I just came.
Brick Oven Bill
And that is why you do not write them publically.
Xanthippas
Pants, meet shit.
elmo
Maybe with the bonus money for the SB, Troy Polamalu will be able to afford a damn haircut.
Svensker
@John Cole:
Aw, come on, Shannon Sharpe is OK. He always makes me laugh.
Dan Rooney's Fourth Cousin
That interception should seal the deal.
mgordon
Polamalu is a fucking badass.
Just Some Fuckhead
Hell, we wouldn’t have had anybody left to play the Cardinals anyway.
ploeg
NOW it’s done. If the fumble recovery stands, that is.
Punchy
nevermind
J. Michael Neal
Holy god, there was a lot of kinetic energy in the collision.
Foxhunter
Good 2nd half. Hope Ward is back for the big show.
Sweed needs to spend some time with Lester Hayes.
I have never seen such carnage in one game. Bodies everywhere. Somebody is going to die in this league one day.
TheFountainHead
It kan be timez to stert making funz uv Kardinalz fanz nau?
Ugh
I think McGahee is dead.
Svensker
@elmo:
Looks like we’re going to have a Polumalu/Fitzgerald hair-off.
Jesus, McGahee is down….
John Cole
@Ugh: No, he is moving. He just got knocked out. You can tell the way he clenched when he got hit.
And that was a legal, but vicious hit. he led with his shoulders, and there was till helmet to helmet.
That is why I argued so much in the other thread with Brien. There is no way to stop that until you make them stop wearing helmets and make them think twice.
mikethedealer
Steelers win, there goes my bet this week. They played better, they deserved it.
My one complaint would be how many helmet to helmet hits are the Steelers allowed before they throw a flag? I mean seriously this one looks like it’s going to be very bad for both players.
Comrade Darkness
Nice act by Clark. This is like futbol.
elmo
Svensker:
I remember seeing one guy with hair like that, playing for Green Bay I think, get yanked down by the hair a few seasons ago. The tackler got flagged for a PF, which I didn’t understand — it’s a handle, like any other, if he’s going to let it hang out like that.
John Cole
@mikethedealer: He led with his damned shoulder. Chripes, that was EXACTLY how folks in another thread were saying to tackle.
Ugh
let’s hope. Wow, so many hits in this game.
elmo
Willis McGahee must be very, very well liked in the Ravens locker room. That is a BIG crowd, even given the severity of the hit.
Just Some Fuckhead
That was definitely a deliberate helmet to helmet hit. Clark will get the fuck fined out of him. Hope McGahee will be able to walk again.
Svensker
@elmo:
My son explained the rule to me once — you can pull some hair on some players but not all — but of course I forgot the rule now.
Ugh
I don’t know, helmets hit first on "Supervision". But really, the game is just too fast to try to really police that.
Just Some Fuckhead
@John Cole: Did you just see the new angle they played? Definite helmet to helmet.
John Cole
@Just Some Fuckhead: Are you watching the same game? He turned his body so he was almost sideways and the first contact was with his right shoulder.
John Cole
@Just Some Fuckhead: No, not yet. If so, then he deserves to have the fuck fined out of him.
Comrade Darkness
CBS says there is no helmet to helmet rule when the ball carrier is down field. I watch college football, so I don’t know from adam, but it does beg the question of what the rule is and when it applies.
gwangung
Well, it’s not when you duck your head like that.
Not even close to helmet to helmet.
passerby
Echo Demimondian:
Go EMTs!
Screamin' Demon
In 1944, the Chicago Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers temporarily merged to become Card-Pitt.
They sucked. 0-10.
They became known around the league as the Carpets. Other teams walked all over them.
I hope a Card-Pitt Super Bowl doesn’t similarly suck.
Go Redbirds!
Jeff Fecke
I’m a Vikings fan, and have no dog in this hunt — Clark was leading with his shoulder, and they just hit heads. It wasn’t a dirty hit — it was a totally legal hit. Of course, it was dangerous as all hell, because football is dangerous as all hell.
Meanwhile, the Ravens say McGahee is oky-doky, but has neck pain. As one would expect.
Svensker
Reports from the x-ray say McGahee’s moving arms and legs. Thank the lord.
scruncher
Godspeed.
Foxhunter
I think helmet rules are subjective when not involving the QB, regardless of the league. Watch the replay; Clark and Willis were both moving at full speed. When Clark realized that heads were about to collide, he winced and rolled his head to the left, but it was too late. He was trying to reposition and lead with his shoulder.
GuyFromOhio
OK, what am I missing – you’re up by 9 and you call timeout at 2:01 left in the game. And the purpose of this is … what?
OK, doesn’t matter. Nicely played, PGH.
Ugh
I believe Stllers ring #6 would be a record.
Jeff Fecke
Ballgame.
Nice to see Tyrone Carter still making a living in the NFL. He was teh aw3sum when he played for the Gophers.
Foxhunter
@GuyFromOhio: Ummm, the play clock was at 1 second, and they didn’t want to get backed up 5 yards for DOG.
elmo
Game.
Over.
Josh Hueco
3 Raven turnovers in the fourth quarter.
J. Michael Neal
Tyrone Carter. I still can’t believe he’s in the NFL.
passerby
Signed, sealed, delivered. Steelers and Cardinals. See you there.
Flacco’s got nothing to hang his head about. He’s a rookie, he knows it. This defeat is good for him.
He is not a loser.
p.s. Go Cardinals.
Just Some Fuckhead
I wouldn’t be looking past the Cardinals when you could barely beat a hideous Ravens team today.
Roza Hussein
Yes Baby
Superbowl
STEELERS!
woot
Jeff Fecke
Happy for Mike Tomlin. He’s a heck of a coach. Are you listening, Zygi Wilf? Are you? (Weeps bitterly….)
Roza Hussein
Here we go!
Pittsburgh is going to the Superbowl
Foxhunter
@Just Some Fuckhead: Agreed. They better find their ‘A’ game and bring it. I don’t see Warner making the same mistakes Flacco made today.
Carrie
football sucks….
GuyFromOhio
Ah, thank you. Missed that – what I get for listening to music instead of yammering gasbags.
So they already did "one for the thumb." What now – nose ring? Pierced eyebrow?
Svensker
Sorry, John, but I gotta say it: Go, Cards!
ploeg
@GuyFromOhio:
They have a poster in one of the end zones, to the effect that the other hand doesn’t have any rings yet.
2liberal
go Cardinals!
John Cole
I don’t know why anyone would think the Cardinals are a joke. They are, after all, in the damned Super Bowl.
passerby
@Josh Hueco:
The Ravens didn’t turn the ball over as much as the Steelers TOOK the ball. Credit where credit is due. Ball hawks.
Superbowl baby!
p.s. Go Cards!
Svensker
@Carrie:
football sucks
The only thing that sucks about football is that it’s not on year round. There’s this stupid baseball thing, with a wimpy little stick and a winkie little ball, and this other thing called basketball where everyone runs around a lot and sweats and wears stupid pants. When I’M the Queen of the Universe, there will be football year round. And frequent huddles with all the guys in tights pants. Best game AND best uniforms…and best butts.
Josh Hueco
Congratulations, John. The Steelers are a class franchise.
Wyrm
I was watching the game with no particular rooting interest (aside from a little residual pain as a Seahawk fan :-( ).
Pittsburgh looked as good as they had to, but damn the officials sucked. On the McGahee hit, my friend and I had been waiting for something like that all game. I don’t think Clark intentionally hit McGahee with his helmet, but that was about the 10th Helmet to helmet hit this game. If the refs aren’t going to call them then someone will eventually get hit like that.
Overall, a fun game to watch, I like teams playing nasty defense who don’t like each other.
passerby
Bet Coach Cowher has great seats for SB 34 in TB. Wish I were going.
Screamin' Demon
@Svensker:
You do realize it’s because the uniform pants are padded, right?
Dean Booth
Some Sunday night quarterbacking:
* He took two steps and dove into the end zone. That was a completed pass and touchdown!
* #46, Kathy, I liked that sign, too, but it said "You’re still Cleveland and you still stink!" You have to be alive to suck.
* The refs in both games sucked.