Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Too often we confuse noise with substance. too often we confuse setbacks with defeat.

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

“Jesus paying for the sins of everyone is an insult to those who paid for their own sins.”

Fuck the extremist election deniers. What’s money for if not for keeping them out of office?

A Senator Walker would also be an insult to reason, rationality, and decency.

But frankly mr. cole, I’ll be happier when you get back to telling us to go fuck ourselves.

🎶 Those boots were made for mockin’ 🎵

Not all heroes wear capes.

Putin must be throwing ketchup at the walls.

fuckem (in honor of the late great efgoldman)

This blog will pay for itself.

This really is a full service blog.

Everybody saw this coming.

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

I did not have this on my fuck 2022 bingo card.

The revolution will be supervised.

“More of this”, i said to the dog.

Shallow, uninformed, and lacking identity

When do we start airlifting the women and children out of Texas?

Schmidt just says fuck it, opens a tea shop.

The GOP couldn’t organize an orgy in a whorehouse with a fist full of 50s.

Whatever happens next week, the fight doesn’t end.

Whoever he was, that guy was nuts.

Anyone who bans teaching American history has no right to shape America’s future.

You are here: Home / Sports / Steelers v. Jets, Second Half Open Thread

Reader Interactions

245Comments

  2. 2.

    cathyx

    It’s not fair that the Steelers have an advantage of being used to playing in the cold weather.

  3. 3.

    Mary G

    The photo of Tunch brought much luck. Lily and Rosie would help for the second half.

    ETA – Max also.

  4. 4.

    burnspbesq

    I’ve already seen one improbable second half comeback today (Duke women’s basketball trailed NC State by 20 with 18 minutes to go, and won), so I’m not giving up hope. But I am heavily into expectation management.

  5. 5.

    morzer

    @Mary G:

    I expect to see a white cat the size of an elephant bound onto the field and devour Sanchez with one gulp if things get close.

  9. 9.

    Tim

    I’m loving the thought of a Packers – Steelers Super Bowl in the Cowboy’s home stadium.

    My first memories of football are watching the Steelers win a wildcard game then beat the Cowboys in the Super Bowl.

  12. 12.

    Polar Bear Squares

    Think that’s a wrap. Can’t beat the Steelers if you can’t run and all they’re doing is running.

    I will say this though .. It never amazes how whenever there is close controversial call in a Pittsburgh game they almost always get the call to go in their favor. The Sanchez fumble for example. Or, you know, the last two Super Bowls they played in.

    But I’m totally not bitter. Lol.

    Congrats, John. Glad someone has something to cheer about.

  15. 15.

    Cacti

    So, if Tomlin goes to his second SB in 4 years, can we all agree that Bill Cowher was overrated, and probably kept the Steelers from winning more than 1 during his tenure?

  29. 29.

    Tom Levenson

    I cannot even begin to tell you how much it pains me to say this, but Go Steelers.

    My enemy’s enemy is my … well, not friend, but tolerated implement of divine justice.

  30. 30.

    MoeLarryAndJesus

    @Cacti:

    Absolutely. Patriots fans used to laugh at Cowher and his ineptitude. He was almost as bad as Herm Edwards.

  32. 32.

    Andy K

    @handy:

    It is times like these that I’m glad that I can’t pick up the local CBS station with my rabbit ears. Listening to James Lofton on the radio is fine by me.

  35. 35.

    morzer

    @Tom Levenson:

    I did tell you that the Jets were my instrument for the destruction of the Patsies, and now the Steelers shall in turn suppress the Jets.

    So it is written, so shall it be!

  36. 36.

    Damned at Random

    first sack of Ben tonight is late in third quarter. Most teams get him 4 or 5 times, a good defense will take him down 7 times. I’m trying to keep some perspective.

    Who the fuck woke up the Jets?

  43. 43.

    Violet

    @morzer:
    I really did go take a shower at halftime. By the time I got back to the game they were at 10. Maybe you should give the bath a try!

  47. 47.

    Poopyman

    It does not make me feel good that the Jets are picking up huge chunks of yardage at a time.

  49. 49.

    Violet

    @geg6:
    It’s warm here today. I was in short sleeves today while working in the yard. It should turn cold here again tonight though.

  50. 50.

    Bootlegger Bootleggerovich

    @Just Some Fuckhead:
    I’ve been lurking, enjoying the entertainment. I’ve been focusing my writing time on an historical novel I’ve been meaning to write.
    But thanks for noticing.

  63. 63.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    I took out the trash and the Jets scored 10 points. Hopefully they can take out the trash now.

  64. 64.

    morzer

    Anyone else see a huge furry white form moving ominously along the sidelines, with fiery eyes fixed on Sanchez?

  68. 68.

    stuckinred

    On December 17, 1972, the 10-3 Green Bay Packers travelled to New Orleans to play the 1-11-1 Saints at Tulane Stadium for Nitschke’s last regular season game of his career. The Packers down 30-20 with only a few seconds on the clock, victory outside of their grasp, put their legendary linebacker into the game and passed the ball to him for the only pass reception of his career. Everyone in the stadium (including Saints sideline players), realizing the honor taking place before them, stood to their feet and applauded as the pass nestled safely in this hero’s massive arms. The Saints defense, many of whom grew up idolizing this giant of the game, refused to tackle him. They formed a wedge and after a 34-yard return simply forced him out of bounds.

  70. 70.

    Bootlegger Bootleggerovich

    @stuckinred: Up in the hizzy? With the mizzy? Stiller fans in a tizzy.
    (I have no idea why I’m typing in verse right now.)

  72. 72.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @Andy K: He was very cool. He was at the game with his wife and obviously did not want to be bothered. His wife noticed that my brother who was around 8 at the time was almost quivering with excitement, so she poked Lofton and had him turn around and say hello to the kid. He then signed a couple of autographs, made polite conversation, and then turned around and watched the game. Needless to say, we had really good seats at that game.

  80. 80.

    Gravenstone

    Some rather suspect play calling there at the goal line. Although, with the Jets D amping up on the last Steelers possession, maybe they can get a safety.

    Okay, so the D had nothing to do with that, but still, Safety!

  92. 92.

    John O

    I want the Steelers. I hate the Jets, except when I was a kid who loved Namath.

    So they need to try to stop throwing the game away.

  95. 95.

    Damned at Random

    Could we please just once have a Steeler blowout in post season?

    Do they do this to keep the ratings up?

  103. 103.

    morzer

    And now Sanchez has dived into the back of Mangold’s left leg… dangerous job being center in this league.

  111. 111.

    Jay C

    Jeez, it’s like two different teams took the field tonite: a hot one and a lame one: and they changed uniforms at halftime…

  120. 120.

    Andy K

    @LT:

    His truly great years were with the Packers, where he was not only the #1 receiver, but for those first few years (until we got John Jefferson) he was the only WR of note on the team. He and healthy Lynn Dickey could be keyed-on by opposing defenses during Lofton’s first few years, and he still put up great numbers.

    Not that he wasn’t great in Buffalo, but he was the #2 receiver, and the team also had a helluva running game w/Thurman Thomas.

  128. 128.

    morzer

    You have to wonder what the score would be if the jets had played this way in the first half, when they were, frankly, wretched.

  129. 129.

    Yutsano

    @Rommie: Four minutes is an eternity in professional football. Unless the Stillers score again. Then it’s pretty much ovah.

  132. 132.

    ChockFullO'Nuts

    Fookin Jets. Steelers are goin’ soft here.

    Jets in the big game? There ain’t no justice.

  141. 141.

    Rommie

    Because if it’s 24-20 and NY scores, PIT can’t win with a FG. If they miss the 2, it’s 24-18 and they can still win with a TD. No reason NOT to go for two there.

    EDIT: Basically, down by 5 or 6 doesn’t matter. Down by 4 could matter. It’s not a huge deal.

  149. 149.

    Andy K

    @Rommie:

    Not going for two was silly, but not fatal.

    No, it wasn’t. If their D holds, they can still win it with a TD…Or with two field goals! They miss the two-point try, they only have the TD option.

  156. 156.

    LT

    @Rommie:

    Because if it’s 24-20 and NY scores, PIT can’t win with a FG. If they miss the 2, it’s 24-18 and they can still win with a TD. No reason NOT to go for two there.

    Nutsoid. You have IF-itis.

  159. 159.

    4jkb4ia

    What are they doing using their last TO? The Steelers can’t run the football for 2 minutes?

  160. 160.

    Comrade Javamanphil

    @asiangrrlMN: Some say you should take the easy point if the situation warrants and the extra point gets you no closer to tying with a field goal, while others say you should always go for two regardless of how risky it is. Who knows which side is right? Next up, does refusing to shave your beard make you streakier?

  161. 161.

    Bootlegger Bootleggerovich

    “I expect the Steelers will run the football.”

    Please tell me they are NOT paying that guy more for announcing one game than I make in a year.

  165. 165.

    Andy K

    @Rommie:

    If they miss the 2, it’s 24-18 and they can still win with a TD.

    You save that decision for the next TD. If there’s so little time left that the Steelers can’t possibly set up for an FG, they kick after the TD that makes it 26-24, or they go for two if there are like 15 seconds or more left on the clock after that TD.

  168. 168.

    Stillwater

    Rommie’s right: Jets gained nothing by going for one, but would have prevented a possible Stiller tie on a field goal if the jets could possible take the lead with a TD if they successfully converted the deuce. Possibly.

  175. 175.

    Bootlegger Bootleggerovich

    Unbelievable! I will eat my hat. I could not believe they called that play, much less pull it off like that.

    Stillers deserve the win.

  183. 183.

    Seanly

    I was about to kvetch on the Steelers trying to lose this one. Nice 3rd down play by Big Ben & Brown to cement the win.

  187. 187.

    robertdsc-PowerBook

    Go fuck yourself, Rex. Go fuck yourself. Talk is cheap. Shut up and win something before you shoot your fat mouth off.

  192. 192.

    Chup

    I like the Rooneys, but the fact that Rapistberger gets to go back to the SB really rankles. Maybe the crazed Visogoth wearing #52 for the Pack will knock his f’ing head off.

  195. 195.

    Yutsano

    @asiangrrlMN: I’m going with the minority and say Pack. Plus if I play my cards right I might get OO’s wife to share her bourek recipe with me. :)

  196. 196.

    Joe Bauers

    Yay, Rapistberger. Steelers vs. Packers. Oh well, root for that giant scoreboard in Dallas to fall on the field and kill everybody.

  199. 199.

    Mr Stagger Lee

    I remember as a kid when the Steelers ruled, a Super Bowl in fantasy land against Lombardi’s Packers. This is an old school Super Bowl between two of the NFL’s most storied clubs. NOW ESPN YOU PUNKS CRY OUT YOUR EYES THE J-E-T-S Jets jets jets got beat. CRY LIKE A GIRL MIKE GREENBERG!!!!
    BAWAHAHAHA!

  201. 201.

    asiangrrlMN

    @morzer: I dunno. The Stillers are my number two team. They’re like the steady boyfriend who is loyal, sweet, and thoughtful. He’s a little timid in the sack, but willing to learn. The Pack is like the weekend fling. Sure he’s great in the sack and hawt-sexy to boot, but he also drinks the last bit of soy milk from the carton and puts it back in the fridge.

    @Yutsano: Ooooooh! Nom nom nom.

    @Bootlegger Bootleggerovich: Your prediction? I’m deciding for whom I’m going to root.

  203. 203.

    4jkb4ia

    @Jay C:
    I accept that it was a fumble. The arm did not clearly go forward.

    Bitter as it is, congratulations, John. This is worse than last year because the Jets only played one half and were not clearly beaten by one player.

  204. 204.

    Poopyman

    Somebody better check on Cole. He could be lying on the floor with a blue face and Tunch giving him mouth to mouth.

    I hope there’s a video of that.

  205. 205.

    handy

    @robertdsc-PowerBook:

    Despite the trash talk, overall it was a clean game. I think officials set the tone in the beginning, making a few key close calls.

    And Roethlisberger was huge on that 3rd down conversion. He’s not flashy, he doesn’t get compared much to the greats, but damned if he doesn’t get it done more often than not.

  208. 208.

    Chup

    @Andy K: Actually, I went back and changed it to Visogoth — that’s closer to reality. And I know all about the Matthews fambly — I’ve lived in Texas all my life and remember Bruce’s exploits very well.

    Go Pack!!

  209. 209.

    Andy K

    @Mr Stagger Lee:

    This is an old school Super Bowl between two of the NFL’s most storied clubs.

    Nah, that game was played earlier today. The Bears had a rich history before 1970, the Steelers…not so much. The most notable thing about the pre-’70 Steelers was the Steagles mash up with Philly during WWII.

  214. 214.

    Mr Stagger Lee

    @BruceFromOhio: As a Browns fan I concur, because 7 trophies is just too much. Hey Packer fans make sure there is no refs from Pittsburgh in that game. Seahawk fans are still bitter.

  215. 215.

    morzer

    @asiangrrlMN:

    You see, to me, the Steelers are like matoko_chan, while the Packers are like some quiet, intelligent, surprisingly sexy girl you might run into at the Applebee’s salad-bar…

  217. 217.

    Yutsano

    @Mr Stagger Lee:

    Seahawk fans are still bitter.

    A little astrology note: Seattle is ruled by Scorpio. That means we do bitter like no one else. Witness the eternal still-lingering hatred for Pay Fraud.

  218. 218.

    asiangrrlMN

    @BruceFromOhio: This is true. The ‘friends’ of the steady boyfriend are loud and obnoxious, but so are the ‘friends’ of the fling.

    @morzer: Damn. You really know how to kill a mood, don’t you?

    I have two weeks to make up my mind. I will think it over.

    @Yutsano: Very soon, I think. Another year of the Twins making it to the playoffs only to be decimated by the Yanks in the first round. Whee.

  219. 219.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @Yutsano: She’s ex-Romanian, not Algerian. A sour cherry tart recipe might be found if everyone is well behaved and I have access to the desktop computer.

  226. 226.

    SixStringFanatic

    @Andy K: 1970 was forty years ago now and 1970 itself was the fiftieth anniversary of the league’s founding. One could argue that the greatness of the Steelers over the last forty years equals the greatness of the Packers over the fifty years before that. Thus, in early 2011, this is a Super Bowl match-up of two of the NFL’s most storied clubs.
    And the possibility of the Steelers winning a Super Bowl in the Cowboys’ home stadium is a nice finishing touch on the whole dream.

  228. 228.

    BobS

    @PTirebiter: Ryan wasn’t outcoached. The Jets made the halftime adjustments they needed to and had the Steelers on their heels for nearly 30 minutes. However, that was bad clock management on the final Jets drive, particularly the failure of their players to find the sidelines and stop the clock.

  229. 229.

    Ron

    That second half made the game a lot scarier than one where your team takes a 24-0 lead early is supposed to be.

  230. 230.

    Yutsano

    @Omnes Omnibus: Bourek is a big eastern European dish as well, at least among those who incorporate phyllo in their diets. I’m not entirely certain if Romania counts there or not. I do know it came up because of the Ottoman Empire.

  231. 231.

    BruceFromOhio

    @SixStringFanatic: And the possibility of the Steelers winning a Super Bowl in the Cowboys’ home stadium is a nice finishing touch on the whole dream.

    Here’s the nightmare: Steelers fans possessing the same obnoxious entitlement as the typical Yankees fans. Go Pack!

  232. 232.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @Yutsano: Romanians make it very clear that they were never a part of the Ottoman Empire. The principalities that now make up Romania paid tribute to the Ottomans, but were not a part of the empire. It is a big thing, as is being Latins not Slavs.

  234. 234.

    Yutsano

    @Omnes Omnibus: Which is probably why I couldn’t find anything on teh Google either. At least not from Romania anyway. Bulgaria though is famous for it, as is Greece. And I knew that Romanian is a descendant of Latin like French and Spanish, and they are quite proud of that fact. So mea culpa on the bourek, but a sour cherry tart sounds intriguing.

  236. 236.

    Andy K

    @SixStringFanatic:

    One could argue that the greatness of the Steelers over the last forty years equals the greatness of the Packers over the fifty years before that.

    Well, other than the fact that I was arguing for Chicago as the second most storied franchise over Pittsburgh, I’d say that you’d have a point if you weren’t talking about a Steelers franchise who have only two distinctly different championship eras- the Noll era of the ’70s and the Cowher/Tomlinson teams of this era- compared to the Packers and Bears…You can break the Pack down into the pre-championship game, running era, featuring Johnny Blood, “Iron” Mike Michalske, Lavvie Dilweg..Onto the passing era of the mid-’30s to mid-’40s, featuring Don Hutson, Arnie Herber, Clarke Hinkle (running in the early part of that era) and Tony Canadeo (later featured runner)…Then the Lombardi Era…Then the Favre/Holmgren Era, and now the Rodgers/Woodson/McCarthy Era. And the Steelers aren’t known for any great innovators of the game having been associated with their team, like Halas, who introduced the T-Formation, or Don Hutson, who literally invented the concept of receivers’ routes.

    The problem with pro football- and I think some of us have discussed this here before- is that the history of the pre-’58 NFL is viewed in much the same way as the history of pre-American League baseball. That is, the fandom-at-large tends to have heard of, say, Dutch Clark of the Lions the same way they’ve heard of King Kelly or Wee Willie Keeler, but they aren’t sure what, exactly, those guys did.

  237. 237.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @Yutsano: Remind me and I will see if I can find the English language version of the recipe to post on a food thread sometime.

  238. 238.

    Andy K

    @Yutsano:

    And I knew that Romanian is a descendant of Latin like French and Spanish, and they are quite proud of that fact. So mea culpa on the bourek, but a sour cherry tart sounds intriguing.

    And they’ve got HUGE eyes. Or at least all of the Romanians I’ve met have, making it easy to say, “Hey, you’re from Romania, not Italy, right?”

Comments are closed.