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You are here: Home / Open Threads / Playoffs Open Thread

Playoffs Open Thread

by John Cole|  January 3, 20158:19 pm| 78 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

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Steelers/Ravens. Shawn and I are in separate rooms.

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Previous Post: « There’s Always An Idiot
Next Post: Late Night Open Thread »

Reader Interactions

78Comments

  1. 1.

    raven

    January 3, 2015 at 8:22 pm

    Whew, I was hopin.

  2. 2.

    Misterpuff

    January 3, 2015 at 8:25 pm

    The animals are with who?

  3. 3.

    Steeplejack (tablet)

    January 3, 2015 at 8:31 pm

    Unintended TV ad messages: “Hey, whitey, get your lame-ass Celica out of our parade!”

  4. 4.

    Violet

    January 3, 2015 at 8:35 pm

    Ha! I was wondering how that was going to work.

  5. 5.

    Poopyman

    January 3, 2015 at 8:37 pm

    Tomorrow’s going to be awkward in any event.

  6. 6.

    raven

    January 3, 2015 at 8:39 pm

    I had 4 of those “I don’t have a TV” people come over and watch the Bama-OSU game. It was fine except for the high school kid that wouldn’t STFU but I realize I really prefer watching alone or with my bride and the pups.

  7. 7.

    Steeplejack (tablet)

    January 3, 2015 at 8:41 pm

    Can Newton looked good today, not like the poseur/empty helmet his critics claim he is. Still don’t see Carolina advancing, though.

  8. 8.

    raven

    January 3, 2015 at 8:44 pm

    @Steeplejack (tablet): He’s a punk.

  9. 9.

    Steeplejack (tablet)

    January 3, 2015 at 8:45 pm

    NFL on Saturday is adding to my holiday confusion about exactly WTF day it is, or is supposed to be.

  10. 10.

    Heliopause

    January 3, 2015 at 8:45 pm

    First game was painful to watch. Cam Newton was not great and was by a mile the best QB in the game. My bold prediction is that Ryan Lindley will not be on an NFL roster next season. Going out on a limb here.

  11. 11.

    JordanRules

    January 3, 2015 at 8:46 pm

    Bettis lead the terrible towel twirl before the game. Nice!

    I imagine JC being the most boisterous of the 2 in the house but that might not be a fair assumption.

    Let’s go Steeler nation!!!

  12. 12.

    eric nny

    January 3, 2015 at 8:54 pm

    Good for you John. No need to mingle with Raven trash. GO STEELERS!

  13. 13.

    Mr Stagger Lee

    January 3, 2015 at 8:54 pm

    I think whoever wins this game is a danger to either New England or Denver, yes I can see these guys playing Seattle in Glendale in the Super Bowl

  14. 14.

    Tree With Water

    January 3, 2015 at 8:58 pm

    Cole.. Your situation is tantamount to me watching a playoff series with a Dodger fan (series, not ‘game’, because tonight’s losers go home). And I really hate the Dodgers, pretty much like I did when I was 7 years old. it would be weird. If you guys have any loaded guns laying around, it might be wise to lock them up no later than half-time.

  15. 15.

    lamh36

    January 3, 2015 at 9:01 pm

    @Steeplejack (tablet): Just so happened to be watching a VINE video of Cam shaking annoucers hand.

    Made me laugh, cause I’ve seen my uncles do the same thing. It reminded me of the Key and Peele skit on how President Obama has different greeting for different people.

    Obama system RT @AlejandroDaGr8: RT @Justinstere: How Cam Newton shakes hands with the white announcers vs Ray Lewis

    https://twitter.com/NFLGoodwitch/status/551557573061902336

  16. 16.

    Pogonip

    January 3, 2015 at 9:04 pm

    Have you guys considered marriage counseling? These interfaith marriages CAN be happy, you know.

  17. 17.

    Pogonip

    January 3, 2015 at 9:05 pm

    Full Metal Wingnut, are you there? How’s the cat doing?

  18. 18.

    geg6

    January 3, 2015 at 9:06 pm

    As it should be. All Ravens fans should be shunned.

  19. 19.

    Steeplejack (phone)

    January 3, 2015 at 9:09 pm

    @lamh36:

    Funny!

  20. 20.

    The Dangerman

    January 3, 2015 at 9:13 pm

    @Heliopause:
    .

    …Lindley will not be on an NFL roster next season.

    Has the Arizona punter been cut yet? If not, why not? Make him pay his own way home.

  21. 21.

    BillinGlendaleCA

    January 3, 2015 at 9:15 pm

    @Tree With Water: Giants fan, eh? Feeling’s mutual bud.

  22. 22.

    raven

    January 3, 2015 at 9:15 pm

    @The Dangerman: That was Drew Butler, Kevin’s son. He was pretty good a Georgia but I think he was a late season signee for that game.

  23. 23.

    Violet

    January 3, 2015 at 9:17 pm

    @lamh36: That’s funny.

  24. 24.

    raven

    January 3, 2015 at 9:19 pm

    @BillinGlendaleCA: My niece is getting married out there Oct 3, the day of the Bama-Georgia game here. The only revenge I will get is if the Dodgers are in the playoffs and all my LA fanatic relatives have to suffer too.

  25. 25.

    Baud

    January 3, 2015 at 9:19 pm

    OT: Booman has called out our own Southern Beale on his blog for her recent post about children involved in gun deaths.

  26. 26.

    The Dangerman

    January 3, 2015 at 9:20 pm

    @raven:

    …Drew Butler, Kevin’s son.

    If memory serves (too lazy to look it up tonight), Kevin had a fairly long career.

    Drew won’t have that luxury.

  27. 27.

    Mike E

    January 3, 2015 at 9:21 pm

    @Heliopause: Heh, sorta like OSU playing their biggest game with a 3rd string QB.

    I don’t like Ohio St, but, Go Chaos!

  28. 28.

    Tree With Water

    January 3, 2015 at 9:21 pm

    @BillinGlendaleCA: Wouldn’t have it any other way.

  29. 29.

    raven

    January 3, 2015 at 9:24 pm

    @The Dangerman: Kevin wasn’t a punter. The first Georgia game I saw was his 60 yarder to beat Clemson 30 years ago.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO-p01DGR6o

  30. 30.

    BillinGlendaleCA

    January 3, 2015 at 9:29 pm

    @Tree With Water: There is one thing we can agree on, (in the immortal words of Steve Gillard) FTFY.

  31. 31.

    BruceFromOhio

    January 3, 2015 at 9:36 pm

    Shawn and I are in separate rooms.

    Know your limits, and respect others knowing them.

    @raven: I realize I really prefer watching alone or with my bride and the pups.

    Ditto. The bride fell asleep reading on the couch, and I only turn up the volume for the penalty calls. The line for the head is shorter, too.

    @Steeplejack (tablet): This.

    Panthers do not stand a chance against the remaining contenders. The disorganized chaos that passed for a football game earlier served only to punish the rest of us with the Escher painting known as the NFC south.

    Stillers-Ravens will be won by whichever QB can withstand the most punishment. As much as I despise both teams, there is some damned fine hand-egg underway. With the Bengals also in the mix, AFC North has been an interesting place this year.

  32. 32.

    Brendan in Charlotte

    January 3, 2015 at 9:36 pm

    @BillinGlendaleCA: I agree wholeheartedly – says the Red Sox fan!!!!

  33. 33.

    a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)

    January 3, 2015 at 9:38 pm

    I’m glad to hear you and Shaun are watching separately. Sensible.

  34. 34.

    Mike E

    January 3, 2015 at 9:45 pm

    @BillinGlendaleCA: fuckin A

  35. 35.

    a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)

    January 3, 2015 at 9:51 pm

    @a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q): Shawn. ^

  36. 36.

    2liberal

    January 3, 2015 at 9:59 pm

    the panthers tried to give the game away but the cardinals just couldn’t bring themselves to accept the gift. Guns the ref had a bad game from what I hear (I have dropped cable)

  37. 37.

    Goblue72

    January 3, 2015 at 10:00 pm

    The real playoffs start next week. Most of this weekend is about who gets to get beat next week by better teams.

  38. 38.

    Culture of Truth

    January 3, 2015 at 10:04 pm

    there’s a difference?

  39. 39.

    catclub

    January 3, 2015 at 10:06 pm

    @BruceFromOhio:

    Stillers-Ravens will be won by whichever QB can withstand the most punishment.

    Stillers missing running back is a big deal. Ravens running through them. Roethlisberger still impressive, but not clear he will be enough.

  40. 40.

    Goblue72

    January 3, 2015 at 10:08 pm

    @Mr Stagger Lee: Whatevs. Steelers can’t even handle the powerhouse 10-6 Ravens. And nobody is scared of Baltimore this season.

  41. 41.

    BruceFromOhio

    January 3, 2015 at 10:08 pm

    “I, Joe Flacco, will toy with your secondary. Toy! Toy!”

  42. 42.

    BruceFromOhio

    January 3, 2015 at 10:12 pm

    @catclub: Running against either of these D’s is a tall order. I’m looking at this as a war of passing yards, and a goofy final score like 26-19.

    @Goblue72: Perhaps, though a BAL-DEN or a BAL-NE playoff would still be interesting, certainly more interesting than PIT.

  43. 43.

    Culture of Truth

    January 3, 2015 at 10:14 pm

    “Shawn and I are in separate rooms.”

    Just like in the The Twight Zone marathon

  44. 44.

    MoeLarryAndJesus

    January 3, 2015 at 10:23 pm

    Steelers are shitting their own bed here. Goddamnit. As a Patriots fan I wanted Andy Dalton next week.

  45. 45.

    Jay C

    January 3, 2015 at 10:24 pm

    I know it’s not football-related, but since this is a Open Thread…..
    Anyone else notice that the box near the top of the right-hand sidebar no longer features “headlines” from Newsmax, but is now presenting offerings “From Our Pals at Wonkette”?

    I guess that’s an improvement for the New Year…..

  46. 46.

    Goblue72

    January 3, 2015 at 10:32 pm

    @BruceFromOhio: well that’s for sure. Both the games today are just awful.

  47. 47.

    opiejeanne

    January 3, 2015 at 10:39 pm

    @Brendan in Charlotte: I do too, as an Angels fan.

  48. 48.

    MoeLarryAndJesus

    January 3, 2015 at 10:45 pm

    @Jay C: “Ronald Reagan’s Top Ten Thousand Turds” would be an improvement over Newsmax.

    Look, raisins!

  49. 49.

    opiejeanne

    January 3, 2015 at 10:45 pm

    @efgoldman: Yes, this game is a lot better than earlier but I think I’m a little footballed out. Watched a bunch of bowl games this week and the pro game earlier today wasn’t as exciting as a couple of those college games.

  50. 50.

    BruceFromOhio

    January 3, 2015 at 10:56 pm

    @Goblue72: I beg to differ, for what efgoldman said. What the hARI-CARi game lacked, this contest had more than made up for.

  51. 51.

    honus

    January 3, 2015 at 10:57 pm

    I’ve watched a lot of steelers/ravens games, and especially, after today, I would not be surprised to see the officials just pick up the ball, place it in the Steelers end zone, and declare a touchdown for the Ravens.

  52. 52.

    Joseph Nobles

    January 3, 2015 at 10:59 pm

    The animals must be with Steve. Awkward.

    Booman gave a shout out or hat tip to Southern Beale, I think. “call out” sounds like he’s disapproving of what she did.

  53. 53.

    rikyrah

    January 3, 2015 at 11:05 pm

    Go Football!!

    LOL

  54. 54.

    BruceFromOhio

    January 3, 2015 at 11:05 pm

    @honus: Ruh? Not seeing it. Definitely some calls that set back the boys in black & yella, though blatant shite officiating it ain’t.

  55. 55.

    Goblue72

    January 3, 2015 at 11:10 pm

    Pats-Ravens it is.

  56. 56.

    Gravenstone

    January 3, 2015 at 11:13 pm

    Thus endeth the ballgame. Better luck next season, John.

  57. 57.

    pete mack

    January 3, 2015 at 11:23 pm

    Suggs is the bee’s knees after that interception.

  58. 58.

    RSR

    January 3, 2015 at 11:24 pm

    Sorry, John. Not even a snow game. :(

  59. 59.

    Nom de Plume

    January 3, 2015 at 11:25 pm

    LOL@the Steelers.

  60. 60.

    max

    January 3, 2015 at 11:26 pm

    Cole’s going to be one depressed SOB.

    max
    [‘Sorry Cole!’]

  61. 61.

    J R in WV

    January 3, 2015 at 11:28 pm

    For some, this season is over now. Like ‘Bama, and Stillers. I turned it off after that pick by Suggs, between his Frickin Knees!!! And then the touchdown pass from Flacco.

    Off!

    Click!

    Nopw I’ma gonna shut down this laptop I been using to watch football on. It’s a wide screen hi-detail, fine grained screen.

    G’nite all.

  62. 62.

    John Weiss

    January 3, 2015 at 11:29 pm

    Steelers got whupped. Sorry, John: Cowboys fan here.

  63. 63.

    donnah

    January 3, 2015 at 11:30 pm

    Now let’s see if my Bengals can redeem themselves.

    Haha!

  64. 64.

    Brandon

    January 3, 2015 at 11:32 pm

    If there is a ‘winner’ in that game, it was the outcome where two clearly concussed players came back into a game two plays later and effectively lost the game for their team. Since the NFL loves stats, the L that the Steelers suffered there as a direct result should be enough I hope to make the rest of the league takes notice and take the issue more seriously. Plus, that team ‘doctor’ should be fired.

  65. 65.

    Yatsuno

    January 3, 2015 at 11:32 pm

    @donnah: GO BUNGLES!

  66. 66.

    Mike E

    January 3, 2015 at 11:48 pm

    Watching an Eccleston Dr Who about a dystopian future where humans minds are ensnared by journamalism…Simon Pegg guest stars!

  67. 67.

    Honus

    January 3, 2015 at 11:50 pm

    @efgoldman: blatant no call on interference on Steelers 50 yd pass play. Offensive face mask call on steelers 1st down pass play negating 1st down. Bullshit holding call on Steelers TD pass in 4th qtr.
    When every pivotal call, no matter how marginal the infraction, goes against one team, it’s not whining. Fact is, the zebras gave the Ravens at least 14 points.

  68. 68.

    Omnes Omnibus

    January 3, 2015 at 11:57 pm

    @Honus: It’s whining.

  69. 69.

    Mike J

    January 4, 2015 at 12:01 am

    @Honus: I doubt the Seahawks fans around here will have much sympathy for you.

  70. 70.

    Omnes Omnibus

    January 4, 2015 at 12:03 am

    @Mike J: Fuck you guys. You beat Green Bay a couple of years ago on a bullshit call at the end of the game.*

    *FWIW if this isn’t whining, it is at least bitching. There is a difference – however small.

  71. 71.

    Omnes Omnibus

    January 4, 2015 at 12:15 am

    @efgoldman: That’s my point. There are bad calls in games. They often go both ways. I know that Green bay has benefited from bad calls and non-calls on occasion. It is part of the game. Suggesting that the refs had it in for the Steelers is whining. .

  72. 72.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    January 4, 2015 at 12:18 am

    When it comes to losing, Pittsburgh fans don’t disappoint. That’s why we call them the Squeelers. It’s always the officiating when thru lose, even though there offensive line could have been called for holding every single play. You just got outplayed, out muscled and out hustled. Deal.

  73. 73.

    burnspbesq

    January 4, 2015 at 12:47 am

    Shawn and I are in separate rooms.

    And the beasts have found a DMZ, one assumes.

  74. 74.

    Omnes Omnibus

    January 4, 2015 at 12:49 am

    @burnspbesq: Maybe a Downton marathon on PBS.

  75. 75.

    rikyrah

    January 4, 2015 at 12:51 am

    I’m a Chicago Cubs fan, so you know I have no sympathy for folks feeling bad about losing teams..LOL

  76. 76.

    Yatsuno

    January 4, 2015 at 1:02 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: Objection, your Honour. Semantic sophistry.

  77. 77.

    Omnes Omnibus

    January 4, 2015 at 1:10 am

    @Yatsuno: No, sir. Whining and bitching are different. Whining implies that someone is to blame for it sucking. Bitching is simply noting that it sucks.

    ETA: That difference mattered in the army. Soldiers bitch. They shouldn’t whine.

  78. 78.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    January 4, 2015 at 3:14 am

    @efgoldman: an abundance of riches showered on a fan base that basically has no class.

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