Colts 35 - Pats 34
I didn't stay up to watch this one, because my day starts so early and lingers on so late. At my age, sleep is more important than a regular season football game (even if it is a rivalry like this). But can you imagine my surprise to wake up and find that NE's Coach Belichick had given Indy the game, by making a stupid call late when the game was on the line.
I know. It's one of those things that makes you a genius when it works, but an idiot when it fails. But I will be most interested to see how the Boston media treats this. In fact, I am anxiously awaiting to hear the weekly lambasting from Greg. (Maybe Eli and the Giants are off the hook this week.)
In everything I read and heard this morning, the Pats had this game and should have won it. Hell, I was even predicting a NE win; because the Colts haven't really beaten the same quality of opposition that the Pats have. Meanwhile the Colts haven't been playing very well the last two games, and the Pats have. And injuries, well, the Colts defense is riddled with them.
But the big thing is plain and simple. Everyone that has ever followed Peyton Manning's career knows that if you hand him the ball in your own territory, with 2 minutes or more to go in a close game, there's a far better chance you'll get burned than not. The man that many have termed a coaching genius should have known this. Maybe he's human after all.
If his Chrstmas spirit did arrive early, I have to say thanks to Coach Bill and maybe we'll see you back here in January. Hell, I'll even buy you some lunch at Scotty's Brewhouse.
Bengals 18 - Steelers 12
They have swept Baltimore, now they have swept the Steelers. If anyone doubts the reality of Cincinnati being one of the elite teams in the NFL, they don't know football very well. It wasn't done with bombs to Coles or Ochocinco, it wasn't done with Benson grinding out a methodical running game. It was done with good old fashioned powerhouse defense. The Bengals did not allow the Pittsburgh offense, one single TD.
Skins 27 - Broncos 17
Shock and disbelief are the words I use to describe this score. I knew Denver was overrated, I knew they had some injuries. But going into this game thinking that Washington had a chance to win this game was an extreme miscalculation on my part.
(Oh... to have had a crystal ball, $100,000 in expendable cash, and physically be in Vegas with nothing else to do. Mr. Sunsett could have made Mrs. Sunsett very happy, after collecting the winnings.)
Panthers 28- Falcons 19
Another shocker. Atlanta is still a game ahead of Carolina, but a mile behind the Saints. The Falcons are fighting for a wild card spot, therefore they must win the games they are supposed to win - no ifs, ands, or buts.
Dolphins 25- Bucs 23
All of you Tampa fans who called for (and were pleased with) the firing of Gruden, how do you like this? Last year this time, your team was competing for the division. Now... all your team is vying for is a high draft pick.
Way to go, Tampa.
Go team go.
Saints 28 - Rams 23
I cannot imagine why NO played this one so close. I know they weren't looking ahead to next week's big matchup....with Tampa Bay. They must be looking ahead to two weeks from now, and their match with the Pats. They need to watch out. TB is a division rival that no matter how lousy they may be, this is still the NFL.
Titans 41 - Bills 17
Three in a row with Young at the helm. Makes one wonder what could have happened, if he'd been the man from the jump.
No matter.... the future of the team is now in his hands. My advice to him is to refrain from whining, take advantage of the opportunity (which is a great second chance to prove himself) and win games.
If this is truly his team, he needs to grow up and take charge of it like a man and not a kid. Play time is over Vince....you hold the key to your own success, and a franchise's future.
12 comments:
Ugh. Shitty way to lose. As for how the Boston media is treating the Belichick call, they are performing in typical Boston style: nuking the coach. No one has mentined Maroney's fumble at the goal line or the phantom interference call on the second-to-last scoring drive or the terrible defensive performance. Too bad Brady's name isn't Eli, or he'd have gotten an extra minute or two from the refs to win the game. Still, we should have punted, and we should have gotten the yard anyway, but we didn't and that's the reason the Colts won. Anyway, that sucked. :(
//No one has mentined Maroney's fumble at the goal line or the phantom interference call on the second-to-last scoring drive or the terrible defensive performance.//
But with all of that, they were still in control of the game. I just know that if the roles were reversed, I would be livid at the coach (esepcially if he were as seasoned as Belichick). Fans here would be ready to put Caldwell on trial for impersonating a coach.
I say... they should have punted and if Manning would have beaten them by going the length of the field, you can live with it.
Yeah... it's a tough way to lose. But at least it was a regular season game. I am sure this will play ouy again in the playoffs.
"Shock and disbelief are the words I use to describe this score."
Shock and awe dude! Shock and awe!
I find it hard to get mad at the coach, even if he made the wrong decision. The guy has brought us 3 SB championships, and he's doing great things with a young team this year. Without him, I don't think we even have a chance to win yesterday.
Like you said, my consolation is that it's not the playoffs, and my team still gets to play next week.
Yeah, and Belichick is a really great guy, eh? ;-)
Only saw some of the Rams-Saints and Cowboys-Packers. Via highlights and office chatter, the other game of note was where the RB kneeled on the 1 yd line and screwed up everyone's fantasy cards. One you don't see every day.
As to the Titans, it's a start. Not sure we can completely blame 0-6 on Collins, though. I told some friends that Fisher should ask anyone in the locker room whether they doubted their ability to end up 10-6, and if so, to get out. By jove they seem to be doing it.
//I told some friends that Fisher should ask anyone in the locker room whether they doubted their ability to end up 10-6, and if so, to get out. By jove they seem to be doing it.//
It'll be pretty tough to win out. But I don't think it to be impossible.
I am with you, I don't think the entire thing can be blamed on Collins, the defense was playing pretty lousy too.
Yeah, and Belichick is a really great guy, eh? ;-)
Depends on whether you're on his team or on the opponent's. His players love and respect him. He's a dick to people who have dissed him publicly. I'm that way too, so I guess I relate to him.
I'm just wondering why coach Bill couldn't win in Cleveland. Then again after last night, maybe nobody can win in Cleveland. Big matchup this week in Detroit, too!
//Depends on whether you're on his team or on the opponent's. His players love and respect him. He's a dick to people who have dissed him publicly. I'm that way too, so I guess I relate to him.//
Sounds like Bob Knight (sans the chair throwing).
I seriously understand what you are saying. I heard this for years here in Indiana. I also heard the same thing about Ditka, Schottenheimer, Parcells, and others. (Well, maybe not Schottenheimer.)
//I'm just wondering why coach Bill couldn't win in Cleveland.//
He had one good year there, 11-5 lost in the 1st round of playoffs I think. I think management is the answer to your question.
Modell was moving the team to Baltimore when Bill left. The Pats management in effect has him as the coach and the GM. Although there is a figurehead GM to do the leg work, Belichick has the final say.
Regardless of whether one likes him or not, he is a good coach. Which is why I cannot understand him making a call like that. (Even though some sportswriters are now saying the refs blew the call, which I have not seen the play so I don;t know).
For years it has been said in these parts that Belichick was in the head of Manning. Maybe now, it's Manning that is in his head. But who knows? If the roles were reversed I would have made Brady do the 70 yds to beat me.
BTW Greg,
Did you hear what Teddy Bruschi said about the call?
Did you hear what Teddy Bruschi said about the call?
Yeah - he didn't like it. He said Belichick was telling the defense he has no confidence in them. I guess that's true. Maybe the defense will take this to heart and man-up for the rest of the season. You can't give up 30+ points and expect to win.
They actually beat Greg's Pats in the wild card that year. But he didn't make many friends in the dog pound if I recall correctly with the Kosar/Testaverde stuff. Modell probably did have more to do with it than was told.
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