N.f.l. 2012 (2 Viewers)

[tdubel]

Ok, thanks to the Ravens and Texans, the Steelers have the greatest opportunity for #1 seed tomorrow night. It will take a miracle due to the injury and suspensions. Again, I am a homer, but if we pull this off, then it is based on pure talent and luck considering the ridiculous number of injuries and other stuff we have endured this season. Going to the west coast is brutal as the Ravens proved tonight. I think it is an uphill battle, but who knows, anything can happen.

George, I bet you just ordered a 49ers outfit tonight on NFL.com!!!!!!!!!!!

The only bright spot is Woodley is supposed to play, so that will be enormous help with Harrison out.

Finally not to beat on the Ravens b/c I honestly couldn't believe tonight, but Flacco just can't seem to get it right. If the Ravens had Big Ben or Brady, they would be 16 and 0. I am sorry to my Ravens friends, but Flacco is not a playmaker, he missed my fave receiver Boldin all night. Unbelievable, I thought for sure they would whup the Chargers.

TD

 

[lancer]

The Ravens have once again shown that they have no consistency on the road. This doesn't bode well for the playoffs with no home field advantage. Could be a short post season for Baltimore. It is just frustrating to watch this problem continue. A little late in the day to figure out why, so they just need to solve it. -- Al

 

[jazzeum]

I would attribute the loss to a great extent to the fact that the Chargers have finally woken up or that Rivers has finally emerged from his nap. Considering the weakness of the Western Division, Chargers could win it; their last two games are against Lions and Raiders (not easy games).

As far as Flacco, he's in a class of QBs that have come into the league in the past four years: Flacco, Stafford, Ryan and Sanchez. All have had success to a certain extent but also downs. Although Ryan has made some progress, the only one who seems to have really made the next leap is Stafford.

I discount Newton as he's a rookie and playing with nothing on the line. I want to see how he performs when they're competing for a playoff spot.

 

[tdubel]

I would attribute the loss to a great extent to the fact that the Chargers have finally woken up or that Rivers has finally emerged from his nap. Considering the weakness of the Western Division, Chargers could win it; their last two games are against Lions and Raiders (not easy games).

As far as Flacco, he's in a class of QBs that have come into the league in the past four years: Flacco, Stafford, Ryan and Sanchez. All have had success to a certain extent but also downs. Although Ryan has made some progress, the only one who seems to have really made the next leap is Stafford.

I discount Newton as he's a rookie and playing with nothing on the line. I want to see how he performs when they're competing for a playoff spot.

Brad,
you may be right. Pivotal plays that set Flacco's tone were the opening drive and the 2 horrendous throws to Lee Evans. Good passes on either play and it is 7-0 with a different tone to the game. I think your good (not even elite) QB's make either of those passes all day long. Sorry, I am just not a Flacco believer (yes I know he engineered a 90 yard game winning drive against us).

In all seriousness, I actually am upset as a football fan for the Ravens, they had a golden road that just got rocky. I still think regardless of how the Steelers end up, the war of attrition is going to do us in and we will not be the best representative for the AFC. Too many injuries that just won't go away. We could go out and lay a complete egg tonight b/c I just wonder what kind of schemes we have in place either offensively or defensively when the personnel issue has been in doubt all week on both sides of the ball.

TD

 

[Combat]

My Rams have now lost 59 straight when trailing by 7+ points in the 4th Q. For some reason they started a guy at QB who has only been with the team for 10 days (and we are at week 14 of the season). He last threw a TD pass in '07. On the upside, they did look good in throwback unis from their LA Rams days.

 

[lancer]

The Ravens have once again shown that they have no consistency on the road. This doesn't bode well for the playoffs with no home field advantage. Could be a short post season for Baltimore. It is just frustrating to watch this problem continue. A little late in the day to figure out why, so they just need to solve it. -- Al

The Ravens are 1 of 3 NFL teams that main undefeated at home, being 7-0. An admirable record. However, of the 3 teams, the Ravens are the only one with a losing road record, at 3-4. Of division leaders (the Ravens until last night) after game 14, only Dallas has a losing road record at 3-4. All this means is that the Ravens need home field advantage (who doesn't?:rolleyes2 for them to get deep into the playoffs. Boy, the Ravens sure know how to make things hard on themselves. They are like Jeckel and Hyde. -- Al

 

[Warrior]

George, I bet you just ordered a 49ers outfit tonight on NFL.com!!!!!!!!!!!

Ordered it last night and paid for overnight delivery so I'd have it by gametime...........if the Steelers lose and the Patriots win out, they're the #1 seed in the AFC with the 32nd ranked defense in the NFL.............unreal.

TGFB; Thank God For Brady.

 

[mikemiller1955]

if the Steelers lose and the Patriots win out, they're the #1 seed in the AFC with the 32nd ranked defense in the NFL.............unreal.

TGFB; Thank God For Brady.

and who says..."defense wins games"?

 

[sammy719]

When the schedule came out I gave the Ravens a 12-4 record, (still on that pace) I sure did didn't think we would win every game, won a few I thought we would lose, lost some I thought we'd win, so if we can finish a 12-4 season in this NFL season that would be great!! I'll be the biggest 49'er fan tonite, then hoping the Pats can drop one to Miami or Buffalo, stranger things have happened...Sammy

 

[theBaron]

What's really funny is that the Eagles could still conceivably win their division. That is very amusing.

 

[jazzeum]

Yes, it shows how bad the NFC East is and, based on what I saw yesterday, who would say that's not a possibility. That's why I thought it was key for Giants to win yesterday.

Basically, this coming Saturday is the season for the Eagles. If they win, they're still in it but if they lose, pack your bags.

 

[Warrior]

What's really funny is that the Eagles could still conceivably win their division. That is very amusing.

You could have an 8-8 division winner; pathetically sad, but possible, also could have a wild card team or two at 9-7, another pathetically sad scenario, just like the Seachickens 7-9 division winning record last year.

The NFL would be better served with the top four teams in each conference making the playoffs and that's that, but nope, it's all about money, so six teams it is.

 

[Combat]

The Niners are the real deal. Harbaugh is a major alpha hotel but he knows how to coach and his teams are tough as nails. If they get the Packers in the NFC playoffs that will be one whale of a game. If anyone thinks coaching doesn't matter, just compare this 49ers team with last year. Night and day.

 

[tdubel]

The Niners are the real deal. Harbaugh is a major alpha hotel but he knows how to coach and his teams are tough as nails. If they get the Packers in the NFC playoffs that will be one whale of a game. If anyone thinks coaching doesn't matter, just compare this 49ers team with last year. Night and day.

He is a good coach and we are making way too many turnovers. Steelers have nearly 400 yards of total offense and 3 points. That folks does not win football games. 49ers are tough as nails on defense and we didn't get the job done. 4mins left, its over.

TD

 

[jazzeum]

Aldon Smith is just killing the left side of the Steeler line tonight. The guy is unbelievable. Wish the Jets had someone like that.

The punter is also fantastic. He's really pinned the Steelers back.

 

[lancer]

San Fran convinced me last night that they are for real. They beat up on one-legged Big Ben and the rest of the Steelers and helped the Ravens immensly. Got to hand it to the 49er's. Like to say that Big Ben is a tough hombre. He couldn't move or pass correctly but he put on a good show even if the team couldn't get the job done this time. Kinda glad to see the 49er's back in the playoff mix. Now if only they would pay their electricity bill.:rolleyes2: -- Al

 

[tdubel]

San Fran convinced me last night that they are for real. They beat up on one-legged Big Ben and the rest of the Steelers and helped the Ravens immensly. Got to hand it to the 49er's. Like to say that Big Ben is a tough hombre. He couldn't move or pass correctly but he put on a good show even if the team couldn't get the job done this time. Kinda glad to see the 49er's back in the playoff mix. Now if only they would pay their electricity bill.:rolleyes2: -- Al

Al, much like my Ravens cohorts, I am waking up this AM with the could have been hangover. I again, just think the 49ers did a great job of keeping us out of the end zone and making the big play when needed. I don't think I can recall a Steelers offense getting 400 yrds and only a field goal. Oh well, back to the drawing board. I think we will sit at the 5 seed, I just don't see the Ravens having another hiccup. I hope we don't even play Ben against the Rams.

TD

 

[theBaron]

You could have an 8-8 division winner; pathetically sad, but possible, also could have a wild card team or two at 9-7, another pathetically sad scenario, just like the Seachickens 7-9 division winning record last year.

The NFL would be better served with the top four teams in each conference making the playoffs and that's that, but nope, it's all about money, so six teams it is.

Everybody gets a ribbon, everybody gets a hug.

That's a big reason why I don't like basketball or hockey, either. Too many teams make it into the postseason.

Baseball is drifting that way, lured by the additional money that the league and teams can make by expanding the field.

Yeah, about the Eagles, it's just so funny that a team that has played so poorly could make it.

Well, we'll see. To win 2 more games is a tall order.

 

[Combat]

A lot of warning signs for the Steelers in this one. They were soundly beaten at their own game. The Niners were tougher mentally and physically against one of the toughest teams in the league. If I understood correctly, the 49ers haven't given up a rushing TD all season! That's incredible. And they are likely only the second best team in the NFC.

 

[jazzeum]

That's correct about not giving up a rushing TD. That's the longest such streak since the Decatur Staleys (now known as the Chicago Bears). And they did it without Patrick Willis, the best middle linebacker in the NFL.

The 49ers may be the second best team but they are tied with the Saints so who is second best is still to be determined. Second best is still open to question. There were a lot of danger signals for the Packers in their loss so we'll have to see how this plays out. Due to injuries, their offensive line is now a little suspect and defense has been suspect all year.

The Steelers have played some ugly, low scoring games this year, e.g., the 13-9 (if I have the score correctly) game against the Chiefs. Also, the Browns game was similar. On the other hand, they have the potential to beat up on opponents, e.g., the Bengals so I wouldn't write them off yet. They are a very mentally tough team.

Theoretically, this win by the 49ers helped the Jets because now it means Ravens, to guarantee themselves a bye, may have to take the last game of the season against the Bengals seriously. Bengals and Jets are currently tied but all these crazy tie breakers favor the Jets.