NFL 2011

[pdga#7648]

Houston wont win out. Baltimore has to play a rejuvanized S.D. team, and Cincy again.  Pittsburgh has easiest schedule of those 4 teams, and has already beaten the Patriots.  Pitt will win their last 3 to finish 13-3 (if Ben plays Monday @ S.F.)?  Rams, Cleveland.   That would mean Ravens would have to come to Pittsburgh to TRY to win for a 3rd time? remember they had to win in the last seconds at Pittsburgh earlier in the year!  hate em all you want, but they will make another run!

what a genius!

[pdga#7648]

I don't hate the Steelers at all - I have respect for them similar to how I have respect for the Red Sox while I am a Cubs fan.  It's a different dynamic Cubs/Cards  I think you're a little over confident on how your team will perform though.  I was just looking at their schedules as well before I saw you post this.  I think both Ravens and Steelers will go 2-1 in their final 3 games.  The Texans look like they could also go 2-1 leaving NE with the #1 seed (@Den, Mia, Buf is NE's remaining schedule).

I'm thinking this will be the seeding:
1. NE
2. Houston
3. Baltimore
4. Denver
5. Pittsburgh
6. Jets

That would mean Pitt/NE and Balt/Hou Round 2.  I'm not confident that the Steelers can get past NE again.  If it is an AFC championship game Pitt/Balt - odds are it will be in Baltimore, and regardless it will be one crazy good game.  They can feel free to knock each other out so that neither one is ready to play the Super Bowl

better re shuffle these Scott!

Balt is the #5 seed as of now!

[stpitner]

your team still hasn't played yet this week, so hush.  I said both Balt and Pitt will each go 2-1, it just means that Balt needs to win the next 2.  Pitt's going to have a tough game tonight against SF, especially with the Packers loss.

I was talking to my brother's last night about the Packers O-Line.  Sherrod broken leg, done.  Bulaga sprained a knee again.  Sitton is back though, Clifton should be back before the playoffs, and hopefully Bulaga can recover quickly and not get hurt again.  If they can shore the O-Line back up, they'll be fine.  Otherwise they will be hard pressed to let Aaron do what he needs to do.  There's only so much support that a TE or RB can give!

[Dan Michler]

I love the talk of how the Chiefs laid out a blueprint for how to beat the Packers.  I'm pretty sure every team has the blueprint, its all about execution.  You dominate a team 36 to 23 min in time of possession, put pressure on their QB, prevent big plays, and don't turn the ball over.  Thats ground breaking stuff! 

Honestly, the Chiefs could have easily won by a lot more.  They settled for FG's from inside the 5 yd line on 2 occassions.

I do find it humorous that Kyle Orton is the QB that stopped the Packers from making history.  23/31 passing kept the chains moving and kept the ball out of Rodgers' hands.  I think they need a healthy Greg Jennings more than most people originally thought.  Jordy Nelson didn't look so hot as the #1 guy.

[tacimala]

That play he almost made for the onside kick was pretty sweet though! Wasn't all that close since he went out of bounds, but was still exciting to almost watch unfold.

[pdga#7648]

your team still hasn't played yet this week, so hush.  I said both Balt and Pitt will each go 2-1, it just means that Balt needs to win the next 2.  Pitt's going to have a tough game tonight against SF, especially with the Packers loss.

what does the Packers loss have to do with S.F.?  Packs 1 loss already has homefield throughout the playoffs. 49ers will be a #3 seed, Saints #2.

Ben is playing. he knows that a win tonight means the road to Indy in the AFC will go through Pittsburgh!  
if they stop Gore, should be an easy win!

[pdga#7648]

better explain my statement.
Pack will win 1 of next 2 games to secure homefield throughout!

[pdga#7648]

Hey Dan? since you are the sports GURU here. has the 2 teams in the previous SB ever been the #1 seeds the following year?

[Dan Michler]

Hey Dan? since you are the sports GURU here. has the 2 teams in the previous SB ever been the #1 seeds the following year?

The Cowboys and Bills played in the '92-93 Super Bowl, then were the top seeds in the '93-94 season and ended up rematching in the Super Bowl.

[pdga#7648]

ok, tough or not, after watching pre game warmups, Ben should NOT play tonight!! why get hurt worse and miss the playoffs? he wont be able to get away from trouble. 49ers will probably have 10 sacks.  Dixon could beat this team! 49ers cornerbacks can't hang with Wallace and Browns speed!

[stpitner]

Doug, do I still need to reshuffle those standings?

[Dan Michler]

Its official.  The Arizona Cardinals are much better than the Pittsburgh Steelers.

[tacimala]

Now now I'm sure there are plenty of facts, figures, reasons, opinions and excuses as to why the 49ers didn't not lose and why the Steelers are still the better team. As I've commented on after every primetime Steelers game though this season, ideally the NFL takes notice and stops playing them in those slots. Just brutal showings every time. My guess is that even the power company in SF knew they played boring football so they shut it off a few times just to spark some excitement.

[pdga#7648]

refer to my post at 6 something last night Taylor.  I will eat my crow for today though.  but get used to Steelers in primetime! when your as storied as a franchise as they are, they will always get primetime games!  they are not the 0-16 Lions of a few years ago, and never will be!

[pdga#7648]

Doug, do I still need to reshuffle those standings?

I'm going to say yes. there is still 2 weeks to play.
S.D. will be the #4 seed, not Denver

[Dan Michler]

refer to my post at 6 something last night Taylor.  I will eat my crow for today though.  but get used to Steelers in primetime! when your as storied as a franchise as they are, they will always get primetime games!  they are not the 0-16 Lions of a few years ago, and never will be!

I'm actually better with the Steelers in primetime than the Packers.  I get sick of hearing about how great their fans are.  A fan base that is stupid enough to buy fake stock should not be proud of itself.   

[tacimala]

Doug I'm not trying to take the Doug stance that means anytime I bring up a point that I'm actually trying to talk about the team that I root for. While the Lions have been much more exciting and enjoyable to watch this season compared to seasons past and would be a better team in primetime compared to the Steelers, I wasn't saying that they should be featured instead. I was just simply stating that the Steelers should not be and insert most other teams instead that aren't Indianapolis, Cleveland or Jacksonville. Pretty much every other team is more interesting to watch at this point.

[Tom McManus]

refer to my post at 6 something last night Taylor.  I will eat my crow for today though.  but get used to Steelers in primetime! when your as storied as a franchise as they are, they will always get primetime games!  they are not the 0-16 Lions of a few years ago, and never will be!

I'm actually better with the Steelers in primetime than the Packers.  I get sick of hearing about how great their fans are.  A fan base that is stupid enough to buy fake stock should not be proud of itself.   

If the Bears were 28-12 against the Packers since 1992 I wouldn't want to watch the Bears either. Actually the Bears are 12-28 against the Packers in the last 20 years, and I still don't want to watch them. It has nothing to do with the fans, I would rather watch good football.

[Dan Michler]

If the Bears were 28-12 against the Packers since 1992 I wouldn't want to watch the Bears either. Actually the Bears are 12-28 against the Packers in the last 20 years, and I still don't want to watch them. It has nothing to do with the fans, I would rather watch good football.

That 28-12 record is deceiving.  Its too small a sample size and the Bears really haven't played their best football in those 40 games.  Lets wait until at least 2050 before we make any determinations about who is winning this rivalry.

At least you aren't defending the fake stock.  When they recently decided to sell more fake stock and I had to hear about how unique the Packers are for being 'publicly owned', it made me want to puke.

[Dan Michler]

I'm going to say yes. there is still 2 weeks to play.
S.D. will be the #4 seed, not Denver

Lets bet on this Doug!  I'm taking Tebow.  You get the Chargers.  If Oakland wins the division, there is no action.  $50.