Did anyone think that tackle on Palmer in which he was injured was a little suspect? It wasn’t really that late or anything, but the way the guy grabbed his ankle as hitting the knee looked less than accidental. I’m not ready to call it dirty, but if he got a steady diet of chop blocks next season against the Bengals I wouldn’t judge them harshly.
OK, 0-2. Redskins. Bears. Broncos. Colts.
Omniscient, I agree with you. He was definitely blocked into Palmer, but I still think he put a couple extra drops of mustard on him. Unless he goes headfirst, I don’t see how he can go into Palmer’s leg in such a way that Carson can’t get away from it–except for having grabbed the leg. Sketchy. I’ll be rooting against the Steelers (although I would’ve anyway).
BTW, can a mod please change the title of this thread to reflect the correct Roman numeral, XL?
Absolutely not! The thread title was carefully chosen as a good omen to my Bears.
No. Von Olhoffen (forgive the potentially butchered spelling) was a Bengal. He simply did his job and as he was falling he went to grab Palmer’s leg. He was visibly upset about it after the play.
Yes, I’m a Steeler fan, but I’m no apologist. I was actually surprised by his reaction. The announcers implied that Kemo (that was easier) and Carson knew each other, and Kemo was not pleased with himself after the hit. He slapped his hands together and twisted his head in a way that would indicate an “Aw Dammit.” kind of moment rather than an “ALRIGHT!”
I’m curious to anyone else’s take on the hit.
I’ll make my next round predictions later, but I was 0-2 in the NFC and 2-0 in the AFC. Fortunately, my final 4 is still alive, so I won’t be too hurt if next week plays out as I guessed.
One more thing. I broke one of my cardinal rules by picking the Giants and I paid for it.
RULE 1. NEVER bet on a Manning to win a big game.
If the Steelers don’t give up a couple of quick scores in the first quarter next week, I like their chances. If Manning throws a pick in the first quarter, I like them even more.
I noticed the same thing on the replay. That wasn’t a “ha ha, I beat your ass” reaction, it was an “oh crap, dude, I didn’t mean to hurt you like that” reaction.
I only caught the first half of the Steeler game, since I had to fly back down here. Didn’t think the hit was dirty. Didn’t see enough of the second half to know if the Steelers are worth picking next week. As for the first:
Carolina 23, New York Giants 0: Watching the Giants offense was just painful. Eli seemed to get worse as the game went on; he was clearly pushing and trying to be the savior, and he just didn’t have it in him. Carolina stopped the Giants MVP-guy, and the Giants didn’t stop the Panthers MVP-guy, and that was that. Going to next year, figuring out how to stop an elite WR has to be at the top of the Giants “need” list, given that “get the linebackers we already have healthy” and “keep Eli growing as a QB” will fix the other two biggest problems they seem to have. Oh, and maybe a little help for that O-line too 
Carolina seems to look ripe for a repeat of exactly what happened the last time they played Chicago. The Giants were getting the pressure at times, and I see no reason why the Bears won’t sack Delhomme 6-8 times, triple cover Smith (okay, double cover, but actually COVER), stop the run, and force Colbert/Proehl/Carter to beat them. In the freezing cold. In front of a Chicago crowd. Yeah.
Its worth noting that the Steelers were playing really chippy all game. Lots of personal fouls, jawing and some poor sportsmanship. Not sure what that was all about, but you’d think that the Steelers had been getting trashed all week. To start the game they were taking extra shots and being very Baltimore like.
Not saying that Kimo was happy about the end result and perhaps genuinely regretted it, but I think maybe he was as upset as he was partly because he knows he was in the wrong. Strictly a hypothetical, but would have fit within the overall tone of the game.
The Bengals are saying all the right things, but privately I bet they are wondering. Just watching that play Van Oelhuffen definately torqued his leg on purpose, but that doesn’t necessarily mean there was intent to injure.
Wishful thinking. They whuped the Giants in front of a hometown crowd. And Proehl would love to be the main target. Double cover will not stop Smith. And if they actually cover him? Foster is open.
It’s easy to say “stop the run” but you have to actually do it. Foster is on a roll. Hell, Goins had more yards than “Tiki who?” And he’s the #3 running back.
My guess?
Panthers 27
Bears 13
lonesome loser, what exactly do you think is different this time around from last time they were in Chicago?
Chicago is healthier and now they have Grossman running an improved offense.
The only reason I feel that way is that we’ve seen it before, more than once this year. I’m the biggest Steve Smith fan outside of Carolina - he’s carried my fantasy seasons twice in the last three years, now. But the Giants didn’t even come CLOSE to covering him - which wasn’t surprising, since we’ve seen that from them before re: Santana Moss. When the Panthers played the Bears (with Orton still starting, mind you), the Bears dominated the game defensively by dominating the line of scrimmage - both vs. the run and by pressuring Delhomme. Think of the Bears defense as the Giants defense, except with defensive backs and linebackers (Terrell Buckley on Smith? Are you seriously?). It makes things a little bit harder.
I think the big X-factor will be Grossman. If he plays like Eli, the Bears are in trouble; if he doesn’t throw picks or cough up the ball, we are probably in for a low scoring slugfest, and I have to like the Bears in that one given how they’ve been winning those all year.
Ah…you don’t understand.
The Panthers playoffs started last week. Two wins under their belts already Winning breeds winning.
Plus they brought the great team with them.
I have had it with this Rex Grossman hype. What has he done exactly? Everyone thinks you traded in a Pinto for a Corvette, but you may have yourself a Corvair. It’s just too soon to tell. He’s being compared to Kyle Orton… put some perspective on this.
I’ve picked the Bears because of their defense and they are playing in Chicago. And I’ll be happy to eat crow if Grossman throws 200+ yards, 2 tds and no interceptions and actually makes a difference. But Orton has won more games in a Bears uniform than Grossman. He’s not John Elway, for pete’s sake. He’s Rex Grossman. That name will not instill fear in any team. And from what I saw from Carolina’s defense, they are going to be in his face all day.
This could be a great 2-0 game.
Ah, I see! They’ve got to win, because they’re the wild card team.
You’re missing the point.
The Bears are a team that won 10 games with Orton as the starter. Orton was awful. No one is calling Grossman the second coming. No one things he’s going to dominate the game. However he is a sizable improvement over Orton. No one who watched weeks 14 and 15 could possibly disagree.
So you take a 10-4 Bears team and give them an upgrade at QB and you have something worth note. Especially since this is a Panther team that came into the same stadium against these Bears who here missing some players and got dominated by the Orton Bears.
Even if we upgraded from a Pinto to a Corvair, you’re still getting where you’re doing faster with less chance of a catastrophic explosion.
My picks:
Washington 31
Seattle 24
I know, I know. But I refuse to believe the Skins offense will be that bad three weeks in a row. If the Skins pass for more than 200yds, its over. Skins win.
Carolina 17
Bears 7
Sorry Bears fans. I just dont see a situation where Grossman (1st playoff) has a big enough game against a stingy Carolina D.
Indy 38
Steelers 21
Peyton just will not be denied this year. He shredded the Steelers D earlier this year, and he will do it again. Im looking for some new playoff records in this game.
Denver 27
Pats 20
I hate to take Denver here, cause the Pats just dont lose in the playoffs…but I think its time.
Wow. I just don’t get it. I’m a big Redskins fan, but I do not see us getting past the Seahawks! Most of you pundits are picking the 'Skins. Why? We have been extremely lucky lately, but Holmgren and the 'Hawks should put a stop to that streak. Wynn out, Portis banged up, Springs banged up, offense sluggish. On kickoffs, Holmgren should play Thrash loose, let him catch the ball with the splint on his hand, then pop him hard and the ball squirts out. This may ba an ugly come-uppence for the over-achieving 'Skins.
There are real reasons to be optimistic that the Skins can win this game. The Seahawks rolled to 13-2 and a big reputation by playing Arizona, San Fransico and the Rams 6 times. They had the 32nd hardest schedule in the League. The Redskins have battled in a pressure cooker all year, they ended up tied for the second hardest schedule, & had the hardest schedule of the Teams remaining in the playoffs and have now rolled to 11-6 playing the Playoff bound Giants and Tampa Bay and Dallas(10-6) 6 times as well as Kansas City (10-6), San Diego (9-7), and playoff teams Denver & Chicago. Not to mention Seattle - who they beat.
I am not, quite, saying Seattle is overated. But I would be surprised if they represented the NFC in the Super Bowl. Of the 3 remaining NFC Teams – only the homefield of the Qwest Dome is a scary factor to me.
I’d make a small wager on the 'Skins (not THE RENT). I will be much less sure next week in NC or IL.
:smack: Look this meant That I think any of the 3 remaining NFC teams can win, & probably will (IMO) win vs. Seattle. Only the game taking place at Qwest makes
me hesitate speaking in LOUD SPORTS BAR FORUMS CAPS and saying I am DAMN SURE OF IT!!