# NFL Wild-Card Weekend **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [January 6, 2010, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wild-card-weekend/523904 "2010-01-06T15:15:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![storyteller0910](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@storyteller0910](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/storyteller0910)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wild-card-weekend/523904/241 "2010-01-11T03:38:01Z")
> [@Ellen\_Cherry](#): > > Please cut out the insulting remarks. Everyone is still called upon to behave here with decorum, despite the fact that the subject matter is football playoffs. > > **Ellen Cherry > Game Room Moderator** We’re not permitted to trash talk? In a football thread? Yikes. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wild-card-weekend/523904/242 "2010-01-11T03:42:32Z")
Insult the team, not the poster. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wild-card-weekend/523904/243 "2010-01-11T03:44:53Z")
My post was supposed to be a friendly kind of joust, but OK, I take it back. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wild-card-weekend/523904/244 "2010-01-11T03:45:37Z")
Correction. The sucko defense only allowed 45 points. Aaron Rodgers handed over the last 6 points. In all seriousness, both pass defenses were terrible. Warner did whatever he wanted, and the Packers receivers found a lot of holes after the Cards relaxed with a big lead, but Rodgers made mistakes with the ball, and Warner didn’t. Rodgers came out with the yips in his first post season game. He settled down some in the 2nd half, but didn’t take care of the ball when it mattered most. You wouldn’t have seen favre let himself get stripped like that. You might have seen him bomb one 60 yards downfield into triple coverage and get picked, but he would have gotten the shot off. Standing around waiting for the perfect look isn’t necessarily any better than trying to thread the needle. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wild-card-weekend/523904/245 "2010-01-11T03:45:57Z")
But still, come on. Invoking the tuck rule when the ball never hit the ground? Lame. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wild-card-weekend/523904/246 "2010-01-11T03:48:22Z")
I didn’t realize the ball hadn’t hit the ground until it was pointed out in this thread. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wild-card-weekend/523904/247 "2010-01-11T03:55:43Z")
Rodgers heroically got his foot out and kicked it to keep it in the air, the Cardinal defender just kind of grabbed it and marched into the end zone. It was easily the most comical play of the weekend. Sorry so many people missed it. It’s not like they didn’t replay it a dozen times. > **[NFL.com | Official Site of the National Football League](https://www.nfl.com/videos/)** > > The official source for NFL news, video highlights, fantasy football, game-day coverage, schedules, stats, scores and more. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wild-card-weekend/523904/248 "2010-01-11T04:00:44Z")
I wasn’t disputing it. I just didn’t notice it. I was in the kitchen when it happened, and only saw the play from a distance. I thought the ball bounced off the ground. So did my dad, who was watching the game with me. Obviously, if it hit Rodgers’ foot, the tuck rule is immaterial, but I don’t think those who were discussing it realized the ball never hit the ground. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wild-card-weekend/523904/249 "2010-01-11T04:08:26Z")
So they didn’t see it, and they couldn’t have known what happened, and yet they absolutely should comment on what happened and what the official should have ruled? Sorry, it’s late, I’m having trouble following the logic, but my position stands that the play was reshown a dozen times and in clips all over the Internet and anyone with enough interest to argue about it should just kind of maybe watch the play. That’s all I’m saying. I don’t think it’s that extreme a position. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wild-card-weekend/523904/250 "2010-01-11T04:12:12Z")
> [@cricetus](#): > > Rodgers heroically got his foot out and kicked it to keep it in the air, the Cardinal defender just kind of grabbed it and marched into the end zone. It was easily the most comical play of the weekend. Sorry so many people missed it. It’s not like they didn’t replay it a dozen times. > > [NFL Football Highlights, Clips & Analysis | NFL.com](http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d815a5501/Wild-Card-Can-t-Miss-Play-Cards-pull-it-out) Wow. I wasn’t able to watch this game. Incredible. ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wild-card-weekend/523904/251 "2010-01-11T04:25:08Z")
It’s a pity when you can make fun of a QB who threw 400 yds and 4TD. If he’s super-choke-o the wimp-o, well…I dunno ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wild-card-weekend/523904/252 "2010-01-11T04:35:57Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > Kurt Warner may have just turned in the single greatest post-season performance by a Quarterback in the history of the NFL. > > ```auto > > C/ATT YDS AVG TD INT RATING > K. Warner 29/33 379 11.5 5 0 154.1 > > ``` > > Versus the regular season’s #2 overall defense and the #5 passing defense by total yards, #6 passing defense by yards per attempt, #4 defense by passer rating and #2 defense by completion percentage. > > Granted Green Bay didn’t exactly come out sharp on defense and it was perhaps the single worst gameplan ever devised, but history will not remember that and frankly it’s patently obvious and the same could be said of any other passing performance in the discussion. And Warner is talking about retiring again. The concussions are mounting up. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wild-card-weekend/523904/253 "2010-01-11T04:45:03Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > And Warner is talking about retiring again. The concussions are mounting up. He has basically made it official and has been talking about it well before this game. Of course an offseason of persuasion by the Cards might have an effect on that decision, but this would be one hell of a swan song if he’s done. Might even get him into the Hall. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wild-card-weekend/523904/254 "2010-01-11T11:16:30Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > Granted Green Bay didn’t exactly come out sharp on defense and it was perhaps the single worst gameplan ever devised, but history will not remember that and frankly it’s patently obvious and the same could be said of any other passing performance in the discussion. The same could definitely not be said about the 86 Broncos, whose defense absolutely came to play against the Giants. Didn’t much matter, though, as Phil Simms was a man among boys that day. Warner had more numbers, though not particularly better. When given two virtually identical passer ratings, though, more **is** better. 22-25 for 268 yards, 3 TDs 0 Ints But you can’t say the Broncos didn’t show up for Simms. Their defense was infinitely better than the Pack was yesterday. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wild-card-weekend/523904/255 "2010-01-11T11:35:16Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > The same could definitely not be said about the 86 Broncos, whose defense absolutely came to play against the Giants. Didn’t much matter, though, as Phil Simms was a man among boys that day. > > Warner had more numbers, though not particularly better. When given two virtually identical passer ratings, though, more **is** better. > > 22-25 for 268 yards, 3 TDs 0 Ints > > But you can’t say the Broncos didn’t show up for Simms. Their defense was infinitely better than the Pack was yesterday. Sorry, but your homerism is showing on this one. Simms was lights out, but there’s [zero evidence](http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1986/opp.htm) that that Broncos defense was in any way special. The numbers in the Super Bowl obviously reinforce the fact that they didn’t “show up”. I watched that game and the Broncos were getting owned just like the Packers were, and the Packers’ credentials this year were _much_ better. Warner and Simms were equal in efficiency and Warner did more of it against a much better opponent based on every single measure. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wild-card-weekend/523904/256 "2010-01-11T12:27:17Z")
> [@cricetus](#): > > So they didn’t see it, and they couldn’t have known what happened, and yet they absolutely should comment on what happened and what the official should have ruled? Sorry, it’s late, I’m having trouble following the logic, but my position stands that the play was reshown a dozen times and in clips all over the Internet and anyone with enough interest to argue about it should just kind of maybe watch the play. That’s all I’m saying. I don’t think it’s that extreme a position. Hey, c’mon. Please stop being a jerk about this. It’s not worth getting your dander up about. 😉 In the cold light of the morning, nothing has changed, except I have no desire to read USA Today today. At least, not the sports section. :mad: Oh, and **Dio** , Favre has managed any number of his own fumbles from having held onto the ball too long. They just aren’t as **memorable** as his picks into triple coverage when he should have thrown the ball away. Trust me, you’ll find out soon enough this post season. I hope 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wild-card-weekend/523904/257 "2010-01-11T13:36:53Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > Now, now, he’s not ignorant. His opinions are biased. Different flaw. 😉 No, he’s ignorant about football. He didn’t understand what the Psycho D is, why it wasn’t what the Packers had been using the whole game, and why I commented on it. But did his ignorance stop him from commenting? Hell No. He’s Dio. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wild-card-weekend/523904/258 "2010-01-11T14:09:17Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > Sorry, but your homerism is showing on this one. Simms was lights out, but there’s [zero evidence](http://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1986/opp.htm) that that Broncos defense was in any way special. The numbers in the Super Bowl obviously reinforce the fact that they didn’t “show up”. I watched that game and the Broncos were getting owned just like the Packers were, and the Packers’ credentials this year were _much_ better. > > Warner and Simms were equal in efficiency and Warner did more of it against a much better opponent based on every single measure. You’re moving the goalpost. What you said was this: > [@](#): > > Granted Green Bay didn’t exactly come out sharp on defense and it was perhaps the **single worst gameplan ever devised** , but history will not remember that and frankly it’s patently obvious and the **same could be said of any other passing performance in the discussion**. That’s patently false. The Broncos defensive gameplan was infinitely better than the Packers. They actually showed up. Zero evidence? How about the halftime score of both games: 10 Broncos 9 Giants (1 TD, 1 Safety) 24 Cardinals (3 TDs, 1 FG) 10 Packers By the second half the Broncos had been beaten down, allowing the Giants to assert themselves with an avalanche of 30 points. The Broncos showed up, but the Giants took it from them. The Packers simply never showed up. Big difference. You claim to have watched that game. Were you making a sandwich during the first half or something? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wild-card-weekend/523904/259 "2010-01-11T14:50:42Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > No, he’s ignorant about football. He didn’t understand what the Psycho D is, why it wasn’t what the Packers had been using the whole game, and why I commented on it. But did his ignorance stop him from commenting? Hell No. He’s Dio. You sound like you’re completely unfamiliar with the concept of football fan smack talk. It uses a lot of hyperbole, sarcasm, exaggeration and half-truth. It’s meant to be taken tongue in cheek, not literally. Relax. I know what the “psycho” set is, and I know they didn’t use it until late in the game (it still didn’t work). ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wild-card-weekend/523904/260 "2010-01-11T16:11:31Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > Warner and Simms were equal in efficiency and Warner did more of it against a much better opponent based on every single measure. Warner may have done it against a tougher defense, but he did it in a much easier environment. This year the average completion percentage across the league was 60.9%, and passer rating was 81.2. In 1986, those numbers were 55.4% and 71.5. It was a lot harder to complete 88% of your passes in 1986 then it is in 2010. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wild-card-weekend/523904.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-wild-card-weekend/523904.md?page=14)