Parcells is at fault here more than Romo. He should have been training either his 3rd string
QB or his punter to be the holder. Romo, at the end of a long tiring game, muffs the snap on
the FG: could have been avoided.
As long as we’re at it…why do they substitute balls for kick attempts? Is it because they’re afraid that somebody is going to surreptitiously over inflate one and substitute it back in (thereby theoretically giving the kicker extra yardage)? Wouldn’t that require some sort of collusion by the ref (line judge, side judge, whatever)?
It seems the balls they use on kicks, since they’re not used during the rest of the game, are smoother and shinier…therefore slipperier. Doesn’t seem fair–at least to the holders.
That’s because it took KC until the 3rd quarter to realize that if there’s 8 defenders in the box, you’re never going to be able to run the ball no matter who the defence is. Last year, Indy tried the same trick against Pittsburgh, except the Steelers were smart enough to put the game in Roethlisberger’s hands.
Cheers to Romo for his class act after the game (I just saw a replay of the after-game interview). At what had to be one of the toughest moments in his career, he came out and took ownership for his error.
Woo hoo! Go Pats!
That last offensive touchdown to Kevin Faulk was a thing of beauty. I don’t blame Pennington for that last interception though–Samuel’s back was to the QB, and he turned around at precisely the right moment.
Hopefully Rivers will be a jittery rookie next week. 
This is exactly why they were doing it. It doesn’t take any collusion by the refs since the each team brings it’s balls and they are handled by the ball boys on the sidelines. Essentially teams were putting some of the balls into ovens and humidors and all sorts of other things until they essentially acted like oblong kickballs out there. They implemented K-balls in order to stop this. Unfortunately it’s not a perfect solution since the K-balls tend to be inconsistent if kickers are to be believed.
To be precise, it’s entirely fair since both teams are playing in the same conditions. It might make the kicking game more challenging, which many people will argue is a very good thing, but there’s nothing unfair about it.
According to nfl.com:
Just to reinforce the explanation, rules dictate that each team can bring 36 of it’s own balls. They are allowed to use their own balls when on offense, and as a result had control over which ball was put in play on kicks. Naturally this led to doctoring of the balls. While they still fell within the pressure constraints, they were usually softened up to provide better control. In high school we had kicking balls which were incredibly easy to kick and aim. The newer, harder balls travel farther but are more difficult to control direction with. As a result you’re seeing longer FGs made, but more misses and more fumbled snaps.
Personally, I’m OK with it, I want NFL teams to settle for a FG attempt less often.
Fly, Eagles, fly! On the road to victory!..
Himself & I were AT the game in the Dome (lucky chance; Himself won tickets at work) and we wondered if Dungy was going to fine Manning for showing up late to the game.
And trust me, I’m not complaining about the job the defense did (for a change) but I felt like I was in one of those old “Folger’s Crystals” commercials: “We’ve replaced your usual defense with Folger’s Crystals. Let’s see if you notice - and will keep using it.”
As a Colts fan, it’s going to be a nail-biter the whole post-season - again. :rolleyes:
I’m not predicting a nail-biter at Baltimore next week.
Indy’s defense showed up this week, but they’ve been all right at home anyway.
Indy has lost their last 4 road games while averaging 18 points.
Of course nothing surprises me in the NFL. Indy did go into New England and beat the Pats, so they do have it in them, but I’m not seeing a close one in Baltimore.
Most interesting battle in that game is going to be Freeny vs. Ogden. Ogden sat out the last two weeks of the season, and has a sore toe. He’s practicing, and he’ll play, but even while healthy, Freeny pwn3d his ass in Indy a couple years back in the regular season.
Ogden’s replacement has been all right.
Okay, well 3-1 aint bad, but I didn’t see some of the games going that way.
I expected KC and Indy to both showcase more offense. I have no idea what speech the Indy D was given prior to the game but it worked! Larry Johnson is a stud, and they stopped him cold. Of course it helped that Trent Green couldn’t complete a 5yd pass, but still…
Dallas losing in Seattle made my freakin year! I feel bad for Romo, but not that bad!!
I really thought the Jets would pull an upset, but man you just can’t beat against the Pats in the postseason. They are just crazy good this team of year.
As for Philly beating the Giants,… bah. The only way that game ended well for me would have been if both teams had been thrown out of the playoffs for fighting or something. Ah well…
Next Week:
Colts @ Ravens
Indy never plays all that well out of the doom, and if it’s a messy day in Baltimore I expect the Colts will get clobbered by that Ravens defense. Ah, who am I kidding? Even on a sunny day the Ravens will be taking Petyon to the ground hard and often.
Ravens by 7
**Eagles @ Saints **
The Saints are a suprise team this year (suprise! my 'Skins beat you at home!!! haha) and are my favorites in the playoffs this year. Two experinced QB’s, and two very good defenses make this the game to watch. I think the home field gives the Saints the edge in this one, and I think Reggie Bush will have an amazing day.
Saints by 17
**Seahawks @ Bears **
Alexander had a rough day against the Cowboys and Hasslebeck put up two picks… and that was at home against an average defense! If Rex Grossman has just an average day (110-150yds passing) the Bears defense will do the rest. I expect this game to get boring fast…
Bears by 14
**Pats @ Chargers **
My head says Chargers, but my heart just loves them gutsy Pats! I just dont know how the Pats go on the road and beat Tomlinson and that Chargers defense. I bet against them last week, so…
Pats by 3
3-1 again! At least when considering win picks, not points! I had the Pats by 3 and that worked out. I am suprised the Colts played so well on the road, but maybe this is Peyton’s year. Except he now has to play against Brady and the Pats…
So its:
Patriots @ Colts
and
Saints @ Bears
no picks yet, have to think on this one a couple days.
What a game!
I still can’t believe the Pats were able to beat the Chargers. I was actually making myself sick watching the game today.
On to Indy…GO PATS!
Also, what a wild weekend in the AFC! Both the #1 Chargers and the #2 Ravens are out of the playoffs!
Good call.
Oh, Marty. Marty, Marty, Marty.
You and the playoffs were just not meant for each other.
Woo-hoo! Go Pats!
And apparently Marty has been going the Herm Edwards school of clock management.
What a pathetic coaching job by Marty.
1st down - LDT runs for 6 yards.
2nd down - incompletion
3rd down - incompletion
punt
JUST GIVE LDT THE BALL!
The Chargers were CLEARLY the better team and got humiliated at home. If I were a Chargers fan I would be furious.
Ya have to feel for Marty. How many times can a person take that kind of disappointment? He has taken losing in the playoffs to an art form.
My picks…
**Pats @ Colts **
With an energized Colts D, and the home field advantage you still have to think Brady and the Pats will win this game. But damit, I am a Peyton fan! How can you not be a fan of such an obviously skilled QB? So I will follow my heart on this one and take the Colts.
Colts by 10
**Saints @ Bears **
Is Grossman the real deal? No. He is the Trent Dilfer of this playoff season. But Trent, behind a stellar defense did win the Super Bowl. But the Bears D are not the Ravens D of old, and the Bears need a better QB. But regardless, even if Rex was the man, I would have to pick the Saints. I just love the rag to riches type of stories.
Saints by 6
btw… I saw Prince is playing the halftime show for the Super Bowl this year. So I assume the show will still suck, but probably only half as much as it normally does.
bbtw… I know im not the only one here who still has a tape of the “Purple Rain” soundtrack!? Best soundtrack, ever!
I wonder if he’ll wear the buttless pants.
He was the original Janet Jackson.