NFL Playoff Live Blog: Jaguars-Steelers, Halftime and 2nd Half
Saturday, January 05, 2008
The Ben did a music video with a Pittsburgh country band called the PovertyNeck Hillbillies, which is where that photo comes from. Safe to say he's not walking away with the girl tonight unless some miracle happens, but he can at least take solace in his ability to drink like a champion.
"I'm mopping up here like Ben Roethlisberger is gonna be mopping up if he doesn't quit throwing interceptions here pretty soon." - Cris Collinsworth (via False Rumour Monger)
Jags take the kickoff out to the 32 to start the second half. Taylor burrows for 2 yards. Oooh, a rare occurrence -- Garrard is picked off! -- he'd only thrown three picks the whole season. Dumptruck gets stuffed. The Ben throws to Miller for a first down. Russell rushes to the 30. Ben to Holmes at the 16 for a first down. Dumptruck gets stood up again. Holmes gets smacked on the screen pass. Tomlin has covered up the fro with a cap now. Ben throws the checkdown to Dumptruck, and it's short of the first. The Naked Kicker will be on for a FG try, and it's good. 21-10, Jags.
Jags start at their own 18. Rush up to the 25. Garrard rushes for a 1st on a 3rd down. Another short rush on first down, and Garrard gets sacked on 2nd down. Garrard throws out for a first down on the next play, and the Jags are making a serious drive into Pitt territory -- another catch, they're now at the 15 -- and MoJo Drew just waltzes into the end zone on the rush. Scobee's kick is up and good, 28-10.
"They're going to have at least one penetrator on every play" -JM (via Smitty Lite)
That Emmitt Just For Men ad - no words to describe how dull that was. At least in the past the ads with Keith Fernandez and Clyde the Glide were funny.
The Ben starts on the 30 and tosses it over to Heath Miller. 2nd down at the 50, short rush for Russell. The Ben hits his MVB inside the 40, flag on the play is declined. Russell rushes into the middle for a yard. False start moves the Steelers back five yards. The Ben is then sacked by Meier, and Tomlin's got a decision to make about whether to go for it or punt.
(Apologies for inconsistency, folks. I'm handling this live-blog and talking with the maternal unit on the phone.)
4th and 12, and Ben throws it to Santonio -- WHO GOES ALL THE WAY FOR THE SCORE!!! Naked Kicker comes on for the extra point -- 28-17, Jags.
Jacksonville started just before its own 30, and Garrard threw a bad pass, and he just got mashed on third down. Yikes. The Steelers, dare I say it, are gaining momentum. Fair catch at the 31 yard line of Pittsburgh with 14 minutes left in the game. We've got something here. The Ben to the MVB out to the 43 yard line. MVB takes the screen pass out past midfield.
"He's a wide receiver that plays like a linebacker. Sometimes, he plays like a nose tackle." - Madden on Ward. The Ben is nearly picked again on a rifle shot, and it's 3rd and 3. Converted via a pass to Ward yet again. Ben goes Sex Cannon for end zone, but it goes through Nate Washington's hands. Heath Miller breaks a tackle after the catch for another first down. Dumptruck takes the ball up to the Jax 24. Cedric Wilson hauls in the next pass, and a little bit of pushing and shoving going on...Dumptruck drops the pass on 1st down. Fake on the next play, toss to Miller, and TOUCHDOWN, STEELERS. Two point conversion coming up. The MVB hauls in the fade route for the conversion, but there's a flag -- oops, it's on Steelers center Sean Mahan!
"Ward for the touchdown!" - Al, on the two-point try. Oops. Thanks to all of you for catching that.
All of you talking about the weird audio, I got it too. It sounds like there's some weird phone touch tones in the background.
The Ben rushes for end zone for the two point and comes up three yards short, starting from the 12. So, it's 28-23, Jags.
"It's the playoffs. You can tell." - Al. Of course we can. I'm still trying to figure out where that hold was that Sean Mahan committed. Seriously.
Do you really think Eric Mangini would actually get NFL content on his phone? I don't. The Jags are trying to get back to the rush, and it's second and long right now -- Garrard is picked off again, this time by Ike Taylor, and he takes it back to the Jacksonville 30 or so, where Garrard tackles him.
Ben throws to Wilson, Dumptruck rushes short of the first down. Ben gets the first on the QB sneak. Flag on the Jags.
Did you see that "Leinart-like" push that Ben got? - Mal
Yup, just like the Bush Push. Another toss complete, 2nd and goal at the one. Rollout pass by the Ben is incomplete. They're gonna try and smash it in here. Another pass tipped, and a 4th down decision. I say kick the FG because your defense is hauling ass right now, you'll get it back -- but Tomlin's going for it, and the pass to the MVB is incomplete -- and pass interference is called on Jacksonville. Bullshit call. Ward had his hands all over the corner; even Dwyane Wade thinks the MVB got too much of the benefit of the doubt there.
New set of downs. Dumptruck rushes, one ref calls touchdown -- and the other agrees. Go for two or kick? Two point try, and this one's broken up. 29-28, Steelers.
The returner not named MoJo Drew for the Jags is tackled down at the 21, and let's see what Garrard is made of now, with the clock on him and down by one point. Still a lot of clock to work with. False starts don't help, and neither do drops by fullbacks like Greg Jones, who had a first down easy on that throw. Yeesh. Garrard hits Northcutt for a 1st down, and the penalty flag is for illegal contact on Pittsburgh. Taylor gets three, Garrard has to scramble and throw it away, and it's 3rd and 7 -- which Al just called 4th and 7.
"If they don't get it on 4th and 7, they're going to have to punt." - Al. Nicely done. Garrard is sacked yet again on 3rd and 7, and the punter will come on out again.
Punt returned by Wilson to the 22. Dumptruck gets five yards on the carry. Stuffed on the next carry, and Del Rio calls time out.
That sound you hear is the massive gagging coming from the Jacksonville sideline. What a chokejob. - Anon
If Dirk Koetter is calling plays, this has got to be his last game. This is so reminiscent of ASU's games where he failed to run the ball and kill the clock while the other team crept back in and won the game. - Steve
Damn, I thought this kind of collapse looked familiar. I forgot Dirk Koetter was employed. Why Jacksonville took another time out after the Ben came up short on the 3rd down rush, I don't know. I think you save that one, but I'm not a coach.
Northcutt brings it back to the 49, and Garrard's throw to Ernest Wilford is incomplete. Really? They want to waste their last time out on this challenge? This is going to backfire in Del Rio's face.
Moron coaching staff wasn't ready to call the next play. They forced themselves into risking their last time out by challenging. This is epic and it will not be mentioned. - Anon
That play stood, and Del Rio is a fucking idiot. Let this be known. You don't waste your last timeout on a challenge like that. Garrard throws to Reggie Williams for a 3rd and 2. Marcedes Lewis drops the 3rd down pass, as Troy Polamalu rushes in on the safety blitz. GARRARD RUMBLES ALL THE WAY TO THE 12! He churned those legs that Madden loves so much for about 30 yards. MoJo loses a couple yards on the next carry, and call me crazy, but this rushing for the FG strategy may bite again.
And speaking of FG strategies backfiring, they replay Romo's fumbled snap from last year, right on cue. The next two MoJo rushes get the ball to the 2 yard line. Chip shot FG here, Jax takes the delay penalty to move it to the 7 yard line. Here's Scobee's try....it's up....AND IT'S GOOD. 31-29, Jags.
Can the Ben get it into FG range with 37 seconds left and no time outs?
"The ball starts when Pittsburgh touches it." - AM (via Anon, who calls it the "GREATEST LINE EVER!")
Dumptruck's out to the 29 of Pitt with 29 seconds left. AND THE BEN GETS SUPLEXED ON THE SACK BY MCRAE! FUMBLE, AND JACKSONVILLE BALL! Garrard kneels, and the game's over, 31-29, Jaguars!
I'd like to note that Andrea Kremer gave David Garrard the eyes she usually reserves for Tom Brady. Garrard's all about it; he's married to a blonde.
Fucking incredible game, people. Thanks for joining me. OMDQ will be live-blogging Giants-Bucs at 1 PM EDT tomorrow, and I'll follow with Titans-Chargers. Come back tomorrow!
161 Comments:
"I'm mopping up here like Ben Roethlisberger is gonna be mopping up if he doesn't quit throwing interceptions here pretty soon." - CC
Question: Are Tiki Barber and Jerome Bettis dating? LOL They make a lovely couple!
Steelers have a chance to make this a game here...
I forgot how bad Big Ben was in that super bowl a couple years ago...
What is mike Tomlin Chewing?
just For Men?
Emmitt Smith having to speak no lines was the best part of that commercial.
"They're going to have at least one penetrator on every play" -JM
Methinks the boys in Foxborough are gonna root like heck for Tennessee.
You think that play just tore the hearts out of Pitt? They gonne be able to stay competitive in this game?
Do or die series coming up here. JM said "boom!" Shots!
I'd like to see Brady Quinn run those tires after drinking some shots!
The biggest Loser? is that a promo for the NFL network?!
smitty lite, Steely McBeam is gonna play QB next series
McBeam's coming in? That's it, the Jags are done then. They should just quit... McBeam will throw for 400 and 5 TD's.
I predict that if writer's strike doesn't end, NBC will promote "hollywood Gladiators" with Britney Spears and Paris Hilton and women enduring handbag fights and hairpulling. Naked in Jello would be nice!
Wait I guess that would be "Skank" Gladiators
You could also call it trainwreck gladiators.
If Tomlin punts he's given up on the game. You can't punt here.
Smitty, what guys would you put on it?
Wait, Andrea Kremer is there? Has she said a word yet?
missed tackle short of the 1st down, and now Pitt's still in it if their defense decides to show up
Put on what? Trainwreck gladiator?
Umm... maybe TO. Tommy Lee? Pete Dougherty (sp?)
It's easier to up with girls...
What would Timlin say to inspire the D? I can guess what Cowher would do. Ben looks like he's crying on the sideline at the Kick off
The Emmitt Smith "Just For Men" commercial made me snicker -- now he's hanging with Keith Hernandez and Walt Frazier.
I was really hoping to hear Emmitt do play-by-play like the hokey stuff in the original, with lines like "REEE-jected!" after the bar whore gives the cold shoulder to the graybeard guy.
"an NFL Size Hunger", followed by "resident Evil, Extinction"
What if the Resident Evil virus infected the Verizon horde? Interesting!
Is NBC having all kinds of A/V problems or is it just me?
My sound volume has fluctuated
The Just for Men ad needed a Cialis ad after it.
I'm getting a bunch of static with the sound...
Oh, and what the hell was with Jax going three straight passes on that last possession?
Big Ben's clock strikes midnight if he gets picked off here
All of a sudden Jax can't tackle.
"He has beaten your gap" -JM
I thought the crews in the wild card round were teams that had worked together all year. The "all-stars" start next weekend. At least that is what they said in the last game.
How in hell does an Umpire who was docked a paycheck considered one of the top six in the league? This is a travesty.
That was a real man catch by Ward. Ruined by holding call.
Ward for the touchdown! too funny
Al, that was not a touchdown, that was a two point conversion attempt.
Game on! WTF! Jax offense needs to come out and run the ball. The Blasian make a great catch, holding call. no dice
Wow, thank Al, we didn't know that "this is the playoffs".
Jaguars are starting to act a little cunty.
I think the "static-like" sound in the audio is Madden wadding up hot dog wrappers as he goes "Kobayashi" in the booth.
How does "Ward for the touchdown!" by AM NOT make the pantheon of worst calls ever?
Deal or No Deal?
No Fuckin' deal!
This has become a game of bigtime pain and hits
they've been acting cunty all day long
AT Least Jax ran a running play
do you think Eric Mangini's sausage fingers can actually push the buttons on his phone? I don't.
At least Garard can tackle. Collins and Ben couldn't. Why make that throw!!! So much for QB rating.
Oh my god... What is going on? Jack Del Rio has the Norv! face going on now...
at least Garrard cleaned up his own mess. nice form tackle by the QB
I do believe that FG Scobee blew may yet come back to haunt Jax
Holy shit, now Jacksonville is literally throwing away the game.
Garrard is soon to be as obsolete as the record players of the same name.
Notice how Al has calmed down a bit. That Jags -3 is starting to look shaky for him.
Why would Jax be throwing with a late lead? odd play-calling.
Christ, drinking shots everytime JM is incoherent is catching up to me
Did you see that "Leinart-like" push that Ben got?
Pittsburgh is kicking Jacksonville in the teeth right now.
Neither of these Bozos gets that Ward is hurt. Tools.
Did you see that "Leinart-like" push that Ben got?
Yeah, Bush pushing Leinart vs. Notre Dame. I thought that was suppose to be a penalty.
holy stonehands.
Hines Ward was holding that corner the whole time... Terrible Call...
"It's an automatic first down if it's against the defence." - JM.
No shit, Madden.
I know you guys are going blast me for this, but Hines Ward is playing a chippy game. He's the instigator with Nelson and that was play was the equivalent of a basketball flop.
Al's excited again - they are taking the TD off the board.
NBC has at least two other angles of the face mask/pi. Do we get to see them?
Atrocious.
Are these refs having a bad game or is it just me?
PI could've gone either way, but with the way Jax has been thumping on Ward all night, they've been inviting that call. Ward's lucky he didn't break a finger there.
How come running backs seem to always go through the line at the goal line instead of over the top like they did back in the day?
that play was absoulute bullshit. hines ward was holding his facemask like a motherfucker.
bullshit
hines ward is a prick
Perfect timing for the Subway commercial!
Ward is either "chippy" or "hard nosed" depending on your perspective.
Ward is playing a bit like the "enforcer" would in hockey - trying to fire his team up.
Steve, I won't blast you. I agree to an extent, but Jax has been thumping Ward all day, so he's got right to be chippy at this point, and don't forget, there's bad blood still from the last meeting...
Normally I say Ward is hard nosed, but I think we was starting to pout and act like a baby.
curious,
ever see the clip of Bobby Humphrey getting his facemask broekn and his mouthpiece knocked out trying to go over the pile? There's the answer to your question. Too f-n dangerous.
hines ward is the biggest douchebag in sports.
Heinz Ward?
Jax is killing themselves. Terrible drop by Jones there...
anon @ 75:
I think you mean Tony Romo.
33 Jones for Jax should be thanking 86 for bailing him out
MJD is a stud blocker.
im an eagles fan, and i think i might hate the steelers more than the cowboys. fuck em
Jax play calling is nuts. Why keep asking Garrad to make good throws. Run it!!! You've got two stud backs and you throw on 2nd and 7. Stupid.
Hey, what movie was it that had the refs on the field with seeing eye dogs and white canes? Are they shooting a sequel in P'burg tonight?
mal,
He might have some com, though. Weaver was blowing people up in the Seattle game.
"If they don't get a yard here on 4th and 7 I think they're going to have to punt." - AM
He meant third but haha.
That sound you hear is the massive gagging coming from the Jacksonville sideline. What a chokejob. Del Rio and his O-coordinator have really mismanaged the clock.
Now - how do Steelers play it here? Can they run it and work the clock?
If Dirk Koetter is calling plays, this has got to be his last game. This is so reminiscent of ASU's games where he failed to run the ball and kill the clock while the other team crept back in and won the game.
Steelers running the ball. Wow, what a concept - something JAX should have been doing when they were up 18.
Big stop by Jax there. what a game. I love the playoffs!
The idea to throw the ball has killed Jax. The picks and the one series where they went 3 and out on 3 pass plays. I can't figure that out when you've pushed the Pitt d-line around.
Jax will creep back, and make it a game to the very end, win or lose
@Steve- I totally agree. Dirk's terrible play-calling and time mismanagement is rearing it's ugly head again...
YES! STOPPED!
That Ben keeper was odd.
What a stupid damn play call. Not that The Ben did anyone a favor by attempting to sell the fake. Plenty of time for Jax now to win it.
Nice block by the "chippy" Hines Ward on that play though.
nice return
If JAX can't get 25 yds with a timeout in their pocket, they don't deserve to win.
el siglo
So much for that time out.
yea really.
complete waste
Moron coaching staff wasn't ready to call the next play. They forced themselves into risking their last time out by challenging. This is epic and it will not be mentioned.
Whooo. Big risk. If Del Rio loses this challenge, he loses his last timeout. Looks like he trapped it.
As JM said earlier - "you have two hands on the ball but you still have ball left over".
what the hell is jack thinking
Remember this is the same guy who came up with the idea of "keep chopping wood" - and the punter put an ax in his leg.
retard
RUN THE BALL! They have lots of time and (did have) one timeout. Sheesh, this is awful game management.
this is going to end sweet. i can tell
I've got a weird wavering sound all night, like there's an oscilloscope running in the video truck.
Oh, and the stillers are going to give me an f'ing heart attack.
I think Jax has plenty of time, unless Garrard throws another floater.
Why would you not run a play before the 2 minute warning?
One more, sorry. Not sure of the challenge rules. Can you challenge w/ no time outs left? What happens if you lose, since they can't take a TO away?
The Blue Man on NBC? Damn I gotta lay off the shots!
I wanna hear some old school Donnie Iris on a bump. WTF he's from Pittsburgh.
Under 2 minutes challenges come from the booth
a throw? like that? come on
Wow - can't beat him with the arm - beat him with the legs.
FUCK YESSSS!!!!!!
oh my god! AMAZING!!!
holy fuckup by Pittsburgh's D.
Wow. My brother called that before the play. Wide open lanes...
I am having a coronary, RIGHT NOW.
I hope Vince Young is taking notes.
JUST RUN THE CLOCK DOWN!!! DON'T THROW IT AGAIN!!!
Omar looks like House just pwned him.
RUNRUNRUNRUN
JM is a moron. No shots to the end zone. Run up the middle, kick the chip shot.
Love that Romo play.
is that a reference to house the show steve?/explain?
I'm calling it now. There's going to be a fumble.
Kick the field goal on 3rd down?
wow. great game
What happens if Scobee yanks this thing?
Keep it simple, Del Rio.
Take a knee. Run the 40 off. Kick the FG.
What was the safety doing on that Garrard run? He was 30 yards off the line.
if they can get the td running, they should definetly go for it before a fg
I like taking the delay and backing up 5 yards.
block that kick! block that kick!
what about outside of two minutes? bad coaching not having timeouts with three or four minutes aside...
yea... if he misses though....
They're not covering...
well done mr. scobee
Is Madden seriously criticizing that with a shaky QB, that JAX make him think? When a chip shot attempt is guaranteed?
What an idiot!
The crappy punt / good return on the last Pitt punt set this whole thing up.
Does this exonerate Del Rio?
If Pitt kicks XP's, we're tied right now...
Yikes, Al went a little nutty with the match there. If you choose to kick the PAT you have 1 point which would mean Pit is down by 1 point right now. It's getting late I guess.
tick, tick tick, tick, tick tick tick tick, tick
GREATEST LINE EVER!
"The ball starts when Pittsburgh touches it." - AM
FUMBLE!!
Game Over
Ben just clowned this thing away. This has gone from bone head QB play from one side to the other.
see you next year, Shittsburgh
and prick hines ward
Man, talk about backing in. Jacksonville not very impressive during the second half of this game.
Despite horrible second half coaching, the Jags do it. Phew!
And I called it -- there was a fumble. lol
Good night, Pittsburgh. Look out, New England.
best part is seeing hines wards face. nothing he can say anymore
Classy move by Ben to wait for Garrard to finish his victory interview to congratulate him.
Jax at NE will be a fun game next week, barring a Titans upset to mess with the fun. The Jags have a good secondary, and I'm thrilled that they will likely meet up with the Pats in what should be a good game.
nice job as always AA.
I live blogged for my new company's site at Mahalo:
http://www.mahalo.com/jaguars_steelers_live_coverage
A more linear version of the game than yours, to be sure.
BTW, nice job by NBC finding work for Edie Falco on the sidelines
This first NFL playoff Saturday shows why the NFL's system and the rest of the sports world is SOOO much better then NCAA football and the BCS.
I thought Chris was doing "Tab" commercials! Seattle. Green Bay will kick their ass all over the field, Seattle is not a road team.