AFC Divisional Playoff Live Blog: Chargers @ Steelers, 2nd Half
Sunday, January 11, 2009
James Harrison is going to eat you all alive. Especially if you're wearing a white uniform in the snow right now.
Kaeding kicks to Gary Russell, who takes it out to the 24. Parker busts out for a first down by cutting to the right and following the block. He then grabs another three on the next carry, but then gets stuffed. Ben rifles his first pass of the half to Holmes thanks to some good pass-blocking. Ben goes deep for Holmes this time -- but it's just beyond his grasp as he lays out for a 60 yard pass. Parker loses a yard on the carry. Ben hits Washington at the Chargers' 32 for another first down.
Carry for Parker for two yards; checkdown to Davis for no yardage. 3rd and 8 -- and Ben finds Heath Miller on the right side, he runs past the marker and heads all the way to the 11. Ben rolls out to his right, hits Miller at the two yard line, Miller leaps....and, TOUCHDOWN, STEELERS! Reed's kick is up and good, 21-10, Pittsburgh! That drive sucked up a ton of the third quarter.
Darren Sproles breaks off a HUGE return, running through the gap and to the right sideline. 63 yard return, and if the Chargers don't do anything with this, they're through.
The pass by Rivers is tipped....it flips up...and it's INTERCEPTED BY LARRY FOOTE! Suck it, Rivers!
They're playing Against Me! in a football stadium. Holy hell. I saw that band in a couple of real dingy tiny clubs and now their music is on stadium PAs. Anyway, Norv loses the challenge, like we thought he would, because he's Norval Eugene Turner. Parker gains four, as Charger defenders yell, "He's holdin' the shit outta me!" God bless on-field mics. End around for the first down. Another first down on the rush for Parker....but that's coming back for a holding penalty on Miller.
Draw play for three yards. Not much. Punt coming, and it bounces off Eric Weddle's helmet!!! Sadly, it can't be advanced, but the Bolts are still in even more trouble. Ball at the Chargers' 22!
Oh, glorious Norv Face in Snow, in HD.
Hines Ward picks up a long first down by getting extra yards after the catch, and this is a late hit on the Bolts to make it first and goal very close. Ward is laughing at Cletus Gordon, too. Parker burrows to the 1 yard line. Ben rolls left and throws it away. 3rd and goal. Russell fights for it, but is short. Third quarter ends. Phil's calling for the 4th down goal line play.
Carry goes to Davis...and the Chargers stop him short!
Woodley just gave Rivers some suplex action on that play. Phil the Floater throws 2nd down out of bounds. Bolts wind up punting again. Hee.
Apparently anytime the QB is sacked it should be unnecessary roughness according to the announcers. - Zidane Valor
There's more roughing the passer calls than actually exist in both college and pro. I understand wanting to protect guys who are usually wide open to being hurt, but c'mon, NFL, lighten up. Woodley will probably be fined for that one.
Roethlisberger goes deep for Nate Washington and gets tackled in the end zone. PI on the Chargers, first and goal at the one. Gary Russell steps it into the end zone......TOUCHDOWN, STEELERS! Reed's kick is good, 28-10.
Generally, I think PI in the NFL ought to be reduced to a spot foul only up to 15 yards. Any more and it's only a 15 yard penalty.
Down 11 and taking an intentional safety? Nantz and Simms can't possibly be serious, can they? - Anon
Nantz out-coaches Norv when he suggests the Chargers take the safety on 4th and 20 from their 1. - Mal
That was amazingly stupid as far as a suggestion went. And Phil played the game. He really doesn't have any excuse for being that dumb. Rivers' first pass is to Jackson for 8 yards at the 34. Say hello to Brett Kiesel, Philip. Another sack (rubs hands with glee, then cat's cradles them.) Eeeeexcellent. Rivers then hits Brandon Manumaleuna, who gets a first down because there's no one in the area at all. Pocket Darren gets another first down on the screen pass.
Looks like LaDamlian will be watching the rest of the playoffs on his Vizio... - James Craven
Another completion to Manumaleuna. Chambers hauls in a 3rd down pass past midfield. This Steelers prevent defense sucks. King Douchebag throws it out of bounds. He then hits Chambers deep, and gets extra yardage thanks to a personal foul call on Troy Polamalu. First and goal at the 4. Rivers hits the quick throw to Legadu Naane for the San Diego touchdown. Kaeding's kick is good, 28-17.
Ben aims for Nate Washington again and the ball falls incomplete. Rolled over on to the ground. Steelers pick up the first, as Hines Ward makes a nice catch while falling. Parker rushes for two. Parker finds a hole on the outside and makes his way down the sideline for 27 yards. He grabs six more, then Moore follows up with a run to the left for a first down.
"The Chargers have had enough of Big Ben. They've seen him three times this year." - Jim
"Three times?" - Phil
"Yeah, you were there when they saw him in London, the clock tower!" - Jim
Ouch. Anyway, Parker just ran into the end zone for a Steelers touchdown, which ought to put this one on ice. 35-17, Pittsburgh.
Another shot of Rivers on the ground.....oh, it's so beautiful. And Scifres is punting, admitting it's a lost cause. Pure Norval. Moore fair catches.
This game is officially over because Byron Leftwich is in now....yawn. So the AFC Championship Game will be a barn-burner of defense; the third match-up between the Ravens and the Steelers this year.
Why is SD punting down 18 with 3:30 to go? Punting gives you zero chance. Who cares what the score is. - BWAlaska
Because Norv Turner is a loser and a wuss.
This has been another edition of Simple Answers to Simple Questions.
Berger punts to Mighty Mouse, who only runs back for four yards before being forced out of bounds.
Why are these guys not pounding the Steelers here at least a bit on clock management? They run out of bounds, they are throwing the ball up 18???? Is Tomlin trying to hit 60 points like Stoops in the Big XII championship game? - Mal
I'd get a bit more riled up about it if the plays were successful. At least his second teamers are on the field.
OK, Tomlin challenging a pass call this late might be a bit on the asshole side. But he might be right.
Sproles gets a stat-padding touchdown for 62 yards. Kaeding's kick is good, 35-24.
The onside kick is called for offsides on the Steelers, and they'll re-kick. The kick goes into the arms of Gary Russell, and that is truly game with no time outs left for the Bolts. Knees down, game over, 35-24 Steelers! Bye bye, Norval. Bye bye, Marmalard.
I went 2-2 this weekend pick-wise, if you're asking or care. I will be out of town next weekend, sadly -- so AA will have something ready for you, I'm sure. See you in a couple weeks, guys!
181 Comments:
5 Arby's Roast beef sandwiches for $5.95? Somebody call Andy Reid, stat!
Phil and Jim are close to Al and John as far as broadcasting teams go.
It is Sci-FRES.
Not a bad kick for a man with a groin injury.
Kaeting is out there in spite of his groin...his own we hope.
Oh yay. Nathan's back, everybody!
Willie is starting to replace Bettis.
Free Willie!!!!
Wet Willie!!!
Dry Willie!!!
Let's see if Norv wastes a challenge.
Why does everyone on CBS keep saying that Pittsburgh shouldn't abandon the run like they are down by two-scores?
Can I get four in a row?
Willie Wonka.
Nope
Lots of chocolate
And peanut butter
Sorry, Tristan if I stepped on your Willie Wonka line.
Pittsburgh is starting to take control.
Apparently trolls can't count...
You created it.
You stepped on my Willie Wonka.
Lemme ask you a question: Why does CBS still use a bug for NFL games when they have a top bar of college? Can't they make up their minds?
Wee Willie Wonka
SHIT! I fell for Nathan Fucking Brice again.
They are pro sports whores.
Partner? When did Jim Nantz become Cap'n Three Sheets To The Wind?
I am charming.
Zidane
More passes = more play stoppages = more commercials
He is Captain CAVEMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Holy cow, the Steelers have an offense!
I need a gun, JFein to kill this Nathan brice. NOW!
Zedadine Zidane!!!!
It's time to play OLD FRENCH WHORE!!!!
Am I the only one that sees the "Instability bad...drinkability good" as Bud Light's big Super Bowl campaign this year?
And here's the star of Old French Whore.........
Once again, Go Play In Motherfucking Traffic On I-265, Nathan Fucking Brice!
......you can finish that one for yourself.
I get the feeling San Diego has at least one more TD in them before this game ends.
"That equalizes a lot of things." - Phil Simms after the kick return, forgetting that it's still a 2-score game.
Will S2N please remove the comments of Tristan "Nathan Brice" Wright?
Will Ferrell was the host on Saturday Night Live.
@ James Craven: Just ignore the troll.
It helps "Carmen" San Diego.
Holy cow, the Steelers have an defense too! Oh wait, we already knew that.
I am over six feet.
Just when they thought he was out, Nathan Trollman brice pulls us back in.
Fucktard.
What has been happening in here?
Norv makes his usual bad challenge attempt.
Where has everybody been?
Norv and his brother are not the best head coaches in college and NFL.
Norv holding grass in his hand > Norv face.
His brother is Ron Turner, who was head coach at Illinois before becoming the offensive coordinator of the Bears.
And Norv is about to waste a Charger timeout.
FIRE NORV TURNER!
Norv Turner > Nathan Trollman.
He may have been using grass. You never know.
I am over six feet. I am.
That was a desperate attempt to try to save the game.
If I had a dollar for every smart comment Nathan Brice ever made, I would be broke.
Irony = Howie Long questioning the manhood of other men while he wears makeup as part of his job
Norv Turner has lost both challenges.
And somehow, I feel all happy inside.
There's a troll in Central Park!!!
"Norv Turner did absolutely the right thing by challenging that." - Phil Simms not realizing the idiocy of that statement.
This game could end in a hurry.
Simms has said that two bad challenges were "good challenges" - one when Tomlin challenged the spot of the ball and then the challenge by Norv of the Pitt INT. Desperation does not equal good challenge, Phil.
Unknown player on the field mic "He's holding the shit out of him"
Now, now James Craving, you can't be opining like that. It angers Nathan Brice.
Norv blows a challenge; that's about as expected as me closing the comments of troll posts before I even read them; i.e., 100 percent expected!
By the way, I'm amused by the Chevy Silverado ads where Howie Long insults the special features of their competitors, such as the Ford's "man-step" and the Dodge's heated wheel. We need more car ads which bash their competitors like it's a political campaign.
That was a desperate attempt to save the game. It had to be done.
I have your Facebook address, Nathan. And I might give it to AA and S2N just to send you personal messages that you'll be banned, as they will likely change the method of their way of how messages are posted.
I love how Jim threw out a barb at Frogger earlier in the game.
He can't be Gallaga. He might be able to be called Jungle Hunt.
Now Now, JFein, I posted his Facebook address after deductive treasoning. I will send it to AA and S2N soon.
NORV FACE!
I wonder if he can be called Qix because Qix just keeps getting harder to find. He can't return that ball.
Fair catch by Jose Canseco.
That is a fourth down rule.
Oh, great. Nathan wants to be "wild" now.
I meant to spell James Craven, not James Craving. My empty stomach is really starting to get the best of me.
Oh yeah, shove the guy when he's out of bounds, bright move.
I wonder why S2N hasn't pulled from the comments section at all this half....
JamesC@634: CBS didn't go to a top bar for college games until this season. It's just one of many reasons why CBS telecasts look cheap.
JFein - sometimes I get lazy.
Go for it!
@ James Craven: How could you have possibly gotten his Facebook address? There's 13 people on FB names Nathan Brice and the website he uses is the Microsoft search engine (or whatever it is), live.com
Hey, chuckyinjersey, they sould have done it for all football games college and pro. And yes, CBS stands for the Cheap Broacasting System. Kathleen Sullivan 198something.
@ S2N: Oh, I figured it was because you didn't want to swift through George Jones/Nathan Brice/Tristan Wright/WildWhatever
S2N not pulling comments out means we need to step up our game.
Well, JFein, when i told him to "go play in traffic" on I-95, he said it was near I-265, and that's near Birmingham, Alabama. And I Googled his name and found it. End of story.
*That should be "sift through", not "swift through"
Chargers held.....I think.
S2N
Very impressed it took until the midpoint of the third quarter before you said anything negative about Phillip Rivers.
@ James Craven: Damn, you're good. And as you probably already know, there is a Nathan Brice on Facebook from Birmingham, Alabama.
There's a major problem with CBS using a top bar for football: They have to cram the info to make it 4:3 title safe. CBS's NCAA basketball bar is awesome, and I hope they can find a graceful (re: less cheap) way to port it to the NFL next season.
60 Minutes is on at 8:00 for tonight isn't it?
The march backward of the Bolts continues.
S2N must have burst out laughing upon watching Rivers get body-slammed like that.
@JFein: One and the same may I add.
Apparently anytime the QB is sacked it should be unnecessary roughness according to the announcers.
JFein - that too.
I'm cackling like an old witch over here at the Douchebag.
JG- It took me that long? Damn, I'm off my game.
Zidane, the NFL gives QBs so much protection that it's mind-boggling they didn't call the throwdown a personal foul.
Douchenozzle = George Jones/Nathan Brice/Tristan Wright/WildWhatever.
Down 11 and taking an intentional safety? Nantz and Simms can't possibly be serious, can they?
Nantz out-coaches Norv when he suggests the Chargers take the safety on 4th and 20 from their 1.
My girlfriend made me turn to NBC for the Golden Globes and Tiki has been reduced to the red-carpet interview. I wish someone makes a Giant joke to him
@ anon 7:09 - the difference between 11 and 13 is still two scores. It gets them out of their end and can get some field position back if their D holds. No matter now though.
Well, those 20,000 Ravens fans can start making plans for a trip to Pittsburgh next weekend.
J Fein discloses his stalking skills tonight!!!
^
|
Hey, Mal. Give the real credit where it's due.
Looks like LaDamlian will be watching the rest of the playoffs on his Vizio...
That Vincent Jackson touchdown suddenly seems like it happened ages ago.
Credit = Indictment?
Mal, who'd looked up the guy's name on Google?
A very clever sack celebration cuz he just rowed down Rivers.
Clever celebration = taunting = 15 yard penalty.
Look JC and JFein, I'm not the judge or jury here - although one may eventually have to get involved.
JC, you and I know Pittsburgh gets away with a lot of penalties--and gets a lot of phantom calls like that last PI. Not saying it's right, but they do.
There has been a Chris Chambers sighting!
Aren't you supposed to go for 2 to make it 10 point game?
What the hell does prolonging the game have to do?
What a weak roughing the passer call, just pathetic.
Mal, I can't tell you if I'm kidding or not...or for that matter, so would JFein.
I think they typically try to wait until they have to go for 2 to do that. It will take a primo on-side from Kah-Ding.
"You for one here instead of two to stay in game." - Simms, showing complete idiocy, because 1 pt PAT
cuts lead to 11 (One TD one FG), whereas going for two and missing means two TDs needed.
Wow. Steelers channeling their inner Andy Reid.
Numb-Nut Nathan is certainly annoying, but no worse than Swearing Man or the various anons whose subscription just ran out to their favorite porn site. Unless, of course, they are all one in the same.
Which is why I tell 'em to "Stay Classy", Mal. Numbnuts Nathan is ten thousand times worse.
Throwing long with 11 pt lead and 9:00 left in 4th ?
How very Andy Reid of you, Mike Tomlin
Keep tyhe damn ball on the ground and run the clock.
This latest $5 footlong commercial=FAIL.
jg - it's 28-17. 11 pt game. They need 1 TD (w 2pt conv) and FG.
You know, Bruce Arians used to coach at Temple.
The fact that I have a Facebook makes it easy and non-stalkerish for me to type in the name "Nathan Brice" and look at the various networks and find the one that matches.
Nugg-nuts, Angry Whopper, $5 footlong, 3conomics - can't fast food guys get some decent commercials these days.
Stay inbounds, damnit!
JFein - just kidding, dude.
Creepy Burger King > Angry Whopper.
JCraven - agree - stay in bounds and agree on Creepy Burger King (that dude could play ball!)
And this game in now officially over as Alfalfa would say.
It looks like we will be having a rematch of the Walt Coleman game in the AFC Championship game. Damn, the Steelers can't get away from rematches of games with controversial finishes.
Nantz: The Charges have seen Big Ben all they want to. They've seen him 3 times. Twice with the Steelers and once in London...the REAL Big Ben.
Uggh. Rock, Chalk, Championship - not.
BTW, Mal, you thinking Arby's?
Third time theyve seen Big Ben this year. " - Nantz
"When was the third ?" - Simms
"In London" - Nantz
Will someone please throw Nantz into the confluence for that ?
@ Mal: Yeah, I know. I just wanted to clear further explain my stalkerish non-stalkerish behavior especially seeing as I left for 10 minutes, missed 2 TDs, and half the conversation was about me.
You know what would be a riot? If Coleman was assigned the AFC Championship Game.
Nantz was waiting all game for that Big Ben joke, wasn't he?
Arbys!!! They have a new Texas Toast Roast Beef sandwich that is pretty darn good.
Too bad this isn't on Fox so we could see the clock counting down to the start of 24.
And JFein pointed out that there's a five roast beef sammichs for $5.95 promo that Andy Reid might be interested in.
Chargers out to punt, sending up the white flag.
Why is SD punting down 18 with 3:30 to go? Punting gives you zero chance. Who cares what the score is.
There's been a Byron Leftowich sighting!
Um...Nantz...that was a pretty damn good punt. At least give Scifres some credit.
All of a sudden I'm really in the mood for Arby's...
JFein - Is a cowboy hat hovering over your head?
Well you've got less than fifteen minutes until 24 starts.
Great, still channeling that inner Andy Reid those Steelers.
you guys are being traitors to the $5 footlong.
And JFein, is that your girlfriend dressed as an Arby's employee?
Why are these guys not pounding the Steelers here at least a bit on clock management? They run out of bounds, they are throwing the ball up 18???? Is Tomlin trying to hit 60 points like Stoops in the Big XII championship game?
David, Chris Crocker just called.
She said "LEAVE THE FIVE DOLLAR FOOTLONG ALONE!"
Congratulations to Bill Simmons for going 0-4 this weekend. I myself went 1-3 (winning the Pittsburgh game).
Hmm...all this ad talk (that I started--I'll know better next time) has me startled. Ads, even ones that we hate, are still powerful. Dammit, human nature!
Hey S2N, how'd you do against the machine?
@ Zidane - I was 2-2 (winning this game and taking the Cards and the points - never thought they'd win though).
And I guess we shouldn't be at all surprised that the 3 best defenses in the NFL are in the conference championship games?
I'm sticking with my Eagles-Ravens Super Bowl pick.
Actually, I wouldn't bet on that pick. I'm 0 for 4 this weekend. (Yes, I actually picked against my Eagles).
Tomlin channeling his inner Norv in front of Norv. He'll lose it from what I've seen.
I wish that was my girlfriend....
One buttcheek = two feet?
Well, a consolation prize touchdown for the Bolts...
Onside kick, Steeler recovery, three knees in the Meadowlands position.
I see it coming now.
Whoever at CBS sent Nantz and Simms to Pittsburgh saved them some travel costs.
And do any two announcers have such a lack of football knowledge ?
Sproles with the "make the final score look good TD"
...Darren Sproles most likely signing with another team. That's quite the consolation.
Oh the Sky Sports News music!
JFein, SSR hopes it's Seattle.
Offsides on the receiving team??? You don't see that everyday.
@ James Craven: I think he's made that quite clear.
I love the fake field booth shot. They always accidentally look down at the field, which, if it were real, would mean they're looking at the floor and a bunch of wires.
Good night, guys. Have a good week. See you on Championship Sunday.
I'll be around next weekend if AA can't make it so we can move to my site.
Good night all.
You are well aware that that pic is not James Harrison, but in fact James Farrior?
Not trying to be a smartass or anything, but I'm just a little confused.
Change my 8:10 comment to I'll most likely be around if AA can't make it. I forgot that it's the first few weeks of a new semester at my college, which if it's anything like last semester, some unforseen problem that takes forever to fix can occur at any moment.
Don't worry, JFein. Nobody cares. Get a life.
Whatever happened to Aranxta Sanchez-Vicario?
Just like you, sir...
Harrison: "I eat pieces of shit like you for breakfast."