Temperatures are warming up, the day is longer, and that can only mean one thing. That the Madness is upon us! Here is your announcing assignments, and schedule for the first round. Enjoy the tournament, and be sure to check back here for videos from time to time.

New Orleans, LA: Dick Enberg, Jay Bilas
Providence, RI: Verne Lundquist, Bill Raftery
Oklahoma City, OK: Kevin Harlan, Dan Bonner
San Jose, CA: Spero Dedes, Bob Wenzel
Jacksonville, FL: Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg
Buffalo, NY: Gus Johnson, Len Elmore
Milwaukee, WI: Ian Eagle, Jim Spanarkel
Spokane, WA: Tim Brando, Mike Gminski

Tuesday, March 16th

Arkansas-Pine Bluff v. Winthrop (ESPN, 7:30pm)- Dave O'Brien, Steve Lavin

Thursday, March 18th

7 Brigham Young v. 10 Florida (12:20pm)- Kevin Harlan, Dan Bonner
3 Baylor v. 14 Sam Houston State (12:25pm)- Dick Enberg, Jay Bilas
2 Villanova v. 15 Robert Morris (12:30pm)- Verne Lundquist, Bill Raftery
4 Vanderbilt v. 13 Murray State (2:30pm)- Spero Dedes, Bob Wenzel
2 Kansas State v. 15 North Texas (2:50pm)- Kevin Harlan, Dan Bonner
6 Notre Dame v. 11 Old Dominion (2:55pm)- Dick Enberg, Jay Bilas
7 Richmond v. 10 St. Mary's (3pm)- Verne Lundquist, Bill Raftery
5 Butler v. 12 UTEP (4:55pm)- Spero Dedes, Bob Wenzel
8 UNLV v. 9 Northern Iowa (7:10pm)- Kevin Harlan, Dan Bonner
1 Kentucky v. 16 East Tennessee State (7:15pm)- Dick Enberg, Jay Bilas
6 Marquette v. 11 Washington (7:20pm)- Spero Dedes, Bob Wenzel
3 Georgetown v. 14 Ohio (7:25pm)- Verne Lundquist, Bill Raftery
1 Kansas v. 16 Lehigh (9:40pm)- Kevin Harlan, Dan Bonner
8 Texas v. 9 Wake Forest (9:45pm)- Dick Enberg, Jay Bilas
3 New Mexico v. 14 Montana (9:50pm)- Spero Dedes, Bob Wenzel
6 Tennessee v. 11 San Diego State (9:55pm)- Verne Lundquist, Bill Raftery

Friday, March 19th

2 West Virginia v. 15 Morgan State (12:15pm)- Gus Johnson, Len Elmore
6 Xavier v. 11 Minnesota (12:25pm)- Ian Eagle, Jim Spanarkel
5 Temple v. 12 Cornell (12:30pm)- Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg
4 Purdue v. 13 Siena (2:30pm)- Tim Brando, Mike Gminski
7 Clemson v. 10 Missouri (2:45pm)- Gus Johnson, Len Elmore
3 Pittsburgh v. 14 Oakland (2:55pm)- Ian Eagle, Jim Spanarkel
4 Wisconsin v. 13 Wofford (3pm)- Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg
5 Texas A&M v. 12 Utah State (4:55pm)- Tim Brando, Mike Gminski
8 Gonzaga v. 9 Florida State (7:10pm)- Gus Johnson, Len Elmore
7 Oklahoma State v. 10 Georgia Tech (7:15pm)- Ian Eagle, Jim Spanarkel
5 Michigan State v. 12 New Mexico State (7:20pm)- Tim Brando, Mike Gminski
1 Duke v. 16 UAPB-WIN winner (7:25pm)- Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg
1 Syracuse v. 16 Vermont (9:40pm)- Gus Johnson, Len Elmore
2 Ohio State v. 15 UC-Santa Barbara (9:45pm)- Ian Eagle, Jim Spanarkel
4 Maryland v. 13 Houston (9:50pm)- Tim Brando, Mike Gminski
8 California v. 9 Louisville (9:55pm)- Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg

Saturday, March 20th

UK-ETSU winner v. TEX-WAKE winner- Dick Enberg, Jay Bilas (New Orleans, LA)
BAY-SHSU winner v. ND-ODU winner- Dick Enberg, Jay Bilas (New Orleans, LA)
GTOWN-OHIO winner v. TENN-SDSU winner- Verne Lundquist, Bill Raftery (Providence, RI)
VILL-RMU winner v. RICH-SMC winner- Verne Lundquist, Bill Raftery (Providence, RI)
KAN-LEH winner v. UNLV-UNI winner- Kevin Harlan, Dan Bonner (Oklahoma City, OK)
KAN ST-UNT winner v. BYU-FLA winner- Kevin Harlan, Dan Bonner (Oklahoma City, OK)
UNM-MONT winner v. MARQ-WASH winner- Spero Dedes, Bob Wenzel (San Jose, CA)
VAN-MURR winner v. BUT-UTEP winner- Spero Dedes, Bob Wenzel (San Jose, CA)

Sunday, March 21st

WISC-WOFF winner v. BUT-CORN winner- Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg (Jacksonville, FL)
DUKE-Play In winner v. CAL-LOU winner- Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg (Jacksonville, FL)
WVU-MORG ST winner v. CLEM-MIZZ winner- Gus Johnson, Len Elmore (Buffalo, NY)
SYR-UVM winner v. GONZ-FLA ST winner- Gus Johnson, Len Elmore (Buffalo, NY)
OHIO ST-UCSB winner v. OKST-GT winner- Ian Eagle, Jim Spanarkel (Milwaukee, WI)
PITT-OAK winner v. XAV-MINN winner- Ian Eagle, Jim Spanarkel (Milwaukee, WI)
MD-HOU winner v. MICH ST-NMSU winner- Tim Brando, Mike Gminski (Spokane, WA)
PUR-SIE winner v. TAMU-USU winner- Tim Brando, Mike Gminski (Spokane, WA)

It's no secret that the Jonas Brothers are immensely popular, but it's usually 13 year-old girl who scream their heads of for them, not a 50 year-old NFL announcer set to call the Super Bowl in two weeks. That's exactly the case though as Jim Nantz admitted to Don Imus last Friday, even stating that he saw the J Bros. four times in concert last year....

Before I get into this post, I want to make two things clear. First, this quote is taken completely out of context. Second, I have a twelve year-old's sense of humor. With that out of the way, let's take a look back at the AFC Championship game and Phil Simms saying he "likes it tight", while Jim Nantz chuckles!

I got about ten emails, right before the end of the half during the AFC Championship Game, stating that Jim Nantz had a bit of an issue when trying to do a promo for 60 Minutes. The emailers asked if I had heard Nantz pronounce the country in which the recent devastating earthquake took place as Haitia (Hay-Shu), instead of Haiti (Hay-Tee). Well yes folks, he sure did, and here is your video proof....

Well thank god that crazy Pack-Cardinals game saved a rather boring Wild Card Weekend. I don't know if I've ever seen more missed field goals in my life. Anyway, now the real fun starts as we get a quartet of stellar matchups for next weekend. Here's your announcing schedule....

Saturday, January 16th

Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints (FOX, 4:30pm) - Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa
Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts (CBS, 8:15pm) - Greg Gumbel Dan Dierdorf

Sunday, January 17th

Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings (FOX, 1pm) - Joe Buck, Troy Aikman
NY Jets at San Diego Chargers (CBS, 4:30pm) - Jim Nantz, Phil Simms

You rarely hear about broadcasters playing fantasy sports, but there are a few that are willing to share their thoughts with you. One of those people is Jim Nantz, and the CBS announcer even attributes the game to helping him in his play-by-play role. Via NFL.com....

Fabiano: So was your friend right in that playing fantasy football helped you become a more knowledgeable sportscaster?

Nantz: Well, it's certainly opened up a whole new perspective on the NFL for me. It's really been a great way to find out even more about players around the league. And my participation in fantasy sports has grown since that first league back in 2001. When Jay Glazer, who used to work for us at CBS, told me about this young kid named Fabiano who wanted to start a flagship fantasy football league, I was really open to the idea. That became the Gridiron Guru League, which I won in the inaugural year.

Fabiano: What do you attribute to your fantasy success?

Nantz: It took me a season to understand how to compete and how to build a team, how to watch the waiver wire. I also monitor player trends. It might just start out with two carries in a week, but maybe the next week a running back gets four carries and his long run is 18 yards. That must have gotten the coaches' attention. I'm looking for a trend that shows me a player could be a few weeks away from seeing a more prominent role at his position. I've seen it happen where a player is trending on seeing more playing time. I'm not talking about just one week when a back rushes for 96 yards on 21 carries, because everyone can see that. I've been in three leagues and I've won each league at least once. I think that watching these trends has really helped me take home a few titles.

Game One: Michigan State vs. North Carolina
Location: Ford Field, Detroit
Start Time: 9:21PM EST (CBS)
Network and Announcers: Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg
Favorite: UNC (-8)

Game One: Michigan State vs. Connecticut
Location: Ford Field, Detroit
Start Time: 6:07PM EST (CBS)
Network and Announcers: Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg
Favorite: UConn (-5)

Game Two: Villanova vs. North Carolina
Location: Ford Field, Detroit
Start Time: 8:47PM EST (CBS)
Network and Announcers: Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg
Favorite: UNC (-7)

Last week, I told you all that Jim Nantz was going to be on the Price Is Right giving away a trip to the Final Four, and today was the day! The first contestant in "Showcase Showdown" passed on a trip to Hawaii and a fish tank, and then was hit with the news. The news that she would get her showcase straight from "Hello Friends", himself.

Nantz appeared live from the University of Connecticut (for reasons beyond me), and after the bidding and revealing was done, unfortunately (or fortunately) the trip stayed on the shelf....

Wanted to make sure you knew the tip times and announcers for tomorrow. Here's your schedule....

Saturday, March 28th

Michigan State vs. Louisville (2:20pm)- Gus Johnson, Len Elmore
Oklahoma vs. North Carolina (7:05pm)- Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg

Not only was there news recently that one James William Nantz, III could run for office in the near future, but today we've learned that more importantly (kidding) Nantz will be appearing on the Price Is Right! Not only that, but one of the showcase prizes will be a trip to the Final Four!!! From Fang's Bites via CBS PR....

CBS Sportscaster Jim Nantz, the 2008 National Sportscaster of the Year, will make a special appearance on CBS's Emmy Award-winning THE PRICE IS RIGHT, with host Drew Carey, Thursday, April 2 (11:00 AM-12:00 Noon, ET; 10:00-11:00 AM, PT), on the CBS Television Network. Nantz, who pre-taped his appearance earlier this month, will introduce a special Showcase trip to the NCAA Final Four in Detroit.

Only one low seed has made it through to the Sweet Sixteen (Arizona....sorry about that whole you shouldn't be in the Tournament thing), but that doesn't mean the games won't be good. The matchups are stellar, and here's a list of who will be calling the games in the four different regions....

THURSDAY, MARCH 26

Connecticut vs. Purdue (Glendale, 7pm)- Dick Enberg, Jay Bilas
Pittsburgh vs. Xavier (Boston, 7:30pm)- Verne Lundquist, Bill Raftery
Memphis vs. Missouri (Glendale, 9:30pm)- Dick Enberg, Jay Bilas
Duke vs. Villanova (Boston, 9:30pm)- Verne Lundquist, Bill Raftery

FRIDAY, MARCH 27

Louisville vs. Arizona (Indianapolis, 7pm)- Gus Johnson, Len Elmore
Oklahoma vs. Syracuse (Memphis, 7:30pm)- Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg
Kansas vs. Michigan State (Indianapolis, 9:30pm)- Gus Johnson, Len Elmore
North Carolina vs. Gonzaga (Memphis, 10pm)- Jim Nantz, Clark Kellogg

Obviously the biggest change for this year's NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament on CBS, is the fact that Billy Packer will not be involved in the Madness. Because of that move, Clark Kellogg is taking over his seat next to Jim Nantz, and Greg Anthony will be filling Kellogg's role in-studio. Other than that, nothing has changed since last season. Here are your pairings, and while their locations haven't quite been sorted out, you can plan on the top four teams being your Sweet Sixteeners....

Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg
Dick Enberg/Carter Blackburn/Jay Bilas
Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery
Gus Johnson/Len Elmore
Kevin Harlan/Dan Bonner
Ian Eagle/Jim Spanarkel
Craig Bolerjack/Bob Wenzel
Tim Brando/Mike Gminski

(Reporters: Lesley Visser, Tracy Wolfson and Sam Ryan)

Again, I've never really had a problem with the pairings that CBS comes up with, and after last season the only team I would have dropped would have been Brando and Gminski. Should be another fun month of March, my friends!

Game: AFC Championship
Teams: Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
Location: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA
Start Time: 6:30PM EST
Announcers and Network: Jim Nantz, Phil Simms (CBS)
Favorite: Steelers (-6)
AA's Pick: Just think the Steelers are too much, and the Ravens are too banged up. 27-13 Pittsburgh.

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!

This is Darren Sproles at a charity event put on by now-former Charger Donnie Edwards, I believe. (I love using charity event and side business photos here. They're just, so, out of the element.)

Game: AFC Divisional Playoff #2
Teams: San Diego Chargers (8-8, AFC West Champs) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4, AFC North Champs)
Location: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA
Start Time: 4:45 PM EST
Announcers and Network: Jim Nantz and Phil Simms (CBS)
Miscellany: Norv Face, Big Ben's offensive protection and his recovery from a concussion, the Chargers' impossible run after going 8-8, Mighty Mite Darren Sproles, Philip Rivers getting snubbed for the Pro Bowl.
Favorite: Steelers (-6)
S2N's Pick: Steelers. I find it hard to go against the best defense in the whole damn league.

Hello, fwends. I'm not your buddy, Nantz. Reed kicks to Darren Sproles, and he's down at the 25. Grrrr.....douchebag sighting on the field....BASH HIS FAT FACE IN PLEASE JAMES HARRISON.

(hate subsiding a little.)

Rivers to Antonio Gates with plenty of room, 21 yards on the first play. Screen out to Sproles on the right side, and he gets another first down across midfield by slipping two tacklers. Rivers airs out a floater to the end zone...and Vincent Jackson comes down with a 41 yard catch over Ike Taylor. Touchdown, Bolts! Nate Kaeding's kick is good, 7-0, Bolts.

Jackson gets an unsportsmanlike penalty for his TD celebration, which I don't believe we actually got a shot of. Steelers start at the 42, running play with Willie Parker, and he busts through the line for a first down and into Chargers' territory. Parker gets another three yards. Parker again, up the gut and past the marker, tackled by Clinton Hart. So far, we have seen no five-wide formations -- which is Bruce Arians trying to get cute. Screen out to Hines Ward for a couple yards, but Santonio Holmes gets flagged for holding. Ben throws to Ward again -- Quentin Jammer knocks it away as Ward tries to hold on.

Ben to TE Heath Miller for 11 yards. Next couple plays are incomplete and short, 4th down. They go for it....wait, Ben quick-kicks it and it's down inside the 15. First Cassel pulls this, now Roethlisberger. Start at the 9, Sproles gets 3 yards on the first carry of the series. Mighty Mouse gets two more.

The QB punt will be next season's Wildcat formation. Mark my words. - Deven

Mike Scifres punts and Santonio Holmes BUSTS IT OUT AND TAKES IT TO THE HOUSE! 68 yards for Holmes! Woo! Reed's XP is good, 7-7 all.

Spoke too soon. Santonio EXPOSES the Chargers punt coverage team. He seems to be good at doing that, exposing things... - PricelessCommentary
Best tackle on that punt return was by cameraman. - JG
I think Nantz jinxed the hell out of Scifres. - Zidane Valor

Nantz owes the punter a Coke. Sproles' kick return to the 36, and Michael Bennett gets his first rush of the year. Face mask on fullback Jacob Hester -- going back some more! Rivers hits Chambers for his first reception of the game. Checkdown pass to Bennett for a few yards. 3rd down converted for nine yards to Antonio Gates. False start, back 'em up to first and 15. Sproles gets three of those back. Rush on for 2nd down, and Lamar Woodley takes Rivers down for the first sack of the game and a real 3rd and long.

Delay of game on top of that, and it's first sighting of Norv Face. He's not wearing glasses this week, sadly. 3rd and 25. Sproles only gets back to the line of scrimmage.

Fuck...Nantz just pulled a Vasgersian. Outyardaged. - Anon @ 5:11

Can we set up an electro-shocker for commentators who make up words like that? Steelers start at the 25 after the punt. Parker gets a couple yards. Deep ball for Nate Washington, who gets tangled up with Jammer. Yinzers are booing like mad for a PI flag (which shouldn't be thrown.) 3rd and nine -- and down goes Big Ben, sacked for the first time.

Mitch Berger punts it 49 yards. "I'm glad he didn't change his name today." - Phil, and there's a block in the back on the Bolts.

An Axe-manufactured hair crisis. One of the many companies who believe men are fundamentally morons (the top offender is usually the beer companies, especially the ones who sell cheap piss-water.)

Sproles grabs another first down on a 2nd and 2, followed by a quarter change and a one-yard carry for Mighty Mouse. Gates gets eight on the reception, following a shot of a guy with enough chains and beads to be mistaken for a Baltimore Ravens fan. 3rd down fails, and Scifres to punt again. Another delay of game call on the Chargers....wait, and Norv just made his first dumb decision of the day by challenging the spot.

THAT's the incompetent Norv I know. - SSR
Apparently Norv didn't see Coughlin screw this same thing up earlier today. - Mal
Norv Turner channeling his inner Andy Reid with that challenge. - Ghost

Ah, that's the regression to the mean Peter Principle that we know and love in Norv. And of course he loses the challenge. Fair catch on the punt by Mewelde Moore at the 17.

Parker scoops up another first down on the ground. Fast Willie up the middle for another six, he then fights for another chain movement. Moore goes for four yards; then Parker's back for two. 3rd and 3 will become 3rd and 8 after a false start. Big Ben goes to the fullback, but Eric Weddle tackles Cary Davis short of the first. Chargers call time out on 4th down, after the Steelers try to rush them by going for it quickly.

Berger's punt rolls into the end zone. Ike Taylor nearly takes away Rivers' pass for Chambers on first down. Rivers throws the ball away on 2nd down. Rivers hurls another high floater -- and Vincent Jackson lays out and makes the catch....uh-oh, that looked like it bounced. Here comes Tomlin's challenge flag!

"They have to give the defense time to align after the substitution." - Phil

They do? Then how did Indy get away with that quick pass a couple weeks ago? Why was the official holding up that play?

I don't understand.... - Anon @ 5:40

I'm kind of confused too, except to say that there's a difference between that play and changing for a punt formation. Peyton caught them during an offensive play; it wasn't a 4th down play.

And that reception is no more, as it's overturned. Scifres to punt again, and Big Swinging Dick John...err....Santonio Holmes is back to receive. He fair catches this one. Holmes for three, then a pass for five to Nate Washington. 3rd down means another short out to the fullback, and Davis gets up-ended by Jammer short of the line. Fake punt, snapped to Ryan Clark, and the Bolts have it stopped.

Sproles is brought down by Woodley and James Harrison on first down in Steeler territory. Legadu Naane trips on his route, and the pass falls to the ground. Rivers finds Gates over the middle again and he's got 15 yards and a first down. Sproles gets knocked in the backfield again. Anotiher screen pass to Sproles -- and Woodley plows him over. Another pass to Gates and it's short of the first. Kaeding will try an FG after the break.

42 yards, up, and good. 10-7, Chargers. Gary Russell takes the kickoff back to the 32. Ben to Holmes, then Moore, and the ball's in Chargers' territory. Ben then throws wide of Heath Miller. Gary Russell smashes in for a third down conversion. Ben overthrows Holmes completely. A little lighter touch and Holmes would have had a first and goal. Pass to Miller for a first, but there's a flag down for illegal formation.

Ben goes deep again and finds Hines Ward at the 10, who then runs out of bounds at the 3 yard line. First and goal, Steelers! Sweep left to Parker.....TOUCHDOWN, STEELERS! Reed's XP is good, 14-10, Pittsburgh.

Antonio Cromartie returns the kickoff and almost breaks loose. Start at the 30, Sproles gets nothing, and that will end the half. See you in the next thread post-halftime.

Well that was a fun little Wildcard Weekend, now wasn't it? A handful of close games, and a defensive gem, is all you can really ask for. Hopefully next weekend's games are just as good. Here's your announcing schedule for the Divisional contests....

Saturday, January 10th

Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Titans (CBS, 4:30pm)- Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf
Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers (FOX, 8:15pm)- Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa

Sunday, January 11th

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants (FOX, 1pm)- Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver
San Diego Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers (CBS, 4:45pm)- Jim Nantz, Phil Simms

Can Miami actually get something going against the Ravens' D in the second half? Doesn't look good, does it?

Another touchback to start, Pennington and Co. will begin at their 20. Three yards on two carries for Ronnie Brown. Fabian Washington is the latest recipient of a Chad Pennington pick, thrown to a receiver he thought had single coverage. McClain rushes for a couple up to the Miami 36. 3rd down pass from Flacco is incomplete, and Cook comes in to punt again. The ball is downed inside the 1 yard line.

Pennington is turning into Shane Falco before our eyes. - Anon @ 2:46

His receivers aren't really helping him either. A 12-yard run from Polite gets them out of the deep end; Williams picks up a yard on a blown play of sorts. Pennington to Brandon London for the first down. Couple plays later....run to Cobbs, and he gets ROCKED, fumbling the ball and Terrell Suggs recovers for Baltimore.

McClain to the 14 on the first carry. 3rd and 5 to Clayton at the 8, first and goal. McClain just rumbles on in for the touchdown. Stover's kick is good, 20-3. At what point do I completely give up on this game being competitive? I think one more score will probably do it.

Cobbs takes the kickoff out to the 29 after slipping. 1st and 15 after a false start. Brown picks up a 1st down on the short pass, getting 23 total. Brown picks up 4 more to cross midfield. Pennington to Ginn with Trevor Pryce on his back, and another first down. Pennington hits Ginn again on the left side of the field with the intermediate route. Ginn again for the first down. Another short down to Brown, who keeps his feet moving for a couple extra yards, and some roughneck stuff inside afterward.

2nd and 4 at the B-more 21. Sideline route to Ginn at the 17, first down -- and ridiculously efficient by Pennington, 7 straight completions. Screen to David Martin loses a couple yards....and the next pass is picked once again by Ed Reed!

Superman wears Ed Reed pajamas.

McClain gets back to the line of scrimmage....and ow, that looks like it hurt for Reed. 2nd down at the 20 yard line, McClain gets five yards on the carry. McGahee is short on 3rd down, and a punt will take care of the 3rd quarter. Miami will start in their own mid-20s.

First pass play is incomplete, but thanks to a PI on Hiroki Nakamura (he pushed Cobbs in the back during the catch attempt). Pass to Ginn is out of bounds. Bess drops 2nd and 10, he was trying to get upfield before making the catch. Another PI flag on B-more, trying to cover Ted Ginn. Pennington to Bess -- and he finds a hole and scampers down the sideline! 45 yards for the Hawai'i product, down at the 4 yard line of Baltimore! First and goal.

Pennington to Brown, but the end is sealed and he's down at the 2 yard line. Play action fake to Brown, who runs out to the side, Pennington's rushed, throws it in front of Brown, who dives and makes a great catch in the end zone! TOUCHDOWN, DOLPHINS. Carpenter's kick up...and...BLOCKED! 20-9, Baltimore.

More Ed Reed facts:

Ed Reed eats 50 footballs for breakfast. - SSR
You don't find Ed Reed. Ed Reed finds you. - James Craven
Until telekinesis is banned, Ed Reed will continue to eat human souls, and intercept footballs. - Lord Nero

Ed Reed is the holder of the Power Cosmic, he is Galactus, Destroyer of Quarterbacks. All that Chad Pennington knows is at an end.

Ravens start at their own 20 after the returner takes a knee. Flacco's just a bit far on the deep ball to Mark Clayton. McGahee for four yards on the carry. Another bomb attempt to Clayton incomplete, and it's a three and out. Bess is tackled at the Miami 31 on the punt return.

Pennington tries to make Bess climb the ladder, but it's too high and Ed Reed breaks it up. Ed Reed drinks your milkshake, sir. He drinks it up. 2nd down pass to David Martin, picks up 13 and a first down....tripped up and tackled by Ed Reed. (Do you see where I'm going with this?) Pennington steps up, flips to Brandon London, and he streeeeetches for the marker. First down at the Ravens 44.

Ginn with the catch, 8 yards. Ricky Williams bashes his way past the marker. Screen to Martin, four yard gain. Yikes...nightmare play as Pennington flips to Ginn coming around, and the defense influences Ginn fumbling, and he falls on it all the way back at the 46. Pass to Ginn....he came down out of bounds.

Leonard fair-catches the punt and gets hit while doing so -- here come 15 extra yards for Baltimore. Carry to McClain for a yard.

I love Mike Leach, but is the timing of the 60 Minutes interview really that good considering he just lost to Ole Miss in the Cotton Bowl big-time?

McClain bulls for several more, and then Flacco throws a short gain to Lo Neal for a first down. McGahee gets one yard....and the next carry is BIG, as Willis delivers a nasty stiff-arm and rushes all the way down to the Miami 3 for 48 yards. McGahee gets knocked back for a loss of a yard on first and goal. Flacco passes to McClain on 2nd down, and it's at his feet. 3rd and goal.

Flacco keeps it, and rushes right into the end zone to ice this game. Kick up and good, 27-9, Ravens.

miami's drive ruined by another bullshit high school play. - David

I'd counter that it's only a bullshit HS play if it doesn't work. These things have worked for them all season (and frankly, the NFL could use more trickery borrowed from the college ranks, especially the teams that are thinner on talent.) However, B-more's just too smart defensively to fall for them.

Ginn returns it, gets another 15 on an unnecessary roughness penalty. Incomplete, sack by Nakamura and Leonard, pass to London for 9. 4th down, going for it as the last hurrah. Throw to London is three yards short. Ravens ball.

It's kind of useless to catalog the rest of the plays. This will end 27-9 save some sort of intervention, and the kneeling is in. Baltimore will play the Titans, and the Bolts will play the Steelers next week. Eagles-Vikes live blog in a half hour, folks.

Game: AFC Wild Card Playoff #2
Teams: Baltimore Ravens (11-5, 2nd place, AFC North) vs. Miami Dolphins (11-5, AFC East Champs)
Location: Dolphins Stadium, Miami, FL
Start Time: 1:00 PM EST
Announcers and Network: Jim Nantz and Phil Simms, CBS
Miscellany: Subplot of the game to be aware of is obviously former Miami coach Cam Cameron coordinating the Ravens' offense against the team he led to 1-15 last season; also, any and all Chad Pennington material, since he is "Comeback Player of the Year." Finally, note fumblings and fuck-ups of the aesthetics behind the "Wildcat" formation.
Favorite: Baltimore (-3)
S2N's Pick: Miami. Given how rookie QBs apparently do in the playoffs right now, I expect a brain fart from Joe Flacco and it's tough to see Chad Pennington committing too many turnovers. But at this point, I wouldn't trust anything I say after yesterday's failures at picking teams.

Really? A storybook intro? That computer generated graphic behind Nantz and Simms looks like utter crap. Boo, CBS.

Dolphins kick to Tom Zbikowski, who returns it to the 26. Le'Ron McLain gains 9 on his first carry. Fullback Lo Neal gets the next carry for 3 and a first down. Flacco starts well, hitting Derrick Mason for 18 yards and goes into Dolphins territory. McLain burrows in within the 40. Rush by McLain...FUMBLE!!!! Miami player knocked it loose, Fins come up with it!

Ronnie Brown starts by rushing for two yards past midfield. Pennington hits Patrick Cobbs on the sideline, and he gets some extra yards, for 11 total. Same damn play to Cobbs again, great blocking, and he gets all the way to the Ravens' 9 after a 30 yard gain. Ricky Williams gets his first carry down to the 1 on first and goal. Fake to Brown, Pennington rolls out, he's chased and he throws it away. Brown stuffed on 3rd and goal for no gain.

Dan Carpenter on for the chip shot FG, and it's good. Dolphins, 3-0.

McLain returns this kickoff to the 36. Willis McGahee gets a couple yards on the carry. Flacco overthrows tight end Todd Heap on 2nd down. Flacco overthrows again, but it's illegal contact on Miami for an automatic first down. Zip pass to Mason for another first at the Miami 46. McLain for another few yards. False start, then another quick pass to Clayton, who stretches for the first down. The rookie QB hits Heap for 31 yards, all the way down to the Miami 4 yard line.

Flacco misses Mason wide after McLain's stopped. 3rd and goal. Ball caught and dropped by Heap, incomplete. Matt Stover on to kick from 23, good, 3-3.

Cobbs returns the kick to the 32. Two rushes from Ronnie Brown set up a 3rd and 2, and here's the first Wildcat play. The Ravens don't fall for it, as they tackle Brown in the backfield. Jim Leonard returns the punt to the 24.

After a first down to end the first quarter, Flacco starts the second by throwing it out of bounds with no one covered. He rolls out on 2nd down, finds no one open, and throws it out again while getting nailed by Channing Crowder. Third down pass goes over the middle to Mason, who gets 11 yards for a first down. False start. McClain runs out to the 47. Flacco's nearly picked on 2nd down. 3rd down is thrown over Mason out of bounds, thanks to a rush. Punt goes into the end zone, touchback.

Pennington starts by going to Davone Bess for nine yards. Williams runs around the left end for a first down. Another 9-yarder to Bess on 2nd down. First down carry to another RB, whose name I didn't catch. Toss left to Williams nearly to the 50. Pennington aims high down the field to Davone Bess, and Jim Leonard comes up with a pick, returning it back into Miami territory.

McClain up to the 42, followed by another 4-yard carry. Troy Smith under center for Flacco...and Miami stops him short, Vonnie Holiday on the tackle. Cook's punt is down at about the 3 or 4.

The Manning-Williams Double Stuf Oreo ads....yeesh, not so much. Awkward probably won't even begin to describe the actual "match" ads. Pennington gets an encroachment penalty out of the Ravens' D with a hard count. More breathing room. Brown stopped up at the line of scrimmage. 3rd down and one goes to Lousaka Polite for the first. Holding called on Anthony Fasano. 1st and 19, Pennington short throws to Brown for about 4-5 yards.

Brown out to the 20 out of the Wildcat. 3rd and 8. Pennington goes deep again, underthrows on the blitz, and Ed Reed's picked it off! He's running back, gets to the right side, gets a block, and TOUCHDOWN, RAVENS! Kick up and good, 10-3.

So the Dolphins start with the ball again at the 20. Pennington gets walloped back inside the 10, loss of 12 yards on the sack. Cobbs gets tripped up by Ray Lewis.

I applaud all of you making Chuck Norris jokes for Rex....I mean, Ed Reed. 3rd down and 17 pass thrown away in QB pressure from Ray Lewis. Punt to Leonard, brought to the Ravens' 40. Flacco to McGahee at midfield; illegal contact penalty declined. First down, Flacco going deep to Derrick Mason, and he brings it in at the 17 of Miami while managing to keep his feet inbounds. The booth will review it, though.

"Nobody else in the NFL can design a play like that one." - Simms, via Mal

As if every coach doens't have a deep sideline pass in his arsenal. They design plays with that in mind, but the actual execution and foot-dragging....well, that's just silly, Phil.

Rushing a play to beat the play clock at the 12, incomplete pass. Flacco has to throw it away on 3rd down. Stover out to kick an FG again. 31-yard try is up and good, 13-3, Ravens. Another touchback on the kickoff.

Half over, 13-3, Baltimore. See you in the second half thread, as Miami remains without a TD in the playoffs for quite some time.

Well the refs are at it again. With the Steelers down three, and under a minute to play, Ben Roethlisberger made a great move to avoid tacklers and hit Santonio Holmes at the goal line. The call on the field was that, while his body was in, the ball never crossed the plane. Well it was obviously reviewed, and after a lengthy viewing, the ref said that it was indeed a touchdown.

The problem though, is the fact that there was no way that visual evidence was strong enough to overturn the call. At least in my opinion. Take a look for yourself....