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!

Too good. I like how Phil pointed out that he mentioned "he likes it tight" during Halftime, and still thought it would be a good idea to say it going into the second half. At least he knows what he likes. Good for you, Phil. Good for you.

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

Esquire magazine put together a collection of sixty-three different males, that the average male should emulate. Among the Sports figures were Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Phelps, Dustin Pedroia, Derek Jeter, Shaquille O'Neal and Peyton Manning, but it was the inclusion of six announcers that caught my attention. Charles Barkley, Phil Simms, Troy Aikman, Lee Corso, Barry Melrose and Dick Vitale, all were on the list, and here's the mag's reasoning on each....

Charles Barkley: "For what he said to the cops."

Phil Simms: "...and Phil Simms both seemed like towheaded dicks when they won Super Bowls, but each has come into his own as a hardworking, insightful color man."

Troy Aikman: "The manhood of some men emerges over time. They don't seem to be men, and then suddenly — or slowly — they are."

Lee Corso, Barry Melrose, Dick Vitale: "They love their jobs, and as each of them will tell you: It's hard out there for a pimp."

You know what, that's not really that bad of an assessment. As annoying as you might find some of them, they all seem to love what they do, and that's really half the battle. I personally wouldn't call them "role models", but you can certainly learn from their work ethic.

The List of Men: Sixty-Six Guys to Emulate (Esquire)

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....

And with that call, the Steelers win the AFC North and have all but secured the 2nd seed in the playoffs and have a shot at the top seed with a win over Tennessee next weekend.

There is a widespread problem in announcing booths during Football games this year, and that's announcers calling for the oh-so-clever "fourth down spike" at the end of games. It's already been seen from the likes of Pam Ward, and more recently Andre Ware also made the gaffe.

Now it seems that NFL announcers are slipping up as well. Well just one announcer in, Jim Nantz. During the final drive of the game, Ben Roethlisberger was leading the Steelers down the field when a penalty and a sack, caused the Steelers to use their final timeout to setup a play for a 3rd and 21 play with :28 left on the clock. The next play was a dump over the middle to Mewelde Moore and the running back just wouldn't go down, so they could get barely get the 4th down play off as time ran out. As the Steelers were running up to the line Nantz and partner Phil Simms had this hilarious exchange....

The part that cracked me up so much was Phil Simms losing his mind as Nantz begged for a spike on 4th down, even after the analyst said what the down was out loud. I know it's a simple mistake, but it's been happening a heck of a lot in Football as of late. If Jim Nantz is getting the "4th Down Spike" jitters.....it could be contagious and much worse than we thought!

After learning that Joey Sunshine was going to be on Inside the NFL yesterday, you just knew I would have something on him today. About halfway through the show the panel was discussing the Titans when Theismann dropped a bombshell on the group. He predicted that the Titans would go undefeated.

Now I know what you're thinking. There's no way in hell they can win the rest of the eight games on their schedule. Well, our friend Joe actually made a pretty good case for the team....

It's obviously highly unlikely, but based on his analysis there, I guess it's possible. Their schedule is really favorable, and anything can happen in those last two weeks. I still don't think it's happening, but at least Theismann knows what he's talking about these days. Unlike Cris Collinsworth, who at one point said he wanted the NFL to shrink the size of balls so more players could be QBs, and his reasoning was because backup quarterback have been so terrible this year.

Yep, Kerry Collins, Gus Frerotte, Jeff Garcia, Kurt Warner, Matt Cassel and Byron Leftwich have all been awful this season. I'll give him Brad Johnson, and whoever Kansas City is currently starting, but other than that he's way off with that line of thinking.

Joe Buck and Troy Aikman are still hanging around the NFC East like Beetlejuice in Alec Baldwin's model town, but it's still a mystery what happens when you say Buck's name three times in a row. Hopefully FOX doesn't follow Dallas to St. Louis in Week Seven, but anything is possible. CBS, on the other hand, has decided to spurn Brett Favre and has sent Nantz and Simms to Indy for the Colts-Ravens matchup. It seems like a wise idea to go with the better matchup, but with this season, you never know.

Here are the maps, and remember you can head to The 506 for a larger view of each....

Update: Buck is out for the MLB Playoffs....Stockton is officially his fill-in.

NBC Sunday Night Football: New England at San Diego
ESPN Monday Night Football: New York Giants at Cleveland

CBS:














RED: Baltimore at Indianapolis (1pm) - Jim Nantz, Phil Simms
GREEN: Cincinnati at NY Jets (1pm) - Dick Enberg, Randy Cross, Dan Fouts
ORANGE: Oakland at New Orleans (1pm) - Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon
YELLOW: Miami at Houston (1pm) - Ian Eagle, Solomon Wilcots

BLUE: Jacksonville at Denver (4pm)- Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf

FOX 1pm:














RED: St. Louis @ Washington - Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa
BLUE: Chicago @ Atlanta - Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick
GREEN: Carolina @ Tampa Bay - Matt Vasgersian, Brian Baldinger
ORANGE: Detroit @ Minnesota - Ron Pitts, Tony Boselli

FOX 4pm:














RED: Dallas @ Arizona - Joe Buck Dick Stockton, Troy Aikman
BLUE: Philadelphia @ San Francisco - Sam Rosen, Tim Ryan
GREEN: Green Bay @ Seattle - Chris Rose, J.C. Pearson

One of the things I always looking forward to when new ex-players and coaches become a member of the media, is whether they give easy/cupcake answers to questions, or if they actually give honest and sometimes difficult responses. Most people won't say anything about former teams and teammates, but with Warren Sapp we knew it was just a matter of time, and Lane Kiffin's firing gave him the perfect opportunity.

Sapp just laid into the Raiders' entire organization this past Wednesday on Inside the NFL, and the comments were so strong that ESPN even picked up the story....

"[Davis] is the common equation," Sapp said on "Inside the NFL." "You take him out, put him at home watching film or whatever he is doing -- you have a functioning football organization. But once he comes over the top, he goes and starts moving it around.

"Al Davis knows football -- it's just '60s and '70s football. That's what it is. He's thinking that Cliff Branch is outside and [Jim] Plunkett is dropping back and you can throw it 80 yards down the field -- deep ball, deep ball, deep ball."

Sapp even said that Davis would call in plays when Sapp was playing for the Raiders.

"I remember the first two weeks I was there, we played a preseason game. Somebody came up one time and said, 'We're going deep right here, dog.' I said, how do you know? He said, 'The phone just rang.'

"All the preparation that goes into a week of work is there, the practicing that you have to put in order to do these things, sometimes [Al Davis] messed with that part of it and that's what kills you," Sapp said on "Inside the NFL."

I thought I had the video, but for some reason it didn't save (I'll keep trying to look for it though). Either way, you get the idea. It was a pretty eye-opening segment and a refreshing change from the usual run-of-the-mill responses you get from ex-players. Warren Sapp still has some work to do on the show, but as long as he keeps up this level of honesty, I think more and more people will start to tune in.

Update: And here's your video....

Sapp says Kiffin treated unfairly, blames Davis for Raiders' mess (ESPN)

I've seen some crazy coaching moves over my years, but this one takes the cake. Shutdown Corner wrote yesterday about how the Raiders called timeout with one second left in the first half to attempt a 76-yard?!?! field goal and we now have the video evidence. Lane Kiffin actually had timeouts left in the first half of yesterday's game against the Chargers. With :20 seconds left in the stanza, Jamarcus Russell hit Michael Bush over the middle to get to the Oakland 42. Much to Jim Nantz and Phil Simms surprise, Kiffin decides against a spike, or calling a timeout right away, just to then decide to use a timeout with :01 left so Janikowski could attempt this ridiculous kick....

"The wind is in his face."- Phil Simms
"Unimaginable."- Jim Nantz

I still can't stop laughing. After adding seven yards for the snap, the ball was spotted just shy of Oakland's 35-yard line! That's further than an f'ing kickoff!!! Either Lane Kiffin absolutely had no idea where they were on the field, or he was just completely trying to piss off Al Davis. Either way, the result was awesome. Janikowski didn't even get it to the goalline and with Cromartie back there, that just heightened the idiocy of the decision. Unbelievable.

When Norv Turner is out-coaching you on the other sideline.....it's time to just quit.

I mentioned yesterday that there were going to be some guests stopping by for the first episode of Inside The NFL on Showtime. Roger Goodell was boring (as expected) and Deacon Jones was entertaining (as expected), but it was DWTS's Kym Johnson that stole the show. Well, she wasn't that exciting, but her appearance gave us our first look at Warren Sapp's new moves....

Forget Warren, get Collinsworth on that show. He just swooped in and went to town with Kym Johnson. As far as the show went, it really didn't vary much from its predecessor. There were a few old elements that were missing (a handful of people emailed about the "Beat The Pros" segment from HBO), but for the most part it was on par with HBO's version. I enjoyed all four during the program, but there were a few annoying jester-like moments from Sapp. It wasn't anything that would cause you to change the channel, but hopefully he tones it down.

Oh and please Showtime, please don't try to promote Dancing With The Stars. Occasionally is fine, but every week would get old quick.

Inside The NFL Debuts On Showtime Tonight With A Few Special Guests (Awful Announcing)

Showtime seems to be all-in on promoting its version of the Inside The NFL with Warren Sapp and will feature multiple segments with the ex-defensive end when it debuts tonight on Showtime. The program will also have three special guests according to Market Watch....

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Hall of Fame defensive end Deacon Jones and Dancing With The Stars professional Kym Johnson are among the special guests for the premiere episode of INSIDE THE NFL on SHOWTIME this Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Jones, one of the most feared defenders of the 1970's, will face off with INSIDE THE NFL analyst and latter day counterpart Warren Sapp in a segment entitled "Debate '08." In the spirit of this election year, Jones and Sapp will debate their respective era's gridiron greatness.

Johnson, a Dancing With The Stars veteran who is currently in rehearsal as Sapp's dance partner for this season, will be on the set of INSIDE THE NFL.

I'm still amazed that so many people watch DWTS, but Showtime couldn't have hoped for better timing in Sapp's appearance on the program. The show always had its diehard fans, so it will be interesting to see if Showtime tries to appease to them, or tries to take it in a new direction.

Also, if you look at the promo photo above it appears as Showtime is already billing Warren Sapp as the court jester of the quartet. I don't think I've ever seen JB with a mean look on his face and he's actually scaring me a little bit. I'll be watching tonight and will have reactions and video tomorrow.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Kym Johnson and Deacon Jones on Tap for Debut Episode of Inside the NFL on Showtime (Market Watch)

Showtime has named it's panelists and according to USA Today the only hold over from the HBO edition is Cris Collinsworth....

Longtime Inside analyst Cris Collinsworth, also an NBC and NFL Network analyst, will return. The weekly show, McManus says, might have a fourth analyst or "rotate that seat among recently retired and current players."

Meaning, longtime Inside analyst Dan Marino is out. McManus says Marino will continue as a "key mainstay" in CBS' NFL studio — and did a "terrific job" on HBO, but "we didn't want to just have CBS people. And we wanted a link to the HBO show. It was a tough one, in respect to Dan, to go with Cris."

I've never been the hugest fan of Dan Marino but it's still going to be tough to have the show with out him. Your other parties involved are James Brown taking over hosting duties from Costas and Phil Simms. There is no word on a fourth as of yet but the early word is that they will keep the fourth seat open for current NFL players and retired ones with attachment to the stories they are discussing.

Showtime goes with experience for 'Inside the NFL' lineup (USA Today)

All right, let's get ready, as the Pats will have the ball first this half.

Dan Marino just outdouched everyone by leaving his cell phone on while he was on air, and I'm sure Bill Cowher must have signed on as Billy Volek's agent.

Maroney takes the kickoff out to the 40 yard line for a good field position start. Brady to Moss, dropped. Out to Welker for nine, and Heath Evans gets the first down on the next rush. Maroney gets one yard on 1st down. Luis Castillo and Shaun Phillips get to Brady, taking him down for a three-yard loss on the sack. Brady picked again, this time by Drayton Florence on 3rd down when the ball gets tipped by Donte' Stallworth.

Rivers hits Jackson for one first down, has to throw it away on the next, and then hits Chambers for a spectacular catch on the sidelines. Turner burrows through to a 3rd and 1 on the next couple plays. Some quality Norv Face as Turner gets stuffed for a loss on that 3rd down. Here comes Kaeding again -- kick is up and good, 14-12, Pats.

Settle for less again, that's the Norval credo. Koolaid out to the 30 on the kickoff.

wah-wah-wawawawawawa. Chargers Red-Zone offense, I dub thee anticlimactic. - PM
Classic Norv Turner football. Field Goal Norv. - Hollywood Wags

Koolaid gets a huge hole on the left side for 18 on 1st down. A possible vaunted "halftime adjustment" by Coach Hobo. Time out burned, and Maroney gets nothing on the next carry. Brady to Moss, wide open for his first catch of the day and a 1st down. More construda from Maroney, who picks up another first down on the next play. Laurence goes for five more, picks up four on the carry after that -- may be a first down, not sure -- yes it is; first and goal. Nothing for Maroney on 1st, Brady hits Welker on 2nd down at the 2 yard line -- then Brady is picked again, this time by Antonio Cromartie.

Why Cromartie ran that out of the end zone, I don't know. Michael Turner gets 12 on the first rush.

Why, San Diego, must you keep teasing me? You know you're going to screw it up like every other team! Just do it so I can finish cleaning the house! - Anon

It's never a good idea to listen to Cowher when he talks about coaching in playoff games. It's like getting hooking up advice from Emo Phillips. - Hollywood Wags

Norv will get Rivers to drive down 80 yards only to kick another field goal. Or not, as the third down pass to Brandon Manumaleuna is incomplete. Welker lets the punt roll to the Pats' 37. One short play later, and the third quarter's over -- as are the bets of those of you out there who bet the Over today, I just have a bit riding on the Chargers to cover. Welker busts down the sideline after a quick pass for a first down. Maroney gets a big hole and gashes through (innuendo intended) for 20 yards, juking a couple Chargers on the way. Maroney then follows by taking a screen pass from Brady and laying the smacketh down on Marlon McCree with his shoulder.

Maroney gets a few for a first down, follows up with a yard to the SD 6.

Yeah, Simms. NE goes three-tight (coaches' decision) and the guy responsible for open space is Maroney. Quintessential Awful Announcing. - Ed

TOMMY TO WEL-KAH, TOUCHDOWN. Kick up and good, 21-12, Patriots.

Telling: San Diego is ahead in all major offensive categories save points in this game. The NORV! Effect in action, everyone. Sproles gets whacked at the 16. Rivers to Chambers for a first down across the 30. Marmalard heaves one incomplete on the next play, spikes it down while back in the pocket -- refs say Sproles was close enough to not make it grounding. Jackson gets serious air to catch the Rivers pass at the Pats' 48. Gates gets to the 40 with the catch. Turner rushes for the first.

Who gives a flying fuck about the Buick Invitational? Jim Nantz and CBS, that's who. He lapsed into Masters Mode for a second. Rivers' 2nd down pass is nearly picked by Rodney Harrison after Vince Wilfork gets a hand up to tip it. 3rd and 10 again. Harrison blitzes again and rushes a throw. Still rooting for Harrison to injure Marmalard further. Faulk fair catches the punt at the 12.

And the Oscar for Douchebag in a Melodrama goes toooooo: Philip Rivers!!! - PM

He was trying out for the Italian soccer team with that one earlier.

That Dallas Cowboys Diet Pepsi Max commercial just gets funnier now that they're out of the playoffs.

Tha utter team's kwadderback must go dahwn and he must go dahwn hahd. - jamescraven

Nice alias, Shannon. Maroney rumbles for another first down on the outside. Brady gets sacked hard back to the 16 by Stephen Cooper and Igor Olshansky. Faulk gets seven of those yards back, it'll be third and 11. Brady unloads, and Faulk lays himself out for a great catch -- and manages to roll for the first down. San Diego gets caught in a bad defensive position, and has to burn time out number 2.

Is that LT2 pulling a TO on the sideline? He's got his visor on still, but he hasn't played since the first series. Is it to hide the tears? - B

Like I said, Darth Tomlinson has seen General Turner fail him for the last time. Brady to Faulk AGAIN. Someone put a body on #33! Maroney picks up three.

More shots of Darth Tomlinson, who finds your lack of faith....disturbing. Maroney grabs six more crucial yards for another first down.

Okay, who wants Schottenheimer back in San Diego? - jamescraven

Don't go that far, James. Norval did get SD to the conference championship, which required winning a couple playoff games, which Marty didn't do in the Whale's Vagina. Maroney gets another first down rush for a few yards as the Bolts have completely caved, and that will basically end this fucker right here. 21-12, Patriots, and it's 18-0 for New England, heading to Glendale, Arizona in two weeks!

There will be an open thread for Giants-Packers, again, and I'll be around in the comments there.

Hello folks, S2N here with you for the AFC Championship game, and I'm still having a hard time believing that Jim Nantz is an award-winner of any sort.

Have some fun in comments with the pre-game, and I'll be back for the start of the game.
-------------------
Phil Simms is offending all sense of fashion yet again with that shirt and tie. Who picks that out for him?

Jesus, you'd think football players never played in the cold before. Windchills at 0, and....Steve Tasker as a sideline reporter? I'm guessing CBS didn't want to get caught without a sideliner for injury reports again after last week. Gostowski kicks off to Sproles, who's tackled at the 25 -- and here comes Marmalard. LDT gets three on his first carry and two on the second.

Does anyone else find it annoying when announcers say "last year's MVP vs. this year's MVP?" as if Tom Brady and LDT actually square off on the field, literally?

Anyway, incomplete on third down, and Mike Scifres kicks one back....and there's going to be a five yard flag for running into the punter. They'll try it again. Welker fair-catches the next punt at the 27. Brady overthrows Kyle Brady on first down -- no perfection for Tom Terrific. Koolaid Maroney gets only two yards on the 2nd down carry -- and Antonio Gates is going out of the game. Another incompletion, and it's trading 3 and outs.

Ed in comments says the Pats scored 13 of 17 times on first drives. Make that 13 0f 18 now. Sproles gets the punt back somewhere inside the 30 of SD. Rivers hits Chris Chambers for 20 something and they're at the 43. Michael Turner gets 5 to the 49. Going to Chambers again past midfield. Asante Samuel knocks down the pass headed for Vincent Jackson. Short pass to LDT for a yard or two, as Gates is back in the game. Rodney Harrison comes up on the blitz and rushes Rivers into a 3rd and 9 incompletion -- and he just juked LDT, who was trying to pass-block. Kevin Faulk is back for the punt -- fair catch at the 10.

First play is a rush hit behind the line of scrimmage for a loss. Wes Welker makes up that loss on the next play with a catch and the yards after at the 20. Pressure on Brady, hurled downfield, and we've got a flag for illegal contact on Quentin Jammer -- and that one was a legit call past five yards. Maroney gets nothing on the next carry. Brady to Ben Watson for nine, but 3rd and 1 is incomplete after that. We've seen Chris Hanson twice now, very early. Sproles gets it back to the 39 of San Diego.

I FUCKING HATE THIS MCDONALD'S AD. I hate that they're playing the long version of this, with that lame ass song.

Michael Turner gets a first down right off the bat and back to midfield with the rush. He then gets four more on the next carry. Rivers throws a floater out of bounds towards Jackson that hasn't come down yet. Marmalard gets sacked by the former Charger Junior Seau -- plus a holding call on SD, which is declined. Scifres comes out to punt again. Touchback for the Patriots.

Looks like Ted Cottrell watched the film from the Pats-Ravens game. The one where, y'know, they put pressure on Brady. - randomranting

Amazing concept, isn't it? Put pressure on the QB and make them rush their decisions! And, we have tangible results! Quentin Jammer picks Dreamboat right off the bat. Turner rushes for five -- and is brought down with a 15-yard face mask. Chambers ropes in a good catch there to make it first and goal at the 9. Turner gets a yard. 2nd down brings a pass to Lorenzo Neal, which isn't in his vicinity. Rivers hits Chambers in the end zone, but it's called incomplete -- he was out of bounds by plenty. Nate Kaeding on...it's up and through.

Chargers 3, Patriots 0. If this is the SD offense, god help them if the Patriots get it straight on O.

Brady and Co. start at the 35. Welker gets nine on the catch. Brady overthrows Randy Moss for a 3rd and 1. Heath Evans pumbles through for 3 yards and a first down.

Jesus Tapdancing Christ, Nancy Boy. That's an end-around that Moss ran, not a reverse. Simms, you should fucking correct him. Out to Faulk on the screen for four yards, Stallworth for five more to close out the first quarter. Maroney gets that first down with a seven yard run to the outside. First and goal is a short one to Faulk with a touchdown saving tackle by Eric Weddle.

Koolaid Maroney does an "OH YEAH!" and busts through the pile for six. Gostowski's kick is good, 7-3, New England.

Let the running up of the score commence....Sproles brings the kickoff back to the 30. Jackson hauls one in for 15. A "coach's decision" to keep LDT out? Norv Turner has had his first NORV! moment. Jackson nabs another one for 17 yards -- someone will be stupid enough to waste an early fantasy pick on him next season. Turner gets the next two carries and we've got 3rd and 1. Jackson again for 21 at the nine yard line. Rivers rolls out on 2nd down and tries to hit Gates -- and Tedy Bruschi makes a solid defensive play on that one. Rivers hits Chambers -- but Ellis Hobbs just took his legs out from under him, and here comes Kaeding again. His kick is good, 7-6, Patriots.

Again, this is going to look real bad if the Patriots get end zone on this next drive, and to quote PM, the NE O-line got themselves unfucked on the last drive -- so that doesn't bode well.

Nantz is great as lead announcer of the NE broadcast team. - Anon

+1.

Pats starting at the 40. Left Faulk WIDE FUCKING OPEN and he gets 13 yards into Bolts territory. Koolaid takes three tacklers with him for five yards. Welker gets a short catch on the next play. Quentin Jammer knocks down the third down pass to force fourth down, and Dateline NBC is out to punt. Kelley Washington makes a nice special teams play, batting the ball back and it's downed at the 4.

LDT looks like Darth Tomlinson on the sidelines all bundled up. Turner gets seven yards on the first two carries. Sproles gets 4 for the first down. Rivers gets smacked up HARD, threw a rainbow ball, and Asante Samuel beat out Chris Chambers for the ball -- he runs it back a bit, too. Nice hit by Vrabel, and sloppy by Chambers for not keeping position on Samuel.

Brady to Faulk for 13, then Brady to Jabar Gaffney for END ZONE. Extra point good, 14-6, Patriots.

That was promptly followed by a nice Marmalard face and vintage, vintage NORV! Face.

"The Patriots are too good at throwing and catching and getting up the field." - PS, master of the obvious. Sproles gets very little on the first play -- and if I were LDT, I'd be plotting Norval's death in the locker room come halftime. ANOTHER RIVERS PICK, this time via Ellis Hobbs, who fumbles and Samuel falls on it.

Kevin Faulk gets eight yards on some good blocking as NE tries to get all the way for a killer score before the half. Two minute warning.

IBM just showed a clip of Steve Smith making an amazing play for the Panthers. That had to be from last season or something.

Jim Nantz just mentioned that the Giants-Packers game was on Fox. This would not be notable except for the fact that announcers never mention another network. Welker incomplete, punt to Sproles, he's out at the SD 35. Darren Sproles busts one out -- gets about 30+ or so into NE territory, and they're reviewing the play.

"That made sense to you, right?" - Phil
"I've been around you long enough to be able to interpret." - Jim

Accidental truths revealed. Ball stays with SD, Rivers hits Gates for 8. Sproles gets stopped on the pass a yard shy of the first down. Chargers burn the last time out. Rivers rolls and throws out of bounds with no one open. Kaeding on for the FG, and Coach Hobo calls a time out to ice the shite playoff kicker that Kaeding is. Kick is good from 40 yards out, 14-9, Patriots. But the Pats will still get the ball back to start the second half -- job's not done there.

See you in the 2nd half thread, everyone.