SNF Live-Blog: Panthers @ Giants
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Until Steve Smith showed me, I didn't know that Mercedes-Benz made custom golf carts. Fascinating. By the way, considering that there are two wideouts named Steve Smith playing in this game, the Panthers receiver will be Steve Smith and the Giants receiver will be TOSS (The Other Steve Smith), as I established in last week's game.John Madden's jowls are absolutely frightening in HD.
And you can write in Broncos-Chargers as the final game next Sunday night. The rest of the schedule will be announced at halftime. - James Craven
Really? God help all us viewers. Ahmad Bradshaw takes the kickoff up to the 20 to start the game. Eli Manning fakes the first handoff to Brandon Jacobs, rolls right, and hits Domenik Hixon for what looks like a first down, but it's a yard short. Jacobs gets 3 when he needs one, then picks up 2 more on first down. Jacobs hits the outside and gets four or five more on the next play.
Manning rolls out, avoids a sack, and he throws it 40 yards to Hixon, who comes down with it at the Carolina 18. Very nice play, both by Manning and Hixon to catch it with two defenders around him. Jacobs gets a yard. 2nd down goes back to the big back for three more yards and a 3rd and 6. Derrick Ward drops the screen pass, and John Carney comes out for the field goal attempt. Kick up and good, 3-0, Giants.
If the Chargers win then Ed Hochuli can breathe a sigh of relief. - SSR
Nuts to that. If anyone's gonna lose to the Colts in the first round, it's gonna be my team, dammit.
"Big Cold and Big Wind will make this a whole different ball game in the second half. To find out just how much it will infect the players, let's go to Andrea Kremer." - Jim Cantore, visiting the sidelines. (Via Anon).
Fuck, it's official. Broncos-Chargers next Sunday. I may have to change my travel plans so I'm able to watch the game, even though I should know better by now.
The Panthers will start at the 23 yard line after the returner got smashed up by Zak DeOssie. DeAngelo Williams starts with a 7 yard carry. Jake Delhomme's first check-down is to Williams, and is dropped. 3rd and 3. Steve Smith catches the lateral, and gets all the way up to the Giants 47 yard line after breaking a couple tackles. "The Playmaker, Utah" -- well, yes he is.
Williams grabs a yard on the next carry. Delhomme dips back and slings one deep for Steve Smith, who brings it in and is brought out of bounds at the 11. Williams is tackled for a loss of about 3 yards on the next play. Williams busts up the middle untouched for the TOUCHDOWN, 13 yard run for the Memphis product. Kick is up and good by John Kasay, 7-3, Carolina.
Madden probably lobbied that he couldn't afford to have to stay in New York and freeze his ass off for a week in order to do the game. He'd much rather go home for the holidays and stay there. How much do you wanna bet that the NBC Saturday Night wild card game is AFC West champ vs. the Colts. - JFein
Makes sense -- the furthest East he'd have to go is Denver.
Giants start at the 26 after the Bradshaw kick return. Jacobs grabs four yards on first down. Manning goes to TOSS for the first down completion. Jacobs runs for 10 for another first down -- he needs a better nickname than Earth. Carolina takes a time out at midfield.
Jacobs grabs four more yards on first down, heading into Panthers territory. Eli then hits TOSS for another chain movement. Two yards more for Jacobs, followed by a check-down pass to the big back for six more. 3rd and 3 at the 31. Ward gets outside on the play, and rushes all the way to the 22.
Two more rushes for Ward result in 3rd and 3 again inside the 15, and the first quarter is done. That was quick. Manning to TOSS inside the 10 for a first and goal. Jacobs rumbles all the way to the 2, and then on the next play, rumbles some more and falls on a Carolina defender in the end zone. Touchdown, Giants. Carney's kick is good, 10-7, Giants.
Panthers start at the 35 after a short kick by the Giants. Jonathan Stewart gets nothing on his first carry and 3 on the 2nd one. 3rd down checkdown to Stewart, who is wide open and gets the first down past his own 40. Delhomme throws to Jeff King, the tight end, who moves the chains again by running into Giants territory. Stewart adds six, running up to about the 31.
Stewart comes off under his own power after having trouble getting up. Williams comes back in, cuts right, then reverses to the left and hits the outside corner for another first down at the 14. Next carry gets him a yard. Steve Smith comes down with the pass inside the 5 for first and goal. Williams loses a yard on the carry. He gets the carry again, this time, he goes inside and sneaks in for the Carolina touchdown! Kasay's kick is good, 14-10, Carolina.
Giants start at the 20 after a touchback. Manning's off on his first down throw, incomplete. Ward busts a tackle and gets to the outside at the 29. For some reason, they handed off to Madison Hedgecock on 3rd down instead of the RBs, and they wind up short. Jeff Feagles punts to Mark Jones at the Carolina 35.
Jake Delhomme throws it up, it's nearly picked off by Aaron Ross, and it makes its way into the hands of Muhsin Muhammad, who rushes all the way to the 5 for a first and goal. Fade route to Muhammad gets to the 2. Screen to Steve Smith -- he grabs it, avoids stepping out of bounds, and hops into the end zone for a Carolina touchdown! Tom Coughlin's challenging whether he was out of bounds.
Wait a minute? Walt Coleman? Isn't he the guy who reversed the call on the Pittsburgh touchdown last week?
Coughlin wins the challenge; Smith is ruled down at the half-yard line. 3rd and goal now.
"Can they make it an 11 point game or a 7 point game?" - Al
"Well, they have the offensive line and running back to make it a 7 point game." - John, whom I think meant to say 11 point game.
Williams goes right in for the score, Kasay's kick is good, 21-10, Panthers. If you're playing in the fantasy football finals today, you're happy if you have Williams tonight.
Bradshaw's return is taken down at the 26. Jacobs runs it up to the 29 on first down. Manning hits tight end Kevin Boss at the 45 to move the chains. Pass to Hixon is incomplete, crowd is booing the non-call. Thomas Davis wraps up Eli and takes him to the ground on 2nd down. Ken Lucas knocks off Derrick Ward for a loss of six on a pass in the backfield; here comes a punt from Feagles. Mark Jones fair catches.
First pass is to Steve Smith for not much, and we're at the two minute warning. Williams gets taken down for not much more on 2nd down. Delhomme's pass is nearly picked by Terrell Thomas, and Jason Baker punts for the first time. Bradshaw takes the punt to the Giants' 45. Ward gets the carry, and weaves his way through a big hole on the right side, avoiding tacklers all the way to the Carolina 21. Ward picks up 4 more on the exact same play on 1st down. Manning's pass deflects off the hands of Boss at the 5. He then throws one right into the hands of Jon Beason, but the linebacker drops it. 4th down. Carney's FG try from 35 -- up and good. 21-13, Panthers.
"Right down Broadway, whether it's in East Rutherford or Manhattan." - Al
Mark Jones takes the kickoff out. Williams will rush it once, and that's halftime. 21-13, Carolina. See you in the next thread.
78 Comments:
"The Panthers come in hot, they've won seven out of eight, the Giants are not they lost two straight." - Al Michaels who's a poet and didn't even know it. Nice to see Al spent the afternoon drinking Johnnie Walkers.
Broncos vs. Chargers?
NBC must be trying to keep Favre away from Madden.
@ James Craven: As much as I want to say I told you so, when I realized I forgot about the Dolphins-Jets and then read Morgan Wick's article, I was sure they'd give it to One of the biggest turnarounds in awhile vs. Favre's 7th last game. Wow. At least I'll have something to hang my hat on during throughout the day (in that the Chargers can make the playoffs).
If the Chargers win then Ed Hochuli can breathe a sigh of relief.
"Brandon is Earth, Derrick is Wind, and Ahmad is Fire."- Al Michaels.
Also, Jon Beason says for his university, "you already know."
@ SSR: Wouldn't it be funny if somehow Eddie Gunz ending up reffing that game?
Wow, Hixon actually hung on to that ball. Giants fans haven's seen that in a while.
It would be so unfair if they put the Jets/Dolphins on later, if the Jets know that the Pats have already won, I'm sure that asshole Mangini would tank it just so the Pats dont make the playoffs.
"Big Cold and Big Wind will make this a whole different ball game in the second half. To find out just how much it will infect the players, let's go to Andrea Kremer." - Jim Cantore
I don't want the sideline elf reporting on player infections, thanks. I'm sure there's more than plenty to go around.
Not kidding about it. NBC will make the announcement along with the rest of the schedule for Week 17 at halftime.
"Hit him high and hope you can hold on 'till the calvary gets there and the calvary finally got there." - Madden
who says there's a War on Christmas?
Thank goodness John added "to bring down" after saying that "Jacobs is the hardest back in the NFL." Otherwise, John might be answering some questins right now...
I'm not the first to say "I told you so..."
But I told you so.
Broncos / Chargers = Madden home for Christmas
Andy Reid: So if I run my 2 good running backs I could be successful? Nahh.....
Madden probably lobbied that he couldn't afford to have to stay in New York and freeze his ass off for a week in order to do the game. He'd much rather go home for the holidays and stay there. How much do you wanna bet that the NBC Saturday Night wild card game is AFC West champ vs. the Colts.
@ SSR: The Eagles completely abandoned running the ball in the 2nd half. It's absolutely incredible what happens when you completely forget about your best player.
FIRE ANDY REID NOW!
Damn, that Carolina running game is good.
I'm thinking Arizona would be the nightcapper and San Diego is the day game.
The AFC East winner plays on CBS and the NFC North winner plays on FOX.
Yeah, I'm sure Madden would prefer it if the SNF game was at San Diego, so that he didn't have to drive that far in his pimp ride known as the Madden Cruiser.
Oh God, Michaels starting to do a Christmas carol. I'm not sure if that's the bad thing, or that he lost his train of thought and he started talking about football again.
If Madden stayed in New York it would be on NBC's dime not his.
"8 miles as the crow flies from Midtown Manhattan." - Al, 8 miles and one of the most hellish tunnel approaches I've ever driven on.
@ SSR: As bad as the Cardinals have been playing, I don't think there is anyway they get the NBC Primetime game.
Tom Coughlin's face is once again 10 different shades of red just as it was in last year's NFC Title game at Green Bay.
Cowboys @ Eagles is likely to be the 1:00 PM game.....Giants @ Vikings would be the 4:00 game because the Vikes need that win to clinch the division.
@ JFein, Joe Buck calling an 8-8 team's game does not sound good.
On Saturday Wild Card, AFC and NFC times alternate, so the NFC team will play the late game.
Howdie do it= 2 months
Actually, Arizona will be the Saturday nightcap and Denver/San Diego is Sunday's late contest in the Wild card round.
And Giants-Vikings will be the 1 PM game one way or another becuase they can't play in the 4:15 PM slot because Dolphins-Jets will be put there along with Pats-Bills, and if Bears win Monday, they'll also be in the 1 PM slot regardless.
@ James, CBS had the late game last year so they get the early game this year. CBS has to get the 1:00 PM game, so 10:00 AM on the West Coast means both teams will have to play on Saturday.
My prediction:
NBC
(Dallas/Philly)@ NFC North Champ 4pm
Baltimore@ AFC East Champ. 8pm
"Ward'll get banged down at the 15 yard line." - Al Michaels
SSR tended for forget that in Week 17, both networks have doubleheaders. So if you live in Denver, San Diego or one of the visiting teams like Chicago, you see five games.
"Remember when shotgun meant pass ?
Now its 50-50." - John reminiscing about the good ole days.
Shotgun formation usually brings an extra DB onto field, and spreads the defense out so its probably a better run formation.
And SSR, Seattle will be at Arizona next week. You'll be getting five games.
@ James, sorry, I misunderstood because you said Wild Card round.
"Every year is a weird year in the NFL." - Al Michaels
After a somewhat less dramatic Week 17 last year, it's nice to see that this year's will be a good one.
Is it just me or does Al Michaels sound kind of shitfaced?
its raining cocaine in boston and i snorted it.
Al's again two sheets to the wind this evening.
And anon 8:32 PM, it's "Generalimissio Billo's Imaginary War on Christmas" so that you know.
Stay classy, cocaine man.
Where's swearing man now that he's needed?
@ James Craven: I'm pretty sure he's snorting the raining cocaine in Boston.
"Muhsin Muhammad is one of the best wide receiving blockers." - John Madden making no sense. What he (probably) meant to say was "blocking wide recivers".
KING didn't air FNiA tonight due to the weather, and I'm willing to bet NBC is pissed outta their minds because of their standing policy of pre-emptions. And SSR is pissed outta his gord about that.
BTW, no Texans-Raiders hightlights, either. As Kenny Mayne said "It's just another case of the man keeping the Texans and raiders down."
So wait, all those people who bought Toyotas during Toyotathons in years past got ripped off? I mean, this is after all, the Toyotathon of Toyotathons with the deals of all deals. Nothing was, is or will be bigger than this when it comes to Toyota's holiday sales, right?
I'm a fat fuck fuckwad idiot.
Eli's dedicated fans even imitate his face
Speaking of Mayne, is it me or is his webshow on ESPN.com rather boring? Unless SVP is making a cameo, it's pretty lame and not worth the hype.
Hope you guys like my new avatar.
@ James Craven: Sadly, people have ceased to care about the Raiders and the Texans. Except for the Eagles next week. They'll care. They'll care deeply.
"Yeah, when you have Earth, Wind, and Fire, what are you doing going to the full back?" - Al Michaels who apparently believes that Jacobs, Ward, and Bradshaw are guaranteed successes.
Cheer up Andy, at least you get to stuff your face with cheesesteaks all night.
Hell of a catch by a Muhammad, after a near Favresque interception.
"When Muhammad's open Delhomme's gonna find him." - John, that is his freakin job John.
Can we send Carolina to the Super Bowl now?
@ SSR: How dare you. There's absolutely nothing wrong with wanting a deep dish pizza. ;-) Sigh, I think that pizza was more important to him tonight than that football game, that's for sure.
Seeing as you just made me think of Dr. Kornheiser by you taking him off, I guess now is as good a time of any to tell you to expect the worst from Korny because the temperature for tomorrow's game is going to be in the single digits.
STAY CLASSY STAY CLASSY STAY CLASSY STAY CLASSY STAY CLASSY
JFein, you tend to forget that the Toyotathon of Toyoptathons is being promoted this year by the Stuart Scott Department of Redundant Redundancy Department.
That's right, he'll spend the entire game whinning about the tempature and how much he wants to spoon Farve.
DeAngelo Williams....welcome to the MVP race.
Well that challenge only succeeded in prolonging the Giants' agony.
It might not be a good day for NY football.
"Williams has a first half hat trick." - Al, he's really pushing for the hockey gig at the 2010 Olympics
Is it so wrong in this day and age of gansta influance to say "(Ref's name) goes under the hood?" I'm calling for the hooded sweatshirt to be banned from the sidelines not because of Cheatin' Bill Belecheck, but it's become a bad influence with robberies in banks and conveinence stores.
Back in October I sent commissioner Roger Goodell a letter about it, and yesterday, i recieved a letter saying they'll take it under consideration.
@ S2N: Yep, that was Walt Coleman. And to add insult to injury, he's the guy who single handedly started the Patriots' dynasty with the tuck rule call.
Hey, jg, Doc Emerick will get the hockey gig, Alfalfa may get something else.
@ James, tell me that is a joke.
James, I think there are worse annalogies to use. I never even thought of gang connotations.
What joke, SSR?
Nice to see Tom Coughlin channeling his inner Andy Reid with that play call. A screen on 3rd and 16 when you're down by 11. Way to get ahead, Tom!
@ Al Michaels: Maybe if you didn't drink that extra Johnnie Walker before the game, you'd remember who the oldest living Hall of Famer was.
Andy Reid and his ineptituede is having a big influence on head coaches in the NFL these days.
@ James, your comment at 9:28.
This new $5 footlong commercial sucks.
Chris Crocker called. She said "LEAVE THE $5 FOOTLONG ALONE!"
@ James Craven: I'm pretty sure they are talking about that letter to Roger Goddell. I actually where hoodies all the time yet I'm the least likely person in the world to be in a gang or affiliated with one.
JFein, Coleman didn't invent the tuck rule. Blaming the guy for calling the rule correctly? For Christ's sake, get over it.
Thomas has to make that catch. In and out of his hands, just like every Eagle corner, tight end, running back, and wide receiver today.
"Chris Snee the son in law of Tom Coughlin with the block." - Al beating the bones of dead horse, with that reference
And it was coleman who started the demise of the oakland raiders as well with that tuck call.
@ Anon @ 9:36: I was pointing out that it was the same referee. Never did I say if I thought it was the right call or not. And I'll have you know that as much as I despise New England (I could give two shits about Oakland), I'll have you know I think it was the right call.
Last week, however, I do feel like he blew it.
I credit Barrett Robinson with the Raiders' demise.
My prediction for WC Weekend
NBC Sat
4:15 Indy @ DEN/SD
8:00 DAL @ MIN
SUN
CBS 1pm (3 vs. 6)- NYJ @ NE (my pick)
FOX 4:15pm ATL @ ARZ
And you can write in Broncos-Chargers as the final game next Sunday night. The rest of the schedule will be announced at halftime.