There's something particularly bizarre in the air in the NFL coaching circles when old-schoolers like Dan Reeves are interviewing for coordinator jobs. Reeves is the latest candidate to sit down with 49ers head coach Mike Singletary about the open position in the Bay Area (the others included Scott Linehan, the Browns' Rob Chudzinski, Denver's Rick Dennison, and former Boston College head coach Jeff Jagodzinski, among others.)

In more recent times, guys like Reeves would have been the first out of the gate when talking about the head coaching vacancies, but there's been a dramatic shift in what teams want out of a head coach, and it's skewing comparatively younger. Look at Raheem Morris getting the job in Tampa Bay; Josh McDaniels getting a shot in Denver; Eric Mangini getting a new job lickety-split in Cleveland after the Jets gave him the ax. Even coaches like Ken Whisenhunt, Rex Ryan, and Steve Spagnuolo (who are in their late 40s or early 50s) are part of this trend.

(Al Davis was out in front on this with Mike Shanahan and Lane Kiffin; it's just never worked because it's Al Davis you're dealing with.)

The NFL's management style for coaches has changed -- you can't be a truly old-school hardass any more nor can you be a pushover; the understanding of players and where coaches lie on the disciplinary scale is somewhere in between. Consider it the Tomlin Effect, which goes beyond the purely "black coach" or "relatively young coordinator" deal. The Steelers coach, as do the best of them these days, is able to both relate to his players yet demand and coax good performances out of them. Tony Dungy may be the prototype here; he proved you didn't need to scream to be an effective head guy or chew up space on the sidelines.

Where this eventually leads us is to the rumors that guys like Shanahan, Mike Holmgren, and Bill Cowher will be back in the mix in 2010 -- I'm not so sure about that. The game has shifted slightly on them. Shanahan will probably take a job in 2010 in Phil Jackson-style (read: if there's enough personnel to take it deep into the playoffs), but Holmgren and Cowher might wind up looking like Joe Gibbs did in the later years of his second stint with the Redskins if they decide to get down on the sideline again.

Unsurprisingly, Kansas City Chiefs coach Herm Edwards got the ax not too long after new GM Scott Pioli came into town, because it's been an NFL and coaching truism that you are what your record says you are, and Edwards was 2-14 last season and 15-33 in his KC tenure. That will get anyone fired in three season of work, particularly when he had a team split between the aging and the very young, and Edwards, for whatever reason, wasn't able to build them up.

It's not that Edwards isn't a decent coach who won't get another shot in 2010. He can get mediocre teams to the playoffs, I think; he just isn't great with rebuilding teams that have hit bottom. He's too cautious with the play calling late to take chances that might result in wins. KC could have scraped out five or six wins but for some heartbreaking collapses, and some of those go on the coach.

Now, as the last coaching vacancy in the NFL this off-season that anyone sane would want (yes, that's another jab at the Raiders), there are a bunch of names being thrown about, including former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan -- but that one was quickly debunked by NFL.com's Adam Schefter. Who's left? Arizona OC Todd Haley may be the hot candidate, Jon Gruden is out there, Minny DC Leslie Frazier could be a candidate -- and if anyone will take Jason Garrett off Jerry Jones' hands, he'd probably be relieved.

Chan Gailey is already on the staff, familiar with QB Tyler Thigpen, and probably cheap. Pioli is smarter than that, though. Dark horse? Miami DC Paul Pasqualoni, the former Syracuse head coach (pre-GERG) who used to work with Pioli when the latter was a GA at the 'Cuse. A name not mentioned in any of the articles is San Diego DC Ron Rivera, who helped orchestrate the rock-ribbed Super Bowl defense of the Chicago Bears and salvaged the detritus of what Ted Cottrell had wrecked this year.

The person I'd like to see least in the division (as a Broncos fan) is probably Haley, although he'd be a first time head coach.

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.

Because it really isn't a Giants game live-blog if I don't get Abby Manning in there somewhere, right?

Demps takes the kickoff out to the Eagles 47. McNabb to the Avant Garde for a two yard pass. McNabb's pass is knocked down, and it's in the hands of D-lineman Fred Robbins! He rumbles over to the Eagle 30 until Kevin Curtis brings him down.

I don't think I've ever seen 300-lbs move like that before in my life. - JFein

Jacobs drags defenders with him inside the 20 for a first down. He then gets five more on the next carry. Screen to Ward is dropped, who was running before making the catch. The third down pass is behind Kevin Boss, and Carney will have to try for another FG. Kick is up and good, 11-10, Giants.

We'd like to advise Kevin Gilbride to stop being clever and run Brandon Jacobs until Philly proves it can stop him consistently. Right now, I understand why Buddy Ryan punched him in the mouth back in the day, and I'm sure some Giants fans would like to do the same.

Eagles start at the 25, McNabb's pass is off the hands of Celek. After a hold, it's 2nd and 20. Incomplete to Brian Westbrook, 3rd down. McNabb to Avant Garde, wide open, and Avant gets past the first down marker! Donny Mac has a gimme deep ball dropped by Curtis, but an illegal hands to the face penalty is called on the Giants (not much there, ticky-tack). Buckhalter catches a pass for a couple yards and gets nailed. James Butler stops Buckhalter in Giant territory on the run play.

Matt Damon! That's who Myers looks like with that silly hat on! - Anon @ 3:04

Yup, straight out of Ocean's Eleven. Pass incomplete to Avant. McNabb has all day -- finds Buckhalter in the middle and gets a first down on a 3rd and 10. Up the gut with Westbrook for four more yards. Donny goes for Westbrook in the end zone and overthrows him. After another incomplete, Akers hits another FG. 13-11, Eagles.

No one apparently wants to win this game that badly. Bradshaw returns the kick to the 32 yard line.

McNabb could have pulled out a cell phone, call his mom, have her cook and bring him a can of Campbell's Chunky Soup, eat said chunky soup, and still have time to complete that pass. - JFein

Rush for three yards to start. Jacobs gets two more to the left. Eli drops back and goes deep for Domenik Hixon -- and they finally connect in Philly territory! Eli aims high for Hixon, incomplete. Jacobs goes for the right side and gets nothing. Carney on for a long try -- and that's no good from 47.

Westbrook again up the middle for five yards to start. 2nd down incomplete, McNabb got pressured by Barry Cofield. McNabb hits Curtis for eight yards on a five-stepper; great throw away from the coverage by Corey Webster. Webster breaks up the next one to Curtis, and Coach Sgt. Hartman is FURIOUS. Um....he was kinda going for the ball there, ref. A left hand on the left shoulder wasn't enough....and they picked up the flag.

Now Andy Reid is angry too. The only time you see him show this much emotion is when he's thinking Arby's. (Cheap joke, I know.) Next play gets a face mask on Antonio Pierce, getting the Eagles another first down -- and McNabb then hits Curtis at the Giants' 13 for another 15. Celek for another five on the next pass play. Westbrook up the middle for 3 yards; 3rd and 1. Interesting that Reid's going to a running game balance and using him up the middle. That's not his usual play-calling trend.

Pitch left to Westbrook; he gets outside and the first -- and starts first and goal at the three. McNabb drops back, easy flip to Celek in the left corner of the end zone, TOUCHDOWN, EAGLES! Akers' kick is up and good, 20-11, Philly.

Who falls for this play? The tight end either runs this route or across the middle EVERY DAMN TIME. Anyway, G-men have the ball, and Jacobs rushes 11 yards to start it off. He bounces off the right and goes back left for five more yards. 3rd and short after Jacobs gets plugged up.

"That was an interesting play call by Kevin Gilbride there." - Troy, being too diplomatic to say it sucked. Coughlin now has to challenge the spot.

Bill Simmons called this the year that Home field advantage died. Shouldn't every Road dog win? Look out Steelers. - frankasu03

Giants Stadium is not exactly State of the Art. Wind still affects the hell out of everything and it's creaky and ugly. If we're going by those rules, home field ought to apply -- and I can't believe that Eli hasn't figured out how to throw a tighter spiral in this place yet. No wonder they were so happy to go on the road and play all through last year's playoffs.

And Coach Sgt. Hartman just gave away a time out. Eli on the QB sneak -- and he didn't get jack. Eagles' ball!

Westbrook picks up three on the carry. Throw to Curtis, short on the play. 3rd and 5. Swing out to Westbrook, short by two yards. Good tackle by Webster. Rocca punts to Hixon, calls for the fair catch.

Gilbride is a moron. You have a 6'4", 264 pound running back in Brandon Jacobs and you run a QB sneak on 4th and 1? Come on, dude. Derrick Ward gets a first down with 14 yards out to the 25. Another first down for Ward with a two yard carry. Jacobs picks up a yard. Juqua Parker stuffs the run on 3rd -- and Coughlin's gonna go for this one -- has to.

A scary thought: Andy Reid is still making poor challenges and some bad play calls, but he must be transferring his crappy essence on the opposing sideline, too. First Brad Childress, now Kevin Gilbride is getting affected by the suck (although Gilbride has blown for years; one of the great mysteries is how the Giants won an SB with him calling plays.)

And Brandon Jacobs gets stuffed on 4th down. Measurement coming, but he looked short. Yep, turnover on downs.

McNabb airs it out for DeSean Jackson, who beats Corey Webster, and he's down at the one, I think. Looked like his knee hit before he lost the ball, but he fell on it in the end zone anyway. Westbrook stopped on first and goal, and gets caught in mid-air on 2nd down; lost a yard. The Eagles, no matter what, are not a goal line rushing team, period. Play action, boyos.

Turfed and incomplete for Hank Baskett. Kendra isn't happy. Akers on for 21-yard FG try....up and good, 23-11, Eagles. We can probably put this sucker on ice barring anything too stupid.

Manning to Toomer near midfield for a first. Buck talks about Plaxico Burress; I honestly don't believe Plax would have made that much of a difference. I think Jim Johnson would have taken his chances with loading up the box if they saw Eli throwing in the wind like that the whole game....and Eli throws another pick, this one to Quinton Mykell.

McNabb scrambles for nine yards....and dear God, the NFC championship game's gonna be in Glendale, Arizona. Jesus. Please tell me the Chargers aren't going to win. I can't deal with the possibility of a Bolts-Cards Super Bowl. McNabb gets an unsportsmanlike penalty for apparently picking up the phone on the Giants sideline. Neither Spags nor Gilbride are usually in the booth for them, so I wonder whom he was thanking for Eli sucking.

Hixon takes the Rocca punt back to the 20 yard line...and Eli nearly threw another pick. Two minute warning.

I said it once and I'll say it again. Eli Manning was looking ahead... to the Oreo Double Stuff Racing League battle with the Williams sisters. - PricelessCommentary

Joe Buck's outrage at Donny Mac's phone call reminds me of his disgust at Randy Moss faux-mooning Green Bay: totally fake, manufactured, and utter bullshit. Another turnover on downs for the Giants, and we're really just waiting for the kneel downs. Final score is 23-11, Philly, and the NFC championship game will be the Eagles visiting the Buzzsaw That Is The Arizona Cardinals in the Pink Taco next Sunday.

See you up in the 2nd live-blog for Philip and Nantzy Boy in Yinzer Central.

All right. Double live bloggin' today. Worth watching today: the clash between the Eagles' run-stuffing safety Brian Dawkins and the G-men's trio of RBs, because Brandon Jacobs is back this time.

Game: NFC Divisional Playoff #2
Teams: Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1, 2nd place, NFC East) vs. New York Giants (12-4, NFC East Champs)
Location: Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Start Time: 1 PM EST
Announcers and Network: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver, and Chris Myers (Fox)
Miscellany: Manning Face, Donovan McNabb's future in Philly, Jim Johnson's defense, Steve Spagnuolo's D (and his "hot candidate" status for head coaching vacancies), Andy Reid's curious challenges and/or time management.
Favorite: Giants (-4)
S2N's Pick: Giants. Jacobs is playing this time around, and that sets up the run game. Plus, you all know I don't trust Andy Reid's play-calling against competent coaches. He could forget Brian Westbrook exists this week.

Chris Myers again? Is he giving the big boys blowjobs to get these gigs? - Anon @ 12:57

It's probably that they pay him a ton and are trying to justify it.

Or they are too cheap to use anyone else. - JFein

Now, now. Hacks don't come cheap. Do you know how much his hair spray budget is? (And we won't get evidence of this today; Myers is wearing a cap.)

"Hence the hat for Chris; he looks like he's in Prison Break." - Joe Buck, weaving in both bad joke and Fox promo like the skilled slick bastard he is. Eagles will kick off to Ahmad "Fire" Bradshaw, with the wind swirling all over the place in New Jersey. They should note when the wind is NOT a factor at the Meadowlands. Bradshaw scampers all the way down in Eagles territory and kicker David Akers saves a touchdown by pushing him out at the Philly 36 or so.

Eli Manning's first pass goes for The Other Steve Smith, and the wind catches it a bit -- lucky for Asante Samuel, who was about to get burned if not for that. Brandon Jacobs gets 7 on his first carry for a 3rd and 3. Manning Face on the first play is a rarity. Screen pass to Ward -- and he's short of the marker. 4th and 2, and the G-men are going for it -- Jacobs gets that first down.

Manning completes to TE Darcy Johnson at the 11. Jacobs gets one or two, tackled by Brian Dawkins. Incomplete on 2nd down, short out to Derrick Ward again on 3rd down....and short. FG team on. John Carney's attempt is good, 3-0, Giants.

Quentin Demps returns Lawrence Tynes' kick 19 yards. Donovan McNabb starts with a rifle shot to DeSean Jackson for nine yards....well, 10. First down. Westbrook gets hit in the backfield for a loss at the 40. McNabb to Correll Buckhalter on a screen pass that gets sniffed out and brought down for another 3 yard loss. 3rd and 16. McNabb aims behind Kevin Curtis -- three and out. Clearly, the Giants have no respect for the run game right now -- they're loading guys in the secondary and having them play run support.

To add insult to injury, it's a false start on the punt. 4th and 21, and the predictable "EAGLES SUCK" chant. Domenik Hixon crosses the 40 on the punt, but there are flags for either holding or a block in the back. Holding and unsportsmanlike.

And right off the bat, Eli throws an ill-advised pass and Asante Samuel picks him off, returning it for a first and goal situation. Ah, Manning Face.

Westbrook on first and goal from the 2 is completely stuffed. McNabb skies 2nd and goal out of bounds with a flag thrown -- usually that's holding, but it's defensive, and it resets the downs from the one. Westbrook tries to jump in, and crashes thanks to a G-men defender at the line of scrimmage. McNabb keeps it himself and reaches over the goal line, TOUCHDOWN, EAGLES. Akers' kick is good, 7-3, Philly.

Still trying to figure out whose idea of a date movie is "My Bloody Valentine 3D." By personal experience, horror movies don't exactly make great dates.

Dear Asante, nice to see you can intercept Eli Manning

-Signed,
the New England Patriots - Ghost

Hah. Ward carries for two, and it's a long third down for the Giants coming up. Manning throws 12 yards for Steve Smith, moving the chains. The Eagles stop up two more running plays, and it's another 3rd and long. Manning floats another pass, this one out of bounds for Amani Toomer. Punt is 45 yards, and Philly will have to back up thanks to a block in the back. They'll start at about the 10 or so.

What's "G"? It's the crappiest set of spots ever, that's what. Westbrook loses a yard on the carry. A false start will move the Eagles back even further. Buckhalter gets five yards on 2nd down.

Get me some PowerAde. - James Craven

Donny Mac's 3rd down pass goes through the mitts of Jason the Avant Garde....and Rocca will punt again. Hixon gets nailed by Considine at the Philly 46 -- and it will back up into Giants territory because of a block in the back. Brandon Jacobs picks up 11 yards and a first down to end the quarter.

This is gonna rival Titans v. Ravens for flags. - Mal

Hopefully not with ticky-tack ones in the fourth quarter when it counts, though. Jacobs starts with a rush for two, follows up with 1 yard. Manning goes downfield for Smith....and overthrows him. Jeff Feagles punts, it's saved from the end zone by Terrell Thomas, and downed at the five.

Westbrook gets a yard on the carry after Buck remarks that the Eagles have only gained 10 yards so far. McNabb flips the ball out on 2nd down, and EVERYBODY DO THE SAFETY DANCE! Intentional grounding. 7-5, Philly.

McNabb didn't vomit on the field then, but that was a pretty sick hurl on that pass. - Mal

I'm pretty surprised Andy Reid didn't challenge that, it just seems like the type of thing he would challenge. He's stepping up a notch for the post-season. - Ghost

Rocca free punts it to Hixon, who brings it out to the 32. Four yards on a first down rush. Eli hits Kevin Boss a yard short of the marker...at least it looked like that to me, but apparently he's got it. Ward for three as he runs out to the right. Incomplete pass, but Stewart Bradley gets called for illegal hands to the face, first down. Manning hits Boss for 21 down the left sideline, gets forced out at the 27. Jacobs carries for no gain.

Manning throws another duck that's a bit too far to catch Hixon in stride. The Eagles have to play single coverage on the receivers to stop the run, and Manning isn't hitting them. Eli has to get rid of it, and here comes John Carney for an FG try of 46 yards, and he pushed it right.

Buckhalter carries once again for fuck all. Both defenses are doing rather well with the run. McNabb hits Brent Celek at the 41 for 5 yards. First wasted time out by the Eagles because they can't get a play off.

Arizona must be loving watching this game. If the winner plays like this next week, Arizona may actually be in the Super Bowl. And if Eli continues to play this badly, Arizona's going to have an even easier time in their own house. - Zidane Valor

I don't think Kurt Warner's any better throwing in the wind than these guys, honestly. You can bet the Cards are rooting for the Eagles. L.J. Smith just caught a first down pass for the team's first 3rd down conversion of the game. Westbrook gets two yards on the outside. He then grabs six for his longest run so far this game, after Buck has a bit of an obsession with McNabb's chin strap. Buckhalter burrows for a first down on 3rd and 1.

Another yard for Westbrook. After the next play, it's third and 9. Blitz on, McNabb is hit as he throws by Terrell Thomas, forcing the pass to float, and Sean Dockery comes down with the pick at the Giants 20!

Brandon Jacobs gets a nice 24-yard run to start thanks to a Madison Hedgecock block. Hedge-cock block, heh. Ward gets five on the next carry. Manning hits Boss after stepping up in the pocket and the tight end is down at the Eagles 26 after a 25 yard pass. Jacobs adds another five, and we're in the red zone at the two minute warning.

I can't be the only one who wants to see Taken, if only because Liam Neeson in ass-kicking mode is fun.

The refs took the Jacobs carry off because it apparently was snapped after the clock hit 2 minutes. Quick throw to Hixon, wrapped up, but offsides on Philly. Incomplete on 1st and 5. Tipped ball on 2nd and 5. Short throw to Ward, and he'll be tackled short of the first down. Carney comes on for a 35 yard try. Kick up and good, Giants take an 8-7 lead.

With Coughlin standing around with his hands on his hips, I'm expecting him to start singing "I'm a Little Teapot." - Mal

But he's ALWAYS steamed. How can you tell when to pour him out?

Demps takes the kickoff out to the 25. McNabb throws to Celek, who drops it because he's looking upfield. DeSean Jackson gets his first catch, running out of bounds after passing the first down marker. Donny Mac to the Avant Garde for 5, then another pass to Westbrook, who scampers out of bounds for the first down at the Giants' 49. McNabb to Avant again at the 34.

And Andy Reid burns his last time out with 40 seconds left, while Troy Aikman digs at him slightly for it (rightfully so.)

As a Vikes fan, I now see where Brad Childress got his clock management skills. - Anon @ 2:32 PM

Jackson brings the catch in at the 25. Ball thrown away on 2nd down. 3rd and 1 means Westbrook; he gets the first, and now they spike it. Giants get flagged for an illegal contact on the running play by McNabb, which gets added on. First and goal. McNabb aims for Jackson in the end zone, but he catches it out of bounds. Akers on for the chip-shot FG; it's up and good. 10-8, Eagles at the half. See you in the 2nd half thread.

Now, on to a possible rout or surprise of the weekend, as the KW-1300 Cybernetic QB and his army of receivers faces off against Carolina and the skill-position Voltron of Steve Smith, DeAngelo Williams, and Jonathan Stewart.

Game: NFC Divisional Playoff #1
Teams: Arizona Cardinals (9-7, NFC West Champs) vs. Carolina Panthers (12-4, NFC South Champs)
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Start Time: 8:15 PM EST
Announcers and Network: Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, and Tony Siragusa (FOX)
Miscellany: Kurt Warner and his religious faith, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin's top notch status, the crappiness of the NFC West, Jake Delhomme's Tommy John surgery, and Steve Smith's fisticuffs.
Favorite: Panthers (-10)
S2N's Pick: Panthers. 8-0 at home, Arizona is 3-5 on the road this year. If the Cardinals are able to stop both running backs, they deserve to win, but then Delhomme goes for Steve Smith.

Ed Reed, contemplating the ways he'll try to pick off Kerry Collins on the rare occasion he does drop back to pass.

I can't get excited about today's at all, so it's open threads. It's not fair to say that because this first one will be a defensive struggle, and that's still good football, but it's not anything I can say is worth live-blogging and I'd like to watch the games today like you guys without looking over my shoulder at the computer and join you all in the comment thread from time to time. I'll be live-blogging both of tomorrow's games. Now, watch as one of these two turns into the barn-burner of the playoffs.

Game: AFC Divisional Playoff #1
Teams: Baltimore Ravens (11-5, 2nd in AFC North) vs. Tennessee Titans (13-3, AFC South Champs)
Location: LP Field, Nashville, TN
Start Time: 4:30 PM EST
Announcers and Network: Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf, CBS
Miscellany: Vince Young mentions, talk about the rookie QB Joe Flacco, Jeff Fisher's longest active tenure in the NFL with one team, Albert Haynesworth going from face-stomper to insanely dominant nose tackle, and of course, Ed Reed.
Favorite: Titans (-3)
S2N's Pick: Baltimore. This goes against the rookie QB rule, but why do I have the sense that the Titans are limping in and won't be able to run as well on the Ravens? I just do.

Had no idea Brian Westbrook was the equestrian type.

Hicks gets upended by Kyle Eckel after a 15-yard return. T-Jack hits Kleinsasser, who heads out past the 30 for a first down. No gain for AP's first carry of the half. 2 yards on the pitch to Taylor. Another big pass to Kleinsasser, 17 yards and past midfield.

Both RBs exchange getting stopped up after an offsides call on Trent Cole; 3rd and 5. Eagles blitz, knock the ball away from Jackson, but he falls on it. Loses 12 yards, fourth down. Kluwe to punt to DeSean Jackson, not much on the return -- but a flag, and it'll back up the Eagles even more for holding.

McNabb hits for a first down after two rushes that get nowhere, Avant brings in the catch at the 11. Donny Mac is hitting passes in stride; latest receiver is Brent Celek, who's got another first down at midfield. 2nd and 3 pass gets knocked down. McNabb throws behind Avant, but he catches it for five and a first down. Gain of two on a running play. 3rd down...McNabb gets off a pass....but they call it a sack, as his forward progress had been stopped. Punt to Bobby Wade at the 10.

Taylor gets six, AP three, and the drive comes up short. Punt, and DeSean Jackson returns it all the way back deep into Minnesota territory.

That was quick. Minnesota gets the ball right back after Jared Allen knocks the ball out of Donovan McNabb's hand as he was throwing.

Incomplete on first down from Jackson. AP up to the 49 on the next play, and that ends the third quarter. No fun at all, with the lack of scoring. 3rd down is incomplete to Berrian, with good coverage from Mikell. DeSean Jackson is back, lets the punt go, and the ball could either be downed at the 4, or it's a touchback -- and they say it's a touchback because his foot was still in the end zone.....it's reviewed, and overturned. Ball at the 4 yard line. An actual good challenge by Childress. Amazing.

Westbrook runs to the right -- and gets stoned at the line of scrimmage. 2nd and 9 to Avant -- leans out for the first down, much needed, too. McNabb then goes to Reggie Brown over the middle for nine yards. Westbrook gets three yards for the first down. Kevin Curtis is wide open at the 43 for another completion. Nothing for Westbrook there, followed by a false start. McNabb to Curtis for 8 on 2nd down and 15. 3rd down -- the rush is on, Brian Robison hits McNabb's arm as he's throwing, and it comes down incomplete.

Sav Rocca's punt goes out of bounds. Vikes start at the 20. AP gets five yards on the carry. Jackson to Rice for 14 yards, out at about the 37, and I'm really getting sick of that damn horn they play in the Metrodome every Viking first down. Handoff to AP for one, stopped up by Chris Gocong. False start flag on Berrian makes it 2nd and 14. Sheldon Brown almost ripped that pass for a pick -- he stepped right into Berrian's route. Eagles bring the blitz on 3rd and 13, and Jackson throws it away from Shiancoe.

Kluwe's punt is only 36 yards, the Eagles will start with decent field position. Handoff to Westbrook....blocks up front, and he's in full gear! Brian Westbrook, 71 yards for the EAGLES TOUCHDOWN! Akers' extra point is good, 23-14.

Hicks' return is out to the 25. Three incomplete passes by Jackson later (and a near pick by Dawkins), Kluwe will punt again. DeSean gets three yards on the return at the Iggles' 24.

Hey, an actual screen pass for Westbrook, something Reid talked about but never did up until that point, and it got a touchdown!!!! In other news, Andy has discovered fire. - SSR
Andy Reid the only man that can hold Westbrook under 100 yds - JG
Before that TD, Westbrook went into the locker room to put on his Darren Sproles underwear. - Anon @ 7:22

Westbrook for a couple on the carry. 2nd and 7 loses yardage, as McNabb throws a screen to Celek, who gets whacked by Madieu Williams. Westbrook gets 11, but is short of the first down -- ugh, punt again....Yawn.

Vikes start at their own 15, incomplete to Wade. Jackson throws out of the reach of Shiancoe. Another incomplete, but a Philly linebacker gets called for roughing the passer with hands to the helmet, and an automatic first down. Jackson breaks the pocket, and rushes it all the way out to midfield. Low snap, fumbled, and recovered by Philly!

Westbrook for five or six. McNabb hits Celek again for a first down, forcing Minny to blow another time out. Rush by Westbrook, called back on holding, but declined by Minny. 2 minute warning and fourth down. Akers comes out and drills a fourth FG, 26-14, Eagles.

Just waiting for the clock to run out, guys...false start penalty. Another Taylor rush. Dawkins breaks up a pass. Another penalty, and eight seconds left. The game will end with a Philly win, 26-14. They're headed to the Meadowlands next week to play their division rivals, the Giants, and Arizona's headed to Charlotte to play Carolina.

Game: NFC Wild Card Playoff #2
Teams: Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1, 2nd place, NFC East) vs. Minnesota Vikings (10-6, NFC North Champs)
Location: Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, MN
Start Time: 4:30 PM EST
Announcers and Network: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, and Pam Oliver, Fox
Miscellany: Teacher vs. student at the coaching positions, how many boneheaded decisions either Andy Reid or Brad Childress make involving play-calling or clock management. Tarvaris Jackson's in a playoff game for the first time, Donovan McNabb and his battle with the naysayers in Philly. All valid narrative points for Buckbot, Jr. and Troy.
Favorite: Philly (-3)
S2N's Pick: Eagles, on the premise that Reid will screw up less than Childress, as well as the first-time playoff QB factor.

It's the Mormon Walrus vs. Coach Major Dad in the Metrodome, folks! Marvel at the specter of bad clock management and play calls designed not to the benefit of the skills of the quarterbacks running both offenses!

Does Chris Myers really need all this work? Seriously? CBS seems to survive with no sideline reporters for Nantz and Simms, why both Oliver and Myers?

Quinton Demps brings the return out to the 11, and Donovan McNabb will start with the ball. McNabb overthrows DeSean Jackson, but mostly because a lineman was about to knock the crap out of him. Westbrook gets his first carry, and loses yardage on it. McNabb hits Kevin Curtis right in the numbers on 3rd down, getting out past the 20 for a first down. Westbrook goes inside for two yards on the carry.

Andy Reid hasn't shaved his beard. He looks like Michael Moore gone football coach. Donny Mac overthrows Greg Lewis, going for the deep strike. 3rd down pass to TE Brent Celek, and he's very, very close to a first down. It's short, and here comes the punt team after Troy made an exceptionally dumb comment about Celek needing to know where the marker is -- one, it was a quick out and two, he was trying to make the move to get the extra yard.

Bernard Berrian returns Sav Rocca's punt to the 10 yard line, but that's it. Tarvaris Jackson throws it away just in time to avoid the sack. Adrian Peterson loses a yard on his first carry. Chester Taylor gets a first down on his first touch in the game. AP brought down for another loss, followed by a screen to the left for Taylor again for 8 yards. Taylor will be short on third down, despite Buckbot saying it depends on the spot.

Chris Kluwe's punt goes to Jackson, who dodges one side of the Vikes' special teams, gets to the outside, and runs all the way to the Minnesota 34.

Does Andy Reid have an ammo belt on holding up his pants? - 49er16
@49er - that belt is Reid's utility belt. It is where he keeps everything he needs to get through the game: a box of twinkies, a selection of proven to be ineffective short yardage plays, and the phone number for his kids' parole officer.- Mal

Westbrook gets two yards on the carry. McNabb scrambles back to the line of scrimmage, away from Jared Allen. After another failed play, David Akers nails a 44-yard FG. 3-0, Philly.

Hicks returns to the 22. AP for two yards, and he took a bit of time to get up. Five for Taylor, and a quick strike from Jackson to Berrian gains a first down. Quinton Mikell nearly picks off Jackson on the next play. Taylor gains seven on his next carry, getting whacked by Brian Dawkins. Jackson hits Bobby Wade for 19 yards. Peterson picks up 2 as he comes back in, ball at the Philly 40. A couple of incompletions after that, and Kluwe comes back on to punt; the kick goes out of bounds at the 16.

Well, now it's marked at the 25 after an official conference. Donny Mac throws to Hank Baskett for the first time today -- gain of 7. (Kendra must be happy.) Correll Buckhalter gets the carry, busts through a hole and then cuts to the right sideline for 26 yards on the run. Buckhalter gets a yard on the next rush. McNabb hits Reggie Brown for 8 yards on 2nd down; 3rd and 1 coming. Vikings call time.

The pass to Westbrook is incomplete, and Akers will try a 51-yard FG. Perfect kick, 6-0, Philly.

Maurice Hicks returns the kickoff to the 22. No yards for AP on the first carry, but an offsides penalty makes it 1st and 5. Jackson throws it away with a defender chasing him. Taylor's tackled for a loss by Mikell. Jackson steps up and hits Sidney Rice at the 38. He follows that up with a pass to Visanthe Shiancoe on first down. Jackson goes downfield for Berrian -- and Brian Dawkins had a better angle on that than Berrian did. Sheldon Brown breaks up the 3rd down pass to Andre Ellison -- but there's a PI flag on Brown. That was kind of ticky-tack.

First down toss to AP gets outside to the right for 6. Injury time out as Asante Samuel collapses in a heap on his leg.

"3rd down and a long 2....", sayeth Buckbot, as Purple Jesus takes the handoff and makes that long 2 a short memory all the way to the end zone. TOUCHDOWN, VIKINGS! Ryan Longwell adds the XP, 7-6, Vikings.

Demps takes the kick up to about the 28. McNabb to Curtis on a great throw for 11 yards. Antoine Winfield knocks the next pass away from DeSean Jackson. And there's another time out blown by the Vikings' D.

The "G" campaign for Gatorade is entirely useless. No ad campaign should fail to tell the viewer what it's actually trying to sell.

McNabb to Jason Avant for five yards on 2nd down after the TO. He then goes deep for DeSean Jackson, who brings it in and is out of bounds at the Vikings' 21. Westbrook gets three yards on first down. He gets five on his next rush, 3rd and 2...blitz on....McNabb's pass incomplete for Kevin Curtis; Akers coming on for another FG try -- up and good, 9-7, Philly retakes the lead.

Hicks makes a 25 yard return on the kickoff. AP for 6, 2nd down pass incomplete to Kleinsasser. Jackson throws.....and Asante Samuel picks it off! Samuel rushes down the sideline, and he's in the end zone for the Eagles TOUCHDOWN! Akers kick is up and good, 16-7, Eagles.

They'll add a 15 yard penalty for celebration on the kickoff (dumbest rule ever, really.)

I guess Asante Samuel has his Ed Reed underwear on for the game. - Anon @ 5:49

How much bad news can the Vikes get on one play? Interception. Eagles TD. Tavaris hurt on the play. Frerotte warming up on the sideline. The only thing missing was Mike Tice scalping tickets in the parking lot. - Mal

Ed Reed would've scored on that play and tackled Jackson at the same time. - SSR

Jackson pitches to AP on first down, and it's a loss of a yard. AP picks up five on the next carry, and another 3rd and 6 for the Vikes. In other news, I'm going to start selling Ed Reed Underoos for some extra spending cash. Bernard Berrian brings in the third down pass and heads all the way to the Philly 31. Bobby Wade uses his hops to get another first down at the 21 on the catch. Taylor up the middle for 8 yards; he follows it up by busting through to the 6 for a first and goal. Two minute warning.

Can we get a damn translator for Troy. Some one to spit would what he's trying to say in less than three minutes. - Lord Nero
@Nero - and it's all in one - three minute long - sentence. That guy abuses conjunctions the way Ed Reed abuses quarterbacks. - Gibbon Jockey

I now just ignore Troy whenever Joe asks him to explain something. Taylor rushes to the 3.

Goddamnit, Fox. Don't show me that graphic with Norv Turner being 13-1 in December and January. I CANNOT DEAL WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF HIM BEING A GOOD COACH.

Anyway, AP gets the ball, runs off tackle left, and that's TOUCHDOWN, VIKES. Longwell's kick is up and good, 16-14, Eagles.

Kickoff out to the 25. Pass to Avant for 13 yards.

"I'm about as much of a doctor as Dr. Phil, but I believe he's [Darren Sharper] is questionable for the rest of the game with the pain he's in." - Chris Myers

3rd and 1, and a bizarre play call -- aired out for Kevin Curtis and Cedric Griffin comes down with the pick. Why call that when the Vikes' defense isn't set at all? Andy Reid brain-fart, ahoy!

Bunch of running plays has the Minnesota crowd booing like crazy. Now, they punt after a horrid pass play call on third down (ka-ching, Major Dad!) DeSean Jackson returns the punt for 18 yards. Pass to Westbrook, who gets out of bounds after nine yards. Another pass to Westbrook on 3rd down with 8 seconds left -- he gets the first down, but time runs out. 16-14, Eagles at halftime.

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.

Colts start at the 26. Manning hits Reggie Wayne for 31, airing it out on the right side to start. All the way up to the Chargers' 43. The next pass goes to Addai for nine yards, and Addai gets stopped for a loss on a 3rd and not much. 4th and 1....going for it...and Peyton throws incomplete. Big, big stop.

Sponge on the break. I haven't heard "Wax Ecstatic" in years, and we get that over Manning Face.

Wow. That was an Andy Reid Moment. - Mal

"My hair says ENERGY!"

Sproles gets stuffed, but takes it for a few yards on the next pass from Rivers. 3rd down rifle to Chambers for the first down, despite the pass interference on the Colts. Sproles rushes for some more, 3rd and 2 is incomplete for Chambers. Fair catch of the punt at the Indy 9.

Manning starts out with a short slant to Marvin Harrison. Addai gets the first down at the 23. He goes deep for Wayne, but Cromartie has him covered. 2nd down after an encroachment, incomplete.

Manning catches the Chargers' defense not even set -- hikes the ball, and hits Reggie Wayne right in stride. TOUCHDOWN, COLTS! 17-14 after the kick. "You Dropped A Bomb On Me," indeed. Just made the entire 11 look silly.

Chargers start on the 20 after Sproles takes a knee on the kick. Six-yard pass to the fullback, Jacob Hester.

Did anyone else notice Norv is wearing glasses now? Like it makes him look any smarter. Acrobatic catch by Chambers on a classic floater back foot throw by Rivers.

"He can't run a lick, but he can move enough just to keep the play alive." - John

At about midfield, and Sproles gets back to the line of scrimmage. The next carry gets him past the first down marker and at the 40. Michael Bennett is in for Sproles, and he barrels through for another first down within the 30. 2nd and 10. Rivers rifles it to Leagdu Naane at the 10. First and goal, nowhere to go for Darren. Sproles gets the next pass, tries to get into the end zone, and the ball is loose in the back of the end zone -- TOUCHBACK, fumble recovered by the Colts!

This Geico ad is now officially getting on my fucking nerves. Cromartie drops a sure pick. He wants that one back right now bad. 3rd down pass is also nearly picked, too. Sproles brings the punt return out to the 45, with a break of Steppenwolf. Sproles gets 9 yards on the carry, going to the Indy 47.

"I love it when they say, 'running backs who try to get small.' He doesn't have to try." - Al on Sproles. Freeney gets his second sack of the night. (MORE, MORE, MORE!!!!) Rivers, on 3rd and 13, rushes 12 yards of those 13 on his own. 4th and 1....Rivers sneaks....and he's got the 1st at the 33 after they measure it.

Rivers aims deep for Chambers in the end zone.....and it's picked off by Antoine Bethea, who runs it out, but there's a chop block by an Indy defender. Peyton will have the ball again.

Got to love Phillip Rivers going Favre with that pass. - 49er16

But he's having a lot of fun out there! Colts start at the 20, swing out to Clark, but there's a tripping call for 10 yards, and that'll be moved back. Goes back to Clark for four yards. Manning slings it to Wayne at the 31 for a first down. Addai grabs four yards. Another first down to Dallas Clark.

Norv looks like my high school principal with the glasses.

Rhodes shoves his way in with his shoulder for a first down in Chargers' territory on 3rd and 2. Cason nearly comes up with the pick on 1st and 10, but it hit the ground first. Manning rolls out, throws it away, and there's a holding penalty. 2nd and 20 gets nothing on the Addai carry. Chargers' D holds as Manning throws incomplete, and the penalty for holding is declined.

Bolts start at the 27 after the punt goes out of bounds. Sproles gets 17 after the catch on the pass out from Rivers. Sproles up to the 49 on the next carry. Another Rex Grossman-style pass from Rivers, and he's lucky that didn't get picked like the last one. Pass out to Bennett, and it's marked just slightly short of the first down....what, really. That's a first down, apparently.

Rivers aims downfield for Naane, and he underthrows him just slightly with double coverage. And down goes Rivers on 3rd down, Robert Mathis gets his second of the day.

That was ingenious Golden Globes advertising, NBC. I'd watch Salma Hayek's Golden Globes in HD.

Scifres punts it again in great field position. Colts start at their own 2, and we get "The Final Countdown."

Addai rushes for six to get out of the end zone. Next carry isn't much. 3rd and 2. Rush on....and DOWN GOES PEYTON AT THE ONE YARD LINE!

Sproles takes a very good punt back to the Colts' 36. Rivers hits Gates for a first down. Another first down to Gates at the 21. Rivers rolls out, can't find anyone, throws it away. Sproles rushes, gets it inside the 10, but short of the first. Colts' time out. Kaeding's on the field. Field goal is up and good, 17-all.

Colts start at the 19 after the kickoff. Short pass to Addai, and they're playing for OT, it looks like. Jyles Tucker is down. Indy gets an extra time out thanks to the injury, because SD is out of them. Manning throws out to Addai again, and the Colts burn another TO. Incomplete, and a kneel, we go to OT. Bolts win the toss.

Sproles brings the kick out to the 25. Raheem Brock is there to stuff him on the first down carry. Rivers throws it away after rolling out on 2nd down. Short out to Sproles -- and he gets past the first down marker on 3rd and 11. Bennett comes in for six yards and the rush. Sproles gets nailed in the backfield, and there's a flag for holding on Indy, for an automatic first down.

Sproles to midfield with 2 yards. Rivers to Gates, who drags tacklers with him for the first down. He loses the ball, but falls right on it. Mathis bull-rushes Rivers and he throws it at the feet of Hester to avoid grounding. 3rd and 8...Chambers on the outside against Jennings, and they call defensive holding. Another automatic first down. And another first down on a Sproles carry, they've called a face mask!

Mighty Mite gets nailed at the 24, loses a couple of yards. Sproles takes the carry, goes outside....AND RUNS ALL THE WAY IN FOR THE TOUCHDOWN! CHARGERS WIN, 23-17! Sproles had more than 300 yards on the day, but none more important than those last 24.

Thanks for joining me tonight. See y'all tomorrow!

Well, I was blatantly wrong in the early game. Let's see if I'm any better this time around.

LDT on the bike: pedalpedalpedalpedalpedalpedalpedal

Darren Sproles takes it out to the 22. LDT can make a cut, I guess. 13 yard gain to start. Two more for LDT, and a throw to Gates for six. 3rd and 2. Robert Mathis then nails Philip Rivers for the first sack, and it's three and out. Punt fair caught at the 9 yard line.

Manning to Harrison right off the bat for eight. Addai gets stuffed on his first carry. Another third down conversion for the Colts, as Manning hits the receiver. He throws it away on first down after Eric Weddle rushes him. Tony Ugoh gets flagged for five. Manning aims deep for Harrison, but it's getting called for PI on Quentin Jammer. First down. Addai gets two in SD territory.

You never want to hear the ref crew being the one that calls the most flags. EVER.

Manning misses Wayne, as the wideout looks the wrong way on the pass after getting Antonio Cromartie looking foolish. Reggie Wayne drops the third down pass, and the Colts will punt. Hunter Smith's kick goes into the end zone.

3rd and 10 after an incomplete pass and Darren Sproles getting nothing. Rivers' 3rd down pass to Gates winds up short of the first down. Scifres punts it 58 yards, with barely a return. Indy starts inside the 20 again.

LT (singing in his head): I love to ride my bicycle. I love to ride my bike. Biiii-cycle. Biiii-cycle. - Mal

Ha. Manning to Dallas Clark for three on a 1st and 15 after a false start. He hits Anthony Gonzalez for six at the 24.

"They also thought he knew the daily double at Del Mar." - Al, as Manning hits Wayne on the screen pass to the 33. Manning to Clark again for another first down. Peyton then goes back to Gonzalez for 36, as he weaves and bobs after the catch. "Looked like a video game," according to Al. Surprised he didn't crack a Madden joke. Gonzalez goes airborne and brings it down at the 3 yard line in double coverage.

Addai can't burrow in on first and goal. Addai on the inside handoff, and it's a TOUCHDOWN, COLTS. Viniateri's kick is good, 7-0, Indy.

Sproles got wailed on at the 25. Rivers to Gates for 6, followed by a five yarder for ineligible downfield. Rivers is hit by Dwight Freeney as he throws to Sproles. 3rd and 9, Sproles gets 13 after the inside handoff and sneaks between the tackles.

"Final minute of the opening stanza." - Al. THIS IS NOT POETRY, THIS IS FOOTBALL.

Sproles gets a couple, but Rivers is incomplete on 3rd and 3. Fits and starts for the Bolts right now, and no passes to either Chris Chambers or Vincent Jackson. Indy gets backed up to its own 3 on the punt. End of the first.

Manning Family shot to start the second. (crosses off list). Short runs and a pass is stopped short of the first down by Antoine Cason. Colts punt out of their own end zone...and it'll get even tougher as Indy gets a delay of game call. Sproles takes the punt back to the 43 yard line of the Colts.

Did Dungy have a Norv face? - James Craven

No. Dungy's facial expression never changes. He's Art Shell, but, y'know, like, successful. (Well, Art Shell 1.0 did fine.)

Everytime they show the charger girls I wonder if the tires on my car are over-inflated. - Mal

Rivers hits Gates again for eight yeards after a rollout. LT gets three to the 33 yard line and a chain movement. Gates again, getting major yards after catch and nailing a first and goal at the 3 yard line. LT busts through an easy hole, TOUCHDOWN, CHARGERS. Nate Kaeding's kick is good, 7-7.

There are no Wendy's within 20 minutes of me. I am tired of seeing their ads now, with that in mind. If you need a diversion, here are the Charger Girls for your perusal.

s2n - "LT busts through an easy hole"???? I didn't know Lindsay Lohan was at the game. - Mal

1,000 cocktails, sir. Colts start at their own 33, and Gonzalez lays out for a very nice catch for 21 yards on first down. Addai, nothing doing on 1st down, but gets nine yards on a pass from Peyton on the next play. End around to Clark for the first down -- AWESOME PLAY CALL. You never run that to the TE, ever. Unless when your DE is Clark; maybe Jason Witten could do that. Gates could do that too. Manning throws it away, sensing a defender coming.

"When you brush away the hair, you know it's not the way it's supposed to be." - John, as if you can get anything nice with helmet hair. 3rd and 10 pass to Clark is short by five yards, Viniateri comes on for a 40+ yard FG try. Up and good, 10-7, Colts.

"[Manning] will get a Vitalis ad out of this." - Al on Peyton Samson's hairdo (via James Craven)

Darren Sproles gets up-ended on the return after bringing it out to the 32. Dwight Freeney violates Rivers' back side for a sack on 2nd down. (MORE, MORE, MORE, COLTS. Hit him in his punk face.) Rivers throws his first non-Gates completion to Sproles, but it's 4th and 11.

MIKE SCIFRES JUST BOOTED ONE 67. Holy shit, that's impressive. Colts start on the 7. 3 for Dominic Rhodes. Wayne bobbles one and doesn't come down with it until he's out of bounds, but Tony Dungy is challenging. This is not gonna be overturned.

Norv just gave a "whew" face after that call stood. 3rd down and some audiblizing on both sides results in a checkdown play, picked up by linebacker Stephen Cooper. Hunter Smith will punt from his end zone again. The punt bounces back to the Indy 45. Sproles rushes for 11 up to the 34. Rivers throws a rope to the sideline, which Chris Chambers reels in and is called a catch. Looked kind of OB to me.

S2N letting out his Bronco fandom with the Rivers hatred - JG

Naturally. Rivers snaps one over the 10 to Chambers for a first and goal. Handoff to Sproles, has a guy grabbing at his leg, and gets right into the end zone! Kaeding's kick is good, 14-10, Chargers.

Sproles made the "money" gesture with his fingers, too. Kickoff, bringing it back out, and there's a FUMBLE!!!! Chargers recover! Wait --- they ruled him down, but this can be reviewed, and SD called a time out.

Ooh, I thought that was a fumble, guys....I don't know about that. Manning nearly picked off by Eric Weddle. Rush to Addai. Bolts' timeout. Addai picks up the first down. Incomplete for Gonzalez at midfield. Addai ends the half with a rush. 14-10, Chargers.

Good first quarter for Arizona, better 2nd for Atlanta. Rackers kicks off to Norwood, who gets out to the 27. Ryan hits Peelle at the 30.

Turner runs....and the ball's knocked out by Dockett! Rolle picks it up and runs into the end zone, TOUCHDOWN, CARDINALS! That was quick, 27 yard return. Rackers, up and good (barely), and it's 21-17, Arizona.

Let the good times Rolle! - SSR

Very punny. Norwood kneels on the kick, start at the 20. Turner had a wide open lane, but Arizona called time-out. He was gone if they hadn't, but let's guess that a TO called that early might bite them in the ass.

Turner gets brought down in the backfield again on first down. Ryan to White...but negated thanks to holding. An incomplete on a rush, and then a delay of game. Does not look good for Atlanta. Ryan throws it away on 3rd and 25, and the refs miss a hold in the end zone that would have been a safety. Breaston gets nailed on the punt before he could catch it -- 15 more yards, and Arizona will start inside the Atlanta 40.

Edge rushes for several yards in his LDT visor. Warner goes for Fitzgerald, who tries to bring it in one handed, but is a couple feet short. Warner to Fitz, it's incomplete, but man, that's a PI flag if I ever saw one. Rackers tries to kick one from 51, but it's wide left. Ken Whisenhunt ought to be fucking furious right now.

Turner gets to the 42. Roddy White brings in another catch, but for not much. 3rd down, and the O-line gets savaged. Incomplete, of course. Punt goes out of bounds at about the mid 20s. Edge gets eight on the next two carries, and Cris is agitating for Pat Tillman in the HOF. Warner to the TE, first down.

"Impressive yards after catch for James, and we did count the times he ran into his own offensive linemen." - Cris, as Warner scampers to the 46 for a first down. James gets into Atlanta territory again for another first down. Tim Hightower gets a couple on the next carry. Warner hits the TE Urban, then checks down to James for another first down at the 25 of the Falcons. Hightower grabs five more to the 20. Warner smokes one into Breaston at the five yard line.

Warner, short pass to Hightower, in the end zone. Rackers point is up and good, 28-17.

Has anyone noticed how odd it is to have Clint Eastwood hunting down Asian gang members. It's like Dirty Harry: The Retirement Years. Looks good though. Atlanta will start at the 20 after a touchback.

Ryan aims downfield for Roddy White....and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie makes an acrobatic interception to pick it off! He got UP THERE. Three and out, though. Punt downed inside the 15. Turner continues to get nothing from Berry and the D-line, Norwood doesn't get much more as the 3rd quarter ends.

Ryan overthrows Jenkins on first down, and he's unraveling. Punt again. Stop hitting yourself, Falcons! 15-yard face mask on the end of an Edge run gets inside Falcons territory. Dumb, dumb screen pass on first down to Arrignton, loses tons of yards. 3rdr and 11. Warner gets harried by the blitz and it's incomplete. Falcons get called for a hold on the punt, giving Arizona ten more yards.

THEY BROKE OUT THE VANILLA ICE FOR MATT RYAN. Good lord.

And they get Matt Ryan in the grasp....and IT'S A SAFETY!!! 30-17. Looks debatable, he held on to the ball too long and they called it as if he was in the grasp and about to go down, and the ref was grabbing Ryan's crotch.

Cris: "He gave him a couple of bucking bronco rides, but the third and fourth was too much." (via Mal)

James burrows for more yards and another first down. Warner out to the TE, about the 22. James gets stopped up in the backfield, there's a flag, and they're battling out of bounds. Holding on Arizona. Warner hits Fitzgerald, but he's short of the first. Douglas takes the punt return out to the 41.

Ryan to Norwood for some serious yardage after the catch, going way deep into Cards' territory. Ryan then goes to Peelle at the 20 -- next pass to Jenkins, short of the first down. QB sneak for the first down. Offsides on the Cards. Toss to White for another first down, and it's first and goal.

Ryan to White -- in the flat, just walks into the end zone, kick is good. 30-24, Cards.

Lost transmission thanks to incompetence at the local station. And now they're not broadcasting in HD. Warner aims for Breaston, who makes the catch and gets into Falcon territory at the 40. Hightower to the 43, and an ATL timeout. An end around to Breaston is broken up big time. And Warner just iced this game with a throw to Spach over the middle and to the 20.

Now they're eating clock, and this game is over with another first down. Your final score will be 30-24, and I totally blew it on this call -- where was this Arizona team all season? See you in a bit for the Colts and Chargers.

Michael Turner, who garnered 4 MVP votes this year, is ready to run all over the place today.

That DP-Matt Millen interview had to be one of the most uncomfortable things I've ever seen on sports television. It's remarkable that Millen admitted to sucking in so many words. Anyway....

Matt Millen just picked the Falcons, so I'm confident the Cards will win this. - Bazooka Jones

That did make me a bit less comfortable with my Falcons pick, but the NFC West is so atrocious.

I cannot be the only one who thinks it's incredibly lame that Arizona somehow thinks it's clever to put "RED ZONE" in humongous lettering over the end zones, as if Cardinals fans are so bad with football that they need it explained where the red zones are. (Of course, this is football in Arizona; that is entirely possible. Is there an actual Arizona Cardinals fan among us here? We would love to hear from you.)

Collinsworth: "Boldin is one of the toughest players in all of football".
Hammond: "You know he's a wide receiver, don't you?" (via Mal)

Thank you Tiki and NBC, for teaching me something I didn't know: they roll the grass at the stadium outside to grow and water it, then roll it back in. That's pretty damn cool.

J.J. Arrington picks up the kickoff and is knocked out at the 12 yard line. The KW-1300 Cybernetic Quarterback throws the first pass of the game high for Larry Fitzgerald. This QB model hides his mechanical enhancements under the gloves. KW-1300 gets whacked as he lets it go on 2nd down, and it's obviously short, as Keith Brooking tried to maul him. 3rd down pass underneath to Ben Patrick, three yards short for a 3 and out.

Edge picked up that blitz like a man ready to leave town. - Mal

Harry Douglas gets the punt at the 30 and returns it 21 yards past midfield for some fine field position to start. Matt Ryan rolls out for three yards and slides after his options are well covered to start. Turner the Burner starts with only a couple yards rushing. Matty Ice fires....and gets picked right away by Ralph Brown. Cards will start at about their own 36.

Edgerrin James picks up about four or five yards on his first carry of the series. He gets a first down by heading past midfield. Another Edge run for 6. One more handoff to Edge -- ooh, we got ourselves a flea flicker -- KW-1300 aims, fires, and Larry Fitzgerald back flips into the end zone with the catch! TOUCHDOWN, CARDINALS. Kick is up and good by Rackers, 7-0, Arizona.

Seriously, double coverage, leaping, back flip, that's major highlight material.

You know how you can sense a disaster approaching. That mall cop movie just pinged every sensor I've got.

"He's like Spider-Man." - Collinsworth on Fitzgerald.

Falcons will start at the 20 thanks to a touchback. Nothing for Turner on first down. False start, then Turner gets about four of those back. Ryan hits Roddy White at the 30 for a first down, and I love Cris breaking down the plays super quick on replays like that. Next throw on first down goes out of bounds. Turner loses a bunch on 2nd down, because Arizona, for some reason, is pegging on the run hard. The Cards have the Falcons on the run right now, and they call time out.

Yep, that was a blown offsides...but it doesn't matter, as Ryan's sacked on 3rd and long. Michael Koenen will come on to punt. Cardinals start at the 24. More Edge, out to the 29.

"Are you sure the Falcons and Cardinals didn't switch uniforms?" - Collinsworth.

KW-1300 then hits Fitzgerald again, who gets out to the mid-40s with some yards after the catch. James inside the 35 of the Falcons. Arrington gets stuffed on his first carry on 2nd and 3. KW-1300 throws it through Anquan Boldin's hands, and this will be a punt, apparently...and it's downed at the Atlanta 5....well, 7 yard line.

Turner gets three on the first carry. Ryan drops back, aims deep for Michael Jenkins, and Rod Hood knocks it away. Bertram Berry takes Ryan down for the second sack of the day, and Koenen will be punting out of his end zone. Left tackle Sam Baker got completely burned. Steve Breaston backs off on the ball, picks it up, and is taken down in good field position.

Fitty gets tied up with the Atlanta defender on first down, ball falls incomplete. KW-1300 gets nailed by Lawyer Milloy as he lets the ball go. 3rd and 10. Warner throws through the hands of Keith Brooking, who should have come up with that.

"Even the defensive players with the bad hands ought to catch that." - Collinsworth

Douglas gets nailed inside the 10 for no return on the punt. Tuner gets two yards, up to the 10. Ryan to White at the 20 for a first down; White is quickly developing into a good wideout. Turner gets leg-tackled by Hood when it looked like he was about to break for 5-10 yards. Norwood gets very close to a first down, busting through for 8...and he's got it to end the first quarter.

I guess Ryan will be added to the QB slurping tree or a replacement for Favre, Brady, Peyton - JG

That ain't new, man. That's been going on all damn year. Turner gets his first good run of the day, 13 yards and another first down. Another first down pass out to Michael Jenkins, who gets 13 more and into Arizona territory. Check down pass to Turner for 7, as Ryan has to bring everyone in around him to get the play call out. It's rather Peyton-esque. Turner hits another first down on the rush. Ball at the AZ 32. Swing pass to Douglas -- and Rod Hood just decked him.

Harry Douglas, you just got KNOCKED THE FUCK OUT.

2nd and 11 on the swing to White, gets a first down near the 24. Ryan to the TE Pollard, completes, and it comes lose, but the Falcons keep the ball.

"One of the things they told Gerald Hayes, I don't want to say this; it sounds bad, but it was: 'Don't think. Just go get the guy!'" - Collinsworth, after Hayes takes Turner down in the backfield. Hood falls down on 3rd and long, and Jenkins winds up being a yard shy on the first because he didn't realize Hood had fallen. 4th down, and a tough call coming.

Kicker and noted author Jason Elam tries a 30-yarder, and it's good. 7-3, Cardinals.

Arizona starts at the 27. KW-1300's pass gets tipped by an airborne D-lineman, and we get our first Leinart shot. The cyborg hits Boldin for his first catch, and he's down after a yard gain. Out to Boldin on the side, the corner misses a tackle, and Boldin is GONE. He burned Lawyer Milloy, badly. Rackers' kick is good, 14-3, Cartdinals. 71 yards all the way. Yeowch.

"I guess that would qualify as some run after the catch." - Collinsworth (via Mal). Norwood returns the kick out to the 23 yard line. 7 yards on the first pass to White, and he gets it again for a first down. Ryan goes all the way across the field for White, who manages not to bring it in. Another throw wide for Jenkins. Jenkins then brings in a pass from Ryan, who had very good protection and the receiver does a great job to come down in bounds.

Turner gets nothing in the backfield again. Arizona's stopping the run very well. Ryan to White again for a first down.

"Have any explanation for that, Cris?" - Hammond
"No, I'm not smart enough to come up with one for that!" - Collinsworth, on why Ryan is more successful throwing to his left than his right.

Ryan to White again for another 12 yards, and they're in the red zone. Ryan scrambles, gets up to the 18.

Atlanta is going all Philly on us and is going pass happy. - SSR
Mularkey's channeling his inner Andy Reid it looks like. - James Craven

Burn. Turner gets up to the 15.....and eventually Turner just walks into the end zone. Kick up and good, 14-10, Cardinals.

Warner faces a 3rd and 10 after having to throw a pass away...and 3rd down is deflected and picked by Cheivous Jackson! Turner rushes up and is just short of the first down....never mind, he got it. Offsides on AZ, first and 5, Ryan overthrows White when he didn't have to at all. 1:12 left to go int he first half.

Ryan to White again just inside the first down. 2 yard line. Ryan to Justin Peelle, easy TE pattern, TOUCHDOWN. Kick up and good, 17-14, Falcons take the lead.

Warner to Fitzgerald for a small screen pass to end the half at that score. See you in the 2nd half thread.