NFL week 15 open thread
posted at 10:00 am on December 20, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
And then there was one. Who would have guessed that the Saints would lose their first game before the Colts? Indy has played so many games from behind that almost every week sportswriters have begun writing in fourth quarters about Peyton’s first stumble, only to delete the lead and rewrite it. The Cowboys managed to solve New Orleans, and maybe give some hope to the Minnesota Vikings that they can gain the NFC home-field advantage in the playoffs this year.
Unfortunately, my Steelers are almost certainly out of the post-season, although Indy helped a bit by outlasting Jacksonville on Thursday. Green Bay comes to Pittsburgh today, and they’re improving while the Steelers are … well, not. I’m sticking with the Steelers at home, but they’d better find a way to get to Aaron Rodgers today if they want to win. Steelers win at home, 17-10.
Last week I went 5-1, but I wound up jinxing the Giants again. I’m now 53-25 for the season. Here are my picks for this week:
- Minnesota at Carolina – Minnesota is perfect at home, but they’re also 4-2 on the road. The Panthers are 3-3 at home. Vikings over Panthers, 31-17.
- Cincinnati at San Diego – This should be a good game between two playoff-bound teams. Cincinnati came up short last week against Minnesota, and they’re going to have trouble with the Chargers, who are playing excellent football now. San Diego should win at home, 28-24.
- Miami at Tennessee – This should be another good game. Vince Young is dinged up, and Miami still has a shot at the playoffs. Miami can counter the Titan running game, and should beat them, 35-24.
- Giants at Washington – The Giants have played poorly at night, and the Redskins are playing at home. This may come down to which team makes the fewest mistakes. I’ll have to pick the Redskins, 23-17, which of course means I’m rooting for the Giants, if you believe Jazz Shaw’s jinx talk.
- Atlanta at the Jets – A hmmmm game. Atlanta’s a poor road team, but the Jets are only .500 at home. They’re getting Sanchez back this week, and that should lift them to a 26-21 win and keep their playoff hopes alive.
Blowback
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WOW
CWforFreedom on December 20, 2009 at 7:48 PM
Stings don’t it?
CWforFreedom on December 20, 2009 at 7:49 PM
Oh snap…guess what I saw.
LevStrauss on December 20, 2009 at 7:50 PM
Thank goodness it’s a moot point now!
ladyingray on December 20, 2009 at 7:51 PM
Finally. but WTF was that onside kick call
-
Go Steelers….Big Ben 500 yards. Nice.
CWforFreedom on December 20, 2009 at 7:52 PM
COLTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
JaqobJackson on December 20, 2009 at 7:52 PM
Wow now that was some finish. Gotta hand it to Ben on the pass.
Feel better Ed? I’ll bet you were having breathing problems.
And now the Ravens have to go there next weekend. Oh Crap!!!
JohnnyD on December 20, 2009 at 7:52 PM
503 yards passing, wow.
But the Steelers are going nowhere with no defense. It’s been a shock to see them go from first to worst in the league in playing D.
forest on December 20, 2009 at 7:53 PM
JohnnyD,
Who’d have thought the Steelers and Ravens would be playing a game next week with an over/under of about 61? The great Ravens/Steelers Shootout?
forest on December 20, 2009 at 7:56 PM
So mad that the Steelers won! Let’s just hope they lose to the Ravens next week – else it’s going to be hell in my house.
I was glad they had the field cleaned up for the B’more game – we had a hell of a snowstorm here. Just over a foot and a half on our deck in Westminster.
Anna on December 20, 2009 at 7:57 PM
Nah. I was just shocked a bit. Big Ben gets his dues. I’ll bet that guy who caught the ball never has to buy a beer for a long time.
JohnnyD on December 20, 2009 at 7:59 PM
Congats to the Cards winning their division. They should be happy that they won’t see the Niners again this year. :)
Rovin on December 20, 2009 at 7:59 PM
ROFL at the Packers.
Bishop on December 20, 2009 at 8:00 PM
Because a two man pass rush is idiotic.
Geochelone on December 20, 2009 at 8:03 PM
So long as the Ravens win!!
And I’m glad I’m not going to be around Anna if they lose.
:)
JohnnyD on December 20, 2009 at 8:04 PM
Sure it didn’t sting. ROFLMAO
CWforFreedom on December 20, 2009 at 8:12 PM
Why? Game didn’t mean anything to the Packers and yet they still almost beat the Steelers at home.
lowandslow on December 20, 2009 at 8:15 PM
How confident after today??
Nope..no sting at all
/
CWforFreedom on December 20, 2009 at 8:16 PM
Why? Game didn’t mean anything to the Packers and yet they still almost beat the Steelers at home.
lowandslow on December 20, 2009 at 8:15 PM
If it makes you feel better.
Actually they could have bettered themselves by winning.
Sheesh grow up.
CWforFreedom on December 20, 2009 at 8:17 PM
LowandReallySlow
Giants wins this week and they are one game back of the packers. So you can tell yourself all the little stories you want but ROFL at the Packers seems appropriate.
CWforFreedom on December 20, 2009 at 8:19 PM
No it wouldn’t have. They have to beat either Seattle or Arizona to beat out the Giants or the Cowboys for the wildcard, regardless of the outcome of this game. This game didn’t mean anything.
lowandslow on December 20, 2009 at 8:23 PM
And if they would have won this game and lost the next two?
Grow up. Sheesh . I didn’t realize 12 year olds trolled here. There are plenty of sites for you . Now go wipe the tears off. ROFL.
CWforFreedom on December 20, 2009 at 8:29 PM
LowandReallyslow….
Go ask the PLAYERS what it meant.Now you can go back to playing Left4Dead or whatever games you play. Laughable.
It meant nothing/x10
CWforFreedom on December 20, 2009 at 8:32 PM
The VIKES are on MaFuggahs!!
abobo on December 20, 2009 at 8:34 PM
Are you for real? Only one acting like a twelve year old is you. The playoff scenarios doesn’t change just cause you want it to. The Packers are playing for the NFC wildcard and to secure that they needed to win against Seattle or Arizona and this game had no bearing on that.
lowandslow on December 20, 2009 at 8:38 PM
LowandReallyslow
So far you have not clinched. Read your whiney post again their little man.
CWforFreedom on December 20, 2009 at 8:41 PM
Ed. please ban the kids
CWforFreedom on December 20, 2009 at 8:41 PM
You can tell when someone has never played a sport . That is for sure
CWforFreedom on December 20, 2009 at 8:42 PM
BTW, I think Tomlin was right to onside the kick because he rightfully had no confidence in his defense or kick coverage, and plenty of confidence in the offense. If the Steelers picked it up, they win. If the Packers get the ball, they are in a situation where they can retake the lead, but will have to leave time on the clock.
If the Steelers kick deep, the Packers can burn the clock and easily get the field goal for the win because the Steelers defense has evaporated over the last 6 weeks.
forest on December 20, 2009 at 8:47 PM
WTF? Before this game even started Green Bay still needed a win at Seattle or Arizona to clinch a wildcard, regardless of the outcome of this game. Period. Do you understand that? I don’t know how to make it any more clearer. A win at Pittsburgh and two losses in all likelihood the Packers would be out. A win at either Seattle or Arizona and two losses makes no difference, the Packers are in.
lowandslow on December 20, 2009 at 8:55 PM
Steelers 17-10, eh? Glad I caught the last twominutes after they switched games. Didn’t know you were a fellow Steelers fan, Ed. I go back to 1955 with the Steelers.
gary fouse on December 20, 2009 at 9:07 PM
Well, the Bronco’s tied Obama with a good, solid B+ effort this afternoon.
Fynxbell on December 20, 2009 at 9:22 PM
7-6!
ps: Antone ever see Moore and Flacco in the same room at the same time? Hhmmmm…
abobo on December 20, 2009 at 9:43 PM
*Anyone that is.
yea, i’m a moron.
abobo on December 20, 2009 at 9:44 PM
I have been a Seahawks season ticket holder for five years now. I have never seen them look worse than they did today. The Hawks have hit rock bottom with their 24-7 loss to Tampa Bay at home. They were lethargic, and out of sync all game. Their O-line actually played okay, but the D-line was pushed around by TB. As usual, no pressure on the QB.
To make the day perfect, it was announced that Holmgren is not coming back to the front office. This team is in serious trouble with a lot of holes to fix. Sigh………..
Mallard T. Drake on December 20, 2009 at 10:40 PM
I am pretty sure that if Birds win out and G-Men beat Minnesota we get the bye. This has been a great weekend, except for the Saints losing.
LevStrauss on December 20, 2009 at 10:55 PM
Cardinals are in the playoffs for the 2nd year in a row (and bucking the trend of Super Bowl runner-ups not appearing in the following year’s playoffs) – surely this is a sign of the end times, right?
Mibrilane on December 20, 2009 at 11:04 PM
So how did they do? Oh that’s right…WE WON!
DA BEARS – too bad, so sad!
*does an unsportsmanlike dance on the computer desk*
*falls on rump*
Laura in Maryland on December 20, 2009 at 11:06 PM
Go Panthers!
Del Dolemonte on December 20, 2009 at 11:07 PM
How bout them Chargers? Nate Kaeding, the best percentage FG kicker in league history had NEVER won a game with 2 seconds or less, kicks a 52 yard FG as time expires to beat the Bengals.
dthorny on December 20, 2009 at 11:15 PM
For the record, either Ed did not see my wager or chose to ignore it. Yes, the days events did not provide an advantage. I see a future ahead for my Niners unless the government takes them over…..:)
You’re a good sport CW.
Rovin on December 21, 2009 at 12:58 PM
Ed,
The Steelers are alive and well. We will DEFEND. Cincy, get ready to see what happens when you play the Steelers for the 3rd time this year!
walker_ro on December 21, 2009 at 1:42 PM
First, Peyton Manning has appropriately deferred to his coach, but he made it clear, the team wants to play. My meaningless vote: Play em.
Second, I’m a bit surprised that the Bears management is sticking with coach Smith. I agree that he isn’t the major part of their problem, but if they don’t get better play on both sides of the ball, next year will be no better than this and they will have to replace him then… and be another year behind. Will we see some major personnel changes in the off-season? Maybe a new assistant coach or two?
SKYFOX on December 21, 2009 at 1:52 PM
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