Nerd Mentality

Shard

Can't wait for the Bills/Steelers game. Hope they stomp that over-rated rook QB.

Overrated rookie QB? Have you watched him play? Let me give you a real fast look at how the Steelers are...

The Steelers are not a passing team. They pass when they need to. They've made the play-calling simple, because he is a rookie. The Steelers will run the football on teams, chew out the clock, and when a situation comes that they need yards fast or need to climb back into a game to win, they put it in the hands of Roethlisberger. He is not like other rookie quarterbacks because he keeps his composure, keeps his poise. His mental clock runs how it should, not to mention the Steelers offensive line has given him great protection. The running game of the Steelers has been great, Jerome Bettis galloping for 100+ yard games five (or was it six times?) every time he plays instead of Duce Staley.

Overrated? Let's keep in mind that he has won twelve of his twelve starts, and that includes handing out the only defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles with a decisive 27-3 victory in which the rookie QB passed for 11/18 with 183 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT, the Eagles passing defense rated 12th in the league (now). They also had given the New England Patriots a brutal loss in which they marched down the field to take a 21-3 lead in the first quarter, ending with 34-20 victory, in which the young QB 18/24 with 196 yards, 2 TDs and 0 INTs, the New England pass defense (now) rated 17th in the league.

I can let it slide that you said he was overrated, because people have mentioned his statistics in the same breath as when Dan Marino was a rookie, but I'll just keep you in check if you were starting to think that he does not have tremendous potential or that he had not been effective and reliable when the Steelers need to put it in the air.

I'll give you this: the Bills have the 3rd ranked pass defense in the NFL and they've been on a hot streak lately. They have the chance to give the Steelers one of their few defeats in the year. If the Steelers offensive line does not protect Roethlisberger like they have all year long, can manage to get to the QB and give him sacks and disrupt his timing, they can get that win. If he can have time in the pocket, or can get away from pressure, he will continue to make reliable passes.

For the record on Ben Roethlisberger, his stats on the year after 12 games... 182/276 (65.9% accuracy (6th among active NFL QBs)) 2400 yards, 15 TDs, 10 INTs, 30 sacks and a passer rating of 96.3.

A lot will also depend on if the Steelers have anything to play for in that game. If the Steelers win against the Ravens next week, that game will mean nothing as they will have homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. They'll play, but they'll be less aggressive. We'll know as the next week pans out.

As for the Jaguars, I also think that you're mistaken on them being such a poor team. Despite all of the injuries they've had, they bring it all every game. They are a very physical football team and they will run the ball down a team's throat until they've tired the defense down, at which point the big plays strike. Fred Taylor doesn't run that often, but he's a reliable and powerful back to have, grinding out a 4.8 yards average per run. The toughness of that Jacksonville team is impressive: Byron Leftwich takes beating after beating, but still plays, and plays well. Green Bay should have won that football game between them, barring those bizarre and rare Brett Favre interceptions, but the Jaguars bring 100% to every game, no matter who is playing. A physical team that keeps pounding the opposition until they're too fatigued to play, the Jaguars aren't a joke, I think.

In the NFC, I like the Packers now anyway. I've always liked them, I'll admit. Brett Favre is always dangerous. He's too good to not be a factor in any game. Ahman Green is a strong and dangerous back in the game. The Eagles -- who was the only contender in the NFC before the injury to Terrell Owens -- has become that much worse. Defenses will have an easier time covering McNabb's passes when they don't have T.O. on the field to worry about. Westbrook will have to step up, but I don't think that will be enough to really lift them into being a serious contender in the Super Bowl. In truth, no one from the NFC really has proven themselves to have a legitimate shot at beating any of the AFC teams. The New England Patriots, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Indianapolis Colts and the San Diego Chargers all seem to be decisively ahead of any NFC competition. The Atlanta Falcons are too streaky, and Michael Vick -- talented and dangerous though he is -- would not be enough to make them a real team in the Super Bowl, I think, nor do any of the other teams in the Conference.

In the AFC, I think that the Colts could go somewhere. Their explosive offense is too paramount to keep them from being a serious contender in this race, boasting the number one QB (who had an average QB rating of 126 going into Week 15 (the NFL record is 113, by Steve Young)), the number one RB, all combining to form the decisively powerful #1 Offensive Team in the NFL, bar none. Their defense is lacking, however, though improving in recent weeks. Defenses are necessary to win championship games in the NFL, so they're definitely not a shoo-in in this AFC clash of so many good football teams. The Chargers, though a surprise team in clinching their division, I'm not that sure about. Since they only won four games last year (or however few), they haven't been on TV enough times for me to know. They have the best TE in the game, they have a steady running game, and they have a pretty good defense. They are a good football team.

I think that the Jets and the Jaguars will be the wild card teams in the AFC. I don't think that either team will make it past the Colts and the Chargers, however. The Colts could beat the Patriots in a rematch (they lost 27-24 in their first game, after a missed field goal in the closing seconds). The Colts defense has improved and Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis offense has kept strong throughout the entire year. The Colts could beat the Steelers as well, though they'd have a tougher time at that. The Steelers have the best ranked defense in the NFL, but I know that the Colts can explode at any point. The Ravens contained Manning in the first half after disrupting his timing by getting in the backfield and putting pressure on him, but the second half, for those who watched, he methodically moved down the field and hit that rhythm again. He spreads the ball around using that number one RB so his stats aren't wholly impressive in that game alone, but he was in control. I don't think the Patriots would beat the Steelers in a rematch, after they were beat-down that first game. The Chargers -- I can't call them on anything.

Ah well. You wanted serious discussion. I've given more than my fair share. I didn't analyze the NFC because no one has stood out as dominant. The Eagles are no longer a threat without T.O., and no one else has stood out.

I'll be amazed if anyone read that. Oh well.
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TendoGamer

I've lost count of how many shirts you've ruined over the past six years with that tic of yours.

TendoGamer

I've lost count of how many shirts you've ruined over the past six years with that tic of yours.

Mahatma Ghandi

I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.

Brawl- 2320-5856-7241

MajinbuuX105

Falcons suck. they don't deserve.

Chiefs

Poor them, they beat the crap out of the falcons too. it's not fair.

falcons are the only team in the NFC that I could give a damn about. I just dont see Philly making it to the super bowl. The afc is where its at and it'll be one hell of a playoffs in the AFC section.

MajinbuuX105

Peyton Manning sucks balls. I hate him. and the Chiefs kicked his ass earlier this season too.

Do they show NFL games in France?? You're confusing the hell out of me.

And Advance is absolutely right. WIthout a defence, the Colts will get nowhere (see : Billy VOlek throwing 900 yards and 9 td's in two games, and losing BOTH of them). And we all know that Tony Dungy will never win a championship
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MajinbuuX105

Peyton Manning sucks balls. I hate him. and the Chiefs kicked his ass earlier this season too.

No self-respecting human being could hate Peyton Manning. I can see your years in America failed to surpress your French roots.

Who's great, Trent Green? Are you kidding me? He used to be third string quarterback for the Redskins behind Heath Shuler and Gus Frerotte. Trent Green can come suck my balls.

Peyton is the second greatest player and person in the NFL, behind Brett Favre.
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DeathDaddy

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Knows football. I have nothing to say after reading your post... finally, someone who does his research and doesn't just throw out generalizations based on game recaps he's seen

And for the record, the Jaguars are my team. I feel that they don't have the personnal to go deep into the playoffs this year, but after seeing the the way they play every game until the last second is off the clock, there's hope. It's just that distinct needs at both defensive end and backup corner have this team one offseason away from the big time. The AFC South is being turned upside-down, with the Titans entering the bowels of salary cap hell, and the Colts putting themselves in the same position for a sharp decline in the next few years. If you see what they're doing, they are signing all their top players to deals that push their money to future salary caps. In the next two or three years, the Colts will have the room to sign some extra help on defense (which has a good foundation with two great pass-rushers, Dwight Freeny* and Robert Mathis, who have combined for 25.5 sacks on the year, the best combination in the league) but after that it all comes crashing down with the mega-contracts of Manning, Harrison, Stokely, and in all likelyhood, Edge and Wayne. They feel that by mortgaging their future, they can bring their city a championship. And with the season Manning and crew are having, it's not an unrealistic goal. The last team in the division is the Texans, a great-looking young team that can also become a seroius threat with some offseason acquisitions. They are on the rise with a talented QB in David Carr, big play wide-out Andre Johnson, and a loadbearing (but not oft-used) RB in Domanick Davis. Their defense (including defensive rookie of the year contender Duanta Robinson) is a bit malinged, but seemingly on the rise with a good group of run-stopping linebackers (and member of 2000 Ravens Jaime Sharper)

--I have to stop now due to studying for finals, but I could go on forever

*Did you see the game he had against all-Pro tackle Jonathan Ogden? (I watched this match-up when the camera was on Kyle Boller in the pocket) Odgen had a very tough time keeping him down, as Freeny was constantly blowing right past him (a smart move, considering the tackle has a near 100-pound advantage)
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Advance

Peyton is so much cooler than Tom Brady. He's just a sight to watch. By the way, anyone seen that Mastercard commercial where he's the fan for the gas pumper, the insurance guy, and all that? Hilarious.

Are you kidding?? What has Manning won to make you reach this decision? Have you seen Manning play the Pats? He becomes a different, and much worse, player. Why? Defense. With good pressure, Manning (at least against the Pats) folds under the pressure. With the exception of when Brady made the dumb ass decision to throw the ball instead of taking a tackle this past Monday, he makes very few mental mistakes. If you want to talk about being cool, how about coming from behind in the Superbowl (against the much more favored Rams with John Madden telling you to take a knee) to drive his team down the field for the win.

nenned

Are you kidding?? What has Manning won to make you reach this decision? Have you seen Manning play the Pats? He becomes a different, and much worse, player. Why? Defense. With good pressure, Manning (at least against the Pats) folds under the pressure.

Pats didn't beat him with pressure, they did it by letting him sit in the pocket. They then mugged his recievers, and Manning had nowhere to go.
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Yoshi

Pats didn't beat him with pressure, they did it by letting him sit in the pocket. They then mugged his recievers, and Manning had nowhere to go.

Its a different type of pressure but pressure nonetheless.

nenned

Are you kidding?? What has Manning won to make you reach this decision? Have you seen Manning play the Pats? He becomes a different, and much worse, player. Why? Defense. With good pressure, Manning (at least against the Pats) folds under the pressure. With the exception of when Brady made the dumb ass decision to throw the ball instead of taking a tackle this past Monday, he makes very few mental mistakes. If you want to talk about being cool, how about coming from behind in the Superbowl (against the much more favored Rams with John Madden telling you to take a knee) to drive his team down the field for the win.

Okay... I take it you're from Boston, in which case try not to be a homer, and accept critisim (especially accurate critisism..) on your favourite player.

Peyton is so much cooler than Tom Brady. He's just a sight to watch.

As per that comment Nenned, what HASN'T payton done to prove he's better than Brady?? Brady is a product of the system. Everyone knows that. Take away his brilliant coaching staff, and I'd be willing to bet they become just another regular team in the NFL.

Meanwhile, Peyton has carried his team on his back for his entire NFL career. Just imagine if Peyton had the Patriots defence instead of the clowns he's working with now.
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thegamedevil666

Okay... I take it you're from Boston, in which case try not to be a homer, and accept critisim (especially accurate critisism..) on your favourite player.



As per that comment Nenned, what HASN'T payton done to prove he's better than Brady?? Brady is a product of the system. Everyone knows that. Take away his brilliant coaching staff, and I'd be willing to bet they become just another regular team in the NFL.

Lets see, its says I'm fom Boston under my avatar, my avatar is of a member of the RedSox, and my sig is a picture of the RedSox winning the World Series. No, I'm from the Bronx.

And there was no criticism of Brady. I was just disagreeing with Advance about who is cooler under pressure. And like Buu said, Manning has yet to win the Super Bpowl while Brady has not ony won 2, but he was the MVP of both.

nenned

Lets see, its says I'm fom Boston under my avatar, my avatar is of a member of the RedSox, and my sig is a picture of the RedSox winning the World Series. No, I'm from the Bronx.

Forgive me on this one, but I've been to Boston games in Tamps, Toronto, and Baltimore, and no matter where I go it seems as if they are more popular than the home team. There are a LOT of boston fans that don't live in boston. People jumped aboard their bandwagon a few years ago.

And brady wining those MVP trophies is questionable and you know it. The way the Pats play is a team effort; they don't have many "stars", so in the end Brady won two, but they could have just as easily gave the award to other players on the Pats.
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nenned

And there was no criticism of Brady. I was just disagreeing with Advance about who is cooler under pressure. And like Buu said, Manning has yet to win the Super Bpowl while Brady has not ony won 2, but he was the MVP of both.

That's my mistake. I didn't mean cooler under pressure--although comparing last week's games against Baltimore and Miami respectively, I'd have to say Peyton works much better under pressure.

Anyway, all I meant was that I like Peyton more than Brady because Brady would be nothing without the Patriots, and Peyton has natural talent. This is, of course, just my opinion, but Tom Brady is a douche. Peyton is the real deal.

Peyton is like Brett Favre, like I said before. Tom Brady is the next Kurt Warner, except Kurt was more masculine.

This is kind of a random comment as I join the Brady-Manning debate, but watch the two play. Peyton calls his own plays half the time. He makes it up at the line. I don't see Tom Brady do that, and when he does improvise, it usually results in disaster.

When Peyton improvises, he's at his most deadly.

But like I said before, the Colts have no defense and not near as deep a team as the Patriots, so of course the Colts aren't going as far as the Patriots.
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MajinbuuX105

Peyton still sucks.

Brady has 2 superbowls, peyton has none

Brady > Peyton

Going by that logic then Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson are both better than Dan Marino.
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Advance

This is kind of a random comment as I join the Brady-Manning debate, but watch the two play. Peyton calls his own plays half the time. He makes it up at the line. I don't see Tom Brady do that, and when he does improvise, it usually results in disaster.

Its true Charlie Weiss makes the calls from the sideline for Brady, but Brady often changes it before the snap depening on how the other team's defense is lined up. And with only 4 losses in the past 2 seasons, I don't see how you could say those plays have been a "disaster." I agree Manning is overall better than Brady. Like I said, I was just disagreeing about who was cooler under pressure, something I apparently misread from your post.

MajinbuuX105

Marino never won a title, he got all records, but never won. and winning a title makes your career. so Marino sucks.

Good teams win championships. Good players get records.

But.. KC has only 2 championships. Green Bay has 12. So Green Bay > KC.
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Grimlock

Good teams win championships. Good players get records.

Records can be broken but you can't take away championships.

Grimlock

Record can be broken. But the greatness acheived while the person got those records still remains.

hmm, ask Barry Bonds in a few years.