Calling it

[stevew]

The Colts will lose tonight, by double digits.

[gottimd]

As long as Jeff Reed gets at least 5 points, so my fantasy team doesn't lose, I could care less who wins and by how much.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Nothing wrong with calling that shot. You look like a genius if you're right, and it's so outlandish that nobody would blink if you're wrong. Nice job hedging your bets there. :)

[Joe]

no

[Raiders Army]

The Colts will lose tonight, by double digits.
So how many points are the Steelers going to win by tonight?

[GreenMonster]

As long as Jeff Reed gets at least 5 points, so my fantasy team doesn't lose, I could care less who wins and by how much.

I need Edge, Wayne, and Colts D to pick up 41 to win.. It's possible with our scoring if at least one guy has over a hundred and a TD...

[gstelmack]

I need 12 points from Troy Polamalu tonight. A few tackles and another big defensive TD from him and I'm golden...

[Pumpy Tudors]

I'm in three fantasy football leagues and haven't even looked at any of them since Week 4. I know I have Peyton Manning in one of the leagues, but I forget which one. I don't really care about fantasy football anymore, I guess. :(

Anyway, I predict that the sun will rise in the southwest sky on Saturday morning. I AM CALLING IT NOW!

[Butter]

The Steelers will lose tonight, and next week, by double digits.

You're a genius.

[stevew]

So how many points are the Steelers going to win by tonight?
At least 10

[cthomer5000]

Not happening.

[stevew]

You're a genius.
Imagine if the Bengals actually won something.....you wouldnt shut up.

[Joe]

Imagine if the Bengals actually won something.....you wouldnt shut up.

Neither would Shorty

[Pumpy Tudors]

Neither would Shorty
Thanks for reminding me to scan every thread for Shorty's single post of the day.

[Butter]

Imagine if the Steelers actually won something.....you wouldnt shut up.

I know it... you're hard to take as it is.

[stevew]

I wish the Bengals had 1 Super Bowl Ring
Tell it like it is.

[rkmsuf]

Steeler fans are awesome. This reminds me of all the games against the inferior Patriots in the playoffs.

[MizzouRah]

Steelers win? HA-HA that's a good one. I hope Peyton eats up the Steelers defense.

[MizzouRah]

dola,

The Rams will bring in their 3rd string QB and then come back from a 24-3 deficit to beat a 1-9 team who thought they had the game in the bag. :)

[Daimyo]

Its an interesting matchup. Offensively the Steelers are the perfect team to face the Colts and Randel-el is probably salivating at the chance to face the Colt's terrible special teams kick coverage. I expect the Steelers to put up some points tonight.

On the other end its really a strength on strength matchup. Pittsburg is a great blitz team and Manning has always been amazing against the blitz. If the Steelers can confuse Manning and get him flustered it will be a blow out, but if not, I'd expect the Colts to win a relatively close one. I'm leaning toward the latter.

[Butter]

I wish the Steelers had been to as many Super Bowls as the Bengals in the last 25 years.

You know it!

I think tonight's the night that Cowher's jaw finally totally unhinges completely on the sidelines, causing a lengthy and unnecessary delay.

[rkmsuf]

You know it!

I think tonight's the night that Cowher's jaw finally totally unhinges completely on the sidelines, causing a lengthy and unnecessary delay.

Ugh, I was just reminded of the excessive number of reaction shots we are in store for.

[spleen1015]

Hey stevew, care to make a sig bet?

[rkmsuf]

Hey stevew, care to make a sig bet?


That will put an end to his nonsense in a hurry. No way he bets you based on his original prediction.

[cthomer5000]

i hope your second call was not to a bookie.

[Joe]

this thread has so much promise for tomorrow

[Butter]

Paging stevew.

Nice playing by Big Ben there. He looked stunned on the sideline all night long. That was the best MNF game I've watched in a long time, all the Steelers trying to muscle up and out-tough the Colts, and getting their ass handed to them in the process.

It almost makes this weekend's inevitable Bengals loss to the Steelers bearable.

[MJ4H]

gg

[Ksyrup]

Colts looked good last night. If they march through games 13-15 in similar fashion, I don't see how anyone can pick against them in the playoffs. Jax, SD, and Seattle is just about as tough a 3 game run as they're likely to face in the playoffs.

[spleen1015]

I thought stevew would man up. I am disappointed.

[Joe]

don't worry, the Steelers will beat the Colts in the playoffs

[MikeVick7]

don't worry, the Steelers will beat the Colts in the playoffs
???

Back in the RCA Dome? Just like last night?

[Joe]

???

Back in the RCA Dome? Just like last night?

EXACTLY like last night

[Butter]

I'm sure the Colts are losing sleep. Lots and lots of tossing and turning.

[MikeVick7]

I'm sure the Colts are losing sleep. Lots and lots of tossing and turning.
Yeah, I'm sure they shaking in their little space boots.

[Daimyo]

If the Colts defense can sustain the level of play from last night through the rest of the season this team just might have a shot at actually going undefeated.

[stevew]

Some day, i dare to dream of this day, uninspired playcalling and poor decision making will get Bill Cowher fired. Until that day, I should trust my better instincts when counting on the team. When i can call an onside kick at the half, the fact that a run is coming every first down, a running play into the 8 man front, an inside draw handoff every third down, etc, etc, i only dream about how much better an opposing DC can just shred the Steelers. I don't think Ben audibled once. I think they miss the playoffs now, especially with that turnstyle line.

In other news, i spent most of the morning in pain, hence my "not owning up to this debacle prediction earlier"....i think i have kidney stones. This is not gonna be fun.

[Hurst2112]

I don't think Ben audibled once. I think they miss the playoffs now, especially with that turnstyle line.



i would place a friendly bet and say that with the parity in the afc, the steelers will make it.

[Senator]

There is nothing better than the "I'm calling it" thread.

[stevew]

i would place a friendly bet and say that with the parity in the afc, the steelers will make it.
Nope. We lose to the Bengals, Bears, and Vikings.

[stevew]

There is nothing better than the "I'm calling it" thread.
I think that Child Molester thread is awesome-er.

[ice4277]

Dear Steelers Fan,

If you are really that fed up with Bill Cowher, I'll trade you a Steve Mariucci for him.

Thanks,

Lions Fan

[Desnudo]

Colts looked good last night. If they march through games 13-15 in similar fashion, I don't see how anyone can pick against them in the playoffs. Jax, SD, and Seattle is just about as tough a 3 game run as they're likely to face in the playoffs.

I would really like to replay the second half without the onside kick. That was an incredibly dumb play call. You're down by nine with 30 minutes left. You replay it without that silly move, the Steelers kick a field goal instead of going on 4th down, and it's actually a football game.

[st.cronin]

I would really like to replay the second half without the onside kick. That was an incredibly dumb play call. You're down by nine with 30 minutes left. You replay it without that silly move, the Steelers kick a field goal instead of going on 4th down, and it's actually a football game.


Agreed. Cowher has the horses to beat the Colts, but he had a very bad game.

[rkmsuf]

Agreed. Cowher has the horses to beat the Colts, but he had a very bad game.

guy is a choker in a big spot

no reason to do the things he did last night. punting from the 36 yard line down double digits?

[gottimd]

I would really like to replay the second half without the onside kick. That was an incredibly dumb play call. You're down by nine with 30 minutes left. You replay it without that silly move, the Steelers kick a field goal instead of going on 4th down, and it's actually a football game.
That is too many if's. Yes, agreed it was stupid call, but who knows how the crowd and the team would've reacted. Lets say they kicked it completely, and Harrison ran it back for a TD. Then Indy did an onside kick for some unknown reason and it works, and they score another TD. Its now 30-7.

But yes, I couldn't believe the onside kick to begin the half. Now Martz I would expect that from.

[Hurst2112]

That is too many if's. Yes, agreed it was stupid call, but who knows how the crowd and the team would've reacted. Lets say they kicked it completely, and Harrison ran it back for a TD. Then Indy did an onside kick for some unknown reason and it works, and they score another TD. Its now 30-7.

But yes, I couldn't believe the onside kick to begin the half. Now Martz I would expect that from.

I didn't get to watch the whole game. I missed the kick in question.

But, I didn't miss the onside kick in superbowl 30 that took the cowboys by suprise and rallied the steelers. They got the momentum back in that game and would have won if odonnel didn't throw those 2 ints. That is gutsy and that's why I like cowher.

[Desnudo]

That is too many if's. Yes, agreed it was stupid call, but who knows how the crowd and the team would've reacted. Lets say they kicked it completely, and Harrison ran it back for a TD. Then Indy did an onside kick for some unknown reason and it works, and they score another TD. Its now 30-7.

But yes, I couldn't believe the onside kick to begin the half. Now Martz I would expect that from.

Or space aliens blow up the dome and it's a tie. My scenario is plausible and had one what if, the no onside kick. Until that point, the Steelers were in the game, so it's logical to think the game would continue to be close, rather than assume the Colts would blow the doors off them, which they didn't even with the onside kick gift.

[Joe]

If my grandmother had a dick, she'd be my grandfather

[Ksyrup]

Yeah, I'm sorry, but that game wasn't as close as 26-7 suggests. I don't think it is out of the question that Indy tacks on another 30 yards of offense to that drive if it starts from the 20 instead of the 50, and still ends up with a TD. In reality, once Reed failed to tie the game, the Steelers were never in it again.

Re: the onside kick, what I found interesting is that Madden and Michaels said that Cowher told them he was thinking of doing an onside kick to start the game. If that doesn't smack of "Division I-AA, homecoming game, we've got no chance"-type game planning, I don't know what does.

[Butter]

Re: the onside kick, what I found interesting is that Madden and Michaels said that Cowher told them he was thinking of doing an onside kick to start the game. If that doesn't smack of "Division I-AA, homecoming game, we've got no chance"-type game planning, I don't know what does.

I thought that same thing.... what better way to say to your squad "we're totally fucked unless some of these trick plays work" than an onside kick to start a half.

[bhlloy]

The onside kick was unreal. Especially as everything suggested the Colts were ready for it. I'd fire a head coach for that decision.

Very little playcalling imagination from the Steelers. I was screaming at the TV with every screen/draw play. The Colts have a 5'8 safety and your QB has a big arm and you are losing. Throw the god damn ball down the fricking field.

Having said that, don't take anything away from the Colts. They look very impressive. I can't see anybody hanging with them in the playoffs.

[rkmsuf]

It was 16-7. Who does that onside crap at that score? You stop them and then try and at least get it to one score. Pit had pretty much completely shut the Colts offense down in the second quarter.

There was no reason for it. Basically Cowher paniced in a big game.

[Ksyrup]

I also thought it was a big mistake to stick with Bettis as long as they did. I would have gone to Parker in the 2nd quarter to see if they could deal with a quicker runner earlier than they did.

[Desnudo]

If my grandmother had a dick, she'd be my grandfather

True, what's done is done, but the original point that kicking onside was incredibly dumb still stands. You have the ball and might score versus they have the ball and will almost certainly score and have a far better chance of recovering. I don't see how it makes sense unless you're down by a lot more than 9.

[Ksyrup]

There was no reason for it. Basically Cowher paniced in a big game.
But it was pre-meditated panicking, if Madden/Michaels are to be believed.

[rkmsuf]

I also thought it was a big mistake to stick with Bettis as long as they did. I would have gone to Parker in the 2nd quarter to see if they could deal with a quicker runner earlier than they did.

That is the problem with the Steelers. If you can stop the run they have little other firepower. I was surprised how the Colts stood up to the physicality of Pit and stoned the power game. Pretty impressive by an undersized defense.

[rkmsuf]

But it was pre-meditated panicking, if Madden/Michaels are to be believed.

Then that's even worse. He paniced the day before the game.

[Ksyrup]

Maybe he panicked when he saw Madden.

[Daimyo]

I don't think the onside kick was such a bad call. The Colts are not a field position team and really getting the ball at their 20 or the 50 doesn't change things as much as it might with other teams. Pittsburg had just been dominated in the first half and needed a spark.

As Ksyrup mentioned the game was not nearly as close as the final score and the Colts looked to have the game in control despite the relatively small half time lead. The only time the Steeler offense ever threatened the possession started at Indy's 7 yard line... their vaunted running attack had yielded 1.8 YPC in the first half... they desperately needed something big to happen and an onside kick recovery would have given them that.

[Desnudo]

I don't think the onside kick was such a bad call. The Colts are not a field position team and really getting the ball at their 20 or the 50 doesn't change things as much as it might with other teams. Pittsburg had just been dominated in the first half and needed a spark.

As Ksyrup mentioned the game was not nearly as close as the final score and the Colts looked to have the game in control despite the relatively small half time lead. The only time the Steeler offense ever threatened the possession started at Indy's 7 yard line... their vaunted running attack had yielded 1.8 YPC in the first half... they desperately needed something big to happen and an onside kick recovery would have given them that.

I would think that that argues for the opposite decision. Your offense is not moving the ball, what makes you think they'll do anything with an onside recovery? At least the defense got an interception. Give them the opportunity to make some plays.

[rkmsuf]

I would think that that argues for the opposite decision. Your offense is not moving the ball, what makes you think they'll do anything with an onside recovery? At least the defense got an interception. Give them the opportunity to make some plays.

I agree. Kick it and hope to win field position. They did well in the second quarter stopping them.

[gottimd]

Maybe he panicked when he saw Madden.
I think he panicked before the season started when he saw he had to play the colts in the dome at this point in the season, and said "i'm gonna have to do something here...hmmmm...maybe an onsides kick to start the second half will shake things up enough?"

[stevew]

I think he panicked before the season started when he saw he had to play the colts in the dome at this point in the season, and said "i'm gonna have to do something here...hmmmm...maybe an onsides kick to start the second half will shake things up enough?"

I think he panicked when he saw his shadow in the morning. Six more weeks of run the ball.

[gstelmack]

Didn't Belichik do the exact same thing (onside kick) when the Pats played the Colts, for the exact same reason? Indy can score on anybody at any time, so you try to create extra possessions. Indy scored on one play from their own 20, what's the difference giving it to them at your own 45 except that your defense has a shorter time on the field and gets a bit more rested for the NEXT possession?

[gottimd]

Didn't Belichik do the exact same thing (onside kick) when the Pats played the Colts, for the exact same reason? Indy can score on anybody at any time, so you try to create extra possessions. Indy scored on one play from their own 20, what's the difference giving it to them at your own 45 except that your defense has a shorter time on the field and gets a bit more rested for the NEXT possession?
<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=left colSpan=2>IND 28 NE 14, Plays: 8 Yards: 73 Possession: 2:50.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD class=bg3 align=left colSpan=2> </TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD class=home align=left colSpan=2>New England Patriots at 05:46</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD class=bg3 align=left colSpan=2>A.Vinatieri kicks onside 8 yards from NE 30 to NE 38. J.Jefferson pushed ob at NE 27 for 11 yards (E.Hobbs).
PENALTY on NE, Offside on Free Kick, 5 yards, enforced at NE 27.</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD class=away align=left colSpan=2>Indianapolis Colts at 05:44


Indy was up by 14 and it was late in the 3rd quarter when belichik tried it.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>