AFC Championship Game Comments

[SirFozzie]

Wow. Great first drive for the Pats. The Colts Defender on that play should head back to the 6 yard line after that play.. he left his jock there when he was faked out of it by Givens. :)

[SirFozzie]

INT BAYBEE!!!!!!

Man. This crowd is LOUUUUUUUUUUUUUDDDD

[Philliesfan980]

So much for the perfect rating..

[Philliesfan980]

Man, the Colts D is terrible. They know whats coming, but they can't do anything about it. Its like watching the Giants in the late 80's with their power running game, except in the short passing game

[SirFozzie]

That was the quickest first quarter I can remember.

[SirFozzie]

Points saved by Troy Brown: 3.

Vinatieri is money in these situations :)

[SirFozzie]

Well.. that's two completions in a row for Peyton....



To the Pats ;)

[miami_fan]

INTs for Peyton=2

[Sun Tzu]

Not taking anything away from the Pats Defense...but have you ever seen a group of recievers be as unaggresive as the Colts receivers? It's like they are expecting Peyton to fire a perfectly placed pass no matter what the circumstance. Neither of those INT's would have happened if they recievers would have worked with Peyton, as apposed to making him do all of the work.

Even after they catch the ball it seems like they are afraid to run. Did you see Reggie Wayne make that catch 2 yards from the 1st down marker and just kind of give up on the play?

[miami_fan]

Which one of these teams was the offensive juggernaut? The Pats seems to be doing to the Colts what the Colts did to the Broncos and the Chiefs

[jeff061]

Anyone should of known the pats could put up 30 points against the colts. The argument was whether the Colts would against the pats.


ps nice fourth down.

[SirFozzie]

Ballsy Ballsy call :)

[miami_fan]

Ballsy Ballsy call :)

Finally an agressive coach in the playoffs!!!!!!!

[jeff061]

no kidding, i was a little nervous on the earlier fourth and one though.

[SirFozzie]

wow. I love that Nextel commercial. You try meeting that in the hole :)

[jeff061]

Hope this keeps up. I was a little nervous after MCnair chewed us up most the last game.

[SirFozzie]

13-0. A couple of missed opportunities tho :/

[TroyF]

GOOD call, lucky break. It's sad that so many NFL coaches suck so hard that a 4th and 8 on the 30 in these conditions is called ballsy. The 4rth and 1 on the first drive? THAT was ballsy.

As for the lucky break, I just rewound and watched it on TIVO three times, the interior lineman held Freeney. Well, actually, he tackled Freeney. He was coming in on a stunt and was grabbed around the waist and tackled.

Before I get jumped on by Pats fans:

1) I have no idea if that's the way they'll call it all day, it was the first obvious hold of the game.

2) Even had the Pats scored a TD, it wouldn't have meant that call decided the game in the least.

3) Brown (one of my favorite players in the game, and a great first name to boot) made an incredible move to get open.

All that said, it was a holding and it should have been called in that situation.

[Philliesfan980]

I think that the Colts luck has just about run out. It again proves that a great D will beat a great O any day of the week, although the Pats O isn't too shabby.

I think during the week, alot of people were picking the Colts to win the game. I think its hard to win on the road during the championship game, let alone win back to back games on the road.

Hopefully this is a sign for the Eagles as well :).

[mckerney]

Peyton Manning has nothing on Tom Brady. Give me a guy who can just win.

[Sun Tzu]

I'm actualy pulling for the Colts because I'd like to see Peyton and Harrison get a ring, but I also love watching the Pats at the same time. So if the Pats do pull this out I will still be a happy man.. Belicheck is a great coach and I love his style of playcalling.

[jeff061]

its only 13-0 don't jinx it you jerks :).

[SirFozzie]

Field is getting mighty chewed up.

[Eaglesfan27]

Come on Colts!!! I want to win Sab's pickem game and it's not looking too good at the moment ;)

[SirFozzie]

shush, you :)

[jeff061]

And now their first punt of the playoffs. I'm loving it.

[Philliesfan980]

its only 13-0 don't jinx it you jerks :).


The game is over.

[mckerney]

Great play by Smith.

[Eaglesfan27]

Hunter obviously was hurt by the lack of punting this postseason ;) Great kick out of the end zone..

[mauchow]

15-0...

Funny ass safety.. lol

[miami_fan]

Now on the field for the Colts........what's his name :D

I guess they should have practiced that punting game the previous two games

[SirFozzie]

its only 13-0 don't jinx it you jerks :).


I think you mean 15-0.

Some people will go to any lengths not to punt ;)

[SirFozzie]

We have OBVIOUS CAMERA SCREWUP!

[jeff061]

Whats the with Blimp camera on the kickoff.

i hate cbs.

[miami_fan]

Whats the with Blimp camera on the kickoff.

i hate cbs.
You will be seeing a whole lot more of it. Giving you the "coaches' film" look

[Vince]

Woo, fumble recovery. Though I'd like to see Indy win, I'd much rather just have a close game...

How amazing was that Ty Law INT?

[mauchow]

I'm real surprised they didn't challenge the fumble.. But by the looks of it, it was a fumble.

C'mon now Colts, make it a game to watch!

[SirFozzie]

Huge play coming up. We need to keep that from being a momentum shifter.

[jeff061]

Squirt.

[mauchow]

JEEEEZ>. Another TURNOVER

[jeff061]

Thats the patriots way of winning.

[mauchow]

If the snow keeps at its pace. It's going to be a messy 2nd half. Real messsy.

[SirFozzie]

Attention Colts Players,

Captain Coach Bellicheck as turned off the No Choking sign.

Please feel free to choke all you want.

Oh.. I see they already have. Great first half.

[Cringer]

Ladies and gentlemen, your Superbowl (yes SUPERBOWL) champions...the New England Patriots. Unless the Colts can get thier crap together in the second half....i dunno

[korme]

The Colts are playing to lose.

Indy All the Way! HA!

[miami_fan]

Didn't the NFL force the Pats to resod their field? It could be a whole lot worse

[jeff061]

Yeah. Before the playoffs it was just lumpy mud, all the time.

[SirFozzie]

yeah, this field is just two weeks old.

But with the cold and now the snow.. chew gnaw chomp.

[miami_fan]

Halftime adjustments anyone?

[SirFozzie]

The Colts get the ball to start to the 2nd half.

They need some points. If they turn it over again and the Pats convert...

[Noble_Platypus]

Peyton Manning has nothing on Tom Brady. Give me a guy who can just win.


What a bunch of "geniuses" you all are. Nice comment Mckerney. I guess its Tom being better than Peyton and not the fact that MAnning is running for his life and the Colts have no pass rush.

[jeff061]

Patriots forget how to tackle during the half?

[Fouts]

A lot of Manning bashing early in the game. I would think you'd wait till the game was in the bag before you hammered him. Otherwise, foot and mouth.

[Sun Tzu]

MAnning is running for his life and the Colts have no pass rush.

I see somebody else noticed this.

Looks like the Colts discovered the Patriots achillies heal...poor tackling up front.

[SirFozzie]

and they got it. Now to see how the Pats react.

[jeff061]

?? One series and you think they can't tackle? They got some of the best tacklers in football, don't know what happened on that drive.

And not matter what happens i'd take brady over Manning, has nothing to do with this game, has everything to do with Watching Brady for the last 3 years. In any case, i haven't and won't knock Manning. 15-0 at half is nothing for him.

[SirFozzie]

whew. needed that field goal.

[jeff061]

We need a TD.

And we needed that stop ;).

[SirFozzie]

Huge drive here. One more TD and it COULD be game over.

[Sun Tzu]

Colts #1 goal this offseason - get somebody who can rush the passer!

[jeff061]

Most important fact about this game i think? No one has heard Harrison's name all day. Law did the same thing to the Titans last week.

[SirFozzie]

Gotta admit, as a Geek, it does my heart good to see those Linux commercials. a big old fashioned "Up Your Nose with a Rubber Hose" to SCO :)

[jeff061]

lol me to fozzie.

Szu, Freeney is about the best in the league at rushing the passer. Someone(or someones) is eating him alive.

[miami_fan]

Peyton Manning has nothing on Tom Brady. Give me a guy who can just win.


What a bunch of "geniuses" you all are. Nice comment Mckerney. I guess its Tom being better than Peyton and not the fact that MAnning is running for his life and the Colts have no pass rush.

Can't have it both ways. The past two weeks has been the second coming og Johnny U despite the "defenses" he played against.

[SirFozzie]

Man. Who knew we could run the ball like that? :)

[Sun Tzu]

Did anybody else see that blatant block in the back in the backfield on that first Smith run?

[SirFozzie]

lol me to fozzie.

Szu, Freeney is about the best in the league at rushing the passer. Someone(or someones) is eating him alive.


OOO!

Laugh Point To ME!

[SirFozzie]

Did anybody else see that blatant block in the back in the backfield on that first Smith run?

Nope.

[jeff061]

Didnt see it. But they rarely call those unless they are within 3 yards of the ball carrier.

I'm sick of the field goals.

[SirFozzie]

Missed Opportunity to PUT it away.

[Sun Tzu]

The block in the back was on the Colts D-lineman who got into the backfield right off the bat. It looked like he overran the play but the replay showed he was actualy pushed in the back right through the play. I'm surprised nobody saw that. Anywhoot...

Perfect pass by Brady to Fauria, should have been caught.

[mauchow]

Manning has a scramble rating of 0.. Ya think?

[Fouts]

Great defense, good fg offense.

[jeff061]

Get a god damn TD this time. Ty's the man. 2 incredible picks today. Give him his 9 million :).

[Sun Tzu]

Another pick...wow is all I can say.

[Sun Tzu]

All 3 interceptions today were thrown of his back foot. It seems like every play the Pats are in Mannings face.

[Noble_Platypus]

Hmm, Tom Brady never throws picks when he is under heavy pressure...Oh wait, he hasnt been.

[miami_fan]

Foxboro is becoming Gainesville North for Peyton

[SirFozzie]

no superstars up front, but damn do they get pressure on the QB

[jeff061]

You mean like that time when washington was hanging on him and he threw a first down? Christ give it up Platypus. The whole colts offense is playing like crap up til this point, manning included. He had time on that INT, he couldnt find anyone.

[SirFozzie]

Somebody up there likes us. Dang!

[mauchow]

PICK. C'mon. I want to see an EXCITING finish before I go to baseball practice and get killed running 440's.

[Noble_Platypus]

So he was running hard right for what reason??Was it the imaginary D lineman in the backfield chasing him?I am not defending the point that my COlts are playing bad, but enough with the double standards, manning sucks because his 2 unreal games teh last 2 weeks were against bad D's, but Brady playing against a bad COlts D makes him a God.

WHAT!!! Brady threw a pick?? How can that be???

[Sun Tzu]

Bingo, Brady throws a pick. Colts need to take a shot deep.

[SirFozzie]

Bleah. This is a uh oh.

[Fouts]

Good point Noble. Brady had no pressure and 5 wide, bad throw.

[mauchow]

Did anybody else see the plack clock at 0 for about 5 seconds? lolol

[miami_fan]

Don't want to be accused of piling on Peyton.....Bad throw by Tom Brady :D

[MikeVic]

Did anybody else see the plack clock at 0 for about 5 seconds? lolol

Yeah, that was weird.

[jeff061]

Once again i didn't say he sucks. I said up until that last INT he has been sucking in the game. And he was running because no oline can keep a QB from getting pressured after 3 seconds. You sound like a raving blinded lunatic.

[Noble_Platypus]

Now the namecalling,huh? And you arent guilty of a double Standard?

[jeff061]

How?

[Fouts]

lets get back to the game. lot of overthrows by Manning, wet ball?

[mauchow]

THAT WAS A CATCH!!!!

Oh well, first down play after it... Jeez... That was a catch.. Move on

[Noble_Platypus]

By piling on the "look how much better Brady is bandwagon" The same people saying that said that Mannings games the last 2 weeks dont mean anything because they were against soft D's

[Fouts]

thats one badass D.

[mauchow]

Mannnn... 2 of those last 3 plays have one of the hardest hits I've ever seen! Woo!

[miami_fan]

Eugene Wilson is laying the lumber!

[Noble_Platypus]

I am a COlts fan and I have to admmit we have a horribly soft D

[mckerney]

I'm liking how the Pats d-backs are playing.

Smash. Mouth.

[jeff061]

It was a catch :).

And don't lump me in with the other people. I've always been a Manning fan.

[MikeVic]

Ow. Ty Law... Ow.

[Noble_Platypus]

Well, ballgame over.

[SirFozzie]

TY MOTHERGALUMPHIN LAW!

He has more catches than Marvin Harrison. Anyone want to quote odds? :)

[Sun Tzu]

I would love to give the pats credit for that stop...but I can't. Stokely caught the ball, Harrison was obviously held on the replay, and that should have been a flag for hitting a defenseless receiver. I have seen refs throw a flag for much less than that this season.

[Fouts]

Bad throw, great catch by Law. Not sure what the Colts plan is, they sure don't want their defense on the field.

[Noble_Platypus]

not hard to figure what the plan is, they are down 2 Tds. They have to throw, and throw deep

[SirFozzie]

Ty Law better get the contract he wants. That's all I gots to say.

[pjstp20]

I would love to give the pats credit for that stop...but I can't. Stokely caught the ball, Harrison was obviously held on the replay, and that should have been a flag for hitting a defenseless receiver. I have seen refs throw a flag for much less than that this season.
What else is new? The Pats have been getting by with help all year.

[SirFozzie]

Sun Tzu....

Bias much lately?

[Vince]

Well, if the Colts can march down the field, it isn't over...but it's pretty close to being over.

[jeff061]

Just like 2001. Bunch of people who think you can only get beaten by big names and big plays. Anything else is luck. Can't take getting beaten by good football.

[Sun Tzu]

I am pulling for the colts but I am a 49er fan. If the colts win I'll be happy, and if the Pats win I'll be happy. I just can't stand to see games decided on bad calls.

[sabotai]

If the Colts want to win this one, they have to score a touchdown on this drive or it's over.

[miami_fan]

Just like 2001. Bunch of people who think you can only get beaten by big names and big plays. Anything else is luck. Can't take getting beaten by good football.

Yup it was luck when you beat my Dolphins! :D Just kidding

[Fouts]

not hard to figure what the plan is, they are down 2 Tds. They have to throw, and throw deep

Then why not throw deep? That would be my plan too, but its not happening. Too much pressure, and Manning is creating some of his own pressure.

[Vince]

Is it just me, or is the NE defense putting ridiculously hard hits on the Colts every time there's a completion?

[sabotai]

They are punishing those receivers good in this game.

[Easy Mac]

and now, we have a game

[Sun Tzu]

What do you guys think, Onside or regular kickoff?

[pjstp20]

onside, this defense hasnt gotten a 3 and out all day

[GoldenEagle]

Onside all the way

[Sun Tzu]

I'll go with the onside. If they don't get it then they'll have to stop them on 3 plays to keep them out of FG range, and call a TO after every play. However if they kick it off regular then they'll have to stop them on 3 plays anyway, so might as well onside it.

[jeff061]

I'm thinking regular. They got time, and don't want to give us good field position. Wouldn't be surprised by an onside though.

[Noble_Platypus]

onside

[miami_fan]

onside

[wheels]

kick it away

[Easy Mac]

great camerawork by CBS today... I almost got to see a play today

[Sun Tzu]

The only people the Colts caught off-guard were the CBS camera crew.

[wheels]

not good when they're expecting it.

[miami_fan]

Three straight runs or a pass?

[sabotai]

I don't like going for the onside kick. If you kick it regular and make them go 3 and out, you'll get the ball in good position. Now...3 and out and they'll have to go the entire field. With 2 1/2 minutes left and 3 time outs, there's no real time problems.

[mckerney]

I'll go with the onside. If they don't get it then they'll have to stop them on 3 plays to keep them out of FG range, and call a TO after every play. However if they kick it off regular then they'll have to stop them on 3 plays anyway, so might as well onside it.

In the cold I think a little more than one first down will be needed to be in good FG range, but they still gotta come up with a big stop.

[wheels]

i've rarely seen a team so dominated still stay in the game.

[sabotai]

HUGE play by the Colts defense right there!

[Easy Mac]

.....

[jeff061]

ahhh, damn it. That could be the game.

[jeff061]

this is where i fear manning.

[Sun Tzu]

This is what the NFL playoffs are all about. 2 minutes left, Colts led by Peyton Manning tries to take his team 80 yards down the field to try to send the game into overtime.

[miami_fan]

All right now. The Pats' best unit and the Colts' best unit for the game

[GoldenEagle]

Should be 2:03 left on the clock

[Easy Mac]

Ohh, Colts get another play that stops the clock!

[jeff061]

Time doesn't matter, there's no way the colts run out of time if they take it down the field. The Pats need to straight up stop them.

[Sun Tzu]

No Hands. :p

[GoldenEagle]

anyone else get blacked out for a few seconds?

[sabotai]

This is it!

[Noble_Platypus]

Holding on Pollard!!! He was held

[Vince]

WHERE WAS THE FLAG?!?!

[Sun Tzu]

This makes me sick to my stomache.

[Vince]

That's a shitty way for Indy to lose...

[Easy Mac]

wow

[GoldenEagle]

Game over.

[Vince]

How many times can the Patriots get to the superbowl in shady fashion?

[pjstp20]

Pathetic, Ive never seen anything like this, its almost like the refs are turning a blind eye

[MikeVic]

HOOOOLDIIIIING!!!!

[Noble_Platypus]

I guess that makes Brady better than Manning too, hi team is allowed to hold 2 straight plays with no flags

[jeff061]

Where it should be, in the refs pocket. Nothing wrong with a hit like that withing 10 yards.

Guess the refs forced Manning to through 4 ints.

[sabotai]

After the replay, it doesn't look like he was held. If anything, I saw Pollard push off.

[GoldenEagle]

He was held on two straight plays. Refs need to throw the flags.

[miami_fan]

Holding on Pollard!!! He was held

They missed it twice

[pjstp20]

Where it should be, in the refs pocket. Nothing wrong with a hit like that withing 10 yards.
Are you serious? Shows how little you know about the rules

[Sun Tzu]

I'm willing to bet there will be at least one Colts player that rips the refs after the game, and rightfuly so. The officiating in this game was absolutely horrible.

[sabotai]

Pollard was held a little on the first play that really didn't matter. The second play he was not held.

[jeff061]

Well if it was a hold it was illegal, was no hold though. You guys are looking for something thats not there.

[Vince]

If it were within 5 yards, I'd let it go, but still.

I don't disagree that NE should have won this game...I'm not sure at all how Indy was still in the game. I'm just saying that's a crappy way for the game to end.

[miami_fan]

Colts fans don't worry. The NFL might apologize tomorrow

[MikeVic]

After the replay, it doesn't look like he was held. If anything, I saw Pollard push off.

You're blind.

[pjstp20]

Pollard was held a little on the first play that really didn't matter. The second play he was not held.
A little? I didnt know there was degrees to such plays

[Easy Mac]

Fumble

[jeff061]

was that a straight brady rush? stupid call.

it wasnt a fumble by the way.

[sabotai]

A little being that the guy grab his jersey for about a half a second long before the ball was in the air. It was a little. It didn't effect the play.

[Vince]

Sab, while the question of whether or not there was a hold is up in the air, it's tough to call any of these plays ones that 'really didn't matter.'

PS - Are you kidding? They get another shot.

[pjstp20]

Hey now the refs have a chance to redeem themselves

[Easy Mac]

I think he was down though

[sabotai]

No fumble.

[Vince]

Then again, maybe not.

[Fouts]

HAHAHA! Man this brings back memories. Brady needs ref help again.

[miami_fan]

Fumble
Does not look like it

[GoldenEagle]

I hate reviews. Get rid of them. It should be judged by eye like baseball.

[pjstp20]

A little being that the guy grab his jersey for about a half a second long before the ball was in the air. It was a little. It didn't effect the play.
Through Patriot goggles it doesnt.

[Easy Mac]

A nice hold by Brady at thte end though

[Vince]

HAHAHA! Man this brings back memories. Brady needs ref help again.Tough to say that he needs ref help...in my opinion, they outplayed the Colts all day.

[Sun Tzu]

If karma had any say in the NFL then this would be ruled a fumble. Unfortunately it looks like the Pats are going to catch yet another break. Oh well. Pats are a great team and I'll enjoy watching them in the Super Bowl.

[jeff061]

Well, i'm glad we may win this game. Its obvious everyone was rooting for the Colts.

This is almost as satisfying as beating the steelers 2 years ago(not quite though).

[Tekneek]

I have never seen so many holding calls go uncalled in a game before. Absolutely incredible. That entire officiating crew needs to be fired on the spot.

[GoldenEagle]

Im not rooting for anyone but I hate to see the refs and reviews ruin the game. I lost interest in the NFL when the replay was brought in.

[sabotai]

Through Patriot goggles it doesnt.
Hey asshole, why don't you go check the Pick 'Em game thread and see who I had winning the game. Then come back here and try to claim I'm biased simply because I don't think every single LITTLE bump is a hold.

[GoldenEagle]

I have never seen so many holding calls go uncalled in a game before. Absolutely incredible. That entire officiating crew needs to be fired on the spot.

Why cant refs get it right? It goes both ways though.

[jeff061]

4 interceptions, a defense that let the patriots freely into the red zone every possesion, and the ref's ruined the game?


Anyway, i'm probably the only Patriots fan in existence that hates instant replay ;).

[MikeVic]

Hey asshole, why don't you go check the Pick 'Em game thread and see who I had winning the game. Then come back here and try to claim I'm biased simply because I don't think every single LITTLE bump is a hold.

I didn't see the play on the first hold, but I saw the 2nd one. McGinest, or whoever it was, HELD POLLARD'S ARM. Pollard couldn't catch the ball JUST OUT OF HIS REACH. That's what I call HOLDING.

[pjstp20]

Hey asshole, why don't you go check the Pick 'Em game thread and see who I had winning the game. Then come back here and try to claim I'm biased simply because I don't think every single LITTLE bump is a hold.
Geez, sorry dude chill.

[GoldenEagle]

Hey asshole, why don't you go check the Pick 'Em game thread and see who I had winning the game. Then come back here and try to claim I'm biased simply because I don't think every single LITTLE bump is a hold.

sabotai, I agree that not every bump should be a hold. But that last play the patriot defender reached out and held pollard's hand. That is defensive holding.

[sabotai]

I didn't see the play on the first hold, but I saw the 2nd one. McGinest, or whoever it was, HELD POLLARD'S ARM. Pollard couldn't catch the ball JUST OUT OF HIS REACH. That's what I call HOLDING.
He was holding his arm, yet Pollard was somehow able to push off of him with it?

[TroyF]

Those may have been the worst two back to back calls I've ever seen in such a big game.

If that was any indication as to what was going on with Pollard and the slot receivers all day, it's no wonder the Patriots shut Manning down and there was never anywhere to throw the ball.

For the record: The rule is NO contact after 5 yards. Certainly not one guy gets to hit him for 5 yards, then the next guy needs to hit him for 5 yards.

---------------------------------------------------

Now, having said all of that, the right team won the game. I think the Patriots outplayed the Colts for much of the day and I think the coaching of the Colts was horrible all day. What the hell kind of an onside kick was that? What in the hell are you doing rushing THREE guys on Tom Brady a lot of the day? You think you are going to confuse him? Christ, mix up your defenses, but don't be stupid.

All I have to say is that I'd better NEVER hear about another Boston fan complain about the Yankees getting all of the breaks and close calls. The Patriots two Super Bowl runs have been full of them. That doesn't take away from the fact they are a great football team, but only a die hard blinded by the silver helmut Patriot fan could see they haven't caught more breaks than a dog hit by a semi in their last two playoff runs.

[sabotai]

Geez, sorry dude chill.
:confused: I am "chilled". I just don't appriciated someone accusing me of being biased simply because I don't happen to agree with them. I've been rooting for the Colts this whole game.

[Easy Mac]

wow, bad play by Walters, they needed at least a FG to try and have a shot.

[jeff061]

Back to the bowl baby.

I leave all the haters to argue over excuses. Deja Vu all over again.

TroyF, the main difference his the Patriots take advantage of all their breaks. Same with turnovers. Thats what people seem to miss. A lot of teams get brakes, do nothing with them, and are forgotten about.

[pjstp20]

:confused: I am "chilled". I just don't appriciated someone accusing me of being biased simply because I don't happen to agree with them. I've been rooting for the Colts this whole game.
Alright, it just seems hard to believe a non Patriot fan could go with those two calls. My apologies

[GoldenEagle]

Back to the bowl baby.

I leave all the haters to argue over excuses. Deja Vu all over again.

Quit being cocky. No wonder you dont post here much.

[sabotai]

For the record: The rule is NO contact after 5 yards. Certainly not one guy gets to hit him for 5 yards, then the next guy needs to hit him for 5 yards.
That's one thing I wasn't sure on. Both routes looked short and I wasn't totally sure if they were within 5 yards of the LOS. BUT, that's not holding. You want to scream up and down that it was illegal contact, they I won't say you're wrong because I don't know for sure. But I did not see anying holding on either play.

[Vince]

Yeah, how stupid was that last play? Sure, they didn't have much of a shot, but still...

[jeff061]

Actually i don't post here much because i'm not much of a forum poster. But whatever.

[pjstp20]

Back to the bowl baby.

I leave all the haters to argue over excuses. Deja Vu all over again.
Im not gonna lie, I am a hater, now I at least have someone to root against in the Super Bowl. It doesnt look promising though. No doubt the Pats outplayed the Colts. It shouldnt have even come down to that, but with the Patriots it always does for some reason.

[jeff061]

Usually Brady is the guy that gets it done, thats why i would pick him over Manning(still love Manning though). The defense just played better than i could of possibly hoped today.

[Tekneek]

Im not rooting for anyone but I hate to see the refs and reviews ruin the game. I lost interest in the NFL when the replay was brought in.

Video replay is better than not having it. At least some of those senile old farts can get corrected every now and then.

[TroyF]

That's one thing I wasn't sure on. Both routes looked short and I wasn't totally sure if they were within 5 yards of the LOS. BUT, that's not holding. You want to scream up and down that it was illegal contact, they I won't say you're wrong because I don't know for sure. But I did not see anying holding on either play.


He held Pollards arm on the last play. Pollard did all he could to fight to get it free.

Oh for the record, I'm NOT a Patriots hater. I'm not even sure why ANYONE would be a Patriots hater. They play football the right way. They have a great story at QB, some great coaches, and a ton of likeable guys. (if you don't like Troy Brown and Tom Brady, I don't know how you can cheer for anyone)

That doesn't mean they deserved to get those calls at the end of the game. That was simply horrible officiating. If that type of thing went on all game, it's a disgrace to the game itself. This reminds me of the NBA. Like the Lakers in most situations, the Patriots were 95% surely going to win this game regardless of how those calls came out. That does not mean it isn't a disgrace that they happened in their favor.

[Easy Mac]

Put Brady up against hat D and see what happenes.

[sabotai]

I just saw a "Patriots fans, your team just won the..."

Wouldn't it be funny if they accidently played the "Colts fans, your team just won..." commercial they had created in case they won?

[Tekneek]

Why cant refs get it right? It goes both ways though.

I saw the Patriots' offensive line holding on at least 15 plays, and those are just the ones that showed up on TV. They also got away with at least a couple (rather obvious) defensive interference calls. I saw the Colts get away with one delay of game, but otherwise it seemed like they were being called pretty tightly. Given the incompetence that I did notice, I bet the Colts got away with a few more things, but they probably were not as relevant to the outcome of the game.

[Sun Tzu]

The Patriots won, the Colts Lost. There were several questionable calls throughout the game, all of which went in favor of the Pats.

Ok, it's over. Let it go. Relax. Fill a bowl up with chili cheese dip, get a bag of Tostitos, and enjoy the Carolina / Philadelphia game.

You know there are probably a lot of Pizza joints around that are offering specials for today too...hmmmm

*edit* Both the Eagles and the Panthers have great defenses. No matter who wins the NFC Championship the Super Bowl should be a great game.

[TroyF]

Put Brady up against hat D and see what happenes.

Supposing Brady had the right offensive scheme around him (with Weiss calling the plays), he'd do some damage. Brady is a great QB. He makes plays when he needs to make plays. It's why he won a Super Bowl and will likely take home another.

He, not Chad Pennington, is the closest thing the NFL has to Joe Montana right now.

[pjstp20]

He held Pollards arm on the last play. Pollard did all he could to fight to get it free.

Oh for the record, I'm NOT a Patriots hater. I'm not even sure why ANYONE would be a Patriots hater. They play football the right way. They have a great story at QB, some great coaches, and a ton of likeable guys. (if you don't like Troy Brown and Tom Brady, I don't know how you can cheer for anyone)

That doesn't mean they deserved to get those calls at the end of the game. That was simply horrible officiating. If that type of thing went on all game, it's a disgrace to the game itself. This reminds me of the NBA. Like the Lakers in most situations, the Patriots were 95% surely going to win this game regardless of how those calls came out. That does not mean it isn't a disgrace that they happened in their favor.
I can tell you how. Be a Dolphin fan, watch youre team be competitive for 10 plus years and Not even sniff a Super Bowl. Then watch the Pats go to the Super Bowl every time they have a decent team, and look like crap every year they dont.

[Peregrine]

Impressive performance by the Pats.

[Tekneek]

Like the Lakers in most situations, the Patriots were 95% surely going to win this game regardless of how those calls came out. That does not mean it isn't a disgrace that they happened in their favor.

Yeah, I am no Colts' fan, but the bias began to seem rather obvious early in the game. I watched the whole thing from start to finish. If Manning doesn't make some crucial errors, they keep the refs from deciding the outcome later in the game, though.

[CHEMICAL SOLDIER]

Bah! Manning (Peyton) just didnt have any help at all .

[kcchief19]

Watching the Patriots play makes me want to puke. Forget that they seem to be getting all the breaks -- breaks will even out in the long run, in theory.

I could live with a team like the Patriots getting all the breaks, except for they way they play. They are running the neutral zone trap of the NFL. They push, claw, hold and interfere in the gray area of the NFL rule book. The human reality of officiating is that if you cheat a little on every play, the officials won't call it until it's blatant. Since the Patriots commit contact on every passing play, officials won't call it on every play. They are only going to call it when the contact is blatant and you see a jersey grabbed, an arm pulled or a takedown. I don't blame the Patriots -- I blame the NFL for letting it happen and having their audience bored to death.

That style of play allows them to escape from their bizarre decisions, like passing repeatedly when trying to run out the clock or running Brady on one of the worst running play call of all time. You are less than two minutes from the Super Bowl and trying to run out the clock and you run your quarterback out naked to get his ass kicked? Dumb.

And this coming from someone who wanted to see the Colts pounded as punishment for beating the Chiefs last week. :)

[miami_fan]

I can tell you how. Be a Dolphin fan, watch youre team be competitive for 10 plus years and Not even sniff a Super Bowl. Then watch the Pats go to the Super Bowl every time they have a decent team, and look like crap every year they dont.

Don't get me started..... :(

[Easy Mac]

Supposing Brady had the right offensive scheme around him (with Weiss calling the plays), he'd do some damage. Brady is a great QB. He makes plays when he needs to make plays. It's why he won a Super Bowl and will likely take home another.

He, not Chad Pennington, is the closest thing the NFL has to Joe Montana right now.
Thats just it. Everyone is saying Manning is overrated because of this game against a damn good D. Give BRady everything the same as it was for Manning, and I think the game would end about the same or probably worse.

[pjstp20]

Well at least the Pats dont get to play on a sloppy field in adverse conditions in the Super Bowl. Dont know if thats gonna help the NFC winner though

[jeff061]

pjstp20 is just trying his hardest to pry his foot from his mouth after spending a full thread saying why the Patriots would not make the Super Bowl a few weeks ago(and how Miami is a better team).

[pjstp20]

pjstp20 is just trying his hardest to pry his foot from his mouth after spending a full thread saying why the Patriots would not make the Super Bowl a few weeks ago.HaHaHa, yeah foot tastes like shit. That being said, nobody has been able to stop this dump and dunk offense like the Dolphins have.

[Tekneek]

Im not getting what youre saying here

Yeah, when I went back I realized I had jumped the gun with a rant and deleted it. :)

[SirFozzie]

Not a great win.

Weis nearly Mike Martzed himself into danger with that STUPID naked bootleg by Brady.

If we're like that in the Red Zone in two weeks, we're not going to win it.

pjstp: You try keeping a field on days where you get -20 F, and then snow, and other stuff. Both teams had to play on the same field.

With regards to the two pass plays, I'm kinda in the same boat. If you called the little stuff like the first play, then there would be a flag after each and every play.

The 2nd one, IIRC, the guy managed to push off, come back toward Manning, watch the pass go over his head and then call for interference. Bushwa.

[Sun Tzu]

Hornsmaniac

[McSweeny]

woot! woot! back to the Super Bowl! Ha! Man did we smack Manning around. Confused the hell out of him. So much for being perfect eh Manning? Ty Law had more catches than Harrison! Bring on the NFC!

[jeff061]

Weis nearly Mike Martzed himself into danger with that STUPID naked bootleg by Brady.

No kidding, i nearly jumped through my screen on that call. Red zone was atrocious as well, never should of been that close.

[pjstp20]

Sir Fozzie, Im not ripping the grounds crew, they kept the field well. Im just saying that the Pats play well on a sloppy field in bad conditions, and they wont have this advantage in the Super Bowl

[Tekneek]

With regards to the two pass plays, I'm kinda in the same boat. If you called the little stuff like the first play, then there would be a flag after each and every play.

There were holding calls that went uncalled by the Patriots' offensive line the entire game. I'm not talking about the kind that are never called in any game. I am talking about ones that almost always generate a flag. More than several times I saw a Colts' defensive lineman get around one of the guards and he was still being held. That almost always gets a flag, but it did not seem to generate them today. I don't care if the Patriots win the Super Bowl or not, but I hope the officiating is much more balanced and accurate for that game than it was today.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Well, that was roundly disappointing.

Let's see here ... do I pull for Philly to win the NFC so I can at least have the Patriots to root for against 'em?

Or do I hope Carolina puts Philly away & leave myself with two SB teams that I have zero interest in?

Decisions, decisions.

[SirFozzie]

That's the thing. If it worked, Weis loooks like a genius. If it doesn't work, well, you've made life a bit more difficult for Vinatieri. BUT.. if you fumble.. and QB's running are prone to this... then you got issues. You risk losing a chance at points.

Risky and not needed at that point. The play actually cost us time. If there was a normal play or even a kneel down, you have 40 seconds of running time before you have to snap the ball. Since there was a review, all we got was the 25 second clock since the ball was already placed.

[SirFozzie]

There were holding calls that went uncalled by the Patriots' offensive line the entire game. I'm not talking about the kind that are never called in any game. I am talking about ones that almost always generate a flag. More than several times I saw a Colts' defensive lineman get around one of the guards and he was still being held. That almost always gets a flag, but it did not seem to generate them today. I don't care if the Patriots win the Super Bowl or not, but I hope the officiating is much more balanced and accurate for that game than it was today.

Colts were doing it on James's runs too. Apparently the refs were "letting them play"

[jeff061]

deleted cause i misread fozzies post :)

[GoldenEagle]

Here is how the 4th down play went down.

Pollard pushes his defender off. The defender pushes back. Pollard goes past five yards and beats his defender. Manning sees this and throws the ball. The defender reaches out for Pollard and holds him which means he cant get to the ball. Pollard pushes back in frustration.

[TroyF]

Colts were doing it on James's runs too. Apparently the refs were "letting them play"

I think you only "let them play" when it is to both teams advantage.

In this case, I think there is ZERO doubt that "letting them play" was a HUGE advantage to the Patriots. The lack of holding calls prevented any chance the Colts could slow down the Patriot offense without getting help.

Home field advantage is nice and it should get you a questionable call or two. It shouldn't get you every single one throughout the game. I'm sorry, it isn't right.

If this were the Yankees getting those calls (and to be fair, they have gotten them), you'd be punching walls and kicking the dog. The officiating was clearly one sided in that game. Remember, this is coming from someone who said the Pats deserved to win the game (actually quite a few people who don't care either way), not some die hard Colts fans crying about a few calls.

[mckerney]

Well at least the Pats dont get to play on a sloppy field in adverse conditions in the Super Bowl. Dont know if thats gonna help the NFC winner though

We get two championship games in northern cities where there's cold weather that's perfect for football, and then the Super Bowl is held in Houston. Talk about a let down, we need a Super Bowl in a cold weather city.

[miami_fan]

We get two championship games in northern cities where there's cold weather that's perfect for football, and then the Super Bowl is held in Houston. Talk about a let down, we need a Super Bowl in a cold weather city.

Not if you are trying to smooze your big money clients. And we know that who the Super Bowl is for

[Desnudo]

Questinable calls like letting Manning run 5 seconds over the play clock? Even in slo-mo it took 2-3 seconds. I saw plenty of holding on the Colts O-line too. No one notes it because the Patriots are up all day. The Colts didn't lose because of bad officiating. No team is going to win if they lose the turnover battle as badly as the Colts did. That's always the prime indicator, and it was again today. As for the refs, they let them play today. No calls on either side except for a few false starts. You telling me the Colts played a perfectly clean, sporting, game?

[Daimyo]

That was one of the worst officiated games I've seen in a while, but you have to give the Patriots credit for recognizing it and taking advantage of it all game long.

[Senator]

I guess I will spend Super Bowl Sunday unpacking boxes in my new home.

[BishopMVP]

That was one of the worst officiated games I've seen in a while, but you have to give the Patriots credit for recognizing it and taking advantage of it all game long.Exactly. If the refs called that stuff early in the game, the Patriots would have stopped doing it. They did what any good team will do and took advantage of any leeway the refs gave them. If the Colts didn't, that's their fault. Plus, let's be honest, the Pats secondary is much better than the Colts, so it wasn't just the contact.

As for playing in a warm-weather city, it ain't the field. See the last Super Bowl we were in against the "Greatest Show on Turf." We did exactly the same thing in that game as we had done all year and it was enough to get a close win. Especially when you consider we'll be playing Carolina or Philly, not exactly teams with many offensive weapons the caliber of the Colts.

[Noble_Platypus]

Had the Colts done the same things as the Pats I dont think the would have gotten away with it as much, if at all. Its called home field advantage for a reason. Bottom line is the refs should have called it to begin with. A penalty is a penalty.

[BishopMVP]

Had the Colts done the same things as the Pats I dont think the would have gotten away with it as much, if at all. Its called home field advantage for a reason.
I disagree. :shurg:

[Buccaneer]

I have not seen so much whine since I toured Berengers in Napa Valley. :rolleyes:

This was the worst officiated game?? How about the ones some of you whined about last year as being the worst officiated game? Or the year before that? Or two years ago? What are you going to say next year when a game will be the worst officiated game of all? Short term memories.

[Noble_Platypus]

That sounds like the indifference of someone whose team didnt even make it to the conference championship.

[Tekneek]

I didn't see the kind of blatant holds by the Colts. For the record, I wasn't even talking about running plays. I will never believe the Colts were holding the way the Patriots were. If they were, Manning would not have been sacked more than once. It would have been impossible for them to do so if they were grabbing arms and jerseys the way the Patriots did. The Patriots won, and that's how it goes down in the books, but to pretend that the refs called a balanced and fair game would be a lie. The Patriots probably would have won anyway, but clearly the Patriots got more benefit from the bad crew than the Colts did.

I love how the commentators were afraid to touch the questionable calls. They would pause, to think through their words, and then be sure to throw praise to the Patriots despite the slow motion replay showing jerseys and arms being pulled and held. They even quickly got off of the subject when the slow motion replay showed that clearly they should have called delay of game against the Colts. I think it was Phil Simms that even tried to cover for the officials. I know these guys are commentators for a 'national feed', but they should at least call it the way it really is. Glossing over the problems in this game today is a real disservice to people who don't know how the game is actually supposed to be played.

[BishopMVP]

The Patriots won, and that's how it goes down in the books, but to pretend that the refs called a balanced and fair game would be a lie. The Patriots probably would have won anyway, but clearly the Patriots got more benefit from the bad crew than the Colts did.I don't recall a single offensive or defensive holding or pass interference call against the Colts all day, so it seems like the refs let both teams play. I wasn't watching the officiating too closely, especially with CBS' poor camerawork today, but I don't see how you can criticize the officials for not being fair and balanced. Should they have called some of those? Probably, but they had a standard for what they considered defensive holding and PI today (for all I know, it could have been throwing the receiver to the ground and sitting on him) and they stuck to it. Any benefit the Patriots got was because they took more advantage of this fact than the Colts did. They created their own "luck."

[Desnudo]

I didn't see the kind of blatant holds by the Colts. For the record, I wasn't even talking about running plays. I will never believe the Colts were holding the way the Patriots were. If they were, Manning would not have been sacked more than once. It would have been impossible for them to do so if they were grabbing arms and jerseys the way the Patriots did. The Patriots won, and that's how it goes down in the books, but to pretend that the refs called a balanced and fair game would be a lie. The Patriots probably would have won anyway, but clearly the Patriots got more benefit from the bad crew than the Colts did.

I love how the commentators were afraid to touch the questionable calls. They would pause, to think through their words, and then be sure to throw praise to the Patriots despite the slow motion replay showing jerseys and arms being pulled and held. They even quickly got off of the subject when the slow motion replay showed that clearly they should have called delay of game against the Colts. I think it was Phil Simms that even tried to cover for the officials. I know these guys are commentators for a 'national feed', but they should at least call it the way it really is. Glossing over the problems in this game today is a real disservice to people who don't know how the game is actually supposed to be played.

First play of the game, kickoff to the Patriots. Whistle blows, a few seconds later a Colts ST member levels a Patriot. Definitely after the play is over, right in front of an official. Definitely a 15 yard penalty. Just an example. You see what you want to see.

In any case, I think 4 interceptions and 1 fumble tell the story. You turn the ball over that much and you give up the right to complain about anything except your own incompetence.

[jeff061]

You mean the refs didn't use some sort of telekenisis to force Manning into tossing 4 int's? Or use some kind of mind control to allow the Patriots to consistantly pressure Manning with a 4 man rush? Surely you must be joking.

[Desnudo]

I think Manning has a Belichickian response in away games that makes him toss key interceptions.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

Sir Fozzie, Im not ripping the grounds crew, they kept the field well. Im just saying that the Pats play well on a sloppy field in bad conditions, and they wont have this advantage in the Super Bowl

Yeah, you're right. They were terrible against the Rams in 2001 Superbowl and couldn't beat Indy in Indy earlier this year.

Would you like a little cheese with your "wine."

As for the rest of you, if anybody thinks the Pats only won because of a few calls, stay in your world of denial. The Pats have the best coached, prepared, motivated team in the NFL that does nothing but execute plays. They won 14 games in a row with a 10-0 record against winning teams (beating Indy and Titans twice). Of course, they only did that because of the breaks and lousy officiating.

See you in Houston!