NFL/NCAA (American Football)

[Sylar]

Pittsburgh 13-20 Denver - the officials screwed the Broncos for that score!

[Haymaker]

Think how much more you'd enjoy it if it were to be US who end it though?

Nothing for granted though - you know how our record is when we go into post-season games as favourites!

... We did IIRC?! :greengrin

[Sylar]

... We did IIRC?! :greengrin

A bit like the Jets last season though, it matters for nothing if they come to Foxborough and beat us next weekend :greengrin

[Sylar]

I sincerely hope this is an efficient 4th quarter, as I'm ****ing knackered!

[Haymaker]

A bit like the Jets last season though, it matters for nothing if they come to Foxborough and beat us next weekend :greengrin

They wont, we will take them... again. :cb

[Haymaker]

23-23 with just over 3 mins to go in the 4th... :cb

[NOLA]

game is tied 23-23 at the 2minute warning, surely the broncos wont win another game in overtime will they :dunno: TBOW better get praying :wink:

[NOLA]

BIG fumble, steelers in control now

[Sylar]

Broncos have been screwed by the officials on more than one occasion this game. The backwards "incomplete" pass which wasn't given as a fumble and the facemask call on 2nd down in the last Denver possession which wasn't given.

I hate this rapist ****.

[Sylar]

Damn it - Broncos knock the ball out of Roethlisberger's hands, but the canoot recovers.

[Sylar]

And we go to overtime. I need to sleep goddammit!

[Haymaker]

Denver win. First throw of over time.

[Sylar]

Denver @ New England it is!

What a play from Denver on the first play of OT to get the win!

Tebow Time ends next Saturday.

[Calvin]

Wow. What an end to that game. Happy for Tebow!

[NOLA]

denver WIN :rolleyes: good for the rest of the teams in the afc :greengrin

[Sergio sledge]

:greengrin
:thumbsup:

I hope the Steelers come back and beat the Broncos, cant stand this love-fest with Tim Teballs.

:na na: Did someone say Tebow can't pass? :greengrin

Did not expect that win at all, but it was well worth staying up for!

[Haymaker]

:na na: Did someone say Tebow can't pass? :greengrin

Did not expect that win at all, but it was well worth staying up for!

One good passing game does not make a good quarterback! :greengrin

[Gatecrasher]

I can't believe they pulled it off! I had to get my beauty sleep as it was my first day back at work since before Christmas.
I think it would be really interesting to see how the broncos get on next season if they spend the summer on working with Tebow as they didn't get the chance last season due to the lockout

[The_Exile]

Tick Tock TEBOW TIME!! That was immense last night, I'm not the Steelers biggest fan and it was good to see the son of go.....I mean Tebow pull it out the bag after so much critiscm of his game.

Big Ben had a wonky foot, his receivers were below par, and they still managed to get it to overtime, I reckon the Pats will go to town on the Denver D next weekend, although aren't the Pats something like 31st in passing defence, or is it total defence this season? Might be worth a change in the game plan, although doubt Tebow is capable of being disciplined enough to pass more than 20 times a game.

Gutted our season is over (Lions fan), but didn't think this would be our year, we get our 1st round pick RB back next year, that's our achillies heel, no balance in the Offence (although who needs balance with Megatron right?, exciting times though.

NFC Championship game will be Packers v Saints, I'd take the Saints to win that one in a high scoring shootout, the Saints have something resembling a Defence, the Packers do not (take Woodson and Matthews out and they are awful on Defence).

Tried watching some college ball, BCS doesn't make sense to me, as an example, why do Boise State continually get overloooked for the Bowl Championship Game? Is it decided by strength of conference/division or something?

[Sylar]

Tick Tock TEBOW TIME!! That was immense last night, I'm not the Steelers biggest fan and it was good to see the son of go.....I mean Tebow pull it out the bag after so much critiscm of his game.

Big Ben had a wonky foot, his receivers were below par, and they still managed to get it to overtime, I reckon the Pats will go to town on the Denver D next weekend, although aren't the Pats something like 31st in passing defence, or is it total defence this season? Might be worth a change in the game plan, although doubt Tebow is capable of being disciplined enough to pass more than 20 times a game.

Gutted our season is over (Lions fan), but didn't think this would be our year, we get our 1st round pick RB back next year, that's our achillies heel, no balance in the Offence (although who needs balance with Megatron right?, exciting times though.

NFC Championship game will be Packers v Saints, I'd take the Saints to win that one in a high scoring shootout, the Saints have something resembling a Defence, the Packers do not (take Woodson and Matthews out and they are awful on Defence).

Tried watching some college ball, BCS doesn't make sense to me, as an example, why do Boise State continually get overloooked for the Bowl Championship Game? Is it decided by strength of conference/division or something?

Amusingly, we have the worst pass defence in the league, yet are still the #1 ranked team in the AFC, which tells you just how unstoppable Brady and our offense have been this year! I'm a little bit apprehensive about next weekend, as Tebow's passing looks like it's always improving, but I think unlike the Steelers, we should get into their defense and put up some points, just as we did in Mile High last month.

I wouldn't rule out the 49'ers for the NFC Championship game quite yet - I agree the Packers look a certainty, but San Francisco have been impressive this year and will like their chances at home.

I was mightily impressed by the Lions this year and with the right additions, could well be challenging in the NFC next year, as the Packer's defense has looked very shaky as the season has gone on this year. Stafford is developing into a great young QB and I think Schwartz has the drive and passion Detroit fans are used to seeing!

[Gatecrasher]

Recording the BCS game tonight, I can't wait to watch it I will be wanting LSU to win

[Sylar]

Wow.

Nothing more need be said really...

Game.Statement.

[Haymaker]

Wow.

Nothing more need be said really...

Game.Statement.

Didnt expect that. Awesome game.

I have been reading (on twitter) that Matt Moore is to get a shot as the starter next season for the Dolphins... :cb

[Sylar]

Oh Jesus - September 1, 2012 Kickoff classic - Michigan vs Alabama...

I think we'll take them :greengrin

[Gatecrasher]

Watched it last night, I didn't expect that either. To be fair to bama they basically shut down LSU offence but struggled in the red zone themselves. Both defenses are quality

[Sylar]

Watched it last night, I didn't expect that either. To be fair to bama they basically shut down LSU offence but struggled in the red zone themselves. Both defenses are quality

Thankfully, a lot of the Alabama defense will graduate onto the NFL before we have to face them!

[Sylar]

I see the Jessies will be happy this morning with the news that Brian Schottenheimer has left the club though I doubt they'll be happy with the replacement in Tony Sporano who has never been a coordinator before and really struggled to develop Chad Henne at Miami.

RR has pretty much cleaned out the entire offensive coaching staff since they were gloriously dumped by Miami.

None of it will matter a jot unless he follows suit though - apart from a hapless (hopeless?) QB, RR and his mouth is the sole biggest issue with the NYJ's.

[DH1875]

I see the Jessies will be happy this morning with the news that Brian Schottenheimer has left the club though I doubt they'll be happy with the replacement in Tony Sporano who has never been a coordinator before and really struggled to develop Chad Henne at Miami.

RR has pretty much cleaned out the entire offensive coaching staff since they were gloriously dumped by Miami.

None of it will matter a jot unless he follows suit though - apart from a hapless (hopeless?) QB, RR and his mouth is the sole biggest issue with the NYJ's.


To true, to true. As the saying goes, they give you with one hand but then take away with the other. The only plus I can see is that he will work the OL back into shape and maybe bring Haley with him. Will be interesting to see the effect it has on Sanchez although I won't hold my breath. Who knows, maybe the Manning rumours are true :no way:.

[Gatecrasher]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiY8IVCGy_Q

Play offs for College football?

[hibsbollah]

"Tebow can't throw":cb

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2012010800/2011/POST18/steelers@broncos#menu=highlights

Whatever happens this weekend against the Patriots, watching this guy confound all the critics has to be THE story of this season.

[Gatecrasher]

14-0 49ers and have the ball in Saints RED Zone

[Gatecrasher]

17-0 and the Saints turnover again! 4 times and its early in the 2nd

17-14 now game on

[DH1875]

17-0 and the Saints turnover again! 4 times and its early in the 2nd

17-14 now game on


It's been an interesting and rather strange game so far :aok:.

[Gatecrasher]

49ers just failed a 2 point conversion so it's a 5 point game with 2.11 to go and saints about to get the ball

[Gatecrasher]

Touchdown saints with a converted extra 2 points 3 point game 49ers need to score at least a field goal to stay in it. 1:37 to go

[Gatecrasher]

49ers TD with 9 seconds left what a game

[Calvin]

Really enjoyed that. Quite like both teams so it was nice to watch a great match with no vested interests.


Pats starting well to say the least!

[NOLA]

great game, well done to the niners , oh well always next year :agree:

[Haymaker]

"Tebow can't throw":cb

.

:cb


9 for 26.

Before the last 2 minutes, he had completed 6 passes. Six. Brady had 6 touchdown passes and even punted the ball.

:smug:

[Haymaker]

Oh and 14 negative plays? :cb

[Haymaker]

Tick Tock TEBOW TIME!!

... :cb

[hibsbollah]

Oh and 14 negative plays? :cb

Yeah, he's a had one bad game stats wise, that REALLy proves your point, doesnt it? :rolleyes:

If you don't understand why Tebow is a good quarterback, you dont understand the game.

[Gatecrasher]

Didnt stay up to watch the Pats game, i only watched the first few drives and i knew it was going to be a Pats win, I think Tebow will come back better next season. I hope he gets the chance. Packers V Giants tonight! i'm not confident TBH

[Sylar]

Couldn't stay up so recorded it and watched it this morning.

Was delighted with how we played. 14 negative plays shows just how tuned in our defense were last night and I've run out of superlatives for Brady's absolutely sensational performance.

I don't think last night shows Tebow to be a bad QB. He didn't have a good game, but he's developed very well over the season - yeah, his spiral isn't pretty and he doesn't deal with pressure well, but the kid can scramble like nobody I've seen and can pick passes at will - his sheer determination to take his team forward is also to be applauded and I think he'll become one of the better QB's in the league.

Hopefully our team work with the same efficiency next week as if it IS the Ravens we face (as I suspect it should be), they'll be a much harder team to break down than the Broncos.


I wouldn't rule out the 49'ers for the NFC Championship game quite yet - I agree the Packers look a certainty, but San Francisco have been impressive this year and will like their chances at home.

:greengrin

If we get a Packers vs Patriots Superbowl, I'll be miffed I never put money where my mouth is :greengrin

[Sergio sledge]

:cb


9 for 26.

Before the last 2 minutes, he had completed 6 passes. Six. Brady had 6 touchdown passes and even punted the ball.

:smug:


Oh and 14 negative plays? :cb


... :cb

something tells me you enjoyed last night quite a bit!:greengrin

Tebow had a poor game last night, but to be fair to him his o-line didn't give him or his running backs any protection at all and the patriots d was very impressive. Contrast the protection he got last week against the Steelers to the protection he got this week, it was like night and day. That being said, some of his passes were horrible last night! :wink:

I was very impressed with the 49ers last night, their d is top notch and Gore is a beast. What has happened to Alex Smith, he's suddenly a different player to previous years. With the head coach they have and the intensity they displayed and the 1st q especially I wouldn't write the 49ers off against anyone left!

looking forward to the giants v packers game tonight!

[Dashing Bob S]

something tells me you enjoyed last night quite a bit!:greengrin

Tebow had a poor game last night, but to be fair to him his o-line didn't give him or his running backs any protection at all and the patriots d was very impressive. Contrast the protection he got last week against the Steelers to the protection he got this week, it was like night and day. That being said, some of his passes were horrible last night! :wink:


I was very impressed with the 49ers last night, their d is top notch and Gore is a beast. What has happened to Alex Smith, he's suddenly a different player to previous years. With the head coach they have and the intensity they displayed and the 1st q especially I wouldn't write the 49ers off against anyone left!

looking forward to the giants v packers game tonight!


Packers v Giants - can't wait!

Packers are the best but for some reason I've always fancied SF this season and I think they will win the Superbowl.

[Gatecrasher]

Going pretty much how I thought it would so far, 20-10 Giants

[DarrenSQH]

Still feel sick after last nights game. Sometimes it's hard following hibs and the saints.

[DH1875]

FFS :brickwall, What's going on with the Packers :grr:.

[DH1875]

Still feel sick after last nights game. Sometimes it's hard following hibs and the saints.

Try being a Jets fan :boo hoo:.

[Haymaker]

Yeah, he's a had one bad game stats wise, that REALLy proves your point, doesnt it? :rolleyes:

If you don't understand why Tebow is a good quarterback, you dont understand the game.

How is he a good quarterback?

He won a few games in a row, mostly at the last gasp. He played the patriots and was destroyed. They lost the two games after that too and IIRC correctly he lost them poorly. He beat the Steelers, and played well, I will give him that. He plays the patriots again and looked like a lost lamb for most of the game.

His throwing is almost non existent, he might be able to scramble but the fact he runs mostly backwards when pressed (29yard sack anyone?) shows he doesnt know that sometimes you should just throw the ball away. The patriots have one of the worst rush defences in the league and we force him to 14 negative plays yet he is some kind of running god?

The steelers did nothing against the broncos option plays and paid the price. That doesnt make him a good QB.

[Haymaker]

something tells me you enjoyed last night quite a bit!:greengrin



:agree:


However tonight sucks because I do not want us to meet the Giants...

[DH1875]

A well, 49ers v Ravens Superbowl it is then.

[Haymaker]

A well, 49ers v Ravens Superbowl it is then.

We'll see... we'll see... :greengrin

[Sylar]

We'll see... we'll see... :greengrin

I have to say, that was my first thought when I seen the scores this morning.

I just can't see us handling Baltimore at all, though I'm clinging to the small nugget that Flacco is far from an elite QB.

I still fancy either the Giants or 49'ers would beat EITHER of the remaining AFC teams anyway.

[Gatecrasher]

i dont know why but i knew the Giants would do that to the Packers last night, i think everyone just thought because of Aaron Rodgers that we would roll over everyone, The Defense has been shocking all season and when i watched them Hammer Atlanta last week i just knew our time was up

[Sylar]

i dont know why but i knew the Giants would do that to the Packers last night, i think everyone just thought because of Aaron Rodgers that we would roll over everyone, The Defense has been shocking all season and when i watched them Hammer Atlanta last week i just knew our time was up

I didn't really gauge just how bad your defense was until last night! The only team who prevented us from being last in the league!

Would have been quite funny to see you make the Superbowl and would have been really interesting if we also had made it, as you would have seen the 2 statistically worst defenses in the NFL being the last 2 teams standing - wonder if that's ever happened before? It's already unusual enough that both of us took the respective #1 seeds for the respective conferences.

[Gatecrasher]

I didn't really gauge just how bad your defense was until last night! The only team who prevented us from being last in the league!

Would have been quite funny to see you make the Superbowl and would have been really interesting if we also had made it, as you would have seen the 2 statistically worst defenses in the NFL being the last 2 teams standing - wonder if that's ever happened before? It's already unusual enough that both of us took the respective #1 seeds for the respective conferences.

I think one of the commentators said last night that no team with a 32nd ranked defense had ever reached the superbowl. I'm sure they also said that packers were the worst passing defense in nfl history followed by the patriots (I'm not sure if I heard that one right though)

It would have been great to see Rodgers and Brady go to town on each defense though :greengrin

[Dashing Bob S]

Felt sorry for Rodgers, he's had a flawless season, but had a real nightmare by his standards. Nonetheless, the Giants defended well against a GB offense which has gone off the boil lately. Green Bat were so dominant in the season, but peaked to early. History shows its better to do what they did last season, and sneak in on the wild card, peaking in post-season.

I've predicted San Francisco all along (check early posts!) and I'm going for them to beat a boring but effective New York at Candlestick and then trump the Patriots who should dispose of the Broncos in the American conference.

Thoughts?

[Haymaker]

i dont know why but i knew the Giants would do that to the Packers last night, i think everyone just thought because of Aaron Rodgers that we would roll over everyone, The Defense has been shocking all season and when i watched them Hammer Atlanta last week i just knew our time was up

I had the same feeling, as soon as they got the Pack I knew they would win. Eli Manning is far from the best QB in the league but he sure as hell shows up in a pinch and in the big games. Do NOT want to play them in the 'bowl.

[Haymaker]

the Patriots who should dispose of the Broncos in the American conference.

Thoughts?

Already done and dusted... :cb

[The_Exile]

Football is for Giants!! But I'm a Lions fan, so that makes no sense, anyway that was sweet viewing last night, I think most people secretly knew that the Giants would turn up for this one and Green Bay would not, Defense wins Superbowls (which is statistically incorrect but sounds nice), Green Bay have some tremendous Defensive players but as a unit have been utterly woeful this year.

Superbowl will be Ravens (who will go to town on the Pats for various reasons) against the Giants, the Giants have a fair number of Veteran players who will see this as their last shot at glory, whereas the 9ers have a pretty young team who are still growing into the game and Harbaugh's way of doing things (although they're doing damn fine so far!), so for that reason, Ravens v Giants in Indy for me.

[Gatecrasher]

its rubbish the NFC chanpionship game is on so late. I will just watch the AFC one then off to bed. Will defo be watching the Superbowl though :thumbsup:. My ideal Superbowl out of the teams left would be Giants V Patriots.

[Sylar]

its rubbish the NFC chanpionship game is on so late. I will just watch the AFC one then off to bed. Will defo be watching the Superbowl though :thumbsup:. My ideal Superbowl out of the teams left would be Giants V Patriots.

I'd have been livid had we been the late game again! Had to record last Saturday's vs Denver so happy that we're the early game this week!

I'd like to see New England vs San Francisco, but I have to say, regardless to which team emerges from the AFC Championship game (I'm starting develop a little confidence) I reckon the NFC representative (be it the Giants or 49'ers) will win the Superbowl.

[Haymaker]

I'd have been livid had we been the late game again! Had to record last Saturday's vs Denver so happy that we're the early game this week!

I'd like to see New England vs San Francisco, but I have to say, regardless to which team emerges from the AFC Championship game (I'm starting develop a little confidence) I reckon the NFC representative (be it the Giants or 49'ers) will win the Superbowl.


I think our Defense looked alot better on sunday, a few players are coming back from injury at the right time IIRC.

Still, Julian Edelman should get a special mention this season regardless, seems to have played every position possible and has been pretty decent.

[DH1875]

I'd like to see New England vs San Francisco, but I have to say, regardless to which team emerges from the AFC Championship game (I'm starting develop a little confidence) I reckon the NFC representative (be it the Giants or 49'ers) will win the Superbowl.


I think you will get your wish :boo hoo:.




















With a 49ers win though :thumbsup:.

[Gatecrasher]

Just got an Email saying next years international series game will be announced tomorrow

[Haymaker]

Just got an Email saying next years international series game will be announced tomorrow

Rumoured to be the New Jersey Jessies!

[Gatecrasher]

Rumoured to be the New Jersey Jessies!

Any idea who against?

[Sylar]

Rumoured to be the New Jersey Jessies!

I've heard a few rumours, but the Jets aren't one of them.

New England Patriots @ Jacksonville Jaguars is the one I've heard most. I actually hope not, as I get married in October and wouldn't be able to go! :greengrin

[James.]

Rumoured to be the New Jersey Jessies!

The rumour doing the rounds is that it'll be Jets against the Rams.

Please let it be true!! Need some good news after a miserable season!

[DH1875]

The talk is that there will be 2 games this year with the Pats at the Jags being one of them for sure.

[Haymaker]

The talk is that there will be 2 games this year with the Pats at the Jags being one of them for sure.

I heard they might do two games but I thought they were expanding to either A) Germany B)Mexico or C) Canada... though the bills play in canada sometimes IIRC?

Jets v Rams will be good but Pats v Jags would be annoying because I will be in NYC from July till November..!

[Dashing Bob S]

The Giants are effective, but soooo boring. Hope 49er's sort em out.

[Sylar]

October 28th, 2012 - New England Patriots @ St Louis Rams.

The Rams are confirmed to play London for the next 3 years, with oppositions to be confirmed going forward.

Looks like I'll need to convince the new wife to have a weekend in London after our wedding :greengrin

[Gatecrasher]

Sounds like a decent match up TBH, the Rams are slowly improving imo

[DH1875]

The Rams are confirmed to play London for the next 3 years, with oppositions to be confirmed going forward.



This is the thing that I find strange. Are they that hard up or are they just using their Arsenal connections? Would have thought either the Jags or the Bucs would have been in line to do this ahead of the Rams as they'd be the most likely to be in the frame for a move to London. Can't see to many fans over here becoming Rams and at least with the other two you had the chance of seeing them when you go on the holidays to Florida. Also rules out the Jets coming over in the next 3 years if they are just going to stick to the one game a season :boo hoo:.
Wouldn't be happy if I were a native from St Louis that's for sure, especially when you look back in their history.

[DH1875]

Please, please, please, Ravens win :pray:.

[Sylar]

Please, please, please, Ravens win :pray:.

I'm genuinely nervous ahead of this - not sure what to expect - if our D can replicate last week's performance, we might be OK.

What a terrible year it would be for you with a Michigan BCS Bowl win AND a Patriots Superbowl appearance - bad luck comes in threes though, so I'd be terrified of what that would mean for our one team in common :boo hoo:

See Tressel is interviewing for the Colts head coach position?

[DH1875]

I'm genuinely nervous ahead of this - not sure what to expect - if our D can replicate last week's performance, we might be OK.

What a terrible year it would be for you with a Michigan BCS Bowl win AND a Patriots Superbowl appearance - bad luck comes in threes though, so I'd be terrified of what that would mean for our one team in common :boo hoo:

See Tressel is interviewing for the Colts head coach position?

Makes sense since he's been working for them since he left us. Can't see him getting it though.

As for tonight, if I'm honest you guy's have it in the bag. Your D might not be the best but it's Flacco your up against so I wouldn't be losing any sleep. The Ravens strength is their D but with the weapons you guy's have I can't see it. Anyhow, I've no problem when you guy's make the Superbowl, it's only when you win it. If anything it makes it more fun. Instead of watching as a neutral I get really into it and get right behind the team your playing. Go 49ers :thumbsup:.

[Sylar]

Certainly hope, if we DO get to the Superbowl (I don't share your confidence) it is against the 49'ers, as I like our chances against them more than the Giants.

I've said all along that I suspect the Superbowl winners will the NFC representatives, as it's been a stronger conference over the season.

Just want this to get started already!

[Haymaker]

:panic:

LETS GET ON WITH THIS!

:panic:

[Sylar]

Brad van Pelt just called us the New York Patriots.

**** you Bradley! :slipper:

[DH1875]

What times kick off :confused:.

[Sylar]

End of 1st: Baltimore 0-3 New England, but Baltimore look like they're about to get at least 3 here.

Turnover followed by a terrible defensive coverage, leads to the Ravens getting down to our 20.

Less confident now than I was when we started.

[Sylar]

Baltimore 3-3 New England

[Sylar]

Green-Ellis in for the TD.

Baltimore 3-10 New England

[Sylar]

Tied up again - 10-10.

Our defense doesn't deserve to get the bloody Superbowl - if Flacco can find holes in it, it highlights just how bloody awful it is!

[Sylar]

Baltimore 10-13 New England

Far from a shoot-out.

[Sylar]

HT: Baltimore 10-13 New England

Battle of defenses really, which I find peculiar!

[Sylar]

Another good drive leading to only a FG.

Baltimore 10-16 New England

[Sylar]

Someone take our defense out the back of the stadium and ****ing shoot the lot of them.

I could do better than this!!!!!!!

[Sylar]

Take your pick of either the facemask or out of bounds on the run and that TD should have been brought back.

17-16 Baltimore and they have the ball again.

[Sylar]

Big sack on 3rd and goal to force a FG rather than a TD.

Baltimore 20-16 New England.

Wonder if my neighbours have called the police yet :greengrin

[Sylar]

Someone needs to rip Pollards neck off his freaking head! WTF kind of tackle was that! Welker, Brady and now Gronkowski

[Sylar]

If this gets pulled back and their go-ahead DIDN'T, I'm not going to be impressed.

[Sylar]

The officials are screwing us here. Badly.

[Sylar]

Finally.

Baltimore 20-23 New England.

[Sylar]

What a waste of a turnover, turning it immediately back.

Baltimore both driving and running down the clock.

[Sylar]

4th and 6 and the Ravens going for it, from around the 45 yard line.

Timeout - big play needed.

[Sylar]

What.A.Stop!

Vince "King" Wilfork! :thumbsup:

[Sylar]

2 first downs needed for the win. It's THAT simple, and I absolutely guarantee it won't be that easy!

[Sylar]

YYYYEEEESSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 32 Yard field goal hooked wide to the right and it's all over! :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

New England Patriots - 2012 AFC Champions!!! :greengrin:greengrin:greengrin:greengrin

[Gatecrasher]

What an ending!! Pissed I will be sleeping through the NFC game

[Calvin]

Just got in from a gig but managed to catch the last few minutes. Unbelievable.

Really looking forward to the NFC match now.

[Sylar]

Looks like the Ravens had a fair grievance with the catch in the last seconds in the end zone, but seeing as their first go-ahead TD was clearly both out of bounds and a missed facemask, perhaps it balanced out.

[DarrenSQH]

Ravens fans must be sick after that ending.

I think the league needs to look at the new rules when the worst pass defense in history gets to a superbowl. The game has too much bias towards offence these days.

[Sylar]

Some sad news coming out of Penn State tonight. I know he's been caught up in all of the scandal at Penn State this year, but news that Joe Paterno has died tonight:

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7489238/joe-paterno-ex-penn-state-nittany-lions-coach-dies-85-2-month-cancer-fight

[Sylar]

Ravens fans must be sick after that ending.

I think the league needs to look at the new rules when the worst pass defense in history gets to a superbowl. The game has too much bias towards offence these days.

I'm not sure I get your point - I'll grant, I'm as surprised as anyone, but you need to put up points to win games - something we've done at will this season.

It's a bit like football - so long as you score more than the opposition, does it matter how bad our defense is? We've managed the handicap well this year and are well deserving of our place in the Superbowl, based on the results we've ground out as a team.

[Haymaker]

YES!


That is all.

[Haymaker]

I'm not sure I get your point - I'll grant, I'm as surprised as anyone, but you need to put up points to win games - something we've done at will this season.

It's a bit like football - so long as you score more than the opposition, does it matter how bad our defense is? We've managed the handicap well this year and are well deserving of our place in the Superbowl, based on the results we've ground out as a team.


:agree:


In other news, Giants 10-14 San Fran

EDIT: Punt turnover and Giants are back in front 17-14.

EDIT: Gone to OT. 17-17 at the final.

[Calvin]

Exciting stuff. Think that the 49ers might be able to get a field goal here.

[Haymaker]

Giants punt and recover the fumble! Inside 30yards!

31 yard field goal, Giants v Patriots in the superbowl.

[Calvin]

I'm always happy for a Scot to be the hero.

[Gatecrasher]

Giants punt and recover the fumble! Inside 30yards!

31 yard field goal, Giants v Patriots in the superbowl.
Should be a good one bring it on!

[Sylar]

Fingers crossed we can get some revenge!

I'd rather have faced the 49'ers, but oh well - we've lost to New York in both the pre-season and regular season, so I'm not exactly optimistic.

[Gatecrasher]

in 2 weeks we will know who the Champs are! I think it will be Pats but i i think they will need to be on top of their game to do so. i noticed Gronkowski was injured, did he return?

[Sylar]

in 2 weeks we will know who the Champs are! I think it will be Pats but i i think they will need to be on top of their game to do so. i noticed Gronkowski was injured, did he return?

He was lined up in the drive when Brady went over the top at 4th and 1, but he remained sidelined for the rest of the game. He was spotted afterwards in a walking boot.

Hopefully the big man will return, as we'll need our TE's to all be available and fully firing.

I still don't think we'll win the Superbowl - the Giants are a very good side and have already beaten us on our own turf this year - I'd love to be wrong obviously, but the Giants are a bloody good team.

[Gatecrasher]

He was lined up in the drive when Brady went over the top at 4th and 1, but he remained sidelined for the rest of the game. He was spotted afterwards in a walking boot.

Hopefully the big man will return, as we'll need our TE's to all be available and fully firing.

I still don't think we'll win the Superbowl - the Giants are a very good side and have already beaten us on our own turf this year - I'd love to be wrong obviously, but the Giants are a bloody good team.

They have came into form just at the right moment, and Eli is playing very well. However you guys have a lot of fire power and your Defense isnt as bad as they stats suggest IMO

[DH1875]

So who would you all rather be this morning, Billy Cundiff or Kyle Williams? I'm going Cundiff as the Ravens was robbed. That TD at the end should have stood :agree:. As for Williams, forget about the punt at the end. Did you guy's see his first fumble, WTF was he doing there:idiot:.

[Sylar]

So who would you all rather be this morning, Billy Cundiff or Kyle Williams? I'm going Cundiff as the Ravens was robbed. That TD at the end should have stood :agree:. As for Williams, forget about the punt at the end. Did you guy's see his first fumble, WTF was he doing there:idiot:.

It certainly should have.

Just like their first one shouldn't have.

The karmic balance of the universe is well aligned.

[James.]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSUw9Hda5yU&feature=related

Listening material for the next two weeks :aok:

[HibsMax]

Ravens fans must be sick after that ending.

I think the league needs to look at the new rules when the worst pass defense in history gets to a superbowl. The game has too much bias towards offence these days.

The Pats D were one of the worst in the NFL this year in terms of yards given up, but not points.

[HibsMax]

So who would you all rather be this morning, Billy Cundiff or Kyle Williams? I'm going Cundiff as the Ravens was robbed. That TD at the end should have stood :agree:. As for Williams, forget about the punt at the end. Did you guy's see his first fumble, WTF was he doing there:idiot:.


It certainly should have.

Just like their first one shouldn't have.

The karmic balance of the universe is well aligned.

Why do you think the TD at the end should have stood? He caught the ball and he had both feet in bounds but he didn't complete a football move after catching the ball and before it was knocked out of his hands. It was the right call.

[Sylar]

Why do you think the TD at the end should have stood? He caught the ball and he had both feet in bounds but he didn't complete a football move after catching the ball and before it was knocked out of his hands. It was the right call.

Can you give an unambiguous definition of what this "football move" rule is? As I understood it, it was no longer part of the rules, as it became too hard to define! Guy had both hands on the ball, both feet touched down and he managed to turn around before it was ripped away - I've heard the "football move" rule used as a reason as to why it wasn't already, but in all honesty, I don't know what it is with any real clarity.

http://static.nfl.com/static/content/public/image/rulebook/pdfs/14_Rule11_Scoring.pdf

Nothing at all about it in there...

[Sergio sledge]

Why do you think the TD at the end should have stood? He caught the ball and he had both feet in bounds but he didn't complete a football move after catching the ball and before it was knocked out of his hands. It was the right call.

It was pretty close, but I agree with you. Edit: I've just watched it again and it looks like the ball gets knocked out of his hand just as his 2nd foot touches the ground, so I agree it was no touchdown.

The ridiculous thing was that because the ruling on the field wasn't a touchdown and because it was inside 2 minutes, the Ravens couldn't challenge it. That needs to be looked at because there could be borderline decisions in future games that on review would have been turned over, but that couldn't be reviewed because the coaches cant challenge after the 2 minute warning. When a place in the Superbowl is at stake, the coaches should be able to challenge calls after the two minute warning IMHO.

The Ravens should have taken their last time-out before the FG attempt, they gained nothing by rushing it. Taking the time-out may not have changed the result of the kick, but it would have helped the kicker calm himself and set up properly.

[HibsMax]

Can you give an unambiguous definition of what this "football move" rule is? As I understood it, it was no longer part of the rules, as it became too hard to define! Guy had both hands on the ball, both feet touched down and he managed to turn around before it was ripped away - I've heard the "football move" rule used as a reason as to why it wasn't already, but in all honesty, I don't know what it is with any real clarity.

http://static.nfl.com/static/content/public/image/rulebook/pdfs/14_Rule11_Scoring.pdf

Nothing at all about it in there...

The way I heard it described is that you need to take a step or fall to the ground.....and when you fall to the ground you have to maintain possession of the ball if you haven't taken a few steps. There are different rules for the end zone too. Two things happened in Sunday's game that are of interest:
1. Tom Brady's rushing touchdown - he leapt over the offensive line with his arms stretched out with absolutely no ball protection.......but that didn't matter because as soon as the ball broke the plane the play was over so there was no risk of a turnover UNLESS someone got to him before he crossed the plane.

2. The TD that never was. My understanding is that he made a great catch but didn't take a step or fall to the ground, etc. so it was ruled an incomplete pass.


That's about as good a description as I can give you. :)

[Sylar]

The way I heard it described is that you need to take a step or fall to the ground.....and when you fall to the ground you have to maintain possession of the ball if you haven't taken a few steps. There are different rules for the end zone too. Two things happened in Sunday's game that are of interest:
1. Tom Brady's rushing touchdown - he leapt over the offensive line with his arms stretched out with absolutely no ball protection.......but that didn't matter because as soon as the ball broke the plane the play was over so there was no risk of a turnover UNLESS someone got to him before he crossed the plane.

2. The TD that never was. My understanding is that he made a great catch but didn't take a step or fall to the ground, etc. so it was ruled an incomplete pass.


That's about as good a description as I can give you. :)

After he caught the ball, he definitely did take a step. As soon as this step "landed" though, was when the ball was ripped out, so it was a matter of margins.

As I said above, it's really irrelevant, as if we start to break it down like this, they could potentially have been given this TD, but had their second one wiped out, as it clearly wasn't.

I see the Ravens are now making a case that they lost because of some confusion/error with our scoreboards.

Deary me, can't they just accept that they didn't do enough over 60 minutes of football to win, rather than trying to apportion excuses/blame?

[HibsMax]

After he caught the ball, he definitely did take a step. As soon as this step "landed" though, was when the ball was ripped out, so it was a matter of margins.

As I said above, it's really irrelevant, as if we start to break it down like this, they could potentially have been given this TD, but had their second one wiped out, as it clearly wasn't.

I see the Ravens are now making a case that they lost because of some confusion/error with our scoreboards.

Deary me, can't they just accept that they didn't do enough over 60 minutes of football to win, rather than trying to apportion excuses/blame?

I watched the replay a few times just now and I disagree. :) He caught the ball and it was knocked out of his hands as his second foot was coming down. Two feet on the ground doesn't make a completion, he would (I believe) need to take a step after he's taken possession of the ball. The way I see it is:
1. he catches the ball with no feet on the ground - he's in the air.
2. his right foot is the first one to make contact with the ground - he's facing back towards his own goal line at this point.
3. he starts to turn around and is in the process of bringing his left foot down when the ball is knocked free.



If he caught the ball with both feet on the ground, turned and took a step........then it would have been a touchdown.

All of this IMHO of course.

[NYHibby]

RIP JoePa. If I had to name a hero in sports, you were it.

[Gatecrasher]

I hear the commentators say you need to complete the catch and secure the ball quite a lot he didn't appear to do that, no TD IMO.

How much can I expect to pay for some decent wembley tickets when on general sale?

[Sylar]

I hear the commentators say you need to complete the catch and secure the ball quite a lot he didn't appear to do that, no TD IMO.

How much can I expect to pay for some decent wembley tickets when on general sale?

Not quite sure - though they did reduce the cost of the Club Seats from last year, dropping them down to £100.

I'm holding out for the hospitality package, as I'll be taking the new wife (weekend after we get married) :greengrin

[Gatecrasher]

Not quite sure - though they did reduce the cost of the Club Seats from last year, dropping them down to £100.

I'm holding out for the hospitality package, as I'll be taking the new wife (weekend after we get married) :greengrin

£100 :shocked:

im was hoping for about £50 :hide:

[Sylar]

£100 :shocked:

im was hoping for about £50 :hide:

Pretty sure you'll get tickets around the £50 mark.

The reason I specify the Club Seats is that those are the only ones on sale just now and they did specifically mention that those had been reduced. Maybe all seats will be reduced, but I don't know.

There's also no registry of interest this year, which I think is quite dangerous considering it's the Patriots!

[HibsMax]

I was speaking with a friend this morning and he said that Raven's (or their fans) are complaining about the wrong down being displayed on the scoreboard and that they were accusing the Pats of cheating. Cundiff apparently thought it was 3rd down, not 4th down, which is why he wasn't ready. My friend also pointed out that the people who operate the scoreboards are NFL officials so it's not the Pat's fault.

Edit : found a link (http://www.nesn.com/2012/01/ravens-embarrassing-themselves-with-soft-cheating-accusations-of-patriots-scoreboard-error.html), reading it now.

[Sylar]

I was speaking with a friend this morning and he said that Raven's (or their fans) are complaining about the wrong down being displayed on the scoreboard and that they were accusing the Pats of cheating. Cundiff apparently thought it was 3rd down, not 4th down, which is why he wasn't ready. My friend also pointed out that the people who operate the scoreboards are NFL officials so it's not the Pat's fault.

Edit : found a link (http://www.nesn.com/2012/01/ravens-embarrassing-themselves-with-soft-cheating-accusations-of-patriots-scoreboard-error.html), reading it now.

Yeah, I read that (mentioned above) earlier in the week.

It doesn't really matter - if there was any confusion, they still had a time-out, so there was no need for him to be "rushed".

Wonder what they'll blame now that's also been cleared up.

[DH1875]

£100 :shocked:

im was hoping for about £50 :hide:


Club tickets are £100 and on sale now. You will be able to get upper tier tickets for £40/50 when they go on sale. Last year they had a family section with cracking seats for £37 per adult and for some reason you didn't need any kids with you :confused:. Think there were some complaints about it so not sure if they will do it this year. Keep an eye out on places like ebay as last year you could get tickets for less than the face value as it didn't sell out. Again though, not sure about this year as the glory hunters will be out in force :wink:.

[Haymaker]

the glory hunters will be out in force :wink:.

Aye those pesky Rams band jumpers! :cb

[hibsbollah]

Will the regulars be revealing their superbowl predictions? I fancy Giants by 7-12 points with Eli Manning as MVP. Odds of 10/1 as a double.

[Haymaker]

21-14 patriots. I hope.

[Sylar]

Club tickets are £100 and on sale now. You will be able to get upper tier tickets for £40/50 when they go on sale. Last year they had a family section with cracking seats for £37 per adult and for some reason you didn't need any kids with you :confused:. Think there were some complaints about it so not sure if they will do it this year. Keep an eye out on places like ebay as last year you could get tickets for less than the face value as it didn't sell out. Again though, not sure about this year as the glory hunters will be out in force :wink:.

I'm pretty confident that it will sell out this year, for the reason you point out - sadly, around the same time the NFL coverage on Sky exploded, we were on a run of Superbowl successes, resulting in a myriad of folks who previously didn't know a thing about us becoming "fans". A good test to a "proper Pats fan" vs a "Post 2002 Superbowl Fan" is by asking who the Pats QB was prior to Brady - it's a good starting point to sorting them out! These fans have no concept as to what it was like following New England in the 90's, when we were the NFL punching bag - I remember those nauseating days all too well!


Will the regulars be revealing their superbowl predictions? I fancy Giants by 7-12 points with Eli Manning as MVP. Odds of 10/1 as a double.

I also fancy the Giants, but I reckon it'll be very close and will probably be decided by who makes the fewest mistakes

As good as our offense is, and I do think we'll score a few TD's, assuming Brady finds the form which eluded him vs Baltimore, our defense isn't going to suddenly be a group of superstars. As much as it stepped up against Baltimore, there were still holes.

The good thing is that we've seen New York both through the regular season and in the pre-season, so there's not much we don't know about their style of play. If we can get to Eli and shut him down, New York don't have much else in reserve, whereas getting to Brady will just remove one of our many offensive weapons.

I'm still not optimistic right now though, so I'll go with the Giants by 7-10.

Quite proud that, despite our poor defense, I managed to pick the AFC representatives well before the season started :greengrin

[Gatecrasher]

30-27 pats Tom Brady with the final drive of the game :agree:, I still cant rule out the Giants though.

[Gatecrasher]

Club tickets are £100 and on sale now. You will be able to get upper tier tickets for £40/50 when they go on sale. Last year they had a family section with cracking seats for £37 per adult and for some reason you didn't need any kids with you :confused:. Think there were some complaints about it so not sure if they will do it this year. Keep an eye out on places like ebay as last year you could get tickets for less than the face value as it didn't sell out. Again though, not sure about this year as the glory hunters will be out in force :wink:.

Thanks i will keep an eye out:aok:

[Haymaker]

A good test to a "proper Pats fan" vs a "Post 2002 Superbowl Fan" is by asking who the Pats QB was prior to Brady - it's a good starting point to sorting them out!

Drew Bledsoe :cb

[Gatecrasher]

http://www.solecollector.com/niketraining/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/nike-vapor-jet-glove-pro-bowl-new-orleans-saints-850x620.jpg

http://www.solecollector.com/niketraining/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/nike-vapor-jet-glove-pro-bowl-new-england-patriots-850x620.jpg

http://www.nikeblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Nike-Vapor-Jet-Green-Bay-Packers-Gloves.jpg

http://seattlesportscentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/seattle-seahawks-nike-vapor-jet-gloves-2012.jpg

http://www.solecollector.com/niketraining/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/nike-vapor-jet-glove-pro-bowl-new-york-jets-850x620.jpg

http://www.solecollector.com/niketraining/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/nike-vapor-jet-glove-pro-bowl-baltimore-ravens-850x620.jpg

NIKE take over as the kit supplier next season in the NFL, What you guys think of the College Style gloves, i love them :thumbsup:
I posted most of the teams i think mpst people support on here, sorry if i missed any. see the link below if i have

http://www.solecollector.com/niketraining/?p=6831

[HibsMax]

Pats win.

[DH1875]

NIKE take over as the kit supplier next season in the NFL, What you guys think of the College Style gloves, i love them :thumbsup:
I posted most of the teams i think mpst people support on here, sorry if i missed any. see the link below if i have

http://www.solecollector.com/niketraining/?p=6831

Really like the Nike NCAA jersey's so hopefully the new NFL ones will be the same. Can't see them changing the designs to much though as they haven't really in the past.

For what it's worth I reckon the Patsies will run out winners on Sunday night in what should be a pretty good game. I'm going 31-20 IF Gronkowski makes it.

[DH1875]

Drew Bledsoe :cb

GOOGLE really is man's best friend :tee hee:. Seriously though, you forget just how long Brady has been there and even though he's a tosser, hats of to the guy. It's some career he's had and it ain't even finished.

[Calvin]

http://seattlesportscentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/seattle-seahawks-nike-vapor-jet-gloves-2012.jpgNIKE take over as the kit supplier next season in the NFL, What you guys think of the College Style gloves, i love them :thumbsup:
I posted most of the teams i think mpst people support on here, sorry if i missed any. see the link below if i have

http://www.solecollector.com/niketraining/?p=6831

Very smart.

As for the Super Bowl, I change my prediction every day. This morning I feel that the Patriots will come from behind in the last quarter.

[HibsMax]

GOOGLE really is man's best friend :tee hee:. Seriously though, you forget just how long Brady has been there and even though he's a tosser, hats of to the guy. It's some career he's had and it ain't even finished.

What has Brady done that makes him a tosser? Or is it a clever play on words i.e., he is the QB therefore tosses the ball a lot?

I'm not looking at things through Pats-tinted glasses, I really can't think of anything that he has done that merits him being slagged off.

[Haymaker]

GOOGLE really is man's best friend :tee hee:. Seriously though, you forget just how long Brady has been there and even though he's a tosser, hats of to the guy. It's some career he's had and it ain't even finished.

Google?! You insult me sir. I am a Wikipedia man! :cb

[DH1875]

£100 :shocked:

im was hoping for about £50 :hide:


Tickets go on sale Thursday at 10am. They've bumped the family prices up though.

http://www.nfluk.com/tickets-events/nfl-wembley


Interesting to see what's happening with the Rams and if they will be coming over after all. Also if they can't come I guess that knocks the Patriots out so you could be buying tickets for a game and not know who's playing.

[Gatecrasher]

Tickets go on sale Thursday at 10am. They've bumped the family prices up though.

http://www.nfluk.com/tickets-events/nfl-wembley


Interesting to see what's happening with the Rams and if they will be coming over after all. Also if they can't come I guess that knocks the Patriots out so you could be buying tickets for a game and not know who's playing.

Thanks DH

No long to The Superbowl now folks :flag:

[hibsbollah]

Thanks DH

No long to The Superbowl now folks :flag:

You know, as much as i love the sport, the superbowl as an event leaves me cold. All that overblown razzamatazz is actually the antithesis of what the game is really all about. For some reason i much prefer a Conference Championship game; a home and away team, usually in the snow, with noisy partisan fans and a winner takes all element.

I'll still be watching on Sunday of course :greengrin:

[DH1875]

Thanks DH

No long to The Superbowl now folks :flag:


No worries. Think they've suspended ticket sales though until they get the mess with the Rams sorted out though :deal:.

[Sylar]

No worries. Think they've suspended ticket sales though until they get the mess with the Rams sorted out though :deal:.

Surely to God they knew the future of the Rams was a bit iffy when they committed to coming over, so I can't believe they agreed if there was any doubt.

I would hope it'll be New England vs another team, as there's no reason (as the away team) that we would say no, just because it's now not St Louis.

I'm going to go anyway this year - it's going to be our wee honeymoon after the wedding, as we have other things planned down in London that week anyway, so I'll go regardless of who it is in the end.

[Sylar]

I see you can still buy hospitality or club seats right now. I was tempted by the hospitality as a form of wedding gift, but nearly £900 for the 2 tickets. Ouch!

[Haymaker]

What's up with the rams?

[Sylar]

What's up with the rams?

http://espn.go.com/boston/nfl/story/_/id/7540221/ticket-sales-st-louis-rams-game-london-halted

[DH1875]

Surely to God they knew the future of the Rams was a bit iffy when they committed to coming over, so I can't believe they agreed if there was any doubt.

I would hope it'll be New England vs another team, as there's no reason (as the away team) that we would say no, just because it's now not St Louis.

I'm going to go anyway this year - it's going to be our wee honeymoon after the wedding, as we have other things planned down in London that week anyway, so I'll go regardless of who it is in the end.


According to the commissioner the date of the game wont change so there's NO chance of it being the Patriots if the Rams can't come. Even if you could swap fixtures your still looking to find another team willing to give up a home game against you guy's. To be fair I reckon the game will go ahead as they will come to a deal with the stadium owners but I doubt they will be able to do the 3 year plan. In the off chance I'm hearing they are looking at the Vikings to step in so maybe have a look at who their playing next year.

[Haymaker]

http://espn.go.com/boston/nfl/story/_/id/7540221/ticket-sales-st-louis-rams-game-london-halted

... Surely their management knew the clauses to their own stadium?

How strange.

[Sylar]

Bill Belichick shouldn't need to say very much tonight in advance of the game:

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/7540827/2012-super-bowl-new-york-giants-website-announces-team-sb-champs

[Calvin]

This is a good weekend for ESPN to be free. Four hours of Super Bowl countdown on ESPN America, much preferable to any of the British football matches on today.

[Gatecrasher]

This is a good weekend for ESPN to be free. Four hours of Super Bowl countdown on ESPN America, much preferable to any of the British football matches on today.
It's on again at 8 pm

Superbowl Sunday ftw:thumbsup:

[Haymaker]

Nervous is not the word.

[Gatecrasher]

The closer it gets to kick off the more I feel the pats will win

[Sylar]

Haha, I wish I shared your optimism Gatey - positively starting to get nervous and expectations are fading the closer we get.

I wish it was 6:30GMT, rather than ET this game kicked off.

[DH1875]

Heading out soon to watch the game. Hope you all enjoy your night, C'MON THE GIANTS :boo hoo:.

[Sylar]

Heading out soon to watch the game. Hope you all enjoy your night, C'MON THE GIANTS :boo hoo:.

Hope you have a good night too, minus the result of course.

Whatever the outcome tonight, we've had a superb season - overcoming adversity on a weekly basis, dealing with one of the worst defenses I can remember, highlighting just how powerful our offense have been.

Once again, this thread has been great banter and whether the Giants or Patriots win tonight, I look forward to renewing all of this next season!

[HibsMax]

Haha, I wish I shared your optimism Gatey - positively starting to get nervous and expectations are fading the closer we get.

I wish it was 6:30GMT, rather than ET this game kicked off.

Oh ye of little faith. ;)

I recall this fixture in 2008 and I was flying with confidence. This year, most people didn't even expect the Pats to reach the playoffs. Then when it became apparent that we would reach the playoffs, people said, "One and done.". I am quietly confident but I will get noisier as the minutes (and beers) pass! Our win against the Ravens gave me a huge boost because it showed that we CAN win games when the offense isn't firing on all cylinders. The Giants will be lucky if the Pats are that flat again.

[DH1875]

... Surely their management knew the clauses to their own stadium?

How strange.

Not really, Kroenke is putting the pressure on the people of St Louis to build them a new stadium or they'll be off in a couple of years. Highly unlikely they'd end up in London but he does already have the Emirates stadium. The real fear for the fans is that they end up back in LA.
The game should go ahead because even if he ends up having to pay the stadium owners compo he's not really losing out as he's got the gate receipts from the Wembley game and plus the NFL pay ALL their expenses to come over.

[Gatecrasher]

Here we go folks, as what TSSF says its been a great season and I hope the finale matches it.:thumbsup:

[Gatecrasher]

Promising looking drive halted by pats D

[Gatecrasher]

Safety!

[Gatecrasher]

TD Giants 9-0

[Gatecrasher]

Slow start by the pats, the giants are just running right through them. 9-3

[Gatecrasher]

What a drive! TD pats!! 10-9

[Sylar]

....and breathe....

Still don't fancy us, even with a HT lead. Their penalties have killed them thus far and they're still getting through us too easily.

John Pierre-Paul is a beast of an athlete!

[Gatecrasher]

....and breathe....

Still don't fancy us, even with a HT lead. Their penalties have killed them thus far and they're still getting through us too easily.

John Pierre-Paul is a beast of an athlete!
I think if you score a TD after the half then hold them to a FG or less that would be a massive boost IMO

Oh great here's madonna

[Sylar]

I think if you score a TD after the half then hold them to a FG or less that would be a massive boost IMO

Oh great here's madonna

This is why God provides us with a mute button and the internet. It's quite ridiculous that this lasts a full half hour - the players would probably just rather get on with it!

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

The HT Show was quite a spectacle, although the main protagonists miming left a lot to be desired! (A fine pair of pins for her age tho!)

[Gatecrasher]

That was sore on my ears, I thought the black eyed peas were bad last year as well

[blindsummit]

thankfully we were spared madonna as they didnt show her on the nbc.com online stream.

c'mon the giants!

[Gatecrasher]

TD Pats 17-9

[Gatecrasher]

17-12 after the giants field goal, some brutal hits during that last drive

[Gatecrasher]

17-15 as giants settle for another FG

[Gatecrasher]

Interception! Giants ball

[Gatecrasher]

Here we go, giants down by 2 with 2 mins left and in the pats red zone!

[blindsummit]

not normally into football but this is tense

[Sylar]

Better team won and no arguments here. What a catch from Michigan alumnus Mario manningham!

knew we were done when welker missed.

Great season though,despite the ending. Never easy to lose a superbowl....trust me jessies :-P

[Gatecrasher]

Wow what an ending! I thought the giants maybe edged it in the end and I thought the pats missed a fit gronkowski still an amazing game though. It's sad we won't see another game until September

[Haymaker]

It hurts but the moment Welk
er dropped that ball it was over. We never looked like a big defensive play.

[Sylar]

God, my fingers hurt like hell :greengrin

In the cold light of day, that still stings, but better to have been there and lost, than to not have got there at all.

I was just not confident going into the game - our defense just couldn't step up and be counted, though I can't help but think Wes Welker will be hurting more than the rest of us this morning. Had he just managed to hold on, I wouldn't have been to bed yet.

Thought the Giants played superbly at points and never panicked when they went behind. Eli Manning is definitely one of the elite quarterbacks of the game and commanded his offense well last night and our defense struggled to get near him at times. Penalties probably done more damage to the Giants than our defense did.

To think that people had all but written the Giants off in early December for even making the post-season!

Hopefully we can take this very powerful offensive nucleus, strengthen our defense and come back for another assault next year.

Tickets for Wembley are on sale from 2pm today, so going to secure my chance to see us live next year (with everything crossed).

Cheers for another superb season folks :aok:

[Sylar]

Tickets secured this afternoon to see the St Louis Rams vs New England Patriots at Wembley :thumbsup:

FRONT ROW of the End Zone corner - delighted! :agree:

[Gatecrasher]

Well in, i still cant believe last night though. You are right about Eli he showed how good he is. That mad play when the Pats allowed NYG to score! What was your take on that?

[Sylar]

Well in, i still cant believe last night though. You are right about Eli he showed how good he is. That mad play when the Pats allowed NYG to score! What was your take on that?

It made sense - if he had gone down at the one yard line, the Giants could have taken 3 knees and scored a FG with seconds remaining, thus not giving us a hope of getting the ball back, so I understand why they did it.

Still can't get over that pass to Manningham - perfect run and a perfect throw - not to mention the catch!

[Dashing Bob S]

Was pretty disappointed in the Superbore, tbh. It never opened up (not that I expected it too with those teams) and all the excitement/tension was squeezed into the last four minutes. I wish I hadn't bothered. Such a contrast to last year when the Packers triumphed.

Anyway, NBA and NHL business end of seasons approaching slowly, and the pre-baseball season, so plenty Stateside fun ahead. (Let's forget the sacker!)

[Haymaker]

I wouldn't be surprised if we draft mainly D this year. Outside corners especially.

On reflection I think our Oline performed brilliantly against the giants pass rush bar the safety. Was expecting a lot more sacks.

[H18sry]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/52543062@N02/6837059887/ :thumbsup:

[Gatecrasher]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/52543062@N02/6837059887/ :thumbsup:

How long has he been out of Scotland for? i saw an interview with him and he spoke with an American Accent

[Sylar]

He was certainly still a kid and probably not far off 10 or 11.

He certainly attended college (Troy) and I'm pretty sure he mentioned something about playing mostly soccer during junior high.

Really like the new Scotland top actually - nice to see he's still proud of his origins and it is nice to see a Scot reaching such a great status in the league :agree:

[Gatecrasher]

He was certainly still a kid and probably not far off 10 or 11.

He certainly attended college (Troy) and I'm pretty sure he mentioned something about playing mostly soccer during junior high.

Really like the new Scotland top actually - nice to see he's still proud of his origins and it is nice to see a Scot reaching such a great status in the league :agree:

Yep good for him. :agree:
was just reading his wiki page

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Tynes

It appears his dad was in the US Navy and his Mum is Scottish

[DH1875]

thankfully we were spared madonna as they didnt show her on the nbc.com online stream.


I know she's getting on a bit and had a LOT of help on the night but she looked no bad for an old bird.

[DH1875]

That mad play when the Pats allowed NYG to score! What was your take on that?

I know they had to do something but I thought it was a dodgy decision. They'd have looked pretty stupid IF Bradshaw had done as he was ment to and dropped on the one yard line. I was more impressed the Giant were making plays. If it was me I'd have taken a couple of knees, forced the Pats to take their time outs and then kicked the short field goal. By my reckoning the Pats would only have had about 18 secs after the kick off to get up the field into FG range and out of bounds to stop the clock.


How long has he been out of Scotland for? i saw an interview with him and he spoke with an American Accent

Haven't checked but I'm sure I herd him say he was here till he was 12 and went to school in Hamilton. Also said that he loves soccer and is a big Celtic fan and that he will be over for the next game against Rangers.

[Sylar]

I know they had to do something but I thought it was a dodgy decision. They'd have looked pretty stupid IF Bradshaw had done as he was ment to and dropped on the one yard line. I was more impressed the Giant were making plays. If it was me I'd have taken a couple of knees, forced the Pats to take their time outs and then kicked the short field goal. By my reckoning the Pats would only have had about 18 secs after the kick off to get up the field into FG range and out of bounds to stop the clock.



Haven't checked but I'm sure I herd him say he was here till he was 12 and went to school in Hamilton. Also said that he loves soccer and is a big Celtic fan and that he will be over for the next game against Rangers.

I applaud your maturity - when I noticed you had posted, I fully expected the "GIRUY" type post I've been waiting on since Sunday :greengrin

[Haymaker]

Haven't checked but I'm sure I herd him say he was here till he was 12 and went to school in Hamilton. Also said that he loves soccer and is a big Celtic fan and that he will be over for the next game against Rangers.

Think he said he played up until high school where they didnt have a Soccer program and so had to do something else so started blootering the pigskin. Done quite well out of it.

[DH1875]

I applaud your maturity - when I noticed you had posted, I fully expected the "GIRUY" type post I've been waiting on since Sunday :greengrin

Not at all, not at all. Their especially kept for when we kick your ass. Roll on next year :aok:.

[Gatecrasher]

Just heard ESPN MNF Theme tune on total wipe out. When does the new season start? :greengrin

[Haymaker]

Just reading "boys will be boys" about the Dallas team of the 90s. Those guys knew how to party!

Great read and would recommend it.

[Gatecrasher]

Just to note there is a new programme on sky Atlantic called Friday Night Lights, its about a High School Football team in Texas. Its been pretty good so far :agree:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2uw1dx22Mk&feature=related

[Sylar]

Just to note there is a new programme on sky Atlantic called Friday Night Lights, its about a High School Football team in Texas. Its been pretty good so far :agree:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2uw1dx22Mk&feature=related

Sure it's an expanded version of the older film, starring Billy Bob Thornton :agree:

Started watching the series and I'm quite enjoying it thus far!

[Gatecrasher]

Sure it's an expanded version of the older film, starring Billy Bob Thornton :agree:

Started watching the series and I'm quite enjoying it thus far!

Is it worth seeing the film first before i get too far into it?

[Sylar]

Is it worth seeing the film first before i get too far into it?

Erm, no, I don't think you need any knowledge of the film to be honest.

It's a good watch, but not a prerequisite. Also not on a par with the likes of Remember the Titans, We Are Marshall or Any Given Sunday.

[Gatecrasher]

Erm, no, I don't think you need any knowledge of the film to be honest.

It's a good watch, but not a prerequisite. Also not on a par with the likes of Remember the Titans, We Are Marshall or Any Given Sunday.
Thanks TSSF, i haven't seem any given Sunday or Remember the Titans. The only one i really remember seeing is Varsity Blues and Jerry MaGuire

[Haymaker]

Friday night lights is old, think there is 4 seasons?

[Sylar]

Thanks TSSF, i haven't seem any given Sunday or Remember the Titans. The only one i really remember seeing is Varsity Blues and Jerry MaGuire

Both Remember the Titans and We Are Marshall are compulsory viewing for any fan of American Football. Any Given Sunday is a brilliant film also.

I haven't actually seen Varsity Blues, so will check that out in due course.

[Calvin]

Looks like the Seahawks are re-signing Marshawn Lynch. Would have been crazy not to after he saved our season!

[Gatecrasher]

Friday night lights is old, think there is 4 seasons?

Well its new to me :greengrin


Both Remember the Titans and We Are Marshall are compulsory viewing for any fan of American Football. Any Given Sunday is a brilliant film also.

I haven't actually seen Varsity Blues, so will check that out in due course.

Thanks, i will check them out


Looks like the Seahawks are re-signing Marshawn Lynch. Would have been crazy not to after he saved our season!

Packers have re-signed TE Jermicheal Finley, Cracking player when on his game but had a lot of drops towards the end of the season.

[Gatecrasher]

The steelers have released Hines Ward

[Sylar]

I see the Packers have raised $67 million, by selling off 268,000 shares:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/football/nfl/03/01/packers.stock.ap/index.html?sct=hp_t2_a9&eref=sihp

[Gatecrasher]

I see the Packers have raised $67 million, by selling off 268,000 shares:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/football/nfl/03/01/packers.stock.ap/index.html?sct=hp_t2_a9&eref=sihp

I saw this earlier, impressive stuff.

I'm not quite sure how i think the new section the the stadium will look, i saw the plans and was unsure about how it would look in "real Life".

[Gatecrasher]

What's this thing about the saints intentially injuring players?

[DarrenSQH]

What's this thing about the saints intentially injuring players?

It seems that the old defence coordinator Greg Williams ran a bounty system on defence. It meant players got paid for interceptions/fumbles/sacks and injuries. It seems to be thy this isn't new to the league but we seem to have been pretty dumb and got caught.

I'm glad we already fired Williams and he is in St Louis now, He seems to have ran this scheme in buffalo and Washington too.

I expect our punishment to be worse than the patriots got for spygate. Also expect the Saints media love across America to change to make us one of the most disliked teams along with the cowboys and patriots. Big fines and the loss of draft picks are likely.

[hibsbollah]

It seems that the old defence coordinator Greg Williams ran a bounty system on defence. It meant players got paid for interceptions/fumbles/sacks and injuries. It seems to be thy this isn't new to the league but we seem to have been pretty dumb and got caught.

I'm glad we already fired Williams and he is in St Louis now, He seems to have ran this scheme in buffalo and Washington too.

I expect our punishment to be worse than the patriots got for spygate. Also expect the Saints media love across America to change to make us one of the most disliked teams along with the cowboys and patriots. Big fines and the loss of draft picks are likely.

Hitting an opponent so hard they dont get up is what the game has always been about. The nauseating fake outrage in the US media about this is absolutely laughable.

[Calvin]

Marshawn Lynch has officially signed a multiyear deal. Very good news.

[hibsbollah]

Marshawn Lynch has officially signed a multiyear deal. Very good news.

Good news for the Hawks. Id like to see him doing it consistently over 16 games, hes a streaky player but when hes on form hes almost unstoppable. Just need a QB and a receiver or two now :greengrin:

[Calvin]

Good news for the Hawks. Id like to see him doing it consistently over 16 games, hes a streaky player but when hes on form hes almost unstoppable. Just need a QB and a receiver or two now :greengrin:
I see they've said that Lynch's contract has left enough room to sign free agents. Peyton anyone? :greengrin

[Haymaker]

Peyton has announced he is going to...


Free agency! According to Twitter.

[Gatecrasher]

I wonder who will take him up

[Sylar]

Confirmed on SSN.

Wonder where he'll end up - I'd imagine one of either Kansas City, Arizona or maybe even Seattle, as Jackson only has a year left on his contract.

My outside bet would be into the AFC East, to either Miami or the NY Jets. Sexy Rexy has made more than a few comments about his admiration for Manning, and let's be honest, he's not going to get a Superbowl with Sanchez at the offensive helm, so you never know!

[hibsbollah]

I see they've said that Lynch's contract has left enough room to sign free agents. Peyton anyone? :greengrin

Just been on notsportscenter ;"#seahawks ready to spend big for Peyton Manning, sources say Pete Carroll ready to spend "Reggie Bush at USC' type money". I would absolutely LOVE that, would be our biggest signing since Brian Bosworth 20 odd years ago! although i still think he'll end up at the Redskins.

[Gatecrasher]

Confirmed on SSN.

Wonder where he'll end up - I'd imagine one of either Kansas City, Arizona or maybe even Seattle, as Jackson only has a year left on his contract.

My outside bet would be into the AFC East, to either Miami or the NY Jets. Sexy Rexy has made more than a few comments about his admiration for Manning, and let's be honest, he's not going to get a Superbowl with Sanchez at the offensive helm, so you never know!
Miami are tipped to get Matt Flynn but you never know

[DH1875]

He won't end up at the Jets. It may have been possible under BS but now we've brought in Sparano we're definitely going back to the ground and pound game. You don' pay the money Manning will be on to run the ball. We'd also need to bring in a couple of WR's cause the ones we have are kite. Like I said, can't see it and actually think us going back to basics will help Sanchez out.

[hibsbollah]

Miami tipped to get Matt Flynn but you never know

Looks like theyve dropped their interest in Flynn now now Mannings available.

http://m.nfl.com/news/09000d5d82777558/report-dolphins-focus-on-manning-not-flynn/

[NOLA]

some interesting deals done sofar in free agency, Bucs spending big on Vincent Jackson and the best Guard in the league Carl Nicks, looking forward to seeing where Peyton Manning ends up as its a big gamble for me to spend big on him for likely 2seasons of play, ive read that the Titans are offering a role in the franchise once his career is over, smart move that, though for me i can see him going to Arizona, tough call to pick his destination but its fun nonetheless :agree:

[hibsbollah]

Serial nutcase but highly talented WR Brandon Marshall reunited with Jay Cutler at Chicago. Huge gamble by the Bears hierarchy.

Manning looks to be Tennessee-bound now. (or Arizona, or Kansas, or Miami) :greengrin

[NOLA]

Megatron hits the Mega dollars signing an 8 year deal worth $131m dollars, guarenteed $53m in his sky rocket :cb doubt he will forget this day in his life :greengrin

[Haymaker]

Peyton to the Titans?

[Gatecrasher]

Peyton Hillis to KC?

[Sergio sledge]

Megatron hits the Mega dollars signing an 8 year deal worth $131m dollars, guarenteed $53m in his sky rocket :cb doubt he will forget this day in his life :greengrin

If the Lions can keep him and Stafford fit and cut out the penalties, then they're capable of going all the way. Crazy money though!

[Haymaker]

Peyton is working out for the Broncos today according to sports centre.

[Sylar]

Peyton is working out for the Broncos today according to sports centre.

Was working out with Tennessee today according to ESPN.

I see Mario Manningham is set to leave the Giants and head to the West coast and join up with Harbaugh at San Francisco.

[Calvin]

Matt Flynn on a three year deal. Very happy about this, just don't rate Jackson.

[hibsbollah]

Matt Flynn on a three year deal. Very happy about this, just don't rate Jackson.

Happy with that. Need a receiver now, Braylon Edwards still available i see.

[Gatecrasher]

Matt Flynn on a three year deal. Very happy about this, just don't rate Jackson.


Happy with that. Need a receiver now, Braylon Edwards still available i see.

Flynn is a good QB, stepped in for Rodgers when had a chance and took it. I look forward to see him doing well :agree:

[Haymaker]

Was Flynn the guy who stepped in against the patriots a season a go? He ran us close, very impressive.

[Gatecrasher]

Was Flynn the guy who stepped in against the patriots a season a go? He ran us close, very impressive.
Yep same guy

[Haymaker]

Yep same guy

Hope he goes far in his career, looked very good against us.

[Gatecrasher]

Hope he goes far in his career, looked very good against us.

so do i :agree:

also
BREAKING NEWS: Peyton Manning will be a Bronco and Denver plans to trade Tim Tebow - cbs fb page

[Sylar]

so do i :agree:

also
BREAKING NEWS: Peyton Manning will be a Bronco and Denver plans to trade Tim Tebow - cbs fb page


http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7709195/barring-snag-peyton-manning-picks-denver-broncos-sources-say

Can't say I understand this one...

Very short term thinking by Denver.