American Football on Sky

[Neil Young]

I'm not checking back to the posts in question but I think your recall is faulty. I said I'd always looked to Oakland (or LA as it then was) because of their popular image but it didn't really sit right with me to be following a Californian team and that I wanted one more in the image of Liverpool.

Pittsburgh and Green Bay were mentioned, two teams I said I liked, along with the Bills and, a bit less, the Pats and the Browns (until I realised they were named after an egocentric owner rather than the unfashionable colour). I plumped for Pittsburgh although I did say the Packers are one of the very few, if not the only, NFC teams I like.

But, if you want to, you're welcome to check the posts and point out the glaring inconsistencies with my memory and back up your currently unsubstantiated allegation of gloryhunting.

[Hollowman]

So it was pure coincidence you picked not only the most successful team of the Superbowl era, but a team on the verge of a genuine dynasty? Many people Neil, not me, but many people wouldn't be prepared to give you the benefit of that doubt. Not me though.

[Neil Young]

I genuinely had no idea how well or badly either team were doing at the time - it took me a while to get into American Football this season, mainly because my son was no longer watching it with me because he's away. And I have long liked the Steelers, because of exactly the reason they were suggested as being similar to LFC - i.e. they seem like a proper team from a proper town, if you know what I mean. Same with the Packers, and Favre is obviously an icon.

The Bills by the way was because of Jim Kelly and the no huddle offense...

But thanks for your generosity of spirit, I appreciate it.

[spud_gun]

So Cutler starting QB in Chicago next season?

Also who'd you rather have as your starting QB Manning (Payton), Brady or Big Ben the Rapist?

What kinda crazy contract is Asomugha going to get in FA provided there's no labour stoppage?

[Hollowman]

Cowboys need a cornerback. But their draft position might allow them to sneak Amukamara. With no cap next season though, Jerry might go bonkers.

[Hollowman]

So Cutler starting QB in Chicago next season?

He's pretending he's torn his MCL now. The cunt. That was the dumbest ****ing trade in the first place. Although, looking at some of our front office's draft years recently, we wouldn't have done any better with the picks.

[spud_gun]

He's pretending he's torn his MCL now. The cunt. That was the dumbest ****ing trade in the first place. Although, looking at some of our front office's draft years recently, we wouldn't have done any better with the picks.

NFC championship game and you're still bitching.

[Hollowman]

The NFC has one proper team right now. And they beat us twice this year and fouled themselves out the other time. We're wasting a championship calibre defence on a mopey pick machine whose reputation far exceeds his abilities. Our offence consists of - Matt Forte. And that's it. And this isn't a new problem. What happened when we bungled out way to the Superbowl before? Oh, we had no offence and took a beating off Indy. Only had the four years to sort that problem out.

Also, I'd complain even if we won the Superbowl. Unless we did it running the option.

[spud_gun]

The NFC has one proper team right now. And they beat us twice this year and fouled themselves out the other time. We're wasting a championship calibre defence on a mopey pick machine whose reputation far exceeds his abilities. Our offence consists of - Matt Forte. And that's it. And this isn't a new problem. What happened when we bungled out way to the Superbowl before? Oh, we had no offence and took a beating off Indy. Only had the four years to sort that problem out.

Also, I'd complain even if we won the Superbowl. Unless we did it running the option.

Meh.

I don't even think the Packers are that great a team this season.

Pittsburgh will run all over them in a couple of weeks.

[Hollowman]

Well, that says even more about how ****e we are then.

[Neil Young]

Meh.

I don't even think the Packers are that great a team this season.

Pittsburgh will run all over them in a couple of weeks.

Yeah, it looks likely.

I still don't know why Pittsburgh failed to score in the second half though. But their defence was strong when it needed to be - the stand and turnover (before the safety) was impressive. And the offence did enough at the end to see out the game I suppose so they're looking good enough.

[Hollowman]

When the Steelers are leading I think Arians has a tendancy to call pretty conservatively, and he is slow to alter his plays when the opposition adjust. He ran the ball down the Jets' throat in the first half, clocking 135 yards. But when the NY defence changed in the second half Arians didn't really have an answer. They ended with 166 net on the ground. I was surprised when he called for five wideouts and an empty backfield on that 3rd and 6 with 80 seconds to go. Fair play to him, it was a gutsy call and it iced the win, but he probably needs to mix it up more often. Their other problem was more a case of the Jets making them look good in the first half with some woeful tackling. Mendenhall was gaining plenty of yards after initial contact, something that was shut down in the second half.

I think people underestimate the Packers because they had a poor start to the season. Rodgers is amazing, playing better than any quarterback in the league right now. The Steelers will obviously shut down the run, I don't expect Starks's incredible postseason to continue. The key will be how they deal with Rodgers. They played a mental game last year (over seventy points on the board between the two teams) and the Steelers didn't really get anywhere near Rodgers. If he is allowed time and space he will ****ing shred their secondary I don;t care about Polamalu and Taylor. The Packers have the most in-form quarterback and the best set of receivers in the NFL. Sanchez showed in the second half that the field can be opened up in the air against the Steelers. If MArk Sanchez can do it, Rodgers certainly can. I actually fancy the Packers secondary to make bigger plays than the Steelers. They have been leviathan in the playoffs so far this season.

Pouncey is an issue. The Steelers run game went to **** without him. He'll probably be back, but depending on how bad that ankle is I would put serious doubts on his lateral movement. It must have been pretty bad for him to leave the game.

Both teams showed the importance of a good start on Sunday. Superbowl comebacks are rare. Whoever comes out and smashes their opponent in the face first quarter will probably win.

[Neil Young]

Thanks, that all makes a lot of sense and it's a very fair point about Rodgers.

[badpiggy]

*wonders if Hollowman goes on Chicago Bears forums and talks in this much detail about the Premiership using a Dick Van Dyke cockernee style of writing*

[Hollowman]

Plus, can we sack Lovie now? Probably not. So we've done ourselves again. We have an ordinary coach and a front office that can't draft. And a division that blows up and lets us into the playoffs. Great.

Two year extension for Lovie.

Yay.