UMFan83

Orlando Pace 74/77 in Tackles Chris Williams 64/77 in Tackles

Thanks. By the way, I was shifting through the various positions and look who is last at HB: http://profootballfocus.com/by_position.php?tab=by_position&season=2009&pos=HB&stype=r&runpass=&teamid=-1&numsnaps=25&numgames=1 Ouch. Look how far in last he is in just the rushing category. By far the worst runner in the NFL according to this.

The game wasn't that meaningful for the Bengals, I'd be surprised if they showed much of their gameplan last night. I agree but trying or not there's no excuse for your starting QB to go 1-11 for 0 bet yards or for your entire offense to gain the least amount of net yards in franchise history. Combine that with how poor they've been playing as of late and things aren't great in Bengal land heading into the playoffs.

I think it's kind of interesting. And I disagree with those who said the end of the season sucked. There were meaningful seedings questions (especially when that involves domed teams and cold weather teams), and the entire AFC was fighting for 2 wild card spots. I enjoyed the last two weeks of this NFL season much more than I enjoyed the last month of baseball. When was the last time an NFL wild-card playoff game featured a week 17 rematch, much less three? It's definitely happened more than a handful of times. I am drawing a blank on examples but it's happened multiple times in the last maybe 10 years (1 rematch that is)

The Titans and Broncos both finished 8-8 but boy did they take different paths to get there.

Rooting for: Chargers Bengals Saints Cardinals Meh: Jets Ravens Colts Eagles Rooting against: Patriots Vikings Packers Cowboys Ideal Super Bowl: Saints/Chargers

I thought this was funny (and telling)

Okay, for the sake of argument, I could see picking up a guy like Kovalchuk and dumping longer term contracts like Sharp and Versteeg. But that only works if you assume the Hawks will have no interest in signing him beyond this year. Which I don't know how they could do under the cap. So, I'm still against it because it would upset the apple cart and probably not be that much of an improvement. Chemistry is very important in hockey, and I'd be worried about taking a couple forwards out and subbing in a new guy and then someone like Hendry or another guy from Rockford. If we're going to trade some of our skill guys, which I agree will have to be done after the season, it needs to be for draft picks. Well while traveling the Blackhawks boards, there's seems to be an opinion that any deal would start with Kris Versteeg and Cam Barker, two young players who are NHL ready and players that are definately replaceable. But I'm torned, you make this trade and you are literally putting ALL OF THE EGGS into one basketballand going for it this year. But if you don't win it this yr, then you take a step or two back beginning next yr. On the other hand you have the drought and who knows if you get another opportunity like this. Knowing the higher ups (McD and Wirtz) I could see them make this play to enhance the chances of Hawks raising Lord Stanley. We'll see. (Note: I didn't know Ecklund had this rumor, I read it on ESPN and CBC.) I think this team is good enough as is to win the Cup and honestly at some point you can add more talent and get dimishing returns on it. Only so many people can be on the ice and score at once. I would agree that it gives us more depth though, and Kovalchuk is obviously a terrific player. But since the Hawks are good enough as currently constructed to win this year, I'd prefer any move they make have to do with sustaining long term success.

Let rematch weekend begin! Baltimore played in New England in Week 4 and lost 27-21 Philadelphia played in Dallas today and lost 24-0 Green Bay played in Arizona today and won 33-7 Cincinnati played in New York today and lost 37-0 (they will be playing in Cincinnati next week)

After that long hard struggle to find a franchise quarterback, they definitely deserve it. Oh wait, that's the Bears, and our "franchise QB" threw 26 INTs this year.

I think the worst thing that could happen for the Bengals tonight is to appear like they are trying against the Jets tonight and lose. In that scenario you give the Jets confidence that they can beat the Bengals and the Bengals finish the season playing like garbage the last 4-5 weeks. It's gonna be interesting to see how the Bengals play this one because they have something to play for having played so mediocre the last quarter of the season, plus I think the 3/4 seed is still out there even though the Pats/Ravens matchup is set. Do they play their starters and play to win, risking a loss to give the Jets confidence and ruin your own team's or do they lay down, let the Jets win and face them next week with a completely different mindset? If I were the Bengals, I'd rest the starters, as much as it would be beneficial to look sharp before the playoffs start. Too much to lose by giving the Jets everything they got.

Philly's situation somewhat reminds me of the Packers a few year back. Green Bay had a shot at home field throughout the playoffs, got stomped by the Jets and not only lost home field but lost their bye. Michael Vick and the Falcons then came into Lambeau and won easily. I'd be shocked if Philly wins next week. I remember that because I lived in New England at the time and that Jets win kept the defending SB champ Pats out of the playoffs. People were cursing the Packers for awhile up there.

Guaranteed matchups: Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys (seriously that's gotta be such a huge mind [expletive] for Philly. They were obviously trying their hardest for a bye and division title, now they get stomped and have a playoff game next week at the same location) Green Bay Packers @ Arizona Cardinals (another rematch but obviously both teams were holding back) NO, Minny byes Baltimore @ New England (rematch of a very good week 4 game in NE) Jets/Texans @ Cincinnati (if the Jets win, 3 of the 4 wild card games would be Week 17 matchups, with 2 of the 4 being at the same location) Indy, SD byes

Not unless the Seahawks can get a couple of safeties.

Orton another pick 6. He just wins haha. What happened to all the Kyle Orton is one of the best QBs in the NFL talk? Yeah that's right he's a solid average or maybe a hair above average QB with clear limitations but also some strengths. Not going to lead a team into the playoffs by himself but one that will keep a playoff team's ship steady.

The Lions run D sucks. Matt Forte had only 2 100 yard rushing games this season - both were against Detroit. Matt Forte had only 3 runs of more than 16 yards all season - all were against Detroit Matt Forte only had 3 games where his YPC was over 4.3 - 2 of them were against Detroit (the other was a 5 carry 33 yard performance against Arizona).

And host Seattle, but we already knew that before today. Home: Vikings Packers Lions Seahawks Redskins Eagles (yes 3rd year in a row at home) Patriots Jets Away: Vikings Packers Lions Panthers Cowboys (new stadium) Giants (new stadium) Bills Dolphins

Debating whether to watch this live, or watch it on my DVR after I go to the DePaul/Georgetown game tomorrow. Is there anyway I will successfully avoid finding out the score?

Hopefully SJ loses so we remain tied with a game in hand in the West. NJ won tonight so they remain tied in points with them having a game in hand.

I'd do it. I think I read the trade would make us pick up 1.5 mil in salary but I think it would make us more attractive to FAs. We might be able to do a deal later to get more money for max contract.

That road trip is going to murder us. It's actually longer than the circus trip and I believe they are all against the West with no softie like Milwaukee at the end.

4 in a row for them and a couple of them were decent wins. With Toronto and Miami both losing tonight, the Bulls are amazingly 1/2 game out of the 6th seed (Toronto) and 2 games out of the 5th seed (Miami)

Wow Conklin sucks. As much as we rip on Huet, I think 3 of those Hawks goals would have been stopped by Huet.

16 points for Derrick.......in the third quarter. I still expect Orlando to have a decent shot at pulling this off but the Bulls are looking much better.

Yeah, pretty sad that NW doesn't have anyone else that can kick a 22 yard FG on their team. Well based on how the other kicker was doing, I don't know if they have one. That's heartbreaking. I'm not a NW fan, but I probably root for them over every Big 10 team besides Michigan and maybe Illinois. I really wanted them to win their second bowl game ever. They've had some heartbreaking bowl losses in recent years. 2nd straight bowl loss in OT.