Entries from The Fifth Quarter tagged with 'NFL'
Hide the women and children, and not just because Tony Siragusa is talking again
Apparently it's not safe to let the kids watch the NFL on TV, anymore. According to a release that showed up in the e-mail inboxes of many newspaper types this week, young viewers are exposed to far too much unseemly...
This year's free agency class stocked with big names
Free agency begins Feb. 27, and some are calling this one of the deepest free-agent classes in years. The list of big names includes Tennessee defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers, Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis, Philadelphia safety...
Ravens at Steelers: Pre-game; Rolle out
Checking in from Heinz Field about an hour before kickoff. The temperature is in the 20s and it was snowing a little a few minutes ago, but the field looks solid. The big pre-game news is that Ravens corner Samari...
Second look: Chargers at Steelers
Five things that stand out this morning from last night's 35-24 Steelers victory over the San Diego Chargers in the AFC divisional playoffs at Heinz Field: 1. Several Steelers, including head coach Mike Tomlin, remarked on the Steelers' offensive balance....
Chargers at Steelers: Pre-game
Checking in from Heinz Field about 90 minutes before kickoff. Light snow is falling at Heinz Field, where a few players bundled up in fleece are warming up and fans are beginning to trickle in. The forecast is for temperatures...
Mangini's hiring is a real head-scratcher
I will get into this again in Friday's column, but I really have strong feelings both ways on the Browns' Eric Mangini hire. On the one hand this addresses a longstanding need by the organization to bring in someone with...
New Browns coach will go only as far as his locker room takes him
I've been thinking about the Browns and whom they might hire to replace Romeo Crennel and I came across a quote from Don Coryell, the longtime San Diego Chargers coach. "The country is full of good coaches. What it takes...
Browns-Steelers: Third quarter update
Steelers 17, Browns 0 Notes: -- The Steelers announced Ben Roethlisberger has a concussion and won't return. Bill Cowher said on CBS' halftime show that he also would have played Roethlisberger today, which could take some of the heat off...
Browns-Steelers: Halftime update
Steelers 14, Browns 0 Notes: -- No press box update yet on injured Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger, who left on a cart after being hit by D'Qwell Jackson and Willie McGinest. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin will plenty of questions after...
Browns-Steelers: First quarter update
Browns 0, Steelers 0 Notes: -- Interesting decision by Romeo Crennel to send out Phil Dawson for a 53-yard field goal attempt with the wind swirling. Dawson missed left. I guess the thinking is why not try to put points...
Browns-Steelers: Pre-game and inactives
Windy and fairly warm for late December here at Heinz Field, where we are a few minutes from kickoff. The wind could wreak havoc with the kickers and any downfield passes. But the sun is out, which just doesn't seem...
Mailbag: Keeping the heat on Crennel
Not everyone agrees with my Sunday column, in which I said the Browns should make a run at Bill Cowher, but keep Romeo Crennel and Phil Savage if they can't land the Golden Jaw. Below are a couple of representative...
Today's list: Best Steelers defenses
Troy Polamalu recently said he believes the Steelers' defense is better this season than it was when they won the Super Bowl in 2005, and the numbers back him up. This year's team has allowed fewer yards per game (239.1...
Today's list: Five football books I'm reading
Five football books I'm reading right now: 1. "'Then Levy Said to Kelly...': The Best Buffalo Bills Stories Ever Told:" by Jim Gehman. Favorite part so far -- Andre Reed recalling his first training camp practice as a rookie after...
Today's list: Ranking Browns starting quarterbacks since 1999
Romeo Crennel already announced that Brady Quinn is the Browns' starting quarterback next season. That could change, of course, pending some small detail like, uh, Crennel's continued employment by the franchise . No matter who they choose, the Browns will...
Mailbag: Steelers touchdown, and QB rating
Lots of e-mail this morning, much of it centering on the Steelers' win yesterday, including the call at the end that allowed them to rally past the Ravens, and my column this morning....
NFL dives into the layoff pool
Maybe this was inevitable, but the news today that the NFL plans to cut jobs struck me like an announcement that the Middle East had suddenly run out of oil. Don't they print money at the NFL offices, for crying...
Newspaper video spoof: That Roethlisberger fellow sure does get around
Here is a link to a pretty funny video bit that appeared in the Dallas Morning News a few days before Sunday's Steelers-Cowboys game. Turns out the Morning News has a columnist -- Tim MacMahon -- who looks a lot...
Second look: Cowboys at Steelers
Some leftover observations from last night's 20-13 Steelers win over the Dallas Cowboys at Heinz Field: 1. It only seems like James Harrison causes a fumble every time he runs into a quarterback. Harrison's first-quarter sack of Tony Romo was...
Cowboys-Steelers: Third quarter update
Cowboys 13, Steelers 3 What happened: Tony Romo's 12-yard TD pass to Terrell Owens gives the Cowboys a 10-3 lead at 9:36. ... Nick Folk kicks a 33-yard field goal at 3:32 to stretch it to 13-3. Notes: -- Steelers...
Cowboys-Steelers: Halftime update
Steelers, 3, Cowboys 3 Notes: -- The Steelers blitzed both James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley on third-and-2 on Dallas' second play of the second quarter. Tony Romo, under heavy pressure, fluttered a pass intended for Terrell Owens that fell incomplete...
Cowboys-Steelers: First quarter update
Steelers 0, Cowboys 0 Notes: -- Temperature at kickoff was 22 degrees -- 8 degrees with the wind chill. -- Jeff Reed had been missing field goals wide right to the open end of Heinz Field during warm-ups, and his...
Cowboys-Steelers: Inactives -- Ware to play
It appears Cowboys DE DeMarcus Ware will play and start. He's not among Dallas' inactives, and the only lineup change has Tashard Choice in for the injured Marion Barber at running back. Inactives Steelers: Fernando Bryant, Bruce Davis, Tony Hills,...
Cowboys-Steelers: Pre-game
Checking in from Heinz Field, where it's cold, but not snowing. (Keep praying, Steelers fans.) The Cowboys have so far offered no update on whether defensive end DeMarcus Ware will play, although inactive lists still haven't been distributed in the...
So much for soccer being a global sport
Forget the Bills' potentially moving to Toronto. The NFL story of the week, as far as I'm concerned, is that there is a lifelong Dolphins fan born and raised in Nova Scotia. How does this happen? Here's a link to...
Things I'm thinking about this weekend
1. Do you think the Browns ever envisioned a scenario when they would have to start Ken Dorsey this season? The team essentially re-signed Dorsey before the season as a favor to second-year quarterback Brady Quinn, who became close friends...
Report this to the cops? Fugetabahtit...
The latest in the Plaxico Burress-shoots-off-a-piece-of-his-leg story offers additional details about what took place at the hospital that night, including the revelation that Giants trainer Ronnie Barnes asked for by name and was led to Burress in the emergency room...
Can you spare a little bail money, eh?
The image of the perpetually hammered Canadian notwithstanding, we probably should hesitate to make too much of this Buffalo news report that 64 percent of patrons arrested at Sunday's Bills game hail from the Great White North. Maybe our friends...
Colts-Browns: Postgame
Colts 10, Browns 6 Notes: -- The last time the Browns gave up as few as 26 points in back-to-back losses was 1985, when they lost to Washington 14-7 in Week 8 and Pittsburgh 10-9 in Week 9. They finished...
Colts-Browns: Third quarter update
Browns 6, Colts 3 Notes: -- The Browns stretched it to seven straight quarters without a touchdown, but they still lead thanks to the defense. Brandon McDonald made a nice play to intercept Peyton Manning on the Colts' first play...
Colts-Browns: Halftime update
Browns 6, Colts 3 Notes: -- One of the criticisms of the Browns' coaching staff this season has been play-calling. On their second series, which overlapped the first and second quarters, the Browns reached first-and-goal at the Indy 9 on...
Colts-Browns: First quarter update
Browns 3, Colts 3 Notes: -- It had to be a small victory for the Colts to hold the Browns to a field goal after Joseph Addai fumbled and Erie Wright recovered on Indianapolis' first offensive snap. -- Romeo Crennel...
Sanders among Colts' inactives
Colts safety and Erie native Bob Sanders is inactive today and will not play against the Browns. Sanders has missed three straight games with inflammation on his knee after undergoing surgery to repair loose cartilage. Other inactives: Browns Travis Daniels...
Texans-Browns: Third quarter update
Texans 16, Browns 6 Notes: -- Brady Quinn has played like a quarterback making his third career start this quarter. His two interceptions came on throws he shouldn't have made. On the first, defensive end Anthony Weaver dropped back into...
Texans-Browns: Halftime update
Texans 13, Browns 6 Notes: -- Brady Quinn is trying to go to Kellen Winslow. His first pass for Winslow in the quarter was into tight coverage and went incomplete. Winslow wanted a flag, but it looked like a good...
Texans-Browns: First quarter update
Texans 7, Browns 0 Notes: -- Watch the Kevin Walter-Brandon McDonald matchup the rest of the day. Sage Rosenfels went to Walter against McDonald three times on Houston's opening drive. The first was a five-yard gain. The second was an...
Texans-Browns: Pre-game and inactives
Looks like Kellen Winslow will play. He is not listed among the Browns' inactives and wasn't among their late lineup changes. That's good news for Brady Quinn, who loves to throw to Winslow. Inactives Browns Ken Dorsey Travis Daniels Hamza...
Bengals-Steelers: Third quarter update
Steelers 20, Bengals 7 Notes: -- Chris Crocker's hit on Santonio Holmes appeared to be legal. Expect the Steelers to take a close look at it Friday, though. They have felt targeted by the league for hard hits, including hits...
Bengals-Steelers: Halftime update
Steelers 10, Bengals 7 Notes: -- Gary Russell made another big play. His second effort on a fourth-and-1 carry gave the Steelers first-and-goal at the Cincinnati 8. Remember that on fourth-and-goal Sunday against San Diego, Mewelde Moore was dropped for...
Bengals-Steelers: First quarter update
Bengals 7, Steelers 0 Notes: -- The Bengals have three offensive players making their first career starts. That includes third-year wideout Glenn Holt. Holt is in the lineup because the Bengals suspended star-crossed receiver Chad Johnson before the game. Several...
Latest Browns twist: Savage dropped implied F-bomb in e-mail
What is it with the Browns that they can't get through a week without turning their Berea headquarters into a soap-opera set? The latest shenanigans involve an apparent e-mail exchange between general manager Phil Savage and a disgruntled fan in...
Browns-Bills: Third quarter update
Browns 16, Bills 13 -- Jabari Greer is out for the game with a knee injury. The Browns have lost Sean Jones and Shaun Smith for the game with injuries. -- Fred Jackson's fumble is the Bills' fourth turnover tonight....
Browns-Bills: Halftime update
Browns 13, Bills 10 -- There were questions about whether Quinn would throw deep after the Browns went conservative in his first start against Denver. But four of his first five attempts in the second quarter were longer than 15...
Browns-Bills: First quarter update
Browns 6, Bills 0 Notes: -- Another dropped pass by Braylon Edwards -- his league-leading 13th -- and it would have given the Browns first-and-goal on their second drive. Edwards made a nice leaping catch but simply lost the ball...
Browns-Bills: Pre-game and inactives
Checking in from Ralph Wilson Stadium, where folks in Erie will be delighted to know that...there...is...not...one...speck...of...snow...on...the...ground. But it is cold -- cold enough that a few of the players warming up right now on the field are wearing sleeves, including...
Steelers won't air on Time Warner Thursday, and NFL Network blames cable for that
Check out the memo below from the president of NFL Network, who is adding the latest spin on the fight between cable companies and the league over carrying the network. This is especially timely this week, since Thursday's Bengals-Steelers game...
Super Bowl kid rates appearance
Erie's Jared Doutt, who won an online contest to attend this year's Super Bowl, is back in the spotlight. (I've pasted our story about his Super Bowl trip below.) I received this note from Jared's mother:...
Chargers-Steelers: Leftovers
Notes and quotes from Sunday's game that didn't make it into Monday's newspaper: -- Like Indianapolis, San Diego played mostly a "Tampa 2" defense with two safeties deep that took away the Steelers' downfield passing game. As a result, Ben...
Chargers-Steelers: Official explains final play
In an interview with a pool reporter, referee Scott Green explained the final play in Sunday's Steelers-Chargers game. Troy Polamalu appeared to score on a fumble return after three San Diego laterals on the Chargers' final play. Officials initially let...
Chargers at Steelers: Halftime update
Chargers 7, Steelers 5 Notes: -- Second-year linebacker LaMarr Woodley is making steady progress. He made a nice play in the second quarter to break up a third-and-17 pass intended for Vincent Jackson. Earlier in the game Woodley slipped in...
Chargers at Steelers: First quarter update
Chargers 7, Steelers 0 Notes: -- Tough call against Ike Taylor to set up the Chargers' touchdown. Based on the amount of contact, a five-yard illegal contact call might have seemed more appropriate instead of a 19-yard penalty that set...
Chargers at Steelers: Pre-game and inactives
Checking in from Heinz Field, where we're about an hour from kickoff between the Steelers and San Diego Chargers. No big surprises among the pre-game inactives, with Max Starks starting for Marvel Smith at left tackle, Matt Spaeth starting for...
2008: A football odyssey
Maybe I'm a poor planner, but until a few days ago I didn't realize that this week I would be covering four NFL games in eight days, a career first. I'm calling it "The Mother of All NFL Trips," and...
Bettis at Behrend: Highlights from his appearance
Former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis spoke at Penn State Behrend tonight as part of the college's speakers series. He also met with reporters for about 10 minutes afterward while a large group of fans waited in the hallway outside...
Beer, Tomlin and Ah! Leah! -- it doesn't get any better than that
If you haven't seen them yet, these Coors Light press conference commercial parodies of Steelers coach Mike Tomlin on YouTube are hysterical, right down to the Donnie Iris music playing in the background. Make sure to check out some of...
Colts at Steelers: Third quarter update
Steelers 17, Colts 17 Notes and observations: -- The Colts' offense came out with a lot more rhythm on their opening drive of the quarter. Payton Manning looks more comfortable than he did in the first half completing short passes...
Colts at Steelers: Halftime update
Steelers 17, Colts 14 Notes and observations: -- The Steelers' flea flicker looked like something a youth football team drew up in the dirt and it almost blew up two different ways. Ben Roethlisberger had to sidestep onrushing Colts LB...
Colts at Steelers: First quarter update
Steelers 7, Colts 7 Notes and observations: -- The Steelers are going after Colts CB Tim Jennings. Ben Roethlisberger completed big passes passes to Santonio Holmes and Nate Washington on the opening drive, which resulted in a touchdown. Jennings was...
Colts at Steelers: Pre-game and inactives
Checking in from Heinz Field, where the big news is that Ben Roethlisberger is active and apparently will start at quarterback against the Colts today. Roethlisberger was not among the inactives distributed in the press box, and there was no...
Week 9 picks recap: It's good to have a backup plan
It's the time of the year when injuries leave contending teams shorthanded, and those that can scratch up enough quality depth from their cap-suppressed rosters usually wind up staying in the race. Last week's big backup winners were the Steelers,...
Broncos at Browns: Pre-game and inactives
Checking in from Cleveland a little less than an hour before kickoff. The talk here, not surprisingly, is all Brady Quinn, and theories in the Browns press box abound as to why the team made the move now, and who...
Quinn's the man in Cleveland
The folks over at Deadspin are ready for Brady Quinn to take over as the Browns' starting quarterback. My take? This was inevitable given the team's investment in Quinn -- which goes beyond his salary to the two high draft...
Ravens-Browns: Postgame
Ravens 37, Browns 27 What happened: The Ravens tied it, 27-27, on Joe Flacco's 28-yard touchdown pass to Derrick Mason. Mason scored after Browns CB Eric Wright fell down trying to make a play on the ball. ... Baltimore took...
Ravens at Browns: Third-quarter update
Browns 27, Ravens 20 What happened: The Browns scored touchdowns on their first two third-quarter drives to take a 27-13 lead. Joshua Cribbs set up the first score with a long punt return to the Ravens' 28. Derek Anderson hit...
Ravens at Browns: Halftime update
What happened: The Browns tie it in Phil Dawson's 23-yard field goal with 5:50 left in the half. Derek Anderson drives the Browns from their 20 to the Baltimore 6. His third-down pass to Jason Wright appears to be close...
Ravens at Browns: First-quarter update
What happened: The Browns go three-and-out with the opening kickoff and Dave Zastudil shanked the punt. A penalty on the punt sets up the Ravens at the Browns 42. ... The Browns hold the Ravens to Matt Stover's 41-yard field...
Ravens at Browns: Quad will sideline Stallworth
A quad injury will sideline receiver Donte' Stallworth for today's game against the Ravens at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Fullback Lawrence Vickers also will miss the game with an ankle injury. The Ravens, meanwhile, are without three starters in their seconday...
News and notes: Big money for Aaron Rodgers
Pro Football Talk is reporting that Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers signed a contract extension today that includes a $20 million bonus. Not bad for a guy eight weeks into replacing the legendary Brett Favre. -- Good reading here from The...
News and notes: Big Ben will try to ignore the eye candy Sunday
Watch Ben Roethlisberger closely before Sunday's game at FedEx Field to learn about his pre-game routine. Check the game plan. Check the playbook for any last-minute changes. Check the injury report. Check the weather. Check out the Redskins cheerleaders....
Week 8 picks recap: Killer start for the Titans
Remember "The Usual Suspects," where Kevin Spacey's character comes across early in the film as this meek, pathetic little man with a drop foot and zero self-confidence, and by the end of the movie we learn that he's a brilliant,...
Let the "Turd Watching" begin
-- Pro Football Talk offers a "Turd Watch" feature that tracks arrests by NFL team personnel, including, of course, those sometimes troublesome players. It even includes standings. Here is a link....
When "Crossing Over" meets Fox's NFL production
Technically I'm off today, but I couldn't resist posting this link to the now-infamous interview Fox sideline reporter Danyelle Sargent did with interim 49ers coach Mike Singletary. This is a few days old, but Sargent memorably asks Singletary about speaking...
Giants-Steelers: Post-game update
Giants 21, Steelers 14 What happened: With the Steelers driving, Ben Roethlisberger threw under pressure across the middle for Hines Ward and was picked off by Corey Webster at the New York 25. ... The Giants drove to a 24-yard...
Giants-Steelers: Third quarter update
Steelers 14, Giants 9 What happened: The Steelers took the lead when Roethlisberger and Nate Washington connected for a 65-yard touchdown that made it 14-9. Washington beat Giants corner James Butler deep, who turned around twice trying to get his...
Giants-Steelers: Halftime update
Giants 9, Steelers 7 What happened: The Giants drove inside the Steelers 1-yard-line but Brandon Jacobs was turned back on fourth down by Brett Keisel and Aaron Smith. New York lost a challenge. That came one play after Steelers coach...
Giants-Steelers: First quarter update
Steelers 7, Giants 3 What happened: The Steelers won the toss and deferred to the Giants, who took the opening kick and went three-and-out. ... Taking over at their 40, the Steelers needed four plays to score on a 32-yard...
Giants-Steelers: Pre-game and inactives
No big news to report as the Giant and Steelers take the field for warm-ups. Bob Knight is in the press box, apparently passing through on the way to a speaking engagement at Penn State, where he should be greeted...
News and notes: Weekend rewind
Steelers -- The Steelers' latest win in Cincinnati left Bengals fans in a foul mood, Cincinnati Enquirer columnist Paul Daugherty writes: "Nobody wearing a POLAMALU jersey had to worry about getting his face smashed in. The black-and-gold-clad visiting home crowd...
Chargers at Bills: Fourth quarter update
What happened: The Bills held off a San Diego scoring chance when Kawika Mitchell intercepted Philip Rivers in the Buffalo end zone and returned it 32 yards. That led to Rian Lindell's 44-yard field goal and a 23-14 lead with...
Chargers at Bills: Third quarter update
What happened: The teams traded touchdowns and the Bills led 20-14 at the end of the quarter. The Chargers took the lead with a 12-play, 80-yard drive ending on Philip Rivers' 12-yard pass to Vincent Jackson on third-and-goal. The Bills...
Chargers at Bills: Third quarter update
What happened: The teams traded touchdowns and the Bills led 20-14 at the end of the quarter. The Chargers took the lead with a 12-play, 80-yard drive ending on Philip Rivers' 12-yard pass to Vincent Jackson on third-and-goal. The Bills...
Power's back on in Buffalo
The power has started to come back on in Buffalo, although the main scoreboard and ribbon boards around the stadium remain out. The Bills are driving, with a first down at the San Diego 41. -- John Dudley...
Chargers take the lead
The Chargers just went up 7-3 with 21 seconds left in the first quarter. Philip Rivers hit Malcolm Floyd on a 12-yard post pattern for the score. Floyd beat rookie corner Leodis McElvin and made a nice catch, going up...
Chargers at Bills: Bills take 3-0 lead
At power-less Ralph Wilson Stadium, the Bills just took a 3-0 lead on a 38-yard Rian Lindell field goal with 6:46 remaining in the first quarter. -- John Dudley...
Chargers at Bills: Play resumes
Play has resumed in Buffalo, with the officials keeping time on the field. Power is out throughout Ralph Wilson Stadium, including the scoreboards and the network television feed. The Bills are currently driving, with a first down at the San...
Outage could last longer than expected
Someone just radioed NFL observer Art McNally to say the outage at Ralph Wilson Stadium "is more complicated than they thought," and that power could be out longer than the five minutes they initially expected. Bills officials have offered to...
Outage could last longer than expected
Someone just radioed NFL observer Art McNally to say the outage at Ralph Wilson Stadium "is more complicated than they thought," and that power could be out longer than the five minutes they initially expected. Bills officials have offered to...
Chargers at Bills: Pre-game inactives
Here is the first report from Ralph Wilson Stadium, where the power has gone out twice in the past 30 minutes but is back on at this point. (No word on whether the Bills forgot to pay their electric bill.)...
Week 6 recap: Upset about upsets? Get used to it
The room is spinning. Your lips feel funny. The Browns suddenly are starting to resemble a real NFL team. No, you're not hallucinating and you haven't been smoking. (You haven't, right?) You're just a little upset drunk. It's a common...
Giants at Browns: Third quarter update
What happened: The Browns extended their lead to 20-14 on Phil Dawson's 26-yard field goal, set up by a 33-yard double reverse run by Jerome Harrison. ... The Browns were on the move when the quarter ended on an 18-yard...
Giants at Browns: Halftime update
What happened: Each team scored two touchdowns and the Browns took a 17-14 lead into halftime. Browns notes: Derek Anderson has thrown for 225 yards and a touchdown in the first half. ... Braylon Edwards has three catches for 129...
Giants at Browns: First-quarter update
What happened: The Browns took a 3-0 lead on Phil Dawson's 28-yard field on the opening drive. Browns notes: The Browns were sloppy on offense, committing two false starts and an illegal shift. Another illegal formation penalty was declined. ......
Giants at Browns: Pre-game
Checking in tonight from Cleveland, where the Browns are about an hour from kickoff against the Giants. Nice warm night. Maybe it will make Derek Anderson think he's back at the Pro Bowl. Browns inactives QB Ken Dorsey DB Sean...
View from Sunday's games: Bills can recover from Arizona meltdown
It might have been ugly – especially the four turnovers – but the Bills’ 41-17 loss to the Cardinals probably won’t be all that costly. Quarterback Trent Edwards has the bye week to recover from the concussion he sustained on...
Week 4 recap: It's good to be the king
It doesn't happen often, so I'm going to seize the opportunity to gloat a little after a weekend in which I went 11-2 straight up and against the spread. The crown jewel of a good pickin' day came when my...
Ravens at Steelers: Fourth quarter update
What happened: Jeff Reed's field goal extended the Steelers' lead to 20-13, but the Ravens tied it on Le'Ron McClain's two-yard run with 4:07 to play. ... The Steelers reached midfield on their last drive before punting. ... The Ravens...
Ravens at Steelers: Third quarter update
What happened: The Steelers took the lead with Ben Roethlisberger's 38-yard touchdown pass to Santonio Holmes and a Lamarr Woodley fumble return for a score in a span of 13 seconds....
Ravens at Steelers: Halftime update
What happened: The Ravens drove 48 yards to a 20-yard Matt Stover field goal to take a 6-3 lead at 3:48. ... Baltimore stretched it to 13-3 when rookie quarterback Joe Flacco hit tight end Daniel Wilcox on a four-yard...
Ravens at Steelers: First quarter update
What happened: Jeff Reed's 49-yard field goal gave the Steelers a 3-0 lead. ... The Ravens punted on their first two possessions but Baltimore tied it on Matt Stover's 33-yard field goal with 18 seconds left....
Ravens at Steelers: Pre-game and inactives
Here is the first of regular updates tonight from Heinz Field, where the Steelers are hosting the Ravens on Monday Night Football. Inactives: Steelers: WR Limas Sweed, RB Willie Parker, OT Tony Hills, OT Trai Essex, LB Donovan Woods, DT...
Week 3 picks recap: Some things are a little clearer now
This much seems certain through three weeks of the NFL season: -- The NFC East appears to be the league's strongest division. Its teams have only lost to each other, and even the 2-1 Redskins appear to be playoff-caliber behind...
Weekend rewind: Good teams looked baffled on Sunday
It's amazing that two teams that were unbeatable over the first two weeks of the season were thoroughly confounded Sunday by a couple of old football tricks. The Steelers and their big, bad offensive line got abused by an Eagles...
Raiders at Bills: Fourth quarter update
What happened: The Bills had possession to start the quarter and moved to their 40, where on second-and-7 Oakland's Kirk Morrison was called for pass interference. After a delay and an officials' time out, Raiders coach Lane Kiffin challenged the...
Raiders at Bills: Third quarter update
What happened: The Bills took the kickoff and drove to the Oakland 27, with Trent Edwards hitting Lee Evans for 34 yards on the biggest play. Marshawn Lynch was stopped for no gain on third-and-short and Rian Lindell's 46-yard field...
Raiders at Bills: Halftime update
What happened: The Bills' first series of the quarter fizzled when Trent Edwards was forced to throw away a third-down pass under heavy pressure. Brian Moorman punted and Oakland took over at its 13. ... The Raiders drove to the...
Raiders at Bills: First quarter update
What happened: Oakland's Johnnie Lee Higgins returned the opening kickoff 69 yards to set up a Sebastian Janikowski field goal for a 3-0 Raiders lead. ... Gerard Warren sacked Trent Edwards to snuff out the Bills' first drive. ... The...
Browns' 0-2 start has fans hunting for witches again
Cleveland Plain Dealer columnist Terry Pluto is getting hammered by Browns fans for taking what they claim is a weak, apolgist stance toward the team in the wake of its 0-2 start (see comments section at the end of the...
Week 2 picks recap: Road 'dogs were a kind play this week
The NFL is supposed to have sports' greatest home field advantage, but in Week 2 five road underdogs won straight up and a sixth, the Eagles, kept the host Cowboys (-7) from covering. That I had four of the five...
News and views from the NFL weekend
The NFL didn't allow Chad Johnson to wear his new Ocho Cinco jersey on opening weekend. Actually, I think the league should make Johnson wait to wear it until the Bengals reach 85 points scored this season, which should be...
Cowboys at Browns: Two hours until game time, Cowboy watching
The Cowboys' team buses were pulling into the stadium's underbelly as I walked from the media parking lot to the security tent. Plenty of Cowboys fans have either invaded Cleveland today or made their way from Northeast Ohio seclusion to...
A player shooting, and lots of forlorn young QBs
In the latest installment of "Why Guns, Nightclubs and Pro Athletes Don't Mix" is this disturbing report out of Jacksonville about a Jaguars player shot in his car outside a club early this morning. -- Ever wonder why Tim Couch...
NFC game-by-game projections for the season
Yesterday I listed my game-by-game projections for the AFC, which I use to do preseason division and playoff predictions. Here is the raw data for the NFC. Enjoy, scrutinize, poke fun, etc....
The Big, Giant list of AFC game-by-game predictions
I'm in the process of doing my division and playoff picks for our upcoming NFL preview section. I arrive at projected records the old-fashioned way, by going through every game on the schedule and picking a winner and a loser....
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