NFL 2016-17 playoffs running thread

Green Bay is miserable after the first week of November. No thanks.

 

Two duds. Matt Ryan will liven things up.

 

Hot chocolate though!

But seriously ... 15 isn't too bad there.

 

If my kids were older or I was younger (and kid-free), I'd be there for it (as a Giants fan). I've been to a couple foul weather playoff games (though nothing as cold as tomorrow is expected to be in GB) and it's friggin' great.

I don't want to see a foul-weather baseball game, but foul-weather football is fun.

 

In college, we once went to a game with a high temperature of 14. Low of 8. Most people got drunk, puked, and left at halftime. We stayed, just in time for the wind-driven, little BBs of snow during the 2nd half. I had the closest apartment, so we thawed out there after the game and ordered pizzas. No one wanted to leave, and not just because of my sparkling personality. I felt for them when they finally returned to the chilly outdoors.

 

I was there on the sidelines for Favre's game with the Packers. Giants-Packers 2007 NFCCG. Coldest freaking game I ever covered. That game was not tolerable. OT make it even worse.

 

Injuries: Ladarius Green (concussion) out vs. Dolphins

No official inactive list yet, but Aditi Kinkhabwala reported on NFL Network that the Steelers will be without tight end Ladarius Green for today's game due to a concussion. He practiced most of the week, but still was not cleared by an independent neurologist Friday. Green had figured to have a big game against the Dolphins, who are missing both starting safeties. Jesse James and Xavier Grimble might make a few plays, but neither is as dangerous down the field as Green.

Pittsburgh is also without defensive end Ricardo Matthews, though Stephon Tuitt returns. Matthews aggravated an ankle injury last week. I still don't understand why he was on the field for a meaningless game with a bad ankle, but the Steelers will be a little thin up front. Linebacker Anthony Chickillo is also out, which is more of an impact on special teams.

The Dolphins have injury issues of their own. Their top corner, Byron Maxwell, is doubtful with an ankle injury. He was a big part of holding Antonio Brown to four catches for 39 yards, though the bigger issue was Miami's play up front. The Dolphins controlled the line of scrimmage on offense and defense in their 30-14 victory Week 6.

I don't think missing Tannehill hurts that much. There just doesn't seem to be much of a drop-off with Moore at quarterback. The injury to Mike Pouncey does hurt up front. One reason for Jay Ajayi's monster performance in Week 6 was the Dolphins having their entire starting offensive line intact, one of the few times all five were healthy and playing together this season.

With the game at home and Roethlisberger, Bell and Brown all playing together in a playoff game for the fist time, the Steelers are favored for a reason, but this is still a team that kicked Pittsburgh's collective butts earlier this season.

Edit: Of course, right after I post, the inactive list pops up.

Steelers inactives for game vs. Dolphins (Wild Card) 

As expected, Green, Matthews and Chickillo out for Pittsburgh, but Vince Williams is playing. He had been listed as questionable and I could see the Steelers running some 2-5 fronts at the Dolphins with Williams as the fifth linebacker. Maxwell is inactive for the Dolphins.

 

The Steelers had two amazing no-shows this season, the Dolphins game and the Eagles game.

 

Agreed, but the Dolphins are certainly dangerous enough to win a playoff game or two. The defensive line is very good. They can run the ball and they have some good weapons at receiver.

 

I anticipate the playoffs version of the running commentary.