NFL 2016-17 playoffs running thread

I'm sure there was some Class A high school state semifinal somewhere that was unbelievable, too.

That doesn't make it not minor-league football.

 

Both games had the potential to be shootouts, but became one-sided when one of the high-scoring teams jumped to a big lead, something that frequently happens to expected shootouts. Could happen again in the Super Bowl either way.

 

I'll watch with interest.

I'll consume very little of the buildup material, although that wouldn't be a whole lot different from the past few years at least for me.

 

I don't care about the build-up material, like five dozen stories about Matt Ryan's "legacy." I care about the X's and O's, scouting pieces, and real analysis of the game.

 

Steelers fall to Brady, Patriots in AFC title game

Bell claims that he had been dealing with the groin injury for "a few weeks," but didn't tell anyone. He aggravated on his second or third carry last night. I heard talk of him drawing criticism for not playing through it, but that was the right call. He couldn't cut and his burst just wasn't there.

 

I agree, OOP. Besides, the Steelers would've had to pass just as much if he had played.

 

What? No drinking during the pre-game party? No hot wings or nachos?

Oh.

 

That's completely fair. Part of it for me is fatigue with both the Pats and Steelers, which is why I tuned out of that game. Watched most of ATL-GB after I got back from going to a college basketball game, and Julio Jones is a treat to watch. The other part for me, quite honestly, is how damn well the Caps are playing. I do have a serious rooting interest there, and I've been way more invested in those games than the football. It's not just the NFL, either. I've really had trouble getting into the NBA this year because of the inevitability of another Cavs-Warriors finals. Not saying it won't be exciting, and I'll watch the hell out of those finals should they happen.

 

It is tough to say. The Patriots certainly defended the run a lot better than anybody had done against the Steelers for a while, but the game was close enough into the third quarter that Bell would have gotten his opportunities.

On another note, James Harrison already said he will be back next season. Given that the Steelers don't really have a replacement, I'm guessing he will be with the Steelers, but Timmons could be gone.

James Harrison: 'I'm not done'

 

This is why Tomlin is disliked by a lot of Steelers' fans like me. How about some in-game fucking adjustments? JFC, to let a guy like Chris Hogan torch you continually is just bad coaching. Maybe don't play zone all day long. Maybe blitz up the middle more which is what the Texans did to great effect. The Steelers were definitely undone by the loss of Bell, but the defense completely shit the bed. Missed tackles, no turnovers. I will say, it was an amazingly clean game. Can't remember a playoff game with so few penalties. Still, Todd Haley calling for a deep pass to Sammie fucking Coates on 3rd and 1 on the opening drive is emblematic of this team -- too cute for its own good.

 

The Pats definitely seem very easy to stop. All defensive coordinators should just call the plays that stop them!