NFL Playoffs

[James Foote]

I got what your saying. I was just commenting on the part where you said make up a rule. But I see it like you.

Also.... has anyone read this article of the guy who had a heart attack seconds after Bettis fumbled. Crazy. He's ok and the steelers won... so everything is peachy now.

click here

That's a die hard fan

[shrekjr]

I'm surprised Bettis didn't have the heart attack!

[James Foote]

I know I nearly did. I'm obviously going for Denver in the playoffs now, but I wanted to see Dungy, Manning, and the Colts win just 1 big game. MVP of that game was Roethlisberger just for making that tackle that no QB should ever be able to.

[JW]

And I doubt the seahawks will contain Steve Smith especially considering no team has had much luck doing that this year.

S. Smith

10/3 2rec - 12yds 0TDs vs GB
11/13 3rec - 34yds 0TDs vs NYJ
11/27 3rec - 55yds 0TDs vs BUF
12/24 1rec - 18yds 0TDs vs DAL (1 fumble rec - 5yds)

Record of these 4 teams 22 - 42 (.342 win %)

Yup these teams had no success in stopping Smith. Notice something about these teams.... yeah, none are in the playoffs ... so I have got to think that it can be done in the NFC championship game. No doubt Smith is a good WR but he can be shut down. Dallas did it so well that he got frustrated enough that he was ejected from the game for doing something stupid.

That was the only good thing the Dallas Defense did down the stretch, otherwise they were horrible.

[kschuh5]

tamu33, I think what was meant by the statement about Steve Smith not being stopped all year is that you have choose one or the other. If you try to stop the run, then you can't stop Smith. If you want to double or triple Steve Smith then you are weak against the run. In those 4 games you mentioned those teams did stop Smith, but the Panthers won 3 out of those 4 games. Any defense that wants to load up on one player can do it, but they leave themselves open to other parts of the game.

[tamu33]

Yeah but the team that Carolina lost to out of those 4 is also the only team to be above .500. With Davis and Foster out, Goings will have to play the game of his life. Most likely Seattle will play Smith hard on the line and then have help on the route (essentially double coverage). That leaves 9 guys to stop the run and the 5 or 6 passes that don't go towards Smith. Seattle's front 4 had 50 sacks during the regular season (#1 in NFL) so bringing pressure just with those guys will leave 5 guys able to cover the run or blitz/drop back.


Carolina
Prohel - 28 rec
Mangum - 25 rec
Colbert - 28 rec
Smith - 115 rec

Smith carries their offense... shut him down and you greatly increase your chances of winning.

[laxfan25]

I agree that Smith will be drawing lots of special attention, and will likely not get over 200 yds this weekend. Carolina needs to emphasize some of the other receivers and tight-ends, since they will likely be drawing the single coverage. While Proehl and Colbert didn't get the lion's share of receptions, they are certainly capable receivers. Hopefully a few seccussful passes with loosen up the running game to where they have some balance. Without that, hopes are dim for another unlikely road upset.

[kschuh5]

Agreed that Smith is the main option at wide out, but if Seattle wants to commit 9 guys (I assume by bringing the safeties into the box) to stopping the run, I would bet Delhomme could find Colbert or Proehl in one on one coverage for a couple big plays, which might be all they need.
If they want to sit back in coverage, Goings is a more than able back (6 100 yard games a year ago). It's the same formula for every team at any level of football to be successful on offense, I just feel that the Panthers will capitalize a little more than the Seahawks.

[Kyle Berggren]

I'd like to say our number 1 offense will simply out score them, but I don't know. We'll have to show up. I will say I'm not afraid to say Seattle can play with/beat any team on any given day, we're just not as consistent as we should be. Our D is nearly back to full strength, our O is always fine, this game could be a blowout either way. If both teams play their best, Carolina's season is over.

[shrekjr]

Ref in controversy has house vandalized

FOXSports.com

NFL referee Pete Morelli is having a rough week.

On Sunday, Morelli made one of the more controversial calls in NFL history, overturning what appeared to be an interception by the Steelers' Troy Polamalu. On Monday, his Stockton, Calif. home was vandalized, according to police reports.

Lieutenant Thomas Wells of the Stockton Police Department told FOXSports.com's Jay Glazer that a police report was filed after a rock was thrown through Morelli's living room window late Monday night after Morelli and his wife had gone to bed.

Lt. Wells emphasized that police had no suspect and no motive in the case and could not say with any degree of certainty whether the act of vandalism was related to Sunday's call.

"We are aware of the situation and we're cooperating with police in any way we can," said NFL spokesman Greg Aiello.

On Monday, the NFL admitted that Morelli had erred when he used instant replay to overturn the interception. Mike Pereira, the league's VP of officiating, said in a statement that the call on the field should have stood.

"He maintained possession long enough to establish a catch," Pereira said. "Therefore, the replay review should have upheld the call on the field that it was a catch and fumble."

Fortunately for Morelli — and the Steelers — while the botched call allowed the Colts to eventually pull within a field goal, it ultimately did not play any role in the outcome of the game, which Pittsburgh won, 21-18.