Posts tagged Ben Roethlisberger
Super Bowl XLV – It’s Prediction Time!
Feb 3rd
It’s a long time since training camps last year, when many (but by no means all!) of the teams though they could go all the way.
Back in August, we took a look at how we thought the divisions might play out. And… well, we were pretty much wrong across the board. In fact in some divisions we got the predictions exactly the opposite way to how it turned out. What can we say? It’s been that sort of season.
Super Bowl Rings
We’ve had some good turnaround stories this season, like the Rams and the Bucs who were both pushing for post-season places going into the final weeks. We’ve had the pre-season optimism of teams like the Redskins and Cowboys be beaten away by the realities of the season. We’ve had coaches fired, replaced, out of contract and just not as good as they should have been. We’ve had players go through bitterly disappointing seasons or moments and we’ve had the same number of triumphs. We had a good game between two not-so-good teams at Wembley.
All teams have overcome adversity and injuries during the long and gruelling season but two teams are left. The Green Bay Packers from the NFC and the Pittsburgh Steelers from the AFC.
The Packers are one of those teams who looked like they were struggling, but have hung in there throughout the season and with a great win in week 16 (against the rival Bears!) booked themselves into the play-offs at the last possible moment.
Rodgers Scrambles
They had big injuries, like losing Ryan Grant for the season in week 1, successive losses in overtime to the lightweight Redskins and Dolphins. Rodgers was concussed and at times they didn’t like championship worthy. But they’ve be playing great football for a while now and their last few games have certainly been championship ball.
The Steelers, as we all know, started the season without their starting quarterback. They traded away a Super Bowl MVP and it looked like the defence was losing a step. For most of the season they were neck and neck with the Ravens but were able to book a first-round bye with their strong showing as the season drew to an end.
Both coaches, Mike McCarthy and Mike Tomlin have both done incredibly jobs this year.
In the past few weeks we’ve looked at both teams in some depth, so we’re not going to do that again. Instead, let’s take a look at each element of the game and see how has the edge. No, it’s not a novel approach. But it works. More >
Super Bowl XLV: The Last Time These Teams Met…
Jan 26th
These are two teams that have not played each other much over the years. Even if we go back two games, we’re looking at Brett Favre and Charlie Batch as the starting QBs and to get 5 previous games we have to go back nearly 20 years. That includes a 7 year gap between 1998 and 2005 where these teams did not play each other. With the current scheduling all teams play at least once every four years and apart from this Super Bowl, the next scheduled match between them won’t be until the 2013 season.
Dallas Stadium, site of Super Bowl 45
So there is probably not much we can read into previous matchups, as 4 years is an eternity for an NFL team. But let’s take a look at the last time these two teams met, just over a year ago as the 2009 season was drawing to a close.
Week 15, 2009: Green Bay 36 – 37 Pittsburgh
This was a fantastic game and there will be no complaints from any quarter if Super Bowl 45 plays out as this game did. More >
NFL 2010 Divisional Weekend: Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Jan 14th
So the wildcard weekend has been and gone and we’re now left with 8 teams who are looking to make it all the way to the Superbowl. We’ve got some tasty matches to look forward to this weekend, and today I’ll be looking at one of them. It’s one of the most physical rivalries in the NFL and a contest which more often than not is pretty close in all aspects. On Saturday 15th January the Baltimore Ravens travel to Heinz Field to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Looking into this game there are literally hundreds of stats I could reel off. These 2 teams are well accustomed with each other and, playing in the same division, face off at least twice a season and have done since 1996 when the Ravens were established as a franchise. So there is a long history there, many games and many scores, many records and many talking points. So instead of waffling on I’ll just note some of the stats that I’ve seen about this lately. More >
NFL 2010 Week 6 Guest Predictions
Oct 13th
Hi, I’m Chris and I’m a Dallas Cowboys fan (don’t boo!). I first started watching American Football at about 6 years old when Channel Four here in the UK used to air an early morning highlight show at the weekends. At the time the Cowboys were just putting together the roster that would go on to pick up three Super Bowl rings in four seasons. I quickly got hooked watching Emmit Smith avoiding tacklers and moving through holes in defences created by Moose Johnston while being amazed at the almost telepathic connection Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin seemed to have. I still continue to follow the Cowboys despite numerous let-downs and a constant barrage of abuse I get from all my Dallas-hating friends!
I’m taking a look at all the NFL games this week and making my predictions on each one.
Game Predictions
Miami Dolphins @ Green Bay Packers
Usually, I’d pick the Packers straight away for this one but, with doubts surrounding Clay Matthews, Jermichael Finley and Aaron Rodgers, I’m not so sure. Losing Ryan Grant has made the Packers offense one-dimensional and having the two key men in the passing game banged up will further hurt their chances, while the defense looked lost against Washington after their sack-machine Matthews departed. Miami’s main concern will be the performance of their special teams after they were destroyed by the Patriots in Week Four, but a new special teams coach and a bye-week to work on their problems could have sorted them out. Clay Matthews playing will be the key to whether Green Bay win or lose this one.
Prediction: Green Bay
More >
Who’ll Be The Last Undefeated Team In 2010?
Sep 28th
With week 4 of the NFL 2010 season upon us already, there is a surprisingly small number of teams that remain unbeaten at this point. Just three. Even more surprising is the three teams that it is: The Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears.
Who’s the most likely to keep a zero in the L column for longest?
Pittsburgh Steelers
Have Beaten: Falcons, Titans, Buccaneers
Next Three Weeks: Ravens – Bye – Browns
Kansas City Chiefs
Have Beaten: Chargers, Browns, 49ers
Next Three Weeks: Bye – at Colts – at Texans
Chicago Bears
Have Beaten: Lions, Cowboys, Packers
Next Three Weeks: at Giants, at Panthers, Seahawks
Week 3, 2010: Pittsburgh Steelers @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Sep 23rd
As with all of the NFL teams that have played at Wembley Stadium here in the UK, and certainly the ‘home’ teams, I feel a certain affinity for the Tampa Bay Buccanners. Though they were well and truly out-classed in the International Series last season, we still appreciated them coming and giving it a go.
This week they host the Pittsburgh Steelers, in a battle of two team that are currently undefeated in the 2010 season.
Raymond James Stadium
Fantasy Football Hints and Tips #2 – Players to Avoid
Aug 6th
In the second instalment in this series on Fantasy Football, I’ll be looking at players to avoid in the early rounds this year… for one reason or another. There will basically be 2 kinds of player in this category. First, let’s start with those who will miss the start of the season (or even more).
Vincent Jackson – I love Vincent Jackson. The guy is a great player and has won me many a fantasy game over the years. He’s usually my first receiver pick in the draft, that’s how much faith I have in him when he plays. Unfortunately this season he has a 3 game suspension. On top of that he has refused to sign his tender as a restricted free agent, and rumours are flying around that because of this we might not see him play even after his suspension finishes. I hope not, because he is talented and a great guy to watch play. If it was up to me I’d be leaving him to the free agency wire and keeping a close eye on how events unfold.
Santonio Holmes – Santonio Holmes, fresh from a move to the New York Jets from the Pittsburgh Steelers, is joining a very, very good team. It’s just a shame he won’t be playing for the first 4 games. Usually you’d see Santonio go in the first 3 rounds of a draft, and rightly so. He is a solid receiver and will get you points. But missing 4 games AND a bye week means 5 total weeks of zero production. If you see him still there in the later rounds then by all means grab him as a bench warmer for half the season, but don’t waste a good pick in getting him early.
More >
First look 2010… AFC North
Jun 16th
Being my first ‘Division’ prediction, ever, I figured I might as well do one for the division I know most about! The AFC North is usually an entertaining and exciting division. The matches are played well, and are usually close. Rivalry is fierce and the bouts are relentless. It’s always difficult predicting without seeing the four pre-season matches, but I’m going to give it a go.
Big Ben Suspended
Apr 21st
No not the bell, the player. Roger Goodell has spoken, and handed a six game suspension to the Steelers’ quarterback whose name has been surrounded with allegations and rumours for the second off-season running. Citing the personal conduct policy, the Commissioner stated in a letter
“there is nothing about your conduct in Milledgeville that can remotely be described as admirable, responsible, or consistent with either the values of the league or the expectations of our fans.”
Ouch.
More >
Second Look… AFC North
Aug 6th
In our First Look at the AFC North, it came down to two coinflips to seperate the four teams.
Has anything changed?
More >