Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns - Week 17 Open Thread
by Michael Bean on Dec 28, 2008 10:54 AM EST
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PrintIt's hard to believe it, but here we are in Week 17. The Steelers have accomplished lots up to this point; yet at the same time, divisional crowns aren't something we necessarily write home about. The 'second' season will kickoff for Pittsburgh in two weeks, but as for the regular season, gone. Crazy.
You guys know the routine by now - join the action here on BTSC as the Steelers games unfold each week. I'd expect that this Sunday's thread will be a bit less crazy. The game of course means nothing for us in terms of seeding. Secondly, I think must of us figure that the lion's share of the starters on both sides of the ball will be sat down no later than halftime. And finally, if you take a look at this TV Distribution Map, you'll see that only a handful of markets will be getting this one. I know many of you are making it to your first game in awhile Sunday, so do enjoy! We'll be here in the open thread.
For those looking for a live stream of the Steelers-Browns game - try here.
Be sure to inform us if you find something better. I presume many might opt to watch this one online for a bit rather than heading down to a sports bar.
Here's hoping the offense can execute at will against a mentally and physically depleted Browns team before taking to the sidelines for a big bulk of the game. I know we have next week off too, but I hope we still use this game to rest up our defense. They could use it, and I'm fairly confident our reserves can keep them in check offensively.As for the offense, let them get some work in together for at least a half. That's my take anyway.
Would it be nice to finish the year 8-0 in the division? You bet it would. But if it meant I had to forfeit any possibility of the Steelers winning in exchange for the game to be played without any injuries - well, then I would take it in a heartbeat.
GO STEELERS!
Below is the breakdown of other key games in the AFC,
Games of Interest with Steelers implications:
1) Miami at New York Jets - you can scroll down the page or go to the next page to find my complete breakdown of the AFC playoff picture. If Miami wins this one, they're the AFC East champions and will face either Baltimore, New England. If the Jets win, they too are in. They hold the tiebreaker over New England if they were to finish with identical records. We'll see how this one goes in New York, but Brett Favre and the Jets sure have looked miserable this past several weeks. Meanwhile, Miami has done a little bit of evetyhing this past two months to get themselves in this position to secure a playoff berth. Logic says Miami's in the driver seat. Logic's not always the best thin gto apply when predicting who might win each week.
2) Jacksonville at Baltimore - Another fine example of how conventional logic is a risky proposition in the NFL. Two years ago, the lowly LOWLY 49ers beat Denver in Week 17 to eliminate them from the playoffs, bumping the Chiefs up to the conference's #6 seed instead. This is a similar scenario, except in my opinion, this Jaguars team remains more dangerous than nearly every 5-10 team in NFL history. The way I see it, Jack Del Rio could be coaching for his job. I don't think he'll be fired personally, but things have gotten ugly enough in Jacksonville that I'm sure Del Rio knows he can't afford to have his team get embarrassed due to poor preparation. That whole cliche - 'this will be their Super Bowl!' - it's overused, no doubt, but in this instance I don't think this Jaguars team is going to roll over when their opponent is playing for their playoff lives.
Baltimore wins and they are the #6 seed no matter what else happens. What fantastically fun stakes for rookie QB Joe Flacco and 1st year head coach John Harbaugh. Will they be overwhelmed? They would play the AFC East champion on the road in the first round. Barring a
3) New England at Buffalo - Well, if Buffalo hadn't gone out and played an amazing 2nd half of football on the road against the Broncos last week, I'd be very inclined to say that New England was a huge favorite. As is? I'm not so sure. Dick Jauron, despite getting an extension, could very well be on the hotseat if his team lays an absolute egg at home against the hated Pats. The W last week was inspirational and impressive for the Bills, but it still doesn't change the fact that the they blew a 4-0 and 5-1 start with two months of pathetic performances. My point being that Jauron and his staff aren't in the clear just yet. A victory over the defending AFC champ Pats might make the notoriously impatient Ralph Wilson hold his horses and give Jauron at least on more year. You have to like the team with the coaching edge in this one, and you know of course that the Pats have been through these kinds of tests in recent years. Then again, Matt Cassel wasn't starting at QB back then. New England still has chance to be either the # 3 or the # 6 seed in the AFC with a win and a little help.
4) Denver at San Diego - Enough for now...plus, if Denver loses this one, I'll most certainly be writing about their epic collapse at some point in the future. The Broncos, having lost their huge lead out West, now must travel to Qualcomm to take on a very confident Chargers team. Either San Diego is going to roll bigtime here, or Jay Cutler is going to turn in a performance for the ages. Cutler may very well play great, but I still would never take Denver in this spot. Could the Chargers really sneak in and have another crack at navigating the AFC playoffs all the way to the Super Bowl, something they haven't been able to do during the LT era?
The winner gets Indy at home in Round 1. And in case you were curious, the only way we would see either of these two teams in the playoffs is if they won their first game of course; but also only if the #6 seed were to win in Round 1 and move on to face Tennessee by virtue of pairing the lowest with the highest seeds in Round 2.
LOTS still in play as we get set to kickoff Week 17 in the 2008 NFL Season.
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Can't Play Baltimore
It would be nice if Baltimore captures that 6 seed. That would mean that we couldn’t possibly see them until the AFC Championship. Assuming things shake out as expected, then we would get Miami, San Diego or Indy first, and that sounds great to me.
I don’t think that Indy can win a Super Bowl with their defense. Miami will be a contender next year, and San Diego is lucky to be in the playoffs.
Of course, the Steelers’ playoff dreams all rest on the performance of Big Ben. I think we all know this. If he plays well, then we will be the first team to 6 rings. Otherwise, we could lose to anyone.
I think you mean if the o-line plays well
without a running game all year and a crappy o-line Ben has been the glue that keeps the steelers offense together.
by bradyquinnsclipboard on Dec 28, 2008 1:04 PM EST up reply actions
feed anyone?
that one says it’s been removed
i would like to dedicate the Browns season to Kwoog
where has he been?
by bradyquinnsclipboard on Dec 28, 2008 1:02 PM EST reply actions
Let's go Steelers!
Please please please please…I hope there’s no big injuries today…please please!!!
Browns moving it...
….i hope the men of steel pick it up…..it’s a “meaningless” game, but you know they need to win this…….lose two in a row at the end of the regular season wont sit well.
harrison?
does anybody know if harrison is playing or not?
by tha1andonly57@aim.com on Dec 28, 2008 1:22 PM EST reply actions
ehhh that sucks
that probably means he wont win defensive player of the year
by tha1andonly57@aim.com on Dec 28, 2008 1:24 PM EST up reply actions
this would be great time to get a TD
I liked how we took advantge last week early in the 2nd half when we got a slight break when Fisher punted on 4th and inches. Now would be a good time to post another big swing.
yup he only needed 27 and he has 39
by tha1andonly57@aim.com on Dec 28, 2008 1:26 PM EST reply actions
damnit ben
Thts a looooooooooooong break for Heath there. Way to slow developing. I want to say Ben held it too long but I think he had to wait for Heath to at least approach his cut
I really dont understand why they don’t dink and dunk all the way down the field. They have the personal for it.
Certainly better than trying to force things. MM ALWAYS catches and runs for like 5-15 yards! All they need to do is get 5 yards a chunk for LONG ASS drives! They can do it…..IF only they would!
is it just me, or has our run defense been weak
for the past couple of weeks at least…
Defense is running out of gas..
..thanks in no small part to Pig Pen Uselessbugger.
...first quarter of the 16th game of the season..
..this is nothing new for the D.
by robert ethan on Dec 28, 2008 1:42 PM EST up reply actions
r u kidding me?!?
time to clean the colon!
"The grass may be greener on the other side, but it still has to be mowed"
-PsycoSalameh43
im not even watching it!
im in washington visiting my uncle and im not getting the game
"The grass may be greener on the other side, but it still has to be mowed"
-PsycoSalameh43
ofsetting penalties
Re-punt and Mitch downed them insdie the 5
by Michael Bean on Dec 28, 2008 1:49 PM EST up reply actions
seriously...
"The grass may be greener on the other side, but it still has to be mowed"
-PsycoSalameh43
at the 5!
"The grass may be greener on the other side, but it still has to be mowed"
-PsycoSalameh43
1st Round Pick = Tackle
If Willie Colon is starting next year, then I will be pissed. What a waste of a draft pick. I can’t wait until he is gone.
Yeah....
I am not feeling to good about the O’s performance today. If we cant score on the browns I think we might be in trouble in the playoffs.
come on...
saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey saftey!…..nevermind…:(
"The grass may be greener on the other side, but it still has to be mowed"
-PsycoSalameh43
Just caught a highlight...
…from the Vikings. Watched Peterson break one of those runs FWP used to do. Sadness.
no points on the BYE WEEK!!!
"The grass may be greener on the other side, but it still has to be mowed"
-PsycoSalameh43
colonostomy
I am so tired of our o-line diminishing how good our offense can be;we are doing this with smoke and mirrors and I’m not sure we can fool our way into a superbowl on defense alone.We must substantially improve our o-line in the offseason.Hers hoping we can do this on our skill peoples shoulders and defense!!Happy holidays to the black and gold faithful!!
We need to spend our 1st round pick on o-line
we need one of the best Tackles in the draft… and a Guard would be nice too
Watching the Pats...
There so much wind in the stadium, the staff is having to strap the goalposts into an upright position. LOL
yea
that guy shut off his access without passcode :/
by Michael Bean on Dec 28, 2008 2:02 PM EST up reply actions
Now
THAT, is the Willie Parker I know!!!
"The grass may be greener on the other side, but it still has to be mowed"
-PsycoSalameh43
lost my feed completely....
can’t get it back, asking for password. Any help out there in Steeler country??
Let's Go!
try this:
http://atdhe.net/live-tv.php?b=mms://a284.l5831810283.c58318.n.lm.akamaistream.net/D/284/58318/v0001/reflector:10283?auth=caEakaidsa5dWbGaHbldXbpb8aNbsaibcbb-bjv8ZQ-E-wnGFLwu
I use nfl.com Field Pass
$10/month for audio of all games. It’s the only affordable online solution.
feed
Here is a better site to stream the game. http://www.myp2pforum.eu/nfl-cfl-afl/33023-streaming-thread-2008-2009-nfl-season-week-17-a.html
For the feedless....
Troy just knocked out a pass that was run back for a TD – refs called it incomplete pass – but it looks like a fumble.
about Troy...
im lucky…im born on April 19th…same as Troy!
"The grass may be greener on the other side, but it still has to be mowed"
-PsycoSalameh43
lol...it should!
"The grass may be greener on the other side, but it still has to be mowed"
-PsycoSalameh43
by PsycoSalameh on Dec 28, 2008 2:11 PM EST up reply actions
im not sure how to link this site but this seems to be a good live feed
http://atdhe.net/live-tv.php?b=mms://a284.l5831810283.c58318.n.lm.akamaistream.net/D/284/58318/v0001/reflector:10283?auth=caEd6c6aLbFdJaOcOdraMbucib9aXbPagaa-bjv8YM-E-EpGCKxo
Dunno about the whole O line, but...
… the passing game is working pretty well. Minus the INT, BB is doing well.
But still got that sick feeling when he heaved it up there at the end...
glad no Borownies were there to get at it.
i guess
it could have just as easy been a bad play by Ben, and i would have been screaming take the sack
nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!
"The grass may be greener on the other side, but it still has to be mowed"
-PsycoSalameh43
this is NOT the time to be happy!!! :(
"The grass may be greener on the other side, but it still has to be mowed"
-PsycoSalameh43
"Unlucky"....?
It is that fat smirking doughhead who puts Roethlisberger in harm’s way in a meaningless game.
by robert ethan on Dec 28, 2008 2:22 PM EST up reply actions
afraid of that
i dont wanna hear idiots say this is tomlins fault…. had to play the starters for a good while in this game because of how poorly they played last week, cannot go into playoffs w a bye playing that bad
he had to play
…it’s football….cant worry about getting hurt. playing half a game or so would have been totally fine…
you think BB wants TWO weeks off??
Forget all your dumb comments... just say a prayer and let's move on
by TrueSteelerForLife on Dec 28, 2008 2:27 PM EST reply actions
what does that mean ??
No broken neck? Or ill be back in 2 weeks?
No details yet...
He just looked dazed at first amd was moving his arms and legs – a little, but then the trainers came in and kept his head/neck still. they took off his faceplate, put him on a board, then off the field on a cart – with his head taped down. Ben just gave the thumbs up as he left the field.
Hop efor the best.
I think the O line is getting too much blame
BB just holds it forever. Not gonna blame him for that…that’s who he is. Look at BL right now…1 sec 2 sec and the ball is gone.
agree
sure he has the long wind up, but still makes a quicker decision and gets rid of ball quicker
Time Out
“OMG, we might score. How does that work, again? What do we do? Quick, tell Colonboy to hold someone and buy us more time to figure this out!”
I hope we arent going to have to endure
Anymore bench Ben posts after this game, but I’m sure we will.
byron
The two times he has played this year is going to earn him some cash next year. And it won’t be with the Steelers
Contract length?
I think he signed a 2 year contract, but either way, you are absolutely right.
The Bears should be sending Leftwich daily fruitbaskets… or something. The Bears could really compete if they had a competent quarterback.
Cassel is a mirage
Cassel is no better than Dan Orlavsky, he’s just in a much better system.
Cassel is a career backup. Leftwich is a starter without a team.
fine
let’s just see what he can do. I want some insurance
by SoCalSteelerFan on Dec 28, 2008 2:40 PM EST reply actions
heard of it
really want to see it though. We all know he has the speed
by SoCalSteelerFan on Dec 28, 2008 2:42 PM EST reply actions
Hopefully by then
he can get in for some mop up time.
once again
Since Dixon is listed at the thrd quarterback you can’t bring him in and out until the fourth quarter
I'd like to see Big Snack get the ball on the goaline
Dunno if he can hold the ball…but would love to see what would happen. I love the old Fridge play!!
i want to see mike tomlin
with a sneak up the inside. Headset and all. LOL
by SoCalSteelerFan on Dec 28, 2008 2:44 PM EST reply actions
Big Ben's Injury
Is my fault… for the first time this season, I wore my #21 (Zeroue) home jersey instead of my #7 jersey. Bad timing, I guess.
Let's Go!
it's actually my fault.......
…you see, all season when I play madden 09 before the game, when I win, the steelers lose, and if I lose, the steelers win. So today i chose NOT to play at all…just to see what would happen…and now…..Ben is hurt and it’s all my fault!!!!
:(
Things I don't like so far
Jamal Lewis 12 carries for 54 yards
Willie Parker without his long TD run he is averaging 2.2 yards (22 on 10 carries)
Gary Russel only 2 carries (15 yards) FEED HIM!!!
Pick in the red zone, and of course Ben’s injury
by TrueSteelerForLife on Dec 28, 2008 2:47 PM EST reply actions
Jk
I have thought all season that lefty can get it done. Given the chance. But I tell you, our recievers need to get accustomed to his rocket arm. Hines wasn’t even expecting that low flying jet in the endzone
by SoCalSteelerFan on Dec 28, 2008 2:48 PM EST reply actions
Better that then
an injured neck or something along those lines
by SoCalSteelerFan on Dec 28, 2008 2:51 PM EST reply actions
Definately better
but not so good. How many is this, including accident?
Depends how severe
look at trent green. This isnt exactly BBs first.
commentators
talked about limiting him in playoff preperation. Could that now be an issue?
by SoCalSteelerFan on Dec 28, 2008 2:54 PM EST up reply actions
Yes thats an issue!
Remember how he looked earlier with limited practice!
Each one is worse than the last
So… good question.
I’d bet that he plays. Not sure that I want him to.
wow
You should be a doctor. You’re like that Republican dude that could tell that vegetable in Florida was practically healthy by seeing her on tv.
ugh
so much for our rushing defense title. That went out the window when lewis stepped on the field
by SoCalSteelerFan on Dec 28, 2008 2:58 PM EST reply actions
it's fine
let willie find his stride.
by SoCalSteelerFan on Dec 28, 2008 3:01 PM EST up reply actions
39 starting to get a lil' traction
Guess they’re still trying to get the o sorted out – especially now that Byron might be running things.
I like that FWP
is moving the chains consistently. He’s picking up those yards
by SoCalSteelerFan on Dec 28, 2008 3:02 PM EST reply actions
Anyone else
like Byron’s arm. Man that thing is wicked fast
by SoCalSteelerFan on Dec 28, 2008 3:03 PM EST reply actions
sweed
screwed us with that block in the back. Byron seems to have nice pocket presence
by SoCalSteelerFan on Dec 28, 2008 3:05 PM EST reply actions
Man that Limas really had a rough rookie year.....and i had such high expectations
by TrueSteelerForLife on Dec 28, 2008 3:08 PM EST reply actions
Carter?
Did he catch it with his mouth? I’ve only seen him use his mouth for whatever he does on the field.
Just caught s glimpse of Harrison in sweats on the sideline....
Dude doesn’t look comfortable standing on the sides. Looks hungry.
He was innactive for the game...i though we would use this game to pat his stats
by TrueSteelerForLife on Dec 28, 2008 3:26 PM EST reply actions
Take away the 34 yard run and it's straight up shitty
by TrueSteelerForLife on Dec 28, 2008 3:28 PM EST reply actions