AFC Championship Game Is Hereby Known As The Blown Opportunities Bowl
by Neal Coolong on Jan 22, 2012 6:45 PM EST
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Maybe I'm just on a roll, but the bizarre and sometimes ironic storylines coming from the Patriots victory in the Blown Opportunities Bowl (a.k.a. the AFC Championship game) is enough to make one want to choke.
Pun intended.
- It's not all that common that before a game ends, people can say "whichever team loses, they should have won this game."
- Baltimore, the team that doused its coach with Gatorade - the act of a champion - after regular season wins loses a playoff game because its receiver started to celebrate before completing the catch.
- The Year of the Quarterback just saw one half of its conference championship game quarterbacks throw two terrible interceptions in the fourth quarter. Tom Brady admitted he "sucked" today during the trophy presentation. He isn't exaggerating.
- The Patriots defense was maligned during the regular season, but managed to force the Ravens into an interception, a turnover on downs and a missed field goal on their final three possessions.
- In fact, the best defense was the Ravens offense - penalties and dropped passes stood in their way all game.
- Ravens fans are blaming the play calling in the fourth quarter for a loss that saw its team fail to score on its final three possessions, and after that, blame is placed on the kicker despite the dropped touchdown in the end zone and the third down draw play called in the series they turned the ball over on downs.
Great football games do not end with such misery. There are no excuses for either team, one moves on to the Super Bowl after perhaps the least inspiring conference championship victory the AFC has seen in several years.
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One Whinebaugh down...
…one to go. Then I might be able to watch the Super Bowl…if the Giants win.
United we Stand, melded like Steel
To Roger Goodell, We'll never Yield.
Love the name
Whinebaugh. Can I steal that? They really do whine… a lot…. don;t they? LOL!
One of the great disappointments of a football game is that the cheerleaders never seem to get injured.
Both Harbs are out now. Good.
maybe they can whine on each other’s shoulders.
Bound to cover just a little more ground.
Due to recent events, we are proud to announce Ball So Hard University's new name change:
Fail So Hard University.
We hope to continue our proud tradition of failing in the biggest games possible.
by svenhoek on Jan 22, 2012 6:55 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
Discount double-check-down
I'd sooner get Flacco'd out here in the middle of nowhere than lose face in front of my friends and family.
by steeltech on Jan 22, 2012 7:02 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
rrrrray rrrrrice sayin rrruh rrohhh
This is Pittsburgh Steeler Troy Polamalu getting knocked around by the Pacific Ocean in Hawaii yesterday...
Minutes later, Troy caught the ocean going over the middle and smacked it right in the mouth. The ocean fumbled, Troy recovered and ran it into the endzone. The ocean never messed with Troy again.
that's not a good look!!!
hahaha
"It was an attrition football game and you know we like that."
Franco Harris:
"If I had to choose today between the moral integrity and character of Joe Paterno and the politicians and commentators criticizing him, I would pick Joe Paterno, hands down, no contest every time."
I like Ray Rice
He plays the game hard and fast. He deserves a better team. But the face he made at the end of that game was priceless.
I can't imagine how terrible I would feel if that had been the Steelers instead of the Ravens
I really hope NE loses in the SB.
Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever
-Napoleon Bonaparte
There’s a lot of stuff we wouldn’t have to clean up if the city provided basic human rights, like a Port-A-Potty.
-OWS Protester
Cornell University Class of 2014
by LV Steelers Fan on Jan 22, 2012 7:02 PM EST reply actions
True, but...
Steelers receivers catch AND secure the ball. The team also doesn’t dump Gatorade on its coach after a regular season win.
If you don’t think their meltdown was caused by anything other than a lack of team discipline, you’re crazy.
Plain and simple, that sh1t costs you games at some point. That’s why Tomlin wins those games and Harbaugh loses them. Discipline.
by Neal Coolong on Jan 22, 2012 7:06 PM EST up reply actions
Don’t think that has escaped my attention…=)
It’s about details. It’s about not letting your team celebrate every damn thing, and certainly not celebrating it with them. You beat your brother, who gives a toss? You win a big game and act like you just won the Super Bowl, your team thinks it’s far better than it is. You want them thinking everyone’s against you, instead, they think their head coach is their best friend, and now, every single one of them need to be questioning why, two years in a row, free agent receivers he lobbied for dropped passes late in playoff games they should have won.
Lack of detail. Not hammering on their asses to secure the ball, and warn them of what could happen if they don’t do it. People make mistakes, but those kinds of mistakes are easily avoided by scaring the shit out of them.
“Imagine, Evans, you don’t secure the ball in the end zone and it costs us a trip to the Super Bowl! Secure the ball or get off this team!”
Every receiver in the league will have a nightmare about that tonight. They’ll secure the ball or at least keep moving so he can prove possession.
Just a complete failure. Boldin last year dropped one in the end zone too. It’s pathetic.
by Neal Coolong on Jan 22, 2012 7:32 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
I really thought this was their year too
But you were dead on in your analysis. Those blown opportunities against Jacksonville, Seattle, and San Diego perfectly sum up their season. They were so close to being a dominant team, but in the end it was the little things that did them in.
Ironic that the one guy who they were concerned about the most (Flacco) ended up coming up big for them, and the guy that has been one of the most consistent players for them (Cundiff) ended up losing the game.
Pittsburgh Steelers fan - nuff said.
Miami Hurricanes fan - nuff said.
Georgetown Hoyas fan - nuff said.
Cleveland Cavaliers fan - um yeah, about that...
by StoneColdSteel on Jan 22, 2012 10:13 PM EST up reply actions
I thought it was the Raven's year
as soon as Woodley said that stupid s$*t in the preseason about Flacco never winning a Superbowl.
Sure glad it wasn’t. Damn Ratbirds.
Bound to cover just a little more ground.
Cundiff
If I was the Ravens HC I would have called a time out to give my kicker, holder and longsnapper a chance to settle down. I don’t believe “icing” a placekicker works unless they already had some confidence issues.
anyone trying to contact me via my yahoo account should be aware it has been hacked
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Jan 23, 2012 10:14 AM EST up reply actions
Yeaaaa, the Ravens lost!
Boooo, the Pats won!
This is a tough year
by Ivan Cole (RickVa) on Jan 22, 2012 7:04 PM EST reply actions
Exactly
I am rooting so hard for the NFC it is insane.
by Michael Uhlhorn on Jan 22, 2012 7:05 PM EST up reply actions
That's how I feel too.
I decided that I was going to be positive and happy after this game by celebrating the loser. It was good to see the Ravens lose, expecially the way they did it. Now they will have to put all their effort in sweeping the division again, which of course they won’t be able to do. Go Giants!
by Norcal_Roxy on Jan 23, 2012 11:58 AM EST up reply actions
I am in disbelief
I can’t believe how the Ravens lost this game. You force Brady to have a terrible game, and yet you still somehow find a way to lose? I don’t know what to say, but the Ravens are a better team overall.
I don’t anticipate Ed Reed and Ray Lewis retiring, but the Ravens (according to Baltimore Beatdown/Free Agents) could be without Reed, Lewis, Cam Cameron, Matt Birk, Lee Evans, Boldin (my speculation?), Lardarius Webb, Cory Redding, and Ben Grubbs.
Baltimore, like the Steelers, are facing a tough off season after a disappointing finish, but the Ravens potential loses are far greater than ours, IMO.
Good luck Baltimore, but I sure hope that you guys never get back to this game.
by Michael Uhlhorn on Jan 22, 2012 7:05 PM EST reply actions
I don’t know where Reed and Lewis are going, especially after a loss like that. Birk is retiring, he already announced it, Cameron’s contract is up, and word is he won’t be offered a new one, I’m gonna go out on a limb and suggest Evans won’t be invited back, never heard anything about Boldin and don’t know why he wouldn’t be there, Webb sure as hell isn’t going anywhere, no clue about Redding or Grubbs.
by Neal Coolong on Jan 22, 2012 7:09 PM EST up reply actions
Boldin was me
He just isn’t producing like a #1 receiver. He will probably be back, but I wouldn’t be shocked if he was traded for a pick.
by Michael Uhlhorn on Jan 22, 2012 7:19 PM EST up reply actions
they also have to sign ray rice and flacco so they are in trouble
by steeler_in_maryland on Jan 22, 2012 7:15 PM EST up reply actions
you have a mean streak in you
I must as well because I am hoping they resign Flacco as well.
anyone trying to contact me via my yahoo account should be aware it has been hacked
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Jan 22, 2012 10:07 PM EST up reply actions
this
People don't ever seem to realize that doing what's right is no guarantee against misfortune.
- William McFee
by stillergorillar on Jan 23, 2012 8:00 AM EST up reply actions
Actually
Joe was showing improvement at times this year. He seems to do much better when working the short passes with only the occasional long bomb. Still I rather the Ravens keep an okay QB than tank for a year or two only to come back with an all-star.
anyone trying to contact me via my yahoo account should be aware it has been hacked
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Jan 23, 2012 10:12 AM EST up reply actions
Go Giants!!!
I can’t accept a NE Lombardi and don’t want SF getting their 6th SB win. Go Giants!!!!
"My mentality is singular in that I want to be world champs each and every year, so that's what we work toward. I have a tough time acknowledging levels of success short of that. That's just how I'm wired." - Mike Tomlin
Agreed
Go GIANTS!!!! And the Giants are my 2nd favorite team in the league.
One of the great disappointments of a football game is that the cheerleaders never seem to get injured.
Anyone but NE...
"My mentality is singular in that I want to be world champs each and every year, so that's what we work toward. I have a tough time acknowledging levels of success short of that. That's just how I'm wired." - Mike Tomlin
by MDSTEELERSFAN on Jan 22, 2012 9:26 PM EST up reply actions
So many blown chances:
1st: Joe Flacco’s interception was a killer, just as the team was starting to fire on all cylinders
2nd: Cam Camerons horrible choice of play call on 3rd down, and then again on 4th down
3rd: Lee Evans dropping the winning touchdown. Big time players make those plays
4th: That field goal kick
The Patriots gave the Ravens so many chances to steal the game, and the Ravens just couldnt do it
Formerly known as Steeler_
BTSC's token Kiwi fan. That means I'm a New Zealander. Yes, that small country next to Australia....no we are not part of Australia
Was the Lee Evans catch a TD? It looked awfully close to me. I’d love to hear an explanation from a referee.
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
Follow me on Twitter
by John Stephens on Jan 22, 2012 7:13 PM EST up reply actions
Nah, ball was coming out as the second foot was landing, way to close to call a TD.
"My mentality is singular in that I want to be world champs each and every year, so that's what we work toward. I have a tough time acknowledging levels of success short of that. That's just how I'm wired." - Mike Tomlin
by MDSTEELERSFAN on Jan 22, 2012 7:14 PM EST up reply actions
dis one?
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
Follow me on Twitter
by John Stephens on Jan 22, 2012 7:16 PM EST up reply actions
It got slapped out almost straight away. I dont think it was a catch. I dont think he ever established control.
Formerly known as Steeler_
BTSC's token Kiwi fan. That means I'm a New Zealander. Yes, that small country next to Australia....no we are not part of Australia
by Michael Hewitt on Jan 22, 2012 7:15 PM EST up reply actions
Wood was DEAD ON 6 months ago
Stay thirsty my friends.
by SteelerMessican on Jan 22, 2012 7:14 PM EST reply actions
He's was almost dead wrong though
Pittsburgh Steelers fan - nuff said.
Miami Hurricanes fan - nuff said.
Georgetown Hoyas fan - nuff said.
Cleveland Cavaliers fan - um yeah, about that...
by StoneColdSteel on Jan 22, 2012 10:05 PM EST up reply actions
Okay, everyone is confused
I will make a game thread
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
Follow me on Twitter
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller
Follow me on Twitter
There are no excuses for either team, one moves on to the Super Bowl after perhaps the least inspiring conference championship victory the AFC has seen in several years.
While I don’t agree because I thought it was more great defensive play than poor offensive play, I do agree that missing a horrible field was sad. The ball was knocked out of his hands by the defender though…he didn’t just drop it. Bottom line is this is why it’s so sad the steelers lost to the bronco’s. AFC was wide open and they missed a big chance.
He didn't protect it, that's why it was knocked out of his hand
It’s great that the defender tried to stick with the ball, but that’s 100 percent on Evans.
I think poor execution among the offenses was more of the story. I’m sticking with that.
by Neal Coolong on Jan 22, 2012 7:39 PM EST up reply actions
hahahahahahaha
Hahahahahahahahahaha malor hahahahahahahahahahaha
"Never said I'm first to put the 'Burgh up on the map, I'm more like Mike Tomlin here to bring da 'Burgh back... Khalifa man."
by RoethlisCrosby on Jan 22, 2012 8:04 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions
I'll be nice and post this here instead of there
man this is great
"It was an attrition football game and you know we like that."
Franco Harris:
"If I had to choose today between the moral integrity and character of Joe Paterno and the politicians and commentators criticizing him, I would pick Joe Paterno, hands down, no contest every time."
Love the first three
but I could have done without Tom Brady smiling and Steven Tyler’s scariness.
Look at them. They love it. Tyler and the pretty boy are just pointing and laughing at the unibrow and the rest of that purple circus
hahahahhahahahhahaha
"It was an attrition football game and you know we like that."
Franco Harris:
"If I had to choose today between the moral integrity and character of Joe Paterno and the politicians and commentators criticizing him, I would pick Joe Paterno, hands down, no contest every time."
poor little flac manchu
"Hines always tells us he's trying to knock somebody's soul out of their body." - Ike Taylor
Steven Tyler is dead to me!
I’m going to illegally download every Aerosmith song just to spite him. >:-D
Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever
-Napoleon Bonaparte
There’s a lot of stuff we wouldn’t have to clean up if the city provided basic human rights, like a Port-A-Potty.
-OWS Protester
Cornell University Class of 2014
by LV Steelers Fan on Jan 23, 2012 2:24 AM EST up reply actions
I don't have any Aerosmith
Not on my Ipod nor in my cd collection. I don’t know why but the band never appealed to me.
anyone trying to contact me via my yahoo account should be aware it has been hacked
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Jan 23, 2012 10:15 AM EST up reply actions
Flacco looks like such a schmo with that stache.
Loved how he took the time to pat himself on the back for his performance after the game.
"I think the beard will decide when the time is right to come back. It will know when the time is right and all of a sudden appear." -The Deisel
by count'em_six on Jan 23, 2012 9:28 AM EST up reply actions
Karmaa
Harbaugh is a complete doosh of a coach. The fact he gladly accepted Gatorade baths on regular season games doomed them. Also another heart tearing finish of a season for the ravens, makes me really happy. They have had lots of those in the last 6 yrs or so.
Hate the Ravens
but hate the Pats more. Ravens have rarely broken my heart. Pats have stabbed me there several times. only upside is that i might get to see Brady lose the SB again.
by Citizen of Steeler Nation on Jan 22, 2012 9:27 PM EST reply actions
Consultant
Are they going to hire a consultant in the off season to figure out how to kick a field goal? Or will they hire one who shows their receivers how to not get beaten by the ball and hold onto it?
In the end, they still didn’t beat the Steelers in the playoffs to get to the big dance, so I like our chances next year. I don’t think we will give them a free game again either ala week one this year.
hhhheaaattttthhhhh!
"You have to under promise and over deliver." Mike Tomlin
Are they going to hire a consultant in the off season to figure out how to kick a field goal?
I’ve been writing pretty much straight for the last eight hours. My hands and shoulders hurt, and it feels like it’s only about 6 p.m. My basically fried.
That is without question the funniest thing I’ve read today. Thank you for giving me a good one to end on.
by Neal Coolong on Jan 22, 2012 11:06 PM EST up reply actions
I've been snickering over that quote as well
Nicely done, indeed.
Bound to cover just a little more ground.
Hate Both Teams
Hate the Pats more, so go Giants. Why the hell was Flacco sporting the porn star looking mustache? Looked like a complete douche!! That being said, I just love the camera shots of old Ray Ray on the sideline losing again. That never gets old, just wish it us sending him home again without a shot at another ring.
by Ohio Steeler on Jan 22, 2012 11:57 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I'm not a Ravens sympathizer in the least...
But that game still broke my heart. Go Giants!
by ZacP on Jan 23, 2012 12:11 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I agree
As much as I hate that the Steelers have to play the Ravens at least twice every year, I would have liked to see them go to the SuperBowl given that they swept us fair and square this year and we crashed to the Broncos. And to go out on a bad field goal like that, heart-breaking. Especially when Flacco was the best QB on the field(!)
Me as well
I thought it was in the Steeler’s best interest for Baltimore to win so I was rooting for them to go all the way this year. I liked the thought of them picking last every round of the draft and I really think it’s hard to maintain the same desire the next season once you finally win the bowl. I have to note also that besides the endzone drop and missed field goal…..Flacco missed a wide, wide open Vonta Leach at the 6 or 7 yardline who could have easily scored. The Ravens did score a field goal but the rest of the game I kept thinking those missed 4 points were going to come back and kill them. Go Giants.
I like the Steelers playing the Ravens
They are a good team and it makes for great games.
anyone trying to contact me via my yahoo account should be aware it has been hacked
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Jan 23, 2012 10:17 AM EST up reply actions
I heard
That after the game, Billy Cundiff tried to shoot himself, but missed wide left.
by LaytheWoodson26 on Jan 23, 2012 10:52 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Schadenfreude
If you looked up the word “schadenfreude” in the dictionary, there would be a picture of me. It was so exhilerating to see that missed FG, and I only wish I was sitting back in Baltimore to witness the despair and anguish.
Sitting in the Fells Point sports bar, surrounded by Ratbird fans, it was always a creepy feeling, so I’m positively thrilled that you’re feeling my pain!
yeah it's probably a rough loss
Especially if you start thinking about all the what ifs and the comical way they botched the field goal try at the end.
"It was an attrition football game and you know we like that."
Franco Harris:
"If I had to choose today between the moral integrity and character of Joe Paterno and the politicians and commentators criticizing him, I would pick Joe Paterno, hands down, no contest every time."
BAWL SO HARD UNIVERSITY
I'd sooner get Flacco'd out here in the middle of nowhere than lose face in front of my friends and family.
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