NFL Morning After Pill (Friday Edition)
What a way to start the season — overtime in Pittsburgh!
Here are some quick thoughts on last night’s 13-10 victory for the Steelers.
- Troy Polamalu was all over the field last night until he hurt his MCL. Whether it was flying — that’s right flying — in to tackle the equally fast Chris Johnson or intercepting balls with just one hand or inspiring Chris Collingsworth to attempt felacio from the broadcast booth as though he were Brett Favre himself or by simply picking up three penalties in one quarter, Polamalu was in the middle of every play. The Steelers will miss him the next three to six weeks.
- Tennesseee looks just as good as last year, but the Titans continued right where they left off in the Divisional Round by killing themselves with mistakes. Kerry Collins to Kenny Britt was a fine combination, but Rob Bironas missed two field goals — either of which would’ve swung the outcome likely in the Titans favor.
- If you consistently pressure Ben Roethlisburger, he will make mistakes.
- This Steelers offense is a pass-first offense. Even without Albert Haynesworth, Tennessee limited Willie Parker to like 20 yards on the ground all night.
- Why didn’t I start Santonio Holmes on my fantasy team?!?! He went for over 100 yards receiving and scored a touchdown, but I’d rather start the running back from last year’s 0-16 team, Kevin Smith, at my flex position. The lesson here: I am the most disappointing fantasy football player in history.
- Why did the Titans stop blitzing when it mattered? Jeff Fisher has a great defensive mind, but he made a huge mistake by rushing just four lineman at the end of the fourth quarter and overtime — giving Big Ben all the time in the world to pump-fake (like no one else in the history of the NFL, according to Collingsworth) and find Santonio Holmes and Hines Ward (both finished with over 100 yards receiving).
- I watched the second half of the game at my neighbor’s house, and he remarked about how tired the players looked after the fourth quarter ended. I can understand the Steelers looking dejected after Ward’s fumble at the end of regulation, but why would Tennessee look lethargic? My guess, NFL players aren’t ready to play a full game in Week One because they only play at most a half in the preseason. It’s just something to think about when the rest of the teams hit the field.
- Roethlisburger is now the quarterback you least want leading the opposing team down the field, down by a score, late in a game. The Titan defense couldn’t stop him in the last two minutes of the first half, and ditto for the latter stages of the fourth quarter and overtime. Right now, I want Big Ben leading my team down the field to win it. My apologies to Tom Brady.
Philly Phan update:
Just watched Sportscenter’s preview for Sunday’s Eagles-Panthers game and here’s what the “experts” think:
- Surprise surprise, Merril Hoge thinks that Carolina’s DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart will run all over us. While I agree that it’s a concern, Hoge showcased his legendary lazy analysis (I know, BIG SHOCK!) by neglecting to mention Stewart Bradley’s injury as the main concern — I don’t think the late Jim Johnson and Brian Dawkins were as important to stopping the run last season…
- On the other hand, Matthew Berry counters that the Panthers’ Stewart will be a bad fantasy play because (a) he didn’t play in the preseason and just started practicing a few days ago and (b) the Eagles defense gave up the second fewest rushing touchdowns last year.
- Darren Woodson predicts that the Eagles should win the game, 24-13. I hope he’s right!
We’ll see on Sunday because football’s back and the livin’s easy…
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