…starring Willis McGahee and Hiram Eugene.

Willis’ stiff arm is a well-known part of his game, but the one he threw during his 77-yard TD run against the Raiders was a thing of beauty. I actually feel bad for Hiram Eugene, as his team is going to be making some serious jokes about that play when they study the game film.

Go Ravens!

Prior to yesterday’s game at Heinz Field, Steelers fans had all the optimism in the world of their 6-5 season turning around. 3 hours later? Speechless…I mean, even I’m starting to lose some faith in the mystique of the Steelers. This is a team that always seems to get the bounces and find a way to win, especially when you’re talking about a close game.

With free tickets and a free limo ride to the game provided by the Double Wide Grill, we braved the freezing temperatures to check out a game that we all presumed would end in a blowout. Yet again, the unfortunate optimism that convinces me every week that the Steelers have each game won before kickoff let me down.

After three quarters of play, the Steelers were holding a 10-6 lead, which in itself was surprising. 10 points? Seriously? The longer the Raiders kept the game close, the more I started feeling another Chiefs-like upset looming.

Of course, like the Chiefs game, the Steelers had to seemingly take control before they were allowed to blow the game…

After the Raiders took a 13-10 lead, the Steelers drove right down the field to regain the lead at 17-13…followed by the Raiders driving down the field to regain the lead…followed by the Steelers driving down the field and regaining the lead…

With our heads spinning, the Raiders got the ball with about 90 yards to go and 1:48 on the clock. This is where the Steelers of old would’ve just put the game away with a sack/strip or something, but this defense isn’t last year’s defense. Oh, and don’t let the roster fool you. Even with the Steelers injuries, no one in their right mind would’ve thought the Raiders were going to successfully run the two-minute drill needing a TD. The Raiders were missing two starting O-linemen, and well, I barely know anyone worthy of discussing on their offense, so pardon me if I chuckle at the “if we had Troy” argument. I would expect any decent BCS team to stop this Raiders team in a two-minute drill with a career backup QB at the helm. Or maybe I’m just buying into the aura of Dick Lebeau’s Steeler defense again. The lines are getting fuzzy…

Regardless, the Raiders did the exact thing that all the people who left with 4-point Steelers lead and two minutes to go didn’t expect – they won…with 9 seconds left, and Bruce Gradkowski looked like a HOF’er. Wanna see it go down? Watch the highlights (set to The Ramones’ I Believe in Miracles…listen closely…that’s a highlight itself!):

That leaves us with an interesting stat. When Megan and I attend Ravens games, the Ravens are 2-0. When we attend Steelers games together, the Steelers are 0-4, including losses against the Chiefs and the Raiders. With the possibility of us getting tickets to the game on the 27th between the Ravens and Steelers, that stat seems promising…but don’t expect to see me show up at Heinz Field full of superstitious, nonsensical, optimism. I still can’t shake my fears of the Steelers or ignore the ineptitude of the Ravens this season. Hopefully that game means something for the Ravens, and IF it does…well, I hope they find a way to win.

In catching up on my blog, I completely overlooked one of the more interesting sporting events that I’ve been to this year – a little thing I’d like to call the Underpuppies vs. The Champs. The Chiefs were way worse than underdogs coming into the game, as Dwayne Bowe got suspended the week before the game, Larry Johnson got cut for being an idiot on Twitter, and Matt Cassell has shown how difficult playing quarterback in the NFL is when you don’t have Wes Welker, Randy Moss, and the Patriots O-line to work with. Needless to say, expectations for an exciting game were low, but since the trip was planned before the season even started, we had to hope for the best.

So we headed out to Kansas City for the Steelers/Chiefs game, authentic Mexican food, KC Barbeque, and inadvertently, the Hernandez retirement party. There wasn’t one aspect of the trip that let me down. In addition to meeting some great people, the food was authentically amazing and will force me to log many, many miles on a variety of stationary exercise machines in the coming weeks. If you refer to my past history of overindulgence when coming face-to-face with amazing food in seemingly endless supply, you can only imagine the gluttony.

Regardless, I didn’t eat myself into such a food coma that would pass out and missed the main event. I love going to stadiums that I’ve never been to, and the opportunity to hit up the legendary Arrowhead was something I couldn’t pass up…even if it meant missing the chance to stress out while watching Flacco throw the game away late against the Colts (sigh)…and even if it meant being in a crowd teeming with Steelers fans waving their Terrible Towels in a half-empty stadium – leaving the venue, once legendary for it’s diehard fans and noise levels, fairly quiet. In fact, I’ve never been in a stadium that empty for a NFL game, but I guess I’ve never been to game where the home team was struggling like the lackluster Chiefs. Even when the Ravens went 5-11 two years ago, the stadium at least filled up more than this. It looked like the fourth quarter of a 42-0 Steelers blowout…the whole time.

Fortunately, the Chiefs decided they wanted to extend their winning streak to 2 games, which offered the dedicated fans who showed up a special game to attend. While I’m not a real Chiefs fan, per se, the minute we heard that we were planning a trip to KC, I ordered a Priest Holmes jersey. Why Priest? Easy. He was a beast, he was a Raven, and since I was going to be missing the Ravens game I figured I’d support them in some way…all while cheering with Chris and his family. It was hilarious, but by the end of the game, I actually felt like a legit Chiefs fan, and I left there feeling like they’ll be one of those teams I’ll cheer for in the future (when they’re not playing the Ravens, that is).

It was so surreal watching the lowly Chiefs pull off the upset, but I guess we should’ve seen it coming the minute Jamaal Charles ran the opening kickoff back for a 7-0 Chiefs lead. The Chiefs fans were so happy that you would’ve thought they won the Super Bowl, so I guess, for at least a few hours, the fans in Kansas City felt like champions in the midst of another down year. I hope to get back there someday…when Arrowhead is screaming like it used to.

No Ben Roethlisberger? No Troy Polamalu? Heck…no Charlie Batch? No problem, right?

Um…not exactly.

Our love for driving long distances in the middle of the night before a workday is so strong that we opted to go to the Ravens/Steelers game on Sunday night in Baltimore. When the news that Roethlisberger was going to be riding the pines came to our attention Saturday, Steelers fans seemed to have a serious reason to worry. With Charlie Batch out with a broken wrist, and third-string former Oregon standout, Dennis Dixon, as their only option, many thought this game was going to be an easy out for the Ravens.

Of course…this is still the Ravens and Steelers, and even without Troy for half of their games, the Steelers came into the game as the league’s top-ranked defense. Sorry, but even without their starting QB, the Steelers are a formidable opponent. Just ask the Vikings who surrendered two 90-plus yard TD returns to the Steelers defense. You can stuff the Steelers offense as much as you want, but the defense is just plain unstoppable and can change a game at any moment. After this game, I’m standing by the fact that Ben might be a very good QB, but nearly ANY QB in the league can “win” games when they have a defense like that to back him up.

The reality last night was that the Steelers would’ve probably lost by a much larger margin had their defense not stepped up and forced two key turnovers. The first major turnover happened on the opening drive of the second half, with the Ravens driving. After catching a long pass, Mark Clayton was stripped of the ball for a momentum-killing turnover. The Steelers’ pass rush got to Flacco, twice forcing a fumbles – once when the Ravens were driving in the fourth quarter on the Steelers side of the field, and the other right at the end of the game. Although the one at the end of the game was recovered by Ben Grubbs, the Ravens couldn’t stop the clock to try to edge their potential game-winning field goal try closer.

While the Steelers running game did well, their passing attack wasn’t very effective outside of the play-action-based TD drive. The Ravens did a decent job of keeping the ball out of Hines Ward and Heath Miller’s hands, but their lack of pass rush allowed Dixon to keep his composure for most of the game. Regardless, the Steelers offense was as stale and safely played as you would expect for the most part. It was nice to see them draw up a play for their mobile QB on Dixon’s touchdown run.

The Ravens, on the other hand, actually moved the ball really well. Their running game was working against the Steelers, and with Flacco spreading the ball around a little more, the passing game was successful. The real problems began in the second half when the Ravens started dropping back and not focusing on the run as much. When you’re averaging 4.5 yards a carry, keep running. It’s not often that you can move the ball like that on their defense. Enjoy the moment. McClain, Rice, and McGahee were all getting some touches with positive effect. The Steelers have a great pass rush, and I don’t think the Ravens did a good enough job designing plays to get the ball out fast enough in the second half. The Steelers clearly made an adjustment at halftime, and the Ravens didn’t.

All-in-all, the game was excellent…especially since the Ravens won, but I’m weary of being too optimistic. I’m convinced that the Ravens have the raw talent to go far, but they lack the discipline and experience right now. Flacco is going to have to continue using ALL of his receivers if they’re going to keep winning down the stretch. The Ray Rice & Derrick Mason show might have a good ring to it if it’s the next Ravens radio show, but it’s going to kill them down the stretch (like it did against the Colts). Both are extremely talented, and Rice blows my mind every game, but the rest of the offense has to step up.

Special teams were moving the ball, but the penalties are woeful and becoming so consistent that any positive yardage results in me scanning the green fields for yellow cloth. This game, against one of the worst special teams coverage unit in the league, killed potentially great field position with stupid blocks in the back penalties. Billy Cundiff, though, might just be the man (shown above hitting the game winner in OT). After two games, I already have more faith in his leg than I had in Hauschka. With Hauschka you prayed…with Cundiff, you have faith.

The defense is actually playing pretty well for the most part, with Lardarius Webb looking like a future impact player, but Dominique Foxworth has to find a way to improve before Monday. Aaron Rodgers will go after him all game, just like every other QB this year. It’s time for this team to step up, or the end of the season could be a heartbreaker. I have a feeling the Ravens are going to have to win out to get a wild card spot. I guess the hope continues Monday night at Lambeau…

Go Ravens!!!

The best part about the Browns being awful? Cheap seats.

Meadows and I picked up tickets to the Monday Night Football “showdown” between the Ravens and Browns for $50/ticket…3 rows off of the field! While I had originally planned to watch the game at home, the cheap seats were too much to pass up. Unfortunately, the game was probably only worth about $50 total to watch, but it was still a good time.

At 4-4, the game was a must-win for the Ravens as they tried to make a push, ANY push, for a successful second half of the season. For the Browns…well, sometimes getting that second win of the year has to come at some point, right?

The Browns defense actually played really well. In fact, if the Browns had any semblance of a NFL-caliber quarterback, I think they could’ve pulled off the win. With the Ravens playing uninspired – as if they knew that an average game would be enough against the Brady Quinn-led Browns – the Browns defense was able to keep their team in the game until the second half. The scoreless first half, with the sole highlight being what I had to assume at the time was Steven Hauschka’s last field goal miss in a Ravens uniform, consisted of some of the stalest football I’ve seen. There was just nothing going on. Two teams playing it safe, as if they knew the only real separation would be in the turnover column. I saw more punts than canine-related costumes, and other than the two drunken morons that kept rousing Meadows, the crowd aspect of the game failed to inspire.

Fortunately, the NFL came up with the brilliant idea of a second half. With the way the Ravens have been sleepwalking through the first half for the last few weeks, I was optimistic things would pick up during the final 30 minutes. After the Ravens got a big play from Derrick Mason, Ray Rice took advantage of the Browns only having 10 men on the field and put the Ravens up 7-0.

The one thing that I had to assume coming into the game was that the Ravens would be taking out pigskin loans from the Quinn interception reserve. While Quinn was off in the first half, none of his passes made it into the right hands…until the ensuing drive after the Ravens first TD. Quinn’s pass met the hands of Robert Royal, who clearly didn’t want anything to do with it, and the ball deflected into the hands of a surging Dawan Landry for a nice pick-six. After that score, though, Hauschka decided to cement his lack of a future with the Ravens by missing the PAT. I immediately wanted to drive to Owings Mills to tryout.

Of course, Quinn decided that his highlight-reel night wasn’t complete when his pass slightly behind his receiver resulted in another deflected interception by Chris Carr on the following possession. In frustration, though, Quinn’s found his lone success…a low block on Carr’s short return that was quite effective in the spraining of Terrell Suggs’ knee. Great…just in time for the important games. I guess even Quinn wanted to finally see Paul Kruger in action after he hear that the rookie was suited up for the game.

We stuck around until the end of the game, but it was definitely one of those match-ups that we should’ve stayed home for. It was a game that I had to assume the Ravens would win, and despite the soft score line, the Ravens were never at-risk of losing. Regardless, we did have a good time, and the win will keep the hopes alive for the Ravens. They’re going to have to play better with the Colts coming to town this weekend, though, because the Colts DON’T have Brady Quinn behind center.

Go Ravens!!!

Just when I thought my weekend couldn’t get any better, the Ravens proved me wrong. After an amazing Pearl Jam show on Saturday, I shunned the idea of sleeping in and woke up early to make the relatively short drive from Philly to Baltimore for the Ravens game versus the Broncos.

After the tough loss in Minnesota two weeks prior, this game against the undefeated Broncos (6-0) was a game the Ravens needed desperately to stop their 3-game skid, and they took to the field with a serious desire to win. If anyone thought the Ravens were the underdogs, the Ravens weren’t buying what they were selling. On the first play of the game, Jarrett Johnson leveled Kyle Orton to set a tone, and there was no looking back.

With the rowdy crowd backing the team, the Ravens dominated the Broncos all over the field. While the Ravens couldn’t find the endzone in the first half, you could tell it was only a matter of time before the Ravens would take control of not only the play on the field, but the scoreboard as well. In fact, the only scoring drive the Broncos could muster was aided by stupid penalties committed by the Ravens…including a 45-yard pass interference call, a 5-yard offsides penalty after the Ravens stopped the Broncos on a 4th-and-1 AND another pass interference call that gave the Broncos a first-and-goal from the one. It was ridiculous, but exactly the type of stuff that kills the Ravens week-after-week. I guess we could also point to the stupid personal foul penalty on Michael Oher that erased a long Ray Rice run in the first half that would’ve give the Ravens a first down at the 8-yard line. The Ravens would truly be scary if they could be a little more disciplined.

Fortunately, Steve Hauschka rebounded from his missed game-winner in the Metrodome to hit all 3 of his field goal attempts, 2 of which helped buy the Ravens time and a 6-point lead going into the second half, where, much to my enjoyment, Ravens rookie Lardarius Webb returned the opening kickoff to the house to extend the lead to 13. Once the Ravens started clicking, it was all over. Flacco tied a club record with an 80% completion percentage, including 14 straight completed passes. They took control all over the field and it was a great game to watch…especially from our awesome seats in section 118! I just hope this confidence spills over into next week’s game.

Go Ravens!!!

Sunday gave me an opportunity to see the smooth-sailing Vikings for the second time in an eight day span. I was fortunate to have my friend Brad invite me to the game in his dad’s new lower level seats, Despite my anti-Steelers sentiment, going to any game is a good time, so I was really excited to catch up with an old friend and get to see a good game between two of the strongest teams in the NFL.

The seats were awesome. His dad’s old seats were in the upper level, so the new lower level corner seats were a fun upgrade. Oh, and it helped that the weather was perfect!

The game itself was pretty boring. The Vikings really seemed to control the game with their short passes and runs, but their inability to finish in the red zone killed them. They failed to get in on a goal lone stand, and despite both teams having at least one red zone turnover, the two that the Vikings gave away both ended up as ridiculously long, defensive touchdowns returned in slow motion. James Harrison called…he wants his royalties on that nonsense…

In reality, the Vikings probably outplayed the Steelers, but as we’ve seen too many times, the Steelers defense came up huge when it mattered. They’re effort made up for the offense’s lackluster effort. Everyone is infatuated with the early season success of the Steelers offense, but they’re really only dominating poor teams. Contain Ben, keep the blown plays outside of the pocket to a minimum, and their offense will stall.

Of course it won’t matter. I always claim the Steelers are dipped in shit and this game was just another example of everything going right for them. If Chester Taylor would’ve just closed his hands on the screen pass…

Ugh.

Until the bounces stop going their way, the Steelers are going to be tough to beat. That’s the frustrating reality for a non-Steelers fan.

This past weekend started with a nightmare and ended with disappointment, but all-in-all I had a blast with my dad in Minneapolis.

I took off Friday because I had a 6:35 flight in the morning. Unfortunately, I was unable to fall asleep, and then I slept right through my alarms. Yes, more than one alarm. After missing my flight, I was put on standby, went home, and caught up on sleep. Upon returning to the airport, I found out that my morning flight was actually cancelled due to a flight gear issue…which meant that EVERY person originally on my flight now was going to be fighting for spots on the rest of the flights to Minneapolis. After waiting on standby for two more flights, they finally sent me home with a guaranteed ticket for 6:35 am on Saturday. Even though I wasted a PTO day at work and spent nearly all day in Pittsburgh International Airport, I was content. I’m pretty sure I’ll hate Delta/Northwest for a long time, though.

I made my flight Saturday, and finally met up with my dad in Minneapolis. It was my first time in the city, and I have to say I had a great time! Granted, the weather was phenomenal for October in the Midwest, but I think I would’ve enjoyed the city regardless. The people were really nice, the city seemed pretty cool, and the food was good. I don’t really ask for much more than that. After eating a ton of food, getting drunk with my dad while watching in anger as the Yankees beat the Angels, and walking nearly every square foot of downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul, we were set for the real reason we made the trip…the Vikings and Ravens game!

Having never been to the Metrodome, I was really excited to experience a new team’s home field and crowd. The Metrodome was unimpressive, but it was cool to go to my first dome game. The vibe was a lot different from most of the games I’ve gone to, since the Vikings and Ravens hardly ever play. The lack of a rivalry was evident from the outset. The fans were very friendly and there was such a passive vibe during the game. There wasn’t any trash talking or anything…just pure enjoyment of the spectacle on display. Legends and top-tier players everywhere on the field – Brett Favre, Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Adrian Peterson, Jared Allen, Ray Rice, etc. Waching players like that is worth every penny.

The two most memorable parts of the Vikings stadium experience was the player introductions. While the inflatable viking ship seemed a little cheesy at first, once Led Zeppelin’s Immigrant Song started, and the inflatable vessel started moving side to side, I have to admit…I was HYPED for some football. It gave me a serious rush. The second thing I remember was the song that they sing after every score. While a little goofy, it gives you a real idea of the traditions that these old school teams have. It’s really cool, despite it’s redundent nature (when you’re team gets scored on a lot).

Anyway, the bonus to seeing all of the great players on display was that the game itself was probably the best game I’ve ever watched live. After an awful start, where the Ravens went 3-and-out while the Vikings responded with 2 touchdowns, the Ravens woke up and faught back little by little to take the lead in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, 4 things kept the Ravens from winning: Adrian Peterson, Brett Favre, Sidney Rice…and Steven Hauschka.

Peterson came up with huge plays all day, but Brett Favre and Sidney Rice were the real killer. The Ravens secondary couldn’t stop that connection…especially when Frank Walker was covering Rice after the Ravens took a late fourth quarter lead. Amazingly, even after the Vikings regained the lead, the Ravens drove back down the field to put themselves into a position to win with a field goal. At this point, I’m pretty sure my dad and I were both sitting there with all of the confidence in the world. The way this game was going, there was no way the Ravens were going to lose. It just seemed like the storyline was so perfect…

Unfortunately, Hauschka sent the numerous Ravens fans that we saw in the Metrodome home questioning Harbaugh & Co.’s decision to let Stover walk away during the offseason when he hooked the would-be game-winning field goal wide left from the left hash from 44 yards out. Ugh.

It’s the third straight loss for the Ravens, but it’s hard to not be at least somewhat optimistic after a game like this. The last three games have been incredibly close, and a play here or there could’ve seen the Ravens sitting anywhere between 4-2 and 6-0. Unfortunately, they lost those close games, but if the Ravens can correct some of their mistakes, anything can happen going forward.

Regardless, I loved the trip, the city, and spending some quality time with my dad. I’m looking forward to catching the Vikings for the second straight week when they come to town next weekend to play the Steelers.

Last night I had the pleasure of going to the season opener between the Steelers and Titans at Heinz Field. I hadn’t planned on going, but the Google team purchased tickets to take the AE online marketing team…so since it was now a work-related opportunity, I basically had to go. Plus, who doesn’t like free tickets near the 50 yard line and free beer? Frankly, I’d take that deal for nearly any pro sporting event…well, maybe not the WNBA.

As for the game? Both teams looked like their starters hadn’t taken a snap all preseason, which made for an unintentionally good, but boring game. The Steelers offense was awful, but the defense looked unreal with Troy Polamalu, in particular, making nearly every tackle…until he went out with a knee injury. After he went out, the offenses for both teams started to actually drive. An interception a piece by Roethlisberger and Collins helped keep the game standing still, as did two failed field goal attempts by Bironas – one blocked, one missed. The first points of the game came with 1:29 left in the first half on a Steelers touchdown. The score was then quickly evened up by the Titans on a 34-second TD drive. So, yeah…we essentially sat through 28 minutes of special teams punt coverage drills to see all of the offense crammed into the final two minutes of the first half. Awesome. Just what the NFL was hoping to see from two of the best AFC teams from last season.

The rest of the game was pretty predictable, with the Steelers winning in typical fashion. After Hines Ward graciously gave the Titans the ball at their own 4 on a fumble with a minute left in regulation to send the game to overtime, the Steelers won the toss and the game with their easiest drive of the night. So predictable.

The real highlights of the night, especially since the Titans failed to upset the Steelers, was the Rod Woodson Hall of Fame ring ceremony at halftime. Woodson was a beast, and it was awesome to see him get his Super Bowl ring with the Ravens. It’s just a shame that he rarely talks up his time in Baltimore. I get that he spent the majority of his career in Pittsburgh, but it always feels a little insulting to have to watch Woodson ignore his time spent playing for the Ravens just to avoid offending the feelings of the Steeler Nation. I understand in this particular situation…you know…being in Heinz Field and all…but I cheered for you, too, dude…

Regardless, I’m just excited to see the regular season start. Preseason is such a horrid spectacle. Go Ravens!!!

Sunday was our second week of PSL flag football, and our second straight week of doubleheaders. Again, I can’t tell you how much fun it is to play – win or lose. We actually got to play in the rain, too, which always makes it more interesting. A little mud…a little rain…a little football…sort of what Sundays are supposed to consist of.

We went 1-1 for the day, but we really should’ve won both games. We thought that we had game one wrapped up in the second half as were about 5 yards out from the endzone with what seemed like a comfortable 7-point lead, but TJ tossed a really unfortunate pick in the end zone, which the dude Ed Reeded all the way back for 6 points. Their successful conversion tied the game, but our luck (or lack of skill, not sure which) wasn’t done laughing at us. On the first play of the next drive, with Nate at QB, we surrendered another pick-6. With the other team up 7 on us, I decided I would give it a go at QB. The other team sent the blitz…which I avoided…but instead of just playing it simple and running for some yardage, I saw one of our players break across the middle. The duck I threw had no wings and was picked off. While my pass wasn’t returned for another TD, it did basically signal the end of the game for us. After we held the other team on the subsequent drive, we had one play to try to score from deep in our end. Kromer and I had practiced the hook-and-ladder during the week, and it almost worked, but after trucking one dude, I was only able to get to about the 10 or 15 yard line. Hopefully the guy I injured after running over him and the girl who seemed to sprain her ankle after my Barry Sanders moves (rolls eyes) are okay. If it’s any consolation to them, my shirt did get ripped on that play.

That game was sort of a bummer, too, since we had played really well aside from those 3 consecutive picks. TJ had a long TD reception from Nate, and I was able to catch my first TD pass (which after hitting the ground hard left me with a sweet welt on my shin that still hurts to the touch). Meadows was able to snatch what, at the time, seemed like a decisive INT, too. Everyone was getting involved and doing well…it’s just a shame we gave us those 3 picks on 3 consecutive offensive downs.

Fortunately, we had another game immediately after to try to make up for our mistakes. Game two signaled our first victory of the season, and while we almost gave up a 3 TD lead to win 20-19, we finally played a pretty complete game. We protected the ball, and used everyone on our team perfectly. We scored on our first drive when TJ launched a ball which hit me in the hands almost immediately after turning around downfield. Meadows caught a conversion. I was able to avoid a two-man rush to connect with a wide-open Chelsea for a TD pass as well. Heck, if Nate could hold onto the damn ball, we would’ve had a 4 TD lead. Ha ha. All-in-all, it was a good game. It’s a shame that I’ll be missing this Sunday, because I feel like we’re all finally starting to figure it out.