Sunday Line Chatter, Week 15: Intro
bielerd: (103-97-7 vs. the spread entering Week 15) Okay, it's Week 15 and time is running out for either Matt or I to catch Dave. I went 11-5 last week and actually fell behind the guy on overall picks, although at least I was the only one to hit my lock, keeping alive my flickering hopes of snatching away the Bragging Rights crown
Matt Bonesteel: (103-97-7 vs. the spread entering Week 15) Well, I went 10-6 last week, which somehow was the worst record of this bunch. I'm flailing on my locks, tho.
Matt Bonesteel: And I hope everyone enjoyed last night's trip to Push City.
bielerd: and, no, I think those of us who took the Saints (getting 3) last night have to be a little disappointed not to have gotten that coin flip in OT
larimerd2000: (112-88-7 vs. the spread entering Week 15) Yes, I went a sparkling, season-best 13-3. But I managed to muck up all that excellence by making my lock one of my three losses. I hope I don't take as long to clinch matters as the Cardinals
bielerd: I hope you take longer
Matt Bonesteel: take as long as you want. really.
larimerd2000: How about those of us, and by that I mean me, who watched the Bears choke up a two-touchdown lead?
Matt Bonesteel: ah, you had to see that coming.
larimerd2000: Really, what's with that two-feet down nonsense explanation on the fake punt that was ruled incomplete?
larimerd2000: They try to make a pseudo-science out of judgment calls, which is why they have us all using ridiculous terms like "football move"
bielerd: and even w/all the pass interference calls the Bears got, how about Olsen getting completely mugged in the end zone at the end of regulation, but no call? That would have set up a cover-cliching TD
larimerd2000: Yes, yes!
Matt Bonesteel: The Saints defender was too busy making football moves to commit PI, so it was all legal.
larimerd2000: Bah. Football move. It just makes me want to spit. Let's move onto the Game of the Week
Steelers (+2 1/2) at Ravens
bielerd: I'm getting a charley horse just thinking about this game
Matt Bonesteel: can we take the under?
bielerd: I'll take the over on personal foul calls
Matt Bonesteel: Curious to see how many Yinzers invade M&T compared to how many invaded FedEx Field (approx. 120K, if you read the 6 million news stories about the matter that followed).
larimerd2000: I don't think too many Ravens ticket-holders will be skipping this one. Ravens fans hold animosity toward more teams than a lot of other fans
larimerd2000: Our co-worker Jonny Newsdesk said to me a few weeks back that his strategy this season was taking any above-.500 team getting points. I think he's on to something
Matt Bonesteel: And how is young Johnny doing in our pool with that strategy?
bielerd: yeah, have we seen the stats?
Matt Bonesteel: That would be 113th place.
bielerd: Oof!
larimerd2000: Still, I've been folllowing it, and how am I doing it in this pool?
bielerd: You know what would be a good response by Ravens fans to a presumed invasion by Steelers fans? Instead of waving Terrible Towels, wave rolls of Bounty paper towels! You know, Bounty?
Matt Bonesteel: Or they could have Omar from "The Wire" out there for the coin toss. That would freak the heck out of just about anyone.
bielerd: or at least everyone who watched the show.
larimerd2000: So the Steelers have lost five in a row in Baltimore, and we know the Steelers' line gives up a lot of sacks. Neither of these things bother me all that much.
bielerd: The general sentiment out there seems to be that the teams are very evenly matched, but Pitt has much better experience at QB, and that will carry the day. Not sure I'm thoroughly convinced by that easy analysis
Matt Bonesteel: When the Ravens play against good defenses this season (Steelers, Giants, Titans), they lose.
bielerd: that's a little more convincing
larimerd2000: I'm not bothered either that the Ravens damn near beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh, either. That would still be a cover on this line.
Matt Bonesteel: Also they lost to the Colts. Not a horrible defense there, either.
larimerd2000: I think we're all on the same page. I can't bet against that defense. Steelers.
Matt Bonesteel: Agreed. Steelers.
bielerd: The teams are not evenly matched in another key area: Running the ball. Baltimore is 5th in the NFL at 144 rushing yards per game, while Pitt is 23rd at 103.8, behind even the pass-happy Eagles. So, no! No, sir. We are not on the same page. Ravens!
Click here for every pick and game preview in handy chart form.
Click here for lively discussion of the Games We Want to Watch.
Click here for trenchant analysis of the Games We Might Want to Watch.
And click here for scholarly discourse on the Games We'll Skip in Favor of "Running" for Senator in Illinois.
By
David, Des and Matt
|
December 12, 2008; 3:00 PM ET
| Category:
Game Previews Week 15
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