Houston is a 2.5 point favorite? That means they are the underdog if this game was at a neutral site. To the Bengals. That has to hurt.

hurdboy: Marvin Lewis is a hell of a coach

hurdboy: nopokerface: Houston is a 2.5 point favorite? That means they are the underdog if this game was at a neutral site.

That. Would not be surprised to see a pretty healthy Bengals team go in and beat an ailing Houston.

Similarly, I won't be surprised if Jesus beats the Stillurhs. John Fox versus a limping Big Ben without a running game? GLWT, Pittsburgh.

As for the Bengals, despite shiatty ownership, Marvin Lewis is a hell of a coach. Not quite Sam Wyche (new window), but....

What makes Lewis a hell of a coach? The fact that he is willing to work for the Browns at cut rate wages?

It takes a person with zero self-respect to coach that team all these years with THAT record.

I said earlier that Houston would struggle in the playoffs and probably be one and done. My caveat is that I'm not sure Cincy is loads better. It's anyone's game but I want Houston to win so we could get them at home in Baltimore. Either way I don't want to face the steelers a third time if we can help it.

3. Reliant Stadium: I wouldn't be surprised if it is one of the loudest stadiums the NFL has seen Saturday. This game has been a long time coming and the place will be rocking. The over/under on Bengals' false start penalties is 2 1/2.

Take: The Bengals have proven they can win on the road in a hostile environment. They beat Seattle 34-12 in Week 7. Quest Field has regularly hit above the 100 level in decibels, the loudest of any stadium in the NFL.

So, there were enough fans in Quest the day the Bengals played there? Pull the other leg for a while, this one's getting tired.

/not a Texans fan

INeedAName: I said earlier that Houston would struggle in the playoffs and probably be one and done. My caveat is that I'm not sure Cincy is loads better. It's anyone's game but I want Houston to win so we could get them at home in Baltimore. Either way I don't want to face the steelers a third time if we can help it.

That is the only team the Texans have minimal chance to keep up with. They just don't match up well with the Ravens.

And as for the ratings dump on this game...The stadium will be a'rockin (got my press credential ready!), and lucky this wasn't in Cincy. They've barely averaged half a stadium this season.

The Texans defense will knock heads around, but yeah, they are really banged up, and it might finally catch up to them. But defense and Arian Foster, a heavy dose will squeak them through this game.

DiamondDave: 3. Reliant Stadium: I wouldn't be surprised if it is one of the loudest stadiums the NFL has seen Saturday. This game has been a long time coming and the place will be rocking. The over/under on Bengals' false start penalties is 2 1/2.

Take: The Bengals have proven they can win on the road in a hostile environment. They beat Seattle 34-12 in Week 7. Quest Field has regularly hit above the 100 level in decibels, the loudest of any stadium in the NFL.

So, there were enough fans in Quest the day the Bengals played there? Pull the other leg for a while, this one's getting tired.

/not a Texans fan

I hear Mike Lowell offers trolling lessons for Flooz or Bitcoin(s). You should look into that, you need the help.

Qwest Field. With a W. And it's not even called that anymore.

Your blog sucks.

hurdboy: The 2000 Baltimore Ravens.

Give her those players, and my 8 year old daughter will look like a genius defensive coordinator.

I think they'll be disappointment if the Texans lose to Cincy, but Cincy will have to have a hell of a game if they're going to win. It should be one of the better games of the weekend.

If the Texans are fortunate enough to meet the Ravens again this year, I don't think the Ravens will have a down game. Ravens win against Texans easily, then Ravens lose big to Patriots

If lightning strikes and the Texans win against Cincy AND Baltimore (there's little chance I think that happening) Texans have a decent shot against Patriots.

/I reserve the right to go all Texans fanboy if Cincy gets blown out this Saturday

hurdboy: nopokerface: Give her those players, and my 8 year old daughter will look like a genius defensive coordinator.

Even make Siragusa look like a useful athlete, and not some dude Marchibroda saved from the salvage yard that was Indianapolis?

Having Ray Lewis behind you will motivate anybody. Plus, all he had to do was occupy 2 blockers. Pretty easy for a guy his size.

hurdboy: nopokerface: Give her those players, and my 8 year old daughter will look like a genius defensive coordinator.

Even make Siragusa look like a useful athlete, and not some dude Marchibroda saved from the salvage yard that was Indianapolis?

Siragusa's use, along with Sam Adams, was keeping blockers off of Ray Lewis. Goose didn't do all that much besides take up space. Hell, the two of those DTs combined for 43 tackles and 2 sacks. Their use was basically to do nothing.

SVenus: Ravens win against Texans easily, then Ravens lose big to Patriots

Problem: Unless Tebow Tebows the Steelers, the Patriots will not play the Ravens.

AdmirableSnackbar: hurdboy: nopokerface: Give her those players, and my 8 year old daughter will look like a genius defensive coordinator.

Even make Siragusa look like a useful athlete, and not some dude Marchibroda saved from the salvage yard that was Indianapolis?

Siragusa's use, along with Sam Adams, was keeping blockers off of Ray Lewis. Goose didn't do all that much besides take up space. Hell, the two of those DTs combined for 43 tackles and 2 sacks. Their use was basically to do nothing.

That's a DT in a 3-4, you occupy space, so the LBs make all the plays, including rushing the passer. In the standard 3-4 though, you have a "space eater" a big DT that takes up two running lanes, so your middle linebackers can rush the gaps, or drop back without a lineman trying to tie them up.

In Wade's system, he likes smaller, more mobile DTs. What it does is play mind games with the O-line and QB, and masking coverages and blitz packages. It's very mad scientist-ish.

That 2000s Ravens defense was viscous, but yeah, a lot of those guys were system players, and when they left for greener pastures, weren't as effective.

hurdboy: chuckufarlie: What makes Lewis a hell of a coach?

The 2000 Baltimore Ravens. Billick Brian and Jack Del Rio both have him to thank for a lot of their coaching careers.
Helping a really lousy Redskins team squeeze out seven wins despite Spurrier running the offense.
The last few years in Cincinnati, without a lot of talent on the roster.

The last few years in Cincinnati? Seriously?? He has a losing record, that does not make for a good coach.

As for the lack of talent - he should insist that the Browns get some talent.

chuckufarlie: he should insist that the Browns get some talent.

Insist all you want, Mike Brown don't give a f*ck.

FinFangFark: That's a DT in a 3-4, you occupy space, so the LBs make all the plays, including rushing the passer. In the standard 3-4 though, you have a "space eater" a big DT that takes up two running lanes, so your middle linebackers can rush the gaps, or drop back without a lineman trying to tie them up.

In Wade's system, he likes smaller, more mobile DTs. What it does is play mind games with the O-line and QB, and masking coverages and blitz packages. It's very mad scientist-ish.

That 2000s Ravens defense was viscous, but yeah, a lot of those guys were system players, and when they left for greener pastures, weren't as effective.

Huh? The 2000 Ravens used a 4-3 and the defense was run by Marvin Lewis, not Wade Phillips.

AdmirableSnackbar: SVenus: Ravens win against Texans easily, then Ravens lose big to Patriots

Problem: Unless Tebow Tebows the Steelers, the Patriots will not play the Ravens.

I really don't see the Patriots winning a match up with the Ravens. Against tough pass rushing the Patriots looked really ugly this season, and their secondary is so poor that Joey Flacco can't help but look good. The Pats coughed up a bunch of TDs to an Indy offense that hadn't scored an offensive touchdown in about the seven weeks preceding that game. They've been reasonable against the run but Ray Rice isn't a common RB. He's like a little cruise missile.

nopokerface: chuckufarlie: he should insist that the Browns get some talent.

Insist all you want, Mike Brown don't give a f*ck.

This is Mike Brown. He's the megatool of NFL owners. When you luck into building a really young playoff team, and fans still refuse to go to your teams' games b/c they despise you...it's time to sell the team.

Super_pope: AdmirableSnackbar: SVenus: Ravens win against Texans easily, then Ravens lose big to Patriots

Problem: Unless Tebow Tebows the Steelers, the Patriots will not play the Ravens.

I really don't see the Patriots winning a match up with the Ravens. Against tough pass rushing the Patriots looked really ugly this season, and their secondary is so poor that Joey Flacco can't help but look good. The Pats coughed up a bunch of TDs to an Indy offense that hadn't scored an offensive touchdown in about the seven weeks preceding that game. They've been reasonable against the run but Ray Rice isn't a common RB. He's like a little cruise missile.

I'm saying that the Steelers will beat the Patriots and the Ravens won't even get a shot. Of course, if Cincy wins (and I think they will) then the Ravens have an outside chance of playing the Patriots. Flacco is a much, much different QB at home and on the road and I don't think that he'll be able to take advantage of the Pats' weak secondary. And I also think the Ravens would be set up for a letdown if they beat the Steelers. Yes, even in the playoffs.

FinFangFark: When you luck into building a really young playoff team

I know they are in the playoffs, but they really aren't a playoff team. They have 0 wins against teams with a winning record. That is sort of incredible. The bad part is, things will get even worse in Cincinnati. Brown will use this "great season" as an excuse not to try to get better, and keep Lewis even longer because he works cheap.

AdmirableSnackbar: FinFangFark: That's a DT in a 3-4, you occupy space, so the LBs make all the plays, including rushing the passer. In the standard 3-4 though, you have a "space eater" a big DT that takes up two running lanes, so your middle linebackers can rush the gaps, or drop back without a lineman trying to tie them up.

In Wade's system, he likes smaller, more mobile DTs. What it does is play mind games with the O-line and QB, and masking coverages and blitz packages. It's very mad scientist-ish.

That 2000s Ravens defense was viscous, but yeah, a lot of those guys were system players, and when they left for greener pastures, weren't as effective.

Huh? The 2000 Ravens used a 4-3 and the defense was run by Marvin Lewis, not Wade Phillips.

That was an amalgamation of two different tangents...one of the Ravens, the other of the Texans.

The Ravens' primary in 2000 was the 3-4. They also had a 4-3 situational package they would use on occasion. A couple of years ago, they started using the 4-3 more, I think when Rex Ryan was jiggling around on the sideline.

FinFangFark: The Ravens' primary in 2000 was the 3-4. They also had a 4-3 situational package they would use on occasion.

No, in 2000 they ran a 4-3. 2002 was when they moved to a primarily 3-4 defense.

nopokerface: FinFangFark: When you luck into building a really young playoff team

I know they are in the playoffs, but they really aren't a playoff team. They have 0 wins against teams with a winning record. That is sort of incredible. The bad part is, things will get even worse in Cincinnati. Brown will use this "great season" as an excuse not to try to get better, and keep Lewis even longer because he works cheap.

I think they have one win against a team with a winning record...I think the Titans.

Don't forget they have 2 #1 picks from the Raiders for Carson Palmer. With Dalton and AJ Green, as well as a decent defensive front 7...Mike Brown is patting himself on the back, and is worried more about his ego, than creating interest from the fans. You're right about Lewis...The reason Mike Brown kept him aboard is b/c everyone wanted him out of town. I heard someone compare it to Gary Kubiak's situation, and it's nothing like that. Kubiak isn't a great head coach, but he has the support of his players...Marv? Not so much.

But don't worry, Brown will screw up those two #2s.

FinFangFark: Don't forget they have 2 #1 picks from the Raiders for Carson Palmer.

Only if the Raiders make the playoffs next year. Otherwise, it's a #1 then a #2. And Brown will find a way to go cheap on those as well. He let Jonathan Joseph get away last year (I wonder if that will hurt at all this weekend?). The Bengals front office are an embarrassment, and they seem to revel in it from a competitiveness standpoint.

But, football is a business, and from that standpoint, Brown is owner of the year every year. He gets the most money for the lest effort;)

hurdboy: FinFangFark: The Ravens' primary in 2000 was the 3-4. They also had a 4-3 situational package they would use on occasion. A couple of years ago, they started using the 4-3 more, I think when Rex Ryan was jiggling around on the sideline.

Strike that, reverse it. Pretty much nobody was running a 3-4 in 2000. Pittsburgh. Maybe Cincinnati (with LeBeau). It showed up in Baldymore when Rexie started toeing the sidelines.

my apologies, and thanks for the correction. I thought that 2000 team with Shaper and Ray Lewis and Peter Boulware was a 3-4 team.

AdmirableSnackbar: Super_pope: AdmirableSnackbar: SVenus: Ravens win against Texans easily, then Ravens lose big to Patriots

Problem: Unless Tebow Tebows the Steelers, the Patriots will not play the Ravens.

I really don't see the Patriots winning a match up with the Ravens. Against tough pass rushing the Patriots looked really ugly this season, and their secondary is so poor that Joey Flacco can't help but look good. The Pats coughed up a bunch of TDs to an Indy offense that hadn't scored an offensive touchdown in about the seven weeks preceding that game. They've been reasonable against the run but Ray Rice isn't a common RB. He's like a little cruise missile.

I'm saying that the Steelers will beat the Patriots and the Ravens won't even get a shot. Of course, if Cincy wins (and I think they will) then the Ravens have an outside chance of playing the Patriots. Flacco is a much, much different QB at home and on the road and I don't think that he'll be able to take advantage of the Pats' weak secondary. And I also think the Ravens would be set up for a letdown if they beat the Steelers. Yes, even in the playoffs.

You're right about Joe on the road. However, I think this is a good Ravens matchup on paper. Tom's going to have to air it out to beat them, and the more he puts the ball in the air, the more likely an int. I like Joe/RayR v the Pats D more than I like Tom v the Ravens D.

hurdboy:
Similarly, I won't be surprised if Jesus beats the Stillurhs. John Fox versus a limping Big Ben without a running game? GLWT, Pittsburgh..

Know how I can tell you know nothing about Pittsburgh's offense? They're a passing team first and foremost, not a running team. Also, the only reason Mendenhall is the starter is because he was drafted high. Redman can most certainly shoulder the load and should have been getting more carries than he has the past few years.

hurdboy: FinFangFark: my apologies, and thanks for the correction. I thought that 2000 team with Shaper and Ray Lewis and Peter Boulware was a 3-4 team.

No biggie. I remember the questions about whether Lewis could make the transition from being *the* MLB to an ILB. Same thing happened when Haslett installed the 3-4 in Washington with London Fletcher. Pretty clearly, the answer was, "yes," in both cases.

That aside, fark the modern 3-4....bunch of gambling gimmicky BS. It was effective for a few years, but the offensive coordinators have figured out how to beat it....which is why you're seeing a lot more essentially 3-3-5 to make up for that slow, risk-taking SS who's going to do one of three things: register a sack, make an interception, or get burned by the #4 WR.

When Capers came to Houston as HC, they brought in the 3-4. I remember they brought in Jaime Sharper, and a handful of Jags defensive guys that Jacksonville didn't want to pay (rumor was if they wasted their expansion draft #1 on Tony Boselli, the Jags would let them take a couple of defensive starters)...after a couple of years, that 3-4 was exposed and was just destroyed by other teams.

My hope is they are able to bring in another CB and I think paying Mario Williams 16 million will be a bad move, when you have guys like Arian Foster and Chris Meyers coming up on expiring contracts.

hurdboy: John Fox.

The same John Fox who didn't have the common sense to pull Delhomme from his infamous game a few years ago?

eazye1334: hurdboy:
Similarly, I won't be surprised if Jesus beats the Stillurhs. John Fox versus a limping Big Ben without a running game? GLWT, Pittsburgh..

Know how I can tell you know nothing about Pittsburgh's offense? They're a passing team first and foremost, not a running team. Also, the only reason Mendenhall is the starter is because he was drafted high. Redman can most certainly shoulder the load and should have been getting more carries than he has the past few years.

The problem with a lack of the run game for Pitt is that defenses can key off on Ben without worry. If he's less mobile than normal this could be an issue. Also Ben loves to hold onto the ball.

I'm a Ravens fan and even I want the Steelers to win this week!

nopokerface: FinFangFark: When you luck into building a really young playoff team

I know they are in the playoffs, but they really aren't a playoff team. They have 0 wins against teams with a winning record. That is sort of incredible. The bad part is, things will get even worse in Cincinnati. Brown will use this "great season" as an excuse not to try to get better, and keep Lewis even longer because he works cheap.

Actually they did beat one winning team, the Titans, which is how they got into the playoffs in the first place. It's the Patriots who haven't beat a winning team all year.

The Bengals have a bright future - good young talent and a lot of draft picks coming up. The problem is that a good portion of the fanbase refuses to let go of the 1990s. They're still penalizing this team for things that happened decades ago. It's why you won't hear people say "The Bengals made the playoffs for the third time in seven years", you'll just hear "The Bengals made the playoffs for the third time in 22 years". The Bengals were abyssmal for awhile... but it's over, and it's okay to let it go.

The Bengals are playing with house money while the Texans are just thrilled to be there. Bengals get payback for a few weeks ago and finally win a playoff game. Mike Brown is named NFL executive of the year. It's coming.

Anybody know when the Jets game is on?

hurdboy: eazye1334: Redman can most certainly shoulder the load and should have been getting more carries than he has the past few years.

Certainly didn't look that way against Cleveland on Sunday. If they play the way they did against the Browns, Jesus will come away with a win.

Yes, two fumbles, I know. That's obviously a problem. But 92 on 19 carries in 3 quarters? Most teams will take that.

INeedAName: You're right about Joe on the road. However, I think this is a good Ravens matchup on paper. Tom's going to have to air it out to beat them, and the more he puts the ball in the air, the more likely an int. I like Joe/RayR v the Pats D more than I like Tom v the Ravens D.

I think it's kind of a wash, especially with the Ravens on the road and the Pats at home. The Patriots defense gets a lot of turnovers - only 4 games with fewer than 2 on the year - and Flacco's going to have to throw to keep up with the Patriots offense. But I do like Gronk/Welker/Hernandez against the Baltimore defense whereas Baltimore will only really have Ray Rice. That's why I don't think the Ravens match up well with the Pats, the Ravens offense doesn't match up well against the Pats defense on the road.

NKURyan: The Bengals were abyssmal for awhile... but it's over, and it's okay to let it go.

81-110 since 2000. They are, and will always be abyssmal. Last won a playoff game in 1990 (Good news: they beat Houston. Bad News: It was the Oilers).

They need strong constitutioned young fans to drink the "we'll do better nest year!" kool aid, I did my time. They got lucky this year with the weak ass schedule. They'll get drilled again next year.

I'm just happy the Texan's are in the playoffs. I just want a good game, win or lose.

AdmirableSnackbar: SVenus: Ravens win against Texans easily, then Ravens lose big to Patriots

Problem: Unless Tebow Tebows the Steelers, the Patriots will not play the Ravens.

This is where I post the Troll face and imply that God fixes football games

hurdboy: ainst Cleveland. Denver is a little better.

Not without Brian Dawkins it's not.

While I'll admit I'm not a Steelers' fan, I can be objective about it. They've got two good young receivers, a streaky strong-armed QB with a bum foot, a slow, tired defense, and a coaching staff that's just not that good.

That's not objective, that's just underselling. And the defense and coaching analysis there is just way off. Only one team has put up more than 20 points against the Steelers "slow, tired defense". Hasn't that talking point been completely demolished since it was made in the preseason? And how can you say that the Steelers coaching staff isn't that good?