Fungi Forum Sportscenter

[Insane Steve]

the most accurate kicker in the game today misses a 46 yard field goal.

I blame, 100%, the stat-keeper for the network that braodcasted the game for this missed field goal. Right before the kick, the network displayed a graphic boldly proclaiming that "MIKE VANDERJAGT HAS NOT MISSED A FIELD GOAL AT HOME ALL YEAR". As soon as I saw that, I KNEW the field goal wasn't going in. I knew it. Sure enough, he missed by the width of a goalpost.

EVERY SINGLE TIME someone points out some streak like this, no matter what sporting event it is placed on, the streak will end on the next occurence of the event in question. A great example is free throws in a basketball game -- note the alarming frequency that the next free throw attempt is missed when someone points out that "This team has yet to miss a free throw all game. They are 16/16 for th--- oh, wait, never mind."

Ya. General reaction at Purdue was a rather stunned silence. I was a bit more unnerved at how easily Steve Smith ran over "the best defense in the NFC" yesterday. Really. I grew up in northwest Indiana, closer to Chicago than Indianapolis.

On a note that is almost as bad, Denver beat New England, so now I have to listen to Woody Paige boast about how awesome Denver is for the next millenium. I really, really loathe Woody Paige.

Needless to say, not a good NFL weekend for myself.

[Koopaslaya]

Steve, that is pretty much how we all felt. Hopefully the Steelers won't go to the Super Bowl, but with my luck they will end up winning.

[Jman]

Yeah, I really hate that.  It's something my dad calls "The Kiss of Death."  The whole Vanderjagt thing reminds me of when Gary Anderson missed that field goal that would have won it for the Vikes in 1998.  That was painful.

[Mr. Melee]

The Steelers WILL go to the Super Bowl. :D :D :D :D ;D

[Koopaslaya]

VANDERJAGT HAS NOT MISSED A FIELD GOAL AT HOME ALL YEAR".

My thoughts exactly, I couldn't agree with you more!

[Mr. Melee]

Well, Pittsburgh is too good, and they beat Indy and Peyton the whole game.

[Deezer]

Alright so I was 50% last week with two right and two wrong.
Let's try my unscientific picks for the NFL Conference playoffs this Sunday:

Pittsburgh at Denver
Carolina at Seattle

[Mr. Melee]

Everyone must hate the Steelers. Well, I've always been the oddball, so I stick with the Steelers.

My picks:

The Steelers will have The Bus run over the Broncos' defense, and Polamalu will sack and intercept Jake Plummer, so the Steelers of course over the Broncos.

Seattle has truly been the underdog to become the king of the pack, and with Shaun Alexander returning, even though the Seahawks still won (another factor), the Seahawks will trample the Panthers.

I've decided to offer co-host spots to anyone willing, and please get me some stats too! Anyone is qualified, and anyone can do it! :D

[Koopaslaya]

This is the worst matchup ever.

Browns fans hate The Steelers and the Broncos. What am I supposed to do!? Seattle all the way!

[Mr. Melee]

Told you. But the Steelers have an awesome defense. If it wasn't for that rookie, McFadden, the Indy guy in the end zone would have caught that.

[Jman]

In just six days, the biggest NFL game of the year will take place.  Yes, Super Bowl XL (40) is nearly upon us.  It is something the football world has waited for since the beginning of the season, and two legions of fans from opposite sides of the nation have an extra special reason to watch it.  The Pittsburgh Steelers, who have been to five SB games prior, and the Seattle Seahawks, who are making their first appearance, are the two teams that will duke it out for the NFL championship and the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Now, let's talk about how both teams made it to the grandest stage of NFL football. (I would say all football, but the Rose Bowl still lingers fresh in my mind.)  The Steelers, entering the playoffs as the #6 seed, upset three teams on the road.  They beat Cincinatti, the number three seed, Indianapolis, the number one seed, and Denver, the number two seed.  All on the road, all by convincing margins.  As we head into the big game, Pittsburgh appears to be a team on a mission to get Jerome Bettis, who will play in his final NFL game, a Super Bowl ring. 

After hearing this, you are probably saying, "Give me one good reason why Pittsburgh won't accomplish this."
Okay, I will.  The Seattle Seahawks got here just the opposite way that Pittsburgh did.  They had home field advantage, and coming off a 13 win season in which they never lost at home, they continued their home winning ways with wins over Washington and Carolina.  Just the fact that they stopped Steve Smith and Clinton Portis gives me reason to believe Pittsburgh won't run away with this one.  If Matt Hasselbeck and Ben Roethlisberger both perform like the stars they are, and don't have to go to the air more than they choose to, this one could come down to the wire.  But if either team makes mistakes early, expect the other team to pounce.  It will be up to the defenses, if faced with short fields, to stop the offenses and make them kick field goals.  Whoever's defense steps up to the plate and forces enough turnovers for the offense to turn into points will be the victor.  Pittsburgh could be in trouble if they have to abandon the running game early, as against the Patriots in last year's AFC title game.  Although it didn't hurt them against AFC playoff foes.

My prediction, if both teams play their best, expect a classic ballgame for the books. 

[Mr. Melee]

Great speech, understanding of the game, spelling Roethlisberger right, wanna be my co-host, Jman? I mean, it has been a long time, since there wasn't a FFSC without me, but I still need the job!

[Deezer]

I'm saying Steelers win 23 - 20.

[bobman37]

Seattle wins 10-7.

[Koopaslaya]

I hate to say it, but the Steelers are solid. I really can't make a prediction though. Each team has played quite well. I would have taken the Bengals over the Steelers, but the in game injuries. You can never tell...