Sports January 23, 2011

You have one of the best running backs of all time, you're on the opposing one yard line, and you throw the football? That's what the Jets did, and it might have cost them the game. You have to like LT's chances to get 1 yard on atleast 2 carriers, even if it is against a very strong Steelers defense. Instead of passing on 2nd and 3rd down, like the Jets did, running on those 2 downs would have helped them more than being stuck with running on 4th down. Say they scored the touchdown there, and got no safety. The score is now 24-17 Steelers. The Jets have all the momentum, stop the Steelers, and get the ball back. They continue to drive down the field as they had been, and get a touchdown, like they did. The score is now tied at 24. The Steelers have to throw, don't score, give the ball back to the Jets. The Jets have multiple timeouts, and win the game. Now, the Jets are going to the Superbowl, and not the Steelers.

What about Caleb Hane? No one thought the Bears would do anything, they were down 2 scores and were yet to score. Yet, Hane, the 3rd Bears' quarterback, came in and did what Jay Cutler, the quarterback they paid so dearly for, and Todd Collins, the wily veteran, could not. That is score. Hane led two touchdown drives, and brought the Bears back in contention. He also out threw Cutler and Collins combined in 1 quarter of play. Even if his effort wasn't enough for a win, he still managed to bring some life into the game. He might not be the Bears' future, but his services might be required by several teams that could be a quarterback away from a playoff run, say the 9ers or the Vikings. Don't be surprised if a move is made to acquire him, and Hane leads the charge into the playoffs.

A Packers vs. Steelers super bowl could be intriguing. Both teams have solid defenses, but I think it will turn into a shootout, especially if the game is close in the 4th quarter. The Packers' defense showed holes in the running game against Matt Forte this week, as he was able to make some gains on the ground in the 4th quarter. This also made it possible for Hane to make gains through the air. Rashard Mendanhall, the Steelers' running back, had a big game against the Jets this week. Even if the Packers do have a strong secondary, they may become vulnerable to Big Ben leaving the pocket and throwing the ball downfield. On the other hand, Aaron Rodgers has proven to be a great quarterback this postseason, and has made several big plays. The Packers receivers, especially Greg Jennings, have been very strong as well. If there are any holes in that very strong Steelers defense, its definitely in their secondary. The Jets managed to find many holes in them in the second half, taking most of their possessions deep into Steeler territory. I think the Packers' passing game will prevail as it often has, and the Packers will take home the Lomardy trophy with a 27-24 victory, with most of the points coming in the fourth quarter.

Did the NFL really change the Pro Bowl to be before the Super Bowl, and not after it? Why would you do something like that? Don't you want the best players to play? The Steelers' Defense came through with another strong showing this year, don't you want them to play in the Pro Bowl? What about the lethal Packers' offense? I don't know if the profit returns are any higher, but now that some of the best players in this league are not going to play simply because the game is before the Super Bowl and have to prepare, why not make it the week after the Super Bowl.