Trav's Thoughts

What? I like to write about football.

Heehee!

Players need to stop reaching the ball out for the line to gain. Ball security is precious and when you get the ball that far out from your body, most of the things that can happen are bad. Pittsburgh was fortunate to retain possession after nearly fumbling on a play like that, and then they got the TD two plays later.

Well, kitties have all had their fishies - that's Friskies Classic Seafood for those who don't live with cats. And now Pam and I are ordering pizza!

Wow! That was one of the best kick off returns I've ever seen! He didn't get a TD, but Maurice Jones-Drew just burst straight up the middle and then he juked and jived and twisted and cut back, making guys miss until they finally ran him down at about the 3 yard line. Then Fred Taylor came in and ran for a TD.

Just like that, we're tied at 7-7.

Now we have Jacksonville playing better defense to force a punt, and Pittsburgh covering better on the kick. Now maybe we can settle down and get the pizza ordered. Sheesh!

Hey! I can't believe I left Faith Hill off my lists on Thursday and Friday. DOH!



Ben Roethlisberger completed a pass off a deflection and Hines Ward had a great run. I don't like that straight arm to the face though. Anytime a defender gets a hand up in a guy's facemask it's a penalty. It should be a penalty on the offensive player too. That kind of hit is dangerous.

Ooops! Now Roethlisberger throws a pick and it's returned for a TD.

Pizza is yummy! We got stuffed crust from Pizza Hut with pepperoni, bacon, and olives. Plus we got an order of buffalo wings - but they didn't bring the Ranch sauce. Bastards! We'll have to use our own, I guess. We also ordered cinnamon sticks, which doesn't actually make much sense because we have CAKE. Oh well.

Geeez! Roethlisberger just threw a duck into double coverage and had it picked off again. But here's the funny thing...the defender's dreadlocks touch down out of bounds, keeping him from advancing the ball! The refs diplomatically called him down by contact, but I say get a freakin' hair cut! The dreads are ok, but wear them in the off season.

Turnovers will kill you. The Steelers now are down 21-7 because of interceptions.

Jacksonville is dominating in all phases right now, but they just missed a field goal attempt. Perhaps this will change the momentum?

Nope. Roethlisberger just flipped the ball on what was supposed to be a middle screen. Looks like the defender slipped down, and Roethlisberger didn't see him when he got back to his feet. The defender picked off the ball, ending Pittsburgh's 2 minute drive. And that's the half.

We got lulled a little in the 3rd quarter. Jacksonville was in control and Pittsburgh was pretty much out of the game. But now the Steelers got a big TD at the start of the 4th quarter on a 4th and 12 play to cut the lead to 11. Will they use that to climb back in the game? Dunno. But at least now we're paying closer attention again.

Time for CAKE.

Pittsburgh's defense gets a big 3 and out to force a punt.

The Steelers are getting chippy, playing with pride and attitude. They just got another TD. They had a holding penalty on the 2pt conversion try, and the do over is no good. So the score is 28-23 and the teams are very grumpy with each other.

Let's see if Jacksonville has an answer now.

And that answer would be a resounding NO as David Garrard throws a bad interception. Jacksonville dominated in the first half and the third quarter was mostly a snoozer. The fourth quarter belongs to Pittsburgh.

Oh! That's a bad call! They just called pass interference on the Jacksonville defender on a 4th and goal play. But the Pittsburgh receiver had a hold of the defender's facemask and was yanking it. The defender had little choice but to go where his head was being dragged. The defender could bump the receiver withinn 5 yards - his play was legal. It was the offensive player who should have been called for grabbing the facemask.

So the Steelers got the call and the first down, and they immediately punched it in for a TD. The 2pt try was no good again, making the score 29-28 Pittsburgh.

After some back and forth, Jacksonville was in a 4th and the game situation. Garrard ran for the first down and then kept on running right on down to the 11 yard line. The Jaguars are set up now for a go ahead field goal and Pittsburgh is forced to use its times out to keep enough time on the clock to have a chance to score if the field goal is good.

Jacksonville gets the field goal to go up 31-29 with :37 left.

Roethlisberger get sacked, fumbles, and that's the game. What at ignominious way to end your season.

But, it does get me to 2-0 for my playoff picks.