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Chargers Will Return To Blitzburgh

By Rich Campbell | January 4, 2009 | Chargers Confidential

Chargers vs. Steelers in November, photo by Rich Campbell

The Baltimore Ravens just defeated the Miami Dolphins 27-9, earning them a ticket to Nashville and sending the Bolts to face the number one defense in the NFL, The Pittsburgh Steelers.As some of you may remember, I was at the game in Pittsburgh on November 16th. It was a game I felt the Chargers should have won and did not, largely due to what I consider to be the low point of an exciting but inconsistent year from Philip Rivers.I feel that San Diego can be effective on defense against Ben Roethlisberger and the Steeler offense. We held them to a season low last game and I feel that a similar performance is very possible. L.T. may not improve. If his injury really is a detached tendon, another week isn't going to do it...he'll need surgery. Obviously, Darren Sproles is effective, but I hope that Michael Bennet gets plenty of...

Read more | 4 Comments | Tags: NFL Playoffs, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers

NFL Power Rankings: Ranking the 12 Playoff Teams

By Greg Trippiedi | January 4, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Knowing the outcome of Saturday's games makes this a bit tougher to do, because I have to act like I don't know the outcomes of those games to rank the 12 teams pre playoffs. It would be easy to put Atlanta or Indy on bottom, but I had both teams reaching the round of eight. So, with that in mind, here's how MVN saw the Playoff Power Poll as of yesterday.1. Pittsburgh SteelersThe Steelers never led the MVN Power Rankings in any week but they are the most battle-tested, injury resistant team in the post season. Ben Roethlisberger had his best month in December, and figures to play in the AFC Divisional round coming off a concussion, but even if backup Byron Leftwich has to play, the Steelers might be in even better hands.2. Tennessee TitansHard to say how effective DT Albert Haynesworth and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch will be...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, power rankings, San Diego Chargers, Tennessee Titans

The Jeff Reed story: from 'Skippy' to NFL's top Super Ad 'superstar'?

By James Pete | January 3, 2009 | The Steel Tradition

Jeff Reed uncorks a kickoff at Heinz Field--photo courtesy of brunkfordbraun/flickr

Pittsburgh Steelers' kicker and special teams captain Jeff Reed is one of nine finalists in this season's NFL 'Super Ad: Believe in Now" campaign.NFL Films filmed 210 players from around the league during training camp prior to this season and were asked to tell the story of their most memorable moment in the NFL. The NFL then selected six players from each division to post to NFL.com. The top videos from each division were selected by a fan vote, as well as one wild card, for the finals.Reed's video focuses on his NFL try-out, or more specifically, how Reed didn't bring any spare clothes in his attempt to make the team. He assumed that the try-out was just another formality for the Steelers, who hadn't been in contact with him at all until the call to show up and make some kicks midway through the 2002 season. It's not like...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: James Pete, Jeff Reed, MVN, NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers, Steel Tradition, Steelers

NFL Playoff Preview: Can the NFL's Best Hold Off the Up-and-Comers?

By Greg Trippiedi | January 2, 2009 | MVN Outsider

When we look at the 12 team NFL playoff field, I think we can separate the teams into three categories: The Elite, The Sideshow, and the Atlanta Falcons.The Elite Teams (in no specific order)Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, and Carolina PanthersThe SideshowIndianapolis Colts, San Diego Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, and Miami DolphinsAnd,Atlanta FalconsThis will probably be the most competitive playoff bracket the NFL has seen in years. There are six teams to beat, not the one elite team that we have seen lose in years past. I'll tell you right up front that I have no dog in this fight, as all of the teams I cover have been eliminated through regular season battles.After two rounds of playoff games, you can expect to see two or more of the elite teams in play, one or fewer of the sideshow teams, and maybe or...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, NFL Playoffs, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans

Offseason begins: Oakland Raiders news, rumors, 2009 opponents and more

By Patrick Patterson | December 29, 2008 | Thoughts from the Dark Side

Today is the first official day of the offseason for the majority of the teams in the NFL. It is the day that many coaches are fired, and the rumor mill starts to heat up. There are already rumor swirling around Bill Parcells and the Miami Dolphins are in the playoffs after a dismal 2007. Tom Cable is not on the chopping block because his interim tag has expired, so Al Davis must comply with the "Rooney Rule" and interview at least one minority candidate before making his decision. A story circulated on ESPN.com last night that Bill Parcells could get out of his contract in Miami due to the sale of the team. Oakland was listed as one of his possible destinations. Al Davis stepping back at letting the Tuna run the show in the front office would be a dream situation for many in the Raider Nation. Not...

Read more | 10 Comments | Tags: Al Davis, Baltimore Ravens, Bengals, Bill Parcells, Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Cowboys, Dallas Cowboys, Dolphins, Eagles, Giants, Houston Texans, JaMarcus Russell, Jets, Kevin Gilbride, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, New York Jets, NFL, Oakland Raiders, Oakland Raiders News, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Raiders, Raiders News, Randy Moss, Ravens, Redskins, Rob Ryan, Steelers, Texans, Tom Cable, Washington Redskins

NFL Power Rankings Week 17: Some of the League's Best Will be Left Out of Playoffs

By Greg Trippiedi | December 28, 2008 | MVN Outsider

The final rendition of the MVN NFL Power Rankings will (attempt at least) try to credit teams for a season well done, even if we expect their season to come to an end this week. The disparity of talent on the teams in the playoff may have never been as strong as it will be this year. Denver and Arizona might both host home playoff games, and neither of those teams are worthy of being ranked in the top 20. Meanwhile, let's give it up to teams like the Eagles, Buccaneers, Bears, Patriots, Saints, and Redskins. While all those teams will need help to make the tournament, all of those teams could have been Super Bowl contenders in years' past. This year just happens to be the year of the very good teams, which should make for an exciting tournament with no clear cut favorite.1. Tennessee TitansThe Titans are the...

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers, power rankings, Tennessee Titans

NFL Top Ten: Best Games from the 2008 Season

By Greg Trippiedi | December 27, 2008 | MVN Outsider

The regular season may not be over just yet, but it has already produced plenty of classic games. I had the pleasure of picking ten games that might show up again on NFL Classics in the future. All games had to be heavily competitive to be considered, but bonuses were given to games with great storylines, great endings, and really critical results. Here are the top ten games from the first 16 weeks of the regular season:Number 10 (October 26)Giants defeat Steelers 21-14At the time of this game, whether or not the NFC had overtaken the AFC was very much in the air. The Eagles had taken care of the Steelers at home earlier this season, but the Steelers were hosting the Giants in this one. The Giants controlled much of the action in the first half, but the Steelers came out and scored in the second half, and led...

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, New York Giants, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, Top Ten

NFL Week 16 Recap: Playoff Picture Enters Final Stretch

By Chris Maier | December 24, 2008 | The Blitz

MVN and NFLDraft101.com's Chris Maier talks playoffs on this week's edition of The Blitz. In week 16 several team's including the Colts and Falcons played their way in while many others including the Cowboys and Jets severely hindered their chances with disappointing defeats. We even got potential AFC and NFC Title Preview as the Titans-Steelers and Giants-Panthers failed to disappoint. We also talk about stories to watch as week 17 plays out including the Lions likely 0-16 season, possible coaching changes in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dallas, New York Jets, Buffalo, San Francisco, and Kansas City. Of course the big story in week 17 is the playoffs and several head-2-head matchups have major playoff implications including Denver-San Diego, Miami-NYJets, Dallas-Philly. We break all the games down by conference and playoff implications followed by those without playoff implications. Thanks for joining us on the Blitz. We welcome your comments below or by emailing cmaier@nfldraft101.com....

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Atlanta Falcons, audio, Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New York Jets, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans

NFL Power Rankings: Ranking the 12 Playoff Teams

By Greg Trippiedi | January 4, 2009 | MVN Outsider

NFL Playoff Preview: Can the NFL's Best Hold Off the Up-and-Comers?

By Greg Trippiedi | January 2, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, NFL Playoffs, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans

NFL Power Rankings Week 17: Some of the League's Best Will be Left Out of Playoffs

By Greg Trippiedi | December 28, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers, power rankings, Tennessee Titans

NFL Top Ten: Best Games from the 2008 Season

By Greg Trippiedi | December 27, 2008 | MVN Outsider

NFL Power Rankings Week 16: Pennsylvania teams eventually rise to top

By Greg Trippiedi | December 18, 2008 | MVN Outsider

1. Tennessee Titans (12-2) The Titans hold the top spot at least one more week through the loss, but they will have to beat Pittsburgh at home without Albert Haynesworth and Kyle VandenBosch to hold it any further. Good luck guys.2. Philadelphia Eagles (8-5-1)The Eagles jump up to number two this week behind the strength of a third consecutive win, and the Steelers knocking off the Ravens, who beat the Eagles back when this was a team in turmoil. 3. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3) Do the Steelers have the greatest defense of all time? Only a championship would validate this. The offense apparently isn't going to assist them until the final two minutes of every game.4. Baltimore Ravens (9-5) The Ravens aren't going to fall too far, falling victim to the "Tuck Rule curse". They should have taken care of business in Pittsburgh, and then it wouldn't have come down to...Read more

Read more | 4 Comments | Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, power poll, Tennessee Titans

Monday Overtime: Key losses set up Giants-Pathers, Titans-Steelers showdown

By Anthony Brown | December 15, 2008 | MVN Outsider

This is not the WWE where outcomes are staged as entertainment masked as sport. But, the NFL could not have set up two key games any better than key losses by the Giants and Titans yesterday.Houston Texans 13, Tennessee Titans 12Texans receiver Andre Johnson is a pretty good football player you almost never see on TV. Blame small markets and inconsistent play for that. He gave Houston football fans an emotional lift with 207 receiving yards to lead the Texans over the franchise formerly known as the Houston Oilers. The game should have been a blowout for the Titans. Instead, their entire scoring came from field goals. It was just that kind of day. So what did Titans coach Jeff Fisher do on fourth down from the Texans 32 yard line with two minutes to go in the fourth quarter? He goes for it instead of taking what might have...Read more

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, New York Giants, NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans

NFL Power Rankings Week 15: Giants can no longer be called best in NFL

By Greg Trippiedi | December 10, 2008 | MVN Outsider

The New York Giants have topped the MVN power rankings for the last two months, but they simply aren't playing like the best team in the NFL anymore. Luckily for the Giants, the elite teams all seem to be playing in the NFC. But don't get me wrong, the Eagles game was still huge for the Giants, because the Giants had a chance to knock the Eagles out of playoff contention and couldn't capitalize. If the Eagles get in as the No. 6 seed, and win in the wild card round, guess who might not win a playoff game this year? Yep. I'm talking about big blue.The Giants will stay as the best team in the NFC for at least one more week, but they better take it to an inferior Dallas team, otherwise, we're talking about the first round bye being in question (the final two games for the...Read more

Read more | 3 Comments | Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, power poll, Tennessee Titans

Monday Overtime: Giants are in, Steelers are men, Packers in sin

By Anthony Brown | December 8, 2008 | MVN Outsider

Philadelphia Eagles 20, New York Giants 14The Philadelphia Eagles are the only NFC East team to win over the weekend; thank you very much Brian Westbrook. They climbed into third place in the division and kept their faint playoff hopes alive. New York's Domenik Hixon impressed as a reserve. So, Plaxico Burress just seemed like another player the Giants wouldn't miss with Hixon as starter. That's probably, almost certainly might still be true. Or not. With the Cowboys' loss, the G-men clinched the NFC Beast anyway.Pittsburgh Steelers 20, Dallas Cowboys 13The Steelers started something when they found and hired Mike Tomlin. It's not just that there are excellent black assistant coaches who are head coach material. It's that owners should be mining young coaching talent within the pro ranks rather than college coaches. College coaches (Spurrier, Saban, Petrino) will quit on you. Tomlin is 20-9 since becoming Steelers head coach....Read more

Read more | Discuss | Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, NFL, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers

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