1841

I wish we could point out how awesome this was in context. The rookie comes in for a chip shot from the two, you hit it inside the cones for accuracy.

And miss the 19 yard field goal wide left, from the right hashmark.

It’s not like you could do much about it, either. I can’t imagine a rookie kicker imploding more spectacularly than that. In a game that felt like it needed Benny Hill music in the background, that was really the high point. When the final score is 22-15, and there were few field goals, you know you had a good time.

1842

Saints 27, Redskins 10.

The story of this game can be told in few words. Redskins QB Jake Scott, 5.5 yards per attempt, 3 picks.

The Saints again had no end of trouble with Albert Haynesworth, who abused the guard and center to the tune of four tackles for loss, holding Pierre Thomas to 38 yards rushing (9 of which came on the final play). Reggie Bush was a nonfactor for most of the game, but he did his job of decoy well, opening opportunities for Marques Colston, Pierre Thomas, Lance Moore, and even Luke Winsdor, our rookie TE who made two catches, one for a score. Tracy Porter added a pick-six, and New Orleans holds on to improve to 9-1.

Next week - Seattle!

1843

We rollin’ this sucker forward?

1844

Whup, busy today, forgot – will do it shortly.

1845

Whew. 2 CPU games in a row for the 'skins. Nice breather. Get some wins under the belt. Maybe.

1846

AFC

East
Dolphins 7 - 3
Bills 4 - 6 (James Gutierrez)
Jets 2 - 8
Patriots 2 - 8

North
Browns 9 - 1 (Ryan A)
Ravens 9 - 1 i[/i]
Bengals 3 - 7
Steelers 3 - 7 i[/i]

South
Colts 9 - 1
Texans 5 - 5
Titans 3 - 7
Jaguars 1 - 9

West
Raiders 5 - 5
Broncos 4 - 6 i[/i]
Chargers 3 - 7
Chiefs 3 - 7

NFC

East
Cowboys 8 - 2 i[/i]
Eagles 8 - 2 i[/i]
Giants 4 - 6
Redskins 1 - 9 i[/i]

North
Packers 8 - 2 i[/i]
Bears 7 - 3
Vikings 5 - 5 i[/i]
Lions 4 - 6 i[/i]

South
Saints 9 - 1 (Matt Bowyer)
Panthers 7 - 3 i[/i]
Buccaneers 2 - 8 i[/i]
Falcons 1 - 9

West
Cardinals 9 - 1 (Not One Of Us)
49ers 6 - 4 i[/i]
Seahawks 5 - 5 i[/i]
Rams 4 - 6 i[/i]

1847

NFC represent!

1848

Okay, FUCK the FUCKING catch-up AI.

Steelers are done. Losing to the fucking AI is un-fucking-acceptable. Fuck.

1849

fuzzyslug: let’s get our Browns/Ravens game on. I’m pretty sure it will decide the winner of the AFC North. Hit me up here or on XBL with your times. I can play tonight if need be.

1850

Seriously, the game? We had them beat except for - and I kid you not - TWICE literally a defender blinked into existence for an INT. I watched the replay and he was literally NOT THERE. One frame, nothing. Next frame, Dolphin in front of the receiver.

Cap it off with a 107 yard kick return after they’d fair-catched every single other kick into the end zone, then an out-of-nowhere holding penalty to stop the clock when they were out of timeouts in the red zone so they could score the go-ahead touchdown.

This is abso-fucking-lute BULLSHIT.

EDIT: Also, James Farrior out two weeks with busted ribs. HOW CONVENIENT for the AI that my best coverage linebacker gets injured before their super-drive.

1851

The end of the week is always tough for me. Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday evenings after 8:30 pm est work for me.

1852

Let’s do sunday or monday at 5:30 PDT / 8:30 EDT then – you name the day.

1853

Now that the boiling rage over losing to the AI has subsided…

Steelers 28, Dolphins 32. Frankly, we outplayed them with the exception of their impossible fourth quarter comeback. The rookie QB, Dane Morrow, went 14-20 with a touchdown pass, but also threw two INTs and was sacked twice due to his lack of mobility. Experience should be a good teacher for him.

NOTICE: Ben Roethlisberger is benched for the remainder of the season due to You Suck, Ben. Welcome to your suspension for incompetence. You get paid too much to be outshined by a rookie, you tool.

Marshawn Lynch had a career game with over 200 yards on the ground. What that stat doesn’t show is the insane run-blocking abilities of Heath Miller and Carey Davis, who just dismantled the Dolphins’ defensive line.

Defensively, the loss of James Farrior was a massive, massive blow. With no other capable middle linebacker, we had to shift James Harrison over to MLB and allow the window-licking sped Bruce Davis to actually take the field despite having only a 66 Overall rating.

Weaknesses, as usual, my O-line. Backfield could also be better at coverage, but that’s mainly a play-calling weakness. Also, Jeff Reed is going to be fired the moment we get back to the ranch. Missing two field goals that would have clinched the win means that your time with the team is over. 3-8 means that we have no room for mercy or forgiveness in this organization. Our season is done, and you’re to blame, Jeff. You and your stupid haircut.

The remainder of the season now serves no purpose except to play spoiler (hah! As if we had any RELEVANT games left on the schedule!) and get the young guys some experience.

With Madden 11 dropping in August, I don’t think we’re likely to have a third season here, alas. Which is kind of sad since I’d like to think that I could improve on this Steelers lineup (they certainly couldn’t get any worse unless Jack English snuck onto the team - oh snap!) - but perhaps the next franchise will deliver better results.

1854

Blue Jackalope! Seahawks vs. Saints! I am free anytime that is not tonight or tomorrow.

This bums me out. I want to import my linebacking corps of Sneed, Vilma, and Woodley into the next Madden game. Not having Sneed will be weird, because he’s such a key part of my defense.

1855

What makes you say that? It’s May, we’re on Week 12, we can do a third season for Madden 10. Besides, we should wait till sometime September to start the Madden 11 league, to learn all the new things and get the actual, final rosters.

1856

Probably can’t do Sat, unless it is late (maybe) but available most other times. Post 5:30 PST on the Weekdays.

Name a time that is good for you.

I hope you are looking forward to seeing which 'Hawks team shows up against the Saints as I am! Dropping two games to the AI and one to the Bucs Seahawks…or playing decent defense and tolerable offense Seahawks…

1857

Strummer~

1858

/agree

1859

With two losses to NOOU’s Cards and losing the potential wildcard tie-breaker game to Strummer’s Panthers, I’m pretty sure I have no chance of making the playoffs. I’m gonna drop out of the leagues and trade in the game while I can still get some cash for it. These two seasons have been some of the most fun I’ve had in gaming and I will most definitely be getting Madden 11 in August. Thanks for the great times everybody, I’ll see you all in the new league. I’ll probably be a new team again; maybe the Cowboys. I’ve always wanted to be a cowboy.

1860

I GET TO PLAY THE A.I! WOOHOO!