tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-189564362011-12-31T14:43:11.368ZNew to the NFL, watching a game on TV? Not sure what's going on or who's who? Need some chat to make yourself sound knowledgable? Just bored by the stats and want to know the real stories behind the game? NFL Briefing comes to the rescue.MGnoreply@blogger.comBlogger461100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1160293488717791842006-10-08T08:40:00.000+01:002006-10-08T08:44:48.726+01:00

NFL Briefing is no longer being updated but there is similar NFL-related discussion on the BBC's new 606 website

MGnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1139322798857724962006-02-07T14:32:00.000Z2006-02-07T14:33:18.916Z

Just because this wasn't the highest-quality of the 40 Super Bowls doesn't mean it won't be one of the most memorable in the years ahead. That is not only because one of the NFL's most storied teams ended a 26-year drought to win that ring for the thumb, having ridden a way of emotion through the playoffs and becoming the first team to win four games on the road (although Ford Field looked like

MGnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1138984321044244052006-02-03T16:30:00.000Z2006-02-03T16:57:55.103Z

Star playersShaun Alexander #37, RB, SeahawksThe NFL's Most Valuable Player, Alexander rushed for a league-leading 1,880 yards during the regular season. Critics say he can't run over defenders but he boasts speed and sharp moves too, and it is significant that Seattle did not lose a regular season game when he ran for 100 yards or more. Teams are unable to adjust their defensive schemes to

MGnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1138887158354396982006-02-02T13:31:00.000Z2006-02-05T07:40:00.696Z

This is Pittsburgh's sixth Super Bowl appearance, a record that is matched by Denver and bettered only by the Dallas Cowboys, whose eighth big game saw them beat the Steelers in Arizona in 1996. The teams compete for the Lombardi Trophy, named after Vince Lombardi, coach of the Green Bay Packers, who won the first two AFL-NFL titles, and progenitor of the maxim "Winning isn't everything: It's the

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1138749928298295352006-01-31T23:23:00.000Z2006-02-01T10:59:36.283Z

The Steelers and Seahawks are teams with vastly different backgrounds, but on the field they are very similar.Pittsburgh is in the heart of blue-collar Pennsylvania and its team personifies that perfectly. After a big day at the racetrack, Art Rooney bought a franchise from the NFL for $2,500 (£1,400) in 1933, the year the Pennsylvania Blue Laws banning Sunday play were repealed. His team were

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1138745524396365872006-01-30T22:10:00.000Z2006-01-31T22:12:04.410Z

Super Bowl XLPittsburgh Steelers v Seattle SeahawksFord Field, DetriotSunday, 5 February1830 EST on ABC / 2330 GMT on Sky Sports 1 and ITV 1No game of football matters more but the Super Bowl is not only the high-profile finale of the NFL season. It is an unofficial American holiday, with the whole country grinding to a halt for Super Sunday. No other major sport has a one-off final - basketball,

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1138017958454753572006-01-23T12:04:00.000Z2006-01-26T10:03:45.866Z

Seahawks 34-14 PanthersNFL Most Valuable Player Shaun Alexander gained the plaudits for a 132-yard game with two touchdowns, but it was quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and the Seattle defense who deserved them after ensuring the Seahawks make their first ever trip to the last game of the season, while Carolina are denied their second visit in three years.Hasselbeck was perfect in the first two drives

MGnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1137710392058870042006-01-20T22:39:00.000Z2006-01-20T14:07:12.546Z

Don't look for what has been happening on offense all year, because it is too predictable and two of the league's best defenses will be up to the task. Carolina may continue to try and get the ball to receiver Steve Smith as often as possible, especially with running back DeShaun Foster out, but if QB Jake Delhomme tries to throw quick passes to him in the flat, he is likely to be picked off

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1137708938608233672006-01-19T22:11:00.000Z2006-01-19T22:15:38.610Z

This will be a toe-to-toe battle in the trenches with rushing offense pitted against aggressive defense, but the quarterbacks may hold the key. Both sides will look to establish the run early and if Mike Anderson or Tatum Bell of Denver, Willie Parker or Jerome Bettis of Pittsburgh gets on a roll his team will stick with him all the way. More likely, though, there will be a quaggy stalemate, with

MGnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1137708679046341232006-01-18T22:10:00.000Z2006-01-23T11:39:39.053Z

NFC Championship GameCarolina Panthers at Seattle SeahawksQwest FieldSunday, 22 January1830 EST on Fox / 2330 GMT on Sky Sports XtraTwo unfashionable teams from this year's unfashionable conference line up to fight for a place in the 50th NFL fashion show in Detroit. This game is likely to be just as close as the one that precedes it, if lacking a little of the glamour."Do You Know His Name?"

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1137496861618349412006-01-17T11:18:00.000Z2006-01-17T11:21:01.633Z

AFC Championship Game Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver BroncosInvesco Field at Mile HighSunday, 22 January1500 EST on Fox / 2000 GMT on Sky Sports XtraBefore this season, the last playoff game the Broncos had won was the 1998 Super Bowl, the last game of legendary quarterback John Elway's career. Coach Mike Shanahan, whose arrival in Denver sparked an Indian summer for Elway, was beginning to grow

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1137410631989382992006-01-16T11:22:00.000Z2006-01-16T19:47:36.126Z

Panthers 29-21 BearsHow do you stop Steve Smith? Normally a star receiver with little support can be taken out of the game by double-coverage. Smith caught a pass in double coverage, wrestling the ball of Charles Tillman at the one-yard line to set up the second score. The first score was his, a 58-yard-duking dash of the second play from scrimmage, and there was more as he beat a stumbling

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1137102779017639902006-01-13T21:51:00.000Z2006-01-16T10:58:43.006Z

Carolina Panthers at Chicago BearsSoldier FieldSunday, 15 January1630 EST on Fox / 2130 GMT on Sky Sports XtraThere hasn't been a scoreless tie in the NFL since 1943 but this game has to be one of the best candidates in years.It is considered heresy to compare any defense to that of the 1985 Chicago Bears, but the Super Bowl Shufflers might just concede that this year's Bears D is up there with

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1137096896904691812006-01-12T20:13:00.000Z2006-01-12T20:14:56.916Z

Pittsburgh Steelers at Indianapolis ColtsRCA DomeSunday, 15 January1300 EST on CBS / 1800 GMT on Sky Sports XtraRemember the Indianapolis Colts? They're the team who won 13 consecutive games, sweeping all before them on their way to the AFC South title, before a few niggling injuries, nothing else to play for and the tragic death of coach Tony Dungy's son combined for two defeats to finish the

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1137017936693537192006-01-11T22:15:00.000Z2006-01-11T22:18:56.730Z

New England Patriots at Denver BroncosInvesco Field at Mile HighSaturday, 14 January2000 EST on CBS / 0100 GMT on Sky Sports XtraAs with every game in thie divisional round, the Broncos and Patriots have faced each other already this season, with Denver coming out on top 28-20 at home in week six. What you make of that result is your choice. Do you look at Denver taking a 25-point lead or

MGnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1136909890545856062006-01-10T16:16:00.000Z2006-01-10T18:01:49.583Z

Washington Redskins at Seattle SeahawksQwest FieldSaturday, 14 January1630 EST on Fox / 2130 GMT on Sky Sports XtraSeattle looked like another promising season was going down the pan on 2 October, when they lost 20-17 in Washington to leave their record at 2-2, but after that game everything just came right as they won 11 successive games in posting a team-best 13-3 record. That victory saw

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1136753496018197662006-01-09T20:49:00.000Z2006-01-10T17:52:27.973Z

Bengals 17-31 PittsburghPlenty of teams have their seasons ruined by injuries but none quite so publicly as the Bengals did when Carson Palmer was carried from the field with less than four minutes gone in the game. Replacement Jon Kitna took his place admirably, doing the sort of thing that back-up quarterbacks are usually unable to do, running the no-huddle offense and finding his rhythm in a

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1136481551129638202006-01-06T17:18:00.000Z2006-01-06T19:27:45.920Z

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati BengalsPaul Brown StadiumSunday, 8 January1630 EST on ABC / 2130 GMT on Sky Sports XtraIt's best-of-three between these AFC North rivals as they look to determine which of the two games they played during the regular season has the most significance. The Steelers inflicted Cincinnati's first home defeat of the season in week seven when Pittsburgh rang up 221

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1136477623452512282006-01-05T16:11:00.000Z2006-01-05T16:13:43.463Z

Carolina Panthers at New York GiantsGiants StadiumSunday, 8 January1300 EST on Fox / 1800 GMT on Sky Sports XtraJohn Fox, Giants defensive coordinator from 1997-2001, returns to the Meadowlands as head coach of the Panthers in what is the most difficult game of the weekend to predict. Carolina, Super Bowl losers just two seasons ago, are forced to make the visit to the frozen north-east because

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1136387318188699542006-01-04T15:07:00.000Z2006-01-05T19:52:27.636Z

Jacksonville Jaguars at New England PatriotsGillette StadiumSaturday, 7 January2000 EST on ABC / 0100 GMT on Sky Sports XtraThe warm-weather Jaguars travel to Foxborough, Massachusetts, where the temperature is not expects to rise above freezing even with the sun out earlier in the day but the Patriots are hot and everybody's dark horse to reach the Super Bowl. The last time these sides met in

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1136322515126285062006-01-03T21:07:00.000Z2006-01-03T21:09:55.540Z

Washington Redskins at Tampa Bay BuccaneersRaymond James StadiumSaturday, 7 January1630 EST on ABC / 2130 GMT on Sky Sports XtraIn arguably the weakest game of the playoff schedule, Washington travel to Florida after barely scraping past Philadelphia in the final weekend to take their streak to five games. They take on a Buccaneers side that has been running hot and cold all season. The Redskins

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1136320505730179272006-01-02T20:34:00.000Z2006-01-06T19:28:57.906Z

Cincinnati decided the AFC seeding meant nothing in comparison to resting their top players, and in the event it made no difference anyway because rivals New England lost to Miami. Instead of a hard-fought match we got Carson Palmer playing just two drives before being pulled and little offense from there on.Kansas City tried their best to provide Dick Vermeil with the ideal retirement present -

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1135803385799994672005-12-30T20:55:00.000Z2006-01-03T20:16:40.623Z

The sort of passion the Chiefs have shown at home over the last 18 late-season games could easily be on display, backed up by a screaming Arrowhead crowd, clad in bright red. If Cincinnati want to, they could match KC's offensive firepower, and score at a higher rate, but two massive variables are how seriously they take the seeding issue, and how serious the groin strain Carson Palmer suffered

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1135803349798075942005-12-29T20:55:00.000Z2005-12-29T10:34:56.636Z

Chad Johnson #85, WR, BengalsIn his fifth season in the league, Johnson was last week named to the AFC Pro Bowl squad for the third time, only in part because he is third in the league with 1,377 receiving yards. Johnson is one of the biggest characters in the league and his touchdown celebrations have become legend. Two years ago he guaranteed victory over unbeaten Kansas City, and helped to

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1135711045449379872005-12-28T07:06:00.000Z2005-12-28T10:12:42.673Z

If you haven't already read that stat about Kansas City having won their last 18 games at home in December then you haven't been reading hard enough. Once winter comes to Missouri, the Chiefs are a terrifying prospect and they have been even more terrifying in the last few weeks with the arrival of Larry Johnson in the starting line-up. The season could have been ruined when Priest Holmes went on

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1135689735148095682005-12-27T13:14:00.000Z2005-12-27T13:22:15.150Z

Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City ChiefsArrowhead StadiumSunday, 1 January1300 EST on CBS/ 1800 GMTOn the final weekend of the regular season, just five games do not have implications for the playoffs, and two of those involve the top team in either conference. However, there is only one game where both teams involved could have everything to play for, which shows just how easy the NFL is to

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1135685997004102812005-12-26T12:17:00.000Z2005-12-27T13:14:37.550Z

After the death of Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy's son, any symbolic significance was taken from this game even before kickoff. The Seahawks wrapped up home field advantage through the NFC half of the playoffs while the Colts looked to get the game over as quickly as possible before heading to the funeral. Of vital importance for Indy, though, is that they now pick themselves up and rediscover

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1135249401410250722005-12-23T11:02:00.000Z2005-12-23T11:39:52.096Z

Finally someone found a way to beat the Colts. After the Chargers’ victory at the RCA Dome last weekend it looks easy in retrospect:Quarterback Peyton Manning’s no-huddle offense has been dominant all season, but use plenty of shifting fronts, with players threatening to blitz then dropping back in coverage, and the plan is far harder to execute.Opponents have tended to focus on the Colts’ crack

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1135249306677155942005-12-22T11:00:00.000Z2005-12-22T11:01:46.680Z

Fans #12, SeahawksSeattle value their fans so highly that they retired the number 12 jersey in their honour, and the Qwest Field congregation has been in full voice this year. It was at its loudest when Peyton Manning’s brother Eli visited and the Giants suffered 11 false start penalties because they couldn’t hear their QB signal the snap. Key to Indianapolis’ success has been their the no-huddle

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1135249237166756082005-12-21T10:59:00.000Z2005-12-22T11:00:37.183Z

Did someone say we were in Seattle? At this time of year? The Seahawks have often looked good on paper but have rarely performed throughout the season, not helped by the extra travel that west coast teams have to endure in their schedule. They chips are down this season, though, as the clock is ticking on their success. Running back Shaun Alexander, who leads the league with 1,668 yards and 24

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1135190397846337642005-12-20T18:38:00.000Z2005-12-21T18:41:10.853Z

Indianapolis Colts at Seattle SeahawksQwest FieldSaturday, 24 December1615 EST on CBS/ 2115 GMT on Sky Sports OneStrictly speaking, it doesn't, although if all goes according to form these two sides should meet again in Detroit on 5 February. Seattle already have a playoff place wrapped up and are two games ahead of any rival in the fight for home field advantage through to the NFC Championship

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1135010432926685242005-12-19T16:39:00.000Z2005-12-22T09:33:39.576Z

Washington fans could not have hoped for a better early present, while Drew Bledsoe is not the only Dallas resident who will have woken up on Monday morning hoping the whole thing was just a nightmare before Christmas.The Redskins defensive front put massive pressure on Bledsoe all day, exposing a weakness at left tackle that has been screamingly evident since Flozell Adams was lost for the

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1134593068756943422005-12-16T08:42:00.000Z2005-12-16T08:07:31.816Z

Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins - Fedex Field - Sunday, 18 December, 1615 EST on FOX/ 2115 GMT on Sky Sports XtraBoth starting Skins defensive tackles, Cornelius Griffin and Joe Salave'a, are listed as "questionable" on this week's injury report, which may mean the Cowboys could be able to run up the middle, either through Marion Barber or Julius Jones. More likely, though, Washington's

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1134592893542842652005-12-15T08:39:00.000Z2005-12-16T08:07:14.826Z

Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins - Fedex Field - Sunday, 18 December, 1615 EST on FOX/ 2115 GMT on Sky Sports XtraSantana Moss #89, WR, RedskinsMoss, a free agent signing from the Jets this summer, made an explosive start to his career in the nation's capital, catching passes for more than 100 yards (the mark of a decent receiver) in four of his first six games but he has been nothing like

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1134425608157910452005-12-14T22:10:00.000Z2005-12-14T20:35:10.066Z

Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins – Fedex Field - Sunday, 18 December, 1615 EST on FOX/ 2115 GMT on Sky Sports XtraIf you missed the last 20 years, you would still recognise a meeting between coaches Bill Parcells and Joe Gibbs this late in the season as a key NFC East battle, but last season saw the first time the two men had come face-to-face on a football field since Parcells resigned as

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1134422583873003722005-12-13T09:21:00.000Z2005-12-13T09:06:50.543Z

Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins – Fedex Field - Sunday, 18 December, 1615 EST on FOX/ 2115 GMT on Sky Sports XtraGames between Dallas and Washington are intense even when there is nothing on the line. Quite why the rivalry is so bitter depends on which side you ask. The Cowboys maintain that Redskins owner George Preston Marshall tried to block their entry into the NFL in 1960 because he

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1134419451948589942005-12-12T20:29:00.000Z2005-12-12T20:30:51.956Z

Indianapolis continued their quest to become just the second team ever to have a perfect season, joining the 1934 Chicago Bears, the Miami Dolphins of 1972 and the 1998 Denver Broncos as the only teams ever to start a season with 13 successive wins. On the way, they exhibited perfection at the start of this game, with an 89-yard drive made up of eight plays and featuring five different receivers,

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1133975207713376552005-12-07T17:04:00.000Z2005-12-07T18:12:35.000Z

Sunday, 11 December, 1300 EST / 1800 GMTAlltel StadiumTV: CBS (US) / Sky Sports Xtra (UK)Why it mattersThis could be the Colts' last meaningful game until 14 January, but the Jaguars won't provide them with the sort of easy victory most of their schedule has offered so far. Indianapolis just need a win here (it would be their 13th straight this season) to secure a first round bye and home field

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1133373402554465142005-11-30T17:45:00.000Z2005-11-30T17:56:42.603Z

Sunday, 4 December, 1615 EST / 2115 GMTArrowhead StadiumTV: CBS (US) / Sky Sports Xtra (UK)Why it mattersIt is quite possible that one of the top 10 teams in the NFL won't have a shot at reaching the Super Bowl, because it won't make the playoffs. While the National Football Conference wallows in mediocrity, with only a handful of teams worthy of playing in the post-season, the AFC is white hot

MGnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1133128412533589752005-11-27T21:48:00.000Z2005-11-27T21:53:32.546Z

Monday, 28 November, 2100 EST / 0200 GMTRCA DomeTV: ABC (US) / Five (UK)Why it mattersIf it's tough staying up until the end of Monday Night Football in the US, it's almost impossible over the Atlantic, but this game is perhaps the best excuse this season for burning the candle at one end or the other.At their best, the Steelers are at least the second-best team in the league. Unfortunately they

MGnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1132939502518731302005-11-25T17:13:00.000Z2005-11-25T17:25:02.543Z

Sunday, 27 November, 1615 EST / 2115 GMTQwest FieldTV: FOX (US) / Sky Sports Xtra (UK)Why it mattersThis could be a preview of January's National Football Conference championship game, the Super Bowl semi-final, so there are plenty of psychological points to be scored . The NFC playoff picture is far from clear, with several of the leading teams apt to trip up, but the Seahawks have the best

MGnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1132597073455285822005-11-24T18:16:00.000Z2005-11-23T06:23:57.043Z

Texas Stadium1615 EST / 2115 GMTCBS (US) / Sky Sports Xtra (UK)Why it mattersFinish off the turkey and cranberry sauce early because the second game on the Thanksgiving Day double-header is a cracker. Doubts still surround the Cowboys and the Broncos but, before a national TV audience, both teams have the chance to banish them and stake their claims as potential playoff threats.Dallas won six and

MGnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1132493627436297452005-11-20T13:27:00.000Z2005-11-21T10:18:30.976Z

Lambeau Field2100EST Mon 21 Nov / 0200GMTABC (US) / Five (UK)Why it mattersThere is a popular tee-shirt in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St Paul. It's not necessarily original but it rings through the state of Minnesota: "I have two favourite teams: the Vikings and whoever's playing the Packers". November is still a little early for the full, frosty spectacle but a Monday night game in

MGnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1132267225127030562005-11-17T22:38:00.000Z2005-11-18T16:16:34.533Z

Paul Brown Stadium1615 EST / 2115 GMT Sun 20 NovCBS (US) / Sky Sports (UK)Why it mattersEvery season at about this point, members of the 1972 Dolphins team get together to have dinner and watch the game. It may even be this week that CBS have a camera in a box at the stadium in Miami to watch the reactions of Bob Griese, Larry Csonka and Nick Buoniconti as another team, this time Indianapolis,

MGnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1132181183616852522005-11-16T22:38:00.000Z2005-11-16T22:46:23.626Z

Georgia Dome1300 EST / 1800 GMT Sun 20 NovFOX (US) / Sky Sports (UK)Why it mattersSix teams from each conference go through to the end-of-season playoffs, and Atlanta and Tampa Bay look to be competing for a single spot. With Carolina, many people's tip for the Super Bowl, at the top of the NFC South Division, these two are fighting for a wildcard spot among the best-placed runners-up. Unlike

MGnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18956436.post-1131987771985333762005-11-14T16:59:00.001Z2005-11-14T22:20:30.520Z

Lincoln Financial Field0200 GMT Tues 15 NovUK TV: FiveWhy it mattersThe Cowboys and Eagles both play in the NFC East Division, which means both that they have a traditional rivalry – Dallas have won 50 of the 89 games between the two going back to their creation in 1960 - and that they are chasing the same place in the end-of-season playoffs, which makes the competition all the more intense. The

MGnoreply@blogger.com1