Jets Steelers Score TD On Opening Drive

Jets vs. Steelers: Steelers Score TD On Opening Drive, Lead 7-0

Jets vs. Steelers: Steelers Score TD On Opening Drive, Lead 7-0

The Pittsburgh Steelers have drawn first blood in their matchup with the New York Jets in the AFC Championship Game, as they got a one-yard touchdown run from Rashard Mendenhall just a few moments ago to make it 7-0.

The Pittsburgh drive went for 66 yards, and ate up over nine minutes on the clock.

However, there may end up being a catch, as Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger took a knee to his left thigh that has him clearly favoring his left leg. We shall see if it hinders him at all for the remainder of the game.

Nevertheless, this is a much better start for the Steelers than the first time they played the Jets, when Brad Smith took the opening kickoff back for a touchdown. The Steelers never really recovered the rest of the way.

News From: bleacherreport.com

Jets vs. Steelers 2011 Game Live Updates

Jets vs. Steelers 2011: AFC Championship Game Live Updates

The Jets and Steelers face off with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line when the AFC Championship Game kicks off at 6:30 PM ET.

The winner will face the Green Bay Packers, who beat the Chicago Bears to win the NFC Championship Game earlier on Sunday.

The Huffington Post will provide live updates throughout the game, and HuffPost Senior Political Editor Howard Fineman will be sending updates and photos from the game. for more Info www.huffingtonpost.com

Caleb Hanie Takes Over For Todd Collins Jay Cutler Out

Packers Vs. Bears: Caleb Hanie Takes Over For Todd Collins; Jay Cutler Out

Chicago Bears QB Caleb Hanie, whom none of us have ever heard of, has taken over for QB Todd Collins behind center. FOX’s Chris Myers mentions Hanie’s mobility as being highly preferable to Collins’, so there’s that. But who in the world is Caleb Hanie?

Jay Cutler is apparently out of the game due to his knee injury, leading many to question his heart and toughness and patriotism and so forth. At one point Brian Urlacher was seen speaking to Cutler, who just kept moping around the sideline with his coat on. Since Hanie was inserted before the fourth quarter began, he's the only quarterback allowed to play for Chicago from this point on.

Hanie has played in five games, completing eight regular season passes, in his three seasons since leaving Colorado State. Caleb Hanie? He went undrafted in 2008, and apparently has been a fan favorite among certain Bears fan circles.

The Bears have actually gotten the ball moving on Hanie’s first drive, so maybe somebody was on to something.

News From: www.sbnation.com

B.J. Raji And Caleb Hanie Trade Touchdowns video

Packers Vs. Bears Score: B.J. Raji And Caleb Hanie Trade Touchdowns, Green Bay Up 21-14 video

Gigantic Green Bay Packers DT B.J. Raji, listed at 337 pounds that we know of, intercepted Chicago Bears third-string QB Caleb Hanie. Darting 18 yards into the end zone, sort of fumbling the ball at the goal line, and breaking out a ravishing hip swivel, Raji appeared to have punched the Packers’ ticket to Arlington, but you can never count out Hanie, because you have never heard of him.

It’s the first career touchdown for Raji and the first postseason interception for Hanie.



The Bears responded by operating in a no-huddle, and with under five minutes to go Hanie had the ball moving. The score came on a 35-yard touchdown pass to Earl Bennett, and Chicago isn’t quite out of it yet. Hanie now has 103 yards in well under a quarter of football, making him Chicago's leading passer on the day.

Follow along with this StoryStream for further updates. And for more on these teams, check out SB Nation’s Bears blog, Windy City Gridiron, and our Packers blog, Acme Packing Company.

Packers Vs. Bears NFC Championship Game

NFC Championship Game, Packers Vs. Bears: Weather And Soldier Field Condition Could Play A Role

We all remember last week at Soldier Field. The turf itself was in poor condition, the sidelines were rock hard and the weather was frigid. Ahead of today’s NFC Championship between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears, temperatures are again expected to be frigid, but the field looks to be in better shape, depending on who you believe. Will the conditions in Chicago play a role in today’s game, with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line?

The weather is bone-chillingly cold, but no snow is expected this time around. Unlike last week, Soldier Field looks inviting, basking in the glow of sunlight this morning. When the Seattle Seahawks took the field, they were greeting by a steady snowfall and temperatures dipping into the teens. This time around, the high is expected to be in the teens, with lows perhaps dipping below 10 degrees. There is a chance of snow, but all looks clear for now.

As for the field, the condition is up for debate. If you believe CBS Sports’ Mike Freeman, Soldier Field is in poor condition again, with chunks of sod coming up as players run through warmups. Freeman said the grounds crew was spray painting the sod, comparing it to putting “”http://twitter.com/realfreemancbs/status/29219694518996992" target="new">lipstick on a pig" while noticing what looked like tire tracks on the playing surface.

On the other hand, check out some of the pictures from this morning. The turf had a tarp placed over it, protecting it from the harsh elements. The photos are zoomed out, but it doesn’t look too frightening, though we won’t know how it will hold up until the players actually get on the field.

Keep an eye on Soldier Field and the weather today as the Packers and Bears hit the field in the NFC Championship at noon on Fox.

News From: seattle.sbnation.com

USA Vs. Chile

USA Vs. Chile: Starting Lineups Released, Bob Bradley Goes 4-2-3-1

USMNT coach Bob Bradley has gone away from his most commonly used 4-4-2 formation yet again, continuing to mix up his personnel post-World Cup 2010. For tonight's USA vs. Chile match, San Jose Earthquakes striker and MLS Golden Boot winner Chris Wondolowski will start up top on his own, despite playing most effectively either on the right wing or with a strike parter in the most recent MLS season. To the displeasure of many fans, this means that youngsters Teal Bunbury and Juan Agudelo have been excluded from the starting lineup.

The other most interesting lineup choices include Mikkel "Mix" Diskerud behind Wondolowski as a No. 10 and D.C. United's newly acquired man Dax McCarty starting in the center of midfield and wearing the captain's armband. Nick Rimando starts in goal; him and Sean Johnson will likely see 45 minutes each. Tim Ream and Omar Gonzalez make up a balanced quick distributor/big bruiser central defense combo. Here's the full lineup.

United States lineup (4-2-3-1, L to R): Rimando ; Loyd, Ream, Gonzalez, Franklin ; McCarty, Larentowicz ; Shea, Diskerud, Bedoya ; Wondolowski

The match starts at 10 pm ET on ESPN3 and we'll have minute by minute coverage here at SBNation.

News From: www.sbnation.com

Pat Barry Vs Joey Beltran

UFC Fight For The Troops 2' Fight Card Preview: Pat Barry Vs Joey Beltran

Joey Beltran vs Pat Barry

I enjoy Pat Barry as much as our semi-progressive society allows, but he's not the world beater so many have made him out to be. Anyone who argues that should push back from the keyboard, find the nearest mirror, and take a long, hard look. Everyone seems to think all Barry needs to do to win this thing is wait for the octagon door to close, but I'm not so sure. His 'fight' with Mirko Cro Cop was an embarrassment. For him to lose that fight will forever make me question his ability to fully transition into MMA. And remember when he was choked out by Tim Hague? What was that about?

This fight isn't about Joey Beltran, it's about Barry's focus and not letting himself be submitted by another underwhelming heavyweight. If he can do that I think he takes this fight. To me, this is make or break for Barry.


News From: www.sbnation.com

Manchester United vs Birmingham

Manchester United vs Birmingham: Premier League Preview

Manchester United will want to return to winning ways after only managing to produce a draw against league rivals Tottenham. United are yet to go into the transfer market however they have been boosted by the news that winger Valencia will return to full fitness next month.

Birmingham will look to be the first team to beat United this season when they visit Old Trafford later today. Birmingham will look to produce their form from last season as they look to move up from 17th in the league and secure Premier League football for next season.

News Feom: www.puntershero.com