NFL

[King Kunta 97]

Yeah wasn't it it 5 or something, the lowest in 10 years? Couldn't believe at the time they used a first round pick on a 28 soon to be 29 year old, but yeah he needs to play well and quickly to justify his selection because he doesnt have the same amount of time obviously as the other rookies. That list was hard I didn't realise how many good quarterbacks out there

[cowboy_from_hell 2,390]

With a lot of Rookie's coming through hopefully we see some fresh talent over the next few years. I think there is 5 this year. The Mcnabb experience was torture for me last year. It's no wonder Young didn't get picked up.

[Macca 17,013]

Yeah wasn't it it 5 or something, the lowest in 10 years? Couldn't believe at the time they used a first round pick on a 28 soon to be 29 year old, but yeah he needs to play well and quickly to justify his selection because he doesnt have the same amount of time obviously as the other rookies. That list was hard I didn't realise how many good quarterbacks out there

Ha ha ! It's quite a difficult assignment when it's all said and done . You should do it again in a couple/few weeks . Be interesting to see if you have much movement . I know from last year that a lot can happen in a week with these lists . Think I'll stick to the teams list and leave the tricky stuff to others ! I generally liked your order though I'd change a couple . I'd have Vick and Stafford higher but I'm influenced by a bit of 'Wow' factor with Vick and Stafford is a little under-rated by the pundits . Of course , when you're ranking all 32 there's bound to be some differences of opinion . Yours was a good post 'Hipster' and well researched .

On the teams rankings I've ranked Baltimore at no.2 and the Pats at no.5 . They play each this week and barring a freak result , one team has to lose . The key is , which team hurts more from a loss ? With only 16 games and top seedings up for grabs , neither team would want to start 1 and 2 .

[King Kunta 97]

Yeah it is certainly tough, yeah I'm a big Stafford fan I just wonder where he would be without Megatron, against the rams he was getting triple coverage, creating 1 on 1s for all.other receivers and making catches himself. When he has a big game, which I'm sure he will soon, I'll move him up.

I've never been a big Vick fan, he always seems to be banged up which is part of the problem and last year he was really disappointing in a pretty stacked team.

I think the Pats desperately need the win, while Flacco needs to show something for the Ravens

[Macca 17,013]

Tomorrow's game between the Giants & the Panthers is on OneHD . New York are 1.5 points favourites but I reckon Carolina can win this encounter . Edit (Whoops)

FRI, SEP 21

10.20 AM NY Giants 36 at Carolina 7 (OneHD)

Here's a light hearted podcast with Bill Simmons and his Cousin Sal . They do a quick recap/overview of the previous weeks games and then discuss the upcoming games and try to pick the lines .

http://espn.go.com/e...play?id=8391721

And here's the rest of the week 3 games . New England at Baltimore (SNF) being the standout game .

* You can click on any team and it will take you to that teams ESPN page . Lots of stats , news , general info and also that particular team's schedule for the season .

MON, SEP 24

3.00 AM St. Louis at Chicago

3.00 AM Buffalo at Cleveland

3.00 AM Tampa Bay at Dallas

3.00 AM NY Jets at Miami

3.00 AM San Francisco at Minnesota

3.00 AM Kansas City at New Orleans (OneHD)

3.00 AM Cincinnati at Washington

3.00 AM Detroit at Tennessee (Fox 1)

3.00 AM Jacksonville at Indianapolis

6.05 AM Philadelphia at Arizona (OneHD)

6.05 AM Atlanta at San Diego

6.25 AM Houston at Denver

6.25 AM Pittsburgh at Oakland

10.20 AM New England at Baltimore (OneHD & ESPN)

TUES, SEP 25

10.30 AM Green Bay at Seattle (ESPN)

Edited September 23, 2012 by Macca

[cowboy_from_hell 2,390]

some good games coming up. Not for my Vikings though 49ers are gonna be tough. Philly vs Arizona should be a good game. Arizona may get over the line if their defence hold up and Philly turn the ball over a million times again.

[Macca 17,013]

some good games coming up. Not for my Vikings though 49ers are gonna be tough. Philly vs Arizona should be a good game. Arizona may get over the line if their defence hold up and Philly turn the ball over a million times again.

I give your blokes a sneaky chance . The 49ers are only 6.5 point favourites . There always seems to be at least 3 or 4 upsets every week and I like those home underdogs . Guess a lot is going to depend on Peterson and San Francisco's renowned defence .

I find nearly all games involving the Eagles interesting . You just don't know what you're gonna get with Vick . He may not be the best QB but he's close to the most watchable . Arizona have a real chance to get away to a great start to the season . After Philadelphia they've got (H) Miami , @ St Louis , (H) Buffalo and then @ Minnesota .

[King Kunta 97]

The uni break has come at a good, looking forward to the AFC conference final replay. Also hoping we can see Rodgers silence all the Seattle natives. Upset of the week, I'm going with the Browns opening up their win column with Richardson exploding for 120 yards at home against Buffalo.

[Macca 17,013]

Tomorrow's game between the Giants & the Panthers is on OneHD . New York are 1.5 points favourites but I reckon Carolina can win this encounter .

Smart punters take note - get ya hard earned on the team I pick against . Easy money ....

[cowboy_from_hell 2,390]

http://www.vikings.com/media-vault/videos/Stephen-Burtons-Circus-Style-TD-Catch-vs-Colts/65534720-3934-4e5f-ada1-5e0942d71099

The 49ers are so good on defence I hope the vikings offence can do this more often.

[Dr. Gonzo 24,235]

Got a 10 leg multi on Monday mornings games - for a $5 outlay looking at a $2700 return if it gets up. Left out my Jets because they're as schizophrenic as Melbourne were under Daniher so not a good team to bet on. Looking forward to Pats/Ravens and seeing how the Jets back up from last weeks debacle against Pitt. Loving RGIII at the moment though with those injuries last week and the fact theyre in a pretty tough division could make it difficult for them to get a playoff spot. Will be keeping an eye on them though.

[Macca 17,013]

Got a 10 leg multi on Monday mornings games - for a $5 outlay looking at a $2700 return if it gets up. Left out my Jets because they're as schizophrenic as Melbourne were under Daniher so not a good team to bet on. Looking forward to Pats/Ravens and seeing how the Jets back up from last weeks debacle against Pitt. Loving RGIII at the moment though with those injuries last week and the fact theyre in a pretty tough division could make it difficult for them to get a playoff spot. Will be keeping an eye on them though.

We got a Jets fan ! Welcome aboard Gonzo (or welcome back!) . Big divisional game against the Dolphins for Rex's men . You confident ?

Yeah , that NFC East division is beauty . Dallas host Tampa Bay and won't want to drop that game . RG3 and the Redskins are in a similar spot hosting the Bengals . Ya just gotta get those early wins .

At first glance at this weeks games (post #355) there doesn't seem to be too many 'Classic' match-ups but there's certainly quite a few evenly matched games . The 'Late' games offer up 2 rippers with Atlanta @ San Diego and Houston @ Denver . The Rams at the Bears is another vital game for both teams .

[cowboy_from_hell 2,390]

Got a 10 leg multi on Monday mornings games - for a $5 outlay looking at a $2700 return if it gets up. Left out my Jets because they're as schizophrenic as Melbourne were under Daniher so not a good team to bet on. Looking forward to Pats/Ravens and seeing how the Jets back up from last weeks debacle against Pitt. Loving RGIII at the moment though with those injuries last week and the fact theyre in a pretty tough division could make it difficult for them to get a playoff spot. Will be keeping an eye on them though.

Ha. I would never put a dollar on the Jets either. After their pre season with no TD's who would have thought they would put a massive score on in Round 1. I don't know why they picked up Tebow. It just puts too much pressure on Sanchez to perform every week or the Tebow drums will start beating.

Edit: Not trying to take the [censored]. The Jets are a lot better then my Vikings.

[Whispering_Jack 30,244]

It's good to hear the 49ers are out of the wilderness after so many years. I know they made the playoffs last year but they've been so disappointing since the Joe Montana/Jerry Rice days. I'll get into this as soon as the AFL is done and dusted next week.

[Dr. Gonzo 24,235]

Ha. I would never put a dollar on the Jets either. After their pre season with no TD's who would have thought they would put a massive score on in Round 1. I don't know why they picked up Tebow. It just puts too much pressure on Sanchez to perform every week or the Tebow drums will start beating.

Edit: Not trying to take the [censored]. The Jets are a lot better then my Vikings.

Yeah I don't get the Tebow move either especially if he's just gonna sit on the bench for all but about 4 snaps like he did last week. I'd love to see him in a different position like the RB where he can use his strengths to his advantage. Would keep opposition on their toes as well as they wouldn't know if be was going to be passing or running. Not all that confident against Miami but thinking we should be narrow favourites. They did touch us up in week 17 last year when Holmes cracked it in the huddle so who knows hoping for a win though because after that we have a tough 4-5 week stretch that includes both the Texans & 49ers though they are at home.

[Macca 17,013]

Here's Bill Simmons 'Grantland' column on tomorrow's games ...

http://www.grantland...-mailbag#8211referee-armageddon

Q: Two years ago the NFC West sent a 7-9 team to the playoffs. Is it possible that this is now the best division in football? How did this happen??

—Hunter, Washington, DC

SG: The short answer: It's 2012 and these are the kinds of things that have been happening in 2012. (Would a Washington-Baltimore World Series even be one of the top five weirdest sporting moments of 2012?) The NFC West suddenly has a potential juggernaut (San Francisco), two potential wild-card teams (Seattle and Arizona) and the best "fourth" team in any division (the frisky Rams, who should give the Bears a good battle on Sunday). This doesn't make sense, which is precisely why it makes sense. I am fully prepared for Alex Smith and Kevin Kolb to share the 2012 MVP. That reminds me …

Here are the games ...week 3 ...

FRI, SEP 21

10.20 AM NY Giants 36 at Carolina 7 (OneHD)

MON, SEP 24

3.00 AM St. Louis 6 at Chicago 23

3.00 AM Buffalo 24 at Cleveland 14

3.00 AM Tampa Bay 10 at Dallas 16

3.00 AM NY Jets 23 at Miami 20

3.00 AM San Francisco 13 at Minnesota 24

3.00 AM Kansas City 27 at New Orleans 24 (OneHD)

3.00 AM Cincinnati 38 at Washington 31

3.00 AM Detroit 41 at Tennessee 44 (Fox 1)

3.00 AM Jacksonville 22 at Indianapolis 17

6.05 AM Philadelphia 6 at Arizona 27 (OneHD)

6.05 AM Atlanta 27 at San Diego 3

6.25 AM Houston 31 at Denver 27

6.25 AM Pittsburgh 31 at Oakland 34

10.20 AM New England 30 at Baltimore 31 (OneHD & ESPN)

TUES, SEP 25

10.30 AM Green Bay 12 at Seattle 14 (ESPN)

Edited September 26, 2012 by Macca

[cowboy_from_hell 2,390]

Vikings win. What a game. 3 Fumbles in one quarter by Gerhart and we still win. 49ers were off their game but who cares? 2-1 is a pretty good start and touch wood we are a fair chance against Detroit. A few upsets this week and OT wins. Sorry to say it Macca but I need a Seattle win for the Vikes to go a game clear of your Packers.

[Whispering_Jack 30,244]

Vikings win. What a game. 3 Fumbles in one quarter by Gerhart and we still win. 49ers were off their game but who cares?

I do actually.

[cowboy_from_hell 2,390]

Sorry jack I meant who cares if San Fran were off their game a win is a win. I wouldn't worry too much the NFC is still yours for the taking

[titan_uranus 25,020]

Can't believe we (49ers) lost. The way the Vikings moved the ball through our defence was unheard of. Well played.

Ridiculous Week 3 so far. Jacksonville over Indianapolis, the Saints 0-3 in OT, Jets-Dolphins going to OT, just insane.

[King Kunta 97]

Jeez some of these games have been officiated poorly, hopefully Goodell can pull his finger out and work at a deal with the NFLRA as these replacement referees.

Rams returned to their underwhelming selves, don't think the offensive line even turned up today with no holes for the backs to penetrate and Bradford getting sacked 6 times. Good to see Ponder produce against the 49ers defense, thought he was a good talent out of Florida state and has the ability to be the best QB in the draft (didn't think Newton or Dalton would perform as well as they have). Cardinals' defence also did its reputation no harm as they move to 3-0

[Macca 17,013]

Vikings win. What a game. 3 Fumbles in one quarter by Gerhart and we still win. 49ers were off their game but who cares? 2-1 is a pretty good start and touch wood we are a fair chance against Detroit. A few upsets this week and OT wins. Sorry to say it Macca but I need a Seattle win for the Vikes to go a game clear of your Packers.

Ha ha ! I will take any sort of win in Seattle . What a crazy day of results . O/T games everywhere , questionable officiating (agree with 'Hipster' - Goodell needs to fix it) , hot favourites losing , a 'Barnburner' in Tennessee - Madness ! Some of you may be watching SNF tonight so I'll wait till after 10pm on that one .

Fairly sure there's a Seahawks fan or 2 on this thread as well . Maybe that NFC West isn't done with just yet . Arizona might have some real influence after today . Talk about an unpredictable League ...

Big win at home for your blokes 'cbh' . Very good defence yards by the Vikes .

You've gotta be happy with that victory 'pantaloons' . Huge comeback win for the Chiefs . Back in town ?

Edited September 24, 2012 by Macca

[cowboy_from_hell 2,390]

Jeez some of these games have been officiated poorly, hopefully Goodell can pull his finger out and work at a deal with the NFLRA as these replacement referees.

Rams returned to their underwhelming selves, don't think the offensive line even turned up today with no holes for the backs to penetrate and Bradford getting sacked 6 times. Good to see Ponder produce against the 49ers defense, thought he was a good talent out of Florida state and has the ability to be the best QB in the draft (didn't think Newton or Dalton would perform as well as they have). Cardinals' defence also did its reputation no harm as they move to 3-0

I watched the last half of the ravens Patriots game and the officiating was god awful. There was a whole stadium chanting bullsh!t after some really dodgy calls. Belichick may be a few thousand dollars lighter after he grabbed a ref. I can't believe how disrespectful the NFL is to it's fans by not getting a deal done.

[pantaloons 2,019]

You've gotta be happy with that victory 'pantaloons' . Huge comeback win for the Chiefs . Back in town ?

What an exciting game - so glad it was one OneHD! That was a really important win for us. Understatement of the year perhaps, but at 0-3 it's season over, which would have been a disaster given there's expectation for KC this year for the first time in a long time. 1-2 puts us one game behind the division lead! We still have a few things to iron out (red zone offence was terrible today) and hopefully the injuries we had today weren't too serious, but there were some good signs. Jamaal Charles was back to his old self, which is a huge relief after the NFL's #2 RB in 2010 missed last season with an ACL. Cassel has some legitimate weapons to throw to, I just hope he can be competent enough to take advantage of them. The D was very good today after the Saints opening TD drive. Their other two TD scores came from very good field position. So yep, I'll take the win and hope we've turned the corner. We just need to bring our best every week. The only teams we play for the duration of the season who are clearly better than us are Baltimore and Pittsburgh.

Great day's action today - so many exciting finishes and crazy results.

[cowboy_from_hell 2,390]

Ha ha ! I will take any sort of win in Seattle . What a crazy day of results . O/T games everywhere , questionable officiating (agree with 'Hipster' - Goodell needs to fix it) , hot favourites losing , a 'Barnburner' in Tennessee - Madness ! Some of you may be watching SNF tonight so I'll wait till after 10pm on that one .

Fairly sure there's a Seahawks fan or 2 on this thread as well . Maybe that NFC West isn't done with just yet . Arizona might have some real influence after today . Talk about an unpredictable League ...

Big win at home for your blokes 'cbh' . Very good defence yards by the Vikes .

You've gotta be happy with that victory 'pantaloons' . Huge comeback win for the Chiefs . Back in town ?

Everything went right for us. Blocked Field goal before half time. Smith finally threw a pick. Our first TD was a 4th and Goal and 49ers defence had a off game. Stafford may be out next week for the lions too. We did lose to Indy last week who lost to the Jags so I'm not getting too carried away.