NFL

[titan_uranus 25,020]

Thanks for the link mate, I sometimes forget that the NFL site has some good analysts, such as Brooks and Jeremiah. I just get turned off by the around the league guys who I think are idiots, so I don't go to the site much. My bad as I am missing out obviously

Kap is young so hopefully he will learn.

I quite like the NFL site, if you can avoid some of the trash there are some decent analyses and videos, behind the scenes stuff (I always love the Sound FX clips they do, hearing coaches and players on game day is quite a novel insight), statistics are pretty good.

Leaves the AFL site for dead.

[Macca 16,972]

You are spot on mate, this a really tough week in what has been a tough comp.

Colts

Lions

Chargers

Fingers and toes crossed for this week...

If we do it again next year we could bring in a 2/3 rule (rewarding those who correctly tip 2 out of 3) I reckon picking the 3 roads winners should remain as the main basis of the comp.

Say 1 point for 2 out of 3 and 3 points for getting all 3 correct ( 2/3 is quite achievable whilst 3/3 is rather difficult and should have a greater proportionate reward)

'cfh' would most probably still be in front if we had that revamped system but at least the points rewarded to all of us would be far more frequent! We could still have the 4 bonus weeks.

I originally thought about picking the winners of each game as a tipping comp but that could easily become rather cumbersome (you kinda need something that's quick and easy if the goal is to have a number of regular participants)

I also believe that posters should be able to enter at any time next year - starting late really wouldn't have an effect on those who are already involved (especially if those involved already had a number of points up)

Having said all that, if someone was to come up with a whole new concept that was acceptable to all (or most), I'd be happy to roll that way.

This years comp could best be described as cruel fun! (and I certainly never meant it that way!)

Edited November 14, 2013 by Macca

[titan_uranus 25,020]

I also believe that posters should be able to enter at any time next year - starting late really wouldn't have an effect on those who are already involved (especially if those involved already had a number of points up)

I should have entered!

FWIW, I'd go with the Colts, Jets and Cardinals

[cowboy_from_hell 2,390]

CJ2K is racking up the yards. Somedays he looks like AP then the next day he will give you nothing. Come on Indy.

[Strafford 182]

I quite like the NFL site, if you can avoid some of the trash there are some decent analyses and videos, behind the scenes stuff (I always love the Sound FX clips they do, hearing coaches and players on game day is quite a novel insight), statistics are pretty good.

Leaves the AFL site for dead.

The AFL is a pale imitation of many things NFL, I can't remember the last time I went to the AFL site.

I used to to be a fairly regular visitor to the NFL website, but I made the mistake of listening to the around the league podcast...a jumping the shark moment for me, guys continually referring to themselves as a " Room full of heroes" is a bit sad. I actually quite liked the podcast it replaced, which has had a few names over the years.

I still access a number of products of the NFL network, as you are spot on they do produce some quality

stuff. I have gamepass and I listen to a number of podcasts, because that allows me to do other things

whilst catching up on my American football fix. I don't have to go to the site to accesss those.

Edited November 15, 2013 by Strafford

[Strafford 182]

If we do it again next year we could bring in a 2/3 rule (rewarding those who correctly tip 2 out of 3) I reckon picking the 3 roads winners should remain as the main basis of the comp.

Say 1 point for 2 out of 3 and 3 points for getting all 3 correct ( 2/3 is quite achievable whilst 3/3 is rather difficult and should have a greater proportionate reward)

This years comp could best be described as cruel fun! (and I certainly never meant it that way!)

Sounds like a fair scoring system mate. I like the idea of getting something for trying, I was very disappointed as a kid when I discovered that in the higher grades, they didn't use stars and stamps anymore to mark your work.

I'm not sure I believe you about the unintended cruel fun bit though. I think you have revealed some underlying sadistic tendencies. If as a child you enjoyed ripping off the wings of flies and stealing dummies from babies, then I would suggest that you may need professional help.

[cowboy_from_hell 2,390]

Not that this article says much but I can't imagine a QB being protected even more. If the defense has broken down the play and the QB scrambles the QB is fair game to me. With the likes of WIlson,RG3 and Newton running more and more to me it's bad luck if they get injured. Rodgers getting injured was bad luck on his part and a good play by the defense. If you have to perform the perfect tackle on a running QB or you get flagged you will start to see big Ben running the read option as the chances of a penalty are huge.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000281814/article/nfl-to-look-at-expanding-protection-for-quarterbacks

Edited November 15, 2013 by cowboy_from_hell

[Macca 16,972]

Sounds like a fair scoring system mate. I like the idea of getting something for trying, I was very disappointed as a kid when I discovered that in the higher grades, they didn't use stars and stamps anymore to mark your work.

I'm not sure I believe you about the unintended cruel fun bit though. I think you have revealed some underlying sadistic tendencies. If as a child you enjoyed ripping off the wings of flies and stealing dummies from babies, then I would suggest that you may need professional help.

lol ...

... the Colts getting up helps a few of us in the comp hey! Luck just keeps leading his team back into games and winning - can he do it in the playoffs? (assuming the Colts win the AFC South and are in the playoffs)

At this time of the season, certain teams can start getting 'hot'. My 'Smokies' are the Panthers and the Eagles. I'm also waiting on the 49ers to hit some decent form. If the Giants defeat my blokes, they could be another team to keep an eye on (I'm expecting them to win if I'm being honest)

[Strafford 182]

Ahhh November, the month that so often sees Jay Cutler go from hero to zero. Played injured when he shouldn't have which you respect but also frustrates. He still played ok and a huge part of this loss is on the fact we just couldn't run the ball this week.

Was the week for dominant front 7 defense though with Carolina and St Louis getting it done.

Oh and Strafford I don't want to make things worse but there's a big fat sleeper team out west with one hell of a defense, one hell of a rookie head coach and a good friend of yours no doubt at QB.

GB and CHI have hit the skids with injury. The NFC East dont deserve 1 play off spot yet alone a WC. And the Carolina bandwagon is powered by the defense but steered by Cam Newton and Riverboat Ron. A visit to Jacksonville (they wouldn't dare go 2 in a row would they?) will see the Cardinals move to 6-4, they couldn't possibly take an NFC wild card could they? Are you on the Carson Palmer express yet Strafford?

I'll try to reply to this one again mate after my earlier befuddled attempt, which totally misunderstood where you were going.

I reckon this is probably Carson's last season as a starter, unless he has a blinder of a finish to the season. He has been better in his last couple of games, but still has more interceptions than touchdown throws this season. I think the Cards will draft a QB.

I doubt that Carson's pride will ever have him consider being a backup for the rest of his career so he will probably retire. The guy has made a fortune out of the game.

It isn't his fault that the Bengals were so excited that they had finally drafted a QB that could play, after so many busts, that they then gave him a huge long contract, before they had to, which made him one of the highest paid players in the NFL, if not the highest. From there it was a Greek tragedy, he got injured, the contract crippled the club and we lost a number of players etc etc until it finally ended with his holdout.

[Strafford 182]

lol ...

... the Colts getting up helps a few of us in the comp hey! Luck just keeps leading his team back into games and winning - can he do it in the playoffs? (assuming the Colts win the AFC South and are in the playoffs)

At this time of the season, certain teams can start getting 'hot'. My 'Smokies' are the Panthers and the Eagles. I'm also waiting on the 49ers to hit some decent form. If the Giants defeat my blokes, they could be another team to keep an eye on (I'm expecting them to win if I'm being honest)

There have certainly been a number of twists and turns this season. Injuries certainly play a part, which is why the next man up thing is a bit of a myth, as some guys just can't be replaced, or you have so many injuries that it just reaches a critical mass. In pretty much any sport it just isn't the done thing to admit that a key injury or two, or a number of them, makes it difficult to put a good team on the field. With that said I expect the next men up for the Bengals to play blinders.

[Macca 16,972]

Once again, the TV games ...

Monday

5.00am Detroit at Pittsburgh (Fox3)

8.25am San Francisco at New Orleans (Fox3)

8.25am Green Bay at NY Giants (OneHD)

12.30pm Kansas City at Denver (OneHD & ESPN)

Tuesday

12.30pm New England at Carolina (ESPN)

... all the other week 11 games

... and here's this weeks Bill Simmons column from 'Grantland' ... Return to the Island of Dr. Simbeau

[pantaloons 2,019]

Well, SNF went pretty much as I expected. The offense was very disappointing against a mediocre D though. We'll need to play in blizzards in the playoffs if we're going to go anywhere.

[Strafford 182]

Despite putting up 41 points, including a franchise record 31 points in a quarter our offence was woeful again. Andy seems to have lost it and was booed after we went 13 to zip behind after his second interception. Our major injuries are on defence, but you wouldn't think so from how the units are performing. I have said it before and I will say it again, if we lose our defensive co-ordinator Mike Zimmer we are in real strife.

[Strafford 182]

Well, SNF went pretty much as I expected. The offense was very disappointing against a mediocre D though. We'll need to play in blizzards in the playoffs if we're going to go anywhere.

You just need to play us mate

All the points in the game could come from defence

[pantaloons 2,019]

You just need to play us mate

All the points in the game could come from defence

Ha! Well you piled the points up today! Actually, Kansas City at Cincinnati in the wildcard round has been on the cards for a few weeks now. We haven't won a playoff game in 20 years and I haven't seen Cincy win too many either so it'd be nice to see one of us get a win in January.

Some big losses today for a lot of teams on the playoff bubble. Somehow, the Giants are still breathing.

[Strafford 182]

Ha! Well you piled the points up today! Actually, Kansas City at Cincinnati in the wildcard round has been on the cards for a few weeks now. We haven't won a playoff game in 20 years and I haven't seen Cincy win too many either so it'd be nice to see one of us get a win in January.

Some big losses today for a lot of teams on the playoff bubble. Somehow, the Giants are still breathing.

22 Seasons since we won a playoff game....so as you say one of us will be happy, because unless we have a massive collapse, which is possible as we have done it in the past, we should win the division. I honestly shudder to think what the offensive stats will be like on the day. Whoever gets out to an early lead should win, because the other team will have to throw the ball to catch up and that spells, "Danger, Will Robinson, danger." Edited November 18, 2013 by Strafford

[Macca 16,972]

Thought the penalty against the 49ers late in the game was a fairly average call. Fair enough if the contact was directly to the head/helmet area of Brees but I thought the tackle was initially to the arms and chest. However, we're most probably going to have to get used to these type of rulings. When the game is in the balance, it just looks like a gift. Where does it all stop? It seems incidental contact is just not allowable at all when it comes to the QB.

Anyway ... Chicago are right back in it but they probably still need to finish a win ahead of Detroit to win the NFC North. At least 10 wins might be required to secure a wild-card in the NFC and even then it may come down to tie breaks.

The Eagles are on a roll but that division is still wide open. Astonishingly, the Giants are only 1 loss back and they've now won 4 in a row.

Cinci might have their eyes on the 3 seed - they would probably have to get to at least 11 wins and hope that the Colts or Pats lose a few down the stretch. Bengals are at home to the Colts in week 14.

The 2nd wild-card in the AFC is up for grabs - Pittsburgh are now in the picture but they do have a few tough games to come - you just never know though.

A lot riding on tomorrow's game - the Panthers can get a break on their rivals for the wild-card race and ... they still have their 2 matches against the Saints to decide the NFC South.

Edited November 18, 2013 by Macca

[titan_uranus 25,020]

Thought the penalty against the 49ers late in the game was a fairly average call. Fair enough if the contact was directly to the head/helmet area of Brees but I thought the tackle was initially to the arms and chest. However, we're most probably going to have to get used to these type of rulings. When the game is in the balance, it just looks like a gift. Where does it all stop? It seems incidental contact is just not allowable at all when it comes to the QB.

Anyway ... Chicago are right back in it but they probably still need to finish a win ahead of Detroit to win the NFC North. At least 10 wins might be required to secure a wild-card in the NFC and even then it may come down to tie breaks.

The Eagles are on a roll but that division is still wide open. Astonishingly, the Giants are only 1 loss back and they've now won 4 in a row.

Cinci might have their eyes on the 3 seed - they would probably have to get to at least 11 wins and hope that the Colts or Pats lose a few down the stretch. Bengals are at home to the Colts in week 14.

The 2nd wild-card in the AFC is up for grabs - Pittsburgh are now in the picture but they do have a few tough games to come - you just never know though.

A lot riding on tomorrow's game - the Panthers can get a break on their rivals for the wild-card race and ... they still have their 2 matches against the Saints to decide the NFC South.

I think that penalty against us was for a horsecollar tackle; I think he got a piece of Brees' collar as he dragged him down.

We should have won that game, and the fact that we didn't hurts us immensely. Kaepernick is really struggling at the moment, couldn't get us any yards on our last offensive drive when we needed to burn some clock and give Lee the best chance to pin them back on their end zone. But worse still was Osgoode's incredulous penalty for touching the punt returner on a fair catch, gifting Brees a free 15 yards, as if he needed it.

[pantaloons 2,019]

Nawlins

Carolina

San Fran

[Strafford 182]

Thought the penalty against the 49ers late in the game was a fairly average call. Fair enough if the contact was directly to the head/helmet area of Brees but I thought the tackle was initially to the arms and chest. However, we're most probably going to have to get used to these type of rulings. When the game is in the balance, it just looks like a gift. Where does it all stop? It seems incidental contact is just not allowable at all when it comes to the QB.

Anyway ... Chicago are right back in it but they probably still need to finish a win ahead of Detroit to win the NFC North. At least 10 wins might be required to secure a wild-card in the NFC and even then it may come down to tie breaks.

The Eagles are on a roll but that division is still wide open. Astonishingly, the Giants are only 1 loss back and they've now won 4 in a row.

Cinci might have their eyes on the 3 seed - they would probably have to get to at least 11 wins and hope that the Colts or Pats lose a few down the stretch. Bengals are at home to the Colts in week 14.

The 2nd wild-card in the AFC is up for grabs - Pittsburgh are now in the picture but they do have a few tough games to come - you just never know though.

A lot riding on tomorrow's game - the Panthers can get a break on their rivals for the wild-card race and ... they still have their 2 matches against the Saints to decide the NFC South.

I honestly can't see us winning 11 Macca. Any team with a decent secondary just has to sit on our receivers and jump the routes, especially to AJ. As you say the AFC is fascinating at the moment. Pittsburgh probably has the best functioning offence in the AFC North at the moment, although that isn't saying much. I think I will just need to buckle up for a wild run home.

[Strafford 182]

I think that penalty against us was for a horsecollar tackle; I think he got a piece of Brees' collar as he dragged him down.

We should have won that game, and the fact that we didn't hurts us immensely. Kaepernick is really struggling at the moment, couldn't get us any yards on our last offensive drive when we needed to burn some clock and give Lee the best chance to pin them back on their end zone. But worse still was Osgoode's incredulous penalty for touching the punt returner on a fair catch, gifting Brees a free 15 yards, as if he needed it.

Sometimes you watch Brees and you just go to yourself, how did he do that? With Brady, Rodgers and Peyton, one of the four truly elite QB's of the NFL.

[Macca 16,972]

I honestly can't see us winning 11 Macca. Any team with a decent secondary just has to sit on our receivers and jump the routes, especially to AJ. As you say the AFC is fascinating at the moment. Pittsburgh probably has the best functioning offence in the AFC North at the moment, although that isn't saying much. I think I will just need to buckle up for a wild run home.

Had a look at your schedule and you could win any of your 5 remaining games - you could also lose any of them with all your injuries! It's just so hard to predict ... reckon you win 3 at least which would get you to 10 wins. The Indi game at home (Cinci) might hold the key - both the Colts and the Pats have a few tough games so it's not done quite yet.

I believe the 1 seed will go to Denver or KC in the AFC (the return fixture between those 2 sides may decide a few things - Denver are at the Pats next week on SNF whilst the Chiefs should notch up another win at home against the Chargers)

Carolina winning today changes things a fair bit - suddenly they've become a real threat. They played well against a fairly determined New England outfit. Another dubious call right at the end but I thought the Panthers were the better side on the night (just!)

Your blokes are doing well despite all those injuries. Agree with you re the Steelers. Big Ben knows how to manage and win games - 8 and 8 should get it done for the 6th seed in the AFC. The question is - which wild-card team is gonna get to 8 wins! (just watch the 6th seed get to 9 wins now just to spite me)

Anyway ... no change in the points tally in the tipping comp ...

4 - cowboy from hell

3 - Strafford

2 - Macca

1 - pantaloons, DemonDave

0 - Gorgoroth, 45HG, Norm Smith's Curse, bananas, Arrow

... Week 12 games ... The BS Report

[Macca 16,972]

TV games ...

Friday

12.30pm New Orleans at Atlanta (ESPN only)

Monday

5.00am San Diego at Kansas City (Fox2)

5.00am Pittsburgh at Cleveland (OneHD)

8.05am Indianapolis at Arizona (Fox2)

8.25am Dallas at NY Giants (OneHD)

12.30pm Denver at New England (OneHD & ESPN)

Tuesday

12.30pm San Francisco at Washington (ESPN)

... all the other week 12 games

Tips ...

New Orleans

Carolina

San Francisco

[Gorgoroth 12,955]

Saints

Steelers

Panthers

[Strafford 182]

Saints

Panthers

Niners.