NFL

[Strafford 182]

Great work by the Packers. 9 weeks ago Detroit looked like a NFC contender and Rodgers look doubtful to return. I enjoyed the forward fumble recovery TD by Green Bay. Everyone stood still and watched a TD happen. Do the bengals try to replicate David Boon on road trips? Because at home they are a different team. Even with Dalton getting picked off all the time they still win easily. Miami=Choke 7 points in 2 games. At least Dallas are consistent. The KC reserves and SD put on a fun game.

The Lions imploded,a team with a lot of talent, but I am not sure about the mental strength part of things.

The Bengals home form has been a real turn around this season, in our two previous regular seasons under Dalton we were better away. 11-5 away compared to 7-9 at home.

You could be onto something with the boonie comment, although we continually win our away games on the west coast with that extra drinking time. Perhaps we need to be either totally sober or totally off our faces to win. The shorter flights obviously don't allow us to marinate enough.

Edited December 31, 2013 by Strafford

[Strafford 182]

Good work Strafford I thought I had this comp done and dusted by week 6. You came home strong that's for sure. Do Cleveland know what they are doing? Who would want to coach there? There seems to be some talent but after one year you can't demand miracles. So your lads are at home (9-0) this year. What's your gut feel? The first round bye doesn't seem to sit well with playoff teams the last few years. Is it too early to call the Bengals a smokey?

Thanks mate.

The Browns are nuts and after saying they were going to be different this time around by bringing stability to the organisation. As you say who would want to coach there? The Browns will again have their choice of coach from the candidates that the other teams looking for coaches didn't want.

Gut feel we beat the Chargers, or should do as we have beaten them at their house in our last two meetings and our home form has been awesome. From there eek. Away we suck. The Patriots aren't a great team with problems both offensively and defensively, but away from home I just don't think so. To beat the Pats our defense will have to play lights out again and good Andy will have to show up.

If we beat the Pats then we will probably play the Broncos, who are a flawed side defensively. I'm not sure we can win a shoot out with them and I'm not sure our defense could turn it into a low scoring slugfest.

At home I think we have a shot against anyone in the NFL, even the Seahawks who I don't think we matchup well against. Away meh...

Just as an aside we need to wrap Vontaze Burfict our undrafted free agent linebacker pickup from last season in cotton wool. He has nearly 100 tackles more than the next best Bengal, without him we are toast against the good sides.

[Strafford 182]

No one is more surprised than me 'cfh'. I gave us virtually no chance and thought that the Lions and Bears would kick clear. Just another example of ... "Ya just never know". Tough, tough game coming up against the niners but it is at home.

Wild old day with the Steelers getting so close to a playoff berth. Panthers just got over the line - if they lost that, we'd be talking the Saints up in the dome. There's such a fine line in this sport.

Think I'm right in saying that the lowest winning seed on wild-card weekend, gets to play in Seattle the following week. Some reward!

I'm already looking forward to Sunday on the couch. The cricket will be "scores only!"

Very glad the Steelers didn't make it

[Strafford 182]

The black day for coaches has begun. Schiano from the bucs, Frazier from the vikes, Shanahan from the skins and Schwartz from the lions are gone. Not as many as last year. Schiano had a good second half of the year with bucs and no talent. their 0-8 start didn't help though.

Schiano played too many mind games. Funny how locker room problems lessened at the Jets and increased at the Bucs. Perhaps Revis Island has a communications network connected to various fifth columns.

[Macca 16,173]

On current form you have to pick the Eagles over the Saints, right? I mean, the Saints are not a post-season quality side out of New Orleans. Their only road wins this year were against Atlanta, Tampa Bay and Chicago, and they lost 5 out of their last 6 road games. Meanwhile Philly's only lost once since October 27 (though that was a disgraceful loss to Minnesota), and haven't scored less than 24 in the process.

An Eagles win means the winner of our game has to go to Seattle, so I'm definitely behind the Saints on that one!

Philly can be very good and they can also be average. A lot can happen on the day and Brees is top notch. It could be a case of who turns up on the day.

I'm not absolutely clear on 3 of the games to be honest (the Bengals should win their game) The Indi/KC game could throw up any sort of result and there are still a number of "unknowns" with a few of the other teams.

Of the teams who are involved this coming weekend, probably only San Francisco, New Orleans and Cincinnati can be "read" with any certainty - you sort of know what you're getting with those 3 sides (both home and away) The rest are unpredictable.

Of the 4 sides not playing this weekend, I'm still unsure on New England and Carolina. With the Pats, it's their receiving core and with the Panthers, it's their offense.

The odds are set for 3 close ones this weekend (San Francisco, Philadelphia and the Colts are favoured by less than a field goal) The Bengals are favoured by a TD.

[pantaloons 2,019]

For the record, I'm going:

Saints 34-27

49ers 34-24

Bengals 38-20

And while every piece of pessimism and history tells me not to pick KC...

Chiefs 23-21

[titan_uranus 22,725]

Philly can be very good and they can also be average. A lot can happen on the day and Brees is top notch. It could be a case of who turns up on the day.

I'm not absolutely clear on 3 of the games to be honest (the Bengals should win their game) The Indi/KC game could throw up any sort of result and there are still a number of "unknowns" with a few of the other teams.

Of the teams who are involved this coming weekend, probably only San Francisco, New Orleans and Cincinnati can be "read" with any certainty - you sort of know what you're getting with those 3 sides (both home and away) The rest are unpredictable.

Of the 4 sides not playing this weekend, I'm still unsure on New England and Carolina. With the Pats, it's their receiving core and with the Panthers, it's their offense.

The odds are set for 3 close ones this weekend (San Francisco, Philadelphia and the Colts are favoured by less than a field goal) The Bengals are favoured by a TD.

I'm with you on most of this. Philly's definitely too hot-cold, but their best is very good.

I'm not as certain about Cincy. The home field advantage is huge, given they're one of only three teams to be unbeaten at home in 2013 (along with New England and New Orleans), but the Chargers are a good side. They play their best against the best (e.g. beating Denver, Indy, and KC twice) I reckon. And we all know about Cincy's playoff issues. If the Bengals fall behind early, the psychological pressures, especially this time being in front of their home crowd, could be decisive.

I'm also unsure on the Patriots and Panthers. I can't believe New England went 12-4 this year, I really can't. Full credit to Belichick, Brady and the players who stepped up (Vereen, Blount, Edelman) to fill the void. But with no Gronk, Wilfork, Vollmer or Mayo, in the pressure of playoffs I'm not sold on their ability. As for Carolina, their defence is as good as any other's, which will keep them in games, but they have scraped by a few times with low scores. Again, I'm not sure how they'll go in playoff situations.

[Macca 16,173]

I'm with you on most of this. Philly's definitely too hot-cold, but their best is very good.

I'm not as certain about Cincy. The home field advantage is huge, given they're one of only three teams to be unbeaten at home in 2013 (along with New England and New Orleans), but the Chargers are a good side. They play their best against the best (e.g. beating Denver, Indy, and KC twice) I reckon. And we all know about Cincy's playoff issues. If the Bengals fall behind early, the psychological pressures, especially this time being in front of their home crowd, could be decisive.

I'm also unsure on the Patriots and Panthers. I can't believe New England went 12-4 this year, I really can't. Full credit to Belichick, Brady and the players who stepped up (Vereen, Blount, Edelman) to fill the void. But with no Gronk, Wilfork, Vollmer or Mayo, in the pressure of playoffs I'm not sold on their ability. As for Carolina, their defence is as good as any other's, which will keep them in games, but they have scraped by a few times with low scores. Again, I'm not sure how they'll go in playoff situations.

The Chargers can be a good team and when Rivers is "on", they move the ball very well. But like a number of other teams, they can't be relied upon. I wouldn't be surprised if they won, but they're going to have to bring their 'A' game you'd reckon. Make that 4 games where I'm "unclear!"

Tips will be interesting and I like 'pantaloons' idea of the scorelines! I wonder how close any of us will get?

[Gorgoroth 12,351]

Grats to the winners!

I must say I predicted the Eagles to rise this year (puffs out chest)

Looking forward to the play offs,

When's the draft

[Strafford 182]

Grats to the winners!

I must say I predicted the Eagles to rise this year (puffs out chest)

Looking forward to the play offs,

When's the draft

Ha...It is like a second Christmas for the Rams. Say thank you Santa Redskins.

[Strafford 182]

I'm not as certain about Cincy. The home field advantage is huge, given they're one of only three teams to be unbeaten at home in 2013 (along with New England and New Orleans), but the Chargers are a good side. They play their best against the best (e.g. beating Denver, Indy, and KC twice) I reckon. And we all know about Cincy's playoff issues. If the Bengals fall behind early, the psychological pressures, especially this time being in front of their home crowd, could be decisive..

You make some good points Titan and you could be right, as a Bengals fan I am always waiting for the sky to fall, but...

In our defence both the playoff losses were on the road and JJ Watt was a terror. Despite being awful in both games we still should have won the second one, but Dalton overthrew a wide open AJ Green. For whatever reason our home form has been awesome this season.

We have beaten the Chargers in our last two meetings, both games in their house.

We have been behind early in all three of our divisional home games this season, yet still we were able to rally and win well. We were particularly bad early against the Browns and Ravens, with the crowd voicing their displeasure, yet we ended up smashing both of them.

Probably of more concern is that we have now cut our replacement punter and brought a new one in, after the Steelers took out our elite Punter Huber with a very questionable hit a few games back. Also we have brought in another tightend, as our top three are all injured. One of whom is gone for the season with the other two very questionable. The oline is also pretty beat up with all our guys carrying significant injuries. The defence has lost half a dozen guys for the season, including two elites....hmmm.

Eek I have just convinced myself, despite my good intentions...we are gonna lose...I'm a teapot...I'm a teapot

[titan_uranus 22,725]

You make some good points Titan and you could be right, as a Bengals fan I am always waiting for the sky to fall, but...

In our defence both the playoff losses were on the road and JJ Watt was a terror. Despite being awful in both games we still should have won the second one, but Dalton overthrew a wide open AJ Green. For whatever reason our home form has been awesome this season.

We have beaten the Chargers in our last two meetings, both games in their house.

We have been behind early in all three of our divisional home games this season, yet still we were able to rally and win well. We were particularly bad early against the Browns and Ravens, with the crowd voicing their displeasure, yet we ended up smashing both of them.

Probably of more concern is that we have now cut our replacement punter and brought a new one in, after the Steelers took out our elite Punter Huber with a very questionable hit a few games back. Also we have brought in another tightend, as our top three are all injured. One of whom is gone for the season with the other two very questionable. The oline is also pretty beat up with all our guys carrying significant injuries. The defence has lost half a dozen guys for the season, including two elites....hmmm.

Eek I have just convinced myself, despite my good intentions...we are gonna lose...I'm a teapot...I'm a teapot

Yeah I saw that, you've taken Mesko, the former Patriots punter. Gone for some experience (and apparently your backup punted for 10 yards on the weekend...ouch).

You're definitely the better side, and at home you should win without too much strain. I hope you win, as I think you deserve it after three good years, and you'd do well against New England I reckon.

[Strafford 182]

Yeah I saw that, you've taken Mesko, the former Patriots punter. Gone for some experience (and apparently your backup punted for 10 yards on the weekend...ouch).

You're definitely the better side, and at home you should win without too much strain. I hope you win, as I think you deserve it after three good years, and you'd do well against New England I reckon.

Yep it was a complete shank. Huber was a huge loss, he had made a number of clutch punts this season, including a huge one in the driving rain, against the wind, late in the game in our Patriots win. Hopefully the new guy can do the job.

That is the beauty of sport, I guess, the better side doesn't always win. That uncertainty keeps us on the edge of our seats. Fingers crossed we don't see an upset this time. The Bengals nation could go into meltdown if we lose. I know I will go into sulk mode for a few weeks if we do

Edited January 1, 2014 by Strafford

[Gorgoroth 12,351]

My mate is a eagles fan and praying for snow this weekend

I watched the cards/SF game which was a cracking game, I'm hoping for more this weekend.

[Macca 16,173]

Wild card weekend games ...

Sunday

8.35am Kansas City at Indianapolis (OneHD & ESPN)

12.10pm New Orleans at Philadelphia (OneHD & ESPN)

Monday

5.05am San Diego at Cincinnati (OneHD & ESPN)

8.40am San Francisco at Green Bay (OneHD & ESPN)

Tips and scorelines ... if we get enough participants, we can run a playoff comp. I point for each win with 3 points for the Super Bowl winner.

KC 26 Indi 28

Saints 32 Philly 29

Bolts 18 Cinci 28

49ers 31 Packers 33

Wouldn't surprise if I only got 1 right (straight winners that is!) Might even be none. Don't mind being wrong on KC and the Eagles though. Would like to see both teams get a playoff win.

Obviously I had to pick the Packers but we'll need a lot of things to go our way. Kaepernick has to be held to a lot less than stellar game (shudder) Their defense kills ours so Rodgers will need to have a big one. Running game will have to match theirs. By crikey, that's a lot to ask for

Sunday morning 8.30am - bring it!

[Gorgoroth 12,351]

KC 38 indi 24

Saints 17 Philly 27

Chargers 20 Bengals 26

Niners 24 Packers 27

[titan_uranus 22,725]

With no confidence at all:

Kansas City 28 Indianapolis 24

New Orleans 21 Philadelphia 28

San Diego 27 Cincinnati 30

San Francisco 28 Green Bay 20

[cowboy_from_hell 2,390]

KC 34 Indy 17

New Orleans 28 Philadelphia 30

San Diego 7 Cincinnati 21

San Francisco 14 Green Bay 21

[pantaloons 2,019]

KC 38 indi 24

KC 34 Indy 17

Strewth! You lads are on the KC BBQ pills! I just picked us because I'm excited to be in the playoffs!

[Gorgoroth 12,351]

I think indi and a very iffy team who can be very good to very very very poor one play to the next, I think KC will drill them and bury them later in the game.

[DemonDave 1,078]

Chiefs 31 Colts 10

Saints 17 Eagles 14

Chargers 14 Bengals 31

49ers 27 Packers 20

[Macca 16,173]

Opponents for all the teams are out already for the 2014 season! ... NFL opponents (home & away)

For those who are unfamiliar with how the scheduling works, the custom is that all the teams from each division plays against all the teams from 2 other divisions (one from the NFC & one from the AFC)

Excluding the 6 games against their divisional opponents, 2 extra games are added for each team - these 2 games are against opponents who ended the season in the same finishing position within 2 other divisions (from within each teams own conference) ... eg (4th) Minnesota are drawn against Washington and St Louis (who both finished 4th in their respective divisions) Phew!

Here's a summary of all 8 divisions and the 2 divisions that they all play against ...

NFC West - NFC East & AFC West

NFC North - NFC South & AFC East

NFC East - NFC West & AFC South

NFC South - NFC North & AFC North

AFC North - AFC South & NFC South

AFC West - AFC East & NFC West

AFC East - AFC West & NFC North

AFC South - AFC North & NFC East

The BS Report (includes a preview of the upcoming games)

We've got 6 posters who have put in their tips so far. Should get 1 or 2 more (I heard Strafford is going for the "Double") So ... the comp is on!

Good luck!

[Gorgoroth 12,351]

We get the Broncos to visit next season... Joy! Lol

[DeeSpencer 23,378]

Chiefs 27 Colts 31 - Chiefs the better team but I'm hoping for some Luck

Saints 24 Eagles 30 - Too cold for the saints

Chargers 13 Bengals 24 - Defense

49ers 16 Packers 14 - Defense

[Gorgoroth 12,351]

I have a breakfast/brunch tomorrow morning which will interrupt my play off watching, thank freak for IQ on Foxtel.