DemonDave

Haha thats a classic scene from "Office Space" theyve borrowed from there! I think the Knicks are doomed in this series regarless. I've seen the Rhondo incident, and fair enough he got a suspension, you cant aggresively bump up to the ref like that. The pressure is well and truly on the ageing Celtics to get one last playoff series out of the Dads Army trio of Pearce,Allen & Garnett.

Shocking news for Rose and the Bulls. Thats two teams in the playoffs now without their top banana for the entire playoffs (Rose/Bulls & Howard/Magic). just hoping the Spurs can avoid any first round stumbles like last year!

This thread has morphed into a positive ray of light around here in these dark days, I love it! All because I commented on the punny headline from a serious news story.. Carry on...

"Lamb choice cut for Dees" Ugh, who's the funnyman writing these puntastic titles for these articles, Ugly Dave Gray? So does he replace Prendergast, or was his a different title?

Just discovered this thread! Still love the NBA. Its a bit more palatable this year with a shortened schedule too, the normal season is just too long for mine, 82 games! Not as bad as the MLB I guess. I'm a Spurs man, have been since The Admiral got drafted and I decided I needed a team so thats how I chose Spurs. Great to see Patty Mills getting some court time and hit 7 points yesterday for SA. The Spurs and Thunder are clearly the teams to beat out West, the Spurs will be keen to atone for last years first round ousting after being #1 seed at the hands of Memphis. In the East, its pretty clear Chicago and Miami are the two standouts. Some of the rookie class from this year have been pretty good too, Irving as mentioned and Ricky Rubio, although now done for the year with injury, was a joy to watch with his sublime passing game. Roll on the playoffs!

Gee the Broncos didnt really get much in the trade for Tebow either did they? Considering how big "Tebowmania" was during their playoff run this year, youd think he would have a bit more currency. I guess he preferred to be in a 'big' market, it will be interesting how big Rex handles the two QBs, I cant imagine Sanchez, hardly a popular figure with the Jets fans and media at the best of times, wouldve been to happy with the newfound competition. Im with Macca on this one, Sanchez gets the incumbency, and then after one game will be sitting it out by the big cooling fans on the sidelines while Tebow does his usual of offering nothing in the first half before running his team to victory almost singlehandedly. Noo Yoik now has the two biggest pro sport sensations of the past couple of years in the one city! A photo of the two together is surely an inevitability.. The Broncos have taken a big calculated risk shipping Tebow out and bringing in a 36 year old coming off a very serious neck injury. And signing for five years? Hmm. The Dolphins,Texans and Jags are the big losers out of all this. All were in the hunt for his services, as were the 49ers, they still crave and do not have their 'marquee' quarterback. The Niners risked disenfranchising Alex Smith when they courted Manning, but thankfully Smith re-signed after holding talks with Miami. He is no 'star' but he fits Harbaughs system, and with Mario Manningham and Randy Moss as upgrades at WR this year should at least have a viable target long this year that isnt a tight end. Roll on the draft, and Luck and RG3 getting into the pro systems, cant wait to see these two start for the Colts and Skins next year!

The same Redskins that won just five games all year and finished bottom of their division! Just shows that the Giants were not a real dominant force all through the regular season, merely a slightly better than average team. They just happened to catch form at the right time of year...

After going 0 for 2 last weekend with my tips, I feel this could be the kiss of death! After watching both games, I'm going to pick the Giants. They have form and momentum on their side. Having said that, the Pats are on a decent winning streak too, but I just feel the giants three pronged attack of Nicks, Cruz and Manningham are in top form. The Pats have Gronk, Hernandez, Branch et al, but if that catch in the final 20 seconds hadve been caught, we'd be talking about the Ravens right now. Cant wait, as usual for the Superbowl, got the day off work, plan to get settled on the couch for a huge day!

Of course I'll be picking SF for the win. We beat them mid-year, and despite them almost scoring on the final drive (A timely Justin Smith bat-down put paid to yet another Manning fourth quarter TD drive) I felt we handled them well that day, importantly our defence was pretty effective. Admittedly the Giants are peaking form wise but my heart and head are pointing in the same direction of a win for the team in red and gold. As for the other game, its a tough one. The Ravens havent even been tested in the playoffs, despite the Texans best efforts last week. Ray Lewis is a beast. Ditto Ray Rice. The Pats dismantling of an out of their depth Broncos was predictably clinical. I feel against a stiffer defensive setup that the Ravens present, then the Pats will be beaten. So to a dream matchup in the Superbowl, "the Brothers Harbaugh". What a great promoters dream that would be. Only I dont want to see a repeat of the Thanksgiving massacre, where the Ravens D consistently blitzed, and the Niners O-line fell apart. It was the only time Ive seen it all year done so effectively, theres no reason if this game happens we wont see it again. Smith became nothing more than a punching bag for the Ravens. It was brutal, ugly and highly effective. Still Frank Gore was playing hurt that day, hes back in business now. If this matchup does occur, it will be the top two ranked defences playing off, quite ironic in a year where quarterbacks were smashing historical records all over the place!

I dont know how happy Macca will be today, the Giants, somehow, managed to beat the Packers at Lambeau. I've taped the game so cant comment on how it looked, gee not many people saw that coming though! the Ravens did what they needed to against the Texans, who had their chances in the last quarter. So it sets up an AFC Championship game of Ravens @ Patriots and NFC Championship game of Giants @ 49ers I'm going to go with Patriots in a tight one, Brady was sizzling against Denver, and while the Ravens have the second best defence in the League after the Niners, I think NE have too many targets: Welker, Gronkowski, Hernandez, Branch, Ochochinco et al. I think the Niners can repeat their effort from during the season and beat the Giants at home also. Hakeem Nicks and co will find it a bit tougher against SF's secondary next week. Cant wait!

Whos got it better than us? Nobody! I still cant wipe the grin off my face, that was an unbelievably hectic finish to that game.When Jimmy Graham rumbled for that TD I was sure it was all over. Great final drive by Smith who surely now has to be recognised as a legitimate top grade quarterback. Vernon Davis came up with those two huge catches in that drive. Now, bring on the Packers or Giants!

Yeah 16 games in the regular season of NFL, versus 162 regular season games in MLB (zzzz....) or 82 games in the NBA (in a regular, non strike affected year). You can see why all games are so important in football, thats why I love it, the fans rollercoaster of emotions can change so quickly..

Unfortunately for Wing, the most coverage he';s seemingly had on ESPN is for his premature celebration meaning the TD didnt count. Still they have also had a couple of mini features on the "Wing Dance". Lets hope he gets drafted by an NFL side, you can never have too many Aussie Punters in the league! My partner works with a close friend of Matt McBriar, McBriar flew all of his friends and family to Hawaii for his marriage in the last offseason, so clearly the punting wage is pretty good too! Of todays games, I'm only watching the Lions-Saints game now, was kinda hoping the Lions wouldve got up as I fear the Niners having to face a white-hot Bledsoe next week. Houston probably did what was expected against the Bengals today, the Cinci have to be wrapt with the way Andy Dalton's rookie season has panned out. If it wasnt for a certain Carolina Panther, he'd be a shoe in as the pick of the rookie QBs. I expect Baltimore to smother the Texans next week though, that stifling defence of theirs is a game style tailor made for the playoffs. So too is the Niners similar game plan bulit first and foremost on defence, however I think on form of the last 6-7 weeks that the Saints will have the edge, even at Candlestick. Tomorrow mornings Wildcard games (Ive already set the alarm clock!) should see the Steelers crush the out of form at the wrong time of year Broncos (cue endless analysis on Tebows true worth once more!). And I think the Giants with Mannings unnerring ability to orchestrate last quarter comebacks built on long, long scoring drives to be too good for the Falcons, Julio Jones has proven to be an astute draft maoeuvre to get for Atlanta though, hes shown as a rookie he has all the tools to be a great receiver.

Wow! The Colts win their second game of the year, I almost turned this game off, after the first play of the day was a turnover that led to a Texans touchdown within the first minute, I was thinking a route may be on the cards. The game then turned into a bit of a snooze fest, I was that close to pulling the plug, but stuck it out, Orlovsky looked more and more comfortable as the game went on, and thanks to some silly defensive penalties that gifted the Colts succesive first downs in the final drive, they got the W, hitting the lead with only 20 seconds to go, great game! Also stoked at the MNF result, managed to tape it and watch it Monday night, Big Ben was clearly unfit which was kind of disappointing, but the Niners were not. Aldon Smith, the beast, is fast becoming one of my favorite players to watch on defense for the Niners, hes having an outstanding rookie season and justifying his high draft pick position. If we can keep Frank Gore fully fit, and get Braylon Edwards and Patrick Willis back on the field and healthy then i think we can edge the Saints for the #2 seed in the NFC. Still no rushing TDs conceded by the defence this year, clearly the foundation our season has been built on. The battle of New York promises to be the pick of the games this weekend for mine...

A couple of big results today, in a couple of very important divisions. AFC North - The Ravens get smashed by the rejuvenated Chargers, and now leave the door wide open for the Steelers to take the lead in the conference if they can overcome my faltering 49ers in MNF tomorrow (as I expect they will). NFC East - I watched the Cowboys beat the Bucs on Friday they didnt do anything special but just enough to get the job done, and are a now a game clear after the Giants shock loss to Rex Grossman and the Skins. The Eagles are alooking a bit better again with VIck back at the helm but are another game again back, a tough task. The Saints now take the mantle as the most in-form team in the league right now, Breese's streak of touchdown passes in games continues and he is on pace to beat Marinos all time season yardage mark, will he or Rodgers get the MVP? Rodgers is on course to beat a whole swag of Packers franchise records, but for mine it'd be Breese right now. They are marching towards the week off and home field advantage. The Pack lose their first and the Colts actually win one! Lucky I didnt have my multibet this week as those two wouldve been the first two legs I wouldve lost on...

Massive loss today to the Pats for your boys. And yes if it wasnt already, thats definitely season over put a fork in it. Just finished watching the Bears-Raiders game, the Raiders keep their momentum up, although apart from the last ten minutes it was a fairly dull game. Dont think either of these two teams will be going very deep this season.

Well not at work at the moment, I managed to get onto the coach and turn the phone off the hook, Pack continued their unbeaten record, gee they keep on roling with ease! Ndamukong Suh continues to sully his reputation though, got ejected and will most likely face more discipline. The Cowboys-Dolphins game was an interesting one, Miami had their chances, Dallas seemingly havent hit any heights at all, but are crucially winning. Not good for the GIants and Eagles! Just abut to get to the main event. First time ever two brothers have coached head-to-head in NFL history tonight, and Mon & Pop Harbaugh celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary tomorrow, what a weekend for this family. No Ray Lewis its just been announced which is a big plus for the Niners. If I had one of those foam hats with the drinking straws out of the top of them,. I'd be totally wearing one right now sipping away, this is gonna be a treat!

I only read about Cutler being out this evening, huge blow if its for a while, I've never even heard of their backup QB. Just watching the battle of the Bays now on Foxtel, gee they Bucs had their chances didnt they? Definitely an off day for GB, but they still keep winning.. Schaub is supposed to be out for the season theyll have to rely on Matt Leinart from here on in I'd say, a shame as the Texans were going along quite well.. Did you see the last drive Tebow took on Friday against the Jets. He just kept rushing. You knew he was going to do it, but he kept finding holes in the defence and punching through. An amazing final drive. Now if only he could throw as well as he rushes!

Watched the Eagles-GIants game this arvo on ESPN, gee I thought after Mannings big drive and TD in the last quarter they were going to clinch it, but credit to Vince Young he handled himself pretty well today. A big day out for the Lions, after being down by 17 at one stage, they climbed back off the canvas. Stafford continues to impress with 5TDs. the Dolphins finally getting a bit of momentum up winning another game. Palmer keeps the Raiders rolling since taking over at QB. Cowboys struggle, but overcome the awful Redskins in OT The Bears keep rolling,they really will be a danger in the playoffs I think My Niners keep on winning, thats all I ask for each week!

Oh, and check this catch in the Chiefs-Broncos game, what a stunner! http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nfl-scores/story-e6frfglf-1226194542963

Wow DeSean Jackson didnt take the field as he missed a team meeting, didnt know that until I read it after the game... You're lucky that Washington are in even more disarray at the moment, otherwise you'd be anchoring the bottom of the East. And in a rare turn of events thanks to that result, Seattle upsetting the Ravens and the Rams pipping Cleveland, all NFC West teams win on the same weekend for what seems like a decade! (Still, all three other teams W's only match the Niners record of 8 wins). A big day for a few conferences, -The Saints mark their place at the top of NFC South albeit in an OT win over their nearest rival Matt Ryans Falcons. -Pats climb back on top in AFC East, in a Pats performance more like we're used to, smashing the Jets. -Romo throws a franchise record 23 from 26 to seal the second win in a row for the Cowgirls, its going to be a real ding-dong tussle for top spot in the NFC East, as Dallas now has a bit of confidence and momentum up, something they thrive on..The Giants played fairly well today albeit losing. -Going all the way back to Friday, and the Raiders win over Rivers & co was vital in the AFC West where a single game separates all teams. 4 Losses on the trot for the Chargers means they're the ones sliding, and fast. -Houston have another big, anonymous win, they have the best points differential in the league right now. -The Ravens upset loss leaves the Steelers one game clear, the Bengals arent far behind and get another crack at Pittsburgh in a couple of weeks time. I love this time of the year when conferences are wide open, it certainly leads to an exciting turn in the season! I loved what I heard of the Niners game this morning, plenty of great defence, Carlos Rogers (thanks Redskins for him!) with two picks of Eli, and we did it all with 0 net rushing yards from Frank Gore as he left the game early with a knee injury that hopefully should be OK for next week. Smith's one and only interception was only because Ginn missed a sitter of a catch as he turned to go too early. The last quarter was a cracker, the Niners score their first TD to hit the lead, go for and complete a 2-point conversion, and then intercept Manning on the next play. On the very next play the rookie Hunter rushes in another TD, and the home fans go nuts. But wait, a couple of massive long drives by the Giants, including two fourth down conversions nets one TD and leaves them 20 out with a minute to go. They go for it on 4th again, and pro-bowler Justin Smith bats away the pass. How sweet this winning caper is!

And to backup my predictions, I've placed a 14 leg multibet on with all of the above, with the exception of the the Chargers-Raiders game which had already started, for the juicy odds of $388.30

OK heres my stab at this weeks winners (in bold): Arizona at Philadelphia Tennessee at Carolina Houston at Tampa Bay Washington at Miami Jacksonville at Indianapolis Denver at Kansas City Buffalo at Dallas New Orleans at Atlanta St. Louis at Cleveland Pittsburgh at Cincinnati Baltimore at Seattle NY Giants at San Francisco Detroit at Chicago New England at NY Jets Wow there are some super tough games to pick this week. I was tempted to think the Colts will break their duck against a pretty uninspiring Jags, but they were just awful against Atlanta last week and Painter will clearly be looking for new employment next year. Roll on Luck for them!

I was watching the live scores DappaDan, it seemed reasonably close on the scoreboard, was it a bad loss in your opinion? Certainly leaves your mob with a bit of catching up to do in a pretty competititve division...

Maybe pause to re-asses that outlook for KC after this mornings effort, flogged by one of the worst teams going around, Cassell sacked five times! I really like the way the Texans are going about their business, practically no-one is talking about them in the greater scheme of things, they continue to notch up wins. Rex Grossman is definitely one of the most entertaing QBs to watch, provided you're not a Redskins fan haha!