DeeSpencer

Wright (second ruck), McCartin (FF), Hogan (CHF) could all play together in a 3 prong modern attack. Wright obviously goes to the ruck and Hogan and McCartin would play as modern forwards do with McCartin still playing more close to goal on average. But Dawes would likely hold his spot for a while given how long big guys take. And in the mean time we get little improvement and in the end we likely dump Dawes who's a pretty honest footballer. We'd then get 3 gun forwards if we developed them correctly but what good is that? There's only so many inside 50's a team has with a gun midfield. With a poor midfield these guys would end up fighting for marking contests. If I really was convinced they were the best 2 in the draft I'd take them, but barring that you're almost asking for one to fail through lack of development opportunity.

It's not who you are tipping that's unoriginal so much as who you are tipping against! Jacksonville, Oakland and the Jets with a combined 1 win and what 20+ losses! I'll wait a bit longer before tipping but I think that will be a pretty standard 3 this week. That said the Jags might get a chance against the Cowboys. I just can't believe they'd play Romo off only 2 weeks rest with 2 fractured vertebra even if they are on TP fractures. And Oakland are playing ever so much better since they sacked the coach. I'll stay with P Manning off a loss to seek vengeance but Oakland surely get a win soon.

Arizona Washington Tampa

We can take 2 mids with later picks, plus Brayshaw and Billy Stretch. It will come down to best available. If there was a second very good mid to take we'd take them. But just because Roos is suspect on drafting young forwards doesn't mean he won't let the recruiting staff do their job. I don't see Roos complaining about us getting Hogan. If McCartin is rated high enough we have to pick him.

Nope division winner makes it. I'm happy with that. But I do think the team with the better record should host the wildcard game. The 10-6 wildcard should host the 8-8 division winner. It would certainly be an interesting coincidence if Seattle finished with the better record and had to go play the Saints as the reverse happened a few years back and Seattle as heavy underdogs at home got the win.

I'll say one last thing about the injuries and if you don't understand it I'll agree to disagree. It's not an excuse for us losing. It's just a reason for why I think we threw a game in round 1 and then won the next 2 and have been horrible since and the reason is lack of depth. The injuries are the mechanism that exposes that. It's the lack of depth that is my comment on the Bears. And it comes from years of poor drafting, development and over reliance on free agency. There's no woe is me about the injuries. I do think discussion of injuries is fair regarding the NFL because if you lose a bunch of players from similar positions you can be exploited in ways or in particular games. I agree they are in no way an excuse for how your team finishes a season though with the exception of QB. In every other position it's about having depth on the roster. I think we are coming at the GB/NO game the same way you are just seeing it from a fans point of view as you blow chances. Personally I thought you went for an ambitious onside kick and still easily kept holding serve by putting up points and NO could only struggle to match you. Maybe that's the case that if you waste chances on the road they come back to bite you, I get that. But I felt to half time GB had their noses in front in terms of how easily Rodgers was working. You had a drop catch and a big penalty wipe away your chances of TD's. Where are the saints after the first drive seemed to be scrambling to get their FG's. Anyway all a bit irrelevant. But that flukey interception certainly changed the game. On Foles - I remember the 3rd last play. The 5 foot something honey badger jumps up and swats away a pass over the head of a 6'3 rookie WR. The new two are in the NFL highlights package. Second play was definitely catchable. He gave the defense a fair chance but it was a fast and safe throw to get a third play if needed. On the final play WR jumps through the air and takes what we'd call a chest mark and is then pushed out whilst airborne. The pass is landing in bounds. If he trails his feet and leans through the air he can catch that. I think CC said it's hard but possible to catch after the game. And that pass was after back pedaling when the Cards sent a 7 man blitz at him. Foles makes inconsistent mistakes with accuracy and occasionally bad decisions and missing receivers. I just thought he did a decent job on that last drive.

They won last week and had reasonable performances against Arizona (10), Seattle (10) and Philly (3) points before that. So I agree. It's the blowout by the Giants that made them look silly. If Dallas win by 10 or more I think it might say more about them. At the same time it's 3rd string QB time for Wash which spells disaster! I'm not sure about the call either but I can see why they called it. It looks like he grabs the DB and pushes him down so he can get the catch. But then in slow mo on replay it looks like a dive by the DB. Guess it's one that if Smith keeps his hands to himself it's a catch. They would certainly call in defensive PI if it were reversed so I understand why they want to be more consistent this year. It comes down to whether you favour black and white rules and calling every breach or if you like a bit of incidental contact and want the game to be contested. I'd say just like the AFL it's a better game if not every single minor breach of the rules is called. Unfortunately you can't win either way as we saw this year with the AFL where they didn't pay anything and everyone was happy until the media revolted.

We've been through this before. I'm not saying the injuries are an excuse. Our defense just has zero depth and hence our defense covered us early in the year and now can't. I can take Cutler being inconsistent, I'm staggered at how consistently unproductive he's been this year though. It doesn't make much sense. I think Trestman has been caught out as a play caller and between the two of them they aren't making adjustments. Cutler is like a lifetime of Daniher era teams. Good enough to get somewhere but nowhere at the same time. His contract is structured so we have him for this year and 2 more and then can cut him (or keep him for 4 more years of misery). I'd be inclined to cut or trade him after the 2 years and take a chance in the draft. In fact if we have the pick and the QB is there I'd do a GB and grab the QB to ride the pine. However it would be a dramatic riding of the pine! I still Carolina are more physical than NO, just a matter of whether Newton finds his straps soon. Thursday night is a huge game for that division. You guys had the better of the saints in the first half. I feel the saints were lucky with some calls to be level at half time. Then the Rodgers hammy seemed to take the wind out of the game and I have big fears on your run defense. It's the missing link that gives another team too much momentum on offense. It's completely un-GB to make a big trade for a DT or DE (or dominate inside LB) but if you had the cap space I'd do it. The NFC is wide open. Philly v Cardinals was a great finish. Thought Foles did pretty well on his 3 throws in the end zone. Didn't waste the clock. Gave 3 different receivers a chance to make a play. Fantastic plays made by the 2 rookie safeties to bat down balls and push the receiver out of bounds. Oh how I wish the Bears hired Bruce Arians. He was runner up for our job and would have Cutler dropping long bombs to receivers and would've hired a better defensive coordinator.

I just feel there might be a gap between now with Harris and Johnson and when those young guys actually get over their injuries and can perform. Siddle is our only reliable performer and he can't carry an attack. We should always have a decent pace attack. It won't ever be bad. But it should be our strength and will probably only be good enough to win games at home. Lyon does a good job at home as well, he just can't step it up on spin friendly pitches when he needs to, particularly on day 5 pitches. Hughes has many problems but scores runs! Warner has problems. Steve Smith has problems. We don't have any perfect batsmen. I understand the theory behind fixing some of his technical problems before he gets another shot. But I don't think you can wait much longer.

Good older batsmen: Rogers (37), Clark (33) Good young batsmen: Steve Smith (25), Warner (27) All rounder: Watson (33), Marsh? Faulkner? Keeper: Haddin (37) Older bowlers: Johnson (32), Harris (35) Decent bowlers/prospects: Siddle (29), Pattinson, Cummings etc Spinners; Lyon (26), O'Keefe The problems with the current aussie team are: 1. Spin bowling - Lyon's played a lot now and seemed to plateau. But at the same time he's young enough. Can't give up on him but he looks only serviceable at best 2. Fast bowling decline - Harris and Johnson played career peak seasons last year, but it's unlikely they can do it again. Siddle is a good 3rd support. The young guys need to step up 3. Haddin and Rogers - 2 cornerstones of our team at the start and the end of the batting line up but they are also likely to decline soon 4. What to do at 3 and 6? We don't have an answer to either. I think our best line up is Hughes and Watson. But they just haven't given Hughes a good shot of it and Watson can't stay healthy. I'm staggered to know why M Marsh got the shot at 6 ahead of Faulkner If we don't add another good young batsmen and get one of the bowlers to stay fit then we will be in trouble.

Thankyou Detroit's new FG kicker. I'll take the 2 points, it's about all the fun I've got left in the NFL. And thanks everyone who tipped the Colts. In other news the Bears defense carried the team for a while this season but now due to injuries and shocking lack of depth on the roster have crumbled to a mess at the hands of Brady. And we pulled one from the bonehead Detroit play book by a guy doing his ACL celebrating a sack (whilst down the best part of 30 points). GB v NO is heating up. If Brees plays well this will be 40 all. NO can't stop Rodgers. Julius Peppers on offense at goal line TE dropping a pass. Oh Mike McCarthy you so crazy.

Detroit (feel a bit sneaky tipping the London game) Miami Houston (JJ Watt v a 3rd string QB on debut - feel crazy tipping a team with Pickspatrick at QB, wanted to tip GB, but maybe some vintage Drew Brees can turn it around at home?)

Oh yeah no interest in Denver smashing the Jets, it was Seattle (who are also like the Hawks in more ways than one) who I wanted to see because whilst I'm sick of them as well I thought Dallas might serve up a big game against them. And they did. Anyway Washington Arizona hasn't been too bad but its felt inevitable for a while. Cousins throws too many picks. Bears win, offense found some rhythm and defense despite missing out 4 best LB's and holding the falcons offense so that makes me happy. And I got a point. GB and San Diego both made it hard work but the point is scored!

Who picks the 7mate games. NE at Buffalo, good call, should be somewhat close if Buffalo can bring their defense and all that was wrong with the Pats offense isn't fixed in a week, plus it's a divisional contest. But Washington at Arizona is the worst of the 3 games I think. Chicago at Atlanta would be interesting to see who keeps their season alive and Dallas v Seattle is clearly the pick of the 3 later games.

If he continues his current form I hope he wins MVP. We've seen what Peyton does. Russ Wilson is having a solid year and plays well in big moments but he hasn't been exceptional. Rivers has but he's a gifted experienced pocket passer doing his thing. It's nothing knew. And of course we've seen players like Watt before but it's time for him to win the MVP, especially considering how bad Houston are when he's not involved.

Anyone not tipping: Denver San Diego (always classy) Can't settle on a third tip. Can't go against my Browns (AFC team, getting on the bandwagon early) after they came through for me last week, can't tip NE, Baltimore or SF and I don't want to ruin Thursday night football! Green Bay (if I jinx them it's still a win!)

Not sure if daylight savings is good or bad. Overall I'm saying bad. Games dragging too long in the afternoon. Seattle, Cinn and.......Cleveland! Just felt like tipping Cleveland.

Surely the Danchise? Ok lets all make jokes about how fat the women are in GB to make us feel better.

Not going well. The bears played Rodgers right back to form! Still you'd hope the Vikes could stay in it defensively a little longer. Lets wait and see I guess.

Nice. Did you see KC line up a 350lb lineman at fullback at run him at Vince Wilfork, that was a clash of some big bodies! On all available form with one team having a short week and another team the bye it should pretty much be a non contest. I'd back the Pats defense to bounce back, they've had 2 good performances and 2 bad ones. But Cinn should be able to do a lot of things that KC did offensively in terms of running the ball, screens etc that really hurt NE. Revis is a great corner but if a team is cutting you apart with short passes and runs it doesn't matter much. Bit cruel for Brady to have a horrible offensive performance, with stuff all O line and no weapons firing and then come up against what I rate as the best defense in the league. If they are even half as bad as they were the other day Brady will be running for his life or throwing the ball straight to them or in to the crowd. If it went the way of the KC game you'd be tempted to give Brady a mystery injury at half time and put the young guy in just to save Brady from getting smashed. Every team with an abysmal O line should carry a Tebow like player for when nothing is working and your QB's getting smashed. Put it a mobile college quarterback who can take some hits and run some read option and other trick plays and try to get some yards that way.

3 teams had or have QB controversies and the other team has Tom Brady and still can't score! Yet you get the feeling all 4 teams can play defense, If any of them get consistent at all they can win games. Kyle Orton will be interesting to watch. Bills have most things besides a QB. Miami have a lot of things going for them but at the same time they are Miami! I think AFC South probably just pip them for worst division simply because of how bad Jacksonville and Tenn are. Indy and Houston will fight out the division but I don't think Indy are even that good and Houston can't feasibly be any good at all with the Amish Rifle at QB! Even if their defense is good. Both the West divisions (NFC and AFC) probably have 3 teams better than any team from the AFC South or AFC East. Oakland would probably be horrendous in any division poor team. But I really feel for St Louis. They'd be a contender in several other divisions. Yet they are stuck with 3 fantastic teams and they aren't even in the West of the country anymore!

By the way how good did Kelce the TE for the Chiefs look. That's my kind of TE. Making blocks, catches, running from short passes and making hard yards as tacklers miss. Looks like the next great TE in the league. Of course he'll need to stay fit. I've often thought if I played US football I'd be a TE. I'm 6'3 and solid, but have no interest being morbidly obese lineman and have no speed so I'm out of the rest of the positions! But I'm not overly keen on getting drilled by a hard hitting safety as I run over the middle. Dominant pass rushing DE my other dream! In reality I think I'd be the punter! Has anyone played or thought of playing? Who's going to nominate themselves for demonland QB?

Cutler is Cutler. The only way he'll win big games is with a good team around him. Particularly a defense that can survive his mistakes. He's the middle of the road QB who probably can't win it all but at least can win games. This year and 2 more then hopefully I'm free of him. If we pick up someone good that would be nice. He's still Chicago's best few QBs of all time, which is scary. As I said, not making excuses. Our defense and lack of depth has scared me all year. Just saying the injuries caught up. Better teams don't let them catch up. Maybe I'm being too generous but I'm feeling like a mature Stafford and a proper head coach will do Detroit wonders. KC Royals just made the baseball playoffs. Stranger things have happened!

If you take away the QB do the Cowboys have the best talent on offense in the league? O line are scary good. WR's - Dez and some other talent. Great TE. RB who looks set to lead the league (even if that is O line related). They look seriously good enough that if they don't put up 30 every week then you'd worry about Romo. Not convinced of their defense yet but it's better than horrible. It's hard to like the cowboys but with the way they were written off (by me and others) it's kind of a good story. Dennis Allen at Oakland is seemingly outdoing Mark Neeld. Poor bloke nearly got sacked in a foreign country!

Don't want to sound like a sore loser, it's the only tip I got right! But the bears couldn't run the ball to save themselves at the jets and 49ers and then put up over 200 yards against the packers. Neither team had a punt. With plenty of injuries that finally caught up to us our defense were horrible but I'd still be nervous if I were a packers fan about their own defense and lack of running game. Rodgers told everyone to relax because he knew how damn good he is and how that can translate. But in terms of pure talent across all aspects of the team I can't go passed Detroit. Strong defense in all positions. Good QB. Good O line, good running game and finally more than 1 receiving option. Plus they have the lead on the packers. The biggest knock on Detroit is that they are Detroit. Change the uniforms between green bay and Detroit and you are backing the current lions players.