Macca

That final drive by Atlanta was great - they fell short but gave themselves every chance. I thought they were going to get in for a TD at the end there and that's how close the game was. If the game was played in idyllic conditions Atlanta probably would have won - but the regular season record counts in this sport. Home field can make a big difference. If Philadelphia gives up freezing and windy conditions again next week then it's another line-ball game no matter who the Eagles are up against. Meanwhile the Pats just continue on in relentless fashion. Who is going to stop them Dappa?

Superb catch by Davis and the Titans score the first TD - we might have a game on our hands here.

As for this next game, the Titans have to make sure they don't concede a TD or 2 in the 1st quarter. New England could blow this game out early as that is how they normally go about it. The Titans probably have to score the first TD to have any chance.

The slip by Jones before the 2nd attempt was the major factor - but the game was played in freezing conditions with 30km/h winds and the surface is real turf. I'm not blaming Jones but more so highlighting the conditions of play ... there were mis-throws and dropped catches all game.

Atlanta couldn't quite get it done with that last drive .... great effort though. Jones initially slipping on that last play might have been the difference. Hard luck @JV7 but your team did their best. Eagles just a bit too strong. So Philadelphia get it done in a game largely dominated by the defenses. At home against another dome team next week - could be a tight low-scoring game regardless of who their opponent is.

Apart from being played at below freezing temperature, the wind is a major factor in this game - a 30km/h wind throughout has made the long passing game quite redundant (for both sides) And that is suiting the Eagles. Luck could decide this game though. Score currently Eagles 12 Falcons 10 with 10 minutes left. Eagles in redzone territory.

Another turnover from a punt ... it's becoming a regular thing for the Falcons. A TD results. Excellent scrambling on the TD play by Ryan all the same.

Well well, the good horses won today at the Magic Millions and the quaddie was all there for the taking (not that it paid much!) Not for me though, money back on the 9th but no other collects. Sunlight wins the 2yo Classic and looks to have a terrific future and is now being set for the 'Slipper' Care to Think won the cup race after drawing badly and being 3 wide for the race Pierata won the Guineas in very impressive fashion - another 3yo with a bright future. Viddora can really sprint (the horse is being set for 'The Everest')

Might try my luck in the last race at the Gold Coast tomorrow ... Race 9 Magic Millions Snippets 5.40pm 1200m 970k 3Y0+ SW&P I reckon the winner will come from Viddora, Dothraki or Snitzcraft and for the minor placings I'll also throw in Pinch River, Egyptian Symbol & Irish Constabulary. Trifecta and maybe a First 4 as well. The other races on the card at the Gold Coast holds a lot of interest and I'll have a few smaller trifecta's on the 2yo Classic, the 3yo Guineas & the Cup Race. As mentioned in a previous post Sunlight, Jonker, Ef Troop & Nomothaj are all in with a big show in the 2yo Classic but there's a number of other chances including Quackerjack & Fullazaboot. A very tough race to find the right Tri or F4 combo. As always, good punting to all!

Atlanta are favoured to win Gorg but -3 is only the equivalent of a field goal so it's more like a toss-up game or as the Americans like to call it ... a pick 'em game. The Saints/Vikes game is the same ... the result could go either way and that won't be a surprise for the large majority of onlookers. The Pats should win easily and the Jags biggest issue against the Steelers will be scoring (unless their defence can conjure up some points as they have been doing from time to time) They might surprise though, you never know. I made a case for the Eagles to win a playoff game or 2 (at home) when Wentz went down ... and as you said, if the weather is inclement and if the game becomes a battle of the defenses, the Eagles can certainly win. It's the first game of the four this weekend (8.35am Sunday) but it's the game I'm most interested in as well as the Saints/Vikes game (8.40am Monday)

No it's more than I don't believe Atlanta are that good away from their dome - the Rams were inept on the weekend too. The Eagles all round game is quite good despite Foles not being very good. If the Eagles use Foles the right way they can still win. Regardless, it will probably be a close game and close games are often decided by a fumble/turnover/luck. The Philadelphia D can hold out Atlanta's O and if they do that they're half-way there. If the game was being played in Atlanta I'd be picking the Falcons to win by a TD.

Atlanta 17 @ Eagles 25 Saints 22 @ Vikings 30 Titans 13 @ Pats 35 Jags 16 @ Pittsburgh 23

Leaderboard in the Comp (post-season) 3 - Go the Biff 2 - JV7, Gorgoroth, Dappa Dan, Macca 1 - Clintosaurus Next week's games (AEDT) Sunday - 8.35am ...... Atlanta (-3.0) @ Philadelphia (+3.0) Sunday - 12.15pm .... Tennessee (+13.5) @ New England (-13.5) Monday - 5.05am ..... Jacksonville (+7.5) @ Pittsburgh (-7.5) Monday - 8.30am ..... New Orleans (+3.5) @ Minnesota (-3.5) Remembering that each game next week is worth 1 point whilst the Championship games are each worth 2 points and the Super Bowl 3 points. Updated NFL playoff bracket: Divisional-round matchups, analysis, more

This is by no means a tip but 'Sunlight' ran a sizzling time in a 2yo race at the Gold Coast on Saturday ... it ran 01:02.48 over the 1100m and won in a canter by 5 lengths. It is entered for the 1200m Magic Millions 2yo Classic and must be some sort of a show after that run (and it carried 58kg on Saturday as opposed to the 55kgs it will carry next Saturday) There's any number of other chances though. More on 'Sunlight' here ... Daylight to Sunlight's rivals as filly shines before Magic Millions (includes video of Sunlight's win on Saturday) Might be tempted to take Sunlight 'one-out' to win in a First 4 ... however, finding the 2nd, 3rd & 4th will be more than tricky. It's similar to how one might go about it with horses like 'Winx' The Hayes horse (Nomothaj) did beat Sunlight in the Maribyrnong Trial Stakes back in October. Jonker & Ef Troop are both heavily favoured as well. It's a tough race to find all the clear-cut good horses that can feature.

Yep ... the prizemoney on offer is remarkable for the Magic Millions meeting. As previosly mentioned, I'll have a go at the 1400m Cup race and will probably have a few 'Interest' bets on the other feature races. There's not a lot of sport happening on Saturday arvo's now so the races takes centre-stage. Even in the footy season we rarely play on a Saturday arvo so the Brisbane & Adelaide carnivals fits nicely after the Autumn Carnival. And the big races from Europe kicks off in early May as well ... there are any number of Set Weight or WFA races to hold my interest. 'Winx' travelling over there for a few races adds to the interest.

Keep forgetting to ask about how either of you are faring or if you even have a flutter at this time of year? I tend to bet the same way all year round ... a trifecta on a feature race or 2 most weekends (when they're up) and that's about it. First 4's sometimes but they are really hard to get unless one throws the field in for 4th (and by doing that you often end up with a low percantage of the dividend)

Got 33% of the Tri D77 but missed the First 4 because of the topweight running 4th. I ended up putting the 6 in for the placings otherwise I might have got 100% of the dividend! ha ha The 7 and 8 were way overs but they'd both been running against the 2, 4 & 5. in the lead-up races. Running 5th a few times (the pair) Premiere got a great run. Anyway ... onto the Magic Millions we go ... the Cup race might do me at the big meet as the feature 2yo & 3yo races are a bit of a lottery. Any of the horses in those events might shine through. The Cup race is over 1400m with a million up for grabs.

Yep, not your night tonight Gorg although full credit to the Falcons. Their big players had an impact and they got better as the game wore on. Ryan managed the game well for Atlanta. The Rams will no doubt bounce back although this loss will sting. The older heads in the organisation need to get around McVay & Goff.

Atlanta held on to the ball for 26 plays in that 3rd quarter ... playoff experience at work.

Ryan has done well to hang on to the ball - they've come at him hard.

Both D's playing very well ... turnovers, fumbles could decide this game. Atlanta's running game not there and the Rams need to use Gurley more.

Big moment there ... the ball was like a piece of soap. Falcons need to take advantage here

Victory formation for the Titans ... they'll go to the Pats next week unless the Bills win. KC imploded again.

Hope all is well there Wadda ... Pounamu has found it's true form and is worth following up on. I do like horses that swoop late ... 'Art Series' is another horse from the Ascot carnival to look out for down the track. Aside from the big Magic Millions meeting on the 13th Jan, there's not a lot happening with regards feature races until the Autumn carnival kicks off in February. However, there's 1 or 2 Stakes races most weekends to keep things interesting. For those that are interested here's a list of all the Group and Stakes races for the entire Australian season. I did find a G3 race at Sha Tin on Sunday to have a go at though - only 8 runners but 3 stand out and all 3 are well down in the weights from their lead-in runs. Those 3 horses are the 2, 4 & 5 and I'll put together a Tri & F4 and hope that some sort of combination comes through with the goods. The 7 & 8 could get into the minor placings as well. Sha Tin (Hong Kong) Sunday 7th Jan Race 7 (The G3 Bauhinia Sprint 1000m 7.10pm)

Here's a good article that covers all sorts of categories Bill Barnwell makes a good case for Kamara but it's line ball between him and Hunt. Barnwell's 2017 NFL awards: Picks for MVP, best rookies, more