Macca

Normally that Steelers/Ravens match-up produces fireworks. It's one of the early games tomorrow and it's bound to be close. And a little nasty (hopefully)

We haven't seen the end of these type of incidents though ... but, as previously noted, players aren't used to being ousted for that type of indiscretion so there might be some easing up on field. We'll find out soon enough. The NFL media will probably be on the lookout for anything untoward.

Not sure I picked it Dappa ... but I've given my thoughts previously so I'll leave it there. Your game kicks off at 7am ... you watching live?

Over there, that's seen as a somewhat hefty penalty. So, by their standards, he hasn't gotten off lightly. If we judged things by our standards, we might see it differently. I know I do. But again, I'm not pointing the finger at the player but more so the actual indiscretion and the penalties involved.

Here are the games again for those who still need to do their tipping ... SNF (Colts @ Seattle) is an ordinary match-up with Luck not playing but MNF could be decent (Washington @ KC) Pittsburgh/Baltimore are fierce rivals and Oak/Den, Det/Min & the Rams/Cowboys could all be interesting. But finding 3 road winners? There should be bonus points allocated

Unless Atlanta lose their way, they can wrest control of home field advantage all the way to the SB. They look like men on a mission. They score freely and are strong at QB, WR, RB and their defence is better than decent. They do have to go to New England & Seattle but they've got Dallas at home in the dome. And the SB is being played indoors as well.

Well ... with all due respect to the Bears, I judge this team against the best teams. Losing today's game would have been a diabolical outcome. As it stands, our only real strength is at QB & WR so losing Adams is a blow (I'm assuming that he'll miss a few games at least) We're at Dallas next up and that's a game I would really want to win ... we've already lost to Atlanta so we can't afford to lose too many of those head-to-head tie-break situations. @ Big D is a toughie. Just winning the NFC North is going to be a tough ask though. We're at the Vikings in week 6 after @ Dallas. As for the change needed in the NFL, I'm generally quite happy with how it's all run. Especially with the structures of the divisions, conferences and playoff procedures. The sport itself is very exciting in it's own, unique way.

You're probably right dc But I'm hoping that we'll somehow have the whole PED program exposed for what it was. It's a false hope but you never know.

Change will happen ... litigation might provide the conduit or vehicle for that change. Money talks, BS walks and all that Dappa. And then we'd enter into the 'nanny-state' or 'political-correctness' sphere until the sensible outcomes (if reached) were acknowledged.

I just want to see the whole thing re-surface. I didn't get closure because too many believe that nothing untoward happened - or perhaps that's what they want to believe. And if it does re-surface and we start hearing about what exactly did take place (in great detail) maybe then most will then view it all with the blinkers off.

Yeah, Rodgers missed a few games through concussion in that SB year ... but alliances aside, I'm more viewing this from an overall league point of view. Sometimes there is a catalyst moment and today might have been that moment. He's got full use of all his extremities but what if he'd ended up in a wheelchair? We should never wait for the worst to happen before instigating change. I'm not necessarily pointing the finger at the Bear player either ... what he did doesn't carry enough consequences so like many others, he and they will do whatever it takes. Adjust the consequences and then change happens. Leigh Matthews would have had to have changed the way he played in order to play the modern version of AFL. And of course, he would have done that and still been anointed as a champion player.

Fined or perhaps an 8 game suspension (or a season) I feel the same way in the AFL ... Bugg was lucky to only get 6 weeks. These sports are tough enough to play as it is but where these leagues can get really tough is with violent, illegal hits. Have a zero tolerance and you'll effectively get rid of the problem. The AFL has gotten rid of the thuggery that once permeated the sport and that's a good thing. They've gone too far re the bump because incidental contact to the head is always going to happen. It's a contact sport so therefore there will always be collateral damage. Same deal with the NFL, NRL & Union. The helmet has become a weapon in the NFL and they need to outlaw it's illegal use. Fines won't cut it. Heavy suspensions will. And that's where it is heading especially with the CTE that is now being exposed. If people want to watch mindless violence, go watch cage fighting or UFC. That's not my bag but each to their own.

This time around he will try and follow this through because he has to. But these sorts of things would cost plenty and you'd have to wonder whether he'd have the funds. But there again, there are means. It could get messy especially if the collective lie about what happened at Essendon is exposed. That's something that I would like to see ... full transparency.

I'm not one of those who believes the game is becoming soft ... you could outlaw all the hits that could be classed as illegal and the sport would still be an ultra-violent one. For instance, the knee being targeted by an opposition player leading with their helmet should be outlawed. Just attack the torso - that's enough. In a general sense, those leading with their helmets to an unprotected player should cop hefty suspensions. It's not that way yet but it's heading that way. And I'm in full support of it heading that way.

Those defenceless hits are being outlawed out of the game and not within time. It was unnecessary, crude and shouldn't be happening. If it was a Packer player I'd be saying the same thing ... in fact, I've called out players like Matthews for stupid and unruly acts before. If others get pumped up about stuff like that so be it ... I don't agree and never will.

I get zero pleasure from ever seeing those types of hits ... regardless of who the player or team might be. If that was Matthews as the perpetrator I'd be calling the bloke out.

That hit to Adams highlights how utterly dangerous this game is ... hope he is ok. At best he'll have all limb movements but will need to sit out a few weeks or more. Did the thumbs up to the crowd so that's something.

Romo is good at special comments ... calls it as he sees it and is not afraid to stick his neck out. Gives good insight and likes to predict the plays.

It's a fail-safe method used by supporters of any team in any sport to guard against the disappointment of 'getting one's hopes up and then having those hopes being crushed' lol A lot of it is fake though because that disappointment still happens anyway. More fake news.

SS = Supporter Syndrome. We all suffer from it here to a certain degree. But we're all Demons so that stands to reason haha. The thinking transcends to other sports like a virus.

The Bears get on the board ... a good play and a good throw by Glennon. Chicago receive the ball first up in the 2nd half too. It isn't over just yet Dappa. GBSS? We might have wanted to run the ball just so we get some numbers up but with Montgomery out with a rib injury, we'll need Rodgers and the WR's to close it out.

A couple of randoms that sort of mesh together ... good tunes, all the same ...

The Bears can win @ Lambeau but it's an intimidating place and there's an enormous amount of pride at stake. Not losing becomes a supreme motivating force in this great rivalry - the oldest rivalry in the sport. I look forward to this clash and the return clash like no other. It would be no different to the rest of you blokes ... there is always one team that you you just have to beat, no matter what. And that team is?

Pittsburgh Tennessee Philadelphia

No winners this past week and it doesn't get any easier in week 4 (1 point) Keep in mind that the odd numbered weeks from here on in count for 2 points (except week 17 where we play for 3 points) Leaderboard in the comp 3 - JV7 2 - Dappa Dan 1 - Go the Biff, Clintosaurus, Macca 0 - The usual suspects Can we trust the Jags yet? ... and surely Cinci & the Giants will get on the board soon. There's sure to be some upset road wins but which ones? Don't ask me. Not a super round of games but there are 7 divisional match-ups ... and those games are often close.