Macca

Tennessee Chargers Tampa

I point on offer for week 16 but 3 points to play for in week 17 ... here's the points tally again ... Tipping Comp Leaderboard 9 - Gorgoroth 8 - cowboy_from_hell 7 - Clintosaurus 6 - JV7 4 - DeeSpencer, Macca And the week 16 games ...

Chelsea have now won 11 games in a row with games vs Bournemouth & vs Stoke coming up ... after that they'll get tested @ Tottenham, @ Leicester then @ Liverpool as part of a run of 4 games. Regardless, they'll be hard to catch if they can maintain their form. They've only conceded 2 goals in that stretch of 11 wins as well. No games until late Monday/early Tuesday morning but the other big leagues are all having 2 weeks off whilst the Bundesliga has a whole month off from Thursday. My Hammers are finally getting some points on the board but we've been largely unimpressive in the process. You'd take any sort of win in this league though.

We all picked up 2 points this week in the tipping comp ... only the 1 point on offer for week 16 but week 17 carries 3 points and the comp will be decided in that week. 4 participants can still win it in an outright sense. Anyway, 6 of the 8 divisions are still yet to be decided (the Pats & Seattle have won their respective divisions) & week 17 will almost certainly be another playoff type week for many of the teams. Most of the week 16 games (12 of 16 games) will be played on Christmas day AEDT whilst all of the week 17 games will be played on Jan 2 AEDT (which is a nationwide public holiday) So we're in for a treat with so many games having so much riding on them. Washington needs to win tomorrow to stay in a strong position with regards to a wild-card spot - they should win at home but it may not be easy. Tipping Comp Leaderboard 9 - Gorgoroth 8 - cowboy_from_hell 7 - Clintosaurus 6 - JV7 4 - DeeSpencer, Macca

Pittsburgh New England Oakland

Here's my outcome ... (I've got both Green Bay & Denver missing out) AFC New England - #1 seed Kansas City - # 2 seed Wild Card Week: Miami #6 seed @ Pittsburgh #3 seed Oakland #5 seed @ Houston #4 seed NFC Dallas - #1 seed Seattle - #2 seed Wild Card Week: Washington #6 seed @ Atlanta #3 seed NY Giants #5 seed @ Detroit #4 seed There are a lot of variables though ... if any of Tampa, Green Bay, Baltimore, Denver or Tennessee can snag 1 more win against my projections, then any of those teams can make the play-offs. The Panthers can have a big say in things in the NFC West as they play both Atlanta & Tampa. One thing that is almost guaranteed is that week 17 will decide a lot of outcomes.

We definitely need the Giants to beat Detroit this week ... that's apart from both of our teams needing to win this week as well. We're running out of games otherwise. I reckon all 3 games involving the 3 contenders will be close anyway.

There's still a total of 6 points up for grabs in the tipping comp including 2 points this week ... another tough week to find 3 clear-cut road wins though. Still, the comp was never designed to be easy ha ha Leaderboard 7 - Gorgoroth 6 - cowboy_from_hell 5 - Clintosaurus 4 - JV7 2 - DeeSpencer, Macca 2016 NFL Playoff Machine Bill Simmons & Sal Iacono 'guess the lines' podcast

A 'cuban' is called for as well Gorgo. As well as all that you've hit the outright lead in the tipping comp

Romo being talked about again ... no surprise really, it was only going to take 1 loss like the one Dallas had yesterday. On top of that, Romo is being paid a hell of a lot of money to sit on the sidelines 100% of the time. If Prescott starts having another off day in their next 3 games, I can see Romo at least being given some phases during any of those games. And that may be enough for the switch-back to happen. Dallas' next 3 - vs Tampa, vs Detroit then @ Philadelphia. Jerry will probably find an opportunity for Romo in that string of games. Some other observations ... Miami, Tennessee & Houston are making claims in the AFC and any of those 3 teams are genuine chances to advance The Broncos might be in trouble - next 3 ... vs Pats, @ KC, vs Oakland Pittsburgh are starting to hit their straps - the Ravens can't afford to slip back too far (they play against one another in 2 weeks) The Vikes & Packers stay alive but both teams will need help if either are to advance ... the teams meet each other in week 16. The Giants defence is A1 and they're a real smoky especially if Eli can find his best form Washington & Tampa continue to win games - both teams are realistic wild-card chances ... the Falcons should now win the NFC West with their run home. Atlanta might even snare the 2 seed. Detroit's next 2 will tell us how good they might be - @ Giants, @ Dallas. They can wrap up the NFC North if they win both. Regardless of today's result, Seattle should still be able to secure the 2 seed - next 3 ... vs Rams, vs Arizona then @ 49ers. They just had a bad day today and ran into a hot Green Bay.

It's that time of year again ... 2016 NFL Playoff Machine

Pittsburgh Denver Atlanta

4 weeks to go and the race to the finishing line is on (in the tipping comp) ... every point is vital including the 1 point on offer in week 14. There are a few decent chances this week so not picking up a point could be costly. Leaderboard 6 - cowboy_from_hell, Gorgoroth 5 - Clintosaurus 4 - JV7 2 - DeeSpencer, Macca Bill Simmons & Sal Iacono Podcast

We all picked up a point in week 12 so it's on to week 13 where 2 points are up for grabs ... tough week for tipping coming up though - Dallas & Denver look somewhat likely, but there are no guarantees. Vegas doesn't like the Giants or Detroit either. Good luck. Leaderboard 6 - cowboy_from_hell 4 - Gorgoroth, JV7 3 - Clintosaurus 2 - DeeSpencer, Macca Bill Simmons & Sal Iacono podcast (week 13 forecast) Tips ... Denver Colts Giants

We have a new outright leader in the tipping comp ... cfh has skipped away and is eyeing off another overall win. Only the 1 point on offer this week but a total of 10 points are up for grabs in the remaining weeks (week 12 - 1 point, week 13 - 2 points, week 14 - 1 point, week 15 - 2 points, week 16 - 1 point & week 17 - 3 points) Leaderboard 5 - cowboy_from_hell 3 - Gorgoroth, JV7 2 - Clintosaurus 1 - DeeSpencer, Macca Here's this week's bs report with Bill Simmons (Bill and Sal Lacono try and guess the week's lines) Tips ... Steelers Giants Patriots

More Film Noir ... 'The Stranger' starring Orson Welles, Loretta Young & Edward G Robinson - an underrated movie but a gem of a film nonetheless ... here's the IMDb link If you're a fan of Orson Welles, there was a decent movie made about him just a few years ago ... 'Me and Orson Welles' (British actor Christian McKay gives a fine portrayal of Welles, especially with Orson's mannerisms) Anyway, here's 'The Stranger' ... the film can be viewed in HD and in full-screen mode.

2 points on offer this week in the comp ... there's a couple of standout picks but snagging all 3 this week might prove elusive (again) Leaderboard 3 - Gorgoroth, cowboy_from_hell 2 - Clintosaurus 1 - JV7, DeeSpencer, Macca Tips ... New England Pittsburgh Green Bay

Some more Film Noir fare if you're up late on a Friday night. This time an unusual movie with an unusual theme & plot. But a very enjoyable movie, all the same (if you like this style/genre) The star of the movie Ralph Meeker, plays Mike Hammer from Mickey Spillane fame (Spillane wrote the novel from which the film is based) I won't spoil it in any way but if you'd like to know a bit more about the movie, go here ... Kiss Me Deadly (IMDb) Click on settings for HD ... also, the movie can be seen using the full screen function ...

Leaderboard in the comp 3 - Gorgoroth, cowboy_from_hell 2 - Clintosaurus 1 - JV7, DeeSpencer 0 - Take a wild guess

I threw the Panthers in because we know that they are a good team when they're firing ... they are a fair way back though. They'd probably have to win 3 of their next 4 to have a chance ... vs KC, vs Saints, @ Oakland, @ Seattle. It's a big ask but there's always a team or 2 who can get on a roll. Like you, I'm hoping the Raiders can keep winning ... their fans have had a terrible time of it with so many losing seasons. They haven't had a winning season in their last 13 years. 8 & 8 has been their best effort in amongst those mostly abysmal returns. Just did a quick google search and realised that Gorgo's Rams haven't had a winning season in their last 11 years as well. That's just too much pain.

Do you want Mike McCarthy? He's run out of ideas at GB ... all I keep hearing is that our receivers can't get separation. Rodgers' numbers are down but he gets very little help. Not sure we want your bloke though.

A few observations ... Dallas & Prescott keep marching on ... what to do with Romo? Detroit are right back in it but they need to keep it up Packers & Vikes are struggling - especially the Packers The Panthers might get on a roll Oakland (7 & 2) look like the real deal - after their bye next week they are then vs Houston, vs Carolina, vs Buffalo The Giants are hanging around and have the 3rd best record in the NFC (5 & 3) KC are 6 & 2 and flying under the radar The Colts might be back Atlanta can skip away - next up @ the Eagles 3 participants picked up points in the comp - miracles do occur

Tips ... Panthers Eagles Dallas

Here's another movie for 'Noir' fans ... 'Pickup on South Street' Stars Richard Widmark whilst 6 time Oscar nominated Thelma Ritter has a memorable supporting role. The opening sequence is very well done and sets the movie up brilliantly. The film is still very highly regarded and has a more than decent plot ... it was made during the the midst of the 'McCarthy era' Here's the IMDb link if you want to know a bit more about the movie. For HD click on settings

That was one hell of a series ... Cleveland fought hard but fell just short. It's often a fine line between ultimate victory & despair. Hopefully they'll get back to the big stage again sooner rather than later. The story was always going to be centred around the Cubs though and they finally broke their curse. To come back from a 3-1 deficit was a grand effort. Kudos. Game 7 highlights ...