Macca

Big time play by Jones ... preceded by a great run by Freeman. That's what you call stepping up!

That missed point after forces the Pats to go for 2 after any TD they might get from here on in ... I reckon it's academic now anyway. Falcons just recovered an onside kick and if they score again from this drive, it's all over.

This is turning into a rout ... still nervous JV?

He should have watched been watching Lady Gaga at half time ... nice catch at the end of her performance

Holding the Pats to a field goal there was immense ... 21-3 is so much better than 21-7 As cfh said, look to see Atlanta's running game in operation in the 2nd half

That's a bad error by Brady but a terrific interception by Alford all the same ... now 21 - 0 Falcons all over them

Falcons go out to a 14 - 0 lead and playing very well in all facets. Couple of holding penalties but Atlanta are settled and switched on

My heart says Atlanta but my head says the Patriots ... (plus, I want to win the post-season tipping comp) New England 28 Atlanta 25 The Pats will need to be beaten which sounds obvious but they won't ordinarily make enough errors to lose. In other words, the Falcons are going to have to play lights out in order to win. But for your sake JV, I hope I'm wrong. Good luck on Monday! Post Season Tipping Comp Leaderboard 9 - JV7 7 - Gorgoroth, Macca 6 - Clintosaurus 5 - DeeSpencer

It looks like international cricket is heading for a major re-structure ... Radical schedule shake-up proposed at ICC meeting I'll just comment on the proposed changes for test cricket ... In a nutshell, the changes would result in a 'rolling' 2 year cycle where 9 test nations (excluding Zimbabwe) would all play each other once in a series (even 1 test qualifies as a 'series') - culminating in a final involving the 2 best performed teams. When & where the final might be played is obviously open for discussion as well. Mid January might suit the Southern hemisphere nations where as August/September might suit the Northern Hemisphere nations. Maintaining interest over 2 years might be tricky but as with anything that is new, the adjustment in thinking can happen. Let's face it, the current overall test structure has no real structure ... series are often planned way in advance based on home team ideal outcomes and revenue goals. However, apparently none of the iconic series (Ashes etc) would be effected so those revenue goals could still be reached. Another factor is that another 3 nations (Zimbabwe, Ireland? & Afghanistan?) would operate concurrently (but separately) within that same 2 year cycle with the other 9 nations all playing those 3 nations once as well. That's a lot of test cricket with each nation being required to play 11 other nations over a 2 year period ... it's do-able as long as a number of those series' are only 1 or 2 tests in length. The Australian 2 year calender could read as follows (in theory - for 1 cycle only) 1st Year Sept/Oct .......... Sri Lanka (3 tests - Away) Oct/Nov ........... NZ (2 - Home) Nov/Dec/Jan ... England (5 - Home)) Apr/May .......... West Indies (3 - Away) July ................. Ireland (1 - Cairns) July ................. Zimbabwe (1 - Darwin) 2nd Year Sept/Oct .......... Pakistan (3 - Away - Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi) Oct/Nov .......... South Africa (3 - Home) Dec/Jan .......... India (4 - Home) July ................. Bangladesh (2 - Away) Jul/Aug ........... Afghanistan (1 - Neutral venue) .

Just watched the latest 30 for 30 doco .... 'This Was the XFL' and it was very good. The league ultimately only lasted 1 year but a number of the innovations used in that 1 season are being used by the NFL today. Overall the show highlighted an intriguing snap-shot of how the Americans go about things ... the doco is being repeated on ESPN on Sunday night (8.30pm) and is well worth a look. Here's the trailer ...

Time really does fly doesn't it? ... it's been nearly 3 and a half years since the finale of 'Breaking Bad'. It's time for the re-watch. Here's the insider podcast ... n.b. episode 1 is season 2 episode 1 (not season 1) And here's a 'related' clip from Jimmy Fallon ...

Well, we've got the dream final coming up ... Roger vs Rafa The tennis has been great viewing ... especially the 2 epic mens semi-finals. The Williams sisters going at it tomorrow night is another classic match-up. The only time I ever care about Australian representation is if those representing our country behave themselves, give their best and not act like petulant juveniles. If that doesn't happen, I'm tuning out (but not from the sport) But watching the best go against the best is what this world sport is all about ... bring on Sunday evening. One of Federer or Nadal will win another grand slam tournament - before this tournament began at least, that scenario was a long shot.

Had a look at the first 2 episodes of 'Travelers' & 'Incorporated' ... both new sci-fi series. Both have potential ... like any new show, there needs to be an affinity/attachment to the characters portrayed. Travelers might win-out over Incorporated in that area but both shows are well worth a look (if you like sci-fi) Incorporated borrows from 'Gattaca' a bit whilst Travelers is a little like '12 Monkeys' ... not copied though as both series are quite original.

A couple from 'Ozark Mountain Daredevils' & 'Blackfoot' More 70's Southern rock ...

The key is scoring a TD or 2 early and then putting the Pats on the back foot. They are always going to come back at you though so a lot will rest with Ryan. They'll probably double-team Jones so you'll need your running game up and about. Both Freeman & Coleman are decent and if both get amongst it, that might throw the Patriots off a bit. Atlanta's all-round offense is tough for any defence. The match-up (the Falcons offense vs Patriots defence) will be New England's toughest all year (by a stretch) The reverse could be said of course as well. So then it boils down to what tricks Belichick has up his sleeve with his own offense ... and whether the Falcons defence can cope with it. .

It's hard to have it all in this league ... Belichick has got it figured though. Most of his players are expendable and they are often treated as straight-out commodities. It quite literally is all about the team - no prima donna's, no diva's, no big-heads. Gronk gets away with a little bit but his game-day face is ultra serious. However, Gronk being out means business as usual for New England. But here's the catch ... a team has to be great like the Pats with a QB like Brady in order for Belichick to then 'manage' the way he does - it's not like their system can just be copied. On top of all that, he's the master coach with a game plan that can be either new or change every week. An opposition team's coaching staff doesn't know what it's going to get. They are going to be hard to beat and Atlanta cannot afford any slip-ups. The Atlanta D-Line is going to have to find a way to get at Brady ... easier said than done of course.

Post Season Tipping Comp Leaderboard 9 - JV7 7 - Gorgoroth, Macca 6 - Clintosaurus 5 - DeeSpencer 3 points on offer next week Super Bowl Monday 10.30am Atlanta vs New England

Ryan was great but you had winners all over the field ... the Patriots will be much tougher opposition (especially from a defensive point of view) but you've got the weapons to win it. An evenly matched SB coming up although the Patriots obviously have an edge in experience ... it's all above the shoulders from here on in. Confidence is not an issue so you're every chance.

Congrats JV ... far too good and fully deserved victors. Good luck in the SB!

Yes, I concur JV... and that best team might be the team that has last use of the ball. It's been a great ride for both our teams but only 1 team will go on.

Broken ribs can take an age ... at least 4 weeks but more like 4 to 6. I've just learnt to never be too hopeful with these sorts of injuries. If we get through to the SB I'll see it as a bonus if Nelson suits up and is as involved in as many plays as usual. He might suit up and be involved in selected plays. That's more realistic. He'd almost certainly have to wear a back plate anyway ... and that can be restrictive for a WR. Besides all that, if we lose without him so be it. There are no excuses (apart from if Rodgers was out) ... and that would be a reason, not an excuse. .

In my opinion he won't play again this season ... but I'm a realist.

Packers 31 Atlanta 30 Steelers 24 Patriots 21 I have to pick the Packers but I'm concerned about how we're possibly going to limit Atlanta's scoring power ... although the same could be said in reverse with Rodgers and his WR's. I'd be surprised if it's not a high scoring game. And I reckon the Steelers can provide an upset ... they'll need to be at their best and hope that New England are off their game a trifle. The game should be a close one regardless.

Post Season Tipping Comp Leaderboard 7 - JV7, Macca 6 - Clintosaurus 5 - Gorgoroth, DeeSpencer Next week's games Monday 7.05am ...... Packers @ Falcons Monday 10.40am .... Steelers @ Patriots

I reckon the Pats/Steelers game is an even money bet ... same as the NFC Championship game although the odds makers will no doubt see it differently. ... Actually, I checked and it's Atlanta -3.5 and the Pats -5.5. Home teams normally get 3 points in evenly matched games but the Steelers will be right in it. It's too late to change it this year but we could in the future make the Championship games worth 2 points each in the post-season comp.