Macca

Points tally in the comp 1 - JV7, Gorgoroth, cowboy_from_hell, DeeSpencer 0 - The usual gang We're up to week 5 and this week there's 2 points up for grabs (same for weeks 7, 9, 11, 13 & 15) ... week 17 carries 3 points. Another tough week though, all the same.

Yeah, very impressive first episode ET. Some big names on board too ... Michael Crichton was such a creative writer (he was the writer for the original movie which this series is based on) The show looks like it will stand up and the storyline is possibly more suited to today's audience - cinematography is superb too. That's just a first observation though. Here's the IMDb link which includes a preview

Couple from 'The Weeknd' (SNL 2016/10/01)

Any given Sunday hey ... The Pats kept scoreless - the Bills might be decent Rams lead the NFC West with 2 wins against divisional rivals - Arizona have now dropped 2 games at home. Atlanta 2 games clear of all their divisional rivals - Carolina need a win to get their season back on track. Oakland have won their first 3 games on the road - last time they did that they made the SB. Without JJ Watt for a good length of time the Texans are 2 games clear in the AFC South. Indi are struggling. Detroit's season is slipping away - sitting at 1 & 3 with the Eagles next up. Denver keep marching on and the Seahawks are flexing their muscles. Dallas are 3 & 1 with Prescott ... Romo will almost certainly step back in but the stand-in QB is doing well. Looking forward to tomorrow's game ... New York (the Giants) can bring a great game when they're on but the Vikes are killing it at the moment - should be a good game, all the same.

Here's a comedy/horror movie known for it's cheesiness & ham acting. 'The Comedy of Terrors' ... Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, Basil Rathbone & Boris Karloff all try to outdo and outwit one another in this farcical comedy. Even the house-cat brings a few laughs.

7 road winners last week with 6 the week before ... my best effort this season is 1 for 3. The trend will no doubt continue ... Seattle Denver Colts

Well that was all over rather quickly ... big Sam gone after 1 game in charge. Got caught out by undercover reporters from 'The Daily Telegraph.' Read more here ... Sam Allardyce: England manager leaves after one match in charge

Points tally in the comp 1 - JV7, Gorgoroth, cowboy_from_hell, DeeSpencer 0 - TWSRN 1 point on offer this week and after that, 2 points are on offer every other week.

The Saints run defense was deplorable but that's their problem ... your blokes putting up 45 points in that stadium is an excellent result. I give you a genuine chance next week. We're so used to seeing Ryan throw for big yards but that wasn't needed as much ... the Falcons ran the ball really well and exploited the weakness. The Panthers are becoming the hunted as quite often happens after a team has a successful run. Apart from the technical side of things, they're a team that other teams like to beat.

Falcons! Suddenly the Panthers might have a fight on their hands in the NFC South ... next up for Carolina - @ Atlanta. Not sure what they call an 8 point game in the NFL but it'll either be 2 & 2 for both teams or Atlanta will go 2 wins clear of the Panthers if they win at home next week. Regardless, it's a big match for both teams.

Next they'll be extending Fisher's contract! Packers looked great early and then Detroit nearly caught up ... you take any sort of win in this league. There's not a lot between a lot of the teams except some teams know how to win whilst a number of other teams can play well but don't know how to win. The Eagles with Wentz look terrific. The Panthers got smacked around and the Ravens look like they will be more than nuisance value. And didn't the Steelers come crashing back down to earth? And how 'bout them Broncos? Siemian continues to impress. But the team that has been most impressive in the NFC are the Vikings ... superior defense and Bradford is playing his part and should get better. They look hungry for wins and the NFC North will be theirs if they keep this form up. The Packers need to improve if we're to contend.

And just like that they've put 4 past Leicester - and it's only half time. Rooney on the bench ... Jose makes the move.

The SBS game this weekend is tonight's Man Utd vs Leicester match. Coverage starts from 9pm (9.30pm kickoff) Arsenal vs Chelsea at 2.30am (Sunday morning) is another big match-up this weekend. You can listen to the games here ... EON Sports Radio (EON have acquired the licence to broadcast EPL games) Scroll to the top of the page for the standings.

Houston go in as slight favourites and fail to score at all. A week is a long time in this sport but not for the Patriots & Bill Belichick - they're just always good. I'm just glad they're in the AFC and not in the NFC.

Steelers Ravens Arizona

I listened to a lot of our game and the noise factor was through the roof (no pun intended) It could be a real advantage going forward as Minnesota's version of the 12th man. Rodgers and his receivers had a real off day but we seemed quite flustered, all the same. The Bradford trade was the right move and I thought that at the time ... the time to win should always be right now unless a team is in total rebuild. Heard that AP has a torn meniscus but that doesn't mean he won't return soon ... depending on how bad it is they'll have to make a decision on an operation or not. Some get back quite quickly and other times it can be at least 4 to 6. Whilst I'm here, no one picked up any points in the comp this week. Only 1 point on offer for the next 2 weeks but any point is invaluable - here's the points tally ... 1 - JV7, Gorgoroth, cowboy_from_hell, DeeSpencer 0 - The usual suspects

Without Nelson last year the passing game was a little inconsistent and lacked flow ... with Nelson back, it's going to take a bit of time to get everything in sync again. I'm more concerned with the complimentary running game and our overall defense. McCarthy's style is to trust in plan A and if it doesn't work, he doesn't really change things up. Some teams have figured out how to counteract Rodgers and our passing game - not always but when it does happen, it's enough to render the team back to the 'average' category - it happened again today. But credit to the Vikes defense - they were good. We can be great, good, below average and sometimes poor. But there's a whole stack of teams that are never great and a number that are never any good. We're lucky that the Lions & Bears can't seem to get their act together. Detroit losing at home to the Titans today is a body blow for them and if your blokes lose tomorrow, they'll be 0 & 2 and staring down the barrel. There's only a few really good teams and most of them are in the AFC. A number of other teams are like the Packers - the advantage that Green Bay have is that at our best we can beat any team. That's related to Rodgers of course. As for a smoky or 3 to watch out for, I would say the Giants, Ravens, Vikings & I reckon the Texans could have a big year. Not sure of the extent of AP's knee injury, but the Vikes will miss him for any time that he might be out for. But it's early doors and a lot can change in any given week.

That is tough JV ... good luck!

Some other observations ... Atlanta back on track? Bad loss for Detroit Colts are now 0 & 2 The Pats are 2 & 0 without Brady The Ravens look likely and are now 2 & 0 as well ... same for Pittsburgh & Denver Washington in trouble already after winning the division last season The Browns, Saints, Dolphins, Jags & Bills are up against it The Vikes have also started impressively considering Teddy is out Houston & the Giants are both 2 & 0 in divisions where 9 wins might do it. The Packers need to get their game going The NFC West could be a tight affair - all 4 teams are 1 & 1 A big game tomorrow for the Eagles & Bears

Well I tipped the Vikes to win the division ... as good as Rodgers is, we're a bit too predictable. We're one of those teams where if it goes well, we're very good and sometimes great - but if we're off, we're very beatable. Today was one of those days although Minnesota's D was very good. Our schedule isn't too tough though so we should be thereabouts for a playoff berth.

Your 'non' faith has been tested once again Gorgo. Rams win and put everyone out of the running for points ... except myself who of course missed on the Packers & KC instead. I had 1 point after the first 10 weeks last year and it looks like I'm heading down a similar path ... the hardest comp in the Southern hemisphere continues to baffle and bewilder. Even at this early stage I'm aiming for bronze.

New page so here's the standings - the table updates itself every day or so ...

Big win to Liverpool last night ... and a big loss to Chelsea at home. The SBS game tonight Hull vs Arsenal - coverage starts from 11.30pm

Here's a classic comedy/western that's always worth another look see ...

A bit late but here's a free copy of the Sports illustrated NFL Preview edition (click on 'Novafile' then follow the links)