Macca

Yeah, it's not like the Falcons don't have a decent running game ... as it was, Freeman had 11 carries for 75 yards complimented by Coleman with 7 carries for 29 yards. Considering the lead that Atlanta had, that's not enough carries. We discussed it here at half time in terms of using clock time as well but the outcome is going to haunt the coaching staff of Atlanta ... if it was GB I'd be furious (McCarthy blew that playoff game in Seattle 2 years ago with poor play calling near the goal line) New England make an artform about doing the 'obvious thing' extremely well even though it does look sometimes like they take risks. Belichick knows when to pull the trigger and when not to.

The game obviously hasn't finished being discussed yet but I'll get the following formalities out of the way Gorgo, you've won another tipping competition but this time you'll have to share the honours with myself Well done! And thanks to all for your participation Final Tally (Post Season Tipping Competition) 10 - Gorgoroth, Macca 9- JV7 6 - Clintosaurus 5 - DeeSpencer Regular Season Tipping Competition Year Winner Runners up 3rd place 2013 cowboy_from_hell/ pantaloons/ Gorgoroth Strafford Macca ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2014 Dappa Dan DeeSpencer Gorgoroth ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2015 Gorgoroth cowboy_from_hell, Macca JV7, DeeSpencer ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2016 Gorgoroth cowboy_from_hell Clintosaurus/ DeeSpencer -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post Season Tipping Competition Year Winner Runners up 3rd place 2013 titan_uranus DemonDave cowboy_from_hell/ Macca ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2014 JV7/ pantaloons Gorgoroth/ Go the Biff Macca ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2015 JV7/ cowboy_from_hell, Gorgoroth/ Macca DeeSpencer ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2016 Gorgoroth, JV7 Clintosaurus Macca ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Overall Medal Tally Gold Silver Bronze Gorgoroth 3 0 4 JV7 2 2 0 Macca 2 1 3 ------------------------------------------------------------- cowboy_from_hell 1 3 1 Dappa Dan 1 0 0 Strafford 1 0 0 titan_uranus 1 0 0 Go the Biff 1 0 0 DeeSpencer 0 2 2 pantaloons 0 2 0 DemonDave 0 1 0 Clintosaurus 0 0 2

You've got to hand it to the Pats ... they're just never beaten. Down 3 - 28 and they win ... unbelievable.

Yeah tough break JV ... that's just devastating.

This sport never ceases to surprise

That's just cruel ... but absolutely true haha

You must feel quite ill JV ... and who could blame you?

Atlanta should have had this stitched up.

That's just crazy

A sack & a penalty at the worst possible time.

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. .