Macca

The Packers will need to do something - pronto. Pats far too accomplished

I didn't know about the tattoo ... if that is true it might seem funny to some, but it pours cold water on the " I fear needles" rot ... but, even armed with that knowledge (if it's true), many would still believe the spin about Zaharakis. I've already stated that I'd happily welcome back Melksham into the fold after he serves his time but here's the list of the 12 players (again) who were not issued with the infraction notices ... they were all on Essendon's list going into their 2012 season (when the injection program was in full swing) There is speculation that these 12 players did not sign the consent forms Currently listed Mark Baguley Courtenay Dempsey Jackson Merrett David Zaharakis Delisted Anthony Long, Lauchlan Dalgleish, Jason Winderlich, Elliott Kavanagh, Nick O'Brien, Michael Ross, Kyle Reimers Hal Hunter

And 12 players look like said NO ... so it's entirely plausable that 34 willingly "went along with things" and 12 decided not to. It's the other 12 players that were on Essendon's list at the time that many have conveniently put aside.

That's if we assume that the players had no idea of what they were injected with ... I've never assumed that and I'm baffled as to why most seem to assume that they didn't know what they were being injected with. I suppose if one is told something hundreds of times one might be inclined to believe that something.

I still think the Pats can win without Gronk but much might now be dependent on the coaching of Belichick ... if the KC d-line can get at Brady enough, they can win. They smashed him at KC 2 seasons back so it's quite achievable. That Seattle/Panthers is the pick of the games in my opinion ... Lynch being back brings the Seahawks right into it ... the Panthers have drawn the short straw of all the top seeds ... 15 & 1 and then out - straight off? As for Kelly/Kap & the 49ers ... he'll probably invigorate them off the bat but they'll need to bring in some weapons to be a threat for the playoffs (especially in that division) Hopefully he now realises that it's not all about game plans in the NFL - any team needs a number of top players to be a genuine threat.

I doubt that will happen with any of the 34 ... one breaking ranks can implicate the rest (although we now know the players signed consent forms allowing the club (the EFC) to administer the "supplements") Hunter broke ranks but he wasn't one of the 34 (and so far, he's out there on his own ... none of the other 12 players (who weren't charged) have taken any action - yet) No, they will all continue to proclaim their innocence no matter how much evidence comes to light. That's my take on it anyway - I may be wrong but some "pacts" can remain awfully strong. I also believe that many of the 34 genuinely believe that they are completely innocent. As for my take on things, I've stated those opinions on the other relevant threads. There's not too many busted drug cheats who have later admitted their wrong doing. Martin Vinnecombe is one and I suppose Armstrong is another (in Armstrong's case, I believe he had a motive in confessing - some his and some because he had little choice) Anyway, as you intimated dpositive, hopefully some good will come out of this almighty mess. Most times in life, a person deserves a 2nd chance (depending on the deed that is done of course) ... in this instance, Melksham will get another chance and I support that (even though I'm dead against PED use in sport) It should also be noted that our club recruited Melksham before the CAS hearing began (Nov 15) ... people's opinions on the verdict changed in the time frame from just before, during and after the hearing was finished. Not many were predicting a year out for the 34 back in October (when we recruited Melksham)

We were all way off with those divisional winner tips (typical) ... reckon Dallas & Indi may well have won their divisions if their QB's were healthy. The Eagles and Baltimore went backwards and the Chiefs nearly got there. I fluked Carolina although I've always thought Cam Newton could be a top player. Anyway, it looks like Big Ben might play with the aid of painkillers but he'll need to do well for Pittsburgh to have a chance - all the home teams are favoured by the odds makers but I reckon there will be at least one upset (have a guess which one?) Tips ... Sunday 8.35am Kansas City 19 @ New England 24 Sunday 12.15pm Green Bay 23 @ Arizona 22 Monday 5.05am Seattle 17 @ Carolina 21 Monday 8.40am Pittsburgh 19 @ Denver 22 Leaderboard in the tipping comp (post season) 4 - JV7, Macca 3 - cowboy_from_hell 1 - Georgiou R.R. Martin, Gorgoroth 0 - The usual suspects

Watched that Bills doco as well ... I've certainly changed my perspective on them because of what the doco contained. To sum up they were just an excellent team who just couldn't get over the final hurdle ... not chokers either. To keep coming back 4 years in a row actually takes great character ... and Kelly was a very good QB. I suppose their fans feel it though ... however, they've got nothing to be ashamed about in my opinion. Here's the doco again for those who haven't seen it ... Four Falls of Buffalo

Yeah, if Green Bay ever had to move states it wouldn't make any sort of sense to me at all. I'd probably still support them but it may or may not feel the same ... In your case the Rams have moved a few times but you may have only known them as a St Louis team. I've known and still know plenty of Fitzroy fans who are now full-on Brisbane fans ... I don't know many who didn't make the switch. Strangely enough, it's the older ones (at the time) who stuck and that may be because they understood the practicalities. I'm assuming everything else stays (logo, mascot, colours etc)

'cfh' must be absolutely livid ... a missed chip shot of all things. Hard luck mate. As for the Packers, Washington's secondary might just have played Green Bay back into form ... I wasn't at all confident especially after being down 11-0 (which could easily have been 16-0) Once we got our game going it was always going to be difficult for Washington. Hoping that Arizona come out rusty next week because I believe that's what it's going to take for the Packers to have a chance ... and there always seems to be at least of the the top seeds that does come out rusty. The Packers themselves did it the season after the SB. Anyway, here's the line-up of games for next week ... AEDT Sunday 8.35am Kansas City @ New England Sunday 12.15pm Green Bay @ Arizona Monday 5.05am Seattle @ Carolina Monday 8.40am Pittsburgh @ Denver Leaderboard in the tipping comp (post season) 4 - JV7, Macca 3 - cowboy_from_hell 1 - Georgiou R.R. Martin, Gorgoroth 0 - The usual suspects

Big Ben has a minute to win it for the Steelers ... good comeback by Cinci and McCarron has been decent Edit: And the Bengals implode - twice. Crazy stuff.

The Steelers should have put them away by now ... Cinci's offense is just woeful. One TD either way changes things though, in this low scoring game.

KC go to either New England or Denver next week and who's to say they can't keep winning? ... it's not like the Pats or the Broncos are absolutely dominant at this point of the season. I'm tipping the next game will be of a much better standard ... however, a lot rests with how McCarron performs.

Houston have been awful - KC are decent but they haven't beaten much. Weeden might be coming in but it's academic ... the Chiefs can run the ball from here on in. A quick TD to Houston might change things but it had better happen soon. Edit: another TD to KC ... 27-0 now.

Hoyer makes another giant blunder ... this ain't looking good for the Texans

Hangin' for Sunday ... ideally, a couple of games every Sunday (our time) would be fabulous. All the road teams are favoured but any of the games could go down to the wire ... next week, all the home teams will probably be favourites. If Seattle win they will go to Carolina and if Pittsburgh win they will go to Denver - it's been said before but the NFL playoff system works really well However, there is still a good chance that 2 more teams will be added to the current 12 playoff teams with only the 1 seeds subsequently receiving the bye - I'm not against adding the 2 teams even though I like things as they are now. The new 'point after' distance seems to have been received well too although only Pittsburgh looked to have attempted the 2 point conversion on a regular basis ... will they continue to do so on Sunday? The Steelers & Cinci match-up is probably the game of the weekend and it may well be real bruising affair given the recent history between these 2 teams. The Vikings/Seahawks game could be a must-see too - for all sorts of reasons not the least being the weather forecast for the game ... -3° celsius is forecast for the start of the game rising to a maximum of 1° celsius by the end of the game - plus, winds gusting up to 30km/h are predicted. That's rather chilly! Edit: 7mate are showing all 4 of this weekend's games live - I suppose we can assume that 7mate will be showing all the playoff games.

Kansas City 21 Houston 17 Pittsburgh 27 Cincinnati 24 Seattle 24 Minnesota 22 Green Bay 27 Washington 21 ... have to pick the Packers

Vikings far too good and are fully deserved division winners ... Packers were terrible though and it was a miracle that we were still in the game at the finish. So, the Vikes now host Seattle and Green Bay go to Washington ... in the end, a Vikings win means they face a hot Seattle and the Packers would probably rather face Washington more so than Minnesota (even though the Washington game is on the road) I'd be surprised if we could defeat Washington all the same ... as JV7 mentioned above, we are a shadow of our former selves. There's is no real continuity to our game mainly because our wide receivers and tight ends can't create separation even on a semi-consistent basis. It's been an issue all season which hasn't got any better. Rodgers is more often than not out of the pocket looking for someone to throw it to (often to no avail) Still, we're in the playoffs and as we've seen on a number of times previously, anything can happen in January in the NFL. In other news the Jets blew their playoff chances whilst the Steelers could cause some damage in the AFC. The Pats drop to the 2 seed with an untimely loss whilst Denver may well have dropped to the 3 seed (without a week off) but now find themselves in the 1 seed position with home field all the way through to and including the AFC Championship game (if they make it that far) Next week's playoff games (AEDT) Sunday 8.20am - Kansas City @ Houston Sunday 12.15pm - Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati Monday 5.00am - Seattle @ Minnesota Monday 8.40am - Green Bay @ Washington

And we have a winner in the tipping comp! Congratulations Gorgoroth and well played ... in the end, you needed your own team to lose in order for you to win (go figure) ... that Rams/49ers game going to O/T to decide things added to the drama! ... 'cfh' was that close Anyway, well played to all the participants ... any of the notables could have won in the last week. If we get enough takers, we can do another post-season comp as well ... "traditionally" we've added the potential scorelines in the post season - a tradition initiated by 'pantaloons'. The post season comp gives 1 point to any winner (home or away) with 3 points on the line for the Super Bowl. Final Tally (notables only) 10 - Gorgoroth 9 - cowboy_from_ hell, JV7, Georgiou R.R. Martin 7 - Macca Regular Season Tipping Competition Year Winner Runners up 3rd place 2013 cowboy_from_hell/ pantaloons/ Gorgoroth Strafford Macca ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2014 Dappa Dan Georgiou R.R. Martin Gorgoroth ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2015 Gorgoroth cowboy_from_hell, Macca JV7, Georgiou R.R. Martin ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I can't remember ever picking Jacksonville anytime in anything A drowning man will clutch at a serpent

Hammers defeat Liverpool (again) ... getting a few players back (including Payet) and our schedule isn't all that tough. Bilić is doing a fine job but without Sakho fit and firing a top 4 finish will probably be out of reach - but who knows? The other 3 big guns all recorded wins last night whilst Leicester slipped up - Spurs need to win at Everton tonight if they're to be a real threat for the title.

Pittsburgh Detroit Jacksonville

Yeah, the good news is you will win gold or silver so ... at least you won't win another bronze Looking at the week, there's any number of potential road winners but none that could be called absolute certainties. A number of teams could rest their starters too - week 17 always throws up some surprises. It's probably the most interesting week 17 for quite a while in terms of how the playoff seedings could change (especially the 1 & 2 seeds in both conferences)

Didn't help that the Giants had nothing to play for and Beckham was out ... all the same, the Vikings probably would have won anyway. Bridgewater was very good and for most of the year they've been a very honest, consistently good team. Next week at Lambeau is an interesting scenario considering the loser possibly gets the easier wild-card game (at Washington) Seattle could rest a few starters against Arizona as a win for them would be hard fought and not entirely necessary. They might have already decided that the 6 seed will suffice. Leaderboard in the comp (notables only) 10 - Gorgoroth 9 - cowboy_from_ hell, JV7, Georgiou R.R. Martin 7 - Macca Week 17 games ... all to play for this week with 3 points on offer. Finding 3 obvious road winners in week 17 could be a little difficult. You'd reckon that the teams that have to win, will win but ... all the games are divisional games so there's sure to be some close finishes. Anyway, good luck to all.

Week 17 holds a lot of interest after today's results ... any number of the seedings can change. Pittsburgh are the big losers out of today's games and they will now need the Bills to defeat the Jets as well as win their own game against Cleveland (to make the playoffs) I've already had numerous goes at the ESPN Playoff Machine but it will be interesting to see how Seattle approach next week's game @ Arizona. They've already clinched a playoff berth and will either play @ Washington or at Minnesota or Green Bay. Meanwhile, the Vikes need to win today to clinch a playoff spot (and therefore eliminate Atlanta) Currently leading 10 - 0. As for the Packers - the good news is we can't play any worse and at least we're in the playoffs ... with Rodgers at the helm we're always a chance but right now, we'd be doing well to win 1 playoff game.