Macca

A number of us picked up a point in the tipping comp this week and we have a new outright leader ... remembering that next week (week 15) is our 2nd last bonus point week (2 points) Week 16 is for 1 point and week 17 is for 3 points. Leaderboard in the comp 8 - Gorgoroth 7 - cowboy_from_ hell, JV7, Georgiou R.R. Martin 5 - Macca 1 - titan_uranus 0 - The rest

Yep, it's disappointing for the Falcons but the Chargers, Saints, Giants, Bears & Detroit have all got decent QB's and they may all miss out on the playoffs ... then there's Kaepernick at the 49ers who isn't even playing at all. Ryan is probably another QB who needs a very good team around him ... the Packers passing game which was previously a real strength is just average now - Rodgers can't find open receivers so we've had to concentrate on our running game and defense (which can't be relied upon, by the way) We'll need everything to go right to really contend and even that may not be enough considering how well the Panthers, Seattle and Arizona are playing.

Liverpool, Spurs & Man Utd all dropped points to help your blokes (I'm assuming the Gunners are your team) ... what's the bet we see a draw in tomorrow's game? (Leicester vs Chelsea) I reckon Chelsea won't park the bus because of where they're situated on the table ... therefore, we'll hopefully see some goals ... Leicester 2 Chelsea 2 (although, I can also see a Leicester win)

... and away at Villa promises nothing for Arsenal later tonight ... then again, the Gunners might win 4 nil. The best part of the season is the unpredictability of the games ... there's been a spate of injuries with the more notable teams but the other less notable teams seem to be bridging the gap with greater spending power and astute signings. Soft tissue injuries seems to be at an all time high but oddly enough, that's good for the league (in some ways)

Well, sort of ... I don't fancy the Pats, Detroit, Saints or the Colts and I do rate Pittsburgh & the Giants (at least for this week anyway) Whether that all converts to me picking up a precious point is another thing though

Seattle Giants Pittsburgh

An example of a proper infrastructure is our Sheffield Shield system compared to the first class systems in the West Indies, Zimbabwe & Bangladesh. Our first class system is heavily subsidised (probably to the tune of about 6-8 million) but what about the West Indies, Zimbabwe & Bangladesh? ... first class cricketers need the security of a decent base salary ... and airfares, accommodation, match payments, stadium availability and upkeep, doctors, physio's et al can all cost a great deal of money. As a comparison, look at how much money & resources have been thrown in the direction of the GCS & GWS by the AFL. The West Indies problems are many and it doesn't help that their domestic season coincides with the IPL ... but so does England's and they aren't losing their best test players to t20 (centralised contracts is a big factor for the England cricketers and that's what the West Indies cricketers will ultimately need - in my opinion) The ICC needs to step in and fix things - that will take time, expertise and lots of money.

Punishing West Indies cricket is not the answer ... I understand the angst but it's counter-productive. World cricket needs all the test nations to be strong ... including any newcomers. There's loads of money in the sport so to make it largely bullet-proof is do-able. What we're watching isn't ideal but I see it as an infrastructure & development issue ... Bangladesh should be a strong test nation by now but many people just want to get rid of them because of their short-sighted views. There are others who just want to blame t20 but again, that's a short-sighted answer ... I've said all along that t20 can help test cricket. Without t20 many young cricketers might choose other sports ... and the other sports are aggressive in the pursuit of young talent - look no further than the AFL for proof positive. That Mallett article was mostly just an angry rant but he does mention the ICC stepping in - but more so in a way of reading the riot act - again, the young talent in the West Indies is there - but is that young talent being identified & harnessed properly? The West Indies board are not cash-rich either so there's now a disincentive for young sportsmen to choose cricket in those Island nations. Other test nations would previously pay top money for the West Indies to tour their country ... that money has dried up too to a certain degree. Therefore, we end up with a system breakdown.

I get the bit where the Vikes want to get closer for the field goal ... they can't throw it in the field of play (with 13 seconds remaining) but a "sack" isn't counted on - that's worst case scenario. Everything is just about a risk in this sport and I suppose without risk there's no reward. You're not out of it cbh and that's a decent effort by your blokes in Arizona.

I believe the ICC needs to help West Indian cricket ... I've been hearing for 20 years or more that a lot of their young talent is snapped up by American Universities (for their basketball, baseball, American football and track & field programs) If that is true it then largely explains why they've stopped producing superstar cricketers. Those wanting to blame t20 need to understand that the West Indies have been on the decline from the early 90's and they are a shadow of their former selves. Their first class system wouldn't reward the participants with boat loads of cash and those West Indian cricketers concentrating on t20 are not exactly "great" cricketers anyway (Gayle is a top player but the others are average without being stars of the game) So, if the solution lies with doing as much as possible to steer those young talented sportsmen towards cricket, then the ICC offering lucrative cricket scholarships might be the answer ... Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and to a lesser extent Pakistan, Sri Lanka & New Zealand could be part of that program (as well as the best young talent from Afghanistan, Ireland and the other nations that don't have full test status) There's enough money in the sport to get things right. I'm not pouring cold water on your idea TD because I believe it has merit but we need to shore up the existing cricket nations as well ... India, Australia, South Africa & England don't really need any help but all the nations could be involved in some way ... especially with the academies/infrastructure etc etc.

Yep, and I can't believe I'm still within striking distance ... the first 2 years saw a lot of us pick up 3 points in week 17 so if that trend continues, it will pay to be in the lead going into the last week. I'm going to have to "win out" in any case because I reckon 11 points or more will win it ... but ya never know.

Thursday night football is another interesting match-up (Vikes @ Arizona) A few other good games but the SNF game with the Pats @ Houston is another vital game. 7mate games are Steelers @ Bengals (early) and Cowboys @ Packers (late) Week 14 games (1 point only) Leaderboard in the comp 7 - Gorgoroth, cowboy_from_ hell 6 - JV7, Georgiou R.R. Martin 4 - Macca 1 - titan_uranus 0 - The rest

It's a tipsters nightmare this year in the EPL Had a look at Leicester's next 6 and we're probably going to find out at the end of that stretch whether they've got a genuine chance or not ... then again, we may not find out such is the nature of this season. vs Chelsea, @ Everton, @ Liverpool, vs Man City, vs Bournemouth then @ Tottenham They get 10 or 11 points out of all that and they're right in it.

The NFC East winner may well suit a team that has the best wild-card record. At the moment it's the Vikings which would mean the Packers would then face Seattle (if the standings remained the same as they are now) That week 17 game between the Packers & Vikings could have another new meaning to it Yeah, the Pats faltering has changed everything in the AFC ... I can see New England dropping a couple more with that banged up offense. Seattle are the most dangerous team in the NFC - they can win anywhere and won't be overawed in any way. Wilson has really stepped things up - he's always been a talent and seems to really like pressure.

The top 5 all picked up 2 points this week with a few of us breathing a sigh of relief that the Panthers got up ... Leaderboard in the comp 7 - Gorgoroth, cowboy_from_ hell 6 - JV7, Georgiou R.R. Martin 4 - Macca 1 - titan_uranus 0 - The rest

Well, I've just about given up predicting soccer Cards but Liverpool should win considering how Newcastle have been going ... there I go again. Anyway, we'll find out soon enough. My Hammers got a draw at Man U last night but I'm quite disappointed we didn't win! That's how much things have changed - any other year a draw at United would have been cause for celebration

It's gone past the embarrassing stage for Chelsea now ... if Chelsea weren't still alive in the Champions League then I reckon Mourinho might have been moved on by now. The bookies don't seem to like Spurs or Leicester at all but neither team can be ruled out in all honesty ... anyway, there's massive interest now in the race to the title. The better teams are losing or drawing at home to average teams and that trend may well continue ... unless one of the top fancies gets on a streak. Which one? (or 2) ... who knows? As you said Cards ... a huge game for the Reds tonight.

Cinci KC Carolina

Very sad news with the passing of Scott Weiland ... a unique talent as lead singer of both Stone Temple Pilots & Velvet Revolver. 2 of their more recognisable songs featuring Scott ... Stone Temple Pilots - Interstate Love Song Velvet Revolver - Dirty Little Thing

Only had radio and I'd given up on the win on quite a few occasions during the game (especially after the 1st quarter and then at half time) First of all pass interference might have been called in that last frantic minute and then that dubious face mask call when time had run out ... then the hail-mary. A freak win and we were awfully lucky - but sometimes the best team loses and we've all been on the end of that type of misfortune before ... the Packers saved their season in unbelievable circumstances and the Lions lost a game they should never have lost (and they are done for the year to boot - well, you'd reckon they're done!) Green Bay @ Detroit highlights

Some sports people (including coaches) seem to always get a pass mark or are untouchable whilst others are seemingly always under the pump. And there doesn't seem to be sound reasoning as to why.

Just had a look at the schedule and hadn't noticed that the Packers & Detroit play tomorrow ... well, at least the pain or the glory will be out of the way quickly These Thursday night games come up quickly and for this week at least, there's a lot riding on this game ... Bears & Viking fans barracking for the Lions? You betcha! Detroit are starting to play really well and who knows with the Packers? .. not confident.

Week 13 games (2 points on offer this week) Leaderboard in the comp 5 - Gorgoroth, cowboy_from_ hell 4 - JV7, Georgiou R.R. Martin 2 - Macca 1 - titan_uranus 0 - The rest

McCarthy is just an average coach who divides opinion amongst Packer fans ... his play calling during the NFC Championship game last season was poor ... settling for 3 pointers on the road was costly in the long run. If we miss the playoffs his position will come under threat ... at a guess I reckon he'd survive but he'd be on notice. Your blokes just continue to rack up the wins cfh - kudos. Every team gets injuries Gorgo and our's haven't been that bad ... we haven't covered well enough for the loss of Nelson and that's on the coaching staff in my opinion. It's as if they're using the loss of Nelson as an excuse. If Rodgers was out - different story. We have high expectations at Green Bay and losing 4 of 5 with a multiple MVP winning QB is just unacceptable.

ha ha! It's probably a long shot but I can't believe that a club with the talent that Chelsea have will finish outside of the top 6 or 8 ... they'll need to make their move now though - win 5 of their next 6 and their back in it.