Macca

They might get on a roll Cards ... all the teams at the top are dropping points and if Chelsea can start winning consistently, they can start to bridge the gap - can't see them winning the whole thing but they might sneak 4th spot and get into Europe. I had a quick look at their fixture and their next 8 only includes a couple of tough games. Mind you, the Costa reaction could set things back again. I wonder if they'll spend up big in the January window. Your lads aren't far away either ... I still reckon it's Man City's title to lose but there's a number of clubs who could win the whole thing. Leicester aren't going away easily but it would still be a major surprise if they got up.

If the Packers miss the playoffs then McCarthy will come under pressure ... was it 8 coaches who got the boot all on the same day last year or 2 years ago? Regardless, the NFL is all about winning and if a team doesn't win enough, the coach usually goes. The Americans like to "change things up" as a bit of a rule of thumb anyway. There's loads of offensive and defensive coaches as well as college coaches to choose from and it's not as if these coaches aren't remunerated exceptionally well anyway. These sacked coaches can sometimes get a 2nd chance too - not sure how frequent but the ratio is miles ahead of a sport like the AFL.

Big win by the Broncos today and 'Oz' (Osweiler) does look like he can play a bit ... he stands tall like Brady and seems quite assured. Denver will probably go back to Peyton when he's ready but they may not. The Broncos now hold the head to head advantage over the Pats if they both finish on equal wins. The Vikes are just a solid football team and if they get a 2 game break on the Packers they may maintain that advantage (thus, making that week 17 match-up between the Packers and Vikes of less importance) KC, Houston & the Jets are making a run at it and now Washington seems like they may snag the NFC East. Arizona and Cinci just keep winning - both now 9 & 2. The Pats put everyone out of their tips this week (except JV7 who missed out with the Giants) ... 2 points to play for next week (week 13) Leaderboard 5 - Gorgoroth, cowboy_from_ hell 4 - JV7, Georgiou R.R. Martin 2 - Macca 1 - titan_uranus 0 - The rest

Well if Hogan is to play further out from goal (but not too far) then Weideman may end up playing more games than would otherwise be expected ... 8-14 possible games for Sam as a deep forward with a variety of others to rotate as the 3rd tall forward in a variety of roles as that 3rd tall forward. Dawes, Watts, maybe O-Mac, Frost, vanders and Petracca could fulfill that 3rd tall forward role with any of those 6 to be used in Weideman's role when he's not playing. T-Mac shouldn't be ruled out either - Pedersen is another option. Obviously Frost, vanders, Petracca, Watts, Pedersen & T-Mac can play in a number of other positions as well (mostly back or midfield) It seems that Roos would prefer to have quite a number of tall forward options when we consider that we drafted Hulett as well - Hulett is another who could be rotated through the forward line ... like Weideman, it will depend on whether the Match Committee reckon he's ready or not. Weideman could effectively come into the team as part of a cog of a wheel rather than thrust into a key forward position that he may not be ready for. Same for Hulett ... O-Mac is in the same category but he may be better suited back (if he can force his way into the team of course).

Here's a couple of upbeat tracks I came across whilst listening to Jazz24.org The 2nd link sees the track 'Zigaboogaloo' by "Nicholas Payton" cut short at the end but the full song can be heard here Leroy Vinnegar - Ah Que Linda

Well, I can't remember what all my predictions were but I had Baltimore, the Saints and Dallas in there somewhere! Seattle too if I'm being honest. In the end I might only get the Pats right (and that was a no-brainer)

So DRS "hotspot" shows that Lyon nicked the ball (from 3 different angles) yet that is ruled inconclusive? Why have the technology if it's not going to be trusted? Human error I can deal with if it doesn't involve technology but this decision looked quite clear cut according to hotspot. We're supposed to be trying to eliminate the howlers. Otherwise the day/night test and the pink ball is turning out to be a resounding success (so far) ... I can see more scheduling of day/night tests in Australia (and not just in Adelaide) The Melbourne and Sydney Tests will probably remain day games but you never know. .

Seattle have been the biggest disappointment ... they should have come out all guns blazing after blowing a SB winning chance. Just proves once again that you've got to take your chances when those chances present themselves - unless of course they get on a run and contend again. At 5 & 5 they've got some catching up to do - that's entirely possible with their run home but they still have to get it done. They may luck-out in week 17 if Arizona have nothing to play for (I'd expect the Cardinals to secure the 2 seed - they could clinch that 2 seed in week 16 at home against Green Bay) Detroit are the other big disappointment amongst other teams. Packers at 7 & 4 is about 1 win less than my expectations - however, losing 4 of 5 with a multiple MVP winning QB is unacceptable. If it becomes 5 of 6 the fans may riot Gorgo is rightfully disappointed with his Rams whilst the 49ers fans on this thread must be quite annoyed. Atlanta promise a lot and then falls away - they can get back on track but it needs to happen now. There's some really good stories too with the Panthers, Cinci, Vikes & Arizona. My smoky team to get "hot" at the right time are the Steelers ... the Giants with Eli could cause a bit of damage too (if, as expected, they now win their division)

The Panthers have now won 15 games in a row dating back to last season. The best record in the NFC since the merger in 1970.

The Eagles coach has lost the locker room by the looks of it and I reckon the owner probably wants him out too. Detroit underperformed in the first half of the season and like Chicago, they are now starting to play well - they've got some decent weapons. If they can beat Green Bay at home next week they've got an outside chance of finishing on 9 wins ... their last 4 - @ Rams, @ New Orleans, vs 49ers, vs Chicago are all winnable. The Packers last 5 are ... @ Detroit, vs Dallas, @ Oakland, @ Arizona then vs Minnesota ... at our best we would win at least 3 to get to 10 wins but our best only happens fleetingly these days. The division winner may well come down to week 17 involving at least 2 teams and possibly 3 or even all 4 teams. Minnesota have also got a tough run home and your blokes have got some very winnable games in the run home. Chicago should win their next 2 for starters (vs 49ers, vs Washington) .

The NFC North is up for grabs ... I wouldn't even rule Detroit!

7mate are covering all 3 games tomorrow but ESPN are only doing the Panthers @ Dallas match (8.30am)

New England Arizona Giants

Week 12 games The Thanksgiving games all have a bit riding on them ... the Eagles and Dallas cannot afford to lose whilst the Packers/Bears game could be closer than people think. Packers should win but we need to continue to bring our best game. Carolina have a chance to go 11 & 0 and if they do then talk could turn to them going through the season undefeated (4 of their last 5 games are divisional match-ups) Tossing up whether to include them in my tips ... same with the Eagles. 1 point only to play for this week but weeks 13, 15 & 17 are bonus weeks (week 17 is for 3 points) Leaderboard in the comp 5 - Gorgoroth, cowboy_from_ hell 4 - JV7, Georgiou R.R. Martin 2 - Macca 1 - titan_uranus 0 - The rest

Seattle's best is still very good but will they be able to snare a wild-card berth given their schedule? Pittsburgh at home next up won't be easy and they still have to visit Minnesota & Arizona. We can almost certainly assume that the NFC East won't produce a wild-card but there's still a number of teams in the NFC that are in the running for a wild-card berth ... those teams on 4 wins will probably have to win out but 9 wins might do it. However, there nearly always seems to be at least one team that comes from nowhere to challenge - might that team be Tampa? One of Minnesota or Green Bay will probably get one wild-card. Atlanta need a win and they need it asap. In the AFC Pittsburgh seems to be the best team that isn't leading their division ... KC's run home isn't all that difficult either. The Bills & Jets have claims but I favour the Steelers & Chiefs. One of Indi or the Texans are a chance too. I reckon Denver & Cinci will hang on and win their divisions whilst the Pats, Panthers & Arizona will win their divisions barring a huge turnaround in form. The NFC North is still undecided in my opinion whilst any number of teams could win the AFC South & the NFC East. Detroit & Chicago could both play spoiler in the NFC North. Both are capable on their day. One thing is for sure - from here on in we'll start to see elimination games for a number of teams.

The Packers certainly brought their A game today ... all round we were very good whereas in previous weeks we've been awful in all 3 phases. Stopping AP was key and once we stopped him, it was a quite academic. But it's only 1 win and only 1 loss ... both teams are 7 & 3 - there's any number of good teams that have W/L records that are worse. I'd count Seattle, Dallas, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Indi & the Ravens as good teams who for one reason or another have had average or poor returns this season. Detroit are another team who should have done a lot better. Dallas might sneak in but they'll need other teams to help them get in. The Eagles are doing their bit to help but Dallas will need the Giants to do the same - and who knows with Washington? And how about those Panthers? ... 10 & 0 is just remarkable all things considered. They've got a few tough games in their run home but they should get to 13 or 14 wins - and that will probably be enough for the 1 seed. The Panthers already hold the head to head advantage over the Packers so it's really only Arizona who could challenge them for the top seed ... and the Cardinals host the Packers in week 16.

Leaderboard in the comp 5 - Gorgoroth, cowboy_from_ hell 4 - JV7, Georgiou R.R. Martin 2 - Macca 1 - titan_uranus 0 - The rest GRRM makes a move whilst I doubled my score and moved into the bronze medal position (Gorgo's domain)

...and Leicester on top of the table ... who would have thought? The title race is wide open.

The regular season is all about getting enough points to get into the final 16 Vancouver have been good enough to make the playoffs in the recent past but have been abysmal once making it. To be perfectly honest, I don't take it too seriously but enjoy watching the games ... and playoff hockey is fabulous.

You've convinced me ... ah well. there's other sports. I'm more about the comp with ice hockey, NBA & MLB. I prefer to watch the stars and big match-ups. Soccer the same. The NFL as well really but I'm more team orientated with the Packers being a favourite.

ha ha ... just trying to keep the hope alive Cards Quite seriously, I have seen any number of teams in all sorts of sports get on a run ... we all have. I'd agree a team needs a good dose of talent to win the whole thing ... the best teams stand out but 16 teams do get into the playoffs. Think it was just a couple/few years ago where a stack of the lower seeded teams kept winning their playoff series' as well. Sometimes just getting in the playoffs can mean a real opportunity. At this early stage the Stanley cup will be won by one of about 8-10 teams ... the Blackhawks are also hovering and the Red Wings are thereabouts as well. I can see the Canucks perhaps scraping in but we're no real threat.

73-9? The Warriors can do it ... and 2 more wins to equal the best start by an NBA team. A great team to watch and their next 3 are vs Chicago (today) then @ Denver followed by a home game vs the Lakers. Curry is just playing gang-busters and seems unstoppable.

It's a long season and teams can suddenly come back into it with a streak of wins ... my Canucks are going the other way at the moment after having a reasonable start to the season. I always look at it in terms of wins back or wins in front ... the Maple Leafs are less than 2 wins back from a playoff spot whilst the Avs are in a similar position. String 3 or 4 wins together and the thinking changes. Having said all that the Rangers, Montreal, Dallas & St Louis are all playing really well ... the Sharks & Kings are stringing some wins together as well. It's too early to call but the half way mark does give us a much clearer picture. Washington & Pittsburgh are 2 more teams to watch out for.

The Jags have now won as many games as Indi & the Texans. It might be a case of whoever gets to 8 wins will win the AFC South ... the Colts still have to go Atlanta, Miami & Pittsburgh - even 7 & 9 might get it done.

Packers KC Colts