Macca

In reference to Dilfer's "The Update League" I took him as meaning that things can change from week to week in the league (sometimes dramatically so) He was in a discussion surrounding the loss by Dallas and I'm supposing that he maybe now has doubts (again) about the Cowboys. Them losing does keep your blokes within striking distance and Dallas have 3 tough games in their next 4. Romo hurt his back again and may have done some damage - apparently the x-rays came back negative but he's had major back issues previously. Anyway, trying to come up with the AFC & NFC conference championship game contenders is a bit of a task ... I could only go with Denver right now and any number of teams could fill the other 3 spots. Tipping the last 8 for the divisional weekend is even tougher Should we have a dash at it at this early stage, Dappa?

I still wasn't game to pick 'em outright though JV Definite trap game wasn't it? Washington came to play and Dallas didn't deal with that very well. The doubts remain with the Cowboys - the big thing about this sport is the immediate exposed form. All the other teams would have been watching tonight, especially their upcoming opponents. Dallas are at the Jags in a fortnight but surrounding that game they are vs Arizona, @ Giants and then vs the Eagles. Trent Dilfer just described the league as the "Update league" and I reckon he's right on the money.

He's still quite young but you watch your games so I'm tempted to take your word for it. Interesting that Alex Smith went 24/28 with a total of 226 yards for KC - lots of short sharp throws and he plays within his limitations - or at least it seems Reid instructs him to do so.

Any team with a rash of injuries can create a lack of depth in various positions ... and, there are a stack of teams who have a rash of injuries. So, your issue is the same issue that many other teams have. Therefore, it goes without saying in my opinion. I could offer the same reasoning behind our loss to the Saints today but I don't see the point. All teams should be able to cover for injuries as a matter of course ... the difference being if a Brady or a Peyton goes down - these type of players in no way can be covered for. Foles should have been instructed to throw the ball in those last 3 plays so that the throws were well inbounds (say, a couple of yards in) ... he's not an elite QB so therefore he needs to play within his limitations (like Smith @ KC) I still maintain that none of those 3 throws could have been caught inbounds with a degree of certainty. The 'final drive' was excellent work by Foles but I was specifically referencing the last 13 seconds when I referred to "crunch time" ... I actually think he's got a bright future but even the best QB's have a degree of conservatism about themselves. It's one of the reasons why elite QB's generally have a low percentage of interceptions. Re the Saints game ... I'm looking at my team to blow the other mob out of the water and get the quick kill. We leak points as a matter of course so we nearly always need to score heavily in order to beat the better teams. Therefore, keeping pace or doing "ok" just isn't going to cut it. The expectations are to win and win well but I'm more annoyed than disappointed with today's result. We're a lot better than what we displayed today.

We have been through this before but I'm baffled why you even mention injuries when you must know that many other teams have the same issues or worse ... it kinda goes without saying. About the only time I've made mention of an injury on this thread is when Rodgers went down - mainly because without him, we're a 6/10 team at best. Other injuries to many other starters can be covered. If anyone has a right to moan it's probably me about the Packers injuries but ... I don't like making excuses as a general rule. Here's an interesting article ... Packers Injury Luck Among Worst in NFL In Recent Years ... scroll down to the NFC North section for some eye-opening details I disagree with you about the first half in the GB/NO game ... we had 3 rock solid chances for TD's in the first half and could only turn them into field goals ... our way of winning against good teams or on the road is to turn our redzone chances into TD's. The Saints had our measure from the early going and were far too good ... our run defense is woeful and again, I offer no excuses. New Orleans strength is their passing game game so they smashed us in both forms of offense. 44 points is just too many points to allow if we're going to contend. Re Foles ... go back (if you can) and have a look at those last 3 throws again ... not one of them could have been caught inbounds with both feet in. He was trying to thread the eye of the needle and was offline on each occasion. He should have been under instruction to at least make sure a TD could have occurred.

Tom Jackson & Trent Dilfer both reckon it was the correct call but I'm not sure they're able to get all those calls right anyway - it's such a grey area ... there were 13 penalties called in the whole game so maybe they were being consistent. Didn't see much in it to be perfectly honest. Dallas are 9.5 favourites tomorrow but I reckon that line is a little high considering it's (A) a divisional game and (B) this has 'trap' game written all over it for Dallas. Washington have been less than impressive though and it's hard to see them winning, all the same.

I wouldn't be too concerned going forward ... These grassless, somewhat dusty, turning tracks won't be encountered too much in the future ... these type of wickets are a bit of an achilles heal for our blokes but upon checking the future tours program, we won't be encountering these type of decks until mid 2016 (when we visit Sri Lanka for 3 "scheduled" tests) We're scheduled to visit Bangladesh in late 2015 for 2 Tests but I can't see them being too much trouble regardless of the state of the wickets ... not sure the last time that Sri Lanka beat us in a series either (if ever) Early 2017 represents a big challenge when we visit India again for 4 Tests but playing in India has always been a big challenge.

3 of us picked up points in the comp this week ... 2 points as well ... the Packers & Indi let the rest of us down. Points tally ... 3 - JV7, Go the Biff, Georgiou R. R. Martin 2 - Dappa Dan 1 - cowboy_from_hell, pantaloons, Gorgoroth, Macca 0 - others Week 9 games (back to 1 point only ) It's still not too late to join in the comp and with the leaders only being on 3 points, it's anyone's race. Not many surprise results in today's games although the Steelers might be a lot better than many thought ... Big Ben had an immense game and they're only a half a game back in the AFC North ... their next 4 - vs Ravens, @ Jets, @ Titans, vs Saints are all winnable. Detroit might be finally shaking off the choking tag and their next 4 might tell us how good they are ... vs Miami, @ Arizona, @ New England, vs Chicago. Arizona keep winning and the 49ers & Seattle must be getting a bit concerned now ... Buffalo, Miami, KC & Houston all winning keeps those 4 teams within striking distance.

All teams get injuries ... it's not the only reason you're 3 & 5. Your QB just can't get it done on a consistent basis - and, you're stuck with him by the looks of it. You may as well tank the rest of the season now The Saints have been far too good today ... the Packers haven't really looked like it. Rodgers has looked a little incapacitated but we've been outplayed in nearly all areas. No excuses. If New Orleans get their act together, they'll win the NFC South in a canter - trouble is, they're not much chop on the road. Watched your game this morning and whilst Foles numbers looked quite good, he couldn't get it done in crunch time.

Has it ever rained in Dubai?

Just a reminder that 2 points are on offer this week ... Miami Indianapolis Seattle

We'll do well to get out of this test with a draw now, smithy. The track is taking more and more spin and it could get quite tricky on the 5th day. Credit to them, they've played well and their 3 spinners have all shown a bit. Their late middle order set the game up - Sarfraz looked impressive.

Excellent line-up of TV games this week ... Denver should be too strong at home tomorrow but it is a divisional game ... Friday 11.25am San Diego at Denver (ESPN) Monday 4.00am - 10.30am RedZone (ESPN) 4.00am Baltimore at Cincinnati (7mate) 7.25am Indianapolis at Pittsburgh (7mate) 11.30am Green Bay at New Orleans (7mate & ESPN) Tuesday 11.30am Washington at Dallas (ESPN) All the week 8 games The BS Report NFL Week 8 Elo Ratings & Playoff Odds

Can you re-do your tips and just delete your original post? Otherwise I'm likely to miss your change of tips

Excellent win to the Rams and those special teams plays were something else - especially the "fake catch" bit. KC winning in San Diego keeps their season alive - divisional games can often throw up mixed results. Baltimore keep marching on and along with the Colts & Arizona, all 3 are in a position to win their respective divisions. All 3 teams are flying under the radar a bit too. The Saints threw away a winnable game ... what was Brees thinking? Denver looked great tonight and well done to Peyton on breaking Favre's record - Manning was immense again ... 22/26 with 4 TD's against good opposition. Wow! But the big story for me is Seattle - they just don't look the same team and with 10 or 11 wins probably being needed for a wild-card in the NFC, the Seahawks had better get a move on. They've still got to play all 3 of their divisional rivals at home and have to travel to @ Carolina @ KC @ 49ers @ Eagles and @ Arizona ... that's no walk in the park. Order was restored in the tipping comp ... no one got a point 2 points up for grabs in week 8 (the third of our bonus weeks) ... week 8 games Points tally ... 2 - Dappa Dan 1 - JV7, Go the Biff, cowboy_from_hell, pantaloons, Gorgoroth, Georgiou R. R. Martin, Macca 0 - others Tomorrow 11.30am Houston at Pittsburgh (ESPN) Could be a close one but I fancy the Steelers.

Arizona Seattle San Francisco

Friday 11.30am NY Jets at New England (ESPN) Monday 4.00am - 10.30am RedZone (ESPN) 4.00am New Orleans at Detroit (7mate) 7.25am NY Giants at Dallas (7mate) 11.30am San Francisco at Denver (7mate & ESPN) Tuesday 11.30am Houston at Pittsburgh (ESPN) All the week 7 games NFL Week 7 Elo Ratings And Playoff Odds

Yep, I also find it hard to hate any team ... within our division there is so much history that it's hard to not at least respect the other teams. Detroit fans deserve better and they might keep up their good form, the Bears have traditionally had great D and when Cutler is on, he's dangerous ... your Vikings really miss AP. Such a shame. Bridgewater could be the goods - needs a good crack at it. I can watch just about any match-up but I've always liked the NFC East divisional games ... all of them. Big cities, big teams & historic rivalries. Dallas firing is good for the sport. America's team? Here's JR before he passed San Francisco, the Saints, Ravens, Steelers and Chargers are probably my other favourite teams to watch - all those teams have QB's that can stand out. The big match-ups on SNF or MNF are what I look forward to. Next weeks SNF game is 49ers @ Denver ... should be a beauty.

*Shock, Horror* ... everyone picked up a point in the comp - a remarkable turn of events. Points tally ... 2 - Dappa Dan 1 - JV7, Go the Biff, cowboy_from_hell, pantaloons, Gorgoroth, Georgiou R. R. Martin, Macca 0 - Anyone else who fancies their chances Week 7 games

What a fizzer your game turned out to be ... first Monday I've had freed up for ages and the Giants decide to not turn up. I doubt many were predicting that the 3 teams with the best record after 6 games would be the Chargers, Dallas & the Eagles ... maybe the Eagles but the other 2?

That's a huge win for Dallas ... in terms of the actual win and the confidence that comes from it. Maybe they are the real deal? ... the implosion might come in the playoffs however Points galore to allocate in the comp but Dappa is still the clubhouse leader - I'll tally it up after tomorrow's game.

Once again, the TV games ... I like Buffalo at home and the Eagles/Giants game could be a barnburner. Monday 4.00am - 10.30am RedZone (ESPN) 4.00am New England at Buffalo (7mate) 7.25am Washington at Arizona (7mate) 11.30am NY Giants at Philadelphia (7mate & ESPN) Tuesday 11.30am San Francisco at St. Louis (ESPN) All the week 6 games NFL Week 6 Elo Ratings And Playoff Odds

Couple from Paul Simon ... these 2 tracks are from his acclaimed album 'Graceland'

Week 6 tips ... Denver San Diego San Francisco

TV games ... Friday 11.30am Indianapolis at Houston (ESPN) Monday 4.00am - 10.30am RedZone (ESPN) 4.00am New England at Buffalo (7mate) 7.25am Washington at Arizona (7mate) 11.30am NY Giants at Philadelphia (7mate & ESPN) Tuesday 11.30am San Francisco at St. Louis (ESPN) All the week 6 games NFL Week 6 Elo Ratings And Playoff Odds