Macca

4 interceptions for Cousins - a nightmare. Another blow-out on a Thursday night but not many were predicting that the Giants would be dishing out the punishment. The NFC East might be alive after all. The Giants do this all the time - write 'em off and back they come.

Eli is having a night out so far ... he's damn good when he wants to be. Turnovers costly for Washington

Completely forgot that the Miama @ Oakland game is being played in London I guess that it's technically Oakland's home game which would make Miami the "road" team. Anyway, for expediency's sake, and for any other games played at neutral venues, any team listed as the "road" team can be included in your tips in the comp. Anyone who wants to change their tips because of this new information can do so - just delete your original tips and post up your new tips in a different post.

TV games ... Friday 10.30am NY Giants at Washington (ESPN) Monday 3.00am - 9.30am RedZone (ESPN ... "Every Touchdown From Every Game") 3.00am Green Bay at Chicago (7mate) 6.30am Philadelphia at San Francisco (7mate) 10.30am New Orleans at Dallas (7mate & ESPN) Tuesday 10.30am New England at Kansas City (ESPN) All the week 4 games BS Report Not part of my tips but I reckon the Giants will get up tomorrow ... 23 - 21

Just the one point on offer this week ... Week 5 is worth 2 points ... after that, the other bonus weeks are week 8, 11, 14 & 17. (All those weeks are worth 2 points except week 17 which is worth 3 points) All the other weeks are worth 1 point only. I had a look at the week 5 games and couldn't find one "lock" ... it's the toughest comp in the free world.

Nor me ... was tempted to pick the Eagles, Pats or the Panthers but in the end, I just had a guess (which is my usual way of tipping) There will be road winners of course and there's always a surprise road winner or 3.

Tough week (again) Green Bay (a hit & hope) Miami New Orleans

Yeah, we'll have to agree to disagree on that one, Dappa. You do make good points though and the answer probably lies somewhere in the middle. I'd happily admit that our development and coaching has been way below standard but I still believe a top player will find his way to the top as an individual regardless. All the best players are self driven. The club exiting our veterans from '07 onwards the way we did was truly awful as well. Our general list management and our ridiculous youth policy was flawed as well. A lot of unforced errors were made. Back to the NFL ... Rodgers tells Packer fans to relax (thanks Aaron, I feel so much better now )

Am I on the wrong thread all of a sudden? We should rename the thread ... NFL (and other random utterances and rants)

Morton, Cook, Gysberts, Strauss, Blease, Watts, Scully, Sylvia, McLean and a few others wouldn't have been much better elsewhere. In fact, a number of them have gone elsewhere and they're no better. Too much is made of "better systems" ... we've had "state of the art" facilities since the Junction oval and where's it got us? To me, if a player wants to be the best, it's up to the player. Any coach can only do so much. Most of the top players I played footy and cricket with were self driven - and that's at suburban level. Nah, we just picked badly but ... the draft is a glorified lucky dip anyway. The errors were in effect, forced on us. I'm not making excuses either because on a number of other fronts, we've been less than deplorable.

The smaller clubs banding together might help but (A) I can't see it happening and (B) even if it did happen, it's 3 or 4 small clubs against all the big clubs. Something needs to be done however and at least we'd have a combined voice. But you know what? If that combined voice was heard we'd probably be told to merge with each other. In principle, the non awarding of a PP to us has a knock on effect to the other smaller clubs. They may not realise it yet, but if they get themselves into strife both on and off the field like we did, they ain't going to be getting much help to recover. The Saints had better watch themselves and so to the Doggies. We might scramble our way out but it's a long road back. The reality is that the change of thinking needs to come from the top and at the top, they're hell bent on the AFL remaining at the top of the tree. The small clubs don't represent much money to the commission so therefore, we're expendable. We are disadvantaged against and then ridiculed and punished because of errors* made ... we're then disadvantaged against even further. Re the footy ... I must say, I've really enjoyed the finals but I have watched very little footy this year in the lead up ... being starved of it probably helped. I do, of course, watch or go to every Demons game but I used to be nuts on footy. *Many of those "errors" were picking the wrong 17 year old kids ... we were somehow supposed to know beforehand that we were picking one bust after another. I've grown to hate the draft.

Yep, and because a number of people often only care about footy and their particular team, they often don't know any better. Take the fixturing for example ... I've come across a number of people who seem to think that we deserve a poor fixture (in financial terms) because we're a poor side. Now, the AFL might think that way but that doesn't make it right. There are numerous other examples of inequities in the AFL but again, because the sport is so tribal, not many are even interested in the big picture. Many supporters just cop it and come back with "That's just the way things are" ... it's such a lame response. We've for the most part had a great product but the people running the sport seem to be obsessed with crowd numbers, TV viewers & making money. The big clubs are pandered to and because of that, the smaller clubs (the ones that aren't being heavily subsidised) are therefore under constant pressure. Right now that pressure is on us, the dogs, the saints and to a lesser extent North. I fully expect Brisbane to be looked after even though they're apparently 12 million in the red. If that were us ...... Anyway, the way the AFL run the sport could be described in some ways as negligent but ... I've long suspected that there's a hidden agenda to merge 4 of the Melbourne sides.

TV games ... Friday 10.30am NY Giants at Washington (ESPN) Monday 3.00am - 9.30am RedZone (ESPN ... "Every Touchdown From Every Game") 3.00am Green Bay at Chicago (7mate) 6.30am Philadelphia at San Francisco (7mate) 10.30am New Orleans at Dallas (7mate & ESPN) Tuesday 10.30am New England at Kansas City (ESPN) All the week 4 games BS Report Despite the week's games having a number of matches without great appeal, we'll still get to see a number of good match-ups. All 5 TV games have some appeal. The Panthers @ Baltimore is another big game and I guess if Foxtel was still covering their 2 games, we'd probably get to see it in all likelihood. What's happened to the Foxtel coverage of games anyway? Did 7mate get exclusive rights?

Cutler can play his position well and right now, he's doing quite well but ... he's a bit of a sook sometimes and is a bit too over confident for my liking. He may have matured but he's nowhere near elite until he can get the job done when it counts. Super Bowl wins changes everything - for many of the fans of the Ravens & Giants, both Flacco and Eli would be revered. Eli won 2 and I maintain that when it counted, he stepped it up where others have fallen away. He's never been elite but we could say the same about Big Ben. In the end, it's always about the wins and getting the job done when it counts. If the Packers are to get it done, it has to start happening right now. Falling to 0 & 2 within the division could be very costly. At some stage, I'm concerned that the Lions will start realising their potential. Wild-card spots might involve a bunfight with teams in the NFC South and the NFC West. In other words, a team in the NFC North in all likelihood has to win the division to make the playoffs. The Pats will probably get on a winning streak and close out the AFC East early but ... they won't want to lose to KC this week. Arizona and the Chargers are the interesting teams to watch ... both teams are renowned for finishing off the season well but both have started well and the only loss that occurred was when they played each other. Like last year, I reckon the Eagles will get better as the season goes on. 3 wins under the belt helps with confidence. As for the AFL - they are just a money making concern with very little regard for the future of the competition. It's become a corporation and even though the NFL can be described the same way in terms of the "money", their sport is run so much better in terms of every team getting a fair crack at it. The scheduling is fair, revenue sharing is done properly and the divisions and conferences are a cut above how we do things here. Gil wants to change the way the fixture works after 17 rounds and I believe that's at least a step in the right direction. Double-up blockbuster games hurts the smaller clubs and I could go on forever about all the other inequities

I'd argue that we had a great defense in 2010. The Stats back it up - we're just not remembered that way because of what has happened since. Green Bay had a top defense in 2010 and it's a shame that that fact isn't recognised by many so called experts and pundits. We leaked points to a ridiculous level in the season following our Super Bowl win but still managed to win 15 regular season games - I was quite concerned about that at the time and said so many times on this thread. If you can remember back that far Dappa, you'll recall that I was not very confident at any stage during that season and when we lost that first playoff game to the Giants, I wasn't completely surprised. Resting our starters in week 17 and then having the week off didn't help but it was our defense that cost the Packers that year. I'm the first to admit my teams weaknesses but I'd also argue that it's easier said than done to just have a top defense. I'm convinced that the Packers have been trying to improve things in all areas but when you win a Super Bowl, for all sorts of reasons, the money for free agents just dries up. We've drafted a whole bunch of defensive players in recent times but we all know how the drafts work - often drafting doesn't work. There's a lot of luck involved. I believe a team can get to the playoffs with a dodgy defense but ... they'll need to be very good on offense to make it and also, it's doubtful that any team with a dodgy defense will get very far in the playoffs. Last season we miraculously made the playoffs despite not having Rodgers for half the season - rather than giving credit to our defense, I reckon the Packers making the playoffs last year had much more to do with the Bears and Lions not getting it done when they had their opportunities. Both teams blew it. As for this season, it's our offense that bothers me the most. Our strength has suddenly become quite ordinary - couple that with a dodgy defense and it could be a very long season for Packer fans. Then again, we might turn things around. Need to get a hurry on though and if we can't eke out a win against our most hated rival this week, we might be in a spot of bother Finally, defense wins Championships (generally) and the Packers Super Bowl winning season of 2010/11 was no different. Woodson, Matthews, Williams, Hawk and a number of others all had terrific seasons.

Dappa was intimating that we won a Super Bowl with "no defense" He wasn't necessarily talking about what has happened since ... if he was, then he would had to have mentioned that our defense has been hurting us and costing us games. He said "No defense never seemed to hurt Green Bay" Is what I've said too hard for you to understand? Or do you just want to hang [censored]?

No defense? That's a stretch Dappa. Statistically, Green Bay had the 5th best defense in terms of yards allowed in our Super Bowl winning year of 2010/11 ... and, we allowed the 2nd least amount of points per game in that year (behind only Pittsburgh) That means we were in front of 30 other teams in terms of points allowed. We held Chicago to 14 points in the NFC Championship game of that season and also held renowned offenses to losing scores. It's a fallacy for people to think we won a Super Bowl without any sort of decent defence ... it's simply not true. 2010 regular season defense stats It's fair to say that our defense has fallen away somewhat since then, but the stats don't lie from that Super Bowl winning season. People will still say that it was all about Rodgers and that might be more true, more recently. I'd happily admit that. Even our running game was notable in that playoff run ... Starks stepped it up from nowhere.

Just in case anyone missed an earlier post re the tipping comp, here's the points tally again ... remembering that anyone can enter the comp at any time - all you need to do is pick 3 road winners with 3 picks. I point is awarded to any participant who gets all 3 right and we also have bonus weeks (weeks 2, 5, 8, 11, 14 & 17) when extra points are on offer ... The Leaderboard 1 - Dappa Dan 0 - The usual suspects Week 4 games BS Report (in this podcast, Bill Simmons & his cousin, Sal Lacono, try to guess the lines in the upcoming games ... they also do a quick recap of the previous weeks games in a style laced with a touch of humour)

That was a huge year for the Vikes when Favre took you to the NFC Championship game. Packers made the playoffs as well that year and lost a wild-card game to Arizona 45-51 (barnburner) Brett was incredibly brave in that Championship game against the Saints and of course, we later found out that he was copping "late hits" for dollars (when the Saints were subsequently investigated for 'bounty gate') Fairly sure that was the story anyway. Still, that sort of thing has been going on for years anyway and it still happens. I've heard blokes like Golic & Schlereth talk about the going's on in the past quite often. The hit on Foles in the Eagles game was brutal - and Foles is a big bloke. Tough sport.

The Jets work hard but lack the poise to finish things off ... giving the Bears an early 14 point start was fatal ... always playing catch-up from there. Handing Chicago a pick 6 in the first minute was just typical Jets. Wasn't a bad game all the same and Cutler was very good early. Don't know what to make of Geno - his receivers dropped some absolute soda's but he could have been picked off more than the 2 times that he was. He still threw for 316 yards but he's a work in progress. Chicago too good on the night and they always looked the likely winners. Yep, we'll know more about both the 49ers and the Eagles after next week's encounter between the 2 sides. It's probably the game of the round although the Panthers/Ravens, Saints/Dallas, Packers/Bears will hold strong interest. Luckily, we only have to wait a couple of days until the Giants/Washington game on TNF ... loser of that match is in trouble but it's another classic divisional game. Miami play Oakland in London in week 4 as well - could the NFL have picked a worse game to showcase? Bridgewater got some favourable reviews from the Saints game. Teddy gets to start next week and the game being at home will help him you'd reckon. One door closes and another door opens - such is the nature of sport especially in the NFL.

As you're no doubt aware by now Dappa, any point gained is hard earned! There are some weeks where you think you can't miss and then the home underdogs get up from nowhere. Week 4 games ... again, there were 6 road winners in week 3 and the Bears might make it 7 so ... the winners are there if you can find them. Ha! The Jets have got Detroit at home next week as well as the Bears tomorrow ... regardless, the Packers are really struggling and we visit Soldier Field next week in an almost do or die game. Some interesting results out of the week ... the Chargers look good and are the Steelers back?, Atlanta seem to be right back in it and maybe Detroit will challenge. Cinci keep rolling along and KC, the Ravens, Giants, Colts & Saints all had important wins. Dallas winning again keeps things interesting in the NFC East. We saw a terrific comeback from Denver but man, it's hard to win in Seattle. Your blokes and Washington had a typical NFC East rivalry game - in hindsight, a close finish was no surprise considering the history between these 2 sides. An ultra important win for the Eagles, all the same. Most impressive to me were Arizona ... a good win against in my eyes, a very good team - they needed to win that game if they're going to contend further. The 49ers host Philadelphia next week ...

Could be a long season for a few of us ... didn't we just come off another long season? These relentless long seasons are doing my head in 7 points against the Lions - the Packers are playing like a 4-12 team. Egads! ... now all my immediate hope rests with the Jets Did I just say that? Points tally in the comp 1 - Dappa Dan 0 - Everyone else (equal 2nd)

Once again, the TV games ... Monday 3.00am - 9.30am RedZone (ESPN ... "Every Touchdown From Every Game") 3.00am Washington at Philadelphia (7mate) 6.25am Denver at Seattle (7mate) 10.30am Pittsburgh at Carolina (7mate & ESPN) Tuesday 10.30am Chicago at NY Jets (ESPN) All the week 3 games

Latest column from Bill Simmons ... NFL Week 3: Picks & Mailbag

You're right ... and when they got to 56 points in rapid time, they took their foot off the pedal. We were speculating on whether they would run up the score or not. Especially in the NFL, why would a coach risk his starters when the score becomes irrelevant. They'd won the game and the way playoff spots are decided, "strength of victory" very rarely comes into play. In fact, I can't remember the last time "strength of victory" did come into play in deciding a playoff spot. Regardless, it happens so rarely that it's just not a part of how teams go about things. The thinking in the AFL is almost the opposite but the way footy has become an endurance event, I believe the thinking will change in terms of percentage - albeit in a small way (initially)