Macca

If the 49ers can get past Carolina, I'd give them a genuine chance against Seattle or New Orleans. That NFC Championship game is shaping up as the best matchup of the playoffs. The winner could well end up being the Super Bowl favourites. ... and if San Francisco go on and win the Super Bowl, their hardest game might be the NFC Championship game. Of course, they'll need to win on Monday first! In the last 8 years, no fewer than 6 teams have won the Super Bowl after starting out on wild-card weekend. Green Bay, Baltimore, Indianapolis, the Giants (twice) and Pittsburgh have all won the Super Bowl from the wild-card weekend in the last 8 seasons. 3 times in the last 8 years the eventual Super Bowl winner has been an actual wild-card - Pittsburgh 2005. New York Giants 2007 and the Packers in 2010 (the year is based on when the regular season is played) As a Packers fan, 2010 was a wild ride - we only just made it into the playoffs.

Aussie open starts on Monday - here are the matchups if all the top 8 seeds in both the Mens and the Ladies advance to the quarter finals (you can click on any of players listed below if you want to visit their Wikipedia page) ... Mens ... (1) Rafael Nadal vs (5) Juan Martín del Potro (4) Andy Murray vs (6) Roger Federer (3) David Ferrer vs (7) Tomáš Berdych (2) Novak Djokovic vs (8) Stanislas Wawrinka ... and if the 4 top seeds advance to the semi-finals, here are the matchups ... (1) Rafael Nadal vs (4) Andy Murray (2) Novak Djokovic vs (3) David Ferrer Ladies ... (1) Serena Williams vs (7) Sara Errani (4) Li Na vs (6) Petra Kvitová (3) Maria Sharapova vs (8) Jelena Janković (2) Victoria Azarenka vs (5) Agnieszka Radwańska Again, if the 4 top seeds advance to the semi finals, here are the matchups ... (1) Serena Williams vs (4) Li Na (2) Victoria Azarenka vs (3) Maria Sharapova All the seedings for the Open As for the notable Aussies, Sam Stosur is in Serena Williams' quarter of the draw, Ashleigh Barty is up against Serena in the first round whilst Casey Dellacqua is in Sara Errani's quarter of the draw ... Bernard Tomic plays Rafael Nadal first up whilst Lleyton Hewitt is also in Nadal's quarter of the draw. For what it's worth, here are my tips for both finals (winners in dark italics) Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic Victoria Azarenka vs Li Na .

Both sides of the argument has merit. At a guess, I'd say the fans would be mostly against such a change but many might change their mind later on down the track. I've always felt that the team finishing on top of the standings/ladder/table should be rewarded somehow and by bringing in 2 extra playoff teams, that can be achieved. Edit: Just came across this ESPN story (which includes a few polls on the subject) ... Can the NFL handle more wild cards?

Yep, it's certainly about the money all right, 'cfh' I guess if we accept that part of it, then we can speculate and discuss the relative merits of the proposed changes. I've given my views in some previous posts but my view is partly based on the inevitibility of the proposed changes. The NFL may also decide to change the order of the seeds based on the qualified team's W/L record. This can have the effect of "certain" division winners ending up having wild-card status only (i.e - on the road, first up) I wouldn't like to see that but I can understand why they'd do it. From what I can gather, this "other" proposed change has a lot less chance of happening than the change involving the 2 extra teams qualifying for the playoffs. They certainly like long and lengthy playoff systems in the States don't they? The NBA and the NHL playoffs go for nearly 2 months! It's like having a whole other season with those 2 sports!

Here are the games again ... Sunday 8.35am New Orleans at Seattle (OneHD & ESPN) 12.15pm Indianapolis at New England (OneHD & ESPN) Monday 5.05am San Francisco at Carolina (OneHD & ESPN) 8.40am San Diego at Denver (OneHD & ESPN) Tips ... Saints 16 Seattle 31 Colts 28 Pats 26 49ers 22 Panthers 19 Chargers 27 Denver 39 The BS Report

I was talking specifically about teams being able to win their respective conferences (AFC and NFC) My reference was about the overall winner of each conference and how there will only be 2 byes up for grabs.

It does look like the 2 new seeds are going to come in regardless of the public's view. Possibly for the 2015 season (?) I don't have a one-sided view for the change - probably 70/30 in favour. A positive for me is I believe there will be a greater incentive for a team to win a conference if the change does come in (ignoring the history of how things have panned out previously) If Goodell and the owners want change, they'll most probably get it

Another possible change that the NFL has under consideration is including an extra seed in each conference for the playoffs. This would in turn result in only the conference winners receiving a bye. The Steelers and Arizona would have made the playoffs under those circumstances (this season) A total of 6 games would be played on wild-card weekend. Here's the configuration of this season's wild-card weekend if a 7th seed was included (based on the seeding matchups of 2 vs 7, 3 vs 6 and 4 vs 5) AFC Steelers @ Pats Chargers @ Bengals KC @ Colts NFC Arizona @ Panthers Saints @ Eagles 49ers @ Packers Only Denver and Seattle would have received a bye with this new system. It could be assumed that 3 games (1pm, 4.30pm, 8.30pm) would be played on both Saturday and Sunday on wild-card weekend if the changes were made. On first glance, I quite like the idea. Only rewarding the conference leader appeals and so does a couple of extra playoff games!

According to Malcolm Conn ... Selectors to drop George Bailey from Australia Test XI in South Africa, Alex Doolan to come in

Interesting points Dave and a good post. I like the set up the NFL have with regards to the seedings but if they changed it, I'd probably reluctantly accept those changes. I like the quirkiness and the luck involved but you could make a case that some wild card teams deserve a higher seeding. There is a heavy emphasis on winning your division in the NFL and I'd hate to see that devalued too much. I'd keep it the way it is if I had any say in the matter (I'm not expecting a call ) Points tally in the "Playoff" comp ... 2 - pantaloons, Strafford, DemonDave, the master, Macca 1 - titan_uranus 0 - Gorgoroth, cowboy from hell And next week's games ... Sunday 8.35am New Orleans at Seattle (OneHD & ESPN) 12.15pm Indianapolis at New England (OneHD & ESPN) Monday 5.05am San Francisco at Carolina (OneHD & ESPN) 8.40am San Diego at Denver (OneHD & ESPN)

Geoffrey is a beauty, P-man. You are right, he's got stuck into a few Aussies previously (especially Nathan Lyon) but when it comes time to give a bit of credit, he often defers to the other teams deficiencies. It's just his style and I'm not sure he likes being too complimentary! But overall, he can be very entertaining (unlike his own batting, of course) But I agree with you, we've played some great cricket and in the process, we haven't allowed them to play very well at all. It's a combination of both factors but Johnson and Haddin have had stellar series'. And ... we've had some fantastic contributions from a number of our other players ... Kudos to Australia! As for England, the group they had that took them to the top has come to an end (they did reach no.1 status a couple of years ago - albeit briefly) They'll need to replace a number of out of form players and a few retirees. Stokes looks a player. ps - and let's not forget "boof" Clarke's captaincy has been top notch (as usual)

49ers deserved to win. Packers put up a great fight but no excuses. Keapernick was again supreme and his plays in the big moments were the key. Otherwise, there wasn't much between the sides. We had to score a TD on our last drive and fell short. Disappointed but not devastated. The better team won the day but the Packers have much to look forward to. Lacy had a great debut year and our young defense will hopefully improve. As long as Rodgers stays fit, we're always a chance. I reckon San Francisco take care of the Panthers next week. Today's game will hold them in good stead.

The following link ... Australia win 5-0 after an emphatic win in Sydney has included in it, a 15 minute video wrap-up of today's play. Brendan Julian and Stuart Clark provide a bit of an overview of the series and there are interviews conducted with Michael Clarke and Mitch Johnson. From an English perspective, here's a "Test Match Special podcast" with Jonathan Agnew and Geoffrey Boycott ... Australia wrap up the series 5-0 after winning the final Test in Sydney. The podcast also includes the presentations and interviews held immediately after the match.

Too right! And for the first time ever, we got to hear the song! Grand performance by all - unbelievable turnaround. Warnie suggested that there should be joint "man of the series" awards (Brad Haddin and Mitch Johnson) I hope they do it as I reckon it's a fitting way to reward both matchwinners.

Saints win! A road win in the playoffs! There's a first. Tense finish and as an Eagles fan, you'd just feel helpless as the Saints set up that winning field goal. Sproles getting to the half way line was clutch on that final drive (albeit with the help of a horse collar penalty) New Orleans now go to Seattle next week whilst the winner of the 49ers/Packers game goes to Carolina. The Saints @ Seahawks game has already been set for 8.35am next Sunday (our time)

... and right on cue, the Eagles score. Saints lead 20-14. Could be a cracking 4th quarter.

Saints getting on top now. Philly have only scored once in nearly 3 quarters - they need to get a hurry on. 20-7 after that TD.

Injuries cruelled you and not having Charles late in the game was a major influence on the ultimate result. Still should have won though. However, we at least know that Luck and the Colts have done this sort of thing on a number of other occasions. If Bowe had somehow got his right foot in bounds on that last drive, you probably win. Fine line. Your team had a terrific year, all the same. Especially from where you were coming from.

Colts hit the lead - unbelievable! 45 - 44. Been a terrific game despite the turnovers. If Luck gets them over the line here, it will be yet another huge comeback win. Still hoping for a KC win despite not picking them. Smith needs to get them in field goal range (at least) That's a good start ...

Another turnover leads to a KC field goal. 41-24. That might be a telling 3pts gained there by the Chiefs.

Game on and there's plenty of time. KC need to score on this drive. 38-24 currently

Yep, agreed. Dominant first half by KC. Alex Smith has been super impressive and Andy Reid's influence stands out. KC look really well prepared. Luck and the Colts have a habit of big comebacks but will the Chiefs let them?

The Charles hit didn't look that bad either - maybe when his head hit the ground? Doesn't seem to be effecting KC's scoring ability though.

Terrible drop by Richardson - now 24-7 and we've just started the 2nd quarter! Alex Smith having a good one

Excellent drive by KC. Hope Charles gets back.