Macca

TV games ... Friday 12.30pm Houston at Jacksonville (ESPN only) Monday 5.00am Kansas City at Washington (OneHD) 5.00am Indianapolis at Cincinnati (Fox2) 8.05am Tennessee at Denver (Fox2) 8.25am Seattle at San Francisco (OneHD) 12.30pm Carolina at New Orleans (OneHD & ESPN) Tuesday 12.30pm Dallas at Chicago (ESPN) ... all the other week 14 games Tips ... KC Oakland Giants

The Bengals are 2 games clear in your division, you're leading the comp and Roosey has come to save us! What more could you possibly want?

Yep, they're a top notch team with a huge home field advantage, Strafford. Another big win yesterday. 2 home wins and they're in the Super Bowl. It's not done yet of course, but they're going to be hard to toss. You've hit the front in the comp! Just 4 weeks left but don't forget, 3 points are on offer in week 17. The road team wins are there but it's a matter of deciphering which ones! The points tally ... 6 - Strafford 5 - cowboy from hell 4 - pantaloons 3 - Macca 1 - DemonDave, Gorgoroth 0 - 45HG, Norm Smith's Curse, Arrow, bananas ... week 14 games ... The BS Report

My conflict was not picking Jacksonville instead of Arizona - I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I'll never learn Chicago go for the field goal to win the game on 2nd down? You could understand 3rd down but that decision could come back to haunt them. They are now effectively 2 games behind Detroit - although the Lions can't be trusted - can they? AP had a big game for your blokes. Big win for the Bengals and you've kept that 2 game buffer. That match up with KC in the playoffs looks like it might happen after today. If you get to 10 wins I reckon you win the division. That week 17 game against the Ravens may or may not mean anything in terms of winning the Division. But I'm just speculating!

Like the regular season comp, if there's enough interest, we could go ahead with it. I'll wait until we're done with the current one before "launching" the play-off one. Anyone with any ideas though, put 'em forward. Anyway, you've led from the front all season, 'cfh', but it's not all over just yet! (now I've done it, you're now odds on to pick up 2 points tomorrow!) It's been a strange year in terms of injuries and teams under performing. Against all that, we've seen a few teams come right into contention from seemingly nowhere - if Arizona get up tomorrow, they'll be right in the thick of things. The month of December is nearly always a great one though - in terms of key match-ups. ... here are the TV games again, along with Bill Simmons' column ... All the Fixins Monday 5.00am Miami at NY Jets (OneHD) 5.00am Tennessee at Indianapolis (Fox2) 8.25am Denver at Kansas City (OneHD) 8.25am Cincinnati at San Diego (Fox2) 12.30pm NY Giants at Washington (OneHD & ESPN) Tuesday 12.30pm New Orleans at Seattle (ESPN) ... all the week 13 games

Just a lucky guess, 'cfh' ... I figure if you make a hundred predictions, you're gonna get a few right! Not sure I predicted Houston or Atlanta's demise ... anyway, if you think back to last year, both our teams were right in the running after Chicago came back to the field (Cutler broke his thumb IIRC) How things can change hey and barring a miracle, we'll both be onlookers during the play-offs. Agree with you re the Saints. They've got a chance on Tuesday (our time) but if Seattle win, they'll get the 1 seed you'd reckon. It would then come down to the Panthers or the Saints for the NFC South (they've still got to play each other twice) Do the Saints need the dome? There's some ripper games on the box tomorrow and Tuesday with the Den/KC and Saints/Seahawks games being the big ones. Oh, and by the way, after our current comp is done, we could do something similar during the play-offs. Just straight winners for all the games with the Super Bowl being worth 3 points ... just a thought

Interesting development ... Lehmann ponders Faulkner inclusion However, this other article seemed a fair bit more definite ... ... Ryan Harris will play in Adelaide Test if he's fit, says coach Darren Lehmann

Yep, drafting is the key, 'cfh'. But like all drafts, they're not definitive and there's still a lot of luck involved. We're not badly placed at WR and our running game with Lacy involved is a lot better. We've drafted about 10 defensive players in the last 2 years - maybe a bit of time is needed or we could have drafted badly (as a consequence, not necessarily as anything that involved negligence or having poor recruiters or scouts) In the end, It still gets back to the QB. "Them's the breaks" (no pun intended!) But in all honesty, my thoughts have turned more towards the make up of the rest of the League. Seattle have this huge home field advantage in the NFC but a few doubts remain. In the AFC, Denver have an issue with regards to Manning in freezing and adverse conditions. I reckon the Super Bowl winner is up for grabs and any number of teams can win it. I still think the 49ers are a big show if they can get it all together. New England are the other team that can be very good on their day.

The Ravens might be making a move ... their next 4 are vs Minnesota, @ Detroit, vs New England and then @ Cincinnati. Scary moment when Pittsburgh's Le'Veon Bell lost his helmet near the end of today's game. Thankfully he was all right (as was his opponent, Jimmy Smith) Hell, it's a brutal sport! The Steelers could win their last 4 but that's probably what they'd have to do to have a chance of making it. Their remaining games are vs Miami, vs Cincinnati, @ Green Bay and then vs Cleveland. It's possible but losing today was a body blow. The Raiders put up a good show but the Cowboys were too good and might be heading for the playoffs - they play the Eagles at home in week 17 (that game could decide things)

Well, it had to happen. Blown away completely in a game without Rodgers. At least it wasn't a surprise. Just goes to show what can happen when you're reliant on such a top line player. I can't see an easy answer though - he's irreplaceable and any 2nd stringer is always going to pale in comparison. Rodgers is worth every cent and more. Detroit had one of their better days as well.

Yeah, I agree. I'd prefer to see that game over a couple of others although the other 2 "late" games have a lot of interest. Can't wait for the time where you can push a red button and get any game. "Red zone" would be great too. It'll happen eventually. The Rams would have to give themselves a chance although I've been waiting for the niners to hit their best form. Could be a close one, all the same. Tomorrow's games could decide a few things - loser out of the Steelers/Ravens game could be in a bit of trouble. The Packers/Lions game has similar connotations and Dallas wouldn't want to lose to Oakland at home.

I would have liked to have "liked" a number of previous posts but I guess those "likes" are there in spirit! ... the TV games ... Friday 4.30am Green Bay at Detroit (OneHD & Fox1) 8.30am Oakland at Dallas (OneHD & ESPN) 12.30pm Pittsburgh at Baltimore (Fox2 only) Monday 5.00am Miami at NY Jets (OneHD) 5.00am Tennessee at Indianapolis (Fox2) 8.25am Denver at Kansas City (OneHD) 8.25am Cincinnati at San Diego (Fox2) 12.30pm NY Giants at Washington (OneHD & ESPN) Tuesday 12.30pm New Orleans at Seattle (ESPN) That's not too bad hey - 9 games on the box! ... all the week 13 games Tips ... another tough week but 2 points are on offer - I'm tippin' someone will get all 3 right! New England Arizona Denver

They've picked the same 12 for Adelaide but there was a small rider in there with relation to the fitness of the fast bowlers. Wouldn't surprise me if there's one change. However, we need to reinforce our advantage and the team will be itching to get at England again. It's certainly an interesting scenario though and your idea has merit, TD. I would lean more towards still only going with the one specialist spinner though (Lyon) At issue here is the drop-in pitch - how is it going to play? I reckon if they make any sort of change, Harris might be rested. Has he the capacity to be at his best for all 5 Tests? (given his injury history) Or we could just roll up our sleeves in true Aussie style and just get on with it! If we win the toss and make a stack of runs, we could therefore rule out the possibility of losing the Test. As is nearly always the case, it will be an important toss to win. I wonder if any of our Test batsmen are playing in any of the 3 Shield games that start on Friday? I'm assuming the answer is no but a couple of our blokes could do with some time at the crease ... also, it might be worth noting to see if any of our back-up fast bowlers are being rested in these matches.

Points tally in the comp ... 5 - cowboy from hell 4 - Strafford 3 - Macca 2 - pantaloons 1 - DemonDave, Gorgoroth 0 - 45HG, Norm Smith's Curse, bananas, Arrow 2 points on offer for this week - the 3rd bonus round ... A reminder that in week 17, three points are up for grabs. Also, I couldn't award a point to one unfortunate poster this week - tips were in too late - sorry) ... week 13 games ... the BS Report

Things might fall into place but I'm not banking on it. I still reckon Rodgers' injury is at least a 6 week one (which would mean he'll miss the next 3 games) We're hanging on but Flynn would have to have a big game, our few WR and TE targets would need to play well and Detroit would need to continue to play well below par. Don't like the odds, 'cfh'. Atlanta are my biggest disappointment but there's quite a few isn't there? The Ravens might still make it but they haven't done a lot. As you said, Houston have been poor. It makes a mockery of any pre-season predictions. But of course, we'll do it all again!

I was making an observation that Jonathan will be missed (perhaps more so than a few people might realise) There is no harm in saying what I said and I certainly didn't mean it in any other way other than to recognise that he's a top class batsman. A player who I have a lot of time for. Again, I wish him a full recovery.

Flynn seems to go ok but only at Green Bay - probably because he's spent a bit of time there but hell, he's been cut a few times by other teams as well as the Packers. The only reason I give us a chance at Detroit this week is because of Detroit! They could have scooted clear but they couldn't even beat Tampa at home. It's still a tall order and if Stafford can hit Megatron enough times, we'll be in allsortsa. Amazingly, the 3 best placed teams for the no.1 overall draft pick are Jacksonville (sort of expected) Houston and Atlanta. Who would have picked that? I think I had Atlanta winning the NFC South and Houston getting a wild-card! I wonder which team or teams will get "hot" from here on in? Philadelphia? maybe San Diego?

This is just a wild guess but was a bloke named Albert Trott involved? He's the only other cricketer named Trott that I can recall. Think he played at the turn of the century (the 19th to the 20th century) Hoping Jonathan Trott makes a speedy recovery from his illness. Him not playing weakens their side but it would be preferable if England were at full strength.

That's a major blow to your season, pantaloons. Hope you can hang on in there. It seems a lot of our teams have suffered some sort of major injury or 2 that has curtailed our seasons. In spite of all their injuries, the Rams, Bengals and Bears are still hanging in there. It's a pity that St Louis are in such a strong division as they are not a bad team and have had some impressive wins this year. Even my Packers are only a half game back when in all honesty, they should be out of it. Rodgers is probably still out for a bit so I'm extremely doubtful of our chances despite the Bears and Lions not capitalising on their opportunities. At Detroit on Friday The Vikes should have done a fair bit better (I picked 'em as a wild-card!) and so should have the 49ers (although San Francisco can bounce back with a win tomorrow) Denver should have won with that lead and the Steelers, Ravens, Titans, Chargers and Miami are still in with a chance after today. The big winners were Arizona and the Panthers whilst the big losers were the Giants, the Jets and Detroit (what's happened to them?) Still lots of unanswered questions but if the Colts can take care of Tennessee at home next week, they should go on and win that Division.

I feel the same way TD. Apparently it's a drop in wicket (not sure how long that's being going on at the Adelaide Oval?) 10 days off (including tomorrow) gives our bowlers a good rest as well. The only thing that concerns me is the make-up of our bowlers for both Adelaide and Perth (which are back to back tests with only 3 days break in between) You'd reckon it will be an unchanged team for Adelaide but our bowlers won't want to be in the field for 3 days in Adelaide (which might happen if England bounce back hard with their batting) Great win in this Test though and I'm still a little shocked by it all. You probably kept the faith Edit: Ryan Harris has been named in an unchanged squad for second Ashes Test

Once again, the TV games ... Monday 5.00am San Diego at Kansas City (Fox2) 5.00am Pittsburgh at Cleveland (OneHD) 8.05am Indianapolis at Arizona (Fox2) 8.25am Dallas at NY Giants (OneHD) 12.30pm Denver at New England (OneHD & ESPN) Tuesday 12.30pm San Francisco at Washington (ESPN) ... all the other week 12 games Bill Simmons weekly column from 'Grantland' ... All Hail Megatron (scroll about 3/4 down on the linked page for Bill's tips)

Of course I waited for us to get well on top before doing so So many things have gone well in the last 2 and 1/3 days (including having 2 century makers today) Things couldn't have been scripted better since we were 6/132 (which seems like light years away now) Clarke and Lehmann have 9 days now (maybe 10) to bring the players back to Earth (and England will have to wait and they may overplay things when we get to Adelaide) We're in a great position. Anyway, for those who are interested, here's 'Aggers and Geoffrey again with their summary ... Australia build huge lead ... as well as that, here's a summary from the 'Mirror' ... Gabba curse shows no sign of letting up for England

Fair enough 'dl' ... Only rain can save England from certain defeat in this Test. I'd like to see Lyon get a big haul when we bowl. I also like the idea of having 9 full days off until the next Test. If it were a back to back situation we might be more vulnerable. England will have to stew on things for a while. Let's hope the curator prepares a typical road for Adelaide - our batsmen need some more chances to get some runs in the bank.

... as an example, if we were to give Maddinson, Silk or Burns a chance, they could bat in the "seemingly" unaccustomed position of no.6 (they all currently either open or bat in the first 3 for their state) The problem I have with your argument is that you're always waiting for the "right" time (and you may well be right with that view) The time is always nigh for me. That's our point of difference 'dl' (and it's ok to agree to disagree) I also don't believe that a young batsman needs to be knocking down the door to the Test side either - if the selectors all thought that Bradman was going to be the world's greatest ever batsman, why did they start him off at no.7 and drop him after his first Test? Traditionally many top order State batsmen started their Test careers batting at around the no.6 spot. It wasn't viewed as an unusual thing back when it was practised but it would be now - many cricket followers would be scratching their heads with bewilderment

I believe there is nearly always room for one young batsman (unless the batting is settled and a new batsmen isn't needed) Bat that young player at no.6 until he's ready to go up the order (as long as he does enough to stay in the side, of course) Warner gets a hundred! Lets hope he makes it a big one ... I read somewhere once that Warner has been known to spend up to 6 hours in the nets in one session. Maybe that dedication is starting to pay off.