Macca

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

Still no points to allocate in the tipping comp (otherwise known as ... "Intolerable Cruelty" - the sequel) Cinci put most of us out. No change in the points tally ... 1 - Dappa Dan 0 - Anyone who can still be bothered. Week 6 games - can someone please tip 3 winners? Otherwise we might have to make it the home teams for a week!! It does look a little easier next week, all the same. No real surprises in today's games and Dappa summed up things quite well in the above post ... as for tomorrow's game, I give Washington a sneaky chance but Seattle should be too strong ... Seahawks 31 Washington 24.

Once again, the TV games ... Monday 4.00am - 10.30am RedZone (ESPN ... "Every Touchdown From Every Game") 4.00am Houston at Dallas (7mate) 7.30am NY Jets at San Diego (7mate) 11.30am Cincinnati at New England (7mate & ESPN) Tuesday 11.30am Seattle at Washington (ESPN) All the week 5 games NFL Week 5 Elo Ratings And Playoff Odds

You got that right. Rather habit forming in all reality!

Week 5 tips ... Seattle Steelers Baltimore