Macca

Playoffs start from 5am AEST tomorrow ... ... schedule for the 1st week of the playoffs Tips (Winners in dark italics) OKC vs Houston San Antonio vs LA Lakers Denver vs Golden State LA Clippers vs Memphis Miami vs Milwaukee New York vs Boston Indiana vs Atlanta Brooklyn vs Chicago

I had that one down as a reasonable match-up. I expect both teams to improve and as you said, the Andy Reid return to Philadelphia will provide plenty of spice. Michael Vick vs Alex Smith is another reason to tune in. I like the Thursday night games ... too long between drinks otherwise and usually save the game for latish Friday night (our time) Gives us a chance to have a look at some the other teams in detail as well.

I thought he was coming to the Dees. Week 3 hey. Could be a 'Season Definer' ! He's a goodin' when on song ... Interesting schedule for a lot of teams If we go on last year's form, SNF leads the way with every game in theory being a top match-up. MNF is again strong with only 2 or 3 games that you wouldn't call 'Big' games. Thursday Night Football has a better line-up of games than last year with only about 5 or 6 games out of the 16 games in total being 'Non' blockbusters. Tough schedules for a lot of teams but if your team is good enough within your division, you'll make the playoffs. The beauty of divisions is that the other 3 teams have it just as tough. On the surface of it, the NFC looks the stronger conference again. If the Saints can rediscover their mojo then the NFC South could be a division to watch. 2013 Regular Season (when visiting this site, click on any team for that team's schedule)

There's some good match-ups. 4 games on Sunday (our time) kick things off. The Rockets / OKC series has some added drama with James Harden up against his old team. ... from today ... Houston @ Lakers highlights

Steve Salisbury said today on SEN that the Lakers have a better chance without Kobe. His reasoning was that without Kobe, all the members of the team would work harder around the court and get into position to shoot more often. He went on to say that the players don't work as hard with Kobe in the team because he's so good. Find it difficult to believe that Kobe wouldn't improve any team. You'd reckon any decent coach would 'find a way' However, Salisbury didn't see them getting past the 1st round anyway (which would be against OKC?) Nash won't play tomorrow by the looks of it ... here's the latest with Steve's injury ... ... Lakers News: Steve Nash's Nagging Injury Spells Trouble for Playoff Hopes

Ok, all decided tomorrow. For those with cable, ESPN have the Lakers game vs Houston on live from 12.30pm. Keeping in mind that the Utah @ Memphis game (10.00am start our time) will probably be decided by the time the LA game starts. Utah have to win to keep their hopes alive. Memphis can grab the 4 seed from the Clippers if the Clippers lose at Sacramento. The Clippers @ Sacramento game is on at 12.30pm (our time) Not sure on the status of the tie break between Golden State / Houston or Houston / Lakers

Shouldn't be too far away ... ... Aaron Rodgers, Clay Matthews close to new contracts? As for your bloke Strafford ... the latest? ... NFL free agent news: Bengals, James Harrison 'hit snag' in talks

Fall out Boy with 'My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark' Macca 12.8

Hopefully a damn side better this season! Rodgers was sacked 51 times last year! Though he does 'take' a lot of sacks. Frightens the hell out of me though. Obviously the strength of the Packers is Aaron and to lesser extent our WR's. Jennings will be missed though he missed a number of games last year. He's gone off to join 'cfh's blokes. Good luck to him though - he served Green Bay very well. McCarthy is trying to address our defensive deficiencies but there's still a ways to go. It's our achilles' heel but our defence does stand up on occasions. Often in some big games. But overall, it's a weakness. Dalton is still quite young at 25 and his passer rating isn't too bad at all. He got sacked 46 times though. Often that stat needs greater analysis but Brees, Brady and both Manning brothers get well protected. Eli sat at only 19 sacks last season.

Lakers defeat the Spurs without Kobe! If Utah lose at Minnesota tomorrow then LA are in. Otherwise, it comes down to the last game of the season for both sides. Overall seedings are not done yet ... standings ... ... Spurs @ Lakers highlights

Ha! On the Packers fan site they are constantly into McCarthy - and no one seems to mind. Winning a Super Bowl doesn't win you that many brownie points I'm afraid. The thinking is a lot different over there of course. It's win or it's cya later - I like that way of thinking. Keeps everyone on edge and besides, comfort zones are for losers. For the life of me, I don't understand why a player or a coach needs 'security' in order to do well. My thinking is the opposite and always will be. The Ravens have lost a few and picked up a few but it's hard to see them dropping off anyway. If Big Ben stays fit the Steelers can beat anyone. Not sure about Cleveland but there was talk they might improve. It ain't gonna be easy for Cinci whichever way you look at it. Think you'll be thereabouts though. The actual schedule comes out in a day or so but if you go to this site (2013 NFL Football Schedules ) and click on your team, you'll get to see all the teams that you play (home and away). The NFC North schedule is tough and everything is going to boil down to how the teams perform within the Division. I noticed that the all the AFC North teams play all the teams from the NFC North this upcoming season. My Packers have to visit your blokes at some stage. .

Occasionally will look at the games Strafford. Usually just the bowls but not with any great interest. If they had a proper finals system I may get more interested. I follow the NHL and the NBA so in the end, there is literally no time left ! When there is a good seeding match-up I'll tune in but not avidly. Got a mate who follows it closely ... I have no idea how he finds the time as he also is a Hoops, Hockey and Baseball freak. The Bengals haven't been too far away in the last 2 seasons from progressing further in the playoffs and winning your Division. Tough, tough division you're in though. Bit like a few other divisions ... the NFC West, the NFC North and the NFC East are other tough divisions. Many on here follow teams in the NFC so it's good to have a few more here from the AFC. Although KC, Denver, the Jets and a sprinkling of others are well supported. It's usually fairly 'friendly' on this thread although there's been the odd 'moment'. We're all Demons so things never get out of hand. I don't mind other teams doing well for fellow supporters. We all need a bit of sporting joy! There's some knowledgeable fans on the thread. I tend to post in an 'overview' way ... leave the intricate stuff alone most of the time! Welcome aboard .

Great Scott! We've finally done it. What a fantastic win and after his last day in last year's British Open, what a way to bounce back. To win the Masters and the green jacket. Well done Adam Scott - you've done your Country proud. Cabrera was great again ... he is such a great fighter and competitor. Jason Day fought hard as well and his day will come. But it's our day .... at last! .

Be interesting to see how the Lakers go in their last 2 games. Both the Spurs and the Rockets can move from their present seeding so both games are 'alive' right now. Seems there might be a few unhappy campers with regards to Derrick Rose not coming back to play in the playoffs ... ... Derrick Rose never will know because he never tried

Yeah it's our team, then a close go between the Test side and the Packers for next best. After that there's a big gap in terms of manic or strong support for a team. Probably the Australian Olympic team is next then West Ham. The Red Sox and Canucks as well. Out of all that you end up finding some sporting joy! Then there's the NBA ..... That was a good video. Watched the 1st part just then. Got the rest bookmarked for another rainy day .

Got a mate who's a Tiger fan and over the years I've often received a text message from him sometime in late April/early May along the lines of "When does the NFL start?" Sadly, he received a similar text from me after round 1 this season. I've got all 4 of the Packers playoff games in HD stored on the hard drive from our last Super Bowl win. Been saving them for a rainy day - it rained today !

It's a bit sad when you already find yourself hangin' out for the NFL practice games. Not sure if I could handle a loss against GWS. It could completely do my head in if that happens. .

Yeah, what's the bet he'd end up at Casey. Complete with his gridiron gear on. Melbournised

Kobe reckons he made a move and it just went pop. Calf muscles and Achilles tendon injuries are the domain of the older athlete. Story of the Lakers year really. You'll almost certainly be playing OKC if you make the playoffs. Utah and the Lakers both won today but LA are possibly going to have to beat the Spurs and Houston to make it anyway.

KC will probably go with the popular pick in Luke Joeckel. With Andy Reid and Alex Smith on board, they could be a team to look out for. Did I read somewhere that the 49ers have 13 picks in the first 6 rounds of the draft ? As if they're not strong enough already! ... NFL Mock Draft 2013: Most Likely Scenarios for Every First Round Pick

Now that was a great version. Time for our team to blow off the cobwebs. Here's a couple of tracks from Marilyn Manson that might help them. The first track (No Reflection) was released last year whilst the 2nd song (Sweet Dreams) was released in 1995 Macca 12.7

The Lakers win out and they make it. 3 games, all at home. Warriors, Spurs, Rockets. Utah have Minnesota home and away then are at Memphis. Magic said today that the Lakers will beat the Spurs if they meet them in the 1st round. Although to make the playoffs LA might have to defeat the Spurs in their 2nd last game (which could cause the Spurs to finish in the 2 seed). Anyway, big call. Bill Simmons chimed in with his usual cutting humour. Something about the Lakers lack of defence. One week and we're into it. Can't wait really, playoffs in the NBA are just great. The Knicks have been on a fine run but it's looking like a match-up with the Celtics in the 1st round. That would be a classic series. .

All I know right now is that our division is gonna be an absolute bunfight. The Red Sox have started with a few wins. Yep, good start by Oakland (now 7-2) . The Braves have started well.(8-1) Washington might do ok. There are so many in with a chance.

Macca 12.6

Yeah, good point HT (of what I can remember of it !) We'll take 2 spinners to England. The following quote is from an 'Age' article a couple of days ago. Bit of a misleading headline but interesting, nonetheless ... We'll cook the pitches: Skipper