Macca

Biggest worry is the 49ers team - their best is very very good . Home field and weather aren't big factors in this instance . Us Packer fans are allowed to call ourselves cheeseheads but it's viewed as an insult if opposition fans call Packer fans cheeseheads .

Lol ... they're quite happy on the Packers site as can be well imagined . Somebody started a thread there last week entitled "What if we lose?" . It's fair to say the OP will cop some stick later on. Anyway, probably have to go into work tomorrow (though option A is tempting) but will catch up with the early game at some stage . Reckon the Ravens and Redskins might get up but would like the Colts to win . The 49ers / Packers game next week will be a beauty . The 49ers crew on this thread may be out in force . I might need 'Bon Scott' and the 'life' member back here to help me out ! Monday, Jan. 7 (wild card round) both games on ESPN & OneHD 5:00am — Indianapolis at Baltimore 8:30am — Seattle at Washington

It often happens like that . You missed Ponder badly, the Packers defence stepped it up, Peterson was somewhat subdued by his standards (although 99 yards is still an excellent game) and Rodgers and the offence did their job . The Vikings have had a good year and I would have taken any sort of win today.

It's almost impossible to stop Rodgers when he's on song . Brady is virtually perfect but Aaron is right up there . Ponder has been missed - he's had some good games this year and last week he was terrific . The Vikes balance has been thrown out on offence . Minnesota started well but the Packers have brought their A game today

Dare I say it - you miss Ponder . Vikes obviously need some passing yards . Interesting how Green Bay's defence has played Peterson - forced him wide to the sidelines a lot .

It was up in the air for an eternity - think it was Matthews that looked at it as if stunned - just catch it Clay !

You can say that again ! It's a worry (already) 3 and out for the Pack ...

Houston are at a rested New England next week . You never know in this sport but on the surface of it, the Pats would have to be strong favourites . It's been known for the conditions to get quite awful at Gillette stadium (at this time of year) so that has to be factored in . Looks like quite clear conditions at Lambeau - albeit freezing ! Good luck 'cfh' and may the better team win ! (don't want any iffy decisions - either way)

Wow ! That is big news . Still nothing in this game at Houston . This drive will tell a story . If the Texans can get a score it will make it very hard for the Bengals . 9 minutes left .

Yep, there's more pressure on the Packers to win this game . So much is going to depend on the 1st quarter . Tight game in Houston . The Bengals can't get into the red zone but they're still in it .

They chased down over 400 in Perth in the 1st Test (?) in that series over here - wasn't good . South Africa would have been devastated just a few months later though . It's strange what you remember - we played them in 2 series over a period of 3 - 4 months but it's our series win over there which stands out in my memory . Probably because our loss here wasn't totally unexpected but the win over there was a complete surprise. In the recent series we were in a position to win both the 1st and 2nd test but couldn't get it done . Then they win the 3rd Test after our terrible 2nd day (in Perth) . The selectors mucked up the bowling rotations, though Pattinson breaking down in Adelaide didn't help . Edit : Pages 14 through to 23 of this thread cover both series - it's interesting picking up the mood of the people who posted during that time period .

Good get wisedog . I had no idea myself but you've twigged my memory . Johnno and Hughes played very well in that series and it was regarded as an unexpected series win by the Aussies . From memory Andrew McDonald picked up some vital wickets in that series as well .

It's all or nothing tomorrow hey 'cfh' ? . By 3.30pm or thereabouts one of us is gonna be elated, the other not so much ! I'll be kicking off from about 7.30 - 8.00 am (ish) . Good coffee and cinnamon donuts at the ready ! I can't find a definite winner out of any of the 4 games . Apparently it's going to be below freezing in Green Bay for the game .

It is a dead rubber though, Wyl . If we do lose this test it won't be remembered in future years . We used to lose the odd dead rubber when we were no.1 in the World but so what ? You never like to lose a test but we've won the series and this is in some ways a practice match . For instance, would the selectors have only played 5 specialist batsmen if it were a live rubber ? Play the extra spinner if you're going to experiment (as preparation for India) Now that was an error (in my opinion) . I'd like to see us chase down 250 odd though - for a few reasons . Edit : without the aid of google or 'Alto Vista',(yes, it still exists!) can anyone recall the last time we lost a dead rubber? Against which nation and where?

Yeah I like the way Wade sets himself for a decent score . If he gets in then he's quite capable of scoring heavily . And he's just turned 25 years old - we're starting to build our team for the future .

Here's the now 'infamous' Rex Ryan bicep tattoo . A picture of a woman who bears a striking resemblance to his wife in a Mark Sanchez jersey . A more bizarre sight I have never seen . Ridiculous (but highly amusing) Of course, it might be a fake . I hope it isn't though Here's Stephen A Smith and Skip Bayless with their take on it ... Rex Ryan's tattoo - real or fake? This weekend's games ... Monday is part of the weekend in January right ? Sunday, Jan. 6 (wild card round) 8.30am — Cincinnati at Houston 12.00pm — Minnesota at Green Bay Monday, Jan. 7 (wild card round) 5:00am — Indianapolis at Baltimore 8:30am — Seattle at Washington

Well done Matthew Wade . Under the circumstances, a terrific ton . Siddle in particular gave great support . And another good declaration by Pup . I like his confidence - many skippers would have batted on to try and get 10 or 20 more .

South Africa win by an innings and 27 runs . One more test for the Kiwi's over there before Pakistan arrive for 3 Tests (in February) . Foxtel will probably be covering those Tests as well . There is so much cricket going on - Big Bash (it's kinda like cricket), International One-dayers start next week against Sri Lanka (5 games) They squeeze a couple of International t20's in late January before the Windies arrive here for 5 ODI's in early Feb . We then go to India for 4 Tests and a series of One-dayer's in Feb/March . All this and we then play 2 Ashes series (10 Tests in all) between July and xmas/New Year . That's a lot of cricket . Interesting day at the SCG today . Some soft dismissals means that we're not quite in a winning position .

Out of my league on the QB's 'cfh' . I occasionally tune into a College game but not with any real interest . It's unbelievably big over there isn't it ? Found this link for the top QB prospects but I know nothing about them . There's only a few on this list - lean year for QB's apparently .

My 'inside source' tells me that Reid and Vick might be a package deal ! No, seriously, I have no clue ! Be interesting if Reid and Vick end up at KC on a whole lot of levels ... Apart from anything else, what happens to Dappa Dan's avatar and does 'pantaloons' change his avatar to a photo of Vick ? A 'Changing of the Guard' (so to speak) I rate Reid as a coach (his overall record is hard to fault) and Vick will end up somewhere as a starter anyway . Both didn't have great year's but I reckon it's a good fit .

Bill Simmons and Cousin Sal's podcast can be found here . They review last week's games and preview the wild-card games (as well as trying to guess the lines) Sal is none too happy with his Cowboys, Tony Romo and Coach Garrett. Here's the complete playoff schedule again . All the wild-card games are being shown live on ESPN & OneHD and let's hope that continues right throughout the playoffs . All times are AEDT ... Sunday, Jan. 6 (wild card round) 8.30am — Cincinnati at Houston 12.00pm — Minnesota at Green Bay Monday, Jan. 7 (wild card round) 5:00am — Indianapolis at Baltimore 8:30am — Seattle at Washington Sunday, Jan. 13 (divisional round) 8:30am — Denver hosts its game against Baltimore/Indianapolis/Cincinnati 12:00pm — San Francisco hosts its game against Green Bay/Washington/Seattle Monday, Jan. 14 (divisional round) 5:00am — Atlanta hosts its game against Washington/Seattle/Minnesota 8:30am — New England hosts its game against Houston/Baltimore/Indianapolis Monday, Jan. 21 (championship games) 7:00am — NFC title game 10:30am — AFC title game Monday, Feb. 4 10:30am — Super Bowl

Maxwell could have been played at the expense of one of the quicks . With the tour of India coming up it was the perfect time to play 2 spinners (or a spinner and a spinning all-rounder) . I'm surprised Beer wasn't in the team but once Maxwell was in the squad then there wasn't room for Beer as well . We're 2 up in the series and there is very little chance of Sri Lanka winning this Test anyway . Great time for some experimentation . There's a reasonably good chance that Maxwell will be going to India so why not play him now ? Especially when you consider that we'll probably play 2 spinners in some or all of the Tests over there . 4 for 41 for Jackson Bird . His style of bowling could be invaluable in England .

No Doubt with 'Settle Down' ... Macca 11.9

Seems the Nets are sticking with P J Carlesimo for now . They are, however, seeking 'talks' with Phil - would be great for them if they could snag him . Here is the latest from 'Pro Basketball Talk' There are a number of teams (other than the usual suspects) who are doing quite well so far this season . The Knicks, Hawks, Grizzlies, Warriors and the Clippers are all faring well in the W/L column . Here are the current standings Still waiting on the Lakers though - with Nash back they should get on a bit of a run . Always good for the sport when the Lakers are firing and that rivalry with the Clippers will take on a different dimension if both teams are flying .

I see KC have 'moved on' Romeo Crennel (1 of 7 head coaches who have lost their job ) . Any news on his replacement? Would Lovie Smith or Andy Reid be a good fit ? You've got the no.1 pick in the draft so that's some consolation (wrong year? ) Could be worse pantaloons - imagine if you were a soccer fan as well and you followed QPR (they're currently 1-7-12)