Macca

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)

Tough one against the Seahawks next week . Haven't heard much about Seattle's game against the Rams today (other than they got a late TD winner)

Here's the complete playoff schedule . 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

Yep, that was the one . It happens too many times for it to be just bad luck . A poor choice - just throw it out . Redskins win - the Seahawks to visit next week (Monday 8.30am) The 3 rookie QB's who are a chance for ROTY are going to be in the playoffs . And one of the favourites for MVP (Peterson) will be on show as well . RG3 took a hard hit late in the game but he seemed ok .

Ha ! Sav's just gone the big face mask - typical Collingwood

I thing that phrase is a universal one in sport ... Redskins now 11 points in front . What's the bet Dallas claw their way back into it and then find another freak way to lose?

Matthews seems to be ok - nothing on the fan site to indicate otherwise - they're in semi meltdown mode about McCarthy , Ponder , Peterson , our defence and a few other things Have no idea about playoff tickets for opposition fans - do they even let 'em in at Lambeau ?? I know there's at least a 20 year wait for a seasons ticket at Green Bay - it's like our MCC membership . Referring to the playoff games (post #654) - noon next Sunday is a good time for our game hey ? The cricket should be all over by then (3 days should be enough to knock over the Lankans) and we'll get a clear run for the playoffs ...I've added the following weeks match-ups as well (in that post) . If your blokes win next week you'll then go to Atlanta in week 2, whereas the Packers would go to San Francisco .

All times AEDT ... Wild-Card Weekend Schedule Sunday Jan 6 - 8.30am - (6) Cincinnati @ (3) Houston Sunday Jan 6 - Noon - (6) Minnesota @ (3) Green Bay Monday Jan 7 - 5.00am - (5) Indianapolis @ (4) Baltimore Monday Jan 7 - 8.30am - (5) Seattle @ (4) Washington Divisional Weekend Schedule Sunday Jan 13 - 8.30am - No. 4/5/6 winner @ (1) Denver Sunday Jan 13 - Noon - No. 3/4/5 NFC winner @ (2) San Francisco Monday Jan 14 - 5.00am - No. 4/5/6 NFC winner @ (1) Atlanta Monday Jan 14 - 8.30AM - No. 3/4/5 AFC winner @ (2) New England: 8.30 a.m.

Well I'm not so confident after today . Ponder is seen as the weak link in our match-up (as well as Green Bay's defence) and he could gain a fair bit of confidence out of today . It's almost like Rodgers and Peterson cancel each other out . Part of my reasoning about the Packers needing to play every week is our defence - it's 'dodgy' and a week off would not help . Any idea what time the game is and which day ? Edit : times and dates of next weeks playoff games in following post ...

Broncos get the 1 seed after starting the season 2 - 3 . Fair effort . Has this ever been done before ? Surely the Americans would have a stat for that ! The way it's figured your blokes will be playing the Ravens , Colts or the Bengals in week 2 of the playoffs (think I'm right on that one)

Ponder had a terrific match (his best game?) . QB rating of 120 with 3 TD's . I'm not devastated by the loss - you don't like to lose anytime but .... the week off can have it's drawbacks and some teams need to keep playing every week for continuity .

Well done Vikings . Peterson 9 yards short of the record - unlucky We do it all again next week 'cfh' ... At Lambeau Now for SNF . Got a feeling Dallas might get up in another thriller

AP needs 45 yards ... tied at 34 ... 2 minute warning ... must be harder for you 'cfh' ... lose and you're out !

How 'bout punching it out of bounds 'Aussie rules style' Jennings ? Goes for the interception instead . I swear we could teach these yanks how to defend in the end zone - just punch it away for Pete's sake !

And right on cue Ponder throws a 65 yarder . This is a 'Barnburner'

Crosby is now 2 for 2 - who knew ? Great match 27 - 27 . May the better team win - we don't need a bad call deciding this ...

You mean the queens and the Packers , yeah ? Packers are right back in this now - Ponder will need to do something

91 yards at the half for Peterson - Minnesota will be running the ball primarily with a 10 point lead so he'll have every chance you'd reckon . 20-10 in the Vikes favour . Crosby nails a 51 yard field goal - that's a highlight ! Meanwhile , the 49ers and the Seahawks aren't having it all their own way ...it's all happening . Your Broncos are safe - no.1 seed coming up ...

Bears win, thus eliminating the Giants . Also now means that the loser of the Redskins/Cowboys game will be out of the playoffs . Chicago's season now rests with the Packers . Houston losing to the Colts has huge ramifications . Hard to see Denver or New England losing which would mean the Texans dropping to the 3 seed . Anything could happen of course ...

Chet Atkins and Mark Knopfler with a song originally recorded by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli . The song is called 'Tears' Macca's jazz 5.6

Bill Simmons weekly column can be found here ... quite a good read this week ...

Michael Hussey announces retirement That is another shock . Suppose he goes out on top . Congratulations on a tremendous career, Mr Cricket . He will be missed, especially for the vitality that he added to the team .