Macca

Test cricket, t20 style ! Fair dinkum, what were those Sri Lankans doing out there ? Bird looks alright, nice compact action and has a high release . Ripper catch by the Taswegian .

Nice one 'Vim' ... keep posting ... Louis Armstrong and friends with 'Christmas in New Orleans' ... Macca's jazz 5.5

Seattle are in some hot form . Leading 35 - 6 and looking for more points . The 49ers are at home vs Arizona next week so they should win the NFC West, regardless of today's result . Both the Packers and Vikes will be highly motivated to win next week - should be a cracker. Think you've got Arizona covered next week - in fact, I reckon you'll win quite easily and sew up the division . As you know, the Packers have a tough one at Minnesota (who are in top form) so it's nowhere near done yet (re the seedings) As for the Giants , I'm loathe to put a line through them yet . If Washington win (as many would expect) and Green Bay and Detroit win (the Lions are at home to Chicago and would have to be a chance to win) then New York would make it if they take care of the Eagles at home . If that all happened then the Giants would play San Francisco in the 1st week of the playoffs (assuming Seattle win today) I've got to stop using that 'Playoff machine' don't I ? Edit : Just heard that the Redskins / Cowboys game is the SNF match next week . A virtual playoff game - the victor wins the division and the loser misses out altogether (though Washington could still sneak in if they lose)

Normally I'd be saying the same thing but the Sri Lankan's don't really capture the imagination . Expect the Aussies to win the next 2 tests quite easily (weather permitting)

Yeah, Minnesota were very impressive today and I've no idea how my blokes are gonna stop AP next week The Packers need to keep winning as that no.2 seed won't be decided until after next week's games . The Texans will need to win next week to ensure the no.1 seed - they are at Indi (who have banked a wild-card spot and can't move from the 5 seed) It's most likely that Indi will be at Baltimore in the 1st week of the playoffs . Dallas and the Giants losing today means that if the Vikes win next week then you're in the playoffs . You still have a small chance of making it if you lose but that's not likely - you really have to win the game. It will be 'game on', 'cfh' ! If Dallas win at Washington next week they will win the NFC East (and vice-versa) . Steelers losing rules them out - you sort of expect them to make it every year with Big Ben at the helm - they will be smarting but .... well done to the Bengals . Some very big games next week ... Here's the Playoff picture and the week 17 games . To do the game predictor here is the playoff machine .

The best of 'C'mon Man' for 2012 . Quality not great but good for a bit of a laugh ...

Here we go - I know we're not supposed to like this 'sport' but there are such things as 'remote controls' . You can always watch 'The Manor Reborn' or 'Border Patrol NZ' (there's some 'riveting' tele!) I've only just started watching the games as I see t20 as a bit of a 'Holiday mode' sport . You've switched off from work and just need some entertainment that doesn't require much brain power ! Anyway, the 2 Melbourne teams are flying and aren't far off securing semi-final berths (already) . Double header tonight (starting soon) with (hopefully) a big knock from Chris Gayle when the 'Thunder' bat .

Yep, I tend to agree re Atlanta and if they don't make a statement this season then there is something wrong . They finally shook off the Lions to win 31-18 (thus securing the no.1 seed) . They'll most likely face one of the Giants, Vikings, Dallas, Seattle, Chicago or the Redskins in week 2 of the playoffs . Any of those teams are capable of beating Atlanta . However, if they win their 1st playoff game that could get the 'monkey off the back' and they might get on a roll . Hope we don't get months of Tebow stories - I'm a bit over it though I do wish him well Obviously the Jags are a good fit but he's got to be able to consistently hit a target . He might have improved in that area but how would we know? Not sure he's thrown too many balls this season .

Now it's 21-16 (early in the 4th quarter) C'mon Lions !

Atlanta are flexing their muscles here . 21-3 nearing half time . Or maybe the Lions are just not a good team . They've gone backwards this year and they've got no excuses .

One for Christmas ... Amy Grant with one of her big hits ... Macca 11.8

MNF and Thursday night games are done for the season . We do get one Saturday night game this week only . SUN, DEC 23 12.30 PM Atlanta (12-2) at Detroit (4-10) ESPN MON, DEC 24 5.00 AM Cincinnati (8-6) at Pittsburgh (7-7) OneHD 5.00 AM Minnesota (8-6) at Houston (12-2) Fox3 8.05 AM Cleveland (5-9) at Denver (11-3) Fox3 8.25 AM NY Giants (8-6) at Baltimore (9-5) OneHD 12.20 PM San Francisco (10-3-1) at Seattle (9-5) OneHD & ESPN For all other games you can go to this link And here is another look at the playoff picture

Heard Jimmy Johnson talking about 'kickers' and Crosby and he likened a field goal kicker missing consistently to a golfer's putting 'yips' . McCarthy is showing a lot of support for Mason (publicly) so we'll see . Just on the Vikes ... have gone through that 'Playoff Machine' a few times (it can be found here) and even if you give Minnesota 2 more wins to finish the season, they can still somehow miss out if certain other results are factored in . Have no real idea how that works out, except maybe that the other teams in contention can improve their 'conference' record against Minnesota's 'conference' record . Quite confusing really, when you consider your blokes hold the 6 seed right now . Or maybe the 'playoff machine' has no idea what it's talking about ! Damn machines Edit : Russell Wilson would now have to come under consideration for ROTY . It might depend on whether RG3 gets back soon and also how Luck and the Colts finish off . Fairly sure the award is announced around the time of the Super Bowl (finalists are announced earlier and then the fans vote) so it may be decided by which of the 3 player's teams goes the furthest in the playoffs (assuming at least one of Indi , Seattle or the Redskins figures in the playoffs) .

Packers win the division - beauty It's been a less than spectacular year for Green Bay but we've managed to win when needed and Rodgers has had another excellent season . Not a 'supreme' season but excellent all the same . A home playoff game awaits and we're an outside chance of the 2 seed (that last game at Minnesota will be tough) . Big, consolidating wins to Atlanta, Houston, Seattle, Denver and the 49ers (though San Francisco got a bit of a scare for a while there). Seattle are in hot form and next weeks game vs the 49ers should be a cracker (SNF) Huge, important wins to Minnesota , Washington and Dallas . All 3 teams have to keep winning and of course Dallas play at Washington in the final week of the season . The Vikings have 2 tough games but who could discount them when 'MVP' AP is playing so well - he is seriously good . And now for the casualties of week 15 . The Giants, Ravens, Patriots, Colts, Steelers and the Bears all lose . Only the Pats and Baltimore have clinched playoff spots . Indi should win next week to sew up a spot . New England drop to the 3 seed and it's hard to see them wrenching the 2 seed back off Denver (who should win their final 2 games) . The Giants could end up missing altogether - they are at Baltimore next week . The Bears should beat Arizona next week but then are at Detroit in the final week . The Rams bowed out today but they've had a much improved season . Anyway, confused ? I sure am It's gonna be a frantic end to the season with 10 teams vying for 5 spots (roughly) . Trying to figure out the end of season positions of the playoff teams is a bit like figuring out 3 dimensional chess - impossible ! Here is the playoff picture and for a sneak peak at next weeks games you can visit this site

Bill Simmons column this week takes a lighthearted view on all the current NFL QB's using 'Movie' connections . To read the full article you can visit this site ...

Here's Oscar Peterson and Buddy DeFranco with the Gershwin classic 'It Ain't Necessarily So' . Duke Ellington described Peterson as the 'Maharaja of the keyboard' . Oscar does a wonderful job in bringing great feeling to this song. Buddy is equally as good on clarinet Macca's jazz 5.4 Oscar Peterson ... "It Ain't Necessarily So" .

Ben Westbeech with 'So Good Today' from his 2007 album 'Welcome to the Best Years of Your Life' . Ben's 2nd album 'There's More to Life Than This' was released in 2011 . By clicking on the above links you can sample some of the music contained on these albums . Macca 11.7

OneHD are only showing 2 games (live) in week 15 due to their coverage of the swimming and golf . For those with cable, there are some excellent match-ups ...as DemonDave made mention, there's some great games on offer this week . Season definers abound!! FRI, DEC 14 12.20 PM Cincinnati at Philadelphia ESPN MON, DEC 17 5.00 AM Green Bay at Chicago Fox3 8.05 AM Detroit at Arizona OneHD 8.25 AM Pittsburgh at Dallas Fox3 12.20 PM San Francisco at New England ESPN & OneHD TUE, DEC 18 12.30 PM NY Jets at Tennessee ESPN For all other games you can go to this site

Seems the MVP debate is on in earnest at the moment . It might be out of Peyton and Peterson . Brady would have to be a big chance after today . He really is silk . Had a listen to a bit New England radio today and the consensus there is that Tom doesn't get enough of the individual plaudits . Of course they're a bit biased, but some good points were made . One point being that Belichick takes away some of the limelight and vice-versa . Think Peyton has won 4 MVP's whilst Brady has won twice . The Adrian Peterson story is hard to top though . He could break the all time record for the most yards in a season . This, after coming back from a torn ACL . Eric Dickerson holds the record with 2,105 . AP currently has 1600 with 3 games to go . Here are the passing stats and the RB and WR stats can be found here and here .

Another classic from Dave Brubeck ... his music will always live on .

Quite a number on this thread had wins in week 14 - Giants, Jets, Rams, Eagles, Broncos, Vikings, Redskins, 49ers, Seahawks and my Packers (after a very slow start) all got up . KC let 'pantaloons' down but all up, that's not a bad return for us success starved Demons . Fairly sure we've got a Texans fan here as well . Looking forward to tomorrow's game - both teams have a lot to play for ... Anyway, here is the playoff picture after today .

Count me in .

Yep , that NFC wild-card race is on for young and old . Big win for the Vikings 'cfh' - I was barracking for your blokes (this week anyway!!) Tampa losing will hurt them and you could nearly rule them out now . The Bears might be in trouble if Cutler misses a game or 2 (they reckon he'll play next week vs the Packers but it is a neck injury .... ) How bad are Arizona ? Seattle are a sneaky chance to win the NFC West but they'd need a couple of things to happen . That game vs San Francisco could decide things . The Rams aren't going away either . Let's hope that RG3 comes up ok for next week - it's been such a great story so far . Dallas kept their hopes alive with a come from behind win and the Giants had a reasonably comfortable victory . The Eagles finally get a 'W' and with it , virtually ending the Bucs season . Pittsburgh lose again and they're a serious chance of missing the playoffs . They visit Dallas next week then face a possible season definer at home vs the Bengals . The Colts just keep marching along - Luck is very good in the 'Big' moments . So many teams are a chance this year and tomorrow's game between Houston and New England should be a beauty . Denver will be interested onlookers . In other stunning news - the Jets are a game back from a playoff spot - whooda thunk-it !! (though I think the Steelers win the tie-break over them) . The Jets last 3 games are - @ Tennessee , vs San Diego and @ Buffalo .

Just had another look at 'The Pelican Brief' again after all these years . Might have a re-look at some of the other films based on John Grisham's novels . Here's the IMDb links for some of the better adaptations ... The Firm , The Pelican Brief , The Client , The Rainmaker and Runaway Jury .

Well you're right, Manning won't be around forever but the mentality is a little different over there . It's often about the 'Right now' and I tend to agree with this type of thinking (sometimes) . Teams that are continually building for the future often end up perpetually building . The reality is that the Broncos are a legitimate contender now and good on 'em . Elway knows what he wants and he's not mucking around . If you can somehow snag that 2 seed and play your 1st playoff game in the 2nd week then you're a real show . Houston will probably get the 1 seed but they're not guaranteed a win straight off in the playoffs . Especially if they have to play New England . Huge home field advantage at Denver (as you well know) . Good solid win yesterday btw - that's 8 in a row .