Macca

Here's the full weeks games and a preview podcast from Bill Simmons ... http://espn.go.com/e...play?id=8479152 And here's the standings ... http://espn.go.com/nfl/standings Click on any team for further news , information and fixtures ... FRI, OCT 12 11.20 AM Pittsburgh 23 at Tennessee 26 OneHD That's a costly loss for the Steelers . MON, OCT 15 4.00 AM Detroit (1-3) at Philadelphia (3-2) OneHD 4.00 AM Dallas (2-2) at Baltimore (4-1) Fox3 4.00 AM Oakland (1-3) at Atlanta (5-0) 4.00 AM Cincinnati (3-2) at Cleveland (0-5) 4.00 AM St. Louis (3-2) at Miami (2-3) 4.00 AM Indianapolis (2-2) at NY Jets (2-3) 4.00 AM Kansas City (1-4) at Tampa Bay(1-3) 7.05 AM Buffalo (2-3) at Arizona(4-1) 7.05 AM New England (3-2) at Seattle (3-2) 7.25 AM Minnesota (4-1) at Washington (2-3) 7.25 AM NY Giants (3-2) at San Francisco (4-1) OneHD 11.20 AM Green Bay (2-3) at Houston (5-0) OneHD & ESPN TUES, OCT 16 11.30 AM Denver (2-3) at San Diego (3-2) ESPN

Yeah , ya right , should be a good game to watch . Rodgers came out today and said that he had to lift his own game . I like that kinda honesty in sport . It's often better to come straight out and admit a problem rather than make excuses . In the NFL there's nowhere to hide and all the teams seem to have high expectations . Take Indi and the Redskins for instance . Now that they've got decent QB's the expectation is to win - right now . To a point where RG3 probably should be rested against Minnesota . But Washington need to win to keep their playoff chances alive . Thus , he'll most probably play . The Colts impressed me last week and Andrew Luck is gonna be very very good .

Yeah damn fine ........the efforts of Seth Smith and Coco Crisp for the A's were terrific as well . Who do you see winning the divisional series from here ? I'm hoping that St Louis , Baltimore , Oakland and Cincinnati get through . Big ask for the Orioles though ya neva know .

Great come from behind win to Oakland today . All 4 of the divisional series are still alive . St Louis lead Washington 2-1 , the Yankees lead Baltimore 2-1 and both San Francisco/Cincinnati and Detroit/Oakland are tied up at 2-2 . Four games tomorrow ....here's the schedule ...http://espn.go.com/mlb/schedule

Jazz meets hip-hop . Maybe next year will be the Demons 'Season for Change' Macca's jazz 4.8

Cedric Benson is out for 8 weeks so we're in almighty trouble at the RB position . James Starks is over his 'Turf Toe' but he seems out of favor anyway . Rodgers is gonna have to throw and hit targets all game by the looks of it . Our new designated RB (Alex Green) has the job ahead of him . No such thing as an honourable loss in the NFL and at Green Bay there are very high expectations . A win is possible but not probable . Those Texans are the real deal and have a terrific all round game . Maybe Houston will have an off night or Rodgers has a huge night ? I did note that Houston are only -3.5 favourites There's some really interesting games this week and that Vikings/Redskins game is a good one . Detroit at the Eagles is another game with high interest . The Lions came into the season with big expectations but so far have shown very little . Philadelphia have a chance to sneak a break if their divisional rivals all lose .

Tomorrow's game ... 11.20 AM Pittsburgh at Tennessee OneHD Will post the rest of the games later tonight or tomorrow sometime . Just a heads up on the 'TV' games MON, OCT 15 4.00 AM Detroit at Philadelphia OneHD 4.00 AM Foxtel have a scheduled match but the actual game is not listed yet - be good if it were Dallas @ Baltimore . Sorry 'cfh' , it can't be the Vikings @ Washington as this is a 'Late' game and Foxtel are still only covering 1 game . 7.25 AM NY Giants at San Francisco OneHD 11.20 AM Green Bay at Houston OneHD & ESPN TUES, OCT 16 11.30 AM Denver at San Diego ESPN Some ripper games there with the probable match of the round being the 'Late' game between the Giants and the 49ers .

Welcome back Dappa , Yeah , agree with your views re the Packers , Houston , 49ers and Atlanta . Also reckon the Pats and to a lesser extent , the Ravens will both play a huge part this season . There are a few teams that could create some havoc in the playoffs if they can make it . Obviously the Giants are one of those teams along with Piitsburgh , your Eagles and my Packers . The Rams and the Vikings are another couple of teams that are doing well . Green Bay at this stage will do well to make it . We're at Houston next week (SNF) so it doesn't get any easier . I mentioned in a previous post that the Packers have to win as many games as possible against their divisional rivals . 5 and 1 or better has to happen and it won't be easy in that division . As we know , wild card teams can go a long way in the playoffs and it could be a mad scramble in the last few weeks (in both the AFC and the NFC)

The next 2 days .....all times AEDT Most or all of the games are being covered live by Foxtel and replayed on OneHD . ESPN radio are covering most of the games live .... http://espn.go.com/espnradio/ Tuesday, October 9th 7.30 AM - Washington @ St Louis (Washington lead 1-0) 11.00 AM - NY Yankees @ Baltimore (NY Yankees lead 1-0) Wednesday, October 10th 8.30 AM - San Francisco @ Cincinnati (Cincinnati lead 2-0) 12.00 PM - Detroit @ Oakland (Detroit lead 2-0)

Here's one of 'Chicago's' big hits . Not a big story behind this song but this quote from 'Robert Lamm' (one of 'Chicago's' founding members) does take you into the songwriters mind . Macca's 70's 10.7 [media=]

It's gonna be tough from here on in for the 'Pack' . I suppose we've gotta aim for 10 wins and in the process have the best W/L record against the other 3 teams within the division . 5 and 1 will get it done but maybe 4 and 2 will suffice . Overall we'd have to win at least 8 from 11 from here to get to a 10 and 6 record - tall order . Winning against your Vikes , the Lions and the Bears will help our cause but right now that's a big ask . To be quite honest , we're not playing anywhere near well enough . Other teams have worked out how to beat us . Haven't given up by any means and I'm sure Mike McCarthy and Rodgers will conjure something up . It just needs to happen quick smart ! Credit to the Colts though , they came back from a big deficit . Andrew Luck and Reggie Wayne had big games Minnesota just keep marching on hey ? Good on 'em . Those divisional games will hold the key going forward though . Thought the Jags had a chance today against the Bears but not so . They were putrid .

Bit late with Bill Simmon's column but it's worth a look even if just for the 'Worst movie death scene ever' http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8465998/the-island-dr-simbeau

The Orioles win through ! Gotta feel a bit of sympathy for Texas and Atlanta today . All over in a flash ... Baltimore will now play the Yankees on Monday (AEST) . Elaine will be happy !! We've all seen the latest 'throw back' logo of the Orioles but how 'bout this 'Beauty' from the mid 60's ... Frightening !

'Blood , Sweat & Tears' won a Grammy for this huge 1969 hit . Quite an uplifting song . From 'Wiki' ... Macca 60's 10.6 [media=]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4iNw1Hvcu8

Certainly a controversial call . That did not appear to be a deliberate 'No attempt' (so to speak) . It was a late call as well . Considering it was the first ever 'One-off' elimination wild-card game , that call will definitely be remembered for the wrong reasons . Anyway ....St Louis advance and will now meet Washington at home on Monday (AEST) Here's the 'Wiki' explanation ... http://en.wikipedia....nfield_fly_rule

Bobby Valentine gone ! It's been an awful year for the Red Sox ... Looks like Foxtel are covering all or most of the playoffs but OneHD may only be replaying the games (one day later?) . Anyway , for those without Foxtel , ESPN Radio will broadcast live coverage of all the playoffs . Here's a link ... http://espn.go.com/espnradio/ Schedule for the first 2 days ..... All times AEST... Saturday, October 6 (One-off elimination games) 7.00 AM St Louis at Atlanta 10.30 AM Baltimore at Texas Sunday, October 7 (1st games of the Divisional playoffs) 9.00 AM Oakland at Detroit 12.30 PM Cincinnati at San Francisco

Good win to the Rams . St Louis now go to 3 and 2 . That is an interesting division ! Here's the week 5 games and a podcast preview from Bill Simmons and Cousin Sal . They do a quick review of last weeks games and try to guess the lines for this weeks games (with a touch of humour thrown in) ... http://espn.go.com/e...play?id=8450119 FRI, OCT 5 10.20 AM Arizona 3 (4-1) at St. Louis 17 (3-2) OneHD MON, OCT 8 4.00 AM Miami (1-3) at Cincinnati (3-1) 4.00 AM Green Bay (2-2) at Indianapolis (1-2) Fox3 4.00 AM Baltimore (3-1) at Kansas City (1-3) 4.00 AM Atlanta (4-0) at Washington (2-2) 4.00 AM Cleveland (0-4) at NY Giants (2-2) 4.00 AM Philadelphia (3-1) at Pittsburgh (1-2) OneHD 7.05 AM Seattle (2-2) at Carolina (1-3) 7.05 AM Chicago (3-1) at Jacksonville (1-3) 7.25 AM Tennessee (1-3) at Minnesota (3-1) 7.25 AM Denver (2-2) at New England (2-2) OneHD 7.25 AM Buffalo (2-2) at San Francisco (3-1) 11.20 AM San Diego (3-1) at New Orleans (0-4) OneHD & ESPN TUES, OCT 9 11.30 AM Houston (4-0) at NY Jets (2-2) ESPN ·Bye: Dallas, Detroit, Oakland, Tampa Bay

It's all about the team, HG No , seriously , it was a fine achievement by Cabrera . What the hell happened to your White Sox ? My Red Sox had a shocker 161 million for very little return ...

Well it's all settled . The AL division winners are the Yankees , Detroit and Oakland whilst the NL division winners are Washington , Cincinnati and San Francisco . The 2 wild-cards from each league are Baltimore and Texas (AL) and St Louis and Atlanta (NL) The 2 wild-cards from each league will play a one-off game to decide who advances to the divisional playoffs . Both games are on Saturday (our time) with the first game being St Louis at Atlanta (7.00 AM) followed by Baltimore at Texas (10.30 AM) . Both games are on Fox1 . OneHD might be covering the games as well though their scheduling is a bit haphazard ! The divisional playoffs kickoff on Sunday (our time) with Oakland at Detroit and Cincinnati at San Francisco . On Monday (our time) the Yankees start their campaign at either Baltimore or Texas whilst Washington play their 1st game at St Louis or Atlanta . Higher placed seeded teams play away for the 1st 2 games of the best of 5 divisional playoffs , whilst playing their last 3 games at home . Great to see Oakland make it through . Washington and Baltimore are 2 other teams that have done very well this year .

Terry Callier is a jazz musician and singer from Chicago . This song is sampled from Deodato's 'Summer of Spirit' . Quite a haunting and impressive effort with terrific vocals . Macca's jazz 4.7

Tomorrow's game 10.20 AM Arizona (4-0) at St. Louis (2-2) OneHD I'll post the full week's games later tonight or tomorrow . Just a heads up on the TV games though . Fox3 4.00am Monday -Green Bay (2-2) at Indianapolis (1-2) OneHD 4.00am Monday - Philadelphia (3-1) at Pittsburgh (1-2) OneHD 7.15am Monday - Denver (2-2) at New England (2-2) ESPN & OneHD 11.15am Monday - San Diego (3-1) at New Orleans (0-4) ESPN 11.30am Tuesday - Houston (4-0) at NY Jets (2-2) Some good match-ups but still no Vikings on the tele 'cfh' !

10 wins should get a team a berth in the playoffs you'd reckon . The only NFC teams I'm now prepared to say are 'shoe-ins' for the playoffs are the 49ers and Atlanta . My team has got it's issues and as ya said , the NFC North and the NFC West teams play each other which might allow a 2nd team to get through from the NFC East . The AFC is a little different . Baltimore , New England , Houston and probably San Diego should win their respective divisions . The Chargers schedule isn't too tough and they are playing well (apart from a poor one against Atlanta) . Denver's schedule gets a lot easier soon but they play the Chargers in San Diego in a couple of weeks . That could be a 'Season definer' ! Your blokes are in a big game on Friday (our time) . It's possibly a must win but I reckon you can do it . Arizona keep winning but they're no world beaters . And 'cfh' , your Vikings have got a real opportunity in the next 4 games - vs Tennessee , @ Washington , vs Arizona , vs Tampa Bay . Some winnable games there . Or is it 'One week at a time' !? The Bengals are another team that could scoot away - next 2 are vs Miami then at Cleveland .

Dallas just continue to turn the ball over . Some of it is just pure bad luck but there's a recurring theme with the Cowboys . They can't seem to able to put it together enough for a prolonged series of games . The Bears were good today but they were gifted some very easy points . As ya said , Romo with 5 picks is just not good enough . Lot's of pressure from the Chicago defence but at some stage Romo has to come into the category of 'He is what he is' . I fully expect the Lions to come good at some stage in our division . Wins within the division will be hard earned . It could be that 2 teams get through to the playoffs but there's no guarantees (esp with the NFC West doing very well as a whole)

Those Eagles know how to win a close one ! The Giants had their chances and could have won it in the end . 3 pass interference calls in Manning's last drive tipped the advantage from one side to the other . 'Icing' the kicker could have backfired for Andy Reid ! McCoy was excellent and Vick had a good game . The NY Giants are 0 - 2 against their division rivals now . In such a tight division that could be a decisive stat . Important wins to the Rams , Vikings and the Redskins . Minnesota in particular are in great form (grrrrrr). The 'Niners' flexed their muscles . Ditto New England and Houston . San Diego and the Bengals are both 3 and 1 and looking good . Arizona continues to find ways to win and the Falcons pulled one out of the fire . Denver had a big win and are not out of it . Peyton's numbers were very good - 30/38 for 338 yards and 3 TD's . Bill Simmons describes Peyton's arm as a 'Noodle arm' . Bit harsh and I wonder if he'll try and 'Smooth the waters' in his column later in the week The NFC West is now sitting at 11 and 5 with the nearest best division being the NFC East with 9 wins and 6 losses . The best AFC division is a tie between the AFC North and the AFC South (both at 7 and 8) . With so many good and very good teams about and with quite a few others that are 'hot and cold' you'd take any sort of win . 8 games this week have been decided by a touchdown or less . We could get another one tomorrow . Should be a ripper game between the Bears and Dallas . Just can't bring myself to support either team ! A tie is a remote possibility and that would be my ideal result

Phew ! I'll take any sorta win in this League . So many twists and turns . Hey 'cbh' , does this mean we have to 'barrack' for Dallas tomorrow ? It's just doesn't seem right !