Macca

Here's Bill Simmons column this week from 'Grantland' ... ... That Championship Mailbag

Good work DD, funny as. The links to the other 'Bad lip reading' videos are also well worth a look.

Not sure we've had anything posted from 'Good Charlotte' Anyway, here's one of their hits from 2007 ... Macca 12.1

Good wrap up. Like the later Pats/Ravens game, your match against the Falcons is fascinating on a whole lot of levels. Will Ryan have a big game? Likewise Kaepernick . It's in a dome so field goals could be important. Maybe it will be harder for Atlanta to figure out the 49ers game than vice-versa. Atlanta's defence is the weakness that stands out . San Francisco are strong in all the important areas - if the 'Niners' bring their 'A' game then they'll be too strong . Jim Harbaugh is a very good coach who seems to be making all the right moves. I favour a 49ers win more than a Pats win (though the most likely match-up in the Super Bowl is the 49ers/N.England one. The Ravens win against Denver was a fair surprise to me and from all accounts, Baltimore are relishing the chance to take on the Patriots. They will do whatever they can to get at Brady and the New Englands offensive line will be tested. If Brady is protected well, then the Pats should win. Flacco's deep throws could be dangerous as well.

So you can you use any of the 'other' 3 picks anytime, as long as you don't exceed 2 players from any one nation ? There's 5 Proteas gone already ! Round 2 Pick 12 Saeed Ajmal (Pakistan)

New England should win although the Ravens could run them close and they might even pinch it. They match up alright and their last 3 meetings have been decided by a total of 7pts. Baltimore won the last encounter 31-30 (at home) The war of words has already started with Ravens LB Brendan Ayanbadejo (that was hard to type) coming out with some 'choice' words about the Pats in this article .... Patriots approach a Gimmick Can't imagine Colin Garland carrying on like this about the Hawthorn forward line (even if we did match up well with the Hawks!) It's certainly different in the States ... Don't hold back Brendan !

Yeah, the Atlanta/Seattle game was a beauty. Ryan was good at the death (I thought they were 'gone' to be honest) Seattle were brave in their comeback but getting behind 0 - 20 was too much to give up. A fair bit closer at half time and it's possibly a different story. The Falcons were very good in the 1st half but got the 'staggers' in the 2nd half. If the 'Niners' bring yesterdays form to next week then you should win. Not sure that Atlanta's defence is all that crash hot and I can't wait to see the 'Kap' in action again. Talk of the town hey? Or the Nation! As for the other game, the Patriots did what they often do when they're up and about - score heavily. Once it got to 38 - 13 early in the 4th quarter it was 'all she wrote' until .......... the Texans nearly recovered an onside kick after clawing their back to 28 - 38. Houston losing 3 of their last 4 regular season games helped kill their season. Hard to win in New England - Brady had another stellar game. He threw for 344 yards with 3 TD's and a QB rating of 115. A 49ers / Patriots Super Bowl would be a 'box office' dream - hope we get it. Next weeks games ... click on any team for further news and stats ... MON, JAN 21 NFC Conference Championship 7.00 AM San Francisco at Atlanta AFC Conference Championship 10.30 AM Baltimore at New England and then ... MON, FEB 4 10.30 AM Super Bowl

All times AEDT ...you can click on any team for that teams ESPN page (stats and news etc) Sunday, Jan. 13 (divisional round) 8:30am — Baltimore 38 at Denver 35 12:00pm — Green Bay 31 at San Francisco 45 Monday, Jan. 14 (divisional round) 5:00am — Seattle at Atlanta 8:30am — Houston at New England Monday, Jan. 21 (championship games) 7:00am — NFC title game 10:30am — AFC title game Monday, Feb. 4 10:30am — Super Bowl

Agree with nearly all that DD, although the Ravens do match up ok against the Pats (that's if N.E win tomorrow of course) It's a strange one with injuries - others get an opportunity and often step up. Your team has now got all the weapons. QB was the question mark - not any more.

The 'Kap' could have jumped up to elite status in one game . Wow, was he good ! To do that on the big stage says a lot about his temperament. Gore, Crabtree and your defence were very good. Big 'Offence' today from the 49ers - very impressive . What do you prefer - Seattle at home or @ Atlanta ?

Who wins tomorrow? I'd like to see Seattle win and then go to San Francisco. Surely the Pats win although the Texans would take heart from today. Houston win and they host the AFC Championship game.

Kaepernick has been like 'Superman' today - game of his career this one ... good on Harbaugh for making the switch. It's done now - 45+ points is far too many to concede. San Francisco have been way too good and the Packers have been disappointing. An up and down season with some bad losses and some excellent wins. No excuses

Righto Rodgers, do ya stuff (it's gonna be tough now!) 38-24

Same - copious quantities of coffee ain't helping either .

Yep, the Ravens came to play. Thought Denver were going to pull away from them but not to be. I had the Broncos fairly strong favourites so just goes to show hey? Our game is another high scoring one. Will the shoot-out continue?

Did the ball hit the ground then bobble? The ground can't aid the catch . Could be overturned

Ha ! I like the website name of that link . Ravens force a punt - great punt by the Broncos . Baltimore need to be the next team to score if they're gonna be a show . Denver often score TD's down the stretch

Now Flacco fumbles - that could be costly for the Ravens .

Really good game so far . 21 - 21 . Flacco is having a reasonably good game. Denver have come home well all year though (even in their losses) . 1st touchdown scored in the 2nd half could be the key here.

Good post, apart from one slight correction I've made TU Being a staunch Aussie, my heart is with the Packers at lunchtime today. Those green and gold colours are just irresistible ! Good luck, and may the better team win .

Ha ha ha ! You've gotta wonder about some people . I've got a mate who is a Pats fan and he's pretty good about things (he's a staunch Demon as well and I must get him on to 'land at some stage) Different conference helps doesn't it - they're not really a rival in most respects. Same goes with a mate who's a Steelers fan. Hard not to talk about Tebow or even use him as a reference. He's famous for um ........being Tim Tebow . Go figure ! I see the Jags have ruled a line through him . Hope he gets a gig somewhere. In breaking news - 'old dee' has promised me he's coming over to this thread . A Bears fan for us, 'cfh' . And if 'dc' becomes a contributor here it could liven the thread up a bit !

Now I know what's wrong with the Laker! You've educated me on those injuries pantaloons - wasn't sure of the extent apart from Nash being unavailable for the 1st part of the season. Nash, and the position he plays, would have been the major factor in L.A's non productive season (so far) My question was in some ways related to Kobe possibly not being part of the playoffs - you just expect him and the Lakers to be always being a part of the post-season. Think it might be 8 years since L.A have missed the playoffs. Just had a look at Sportscenter earlier and 'Magic' was saying it's over. Tend to follow the fortunes of the 'big time' teams and like to see all of them make it past the regular season. Used to have a leaning towards Phoenix because of Nash but don't really have a team now. Am I allowed to follow the Knicks? Just for this season? If so, I reserve the right to jump right off them - anytime

Here's one of my favourite Ronny Jordan tracks . Warms up after at about 1.30 and Ronny's guitar solo from 2.45 to 4.15 is just simply magnificent. This song grows on you like not many others can. Hope you enjoy ... Macca's jazz 5.7 Ronny Jordan & DJ Spinna - Mackin'

The Australian open starts on Monday and if you want to check out the seedings go to this site ... ... Seeds set for Australian Open 2013 On the Mens side, Nadal is a notable absentee through a stomach virus (must of been a bad one) . Djokovic (1), Murray (2), Federer (3) and Ferrer (4) are the top 4 seeds. Andy and Roger are seeded to meet each other in one Semi final whilst Novak and David are a possibility for the other Semi final. (2 vs 3 and 1 vs 4). On the Womens side the top 4 seeds are Azarenka (1), Sharapova (2), Serena Williams (3) and Radwanska (4) . Slightly different seeding match-ups on the Ladies side with seeds 1 and 3 drawn to meet each other in one Semi and seeds 2 and 4 drawn to meet in the other Semi. Australia's Sam Stoser is seeded no.9 and if she gets through to the Quarter finals she may well meet Agnieszka Radwanska (4). Sam is in the same quarter of the draw as Agnieszka.

What is going on with the Lakers ?... 5 games below .500 and on a 5 game losing streak (they are at home to OKC today) . You might be on to something JJ, although Phil Jackson is keeping the faith in this article ... ... Phil Jackson believes the Lakers can make the Post-season