Macca

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 !

I reckon the Rams will win tomorrow . Wouldn't it be ironic if Seattle lose the game on a dubious call Here's Bill Simmon's 'Grantland' column on tomorrow's games ... http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/8435690/welcome-elaborate-chat

Interesting story behind this Beatles song ... The Ballad of John and Yoko - Wiki Macca's 60's 10.5 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_c_MLSv6DYI

Ravens too good . Cleveland made 'em earn it and could have tied the game late . Didn't notice the refs

Good one JJ Here's a blast from the past Dutch band 'Focus' with 'Hocus Pocus' . Hadn't heard it in years until it was used in an advert for the World Cup in South Africa (2010) . Huge hit back in the day . Yodeling meets rock Macca's 70's rock 10.4 [media=]

Week 4 ... Bill Simmons and cousin Sal's podcast on this weeks games . http://espn.go.com/e...play?id=8421270 9 divisional games this week . SNF and MNF again provide 2 really good match-ups . Quite a few other vital games including San Francisco at the Jets , New England at Buffalo and Minnesota at Detroit . All up , most of the games have a lot of interest . And 'Hipster' , that's good news re the referees . FRI, SEPT 28 10.20 AM Cleveland 16 at Baltimore 23 OneHD MON, OCT 1 3.00 AM Carolina (1-2) at Atlanta (3-0) 3.00 AM New England (1-2) at Buffalo (2-1) OneHD 3.00 AM Minnesota (2-1) at Detroit (1-2) 3.00 AM San Diego (2-1) at Kansas City (1-2) 3.00 AM Seattle (2-1) at St. Louis (1-2) 3.00 AM San Francisco (2-1) at NY Jets (2-1) Fox2 3.00 AM Tennessee (1-2) at Houston (3-0) 6.05 AM Cincinnati (2-1) at Jacksonville (1-2) 6.05 AM Miami (1-2) at Arizona (3-0) 6.05 AM Oakland (1-2) at Denver (1-2) 6.25 AM New Orleans (0-3) at Green Bay (1-2) OneHD 6.25 AM Washington (1-2) at Tampa Bay (1-2) 10.20 AM NY Giants (2-1) at Philadelphia (2-1) OneHD & ESPN TUES, OCT 2 10.30 AM Chicago (2-1) at Dallas (2-1) ESPN ·Bye: Indianapolis, Pittsburgh

FRI, SEPT 28 10.20 AM Cleveland (0-3) at Baltimore (2-1) OneHD Divisional rivals go at each other . The Ravens played the Pats in SNF so they don't get a lot of rest . Hopefully the Browns can take it up to them and we get a close one . I'll post the rest of the week 4 games later tonight ...

Next week they host Miami then they're @ St Louis , vs Buffalo , @ Minnesota . They could realistically be 5 and 2 or better after that stretch of games . They had a poor start last season but I'm fairly sure they won 7 of their last 9 games . (incl wins over San Fran , @ Philadelphia and Dallas) . All up they've won 10 of their last 12 . There's nearly always a team or 3 that come from nowhere to make the playoffs . Obviously a teams schedule plays a big part and the strength of their division is a big factor . The numbers suggest it's all about Arizona's defence .

A brief summary of some of the weekends games ... The Giants made a real statement in Carolina with a convincing victory . To win that easily and especially the way they started means they've probably still got that hunger . They're at Philadelphia next (SNF) . Should be a cracker . KC had a huge comeback win over the Saints and the Vikings are right in the hunt now with a terrific win over the 49ers . Puts a lot of interest in their respective divisions with perhaps Minnesota having a real opportunity going forward . The Jets win in O/T at Miami to silence a few critics though losing Darrelle Revis with a torn ACL is a huge blow . Washington had a real chance to go 2 and 1 against the Bengals but just fell short . Atlanta and Houston continue to impress with excellent away wins . Both teams are 3 and 0 and look headed for the playoffs . The only other 3 and 0 team , Arizona , won easily and have sent a message to the 49ers . The Steelers drop a vital game at Oakland and Baltimore win the match of the round vs New England . The Pats are 1 and 2 but you'd reckon they'll be thereabouts come playoffs time . The best performed division is the NFC West with a record of 8 and 4 . Next best is the NFC East with a record of 7 and 5 And finally , 'Golden-Gate' or 'Clueless in Seattle' . Re 'that catch' . Apparently in this particular instance the booth review cannot determine possession . They can only determine whether the ball hit the ground or not . So it appears the booth review made the right call . It does seem , however , that we have a flaw in the rules . You'd reckon 'upstairs' should be able to overturn an obvious error . So .........the onus remains with the replacement refs . Or more importantly the onus lies with Roger Goodell . He needs to sort out the issue with the referee's . But ..........we keep hearing that it's the 'Billionaire' owners that pull the strings . They , in effect , control Roger Goodell .

Give 'em time , they'll get there ! Just like the AFL , the NFL has quite a few grey areas . I usually just take the good with the bad . Pass interference seems to be the biggest issue with these replacement Refs . But even with the proper Refs it remains an issue which they'll never get 100% right . As I said in an earlier post , the Packers were the beneficiaries of a questionable pass interference call on their drive to our only touchdown . I remember thinking at the time that the luck was with us . Little did I know what was to follow ! Also , we were extremely lucky to recover a fumble on Seattle's 1 yard line late in the game . Many games are wild affairs with a fumble , a dropped catch , an interception , a missed field goal or other things that can decide a game . Today's ending was just another way to lose (or win) . It's a crazy sport sometimes !

Good analogy 'cfh' . It was a classic Leo Barry type mark hey ? It's often difficult to be positive at these times but I can't help but feel that this will steel the Packers . We've got the Saints at home next week . I'm less worried about the result of that game after today's proceedings . And in a weird way , this sort of thing really does promote the sport . 'Any publicity is good publicity' sorta thing . What a bizarre week of games !

Yeah , it's tough for any offence to do well Seattle . Thought our defence did well again . If Seattle can find a way to win away from home they're a real chance . To be honest , I thought it was anyone's match . If we had won I would have been happy but not convinced . Seems our defence has improved somewhat but our offence is nowhere near at their optimum . Rodgers being sacked 8 or 9 times is unacceptable - even in Seattle ! Seems that there's gonna be some huge fallout from today's finish . Takes away from a classic defensive match . We got a very favourable call in that drive for our only touchdown . Can't recall the players involved but Seattle were called for pass interference when it was clearly not there .

That was bizarre . You like to win or lose fair and square but if it were roles reversed I'd be rather embarrassed . Every game is so vital and that loss (or win to Seattle) changes so many things . Not sure the officials upstairs can reverse the decision at that time of the game (in those particular circumstances) . The official who gave the touchdown was in front of the catch and I can see how from his view , he could award it to Seattle . On 1st view , in real time , I thought the Seattle receiver (Tate) had caught the ball . But surely common sense should have prevailed and the sport is more often than not , governed by replay . And the replays subsequently showed Jennings intercepted the ball . What was even worse was that Tate shoved a Packers defender in the back with both hands . What a debacle ! Must say though , there were quite a few questionable calls throughout the match . Both teams got lucky on occasions but as so often happens , it's the last call that is remembered . Anyway , what doesn't kill you makes you stronger

Yeah , watched your game (on delay). Nearly called it quits a few times and was tempted to do the old FF bit , but stuck with it . Great finish . Had a quick squizz at your schedule and you're right , it's not that tough . Much depends on how good Denver and the Chargers really are . San Diego wouldn't be happy about only scoring 3 points at home today . Oakland can't be discounted either after knocking over the Steelers today . But .......as ya said , you're only 1 win away from leading the division ... Still haven't seen the highlights of your game but that's a colossal win all the same . Big game next week at Detroit . Stafford may have re-injured his hammy (or glut) . Equal leader of the NFC North right now are the Vikings . You probably should be 3 and 0 !

Ha ha ! I will take any sort of win in Seattle . What a crazy day of results . O/T games everywhere , questionable officiating (agree with 'Hipster' - Goodell needs to fix it) , hot favourites losing , a 'Barnburner' in Tennessee - Madness ! Some of you may be watching SNF tonight so I'll wait till after 10pm on that one . Fairly sure there's a Seahawks fan or 2 on this thread as well . Maybe that NFC West isn't done with just yet . Arizona might have some real influence after today . Talk about an unpredictable League ... Big win at home for your blokes 'cbh' . Very good defence yards by the Vikes . You've gotta be happy with that victory 'pantaloons' . Huge comeback win for the Chiefs . Back in town ?

Here's Bill Simmons 'Grantland' column on tomorrow's games ... http://www.grantland...-mailbag#8211referee-armageddon Here are the games ...week 3 ... FRI, SEP 21 10.20 AM NY Giants 36 at Carolina 7 (OneHD) MON, SEP 24 3.00 AM St. Louis 6 at Chicago 23 3.00 AM Buffalo 24 at Cleveland 14 3.00 AM Tampa Bay 10 at Dallas 16 3.00 AM NY Jets 23 at Miami 20 3.00 AM San Francisco 13 at Minnesota 24 3.00 AM Kansas City 27 at New Orleans 24 (OneHD) 3.00 AM Cincinnati 38 at Washington 31 3.00 AM Detroit 41 at Tennessee 44 (Fox 1) 3.00 AM Jacksonville 22 at Indianapolis 17 6.05 AM Philadelphia 6 at Arizona 27 (OneHD) 6.05 AM Atlanta 27 at San Diego 3 6.25 AM Houston 31 at Denver 27 6.25 AM Pittsburgh 31 at Oakland 34 10.20 AM New England 30 at Baltimore 31 (OneHD & ESPN) TUES, SEP 25 10.30 AM Green Bay 12 at Seattle 14 (ESPN)

We got a Jets fan ! Welcome aboard Gonzo (or welcome back!) . Big divisional game against the Dolphins for Rex's men . You confident ? Yeah , that NFC East division is beauty . Dallas host Tampa Bay and won't want to drop that game . RG3 and the Redskins are in a similar spot hosting the Bengals . Ya just gotta get those early wins . At first glance at this weeks games (post #355) there doesn't seem to be too many 'Classic' match-ups but there's certainly quite a few evenly matched games . The 'Late' games offer up 2 rippers with Atlanta @ San Diego and Houston @ Denver . The Rams at the Bears is another vital game for both teams .

Smart punters take note - get ya hard earned on the team I pick against . Easy money ....

I give your blokes a sneaky chance . The 49ers are only 6.5 point favourites . There always seems to be at least 3 or 4 upsets every week and I like those home underdogs . Guess a lot is going to depend on Peterson and San Francisco's renowned defence . I find nearly all games involving the Eagles interesting . You just don't know what you're gonna get with Vick . He may not be the best QB but he's close to the most watchable . Arizona have a real chance to get away to a great start to the season . After Philadelphia they've got (H) Miami , @ St Louis , (H) Buffalo and then @ Minnesota .

Tomorrow's game between the Giants & the Panthers is on OneHD . New York are 1.5 points favourites but I reckon Carolina can win this encounter . Edit (Whoops) FRI, SEP 21 10.20 AM NY Giants 36 at Carolina 7 (OneHD) Here's a light hearted podcast with Bill Simmons and his Cousin Sal . They do a quick recap/overview of the previous weeks games and then discuss the upcoming games and try to pick the lines . http://espn.go.com/e...play?id=8391721 And here's the rest of the week 3 games . New England at Baltimore (SNF) being the standout game . * You can click on any team and it will take you to that teams ESPN page . Lots of stats , news , general info and also that particular team's schedule for the season . MON, SEP 24 3.00 AM St. Louis at Chicago 3.00 AM Buffalo at Cleveland 3.00 AM Tampa Bay at Dallas 3.00 AM NY Jets at Miami 3.00 AM San Francisco at Minnesota 3.00 AM Kansas City at New Orleans (OneHD) 3.00 AM Cincinnati at Washington 3.00 AM Detroit at Tennessee (Fox 1) 3.00 AM Jacksonville at Indianapolis 6.05 AM Philadelphia at Arizona (OneHD) 6.05 AM Atlanta at San Diego 6.25 AM Houston at Denver 6.25 AM Pittsburgh at Oakland 10.20 AM New England at Baltimore (OneHD & ESPN) TUES, SEP 25 10.30 AM Green Bay at Seattle (ESPN)

Ha ha ! It's quite a difficult assignment when it's all said and done . You should do it again in a couple/few weeks . Be interesting to see if you have much movement . I know from last year that a lot can happen in a week with these lists . Think I'll stick to the teams list and leave the tricky stuff to others ! I generally liked your order though I'd change a couple . I'd have Vick and Stafford higher but I'm influenced by a bit of 'Wow' factor with Vick and Stafford is a little under-rated by the pundits . Of course , when you're ranking all 32 there's bound to be some differences of opinion . Yours was a good post 'Hipster' and well researched . On the teams rankings I've ranked Baltimore at no.2 and the Pats at no.5 . They play each this week and barring a freak result , one team has to lose . The key is , which team hurts more from a loss ? With only 16 games and top seedings up for grabs , neither team would want to start 1 and 2 .

Slight departure to a bit of acid jazz . A track from Ronny Jordan's early days . This song is from his first album 'The Antidote' . Funky stuff ... Macca 4.5