Macca

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 .

The TV games are now up ... all these games have got something riding on them ... MON, DEC 31 5.00 AM Philadelphia at NY Giants Fox2 5.00 AM Chicago at Detroit OneHD 8.25 AM Green Bay at Minnesota Fox2 8.25 AM Arizona at San Francisco OneHD 12.20 AM Dallas at Washington OneHD & ESPN For all other games you can visit this link Here is the playoff picture and if you want to have a go at the game predictor, here is the playoff machine

For now, Johnno just needs to establish himself in the side . He'll probably play in Sydney so it could be a case of being in the right place at the right time . The squad for India will be fascinating . The selectors will probably pick 4/5 quicks and 2/3 spinners . Most tests will require 2 spinners so only 2 of the quicks will generally play (Swann and Panesar both played in 3 of the 4 tests in England's recent tour) Tough conditions but I can see Siddle and maybe the new bloke (Bird) doing ok . Hilfenhaus will always keep running in and Pattinson is going to play in the one-dayers so he's another who will be in the running . And then there's Starc and perhaps Hazlewood . Not sure on the injury status of Harris and Cummins . Slow turning tracks with very little bounce is what you're generally faced with in India and it's often the bowlers with great heart who prosper . Maybe they'll pick the seasoned bowlers for India and save the young blokes for England (Cummins included) . Whichever way they go there's sure to be disappointments , elation and strong debate . Hopefully we'll have sorted out our batting by the time the team goes to England for the Ashes .