Macca

Yep, there are conflicting rules on the field depending on what position you play. Suppose if the same rules applied to the way the QB is protected, we'd have quite a soft sport. Over there, many complain about the sport being less violent (so to speak) yet recognise that the sport has a major issue with concussions. Anyway, we've got the 'Pro Bowl' on Monday (our time). Another high scoring game will no doubt ensue. I'm not sure that many care who wins these games. Usually sells out and gets a large TV audience but often falls flat. I'll probably still have a look though Some sport is just pure 'entertainment' I suppose. Little bit like how some ODI's and t20's are viewed by many fans (in the 'other' forms of cricket).

It's funny, I saw it as Roger making a lot of unforced errors (albeit in his attempt to hit the far corners or near the sidelines) Wouldn't be ruling a line through him yet, though if Murray wins on Sunday night we might start seeing a small gap between the top 2 and the next 2 (but probably mainly on hard surfaces) A big '4' would be fantastic for the sport. Not sure about Tsonga - maybe someone else will emerge in the next year or so. Nadal seems to get a few injuries but he's still only 26. The next slam is the French which is Rafa's favourite. After that it's Wimbledon (and we know how good Roger is on grass) . Still a fair bit to play out 'dl' and the final on Sunday will tell us a lot (especially if Murray wins)

Top 5 MVP . Putting aside the injury 'comebacks' I still reckon AP has been a standout. 1 - Adrian Peterson 2 - Tom Brady 3 - Peyton Manning 4 - Aaron Rodgers 5 - Calvin Johnson Top 5 coaches . San Francisco's Jim Harbaugh has been the best in the last 2 years in my opinion. 1 - Jim Harbaugh 2 - John Harbaugh 3 - Bill Belichick 4 - Pete Carroll 5 - Mike Smith

We go to a 5th 'dl' . It's a toss up. The match deserved a 5th set.

We could be here for quite some time. Really good match so far. Could go either way. I'll be happy for either Murray or Federer to get through. Maybe a slight leaning to the 'Fed' though Andy is a much more rounded player after his US Open triumph over Djokovic

Ozzy Osbourne with 'I Don't Wanna Stop' Macca 12.2

Matt Prior (England)

When you think of Ceylon, you think of tea and you think of Kamahl (though he was born in Malaysia)

Bad luck you can't watch the game. Not sure if you're in any position to listen to the game but the following site provides links to a live radio broadcast of games (quite legal) ... San Francisco 49ers radio stations ... the 1st link (1360 KUIK) has broadcast games previously. Just a heads up for anyone reading this who may want to listen to live sport from the States - just google up the full team's name and add 'radio stations' and google will take you to all the listings via 'tunein' . For instance - by clicking on this link 'Chicago Bulls radio stations' ... Google's 1st choice will be ... this ... from that list, scroll down to ... 1250 WSPL for live broadcasts of the Bulls games . If I get a chance I'll post the radio stations that broadcast the games on the appropriate threads. It's a bit hit and miss but a lot of the time you'll pick up a game.

Only that regular poster's here have discussed forming a 'Banana Republic' Oh and some 'summer reading' about a cruise around a big island.

Top 5 teams ... 1 - San Francisco (should win the Super Bowl) 2 - Baltimore (have gotten 'hot' at the right time) 3 - Seattle (another hot team and if they'd gotten past Atlanta .... ) 4 - New England (Brady had an average game at the worst possible time) 5 - Denver / Atlanta (both were disappointing in the end) Top 5 QB's 1 - Brady (just shades Aaron but could have gone either way) 2 - Rodgers (defence and offensive line are below average, does a mighty job - all things considered) 3 - Peyton Manning (coming to the end but he had a great season) 4 - Brees (his team were poor around him this season - only QB to throw for over 5000 yards) 5 - Kaepernick (set for a huge career) Flacco has had a terrific post season and if he can get the Ravens over the line then he'll rise up in people's estimation .There are a host of very good QB's and some real up and comers in RG3, Luck, Newton, Wilson, Bradford and Tannehill

Yep, great match and apparently most of the crowd stayed as well. Federer did it much easier in the round of 16 . Top 4 seeds in both Mens and Womens are through to the quarter finals. Should be a great week of tennis. Djokovic (1) vs Berdych (5) tonight (Tues) could be a beauty.

Hilarious, though one particular run was quite effective and he picked up vital yards. A number of the QB's have that same trait. It's like they never had to run at College level. Forgot to mention Kaepernick in an earlier post. He was very good again - hard to reproduce last week's stellar game but he threw very well. Gore was excellent and the 49ers defence denied Atlanta any points in the 2nd half - not even a field goal. Baltimore did much the same at New England - holding them scoreless in the 2nd half - that is some achievement . We've got 2 weeks until the Super Bowl so maybe we could do our top 5's for the season to pass the time. No formality to it - just pick any sort of category you like at random and fire away - ROTY, MVP, QB, RB, WR, defensive player of the year , Coach of the year, any category anyone can think of. I'll do a couple of categories in a couple of days or so.

Yes, if only to give a bit of sporting joy to our Demon brethren! (unless there's one or 2 Raven fans on this thread who want to 'out' themselves - it's never too late btw) If that happened we might have to revert back to 'May the better team win' or other such jargon ! But for now it's 'Go Niners'

Here's a snowbound double header for those who may wish to partake ... First off, 'The Grey' starring Liam Neeson ... here's the IMDb link ... The Grey Next ... 'Into the White' . Set in WW2, this film, made in Sweden & Norway, is based on a true story ... Into the White

Nothing went right for the Patriots but the Ravens were far too good. Only 1 TD pass for Brady whilst Flacco was very good (again). Baltimore have come good at the right time and are healthy. Makes for a terrific Super Bowl match-up with the 'Niners'. Congratulations to the 49ers for getting through and quite a few on this thread will be more than happy right now - good luck to you blokes and Ladies. That 'fumble' by Ryan was costly. Missed a certain field goal opportunity (at least) because of that blunder. There is no thought that he fumbled on purpose of course (though the AFL's dynamic duo may be studying the tape in due course!) We haven't got the dream Super Bowl match up (49ers/Pats) but we have got the Brother vs Brother Bowl. You don't reckon the Yanks will be playin' that story up? Harbaugh Bowl - bring it on !

'Hunter' aired from Nov last year on SBS . Series finished up on Jan 12 this year. You'll have to source it out now.

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