Macca

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

Arsenal defeat Newcastle 7-3 . Amazing scoreline Here is a wrap-up of the game with John Barnes, Kevin Keegan and Craig Burley ... Everton take on Chelsea tonight at Goodison Park (just after midnight) . Should be a cracker ..... current table

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 .

RIP Tony Greig . Always enjoyed the good natured banter in the commentary box and he was a fierce competitor on the field . The ton he made in the 1974/75 series (1st test at Brisbane) stands out . Whilst Thomson and Lillee were frightening the living daylights out of England, Greigy stood tall . Here is the scorecard from that test . Condolences to all those affected by his sad passing .

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 .

After the Sydney Test we're away for 2 tours (India for 4 tests and then the Ashes) Players can be added to a squad because of injury or sent home if they have a long term injury . If you're correct about the weight issue then India could be the perfect place for Watto to shed a few kilo's ! He is the Vice-Captain so if he proves his fitness then he'll probably get picked (and we do need a decent 5th bowler in our side for depth) . We never had a great need for a 5th bowler when McGrath , Lee , Gillespie and Warne were operating . Clarke might bowl a bit in India but the English conditions will suit a 4th seamer (Which is normally your 5th bowler) Cowan deserves a good go at it as an opener and Warner has those match winning attributes so Watto will need to establish himself at the no.4 spot (no.3 could be Hughes, Khawaja or Doolan(?). Clarke and Hussey have got the no.5 and no.6 spots nailed down . We may have to just get used to Watto playing when he's available . So far, that's how the selectors have viewed him .

Yes, we seem to be well stocked in the fast bowling department . Bird has made a nice debut and looks to have a bright future . Cummins and Pattinson have a bit of 'Star quality' about them and Starc has a huge upside with his height being such an advantage . It's the batting that is the issue - we need a few young stars to emerge if we're going to be a powerhouse again . That 4 test tour to India will be invaluable (with regards to our preparation for the Ashes tour)

The big question now is whether Starc is rotated back into the line-up . And if so, who makes room for him ? Not sure it can be a workload issue this time if they 'rotate' one of the 3 quicks (the 'workloads' is what the whole rotation policy seems to be about) Unless the Sri Lankans can somehow turn this around there will be a full 5 days break between this Test and the Sydney Test . Besides that , our bowlers have certainly not been overused in this Test . It might have to be Siddle again and that just doesn't make sense . On a positive note, we are building up a bit of an arsenal of 'Quicks' . And Cummins and Pattinson are not even under consideration right now (because of injury) Edit : A few weeks ago Stuart Clark made mention on Foxtel's 'Inside Cricket' that our fast bowlers were often required to bowl an extra 8-9 overs in the nets after a t20 game . This was designed by CA to bring their workloads up to a certain 'quota' . He also made mention that 'ice baths' were no longer in vogue and that they aren't a requirement after a days play . Stuart's general attitude to how our quicks are being handled came across as being quite sceptical .

They just can't seem to get him right ... Here is the link to the story . I've heard the fitness work they do is right up to speed . They have fitness camps and are expected to get through 'Commando' style training courses (they happened under Buchanan, at least) Bowlers have always been breaking down - more often than not it's stress related but sometimes it's just freak accidents (Thomson, Alderman, Gillespie, McDermott and others) . Watson does bowl medium/fast and although his action looks nice and easy, underneath it all there would be a decent level of stress . Enough to break down as much as he does - who knows ? He's done very well to make 83 with a strained calf . Overall though, it's still quite baffling how he keeps breaking down with these soft tissue injuries ... I thought the last paragraph of the article was interesting - a negative slant on figures that are quite reasonable (for an all-rounder) . His overall value is better than many give him credit for ...

Yeah, I should have explained that possible Rams win in Seattle . The Seahawks may decide to 'rest' their starters at some stage (if they believe the 'Niners' have got the game in hand vs Arizona) . Both games will be played at the same time but it is 'somewhat' traditional to sometimes rest a teams starters before the playoffs . Doesn't always work as you well know but it doesn't stop teams from doing it . Indi could rest Luck and Baltimore and New England could rest a few of their starters . Interesting that Cinci are favourites to win against Baltimore this week . Baltimore (in theory) could face Indi at home in week 1 of the playoffs then be at Houston (if the Texans win this week) in week 2 of the playoffs . The Ravens might prefer that scenario as opposed to going to Denver or New England in week 2 (of the playoffs) . Losing at Cinci this week is possibly the best option for Baltimore .

Won't mention the nickname (on this thread) that the Packer fans give Minnesota but it's quite funny, really . You probably know what it is ! The teams in our division are in such close proximity that it's any wonder there's animosity between the four of them . Rich history with all the teams in our division as well, of course . Every year I learn a bit more about the sport and the rivalries - it's very complex . Our game has been switched to 8.25am (our time) and I'd be surprised if it's not covered by Foxtel or OneHD . Bradford is coming along nicely . The whole sacked vs interceptions is an interesting stat . More chance of being sacked if you hang on to the ball and not risk having the ball intercepted . Rodgers is a prime example of this - 46 sacks and 8 interceptions (our offensive line isn't great but Aaron is often prepared to wear a sack) If you beat Seattle that will give you a winning season (8-7-1) . That's coming off a 2-14 season so it's quite an improvement .

I swear this thread has a mozz factor attached . You want to pass on your congratulations but you just know there's a caveat involved ... Every Single Time Watto holes out now - there goes Wade - I'm outta here ...

Another ton to Pup ! He could easily go on and make it a big one . What a grand player he's become .

Unless Arizona can cause a huge upset (the Niners are 16pt favourites) the Seahawks will remain in the 5 seed and will go to Dallas or Washington in week 1 . They are in hot form and who could confidently tip against them ? They could end up in Atlanta in week 2 unless the 6 seed wins in week 1 . Been reading the Packers fan site and crikeys, the fans have sure got some hate for their divisional rivals . It's mainly reserved for the Bears but the Vikes sure do cop it - Ponder especially ! All good fun though cos it's no doubt reciprocated Here is the 'B.S Report' with Bill Simmons and Cousin Sal . Quite an entertaining hour this week . Sal is a Dallas fan and never gives them a chance ... I'll post the TV games later this evening or when Foxtel and OneHD decide to post up the games (might be tomorrow)