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The NFL put up two status updates on their Facebook page as gaeilge yesterday.

Mar sin, Baile Átha Cliath go bhfuil ár gcuid gach curaidh Éireann Peile Sinsearach. Mura féidir leat iad a chur i gcomparáid le haon fhoireann NFL, ach amháin an chosaint curadh Green Bay Packers, cad a bheadh foireann siad agus cén fáth?

Followed by:

Mar cheann muid isteach Seachtain 3 den séasúr rialta, ní mór dúinn fós roinnt foirne atá 2-0. Cé a cheapann tú a bheith tar éis 3-0 Seachtain 3, agus a mbeidh a gcuid taifead a bhuaigh chailleadh?

Anyone know why?

Try this juice: http://www.paddypatriots.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=154

Is there no college football on ESPN America this weekend, because they're showing baseball?

Have NEVER been more frustrated than watching the Jets last night, the D would be class and get to what would look like a three-and-out and then would give away a penalty. They gave up something like 100 yards in penalties alone.
They could do nothing on offence, looked clueless, they wouldn't let Sanchez throw on a secondary that was missing two starters.
I dunno if it was the strength of the Jets D but the Ravens didn't look like world beaters either.

Yeah, saw the first half of this game. You're right it was really difficult to watch. Extremely frustrating. Jets were going nowhere and the Ravens weren't getting too far either. Sanchez doesn't cut it I don't think. Can't see them winning a Superbowl with him. Might even struggle for playoffs. Good win under difficult circumstances for Baltimore. Fancy them to take the Bengals this weekend.

As for Chargers. Is it too simplistic to say they would have won if Vincent Jackson was on the field? No.

Very disappointed with the live games yesterday. Carolina's offence was pathetic. How they even scored 18 points i don't know. Moore totally ineffective at QB and threw some shocking ball. Commentators kept saying how the Panthers are a running team. Well they couldn't run for shit. Giants won by default. Overall I thought they looked poor enough, with the Eli/Nicks partnership the only bright spot for them. Nicks a player to look out for this season.

San Francisco were worse again. They looked totally toothless, especially in the second half when they didn't even want to be there. A lot of talk of the 49ers easing to the NFC West, but not on this showing. Alex Smith just doesn't convince at QB. Seattle played well though in fairness. Good defence and they took their chances when they came. Important.

Didn't see the Redskins/Cowboys game (must develop some sort of bodyclock for these nighttime games!). Knew it would be a dogfight though - with the score never troubling the total points line. Cowboys look like they need improvement if they're to reach their 'own' Superbowl.

Surprised at Colts defeat, but still team to beat. Pats looked OK too, but defence will cost them.

Tonight's games: I reckon the Ravens will take the Jets. They have a good record against NY - winning their last five. And hopefully over 44.5 points is a good bet in SD/Chiefs.

5 in for the predictions comp lads. Keep her lit.

i'll join this evening AZ

Ditto.

[Why can't the BCS institute a playoff for Division I-A football?]

Fair play AZ - seems like a solid system. Would certainly enjoy that month of action!! As if we haven't enough problems trying to structure a fair All Ireland football championship, without trying to put the BCS to rights as well!

Reading what the BCS themselves have to say about this, it appears that a few mindsets will need to change before a 'Sweet 16' playoff system is brought into place:

Why can't the BCS institute a playoff for Division I-A football?
The Bowl Championship Series (BCS) is a five-game showcase of college football; designed to ensure that the two top-rated teams in the country meet in the national championship game, while creating exciting and competitive matchups among eight other highly regarded teams in four other games.

It has been undeniably successful in achieving those goals. Thanks to the BCS, the top two teams have played each other 12 times in 12 years by BCS measurements and 9 times in the last 12 according to the AP poll -- including the last six years in a row. Additionally, it has provided more access to the major bowls for all 11 conferences, more television exposure, and more postseason revenue than ever before.

Playoffs have been considered by the NCAA Bowl Subdivision membership over the years, and have not been approved because of concerns that they would diminish the regular season, end the bowl system as it is today, create additional injury risk, pose significant logistical challenges, among other reasons. A survey of college football coaches at the American Football Coaches Association convention in 2010 found that 73 percent of coaches favor keeping the current BCS system in place.

http://www.bcsfootball.org/news/story?id=4809793

Yeah I think the biggest problem is the fact that there are 120 FBS programs. Not easy to break into manageable/equal divisions. Then play-offs. I agree that a play-off system seems to be the only fair way to finish off the season, but its an extra 4 weekends of games, and you'll have the usual detractors if a poorer regular-season team lifts the title.

Hard to suit everyone. In Boise's case - how difficult/feasible would it be for them to join one of the BCS conferences - say PAC-10 (although they're already expanding it to PAC-12)? Or even become an independent?

Unfortunately i didn't see it but it sounded like a good one alright. A lot of talk today about Boise State's right to be in a BCS title game. Must win all remaining games obv, but where do you guys stand on that one?

I think with their record over the past 3/4 years it would be unfair to tell them: you can't play for the BCS title. But you can see why it's unfair on the teams from the bigger conferences.

AZOffaly was talking about a playoff system. Would certainly remove some of these issues. But how would it work - top 10/12 teams in an NFL-style system? What would happen the other bowl games?

Enjoyed the college football over the weekend there. Do many of you guys follow it closely? Ate a hole out of Saturday. Better than watching some dodgy premiership match. There's something about the college football culture that's very intriguing. Gripping almost. The colour and sound is fantastic. Makes NFL look sterile.

Florida were very poor. Tebow or not. Gotta be beating Miami easier than that. The amount of bad snaps they played was unbelievable. Some weren't even near the mark, I think the commentators had counted something like 13/14 bad snaps.

Denard Robinson was class for Michigan. Cannot believe he is a QB! Surely they can't ask him to do that sort of yardage every week? 113,000 attendance.

TCU looked OK too. I liked their QB Dalton. Katz looked decent enough for Oregon but there just seems to be a lack of conviction with him. Only for the picks Oregon would hardly have been in the game.

Big game tonight - Boise State v Virginia Tech. Tough game for Boise to start with, especially as they have title aspirations. But i'll take them to win. Probably too late to watch it though on a school night.

Does anyone know if Channel Five are showing the Sunday night-time games?

What about tomorrow night's game folks? It's been really low-key heading into the champs league for some reason. I suppose all talk has been about Beckham v Man United. Arsenal need to up the tempo.

Serious match. I remember last year Porto v unlucky to be beat by United. They're a decent team.

I'm worried for us if we play the way we have been. Would prob be happy enough with a narrow defeat, maybe 1-0/2-1. Would love a goal. 1-1 would set us up nicely.

Arshavin out is obv a miss, but he's been in the worst form of his Arsenal career. Perhaps Eduardo and Bendtner can form a more effective away partnership. Fingers crossed anyway.

All four bans deserved.

[Dont know if derry will carry the same degree of preapartion and hunger into this game as they did against Tyrone. i would imagine that prepartion over the last 6-8 weeks had been geared towards the National league opener.]

Dont know if derry will carry the same degree of preapartion and hunger into this game as they did against Tyrone. i would imagine that prepartion over the last 6-8 weeks had been geared towards the National league opener.

Dublin on the other hand are bound have have a bit of confidence from scrapping out a win against Kerry in their own back yard. 28 years since they had done it, and with new young team, playing northern style blanket defence.

Although the some Dubs are trying to play down their expectations, i would fancy Dublin by 2.

From what i've heard Derry were actually pretty low-key heading into the Tyrone game, and weren't preparing specifically for it. The aim is to blood a few new players. Avoid relegation. Played better than Tyrone. Simple as that.

Another tough game on Saturday. Cannot wait.

[Harte never seemed to give him a fair crack depsite his performances in 2008. What was his gripe?]

Good decision from McCullagh. He wasn't gonna sit around warming Harte's bench for another year while the likes of Colm Cavanagh and Martin Penrose took preference. Harte never seemed to give him a fair crack depsite his performances in 2008. What was his gripe?

Mickey seems to have talked him into staying with Tyrone. Must have a real gripe with him indeed 

Well he must have alright. Why else would he refuse to play him? And the same goes for Shaun O'Neill - he hasn't got the chance his talent seems to deserve.

Good decision from McCullagh. He wasn't gonna sit around warming Harte's bench for another year while the likes of Colm Cavanagh and Martin Penrose took preference. Harte never seemed to give him a fair crack depsite his performances in 2008. What was his gripe?