OVERALL RECORD IN STRAIGHT PICK-EM THROUGHOUT THE SEASON
108-68
LAST WEEK: 10-4
THURSDAY NIGHT RECORD:7-5
MONDAY NIGHT RECORD:10-2
THE TURKEY BOWL GAMES
BEARS AT LIONS
No Matthew Stafford. A bad Lions defense. Mitch Trubisky does well versus the Lions. One team he can beat.
OUR PICK:LIONS
BILLS AT COWBOYS
Something has to give in this one. Cowboys have not beaten a team with a winning record. Bills have been feasting on bottom of the league parasites. Bills show up in a big way in front of the whole world.
OUR PICK:BILLS
SAINTS AT FALCONS
Falcons shocked the Saints a few weeks ago. Falcons came back to earth last week versus the Buccaneers. Saints’ revenge is cutting the head off their Thanksgiving bird, a Falcon.
OUR PICK: SAINTS
WEEK 13 SUNDAY SLATE
TITANS AT COLTS
Titans are firing on all cylinders. Colts have been clawing and fighting in every game but not finishing. No worries, Titans put the finishing touches on the Colts season.
OUR PICK:TITANS
JETS AT BENGALS
No scary ghosts or goblins like in the good ole days for the Bengals. Sam Darnold will not be scared. Bengals will continue their perfection of a season.
OUR PICK: JETS
REDSKINS AT PANTHERS
Panthers finally get back in the win column in a game they must have. Redskins won last week, but they will go back to their regular ways this week.
OUR PICK:PANTHERS
49ERS AT RAVENS
Ravens have been demolishing everyone in their path. Until someone beats them I’m sticking with Lamar Jackson and company. I ain’t no dummy.
OUR PICK:RAVENS
BUCCANEERS AT JAGUARS
The battle of Florida. Winner gets these beach girls.
OUR PICK:JAGUARS
BROWNS AT STEELERS
In part two of this match up between these two teams, it will be played helmet free. Helmets will be checked in before the players go on the field. Just like weapons in a court house. I would say this game would be the Steelers’ revenge. That offense the Steelers have is not doing well these days. Browns have caught fire and they sweep the Steelers for the first time in decades.
OUR PICK:BROWNS
PACKERS AT GIANTS
Bears scored 19 off the Giants’ bad defense last week. Just imagine what the Packers could score off the Giants defense after coming off a beatdown from the 49ers.
OUR PICK: PACKERS
EAGLES AT DOLPHINS
Eagles come back to life and win a game they must win. They have to keep up with the Cowboys. That second match up between them and the boys would be the key to the gate master, the playoffs, and the division title.
Carson Wentz looks horrible without his coffee in the morning.
OUR PICK: EAGLES
RAMS AT CARDINALS
Rams will not rebound from the mugging that took place with the team on Monday night. Kyle Murray will prevail and put the final shot of bourbon on the Rams’ hangover season from playing in the Superbowl. The Rams will fall off their stool and their season for the playoffs will be over.
OUR PICK:CARDINALS
CHARGERS AT BRONCOS
Phillip Rivers will throw a few interceptions in key situations. Chargers in general will shoot themselves as the Broncos will sweep up all the pieces and dump them on a plane for where ever their home is these days.
OUR PICK: BRONCOS
RAIDERS AT CHIEFS
I just do not see the Raiders getting over that Jets lost. Raiders did not look great in the Bengal win. Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs will give thanks that they killed the Raiders playoff hopes. Raiders still wasted our time thinking they actually had a chance.
OUR PICK: CHIEFS
PATRIOTS AT TEXANS
Patriots’ record versus old coaches of the Evil Empire is scary. Bill Belichick has pictures of Bill O’Brien with farm animals that are unkind. Patriots win at Houston.
OUR PICK: PATRIOTS
MONDAY NIGHT GAME
VIKINGS AT SEAHAWKS
I like the Vikings in this one. Seahawks losses have come from their home turf. Which is usually not the case. Vikings pull out a win.
The Chicago Blackhawks are starting to heat up as they are playing their best hockey by far this season. Out of the gate the Blackhawks started off slowly. In the last ten contests, Blackhawks have upped the ante and are 6-2-2. This includes a shutout yesterday by Cory Crawford against the Dallas Stars. It’s the Blackhawks’ first shut out of the season. In the last ten games it’s been some great goal-tending by the tandem of net-minders the Blackhawks have on their roster. Everyone knows Cory Crawford as he has helped bring a few cups to the Windy City. The off-season move the Blackhawks made in signing goalie Robin Lehner is paying off. The last 15 games, the Blackhawks’ tandem net-minders have had a .939 save percentage. Robin Lehner has a .938 save percentage that is tops in the league.
Robin Lehner is a veteran guy and has played in the league for many years. He started his career with the Senators. Then bounced around in New York with the Sabres and last season with the Islanders. In his lone season with the Islanders, he had a career year. He won some awards last year where he went 25-13-5 in 46 games with a .930 save percentage. He’s 28 years old, and he’s a big guy at 6’4″ weighing in at 240. For a big man, he is very agile. With an aging veteran defensemen with no trade clauses. With a starting goalie being haunted by concussions, the Blackhawks needed another goalie. To land another starter in Robin Lehner could be the savvy move to help this team get back into the playoffs.
Cory Crawford is a legend in Chicago for what he has done so far in his career wearing the Indian head. He probably never has to buy a drink again in Chicago. Over the last few seasons we have seen less and less of Cory Crawford due to concussions. The Blackhawks never had a quality back up goalie to do well in long stretches when Crawford was sidelined. During those stretches the team would go into a funk. They would dig a hole on the ice so big it freezes up and they could not get themselves out. It meant MIA in the playoffs each season. In 2012-13 Corey Crawford and the late Ray Emery teamed up behind the net and it was a great year for the Blackhawks. Ray Emery backing up Cory started off 10-0 in first ten starts. Then in 2014-15, Cory again had a solid back up in Lemont native, Scott Darling. That year the Blackhawks played poorly in the start of the playoffs and Scott Darling came to the rescue to save them in a big playoff series with a few key starts where he absolutely shut down the opponent.
Imagine the Blackhawks were thinking if Cory Crawford suffers more concussions this season then the team would have a starter to replace a starter was the big key in signing Robin Lehner. What if Cory Crawford stays healthy all season? If Cory Crawford stays healthy all year, this signing will pay off more. With two good goalies both playing well, you can keep them fresh. If one gets hotter than the other, you can ride the hotter hand. It’s been pretty much even with playing time so far. Cory Crawford has gone 5-5-2 in the net. While Robin Lehner has gone 5-4-1 so far. The Blackhawks need good goal tending because the defense has aged and they are waiting on some of these young guys to step. Mistakes will happen. Good goal keeping can erase many of them.
We know the Blackhawks can score goals. That will help as both goalies don’t feel like they have shut out the opponent. Plus not just throw in the towel on a bad night because the team might come back in that game. This tandem should be the X-factor in getting this back in the playoffs. From there they might just need one of them to be the hotter hand. Look at St.Louis last year, they rode their rookie goalie all the way to the cup. If they are both hot, then rotate them every other game. Play the numbers battle on what each goalie did versus that opponent during the season. Either way the gatemaster better be expecting the Blackhawks when the playoffs begin.
DON’T FALL APART YET. WEEK 12 POWER RANKINGS ARE NOW.
If Myles Garrett lived during the Crusades, would he pick up someone’s arm and beat them over the head with it?
#1.BALTIMORE RAVENS 8-2 (SAME) The Ravens remain the hottest team in the whole entire football world. They have won six games in a row, causing the dismantling of a very good team in the Houston Texans. Texans came into Baltimore winning 4 out of their last 5 games. The Ravens defense made Deshaun Watson look like a regular middle of the road quarterback in the NFL. He had nowhere to run and nowhere to hide. Ravens defense smothered him for 7 sacks and forced him to throw an interception. He was held under 200 yards passing. Lamar Jackson did the same thing he always does. Broke six tackles in a 39 yard scamper. He threw for 4 touchdowns, no other Raven did that twice in one season. What AFC team is going to stop them?
#2. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 7-2 (SAME) Seattle had a bye week last Sunday after the big victory versus the 49ers.
Looks like Pete Carol has some kind of animal skin on his head in the team picture above. Seattle in week 12 are back on the road. They have been road warriors this season as they are perfect 5-0. Seattle went 6-2 in 2013 on the road the year they won the Superbowl.
Is this what coffee does to the babes out in Seattle? Very dedicated fan with her hair dyed in one version of the Seahawks team colors. Think Petey knows her?
#3.NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 8-2 (UP 2 SPOTS) Saints took the bad loss to the Falcons very personal. They rebounded very quickly versus the Buccaneers. Building up a 20 point lead early. During that span, they out-gained the Buccaneers, 195 yards to 11. Drew Brees had three TD passes in which he had none the week versus the Falcons. He did not get sacked as the line played well. The defense was on top of their game as well, even had a pick six score to conclude the beating up on the Buccanners.
After the game many Buccaneers did not want to be a pirate no longer. Terrible year on the seas. Meanwhile wide receiver Michael Thomas has a record. He is the first player ever in the NFL to have 90 plus catches after ten games of regular season.
#4.NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 9-1 (DOWN 1 SPOT) It was a rematch of the Superbowl between the Patriots and the Eagles. It was not the high scoring affair in that game. Much low scoring as Patriots found themselves down 10-0. It was not a pretty game for the Patriots especially coming out of a bye week. Have to give New England defense a lot of credit, they sacked Carson Wentz five times and forced a turn over. However the Eagles hung in with the Evil Empire without their top running back and two of their top receivers. That’s three play makers. On offense it was Julian Edelman who threw a touchdown pass in this game on trick play. Tom Brady had no TD passes. Patriots won the Superbowl rematch in a very sluggish game.
#5.SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 9-1 (DOWN 1 SPOT) It looked like the 49ers were going to be shot down in flames for the second week in a row. It was a rematch with the Cardinals. The last time these two teams played, it went down to the wire. 49ers just squeaked by. Part two it was the same type of game, same outcome. Jimmy Garoppolo threw for over 400 yards in this game. He had four TD passes.
He did throw two costly interceptions that put his team in a hole. Jimmy redeems himself and hits Jeff Wilson Jr. for a 25 yard strike with 31 seconds left in the game. That is the strike that ends the Cardinals for another day and 49ers sweep the series. This is very encouraging to see your starting quarterback come back in a game like this. You don’t want to go down this road every week. However the 49ers feel if they are down, they can come back. This will help in the playoffs.
#6.GREEN BAY PACKERS 8-2 (SAME) Packers were on their bye week.
Aaron Rodgers and his entourage went on a cheese expedition. Hitting all the cheese huts and gay porn,
all the way up and down the highways. The new modern truffle some call it.
#7.MINNESOTA VIKINGS 8-3 (SAME) The Vikings had a scare last Sunday. They found themselves down by 20 points to the Broncos at halftime. The Vikings were getting blanked as well. This off the big Sunday night game where Kirk Cousins actually thrived beating a pretty good Cowboy team. Vikings come back in the second half when after the first half, the sky was pretty much falling. Kirk Cousins had three touchdown passes. On one of them he rolled out and threw a laser beam right at Stefon Diggs in stride for a big 54 TD strike. The defense of the Vikings did just enough to stop Brandon Allen and the Broncos drive in the last seconds of the game defending the goal line and preventing a Bronco come back of their own. It’s been five years and over 100 games since the last time a team won trailing by 20 at half time. The Evil Empire marched back in the second half versus the Falcons in the Superbowl.
#8.KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 7-4 (UP 1 SPOT) Chiefs get back in the win column. It took a trip to Mexico City to accomplish this. The Chiefs scored 24 points and only had 310 yards of offense for the night. Was it the turf on the field in Mexico or the Chargers defense? Patrick Mahomes only passed for 182 yards on night. Gets his first win back from his injury. But not really a Mahomes style of night with under 200 passing and only 1 TD pass with an interception. You could say the defense stepped up in this one for the Chiefs. They picked off Phillip Rivers 4 times. Well, you can say that is Phillip Rivers. It’s hard to get excited about this win due to too many moving parts. However with the Raiders on the Chiefs’ rear end, its a victory that keeps them ahead of them and breaks a losing streak.
#9.HOUSTON TEXANS 7-4 (DOWN 1 SPOT) The Texans were absolutely destroyed last Sunday in Baltimore by the Ravens. Before you could say, “Houston we have a major problem.” The Texans quickly rebounded on Thursday night versus their division nemesis the Colts, who took the first game out of the two game series a few weeks back. Deshaun Watson got one of his weapons back in wide receiver, Will Fuller. The Texans offense looked better as they win the close game which was fought all the way to the end. All the Colts and Texans games have been like that. I am still worried about the protection on offense in the long haul. Teams are getting through and pressuring Deshaun Watson and he’s taking some hits the last few weeks. Can the defense survive without their star JJ Watt? You can say the Texans just had a bad game versus the Ravens. Seems like every team is saying that. They will need to get better to make noise in the playoffs.
#10.BUFFALO BILLS 7-3 (UP 1 SPOT) Sean McDermott said his team had the eye of the tiger rebounding from a game they should have had in Cleveland. Best way to get back on track is beat up on the Dolphins and that’s what the Bills did. They improve their record to 7-3 and you have to go back to 1999 when the team started 7-3 that year. The Bills broke Miami’s two game winning streak. They scored the most points in one game with 37. The defense put a halt to the Dolphins ground game holding them to 23 yards. Plus they sacked Fitzpatrick 7 times. Josh Allen threw three TD passes with 256 passing yards and no mistakes. John Brown had a monster game hauling in 9 catches for 137 yards with two touchdowns. This team plays Denver who they must beat at their place this Sunday. That would be huge being 8-3 invading Dallas on Thanksgiving. The Bills Mafia will like this.
#11.OAKLAND RAIDERS 6-4 (UP 1 SPOT) Raiders had kind of a scare at home facing the hapless Bumbles at home. Bengals, very desperate for a win, gave the Raiders a game in the black hole. Raiders offense made some mistakes as the Bengals forced some turnovers. Raiders defense saved the day. Especially a guy we talked about last week on the power rankings.
Mad Maxx Crosby had the best game of his career, the rookie defense lineman was in Ryan Finley’s grill all day. He had 4 sacks and a forced fumble. The four sacks in one game is a new Raider record by a rookie. It was the most sacks in a single game since Kahlil Mack wore silver and black in 2015. The Raiders survive the apocalypse in Oakland and are on the rise.
#12.CAROLINA PANTHERS 5-5 (DOWN 2 SPOTS) Panthers have hit a tailspin as they fall victim to the resurgent Falcon team that is on the rise. The Panthers were held to only a field goal. The Falcons defense made Kyle Allen look human after all, picking him off four times in this contest. That is 9 interceptions in the last four games for Kyle. Christian McCaffrey did have 191 yards from the scrimmage but did not find the end zone. Panthers have now fallen behind in the wild card race. Now they will be looking to get back on track in a must win next week as their season is on the brink.
#13.INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 6-5(SAME) Last Sunday the Colts welcomed back Jacoby Brissett. That helped jump start the team as they broke a losing streak and got back on track beating up on the Jaguars. Then on Thursday, they were right back at it with another division foe, the Houston Texans. That game did not go their way. As it was a well fought game to the very end, but Colts split the series with the Texans losing only by three points. Colts still alive for a wild card. They will need to string some games together late in the season. Plus the Titans, another division foe, are on the rise looking for a wild card spot. That will be another battle coming up.
#14.DALLAS COWBOYS 6-4 (UP 1 SPOT) Dak Prescott had all the time in the world last Sunday versus a woeful Lions defense. He could have read War and Peace in the pocket as he threw for 444 yards with three touchdowns. Cowboys hold off the Lions in a shootout. Cowboys are up and down all year. Lions back up quarterback gave the Cowboys a game. Thought the Cowboys defense was better than how they performed. The Cowboys will need to beat the Eagles again to win the division. The Redskins and Giants will also help with their season win totals.
#15.TENNESSEE TITANS 5-5 (UP 1 SPOT) Titans went on their bye week after they beat the Chiefs in a shootout. They evened their record at 5-5. They have turned things around with their change at quarterback. Ryan Tannehill has been very impressive. The Titans are enjoying the bye week with country gals and moonshine.
God bless America building these country gals down south like that. No wonder they lost the civil war. Who would want to fight with country gals and moonshine?
#16.CLEVELAND BROWNS 4-6 (UP 1 SPOT) The Browns have won two games in a row. Can this team survive without their top defensive player Myles Garrett? He has been suspended the rest of the season. Browns finally playing well after a whole season of misery. Will the incident with Myles Garrett help this team move forward or will that be the sinking of the Browns season? Browns will have to run the table if they even want to sniff a wild card spot. Last year they played very well in the second half of the season. However bad starts make it nearly impossible to get in the playoffs. When Nick Foles takes over late in the seasons, his team is in the thick of things. Not tinkering on the edge of mathematically out.
#17.PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 5-5 (DOWN 3 SPOTS) Facing the Evil Empire is no easy task. Eagles gave Tom Brady and company a pretty good game last Sunday. The Eagles have too many injuries. They had to get former Eagles from the streets to address the lack of playmakers they had dressed versus the Patriots. The Eagles and Cowboys have been wishy washy all season. Only one will make it to the playoffs. The Eagles versus the Cowboys, the next match up, will be the deciding factor. Both teams will hover at the same record and then face each other. Cowboys won the first game as they destroyed the Eagles. Maybe the Eagles can make a last minute trade and get Nick Foles back in the fold. That damn trade deadline has passed. Eagles might be home for Christmas after all.
#18.LA RAMS 6-4 (UP 1 SPOT) Rams stayed alive with a win over the Bears on Sunday night. Bears and the Rams, two playoff teams from a year ago. Two great teams of the NFC last year. Rams made it to the Superbowl. They played each other in 2018 and it was a game that was like two gladiators in the ring. One year later these teams look like two junior varsity teams on homecoming night. Both teams will need to address their issues in the off season. Rams keep their playoff hopes alive winning the sloppy game on Sunday night. For how long will they stay afloat is the question as the boat they are sailing with has big holes and is taking on lots of water.
#19.PITTSBURGH STEELERS 5-5 (DOWN 1 SPOT) The Steelers have been hit hard in the head. Besides Mason Rudolf getting whacked by his own helmet. Some of their playmakers took a beating by the Browns ten days ago. Steelers came into the Browns game winning four in a row. It was basically the defense that came up big in that 4 game winning streak. The offense has been struggling. Mason Rudolf has not looked sharp. Can the quarterback rebound from that brawl that happened with the Browns? Not sure if they have the talent even to get a wild card spot in the last six games with the injuries and not being so deep on offensive side of the ball in depth. They might use the Cleveland loss as their own personal vendetta and get on a run these last six games. Or they might stay curled up in a corner sucking their thumbs.
#20.ARIZONA CARDINALS 3-7-1 (UP 1 SPOT) Kyle Murray and the Arizona Cardinals had the 49ers on the brink last Sunday. Another epic game versus the 49ers. Two key plays that doomed the Cardinals and the key drive at the end of the game looked like the 49ers came up short on third down. Review said they got the first down and they had a new set of downs. Then a fumble late did not help the Cardinals cause.
When the opponent is wobbling and on the ropes, the Cardinals will eventually learn how to finish their opponent. If Jimmy Garoppolo can maintain his health the rest of his years in a 49ers uniform, this match up with him versus Kyle Murray will continue to be must see TV.
.#21.JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 4-6 (DOWN 1 SPOT) The Jacksonville Jaguars is always Johnny come late to things. For years the defense was great. They did not do anything to the quarterback position. Cough, cough, Blake Bortles. Then now they have a quarterback controversy. Did they think when Nick Foles came back, they’d just insert him in and they should win? Defense could not stop the colts.. running game was out too lunch. Nick Foles did pretty good. What do you expect? People will cry for Gardner Minshew. Whoever is in charge, if it’s Tom Coughlin, your brain cells are just a bowl of mushy split pea soup. Get rid of Doug Marone, he is a bad head coach. Fire yourself while you’re at it.
#22.ATLANTA FALCONS 3-7 (UP 5 SPOTS) Has head coach Dan Quinn saved his job? Most of 2019 looked like the Falcons had the bird flu. Last two weeks they have knocked off two division teams. Two pretty good teams in the Saints and Panthers. Suddenly they fixed their walking dead defense that gave up more scores than a whore house.
Matt Ryan coming back from his injury has been awesome. He threw for 300 yards and one touchdown pass. But the defense picked off Kyle Allen four times. The Falcons defense only had two interceptions the whole season before these 4 last week. Last one in week two. Falcons have been putting the pressure on the quarterback and forcing them to make mistakes. Never would have thought of that concept. Will the league and half of these sorry defenses follow this strategy that’s been around forever?
#23.DETROIT LIONS 3-6-1 (SAME) Lions played the Cowboys very well last Sunday. Where is the Lions defense?
Lions defense… not sure we can figure out that mystery. The beef Matt Patricia devoured, we know that. The team is without their starting quarterback, Matthew Stafford. Back up Quarterback Jeff Driskel played very well. He threw for 200 yards with a touchdown pass. He ran one in as well. Made no mistakes. If the head coach for the Lions had a brain the season could be much different with even a decent defensive unit in place.
#24.CHICAGO BEARS 4-6 (DOWN 2 SPOTS) The Bears defense got gashed by Todd Gurley-man last Sunday. However they held the Rams to only 17 points. Is that good enough? Are they on the field too long? The Bears ran 22 more offensive plays than the Rams. When your offense is averaging 3.6 yards a play, it explains a lot. Mitch Trubisky was benched in this contest very late in the game. Fact is the last Bears drive, Chase Daniels came in. Some will say Mitch was not hurt.
Is Matt Nagy whispering sweet nothings into Mitchell’s ear? Did the naked pictures of Mitch and the farm animal come in and Nagy finally convinced him, you’re injured and he has enough of the former number one draft pick? Either way it was very strange. Mitch Trubisky has played poorly. How about the kicking game? Two more misses for Eddie Pineiro. If he make them it’s 17-13. If he makes them it would change the field position for the Rams. Plus it could have raised the confidence level of the whole team. Patriots find a pretty good kicker in Nick Folk to replace their second kicker who replaced the Patriots’ number one guy, Steven Gostkowski. Dont tell me Bill Belichick is the only guy that can read the names on the waiver wire.
#25.TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 3-7 (UP 1 SPOT) With so many teams playing so poorly, I moved the Buccaneers up one spot. Perhaps because they won the Sunday before. Last Sunday they met a Saints team that were angry. Not Myles Garrett angry, but a good anger to restore their mission. Good news is Mike Evans is closing on his sixth 1000 yard receiving season. Bad news is Jameis Winston is competing with Phillip Rivers for the most INT’S thrown this season. Do they get a participation ribbon for that stat? Jay Cutler would have beaten the both. The Buccaneers became the voodoo doll last Sunday as Winston was running for his life back there. Sacked twice. The running game was grounded all game.
#26.DENVER BRONCOS 3-7 (DOWN 1 SPOT) The Broncos lack the killer instinct. Another second half collapse for the Broncos as this is a common thing. It’s six games in a row now that Denver has not scored a touchdown. The Broncos play scared in the second half. Reminds me of that Geico commercial where the group is in a horror movie instead of going for the car that is running, they hide in the barn of chain saws.
It’s a shame because the young quarterback, Brandon Allen played pretty well in his second start of his career. He even converted some big key third down plays in the last minute and drove the team down the field all the way to the goal line. The Broncos could not punch it in and find themselves blowing another lead in this 2019 season.
#27.LA CHARGERS 4-7 (DOWN 3 SPOTS) The LA Chargers are playing like the opposite of George Costanza, opposite. Instead of playing like last year, going with the opposite of everything you thought, they are going with what they thought originally. This is causing the Chargers problems this season.
The Chargers have some kind of hex on them. Maybe they pissed off too many people in one of their moves. Phillip Rivers, another 4 interceptions. He’s washed up. The best comparison with Phillip Rivers will be NBA star Karl Malone, guys that played a very long time and never won. At least Malone made it to the final round in his sport. Phillip Rivers can’t get past the windmill on the putt putt in the 18th hole. The head coach should be fired. Chargers are another team that plays stupid. A new owner would solve this franchise’s problems. I think Tampa Bay Rays have more fans than the Chargers.
#28.NEW YORK JETS 3-7 (UP 2 SPOTS) Boyd Crowder wins the moonshine wars versus the Redskins.
Sorry, wrong Crowder. Jamison Crowder helps beats his former team by hauling 5 balls with 76 yards receiving and a touchdown. In a game, pretty much the entire nation did not care about it. Sam Darnold had a big game with his arm tossing 4 TD passes with 293 yards in the air. Everyone wants to win. But the winner loses in the draft standings, especially late in the season. Even though after the first coin flip in week one, both of these teams were not going anywhere.
#29.MIAMI DOLPHINS 2-8 (SAME) The Miami Dolphins’ two game winning streak is over. They can go back to their original plan and tank the rest of the season. Ryan Fitzpatrick, aka Fitzmagic, did throw for over 300 yards and made no mistakes, but the Dolphins got manhandled by the front line of the Buffalo defense. The running game nonexistent. Speaking of manhandling, Dolphins running back, “Waste of Sperm” Mark Walton was arrested for beating up his pregnant girlfriend. The Dolphins quickly gave Walton his walking papers. He has a rap sheet very long as he originally cut by the Bengals and picked up in May by the Dolphins. At one point, the Bengals loved collection convicts. What was Walton thinking that Miami Dolphins are Miami University?
I’m sure some penitentiary in the XFL will sign Mark Walton.
#30.WASHINGTON REDSKINS 1-9 (DOWN 2 SPOTS) At least the bad play of Redskins, nobody mentions the name change. Bill Callahan is now 1-4 as interim coach since taken over for Jay Gruden. Not sure why they keep handing the ball off to Adrian Peterson. Redskins are all about the future. They finally broke a 16 quarter streak of not scoring a touchdown during that span. It took a 45 yard screen pass to break that streak in the 4th quarter of the game. Derrius Guice, the young back out of LSU scored the touchdown. Since Dwayne Haskins is starting all the games, then Derrius Guice should get the bulk of the carries. The Skins defense looked good for a few weeks, but to let the worse offense in the league the Jets score 34 points off you, times are bad in DC. Whatever happened to the offensive line the Redskins used to have, called the hogs.
Even the fans got into and dressed in hogs. Before Trump, DC people ate food.
That was a long time ago, as everyone knows what they do to hogs.
Redskin bacon for breakfast.
#31.NEW YORK GIANTS 2-8 (SAME) Giants maybe need some football motivation on their bye week.
Perhaps bring in Laurence Taylor aka L.T to give the team a motivational speech and get some venom pumped into the G-MEN blood. Giants have lost six in a row. They won their first two starts for Daniel Jones, and since then have been stuck in a season long free fall. Where’s Odell Beckhams Jr.’s boat where they could use it on their week off. No football is getting done there.
#32.CINCINNATI BENGALS 0-10 (SAME) The Bengals match their worst start in franchise history going back to 1993 losing their first ten games. That was the year they won their first game versus the Raiders. No dice in week 11. Joe Mixon scored the Bengals’ first rushing touchdown from the running back position in week 11 versus the Raiders. He had a pretty good game running for 86 yards and the TD. Bengals played a pretty good game which has not been seen in a long time.
DO YOU REMEMBER SAM WYCHE, HEAD COACH OF THE BENGALS?
He told his fans to stop throwing snowballs during the game and said this is not Cleveland, it’s Cincinnati. They say you can teach an old DAWG pound new tricks. Could you recycle Sam Wyche’s speech in the future and have someone say to the Cleveland players, stop ripping off the quarterback’s helmet?
The Chicago Bears have now fallen to 4-6 for the season. With six games left, they would probably have to win all of them and run the table to make the playoffs. Not sure that would even do the trick. I can’t see them winning the division as Green Bay and Minnesota are light years ahead of them. Bears might think they have a possibility of a run at the wild card. That’s some potent kool-aid they are drinking. Proof stronger than the moonshine. Mitch Trubisky regressed and it might be time to pull the plug on him for the season. Plus he might be done due to an injury. It is time for the Bears to see who they have going forward? Because the 2019 season is over so wave the white flag. Fat lady has sung. It’s back to the drawing board. Six games left and now you can see what you have on your bench.
Starting with quarterback. Do we care to see Chase Daniels run the team the rest of the way? Is Chase Daniels even going to be on this team next year? The Bears pay him basically to be a coach to Mitch Trubisky. They pay him six million dollars a year as a back up. How is that working out? Have you seen Mitch take the next step we hoped he would. Chase is that type of back up quarterback that can come in and may win you a game or two. For the long run you need to pray the other team has a bus crash to get the forfeit and move on. The Bears need to see what they’ve got in their third string quarterback, Tyler Bray. He’s 27 years old and has only one passing attempt in his NFL career. Denver threw in Brandon Allen and in two games he has done pretty good. Same with another Allen in Carolina. Kyle Allen had a very bad game last week. But he has shown the Panthers something in the dozen or so games he played in. Tyler Bray might not be the savior. Perhaps he can be a number two next year. Let’s find out and if not, he can move on. Bears historically have major problems finding a quarterback. No matter what, they should draft one every year.
Then the running back position. Even though Matt Nagy drives me crazy not running the ball enough. Not sure his play calling scheme even has running plays that would work often. The rookie from Iowa state, David Montgomery, has finally gotten the ball in the last few weeks. In the beginning of the season he was MIA. Known for breaking tackles throughout his college career, this is the guy you drafted because he was going to be the main guy. That’s why you traded Jordan Howard to the Eagles. He should be getting the bulk of the load. Bears signed Mike Davis as a free agent from Carolina in the off season. How’s that move working out? They cut him and now he is with the 49ers. Probably just too rusty doing nothing in Nagy’s offense. Tarik Cohen should be the third down back. Stop running him North and South. With six games let’s run the ball more, especially in the cold months. Let’s see what your man that you activated off the practice squad can do. Ryan Nall undrafted out of Oregon State. Has played two games this season on special teams. In preseason this kid busted out a 69 yard run. He had a 32 yard touchdown. Had 223 yards in preseason. See if this kid can play. He might be the next great white hope. Look at Christian McCaffrey on Carolina.
Then the Bears have some receivers that just can’t find the field. Javon Wims who has been on this team for a few years. He is a big target. He’s a guy that can jump up and snatch the ball out of the air. Like when Jay Cutler threw the jump ball, Alshon Jeffery or Mr.Happy Brandon Marshall. Especially having quarterbacks that are not on target most of the time. He has 7 catches for only 81 yards this season in a limited role. This is the type of guy that would find a new home at another team and with the right coaching he’d do well. Then you have Riley Ridley, a rookie drafted out of a big program at Georgia University. Riley, whose brother plays for the Atlanta Falcons and is very good. Calvin Ridley is playing along side Julio Jones and will get lots of targets. Riley is another kid now who should find the field and see what he has. If he is close to what his brother’s talent is, he might be the second best receiver we’ve got and we don’t even know we have. I will say Allen Robinson is the best and to everyone else I raise my hands up in the air and make a face.
It may shock the Bears system seeing these guys perform well in a game. I wish you could get coaches from the practice squad. Somebody that can call a better game than Matt Nagy aka Inspector Gadget and his bag of trick plays that the league has caught up to you. Call a balance attack to see what you’ve got at all the skill positions. Perhaps cross some things off the list before the draft and next year’s free agency begins. Enough of the six million dollar coach. Enough with the broken Trubisky. I want Ryan Nall running that ball 65 yards down for a score. I want Riley Ridley on a crossing pattern for a 50 yard score. Then Javon Weems reaching in the sky and bringing down a score in the red zone. Fly the damn white flag and let’s see what we already have that has not even been opened yet. Maybe a diamond in the ruff.
OVERALL RECORD IN STRAIGHT PICK-EM THROUGHOUT TEN WEEKS
87-61
LAST WEEK:6-7
THURSDAY NIGHT RECORD:6-4
MONDAY NIGHT RECORD:8-2
WEEK 11
THURSDAY NIGHT GAME
STEELERS AT BROWNS
Baker Mayfield versus Mason Rudolf. In college, Baker never lost to him. It continues in the pro game.
OUR PICK:BROWNS
THE SUNDAY SLATE
ATLANTA AT CAROLINA
I just can’t see Atlanta repeating their performance from last week in New Orleans. Carolina played well last week and were close to sending that game into OT on the road in Green Bay.
Christian McCaffrey even has a bigger game.
OUR PICK:PANTHERS
COWBOYS AT LIONS
No Matthew Stafford. A terrible Lions defense. Should be an easy win for the boys.
OUR PICK:COWBOYS
JAGUARS AT COLTS
Both teams welcome back their Kotter behind center. Colts’ Jacoby Brissett and Jaguars’ Nick Foles. Both teams desperate for a win to stay in the playoff race. Even though this is the time for Nick Foles to shine as the best late reliever in the game. Best part time quarterback in the league. I like Colts at home in a close one.
OUR PICK: COLTS
BILLS AT DOLPHINS
Bills do not win this game this week and don’t show up next week. Run Forest Run, the football is what they need to do. If Bills lose this game the title of their 2019 season will be the tale of two halves. Plenty of wings will still be had in January watching other teams in the playoffs.
OUR PICK: BILLS
TEXANS AT RAVENS
This should be the game of the week. Ravens are red hot. Texans are on a winning streak and refreshed from a bye week. Jackson versus Watson sounds like a pop singer versus Sherlock’s side kick. This could be an early playoff preview between these two teams in the AFC. Lots at stake as well as home field advantage. The smart pick should be the Ravens. My hunch in my gut is going with an upset even though I don’t know who is favored. Texans pull it off on the road.
OUR PICK: TEXANS
BRONCOS AT VIKINGS
Vikings take care of business at home.
OUR PICK:VIKINGS
JETS AT REDSKINS
Dwayne Haskins is not afraid of no ghosts. Even though something strange is in the neighborhood. That’s just Donald Trump. Washington’s defense smothers the Jets offense while Adrian Peterson has a big game to help Haskins and the Redskins win their second game of the year. First win for Haskins as a starter.
OUR PICK:REDSKINS
SAINTS AT BUCCANEERS
Saints will recover from what Atlanta did to them last week. Jameis Winston will be forced into some mistakes as the Saints defense will come up big, just like they have most of this season.
OUR PICK:SAINTS
CARDINALS AT 49ERS
This will not be close like the last time these two teams met on Thursday night. I expect the 49ers to rebound all the way around with a good running game and the defense limits Kyle Murray from making the big play.
OUR PICK:49ERS
BENGALS AT RAIDERS
The Bengals have Johnny Fever at quarterback.
The Bengals forgot to load the turkeys for their trip to Cincinnati as they thought they would fly.
Without the Bengals being able to bombard the Oakland field with the Turkey dropping from the sky, Raiders win big.
OUR PICK: RAIDERS
PATRIOTS AT EAGLES
When Bill Belichick has time to plot to destroy your world in the Death Star on a bye weekm it will not be a take it easy day in Philadelphia for the Eagles.
OUR PICK: PATRIOTS
BEARS AT RAMS
Was turning off the televisions at Halas hall the recipe that suddenly made Mitch Trubisky look good again? I’d bet money it was the Lions’ defense that made this happen. Bears have too many problems. Just can’t see them being able to overcome them on the road in LA.
The Bears are no snake and will not escape LA with a victory.
OUR PICK:RAMS
THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME
CHIEFS AT CHARGERS
Phillip Rivers tosses a few interceptions. Patrick Mahomes lights up the score board and get his first win back from his injury as the man behind center.
WE PUT ON OUR GAME FACE FOR THE WEEK 11 POWER RANKINGS!!
#1.BALTIMORE RAVENS 7-2 (UP 2 SPOTS) Ravens made some noise knocking off the Patriots. Ruining the Evil Empire’s perfect season. Then last Sunday they steamrolled a bad Bengal team. Another epic performance by Lamar Jackson.
He did a spin move that could have broken ankles of the Bengals defenders. Ravens showing you what great teams do, especially coming off an impressive victory over a power house team like the Patriots. Some teams will play the inferior opponent lightly and keep them in the game. Which some of those contests result in upset. Ravens from start to finish squashed the Bengals hope.
#2.SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 7-2 (UP 3 SPOTS) Another comeback by Russell Wilson and the Seahawks. This time beating the unbeaten San Francisco 49ers, a division rival and on Monday night. Sure another missed kick by the opponent helps the Seahawks again. What stands out to me is the Seahawks defensive line. They won the trench battle. The trade getting Jadeveon Clowney from Houston paying off. Plus the play of Jarran Reid put a stop to 49ers run, in a game that’s one of the best in the league. It was the defense line that kept them in the game and got Seattle on the score board. 49ers came in steam rolling the Seahawks in the first quarter. Russell Wilson had a great defense and a way to hex opposing kickers seems like a recipe that is working for this Seahawk team.
#3.NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 8-1 (UP 1 SPOT) Patriots are a dangerous team on the field. However they are even more dangerous coming off a bye week. Last week the Evil mastermind Bill Belichick, living off jolt cola and stale twinkies, locked himself in a room and plotted his revenge.
He will find the weakest link and eliminate them.
The Patriots will then upgrade and promote their next admiral or commander, and retool their alignments. Strengthen the death star and be ready for their grand attack in week 11.
#4.SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 8-1 (DOWN 2 SPOTS) It’s hard to run the table in the NFL and stay perfect the whole regular season of 16 games. Can this game send this team in some kind of tail spin? 49ers came out of the gates strong, building a nice lead versus the Seahawks. Then to see the Seahawks tie the game in regulation. Do the 49ers have a problem with their kicking game. No Robbie Gould, it could be dark roads ahead for the 49ers. Rookie kicker Chase McLaughlin missed a game winning attempt in overtime that was a complete shank. Could this be the hex from Robbie Gould? Since he was let go from the Bears, his former team has had kicking woes. Evidence is the playoffs last year Bears versus the Eagles, the famous double doink off the up rights by Cody Parky. Parky kicking much better these days with the Titans. Gould does not want a rookie kicker taking his job. 49ers better not put the game in the kicker’s foot. Conspiracy? I don’t think so.
#5.NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 7-2 (DOWN 4 SPOTS) How do you come out of your bye week and lose to a disappointing Falcon team who had only one win? The Saints were the hottest team in the league before the bye week. They had Alvin Kamara back in the fold. They even had Drew Brees with one game under his belt being back from injury with a chance to rest up and recharge. Only to get three field goals off the walking dead defense that Atlanta has at home. Matt Ryan was back from injury. Only way to explain this is the Falcons are division rivals and these teams play each other twice a year. They know each other. Falcons were amped up for this one. Next week Falcons will go back to regular ways. While the Saints, shell shocked, will rebound.
#6.GREEN BAY PACKERS 8-2 (UP 1 SPOT) Packers rebounded from their hangover weekend versus the Chargers. They won a big game versus a good Carolina team at home.
Did the Packers get lucky in the snow at home last week? Christian McCaffrey’s plunge into the pile during the last second in the game looks very close which was obviously not ruled the game tying touchdown. Which resulted in a Packers win. Another Aaron Rodgers and his lucky agent stuck up his rear end as they escape yet again with a win.
#7.MINNESOTA VIKINGS 7-3 (UP 1 SPOT) Vikings with a big win last Sunday. Plus it was a big win on the Sunday night grand stage and Kirk Cousins and Vikings were on the road in Dallas. The Cowboy,s sometimes you do not know what team of theirs is going to show up. To beat them in their own back yard its big win for the Vikings. It’s a big win for Kirk Cousins as he mostly does not respond on the bigger stage. Plus it keeps the Vikings in striking distance with the division rival Packers. They both play each other one more time this season which could be for all the marbles.
#8.HOUSTON TEXANS 6-3 (UP 3 SPOTS) The Texans moved up three spots and on their bye week. Lots of teams get in the top ten power rankings and do not want to stay. Houston right now is fully in control of their division. Indianapolis is sliding with a bad loss to the Dolphins. This Sunday with a big match up versus the Ravens we will see where this team is. Where this team measures up against an AFC team that has been taking the league by storm the last few weeks. Could the Ravens/Texans match up be an early playoff preview?
#9.KANSAS CITY 6-4 (DOWN 3 SPOTS) The return of Patrick Mahomes’ Chiefs should be moving up the charts, not behind. Mahomes was rock solid in his return from injury. What happened to the Kansas City defense? I know it’s not a top unit in the league. This unit was playing better of late. Titans had no problems running through them and prevailed last Sunday in Patrick Mahomes’ return game. It’s hard to win every shootout. Team with last possession of the game is the team that wins those types of games. With the Texans and Ravens on the rise in the AFC, and perhaps others.Chiefs will need to improve that defense or they will not get that far like they did last year in the playoffs.
#10.CAROLINA PANTHERS 5-4 (DOWN 1 SPOT) Was McCaffrey in the end zone for the tying touchdown in the last seconds in Green Bay? That I figured would be a tough game to go to Green Bay and pull out a victory. Panthers need to rebound quickly as the Falcons come to town. A rejuvenated Falcon squad that just beat the Saints. If Panthers want to make the playoffs, they need to string a few victories together. Look at Cam Newton still being paid by the Panthers and eyeballing future jobs for next season as he likes the Bears. I would stick a rusty ice pick through my eyeball if he was next year’s quarterbacks for the Bears. Can’t anybody see how this guy is? All he cares about is Cam. Plus he’s just a fantasy quarterback in my eyes.
#11.BUFFALO BILLS 6-3 (DOWN 1 SPOT) The Cleveland loss better not come back to haunt the Bills. That was a game they needed. You could say the Browns were due at some point. However last week was there for the Bills’ taking. Two missed field goals. Again this team refuses to run the ball more. The times they do run the ball, all their backs have a high average in yards per carry. This team should be a run first instead of having Josh Allen drop back and pass the ball most of the time. The defense again limiting a team to under 20 points. They need this game this Sunday versus the Dolphins. A loss will doom the Bills and a fan base that invaded Cleveland because they believe in this team.
BILLS MAFIA AT THEIR BEST
#12.OAKLAND RAIDERS 5-4 (UP 4 SPOTS) Raiders continue on the rise. Now they play their softest schedule of the year. The Raiders find themselves in the thick of things with the division as they trail the Chiefs by just one game. Plus they are in the mix in the wild card race as well. The Raiders defense should be talked about more. A unit coming in with young guys you’ve never heard of.
Maxx Crosby is one guy you should know about. He is from a smaller school and was drafted this year as he hails from Eastern Michigan. He’s playing with a high motor and is a guy that has been getting after the quarterback. All those draft picks the Raiders have stockpiled are paying off.
#13.INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 5-4 (DOWN 1 SPOT) You’d think with back up Brian Hoyer, the Colts should have been able to beat the Dolphins last Sunday. Colts now in a bad tailspin find themselves looking up at the Houston Texans who they handled not very long ago. Good news is Jacoby Brissett is back from his injury and will play behind center this Sunday. Hope the Colts can get Jacoby Brissett type of play before the Denver game. They won that game but ugly and Jacoby was not good. He will need to be better versus a Jacksonville team that is also desperate for a win. Another loss by the Colts, especially in a row like they’ve been doing as they’ve been walking this road, will hurt their chances for the playoffs.
#14.PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 5-4 (UP 1 SPOT) Eagles have been taking it easy on a bye week. They won two in a row previously. Now they face the New England Patriots. Can they relive some of that Superbowl magic they had versus them a few years back? Eagles are lucky the Cowboys are playing up and down like them. Plus having the Redskins and Giants as well in the division gives your team a very good chance of winning that crappy division and sneaking back into the playoffs like last year. A win this week could be the catapult to launch their confidence to a higher level. A run the table the rest of the way type of win.
#15.DALLAS COWBOYS 5-4 (DOWN 2 SPOTS) I give Jerry Jones credit for saying we will not be going to see Colin Kaepernick give a one man work out. Yes he already has a quarterback but probably is holding back words. Like Colin Kaepernick was awful three seasons ago, so why would that change this year?
Well these NFL owners are really perverts. Ask Mr. Kraft because he probably had this dream too. Maybe he had the Patriots uniform.
#16.TENNESSEE TITANS 5-5 (UP 3 SPOTS) Titans with a huge win versus the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday. A much needed win to get back to the 500 mark in a very strong division. The Titans still have to leap frog two teams for the division title. They are 3-1 with Ryan Tannehill as the starter. Plus they get to their bye week with a win and have a chance to regroup and find a way to put together a string of victories when they come back in week 12.
#17.CLEVELAND BROWNS 4-6 (UP 4 SPOTS) Browns suddenly have clubbed their way to two wins in a row.
We know the Browns have a lot of talent. This is a team with a lot of meatheads as well. Yes, now they’ve finally won two games in a row. They lose their best defensive player in Myles Garrett for using Mason Rudolf’s helmet to beat Mason Rudolf with. Odell Beckham Jr. showing Mike Tomlin, the head coach of Pittsburgh, his razzle dazzle of not much. You should not yawn when a reporter asks about Odell coming into the division in the off season. Then Kareem Hunt who can knock a gal out in a hotel hallway and kick them while they’re down, played in his second game. He made some nice plays. Baker Mayfield looked sharp. Obviously all of the good, bad, and the disturbed is forgotten since your best defensive guy went bonkers.
Everyone will forget about one of the good ones the Browns do have. Joe Schobert’s performance on the field versus the Steelers was amazing.
Then Shenanigans plays a factor with only 20 ticks left. This Cleveland team reminds me of those stupid Cincinnati Bengal teams that were just creepy. Just a bunch of inmates that escaped the asylum. Freddie Kitchens is an awful head coach as well. He’s in over his head.
#18.PITTSBURGH STEELERS 5-5 (UP 4 SPOTS) Steelers won four in a row until Thursday night. Steelers got their asses handed to them on Thursday versus the Browns. This after beating the Rams on Sunday. Coming in, the Steeler offense has not been scoring a whole lot. They have been winning games, but the defense has been handling the heavy load. Steelers lost a few of their big play makers Thursday night. Their quarterback got his bell rung. Steelers are right now in the crossroads of their season. They can either use the Browns game and go on a rampage the rest of the season, or just crawl away, lick their wounds and call it a year. Wait for Big Ben to return. This will give Mike Tomlin his biggest test as a coach.Will his team walk on hot coals the rest of the way? Only fight I’ve seen from the Steelers was Maurkice Pouncey and he might not be available for three games. It’s now or never is my challenge to Steel town.
#19.LA RAMS 5-4 (DOWN 5 SPOTS) The Rams are officially pretenders.
The Rams are still encountering the Superbowl loss hangover. The wife left them. No hanky panky. Stuck dazed and confused laying on a couch, scratching their bums and wondering what happen. My question is: Is LA happy to have two crappy teams if they even remember the Chargers play there? Cities like St.Louis and San Diego have to be delighted with savage owners leaving town for the light of Hollywood. Fake fans and boobs.
#20.JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 4-5 (SAME) In the battle of the porn stars as who is the quarterback for week 11 for the jag bags? Winner is…..
Nick Foles is the best part-time quarterback in the league. These are the weeks where Nick shines late in the season. Meanwhile Minshew will rub some oils over his emotions over losing his gig. My advice to Minshew is throw some boobs on it…
CURES ALL..
#21.ARIZONA CARDINALS 3-6-1 (DOWN 3 SPOTS) Since the Cardinals won three games in a row, seems like yesterday. Ever since being high up in the power rankings pole, they’ve been slowly climbing down them.
Nothing wrong with a slow ride.
#22.CHICAGO BEARS 4-5 (UP 2 SPOTS) Maybe turning off the TV’S in Bears HQ worked? Mitch Trubisky did not hear the noise from around the league talking about his failures, not his teammates. Last Sunday he looked his best all year. Looked like his old self from some of the good games he had in 2018. It was versus the Lions defense so the QB situation is still a problem. You know things have gone bad when Cam Newton is sending his resume to Halas Hall for next year.
#23.DETROIT LIONS 3-5-1 (DOWN 7 SPOTS) No Matthew Stafford so this team can call it a year. Not sure how long Stafford will be out, but this injury will doom this team.The defense is horrible. Isn’t that what the fat man in the beard specializes in?
Mitch Trubisky looked all pro last week against Patrica’s defense. Never pick a coach from the Belichick tree should be the new rule around the league. Send the beard back to whatever Empire planet he came from. Cut down the beanstalk so this Giant fat hairy man does not screw up more teams.
#24.LA CHARGERS 4-6 (DOWN 1 SPOT)
The story of the 2019 LA Chargers.
Could this year be the end of Phillip Rivers? Will the Chargers have to wait until Phillip Rivers’ boys can play offensive line to protect him when he closes in on 50 years old? Time to pull the plug on Rivers. Week 11 of 2019 is what I got, doctor. Tag him and bag him.
Looks like the toe tag is the Superbowl ticket Phillip Rivers never got.
#25.DENVER BRONCOS 3-6 (SAME) Broncos were on a bye week. If Brandon Allen does well for his second NFL start, will John Elway insist Drew Lock should still play? Or will John Elway and the Broncos make a trade for Cam Newton to think he has solved the quarterback position for good? Too bad Elway can not find a quality quarterback. Maybe he should just clone himself and go back to the future to do it.
#26.TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 3-6 (UP 1 SPOT) Finally a revenge game we got right. Bruce Arians leading the Buccaneers over the Cardinals, his former team he coached was not heard around the world.
Sometimes you get lucky and win one for the coach. Maybe Jameis Winston has a heart after all.
The Grinch’s heart is still bigger than Jameis’. Thought we had a Christmas miracle brewing.
#27.ATLANTA FALCONS 2-7 (UP 2 SPOTS) On any given Sunday anybody can have the day of their lives. The Saints coming off a bye week found out the hard way. The Falcons shocked the Saints in New Orleans in the dome. The Saints were one of the hottest teams in the league. How does something like this occur with a bad Atlanta defense?
Maybe Atlanta found a secret formula to beat the Saints.They had a shiny new kicker in place. Matt Ryan was back. Perhaps the Houston Astros taught the Falcons how to steal their signs. Just hope the league does not catch on for the Saints wise. No worries plenty of referees will help stop the Saints before they reach the Superbowl.
#28.WASHINGTON REDSKINS 1-8 (SAME) Dwanye Haskins has the green light for the rest of the season to take the Redskins starting quarterback job for himself. Redskins figure if he can do it they can immediately address the issue with someone that in the draft or free agency. Haskins lost in his first start versus the Bills two weeks ago. The Skins had the bye week to work on Haskins and come up with a play book around his talents. He has a chance to shine against a bad Jets team this Sunday. A game that could give this young man some confidence moving forward.
#29.MIAMI DOLPHINS 2-7 (UP 1 SPOT) The Miami Dolphins are suddenly no push over as they upset the Colts last week. Even though Brian Hoyer was filling in for Jacoby Brissett, the Colts sill had plenty of chances to win this game. Ryan Fitzpatrick is one of the streakiest quarterbacks of all-time. One week he can look Cutler like. Then the following week he can look like Dan Marino, of course with out the isatoner gloves. Teams better be careful because Fitzmagic and the Dolphins could ruin some playoff hopes if you don’t take them seriously.
#30.NEW YORK JETS 2-7 (UP 1 SPOT) The Jets win the Rotten Apple bowl and now they get a free dinner at the local Sizzler. Can Adam Gase, head coach of the New York Jets, be one and done after only 1 season? Sam Darnold bought himself a Casper sleep friendly mattress.
Ye,s Casper is the friendly ghost as Sam is feeling better about his ghost phobia. Now he’s having problems with the monsters in his closet.
That does not look like John Goodman and Billy Crystal.
#31.NEW YORK GIANTS 2-8 (DOWN 5 SPOTS) The Giants lose in the rotten apple bowl versus the Jets. They have been sent to the back of the bus. As they continue to plummet in the rankings. Everyone else in the bottom of the barrel of lately has shown some life except the Giants and the Bumbles. Put head coach Pat Shurmur on the list of candidates for black Monday. Daniel Jones, a bright spot for the Giants, broke a record for most completions as a Giants rookie quarterback. Eli Manning refused a farewell start.
#32.CINCINNATI BENGALS 0-9 (SAME) REPORT:BENGALS SLAYINGS ALL OVER THE FIELD
Investigators have ruled out Andy Dalton since he was at home on the bench from this terrible atrocity that occurred from a group that call themselves the Ravens.
Last night the Steelers and Browns squared off at Thursday night football. Both are division rivals in the AFC North. Both teams needing a victory to stay alive in the playoff race. Both teams chasing the Baltimore Ravens in their division. The Steelers came into Cleveland with a 4 game winning streak. While the Browns broke a long losing streak last Sunday. You know both teams don’t like each other in this heated rivalry. Whoever won this game, it would be a well earned fought out victory, no matter what the score was. Browns would prevail 21-7 in a game that had the hard hitting. That had the injuries piling up with even an ejection. Concussions. At the end of the game it turned crazy in one of the wildest brawls in NFL football history.
With about 20 ticks left on the clock, the Steelers found themselves in third and long down by two touchdowns. Perhaps conceding at this time would have been the better idea to what takes place. Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolf dropped back to pass. He throws the ball and then is brought down by Cleveland’s best defensive player, Myles Garrett. On the ground Mason Rudolf thinks it is a late hit as he got the pass off which was completed only a minimum gain. Mason retaliates as he dug his fingers under Myles’ helmet. Maybe to try to rip the helmet off his head. Perhaps just tugging on it like a face mask grab. This is when Myles Garrett erupts as he rips off Mason Rudolph’s helmet and then used the helmet as a weapon on Mason’s head.
Eventually Steelers linemen are able to knock Myles Garrett down. Maurkice Pouncey, Steelers lineman, gets a few punches in and then proceeds to kick Myles when he is on the ground. As any offensive lineman would do to protect his quarterback.
Then Cleveland Browns’ Larry Ogunjobi shoves Mason Rudolf to the ground as Mason has no helmet on and is trying to fight back with his head ringing. Just imagine. Eventually they were able to break it up. The game still had eight seconds left. Ejections immediately happened.
Myles Garrett will be suspended for the rest of the year. He will face fines and the suspension which may go into 2020. Don’t feel bad for him because this is not his first rodeo. He punched a Titan the very first week. The Jets back up quarterback ,he broke his leg and he is out for the season.
Larry Ogunjobi will get one game for his part in shoving Mason Rudolf to the ground. Steelers’ Maurkice Pouncey for the Steelers will get three games for kicking and punching Myles Garrett. Other suspensions will be coming as well including for Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolf.
Steelers quarterbacks continue to take the punishment this year. Big Ben Roethlisberger, who was knocked out of the game early this season. He is out the rest of the year. Then Mason Rudolf who was knocked into Tomorrow Land in a game early in the season. The cart did not work so they had to carry Mason off the field as he was concussed and they took his face mask off.
He looked like he did not know where he was. Then yesterday to get whacked in the head with a helmet. Some say they should bring assault charges on Myles Garrett who apologized later on for losing his cool. If Mason Rudolf has problems later in life, we know these two hits were the cause.
Last night’s game reminded me of a hockey brawl. The NHL game with Marty McSorley taking out Donald Brashear with his stick. Cracking him on the side of the head from behind.
This was definitely a game that did get out of hand. Even before that brawl, a few plays that were helmet to helmet were just jarring hits. Not sure either team is going to make the playoffs. I know the Steelers were hot coming in winning four in a row. I just don’t think they have that type of offense to get themselves a wild card. The Browns have been on life support most of the year. They came to life last Sunday breaking a long losing streak. The Browns would have to run the table to snag a wild card. Without their best defensive guy, their chances decreased. It would have been hard even if that brawl did not occur. This could affect Mason Rudolf’s play the rest of the way as a hit to the head in any sport or assault, whatever you want to call it, is hard to come back from.
These incidents don’t happen very often to this level of crazy. Luckily nobody was seriously hurt or even killed which would have been tragic for the game of Football. At times I think these coaches have a responsibility to discipline their own guys and clean up the game. Both coaches yesterday are idiots. I would not blame them for that incident because it happened in the heat of the moment. It’s a violent game. Players are angered, amped up, programmed and wired for violence. What I mean by violence is the appropriate, hitting, blocking, tackling and doing them by the rules of the game, not bringing wrestling to the gridiron like the XFL.
But both these coaches Tomlin and Kitchens are not the brightest in the league. Mike Tomlin with the Steelers had a problem a few years back about what they should do for the National Anthem. Freddie Kitchens runs a team that is football stupid with penalties. Remember the very first game of the season, 18 penalties alone on his team. Been going on all year. The NFL better do a good job and bring justice to the players that did wrong, and all of them including Pittsburgh quarterback. Plus get a guy like Myles Garrett some professional help for being a raging maniac. In real life this guy would be behind bars for the rest of his life like the animal he is.
Next season in the NFL, plenty of quarterbacks will find new homes. The draft will have a few top notch choices in the first round, but not as many like they did the last few seasons. Lots of young talent were thrown to the wolves this season and have done well which means the end of the road in that city for the veteran. In some years, needing a quarterback was very hard as the lake was dried up. Nothing but watered down bread in the draft. You had to razzle dazzle for your man behind center from a trade if you were lucky. Next season the fishing permits will be printed up in stacks as teams will be ready with their fancy baits to try to catch an old, new to them, signal caller behind center. What will the Chicago Bears do?
Right now the Chicago Bears are dealing with a first round bust as their man behind center. Most experts think that Mitch Trubisky is the official lemon of the draft in 2017. A draft during which he was picked before Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes. Yes, I picture Homer Simpson saying DOH!! Trubisky looked good last Sunday versus the Lions. Can’t play the Lions every week. Mitch is still a young guy. Can he be fixed? Bears have to be careful because they are walking the ledge in this situation. Do you trust Matt Nagy as that QB development type of coach? One choice is the Bears throw Mitch Trubisky back in the lake next season. Giving up on a number one draft pick is not good. But hanging on to a number one draft pick too long is very bad. If they can set him right and keep him, the team just can’t name him the starter in 2020. Open competition or Mitch is the back up. The defensive unit window is closing so Bears need to act quickly.
In this lake of quarterbacks, there are lots of fish you would not want swimming in your pond. Especially if you want a whole new set of problems behind center, other than what you had this season. It is buyer beware. Some troubled play callers that will sucker any franchise and bleed them like they already did to others.
WHAT’S SWIMMING IN THE LAKE NEXT SEASON?
Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers, who’s a fantasy stat quarterback. Led the Panthers to the Superbowl but lost. Key fumble late in that game that he does not pounce on to keep his team driving to take the lead. It was the Superbowl. Bad with reporters and I say cancer in the locker room. Sure he puts up big stats. Plus he may just be a broken cookie. He claims he is Superman, but I would say GO FISH. Panthers would probably dump him on the cheap. Does Bad News Bears ring a bell? Great set of movies.
Jameis Winston of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This guy is a bad citizen, ask any UBER driver. He reminds me of a black Jay Cutler. Coaches hired and fired like a factory line in Tampa Bay. Known for the pick sixes. Thinks he is the smartest in the room. Has all the weapons in place, but still can not win in Florida. Where he played college ball and won. Shows no leadership skills. Emotional does not care type of ‘tude. If Bruce Arians can’t get the best out of this guy, why would Matt Nagy be different? I would GO FISH. UBER drivers in Chicago are breathing a sigh of relief.
Phillip Rivers looks like he has aged ten years from last season. Talking quarterback years, not human years. Like dog years. His contract is up so he may be let go by the Chargers. Interceptions in the red zone would drive Bears fans nuts if we signed him. Besides he will take a job closer to his family in San Diego, rather than come to Chicago. He commutes to San Diego from LA . Just does not make sense for either party. I would GO FISH. I could picture him and his minions living in R.Kelly’s mansion. He will not need it where he may be going.
Colin Kaepernick is having a try out soon. He has not played in three years. He brings instant drama. PASS. I would hit him in the head with the rubber mallet and feed him to other fish.
Marcus Mariota is another number one draft pick that may be bust. He is riding the bench right now in Tennessee. The Titans turned to Ryan Tannehill and he is 3-1 and not having problems running that offense. Bears are down this road right now with Trubisky. Do we need two projects? I would pass on this project as well. Don’t trust Matt Nagy getting the best out of him. GO FISH. I can see the Bears kicking the tires on him.
What about landing Nick Foles from Jacksonville? Gardner Minshew is doing so well I can see the Jags wanting to trade Foles who is paid a lot of money. Free up the salary cap to improve other positions on their roster. Nick Foles has that injury history which bothers me. Do we have another quarterback to play half the season and then turn it over to Nick Foles in the second half and the playoffs? Best playoff quarterback available, which I like. He was injured in the very first game he started for the Jaguars as well. This is not a part time gig the Bears are looking for. You have to pass because the Bears do not have the draft capital to land this prize. GO FISH..Best part time guy in the league though.
If the Bears could work out a package deal in a trade to the Steelers or the Jaguars for their up and coming quarterback, it would be an idea. Big Ben comes back next season for the Steelers. If the Jaguars turn things over to Nick Foles. Do the Bears have enough to land a Mason Rudolph or Garner Minshew? You would have to determine whether both guys are future stars in the league? If they are, you are back on track. However do the Bears touch them and then they turn to stone. Plus it will take a king’s ransom to pry these guys away from both teams. Who knows what the Steelers and Jaguars might be thinking as it could be the end of the line for those veterans. Minshew and Rudolf could be their starters next year. I would say GO FISH. Bears would end up with no draft picks for a decade to walk down the road with these teams.
The next two quarterbacks I would say the Bears should go for. GO FISH and bring them into the boat.
Teddy Bridgewater who is a free agent. You’re not giving up anybody or any more draft picks to get him. He commands big money and years. Obviously he is healthy. He threw the ball well for the Saints. Can Teddy play in another system instead of the Saints? Matt Nagy was hired because he had a friendly system designed for quarterbacks. I like how Teddy Bridgewater played as he took what was given to him on the field. He did not make the stupid mistakes. He has the accuracy to throw down the field 20 yards or more which will open up the entire offense. With the Bears defense all’s your asking is the offense to score in the 20’s each game. On a bad day, put up some more points.
I like the Red Rifleman from Cincinnati as well. This season he has been benched. However the Bengals offensive line is in shambles. Plus many of Andy’s play makers have been injured. Way too many interceptions this season because I believe all the pressure came on his shoulders to do something to make a play. Plus being pressured all day long, you’re going to throw that ball to the other team. He still had nine TD passes in 8 games. His career numbers are much different as he has 197 TD passes to 112 interceptions. He is very durable as he plays most of the games each season in his career. Strong arm. He has guided teams to playoffs more than once. His track record in the playoffs not too good. New scenery is what this guy needs.
With a great defense in place, Bears need a Andy Dalton or Teddy Bridgewater next season. The Bears need to address their offensive line for anybody they get. Get a new tight end is a must do. I like the rest of the play makers which should intrigue a Dalton or Bridgewater. Matt Nagy has to get better at calling plays. Or he should hand off the duties to somebody else. Bears can let Mitch Trubisky be the back up and let him watch for a season to clear his head. Learn more like he should have done in the original plan during the Fox ERA. I would also draft a quarterback in the later rounds and try to develop the kid. This has been the Bears’ hardest position to solve since Sid Luckman. You can say Jim McMahon. He was the leader in their only Superbowl they have. Injuries cut short McMahon’s tenure in Chicago. After that, some good stuff behind center that did not last very long but was overshadowed by nothing but hot garbage. The GM of the Bears, Ryan Pace, has one more shot to get this right. To find a quick fix that will work behind center without dismantling this team completely. All their jobs should be riding on this off season. Don’t get swindled again selling the cow for a few rotten beans.
OVERALL RECORD THIS SEASON STRAIGHT PICK-EM AFTER 9 WEEKS
81-54
LAST WEEK: 7-7 PICKED A BAD WEEK TO STOP SNIFFING GLUE
THURSDAY NIGHT RECORD: 5-4
MONDAY NIGHT RECORD:7-2
WEEK TEN
THURSDAY NIGHT GAME
CHARGERS AT RAIDERS
Chargers beat the Bears who did not want to take a gift win from LA. Then they beat Green Bay who were all hung over. Raiders at home combined with a sober Rivers will throw a few interceptions that cost them their second half winning streak and definitely no playoffs this season.
OUR PICK:RAIDERS
THE SUNDAY SLATE
RAVENS AT BENGALS
Ravens took down the Evil Empire in the Patriots and Tom Brady. The Bengals are starting a rookie quarterback. In the name of the father, son, and Holy Ghost to him.
OUR PICK:RAVENS
BILLS AT BROWNS
Browns look like they are calling it a season. I can see the Browns just going through the motions in this one. I see a big game out of the Bills’ running back, Motor they call him. Devin Singletary. Bills defense quiets the DAWG pound.
OUR PICK:BILLS
LIONS AT BEARS
Stafford out with back injury. I would have went Lions originally. Bears find a way in an ugly win. A much needed win. Can someone please turn off the television?
OUR PICK:BEARS
GIANTS AT JETS
The rotten apple bowl. The battle of New York on the Jersey Shore. Sam Darnold still seeing ghosts. Still recovering from having the clap. Giants prevail in a shootout from the start. Then Giants hold on in the second half.
OUR PICK:GIANTS
CHIEFS AT TITANS
The return of Patrick Mahomes..
OUR PICK CHIEFS:
CARDINALS AT BUCCANEERS
I’m going Buccaneers because of Bruce Arians being the X head coach of the Cardinals. I know this is not a locker room speech, just win for the coach. Don’t think Arizona is upset with Arians retiring and then resurfacing in Tampa Bay. These things just happen when facing a former team.
OUR PICK BUCCANEERS
FALCONS AT SAINTS
Matt Ryan is back for the Falcons . Does he play defense? Alvin Kamara is back as well and should have a huge day with the Falcon defense.
OUR PICK: SAINTS
DOLPHINS AT COLTS
Brian Hoyer fills in for the injured Brissett and Colts rebound from last week versus the Steelers. Dolphins winning streak comes to an end.
OUR PICK:COLTS
RAMS AT STEELERS
This contest we will find out who is actually a contender and who is a pretender. Rams will remain a contender for at least two more weeks and then fall off the map with the Superbowl loss hangover.
OUR PICK:RAMS
PANTHERS AT PACKERS
Packers will not be hung over this week. I think they rebound from the Charger loss in a big way. Plus being at home with no night life in Green Bay.
OUR PICK:PACKERS
VIKINGS AT COWBOYS
Kirk Cousins does not do well in prime time games. Cowboys are familiar with Cousins from the Skins all those years. Cowboys are at home. Signs of the Minnesota second half fall off the map losing streak in progress.
OUR PICK:COWBOYS
THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME
SEAHAWKS AT 49ERS
49ers finally will be tested by a very good Seahawk team. Russell Wilson finds a way and beats his former teammate “Dick Head” Sherman. 49ers suffer their first loss of the season.
The Wild shamrock 