The 49ers should be called the 29ers in this contest with all the people San Francisco have out in this contest. Packers will rebound quickly over their stunning loss to the Vikings.
THE SUNDAY SLATE
DENVER BRONCOS AT ATLANTA FALCONS
OUR PICK:FALCONS
Falcons have been playing much better under interim Coach Raheem Morris as that offense is clicking on all cylinders. Matt Ryan and the Julio Jones combo is hard to contain. Broncos defense should make this a low scoring affair, but Falcons come out ahead on the score board at the end.
SEAHAWKS AT BILLS
I’m warning you this pick is only because the Buffalo Bills suck me in and most likely will spit me out.
OUR PICK :BILLS
I’m not using common sense on this match up. It’s all heart.
BALTIMORE RAVENS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
OUR PICK:RAVENS
Two solid defenses square off in this one. Colts are a good team but I do not have them in the AFC elite yet. Ravens will prevail and rebound from that battle that took place last Sunday versus the Steelers.
HOUSTON TEXANS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
OUR PICK:TEXANS
Gardner Minshew has a hand injury and is most likely out for Sunday. Minshew is the key to any kind of Jacksonville win. I can see Deshaun Watson just lighting up in his biggest performance of the year; especially being so frustrated with the team overall with a 1-6 record.
CAROLINA PANTHERS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
OUR PICK:CHIEFS
Even with the possible return of Christian McCaffrey for the Panthers, who will not be 100%, most likely will have rust to shed off. Chiefs were looking like they would be missing a big piece on their defense with Chris Jones out with Covid symptoms earlier in the week. Jones set to play may not be 100% though. Besides these two players, Chiefs have too much talent for the Panthers to slow down. Especially the Panthers have a very young defense.
DETROIT LIONS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS
OUR PICK:LIONS
I’m not jumping on the Viking band wagon because they beat up the Packers last Sunday. Fell for that when Vikings finally won their first game of the season weeks ago. Matthew Stafford has to play in this one to make this prediction stick. Stafford made the Covid list earlier in the week. I like the Lions aerial attack versus a Viking defense that has a tough time versus the pass.
CHICAGO BEARS AT TENNESSEE TITANS
OUR PICK:TITANS
Titans will rebound from their lost to the Bumbles. The loss to Cincinnati could be a wake up call. Asking the Bears defense to try to stop this Titan offense without the Bears offense being able to do much is a very tall order. Bears are sliding down the big chute in the football version of chutes and ladders.
NEW YORK GIANTS AT WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM
OUR PICK:WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM
I can’t see the Giants sweeping the two game series versus Washington. Washington almost won the first meeting versus the Giants. Plus Washington’s team may have built op some confidence with the win over the dreadful Dallas team. To follow that with a bye week could go a long way to actually become a contender for this crapshoot division.
VEGAS RAIDERS AT LA CHARGERS
OUR PICK:RAIDERS
The last time the Chargers won a division game was way back in 2018. I see the Chargers blowing a late lead with an unpredictable Raider team. Even with that unpredictability, the Raiders are better put together on both sides of the ball than the Chargers.
MIAMI DOLPHINS AT ARIZONA CARDINALS
OUR PICK:CARDINALS
Both teams in this one are red hot right now. Tua Time last week was not very impressive as the Dolphins found other ways to beat the Rams who came in on a short week. Cardinals offense should roll rather easily and bring the Dolphins back down to earth.
STEELERS AT COWBOYS
OUR PICK: STEELERS
This does not even feel like it’s fair. Steelers in a rout.
Cowboys will break right after the coin toss.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
OUR PICK:BUCCANEERS
This go around, the Tampa Tom offense has chemistry built, unlike week one when these teams first met. Saints might have some weapons back for Drew Brees. Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders may be rusty. Brady comes out in the end.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT NEW YORK JETS
OUR PICK:PATRIOTS
Love to see the Jets win this one. This is a match up for soft Cam Newton to be able to handle, even if he makes the usual few mistakes behind center. The Patriots should be able to overcome and salvage out a victory for the Empire.
The Chicago Bears are a complete mess. The Bears have a winning record at 5-3 at the halfway point of the season. Those first 5 wins are through the weak part of the schedule except Tampa Bay; some of those wins could be very questionable. A win is a win some will say. “Winning ugly” is what quarterback Nick Foles calls it. Deep down, this team has too many holes to be a playoff team. I forecast a second half collapse with this team. The repeated mistakes are glaring from the front office on drafted players and free agent signings. The offensive scheme is too difficult to learn for most of the players, and they have to run this type of offense. This comes down to the head coach, Matt Nagy, who insists he has to call the plays on offense. The defense is not the same unit as it was in 2018. I don’t care what anyone says. Wide receiver, Javon Wims, goes postal on a Saints player last Sunday and Nagy did not see it. Nagy eventually heard it through the grapevine. What the hell is Nagy doing? The head coach oversees all the operations on the field. Nagy is too busy trying to figure out how Cordarrelle Patterson could eventually get the first down on third and short. Can you trust Ryan Pace to get the Bears another quarterback in the draft? Is Matt Nagy over his head on the Bears side line?
The Chicago Bears front office should go down the road the Chicago Bulls did. Clean out the stink. Send in the guys wearing Hazmat suits and clean house. Starts with Ryan Pace. How many top draft picks from Ryan Pace have you seen be a complete bust? Wide receiver, Kevin White, out of football. White came with injury news which the Bears brass completely ignored. Other top picks of the Bears it seems like other teams know how to use. Leonard Floyd haunted the Bears on Monday night versus the Rams. Floyd sacked your quarterback not once ,but twice. Adam Shaheen has become a nice red zone target for the Dolphins this season way cheaper than the graham cracker, Jimmy Graham. The Jimmy Graham signing showed its stink last week versus the Saints. If Graham is not in the red zone trying to hit him over the middle to pick up the first down, he cracks. When he catches the ball, Jimmy Graham’s size is easy to bring down. Then Mitch Trubisky. Trubisky was picked before Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes. Ryan Pace took the wrong quarterback; he even out-bid himself to move up one spot and got fleeced by the 49ers to give up a draft pick just to get the wrong guy. Addressing the offensive line, Pace used the round 6th and 7th picks to band aid the trenches, in which his quarterback has no chance. In the off-season, Ryan Pace let the guy they drafted leave to keep a veteran who’s over the hill. Nick Kwiatkoski went to Vegas while our weakest link of the defense, Danny Trevathan, is showing his age. Pace at one point had ten tight ends. Then the team had to trade for Nick Foles who, in my opinion, is not the long term answer at the most important position in football. Do you really think Nick Foles can play his best football with a offensive line in such disarray?
Matt Nagy’s offense is structured to mislead opposing defenses. It’s an offense similar to the Kansas City Chiefs and Nagy’s a branch off the Andy Reid tree. Starting to think of one those dead branches that need to be pruned off the tree. Matt Nagy was brought in because he was an offensive guy. Nagy inherited a great defense ran by Vic Fangio. In 2018, the Fangio defense was terrifying; especially adding Khalil Mack to the pack of wolves assembled. The Mack move is by far the best by GM Ryan Pace, due to avoiding the pressure of picking in the first round was not needed trading those picks to the Raiders to complete the deal. In 2018, Matt Nagy’s offense was pretty good to go along with that terrific Midway monster defense. Nagy’s playbook was only partly open at the time, inheriting a young quarterback in Mitch Trubisky. The Bears prevailed that season in a schedule that was not difficult, coming off bad season after bad season in the John Fox ERA. The blame was the kickers double doink in the playoffs in the first round versus the Eagles. The Bears would find out later the scapegoat was indeed not Cody Parky.
Vic Fangio left to take over the head coaching job in Denver. This brought in Chuck Pagano who was once a head coach of the Indianapolis Colts and was a defensive coordinator before being the main guy. Pagano took over the defense and still is the coordinator this season. In 2019, the defense was not terrifying, but still a pretty good unit in the top ten of the league. This season the same thing. Teams can run on the Bears this year. In the last two years. I have not seen that quarterback pressure like in 2018. On the offense side of the ball in 2019 was horrible. The running game disappeared last season like the invisible man. The playbook was opened even more, but Mitch was not getting it. Then Nagy wanted some new coaches which he got. Bill Lazor would be the quarterback whisperer. Then Nagy wanted a better back up and the Bears went out and traded for Nick Foles because Lazor worked with him before. Nick Foles knows the offense from his days in Philadelphia. This was an orchestrated plan to get out of having Mitch Trubisky as the starting quarterback. The Atalanta Falcon game this year was the perfect time to insert Nick Foles when the Bears were down in the second half. Foles led the come back and Bears won one of those types of games that could have been an easy loss.
Now the Bears are not playing the Giants, Falcons, and instead playing teams that are actually pretty good in the league. The Bears offense has looked bad. I know the Bears beat a very good Buccaneer team weeks ago. That is what you will get sometimes with a streaky guy like Nick Foles. Perhaps Foles has the hex on a Tom Brady. Like in the Superbowl, Eagles versus Patriots years ago. Bears versus the Rams the Chicago defense outscored the Chicago offense. Last week versus the Saints, the TV announcers were very critical of the Bears lackadaisical approach. Last two weeks the TV announcers have been very critical of the Bears offense. The lackadaisical approach drive gave the Bears a field goal to tie the game and sent it into over time. It looked like the Bears, to me, just wanted the field goal. It was like Nagy had no faith his offense could go down on a game ending drive and put away the Saints. The last two weeks getting the play in to Nick Foles has been an adventure. Timeouts have been used then as a delay of game penalty occurs after the timeout. Foles said according to Brian Griese, the TV analyst during the Rams and Bears game, Nagy’s plays at times take too long to develop. Foles running for his life, Charlie Brown, has argued with Nagy telling him that it will not work. Foles is the guy Matt Nagy and Bill Lazor wanted. Plus Nick Foles at quarterback takes sacks in key situations and throwing stupid passes that turn into interceptions.
The Bears have too many gaping holes for this team to make the playoffs. The Titans are on deck this Sunday. The team still has to play the Packers twice. Are the Vikings resurfacing to land? Bears face the purple people eaters twice. Lions are not exactly a gimmie. The Bears could be in for a rude awakening and experience their season as the tale of two halves. Bears could easily go 3-5. Would 8-8 get you in the playoffs? If the Bears played in the NFC East, they would win that division by a landslide. When the Bears traded for Jay Cutler the team had no offensive line in the beginning of that long drawn out mess. Nothing has changed except the new faces running the show. Matt Nagy has a winning career record as a head coach. Is it justified to fire him? Was it justified benching Mitch Trubisky? It’s on one of those liners, half on red half on black. Can you strip Matt Nagy from calling plays? Nagy seems he is needed to police his team when one of his guys is stewing on the sidelines, plotting and planning. Javon Wims could have used a conversation when he got his mouthpiece ripped out before Javon went Rocky on the Saints defender. Bears have some pieces that are salvageable. I would blow up the coaching staff and the front office because change needs to happen in those areas to get this team right. Someone has to address that offensive line, and for Christsakes get a freaking quarterback already!! No other team has waited this long to get the most important position on the field correct.
After 15 seasons wearing the teal in San Jose, Joe Thornton’s quest for the holy grail takes the long time veteran to Toronto next season. The Maple Leafs bring the 41 year old Thornton with his ZZ Top beard to Canada on a one year deal worth $700,000. The 6’4″, 220 lbs former MVP and long time Captain brings over 1,800 games both in regular season and post season under his belt to the leafs. Thornton has tallied up over 1,500 points in his career. Does Joe Thornton even have anything left in the tank to help the Leafs get over the hump?
Joe Thornton made 70 appearances last season for the Sharks which was one of a few bad years in San Jose as an organization. Thornton had his lowest output of his career with only 31 points. You could chalk that up to a bad year team-wise and Covid virus taking away two weeks of regular season. The San Jose Sharks were the handful of teams that did not make the bubble when hockey resumed late in the summer. Thornton was kind of miffed not being traded at the deadline to a contender, so he could use his services to help a team win a cup. This off-season, it was an easy decision to leave his long-time home on the west coast with his one year contract expiring with the Sharks. Due to the state of the team, they are looking to overhaul most of the roster and most likely are going younger.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have assembled some young talent on the top of their lines. This talent has not been able to win a playoff series yet. Maple Leafs were ousted in the play in series versus the Columbus Blue Jackets in the bubble. The Maple Leafs this off season have been making multiple moves bringing in a right winger, Wayne Simmons, defenseman Zach Bogosian, and goalie Aaron Dell. The team signed blue liner T.J Brodie to a multiple year deal. Bringing in the Joe Thornton brings the team a guy with Captain experience. Not to be the Captain, but he can bring his wisdom to the ice on prevailing if the team gets in any sticky situations. Thornton has seen everything and done everything in his long career in the NHL. Thornton is no longer a top line MVP caliber player like in his heyday with the Sharks. Thornton could make the 4th line better. Thornton can be a strong playmaker for a line like that with a good possession driver. Plusm Thornton could mentor some of these young Leafs.
Joe Thornton was originally drafted by the Boston Bruins in 1997. Thornton was traded to San Jose in the 2005-06 season due to both parties not agreeing on a contract extension that strained each other’s relationship. Some say the relationship between the Bruins and Thornton relationship was strained long before contract talks. Joe Thornton would go on to play for the Sharks until 2020. The Sharks made the post-season almost every year, religiously. The Sharks had quick exits that Thornton did not perform to his capable level. Other years, Thornton was totally awesome and the team went deep in the playoffs. In 2016, the Sharks finally made it to the Stanley Cup finals only to lose to the Pittsburgh Penguins. It seems like the further the Sharks would go, it depended on how well Joe Thornton played.
Joe Thornton will forever be a San Jose Shark when he makes it into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Thornton leaves San Jose with the most assists with 745. Plus Thornton averaged the most points per game with 1.01 in Sharks history, a fancy shamancy stat. Thornton has some great accomplishments in his career, which not many have done. Thornton had back to back years with at least 90 assists. Only two greats have done that. When you’re on the list with Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, you know it’s a big deal. Thornton is the only guy in NHL history to win the Art Ross plus the Hart Memorial trophies in one season while switching teams in the 2005-06 season. Plus, the playoff beard is one of the best in the league. You can compare it to Fitz-magic, Ryan Fitzpatrick, on the Miami Dolphins as the best beard in sports. It would be nice to see Joe Thornton win the cup, but with the Leafs maybe not. At least now, he can eat Mr. Sub for lunch as Toronto and Chicago have the best submarine sandwich in their towns. Just comb out the beard so you don’t get crumbs on the ice when you’re done.
Falcons should be 2-0 with Raheem Morris as the interim coach. A stupid play trying to run out the clock, cost them versus Detroit last Sunday. Panthers have had a hard time protecting Teddy Bridgewater. Atlanta’s defense can put pressure on a quarterback which is one thing this unit can do. Matt Ryan and the offense will be able to score on an average Panther defense.
THE SUNDAY SLATE
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT BUFFALO BILLS
OUR PICK:BILLS
The Patriots are the old dog waiting for the owner to give the word to be put down. Patriots are soft at quarterback. The Evil Empire is just a skeleton of their former selves. Many pieces missing or have moved on.This is the first time in over a decade where the Bills can actually slay their demons which have haunted them. While ending the evil Patriot dynasty, hopefully for good
TENNESSEE TITANS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS
OUR PICK:TITANS
Bengals are the worst tackling defense in the league. How do you expect the Bengals to tackle Derick Henry?
Titans are far more superior than a Bengal team that is selling off pieces.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS
OUR PICK:BROWNS
Browns have thrived against teams at 500 or under. Browns will control the clock with their running game ball control attack on a suspect Raiders defense. Without Odell Beckham Jr. in the line up, I think this makes Baker Mayfield better not to have to force throws to.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT DETROIT LIONS
OUR PICK:COLTS
Colts defense, one of the top units in the league, should be able to contain Matthew Stafford and the Lions offense. Colts offense will just do enough to get by the Lions in a low scoring game.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS
OUR PICK: PACKERS
Vikings defense. Kirk Cousins’ poor play. The game is being played in Green Bay. Aaron Rodgers coming off a big game last week. Sounds like a recipe for Viking loss and don’t forget to add a pinch of salt for flavor.
NEW YORK JETS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
OUR PICK:CHIEFS
“Dear Lord, Why am I a Jets fan?”
LA RAMS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS
OUR PICK:RAMS
Unleashing TUA Time versus the Rams defense? This sounds like a very bad plan to me.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS
OUR PICK:STEELERS
This game will be like a monster movie. This will be another epic battle for first place in the AFC North. The game should come down to the end. Ravens versus elite teams like themselves do not fair well. Lamar Jackson, to me, has a hard time coming back if his team gets down by more than a score. Lamar Jackson is not the Lamar Jackson of last season either, despite their 5-1 record.
LA CHARGERS AT DENVER BRONCOS
OUR PICK:BRONCOS
Melvin Gordon has his big day versus his former team, the Chargers. Love the mad bomber, Justin Herbert, to strike up a bomb in this contest. I think Denver defense will only allow one. The Broncos defense are not the Jaguars of last week when Herbert’s aerial attack ripped those pussy cats apart.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT CHICAGO BEARS
OUR PICK:SAINTS
Bears offensive line… Bears offensive line. The Bears can not protect their average quarterback or dial up any kind of run game. Saints have Drew Brees, so any questions?
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
OUR PICK:SEAHAWKS
I can’t see the Seahawks losing two in a row. I think Seahawks get up to another level when they face the 49ers. 49ers have been playing solid, but injuries have been this team’s problem. 49ers without a full deck will fall short.
DALLAS COWBOYS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
OUR PICK:EAGLES
This might be the championship for the NFC East. Maybe not, because Cowboys will be using their third quarterback. Cowboys have a ton of injuries. Cowboys have been selling off pieces. The Cowboys defense can not stop anyone. Eagles flying high in this one.
THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT NEW YORK GIANTS
OUR PICK:TAMPA TOM
Giants have been playing better. Giants defense has played better then expected all season. How can the Giants even stop this Buccaneer offense with all their weapons? Brady and company are just steamrolling teams right now.
Happy Halloween to all. Week 8 power rankings always bring you the good, bad, and ugly of the NFL. What happens to all the costumes Oakland fans wore to the black hole? Chiefs are back on top of the power ranking mountain. Jets are keeping the bottom sizzling hot because they’ve been there awhile. 49ers, Cardinals, and Rams are all on the rise. The same week ,Seahawks lose. Cowboys garage sale? Tua is coming this Sunday. Dez Bryant is back. I may need a set of crazy pills with my coffee mulling this week over. CHEERS!!! Let me see you do the monster mash.
OUR MOVIE OF THE WEEK
#1.KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (6-1) UP ONE SPOT The Chiefs showed me something last week versus the Broncos, in the snow at Denver. Patrick Mahomes has not been his best. The offense had a hard time converting third downs throughout last Sunday’s game. The Chiefs were able to score from special teams, defense, and their ground game. The kicker Harrison Butker legged out 13 points. Chiefs dominated a pretty good Denver team. It was a great day to make snow angels in the snow, as the Chiefs are back in the number one spot in the Wild Shamrock Power Rankings.
#2.PITTSBURGH STEELERS (6-0) UP ONE SPOT
RAVENS AND STEELERS FINALLY GOING TO CLASH WEEK 8 IN EPIC FIRST MEETING OF THE SEASON
First place will be on the line for the AFC North, as Steelers go on the road to Baltimore. Steelers last Sunday took out the Titans in a very good game between two elite AFC teams. Steelers started off the season facing bottom Feeders in the NFL. The last two weeks, Steelers have beaten some good teams. The Browns came in with the best running game in the league. The Titans came in undefeated with the best running back in the league. Steelers, both times, prevailed. I love how the Steelers have thrived without their cancerous play-makers that have been gone, and now resurfaced in recent weeks. Le’Veon Bell was cut from the Jets and made his debut with the Chiefs.
Are you missing that bum in Pittsburgh when you have the terminator in the back field? James Connor has 4 rushing TD’s so far in six games. Then Big Ben Roethlisberger has a slew of wide receivers that are not mental in the head, as we know what Antonio Brown is. Chase Claypool, and Ju Ju Smith-Schuster attorneys at law, James Washington, and Diontae Johnson on what George W. Bush would call…..
Weapons of mass destruction.
#3.TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (5-2) UP 2 SPOTS Antonio Brown is practicing with the Buccaneers during the week. It is not yet said when the team will unleash the beast they have just signed.
Hope the Buccaneers have given him his shots. The Buccaneers really would not need him versus the New York Giants. The running game has really not been pointed out much for the Buccaneers, that have helped Tampa Tom and his offense thrive. Not talking about the misfit veteran running backs of Shady McCoy and Leonard Fournette. Running back Ronald Jones gets most of the action in the ground game and it’s well deserved. Already 500 yards and 4 touchdowns on the ground.
#4.BALTIMORE RAVENS (5-1) SAME
The Ravens on their bye week were out shopping at Filene’s basement. The Ravens purchased a Dez Bryant hand bag receiver with matching shoes. The Ravens wanted to upgrade their receiving core, and brought in another guy from the past that has crazy pills in his coo coo puffs in the mornings. Dez Bryant is actually only 31 years of age. The Ravens liked what they saw from him, and signed him to their practice squad. Bryant was cut loose from the Cowboys in a shocking move. Bryant suited up for the Saints, but got hurt in practice and never got in a game for New Orleans. We will see if Bryant can make a difference for the Ravens down the road. But first the big game for Lamar Jackson and company, with the Steelers which should be a dog fight this weekend.
#5.SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (5-1) DOWN 4 SPOTS Seattle defense is the problem with this team. You can not expect Russell Wilson and the offense to win every shootout. Arizona last Sunday gave the Seahawks their first blemish of the season. This week Seattle added a Dunlap to defensive line.
That’s the wrong Dunlap. Reggie Dunlap and the Hanson Brothers could probably stop the 49ers this weekend. Seahawks land Carlos Dunlap from the Bengals.
Carlos Dunlap wanted out of Cincinnati. Dunlap is a DE that could get to the quarterback and Seattle desperately needs that.
#6.TENNESSEE TITANS (6-1) SAME Last Sunday the Titans showed me something when they met up with the Steelers in an elite AFC match-up of two unbeaten teams. Titans trailed the Steelers in the second half and made a nice comeback. A missed field game in the last seconds could have sent this game to OT. The Titans defense held the Steelers to 27 points instead of the high 30’s or 40’s which they’ve been giving up in some of these games. Steelers are no slouch of an offensive team. Titans will stay in the top ten of the power rankings all year, and my prediction is that the defense will come around.
#7.GREEN BAY PACKERS (5-1) UP 1 SPOT What do Aaron Rodgers and cockroaches have in common? You think they’re dead after you step on them once. Then they crawl back from the pond scum they came from. Rodgers, and Green Bay, recovered quickly from the stomping Tampa Tom gave them as they gave the Texans a square dance of trouble in the Houston barn. Devante Adams had another huge game as the Rodgers to Adams is one of deadliest combinations in the league.
#8.BUFFALO BILLS (5-2) UP 1 SPOT The Bills should not even be be ranked in the top ten with their performance versus the Jets last Sunday. The rookie kicker of the Bills was the only offense they had.
Bass kicked 8 field goals, and made six of them for 18 points. I’m concerned about three things. Bass still missed two field goals. What the hell happened to the offense? They could not score even one touchdown against the hapless Jets. The Bills defense gave up a touchdown and field goal to the Jets. That is only 10 points, but again it’s versus a very bad Jets team. Yes, a win is a win, and the Bills needed it. Now they face the Patriots this Sunday, who right now are on the ropes of their season. Bills need a must win against their nemesis with many of the regular villains elsewhere these days for the Patriots.
Its time to throw Bill Belichick, the Emperor, over the rail and finish the evil dynasty for good. If the Patriots win this game, they will reinvent themselves and think they can easily win the division. I will also think if Bills lose, Belichick must have pictures of the owner of the Bills’ wife in bed with a horse.
#9.CLEVELAND BROWNS (5-2) UP 1 SPOT If Baker Mayfield can duplicate his performance he had versus the Bengals last Sunday, he will not have to go through security to get into the house on his commercials.
Mayfield threw 5 touchdowns and only 1 interception, going 22-28 passing the ball. This was without wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who hurt his knee on a tackle early in this game. Raise your hand if Beckham has screwed up your fantasy football team once again.
Watch Baker Mayfield do better without Beckham in the line up every week. Mayfield may not have to think he has to throw in Odell’s direction so many times in each game. Now Baker Mayfield can just hit the wide open guy, like he did when he took over his rookie season.
#10.ARIZONA CARDINALS (5-2) UP 2 SPOTS Arizona Cardinals with a signature victory versus the Seahawks on Sunday. Arizona started off hot, went cold, and now they’re hot once again and are 5-2 heading to their bye week. This NFC West should be fun to watch as all the teams right now are playing well, even the 49ers with all their injuries.
Love to see the Cardinals make the playoffs. Larry Fitzgerald in post season was electric. Larry may have lost a step or two, but I can see him coming up big when needed in huge games. Plus, the loyalty of staying in Arizona during many bad years with bad quarterback play and still making a difference. Still wanting to stay when he could easily be like every other crazy wide receiver demanding a trade, or the ball, every other play.
#11.INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (4-2) SAME Colts coming off their bye week face the Detroit Lions in a game they should win. The bye week may have given Phillip Rivers a chance to relax and maybe make another kid with his wife, in the state of Indiana. Maybe the Rivers have a goal to make a baby in every state. The bye week also gives Head Coach Frank Reich the chance to get his team ready, and correct some of the mistakes they have made over the first six games. The Colts defense is one of the best units in the league. The Colts have that control over the ball offense attack. Rivers needs to stay protected and not make the stupid turnovers. This will be the biggest key for the Colts.
#12.LA RAMS (5-2) UP 5 SPOTS This is what the Rams do as a team. They look stale and zombie-like in one game. Then the team comes out of the woodwork in the following game.
Rams exposed the Bears on Monday night. The Rams defense is still one of the best units in the league. I still question the Rams offense at times, as Jared Goff is a head scratcher or world beater.
Malcolm Brown just ran over a good Bears defense, dragging players with him to the end zone on Monday night. Rams have some fun offensive players. Players that are not super stars of the league. You can’t count this team out because they seem to play big in big moments, like on Monday night.
#13.CHICAGO BEARS (5-2) DOWN 6 SPOTS I’m leaning on the fact that the Bears, I thought were a pretender. The 5-2 record is misleading. The Bears have had comebacks by double digit points versus the Falcons and Lions. The Rams clearly exposed the Bears’ glaring weaknesses which is the offense and the offense’s philosophy. Head coach Matt Nagy does not have the personnel to run the type of offense he wants to run. The offensive line for the Bears is Swiss cheese. The running game is non-existent because the play calling and the offensive line can not make any kind of push. The team lacks play-makers in their skill positions. The defense is strong, but you can run the ball on this unit. The defense stays on the field too long because of the offense’s inability to sustain drives.
Akiem Hicks continues to cost his team with stupid penalties on defense, like jumping into the pile at the end of the play. Nick Foles has looked like Mitch Trubisky’s brother. Some fans want to see the return of Mitch Trubisky behind center.
#14.MIAMI DOLPHINS (3-3) SAME Dolphins stay the same being on the bye week. It’s Tua time in Miami. How will the rookie quarterback from ‘Bama do in his first game versus a great Rams defense? Rookie quarterbacks this season have fared well so far. Especially Justin Herbert with the Chargers. What about Tua Tagovailoa’s injury from college which was questioned on his draft stock? Is Miami better off letting him sit for two reasons? One, let his body fully heal from college. Second, Patrick Mahomes only played one game his first year. Throwing him out to the wolves versus the Rams may turn into a very bad idea.
#15.NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (4-2) SAME Saints play-makers are having all kinds of problems at the skill position. Emmanuel Sanders is fighting the Covid virus. While Michael Thomas is out still, which some say money may be the problem there. Drew Brees goes out and uses all the other tools he has in the shed. They put up a win over the Carolina Panthers, a division game which is very important to win. Saints are now marching up the standings, and quietly making some noise.
#16.LA CHARGERS (2-4) UP 3 SPOTS
Justin Herbert may be the new Mad Bomber in the league. Daryle Lamonica, the original mad bomber, tossed many bombs in his time and his teams had an impressive aerial attack. Justin Herbert continues to launch passes deep into the skies, and these are perfectly placed with the wide receiver in stride. Herbert now has 12 TD passes as he dropped a few bombs last Sunday versus the Jaguars.
I have to give a special mention of Jeff Blake, who had a very nice deep pass in his days under center.
#17.DETROIT LIONS (3-3) UP 3 SPOTS The good is the Lions are even 3-3. The bad is Lions are even at 3-3 which means Matt Patricia is a dingle berry that will not go away. Lions met the Falcons last week. Two teams that get burned regularly in the last minute of the game. Last Sunday, the Lions roared and won on the last play of the game. Lions even added a defensive lineman from the Cowboys. Everson Griffen, who the Lions are familiar with because he played for the Vikings for a few years.
Lions weakness is the defense. What does Matt Patricia specialize in?
#18.SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (3-3) UP 4 SPOTS NEXT MAN UP!!!
“Next man up” is the slogan of the 49ers. Dealing with multiple injuries, the 49ers are still playing hard and winning games. Last week, Jimmy Garoppolo beat his former team, the Patriots. The next man up in this game for the 49ers was running back Jeff Wilson Jr. Wilson Jr. scored three touchdowns on 112 yards on the ground. Wilson Jr. got hurt on his third TD of the game.
Wilson Jr. also earned NFL player of the week award. I always wonder why the Chicago Bears can not insert player into their line up and get results like that.
#19.CAROLINA PANTHERS (3-3) DOWN 6 SPOTS Panthers won three in row and now have fallen back on hard times losing two in a row. Last two games, if you put pressure on Bridgewater, he crumbles. Panther fans do not want to hear another cookie at quarterback. The offensive line in the middle needs to protect better. Panthers have a lot of great things going on. Weapons emerging at the skill positions. Wide receivers, Robby Anderson and Curtis Samuel ,have stepped their games up. D.J. Moore was the main weapon last year. With attention on him, the other guys are getting open. The Panthers will get better with the return of Christian McCaffrey, who may return next Sunday.
#20.LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (3-3) DOWN 4 SPOTS Raiders were steamrolled by the Buccaneers coming off a bye week. Raiders have an Even Steven record. The team has a trend: one good week and then one bad week. This Sunday, Raiders play the Browns, a team that’s closer to their level. Raiders offense can be explosive or just average. The Raiders defense has been crappy most of the year. Raiders can strike at anytime though. This is a team that stunned the Chiefs and put 40 up on them. Like a box of chocolates, you just don’t know what you will get.
I wonder what the Oakland Raider fans have done with their black hole attire. I’m sure some are still fans of Raider Nation. Some can’t be too happy about them moving to Vegas. Being Halloween, some of these costumes could sell well on EBAY. Any Star Wars convention in town? The convention in Vegas. Poor Oakland.
21.PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (2-4-1) SAME As soon as they get a play-maker back, another guy gets hurt for the Eagles. Eagles activated Dallas Goedert and Jalen Reagor who they are excited to get back. Eagles need to get healthy because they have a talented team when healthy. Eagles won their last game just squeaking by the Giants. This Sunday they can feast on a very bad Cowboy team who have been getting rid of guys on their defense. The same guys that make the Cowboy defense laughing stocks. Winning the third game of the year can be a commanding lead in the NFC East.
#22.DENVER BRONCOS (2-4) UP 1 SPOT Even though the Broncos were blown out by the Chiefs, I do like what Denver has been doing. Solid defense scheme. Good running game. Just scrap the flea flicker with Melvin Gordon, from the playbook. Drew Lock is getting better. Weapons are emerging from the skill positions.
#23.NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (2-4) DOWN 5 MORE SPOTS
Is it time to bang on the drums all day with the fallen of the Evil Empire Patriots?
Which head would be Cam newton?
#24.MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1-5) SAME Viking fans on their bye week should have kidnapped Kirk Cousins and tossed him in a lake. Minnesota lakes could freeze you at this time of the year.
Then the Viking fans could approach the Evil Empire AKA the Patriots, or any other team interested in a quarterback, and give Cousins to them.
Doug Marrone above for the Jaguars might take a Kirk Cousins since he’s trying to think outside the box.
#25.ATLANTA FALCONS (2-6) UP 3 SPOTS Last Sunday, the Falcons should have run their second game in a row with interim coach, Raheem Morris. If Todd Gurley did not score, the Falcons could have ran out the clock and won the game.
We all know Todd Gurley’s head is not on very tight. You can say he tried, but fell over the line for the score. Then Detroit went down the field with less than a minute, and won the game in the very last play of the game. Lions and Falcons are two teams that don’t know how to hold the lead and give up winning scores at the very end. It figures one team wins the last play of the game. Falcons quickly rebounded on Thursday with a very convincing win over the Panthers. Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, and Matt Ryan should win you more games even with that bad defense. The Falcons should be 3-0 under Morris instead of 2-1.
#26.CINCINNATI BENGALS (1-5-1) SAME Bengals trading away one of their top defensive players Carlos Dunlap to Seattle. Bengals might as well trade guys that do not want to be there. Dunlap was one of those guys and they might have a few others. If you’re a Bengal fan, you will still be watching Joe Burrows get better. Burrows was involved in an epic shootout with the Browns and quarterback Baker Mayfield last Sunday. Both teams going back and forth. Browns won the game but you may have a ton of games like that between both those quarterbacks in the battle of Ohio and playing in the same division. Plus, both quarterbacks are young.
#27.HOUSTON TEXANS (1-6) SAME Texans have played a very tough schedule this year. Playing the Chiefs, Ravens, Steelers, Titans, and then the Packers last week make it very hard to get wins. Texans head to bye week without their long time head coach, Bill O’Brien, who was fired. Romeo Crennell, a dead branch off the Belichick coaching tree, has not fared well. Crennell was running the team when the Texans did win their own game. The defense is in shambles. Only reason why you watch the Texans if you’re a fan of the team, is quarterback Deshaun Watson. If only the Bears would have drafted Watson instead of Trubisky.
#28.WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM (2-5) UP 2 SPOTS Could a team with no name actually make the playoffs? Has a team with no name ever made it to the NFL playoffs? The NFC East is just horrible. The Washington team gave their division rival, the Cowboys, a beat down last Sunday. Cowboys this week look like sellers. Giants are playing better, but they just beat you by one point weeks ago. The Eagles continue to be the walking wounded. The Washington team actually has a very good chance of winning the division. Kyle Allen looked better behind center. All quarterbacks look great versus a bad Dallas defense.
#29.NEW YORK GIANTS (1-6) SAME Giants have been playing some decent football this year winning a close one over that Washington football team and losing a close one late in the game versus the Eagles. Now the team faces a very hot Buccaneer team led by Tampa Tom on Monday night.
It’s like the Giants are thinking the night before, like Rocky before the big fight versus Apollo Creed, that they just want to go the distance with Brady and the Buccaneers. Knowing they will lose but give them a battle.
#30.JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-6) SAME Jacksonville could have used some air raid sirens in LA last week.
Justin Herbert of the Chargers just bombarded the Jaguars with the aerial attack. Jaguars took a lead in that contest to see it disappear with another bomb. Head coach Doug Marrone is threatening to think outside the box over the bye week to get this Jaguar team back on track from losing six in a row.
I’m sure Marrone will eat what’s inside the box first.
#31.DALLAS COWBOYS (2-5) DOWN SIX SPOTS
“Don’t put that on. You’re wearing this shirt today.”
The Cowboys are having a garage sale selling off pieces of that horrible defense. The Detroit Lions purchased an end table as they get DE Everson Griffen, a former Viking who will be seeing his X team soon. Jerry Jones had to wheel Dontari Poe to the curb, no takers. Many thought Poe was kneeling in protest, but it seems he is overweight and has a hard time standing. Daryl Worley may be recycled as he remains in the cart as a truck is about to pick him up. Worley will be melted down and turned into a jock strap for former Cowboy Leon Lett.
Jon Bostic of the Washington Football team really shot the eye out of the red rifleman. Cheap hit by Bostic has Andy Dalton in concussion protocol. Can the Cowboys save their season by maybe trading for Fitzmagic? Ryan Fitzpatrick was benched by the Dolphins just because they want to start their rookie, not his play behind center which has been really good in the first six games. Does any quarterback want to be knocked into tomorrow with a bad Dallas line?
#32.NEW YORK JETS (0-7) SAME
The Jets will need their French sweep play with Kansas City coming to town. Do the Jets get a mercy rule?
Jets played their best game last week in their loss to the Bills. Jets were the only team in that match up to score a touchdown. If you take out the kicking game in football, Jets would have won that game 6 to 0. Kicking is part of the game so it was Jets 18-10 loss to keep them on track for the number one draft pick who just contracted the virus if they are going to grab the quarterback from Clemsen.
The Wild shamrock 