If the Chicago Bears ever want to get out of the stone age of Bedrock when it comes to how they operate as a football team, the time is now. Time for the Bears to make a significant game changer move to change the bad history of what they call the Monsters of the Midway over the last few decades. New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton is stepping away after 15 seasons. If the Bears want to solve a major problem that has haunted this franchise since the 1940’s, Sean Payton is the guy they need to get right now. If the Bears don’t want to see another number one quarterback who they wasted extra draft picks on to acquire and can’t develop him, they need to make a trade and bring Sean Payton home.

The McCaskey family, the owners of the Bears, have had their thumbs up their rears way too long. Enough of the small potato moves that have scorned the Chicago franchise for decades. It’s time to go big and get a guy like Sean Payton who has earned stripes as a head coach in the NFL. Enough of the Matt Nagy’s of the world. Guys like Marc Trestman, John Fox, Lovie Smith, and Dick Jauron. Matt Nagy was going to be this master mind on offensive football like he hiked up the mountains and saw Moses who handed him the tablets of answers. John Fox lost a Superbowl old school guy. Marc Trestman is an absolute train wreck. Lovie Smith is too stubborn to make the changes to keep his team doing well. Loved Dick Jauron; he tried, but he too was in over his head. Bad hires that had no answer to the quarterback problems. Sean Payton knows what a quarterback looks like as he was one in his playing days. Payton knows what an Offensive line needs to do protect his guy behind center. Sean Payton led the Saints to their only Superbowl title in their history, back in 2009. Payton’s regular season record as head coach is 152-89 which is a .631 winning percentage. Matt Nagy’s winning percentage in 4 seasons as the guy is .523. Payton has coached in 17 playoff games, going 9-8 in those.

Sean Payton has plenty of connections to Chicago. Payton is originally from the suburbs of Chicago where he played football locally at Naperville Central. Payton then went on to play college ball at Eastern Illinois where he played the quarterback position. Like Matt Nagy, Payton dabbled in some Arena Football and played behind center in the 50 yard war indoors. Payton played for the Chicago Bruisers and Pittsburgh Gladiators. During the NFL strike year in 1987, Sean Payton started a game behind center for Da Coach Mike Ditka as a replacement player. Payton was not very good but completed 8-23 for 79 yards and an interception against the Saints, a team he would eventually coach. It would be nice to bring a local guy back that could solve all that has gone wrong for the Bears.

Drew Brees was tossed to the curb with an injury by then the San Diego Chargers who drafted Phillip Rivers after the 2005 regular season. In 2006 Sean Payton convinces Brees to come play for the Saints and in 2009 both were celebrating a Superbowl title together. Brees became one of the best quarterbacks of all-time, a for sure Hall of Famer, as only Tom Brady has all those passing records. He’s second on the list to only the GOAT of NFL quarterbacking. Meanwhile Rivers would never even see the Superbowl as a player. Payton has done wonders to Jameis Winston who lead the entire league in interceptions in his last year in a Buccaneers uniform. Winston this season became the Saints starter and before he got hurt, he was not making the mistakes like he did in Tampa Bay. Teddy Bridgewater got the big contract from Carolina who then traded him to Denver last season. Bridgewater did not do well in Denver. When Teddy was in a Saints uniform, it earned him the huge money from his play when he became a free agent.

The Chicago Bulls cleaned house and got rid of all their hot garbage in the front office and coaching staff. Bulls ended up hiring a big name coach like they normally would not do in Billy Donovan. Chicago is thriving on the hard court this season in hoops. Bears fired the idiot Matt Nagy finally as well giving a pink slip to General Manager Ryan Pace who could not hit on a top pick if his life depended on it. Sean Payton would give the Bears a face of their franchise since Mike Ditka was fired. A bona-fide leader since Ditka. Bringing in Sean Payton, he could develop Justin Fields or tell the Bears organization this is a waste of time trying to put a square peg in a round hole. I know Sean Payton can fix the Bears offense. Make it look like the training wheels are off the bicycle for a change. Saints have had some interesting defenses over the years including Bounty-gate, which Greg Williams ran. The last two seasons, the Saints have had some really good defenses. I can’t see Sean Payton taking the Bears job and suddenly seeing the defense turn into what the Trestman-era had. Just awful. Payton always made some good hires to coach that side of the ball. The Bears window right now on defense has closed with aging super stars making way too much money. Maybe Payton can bring back Vic Fangio who is free now because he was fired by the Broncos as their head coach. Why do the McCaskey’s need to hire an consultant? I just gave the Bears the answers they were are looking for. It is that simple go out and trade for Sean Payton and bring him to Chicago. Then by the time the Bears build the new stadium, and move the team to Arlington Heights, they may be king of the NFC North and actually have a rivalry with the nemesis Packers from Green Bay. A rivalry which has been all but one sided for decades. Besides, the name Payton goes well in Chicago. It’s very sweet-like. Bears have done well with a Payton on their roster in the past, which was really sweetness.

NFL ROUND TWO PLAYOFFS (DIVISIONAL)

LAST WEEK’S PREDICTIONS RECORD(6-0) WILD CARD ROUND

THE SATURDAY GAMES

CINCINNATI BENGALS AT TENNESSEE TITANS

Last time the Bengals and Titans met, was week 8 of 2020. In Joe Burrow’s rookie season, Bengals won that regular season affair 31-20. Titans quarterback is 2-2 behind center during the post-season.

OFFENSE: BENGALS

Let’s face the facts, I see this game as a shoot-out. Quarterback play, Joe Burrow is a better option than a Ryan Tannehill behind center. Tannehill needs the running game to set up the play action pass to be effective. Burrow has a slew of play makers with which he can pick opposing defenses apart.

The return of Derrick Henry makes the Titan offense “clicky clack” like a runaway train. The Bengals have Joe Mixon, one of the best backs in the league. These offenses should be able to exchange jabs all day long. It depends who has the ball last.

DEFENSE: TITANS

I like the Titans’ experience in the playoffs over the wounded Bengal defense limping into Nashville after their game versus the Raiders. Trey Hendrickson is the top pass rusher in this contest, but he got banged up against the Raiders last week. The Bengals will be without Larry Ogunjobi, a key big man of the defensive line. The Titans defense is a type of usually “bends without breaking” but has broken a few times as teams can score on them. The Titans unit gets small victories by forcing you to kick field goals in the red zone. The Titans defense is known for creating turnovers as well in big moments.

Not sure how much gasoline Derrick Henry has in the tank. Titans’ back up running backs have gotten playing time when Henry went down. Look for the Titans to take advantage of the 4.4 yards per carry that the Bengals defense has given up this season. The game will be a shoot-out. Bengals will make one mistake that the Titans will take advantage of and win this game.

OUR PICK: TITANS

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS

Last time the 49ers and the Packers met, was during regular season and the Packers won that game. In 2019, both the Packers and 49ers met in the NFC Championship. Jimmy Garoppolo got the better end of Aaron Rodgers that year. The playoff series between the Packers and 49ers is tied 4-4 in eight total games. Aaron Rodgers is 0-3 life time versus the 49ers in the playoffs.

OFFENSE: PACKERS

I’m expecting Aaron Rodgers’ revenge tour to be put in overdrive this weekend. Rodgers does not do very well in post-season as his stats will tell you he throws too many interceptions. Jimmy Garoppolo just wins, baby. The 49ers rely more on their run game than Jimmy’s arm. Jimmy is prone to make mistakes at wrong times late in games. Evidence includes Dallas last weekend. Both teams can run the ball. Packers actually have two good backs if they have to run the ball a lot. Rodgers has more weapons at his disposal than Jimmy, who keys in on a few guys.

DEFENSE: 49ERS

Joey Bosa is a beast on the San Francisco defense. Bosa will be the best defender on the field this weekend between the Packers and 49ers defensive units. The Packers defense did not do well versus a bad Lions team to close out the season. The 49ers defense had some of their guys banged up in the Wild Card round versus Dallas. Packers defense has that switch at times. When Rodgers was out with Covid, the Packers defense had a strong performance versus the Chiefs offense. Packers should be well rested and may get some guys back that were banged up. The 49ers defense is the better unit between both these teams.

I have to play the cold card in this one. A West coast team flying into Green Bay in the dead of winter in frigid condition goes well for the green and gold. It’s hard for any road team to win in these kind of conditions at Lambeau Field. No way Aaron Rodgers will be one and done in these playoffs, which is the key to this game. Rodgers’ revenge tour is a thing. Rodgers wants to get to the Superbowl and win it just to heighten his ego. Thoughts of him failing in his first post-season action of this tournament would not help his ego in the off-season.

OUR PICK: PACKERS

THE SUNDAY GAMES

LA RAMS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

The Rams and Buccaneers faced off last September. That contest went to the Rams. Rams and Buccaneers have played each other 27 times. Rams lead the all-time series 18-9. Matthew Stafford finally won his first playoff game behind center in a Rams uniform. Stafford was 0-3 in a Lions uniform during the post-season.

OFFENSE: BUCCANEERS

Tom Brady is down to the bottom of the box, with the crumbs that he has to throw to. The Buccaneers offense is still clicking even with the laundry list of injuries they have. Matthew Stafford played well last week in the win over Arizona. Stafford has all his weapons intact with a healthy choice of running backs at his disposal. Cooper Kupp and Odell Beckham Jr. are legit threats in the passing game. Even though the Rams on paper have all their weapons on offense, Tom Brady is healthy and can throw to the beer guy and be the better offense.

DEFENSE: RAMS

Defense-wise the Rams have an all-star team assembled. The Buccaneers defense has a lot of big names as well, but many of them are on their last legs and all-stars from the past. Aaron Donald is the best defensive player in the league. Look for Von Miller to come up big in this contest. Miller in the past with the Broncos was a difference-maker for Denver in their last Superbowl.

It’s Miller time & my gut feeling is telling me Von will have a big day. Buccaneers are the best at stopping the run. Buccaneers are banged up in the secondary and can be exposed there by the Rams’ play makers.

Rams are on a short week and flying across the country for this one. Tampa Tom Brady can have yet another game of his life. The man will be out there being productive at the age 60. Every quarterback’s nightmare is pressure and Brady can get rid of the ball fast. My key is, Tom Brady’s Berlin Wall is crumbling around him. I know Brady can pass it to anybody he will make look good. Timing, timing, timing. I think the Rams defense will take advantage of the Buccaneers offensive line and make plays through the cracks.

OUR PICK: RAMS

BUFFALO BILLS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Bills and Chiefs in Kansas City is a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship game. Chiefs won that & then went on to lose to Tampa Tom and his Buccaneers. This past regular season, Bills went on the road to Kansas City and beat up on the Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes is 7-2 all-time behind center in the playoffs. Take out the Superbowls & Mahomes is 6-1 in the AFC playoffs.

OFFENSE: EVEN

The Chiefs and Bills offenses put up 40 points last week on their opponents. Both offenses are two of the best in the entire league. Both quarterbacks, Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes, can make things happen in a jiff if a play breaks down. Both quarterbacks can pass and make plays with their legs. The Chiefs can run the ball better than the Bills. Both teams have that number one receiver. The Chiefs have the best tight end in the league with Travis Kelce. Bills tight end, Dawson Know, is no slouch. I think the Bills have more play makers in their receiving core than the Chiefs. Both lines provide excellent protection as well.

DEFENSE: BILLS

Bills have the better defensive unit overall as they were tops in the entire league all season long. The Chiefs defense seems to ignite by a simple on switch. Chiefs defense looked horrible early in the season and then played better as the season went on. Chiefs defense is notorious for getting better as the post-season goes on. The Bills’ weakness is stopping the run. Their strength is pass defense. Teams can run or pass on the Chiefs defense. That switch in the playoffs comes on, and the Chiefs can tighten up and play solid all around defense on that Sunday. Bills find ways to get turnovers. The Bills defense are tops in the league forcing offenses to make mistakes. Bills also have the best scoring defense in the league.

In the off-season, both teams went out to fix problems they had last post-season. The Chiefs went out and landed more protection for Patrick Mahomes. While the Bills went after guys to chase down quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes. Both teams have been up and down like a roller coaster this season. Chiefs have the home field advantage. The Bills have played very well on the road this season. The Bills lost to the Patriots that first time and had a bad second half versus the Buccaneers. The comeback versus the Buccaneers came up short in overtime. Since that second half of the Buccaneer game, the Bills have played their best football. Bills went on the road in a prime time game and beat the snot out of the Chiefs in that one. It can be done. Josh Allen has done well in prime time spots his entire career. Look for this game to be a closer match-up than the regular season affair. In the end, Bills pull one out and move on.

OUR PICK: BILLS

Currently the NFL has eight vacancies for head coaches. Out of the eight teams, which ones are playoff ready today if I signed up? Which places does the ownership send out red flags? If I was head coach and wanted a job, where would I go? I have ranked all 8 destinations from worst to first. I have pros and cons for each city. I have what is in place right now and what is not. I also judge the city on its fans and the state they live in. Off the field is very important in any job for family and your own psyche.

WORST DESTINATION: JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Jacksonville Jaguars to me would be the worst destination out of all the head coaching vacancies.

CLOWNS TO THE LEFT OF YOU JOKERS TO THE RIGHT

Being the head coach of the Jaguars, you are stuck in the middle of things with the fans and ownership. Fans dressing up as clowns in the Jaguars’ last home game paints a thousand words right there. Most of the clowns looked like the Joker, Jaguars owner Shahid Khan. Khan has made money as a business man. Maybe had a silver spoon in his mouth all his life. If Khan had his way, he’d have the Jaguars playing in London, England across the pond. Not very football savvy. Khan’s football hires all have been questionable. This is a guy who does not get what it takes, or how, to run a professional football team.

JINXED AT QUARTERBACK

The quarterback position is the most important position on the field. When it comes to a field general behind center, the Jaguars are snake bitten. Mark Brunnell seems to be the only quarterback that was half way decent for this franchise since its existence. These are the same Jaguars that gave Blake Bortles an extension because the team had a winning season. Bortles was the weakest link on that one year wonder of a team.

Trevor Lawrence, AKA Jeff Spicoli, might be a bust. Lawrence may be heading down Ryan Leaf avenue. Will Shahid Kahn expect you to fix Lawrence, which might result in more years of taking on lumps from other teams.

THE PROS OF THE JAGUARS JOB

Right now the team has a pretty good defense in place. Jacksonville is probably the third city of the state of Florida so media as well as fans would be easier to handle. You might have some time to build a winner down there. Fishing and living on the beach with warm weather all year around could be intriguing. The babes on the beach there might not be that interesting.

7TH BEST DESTINATION: HOUSTON TEXANS

HOLDING WATSON FOR RANSOM

The Houston Texans ownership and their franchise quarterback have been in some kind duel at high noon but no one is drawing their weapon. Deshaun Watson wanted out of Houston. Watson wanted or was told he was going to be a part of hiring process of a new General Manager and coach. Texans decided those hires should not be a group effort. Then Watson has been having problems with understanding what massage therapists do. How far they will go? Watson has over 20 allegations of sexual assault complaints filed against him. When will those complaints be solved? Will Watson be put behind bars? The Texans could have traded Watson but are holding out for a kings ransom. This is why the Texans continue to pay the contract of Watson while these complaints hopefully go away. Watson is paid not to play and be inactive every Sunday but has a roster spot. As a new coach do you really want to step in this kind of drama involving the biggest position on your roster?

PULLING THE PLUG

Owner Cal McNair pulled the plug on head coach David Culley after only one season. Culley could not convince Deshaun Watson to play for the Texans last season instead of demanding a trade. This of course was before Watson groped the help. Culley had the Texans playing better late in the season. Culley had to rely on rookie quarterback Davis Mills most of the year as veteran Tyrod Taylor fizzled out. Only getting one year in Houston coming into a hostile situation is what Culley had to deal with the owner is a problem.

FORMER TEXANS

Players like JJ Watt and DeAndre Hopkins, two great super stars, leave Houston with a bad taste in their mouth. Will this be a problem signing free agents in the future for the Texans? Will the Texans have to over pay for mediocrity?

THE PROS

Rookie Davis Mills did get some good experience being thrown into the wolves last season. Mills improved his game the more he played. Mills could be a decent back up. Can a new coach get Mills to take the next step?

THE DEFENSE

Defensive coordinator Santa Claus, Lovie Smith, had the Texans defense at the end a turnover machine. Texans beat up the Chargers in the last few weeks of the season when the defense created some mistakes by Justin Herbert that Sunday.

Not sure I like the weather in Houston, a dry heat. Warm weather rather than cold weather can be a difference maker. If you like Space, getting a tour of NASA could be cool. The Bad News Bears had one of their movies filmed in the Astrodome.

Making fun of Dusty Baker, the manager of the Houston Astros, and all the wrist bands he wears. Whatever you wear Baker would be the pun in everyone’s jokes in town when it comes to being the coach of one of the professional sports teams in town.

CONS

Hurricane season can put a damper on things. Being the second fiddle to the Dallas Cowboys in the state of Texas. The baseball team in Houston is a roster of cheats.

#6. SIXTH BEST DESTINATION: NEW YORK GIANTS

THE MEDIA

Any job in New York City you have to have tough skin such as to take this job with the Giants. New York is the biggest media market in the United States so dealing with the reporters, you have to have that down to a science. In the city that never sleeps, you have to have all your players in line and not out becoming front page news off the field. Reporters will dissect your coaching like the frog you cut up in Biology class.

THE FANS

The fans in New York demand a lot and can be very patient like. If you show any weaknesses, fans will eat you up like a zombie feasting on your guts. The pressure of winning is escalated before they want to run you out of town on the rail with no car.

KEEPING THE JONES

Do the Giants have an answer at the quarterback position with Daniel Jones? Jones has 3 seasons under his belt so far and has completed 62% out of his passes so far with 45 touchdown passes and only 29 interceptions. Jones’ overall record is 12-25. Jones missed some games with injuries. Jones has shown some flashes of being a good option in this league as well.

THE BAD

Giants are in cap space hell with a roster that still has holes. The Giants do not have any middle class when it comes to their roster breakdown. The Giants will be looking for a new General manager as well. If you don’t get a guy to fix the numbers on the cap space, this job might take you awhile to get things going in the right direction.

OFFENSIVE LINE

The Giants need help on their Offensive line. Giants maybe have one decent option in place on the line. Adding some pieces to the line would help Daniel Jones even get better and most importantly keep him healthy.

THE PROS

THE DEFENSE/ THE DIVISION

Last two seasons the Giants defense has been a very decent unit in the NFL. Yes the Cowboys and Eagles made the playoffs. Obviously one team has to win the dreaded NFC East. Notice the Eagles and Cowboys are already knocked out of post-season. The division is very winnable.

If you can win regularly in New York, the accomplishment is bigger than most jobs in sports. New York jobs are the hardest so to beat the odds is a higher award of achievement.

New York, if you like eating at the fanciest restaurants, the Big Apple has them. Food-wise New York is a top city where your tummy would be happy. Always something to do around the city from sports, Broadway shows, museums and the history of the New York is amazing.

THE 5TH BEST DESTINATION: CHICAGO BEARS

OWNERSHIP: The Chicago Bears cleaned house of Matt Nagy as head coach and Ryan Pace as General Manger. Last year both of them should have been gone. Ownership has an accountant as the President of Football operations. Look at the last few head coach hires of the Bears. It’s a laundry list of losers. Marc Trestman, John Fox and Matt Nagy. Bears are so incapable of finding the right guy to run this historical franchise they have to go outside the organization and ask for advice from former greats that held front office positions. Bears have only been to two Superbowls since the Superbowl ERA started. The Bears have not won a Superbowl since the mid 1980’s. That says it all.

SINCE MCMAHON LEFT

Since Jim McMahon was traded away to the Chargers, the Bears have not really had any stable foundation behind center. Sure the Bears had some good years with the likes of Jim Miller and Erik Kramer. Even McMahon was not the greatest, but he won games and did not beat himself. You have to go way back in the time machine as Sid Luckman in the 1940s era is still the best quarterback Bears ever had. Jay Cutler has all the passing records, but we know he is just a dog that needs to be put down. The Bears’ Christmas list of quarterbacks all have been on the naughty list. Just sucking.

HOPEFUL

Is Justin Fields the answer for the Chicago Bears at quarterback? Fields has a nice deep ball and a guy that can pass and use his legs. Can Fields be the next type of guy like Josh Allen? Did we not see Fields enough last year to really get a fair judgement? This is the biggest question any coach will have taking the Bears gig. Do they have a franchise quarterback in place?

THE BAD

THE MONEY

Bears money is all tied up in that defensive front. The defense is an aging unit and the window for success is being help open by shim. The Offensive line is a turnstyle. The Bears have not invested their money to protect the quarterback. Justin Fields missed some games this last season due to broken ribs. Bears new hires would have to free some of that money from the aging defensive players and put it elsewhere because the roster has many holes to repair.

DRAFT PICKS

Bears in the Ryan Pace era used their draft picks like toilet paper trading piles away to move up a few spots. Bears come in with no number one picks. As they traded that future pick just to move to get Justin Fields. During the Ryan Pace years the Bears never hit on any of their top picks. These picks would go elsewhere and get developed. Good news the Bears will have a new General Manager and if they get it right that would be half the battle.

THE CONS TAKING THIS JOB

Downtown Chicago is a complete shit hole. Crime continues to sky rocket. Businesses are closing up shop for good. More companies having their people work from home leaving the streets of downtown Chicago mostly to the rats, thieves and homeless.

Cold weather and the team plays outside.

THE MEDIA

Chicago has one of the biggest media markets in the states. Bears are the team that all Chicago people seem to migrate towards. The media will be all over the new coach and questioning your scheme every Sunday like Clockwork Orange.

THE PROS

Greatest pizza in the world.

The Bears may move from the city of Chicago, head to the Northern burbs to take over the Arlington Park Horse Racing track, and build a brand new stadium. Be a part of history. A new stadium with the Bears owning it would certainly bring the franchise to modern ages and they’d be able to compete with the big dogs.

If you win in Chicago, you never have to buy your own drink or meal ever again. Ask Da Coach. All those Bears players from that 1985 team are still the toast of the town.

4TH BEST DESTINATION: DENVER BRONCOS

ELWAY TRYING TO FIND A QUARTERBACK STILL

John Elway you think would know what a quality NFL quarterback looks like. Obviously once upon a time ago Elway played that position and played it very well. This season the Teddy Bridgewater experiment did not work. Drew Lock has some seasoning but still is not the answer for this franchise that can’t find that guy behind center.

INHERITING

The Denver job has two great things in place. If you do find a quarterback, the Broncos have some nice play makers in place with Tim Patrick, Noah Fant and Courtland Sutton. Former Broncos head coach Vic Fangio leaves a solid defense intact for the next coach as well.

THE CONS

THE AFC WEST

The AFC is one of the strongest divisions in the league. Chiefs still have Patrick Mahomes as their quarterback as he will be hitting his prime. Chiefs are still in the playoffs. The Raiders made the playoffs and were knocked out last week. The Chargers should have been in the playoffs, but mathematics, which is the new math, the new stat probably kept them out. Chargers have a stud quarterback Justin Herbert who established himself in his first two years of the league.

THE PROS

Colorado is a beautiful state. Broncos probably practice with mountains in the background. If you are a head coach that loves the outdoors like fishing, hunting, skiing, and hiking, the Bronco job would work well. I’m from a big city and Colorado sounds marvelous just tapping in the keys.

Something about a ski bunny by the fireplace sipping on a hot beverage of booze. Lots of cool log cabin type bars drinking IPA’S & eating comfort food in the winters.

3RD BEST DESTINATION: MIAMI DOLPHINS

WHY DID BRIAN FLORES FIRED?

Are the Dolphins irrational for firing Brian Flores after this season? The Dolphins were one of the hottest teams in the league this season. Dolphins got off to a bad start as they dug themselves in a hole. Bears win three games in a row and Bears brass would keep you on for another year. Dolphins missed the playoffs the last two seasons by a game. Flores had his players playing hard. Taking the Dolphin job you may be dealing with idiots as bosses. How many jobs have we had where that statement is true?

SOUTH BEACH ADVANTAGE

Many teams have a playing advantage at home. Cold weather towns. Dolphins have the high heat with a very high humidity teams like the Patriots with Tom Brady or without, would have hard times winning in South Beach because of the conditions.

TUA TIME????

Is Tua Tagovailoa the man behind center for years to come in Dolphinland? Tua is no Dan Marino. Dolphins are another team that has been looking for their next franchise quarterback to replace the a former legend, in the Dolphins case Dan Marino. In two seasons, Tua is 13-8 as a starter. Tua went 7-5 for Miami this season. Tua has his moments. Is Tua going to be that guy like Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers where you know they are going to go the distance down the field and win the game for you? Probably not. In Miami you may be searching for your next quarterback.

CAP SPACE

Dolphins are a team right now that can take that next step to get into the post-season. If they need a certain free agent, they have plenty of cap space available.

THE PROS

Jaylen Waddle was very impressive in his rookie season with the Dolphins. Waddle may be that one legit future play maker for years to come as he showed the league he is a weapon of mass destruction.

THE DEFENSE

If the new coach runs the defense like Brian Flores did the last few seasons, they have guys that can force turnovers. Dolphins defensive unit was awesome at forcing fumbles and ball hawks getting interceptions. You would hope the next guy would run the same system and add to their strength.

LIVE BY THE BEACH/ ENJOY THE NIGHT LIFE IN MIAMI

Living by the water. Hot weather. Playing motor boat. Sailing.

THE CONS

AFC EAST

The Bills are in your division. Buffalo is an AFC Power house. Bill Belichick rebounded after his first season without Tom Brady and got the Patriots back into the playoffs. Could Belichick get his team even better next season and become the thorn in your sides for years to come. The Jets are due to get a franchise quarterback at some point with all the top picks they get and use for that position. Maybe not, so you might be safe with the Jets in that division.

Management: not knowing why Brian Flores was fired.

Fake people.

SECOND BEST DESTINATION: LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

BAD HAIR CUT

Seeing owner of the Raiders, Mark Davis’ ugly hair cut every day would drive me nuts. Looks like he should be cast in the movie Dumb and Dumber

INHERITING A PLAYOFF TEAM

If the Raiders don’t hire their interim coach, you would inherit an established playoff team. Raiders have plenty of good things on their roster on both sides of the ball. You can build off this roster and even make it better.

OFFENSE

Is Derek Carr your future quarterback? Yes, you could upgrade. Having a Derek Carr on the roster already and improving around him can work as well. Josh Jacobs is a nice running back in place. Did Hunter Renfrow emerge as more than just a possession receiver?

DEFENSE

Raiders need to build around Mad Maxx Crosby. This guy has become a legit pass rusher in the NFL. If Raiders could get another pass rusher on the other side of the field, things could get very interesting for Vegas.

PRO

Living in Las Vegas gives you plenty of stuff to do. Warm weather. Raiders have a brand new state of the art stadium in place.

GREAT FANS

Raiders are die hard fans. Even when they move from town to town, Raider nation sticks with the silver and black.

Plus you can wear your Halloween costume more than once a year.

THE CONS

You would have invest in UBER for your players going out at night. Maybe a car service or ankle monitors to stop and prevent this team leading the league in DUI’S.

THE AFC WEST

Patrick Mahomes is still in the playoffs. Mahomes is about to reach his prime. Derek Carr may be the old man quarterback of the division. Justin Herbert and the Chargers are solidified and a team on the rise. If the Broncos somehow find their guy behind center, Raiders will be battling arch rivals tooth and nails every year just to get to the post-season. No easy lay ups.

THE VEGAS TEMPTATION

The food will make you fat. The hookers will get your cardio intake. The excitement level might be too much for the ole ticker to handle. You might catch something you don’t want. Then gambling will take whatever you have left in your wallet. Too many vices for some people.

BEST DESTINATION: MINNESOTA VIKINGS

DEFENSE, DEFENSE AND DEFENSE

If you can fix the Viking defense, you may have something special. How many leads did the Vikings blow this year? How many leads did the Vikings blow late in the game? If you’re a defensive-minded coach, you may find a way to get this unit to play in the middle tier of the defenses in the NFL… instant playoff team.

RUNNING GAME

Dalvin Cook is a top tier running back in the NFL.

WIDE RECEIVING CORE

Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen are one of the best 1-2 punches in the entire league at the wide receiver position.

QUARTERBACK

Kirk Cousins had an awesome year. If the Vikings fix the defense, Cousins would not have all the pressure to win the big games on the big nights all the time. Cousins did win the shoot out versus the Packers and Aaron Rodgers who can sling with the best of the NFL. If Cousins has a running game, which he does. With the play makers the Vikings have, Cousins could be a guy behind center for the Vikings for the next few seasons. Then you can pay full attention on fixing the defense.

THE PROS

Ownership gave Head coach Mike Zimmer years and years to get the job done. Patience is good if you take the job with the Vikings.

Vikings play inside so the cold will not be a problem taking a job in Minnesota. Vikings stadium is relatively brand new as well, so your team would have the luxury with the state of the art facilities.

NFC NORTH

If Aaron Rodgers leaves Green Bay after his revenge tour, the Vikings would have a very easy route to the playoffs. Without Rodgers, Green Bay would fizzle. Lions and Bears are just wounded animals that need a lot of repairs on their current rosters.

Minnesota is a beautiful state. Having a place by a lake would be relaxing for a new head coach. Outdoor activities include hiking, fishing, ice fishing and hunting.

Cool places to drink such as many popular breweries. I picture some of those log cabin bars with fire places in the winter as well.

THE CONS

It does get cold in the winter with lots of snow in the forecast living in Minnesota.

Can you entice free agents to come up North and have them relocate to the state of Minnesota?

The NFL playoffs is a different animal than every other sport. One loss & the season is over. The first round of the NFL, which is called the Wild Card Weekend, had three days of action-packed gridiron fun. The docket featured six games with twelve teams. We rank the best to worst in moments the teams had over the Wild Card Weekend. The best moments were teams on the rise and wanting to get deeper in the playoff picture. The worst moments could mean your team will have much work to do in the off-season to improve on things.

#1.THAT IS THE END OF THAT CHAPTER

Josh Allen may have said that is the end of that chapter of his play on Saturday night, as he torched the Patriots with his arms and legs. Josh Allen and the Bills made NFL playoff history scoring a touchdown on their first seven possessions. The Bills played like they were the Rebel Alliance and saved the galaxy by killing off the Evil Empire Patriots. All the bad losses over the years the Bills took from Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. It was time to stand up to the playground bully as the Bills played an impressive game. The offense, defense, and Special teams of the Bills defended their home from the invaders while playing a complete game in frigid temperatures in Buffalo.

#2.THEY’LL BE BACK

You think they are gone. You write them off. The Chiefs are back in the post-season and they look like their familiar badass selves. The Walrus on the sideline is barking in the calls. Patrick Mahomes and the offense are defending Arrowhead Stadium by lighting up the score board. Chiefs defense pushed the on switch and played well once again in post-season like they never had a problem at all during the regular season. This was Patrick Mahomes’ first ever wild card game. Mahomes will be looking to get his team to another AFC Championship when they defend Arrowhead once again in the Divisional round.

#3.TAMPA TOM FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH

We know Tom Brady will be playing solid football in the year 2099. We know Tom Brady has found the fountain of youth. Tampa Tom was looking very sharp over the Eagles in his first game defending the Buccaneers championship run. It seems like the Buccaneers continue to mount up injuries. Versus the Eagles, a few of Tom’s security guards on the line came away with some injuries.

When is Tom Brady going to help the people around him find that secret to success of that hidden fountain? The one that only Tampa Tom knows about.

#4. STAFFORD FINALLY GETS THAT FIRST PLAYOFF WIN

Matthew Stafford finally gets his first ever playoff victory. First time the NFL had a playoff game on a Monday night. Let’s remember before we do the Hokey Pokey, let’s turn it around quickly. Rams played a bad Cardinals team. The guy the Rams sent to Detroit, Jared Goff for Stafford, has won playoff games in a Rams uniform. I want to see how Stafford does in the divisional round. I want to see if Stafford brings his game to an even higher level in the divisional round.

#5.JIMMY JUST WINS BABY

Jimmy Garoppolo might be the prettiest guy in the NFL. Most people will tell you this. Garoppolo’s play is not always pretty. Did the Cowboys gift wrap that victory for the 49ers? Cowboys shot themselves in the foot but still made it a close game. Does Jimmy have the Killer instinct? The announcers talked about if the 49ers win the game versus the Cowboys it will change Jimmy Garoppolo’s legacy. All’s Jimmy does is win and he did that. Then what is the problem? If Jimmy Garoppolo wins the Superbowl, he may be compared to guys like Joe Flacco or Trent Dilfer. It is not pretty how they get it done, but with a good running game and a defense, they are serviceable. Let’s face it. Jimmy is the best quarterback the 49ers have right now. Trey Lance was drafted in the first round and he is not even close to being an everyday starter in the NFL. The 49ers have to hope Jimmy can Dilfer it up all the way past the Superbowl.

#6. BENGALS BROUGHT BACK THE ICKY SHUFFLE

When you have not won a playoff game in 31 seasons, I think it’s OK to bring back an old touchdown celebration. The Icky Shuffle resurfaced for Cincinnati after their first score. Bengals win their first playoff game since 1990. When it comes to the Bengals, my simple question is will their play turn back to bumble-like? The Bengal defense did bend but did not break in the end zone. Raiders settle for field goals. Love the Bengals high powered offense with Joe Burrow behind center. That defense looks more Bumble than Bengal.

#7.WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

The face of Bill Belichick above says it all!!! How many times have Patriot teams with Bill Belichick running the show just done what the Bills did to them last weekend? Patriots were always running up the score, especially against Buffalo. Belichick did improve his team from last season adding free agents and drafting Mac Jones. Patriots are still nowhere close to their Empire status. Can Mac Jones even be able to hold Tom Brady’s jock strap in years to come?

#8.TUB OF LARD

What would Hank Hill say if he saw Dak Prescott scramble at the end of the game with seconds left and no time outs?

That… or “What the Hell, McCarthy” or “Dang it you stupid tub of lard.” Coaching, coaching, and coaching in Dallas. Stupid call on the last drive. The penalties. Stupid penalties. Lots of talent in Dallas on the roster. The Cowboys need yet another change.

#9.THE GHOST OF JOHN MADDEN IS NOT ENOUGH

The final game of regular season, the Las Vegas Raiders honored the passing of John Madden. Madden was head coach when the Oakland Raiders won the Superbowl in 1976 versus the Minnesota Vikings. It seems wherever the Raiders call home in present times, in whatever city, it does not matter. It’s all about black and silver which equals Raider nation. That last win in regular season, many players could have been considered being a part of one of those All-Madden teams. The Raiders win over the Chargers was magic-like. On Saturday in the red zone, John Madden did not pull any strings in the heavens as Raiders could only muster up field goal after field goal. Scoring 19 points against an average defense that did not break in the red zone. The Raiders overcame many obstacles just to get to the Wild Card Weekend. This Raider team may have to make some big changes to get themselves back to the post-season. Is Derek Carr one of those changes? Plus the team needs a car service to reduce the number of DUI’S they have racked up in one season.

#10. EAGLES HURTING AT QUARTERBACK

Run Forest, run!! Can Jalen Hurts beat you with his arm? Buccaneers made Hurts one dimensional on Sunday. Buccaneers defense dared Hurts to beat them with his arm by stacking the box. All’s Hurts wants to do is take off. I’m surprised the Eagles don’t run the wishbone offense on every play. It was Nick Foles that won the Superbowl over the Patriots behind center in a Eagles uniform. Carson Wentz looks more and more like a top pick failure as the Eagles got rid of him because they drafted Hurts. The Eagles may need to address the quarterback position again. Do they waste another top pick at that position?

#11.TIME IS UP

Once upon a time ago, the Big Ben clock in Pittsburgh stayed upright in any condition. People the size of bulldozers hanging all over it. Weather conditions. Big Ben would stay upright and would not crumble on impact. The once powerful arm that took Steel City deep in the playoffs almost every year. It’s shameful to see Big Ben Roethlisberger’s last game & last stand look that bad. It’s been looking like that for years in Pittsburgh. Roethlisberger’s arm can’t throw the ball down the field. Age caught up to him years ago. Pittsburgh is where coaches turn into the Pope and hold on to the same position for decades. Pittsburgh is where they draft talented receivers, but are not always playing with a full deck. The Steel curtain will always get this team out of trouble. They rely so much on their defense that it turns into a shower curtain filled with holes. How long will it take the Steelers to find another quarterback? If the Steelers dumped Big Ben years ago, could this team have a young reliable option right now?

#12. BIRDS CAN’T FLY THE ENTIRE SEASON

The Arizona Cardinals looked like the best team in the NFC after the first ten games. The Cardinals back into the post-season with some real questionable play that left you scratching your head in the last six weeks. Losing to the Lions should get some people fired. The Cardinals could not stay healthy last season as their injury bug took them out of the playoff picture at the end and let the Bears walk in the back door. This year the same thing wounded wings of many of their players. Then the entire team just had a complete meltdown. Looked stale on Monday night versus the Rams. If I was an Arizona fan, I would be one angry bird right now. Is Kyle Murray the real deal? I would have questions for my head coach as well.

WILD CARD WEEKEND (NFL PLAYOFFS)

SATURDAY GAMES

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS

When I think of the Raiders and Bengals match-up, my thoughts go immediately to Bo Jackson’s last game in the NFL due to his hip injury he suffered versus the Bengals.

The Raiders season has been good, bad and ugly at times on and off the field. The Bengals have played very well, but at times turn back to their Bumble state. Raiders as an organization have made the playoffs twice in 19 seasons. While the Bengals have not won a playoff game since 1990. Whichever team wins, this will be a huge deal just for both teams’ dreadful playoff history in the last few decades.

OFFENSE: EDGE BENGALS

The quarterback position is always the most important position in the game. Joe Burrow had a great regular season for the Bengals throwing 34 touchdowns. Derek Carr has played well for the Raiders, but is prone to bad mistakes in the red zone. Bengals have a slew of of play-makers for Burrow to choose from, especially Ja’Marr Chase who has risen to stardom in season one for the Bengals. Raiders receiver Hunter Renfroe’s game has risen. Who else will make the tough catches if Renfroe is taken out of the game? Running back Joe Mixon has had a great year and is a back that can make catches out of the back field and run the ball well in between the tackles. Josh Jacobs’ power running game showed up versus the Chargers. Can he carry it over into the post-season?

DEFENSE: EDGE BENGALS

Both teams have a defensive end that can change the momentum of the game. Mad Maxx Crosby for the Raiders and Trey Hendrickson for the Bengals. These are two guys that can kill the quarterback. Bengals defense is ranked in the middle of the pack of the NFL. While the Raiders defense is bottom tier as quarterbacks can pick that defense apart. The Bengals front can get pressure on the quarterback constantly as they have done all year.

I like the Bengals playing at home in cold weather. Raiders, coming from a warm climate, playing in the cold is going to make it very hard for a team like that to get an upset. Last week, Raiders won the game versus the Chargers to get in the playoffs. Raiders had problems getting off the field on defense on 4th down. Justin Herbert was converting big chunks of yardage on 4th down.

OUR PICK: BENGALS

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT BUFFALO BILLS

In the Rocky trilogy, this third match up of the Bills and Patriots would feature Rocky Balboa going up against Clubber Lane. Patriots won the very first match up of the year between the Bills and Patriots. In Buffalo, in a wind storm, as the Patriots ran the ball the entire game. Bills struck back in game two of this saga and won very convincingly at the Patriots place.

OFFENSE: EDGE BILLS

Let’s face the facts. The Bills have the better quarterback with Josh Allen over the rookie, Mac Jones. Allen has the experience in the playoffs the last two seasons which gives the Bills a big edge. I give the Patriots the edge in the running game with their committee of backs. Bills have all the play-makers in the receiving game. Bills had a few of their play-makers out in their last game versus the Patriots due to Covid reasons.

Other guys stepped up. Isiah McKenzie torched the Patriots secondary.

DEFENSE: EDGE BILLS

Patriots have the grand scheme of Bill Belichick. The Bills defense has been a top unit most of the year. The Bills have been stellar versus the pass. The running game as Belichick’s Patriots did the first game in Buffalo, ran it down the Bills throat. Bills stepped up their game versus the run of the Patriots in the rematch. I like the Bills’ chances of executing getting to the quarterback, and rattling the rookie Jones rather than the Patriots getting to Josh Allen.

Bills will shut down the Patriots run. Josh Allen does well in prime time games, so look for the Bills to kick the Patriots to the side of the road in this one. They’ll get the job done at home and move on to the next round.

OUR PICK: BILLS

SUNDAY GAMES

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Buccaneers met the Eagles on a Thursday night game earlier in the season, which Tampa Bay won. The Buccaneers built up a lead & the Eagles made a game out of it coming back, but ended it coming up short and eventually losing the game.

OFFENSE: EDGE BUCCANEERS

Tampa Tom. Tom Brady is all I should have to say when it comes to having the better offense. Eagles like to run the ball & it is what they do best. Buccaneers have a well-balanced offense and do both very well. Passing the ball is their strength. Buccaneers have had a slew of injuries over the last few weeks. Tampa Bay is expecting to get some of those guys back for the start of the post-season. Can Jalen Hurts beat the Buccaneers with only his arm?

DEFENSE: EDGE BUCCANEERS

Buccaneers are one of the top teams against the run. The Eagles defense looked very bad in the last week of regular season. The Cowboys used the Eagles defense like a whore house and did whatever they wanted to do without leaving cab fare at the end. The Buccaneer defense is chalked up filled with veteran guys who have seen it all. The Buccaneers defense have the playoff experience as it is the same unit basically from last season’s Superbowl run.

The Buccaneers will start the post-season at home. Buccaneers will stop the Eagles’ bread and butter, the running game. The Eagles will be the Buccaneers’ first victim in defending their Superbowl trophy from last year. I can see Tom Brady having an axe to grind versus a demon of his past, the Philly Special.

OUR PICK: BUCCANEERS

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT DALLAS COWBOYS

Old rivalry is renewed between the Cowboys and 49ers? Some epic games have been played between these teams over the years. Cowboys and 49ers did not play each other this season.

OFFENSE: EVEN

I know the Cowboys have a high-powered offense that can run and pass. The 49ers have a great running game. The 49ers seem like they have plenty of running backs that can do well in their system. Jimmy Garoppolo is no Dak Prescott, but he finds ways to win games. The passing game the Cowboys have is the advantage of all the play makers they have. Who do you cover? The 49ers have Deebo Samuel who is just a beast at the wide receiver position with 77 catches and 6 touch downs for over 1,400 yards this season.

DEFENSE: 49ERS

Cowboys defense has improved a lot from the 2020 team. Cowboys find ways to force turnovers. The 49ers defense is solid. The 49ers put the Rams offense on ice last week. The 49ers defense can get to the quarterback. The 49ers are one of the top teams in the leagues sacking the quarterback. Trevon Diggs, on the Cowboys defense, can change a game in an instant with interception. He’s one of the best ball hawks in the league this season.

I think the 49ers are one of the teams that nobody wants to face right now. I think the 49ers will control the clock with their running game, making time crucial for Dak Prescott. If Cowboys don’t blow out teams, they can struggle at times in close battles and Dak Prescott can make mistakes.

OUR PICK: 49ERS

PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

The Chiefs blew the doors off the Steelers wagon in week 16. Chiefs are looking to get back to the Superbowl for their third straight season. For the Steelers, it’s all about Big Ben Roethlisberger’s last stand. Big Ben is looking to walk off into the sunset after this season. Steelers beat the Ravens last Sunday and hoped that the Raiders and Chargers would not tie just to get into the playoffs from the back door.

OFFENSE: EDGE CHIEFS

Patrick Mahomes is already a young superstar in this league. He has plenty of weapons at his disposal including the best tight end in the league, Travis Kelce. Let’s face the facts. Big Ben Roethlisberger’s arm looks like it’s going to fall off. Big Ben can’t throw the deep ball and has to rely on the short passing game and the running game. Chiefs have gotten their running game going when they want it or need it. Like an on-and-off switch for Andy Reid’s offense. Mahomes can also make plays with his legs.

DEFENSE: EDGE CHIEFS

Steelers have too many injuries on the defense side of the ball, which has been their MO this season. Can Steelers’, T.J Watt, wreck havoc and make the play or two to give his team the edge? Steelers have been having problems stopping the run. The Chiefs seem to always have that playoff defense switch that goes on in the post-season. Chiefs defense has not played well in the last few games. That defense switch did go on during the Chiefs’ winning streak during the season when people were starting to write off the Chiefs.

Chiefs at home is a tough contest to win for any opponent coming into Kansas City at this time of the year. This game will be closer this go-around. I think the Chiefs defense will find a way to stop the Steelers running game leaving Big Ben’s Roethlisberger arm to win the game. Steelers get off to slow starts. Chiefs get off to fast starts. Patrick Mahomes will keep the Chiefs ahead by ten points throughout the game. I think the Steelers are the weakest in the tournament.

OUR PICK: CHIEFS

THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME

ARIZONA CARDINALS AT LA RAMS

This is the third battle of the year between the Cardinals and the Rams. The series this season has been split with each team winning on the road. This is the second match-up of the wild card weekend that has division rivals squaring off. This will be the first playoff game being played on Monday night.

OFFENSE: EVEN

Both offenses have been riding the struggle bus. Can another weapon in the passing game for Kyler Murray emerge for the Cardinals? Can Matthew Stafford win a playoff game? With DeAndre Hopkins out for the year, the Rams have the better receiving core with the dog, Odell Beckham Jr., and Cooper Kupp. If James Connor is healthy and able to play, it gives the Cardinals the better running games because he can catch the ball and be a duel threat for the Arizona offense. Kyle Murray can get big chunks of yardage with his legs as well.

DEFENSE: RAMS

Rams has a superstar cast on the defense. Can this Rams unit play well and be dominating on the field, not just paper? Will JJ Watt be able to play for the Cardinals? How much will Watt contribute on defense if he does play? Cardinals’ defense overall is limping into the playoff scene. Can the best defensive player in the league, Aaron Donald, step up his game to even a higher level?

The Cardinals have gone 1-4 down the stretch after a great start. It seems like whoever wins this game, can be a team that can find their way into the NFC Championship just getting that confidence from the victory. Rams have not really looked impressive over the last few weeks as well. Cardinals looked bad versus a bad Detroit team which is what stands out to me. The missing ingredient that has hurt the Cardinals is not having their number one guy, DeAndre Hopkins. AJ Green is this shell of his former self. This game will be all about the Rams defense playing well and acting cohesive as a unit, like they have done at times this year. It will be the key in this one.

OUR PICK:RAMS

Is Antonio Brown related to the character in Seinfeld, Joe Davola? Two Sundays ago was another episode for Antonio Brown that shows he is cuckoo for cocoa puffs. Once upon a time ago in a galaxy far far away, Brown was perhaps the best receiver in the NFL. Brown helped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers win the Superbowl last season. Brown would make it sound like he won the Superbowl single-handedly. Two weekends ago he was told to go into the game. The Buccaneers were losing to the Jets in the second half. Brown refused to go into the game with the explanation of an ankle injury he was bothered by. Brown played in the first half and caught three balls for 26 yards. Instead of electing to go sit on the bench & ask for a trainer to look at the ankle, he had a heated exchange of words from his head coach Antonio Brown. He then has a tantrum, a hissy fit, and takes his ball like a small child and goes home. Before he leaves the playground, he has to let everyone know poor Antonio Brown was not put on a pedestal and paraded out of the stadium because he had an owie on his ankle. Brown takes off his helmet and shoulder pads on the sideline. Then jogs down to the end zone & rips off his shirt while then throwing his gloves into the crowd of Jets fans with no shirt on. Then Brown proceeded to do jumping jacks. It was like watching an episode of Jerry Springer. Brown then heads to the locker room in a jog flashing the peace sign as this is another episode of his chilling bipolar tendencies displayed by the on-and-off disgruntled wide receiver.

This is not Antonio Brown’s first rodeo. Brown was asked by Big Ben Roethlisberger to ease off the social media back in his Pittsburgh days. Brown instead records the Steelers locker room celebration live streaming it through Facebook after a big win versus the Chiefs in 2017. The recording had head coach Mike Tomlin saying things that the team should only have heard, not the entire nation. More heated exchanges between Big Ben and Brown occurred. Then Brown wanted out and demanded a trade having three years left on his contract. The Steelers agree to trade him. Brown makes it tough on the organization that drafted him by saying he will not play for about a half dozen teams through the media. Finally Pittsburgh deals the head case to the Oakland Raiders. Jon Gruden was excited for the opportunity to have a big time receiver for his quarterback, Derek Carr. The NFL changed the helmet for safety reasons and Brown made a big deal on this topic as he liked the old style helmet. Brown then caught frostbite on his foot from a cryotherapy machine. Never played one play for the Raiders, as they released him. Then Brown would meet Tom Brady in New England, play in one game, and score a touchdown. Then Brown was cut because of old skeletons that came out of his closet. Women with beefs against the wide receiver who is too cool for school. That’s the kind of cloud he rides. A lawsuit surfaced from Brown’s former trainer with accusations of rape and sexual assault. Then other women said the same thing. Patriots had to let him go. Brown had to make them go away and paid them off. Brown then would find his way to Tampa Bay and reunite with Tom Brady and all the misfit Buccaneers.

Who is right in the situation that took place on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers sideline two weekends ago? That’s the question after some of the dust has settled. Head Coach Bruce Arians or Antonio Brown? During half time, Antonio Brown was upset and wanted more targets. Other players in the locker room were able to calm him before the real storm that was going to take place minutes from then. Outbursts like this usually involve money. Bonus money. Brown needed 8 more catches to unlock a $333,333 bounty. Brown would have had week 18 as well to unlock these bonuses. Brown needed only 55 yards to unlock yet another $333,333 bounty. Then one more touchdown for the year again would unlock another $333,333 bounty. Did Bruce Arians think that Brown’s ankle injury was the receiver’s imagination? Brown did miss two practices leading up to the Jets game but was cleared to play that week. Brown said the Buccaneers pressured him to play even with the organization knowing he had bone fragments in his ankle. Brown said that Bruce Arians treated him like an animal telling him to get his rear on the field. Brown was sidelined before the last few games because he suspended by the NFL for using and having a fake Covid vaccination card he purchased during the Summer. This is a violation of the NFL Covid protocols. Arians was asked about the ankle injury and was not aware of the receiver having problems. After the Jets game, Arians would say Brown is no longer a Buc. Buccaneers would eventually cut Brown having had enough of his shenanigans. Brown continues to lash out and point the finger to Tom Brady, the Buccaneers trainer, and whoever else he thinks he can throw under the bus at this time. I think Antonio Brown has cried Wolf far too many times. Anybody credible would side with Bruce Arians on the situation just because Brown is a mental case and screwed up in the head. I think Brown’s days in the NFL are over. Thank the lord. I don’t think any team will bring this kind of drama to the locker room. Who else besides Tom Brady could keep this hot mess intact? I’m surprised Tom Brady kept the disgruntled receiver in check for last year’s Superbowl run. Some teams may kick the tires on Brown next year if they are in a pickle. To bring that to the locker room you have to be ready for the boiling point with the gas turned up all the way and the explosion is going to occur sooner rather than later. Maybe Brown finds himself in the XFL in 2023. Would be nice of some defender looking to move on from the XFL to the NFL just gave him a devastating hit knocking the ball out of his hands. Just to see who he would blame. Where do the Pittsburgh Steelers find these clowns from?

In the last few weeks I’ve read three interesting stories that involve off-the-ice situations that involve the NHL. Two of the stories involve NHL players. One story involves an equipment manager for one of the teams. All three stories I have labeled the Good, Bad, and Ugly. Starting with the ugly, then bad, with the good news as the caboose. These stories show you hockey players are human beings as well. It shows society today can be the same ordeal: good, but very bad and man, people can be ugly.

THE UGLY

PATRICK MARLEAU

Last season, Patrick Marleau, wearing a Sharks sweater, broke hockey icon Gordie Howe’s record for most games played in the NHL. Marleau was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the NHL 1997 draft. Marleau has played most of his career with the San Jose Sharks racking up over 500 goals and dishing out over 600 assists. This season Marleau is a free agent at the age of 42. Will he retire or will he find his way back on the ice at some point? The ‘Ugly’ part of this story is about Patrick Marleau’s son, Brody.

Some of the Marleau family were in the city of New York. Patrick Marleau’s son Brody is 12-years-old and left his sunglasses at the pool of the hotel. As would most parents, his let him go back down to fetch the sunglasses, and come right back up. When Brody was approaching the pool, a couple started to follow him. The woman of that couple started to ask Brody some questions as they were getting kind of close. The woman then was seen reaching for Brody and trying to get the young boy to go with them. Thank God another family saw what was going on and saved this from getting uglier. It was ugly with stranger dangers trying to lure the kid to go with them. Hotel security was called in by the couple that saved Brody from a potential lingering nightmare. Mrs. Marleau was called from the room and came racing down. The Headlam’s were the heroes from Louisiana, a couple who watched this unfold and intervened in this sticky situation. Would have been great if Patrick Marleau was there, a hockey player dropping the gloves on two evil kidnappers. Brody is the second in age out of the Marleau children. Brody may never forget his sunglasses ever again. Anything involving kids in some plot like kidnapping is just ugly. At least this story has a happy ending and hopefully they put those sick bastards away behind bars for a very long time.

THE BAD

CALEB JONES AND CONNOR MURPHY

Downtown Chicago these days has been overrun with rats. Chicago is the murderer’s capital of America. Maybe even the world. Chicago is where carjackings have been running wild. This story involves two Chicago Blackhawks players going out for dinner. Caleb Jones and Connor Murphy picked out a place to eat and even got their vehicles valeted. While Jones and Murphy were inside eating, thieves approached the valet as they had an unknown object on them & were demanding the keys.

The thieves made out like bandits as they got away with both Caleb Jones and Connor Murphy’s rides. Murphy’s ride is a 2017 Porsche Panamera worth $100,000. Jones, who came over form the Edmonton Oilers in the off-season, was driving a 2021 Jeep Trackhawk that is worth $90,000. Street value-wise… your guess is probably better then mine. Do you think Jones and Murphy had to pay for their meal? Car-jackings are becoming the norm like shootings in Chicago. I would have liked to see this story end with the thieves approaching both players and perhaps the thieves end up in the penalty box of the meat wagon. Perhaps bloody or at least a black eye. Glad no one was hurt in this incident. If crime numbers keep escalating, it might be hard for a Chicago sports team to land free agents. No one will want to come to the city where your life is at stake when getting a meal out. What a shame.

THE GOOD

NADIA POPOVICI AND BRAIN “RED” HAMILTON

This story happened in October when the Vancouver Canucks were visiting the brand new expansion team, the Seattle Kraken. The details of this story made headlines recently. The story involves a Kraken fan, a 22 year graduate of the University of Washington University, named Nadia Popovici. She was sitting behind the Canucks bench during this first ever match-up between Vancouver and Seattle. While she was sitting taking the game in, she noticed something on the Canucks’ equipment manager’s neck. Popovici knows what it is on his neck and used notes app on her phone to warn Brian “Red” Hamilton, the Canucks equipment manager. The message read, ” The mole on your back of your neck is possibly cancerous. Please go see a doctor.”

What would you think if you were on a visiting hockey team, the enemy, and a fan wrote you this? Is this fan twisted going to that level of bringing up possible cancer? Why would a fan flash this type of message to the equipment manager just to rattle their cage? Fans would rather want to rattle a player than a equipment manager. Brian Hamilton did get the mole checked out just in case when he arrived back in Vancouver. The mole was removed and was biopsied. The mole was in the beginning stage of cancer that had cancerous cells attached. If Hamilton would have ignored the fan, in the long run he would have had life-threatening cancer invading his body.

What makes this such a great story is Brian “Red” Hamilton did a search for the good Samaritan because she did saved his life. The Kraken organization helped track the 22-year-old girl down.

Both Nadia Popovicki and Brian Hamilton were reunited. Hamilton thanked Popovicki in person. The story even gets better. Popovicki, even before spotting the mole on Hamilton’s neck, was planning to go medical school. The Kraken and the Canuck organization, along with fans, have raised $10,000 dollars for her medical education. Now the pressure will be on Nadia to make her dreams come true as she was already headed in that direction. I give Nadia Popovicki credit because many younger people, who know about something, might not speak out. Being unsure about something could hold people back from giving out their opinion. If she was wrong, it would have only wasted about an hour or even less of Hamilton’s time getting it checked out. She was right and it became a huge deal, a game-changer & a life-saving call. Nadia Popovici has made her first mark on the world medical-wise and could be a great asset to many people in the years to come after she graduates from medical school.

The Las Vegas Raiders are living the movie, The Hangover, in the 2021 season. The Raiders season has been up and down like a roller coaster when it comes to playing the games on the field. The Raiders’ troubles off the field have been so bizarre. The death of Chucky as the Raiders lose their head coach, Jon Gruden, from emails he wrote in the past. Emails he wrote when he was a football announcer. Gruden stepped down. Raiders players racking up the DUI’s . One of those driving DUI incidents killed an innocent person. Throw in some social media outbursts by one player and Raiders have one dysfunctional family in the locker room. Raiders’ play on the field so far this season has been good, bad, and just ugly. How many times did experts paint the picture that the toe tag is on this Raiders season, because they looked horrible? If the Raiders win next week versus the Chargers, they could get in the playoffs for only the second time in their last 19 seasons. This Hangover movie may have a thrilling ending that might involve a Tiger. Maybe Mike Tyson playing the piano.

Only the Raiders would trade their coach to have it come back to haunt them in the next upcoming season. It seems like it was many blue moons ago when Raiders sent Jon Gruden to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gruden built the Raiders up and were a playoff team on the rise. Tony Dungy had the Buccaneers built up as a playoff team as well and a team on the rise when he was fired. In 2002, Gruden led the Buccaneers over his former Raider team in the Superbowl. Ain’t that a kick in the “Pirate” ship? Years and years later, Raiders pry Gruden out of the broadcast booth and sign their former head coach to a ridiculous ten year deal worth a lot of cheddar. Gruden’s arrival in Oakland cleans house trading veteran guys for draft picks. It is the plan and gets the team moved from Oakland to Vegas as painlessly as possible. This was going to be the year for the Raiders as they did get out of the gate winning some games. Then the skeletons of Chucky’s past come back to haunt the former coach. The league was investigating former Washington Redskins President, Bruce Allen, on a workplace misconduct investigation. Gruden was an analyst at the time for the Monday Night Football booth. Gruden for years exchanged emails with Bruce Allen that the league found. Gruden’s emails involved anti-gay slurs, racist comments and sexual remarks about NFL higher-ups, players, sideline reporters, & just anybody he did not care for that worked in the league. Out of the 650,000 emails the league found, only Jon Gruden’s were leaked. He had to step down. It seemed like the Raiders were starting to come together. Interim coach went to Rich Bisaccia. Raiders won the first game under Bisaccia’s leadership. I have a feeling we have not heard the last of Chucky.

Damon Arnette was drafted by the Raiders in 2020 in the first round, 19th overall. Arnette played football at the Ohio State University where coaches stood by him as good character references when the Raiders came calling. Raiders used the draft pick they received from the Chicago Bears they got in the Khalil Mack deal. Arnette has not played like a number one draft pick in a Raiders uniform. Arnette is another Raider that has had car problems. Arnette is still involved in lawsuits from a car accident in October. Raiders cut the troubled corner back for going on social media brandishing a firearm while making death threats. Maybe Arnette’s belief was what is done in Vegas stays in Vegas. The rule does not apply when you go on social media, which everyone can see. This is a wasted pick. Not a good guy to have on your team as he was not even a starter. Arnette is obviously a guy who’s troubled and not playing with a full deck.

Then last Sunday in the wee hours of the morning, technically Monday, police in Vegas find rookie corner back Nate Hobbs sleeping at the wheel parked on an exit ramp by a parking garage. The Raiders had a big win versus the Colts in Indianapolis, a game they needed as to stay alive in the playoff chase. Hobbs was two sheets in the wind as he failed the sobriety test. Nothing wrong with celebrating a big win. Why is this cat driving? Especially being intoxicated the way he was, he could have killed someone. Has Hobbs forgotten about his former teammate Henry Ruggs III, who killed someone from his actions going out after a game only weeks ago? Hobbs was maybe going by the saying inside his head, “This will never happen to me.” Vegas Police I take it are not on the same page as the Raiders about what is done or said in Vegas stays in Vegas.

I have not forgot about the wide receiver Henry Ruggs the 3rd. Ruggs will never play professional football again. Ruggs III driving his Sting Ray Corvette up to the crazy speed of 156 MPH as he was half in the bag. Ruggs’ actions with a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit killed a 23-year-old girl. Then Ruggs had his girlfriend, the mother of his one year old daughter, in the car when he lost control of the Corvette. He caused an accident that involved injuries to his woman and his own self while now having to live with the death of a innocent girl who had her whole entire life still in front of her. Many would say what Henry Ruggs is a waste of the sperm that created this guy. When you kill someone being that stupid, no way this kind of incident would stay in a certain circle. The Vegas motto should not be used in this situation because it’s just heartbreaking.

The Raiders top brass and head coach Rich Bisaccia need to set a tone with this dysfunctional team. The Raiders need to bring down the gauntlet on this off-the-field behavior that can not be tolerated. This is not Oakland, this is Las Vegas. Plenty of temptations for the players playing in Vegas such as gambling, drugs, legal prostitution, and getting bush-whacked at the night clubs with the best booze. This is sin town. You could say Rich Bisaccia had done a very good job coaching this Raiders team with all the off-the-field headlines this team has made. Something needs to be done with the Raiders organization to put the scare into younger players or anybody on present and future teams that this behavior will not be tolerated. I’d love to see the Raiders make the post-season. They have players I like that work hard and put in the effort to win games. If the Raiders beat the Chargers this Sunday night, do you consider a guy like Rich Bisaccia to be coach of the year with the headlines his guys made? Bisaccia did not ask for this job. He did accept it though. After the Henry Ruggs situation, another DUI arrest would make me go berserk. Part of the coaching is getting a hold of these off-the-field actions. These guys are adults and should police themselves. However these adults make a lot of money and play a violent sport. Management has to do some of their own policing. I’m sure the Raiders may have other offenders involved in breaking the rules off the field where they were able to use the motto, “What is done in Vegas stays in Vegas,” like passing some tickets to the victim of the situation like old time hush-hush money. With social media in a city with so much temptation, Raiders need some serious rules to get ahead of future incidents so they don’t happen. Players would be scared to get caught driving intoxicated, not from the police but from the organization. Nate Hobbs may need to make a statement so this kind of shit does not keep happening. Bisaccia is keeping the train on the tracks for now, but the post-season if the Raiders make it, could be a derailment. Especially if this Raider team invades another town in the post-season. Head Coach Bisaccia may be in over his head and whatever outcome happens, he may want to leave town to do something less stressful. The sequel of any Hangover movie are usually worse than the original. Reality will bite down hard the next time.

WEEK 17 STRAIGHT PICK-EM

LAST WEEK’S RECORD: (14-2)

We used our Iron Head and crushed week 16 in our picks.

SEASON STATS

OVERALL RECORD: (153-87)

THURSDAY RECORD: (12-6)

SATURDAY RECORD: (3-0)

MONDAY NIGHT RECORD: (11-5)

TUESDAY RECORD: (2-0)

We are flexing our muscles for this week 17 of the NFL.

THE SUNDAY SLATE

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM

Eagles running back Miles Sanders is out in this contest with an injury. The Team has been invaded by the Covid-19 inside and outside their locker room, following them around like a cloud.

Bears former running back Jordan Howard will be activated by the Eagles in this one. Can Washington get over the beat-down they had by the Cowboys last week? Covid or not, it was an embarrassment. Eagles have not traveled to far places in the second half of this season. Eagles will still be able to get their running game in high gear with big chunks of yardage.

OUR PICK: EAGLES

LA RAMS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS

Rams so far have made Odell Beckham Jr. happy as he scored another touchdown last week. That makes Papa Beckham Sr, a happy camper, and gets him out of the film room. Ravens are having a problem with the corner back position. Is Lamar Jackson going to play and test that injured ankle? How will Tyler Huntley feel back from the Covid list? Rams are playing well right now as they are averaging just south of 30 points per game. Ravens on defense will be shorthanded as well. Too many questions for the Ravens as they are a team right now sliding down the slide in the game of Chutes and Ladders. On the big slide as well.

OUR PICK:RAMS

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT NEW YORK JETS

Tampa Tom Brady is being served up another meatball as an opponent this week, the Jets. Buccaneers still have many play-makers injured. Does it really matter who Tom Brady has on the field with him? Jets have been playing better of late. Beating a bad Jacksonville team and giving the Dolphins a run for their money. This is like old times for Tom Brady playing a bad Jets team late in the season. Results will give the Buccaneers a push for a better seed in the post season.

OUR PICK: BUCCANEERS

MIAMI DOLPHINS AT TENNESSEE TITANS

In the movie Speed, the bus could not go under 50 mph or it would blow up because of the bomb that was planted. For the Miami Dolphins, under 50 degrees weather playing outside, will the Dolphins self implode on impact? If Titans win, then they clinch the division. Dolphins have been one of the hottest teams in the league. The Titans have been riding a roller coaster all year. I like the X-Factor in this game. The X-Dolphin, Ryan Tannehill, will not let his X-team come in and beat his. I know it’s been years since Dolphins traded Tannehill to the Titans. The Dolphins probably did him a favor. Feelings linger. No way Tannehill will have his X waltz into town and leave feeling better.

OUR PICK: TITANS

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Lets face it, Bill Belichick does not lose to rookie quarterbacks. Surf Nazi Trevor Lawrence, has still struggled since the firing of Urban Meyer. Patriots quarterback Mac Jones has been the best rookie QB of last year’s draft. The Patriots defense will confuse Trevor Lawrence all afternoon making him sweat like a hog in Boston weather.

Make all the noise stop! Yes, indeed the season is almost over, young man. Patriots break their losing streak.

OUR PICK: PATRIOTS

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

The Raiders have started to make a little noise. Like a playoff push late in the season. Carson Wentz is activated off the Covid list and will play for the Colts this Sunday. It’s too late for the Raiders their season dies this weekend which was a house of horrors. Colts defense is playing well. Even if the Colts were without their starting quarterback, could the Raiders defense stop Jonathan Taylor? The answer is a fat NO.

OUR PICK: COLTS

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS

Could the Bengals and Chiefs replay this game somewhere in post-season? The Chiefs have been red hot after everyone had written this team off. The Bengals have been on the rise and with a win at home, they would win the AFC North. When was the last time that has happened for the Bengals? I can see Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrows in a shoot-out. Both defenses have played very well. I’m taking a wild stab at this outcome. The way the NFL has been all season, I like the Bengals doing the unthinkable and taking down the Chiefs. Look for Joe Mixon to run wild on the Chiefs defense. The Bengals can run the ball better than the Chiefs in cold weather that will come up big for Cincinnati.

OUR PICK:BENGALS

NEW YORK GIANTS AT CHICAGO BEARS

Bears activate Andy Dalton from the Covid list and he gets the start despite Nick Foles leading the team for a victory in Seattle last Sunday. Giants have rookie Jake Fromm who did not have a good debut last week at quarterback. The Giants also have an X-Bear in Mike Glennon and he is horrible. Justin Fields is injured so this game will be all Andy Dalton. I like Dalton over what the Giants are serving up. This is when Matt Nagy gets his team hot in games at the end of the regular season, which may save his job.

Matt Nagy is notorious for winning games that don’t really mean anything and goes on streaks that influence the Bears ownership to change their mind and bring him back. Oh the agony!!!

OUR PICK: BEARS

ATLANTA FALCONS AT BUFFALO BILLS

The Falcons are 5-3 on the road this season. Will the Buffalo Bills have one of those let down games this Sunday in front of the home crowd? The Falcons wins have feasted on bad teams this season. Bills came off a huge win on the road in New England. This is a game the Bills have to win to keep ahead of the Jones’s of the Patriot ship who are playing Jacksonville. Bills will have the weather advantage here bringing a dome team out of Hot Atlanta into the frigid cold conditions of Buffalo. Right now, Josh Allen has the eye of the tiger.

OUR PICK: BILLS

HOUSTON TEXANS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Do the 49ers get to use the line, “Houston we have a problem,” without Jimmy as our quarterback? Jimmy Garoppolo is out for the 49ers. This game will feature two rookies, Davis Mills for the Texans and Trey Lance for the Texans. Lance did not play well earlier in the season when he had chances to showcase his talent. Davis Mills has taken his lumps. Mills is now improving in each start. 49ers have playoffs hopes on the line. The Texans are playing spoilers. Texans have won two in a row and gave the Chargers a beat-down last Sunday. I like the Texans defense. They are getting turn overs and should be able to force the rookie Trey Lance into mistakes.

OUR PICK: TEXANS

DENVER BRONCOS AT LA CHARGERS

Both the Chargers and the Broncos had bad losses last week. Broncos without Teddy Bridgewater will try to exploit the Chargers’ weakest link, their run defense. Chargers not kicking the ball in some key situations to score points versus the Chiefs weeks ago may come back to haunt this team. Broncos will be heading for massive changes once again in the off-season. I see Justin Herbert with a nice rebound game avoiding mistakes like he had last week and coming up with a big day from his arm.

OUR PICK: CHARGERS

DETROIT LIONS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Seahawks are being invaded by the Lions and Tigers and Bears. Last Week, the Bears pulled off a last minute touchdown drive adding the two point conversion to seal the deal. No tigers have made it to Seattle this year in football. Unless you count the Jaguars. Lions coming all the way from Detroit with nothing to play for. Is this Seattle’s quarterback Russell Wilson’s last home game in a Seahawks uniform?

Jared Goff is out once again for the Lions. This game may also mark the ending for Seattle’s head coach Pete Carol. Look for Wilson to have that final monster game and give the Seahawks fans one final thrill ride.

OUR PICK:SEAHAWKS

CAROLINA PANTHERS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Panthers are playing very badly at this time of the season. Saints have been dealing with the Covid virus on a weekly basis. Panthers face a big issue protecting the quarterbacks. Saints thrive up front on the defensive side. Taysom Hill, back from the Covid list, over rookie QB Ian Brook will give the Saints that extra juice on the offense to deliver a week 16 victory.

OUR PICK: SAINTS

ARIZONA CARDINALS AT DALLAS COWBOYS

Cowboys crushed the Washington Football team last week sending them back to the dark ages. For the Cardinals, history is repeating itself. Cardinals struggled late last season to get a victory due from injuries. Kyle Murray’s biggest weapon is out in DeAndre Hopkins for the rest of the season. AJ Green is too old to be living his Bengal days as the number one guy. Cowboys defense, the forgotten unit, has played very well this entire season. Cowboys will be eyeballing Kyle Murray trying to run and take away it away from him. Cardinals will continue their slide. Look for Dak Prescott to slice and dice the Cardinals secondary and pile up the points.

OUR PICK:COWBOYS

MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS

Minnesota won the first match up between the Packers and Vikings. This is a big game for both teams. Vikings need this one to stay alive in the playoff race. Packers are trying to improve their playoff seed. Kirk Cousins does not do well in big games. Cousins is out with Covid so that hurts what has worked well for the Vikings, their offense. Look for Aaron Rodgers to deliver a final dagger in the Minnesota coffin to start the BBQ of the Viking funeral.

Viking Brats and cheese are on the menu in Green Bay.

OUR PICK: PACKERS

THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME

CLEVELAND BROWNS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Is this Sitting Bull’s last stand? For Ben Roethlisberger? The Dawg pound is sending out death threats to the Mayfields.

Is this Baker Mayfield’s last stand? Both Roethlisberger and Mayfield have struggled this season, although in some moments they look good. The Steelers’ slow start will doom them once again. The Browns running game will get big chunks of yards versus a defense with multiple injuries which the Steelers are dealing with. Browns defense seems more healthy to me and will be the X-factor in this.

OUR PICK:BROWNS

The Buffalo Bills have been haunted by the Patriot way, the Patriot Demon for decades. Seeing Tom Brady every year just rape you. Year after year just demoralizing your team in a two game series. One game in front of the home crowd. Then the year’s annual trip to Boston just knowing the outcome before the Bills players even got on the plane. Then that SOB in the hooded sweat shirt, the Maestro of the Patriot way, that makes you want to puke. Bill Belichick. Buffalo has bad history with Belichick from back in the 1990’s when he was just a defensive coordinator for the Giants. The Belichick plan that he set up to contain Jim Kelly and that K-Gun offense, in the first Superbowl ever the Bills got to. Then to see a Buffalo native get drafted by the Evil Empire Patriots, Rob Gronkowski. Years of the Gronk at the tight end position like an imperial walker just crushing Bills forces as he caught the ball carrying them to the end zone. Then Tom Brady leaves town and just for a moment you think finally this dynasty is over. The pain will go away because the tables have turned. Then the Patriots retool with a rookie quarterback and run the ball down your throat on your own field. Even the weather went their way, the Patriot way, as they took over first place. Then a week later Tom Brady, now Tampa Tom, beating you with his Buccaneers. A massive comeback in that one that gave you hope. Hope just for a second as Brady wins once again in overtime. The demons are out and are still haunting you.

Earlier this year on Sunday Night Football, the Buffalo Bills got revenge on the Kansas City Chiefs. It was the Chiefs that knocked off the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship last season. The Bills faithful from that win had thoughts of going all the way. Finally the Bills have a quarterback that can take this team to the promised land. It took a very long time to replace Jim Kelly of the 1990’s. Josh Allen has been the savior. Allen is still a young quarterback, but he has improved every year since being in the league. Nothing would stop the Bills from prevailing. The Bills suddenly hit a few speed bumps on the 2021 regular season road after that Chiefs win. They screwed up a game versus the Titans which they should have won. Quietly the Patriots were slowly crawling out of the bottom of the AFC East standings. Last season the Buffalo Bills easily beat up the New England Patriots. The Patriots were without Tom Brady who left bean town & signed with Tampa Bay. Patriots lost some players in free agency. Some of their players elected to sit out due to the arrival of the virus floating around invading the states. Bills had the Patriots buried and forgotten. Bill Belichick had a very busy off-season. Adding multiple defensive free agents. Belichick loves the tight end position & added a veteran free agent to the mix as well. A rookie quarterback, Mac Jones, fell to the Patriots in round one of the draft. Patriots were 2-4 to start the season, and they strung some victories together, went on a tear, and even took out the Bills on their home field. Bills looked bad before even facing Patriots when getting steam rolled by the Colts at home.

The sky was falling if you were a Buffalo fan. The rematch would be played for all the marbles last Sunday when Bills would meet the Patriots for a Sunday date in Gillette Stadium. The Bills rebounded after the failed comeback versus the Buccaneers, and beat the Panthers while the Patriots enjoyed a bye week. Then after the bye week Patriots were very sloppy in a loss to the Colts that broke their winning streak. Last Sunday, whoever won would be in the driver’s seat for the division even though the Patriots were one game better in this week 16 showdown. Bills had the tie-breaker & the better division record. Would history repeat itself? Once again everyone would be expecting a diabolical plan from the evil genius, Bill Belichick. The Patriots own the Bills like Aaron Rodgers owns the Bears. Something about playing that uniform where certain teams just melt like butter.

The tables finally turned in favor of the Buffalo Bills. Sometimes it takes a leader to rise above all the things at stake. First place on the line, playoffs, division rival, and getting over the bully next door that has tantalized you since you came out of diapers. Josh Allen had the eye of the tiger even with having some of his weapons grounded from the Covid virus. No Cole Beasley or Gabriel Davis. Josh Allen had the game. Allen had that Tom Brady-like game that Bills fans just got sick of being torched over and over and could not do anything about it. Allen and the Bills offense looked invincible and made Bill Belichick’s defense just look silly. Allen threw for over 300 yards with three touchdown passes. Allen rushed for 64 yards with his legs as he bulldozed his way for first down on a key 4th down play making shifty moves to get by the first defenders. Great quarterbacks can make any of their weapons around them better. Isaiah McKenzie caught 11 balls for 125 yards with 1 touchdown catch. Allen put the ball perfectly in spots where only McKenzie could get it. McKenzie may be indeed another big weapon emerging for the Bills down the stretch making diving grabs converting big time third downs. The Allen and McKenzie combination was just inspiring football. It was the David overcoming Goliath. It was Buster Douglas knocking out Mike Tyson. Josh Allen is now 3-1 versus the Patriots in the last two seasons. The first match-up between the Bills and the Patriots, Buffalo did not capitalize on all those red zone trips coming away with no points and to lose by 4 points. Last Sunday, Josh Allen formed a new legend that Patriot fans may not like seeing. Allen might be the Tom Brady thorn in the side of the Patriots for years to come. Skywalker has arrived, he’s in Buffalo, and has taken a mighty swing at the Evil Empire that is nowhere close to having their Death Star fully operational.