This season I have been swinging at some stuff out of the strike zone hoping to make contact. Some of my picks I have made contact. Still looking for that magical week to get my picks firing on all cylinders. In the NFL trying to figure out losers or winners, sometimes it’s easier to have no rational thoughts about each match up. That is my problem… I have too many words for each match up and talk myself out of a pick that had that gut feeling. This is why they play they the game; anything can happen on any given Sunday. I will tell you right now these picks feel right. On Sunday, suddenly the tide will change.
THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME
DETROIT LIONS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS
This is an early season match up that features both teams on top of their division. The Lions swept the Packers last season and that was with Aaron Rodgers behind center. If Derek Carr does not leave last Sunday’s game with an injury, Packers do not win that one. Lions beat the Falcons last week with ease as the Packers fell to the dirty birds and the team crumbled like a stale old log of cheese in the 4th quarter. The Lions have the better offense and seasoned quarterback compared to Jordan Love who’s just getting his feet wet in the NFL.
OUR PICK: LIONS
THE SUNDAY SLATE
ATLANTA FALCONS(2-1) VERSUS JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-2)
Both the Falcons and Jaguars fly over the pond with their tails in between their legs as they will meet for a Sunday morning match up in London. The Jaguars seem like London’s team making frequent trips over the pond as they lost three in row in Europe. Both teams suffered bad losses last Sunday. The Jaguars always lose to division rival Texans at home, where they lost six straight. The Falcons are one dimensional and the Lions put a halt to the Falcons running game. I like the Jaguars doing the same thing as the Lions building a lead and defending the box with eight guys. The X-factor of this match up will be former Falcon Calvin Ridley having a big game versus his former team in front of people who are still learning the rules of the game and have no clue where any of these cities in this game are or where in the states they are located.
OUR PICK: JAGUARS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (0-3) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-3)
The Vikings have been close in each game they played this year. Andy Dalton or Bryce Young at quarterback for the Panthers? Either Panther QB should generate some offense on a terrible Viking defense. Not enough offense to keep up with Kirk Cousins and that Viking offense that features the best receiver in the league, Justin Jefferson. I like Vikings winning this one by ten points because Minnesota this year can’t win the tight games.
OUR PICK: SCREAMING VIKING
PITTSBURGH STEELERS(2-1) AT HOUSTON TEXANS(1-2)
CJ Stroud has his first victory under his belt as a starting quarterback as the Texans won for the first time last Sunday over the Jaguars. The Steelers defense is a different animal that the Texans offensive line will be facing. Steelers have won two straight after being humiliated by the 49ers in the opener. It’s been the Steelers defense making the impact on both of those wins and right now you can say TJ Watt is defensive player of the year.
Stroud’s worst nightmare could be Watt.
OUR PICK: THE STEEL CURTAIN
DENVER BRONCOS(0-3) AT CHICAGO BEARS(0-3)
THE TURD BOWL !!!
Combined, both the Bears and Broncos defenses gave up 114 points. I don’t think you can mix and match both these defenses and build a decent unit in the NFL. Both fan bases are pissed off and each team is desperate for a victory. Do the Bears still want Russell Wilson? Maybe they can trade quarterbacks and see if that works out. Both teams coming into the season had high hopes. Bears signing multiple free agents and Broncos bring in Sean Payton as their next coach. Payton has Chicago ties, went to Eastern Illinois, and actually during the NFL strike in the 1980’s played one game for the Bears. The Broncos can score points. The Bears, it would take them a month to score 70 points. Payton’s Chicago ties will give his team some luck to squeak by in this La Bad cinema.
OUR PICK: BRONCOS
MIAMI DOLPHINS(3-0) AT BUFFALO BILLS(2-1)
This Bills/Dolphins game is must see television. The last time these two teams have met when they are both playing like a well oiled machine, you’d have to go back to the 1990’s with Jim Kelly versus Dan Marino.
I know these two teams met in the playoffs last year. Now the plot thickens as the Dolphins scored 70 points while the Bills had 9 sacks on defense last week. Miami comes down to earth in this one as Buffalo has home field advantage. The defense can get to Tua Tagovailoa. Josh Allen, not forcing the football in the last two games, Bills offense has protected him as well. I don’t see this as a high scoring shoot out. I see this one ending up a 20-17 type of score, but Bills will not lose their first two games to division foes like they did last year.
OUR PICK: BILLS
BALTIMORE RAVENS(2-1) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (2-1)
This match up is another tough one to pick. I can’t see Lamar Jackson’s Ravens team losing two games in a row after the Colts loss stung. Cleveland rebounded from their loss to the Steelers. I love the city of Cleveland. I love their teams at times. When I hate their teams, it’s a rapist at quarterback and Welcome Back Kareem Hunt who likes to knock out girls in Hotel hallways. I’m presently watching The Wire, an HBO show based in Baltimore so the Drew Carey show will collect dust until the restart of next year’s baseball season. Ravens like to collect division wins and like the Bengals they beat, they will go 2-0 versus Ohio early on in this season.
OUR PICK: RAVENS
LA RAMS (1-2) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (2-1)
The Rams have shown they can play with any team they played so far which resulted in one win versus the Seahawks. The Colts have won two straight with both wins using Gardner Minshew for an injured Anthony Richardson. The Rams have veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, who’s staying upright this season and is doing some nice things with his young trio of wide receivers. Richardson is expected to play for the Colts. I like the Rams winning on the road.
OUR PICK: RAMS
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS(2-1) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS(2-1)
Derek Carr is not expected to play in this one and I still feel the revenge of the Crab Man is in the works. I know Jameis Winston did not look good coming in for Carr last week. A week of practice & the feel of the boiling water about to saturate your skin with that yearning to still want to beat your old team. The Buccaneers had a hiccup last week in their first loss so they are wobbling. The Saints defense can knock that wobbling weeble down. Saints play their best versus the Buccaneers. I like the Crab Man finally showcasing he can still have a big game once in awhile. This is the game and Alvin Kamara is due back from his suspension as well.
OUR PICK: SAINTS
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (2-1) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES(3-0)
Sometimes life is not fair. In this case you have to be thinking about Commanders quarterback Sam Howell being beaten like a red headed step child last week by the Bills defense. He now goes on the road to face an Eagles defense. How does Howell recover from a 9 sack 4 interception day? Both Philadelphia and Washington are division rivals so this game should be close most of the way. Once you think Howell adjusts and is doing some nice things out on the field, trouble will find him and Eagles will use that as the key to victory and stay undefeated.
OUR PICK: EAGLES
CINCINNATI BENGALS(1-2) AT TENNESSEE TITANS(1-2)
I just do not trust the Titans when it comes to picking them or even against them. The Titans like to screw me and it does not feel good. Then the Bengals, you think they are dead in the water after they start off 0-2 for the season. Then the Bengals get by the Rams on Monday night for their first victory of the year. Now Joe Burrow is getting healthier just in time to play a defense they can pick apart. In the back of my mind, the Titans will get me. When you don’t kill the killer in a scary movie, he always comes back to get you. I feel the Bengals get back to 500 rather than the Titans getting there.
OUR PICK: BENGALS
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (1-2) AT LA CHARGERS (1-2)
Who is dumb? Who is dumber when it comes to both head coaches for the Raiders and Chargers? Maybe a tie for the dumbest with Brandon Staley and Josh McDaniels. No wonder Andy Reid feels like he is the smartest in the room when he mingles with all the AFC West head coaches. He is. The Raiders slogan: If your quarterback is struggling, come meet our defense and we’ll get him back to normal in no time. Justin Herbert should take advantage.
OUR PICK: CHARGERS
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-2) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (2-1)
The Cowboys will get back on track with the bad taste left in their mouth from being upended by a questionable Cardinals team. The Patriots won their first game last week but don’t have the horses to keep up with the boys in Dallas. Mac Jones will not have a very good game with the Cowboys defense in his face, he will create the turnovers they need to get back in the win column.
OUR PICK: COWBOYS
ARIZONA CARDINALS(1-2) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (3-0)
No way the 49ers will overlook this Cardinal team like the Cowboys did last week. No way the Cardinals mount another big fish on their mantel two weeks in a row.
The 49ers live in the same division as the Cardinals and will exploit all their weaknesses. Does not matter who’s behind center, the 49ers defense will kill any positive vibes this Arizona team has.
OUR PICK: 49ERS
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS(2-1) AT NEW YORK JETS (1-2)
Oh the misery for those NFL schedulers who had a hard-on when the Jets signed Aaron Rodgers putting them in all these prime time slots. The Jets don’t have a quarterback. The Chiefs certainly do.
OUR PICK: CHIEFS
THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS(2-1) AT NEW YORK GIANTS(1-2)
The Giants should be able to generate some offense versus a poor Seahawk defense. The Seahawks offense is explosive and they will get their share of points. Geno Smith is looking like he did last season and coming back to where it all started for him in New Jersey. I just don’t trust the Giants this season as they had one good half it seems against a bad Cardinal defense. Smith has a well-balanced offensive juggernaut. While the Giants will be without their star running back.
Is it justified having the Cowboys on top of the power rankings in week three? The NFC looks like they have multiple teams that could win this year’s Superbowl. Some nice rebounds from week two as some fan bases can come off the ledge. The Bengals and Chargers remain winnless. The Bears’ season is officially over. The Falcons have the best ground assault in the NFL. Let’s sort it all out as we bring you another edition of the NFL power rankings. CHEERS!!!
#1.DALLAS COWBOYS (2-0) Up 2 spots from last week
Like the old Pace Picante salsa commercials, the Cowboys are dispatching the New York sauce. The Cowboys in the first two weeks have dispatched a pair of New York teams. The Cowboys have outscored New York 70-10. Last week, the Cowboys offense did pretty well against one of the best defenses in the league, the Jets, scoring 30 points. The Cowboys defense is no slouch unit themselves as they made Zach Wilson want to return to his mommy’s womb. The Cowboys all around look like they are one of the best teams in the NFL and they have taken over the number one spot in the power rankings.
#2. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (2-0) Same spot from last week
Not sure who won all the fights between the Rams fans and the 49ers fans last week. The Rams did give the 49ers a game and had a lead in the second half. The 49ers ended up winning as the Rams could not contain Christian McCaffrey who ran for over 100 yards and galloped for a score. The 49ers also used their weapon of mass destruction on the Rams who goes by the name Deebo Samuel. He had a rushing touchdown and caught multiple passes in the contest. The 49ers remain perfect after two weeks.
#3.PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (2-0) Drop two spots from last week
The Eagles have fallen to the number three spot in the power rankings as they were perched on the number one spot last week. The Eagles defense did not show up versus the Vikings in the Thursday night game as Minnesota scored 28 points. I know the Vikings offense is solid. It looked too easy for Kirk Cousins as he sliced and diced the Eagles secondary like a Thanksgiving turkey. Luckily, the Vikings defense is horrible as the Eagles took advantage and won the football game.
#4.BALTIMORE RAVENS (2-0) Up 1 spot from last week
When Lamar Jackson is out in games versus the Bengals, the Ravens can’t win. Like last year when Jackson was grounded with an injury, the Bengals won the last regular season game and took the playoff game. Jackson was back behind center & the Bengals lose their second straight division game. Jackson had over 200 yards in the air with a pair of touchdown passes and used his legs to get another 50 yards. Jackson now is 7-2 over Joe Cool in his career.
#5.MIAMI DOLPHINS (2-0) Up 4 spots from last week
Bill Belichick does not have the answer for how to stop TUA TIME!!! The Dolphins quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, is now 5-0 versus the Patriots and Belichick’s defense. The Dolphins played a solid game all around versus the Patriots on Sunday night. Raheen Mostert had a pair of rushing touchdowns. Most importantly, the Dolphins defense showed up and held the Patriots to 17 points and were able to force some turnovers.
#6.KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (1-1) Drop 2 spots from last week
The Chiefs welcomed back their star defensive player, Chris Jones, and tight end, Travis Kelce. The Chiefs got their first victory against a playoff team they beat last year, the Jaguars. The Chiefs only scored 17 points which shows Patrick Mahomes and this offense is still not running on all cylinders. Making Matt Nagy, former Bears head coach, the offensive coordinator I believe is the problem. Andy Reid may have to rethink his decision letting Nagy have his say on the play calling. The Chiefs defense has been solid. If the Chiefs offense can’t be untracked versus the Bears this Sunday, don’t say I did not warn you.
#7.BUFFALO BILLS (1-1) Up 3 spots from last week
Week two, the Buffalo Bills got themselves back on track with a blow out win versus the Raiders. The Bills had some home cooking in their home opener. Josh Allen rebounded from that terrible game he had versus the Jets as he was awarded offensive player of the week passing for 274 yards a few touchdown passes and most importantly, no turnovers. Allen now has eclipsed legendary quarterback Jim Kelly for the most offensive of the week awards in Bills history. The Bills defense was outstanding as linebacker Matt Milano had an interception off Jimmy Garoppolo. James Cook was cooking with a monster day running the football.
#8.DETROIT LIONS (1-1) Same spot from last week
Last week, the Lions seemed like they were in cruise control with the Seahawks. Then suddenly the Lions lost their courage and Seattle came back and forced overtime. Jared Goff threw a costly interception that resulted in a touchdown for the Seahawks. Goff had a good game besides that bad pass, he was over 300 yards passing. What happened to that Lions defense? Is this team haunted from games from the past where they had leads and blew multiple games late in the 4th quarter. The Seahawks won the coin toss for the over time period, marched down the field, and game over. Seattle walked off with a touchdown leaving Lions fans speechless and reliving their past demons.
#9.CINCINNATI BENGALS (0-2) Drop 3 spots from last week
The Bengals’ last few seasons have started off 0-2. This is a rough start because this season they lost to division rivals the Browns and Ravens. Joe Burrow’s ankle could be his problem as the quarterback does not look crisp as he does most games. The Ravens held Ja’Marr Chase to a measly 31 yards receiving.In week one & Tee Higgins had no catches. Higgins rebounded with two touchdown catches last week. Burrow had over 200 yards in the air & also threw one interception. Bengal fans may have to start worrying if they lose this week on Monday night.
#10.WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (2-0) Up 2 spots from last week
The Commanders found themselves down early on the road to the Broncos 21-3 at one point. The Commanders quickly responded with an outburst of offense they needed to overcome a loss on the road. Sam Howell had his best game of his young career with 299 yards in the air for two touchdown passes. It was the Commanders running game that helped this team get back in the game. Brian Robinson Jr. showed his best moves as he ran for 87 yards with a pair of rushing touchdowns.
The Commanders defense came around forcing a fumble on Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson and killed Denver’s last attempt to win the game at the end.
#11.NEW YORK JETS (1-1) Drop 5 spots from last week
I feel the networks have booked the Jets for many prime time games because of Aaron Rodgers. Hopefully someone will fix that so we don’t have to see Zack Wilson throw it to the wrong guy three times like he did versus Dallas. Wilson is not the answer as he now has 4 interceptions in two games. The Jets should be able to find the local beer guy looking to play some quarterback on the weekends that could be serviceable rather than the mess Wilson has made. Dalvin Cook is probably thinking why did I sign here as he did not help the cause as he had a fumble. The Jets defense is top notch but all dressed up with nobody to blow.
#12.NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (2-0) Up 2 spots from last week
The Saints offense is still trying to find itself but has improved each week.
The Saints had a healthy Michael Thomas on the field versus the Panthers and all’s he does is move the chains with 7 catches for 55 yards. The Saints defense was the key to the victory. I like what I see from Derek Carr in the passing game. I like how the Saints still insert Swiss Army Knife, Taysom Hill, running that wild cat option behind center. The Saints had hard times winning in Carolina last few years. Carr is 1-0 so far in a Saints uniform. Most importantly, the Saints are perfect after the first two weeks.
#13.JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-1) Drop 2 spots from last week
The Jaguars want to stride to be better than what they were last season. Jacksonville rematched with the team that knocked them out of the playoffs, the Chiefs in Kansas City. The Jaguars defense did their job holding the Chiefs to 17 points. The Jaguars offense has improved from last season and Trevor Lawrence has playmakers and they only managed to score 9 points. All field goals. The Jaguars made more than three trips to the red zone as well and only get three field goals against a Chiefs defense that is not the top unit in the league, even with the return of Chris Jones. The Jaguars will have to do better than that against the cream of the crop if I’m going to take them seriously.
#14.CLEVELAND BROWNS (1-1) Drop 1 spot from last week
It’s hard to root for the Cleveland Browns with this ass above as their quarterback. Watson got away with pushing the referee during the Monday night game versus the Steelers. Who does he think he is going around pushing people or making girls suck him off on the massage table? All the guaranteed money the Browns paid him, I hope it haunts this organization throughout the length of that ridiculous contract. It’s paying off dividends with a pick six to start the game. Browns lose their first game with not a very good performance from the Browns’ million dollar a quarter quarterback. The team lost Nick Chubb for the year with an injury. His replacement, Kareem Hunt, who played for the Browns the last few seasons is a guy who punched and knocked out a girl in Cleveland hotel hall way years ago. Great citizens the Browns have.
#15.TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (2-0) Up 2 spots from last week
They say Baker Mayfield is at the most comfortable place of his NFL career. Mayfield does not have to be the savior when he was drafted by the Browns. He was not traded to Tampa Bay as he signed there as a free agent. Many thought when Tom Brady retired this team was going to sink to the bottom of the NFL like those old creamsicle uniform teams of the early1980’s. Mike Evans most likely is happy Mayfield is in town as he had 171 yards receiving with a touchdown. The Buccaneer defense is still a solid unit as Shaquil Barrett closed out the Bears’ hopes and dreams with a pick six to seal the deal and keep Tampa Bay perfect after the first two weeks of the season.
#16. ATLANTA FALCONS (2-0) Up 3 spots from last week
Football experts thought the Atlanta Falcons were crazy drafting a running back in the first round of the draft. Bijan Robinson gives the Falcons one of the best ground assaults in the NFL and they are off to a 2-0 start. Robinson had 124 yards on the ground versus the Packers. The Falcons scored 13 unanswered points late in the game and to overcome the Packers at home. Falcons piled up 446 yards on offense as they ran for 211 yards. Desmond Ridder is getting better each start as he had a rushing touchdown and over 200 passing yards.
#17.GREEN BAY PACKERS (1-1) Drop 2 spots from last week
The Packers defense looked like they were run over by a freight train. The Falcons had 211 rushing yards on the big cheese defense. The Packers blew a 13 point lead in the 4th quarter to land their first loss of the season. How did Jordan Love do? Love had three touchdown passes and 151 passing yards. Love looks to play the part as a game manager behind center like a Kyle Orton type. The Packers had some key play makers that did not play. Can Love be the Aaron Rodgers or Brett Farve type and up his play when the game is on the line? If Love is going to be a game manager, then that Packer defense has to play better.
#18.LA RAMS (1-1) Same spot from last week
The new Rams receivers have interesting names as last week we mentioned Puka Nacua. This week we are mentioning another wide out for the Rams who goes by Tutu Atwell and he had 7 catches for 77 yards last week against the 49ers. I will say the Rams hung with the 49ers last week. The Rams offensive line kept Matthew Stafford in the upright position. The O-line also created some nice lanes for another Ram name we are unfamiliar with, running back Kyren Williams who had 52 yards on the ground with a rushing touchdown. Stafford had his old Lions numbers behind center throwing for over 300 yards with one touchdown pass and two interceptions. Live by the gun slinger die by the gun slinger.
#19.SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (1-1) Up 2 spots
Looks like Geno Smith made another pact with the devil, his head coach Pete Carol. Smith did not look good in his first game versus the Rams. Last week Smith showed he is not a one year wonder and went into Detroit and threw for two touchdown passes over 300 passing yards as Seattle wins an overtime thriller on the road. Detroit is a nice victory as the Lions are a team on the rise. Smith hit Tyler Lockett for the walk off touchdown and like that, Seattle put 37 points on the board. It’s the same Seahawks putting lots of points on the board while the defense is surrendering 31 points. It’s Pete Carol’s present day winning recipe.
#20.TENNESSEE TITANS (1-1) Up 2 spots
The Titans did bounce back at home versus the Chargers last Sunday. I think the Chargers gift wrapped the game for the Titans who pulled it off in overtime. Ryan Tannehill played better as he rushed for a touchdown & threw for one, no turnovers but was sacked 5 times. Derrick Henry averaged 3.2 yards per carry. The Titans running game did better handing off the ball to Tyjae Spears who had 8 carries for 49 yards on the ground. We have not seen that aerial attack where DeAndre Hopkins is catching the bombs as he glides down the sidelines in big chunks of yardage good for score after score. A win is a win and the Titans will hang around, but this team just needs one opposing team to step on their necks and end them for the season. These are not the Titans we remember.
#21.LA CHARGERS (0-2) Drop 5 spots
BELOW THIS IS THE DEFINITION OF FOOTBALL STUPID!!!
The Chargers fans should revolt if Brandon Staley continues to work the side lines as head coach. Would that be two fans ringing the ring doorbell at the Chargers owner’s home? Staley once again is football stupid this time versus the Titans with clock management at the end of regulation. The Chargers were in great position to win the game, but instead settled for over time and took another loss with a minute left to get the job done in the red zone. The play selection. The way Staley uses time outs. I’m going to point once again to last year’s loss to the Jaguars in the playoffs as they lost the big lead in the second half. Staley is known to make his decisions on data like sabermetrics in baseball. The Chargers should replace this idiot droid with a human instead of machines taking all the jobs.
#22.MINNESOTA VIKINGS (0-2) Drop two spots
Every year you never know what you will get from the Vikings. Like a flip of a coin last year they won close games & made the playoffs. In 2021 and this season, they have lost close games. Remember when the Vikings had a great defense? I can’t recall either. I did think when Mike Zimmer came in his first few years that defense was awesome. That was the last regime and today the Vikings offense is amazing. A few drops last week from their receivers did not help them get their first win. Captain Kirk Cousins rebounded with a great game with 4 touchdown passes & no mistakes this week. Justin Jefferson is the best receiver in the game despite his fumble in last Thursday’s game versus the Eagles. The Vikings defense is a bottom of the league in defense, and it’s a shame because they can put points up on the scoreboard. The Vikings offense are prone to making mistakes & with no solid defense in place losses will pile up.
#23.PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1-1) Up 3 spots
If you have a chubby over defense, the Steelers put on a clinic against rival Browns. It was a bad day to be rapist quarterback as Deshaun Watson out of the gates was picked off by line backer Alex Highsmith and he took it to the house for a score. Who is Alex Highsmith? Another gem defensive player this organization finds every year. Highsmith would also force a fumble and TJ Watt would scoop and return for another defensive score. Watt is killing it in the first two games as he added another sack and two more tackles for loss of yardage. The Steelers offense are awoken from their deep slumber and George Pickens, a rookie last year, showed some flashes & had a big game with 4 catches for 127 yards and touchdown catch. Steelers fans can come back off the ledge from the first week being humiliated by the 49ers in their home opener.
#24.NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (0-2) Drop 1 spot from last week
The Patriots’ biggest problem is they can’t run the football. They run the ball by committee which has always worked but this season they are struggling. Rhamondre Stevenson averaged 3.3 yards per carry on 15 rushes last week as he reached 50 yards. Free agent bust, Ezekiel Elliot, averaged a nice smooth 2.6 yards per carry. Mac Jones once again had to throw the football over 40 times. Jones is not the guy that should be chucking the ball all over the field that many times. Bill Belichick’s defense is not lights out but a solid unit as they brought Tua Tagovailia back down to earth as he only tallied up 249 passing yards, unlike his first week versus the Chargers. The Patriots will be a team stuck in the middle of the NFL and rack up 6 to 7 wins, maybe 8, if they get hot which they will at some point.
#25.NEW YORK GIANTS (1-1) Up two spots from last week
The Giants in the 25th spot might be too kind for a New York team that may have saved their season versus the Cardinals. It did not look good for the Giants as the Cardinals were all over them last Sunday. Giants were down 20-0 to Arizona at half. In the first six quarters of the season, the Giants were out scored 60-0. The G-Men marched back with Daniel Jones having a monster second half as New York prevailed 31-28. The Giants were very close being beyond the bottom of the barrel of the power rankings. In the win, the team may be without their star running Saquan Barkley who left this contest with an injury. I still don’t trust the Giants finding a playoff spot this season with a difficult schedule looming.
#26.LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (1-1) Drop 2 spots
Josh Jacobs had negative two yards rushing last week versus the Bills. In the running back world when backs come off a big year and demand more money or even hold out, bad things happen. Jacobs had a monster year last season & held out through some camps missing some practices & is not off to a good start. The Raiders running game was shut down completely. Jimmy G did not look good behind center as he threw two interceptions. Raiders were on the road facing a Bills team where Josh Allen shot himself and his team in the feet for their opening night loss to the Jets, which they should have won. Once again, Josh Daniels can beat the lone Broncos, but the rest of the league he does not fare well against.
#27.DENVER BRONCOS (0-2) Drop 2 spots from last week
Sean Payton’s era could be 2-0 in Denver. Week one they lost by 1 point over the Raiders. Last Sunday, the Broncos had a 21-3 lead which they blew. Then the comeback came up short. The Broncos have dropped two home games to start this season. Russell Wilson is playing better than he did last year. Sam Howell in his third start of his career sliced and diced the Broncos defense which looks to be part of the problem in Denver. How’d Payton let his quarterback get sacked 7 times? In preseason, Payton was quick to blame the last regime for the bad coaching they did in 2022. Which could be true or gives Payton a longer leash to figure this out. Meanwhile Prime Time Neon Deon Sanders is 3-0 with the University of Colorado. Just saying. No one is keeping count.
#28.INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (1-1) Up two spots
Anthony Richardson may have still been able to lead his team over the Texans in week two. Richardson had two rushing touchdowns, but on second one crossing the goal line he took a shot to the head and had to leave the game for the second time in two weeks. The Colts have one of the best back up quarterbacks in the game. Former Jaguar Gardner Minshew took the controls and threw a touchdown pass with 171 yards in the air as the Colts did not miss a beat.
The Colts are all about developing their future with Richardson. Minshew may get the start over Richardson in week three and Gardner is a streaky quarterback. It would not surprise me if he has this Colts offense looking much better.
#29.CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-2) Drop 1 spot from last week
The Panthers defense stands out more than that offense throughout these first two games of regular season.
The Panthers have some veterans on this team that are playing like this Carolina team is going somewhere. The Panthers Linebacker on Monday night versus the Saints had 9 tackles, two tackles for a loss with two sacks. The Panthers have interesting veterans on both sides of the ball but have to wait until Bryce Young gets through his growing pains in his rookie season to win games. Young had one touchdown pass, no interceptions, but did throw a lot of passes and only tallied up 153 yards. Young took 4 sacks and he also suffered a strained ankle. Young could miss this week with that injury as the Panthers would go with veteran Andy Dalton. Dalton could change things quickly and get the Panthers in the win column. Then developing the rookie quarterback or winning games could be the million dollar question.
#30.CHICAGO BEARS (0-2) Drop another spot from last week
Many thought the Bears stood a chance at collecting at least one win in their first two games. The Bears have lost to the Packers’ Jordan Love making his second ever start of his career and then last week Baker Mayfield who is trying to remain a starting QB in the NFL. The Bears defense is mind boggling especially with all the talent they brought in during the off-season. The biggest question during off-season was will Justin Fields take the next step. The Bears have tried to fit Fields into the pocket like a puzzle piece that will not fit. Fields has blamed the coaching of the Bears. Some experts have said Bears need to design the offense around Field’s skill set and have him roll out and pass on the run instead of that puzzle piece jammed in the final spot of the pocket where he is uncomfortable. Fields still holds on to the ball way too long. Fields throws some beautiful passes along with a few clunkers each game. The Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus, is the worst Bears coach ever in his first two seasons on the sidelines.
#31.HOUSTON TEXANS (0-2) Drop one spot from last week
C.J Stroud’s second start of the year and in his 2nd of his NFL career, threw the ball 47 times. Stroud had 384 passing yards with two touchdown passes which sounds like a great day at the office. Stroud can make all the passes, but he’s constantly under pressure. Stroud was sacked 6 times and showed some of the rookie growing pains holding on to the ball way too long. You like to see the running game compliment Stroud’s aerial attack. The good thing is Stroud has built up some nice raport with his wide receivers. Nico Collins is Stroud’s right hand man with 7 catches, 146 yards, & a touchdown catch. Getting his fellow rookie Tank Dell involved in the passing game this early will help this kid develop.
Tank caught his first touchdown pass and had 7 catches for 72 yards.
#32. ARIZONA CARDINALS (0-2) Same situation as last week
Last week seeing the Cardinals up 20-0 over the Giants I was thinking maybe New York might be the rotten apple of the orchard of the NFL. The Giants would come back in the second half and win the game. It was like big brother spotting you 20-0 lead in ping pong or corn hole. Then he crushes your hopes & scores 21 straight points to win the match. Maybe the Cardinals have entered the Caleb Williams sweepstakes and will be tanking the season away to get the USC quarterback with the number one overall pick.
Would Williams end up being Kyler Murray part two the sequel. Another sequel to Weekend at Bernie’s, which would be bad cinema.
When was the last time the Chicago Bears won a football game? You have to go back into the archives and find the last victory which was a win in week 7 last season in 2022 versus the New England Patriots in October. Since that win, the Bears have lost 12 straight including two winnable games this season. As Bears fans, we were happy to see the Bears tank last season to get the number one pick overall. The Bears cleared out a ton of salary. The team had a new regime in place. The rebuild would be built and centered around Justin Fields as some think he is the franchise quarterback. Some do not. Majority still have questions lingering in their mindset about Fields. In the off-season, the plan the Bears had was in place adding talented free agents on both sides of the ball. The team seemed to draft well. They made some savvy trades. Ryan Poles looked like the savior. Suddenly this season this team has that White Sox feeling tainted all over this rebuild. It feels like the Bears are the Titanic, just hit a massive iceberg, and they still have 15 games left in regular season.
It starts with the center of this rebuild, Justin Fields. We all know Fields can run the football as he did that in 2022 a lot. Some of the runs probably saved his life. Last year, the team had a bad offensive line. Now Fields has a stable wall and is surrounded by multiple playmakers. I always thought Fields can throw a nice deep ball. I have not seen enough of the short to medium passing game, the stuff that moves the chains from Fields. This year the Bears are using Fields as a pocket passer which is not his skill set. Fields this season has completed 60.6% of his passes for 427 passing yards with two touchdown passes and three interceptions. Former head coach, now football analyst, Rex Ryan said that Fields is not a pocket passer and he’s a guy that should be rolling out throwing on the run. Fields has held on to the ball and has taken multiple sacks in the first two games of this season. Fields has even blamed the coaching about the game plans where he has to overthink each play and not just react to see what’s in front of him. Fields described himself as feeling robotic behind the center. When the new regime was hired, fans of the Bears were dancing in the streets naked welcoming them and seeing Matt Nagy kicked out the door of Halas Hall. Nagy inherited Mitch Trubisky like Eberflus inherited Fields. In the first two seasons by the numbers, Mitch’s numbers are way better than Justin’s.
Lets talk about the defensive minded head coach, Matt Eberflus. Numbers never lie as Eberflus is in his second season as the Bears head coach and his record is 3-15 which is the worst all-time in one of the original franchises in the NFL. Where’s the defense? The general manager, Ryan Poles, stockpiled you personally as he signed a wrecking crew of linebackers that have a solid history in place in the league. Last week the defense could not get off the field as Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers marched up and down the field, no problem. In the season opener, Green Bay Jordan Love in his second start of his NFL career looked like a Hall of Famer on the road in Chicago. Then the lack of conditioning. Playing in Tampa Bay with the heat is a factor, but this team was not prepared for the environment as multiple players left the game with some cramping or heat exhaustion symptoms. The season schedule is a big hint on how to prepare for a road game. Last year I give Eberflus a hall pass for because the General Manager Ryan Poles traded away his best defenders before and during the season. I liked what I did see from Eberflus’ defense before the trades. Is the scapegoat the defensive coordinator?
The defensive coordinator of the Bears defense is 53 year old Alan Williams. Williams might be the sacrificial lamb for the Bears’ woes on the defensive side. Williams resigned from the team claiming he has health problems and personal issues as he needs to step away to be with the family. Williams was hired by Matt Eberflus as the two worked together in Indianapolis for a few seasons & he coached the team’s safeties. Williams did not go into detail, but stories came out of the woodwork after the fact that FBI raided his house and agents went to Halas Hall. The Bears and Williams lawyer said these rumors were false. Did Kenny Williams and Rick Hahn get jobs in the Bears front office? Because this sounds like a story that only can happen to the Chicago baseball team, the White Sox. The Bears will hide anything Williams is involved in as long as they can.
The season is two games in and the Bears seem to have a season’s worth of drama. In the first game versus the Packers, an arch-rival, a Bears wide receiver did not look motivated or happy to be out on the field. Chase Claypool dropped a few balls, missed a few blocks, and was not giving a 100 percent. Claypool would give up on certain plays and pretty much not even give a good effort to go through the motions. The other new wide receiver the Bears got from the Panthers in off-season is DJ Moore, a number one receiver on most teams. He was telling the Buccaneers linebacker the team game plan for how they were using him and Fields was horrific. Moore was hardly used in the opener but had a good day versus the Buccaneers. The offense is as much to blame as the defense and the bad coaching. The Bears offensive coordinator, Luke Getsy, well… enough is enough with the same sucky screen passes that don’t go anywhere. Let’s remember Getsy’s play calling Fields only threw the ball three times downfield beyond ten yards in the first game hosting the Packers. Then the back up quarterback being Nate Peterman, who would not even start in the XFL or the USFL. Why are we keeping this guy. The Bears cut Peterman multiple times to bring him back each time. Why, why, why??
I don’t see the Bears winning this weekend facing the Chiefs in Kansas City. This Bears team has time to turn things around and work their way out of the bottom of the barrel. It’s too late as this team has hit an iceberg and will not make the post-season. If the Bears repeat last year’s performance, they will get another number 1 pick and enter the Caleb Williams sweepstakes. If the Bears traded away Justin Fields at the end of last season, why because he was brilliant but a mystery, they could have gotten a nice return. The thing that irks me about Fields is the 2 minute offense at the end of the game where he has to step up and lead the team down the field with a game winning or tying drive. Last year, he could not do that. This year he had a chance last week and it did not look good in that situation. I want a guy like Patrick Mahomes who can run that offense like a puppet master. Can the Bears have more success with Justin Fields or Matt Eberflus’s group in long term? If the Bears change coaching staffs once again, it’s another coordinator for Fields. Right now the women and the kickers are fleeing the Bears’ Titanic as this might actually go deeper than a head coach or another quarterback bites the dust behind center for Chicago. The fans can’t even have their giardiniera on their Italian beef, a usual staple in Chicago, because the Monsters of the Midway don’t have that defense that carries that offense for decades. Another story breaking new vandals were able to break into Soldier Field and steal thousands dollars worth of equipment from the Bears. Who’s the Captain and goes down with the ship? I could have sworn I saw him in a dress sneak out the back door.
Week two we are hoping & even praying we’ve seen the light with all our picks. You may need a second opinion.
THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (0-1) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (1-0)
The Vikings defense is a big concern especially on a short week. I’m running down the road with the Eagles.
OUR PICK: EAGLES
THE SUNDAY SLATE
GREEN BAY PACKERS(1-0) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (1-0)
The Falcons are one dimensional on offense. The Packers defense played solid last Sunday and should be able to to pack the box to stop the run. I’m showing my Love to Jordan as well while he starts off 2-0 in his first season as a starter.
OUR PICK: PACKERS
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (1-0) AT BUFFALO BILLS (0-1)
Josh Allen rebounds in a big way in front of the home cooking.
Pinto Ron is a master chef cooking on an a engine block during the Bills Mafia tailgate parties.
OUR PICK: BILLS
BALTIMORE RAVENS (1-0) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (0-1)
Kick them while they are down. Lamar Jackson will put his foot down and keep the hapless Bengals perfect at 0-2.
OUR PICK: RAVENS
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (0-1) AT DETROIT LIONS (1-0)
Lions are for real. Geno Smith is a one year wonder. I like Lions at home because they’re not over confident but get the job done.
OUR PICK: LIONS
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (0-1) AT HOUSTON TEXANS (0-1)
The Ohio State quarterback is a real thing. I’m going with Anthony Richardson and that Colts defense in this match up.
OUR PICK: COLTS
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (0-1) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-0)
The Chiefs will rebound from last week especially getting back Chris Jones on defense and Travis Kelce on offense.
OUR PICK: CHIEFS
CHICAGO BEARS(0-1) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (1-0)
Not falling for the Bears hype until I see them actually string some wins together. Baker Mayfield is playing smart & the Buccaneers defense is solid.
OUR PICK: BUCCANEERS
LA CHARGERS (0-1) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (0-1)
The Titans can not match the points the Chargers can put up. Ryan Tannehill will be benched at some point soon.
OUR PICK: CHARGERS
NEW YORK GIANTS (0-1) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (0-1)
The humiliation last week the Giants suffered on prime time versus arch rival Cowboys will be a factor in redemption for the G-Men. This will be a close game with hardly any offense but Giants like those game from last year as they squeak by and get their first win of the season.
OUR PICK: GIANTS
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (1-0) AT LA RAMS (1-0)
The Rams will come back down to earth. The 49ers are playing at mid-season level right now.
OUR PICK: 49ERS
NEW YORK JETS (1-0) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (1-0)
This is the game where the Jets will realize they do not have a quarterback once again. The Cowboys will score enough points off a very good Jets defense to stay unbeaten.
OUR PICK: COWBOYS
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (1-0) AT DENVER BRONCOS(0-1)
Whoever scores the first touchdown in this match up should win the game. This game has field goals written all over.
The Cobra Commander will find a way to control the weather and help his team win on the road.
OUR PICK: COMMANDERS
MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-0) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (0-1)
This is the game where you will see Bill Belichick’s defense pay off and shut down that Miami high octane aerial game on the road.
OUR PICK: PATRIOTS
THE MONDAY NIGHT GAMES
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-0) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-1)
Bryce Young is not ready yet to win in the NFL. I’m riding the Saints new Carr in this one on this road trip.
OUR PICK: SAINTS
CLEVELAND BROWNS (1-0) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (0-1)
From the eye test, Steelers looked very bad while the Browns looked like division champs last Sunday. I like the DAWGs on the road.
The Chiefs fall off the King of the Hill after the first week.
In a crazy week of football as the Chiefs, Bengals and the Bills take losses on the opening weekend, the cream of the crop of the AFC, Aaron Rodgers, is done for the season as he does not survive the first quarter. It was a bad weekend for New York teams that play their football in New Jersey. The Lions and the Jaguars are not kittening around. The Vikings, Chargers, and the Giants may be the teams that regress after making the playoffs last year. Let’s not panic – it’s only one week done in the NFL. Let’s sort this mess out as we roll another week of our power rankings right down the middle at you’ll be sure to swing and don’t miss.
WEEK TWO – 1 THROUGH 32 WE ARE A GO!!!
#1.PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (1-0) Moving up two spots to the deluxe apartments in the sky.
The Eagles quarterback, Jalen Hurts, played his first ever game against a Bill Belichick Patriot defense on the road in New England. Over the years, Belichick’s defense has confused some of the best quarterbacks in the league. The way the Patriots disguise their blitz packages or drop extra guys back into coverage always has baffled guys in their first ever look at a Belichick defense. Hurts handled it and the Eagles get their first victory of the year avoiding that Superbowl loss hangover. The win was so good the prisoner Danelo Cavalcante from Pennsylvania that escaped prison while eluding the Police for over a week emerged out of the woods with an Eagles hoodie on. That’s diehard right there.
#2. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (1-0) Moving up two spots on the power rankings totem pole
I thought the 49ers were going to have another opening day let down repeating last year’s performance losing to a very bad Bears team in Chicago. Flying across the country, the 49ers open up in Pittsburgh against an up and coming Steeler team. Many experts speculated the 49ers might struggle as Brock Purdy’s first start when he hurt his arm in the playoffs last season. Purdy’s arms looked pretty good as he completed 65% of his passes and threw 2 touchdown passes with 220 passing yards. Christian McCaffrey had a nice game running the ball while the 49ers defense put the Denver boot on the Steelers offense and opened up the season with a blow out win on the road.
#3.DALLAS COWBOYS (1-0) Moving up 5 spots from last week if it was bowling this would be the beer frame.
The Cowboys blew their division rival G-Men out of the waters on their team’s home field in a prime time game where everyone was witness. To rub even more salt in the wounds of New York fans, the Cowboys shut out the Giants on opening night 40-0. The Giants were a playoff team last season. The Cowboys defense was like a SWAT team, but instead of kicking doors down to enter, they booted the Giants O-linemen out of the way to crush their number one suspect Daniel Jones.
The Cowboys defense tallied up seven sacks on opening night.
#4. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (0-1) Dropped 3 spots from last week
We could make a case that the Chiefs lost last week because they were without their best pass rusher, Chris Jones, and Patrick Mahomes’ number one target in tight end Travis Kelce. Then add the multiple catches Kadarius Toney dropped, especially the one on 4th down and short that killed a Chiefs drive. The Chiefs lose games during regular season & then win like 6 straight after each loss it seems. The Chiefs have resolved the Jones contract situation so they will have their heart and soul back in the mix. Kelce is still a question mark dealing with an injury. I feel like this team will bounce back rather quickly.
#5.BALTIMORE RAVENS (1-0) Up one spot from last week
These days beating the Texans is not a trophy you want to hang up on your wall and be proud of the kill. The Ravens won the game and Lamar Jackson was back on the field,knocking off some rust from his injury last season. That is what’s important for this Baltimore team. Did the Ravens pay a steep price in this win losing their starting running back JK Dobbins who will now be out for the season with a torn achilles tendon? Running backs you can get for a dime a dozen and easily find a replacement.
#6.CINCINNATI BENGALS (0-1) Dropped 4 spots
I don’t know who I’m happier seeing win the Battle of Ohio, the Browns or the Bengals? I hate the Bengals for some of their players that talk trash constantly. I hate the rapist Deshaun Watson for the Browns. It was the Browns defense that turned Joe Burrow into a pumpkin that was not that great. Joe Cool was 14-31 for 82 yards. Yikes!!! Tee Higgins targeted 8 times no catches. I give the Bengals the benefit of the doubt as they are prone to have early season clunkers like this and rebound.
#7.NEW YORK JETS (1-0) Same spot last week
I hate when bad things happen to good people. Looks like Aaron Rodgers is headed for another dark retreat as he is ruled out for the year. Rodgers will take the time to find his inner self during rehab. The Jets looked like a plane crash for most of the Monday night game versus the Bills. The Jets defense bailed them out or was it Josh Allen of the Bills gift wrapping the victory for New York. The Jets are back in the same familiar situation going with Zach Wilson as QB 1. Wilson looks more like a bust than a guy picked out of the first round. The good thing for Jets fans is we can see Zach Wilson’s hot mother when her boy plays.
#8.DETROIT LIONS (1-0) Moved up two spots from last week.
It would be typical Lions-like to win the NFL opener against last year’s Superbowl winner & then lay a clunker in week two. This seems like a different Lions team though. Jared Goff is a Kansas City Chief slayer as he now is 2-0 versus Patrick Mahomes. Goff won his first meeting versus Mahomes in a Rams uniform. Remember when the Lions did not win a road game for several years? This team feels different to me. No sudden retirements of any Lions legends in the forecast like Barry Sanders or Megatron Calvin Johnson. This team is young, gelling, and has a smart coach. This is not going to be a one and done Lions team in the playoffs with the boob, Wayne Fontes, running the show in the 1990’s. The Lions are young, hungry, and ready to growl on the prowl.
#9.MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-0) Same spot as last week
We all know the Miami Dolphins can win games in a shoot out. I give Miami kudos for flying across the country heading west to LA and escaping town with a victory. A nail biter. The two Chargers home fans completely bit their fingers off. It was TUA TIME!!! Tua Tagovailoa was putting up video game numbers as he had 466 passing yards. Tua targeted his favorite receiver Tyreek Hill 15 times & he grabbed 11 of those for 215 yards with two touchdowns.
Nice defense, Chargers. I also wonder what happened to the Dolphins defense? Did the Dolphins new defensive coordinator use a sick day?
#10.BUFFALO BILLS (0-1)
The picture above says 1,000 words. Josh Allen is going down a terrible road called Cutler Boulevard. Allen is starting to be a turn over machine like Jay Cutler did when he played. Cutler did not care he won the lotto with the Bears. Allen does care. The Bills had all the momentum versus the Jets as they knocked Aaron Rodgers out of the game. Then his replacement, Zach Wilson, was a deer in head lights. The Bills defense were sharks and smelled the blood in the waters. Allen’s turnovers kept the Jets in the game and eventually gave them the game. Sometimes teams have your number. If you beat yourself, teams will not always have your number. Only one game. The Bills could easily rebound as they have a ton of talent. Allen needs to take care of the football bottom line.
#11.JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-0) Moved up one spot
Welcome back to the NFL, Calvin Ridley!! The Jaguars were reaping the benefits in the very first game of the year with the Ridley trade made in the off-season with the Atlanta Falcons. Ridley missed an entire NFL season due to gambling on the NFL. Before that, the receiver had some personal issues as he was thinking of walking away from the game.
Ridley made his presence known catching 8 balls & 101 yards with a touchdown catch. The Jaguars had to battle the Colts but managed to pull away in the 4th quarter to get the victory.
#12.WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (1-0) Drop one spot
The Commanders quarterback, Sam Howell, did not play like the millionaire, but more like Gilligan at times last Sunday on Cardinals island. The Cardinals team that found their starting quarterback right after pre-season by landing Joshua Dobbs from the Browns. Howell started off good and was able to help the Commanders pull out the victory at the end against probably the worst team in the NFL. Howell finished 19-31, 202 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Washington has a great defense as the Cardinals scored their only touchdown on defense. The Commanders D only gave up three field goals. They need better play behind center if they want to use this stud defense in the post-season.
#13.CLEVELAND BROWNS (1-0) Moved up 5 spots from last week
When it comes to helmet talk, you know Myles Garrett the heart of the Dawg Pounds defense is sensitive. Ask Mason Rudolf.
Seems Bengals wide receiver J’mar Chase called the Browns elves, referring to one of the logos the team uses.
The Browns defense reacted in a big way versus the Bengals offense. Joe Burrow was held under 100 yards through the air. Tee Higgins did not record a catch. The Bengals offense did not score a touchdown. The Bengals are a chirpy bunch and you think elves is something mild rather than what they usually gripe about on the opposing team. Garrett had a sack and Browns come out of the gates with a big division win to start the season.
#14.NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-0) Moved up 3 spots
The Saints defense had three interceptions with 3 sacks versus Ryan Tannehill and the Titans, and held them to 15 points. Defensive lineman Carl Granderson registered 1.5 of the 3 team sacks. On the offense, Derek Carr had 305 passing yards in his Saints debut. Carr had a touchdown pass and 1 interception. Rashid Shaheen caught 5 balls for 89 yards and the wide receiver caught Carr’s first TD pass as a Saint. Only problem was Saints mustered up only 16 points. It’s a win. We knew the Saints defense was going to still be talented coming in. The Saints are hoping Carr could put more points on the score board.
#15.GREEN BAY PACKERS (1-0) Moved up 5 spots
I know the Packers do not deserve to move up 5 spots beating the hapless Bears in week one. The middle of the pack is no-man’s land in the rankings teams that can go up or down. Did you meet the Chicago Bears’ new landlord?
In his second start of his career and first versus the Bears, Jordan Love took the torch from Aaron Rodgers who took it from Brett Farve in three generations of how to skin a Chicago Bear. Love went 15-27 for 245 yards with 3 touchdown passes & no mistakes. Love was throwing to guys like Jayden Reed and Luke Musgrove. Will Love be able to win a Superbowl like Rodgers and Farve? He certainly did his Rodgers and Farve imitation on how to beat the Bears. Only problem with this measuring stick is Love only beat the Bears. We find out soon enough with the rest of the league if he can walk the line of Frave and Rodgers.
#16.LA CHARGERS (0-1) Drop 2 spots
I thought the Chargers were at least the best team that plays in LA. They could still be as I’m not buying what the Rams are selling at this time. The Chargers offense put up over 30 points. Where’s the defense? The Chargers have studs like Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack on their defense and your team surrendered 36 points. The Chargers allowed 531 yards to the Dolphins which equals out to 8.2 yards per play. If you take the hot tub time machine back to the wild card round last season, you could see when the Chargers’ big lead evaporated in the second half by the Jaguars. The Chargers are post-season one and done. The Chargers are paying some big money to guys on that defense and they are not performing.
#17.TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (1-0) Moved up 9 spots
I underestimated the Tampa Buccaneers as a whole. Todd Bowles’ coached teams always have good defensive units with which they caused havoc for the Vikings. The Buccaneers defense forced two fumbles and an interception on Captain Kirk Cousins. Then Baker Mayfield figuring out the Vikings signals on defense to his advantage was a savvy veteran move. Mayfield had a good start to his Buccaneer career with two touchdown passes and no mistakes. Mayfield after the game said figuring out the Viking signals was not the same as the Houston Astros stealing signs. Then Mayfeld made it clear his allegiance in the baseball world of Texas is the Rangers and never the Astros.
#18.LA RAMS (1-0) Moved up 11 spots
The Rams either got lucky versus Seattle or Sean McVay may be a really good coach in the NFL. Who the hell is Puka Nacua? Puka is a rookie who had a monster day replaying injured superstar receiver Cooper Kupp. Puka had 10 catches for 119 yards. Matthew Stafford returned and made his first start since the injury last season and he looked sharp throwing for over 300 yards with no blemishes. It was the Rams running game and their defense that did the damage to Seattle as they made Geno Smith look like the Jets version, not the guy we saw last year. Aaron Donald is another guy who returned from an injury last season that ended his year. Donald looked like his former self coming at Smith like a runaway choo choo train.
#19.ATLANTA FALCONS (1-0) Up 8 spots
If you like running the football you should watch the Atlanta Falcons. Rookie Bijan Robinson’s first game in the NFL ran the ball ten times for 56 yards on the ground. Robinson also had 6 catches and 1 of them was a touchdown. Then last year’s Falcon leading rusher Tyler Allgeier had 15 carries & 75 yards with two rushing touchdowns. Let’s not forget Swiss Army knife Cordarrelle Patterson who was out due to an injury. Wishbone offense coming soon. On defense, Jessie Bates looks like a nice pick up for this Falcon team former Bengal & had two interceptions.
#20.MINNESOTA VIKINGS (0-1) Drop 4 spots
The Vikings the last two seasons lived and died in close ball games. Last year, the Vikings thrived in close games and won the NFC North. The Vikings offense will be better than their week one performance. Obviously Kirk Cousins has to reduce mistakes with two fumbles lost and an interception is not going to win many ball games. The Vikings have the best receiver in the NFC in Justin Jefferson. They may have the best tight end in the NFC as well with TJ Hockenson. The Vikings added rookie Jordan Addison who had his first touchdown of his NFL career in his very first game. Then last year K.J Osborn came on to the scene with some big games. Reduce turnovers and the Vikings need to stop telegraphing their defensive signals as Baker Mayfield took advantage of that which resulted in a Viking loss.
#21.SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (0-1) Drop six spots
Has Geno Smith turned into a one year wonder after an awesome season for the Seahawks? It took Smith most of his career to return behind center and be the starter of an NFL team. Smith was a starter for the Jets where his career started and he was horrible. By far, Smith’s best year was last season which got him a contract extension. Did Smith make a deal with the devil? Last Sunday, Smith looked dreadful only passing for over 100 yards as the Rams were in his grill the entire game. Since the head coach of Seattle, Pete Carol, is the devil, can’t Smith make another deal? Maybe Smith knows someone & he can borrow their soul for another good year behind center. Seattle fans are all about it.
#22.TENNESSEE TITANS (0-1) Drop 1 spot
The Titans landed DeAndre Hopkins, one of the big sharks that swam the free agent pools. Not sure if I was the Titans why I’m going Ryan Tannehill for another season behind center. Last Sunday, Tannehill threw three interceptions as the Titans lose the game by 1 stinking point. I think the Titans should have went in another direction as they have two younger Quarterbacks on their roster, Malik Willis and Will Levis, who Tennessee drafted out of the second round. Levis was projected to be drafted in the first round.
The Titans did not have to give this group another chance to go one and done in the playoffs. Derrick Henry seems to be running out of steam. The Tannehill glory days are over. This team needs to find their future quarterback.
#23.NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (0-1) Drop 1 spot
Why was Mac Jones chucking the ball 54 times last Sunday against the Eagles?
The Patriots running game had nothing to offer. New Patriot, former Cowboy Ezekiel Elliot, was full after 29 yards on the ground. The Patriots run the ball by committee & did not have success as a group. Jones threw for 305 yards with 3 touchdown passes. The Jones interception was the difference on the game, a pick six, as Patriots lost by 5 points to the NFC Champions Eagles. The Patriots without Brady still can be a nuisance to some teams. I don’t think Bill Belichick has enough horses to get back to the post-season.
#24.LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (1-0) Moved up 6 spots
The Raiders beating the Broncos is nothing new. Josh McDaniels has a head coach & has done well against his former team he led years ago, now 3-0. It does not shock me Jimmy Garoppolo with another win as a starting QB. Jimmy G had a quiet but effective game in his first game wearing black and silver as he threw two touchdown passes for 200 passing yards and his usual interception. Former Patriot Jakobi Meyers is the new favorite target of Jimmy G as he hauled in both touchdowns. The defense only gave up 16 & Raiders scored 17, just enough to start season 1-0. We will see how long that will last. However in Jimmy’s career now he is 41-17 as a starting quarterback in the NFL. Insane!!!
#25. DENVER BRONCOS (0-1) Drop 2 spots
The Broncos head coach Sean Payton is making his debut in Denver. The Broncos facing the Raiders at home where which last year they lost both games. Payton programmed his team to forget about last year and everyone has a clean slate. This includes Russell Wilson who showed he is not the same quarterback from last season as he went 24-34 for 177 yards with two touchdown passes. No mistakes. Wilson’s 2022 form may be in the rear view mirror but whether Payton can still find that Seattle version of Wilson is the million dollar question. Broncos only put 16 points on the board and lost by 1 point as the defense did well keeping the team in the game. Other good news is running back Javonte Williams had a nice return from an injury he suffered last year.
The Steelers superstar on the defense, T.J Watt, had a monster game in week one. Watt had three sacks, 2 forced fumbles, one recovery, 1 tackle for loss, and 5 quarterback hits. You would think with those kinds of numbers it was a great day at the office for the Steelers. It certainly was not. The Steelers lost 30-7 over the traveling 49ers. Kenny Pickett threw two interceptions. The Steelers running game was shut down. The Steelers lost one of their stallions on defense when Cam Heyward left the game with an injury. The bright side is Heyward’s replacement rookie, Keeanu Benton, had three tackles. I thought the Steelers would have a rebound season as the arrow was pointing up, but now they leave me with a cast of doubts.
#27.NEW YORK GIANTS (0-1) The chutes and ladders drop of of 8 spots
Last year, new head coach of the Giants Brian Daboll had an easy button in his pocket. The Giants went to post-season and the city of New York was as happy as kids in a candy store. Opening night, Daboll and his G-Men get slaughtered by some Texans. Not the ones from Houston in something that takes you back to the Alamo in front of live studio audience and on prime time. Daboll better make a deal with the devil fast because his quarterback Daniel Jones was sacked 7 times. The Giants gave up 40 points to the Cowboys. The Giants were unable to register anything, not even a field goal. Jones had 104 yards passing and two turnovers. Daboll feels like he’s being buried alive.
#28.CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-1) Dropped 3 spots
Out of all the rookie quarterbacks, Bryce Young picked number one overall had the worst game out of all the newbies behind center. Young’s day behind center he went 20-28 for only 146 yards with 1 touchdown pass and two interceptions. The Panthers lost 24-10 to the Falcons. I still think the Panthers are better than teams like the Texans & Colts even though their rookies did better than Young. The Panthers have better options at the skill positions surrounding Young like veterans they brought in this season like running back Miles Sanders, tight end Hayden Hurst who caught Bryce’s first TD pass, and then security blanket wide receiver Adam Thielan. Give new head coach Frank Reich some time to tap all the talent out of his young QB and have him showcase that on the field every Sunday.
#29.CHICAGO BEARS (0-1) Dropped 5 spots
Last Sunday, the Dennis Green rant came into mind from the game when he was head coach of the Cardinals in 2006 and did not believe in the hype of the Bears. The Packers knew who the Bears were last week as the fans thought they were something they were not. New coaching staff for the Bears play calling on both sides of the ball were not very good. Justin Fields only threw the ball over ten yards down field three times. All the free agents & the good draft – losing to rival Packers does not sit well with the fans and this could get uglier. Have you met the Bears’ new landlord since Aaron Rodgers moved to New York? Jordan Love plays the new vilian.
#30. HOUSTON TEXANS (0-1) Dropped two spots
The Texans were probably the best survivor pick in week one with a rookie quarterback facing a tough Baltimore Raven defense. CJ Stroud did get the green light to throw the football in week one as he made 44 throws completing 28 of them for 242 yards. No touchdown passes, no interceptions, and had 20 rushing yards as the Texans generated only 9 points which is three field goals. The Texans could not run the football and had to have their rookie throw that many times in his debut. Texans moved the ball through the air and drives stopped as they settle for field goals rather touchdowns.
#31.INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (0-1) Same spot last week
Not too shabby is my grade for the rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson in his first ever start, who was the 4th overall pick for the Colts in the NFL draft. Any quarterback would love the numbers Richardson put up as he completed 24-37 for 223 yards with a touchdown and one mistake, an interception. Led the team with 40 rushing yards. Richardson took a big hit versus the Jaguars in the last minute as the Colts battled the Jags all afternoon long. No Jonathan Taylor in the back field which would help any rookie quarterback in their first start and beyond.
#32. ARIZONA CARDINALS (0-1) Same spot last week
The Cardinals gave the Commanders a game. No offensive touchdowns. The Cards defense found the end zone. Matthew Prater, the kicker, out-scored everyone in red. The new guy behind center, Joshua Dobbs, fumbled twice. The Commanders sky net defense held James Conner to 62 yards on the ground.
Week one in the NFL is always a crap shoot. We know we have to amp up a game and try some different methods of picking winners for week 1 and in general for the future weeks. After some injuries, we fine tune everything and we may have this down to a science. Cross your fingers. Perhaps cross your toes as well. Carry that rabbits foot if you’re going to roll with our picks. Week one – enjoy.
THURSDAY NIGHT GAME
DETROIT LIONS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
My thought process on this game between the Lions and Chiefs is that Detroit would not quite make a splash on the first game of the year on prime time television. The Chiefs getting their rings from last year’s work and being at home meant I was thinking no brainer Kansas City will win this one.
OUR PICK: CHIEFS X
THE SUNDAY SLATE
CAROLINA PANTHERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS
Panthers picked QB 1 in the draft in Bryce Young. The Falcons went with a talented running back in the draft, but their quarterback Desmond Ridder only has 4 starts under his belt. The Falcons are one dimensional and will establish running game. I like the Panthers’ younger defense and the way this unit played down the stretch last year. Falcons defense is suspect which will be easy pickings for a rookie QB making his first ever start in the NFL.
OUR PICK: PANTHERS
HOUSTON TEXANS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS
The schedule makers do not like Houston sending their rookie quarterback CJ Stroud into uncharted territories in the deep end of the pool with that Ravens defense.
The Ravens are at home. Lamar Jackson will make his first statement back from injury & signed a new contract. He will be ready to put up video game numbers in his first game of the year.
OUR PICK: RAVENS
CINCINNATI BENGALS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS
I fear the Bengals will have their usual hiccup in the first game on the road visiting the Dawg Pound. Joe Burrow will be dealing with that pre-season injury and the offensive line the Bengals have will be in for a rude awakening. The rapist quarterback, Deshaun Watson, is not going to win this game for the Browns, but he’ll have a decent game at home with no one getting on his case about his Slick Willie adventures on the massage tables. The Browns defense new coordinator is Jim Schwartz and he’ll be sending everything including the kitchen sink after Burrow.
OUR PICK: BROWNS
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
The Colts will not have Jonathan Taylor who’s holding out. The Colts have a rookie quarterback behind center. The Jaguars have had success versus the Colts the last few seasons, even on opening days, playing them. Even the Jaguars when they were the bad team and Indianapolis had all the talent in the world, Jacksonville would rise up to the challenge. I don’t see the Colts keeping up with the Jaguars on the scoreboard as the script has been flipped.
OUR PICK: JAGUARS
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS
I’m not jumping on the Baker Mayfield band wagon. Mayfield did pretty good when he latched on to the LA Rams at the end of last year. The Buccaneers is an aging team. The Vikings lost some big name players last year on both sides of the ball due to the salary cap. I like the replacements.
The Vikings offense can still put points on the scoreboard. I like the new defensive coordinator Brian Flores with a new looking Viking defense. They may be able to exploit that old rusty Buccaneer Offensive line to make Baker’s day pure hell.
OUR PICK: VIKINGS
TENNESSEE TITANS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
This should be a really good game. Will the Titans light up the scoreboard with their new wide receiver, DeAndre Hopkins? Then the Saints have Derek Carr who has lots to prove being basically kicked off the Raiders team last season. The Titans like to play physical. The Saints have the better defense as this should be a close game. The Saints defense will force Ryan Tannehill to make one big mistake that will benefit the home team.
In the end, Carr will feed off the home field crowd, engineer a game winning drive, and make a successful debut in a Saints uniform.
OUR PICK: SAINTS
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS
In week one of the NFL, anything goes and the 49ers fly across the country to face the Steelers. Last year the 49ers went to Chicago for their first game of the season and lost to the Bears. The Steelers have a healthy defense and when healthy, they are one of the elite units in the league. Brock Purdy is coming back from that playoff injury. Mentally, is he ready to go? Mike Tomlin, is coming off a losing season, which Steelers don’t have many of those. I like Pittsburgh making an early statement in the first week in Steel Town.
OUR PICK: STEELERS
ARIZONA CARDINALS AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
The Cardinals are probably the worst team in the league this season. No Kyler Murray. Joshua Dobbs is the Cards starting quarterback and he was traded over to the desert by Cleveland and is a former Steeler with only a few starts under his belt. Talk about sacrificing a virgin facing that Washington ferocious defense.
Poor Dobbs is like a lamb running around Greek Town. Does anyone want a Gyro?
OUR PICK: COMMANDERS
GREEN BAY PACKERS AT CHICAGO BEARS
Since Aaron Rodgers, Chicago’s slum lord, left town, Bears fans have some swagger. The Bears revamped their entire roster with quality additions to both sides of the ball in free agency. Can Jordan Love be the next quarterback for the Packers to hold the Bears hostage for another decade? How lucky can one organization get as the Bears faced Brett Frave and Rodgers, for over twenty years. I think it’s time the Bears show Jordan the Love Chicago-Style and flip this script in their favor. I like Justin Fields having the higher ceiling than Jordan Love who right now has too much on his shoulders feeling the pressure of Rodgers kicking and screaming as he left town.
OUR PICK: DA BEARS
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT DENVER BRONCOS
Jimmy Garoppolo versus Russell Wilson – only this time it’s a showdown in the AFC West, not like the olden days in the NFC West. When it comes to head coaches in this match u,p I have more faith that Sean Payton will fix Wilson than Josh McDaniels inserting his play book in Jimmy G, who may still be dealing with last year’s injury. McDaniels does well against his former team he once coached and brought them to the bottom of the barrel of the league. I predict we will see Wilson like Seattle Wilson rather than Jimmy looking like his old 49er self.
OUR PICK:BRONCOS
MIAMI DOLPHINS AT LA CHARGERS
Does the east coast team playing on the west coast in week one play a factor? This match up screams shoot out. Both the Chargers and Dolphins have weapons of mass destruction at their quarterbacks’ fingers. Both these teams’ defense have improved. The Chargers defense is healthy while the Dolphins have Vic Fagio as their new D-Coordinator, and he is good at that. I think Justin Herbert is better than Tua Tagovailoa when it comes to staying on the field and makes less mistakes. Tua is one hit away from a guy like Khalil Mack serving up a pick six or being knocked out of the game completely.
OUR PICK: CHARGERS
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
This is the first time that Jalen Hurts faces the Belichick style defense. The Eagles will score points. Belichick’s defense is less scary when your team has the lead. Mac Jones is not Tom Brady as Belichick has tried to work on him in the lab, but he still will be an average Jones. The Patriots defense will keep them in this game until Hurts and company figure it out and eventually the tea will be dumped into the Boston’s harbor.
OUR PICK: EAGLES
LA RAMS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
The Rams roster is filled with rookies. Seattle rolled the dice on Geno Smith and punched their tickets to the post-season. Cooper Kup may not be able to go with an injury. Matthew Stafford isback from an injury he had last season that kept him out for most of the year. Rust? Yes. Seattle’s offense is not going away as they will out score a Rams team that are still in search of Spock to find themselves a new identity.
OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS
THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME
DALLAS COWBOYS AT NEW YORK GIANTS
Here we go again as the Cowboys will be stuffed down all our throats with prime time games every week. The Giants shocked everyone last year with a magical season for the G-men. The Cowboys added Brandin Cooks to the Receiving core and Tony Pollard will be a one man show without the chubby Ezekiel Elliot to take away important carries. Those factors and the Cowboys defense can pressure the quarterback make a nice recipe for a road win. It’s easy to be the hunter, but now the Giants have a target on their backs and are being hunted with a difficult schedule in the making.
OUR PICK: COWBOYS
THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME
BUFFALO BILLS AT NEW YORK JETS
All the hype in this game is all about Aaron Rodgers. Former Packer, now Jet, has taken his talents to AFC East. Rodgers will have no teams in his new surroundings like the Bears that he will own. Rodgers called the Lions that team, and that team beat him twice last year. The Jets have a great young defense. The team needed to address the quarterback situation in the off-season. The Bills, let’s not forget, have Josh Allen. Let’s not forget the Bills are last year’s AFC East champs. I like Allen’s ability to get points on that very talented Jets defense. With Sean McDermott calling the plays now and they have had a talented defense of their own. Rodgers did not have a very good year last year. The Bills defense is not a choice any team would make from a guy learning about his new teammates.
Over the Labor Day weekend, I left town on a little weekend getaway and headed to the state of Iowa to watch a college football game. I know you’re thinking University of Iowa, the big dog of the corn state. We did watch the end of the Hawkeyes game that Saturday afternoon when we arrived in the small town of Dubuque, home of Loras College. We stuffed our faces with greasy bar food and indulged in a few local pints as we were mentally pre-gaming for the Saturday night affair under the lights. The game featured the Duhawks and the Eagles of Benedictine University in a division III show down in their opening week at the Rock Bowl. Many questions entered my mindset. What is exactly is a Duhawk? Why was their hearse parked in the parking lot? Would my friend’s nephew, a Freshman at Loras, get some playing time in his first ever game suited up in the purple and gold uniform? The only other college football game I’ve ever been to was also in Iowa, in Ames watching the Cyclones. Fun was had back then as we looked to see what kind of hell raising we can do at the Rock Bowl, which actually is the name of the Duhawks stadium. I will answer the rest of the big questions later on in this article.
This was our first time ever at Dubuque as we come in knowing two students who play sports at the college. Paddy Quarnstrom, who we saw at the Barrel House, plays basketball and is in his second year of the program at Loras College. He told me that Loras College draws many of their students from the Chicagoland area, including himself. The school Benedictine University also hales from the state of Illinois and the first people in the tailgating lot were from Chicago as they knew players on the visiting team. Unfortunately, we came to the tailgate lot unprepared like bringing a knife to gun fight. Those Eagles fans set us up with our first beers of the three o’clock hour. The tailgating festivities looked more like a festival at the local high school with tents and people throwing bags as they may call them corn holes in Iowa. Beers were cracked open with grills fired up. It was a nice feeling as football was in the air when we came across the hearse with the Duhawk logo on the hood and bull horns like Boss Hog’s car from the Duke’s of Hazzard as the hood ornament. This is where we met a former Duhawk linebacker, Danny Badovinac, who played there over ten years ago, and his group getting their game faces on with chicken wings and the classic Bush beer which was better then the Bud Light we got earlier for sure.
When it comes to football fans rooting on their team, when they bleed the color of the uniform they once wore or grew up following they are the most dedicated. Danny Badovinac checks all these boxes as Dubuque is his town as a guy who grew up in Palatine, Illinois. Football tailgate parties across the nation always have some kind of bus, truck, Winnebago or car with the team logo on it that stands out in the stadium parking lots. I think of Pinto Ron cooking on his engine block of his Pinto mobile as he is part of the Bills Mafia. Why a Hearse? It’s simple. Danny won the bid on e-bay for it. The Hearse for Danny means much more than his ride to the home games and easy access for the beer coolers and the grill. It shows support for the Duhawks but also for the college. On the side of the car, Danny has a cause to resurrect Bishop Loras who was the first ever Bishop of Dubuque, Iowa. One of the forefathers of the College of Loras. The statue of the Bishop was taken down during 2020 with that heated summer of racism across the country while at the same time dealing with the pandemic. I guess Bishop Loras was a slave owner and many groups wanted to suddenly change American history. Bishop Loras during the time of slavery had one slave and granted him or her their freedom. Those were the times back then. Maybe that slave was treated very well by the Bishop, but we don’t know. These groups that want to exile history forget about the good things they did achieve. On the same side of the car, Danny pays tribute to one of his fallen teammates’ a brother, a friend, & defensive lineman Kyle Kirchoff who died tragically from falling off a catwalk at the Aragon Ballroom and was only 24 years old. Way too young. Kirchoff was also from the Northern ‘burbs of Illinois. My gut feeling was Kyle would be at Danny’s side drinking beer, eating wings and rooting their school on to victory. We all have someone in life that dies too young, but those people are always special to us in our hearts.
Then the Duhawks walk out of their locker room locked arm-in-arm like gladiators to take on the opponent, the Eagles, and head towards the field as the tailgate parking lot is right there which was cool to see an entrance like that.
Number 63 is Frankie Williams. My buddy Phil is his uncle & now has a memory for life watching him head off. It seems like yesterday we watched him play at the high school level.
The game itself had that high school feeling. The stadium had the home team stands on one side & the visitors on the other. The tickets were general admission, so you can sit anywhere. I thought this guy had the best seat in the house.
Loras college struck first blood with a touchdown on their opening drive. The Eagles tied the game on their next drive. The game started off sloppy on both sides. The crowd had some energy making noise stomping their feet on the metal bleachers which you can feel the vibrations going through your body. During the first half it did not look good for the Duhawks as Benedictine built up a 21-7 lead. Inside college stadiums your not allowed to drink and losing what that will do to my buzz. Loras would march back in this contest as Owen Kelley intercepted the pass and took it to the house for pick six. At the end of the first half it was knotted up 21-21.
In the second half, both defenses took a siesta as this game turned into a shoot out. Loras took the lead at the start of the second half off with an Evan England pass to Mani Brown with a circus catch. This game had no field goals just all touchdowns, but the kicking game did play in the outcome of this game. The Eagles running back took a hand off from his quarterback and went the distance on one play for a long gainer for a rushing touchdown. The Duhawks running back Jamel Britt had a big game with three touchdowns in this opening night. Michael Crawford, a senior who plays wide receiver for Loras, had his first 100 yard receiving day of his career. England was like a cowboy at high noon in this gunslinger shootout, and he had 252 passing yards with 61 yards using his legs. Even though the defense went MIA. I certainly have to mention Josh Rydberg who had 11 tackles of which 7 of them were solo for the purple and gold. The Eagles took the lead late in the 4th quarter, but the kicker missed the extra point. One of Jamel Britt’s touchdowns tied the game in Loras’ last shot in crunch time when time was an essence. Britt’s touchdown tied the game at 41-41. Then Scott Talmadge put the dagger in the Eagles coffin with the extra point to win it for the Duhawks 42-41. I know a guy that can drive the Eagles coffin off into the sunset where the Eagles would head back to Illinois with an opening night loss. Meanwhile Talmadge’s leg was perfect 7-7 on extra points in Loras’ opening day win.
The Duhawks name at Loras College came from the Detroit press back in 1924 who combined the town of Dubuque with Hawks to form the Duhawks nickname. My friend’s nephew did not get any playing time in his first college game. The offensive lineman, Frankie Williams, would get playing time the next day in a scrimmage with another small college in Iowa for the younger players. It was awesome seeing him suited up. Before the game and after the game, we had beers with our new pal Danny Badovinac.
The thing I remember most that stood out to me about Danny with that linebacker mentality, I asked what was his best game he ever played at the college level. Danny did not give me the stats of the back of his football card like most athletes would do. His answer was team-oriented as he recalls the day his brothers and he held a team to negative six yards in rushing. Incredible, a defensive stand of the ages in a time where offense rules the game. The next day I would run into Danny eating wings & drinking beer at one of the local breweries. He recognized me, gave me a high five, and told me about a beer he likes on the menu. The bartender Danny knows as she is a friend, was outstanding as well. Great conversation, great service, and recommendations. I love the fact that the town of Dubuque has that friendly vibes. It was my first time visiting. I knew people going in and now I know more people for the next time I visit. This college football trip was no cathedral stadium of Notre Dame. Loras and division III schools might be small potatoes to some, but this was fun times at Ridgemont High. It was like Friday Lights turned into Saturday night lights. Danny Badovinac might be the richest guy in town like Harry Bailey from It’s a Wonderful Life because of the friends he has in the town of Dubuque.
The NFL is back and so are our power rankings as we rank every team from 1 through 32, from top to the bottom. Our rankings is like a crap shoot because every team is zero and zero.
If we have your team at the bottom of the rankings, at least you can say everyone is in first place right now. Very popular answer for you Cardinal fans. We give Patrick Mahomes the cat bird seat going into week one. By next week when the games begin, the musical chairs in our power rankings will be dancing and rotating or down, and eventually by the time regular season ends, we’ll have this figured out. Here’s rolling the dice with our first edition of the 2023 NFL power rankings.
#1.KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (0-0-0) The Chiefs are number in the driver’s seat as they were the champs last season. The Chiefs will be the chief like this season with that offense led by Patrick Mahomes. My one concern is the heart of their defense, Chris Jones, who is still holding out for a better contract.
The Chiefs will be able survive without him but for how long?
#2.CINCINNATI BENGALS (0-0-0)
The Bengals mutant wide receivers can make any corner back and opposing teams cringe. Joe Burrow is dealing with a preseason injury. How will Joe Cool perform on the field when the stakes have risen with that injury? Bengals are a very explosive team that likes to talk the talk, but can they walk the walk and get back to the Superbowl?
#3.PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (0-0-0) The Eagles lost many of their players through free agency. You have to like how the Eagles responded in the NFL draft restocking the shelves with big talent. The losing team in the Superbowl usually suffers a hang over. Will the Eagles need some Tylenol?
#4.SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (0-0-0) The 49ers have solid defense. They now have Christian McCaffrey for a full season. Can McCaffrey put in a consecutive season without an injury? The 49ers scheme is they always have someone unknown in the back field that runs the rock for them if needed. Biggest question… is Brock Purdy the guy behind center?
#5.BUFFALO BILLS (0-0-0) The Bills are not heavily favorited to be that Superbowl team predicted like they have been the last few years. The AFC East is fully loaded with no easy wins like the free ticket to the playoffs Tom Brady’s Patriots had during those dynasty years. Every week will be a grind for the Bills. The differences this season than most is I like Sean McDermott calling the defense over Leslie Frazier. I like the running game this season over than past years. I think Josh Allen will make less mistakes in the red zone.
#6.BALTIMORE RAVENS (0-0-0) This will be a very good year for Lamar Jackson as he has a lot to prove. Jackson has now been paid and has some weapons to throw to. I feel like Jackson will not have to do it all with his legs and rely more on his arm, but still beat you running the ball. He has to stay healthy. I feel less running will be the recipe to keeping him healthy throughout the regular season, and the Ravens will be feasting on road kill in their way.
#7.NEW YORK JETS (0-0-0) The Jets’ young defense was very scary last year. The quarterback has been their problem. In comes Aaron Rodgers, the biggest douche bag behind center since Jay Cutler left the NFL. This is going to go one of two ways. Either Rodgers takes the Jets to the playoffs or he will be like another Green Bay legend quarterback and fail in the big apple.
#8.DALLAS COWBOYS (0-0-0) There are two things that jump out at me with Dallas this season. One, they don’t have to feed the ball to that chubby little bastard, Ezekiel Elliot. Tony Pollard is the one-man wrecking crew with the star on his helmet. I like the fact that Dallas landed former Texan Brandin Cooks, who has been around the league but improves the Cowboys passing attack. The Cowboys defense was the team’s best unit last year. I expect them to be once again hunting the quarterback this season.
#9. MIAMI DOLPHINS (0-0-0) The Dolphins found themselves one of the best defensive coordinators in the game who has come available and they signed Vic Fangio. Fangio had the Bears on the prowl in 2018 with one of the best units in the game. That same defense lost steam when Fangio took the head coaching job in Denver. Fangio coached some great defensive units in San Francisco before he ended up in Chicago. The Dolphins just need to keep Tua Tagovailoa on the field, but we all know the defense will be better than last season.
#10. DETROIT LIONS (0-0-0) I’m jumping on the band wagon with the Lions who are not the kittens of the jungle any more. This Lion team is young, hungry, and ready to roar. The Lions head coach, Dan Campbell, will be coach of the year is my prediction.
Lions last season rookie Defensive end, Aidan Hutchinson, is the real deal and will be a stud in this league for years to come. Last year Hutchinson had 9.5 sacks. I predict he will be in double digits this year. The Lions roster has assembled nice talent on both sides of the ball.
#11. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (0-0-0) What do we know about Sam Howell as the team’s quarterback?
With only one career start last season, the Commanders coaching staff loves this guy. The Commanders have one of the nastiest defenses in the league that can help a young quarterback like Howell because he does not have to play the perfect game every week. The Commanders have some nice weapons on the offense side of things as well. If Howell can improve his game each week and avoid the bad turnovers, this team can win and find their way to the playoffs.
#12.JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (0-0-0) Not sure what to expect from Jacksonville this season. The Jaguars could gain momentum from how good they did last season getting to the playoffs and winning a game. The Jaguars history shows the few good teams they did have, have fallen quickly on hard times. The Jaguars added Calvin Ridley to the squad in the off-season which gives Trevor Lawrence another dynamic play maker for that aerial attack. I like the fact that the Jaguars play in one of the worst divisions in football.The Jaguars Head coach Doug Pederson has proven he is pretty good at his job.
#13.PITTSBURGH STEELERS (0-0-0) I like a rebound season for the Steelers this year. I feel the Steelers will be all about picket fences this season.
Kenny Pickett is taking another positive step behind center. George Pickens is picking up anything Pickett delivers. Then the D-FENCE. If the defense can stay healthy, this team could be in big trouble in little China.
#14.LA CHARGERS (0-0-0) The Chargers will be the best team in LA. How many bad decisions will the Chargers head coach Brandon Staly make this season to cost this team games? Can former Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore light up the skies with his play calling as the new guy is calling the plays on offense for this Chargers team? Bombs away!!!
#15.SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (0-0-0) Can Geno Smith be that guy once again behind center for the Seahawks?
Last season Smith had a career year and Seattle went to the playoffs. Seattle still has play makers for Smith and they drafted another receiver who’s turning heads in preseason. Jaxson Smith-Njigba, with Tyler Lockett and big DK Metcalf Smith, has an arsenal of weapons to be slinging the ball all over the field. The Seahawks were predicted to be awful last year. Some say they may take a step back. Everyone hates Pete Carol as the team’s head coach, but he is the devil.
#16.MINNESOTA VIKINGS (0-0-0) Can the Vikings make it back to the playoffs with all the subtractions management made? The Vikings lost players on both sides of the ball. Can the replacements the team drafted be enough? Maybe the offense because they still have Justin Jefferson who is the best or one of the top wide receivers in the game. However they still have Kirk Cousins who usually can’t win big games, but he led this Vikings team last year and they won the close games which other years they lost. Cousins can still sling the ball to Jefferson and they have some young guys ready to roll with a solid tight end in place. The defense was not great last year but serviceable. Will the defense fall back on hard times?
#17.NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (0-0-0) Bringing in Derek Carr was the biggest move this team made in the off season. Carr instantly gives them the best quarterback in the division. The Saints defense is still solid as one of the better units in the league. With Carr in place and that defense, the Saints should be in the playoffs. Most likely one and done though because this is not the Saints teams with Drew Brees a few years back. But Carr gets them back to the playoffs.
#18.CLEVELAND BROWNS (0-0-0)
I like the Browns’ move signing Jim Schwartz as the team’s defensive coordinator. Schwartz was a horrible head coach in Detroit. Schwartz was a great defensive coordinator and years ago had the Bills one of the best units in the league at the time, but they did not have a quarterback. Look for the Browns defense to be solid. Not sure the Browns rapist quarterback Deshaun Watson will be solid this season without his regular massages plus more.
#19.NEW YORK GIANTS (0-0-0) The G-Men surprised everyone last year making it to the playoffs in Brian Daboll’s first ever season as a head coach. The Giants had an easier schedule last season. The division they play in is tough. The schedule for the Giants this season is tougher than last year. This Giant team may take a gigantic step backwards this year.
#20.GREEN BAY PACKERS (0-0-0) The quarterback position in Green Bay is finally a question this season. How many decades did Green Bay have the answer behind center with Brett Farve and Aaron Rodgers? Do the Green Bay Packers still have that lucky horseshoe up their rear in inserting a top QB in their offense like a light bulb? Will Jordan Love continue this Green and Gold chain gang at the quarterback position? If Love struggles, this team will be at the bottom of the standings. My problem with that is having Rodgers have the last laugh.
#21.TENNESSEE TITANS (0-0-0) The Titans won the DeAndre Hopkins sweepstakes & landed one of the best receivers in the league. Could Ryan Tannehill have one last gasp of air as the Titans starting quarterback? The Titans still have the beast of running back in Derrick Henry who’s another year older. This team has a shot at the playoffs playing in the dreaded AFC South. This team has holes on the roster. This team is very streaky and the losing streak killed them last season right in the middle after getting off to a good start.
#22.NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (0-0-0) Another disciple of Bill Belichick could not fly on his own when he left home years ago. Can Bill O’Brien be the guy that can tap all the talent the Patriots need from quarterback Mac Jones? O’Brien comes back to the Death Star and will operate the offense and be the new quarterback’s coach for Billy Boy Belichick. It was so easier with Tom Brady back in the day.
#23.DENVER BRONCOS (0-0-0) Can Sean Payton fix Russell Wilson is the million dollar question? What did Aaron Rodgers, offensive coordinator, do to this Bronco team last year? Can Payton fix the entire enchilada in the Rocky Mountain state? Who will have more wins this season: Neon Deon Sanders at the University of Buffalo or Mr. Payton with the Broncos?
#24.CHICAGO BEARS (0-0-0) The Bears filled in the holes of the sinking ship they called a roster last year. Bears added free agents on both sides of the ball. They did well in the draft. They reinforced both sides of the ball in the trenches. Yes, offensive line protection.
The key to the Bears is all about the development of Justin Fields. We know he can run like Forest Gump. Fields throws a nice deep pass. With a line and more play makers, Fields will have to show he’s ready. Especially staying in the pocket throwing a shorter style of passes like slants and skinny posts.
#25.CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-0-0) The Panthers are a very interesting team. First they play in a bad division, the NFC South. The team was streaky last season and seemed to get better after they dealt Christian McCaffrey. They have a young defense that has been battle tested. They drafted the number one quarterback in Bryce Young. They also have a new coaching staff. Stir the pot & I’m not sure what you may end up with. It could be good. It could be bad. It might take some games. Maybe they start off hot. Nothing would shock me with this Panthers team.
#26.TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (0-0-0) No Tom Brady. An aging team. Trying to resurrect Baker Mayfield from the one decent season he had in Cleveland.
I really think they should see what they got in Kyle Trask as they drafted him. The Buccaneers should develop him instead of going with veteran Mayfield whose future will be a back up QB at some point soon.
#27.ATLANTA FALCONS (0-0-0) The Atlanta Falcons quarterback in his second year as a pro, Desmond Ridder, is still unproven. The Falcons drafted a running back in the first round with BiJan Robinson. Last season the Falcons had a slew of running backs that ran the ball well. The defense for the Falcons is another problem not addressed as they’ve been screwed by every Dick and Harry in the league more than the busiest whorehouse in the south. Can you open up your play books to the wishbone offense who needs a passing attack?
#28.HOUSTON TEXANS (0-0-0) Will the Texans ride the same line as other teams of the past with the Ohio State Quarterback curse? The Texans could have a super star in C.J Stroud or a lemon.
What is the measuring stick of great Ohio State Quarterback? Justin Fields? Not exactly as the jury is still out on Fields’ decision. The Texans have a nice solid defense and a young roster. It all depends on how far Stroud will take them.
#29.LA RAMS (0-0-0) It looks like Matthew Stafford is going back in a time warp to his Detroit Lions days only he will still be wearing a Rams uniform. The Rams have been paying the price as they mortgaged their future on those two Superbowl appearances, one of which they won. The Rams roster is depleted with many of the bigger names playing elsewhere. Their top dog receiver, Cooper Kupp, may miss some games to start the season with an injury. I don’t think star defensive tackle Aaron Donald can play offensive too. Stafford missed most of last season with an injury.
#30. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (0-0-0) How long will Jimmy Garoppolo stay on the field for the Raiders? Josh McDaniels is the first head coach that gets the axe.
#31.INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (0-0-0) The Colts are going with a rookie quarterback, Anthony Richardson, and the team will be without their superstar running back, Jonathan Taylor, who is a contract hold out.
#32.ARIZONA CARDINALS (0-0-0) No Kyler Murray for most of the season. Joshua Dobbs is no Roy Hobbs.
Dobbs, a career back up guy in the NFL, just arrived in Arizona in trade and will be playing with basically a younger team. I can’t see the Cardinals season going well.
Our Irish Nostradamus was training all Labor day weekend long on his NFL predictions. The good lad never left his bar stool the entire weekend, except only to use the Loo. He stuffed his face with salty snacks. He drained pint after pint while licking them clean. He got his football juices flowing watching the first week of College Football. No hangovers!! He has seen the light through the bar’s stained-glass windows. All the NFL teams danced like sugar plums inside his mind. The numbers of each team’s record stacked up with the helmet image, and if he was possessed by the devil like in the movie the Exorcist, he spit out all the teams with their records with his eyes closed. Amazingly, he even predicted post-season play as well. Get your bets ready as we start with the regular season standings first.
NFL
REGULAR SEASON STANDINGS
AFC
AFC NORTH
#1.*BALTIMORE RAVENS (12-5)
#2.CINCINNATI BENGALS (11-6) WC
#3.PITTSBURGH STEELERS (9-8) WC
#4.CLEVELAND BROWNS (7-10)
Who is Joe Burrow’s kryptonite? Lamar Jackson!!! Jackson has a ton of stuff he’d like to get off his chest and prove the doubters wrong about his play and his injury history. Jackson got the contract & he will have a monster year. Bengals make a wild card spot. Steelers improve. Not buying the rapist in Cleveland.
AFC EAST
#1.*BILLS (13-4)
#2.JETS (9-8) WC
#3.PATRIOTS (8-9)
#4.DOLPHINS (7-10)
I think Josh Allen reduces his turnovers this season. I really like the fact that head coach Sean McDermott will be handling the team’s defense for the Bills. Aaron Rodgers will have some good games for the Jets, but he will not save this team. They do get into the playoffs though. One and done for Rodgers. The Dolphins’ collapse will be due to Tua Tagovailoa being injured this year. He will miss most of the season because of the hits he took last year.
AFC SOUTH
#1.*JAGUARS (8-9)
#2.TEXANS (7-10)
#3.TITANS (7-10)
#4.COLTS (5-12)
Not sold on really anyone in this division. I like the Texans improving. The Jaguars have the best head coach in the division in Doug Peterson. I also like the addition of Calvin Ridley. This division is the swamp hole of the entire AFC.
AFC WEST
#1.*CHIEFS (11-6)
#2.CHARGERS (8-9)
#.3 BRONCOS (8-9)
#4.RAIDERS (6-11)
The Chiefs will do their regular thing and win the West. The Chargers will fail to make the playoffs with a clown as their head coach in Brandon Staley. The Raiders head coach, another clown, will be buried in the desert. Good riddance Josh McDaniels!!! Sean Payton will have the Broncos better than last year.
NFC
NFC NORTH
#1.*LIONS (10-7)
#2.VIKINGS (9-8) WC
#3.BEARS (9-8)
#4.PACKERS (8-9)
The Lions have the right coach and this team will be the king of the North this season. It will be a tough race as the division race will be tight all the way throughout regular season.
NFC EAST
#1.*COWBOYS (12-5)
#2.EAGLES (11-6) WC
#3.COMMANDERS (10-7) WC
#4.GIANTS (7-10)
The Eagles were the losing team in the Superbowl and they will experience a hangover but recover. Cowboys will be better with Tony Pollard as the featured back. The Giants will regress with a tougher schedule and not being the hunter this year but instead being the hunted.
NFC SOUTH
1.*SAINTS (9-8)
2.PANTHERS (8-9)
FALCONS (7-10)
BUCCANEERS (6-11)
The New Orleans Saints have the best quarterback in the NFC South with Derek Carr and best defense, which is the best kind of Ragun Cajun recipe that will work for them this season. Every team except the Saints will have a rookie quarterback or inexperience behind the center position except for the Saints.
NFC WEST
#1.*49ERS (13-4)
#2.SEAHAWKS (9-8)
#3.RAMS (4-13)
#4.CARDINALS (3-14)
The 49ers will have one of the best defenses in the entire league. Seattle will regress. The NFC West turns into the NFC South from last year except for the 49ers.
THE PLAYOFFS
AFC
SEEDS
#1.BILLS, #2. RAVENS, #.3 CHIEFS, #4. JAGUARS
WILD CARDS
#5.BENGALS, #6.STEELERS, #7.JETS
NFC
#1.49ERS, #2.COWBOYS, #3.LIONS, #4. SAINTS
WILD CARDS
#5.EAGLES, #6. COMMANDERS, #7. VIKINGS
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP
CHIEFS AT BILLS
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP
COWBOYS AT 49ERS
SUPERBOWL
COWBOYS VERSUS BILLS
WINNER: BILLS
The Buffalo Bills win their first ever Superbowl!!!
What the hell was the Irish Nostradamus drinking? Let me have some of that magic potion.
The Wild shamrock 