LAST WEEK’S RECORD: (10-6)

OVERALL RECORD: (148-92)

WEEK 17 STRAIGHT PICK-EM

THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

NEW YORK JETS (6-9) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (10-5)

Joe Flacco’s had his revenge game versus the his old team, the Jets. The Browns are rolling right now. The Jets defense is tired. The Jets offense scored last week versus a suspect Commanders defense. The Browns throw everything at the quarterback including the kitchen sink. Flacco has another good game in his standards & Browns lock up a play-off spot.

OUR PICK: BROWNS

THE SATURDAY NIGHT GAME

DETROIT LIONS (11-4) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (10-5)

The Cowboys need this game badly after losing two straight on the road to winning teams. The Lions clinched the NFC North and are feeling excited for playoff football. Lions on the road are a different story as they think about Cowboys at home compared to being on the road. I feel like the Cowboys are trapped in the corner like an animal and find a way to escape with victory as they want to win their division and not just settle for another wild card berth. Close game goes to Dallas.

OUR PICK: COWBOYS

THE SUNDAY SLATE

MIAMI DOLPHINS (11-4) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (12-3)

TUA versus LAMAR is a heavyweight fight with lots at stake here. The number one seed in the AFC. The Dolphins intend to struggle versus winning programs like the Ravens. The Dolphins aerial show banged up as one of their talented wide outs Jaylen Waddle got ruled out. I like the Ravens defense able to concentrate on Tyreek Hill and contain him from having those Tecmo Bowl numbers. This is Lamar Jackson’s year. This is where he and the Ravens flex their muscles, knock the Dolphins down a peg, and clinch home field.

OUR PICK: RAVENS

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (4-11) AT BUFFALO BILLS(9-6)

The teams that struggle become trap games for the Bills and Patriots, have beaten Buffalo in the first meeting. As for the Patriots, if this is Bill Belichick’s last year in New England, his team is going out kicking and screaming as they have played some playoff spoilers.

I think the Bills flip the table on the Patriots in this one. Bills at home are a different team than on the road. Bills have a chance for the division still and control their own faith to make the playoffs. It’s hard to sweep a two game series. Josh Allen has a big game and Bills defense play out of their heads to send the Patriots home in a whimper.

OUR PICK: BILLS

ATLANTA FALCONS (7-8) AT CHICAGO BEARS (6-9)

When the Falcons have Taylor Heinicke behind center, they are more than one dimensional. Could Justin Fields be the future Falcons quarterback? Then the Falcons would have two quarterbacks born and bred in the state of Georgia as Heinicke is also a native. Falcons are coming out of the dome into the Chicago cold they call Bears weather. The Bears right now are a team nobody wants to play. They are the Lions from a year ago. I know players will follow and run through a wall for Heinicke who is 13-14-1 behind center as he can get the job done.The Bears defense have been forcing turn overs. Fields is playing for his starting job in Chicago even though Atlanta may be his future. Bears dash the Falcons playoff hopes.

OUR PICK: BEARS

TENNESSEE TITANS (5-10) AT HOUSTON TEXANS (8-7)

Who’s playing quarterback for either team in this one? These two teams met not long ago and Case Keenum found a way to squeak by this Titan squad who may have Ryan Tannehill behind center. Could CJ Stroud be able to go? He’s been in concussion protocol for the last few games he had to miss. Titans are bad on the road. Does not matter who is behind center for the Texans. They will find a way to beat a stale Titan team in front of the hometown fans.

OUR PICK: TEXANS

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (7-8) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (8-7)

The Raiders are like the Bears in the NFC. Nobody wants to play these guys right now. It was a bad day for Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew last weekend as he had no touch passes. The Colts may be getting some of their offensive weapons back to the final playoff push. This Raiders defense can grind opposing offenses to a halt, and what they did to the Chiefs was priceless. You just wish real slime would pour over the heads of those Chiefs cry babies on that Nickelodeon coverage. The Raiders offense has been operating at their highest level of the season. This one will start off as a meat grinder for both teams as the Raiders emerge late in the second half and really make a case to keep their interim coach permanently next season.

OUR PICK: RAIDERS

CAROLINA PANTHERS (2-13) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (8-7)

These two teams take you back to 1995 as the league welcomes the Thunder Cats: Jaguars and Panthers.

Both teams had the teal bright colors in their uniform trying to spruce up the NFL, I guess. Trevor Lawrence will miss his first start on his NFL career. Another X-49er, CJ Beathard, will start for the Jaguars. The Panthers are not a very good football team, but they have two victories. The Jaguars defense has not been that great unit like they were last year & should stop the Panthers offense. The running game of the Jaguars should be the recipe here for victory.

OUR PICK: THE DESPERATE JAGUARS

LA RAMS (8-7) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (5-10)

The Giants seem like theu have a soap opera playing out late this season with their quarterbacks. Tyrod Taylor will start over for the struggling Italian Stallion, Tommy DeVito. The Rams have been playing well with Matthew Stafford having a big year. He has this team in the thick of things for the post-season. Taylor is a dink and dunk style of offense which the Rams defense should easily stop. The Giants defense is no slouch, but the Rams find enough points to win on the road.

OUR PICK: RAMS

ARIZONA CARDINALS (3-12) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (11-4)

The Cardinals have only 1 win this season on the road. The Eagles finally broke their losing streak last week and are happy to welcome the Cardinals in for New Year’s Eve. Head coach Jonathan Gannon, former Eagles defensive coordinator, knows his opponent’s weaknesses and certainly will exploit them. Which could make this a game for a half or so. I like the Eagles winning this one easy as they struggled for weeks and even last weekend, even though they won, it was hard. This is a slam dunk for the Eagles.

OUR PICK: EAGLES

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (7-8) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (8-7)

The Buccaneers and Saints in a for all the marbles type of game. What is the NFC South type of game for the entire enchilada? Let’s not forget the Falcons are still alive in the mix. This game would be what the toilet bowl equals out to in your fantasy league. Before the season, I would have said Derek Carr is the better free agent pick up than Baker Mayfield. The Buccaneers players love Mayfield and some of the Saints players hate Carr. The Saints have screwed me all year. From the eyes test, Buccaneers are hot at this moment. Tampa Bay playing well on both sides of the ball. The Saints team is one call away for the tow truck to take this season to the salvage yard. Buccaneers win the fantasy league toilet bowl game.

OUR PICK: BUCCANEERS

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (11-4) AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (4-11)

This game the 49ers will be Darth Vader and his commanding officers will be the Commanders.

ANY QUESTIONS???

OUR PICK: 49ERS

PITTSBURGH STEELERS(8-7) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (8-7)

Mason Rudolf saved Christmas for the Steelers. Can Rudolph fly into Seattle and save New Years for the Steelers?

Both the Steelers and the Seahawks are still in the playoff picture, but a loss here will hurt their team’s chances. Geno Smith looked better last week than he has in a long time. Mason Rudolf had the big game, and I’m not sure he has another one in him. Traveling across the country will be difficult for the Steelers. Pete Carol is the devil himself and in big regular season games his team usually prevails.

OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS

LA CHARGERS(5-10) AT DENVER BRONCOS (7-8)

Let’s win one for the Giffer. The Chargers interim head coach Giff Smith had them playing inspired football even in the loss to the Bills. The Broncos season has been up and down as the team is shutting down Russell Wilson for the remainder of the season. The Broncos locker room seems in a little bit of disarray. You could say Sean Payton has lost his team right now. The Chargers are loose playing without a care in the world and probably give it their all versus a Bronco team that are working on their vacation plans.

OUR PICK: CHARGERS

CINCINNATI BENGALS (8-7) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS(9-6)

This is a big game for both the Bengals and Chiefs. The Bengals looked like Bumbles last week while the Chiefs looked like chefs. The Chiefs offense has struggled. The Bengals defense were shredded by Mason Rudolf and a dormant Steelers offense. The Chiefs have shown their frustrations more than once in the last few weeks openly on the sidelines. The Bengals team’s personality takes on the life of cockroach and when you step on them they die immediately. The Chiefs defense is the X-factor in this one. Patrick Mahomes – it’s hard to bet against him in big games as he wants to close out the AFC West. Chiefs in a close one.

OUR PICK: CHIEFS

THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME

GREEN BAY PACKERS (7-8) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (7-8)

Vikings and Packers mean anything can happen in these ones. I don’t see either of these teams making the playoffs. Do you trust a career back up in Nick Mullens to get the job done for the Vikings? How will first year starter Jordan Love finish off his season? The Vikings have turned over the ball way too much in the last few games. The Packers should able to score points off a Viking defense that is just gassed right now. Packers escape Minnesota with a win.

OUR PICK: PACKERS

LAST WEEK RECORD: 12-4

OVERALL RECORD: 138-86

MERRY CHRISTMAS WEEK 16 STRAIGHT PICK-EM

THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (7-7) AT LA RAMS (7-7)

We start week 16 off with A big game for two teams trying to make it to the post-season. The Rams have been playing their best football of the year. The Saints have been up and down pretty much all year. Derek Carr has still not won over his locker room. The Rams thrive when Matthew Stafford is healthy and upright. This game comes down to Stafford versus Saints defense that has allowed only a pair of field goals to the opposing team the last two weeks. The Saints defense also tallied up 11 sacks in their last two games. I like a great defense any day suffocating any offense in the league. Saints slow down the Rams and win a close one on the road.

OUR PICK: SAINTS

SATURDAY GAMES

CINCINNATI BENGALS (8-6) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (7-7)

The story is of Rudolph the Red Nosed quarterback beating Bumble the snow monster right before Christmas Eve.

The Steelers will be starting Mason Rudolph, their third string quarterback who is a number two guy anywhere else. The Bengals will be without Ja’Marr Chase in this one. Steelers defense has played well all year. I like Mason being able to spark the Steelers’ dormant offense and get a win at home. The Bengals still have not won a game in the division. It’s Christmas, and Rudolph will guide the Steelers to a big much needed win over, yes Bumbles does bounce.

OUR PICK: STEELERS

BUFFALO BILLS (8-6) AT LA CHARGERS (5-9)

This game looks easy for Buffalo as the Chargers are in shambles giving up 63 points to the Raiders. Bills murdered the Cowboys so it should be a wham bam thank you ma’am type of a game. These games are trap games which the BIlls have walked right into this year with games vs the Patriots, Broncos, and when barely beating the Giants. Bills will win this one. The Chargers fired Brandon Staley. Usually interim coaches do well in their first game because they relax the rules, dummy down the play book, and let it whirl. Close game will be too close for comfort, but Bills escape LA with a win.

OUR PICK: BILLS

THE SUNDAY AFFAIRS ON CHRISTMAS EVE

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (8-6) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (6-8)

The Falcons lost to the Panthers and are still in the playoff hunt as they play in the worst division in football. The Colts will have Jonathan Taylor back in the fold coming off his thumb injury. The Falcons lost two in a row & will lean on their back-up quarterback, the former Commander Taylor Heinicke, for any kind of spark. Gardner Minshew versus Taylor Heinicke are two quarterbacks you’d like to have as your number two guys. The Colts are playing better football than Atlanta right now. Heinicke does not have the Christmas magic to spark this Falcon one-dimensional offense.

Heinicke will be the turkey sacrifice to the Colts dogs on defense.

OUR PICK: COLTS

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (7-7) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (5-9)

Seattle pulled off a remarkable upset on Monday night versus the Eagles with Drew Lock behind center. The Titans laid an egg versus the Texans in a game they could not close as they blew a late lead. Titans will be at home in this match-up where they are 4-3 and play better in music city. Will Levis has a bum ankle. Could Ryan Tannehill see some action? Seattle gets Geno Smith back. With the win last week, Seattle broke a losing streak that knocked the Seahawks out of the playoff picture. The win, though, may have resurrected this team.

You know the old Grinch, Pete Carol, thrives when his team is at the bottom of the barrel of his season. He does not stay there that long and will steal Christmas away from the Whos in Nashville as the Seahawks are on the rise.

OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS

DETROIT LIONS (10-4) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (7-7)

The Vikings should and could have knocked the Bengals last Saturday more than once to win that game. The Lions unloaded their grievances on the Broncos last week under the Festivus Pole.

Both Vikings and Lions need this game. Vikings to stay alive in the playoff picture. The Lions need to wrap up the division with the Cowboys on deck. This should be a well-fought game. I think the Lions clean up their act and find a way to get this road win as they play like they did to start the season.

OUR PICK: LIONS

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (4-10) AT NEW YORK JETS (5-9)

In match ups like this, you remember why you drink on the Holidays. Washington fans and New York fans will be sauced during this contest. Why not on the field? The Jets defense, Sauce Gardner, gets saucy in a good way, steals the show, and gives head coach Ron Rivera for the Commanders a bow on that box to be opened later. The gift that keeps on giving a pink slip on Black Monday.

OUR PICK: JETS

GREEN BAY PACKERS (6-8) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (2-12)

The Packers are a team that needs to be beaten with a stick. Like Ralphie in A Christmas Story storing up that anger and unleashing it all on this cheese ball team. One week they beat the Chiefs. Then they lose two in a row and get manhandled by the Buccaneers at home. The Packers never do what they are told to do. I’m picking them to win this week as they will suddenly lose to the Panthers. Don’t get me wrong, I want to see the Packers lose every week as they are always on the naughty list.

OUR PICK: PACKERS

CLEVELAND BROWNS (9-5) AT HOUSTON TEXANS (8-6)

The Browns went out to the graveyard and dug up Marley, as in Joe Flacco, the quarterback that saved the Browns’ Christmas. The Texans will welcome back CJ Stroud, who missed last week due to a concussion. This recipe sounds terrible serving up the lamb to the DAWGS on that Browns defense. Then Marley Flacco just does enough to get the Browns closer to locking up a wild card spot.

OUR PICK: BROWNS

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (8-6) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (7-7)

I know Florida is not an island, but the Jaguars and Buccaneers are the misfit toys from there. Who wants a Baker Mayfield, a cowboy that rides an ostrich? Is Trevor Lawrence in the box popping out to play in this one, or is he out of this game? The Buccaneers played well last week but are a team I don’t get. They play well, then play poorly, and on any given Sunday they could be a gun shooting jelly. The Jaguars’ season looks like it’s melting away like the dolly named Sue that will not have a date to the prom. I’m not buying what Baker is selling as the Jaguars play better on the road and find a way to win this one.

OUR PICK: JAGUARS

ARIZONA CARDINALS (3-11) CHICAGO BEARS (5-9)

Remember when the Cardinals played in Chicago where they are originally from? I don’t. In Chicago we still have pockets of Cardinal fans who still have interests in that Arizona team. I like the Bears defense chasing Kyler Murray all over the field in a good way for the home team. I thought the Bears should have won last week versus the Browns. They dominated that game. The Cardinals play well in waves all season. This game will be close which is not good for Justin Fields. Cardinals have not played well on the road as they no longer can call Chi-town home. Bears defense find a way in this one.

OUR PICK: BEARS

DALLAS COWBOYS (10-4) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (10-4)

The Dolphins and the Cowboys are linked/cuffed together as these two teams have so much in common. Both teams have a hard time winning games versus teams with winning records. Does this game end in a tie? Both teams play better at home than on the road. I know Miami is a tough place to win. The Cowboys were humiliated last week and I feel they will play their best game of the season this week versus the Dolphins. Tyreek Hill is still banged up for Miami, a game in which I like the Cowboys to break the cuffs off in this one and leave South Beach with a win.

OUR PICK: COWBOYS

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (3-11) AT DENVER BRONCOS (7-7)

Nothing like the Holidays throwing head coach Bill Belichick off the building. I like the Broncos prevailing in this one after being pummeled by the Lions last week. The Patriots and Broncos defense has played well in recent weeks except last week for Denver. The Patriots offense should be easy for the Broncos to handle. I think Russell Wilson will have a better game and get back on the same page as head coach Sean Payton. I think the Patriots team would like to throw Belichick off the tower.

OUR PICK: BRONCOS

THE CHRISTMAS GAMES

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (6-8) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (9-5)

Can Ernest save Christmas? I think the entire nation would love to see the Raiders save Christmas and beat the hated Chiefs. Could the Raiders score 63 points like they did last week? The Chiefs offense has not been scary as the Raiders defense has played very well lately, especially after they fired Josh McDaniels. The Chiefs are 1-2 in their last three games. Do you believe in Christmas miracles? Let’s hope and see if it happens as Raiders save Christmas knocking off the Chiefs at their place. Now that’s a loaded stocking stuffer.

OUR PICK: RAIDERS

NEW YORK GIANTS (5-9) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (10-4)

I can’t see the Eagles losing 4 games in a row. The Giants can be a pain in the rear for the Eagles as they play in the same division. Jalen Hurts, the little drummer boy, will drum this one into one of his masterpieces. Look for the Eagles defense to step up in a big way and prevent the Giants from opening any gifts they had planned in the game plan.

OUR PICK: EAGLES

BALTIMORE RAVENS (11-3) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (11-3) 

Is this the Superbowl preview as the Ravens square off versus the 49ers? The 49ers have the best record in the NFC. While the Ravens have the best record in the NFC. The Ravens beat the 49ers in Superbowl XLVII. Lamar Jackson and Brock Purdy you can throw into the MVP of the Year conversation. This game is on Christmas and that wraps up Week 16. This could be the Clash of the Titans must see television. Or it can be Bad Santa 2 as the original is much better. From my vision, the 49ers look like the better team as they are destroying the competition and playing their best at this time of the year. The Ravens are winning. That Ravens defense is now a liability. That’s why I’m going 49ers as on both sides of the ball they are playing well.

OUR PICK: 49ERS

WHO ARE THESE GUYS STARTING AT QB IN WEEK 15?

LAST WEEK’S RECORD: (8-7) YIKES!!!

SEASON RECORD:(126-82)

WEEK 15 STRAIGHT PICK-EM

THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

LA CHARGERS (5-8) AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (5-8)

This game could be really ugly. Both Chargers and Raiders lack offense. The Raiders were shut out last week 3-0 by the Vikings. The Chargers the last two games have been held under ten points. On Defense, the Raiders have Maxx Crosby. The Chargers this season have the sack leader in Khalil Mack. I like the Raiders defense as their unit has played better than the Chargers all year long. No Josh Jacobs for the Raiders. No Justin Herbert for the Chargers, leaving Easton Stick as the starting quarterback. Ladies and Gentleman… the smoking gun of this decision.

OUR PICK: RAIDERS

SATURDAY GAMES

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (7-6) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (7-6)

The Vikings pull the plug on Joshua Dobbs at quarterback. Vikings are now going with the former 49ers quarterback, Nick Mullens, who filled in last week for Dobbs. The Bengals are starting to roll with their back up Jake Browning as they won two straight and are back in the thick of things in the playoff hunt. Justin Jefferson’s return last week from injury ended up with him going to the hospital with chest problems. I doubt he will be back on the field so soon. Both the Vikings and Bengals defense have played well. Mullens is 5-12 as a starter and has not been thrown into the wolves’ den of the playoff chase as he played on bad 49er teams. Browning is figuring out how to use his new super toys as in his play makers and has gotten better utilizing them each week. Then having Tee Higgins back, these Bengals should stay hot for some time.

OUR PICK: BENGALS

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (7-6) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (7-6)

The Steelers and Colts both need this win. The Steelers even more, losing two straight to the likes of the Cardinals and the Patriots. The Colts found out last week how the Bengals are surviving without Joe Burrow. Can Mitch Trubisky turn his game around like a 360 and be one of the better back-up quarterbacks in the NFL? The Colts have Gardner Minshew who should be a starter for someone, but right now he has the keys to the car for the Colts the rest of the way. The Colts can score some points off the Steelers defense who has carried this team to seven wins at this point. Can the Steelers offense, which has been dreadful on a good day, score enough points to beat this Colts team? It is the million dollar question. Stay tuned for the answer after these messages.

OUR PICK: COLTS

DENVER BRONCOS (7-6) AT DETROIT LIONS (9-4)

The Broncos have turned their season around & now face another road test to see how far they have climbed. The Lions lost to a better Bears team of late & return home to rebound with hopes of locking up the division soon. This game should be a battle. Which quarterback do you trust not turning over the ball? Russell Wilson is good for at least one turnover per game. While Jared Goff, a game manager, was very good at not making the mistakes to lose football games. Times have changed. The Lions defense has come into question the last several weeks. The Broncos defense that gave up 70 points to Miami earlier this season has tightened things up and is playing solid defense for over 6 to 7 weeks now. This is a nice Saturday night match up to really enjoy. I like the Lions to squeak out this one at home as they play better there.

OUR PICK: LIONS

THE SUNDAY SLATE

ATLANTA FALCONS (6-7) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (1-12)

When you’re a team in the NFC South, you had a bad week ,and need to rebound the following week… Carolina is the team. The Panthers are the doormat of the worst division in the NFL. The Falcons lost a close one to the Buccaneers last week, but this week they will enjoy a trip to the Panthers house where it will be easy pickings. The Falcons will win this one and be back at the top of the flaming heap of a division with playoff sugar plums dancing in their dreams.

OUR PICK: FALCONS

CHICAGO BEARS (5-8) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (8-5)

The Bears want to be like the Lions of last year with a great record in the second half & then are ready to make their playoff run in the 2024 season. The Browns have found their quarterback the rest of the way and it’s 2012 Superbowl MVP, Joe Flacco. Flacco versus Justin Fields – two quarterbacks that are teases. Flacco has the Dawg Pound dreaming of their team going deep in the playoffs. While Fields is cementing his stay in Chicago for next season and beyond. The wheels have to come off on one of these guys. The Browns defense is one of the best units in the games. The Bears defense has come on the last few weeks and you could say they have been one of the best units in the league during that time span. Bears will not be a slouch to the Dawg Pound. Flacco has looked good coming off the couch the last two weeks. This game is being played on quicksand in my opinion; anyone can sink into the abyss at any moment. I know for the Bears head coach, it took him until the last two weeks for Matt Eberflus to win two games in a row being on the job for two seasons. I don’t see him winning his third straight here with Fields not being very dependable in close affairs.

OUR PICK: BROWNS

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (6-7) AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (7-6)

Do you remember when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could not win a game when the temperatures were under 50 degrees? The weather this Sunday in Green Bay will not be scary as it plays out in the low 40’s. Buccaneers had a rare win last week over the Falcons and now are in the driver’s seat of the dreaded NFC South. The Packers meanwhile lost to the Giants as their winning streak was snapped. Back in those days, the Buccaneers used to play in the Packers division in the 1980’s. This game will be close. I like Jordan Love outlasting Baker Mayfield in this one. Green Bay is playing for a wild card or even trying to catch the Lions. The Buccaneers obviously want their division, but this is a tough road game for this group and the Buccaneers. It’s been very hard for them to string back-to-back victories since very early in the season. I like the Packers defense playing out of their minds in this one to put Mayfield on ice.

OUR PICK: PACKERS

NEW YORK JETS (5-8) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (9-4)

What do Haley’s comet and the Jets quarterback Zach Wilson have in common? They both win every 17 games or show up every 17 years. Dolphins remember the Titans as they went down. The Jets won over the Texans. Something was out of whack with the universe last week. Tyreek Hill for the Dolphins is dealing with an ankle injury and is questionable. Even without Hill, the Dolphins should score enough points off the Jets defense to win. I don’t trust Wilson winning two straight games which is all I need for this prediction.

OUR PICK: DOLPHINS

NEW YORK GIANTS (5-8) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (6-7)

The Giants have won three straight games with Tommy DeVito behind center. The former University of Illinois quarterback is playing the quarterback position like the Sopranos wiping out the opposing defenses. Capiche!!! The Saints won last week, but the locker room has problems. Derek Carr is still the outsider as we are 13 games into the season. This is a tough road game for the Giants. I think the Saints flip the script. Carr has a great game and you have to keep relying on the Saints defense who came up big last week & need to bury DeVito like Jimmy Hoffa in the French Quarter.

OUR PICK: SAINTS

HOUSTON TEXANS (7-6) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (5-8)

These two teams could be heading for the tales of two halves. The Texans quarterback, C.J Stroud, took a huge hit by the Jets defense last Sunday. The Texans playoff hopes hang in the balance if Stroud is able to get through the concussion protocol. That leaves the Texans with Davis Mills as the starter. The Titans play better at home but blew up the Dolphins late in the game on Monday night and won in a shocker. Will Levis is finding his groove at quarterback. The Texans lost one of their play-makers, Tank Dell, for the season with an injury. The Titans already have the Texans on the rope and with one final blow they should prevail at home.

OUR PICK: TITANS

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (8-5) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (3-10)

The cry baby Patrick Mahomes makes me want to root for the Patriots this week. The Evil Empire probably has a nice defensive plan to rattle the mind of a Mahomes and their rag tag bunch eating the magic mushrooms, seeing things differently on the field. The Chiefs are angry!!! I’m sure Andy Reid has eaten all the Snickers bars on the flight to New England. Bill Belichick does not have the horses on offense to even keep up with the Chiefs lame duck offense they have this season.. The Patriots defense will keep this game close most of the way. Look for the Chiefs to run something very creative and line up properly to win this one.

OUR PICK: CHIEFS

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (10-3) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (3-10)

The 49ers have won 5 straight and right now are playing at the highest level. The Cardinals are well rested. The Cardinals’ last game in bad weather up-ended the Steelers on the road in an upset. I can’t see an upset in this one. I don’t think this game will be a blow out. The Cardinals will put up a fight. Around third quarter, the 49ers will put the birds away and go into cruise control and win by two scores.

OUR PICK: 49ERS

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (4-9) AT LA RAMS (6-7)

The Rams hot streak came to a flaming end when Ravens ran back a point in the OT. The Commanders had a bye week and have nothing to play for. With the rest, you can say this team could be checked out getting their off-season vacation plans in order. The Rams have a shot at making the post-season. Matthew Stafford has been playing solidly and that Rams offense looks legit. I think LA rolls the Commanders at home. They make it look too easy.

OUR PICK: RAMS

DALLAS COWBOYS (10-3) AT BUFFALO BILLS (7-6)

This is another one of those meat grinder games for the Bills, and the Cowboys have played some tough match ups in the last few weeks. The Bills need this game more than the Cowboys. Bills are playing for their playoff lives. The Cowboys need this game for seeding purposes. The Cowboys are right now one of the hottest teams in the league. Bills found a way to win finally a close one. I like the Bills at home in this one. It will not be ice cold with snow – the norm this time of year in Buffalo. The forecast calls for rain and 40 degrees which is not good for the domed Texas team. I think Josh Allen has a huge game and Bills continue to push back into the playoff picture.

OUR PICK: BILLS

THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME

BALTIMORE RAVENS (10-3) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (8-5)

My first question is: What happened to the Ravens and Jaguars defenses? Ravens have won three in row which includes a walk off punt return in OT over the Rams. The Jaguars you look and feel like the wheels are coming off the bus as they have lost two straight games. Trevor Lawrence is banged up. The Jaguars at home are 3-4 as they played better on the road. I think the Ravens feel the Browns and Bengals resurgence in the division. The number one seed in the AFC is in their grasp as this will be a key victory over the Jags.

OUR PICK: RAVENS

THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (10-3) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (6-7)

Both these bird teams are pecking for a win. Seattle has lost 4 straight as they are riding the waves of the whirlpool of the toilet being flushed. Philadelphia has been stung by two archrival power houses in the NFC in back-to-back weeks. Seattle should get a banged up Geno Smith back for this one. Seattle’s struggles have gone on before losing the 4 games. The Eagles make a statement in this one & get back on track as they show the NFL world they are still in the same conversation as the 49ers and Cowboys.

OUR PICK: EAGLES

Everyone in the football world had former Superbowl MVP Joe Flacco written off. He’s 38 years old. The last three seasons he has made some spot starts for the Jets and has not played well. To be blunt, Flacco has not really played well after getting that huge contract for winning the Superbowl for the Ravens in 2012 when Baltimore knocked off the 49ers. When the Ravens drafted Lamar Jackson, his replacement, the sour look on Flacco’s face showed he was pretty much a bad teammate. After 11 seasons, Flacco would move on to play for the Broncos which was not a very good season in the Rocky Mountain High state. Flacco was home on the couch and suddenly resurfaces to help dig Cleveland out of the hole they dug themselves. Flacco stayed in football shape & went right into the action as he started two games and has helped the Browns win one of those. This with Deshaun Watson out for the rest of the year with an injury. The other two QB’s that saw action for Cleveland this season were veteran PJ Walker and rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson, both who have been ineffective. Suddenly Flacco looks reborn and may be the guy that saves the Browns season and get them to the playoffs.

In two starts so far, Joe Flacco has completed only 55.1% of his passes for 565 passing yards but has 5 touchdown passes and 2 interceptions. Not bad for a guy who was on his couch a few weeks ago. Flacco is 1-1 right now for the Browns as Cleveland is 8-5 and are in control of the first wild card spot which is the 5th seed. Flacco in 9 starts over the last three years with the Jets had 1-8 record. Now we are seeing Flacco have 5 touchdown passes in 2 games, which Joe is only the 5th player in NFL history to do that stepping in playing for a new team. The Jets will most likely miss the playoffs with bad quarterback play since Aaron Rodgers was injured in the first game of the season. The Jets fans have to be cringing because if they would have kept Joe or signed him soon after the Rodgers injury, they may be right in the thick of things with that awesome defense. The Browns defense is one of the top units in the league this season. This story is sounding like Flacco’s Superbowl winning team he had in Baltimore. With the great Ray Lewis defense he had back then he didn’t have to carry the load himself. He does not have to do that in Cleveland which takes pressure off the shoulders of Flacco where he can just play the game.

The Browns brass like what they see in Joe Flacco and now have given him the keys to the car as they announce he will be the team’s starting quarterback the rest of the way. Flacco was on and off the practice squad. He will get a contract for one year with some interesting incentives of his play the rest of the way. It’s a contract based on winning. Flacco will get 75,000 each start closing out the regular season. If Flacco leads the Browns to the playoff, a wild card win is worth 250,000 in Flacco’s bank account. He would get a 500,000 bonus for a divisional round win. Then he hits the sweepstakes for an AFC championship win as he would get one million. Then 2 million if the Browns win the Superbowl. That is a nice pay day for a guy coming in this late in the season.

Can Joe Flacco be the next Nick Foles? Remember when Foles filled in for the injured Crason Wentz, he took the Eagles to the playoffs and beyond. Foles beat Tom Brady and the Patriots for the Eagles’ first ever Superbowl win and still their only. Flacco’s record as a starting QB in 16 seasons in the NFL is 100-82 as his career numbers he has completed 61.5% of his passes and has tallied 42,885 passing yards with 237 touchdown passes and 149 interceptions. Those are average numbers. Pretty good career. In a Browns uniform, Flacco’s last stand could be very interesting. He could go out like a Maverick even though he has said he wants to play another season next year. With who? Deshaun Watson… the Browns are stuck with this rapist quarterback who has a huge contract with all guaranteed money and not worth it. Even if the Browns win the Superbowl with Joe Flacco, you’re not bringing him back next season. Flacco can close the book on his career with a high note especially all those years of struggling. He will face his old team, the Jets, in a few weeks when he can show them how he’s been doing since not being re-signed or called up this year. The Browns have already faced the Ravens twice. Can you imagine if the Browns faced the Ravens in the playoffs? Joe Flacco versus Lamar Jackson. If the Browns won, Flacco would be beating the guy he treated poorly. The Ravens fans would be up-in-arms. I don’t think the Browns get to the Superbowl. Beating the Ravens and knocking them off would be Flacco’s final act like his own personal Superbowl. I will say the NFL this season has been crazy and anything could happen. Flacco has played on a team with a great defense and has taken his team to the promise land and won it all. The Browns seem like they have the same recipe in place. Can it work? If it does, people will be ecstatic. Some cities would be absolutely pissed off. The Browns play the Bears this week. The Flacco’s last stand as he got the contract boost this week means the script will continue to be written. We don’t know if Flacco will be written off this NFL drama. He may have a nice finish no matter what for being a guy on his own couch a few weeks back.

The Kansas City Chiefs expect a hall pass despite an obvious penalty on a play on Sunday because it was well-executed. Patrick Mahomes threw the biggest hissy fit after the refs called wide receiver Kadaius Toney off-sides that took points off the board. Mahomey don’t play that game with rules, as he said after the Chiefs lost to the Buffalo Bills. It was the, “Wildest fucking call I’ve ever seen offensive off-sides on that play, man fucking terrible.”

On the play it was second and ten as the Chiefs were at mid-field, Patrick Mahomes threw the ball to his tight end Travis Kelce for about 25 yards. Kelce then would lateral the ball back to Kadaius Toney across the field who was wide-open. Toney would walk into the end zone for the go ahead score with about just over a minute left in the game. Not so fast. The referee threw a flag on the play and the points were wiped off the board as the Chiefs lost yards on the play. The Chiefs were out of field goal range. The Bills defense ended up making the stop on Mahomes and the Chiefs offense the next two plays that turned the ball over on downs for a Buffalo win. The Chiefs now have a 2 game losing streak and find themselves even further behind the top two seeds in the AFC. This when they usually get home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

After the Bills victory, Patrick Mahomes’ hissy fit took place as he threw his helmet on the sideline because the Chiefs were shocked the flag was finally called on them for a change. Andy Reid expected Nuggies, but he did not get any from the referee as he said after the game, “Usually I get a warning before something like this happens in a big game.”

When the Buffalo Bills had 12 men on the field versus the Broncos weeks ago, did the referee give them a warning? Denver missed the kick in the closing seconds Bills got the penalty. Then Denver kicked it again and won the game. Is Andy Reid saying referees give his team warnings before calling a penalty on the Chiefs? The Referee, Carl Cheffer, said, “No warnings are required.” Ultimately players are responsible for wherever they line up.

Maybe Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes should ask Jake from State Farm what the rules in the NFL policy are. The referee Cheffer said Toney was so far off-sides, he was blocking the referee’s view of the ball. If I remember correctly, don’t coaches in grammar school teach their kids look at the ball first and then line up using the pig skin as your guide? Then the man with the Walrus mustache, Andy Reid, went on to say after the game, “It was a bit embarrassing in the NFL for that to take place. I didn’t have a protractor out there but a bit embarrassing.” What are those chicken nuggets laced with, that he’s seeing an entirely different game out there through those lenses of his.

If the Chiefs are getting warnings about penalties, then shame on you NFL. It’s like the Chiefs expected a do over as Patrick Mahomes looked like a kid taking his bat and ball home stomping all over the field in front of a National Broadcast audience which is priceless. They all should have egg on their face – Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and the fat slob Andy Reid – as we have to watch their State Farm commercials every other segment in most of these NFL games. It makes you want to bring back Aaron Rodgers’ discount double check or Sunday Fun at home with Baker Mayfield. Mahomes referred this call as the worst call he’s ever seen. What about the 2018 NFC championship game when the Saints receiver was mugged by the Rams defensive back at the end of the game? Rams were not flagged and went to the Superbowl. Then Calvin Johnson’s catch which was not a catch.

Then Dez Bryant’s catch that was not a catch. Didn’t the Packers Jonathan Owen get flagged for tackling Mahomes in-bounds only a week before this off-sides call?

I didn’t see the Packers getting a Mahomey do over. The Chiefs probably lead the league in beneficial calls. How many times has Mahomes escaped the pocket like Houdini? You’re telling me none of his offensive linemen ever held the defenders and got away with it multiple times. The Chiefs showed their true colors and are now the villains of the league replacing the hated Patriots back then with Tom Brady. I can’t wait to see how the Chiefs do when they have to finally go on the road and play a playoff game in a hostile environment for a change. Mahomey does not play those games, but he will this season. The Chiefs should look themselves in the mirror as your pretend wide receiver because you don’t have any this year. Kadarius Toney… this is not his first ever bone-headed mistake he has made this season as he drops many key passes. Then the slime ball that ruined the Chicago Bears a few years back, is now as the OC for the Chiefs Matt Nagy.

If blaming the referees gets these Chiefs players asleep at night, they’re not seeing how bad your offense has been this year with that guy behind your quarterback. Mahomey may not like it, but too bad because the truth hurts when you act like a little runt. The Chiefs are just a group of cry babies and enough of the Taylor Swift sightings each game every week… enough is enough.. Instead of MaAuto, on back of Kelce’s shirt, just put, “The Property of Swift.”

NFL WEEK 14 STRAIGHT PICK-EM

Week 14 will be do or die for some teams still being talked about in the play-off conversation.

SEASON RECORD: (118-75)

THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (2-10) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (7-5)

What’s the over and under in this epic Thursday night showdown? Twenty points. Both the Patriots and Steelers have a problem putting points on the score board. This match up will have both teams’ back-ups going as Mitch Trubisky for the Steelers will get the start while Bailey Zappe will get the nod for the Patriots. The Patriots way is in question by people as this team has been dreadful all year. The Steelers just lost to a bad Arizona team at home. Steelers have found ways to win 7 games and their defense will be the difference. It’s time Mitch Trubisky proves he can be at least a back-up quarterback in this league.

OUR PICK: STEELERS

THE SUNDAY SLATE

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (5-7) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (6-6)

We go from the toilet bowl game on Thursday to the top of the stink stack with this NFC South match-up. The Buccaneers and Falcons square off in A big division game. Hip hip hooray… the Buccaneers beat the Panthers last week. Barely. The Falcons have won two straight of which one of those games was the Saints, another division foe. This game will be tight & low scoring. I like the Falcons defense making a few key plays to turn the tide of this one. Falcons defense has not been talked about this season. I feel they can get to Baker Mayfield. The Falcons running game will control the clock & Atlanta has done well at home.

OUR PICK: FALCONS

LA RAMS (6-6) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (9-3)

A few weeks ago you would have said this game would be a walk in the park for the Ravens. Suddenly with a healthy Matthew Stafford, the Rams suddenly have come back to life and won three straight. The Ravens have won two straight and are well rested for LA coming into their back yard. This will be a game. The Ravens defense has been slowing down their pace. I think the rest they got off the bye helps them return as that stingy unit is not willing to give up much. Matthew Stafford is due for that awful game as he has been too clean with the football lately. This Rams defense is not the same unit that won the Superbowl, so Ravens will execute and do what they do well to NFC teams when they play with Lamar Jackson behind center.

OUR PICK: RAVENS

DETROIT LIONS (9-3) AT CHICAGO BEARS (4-8)

I feel the tables will turn in part two of the Bears and Lions saga. Last time these two teams met, the Bears had the Lions on the meat hook with 3 minutes left. Lions roared back to life. The Lions have played sloppy for now the last few games. The Bears defense, since landing Montez Sweat at the trade deadline, have been one of the better defenses in the league and Jared Goff is very sloppy with the ball. As long as Justin Fields does not dance before the game ends, the Bears will win and split this series. The Lions defense looks like the Bears defense from earlier in the season. The Bears offense should be able to generate some nice scoring drives in this one.

OUR PICK: DA BEARS

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (7-5) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (6-6)

The Bengals found a way to put Joe Burrow’s brain in Jake Browning’s body. The Bengals suddenly look like a team that is not going away. Then in other news, the Colts who play in the AFC South, are in a division that suddenly is turning into the power house conference of teams with 3 that could make it into the post-season. I love to see Gardner Minshew have his big day and eat his cake in a win over the Bengals. I think Minshew has the big game, but Colts lose the game because the Bengals don’t go away, are streaky, and find their second straight victory at home.

OUR PICK: BENGALS

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (8-4) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (7-5)

The Jaguars will be without their Spicoli, Trevor Lawrence, who’s out with a high ankle sprain. This match up features C.J Beathard versus the second coming this season of veteran Joe Flacco. Beathard started his career with the 49ers & has been in the NFL six seasons, & has 18 touchdown passes with 14 interceptions. As a starter behind center, he has a record of 2-10. Flacco only completed 52.3% of his passes last week in his first start of the year and in a Browns uniform as he had two touchdown passes and was picked off once. The Browns lost. The Jaguars have been road warriors as they are 5-0 on the road. I think this game comes down to defense which the Browns get the edge on that and the win.

OUR PICK: BROWNS

CAROLINA PANTHERS (1-11) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (5-7)

The Saints need a win and the Panthers right now are the perfect team to play. The Panthers have lost 5 straight. Since the firing of Frank Reich, nothing has changed in Carolina as they gave the Buccaneers a game last week. The Saints have lost three straight – all close affairs. Derek Carr looks like he will return to the field and start which is a good thing. I like Carr having a big game. I like the Saints defense in this one to have a better game as they played badly last week.

OUR PICK: SAINTS

HOUSTON TEXANS (7-5) AT NEW YORK JETS (4-8)

We know the Jets have a good defense… blah blah blah. The Jets offense is dreadful. The Texans are a much better team and will score enough to beat the junior varsity offense the Jets throw out there every week.

OUR PICK: TEXANS

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (6-6) AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (5-7)

The Vikings and Raiders come off their bye week and need this game to stay in the play-off conversation. Both teams have lost their last two games. The Vikings were beat by the Bears and it was a bad scene as turnovers and the opposing kicker’s foot gave them the lost. The Raiders since the removal of the turd Josh McDaniels are playing good football but losing close games. The Raiders defensive superstar Maxx Crosby said to the Raiders owner they want Antonio Pierce as the team’s coach beyond this season. I like this Raiders team playing for the coach’s future. I think Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs has ran out of luck.

OUR PICK: RAIDERS

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (6-6) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (9-3)

The Seahawks are fearing their worst nightmare right now as they could be under 500 for the first time in several weeks and their play-off hopes could be crushed. The 49ers right now have won 4 straight, blew up the Eagles last weekend, and look like the best team in the NFL. Last time the 49ers met the Seahawks was weeks ago and they beat them up in Seattle. The Seahawks defense picked a bad time to stop sniffing glue.

The Seahawks defense has fallen on hard times. Geno Smith is dealing with a groin injury and he does not look like the same guy from last year.

OUR PICK: 49ERS

BUFFALO BILLS (6-6) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (8-4)

I thought the Bills played well versus the Eagles on the road last time out and they should have won that game, period. The Chiefs found out the hard way playing a Green Bay team that has put everything together with a loss on the road in cheese land. The Bills come off their bye week.

Patrick Mahomes versus Josh Allen is always an epic battle when these two teams meet. The Chiefs have ruled out a few of their starters due to injuries. The Bills are well rested. The Bills are an animal right now trapped and ready to fight back. Buffalo gets it done on the road and find their way back in the playoff talks.

OUR PICK: BILLS

DENVER BRONCOS (6-6) AT LA CHARGERS (5-7)

I’m still amazed that Chargers only scored 6 points, but still won the game last week. The Broncos winning streak came to an end. Russell Wilson looked sloppy like the 2022 version of himself versus the Texans. You have to figure the Chargers offense will score more points in this game. The Broncos have clawed their way back into the thick of things after digging themselves a gigantic hole to start the season. Lots of road games during that win streak. Watch… it will take a toll on them in this divisional game versus the Chargers who you don’t know what you will get with them. I worry Wilson will continue to make mistakes on a Chargers defense that can pressure the quarterback and force him into mistakes to cost the Broncos a big game at this time of the year.

OUR PICK: CHARGERS

THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (10-2) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (9-3)

Philadelphia is a Rocky Balboa town. I’m going to use the Rocky movies to explain my pick in this rematch between the Eagles and Cowboys. The Eagles are the Russian guy Ivan Drago going through the season winning games & making it look easy. When Rocky makes Drago bleed for the first time, all of a sudden Eagles collapse like a folding chair at the end of church picnic. The 49ers gave the Eagles a gut punch last week and it will be hard for them to forget. I know the Cowboys struggle versus winning teams, but right now the Eagles are coming to their back yard on the ropes. The Cowboys will knock the Eagles into Tomorrow Land as Philadelphia will see it coming and know it’s coming. The Eagles will have to wait another week to get back on track while the Cowboys, who have been playing solidly, get a big win in front of the entire nation watching.

OUR PICK: COWBOYS

DOUBLE HEADER MONDAY NIGHT GAMES

TENNESSEE TITANS (4-8) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (9-3)

The Dolphins unleash everything including the kitchen sink on teams with inferior records on offense. The next victim will be a Titans team that struggles on the road at a place many teams have hard times winning. South Beach. Last week, Titans quarterback Will Levis and DeAndre Hopkins were not on the same page.

Having a rookie quarterback like Levis getting in your face probably will not go well for Hopkins or this duo. This game looks to be another blow-out for the Dolphins.

OUR PICK: DOLPHINS

GREEN BAY PACKERS (6-6) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (4-8)

The Giants have been battling as they have won two straight. This may not look like an easy match-up for the Packers as they have won three straight including a big victory at home versus the visiting Chiefs. Jordan Love may have arrived as another changing of the guard at the QB position as Green Bay has not missed a beat. The Giants back up QB now starter, Danny DeVito, is suddenly 2-1 as a starter and has thrown 7 touchdown passes to only three interceptions. This will not be an easy game for the Packers, but they will get the win. It will be a well fought battle to the end. I like the Packers defense who’ve been coming on strong the last few weeks to make the stand that wins this one.

OUR PICK: PACKERS

After the Superbowl last season between the Eagles versus Chiefs, that concluded the NFL season with Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City prevailing, we had bonus football. Many people become footballed out after the NFL season wraps up. Some people still have their football juices flowing and we had two Spring leagues to indulge in. The XFL launched their third attempt to established themselves. The XFL played right after the Superbowl and finished regular season this go around. They had a post-season and an actual champion. This was unlike in 2020 when the XFL only lasted half way through their season in the second attempt. The season was cancelled due to the pandemic. The 1980’s USFL league was resurrected in 2022. The second stint of the USFL was successful completing two full seasons and declared a winner in both post-seasons. The USFL and XFL entwined for a few weeks which gave the football fan’s a double load of games in those weeks. The USFL finishes both seasons around the 4th of July. Like a Spring football buffet and watching the gridiron almost all year round. Now the XFL and USFL will merge into one league next Spring, on March 30th, and transform into the UFL. Something like in the Transformers with the Construct-icons transforming into Devastator in one league with all the talent, bells and whistles.

The USFL and XFL had 8 teams in their leagues last year. Many thought the merger would suddenly double the one league to 16 teams, which is not the case. Each league will enter 4 of their teams and like the last few years of Spring Football, it will be an 8 team league. The XFL had each team play their home games in their own respective city last season and in 2020. The USFL first season in 2022 all games were played in Birmingham. Then the playoffs were played in Canton, Ohio at the Football Hall of Fame. Last year the USFL had 4 hub cities they played home games at, with two teams sharing one town. Then the playoffs were still played at the Football Hall of fame. Out of the 8 teams that have made the cut, only one team did not really have their own fan base. Both leagues had a team in Houston. The Gamblers of the USFL will get the nod over the Roughnecks of the XFL. The Gamblers played their home games last year in Memphis.

The Michigan Panthers, Birmingham Stallions, Memphis Showboats, and Houston Gamblers will be the 4 USFL teams. The Panthers, Stallions, and Showboats played games in their own town last season. The Stallions played in front of the home crowd in both seasons and built up a nice fan base. The Showboats have only played one season so far as they debuted last year and replaced the Tampa Bay Bandits who played one season in 2022. The Stallions have won both USFL championships since the league has come back from the grave. The merger kept both leagues champions as the Arlington Renegades, who won it all in the XFL, have made the list.

The St. Louis Battle Hawks, Arlington Renegades, San Antonio Brahmas, and the DC Defenders will be the 4 XFL teams coming back. Since the Rams of the NFL left St. Louis and moved back to LA, they’ve been starving for a football team. The Battle Hawks fans may be one of the best Spring football fan bases of all-time because they pack that stadium every week. The Beer Snake returns in DC which was another great fan base in the XFL. Then there’s San Antonio, who used to have a USFL team in the 1980’s called the Gunslingers.

San Antonio has the Alamo Dome where they can support a football team. The city of San Antonio has been very supportive of their Commanders of the AAFL American Alliance Football league which was another Spring league to bite the dust. They also supported their Brahmas last year as well. Then the Renegades gives this league multiple Texas teams in its first season merging this into the UFL.

What happens to the other 8 teams that did not make the cut for this original merger plan? The USFL teams not making the cut are the Pittsburgh Maulers, Philadelphia Stars, New Orleans Breakers, and the New Jersey Generals.

The Stars and Maulers were losers to Birmingham in the Championship the last two seasons in the NFL. None of these four teams have played in front of their own home crowd. The Stars were the Stallions of the 1980’s USFL dominating the league. All four teams including the Tampa Bay Bandits are on pause right now. You can also figure other USFL teams from the 1980’s that were not yet used are still on pause. Some of these teams we may be seeing sooner rather than later.

The XFL teams that are not making the cut are the Houston Roughnecks, Orlando Guardians, Vegas Vipers, and the Seattle Sea Dragons. The Roughnecks have one of the better XFL logos in the league. Another oil rig logo to bite the dust like the Houston Oilers who moved to Tennessee to become the Titans in the NFL. The Vipers played at a minor league baseball field as they really did not draw a fan base. The Guardians in Orlando were a terrible team that did not create a huge support system in the Sunshine State. I thought the Seattle organization did very well. Maybe the merger is not quite ready for teams on the west coast. Like the USFL teams, all the XFL teams not in use could be activated in the future.

It was Fox Sports that relaunched the USFL. The Red Bird Capital partners that feature “The Rock,” Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia purchased Vince McMahon’s XFL when it went bankrupt after the unfinished 2020 season. The Federal regulators approved the merger and the name of the new league being called the UFL United Football League. Obviously there’s more news to come out about this new league as the USFL and the XFL had some different rules in their own leagues. Which networks will be doing the broadcasting of these games? We know Fox Sports will be one of them. With 8 teams, most likely 4 teams will make post-season play. Most of these Spring leagues had two games on Saturday and two games on Sunday. The 8 teams coming back I imagine will keep the players they already have under contract. The rest of the players from the teams not merging at this time. Will they be free agents or will their be a draft for them? Each league has done drafts before each season to add younger players to fill in the roster. Players undrafted. Plus players that could not stick on NFL rosters. Will the same coaches be leading the teams picked for the merger? Lots of stuff before March to iron out. I did like watching two different leagues. Some of the football was watered down though. This new league will have better competition as rosters will be stacked with tons of talent. If both leagues did not merge, I know down the line one of the leagues would have folded up shop. Maybe both leagues would have folded up running independently. Now they can consolidate their funds and build up some of these markets. They already have a few markets that have done well with fannies in the seats. More to come on the latest merger of XFL and USFL transforming into the Devastator of the football world.

If you are a Chicago Blackhawks fan, you are screaming bloody murder hearing the news Patrick Kane of signing with the Detroit Red Wings. The arch rival Red Wings are not even in the Blackhawks division anymore with the realignment of all the divisions years ago. The Red Wings as a hockey team have been non-relevant for years now. The Red Wings wearing red and white sweaters looked similar to the hated Russian teams as they were the New York Yankees of the NHL collecting the top talent of the league. Suddenly the Red Wings are coming back to life in part due to some added Blackhawks blood that just makes any Chicago fan’s blood boil. In the off-season, the Red Wings acquired another former Blackhawks scorer Alex DeBrincat, “The Cat,” in a trade with the Ottawa Senators. Now Kaner, with many teams interested, selected the Red Wings to skate alongside an old teammate & friend from 2017-22. After recovering from hip resurfacing surgery, Kaner will get a one year deal from Detroit for 2.75 million to see if he can help the dreaded Wings back to the Stanley Cup playoffs. Kane, who was a trade to the Rangers last year, now will be wearing the Red Wings sweater. He now has three original six sweaters in the league at the age of 35.

The Blackhawks unloaded Patrick Kane in his final year of his contract to the Rangers in a three team deal also involving the Arizona Coyotes. The Blackhawks are rebuilding and Patrick Kane was no longer part of the future. Bothered by the hip last year, Kane’s numbers with the Rangers were decent – in 19 games he had 5 goals & 7 assists for 12 points. Kane had 45 points in 54 games with the Blackhawks. The Rangers wanted Kane for the playoff run, but that did not go well as New York was knocked out in round one. Kane is a three time Stanley Cup winner all with the Blackhawks where he was drafted and played his entire career except those 19 games with New York. He leaves Chicago 2nd all-time in points in team history. He collected major hardware wearing the number 88 on the Indian Head sweater. In 2013, he won the Conn-Smythe trophy which was MVP in the playoffs. In the 2015-16 season, Kane won the Hart Trophy as he was MVP of the NHL with 106 points that year. Kane was born in the United States. He ranks second all-time in points among U.S. born players lacing up the skates in the NHL. In 2017, Kane was part of the 100 greatest players of all-time making the NHL Centennial Celebration.

In 1999, the Blackhawks traded a 37 year old defensemen to the Detroit Red Wings. Chris Chelios, born and raised in the Chicagoland area, swore he’d never play for the Red Wings while he wore the Indian Head. Chelios obviously could not control being traded. It was after the trade that left salt in the wounds of Blackhawks fans. Why would your organization trade with the arch enemy? Chelios would help the Red Wings win two Stanley Cups. The Chelios family business, Cheli’s Chili Bar closed down and moved to Detroit, like some kid taking his bat and going home. Chelios would have words about his former organization. Which is expected. Then when he did return to Chicago with Cup in hand, he was visiting the north side baseball team called the Cubs. He grew up on the south side – that’s how much he’s messed up inside the head taking the Red Wings Cup to Wrigley. He definitely irked his old fan base. Everything is forgiven as the Blackhawks will retire Chelios’ number this upcoming February and just in time for the arrival of Patrick Kane and the Detroit Red Wings. Good times at the old United Center on that night.

The Chicago/Detroit connection as players turn traitor on their former team, has gone on for years and has worked well for both cities. The Blackhawks and Red Wings have shared the two top enforcers in the game.

Bob Probert started his career wearing the Red Wings sweater for 9 seasons he played in Detroit before 7 seasons in Chicago. The Grim Reaper Stu Grimson played 3 years in each city and went on to beat up players in other towns wearing their sweaters. The White Sox outfielder Chet Lemon would leave Chicago and helped the Tigers win a World Series in 1984. The Chicago Detroit connection has worked in Chicago’s favor as well. The Blackhawks added the one piece they needed for their three recent Stanley Cups signing Marian Hossa away from the Red Wings when he became a free agent after helping Detroit get to the Stanley Cup finals. Then the Chicago Bulls landed Dennis Rodman in a trade with the San Antonio Spurs. Rodman would help the Bulls win three more championships to complete the six pack.

It would have been nice to have Patrick Kane still skating in Chicago playing with up-and-coming future superstar of the NHL, Connor Bedard. I would love to still have Alex DeBrincat skating for the Blackhawks. If Kane and DeBrincat were still skating all these years with the Blackhawks, we may have not landed the young talent of Bedard. The Red Wings are a young team. They are off to a pretty good start this season with a record of 12-7-3, which means they are 4th in the Atlantic division. Kane picked the Red Wings because of the talent and skating once again with DeBrincat. Kane is not expected to be the savior of the Red Wings, but a veteran who can help this team get to the next level. If Kane went home to Buffalo and played for the Sabres, another team on the verge of getting back to post-season, he may have had to be the savior for that team being born and raised in Western New York. I know some players you never want to see wear certain jerseys. This signing would sting more if Detroit was still in the Blackhawks conference and playing each other a dozen times a year. These days, you play the other conference teams twice a season. The Blackhawks traded Kane away. They also traded away DeBrincat. It’s been going on for decades – no loyalty between player and ownership in all sports. In a few years when Kane finally hangs up the skates for good and when the Blackhawks hang his jersey up in the United Center rafters like Chris Chelios, everything will be forgotten by most fans and it will be about all the good memories we had of that player wearing the Indian Head. It’s only a one year deal for Kane in Detroit. He still has time to get three more original six sweaters after Detroit if he signs one year deals the rest of the way. The Maple Leafs, Bruins, and the Canadians. Has any player ever gotten all six in their career? Maybe Kane will be the first ever to add to the hockey legacy.