With all the upsets in week three, we felt like our picks were littered around Veteran’s Stadium turf in an epic game between the visiting Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles. In 1999 an injury to Michael Irwin who laid on the turf at Veterans stadium was the wide receiver’s last game of his career. The Eagles fans cheered for Irvin because he was hurt. Veteran’s Stadium is no longer around but some of the game’s injuries would mount on that artificial turf. In week three we were banged up but tread water to stay Even Steven with another 8-8 performance in our picks. The bright side in the first three weeks is we have not had a losing record which we can hang our hats on. Could this be lucky week number 4 as we roll the dice on our picks for the week?

LAST WEEK RESULTS:(8-8)

SEASON STATS:

THURSDAY NIGHT GAMES:(2-1)

FRIDAY NIGHT GAMES:(0-1)

MONDAY NIGHT GAMES: (2-2)

SEASON RECORD: (26-22)

NFL WEEK 4 NFL STRAIGHT PICK-EM

THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

DALLAS COWBOYS (1-2) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (1-2)

The Giants looked like a team that did not have a W in their sights for weeks but they found the Browns last Sunday and notched a win. The Cowboys found the Browns in week one for their only win. Feasting on the Brown meat as these two division rivals meet in week 4 to try to even their record after 4 games. It’s a series that has favored Dallas over the last few seasons. Dak Prescott has owned the Giants with a 12-2 record versus New York. The Cowboys made a huge comeback last week versus the Ravens and came up short. I like the offense carrying over to this short week and getting their fan base off the ledge.

OUR PICK: COWBOYS

THE SUNDAY SLATE

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (2-1) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (1-2)

The Saints were brought back to earth by the Eagles last week in a low scoring affair that ended in a loss. The Falcons played a solid game against the Chiefs and came up short. The Saints offense in the first two games put up over 40 points & then in week three did a total 360 and just avoided single digit points. You could say week one Kirk Cousins was rusty in the opener versus the Steelers. However he did lead the Falcons to win against the Eagles. The Saints’ first big 40 point game was against the awful Panthers. I like the Falcons defense containing Derek Carr and that Saints running game. The Saints defense has been solid, but Falcons are a well balanced offense that just scores enough to get the home victory and even up their record at 2-2.

OUR PICK: FALCONS

CINCINNATI BENGALS (0-3) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (1-2)

I would absolutely love to see Andy Dalton wreck havoc on his former team with another brilliant aerial display like he did last week versus the Raiders. The Commanders rookie Jayden Daniels dissected this Bengals defense on Monday night with precision throws that gave Washington a shocking win in a shoot out. The Bengals defense may be a liability early on but Joe Burrow has this Bengals offense and all his weapons back working on all cylinders.

Andy Dalton is 2-1 against his former team. This will be the first time he has faced them in a Panthers uniform. If the Red Rifle can beat the Bengals for the third time, he ties former Bengal Jeff Blake who beat his former team, the Bengals, three times. Which is the most wins by X-Bengals coming back to beat Cincinnati. I probably said it last week. I can’t see the Bengals starting off 0-4 in which I would love to see.

OUR PICK: BENGALS

LA RAMS (1-2) AT CHICAGO BEARS (1-2)

The Rams team is like a MASH unit of injured players as the list goes on and on. Somehow they stunned the 49ers with an upset last week. The Bears have been in every game they have played so far. It’s the same ole story in Chicago with the offensive line and praying that Caleb Williams develops like Jayden Daniels. Williams played his best game last week versus a Colts team the Bears should have not lost to. The Rams have offensive line issues as well but Matthew Stafford is playing well which gives LA the edge. Stafford can spread the football around and Kyren Williams, one of the premier running backs you’ve never heard of, has scored a touchdown in six straight games dating back to last year. The Bears defense keeps this a close game. The Rams have the edge in coaching as well. Sean McVay over a Matt Eberflus team any day. I love to seeing the Bears win. Can’t keep picking them until I see better quarterback play from Williams.

OUR PICK: RAMS

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (3-0) AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (2-1)

This game should be must see TV as the Vikings and Packers is a heated rival and the contests are always close no matter where they at in the standings. The Packers are winning with a back up QB former Titan castoff, Malik Willis, who is 2-0 as a starter. The Packers and Vikings have solid defenses as Minnesota is showing they may be a top 5 unit in the NFL. The Vikings are winning with their second choice at the QB position as Sam Darnold got the job due to the injury of JJ McCarthy in pre-season. Darnold is a former number one pick of the Jets who’s trying to resurrect his pro career with the Vikings. Darnold was 21-35 as a starter with the Jets, Panthers, and 49ers. With the Vikings he is 3-0. Green Bay has done very well coaching after losing Jordan Love in the opener playing the Eagles in Brazil. I like the visitors in this first round of two games.

I like the return of former Packer running back Aaron Jones, now a Viking, to have his revenge game in front of the old home crowd at Lambeau Field. I like Darnold over Willis. I like a Brian Flores Viking defense able to make it a very tough afternoon for the Packers offense.

OUR PICK: VIKINGS

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (0-3) AT HOUSTON TEXANS (2-1)

The Jaguars were absolutely crushed by the Bills on Monday night to fall to 0-3. Nothing looked good for them. Then the Texans balloon was popped by the Vikings who got a beat down. It’s easy to say CJ Stroud will bounce back and the Texans will feast on a bad Jaguar defense. What about the Jaguars quarterback, Trevor Lawrence? Is the Jaguars coaching staff right now on thin ice in Florida? This game looks easy to say Texans win, so call it a day. Doug Pederson has been around as a head coach and has won a Superbowl. The Jaguars have weapons on their offense and are due for an explosion and big game from Lawrence. The NFL has been all about the upset. This is my upset special. Not sure how this will go down, but Lawrence will take the Houston Steer by the horns and find a way for a Jaguar win.

The Jaguars will ride away from Houston in style.

OUR PICK: JAGUARS

PITTSBURGH STEELERS(3-0) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS(1-2)

It’s hard to figure a guy like Justin Fields is 3-0 out of the gates in his first season in Pittsburgh. The Colts finally put a W in the win column against the Bears. Anthony Richardson may be a solid NFL quarterback at some point of his NFL career. Right now Richardson is hard to watch as he is still a rookie because most of his first season was wiped out by an injury. The Colts will keep this game close with Jonathan Taylor and their defense. The Steelers defense is better than the Colts and will keep Richardson looking like a rookie quarterback. As for Fields, he has someone whispering nice things inside his ears and is responding well with solid coaching. The Steelers are taking advantage of an easy part of their schedule and will roll away with a 4-0 record after their Indianapolis business trip.

OUR PICK: STEELERS

DENVER BRONCOS (1-2) AT NEW YORK JETS (2-1)

If Bo Nix escapes New York with a victory this week, the rookie will be creating his personal legendary resume.

Aaron Rodgers would be a great leader of the mole people or the insane in some John Carpenters film. Nix and the Broncos on the road wack the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay. Meanwhile Rodgers knocking off the rust looking like his former Green Bay self has landed two straight victories wearing the green and white. It is hard on any team to win back-to-back road games. The Broncos camped out in West Virginia for the week. Sound the Deliverance soundtrack. The Jets defense should give Nix more problems then last week’s opponent, the Buccaneers. Rodgers will deliver. This is a team he should have no problem beating. I suspect Nix will be up and down this season in his rookie year.

OUR PICK: JETS

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (2-1) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (2-1)

The Eagles could be 3-0 if they did not make the bad coaching decision on Monday night versus the Falcons. The Buccaneers were upended by a visiting Broncos team whose rookie QB had it his way. The Eagles won a low scoring battle with the Saints last week. You have to give the Eagles defense credit for slowing down a Saints offense that scored over 40 points in their first game and held them to 12 stinking points. The Buccaneers have all kinds of injuries on the defensive side of the ball. Baker Mayfield and that Buccaneers offense were grounded by the Broncos defense.

This game will be coined the Oklahoma bowl as Jalen Hurts and Mayfield played their college ball at OSU. This game is a rematch of last year’s playoff game when the Buccaneers rolled the Eagles at the time. Mayfield leads the series versus Hurts with a 2-1 record. The Eagles were in shambles last season in post-season. I like Hurts winning this one as the Buccaneers look like they are in shambles at this time.

OUR PICK: EAGLES

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (2-1) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (1-2)

This could be a very fun match up if you like offense. Kyler Murray versus rookie Jayden Daniels which could be an epic shoot out. The Commanders have won two straight games as Daniels had a huge night in prime time beating the Bengals in a shoot out. The Cardinals offense was not flying as high playing the Lions. The Cards did put up 40 points on the Rams in week two for their only victory of the season. The Cardinals have the better defense here. That means nothing as this is the NFL. Murray is a streaky QB. I like Daniels right now as the hotter QB. I think Washington will figure out how to slow down the Cardinals offense while Daniels gives the Commanders their 3rd straight victory in an epic battle.

OUR PICK: COMMANDERS

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-2) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (1-2)

No way in hell the Patriots will travel to San Francisco and come away with a win. The 49ers somehow have lost two straight as injuries continue to mount for them. The Patriots offense did not show up last week as the Jets handled them with ease in a beat down on Thursday night. I see the Patriots offense remaining dormant and a 49ers team with a sudden wake up call. The 49ers lost on a game ending field goal to the Rams last week. The 49ers are angry and will be playing this one like their lives depend on the outcome. I like the 49ers as a good survivor pick as well if you have not used them yet.

OUR PICK: 49ERS

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (3-0) AT LA CHARGERS (2-1)

When does the Chiefs nine lives in breaks in almost every game run out? I’m excited and curious about the Chargers playing the Chiefs because Jim Harbaugh is the guy for LA. Will Harbuagh have his guy in Justin Herbert, who is dealing with a high ankle sprain and could miss this game? The Chargers will be without their star defender in Joey Bosa. The Chiefs will be without their star defender Chris Jones. Even if Herbert can go, I think the Chiefs win because he is not at 100%. Harbaugh will get his first taste of the legend of Patrick Mahomes in this division rival. I like the Chiefs winning this one, but the thoughts will remain with Harbaugh on this game and be on the back burner in his mindset for part two when the teams meet in Kansas City later in the season.

OUR PICK: CHIEFS

CLEVELAND BROWNS (1-2) AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (1-2)

Where do you begin with these two teams that laid a turd last week on the field? The Raiders lost to the Red Rifle and the renewed Carolina Panthers. The Browns fell to the Giants in the Dawg pound. Both teams have solid defenses, but both squads have questions behind center. Do you make the QB change with Deshaun Watson going with turnover crab boy Jameis Winston, another DAWG in the league?

If the Raiders bench Gardner Minshew they have a nice option with Aidan O’Connell who came in later in the game last Sunday when the Panthers were wrapping up the beat down. Head to head I like Minshew rebounding over Watson if both teams stick with their starters. Two teams desperate for a victory. I like the Raiders locker room getting it done rather than whats going on inside Cleveland’s where things could be getting testy.

OUR PICK: RAIDERS

THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME

BUFFALO BILLS (3-0) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (1-2)

The Bills destroyed the Jaguars and their offense is rolling like a well oiled machine. The Ravens found the win column last week versus the Cowboys but saw their big league evaporate which at the end was a very close game. It looked like a possible blow out. The Ravens have been prone to give up leads in the second half like in 2022. Can the Bills stop Derrick Henry? That is the million dollar question. Henry and Lamar Jackson can create problems for defenses in trying to guess who is going to run the football. The Ravens defense looks suspect right now after three games in which this unit was on top of the football world last season. The Bills defense has found ways to take away the best players on the opposing offenses so far this season through 3 games.

Josh Allen versus Lamar Jackson are always big games to watch. Two of the best quarterbacks in the league squaring off here. Josh and Lamar have faced each other 4 times including one playoff match up and they are dead even at 2-2. The Bills offense is so well-balanced you don’t know who to cover. The Ravens defense should have problems. The Bills have put the Denver boot on Henry in the past. I like Allen as well on prime time games.

OUR PICK: BILLS

DOUBLE HEADER ON MONDAY NIGHT

TENNESSEE TITANS (0-3) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-2)

I’m sick of picking the Titans to win games in which they have failed me constantly.

I need that Darth Vader choke hold on Titans QB Will Levis. The Miami offense is just a shell of its former selves without Tua Tagovailoa. The Titans should be able to finally release all their hounds on offense and finally get their offense going to put up their first W of the year on the road. The Titans defense should be able to stop whoever the Dolphins have back there behind center.

OUR PICK: TITANS

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (3-0) AT DETROIT LIONS (2-1)

Nice start for the Seahawks with victories over the Broncos, Patriots, and Dolphins team without their starting QB. For the Lions they are looking good at 2-1 and won an impressive road game in Arizona after taking their first loss of the season in week two to the Buccaneers. This will be quite the measuring stick for Seattle to see if they are aa contender or pretender. The Lions run a well-balanced attack which should generate points against an improved Seattle defense from last year. This should be a good game. Seattle has a well balanced offense as well. Both teams have all sorts of weapons on offense. Geno Smith having a solid year is prone to make the mistake over a Jared Goff for the Lions. The Lions with the Vikings and Packers playing well early on. The Bears will probably wake up too late into the season. The Lions need to win these home games to keep pace and stay King of their own division jungle. Dan Campbell has probably had that mind set planted in all his players that they must defend their home turf with all they got. Seahawks play tough but Lions end up prevailing.

OUR PICK: LIONS

In the Chicago Bears franchise, you have to go all the way back to the 1940’s to know what a true quarterback looked like wearing navy blue and orange on the gridiron. Back in the 40’s it was Sid Luckman behind center and he was an actual quarterback in the NFL. Way before my time and probably yours. Many decades & many generations of Bears fans since have their version of what a stud quarterback looks like. Never dressed in a Bears uniform. They have glimpses of what they think was a great quarterback from watching the Bears parade with every Dick and Moe behind center for years. They hold on to certain memories of these Bears QB’s as they thought were the real deal. The great Jim McMahon who won the Superbowl with the Bears in 1985. If he never got hurt, what would he have become? Still to this day the cult following of smoking Jay Cutler I will never understand. I even know a dude that named his cat after that bum Cutler.

Most Bears fans wanted the team to draft Caleb Williams number one because he was the guarantee. The thoughts in their own minds were he was the savior and finally the guy to slay the Sid Luckman ghost of the 40’s. Justin Fields has that Cutler cult following as well as chants at Soldier field last year when the Bears had a stretch of winning consecutive games, “Keep Fields, Keep Fields.” Fields is 3-0 with the Steelers right now. While Williams is still adjusting to the NFL as a rookie. Last Monday night the nation saw the coming out party of another rookie, Jayden Daniels, for the Commanders. A small number of experts said Daniels before the 2024 draft was the best quarterback in the draft. Memories of the Bears selecting Mitch Trubisky instead of Deshaun Watson which now we are relieved after not taking that pervert. However passing on Patrick Mahomes like the Portland Trail Blazer passing on Michael Jordan. The Bears had to take Williams who was slated as a sure thing.

Once athletes leave the city of Chicago, they certainly seem to do better with their new team. Justin Fields was traded to Pittsburgh. Fields was not even supposed to be the Steelers starting quarterback as the job was going to veteran Russell Wilson. The X-Seahawk and former Bronco did not have a great preseason and suffered an injury. The starting gig then went to Fields. The Steelers out of the gate are already 3-0 in which the Bears sit at 1-2. Fields recently said on a podcast that the Steelers coaching staff has been more helpful for his development than his days in Chicago. In three games for the Steelers, Fields has completed 73.3% of his passes for 518 passing yards with two touchdown passes and only one interception. He has rushed for 90 yards and has one rushing touchdown. He has won all of his starts in a Pittsburgh uniform.

Jayden Daniels was the number two pick overall in last April’s 2024 NFL draft by the Washington Commanders. The Bears took Caleb Williams number one. On Monday night Daniels had his coming out party to the NFL as he led the Commanders to an impressive victory over the Bengals in Cincinnati in a shoot out fashion. The Bengals have one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL with Joe Burrow. Daniels completed 21-23 passes for 254 passing yards while throwing 2 touchdown passes and he had one rushing touchdown. Daniels outdid Burrow in the match up. The Commanders have won two straight games and have a 2-1 record in the first three games of the season. The rookie is completing 80.3% of his passes in three games. He has 664 passing yards with the two touchdown passes. He also has used his legs and rushed for 171 yards on the ground with three rushing touchdowns. Impressive indeed.

The pretty boy from USC who paints his fingernails. The man who said the Bears punter will not be seen this year. The number one pick of the 2024 NFL draft who said he will have more rings than Tom Brady when his career comes to an end. Caleb Williams so far has brought back memories of the 2006 Bears team that won many games with only their defense and special teams. Even back then they had Rex Grossman who was Good Rex or Bad Rex, but the Bears would still win games. The Bears won their season opener because of their defense and special teams. Williams did not look good. Last Sunday versus the Colts, Williams had his best game so far in a Bears uniform. But it was not impressive like Daniels. Williams is 1-2 so far as a starter in the NFL and is only completing 59.3% of his passes. He has thrown 2 touchdown passes compared to 4 interceptions. He likes to throw the ball more than take off and run but has 67 rushing yards in three pro games.

The Chicago Bears are known for playing defense, getting off the bus, and running the football. The Chicago Bears is where wide receivers and quarterbacks go to die. Justin Fields was drafted by the Bears in the first round number 11 overall in the NFL 2021 NFL draft. Fields completed 60.3% of his passes when he played in Chicago. He was 10-28 as the starter for the Bears. He was a turn over machine. He could not lead a game winning drive as he basically crumbled when the game was on the line. He could not hit his receivers in stride in the middle of the field. Many remember all those dazzling runs scoring touchdowns with his legs. How he had a bad offensive line which was true. The lack of weapons. Caleb Williams has all the weapons. Williams has an offensive line upgraded. The O-line has been a concern again this season. Williams, like Fields in a Bears uniform, holds on to the ball way too long. You can chalk this up to bad coaching even though the Bears hired a new offensive coordinator. How do you explain Fields doing well? However he’s still not a top QB in the league. Williams could be a top QB in this league but we have to remember he is still a rookie. Do I believe the Bears took the wrong quarterback once again in the NFL draft? Right now, yes. In the long run we will find out. In the back of my head how would Williams be doing in a Commanders uniform and Daniels in a Bears uniform? Would Patrick Mahomes be Mahomey if the Bears selected him in that 2017 NFL draft? In Chicago we will have all the excuses and blame the line, the coaches, and the owner. The fans are clamoring for something and even the few highlights that are good. They can’t get over the fact the Bears got rid of Fields and the great Jay Cutler who had all the abilities to be a stud QB. Fields will be stuck in the middle of the pack or linger in the bottom of the barrel of starting QB’s in the league right now. Remember the Steelers have a stud defense. All Fields needs is to be a game manager there. The Steelers have better coaching and can use the talents of Fields instead of trying to force things like the Bears did with him. Jay Cutler was never a leader and made the big mistakes when the game was on the line. Why can’t people remember that? Williams could go down the same road. Da Bears and Cleveland are jinxed at the quarterback position. Imagining having to stomach Deshaun Watson right now. What they gave up for him with all the draft capital they gave Houston. All that guaranteed money he was paid. It’s too early to talk about how the Bears gave away their number one when Fields was never a number one QB in this league. I need more games to decide if the Bears drafted another lemon. For Daniels he could have beginner’s luck but should thank the Lord he prays to that the Bears did not draft him.

Week two of the NFL felt like a Joe Theismann injury off the hit of Lawrence Taylor. All the upsets meant we did manage to go 500, which we are not proud of. It’s better than a losing week as at least we can say we treaded water. We hope for all the right picks in each match up for week 3, we are sending in the clowns to make sure we get the results we stride to do every week perched on our bar stools.

LAST WEEK RESULTS:(8-8)

SEASON STATS:

THURSDAY NIGHT GAMES: (1-1)

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: (0-1)

MONDAY NIGHT GAMES: (1-1)

SEASON RECORD: (18-14)

NFL WEEK 3 STRAIGHT PICK-EM

SEND IN THE CLOWNS

THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-1) AT NEW YORK JETS (1-1)

The Patriots come back down to earth after their first loss of the season last Sunday. Then the great Aaron Rodgers earns his first W in a Jets uniform. The Patriots defense is not crisp like the days of Billy Belichick’s as they gave up some big plays to Seattle’s QB Geno Smith. Rodgers seemed to find his groove in the second half versus the Titans. If Smith can tally up 300 passing yards, Rodgers should have a big game in the Jets home opener. Look for the Jets defense to have their best game of the season versus Jacoby Brissett. Patriots should linger around like a hard booger on a dry day, but at the end Rodgers will have the Jets 2-1.

OUR PICK: JETS

THE SUNDAY SLATE

CHICAGO BEARS(1-1) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS(0-2)

The Bears and Colts right now have two young quarterbacks that are struggling right now. The Bears have found a way to notch a W with their defense/special teams landing them the win in week 1. Anthony Richardson has completed under 50% of his passes so far in two games. Caleb Williams has not yet thrown a touchdown pass and is still getting used to the speed of the game in the NFL. Williams has completed 56% of his passes. The Bears should be able to use their running game to exploit the Colts’ weakness on defense. Maybe open up some play action passes for Williams. I’m leaning more to the Bears on this game because of the head coach. Matt Eberflus had the D-Coordinator job in Indianapolis before taking the Chicago gig. Eberflus coached some of these guys who still remain on the Colts roster. I give the Bears a slight edge.

OUR PICK: BEARS

HOUSTON TEXANS (2-0) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (2-0)

Do you ride the Viking ship in week 3 with Sam Darnold reincarnated from his college days? Everyone expected the Texans to get off to a hot start with CJ Stroud who was the gem quarterback of the first round in 2023. Darnold was drafted in the first round by the Jets. He was a bust in New York & then had some moments in Carolina. He sat behind Brock Purdy in San Francisco last season. Now he has found his pro game with the Vikings. He slayed the 49ers last week. The Vikings have a solid defense with Brian Flores at the helm. We can’t forget about the fire power that the Texans have on offense. The Texans also can play some defense. This will be a close game between two undefeated teams. I like the Texans crumbling in this one with the pressure from the Vikings defense, who will get the one turnover to turn the tide of this game. Minnesota being at home will keep this Viking ship flowing down the NFL waters.

Sound the horns!

OUR PICK: VIKINGS

NEW YORK GIANTS (0-2) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (1-1)

The Browns defense stood out in their win last week over the Jaguars. The Giants lost to the Commanders and had a better week than their first game of the season. I think this Giants offense sucks and they only scored 18 points versus a bad Commanders defense. The Browns defense should be Daniel Jones’ worst nightmare.

Jones may be skeptical around pumpkins this Halloween after facing the orange helmets of the Browns. Deshaun Watson’s offense did muster up 18 points versus the Jaguars which was enough for the win. He should be able to generate a tad more versus a pretty decent Giants defense. Not a very exciting game on the Sunday docket. The Giants will remain winless after the first three weeks of the season. Cleveland suddenly will look like they have overcome that first week’s humiliating loss to Dallas with two straight wins.

OUR PICK: BROWNS

LA CHARGERS (2-0) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (2-0)

Seems too easy of a recipe to insert Jim Harbaugh, and then your entire franchise starts to win games. The Steelers riding Justin Fields to a 2-0 start in Pittsburgh. Fields is not why the Steelers are undefeated to this point. The Steelers defense is the reason. The Chargers have a nice defensive unit as well. The Chargers get the edge with their offense as Justin Herbert is the better Justin behind center. Herbert has an ankle sprain that could be the blood in the waters for that Steelers defense. The Chargers will be making consecutive road games to the east coast after winning in Carolina last week. I like the Steelers in this one with the home cooking and that defense facing a hobbled QB. Back to Fields, he’s not turning over the ball like he did in Chicago.

OUR PICK: STEELERS

GREEN BAY PACKERS(1-1) AT TENNESSEE TITANS(0-2)

The Green Bay Packers are well-coached as I cringe when I write this. The Titans welcome back one of their own QB’s they drafted in Malik Willis who now is starting behind center for the Packers. Well-coached as the Packers inserted Willis behind center to replace the injured Jordan Love they find a way to win last Sunday. Then Will Levis who took over the starting QB job for the Titans has made mistakes that have cost Tennessee wins. They could be 2-0. You would think 1-1. Willis did not do anything special last week versus the Colts. He did not make any mistakes to cost the Packers the game. I like Tennessee defense at home. The Titans have played much better at home than on the road. This game is a coin toss and a head scratcher at the same time because it could go either way. The Titans are loaded with offensive weapons that are ready to blow it up on the field in a good way. I think Levis has his best game so far against his former teammate. It should give him the extra motivation the front office picked him after they drafted Willis. If the Titans go 0-3, they may not be able to get themselves out of that early gigantic hole to start the season. The Packers offense just can’t right now put up a ton of points on offense. It’s more ball control to run the ball play defense. The Titans should be able to get enough points to take this one.

OUR PICK: TITANS

DENVER BRONCOS (0-2) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (2-0)

Last season, Baker Mayfield found his home in Tampa Bay with a solid season that led to a bigger contract. Now Baker, who used to live in the Browns stadium, has to have his quarters set up in the Pirate boat at Buccaneers stadium. In two games this season, Baker has completed 73.5% of his passes as he tallied up 474 passing yards with 5 touchdown passes compared to one interception. He is facing Bo Nix, a rookie QB who has only completed 59.7% of his passes and has tallied 384 passing yards. Nix has not thrown a touchdown pass yet but has 4 interceptions. The Buccaneers defense is pretty good. Baker has a permanent home. Until Sean Payton injects some of that Drew Brees blood into Nix, this game is Buccaneers all the way.

OUR PICK: BUCCANEERS

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (1-1) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (2-0)

The Saints are marching with a full flock this season putting up back-to-back 40 point games. The Eagles should be 2-0 but bad coaching mistakes bit them in the rear on Monday night versus the Falcons. The Saints’ first burst of points in week one came against the junior varsity Panthers team. Then they put up another 40 against a talented Dallas Cowboys defense. The Eagles win came on a neutral site versus the Packers in week one. Before this season even started, I would tell you no way the Saints would beat the Eagles in week 3. The Eagles can’t stop the run on defense. The Saints have been marching through the opponents defense with Alvin Kamara who looks like the guy from early in his career. Derek Carr playing his best football since the Raiders day when he got them to the playoffs for first time in years. Maybe the Saints veterans hit some kind of Voodoo fountain of youth in New Orleans. I’m riding the Saints bandwagon at home this week.

OUR PICK: SAINTS

CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-2) AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (1-1)

Looks like Bryce Young could be traveling down Ryan Leaf avenue and become a first round bust. The Panthers are going with the Red Rifle in veteran quarterback Andy Dalton to spark this dormant offense. The Raiders were facing 0-2 last week with a date with the Ravens in Baltimore. Gardner Minshew has beaten the Ravens now two straight years wearing two different uniforms. The Raiders defense should be able to contain the Red Rifle in their first home game of the season. The Panthers will look better all around with the QB change but find the same result for now. Minshew is playing well to have a step back versus a Panthers team that has not played well on both sides of the football.

OUR PICK: RAIDERS

MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-1) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (2-0)

The Dolphins were dealt a deadly blow last week losing their star quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. The Seahawks are quietly 2-0 to this point. Can Skylar Thompson save the Dolphins season if Tua is out several weeks or he could be done for the year? The Seahawks offense is heating up and their defense has played solid so far this season. The Miami air show will not have that F-16 style of attacks for at least right now.

Thompson has started only two regular season games and has 8 total career games under his belt. He has made one start in post-season as well. Combined he is 1-2 as a starter with 2 touchdown passes to 5 interceptions. Geno Smith has found his form of 2022. The Seahawks defense will concentrate heavily on the Dolphins ground game. The flight to Seattle across country does not help the Dolphins. Very tough in general to win in Seattle when you are a road team. Skylar is not the answer right now for the Dolphins.

OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (1-1) AT LA RAMS (0-2)

I’m shocked by both of these teams’ records to this point. The Rams were a playoff team and they don’t look right as the Cardinals blew them up last Sunday. Then the 49ers losing to the Vikings. Sam Darnold was privy to the 49ers play book last year as he was QB 2. Darnold slice and diced the 49ers defense. Both teams have a ton of injuries after two weeks. The Rams offensive line is a huge glaring weakness for LA. Even though it’s their first home game of the season, the 49ers are the better team with a deep roster. The Rams are not stopping teams. Brock Purdy and the 49ers offense mean it will be business as usual.

OUR PICK: 49ERS

DETROIT LIONS (1-1) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (1-1)

The Lions season started off with the teams they knocked out in the playoffs last season. The Cardinals destroyed the Rams last week and gave Buffalo a battle on the road in week one. This Cardinals match up for the Lions is no easy task as they will go on the road for the first time this season. The Lions have dominated the Cardinals since 2017 with a 4-0-1 record. Then Jared Goff who played for the Rams a life time ago has dominated the Cardinals with 8-1-1 record. This is a different Cardinals team as they look like the hungry Lions of few years ago. Marvin Harrison Junior looks like the real deal. Murray looks like he has found his old self when he entered the league after making the choice of either football or baseball. This one should be a shoot out. The Cardinals will have to redefine themselves in close games they have lost a lot dating back to last year. I like the Lions because Head Coach Dan Campbell has his team bouncing back very quickly after a loss. The history sides the Lions since ’17. Lions found ways on the road to win as we can remember the first game of the 2023 season when they beat the Chiefs at Arrowhead.

OUR PICK: LIONS

BALTIMORE RAVENS (0-2) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (1-2)

The Cowboys opened up the season with a beat down of the Browns. Then the Saints gave the Boys a beat down they probably deserved. Then the Ravens lost opening night of the 2024 season to the Chiefs by a toe. Then last week they have a new nemesis named Gardner Minshew who beat them with the Colts last year & then this year last week wearing a Raiders uniform. Both teams need a win here. Watch the Ravens run the ball as their offensive line is not doing well on pass blocking. Derrick Henry may have a big day carrying the rock along with Lamar Jackson as the Cowboys were gashed with the run by the Saints last week. Teams will continue to exploit your weakness week after week until they can stop it. I like the Ravens defense to stand tall in this one and put the gauntlet down on America’s team. The Ravens are due to notch that first W of the season.

OUR PICK: RAVENS

THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (2-0) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (1-1)

Can the Falcons possibly win this match up versus the Chiefs at home? The Falcons have a solid running game and the Chiefs will be without their star defender, Chris Jones. Then the Chiefs lost their star running back to an injury in Isiah Pacheco. Now the Chiefs have to rely on the great white hope in the backfield.

Carson Steele, a rookie with his pet alligator, will take on the backfield duties. The Falcons were given the game last week on Monday night by the Eagles on a coaching decision. Kirk Cousins led the game-winning drive that took the wings off the birds from Philadelphia. Cousins looked better week 2 than he did in week one. The Chiefs still have the great Patrick Mahomes and he is very good in prime time games as Cousins is not.

OUR PICK: CHIEFS

DOUBLE THE FUN ON MONDAY NIGHT WITH TWO GAMES

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (0-2) AT BUFFALO BILLS (2-0)

Last year these two teams met in London, England and it was a nightmare for the Bills. They lost the game and had several injuries over the pond. The Jaguars really have owned the Bills since 2017 which also includes a playoff game between the two teams. Times have changed as the Jaguars are off to 0-2 start and lost two close games. For the Bills they are off to a solid start winning both games and scoring 30 or more points in each contest. The Bills defense, despite some injuries, handled Marvin Harrison Jr. in game one and then shut down Miami’s aerial attack last Thursday. Bills are well-rested. The Jaguars are desperate which can lead to mistakes. This is a different Bills animal since the last time they met, the offense has a new philosophy and is well-balanced. It’s not just Josh Allen. The Jaguars defense does not look like that stout unit they had the last few seasons. I like Bills to remain perfect while the Jaguars will have to look elsewhere for their first W of the season.

OUR PICK: BILLS

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (1-1) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (0-2)

Washington earned their first win of the year just beating the hapless Giants. The Bengals doing their usual, dig themselves a hole in the beginning of the season and then start winning. The Bengals were victim of another Patrick Mahomes miracle that benefited the Chiefs. The call ruined the Bengals hopes of winning their first game last week. Joe Burrow had a big game last week and I see it happening again. Jayden Daniels improved from week 1 with a better performance in week 2 for the Commanders. The Commanders defense is a unit in the bottom of the league. Burrow and company should rack up points with ease. The Bengals are at home and they will send everything including the kitchen sink after the rookie QB for the Commanders. The Bengals defense can rack up sacks by the half dozens at times and being 0-2, I think they are ready to tee off on this Washington team which does not have the offense to keep up with Burrow.

OUR PICK: BENGALS

We are bringing in Da Coach to salute our results of week one in the NFL Pick-em predictions.

WEEK ONE & SEASON RESULTS

THURSDAY NIGHT GAMES (0-1)

FRIDAY NIGHT GAMES (0-1)

MONDAY NIGHT (1-0)

OVERALL RECORD AND WEEK 1 RESULTS: (10-6)

It’s not an easy thing trying to figure out the NFL scripts. Like rookie quarterbacks in the NFL, week one we got our feet wet. We now maybe have an idea how week two will go. Don’t hold your breath. This is the NFL. On any given Sunday some team or a few of them will make you feel like an idiot. Sometimes we may look like we actually know what we are talking about. Week two. Enjoy!!!

WEEK 2 NFL STRAIGHT PICK-EM

THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

BUFFALO BILLS (1-0) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-0)

Josh Allen has dominated the Dolphins over his career with a 10-2 record in regular season. The Bills have owned the Dolphins in the last dozen games as well. Both teams come into week two with a win. The Dolphins dug an early hole for themselves versus the Jaguars and came back to beat Jacksonville with a walk off field goal. The Dolphins do not score a ton of points against good teams as they only managed 20 versus the Jaguars. Against losing teams, the Dolphins light up the score board. The Bills seem to keep the Dolphins’ talented duo wide receivers in check every time they meet. The Bills offense out of the gates looks crisp, clean, and on any given Sunday seem to put up 30 points on the score board. Miami’s defense is average at best. I like Bills getting a road victory on a prime time Thursday game where Allen has been awesome when the entire nation is watching.

OUR PICK: BILLS

THE SUNDAY SLATE

CLEVELAND BROWNS (0-1) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (0-1)

In Jacksonville, Florida, the city has to close down all their massage parlors across the tri-state with the arrival of Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns. Even the erotica along with the dirtiest places in town don’t want to deal with Watson. For the game I like the Jaguars in this one. They should have beaten Miami as they had a costly fumble in that one that could have extended the lead and not be the victim of last second walk off field goal by the Dolphins. Trevor Lawrence looked healthy and back to his old self. The Browns struggled last week. Hard to fix that offensive line in a week. Watson played like garbage. He was 0-10 passing beyond 15 yards versus the Cowboys. Another girl has emerged out of the wood work filing a law suit against the sexual predator. I’m sure the team really feels great to back a guy like this with mothers, wives, sisters, and hide your daughter from your quarterback.

OUR PICK: JAGUARS

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-0) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (1-0)

The Saints put a beat down on the junior varsity team, the Panthers last Sunday. The Cowboys defense had six sacks on the Cleveland Browns as they gave them a beat down on the road last Sunday. I really don’t see the Saints putting up another 40 burger and certainly not versus this Cowboys defense. Derek Carr felt no pressure from the Panthers defense last week as he could have ate a sandwich back there as he slung the ball all over the field. He will get heavy pressure from this Cowboys defense and Carr is prone to make mistakes with people in his face the entire game. The Saints defense should keep this somewhat of a close game. Dak Prescott and Deedee Lamb are walking on sunshine with their contract extensions in place. Dallas at home play more like a beast mode than on the road even though in Cleveland they brought that animal out of themselves. The NFC South, by far the weakest link in the league, Cowboys should win their home opener.

OUR PICK: COWBOYS

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (1-0) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-0)

Who would have thought that this Patriots team could upset the Bengals in week one? I see that Bengals loss ruining many people’s survivor pick around the nation. The cutthroat survivor league being knocked out in week one especially. Meanwhile Seattle won their home opener in a sloppy game versus Denver. The Seahawks defense looked pretty good. Many could say the Patriots may have the advantage as Seattle are the last to fly in from the other side of the country to play a game as their own personal body clocks are in jeopardy. Seattle is 2-5 in the last seven time zone change games they played. Geno Smith versus Jacoby Brissett is not any clash of the titans at the quarterback position. The Patriots may be better than last year. I would be stunned for them to start off 2-0. The Seattle offense still has a ton of weapons to deal with. I see Smith having a better week than last Sunday. The X-factor is the Seattle defense and first year head coach Mike Macdonald, former Ravens D-coach, has turned that unit around. The Seahawks offense will start off slow and their body clock will kick in some time in the second half to pull out a road victory. The Seattle defense will hold Brissett in check until Smith finds his game.

OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS

CINCINNATI BENGALS (0-1) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (1-0)

Did the Chiefs get lucky once again? The Ravens touchdown was taken off the board at the end of the game because the guy’s toe was over the line. If that counted, the Ravens could have tied the game but at the time they were thinking of the 2 point conversion for the win. Then the Bengals once again out of the gates take on a horrible loss from the Patriots. Since 2019 the Bengals are 1-10 in the first two weeks of the season. Joe Burrow is 3-1 versus Patrick Mahomes which includes two playoff games. This match up is all wrong right now for the Bengals. The historic slow starts, on the road trying to win at Arrowhead stadium, and the two cry baby receivers that have not been paid by the Bengals. Some say Burrow’s wrist problems in his throwing hand are still lingering. I hate both of these teams. The Chiefs look better and they are at home so watch them win this one.

OUR PICK: CHIEFS

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (0-1) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (0-1)

The Raiders needed that game one against the Chargers. Now they are faced with their second road game off to Baltimore. The Ravens gave the Chiefs a run for their money and came up a toe short at the end. The Raiders defense shone in week one and should keep this game close for most of the way. The Ravens are rested from playing the Thursday night game and could wear out this Raiders defense with Lamar Jackson or Derrick Henry. Who will run the ball next? That is the question.

For the Raiders, Gardner Minshew is still trying to find himself with this Raiders offense. I really don’t think he will find what he’s looking for versus the Ravens defense. The Ravens are at home with the long trip by the Raiders which seals the deal for myself on this match up.

OUR PICK: RAVENS

LA CHARGERS (1-0) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-1)

I think many finally saw a healthy tandem of Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack last week wrecking havoc on the Raiders offense. Watch Jim Harbaugh have the luxury of having these guys healthy and on the field the entire season. I bet Harbaugh will use these two wrecking machines the right way. As for the Panthers, they may need another new head coach already as they change them like underwear. They look like they should have the number one draft pick locked up after week one. Throw in a new quarterback as well. This Panthers team looked bad last week vs the Saints. This Charger team with the luck of Jim Harbaugh should be able to get this road victory and start off 2-0 for the season. I see Mack and Bosa being the game wreckers for the Panthers scheme of things.

OUR PICK: CHARGERS

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (1-0) AT DETROIT LIONS (1-0)

The Lions can probably use the same game plans they used in the playoffs. First the Rams and now they play the Buccaneers – the two teams Detroit knocked out last year. Baker Mayfield looked awesome in week one throwing darts and scalping the Commanders defense. The Lions ended the Rams in OT. It was a close game when these two met in the post-season. I think it will be another close affair as both teams are solid. I like the Lions at home and that is my deciding factor in this one.

OUR PICK: LIONS

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (0-1) AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (0-1)

The Packers took a big blow last Friday night in Brazil losing their starting quarterback Jordan Love for several weeks. The Colts, like the Packers last year, lost their starting QB 1 to an injury in Anthony Richardson. The Colts turned to Gardner Minshew as the Packers now turn to former Titan Malik Willis. In three starts for Willis in the NFL, he has a 1-2 record behind center completing just over 50% of his passes and no touchdown passes to three interceptions. I’m not sure if Willis will be the answer for the Packers. Richardson looked better than last year in the close loss to the Texans. Green Bay has had some luck inserting QB’s like they are light bulbs. My gut feeling is the Colts escape Green Bay with a victory and in a very close game.

OUR PICK: COLTS

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS(1-0) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS(1-0)

Sam Darnold was the back up QB last year for the Niners. Darnold looked awesome in his first start in a Viking uniform. Can Darnold slay his former team? The 49ers I think are the best in the NFC. I think they know the strengths and weaknesses of Darnold with being one of the top notch defensive units in the NFL. The 49ers on offense pushed around supposedly a top notch defense the Jets offered on Monday Night without their star running back, Christian McCaffrey. The 49ers offensive system is designed to insert running backs in like they do light bulbs as Jordan Mason did his best. McCaffrey and San Francisco did not miss a beat. Darnold may have turned the corner of now becoming a starting QB in this league. He will have to show me more than one game versus a bad Commanders defense.

OUR PICK: 49ERS

NEW YORK JETS (0-1) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (0-1)

Can Aaron Rodgers step up and get the Jets in the win column? Both the Jets and Titans played bad football last week. The Titans defense stands out versus the Bears, but they faced a rookie quarterback. Rodgers got his feet wet for the season and survived the game in return from being knocked out in week one of the season last year. Will Levis has the horses as the Titans have multiple play makers on that offense. With the Bears he held on to the ball way too long and I was not impressed. The Jets defense has talent and will bounce back. They will be running with the bulls in Spain charging at Levis and he will turn over the ball. Rodgers will just do enough to get his first win in a Jets uniform.

OUR PICK: JETS

NEW YORK GIANTS(0-1) AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS(0-1)

Both these teams need each other in week two. Unless things end in a tie, one team will walk away with the victory and their fan base could breathe a sigh of relief for one week at least. The Giants were the only team in week one held to single digit points. The Commanders had some growing pains with their rookie quarterback, Jayden Daniels. This game looks like a simple coin flip. The Giants defense stands out. Daniel Jones looks like flaming hot garbage. I think the kid will get better in week two. The Commanders are at home and they will prevail in a sloppy close football game.

OUR PICK: COMMANDERS

LA RAMS (0-1) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (0-1)

The Rams lost in OT to the Lions on Sunday night. The Cardinals had a lead and played Buffalo tight, but Kyler Murray was nothing special in the second half. It was a kick return for the Cardinals that made it that close in the score at the end of the day. The Rams offensive line could be a concern. Sean McVay has figured out the Cardinals as he and his Rams have won the last 13-15 contest between the two teams. The Cardinals looked better than they did last year. The Rams made the post-season last year and will serve up Cardinal dinner for their first feast of a win for the year getting it done on the road.

OUR PICK: CARDINALS

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1-0) AT DENVER BRONCOS (0-1)

Bo does not know Nix from his college days yet in his first ever NFL start last week versus the Seahawks. The Steelers defense could give the rookie Bo Nix more problems than he had in Seattle. I guess it really does not matter who the Steelers have at QB. They will play lights out of defense and kicking field goals is the team’s recipe. Justin Fields gets a rare win in his first start in Pittsburgh. Russell Wilson dealing with an injury so we might now see him suit up against his former team he stunk with last season. I think the Steelers are better off going with Fields than Wilson. I think Fields is the team’s best chance right now in this game. I can see Wilson’s former teammates on the Broncos defense wanting to get back at their bad teammate. End of the day the Steelers defense tops Nix in this one.

OUR PICK: STEELERS

THE SUNDAY NIGHT AFFAIR

CHICAGO BEARS(1-0) AT HOUSTON TEXANS(1-0)

Caleb Williams brought me back to the Rex Grossman days in Chicago.

Williams was held under 100 yards passing and the Bears still won the game. Grossman was notorious having a bad day at the office while his defense and special teams bailed him out. The Texans bulked up their playoff signing with some key trades this off-season and displayed Stephon Diggs and Joe Mixon in their first victory against the Colts in a close game. The Bears defense is growing into one of the league fearful units in the game. The Texans have a solid defense in place. I think Williams will get better for the Bears as the NFL game looks a tad fast for the rookie quarterback. I just don’t think Williams will turn the page against the Texans. I like Houston winning a close one. The Bears have been disastrous in prime time games for over a decade and perhaps beyond. They will make Chicago proud. Come up short at the end.

OUR PICK: TEXANS

THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME

ATLANTA FALCONS(0-1) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES(1-0)

The Falcons laid an egg last week at home versus the Steelers. The Eagles flew to Brazil, came away with a win, and did well. The unleashing of Captain Kirk Cousins was nothing to write home about as he looked like the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz.

I think Atlanta is going to need a bigger can to knock off the rust in Cousins. Last year’s injury could still be lingering in the mind set of Cousins as the Falcon offense was dormant. I like the Eagles at home. They have the extra rest from playing on Friday. Even if Cousins improves, the Eagles will score more points. The Falcon defense played Justin Fields last week. Eagles score touchdowns unlike that Steelers offense.

OUR PICK: EAGLES

I hate when bad things happen to bad dudes. The Cleveland Browns fans thought they were actually getting a quarterback with the trade that brought them Deshaun Watson in a deal with the Houston Texans back in 2022. The Browns ignored the off-the-field baggage that came with Watson. They elected not to re-sign the guy that helped them win their last playoff game back in 2020 in Baker Mayfield. Thinking Mayfield was a bust could be a different story in present day. Before Mayfield you have to go back to the late 1980’s when Bernie Kosar was the Browns QB. An actual quarterback sighting behind center by Lake Erie in Cleveland. On Sunday versus the Cowboys, Watson looked like a pile of heap on the field as one of the biggest dogs in sports has worN out his welcome at the Dawg pound in Cleveland. The Watson deal the Browns agreed to looks well… lopsided. Besides paying out of their nose for him and having to give up a ton of draft capital that helped rebuild the Texans. Now emerging out of the woodwork IS another girl that has a beef with the great Watson. The poor play on the field is now the clincher. This is a guy that feels like he still has not done anything wrong. A PR nightmare, too much money, the future of your team in draft picks gone, guaranteed contract ,and not cutting the mustard on the field. May go down as the worst trade in NFL history.

On Sunday Deshaun Watson completed only 53.3% of his passes versus the Cowboys. The Cowboys sacked him six times, forced two interceptions, and embarrassed the Browns 33-17. Watson was 0-14 throwing passes beyond 15 yards down field. He has played in 13 games in three seasons as he suspended 11 games by the NFL for being sued by 25 different women which equals out to a baseball roster. Watson only played in six games last season as he had a season ending shoulder surgery. Watson has started 13 games and has a record of 8-5 behind center for the Browns. He completed only 59.15 of his passes and tallied up 2,386 passing yards with 15 touchdowns to 11 interceptions, all in a Cleveland uniform. Before coming to Cleveland, Watson made three consecutive Pro Bowls. He was one of the top n5 quarterbacks in the NFL in 2020. Would you justify the 230 million guaranteed contract and all the draft picks to Houston for this lackluster performance? The Browns gave the Texans a 2022 first round pick, 2022 4th round pick, 2023 first round pick, a 2023 3rd round pick, & then another first round pick in 2024 along with a 4th round pick in the draft back in April. Is Watson worth 3 first round picks and all that guaranteed money? No way in hell. The Texans front office fleeced the desperate Browns. The Texans knocked the Browns out of post-season last season to further rub salt in the wounds of Cleveland fans. Watson could not play in that game because of the shoulder.

Then the former Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield who helped the Browns win their first playoff game in 2020. Which was the first time the Browns won a playoff game since the 1990’s when Bill Belicheck was the head coach in Cleveland. Before the Patriots dynasty. On Sunday Mayfield was awesome hitting 24-30 passes for 289 yards while throwing 4 touch down passes in a win over the Commanders. He completed 80% of his passes for the Buccaneers. Last year he earned a Pro Bowl nod leading the Buccaneers to the playoffs. He won his second playoff game of his career as he led the pummeling of the Eagles 32-9 in the first round of the NFL post-season. Mayfield has a 10-8 record with Tampa Bay in the second season as he completed 65.1% of his passes and has 32 touchdown passes compared to only ten interceptions. Mayfield did struggle in his last season with the Browns as he played through an agonizing injury that basically ended his time in Cleveland trying to do his best through the pain. Buccaneers gave Mayfield a three year deal worth 100 million as only 50 of it is guaranteed. If the Browns would have stuck with Mayfield, they could have all their draft capital back and be paying much less for the man behind center and have better results on the field. They could probably use the extra scratch to bring in other free agents to help the overall of the Browns roster. Then having somebody that really cares about the team and the city of Cleveland, unlike the sociopath Watson.

In October of 1989 the Vikings were the Cleveland Browns and helped the other Texas team in a blockbuster trade that benefited one team and one team only. The Cowboys sent power running back Hershel Walker to Minnesota for a boat load of picks. All the draft picks helped build the Cowboys dynasty in the 1990’s where they collected three Superbowl trophies in four tries. That was the worst trade in the history of the NFL until the Watson deal because of which the Browns have handcuffed themselves in the basement like the gimp in the movie Pulp Fiction.

Could the 26th woman bail out the Cleveland Browns with her being the newest law suit in the works filed? These against Deshaun Watson who likes to dial up the massages more than throwing touchdown passes. All the prior lawsuits were settled out of court. This newest Jane Doe wants this one to head to court as she’s looking to get this sexual predator off the streets with a jury trial. Because Watson came over expecting more than just a dinner from this girl his representatives set up. An open door does not lead to an automatic roll in the hay with the super quarterback being rough. It has the same memo as the other cases as the massage leads to sexual assault. Except this new girl was not a massage therapist. As Watson invaded her bedroom while she’s getting ready and demands his buttocks be massaged. Can a trial lead to a breach of contract with Watson and the Browns? Could the NFL step in once again and suspend this guy for longer or even be done with this monster? You wonder who’s running the Cleveland Asylum in the first place. Knowing what they know about all these girls sexually harassed and assaulted before signing him. Then the Browns front office decided not to bring back Joe Flacco. A guy that guided the Brown back to the playoffs after the injury to Watson. After the ineffective replacements for Watson. The newest back up former Saint and Buccaneer, Jameis Winston is one of Watson’s best friends. This is what happens when you sign a deal with the devil. All the dominoes that have fallen have kicked this Cleveland franchise harder than Art Modell moving them to Baltimore in the middle of the night. It’s because you paid this turd guaranteed money. The Browns ownership & front office have painted themselves into a corner and can’t escape as the DAWG pound is getting hungry, angry like a junk yard dog craving Watson’s black buttocks for blood. This go around he get a tweak he will never forget.

WEEK ONE NFL STRAIGHT PICK-EM

Season record: 0-0

Once again I will throw my hat into the ring and pick each game from every week in the NFL. I will explain from each match up why I went with a team that I think will win. In week one it’s always a crap shoot to figure out who will prevail. Even the greatest reasons why you think a team should win backfires because this is the NFL. On any given Sunday, anything can happen. One week you can look and sound like you know what you are talking about. Then the weeks you fail miserably and you can look like you know nothing from these outcomes. I’m probably not going to be a site every week where you copy my picks for your own pool.

I have to warn you… picks some weeks may not be any good. Every week will be entertaining, I can promise you that. If I start getting red hot it means I have somehow gotten my hands on the NFL season scripts.

THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

BALTIMORE RAVENS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

First game of the season is a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship between the Ravens and Chiefs. The Chiefs will unveil their Superbowl banner in front of the hometown while rubbing salt on the wounds of the Baltimore Ravens defense which could be deadly for Patrick Mahomes and company. Ravens defense shut out the Chiefs in the second half of that championship game. Costly mistakes by the Ravens offense did Baltimore in. I like the Ravens knocking that smirk off Mahomes face and send an early statement this season that your luck will not follow you into this season.

OUR PICK: RAVENS

FRIDAY NIGHT GAME

GREEN BAY PACKERS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

First ever NFL game being played in Brazil which is in the continent of South America, just in case you failed geography in high school. The Packers and Eagles are both playoff teams from last year meeting on a neutral field in a questionable city of violence and drug cartels giving out free neckties. This is confusing as Brazil you think would have sandy beaches filled with sandy brown buns. This game features two teams going into different directions last season. Philadelphia was trending downward in a spiral that came crashing down in the playoffs and at the end of regular season for a team soaring high the year before. The Packers, the youngest team in the league, were trending upwards making noise in the playoffs. Jordan Love should exploit the Eagles weakness – the secondary of that Eagles defense. The Brazilian colors are comparable to Green Bay in this coin flip game in another country. It has to give the Packers an edge.

OUR PICK: PACKERS

THE SUNDAY SLATE

PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS

In the off-season, the Falcons addressed their weakness at the aerial attack by getting Kirk Cousins behind center. The Steelers tried to upgrade their quarterback with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. It is Wilson’s job out of the gates and the Steelers are on the road. How will Cousins fare coming back from an Achilles injury that ended his season with the Vikings last year? Wilson has something to prove and he looked bad in preseason. Cousins has that strong running game behind him that should help him get his feet wet and find his old rhythm. Not a fan of the Steelers upgrades, either Fields or Wilson. Wilson is a fraud and has turned into a bum as he was when he put the Denver uniform on. I like the Falcons also being at home.

OUR PICK: FALCONS

ARIZONA CARDINALS AT BUFFALO BILLS

Many experts think this will be a bad year for the Bills as they lost some key players. The Cardinals will have Kyler Murray for the start of this season unlike last year when he returned late into the year from an injury. Bills have filled the shoes of the guys that left with young players and some veteran free agents. The Cardinals will unleash their new stealth plane in the aerial attack with Marvin Harrison Junior.

The Cardinals will need time to work the new equipment in the skies to perfect the Murray Harrison Jr. combo. The Cardinals gave teams battles last year, but the roster has some holes and some new pieces that need time to adapt. I like the Bills in this one being at home. I like Josh Allen getting out of the gates strong with something to prove after being called overrated. He will respond with a big game to show his critic, Stephon Diggs, he does not need to operate this high octane offense the Bills have.

OUR PICK: BILLS

TENNESSEE TITANS AT CHICAGO BEARS

The Titans are under new management. The Bears may have FINALLY found their quarterback the number one pick overall in Caleb Williams. The Titans quarterback Will Levis in his second season with another play book is still trying to find his footing in the NFL. The Bears defense is not what the doctor ordered for Levis right out of the gates. I like the rookie QB Williams in this one versus a suspect Titans defense which was not all that well last year. Williams played well in preseason. I think the Bears build on the second half of last season and they get off to a great start unlike most seasons where it takes them to the middle of the season to gel. This Bears defense looks and feels like a top 5 unit in the NFL and will be ready to rumble is the perfect recipe for the first win of the season.

OUR PICK: BEARS

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS

The Patriots are starting Jacoby Brissett which should tell everyone that they are picking Bengals in this contest. No more Bill Belichick in New England as the Patriots rebound is head coach Jerod Hold the Mayo. He’s bringing back the tough brand of football mentality to these Patriots. Not buying it. Joe Burrow and the Bengals will get off to a fast start this year unlike last few seasons. Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase want the Bengals ownership to show them the money.

This receiving duo will show they are worth the money, but they will cost too much for the Bengals to keep. One of them will be gone next year. Maybe two. Bengals fans are hoping this is the year they use them wisely and get back to the playoffs to win it all. The Patriots I expect to be bottom feeders for the year.

OUR PICK: BENGALS

HOUSTON TEXANS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

CJ Stroud took the league by storm last year for the Texans. During the off-season, Houston upgraded and brought in some big time names on both sides of the ball. The Colts did not look good when Anthony Richardson was behind center. Richardson missed most of his rookie season with injury and now in year two we don’t know if he is the face of the franchise as his rookie season is an incomplete. The Colts played well when Gradner Minshew took over for the injured Richardson. You have to go Stroud right now with additional weapons over Richardson who is still trying to establish himself as the man of the Colts offense.

OUR PICK: TEXANS

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS

The Dolphins versus Jaguars in surf wars down at South Beach. The Cheetah aka Tyreek Hill the fastest Dolphin in the ocean versus Jaguars Trevor Lawrence leading his surf ninjas must die into Miami. The Jaguars took a step backwards as their season collapsed in the second half. The Dolphins collapsed during the last game of the season and lost the division to the Bills. Then the Dolphins got freezer burn in the first round of the playoffs visiting Kansas City. I think the Dolphins and the Jaguars will put up points in week one. I like the Jaguars defense making one more stop over the Dolphins defense that lacks a pass rush. I consider Jaguars a winning team over the past two seasons in which Miami intends to struggle beating top teams. Jaguars have shown flashes that they are a top team but have not done it an entire season. Visiting Jaguars topple the Dolphins in all out surf wars in the state of Florida.

OUR PICK: JAGUARS

CAROLINA PANTHERS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Which team out of this match up will jump start their quarterback first? The Saints have veteran Derek Carr who has not yet lost to the Panthers franchise. Then the number one pick in 2023 for the Panthers, Bryce Young, did not look like a guy that should have been selected that high. Last season Carr’s first season in New Orleans he did not light up the score board. He had moments. I like the Saints defense against another new head coach for the Panthers. Young is still a work in progress with a team that has many younger players and still trying to find themselves. Carr should be able to lead this Saints offense to at least 20 points which should be enough for the win.

OUR PICK: SAINTS

MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT NEW YORK GIANTS

The Vikings are relying on the idea of the resurrection of Sam Darnold as their quarterback. Was Darnold ever something of a QB in the NFL? Then the Giants are marching the great Daniel Jones back behind center who missed most of last season with an injury. The Giants regressed last year in year two of Brian Daboll as head coach. Daboll, an offensive guy, has a better defense. The Vikings made things interesting even with the lost of Kirk Cousins for most of the season. The Vikings have weapons on offense with running back Aaron Jones and healthy Justin Jefferson who Darnold should be able to get the ball to. The Vikings were competitive with Joshua Dobbs last year. I think with Darnold they should be able to find a win on the road to open their season against a Giants roster with too many holes.

OUR PICK: VIKINGS

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT LA CHARGERS

Does adding Jim Harbaugh as the Chargers head coach give the second fiddle in LA an opening day win? The Raiders have played solid football last season with Antonio Pierce, who was the interim head coach. andnow has the permanent gig. Normally I would bet on Justin Herbert over Gardner Minshew at quarterback. Herbert lost his security blanket in Keenan Allen. Other weapons of Herbert that are gone are Mike Williams and running back Austin Ekelor. Minshew almost had the Colts to the post-season last year after filling in for the injured Anthony Richardson. This game will feature some greats on the defenses such as Mad Maxx Crosby for the Raiders and then Chargers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. I think the Raiders right now have the horses to win this fight while Harbaugh’s team has some holes on their roster that he will have to address. I just don’t see the Chargers coming out like gangbusters. I can see them later in the season gelling together and picking up a few victories including a few upsets. I like Raiders shining bright in the LA sunshine in week one.

OUR PICK: RAIDERS

DENVER BRONCOS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

I really think the Broncos and Sean Payton found their quarterback in Bo Nix who gets his first start in the NFL in Seattle. The Seahawks will start a new regime as Pete Carol has left the building. The Seahawks will go with the former Ravens defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald. I expect this Seattle defense to be better. I expect the crowd noise to be a problem for Nix. I can see some rookie mistakes along the way. I feel BO will be special in this league as the season goes on. The Seattle offense will generate offense with the weapons they have. I like Geno Smith rebounding from a season ago. I don’t think we see Smith from two years ago, but he will be better than last year. He will make the throws to be able to beat the visiting Broncos and their new guy Bo Nix.

OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS

DALLAS COWBOYS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS

The Browns defense was one of the elite units in the league. The Cowboys defense can get after the quarterback as well. I feel the Browns were more successful winning games without Deshaun Watson last year. The Cowboys struggled to beat winning teams but won against even opponents. On paper this looks like a match up that can go either way. No Nick Chubb at running back for the Browns leaves Watson with a massive target on his head. I feel Cee Dee Lamb will show why the Cowboys forked over all that money in an extension for him not that long ago as the ink has not dried. I like Dak Prescott for the Cowboys getting off to a great start behind center in a Cowboys win while Watson struggles for the Browns. Watch the Dawg Pound turn on their big guaranteed money quarterback.

OUR PICK: COWBOYS

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Baker Mayfield played very well against team with losing records like the Commanders last year. The Commanders have a rookie QB who could be one of the next elite guys behind center in Jayden Daniels. The Buccaneers defense will bring the kitchen and the bathroom sink at Daniels. I feel the Buccaneers can force Daniels into some mistakes early on in this first ever start in the NFL for the rookie. I feel Mayfield can carve up the Commanders secondary. Daniels will start off slow but find his game late in this one. But it will be too late as the visiting Commanders will leave Florida with a loss.

OUR PICK: BUCCANEERS

SUNDAY NIGHT

DETROIT LIONS AT LA RAMS

This did not take too long for a rematch of the playoff game between Rams and Lions in which Detroit won. Jared Goff heads back to LA to face his Rams once again. While Matthew Stafford tries to beat his X-team for the first time. I thought the Lions proved last year in the very first game of the season they can play with the big boys on prime time and win. The first game of regular season the Lions beat the Chiefs. Back in the post-season, the Rams in my opinion did nothing. Inside my mind says this rematch will be different. The Lions are hungry and they will stay hungry and play well and escape LA with a victory. Stafford will make some mistakes to cost the Rams a opening day loss.

OUR PICK: LIONS

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

NEW YORK JETS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

I’m not believing in this pipe dream people are having that Aaron Rodgers will take this Jets team to the Superbowl. The 49ers will not have a Superbowl hangover either from their loss to the Chiefs. This is a tough game for the Jets to fly across the country to face this 49ers team. Lots of weapons for a talented Jets defensive team to deal with. Rodgers did not even finish a quarter last season as he was injured in game 1 and missed the entire season. Rodgers is another year older and I don’t care how you slice it or dice it. The 49ers are a solid defense. Rodgers may survive this game, but the Jets will not get the victory. Former Packer greats at quarterback usually die off in a Jets uniform. The 49ers will generate points while the Jets will struggle to get enough points to beat this 49ers team on the road.

OUR PICK: 49ERS

It’s that time of the year where I throw my two cents into the ring and actually think I can predict the next Superbowl winner. We are about to be upon a brand new NFL season and I will show you that I have no clue about predicting division winners. Predicting wild card winners which would accumulate some kind of post-season predictions. I even threw out 8 different predictions during the regular season. What if I’m right? I’m a betting man and if you ask 20 girls you’d like to sleep with, perhaps one will say yes. More leads a sales person has, the more sales. Something should stick, but I just don’t know what until the end of the regular season and beyond in the NFL. Even though the conspirators think the NFL already has this upcoming season scripted with yet another Chiefs Superbowl title because Andy Reid has something on the Commissioner. I will not predict that kind of rubbish. I will not let the cat out of the bag, but the Chiefs are not going to win it all this year. Now that I said that, you have to be very curious if I have your team in the winners circle in New Orleans in February. Maybe you want to know if I think your team is good enough for the playoffs. I have predicted everyone’s record using special data. My old mindset that is soaked in booze on the bar stool and all those beer guzzling SOB’s I talk football with, as I don’t need special computers spitting out stats when I have my football posse. I’m sure the entire group has about two seasons worth of high school football under their belt as well. Why can’t the talent we have and the talent of your team win it all? Let’s find out and hope you like what we came up with. Remember you can’t win them all.

NFC

EAST

*EAGLES 10-7

COWBOYS 9-8

COMMANDERS 7-10

GIANTS 5-12

PREDICTION: Jayden Daniels will be voted Rookie of the Year.

NORTH

*PACKERS 12-5

LIONS 11-6

BEARS 10-7

VIKINGS 7-10

PREDICTION: Three teams from the North make the post-season

SOUTH

*FALCONS 9-8

SAINTS 8-9

BUCCANEERS 7-10

PANTHERS 3-14

PREDICTION: Derek Carr will be benched in favor of Spencer Rattler behind center sooner rather than later

WEST

49ERS 13-4

RAMS 11-6

CARDINALS 7-10

SEAHAWKS 6-11

PREDICTION: Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. will be better than his father.

AFC

EAST

*BILLS 11-6

DOLPHINS 9-8

JETS 8-9

PATRIOTS 2-15

PREDICTION: Aaron Rodgers once again will not last the entire season for the Jets.

NORTH

BENGALS 10-7

RAVENS 10-7

BROWNS 8-9

STEELERS 7-10

PREDICTION: The Dawg pound will turn on Deshaun Watson.

SOUTH

JAGUARS 10-7

TEXANS 9-8

COLTS 7-10

TITANS 6-11

PREDICTION: Stephon Diggs will poison CJ Stroud.

WEST

CHIEFS 12-5

RAIDERS 8-9

CHARGERS 7-10

BRONCOS 6-11

PREDICTION: Raiders will give the Chiefs 2 of their 5 losses for the season

DIVISION WINNERS AND SEEDS

NFC

#1. 49ers #2. PACKERS #3. EAGLES #4. FALCONS

AFC

#1. CHIEFS #2. BILLS #3 BENGALS #4. JAGUARS

WILD CARDS

NFC

#1. LIONS #2. RAMS #3. BEARS

AFC

#1. RAVENS #2. DOLPHINS #3 TEXANS

SUPERBOWL

THE DETROIT LIONS ARE KINGS OF THE JUNGLE

I have the Lions winning their first ever Superbowl with two teams that have never won one in their franchise history. The Bengals will end up losing their 4th Superbowl in franchise history and two of them with Joe Burrow behind center.