Brian Kelly is just a snake oil salesman wearing headphones. Once again the Collegiate level of the coaching carousel has coaches abandoning ship and not even finishing out their season. Do the Universities in College football have any say under contracts that prevent these guys from packing up their boxes & riding off-campus in a U-Haul for an even bigger payday? Coach Brian Kelly is leaving the University of Notre Dame to head down south and take over the LSU program. Louisiana State University plays in the S.E.C (Southern Eastern Conference), the MECCA of College football. LSU gives Kelly a ten year commitment which probably does not mean anything as he will never finish the contract that is worth 95 Million. Throw in potential bonuses and the king of snake oil is the highest paid coach at any public University.
Brian Kelly’s first job in College football as a head coach was at Central Michigan. After three seasons, Kelly went 19-16 and then bounced. Kelly went on to the University of Cincinnati. Kelly went 34-6 in regular season with three bowl games for the 4 years he walked the sideline there. Another stepping stone. Kelly said when he was hired, that he imagined his next gig would be his dream job and that was Notre Dame. I’m shocked Kelly lasted 12 years at the University of Notre Dame. Kelly did a solid job as his record over 12 years on the job was 113-40 and had the University in ten bowl games… quite impressive. Early on I thought Kelly would jump at an opportunity in the pro game. Maybe another University with more money. Perhaps Kelly was thinking it. Kelly probably even knew he wanted something else. Waited patiently until something he liked came along. Once you fly first class, no way would he go back to coach small potato universities or a disarrayed franchise in the NFL. That’s where LSU comes in.
What has LSU got that Notre Dame does not have? Notre Dame is an independent school that has never played in a conference. Not that there is anything wrong with that. LSU plays in the SEC which most people will say is the powerhouse conference in College football. The schools you face every week compared to Notre Dame. LSU faces Alabama, Auburn, Florida and Georgia and many other southern schools that have high profile football programs. Not saying Notre Dame’s schedule is easy as they face tough Big Ten schools every year. Notre Dame has restrictions on players they recruit. LSU academic-wise you can sign all the meat-heads you want down there while at Notre Dame academics comes into play. Kelly said the resources at LSU are incredible. I bet recruiting down in the south is like a football factory taking linemen right out of the warehouse.
The bottom line is Brian Kelly’s mind thinks he can win a National Championship at LSU before Notre Dame. Notre Dame has made the final four with Brian Kelly more than once. The results are not very Irish-like. LSU won the National championship in 2019. Remember Joe Heisman Burrow? Burrow was the number one pick in 2020 by the Cincinnati Bengals. Burrow led LSU to that National championship win over the University of Clemson. Since 2018, LSU has the 2nd most players suiting up in the NFL. Notre Dame is not number one. The Irish produce talented players that go on to play in the NFL. LSU has far more. This should tell you the tale of the tape just talent-wise of both programs. This is the reason Kelly believes his easiest path to win the National Championship is through the Tigers, not the Leprechauns of South Bend, Indiana.
Should LSU have anything to worry about with Brian Kelly leaving their program in years to come? If Kelly succeeds at LSU, would the next stepping stone be the pro game of the NFL? It’s a shame guys like Kelly leave a prestigious University with great history like Notre Dame having the most wins as head coach in Irish history. Kelly passed up legend Knute Rockne in wins at the University. Rockne probably bled Irish blood putting his life’s dedication to the cause of making Notre Dame a powerhouse football program. Kelly born in Massachusetts suddenly has a Southern accent just in time for the LSU introduction press conference. Like a chameleon, that Kelly is a dirty lizard who adapts to his new background immediately. Not everyone is buying the Brian Kelly act. LSU starting quarterback Max Johnson wants out. Max Johnson, son of a former Superbowl winner, who led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to their first title ever, is Brad Johnson. I know life is all about the next challenge. Kelly had a challenge and failed at Notre Dame winning a National title. I can easily bring up the name of Lou Holtz who was able to get the Irish a National Championship, decades ago but still got it done. Yes, Brian Kelly was successful in South Bend, but when you put it in his terms of getting that next challenge… the easy path to a title. Then he is the ultimate failure for not getting it done at Notre Dame. Maybe Kelly will end up getting eaten up by a gator. Florida University gator. An actual gator would spit out that snakeskin oil salesman that would poison the poor reptile with that Kelly venom. Do you blame St. Patrick leaving one snake in Irish country not eradicated? Notre Dame is better off in the future without the head of a snake leading them.
Last week we did better than the week before. Still felt like we were run over by a 40 ouncer.
SEASON STATS
OVERALL RECORD (117-77)
THURSDAY RECORD (10-5)
MONDAY NIGHT RECORD (8-5)
WEEK 14 PREDICTIONS WE ARE ALL ABOUT THE DEMARYIUS THOMAS WAY OF WINNING THE BIG WEEK.
THE THURSDAY NIGHT AFFAIR
PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Both the Vikings and Steelers are desperate teams trying to hang on to their playoffs lives. Ravens gave the Steelers a Christmas gift last Sunday in a botched two point conversion to try to win the game instead of kicking the extra point to try for overtime at the end of regulation. Meanwhile the Vikings were in giving spirits giving the Lions a victory. No Grinchy heart wearing purple this Holiday season.
A short week should give the Vikings inspiration to get back in the win column. The return of Dalvin Cook running the ball should be the inspiration this team needs. The Shower Curtain defense has too many holes to stop this Viking high octane offense.
OUR PICK: VIKINGS
THE SUNDAY SLATE
DALLAS COWBOYS AT THE WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM
The Fat Boy Head Coach Mike McCarthy is back from being sidelined with the Covid virus. McCarthy had some words in his return saying, “when we win this week,” referring to beating the Washington Football team. Is the Cowboys head coach throwing up his own Hail Mary to rally his team with words to the press? The Washington Football team is sizzling right now. The Team, just like last year at this time, are marching like the Nazis into Poland which would be the post-season.
Cowboys are walking wounded in their back field coming into the Nations Capital. Dak Prescott to me does not have the accuracy on his passes like he has in the past. The Team is playing like a team on both sides of the ball. The team is red hot, so watch them stun the Cowboys this Sunday.
OUR PICK: THE TEAM
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT TENNESSEE TITANS
Every little kid wants a train set for Christmas. Every Titan fan wants a team they can beat. As long as the opponents are not the Texans or the Jets. The struggling Jaguars are perfect medication for the Titans to break their two game losing streak especially coming off a bye week. If the Titans can’t beat a pathetic Jaguar team that has nothing left in the tank, just give the division title to the Colts. Let’s not waste our time covering a team in a constant funk.
OUR PICK: TITANS
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT HOUSTON TEXANS
The Texans are waving the white flag as Davis Mills will take over duties the rest of the year behind center. The Tyrod Taylor being a spoiler for all these playoff teams has come to an end. Meanwhile the Seahawks get a win against their rival 49ers which may be their World Series of the season. Russell Wilson and the Seahawks offense should be able to bury the Texans defense. Davis Mills may engineer a drive or two but not enough to get by the Seahawks.
OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Which Raider team will come to play this week? You can probably say that about the Chiefs as well. Chiefs offense has been bipolar this season. The defense of the Chiefs has done a 360 in good way. Chiefs are still winning games even if they don’t have the style points we are custom to seeing. Raiders coming off a loss means nothing because this team has no track record. Raiders decide if they are going to play well in the spur of the moment. I like Chiefs at home here.
OUR PICK: CHIEFS
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT NEW YORK JETS
Jets have played better the last three games and are notching a victory versus the Texans. Last week Taysom Hill’s first start this season versus Dallas was better than what they had weeks prior. Alvin Kamara’s due back should help the Saints offense. Jets will give the Saints a respectable game throughout most of the afternoon. Saints defense make a stand or two late in the game to see Kamara find his way to the end zone for a much needed Saints victory. As they break the forever it seems losing streak that we have not seen in New Orleans in years.
ATLANTA FALCONS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS
The Falcons & Panthers rematch. The Panthers won the first one. In the first meeting Cam Newton was not back in the fold for Carolina like that makes any kind of difference. Will this be the last meeting between Matt Ryan and Cam Newton in these uniforms facing each other? Matt Ryan is like a whack-a mole these days.
Sometimes he pop his head out and the Falcons will score some points and a possible victory. I think the Soft Cam Newton should be able to pretend he’s Superman for this Sunday only and give the Panthers fans something to cheer for. Panthers defense is a better unit than what the Falcons have.
OUR PICK: PANTHERS
BALTIMORE RAVENS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS
Browns coming off a bye week and yet will face the Ravens once again. Ravens won the last meeting with the Browns by one score. The Ravens should have beat the Steelers last Sunday. Instead of tying the game, the Ravens went fancy trying to win the game with a two point conversion and failed. Baker Mayfield has been like the board game, Operation.
Every tackle on Baker Mayfield sends shards of pain through his body that may make his nose turn red. Like some nervous Nellie playing the board game of Operation when you were younger always making the nose turn red with touching the metal with the tweezers. Ravens defense will contain the Browns running game. Look for Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense to look more crisp than the ugliness we have been seeing in last few weeks.
OUR PICK: RAVENS
NEW YORK GIANTS AT LA CHARGERS
Those are the Chargers we thought we’d see almost every week this season that blew out the Bengals.
This is what happens when Mike Glennon is your quarterback. Any questions?
OUR PICK:CHARGERS
DETROIT LIONS AND DENVER BRONCOS
I just can’t see the Lions winning two straight games. Especially having to go on the road.
I think the Football Gods with the news of the passing away of Demaryius Thomas and the Broncos will have a moment of silence for their former player the organization lost. Thomas passes away at a young age of 33 which is way too soon in life. Thomas was a great wide receiver for the Broncos for years. Imagine a great person as well. All this news & the game will go on. I have the Broncos coming out with a win at home this Sunday from a team that could be inspired because of the passing away of Demaryius Thomas. Rest in Peace…
OUR PICK: BRONCOS
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS
Both the Bengals and the 49ers were doing well until last week. Both teams need to rebound this Sunday. The 49ers have more pressure on them than the Bengals. This is a game that can go either way. I like the Bengals overall edge with their offense and defense to beat a California team traveling from the West coast to the Midwest. The 49ers have been running on fumes for awhile & this will be the week where it will sting.
OUR PICK: BENGALS
BUFFALO BILLS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
The GOAT Tom Brady owns the Buffalo franchise. Bills lost to the Evil Empire Tampa Tom’s ole stomping grounds, the Evil Empire Patriots. Bills have not lost two in a row after bad losses. Buccaneers have been almost close to firing on all cylinders. Bills have an axe to grind. Tom Brady will be overconfident. Josh Allen will have a big game. UPSET… YES, INDEED. Bills bounce back to show the league they are for real.
OUR PICK:BILLS
CHICAGO BEARS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS
Can someone tell Aaron Rodgers, the owner of the Bears from a different mother, to fire Matt Nagy and the entire Bears front office. Horrible game to have the Bears on Prime Time. Justin Fields will be back behind center for the Bears. Means nothing. Packers at home is the Bears’ nightmare once again.
THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME
LA RAMS AT ARIZONA CARDINALS
Another great Monday night match up two weeks in a row. Are the Rams and Cardinals the preview of the NFC conference game? These two teams play in the same division. Cardinals have something wrong with them, but they don’t know it yet. They have been winning anyways. Rams have been scrapping living the bad days & finally won a game last Sunday, I think the Rams will have their division rival in the second game of the series and give the Cardinals a wake up call and expose them that they are not the team to beat.
I don’t blame you for ripping my head off and shitting down my neck with the picks we did in week twelve.
SEASON STATS
OVERALL RECORD (109-71)
THURSDAY RECORD(9-5)
MONDAY NIGHT RECORD (8-4)
LUCKY WEEK 13 HERE WE GO
We’re skipping all the way through week 13 whistling Dixie …
THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME
DALLAS COWBOYS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Combined, both the Cowboys and the Saints have lost six in a row. The Saints have 4 of those losses. Cowboys have lost people due to the Covid virus. Head coach for Dallas, Mike McCarthy, will miss this game due to Covid. Saints will be without their star running back, Alvin Kamara, once again. Taysom Hill is expected to start behind center for the Saints, making his first start of the year. Cowboys will have play maker Amari Cooper back in the fold; a guy returning from Covid. Taysom Hill will give the Saints a better shot than Trevor Siemian at quarterback. I feel the Saints will battle the Cowboys most of the game. Cowboys will have Dan Quinn take over the head coach duties for McCarthy. He has experience from his Atlanta days and knows a little bit about the Saints playing them twice a year. Dak Prescott will be a big part of getting the Cowboys off their skid. Hill will be rusty and that gives Cowboys the edge.
OUR PICK:COWBOYS
THE SUNDAY SLATE
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS
Last time these two teams met, Buccaneers put up 48 points on Atlanta earlier in the season. The Falcons have won 5 games beating basically bottom-feeders throughout the league. Tampa Bay, back on track, won two in a row beating a very good Colts team last week. Tampa Tom will not have any problem putting up his usual Brady numbers. Will the Buccaneers run the ball? Leonard Fournette has turned into a force in the back-field the last few games. Fournette has 7 rushing touchdowns this season.
The key for the Buccaneers is stopping the Falcons’ Cordarrelle Patterson. He is the heart, soul, and Swiss Army knife of the Falcons offense. Head Coach Matt Nagy did not know how to use Patterson last season with the Bears. Patterson has 4 rushing and 5 receiving touchdowns. That’s nine total touchdowns if you’re counting at home. Buccaneers will focus on Patterson and win the game relatively easily.
OUR PICK: BUCCANEERS
ARIZONA CARDINALS AT CHICAGO BEARS
Once upon a time ago, both of these teams hailed from Chicago. Bears played on the North side of the city. The Cardinals played on the South side of the city. If both teams stayed in Chicago, the Bears would still have one Superbowl win in two appearances, while the Cardinals would have no Superbowls in 1 appearance.
Best running back of all-time, Sweetness aka Walter Payton, doing his part in the Bears’ Superbowl Shuffle. Times have changed. The Cardinals moved to St. Louis and now have found a solid home in Arizona. Cardinals are hoping their Superbowl Shuffle will be this year. Cardinals expecting Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins back from injury. Bears struggle to beat the Lions on Thanksgiving. This one should get ugly really fast for the Bears.
OUR PICK:CARDINALS
LA CHARGERS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS
Justin Herbert versus Joe Burrow might be the best air and water show of all-time. This match-up between these two quarterbacks may be a staple in the AFC for the next ten years in regular season and post season. Bengals right now are on solid ground. Chargers are too erratic for me to pick them to win. The Bengals running game with Joe Mixon, gives the Bengals the edge on offense. Defense goes to the Bengals as well instead of that roller coaster act LA has on that side of the ball.
OUR PICK:BENGALS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT DETROIT LIONS
Vikings offense is one of the best in the league. Lions always shoot themselves in their own paw every game.
Especially late in the game, the Lions step on their own land mine like clockwork. Viking defense should be able to tame this lion from the Wizard of Oz. Vikings will score a bunch and climb their way back to the 500 mark.
OUR PICK: VIKINGS
NEW YORK GIANTS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS
Dolphins are actually one of the hottest teams in the league right now.The fins have won 4 straight. New York’s defense were a Giant pain in the arse for sizzling the Eagle offense last Sunday. Dolphins defense is forcing a lot of turnovers like they did last season. Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is out for this Sunday’s game with an injury. The great Mike Glennon will get the start for the Giants behind center, which equals the 6th victory of the year for the Dolphins. The Dolphins defense will be licking their chops in this one.
OUR PICK:DOLPHINS
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT NEW YORK JETS
Jets won last week. Is that right? The Eagle has not landed for me at all this season. Whether I pick them to win or lose, they never listen. Eagles are living the movie Groundhog Day. Last week, they played the Giants in New Jersey. This week they play the Jets in New Jersey.
Will the Eagles have some punch to them this week on offense? Jets beat Houston last Sunday so their track record means they will not win another game until three weeks from now. Eagles offense should be able to run through this Jets defense and score more than 7 points. Since I’m picking the Eagles, it may not happen.
OUR PICK: EAGLES
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT HOUSTON TEXANS
Did the Colts forget to give the ball to their running back, Jonathan Taylor, last week? Coming off the big game versus Buffalo, Taylor did not have many carries versus the Buccaneers last Sunday until it was too late. Houston beat the Titans two weeks ago and do a belly flop last week versus the Jets. I expect the Colts feed Taylor the ball like it’s a pie eating contest.
Is the lard ass last year’s Ezekiel Elliot of the Cowboys. Taylor will get his fill and run all over the Texans. Colts defense will force a turnover or two off the arm of Tyrod Taylor. Texans will stay in the hunt of a top pick in the 2022 draft.
OUR PICK: COLTS
WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM VERSUS LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
Raiders are untrustworthy & too unpredictable this season. The Team has won three straight. Raiders looked hot, cold, & then hot again on Thanksgiving versus the Cowboys. The Team of Washington only scored 17 points off a poor defense Seattle brings to the table every week. This game will come down to the Raiders offense or Washington’s defense. Who shows up? I like Raiders at home with Derek Carr finding his groove using different weapons as he spreads the ball around. It will be a close game. Raiders somehow find a way at the end of the game to pull out the victory.
OUR PICK: RAIDERS
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT LA RAMS
Both the Jaguars and Rams have lost three games in a row. Rams have not won a game since they picked Odell Beckham Jr. and Von Miller. Blame it on the new guys. Matthew Stafford has turned into Jay Cutler throwing a Pick Six it seems every week. It’s simple – make mistakes & keep the kittens from Jacksonville in it. Rams will find a way to lose this one. Rams need to limit the mistakes they should be able to throttle the Jags and land back in the win column. The Surf Nazi at quarterback might be in for another rude awakening from the Rams defense that will be out to prove itself.
OUR PICK: RAMS
BALTIMORE RAVENS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Reports out of Pittsburgh suggest this will be Big Ben Roethlisberger’s last season. Does not help this season as Big Ben is like that statue behind center, ready to fall. Either by wind, force, or the big bad wolf huffing and puffing to blow Big Ben down.
Steeler fans can yank Big Ben down like the troops did to the Saddam Hussein statue in the town square. Big Ben’s play, the offensive line, and defensive line are all in disarray right now for the Steelers. Injuries meant the foundation is cracking and the paint is chipping. Only way Steelers win is if the Ravens gift-wrap an early Christmas gift to them.
OUR PICK: RAVENS
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Seahawks have not won since back up quarterback Geno Smith guided the team to a victory over the Jaguars. Meanwhile 49ers have won 4 out of their last 5 games. Lets face it. Seahawks have called it a year.
Big changes on the horizon for Seattle. The 49ers are fighting for the post-season. A win over their division rival evens up the two game season series and gets them 2 games over 500 and better chances to make post-season play especially with a tough Bengal team after this Sunday.
OUR PICK: 49ERS
DENVER BRONCOS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Chiefs are well rested coming off a bye week. Denver won a rare game versus a winning opponent at home last week facing the Chargers. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs defense were playing much better going into the bye week and have won 4 straight. Broncos will show up to Kansas City and really they might give the Chiefs a game. They might not. I like Andy Reid’s record coming off a bye week as head coach. A man with a plan.
OUR PICK: CHIEFS
THE MONDAY NIGHT AFFAIR
NEW ENGLAND AT BUFFALO BILLS
This is battle of the Rebel Alliance of Buffalo versus the Evil Empire of the Patriots.
The stakes are high as AFC East is on the line as the Bills and Patriots rivalry is back on. Patriots have won six in a row. Bills, who swept the Patriots last season, took the AFC East by storm and made it all the way to the conference championship. Because of this guy.
The Bills finally found a quarterback in Josh Allen. It did not take the Patriots that long to find a new quarterback as Mac Jones, the rookie, meets the Buffalo Mafia for the first time.
When was the last time both the Bills and the Patriots had stud quarterbacks at the same time? This rivalry might not be lopsided as it was when Tom Brady held court all those years. Was it a rivalry when Jim Kelly ran the decade of the 1990’s? Patriots have won six in a row. Bills won four in a row after losing the opener of the year. Bills have won 3 out of their last 5, but took on some bad loses. I like the Bills having home field advantage with a defense that has played most of the year very well. Mac Jones will have his work cut out for him. Josh Allen has made many mistakes the last several weeks. Will Bill Belichick and a good Patriot defense come up with a scheme to throw off the Bills quarterback and that high octane offense? Bills get healthier on the offensive line this week and Josh Allen has done very well at Monday Night Football. I do like them at home. I think the Patriots’ luck runs dry.
In every sport, some teams have a Woody Woodpecker on their team. What I mean by this is the old red-headed woodpecker cartoon bird was an agitator. In the NBA, when Dennis Rodman was not on your team, you just hated this guy. Rodman was one of the best defenders during his time on the floors in the NBA. Rodman had that Woodpecker mentality where he could get in your head & throw your game off. When Rodman was with the Bulls and they faced the Utah Jazz in the finals in the 1990’s, Karl Malone fell into his traps more than once. Last Saturday, the LA Kings in the NHL had their own version of agitator. Left winger Brendan Lemieux is not paid to score goals. Lemieux’s job on the ice is to get penalties drawn from the other team. Help his team get into the power play and use the extra man advantage. These guys that do this type of work probably do whatever it takes. Words can hurt.
Sticks can break bones. Maybe even goon it up with a cheap shot or throw down the gloves and go Blades of Steel on the other guy. Some of these goons’ jobs are to protect their own play-makers, the guys that can score goals and get all the glory.
Last Saturday, Brendan Lemieux threw down the gloves with Ottawa Senators left winger Brady Tkachuk. Both of them squared off and eventually both fell to the ice. The referees were trying to untangle them as they kept going at it both on the ice with Lemieux on top of Tkachuk. Eventually Lemieux took a bite out of Crime. Took a Chuk out Tkachuk’s hand.
It all started when Brady Tkachuk pushed the Kings’ center, Blake Lizzotle, in the back after the whistle. It was in the third period & the Kings had the lead on the Senators. When the referees finally broke up the tangled web on the ice between Lemieux and Tkachuk, you could see blood on Brady’s hands. Tkachuk immediately complained to the referee that he had been bitten by a guy needing a snickers bar in Lemieux. Tkachuk said the cannibal bit him on both hands when they fell to the ice. Lemieux said Tkachuk’s hands were bloody from punching him in the teeth during that scuffle. Like any car accident, everyone seems to have a different story. Video evidence shows Lemieux having a biting motion on Tkachuk’s left hand. That evidence matches up with the puncture marks on the left hand of Tkachuk after the game in which the Kings held on to a win, 4-2.
After the game, the Senators’ Brady Tkachuk spoke about Brendan Lemieux.
“The guy is just a joke.
He shouldn’t be in the league.
This guy is gutless.
No other teams want him
He’s going to keep begging to be in the NHL.
But no other team wants him.
He’s an absolute joke.
i can’t even wrap my head around it.
People don’t do this.
He’s a bad guy.
It’s outrageous.
Kids don’t even do that anymore.
Babies do that.
I don’t even know what he was thinking.
He’s a complete brick head.
He’s got nothing up there.
Bad guy, bad player, but what a joke he is.”
We get it a joke and a Brick head is the gist of what Brady Tkachuk had to say after the game about his BFF, Brendan Lemieux.
The NHL has suspended the biter, Brendan Lemieux, for five games without pay. All his salary goes to the Emergency Assistance Fund which is money to help players in unfortunate situations. In 14 games this season, Lemieux is ranked number 14 among overall in the NHL skaters with 32 penalty infraction minutes. After the game, someone would miss and be concerned for his guy if he would be suspended. Kings Coach Todd McLellan said,
And if we happen to lose him for any period of time we’ll miss him,
and he has to understand how important he’s become.”
The LA Kings got Brendan Lemieux in a trade in March from the New York Rangers for a 4th round pick. Brendan Lemieux is the son of former NHL player, Claude Lemieux. Brendan Lemieux is 25-years-old and has been in the NHL for 5 seasons playing with three teams: the Jets, Rangers, and now the Kings. This season Lemieux has 4 goals and 1 assist which is 5 points in 14 games for the Kings. Lemieux has 194 games in the NHL and has tallied 27 goals dishing out 25 assists good for 52 points. The dirty work is what Lemieux does well. During the 2019-20 season, Lemieux had 7 penalties in which he was caught and sent to the box while he drew 19 penalties from the opponents that season..
It may take the personality of a brick head to be this type of guy in sports doing things to get the other team’s goat. Hoping cheap shots and not being caught will draw the opponent to attack you to then draw the penalty for your team over something you orchestrated. Mind games have been played in sports since the games were invented. In football these days, roughing the quarterback is a big NO NO. Especially if the quarterback got rid of the ball. Defenders still fall on the quarterbacks on purpose lunging at them in the air. Sure you get caught. The times you do not get caught and hits on quarterbacks, can throw off their timing. When it comes to biting a player that is crazy, but it has been done before. In the sport of football in the trenches many things occurred such as eye gauging, scratching, biting, punching, elbowing, especially during a fumble where players are all piled up on each other. In basketball, players take the charging foul. In basketball, there’s the power of the elbow going for a rebound. Do you compare Brendan Lemieux snacking on Brady Tkachuk’s hand to Mike Tyson gobbling off Evander Holyfield’s ear? Totally different levels of hunger.
Many people love watching fights in hockey. In any sport, especially with violence, someone will take things a bit far like Mike Tyson in boxing. Same with Lemieux and many other guys that used their hockey stick as a weapon of mass destruction. Brendan Lemieux will now always be known, maybe even more now, as a brick head who likes to bite. At the end what comes around goes around and somebody might knock out all his teeth which would make Brady Tkachuk a happy camper.
We are bringing in the muscle to help lift week 12 NFL Power rankings into your living quarters. We have a feeling by the end they will pump you up!!!
#1.ARIZONA CARDINALS (9-2)
The Cardinals go on the bye week with the best record in the NFC. Cardinals have the best record in the entire NFL. Cardinals won without their superstar quarterback behind center. Kyler Murray was out and with the bye week can get additional rest and come back in week 13 for Arizona. It’s great to have a good journeyman quarterback like Colt McCoy who got the job done filling in for Murray.
Colt McCoy is 2-1 filling in for Murray and has 3 touchdown passes. McCoy won his 10th game of his career, as a starter, with a win versus the Seahawks.
#2.TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (7-3)
When the objects in your mirror are closer than they appear.
Is Tom Brady feeling the eyes? Or does he see the face of his former coach hunting him down? Will it be a Buccaneers versus Patriots Superbowl with Belichick’s team climbing up the standings? Tom Brady probably thought it was over at the reunion they had in Boston earlier in the season when the Buccaneers won in a monsoon. Brady and Buccaneers quietly broke their two game losing streak last Monday night. Maybe Brady wakes up in cold sweats seeing his former coach watching him in the window. Creepy creepy.
#3.KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (7-4)
Thought the Chiefs were done. The defense looked in shambles giving up more scores than a whorehouse in Texas. Patrick Mahomes did not look like the superhero quarterback he’s been, throwing interceptions and being chased down by opposing defenses. Then the Chiefs defense holds the top scoring team in the league to only field goals last Sunday. First time this season the Cowboys offense did not score a touchdown in a game. Cowboys offense led the league in scoring coming in as well. The Chiefs offense looks better. Now the Chiefs go into the bye week in first place in the AFC West. Go figure.
#4.GREEN BAY PACKERS (8-3)
The Packers offensive line is getting some kinks in the armor. Elgton Jenkins’s torn ACL has him out. Plus David Bakhtiari is still recovering from his ACL. Aaron Rodgers is going to play through a bad toe. Packers have a date with the Rams this Sunday as they face a defense that will be looking for blood after losing two straight games. Could the Packers find themselves going into a bye week in a complete tailspin? I don’t think many would care less. Bad things should happen to bad people at times.
Not the first person to call Rodgers the Spawn of Satan.
#5. LA RAMS (7-3)
I know the Rams have lost two games in a row. The Rams, my gut feeling says, will come off this bye week a different team and really start to roll. Watch for the defense to get back to their old selves as one of the best units in the league. Waiting on something from Von Miller. Rams will unleash the dog.
A bye week for the dog Chopper, who goes by Odell Beckham Jr. and he indeed likes balls. Watch Beckham have a big play this Sunday versus the Packers in a Rams win.
#6.INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (6-5)
Colts are 6-2 in their last 8 games. Colts have the toughest schedule to start the season. Some thought they were done… complete toast. Things are looking good in Indianapolis. Carson Wentz is finding himself and playing like he did early on in his career in an Eagle uniform before he took on injuries.
In his first year in a Colts uniform in 11 games, Wentz has thrown 18 touchdown passes and only 3 interceptions. This off-season trade could be a huge deal when everything is over. Many thought Wentz would just be OK and nothing special. This is under Frank Reich who was on the Eagles staff. Plus Jonathan Taylor is just a beast at running back. This move of the Colts, under the radar at the time, may be the best move of the season.
#7.TENNESSEE TITANS (8-3)
Titans hit yet another bump in the road losing to a bad Houston team. Before we throw the Titans under the bus and yell, “Their season is over.” Let’s not forget they lost to the Jets, another bad team & then after, went on a rampage and won six straight. They were beating very good teams as well. Titans still have the best record in the AFC. Titans just cut Adrian Peterson, a running back they just picked up.
Did the Titans give Peterson a going away spanking on the way out the door? Don’t let the door hit you on the way out. Peterson’s career may be done.
#8.NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (7-4)
I never thought I’d have the Patriots back in my top ten this quickly. Thought the Patriots would be cockroaches during an apocalypse. Split-up & hidden all over the world. Shacked up in some underground cave waiting a few years to multiple to reestablish themselves in society.
The new reestablished Empire of the Patriots have taken over small potato planets like the Falcons, Browns, Panthers, Chargers, and Jets. Can they take out a big dog planet, like the Titans this Sunday? If they can, the Empire may be back to reclaim the galaxy.
#9.BALTIMORE RAVENS (7-3)
Who is Tyler Huntley?
Huntley, making his first ever start in the NFL, goes out and beats the Chicago Bears. Perhaps someone in the Bears can mark that as a reason to fire Matt Nagy, head coach of the Bears. In a game Lamar Jackson could not play in due to battling flu-like symptoms, he turned it over to his back-up. Ravens lost the lead late in that game to the Bears. Huntley responded by driving the Ravens downfield and sealed the deal. Victories like that can go a long way in confidence for this Raven team down the stretch. Plus, it keeps the Ravens in the driver’s seat in the AFC North division.
#10. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (5-5)
Vikings may be the best offense unit in the league. Kirk Cousins is the second best passer in the league according to Pro Football Focus. During the week, the Vikings had to deal with an off-the-field issue with their defensive end, Everson Griffen, who thought someone was trying to kill him at his house in Minnesota. Griffin went for his gun and called 911. No intruder was at the Griffin household and the situation ended peacefully. Griffin has had mental issues in the past. Not sure how much Griffin has played this season for the Vikings as he returned to the team this season after playing in Dallas and Detroit. Vikings defense… can they protect the leads? Vikings can score on anybody. It’s their defense that will either cost them or help them get back to post-season.
#11.BUFFALO BILLS (7-4)
Bills have rebounded on Thanksgiving from what was just a bad loss versus a re-surging Colts team who humiliated Buffalo at home last Sunday. The Bills defense played well on the road against a Saints team that is missing pieces and an inferior quarterback off the scrap heap. The win on thanksgiving came with a hefty price.
Bills lose their shut-down corner-back in TreDavious White. He will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury which is a big blow to that defense. Josh Allen played better versus the Saints defense, but he continues to throw interceptions at a high rate. Bills offense, especially Allen, will have to clean up his game with the Patriots lurking. There’ll be a showdown next weekend with the Evil Empire and the AFC East on the table.
#12.DALLAS COWBOYS (7-4)
Not buying that the Cowboys are contenders. Cowboys seem more like pretenders. Cowboys offense has had a few of their play makers on the Covid list and they have missed a few games. Cowboys have lost 3 out of the last 4 games. The only win was against a very bad Falcon team. The unexpected Broncos gave the Cowboys an old-fashioned arse kicking. The Chiefs defense, which is not an elite unit in the league, held the top scoring machine in the league to only field goals. First game the Cowboys played this season, they did not score a touchdown. Then on Thanksgiving they let a dead Raiders team kick them around, all game. Raiders let the Cowboys back in that one. Dak Prescott looks off with his throws. The defense of the Cowboys looks like the unit from last year, who could not stop anybody. The Cowboys are looking more like the Three Amigos.
#13.LA CHARGERS (6-4)
The start of the season I thought the Chargers were well balanced on both sides of the ball. We knew the Chargers offense with Justin Herbert at quarterback would be able to put points on the board in chunks. The defense has been the liability for the Chargers. There are only so many shoot-outs you can win. In the post-season is when the shoot out comes back to haunt you. Justin Herbert is making some history becoming the first player in the Superbowl ERA to throw for 350 and rush for 90 yards, which he did against the Steelers. Chargers in 62 years of football never had this type of quarterback like Herbert doing the things he can do.
Two Chargers legends, Dan Fouts and Phillip Rivers, could hardly use their legs to get yardage like Herbert can.
Can Herbert live the legend of the great Stan “the Man” Humphries?
#14.SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (5-5)
The 49ers are a team that was about to be taken out to the back of the woodshed and shot, this season over a few weeks back. The 49ers have now won two games in a row and one of them was the beating up on the Rams. Will the combo of head coach Kyle Shanahan and QB 1 Jimmy Garoppolo be the last run for these guys in San Francisco?
Trey Lance, the future of the 49ers, is waiting & watching. The feeling I’m getting is it’s playoffs or bust as this team could be doing a 360 turn in the off-season. Put Kyle Shanahan’s name in the Bears search for a new coach.
#15.PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (5-6)
The Eagles are flying high right now and have two games in row. Eagles have the number one rushing attack in the entire NFL with 153.4 yards per game as a team. Eagles finally landed their first home victory of the season. Eagles could be running down an easy road the next two weeks, and improve in the standings with meetings against the Giants and Jets. Two victories would get the Eagles over the 500 mark.
#16. CLEVELAND BROWNS (6-5)
Baker Mayfield has somehow played through a slew of injuries. Mayfield has guts every Sunday hobbling out on the field. The Browns, to me, look like a team on life support. The AFC East is one of the toughest divisions in football. Browns have a date with the Ravens this Sunday which means Baltimore could put an end to Cleveland’s bark for the season. Kareem Hunt is expected to return from the injured list. The Browns will have to rely on their two-headed monster running-back combo to win games. Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, you could say, are the three-headed monster with the rookie, D’Ernest Johnson. Browns will need to run because Mayfield is one hit away from his season being over. Where is that scary Browns defense? MIA most of the season. That unit needs to get their bark back before Browns head back to missing the post-season for decades once again. The Dawg pound in Cleveland then will turn into the pound puppies.
#17.WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM (4-6)
The resurrection of the Team in Washington. The Football Team has been playing without a pulse most of the year. Now the defense has shown up and quarterback Taylor Heinicke is playing like this Washington Team’s position behind center is his.
This kid has shown leadership at the quarterback position that many in the league do not have. Heinicke has thrown 15 touchdown passes and thrown for over 2000 yards. On the ground, Heinicke has legged 276 yards with one score. The Team has won two in a row. One game beating up on the Buccaneers. This is the time last season when Washington marched their team right to the post-season.
#18.LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (6-5)
Just when you thought the Raiders fans put away their Halloween costume for the rest of the season.
Then on Thanksgiving. the Raiders make Jerry Jones, the owner of the Cowboys, look like a Jive turkey in an overtime victory. I’m all about beating the Cowboys every week. Raiders are unpredictable. Raiders look like they are packing it in, losing games, and showing you no energy in them. Then play a great game out of nowhere.
#19.CAROLINA PANTHERS (5-6)
Carolina unleashed dueling quarterbacks like a dueling piano bar. Things were looking good for his homecoming to his former team. Superman was back, Cam Newton was once again like he’d never seen the end zone. He was running in for the score like old time rock-n-roll for the Panthers. However there’s Cam Newton’s weakness.
Giving this piano the ball at the end of the game. Like a fig newton cookie goes soft as Cam Newton, trying to hit a simple pass, misses wide just off-target. Panthers lose. I like the idea of Newton running the red zone package. Why not give the rest of the field to PJ Walker?
#20.PITTSBURGH STEELERS (5-4-1) Steelers seem to be stuck in their ways. Stubborn ways. First ending with a tie to the Lions. At least it was not a loss, but still a tie with the worst team in the league. Steelers can’t put everything together. The defense is either banged up when the offense decides to put points on the board or vice versa. When the defense is playing well and healthy, Big Ben Roethlisberger can’t light up the score board.
Clowns to the left & jokers to the right. Maybe cutting off an ear or two and finally somebody in Steel-town will get the message.
#21.NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (5-6)
Sean Payton is finding out the hard way after playing all these games this season without Drew Brees. Payton looked brilliant with guys like Taysom Hill, Teddy Bridgewater, and even Jameis Winston winning games. Hill’s health is a concern right now, but he got a contract extension for what though? Swiss army knife abilities or a future quarterback in the league? Bridgewater has gone to Carolina and then was traded to Denver. Bronco fans look to be done with him as their starting quarterback. Jameis Winston won games this year until he got hurt and his season ended with the injury. Winston was on the short leash. Trevor Siemian is Payton’s latest project and 0-3 as a starter. Payton’s coaching reputation is on the line. Bill Belichick, right now, looks like he found his replacement for Tom Brady in Mac Jones. Can Payton find that next guy and develop him? Maybe Payton will be stuck in Drew Brees’ shadow the rest of his coaching career. Stay tuned.
#22.DENVER BRONCOS (5-5)
The Broncos have their wide receivers in place for years to come by extending Courtland Sutton. Broncos also have Tim Patrick on the other side of the field. Who’s the next quarterback that John Elway signs? Broncos needs or shoulds, should start with parting ways with the legend quarterback John Elway as the General Manager.
Legendary players in their sport are always not great at the GM position or being the coach of a team. Magic Johnson or Michael Jordan are evidence who after their playing days have not done well as owner or in the front office. The Broncos need help elsewhere, besides quarterback. Broncos could use a top running back. Some defensive help. I think Vic Fangio’s time is up as head coach.
#23.SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (3-7)
Just waiting for Pete Carol, the head coach of the Seahawks, to push the women and children out of the way to abandon ship on the Seattle franchise.
The Legion of Doom defense has been gone for years. Russell Wilson has carried the weight on his shoulders for years and he wants out of Seattle. Pete Carol, a used car salesmen type of coach, is looking for another gig in my opinion. Perhaps another college gig. Remember Pete Carol left USC’s program before the shit hit the storm.
#24.MIAMI DOLPHINS (4-7)
Can the Dolphins swim upstream in the next three games and find their way back to the 500 mark? The Dolphins’ next three games feature this as the line up: Panthers, Giants, and Jets.
Just make sure the Laces are out if you’re a Dolphins fan celebrating your team. Don’t trust the fancy wrapping.
#25.NEW YORK GIANTS (3-7)
Will the firing of offensive coordinator Jason Garrett be the move that solves this Giants disaster? The offense looks great on paper, but on the field is a different story. The Giants defense is a top 15 unit in the league. Is Daniel Jones the quarterback of the future? Is Saquon Barkley damaged goods? Is Kenny Golladay a free agent bust? Only thing I can say is the Giants are the best football team that plays their home games in New Jersey. How long will that last as the USFL is returning in Spring? That means the New Jersey Generals are back.
#26. CHICAGO BEARS (4-7)
The rumors were swirling in Chicago like the winds coming off the lake about Matt Nagy’s job status. Even at Matt Nagy’s high school, the students were yelling, “Fire Nagy,” in chants that filled the arena. Maybe all these speculations were just rumors, but could a win versus a bad Lions team save this guy’s job? Nagy’s team broke another long losing streak of 4 or more games. This is not the first time this has happened to the man in charge of the Bears. Do the Bears and Lions go through the same guy when it comes to picking their head coaches?
Bears need to tomahawk their problems and chop off all the fat. That includes the coaching staff, front office, and that weird looking water boy.
#27.ATLANTA FALCONS (4-6)
Matt Ryan has not tossed a touchdown pass in 9 quarters.
Atlanta Falcons can’t hold on to Matt Ryan next year. It is time to trade him as the Falcons need to hit the reset button.
The signs are on the wall in Atlanta. Time to start over by getting that complete makeover.
#28.HOUSTON TEXANS (2-8) Tyrod Taylor is trying to establish himself as a full-time starter in the NFL. Houston fans will be nervous about their team’s draft status if Taylor continues to win games. In the off-season, Houston hopes to unload DeShaun Watson for a king’s ransom as they want 3 number ones. I don’t see them getting that kind of bounty for a guy having problems with the ladies. I would not want Tyrod Taylor to knock me out of the top 5 spots in the 2022 draft.
Better call that guy in LA and put another needle in the rib cage of Taylor to stop his shenanigans in racking up wins at this time of the season.
#29.JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (2-8)
Trevor Lawrence versus Mitch Trubisky? In 2017, Mitch Trubisky was the first quarterback selected out of the draft. This year, Trevor Lawrence was the number one quarterback selected out of the draft. Lawrence or Trubisky… who’s better in their rookie season? Remember Trubisky came in after the first 4 games the Bears played that season as Lawrence started game one this season for the Jaguars.
TREVOR LAWRENCE
GAMES 10, RECORD 2-8 COMPLETION % 58.4 YARDS 2,141 TOUCH DOWN PASSES 8 INTERCEPTIONS 9
MITCH TRUBISKY
GAMES 12, RECORD 4-8, COMPLETION % 59.4 YARDS 2,193 TOUCH DOWN PASSES 7 INTERCEPTIONS 7
Like looking in the mirror.
#31.NEW YORK JETS (2-8)
Should the Jets draft another quarterback in this upcoming draft? When are the days the Jets stop marching out the Joe Flacco’s of the world to start multiple games during the regular season? Enough with the washed-up veterans.
The Jets number one guy they drafted, Zach Wilson, is out with an injury. The second string quarterback is another rookie, Mike White, who played well but has been sidelined. Their third string quarterback should be a young type of guy with some NFL experience. A guy that has shown some flashes but needs another chance. Even another rookie would work. Just find the guy. Get some offensive-line help. Instead of ending up with damaged goods like the Sam Darnold’s of the world. Maybe draft all quarterbacks each round and sign offensive linemen in the free agent market until you get it right.
#32. DETROIT LIONS (0-10-1) No wonder the Lions have not won a game this season. It starts at the top with the head coach. When your leader is “Football Stupid” like Dan Campbell is, calling back-to-back time outs in the last two minutes. It cost his team 5 yards in a penalty that made it easy for the Bears to put away the Lions in a game that it seemed neither team wanted. Especially having to call the second time out because your defense was not lined up to defend the play after the first was called. Before Matt Campbell, the Lions had Matt Patricia waddling the side line, where he stayed way too long. Front office can’t get the head coach hire right.
Another week of the NFL have us coming out looking like Glass Joe from Punch Out.
SEASON STATS
OVERALL RECORD (103-62)
THURSDAY NIGHT RECORD (7-4)
MONDAY NIGHT RECORD (7-4)
WEEK 12 (HAPPY THANKSGIVING
Week twelve we are fighting back & taking out one turkey at a time.
TURKEY DAY GAMES ON THURSDAY
CHICAGO BEARS AT DETROIT LIONS
When it comes to turkeys not being able to fly, you have to think of the Lions and Bears… OH MY!!! Both organizations run like those sitcom bosses of WKRP. Both head coaches are turkeys. Rumors have been swirling in Chicago that Matt Nagy was going to get his neck chopped off and fired after the Lions game.
I’m predicting cold feet by the Bears brass. Last time the Lions won a game was versus the Bears in 2020. Bears will have Andy Dalton starting at quarterback for them as their rookie Justin Fields is out. I see a close game that is very sloppy. Andy Dalton will prevail. Like last week filling in for the injured Justin Fields, he had the offense looking crisper than Fields did. This is a game when Head Coach Matt Nagy is on the brink, but survives like a cockroach during the apocalypse.
OUR PICK:BEARS
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT DALLAS COWBOYS
Raiders have lost three games in row and are playing uninspired. Cowboys have come crashing back to earth as their offense was held without a touchdown for the first time this season versus the Chiefs defense last Sunday. Cowboys have some Covid concerns, so some play-makers will be sidelined. Can Derek Carr and his group match up scores with Dak Prescott? Both defenses will not show up, or so my Spidey senses are telling me. I like Cowboys with the home cooking going on in the prime-time slot before the Natives become restless and all hell breaks loose for lack of food.
OUR PICK:COWBOYS
BUFFALO BILLS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Bills defensive unit played their worst game this season, last Sunday. The Saints defense gave up scores like one of their brothel houses in New Orleans, to the Eagles on Sunday. Josh Allen is making too many mistakes the last few weeks turning over the football. I think it’s time to unplug the Trevor Siemian experiment in New Orleans. Saints will be without their star running-back, Alvin Kamara. Saints with the lack of threats on offense will be like taking the turkey drumstick away from the elderly aunt with the arthritis in her fingers. I like the Bills defense rebounding. I think Josh Allen’s play level raises in prime-time games.
OUR PICK: BILLS
THE SUNDAY SLATE
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Jonathan Taylor has emerged as the new beast Running Back in the NFL. Especially with Derrick Henry done for the year with an injury. Taylor has the most yards rushing in the league and most touchdowns.
Tampa Tom and the Buccaneers will have their work cut out for them. The Buccaneers have been the best run-stopping team in the league the last few seasons. Are the Buccaneers healthy up the middle on their defensive front? Colts are 6-2 in their last 8 games while the Buccaneers have won one of their last three games. Can Carson Wentz’s arm beat the Buccaneers if Taylor is contained? Wentz is getting better. Tom Brady has his full arsenal of weapons. Can the Colts get the pressure to make it harder to get them the ball? Colts are the hotter team. I’m going to ride them til they fizzle out as the Buccaneers are beatable.
OUR PICK:COLTS
NEW YORK JETS AT HOUSTON TEXANS
THE JIVE TURKEY BOWL
Houston now you are winning. YOU have a problem and you’re screwing up your draft status. Jets brought Joe Flacco out of the closet to be their quarterback last week. The Texans suddenly revived their offense with Tyrod Taylor healthy and not in any kind of pressure cooker. He is pretending to be one of the elite quarterbacks in the league. The Texans needs the phone number of the guy who punctured Taylor’s rib cage with a needle in LA last season, opening the door for Justin Herbert.
Jets seem to be always doing things on the fly to get through the week. Texans defense has been able to generate some takeaways. With Tyrod Taylor playing well, Texans should win the Jive Turkey bowl convincingly.
OUR PICK: TEXANS
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT NEW YORK GIANTS
The G-Men had all their play-makers suited up for the Monday Night affair versus the Buccaneers for the first time it seems this season. Philadelphia Eagles just beat up the Saints like the Junior Varsity team. The firing of Offensive Coordinator, Jason Garrett, for the Giants may be the answer for this offense to spark.
Dez Bryant was very happy about the Garrett firing. Firing a coordinator does not get you the best spark like firing the Head Coach. The offense with the sizzle is the Eagles. Jalen Hurts is making plays through the air and his feet. Miles Sanders is a solid Running Back. The Eagles Tight-End Dallas Goedert is emerging as one of the top in the league. I’m tired of the Eagles screwing me when I pick them or against them, it just never works out. Perhaps that will change.
OUR PICK:EAGLES
CAROLINA PANTHERS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS
Superman or super freak when it comes to wham bam, Cam Newton? Dolphins have won three straight.
Someone please let Cam Newton know you play four quarters in a football game. Last week the Panthers needed Cam Newton to complete some passes for the winning drive and it did not quite work out for Carolina.
Where’s your superman now? Newton went soft once again. Miami defense has been able to get turnovers the last three weeks. The Miami offense has not been gang busters on offense, but generating just enough. Like to see the Panthers continue to use dueling quarterbacks. Perhaps PJ Walker should be the guy in crunch time instead of first half Newton. Panthers defense and Christian McCaffrey running the ball for Carolina should beat the Dolphins even with mistakes by the quarterback.
OUR PICK:PANTHERS
TENNESSEE TITANS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
The Evil Empire victories have come from the Falcons, Browns, Panthers, Chargers, Jets, and Texans. Titans have beaten teams like the Rams, Chiefs, Bills, Seahawks, and the Colts twice. Patriots have been on the march winning five in a row. The Titans had a hiccup last week after winning six in a row. Titans have lost to very bad teams and play their best against good squads. Remember the Titans coached by Mike Vrabel ended the Patriots dynasty with Bill Belichick and Tom Brady in the playoffs. Vrabel as a player played for Belichick.
The Titans head coach will be a few steps of head of his former head coach, Belichick.
OUR PICK:TITANS
PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS
Steelers… I’m not sure how they put up so many points last week on the Chargers in a loss. Bengals looked like they ironed things out in rebound last week versus the Raiders after losing to the Browns a few weeks back. Bengals handle the Steelers with ease in the first match-up when these two teams met. Steelers look like they have more injuries piling up for this contest with some big names missing from their defense. Bengals offense has too many weapons for the Steelers to stop. Bengals defense is a better unit than the Chargers roller coaster act they do every week.
OUR PICK:BENGALS
ATLANTA FALCONS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
This is another terrible game on the docket. Matt Ryan is the better quarterback than the Surf Nazi Trevor Lawrence, whose career looks like it must die.
Jacksonville defense gets the edge over Atlanta’s defense. Picked the best helmet in this one. Throw a dart at the board. Cats can eat birds.
Sometimes the Falcons can transform into a good team every so often. In which the Surf Nazi Lawrence will die in this contest because of his play behind center.
OUR PICK: FALCONS
LA CHARGERS AT DENVER BRONCOS
Both the Chargers and the Broncos I find hard to predict. Broncos were on a bye week. Last Sunday night, Chargers put up 40 points on the ailing defense of Pittsburgh. Broncos have only beaten one winning team this season. Jets and the Washington Football team are the only two wins at home for the Broncos. Chargers have feasted on teams in their own division as they beat the Raiders and Chiefs. When the Broncos are faced the first time, they would have everyone beaten at least one time if they can win on the road. This will be the game where the Chargers offense makes a statement. Justin Herbert will lead his team to one more score than the Broncos and improve to 7-4. Maybe you have to think that LA in the AFC has a shot for the post-season.
OUR PICK: CHARGERS
LA RAMS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS
Rams coming off a bye week. Green Bay got beat by a Viking team that can score but not defend. In the end, Aaron Rodgers can not rally. Rodgers comes away with a hurt foot which he intends to play through. Rams have lost two in a row. Can they stop the bleeding on the road in a tough environment? Packers have some injuries on the defensive side of the football. Rams should be motivated for this one, and the defense comes up big. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has plenty of experience playing in Lambeau Field all those years in a Detroit uniform. After the game, Rodgers will cry injury. Just can’t see the Rams losing three in a row.
OUR PICK:RAMS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Both the Vikings and the 49ers were left dead on the highway as road kill. Both teams now have won two games in a row and feel like they are both playoff teams. Both teams have won a big game against a division rival. The 49ers a few weeks ago back beat the Rams while the Vikings dispatched the Packers. The Vikings offense is clicking on all cylinders as the running game is one of the best in the league with the aerial attack. The 49ers can let this become any kind of shoot-out. Vikings seem to be in a shoot-out every week and now are figuring out how to win these close affairs. I like the Vikings offense which can score quick. The 49ers have more ball control at a turtle’s pace. Rabbit beats the turtle in this one.
OUR PICK:VIKINGS
CLEVELAND BROWNS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS
Browns and Ravens will be very familiar with each other besides being in the same division. They play each other twice in the next three weeks. Browns just got by a bad Detroit team. The Ravens just got by a bad Bears team. Baker Mayfield is a mess. Walking wounded as Mayfield has a few ailments going on. Ravens beat the Bears with their back-up quarterback as Lamar Jackson and others were down with flu-like symptoms. Lamar Jackson will be rested feeling better and a victory without him in the line-up is a huge morale boost for the Ravens in general. Browns right now as a team are riding the struggle bus. Watch the Ravens put their Dawg to sleep in this affair and get command of the division.
OUR PICK:RAVENS
THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM
Have we not seen this last season when the Washington Football team marched their way through the end of regular season into the post season? What’s going on with Pete Carol?
Pete Carol did his Cam Newton imitation walking off a live press conference after the latest Seahawk loss. Meanwhile the Football team won the River Boat Ron bowl against his former team, the Panthers. The sky is falling in Seattle. Russell Wilson can’t carry the entire load by himself. Wilson wants out of Seattle, let’s face it. The Team has found their defense. The Team Taylor Heinicke is playing more like Russell Wilson than Russell Wilson. Washington DC wins the Washington bowl over Seattle, Washington.
When I first heard the news that the USFL would be returning in 2022, I had goosebumps. I had to make sure it was the original United States Football League I was reading about. I got nervous, and then I had a Joker smile as part of my childhood was coming back into my life. I know what you’re thinking. Here we go again with another Spring football league which will be destined to fail just like the multiple ones in recent years. The USFL was different than all those other leagues. USFL went against the NFL not wanting to join them in the park for a Sunday walk. The USFL went after the great players. The USFL did things to the game of football that are still being used today as the NFL copied the 1980’s league numerous amount of times. The USFL lasted longer than all these other rinky dink operations that could not even finish a regular season, in the case of the latest two. The lone mistake the USFL did was listen to former U.S President Donald Trump when trying to move the Spring league to the Fall. This meant going up against the giant NFL at the time. After the league folded up shop, we somehow trusted Donald Trump again.
The USFL originally started in 1983 and lasted to 1986. They have retained rights to most of their franchises they had in the 1980’s league. The first season, the USFL will bring back 8 of those franchises and split them up into two divisions. If you remember, the USFL at one point had 18 franchises. Twelve of them in the very first season back in 1983. Some of the cool ones I liked were not chosen, just like the home team, the Chicago Blitz. The two divisions will be called North & South which sounds like a civil war of some kind.
NORTH DIVISION: MICHIGAN PANTHERS, NEW JERSEY GENERALS, PHILADELPHIA STARS, PITTSBURGH MAULERS
SOUTH DIVISION: BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS, HOUSTON GAMBLERS NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS, TAMPA BAY BANDITS
The league will start in April of 2022. The USFL has partnered up with Fox sports to provide the coverage of their games. That is very important having one of the top networks doing the games to get this league some legs. In the first season, all the games will be played in one Central location which is smart for the wait until the Covid-19 virus is fully controlled. The location has not yet been determined. Each team will play ten games. All the games will be played every Saturday and Sunday. Four teams make the playoffs. Top division winners & then two wild cards, which will be the second best records in each division.
All the USFL has to do is complete one season with the post-season and a championship to be a better league then the last two that tried Spring football. The AAF, American Alliance Football league, was very close to finishing off their season until they ran out of money. Bad accounting and not enough backing. Come on people you should know what you are getting yourself involved here. Then came the return of XFL, this time without the wrestling mixed in the game of football. The new XFL was only half way through their season until Covid wiped the entire league out. Both the XFL and the AAF were all about the game on the field. The games were interesting to watch. Sloppy football in the beginning, but the product got better as the weeks went on. What will be interesting is that the XFL plans to return in 2023. The XFL was purchased by the ROCK, Dwayne Johnson, and some other backers. Right now the stage is set for the USFL to reclaim their fame of Spring football. I feel the product on the field will be well worth it when they figure everything out. It will be interesting to see who coaches each team and how everything on the field unfolds as there’s more news to come on the return of the USFL.
SOME FUN FACTS ABOUT THE USFL AND THE TEAMS RETURNING
MICHIGAN PANTHERS
The Michigan Panthers logo looks like the Carolina Panthers logo in the NFL. The Michigan Panthers were around first… I’m just saying.
Remember the former New Orleans Saints quarterback, Bobby Hebert? Hebert played in the USFL before he came to the NFL and led the Panthers all the way to the first USFL Championship, which Michigan won. Hebert would be the best Saints quarterback since Archie Manning and help guide that franchise to their first playoff appearance.
NEW JERSEY GENERALS
The Generals had a beast at running back.
Herschel Walker ran people over in the USFL as his legendary collegiate game exploded in the professional ranks. The Generals also had Doug Flutie at quarterback , withthe legendary Hail Mary pass he threw for Boston College. The Generals’ downfall was Donald Trump was your owner. I just threw up in my mouth.
PHILADELPHIA STARS
Remember Coach Jim Mora? Mora was all about the playoffs when it came to the USFL. Mora coached the Stars to two USFL championships. Mora would then coach the Saints in the NFL and his quarterback would actually be Bobby Hebert. The Stars in the 1980’s were Philadelphia & then Baltimore, but they never played their home games in the state of Maryland.
PITTSBURGH MAULERS
By far my favorite logo of the returning USFL teams. The swinging of the sledge hammer in Steel-town is awesome.
The Mauler teams of the past were not that good. Pittsburgh did land running back Michael Rozier, the 1983 Heisman trophy winner. Rozier would end up in the NFL with the Houston Oilers.
Loved that old oil rig on the Oilers helmet. Oilers logo is much better than the Houston Texans helmet in present days.
BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS
The Birmingham Stallions won two division titles in the 1980’s of the USFL. The Stallions have Joe Cribbs, a little shifty speedster running back that created havoc on opposing defenses in the USFL.
Cribbs went on and played well in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills
HOUSTON GAMBLERS
My favorite quarterback of all-time, Jim Kelly, started with the Houston Gamblers and before running the K-Gun offense in Buffalo, Kelly ran the run and shoot in Houston to perfection. Kelly and the Gamblers had one of the best aerial attacks in the history of the USFL. Houston made it to the playoffs but would end up getting knocked out every year. Kelly would become a Hall of Fame quarterback in a Buffalo Bills uniform leading the Bills to 4 Superbowls in a row.
NEW ORLEANS BREAKERS
The Breakers played all over in the USFL in the 1980’s. Breakers played in in Boston, New Orleans, and did a year in Portland Oregon.
TAMPA BAY BANDITS
Old Smokey the Bandit, actor Burt Reynolds, was part owner of the Tampa Bay franchise. Tampa Bay by far drew the most attendance in the league.
The Bandit games looked like a great time in the stands as they had pretty good teams on the field as well.
THE FORGOTTEN TEAMS
MEMPHIS SHOW BOATS
Reggie White had the Showboats creating problems for opposing offensive linemen across the league. With quarterbacks running for their dear lives.
WASHINGTON FEDERALS
Terrible teams in the 1980’s but cool helmet color scheme.
ORLANDO RENEGADES
Great logo. Native Americans could cause problems if you have anything Indian these days.
JACKSONVILLE BULLS
Can you imagine having two sucky football teams in the same town? Would Urban Meyer jump ship from the Jaguars to the Bulls?
San Antonio Gunslingers
San Antonio logo was a little too cartoonish, but I still like it. Funny story about the Gunslinger team is when the players got their checks, they would all make a mad dash to the bank because if you were towards the end of the line, your check may have bounced that week.
CHICAGO BLITZ
Marv Levy was from Chicago and coached the Blitz back in the 1980’s league. Levy was the head coach of the Blitz before he went to the NFL and coached the Bills.
DENVER GOLD
Nice color scheme the Gold had.
LA EXPRESS
Another Hall of Fame quarterback came from the USFL. Steve Young was the quarterback for the LA Express team.
THE OUTLAWS
One of the coolest logos in the USFL. Outlaws ran in Arizona and Oklahoma. Quarterback Doug Williams played on those Outlaw teams. Williams would go on to win a Superbowl in a Redskin uniform.
OAKLAND INVADERS
Coolest name in the league, The Invaders. I do like the logo. You can probably do something totally different and make it the best logo in sports.
ARIZONA WRANGLERS
The Outlaws merged with the Wranglers and Arizona went on to win their division, and the conference, in 1984.
The way things have been going in the NFL, with many upsets each week, we are throwing out a Hail Mary in the first pick of the week. Can the Falcons surprise the Patriots in a short week?
No sweat, just like landing an airplane. Matt Ryan shows off his somewhat Jedi Knight skills and slows the Patriots march to over take the NFL galaxy.
OUR PICK: FALCONS
THE SUNDAY SLATE
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
No Alvin Kamara for the Saints. Head coach Sean Payton must have a Simon and a Theodore, at-least?
The Eagles have killed every week, whether I pick them or go against them. They end up sticking a rusty ice pick in my eye socket every time. Saints defense played very well versus a very good Titan offense last week. Eagles offense is the only identity Philadelphia has. I like what Sean Payton has gotten out of his quarterback, Trevor Siemian, who had almost 300 yards passing last week. Siemian was thrown into the quarterback boneyard at one point, and picked up, dusted off, and is starting to peak for the Saints. Back Running Back, Mark Ingram, will help out his quarterback getting the running game established. That is your Simon and that is your Theodore, checkmate Saints.
OUR PICK: SAINTS
MIAMI DOLPHINS AT NEW YORK JETS
Who’s behind center for the Jets? Miami stunned the Ravens last Thursday night and have won two games in a row. Jets are at home, but Miami is not a winning team. New York’s M0 beating is only winning teams. Two ailing quarterbacks in the dark greens has me picking a Dolphin team that has come together the last two weeks and are playing as team in both victories. Nothing too fancy, just hard nose football.
OUR PICK:DOLPHINS
WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM AT CAROLINA PANTHERS
Who woke up the Washington Redskins?
The Washington Football Team looked like the Redskins from the Joe Gibbs days, as they tar and feathered Tom Brady and the Buccaneers. The Panthers are using two quarterbacks to re-energize a team that was about to get a toe tag and shoved into a metal drawer. The Team versus the Panthers needs to be called the CHICO BOWL. These days, they call him Riverboat Ron who coached both teams. Panthers have the Fig Newton back from the bottom of the cookie jar being used in the red zone. The Team defense finally showed up in week ten as they have been MIA all year. A healthy Christian McCaffrey gives the Panthers legs. Pivotal game for both teams as the season is on the brink pretty much. Panthers’ young defense, forced Taylor Heinicke into a mistake as Carolina wins a close one at home.
OUR PICK:PANTHERS
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT BUFFALO BILLS
Colts and Bills have a rematch of a first round Wild Card game. Colts have been looking for that signature win against a talented opponent and have yet to get one as they been hovering around the 500 mark. Bills finally get back to some home cooking. What’s Pinto Ron have this week on the barby?
Bills got donkey-kicked in the balls by a bad Jaguars team. The same Jaguar team that gave the Colts a battle last week. Bills came out on all cylinders last week just by dismantling the Jets. Look for the Bills to put the Denver boot on Jonathan Taylor’s wheels, stopping him in his tracks & forcing Carson Wentz to beat a unit that has played very well all year. Josh Allen will then eventually pick apart the Colts secondary, giving the home fans something to cheer about besides Pinto Ron’s delight of the week.
OUR PICK:BILLS
DETROIT LIONS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS
Lions should have had their first win last week at Steel Country, controlling the clock most of overtime with multiple chances to put a way the Steelers. Browns were potty trained by the Evil Empire invasion of Cleveland. Browns do well against the bottom of the barrel teams in the NFL. Baker Mayfield, when backed in the corner, always comes out blazing the following week. Look for the Lions to be lethargic kitty cats this week and wake up ready to prowl on some Bear turkey on Thanksgiving. Browns in a rout.
OUR PICK:BROWNS
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Jaguars are still playing well after they stunned the Bills & gave the Colts a run for their money. Thought the 49ers season was sinking in the bay, but suddenly came back to life with an upset of the Rams on Monday night. The 49ers will be looking for a fast start on the road getting the ball to their top Tight End, George Kittle. Especially, the Jaguars will be looking to contain the 49ers running game and dare Jimmy Garoppolo to beat them through the air. The key to the 49ers winning this game is the play of the Jaguars’ skate or die Quarterback, Trevor Lawrence.
Lawrence will try to skate around the pocket, die in the arms of the 49ers defense, and really get nothing going all Sunday long.
OUR PICK:49ERS
HOUSTON TEXANS AT TENNESSEE TITANS
Houston is God-awful this year!! The Titans defense has played very well the last several weeks and they were a very bad unit to start the season. I don’t see the Titans getting stunned in this one like the Jets did to them weeks ago. The Titan team is playing at high level and it’s a team playing without their best player, Derrick Henry. Look for the Titans to put up 45 or so points on a bad Texans defense. Houston is on track for a top draft pick in the upcoming 2022 draft. Plus, if the Texans can deal DeShaun Watson in the off-season and get another top pick, the future could be bright. This Sunday the Titans storm will rain down on this Texans team.
OUR PICK:TITANS
GREEN BAY PACKERS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Will the Packers youngster, AJ Dillon, be the next Dalvin Cook bursting through the lines making them look like a cheap subway turnstile? Packers and Vikings are always entertaining games. Both the Packers and Vikings have lots of fire power on the offensive side of the ball. Packers Aaron Rodgers can out-duel Kirk Cousins in any kind of shoot-out. Packers defense has emerged as one of the top units in the league. The Vikings’ downfall is their defense and and they have let big leads slip through their tackling. Kirk Cousins does not win big games as the Vikings need this more than the Packers. I like Aaron Rodgers lighting the match that sparks a Viking funeral at the end in a close game.
OUR PICK: PACKERS
BALTIMORE RAVENS AT CHICAGO BEARS
Head coach Matt Nagy is not going to get lucky like he did last season. When Kyler Murray went out with an injury late in the season. The Cardinals playoff hopes were flushed down the toilet while the Bears snuck through the back door to get into post-season. The Ravens lost to the Dolphins a week ago. The Bears will miss that window of that possible surprise upset. Especially the last few weeks where upsets have been ruling the NFL landscape.
It’s time for the Bears brass to slowly walk Matt Nagy and his staff to the back of the shed. Bears defense is ailing. Even though Lamar Jackson is not feeling well this week and if he plays, I have faith the Bears will not contain him. Actually it does not matter who plays quarterback for the Ravens; watch Baltimore come to Chicago and give Matt Nagy’s Bears a beat down. You will see some nice highlights from Bears Quarterback Justin Fields, but not enough to sneak Matt Nagy through the back door for another season.
OUR PICK:RAVENS
CINCINNATI BENGALS AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
Chucky is dead. Raiders came away from their coach stepping aside for his meanie emails with passion and chewing on glass while spitting out nails kind of ‘tude. Bengals went on a bye week getting throttled by the Brownies. Raiders have lost two in a row. Which team recovers first? I like the Bengals getting back to the basics and coming off the bye week. They’ll be keeping it simple on the road with Joe Mixon running the ball that will open the flood gates to the passing game for the Bengals. The Raiders are in a free fall and I think the staff, with everything that has gone on this season, is in over their heads. Look for the Raiders to continue to free fall while the Bengals find the win column.
OUR PICK:BENGALS
ARIZONA CARDINALS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Colt McCoy always gets a start for some team every year around this time. McCoy may be my favorite all-time back up quarterback, just because his name sounds like that of a cowboy out of the West.
Colt McCoy going up against Shane or a villain of the west like Jesse James. In this case on Sunday, McCoy will meet up with Russell Wilson. Probably not at high noon, but more like three o’clock high.
I will go with the new Sheriff in this town, who’s not so new in Seattle, but knocked off the rust last week versus the Packers. Look for one of those great Russell Wilson games as he’s a one-man Army wrecking machine. He’ll win the shootout versus Colt McCoy and his Cardinal cowboys.
OUR PICK:SEAHAWKS
DALLAS COWBOYS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Are the Chiefs back? Cowboys rebounded from a loss to the Broncos in a big way. Remember when you were kids and played a great game of Cowboys and Indians? This Sunday, Cowboys and Indians will be so much better.
This game will be a shootout with Patrick Mahomes and Zak Prescott matching scores most of the way. I have to say Cowboys defense has the edge over Chiefs defense. Chiefs defense, like always at this time of year, is coming together. This will be an all-out Cowboys and Indian affair to the end where Patrick Mahomes being at home in prime time game will prevail when the dust settles.
OUR PICK: CHIEFS
PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT LA CHARGERS
When you tie the Lions like the way the Steelers ended last week, your team should be kicked out of the league. There are no if’s, and’s, or buts about it. About the Chargers, who knows what they will end up doing on any given Sunday. As a team they are so unpredictable. The Chargers offense has not been consistent like last year’s group which provided one of the top aerial attacks in the league. Steelers injuries are piling up.
Will Big Ben Roethlisberger play in this contest? Chargers have screwed me almost every week like the Eagles. Ending up in a tie versus the Lions is still in my brain from last Sunday.
OUR PICK: CHARGERS
MONDAY NIGHT GAME
NEW YORK GIANTS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
This Monday night game may be a snooze fest between the Giants and Buccaneers. With Giants, you never know what you will get. Buccaneers played STUPIDLY versus the TEAM that was deep in hibernation most of the season. I can see Tampa Tom exercising some Demons he had in the past versus Giants teams that stole his Superbowl trophy. Can’t see the Buccaneers losing three straight games. Will Tampa Tom get some of his old weapons back like the Gronk machine and that nut case Joe Davola, aka Antonio Brown?
Home cooking and the feeling of Tom Brady rebounding in a really big way will make this a lopsided affair as Buccaneers take their frustrations out on the G-Men.
Week nine in the NFL had very bad things happen. Our power rankings look like Swiss cheese from a week ago. Everything is in turmoil. We had to rearrange all the furniture to see if we can find some solid ground in our week ten rankings. Be aware of wet cement.
#1. ARIZONA CARDINALS (8-1)
Cardinals showed me something when rebounding from the tough loss against the Packers on that Thursday night affair. Cardinals have the best record in the entire league. Cardinals easily handled the 49ers as they scored 31 on their division rival while the Arizona defense held San Francisco in check. It feels like one of those magic years in Arizona for a team that has not won a Superbowl. Love to see the team bring back Larry Fitzgerald for this year’s second half run at a Superbowl trophy.
Give the Cardinals another weapon on offense. Fitzgerald would be perfect for third down passing plays.
#2. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (6-2) Up 1 spot.
Buccaneers had a bye week in week 9. With all the turmoil on top of the power rankings hill, Tampa Tom is slotted number two overall.
Buccaneers medical staff continued to work hard on tight end Rob Gronkowski. GRONK will be out week ten, but Buccaneers are hopeful they will get him back for the post-season.
#3.TENNESSEE TITANS (7-2) Up 4 spots
Many thought the Titan team, without their star running back Derrick Henry, would come back down to earth. Titans beat up on the Rams last Sunday night as their defense has resurfaced from the 2019 season as they find and create turnovers on opposing offenses. If this was college football, Titans would be racking up the signature wins this season. Chiefs, Bills, Colts twice, Seattle when Russell Wilson was behind center, and now the Rams. Some big questions for the Titans. Can the Titans keep this up throughout the second half of the season? Will their luck run out if it’s luck? Can they establish any kind of running game with what they have and the addition of Spanky Peterson?
#4.LA RAMS (7-2) Down 3 spots
Rams are fully in this season. All their chips are on the table.
Even though the Rams got throttled by the Titans last Sunday night. The Rams picked up Odell Beckham Jr., a talented receiver, but a cancer in the locker room. Rams let go of DeSean Jackson, another loud mouth with baggage he brought to the table. Then before the trade deadline, they acquired Von Miller who is a legendary linebacker in Denver. Let’s not forget the trade for quarterback Matthew Stafford in the off-season. Rams riding the Superbowl or bust train.
#5. GREEN BAY PACKERS (7-2) Down 3 spots
You know Aaron Rodgers was probably giddy watching the Packers top pick perform last Sunday.
Jordan Love filled in for Rodgers after he was sidelined with Covid last Sunday versus the Chiefs. Love looked like a rookie quarterback in his first ever NFL start. Look for Rodgers to use Love’s play to insult the Packers front office. Look for Rodgers who used the words witch hunt regarding his lie about being vaccinated, to elevate his play even more. Packers may ride Rodgers’ anger all the way to the Superbowl.
#6 DALLAS COWBOYS (6-2) SAME
Cowboys were up set by the Broncos last Sunday. Cowboys stayed the same in the power rankings because at least the Broncos have some big names on their team with NFL experience throughout their roster. Not like losing to Jacksonville. The Cowboys’ last loss was week one as they’ve won six straight without the hiccup versus the Broncos last week. I can see the Cowboys easily bouncing back with the team they got. The Cowboys are staying healthy and not have not fallen apart like they did last year.
#7.BUFFALO BILLS (5-3) Down 2 spots
Buffalo Bills should be kicked out of the league after losing to a team called Jacksonville. NO EXCUSE!!! Plus, the Bills not scoring a touchdown against the Jaguars is a crime with that offense held to two field goals. Josh Allen needs to step up and lead an aerial assault on the Jets like they killed his family. Bills have struggled coming out of the bye week. The offense is running on empty it seems. Bills could use some help from their ground game to help things along. Jim Kelly, on his worst day in his hey day, would win games he struggles in, especially versus bad teams. If Bills lose to the Jets, Buffalo should send Bill Belichick an early Christmas gift… the AFC East division.
#8.CLEVELAND BROWNS (5-4)
The Browns took their dawg, Beckham Jr., to the pound in another state. Beckham, even though he probably has rabies, has found a new owner. Whatever Baker Mayfield said in the locker room, the Browns throttled their arch rival the Bengals in the battle of Ohio. I think Mayfield plays better without Odell Beckham Jr. in their offense. Who says Mayfield is not a “Peoples” person?
Donovan Peoples-Jones has emerged into a nice target for Mayfield who has three touchdowns this season.
#9. CINCINNATI BENGALS (5-4) Down 1 spot
I’m going to give the Bengals the benefit of the doubt in their loss to the Browns last week. I’m convinced they will not turn into the Bumbles of old. Bengals will hit the bye week, rest up, and hit their second half of their season strongly. The Bengals have a lot of great things that went right for them in the first half of the season. They could easily have two more victories as well. The Bengals are well-rounded on both sides of the ball. This Bengal team should win double digit victories at the end of the season.
#10.NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (5-4) Up 4 spots
Is the Empire back?
It did not take Billy Belichick long as he has his new Empire climbing the standings. Mac Jones is the new Darth Brady. The Patriot defense is coming together and Belichick’s game plan very impressive. Patriots have won three games in a row. Now they have cracked the top ten in the power rankings which is something I don’t like to see.
#11.BALTIMORE RAVENS (5-3) Down 2 spots
The Ravens seem to always be playing down to their competition level and they paid the price.
The Dolphins, Kathy Bates, Lamar Jackson, and the dirty birds from Baltimore on Thursday night.
Remember the Ravens almost lost to the Lions earlier this season. Now the Ravens will live the weekend in Misery thinking about how a bad Dolphin team beat them.
#12.LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (5-3) Down 2 spots
Raiders drop out of the top ten of the power rankings because they lost to a Giant team they should have beat. Raiders have played some clunkers. The Raiders have pushed back when their backs are against the wall. Raiders need to make a huge statement by beating the Chiefs this Sunday. A Chiefs loss could send them into a complete tailspin where Patrick Mahomes may not be able to get his team back in the post-season this season. It would be a loss heard all over the NFL nation.
Raiders need Derek Carr to be their Optimus Prime.
#13.NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (5-3) Down 2 spots
The Saints may need to call Drew Brees and bring him back out of retirement. Jameis Winston never thought in any day I’d say Saints fan or any people would have missed the crab man.
Saints have problems at the quarterback position. After taking down the Buccaneers, the Saints fell to a bad Falcon team. Now this Sunday Saints play the Titans. Can Sean Payton get anything out of quarterback Trevor Siemian? What’s going on with Taysom Hill? Glad the Saints did not get desperate and sign soft Figgy Cam Newton to the squad. No Michael Thomas. No Alvin Kamara. The Saints season is on the brink and it’s up to their defense to pull them through during bad times.
#14.KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (5-4)
Did Patrick Mahomes make a deal with the devil?
Chiefs offense has drastically taken multiple steps backwards. Chiefs playing the Packers without Aaron Rodgers last Sunday only scored 13 points. Chiefs of the past would have scored in the high 20s or into the 30’s. Chiefs are treading water. They are in the thick of things in the AFC West, but the problem is every team in the division is in the thick of things. Chiefs may be doomed. If not already.
#15.LA CHARGERS (5-3) Up 1 spot
Chargers to me can be very unpredictable. Chargers are in the thick of things in the AFC West and have beaten the Chiefs early this season. The Chargers are 2-0 in division play so far. I would love to see Justin Herbert and how he would do in post-season. Those exciting Charger teams of the past come to mind when they looked like Phillip Rivers was going to make a giant step in post-season but comes away with a bad defeat. Chargers defense you’d like to see do better in the second half. The defense has shown they can play some great defense when they want to. The Chargers still have not played their all around best game of the season.
#16.PITTSBURGH STEELERS Down 1 spot
I know the Steelers have won three in a row. You could point out the Bears should have had the victory last Sunday versus the Steelers.
Steelers are at a hard place right now. If the Steelers had a Matt Ryan or another veteran quarterback that could throw the ball down field, the Steelers would be an elite team in the AFC. Steelers have a defense, a running game, and play makers to throw to. The Steelers are in a hard place because it is time to unleash the wrecking ball on Big Ben. Roethlisberger is the missing link. If the Lions upset the Steelers, you will hear fans say Big Ben is the problem.
#17.INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (4-5) Up 1 spot
Colts need to get back to 500 and facing the Jaguars this Sunday should help them accomplish it. Colts then in the next two weeks play Buffalo and Tampa Bay. Losing both those games could end their return to the post-season and back to the drawing board. Colts are a well-balanced team. What are their needs? I love the head coach, Frank Reich. Is Carson Wentz the answer at quarterback? Will the Colts be looking for their third quarterback in the last three seasons in the off-season?
#18.SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (3-5) Up 2 spots
WELCOME BACK RUSSELL WILSON!!!
Nobody thought Russell Wilson killed himself. In his absence, the Seahawks managed to do that. The Seahawks wide receivers are probably dancing in the streets naked as Wilson is going to play this Sunday versus the Packers. The Seahawks only go as far as Wilson can take this team. Wilson can win games in Seattle despite the team having a bad defense.
#19.MINNESOTA VIKINGS (3-5) SAME Vikings have so much talent on that offense. Kirk Cousins is playing well this year. The Viking defense is not the door mat of the league but a decent unit. Lots of close losses. Three overtime games out of which they won one. The Vikings do not have the killer instinct.
Instead finishing their opponent making it a fatality, the Vikings become BFF’s
#20.SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (3-5) Down 3 spots
I feel like the 49ers are going to bottom out in the second half. Is Kyle Shanahan’s job on the line? The 49ers have some talented players on this roster. Jimmy Garoppolo you think is back and then he plays OK.
The 49ers took a gamble in the first round on Trey Lance. So far Lance needs more seasoning before he gets back on the field. The 49ers play in one of the toughest divisions, so during this second half this team may plummet in the standings.
#21.DENVER BRONCOS (5-4) Up 2 spots
Look out because the Broncos have won three games in a row. Last week beating the snot out of a very good Cowboy team and beating a team with a winning record. Broncos traded away Von Miller to the Rams. Sometimes a trade like that can light a fire under your team. The Broncos are in the thick of things in the AFC West. Chiefs don’t look like the Chiefs anymore. Broncos should be able to pick up a win at home versus the Eagles this week. Can the Broncos beat the teams in their own division? All the Broncos’ wins have come outside the division. Broncos have only played one division game so far. Beat the teams in your division and perhaps the Broncos find themselves in the post-season.
#22.NEW YORK GIANTS (3-6) Up 2 spots
You think Head Coach Judge is Dredded?
Then they make another Judge Dredd movie. Giants match up well versus the Raiders last week and came away with their 3rd victory. Giants have injuries like most teams. Giants you think are toast and then they start winning a few games to get you excited once again. Remember, last year Giants went on a small tear for the NFC East division but fell flat on their faces. Do you give head coach Joe Judge another year because of injuries?
#23.PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (3-6) Down 2 spots
Interesting stat for the Philadelphia Eagles. Only team with a 3-6 record or much worse than that has outscored their opponents by a lousy 9 points. Will the Eagles have to find yet another quarterback in the off-season? Eagles come off the bus running the ball which can be a double edge sword type of conversation on the bar stools having a Philly Cheesesteak. Running the ball keeps your quarterback standing alive for another week. The Eagles may think they needs to run the ball to win games and limit Hurts’ passing attempts. Hurts has 11 TD passes and only 3 interceptions. Hurts and the Eagles offense do not throw down the field for big plays of 20 or more yards. It’s all dink and dunk most of the time. The Eagles roster has multiple holes they need to fill.
#24.CHICAGO BEARS (3-6) Up 2 spots
Bears are on the rise because of the play of their rookie quarterback, Justin Fields. Bears should have won last Monday versus the Steelers. Many bad calls by the referees? Bad coaching by the Chicago Bears?
Bears linebacker, Cassius Marsh’s taunting call haunts the Bears. Marsh, who was a former Steeler, playing against his former team sacked Big Ben Roethlisberger late in that game. Should have been a Bears victory. However Marsh is called for taunting of his former team. It was not Marsh’s sack celebration. It was Marsh heading to the sideline of the Steelers to pretty much say, “Look at me.” The refs made a numerous amount of bad calls in the game that went against the Bears. However, there was bad coaching from Matt Nagy. How many taunting calls have the Bears racked up this season? How many ejections have the Bears racked up the last two seasons for their players punching the opponents? The Bears are coached like the Browns when Freddie Kitchens was on the sideline. This team plays stupid.
#25.CAROLINA PANTHERS (4-5) Down 3 spots
McDonalds always brings back the McRib sandwich.
The Carolina Panthers desperately need a quarterback so they brought back the Fig Newton for a limit time only.
#26.ATLANTA FALCONS (4-4) Up 2 spots
Matt Ryan should be playing for another franchise. This Falcons team is not going anywhere. Last Sunday, Matt Ryan spread the ball around and led the Falcons in an upset over the Saints. Who is Matt Ryan throwing to? Ryan plays almost every game. I’m thinking if I was a Rams fan, I’d rather have Matt Ryan over Matthew Stafford. I know the Rams just wanted to rid themselves of the Goff Ball that was holding the team back. If Matt Ryan had a balanced offense with a running game, good line, and a key defense, he would get a team deep in the playoffs.
#27.MIAMI DOLPHINS (3-7) Up 3 spots
Don’t look now because the Dolphins have suddenly won two straight games. Last Sunday, the Fins took out the Texans in the toilet bowl. Then on Thursday night, they upset the Ravens in front of the entire nation.
THE FIX IS IN!!!
#28.JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (2-6) Up 1 spot
Jaguars had a huge upset taking down the Bills and winning their first game on American soil since week 1 of the 2020 season.
My biggest take away from the game last Sunday was for the first time in NFL history, a guy with the same name sacked a guy with the same name. Josh Allen of the Jaguars sacked Josh Allen of the Bills. Jaguars are still terrible. Urban Meyer has not gotten the best out of their skate or die quarterback, Trevor Spicoli Lawrence.
#29.WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM (2-6) Down 4 spots
The Football Team had a bye week last Sunday and now have a rematch versus the Buccaneers who knocked Washington out of the playoffs last season. I dropped Washington 4 spots because they are playing Tampa Tom and company who also were on a bye week. Last season, Washington had the same record at 2-6 and ended up winning the dreaded NFC East. Tampa Tom off the bye week and his Buccaneers won 8 straight including the Superbowl. Washington has fallen and is not getting up any time soon.
#30. NEW YORK JETS (2-6) DOWN 3 SPOTS
Who’s on first is the question for the Jets. You have to love the Jets quarterback situation which is like a soap opera… a Days of Our Lives episode. Episodes feature young up-and-coming characters. Then they bring characters back who you thought were killed off years ago. Oh the Hungry and the Restless.
Another XFL quarterback resurfaces in the NFL, who is Josh Johnson. The 35-year-old Johnson has been with 13 franchises and has only gotten to actually play for 4 teams. Before the XFL, Johnson last suited up for the Redskins in 2018. Definitely Johnson’s name should be the suitcase as Jets may not be his last stop. In two games, Josh Johnson did pretty well throwing 3 touchdown passes with only 1 interception going 29-45 attempts for 334 yards.
Mike White will be inserted back behind center for the Jets in week ten.
#31. HOUSTON TEXANS (1-8) SAME
Texans welcomed back Tyrod Taylor behind center just in time to face the Dolphins in the toilet bowl.
Taylor had 43 pass attempts in his return completing 24 of them for 240 yards. Taylor won the only game for the Texans when he was behind center. His comeback after several weeks dealing with a hamstring injury was a horrible performance that resulted in three interceptions and a QB rating of 42.8. Texans lost 8 straight. Texans might as well play and ride out rookie QB, Davis Mills, to get him more experience for next year . Maybe Mills becomes the future with the experience. Texans need a top draft pick in 2022. Then the Texans better hope they can get something for DeShaun Watson.
#32. DETROIT LIONS (0-8) SAME
Over the bye week, the Detroit Lions had a shrink in their locker room to change the team’s losing ways.
WEEK TEN WE HAD OUR MOTIVATIONAL SPEECH TO OVERCOME THE LAST TWO WEEKS OF BAD PICKING
WEEK TEN NFL GO!!!!!!!!!
THE THURSDAY NIGHT AFFAIR
BALTIMORE RAVENS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS
No way in the world would the NFL have another big time upset three weeks in a row. Dolphins would need their defense to return to their 2020 form and create turnovers. Dolphins would need Dan Marino to be the quarterback. Maybe a healthy Ryan Fitzpatrick, but odds would still favor the Ravens. Ravens rebounded from a bad loss versus the Bengals and just escaped losing two in a row versus the Vikings, which took a comeback and overtime. Ravens at whatever level they play should be able to handle the fins.
OUR PICK:RAVENS
THE SUNDAY SLATE
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM
This is a rematch of last year’s post-season game between the Buccaneers and the Team in a first-round wild card match-up. You know who won. Both teams coming off byes. Last year when the Buccaneers came off their bye, they won their 8th straight including the Superbowl. The Team will have some healthy bodies coming back from the injured list. Not sure these bodies will help reunite the return the of that 2020 defense of Washington.
Tom Brady was sniper-like on the bye week, just studying everything about Washington DC that he could. Soaking in all their weaknesses and places they like to eat.
OUR PICK:BUCCANEERS
BUFFALO BILLS AT NEW YORK JETS
Would one of Jim Kelly’s teams from the Bills Heyday in the 1990’s, lose to a bad Jaguars team? Jets showed they can beat good teams as they have Bengals and the Titans stamped on the side of their helmets.
Bills defense will be too much for their rookie quarterback, Mike White, to handle. I like Josh Allen taking full responsibility of his play last week after the loss to the Jaguars. Look for redemption for the Bills as they have their best all-around game of the year.
OUR PICK BILLS
ATLANTA FALCONS AT DALLAS COWBOYS
Could the Falcons Dirty Bird the Cowboys like they did to the Saints a week ago? Cowboys were stunned last week by a Bronco team that traded away their biggest legend on their defense. Matt Ryan did well spreading the ball around. Cowboys have done too well up to this point to roll up into a ball and play dead. Falcons I can see upsetting a Saints team they see twice a year, but I don’t see the Cowboys overlook another inferior team and turn things around.
Someone pass the hot sauce because the Cowboys are having some Falcon wings after the game Sunday with some female companionship… which is the Cowboy way.
OUR PICK:COWBOYS
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT TENNESSEE TITANS
Which town is more fun to get your drink on, Nashville or New Orleans? Beads versus boots. Saints have a problem at the quarterback position. The Titans have knocked off the Bills, Chiefs, Colts twice and last Sunday took it to a very good Rams team. No Alvin Kamara for Saints. Titans defense has risen from the grave the team of 2019, when they knocked off the Patriots in the playoffs. Saints defense will keep it close. Whatever running game the Titans can muster up in the absence of Derrick Henry will be the key to the game. Titans will work a few backs to get some run production with their play action pass.
OUR PICK:TITANS
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
I see the Jaguars coming out playing a pretty good game from the start, feeling good about their victory over the Bills last week. Colts have been in this situation last Thursday facing a Jets team coming off an upset victory. It was the Jaguars defense that forced the Bills into turnovers. The Jaguar offense was nothing special in that victory last week. Colts don’t make easy mistakes because they are a very disciplined team. Look for Jonathan Taylor to keep the chains moving running the ball and the Jaguars offense on the sideline. Now we can all come back down to earth.
OUR PICK: COLTS
DETROIT LIONS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Lions have been reading deep thoughts by Jack Handy over their bye week.
Lions have been trying to find themselves and the way to a victory on Sunday. Pittsburgh defense is hanging on for dear life to avoid bolts falling off their steel reinforcement beams of the only unit that has worked properly this season. Big Ben Roethilisberger is ready to crumble each day he gets on the field. I like the Steelers running back, Najee Harris, who has to do it all for the Steelers offense to score points. Lions defense will have problems stopping the double threat Harris out of the Steelers backfield. Steelers are tough to beat in Pittsburgh.
OUR PICK: STEELERS
CLEVELAND BROWNS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
The Patriots have been red hot winning their last three games. Browns came back to life with a trouncing of the Bengals, a division rival. Patriots defense has been impressive as their unit is starting to click together. Running Back Nick Chubb is out for the Browns who had a monster game last Sunday. Mac Jones is building confidence each week as a rookie quarterback. Browns have a nice back up running back in D’Ernest Johnson who will be making his second career start. I like Baker Mayfield’s speech last Sunday about the team releasing Odell Beckham Jr. I think this speech and the recent brotherhood coming together as a team will carry over as Browns find a way to win in New England.
OUR PICK:BROWNS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT LA CHARGERS
Chargers have lost two out of their last three games. Vikings have lost two games in a row. Two close games, one in overtime. This game has a ton of offensive fire power from both teams that could make this game someone’s fantasy dreams. Chargers defense has the edge over the Vikings defensive unit. Chargers will put all their efforts in grounding the Vikings star Running Back, Dalvin Cook. It will be up to Kirk Cousins to win the game and the Chargers will force a key turn over that will help seal the deal and stay on top of a very crowded AFC West.
OUR PICK: CHARGERS
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT DENVER BRONCOS
Two teams I’ve had problems picking their faith every week. You think the Eagles are done as they curl up in a ball one week and then fly high the next. Broncos trade away their best defensive player. Von Miller was the heart and soul of the team, the Broncos beat up on the Cowboys last Sunday. Broncos are in this right now in a crowded AFC West as the Chiefs are not the Chiefs of old. I like the Broncos at home and using that big upset they got and cashing it in another win. Broncos have no problems beating teams from the NFC East as they beat the Giants, The Team, & Cowboys. Watch them go for the division sweep this Sunday.
OUR PICK:BRONCOS
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS
Looks like Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson will be back for their teams this Sunday. Rodgers was out with the Covid virus after lying about getting the vaccine in August. Wilson has been out several weeks with an injury to his hand. Wilson may be rusty. Rodgers was only out a week so should get back on the horse and….
I see Aaron Rodgers using the words he said about his lie as a witch hunt. This entire saga about the vaccination talks will fuel Rodgers’ fire. Green Bay defense has been playing solid which will limit big plays from Wilson and his big receivers. Seattle’s defense is a weakness. Green Bay at home is the key for the Big Cheese and the Packers.
OUR PICK: PACKERS
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
The Raiders have played the Chiefs very tough the last few seasons and winning a few of the games. Kansas City offense is a shell of their former selves. Raiders have succeeded with a heavy burden on their shoulder all season. The Chiefs defense played much better than they did all year versus the Packers. The Jordan Love-Packers at the time. Chiefs and Raiders’ old time rivalry makes it very fun to watch them.
This is a perfect time for the Raiders to make a huge statement in the AFC West by bringing the Chiefs down. Perhaps making Patrick Mahomes walk the plank for good this season and end their domination of the division. Derek Carr has to have his best game on Sunday night with everyone watching.
OUR PICK: RAIDERS
THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME
LA RAMS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
The 49ers need to make some changes. Rams got beaten like a red headed step child by the Titans last Sunday night. This is a division game between the Rams and 49ers, so it should start off close. Odell Beckham will play a role of decoy in his first game as a Ram. Jimmy Garoppolo will struggle in this game. The Rams defense is out for blood after what the Titans did to them last week. Look for the Rams offense to put up 30 or more points on the 49ers defense that has done nothing all year.
The Wild shamrock 