#7 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (11-5) AT #2 BUFFALO BILLS (13-3)
OUR PICK:BILLS
Bills coming in as the hottest team in the playoffs. Colts have won 4 out of their last 5 games. Their only loss coming from the Steelers who came back and beat them late in that affair. I can’t see Phillip Rivers matching the production on the field with Josh Allen without making a boo boo. Colts use a balanced attack of offense with more runs then passes. Bills defense has been stingy on both the run and pass as their unit is showing flashes and consistency of last season where they were top notch unit.
FAVORITE PLAYER FROM EACH TEAM ALL-TIME
Jim Kelly Buffalo Bills & Jeff George of Indianapolis Colts
NOTE: Loved Jeff George with his power arm from the University of Illinois. George turned into a Jay Cutler in the NFL, and had everything except the heart.
#6 LA RAMS (10-6) AT #3 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (12-4)
OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS
The Rams problem will be the quarterback position in this game. Rams made it to the finish line on fumes and lost Jared Goff. The Rams’ John Wolford made his first start last week and Rams beat up a Cardinals team that was not in good shape with an ailing Kyle Murray in that one, just to make the playoffs. Seahawks on the rise, especially because their defense is playing well. Plus Russell Wilson at home in the playoffs is hard to beat. His last loss in the post-season goes back to 2004. Seahawks have been a main staple in the post-season.
FAVORITE PLAYER FROM EACH TEAM ALL-TIME
Fred Dryer aka HUNTER La Rams & Steve Largent Seahawks
#5 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (11-5) #4 WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM (7-9)
OUR PICK:BUCCANEERS
I would love to see a team from the World’s worst division beat up on a Tom Brady team. Love to see a team with no nickname get deep into post-season. This game has Tom Brady written all over it. Love Washington’s defense, but the question is, how long can they contain Tom Brady who has weapons of mass destruction. Tampa Bay defense is very good versus the run. Then it all lands on the shoulders of Alex Smith which has been a great story this season. Smith is ailing and may need a wheel chair in the second half in this one. The Team barely beat the Eagles last Sunday night when they took out their starting quarterback, and gift wrapped that one for Washington.
FAVORITE PLAYER FROM EACH TEAM ALL-TIME
Mike Alstott Buccaneers & John Riggins the Redskins Team
THE SUNDAY SLATE
#5 BALTIMORE RAVENS (11-5) AT #4. TENNESSEE TITANS (11-5)
OUR PICK:RAVENS
I think the Ravens will turn the tables on the Titans this Sunday. Titans defense is the hole in the ship that will sink them in the post-season. Ravens are back on track and have won 5 straight just to get in the crowded AFC picture and cement a spot. Titans have won 3 out of their last 5 games. The 3 Titans wins versus bottom feeders. The two losses Packers and Browns. Ravens lost to Titans earlier in the year. Titans knocked the Ravens out of the playoffs last season. Lamar Jackson will finally get his first playoff win and get revenge of the Titans and exploit that bad defense.
FAVORITE PLAYERS FROM EACH TEAM ALL-TIME
Michael Oher Ravens & Kyle Vanden Bosch Titans
#7 CHICAGO BEARS (8-8) AT #2 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (12-4)
OUR PICK: SAINTS
If the Bears played the Saints ten times, Chicago might win one of those games. Not this Sunday. I’m not a believer of the Bears bandwagon who came in on a broken axle. The Reborn Mitch Trubisky is no Jesus Christ Superstar, maybe a Trent Dilfer. The Bears defense is not a comparison to that great Ravens defense with the Murderer Ray Lewis running around like a crazy man. Dilfer guided that sleigh, and the Ravens won their first Superbowl. It’s simple. Most Bears wins have came from bad teams this season. The better teams, they have not fared well against include the Saints this season. The Saints defense is the best they have ever had in the Drew Brees ERA. Saints offense with so many moving parts for this Bears team. This unit is not that 2018 unit that killed your quarterback.
FAVORITE PLAYERS FROM EACH TEAM ALL-TIME
Craig IRON HEAD Heyward Saints & ROBO COP James Thornton Bears
#6 CLEVELAND BROWNS(11-5) AT #3 PITTSBURGH STEELERS (12-4)
OUR PICK:STEELERS
Both these teams have not done well down the stretch. The Steelers were the king of the league most of the year and have lost 4 out of their last 5 games. Browns lost to the Jets. Oh the Humanity in that one. You can say the Jets’ two wins have come from playoff teams, the Rams and Browns. If Rams and Browns meet in the Superbowl do we call that the Jets toilet bowl? Browns barely beat the Steelers last week and Pittsburgh were resting guys. The Browns’ Head Coach, Kevin Stefanski is out in this one due to Covid. Without Stefanski, does Cleveland become STUPID again in those Freddie Kitchen days? I see Big Ben Roethlisberger for the Steelers having one more solid game left in him and this will be that game.
The Playoffs have arrived and the Browns have finally made it back to the post-season.
Wild card weekend always has lots of great games over the years. This year with the expansion of post season with two more wild cards, we get triple headers on both Saturday and Sunday. Two teams will have byes, one from each conference. We share our wild power rankings with all 14 teams, and who we think ranks 1 thru 14. Get wild and crazy as we slow ride our way through the power rankings.
#1.KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (14-2) The Chiefs right now is what Elvis Presley was to Rock-n-Roll.
Not quite, because this Elvis the former Chief quarterback has left the building. It’s good to be king and the Chiefs are the King of the NFL. Chiefs have not missed a beat since winning the Superbowl last season, and earned the number one seed in the AFC a first round bye. They will get a week off to rest their players and then be ready in the second round to defend their Superbowl title from last season. Chiefs rested many of their players last week versus the Chargers in week 17, having everything clinched to do that. Coming off their first round playoff bye, the Chiefs hope they have their starting running back able to go. The rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire, if healthy, is a better option than the X-Steeler crybaby Le’Veon Bell.
#2.GREEN BAY PACKERS (13-3) The Packers are the cream of the crop in the NFC as they earn top seed with a bye in the playoffs’ first round. Aaron Rodgers has played lights out this season behind center for the Cheese Spread. Is the real MVP of the Packers, Jordan Love?
Packers drafting a quarterback in the first round of the draft after coming off a trip to the NFC Championship, may have ignited a flame under Aaron Rodgers. Packers could have gotten Rodgers another weapon on offense that he could have used. Rodgers makes everyone around him better as he did that this season with a monster year behind center. Will Rodgers continue down this road of revenge throughout the playoffs all the way into the Superbowl? Something like the path Jack Bauer took in 24 when he went for blood on all the Russians involved who killed his girl.
#3.NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (12-4) I find this Saints team can find many different ways to win a game this season. Some of the Saints teams of the past seem like they would March through the playoffs according to the eye test. This 2020 team has so much more especially with the best defense they ever had. This defense is better than the bounty gate defense they had when they won the whole thing versus the Colts.
Saints defense don’t have to put a bounty on the heads of the opposing teams this go round. This Saints team has overcome yet another year losing Drew Brees to injury for a few weeks. They played without Alvin Kamara and the entire running back room their final week versus Carolina, and won very convincingly. They played most of the year without their top receiver in Michael Thomas. Sean Payton always has someone stepping up. This is the year you think it will not be the Saints in the Superbowl representing the NFC, and then watch them get there.
#4.BUFFALO BILLS ( 13-3) The Bills might be the scariest team entering the post season. They have been manhandling everyone in their way as they earn the second seed in the AFC. This will be the first Bills home field playoff game this Saturday, since 1996. Plus, the Bills Mafia will be on hand.
I like how the Bills defense has gotten better from a bad start of the season due to injuries. Last year’s Bills defense unit was one of the tops in the league. Last year’s offense struggled to score touchdowns. If both the defense and offense continue playing great football at the same time, Bills Mafia will be toasting all weekend long. Will wide receiver Cole Beasley be able to play this weekend? Bills signed Kenny Stills just in case, which is a nice addition.
#5.BALTIMORE RAVENS (11-5) The Ravens have been playing their best football down the stretch. Since last year’s loss to the Titans in the playoffs, the Ravens will try to avenge that loss and a regular season loss suffered by Tennessee in a rematch this weekend. Can Lamar Jackson win a playoff game?
Can Jackson walk down the Nashville streets strutting his stuff with victory on the road? Jackson will need help from the rest of the Ravens. The defense will have to stop the Titan machine. Plus the Ravens running game has to get yardage from their backs, not just Lamar Jackson doing it all. Titans made Jackson one dimensional last year in the playoffs. Ravens will need to score quickly and not far behind.
#6.TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (11-5) Can Tampa Tom do something that neither he or any team has ever done before? Can the Buccaneers get to the Superbowl and play a home game at their own stadium as it’s being played in Tampa Bay? Would guiding the Buccaneers and winning a Superbowl be Tom Brady’s finest work? Look at the cast of villains Brady has on this Buccaneer squad?
I see Gronk and Suh stand out in the picture above. The list of bad seeds on this Buccaneers team is very long from Antonio Brown, Leonard Fornette, Shady McCoy, and three fingered Jason Pierre-Paul. Have to throw Tom Brady into the mix as well. A team of thugs. Can you win the whole thing with this many bad guys and big egos?
#7.SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (12-4) The Seahawks defense has impressed me playing solidly late in the season. The Kansas City Chiefs defense started getting a lot better late in the season last year as they took it to the playoffs. Pete Carol, as a person, I think is the bottom of barrel sewer scum and beyond.
Pete Carol no longer has the Legion of Boom, but he has coached this year. Pete Carol has a guy on defense and guy on offense doing whatever and leading their units to the promise land. Offensively, we know the great Russell Wilson. On defense, safety Jamal Adams is leading a rag tag zombie apocalypse group out there playing defense.
#8.TENNESSEE TITANS (11-5) Last year’s post season Titans became a force in the AFC. Knocking out the team everyone thought was going to the dance, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. Then the Titans ended the Patriot playoff dynasty beating Tom Brady and Belichick together for the last time. This year Titans have been great on offense, but that defense is horrible. Titans need to strike first to keep Derek Henry just mauling people down throughout the game is key to victory.
Titans can win a shootout. The Titans’ best way of winning is Derek Henry killing the clock with a lead.
#9.PITTSBURGH STEELERS (12-4) Can the Steelers repair Big Ben Roethlisberger like the Police officer in Robo Cop?
Big Ben looks old and could use a new gun with an arm. The Steelers lost 4 out of their last 5 down the stretch. The last game, they rested Big Ben in a loss to the Browns, who they play again this Sunday. The Steelers’ only win down the stretch was a comeback victory versus a good Colts team. The Steel Curtain defense has lost a few guys down the stretch as well. I can see the Steelers winning one game, and then being knocked out the following week.
#10.INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (11-5) I like this Colts team. They have a good defense and like to run the ball. I know the Colts did not play well down the stretch last season. They had a great start and faded away. Did Phillip Rivers do a way better job than a Jacoby Brissett last year? Big difference, and Colts are in the post season once again. Only problem is, the Colts have to play their game to win in the post-season. It has to be ball control with taking time off the clock with good defense. A shootout Phillip Rivers is prone to for stupid mistakes. Could this be Musters last stand this post season for Phillip Rivers?
Rivers does not like to move having a Partridge style size family.
#11.CLEVELAND BROWNS (11-5) Browns finally back in the playoffs since 2002. The Browns are not having any luck since they won their 9th game of the season which is a winning season. Winning seasons are like Haley’s comet. They only come to the Dawg Pound every so often like every 20 years we round up. The Browns needed to win a close one versus the Steelers last week, who were resting Big Ben to even make the post season. They lost one of their top pass rushers in Olivier Vernon last week to get in. Before that, Covid took out the Browns receiving room versus a bad Jets team that beat you. Now the head coach, Kevin Stefanski, will be out with Covid this Sunday in a rematch versus the Steelers. Stefanski’s first year coaching in Cleveland has been the difference from the year before with Freddie Kitchens having no control over the same team.
#12.LA RAMS (10-6) Can Sean McVay win in the playoffs with a former American Alliance Arizona Hotshot, John Wolford, behind center? Wolford who started his first NFL game for the Rams beat the Arizona Cardinals last week to help get the Rams into the playoffs. Wolford played in Arizona in the AAF and then makes his first NFL start versus the state he played his first professional ball at. Hotshot fans of the past, who are still Cardinal fans, feel slighted.
Wolford threw one pick versus the Cardinals and had 231 passing yards with no TD passes. Wolford could get better in his second start, but the defense of the Rams who helped last week will have to even get better versus the Seahawks in round one of the playoffs.
#13.THE WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM (7-9) The Washington Football Team, that no one in DC is talking about right now, especially with what went down this week in the city.
If Alex Smith was at full strength, the Washington team could perhaps knock off the Buccaneers with that great defense they have. The offense is the problem. When Alex Smith knocked off the rust, this team was doing well. Is the Washington the first team in the playoffs without having an actual nickname? Washington ditched the Redskin name when 2020 turned into one crazy Mad Max Beyond the Thunderdome movie.
#14.CHICAGO BEARS (8-8) The Bears, to me, are one of the luckiest teams to get in the post season. Bears needed help and they got it. Cardinal love.
The Cardinals had two clunker games in a row to be home for the playoffs. Bears had played battered defenses down the stretch to get in the back door after losing to Green Bay last Sunday. Has Mitch Trubisky found his game or is it just bad defenses he faced to get to this point? They say getting into the playoffs is another entire new season which is true. Bears will need that defense to step up if they want to get past a very talented Saints offense. I’m talking about 2018 greatness of that Bears defense. The Bears running game has suddenly shown up, which they will need. This instead of relying solely on Mitch Trubisky’s arm who can force things and get the team in trouble with mistakes. Do the bears throw a curve ball and bench Trubisky once again this season and bring in Nick Foles who thrives in the post season?
A Saints bus crash could seal the deal on Sunday for the Bears as well. Only Sid Luckman Reborn, could take the position behind center for the Bears and take this team beyond Wild Card weekend.
In 2020 the NFL did not have a pre-season due to the Coronavirus. Pre-season games in the NFL are really not very exciting. The starters usually play a handful of plays. The excitement of these games would be to witness first hand how the rookie draft class looks. When your team takes out the top rookies drafted, you focus on the names you never have heard of. The un-drafted free agents, the long shots. Every season someone catches your eye. Every season, one guy just has a break out pre-season where you feel this guy has to make the team. The guy makes it all the way to the last cuts as he continues to tear it up against other teams’ second and third stringers. The long shot to make the roster, destined for the practice squad or out on the streets where he might ask “Do you want fries with that burger?” Watch for it when you visit a fast food restaurant. In 2017, it was Tanner Gentry where most fans thought he was the next coming of a Tommy Waddle for the Bears.
Tanner Gentry was an undrafted free agent the Bears brought in from the University of Wyoming in 2017. Home of the Cowboys. In 2016, Tanner Gentry made the All-Mountain West second team with a huge year at the wide receiver position. Gentry caught 72 passes for 1,326 yards with 14 touchdowns. Gentry was the first receiver to tally over 1000 yards for Wyoming since Jovon Bouknight caught 77 balls for 1,116 yards for the Cowboys in 2005. When Tanner Gentry arrived in Chicago, he was an All-star in the Pre-Season. The Bears just drafted Mitch Trubisky and were going to have him sit his first season behind veteran quarterback Mike Glennon. As we all know how that worked out. Tanner Gentry would be that guy you could stash on the practice squad and get his reps in every week and learn the NFL game. Tanner Gentry made his NFL living mostly on the practice squad. Same story for good ole number 87, Tommy Waddle who was cut from the team several times before he finally stuck on the roster. Tommy Waddle was a great receiver for the Bears to move the chains. He could take a huge hit over the middle and hold on to the football. Tanner Gentry would get in 4 games in the 2017 season. It was a year the Bears had a very poor core of wide receivers with bad quarterback play, as Mitch Trubisky was thrown to the Wolves with Mike Glennon’s horrific play. Plus, you could say the Bears Offensive line was not very good as well. It was the John Fox ERA, and defense was the Bears jam while running the football on offense.
In 2018, Tanner Gentry was forgotten because it was a new ERA in Chicago as John Fox was fired. Matt Nagy was brought in to be the head coach of the Bears. The Bears spent money and did a total upgrade on their offense with new receivers along with tight ends. A guy who is a project like Tanner Gentry, had to move on. Find another job and hope a team would give him a shot in the NFL. Gentry finished his Bears career with 3 catches for only 35 yards. Tanner Gentry resurfaced while moving on and made the New York Guardians roster of the XFL in 2020. Gentry would not find the field as the league shut down due to the Corona Virus. Sometimes you can’t go back home. However the 26 year old receiver circled the wagons and found his old quarterback from Wyoming which might be the home cooking needed for a Tanner Gentry. Gentry finds his way to Buffalo and reuniting with his former friend, his college quarterback Josh Allen. Josh Allen was the guy that helped put Tanner Gentry on the map with that great year they had in 2016 while at Wyoming, hooking up 14 times in the end zone. Tanner Gentry finds himself in the same familiar position of the practice squad so far in Buffalo. This go around with an MVP caliber signal caller that Josh Allen is having this season, might be the recipe to keep Tanner Gentry dream alive as a receiver in the the NFL. Plus Gentry and Allen had a nice chemistry years ago back in Wyoming as Buffalo fans hope to see that happen again. The words of former Panther and Bear Muhsin Muhammad, when he said “receivers go to die in Chicago.” Maybe Tanner Gentry will be his typical long shot self once again and now rise from the Chicago Receiver graveyard and do well with his ole Chum and the Buffalo Bills.
The Chicago Bears making the playoffs is probably the worst thing that could happen to this organization. The Bears needed to win versus Green Bay or hope for a Cardinals loss, a team who has stumbled two weeks in a row, to get into the playoffs. They say when you get in the playoffs anything can happen. Bears get in with the Cardinals loss and played a good game for the most part versus the Packers. Even so, they still lost the game on Sunday 35-16. The score does not tell you it was a close game as things unraveled at the end for the Bears. When the Bears faced the Packers for the first time this season, many thought that was the end for the Midway Monsters in 2020. The Bears were on a horrible skid at the time and were skinned alive by Aaron Rodgers. Three wins in a row at the end of this season with a reborn Mitch Trubisky the difference. Combined with some stumbling from other teams, gets the Bears in the post season for the first time since the double doink game against the Eagles in 2019. Now the Bears have a date with the Saints in New Orleans. What does this post season appearance mean for the future of the Bears?
Making the playoffs at an uninspired 8-8 to me, is the Bears will now use that as to get the band back together.
Bringing back Ryan Pace who plays the horns at GM. Matt Nagy will still be head coach beating his drum. This gives the Bears a chance to justify Mitch Trubisky being reborn as the lead singer. Even if the Bears shock the Saints, will they win in the divisional round? Bears making the playoffs and now they are looking at number 19 in the upcoming draft. If they beat the Saints, that number will rise into the 20’s. This is a team that needs to actually hit a Home Run on their first round pick, especially with a roster with many holes to fill. Making the Post-season most likely takes the Bears out of a chance at one of the top quarterbacks in the draft as well.
The only way I bring back the same cast of characters is if this team win the entire enchilada. The Superbowl!! I don’t trust Ryan Pace finding another quarterback or addressing the offensive line that has killed the Bears for years. Ryan Pace used 6th or 7th round draft picks on offensive linemen that would be projects, and need good coaching for years to develop them. This was a team that needed O-Line help all year. Then the quarterback position for which Ryan Pace should have grabbed the sure thing in Deshaun Watson back in 2017. Pace even traded away draft capital to move up, thinking the 49ers wanted Trubisky. Then the trade for Nick Foles again taking on salary and trading away draft capital like it’s toilet paper. Pace way OVERPAID for the services of Defensive End Robert Quinn who has done nothing since his arrival from Dallas as a free agent. Leonard Floyd had more sacks than Quinn, a guy they released. All the bad first round picks have added up. The Bears still to me don’t have a top receiver. Allen Robinson, who has not gotten a contract extension, will probably get overpaid for his services. They should have signed him earlier in the season for cheaper money if they don’t plan on blowing this up. I think Robinson is a number two receiver. Or the best number two out of a group of two’s; what the Bears lack in playmakers they make up with no good intentions. Now they could franchise Robinson if they want him back for too much money and paying top 5 in the league.
Then the great Matt Nagy. I continue to hear he has a winning record in his tenure as the head coach of the Bears. How many of those wins have come from having a good defense in place when this guy took the job? Matt Nagy is a stubborn guy. Uses his War and Peace playbook like the ten commandments in the bible instead of making a game plan around the quarterback’s strengths. Matt Nagy finally gave up calling the plays offensively and handed those responsibilities to his Offensive coordinator. The Bears have finally installed a game plan that works for a reborn Mitch Trubisky. Mitch Trubisky has played better, but still makes bone headed mistakes in the red zone like versus the Packers on Sunday throwing an interception. Can you judge Mitch Trubisky by doing well versus a bad Vikings defense, a bad Texans defense and very bad Jaguars team down the stretch? How many more games will it take head coach Matt Nagy to get a Mitch Trubisky to not make college mistakes in a pro game? Nagy was an offensive guru, a quarterback whisperer, and has failed in both Trubisky and Nick Foles. Nagy tries to be cute too many times on multiple plays over his tenure that are totally obvious. Especially on short yardage plays. Most of the time, his team abandoned the running game that has finally worked down the stretch. Does that give you hope to bring Matt Nagy back?
It’s simple. All three of these guys need to go. Ryan Pace should not have a chance to draft another quarterback. Mitch Trubisky needs new scenery and his best talents serve as a back up quarterback in the NFL anyone else except the Bears. Matt Nagy, Chuch Pagano, and the entire staff should be replaced. The Bears defense once upon a time ago in 2018 was scary. The defense unit under Pagano has been good but not like it was and getting to the quarterback with pressure. The Chicago Bulls in the early 1990’s fired Doug Collins and had the young Michael Jordan teams in the playoffs, but they got the same results being eliminated early in post season. Phil Jackson took over and the team won six titles. Matt Nagy does not have this Bears team even close to those Bulls teams that were just waiting for the final piece. A different voice to get them over the hump. Bears have plenty of work to do with this roster to get them to be a serious playoff team every year. It might be better to blow it all up now and start over. Especially with aging defense with window pretty much open up only a smidge these days. The Bears have too many bad contracts tying up the salary cap. Plus nobody that can play the quarterback position, which they say is the most important on the field. The quickest way is to wheel and deal most of this roster and collect draft picks. Look at the Dolphins who did the same thing and they almost made the playoffs in a very tough AFC. The team drafted well before this season, spent money in the key positions, and their defense was one of the best units in the league. Dolphins are going to be an up and coming team for years to come. That’s what we thought the Bears would be after the Eagles lost. What has the eye test shown you ever since? A team that has regressed. A team with the same questions before they started becoming a great team, playing a weaker schedule in 2018. Mark my words, the band will be back together after the loss in the Big Easy. It will be business as usual at Halas Hall.
Bills are playing for the number two seed. Dolphins are trying to enter post-season. Dolphins will be without their closer, because Ryan Fitzpatrick is on the Covid list. Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa in the cold with a much improved defense, gives the Bills the edge in this one.
DALLAS COWBOYS AT NEW YORK GIANTS
OUR PICK:COWBOYS
Both teams need to win and rely on help from others. Cowboys have been rolling. Giants can’t score. Last time Giants beat the Cowboys was back in 2016. Andy Dalton is playing better, and he will engineer some scoring drives. Giants will keep it close. Cowboys squeak one out.
BALTIMORE RAVENS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS
OUR PICK:RAVENS
You could say both these teams have been rolling. Bengals surprised a Steeler team on the verge of falling like a Jenga tower… one last brick. KABOOM!!!
Ravens have won 4 in a row and are clicking on all cylinders. Will it be too much for the Bengals to handle?
PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS
OUR PICK:BROWNS
Steelers are resting Big Ben Roethlisberger in this one. I think Browns seeing Mason Rudolf will spark old time memories like the running of the Bulls in Spain.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
OUR PICK:SEAHAWKS
Seahawks will not be surprised by a third string quarterback of the 49ers like the Cardinals were last week.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT DETROIT LIONS
OUR PICK:VIKINGS
Lions have already been confirming off-season plans and checked out weeks ago.
ATLANTA FALCONS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
OUR PICK:BUCCANEERS
Buccaneers want that top wild card slot. That means they play a bad NFC East team on the road in the wild card round. Tom Brady could spot the Falcons points and still beat Matt Ryan in regulation which seems to be the common trend.
NEW YORK JETS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
OUR PICK:JETS
I think many of the Patriots don’t even want to be there. Players have one week left in the season, and are not worried about being in Head Coach Bill Belichick’s dog house. In the off-season the players can just hang up on the coach. Coach Belichick better stock up on some disposable phones.
LA CHARGERS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
OUR PICK:CHARGERS
Chiefs resting all their guys. Chargers are on a hot streak and may be trying to save their head coach’s job for next year. Justin Herbert could get a rookie record in passing yards which could be a nice thing to play for.
GREEN BAY PACKERS AT CHICAGO BEARS
OUR PICK:BEARS
Bears have risen up from the cave, but once again are feeding off bottom of the barrel teams like they did earlier in the season. Green Bay has the top seed with a bye to play for. Aaron Rodgers does not like losing to the Bears.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
OUR PICK:COLTS
Jaguars have checked out. Colts should have won last week coughing up a late lead late in that one to the Steelers. Colts were shocked by the Jaguars in week one which is Jacksonville’s only win. Colts are playing for post-season, either the division or wild card. A Jaguar beatdown is like Old Yeller getting shot in the head, but picture a ugly cartoon cat with smurf tongue. That needs to happen.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS
OUR PICK:SAINTS
All the Saints running backs may be on the Covid list in this week 17 match up with the Panthers. Tayson Hill, the Swiss Army knife, could easily run the ball 20 times and do well at that position as he is jack of all trades.
TENNESSEE TITANS AT HOUSTON TEXANS
OUR PICK:TITANS
JJ Watt’s rant and rave may be the death blow and take all the wind out of the Texans 2020 season. Meanwhile Titans still have a chance to win the division, and will be seeking blood from their loss to the Packers that was a beat down. Titans will get some respect and find a way back to the post-season.
VEGAS RAIDERS AT DENVER BRONCOS
OUR PICK:RAIDERS
Head coach Jon Gruden will have his Raiders wanting to avoid a losing season in their first year in Vegas. Going 8-8 is better than 7-9, which is not the booby prize but a step up.
I wonder what the playoffs prize would look like?
ARIZONA CARDINALS AT LA RAMS
OUR PICK:RAMS
Rams have shot themselves in the foot with the Jets loss. Then they lost their quarterback versus the Seahawks. The Cardinals were beaten by a third string quarterback last week from the 49ers. Kyle Murray is feeling the HURT. A must win game for both teams with playoffs on the line. Rams defense steps up in a big way as Cardinals do better in week 17 and get beat this time by a second string quarterback instead of third.
THE WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
OUR PICK:THE TEAM
River Boat Ron’s gamble will pay off in a strategic move cutting ties with Dwayne Haskins. I think this will give a boost of confidence to Taylor Heinickle since Alex Smith still out. The Washington Football Team’s defense will show up in a big way to an Eagle team that is skin and bones at the finish line. Love to see the Washington Football Team come into Eagle-land with their old Redskin uniforms.
OUR FINAL REGULAR SEASON APPROACH IN NFL WEEK 17 POWER RANKINGS
We are landing the plane somehow in this crazy week 17.
Who’s going to get in the playoffs? Will the Packers end the Bears’ season a second time in the same season? Many playoff spots are still open. Week 17 could be a game of musical chairs when everything is all said and done for this week. A week where all the games are on Sunday. We still poke fun at every team we think needs to be poked. Who will be resting their players this Sunday? Some teams have quarterbacks no one has ever heard of starting for their team with the playoffs on the line. Will they succeed? Open up a can of beer, make it a tall boy, and let’s get our buzz on as week 17 the final week of regular season has arrived on time…….
CHEERS!!!!!
#1.KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (14-1) SAME Chiefs have put themselves in the perfect position to repeat, and win back to back Superbowls. Chiefs have clinched the number one seed giving them a first round bye in the AFC. Only the number one seeds in each conference this season get the bye in the first round due to the extra wild card this season. The Chiefs get to rest some of their starters in week 17, a game versus the Chargers that will not mean anything. Patrick Mahomes will watch this one from the sidelines while journeyman Chad Henne gets the nod behind center.
Henne was drafted by the Dolphins and last time he started a game in the NFL, was with the Jaguars in 2014. Last time Henne won a start was back in 2013 with those same Jaguars. This will be Chad Henne’s first ever start in a Chiefs uniform. Henne’s record as a starter is 18-35 for his career. Henne needs two touchdown passes to reach the 60 plateau for his career as he stands on 58 currently.
#2.GREEN BAY PACKERS (12-3) SAME Many people including myself said the Green Bay Packers defense might be somewhat the only weakness the team has. On Sunday night, the Packers held a high power offense to a meager 14 points. The Titans have one of the best running backs in the league in Derrick Henry. Packers just demolished the Titans in a 40-14 beat down. Packers in week 17 still need to win to clinch homefield throughout and the first round bye in the NFC. Who’s up next, the Bears? Bears were dead in the water when these two teams met weeks ago as the Packers throttled them. Bears need a win to get in the playoffs. Aaron Rodgers is 20-5 versus the Bears including a win in the 2010 NFC championship game. The Packers will have to win without one of Aaron Rodgers’ security guards as they lost OT David Bakhtiari to a torn ACL in practice as he is done for the year.
The Packers still have enough protection to hold off the Bears defense and it will conclude Aaron Rodgers’ MVP season with him slaying the Bears as he always does.
#3.NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (11-4) Saints still in the chase for the number one seed. The Saints need the Packers to lose to the Bears. Saints then have to take care of the Panthers. Saints may need to pass the ball this Sunday because Alvin Kamara is out with the Covid. The dominoes continue to fall as the entire Saints running back room will not play this Sunday versus the Panthers because of close contact with Kamara. Could you see the Swiss Army knife, Tayson Hill, be the team’s running back in this one?
Tayson Hill runs a wild cat formation for the Saints and is the jack of all trades for the New Orleans offense. Saints don’t want Drew Brees throwing the ball 50 times on Sunday due to his ribs, and has only been back a few games. Plus if the Saints lose this one and Seattle wins, they could drop to the third seed in the playoffs coming in right now at number two. Will the Saints find any interesting name off the streets with running back experience?
#4.BUFFALO BILLS (12-3) SAME The Buffalo Bills gave the Evil Empire Patriots their first losing season since 2000, giving them their ninth loss of the year on Monday Night. It was Bill Belichick’s worst home loss as the Bills routed the Patriots on the road by 29 points. The Bills swept the Patriots for the first time since 1999 as Bills continue to revenge the demons of the past this year.
To rub salt in the wounds of decades of torture from the Patriots, a billboard sign popped up near New England’s stadium saying Bills fans are the best in the league. Bills Mafia strike hard in the heartland of the Death Star. Bills have the number 2 seed going in this Sunday versus the Dolphins who are seeking entrance to the playoffs with a wild card. A win by Buffalo will get the job done or a Pittsburgh loss to secure the number two seed. Buffalo found out they will be able to let some of their fans into the stadium for the first time this season, hosting a playoff game in the first round next week.
#5.BALTIMORE RAVENS (10-5) UP 1 SPOT Ravens have now won 4 straight games and have battled their way back into the playoff picture instead of hovering on the bubble looking in. Ravens face an upsurging Bengal team that have suddenly won two in a row. Ravens, if they get a win, are in. If Browns or Colts lose, the Ravens can still get in if they lose to the Bengals. Dez Bryant found the end zone for the second time last Sunday in the win over the Giants.
The former Cowboy, Bryant, is turning into a nice red zone option for quarterback Lamar Jackson. Dez, since being back in the league, now has six grabs for 47 yards but two touchdowns.
#6.TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (10-5) UP 1 SPOT The Buccaneers will be a wild card because the Saints swept the two game series and have no chances left to win the NFC South. The Buccaneers do have something to play for in week 17. The Buccaneers right now are the top wild card in the NFC which gives them a playoff match up on the road with a team from the ugliness we call the NFC East division winner. If Buccaneers lose to the Falcons, and the Rams win over the Cardinals, LA could get the top spot holding tie breaker with a win over the Buccaneers going head to head this season. Last time Buccaneers and Falcons met, Tampa Tom led a come back in the second half down 17-0 for a win which was only weeks ago.
#7.SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (11-4) UP 1 spot Russell Wilson comes up big as he led the Seahawks over a struggling Rams team last Sunday coming off a loss to the Jets. Rams definitely are struggling, but a team that has had the Seahawks’ number over the last few seasons. Seahawks won the NFC West and can clinch the number one seed if they win this Sunday versus the 49ers, and Saints and Packers both lose their games. The Seahawks defense, which was horrible most of the season since week 11, has only allowed 13.7 points per game as the Seahawks have been 5-1.
Can corner back DJ Reed burn his former team, the 49ers, this Sunday once again? First meeting, Reed had a interception versus his old team.
#8.TENNESSEE TITANS (10-5) DOWN 3 SPOTS The Titans find themselves in week 17 with nothing cemented yet in post season. A Titans win would win them the AFC South or a Colts loss. Titans can still get in the playoffs as a wild card if they lose this Sunday to the Texans. If Ravens or Dolphins lose, Titans would be a wild card. Last time the Texans and Titans met, it took Tennessee in OT to knock off Houston in a shoot out. Houston defense is terrible unless JJ Watt’s rant and rave after the game last Sunday motivates his team and that unit to put a halt to that Titans offense. Titans defense, which are not very good this season, comes in at only 15 sacks as a team. Only the 1979 Denver Broncos made it to the post season with only 19 sacks as a team in a 16 game schedule. Titans could make some history this Sunday.
#9.PITTSBURGH STEELERS (12-3) Steelers won the AFC North last week in a huge comeback over a pretty good Colts team. Steelers planning to rest Big Ben Roethlisberger this Sunday.
Can Mason Rudolph lead this Steeler team over Myles Garrett and the Browns who are still trying to get into the playoffs? Will Browns Miles Garrett’s hunt for REVENGE over Rudolph, hurt or help his team?
If Mason Rudolph prevails and knocks the Cleveland Browns out of the post season, it would give the back up QB satisfaction. This after last year’s incident being hit in the head by his own helmet from Myles Garrett.
#10.INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (10-5) DOWN 1 SPOT Could the Colts find themselves doubled Jagged from the worst team in the entire league? If you don’t think every game is important, then you are crazy. In the first game of the season, Colts lost to the Jaguars. It’s the only Jaguars win of the season. If the Colts won that game, they would be 11-4 right now instead of 10-5. That would be one game better than the Titans who have the tie breaker over the Colts right now. Colts win, Titans lose, and Indianapolis would win the division. If Titans and Colts win, then Indianapolis would need either the Browns, Ravens or Dolphins to lose their game to get in as a wild card. Jaguars have the number one draft picked wrapped up, so it does matter if they win or lose this game on Sunday. Maybe a win may help Head Coach Doug Marrone keep his job next year.
#11.MIAMI DOLPHINS (10-5) UP 1 SPOT Miami Dolphins can clinch a playoff spot with a win over the Bills this Sunday. Dolphins could still get in if they lose to the Bills. They would need a loss by one of these three teams: Colts, Ravens or the Browns. Dolphins will be without the BEARD. Ryan Fitzpatrick was put on the Covid list. The rookie quarterback, Tua Tugovailoa, will have to do it himself behind center. Last week versus the Raiders, Tua was benched in the 4th quarter as the Beard saved the day in a comeback win versus the Raiders. The Dolphins will need a solid game out of Tua. The Dolphins will also need to slow down Buffalo’s passing game. Bills have problems running the ball so the Dolphins cornerbacks will have to be solid to force the Bills to run the ball.
#12.CHICAGO BEARS (8-7) UP 4 SPOTS Mitch Trubisky reborn??? Quickly sign him to a 7 year extension. Remember when the Bears signed Jay Cutler to an extension and paid him in the top of the league at the quarterback position. Slow your roll. Bears have won 3 games in a row and absolutely trounced the Jags in Jacksonville. Bears have beaten the Texans, Vikings and Jaguars; three bad teams in the last three weeks. The Bears win, they are in. Or if the Cardinals lose to the Rams they are in. However the Bears are playing the Green Bay Packers this Sunday.
We have seen this storyline play out and it’s always bad for the Bears. First thing, Packers are playing for something in week 17, the number one seed in the NFC. In 2010, the Bears could have prevented the Packers from making it to the playoffs resting their guys. Packers ended up winning that one, and then knocking the Bears out of the 2010 NFC Championship. Packers defense held a very talented Titan offense in check last Sunday. Mitch Trubisky and that Bears offense have been awesome especially the running of David Montgomery.
Bears offense is far far far and away from the Titans offense. To me, the Bears need to win versus the Packers and every game in the playoffs including the Superbowl to bring back the entire cast of Mitch Trubisky, Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace. Three wins versus bottom of the league teams has not convinced me jobs should be saved. Don’t be fooled.
#13.CLEVELAND BROWNS (10-5) DOWN 2 SPOTS Browning out in Cleveland.
I feel a collapse is coming. I feel the Browns are that tree that’s ready to fall in the next wind blowing off Lake Erie. Browns were on their way when they won half of their games. Avoiding a losing season. Then they won their ninth game which now is called a winning season. Then they won their 10th game and the dawg pound was sniffing playoffs, not butt. In 2016, the Indians were up 3 games to 1 on the Cubs in the World freaking Series. Indians one game away. Then the Browns lost to the Jets. How the hell do you lose to the Jets? Your basic entire starting receiver core goes on the Covid list. In game 7, a weather delay in extra innings as the Cubs would go to beat the Indians after that delay after you tied the game. Now Mason Rudolf could be the guy for your team or the guy Myles Garrett hit in the head last year with his helmet that will beat you behind center with a week 17 match up versus the Steelers. The Browns need to win to get in. If the Browns lose, they need the Colts to lose their game versus the Jaguars. Or if the Titans lose while the Dolphins and the Ravens win.
#14.LA RAMS (9-6) DOWN 1 SPOT The Rams defense will have to save this team’s season. The Jets have absolutely been playing the spoiler in the last two weeks. Browns and Rams might not make the playoffs because of the Jets’ sting late in the season. Since the loss to the Jets, Rams lost to Seattle last Sunday and have lost their quarterback, Jared Goff, for this week’s match up. The Cardinals play them this week in a game in which playoffs are on the line.
Rams will have John Wolford making his first NFL start this Sunday. Wolford played for the Arizona Hot Shots in the Spring football league a few years ago called the AAF. Wolford was one of the better quarterbacks in the league before they shut down operations for good. Wolford threw 14 touchdown passes for 1600 yards and had a 95.9 quarterback rating. Rams need a win versus the Cardinals, and then they are in. If the Bears lose, they still get in. The Rams will need a huge day from their defense and hope Wolford can make some plays and not shoot the team in the foot.
#15. THE WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM (6-9) DOWN 1 SPOT Can the team with no name win the NFC East? Great defense. The Washington Football Team has some play makers on offense. For most teams, who’s on first? In football who is the man behind center? Dwayne Haskins likes the strip clubs.
Haskins broke the Covid protocols too many times and has not been very good for the Washington team. Since being drafted in the first round by the Redskins in 2019, Haskins’ record as a starter has been 3-10. The Washington team benched Haskins last week after a bad first half. Then they ended all ties with him on Monday and flat out cut him. That leaves Taylor Heinickle, who will make his second start in his career in the NFL with his second team in his young career this Sunday as the entire teams playoff hopes rides on his arm. A win this Sunday means the team with no name is in and will take the NFC East.
#16.ARIZONA CARDINALS (8-7) SAME Kyle Murray will start this Sunday for Arizona. Murray was questionable as he got banged up late in the game last weekend versus the 49ers. Cardinals need a win and they are in the playoffs. If the Bears lose, the Cardinals still get in. The Cardinals control their own destiny, but have to play a team that has beaten them 7 games in a row which the Rams defense is hard to score on. Rams need to win to get in the playoffs too. Rams will be starting a guy behind center making his first ever start in the NFL as the plot thickens. Only once so far this year, the Cardinals have rebounded the next week after a loss and won the game which took the famous Hail Murray pass over the Bills to do that.
#17.LA CHARGERS (6-9) UP 1 SPOTS Chargers are flying high these days.
LA Chargers have now won three games in a row. The Chiefs are resting many of their starters so the Chargers might close the season out winning 4 straight. Rookie quarterback Justin Herbert has 4,034 passing yards to his credit. Herbert needs 341 yards in the air to break Andrew Luck’s rookie record for most all-time.
If I mention the Duke’s Chargers, I better have some Daisy Duke pictures.
#18.MINNESOTA VIKINGS (6-9) DOWN 1 SPOT Dalvin Cook is out for the week 17 game due to his father passing away. Vikings were officially eliminated from the playoff hunt last week with the loss to the Saints. Vikings Rookie, Justin Jefferson, a receiver needs another 100 yard day in receiving yards to give him his 7th for the year. That would tie Odell Beckham Jr. rookie season record in 2014 where he had 7 games with 100 plus yards in each of those.
#19.DALLAS COWBOYS (6-9) UP 5 SPOTS The Cowboys need to win on Sunday, and with a Washington loss they will win the NFC East. The Washington Football Team are still without Alex Smith behind center. The Cowboys have owned the Giants. Cowboys have won two straight. Could Andy Dalton play himself into the starting quarterback position in 2021? Especially if Dak Prescott expects a big payday in which everyone including himself knows that. That money could go elsewhere, and the defense needs to advertise in the newspaper for help with that side of the ball.
#20.VEGAS RAIDERS (7-8) The Raiders will be playing to get to 500 for the season in their first year in Vegas. The first year in Vegas in a pandemic year has been good, bad, and ugly. The good is this team has a signature wins versus the Saints, and gave the Chiefs their only loss. The bad is the team continues to collapse in the second half of the season in the last two years. The defense has been butt ugly.
Especially letting Miami come back and beat you last weekend that ended your season.
#21.CAROLINA PANTHERS (5-10) UP ONE SPOT Panthers won the Riverboat Ron Bowl last week versus the Washington Football team. Panthers probably could have been 8-8 this season with some tough losses in very close games. The team is young and they have to learn how to win. Panthers line right now is in shambles as they have some bench guys in to actually try to keep Teddy Bridgewater up right versus a great defensive front the Saints have. Panthers may need a body double of Bridgewater, and just call it a year for the veteran. I would love to have seen more games with Teddy Bridgewater and Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey missed most of the season with injuries. Right there what it could have been if he stayed healthy.
#22.PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (4-10-1) DOWN 2 SPOTS How do you feel if your team is in the NFC East and not alive in the final week of the season. The Eagles have landed and they are in Desperado times. They are not going to get up in a terrible year where almost everything went bad. Is Jalen Hurts going to be your guy behind center next year and beyond? Does this team need an overhaul and to change up the surrounding cast on both sides of the ball? Was it just a bad year where the team was ravaged by injuries especially offensive line and most of your playmakers? The Eagles will have to do some soul searching and find themselves to see who they really are?
#23.NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (6-9) DOWN 2 SPOTS
ESPN did the Love Actually bit using Bill Belichick with poster sized cards to express his feelings to his old quarterback Tom Brady. How he misses him. What they both won together.
Bill Belichick lashed out at one of his members of his staff after last Monday night’s loss versus the Bills. Bill was probably told to challenge a certain play that was obviously called correctly on the field. Bill threw the phone after he chewed out that guy. The Patriots suffered their first losing season since the year 2000.The Patriots may be light years away from getting back to a respectable level.
#24.SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (6-9) UP 1 SPOT Tight end George Kittle expressing love with the SNL DA Bears bit after win versus the Cardinals which helped the Bears stay in the playoff race.
Every Bears fan probably creamed in their pants thinking if Kittle was on the Bears, we wouldn’t need that Jimmy Graham fellow who falls down when he’s touched. George wouldn’t be the first Kittle in Chicago.
During the 1980’s, Ron Kittle knocked the cover off the baseball for the Chicago White Sox. What’s this got to do with the 49ers? Absolutely nothing.
#25.ATLANTA FALCONS (4-11) DOWN 3 SPOTS The Falcons probably played one of their best games of the year last week versus the Chiefs. Falcons had a chance to tie the game at the end of regulation, but the best kicker in the league went coo coo for cocoa puffs.
Younghoe Koo missed the kick that gave the Chiefs the win and ability to clinch the number one seed in the AFC. The Falcons need to work on their endings in these games. Quentin Tarantino must be writing the Falcons scripts because every Falcon is dying at the end of the game.
#26.CINCINNATI BENGALS (4-10-1) Suddenly like the Jets, another bad team in the league has won 2 in a row. The Bengals looked like the toe tag was on with the drawer closed for the 2020-21 regular season since Joe Borrows got injured. Now Bengal football has come back to life. Have the Bengals found a permanent back up quarterback for Joe Borrows? Either Ryan Finley or Brandon Allen, the two headed monster back ups quarter back machines, have been a part of this huge 2 game winning streak.
Wide receiver Tee Higgens should be talked about more. Higgens, a rookie, has turned into a nice under-the-radar weapon for the Bengals as he caught 67 balls. He’s closing in on 1000 receiving yards with 908 and one game remaining to get to that plateau.
#27.DENVER BRONCOS (5-10) DOWN 1 SPOT Drew Lock will still be auditioning in this final game of the season to be the team’s starting quarterback in 2021 in week 17. Drew Lock has two stats that no quarterback wants to lead the league in. Drew Lock is tied for the number one spot in picks. Plus, Drew Lock has the worst completion percentage in the league.
Could John Elway draft another quarterback in next year’s draft?
Could a guy like Kyle Trask from Florida university, or a Zach Wilson from BYU, be the answer for Denver?
#28.NEW YORK GIANTS (5-10) UP 1 SPOT I move the Giants up one spot because they played better last Sunday versus the Ravens than the Texans did versus the Bengals. Perhaps moving the Giants up on a rung of the ladder will make them want to get into the playoffs. Yes, Giants in the very final week, still have a shot to make the payoffs as a division winner. The dreadful NFC East. If Giants beat the Cowboys on Sunday, and the team with no name loses on Sunday night, then New York will host a playoff game in New Jersey. A win will make the Giants a 6-10 team. If they make the playoffs at 6-10, they would make history. The Giants would be the first team to reach post season with a .375 winning percentage. Giants have not beaten Dallas since 2016 when Odell Beckham Jr. caught a 61 yard pass for a touchdown to win the game.
#29.HOUSTON TEXANS (4-11) DOWN 2 SPOTS The Bengals must be that team you compare to that person you wake up to after a drunken night of partying and think “it’s time to change my life.”
JJ Watt ranted and raved about how unprofessional his team was after the Bengals win over the Texans last Sunday. Watt, who has one left on his contract, next season could be out the door because changes are coming in Houston. Watt might not be sticking around because a rebuild might be the direction the Texans may head. Building around Deshaun Watson would be the road to travel if you were the Texans. JJ Watt, if he accepted less money, would be nice lined up on the other side of Khalil Mack in Chicago. Another team that it would be cool to see JJ Watt play for, is the Steelers. Playing on the same team with his brother would put the Steel back in the Shower curtain in Pittsburgh.
#30.NEW YORK JETS (2-13) UP 1 SPOT Jets have won 2 games in a row. Jets upset the Rams two weeks ago in a stunner. The Jets beat the Browns who were missing some of their receivers who landed on the Covid list last Sunday. With the Bengals winning, even if Jets knock off the Patriots this Sunday, they are still locked into the two spot in next year’s draft. If you’re the Jets, do you bring back Head Coach Adam Gase again with the offense finishing at the bottom of the barrel? Is Gregg Williams the scapegoat of the Jets season? Now Jets have won two games since Williams got the ax. Can Sam Darnold be a starting QB in this league? Is this the last season for Frank Gore in the NFL? He is not playing in week 17 due to an injury.
Gore has rushed for 653 yards on the ground this season with two touchdowns. If I was a Jets fan, I think I would want to bring Frank Gore back and get rid of everyone else.
#31.DETROIT LIONS (5-10) Could the Vikings collect more lion heads in their week 17 match up?
If Matthew Stafford plays this Sunday, could it be his last game in Detroit? If quarterbacks did not come to die in Chicago, I would take Matthew Stafford. My favorite Lion/Bear combo quarterback is Erik Kramer.
With all the bad Bears quarterbacks in and out of Chicago since Sid Luckman from the 1940’s, Erik Kramer coming from Detroit was one of the best. That might not say much. Could the Detroit Lions’ next head coach be defensive Coordinator Robert Saleh from the 49ers?
Saleh was born in Michigan and it could be a homecoming for him to take the reigns of his childhood team.
#32.JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-14) SAME I watched the Jaguars and the Bears play last Sunday. Head coach Doug Marrone baffles me and I wonder why he still has a job in this league. The Bears are driving just a little past mid field at the end of the first half, at that point still a close game. To me, it was obviously with less than 20 seconds and the Bears are looking to set up a field goal. Marrone lines up his guys in the end zone to defend the Hail Mary. Imagine the Bears snapping the ball and the entire Jaguar defense is 20 yards down field. Bears take advantage of the open field and get 15 to 20 yards, like stealing candy from a baby, set up the field goal, and tack on three easy points. That is very bad coaching. Maybe the Jaguars did it on purpose to lose the game. Because it looks like the Jaguars will win the Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes. Hope Doug “the moron” Marrone is not still the head coach in 2021 if you are a Jaguar fan.
It is not Christmas unless we throw Hans Gruber off the building. Week 16 of the Power rankings have the good, bad and the ugly of the NFL. We have teams on the rise teams, as well as bottoming out right before the post season. Who will make it to post-season? We have some ideas as it was another crazy week in the NFL seeing the Rams lose to the Jets. The first time the Jets are not in the last spot in the power rankings. Consequences? What is going on with the “Shower curtain” in Pittsburgh? We may provide answers. We may not. Week 16 with a snow ball attached to it. Merry Christmas and CHEERS!!!!!
#1.KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (13-1) Chiefs knock off one of the best teams in the league, the New Orleans Saints, last week with the return of Drew Brees. In the loss, the Chiefs lost their starting running back, the rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Can Le’Veon Bell carry the load the next two weeks? Can Edwards-Helaire return and be effective in the playoffs? How will Bell do if he has to be the main back in the Chiefs game plan when the post season arrives? The bye week will be important for the Chiefs to get the number one seed and get the bye week. This will give their rookie running back more time to recover instead of relying on has-beens like Bell.
I’m sure Andy Reid has reprogrammed Le’Veon Bell since his arrival in Kansas City. Definitely more than one screw loose inside Bell’s noggin.
#2.GREEN BAY PACKERS (11-3) Aaron Rodgers is in the MVP of the year talk. The Packers are looking to seal the deal on the home field throughout the playoffs with the first round bye. Post season play in Green Bay on the frozen tundra of Lambeau, it will be hard to beat them in January. Does this Green Bay Packers team have any weaknesses? The defense of Green Bay is from time to time, a little sketchy. Green Bay usually plays with the lead. If that trend changes, can this team be stopped? Stopping the run will be huge because you can run on this team. Derrick Henry will be coming by this weekend and Titans will be trying to run the ball as many times as they can. Hunting season is still open as Saints and Seahawks are still in the hunt for the number one seed in the NFC. Maybe the Guys in the orange vests will be put on the wall as trophies
#3.NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (11-4) Saints offense exploded on Christmas day. Alvin Kamara ran like a possessed wild man and scored six touchdowns all on the ground. Kamara set three new Saints records as he helped his team break a two game losing streak.
Kamara has the most rushing touchdowns in one season with 16. Kamara’s six rushing touchdowns in one game is a new record. Plus those six rushing touchdowns give Kamara 21 total touchdowns for the year which is also a new record. Drew Brees looked better in his performance in his second game back since the rib injury. With the win, the Saints put the heat on Green Bay’s shoulders for the number one seed in the NFC.
#4.BUFFALO BILLS (11-3) The Bills win the AFC East with their blow out win versus the Broncos last Saturday in Denver. The last time the Bills won the AFC East was 25 years ago. As a fan this is the first time I can celebrate a Bills division title hoisting a beer legally. Now the Bills can kick the Patriots while they’re down and sweep the 2 game season series with a win on Monday night in New England
If only these stadiums had fans able to go, so the Buffalo Mafia could invade New England. Plus if Tom Brady was still quarterback for the Evil Empire, Bills fans could launch missiles in his direction which are dildos. A common name Tom Brady is called throughout the galaxy. Bills need to win still to move up on the post season food chain and get themselves a higher seed, especially with the Steel Curtain crumbling.
#5.TENNESSEE TITANS (10-4) We know about the Titans ground attack with Derrick Henry. The aerial attack of the Titan offense has also been deadly. Ryan Tannehill’s deep ball is one of the prettiest passes thrown in the league on a daily basis. Tannehill has 31 touchdown passes and only 5 interceptions, as he has cemented a permanent fixture behind center in Tennessee.
Titans A.J Brown is far the best receiver with the name Brown on the back of the jersey in the entire league. Cory Davis makes this tandem one of the best in the entire league. They both combined for 15 receiving touchdowns so far in 2020. Titans have a big game versus the Packers. Plus they will be eyeballing the Colts and Steelers.
#6.BALTIMORE RAVENS (9-5) The Ravens have won 3 games in a row. They are sizzling hot as Lamar Jackson and company have scored 40 or more points in the last two games and are still on the bubble of getting into the AFC playoffs. The Dolphins won last night and are now 10-5. The Colts and Browns are 10-4. It would not be the first time a red hot team does not make it to the post-season. If they find a way to get in, the Ravens could be a sleeper with that underdog mentality of them against the world. The Ravens would still have that playoff monkey on their back, not winning their last two post-season games.
#7.TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (10-5) It looks like it’s the quarterback more than the coach. Tampa Tom has the Buccaneers in the playoffs for the first time in 13 years. Meanwhile the Evil Empire Patriots and Bill Belichick will be home for post-season. Buccaneers gutted the Lions last night. Tom Brady took the second half off as Blaine Gabbert, former Jaguar, continued to pour it, rubbing salt in the wounds of a bad Lion team.
Mike Evans will finally get his first chance and crack at postseason. He’s one of the longest tenured Buccaneer players on this squad and a big weapon for Tampa Tom.
#8.SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (10-4) Seahawks should win the division because Rams lost to the Jets last Sunday. You’d think the Rams would get kicked out of the league for that loss. Seahawks just hover around. They throttled the Jets. Russell Wilson and company had a quiet win over the Washington team without Alex Smith behind center. Seems like the Seahawk defense is getting better and healthier, which they will need. It will help to hold off the Rams, who have been able to beat the Seahawks the last few years as they have their number.
#9.INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (10-4) The rookie running back, Jonathan Taylor, for the Colts is having some big games in the last few weeks.
Taylor has rushed for 842 yards and should get to the 1000 yard plateau. Plus Taylor has found pay dirt with 7 rushing touchdowns. Colts use a few backs which I like. The less throws Phillip Rivers has to make, the better. Who is Zach Pascal? Quite a playmaker for the Colts, is who Pascal is.
Pascal has over 500 yards receiving and has 4 touchdown catches.
#10.PITTSBURGH STEELERS (11-3) Suddenly the Steel Curtain has turned into a hole ridden shower curtain.
Can the Steelers stop the bleeding? Three losses in a row. The Steelers defense is crumbling with injuries. Big Ben Roethlisberger looks old and as if his days are numbered. An embarrassing loss to the Bengals could revive this team this Sunday or this could be one of the biggest collapses of NFL history.
#11.CLEVELAND BROWNS (10-4) The Browns are conquering many of their demons from the past. The Browns have achieved a winning record this season. Last time the Browns made it to the playoffs was in 2002. Last time Cleveland Browns were a host of a playoff game, goes all the way back to 1994. Billy Boy Belichick was the coach back then for the Browns. If the Steelers collapse continues, Browns could steal the division.
#12.MIAMI DOLPHINS (10-5) Dolphins ended the Raiders playoff hopes on Saturday night football. Dolphins kept themselves in the hunt with a huge comeback victory in the 4th quarter in Vegas. Miami had some Fitzmagic in the 4th quarter. The struggling rookie, Tua Tagvailoa, was benched and journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick gave the Dolphins a pulse and a victory. Some teams and people thrive in a pandemic. Miami, you can label them a sin town with all the strip clubs. Dolphins could make the playoffs and the announcement of another Ace Ventura Pet Detective movie in the works. What a year!!!
#13.LA RAMS (9-5) How do you lose to the Jets? The Rams team is so unpredictable because they can beat very good teams such as the Buccaneers and Seahawks. Then they lay an egg the following week. Rams defense, one of the top notch units in the game, should not lose to a bad Jets team. This loss could be the match to light a fire under this team. Rams head coach, Sean McVay, is 5-2 versus the Seahawks who they play this Sunday. Rams seem to have the hex on the Seahawks. Would not shock me to see the Rams rebound quickly.
#14.THE WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM (6-8) I hope Alex Smith is able to come back for the Washington football team. This team was rolling with Alex Smith knocking off the rust, finding his old mojo and ready to lead this team to the playoffs. I liked what Smith had with Logan Thomas, who is emerging as one of the league’s best tight ends.
Head coach, Riverboat Ron Rivera, plays his former team this Sunday. The team with no name defense for Washington, one of the best units in the league I’m sure will help their head coach secure a victory over the Panthers for Ron. They can try to grab the NFC East which is still on the line.
#15.CHICAGO BEARS (7-7) I remember when Lovie Smith was the head coach of the Bears and he would say the Bears come off the bus running the ball. Present head coach, Matt Nagy, never understood how important it is run the ball. Bears are suddenly alive and looking for the last wild card in the NFC. Mitch Trubisky has been reborn. David Montgomery has been getting the ball. Not like 8 times a game. Montgomery is getting a bulk load of runs in the last few wins. It’s part of the recipe the Bears are finally using with Mitch Trubisky’s strengths. The Bears defense has always been good but have stepped up their game. The fans are waiting now for the flop after the tease.
Could ex-Bear Mike Glennon come back to haunt Chicago behind center for the Jaguars this Sunday? Or will it be Green Bay in week 17? Cardinals lost last night. Bears are just waiting for once again the double doink to end their season.
#16.ARIZONA CARDINALS (8-7)
How do the Cardinals lose to a third string quarterback named C.J Beathard? Beathard threw three touchdown passes as the Cardinals turn over the ball like they were the third string quarterback. Cardinals had a huge chance to cement a wild card. Especially with the Vikings losing to the Saints on Christmas day. The Cardinals season is best described as a roller coaster up and down. Last night was a dud.
#17.MINNESOTA VIKINGS (6-9) The Vikings almost dug themselves out of the gigantic hole they dug early in the season. On Christmas day, the Vikings gave up 52 points. Once upon a time ago, the Vikings had one of the best defenses in the league. Head coach Mike Zimmer ripped his defense after the Saints win which knocked the Vikings out of the playoff picture on Christmas day. The Vikings offense have great receivers. The Vikings have one of the best running backs in the game with Dalvin Cook. Is Kirk Cousins a question mark? Could you find a quarterback from the draft and rid yourself of that high salary with Cousins? A move like that could free money up for your defense.
#18.LA CHARGERS (5-9) To the one Charger fan out there, are you buying this two game winning streak currently? If Chargers finish up strong, does this team bring back head coach Anthony Lynn? Is it justified from seeing bone-headed mistakes on personal changes in games?
Keenan Allen is having a great season with 100 catches in the bread basket closing in on 1000 receiving yards.
#19.VEGAS RAIDERS (7-8) A 4th quarter lead blown yesterday versus the Dolphins pretty much ends your playoff hopes. It’s another second half collapse. Is Chuck Jon Gruden going to have to worry about his job, even though he is in pretty much the beginning of a ridiculous ten year deal? Who would be some good Raider head coaches to replace Chucky if they decide to go down that road?
#20.PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (4-9-1) Can you imagine if Jalen Hurts can lead the Eagles to a last minute playoff push and win the NFC East? Hurts could earn Nick Foles-like legendary status. The typical Rocky story, but this one risen from the dead. Hurts beat the Saints, the hottest team at the time. Hurts almost beat Kyle Murray and the Cardinals last Sunday. If Hurts can beat the Cowboys this Sunday, his legend will grow. Poor Carson Wentz is now complaining about his playing time. Did Eagle fans already burn their Wentz jerseys from the rise of Nick Foles?
The rest of the Carson Wentz jerseys can keep the Philadelphia homeless warm all winter.
#21.NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (6-8) The Evil Empire dynasty felt the collapse last week as the AFC East Title now belongs to the planet of Buffalo.
First time since 2008 the Patriots will be home for the playoffs. Looks like Tom Brady The Player, has the edge over Cheating Bill Belichick.
#22.CAROLINA PANTHERS (4-10) The leftover Panthers will play their old coach, River Boat Ron, this Sunday. If Cam Newton stayed healthy would Ron Rivera still be in Carolina? Panthers have been going through some growing pains in Carolina. The Panthers are a young team. The good is the Panthers have a pair of 1000 yard Receivers in DJ Moore and Robby Anderson. Panthers are a team on the rise.
#23.ATLANTA FALCONS (4-10) I guess we can pump the brakes on Raheem Morris as our next head coach in Atlanta. Same ole story, Falcons win the first half. Then they give away the game in the second half. Tom Brady once again has cut the throat of the Falcons with another comeback. Matt Ryan has cracked the top ten all-time list in touch down passes. Eli Manning is in his vision for who is next on that totem pole. Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts next season would make the Colts a power house in the NFC.
#24.DALLAS COWBOYS (5-9) Surprised the Cowboys have been resurrected back to life. Cowboys have won two games in a row. Ezekial Elliot missed his first game of his NFL career dealing with an injury. No worries, the Cowboys replacement Tony Pollard did a way better job in his limited time than Elliot has done all season. Could Andy Dalton be working himself into the 2021 starting role behind center? Dalton looks like Ace Merrill from Stand by Me.
Cowboys still have hopes for the NFC East title. Wouldn’t that be something if they won that division only playing one good month the entire year.
#25.SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (6-9) The San Francisco 49ers are by far the craziest team in the league. This is maybe the craziest season by any team in the history of the NFL. The 49ers have been dealing with injuries and players on and off the Covid list. The 49ers have won games with three different quarterbacks, and yesterday C.J Beathard beat the Cardinals. Beathard threw three 3 touchdown passes. The 49ers seem to just insert any ole running back they have in the back and they will scamper for a big day. By far the team with the longest transaction list. By far this team has used the most players in and out of the line up or to the Covid list or in and off the practice squad. The 49ers played in the Superbowl last season and have been without some big names all year. How do you explain a 1-3 record versus the NFC East?
#26.DENVER BRONCOS (5-9) Does John Elway have to find another quarterback once again? The legendary quarterback for the Broncos kryptonite is finding his man behind center? Is Drew Lock the guy? Lock is still a young signal caller who has been maybe trying to do too much and making mistakes. Ten games in a row, Lock has turned over the ball somehow. Is Head Coach Vic Fangio’s job safe as well? Some glaring questions in the off season that will need to be addressed.
#27.HOUSTON TEXANS (4-10) Deshaun Watson, without his star receiver Deandre Hopkins, was traded in the off season. Will Fuller has been suspended now a few weeks. Watson, in a bad Texan season, has thrown 27 touchdown passes and needs 32 yards passing for some new individual records for his own self. Watson shows me he can still sling the rock with the best in the league and make his surrounding cast better. Is Marvin Lewis coming to Houston as the new head coach? The former Bengal, kind of like a Bill O’Brien, wins the regular season but loses in the playoffs.
#28.CINCINNATI BENGALS (3-10-1) The Bengals showed a pulse since Joe Borrows’ injury. The Bengals with a stunning upset over their division rival, Pittsburgh Steelers. Talk about kicking a team when they are down.
Never dance on another man’s logo. Bengals’ Vonn Bell gave Pittsburgh’s law firm a tattoo of a hit on Monday night on Ju Ju Smith-Schuster. Schuster has been dancing on the team’s logo for several and finally he pissed off the wrong man. Vonn Bell knocked the ball out of Schuster’s hands on that play.
#29.NEW YORK GIANTS (5-9) I know the Giants have improved and still have a chance to actually win the NFC East. However they are not going to win anything with that pathetic offense they keep marching out there in the last 4 weeks. Giants are averaging 12.3 points per game since week 11. The defense has been very solid the entire season. Daniel Jones injury and Colt McCoy have been cold.
#30.DETROIT LIONS (5-10) Archie Bunker’s definition of the continental divide is maybe something the city of Detroit could use.
Archie Bunker said God was waiting for all the nuts and fruits to migrate to California. Bunker said that California, Missouri and Oregon sit on a shelf in the Pacific. When the great earthquake happens, all those states will wash away. Who needs Detroit? Sell Detroit to Canada. Then move the sports teams from Detroit to anywhere else in Michigan to get a fresh start. It’s not working in scum pit city, as they call Detroit, especially after being crushed by the Buccaneers yesterday. It’s obvious the Lions have thrown in the towel long ago. On the plus side, former Lion great Chris Spielman is moving from the broadcast booth to be a a part of the Lions front office.
#31.NEW YORK JETS (1-13) If you are Trevor Lawrence, you’re like “phew now I don’t have to go play for a bad New York team”. The long haired Lawrence did his own Jake the Snake Plissken impression from the movie and “Escaped New York”.
The Jets upset the Rams in which they were a 17 point dog. It’s nice to get an impressive signature win like that, but now you have to settle in the number two slot in the draft. Now Adam Gase will have to figure out how to save and improve Sam Darnold who was a quarterback picked in the first round only a few seasons ago.
#32.JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-13) Are the Jaguars the worse team in the league but smarter than the Jets? Jaguars have lost 13 games in row which is a new franchise record for this sorry arse team. The Jaguars put themselves in a better position with this 13th loss which could make them lucky ducks. Jaguars are now the leading candidate in the Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes.
The only way the Jaguars can screw this up is to hire someone who used to work in the Cleveland Browns front office. Perhaps if GM Ryan Pace becomes available, they hire him. The guy that passed on Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes for Mitch Trubisky. Jaguars are the same team that stuck with Blake Bortles when they had a pretty good surrounding cast to make a run.
Judgement day for the Vikings will be the loss to the Bears and the hole this team dug themselves earlier this season. How will they even contain the Saints offense with that performance against the Bears? Can’t see Saints suddenly becoming the Steelers and losing 3 in a row. Drew Brees knocked off the rust, so he should be better than last week.
THE SATURDAY GAMES
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT DETROIT LIONS
OUR PICK:BUCCANEERS
Tom Brady awakened just in time last week in the comeback versus the Falcons. I see the Buccaneers getting off to a fast start and not taking the peddle of the metal, as they make mince meat out of the Lions defense.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT ARIZONA CARDINALS
OUR PICK:CARDINALS
Who is C.J Beathard? C.J is the new man behind center, as the 49ers will be without Nick Mullens, who was injured last Sunday. Cardinals have a playoff spot they like to hold on to. Suddenly the Cardinals have won two in a row, and we know Arizona is the streakiest team in the league. They could be on fire during this Saturday meeting. Cardinals will Beat the 49ers harder than they did in their first meeting in week one.
MIAMI DOLPHINS AT VEGAS RAIDERS
OUR PICK:DOLPHINS
Raiders defense is horrible. Raiders may be without Derek Carr. Dolphins should be able to score in Vegas, on and off the field. Dolphins should be able to slow the roll of Marcus Mariota, or if Carr does suit up, make him uncomfortable with that attack style defense where he may think about his injury from a week ago.
THE SUNDAY SLATE
ATLANTA FALCONS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
OUR PICK:CHIEFS
Looks like Dion Sanders still has the moves; picking off the guy’s pizza in the Subway commercial. Can he suit up again for the Falcons and cover one of the many weapons of the Chiefs? This game seems unfair. Falcons should be spotted 40 points to see if the Chiefs can come back down 40-0. Give the Chiefs at least a challenge.
CLEVELAND BROWNS AT NEW YORK JETS
OUR PICK:BROWNS
Jets winning two in a row… I don’t think anyone in their right minds would predict that. Browns feast on teams under 500 and I don’t see that trend changing.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS
OUR PICK:STEELERS
Steelers and the Colts is a very difficult match up to predict. Two great defenses and two aging quarterbacks. Want to say who ever could run the ball wins this game. I give Steelers the edge being at home. Plus the Steelers losing 4 in a row?
CAROLINA PANTHERS AT THE WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM
OUR PICK:THE TEAM
Ron Rivera playing his old team he just coached for the first time. NFC East is on the line. The Washington defense is a defense that keeps getting better and will give the Panthers a younger team’s problems. Would be nice if the team with no name had Alex Smith returning. I think the team could still beat the Panthers with Dwayne Haskins behind center.
CHICAGO BEARS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
OUR PICK:BEARS
Bears defense are starting to make big plays each game. Mitch Trubisky is reborn. The Jaguars have struggled with Gardner Minshew behind center. This is when the Bears play big, as this team is the ultimate tease.
Not talking about her. Very impressive. The Bears will win get the fans’ hopes up yet again for the final playoff spot with hopes of the post-season. Then Green Bay will squash the Bears fans’ dreams for good.
NEW YORK GIANTS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS
OUR PICK:RAVENS
Giants quarterback play is the biggest question for this team right now. Daniel Jones is hurting. Colt McCoy can only do so much. Ravens are rolling. Can they put up another 40 points for their third week in a row?
CINCINNATI BENGALS AT HOUSTON TEXANS
OUR PICK:TEXANS
Versus Dallas, Bengals turn into bumbles. Versus Pittsburgh, Bumbles turn into a pack of fierce Bengals. Not buying this Icky Shuffle in Cincinnati.
Deshaun Watson should be able to have a big game versus the Bengal weak secondary.
DENVER BRONCOS AT LA CHARGERS
OUR PICK:BRONCOS
This is a great young quarterback match up between Drew Lock and Justin Herbert. These two might be going against each other for years to come. I like Drew Lock making one more play over Justin Herbert this Sunday. Broncos defense is a better unit than the Chargers. Chargers coaching is a major weakness. Broncos win yet another close one when these two get together.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT DALLAS COWBOYS
OUR PICK:EAGLES
Both these teams I call the Frankenstein projects.
Both teams were dead in the water, but now suddenly have come back to life. I like the Eagles rookie, Jalen Hurts, in this one to show the Cowboys what they will be dealing with the next ten seasons. Hurt’s a play maker like Kyle Murray will exploit the Cowboy defense and bring this unit back from what they were, only weeks ago.
LA RAMS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
OUR PICK:RAMS
I think when you lose to the Jets, you may see another animal the next Sunday which are the Rams. Thought about how hard it is to sweep teams in your division. Rams seem like they have the Seahawks’ number, as they took the first game weeks ago. Rams are that team who when they lose in a shocking way this season to an inferior team, they rise to the better competition the following week.
TENNESSEE TITANS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS
OUR PICK:TITANS
This game will be a Sunday night shoot out. I picture what Dalvin Cook did to this Packers defense. I can see Derrick Henry just gashing through a Packer defense that has some problems versus the run, with great backs especially.
THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME
BUFFALO BILLS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
OUR PICK:BILLS
The Bills will finally get some satisfaction on sweeping the Patriots. The holes are dug for the Evil Empire. The storm troopers are in the hole. Time to put the dirt on top of the Evil Empire for good, or light the match.
As the Holidays approach in this awful year of 2020, we continue to lose people. 2020 is something out of an apocalyptic book or movie from the Sci-Fi channel. With the Covid Virus in its second wave, it seems like no one is safe. In 2020 it does not matter if you’re rich or poor, the Grim Reaper is working Overtime. Kevin Greene has passed away at the age of 58 which in my opinion is way too early for the great linebacker on the gridiron for 15 seasons in the NFL. Greene’s death is unknown at this time and it may not even be from Covid virus. It seems unfair as Greene leaves a wife and two children behind in a year that has been not kind to former athletes. It is as if the heavens are forming a new sports league and are drafting players like Greene, who made it to Canton Ohio and are enshrined in the Pro football hall of fame.
Kevin Greene was a wrecking machine and wanted to chase down your quarterback and tackle him before he released the ball behind the line of scrimmage. The NFL calls this tackle a sack, and for defensive players this was like hitting a home run in baseball. Greene had 160 of these tackles called sacks. Which is good for third in all-time NFL History. Greene can put himself in the same conversation as greats like Reggie White and Bruce Smith, who he trailed on the all-time sacks list in the NFL. Reggie White, former Eagle & Packer, had 198 of those. While former Bill and Redskin Bruce Smith, is the king of the sacks list with 200. Kevin Greene had the most sacks at his position which was linebacker in sacks. Greene led the league twice in sacks during his career. Greene is the only player in NFL history to have recorded double digit sacks with 4 different teams. Greene also had seven seasons with double digit sacks in his 30’s. Only Bruce Smith and he have down that. Greene was like a fine wine and aged well in the NFL.
Greene was drafted by the LA Rams in 1985. It took until his 4th season to finally start a game in a Rams uniform. In 1988, the Greene machine was born with 16.5 sacks during that season with the Rams. Maybe the Green machine big wheel was named after Kevin Greene, as I did ride one of those in the 80’s. Greene was not a one year wonder as he put up big numbers the following season for the LA Rams. Greene would play in LA from 1985-1992 and took his services to Pittsburgh. Greene teamed up with Greg Lloyd, and the Steel Curtain was called Blitzburgh. Blitzburgh and their yellow and black terror towels waving from the stands, helped lead the Steelers to Super Bowl XXX. Greene’s only Superbowl appearance as a player would result in a loss to the hated Cowboys. Greene played in Pittsburgh from 1993-1995, and then went to Carolina in 1996. Greene played one year in Carolina and returned later in 1998-99. Greene was a 49er sandwiched in between his Panther days. Greene’s last year, he went out still on top of his game with 12 sacks not holding on to a walker looking for money or a record of some sort with no gas left in the tank.
Greene had that viking or California surfer look going, with the long hair coming under the helmet when he played. You could compare Greene’s look to a Clay Matthews Jr., who he coached in Green Bay after he retired as a player. Greene was a line backer coach for the Packers and was on the team when they won a Superbowl. Greene helped Clay Matthews develop as one of the league’s best line backers those years coaching. Greene’s coaching career did not go as far as his playing career. In 2016, the two all-pro with five pro-bowls under his belt was elected into the Football Hall of Fame. Let’s not forget Kevin Greene’s Pro Wrestling career. While Greene was an active player, he rose through the ranks of the wrestling world. Greene teamed up with Roddy Piper and they became a dominant unit in the ring.
Greene had that high motor as a player, but always had the heart of a Lion. Plus, Greene was a smart player who studied film to find a weakness in bigger guys that defended the quarterback. Greene also had motivation, from his days living on the U.S Military base in West Germany, burning at him when football became a part of him. Playing with other kids on the base as his game thrived and the passion started there. Greene was a walk-on at Auburn University. Greene was first cut from Auburn trying out as a punter. Thank God he was cut because then we would maybe never have found his true calling as a wild and crazy defensive player eyeballing your quarterback. Disrupting the opposing team’s offensive game plan. Greene was loud, aggressive, and smart, using every part his game to work even harder as he got better with age. I remember watching Richard Dent every Sunday chasing after the quarterback down for the Bears in the 1980’s. Wilbur Marshall for the Bears during those days would not be a guy you want to meet in an alley. In the 1990’s, I loved Bruce Smith of the Bills. Kevin Greene was on teams I did not root for. Greene would have been a guy I wanted on my teams. Greene was a guy your team had to deal with every Sunday, in hopes of containing him enough to win the game. Greene was a guy as a player and a person, who you admired his game and respected him as a person. At 58, it is a shame because that is way too early for anyone to pass away. Greene a legend and will be talked about forever because he definitely made his mark in the game.
Both these teams are playing sloppy. Chargers actually coming off a win last Sunday. Raiders firing their defensive coordinator should get this Raider defense a small spark to make one more stand than the Chargers in a close one.
THE SATURDAY GAMES
BUFFALO BILLS AT DENVER BRONCOS
OUR PICK:BILLS
Probably the two cities in the NFL where it snows the most.
Josh Allen prevails in this snow ball fight.
CAROLINA PANTHERS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS
OUR PICK:PACKERS
Aaron Rodgers will continue down the MVP road he is having. Packers are at home with the number one seed in the NFC coming into play. The Packers know the Chiefs are playing the Saints on Sunday. This game could give the Pack some breathing room.
THE SUNDAY SLATE
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS
OUR PICK:BUCCANEERS
Falcons look to play the part of playoff spoilers. Then they pull a clunker versus a bad Charger team last Sunday. Tom Brady smells blood in the kink of the Saints armor last Sunday to the Eagles. This will be a playoff atmosphere in the mind of Tampa Tom. Watch him and Buccaneers take care of business; dismantle the dirty birds and eat his crow too.
DETROIT LIONS AT TENNESSEE TITANS
OUR PICK:TITANS
Let’s cut to the chase here. Matthew Stafford is out for the Lions and Chase Daniels does not have a serious ring to it. A slumber Lions defense most of year. Seeing Derek Henry running right at them. Time to hibernate for the winter. Call up the Bears because they know where all the good spots are at.
HOUSTON TEXANS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
OUR PICK:COLTS
Texans lose to the Bears and not only lose but get throttled. NO R-E-S-P-E-C-T this week from me.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS
OUR PICK:DOLPHINS
Patriots never did well in Miami with Tom Brady. How is that going to change this go around? This could be the final nail in the Patriot dynasty.
CHICAGO BEARS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS
OUR PICK:VIKINGS
The old big win late in the season for the Bears to sucker you back in trick.
Been down that road over and over, and not going to miss by that much once again. Vikings prevail and the Bears need to start over.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT THE WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM
OUR PICK:SEAHAWKS
Some people in the United States do not understand Seattle comes from the state of Washington. The Washington Football team is in DC. No wonder we have so many problems. Dwayne Haskins is starting for the injured Alex Smith, which is why I’m going Seahawks in this one.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT DALLAS COWBOYS
OUR PICK:49ERS
49ERS Defense should put a halt to the Cowboys one game winning streak. The scrappy Nick Mullens should be able to put some points on the board versus a weak Cowboys defense.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS
OUR PICK:RAVENS
Jaguars are just road kill for the Ravens to pick at on their way down the highway towards the playoffs.
NEW YORK JETS AT LA RAMS
OUR PICK:RAMS
Can you say SURVIVOR PICK?
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT ARIZONA CARDINALS
OUR PICK:CARDINALS
I know you’re thinking it’s that time. Time for the Eagles to get off the mat and take the league by storm. Especially coming off a big win versus the Saints. Arizona is the streakiest team in the league. This team finally broke that three game losing streak they were on last Sunday. What gives in this situation? The Hail Murray will fly higher than Act Two of a Jalen Hurts.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
OUR PICK:SAINTS
This will be the game of the week. Maybe the game of the year and the Networks in my area will show me the Cowboy game. Chiefs and Saints this may be the Superbowl preview. Both teams have looked Mario strong on the shrooms. Saints hit a bump in the road versus the Eagles last week. The plot now thickens with the return of Drew Brees
SPOILER ALERT
Luke Skywalker returns in the epic ending of season two of the Mandalorian to help rescue baby Yoda. Then why not the return of Drew Brees to rescue the Saints in a close one.
CLEVELAND BROWNS AT NEW YORK GIANTS
OUR PICK:BROWNS
This game should have plenty of old time football. Rushing the football and defense. Browns have a great record versus teams under 500 is the stat I like in this one.
THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME
PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS
OUR PICK:STEELERS
This should be all Pittsburgh in this contest. Unless a young Boomer Esiason was cloned it should be all Steelers all the time in this Monday night snoozer.
The Wild shamrock 