NFL WEEK 14 POWER RANKINGS

The team with no name give the Steelers their first loss. Team Washington and the Browns are on the rise in the rankings. Bills win on Monday night. Cardinals continue to slide. Patriots shut out the Chargers in a blow out. Newton only had 69 yards passing in that one? Wilson can’t Escape New York. Will Minnesota or Tampa Bay make the playoffs? Chiefs are still number one, and the Jets fired their defensive Coordinator. We poke fun at many teams. We are pulling out all the gunners on this punt return of week 14.

#1.KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (11-1) SAME A computer glitch almost had 7 Chiefs out with Covid last Sunday. Is that what happened to the Broncos quarterback room versus the Saints? Broncos came into Kansas City with their full quarterback room. Chiefs win their 11th game which gives them a tie now with the Steelers for best record in the AFC as Pittsburgh fell to Washington. Did the Broncos give the Chiefs a tough game? Or did the Chiefs’ struggles in the red zone make this game close? Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker had 5 field goals and the defense were the keys for the Chiefs on Sunday night. Not every victory is a blow out and very pretty.

#2.NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (10-2) UP 1 SPOT Saints are the hottest teams in the entire league. The team is playing without their starting quarterback, Drew Brees. They say he is recovering and healing well. Tayson Hill finally connects with his first NFL touchdown pass of his career and the most important stat for him is he is 3-0 behind center. The defense of the Saints is something to be talked about. This unit overall is ranked second in the league overall. The Saints are only allowing 288.8 yards per game which is tops in the league. Third most in interceptions with 13. Pressuring the quarterback is the Saints jam. Total pressures 141. Total hurries 98. Third in league with disruption rate of 33.8%. Cam Jordan and Demario Davis are some familiar names that gets this Saints drum beating. What about some recognition for the likes of Trey Hendrickson?

Hendrickson is third in the league in sacks with 9.5 as he is closing in on T.J Watt from the Steelers.

#3.PITTSBURGH STEELERS (11-1) DOWN 1 SPOT The Steelers first loss seemed like it was coming soon from this team performance versus the Cowboys weeks ago was not pretty. Steelers defense has been solid and still the number unit in the league. You have to worry about injuries though with the defense because they seem like they’ve been losing a guy every week to injuries. Losing to Washington is shocking, but not shocking. The Washington team has a top 5 defense and the offense is peaking. Dropped balls are becoming a problem from a sure handed group of receivers that Pittsburgh has. The offense of the Steelers is well balanced. But it’s an offense that they do not have one thing or one play maker they can lean on more in crunch time. This year the Steelers have had a very easy schedule. Like to see what they do versus the Bills, Colts, and it seems like a better Browns team than the first meeting down the stretch.

#4.GREEN BAY PACKERS (9-3) SAME Who is Robert Tonyan? On the field he seems like the invisible man. Then suddenly the big tight end appears wide open with a touchdown.

Aaron Rodgers makes average guys into play makers. Tonyan is emerging as a top notch tight end in the league. Big year as he caught 8 touchdowns with 41 receptions for 497 yards. Packers should be wrapping up another division title. Green Bay has dominated the NFC Central in the last ten years. Bear fans can cringe now.

#5.BUFFALO BILLS (9-3) UP 1 SPOT Last time the Buffalo Bills won on Monday night was way back in 1999, when Doug Flutie was behind center. Flutie led the Bills over their arch rival Miami Dolphins.

The 2020 Bills are changing these long droughts for the city of Buffalo as they had it on cruise control versus a good 49er defense on Monday Night. Josh Allen had another monster day behind center. Allen tossed 4 touchdown passes for 375 yards as he led the Bills to a 34-24 victory over San Francisco in Arizona. 49ers can’t play home games in the bay area due to Covid. Bills traveled back to Arizona and avenged the Hail Murray pass that beat them a few weeks ago. The Bills defense needs to talked about. I like seeing them swarm the runner or receiver and pressuring the quarterback. The defense has played much better from the start of the season. The mistakes they keep forcing against the opposing teams offense have been huge. Bills have a huge match up versus the Steelers this Sunday which have playoff seeding on the line of two elite AFC teams and leaders of their division.

#6.LA RAMS (9-4) UP 1 SPOT Rams quickly rebounded from the 49er loss with a win over Arizona. Then on Thursday, the Rams got revenge on the Empire.

The best defensive player in the league, who plays for the Rams, Aaron Donald, reminds me of the Mandalorian saying “this is the way”. Donald was all over the Patriots who came off a 45-0 throttling of the Chargers. The Rams got revenge on the Patriots from the loss to them in the Superbowl. Plus this Rams win may have put the final nail in the Patriots dynasty that seem to be slowly creeping back to life. Rams got Tom Brady and the Buccaneers a few weeks. Rams are like hitmen scratching off names on their list every Sunday.

#7.CLEVELAND BROWNS (9-3) UP 4 SPOTS Last week I was watching football and the announcer said Baker Mayfield will get more commercials if the Browns keep winning. I was not watching the Browns and Titans. Mayfield seemed like he had many commercials going on when the Browns were playing horribly last season, and as a team would make bone headed mistakes.

The Browns at the time were winning big and held on for a big victory against one of the elite teams in the AFC, the Titans. The Titans win gives the Browns their first winning season in a very long time. Remember the parade the Brown fans had for going 0-16 just a few years ago? It’s interesting the Browns offense runs better without Odell Beckham Jr. in the line up, who is out for the season.

Beckham might be one dog neutered off the Browns roster next year.

#8.TENNESSEE TITANS (8-4) DOWN 3 SPOTS Titans had a very bad first half of football versus the Browns last Sunday going down 38-7 at halftime. Titans made a comeback, but the team came up short and lost the game. Titans remain in first place holding the tie breaker over the Colts. Titans defense and the special teams seem to always have mishaps. In the first meeting with the Colts, the Titans had a few mishaps. When Titans lose a game it’s like a laundry list of mistakes made by either unit. Perfect time to play Jacksonville to get back in the win column and fine tune both units. Plus Derek Henry unleashes the beast versus the Jaguars and had big games running them over with big stiff high lights shuffling them out of his way.

#9.INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (8-4) SAME Would the Colts bring back Andrew Luck if he came out of retirement?

Phillip Rivers has the Colts playing about the same when Andrew Luck played his last season. Certainly the Colts have improved from last season with Jacoby Brissett behind center. Rivers is 39 and Luck is 31 which makes sense and shows Luck is still in his prime of his career. Every player is not a Michael Jordan and coming back and playing at the same level or beyond. If the Colts are done with Rivers next year, an idea I like is trying to pry Carson Wentz away from the Eagles. Especially if Jalen Hurts does well in his first start this Sunday. Wentz may thrive being protected by a good offensive line the Colts have over the Swiss cheese the Eagles call their protection. Wentz is still young and has been in the league a few years and a change of scenery might be what the doctor ordered.

#10.TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (7-5) SAME It is Tampa Tom time now. Tom Brady, my challenge to you coming off the bye week is show me what you’re made of. If you want to get out of the shadow of Bill Belichick it’s NOT the coach, IT’S the player then lead the Buccaneers to the promise land.

The Buccaneers collected a bunch of misfit veterans to help Tom Brady have an arsenal of weapons.

The Buccaneers brass and coach brought in questionable characters to the locker room. The Buccaneers are looking old, lethargic, and in dire need of ending a losing streak. Just hopefully the Buccaneers don’t have any more prime time games on the horizon.

#11.MIAMI DOLPHINS (8-4) UP 1 SPOT They call the Dolphin defense Smash and Splash…They have two types of guys on this defense. The smashers want to hit their opponent so hard that teams will not run that same play again. Then the splashers, the guys that take the turnover and score. Dolphins defense is the Captain Emmanuel Ogbah.

Ogbah is 4th in the league with 8 sacks. Ogbah is second in the league in forced fumbles as you can say he is Captain Smashdown. Dolphins smash and grab, whatever you want to call it, will have their work cut out versus the Chiefs this Sunday.

#12.SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (8-4) DOWN 4 SPOTS I guess we can say Russell Wilson is not Jake Plissken as he can escape a pocket but he can not Escape New York teams with a victory.

The Seahawks lose to the Bills, technically the only team that plays football in New York. Last week the Seahawks lost to the Giants who play in New Jersey, and with that loss they also lost first place in the same day. Can Russell Wilson do his Snake Plissken imitation and escape the Jets invasion this Sunday with a victory? Will Seattle go 0-3 in 2020 to teams in New York?

#13.BALTIMORE RAVENS (7-5) SAME 2020 Is not what the Ravens pictured this season. Last Season, Lamar Jackson was like Rambo, a one man army throwing and passing and scoring touchdowns. Since the Titans eliminated the Ravens from the playoffs, it has not been the same. Some thought the Ravens were going to win the Superbowl last year, but that Titan win burst the bubble of this Raven dream and since then everything has come crashing down to earth. Jackson has struggled. The Ravens are not demolishing teams like they did last season. Covid has invaded their locker room. The Browns have a better record than the Steelers have swept them. Only the Bengals are lower then them in the standings. On Monday night they welcome Dallas. A team they could just beat up on. A game to get back on track. It was like a Mike Tyson tune up fight.

Beating up on Pete McNeeley helps you regain confidence and that’s what the Ravens used the Cowboys for a punching bag.

#14.MINNESOTA VIKINGS (6-6) UP 1 SPOT The Vikings finally made it back to 500. Seriously the Vikings dug themselves a hole and to be 6-6, it’s like landing on the moon for this team as it’s one giant step for Minnesota kind as they have the third NFC Wild card spot in their sights. My problem is they had to make a big comeback against a bad Jaguar team. Will they have enough in the tank to take on the Buccaneer team coming off a bye week? Seems to me everything is so hard for Minnesota. They dig themselves a hole and continue to battle back out of the hole to fall back in.

At the end this team will slide down this hole and miss the playoffs by one game. Cousins does not look good and may need to rub some dirt on that.

#15.SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (5-7) DOWN 1 SPOT It was great seeing Richard Sherman on Monday night as he looked lost versus the Bills.

Sherman is no longer a shutdown corner back. Josh Allen on Monday night was scared to throw in Sherman’s direction as he tried to cover Stefon Diggs or Gabriel Davis. One play looked like Sherman was confused and definitely looked like a blown coverage and Dickie’s fault. Can Nick Mullens be the future starter in the NFL on permanent basis?

I think Nick Mullens is a pretty good guy to have as back up. Mullens record as a starter is 5-9. Mullens is still young, but throws too many picks. When the game is on the line, I’d like to see more clutch passes from him if Mullens is going to be the man. As a back up, Mullens in a few games is an asset. Mullens at some point if he keeps working at his game could be like a Rich Gannon a guy later in his career if he minds his mojo.

#16.THE WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM (5-7) UP 7 SPOTS I thought the Lions should have fired Matt Patricia right after the Panthers got rid of Riverboat Ron Rivera. Washington slayed the biggest dragon in the league last Monday, the undefeated Steelers. Riverboat Ron dealing with Cancer has the Washington football team defense a top 5 unit in the league. The team lost it’s name Redskins and has been thriving being a no name team. The offense glued Humpty Dumpty back together in Alex Smith from that leg injury. Smith has found his old mojo and could lead his third team to post season. Plus, you share the same city with Donald Trump.

#17.ATLANTA FALCONS (4-8) DOWN 1 SPOT Falcons played the Saints tough last week. The Saints got their bums beat by the Saints a few weeks back. Last Sunday, the Falcons came close at the end. It was a Falcon drive that stalled to take the lead late. The Falcons have a vibe to them right now. I’m curious with some guys out going into a game, versus the Chargers on how they will do? No Julio Jones. Will that hurt their chances of winning a very winnable game? This will give an interim coach, Raheem Morris, a real challenge to see if guys step up. If the next guy up plays hard for Raheem Morris and Falcons find a way, Morris may get rid of that Interim tag.

#18.VEGAS RAIDERS (7-5) SAME Derek Carr threw the game winning pass in the last seconds to get a win versus the hapless Jets. It was an all out Blitz and Carr got rid of the ball just in the nick of time. Getting a last second victory versus the Jets will not move you up the power rankings. Raiders won this game without their star running back, Josh Jacobs. Raiders have been able to score points, but it’s the defense in Vegas that can’t pressure the quarterback. The defense is ranked 21 coming into this Sunday surrendering 27 points per game. Raiders who seem to play to the level of competition because they beat good teams like the Chiefs and Saints. Then they lay clunkers to teams like the Falcons. If Raiders find they want to win down the stretch, young guys on their defense like Mad Mac Crosby, Clelin Ferrell and Trayvon Mullen will have to make strides.

#19.CAROLINA PANTHERS (4-8) SAME The Panthers have lost some close games this season so this record could be much different. Can the Panthers win the last four remaining games and finish 8-8? Or is it better for the Panthers to lose and get a better draft pick to help in areas needed. Head coach Matt Rhule has done a very good job in his first season. Panthers are in a very tough division with Saints, Buccaneers, and the Falcons are interesting. Panthers are the youngest team out of the division. In a few seasons with some talent added to the mix, this team could be on top of this division. Buccaneers and Saints are aging. Lots of money tied up with certain players on the Saints and Buccaneers could cause problems with their caps which could get the Panthers on top quicker.

#20. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (6-7) UP 1 SPOTS Who the hell is Gunner Olszewski?

Where do the Patriots find guys like Gunner who ran back a punt in romp versus the Chargers last Sunday? Bill Belichick loves collecting storm troopers with Ski’s at the end of their name. Might be a planet in the Galaxy called Poland.

Look at this Patriot fan supporting her Patriot colors wearing the team helmet. On Thursday, the Rams beat up on the Patriots getting revenge on them from the Superbowl years ago. Patriots got themselves back to 6-6. Like the cockroach you step on, it’s not quite dead yet.

Sometimes you need to hire someone to spray the little bastards of New England.

#21.ARIZONA CARDINALS (6-6) DOWN 4 SPOTS Cardinals have fallen on hard times as they dropped down to 500 with another loss. Since the Hail Murray that beat Buffalo, the Cardinals have dropped three games in a row.

Maybe the Bills Mafia has said some of their own hail Mary’s.

That is a nice tall Hail Mary.

#22.NEW YORK GIANTS (5-7) UP 3 SPOTS Giants had a big win upsetting the Seahawks last week. The Giants won with the back up Texan behind center, Colt McCoy. Yes, Colt is still in the league. McCoy reminds me of an old USFL logo of the San Antonio Gunslingers.

Colt will sling the ball down field and may win you a game here and there. It was the defense of the Giants that head coach Judge Dread has playing lights out this season. But Colt McCoy got offense some points and help the Giants stay on top of the NFC East.

#23.HOUSTON TEXANS (4-8) DOWN 3 SPOTS Should the Texans trade JJ Watt? Watt is paid a lot of money that takes up a chunk of the salary cap. Texans have some needs on the offense and defense to try to get this team back to the playoffs. Texans should get a decent draft pick from having a bad year. If they can get something for Watt and clear some money, using that vacated space for a few players might be the way. The Texans need to protect Deshaun Watson and find a running back. The offensive line is giving up big hits on Watson it seems like every week. The running back seems to still be the problem even though the Texans got Arizona’s junk David Johnson from dealing their top receiver for DeAndre Hopkins in the off-season.

#24.DENVER BRONCOS (4-8) DOWN 2 SPOTS Broncos gave the Chiefs a battle last Sunday night. Broncos had their full quarterback room on hand versus the Chiefs. No Covid clown car last Sunday. No way the Broncos will make the playoffs this season. Broncos were without Von Miller on defense and Courtland Sutton on offense the entire season, which are two impact players on both sides of the ball. You would think Sutton and Miller would have given you two more wins at least, making your record 6-6 to this point. Do the broncos keep their Head Coach Vic Fangio? Is Drew Lock your quarterback of the future? Some questions the Broncos will face in off season. John Elway should have a good pick in the first round of the draft as well.

#25.DETROIT LIONS (5-7) UP 3 SPOTS Something had to give for the Lions last Sunday. Suffer another loss from Mitch Trubisky who has mastered your team every time you play the Bears. The Lions fired Matt Patricia, and Darrell Bevell was promoted to head coach. He served as the Offensive Coordinator the last few seasons for the Lions. Usually you fire the head coach, and the next game the new guy gets a win. The team comes out loose, the system is easier, and as a team you win the game. The Lions beat the Bears in grand fashion coming back from ten points down late in the game. Just like the Bears did to the Lions in the very first week of the season. Adrian Peterson said it’s fun to play football again with the firing of Patricia. Maybe Peterson was able to tan some hides with a switch before the game, like old times.

#26.LA CHARGERS (3-9) DOWN 2 SPOTS The Chargers suffered their worst loss to the Evil Empire Patriots last Sunday since 1973 which was a 41-0 loss to the Falcons. It goes back to when Dan Fouts was behind center as a rookie and had a bad day at the office.

Patriots demolished the Chargers in every way except passing. Cam Newton only threw for 69 yards in this contest and Patriots still throttled the Chargers. The back up quarterback for the Patriots did throw a touchdown pass in garbage time. Head coach Anthony Lynn’s seat is now sizzling red hot being a part of this historical loss. The Chargers looked stale and not interested. Perhaps they were making off season plans inside their head and calling it a season. Did Head Coach Lynn make a wise decision leaving his star quarterback in this game to be punished. He may have been hurt due to the bad play of the offensive line? Could this be a game to learn from in the future for Justin Herbert?

#27.CHICAGO BEARS (5-7) DOWN 1 SPOT Streaks get snapped all the time in sports. Mitch Trubisky’s perfect winning record versus the Lions is over. The losing streak reaches six games. Lions did what the Bears did to them in week one. Down by ten points late in the game, only to come back and win the game. Another embarrassing loss by the Bears, as Lions won with their interim coach. It makes you want to relive the Jay Cutler days, the way this season has unfolded. To rub salt in the wounds for Bear fans this Sunday, the Bears play the Texans. Yes, Deshaun Watson’s Texans. Watson is the quarterback they passed on to pick Mitch Trubisky.

The newspapers from that 2017 draft. It’s Elementary: Watson!!! It could have and should have been that easy for the Bears Brass.

#28.PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (3-8-1) DOWN 1 SPOT

An Eagles fan is a perfect lady to bring home to meet mom. Are the Eagle fans ready for the Jalen Hurts ERA to start?

Hurts has that escape ability in the pocket which should help the Eagle offense which has a very bad offensive line. I still think Carson Wentz is a capable starter in the league. If Hurts does well, you wonder if they’ll deal Hurts in the off season.

#29.DALLAS COWBOYS (3-9) SAME For weeks, we’ve been discussing the NFC East, the worst division in the entire NFL. Many thought the Cowboys and the Eagles would be the team to win this cesspool. Suddenly starting to see a different outlook in this division which has to kill Dallas Cowboy fans. The Giants and the Washington Team have defenses in the top ten. Plus, last Sunday both teams found ways to win against very good teams. Yes, two signature victories. Giants beating Seattle with a back up quarterback. Then The Washington Football team giving the Steelers their first loss of the year.

Even drinking sucks. When your own beer can tells you, YOU SUCK!!! You may have a problem.

#30.CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-9-1) SAME The Cincinnati Bengals presents….

Season beatings has nothing to do with finding ways to put a W in the win column. It’s all about the Festivus Pole.

X-Bengal Vontaze Burfict is winning. Vontaze is airing his grievances around the Festivus Pole giving the casino security guard a beat down. It’s Vontaze giving this security guy a season beat down due to interrupting his mission to find the secret pizza place inside the casino.

#31.JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-11) SAME Is Mike Glennon the future in Jacksonville? Gardner Minshew is available and able to play, so how come he is not starting? Minshew was a starter at the start of the season then was derailed by an injury. Was it the injury that resulted in some poor play? What the hell is the thought process in Jacksonville? Glennon is not the answer. Glennon’s last two games he’s a nice back up QB on the depth chart. Minshew should be playing. If Minshew finds his old form, he can get you a late round draft pick if you want to draft a quarterback in the 2021 draft? This is the franchise that continued down the Blake Bortles road over and over. I wonder if any of the Jaguar fans that were there at the beginning of this franchise, still have their Mark Brunell jersey.

This may be one of the worst franchises in sports.

#32.NEW YORK JETS (0-12) SAME Jets lost another one last Sunday to keep their record perfect. This time Jets lost in GRAND fashion in the last second of the game to the Raiders!!!!!

Perfect excuse to rid themselves of Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams.

Gregg Williams will be the scapegoat of the Jets season. The team could have fired Williams weeks ago. The Jets brass should throw the head coach Adam Gase to the curb. Instead of wasting gasoline in the garbage truck taking this waste to the dump two times, instead get it all in one truck load. Gregg Williams was on that Cleveland staff when the Browns brass picked Freddie Kitchens over him to take over in 2019 for Cleveland. Williams was actually the interim coach and the Browns won games down the stretch with him in charge in 2018. We know what Freddie Kitchens did in 2019 with the Browns. Williams will be most remembered for his part in Bounty gate when he was defensive coach for the New Orleans Saints when they won their Superbowl.

We loved when head coach Reggie Dunlap put the bounty on that bum from Syracuse’s head, Tim McKracken in the movie Slap Shot. Williams will collect another team’s polo shirt on another side line next year.

WEEK 14 STRAIGHT PICK-EM

LAST WEEK’S RECORD:11-4

OVERALL RECORD:133-59

THURSDAY RECORD:8-4

MONDAY/TUESDAY RECORD: 14-4

THE SUNDAY SLATE RECORD:111-51

THE THURSDAY GAME

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT LA RAMS

OUR PICK:RAMS

This game has revenge written all over it. Just because Tom Brady has fled the Patriot organization and the Rams got their revenge when they took his Buccaneers down weeks ago. The Rams will avenge their Superbowl loss from years ago. Bill Belichick and the Patriot uniform remain the same.

THE SUNDAY SLATE

HOUSTON TEXANS AT CHICAGO BEARS

OUR PICK:TEXANS

I’d rather do Christmas shopping, instead of watching that Chicago Bear hot garbage play. The Bears brass should watch Deshaun Watson closely as they could have and should have drafted him instead of Trubisky. Pink slips in all of their stockings for that one major dumb move.

DALLAS COWBOYS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS

OUR PICK:BENGALS

Andy Dalton playing his old team? Thought about that. These Cowboys have been flat for weeks. The Bengals have been playing tough even without Joe Burrows behind center. Bengals squeak one out this week, especially with Dallas coming in on a short week.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS

OUR PICK:CHIEFS

Miami is not ready yet to take down a high octane machine like Kansas City. Chiefs now with the Steeler loss last week, have that number seed in their grasp. The Chiefs will wrap around that like a baby securing his bottle.

ARIZONA CARDINALS AT NEW YORK GIANTS

OUR PICK:GIANTS

Giants defense have shown me they can play with many teams in this week. Cardinals have been struggling. I also think either Daniel Jones or back up Colt McCoy can rack up points on the Cardinals sorry defense.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

OUR PICK:BUCCANEERS

I can’t see Tom Brady losing his third game in a row. Plus, Buccaneers losing after a bye week is tough to imagine. Buccaneers are very good versus the run. That leaves everything on Kirk Cousins to beat you. In big games he’s mostly a no show.

DENVER BRONCOS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS

OUR PICK:PANTHERS

Fresh legs the Panthers have coming out of a bye week at home. Both these teams are on the same playing level with the same records. Teddy Bridgewater has more experience and the weapons to win a close one at home.

TENNESSEE TITANS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

OUR PICK:TITANS

If Titans lose to Mike Glennon and a bunch of Jags, they should be sent home and no playoffs this season. The Titans should be mad about what happened last week versus the Browns when they were down 38-7 at halftime. The comeback came up short. Titans should just steamroll the Jaguars.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT VEGAS RAIDERS

OUR PICK:COLTS

The Falcons destroyed the Raiders two weeks ago. The Raiders needed the last second of the game to win versus the hapless Jets. Colts will be able to score on a defense that does not get much pressure. This will give Phillip Rivers time. Colts defense should prevent a big day from Derek Carr and that Vegas offense.

NEW YORK JETS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

OUR PICK:SEAHAWKS

This time Russell Wilson and the Seahawks will not be shocked by a team from New York. They will Escape the New York series and salvage this one versus the Jets.

GREEN BAY PACKERS AT DETROIT LIONS

OUR PICK:PACKERS

With Matt Patricia gone, it’s good times again in Detroit. Bears gave the Lions an early Christmas gift last week. The Packers are not giving like that. However the Packers will give the Lions a beat down.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

OUR PICK: SAINTS

The Eagles are starting rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts versus the Saints defense.

Hurts will be the X-MAS turkey for this pack of Dogs on the Saints defense.

ATLANTA FALCONS AT LA CHARGERS

OUR PICK:FALCONS

This could be the greatest aerial attack of the season. Both Matt Ryan and Justin Herbert could be launching deep bombs high in skies in a match up that has shoot-out written all over it. I’m going with the Interim coach, Raheem Morris, over a guy in LA that needs a interim head coach.

THE WASHINGTON TEAM AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

OUR PICK:WASHINGTON TEAM

The 49ers playing home games in Arizona, with still some key players still out, gets exhausting. 49ers have played tough. Every game seems like the 49ers have to fight and claw their way in close battles. Nothing is ever easy. This game will be a defensive showdown. I like Alex Smith beating his former team in this one. Plus I’m on that Washington bandwagon that gave the Steelers their first loss of the season.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT BUFFALO BILLS

OUR PICK:BILLS

This match up is like the clash of the titans in the AFC and on prime time. Steelers finally lose their first game and the Bills are coming off their first Monday night win since 1999. The Steelers schedule has been very weak this season. I’m going with the eye test for this prediction. Bills have been playing much better than the Steelers in the last three games.

THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME

BALTIMORE RAVENS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS

OUR PICK:BROWNS

This should be a dog fight in the Dawg pond. Do Brown fans have cardboard cutouts of their pooches in the stands? Browns running game is the difference for a very tired Raven team that has been dealing with the Covid. They have had changes to their schedule every week dealing with the problem.

NFL WEEK 13 POWER RANKINGS

Week 13 we grumble about who should be fired and who should stay as head coaches. Somebody, for the Lions, listened to us. Playoff spoilers: we call the Falcons are the best second half team in the last two seasons. Teams are on the rise and looking good for the post season. Jets and Steelers remain perfect, both going in different directions. Can the Ravens survive Covid? We have gals shaking what they got and plenty of fun to poke at many teams.

ESPN PLAY MAKERS OUR FEATURE

#1.KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (10-1) SAME A few years back Patrick Mahomes was the young Michael Jordan of the league, going against the legend of Boston’s Larry Bird who was Tom Brady. Years later, Patrick Mahomes has flipped the script.

The Younger Mahomes has taken his game to higher learning than legend Tom Brady last Sunday. That’s two games in a row that Mahomes’ teams have conquered Brady-led teams. The only way Brady and Mahomes meet up again will be in the Superbowl. Buccaneers don’t see them getting there. Will Brady be around when the NFC South plays the AFC West in a few years when the schedules rotate?

#2.PITTSBURGH STEELERS (11-0) SAME When the longest week in NFL history concluded, the Steelers remain undefeated with a win over their division rival Ravens and sweeping the two game series. The game between the Ravens and Steelers was postponed three times. Ravens were without Lamar Jackson and some key running backs in this contest, and made this game too close for comfort for Steeler fans. Head coach Mike Tomlin said his team played like the Junior Varsity team on Wednesday. Veteran Robert Griffen III was behind center for the Ravens and one controversial play at the end of the first half should have resulted in some kind of points for the Ravens, but did not. This game was too close for comfort which seems like a Steeler way in games like the Cowboys, and versus back up quarterbacks.

Another injury on Steeler defense. Linebacker Bud Dupree tears his ACL and is out the rest of the season. Will this come back and haunt this Steeler team in the playoffs?

#3.NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (9-2) SAME Tayson Hill is 2-0 as starter for New Orleans since Drew Brees’ injury versus the 49ers. I know the Saints offense was not facing the Broncos offense on the field. Broncos, with all their quarterbacks out with Covid, made this easy on the Saints offense leaving Broncos defense on the field most of the game. Saints used their running game, ground it out on the road, and turn this into a 31-3 rout. Tayson Hill did not look sharp throwing the rock as he only passed for 78 yards. Hill threw one interception and still has not thrown a touchdown pass since 2016. Hill was still in college for BYU when he threw his last touchdown pass, November 26, 2016, versus Utah State. Hill did run for another two touchdowns. Remember Latavius Murray? I think people remember Murray mostly from his silver and black days for the Raiders.

Murray ran through the Broncos defense and gashed them for 124 yards and two Touchdowns.

#4.GREEN BAY PACKERS (8-3) UP 2 SPOTS The Chicago Bears should hire Aaron Rodgers to hand out pink slips in a Santa Claus uniform to their front office, coaches, and throw the entire offensive line under the bus. Packers find themselves only 1 game behind the Saints for the best record in the NFC and that number 1 seed in the playoffs, which is a bye. Packers’ only challenge the rest of the way will be versus the Titans. Packers should feast on the Eagles, Bear dessert, Lions and Panthers. Quite some game hunting by the Packers in the next few weeks.

#5.TENNESSEE TITANS (8-3) UP 3 SPOTS The Steelers used to ride the bus to the playoffs every year with Jerome Bettis.

The Titans need to continue to feed their transportation Derek Henry and ride him to the playoffs.

Henry can wear out teams like the Colts last Sunday, kill the clock, and keep the Titans weakness off the field with the defense.

#6.BUFFALO BILLS (8-3) UP 3 SPOTS Bills make some of their games too exciting by letting teams linger too long. Obviously the Hail Murray that took a win away from the Bills. The Bills defense has been better. The Chargers made it interesting at the end. This is when I miss a guy like Bruce Smith.

Need a guy to start being the closer on the defense. Guys like Jerry Hughes or Ed Oliver, I like to see them disrupt things on the opposing offenses at the end of games. Not give teams hope. Mortal Kombat-style should be preached in Buffalo. FINISH THEM!!!

#7.LA RAMS (7-4) DOWN 3 SPOTS

Do the Rams confuse you? One week they take down the Buccaneers or Seahawks in grand fashion. Then they roll out a clunker versus a 49er team which is missing pieces. Now the Seahawks are in first place.

My thoughts exactly.

#8.SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (8-3) UP 2 SPOTS The NFC West is like a Tom and Jerry episode. The rotating of first place.

This would be a nice play for Head Coach Pete Carol to run. AHA!! Like that, Seattle has won 2 games in a row and has taken over first place while the Rams fall to second place. Whoever is Tom. Whoever is Jerry. The next five weeks between the Rams and Seahawks will be a cat and mouse chase for first place.

#9.INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (7-4) DOWN 4 SPOTS Colts were steam rolled by Derek Henry last Sunday and find themselves in second place splitting the two game series with the Titans. Last season, Colts collapsed in the second half of the season. This Sunday, Colts have the Texans which they need to take care of business. Get back to what they are good at. The Titans have weaknesses which they may slip up with at the end of the season with that defense. Things can change in the AFC South the next few weeks.

#10.TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (7-5) DOWN 3 SPOTS

Has Tom Brady taken the wrong pills? Tom Brady has fallen and he can’t go deep either. Buccaneers have lost two straight. Buccaneers go on their bye week. This may help Tom Brady flush out the old toxins in his system, but using Sammy Sosa’s corked bat or Flintstones vitamins if that’s what they want to call it – wink, wink. Buccaneers don’t have a cake walk in their last 4 games. Vikings and Falcons twice could be a problem for the Buccaneers. We give the Buccaneers the Lions match up. Vikings are fighting for their playoff lives. Matt Ryan and that Falcon offense are very touch to deal with.

#11.CLEVELAND BROWNS (8-3) UP 2 SPOTS The Browns are one game away from having an actually winning season. The Browns won half the games on their schedule picking up their 8th win last Sunday versus the Jaguars. Browns also can make history as their two headed monster in the back field can both reach 1000 yards rushing each of them are in the 700’s coming into this Sunday match up with the Titans.The Browns could be the 8th pair of teammates to ever have two guys with 1000 yards rushing on the same team in the same year.

Kevin Mack and Earnest Byner were teammates on the Browns 1985 team and each rush for 1000 yards that year as they are one of the 7th tandems to do that.

#12.MIAMI DOLPHINS (7-4) UP 2 SPOTS Dolphins got back on track last week with Fitzmagic behind center, with a win over the Jets. Who will start versus the hapless Bumbles this Sunday? Either Tua Time or Fitzmagic in a coin flip could handle the Bengals. A win gets them number 8 before a tough stretch of games that could make or break the Dolphin playoff hopes. Dolphins defense is very good. Which could get them in the post season and maybe get past the first round? Which quarterback is the best choice to get the team to the promise land?

#13.BALTIMORE RAVENS (6-5) DOWN 1 SPOT Ravens locker room ravaged with the Corona Virus. The game versus the Steelers was postponed 3 times making it the longest single week in the history of the NFL. Ravens played well without Lamar Jackson behind center and a few other playmakers. Will Jackson return this Tuesday versus the Cowboys? Robert Griffith III, who started versus the Steelers, is out for Tuesday. Ravens need Jackson to stop the bleeding losing two in a row. If they fall to the Cowboys, Ravens could miss out not making it to the playoffs. Losing to Cowboys could get you kicked out of the league. Your Freshman/Sophomore team should be able to beat the Cowboys.

#14.SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (5-6) UP 4 SPOTS How do the 49ers beat the Rams, who looked like a team on the rise in the NFL, like the year they went to the Superbowl? 49ers have multiple injuries and playing with their back up quarterback. They are missing some big studs as well. They have to play their home games in Arizona due to the virus smothering the bay area.

You think the 49ers are dead, but they rise again like some bad slasher movie. When will the 49ers take Manhattan. like Jason in Friday the 13th?

Maybe change Manhattan to division rival Seattle.

#15.MINNESOTA VIKINGS (5-6) UP 5 SPOTS Vikings rebounded from the bad Cowboy loss & tough battle with Carolina last Sunday and prevailing. Prevailing against a guy they drafted in Teddy Bridgewater, who was back in Minnesota for the first time since being released. The Vikings won without their best wide receiver Adam Theilen who out with Covid symptoms. No worries because the Vikings replaced him with another white guy. Chad Beebe, who did his Adam Theilen impersonation, scoring a touchdown in the red zone.

Interesting stat is the Vikings have scored the most points in the 4th quarter. Which could mean the Vikings are always fighting from behind and digging a hole early in the game.

#16.ATLANTA FALCONS (4-7) SAME If the Falcons could only play the second half of the season, they would be a top seed in the playoffs. Another win under Interim Head Coach, Raheem Morris. Do you trust him being the guy next year or is this second half winning a common theme for the dirty birds? Falcons will be like the Grinch over the Holidays stealing other teams’ playoff hopes these next few weeks.

The Grinch looks like he has that Julio Jones killer instinct look.

#17.ARIZONA CARDINALS (6-5) DOWN 6 SPOTS The old Mr. Belvedere theme song. Streaks on the China never mattered before, as the Cardinals drop kicked the jacket as they flew through the door.

The Cardinals may need a English butler to help this team not go on losing streaks and be flat. They need someone to draw these guys a bath or something. When Cardinals are flying, it’s Hail Murray world beaters.

#18.VEGAS RAIDERS (6-5) DOWN 3 SPOTS Gruden and the Raiders were absolutely humiliated in an old fashioned beat down they got from the Dirty Birds. That’s two in a row the Raiders lost. Are the Raiders on the verge of another second half collapse like last season? Raiders need to rebound and need a win. Before they call the local Vegas hooker.

Before they pass out Deuce’s black book numbers to the Raiders players.

The Raiders should dial up the Jets, and get a meeting for next Sunday to get their game back on track. The Jets’ purpose this season is to be used and abused. Betcha Chucky loves the love cuffs.

#19.CAROLINA PANTHERS (4-8) DOWN 2 SPOTS Panthers dropped a tough one versus the Vikings. The Panthers may finish with more losses than wins this year. This season basically without their star tailback Christian McCaffrey, being hurt this team battles you. Many close games. I like Teddy Bridgewater and it looks like the Panthers have a very good back up QB in PJ Walker. Mike Davis has been a nice back up running back. I like the core of wide outs. Robby Anderson, DJ Moore, and Curtis Samuel are a strong group. The young defense is improving. Panthers should be very good next season.

#20.HOUSTON TEXANS (4-7) UP 1 SPOT First the Texans trade their best receiver in the off season. A very stupid trade. Then the team struggles and they fire their head coach. The Texans after a tough schedule to start the season off, are finally playing better. There has been a JJ Watt sighting once or maybe even twice, as the defense is getting a little better. Then they lose their number one receiver this year due to the PED’S busted on drug test.

Will Fuller is suspended the rest of the season as he thought maybe he was getting a Covid test. Like to see how the Texans finish with all these things that took place for team with talent.

#21.NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (5-6) UP 1 SPOT I love the Patriots old helmets.

I thought to myself, “If I knew I was going to hate the Patriots like I do, I’d have to go back in the past in my time machine DeLorean. I could bring back the Refrigerator I loved back then, to present times.

The Refrigerator Perry, to use against the Patriots, like Coach Mike Ditka did in the Superbowl versus New England in the 1980’s . Bill Belichick will not go away winning again last Sunday. Patriots sneaking their way back to 500.

#22.DENVER BRONCOS (4-7)

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Only in Colorado, the Broncos entire quarterback room gets the Covid last Sunday.

BRONCOS SEASON UP IN SMOKE

#23.WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM (4-7) UP 3 SPOTS Alex Smith gets my vote for comeback player of the year.

Alex Smith has had a raw deal in his career. Helped the 49ers make it to playoffs and replaced by one year wonder Colin Kaepernick due to an injury. Then Alex Smith helped the Chiefs get to the playoffs and Kansas City drafts Patrick Mahomes. OK, I get that. Then Smith’s leg injury with the Redskins. Ten dollars in the swear jar for Redskins. Would be nice to see Smith get the Washington Football team into the playoffs by winning the NFC East.

#24.LA CHARGERS (3-8) DOWN 1 SPOT Justin Herbert and the Chargers offense has been the story in LA. Chargers need a new owner if that is possible. I think the Chargers need a new head coach. A new voice. Anthony Lynn, in my opinion, is a better coordinator than being the head guy. What the hell happened to the Charger defense? Front office drafted Justin Herbert so they can stay.

#25.NEW YORK GIANTS (3-8) DOWN 1 SPOT Giants won and I’m still knocking them down a peg because they lost Daniel Jones last Sunday versus the Bengals. Jones may be out a few weeks. That leaves Colt McCoy, a Texan Gun Slinger.

Colt McCoy has a quarterback record of 7-21 for his career. Colt is a decent option for a back up if he’s surrounded with the Kansas City Chiefs offense. Do you expect the Giants to run the table on the Seahawks, Cardinals, Browns, Ravens, and then finally Dallas at the end of the schedule. Not enough NFC East teams which ends that hope of a division title in the World’s Worst sports division of all-time.

#26.CHICAGO BEARS (5-6) DOWN 1 SPOT Starting to debate inside my head what has been better: this Matt Nagy regime coaching staff or the Mark Trestman days? Matt Nagy is barking that the defense let the team down versus Green Bay. The defense of the Bears was in place when this stooge arrived from Kansas City as an offensive guru. If that defense was not in place, Matt Nagy in the Bears would be lower in the food chain. Down at the bottom of the barrel with the Jets and Jaguars… OH MY!!!

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It’s another year the Packers pretty much wipe out any hope you had for the Bears. They call this Packers and Bears a rival. This has been a one sided affair since the 1980’s. Its like Chicago is a small town and have to wait decades for a player to be born that can defeat the big school of Green Bay who has multiple choices of players in the tri-state area. A factory of great quarterbacks which has only been two since the 1980’s. Bears are another team whom should they scrap everything and start fresh? Can the Bears get away firing the front office and coaching staff presently, and find somebody intelligent with football savvy to fix the offense. Was that not the idea when the team hired Matt Nagy?

#27.PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (3-7-1) UP 1 SPOT Moved up the Eagles because they did a Hail Mary pass and got it at the end of the game versus the Seahawks.Time was running out, and they had no chance to win the game but they still flung it. It pissed off betters. Would the Eagles accept a trade from the Bears? Straight up deal Nick Foles for Carson Wentz. Philadelphia fans may be gyrating in their shorts thinking about that fantasy. When you can’t win the NFC East division and the team is playing horribly, it makes Christmas very bleak around the Holidays in Philadelphia.

Eagles play makes you eat poorly. Drink like a fish. Then make wrong decisions. Has head coach Doug Pederson run out of good grace from that Superbowl years ago?

#28.DETROIT LIONS (4-7) UP 1 SPOT Lions fans should be dancing in the streets naked as the team finally got rid of some weight. Dead weight Matt Patricia. Lions ownership needs to stay away from fat guys as their next choice for head coach.

I liked Wayne Fontes. Not sure why. Wayne would get the Lions to the Playoffs more than you could say about Matt Patrica. Fontes was a head scratcher in the playoffs. Feed the ball to Barry Sanders done. Lions should stay away from Bill Belichick, the weeping willow of crappy coordinators. Should the Lions trade Matt Stafford and get something for him? Can the Lions rebuild this mess and still have Stafford as the guy behind center? The Dolphins collected draft picks as they traded away pieces, then added veterans and they are in the playoff hunt this season with a solid defense and a young quarterback.

#29.DALLAS COWBOYS (3-8) DOWN TWO SPOTS Hate when bad things happen to good people.

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Jerry Jones is a clown. Not sure why the owner of the Cowboys is still handling all the day to day operations on the football field. His hire of Mike McCarthy as the head coach has been horrible. McCarthy should be one year and done. No wonder nobody scooped McCarthy up immediately when he was fired by Green Bay. Cowboys need to hire someone to take control of the Cowboys decisions of personnel. Jerry Jones will probably go after Matt Patricia next since he was fired recently by the Lions. I would have a fire sale and collect draft picks because that might be the quickest road to win the NFC East next season.

#30.CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-8-1) If you’re a Bengal fan, do you get excited the team played well versus the Giants? Bengals playing their first game without their star rookie quarterback, Joe Burrows. Your back up quarterback Brandon Allen had a touchdown pass. The Special teams had a kick off return. Bengals knocked Giants starting quarterback out of the game and you think this would be a recipe for a victory over a NFC East team.

If a Bumble can put the star on the top of the tree this franchise still has hope for it’s future. Bengals still in line to get a nice piece in the draft which should be a top 5 pick. Hope now your Star Quarterback heals and is ready to go next season.

#31.JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-10) SAME The Jaguars fired their GM David Caldwell this week. What about the head coach, Doug Marrone Shad Kahn? Jaguars should go back to Christmas past to find how former football teams ran their organizations.

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USFL

Seems like the Jacksonville fans had better results and much better time in the past with the Bulls from the USFL and Sharks from the WFL then the terrible Jaguars of the NFL with their blue smurf tongues. Even the logos of the past are better than their present and future.

#32.NEW YORK JETS (0-11) The Jets are officially eliminated from another season not making the post season. Head coach Adam Case blames himself for not developing Sam Darnold. Case said he dropped the ball. One of the main reasons they brought Case to New York was to get Sam Darnold to his highest potential on the field. If Jets pick Trevor Laurence in next year’s draft, can you trust Adam Case to develop him? If I was Laurence I’d be doing a John Elway and side stepping the Jets any way he can to avoid a nasty situation. Case still to this day had the one good year getting the best out of Jay Cutler with the Bears when he was the offensive Coordinator. What have you done for me lately? That is my question.

WEEK 13 STRAIGHT PICK-EM

LAST WEEK’S RECORD:11-5

OVERALL RECORD: 122-55

THURSDAY OVERALL RECORD:8-4

MONDAY NIGHT RECORD:12-3

THE SUNDAY SLATE RECORD:102-48

WEEK 13 THE SUNDAY SLATE

CLEVELAND BROWNS AT TENNESSEE TITANS

OUR PICK:TITANS

The dessert of the week is a batch flat of brownies being rolled by Derek Henry.

Browns can not beat top tier teams in the league.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT ATLANTA FALCONS

OUR PICK:SAINTS

Falcons looked awesome versus a Raiders team that can’t get in the quarterback’s face. Like those guys trying to get into late night clubs, and the bouncers just laugh. Saints defense like a few weeks ago will make Matt Ryan’s day miserable.

DETROIT LIONS AT CHICAGO BEARS

OUR PICK:BEARS

I predicted the Bears would win six games before the season. Lions carcass will work. This should be coined the toilet bowl of the NFC North. Both teams have to make changes throughout the roster and management plus coaching. Lions have already started the process. This might be the only team Mitch Trubisky has his way with. Might be Mitch’s last win in Bears uniform.

CINCINNATI BENGALS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS

OUR PICK: DOLPHINS

Flip a coin either Tua Time Or Fitzmagic. Either one will work versus the Bumbles.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS

OUR PICK:VIKINGS

This could be a Viking meltdown like versus the Cowboys. Vikings should be able to cook some Jaguar meat in a wild one.

Is that Mike Glennon’s head he’s holding?

VEGAS RAIDERS AT NEW YORK JETS

OUR PICK:RAIDERS

Raiders need a rebound losing two in a row. The BEST thing the Jets do is help teams get back their confidence.

LA RAMS AT ARIZONA CARDINALS

OUR PICK: RAMS

This game can go either way. Rams tease you by looking like a top tier team in the league one week, to a clunker the nest week. Cardinals are too streaky. I think its hard for a team to get off a rough patch versus a good Rams defense.

NEW YORK GIANTS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

OUR PICK:SEAHAWKS

Giants have Colt McCoy going this Sunday which says it all.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT GREEN BAY PACKERS

OUR PICK:PACKERS

Eagles not getting up this time from a Clubber Lang punch to their season.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT LA CHARGERS

OUR PICK: GRRR THE EVIL EMPIRE

Love to see the Mad Bomber Justin Herbert fill the skies with bombs coming down on the storm troopers of the Patriots. Chargers coaching staff are just amateurs. Bill Belichick’s game plan will be enough to pull out a victory for his cookie crisp quarterback.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT HOUSTON TEXANS

OUR PICK:TEXANS

Colts will rebound from last week versus the Titans. I can see a balanced attack Indianapolis will run which will control the clock, limiting Deshaun Watson. Texans O-line is not going to have a good day versus that Colts defense.

DENVER BRONCOS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

OUR PICK:CHIEFS

At least the Broncos will actually have a quarterback on their roster, not like last Sunday. Not enough because this is the Chiefs we talking about.

WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS

OUR PICK:STEELERS

Steelers should come out and play much better after their head coach Mike Tomlin called his team’s play, Junior Varsity, on Wednesday versus Ravens. Playing on a short week, the Steelers should thrive instead of being delayed and postponed due to covid.

THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME

BUFFALO BILLS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (IN ARIZONA)

OUR PICK:BILLS

49ers still missing many pieces. 49ers have been kicked out of their home due to Covid. 49ers have been still playing teams tough. I think with everything going on, the Bills will avenge their Arizona loss from the Hail Murray versus the 49ers.

THE TUESDAY NIGHT

DALLAS COWBOYS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS

OUR PICK:RAVENS

I don’t care if the Ravens are infected with Covid. The Ravens gave the Steelers a game on Wednesday. This with key guys out. Cowboys have no pulse, so put a toe tag on them and shut the door.

Many have thought the running of the Bulls is held in Spain. These days the running of the Bull is being held at the University of Buffalo, home of the Bulls. One Bull in particular has exploded for 710 rushing yards in their last two games. University of Buffalo Junior, Jaret Patterson, is the first running back with back to back 300 yard rushing games since Ricky Williams who did that for the Texas Long Horns in 1998. Last Saturday, Patterson exploded for 409 rushing yards versus Kent State. While running up and down the field versus the Golden Flashes, Patterson had 8 rushing touchdowns which ties an NCAA record. Patterson was shy 18 yards of the rushing yard record for one single game that was held by Samagji Perine and Howard Griffith.

Once upon a time, the MAC conference cancelled their football season in the fall and had hopes of playing in the Spring due to the Covid virus lurking. Suddenly, other conferences change their minds and seasons have come back to life like the dead rising up from the grave. Would we have seen this incredible record breaking two game stretch by the University of Buffalo running back in the Spring? Nothing guaranteed in life and nobody can predict the future. If the cancellation of the season stood, Patterson may not have passed Robbie Mixon’s big day in 2002 for Central Michigan when he rushed for 377 yards. Now Patterson has the Mid American Conference (MAC) record for rushing yards in one game. With the 8 rushing touchdowns in one game, Patterson ties Howard Griffith who was full back for the University of Illinois in 1990 who had big day running the ball versus Southern Illinois. Kalen Ballage, in 2016 for Arizona State, did score 8 touchdowns versus Texas Tech, but 7 of those were rushing and one of those came from the passing game. Being the second player ever to run for back to back 300 yard games, maybe he get a head coach that will trade the entire draft stock for his talents like Mike Ditka did for Ricky Williams In New Orleans.

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In four games this season, Jaret Patterson has 920 yards on the ground with 16 touchdowns. Patterson entered Saturday with 511 yards on the ground with 8 rushing touchdowns. In the first two games, Patterson had combined 210 yards on the ground with 4 rushing touchdowns. University Miami of Ohio held Patterson to his lowest output of the season in game two to only 73 yards on the ground, but Jaret still found pay dirt twice. In the first half of the game versus Kent State, it was not garbage time. Patterson had 5 touchdowns with 247 yards tallied up. Bulls ended up winning versus the Golden Flashes 70-41. Jaret Patterson is part of more history as 70 points in one game is a record for the Bulls.

Some of the stuff from these two monster games had by Jaret Patterson, may have slipped through the cracks of all the records involved. First Jaret Patterson’s twin brother also plays for the University of Buffalo. James Patterson plays on the Bulls defense and in last Saturday’s historic day by his brother, he had the most tackles. Then the University of Buffalo honors the late Soloman Jackson who played for the Bulls who passed away in 2016 with heart issues. The former Defensive end was doing some off-season work outs and collapsed. The Bulls honor him by rotating his jersey number 41 and giving it to the player who had a great game like a game ball, but they wear it in the next game. Jaret Patterson, usually number 26, was wearing 41 when he flashed his way into the record books versus Kent State. We will be watching Jaret Patterson’s next game to see if he has an encore coming off a 400 yard day with 8 touchdowns. Since now Patterson has set the bar high. It should be interesting to watch what Patterson does in the rest of his remaining games as eyes will be watching and rooting on the Buffalo Bulls to remain undefeated.

On Sunday in the early afternoon, I was watching the Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings game. It was a game between two teams that were on the same competition level. Both teams had similar records and needed this game to stay in the playoff hunt. It was a game that went back and forth with multiple lead changes. The story line was Teddy Bridgewater coming back to Minnesota for the first time. The city that drafted him years ago. Bridgewater was the story, but redemption had nothing to do with the Panther quarterback in this one. Punt returner Chad Beebe went from goat to hero in this game and amended a mistake late in the game that could have cost his team the win and perhaps the playoffs. Chad Beebe, former Huskie from the University of Northern Illinois, fumbled a fair catch late in the game for the Minnesota Vikings that put the team in a deep hole. Chad Beebe then, as a wide receiver, catches a ten yard pass from Kirk Cousins with 46 ticks left in the game that tied the game and with the extra point the Vikings took the lead.

The last name Beebe may sound familiar to some. Chad Beebe’s father, Don Beebe, was the fastest white guy in the game when he played during the 1990’s. Don Beebe was a wide receiver just like his son Chad, and a guy that set speed and agility records in the NFL combined that helped him get drafted in the third round by the Buffalo Bills. Don Beebe came from a small college and was working construction installing aluminum siding for a few years, before he made it to the NFL. Don Beebe had the heart of a lion and determination off the charts. Beebe played in six Superbowls and has six rings, even though five of those are championship rings to one Superbowl ring. Brett Farve of the Green Bay Packers said if it was not for Don Beebe that year, the Packers would not have won the Superbowl. Beebe one of the fastest guys in NFL history to ever lace up the spikes. Beebe may be remembered most for chasing the hot dog, Leon Lett, who scooped up a fumble and was running towards the end zone while show boating. In a game the Bills were being destroyed by the Cowboys in the Superbowl. If you were a player on the Bills, you probably packed it in late in the second half. Not Don Beebe who showed grit and determination as the game was not over, as he chased down Lett knocking the ball out of his hands before he hit pay dirt. Lett would be humiliated when Don Beebe showed you the play is not over until the whistle sounds.

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On Sunday, Chad Beebe who is mostly a special teamer for the Minnesota Vikings, showed you flashes of his old man. Beebe was getting more playing time with Vikings star receiver Adam Thielen unable to go as he landed on the Covid list during the week. Beebe’s first punt he fielded of the day, he got drilled by a Panther player, but held on to the ball. Penalty flag was thrown as Vikings would get more yards due to Beebe not making a football move and was still a defenseless receiver according to the rules. Not sure if Chad Beebe remembered that hit from the beginning of the game because at the end of the game he called for the fair catch and muffed the punt. Panthers recovered in the red zone close to the goal line and were up by 3 points over the Vikings at the time. A Panther touchdown makes this a two score game and puts the game out of reach for the Vikings with only minutes left on the clock. Vikings defense holds and Panthers settle for a chip shot field goal and go up by six points. Then Kirk Cousins and the Vikings drive down the field. Chad Beebe made some catches in the final drive. Beebe’s last catch was a ten yard pass that tied the game up. Redemption from the mistake that Chad Beebe made only minutes ago as the game was not over and he was able to make the key play to help his team. The extra point was good and Vikings had the one point lead. Teddy Bridgewater drove the Panthers down and got them into field goal range. It was a 54 yarder try off the leg of Panthers’ Joey Slye, which he missed as the Vikings win at home.

Chad Beebe came into the league in 2018. Beebe’s contributions are mostly on special teams for the Vikings in his third year as a pro. Chad Beebe came into this season with six catches. Beebe had his best game of his career so far at the wide receiver position; he caught 7 balls for 63 yards with the touchdown that tied up the game versus the Panther. This game gives Beebe 14 catches for the year with a grand total of 126 yards and the lone touchdown. Chad has a long way to go to catch up to his father’s stats. Don had 219 grabs in his entire career with 23 touchdowns and massed over 3,416 yards. That does not count his old man’s playoff stats as well. Don Beebe, after his playing days, has written a book called Six Rings from No Where. Plus he is head coach of the local college team where he lives, Aurora University, in the state of Illinois. You can tell his son Chad is a hard worker and has the same kind of heart and mentality Don had. Don Beebe helped coach his son and then took on the head coaching job at the high school level and turned it into a promotion to college. Don Beebe also had a speed camp to improve your time in the 40 yard dash where he helps many athletes. The way the Beebes play, it shows you how in a game you can be a goat to hero if you don’t give up on yourself. Chad Beebe did that within minutes, but it shows if you never give up you are not out of anything. It’s the Beebe way.

WEEK 12 POWER RANKINGS

Week 11 we took our bye week from the NFL power rankings. We needed a week off to get some liquids and fruit in our system. Heal all our wounds and prepare for the rest of the 2020 season while wearing our masks. We feel like we are back, and as sharp as ever. We are dissecting the NFL from top to bottom. Let’s roll it out and hope you enjoy it as always.

WEEKLY MOVIE

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#1.KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (9-1) Chiefs avenge their only loss to the only team that beat them this season… the RAIDERS!!! This is the Chiefs’ first trip to play the Vegas Raider in their new home.

It was another shootout this time when the Chiefs stormed back with 75 ticks left on the clock. Patrick Mahomes, the best quarterback in the league this year, hits the best tight end in the league, Travis Kelce, for the go ahead score and game winner.

Kelce with 8 grabs for 127 yards. while Patrick Mahomes had another 300 yard passing day. Chiefs are marching for their fifth Straight AFC West Title with the great start of 9-1.

#2.PITTSBURGH STEELERS (10-0) Are the Steelers the best team in the entire NFL? The Steelers schedule has not been very difficult. Steelers wins have come from the likes of the Giants, Texans, Broncos, Eagles, Cowboys, Bengals and Jaguars – seven teams with losing records. Wins versus Browns, Ravens and Titans are signature victories that rounds out ten. I know you can only play the teams on your schedule. I will say since the Cowboys scare the Steelers, they have got their shit together. Will the Covid create such a bird flu atmosphere in the Ravens locker room to make this another walk through for the Steelers this Sunday? It’s a game already rescheduled once from Thursday.

#3.NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (8-2) The New Orleans team is much scarier these days with that defense which can get in the face of the quarterback. The Saints made Matt Ryan look like a Chicago Bears quarterback last Sunday. This defense might be better than the Bounty gate unit they won with the team that won the Superbowl.

#4.LA RAMS (7-3) Defense wins championships and the Rams may have the top unit in the game.

Remember this Bear castoff? Leonard Floyd has 7 sacks already for the Rams in his first season in LA. Another X-Bears player doing well in another uniform. It’s the Chicago way in sports.

#5.INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (7-3)

Head Coach Frank Reich of the Colts, is making a name for himself. Let’s take a walk down memory lane as Frank Reich was one of the best back up quarterbacks in the league when he played during the 1990’s. Evidence Frank Reich led the best comeback in the NFL include the playoff game when his Bills beat the Houston Oilers. His Bills Head Coach at the time was one of the smartest guys in the league, Marv Levy. Reich was the offensive Coordinator for the Eagles when they beat the Patriots in the Superbowl. Reich coached Phillip Rivers in San Diego. Now Rivers is the Colts Starter. Colts have been playing as a team with a balanced attack on offense using everyone. Then the Colts defense are another top unit in the league. Colts are sneaky and have been taking down good teams.

#6.GREEN BAY PACKERS (7-3) Aaron Rodgers still continues his monster year behind center as once again, he can slay the head off the Bears season.

This Bear rug above is the newest Nick Foles addition. You wonder if Rodgers hands these rugs off to people around the holidays. Who has the Jay Cutler one? It would be good to wipe your muddy boots on. Rodgers will try for his 4th straight game with 300 yards of passing versus the Bears defense.

#7.TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (7-4) I’m seeing some kinks in the Buccaneer armor.

The offensive line is slowly cracking as water definitely is getting in. Brady’s house has holes. Tom Brady’s arm is a problem. The deep ball dies out in the air and has no zip like it used to have. The Buccaneer defense can stop the run, but the pass can exploit them with quick slant passes like the Rams did to them on Monday night.

#8.TENNESSEE TITANS (7-3) Titans have the Ravens number as they made a nice comeback last Sunday and earned a much needed victory in over-time. Titans need to beat the division rival Colts this Sunday, or they will most likely be on the road in a wild card slot for the playoffs. The Titan defense still scares me. Teams can score and move the ball on them. Titans do get some big plays on defense. Last meeting with the Colts, Titans were very sloppy in all three parts of their game.

#9.BUFFALO BILLS (7-3) Bills need to get over that last second Hail Mary pass that defeated them in Arizona before their bye week. The entire AFC East division last week lost while the Bills were on the bye week. I think Bills got a chance to get healthy and get some home cooking with a home game right off the bat. I’ve seen improvements with the Bills defense in the last few games; at least they are forcing turnovers. The defense still giving up too many points.

#10.SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (7-3) The Seahawks defense has killed them this season. Fans probably wishing the Legion of Boom was still assembled. Those outcasts might all be in prison. It was that kind of element in those days. Last year, the Seahawks lost the division hold versus the 49ers who had a good defense. This season the Rams, another team with a good defense, might win the NFC West leaving Seattle as a wild card once again.

#11.ARIZONA CARDINALS (6-4) How far can Kyler Murray carry this Cardinal team? Cardinals defense is another unit in the league that has had problems stopping opposing teams. Cardinals are on and off as one of the streakiest teams in the league.

Like the Arizona Cardinals running back, either hate the drake or love the Drake. Cardinals have no middle ground. They are high or low.

#12.BALTIMORE RAVENS (6-4) It seems like the Ravens season is getting worse. Ravens are still falling to elite teams in the AFC, letting the Titans escape with a victory in OT. Now week 12 has the Ravens who had to close up shop because the locker room has been invaded by the Covid. Lamar Jackson could not even escape the virus.

Does Lamar Jackson’s poor play this season start being compared to the likes of Mike Vick, RG III, and Colin Kaepernick? Running quarterbacks that the league figured out.

#13.CLEVELAND BROWNS (7-3) I don’t think the Browns will catch the Steelers and win that division. Brown fans may see playoff tickets being printed up. If Browns win this Sunday, they would have won half of their games with five more games after, to cement a wild card position in the playoffs. When was the last time the Browns won half of their games?

It figures the year the Browns make the playoffs, it will be the year a pandemic is in the air. They will have more cardboard people in the Dawg pound, than dawgs. I tried to class up the joint by burrowing the Broncos South Park section of cardboard cutouts to represent the Browns. Broncos will not be using those card board cutouts in 2021. Both teams have orange in their uniforms.

#14.MIAMI DOLPHINS (6-4) There’s no crying in football!!!! Ryan Fitzpatrick, the definition of a journeyman quarterback, was having a fine year until the Dolphins pulled the plug on him and made it Tua Time. Dolphins won 5 straight and were finally beaten last Sunday. Now Tua is hurt so Fitzmagic is back. Fitzpatrick is like a cat with 99 lives because he always lands on his feet behind center with another gig or another start with whatever team he’s on. Did the Beard shed a few happy tears in his return?

#15.VEGAS RAIDERS (6-4) I did not think the Raiders were going to sweep the season 2 game series versus the Chiefs. Raiders lost in a shoot out last Sunday. Now what road will these Raiders take this Sunday? Will the Raiders be the same Raiders that beat the Chiefs the first time and the Saints? My gut tells me the Raiders will lose a few games. Then make one last effort and win their last few games to try to get in the playoffs, but fall short.

#16.ATLANTA FALCONS (3-7) Even though the Falcons did not play the Saints great last Sunday, it was Tayson Hill’s first ever start in the NFL. The Falcons have been playing better football under Interim Coach Raheem Morris, who has already led the dirty birds to three victories. Falcons have played better in the second half of their seasons the last few years. My gut feeling is the Falcons might tally up more victories to get Raheem the permanent position as Head Coach of the Falcons in 2021.

#17.CAROLINA PANTHERS (4-7) The Panthers used an XFL quarterback and wiped out the Lions last Sunday. Lions went on to lose on turkey day in humiliation. Can the Panthers do another NFC Central team with Teddy Bridgewater’s revenge facing the team that drafted him? If Panthers beat the Vikings this Sunday, it could be the final nail in the coffin for Minnesota’s playoff hopes.

#18.SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (4-6) The Bay Area wants no more live football in their city due to the virus. The 49ers have two problems. They are the walking wounded. Then their own city does not want them. They need a stadium and players.

Just need to open up the Terminator factory and make some new players for the 49ers.

Cylon cheerleaders.

Set up the Thunder Dome in the desert where they can play their home games

#19.DENVER BRONCOS (4-6) Just when you’re thinking the Broncos may be turning the corner with a big win over a hot Miami team. All of Denver’s quarterbacks have tested positive for the Corona Virus.

Denver has to stop letting their quarterbacks travel in one car like those clowns above.

#20.MINNESOTA VIKINGS (4-6) Vikings need to run Dalvin Cook like he is Forest Gump if this team wants to grab that third wild card in the NFC. The Vikings should quickly get over that devastating Dallas loss and back on their horse where they were gutting teams with the running game and playing solid defense. They may come up short, which is my prediction.

#21.HOUSTON TEXANS (4-7) Romeo Crennel is the oldest Head Coach in the league. At 73 years of age, he took over as the Interim Coach for the Texans. Romeo beat his master, Bill Belichick, and the Patriots this season. Then he beat a co-worker, another broken branch in Matt Patricia from the Belichick tree in the Lions on Thursday in a rout. Romeo is Cobra Kai of the league of Head Coaches.

#22.NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (4-6) The Evil Empire still has presence on some planets.

Patriots gave the Ravens a surprise attack and won a battle, beating Baltimore. Are The Ravens an elite AFC team still or is this team on the down spiral in the black hole of the universe?

Last Sunday the Texans figured out the Patriots these days are made out of legos and the quarterback is a cookie. The pockets of Bill Belichick’s forces are still on the run and can’t fight an entire 4 quarter battle.

#23.LA CHARGERS (3-7) Justin Herbert remains the story for the Chargers. Chargers offense has been fun to watch especially the bombs that Herbert launches in the skies. The Charger defense has had some major issues. The New York Jets last Sunday with old washed up veterans, made that contest into a game and a scare for the Chargers. We know Herbert has not made the winning play in tight games as the team lost two weeks in a row prior to the win over the Jets in the last play of the game.

#24.NEW YORK GIANTS (3-7) The Giants I think will be the team that will eventually win that awful NFC East. Giants defense has been really good this year and is the key. Plus Giants coming off a bye week have won two games in a row prior, and will be facing the Bengals without Joe Burrows. Giants will need that win versus the Bengals as they face some difficult teams starting in week 13.

Can you compare the present group to the dome patrol and Mt. Rushmore of Saints linebacker core they had in Pat Swilling, Sam Mills, Ricky Jackson, and Vaughan Johnson? That would be saying a lot. If defense keeps playing lights out, this team has a very great chance of getting to the Superbowl. The Saints are now 6-0 without Drew Brees behind center in the last two years. Can Taysom Hill with the speed of Lamar Jackson and his big play ability behind center keep this Saints team marching all the way to the number one seed in the NFC?

#25.CHICAGO BEARS (5-5) BEAR HUNTING SEASON HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN!!!!

Bears were once 5-1 to start this 2020 season. The offense has been dreadful. The offensive line is in shambles and was never addressed from last season. Mitch Trubisky might be back behind center versus the Packers this Sunday night. Just in time for Green Bay to put the final bullet in the Bea’rs head to end 2020. Another year where those orange vest over their parkas, who are hillbillies with their yellow hats that we call cheese heads will give the Bears the final fatality. Chalk it up to another miserable football year in Chicago.

#26.WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM (4-7) Washington no-namers started off the season losing their Redskin name.

Then someone buys up all the rights to potential new names. Your Head Coach is fighting cancer. The young quarterback you took in the first round looks to be a potential bust. You lose quarterback Kyler Allen to injury. Alex Smith looks rusty from his devastating leg injury years ago. Things are grim in DC. The silver lining is Donald Trump is headed out of the White House. Alex Smith finds his old self.

The team with no name humiliated their arch-rival on Turkey Day. Now the team with no name has swept the Cowboys in 2020. Leftovers are tasting so good in Washington, you are now in first place of the NFC East late in the season.

#27.DALLAS COWBOYS (3-8)

Since Dallas is America’s team, somehow the networks have to shove this miserable team down our throats every week. Cowboys last Sunday played well and beat a re-surging Viking team that has been red hot. Then on Turkey Day, the team with no name made the Cowboys look like turkeys. Is Ezekiel Elliot a bust? Elliot, I think, showed his thanks to a great offensive line throughout his career as he mimics the “feed me the rock” after scoring untouched at times or just making a first down. Present times, Elliot with the offensive line in shambles can’t do anything. Elliot has no moves and can not break a tackle. BUST!!!!!

#28.PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (3-6-1)

The Eagles beat the Giants and Cowboys went on a bye week to come out and shit the bed, two games in a row.

You don’t have to speak Jive to know the Eagles are the Jive turkey bird of the league.

If you need a translator, one will be provided.

#29.DETROIT LIONS (4-7) No wonder Barry Sanders and Megatron, AKA Calvin Johnson, went into early retirement.

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Thank God I did not watch the Lions and Texans while eating my turkey leg on Thanksgiving. I would have choked on my vomit from being out the night before. Week 12 and the Lion team is playing that sloppy with penalties. Fumbling the football. Matt Patricia – should I point all my fingers at him? Then last Sunday an XFL quarterback and the Panthers shut you out. They may be able to make cars in Detroit, but regarding football they are wasting the career of Matthew Stafford.

#30.CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-7-1)

The injury to your star and future franchise quarterback in Cincinnati is a major blow. In Cincinnati it is time to turn the channel and watch something else besides Bengal football. Just in time to Watch the Thanksgiving episode of WKRP.

Bengals can pray for a speedy recovery of Burrows. Plus the Bengals should now get a top five draft pick. Plus at least your not a Jaguar fan as they are thinking to start Mike Glennon this Sunday.

#31.JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-9) Why are the Jaguars going to start a terrible journeyman quarterback Mike Glennon?

Have the Jaguars brass not seen the Bears film in 2017? I blame Glennon’s bad play on rushing Mitch Trubisky development in which he may of needed two years on the sideline. I get that rookie Jake Luton had a bad game versus a bone crushing Steeler defense. Again a bone-crushing defense and your team is one of the bottom of the barrel teams in the league. Glennon is not your future. The Jaguars should insert Gardner Minshew if he is healthy over Glennon. I still don’t why the Jaguars still have Doug “Duh” Marrone as the team’s head coach. This franchise I compare it to the unwanted leftover candy no one wants in the bottom of the bucket from Halloween.

#32.NEW YORK JETS (0-10)

The New York Jets logo should be the Cobra Rattler from GI Joe. It is the oldest plane in the fleet like the players on the Jets. You know your team has absolutely nothing going for them when they have veterans playing every Sunday and contributing the most. Jets made a second half comeback versus the Chargers and made it a close game at the end. Joe Flacco was at the quarterback position throwing two TD passes and a pick. Frank Gore running the ball and still being productive. He’s rushing for 61 yards on the ground with a touchdown. Now if this was Baltimore Joe Flacco, before he helped the Ravens win the Superbowl and 49er Frank Gore, I’d tell you the Jets should have a way better record. Jets stay on target for a first round pick.

WEEK 12 STRAIGHT PICK-EM

LAST WEEK RECORD:8-6

OVERALL RECORD:111-50

THURSDAY NIGHT RECORD:7-3

MONDAY NIGHT RECORD:11-3

THE SUNDAY SLATE RECORD:93-44

THE THANKSGIVING GAMES

HOUSTON TEXANS AT DETROIT LIONS

OUR PICK:TEXANS

Lions thrive on fans on turkey day. No fans and Lions are coming off a embarrassing game versus Panthers. Detroit got beaten by a XFL QB last Sunday. That will not help their case.

WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM AT DALLAS COWBOYS

OUR PICK:COWBOYS

Cowboys played their best game last Sunday taking down the Vikings. I feel Andy Dalton and Ezekiel Elliot will build off that win and come out strong on turkey day to win two in a row.

THE SUNDAY SLATE

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS

OUR PICK: RAIDERS

Raiders defense just comes up with enough to contain the Falcon offense. Raiders’ well-balanced offense can beat you with a run or pass and not sure the Falcons can stop either one.

LA CHARGERS AT BUFFALO BILLS

OUR PICK:BILLS

Bills had a bye week to stew from losing on that Hail Mary pass. Chargers are fun on offense, but when you let the Jets back in the game and make it that close, that bothers me going into week 12. How will Chargers defense do versus a Josh Allen an offense that had plenty time to dissect this Charger body on the slab of metal?

NEW YORK GIANTS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS

OUR PICK:GIANTS

No Joe Burrows for the Bengals versus a good Giant defense.

CAROLINA PANTHERS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS

OUR PICK:VIKINGS

Would be cool to see Teddy Bridgewater beat the team that drafted him and gave up on him.

Vikings cleared the grossness left in their mouths from the Dallas lost.

TENNESSEE TITANS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

OUR PICK:COLTS

Seriously going Colts because Ive been losing picking against them. They seem to have the Titans number as well.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT LA RAMS

OUR PICK:RAMS

Rams defense is legit. Rams offense is underrated. Rams receivers Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods do not get talked about enough.

49ers still have big names out in this one.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

OUR PICK:CHIEFS

SUPERBOWL PREVIEW!!! Not with that Buccaneer offensive line. Tom Brady’s lack of the deep ball again concerns me.

ARIZONA CARDINALS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

OUR PICK:CARDINALS

Even frozen cookies crackle. Cam Newton will see his youthful self in Kyler Murray. He plays the QB position better than his Super softness of greatness as a young Panther in the cookie jar.

MIAMI DOLPHINS AT NEW YORK JETS

OUR PICK:DOLPHINS

The Dolphins will rub the Jets’ noses like they are dogs taking a plop on the rug.

CLEVELAND BROWNS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

OUR PICK:BROWNS

LOL!!! Mike Glennon is starting for the Jags. Cleveland will win half of their games after Sunday’s contest. When is the last time somebody could say that?

NEW ORLEANS AT DENVER BRONCOS

OUR PICK:SAINTS

Tayson Hill equals thr first victory for the Saints since 1994. Which is a 5 game losing streak in the mile high city.

CHICAGO BEARS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS

OUR PICK:PACKERS

Another early Christmas gift from Green Bay. Ending another miserable season for Chicago. Mitch Trubisky might be back for this one. That will not spark any interest from the locals.

THE MONDAY NIGHT AFFAIR

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS

The Seahawks defense should be able to force a few turnovers while Russell Wilson and the offense go up and down the field.

THE COVID BOWL

BALTIMORE RAVENS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS

OUR PICK:STEELERS

Lamar Jackson is one of the players to have gotten the virus. Ravens had problems with the Patriots. They let the Titans get back in the game and beat them in OT. Have to like the Steelers at home in the season sweep over Baltimore.

As a Chicago Bears fan, I’m amazed when other teams start their second string quarterback and have success. Not just the team, but the quarterback plays well. In the NFL you can win some games with a strong running game, great defense, and a good special teams. Last Sunday, Teddy Bridgewater was unable to go for the Carolina Panthers, and was ruled out with an injury. Panthers inserted their back-up quarterback P.J. Walker and came away with a victory versus the Detroit Lions. Who the hell is P.J. Walker and did the Bears even express any interest in the former XFL star?

P.J. Walker was the best quarterback in the Spring Football League during the second coming of the XFL. Many are thinking the second coming of Weekend at Bernie’s when it comes to the sequel of the XFL. In this case, the sequel is better. XFL Part 2 only lasted 5 weeks because the league had to shut down operations due to the Covid spread. Walker played for the Houston Roughnecks and led the league in passing yards and touchdown passes. Most importantly, Walker had the Roughnecks at 5-0 record.

P.J Walker came out of Temple University. There, Walker led the Owls to their first conference title in 49 years in 2016. Walker led the Owls to back-to-back bowl games. First time that ever happened in Temple Football history. Leaving Temple, Walker owns most of the records as quarterback. Walker’s Owl records had the most passing yards, touchdown passes, attempts, and completions. The biggest stat in college and the XFL play is wins; he left Temple with the most in school history and left Houston undefeated before they shut down the league.

P.J Walker signed with the Indianapolis Colts in 2017 as an undrafted free agent. Walker would spend time on the Colts’ practice squad. Then Walker was released and found his way to the XFL. After the shutdown of the XFL, all the players in the league became free agents. Walker was plucked immediately by Carolina, and was reunited with his former coach, Matt Rhule. Rhule was head coach at Temple University and is the head coach of the Panthers. A reunion is expected between player and coach.

P.J. Walker’s first start in the NFL overall was pretty good. The Lions are an embarrassment one week, and world beaters the next week. You never know what you will get. Walker showed poise in the pocket, not losing his shit at any sign of pressure. Walker had zip on his passes and a quick release. Walker’s day ended up 24-34-258 yards, touchdown but two interceptions. That’s your typical day from the likes of Ryan Fitzpatrick and Phillip Rivers. Walker seems like he has a gunslinger mentality as he held on to the ball longer at times waiting to deliver a strike which can be good, but mostly bad and at times just ugly. Walker will try to force things into tight windows like a Brett Farve. Bottom line is Walker helped the Panthers break a losing streak with the win over the Lions. Walker may be that guy like a Jimmy Garoppolo that wins many games. Some do not look pretty, but the bottom line is a win is a win. It is so typical that a guy like Matt Rhule finds guys like Walker, while the Bears Head Coach, Matt Nagy, has Tyler Bray following him from town to town.

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Tayson Hill made his first ever NFL start at quarterback last Sunday versus the Atlanta Falcons. Hill is known as the Human Swiss Army Knife for the New Orleans Saints as he does a little of everything. Hill has played special teams since he came to the New Orleans Saints in 2017. People forget, but they have to remember he came from BYU and played quarterback throughout his collegiate career. Hill has played quarterback for the Saints and has lined up as a wide receiver and tight end. Head Coach Sean Payton brings in Tayson Hill regularly to run a few wild cats plays where he can run the ball, pass the ball, or be a decoy. Hill was an undrafted free agent coming out of BYU, originally signed by the Green Bay Packers. Hill lasted through most of the preseason with the Packers that year, but ended up on waivers where the Saints were waiting and on their turn immediately plucked him off that list. Finally after doing everything that was asked from him, Tayson Hill was rewarded with his first start behind center in the NFL. Another ex-BYU quarterback who is a Hall of Famer who has the same skill set as Tayson Hill did have an interesting road where he finally felt at home in the NFL. Could Tayson Hill be going down the same road as a Steve Young?

Steve Young came out of BYU and was met with a crossroad immediately. Young talent coming out of BYU was a higher level then a Tayson Hill. Young would immediately be thrown into game action in his first year behind center, be drafted, and would not have to learn to play other positions like a Tayson Hill has done. Steve Young chose the USFL over the NFL. Maybe it was the money, maybe a new league and becoming like a pioneer for something new was something that persuaded him to go down the USFL path. My money is on the loot he got becoming the starting quarterback for the LA Express.

Steve Young would play two seasons in the USFL until the league folded operations because Donald Trump is a complete moron, as you probably know already. Young was “forever Young” in those days and in two seasons he tossed 16 TD passes for 4,102 yards. Young however threw 22 interceptions as he was learning the pro game. Young also used his legs and rushed for 883 yards for the Express and scored 9 rushing TD’S. Throw in 3 rushing 2 point conversions the left handed passer that can run and pass with precision and you get the same proto type of player as Tayson Hill.

Tayson Hill’s first start was very impressive. Some will say Hill faced a bad Falcon defense. The Falcons have been playing much better under Interim Coach Raheem Morris and his defensive unit has done better then that disastrous start Atlanta got off to. Hill had 108.9 passing rating by completing 18-23 passes for 233 yards. Those numbers make Hill the 7th quarterback since 1950 to have completed 78% of his passes in his first ever start in the NFL. Hill was not a running quarterback like Tyrod Taylor dinking and dunkin’. Hill threw the ball downfield like missiles fired out of a cannon. That gives Hill another interesting stat as he koins Stan the Man Humpries to average 10 yards passed per attempt. Hill also rushed for 51 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns. Last time someone did that on their first start was Viking Daunte Culpepper who ran for 41 yards and had two rushing touchdowns. Culpepper and now Hill are the only two quarterbacks in the Superbowl ERA to accomplish 40 or more yards rushing with two scores in their first ever start in the NFL. Hill did not throw a interception or a TD pass in his first start.

Steve Young, after the USFL, moved on to greener pastures in the NFL. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their creamsicle uniforms is not quite green pastures.

In two miserable seasons in Florida, Young had a 3-16 record as the guy behind center. Young threw for 3,217 yards with 11 TD’s and again more interceptions than TD passes with 21. Young had 653 yards on the ground with six rushing TD’S in two years in Tampa Bay.

Steve Young’s career took off in San Francisco where he finally found a home as a professional football player. The same with Tayson Hill being cut by the Packers and then finding his home presently with the Saints. Young was behind legendary Hall of Fame Quarterback Joe Montana who won 4 Superbowls with the 49ers. Hill is behind another legend and future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees who has won one Superbowl. Both Hill and Young got to learn and watch how Montana and Brees conducted themselves as a professional quarterback soaking it all in like a sponge. Both Hill and Young had two Offensive gurus as their head coaches. Steve Young had the mastermind Bill Walsh. While Tayson Hill has a mastermind in today’s game in Sean Payton. Steve Young would be Montana’s back up and getting some action here and there. With Drew Brees being hurt this is Tayson Hill’s chance to get that starters experience for now. Brees is out with broken ribs and a collapsed lung; he could be out for weeks. Eventually the older Joe Montana had to move on as he signed with the Chiefs. Young finally became the 49ers starting quarterback. Steve Young would eventually lead the 49ers to a Superbowl title. Young numbers got better as he threw for 29,907 yards in 49er uniform. Young had way more TD passes then interceptions which was 221 to 86. Young had a better O-line in San Francisco and better system for his talents than his prior spots. Young still tallied 37 rushing touchdowns for the niners. Young used his legs to gain 3,581 yards behind that talented San Francisco O-line. Eventually the former BYU product’s long road to the 49ers paid off and was elected to the Football Hall of Fame in Canton Ohio.

Could Taysom Hill go down the Steve Young path and guide a team to a Superbowl title? How many years does Drew Brees have left in the gas tank? Tayson Hill has the same speed as great running quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson of the Ravens and Kyler Murray of the Cardinals. New Orleans Saints system did very well for Teddy Bridgewater who went 5-0 last season with Drew Brees being sidelined with an injury. Bridgewater landed a big contract in the off season with the Panthers. Sean Payton has always said Hill will probably be Drew Brees’ replacement when he finally rides off into the sunset. The Saints signed Jameis Winston in the off season to be the back up quarterback for Brees. Most likely that was a move to keep Tayson Hill as the Human Swiss Army knife as it make the Saints a scarier offense. When Brees got hurt, Winston did come in and finished the game versus the 49ers. Payton did not name Winston as the starter the following week as he gave the nod to Tayson Hill. Maybe because Jameis Winston is a turn over machine as a starter, even though the Saints system should help reduce mistakes from his Tampa Bay days. Tayson Hill brings more to the table such as leadership and it’s a league where quarterbacks can run and pass the ball with precision. Hill may dot those I’s and cross those T’s for the Saints. The Saints may be passing the torch like Montana passed it to Young even though he may not have liked that idea at the time.