WEEK THREE STRAIGHT PICK EM

WEEK TWO RECORD:15-1

ALMOST PERFECTION

Went perfect last week until the Monday night game. We had Saints, and the Raiders ended up winning that contest.

OVERALL RECORD:24-8

THURSDAY NIGHT RECORD:2-0

MONDAY NIGHT RECORD:2-1

THE SUNDAY RECORD:20-7

Week three we found some difficult match ups that can go either way on us. Overall, I feel good about what we did pick in week three. We’ll pour ourself a big freaking beer and see how it all works out.

THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

MIAMI DOLPHINS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

OUR PICK:DOLPHINS

This match up is two crappy teams giving good teams fits so far in this earlier 2020 season. It’s the battle of the beard versus the porn mustache. Ryan Fitzpatrick’s beard for the Dolphins and Gardner Minshew’s porn mustache. In the boxing ring you always bet on the black guy to beat the white guy.

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Beard always trumps mustache.

THE SUNDAY SLATE

CHICAGO BEARS AT ATLANTA FALCONS

OUR PICK: FALCONS

The biggest question I have in this match up is whether Mitch Trubisky can go the distance with Matt Ryan all four quarters. The Falcons defense is not very good. The Bears defense likes to think of themselves still as a top unit of the league. This game may not be a shootout. Matt Ryan and the Falcons offense have weapons of mass destruction and can run with anyone as they scored 79 points in two games. Trubisky in two games has played well in parts of both games. The Bears offense versus the Giants defense only scored 17 points, all in the first half. I see the Falcons scoring in the high 20’s while the Bears fall short in the lower 20’s. Trubisky will show you flashes, but will also go into a funk which will haunt this team with its first loss. Nick Foles chatter will bellow all week on sports radio.

NEW YORK JETS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

OUR PICK:COLTS

The Jets may be the worst team in the NFL. Jets coach, Adam Gase… didn’t we already know he could not coach when he was on the sidelines in Miami? Colts right now have one of the best defenses in the league which they will need with Phillip Rivers who is prone to make mistakes behind center. Rivers should not have any problems picking and pecking out the Jets defense like a vulture in this week three match up that will go to the Colts.

CINCINNATI BENGALS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

OUR PICK:EAGLES

I would love to see Joe Burrows get his first NFL win in Philadelphia this weekend. No other team in the league except for the Eagles puts themselves on the electric chair and about to be roasted then the Governor calls. The Eagles suddenly win the game to yet again bail themselves out. I think Carson Wentz will rebound after a tough first two games. The Bengals are the worst tackling team in the league. Eagles Miles Sanders will have a big game.

HOUSTON TEXANS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS

OUR PICK TEXANS

I can not see the Houston Texans starting 0-3 for the year. The Steelers are playing great football so far with victims like the Giants and Broncos. The Texans have been playing top dogs in the league like Ravens and Chiefs. DeShaun Watson will come up with a big play at the end of this game to notch the Texans’ first win of the year in a very close game.

LA RAMS AT BUFFALO BILLS

OUR PICK:BILLS

This may be one of the best games on the docket week three in the NFL. The Rams have looked way better than I thought they would to start this season. The hangover from the Superbowl is over. Buffalo now has a talented offense and Josh Allen keeps improving. Bills defense gets a few key players back from injuries. LA traveling to the east coast two times in two weeks may not help this team in the long run of the game. Even without fans, I like Buffalo at home to handle the Rams and keep their record perfect.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

OUR PICK:RAIDERS

I will call this game Jon Gruden’s revenge game versus the Patriots even though it is years later. Nobody ever gets over things in the NFL.

Raiders revenge on the winter madness fumble rule that benefited the Evil Empire Patriots and made them the dark side of the league in one swoop. This gives the Raiders a chance to bring the Patriots down to a whole new world, a losing record and unable to get over 500 as a team.

CAROLINA PANTHERS AT LA CHARGERS

OUR PICK:CHARGERS

I knew Tyrod Taylor would not hold that starting position behind center for long. Taylor out with an injury. Taylor will also be out of a starting job because Chargers rookie Justin Herbert looks pretty good. Even though he will make his first start, I still like the Chargers versus the Panthers defense. Herbert did play last week and did well and had a week to get ready for a bad Panther team without Christian McCaffrey. Plus the Chargers have play makers on offense. They just needed someone to get the ball to them. Taylor and Rivers in his final year as a Charger could not deliver to those guys. I like Herbert and Chargers defense in this one.

WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM AT CLEVELAND BROWNS

OUR PICK:BROWNS

Browns and the Washington team have the most vanilla team name and helmets in the league. The Browns two headed monster at running back attack with Hunt and Chubb will take the pressure off Baker Mayfield to deliver on some key passes. The Browns, to me, will be a better team this year because they are not making bone headed mistakes like last season. I like how the new coaching staff is using Mayfield’s legs and rolling him out on plays to throw on the run. Dwayne Haskins is still making too many mistakes behind center right now and this will cost the Washington Football Team. I like Washington’s front seven on defense. Once head coach Ron Rivera gets the offense going, this team will be very hard to beat.

TENNESSEE TITANS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS

OUR PICK:TITANS

Too many things going wrong in Minnesota. The Vikings defense can’t stop anyone. The Vikings offense are making too many mistakes. How in the world can the Vikings slow down the Titan offense that can beat you a few different ways? Quarterback Ryan Tannehill has no interceptions and has six TD passes while Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins has only two TD passes and 4 picks which says it all.

NEW YORK GIANTS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

OUR PICK:49ERS

The 49ers have many of their starters injured for this Sunday’s game. The 49ers will start Nick Mullens at quarterback. Giants will be without their top running back Saquon Barkley who is out for the year. Mullens started 8 games in 2018 and did pretty well in those contests. The Giants offense has been in deep slumber so far in two games. I think Nick Mullens will lead a few more scoring drives over a suspect Giants defense than the New York offense scoring on the 49er defense.

DALLAS COWBOYS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

OUR PICK:SEAHAWKS

Dallas to me got lucky last week coming back from being down a lot versus the Falcons. It took the Cowboys the second half of the second game to have some kind of pulse on the offense. Cowboys would have the complete game to derail a hot Seahawk team on the road. I do not like how the Cowboys play away from Dallas, which is another thing – crowd or no crowd. I see Seahawks having a game plan to contain Dak and company and get the win when everything is over.

DETROIT LIONS AT ARIZONA CARDINALS

OUR PICK:CARDINALS

Detroit has no defense to stop the Cardinals high octane attack. Lions are probably still without their top play maker in Kenny Golladay. Why did the Lions keep Matt Patricia? If you do survivor, the Cardinals would be a great pick for week three.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT DENVER BRONCOS

OUR PICK:BUCCANEERS

I think the Buccaneers are getting better each week. Tom Brady finally notched his first win wearing the pewter Pirate helmet. Now you will see something unfamiliar in Tampa Bay football the last few years, a winning streak. The Broncos will be playing without their starting quarterback, Drew Lock. I don’t see Jeff Driskel pulling a rabbit out his helmet and getting the upset for the Broncos.

GREEN BAY PACKERS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

OUR PICK: SAINTS

Has Aaron Rodgers dumped his hot race car driver Danica Patrick for the state farm guy?

Is Drew Brees too old for the game as people said in his performance on Monday Night last week? Packers have had two great dominating games so far this season while the Saints beat up on a bad Tom Brady performance in week one. I hate Green Bay. I am going with my heart on this pick and going Saints and seeing Drew Brees ride off into the sunset with Danica Patrick flipping off Aaron Rodgers on the way out.

THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS

OUR PICK RAVENS

This game is the Clash of the Titans in an early match up between two AFC power houses. I like The Ravens drawing first blood. This game will be like the first two Rocky movies as Apollo Creed will be Lamar Jackson and beat up Rocky who is Patrick Mahomes by a few punches. Ravens will eventually meet the Chiefs in the playoffs and I give that round two bout to Patrick Mahomes.

If the Chicago Bulls were playing darts in a saloon and the game was cricket, they just hit a big time bullseye. The throw by Arturas Karnisavas, the Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Bulls, lands Chicago a big name for their vacant head coach job. Former Oklahoma City Head Coach Billy Donovan has a great track record in the NBA after coaching the Thunder to five straight playoff appearances. When the Covid shutdown happened across the NBA landscape, the Bulls decided to go into another direction and cleaned the house of horrors that was the Gar/Pax show. Gar Forman was fired. John Paxson moved to a different job in the organization. In came Arturas Karnisavas, a guy rising up in the ranks in the NBA front offices. Then Karnisavas’ first hire at the GM position was Marc Eversley. Eversley is a hard working guy who is well liked throughout the NBA world. Both new hires have been rebuilding the whole new Bulls front office from scratch, bringing the organization to the next century. Then they finally fired the final stooge which was Curly Jim Boylen who coaches more like Shemp.

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Billy Donovan gives the Bulls their first significant hire at head coach since moving Phil Jackson in on Doug Collins’ team before the dynasty took off. Donovan is the first Bulls coach they’ve hired coming in with experience since the one year wonder Scott Skiles. I did like the Tom Thibodeau hire because the Bulls played hard and he was not going to be a puppet like Fred Hoilberg coming in with just college experience. Hoilberg was in over his head instantly. The ink on the contract was not even dry. Plus, I don’t remember Freddie winning any NCAA tournament wins on the bench at Iowa State. Let’s not forget John Paxson punching Vinnie Del Negro, another hire who came with no experience. Closer you go to Michael Jordan retiring after the shot we thought was his last in the NBA, it gets very dissatisfying. Donovan is a big name guy in the NBA and has the respect throughout the league. Now perhaps a free agent may want to come to Chicago in their prime. Not throwing up a Hail Mary on a Dwayne Wade who was running on fumes.

Billy Donovan will get a 4 year agreement with the Chicago Bulls in a deal worth about 24 million. Donovan is 55 years old and has a nice head coaching resume which includes a 243-157 record in the NBA. That’s a .608 winning percentage if you’re keeping track at home. Let’s not forget his two National championships in college basketball for the University of Florida. I asked a former Gator alum about the Bulls hiring Donovan. His reply was simple and that he wished the coach had gone back home to the University of Florida. These are the roots that that Donovan has planted in his career and is still missed from a job well done.

Charles Barkley said about the Hiring of Donovan:

“Only 2 jobs worse than the Bulls head coaching job. The Captain of the Titanic and my fitness coach.”

Charles Barkley also went on to say Coach Billy Donovan should had waited for a better opportunity with another team. Main reason is Barkley thinks the players the Bulls have right now on their roster are nothing to write home to mom about.

The experts say Billy Donovan is leaving the Thunder because the organization was going to be headed into a rebuild. Donovan was offered a deal to stay in Oklahoma City, but he refused it. Instead, Donovan would rather be in Chicago. Arturas Karnisavas and Marc Eversley must have a grand plan in place to land Donovan. A plan Billy Donovan must be pleased about to come to Chicago, a place that has fallen off the basketball map. Chicago Bulls basketball has had some ups, but way more downs since the dynasty ended. It took practically the zombie apocalypse for the Bulls to finally gets things right. This is a solid choice, the hiring of Billy Donovan. Bulls seem like a Neegan or the Governor in The Walking Dead. Succeeding and thriving when the world is a mess. Hopefully Donovan and the rest of the NBA can bring back defense into this sport. It may bring me back to actually watch some games instead of flipping the channel off some of these crappy bubble games. Now we need Arturas, Billy, and Marc to hit some triples on the board and land some talented players with multiple skill sets.

WEEK TWO STRAIGHT PICK-EM

WEEK ONE STATS

OVERALL RECORD: 9-7

THURSDAY NIGHT RECORD:1-0

MONDAY NIGHT RECORD: 2-0

THE SUNDAY SLATE: 6-7

Our first week picking, we are hopeful we knocked off some of the rust going 9-7. Week one is always hard to figure out. Every week is hard, but perhaps we will razzle you and maybe show you some of our dazzle in our week two straight pick-em choices.

Sometimes we have an eye for things.

THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

CINCINNATI BENGALS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS

OUR PICK: BROWNS

In week one, Browns were easily handled by the Ravens. Which is understandable with the Ravens in a different league than the Browns. Joe Burrows’ debut for the Bengals resulted in a close contest with the visiting Chargers. I figure the Browns could run versus a bad tackling defense that would give Nick Chubb a big day with the pig skin. The rest is up to Baker Mayfield to dish out the ball to all his other play makers.

If not, the Browns will need to kick Baker out of the weekly book club. Browns have the Bengals’ number over the years. Joe Burrows will show this division rival will get better.

THE SUNDAY SLATE

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT TENNESSEE TITANS

OUR PICK:TITANS

I’m not sure how Jacksonville stunned the Colts last week. Titans went on the road in a tight one versus the Broncos and won. The Jaguars have not won in Nashville their last six contests. I see Derrick Henry making mince meat out of jaguar meat. Just running through them stiff arming them for a big day. Eventually the Jaguars turn into scaredy cats, scaredy cats. Something you would say when you a little kid hopefully chasing away the local bully.

DETROIT LIONS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS

OUR PICK:PACKERS

Maybe the Packers should draft or bring in a quarterback replacement for Aaron Rodgers every week and season. Rodgers erupted over the Vikings last week. The Lions still can not hold a lead as the Bears Mitch Trubisky in a big come back stuns the Lions in the same ole story in Detroit. I like Rodgers repeating his week one performance against a very questionable Lions secondary.

LA RAMS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

OUR PICK:RAMS

Rams won their opener in their new stadium, beating a Cowboy team that many had high expectations for. The Eagles lost to the no name Washington team which I did not see coming. The Eagles offensive line is in shambles. The Eagles do get their star running back from last season. Miles Sanders is back in the fold after sitting out with an injury. This is a battle between two quarterbacks selected 1 & 2 in the draft. Carson Wentz versus Jared Goff. Rams have had a lot of success on the road so the west coast to the east coast trip will not fly here. I think the Rams defense stifles the Eagles’ walking wounded offense is my key to the game.

NEW YORK GIANTS AT CHICAGO BEARS

OUR PICK: BEARS

Last week I was screaming in my head to take out Mitch Trubisky and put in back up Nick Foles. Trubisky showed grit and even in spite of a bad jumping graham Cracker who mistimed a big opportunity early on the Bears overcame. The Giants running game went completely dark last week versus the Steel curtain. I think Giants running Saquon Barkley will play a better game. I think the Bears defense will eventually stop his production late in the game. Trubisky takes advantage of the Giants terrible secondary and Bears are 2-0 and Mitch is still the starter.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT NEW YORK JETS

OUR PICK:49ERS

Are the 49ers taking the road most teams go after losing in the Superbowl? Foggy mind set. Arizona is much better and they ended up winning the close game this go around. Jets did not do much at all last week versus the Bills. Jets will rev up their engines late in the season like they always do. 49ers rebound in a game they need and make a statement versus the Jets.

DENVER BRONCOS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS

OUR PICK:STEELERS

Big Ben was healthy after being out almost a year, last week. Ben Roethlisberger threw three touchdowns and interceptions versus the G-Men on the road. Broncos, could a time late in the Monday night came been the right call for them to upset the Titans in close one? Broncos without Von Miller and Courtland Sutton, showed their capabilities to play with a top team like Tennessee. Pittsburgh at home is a different animal with Big Ben behind center. Steelers defense should be talked about more as they contain one of the best running backs in the league last Sunday versus the Giants in Saquon Barkley. Steel Curtain is the deciding factor.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

OUR PICK:COLTS

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Is it time to drag Phillip Rivers behind the shed like Old Yeller? Losing to the Jaguars in the season opener is a very hard pill to swallow. Throwing a few picks is the norm for Rivers. Then the Viking defense which was a main staple for years giving up 43 points to the Packers. Both teams desperately need a victory. Whoever loses this Sunday may not be able climb out of the hole they dug themselves.

Is this Phillip Rivers or Kirk Cousins trapped in the well? We threw a dart on this pick.

CAROLINA PANTHERS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

OUR PICK:BUCCANEERS

Carolina lost in a shootout with the Vegas Raiders last Sunday. Tom Brady did not fare well in his season debut with the Buccaneers. If you are counting at home, that is 1 for Billy Boy Belichick and Nill for Tom Brady. Brady and the Buccaneers will rebound in week two. Brady will exploit the Panthers young defense and get the Buccaneers even at 1-1 for the season. Panthers will continue to improve each week even with a loss in each of the first two weeks of the season.

BUFFALO BILLS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS

OUR PICK:BILLS

Bills handled the Jets with ease last week. The Dolphins tried to mug Patriots quarterback Cam Newton for the gold chain around his neck. I think Bills defense will be able to force good ole Ryan Fitzpatrick into some costly turnovers. The Bills controlled offense sustain long drives last week that ate up the clock on the Jets. Bills have done well in Miami and I do not see that changing this Sunday.

ATLANTA FALCONS AT DALLAS COWBOYS

OUR PICK:COWBOYS

The Falcons 2020 season is a very difficult schedule to start. The Seahawks mauled the Falcons last week despite Matt Ryan throwing for 450 yards. The Cowboys were the first visiting team for the LA new stadium and only showed up for the first half. Home cooking is what the Cowboys need. The Falcons defense to me seems like last year like a turn-style for every opponent. Falcons got off to a bad start last season. They have not shown me anything different this season.

THE WASHINGTON TEAM (RED SKINS) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS

OUR PICK:CARDINALS

I think Larry Fitzgerald sticks around in Arizona during the bad years because he feels like things will improve. Larry has been a part of some great Arizona teams. Things have improved as the Cardinals took out the 49ers last week. The Washington team took out the Eagles who had holes in their offensive line. The no name Washington team will be better than last year with Ron Rivera as the head coach. The addition of DeAndre Hopkins to this Cardinal Offense gives Kyle Murray lots to work with. The Washington team will have problems with the Cardinals flexing their wings in this match up.

BALTIMORE RAVENS AT HOUSTON TEXANS

OUR PICK:RAVENS

I feel the Texans could say Houston we have a problem right when they agreed to make that deal that sent DeAndre Hopkins to the Cardinals. Like the roadrunner cartoon, the Texans are free falling. First the Texans had to start this season versus the Chiefs. Now in week two, the Texans face the Ravens. I have a feeling the head coach of the Texans who is the GM as well and you know his name, will be fired by the time this season ends.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT LA CHARGERS

OUR PICK:CHIEFS

You know the Chargers are the only team in the AFC West to beat the Chiefs once in that division with Patrick Mahomes as the starting quarterback for Kansas City. The Charger loss is only one blemish, as Mahomes is undefeated against the Raiders and Broncos. Do you see the Tyrod Taylor Chargers could take down the Chiefs? It’s like the Washington Generals thinking they have a shot at beating the Harlem Globetrotters.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

OUR PICK:SEAHAWKS

This will be the first kink in the Evil Empire’s fall, as New England’s aerial attack is shut down by the Seattle secondary. Seattle will also expose the softness of a Cam Newton. Billy Boy may not ride the tandem bike with buddy newton after week two. I feel a disturbance in the force, but this time it has the Evil Patriots reeling backwards and even their record at 1-1 after two weeks. The dent will be heard all around the NFL world.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT VEGAS RAIDERS

OUR PICK:SAINTS

NFL WELCOME TO VEGAS

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The Raiders will finally have their first home game in their new home, Las Vegas. They say what is done or said in Vegas stays in Vegas. The Saints victory over the Raiders will have the same merit.

STRAIGHT PICK-EM

With Covid-19, I thought the NFL would never happen due to being a contact sport. Since the league will be playing, we will take a wild stab at each match up every week and try to pick the winner. We may pick out of a hat. Perhaps some axe throwing at the dart board may determine the winner. Hell, we don’t know how we will figure out the winner like we care. We will make an educated guess each match up, cross our fingers, and pray we get each match up right. I do recommend you go with the opposite. Tall boys after tall boys mean we have not gotten it right for a very long time.

THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

HOUSTON TEXANS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

OUR PICK:CHIEFS

It’s opening night and the Chiefs will be amped up, being at home and coming off the sweet Super Bowl victory. Always have to go home team for the Superbowl champion in the first game of the season. They always relive the magic.

THE SUNDAY SLATE

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

OUR PICK:COLTS

This is the rise of the Phillip Rivers. Once a superhero and now turned human, and just dreadful last season ending his time on the west coast. Like the Dark Knight Rises, Rivers reforms himself in the off season in an undisclosed location. Rivers will ride again this time in Indianapolis. The Jaguars makes Rivers’ first villain, an easy one like the Riddler. But, we know this team has no answers. The Rivers rises again. Just can’t wait until he faces the Joker and the other clowns to his left.

CHICAGO BEARS AT DETROIT LIONS

OUR PICK: LIONS

This game I went back and forth on in my mind. I know Mitch Trubisky has a good record versus the Lions. Bears defense screams in my mind. Then I go back to the early season struggles Mitch Trubisky has historically. Why is Nick Foles being paid big money to sit? Lions were in every game last season and had late leads in most of them. This season opener they’ll manage to hold them and not fold them.

VEGAS RAIDERS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS

OUR PICK PANTHERS

First thing is a west coast team traveling east will not help Las Vegas’ first official NFL game with their new team. I like Teddy Bridgewater’s chances with a bad Raider defense in the second half of last season. Raiders made improvements. Bridgewater will play a clean game and use his weapons. Christian McCaffrey is the best back in the league and D.J Moore, one of the best receivers in the league. Panthers forget all about the cookie they had for many years. New Sheriff in town.

MIAMI DOLPHINS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

OUR PICK: PATRIOTS

Miami has improved. I know Miami has the hex on the Patriots, but in Miami, not Boston. The Evil Empire will prevail in the first week. It may not be pretty, but the Patriots game plan will be the key. I think fans will be wanting their Brady back despite the win.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM

OUR PICK:EAGLES

Washington is still in the process of grooming their young quarterback, Dwayne Haskins. New system. New coach. Carson Wentz has been there and done that. Eagles win on the road.

CLEVELAND BROWNS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS

What could have been if the Browns never moved to Baltimore?

OUR PICK:RAVENS

Browns have another coaching staff. No preseason. I think they will need to iron more wrinkles out with this team, especially after what that moron Freddie Kitchens did to them last season. Lamar Jackson will fine tune their play and rebound from that devastating loss in the playoffs last season.

LA CHARGERS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS

OUR PICK:BENGALS

WHY NOT? Why can’t number one draft pick Joe Burrows come out on top of Chargers Tyrod Taylor? Bengals will have all their play makers healthy unlike last season. What did the Chargers do to improve in the off season? Bengals earn their stripes in the opener and send the Chargers back to LA as they may think about when to put their rookie quarterback in.

NEW YORK JETS AT BUFFALO BILLS

OUR PICK:BILLS

I know Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott will have his team ready and not take the Jets lightly. I see the Bills defense giving the Jets fits. I think with Josh Allen, we will see some big time improvement of his play behind center. Last season he took steps. This season Allen makes strides.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT ATLANTA FALCONS

OUR PICK:SEAHAWKS

The thing that impressed me last season was the Seahawks winning road games. The Falcons are even a better offense than they were last season, adding some nice toys for Matt Ryan to bring out this Sunday. Seattle’s secondary is my X-factor in this close game which will force Ryan to make some mistakes. Russell Wilson finds a way to win close ones and he’ll do it in Atlanta.

PACKERS AT VIKINGS

OUR PICK:PACKERS

I hate saying this. After the Packers drafted a quarterback in the first round, it gives Aaron Rodgers an axe to grind. I could see Rodgers getting off to a very quick start, especially in a building with no fans. The viking horn without the crowd is nothing to disrupt the Green Machine offense. Kirk Cousins in big games; I have no faith in him. The Vikings defense has been revamped with some new blood. The Packers defense improved last season. Should be the same or even better.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT NEW ORLEANS

OUR PICK:BUCCANEERS

This is the game of the week in my book and everyone else in the NFL world probably agrees. Tom Brady versus Drew Brees sounds like a monster movie or heavy weight boxing match for all the marbles. I hate Tom Brady. Love to the Saints… knock the Buccaneers who are now one of teams you must hate into tomorrow.

My gut feeling which seems like the way the script goes is the villain, Tom Brady, will win the first match up between these two future hall of fame quarterbacks. The villain always strikes first leaving Brees to swoop down and take out Brady in the second match up.

CARDINALS AT 49ERS

OUR PICK:CARDINALS

Last season Cardinals gave the 49ers a run for their money in two games they played against each other. The Cards added DeAndre Hopkins to the mix that makes Arizona’s receiving core even better. Remember, Larry Fitzgerald still wears the bird on his helmet. The losing team in the Superbowl always seems to be hungover the following season. I recommend a greasy cheeseburger with an egg on top of it.

DALLAS COWBOYS AT LA RAMS

OUR PICK: COWBOYS

Cowboys make their mark in the Rams new stadium that will get appreciation from St. Louis, the town the Rams left. I think Dak and company get off solidly with a big win on the road. Dak Prescott will be on a mission to take his play to the elite level of Patrick Mahomes in search for big money at Menards.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT NEW YORK GIANTS

OUR PICK:STEELERS

Big Ben must be salivating. His comeback from injury last year that sidelined him most of the season, is against a weak Giants secondary. Steelers all night long.

TENNESSEE TITANS AT DENVER BRONCOS

OUR PICK:TITANS

Titans add Jadeveon Clowney while the Broncos lose Von Miller with a freak injury for the entire season. Derrick Henry runs wild and Titans make it known early they were no fluke last season.

We will throw our hat into the ring and try to predict the regular season record of every team in the NFL record. We will tell you who wins all the divisions. We will pick all the wild cards. Plus, reveal our Superbowl winner. Along the way will be some fun bold predictions. We are probably wrong. However we were probably drunk when we came up with this craziness.

NFC EAST

DALLAS COWBOYS 9-7

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 8-8

WASHINGTON DEAD SKINS 7-9

NEW YORK GIANTS 6-10

BOLD PREDICTIONS: Washington Football team becomes the Guardians.

Dak Prescott 2020 MVP

NFC NORTH

GREEN BAY PACKERS 10-6

MINNESOTA VIKINGS 9-7

DETROIT LIONS 7-9

CHICAGO BEARS 6-10

BOLD PREDICTIONS: Bears finally realize that Mitch Trubisky is a bust. GM Ryan Pace gets fired.

Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia is axed.

NFC SOUTH

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 12-4

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS 11-5

ATLANTA FALCONS 7-9

CAROLINA PANTHERS 7-9

BOLD PREDICTIONS: Tom Brady versus Drew Brees oozes into the playoffs with a third showdown. Brees comes out on top, ruining Brady’s great year.

Teddy Bridgewater shows he is a starting quarterback in this league with a good year behind center for Carolina as a full time starter.

NFC WEST

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 11-5

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 10-6

ARIZONA CARDINALS 9-7

LA RAMS 7-9

BOLD PREDICTIONS: Cardinals makes the playoffs.

Seattle turns the tables on the 49ers this season winning a big game at the end to win the West

AFC EAST

BUFFALO BILLS 10-6

MIAMI DOLPHINS 8-8

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 8-8

NEW YORK JETS 6-10

BOLD PREDICTIONS: Coach Bill Belichick finds out the hard way how soft Cam Newton is.

Patriots do not make the playoffs.

AFC CENTRAL

BALTIMORE RAVENS 11-5

PITTSBURGH STEELERS 10-6

CLEVELAND BROWNS 7-9

CINCINNATI BENGALS 4-12

BOLD PREDICTIONS:Bengals rookie quarterback Joe Burrows is the real deal.

Ben Roethlisberger makes a great come back from the previous year of being injured. However late in the season Big Ben takes another topple sending him to the injured list once again. Big Ben misses the playoffs. The Steelers quickly get dispatched in the first round.

AFC SOUTH

TENNESSEE TITANS 12-4

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS 10-6

HOUSTON TEXANS 9-7

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 2-14

BOLD PREDICTIONS: Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone is the first head coach canned in the regular season.

Jadeveon Clowney turns into Pennywise the clown. So scary all the quarterbacks around the league are like all the kids in the movie IT. Clowney play helps Titans get deep into the playoffs.

AFC WEST

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 15-1

VEGAS RAIDERS 7-9

DENVER BRONCOS 6-10

LA CHARGERS 5-11

BOLD PREDICTIONS: Chargers find out very quick Tyrod Taylor is not the guy to lead your team behind center for long term.

The last season Derek Carr is a Raider

PLAYOFFS

NFC DIVISION WINNERS: Green Bay, Tampa Bay, Seattle, Dallas

AFC DIVISION WINNERS: Buffalo, Kansas City, Tennessee, Baltimore

WILD CARDS

NFC WILD CARDS:New Orleans, Arizona, San Francisco

AFC WILD CARDS:Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Houston

SUPERBOWL

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CHIEFS versus SAINTS

Saints beat Tampa Bay in the NFC championship

Chiefs beat the Titans in the AFC Championship

WINNER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER

This time Drew Brees walks off into the sunset.

SUPERBOWL WINNER: NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

THE FINAL FOUR NHL STANLEY CUP CONFERENCE PLAYOFF PREVIEW WITH PREDICTIONS

Our Crystal ball does not like us

WESTERN CONFERENCE

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS VERSUS DALLAS STARS

It took Vegas and Dallas all the way to game seven to advance to the conference finals. The Stars needed overtime to knock off the Avalanche. The Golden Knights finally knocked off a very young talented Canuck team. Both Vegas and Dallas were up 3 games to 1 last round and with a blink of an eye, both teams’ seasons were on the brink. Stars advance to conference finals for the first time since 2008. Vegas’ very first season of existing in the NHL, they made it to and past the conference finals. This expansion team is now in its third season.

Vegas and Dallas met in regular season before the Covid shutdown. They had different goalies in-between the pipes, and both had another guy behind the bench leading their respective teams. The Stars and Golden Knights only played two games in regular season during which they each won one. The third game was cancelled due to Covid. In the round robin tournament, Vegas beat Dallas 5-3 in that game.

For Vegas to keep a three time Stanley Cup goalie on the bench, the other guy has to be doing really well. Robin Lehner, since coming from the Blackhawks, has been awesome in-between the pipes. Marc-Andre Fleury, former Penguin, was watching as he was demoted since basically Lehner arrived. Lehner had three shutouts in six games versus the Canucks. In ten starts he has been a brick wall stopping 213 shots out 231 fired at him. This is a .922 save percentage with 1.80 goals against.

The Dallas Stars came into the Stanley Cup playoffs with a better defense than their offense. The Stars were ranked 29th in scoring in the regular season. It’s been quite the opposite in the playoffs as Dallas defense has given up 56 post season goals which is tops in the NHL during the post season. To knock out the Avalanche, the Stars offense came to life with unsung heroes doing the damage as well. A Joel Kiviranta hat trick versus Avalanche is the sniper that put holes in the Avalanche defenses in game seven.

I like the Golden Knights advancing into the Stanley Cup in this series. I think the Dallas Stars will put up a good fight and snag two games. I think Lehrner makes enough saves to quiet the unsung Star heroes. Vegas will be watching because of what they have done in the series before. I think Vegas is the most balanced team left in the tournament with a talented offense, defense, and special teams. Plus, a hot goal tender. I think Vegas swarms the net and puts pressure on opposing teams. It will be too hard for Dallas to contain throughout the entire series.

OUR PREDICTION:GOLDEN KNIGHTS IN SIX

EASTERN CONFERENCE

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING VERSUS NEW YORK ISLANDERS

The best team in regular season the last two seasons, find themselves in the conference finals. The Tampa Bay Lightning slayed their dragon from the season before and dispatched the Blue Jackets. Blue Jackets had one of the biggest upsets in NHL history last season when Columbus swept the Lightning in the very first round. Lightning had the best record in the league. Lightning took down the Bruins in the last round, which took them only five games. The rest of the three teams in the conference finals needed seven games to decide their faith. Which included the New York Islanders who got past the Flyers in game seven.

It’s Tampa Bay’s 4th time making it to the conference finals in the last six seasons. In order to remember the Islanders’ last time getting this far, you have to back to 1993 when New York skated in the conference finals. It will be the second time the Islanders and Lightning square off in the NHL playoffs. Last time in 2016, the Lightning beat the Islanders in 5 games.

During regular season, the Islanders beat the Lighting 2 games to 1 in three games. Tampa Lightning’s Ondrej Palat has a goal streak going on in the playoffs. Palat has scored at least one goal in his last 4 playoff games, needing one more for a Lightning playoff record. The Islanders, as a team, outscored the Flyers 11-3 in the third period of that series. Islander has only given up two third period goals in the total 11 post season wins in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Islanders have scored the most goals out of the final 4 teams left standing. Tampa Bay coming into the playoffs offense has less goals per contest than their regular season stats. The Islanders were the 22nd offense in regular season. The Islanders’ goals per game has been on the rise. Lightning has fire power on offense. The Lightning has a great defense. Lightning probably have the edge over the Islanders in everything, including goal tending and special teams. Tampa Bay reminds me of the Vegas Golden Knights which are very deep in depth with their roster.

I like the way the Islanders have played throughout the playoffs with their grind-out style. The Islanders get better as the game goes on, as they are playing well as a team. It seems like it could be anyone on any line to get the big goal. The X-factor is the coaching of Barry Trotz. The Capitals when they won the cup a few seasons ago, took their game to a new level. I can see the Islanders turning this series with the Lightning to the full max of seven games. Then Islanders coming up with last tally to knock off the Lightning and advance to the Stanley Cup championship.

OUR PREDICTION:ISLANDERS IN SEVEN

Kenosha, Wisconsin turned into a war zone after police officers unloaded their gun on Jacob Blake. Another incident that involves a black man and a police shooting, which escalated into pure violence. Then you have a 17 year high school white teen, who should normally be enjoying the start of school in any normal year. Kyle Rittenhouse and a friend were called into action to help protect some businesses in Kenosha from looters and rioters, who were creating havoc in the streets. Only problem was, Kyle Rittenhouse was armed and had a semi-automatic weapon. Rittenhouse suddenly came eye to eye with one of the persons who were creating havoc. Rittenhouse pulled the trigger, took a life, and it resulted in an arrest for the resident of Antioch, Illinois. Within the sports landscape, many of the teams protested by walking off the court/field, or refusing to play on that day. Then the former Midway Monster, Brian Urlacher, chimed in with his opinions of this disaster in dairy land. An Instagram post Urlacher liked, stated Rittenhouse is a patriot. Plus Urlacher was not quite done on social media, shaming the NBA players for walking off the court. On Chicago radio 670 the score, Urlacher’s history on social media was revealed. It unveiled some other disturbing things about the Bears legend.

Brian Urlacher played 13 seasons in the NFL at middle linebacker. All of them with the Chicago Bears. Urlacher was drafted in 2000 from the University of Mexico where he was a safety. Urlacher immediately played middle line backer for the Bears from day one and he was a tackling machine, chasing down opponents all over the field. Urlacher, in his first season, was awarded rookie of the year. Urlacher’s play earned him eight pro bowl selections. In 2005, Urlacher was named defensive player of the year. In 2006, Urlacher and that impressive defense led the Bears to the Superbowl. They lost to Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. In 2018 in Urlacher’s first year of eligibility, Brian was elected into the Football Hall of Fame. Since Urlacher came into the league, #54 jerseys have been the hot seller till this day on the lake front in Chicago.

Urlacher’s social media post pokes fun at the NBA:

“Brett Farve played the MNF game the day his dad died and threw 4 TD’S in the first half and was a legend for playing in the face of adversity.”

“NBA players boycott playoffs because a dude reaching for a knife, wanted on a felony sexual assault charge warrant, was shot by Police.”

First thing, the whole Kenosha thing has too many moving parts where you can point fingers at lots of people involved. The man shot by the police, Jacob Blake, is not dead. However he is paralyzed from the waist down. For Mr. Blake you can say what comes around goes around since he was thinking with his pants with a felony sexual charge. That is old school country style justice there. Then the Police shooting him from behind. Why the need to shoot the suspect in the back? Why that many bullets? Was he reaching for a knife? The worst thing is kids were watching this unfold.

Then Kyle Rittenhouse, a life guard and a kid that posts “Blue Lives Matter”. Looks like an innocent kid whose only trouble in life is he plays too many video games. Now everyone has their own slogan on what matters. Does Urkel receive any royalties from Family Matters? Blue Lives Matter is for fallen officers in the line of duty. What the hell are the parents doing in the Rittenhouse where a high school teen has a semi automatic weapon? Kyle, the day of the Kenosha war zone, was at the pool working as a life guard. Later on, he was helping the town removing graffiti. Was this sudden call into action to help protect stores, stemming from him wanting to be a police officer and help serve and protect his community? Some will say Rittenhouse felt like he was in the mood to kill off some looters. Rittenhouse’s lawyers say it was self defense. If anybody was coming at my family’s place of business or myself, I think I would have blasted that person as well. Going hunting for trouble is part of the problem. If Rittenhouse had intent, he will be going away for life.

Brian Urlacher’s reputation will be tarnished by many. Urlacher may gain some followers as well, especially a picture with him and President Trump. That may be because his brother Casey Urlacher, a politician, finds himself in hot water involved in a gambling ring. The Chicago Bears look like they don’t want anything to do with Urlacher. Urlacher has the right for free speech as it’s the first amendment in the constitution. Its like the Black Lives Matter spokesperson in Chicago, saying the looter has a right to the Gucci bag. When you go down the road of white supremacy and conspiracies about this country, and you believe them, it’s very tough getting your head on straight. Spending 13 seasons in the NFL and playing beside many players of all races, as Urlacher did. Probably calling them the band of brothers, fighting and playing for one goal. You’d think the bond of relationships he has created would prevent his mind from looking down the wrong roads of life. The greatest thing about sports is playing along side guys; it does not matter where they came from, you have their backs. Many former teammates were in shock to read about Urlacher’s comments. Many expressed their concerns about their old friend.

Police brutality is something that needs to be addressed in this country. I think why the sudden hand movement or fleeing the scene when Police arrive or ask to question someone. Seems like they are guilty before anyone says a word. Police officers want to go home every night and have dinner with their families. Plenty of police officers have been killed in the line of duty from suspects reaching for something. Plus we need to eradicate all the bad apples in all of the departments across the nation. Better training. Plus, no bullets should be shot at a suspect with their back turned to you. This is not the Nazi firing squad.

I hate making some sexual predator a hero suddenly because he was shot. Jacob Blake should have been taken in without a shot fired. Jacob Blake did something to a female sexual without her consent, and suddenly that is swept under the rug. It brings out looters and rioters who just want to create mayhem. Pouring gasoline on a lit fire. People that choose to escalate the situation should be held accountable with full punishments, because this is unacceptable to the average Joe trying to run a small business. These looters ruin what the peaceful protest message is all about. Then NBA players saying the name of a Jacob Blake to make him some kind of a cult hero to the nation.

I was never really a fan of Brian Urlacher. I always thought he was overrated as a player. Dick Butkus and Mike Singletary were better middle line backers then Urlacher. I think when Urlacher had Ted Washington and Keith Traylor, two enormous guys, taking on many blockers freeing Brian up to run around early in his career, he looked amazing. When Urlacher did not have those big guys, he was average. Brian Urlacher, the face of the Bears franchise later in his career, would not talk to reporters. Kind of acted like a Jay Cutler. That 2006 team defense tried to say they were better than the 1985 bears defense. Urlacher and Jay Cutler, those teams I want to instantly forget. I have never worn a #54 jersey and I have no plans to wear one in the future. Brian Urlacher might have gained some hair after his career, but might not be the spokesman for that group who changed his scalp. My rule in life is I never want to know what a professional athlete or a celebrity actually believes off the field, or to know them as person. Most likely I would hate most of them for their ways of using their famous celebrity status as their personal soap box.

We did not do well with our predictions in the qualifying round. Out of the 8 best out five series’, we went 2-6. In the first round of the Stanley Cup, we hope to do better with our predictions. We studied up on each best out of seven series instead of gallivanting at the saloon until the wee hours and then throwing some muck on the computer screen hoping it would stick. I can not promise beers were not had while studying the Stanley Cup playoffs in my personal hockey dome at home.

THIS TIME WE BELIEVE IN MIRACLES

NHL ROUND 1 OF 2020 PLAYOFFS

WESTERN CONFERENCE (BEST OUT OF SEVEN)

VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS VS CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

This series is very intriguing because it may have Cory Crawford versus Robin Lehner; both goaltenders played for the Blackhawks in regular season. Lehner was traded to Vegas at the trade deadline. This could be a nightmare for GM Stan Bowman of the Hawks. Did Bowman get rid of the right goal tender? You know Robin Lehner will try to stick it to the GM. At one time, Lehrner and the Blackhawks were talking about a contract extension.

The Vegas knights won all three of their games in the round robin tournament. The Blackhawks looked like they were not going to make the playoffs, when Covid-19 actually helped them. If Covid-19 was not around, the Blackhawks would have not made the playoffs. The Blackhawks took advantage and as 12th seed, knocked out the number five seed, the Edmonton Oilers, in the qualifying round.

WHO WILL START IN THE NET FOR VEGAS?

Robin Lehner looked sharp in two games in the round robin tournament. Marc Andre Fleury struggled in his only appearance. Fleury has three Stanley Cups under his belt, all with Pittsburgh. Fleury also helped the Golden Knights in their inaugural season make it all the way to the Stanley Cup. Fleury will tie X-Blackhawk goalie Tony Esposito with his 14th consecutive season in goal in the playoffs.

The Blackhawks main core stepped up in the Edmonton Oiler series. Jonathan Toews, Cory Crawford, Patrick Kane, and Duncan Keith showed their experience and why they have won three cups. Toews had seven points in the series.

I think Vegas is too much to handle for this Blackhawk team. Mark Stone led Vegas in scoring through the Round Robin tournament with 5 points. Vegas is expecting Max Pacioretty back for this series, and he led the Golden knights during regular season with 66 points. The Blackhawks youth stepped up in the Edmonton series. The Golden knights have 4 lines which I don’t think the Blackhawks will be able to handle. The youth, the young coach, and the aging superstars for the Blackhawks will show their colors in this series. Blackhawks will steal a game.

OUR PREDICTIONS: GOLDEN KNIGHTS IN 5

COLORADO AVALANCHE VS ARIZONA COYOTES

The Colorado Avalanche are a team loaded with talent and depth on their roster. This Avalanche team reminds me of those Joe Sakic teams that were very scary. The Arizona Coyotes had probably the hottest goalie of the qualifying round. Goaltender Darcy Kuemper is seeing the puck like it’s a gigantic beach ball floating at him.

The Arizona Coyotes came in as a number 11th seed and upset the Nashville Predators in a best out of five series. Colorado went 2-0-1 in the round robin tournament losing to Vegas in overtime. Both these teams met in the playoffs back in 2000, where Colorado moved on from that series.

Colorado has Nathan Mackinnon who is in the MVP runnings. The Avalanche also have a rookie defensemen who’s making noise to be rookie of the year. Cale Makar has been a difference maker on the ice helping his team defend the ice. The Coyotes Taylor Hall, who Arizona got in trade with the New Jersey Devils, has led the team in points since he arrived. It has been a span of 35 games with 27 points.

I like the whole team involved for the Coyotes in the Nashville series which will will be seen in this series versus the Avalanche. The Coyotes had 11 players that tallied at least one goal versus the Predators. Eight Coyote players racked up at least 2 points in that series. Seven Coyotes at least had 5 blocked shots. The Coyote are a very good checking team. They had ten guys with at least ten hits. Those team stats with the hot goalie give the Coyotes an edge and X factor that will get them past the snow angels of the Avalanche. The checking will be too much in a long fought series for the Avalanche.

OUR PREDICTION: COYOTES IN SIX

DALLAS STARS VS CALGARY FLAMES

The Calgary Flames regressed from a marvelous season last year. However the Flames got pass the Winnipeg Jets in the qualifying round, and now they face the Stars. Stars have problems putting the puck in the net on almost any given night. However the Stars can prevent the puck going into their own net with the league’s best. The Stars have a tandem goalie selection that may be the best one two punch in the league. The Stars also have two of the best defense-men in the league.

Both Dallas and Calgary have never met in the playoffs. In 1981, in Calgary’s first ever post season, they played the Minnesota North stars who eventually moved to Dallas. This series is defense versus offense. Since February 1st, the Flames have been the second best offense in the league. The Flames scored the most goals in the qualifying round. Meanwhile, Dallas defense was one of the best at limiting shots at their goalie.

Matthew Tkachuk is always a factor for Calgary. The guy to watch on the Flames is savvy veteran Milan Lucic who took his game to next level versus the Jets. Lucic, with the most playoff experience for the Flames, turns on the playoff light switch. In the beginning of game one versus the Jets, he dropped the gloves setting the tone early and often in that series. Lucic also chipped in at least one point in each contest.

For the Stars, one guy that stands out on the offense is former San Jose Sharks, Joe Pavelski. Pavelski could potentially score clutch goals for this team because he has done that over and over with so many playoff games for the Sharks. Even though Pavelski failed to reach the 20 goal mark this season, it was the first time he missed that since the strike’s shortened season.

I always think good defense can beat a good offense on most nights. The Stars were able to move deep into the playoffs last season, as they lacked offensive punch. I think the Flames took advantage of the Jets who had a lot of key injuries in that series. I think Joe Pavelski becomes a big deal in this series for the Stars. It’s why they signed him.

OUR PREDICTION: STARS IN SIX

ST.LOUIS BLUES VS VANCOUVER CANUCKS

The Canucks took a hiatus from the playoffs to rebuild. The Canucks finally made it back to post season play. Their last time lacing up the skates for the Stanley Cup playoffs was the 2014-15 season. The Canucks have assembled a nice young core that can skate and have speed. Speed kills. The Blues won the holy grail last season and are defending their title in hopes for two straight. Blues have one of the stingiest defenses in the entire Stanley Cup playoffs. Plus the hottest goalie in the Stanley playoffs last year.

This will be the 4th time the Blues and Canucks meet in the playoffs. Canucks winning all three series. The Canucks took out the Minnesota Wild in four games. The Canucks scored 12 goals in those 4 games to knock off the Wild who have been regulars in the playoffs for quite awhile. The Blues had the best record in the conference in regular season, but failed to win one game in the Round Robin, dropping them to the 4th seed.

Quinn Hughes is one of those young talented superstars for the Canucks. Hughes had 4 power play points versus the Wild. The Blues MVP of the Stanley Cup playoffs last season, Ryan O’Reilly, scored half the Blues goals in the Round Robin series. Jordan Binnington, the goalie for the Blues, was the X-factor last year as he dominated between the pipes. The layoff in the Round Robin games, teams were scoring third period goals off Binnington.

This series looks like the Canucks can get a big upset in this first round on the champs. I went against the Blues in every round last season, and I’m not going to head down that road again. I think the Round Robin games will be a slap in the face for the Blues, and a wake up call. I think the experience the Blues have, will overcome the youth on the Canucks, especially in a seven game series.

OUR PREDICTION:BLUES IN 5

 

EASTERN CONFERENCE (BEST OUT OF SEVEN)

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS VS MONTREAL CANADIANS

Can the Montreal Canadians send another Pennsylvania team home from the post season? Montreal stunned the Pittsburgh Penguins in the qualifying round. The Philadelphia Flyers are a different animal. The Flyers dominated the round robin tournament against some of the best teams in the league.

The Flyers have met the Canadians six times in post season. Both teams are 3-3 against each other in post season play. Both teams’ goal tending were remarkable heading into this series against each other. Flyers goalie Carter Hart only allowed 2 goals on 59 shots in his two starts in round robin tournament. The Canadians struggled at the end of regular season. The 12th seed Canadian’s goalie, Carey Price, came up big time versus Pittsburgh making this team do 360 by giving up seven goals on 133 shots. That is .947 save percentage in 4 games including a shutout to clinch the series for Price. Both teams combined went 0-23 on the power play so far.

The Flyers out scored their opponents 11-3 in the round robin tournament. The Flyers super star, Sean Couturier, has the best face off percentage in the league and has brought that skill to the playoffs. Then Flyers defensemen, Nicolas Aube-Kubel, lit up the lamp twice and loves hitting people. The Canadians had some nice goals from Jesperi Kotkaniemi who was sent down to the AHL to work on his game late in the regular season. Kotkaniemi resurfaced and did some nice damage to the Penguins.

I think the Flyers have too much talent for the Canadians to handle in this series. The Canadians have been a nice story so far, but their luck runs out. Flyers dispatch the Canadians rather quickly.

OUR PICK: FLYERS SWEEP

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING VS COLUMBUS BLUEJACKETS

The Columbus Bluejackets are the David to the other teams Goliath. Last year ,they advanced through the playoffs with some big upsets including knocking out the Tampa Bay Lightning in round one last season in a sweep. Tampa Bay won 62 games in that season which some say could be one of the first round’s biggest upsets of all time. The Bluejackets gave the Maple leafs fits in the qualifying round, blowing them away with high speed and stepping them into the compost bin for pick up. Guess who’s coming to dinner… yes, jackets are required. It’s a rematch of Bluejackets vs Lightning on neutral ice in Canada.

Tampa Bay has everything from scoring defense to a great goalie in between the pipes. Tampa Bay has taken care of business in regular season by cementing a high spot in the playoffs earlier then most teams in the league. The Bluejackets clinched their spot in the playoffs in the final game of regular season. Plus Bluejackets like to hit people and score  goals. It is their simple recipe. This match up is like the movie, Tango and Cash. The Lightning are from Beverly Hills and fit into the perfect businessman style detective like Tango, played by Sly Stallone. Then the Bluejackets are from the tougher side of town. You have look like bad element to fit like Cash played by Kurt Russell.

I think this series this season will go the full seven games. This might be the beginning of a playoff rivalry. It might be a series that will get quite dirty and bloody by the time it ends. This time I like the Lightning winning it. I think Lightning will be better prepared and will not be shell shocked like last season.

OUR PREDICTION:LIGHTNING IN 7

WASHINGTON CAPITALS VS NEW YORK ISLANDERS

Seems like it was a long time ago when the Capitals won the Stanley Cup. It was only two years ago, as Covid seems to make time drag on. Now the Islanders have Barry Trotz, the same guy who led those Capitals to their first ever cup of all-time. Does the Islanders have the advantage, knowing the weaknesses of his former team?

This is the 8th time in history that the Capitals and the Islanders have squared off in the playoffs. Islanders have the 5-2 lead in those series. In 2015, Capitals won the last series when these two teams met. Islanders took out the Florida Panthers in 4 games to advance to the next round. The Capitals only won 1 game in the round robin tournament. Beating Boston in the last game of the tournament.

If Capitals are going to be victorious, they need their super star, Alex Ovechkin, to produce. Ovechkin was held to 0 points in the round robin play. This can’t happen in this series. Ovechin needs to make plays and get the puck in the net for the Capitals to be successful. If the Islanders play their style of clean game, limiting your scoring chances, Semyon Varlamov will have to continue playing well inbetween the pipes for the Islanders to move on.

Playing your former head coach sometimes goes in favor of the other team. Just knowing your traits of strength and weaknesses, a head coach can play their former team like a fiddle. I think Washington with the early exit last season and eventually knocking the rust off them in the round robin tournament, will benefit them in this series. Islanders can not win a high scoring game. The Capitals will attack early and eventually knock the sails out from under the Islanders to strand them into making it to the next round.

OUR PREDICTION:CAPITALS IN SIX

BOSTON BRUINS VS CAROLINA HURRICANES

Bruins versus Hurricanes is a rematch of last year’s Eastern conference finals when Bruins sweep that series. Bruins had the best record in the entire league in regular season. The Hurricanes looked like the best team in the qualifying round. Could the Canes have Dougie Hamilton back in the fold for this series? Bruins traded Hamilton to the Hurricanes and that could come back to haunt bean town.

Bruins were winless in the round robin tournament. The Hurricanes handled a very good New York Ranger team with ease. Bruins offense sputtered during the round robin tournament, as they had some players not in the line up during round robin play. Boston is known for their defense. Can Tuukka Rask and Jaroslav Halak slow down the trio of Hurricanes that put some impressive numbers up versus the Rangers? Sebastin Aho had three goals and 8 points in the series. Andrei Svechnikov had 3 goals with 5 points. Teuro Teravainen had 2 points. This Hurricane trio can put lots of pressure on the opposing defenses and the goalie especially has to make clean saves.

Right now, it’s quiet before the storm hits and the Bruins will be the ones that are affected in this Hurricane. I think some teams it will take awhile to find their mojo. Bruins had it in regular season. The layoff and with some faces MIA, Hurricanes will take this series. Last year, Hurricanes went deep into the playoffs. This year the Bruins will be the ones dispatched as Carolina moves on.

OUR PREDICTION:HURRICANES IN 5

 

 

Seattle became the 32nd franchise in the NHL when the city was awarded an expansion team in 2018. It took this new franchise quite awhile to unveil the nickname for this new team, after considering over 1,000 different names. Probably scratching off hundreds because some group of people would be offended. Plus, many want to eradicate any American history that took place in this country. Seattle awakened the beast that lived side by side with the Emerald City deep in the seas, a creature that swam the waters. The tales many heard as kids, who heard the same stories sitting at their bar stools decades later, of the largest octopus in the world right in their backyard. I can picture an old sailor telling the story of how he faced the Kraken and they were eye to eye with each other. He lived to talk about it! By the way, the Kraken is the name they have chosen. Perhaps the owner of the Seattle franchise likes Kraken rum. The Seattle Kraken will get cracking on the ice for the 2021-22 season.

This is not Seattle’s first rodeo with a hockey squad in their town. Their last professional hockey team that skated in Seattle was Totems.

The Totems last skated in the 1970’s. The Totems played in multiple leagues and not in the NHL. The Totems won three championships in the WHL. Before the Totems, they originated as the Seattle Isacsson Iron Workers in 1943. Years went along and they changed leagues and their name. They were the Ironmen after being first called the Isacsson Iron workers. Then they went to Seattle Bombers, then Seattle Americans and finally ending with the Totems.

The Kraken are using the same style of S as the Metropolitans used when they skated in Seattle from 1915-24.

It’s a tribute from the Kraken for the Metropolitan’s history on the ice when they played in the Pacific Coast Hockey Association (PCHA.) Before the NHL formed, the Stanley Cup was still the holy grail with the different hockey leagues throughout America and Canada. The Metropolitans were the first ever American team to win the Stanley Cup in 1917.  New York Rangers won the cup 11 years later, in 1928.

I like how Seattle used the history of their city to come up with the name Kraken.

Every part in the logo is something from Seattle’s past. The Kraken will even skate where the Seattle SuperSonics used to run up and down the hardwood floors. In 2008, the Sonics left town for Oklahoma.

The Kraken has a nice sharp color scheme on their uniforms. Deep sea navy, Ice blue, boundless blue, and shadow blue. Lots of Blues with a Red eye.

The Kraken will be in the Western conference. With teams like the Vegas Golden Knights and the San Jose Sharks, who also have cool logos with interesting color schemes on their uniforms. Usually expansion teams take a few years to establish themselves in a league. Maybe not always the case. Look at the Vegas Golden Knights; from the start this team has done very well. Plus the San Jose Sharks since they arrived in the 1990’s have been in the playoffs more years of their existence than staying home for the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Kraken might not start off skating like Squiddly Diddly.

Maybe Squiddly can be the team mascot.Was Hanna-Barbera a part of the Seattle landscape? Looking forward to see who the Kraken land in the expansion draft. Many teams leave players with big contracts unprotected. Will the Kraken bite with that kind of bait? I think Seattle shows a lot of passion for their sports teams. Look at the 12th man when it comes to the Seahawks. I think Seattle should get another NBA team as well. SuperSonics part two. I think this Kraken team will get a great following in Washington, and outside the state, because of the uniforms and being the new kid in town.  I have Seattle on my bucket list for the Mariners game and now the Kraken. Coffee and good craft beer in a beautiful state sounds like a very nice combination. Lets get KRAKEN!!!

 

NHL 2020 PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS (PLAY IN ROUND)

2020 STANLEY CUP BUBBLE HOCKEY PLAYOFF TOURNAMENT

EASTERN CONFERENCE

ROUND ROBIN

The top four teams of the Eastern conference in regular season will do a round robin tournament to determine their seeding in the Stanley Cup playoffs second round. This will give these teams some games under their belt and not go into the next round rusty.

Coming in: #1.Tampa Bay Lightning, #2.Boston Bruins, #3.Washington Capitals, & #4.Philadelphia Flyers

#5.PITTSBURGH PENGUINS VS #12.MONTREAL CANADIENS

Without the Covid-19, the Montreal Canadiens for sure would have never made the NHL playoffs. Pittsburgh Penguins were swept out of the Stanley Cup playoffs last season. The Penguins always have a spot in the playoffs, as if they reserve a table a year prior. Penguins super star, Sid the Kid, will light up the lamp in this bubble hockey tournament. Sid Crosby, since coming off his injury during regular season, had 30 points in 24 games. The Canadiens’ only shot to derail the Penguins is exploit their weak goal tending. Pittsburgh is stacked in team depth compared to Montreal. Penguins seem to get deep in the Stanley cup playoffs almost every year especially from an early exit last year. I think Penguins can win a few series before they exit this season.

AS A FAN, ROOTING FOR: PENGUINS

OUR PREDICTION: PENGUINS IN 4

#6.CAROLINA HURRICANES VS #11. NEW YORK RANGERS

This bubble tournament is good, bad, and ugly in many ways. It affects each team differently. The Carolina Hurricanes have to play the Rangers who were one of the hottest teams in the league before things were shut down on the ice. The Hurricanes were having some goalie problems at the end of regular season. Meanwhile Rangers had one of the hottest goalies in the league in front of the net. Rangers’, Igor Shesterkin, went 10-2 with an incredible save percentage of .932. Hurricanes are getting back a key player from injury, Dougie Hamilton, which will help. I think ex-Blackhawk Artemi Panarin will show GM Stan Bowman, of Chicago, how stupid it was to trade this kid. Panarin is the X factor and the Rangers goalie will help New York knock off Hurricanes.

AS A FAN ROOTING FOR: NEITHER

If the Hurricanes were still the Hartford Whalers, I would root on the Whalers.

OUR PREDICTION: RANGERS IN 5

#7. NEW YORK ISLANDERS VS #10. FLORIDA PANTHERS

Florida Panthers are my Chicago Blackhawks 2.0 with legendary head coach, Joel Quenneville, behind the bench. Islanders vs the Panthers are an Even Steven type of match up. Islanders have been streaky all year and at the end were on a downward slope, losing 11 out of their last 13 games. I think the Panthers can get just enough offense to prevail over an Islander team that has trouble getting the puck in the net, to rank 23rd in offense in the entire league. I think Joel Quenneville makes a statement in his coaching abilities and gets his team to the next round.

AS A FAN ROOTING FOR: FLORIDA PANTHERS

OUR PREDICTION: PANTHERS IN 5

#8.TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS VS #9. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

The Maple Leafs have no problems putting the puck in the net. Can the Columbus Blue Jackets be successful in the playoffs minus super star Artemi Parnarin? Panarin was a big part of the Blue Jackets success last season. Can the Columbus Blue Jackets’ strong physical play that head coach John Tortorella installed, be able to shut down a Maple Leaf offense? The Maple Leaf defense is the team’s weakest link. Can Blue Jackets take advantage of that? This series should go the distance.

AS A FAN I’M ROOTING FOR: COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS

OUR PREDICTION:MAPLE LEAFS IN 5

WESTERN CONFERENCE

ROUND ROBIN

The Western conference will also do a round robin tournament to determine seeding in the next round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Western conference top 4 teams coming in: #1.Colorado Avalanche, #2.Vegas Golden Knights, #3. St.Louis Blues, & #4.Dallas Stars

#5.EDMONTON OILERS VS #12.CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

When I first heard of this match up, I thought the Blackhawks had a very good shot beating the Oilers in a short series. Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, with their playoff history, can easily be the x-factors in this type of series. Oilers have their own Batman and Robin duo with young superstars, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

The Blackhawks goalie Cory Crawford, coming off recovery from Covid-19, is the biggest question mark of the series. Can Crawford turn the playoff switch on? Best out of 7, Oilers, I think, win that. The Blackhawks playoff history with the core they have, find a way to run the Oilers dry and win and move on.

AS A FAN I’M ROOTING FOR: A DUH THE BLACKHAWKS

OUR PREDICTION: BLACKHAWKS IN 4

#6.NASHVILLE PREDATORS VS #11.ARIZONA COYOTES

Nashville Predators have found themselves over the last few seasons in the playoffs and back, out of the post-season with early exits. Meanwhile Arizona has missed the playoffs, the last few seasons, by just a few points in the standings. Arizona has had some unsung heroes step up their game like a Connor Garland. The Coyotes have a nice goalie tandem to defend their net that makes this a very interesting match up. Nashville has salary cap issues so time is running out for this veteran team. Next season could be a totally different roster. Coyotes will make this into a series. I think Nashville escapes with the series because of the playoff experience this team has, even though with no success the last few seasons.

AS A FAN I’M ROOTING FOR: ARIZONA COYOTES

OUR PREDICTION: PREDATORS IN 4

#7. VANCOUVER CANUCKS VS #10. MINNESOTA WILD

Canucks have been annoying in my book for years. Vancouver has been rebuilding and has assembled some nice young talent. Elias Pettersson  is the leader of this Canuck young and hungry team that is looking to make a big statement in this year’s playoffs. The Wild has been running on fumes with a roster of young and old guys. A team that will be fighting the salary cap next season. The Wild has had a nice run getting in the playoffs, but when it comes to post season they have had some exits in the first two rounds over and over. Canucks will stop the Wild’s main scorer, Kevin Fiala, and put the Wild on the extinct list.

AS A FAN I’M ROOTING FOR: MINNESOTA WILD

OUR PREDICTION: CANUCKS IN 4

#8. CALGARY FLAMES VS #9.WINNIPEG JETS

The Jets and the Flames is another interesting series that has the potential to go the distance. Both teams have flaws. Both teams I thought would get further last season in the Stanley Cup playoffs. For the Flames, Matthew Tkachuk is on the rise, and if he can light the lamp it might jump start this offense. Flames goal tending has been better than last season. David Rittich has been working harder then ever, as the defense of the Flames have not been up to snuff like they have before. The Jets defense has been awful at times this season. With Dustin Byfuglien leaving, Kyle Connor has taken this offense on his shoulders as the Jets do have a few guys that can get the puck in the net. I think this series comes down to the Jets goaltender, Connor Hellebuyck. If Hellebuyck gets hot, he can get the Jets to the next round.

AS A FAN I’M ROOTING FOR: WINNIPEG JETS

OUR PREDICTION: JETS IN 4