WEEK TEN POWER RANKINGS

Week nine in the NFL had very bad things happen. Our power rankings look like Swiss cheese from a week ago. Everything is in turmoil. We had to rearrange all the furniture to see if we can find some solid ground in our week ten rankings. Be aware of wet cement.

#1. ARIZONA CARDINALS (8-1)

Cardinals showed me something when rebounding from the tough loss against the Packers on that Thursday night affair. Cardinals have the best record in the entire league. Cardinals easily handled the 49ers as they scored 31 on their division rival while the Arizona defense held San Francisco in check. It feels like one of those magic years in Arizona for a team that has not won a Superbowl. Love to see the team bring back Larry Fitzgerald for this year’s second half run at a Superbowl trophy.

Give the Cardinals another weapon on offense. Fitzgerald would be perfect for third down passing plays.

#2. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (6-2) Up 1 spot.

Buccaneers had a bye week in week 9. With all the turmoil on top of the power rankings hill, Tampa Tom is slotted number two overall.

Buccaneers medical staff continued to work hard on tight end Rob Gronkowski. GRONK will be out week ten, but Buccaneers are hopeful they will get him back for the post-season.

#3.TENNESSEE TITANS (7-2) Up 4 spots

Many thought the Titan team, without their star running back Derrick Henry, would come back down to earth. Titans beat up on the Rams last Sunday night as their defense has resurfaced from the 2019 season as they find and create turnovers on opposing offenses. If this was college football, Titans would be racking up the signature wins this season. Chiefs, Bills, Colts twice, Seattle when Russell Wilson was behind center, and now the Rams. Some big questions for the Titans. Can the Titans keep this up throughout the second half of the season? Will their luck run out if it’s luck? Can they establish any kind of running game with what they have and the addition of Spanky Peterson?

#4.LA RAMS (7-2) Down 3 spots

Rams are fully in this season. All their chips are on the table.

Even though the Rams got throttled by the Titans last Sunday night. The Rams picked up Odell Beckham Jr., a talented receiver, but a cancer in the locker room. Rams let go of DeSean Jackson, another loud mouth with baggage he brought to the table. Then before the trade deadline, they acquired Von Miller who is a legendary linebacker in Denver. Let’s not forget the trade for quarterback Matthew Stafford in the off-season. Rams riding the Superbowl or bust train.

#5. GREEN BAY PACKERS (7-2) Down 3 spots

You know Aaron Rodgers was probably giddy watching the Packers top pick perform last Sunday.

Jordan Love filled in for Rodgers after he was sidelined with Covid last Sunday versus the Chiefs. Love looked like a rookie quarterback in his first ever NFL start. Look for Rodgers to use Love’s play to insult the Packers front office. Look for Rodgers who used the words witch hunt regarding his lie about being vaccinated, to elevate his play even more. Packers may ride Rodgers’ anger all the way to the Superbowl.

#6 DALLAS COWBOYS (6-2) SAME

Cowboys were up set by the Broncos last Sunday. Cowboys stayed the same in the power rankings because at least the Broncos have some big names on their team with NFL experience throughout their roster. Not like losing to Jacksonville. The Cowboys’ last loss was week one as they’ve won six straight without the hiccup versus the Broncos last week. I can see the Cowboys easily bouncing back with the team they got. The Cowboys are staying healthy and not have not fallen apart like they did last year.

#7.BUFFALO BILLS (5-3) Down 2 spots

Buffalo Bills should be kicked out of the league after losing to a team called Jacksonville. NO EXCUSE!!! Plus, the Bills not scoring a touchdown against the Jaguars is a crime with that offense held to two field goals. Josh Allen needs to step up and lead an aerial assault on the Jets like they killed his family. Bills have struggled coming out of the bye week. The offense is running on empty it seems. Bills could use some help from their ground game to help things along. Jim Kelly, on his worst day in his hey day, would win games he struggles in, especially versus bad teams. If Bills lose to the Jets, Buffalo should send Bill Belichick an early Christmas gift… the AFC East division.

#8.CLEVELAND BROWNS (5-4)

The Browns took their dawg, Beckham Jr., to the pound in another state. Beckham, even though he probably has rabies, has found a new owner. Whatever Baker Mayfield said in the locker room, the Browns throttled their arch rival the Bengals in the battle of Ohio. I think Mayfield plays better without Odell Beckham Jr. in their offense. Who says Mayfield is not a “Peoples” person?

Donovan Peoples-Jones has emerged into a nice target for Mayfield who has three touchdowns this season.

#9. CINCINNATI BENGALS (5-4) Down 1 spot

I’m going to give the Bengals the benefit of the doubt in their loss to the Browns last week. I’m convinced they will not turn into the Bumbles of old. Bengals will hit the bye week, rest up, and hit their second half of their season strongly. The Bengals have a lot of great things that went right for them in the first half of the season. They could easily have two more victories as well. The Bengals are well-rounded on both sides of the ball. This Bengal team should win double digit victories at the end of the season.

#10.NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (5-4) Up 4 spots

Is the Empire back?

It did not take Billy Belichick long as he has his new Empire climbing the standings. Mac Jones is the new Darth Brady. The Patriot defense is coming together and Belichick’s game plan very impressive. Patriots have won three games in a row. Now they have cracked the top ten in the power rankings which is something I don’t like to see.

#11.BALTIMORE RAVENS (5-3) Down 2 spots

The Ravens seem to always be playing down to their competition level and they paid the price.

The Dolphins, Kathy Bates, Lamar Jackson, and the dirty birds from Baltimore on Thursday night.

Remember the Ravens almost lost to the Lions earlier this season. Now the Ravens will live the weekend in Misery thinking about how a bad Dolphin team beat them.

#12.LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (5-3) Down 2 spots

Raiders drop out of the top ten of the power rankings because they lost to a Giant team they should have beat. Raiders have played some clunkers. The Raiders have pushed back when their backs are against the wall. Raiders need to make a huge statement by beating the Chiefs this Sunday. A Chiefs loss could send them into a complete tailspin where Patrick Mahomes may not be able to get his team back in the post-season this season. It would be a loss heard all over the NFL nation.

Raiders need Derek Carr to be their Optimus Prime.

#13.NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (5-3) Down 2 spots

The Saints may need to call Drew Brees and bring him back out of retirement. Jameis Winston never thought in any day I’d say Saints fan or any people would have missed the crab man.

Saints have problems at the quarterback position. After taking down the Buccaneers, the Saints fell to a bad Falcon team. Now this Sunday Saints play the Titans. Can Sean Payton get anything out of quarterback Trevor Siemian? What’s going on with Taysom Hill? Glad the Saints did not get desperate and sign soft Figgy Cam Newton to the squad. No Michael Thomas. No Alvin Kamara. The Saints season is on the brink and it’s up to their defense to pull them through during bad times.

#14.KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (5-4)

Did Patrick Mahomes make a deal with the devil?

Chiefs offense has drastically taken multiple steps backwards. Chiefs playing the Packers without Aaron Rodgers last Sunday only scored 13 points. Chiefs of the past would have scored in the high 20s or into the 30’s. Chiefs are treading water. They are in the thick of things in the AFC West, but the problem is every team in the division is in the thick of things. Chiefs may be doomed. If not already.

#15.LA CHARGERS (5-3) Up 1 spot

Chargers to me can be very unpredictable. Chargers are in the thick of things in the AFC West and have beaten the Chiefs early this season. The Chargers are 2-0 in division play so far. I would love to see Justin Herbert and how he would do in post-season. Those exciting Charger teams of the past come to mind when they looked like Phillip Rivers was going to make a giant step in post-season but comes away with a bad defeat. Chargers defense you’d like to see do better in the second half. The defense has shown they can play some great defense when they want to. The Chargers still have not played their all around best game of the season.

#16.PITTSBURGH STEELERS Down 1 spot

I know the Steelers have won three in a row. You could point out the Bears should have had the victory last Sunday versus the Steelers.

Steelers are at a hard place right now. If the Steelers had a Matt Ryan or another veteran quarterback that could throw the ball down field, the Steelers would be an elite team in the AFC. Steelers have a defense, a running game, and play makers to throw to. The Steelers are in a hard place because it is time to unleash the wrecking ball on Big Ben. Roethlisberger is the missing link. If the Lions upset the Steelers, you will hear fans say Big Ben is the problem.

#17.INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (4-5) Up 1 spot

Colts need to get back to 500 and facing the Jaguars this Sunday should help them accomplish it. Colts then in the next two weeks play Buffalo and Tampa Bay. Losing both those games could end their return to the post-season and back to the drawing board. Colts are a well-balanced team. What are their needs? I love the head coach, Frank Reich. Is Carson Wentz the answer at quarterback? Will the Colts be looking for their third quarterback in the last three seasons in the off-season?

#18.SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (3-5) Up 2 spots

WELCOME BACK RUSSELL WILSON!!!

Nobody thought Russell Wilson killed himself. In his absence, the Seahawks managed to do that. The Seahawks wide receivers are probably dancing in the streets naked as Wilson is going to play this Sunday versus the Packers. The Seahawks only go as far as Wilson can take this team. Wilson can win games in Seattle despite the team having a bad defense.

#19.MINNESOTA VIKINGS (3-5) SAME Vikings have so much talent on that offense. Kirk Cousins is playing well this year. The Viking defense is not the door mat of the league but a decent unit. Lots of close losses. Three overtime games out of which they won one. The Vikings do not have the killer instinct.

Instead finishing their opponent making it a fatality, the Vikings become BFF’s

#20.SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (3-5) Down 3 spots

I feel like the 49ers are going to bottom out in the second half. Is Kyle Shanahan’s job on the line? The 49ers have some talented players on this roster. Jimmy Garoppolo you think is back and then he plays OK.

The 49ers took a gamble in the first round on Trey Lance. So far Lance needs more seasoning before he gets back on the field. The 49ers play in one of the toughest divisions, so during this second half this team may plummet in the standings.

#21.DENVER BRONCOS (5-4) Up 2 spots

Look out because the Broncos have won three games in a row. Last week beating the snot out of a very good Cowboy team and beating a team with a winning record. Broncos traded away Von Miller to the Rams. Sometimes a trade like that can light a fire under your team. The Broncos are in the thick of things in the AFC West. Chiefs don’t look like the Chiefs anymore. Broncos should be able to pick up a win at home versus the Eagles this week. Can the Broncos beat the teams in their own division? All the Broncos’ wins have come outside the division. Broncos have only played one division game so far. Beat the teams in your division and perhaps the Broncos find themselves in the post-season.

#22.NEW YORK GIANTS (3-6) Up 2 spots

You think Head Coach Judge is Dredded?

Then they make another Judge Dredd movie. Giants match up well versus the Raiders last week and came away with their 3rd victory. Giants have injuries like most teams. Giants you think are toast and then they start winning a few games to get you excited once again. Remember, last year Giants went on a small tear for the NFC East division but fell flat on their faces. Do you give head coach Joe Judge another year because of injuries?

#23.PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (3-6) Down 2 spots

Interesting stat for the Philadelphia Eagles. Only team with a 3-6 record or much worse than that has outscored their opponents by a lousy 9 points. Will the Eagles have to find yet another quarterback in the off-season? Eagles come off the bus running the ball which can be a double edge sword type of conversation on the bar stools having a Philly Cheesesteak. Running the ball keeps your quarterback standing alive for another week. The Eagles may think they needs to run the ball to win games and limit Hurts’ passing attempts. Hurts has 11 TD passes and only 3 interceptions. Hurts and the Eagles offense do not throw down the field for big plays of 20 or more yards. It’s all dink and dunk most of the time. The Eagles roster has multiple holes they need to fill.

#24.CHICAGO BEARS (3-6) Up 2 spots

Bears are on the rise because of the play of their rookie quarterback, Justin Fields. Bears should have won last Monday versus the Steelers. Many bad calls by the referees? Bad coaching by the Chicago Bears?

Bears linebacker, Cassius Marsh’s taunting call haunts the Bears. Marsh, who was a former Steeler, playing against his former team sacked Big Ben Roethlisberger late in that game. Should have been a Bears victory. However Marsh is called for taunting of his former team. It was not Marsh’s sack celebration. It was Marsh heading to the sideline of the Steelers to pretty much say, “Look at me.” The refs made a numerous amount of bad calls in the game that went against the Bears. However, there was bad coaching from Matt Nagy. How many taunting calls have the Bears racked up this season? How many ejections have the Bears racked up the last two seasons for their players punching the opponents? The Bears are coached like the Browns when Freddie Kitchens was on the sideline. This team plays stupid.

#25.CAROLINA PANTHERS (4-5) Down 3 spots

McDonalds always brings back the McRib sandwich.

The Carolina Panthers desperately need a quarterback so they brought back the Fig Newton for a limit time only.

#26.ATLANTA FALCONS (4-4) Up 2 spots

Matt Ryan should be playing for another franchise. This Falcons team is not going anywhere. Last Sunday, Matt Ryan spread the ball around and led the Falcons in an upset over the Saints. Who is Matt Ryan throwing to? Ryan plays almost every game. I’m thinking if I was a Rams fan, I’d rather have Matt Ryan over Matthew Stafford. I know the Rams just wanted to rid themselves of the Goff Ball that was holding the team back. If Matt Ryan had a balanced offense with a running game, good line, and a key defense, he would get a team deep in the playoffs.

#27.MIAMI DOLPHINS (3-7) Up 3 spots

Don’t look now because the Dolphins have suddenly won two straight games. Last Sunday, the Fins took out the Texans in the toilet bowl. Then on Thursday night, they upset the Ravens in front of the entire nation.

THE FIX IS IN!!!

#28.JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (2-6) Up 1 spot

Jaguars had a huge upset taking down the Bills and winning their first game on American soil since week 1 of the 2020 season.

My biggest take away from the game last Sunday was for the first time in NFL history, a guy with the same name sacked a guy with the same name. Josh Allen of the Jaguars sacked Josh Allen of the Bills. Jaguars are still terrible. Urban Meyer has not gotten the best out of their skate or die quarterback, Trevor Spicoli Lawrence.

#29.WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM (2-6) Down 4 spots

The Football Team had a bye week last Sunday and now have a rematch versus the Buccaneers who knocked Washington out of the playoffs last season. I dropped Washington 4 spots because they are playing Tampa Tom and company who also were on a bye week. Last season, Washington had the same record at 2-6 and ended up winning the dreaded NFC East. Tampa Tom off the bye week and his Buccaneers won 8 straight including the Superbowl. Washington has fallen and is not getting up any time soon.

#30. NEW YORK JETS (2-6) DOWN 3 SPOTS

Who’s on first is the question for the Jets. You have to love the Jets quarterback situation which is like a soap opera… a Days of Our Lives episode. Episodes feature young up-and-coming characters. Then they bring characters back who you thought were killed off years ago. Oh the Hungry and the Restless.

Another XFL quarterback resurfaces in the NFL, who is Josh Johnson. The 35-year-old Johnson has been with 13 franchises and has only gotten to actually play for 4 teams. Before the XFL, Johnson last suited up for the Redskins in 2018. Definitely Johnson’s name should be the suitcase as Jets may not be his last stop. In two games, Josh Johnson did pretty well throwing 3 touchdown passes with only 1 interception going 29-45 attempts for 334 yards.

Mike White will be inserted back behind center for the Jets in week ten.

#31. HOUSTON TEXANS (1-8) SAME

Texans welcomed back Tyrod Taylor behind center just in time to face the Dolphins in the toilet bowl.

Taylor had 43 pass attempts in his return completing 24 of them for 240 yards. Taylor won the only game for the Texans when he was behind center. His comeback after several weeks dealing with a hamstring injury was a horrible performance that resulted in three interceptions and a QB rating of 42.8. Texans lost 8 straight. Texans might as well play and ride out rookie QB, Davis Mills, to get him more experience for next year . Maybe Mills becomes the future with the experience. Texans need a top draft pick in 2022. Then the Texans better hope they can get something for DeShaun Watson.

#32. DETROIT LIONS (0-8) SAME

Over the bye week, the Detroit Lions had a shrink in their locker room to change the team’s losing ways.

NFL WEEK TEN STRAIGHT PICK-EM

WEEK 9 PICKING WAS JUST A ROAD WRECK

LAST WEEK RECORD: 5-9

SEASON STATS

OVERALL RECORD (88-48)

THURSDAY NIGHT RECORD (7-2)

MONDAY NIGHT RECORD (6-3)

WEEK TEN WE HAD OUR MOTIVATIONAL SPEECH TO OVERCOME THE LAST TWO WEEKS OF BAD PICKING

WEEK TEN NFL GO!!!!!!!!!

THE THURSDAY NIGHT AFFAIR

BALTIMORE RAVENS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS

No way in the world would the NFL have another big time upset three weeks in a row. Dolphins would need their defense to return to their 2020 form and create turnovers. Dolphins would need Dan Marino to be the quarterback. Maybe a healthy Ryan Fitzpatrick, but odds would still favor the Ravens. Ravens rebounded from a bad loss versus the Bengals and just escaped losing two in a row versus the Vikings, which took a comeback and overtime. Ravens at whatever level they play should be able to handle the fins.

OUR PICK:RAVENS

THE SUNDAY SLATE

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM

This is a rematch of last year’s post-season game between the Buccaneers and the Team in a first-round wild card match-up. You know who won. Both teams coming off byes. Last year when the Buccaneers came off their bye, they won their 8th straight including the Superbowl. The Team will have some healthy bodies coming back from the injured list. Not sure these bodies will help reunite the return the of that 2020 defense of Washington.

Tom Brady was sniper-like on the bye week, just studying everything about Washington DC that he could. Soaking in all their weaknesses and places they like to eat.

OUR PICK:BUCCANEERS

BUFFALO BILLS AT NEW YORK JETS

Would one of Jim Kelly’s teams from the Bills Heyday in the 1990’s, lose to a bad Jaguars team? Jets showed they can beat good teams as they have Bengals and the Titans stamped on the side of their helmets.

Bills defense will be too much for their rookie quarterback, Mike White, to handle. I like Josh Allen taking full responsibility of his play last week after the loss to the Jaguars. Look for redemption for the Bills as they have their best all-around game of the year.

OUR PICK BILLS

ATLANTA FALCONS AT DALLAS COWBOYS

Could the Falcons Dirty Bird the Cowboys like they did to the Saints a week ago? Cowboys were stunned last week by a Bronco team that traded away their biggest legend on their defense. Matt Ryan did well spreading the ball around. Cowboys have done too well up to this point to roll up into a ball and play dead. Falcons I can see upsetting a Saints team they see twice a year, but I don’t see the Cowboys overlook another inferior team and turn things around.

Someone pass the hot sauce because the Cowboys are having some Falcon wings after the game Sunday with some female companionship… which is the Cowboy way.

OUR PICK:COWBOYS

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT TENNESSEE TITANS

Which town is more fun to get your drink on, Nashville or New Orleans? Beads versus boots. Saints have a problem at the quarterback position. The Titans have knocked off the Bills, Chiefs, Colts twice and last Sunday took it to a very good Rams team. No Alvin Kamara for Saints. Titans defense has risen from the grave the team of 2019, when they knocked off the Patriots in the playoffs. Saints defense will keep it close. Whatever running game the Titans can muster up in the absence of Derrick Henry will be the key to the game. Titans will work a few backs to get some run production with their play action pass.

OUR PICK:TITANS

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

I see the Jaguars coming out playing a pretty good game from the start, feeling good about their victory over the Bills last week. Colts have been in this situation last Thursday facing a Jets team coming off an upset victory. It was the Jaguars defense that forced the Bills into turnovers. The Jaguar offense was nothing special in that victory last week. Colts don’t make easy mistakes because they are a very disciplined team. Look for Jonathan Taylor to keep the chains moving running the ball and the Jaguars offense on the sideline. Now we can all come back down to earth.

OUR PICK: COLTS

DETROIT LIONS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Lions have been reading deep thoughts by Jack Handy over their bye week.

Lions have been trying to find themselves and the way to a victory on Sunday. Pittsburgh defense is hanging on for dear life to avoid bolts falling off their steel reinforcement beams of the only unit that has worked properly this season. Big Ben Roethilisberger is ready to crumble each day he gets on the field. I like the Steelers running back, Najee Harris, who has to do it all for the Steelers offense to score points. Lions defense will have problems stopping the double threat Harris out of the Steelers backfield. Steelers are tough to beat in Pittsburgh.

OUR PICK: STEELERS

CLEVELAND BROWNS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

The Patriots have been red hot winning their last three games. Browns came back to life with a trouncing of the Bengals, a division rival. Patriots defense has been impressive as their unit is starting to click together. Running Back Nick Chubb is out for the Browns who had a monster game last Sunday. Mac Jones is building confidence each week as a rookie quarterback. Browns have a nice back up running back in D’Ernest Johnson who will be making his second career start. I like Baker Mayfield’s speech last Sunday about the team releasing Odell Beckham Jr. I think this speech and the recent brotherhood coming together as a team will carry over as Browns find a way to win in New England.

OUR PICK:BROWNS

MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT LA CHARGERS

Chargers have lost two out of their last three games. Vikings have lost two games in a row. Two close games, one in overtime. This game has a ton of offensive fire power from both teams that could make this game someone’s fantasy dreams. Chargers defense has the edge over the Vikings defensive unit. Chargers will put all their efforts in grounding the Vikings star Running Back, Dalvin Cook. It will be up to Kirk Cousins to win the game and the Chargers will force a key turn over that will help seal the deal and stay on top of a very crowded AFC West.

OUR PICK: CHARGERS

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT DENVER BRONCOS

Two teams I’ve had problems picking their faith every week. You think the Eagles are done as they curl up in a ball one week and then fly high the next. Broncos trade away their best defensive player. Von Miller was the heart and soul of the team, the Broncos beat up on the Cowboys last Sunday. Broncos are in this right now in a crowded AFC West as the Chiefs are not the Chiefs of old. I like the Broncos at home and using that big upset they got and cashing it in another win. Broncos have no problems beating teams from the NFC East as they beat the Giants, The Team, & Cowboys. Watch them go for the division sweep this Sunday.

OUR PICK:BRONCOS

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS

Looks like Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson will be back for their teams this Sunday. Rodgers was out with the Covid virus after lying about getting the vaccine in August. Wilson has been out several weeks with an injury to his hand. Wilson may be rusty. Rodgers was only out a week so should get back on the horse and….

I see Aaron Rodgers using the words he said about his lie as a witch hunt. This entire saga about the vaccination talks will fuel Rodgers’ fire. Green Bay defense has been playing solid which will limit big plays from Wilson and his big receivers. Seattle’s defense is a weakness. Green Bay at home is the key for the Big Cheese and the Packers.

OUR PICK: PACKERS

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

The Raiders have played the Chiefs very tough the last few seasons and winning a few of the games. Kansas City offense is a shell of their former selves. Raiders have succeeded with a heavy burden on their shoulder all season. The Chiefs defense played much better than they did all year versus the Packers. The Jordan Love-Packers at the time. Chiefs and Raiders’ old time rivalry makes it very fun to watch them.

This is a perfect time for the Raiders to make a huge statement in the AFC West by bringing the Chiefs down. Perhaps making Patrick Mahomes walk the plank for good this season and end their domination of the division. Derek Carr has to have his best game on Sunday night with everyone watching.

OUR PICK: RAIDERS

THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME

LA RAMS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

The 49ers need to make some changes. Rams got beaten like a red headed step child by the Titans last Sunday night. This is a division game between the Rams and 49ers, so it should start off close. Odell Beckham will play a role of decoy in his first game as a Ram. Jimmy Garoppolo will struggle in this game. The Rams defense is out for blood after what the Titans did to them last week. Look for the Rams offense to put up 30 or more points on the 49ers defense that has done nothing all year.

OUR PICK: RAMS

I was watching the return of Dexter, Dexter: New Blood, last week. The show continues ten years later as Dexter moved his life cross-country with a new identity. A new life. New Blood pool.

If Dexter New Blood’s pool was the NFL… what players would he invite to his table? I don’t condone violence or some kind of hit-list versus anyone. In make-believe, I have chosen three NFL players that are nothing but Dung Holes to whom Dexter can serve justice. I use dung, because the definition is the excrement of animals, basically manure. All three Dung Holes I picked are at the bottom of the NFL society, and just in life.

NUMBER ONE

THE PROBLEM CHILD

Odell Beckham Jr.

Remember the old sitcom, Father Knows Best? Odell Beckham Sr. probably does not know best for his son. Senior Beckham has been a very busy man. Senior has created an 11-minute video about his son’s season in 2021. It’s about all the missed opportunities for the Cleveland Browns. The tale of the tape that Senior put on Instagram shows Baker Mayfield, the Browns quarterback, not able to get the ball to his son, Odell Beckham Jr. We have been down this Beckham road before when Junior wore out his welcome in a Giants uniform. The trade deadline passed by and Beckham was still a Brown. Daddy dearest found a clever way of getting his son out of the Dawg pound even though he should probably neuter his own boy.

Odell Beckham Jr. did not say a word to the press or the Cleveland brass about his pops being wrong and taking this too far. Like father like son, they both got what they wanted and the great Junior Beckham got his release. Beckham Jr. cleared waivers and now is a free agent to sign wherever he wants to. If anyone wants to deal with his kind of baggage, Beckham Jr. brings it to a locker room. Beckham Jr. played in six games this season, all of them after he came back from a season-ending injury in 2020. Junior caught only 17 balls for 232 yards with no touchdowns.

The Rams putting all their chips in this season are willing to bring in the Odell Beckham Jr. cancer to their locker room. Meanwhile, a motivating speech by Baker Mayfield about his former teammate fueled the Browns in a win over the Bengals last Sunday.

THE HILLBILLY

The above picture will show you life after football for Aaron Rodgers.

AARON RODGERS

My hypothesis I would predicted was Aaron Rodgers lands a sexual transmitted disease before the Covid. Aaron Rodgers tested positive for the Covid virus. When Aaron Rodgers was asked by a reporter in August if he had received his vaccination shot for Covid, his response was, “I’ve been immunized.”

The reporter could have asked Rodgers a follow up question regarding what his meaning of immunized was. Who’s going to lie about getting a Covid shot? Aaron Rodgers would. Rodgers admitted he was not vaxxed, but was in denial about lying about it even though he did mislead the public and the NFL. Green Bay Packers probably knew about Mr. Drama not having been vaccinated. Why is this a big deal? Not everyone that plays in the NFL has been vaccinated for the Covid virus. Rodgers was able to be mask-less on the sidelines during pre-season. Plus the different protocols if you get vaccinated and catch the virus, your return is easier than if you are not vaccinated. Rodgers missed the game versus the Chiefs. Rodgers would have to have a negative test Saturday before Packers play the Seahawks to return to the field. Packers were rolling as a team winning 7 straight. This could be a bump in the road for the Packers, but Rodgers could have teammates pissed off at him for going around with his own rules. Maybe some teammates or coaches in the Green Bay organization are prone to catch diseases because of their health history. What about other teams? What about fans or things Rodgers does on his own time in other commitments?

Aaron Rodgers’ excuse is he claims an ingredient in the vaccine shots, his body would be allergic to. Instead, Rodgers was getting Monoclonal antibodies pumped into his body by doctors in hopes his body would fight off the Covid virus in a preventative way. Rodgers also used a drug called Ivermectin which is used to de-worm animals. These methods did not work as Rodgers used team facilities, all along mask-free. Then a mask-less Halloween party where Rodgers catches the Covid. For un-vaccinated players, these are on the no-list.

Aaron Rodgers calls the reaction about his news for misleading everyone, a witch hunt. Aaron Rodgers does not want to be criticized for anything. The Buffalo Bills Receiver, Cole Beasley, and other names in the NFL stand against the vaccine shot. Beasley and others will admit it and give their opinion back about what they believe in. Even though they may receive backlash. Rodgers is a worm creeping through the soil and balancing his life as somebody misunderstood. Trying to be the face of that lovable spokesman, like Peyton Manning. Rodgers thinks he is the messiah on the field. Then the drama of not coming back to the Packers this off-season. The Rodgers revenge tour. Growing his hair long and beard thick to give that bad boy presence. What Hall of Fame Quarterback has done all that? Does Tom Brady do all this Rodgers hoopla? Brady loves himself more than anybody. Rodgers has one Superbowl and how many does Brady have?

WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?

HENRY RUGGS III

The movie Multiplicity with Michael Keaton comes to mind as he clones himself in the comedy movie. The 4th clone is a copy of a copied clone who does not play with a full deck. Henry Ruggs the 3rd might be the same, probably worse, when it comes to brain cells that are fully operational. Henry Ruggs III was drafted out of Alabama and in his second season with the Raiders is only 22-years-old. Ruggs the 3rd had a bright future in the NFL. It took one night for Ruggs to pretty much ruin his entire life. Henry Ruggs III went out drinking & was over-served. Ruggs had a blood alcohol level twice the legal limit in Nevada and decided to drive home in his sports car at a high speed, killing someone in the process.

Henry Ruggs III was two sheets in the wind, but had his Stingray Corvette up to 156 MPH several miles away from the strip. Then what else is mind boggling is Henry Ruggs III had his girlfriend in the car with him. The girlfriend with whom he has a 3-year-old daughter, who thank the Lord was not in the car with them. Ruggs collided with a Toyota Rav-4, which killed a 23-year-old woman and her dog as the crash turned her car into a fireball. Plus, the icing on the cake for this idiot was he had a loaded gun in his car. Raiders released Ruggs as soon as they gathered all the facts. Ruggs’ football career is over. Ruggs now will have to live with what he has done. To be a millionaire and not hire a driver to take you to the night club is just a head scratcher. People drink and drive all the time, and everyone has done it. Being over-served and trying to be macho is not a good combination. Why was he driving so fast with his baby’s mother in the car? Now someone’s kid. Someone’s family member. Someone’s friend has to grieve with the sudden death of a loved one. I know Henry Ruggs III did not go out to kill someone. I know he’s only 22-years-old. People that young have done lots of stupid things. From being over-served, going a high speed with your girlfriend in the car, with a loaded gun all the stupid things you may have done in your 20’s, all combined in the same night.

I feel bad for the Henry Ruggs kid in this entire situation. Kenzli Re’Nai’s father, Henry, was not thinking of her going 156 MPH. When she finds this story in the future, she will realize Kenzli Re’Nai could have been parentless. How will Henry Ruggs III get through this tough time he dealt to himself? Will Henry Ruggs III be an angry man not playing football. Ruggs will have to live with having taken another life. Ruggs will hopefully try to make amends for what he did. Raising that daughter should have been his life before the crash. That daughter better be his number one priority. It will be a long tough road and uneasiness for the rest of his life.

The NFL Power Rankings are back by popular demand. We have every team ranked and we have done it the Wild Shamrock Way, not holding back on anything. Our rankings may not be right as week 8 was crazy in the NFL. We drank a lot of beer, did not look through piles of data, and we may not have it right. If we were cold stone sober, we still may not have it right.

We are rolling out week 9 power rankings hope you enjoy.

#1.LA RAMS (7-1) What is DeSean Jackson looking for in life? The wide receiver wants out of LA. Rams released him because he wanted out. Rams are a team looking to get back to the Superbowl. Maybe Jackson is just not getting enough targets as most of these cry babies who play his position bitch about. Jackson seems he can only run one passing route. The go route. The bomb. Guess what the Rams did? They made a trade and landed a future Football Hall of Famer, Von Miller from the Broncos. Miller has 110.5 career sacks. Miller is older and has lost a step or two, but is teaming up with Aaron Donald so watch out opposing quarterbacks. Meanwhile Jackson will be home on the couch during the post-season, scratching himself while wondering what could have been.

#2.GREEN BAY PACKERS (7-1) Aaron Rodgers is a hill rod. This guy will be one of those characters from the movie, The Hills Have Eyes, when he’s done playing football.

First, the family feud with his own parents. Then you walk away from race car driver Danica Patrick. MORON!! Rodgers uses immunization as his word to disguise him not being vaccinated against Covid. Now Rodgers has Covid. Rodgers broke some protocols in the NFL as everyone thought he was vaccinated. I don’t care if you want the shot or not, or what you believe. Hiding it from your teammates is the problem. Can Green Bay win without Rodgers? Love to see Jordan Love take over and do well. Then the Packers can kick this cry baby hill-rod to the curb. Meanwhile Rodgers can get immunized behind the shed in the woods with a rusty needle filled with moonshine & injected by the State Farm guy.

#3.TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (6-2) I think New Orleans is Tampa Tom’s kryptonite. In sports, even when your team is a thousand times better then another team. It always seems one team can beat you on any given Sunday. Buccaneers and Tom Brady won the most important match-up versus the Saints last year in the playoffs. Saints have beaten the Buccaneers three regular season games in a row since last season. Buccaneers, if you remember in that playoff match-up versus the Saints, had to come back in that contest to win. Buccaneers head for a bye week in week 9. Tom Brady can restock his Flintstones Vitamins. GRONK may return in week 10?

#4.ARIZONA CARDINALS (7-1) Last week, if AJ Green had turned around at the very end of the game, would he have caught the pass for an Arizona win over the Packers? Instead Kyle Murray was picked up by the Green Bay defender and Cardinals suffered their first loss of the year. This could be a good thing for the Cardinals. The team could get hungry, mentally stronger, and get back on the winning track. How does the Cardinals defense play without JJ Watt?

Unfortunately, in this case it is like changing a light bulb. JJ Watt was over paid for his services and really did not do much. One sack and a few swats of passes. NEXT MAN UP!!!

#5.BUFFALO BILLS (5-2) Bills could easily be 7-0. Opening day, a few plays and blocked punt cost them versus Pittsburgh. Bills had the Titans game. A few plays in that one cost them the game. Especially with Josh Allen losing his footing as the offense went for a 4th down and inches at the very end of regulation in the red zone. Right now, Bills can feast on some bottom dwellers throughout the league and get ready for the tough match-ups starting in late November. The Hit list includes two games versus New England.

It would be good the to see the Bills send a message throughout the galaxy and stop the Patriots from building a new operational Death Star.

Let’s not forget the Bills’ old friend Dildo Tom Brady, who is now suiting up with the Buccaneers. A win versus Tampa Tom would be a revenge dish served cold dildo-style. Brady is public enemy number one in Buffalo.

#6.DALLAS COWBOYS (6-1) Can Dak Prescott stay healthy for the entire season? Cowboys beat the Vikings with Cooper Rush behind center last week. Cowboys are a different team without Dak Prescott. It’s like Seattle without Russell Wilson. Except the Cowboys defense has shown a significant improvement from last year’s shit show. Cowboys can rack up some victories because next time they play a team with a winning record is in week 12 which is the Raiders.

#7.TENNESSEE TITANS (6-2) Titans have been rolling after losing to a bad Jets team. Titans have knocked off the two teams in the AFC Championship last season, the Bills and Chiefs. The Titans finished off the sweep versus the division rival Colts last Sunday in overtime, but their tank sprung a leak.

Derrick Henry is out the rest of the year for the Titans. Titans may be dropping in the power rankings in the next few weeks.

#8.CINCINNATI BENGALS (5-3) How are the Bengals a top ten team losing to the Bears and the Jets? Bengals after a few plays could be right now 8-0. What convinces me that the Bengals are a good team is what they did to the Ravens in Baltimore two weeks back, putting up a 40 point berger. The Bengals have the recipe to be a top ten team. Bengals can get to the opposing team’s quarterback. The Bengals have a good running game. They have a number one quarterback. Plus a slew of play-makers who can catch the ball.

#9.BALTIMORE RAVENS (5-2) Ravens coming off the bye week under John Harbaugh is almost a guarantee win for Baltimore. Ravens were playing well on both sides of the ball before losing to the Bengals. Ravens should be healed having a bye week at a perfect time. Lamar Jackson already slayed one demon so far this season, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. I expect the Ravens will beat up the teams in their division the rest of the way and use that road to the playoffs.

#10.LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (5-2) Death to Chucky may be the best thing that has happened to Oakland.

Jon Gruden resigning means Raiders are a different animal. Raiders are playing better as a group. The Raiders are using all their play-makers. Even with the loss of Henry Ruggs, who was intoxicated and driving his corvette at high speed over 150 MPH, resulting in him killing someone. Raiders released Ruggs after learning what happened. Watch… the Raiders will still prevail without a wide receiver who was doing pretty good.

#11.NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (5-2) I thought the Saints defense lost too many guys on their defense that was impressive last season. Defensive End Trey Hendrickson signed with the Bengals and leads the league in sacks. Saints defense made Tom Brady’s age show last week in a big victory over the Buccaneers. Can the Saints win games without Jameis Winston, who is out for the rest of the season?

Was that a Trevor Siemian sighting behind center for the Saints last Sunday? The former Bronco, still in the league, did decently. Can Taysom Hill be the guy for the Saints? Don’t even mention Cam Newton signing… we have not gone to the bottom of the tar pits looking for help.

#12.CLEVELAND BROWNS (4-4) Releasing the dog of all dogs might be what the Browns need.

Odell Beckham Jr.’s father has a video out there on the clouds about how his son is not getting the ball. Odell has not said anything, so he must think what his pop did is the facts. Get rid of the cry baby receiver, the cancer of the locker room, and watch the Browns start playing better. Without Odell in the line up, I always thought Baker Mayfield did better instead of forcing the ball to the dog. Guess who’s back this Sunday for the Browns! Nick Chubb.

#13.KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (4-4) With Deshaun Watson having problems with the law. Patrick Mahomes is having by far the worst year he has ever had in his career. Does that make Mitch Trubisky, a back up quarterback in Buffalo. the man of the 2017 draft? Probably not. Chiefs can’t protect Mahomes on offense and can’t stop anyone on defense. Seasons ago, Chiefs found ways to improve their defense late in the season. I think many are thinking Patrick Mahomes will turn things around as well.

#14.NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (4-4) Patriots are getting better and better each week. Patriots beat a good and difficult Chargers team last Sunday. It’s funny how Mac Jones fell to Bill Belichick and the Patriots. Mac Jones, by far, is the best rookie quarterback out of the 2021 draft. People got mad that the Patriots cut the cookie, Cam Newton. It was Mac Jones explaining the playbook to Newton in pre-season. I can see the Patriots sneaking through the back door into the post-season or just missing getting in. Belichick is showing us his best coaching since Tom Brady left New England.

#15.PITTSBURGH STEELERS (4-3) If Steelers beat a bad Bears team on Monday, and go 5-3. If Browns beat the Bengals, both the Browns and Bengals will be 5-4. If Ravens lose to the Vikings, they will be 5-3. Things will get very interesting in the AFC North. Big Ben Roethlisberger’s arm is hanging on by a thread. The Steelers have won three in a row somehow.

#16.LA CHARGERS (4-3) The Chargers are still in the thick of things in the AFC West. Chargers started off great. LA has lost two in a row and in one of those games, they were blown away. Chargers are a team that can get to the opposing team’s quarterback as they lead the league in pressures. Justin Herbert is not regressing as he has 16 touchdown passes and only 6 interceptions. Last year, Herbert had 31 touchdown passes. Herbert is still on pace for his brief career numbers. Perhaps better numbers than last season. The Chargers could win that AFC West division as they have beaten the Chiefs already this season.

#17.SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (3-4) Beating the Bears is not a season changer. However, for the 49ers you can make that an argument. The 49ers drafted Trey Lance. Lance has not done well in Jimmy Garoppolo’s absence. When Jimmy plays the 49ers, they do very well. In his second game back since being sidelined, Jimmy Garoppolo helped the 49ers break their losing streak versus the Bears. That’s what leaders do. Jimmy is injury prone, but his leadership and winning percentage mean his teammates would follow him into black hole if he wanted them to. The first game back for Jimmy was in a monsoon versus the Colts.

#18.INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (4-5) Colts overtime loss last Sunday to the Titans did not frustrate them. On Thursday night, the Colts bombarded the Jets at Thursday night football. Colts will hover around the 500 mark until this team can string together a few victories in a row. Colts, a team who from last year have a well-balanced team on both offense and defense. Colts have a soft schedule coming up. Remember Colts had a brutal schedule their first three games of the season. Many close games lost this season.

#19.MINNESOTA VIKINGS (3-4) Vikings have a great offense. An excellent Running game. Great receivers. Kirk Cousins is playing well, but the record says different. Vikings defense has never been fixed the last two seasons. Vikings defense is better than last season, but not by much. Vikings can’t stop opposing teams regularly. Cousins’ numbers are great, but he can’t win the big game.

#20.SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (3-5) Last time Geno Smith won a game behind center was back in 2016. That was before last Sunday when the Seahawks destroyed the Jaguars.

In 2016, Smith was behind center for the Jets, where he came from before playing in Seattle. It’s simple. Seahawks need Russell Wilson if they want to have a winning record in this league. Smith is like Haley’s comet. He wins a game every 17 seasons. Seahawks have a laundry list of needs. Maybe these are reasons why Wilson would like to get out of Seattle. I’m surprised Pete Carol has not dressed up as woman and jumped ship, pushing the kids out of the way to get in one of those life boats to abandon ship.

#21.PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (3-5) Eagles baffle me. They ran the ball down the Lions’ throat last week. Three running backs for the Eagles had 12 rushes, at least. A few weeks back, Eagles ran the ball once before halftime. Eagles seem to only play one good half in each game. They dig themselves a hole early in the game and show fight to come back to fall short. Can’t play the Lions every week.

#22. CAROLINA PANTHERS (4-4) When I heard the news the Panthers wanted to throw in Christian McCaffrey in a trade to the Texans for DeShaun Watson, I thought they had lost their freaking marbles. Who will be back on the field first? Watson or McCaffrey? McCaffrey from an injury, instead of what they should do with Watson, take him away in cuffs. The Panthers also should end the Sam Darnold experiment. Darnold has thrown 8 picks in only 8 games for the Panthers. The Panthers made the questionable move and got rid of Teddy Bridgewater in the off-season. That move has blown up in your face by taking the Jets’ garbage.

#23.DENVER BRONCOS(4-4)

Broncos to me, actually did a smart thing by dealing their star linebacker Von Miller. Broncos receive two draft picks to perhaps end their search for a quarterback. That may not happen as John Elway better clone his younger self and suit him up instead of marching veterans and guys they keep missing in the draft behind center. Miller has lost a few steps. Two draft picks is a steal for Denver. Broncos I did not see winning the AFC West division. Denver can’t beat teams with winning records.

#24.NEW YORK GIANTS (2-6) Giants have lost nine games in a row in prime-time night games. Why are the Giants even on in prime-time? You’d think the Giants would be viewed when Captain Kangaroo reruns are on in the 4 AM hour or those commercials where the kitchen knifes can cut through a tin can.

Giants have not played a game where everything works like a well-oiled machine. The defense has regressed from last year, but lately they have been playing better. Too many injuries as well. Especially their play makers Saquon Barkley and free agent signee Kenn Golladay.

#25.WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM (2-6) Washington scalped their name Redskins & turned into just the TEAM with no nickname. The team looked to be on the rise last year. The defense was solid. Even the offense with a young quarterback was up and coming. This season the Team has regressed. The team is under heavy investigation by the league. Congress wants to get involved.

Definitely skeletons in Washington’s closet, ask Chucky Gruden about them. Maybe last year’s team is stuffed behind that door. Riverboat Ron Rivera, the head coach, must be going bat crazy. Thought that move by Washington bringing in Rivera would be the move to steer Washington back to the hey days, when Joe Gibbs was running things.

#26.CHICAGO BEARS (3-5) It takes Head Coach Matt Nagy to have Covid virus and at home for his young rookie quarterback Justin Fields to have his best game of the year. The Bears offense is the worst in the league. Finally the Bears offense were able to pass for over 200 yards, which did not happen in its first 8 games of the season. When it seems the offense of the Bears takes a baby step, the defense goes sour.

Bears need to hire a guy to get rid of the front office. Clean up the coaching staff. Make heads roll at Halas Hall.

#27.NEW YORK JETS (2-6) Only the Jets would find a better quarterback than the ones they drafted in the first rounds. Who is Mike White?

Mike White played college football at Western Kentucky. Mike White was inserted behind center after the Jets new franchise quarterback, Zach Wilson, went down with an injury. White threw for 405 yards with 3 touchdown passes leading his Jets past the Bengals. On Thursday, White was doing well versus the Colts and then left the game with an injury. Now that’s Jets football when it comes to the quarterback position. The Jets’ other win was versus the Titans. So either teams play down to New York’s competition level or the Jets know how to just snake bite good teams. Jets fans hope neither Mike White or their number 1 guy this season, Zach Wilson, will bring out the ghosts of Sam Darnold.

#28.ATLANTA FALCONS (3-4) The Falcons are not using the Braves’ plan of how to win your sports championship. The Falcons traded away Julio Jones in the off-season. Remember the Falcons offense was the only thing they had going for this team. Now Calvin Ridley is stepping away from the game for mental wellness.

The Falcons figured they can get rid of Julio Jones because they had Calvin Ridley, who’s been a star in the league. When will Calvin be back? No one knows, not even himself as his season numbers have been his lowest in his career. The Falcons defense has still not shown up to pre-season camp.

#29. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-6) Urban Meyer’s coaching record in the NFL means he is undefeated as a head coach in Europe. In the states, nothing but goose eggs. Last week, the Seattle fans gave Urban Meyer a shower of boos.

Urban Meyer was not even offered a lap dance.

Many thought Urban Meyer was going to turn things around in Jacksonville. Whatever the Jacksonville ownership touches turns into a disaster. What positive thing can you say about the Jaguars? They beat a bad Dolphins team.

#30.MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-7) Why were the Dolphins wasting their time trying to land DeShaun Watson? Dolphins would have gotten rid of important draft capital to see their new starting quarterback not even get on the field. Dolphins defense have gone from one of the best last season, to one of the worst this season. The Dolphins defense was once a turn-over machine and now they can’t stop any opposing team. You could say Tua Tagovailoa has not developed yet. However you can poke the Dolphin and say the offense have ran the ball the fewest attempts in the league.

#31.HOUSTON TEXANS (1-7) Tyrod Taylor was 1-0 as a starter and in week two, the Texans had the lead before he was knocked out of the game. Texans holding on to Deshaun Watson as the trade deadline passed and want a king’s ransom for their disgruntled employee. Maybe the Texans brass instead want to watch him get arrested at some point for being a bad boy with the girls in the sand box. Speaking of bad boys. Texan’s head coach David Culley and his defensive coordinator remind me of the movie, Wild Hogs.

Old guys over their head in an age crisis trying to latch on to one more ride instead of playing with the grandchildren.

#32.DETROIT LIONS (0-8) Lions’ season reminds me of the movie in the 1990’s, Mom and Dad Saved the World.

Only thing Lions do not have is the gorgeous Kathy Ireland on their squad. In the movie, the local group of people said, “What we lack in intelligence, we make up with great intentions.”

This quote sums up the Lions season except throw in lack of talent in the quote as well. Lions’ last perfect season was in 2008.

NFL STRAIGHT PICK-EM WEEK 9

Last week was the Halloween Massacre when it came to weekly picks. We were carjacked in the Mystery van that had our original picks, by these sociopaths. When we picked on the fly, it was our worst week of the year.

LAST WEEK’S RECORD (7-8)

SEASON STATS

OVERALL RECORD (83-39)

THURSDAY NIGHT RECORD (6-2)

MONDAY NIGHT RECORD (5-3)

WEEK 9 WE ARE BRINGING OUT THE BIG GUNS

THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

NEW YORK JETS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Who the hell is Mike White? White replaced Zach Wilson behind center and Jets upset the Bengals in a stunner last Sunday. Colts are playing much better than their record as they lost a tough one to the Titans last Sunday. The Colts at home will not take the Jets for granted and be prepared for the guy out of Western Kentucky that no one has ever heard of. Most likely White and where all Jets quarterbacks go down Sam Darnold Avenue and fizzle out. Jets can only beat teams with winning records. Colts are safe with their 3-5 record.

OUR PICK: COLTS

THE SUNDAY SLATE

ATLANTA FALCONS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Jameis Winston is out for the remainder of the year. The Falcons offense has been out most of the year already. The Falcons number one weapon, Calvin Ridley, is out of this contest. I think Taysom Hill can do a good job replacing Winston as he got some valuable experience last season filling in for Drew Brees. Saints will rely on their running game against a bad Atlanta defense. The X-Factor is the Saints defense.

Saints defense is one of the top units in the league and will do most of the heavy lifting if New Orleans wants to see the post-season this season.

OUR PICK:SAINTS

DENVER BRONCOS AT DALLAS COWBOYS

The Broncos traded away the heart and soul of their defense in Von Miller. Cowboys won last Sunday with Cooper Rush behind center. Quarterback controversy? Dak Prescott will be playing versus the Broncos. Broncos finally won last Sunday versus the team, but they still have not beaten a winning team. Cowboys defense should do enough to contain an average Bronco offense run by Teddy Bridgewater. Look for the Bronco defense to cave in without their leader Miller on that unit.

OUR PICK:COWBOYS

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS

PJ Walker will get the nod as the starting quarterback for the Panthers. The former Roughneck from the Houston team in the XFL.

It’s about time Panthers replaced Sam Darnold. Walker filled in for the Panthers last year and did well. Meanwhile the Patriots, aka the Evil Empire, are slowly quietly climbing the standings as they knocked off the Chargers last week. Look for a good defensive battle between the two teams. The evil genius, Bill Belichick, will pull the strings just right to confuse Walker Carolina Ranger. Patriots QB Mac Jones does not make the big mistakes and will make some plays for the win. Look for the Patriots to have a winning record at the end of week 9. The Rise of the Empire coming soon to a theatre near you.

OUR PICK:PATRIOTS

MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS

Ravens were torched the last time they were on the field versus the Bengals. Vikings lost another one on prime time to the Cowboys and their back up quarterback in a close one. Ravens teams coached by John Harbaugh have done an excellent job coming off the bye week. Ravens should be rested. Ravens probably have some guys returning from the injured list coming back. Vikings defense will have a hard time stopping Lamar Jackson and company who were playing well before the Bengal game.

Look for the Raven to fly above the Viking carcass left on the field when this is over.

OUR PICK:RAVENS

CLEVELAND BROWNS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS

The Bengals are going to trick and treat the Browns this Sunday like they received nachos and cheese in their Halloween candy buckets. Like the old cranky man that threw some popcorn in your bag when you were kids. The trick will be on the Browns with nacho cheese in their face. I like the Bengals coming back strong from their loss to the Jets. The Browns concern me with injuries piling up.

OUR PICK:BENGALS

BUFFALO BILLS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

The Bills need these easy games right now when the schedule will get harder in late November. Jaguars looked very bad versus Seattle last Sunday losing to Geno Smith. Buffalo should easily run up and down the field on the Jaguars poor defense. The Bills defense should put Trevor Lawrence in many sticky situations where turnovers will occur that will haunt Jacksonville all day long.

Look for the Bills Mafia to invade Jacksonville like the invasion of the Capital building early this year. Except avoid the rioting. Bills Mafia may drink all the beer that Jacksonville has in the stadium.

OUR PICK: BILLS

HOUSTON TEXANS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS

Last time either the Dolphins or the Texans even won a game was week 1 of the season. This game between the Texans and Dolphins is like the dirtiest toilet bowl game in the history of these bathroom bowls. You would think some of the top college football teams in the nation could beat either of these two squads. The team that loses would be in line for the second pick in the draft. Lions have locked up the number one draft pick in the first week coin toss to start the season. I’m going Miami in this one. Teams have a hard time adjusting to humid conditions in Miami, even though Houston is from Texas. But that may be a dry heat.

OUR PICK:DOLPHINS

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT NEW YORK GIANTS

This match-up at first looked like a walk in the park for the Raiders. Giants match-up very well with the Raider team. Giants hung in all the way to the end versus the Chiefs. Chiefs are not playing well, but they still can light up the scoreboard on any given Sunday. Will the Raiders be affected by their teammate Henry Ruggs’ off the field accident that killed a person? Will the Giants have Saquon Barkley back in the fold? Raiders, since Jon Gruden resigned after his emails surfaced to the media, have played better. I can see the Raiders also overcoming what Henry Ruggs did. Raiders have used all of their weapons on offense and have played much better and scored more points then Gruden calling the plays. Look for the Raiders to win a close one on the road.

OUR PICK:RAIDERS

LA CHARGERS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Both these teams screwed me last Sunday. Eagles flew high in routing a bad Lion team. Maybe the Eagles knew most of the nation were picking the Lions for a first win over their squad. Meanwhile Chargers got a dose of the new Empire on the rise versus New England.

Look for the Eagles to unload quick passes on the Charger pass rush. Eagles power running game will be the factor versus that Chargers attacking defense. I like the Eagles for a change, striking first and holding on for dear life at the end for a victory at home.

OUR PICK: EAGLES

GREEN BAY PACKERS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

It was going to be the State Farm bowl between Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers.

Aaron Rodgers is out with Covid. With the news of Rodgers not playing, the Chiefs became the favorite in the latest betting line over a touchdown. I like the upset in this one. Patrick Mahomes has played poorly in his last several games. The Chiefs offense is running like they have the Denver boot on their wheels of a whole. The Packers running game will keep Mahomes sidelined most of the game. Look for Packers running backs, two headed monster AJ Dillon and Aaron Jones, to get chunks of yardage off that Chief’s defense. Back up quarterback Jordan Love won’t have to do too much. I bet Love will show the league a few things and make some nice passes because they drafted him to replaced the cry baby Rodgers.

OUR PICK:PACKERS

ARIZONA CARDINALS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Can Arizona recover from their first loss of the season handed to them by the Packers? Jimmy Garoppolo is back behind center and what do the 49ers do? Win in Chicago last Sunday. I think the 49ers will ground out the Cardinals running game. Can the Cardinals defense go on without JJ Watt who is out for the season? This will be a close game. Cardinals took the first game versus the 49ers this season by a score of 17-10. Cardinals protection offensive line caved in versus the Packers last Thursday. I think the 49ers have a better front and can disrupt Kyler Murray.

And Jimmy knows how to win. The 49ers are just a better team with Jimmy healthy behind center.

OUR PICK:49ERS

TENNESSEE TITANS AT LA RAMS

Rams have been shopping getting a last minute purchase before the deadline, bringing Von Miller over from Denver. Titans going back into time hoping and praying that Spanky Adrian Peterson can find the fountain of youth before he puts on a Titan jersey. Rams defense will key in on the passing game from the Titans. With the injury to the Titans super star running Derrick Henry, the play action pass will not thrive like it did when he is in the line-up. Ryan Tannehill needs the play action pass. If Tannehill passes the ball most of the game, it goes in the Rams favor. Rams offense should score off a Titans defense that has gotten better recently but rely on turnovers. Rams offense is disciplined not make stupid mistakes.

OUR PICK: RAMS

THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME

CHICAGO BEARS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Both teams have struggled with their offense this season. Bears running game is the lone bright spot for the Bears offense. Too bad the Steelers defense, their bread and butter, can put a halt to the Bears running game. Steelers have won two games in a row. The Bears defense has done their own vanishing act in the last few weeks. My key to the game is the Steelers have a way better coaching staff than the sizzling seat of Matt Nagy and his disciples.

OUR PICK:STEELERS

Back in 2010, the Chicago Blackhawks advertising campaign had one goal. To win the Stanley Cup. The Blackhawks had a young nucleus surrounded by some veteran presence. The team went deep into the NHL playoffs the season before. Because they had young superstars that were going to take the league by storm. The Blackhawks as an organization were trying to get out of that label from once upon time ago, that of one of the worst franchises in sports. Back then, Blackhawks and the LA Clippers were neck and neck of very bad run organizations. The United Center was mostly crickets. Not the full house rocking to the National Anthem on Madison Street. The franchise was owned by Uncle Scrooge, Bill Wirtz. Wirtz’s famous words were that Stanley Cups cost too much money. The sons took over the franchise after the passing of Bill Wirtz. Rocky Wirtz became the chairman and revamped the entire organization. The bad years on the ice led to some top picks. Rocky Wirtz brought in the right people and suddenly the Blackhawks, an original six team, rose up from the dead. The old school thinking was still there. The Catholic school way of sweeping things under the rug. Sending the pregnant teenage sister to your uncles and aunts who have a farm, to avoid shame brought down on the family. The old country way of mum’s the word. Nobody ever talked about what bad thing happened. The Blackhawks had a wolf in the hen house. Instead of scalping the wolf and putting it down, they sent it away with a good resume and a recommendation letter, basically hush money to go away. The Blackhawks covered it up and did not listen to the victim. See no evil hear no evil. Eleven years later, the story comes back to haunt the team with one goal. From under the rug or back of the closet or from the farm, the Blackhawks let a sexual predator loose. John Doe, who turns out to be Kyle Beach, comes out of the woodwork to tell his story.

In 2010, the Blackhawks won their first Stanley cup since the 1960-61 season. Kyle Beach was drafted in 2008 at 11th overall that year in the NHL draft. Kyle Beach in the 2009-10 season was a prospect learning the NHL game and improving his craft. Beach would play in some pre-season games. The Blackhawks would call up some of their prospects from the minor league affiliates for scrimmages versus the big clubs. That is when Kyle Beach met the sexual predator, Brad Aldrich, who worked as video coach for the Blackhawks. The mind set of Aldrich was probably to lure Beach to his lair and show him video on how to improve his game. Beach would love to improve his game, so he trusted the video coach and went over to his apartment. While showing random hockey highlights in Aldrich’s place, suddenly the video turned into porn. This led into Aldrich pulling it out and masturbating in front of the 20-year-old Kyle beach. Add drinks and who knows what Aldrich could have done to the kid’s drink. Bill Cosby’s way of getting his game on. Aldrich used a girl he knew to start a threesome.She would leave in the middle of the three-way, and then Aldrich probably finished the sexual act off. If Kyle Beach did no cooperate, Aldrich threatened to ruin his hockey career. Even once, Aldrich used a Cubs souvenir bat to slam down on the table to demand his attention. All to put fear into the kid’s dream. Which is Kyle Beaches hockey career playing in the NHL.

Why couldn’t a 200 pound hockey player fight off a guy who was smaller than him? Especially since Brad Aldrich is only a video coach. Don’t hockey players fight for a living? Could this have been Kyle Beach’s way of experimenting with gay sex as a young kid? Then traumatized after because he actually went through it? Beach would report Brad Aldrich’s actions to the Blackhawks. The report made it all the way up the ladder to the President of Hockey Operations for the Blackhawks, John McDonough. Even Head Coach Q, Joel Quenneville, knew about what was going on. Nothing ever happened. Beach was told, “The front office is looking into your allegations.” Meanwhile business as usual for Brad Aldrich who would end up with his name on the Stanley cup. Kyle Beach looking from afar noticed nothing changed for Aldrich as he had his day with the Lord Stanley in his home state of Michigan. Beach would be called homophobic names behind his back. Names and coughs of unflattering words as the news was all over the Blackhawks locker room. By the Summertime Brad Aldrich was out of the Blackhawks organization with Hawks brass providing him with letters of recommendation. Aldrich would have pictures of himself celebrating with the cup. Aldrich’s name went on the cup. Aldrich would easily land another gig. Aldrich would then head to Notre Dame and accept a job at a prestigious university. From the Fighting Irish, Aldrich would move on to the University of Miami Ohio and there he assaulted two more victims. Then Aldrich went back to his home state of Michigan to take a job at a local high school. Houghton High School where finally Aldrich was caught and put behind bars. However, a 16-year-old high school student who played hockey, was the last victim of this sexual predator to be assaulted. That kid spoke up and the school did something about it. Houghton High School took the information and handed this sick human being over to the proper authorities, like the Blackhawks should have done in 2010.

Kyle Beach is 31 years old and for 11 years had to live with the agony of what Brad Aldrich did to him. Beach is playing hockey in Germany. As a number one pick, if he would have fought back and taken a different road at the time, perhaps he would have made it to the NHL. The feeling that everyone did not care for him and did not believe him. How they chose to cater to a video coach instead of a number one prospect. Does Kyle Beach feel guilty about other victims that Aldrich took advantage of after he left Chicago? In an interview with TSN, he said he wished he could have done more so a 16 year old from Michigan did not have to go through the horrific events like he had to. Kyle Beach told the players association his story. The players association in the NHL job is to protect the players at all costs. Nothing happened. The feeling of being shunned by the team he was drafted by and the entire NHL league. Turning to alcohol and drugs. Lashing out. Felling your hockey career slip away. The Blackhawks could have turned the matters over to the Police and let them sort out the mess. No, the Blackhawks instead decided to cover it up. Because a scandal would interrupt the one thing important to them at the time. The one and only thing that mattered to all these old school mentality guys was the Stanley Cup. Yes, like a sacrificial lamb. Sacrificing a human being for Lord Stanley.

The Catholic way of doing things for the Blackhawks comes back to bite them in the ass. This sexual scandal compares to what happen at Penn State years ago. What Joe Sandusky did was just sick. Then the aftershocks of the disaster that just destroy people’s lives. They probably deserved it for covering it up. Eventually that scandal led to the death of legendary Head Coach Papa Joe Paterno. Heads are rolling already as Blackhawks General Manager Stan Bowman stepped down. Joel Quenneville stepped down from his head coaching job with the Florida Panthers. John McDonough was let go awhile back and fired by the Blackhawks. This scandal was probably some of the reasoning. Blackhawks were fined two millions dollars by the league which is chump change. By letting Brad Aldrich walk out the door unscathed, Blackhawks will have to deal with multiple lawsuits. More names will probably come out of the woodwork as this thing is far from being over. Blackhawks’ Rocky Wirtz wants the Hockey Hall of Fame to scratch out Brad Aldrich’s name on the Stanley Cup. Remove the name like it never existed. In the coming weeks, it will be a witch hunt for more people to be responsible. It will be like hunting Nazi leaders who did the unthinkable. How will some of the players look after everything comes out? Does Jonathan Toews, the Captain of the Blackhawks, and Patrick Kane be looked at funny as the entire locker room knew what was going on. Will this scandal tarnish their Hall of Fame careers? I would like to say If I found myself in a pickle like that, I would have got the hell out of dodge. As a 20-year-old, I wasn’t the brightest bulb in the box. It’s a shame you have people like Brad Aldrich in the world. So evil & so smart in the same way, to get away with the shit he pulled for so long. Parasites that latch on to innocent people and take advantage; leaving nothing but a shell of their former selves. Anyone that goes through this kind of pain hopes Kyle Beach has some closure. Hope the Blackhawks have opened up their father’s vault and pay dearly. Money will not solve everything. Aldrich took this kid’s NHL dreams away from him and the Blackhawks let it happen.

NFL STRAIGHT PICK-EM WEEK 8

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

LAST WEEK’S RECORD (9-4)

OVERALL RECORD (76-31)

THURSDAY NIGHT RECORD (6-1)

MONDAY NIGHT RECORD (4-3)

WEEK 8 WE ARE DOING THE MONSTER MASH FOR HALLOWEEN WEEK

THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

GREEN BAY PACKERS AT ARIZONA CARDINALS

The Packers will be without their number one receiver, Davante Adams, in A short week due to Covid. Another weapon of Aaron Rodgers, Allen Lazard, is ruled out. Lazard coming off a great game in week seven is probably the Packers number two guy in the passing game for the Packers. Cardinals find out how JJ Watt, once again wattage only lastS for a half dozen games a year, is out with injury. I think Cardinals defense can survive in ashort week without Watt, while the Packers offense may have troubles matching scores with Arizona’s high powered offense.

OUR PICK: CARDINALS

THE SUNDAY SLATE

CINCINNATI BENGALS AT NEW YORK JETS

The radio waves are burning up in Cincinnati as the Bengals trounced the Ravens last week.

The Bengals have not been the real deal since the sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati was on prime time in the early 1980’s.

We know the New York Jets don’t have play makers like WKRP and the Bengals have. Rookie quarterback Zach Wilson is out. Who knows who the second string quarterback for the Jets is? Bengals will be a top survivor pick in week 8.

OUR PICK:BENGALS

TENNESSEE TITANS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Titans have risen from the dead after the Jets loss. Titans have knocked off two of the top tier teams in the AFC the last two weeks. The’ve taken out the Bills and Chiefs in back-to-back weeks. The Colts are like a bad Jason movie on Friday the 13th this season. Think Jason and the Colts are dead but suddenly they’re here!!!

Titans are just due for a loss after coming up with ways to win the last two weeks. The Colts started their season with one of the toughest schedules and have won 3 out of their last 4 games. Colts win by a ball hair in week 8 and reach the 500 mark for the first time this season.

OUR PICK:COLTS

LA RAMS AT HOUSTON TEXANS

Texans traded away their top running back away this week to the Saints, Mark Ingram. Must be nice as the Rams have played the Lions last week and now get to kick the Texans around this week. The Rams are like the Gooch, from the sitcom Different Strokes.

Taking the Texans lunch money on the playground.

OUR PICK: RAMS

PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS

Are the Browns and Steelers the worst two teams in the the AFC North? Both teams fighting off injuries. Baker Mayfield expected to return. Big Ben Roethlisberger still holding up after six games so far this season. The Browns running game will be the key to a Browns victory at home. This might be the last chance for Myles Garrett to use Big Ben’s helmet as a weapon and crumble the father of time clock.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT DETROIT LIONS

It’s Halloween Sunday and my upset of the Sunday slate is the Lions winning their first game of the year.

Eagle fans will have to live through the Nightmare of week 8. They are not going to like it.

OUR PICK:LIONS

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT CHICAGO BEARS

Head coach for the Bears, Matt Nagy, is sidelined with Covid. For that reason, the Bears have a chance. The 49ers are desperate for a victory and the Bears are the perfect meal.

Jimmy Garoppolo knocked off the rust last week from his return from injury. Garoppolo is from the Chicagoland area and will have plenty of family in the stands at Soldier Field. Look for Garoppolo to have a big game versus the Bears. Justin Fields will make it interesting for the Bears, but the offensive line will cave in and the rookie will make yet another mistake that costs them the game.

OUR PICK:49ERS

CAROLINA PANTHERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS

Sam Darnold turned back into Sam Darnold of the Jets.

It’s up to the Falcons to put a bullet in Sam Darnold’s brain. Panthers are probably missing Teddy Bridgewater these days.

OUR PICK:FALCONS

MIAMI DOLPHINS AT BUFFALO BILLS

Bills are probably still fuming at the loss to the Titans in a game they had in the trick or treat bag.

The Bills will use the rock they got in that Titans game coming off a bye week and use it versus the Dolphins. Dolphins right now are in disarray as the team now wants to trade for the rapist, Deshaun Watson.

OUR PICK:BILLS

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT LA CHARGERS

I’m not getting geeked up over the 54 points the Patriots scored over the hapless Jets last Sunday. The Chargers suddenly regressed in a bad game versus the Ravens two weeks ago. Patriot are improving, but they are not there yet.

The Chargers will unleash their aerial attack and it will be too hard to handle for the Patriot defense to even try to contain.

OUR PICK:CHARGERS

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

This was a tough call kind of match up. I was leaning Jaguars, who won their first game last time they played on another continent. Seattle without Russell Wilson has played tough in losses to some elite teams of the NFL.

On Halloween, we will find out Geno Smith’s body has an imposter. Smith is due for a NFL victory behind center as a starting quarterback even if it’s not him in his own body. Do you think Pete Carroll is an Earthling?

OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS

WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM AT DENVER BRONCOS

If the Broncos and the TEAM combined their forces, they would have one hell of defense. However they’d still be lacking a quarterback.

This is Addams family versus the Munsters and the winner takes the Nick at Night trophy. Cousin It, who is Teddy Bridgewater, goes family to family because no one quite wants him after a dozen games or so. He helps the Broncos pull out a much needed victory.

OUR PICK:BRONCOS

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

This match up is no longer that Godzilla versus Kong.

Last year it was Tom Brady versus Drew Brees. Can you say it will be Jameis Winston’s revenge game? Can’t go there yet as Tampa Tom is still QB 1 for the Buccaneers. Winston is still on a short leash in New Orleans. Buccaneers will win this match-up convincingly .

OUR PICK BUCCANEERS

DALLAS COWBOYS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Sunday night should be a shootout between the Vikings and the Cowboys. In big games on prime time, Kirk Cousins seems to always fail in the spotlight. Cowboys look like an elite team in the NFC. The Cowboys have the edge with the better defense than the Vikings. The game will be decided at the end.

OUR PICK:COWBOYS

THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME

NEW YORK GIANTS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Giants earned their second win last Sunday over a struggling Carolina team. Chiefs looked bad versus a good Tennessee team. Chiefs have lost to top teams in the AFC. Giants are not in that tier or category. Chiefs have dominated teams in the NFC East. Look for the Chiefs to rebound and get their record back to the 500 mark.

OUR PICK: CHIEFS

Last Sunday, I thought I was watching a rerun of a Bears game from the Marc Trestman ERA. Instead of Tom Brady’s Patriots, it was Tampa Tom’s Buccaneers. Matt Nagy played the role of Marc Trestman. Nagy should win an Oscar in that performance as the Buccaneers crushed the Bears in Florida, 38-7. The Bears offense once again was a disgrace. The Bears defense never left the plane. The Bears grand scheme of a game plan was horrific. The Bears record is now 3-4 for the season. Some would say the Bears have 10 games left on the schedule. I say put the toe tag on the Bears and call it week 7 when the season is officially over. November 2nd is the trade deadline and Bears need to collect draft picks like kids collecting baseball cards. Once your team plays like a Trestman-run team, there’s no coming back from that.

The Bears upcoming schedule should tell you this team has no chance of making post-season and more embarrassment is on the way. This Sunday, Bears play a talented 49ers team who are desperate for a victory. Then the first week of November on Monday night, they play a great Steeler defense. Just a reminder, the Bears offense is the worst in the entire league. Then Bears get their bye week. They then play the Ravens, one of the top tier teams of the AFC. Then on Thanksgiving, which will be a short week, they might beat the Lions. After that is the second meeting with the Bears owner, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. After that, they play the undefeated Cardinals. Then two games against the Vikings, of which the Bears may be able to win one of those. Since the NFL now plays 17 games a season, Matt Nagy’s regular 8-8 seasons will be obsolete. No way the Bears win 9 games. Would a 9-8 record get the Bears into post-season? Doubt it. Bears would need some team plane crashes for the Bears to get in to the post-season tournament.

The first guy I’d get rid of, if I ran the Chicago Bears, is defensive end Robert Quinn. Robert Quinn played six games so far this season and has racked 5.5 sacks this season. Very Quinn-like, he missed last Sunday after catching Covid. Last year he missed a week that had something to deal with the pandemic. Protesting or something unique. Quinn was MIA on the Bears defense last season even though he played in 15 games. Right now, Quinn’s stock is high as he is worth something. Quinn already has more sacks this season than his two he had last year. I do not care what round the draft pick is for, from another team for Robert Quinn. Trading him, you hope the Bears are not on the hook for the rest of his salary. I would worry that if you do not get some team to take him off your hands, he’ll go back to his 2020 level of play. Then you’re stuck with his services for the remainder of that lengthy contract.

Would Allen Robinson be a good number two receiver for a team who’s going to post-season? Robinson is a number one receiver for the Bears, but for most other teams I think his value is number two. The argument you can throw out there is Robinson has had bad Bears quarterbacks throwing him the football all these years. This is true. I can name so many talented receivers in the league that are better than him. Does Robinson scare defenses? A number one receiver has big games almost every week being covered by the opponent’s best defender. Right now the Bears have Robinson on the franchise tag. Robinson is being paid like a top tier receiver. I don’t see the Bears giving Robinson a contract extension. Plus Robinson has no chemistry with rookie quarterback Justin Fields. Throughout pre-season Robinson was getting all his reps from Andy Dalton. No way the Bears franchise tags Robinson again for the second straight year. Let’s get something for him. I can see Robinson dressing up like a woman to get off this Bears sinking Titanic that hit a Trestman iceberg.

Head coach Matt Nagy is sidelined with Covid this week. Love to see Matt Nagy stay home this Sunday and see what Chris Tabor does running the team. Tabor is the special teams coach for the Bears, a guy who has high energy. A different voice could help the Bears not get down to that Trestman game level. I should say Matt Nagy level. Even if the Bears play better, no way they will make the playoffs with that offensive line they have assembled. The dream would be to clean house in Chicago. Get rid of Matt Nagy and General Manager Ryan Pace. The Bears should have done that after the playoff game versus New Orleans, last season. Do you trust GM Ryan Pace getting rid of a few players to get draft picks?

The Bears have some players they can build around on both sides of the ball. On offense, the team hopes Justin Fields is the answer at the quarterback position of years to come. If Fields can survive this season. Darnell Mooney in his second year as a receiver, looks like a keeper. A pair of running backs in David Montgomery and now rookie Khalil Herbert should be kept. On defense, Roquan Smith is the new Wilbur Marshall, a linebacker that crushes people. Khalil Mack is obvious, but he costs you a lot of money. I would keep Jaylon Johnson who is emerging as a shut down corner back. Anyone else can be traded in a Bears midnight madness sale. Make it an early Black Friday sellathon. Build up draft capital so we can fix the offensive line and add some weapons for Justin Fields. Shedding salary, the Bears can add free agents in the off-season. Thought we buried the Mark Trestman ERA for good years ago. Bears ownership is like a stupid dog who keeps digging it up like a lost bone.

NFL STRAIGHT PICK-EM WEEK SEVEN

LAST WEEK’S RECORD (10-4)

We took a step backwards with our picking in week six, getting 4 wrong in less games on the docket.

In week seven, we are looking to rebound and carve our own niche into another shorter week of interesting match-ups.

OVERALL RECORD (67-27)

THURSDAY NIGHT RECORD (6-0)

LET’S DIVE IN TO WEEK SEVEN

MONDAY NIGHT RECORD (3-3)

THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

DENVER BRONCOS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS

The Browns have multiple injuries. Baker Mayfield is out. The one year wonder, Case Keenum, will be behind center for the Browns. This is a perfect opportunity for Teddy Bridgewater to sneak into Cleveland and leave with a victory. Browns will have to rely on their defense as the offense is down to their third string running back. Cleveland’s defense is like Forest Gump’s box of chocolates. You don’t know what unit will show up.

OUR PICK: BRONCOS

WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM AT GREEN BAY PACKERS

Washington’s defense was one you could rely on last year. The Team’s defense this season still has not shown up. Aaron Rodgers’ revenge tour has won 5 straight since taking a loss to the Saints on opening day. Rodgers was amped up last Sunday with a win in Chicago. Rodgers claims he owns the Bears as congratulations to being a share holder to one of your enemies. Rodgers can say he beat you and owns you… talk about having your cake and ice cream. Packers offense is too much to handle for the team. Besides Aaron Rodgers’ arm, it’s a two headed monster in the Packers backfield that can cause problems for their opponents. Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon can move defenses backwards. Should be a relatively easy day at home for Green Bay to get the job done.

OUR PICK: PACKERS

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT TENNESSEE TITANS

Chiefs needed a doormat they could walk all over last Sunday. Thankfully, Washington was there for them. The Titans won a big game on Monday night versus a good Bills team. Did the Titans make the big plays or did the Bills gift wrap that game for the Titans? Look for this game to be a shootout. Late in the game, Patrick Mahomes will have his Chiefs up by ten points Titans will abandon their running game with Derrick Henry, and Ryan Tannehill will make the game close, but Chiefs escape Nashville with a big road win. I just can’t see the Titans defense stopping two big time offenses in back-to-back weeks.

OUR PICK: CHIEFS

ATLANTA FALCONS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS

How would you like to fly all the way to London, England and lose to Jacksonville? Giving the Jags their first win of the ,and the rookie Trevor Lawrence gets his first win in the NFL behind center. Then the Dolphins find themselves playing in week seven. Is this the curse of the Beard?

Former Dolphins quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick, was benched last season in Miami for TUA Time. Miami failed to make the playoffs after winning ten games. Fitzpatrick would sign a deal with Washington. Miami stinks. Fitzpatrick gets hurt before the season starts in Washington. Taylor Heinicke, a young quarterback, takes over the team that made the playoffs last year and totally suck this year. Conspiracy theory? It’s simple. The Falcons are well rested having a bye last week. Dolphins are just a shell of their former selves from last year.

OUR PICK: FALCONS

NEW YORK JETS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

The Patriots’ Death Star rebuild is showing some flashes of life. The rookie quarterback, Mac Jones, last Sunday trading scores with Cowboys quarterback, Dak Prescott. The Evil Empire took a very good Cowboys team to overtime to decide that late afternoon match-up. Do you see the Death Star lighting starting to twinkle on? Bulbs in Bill Belichick’s grand plan starting to flash on. Look for Zach Wilson’s security blanket get taking out in this rematch between Jets and Patriots. You know Belichick will have another defensive plan worked up to confuse the Jets rookie behind center.

OUR PICK: PATRIOTS

CAROLINA PANTHERS AT NEW YORK GIANTS

This is a nice look for a Halloween costume. Panthers and Giants match-up is what medical staff need to get their teams’ bodies on the field. Lots of injuries on both teams’ rosters. Giants are a disaster right now as they have blown out the last two games. Carolina has lost three games in a row but played three close games as they lost to the Vikings in overtime. I like the Panthers defense in this match-up. I think that will help Sam Darnold not force any balls into mistakes, as Carolina finds a way to get back in the win column.

OUR PICK: PANTHERS

CINCINNATI BENGALS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS

The Bengals could be easily 6-0 right now. Losses include in overtime to the Packers and just stupid turnovers in the game versus the Bears. Bengals and Ravens find themselves with first place on the line in the AFC North. Can the Bengals offensive line hold up against the Raven defense? Joe Burrows takes a lot of sacks. Bengals defense has guys also that can get to the quarterback. Former Saints defensive line, Trey Hendrickson, is having a great year.

Hendrickson has already racked up 5.5 sacks in his first year as a Bengal. Ravens defense has been solid all year. Can the Bengals stop Lamar Jackson from escaping the pocket? I’m going with the upset with this one. I have been burned on the Ravens a lot of times, especially picking against them. I like the Bengals making an early statement to the division in this contest. I think Ravens defense will have a hard time stopping Burrows’ aerial attack. If Wide Receiver Ja’Marr Chase does not beat you, some other guy will. Watch the Ravens rely on Lamar Jackson’s arm is where the Bengals will hold on dearly and escape Baltimore with a win.

OUR PICK:BENGALS

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

Chucky Gruden’s email problems mean the Raiders have a new voice and broke a two game losing streak last Sunday. The Eagles made a comeback versus the Buccaneers last Thursday but fell short. You feel the Raiders are playing loser than they were under Jon Gruden’s leadership. Last Sunday, Raiders had a well-balanced attack on offense with many playmakers involved. Jalen Hurts and the Eagles seem to always be playing from behind. I like Derek Carr in this match-up to have a big game in the passing department. I think the Raiders can exploit that Eagles defense. Look for DE, Mad Max Crosby, on the Raiders defense to give the Eagles some problems.

OUR PICK: RAIDERS

DETROIT LIONS AT LA RAMS

The off-season trade between the Lions and Rams swapping quarterbacks. Matthew Stafford going to LA while Jared Goff heads to motor city.

The movie Trading Places sums up this match-up. This is just cruel and an unfair match-up for Jared Goff to be playing his former team. Matthew Stafford will have a huge game and torch his former team that is rebuilding and now starting to regress after playing some decent football. Lions have not won a game yet. I don’t see the Rams being their first victim. If you’re a Detroit fan watching this unfold on Sunday, it will just make you sick to your stomach.

OUR PICK: RAMS

HOUSTON TEXANS AT ARIZONA CARDINALS

REUNION:

JJ Watt and DeAndre Hopkins will have a reunion with their former team. Houston fans are lucky they have the Astros in the World Series because the Texans are a hot mess. JJ Watt makes that Cardinal defense a much better unit than they were last season. DeAndre Hopkins and Kyler Murray instantly clicked in a trade between these two teams that is still a head scratcher today. Texans have a rookie quarterback that is playing like a rookie. Cardinals are a well-oiled machine on both sides of the ball and will stay undefeated against the Texans team lost in their own oil fields.

OUR PICK: CARDINALS

CHICAGO BEARS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

The Bears shocked Tampa Tom and the Buccaneers last year. Tom Brady looked old and confused in that contest, not knowing what down it was. The Bears defense has played well this season but might be without the rejuvenated DE, Robert Quinn. The Bears running game over the last several weeks have been opening some eyes the last few weeks. Look for the Buccaneers to put the Bears running game on ice. Buccaneers defense is tops in the league versus the run. I can’t see Justin fields right now beating the Buccaneers with his arm. If Buccaneers take away the Bears running game, this can turn very ugly. Look for Tom Brady to get revenge over the Bears for that loss last season. Brady wants to own a share of the Bears franchise just like his buddy in Green Bay.

OUR PICK: BUCCANEERS

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

The 49ers are just a better team with Jimmy Garoppolo on the field. Colts found a much needed win versus a bad Houston team. The 49ers are well rested after a bye week and at home. This game should be a close game with two good defenses and strong running games. I give the edge to Jimmy Garoppolo over Carson Wentz. Even Garoppolo might be rusty, but that bye week will pay off dividens as 49ers squeak out a close one on Sunday night.

OUR PICK: 49ERS

THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Seahawks will be without Russell Wilson once again. Saints coming off a bye week. Seattle back up, the Great Geno Smith, took the Steelers to overtime last Sunday to come away with a loss. Saints have some key receivers out. I still think the Saints can score off a bad Seattle defense. I think the Saints defense will rattle Geno Smith, and he will make mistakes that cost Seattle the ball game even at home.

OUR PICK: SAINTS

Last Sunday, it was another typical loss for the Bears handed down by Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. It was Rodgers running in for the score that put the final nails in another Bear’s skin he will hang on his wall. It was emotional for Aaron Rodgers as he did his championship belt celebration or his State farm Insurance discount double check move. It was the words that spewed out of Rodgers that has everyone talking. “I Still Own You,” he screamed out as teammates came over to celebrate another Packer victory. This is now five in row since losing to New Orleans in Jacksonville during week one.

Rodgers bellowed it out three times at the top of his lungs. “I Still own you,” with the F-Bomb in there as well.

Rodgers would reveal later on in a press conference after the game that he blacked out after seeing some female fan double salute him with two birdies, one in each hand. Rodgers heard all kinds of sweet nothings from the Bears fans who rained down on the quarterback, who has mutilated their hearts for over a decade. Bears fans had to deal with Brett Farve before Rodgers, which comes out to three decades of humiliation from the Green Bay Packers in this division rivalry. Would be nice if someone from the Bears would punch Rogers in the nose and let him know this team and the fans of Chicago are not going to take this. But who?

A former Bears Center chimed in on the Mully & Haugh show on 670 AM radio over the Chicago air waves and did not like what Mr. Rodgers said and did in his neighborhood on Sunday. Kreutz said, “I’d like to punch him in the face,” referring to Aaron Rogers and his “I still own you” comment on Sunday.

Olin Kreutz was the same guy who punched his own teammate at an FBI shooting range in 2005. Kreutz does not ever hold anything back as he punched Fred Miller and broke his jaw during a BBQ at one of the the shooting ranges of the FBI. Kreutz, during his appearance on the Score radio, said Aaron Rodgers’ excuse was lame saying he blacked out and everything just came tumbling off his tongue in the spur of the moment. Kreutz’s blood was boiling in that interview as he knows Green Bay and Chicago are one of the oldest rivalries in the NFL and sports. Kreutz played in those games. Kreutz knows if Mr. Rodgers comes to his house and says what he says that this is not going to go well in future games for the quarterback. Only problem these days with the Bears is, who is going stand up for the little guy? The little guy seems to be the big city of Chicago as Green Bay is the Goliath.

When it comes to rivalries, you need people at the top of your organization to buy-in to get the players on board. We play the Packers twice a year and we need to win these games and/or play mistake-free games. Make it tough on them where they regret playing you, win or lose. Bears Head Coach Matt Nagy has one win versus the Packers so far in his tenure versus the Packers.We all know Matt Nagy’s bum is getting very toasty right now where he is sitting. Black Monday after the regular season is over, Matt Nagy should be fired. How many bums do we have to parade down the sidelines at Soldier Field to get it right at the Bears Head Coach position? Bums like Marc Trestman. Has-beens like John Fox. Now the spineless jelly fish of Matt Nagy and his war and peace playbook of shenanigans. At least when Lovie Smith was hired by the Bears, he said in his intro press conference, “Our first objective is beating the Green Bay Packers.” Lovie Smith fulfilled that promise in the beginning of his tenure with the Bears. The wheels fell off the Lovie bus after that as the Packers had their way with his teams. Especially we all recall the NFC championship between the Bears and Packers in 2010. That was the same year that if the Bears would have not rested some starters to close out the Packers in the last game of regular season, Green Bay would have never made the playoffs. The Bears need somebody with a loud personality like Da Coach Mike Ditka, who in the 1980’s his Bears teams dominated those Green Bay Packers teams. Ditka’s Bears never faced Brett Farve or Aaron Rodgers though. I do believe Ditka would have fared much better than the jokers we have had over the last 3 decades.

Aaron Rodgers is now 22-5 versus the Bears which includes the Packers win last Sunday in Chicago, a 24-14 final. Rodgers definitely has the Bears’ number over his entire career. However, is Rodgers a slave owner who claims he owns the Bears? Now a days Rodgers may be walking a very thin line saying that he owns somebody. Those are just words Rodgers said, and sticks and stones will break your bones, but names shouldn’t and won’t hurt. The NFL should not investigate whether Rodgers is a white slave owner. As we know, Jon Gruden’s emails that resurfaced & sent him packing. We know Rodgers is a D-Bag as everyone should be able to put those pieces of evidence together. The words, “I own you” should be echoing in the ears of the top brass at Halas Hall and the Bears team. These words will not go away. Even the Bears next opponent Tampa Tom Brady chimed in about Aaron Rodgers comments. Tom Brady congratulated Rodgers being a share holder of the Chicago Bears. The Bears need to do something about these comments. Rodgers disrespected your fans in your own house.

Placing a bounty on Aaron Rodgers’ head is so New Orleans Saints, like it’s been done before. I don’t want to see Robert Quinn mimic Aaron Rodgers’ discount double check celebration after a sack. Especially in the first quarter when the game is not over. The Bears should not need bulletin board material, which now they have when they meet the Packers in Green Bay later on this season. This is a rivalry and the Bears, good, bad, or ugly, should be giving their all versus the Packers. Giving the Packer a loss and disrupting their season is what needs to happen. Make the Packers a lower seed in the playoffs by beating them in Green Bay. Beating them in front of their home fans is always a good thing. If you’re going to lose, make it hard on Green Bay. Stick them in the ribs and let them know you are there with your tackling. The best way to get to Aaron Rodgers is make it uncomfortable all day long in the pocket. Make him earn it if you’re going to lose. Bears need to make their own revenge tour and not let Mr. Rodgers enjoy his own. Rodgers may not be playing for the Packers next season. Bears could get the last laugh in Green Bay. Then my thoughts go back to our leadership. Head coach Matt Nagy needs a pink slip. I don’t know who the Bears should hire if they have the balls to get rid of their weasel coach they have now. Bears need a dragon slayer, one who can make this thing back into a rivalry. Not a lopsided affair as the fans continue to get salt rubbed into their wounds.