In the Chicago Bears franchise, you have to go all the way back to the 1940’s to know what a true quarterback looked like wearing navy blue and orange on the gridiron. Back in the 40’s it was Sid Luckman behind center and he was an actual quarterback in the NFL. Way before my time and probably yours. Many decades & many generations of Bears fans since have their version of what a stud quarterback looks like. Never dressed in a Bears uniform. They have glimpses of what they think was a great quarterback from watching the Bears parade with every Dick and Moe behind center for years. They hold on to certain memories of these Bears QB’s as they thought were the real deal. The great Jim McMahon who won the Superbowl with the Bears in 1985. If he never got hurt, what would he have become? Still to this day the cult following of smoking Jay Cutler I will never understand. I even know a dude that named his cat after that bum Cutler.

Most Bears fans wanted the team to draft Caleb Williams number one because he was the guarantee. The thoughts in their own minds were he was the savior and finally the guy to slay the Sid Luckman ghost of the 40’s. Justin Fields has that Cutler cult following as well as chants at Soldier field last year when the Bears had a stretch of winning consecutive games, “Keep Fields, Keep Fields.” Fields is 3-0 with the Steelers right now. While Williams is still adjusting to the NFL as a rookie. Last Monday night the nation saw the coming out party of another rookie, Jayden Daniels, for the Commanders. A small number of experts said Daniels before the 2024 draft was the best quarterback in the draft. Memories of the Bears selecting Mitch Trubisky instead of Deshaun Watson which now we are relieved after not taking that pervert. However passing on Patrick Mahomes like the Portland Trail Blazer passing on Michael Jordan. The Bears had to take Williams who was slated as a sure thing.

Once athletes leave the city of Chicago, they certainly seem to do better with their new team. Justin Fields was traded to Pittsburgh. Fields was not even supposed to be the Steelers starting quarterback as the job was going to veteran Russell Wilson. The X-Seahawk and former Bronco did not have a great preseason and suffered an injury. The starting gig then went to Fields. The Steelers out of the gate are already 3-0 in which the Bears sit at 1-2. Fields recently said on a podcast that the Steelers coaching staff has been more helpful for his development than his days in Chicago. In three games for the Steelers, Fields has completed 73.3% of his passes for 518 passing yards with two touchdown passes and only one interception. He has rushed for 90 yards and has one rushing touchdown. He has won all of his starts in a Pittsburgh uniform.

Jayden Daniels was the number two pick overall in last April’s 2024 NFL draft by the Washington Commanders. The Bears took Caleb Williams number one. On Monday night Daniels had his coming out party to the NFL as he led the Commanders to an impressive victory over the Bengals in Cincinnati in a shoot out fashion. The Bengals have one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL with Joe Burrow. Daniels completed 21-23 passes for 254 passing yards while throwing 2 touchdown passes and he had one rushing touchdown. Daniels outdid Burrow in the match up. The Commanders have won two straight games and have a 2-1 record in the first three games of the season. The rookie is completing 80.3% of his passes in three games. He has 664 passing yards with the two touchdown passes. He also has used his legs and rushed for 171 yards on the ground with three rushing touchdowns. Impressive indeed.

The pretty boy from USC who paints his fingernails. The man who said the Bears punter will not be seen this year. The number one pick of the 2024 NFL draft who said he will have more rings than Tom Brady when his career comes to an end. Caleb Williams so far has brought back memories of the 2006 Bears team that won many games with only their defense and special teams. Even back then they had Rex Grossman who was Good Rex or Bad Rex, but the Bears would still win games. The Bears won their season opener because of their defense and special teams. Williams did not look good. Last Sunday versus the Colts, Williams had his best game so far in a Bears uniform. But it was not impressive like Daniels. Williams is 1-2 so far as a starter in the NFL and is only completing 59.3% of his passes. He has thrown 2 touchdown passes compared to 4 interceptions. He likes to throw the ball more than take off and run but has 67 rushing yards in three pro games.

The Chicago Bears are known for playing defense, getting off the bus, and running the football. The Chicago Bears is where wide receivers and quarterbacks go to die. Justin Fields was drafted by the Bears in the first round number 11 overall in the NFL 2021 NFL draft. Fields completed 60.3% of his passes when he played in Chicago. He was 10-28 as the starter for the Bears. He was a turn over machine. He could not lead a game winning drive as he basically crumbled when the game was on the line. He could not hit his receivers in stride in the middle of the field. Many remember all those dazzling runs scoring touchdowns with his legs. How he had a bad offensive line which was true. The lack of weapons. Caleb Williams has all the weapons. Williams has an offensive line upgraded. The O-line has been a concern again this season. Williams, like Fields in a Bears uniform, holds on to the ball way too long. You can chalk this up to bad coaching even though the Bears hired a new offensive coordinator. How do you explain Fields doing well? However he’s still not a top QB in the league. Williams could be a top QB in this league but we have to remember he is still a rookie. Do I believe the Bears took the wrong quarterback once again in the NFL draft? Right now, yes. In the long run we will find out. In the back of my head how would Williams be doing in a Commanders uniform and Daniels in a Bears uniform? Would Patrick Mahomes be Mahomey if the Bears selected him in that 2017 NFL draft? In Chicago we will have all the excuses and blame the line, the coaches, and the owner. The fans are clamoring for something and even the few highlights that are good. They can’t get over the fact the Bears got rid of Fields and the great Jay Cutler who had all the abilities to be a stud QB. Fields will be stuck in the middle of the pack or linger in the bottom of the barrel of starting QB’s in the league right now. Remember the Steelers have a stud defense. All Fields needs is to be a game manager there. The Steelers have better coaching and can use the talents of Fields instead of trying to force things like the Bears did with him. Jay Cutler was never a leader and made the big mistakes when the game was on the line. Why can’t people remember that? Williams could go down the same road. Da Bears and Cleveland are jinxed at the quarterback position. Imagining having to stomach Deshaun Watson right now. What they gave up for him with all the draft capital they gave Houston. All that guaranteed money he was paid. It’s too early to talk about how the Bears gave away their number one when Fields was never a number one QB in this league. I need more games to decide if the Bears drafted another lemon. For Daniels he could have beginner’s luck but should thank the Lord he prays to that the Bears did not draft him.

Week two of the NFL felt like a Joe Theismann injury off the hit of Lawrence Taylor. All the upsets meant we did manage to go 500, which we are not proud of. It’s better than a losing week as at least we can say we treaded water. We hope for all the right picks in each match up for week 3, we are sending in the clowns to make sure we get the results we stride to do every week perched on our bar stools.

LAST WEEK RESULTS:(8-8)

SEASON STATS:

THURSDAY NIGHT GAMES: (1-1)

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: (0-1)

MONDAY NIGHT GAMES: (1-1)

SEASON RECORD: (18-14)

NFL WEEK 3 STRAIGHT PICK-EM

SEND IN THE CLOWNS

THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-1) AT NEW YORK JETS (1-1)

The Patriots come back down to earth after their first loss of the season last Sunday. Then the great Aaron Rodgers earns his first W in a Jets uniform. The Patriots defense is not crisp like the days of Billy Belichick’s as they gave up some big plays to Seattle’s QB Geno Smith. Rodgers seemed to find his groove in the second half versus the Titans. If Smith can tally up 300 passing yards, Rodgers should have a big game in the Jets home opener. Look for the Jets defense to have their best game of the season versus Jacoby Brissett. Patriots should linger around like a hard booger on a dry day, but at the end Rodgers will have the Jets 2-1.

OUR PICK: JETS

THE SUNDAY SLATE

CHICAGO BEARS(1-1) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS(0-2)

The Bears and Colts right now have two young quarterbacks that are struggling right now. The Bears have found a way to notch a W with their defense/special teams landing them the win in week 1. Anthony Richardson has completed under 50% of his passes so far in two games. Caleb Williams has not yet thrown a touchdown pass and is still getting used to the speed of the game in the NFL. Williams has completed 56% of his passes. The Bears should be able to use their running game to exploit the Colts’ weakness on defense. Maybe open up some play action passes for Williams. I’m leaning more to the Bears on this game because of the head coach. Matt Eberflus had the D-Coordinator job in Indianapolis before taking the Chicago gig. Eberflus coached some of these guys who still remain on the Colts roster. I give the Bears a slight edge.

OUR PICK: BEARS

HOUSTON TEXANS (2-0) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (2-0)

Do you ride the Viking ship in week 3 with Sam Darnold reincarnated from his college days? Everyone expected the Texans to get off to a hot start with CJ Stroud who was the gem quarterback of the first round in 2023. Darnold was drafted in the first round by the Jets. He was a bust in New York & then had some moments in Carolina. He sat behind Brock Purdy in San Francisco last season. Now he has found his pro game with the Vikings. He slayed the 49ers last week. The Vikings have a solid defense with Brian Flores at the helm. We can’t forget about the fire power that the Texans have on offense. The Texans also can play some defense. This will be a close game between two undefeated teams. I like the Texans crumbling in this one with the pressure from the Vikings defense, who will get the one turnover to turn the tide of this game. Minnesota being at home will keep this Viking ship flowing down the NFL waters.

Sound the horns!

OUR PICK: VIKINGS

NEW YORK GIANTS (0-2) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (1-1)

The Browns defense stood out in their win last week over the Jaguars. The Giants lost to the Commanders and had a better week than their first game of the season. I think this Giants offense sucks and they only scored 18 points versus a bad Commanders defense. The Browns defense should be Daniel Jones’ worst nightmare.

Jones may be skeptical around pumpkins this Halloween after facing the orange helmets of the Browns. Deshaun Watson’s offense did muster up 18 points versus the Jaguars which was enough for the win. He should be able to generate a tad more versus a pretty decent Giants defense. Not a very exciting game on the Sunday docket. The Giants will remain winless after the first three weeks of the season. Cleveland suddenly will look like they have overcome that first week’s humiliating loss to Dallas with two straight wins.

OUR PICK: BROWNS

LA CHARGERS (2-0) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (2-0)

Seems too easy of a recipe to insert Jim Harbaugh, and then your entire franchise starts to win games. The Steelers riding Justin Fields to a 2-0 start in Pittsburgh. Fields is not why the Steelers are undefeated to this point. The Steelers defense is the reason. The Chargers have a nice defensive unit as well. The Chargers get the edge with their offense as Justin Herbert is the better Justin behind center. Herbert has an ankle sprain that could be the blood in the waters for that Steelers defense. The Chargers will be making consecutive road games to the east coast after winning in Carolina last week. I like the Steelers in this one with the home cooking and that defense facing a hobbled QB. Back to Fields, he’s not turning over the ball like he did in Chicago.

OUR PICK: STEELERS

GREEN BAY PACKERS(1-1) AT TENNESSEE TITANS(0-2)

The Green Bay Packers are well-coached as I cringe when I write this. The Titans welcome back one of their own QB’s they drafted in Malik Willis who now is starting behind center for the Packers. Well-coached as the Packers inserted Willis behind center to replace the injured Jordan Love they find a way to win last Sunday. Then Will Levis who took over the starting QB job for the Titans has made mistakes that have cost Tennessee wins. They could be 2-0. You would think 1-1. Willis did not do anything special last week versus the Colts. He did not make any mistakes to cost the Packers the game. I like Tennessee defense at home. The Titans have played much better at home than on the road. This game is a coin toss and a head scratcher at the same time because it could go either way. The Titans are loaded with offensive weapons that are ready to blow it up on the field in a good way. I think Levis has his best game so far against his former teammate. It should give him the extra motivation the front office picked him after they drafted Willis. If the Titans go 0-3, they may not be able to get themselves out of that early gigantic hole to start the season. The Packers offense just can’t right now put up a ton of points on offense. It’s more ball control to run the ball play defense. The Titans should be able to get enough points to take this one.

OUR PICK: TITANS

DENVER BRONCOS (0-2) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (2-0)

Last season, Baker Mayfield found his home in Tampa Bay with a solid season that led to a bigger contract. Now Baker, who used to live in the Browns stadium, has to have his quarters set up in the Pirate boat at Buccaneers stadium. In two games this season, Baker has completed 73.5% of his passes as he tallied up 474 passing yards with 5 touchdown passes compared to one interception. He is facing Bo Nix, a rookie QB who has only completed 59.7% of his passes and has tallied 384 passing yards. Nix has not thrown a touchdown pass yet but has 4 interceptions. The Buccaneers defense is pretty good. Baker has a permanent home. Until Sean Payton injects some of that Drew Brees blood into Nix, this game is Buccaneers all the way.

OUR PICK: BUCCANEERS

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (1-1) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (2-0)

The Saints are marching with a full flock this season putting up back-to-back 40 point games. The Eagles should be 2-0 but bad coaching mistakes bit them in the rear on Monday night versus the Falcons. The Saints’ first burst of points in week one came against the junior varsity Panthers team. Then they put up another 40 against a talented Dallas Cowboys defense. The Eagles win came on a neutral site versus the Packers in week one. Before this season even started, I would tell you no way the Saints would beat the Eagles in week 3. The Eagles can’t stop the run on defense. The Saints have been marching through the opponents defense with Alvin Kamara who looks like the guy from early in his career. Derek Carr playing his best football since the Raiders day when he got them to the playoffs for first time in years. Maybe the Saints veterans hit some kind of Voodoo fountain of youth in New Orleans. I’m riding the Saints bandwagon at home this week.

OUR PICK: SAINTS

CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-2) AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (1-1)

Looks like Bryce Young could be traveling down Ryan Leaf avenue and become a first round bust. The Panthers are going with the Red Rifle in veteran quarterback Andy Dalton to spark this dormant offense. The Raiders were facing 0-2 last week with a date with the Ravens in Baltimore. Gardner Minshew has beaten the Ravens now two straight years wearing two different uniforms. The Raiders defense should be able to contain the Red Rifle in their first home game of the season. The Panthers will look better all around with the QB change but find the same result for now. Minshew is playing well to have a step back versus a Panthers team that has not played well on both sides of the football.

OUR PICK: RAIDERS

MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-1) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (2-0)

The Dolphins were dealt a deadly blow last week losing their star quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. The Seahawks are quietly 2-0 to this point. Can Skylar Thompson save the Dolphins season if Tua is out several weeks or he could be done for the year? The Seahawks offense is heating up and their defense has played solid so far this season. The Miami air show will not have that F-16 style of attacks for at least right now.

Thompson has started only two regular season games and has 8 total career games under his belt. He has made one start in post-season as well. Combined he is 1-2 as a starter with 2 touchdown passes to 5 interceptions. Geno Smith has found his form of 2022. The Seahawks defense will concentrate heavily on the Dolphins ground game. The flight to Seattle across country does not help the Dolphins. Very tough in general to win in Seattle when you are a road team. Skylar is not the answer right now for the Dolphins.

OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (1-1) AT LA RAMS (0-2)

I’m shocked by both of these teams’ records to this point. The Rams were a playoff team and they don’t look right as the Cardinals blew them up last Sunday. Then the 49ers losing to the Vikings. Sam Darnold was privy to the 49ers play book last year as he was QB 2. Darnold slice and diced the 49ers defense. Both teams have a ton of injuries after two weeks. The Rams offensive line is a huge glaring weakness for LA. Even though it’s their first home game of the season, the 49ers are the better team with a deep roster. The Rams are not stopping teams. Brock Purdy and the 49ers offense mean it will be business as usual.

OUR PICK: 49ERS

DETROIT LIONS (1-1) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (1-1)

The Lions season started off with the teams they knocked out in the playoffs last season. The Cardinals destroyed the Rams last week and gave Buffalo a battle on the road in week one. This Cardinals match up for the Lions is no easy task as they will go on the road for the first time this season. The Lions have dominated the Cardinals since 2017 with a 4-0-1 record. Then Jared Goff who played for the Rams a life time ago has dominated the Cardinals with 8-1-1 record. This is a different Cardinals team as they look like the hungry Lions of few years ago. Marvin Harrison Junior looks like the real deal. Murray looks like he has found his old self when he entered the league after making the choice of either football or baseball. This one should be a shoot out. The Cardinals will have to redefine themselves in close games they have lost a lot dating back to last year. I like the Lions because Head Coach Dan Campbell has his team bouncing back very quickly after a loss. The history sides the Lions since ’17. Lions found ways on the road to win as we can remember the first game of the 2023 season when they beat the Chiefs at Arrowhead.

OUR PICK: LIONS

BALTIMORE RAVENS (0-2) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (1-2)

The Cowboys opened up the season with a beat down of the Browns. Then the Saints gave the Boys a beat down they probably deserved. Then the Ravens lost opening night of the 2024 season to the Chiefs by a toe. Then last week they have a new nemesis named Gardner Minshew who beat them with the Colts last year & then this year last week wearing a Raiders uniform. Both teams need a win here. Watch the Ravens run the ball as their offensive line is not doing well on pass blocking. Derrick Henry may have a big day carrying the rock along with Lamar Jackson as the Cowboys were gashed with the run by the Saints last week. Teams will continue to exploit your weakness week after week until they can stop it. I like the Ravens defense to stand tall in this one and put the gauntlet down on America’s team. The Ravens are due to notch that first W of the season.

OUR PICK: RAVENS

THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (2-0) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (1-1)

Can the Falcons possibly win this match up versus the Chiefs at home? The Falcons have a solid running game and the Chiefs will be without their star defender, Chris Jones. Then the Chiefs lost their star running back to an injury in Isiah Pacheco. Now the Chiefs have to rely on the great white hope in the backfield.

Carson Steele, a rookie with his pet alligator, will take on the backfield duties. The Falcons were given the game last week on Monday night by the Eagles on a coaching decision. Kirk Cousins led the game-winning drive that took the wings off the birds from Philadelphia. Cousins looked better week 2 than he did in week one. The Chiefs still have the great Patrick Mahomes and he is very good in prime time games as Cousins is not.

OUR PICK: CHIEFS

DOUBLE THE FUN ON MONDAY NIGHT WITH TWO GAMES

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (0-2) AT BUFFALO BILLS (2-0)

Last year these two teams met in London, England and it was a nightmare for the Bills. They lost the game and had several injuries over the pond. The Jaguars really have owned the Bills since 2017 which also includes a playoff game between the two teams. Times have changed as the Jaguars are off to 0-2 start and lost two close games. For the Bills they are off to a solid start winning both games and scoring 30 or more points in each contest. The Bills defense, despite some injuries, handled Marvin Harrison Jr. in game one and then shut down Miami’s aerial attack last Thursday. Bills are well-rested. The Jaguars are desperate which can lead to mistakes. This is a different Bills animal since the last time they met, the offense has a new philosophy and is well-balanced. It’s not just Josh Allen. The Jaguars defense does not look like that stout unit they had the last few seasons. I like Bills to remain perfect while the Jaguars will have to look elsewhere for their first W of the season.

OUR PICK: BILLS

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (1-1) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (0-2)

Washington earned their first win of the year just beating the hapless Giants. The Bengals doing their usual, dig themselves a hole in the beginning of the season and then start winning. The Bengals were victim of another Patrick Mahomes miracle that benefited the Chiefs. The call ruined the Bengals hopes of winning their first game last week. Joe Burrow had a big game last week and I see it happening again. Jayden Daniels improved from week 1 with a better performance in week 2 for the Commanders. The Commanders defense is a unit in the bottom of the league. Burrow and company should rack up points with ease. The Bengals are at home and they will send everything including the kitchen sink after the rookie QB for the Commanders. The Bengals defense can rack up sacks by the half dozens at times and being 0-2, I think they are ready to tee off on this Washington team which does not have the offense to keep up with Burrow.

OUR PICK: BENGALS

We are bringing in Da Coach to salute our results of week one in the NFL Pick-em predictions.

WEEK ONE & SEASON RESULTS

THURSDAY NIGHT GAMES (0-1)

FRIDAY NIGHT GAMES (0-1)

MONDAY NIGHT (1-0)

OVERALL RECORD AND WEEK 1 RESULTS: (10-6)

It’s not an easy thing trying to figure out the NFL scripts. Like rookie quarterbacks in the NFL, week one we got our feet wet. We now maybe have an idea how week two will go. Don’t hold your breath. This is the NFL. On any given Sunday some team or a few of them will make you feel like an idiot. Sometimes we may look like we actually know what we are talking about. Week two. Enjoy!!!

WEEK 2 NFL STRAIGHT PICK-EM

THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

BUFFALO BILLS (1-0) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-0)

Josh Allen has dominated the Dolphins over his career with a 10-2 record in regular season. The Bills have owned the Dolphins in the last dozen games as well. Both teams come into week two with a win. The Dolphins dug an early hole for themselves versus the Jaguars and came back to beat Jacksonville with a walk off field goal. The Dolphins do not score a ton of points against good teams as they only managed 20 versus the Jaguars. Against losing teams, the Dolphins light up the score board. The Bills seem to keep the Dolphins’ talented duo wide receivers in check every time they meet. The Bills offense out of the gates looks crisp, clean, and on any given Sunday seem to put up 30 points on the score board. Miami’s defense is average at best. I like Bills getting a road victory on a prime time Thursday game where Allen has been awesome when the entire nation is watching.

OUR PICK: BILLS

THE SUNDAY SLATE

CLEVELAND BROWNS (0-1) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (0-1)

In Jacksonville, Florida, the city has to close down all their massage parlors across the tri-state with the arrival of Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns. Even the erotica along with the dirtiest places in town don’t want to deal with Watson. For the game I like the Jaguars in this one. They should have beaten Miami as they had a costly fumble in that one that could have extended the lead and not be the victim of last second walk off field goal by the Dolphins. Trevor Lawrence looked healthy and back to his old self. The Browns struggled last week. Hard to fix that offensive line in a week. Watson played like garbage. He was 0-10 passing beyond 15 yards versus the Cowboys. Another girl has emerged out of the wood work filing a law suit against the sexual predator. I’m sure the team really feels great to back a guy like this with mothers, wives, sisters, and hide your daughter from your quarterback.

OUR PICK: JAGUARS

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-0) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (1-0)

The Saints put a beat down on the junior varsity team, the Panthers last Sunday. The Cowboys defense had six sacks on the Cleveland Browns as they gave them a beat down on the road last Sunday. I really don’t see the Saints putting up another 40 burger and certainly not versus this Cowboys defense. Derek Carr felt no pressure from the Panthers defense last week as he could have ate a sandwich back there as he slung the ball all over the field. He will get heavy pressure from this Cowboys defense and Carr is prone to make mistakes with people in his face the entire game. The Saints defense should keep this somewhat of a close game. Dak Prescott and Deedee Lamb are walking on sunshine with their contract extensions in place. Dallas at home play more like a beast mode than on the road even though in Cleveland they brought that animal out of themselves. The NFC South, by far the weakest link in the league, Cowboys should win their home opener.

OUR PICK: COWBOYS

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (1-0) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-0)

Who would have thought that this Patriots team could upset the Bengals in week one? I see that Bengals loss ruining many people’s survivor pick around the nation. The cutthroat survivor league being knocked out in week one especially. Meanwhile Seattle won their home opener in a sloppy game versus Denver. The Seahawks defense looked pretty good. Many could say the Patriots may have the advantage as Seattle are the last to fly in from the other side of the country to play a game as their own personal body clocks are in jeopardy. Seattle is 2-5 in the last seven time zone change games they played. Geno Smith versus Jacoby Brissett is not any clash of the titans at the quarterback position. The Patriots may be better than last year. I would be stunned for them to start off 2-0. The Seattle offense still has a ton of weapons to deal with. I see Smith having a better week than last Sunday. The X-factor is the Seattle defense and first year head coach Mike Macdonald, former Ravens D-coach, has turned that unit around. The Seahawks offense will start off slow and their body clock will kick in some time in the second half to pull out a road victory. The Seattle defense will hold Brissett in check until Smith finds his game.

OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS

CINCINNATI BENGALS (0-1) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (1-0)

Did the Chiefs get lucky once again? The Ravens touchdown was taken off the board at the end of the game because the guy’s toe was over the line. If that counted, the Ravens could have tied the game but at the time they were thinking of the 2 point conversion for the win. Then the Bengals once again out of the gates take on a horrible loss from the Patriots. Since 2019 the Bengals are 1-10 in the first two weeks of the season. Joe Burrow is 3-1 versus Patrick Mahomes which includes two playoff games. This match up is all wrong right now for the Bengals. The historic slow starts, on the road trying to win at Arrowhead stadium, and the two cry baby receivers that have not been paid by the Bengals. Some say Burrow’s wrist problems in his throwing hand are still lingering. I hate both of these teams. The Chiefs look better and they are at home so watch them win this one.

OUR PICK: CHIEFS

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (0-1) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (0-1)

The Raiders needed that game one against the Chargers. Now they are faced with their second road game off to Baltimore. The Ravens gave the Chiefs a run for their money and came up a toe short at the end. The Raiders defense shone in week one and should keep this game close for most of the way. The Ravens are rested from playing the Thursday night game and could wear out this Raiders defense with Lamar Jackson or Derrick Henry. Who will run the ball next? That is the question.

For the Raiders, Gardner Minshew is still trying to find himself with this Raiders offense. I really don’t think he will find what he’s looking for versus the Ravens defense. The Ravens are at home with the long trip by the Raiders which seals the deal for myself on this match up.

OUR PICK: RAVENS

LA CHARGERS (1-0) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-1)

I think many finally saw a healthy tandem of Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack last week wrecking havoc on the Raiders offense. Watch Jim Harbaugh have the luxury of having these guys healthy and on the field the entire season. I bet Harbaugh will use these two wrecking machines the right way. As for the Panthers, they may need another new head coach already as they change them like underwear. They look like they should have the number one draft pick locked up after week one. Throw in a new quarterback as well. This Panthers team looked bad last week vs the Saints. This Charger team with the luck of Jim Harbaugh should be able to get this road victory and start off 2-0 for the season. I see Mack and Bosa being the game wreckers for the Panthers scheme of things.

OUR PICK: CHARGERS

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (1-0) AT DETROIT LIONS (1-0)

The Lions can probably use the same game plans they used in the playoffs. First the Rams and now they play the Buccaneers – the two teams Detroit knocked out last year. Baker Mayfield looked awesome in week one throwing darts and scalping the Commanders defense. The Lions ended the Rams in OT. It was a close game when these two met in the post-season. I think it will be another close affair as both teams are solid. I like the Lions at home and that is my deciding factor in this one.

OUR PICK: LIONS

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (0-1) AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (0-1)

The Packers took a big blow last Friday night in Brazil losing their starting quarterback Jordan Love for several weeks. The Colts, like the Packers last year, lost their starting QB 1 to an injury in Anthony Richardson. The Colts turned to Gardner Minshew as the Packers now turn to former Titan Malik Willis. In three starts for Willis in the NFL, he has a 1-2 record behind center completing just over 50% of his passes and no touchdown passes to three interceptions. I’m not sure if Willis will be the answer for the Packers. Richardson looked better than last year in the close loss to the Texans. Green Bay has had some luck inserting QB’s like they are light bulbs. My gut feeling is the Colts escape Green Bay with a victory and in a very close game.

OUR PICK: COLTS

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS(1-0) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS(1-0)

Sam Darnold was the back up QB last year for the Niners. Darnold looked awesome in his first start in a Viking uniform. Can Darnold slay his former team? The 49ers I think are the best in the NFC. I think they know the strengths and weaknesses of Darnold with being one of the top notch defensive units in the NFL. The 49ers on offense pushed around supposedly a top notch defense the Jets offered on Monday Night without their star running back, Christian McCaffrey. The 49ers offensive system is designed to insert running backs in like they do light bulbs as Jordan Mason did his best. McCaffrey and San Francisco did not miss a beat. Darnold may have turned the corner of now becoming a starting QB in this league. He will have to show me more than one game versus a bad Commanders defense.

OUR PICK: 49ERS

NEW YORK JETS (0-1) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (0-1)

Can Aaron Rodgers step up and get the Jets in the win column? Both the Jets and Titans played bad football last week. The Titans defense stands out versus the Bears, but they faced a rookie quarterback. Rodgers got his feet wet for the season and survived the game in return from being knocked out in week one of the season last year. Will Levis has the horses as the Titans have multiple play makers on that offense. With the Bears he held on to the ball way too long and I was not impressed. The Jets defense has talent and will bounce back. They will be running with the bulls in Spain charging at Levis and he will turn over the ball. Rodgers will just do enough to get his first win in a Jets uniform.

OUR PICK: JETS

NEW YORK GIANTS(0-1) AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS(0-1)

Both these teams need each other in week two. Unless things end in a tie, one team will walk away with the victory and their fan base could breathe a sigh of relief for one week at least. The Giants were the only team in week one held to single digit points. The Commanders had some growing pains with their rookie quarterback, Jayden Daniels. This game looks like a simple coin flip. The Giants defense stands out. Daniel Jones looks like flaming hot garbage. I think the kid will get better in week two. The Commanders are at home and they will prevail in a sloppy close football game.

OUR PICK: COMMANDERS

LA RAMS (0-1) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (0-1)

The Rams lost in OT to the Lions on Sunday night. The Cardinals had a lead and played Buffalo tight, but Kyler Murray was nothing special in the second half. It was a kick return for the Cardinals that made it that close in the score at the end of the day. The Rams offensive line could be a concern. Sean McVay has figured out the Cardinals as he and his Rams have won the last 13-15 contest between the two teams. The Cardinals looked better than they did last year. The Rams made the post-season last year and will serve up Cardinal dinner for their first feast of a win for the year getting it done on the road.

OUR PICK: CARDINALS

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1-0) AT DENVER BRONCOS (0-1)

Bo does not know Nix from his college days yet in his first ever NFL start last week versus the Seahawks. The Steelers defense could give the rookie Bo Nix more problems than he had in Seattle. I guess it really does not matter who the Steelers have at QB. They will play lights out of defense and kicking field goals is the team’s recipe. Justin Fields gets a rare win in his first start in Pittsburgh. Russell Wilson dealing with an injury so we might now see him suit up against his former team he stunk with last season. I think the Steelers are better off going with Fields than Wilson. I think Fields is the team’s best chance right now in this game. I can see Wilson’s former teammates on the Broncos defense wanting to get back at their bad teammate. End of the day the Steelers defense tops Nix in this one.

OUR PICK: STEELERS

THE SUNDAY NIGHT AFFAIR

CHICAGO BEARS(1-0) AT HOUSTON TEXANS(1-0)

Caleb Williams brought me back to the Rex Grossman days in Chicago.

Williams was held under 100 yards passing and the Bears still won the game. Grossman was notorious having a bad day at the office while his defense and special teams bailed him out. The Texans bulked up their playoff signing with some key trades this off-season and displayed Stephon Diggs and Joe Mixon in their first victory against the Colts in a close game. The Bears defense is growing into one of the league fearful units in the game. The Texans have a solid defense in place. I think Williams will get better for the Bears as the NFL game looks a tad fast for the rookie quarterback. I just don’t think Williams will turn the page against the Texans. I like Houston winning a close one. The Bears have been disastrous in prime time games for over a decade and perhaps beyond. They will make Chicago proud. Come up short at the end.

OUR PICK: TEXANS

THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME

ATLANTA FALCONS(0-1) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES(1-0)

The Falcons laid an egg last week at home versus the Steelers. The Eagles flew to Brazil, came away with a win, and did well. The unleashing of Captain Kirk Cousins was nothing to write home about as he looked like the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz.

I think Atlanta is going to need a bigger can to knock off the rust in Cousins. Last year’s injury could still be lingering in the mind set of Cousins as the Falcon offense was dormant. I like the Eagles at home. They have the extra rest from playing on Friday. Even if Cousins improves, the Eagles will score more points. The Falcon defense played Justin Fields last week. Eagles score touchdowns unlike that Steelers offense.

OUR PICK: EAGLES

I hate when bad things happen to bad dudes. The Cleveland Browns fans thought they were actually getting a quarterback with the trade that brought them Deshaun Watson in a deal with the Houston Texans back in 2022. The Browns ignored the off-the-field baggage that came with Watson. They elected not to re-sign the guy that helped them win their last playoff game back in 2020 in Baker Mayfield. Thinking Mayfield was a bust could be a different story in present day. Before Mayfield you have to go back to the late 1980’s when Bernie Kosar was the Browns QB. An actual quarterback sighting behind center by Lake Erie in Cleveland. On Sunday versus the Cowboys, Watson looked like a pile of heap on the field as one of the biggest dogs in sports has worN out his welcome at the Dawg pound in Cleveland. The Watson deal the Browns agreed to looks well… lopsided. Besides paying out of their nose for him and having to give up a ton of draft capital that helped rebuild the Texans. Now emerging out of the woodwork IS another girl that has a beef with the great Watson. The poor play on the field is now the clincher. This is a guy that feels like he still has not done anything wrong. A PR nightmare, too much money, the future of your team in draft picks gone, guaranteed contract ,and not cutting the mustard on the field. May go down as the worst trade in NFL history.

On Sunday Deshaun Watson completed only 53.3% of his passes versus the Cowboys. The Cowboys sacked him six times, forced two interceptions, and embarrassed the Browns 33-17. Watson was 0-14 throwing passes beyond 15 yards down field. He has played in 13 games in three seasons as he suspended 11 games by the NFL for being sued by 25 different women which equals out to a baseball roster. Watson only played in six games last season as he had a season ending shoulder surgery. Watson has started 13 games and has a record of 8-5 behind center for the Browns. He completed only 59.15 of his passes and tallied up 2,386 passing yards with 15 touchdowns to 11 interceptions, all in a Cleveland uniform. Before coming to Cleveland, Watson made three consecutive Pro Bowls. He was one of the top n5 quarterbacks in the NFL in 2020. Would you justify the 230 million guaranteed contract and all the draft picks to Houston for this lackluster performance? The Browns gave the Texans a 2022 first round pick, 2022 4th round pick, 2023 first round pick, a 2023 3rd round pick, & then another first round pick in 2024 along with a 4th round pick in the draft back in April. Is Watson worth 3 first round picks and all that guaranteed money? No way in hell. The Texans front office fleeced the desperate Browns. The Texans knocked the Browns out of post-season last season to further rub salt in the wounds of Cleveland fans. Watson could not play in that game because of the shoulder.

Then the former Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield who helped the Browns win their first playoff game in 2020. Which was the first time the Browns won a playoff game since the 1990’s when Bill Belicheck was the head coach in Cleveland. Before the Patriots dynasty. On Sunday Mayfield was awesome hitting 24-30 passes for 289 yards while throwing 4 touch down passes in a win over the Commanders. He completed 80% of his passes for the Buccaneers. Last year he earned a Pro Bowl nod leading the Buccaneers to the playoffs. He won his second playoff game of his career as he led the pummeling of the Eagles 32-9 in the first round of the NFL post-season. Mayfield has a 10-8 record with Tampa Bay in the second season as he completed 65.1% of his passes and has 32 touchdown passes compared to only ten interceptions. Mayfield did struggle in his last season with the Browns as he played through an agonizing injury that basically ended his time in Cleveland trying to do his best through the pain. Buccaneers gave Mayfield a three year deal worth 100 million as only 50 of it is guaranteed. If the Browns would have stuck with Mayfield, they could have all their draft capital back and be paying much less for the man behind center and have better results on the field. They could probably use the extra scratch to bring in other free agents to help the overall of the Browns roster. Then having somebody that really cares about the team and the city of Cleveland, unlike the sociopath Watson.

In October of 1989 the Vikings were the Cleveland Browns and helped the other Texas team in a blockbuster trade that benefited one team and one team only. The Cowboys sent power running back Hershel Walker to Minnesota for a boat load of picks. All the draft picks helped build the Cowboys dynasty in the 1990’s where they collected three Superbowl trophies in four tries. That was the worst trade in the history of the NFL until the Watson deal because of which the Browns have handcuffed themselves in the basement like the gimp in the movie Pulp Fiction.

Could the 26th woman bail out the Cleveland Browns with her being the newest law suit in the works filed? These against Deshaun Watson who likes to dial up the massages more than throwing touchdown passes. All the prior lawsuits were settled out of court. This newest Jane Doe wants this one to head to court as she’s looking to get this sexual predator off the streets with a jury trial. Because Watson came over expecting more than just a dinner from this girl his representatives set up. An open door does not lead to an automatic roll in the hay with the super quarterback being rough. It has the same memo as the other cases as the massage leads to sexual assault. Except this new girl was not a massage therapist. As Watson invaded her bedroom while she’s getting ready and demands his buttocks be massaged. Can a trial lead to a breach of contract with Watson and the Browns? Could the NFL step in once again and suspend this guy for longer or even be done with this monster? You wonder who’s running the Cleveland Asylum in the first place. Knowing what they know about all these girls sexually harassed and assaulted before signing him. Then the Browns front office decided not to bring back Joe Flacco. A guy that guided the Brown back to the playoffs after the injury to Watson. After the ineffective replacements for Watson. The newest back up former Saint and Buccaneer, Jameis Winston is one of Watson’s best friends. This is what happens when you sign a deal with the devil. All the dominoes that have fallen have kicked this Cleveland franchise harder than Art Modell moving them to Baltimore in the middle of the night. It’s because you paid this turd guaranteed money. The Browns ownership & front office have painted themselves into a corner and can’t escape as the DAWG pound is getting hungry, angry like a junk yard dog craving Watson’s black buttocks for blood. This go around he get a tweak he will never forget.

WEEK ONE NFL STRAIGHT PICK-EM

Season record: 0-0

Once again I will throw my hat into the ring and pick each game from every week in the NFL. I will explain from each match up why I went with a team that I think will win. In week one it’s always a crap shoot to figure out who will prevail. Even the greatest reasons why you think a team should win backfires because this is the NFL. On any given Sunday, anything can happen. One week you can look and sound like you know what you are talking about. Then the weeks you fail miserably and you can look like you know nothing from these outcomes. I’m probably not going to be a site every week where you copy my picks for your own pool.

I have to warn you… picks some weeks may not be any good. Every week will be entertaining, I can promise you that. If I start getting red hot it means I have somehow gotten my hands on the NFL season scripts.

THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

BALTIMORE RAVENS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

First game of the season is a rematch of last year’s AFC Championship between the Ravens and Chiefs. The Chiefs will unveil their Superbowl banner in front of the hometown while rubbing salt on the wounds of the Baltimore Ravens defense which could be deadly for Patrick Mahomes and company. Ravens defense shut out the Chiefs in the second half of that championship game. Costly mistakes by the Ravens offense did Baltimore in. I like the Ravens knocking that smirk off Mahomes face and send an early statement this season that your luck will not follow you into this season.

OUR PICK: RAVENS

FRIDAY NIGHT GAME

GREEN BAY PACKERS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

First ever NFL game being played in Brazil which is in the continent of South America, just in case you failed geography in high school. The Packers and Eagles are both playoff teams from last year meeting on a neutral field in a questionable city of violence and drug cartels giving out free neckties. This is confusing as Brazil you think would have sandy beaches filled with sandy brown buns. This game features two teams going into different directions last season. Philadelphia was trending downward in a spiral that came crashing down in the playoffs and at the end of regular season for a team soaring high the year before. The Packers, the youngest team in the league, were trending upwards making noise in the playoffs. Jordan Love should exploit the Eagles weakness – the secondary of that Eagles defense. The Brazilian colors are comparable to Green Bay in this coin flip game in another country. It has to give the Packers an edge.

OUR PICK: PACKERS

THE SUNDAY SLATE

PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS

In the off-season, the Falcons addressed their weakness at the aerial attack by getting Kirk Cousins behind center. The Steelers tried to upgrade their quarterback with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. It is Wilson’s job out of the gates and the Steelers are on the road. How will Cousins fare coming back from an Achilles injury that ended his season with the Vikings last year? Wilson has something to prove and he looked bad in preseason. Cousins has that strong running game behind him that should help him get his feet wet and find his old rhythm. Not a fan of the Steelers upgrades, either Fields or Wilson. Wilson is a fraud and has turned into a bum as he was when he put the Denver uniform on. I like the Falcons also being at home.

OUR PICK: FALCONS

ARIZONA CARDINALS AT BUFFALO BILLS

Many experts think this will be a bad year for the Bills as they lost some key players. The Cardinals will have Kyler Murray for the start of this season unlike last year when he returned late into the year from an injury. Bills have filled the shoes of the guys that left with young players and some veteran free agents. The Cardinals will unleash their new stealth plane in the aerial attack with Marvin Harrison Junior.

The Cardinals will need time to work the new equipment in the skies to perfect the Murray Harrison Jr. combo. The Cardinals gave teams battles last year, but the roster has some holes and some new pieces that need time to adapt. I like the Bills in this one being at home. I like Josh Allen getting out of the gates strong with something to prove after being called overrated. He will respond with a big game to show his critic, Stephon Diggs, he does not need to operate this high octane offense the Bills have.

OUR PICK: BILLS

TENNESSEE TITANS AT CHICAGO BEARS

The Titans are under new management. The Bears may have FINALLY found their quarterback the number one pick overall in Caleb Williams. The Titans quarterback Will Levis in his second season with another play book is still trying to find his footing in the NFL. The Bears defense is not what the doctor ordered for Levis right out of the gates. I like the rookie QB Williams in this one versus a suspect Titans defense which was not all that well last year. Williams played well in preseason. I think the Bears build on the second half of last season and they get off to a great start unlike most seasons where it takes them to the middle of the season to gel. This Bears defense looks and feels like a top 5 unit in the NFL and will be ready to rumble is the perfect recipe for the first win of the season.

OUR PICK: BEARS

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS

The Patriots are starting Jacoby Brissett which should tell everyone that they are picking Bengals in this contest. No more Bill Belichick in New England as the Patriots rebound is head coach Jerod Hold the Mayo. He’s bringing back the tough brand of football mentality to these Patriots. Not buying it. Joe Burrow and the Bengals will get off to a fast start this year unlike last few seasons. Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase want the Bengals ownership to show them the money.

This receiving duo will show they are worth the money, but they will cost too much for the Bengals to keep. One of them will be gone next year. Maybe two. Bengals fans are hoping this is the year they use them wisely and get back to the playoffs to win it all. The Patriots I expect to be bottom feeders for the year.

OUR PICK: BENGALS

HOUSTON TEXANS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

CJ Stroud took the league by storm last year for the Texans. During the off-season, Houston upgraded and brought in some big time names on both sides of the ball. The Colts did not look good when Anthony Richardson was behind center. Richardson missed most of his rookie season with injury and now in year two we don’t know if he is the face of the franchise as his rookie season is an incomplete. The Colts played well when Gradner Minshew took over for the injured Richardson. You have to go Stroud right now with additional weapons over Richardson who is still trying to establish himself as the man of the Colts offense.

OUR PICK: TEXANS

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS

The Dolphins versus Jaguars in surf wars down at South Beach. The Cheetah aka Tyreek Hill the fastest Dolphin in the ocean versus Jaguars Trevor Lawrence leading his surf ninjas must die into Miami. The Jaguars took a step backwards as their season collapsed in the second half. The Dolphins collapsed during the last game of the season and lost the division to the Bills. Then the Dolphins got freezer burn in the first round of the playoffs visiting Kansas City. I think the Dolphins and the Jaguars will put up points in week one. I like the Jaguars defense making one more stop over the Dolphins defense that lacks a pass rush. I consider Jaguars a winning team over the past two seasons in which Miami intends to struggle beating top teams. Jaguars have shown flashes that they are a top team but have not done it an entire season. Visiting Jaguars topple the Dolphins in all out surf wars in the state of Florida.

OUR PICK: JAGUARS

CAROLINA PANTHERS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Which team out of this match up will jump start their quarterback first? The Saints have veteran Derek Carr who has not yet lost to the Panthers franchise. Then the number one pick in 2023 for the Panthers, Bryce Young, did not look like a guy that should have been selected that high. Last season Carr’s first season in New Orleans he did not light up the score board. He had moments. I like the Saints defense against another new head coach for the Panthers. Young is still a work in progress with a team that has many younger players and still trying to find themselves. Carr should be able to lead this Saints offense to at least 20 points which should be enough for the win.

OUR PICK: SAINTS

MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT NEW YORK GIANTS

The Vikings are relying on the idea of the resurrection of Sam Darnold as their quarterback. Was Darnold ever something of a QB in the NFL? Then the Giants are marching the great Daniel Jones back behind center who missed most of last season with an injury. The Giants regressed last year in year two of Brian Daboll as head coach. Daboll, an offensive guy, has a better defense. The Vikings made things interesting even with the lost of Kirk Cousins for most of the season. The Vikings have weapons on offense with running back Aaron Jones and healthy Justin Jefferson who Darnold should be able to get the ball to. The Vikings were competitive with Joshua Dobbs last year. I think with Darnold they should be able to find a win on the road to open their season against a Giants roster with too many holes.

OUR PICK: VIKINGS

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT LA CHARGERS

Does adding Jim Harbaugh as the Chargers head coach give the second fiddle in LA an opening day win? The Raiders have played solid football last season with Antonio Pierce, who was the interim head coach. andnow has the permanent gig. Normally I would bet on Justin Herbert over Gardner Minshew at quarterback. Herbert lost his security blanket in Keenan Allen. Other weapons of Herbert that are gone are Mike Williams and running back Austin Ekelor. Minshew almost had the Colts to the post-season last year after filling in for the injured Anthony Richardson. This game will feature some greats on the defenses such as Mad Maxx Crosby for the Raiders and then Chargers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. I think the Raiders right now have the horses to win this fight while Harbaugh’s team has some holes on their roster that he will have to address. I just don’t see the Chargers coming out like gangbusters. I can see them later in the season gelling together and picking up a few victories including a few upsets. I like Raiders shining bright in the LA sunshine in week one.

OUR PICK: RAIDERS

DENVER BRONCOS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

I really think the Broncos and Sean Payton found their quarterback in Bo Nix who gets his first start in the NFL in Seattle. The Seahawks will start a new regime as Pete Carol has left the building. The Seahawks will go with the former Ravens defensive coordinator Mike MacDonald. I expect this Seattle defense to be better. I expect the crowd noise to be a problem for Nix. I can see some rookie mistakes along the way. I feel BO will be special in this league as the season goes on. The Seattle offense will generate offense with the weapons they have. I like Geno Smith rebounding from a season ago. I don’t think we see Smith from two years ago, but he will be better than last year. He will make the throws to be able to beat the visiting Broncos and their new guy Bo Nix.

OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS

DALLAS COWBOYS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS

The Browns defense was one of the elite units in the league. The Cowboys defense can get after the quarterback as well. I feel the Browns were more successful winning games without Deshaun Watson last year. The Cowboys struggled to beat winning teams but won against even opponents. On paper this looks like a match up that can go either way. No Nick Chubb at running back for the Browns leaves Watson with a massive target on his head. I feel Cee Dee Lamb will show why the Cowboys forked over all that money in an extension for him not that long ago as the ink has not dried. I like Dak Prescott for the Cowboys getting off to a great start behind center in a Cowboys win while Watson struggles for the Browns. Watch the Dawg Pound turn on their big guaranteed money quarterback.

OUR PICK: COWBOYS

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Baker Mayfield played very well against team with losing records like the Commanders last year. The Commanders have a rookie QB who could be one of the next elite guys behind center in Jayden Daniels. The Buccaneers defense will bring the kitchen and the bathroom sink at Daniels. I feel the Buccaneers can force Daniels into some mistakes early on in this first ever start in the NFL for the rookie. I feel Mayfield can carve up the Commanders secondary. Daniels will start off slow but find his game late in this one. But it will be too late as the visiting Commanders will leave Florida with a loss.

OUR PICK: BUCCANEERS

SUNDAY NIGHT

DETROIT LIONS AT LA RAMS

This did not take too long for a rematch of the playoff game between Rams and Lions in which Detroit won. Jared Goff heads back to LA to face his Rams once again. While Matthew Stafford tries to beat his X-team for the first time. I thought the Lions proved last year in the very first game of the season they can play with the big boys on prime time and win. The first game of regular season the Lions beat the Chiefs. Back in the post-season, the Rams in my opinion did nothing. Inside my mind says this rematch will be different. The Lions are hungry and they will stay hungry and play well and escape LA with a victory. Stafford will make some mistakes to cost the Rams a opening day loss.

OUR PICK: LIONS

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

NEW YORK JETS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

I’m not believing in this pipe dream people are having that Aaron Rodgers will take this Jets team to the Superbowl. The 49ers will not have a Superbowl hangover either from their loss to the Chiefs. This is a tough game for the Jets to fly across the country to face this 49ers team. Lots of weapons for a talented Jets defensive team to deal with. Rodgers did not even finish a quarter last season as he was injured in game 1 and missed the entire season. Rodgers is another year older and I don’t care how you slice it or dice it. The 49ers are a solid defense. Rodgers may survive this game, but the Jets will not get the victory. Former Packer greats at quarterback usually die off in a Jets uniform. The 49ers will generate points while the Jets will struggle to get enough points to beat this 49ers team on the road.

OUR PICK: 49ERS

It’s that time of the year where I throw my two cents into the ring and actually think I can predict the next Superbowl winner. We are about to be upon a brand new NFL season and I will show you that I have no clue about predicting division winners. Predicting wild card winners which would accumulate some kind of post-season predictions. I even threw out 8 different predictions during the regular season. What if I’m right? I’m a betting man and if you ask 20 girls you’d like to sleep with, perhaps one will say yes. More leads a sales person has, the more sales. Something should stick, but I just don’t know what until the end of the regular season and beyond in the NFL. Even though the conspirators think the NFL already has this upcoming season scripted with yet another Chiefs Superbowl title because Andy Reid has something on the Commissioner. I will not predict that kind of rubbish. I will not let the cat out of the bag, but the Chiefs are not going to win it all this year. Now that I said that, you have to be very curious if I have your team in the winners circle in New Orleans in February. Maybe you want to know if I think your team is good enough for the playoffs. I have predicted everyone’s record using special data. My old mindset that is soaked in booze on the bar stool and all those beer guzzling SOB’s I talk football with, as I don’t need special computers spitting out stats when I have my football posse. I’m sure the entire group has about two seasons worth of high school football under their belt as well. Why can’t the talent we have and the talent of your team win it all? Let’s find out and hope you like what we came up with. Remember you can’t win them all.

NFC

EAST

*EAGLES 10-7

COWBOYS 9-8

COMMANDERS 7-10

GIANTS 5-12

PREDICTION: Jayden Daniels will be voted Rookie of the Year.

NORTH

*PACKERS 12-5

LIONS 11-6

BEARS 10-7

VIKINGS 7-10

PREDICTION: Three teams from the North make the post-season

SOUTH

*FALCONS 9-8

SAINTS 8-9

BUCCANEERS 7-10

PANTHERS 3-14

PREDICTION: Derek Carr will be benched in favor of Spencer Rattler behind center sooner rather than later

WEST

49ERS 13-4

RAMS 11-6

CARDINALS 7-10

SEAHAWKS 6-11

PREDICTION: Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. will be better than his father.

AFC

EAST

*BILLS 11-6

DOLPHINS 9-8

JETS 8-9

PATRIOTS 2-15

PREDICTION: Aaron Rodgers once again will not last the entire season for the Jets.

NORTH

BENGALS 10-7

RAVENS 10-7

BROWNS 8-9

STEELERS 7-10

PREDICTION: The Dawg pound will turn on Deshaun Watson.

SOUTH

JAGUARS 10-7

TEXANS 9-8

COLTS 7-10

TITANS 6-11

PREDICTION: Stephon Diggs will poison CJ Stroud.

WEST

CHIEFS 12-5

RAIDERS 8-9

CHARGERS 7-10

BRONCOS 6-11

PREDICTION: Raiders will give the Chiefs 2 of their 5 losses for the season

DIVISION WINNERS AND SEEDS

NFC

#1. 49ers #2. PACKERS #3. EAGLES #4. FALCONS

AFC

#1. CHIEFS #2. BILLS #3 BENGALS #4. JAGUARS

WILD CARDS

NFC

#1. LIONS #2. RAMS #3. BEARS

AFC

#1. RAVENS #2. DOLPHINS #3 TEXANS

SUPERBOWL

THE DETROIT LIONS ARE KINGS OF THE JUNGLE

I have the Lions winning their first ever Superbowl with two teams that have never won one in their franchise history. The Bengals will end up losing their 4th Superbowl in franchise history and two of them with Joe Burrow behind center.

The Billy Joel song comes to mind about the death of NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew, who were mowed down by a reckless drunken driver on Thursday evening. Only the good die young as Johnny is only 31 years of age and brother Matthew Gaudreau is 29 years old. Both brothers played hockey together at Boston College. On the eve of their sister’s wedding, they were riding their bicycles in their home state of New Jersey when an impatient driver went around the car in front of him and then ran the two brothers over. The Gaudreau brothers were going to be groomsmen at their sister’s wedding which is now cancelled because of this tragic event that took place. The brother’s uncle spoke as the Gaudreau family is gut wrenched and still in shock. “Last night we lost two husbands, two fathers, two sons, two brother-in-laws, two nephews, 2 cousins, 2 family members, two teammates, two friends, but two truly amazing humans.” These words were spoken by Uncle Jim Gaudreau.

Johnny Gaudreau’s last season, in his second season in Columbus, scored 12 goals while dishing out 48 assists for 60 points. Nicknamed Johnny Hockey or Johnny Ham & Cheese, he has played 11 seasons in the NHL. He was a big part of that Boston College team winning the 2012 NCAA Hockey Championship. He was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the 4th round 104th overall of the NHL 2011 draft. He played 9 seasons in Calgary & then in 2022 signed with the Blue Jackets on a seven year deal. Johnny Hockey is a 1x all-star and has played in 763 NHL games. He has scored 243 goals while dishing out 500 assists for 743 NHL points. Not bad for a kid born in Salem, New Jersey playing solid hockey with the big boys from Canada.

Matthew Gaudreau after playing hockey at Boston College never found the ice at the NHL level. He went un-drafted and signed with the New York Islanders organization. Matthew played in the AHL (American Hockey League) and the ECHL (East Coast Hockey League.) He played two seasons with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers who were the Islanders affiliate in the AHL. Matthew would then be part of the inaugural season of the Worchester Railers who played in the ECHL.

In seven seasons in the minor leagues, Matthew scored 36 goals. He finally hung up the skates and took a job at the Gaudreau brothers’ Alma Mater in Jersey in 2022 as the hockey coach. He has had that job at Gloucester Catholic High School since.

The driver of this very unfortunate act is 43 year old Sean Higgins who was driving a Jeep of some kind. He admitted to having 5 to 6 beers before he got behind the wheel. Right now the authorities are charging Higgins with two counts of vehicular homicide in the 2nd degree. On the report he said he grew impatient so he went blazing around the slower vehicle in front of him to then plow into the two brothers on bikes. I really just don’t blame the alcohol on this situation. If he was sober, that Higgins would not get pissed off and go around the slower car or truck. How many times do you see the people driving crazy every day on the highways across the United States cutting people off and not using the turn signal that you think is obsolete. Look at the road rage these days. People will pull out a gun on you if you even beep at them. He should have never gotten into the car after drinking that amount of beer either. This is really sad because now Higgins’ impatience ripped the hearts of the entire Gaudreau family. Making things even more heartbreaking is Matthew’s wife is expecting a baby. Because why? You have to get home a tad earlier? We know this happens every day. This story is being told because Johnny plays in the NHL. You can’t hold that against any celebrities or anybody that gets killed like this from somebody who drives like an A-hole.

The story about this accident has so many sad moving parts. How does the sister of the two brothers go on with the wedding after this sometime in the future? How would you like to be the groom in this situation? From what I have read, it sounds like the Gaudreau family has a strong bond. The wedding should go on because Johnny and Matthew would have wanted their sister to live her life and be happy. You wonder if any of the Gaudreau sons of either Matthew or Johnny will someday play hockey like their fathers. This family should and could come together to be a stronger unit where right now is grim, but the future could be brighter just because of this tragic event taking place on Thursday night. I’m sure many families break apart because of some kind of event that many can’t recover or move on. It sounds like both Johnny and Matthew were two guys that were good people. On and off the ice and family orientated. It’s a real shame this happens in life. Way too young for both guys who had bright futures ahead of them. Stories like this remind us you have to live life to the fullest. Enjoy the people in your life because you never know. My prayers go out to the family. As a hockey fan watching the Chicago Blackhawks, I’ve seen Johnny Hockey and he was a solid player any team would want to have on their top lines. Rest in peace to the Gaudreau brothers, whose lives were cut down way too short.

Alright stop, collaborate & listen as we all know Vanilla Ice was a one hit wonder in the music world. We know the white rapper made all his cash flow from his mastery of Ice, Ice Baby. Many musicians have rapped or played the fiddle to that one hit under their belts and never left the shadow of that hit. Forever known as the guy or girl who sang that one song. In sports we have seen many one season wonders. Sometimes a one year wonder at the quarterback position could save your season. Make every Sunday worthwhile to watch your team play for that year. Kind of a surprising type of season. Like hitting the bonus at the slots. Some cities like Cleveland and Chicago that always have died by the quarterback would sometimes have the one guy that gave their fan base hope for at least that season. They were one season and pretty much done and never found that magic again that they had in their biggest year behind center. They may have signed their soul away to the Devil. The hoopla of that one season messed with their mind set and they could not repeat it. I thought I’d start with my least favorite one season wonder at QB and work my way to the best Ice Ice baby of them of all of the one hit wonders. All these guys listed, I do not dislike. They probably screwed your pick em pool every week costing you money. How many people would love to have the one great season in any sport professionally? You can’t knock these guys. You wonder how they lost their mojo so quickly.

1989

#6. DON MAJKOWSKI (AKA THE MAGIC MAN)

Don Majkowski played ten seasons in the NFL. He will always be remembered playing for the Packers where he got the nickname Magic Man for his epic comebacks in 1989. The Magic Man went 10-6 behind center for the Packers that season as he completed 58.9%. He tallied a career high with 4,318 passing yards while throwing 27 touchdown passes along with 20 interceptions. In ten seasons his starting record behind center was 26-30-1. In the other 9 seasons, the Magic Man went 16-24-1. His only playoff game was in 1995 for the Lions – a game he did not start. The Magic Man poster was probably in every cheese-head’s kid’s bedroom throughout the dairy state. The Packers in the 1980’s were nothing special so the Magic Man did make that season special for Packers fans. Who cares because we know in the 1990’s they find their guy, Brett Farve.

2007

#5. DEREK ANDERSON

I mentioned Cleveland in the beginning of this article because of the great season Derek Anderson had in 2007. Anderson took the starting job away from Charlie Frye, another Browns dud behind center. Anderson went 10-5 after he took over the starting duties for the Browns in his second season in the NFL. Anderson played 13 seasons in the NFL and as a starter his record was 20-29. He won half of his games in one season. He passed for 3,787 yards while only completing 56.6 % of his passes. He threw 29 touchdown passes in 2007. Which is almost half of his entire career of 60 that he threw. Anderson got the big deal & then in 2008 his record was 3-6 for the Browns behind center. He only had two winning seasons as a quarterback as he was 2-0 for the Panthers in 2014. The Browns have not had too many winning seasons. Anderson probably gave the Cleveland fan base some nice memories. Anderson did not start any post-season games.

2013

#4. JOSH MCCOWN

The debate on the bar stools in 2013 during the Bears season was who should finish the season as the starting quarterback. Smoking Jay Cutler or Josh McCown? I was a fan of McCown who was a journeyman quarterback who seemed to find his best performance with the Bears. Cutler was hurt and McCown started 5 games for the Bears and had a record of 3-2 filling in for I don’t give a crap smoking Jay. McCown was a leader out there on the field as we never saw that with Cutler. McCown had 13 touchdowns that season with only one interception. He was completing 66.5% of his throws. The Bears went back to Cutler and the team did not make the post-season. McCown made things interesting. In 16 seasons McCown has played, 2013 was McCown’s only winning seasons as a starter in the NFL. His record as a starter lifetime was 23-53. McCown had 98 career touchdown passes to 82 interceptions while completing 60.2% of his passes.

2014

#3. KYLE ORTON

Old neck beard Kyle Orton actually had more than one winning season over his ten year career. Orton had a 42-40 record as a starter in the NFL in ten seasons in the NFL. Orton won with the Bears early in his career as he was eventually traded to the Broncos, sending Jay Cutler to Chicago. Orton actually had a winning season in Denver. Orton would lose his job to the great Tim Tebow who also could be on this list. For Orton it was the last season he played in the NFL and that was with the Bills. After spending time with the Chiefs and Cowboys, Orton became a starter in Buffalo in 2014. Orton started 12 games, went 7-5, and had the Bills on the verge of making the playoffs. At the time, the Bills were in a drought when it came to post-season. They were the worst out of the 4 major sports at the time and the long drought dated back to the 2000 season of missing the post-season. Orton made it interesting as the Bills had one of the best defenses in the NFL that year. Orton completed 64.2% of his passes. He launched 18 touchdowns compared to 10 interceptions. The Bills had a ten year stretch of bad quarterback play. Orton was a scrapper. He gave it his best, however he did not pull it off. It was another season without a post-season, but it was fun to watch every Sunday. You can say Orton is not a one season wonder, but he was a one season wonder for the Bills in 2014.

2002

#2.TOMMY MADDOX

Tommy Maddox’s NFL career started slowly with the Broncos, Rams, and the Giants during the 1990’s. Maddox had to redefine his football career in the first ever XFL where he took the LA Xtreme to the championship and helped them win it all in 2001. Maddox found his way back to the NFL after the 2001 season in the XFL. Maddox would get new life with the Steelers. In 2002, Maddox took over the starting job for the Steelers and had a impressive season as he was 7-3-1 as the starter and Pittsburgh made it to the post-season. He threw 20 touchdown passes as he tallied up 2,836 passing yards for the season. He completed 62.1% of his passes. In post-season in the first round, he led the Steelers to a victory over the Browns which resulted in a 36-33 win. Then in the second round, the Titans beat the Steelers 34-31. Maddox engineered 31 points of offense in that loss. Maddox in 2003 would have a losing season. Then he would only last two more seasons after that in a back role. Tommy’s record as a starter during regular season in the NFL as QB was 15-20-1 life time as he won about half of those game during one season. In 2003, he almost had the Steelers in the AFC Championship.

2001

#1. JIM MILLER

Jim Miller played six seasons in the NFL. He played 4 with the Bears and two with the Steelers, where he started his NFL career. Miller arrived in Chicago in 1999 in the same car he had driven since high school. I don’t think Miller has left Chicago. I would imagine the car is gone. Miller has stayed in Chicago, has been a television commentator for the Bears, and does all kinds of radio and television shows every year covering the Bears. Miller was no Richard Simmons or Rocky Balboa-looking specimen as the NFL were convinced he failed a drug test. His comments were, “Just look at me a pasty white dough boy.” Miller in 2001 had his only winning season and that was the year he played the most as QB1 in the NFL. He was 11-2 as a starter. He only completed 57.7% of his passes. He only threw 13 touchdown passes compared to 10 interceptions. However he won 11 regular season games as QB1. Miller led the Bear to the playoffs that year, however they were one and done in Jim’s only post-season start. Miller is like your regular Joe Six Pack guy bringing his lunch pail to work type of dude. He gave you everything he had on the field leaving nothing when the game was over. Miller actually had a winning record when he hung up the spikes as a starter. He went 15-12 all-time. He threw 36 touchdown passes compared to 31 interceptions. His career numbers are okay. Nothing to write home to mom about. You have to understand the long list of just bad quarterbacks the Bears paraded in downtown Chicago every season. Take away that 11 win season where he was a one season wonder. He went 4-10 in the other 5 seasons he played in the NFL.

During the off-season, the Buffalo Bills said goodbye to multiple veteran players. Many of these moves done by the Buffalo front office were to get under the salary cap. They had to remove talented pieces on both sides of the ball to keep some of the other talented pieces from leaving the team through free agency. The Bills would rework some of the guys’ contracts to be able to sign some free agents as well. The Bills are hoping that they patched up the roster with guys they drafted to replace some of the guys that had to leave town. Sometimes you find that diamond in the ruff with the multiple undrafted free agents you bring in to fill out the the 53 man roster. You hope maybe one or two guys stick. Most of these guys can chip in on the special teams while developing their natural positions. The Bills have had some injuries at the line backing position and may count on the local kid, Buffalo Joe Andreessen, to give this team the depth it needs.

Joe Andreessen is a 24 year kid from the Buffalo/Niagara Falls area. Nicknamed Buffalo Joe by quarterback Josh Allen after he turned some heads during these three pre-season games. Joe played his high school football in Lancaster, New York. Then he played 5 seasons of College Football starting with Bryant University, a small division II school in Rhode Island that popped up in 1999. Buffalo Joe then would play his 5th year at the University of Buffalo. His play with the Bulls would get Buffalo Joe a tryout with the Bills, a team he grew up watching. In three pre-season games, Buffalo Joe got the nod and started at linebacker where he tallied up 24 tackles. He had the team high in tackles versus Pittsburgh as he collected 12 of them. He earned a spot in the Sporting News All Pre-Season team. Is that enough for Buffalo Joe to earn a spot on the 53 man roster? Local kid suiting up for his city’s team with the following of the Buffalo Mafia who have fallen in love with the idea of one of their own playing for the Bills on Sundays. It has that Rudy feeling or perhaps a Kurt Warner feeling of an underdog finding a way to make his dream come true.

What makes this kid special is his work ethic which started at Lancaster High School. Joe Andreessen was the defensive player of the year in Western New York. He went to Bryant University because it was the only school to offer him a scholarship. Buffalo Joe in his final year as a Bulldog at Bryant was named All American setting the school record with 112 tackles. He is third all-time in Bryant’s school history in tackles. Then Buffalo Joe transferred to University of Buffalo. The lone season as a Bull he played in 12 games and led the team in tackles. Let’s face it that Buffalo Joe is a tackling machine out on the field which you’ve got to like. He has shown that he has strength and speed on the field to compete with the big dogs of the NFL. The way he shoots through the gap is very impressive.

Last year, the Buffalo Bills lost their star linebacker Matt Milano to to a leg injury in week 5 in London, England playing the Jaguars. The line backing core was very thin in the playoff loss to the Chiefs. The Bills could not get Patrick Mahomes off the field in that one. Now the Bills have the injury bug hitting them in pre-season as Milano will miss the first 12 games of regular season due to a bicep injury. Last year’s replacement for Milano, Terrel Bernard’s play was magnificent. Bernard was also injured in pre-season but nothing to keep him out for the start of regular season. With Bernard’s injury it opened the door for Buffalo Joe. Joe Andreessen right now is on the bubble of making this Bills team. One thing that Head Coach Sean McDermott knows is line backers and the safety position he played during his college days. I have a feeling they really like this kid. Perhaps down the road this season he will get his chances on this Bills defense for whatever reason. The work ethic since high school and the path he has taken to get to this point… you want guys like this on the roster. The undrafted free agents especially from smaller schools are like rooting for the 16th seed to take down the number one basketball school. If Buffalo Joe becomes a solid linebacker for the Bills, the Mafia will write folk songs about this guy. He could be a legend in the making as we hope he makes the 53 man roster and goes beyond that to make this kid’s dream come true. This is a great story and it’s still in the making.

As the new NFL season approaches, we start to think: can the team you and I root for get to the Superbowl? Can they actually win the big game? I’m sure everyone except for Kansas City have grown tiresome of the Chiefs. The Chiefs will probably win their third in a row. Since the season has not started yet as every team gets ready playing preseason games, I thought of a list of teams I’d like to see win the next Superbowl. I start from the teams I don’t want to even want to have sniff the Superbowl & then work down to the number one spot of the team I want to win it all. Some of the teams I want to win it all have no chance. I have franchises I like that have never won a Superbowl, to get their first. Some franchises that have never won a Superbowl I want to keep it that way as well. I start with the Patriots who I hope will be the doormat of the league for the next decade. Check out your team. Hope you enjoy.

#32. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

The Patriots dynasty with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick was nauseating. The Patriots dynasty finally crumbled like Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party. The franchise should be stripped of all its weapons of mass destruction and go back to their old helmets and losing ways. The Patriots should suffer at least a decade of bad football before they even come back into the playoff picture.

#31. CLEVELAND BROWNS

I would love to see the Cleveland Browns win a Superbowl. Not with the Dawg they have at quarterback. What’s wrong with the picture is a guy pretty much getting away with 22 women saying that he sexual-harassed them while getting a massage. They say crime does not pay, but he gets a contract for 230 million guaranteed. If you listen to him in his interviews, the dude does not get it. He shows no remorse, thinks reporters are making this stuff up, and are a inconvenience to him wanting to just play football. If the Browns had anybody else behind center, they would be higher on my list.

#30. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Enough is enough of Taylor Swift sightings at Chiefs games. The Chiefs are the new Patriots. I’m sick of watching the rerun of the same episode of the Kansas City Chiefs winning it all. Travis Kelce sounds like a meat head when this team prevails. Patrick Mahomes is a cry baby and I’m waiting for the day some defensive player just knocks him off his perch with a big hit.

Like Wilbur Marshall’s hit on Troy Aikman several years ago. Not wishing for the guy to get hurt. He needs his bubble to be popped and brought back down to Earth. Enough with the State Farm commercials we have to stomach every week of the NFL football season.

#29. DALLAS COWBOYS

I must have missed out on the vote that makes the Dallas Cowboys America’s team. With this label, the networks suffocate us with Cowboys games every week no matter where you live in the country. Why do I have to watch the overrated Cowboys like they are the team living in my city I call home. Then the owner Jerry Jones is a big reason why they will always be a team I will not root for in the Superbowl. Besides the Cowboys have already won multiple titles no reason to rehash those 1990 teams and that dynasty which would make a billy goat up-chuck.

#28. NEW YORK JETS

I know the New York Jets have not won a Superbowl since Broadway Joe gave his guarantee in 1969. Joe Namath backed up his words in Superbowl III. Now the Jets have something from the Tales of the Darkside with Aaron Rodgers behind center. Jets are like the Browns in this article. If they had a different quarterback, then I could have Gang Green higher up on this list. Aaron Rodgers went from an almost normal dude to gothic the last few seasons. His darkness retreats. His gothic girlfriend. His imaginary Covid shot. How he bitches about money he’s worth and holding up his team to make a decision if he is coming back for the season. How he ranted and raved about how he owns the Bears is my biggest reason I dislike this guy as I’m not going to hide that. Rodgers winning another Superbowl with this Jets team will give this SOB a bigger ego than any quarterback that has played the game. How his serenity now bullshit helped him accomplish his goals.

#27. GREEN BAY PACKERS

A typical Green Bay Packer fan most likely smells like beef and cheese. You can probably add bad batch of venison, brats, and cheap booze to those wearing a hat of cheese wearing an orange hunting vest. Since 1992 the Packers have a record against my beloved Bears 50-15 which includes the 2010 NFC Championship game. First it was Brett Farve who carved the Bears up like a jive turkey on disco night at the Brat Stop. Then you had the douche bag Aaron Rodgers own us like we were his city housing landlord’s feeding on cockroaches & drinking raid shots. Then he leaves and Jordan Love has not shown us the Love of losing yet. Packers and title town are far away from number one in my book on this list.

#26. CINCINNATI BENGALS

Back in the 1980’s I like the Bengals with Boomer Esiason and the Icky shuffle with Icky Woods. For many seasons the Bengals were like the penitentiary team with guys they employed like Pac Man Jones and Vontaze Burfict. Then the recent years with all the trash talkers like Eli Apple and Joe Mixon. The Bengals traded Mixon in the off-season to the Houston Texans. They drafted him and knew how he was a good citizen beating the shit out of his girlfriend back in college. They still selected him. The Great Joe Cool Burrow who wants the NFL to let the game have taunting be a part of the festivities. Probably because the Bengals lead the league in trash talking. Let’s get rid of sportsmanship, watch a defender drop Burrow to the ground, and wag his finger at him while he lays mangled on the turf.

#25. MIAMI DOLPHINS

The Dolphins hatred goes back to the late 80’s and 90’s with the rival with the Bills. When you flip off the Bills Mafia, which Bryan Cox did, you never forget. The present day Dolphins with the Cheetah Tyreek Hill and their aerial attack is quite annoying. Hill you hate this guy if he’s playing against your team. You may warm up to the Cheetah if you selected him on your fantasy team. The Dolphins can score a ton of points against weaker teams. In games with playoff teams, they don’t fare well. The Dolphins are overrated. They think they are better than they are. I love when they traveled to colder places because they’d look like frozen Pudding Pops with freezer burn. The Dolphins are arch-rivals to the Bills so they need to be placed in the back of the bus. Only thing I like about the Dolphins was the Ace Ventura Pet Detective movie.

#24. LA CHARGERS

I used to root for the Chargers when they were in San Diego. They had great quarterbacks like Phillip Rivers and years before Rivers, Dan Fouts. Two stud quarterbacks that suffered the Karl Malone disease never winning a title. Only Superbowl the Chargers were in was when Stan the Man Humphries was behind center back in 1995 when they lost to the 49ers. The hatred against the Chargers presently is because of their owner, Dean Spanos. The Spanos moved the Chargers from San Diego to LA to be the second fiddle to the Rams. Now the Chargers have Jim Harbaugh as head coach and another stud QB, Justin Herbert, in place. Harbaugh is an awesome hire and Herbert is a guy you can get behind. You can’t forgive the greedy owner who moved his team from the best climate in the United States to smog town in over-crowded LA where they already have a team. Just baffling as you see more fans of the visitors at Chargers games at home.

#23. LA RAMS

The Rams got their cake and had their ice cream moving from St. Louis back to LA and to play in a brand spanking new stadium. Then winning a Superbowl. It’s like leaving the girl you were friends with your whole life for something fake and shiny in LA. Ripping the hearts out of all the die hard football fans of St.Louis. If you don’t believe me watch the United Football League where they pack the stadium rooting for the Spring team called the BattleHawks. Why didn’t the Rams ownership just stay in LA in the first place? I’m not jacked up seeing the Rams win another Superbowl any time soon.

#22. NEW YORK GIANTS

I’m not over the Buffalo Bills first WIDE RIGHT kick heard around the world during the Superbowl with the Giants. Then Bill Belichick was the defensive coordinator for that team and gets credit for his D slowing down the Bills’ high power offense in that game. The Giants always seem to find luck winning Superbowls when they probably were not the better team. I liked the Eli Manning teams beating the Tom Brady teams. Especially ruining the Patriots perfect record – one thing Brady did not achieve. The Giants are from New York City which gives me a big reason not wanting to see them win anything. My guess is that Giants fans are Yankee fans and who wants them to feel good about their sports world. I don’t.

#21.BALTIMORE RAVENS

The Ravens’ past comes into play not wanting Baltimore to win a Superbowl. Since the Browns moved to Baltimore, became their own franchise, and left their old name in Cleveland, they have won two Superbowls. How many franchises are still looking for their first taste? How many franchises who’ve been around for decades and may have only one title to their names. The Ravens’ linebacker bat shit crazy Ray Lewis was a nut job. Did he murder people that year in Atlanta at a bar? We know he tried to cover things up. Lamar Jackson is one of the top quarterbacks in the league. Something about him and his game – he will not win it all. Disappointment versus the Chiefs last year in the AFC Championship. The Ravens get points off their score with me there.

#20. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

When the 49ers were a dynasty with Joe Montana and Steve Young, they racked up multiple Superbowls. I was not a fan of those on-going dynasties in the 1980’s which lingered into the 90’s. I always loved the 49ers full back Tom Rathman who even had a full back last name. That is only one player. The 49ers these days when you do root for them they lose like last year against the Chiefs. I guess you could say it’s fun time Bobby watching San Francisco lose Superbowls rather than win them. Then I LOATHE the patriot saint of kneeling in Colin Kaepernick who has made more money off the field then actually on it. The 49ers have too many Superbowl trophies. To see them win another one is like rooting for Patrick Mahomes to win his third one in a row.

#19.WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

Washington first scalped their old name, the Redskins. Then they went with the Washington Football Team that sounds better than the Commanders. It took how many years to finally come up with the Commanders as the new name. Washington has a new ownership. Dan Snyder is out who may go down as one of the worst owners of all sports. Rumor has it they may bring back their old nickname, the Redskins. I doubt it. This franchise is like a dog being neutered when they snipped away the Redskins name from them. They are not the Hogs of the past with those Joe Gibbs teams. I’m in no hurry to see the Commanders rise back up and win a Superbowl at any time soon.

#18. DENVER BRONCOS

The Broncos back in the day would get to the Superbowl and get their butts kicked in. They were like the Vikings or Bills. They seemed like they could not win the big game. They had the franchise quarterback in John Elway, aka horse teeth. Elway was the quarterback of those losing Superbowls. He finally slayed his dragon and the Broncos won back to back titles in 1997 and 1998. The Broncos would win another one in 2015. That’s three titles for the Colorado mountain high. I have liked them now over the last several years trying to find a quarterback. They humiliated themselves for going big on Russell Wilson. They need a few more years away from the Superbowl.

#17. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

The Philly special unleashed on Bill Belichick’s Patriot defense in the Superbowl was priceless. Nick the Dick Foles filled in for Carson Wentz late in that season due to an injury and got red hot and marched his team all the way through the playoffs, giving Tom Brady a Superbowl loss. What have you done for me lately? It is always a question in sports. The Eagles got back to the Superbowl and blew a lead to the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes. The punishment is the Eagles still on a time out.

#16. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

If Pete Carol was still the head coach of the Seahawks, they would not be in the middle of the pack. Carol is like that slick car salesperson that you see on the sidelines for many college basketball teams. Don’t get me wrong he was a great coach but a guy that left USC like the women and children when the Titanic was sinking. The Seahawks should have two Superbowl titles. Not running Mashawn Lynch on that final play at the goal line versus the Patriots was the biggest bone-headed coaching move of all-time. His Legion of Doom defense was filled with a bunch of classless guys like Richard Sherman. I guess that’s what you want on a defense called the Legion of Boom. Seattle is a place that is on my bucket list of visiting as the state of Washington seems gorgeous. Heard great things. Now they have new blood on the sidelines so they may be a team I can get behind in present day.

#15.JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

The Jaguars have now been in the league awhile but still seem like an expansion team. The Jaguars seem to always be playing multiple home games in London, England. Just move there already. Then you have the Surf Nazi Ninja must die at quarterback. Trevor Lawrence reminds me of the character Sean Penn played in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, the great Spicoli. The Jaguars have never won or even been to the big game but why would we want a Florida team winning it all especially a team with a bad logo a smurf tongue on a cat.

#14. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

I miss the old creamsicle uniforms the Tampa Bay Buccaneers used to wear in the late 70’s and 1980’s. The Buccaneers in those days used to know what to do. Lose football games. They once had a record of like 50 straight games they lost when the weather was under like 40 degrees. The Buccaneers have two Superbowl trophies. First one they made a trade to get head coach Jon Gruden. Then Gruden would take over and guide the Buccaneers to their first Superbowl versus his old team the Raiders. The Buccaneers even squeezed another Superbowl out of Tom Brady. I like the pirate ship at their stadium. We can wait awhile before we see this franchise get back to the Superbowl.

#13. HOUSTON TEXANS

This current Texans team is on the rise. Rookie CJ Stroud looks like the real deal behind center. The Texans added even more fire power to their team this off-season. I know the Texans have never won a Superbowl, but they feel to me like the Jaguars – that expansion team feeling. I grew sick of the Astros in Houston even to this present day. Now they added questionable personalities in Joe Mixon at running back and Stefon Diggs. Great players, but these two characters could ruin a young quarterback going into his second season. With these two additions, the Texans are a team you don’t really want to root for. Let’s not forget where Deshaun Watson was drafted from. All those girls that Watson sexual harassed were in Houston, under the Texans watch.

#12. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

When it comes to the Colts, they have won two Superbowls – one in Indianapolis in 2006 with Peyton Manning. Then in 1970 as they were the Baltimore Colts back then. I like the town of Indianapolis. They have a great fan base. The Colts owner Jim Irsay is my problem. Owners should not be in the news more often than your own team. Irsay reminds me of Donald Trump on social media or will say that bone headed thing whenever a microphone is in front of him. The Colts have the luck to get Peyton Manning & then replaced him with Andrew Luck. Maybe the luck has run out as Anthony Richardson sat most of the season with an injury rather than playing a full season his rookie year. Guys like Irsay and Jerry Jones you don’t want to see holding a Superbowl trophy at the end of the season. The Colts beat my Bears in the 2006 Superbowl which I may have gotten over, but it still stings.

#11. PITTSBURGH STEELERS

I love the town of Pittsburgh. They are a great fan base for their sports teams. The Steelers elect a head coach and he holds on to the job like the Pope does at the Vatican. The Steelers have great history and those awesome defenses over years. The Steel Curtain is one of the best nicknames for an NFL defense. The Steelers have collected a six pack of Superbowl trophies. They always find the playoffs. They always know when to remove or not pick up the contract of the crazies like Antonio Brown who are talented but not playing with full deck in their mindsets. Do you really want to see the Steelers win another Superbowl? It depends on who they play. I’d like to see ten other teams win one before they win their 7th.

#10. TENNESSEE TITANS

Another heartbreak moment in Bills history was the Music City Miracle done by the Titans that knocked the Buffalo out the playoffs in 2000. We could argue about that play on our bar stools for an hour as the Titans pulled off a questionable play in the last seconds. The Titans used to be the Houston Oilers as they had one of the best uniforms in the game. The Titans have been to one Superbowl as they lost to the St. Louis Rams, XXXIV, as they came up short on the last play. Something about Honky Tonk town with moonshine girls wearing boots eating great food while listening to legendary tunes makes my boat float. I get behind a Nashville parade and Titan Superbowl.

#9. CAROLINA PANTHERS

If Cam Newton was not so soft, the Panthers could have pulled off a victory over the Broncos in the Superbowl. Peyton Manning was not Peyton Manning like in that Superbowl. The Panthers lost two Superbowls, the first one Jake Delhomme was behind center. Delhomme had some great years in Carolina. Newton was just a fantasy quarterback and a guy overrated in my book. The Panthers have put together some great teams since coming into the league in the 1990’s. Not sure if the number one draft pick, Bryce Young, is the answer for this team. He has only played one season. The Panthers have made bad football decisions like the trade with the Bears sending DJ Moore to Chicago and swapping number one draft picks and losing draft picks. The Panthers still feel like an expansion team. When it comes to the state of North Carolina, they only have won one championship from the Hurricanes winning the cup. They do have North Carolina University which is a basketball power house. I like to see other teams win their first Superbowl before the Panthers. Especially teams that have been around longer.

#8.ATLANTA FALCONS

The Falcons fly in Hot Atlanta where they filmed the Walking Dead. The Falcons pissed everyone off when the blew that big lead to the Patriots in their Superbowl appearance. Giving Tom Brady another Superbowl ring with the stooge Bill Belichick feels like a kick in the teeth as they had that game. The Falcons are 0-2 in the Superbowl. I find the Falcons you like them, but some years you hate this franchise. Guys like Mike Vick and Neon Deon Sanders were guys I’m not going to root for. I loved head coach Jerry Glanville. His trademark black cowboy hat was a staple on the Falcons side line. You feel bad for guys like Matt Ryan, Chris Chandler, and Chris Miller not winning a Superbowl. Isn’t Kirk Cousins the same guy like Miller, Ryan, and Chandler? We may have to wait until Michael Penix Jr. gets a crack at the starting job behind center for the Falcons to get back to the big game.

#7. MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Two of the funniest movies of all-time are set in Minnesota. The two Grumpy Old Men movies were hilarious. The Vikings had the best name for their defense back in the 1970’s. The Purple People Eaters. The Vikings were like the Bills of the 1990’s. They made four Superbowls in the 1970’s and lost them all. It was not like the Bills who lost 4 straight years in a row. Vikings appeared in 1970, 1974,1975, and 1977. The Vikings rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy will miss the entire season due to a knee injury. The number ten pick won the National Championship behind center for the University of Michigan. Could McCarthy when he gets back on the field in 2025 lead the Vikings to a Superbowl win some day? It would be a cool story plus making history getting the Vikings their first ever.

#6. ARIZONA CARDINALS

At one point the Cardinals originated in Chicago. They played their home games at the old Comisky Park that was home to the Chicago White Sox. The Bears played at Wrigley Field, home of the Cubs. I could of easily been a Cardinals fan growing up on the south side if they stayed in the Windy City. The Cardinals moved to St. Louis & then to Arizona. I could easily put them on the list with the Rams, Ravens, and Chargers. The moves by the Cardinals franchise from Chicago to St.Louis were before my time. I’ve met one die hard fan in Chicago who still roots for the Cardinals today even when they left town. The Cardinals I always loved the Pat Tillman story. Him giving up football and serving the country as an Army Ranger due to 9/11. I rooted for Kurt Warner the only season this Cardinals franchise made it to the Superbowl versus the Steelers which was one of the best Superbowl games of all-time. If the Cardinals won their first any time soon, I could get behind that. Their current team has lots to do to make it happen.

#5.DETROIT LIONS

The Lions have never even made it to a Superbowl. It was great seeing the Lions get back to the post-season last year and win a playoff game. The last time the Detroit Lions were relevant was back in the 1950’s. It was 1957 when they won a Championship. They actually won three titles in the 50’s. Some of the greatest Lions of all-time like Barry Sanders, Chris Spielman, and Calvin Johnson aka Megatron played on many bad teams and never experienced a title. The Lions have a team that is not going away any time soon. If they continue to get better the Lions’ Superbowl appearance may be in the cards.

#4. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

Not sure Nicolas Cage playing the part of John Madden in the upcoming movie is a good idea. Cage ruined Ghost Rider for me with his bad acting. The Raiders make me look like a hypocrite as they have moved back and forth for years from LA to Oakland & then finally to Vegas. My grammar school team was the Raiders so I’ve always been fond of them. Something about the black and silver and that Raider logo makes me a fan. I feel bad for the city of Oakland and that fan base with the Black Hole was epic. They way the fans dressed like it was Halloween every Sunday gave the stadium that intimidating factor to the visiting team. Makes sense though that the Raiders would be Sin City’s team. The Raiders have won three total titles. I love how this Raiders team beat on the Chiefs on Christmas Day. Seeing Mad Maxx Crosby close out a Superbowl sacking a quarterback would be electric.

#3. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

I’ve been to the Big Easy once in my life and that’s a great town. I always loved Drew Brees and in my opinion he’s one of the top ten quarterbacks in the NFL all-time. The Saints’ only Superbowl was not an easy task against a very tough Peyton Manning-led Colts team. Brees versus Manning is like a Clash of the Titans movie. The defense was involved in Bounty Gate as that came out later as they beat up on Brett Farve in the NFC Championship game before they met the Colts in the Superbowl. The gold & black uniforms and the spicy voodoo town of New Orleans which brings you Mardi Gras every year gets my vote for the Saints to win another Superbowl soon. Not sure Derek Carr is the guy to get the job done.

#2. CHICAGO BEARS

Steve McMichael getting in the Hall of Fame this season gives the Bears 4 guys from that 1985 bad ass defense which is the most of all-time on any Superbowl team. That Bears defense was the best of all-time. All those players on that ’85 Bears team are still the toast of the town. All those personalities meshed and clicked for one of the greatest teams in the NFL. The Bears are 1-1 in Superbowls. They have not had an actual quarterback since the 1940’s when Sid Luckman was behind center. Can Caleb Williams be the guy? He sure looks like an actual quarterback. The Bears team is loaded with talent on both sides of the ball. It’s about time after watching bums like Jay Cutler rewrite the franchise quarterback records. I’m a fan of the Bears so that makes it even better for them to win a title because it has been a very long time.

#1. BUFFALO BILLS

The city of Buffalo seems to be jinxed. The Bills and the Sabres have not won anything for decades. When the Bills were in the AFL before the merger with the NFL, Buffalo won back to back titles in 1964 and ’65 led by quarterback Jack Kemp. The Bills have been through heartache after heart break. Four Superbowl losses in a row when they had a stud quarterback in Jim Kelly during the 1990’s. The Bills suffered through two wide rights which includes the missed kick last year versus the Chiefs by Tyler Bass in the divisional round. The Music City Miracle still hurts in 2000. The Bills have maybe the best quarterback in franchise history in Josh Allen but he can’t beat the dreaded Chiefs in the post-season. The Bills fan base is one of the best in the NFL. Known as the Bills Mafia who like to drink and break tables at epic tailgating parties before and after the game. They are hungry and a diehard group that bleed Buffalo’s colors. They have been through decades of hard times. They keep getting up from the mat to root on their beloved Bills because they know one day they will win their first ever and it will be something special. You have to love a city that gets bad winter weather every year and elect to go with a brand new outdoor stadium instead of a dome like most cities are doing. The Bills get the first vote from myself to be the next winner of the big game.