The new investor in the UFL, billionaire entrepreneur Mike Repole, & his plan for the future of the spring football league is in. Every team will be playing their home games in a smaller stadium except the St. Louis BattleHawks, who have been number 1 in attendance both seasons since the USFL & XFL emerged into the UFL. The 56 year old Repole is envisioning that the smaller stadiums almost at full capacity will look better on television and the league can have more sell outs at the gates. Some of the teams already were playing in smaller venues where they will stay put. The UFL announced three new cities for the 2026 season: Orlando, Columbus, and Louisville. That means three current teams from last year are on the move.
The Michigan Panthers, Memphis Showboats, and San Antonio Brahmas will relocate to one of the new cities the UFL has slated for the 2026 season. All three teams played in bigger venues. The Panthers played at Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions. The Brahmas played at the Alamo dome in San Antonio. Then the Showboats played their home games at Liberty Field. All three teams could not fill their stadium’s capacity. The Showboats were one of the worst teams in the league on the field and in the stands. The stunner to me is the Panthers whose attendance increased from season one to season 2. Mike Repole has not ruled out the return of the Panthers when the league expands beyond 8 teams in future years. Nothing has been said to what new city gets which team on the move.
Everyone knew Columbus would be one of the new locations in 2026. The cat was out of the bag when the talks started about the Historical Crew stadium being a perfect place for a UFL team. The team name is the Aviators because the Wright brothers, who discovered flight, were born near Dayton, Ohio. The city of Columbus’ biggest professional team is the Bluejackets who are in the NHL. People not from Columbus could make a weekend out of of seeing the football game and then hitting Canton to see the Professional Football Hall of Fame.
The Louisville Kings logo is top notch. The Kings will play at Lynn Family stadium which is home to two professional soccer teams. One in the USL and the other in the NWSL. The Louisville Bats minor league baseball team, my guess, is the most popular team to watch besides all the local college games in the state of Kentucky including University of Louisville. The Kings have the horse or mustang or stallion, you know what I mean, on their logo. When it comes to horse racing, Kentucky is the King of that sport. You know Mike Repole, who has invested in race horses, was adopting his own team in the UFL going with the state animal.
Has the city of Orlando in Florida been done to death when it comes to spring football?
The UFL could have easily brought back a USFL team from the 1980’s bringing football back to Orlando. The Orlando Renegades played one season in the USFL as the Washington Federals moved there. After the one season, the league shut down. The Renegades were horrible. Their logo may wild up people that hate anything to do with the any Native Americans being in a sports logo. Then we have the Apollos of the AAF who were a solid team in that league in 2019. The league went bankrupt before the regular season was over. Then the Guardians played in the XFL a few years ago & the league could have brought them back from the dead. The lone season they played, they only won 1 game out of ten. The Storm will play their home games at Inter & Co Stadium. Orlando’s biggest professional sport in that town is the Magic who are in the NBA.
Houston fans and everyone who loved the Roughnecks logo, we say so long. The UFL franchise is staying in Houston, but will go back to the USFL name of the Gamblers. The Roughnecks originally were an XFL team. At one time Houston had two spring football teams. In the merger of the XFL & USFL, they took 4 teams from each league. They took Houston from the USFL who then adopted the Roughnecks as their nickname while dropping the Gamblers. Now the UFL is going to flip the script and the Gamblers are back in the fold of things.
The Houston franchise will abandon their college stadium and now play their home games in an MLS stadium called Shell Energy Stadium. Mike Repole feels the Gamblers are the better sell because Jim Kelly played for Houston in the USFL in the 1980’s before going to the NFL and playing for the Buffalo Bills.
The Renegades are ditching Arlington and the baseball stadium for greener pastures. It’s back to Dallas for the Renegades. When the XFL did its first reboot from the 2001 season, the Renegades hailed from Dallas. They will move into yet another soccer stadium in Dallas called Toyota Stadium that is home to an MLS team. Arlington will still be the headquarters of the UFL. The teams will still practice there and be housed there during training camp and regular season. The league will still travel to their respective cities a few days before gametime as they have done for the last few seasons. Certain players may head to their respective city earlier than the rest of the team to help promote the league in the towns they play in.
With all the soccer stadiums in play next year in the UFL, do soccer mothers get in free? This is a lot to digest, but at the same time for the long haul of things, this may be the best plan of spring football ever. The league for next season is ditching their conferences. I was a fan of the XFL conference and the USFL conference. The playoff format will be the top 4 teams make the post-season. The three new relocation cities are using names not from either of the USFL and XFL leagues. That leaves you wondering will they resurrect old names from the two leagues past, in the future? The USFL are down to two teams from the past – the Stallions and Gamblers. The XFL still has three teams from their past: Renegades, Defenders, and BattleHawks. Mike Repole eventually wants this league to double to 16 teams at some point. If that is the case, it’s 8 more cities with 8 names. Will they have ties to the old leagues? I’ve only been to two UFL games, both in Detroit to watch the Panthers play. That is a fan base that really deserves their Panthers back. It’s the only move I do not like from Mr. Moneybags. The UFL will make some interesting history next season in spring football. The league will be operating in its third season. Which would tie the original USFL that ran for three seasons before Donald Chump ruined the entire operation with his craziness. With smaller venues and fans packed into the seats, we may see more things like the beer snake the Defenders have in DC. Something unique & something that will put this city on your sports bucket list. Overall I like the direction of things. My team I may adopt for the time being is Louisville, which is a fun town to visit. What can go wrong with drinking bourbon & swinging a bat on a race horse.
It’s about time a head coach goes postal on one of their own players for being football stupid. On Sunday, the Arizona Cardinals could have broken the game open versus a bad Tennessee Titans team. Third year running back Emari Demercado for the Cardinals in the 4th quarter broke through the defense and was on his way for a 76 yard touchdown run. Instead of crossing the goal line with the ball in his hands being chased by a Titan defender, he just drops the ball on purpose before he actually hits pay dirt. The referees ruled the play a fumble, turnover of downs, and a touch back. The Cardinals would have had a 21 point lead in the 4th quarter. Demercado, a 26 year running back out of TCU, thought he crossed the line with the touchdown. At the time it was more important to him to show boat and look cool for the cameras. The Titans would end up winning this game. After the play, Jonathan Gannon, head coach of the Cardinals, went ballistic on his running back. They say he even got physical with his running back. Gannon should not strike any of his players. Giving the running back a verbal conversation needs to happen because this stuff keeps happening in the NFL.
Last year wide receiver Adonai Mitchell for the Indianapolis Colts, did the same thing as Emari Demercado. It was the Colts versus the Rams and Mitchell nonchalantly dropped the ball before the goal line thinking more of the celebration than the team. These players looked at themselves on the jumbotron in the middle of the play to see their glory on the gridiron first hand. In the NFL, every time a player gets a first down every player has to get up and mock the referee with the signal that so and so got his team the first down. Every time a defender gets a turnover, why does the entire defensive unit have to celebrate by the cameras in the end zone? In the 1990’s the Dallas Cowboys were blowing out the Buffalo Bills in the Superbowl. The Cowboys defender, Leon Lett, recovered a fumble and was rumbling and tumbling down the side line looking like an easy touchdown. He was celebrating the score before he got across the goal line. The Bills wide receiver Don Beebe chased the almost 300 pound defender down knocking the ball out of hand before he got it across the goal line. Lett was holding the ball out like a loaf of bread.
That game was out of hand as the Cowboys were destroying the Bills. Lett would get the Superbowl ring, but that one play has plenty of humiliation attached to his career. No one will recall how many sacks Lett had or how many championships the man won. They will recall the idiot celebrating way too early and getting the ball knocked out of his hand.
The Arizona Cardinals started the season out of the gates with a 2-0 record. Now they have lost the last three games by a total of 5 points. The Cardinals make history with all three straight losses coming off a walk off field goal. The Cardinals lost their first game to the 49ers in week 3 by a kick at the end of regulation. Then in week 4, Seattle beat Arizona with a walk off field goal. Joey Slye did the same thing last Sunday to help the Titans win 22-21. The Cardinals shot themselves in both feet versus the Titans after the fumble by Emari Demercado. With 4:55 left in the 4th quarter, the Cardinals defender Dadrion Taylor-Demerson intercepted a tip ball thrown by Titans QB Cam Ward. The interception could have sealed this game for Arizona. When Taylor-Demerson came crashing to the ground with the intercept, he fumbled the ball. The ball bounced around until Titans receiver Tyler Lockett secured the ball in his hands in the end zone for another Titans score. It all started with the showboating by Emari. Eventually Slye would get the chance to walk off the Cards after the Titans defense forced Arizona to punt and got the ball back. The Titans then drove down the field and set up Slye for the kick. He made it the third straight walk off kick in a row to end Arizona’s week with a loss.
Growing up watching the Bears in the 1980’s, Da Coach Mike Ditka would not deal with shenanigans like Emari Demercado trying to be too cool for school. When Ditka coached the best running back on the planet, Walter Payton would hand the ball to the referee after each time he scored a touchdown. Act like you have been there before was Sweetness’ philosophy. Do you remember when Ditka unleashed his bark on his quarterback Jim Harbaugh? The same Harbaugh that coaches the Chargers. Harbaugh may not be showing his rage on the side lines, but I bet money he would not take this kind of non sense from his third string running back. Head coaches like Ditka would have cut his Cardinal sin the next day. The NFL owners pay big money for their head coaches and they want results. If the Cardinals miss the playoffs by one game, this is the one that will be pointed to. Losing to a bad Tennessee team with a rookie QB who has not been good is unacceptable. When you give the bad team the game, your locker should be cleared out. Especially for Tom Foolery. When playmakers do these things, it can cost a guy like Jonathan Gannon his livelihood being his first head coaching gig.
Jonathan Gannon did apologize to his running back. He realized his team lost the game because of more than one play. That fumble play by Emari took the sails out of the Cardinals flight in that game. How quickly the Titans turned things around like that. You would think Emari will learn from his bone-headed blunder in the future. Will the Gannon rage scare other players presently or in the future? Not wanting to win for the name on front of the jersey rather than win for his own name on back of the jersey. Nobody knew who Emari was before his blunder on Sunday. If he did not fumble, they would have said that a 3rd string running back that scored a touchdown in garbage time. This sounds better than your head coach going nuclear on you before a live studio audience.
The 49ers will once again be without Brock Purdy. The Rams enjoyed some home cooking last weekend giving the Colts their first loss of the season. The 49ers also suffered their first loss of the season to the Jaguars. Can Mac Jones continue to be perfect as the fill in guy for Purdy? Jones is 2-0 this season already. Anything can happen in division games because they know each other very well. I like the Rams. The way Matthew Stafford has performed so far this season, he should be able to slice and dice the 49ers defense with their injuries piling up like a MASH unit. Can any team stop what Stafford has with wide receiver Puka Nacua? He may have 100 catches way before mid-season.
OUR PICK: RAMS
THE SUNDAY TILT
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (2-2) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (1-3) IN LONDON ENGLAND
It was a matter of time for the Cleveland Browns to bench the old guy Joe Flacco for the next generation, QB Dillion Gabriel. How’s Shedeur Sanders taking this, the other QB the Browns drafted this season? Probably not well. Flacco will be the number two while Sanders pouts as the number 3 QB. The Vikings lost a close one last week to the Steelers last week in Ireland. The Vikings are still across the pond this week. Now they are in London, England. The Browns defense will keep Gabriel’s debut close. He faces a blitzing Viking defense that will give the rookie a challenge. Carson Wentz will do enough to get by the Browns defense. The Vikings being over in Europe last week will give them the advantage on the time change whild the Browns may be on snooze most of this game.
OUR PICK: VIKINGS
DALLAS COWBOYS (1-2-1) AT NEW YORK JETS(0-4)
Is the new Jets head coach a better cheerleader than anything Dallas has? Not quite, but I feel for him like I need to cheer him on so the Jets can get that first victory. I don’t like the Jets’ chances versus this Cowboys team that has been good on offense. They put up 40 points versus Green Bay and came away with only a tie. The Cowboys defense sucks. Justin Fields should have a big day for New York. However the Jets defense still have not been able to generate one stinking turnover after 4 weeks. The Cowboys will score points off the Jets defense and be able to just do enough to stop Fields to get a road victory or this will end in a tie. The Cowboy way.
OUR PICK: COWBOYS
DENVER BRONCOS(2-2) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (4-0)
Can the Broncos give the Eagles their first loss of the season? This is a long road trip for the Broncos, but I can see their defense being able to contain Saquon Barkley most of the game. I said most of the game which Barkley will eventually wear out the Broncos defense. Bo Nix is starting to heat up. This will be a tough game for Bo dealing with the Eagles on the road in hostile territory. The Broncos are a good team but they are not ready yet to beat the top tier teams in the NFL. I like Eagles to stay undefeated in a close game but a victory.
OUR PICK: EAGLES
BALTIMORE RAVENS(1-3) AT HOUSTON TEXANS (1-3)
Do you remember the old Dallas Cowboys back up QB Cooper Rush? Now he is suiting up for the Ravens and is going to start for them this week because Lamar Jackson is injured. Rush is 9-5 as a starter all-time. The Texans won their first game of the season last Sunday. The Ravens will not be explosive on offense with Rush behind center, but they will still get points. The Texans have a bad offensive line, but the Ravens defense is horrific. The Texans defense is solid. I like CJ Stroud not being on his back in this game to have his best performance of the year. It will be a close game, but Texans prevail at the end because of all the injuries on that Ravens defense.
OUR PICK: TEXANS
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS(1-3) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (3-1)
Colts suffered their first loss of the season versus a solid Rams team. The Raiders should have beat the Bears but suffered a loss giving up the lead to Chicago late in that contest. Geno Smith has not done well in Vegas so far. Three more picks last week. Daniel Jones is the comeback player of the year. He has flipped the script in his football career and he should be able to have another solid game versus this Raiders defense. I’m surprised head coach Pete Carol has not made another pact with the Devil to get some wins as Raiders head coach. I like the Colts in this one with Jonathan Taylor wearing out the silver and black at home to get back in the win column.
OUR PICK: COLTS
NEW YORK GIANTS (1-3) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (0-4)
Who do you love?
We know who the Giants head coach loves. Brian Daboll is not shy of his love for Giants rookie QB Jaxson Dart who helped New York land their first victory of the season last Sunday. Can the Giants hit the road and win their second game of the year in the Big Easy? Not trying to ruin Daboll’s chubby, but this Sunday it will be Spencer Rattler getting his first NFL victory. Rattler is now 0-10 in his career as a starter. The Saints have been lingering in every game so far. I like Rattler to take a bite out of the visiting Big Apple and getting the Saints finally in the win column.
OUR PICK: SAINTS
MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-3) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (1-3)
The Panthers were blown out by the Patriots last week. The Dolphins finally crack the win column but it cost them their top receiver.
I hate when bad things happen to bad people like Tyreek Hill. His devastating knee injury has him out the rest of the season. I think Carolina will be able to score points off a bad Dolphins defense. You can’t trust what this Panther team will do. They can win. However Bryce Young can have have a big day and Carolina can still lose. Tua Tagovailoa still has weapons without the Cheetah. I like the Dolphins just getting by the Panthers by a ball hair in this one.
OUR PICK: DOLPHINS
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (3-1) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (3-1)
This match up should be a good one. Usually you hear about Seattle making the long distance flight. This time it’s Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers suffered their first loss of the season losing a close affair with the Champion Eagles. The Seahawks have won three straight games after opening up the season with a loss at home. The Seahawks are a team that can be beat at home. Seattle defense has been solid and should be able to prevent a Buccaneers comeback late in this contest. It seems like all the wins by Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers have been in the last minute of regulation. I like how Sam Darnold has played for the Seahawks so far. He should be able to do his stuff versus a Buccaneers defense that just blitzes all the time.
OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS
DETROIT LIONS (3-1) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-2)
The Lions will get the Ohio sweep this Sunday after beating the Browns last week. The Bengals defense should allow the Lions offense to function on all cylinders. Jake Browning, the fill in guy for Joe Burrow, has been awful. You have to blame the Bengals offensive line being a majority of the problem. Look for J’Marr Chase to have another heated exchange with the Bengals staff.
Chase will continue to disappoint fantasy football owners throughout the country. The Lions defense should be licking their chops on potential turnovers they will get from Browning who’s been in giving spirits so far this season.
OUR PICK: LIONS
TENNESSEE TITANS (0-4) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (2-2)
The Titans have to be the worst team in the NFL. Tennessee was shut out by the Texans last weekend. Meanwhile the Cardinals started out of the gates with a 2-0 record & have lost two straight games. Arizona is at home. Their defense should do well against a struggling rookie quarterback. Kyler Murray should be able to put up a solid performance versus the Titans defense. Look for Arizona to snap the two game losing streak while winning an easy one.
OUR PICK: CARDINALS
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (2-2) AT LA CHARGERS (3-1)
The Commanders will have Jayden Daniels back behind center after he missed the last two games from an injury. The Chargers lost their first game of the year to a rookie QB making his first ever start in the NFL last Sunday. Can Daniels knock off the rust? Can Justin Herbert function well even with a banged up O-line for the Chargers? Daniels has not been himself from his rookie season. The Commanders are playing a tougher schedule this season because they made the playoffs last year & you will see some struggles. This will be a close game. It’s hard to beat a Jim Harbaugh coached team two weeks in a row. The Chargers are at home. They will prevent a losing streak and find the win column.
OUR PICK: CHARGERS
THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (2-2) AT BUFFALO BILLS (4-0)
The Patriots blew the doors off the Panthers last Sunday. The Bills made it tougher on themselves with the visiting Saints but prevailed in the 4th quarter. Is this Mike Vrabel team ready to knock off the big dog of the AFC East? The Patriots are a team on the rise, but a beat down of the Panthers does not give them the juice to come into Buffalo on a Sunday night and beat the Bills. Josh Allen has been very good in prime time games over his career. The Bills are an extremely tough animal to beat in Orchard Park. I can see the Patriots making this game. In the end the Bills will stay perfect for the season.
OUR PICK: BILLS
THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (2-2) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (3-1)
It’s easy to say the Chiefs are back and are functioning on all cylinders after their beat down of the Ravens. The Ravens defense is horrific. It’s like playing the junior varsity team. The Jaguars defense already has racked up 13 turnovers in 4 games. I feel like the Chiefs are in for a rude awakening when they visit Florida. This is my upset special. I think Trevor Lawrence will do enough. I like the Jaguars running game. I suspect Patrick Mahomes to lay an egg. Look for the meathead Travis Kelce to continue his non-impressive performances this season. He’s lucky Taylor Swift is selling records by the millions. It will be a close game, but Jags come away with a shocker at home.
Since 2020 the Buffalo Bills stadium has been called Highmark stadium. The Bills stadium opened up back in 1973 and was originally called Rich Stadium. It was Rich Stadium from 1973 until 1998. When it was Rich Stadium in the 1990’s, the Bills were kings of the AFC going to four straight Superbowls. Unfortunately they lost all 4 Superbowls. None of those Superbowls were played at Rich Stadium. Jim Kelly was the quarterback back then where he broke all the Bills record at the position. Those were solid teams the Bills had back then. I became a Bills fan in the late 1980’s. I saw the Jim Kelly teams were getting better and better each year. Then they made their run but came away empty. Sort of like present day with Josh Allen. Since he arrived, the team is taking steps forward and are on the bubble of breaking through the AFC conference to get there. The Kansas City Chiefs have been a thorn in our side knocking the Bills out of the post-season similar to those 4 Superbowl losses. Whatever you want to call it: Rich Stadium, Ralph Wilson Stadium, New Era Field, and back to Highmark’s final tour in 2025 – the last regular season as a new stadium is in the works across the street. I’m from Chicago & when the White Sox renamed their new stadium going on from Comisky Park no one cared for the new corporate name. It’s either the New Comisky or Sox park.
The Bills should host some post-season games at the old Rich Stadium in early 2026 and let’s hope one of those playoff games gets Buffalo back to the Superbowl. Where the Bills can be yet again king of the AFC conference. The new stadium being built across the street from the old one looks legendary. An outdoor stadium in Buffalo where many cities would easily go with a dome. The fan base comes out in the snow and fills that stadium which gives their team an actual home field advantage during the post-season. Love when the Dolphins look like frozen fish sticks in cold temperatures. Buffalo is a small city in a big state and the fan base gives off that college town atmosphere. Rich Stadium is not even in Buffalo, they are located in a suburb called Orchard Park.
Last Sunday was my first ever Buffalo Bills game in 4th week of September with mid 80’s temperatures. I was not expecting to get sunburnt at a Bills game. The Bills hosted the Saints. The Bills out of the gates started off 3-0 and the Saints came into Sunday’s action without a single win. I found a place to stay in a town close to Orchard Park called Hamburg, which is a German town. Plenty of nice drinking establishments with plenty of food options. Yes, chicken wings were had. Took an Uber ride that morning to the stadium with a six pack of beer. Being my first time, I wanted to see what the Bills Mafia was all about. I wanted to get the full experience of Rich Stadium since it was my first game in Buffalo. Going to see a game in Buffalo on the farewell tour is one of my sports dreams come true. The car ride meant we went down side streets through the burbs and we saw people offering parking for $45.00 on their lawn in front of their houses. All those yards will filling in hours before kick off. It was not just parking, it was instant tailgating parties popping up in your own yard. The closer you got, the parking went up to $60.00. We were looking to get as close to the stadium as possible and join the party in their lots. Around the Bills Stadium, they had a few restaurants and bars on the outskirts of the stadium in both directions. The grills were fired up. Food was sizzling on the grill. The coolers were filled with ice cold beverages. One tent would set off a siren of some kind. When the buses came rolling down the main boulevard filled with Saints players, people chanted “Who Dat” which is a New Orleans thing. Followed by some boos as well by the Bills Mafia. I did notice the Saints fan base showed up in their gold and black team colors supporting their guys. We talked to one Saints fan & he was telling us his group picks out one game a season they go to on the road to watch their Saints play. The atmosphere was electric. People having a good time. Everyone dressed in their team colors. Beers were had. Food was eaten. I thought the Bills Mafia treated the outsiders very nice. Nothing in poor taste. The Saints are not a Bills rival. People watching Josh Allen is like watching the king these days. Many, many number 17 Allen Jerseys on display. I wore my Matt Milano jersey supporting number 58, my favorite current defensive player on the team. I saw some Milano jerseys worn by others. I saw some Jim Kelly jerseys of the past being worn by the older people honoring their legend. Bruce Smith was another one from the 1990’s teams. Some interesting jerseys were Bryce Paup who played with the Bills after those Superbowl appearances from 1995 until 1997.
Then the great Doug Flutie, who had some nice years with the Bills after Jim Kelly retired, had some love around Rich Stadium. Flutie played most of his football career in the CFL. He was drafted by the Bears. After he was done with the CFL, he went back to the NFL, signed with the Bills and helped them get to the playoffs. He ended his career with the Chargers.
We had seats in the nose bleed section. Stuffed in bleachers like a can of sardines.
From the nose bleed seats you can see the new stadium towering over the old. The Bills, like most teams, have the ring of honor with their legends from the past. Many great players and former Bills head coach Marv Levy, whose old saying back in the 1990’s never will die. “Where else would you rather be then right here right now?”
Sounds like a line from a Van Halen song, but every fan knows this line. It’s like Western New York planted the seeds inside the newborn’s head right out of the womb. The National Anthem reminded me of the Chicago Blackhawks where fans get very into America’s song. Some fireworks at the end of the song with a fly by from a military plane. Not exactly a B-52 – one of those jumbo jets that can carry troops and plenty of cargo. You feel the excitement and the anticipation as you are swept up into this fan base when they announce the Bills offense. Josh Allen’s name as he runs on to the field with the crowd chanting MVP! MVP! It just gives you goosebumps. The Bills struck first blood with Allen hooking up with his wide receiver Khalil Shakir for the game’s first touchdown. That’s when the Bills sing the song, “Shout.” They change the words around a little as they sing, “The Bills make me wanna Shout,” which everyone seems to be on the same page.
Everyone standing clapping and giving each other high fives. Even total strangers like myself felt like I was family, a Mafia member sworn in without jumping on any tables during the tail gate session of the class. Then the best chant the Bills Mafia do is “Hey! Hey! Hey! Let’s go Buffalo!” It sticks in your head as I think I was chanting in my sleep 14 beers later. The Bills like the tall boys and the taller boys big cans of Labatt Blue 16 0zers and the big bomber of 20 something ounces. They even sold big beer koozies. Very helpful on a steamy day.
The Saints gave the Bills a battle as a team that wanted their first victory. The Saints were able to match scores with Josh Allen and the Bills offense through the first half. I sensed the Bills were in control of the game, but the Saints lingered which is never good. The guy next to me who had some excellent intel of the Bills said, “they play down to the competition.”
The Bills would pull away from the Saints in the 4th quarter as Josh Allen had another big game. Allen threw two touchdown passes and scored a touchdown with his own legs. Allen had a big run that set up a Dalton Kincaid touchdown pass in the 4th. James Cook had a big game running the football as the Bills running back also found the end zone. The Bills would win this one at home 31-19 and go perfect in the month of September. I never got to see Jim Kelly play in person, only on the television. Watching Allen and even Cook is something special. Who knows where these guys will be at the end of their careers? Hopefully racking up a few Superbowl rings together before hanging up the spikes. I remember special players seeing them live from the Chicago sports landscape such as Michael Jordan of the Bulls, Patrick Kane of the Blackhawks, and Frank Thomas. I missed some great players over my time. Seeing Allen even from the nose bleed seats was something worth watching. It was great the Bills won the game especially at my first ever game and my last game at Rich Stadium.
After the game we found a beer garden to have some beers to celebrate the 4th victory of the Bills season. The bars were crowded around the stadium. The fun seemed to never end. After the Big Tree Inn, we found a great establishment on the way back to Hamburg. Watch some late afternoon games and shoveled more food in our gullets. How does a Chicago guy become a Bills fan? I was asked repeatedly. One guy we met seemed like he wanted to trade places with me and head back to Chicago because he liked all the teams from there. I certainly do root for the home teams. The day I found a Bills hat in my brother’s box of things he was storing at the parents’ house while he went overseas was the start. He was in the Marines at the time. I became a fan of them. I knew them because I loved watching NFL games. I watch the Bears and the entire rest of the league. I followed the Bills more closely and they sucked me in. They are a franchise with a lot of heartbreak like every Chicago team, so they fit me. Years later when I told my brother that I found a Bills hat in his stuff, I said that’s what turned me on to the Bills. He denied ever ever having a Bills hat. Was I born in a Buffalo hospital? Did they insert a chip in my mindset? Was it a calling like the burning bush in the Bible? The lord works in mysterious ways. Or shall we say the Bills Mafia works in mysterious ways? HEY! HEY! HEY! LET’S GO BUFFALO!!!
Seattle comes in winning two games in a row as they beat up the Saints on the road last Sunday putting 44 points. The Cardinals suffered their first loss of the season from division rival San Francisco in a close one. The Seahawks only loss came from the 49ers in week 1. The Cardinals versus Seahawks are always close affairs. Both teams have solid defenses. I like Seattle’s offense better than the Cardinals right now. Sam Darnold has given the Seahawks some jolt the last two weeks. Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr.’s hook up has been silence of the lambs, not the thriller like it was last season. The Seahawks will not be able to drop 44 points on this Cards defense, but Darnold will generate just enough points to get by and secure a road victory versus a division rival which is huge to do early on.
OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS
THE SUNDAY TILT
IRELAND SUNDAY MORNING
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (2-1) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (2-1)
Our first international game of the season happens as Ireland hosts a pretty good match up between the Vikings and Steelers. The Vikings put up the most points of the season with Carson Wentz behind center filling in for the injured rookie JJ McCarthy versus the Bengals last weekend. The Steelers improved to 2-1 with Aaron Rodgers as their quarterback as they beat the Patriots. The Vikings get one of their weapons back in the return of Jordan Addison who comes off the suspension list. Addison gives Wentz another play maker on the field like he does not have enough. The Steelers defense has struggled so far this season. You could say they played their best game last week. The Vikings will be able to generate points. I don’t see Rodgers and that Steelers offense matching up with the Vikings strong defensive unit. Anything can happen over the pond with the time change. I like the Vikings in this one. Even though Rodgers could have signed in Minnesota during the off-season. Vikings instead chose their young rookie QB McCarthy. It is kind of a revenge game for Rodgers. I think the Vikings defense will tame the disgruntled old man by the sea.
OUR PICK: VIKINGS
CAROLINA PANTHERS (1-2) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-2)
The New England Patriots are many pieces away from building their next Evil Empire Death Star. The Patriots’ Mike Vrabel era has started off good because they’ve been in every game. They may only have one win but they growing, learning and will eventually string together some victories. The Panthers want the same thing the Patriots do. This Panthers team looked and played better in the second half of last year. Bryce Young looked like a number one pick finally. The Panthers played their best game of the season last week blanking the Falcons in a beat down 30-0 at home. Bryce Young on the road has not been good at finding ways to win football games. Young in his first 15 starts on the road in his career is 1-14.
Young is in the same boat of these quarterbacks in their first 15 starts of their career on the road with the same records: Steve DeBerg, Dan Pastorini, and one of the greatest Jaguars of all-time Blake Bortles. This game will be close but the Panthers will fall short. Look for Drake Maye to have a big game in the passing department and light up the Panthers secondary to even things up for the Patriots at 2-2 for the season.
OUR PICK: PATRIOTS
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (3-0) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (3-0)
Two former Oklahoma State Quarterbacks square off once again. Baker Mayfield is 2-1 versus Jalen Hurts in his career. Hurts in his career versus the Buccaneers is 1-4. In 2024 the Buccaneers destroyed the Eagles 32-9 in the NFC wild card game. The Eagles are 1-3 in Tampa Bay under the leadership of their head coach, Nick Sirianni. Mayfield seems to find a way in every win this season to win it at the end of regulation. The Eagles had a lucky block kick that sealed a come from behind victory versus the Rams last Sunday. I think Eagles will be affected by the Florida heat as Mayfield may not need to win this one in the last minute. It’s a close game & Tampa pulls off the victory at home.
OUR PICK: BUCCANEERS
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (0-3) AT BUFFALO BILLS (3-0)
The Saints were bombarded by the Seahawks at home last weekend. The Bills battled it out with the division rival Dolphins and prevailed at the end with a 10 point victory at home on Thursday night. The Saints are desperate for a victory. The Saints starting quarterback Spencer Rattler now is 0-9 as a starting QB dating back to last year. The Bills have been very solid at home as they have a 13 game winning streak at Highmark stadium dating back to last season. Seattle dropped 44 points on the Saints last week. The Bills will get 30 or more points off the Saints defense in this one. The Bills defense should be able to force a few turnovers in this one and keep the Saints offense in check most of the game to stay undefeated for the season.
OUR PICK: BILLS
CLEVELAND BROWNS (1-2) AT DETROIT LIONS (2-1)
The epic Spaceballs 2 movie awakens in 2027. The Browns are looking for revenge for their Schwartz. The Browns defensive coach Jim Schwartz used to be the Lions head coach many many years ago in a galaxy far far away. Schwartz has did this done that versus the Lions after they fired him. It’s always fun to dig up the great memories. Schwartz has the Browns defense humming so far. They have held running backs to a dismal 2.3 yards per game. They have allowed the fewest yards per game so far which is 204.3 overall. How do you stop the Lions two headed monster at running back with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs? Plus the Lions aerial attack? The Lions were humiliated by the Packers in week 1 & since then they’ve won two straight. The Browns beat the Packers last week for their first victory of the season. The Lions knocked off the Ravens last week scoring 38 on Baltimore. The Browns took a beat down by the Ravens in week 2. Browns defense may be the best. The Lions offense may be the best. The Lions defense sacked Lamar Jackson 7 times last week. Sorry Browns, but your QB is Joe Flacco and that Cleveland offense has been on life support all year. Lions know how to put down a doggie.
OUR PICK: LIONS
LA CHARGERS (3-0) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (0-3)
The Giants have officially benched Russell Wilson and now hand the keys to the quarterback position to the rookie, Jaxson Dart. The Giants are 0-3, as the coaching staff looks for anything to save their jobs. Dart was a first round pick from this year’s draft 25th overall by the Giants. Meanwhile the Chargers mowed down each divisional opponent so far this season to start 3-0 out of the gates. Justin Herbert is playing well and the Chargers defense is getting the job done so far this season. The head coach of the Giants, Brian Daboll, compares Dart’s skill set to the great Josh Allen who he used to coach in Buffalo. The Giants are looking for a spark. Since 1967, QB’s making their first ever start versus the Chargers have a record of 3-17. However 2-2 since 2019. I like the move by the Giants as Wilson is a bum. He should retire. I don’t see Dart beating the Chargers whose defense are in the top ten in the league at allowing the lowest amount of passing yards. Chargers escape New York still perfect.
OUR PICK: CHARGERS
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (2-1) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (1-2)
Is it time for the Falcons to beam up their Captain Kirk Cousins to the USS Falcon Enterprises? The humiliation of being a Falcon fan losing to the Panthers 30-0 not scoring any points off a bottom feeder of the league. Now the Commanders come marching into town with a veteran quarterback that suited up for the Falcons in 2022, Marcus Mariota. In 2022 Mariota went 5-8 as the starting QB for the Falcons and was replaced by an ineffective twerp named Desmond Ridder who is probably washing cars these days. Last week Mariota filled in for the injured Jayden Daniels and Washington walked all over the Raiders defense and some more scoring over 40 points. The Falcons starting quarterback Michael Penix is averaging under 6 yards each pass. All the Commanders have to do is stop the Falcons running game in this one. GAME OVER!! I think the Falcons will have a better showing overall and keep this a gamer. Mariota gets his revenge.
OUR PICK: COMMANDERS
TENNESSEE TITANS (0-3) AT HOUSTON TEXANS (0-3)
Somebody has to win their first game unless this AFC south match up ends up in a dead end tie.
Do you think the Titans fan base miss their old head coach Mike Vrabel? Brian Callahan so far in two seasons as the HC for Tennessee has a dismal record of 3-17 which is the worst in the Superbowl era. Titans are dealing with a rookie QB and his growing pains along with a bad offensive line. Houston does have a problem with their O-line as the Texans have not scored 20 points in any game so far. How do you sort this pile of heap of a match up out? The Titans average 17 points per contest. The Texans defense allows 17 points per contest. The Texans defense has tallied up 9 sacks while the Titans have allowed 17. Stats do not even help the cause here. The Texans defense is the best unit on the field in this game. They will get the turnovers they need to help the Texans offense get into the 20 points range for the first time this season. I like Nick Chubb having his best game so far in a Texans uniform to help Houston notch their first victory of the season in a stressful game for both sides.
OUR PICK: TEXANS
GREEN BAY PACKERS (2-1) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (1-2)
America’s team and the big cheese were disappointments last week. Green Bay looked like Superbowl contenders as the Cowboys looked exactly like the Cowboys of present. Dallas can’t stop anybody. Green Bay defense can halt the Dallas offense. I like a rebound from the Packers here firing on all cylinders in this one. The Cowboys are weakened without their star receiver CeeDee Lamb who’s out for a few weeks with an injury he suffered from the Bears. In all, Jordan Love will have a big day forgetting what the Browns defense did to him to light up a bad Dallas defense.
OUR PICK: PACKERS
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (3-0) AT LA RAMS (2-1)
The surprising Colts ran all over the Titans last weekend. The Rams had a potential game winning field goal that would have walked off the Eagles but it was blocked and they suffered their first loss of the season. Jonathan Taylor right now leads the NFL in rushing yards. The Colts have protected Daniel Jones as he has only been sacked twice so far this season. The Rams can get to the quarterback as they are tied with the Broncos for most sacks in the league. The Rams, like the Colts, have a well-balanced offense that can run well & Matthew Stafford you know can get hot on any given Sunday and slice and dice the defense. Are the Colts for real? Only good team the Colts beat was the Broncos on a walk off field goal. It was a penalty after a missed field goal that set up the walk off kick for the Colts. The Rams on the road is a huge test. This game could be epic or a stinker. I think it will be a good game and a close affair. I like the Rams at the end to pull it off. I have been riding the Colts all season. I think the Rams defense will make one or two plays that will end the Colts’ nice start out of the gates of this NFL season.
OUR PICK: RAMS
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (2-1) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (3-0)
The 49ers are perfect for the season, but like last year the injuries are piling up.
The 49ers lost their defensive stud Nick Bosa who tore his ACL last week versus the Cardinals. The Jaguars are off to a good start this season. The Jaguars defense has played well so far. They have created turnovers in all three games. The 49ers went 2-0 with Mac Jones behind center, a guy who played for the Jaguars last year. The 49ers welcome back their starting QB Brock Purdy. The Jaguars offense so far this season has had too many drop balls. The Jaguars are protecting Trevor Lawrence which is a good thing. The Jaguars have lost seven straight games following a win. I think they overcome those odds. With a lack of pass rush by the 49ers, Lawrence has a nice solid day at the office. The 49ers have played in too many close games and have won all of them. These games have been low scoring. I think the Jaguars offense will score points off this 49ers banged up defense. Purdy will be rusty and not be able to match the Jaguars this weekend.
OUR PICK: JAGUARS
BALTIMORE RAVENS (1-2) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (1-2)
It’s shocking the Ravens and Chiefs only have one win at this point of the season. The Ravens defense has been horrific so far as they are dead last in the NFL. The Chiefs offense has not been crisp like we are used to seeing.
The Meathead Travis Kelce Swift has been very bad this season in his play. He has made two bone-headed mistakes in both losses this season. The Ravens offense has tallied up 111 points which is the most points by a losing team in the first three weeks of the season. I think Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense will look better than they had all season playing a bad Ravens defense. I don’t think Mahomes can match scores with the red hot Ravens offense. That Ravens D will make a play, probably something that involves Kelce that will seal the deal for Baltimore on the road.
OUR PICK: RAVENS
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (1-2) AT CHICAGO BEARS (1-2)
The Raiders suffered a beat down versus the Commanders last weekend losing big to Washington’s back up QB. The Raiders defense was the strength of the team until that point when they gave up over 40 points to Washington. The Bears offense looked amazing last weekend versus a bad Dallas Defense. The Bears defense rebounded after giving up 52 points to the Lions in week two by creating some turnover versus the Cowboys. Can Caleb Williams and that Ben Johnson offense repeat this week off this Raiders defense that was scorched? Williams finally was protected and was not sacked. I don’t like how Geno Smith has been playing so far in a Raiders uniform. He looked good in week 1 in the win over the Patriots in New England. I think the Bears defense can continue the trend and create a few turnovers off this Raiders offense. I hate jumping on the Bears bandwagon so quickly because they usually disappoint you. I think the Raiders are a team in the Bears wheelhouse. It’s a team where Ben Johnson’s offense being run by the Bears personnel will look good for another week at least.
OUR PICK: BEARS
GREEN BAY PACKERS (2-1) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (1-2)
This is when the Dallas Cowboys owner will have egg on his face in the return of Micah Parsons wearing a Packers uniform. The Packers suffered their first loss of the season to the Browns as their offense went dormant on their first road game of the year. The Cowboys suffered a loss to the Bears and lost one of their top play makers in that contest, Cee Dee Lamb. The Cowboys defense is a perfect recipe for the Packers offense to get back on track. Watch Parsons light up the Cowboys O-line and sack Dak Prescott at least once. He will make a big play in his return and a statement at the same time to Jones. I think Packers will win big on the road in this one.
OUR PICK: PACKERS
THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME
NEW YORK JETS (0-3) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (0-3)
Who’s going to win this toilet bowl match up? Justin Fields is expected back behind center for the Jets. Fields suffered a concussion in week 2 versus the Bills. The Jets play better with Fields over Tyrod Taylor. The Dolphins played their best game in Buffalo, but in the end lost by ten points. Both these teams have not been able to create one single turnover so far this season. The Jets need to establish the running game, which they can off this bad Dolphins defense. The Dolphins have feasted on bad teams the last few years. My gut feeling is Tua Tagovailoa will have his best game of the season. He seems like he is heating up and getting better each week. Watch him have a clean game. Dolphins would shock me more being 0-4 than the Jets being 0-4 with a new head coach trying to establish roots in his new gig. Dolphins win a close one.
OUR PICK: DOLPHINS
THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME
CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-1) AT DENVER BRONCOS (1-2)
Are you shocked more by Denver having a losing record at this point or the Bengals having a winning record this early? The Bengals fan base would give up the winning record at this point to have a losing record like they normally do at this point, but to have their star QB Joe Burrow behind center. Burrow is out which means Jake Browning will have to face the Broncos front seven who will be charging after the second string QB all game like the running of the bulls in Spain. Browning did not do well versus the Vikings defense last week as the Bengals were destroyed in all departments in their first loss of the year. Look for Bo Nix to heat up at the right moment for the Broncos versus a bad Bengals defense. I like the Broncos all night in this one.
We improved by one game from week 1 to week 2. Our best pick week 2 was riding the Colts over the Broncos. We went with the fins at home versus the Patriots that bit us on the rear.
SEASON RECORD: (23-9)
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL RECORD: (1-1)
SUNDAY NIGHT RECORD: (1-1)
THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL RECORD (2-0)
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS RECORD (0-1)
NFL WEEK 3 STRAIGHT PICK-EM
THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME
MIAMI DOLPHINS (0-2) AT BUFFALO BILLS (2-0)
The Bills beat up the Jets last week, running the ball and playing better defense. The Dolphins finally had a pulse as they fought back in a game at home versus the visiting Patriots. Tua Tagovailoa’s last drive resulted in a interception to give the Patriots their first victory of the year. The Dolphins are desperate for a victory and heading to Buffalo on a short week does not sound like a good idea. Tua has never won a game in Buffalo. He is 1-8 all-time versus the Bills. The Bills are very hard to beat at home. I don’t like the Dolphins chances. The Bills defense has always contained Tua’s air and water show. Josh Allen will use bad Dolphin defense to keep the Bills perfect after three weeks.
OUR PICK: BILLS
THE SUNDAY TILT
ATLANTA FALCONS (1-1) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-2)
The Falcons shocked the Vikings last week as their defense tallied 6 sacks versus Minnesota. The Panthers once again are off to a bad start but played better in week 2 than week 1. Bryce Young had his best game of his career in the 2024 finale versus these Falcons. He threw three touchdown passes and tallied 252 passing yards. The Falcons did not pressure him which I expect to change in this early season meeting. Young played better in week 2 for the Panthers. Michael Penix Jr. has been more of a game manager than elite passer. He is completing 63.5% of his passes and making no mistakes. The Falcons rely on their strong running game that features Bijan Robinson. The Panthers are allowing an average of 141 rushing yards per week. I like the Falcons to get off the bus running. Falcons played well in both games so far. Their defense made a statement versus the Vikings which should carry over on the road.
OUR PICK: FALCONS
GREEN BAY PACKERS (2-0) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (0-2)
The Packers first road game of the season will be heading to the DAWG POUND in Cleveland. Some experts are picking the Packers to march themselves all the way to the Superbowl, they have played so well in the first two games. The Packers running game has not done very well. Josh Jacobs is scoring rushing touchdowns but has averaged only 3.6 yards per carry. The strength of Cleveland is their rushing defense. They have only given up 92 rushing yards in the first two games. Jordan Love will have to beat the Browns with his arm. The Browns squeezed anything good they had out of Joe Flacco in the 2023 season. Flacco is 40 years of age and is playing like a 40 year old virgin.
Flacco already has racked up 3 interceptions in two games. Did I forget to mention the Packers have Micah Parsons who will have no problem chasing Joe down on the field as he is a statue back there? The Browns defense keeps this game close most of the way until the Packers blow open the doors of the Dawg pound late in the game.
OUR PICK: PACKERS
HOUSTON TEXANS (0-2) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS(1-1)
This is the game where two young QB’s have peaked early in their careers and right now are playing on a down slope. CJ Stroud has not got that running game that he’s been used to and has a bad offensive line. For Jacksonville they can run the ball very well and that gives Trevor Lawrence’s Jaguars a well balanced attack. The Jaguars should be 2-0 right now as they knocked Joe Burrow out of the game last Sunday. Then they picked off the Bengals second string QB, Jake Browning, three times and lost that game to Cincinnati. If Stroud finds time, he can exploit the Jaguars pass defense. He can also turn over the ball because the Jaguars are creating turnovers. The Texans have played in close games because of their defense. The offense has been held under 20 points in the first two games. Look for the Jaguars to run the ball down the Texans’ throat in this one. Lawrence will make a few good throws to put the Jaguars back in the win column. I think Stroud will continue to have issues with his O-Line.
OUR PICK: JAGUARS
CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-0) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1-1)
The original match up in this one quarterbacks-wise was going to be Joe Burrow vs rookie JJ McCarthy. Changes have been made due to injuries as two back up QBs are behind center. For the Bengals, Jake Browning is the guy that engineered a comeback win over the Jaguars last week despite throwing three picks. Everyone remembers Carson Wentz who has been collecting uniforms around the league since he was traded away by the Eagles. Can Browning get the ball to those big receivers while under duress by the Vikings blitzing defense? For Wentz, what does he have left in the tank? A QB that has only played two games in the last two seasons? The Bengals could right now be 0-2. I think the Bengals defense has played better than what people expected. The Vikings offensive mastermind QB whisperer and head coach in 2023, got two wins out of Joshua Dobbs at quarterback. He will insert Wentz into the Vikings system like a light bulb and watch him light it up. Wentz has plenty of weapons. He has a solid running game. Browning will continue to make mistakes and that will give Vikings a home win.
OUR PICK: VIKINGS
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1-1) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-1)
The Steelers steel curtain defense has turned into a shower curtain. In the first week, Justin Fields carved up the Steelers defense. In the second week, Sam Darnold did the same thing. In New England, the Patriots are responding to their new head coach Mike Vrabel. Drake Maye is making progress not regressing in his second year in the NFL. The Patriots knocked off the Dolphins for their first win of the year on the road. The Steelers were blown up by the Seahawks. This game could go either way. It should be a close game and decided in the last few minutes of the contest. I have to believe Mike Tomlin, head coach of the Steelers, will figure out what needs to be done for his defense to get better. Aaron Rodgers has not been horrible. I know this is not one of Rodgers’ revenge games. I think father time will out-duel the young Maye at the end of regulation. Not by much as Steelers win another road game.
OUR PICK: STEELERS
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (2-0) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (0-2)
We know the Colts are the first team of the Superbowl era not to punt the ball after the first two games of a season. The Titans offensive line has been a turnstyle for the defense opponents. Such a bad recipe – a bad offensive line and rookie quarterback. Sounds like a play out of the Chicago Bears book. Jonathan Taylor gashed the Titans defense for over 200 yards the last time these two teams met last year. the Titans defense played well week 1 and week 2 – gave up a ton of points to the Rams offense. Daniel Jones has played well for the Colts. They have the bionic leg in their kicker.
Spencer Shrader has been money from long distance including a game winner over the Broncos. I like the Colts to continue to roll like a well-oiled machine versus a bad team in their division.
OUR PICK: COLTS
NEW YORK JETS (0-2) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (2-0)
I did not know Tyrod Taylor is still in the NFL. This will be Taylor’s first start in the NFL since week 18 of the 2023 season. Justin Fields suffered a concussion last week versus the Bills, so now Taylor will get the nod. The Buccaneers have won two thrillers to start their season off undefeated. Baker Mayfield led two impressive drives each game at the end to help the Buccaneers prevail. Taylor is 28-28-1 as a starter in the NFL. He will make his first start with the Jets, a team he’s played for the last two seasons. In a Jets uniform he has only been called upon for mop up duty. Taylor is a dink and dunk kind of QB that can’t throw downfield consistently. This should be an easy challenge for the Buccaneers defense. The Buccaneers should be able to run the Jets defense out of the stadium as well. Baker will be Baker and keep the Buccaneers perfect for the season.
OUR PICK: BUCCANEERS
LA RAMS (2-0) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (2-0)
The Rams meeting up with the Eagles in week 3 is a rematch of the NFC Divisional game of last year’s post-season. As you know, that went the Eagles way. The Rams did make that game interesting at the end. The biggest question: Can the Rams stop Eagles running back Saquon Barkley? In two games versus the Rams last year, Barkley gashed LA in those games for 460 yards on the ground. That is not counting receiving yards. The Rams will bring their new weapon to this gun fight. Davante Adams had a big game last week for the Rams versus the Titans. Adams, one of the best receivers in the NFL, for most of his career was a former Packer, Raider, and Jet. It gives Matthew Stafford two big targets in the Rams aerial game that are hard to defend. The Eagles offense early on has been rolling. This game and Monday night’s game will be the top two games of the week at least on paper right now. I like the Rams flipping the script here on the Eagles. Sean McVay is one of the best young minds in the game. He will have a better plot this go around to finally beat a team that has been a thorn in his side the last few meetings. This game will live up to the hype as the Rams get an impressive road win while containing Barkley in a close game. Won at the end as LA escapes Philadelphia and gets their revenge. Best served cold with a Philly Steak sandwich.
OUR PICK: RAMS
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (1-1) AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (1-1)
The Commanders will be without their starting quarterback this Sunday as they lose Jayden Daniels to a knee sprain. Next man up for Washington is veteran QB Marcus Mariota who last started a game back in 2022 when he wore a Falcons uniform. In 13 starts he went 5-8 for the dirty birds that season. The Raiders offense was not very good on Monday night versus the Chargers. Geno Smith threw three picks. The Commanders did not play well in Green Bay. The Raiders defense has played solidly in their first two games. Mariota is capable of coming in and righting the ship. I think Smith can rebound and make some nice deep passes off the Commanders defense . Jordan Love exploited the Commanders secondary. This will be a close game. It would not surprise me to see Pete Carol turn this Raiders team around after a bad loss. I think that Raiders defense will be the difference in this one.
OUR PICK: RAIDERS
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (0-2) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (1-1)
Spencer Rattler is still looking for his first win as a starting QB and first victory for New Orleans. Rattlers is now 0-8 as a starter. The Seahawks were road warriors on the road last week & blew the doors off the Steelers. Sam Darnold got his first victory in a Seattle uniform. The Saints have been in both games they have played so far. Going to Seattle is a hard place to win. The Seahawks defense has played well as one of the better units in the league. Rattler played his best game as a starter last week where he did throw three touchdown passes. Darnold is getting in rhythm with the Seahawks’ best receiver, Jaxon Smith-Njigba who will be seeking his third straight 100 plus yard receiving game to open the season up with. If he can do it, that would be a new franchise record for Seahawks. I don’t see Rattler being able to pull off a victory in Seattle. The Seahawks defense will force Rattler into a few mistakes that Darnold will capitalize on.
OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS
DENVER BRONCOS (1-1) AT LA CHARGERS (2-0)
Can the Chargers win their third division game to start the season? In Brazil week one, they down the Chiefs. In week two, their defense snuffed out the Raiders on Monday night. Could it be the Broncos turn? The Broncos will be going on the road for their second straight week. They lost to the Colts in Indianapolis. A game they could have won getting a penalty on a missed kick by the Colts at the end of the game. The penalty made the re-kick easier and the Colts kicker nailed it for the win. The Chargers did sweep the Broncos last season winning both games. The Broncos defense coming into the season was supposed to be lights out. Daniel Jones threw for over 300 yards on them last week. The Chargers will be without one of their star edge rushers, Khalil Mack, who will miss time with an elbow injury. Bo Nix has not done well against zone coverage, he has three interceptions. Is he regressing his second season? The Chargers defense has played well. Justin Herbert has completed 72.1% of his passes, no interceptions, and 5 touchdown passes. Should be a well fought battle between these two teams. I give the Chargers the edge here in this one.
OUR PICK: CHARGERS
DALLAS COWBOYS (1-1) AT CHICAGO BEARS (0-2)
The return of Bears X head coach Matt Eberflus to Chicago. Eberflus is now the D-coordinator of the Cowboys and he knows Caleb Williams’ weaknesses. The Bears new head coach is supposed to be the QB whisperer and offensive genius. Ben Johnson’s offense has not played the part of what Bears fans were expecting. The Cowboys defense was torched by Russell Wilson last week. Yes, he’s still in the league with the Giants. The Bears defense were sliced and diced by Johnson’s old team, the Lions, as they gave up 52 points. The Cowboys offense has been better than the Bears with all the weapons Dak Prescott has & will be a challenge to the Bear defense. Can Caleb Williams have a big day versus a suspect defense that the Cowboys come in with? Should be a shootout. Watch this one become a defensive struggle. You know Johnson is gathering all the inside information on Eberflus’ defensive schemes. Eberflus was a bad head coach in general. The Bears defense played better with Eberflus than Dennis Allen, now the Bears D-coordinator. I don’t trust the Bears. I can see Prescott winning a shoot out over second year QB Williams. I don’t like the Bears offensive line. They still are dealing with the same problems they had last year. Only difference they are paying Johnson a lot more money than Eberflus as head coach.
OUR PICK: COWBOYS
ARIZONA CARDINALS (2-0) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (2-0)
The Cardinals are 2-0 despite being out-gained in both games this season. The 49ers will go with Mac Jones former Patriot again at quarterback for the injured Brock Purdy. Kyler Murray lifetime is 4-4 as a starter against the 49ers. The big problem always with the 49ers is they can not contain Murray and keep him in the pocket. Kyle Shanahan works his magic again as one of the best quarterback whisperer in the NFL.
Jones in his first start ever for the 49ers completed 66.7% of his passes and threw for 3 touchdown passes. The Cardinals offense have not been very good. It’s their defense that has carried this team on their shoulders. I like this game being close. In the end Jones pulls out another victory for the 49ers filling in for Purdy.
OUR PICK: 49ERS
THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (0-2) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (0-2)
Dating back from last season from the Superbowl, Patrick Mahomes for the first time in the pros has lost three straight games. You have to go back to Mahomes’ college days playing for Texas Tech when he lost three straight games. The Giants found some offense last week as Russell Wilson had a monster day on the Cowboys offense. The Chiefs defense is a different animal. The Giants still lost the game and their defense gave up 40 points. The Chiefs start the season 0-2 losing to two playoff teams from last year, the Chargers and Eagles. I can’t see the Chiefs losing to the Giants. This is a game where the Chiefs put everything together and it will once again look like a well-oiled machine. Look for Mahomes to have a big night as he is licking his chops playing the Giants defense. Even Kelce Swift will rebound from having two bad games making two bone headed mistakes. The Meathead will thrive in the Big Apple.
OUR PICK: CHIEFS
THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME
DETROIT LIONS (1-1) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (1-1)
Both the Ravens and Lions feasted on division meat to notch their first wins of the year. The Ravens ate dog meat of the Cleveland Browns putting up 41 points on them. The Lions ate well eating the Bears and rattling off 52 points. This should be an epic Monday Night battle between these two teams. Last time these two teams met in Baltimore, the Ravens destroyed the Lions 38-3 in 2023. I think this game has shoot out all over it. Both defenses will be scored upon. One defense will make the one stand that will be needed to win this game. I can see the ending coming, whoever has the ball last wins. I don’t see either team putting up 40-50 points. I can see the game being in the high 30’s. The stat line I have to go by is Lamar Jackson’s sick record versus the NFC Conference. He is 24-2 all-time versus the NFC. Plus, I have to go with home team on this one. I like Ravens even though I’d rather see the Lions win this one. Hope I’m wrong on this pick.
Carson Wentz has not been the same quarterback since he sustained an injury in the 2017 season in the NFL. In 2017 Wentz went 11-2 as the starter for the team that drafted him in 2016, the Philadelphia Eagles. Wentz was a first round pick 2nd overall from North Dakota State and was supposed to have been the franchise quarterback for the Eagles for the next decade. In week 14 of that 2017 season, Wentz tore his ACL & LCL in his left knee which ended his season versus the Rams. Veteran QB Nick Foles came in like a closer in baseball and guided the Eagles the rest of the way that included winning the NFC Championship and beating the Patriots in the Superbowl. Wentz would last three more seasons in Philadelphia after his second season in 2017. In 2020, Wentz’s last year, the writing was on the wall when the team selected another quarterback, Jalen Hurts, in the draft in the second round. Five years in Philadelphia and ever since then he has bounced around the league. Now he gets the call once again as Wentz will get the starting job for the Vikings because of the injury to JJ McCarthy. Can Wentz use this opportunity and capitalize on it to be once again a starting QB in the NFL?
The Vikings drafted JJ McCathy in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft 10th overall from University of Michigan. McCarthy in his first ever pre-season in the NFL, suffered a season ending injury. The starting job went to veteran Sam Darnold who once was a number one draft pick by the Jets back in the 2018 draft. Darnold was a bust for the Jets. After leaving the Big Apple, Darnold was bouncing around the league until he got his opportunity with the Vikings. Last season Darnold had a career year behind center for the Vikings. He started all 17 games for the Vikings. His record as a starter was 14-3. The Vikings were a wild card team that almost could have had the number 1 seed in week 17 in a game versus the Lions which they suffered a loss in that one. Darnold completed 66.2% of his passes last year. He threw 35 touchdown passes to only 12 interceptions. In 2023 Darnold started one game with the 49ers. In 2021 & ’22 he played in Carolina. He had a winning record in ’22 as starter as he went 4-2. He was not throwing a ton of TD passes across the field. In his last season with the Jets, he went 2-10 during the pandemic of 2020. His year with the Vikings paid dividends for his football career as he has inked a big contract with the Seattle Seahawks, which he is 1-1 as the starter there this season in two games. As a starter he still was three games under the .500 mark with 36-39 record in his career. If you take away last year’s record of 14-3, the word BUST best describes his career. Darnold has a career 100 touchdown passes to 70 interceptions. If you take away last year’s 35 touchdown passes he threw, the back of his football card would say he should be a third string quarterback just looking at the numbers
The Minnesota Vikings during the 1990’s were always great at inserting veteran quarterbacks into their system. Some of these guys were on their last legs and playing for the Vikings brought back their glory days from their original teams. In 1993 Jim McMahon, had been known for helping the Chicago Bears win their only Superbowl in 1985. McMahon played for the Vikings late in his career for one season and started 12 games. He most likely was filling in for the injured starter. He went 8-4 as a starter as he completed 60.4% of his passes that season. He threw 9 touchdown passes to only 8 interceptions. The punky QB had that gunslinger mentality. As a starter he found ways to win games as it was not very pretty at times but he got the job done.
Jeff George had all the talent in the world to be a Hall of Fame quarterback. He was a bust for the Indianapolis Colts who drafted him number 1 overall in the 1990 NFL draft. Then 9 seasons later from being drafted, George suited up with his 4th franchise by the time 1999 came around. In ten starts he went 8-2 as a starter for the Vikings. He threw 23 touchdown passes compared to 12 interceptions. One of his best years in the NFL. George did not have many good years even though he had the tools for the job.
Randall Cunningham, long time Eagles quarterback, was reborn again in Minnesota. Cunningham actually retired for 1 season before signing with the Vikings. In his second season with the Vikings in 1998, he took over the starting gig and started 14 games. He went 13-1 in 1998 and threw 34 touchdown passes to only ten interceptions. Those 34 touchdown passes was a career high for Cunningham. His best before that was 30 touchdown passes he threw back in 1990 when he was still wearing a Eagles uniform. The Vikings had different offensive systems and different head coaches from back then to present day. The Vikings always had a system where you can insert here, like a quarterback was a light bulb. It was an easy fix.
JJ McCarthy suffered a high ankle sprain last week and will only be out 2-4 weeks. The Vikings are 1-1 with McCarthy behind center so far this season. For Carson Wentz who has been sitting on the couch most of last year, it was a late signing for the Chiefs. He did get one start for the Chiefs last year when they rested all their starters in the last game of the year. In 2023 Wentz was a Ram, he made 1 start in LA and won that game. In 2022 he played for the Washington Football team and he started 7 games and went 2-5 as the starter. In 2021 the Eagles traded Wentz to the Colts. Wentz went 9-8 as the starter. He had a solid year throwing 27 touchdown passes to only 7 interceptions. In the final game of regular season, the Colts needed to beat a bad Jaguars team to make it into the post-season. Wentz had his worst game of the season in that one. He was sacked six times. He threw an interception and lost a critical fumble. The Steelers won their final game and the Colts did not make it to the playoffs. That single game ended Wentz’s career with the Colts.
The Vikings have one of the best receivers in the game of football, Justin Jefferson. The Vikings brought back one of their best slot receivers in veteran Adam Thielan in trade with the Panthers. On the other side of Jefferson, they have Jordan Addison who is a very talented wide receiver. They have one of the best tight ends in the league with TJ Hockenson. They lost one of their veteran running backs, Aaron Jones Sr., to an injury. However Jordan Mason is a solid back. This offense has plenty of weapons and any quarterback that runs it does not have to do all the heavy lifting. The Vikings have a solid defense to help their quarterback when they make mistakes, so they can stop the bleeding. This is not the worst offense Wentz has had in his career. It may be one of the best offenses Wentz has had in his career. Can the Vikings get the version of Wentz from 2017? Wentz has played in 98 NFL games and started 94 games. He does have a winning record as a starter. His record is 47-46-1. He lifetime stats he has thrown for 22,410 passing yards. He has 153 touchdown passes to 67 interceptions. He has completed 62.7% of his passes. The Vikings hope he can steer the ship a few games & maybe go .500 until they get JJ McCarthy healthy. What if Wentz does what Sam Darnold did last season and light up the competition? They may want to keep him behind center as the starter a little longer. Kevin O’Connell is a real good coach and is the offensive mastermind for the Vikings. He has another talent and that is a QB Whisperer. I can see O’Connell getting the best out of a 32 year old veteran who has seen much action in the last two seasons. This opportunity could help Wentz become a starter next season, probably for another team. It could also lead to a contract extension to stay in Minnesota. If he rights the ship right now and mentors McCarthy when he returns from his injury, this could be a nice quarterback room beyond this season. If Wentz lays an egg on this opportunity, he will be looking for work next season from his couch at home waiting for injuries to occur. The Viking way has worked to perfection. You watch as they will insert Wentz into his center like a light bulb. Then watch him suddenly have new life, lead the Vikings to a few victories, and perhaps beyond depending on McCarthy’s time table when he returns exactly.
Ben Johnson was the hottest coaching commodity out there last year in the NFL and the Bears somehow convinced the offensive mastermind to come to Chicago. This signing was supposed to get rid of the stench of all the other coaches and General Managers that walked through Halas Hall spreading manure thinking they would be the guys to get this Bears team back to the promised land. The Bears opened up their piggy bank and are betting the farm on Johnson, paying him one of the highest salaries in the league. This is the Bears – they like to thumb through the penny saver to get their guy in the handyman section with a coupon attached. The first game of the Ben Johnson era opened up on Monday night football versus the Vikings. It was a game it seemed the Bears dominated most of. In the end the Vikings made a comeback with a rookie quarterback to stun the Bears at home. Then yesterday Johnson, playing his former team in Detroit, and the Bears would be battle tested early and find out what they are made of with a measuring stick versus the Lions. The Lions annihilated the Bears 52-21. The Johnson era is starting off 0-2 and they are already 0-2 in the division. The Bears roster is supposed to be competitive. This hire was to help this fan base forget about the turds of the past like Matt Nagy and Matt Eberflus. Now Johnson may be added to this list of misfits.
Ford Field seems to be turning into the house of horrors for the Chicago Bears in the last two seasons. Last year when the visiting Bears were in Detroit, it was an embarrassment for the franchise. It was the game that eventually got the front office to fire Matt Eberflus because he thought the time outs at the end of the game roll over to the next contest. Untrue as the Bears try to run a play and ran out of time as a time out could have kept the drive going for a few more plays. Instead the Bears walk away from Detroit as the jive turkeys while Detroit hung another loss on them which was a close game actually. The Bears may have been able to tie that game if a time out was called as they were by mid-field. The final in that one was 23-20 Lions. A field goal could have sent that one to overtime. Yesterday the Bears defense brought back memories of Marc Trestman, another turd head coach that let the defense fall into shambles during his era. The hair combover head coach, Trestman, lasted two seasons in 2013 & ’14 for the Bears. Back then as a fan base, we saw week after week opposing teams hanging 40 to 50 points.
You could say the turd from last year had the Bears playing solid defense. This season I thought the Bears made a good hire bringing in the former head coach of the Saints to be the defensive coordinator. Allen had two stints as a head coach as his first was with the Raiders. He became a head coach because of what he could do with a defense. In week one versus the Vikings, who started rookie JJ McCarthy, the Bears were playing three quarters of solid defense. In the 4th, McCarthy suddenly knocked off the rust and got in a groove to lead his Vikings to a comeback win. You would think that Ben Johnson would give Allen some insight into his old players in Detroit. The Lions in week one played like kittens as the Packers had their way with them and they gave Detroit a beat down. The Lions offense quickly roared back and the Bears looked like the junior varsity team. Why do the Bears still have Tyrique Stevenson on this roster? This is the turd that taunted Washington fans last year in DC. He was late to the party in the last play of the game. Jayden Daniels converted a winning Hail Mary pass to beat the Bears. The guy who caught the ball for the Commanders was the guy Stevenson was supposed to be covering. When the Bears lost their best corner back, Jaylon Johnson, to an injury yesterday, the Lions all-pro receiver had a big day on Stevenson’s expense. Stevenson could not cover Amon-Ra St.Brown who scored three touchdowns and had 9 catches for 115 yards. Jared Goff lit up the Bears secondary with play action passes. Isn’t that what the Lions also did under Ben Johnson the last few years?
Is Caleb Williams getting better as a quarterback? This is why Ben Johnson is here. I see the same things that happened last year. The offensive line has been revamped with veterans in the off-season. The Bears O-line looks like a turnstyle at Great America Amusement Park where everyone has a good time in our back field except us. Williams is running for his life back there like last year when he almost set a record for taking the most sacks as a rookie quarterback. The Bears drafted a tight end, Colston Loveland, in the first round and have not utilized him in their offense yet. Loveland is a tight end that can run routes like a receiver and has big play capabilities. Johnson’s play calling has been baffling so far. The Bears tried a QB sneak on 3rd and 1 and did not get it. Then Johnson ran it again on 4th down and the Bears did not get it. Lovie Smith could have done that. I think he invented that kind of stupid. My eyes see the Bears are having problems grasping some of the offense that have resulted in multiple penalties. The team looks unprepared. Once, wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad said that Chicago is where receivers come to die. The Bears still have not had a franchise quarterback since Sid Luckman back in the 1940’s. Williams still has not impressed me yet so far. I know after only two weeks, teams have time to right the ship. These are the Bears we are talking about. They have been looking for a solid head coach since the day they fired Lovie. He was not the best coach. He sure looks like the best coach this team has had in a very long time. Maybe the Bears is where head coaches come to die as well. Next week the Bears play the Cowboys. A bad Russell Wilson threw three touchdowns passes against the Cowboys and lit up their secondary with 450 passing yards. Guess who is the defensive coordinator for the Boys? Yes Bears X head coach, Matt Eberflus. If his defense suddenly stops Johnson’s Bears offense, then we should be looking to replace another yahoo at Halas Hall. I still think the season has concluded and should look when the Bulls and Blackhawks start their seasons.
In week one we come away with a winning record. We drank the Kool-aid picking the Bears. The Panthers pick bites us on the rear. Suddenly Joe Cool can win a game in week 1. We did pick Colts to beat the Dolphins as perhaps the best pick of the week. We wish we jumped on the Chargers bandwagon beating the Chiefs. In week two, there’s plenty of solid match-ups. We may look better or implode, but our goal is the same – win the weekly football pool. Let’s roll out week two’s clunkers.
NFL WEEK 2 STRAIGHT PICK-EM
THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (1-0) AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (1-0)
Can we be impressed with the Green Bay Packers in week 1 on what they did to the Lions? The Commanders beat the Giants, a team they should beat, and almost every NFL team in the league should. The Lions either self-destructed and made Jordan Love look like a young Aaron Rodgers, or a Brett Farve.
The new big cheese in dairyland, Micah Parsons, has elevated Green Bay’s young defense as they are playing on another level. The visiting Commanders have Jayden Daniels who is a new kind of beast in the NFL, a guy that can do it all behind center. As a rookie he had ice in his veins when the game was on the line. In week 1 the Commanders mostly unloaded their running game against the G-Men. The Packers held the Lions rushing attack to 50 yards. I would like to think the Lions just self-imploded and made the Packers look that good in week 1. I think the home team has the advantage this week. The Packers have settled in at home playing their second straight game there. It’s a short week which is bad for any visiting team. The last time Washington beat Green Bay in Wisconsin, you have to go back to 1988. It was not even at Lambeau Field as the Packers played a few games back then in Milwaukee. Love is hot right now and Daniels is still finding his groove. The big cheese is very familiar with Washington playing most of his career with the Cowboys. Parsons can chase down Daniels.
OUR PICK: PACKERS
THE SUNDAY TILT
CLEVELAND BROWNS (0-1) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (0-1)
The Browns and Ravens are both coming off tough losses in week 1. The Browns defense held the Bengals to 141 total yards of offense in week 1. The Ravens thought they had their game in the bag but saw a 15 point lead vanish in the last 4 minutes on Sunday night to the Bills. Since 2008, the Ravens have lost 17 games when they were leading by double digit points in the second half. Which has been the most in the NFL. Can Joe Flacco beat his former team in Baltimore? He has only faced his old team once with the Jets in 2022 and lost that one. The Bengals defense coming in were not supposed to be anything good and held the Browns to 16 points. I can’t see the Browns putting up 40 points on this Ravens defense who will be looking to perform better than they did in week 1. First thoughts of this game, you think walk in the park for Baltimore. Since 2022 the Browns and Ravens have split the series 3-3 in six match ups. The Browns went 3-14 last year of which 1 win came from the Ravens. I think Baltimore pulls out a victory at home in a close one.
OUR PICK: RAVENS
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-0) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (1-0)
The Jaguars traded up to get two-way player Travis Hunter in last April’s draft. The former Heisman trophy winner plays wide receiver and corner back. The Jags won their first game of the season last week as Hunter played 44 plays on offense & caught 6 balls for 33 yards. He played only six plays on defense and registered a solo tackle. The Bengals did not dig themselves an early season hole as they won their first game of the year which is not Cincinnati-like. Joe Burrow was held to 113 passing yards. Burrow is not a duel threat quarterback so the Bengals offense were hurtful to fantasy owners throughout the world. Trevor Lawrence was back behind center & was held to under 200 yards passing but did not make any mistakes versus the Panthers. Jaguars are under new management with Liam Coen as a new head coach who wants to clean up his surfboard dude quarterback. The Bengals shockingly played solidly versus the Browns. I can see them hanging tough versus this Jaguars team. I can see Burrow coming out on the Bengals home opener firing on all cylinders. Hunter may razzle us with one or two plays, but not enough to take down the Bengals on the road.
OUR PICK: BENGALS
NEW YORK GIANTS (0-1) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (0-1)
The Cowboys offense was firing on all cylinders in the first half of the NFL opener versus the Eagles. In the second half, the defenses took over for both the Cowboys and Eagles in that opener as either team could stop each other in the first half. The Giants offense needs a major face lift. New York is thinking they can resurrect the career of their new starting quarterback Russell Wilson, but they are mistaken. Giants were held under ten points versus the Commanders and Wilson completed 45.9%. Wilson did OK last year in Pittsburgh, but he is far and away from the guy in Seattle. Dak Prescott has a trio of weapons he can throw the football to as that Cowboy offense could be legit if George Pickens can get his head out of his rear. The Cowboys defense is a work in progress but only gave up 3 points in the second half versus the Eagles after they had their way with them in the first. The Cowboys are the better team and should notch their first victory in front of the home crowd this weekend.
OUR PICK: COWBOYS
CHICAGO BEARS (0-1) AT DETROIT LIONS (0-1)
Last week most people were drinking the Chicago Bears Kool-aid picking them over the Vikings. Bears ended up getting beaten by a rookie QB making his debut. In typical Chicago fashion, the Vikings QB JJ McCarthy is a local kid who grew up a Bears fan. What happened to the Lions last week? Either Green Bay is superior to everyone in the league or they self imploded. The Lions offense looked like they missed Ben Johnson, their former 0-Coodinator who now is the head coach of the Bears. Johnson was supposed to upgrade Caleb Williams and the Bears offensive line coming to Chicago. I’ve seen no signs. I have to go with Lions, a playoff team the last two years rebounding quickly in week two over a Bears team that has a history of blowing up as soon as the first quarter starts in game one of the regular season. The Bears I give credit to, as they won the pre-season. They beat the Chiefs and the Bills. They were going to the post-season. The Vikings comeback pulls the rug from under the Bears fans.
OUR PICK: LIONS
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (0-1) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (0-1)
I really don’t think Dolphins fans are trying to save their head coach’s job. The Dolphins looked like fins out of the water in week 1 versus the Colts. In New England the Patriots began the Mike Vrabel-era part two of the Death Star and that ended up in a loss to the visiting Raiders. The Patriots lost a close game unlike the Dolphins. That does not really mean anything as teams all the time play a horrific bad week and rebound in week 2.
The Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniels better pray and hope his squad does that in their home opener because his tush is getting red hot right now. Many think he will be the first one fired this season. I think Patriots will bring it all. Miami is a tough place to play for visiting teams with the heat. Look for Tua Tagovailoa to redeem himself after a very rough game in week one as Dolphins Save Ferris at least for one more game.
OUR PICK: DOLPHINS
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (1-0) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (0-1)
Something you will never see again – a Big Mac for 0.99 cents. That’s probably what it cost the 49ers in the off-season to sign the former Patriots & Jags quarterback this off season. Brock Purdy is out with an injury and now it’s Mac tonight with Mac Jones getting the start. The Saints played better than I thought versus the Cardinals last week. Spencer Rattler is now 0-7 as the starting QB for the Saints. The 49ers injury list grew with George Kittle who is also out in this one. Injuries killed the 49ers last week. I think the 49ers still have plenty of talent to overcame the Saints for their second straight home game. Watch Mac Jones flourish in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense. Jones has had his ups and downs in the NFL. Mostly downs. My Spidey senses tell me he will have a good day and is still not sold on Rattler yet. Even though he may have the coolest last name over any other QB in the league.
OUR PICK: 49ERS
BUFFALO BILLS (1-0) AT NEW YORK JETS (0-1)
Last year the Bills swept the Jets. In Met Life Stadium where the Jets play their home games, Josh Allen is not your typical Josh Allen. The Bills won there last year 23-20. Then at home Bills beat up on the Jets 40-14. The Jets now have a new field manager in Justin Fields and new head coach in Aaron Glenn, former Lions D-Coordinator. The Jets were involved in an offensive shoot out with the Steelers as Pittsburgh prevailed at the end. The Bills stampeded back versus the Ravens down by 15 with 4 minutes remaining to win that game. I think both defenses will be much better in week two. Fields played well last week in his Jets debut. Once again in close games he fails to deliver in crunch time. I bet the farm Allen would deliver a W in a close game over Fields. I think the Bills defense who had egg on their face from being burned by Derrick Henry, responds in this one to help their quarterback at Met Life prevail.
OUR PICK: BILLS
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (0-1) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1-0)
The Pittsburgh Steelers are taking turns with their revenge tours. In week 1 Aaron Rodgers got his revenge against the NY Jets. Now it’s wide receiver DK Metcalf’s turn as he faces his old team, the Seahawks. It was Seattle who traded Metcalf to Pittsburgh during the off-season. The Seahawks also traded away their starting QB from last year, Geno Smith. Then signed Sam Darnold who had a career year in Minnesota last year. Darnold was nothing special in week 1 in his debut as he tallied up 150 passing yards with no touchdown passes & no interceptions in a loss to the 49ers at home. He did have a costly fumble in the game. The offense was dormant as the Seattle defense kept them in the game. The Steelers offense was humming as their defense was more of a shower curtain than a Steel one. How will all this unfold? This is a long flight for Seattle. I question the Seahawks offensive line at this time. Rodgers is out to prove his critics wrong. Metalf will help his QB cause and his own. The Steelers defense also have a rebound in their home debut.
OUR PICK: STEELERS
LA RAMS (1-0) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (0-1)
Cam Ward was thrown into the wolves den making his NFL debut versus the Broncos defense. Mr. Number 1 overall completed 12-28 passes for 112 passing yards for the Titans. He was sacked 6 times and lost a fumble. It was the Titans defense that kept the game close. For the Rams they were in a close one with the Texans. Everyone was waiting for the Rams to unleash their exotic aerial attack with their new toy wide receiver Davante Adams who signed with LA in the off-season. Pairing Adams up with Puka Nacua with the Rams running game this offense should be able to put a ton of points up on most of the competition. I think the Rams will score enough points off the Titans to win this game. I think the Rams defense will disrupt Ward’s growth as a quarterback making him have another bad day at the office. The Titans offense had too many penalties as a whole and dropped too many balls. It’s a work in progress for rookies. They will take their lumps in losses most of the time before they take those solid steps forward.
OUR PICK: RAMS
ARIZONA CARDINALS (1-0) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-1)
I don’t know what I was thinking picking the Panthers in week 1 over the Jaguars. I also thought the Cardinals would have scored more points off a bad Saints team in week one. Bryce Young is now back to back to his old ways as a QB after doing well in the second half of the season. The Cardinals will be on their second consecutive road game to start the season. Kyler Murray was sacked 5 times in the opener. He had two touchdown passes & no interceptions. Before I pick Young and the Panthers again like some kind of fool, I have to see improvement with my own eyes. I like the Cardinals defense in this one. They should do enough to keep the Panthers from breaking out on the scoreboard. Look for James Conner to have a big game versus the Panthers defense. I like Murray to have a bigger day than he had in week 1 as well. Look for better protection in week 2 for their QB by the Cardinals.
OUR PICK: CARDINALS
DENVER BRONCOS (1-0) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (1-0)
The Colts have had talent on the offensive side of the ball the last few seasons. They just needed a QB. Two seasons ago Gardner Minshew almost had the Colts in the post-season. Last week Daniel Jones was throwing dimes out there on the field as Colts scored 33 points and beat up on the Dolphins. For Denver the Broncos won a ugly game against the Titans who would not go away. Bo Nix was not the Bo Nix from last season. Jones went 22-29 for 272 passing yards and three touchdown passes. Now he faces Denver which is a different animal on defense than the Dolphins. I’m going to roll with the Colts being at home. Their defense has improved. The Broncos should be back in the post-season this season. They are a solid team. They look like they are still knocking the rust off. I think Jones can do enough to win this game. His mind set is light years ahead from his playing days in the Big Apple. The Colts offense also has a solid running game with Jonathan Taylor which will help Jones avoid the dumb mistakes like he did when he wore a Giants uniform.
OUR PICK: COLTS
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (1-0) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (0-1)
Can you imagine the Kansas City Chiefs starting out the season 0-2? The Chiefs took a loss in Brazil by Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers as Justin Herbert did his own version of the Patrick Mahomes Houdini act using his legs to make big plays happen. The Eagles raised their Superbowl banner at home in the NFL opener by beating the Cowboys.
REVENGE WEEK
The Eagles as you remember gave the Chiefs a beat down in the Superbowl. A few years before that Patrick Mahomes guided the Chiefs to a comeback victory over the Eagles in that Superbowl win. Here we go again with part three of the Eagles/Chiefs but this time meeting up in regular season. I want to pick Eagles in this one. Watching the Eagles last week they are missing too many guys from that Superbowl defense that stomped out the Swifties. The Chiefs at home. I can’t see them going 0-2 to start the season either. I have to go Chiefs. I hope this pick will be wrong.
OUR PICK: CHIEFS
THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME
ATLANTA FALCONS (0-1) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1-0)
The Vikings made a 4th quarter comeback versus the Bears to win their first game of the year on the road. It was JJ McCarthy’s NFL debut and it did not look pretty until late in the game. The Falcons had some kicking issues in a loss versus their archrival Buccaneers. Michael Penix Jr. from the Falcons played well as he was picked in the same draft and round as McCarthy and made his debut late in the season for Atlanta. Both Atlanta and Minnesota seem like every game they play is too close for comfort if you are a fan of any of these teams. Last year the Vikings stomped down on the Falcons in an old-fashioned beat down. The two QB’s at the time was Sam Darnold versus Kirk Cousins. I think McCarthy has confidence after his 4th quarter versus the Bears. I think he will now be like Darnold and enjoy all the weapons he has. The Falcons have a great running game, but the Vikings are very good at stopping the run. If Falcons win it will be all about how Penix plays. That Viking defense will come after Penix with all those fancy blitz packages that were orchestrated by Brian Flores. You do not know who is coming and where they are coming. Vikings in another close one.
OUR PICK: VIKINGS
THE MONDAY NIGHT DOUBLE HEADER
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (1-0) AT HOUSTON TEXANS (0-1)
If the NFL had only two divisions and they were both from the south in each conference, this game may be the Superbowl. The Buccaneers fought tooth and nail versus their arch-rival the Falcons and won the game. It was a Baker Mayfield drive to seal the deal and a missed kick. Houston battled the Rams and came out on the losing side of that one. Houston failed to score a touchdown off the Rams defense. The Texans have the home field advantage. How will the Texans offensive line do against a blitzing style Buccaneers pass rush. The Texans offensive line is not very good. CJ Stroud continues to struggle after his amazing rookie season where he looked like he was getting a ticket to Canton. Give me Baker Mayfield and that offense which was moving the ball last week, not like the lame duck of the Texans O.
OUR PICK: BUCCANEERS
LA CHARGERS (1-0) AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (1-0)
With the Chiefs and Broncos losing in week 1, it makes the Raiders and Chargers tied for first in the AFC West. How about those apples? Geno Smith is the new QB for the Raiders. With Pete Carol, his old coach, Smith passed for 362 yards in his first ever game as a Raider. He had 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Justin Herbert beat the Chiefs in Brazil in their first game of the season. Herbert is 3-7 all-time versus the Chiefs. Herbert is 6-3 all-time versus the black and silver. Herbert vs Smith only happened once when Geno played for the Seahawks. Smith won that game. Both starters have a similar record as a starter. Smith is 41-43 as a starter all-time in the NFL. Smith is older than Herbert. Herbert’s record is 42-38 as a starter. This game will be a shoot out. I like the Chargers winning a close one here. The way Herbert played against the Chiefs was something that sticks in the back of my mind. How he scrambled around in the pocket making some nice throws on the run and using his feet for yards. I think Chargers ruin the Raiders opener.
The Baltimore Ravens deserve what happened to them on Sunday night football by the Buffalo Bills. Once again the Ravens blow a 4th quarter lead because they think they have the game all wrapped up in a pretty bow. Zay Flowers was waving to the Bills Mafia. The announcers were saying he was saying hello because he did not play in the playoff loss versus the Bills last season when the Ravens were eliminated, due to injury. He was on his high horse showboating to the home team fans that this game was done and the Bills’ goose was cooked. He was waving like he won the Miss America pageant. Then after DeAndre Hopkins’ one hand grab touchdown, they proceeded to celebrate within reach of the visiting fans. Once again showboating as the Hopkins touchdown should have put the game on ice. Then Hopkins gets swatted in the helmet by a young Bills fan. Then the fan may have touched Lamar Jackson’s helmet as he came over to celebrate with his wide receiver after the amazing catch. Jackson then pushed the fan back into his seat forcefully. It’s not a very good look seeing your MVP quarterback shoving a fan.
Lamar Jackson is one of the best quarterbacks in the league. He’s a duel threat quarterback that can do damage throwing the football or running with it. In Sunday night’s game, he completed 14-19 passes for 209 passing yards with two touchdown passes. He took off 6 times for 70 yards and had one rushing touchdown. He is 70-25 as a starting quarterback. He has thrown 168 touchdown passes compared to only 49 interceptions. The Ravens are a good team every year and they are one of those teams with good odds to win the Superbowl. Jackson has won the MVP twice. In post-season, he is 3-5 all-time. The Ravens have had home field advantage throughout the post-season with Jackson. Once in 2019, as they were upset in the divisional round by the Tennessee Titans. Then in 2023 the visiting Buffalo Bills ended their playoff run in the divisional round. In 2024 they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship. Since 2022, the Ravens have lost six regular season games when they had a 4th quarter lead of 9 points or more. Six games. The last time the Ravens won the Superbowl was back in 2013. They have won two Superbowls, the first coming back in 2001. Back then they had Ray Lewis who was a leader for those two teams that won it all. Lewis was so determined he got away with two murders in Atlanta as a fan at a Superbowl. Or was it, did he try to help his posse by covering it up? You can believe either story. Lewis was dirty however he did the dirty job until the job was completed, unlike Jackson.
Why does Lamar Jackson let a guy like Zay Flowers do his own antics on the field? If you are a Ravens fan, do you remember when the antics of Flowers lost you the AFC Championship versus the Chiefs in 2024? Flowers was called for a very costly taunting penalty. Then he fumbled the football into the red zone by the goal line which became a touch back for the Chiefs instead of score for the Ravens. After the fumble he cut his hand slamming it on the bench. This does not bother Jackson sitting on the bench with his posse wearing a hooded shirt under his helmet on a fall night of 60 degrees. He plays home games in Baltimore and his record in cold games is dismal. You should shift the blame to the head coach John Harbaugh. He has a pair of Superbowl rings but has not brought the gauntlet down on the dirty Ravens. On Sunday, mistake after mistake in the 4th quarter brought the Bills back. Will they learn from them? No. Again six times since 2022, the Ravens blow 4th quarter leads. Why did the Ravens go for it 4th and 2 on Sunday night inside the 2 minute warning? Poor Lamar had cramps. The Ravens defense was not stopping the Bills at that point as they got the ball back and went down the field on them. This as Allen shredded their secondary and set up the game winning field goal.
The Ravens old kicker is suspended for the first ten games of the 2025 season for violating the NFL conduct policy. Justin Tucker is a Hall of Fame kicker but did his best impersonation of Deshaun Watson liking to whip it out on the massage tables. Many massage therapists across Maryland came out of the woodwork with sexual harassment claims of the Ravens kicker. Tucker is 35 years old & I don’t think anyone will sign him after he serves the 10 games. He will hang up the spikes. No team wants this kind of pub from a kicker. They have seen what Watson has become in Cleveland.
The Ravens will not win any more Superbowls with Lamar Jackson being Lamar Jackson. This guy’s stats are video game-like every Sunday. He’s not a leader. He does not have the killer instinct to put teams away like Patrick Mahomes. Would Michael Jordan shove a fan? No way Lamar. A true MVP goes beyond what’s on the outside of the field, court or ice. You can argue he was sticking up for DeAndre Hopkins. The veteran receiver was not in harm’s way with some young high school or early college punk. I do not condone what the Bills fan did. It’s stupid and he will be banned from every NFL stadium. The Ravens wear that purple and black uniform trying to be intimidating. The purple Raven coming from the great novelist Edgar Allen Poe, who was a Baltimore native and his famous poem is called the Raven. With Ray Lewis, the Ravens defense was the best in the league when they won. They only needed guys like Joe Flacco and Trent Dilfur at the QB position to hand the ball off and be game managers. Flacco did more with his arm than Dilfur. The Ravens have constructed this mega offense with Jackson and Derrick Henry. Henry had a late fumble in that Sunday game which helped the Bills win that game. Before that fumble, Henry was gashing the Bills defense with 18 carries, 169 rushing yards, and two touchdowns. The Ravens offense put up 40 points and lost the game. Back when the Ravens won it all last, they had a good offense, not like today’s, to go with that stellar defense. The Ravens defense is not very good the last two seasons. They were a pretty good unit when they made the AFC Championship versus the Chiefs. That game was lost by Lamar and his buddy Flowers with his antics. With lack of leadership and suspect defense, the Ravens are still going to be a top team in the league. They will not win or get to the Superbowl until something radically changes there. They have to clean up their cage if they want to knock off the AFC champs, the Chiefs.
The Wild shamrock 