Did Geno Smith sell his soul to the devil? Smith is 32 years old and by far is having the best year of his nine-season career this season. You probably have to go back to Smith’s rookie year where his career started as a New York Jet, where he played meaningful games as a starter. After Smith’s rookie year, the wheels quickly fell off the bus in year two. Some quarterbacks would have walked away from the game. His starting job in the NFL was over as he was relegated to being a backup quarterback the rest of the way. Smith would bounce around after the leaving the Jets after 4 seasons. Smith would stay in New York and help the other team in the Big Apple, the Giants. After 5 seasons in New York, Smith went West and played a season with the Chargers. In 2020, Smith would then sign with the Seahawks and has been Russell Wilson’s back up until they traded him in the off-season. The starting job was supposed to go to Drew Lock. Lock was one of the pieces in the trade they got back for Wilson with the Broncos. Many thought Seahawks would land Baker Mayfield in a trade with Cleveland. Experts thought the team was going to draft a quarterback before all this speculation about Mayfield coming to Seattle even began. Then Satan himself, Pete Carol, gave the starting job to Smith and Seahawks are off to a 6-3 start when they were picked to be last in the NFC West. Suddenly after 9 seasons, Smith flipped the switch and is one of the best quarterbacks in the entire league after 9 games. Kind of the same path as when Rich Gannon became the starting quarterback for the Raiders late in his career.

Rich Gannon arrived in the NFL in 1987 with the Minnesota Vikings. It was not until Gannon’s 4th season in Minnesota that he made his first career start. Gannon made 12 starts in 1990 for the Vikings completing 52% of his passes & throwing 16 touchdown passes with the same number of picks. Gannon was 5-7 as a starter in his first season. In 1991 and 1992, Gannon started to improve as he had winning records as a starter in both seasons with a 14-9 record as a starter. Gannon in those two seasons threw 24 touchdowns but still got picked off 19 more times. In 1993, Gannon was in Washington as he went 1-3 as a starter in a Redskins uniform before ending the season with an injury that cost him the 1994 season as well. In 1995, Gannon now was with another team as he would resurface in Kansas City. In 1995, Gannon did not get any starts behind center & appeared in two games in the general mop-up role. In 4 seasons in Kansas City, Gannon made 19 starts & went 11-8 behind center for the Chiefs throwing 23 touchdowns as the picks were getting lower with only 11. It took Oakland for Gannon to finally put everything together. In 1999, Gannon was no longer a backup quarterback in the NFL. Gannon started all 16 games for the Raiders as he went 8-8 in his first season wearing silver and black. Gannon was completing 59% of his passes as he threw 24 touchdown passes with 14 interceptions. The next three seasons, Gannon was completing passes over 60%. In 2000, Gannon tossed 28 touchdown passes, in 2001: 27, & in 2002: 26 while setting his all-time high in passing yards with 4,689. Gannon helped the Raiders make multiple trips to the post-season and eventually leading them to the Superbowl where they lost to their former coach Jon Gruden and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gannon in 74 starts in Oakland had a QB Record of 45-29 completing 62 % of his passes with 114 touchdown strikes compared to 50 interceptions. Gannon most of his career before Oakland, was not the guy and became the Man as a Raider.

Geno Smith went 8-8 as the starting Quarterback in his first season in a Jets uniform. Smith threw 12 touchdown passes and was picked off 21 times. Smith finished 12-18 as a starter for the Jets throwing 28 touchdown passes while being picked off 36 times. The Big Apple was rotten to Smith when as a Giant he started one game had one touchdown pass and lost that start while wearing the blue and white for the G-Men. Smith would only throw 4 passes in the lone year in a charger uniform. In Seattle Smith was 1-2 behind center before getting the starting nod this season. This year Smith is 6-3 as the starter with 15 touchdown passes to only 4 interceptions and he is completing 73% of his passes which is of the charts. That is tops in the NFL. Smith is ranked 4th in TD passes thrown. Smith perhaps soaked in all the knowledge backing up Russell Wilson while watching him in practice and in games. Smith may be a one-year wonder after this season. The front office in Seattle has to be careful on any extension for Smith. Smith career-wise has played in 52 games and still has a losing record of 19-24. Take this season out of Smith record he came in with a 13-21 record as a starter. Seattle has a great running attack with rookie back Kenneth Walker III lighting the league on fire carrying the rock. Smith has great receivers in D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett which any quarterback would want both these guys on their team. Everything is working in Seattle this season, and even the defense has played better. Sometimes it takes guys longer time to figure it out. Sometimes it comes down to what system a guy is in. Is the offense tailored to the quarterback’s strengths? The coach could be the big difference. I know I don’t like giving Pete Carol a bigger ego than he already has. It would be interesting if Smith could lead Seattle to the playoffs. I would want to see what he could do in post-season with this team. Smith is leading one of the scariest offenses in the entire league as Seattle has been putting up a ton of points in the last few weeks as they average 29 points per game. Smith… for years I figured he should be playing in the USFL or XFL if he wanted to get playing time as a quarterback. I thought of Smith as back up, and that if he came in season over. Sometimes waiting patiently, you will get another chance to perform in any sport if you just hang around and improve your game while practicing. Eventually that switch will pop on. Smith has tossed that switch to overdrive.

STRAIGHT PICK-EM NFL (WEEK 9)

LAST WEEK’S RECORD (11-4)

Week 8 highlight is Cheese-heads losing yet again.

THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT HOUSTON TEXANS

This may be the easiest game on the week 9 schedule. Eagles are 7-0 and Texans are 1-5-1 says it all. The Texans can’t cheat like the baseball team they share the town of Houston with.

OUR PREDICTION: EAGLES

BUFFALO BILLS AT NEW YORK JETS

The Jets were flying as high as the new Top Gun movie, Maverick. Until they ran into a buzzsaw when the New England Patriots defense brought the Jets down in a burning wreck. This is Buffalo’s only second division game of the season as their only loss came from the Dolphins inside the division. Bills are 12-2 in their last 14 division games. Jets are a young team and will have too much to handle with the Bills offense which are one of top units in the league. Jets quarterback Zach Wilson could face more interceptions like last week versus the Patriots from that Bills defense that ranks high in many categories and the team just activated their star corner back, Tre’Davious White.

The Jets are a young and exciting team, but the Bills are in another world compared to this youth group.

OUR PREDICTION: BILLS

CAROLINA PANTHERS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS

Did someone tell the Panthers they were supposed to close up shop for the season as they are in another rebuild? Bengals’ roller coaster season continues up and down. This is a game during which the Bengals should get back on track from their embarrassing Monday night loss to the Dawg pound. The Panthers, you are seeing P.J. Walker stepping up his game to be a future starter in this league it may not be in Carolina. Walker, a former XFL Houston Roughneck, will make the Bengals sweat in this one. Bengals don’t look like the same team as last year even though Joe Burrow leads the league in passing yardage. Bengals are still giving up too many sacks. In this one, Bengals get back on track in a close one.

OUR PREDICTION: BENGALS

GREEN BAY PACKERS AT DETROIT LIONS

The Lions have lost their King of the Jungle card. Here we go again because Lions are talking about a new head coach. Lions even traded their tight end T.J. Hockenson to the division rival Vikings. Packers could not find any receiver help on the trade market. Packers come in losing 4 in a row while Lions have lost 5. Aaron Rodgers is 18-6 all-time versus the Lions. All Rodgers needs to do in this one is hand the ball off to his two headed monster in the back field to break the Packers losing streak. Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon should run wild over the Lions defense.

OUR PREDICTION: PACKERS

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

The Colts have fallen on hard times. Patriots rebounded after a bad loss from the Bears. Colts will be without their star running back, Jonathan Taylor, during his second stint on the injured list this season. Who’s behind center in New England? Bailey Zappe, the Patriot faithful want to see, but Bill Belichick will elect to go with Mac Jones who has thrown an interception in six straight games. Colts offense have been averaging 16.1 points a game and are turning over the ball at high rate. Patriots defense has done a nice job forcing turnovers this season and Bill Belichick versus rookie quarterbacks is off the charts. Look for a Belichick plot to confuse Sam Ehlinger of the Colts.

OUR PREDICTION: PATRIOTS

LA CHARGERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS

The Just Ducky match-up features two former quackers from the University of Oregon. Marcus Mariota versus Justin Herbert. Falcons are in first place in the NFC South and activate their Swiss Army Knife running back, Cordarrelle Patterson. Chargers are coming off their bye week. Both the Chargers and Falcons offense should be able to generate points off each other’s defenses. Chargers can’t stop the run. The Falcons have problems defending the deep ball. I think Patterson will give the Falcons a boost. They are a team that has played very well without him. Chargers are hurting at the wide receiver position that makes lean harder for the home team Falcons.

OUR PICK: FALCONS

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Raiders big victory versus the Texans was erased last week when the Saints shut them out. The Jaguars have lost 5 straight. Raiders have problems winning on the road this season. Trevor Lawrence continues to shoot himself in the foot every week with sloppy turnovers in his second year in the NFL. Jaguars are in almost every game they played in, but they always find ways to lose them. Raiders defense has only generated 9 sacks this season which is hard to believe with the talent they have on the defensive front. Trevor Lawrence should have time to make his passes. This game is a coin flip. Josh Daniels, a stooge from that Belichick coaching tree, shows you when he gets his hands on a playoff team like the Raiders last year. Look at them now fizzling out at the halfway point of the season. Meanwhile Jaguars are making a savvy move acquiring a future piece from the Falcons in wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who is suspended this season. I feel the Jaguars defense will be the difference in this one.

OUR PREDICTION: JAGUARS

MIAMI DOLPHINS AT CHICAGO BEARS

Both teams were making deals at the trade deadline. Bears are collecting draft picks & trading away defensive players. However, Bears made a savvy move getting Justin Fields a weapon from Pittsburgh in Chase Claypool. Dolphins add a huge defensive piece in Bradley Chubb from the Broncos and find a running back from the 49ers in Jeff Wilson Jr. Dolphins are finding ways to protect Tua Tagovailoa lately. Cowboys scored 49 points off the Bears defense last week. This is the Dolphins’ second straight game on the road versus NFC North team. Bears offense is a different animal as they lead the league in NFL rushing averaging 188.4 yards per contest as a team. Fields can run and he has some good running backs behind him. Bears offense has gotten three straight games of piling up over 200 rushing yards. I think Bears make this a close game. Bears defense will be the liability.

OUR PICK: DOLPHINS

MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

The Vikings have won 5 straight games which is a new career high for Kirk Cousins behind center. The Commanders are making some noise in the NFL winning three games in a row. Will the Washington fan base welcome their old quarterback with cheers or jeers?

Kirk Cousins’ ole stomping grounds have him making his first trip back to the nation’s capital for the first time in a Viking uniform. Taylor Heinicke is 7-3 as the starting quarterback dating back to last season. Heinicke has done a very nice job filling in for the injured Carson Wentz. I felt like Cousins would stumble in a game like this. It’s not a prime-time game. I think the Commanders offense will not be able to keep up with the points the Vikings can score. Viking offense should be able to score even against an improved defensive unit the Commanders have had during their winning streak.

OUR PREDICTION: VIKINGS

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT ARIZONA CARDINALS

Most of the year I have picked wrong on almost every match-up the Cardinals and the Seahawks have been in. It’s like they’ve been pecking my eyeballs out every Sunday. Recently I have jumped on the Seahawks band wagon where the Cardinals continue not to do what I predict even winning the game. The Cardinals are 0-5 versus NFC West opponents within their own division that goes back to last post-season. Seahawks have won the last 4 out of 5 versus the Cardinals. Kyle Murray is rejuvenated with DeAndre Hopkins back from his suspension, and they have not missed a beat. Geno Smith has been electric behind center as one of the top quarterbacks in the league all year. Smith throwing to top targets like T.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett with rookie sensation running back Kenneth Walker III running the ball. Seahawks have one of the best offenses in the NFC. I can see the Seahawks defense able to contain the Cardinals offense longer than Arizona stopping Seattle’s attack.

OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS

LA RAMS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Once upon a time ago, these two teams the Buccaneers and Rams were the two power houses of the NFC. Both teams have won a Superbowl in recent years. Tom Brady’s divorce is getting messy as the airing of dirty laundry is out there.

Matthew Stafford is very close to setting the pick six record in the NFL. A Brady-led team could lose 4 straight with a loss this weekend by the Rams. I think the Rams are doing better all-around in more things football-wise than the Buccaneers who look like a team in shambles. All Brady’s past like his arrogant altered-ego seems to be coming back to haunt him this year as the Football God’s are out to get him. I see the Rams exploiting that shaky rickety Buccaneer offensive line to make Brady uncomfortable. Sean McVay seems like a cat with nine lives and will trade one in for a big Rams win on the road.

OUR PICK: RAMS

THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME

TENNESSEE TITANS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Chiefs are coming off their bye week. Head coach Andy Reid’s team record coming off bye weeks since 2013 is 7-2. The Titans starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill is a game time decision dealing with an ankle injury. If Tannehill can’t go, the Titans are not going to win like they did last Sunday versus the Texans’ running back Derrick Henry and are becoming a one-dimensional offense. The Chiefs will be able to score on the Titans’ sketchy defense. Chiefs defense has done better versus the run than previous years. Chiefs at home and Patrick Mahomes in a prime-time game mean I have to go Chiefs in this one.

OUR PREDICTION: CHIEFS

BALTIMORE RAVENS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Ravens added a piece to their defense, snagging linebacker Roquan Smith from the Bears. The Saints defense showed up last week and shut out a talented Raiders team who put up 38 points a week before that game. Ravens are feeling comfortable & I feel some disappointment coming their way with Lamar Jackson and company. The Saints offense led by Andy Dalton has been solid the last few weeks if the Red Rifle can limit some mistakes and clean up his game. They have a chance at home. It’s tough to go into New Orleans and win a game. I think Saints feel they have a chance to catch the Falcons in the division especially with the Buccaneers struggling. Both units show up to play for the Saints while Ravens have another close loss added to their record.

OUR PICK: SAINTS

Everyone in the Buffalo Bills Mafia would be doing cart wheels while in flames if the team added running back Christian McCaffrey from the Carolina Panthers. The wet dream of Alvin Kamara taking it the distance wearing the Buffalo on his bonnet. It seems like the Bills have been trying to land a running back that can catch the ball out of the back field for a few seasons. In the off-season they thought they had a deal hammered out with Commanders running back J.D McKissic. McKissic would head back to the nation’s capital. Bills right before the end of the trade deadline might have solved their problem landing Colts running back Nyheim Hines. Hines is a shifty back that can run and catch the ball out of the back field. Bills get rid of junk in the trunk and send Indianapolis running back Zack Moss and a 6th round pick in 2023. The Hines deal is small potatoes compared to landing a McCaffrey or Kamara. This trade could be very savvy by the Bills as it’s low risk with a high ceiling type of move.

Nyheim Hines is 25 years old and has played 5 seasons in the NFL, all with the Colts. The Colts offense this season has played poorly. Hines has played in 7 games and his numbers are not off the charts like in some years. Hines has 18 rushes for a meager 36 yards with a touchdown. Out of the back field, Hines has caught 25 balls for 188 yards. Those numbers are not going to spice up my Buffalo wings. Let’s remember Matt Ryan’s failures in a Colts uniform this year behind center. Career numbers Hines has rushed the rock 300 times for 1,205 rushing yards with ten touchdowns. Then add 235 catches for 1,725 yards with 7 receiving touchdowns. All this done in 72 games which counts for 17 touchdowns. Now you have Josh Allen as your quarterback.

Thurman Thomas was the best running back in Bills history. Thomas could do everything as a back from blocking, rushing the ball and catching the ball out of the back field. He made a very nice security blanket for Jim Kelly back in the 1990’s. Bills featured back “The Motor” Devin Singletary is averaging 4.5 yards per carry which is pretty good. Singletary can catch the ball out of the back field but Hines can make things happen when he catches the ball. You would love to combine both backs’ talents like some Frankenstein experiment as one elite running back. Singletary is a better runner in between the tackles than Hines is. Hines would be more valuable if anything happened to Singletary than Zack Moss who just a bruiser back gets you those tough short yards. I picture Hines as more like back up running backs of the past that were very productive behind Thurman Thomas. Ronnie Harmon in the early years of that Buffalo team that went to 4 straight Superbowls. One of my favorite running backs of all-time nicknamed the Texas Twister, Kenneth Davis, who helped the Bills win some big games backing up the Thurmanator.

Zack Moss becomes expendable because the Bills have high hopes for rookie James Cook. Moss had some fumble issues in his three year stay in Buffalo. Moss out of Utah University finished his Buffalo chapter with 225 rushes, & 917 yards with 8 touch downs. This season Moss only carried the ball 17 times for 91 yards as he was hardly being used so it made sense to unload him. Cook or Josh Allen probably get you the tough yards on short yardage plays. Nyheim Hines will be that double threat so defenses can’t predict if the play will be only a pass when he checks into the game. Hines will be valuable in goal line situations and short yard situations. Hines gives Josh Allen another play maker on the field and a security blanket at the same time. Hines could bring huge chunks of yardage to the table on the simple screen pass. Bills General Manager, Brandon Beane, added another missile to Buffalo’s offense that can create some Van Damage to opposing defenses. Could the Bills also add the dog Odell Beckham Jr. to the mix? That could be the cherry on the Mafia’s Sunday.

Is the XFL just a bad Friday the 13th movie, resurrecting Jason every few years? Is the third movie in any series good, bad, or ugly? Rocky III featured Mr. T as Clubber Lang which is one of my favorites from that series. Return of the Jedi has to be the weakest link in the first three Star Wars movies, but it was still enjoyable. Here we go again with another XFL reboot. The original XFL came on to the scene in 2001, and that mixed football and wrestling together which was complete disaster. What do you expect? The league was owned by Vince McMahon who owns the Wrestling Federation.

McMahon struck again with the second reboot in 2020 during which the wrestling aspect of the XFL was removed and it was just football in the Spring. XFL II was no Empire Strikes Back at the box office as the pandemic ended the season that only made it to the halfway point. XFL III, Vince McMahon sold the rights to the “Rock” Dwayne Johnson, former wrestler and now actor, as he is involved with others who purchased the league. In Spring 2023, XFL will be back for the third time with eight teams after the Superbowl, playing football. This time the XFL will have company. The USFL reboot came back last Spring and did what most of these leagues have not done in quite a while, finished a season with a champion. Maybe it will be Walgreens versus CVS. Maybe McDonald’s versus Burger King has enough love to go around. Too much football can turn into overkill as many stadiums could be bare bones. Plenty of elbow room for the few fans that are diehard.

THE NAMES

The XFL will start reboot three like they did in 2020 with 8 teams. The XFL have announced the nicknames of each city that will have a team playing in 2023. Most of the nicknames are same from the league in 2020. We have some different cities then we had in part two of the XFL. The state of Texas will have three teams going in the XFL in 2023.

In 2020 the Renegades played in Dallas. In 2023 the Renegades will play in Arlington.

Arlington Renegades

The Houston franchise returns with the same name called the Roughnecks.

Houston Roughnecks

The only team with new a nickname from the reboot in 2020 is the San Antonio franchise. San Antonio is a new city as well. They will be called the Brahmas. Whatever the hell a Brahma is?

San Antonio Brahmas

The city of St. Louis will have a returning team from 2020 and keep the same name, the BattleHawks. You can’t always say that about a football team staying in St. Louis.

St. Louis BattleHawks

The nation’s capital is another returning city from the 2020 XFL reboot two. DC will feature the same name, the Defenders. Will the DC crowd bring back the beer snake?

DC Defenders

Seattle is another returning city from the 2020 league. In 2020, the Seattle franchise was known as the Dragons. This go around Seattle added Sea to the name. Like the Seahawks in the NFL, Seattle will have the Sea Dragons.

Seattle Sea Dragons

In 2020, the XFL featured teams in LA and New York. XFL, like Jake the Snake Plissken, will escape the two major U.S Cities.

The XFL retired the Wild Cat name that LA had. The Guardians of New York have been adopted by new city Orlando.

Orlando Guardians

XFL has three Texas teams. Why would they need two Florida teams? Tampa Bay gets stripped away their XFL team just in time for the Buccaneers to go to shit. The city of Vegas has adopted Tampa Bay’s nickname, the Vipers.

Vegas Vipers

XFL EVEN HAS COACHES IN PLACE

All these Spring leagues over the last few years have made sure they hired some bigger names. Some of these guys have a ton of coaching experience. Some of these guys just played the game.

Arlington Renegades: Bob Stoops

Stoops did a ton of college coaching. Stoops is the only coach hold over from the 2020 league.

Houston Roughnecks: Wade Phillips

Coaching runs in the Phillips family blood. Wade Phillips had a ton of defensive coordinator jobs in the NFL. Phillips also was head coach in the NFL more than once.

San Antonio Brahmas: Hines Ward

Hines Ward was a wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers who has a Superbowl ring. Ward is one of the best blocking receivers all-time and a guy who can catch the ball.

Vegas Vipers: Rod Woodson

Woodson is another X-Steeler who has won a Superbowl ring. Woodson is one of the best safeties in Steeler history. Woodson has done some coaching as this would be his first head coaching job.

Seattle Sea Dragons: Jim Haslett

Haslett had some head coaching jobs as well in the NFL.

Orlando Guardians: Terrell Buckley

Buckley is a long-time defensive back for the Green Bay Packers in the NFL who had 50 career interceptions during his NFL career.

DC Defenders: Reggie Barlow

Barlow also played in the NFL. Barlow coached at the College level. He was the other Alabama’s head coach. Alabama State.

St.Louis BattleHawks: Anthony Becht

Becht was a tight ends coach for the San Diego Fleet of the AAF.

Becht also played tight end in the NFL and scored 21 career touchdowns.

The XFL will kickoff this February. The XFL will have a player’s draft this month in November. The Wild Shamrock will update you on all the developments of the third spin of the XFL.

Suddenly the Chicago Bears went totally off script as they acquire wide receiver Chase Claypool from the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bears have been in full tear down getting rid of anything not bolted to the floor and collecting draft picks. Has the ghost of Ryan Pace just entered Ryan Poles’ body? The old regime is suddenly haunting the new regime at Halas Hall. The Bears’ new brass and the old clowns have not done any favors for their young quarterback, Justin Fields. In the off season, the new Bears regime sent Justin Fields out to the Wolves with no improvements to a much in need of help on the offensive line. Fields is working with one of the worst receiving cores in the history of the Chicago Bears. No wonder Muslim Muhammad once said Chicago is where receivers go to die. Somehow Fields is still walking vertically, and the offense of the Bears has come to life in the past few weeks. With this trade, adding Claypool means the Bears front office and the coaching staff think Fields is the guy of the future. Bears fans have been down this dark road for decades. Claypool is not exactly the boobie prize for Fields and the Bears offense. Instantly he becomes the Bears’ number one guy who they do not have. How many teams in the entire NFL would have Claypool as the number one? Steelers season is in shambles like the Bears and Claypool is not even the number one guy there.

I like to think that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback X-Bears QB Mitch Trubisky wished Chase Claypool good luck with a smirk on his face seeing him head off to Chicago. Maybe a chuckle by Trubisky with a recommendation of a good pizza place in the Windy City. The Steelers, with of course a savvy front office, get a second round pick for Claypool. It is what they used to draft him in 2020. Steelers do well at drafting a football team. Steelers know how to draft wide receivers. Unfortunately, the Steelers drafted talented wide receivers that are head cases. The Steelers are quick to cut off the zombie bitten infested legs when things go sour with some of these head cases they have gathered over the years. We all remember what A.J. Brown did last year wearing a Buccaneer uniform. Steelers felt the law firm of Ju Ju Smith-Schuster was unraveling at the seams so they let him walk off and he may be a Chiefs’ problem in the future. Remember Plaxico Burress shot himself in the foot while he was a New York Giant. Steelers drafted great citizens as well as Hines Ward, one of the best blocking receivers in the game that caught many balls as well. This year Steelers are happy with rookie George Pickens and Diontae Johnson has been on the rise. Steelers have a rookie quarterback developing in Kenny Pickett. Perfect time & perfect season to cut ties with Chase Claypool.

With Ben Roethlisberger, Chase Claypool came into the league in 2020 like gangbusters out of the University of Notre Dame. Claypool, now 24 years old, had 62 catches with 873 yards. This during his rookie campaign with 9 touchdowns. Roethlisberger last year in the game did not have enough gas in the tank to throw the ball deep. In 2021, Claypool had 59 catches with 860 yards and only two receiving touchdowns. Big Ben retired. Steelers went with X-Bear Mitch Trubisky as they already mixed in rookie Kenny Pickett behind center as Claypool through 8 games has 32 receptions with 311 yards and only one touchdown grab. Claypool would be second on the Bears charts this season as Darnell Mooney has 25 grabs for 364 yards. Last season, Justin Fields’ rookie season only played in ten games. Last year, the Bears offense with 10 starts by Fields, Andy Dalton, and Nick Foles behind center the team finished 27th in the league in points. The Bears’ 2021 offense was 24th overall in yards gained. This year Fields has played in every game and the Bears are 23rd in points while falling to 27th in yards gained. Claypool should help the Bears overall offensive numbers improve.

This trade the Bears made landing Chase Claypool baffles me. I like the fact that Green Bay wanted Claypool and the Bears got him by paying more. Green Bay’s season is in the crapper so they don’t have a leg to stand on to throw their two cents in the ring. Then I think of when Ryan Pace got fleeced by the 49ers to give San Francisco a pick just to move up one spot to draft Mitch Trubisky. Steelers sell off their pool for the same amount they paid for it. While the Bears usually have to pay double for someone to take their pool from their backyard. My biggest fear is Claypool is a cancer to the locker room. This Bears team right now will overhaul most of this roster by next season. I think someone on Bears coaching staff thinks they can fix Claypool who thinks he is a number one receiver. Congratulations. Claypool is the number one receiver on the Bears roster. Darnell Mooney I love, but he’s a 2 or a 3. I think Claypool is a 2 or a 3. If Bears go out and draft or sign a number one free agent receiver next year adding him to the mix with Mooney and Claypool, you now have a nice core. Let’s not forget about addressing the offensive line that I keep harping about. Justin Fields and Claypool have 9 more games this season, so they could really get to know each other very well. If they can get on the same page, this move can be golden by the time the Bears add the pieces around them. I hate overpaying and using draft capital on ideas that are bad. This trade only cost the new regime one draft pick, but an important second rounder. I like gambling on some players which you have to do sometimes to get your team over the hump. This move may be too soon for the Bears to jump into the Claypool. They may belong right now in the kiddie pool.

The Chicago Bears new regime is tearing down most of what the old regime did at Halas Hall. The stench by that group is still lingering over Lake Michigan. Last week Bears dealt defensive end Robert Quinn to Philadelphia. This week the Bears send their best defensive player, Roquan Smith, to the Baltimore Ravens. Smith was by far the best pick drafted by Ryan Pace during his tenure as the General Manager of the Bears. Smith is a linebacker out of Georgia University who was once crowned SEC Defensive Player of the Year in his collegiate career. Bears drafted Smith number 8th overall in the 2018 NFL draft. Bears will receive a 2nd and a 5th round draft pick by the Ravens. Baltimore threw in veteran linebacker A.J Klein to sweeten the pot. Smith could have been a pillar of the Bears rebuild, but the linebacker threatened the team with a contract holdout at the start of the season. When Quinn was dealt, Smith cried in a press conference that his friend was traded. Maybe the writing was on the wall for Smith’s future with the Bears. Collecting a stockpile of draft picks to revamp the entire Bears roster is part of the plan for newly hired Ryan Poles who is still in his first year with Chicago.

The Baltimore Ravens get a linebacker that can help their defense now. Ravens seem to always have had a quality defense in the NFL. Since Ray Lewis retired, the Ravens’ defenses over the years have been up and down. Lamar Jackson and the offense are the heartbeat of the Ravens these days. Ravens are one of elite teams in the AFC. Ravens are perched on top of the AFC North looking to claim the division once they owned. Ravens have given up a few late 4th quarter leads this season that have cost them team games. Roquan Smith gives the Ravens a tackling machine on their defense, and a linebacker that has good coverage in the secondary. Smith this season with the Bears has 83 tackles and 2.5 sacks with two interceptions in 8 games. Smith is not a pass rushing linebacker. Smith’s game is chasing offensive players down like a dog from sideline to sideline or in between the hash marks. Smith leads the NFL in tackles this season. Smith gives the Ravens a play maker on their defense. Smith in 4 1/2 years in a Bears uniform has 607 tackles of which 47 of them are for a loss. Smith has racked up 16 1/2 sacks with 20 quarterback hits as he is not used to kill the quarterback. In coverage, Smith has defended 20 passes and has 7 interceptions.

I truly think the Chicago Bears wanted to keep Roquan Smith in the mix. Smith is only 25 years old and has one year remaining under his rookie contract, under which he expects to get paid like a pass rushing specialist. How long will this rebuild take to have the Bears once again relevant? Smith has no agent as he represents himself as most people would be insulted over what your bosses say about you to your face in a contract negotiation. Chicago offered him an extension. Honestly, it can hurt any contract without an agent dealing the negotiations. Bears are going nowhere this year and have a plan to collect as many draft picks as they can. Bears got the most out of this Smith trade with two picks. Plus, A.J Klein can be a serviceable veteran this season who could help Little Kitty band aid the opposing offenses who will start having field days versus the Bears defense. Last week, Dallas hung 49 points on the Bears D with Smith in the line up. Klein is 31 years old, and has played ten seasons in the NFL that features stops in Carolina, New Orleans and Buffalo before signing with Baltimore. I hate giving up your own that you have drafted. In the long run, Bears are better off by trading him now instead of franchise tagging him later and dealing with another future holdout.

The Ravens are all in this season, as Roquan Smith could just be a rent-a-player. Is Smith the final piece for the Ravens to get them through a tough conference of the AFC during post-season? If Ravens can extend Smith and keep him in Baltimore this deal will work out for both teams. I don’t like Smith as his own agent as the Ravens already have a guy like that in Lamar Jackson. Jackson too is playing in his last year of his rookie contract. Jackson would get paid well before Smith. Not sure the Ravens can pay both guys with a max contract. I think Smith is a good person, and a good football player, but crying because your teammate was traded is a different animal. If there is no crying in baseball, football, and hockey have to be above and beyond the Summer pastime. The younger generations crying is probably acceptable even on a good romantic comedy movie night with your own phone. Ray Lewis would lose his mind if a fellow linebacker was crying on his shoulders because they traded someone. Lewis, I still think he got away with murder. Let’s hope Smith can stop the bleeding on opposing teams trying to come back in the 4th quarter the rest of the way for the Ravens season. It would help justify this move in short and long term. Perhaps all the X-Bears will reunite in another city and get the band back together. Khalil Mack is in LA.

WEEK 8 STRAIGHT PICK-EM

LAST WEEK’S RECORD (7-7)

SEASON RECORD (61-47)

THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

BALTIMORE RAVENS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

This game I did put in some deep Jack Handy thoughts to before picking my winner. Ravens have blown a few late leads this season already. Tom Brady could lift this Buccaneers season that’s on the brink of the toilet flush, even with half the season left with a 4th quarter comeback. Then I finish sniffing the glue, put it away, and realize the Buccaneers offense is broken. The Panthers win came to mind from last week. Lamar Jackson will ride out Tampa Bay with a victory. Brady does not have the horses to match Jackson’s production.

OUR PICK: RAVENS

OVER THE POND

DENVER BRONCOS VERSUS JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (IN LONDON)

I remember when they were talking about moving the Jaguars over to London, England permanent. Florida would gladly say Cheerio!! Both Broncos and Jaguars are struggling, and whichever team loses this game, they might as well play for a top draft pick the rest of the way. Both teams’ defenses have been better than their offenses. Russell Wilson will be back in this one. London has similar weather to Seattle: foggy with rainy mild temperatures. What is the best place to find yourself going home again but not actually going home? Wilson away from all the chitter chatter in Denver and gossip in the states, could just focus on playing the game. Both teams have lost 4 straight. I’m betting on Wilson here.

OUR PICK: BRONCOS

THE SUNDAY SLATE

CAROLINA PANTHERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS

The NFC South has turned into the dreaded NFC East. It’s a football pandemic. Atlanta is actually on top of this waste heap in the NFC South. Carolina has been selling off pieces and they are still making a run at the division.

The Panthers have an XFL stand out at the quarterback position. While the Falcons have a guy in Marcus Mariota who was playing sparingly the last few seasons running the wild cat offense here and there on a few series a game. Mariota is trying to recapture his football career and has done well so far. Panthers played their best game of the year last week versus Tom Brady. Falcons probably could have beat Brady and the Buccaneers, but the referee in that one changed the outcome of that game calling roughing the passer on a simple tackle. Falcons have played everyone tough this season. I can see them taking a close one versus the Panthers at home and getting a strangle hold on the division.

OUR PREDICTION: FALCONS

CHICAGO BEARS AT DALLAS COWBOYS

No way in hell the Bears will play like they did on Monday night versus the Patriots and go into Dallas and knock the Boys off their saddle sores. Dak Prescott knocked off the rust last week in his return. Justin Fields is running for your life Charlie Brown and cannot last all season long. Dallas defense is a top ten unit in the league. Bears offensive line is a concern. Bears have played in close games all season. Which they give the Cowboys a game. At the end, Dak Prescott feeds on teams with losing records like the Clown feeding on kids in the sewers.

OUR PREDICTION: COWBOYS

MIAMI DOLPHINS AT DETROIT LIONS

Lions are back to their old ways with ugly losses. Dolphins were able to protect their quarterback for at least one game. I can’t see the Lions being able to stop Miami’s aerial game that features Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill. Dolphins defense is looking better. Both sides of the ball in Miami are making strides at this time of the year while the Lions really have nothing working right now.

OUR PICK: DOLPHINS

ARIZONA CARDINALS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Kyle Murray got his old friend back in DeAndre Hopkins who made an impact last week in a Cardinals win. Minnesota had a bye last week and find themselves in the driver’s seat in the NFC Central. Will former Cardinal now Viking corner back Patrick Peterson find a way to haunt his former team? This match up could be a track meet as both teams have a slew of weapons to be used. Kirk Cousins has won 4 in a row for the Vikings behind center. Murray looking more and more like his old self. Cousins has never won 5 straight games behind center in his career is my nugget picking the winner.

OUR PICK: CARDINALS

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

THE YUKON CORNELIUS BOWL

This is another match up that can potentially be a high scoring affair. Saints once upon a time ago had a powerhouse defense which is MIA this season. Even with Jameis Winston’s return, Saints elect to stick with Andy Dalton as their starting quarterback. Derek Carr is getting better each week as he seems to be on the same page with Josh Daniels’ offense. Can Raiders win on the road for the first time this season? Offense will happen in this game with both teams having a talented back field. Saints with Alvin Kamara and Raiders’ Josh Jacobs coming off a big game last week. Raiders defense can rush the quarterback. The silver and black make one play more on their defense that beats the Gold and black.

OUR PICK: RAIDERS

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT NEW YORK JETS

This will be the game for Bill Belichick when he finds out the Patriots are the worst team in the AFC East. The Jets are a high-flying act of young players buying into the system and gelling right now. Jets can make big plays on offense, defense, or even special teams where they chime. Patriots looked bad versus the Bears on Monday night. Patriots quarterback situation is now a skit like who’s on first. Patriots’ 12 game winning streak versus the Jets comes to an end as the Evil Empire will have to head back to the drawing board as their season starts to fizzle away.

OUR PICK: JETS

TENNESSEE TITANS AT HOUSTON TEXANS

The Titans have been one of the hottest teams in the league. The Titans are not winning pretty but getting the job done. Meanwhile the Texans quarterback Davis Mills had one of his best games of his career versus the Raiders last Sunday despite the team losing the game. The Texans’ run defense has been open season on opposing running backs. Look for Titans’ Derrick Henry to have a monster game. Can the Texans sneak into Nashville like last season and come out with a victory? Titans are 15-3 in the last 18 division games. The Titans defense is not the best unit in the league, but they can make a big play that can help them win yet another important division game.

OUR PICK: TITANS

PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

The battle of Pennsylvania.

The Eagle has landed. I can’t see the Steelers getting out of Philadelphia with a victory. Eagles offense can mass produce points compared to the Steelers offense. Young quarterback Kenny Pickett has seven interceptions in 4 games already. Eagles defense just got better with the addition of pass rusher Robert Quinn from the Bears in a trade. The Miami 1972 undefeated team will not be popping corks this week as the Eagles will stay unbeaten.

OUR PICK EAGLES

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

This could have been another Carson Wentz revenge game over his former team. Colts still in search of another quarterback as Matt Ryan has been put on Ice instead of being Matty Ice. The Colts now turn to Sam Ehlinger instead of going with Nick “The Dick” Foles. The Commanders have turned to their security blanket at quarterback Taylor Heinicke who helped the Commanders prevail over Green Bay last Sunday. Ehlinger has never thrown a pass in the NFL and will be the 8th different quarterback to start a game for the Colts since 2017. Surprised the Colts did not contact Andrew Luck for the job. Heinicke has experience and seems to get the team to follow him when he starts as he is 8-9 behind center as a starter. Watch the Commanders pass rush smother the young Colts quarterback. This will be the key for another Washington victory.

OUR PICK: COMMANDERS

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT LA RAMS

The 49ers prevailed in the first meeting of the year a few weeks back on Monday night. The Rams coming off their bye week and head coach Sean McVay is only 3-2 in those games. The 49ers were blown out by the Chiefs last week in Christian McCaffrey’s debut with the team. Rams are not the same team as they were last year winning the Superbowl. Matthew Stafford has thrown too many interceptions of which some have been pick sixes. The Rams run defense has not scared anybody as McCaffrey could have a big day at the office this Sunday. Plus Jimmy G has done very well as a starter versus the Rams winning the last three regular season games over LA.

OUR PICK: 49ERS

NEW YORK GIANTS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Both the Giants and Seahawks are having magical seasons. Giants chasing the the undefeated Eagles with 6-1 starts. The Seahawks are perched on top of the NFC West. I don’t think anyone could have predicted both teams doing this well. Both these teams have screwed me all year trying to pick their outcome each week. Geno Smith and the Seahawks offense has been averaging 34 points per week the last 4 contests. Saquon Barkley, healthy once again, leads the NFL in scrimmage yards. Seattle is a tough place to play on the road. Even though Geno Smith started his career in a Jets uniform, I like the idea he will make some headlines in the New York papers come Monday with a victory.

OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS

THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME

GREEN BAY PACKERS AT BUFFALO BILLS

The Packers are struggling as they have lost three in a row. Bills are well rested coming off their bye week after winning a big game versus their archrival, the Chiefs. Aaron Rodgers griping about way the team has played and things may not be going well in the Packers locker room. Packers offense from the start of the season has not done well. Rodgers is off to his worst start of his career stats-wise. Now Packers are going to one of the toughest places in the NFL to avoid a 4-game losing streak. Bills have one of the best offenses and defenses in the entire league. Green Bay really only has their running game working. Bills put the nail in the Packer coffin for the 2022 season as Rodgers may slither away at the end of it.

THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME

CINCINNATI BENGALS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS

It looks like the grand plan in Cleveland of Deshaun Watson coming in after week 11 to help the Browns reach the post-season is not going to happen. Joe Burrow is starting to feel his game take off like last year as he launched the ball all over the field last Sunday. Browns have been involved in some trade rumors. Not bringing in players to help getting rid of guys for draft picks. Bengals will be without their top weapon in JaMarr Chase, out with a hip injury. Bengals still have plenty of weapons for Burrow to play with. Bengals are rolling while the Dawg pound in Cleveland is snarling.

OUR PICK: BENGALS

When Mike Ditka, Da Coach, was the Chicago Bears head coach in the 1980’s, it was all about the sweater. In baseball, Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker wears those feminine gloves in the dugout. In the 1990s, many will remember the Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Walt Corey chewing on a swizzle stick during his chess match with the opposing team’s offensive coordinator. Corey, a former star linebacker who went into coaching after his playing days, lasted 27 years on the sidelines. Corey spent 8 seasons in Buffalo and was part of those 4 AFC Championships of the Bills in the 1990’s. Corey has passed away at 84 years of age. He was a guy who gave his lifetime to the sport of football while touching many lives in the process.

During the late 1980’s and the 1990’s, I was a young football fan. I played football one year in grammar school, and another season in high school at that time while watching the NFL which I loved. I was a Buffalo Bills fan then and still am today. I remember those great Bills teams and telecasts mentioning the chewing swizzle stick defensive coordinator, Walt Corey. Back then you could not download the information you can in present times. Coach Cory had an interesting career. Corey was an un-drafted linebacker out of the University of Miami. Drafted by the Dallas Texans of the AFL.

The Texans would go on and move to Kansas City and become the Chiefs. Corey played some solid football as a player and was part of interesting football history. In 1963, Corey was an All-Star linebacker. Corey was part of two AFL championships between the years of 1962-66. Then the merger happened, and Corey played in the first Superbowl in history when the Chiefs and the Packers squared off.

In the 1990’s, I loved the sitcom, Coach. Head Coach Hayden Fox, played by Craig T. Nelson, with his longtime assistant Luther Van Dam, played by Jerry Van Dyke, coaching the Minnesota Screaming Eagles. Then eventually moving on together to take on a professional team, the Orlando Breakers. Walt Corey and longtime head coach in the NFL Marv Levy, had that kind of relationship. Marv Levy was head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs before he came to Buffalo. Back then in Kansas City, Corey coached the Chiefs defensive line, and defensive backs from 1978-82. Levy would hire his old friend in Buffalo as the defensive coordinator where Corey would coach 8 seasons in Western New York from 1987-1994. Bills had a ton of talent on those defenses, Corey the coach from Bruce Smith, Cornelius Bennett, and Daryl Talley are some of the big names. One of my favorite players on the defensive side of the ball for the Bills was linebacker Shane Conlan.

During Walt Corey’s time in Buffalo, it was his 1988 Buffalo defensive unit that was the best as they ranked number 4 that year in total defense. Shocking it was not one of the 4 straight Superbowl defenses the Bills had which were not his best units. Corey had 4 other defenses in his 8 seasons in Buffalo in the top 12 of the league. The Bills 1993 defensive unit finished in top 5 in points allowed in the good way not giving them up which is the bad way.

Walt Corey would move on from Buffalo and find himself coaching in the Big Easy under Chicago legend Mike Ditka, when he was hired as the Saints Head Coach.

Corey helped the Saints from 1997-1999. In 2001, Corey gave the Wrestling league called the XFL, a whirl as defensive coordinator. Corey would coach the defense for the Memphis Maniax. The XFL part one would last only one season.

Walt Corey would play in a Superbowl and then coach in 4 of them. Corey has played in and coached in some interesting places over his football life. You may feel his heart probably belong in Kansas City with runner-up being Buffalo. I’m sure he did plenty of great things in each journey he made, dedicating his life to the game of football. The Bills should have won one of those 4 Superbowls. The first one with the missed kick that sailed wide right in the last seconds was heart breaking. The Bills played solid on both sides of the ball versus the Giants. The other three Superbowls, the Bills were flat on both sides of the ball. You can’t point the finger at one side of the ball. These things just happen in sports. Walt Corey was part of winning four straight AFC Championships which many can’t say they did that done that. I feel he created a team effort which was a big part in those 8 years being that young fan watching the game and giving me so much joy to watch. Buffalo Bills football is my team I care the most about passion-wise. Every time I stir my bloody Mary with my swizzle stick these days, Walt Corey and some great defenses will flash in my mind where present times it’s all about scoring in the NFL. Only guys like Corey will still find a way to hand cuff an offense even with being handcuffed themselves with too many rules against the defense. In heaven, Walt Corey is probably preparing his defense while chewing on his swizzle stick facing an offense with Water Payton and Red Grange the Galloping Ghost. Wouldn’t that be sweetness to see that unfold. RIP Coach !!!!

The Chicago Bears have been notorious for overpaying for bigger names in the league by trade or through free agency only to get nothing significant in return. The latest Bears move has Chicago sending defensive end Robert Quinn to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 4th round pick. Plus, the Bears will pick up most of Quinn’s salary to cement the deal. In 2020, Bears broke open their piggy bank and splurged for the defensive end, Quinn, who became a free agent after one season in Dallas as he had 11.5 sacks for the Cowboys in 2019. Ryan Pace then was General Manager of the Bears & his thought process was having Quinn on one side with Khalil Mack on the other side. Opposing offenses would not know what hit them. Pace gave Quinn a 5-year deal worth 70 million for his services. The new regime is in place now after Ryan Pace’s grand scheme failed miserably. The new GM is cleaning up after that Pace disaster as Ryan Poles has gotten nothing of what Pace paid by dealing Quinn and Mack this year.

The Mighty Quinn has played in the NFL for now 12 seasons as he is 32 years old and has 102 sacks to his name. Robert Quinn started his career in St. Louis with the Rams as he moved with the team to LA to play two seasons on the West coast. Since leaving the Rams organization, Quinn has played for 4 teams in 4 seasons. Miami, Dallas, Chicago & now heading to Philadelphia. This season, under the new defensive scheme from new head coach Matt Eberflus the Mighty Quinn, has struggled seven games in the season. Quinn has only 1 sack, with 3 quarterback hits, and two tackles for losses which is not enough production for the money he gets. The first year with the Bears, during the pandemic, Quinn only had two sacks the entire season as he played in 15 games. Last season, Quinn went ape shit as he killed many of the quarterbacks throughout the league racking up 18 1/2 sacks which broke the Bears all-time single season record held by Hall of Famer Richard Dent. Quinn was 1/2 sack short of his career single season record back with the Rams in 2013 when he had 19 sacks.

It’s great seeing the new guy, Ryan Poles, cleaning out the bad stench that the old regime of Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy left at Halas Hall. When the Bears first signed Robert Quinn, I screamed out loud over why an overpaid defense end whose track record is not very solid. Every other year on the back of Quinn’s football card he does well. Not even consistent. Bears needed offensive line help back then of which they still do, to this present day. Some things never change. Bears instead overpaid for a guy that had one good season in Chicago. Bears could have traded Quinn last year while he was hot to trot as the team was not going anywhere. Perhaps we could get a taker to pay all the money on this guy’s contract and maybe two draft picks instead of a lone 4th rounder. Bears lost in the Khalil Mack deal as they gave up the cow to the Raiders for Mack. Chargers then gave up a few beans to the Bears to take Mack off our hands. I know it’s Ryan Poles’ first year as a General Manager so he’s getting his feet wet. I like how he’s collecting draft picks as the old regime gave them away like Halloween candy. If Poles avoids trading up one spot to grab the Mitch Trubisky’s of the world, then we have a solid plan in the works. Some will say why did the Bears trade a guy after the team just beat the Patriots. Stop it. Bears are not going to the playoffs just because they beat another inferior team like the Patriots. I think the Bears should now deal their best player, Roquan Smith. The linebacker had beef about his contract earlier this season. Smith even cried in front of a press conference when he was asked about Robert Quinn being traded. Deal Smith while you can get something more, then wait until next year pissing him off with a franchise tag. Quinn is a well-respected Irish name, but enough is enough with signing guys with this last name. Jonathan Quinn was a fraud at quarterback years ago when the starter went down, and he was forced into action. Robert Quinn now holds a Bears legend record in a very bad year in Bears history. The Mighty Quinn’s… we have seen enough.

WEEK 7 STRAIGHT PICK-EM

LAST WEEK ‘S RECORD: DISASTEROUS

SEASON RECORD IN STRAIGHT PICK-EM 54-40

WEEK SEVEN LOOKING TO REBOUND

WEEK 7 PREDICTIONS

THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT ARIZONA CARDINALS

The Cardinals have averaged 13 points per game the last two weeks. Saints lost another close battle, this time to the Bengals. Cardinals will get much needed help at the receiving position as the return of DeAndre Hopkins off the suspension list should help Kyler Murray get his favorite weapon back. Cardinals also acquired wide receiver Robbie Anderson from the Panthers. Saints are running the ball well, and they ran over 200 yards on the Bengals defense last week. I think Hopkins will be rusty. I think the Saints defense performs better than they have in recent weeks.

OUR PICK: SAINTS

THE SUNDAY SLATE

ATLANTA FALCONS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS

The Falcons are no longer the doormat of the league. Joe Burrow is finding that last season chemistry with wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase that took the league by storm last year. This game features two Heisman trophy winners, Burrow for the Bengals and Marcus Mariota for the Falcons. Falcons will give the Bengals a scare in this one. Cincinnati seems to be finding different ways lately to win close games as it will carry over in week 7.

OUR PICK: BENGALS

CLEVELAND BROWNS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS

Both the Brownies and Ravens are 1-3 in a one score game this season. Both teams have found ways of losing games late in the 4th quarter. Both defenses have played terrible. The stat that jumps out at me is Lamar Jackson is 6-2 versus the Browns in his career. Ravens being at home means they should bounce back.

OUR PICK: RAVENS

DETROIT LIONS AT DALLAS COWBOYS

I’m off the Detroit Lion express as this team has been bitten on the rear more than once this season. The return of Dak Prescott behind center for the Cowboys should give this team some additional motivation, especially coming off the loss to the Eagles last Sunday night. Cooper Rush has played well in Prescott’s absence. This is a perfect time to insert Prescott back on the field playing a bad lion defense and being at home.

OUR PICK: COWBOYS

GREEN BAY PACKERS AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

Can back-up quarterback Taylor Heinecke push the Packers season to the brink? Packers have lost their last three games in the Nation’s capital. Commanders barely won the High School Prep Bowl versus the Bears last Thursday. Aaron Rodgers is feeling the wrath of the Green Bay fan base. Rodgers does not care. However, Packers always find their way out of the bottom of barrel where their season is right now. Commanders don’t have the horses to stop Green Bay’s two-headed back field.

OUR PICK: PACKERS

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT TENNESSEE TITANS

Titans have owned the Colts the last few meetings which includes the last a few weeks back. Have the Colts found their offense? Yes, Jonathan Taylor is set to return to action the running back who missed the last few weeks. Veteran quarterback Matt Ryan has finally found what the Colts were looking for behind center when they traded for him during the off season. Titans coming off a bye week had plenty of time to prepare for their division rivals. I think Colts break this losing streak with the Titans and exploit Tennessee’s weak passing defense that will help Indianapolis get on a roll.

OUR PICK: COLTS

NEW YORK GIANTS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

This is my F*** YOU game to myself as both the Jaguars and Giants screw me every single week. Both teams never do what their told. Are the Giants for real with a record of 5-1? Look like the Jaguars turn the corner as they started off the season playing well. Giants are rolling right now while the Jaguars have lost three games in row. The hotter team, the Giants, is who I’m going with.

OUR PICK: GIANTS

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS

Oh what I would pay to see Tom Brady lose to this Panther team. Panthers are having a garage sale as anything not bolted down much go. Robbie Anderson and Christian McCaffrey sold off. I’m sure the Buccaneers are sick and tired hearing Brady jibber jabber. Buccaneers defense should easily put a halt to a bad Panther offense. Brady should get a positive day with his guys and rebound from Mitch Trubisky and the Steelers.

OUR PICK: BUCCANEERS

HOUSTON TEXANS AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

Both the Texans and Raiders coming off the bye week. Texans went into bye week with a win while the Raiders saw their lead evaporate from the Chiefs in the second half of that Monday night affair.

The Adams family is behind their beloved brother Devante even his bad decision, of pushing that camera man after that last Raider loss. Uncle Fester had a deep hearted conversation to his nephew. Expect Adams to have a big game. Lovie Smith will have his Texans playing hard as it will be a close game, but at the end Houston will lose on the road.

OUR PICK: RAIDERS

NEW YORK JETS AT DENVER BRONCOS

Remember quarterback Mark Rypien who won a Superbowl for the Washington Redskins in the 1990’s? His nephew will get the start for the Denver Broncos this weekend. Brett Rypien qA like Cooper Rush, coming into his first start of this season 1-0. Can Brett have that kind of run Cooper had with the Boys? Bronco fans have to be excited and pissed off at the same time not to mention Russell Wilson led that dormant offense, which has gone on all year. The wasted draft picks will haunt John Elway. I don’t like Brett’s odds even at home when the Jets fly into town. Jets are a young and hungry team playing solid on all phases of their game. Jets find ways to make big plays and turn them into victories. Jets went into Lambeau field and beat the Packers. They can do the same thing in Denver.

OUR PICK: JETS

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

This is a rematch of Superbowl LIV. Both Chiefs and 49ers lost last weekend. Will Christian McCaffrey see action in this showdown? Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs have put up two 40 burgers in the last two road contests.

I find it hard to see the Chiefs lose two straight games than the 49ers losing two in a row. I think this game will be close not a shoot-out. I think Chiefs find a way in the closing seconds to steal a win on the road.

OUR PICK: CHIEFS

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT LA CHARGERS

If anyone told me the Chargers and Seahawks were going to be involved in an offensive shoot out without Russell Wilson behind center, I would give the person the eyeball. Geno Smith behind center for the Seahawks is putting up monster numbers, and I’m still in disbelief. This game should be a high scoring affair. Justin Herbert might be one of the Greek Gods when it comes to delivering the goods for these types of games and winning most of these outcomes when defense don’t show up. I think Herbert will make one more big play than Smith Seahawks to win a close high-scoring affair. Watch this game be all defense, although I still like the Chargers.

OUR PICK: CHARGERS

THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME

PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS

The return of Tua Tagovailoa behind center for the Dolphins. Does Tua even know what day it is today? Steelers also have a return of Mitch Trubisky to starting QB 1. It’s easy to say the Dolphins will be back to their old ways with TUA time in an exploding aerial attack in the skies of Miami.

Do you trust that Miami offensive line? One big hit & lights-out for Tua Time. Steelers have been up and down all season long. It’s hard to keep Steelers down as they showed up and played very well last week to get the victory versus the Buccaneers. I think Steelers defense shows up with a big game out for Trubisky to seal the deal on the road.

OUR PICK: STEELERS

MONDAY NIGHT GAME

CHICAGO BEARS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Why do the Bears keep getting prime time games? I feel like the nation thinks Chicago is just another episode of the Jerry Springer show during which anything can happen. Not at the quarterback position when it comes to the Bears. Then the Patriots who make you think that Bill Belichick will just go away. Enough is enough. Patriots are 3-3 hanging in there looking to get hot like they did at this time last year. Who is Bailey Zappe?

What grinds my gears is Belichick, and many teams, can insert a quarterback behind center like changing batteries in a smoke detector. Zappe last week throws for 300 yards and a few touchdown passes in a big win for the Patriot nation. Bears are still toying around with Justin Fields and that Junior Varsity offense that Chicago has. Bears suck in prime-time games. Patriots are playing solid football right now.

OUR PICK: PATRIOTS