Why is Tom Brady still playing in the NFL? The Buccaneers team as a whole is aging with many holes on the roster. They would not have gotten many quarterbacks out of retirement to play in Tampa Bay. Then in the Dairyland Aaron Rodgers is just collecting the paycheck while going through the motions in Green Bay. Rodgers was more fired up years ago when the Packers drafted quarterback Jordan Love over the Packers trading away his main weapon to the Raiders in Devante Adams. Both Rogers and Brady many thought were the cream of the crop in the NFC. Teams in the dreaded NFC East have risen past their sorry-arse teams. Both Rodgers and Brady have their teams at the 500 mark, 3-3, after the first six weeks of the season. With 11 games left in the season, I’m sure either quarterback could steer the ship for their team and find the post-season. The way both quarterbacks are playing, they better hope their ship finds the Bermuda Triangle and disappears from the game without everyone noticing their whimpering.
Why did Tom Brady change his mind about retirement? Brady has nothing to prove in his career with all the Superbowl rings, even the one he earned with the Buccaneers. Brady has all the legit all-time stats playing quarterback at the age of 45. Eventually some robotic half human, half machine from the future made from Sky-Net will break Tom Brady’s record. Unless Brady freezes his head in some Bio-lab which will eventually put his head on another body. I’m sure Brady has looked into it. Bruce Arians, the head coach of the Buccaneers, even walked away into the sunset which could tell you he probably squeezed the team’s only Superbowl from this group. Brady alienated his family coming back to play the game as his model wife looks like she’s going divorce Tom’s big ego. Is it because Gisele Bundchen, Brady’s wife, makes more money than him and is well known all over the world? Has the Goat lost his game? Brady in six games has 8 touchdown passes to only one interception. Brady is completing 67% of his passes. Buccaneers offense can’t dial up big pass plays due to the offensive line so Brady is completing short passes so he does not get murdered back there. Broken tablets, yelling at his offensive line, and coming short on a few key two-point conversions sums up Tom’s season. Is the Goat all in? Going to your former bosses wedding, Robert Kraft, and missing the team walkthroughs tells me you’re not all in Mr. Goat.
Then there’s Aaron Rodgers who gives you that look like, “I don’t care what the hell anyone thinks about me.” Aaron’s ego could be bigger than Tom Brady’s. Rodgers reminds me of Jay Cutler collecting a hefty ransom and whatever happens on the field means “whatever” as he shrugs his shoulders. The Packers have a collection of younger receivers that are not on same page as Rodgers. I thought great quarterbacks make receivers better. You can say a good craftsman never blames his tools. Rodgers has blamed his tools for dropping his passes. Rodgers is 38 years old and so far this year has 9 touchdown passes compared to three interceptions. Rodgers is also completing around 67% of his passes. Rodgers has felt the heat like Brady as teams are putting pressure on these guys. It is so easy to blame the offensive line and I’m sure Rodgers has pointed in that general direction. Last season the Packers averaged 26.4 points per game and this year the team is averaging 17.4. Rodgers is averaging 233.8 yards pass per game this season, his lowest ever in his career. Rodgers says we have to simplify things, execute each play, and be held accountable… meaning everyone else besides himself.
This year in the NFL the league is upside down in craziness with most teams jumbled up in a pack of average. The NFL has some bad teams. The NFL has a few teams that are the cream of the crop that stand alone, and the Buccaneers or the Packers are not in that conversation. Buccaneers losing to Mitch Trubisky and the Steelers last week brought a giggle out of me. Packers losing to the Jets at home means all these Wisconsin hunters will be blooding up the woods taking their football frustrations out on Bambi. I can see either the Buccaneers or Packers making some kind of run at some point during the season and sneaking their team through the back door to the post-season. I can’t see either the Packers or Buccaneers beating a top tier team in this league in the post-season, which leaves them a long way from the Superbowl conversation. I hate both Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. Most people do because of their arrogance, and they’ve probably beaten your favorite team over and over. Jealous somewhat. Both quarterbacks will be on the Canton first ballot. Their bitching, complaining, moaning, and groaning will tarnish their reputations if their douchiness has not already beaten them to the goal line. Many will remember both quarterbacks for lighting up the score board and guiding their teams to the promised land. Right now and right here in front, these two look like grumpy old women bitching because they ran low on BenGay cream. Out with a whimper.
This game features two JV teams going at it in the NFL. I’d rather go watch a local high school game instead of trying to stomach this contest and pay 12 bucks for a beer. Both the Commanders and Bears offensive lines feature doors of a whorehouse. You can come in, but you won’t know what you’ll catch. If either team can catch the football. All the locals and my circle are heavy on the Bears winning this one. I’m certainly not following that herd heading over the cliff.
OUR PREDICTION: COMMANDERS
THE SUNDAY SLATE
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT ATLANTA FALCONS
Could this be a trap game for the 49ers with the Chiefs up in the on deck circle? No team can sleep on the Atlanta Falcons as they battled with every opponent each week. Jimmy Garoppolo is doing what Jimmy does best… win games.
The 49ers have won back-to-back games and are playing solid football without making mistakes. The Falcons will battle but once again come up short.
OUR PICK: 49ERS
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS
I have picked against the Patriots every week which made me look foolish last week as I thought the Lions would roar to a victory. Browns have lost some close games, but every loss means Deshaun Watson’s chances of starting a playoff game when he gets back to action become that much harder. I think the Browns can run on the Patriots as Bill Belichick’s run defense has been surrendering 128 Yards per contest so far this season. Jacoby Brissett may want to add another loss to his former team. The Browns keep those doggies rolling while Watson has another displeased lady with the massage table filing a sexual complaint against him. Can Browns score more points than Deshaun Watson’s sexual pile of grievances?
OUR PREDICTION: BROWNS
NEW YORK JETS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS
Love when the Packers fall on hard times. How scary are the Jets flying into Green Bay with their sights on full throttle for the upset at Lambeau Field? Aaron Rodgers’ passing game has struggled all year. Thank the lord the Packers traded away their best receiver to the Raiders. Look at the Brewers trading their closer at the trade deadline while leading their division. We see how that worked. Brewers miss the playoffs and Josh Hader closed out the Dodgers yesterday. Something must be surfacing in the Wisconsin cheese.
I like the upset here with Jets forcing six turnovers in the last two games. Packers will give the Jets a heavy dose of Aaron Jones and AJ Dillion who will carry this team to victory and the entire Cheese-head state could come off the ledge of their barns.
OUR PICK: PACKERS
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Both these teams suck. Both these teams screw me all year either picking them or going against them. Colts will be without their starting horse in the back field, Jonathan Taylor. Thank the lord I picked this cat on my fantasy team. The Jaguars went back to their old Jaguar ways last Sunday versus Lovie Smith… pathetic Texans. This will be another awful game to watch. I’m going with the home team in this one. Maybe Matt Ryan will show up for the first time this season and do something.
OUR PICK: COLTS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS
Dolphins are living the script in the Al Pacino movie, Any Given Sunday losing their top two quarterbacks with injuries.
Dolphins have better chances of the heat playing a factor versus the Vikings instead of hoping & praying Teddy Bridgewater can get out of concussion protocols and start this game and play well. Vikings offense should be able to handle the Dolphins defense. Vikings defense should be able to pressure whichever quarterback starts this game. Obviously, Dolphins have a weakness on that line as teams are teeing off on their quarterbacks.
OUR PREDICTION: VIKINGS
CINCINNATI BENGALS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Two Bumble legendary quarterbacks square off in the Big Easy. Joe Burrows versus Andy Dalton. What a fight card while you’re eating spaghetti chili.
Since Dalton left Cincinnati, the Red Rifle has beaten his former team dressed in a Cowboys uniform and a Bears uniform. Bengals desperately need a win, and the Saints dome is a hard place to achieve that goal. Maybe not when it’s your old stomping grounds. I can see the gold and black being replaced with purple and yellow LSU colors where Joe Burrow went.
OUR PICK: BENGALS
BALTIMORE RAVENS AT NEW YORK GIANTS
I know the Giants are 4-1 and coming off a big victory versus the Packers. Just not buying what the G-Men are selling. Giants are definitely a football team on the rise but top of the NFC. Ravens will be a pretty good measuring stick for Brian Daboll’s squad. Ravens could be undefeated with some bad losses. They gave up the lead late in a few contests. Ravens played the Bengals tough last week and grinded out a victory which should get Lamar Jackson and company feeling good going to New Jersey on the road to bring the Giants back down to earth.
OUR PICK: RAVENS
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Tom Brady should not need the roughing of the passer call which was not last week on the road in Pittsburgh to win this one.
Brady fine kicking the Falcons defender. How many defenders do you think over the years would like to meet Tom Brady in dark alley? Ryan Fitzpatrick would love that idea. For the Steelers they will have a rare losing season. It’s all about developing rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett who looks like something special so far.
OUR PICK: BUCCANEERS
CAROLINA PANTHERS AT LA RAMS
Panthers still have not gotten a 300 yard game of total offense. Panthers head coach fired. Baker Mayfield is in the dog house. Panthers trade rumors swirling. Who wouldn’t want a bus ticket out of there? Meanwhile the Superbowl champs are experiencing tough times. This Sunday, the Rams will be eating well having some Panther fillets on the barbie.
OUR PICK: RAMS
ARIZONA CARDINALS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
What is this craziness I’ve been hearing through the grape vine? Geno Smith of the Seahawks is a legit quarterback in the NFL? Same Geno who once suited up with the Jets. Smith leads the league in QB rating, how about those apples, as a veteran he finds his game later in his career. Another battle of the birds, and it seems like we had a lot of those in recent weeks. I do not like either squad’s defense in this one. This should be a shoot-out. I like Kyler Murray as the last man standing by the time the final whistle blows.
OUR PICK: CARDINALS
BUFFALO BILLS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
This is the clash of the titans match up that everyone wants to see. Chiefs and Bills – this one could be a preview of the AFC championship. Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen, two of the best quarterbacks in the entire league, went at it last year in that epic post-season game that went to overtime.
Bills have been knocked out of the playoffs by the Chiefs, the last two seasons. Allen and the Bills went into Kansas City on a Sunday night about this time last year and throttled the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. This game should be another classic and it should be featured as the game of the week. Must-see television. I like the Bills on the road in this one. I think the Bills will not play that preventative-style defense that gave the Chiefs an easy drive to send that playoff game last year to overtime. Von Miller, the X-factor, will find a way to get Mahomes to the ground. Bills get their revenge, but the real revenge will come in the playoffs with Kansas City visiting Buffalo in the cold weather.
OUR PICK: BILLS
SUNDAY NIGHT GAME
DALLAS COWBOYS AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
The city of Philadelphia is having some magic this weekend. First the Phillies, took down last year’s champs in the baseball post-season. Eagles trying to stay undefeated face their archrival Cowboys who come to town on a 4-game winning streak high. Something has to give on streaks. Cooper Rush as a starter for the Boys has not lost a game in his career. The Eagles have not lost a game this season. Cowboys sack artist, Micah Parsons, is dealing with a groin injury. Hard to chase a guy like Jalen Hurts who makes big plays with his legs. Dak Prescott’s return could play into the mind of Cooper Rush in a big NFC East showdown. The town of Philadelphia to me has that mojo with their sports teams right at this moment. It will not wear off on Sunday.
OUR PICK: EAGLES
THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME
DENVER BRONCOS AT LA CHARGERS
Russell Wilson and that Broncos offense have shown me nothing all season long to pick them to win a road game in LA. This isn’t a road game for the Chargers because they have no fans. Broncos defense has played well all season, but how long can they contain the Chargers running and aerial attack? Justin Herbert will put points up on the board while Russell Wilson can’t get the family roadster in gear.
We earned our first merit ribbon last week going 13-3 which was good enough to win the pool I’m in. Still scratching my head over how this occurred. Sometimes you run into some luck in life.
NFL WEEK 5 STRAIGHT PICK-EM
THURSDAY NIGHT GAME
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS AT DENVER BRONCOS
THE JACK ASS BOWL
Colts/Broncos: I’d rather watch PBS than try to stomach two veteran quarterbacks that look dreadful. Both Matt Ryan and Russell Wilson are new to their donkey team. Both QB’s looked like they aged ten years. Not even sure which team wants to win more. Going with the home team on this garbage. Thank God it’s on Amazon Prime.
OUR PICK: BRONCOS
THE SUNDAY SLATE
THE MORNING TEA
NEW YORK GIANTS AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (LONDON)
Both teams have beaten the Bears which does not tell me anything in this one. Giants are off to a surprising start. Aaron Rodgers has his first ever game over the pond. I think a trip like this will help the Packers find themselves. Something about the foggy air. The tea and crumpets. The cool throwback taxi cabs cruising around the Big Ben clock. All of this somehow makes the Packers wide receivers able to catch a few balls more than they have all year.
OUR PICK: PACKERS
BACK TO THE U.S.A
CHICAGO BEARS AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS
No David Montgomery in the back field for the Bears. Vikings went overseas and showed up to beat the Saints in London. Justin Fields still makes too many mistakes which Vikings should capitalize on. Vikings at home in a regular noon game versus an inferior division opponent, is right up Kirk Cousins’ alley.
OUR PICK:VIKINGS
ATLANTA FALCONS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
I was at first thinking another Falcon upset special. Falcons have been playing well especially on the offensive side of the ball. Falcons will be without their Swiss Army Knife, Cordarrelle Patterson, which kills my upset. Look for Tom Brady and the Buccaneers to rebound after getting thrashed last week in a prime-time game versus the Chiefs.
OUR PICK:BUCCANEERS
DETROIT LIONS AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Lions are putting up some points. The Patriots have injuries at the quarterback position. It’s a reunion for the Lions and Matt Patricia, their former coach. I think the Lions will have an extra roar in this one and win a close one on the road. Patriots offense will not be able to generate enough points.
OUR PICK: LIONS
HOUSTON TEXANS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
This might be the first time I feel confident picking the Jaguars to win a game. Texans have a pretty good defense. The Jaguars have the better defense. On offense, Jaguars are scoring points and the Texans are not. Jaguars find another W.
OUR PICK: JAGUARS
LA CHARGERS AT CLEVELAND BROWNS
Chargers are due for a big day on offense. How long can the Browns stay in the game just with their elite running attack? Sooner or later Jacoby Brissett will have to try to win a game versus the opponent with his arm. Both the Chargers defense and Browns have been blah this year. This game features two of the best running backs in the AFC. Browns Nick Chubb while the Chargers have Austin Ekeler.
Justin Herbert will be the difference maker for a Charger road-win at the Dawg Pound.
OUR PICK: CHARGERS
MIAMI DOLPHINS AT NEW YORK JETS
Dolphins are different offense without Tua Tagovailoa behind center. The Jets have been challenging teams as they beat the Steelers last week with Joey Flacco behind center. Dolphins turn to another veteran of the league in Teddy Bridgewater. Jets/Dolphins always have been a touch match up to pick over the years. It’s a close game as Miami escapes New York with a victory.
OUR PICK: DOLPHINS
PITTSBURGH STEELERS AT BUFFALO BILLS
The Steelers introduced the league to their rookie quarterback, Kenny Pickett. Pickett had some great moments versus the Jets last Sunday in a loss. Bills have been playing a tough schedule mostly on the road, but now finally get to host a game. A rookie quarterback going up against a savage beast of defense like the Bills have, could be trouble for a young man’s confidence. Steelers defense week one looked like a top ten unit but ever since, opponents have been having their way with them. What’s Pinto Ron serving up at the Tailgate party? I like the Bills in this one.
OUR PICK: BILLS
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Where did that offensive burst come from last week? The Seahawks put up 48 points versus the Lions. Andy Dalton and Saints played well over the pond but come away with a loss. Seahawks gave up 40 points. Dalton and the Saints should have no problem scoring points versus a bad Seahawks defense. Saints defense is a much better unit than the Lions.
OUR PICK: SAINTS
TENNESSEE TITANS AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
The Titans have finally found their stride after starting off the season 0-2. Nothing has worked right for the Commanders after their week one win. Derrick Henry is starting to fire on all cylinders which will give that Washington defense problems. Nothing is jumping out at me to give Washington any hope. Titans win their third straight.
OUR PICK TITANS
DALLAS COWBOYS AT LA RAMS
Cowboys have problems beating winning teams. Rams are only 2-2 so far this season. Could Cooper Rush and the Cowboys offense go into LA and come away with a victory? The Rams have been still looking for last year’s mojo. Cowboys are trying to keep up with the Eagles in the dreaded revived NFC East. Rams seem to find a way to win after losing a prime-time game like they did on Monday night versus the 49ers. The Rams will give Cooper Rush his first ever loss in the NFL.
OUR PICK: COWBOYS
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT ARIZONA CARDINALS
I feel it’s not a Red Bird weekend for professional teams. The Philadelphia teams are making Philly cheese steaks with Cardinal meat. The Phillies knocked out the St. Louis Cardinals on the diamond. Once upon a time ago, the Arizona Cardinals played in St. Louis so it would be even better if Philadelphia knocked out both St. Louis teams in one weekend swoop. The Arizona Cardinals are too erratic right now. Kyler Murray could play well in this one, but I think he’s taking on too much trying to carry the full load. The Eagles have a solid defense and Jalen Hurts is playing at a top level. Eagles are too much for the Cardinals to handle.
OUR PICK: EAGLES
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS
Maybe the Panthers will be interested in Trey Lance in the off-season, from the 49ers. The 49ers only tick right with Jimmy Garoppolo behind center as they beat up on the Rams on Monday night. Panthers’ Baker Mayfield may be playing like the worst quarterback in the league. I think head coach Matt Rhule has lost this Panther team and his bum is on fire right now. It would be a letdown if the 49ers don’t walk into Carolina and pull out a victory. Panther are that team that “huff & one puff” the entire house is coming down.
OUR PICK: 49ERS
THE SUNDAY NIGHT AFFAIR
CINCINNATI BENGALS AT BALTIMORE RAVENS
Lamar Jackson versus Joe Burrow is an entertaining AFC North showdown. Bengals have bounced back winning two straight games. Ravens could be a 4-0 but have blown big leads and collapsed in the second half versus the Dolphins and Bills. Bengals handled the Ravens well last-season. Bengals are the hotter team while the Ravens still feeling the sting of that loss last week.
OUR PICK: BENGALS
THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Raiders finally won last weekend. Chiefs rebounded from their loss to the Colts by torpedoing the Buccaneers U.S Brady ship. Raider teams of the past have given the Chiefs some trouble. Arrowhead is a tough place to win, especially in a prime-time game. Patrick Mahomes is playing ten times better than Derek Carr. Andy Reid’s plan has to be better than anything Josh Daniels can come up with.
Not sure how Tua Tagoailvoa came back in the Buffalo game from being laid out like a rag doll. Bengals finally put up a W in the win column.
Bengals will be able to score on the Dolphins suspect defense. On a short week, TUA TIME will be seeing three receivers instead of the one he is throwing to.
OUR PICK: BENGALS
THE SUNDAY SLATE
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (2-1) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-2)
This game is being played over the pond in Europe. The time warp will slow both teams down. Andy Dalton is starting this game for the Saints. Which is a good thing. Is it too early in the morning for football viewers to consider this a prime time game? Just for Kirk Cousins’ sake. I like the Vikings offense just getting the edge over the Saints defense. The Red Rifleman could be rusty in the first action of the season.
OUR PICK: VIKINGS
CHICAGO BEARS(2-1) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (2-1)
Who in their right mind would have predicted both the Giants and Bears would have winning records going into week 4?
This is a battle between two teams with new head coaches. Bears have Matt Eberflus while the Giants have Brian Daboll. Eberflus is a defensive-minded coach while Daboll is offensive-minded. Both teams’ defenses has been pretty good to this point. I have to give the Giants the edge as Daniel Jones has been far better than Justin Fields at the quarterback position.
OUR PICK: GIANTS
BUFFALO BILLS(2-1) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (2-1)
Both the Ravens and the Bills have their only loss of the year handed down to them by the Dolphins. Bills have taken on some injuries to some key members of their defense. Does Sean McDermott have enough on his defense to stop Lamar Jackson who is putting up Bo Jackson Tecmo Bowl numbers in the league the first three weeks. Ravens defense can give up points. I like Josh Allen in this one out-dueling the legendary Jackson and Bills rebound from that Miami loss as road warriors on the road.
OUR PICK: BILLS
CLEVELAND BROWNS(2-1) AT ATLANTA FALCONS(1-2) This is my upset special of the week as the Falcons will prevail over the Browns. I like the Falcons offense this season. Marcus Mariota with his Swiss Army knife, Cordarrelle Patterson, are scoring points and coming off a win versus Seahawks which is a confidence boost. Seahawks are nothing special, but you have to start somewhere. I think the Browns will play down to the competition and get whacked with a loss at the end of regulation.
OUR PICK: FALCONS
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (2-1) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (3-0) Former head coach coming into his ole stomping grounds and pulling off a victory? Doug Pederson’s Jaguars are playing some good football. Eagles are playing like they are the best team in the league and have the undefeated record to back them up. I think the Jaguars will put up a good fight in this one. Eagles at the end will knock the kittens down a peg or two and send them home without a saucer of milk.
OUR PICK:EAGLES
LA CHARGERS (1-2) AT HOUSTON TEXANS (0-2-1)
Chargers have been dealing with multiple injuries after the first three games in the book. Houston defense has been playing well, but Lovie Smith’s offense in his entire head coaching career once again is the question mark. Even with the Chargers not having their full roster, they should be able to hold off the Texans. It might not be a pretty victory but it will look more like a Denver victory.
OUR PICK:CHARGERS
NEW YORK JETS (1-2) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1-2)
Joe Flacco will conclude the AFC North off the schedule as the Jets quarterback, as you’d think he is on his retirement tour playing his ole stomping grounds. This is a game where Mitch Trubisky will make a statement. When things looks bleak in Chicago as the fans thought they saw the last of Mitch, he pulled out a big game versus a inferior team. Steelers need a win desperately to keep up with the Jones in the AFC North.
OUR PICK: STEELERS
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (1-2) AT DETROIT LIONS (1-2)
I think the Seahwaks are at the bottom of the wastebasket in the NFL. We all know that’s where head coach Pete Carol has come from. Lions have played everyone tough so far in the first three games of the season. Lions may have some of their playmakers out in this one, but I think they’ll still prevail. Let’s face it Geno Smith is the starting QB 1 and there’s a Seahawks defense that can’t stop anyone. Lions remain king of the jungle in this one.
OUR PICK: LIONS
TENNESSEE TITANS (1-2) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (1-1-1) You think this match up between the Titans and the Colts would be a battle for first place in the AFC South. You’re wrong as the Jaguars are the top team in the division early on. Both the Colts and Titans needed a victory and pulled one out last week versus AFC West teams. What victory is more impressive: beating the Chiefs or Raiders? I will say Chiefs. I pick the Colts this week.
OUR PICK: COLTS
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (1-2) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (2-1) This is a huge game for the Commanders against the archrival. Commanders’ only command this season is the last spot in the dreaded NFC East division. If Cowboys win, they will be 3-1. Giants could take care of the Bears and move to 3-1. Eagles look like the best team in the AFC East, and could be 4-0 if they can take care of the uprising Jaguar team. That will leave the Commanders with a 1-3 record. Season over. Cooper Rush should be able to engineer some scoring drives points off a poor Commander defense.
OUR PICK:COWBOYS
ARIZONA CARDINALS (1-2) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (1-2) I hate picking match-ups when it’s two middle-of-the-road type teams that are stuck in the middle tier of the league.
Whoever wins will be thinking they are still in the thick of things with a 2-2 record. Both teams have been hard to figure it out this season. I fly with the birds on this one as Kyler Murray is due for another big game.
OUR PICK:CARDINALS
DENVER BRONCOS (2-1) AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (0-3) I read that Raiders nation calls their stadium the Death Star these days in their new home in Vegas. In Oakland, they called their stadium the black hole.
Raiders have been beating themselves through the first three games. Broncos have really not done well on offense even with Russell Wilson behind center but are 2-1. I think Raiders will find a way at home where they play better football and win this game. Go figure Josh Daniels will get his first head coach victory on the Raiders sideline against his former team he did the same job years ago.
OUR PICK: RAIDERS
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-2) AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (2-1)
Patriots will have their back up quarterback Brian Hoyer starting this game. Packers escaping Tampa Bay with help from the Buccaneers jumbotron. Patriots have played well in parts of every game so far this season. Same with the Packers. Being at home it’s the 4th game of the year. I like the chances the Packers will play a complete game over the Patriots. Watch Aaron Rodgers be dialed in on this one.
OUR PICK PACKERS
SUNDAY NIGHT GAME
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (2-1) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (2-1)
Both the Chiefs and Buccaneers lost last week. Chiefs played a desperate team in desperate times needing a victory in the Colts. Buccaneers are suffering a rash of injuries on the offense side of the ball. Tom Brady has been shaky all season. I like Patrick Mahomes rebounding after a loss and being able to put up points against a good defense like the Buccaneers. Tom Brady just does not have the protection or the weapons to keep up with Patrick Mahomes.
OUR PICK:CHIEFS
MONDAY NIGHT
LA RAMS (2-1) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (1-2)
Rematch of the NFC Championship last year with the Rams moving on to the Superbowl. That was Jimmy Garoppolo’s first loss to the Rams in his career. Watch history repeat itself as the 49ers take care of their archrival in close one. Rams don’t scare me like they did last year. I like the 49ers at home as well.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1-1) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (1-1)
This is a match up of two quarterbacks that would like to stay being starters in the NFL beyond this season. Jets made the Browns look silly in the last two minutes. Mitch Trubisky is feeling the pressure of rookie Kenny Pickett looking over his shoulders. Browns running game will be key to Cleveland winning this game. I like the Steeler defense slowing down the Browns running game just enough for Mitch Trubisky to put some points on the board. Browns defense is still trying to find themselves.
OUR PICK: STEELERS
THE SUNDAY SLATE
BUFFALO BILLS (2-0) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (2-0)
So far this season in Miami it’s been the rise of TUA time in South Beach. Dolphins aerial game is the new Maverick movie. The Bills look like the best team in the NFL. Josh Allen has done well versus the Dolphins. Dolphins lack a defense. Tua Tagovailoa will have Bills defenders in his face all day long. I think Bills prevail on the road and bring Miami back down to earth.
OUR PICK: BILLS
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (2-0) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (0-1-1)
Colts can’t even beat the bad teams in their own division now face one of the top teams in the AFC in the Chiefs. Chiefs been doing their thing and are well rested from playing Thursday game weeks ago. Matt Ryan looks awful. Colts have a slew of injuries on their defense.
OUR PICK: CHIEFS
BALTIMORE RAVENS (1-1) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-1)
Ravens were embarrassed by the Dolphins comeback last Sunday. Patriots rose from the dead and beat the Steelers. Ravens will score points on the Patriots defense. I can’t see the Patriots slow-mo offense keeping up with Lamar Jackson and company.
OUR PICK:RAVENS
CINCINNATI BENGALS (0-2) AT NEW YORK JETS (1-1)
If Bengals lose to the Jets, this season is over. The hangover for the losing team in the Superbowl will linger all season long.
I do not trust Joe Flacco pulling out another big game as he did last weekend versus the Browns. Flacco’s best game since he won the Superbowl that seems a lifetime ago. I think Bengals work out the kinks at least for this week.
OUR PICK: BENGALS
DETROIT LIONS(1-1) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1-1)
My upset of the week.
The Lions have found courage this season and they show it once again in an upset on the road in Minnesota. Vikings laid an egg on Monday night and will still be shell-shocked when the Lions come to town.
OUR PICK: LIONS
HOUSTON TEXANS (0-1-1) AT CHICAGO BEARS (1-1)
The revenge of Lovie Smith!!! Former Bears coach looks like Black Santa will be the Grinch that stole the Bears’ Christmas.
Texans defense is for real. Lovie’s team has played two close games so far. While the Bears looked bad last Sunday night versus the Packers.
OUR PICK: TEXANS
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (0-2) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (0-2)
Shocking both teams are 0-2. Whoever wins this game could save their season. Raiders have played better than the Titans. I think the Titans at home will get this team jump-started. Look for a big day from Titans running back, Derrick Henry. Raiders head coach, Josh Daniels, will wish he was back in New England starting off 0-3.
OUR PICK: TITANS
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-1) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-2)
Panthers have been in both games so far this season but the team has not jelled yet. Saints defense will disrupt things for the Panthers offense. Saints should go with Andy Dalton over the Crab Man, Jameis Winston. Saints will run the ball more is what I would do and put Winston on short leash to avoid costly turnovers like last weekend versus the Buccaneers. Saints should be able to generate points versus the Panthers defense.
OUR PICK: SAINTS
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (2-0) AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (1-1)
The revenge of Carson Wentz versus his former team. Revenge games have not worked out this season. Just ask Russell Wilson. The Eagles are a solid team on both sides of the ball. The Commanders defense never showed up this year. The Commanders offense is up and down so far this season. Eagles show me in both games they play all four quarters.
OUR PICK: EAGLES
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-1) AT LA CHARGERS (1-1)
The Jaguars are in first place in the AFC South for whatever that is worth. Will Justin Herbert suit up in this one? Both teams have solid defenses. If Justin Herbert plays, the Chargers will win this one by bigger score. If Herbert can’t go, I still like the Chargers strong running game and Chase Daniels could steer the ship for at least one contest. I feel Trevor Lawrence will buckle under the Chargers defensive pressure of Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa.
OUR PICK: CHARGERS
ATLANTA FALCONS (0-2) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (1-1)
This is the battle of the birds that can’t fly. Even though the Seahawks have one win with Geno Smith behind center, I like Marcus Mariota better. The Falcons in two losses have been able to put up points against two pretty good defenses the Rams and Saints. Seahawks won their opener. I think the Broncos gift wrap that win for Seattle. I go with the dirtier bird in this one.
OUR PICK: FALCONS
GREEN BAY PACKERS (1-1) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (2-0)
This will probably be the last time Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers square off. Both Brady and Rodgers have issues with their wide receivers so far this season. The Packers are dropping balls. The Buccaneers can’t keep their guys healthy at the wide receiver position. Rodgers has only beaten Brady once in his career. Last time these two teams faced off, the Buccaneers embarrassed Green Bay. The Buccaneers dominating defense is the key of this game.
OUR PICK:BUCCANEERS
LA RAMS (1-1) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (1-1)
Both the Rams and Cardinals don’t look like themselves from last year. Both defenses have struggled stopping their opponents. Kyler Murray exploded in the second half last Sunday as the Cardinals came back to win on the road. Matthew Stafford does not look like the same guy he was last season. I think the Rams are just going through the motions and need a wake up call. Murray will serve up this wake up call with a cold dish of realality.
OUR PICK: CARDINALS
THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS(1-1) AT DENVER BRONCOS ( 1-1)
It feels like Russell Wilson has not left the AFC as he squares off against Jimmy Garoppolo like old times. Trey Lance’s injury last week saved the 49ers season as Jimmy G got his job back. The 49ers as a whole play much better with Jimmy as the starting quarterback. Denver is still trying to find themselves. The 49ers defense is not the place you want to be searching. I like the 49ers in a close one.
OUR PICK: 49ERS
MONDAY NIGHT
DALLAS COWBOYS (1-1) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (2-0)
I think the Cowboys play better with Cooper Rush behind center. I think the Giants will come back down to earth as they are off to great start under their new head coach Brian Daboll. Something has to give as Rush is 2-0 as a starter and the G-Men record this season is 2-0. I really don’t care for either of these two teams. I think Dallas has the better team.
Finally our first edition of the NFL power rankings where we dissect every team like an 8th grade scientist experiment. This will be our original frame work to start our season of power rankings as we expect it will change drastically week to week because this is the NFL. It’s very hard to predict anything. Hope we do not offend your team. One of my favorite teams is dead last. Hope you enjoy the first NFL power rankings by the Wild Shamrock this season as we roll out all 32 teams in our usual good, bad and ugly analysis. Hope your team is good rather than ugly.
#1.BUFFALO BILLS (2-0) The Bills are playing lights out so far on both sides of the ball. Week one they took it to the Superbowl champs. Last week they made Derrick Henry look like a lower tier running back as he was running like he had the stone of shame shackled to ankles like Homer Simpson.
Josh Allen dishing out the ball like a point guard in basketball as he included many of his weapons. Bills look like the scariest team so far. I like the home field advantage they had last week as the crowd was electric.
Jim Kelly getting the crowd juiced up with his pep talk to the crowd before the kick-off. If Bills get that first round bye it will be tough for any AFC team to go into Buffalo in the cold and win.
#2.KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (2-0) Chiefs have not slowed down on offense after trading away their top play maker, Tyreek Hill. Chiefs ran up the score on the Cardinals in week one. Patrick Mahomes then faced Justin Herbert as the Chiefs won the first battle against a division rival. Chiefs using the same format to win games have a top ten offense with a defense that just makes enough plays to preserve the victory in close games. Chiefs don’t look like they are going away any time soon.
#3.PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (2-0) Eagles are playing solid football on both sides of the ball. So far it’s been all Jalen Hurts emerging as a superstar quarterback in this league.
Hurts is a duel threat quarterback that can run and pass very well. Hurts is completing 69% of his passes in two games so far. Hurts has used his legs when needed. Hurts is backed up by a great running game. Hurts also has plenty of weapons to throw to. The Eagles defense is very good at creating turnovers.
#4.TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (2-0) Not impressed with Tom Brady so far this year. It’s the Buccaneer defense that has Tampa Bay undefeated at this time. Buccaneer defense looks like one of the best units in the game right now just giving up 13 points in two games. Brady will have to do something eventually if this team wants to go deep into post-season. Buccaneers offense is not healthy. Brady’s receiving core is in shambles with injuries after which they went out and signed Cole Beasley. The state of Florida probably is a good spot for Beasley to play so he can play football instead of whining about Covid shots. Can the Buccaneers protect their quarterback? Brady’s line these days is just being held up by a few nails.
#5.MIAMI DOLPHINS (2-0) Suddenly the Dolphins have found their Dan Marino combination with Mark Clayton and Marcus Duper.
All of sudden Tua Tugovailoa looks like a legit quarterback in the NFL. Last year Tua’s main weapon was Jaylen Waddle who had a big year for the Dolphins. The Dolphins made a trade with the Chiefs that brought them another superstar receiver in Tyreek Hill. Hill was one of Patrick Mahomes’ weapons of mass destruction over last several years. It’s a head scratcher why the Chiefs traded away a weapon like that and to a team in the same conference. In two games already for the Dolphins Hill has 19 receptions for 284 yards with two touchdowns. Dolphins look like they have one best aerial attacks in the league as the Ravens found out the hard way last week as Miami stormed back down by a few scores and won the game.
#6.BALTIMORE RAVENS (1-1) The Ravens were supposed to have that talented offense with a lights out defense. In week one, Ravens played that part. In week two Lamar Jackson put up video game numbers on the Dolphins as he lit up the scoreboard. The Ravens defense suddenly went soft like Cam Newton and Dolphins made a comeback and pulled out the victory in a stunner. Was it a fluke or are the Dolphins offense for real?
#7.LA RAMS (1-1) Not impressed by the Rams this season. Rams were blown out in week one by the Bills. Then the Rams had a doormat in the Falcons and jumped out to a big lead in week two. Then the Rams let the Falcons back into the game which turned out to be a close game. Superbowl hangover? Could this be a long and rough year for the Rams?
#8. LA CHARGERS (1-1) Do the Chargers still have the doctor on their staff that punctured Tyrod Taylor’s lung while giving him a pain injection shot for his rib injury?
I picture this guy being the doctor from Any Given Sunday. Taylor actually has filed a law suit against the Doc. That was the shot that saved the Chargers season and introduced the world to one of the best quarterbacks in the game right now, Justin Herbert. My only concern is Herbert has a rib injury, so I hope the Chargers can keep that quack away from him.
#9.SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (1-1) The Trey Lance injury saved the 49ers season.
The 49ers were not going anywhere with Trey Lance in the drivers seat. It always should have been Jimmy Garoppolo’s job and for Lance to earn the starting job by playing better than Jimmy G. Let’s face the facts that the 49ers are a legit playoff team with Jimmy G driving the car. 49er fans are dancing in the streets with Jimmy G back behind center.
#10.GREEN BAY PACKERS (1-1) I’m really not sure Green Bay is a top ten team. I may be putting the Cheeseheads this high because of their history. In week one, Green Bay looked horrible as the blame went to Aaron Rodgers’ receivers. Last week the Packers beat up on the Bears. Rogers did not look that impressive against the team he owns. It was the running game that thrived for the Packers in week two. I’m hoping the Packers will fizzle on our power rankings as the season goes on.
#11.CLEVELAND BROWNS (2-1) Throwing a bottle of water at the owner of the Browns Jimmy Haslam gets a fan banned for life from Cleveland stadium. If you’re a sexual predator that plays quarterback you are awarded with a 230 million dollar guarantee contract. Sorry Jimbo, not buying what you’re selling, as you sir are lower than pond scum and more people should chuck bottles at you.
#12. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-1) Time to put the Crab-Man in boiling water.
The Saints have one of the best defenses in the league. Saints have some play makers on the offensive side of the ball. Jameis Winston is back to his old ways throwing the game away with costly interceptions like he did in his Buccaneer days. Saints need to make a switch at quarterback immediately and give the job to their back up Andy Dalton, the Red Rifle. Dalton will make less mistakes and be serviceable with that great defense.
#13. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1-1) Kirk Cousins can’t win the big games on primetime as the Vikings were crushed at the Monday night game. The Viking offense disappeared after they played well in week one versus Green Bay. Somebody better inform Cousins the Superbowl is a prime time game. Vikings may not get to that game because the playoff road is filled with games on primetime. Maybe all Viking games should be played only on the air in the Minnesota market. Take away the fans as well. My kind of job with no bosses & no customers to deal with.
#14. ARIZONA CARDINALS (1-1) Arizona has only played one good half so far this season. Do you count the extra quarter where the Cardinals picked up a fumble in overtime to get that victory against the Raiders? For the Cardinals to get to that extra quarter for the Raiders, Kyler Murray exploded as he took the team on his shoulders and engineered a masterpiece comeback. Cardinals were wiped off the map in week one versus the Chiefs. If the Cardinals want to get back to the playoffs this team needs the defense to play better and have a solid running game behind Murray. Murray can’t do it all alone. That would be a slap in the face.
After the game Murray was accidentally slapped in the face by a Cardinal fan who was trying to go for the high five or tap the quarterback’s shoulder pads to congratulate him. That incident almost took on friendly fire.
#15.DENVER BRONCOS (1-1) It’s only a matter of time when the Broncos offense starts to take off. Everyone is waiting for Russell Wilson to be Russell Wilson and light up the scoreboard. The Broncos offense has moved the ball. It’s been in the red zone that the team has struggled. If I was a Bronco fan, I would hate losing to a quarterback named Geno Smith. That game the Broncos could have won in the opener versus Seattle. Broncos defense has been pretty good so far. When the offense catches up, Broncos should start winning games with a higher score.
#16.NEW YORK GIANTS (2-0) The New York Giants look like they made the best hire at their head coaching position this off-season. Former Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has the G back G-Men.
New Yorkers are proud to wear the Giants blues again as the city has jumped on board with their new head coach. It may be too early to really judge this Giant team as it could be beginners luck as well. Quarterback Daniel Jones is playing better under Daboll who we all know helped Josh Allen become a better quarterback. I like that Daboll is not giving a lot of playing time to veteran wide receiver Kenny Golliday. Golliday has not looked good in a Giants uniform. If other guys can play better than Golliday, he should wait for another opportunity.
#17. DALLAS COWBOYS (1-1) Every year once again the networks have to shove Dallas Cowboy games down my throat. Cowboys could be good, bad or just ugly and for some odd reason we have to see the Cowboys more than our own local team. Cowboys looked better with Cooper Rush behind center than Dak Prescott who was injured in week one. If Cooper Rush can have a winning record versus teams with a winning record then Prescott could easily be finding a new team. Prescott’s record is horrible versus winning programs.
#18. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-1) How many times have we thought the Patriots were dead? Patriots looked dead out of the water in week one. Everyone including me with sigh of relief knows we don’t have to talk about Bill Belichick and his hooded sweatshirt he slept in. Then like a bad Jason movie that comes back to life, the Patriots win a game versus a Steeler team you thought you had high hopes for. We are just waiting for that day for the Patriots to go away. Become a bottom feeder of the NFL world is where they should be exiled for the next ten years.
#19.DETROIT LIONS (1-1) I think this is the first time ever that I have the Detroit Lions this high in any of my NFL power rankings. Lions are playing solid and this is a team that will stack up some victories by the time the season ends. Bears fans now feel gloom and doom that their team will finish last as the Lions were always willing to take the basement spot in the standings. Jared Goff has found himself in Detroit with 6 touchdown passes in two games so far. They say that 70% of fantasy leagues do not have Goff on their roster.
#20. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1-2) Everyone loves the back up quarterback when the first stringer is not doing well. The Steelers had visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads signing former Bears quarterback Mitch Trubisky.
Trubisky has not been terrible. Trubisky might end up on a short leash since the Steelers drafted a home town guy Kenny Pickett out of the University of Pittsburgh. Steelers have other issues as well from defensive injuries to few guys. History in Pittsburgh always favors the guy the team drafted who will be the permanent guy over the veteran they just signed. Same thing happened when Big Ben Roethlisberger took the field. That case it was injury to Tommy Maddox. I bet Trubisky’s days are number as the starter in Pittsburgh.
#21.CINCINNATI BENGALS (0-2) Looks like the Bengals have gone back to their Bumble life style.
Usually the loser of the Superbowl falls on hard times the following regular season as the Bengals can prove that theory right. In the off-season, the Bengals tried to fix that offensive line to protect Joe Burrow. The new faces have not done a good job as Joe Cool in his first two games has laid on his back most of the games. The entire Bengal team looks to be in a deep freeze.
#22. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-1) Has new head coach Doug Pederson for the Jaguars been able to develop number one draft pick from last season Trevor Lawrence?
Lawrence played like a cast member of the movie Surf Ninja Must Die last season. It was that bad for Trevor Lawrence. In two games so far this season Lawrence has completed 68% of his passes with three touchdown passes with only one interception for over 500 passing yards. Jaguars are 1-1. Jaguars have played two solid games so far. Maybe this team is on the rise. Actually after two weeks the Jaguars are in first place in their division. Only team in the AFC South to have a victory.
#23.LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (0-2) Josh Daniels, the new Raider head coach, has killed anything good in that Vegas locker room they had going on last season. Last season this Raider team went through losing Jon Gruden to his wordy emails about people’s lips. Then the weekly Police Blotter these Raider players were involved in almost every week. The Raiders still made the playoffs. Josh Daniels ruined the Denver Broncos in his first head coaching stint. Only thing I can say good about Daniels is he knew Jay Cutler was a bum when he arrived in Denver. Assistant coaches trying to fly the coop in New England away from Bill Belichick can not fly on their own.
#24. TENNESSEE TITANS (0-2) The Titans looked like they’ve been hit by a Mack truck and playing like road kill. Ryan Tannehill probably feels like Joe Flacco when the Ravens drafted Lamar Jackson. The Titans were the first team to send in their rookie quarterback out on the field when the Bills were destroying the Titans. Malik Willis saw some action.
Only way to see less of Willis is for Tannehill to step up his performance and rally this Titan team and string together a few victories. Derrick Henry looks like he’s running with a Denver Boot strapped to his leg. The Titan receiver core does not have the weapons like they did the last few seasons. Ryan Tannehill’s days are numbered as even the defensive side of the ball is having problems trying to stop anyone. Tannehill will be looking elsewhere next season for a new job.
#25.CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-2) Still waiting on that first Baker Mayfield victory in a Panther uniform. Panthers have been in both games, but at the end have not found away to pull ahead of their opponent. Is Head Coach Matt Rhule’s seat starting to rise up in temperature? The positive for the Panthers is Christian McCaffrey is still on the field after two games.
#26. NEW YORK JETS (1-1) Was that Joe Flacco’s best game since he won the Superbowl several years ago and signed that huge extension afterwards?
I don’t think Flacco has many of these games left in him. I will applaud the veteran quarterback for beating the Browns especially if they miss the playoffs by one game. Jets scored two touchdowns in less than two minutes to shock Cleveland. PRICELESS!!!!
#27. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (1-1) I think the Commanders played better when they called themselves the Washington Football team. I hate the Commanders new logo.
Some other choices I would have preferred.
What happen to that Washington defense? Carson Wentz has done pretty good so far.
#28. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (1-1) Pete Carol reminds me of Randall Flag from Stephen King’s series The Stand. Flag is the supernatural spawn of the devil that can make his own appearance look younger. Pete Carol has to be 200 years old but looks like the same age as when he started coaching.
Now it makes sense how Geno Smith was able to beat the Denver Broncos. Pete Carol mortgaging his soul for a game to beat one of his traders like Russell Wilson. Carol may be running out of time with deals below the surface.
#29.HOUSTON TEXANS (0-1-1) The Lovie Way !!!
“Rex Grossman is still our quarterback”. How many times have I heard that? Lovie’s script might have insert here, the name of the inferior quarterback he is using. This go around the Black Santa Clause is using Davis Mills. This is Lovie’s Smith football recipe a great defense with a junior varsity offense.
#30. ATLANTA FALCONS (0-2) The Falcons look better than their former quarterback Matt Ryan. Falcons are like last year’s Detroit team finding times during the game to get red hot while scoring in bunches. Falcons have not played a complete game yet. The dirty birds still have 15 more games to make that happen.
#31. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (0-1-1) Colts being shut out by the Jacksonville Jaguars says it all. Why do the Jaguars have this Colts team’s number? Colts could easily be 0-2 right now as they had to fight their way back in their opener just to force a tie with the Texans. These are division games against teams they should beat up on. Matt Ryan looks awful!! Colts change quarterbacks like rolls of toilet paper. Who are they going to get next year?
#32.CHICAGO BEARS (1-1) Lets face the facts the Bears beat the 49ers at home due to the weather issues. You can even say the 49ers beat themselves in crucial situations in that opener. The Bears front office did no favors for Justin Fields. Fields has no solid protection on the offensive line. Who is Fields throwing to? Bears picked up whatever wide receiver that was on the curb from other teams on garbage night right before the season started.
Could Kurt Warner’s football legend even get bigger? Kurt Warner’s life story went to Hollywood as they made a movie called American Underdog about his life and journey to NFL that went down some bumpy roadways. Warner was bagging groceries while trying to fulfill his lifetime dream of playing quarterback in the NFL. Warner had to play Arena Football during which he finally got another invite to another NFL camp. Warner would get his chance in the NFL as he helped the Rams win their first ever Superbowl. Later in his career, he guided the Arizona Cardinals to their first ever Superbowl appearance. Warner racked up multiple 300 yard passing days in his career which got his ticket punched to Canton, Ohio and enshrined into the football hall-of-fame. Could Kurt Warner pass his quarterback genes on to his son like Archie Manning did and create a family business at the quarterback position.
Most expansion teams in professional sports don’t really do well for the first several years in their respective leagues. Once in a while, you get an exception like the Las Vegas Golden Knights. In their first year in the NHL, they went all the way to the Stanley Cup. In 1967, the New Orleans Saints were introduced to the NFL world. The Saints were not very good in the 1960’s or the entire decade of the 1970’s. During the 1970’s, Archie Manning was the Saints quarterback. Manning did not put up Manning numbers like we’ve seen with his sons, Peyton and Eli. Archie played in the NFL for 15 years, 11 seasons with the Saints. Archie would play two seasons at the time the Houston Oilers and then finished his playing career in a Minnesota Viking uniform. Archie Manning played in 151 games in the NFL to have a terrible record of 35-101-3 which he was on some very bad teams. Archie threw more interceptions than touchdown passes. Archie had 125 touchdown passes and 173 career interceptions. You have to respect that Archie played 15 seasons in the NFL. Off the field, Archie created his football legacy. The Manning family is football royalty when it comes to the quarterback position. Both of Archie sons won a pair of Superbowls each. Peyton, the oldest out of the two, won one with the Colts and walked off into the sunset winning his second in a Broncos uniform. Eli Manning won his two in a Giants uniform. It is said that if Cooper Manning, Archie’s oldest son, did not get hurt he would have been the best. I’m sure we will see sons of the Manning brothers rise through the ranks of quarterbacking 101.
That brings us to Kurt Warner’s son, E.J. Warner. E.J. is now the starting quarterback for Temple University. E.J.’s quarterback journey so far has not been handed to him on a silver platter. E.J.’s only Collegiate offers to play football were from lower tier schools. E.J. is a freshman this season and was 3rd on depth chart. Last week E.J Warner made his college debut coming off the bench in Temple’s win over LaFayette. E.J. was impressive going 14-19 for 173 yards with two touchdown passes. Yesterday in his first start of his Collegiate career, E.J went 19-32 for 215 yards with 1 touchdown pass and an interception. Temple would lose to Rutgers University 16-14. Not bad numbers for his first start. Can this be the start of something bigger? Can E.J. Warner follow his father’s footsteps and take his talents to the NFL? Can the Warner name eventually be a football dynasty like the Manning name? What if E.J. makes the NFL, has a son, and he becomes a quarterback? Another quarterback family business in the making as the stork will be delivering royalty. Kurt Warner’s story has that Hollywood ending. Archie Manning’s sons have that amazing Hollywood story after winning four Superbowls. The Warners will have to win three more Superbowls if we want to have them in the same conversation as the Mannings. Who knows? The Mannings probably are creating quarterbacks as we speak like the Terminator factories. We will wait and see what happens. Perhaps E.J. Warner will be like father like son. This could be the start of the makings of another quarterback family legacy which could be fun to watch. E.J. Warner has bigger foot prints to follow the legacy his father Kurt created. While the Manning brothers easily climbed higher than their father Archie’s NFL legacy.
Last week, I was unable to get my usual NFL weekly predictions posted. I did not do well last week as I went 9-7 in a straight Pick-em pool that I’m in. My NFL predictions have returned and will debut in week two of the 2022 season as I roll out a winner out of each match-up with some insight that can be helpful or add fuel to the fire. I will cross my fingers and may as well cross my toes in hopes these predictions do well. I will warn you the NFL can make you look smart one moment, then dumb, or even dumber, the next week.
THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME
LA CHARGERS (1-0) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (1-0)
This game will be the Clash of the Titans between two of the best quarterbacks in the league. Patrick Mahomes versus Justin Herbert sounds like a fight card. My problem is this game is only available on Amazon streaming. Where your television screen will look like a computer refreshing itself way too often like a pause in the action. Both teams won their first week of action. Chargers defense has improved, but this game will be a high scoring affair as the winner will win by just a score. Seems like whoever has the ball last will win. Chiefs are very hard to beat at Arrowhead Stadium. Chargers head coach Brandon Staley at times does not believe in punting and puts his team at risk. Like last season, they would have won a few more games. Andy Reid will be the difference as Chiefs remain perfect throughout the first two weeks.
OUR PICK: CHIEFS
THE SUNDAY SLATE
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (0-1) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1-0)
On the old Wendy’s commercials, the little old lady asks “Where’s the beef?” Patriots and Steelers could be using that slogan replacing beef with offense. Patriots replaced their old offensive coordinator Josh Daniels who took the Raider job with defensive coordinator former Lions head coach Matt Patricia.
The Biscuit, Mitch Trubisky, threw for 194 yards last week with one touchdown pass. Not bad as Steelers won the game with their defense. I really think the Empire is dead in New England. I think Trubisky is going to hang on to the starting job longer than people think. Patriots offense will have problems against one of the league’s best defenses.
OUR PICK: STEELERS
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (1-0) AT DETROIT LIONS (0-1)
The Commanders remain undefeated with their new nickname. Lions, like last season in games, find themselves in a hole in the second half and claw their way back into the game versus the Eagles last week to make the game close. Commanders were taken to the brink of the game last Sunday, but overcame the Jaguars, which is not saying much. This one could go either way. Can you picture the Commanders 2-0? If the Bears can win a game, why can’t the Lions get one the following week. Lions find their courage early in this game and play a complete game to get that first slash in the win column.
OUR PICK: LIONS
MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-0) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (1-0)
I’m not going to go there and say the Dolphins Air and Water show is the best since the Dan Marino days. It was TUA TIME last week as Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa played with his new toy and aired it out against a Patriot team they already have a hex over. Meanwhile Ravens are healthy and back to business as usual in week one with solid defense while Lamar Jackson runs his own air and water show. Tagovailoa versus better defenses in the league has not added many wins in the win column. Ravens at home make an early statement to the NFL world.
OUR PICK: RAVENS
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (1-0) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-0)
Tampa Tom has never beaten the Saints in regular season since wearing a Buccaneers uniform. An early division clash between the two teams has them both with victories in the opening week. Buccaneers suffered some key injuries to Tampa Tom’s offense. Saints defense is like a fly on shit when they play Tom Brady’s team. The shit being Brady. Brady always had problems winning in Miami when he wore the Evil Empire helmet. The Saints are Brady’s nemesis. I like revenge of the Crab-man seeing Jameis Winston upend his old team.
OUR PICK: SAINTS
CAROLINA PANTHERS (0-1) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (1-0)
The Giants had a sneaky win last week in Nashville. It was a revenge game for Baker Mayfield versus his old team that the Panthers fell short on. With a game under his belt in Carolina, Mayfield looked healthy and facing his old team is out of his system. I can see the Panthers getting a road win in New Jersey. Giants will not be overlooked this week and Carolina has the better team.
OUR PICK: PANTHERS
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (0-0-1) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (0-1)
It seems like the Indianapolis Colts lay an egg in their first game of the season. Last season, Colts lost their opener to the Jaguars. Last week the Colts salvage a tie with the Texans. Jaguars played well versus the Commanders but eventually lost the game. Colts also have to remember the Jaguars preventing them from getting in the playoffs suffering a must-win game in the last week of the season. Jaguars have a new coaching staff, but the same losing wrapper which will take more time to change their culture down in Florida. Colts find their revenge in this one and help their fan base off the ledge.
OUR PICK: COLTS
NEW YORK JETS (0-1) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (1-0)
When veteran Joe Flacco is the starting quarterback to begin the season for the Jets, you know you’re in trouble. In Cleveland, the DAWG pound’s plan is starting to come together. Browns will pound the football with their two headed back field. Jacoby Brissett will be a game manager. Browns defense will play stingy defense and hope the team strings together enough victories to hand the keys off to the biggest dog of the pound, Deshaun Watson. I can’t see the Jets prioritizing containing Cleveland’s running game, making Brissett beat you with his arm. Can’t see the Jets able to put up a lot of points either.
OUR PICK: BROWNS
ATLANTA FALCONS (0-1) AT LA RAMS (0-1)
The Rams’ Rocky Mountain Superbowl high bubble was popped by the Bills in week 1. Typical Falcons give the Saints a battle of a lifetime in week one only to see it result in another loss late in the game. Rams should be able to get the running game going versus Atlanta and give Matthew Stafford a well-balanced attack. Can Marcus Mariota be a productive starting quarterback in this league? I see Rams putting the crimps on Atlanta Swiss Army knife Cordarrelle Patterson to force Mariota to beat them through the air. Rams rebound nicely in week two.
OUR PICK: RAMS
CINCINNATI BENGALS (0-1) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (0-1)
Remember the Bengals lost an early game last season to the Bears. Don’t you hate when bad things happen to good people like Cowboys owner Jerry Jones? Once again Cowboys lose their quarterback, Dak Prescott, for several weeks. Does Cooper Rush scare you? Loved the Rush sisters on Too Close for Comfort.
The losing team of the Superbowl usually has a hangover the next season. Bengals start to sober up in this one.
OUR PICK:BENGALS
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (1-0) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (0-1)
Head coach Pete Carol should walk off into the sunset as his team beat his former quarterback last week, Russell Wilson and the Broncos. I can’t believe Geno Smith is still in the NFL the former Jet you would think he should be playing in the USFL or the XFL. How bad is Drew Lock? The 49ers have a quarterback soap opera going as Trey Lance is trying to hold on to the starter’s job with Jimmy Garoppolo holding the clip board. The 49ers looked bad last week versus the Bears in bad weather. Seahawks are pretenders as they played their version of a great game but Broncos’ bad clock management at the end gift wrapped that game for Seattle. I think the 49ers will rebound with some better weather and home cooking. The 49ers will show you why Smith is not an every day starter as San Francisco defense comes to play.
OUR PICK: 49ERS
HOUSTON TEXANS (0-0-1) AT DENVER BRONCOS (0-1)
Will the Seahawks loss come back to haunt the Broncos late in the season trying to get the last wild card spot? Lovie Smith’s Texans look like a team that can battle you. Texans defense played very well during the second half of the season last year. I see two things. Can’t see Russell Wilson losing two games in a row to inferior teams especially first home game in a Bronco uniform. Lovie Smith will never have that guy that can actually be in the top tier of the league at the quarterback position. I think Wilson gets it done as he razzles and dazzles the home crowd with one of his best games to show why the Broncos went after this guy in the first place.
OUR PICK: BRONCOS
ARIZONA CARDINALS (0-1) AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (0-1)
These are the two teams that made the playoffs last season, and I predict both will not make it to post-season after this. Arizona looked awful versus the Chiefs last week. The Raiders played better than the Cardinals team but still didn’t look that impressive. I think the Raiders offense will take a few games to get on the same page with their new coach, Josh Daniels. Evidence includes three interceptions by Derek Carr last Sunday versus the Chargers. Raiders probably overall have a better team than the Cardinals. I have a hunch that tells me Kyler Murray with the big recent contract will have his day in the sun and not roll snake eyes at the casino.
OUR PICK: CARDINALS
THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME
CHICAGO BEARS (1-0) AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (0-1)
Did the Bears beat the 49ers in the rain or did San Francisco beat themselves? Last two seasons, Packers looked bad in their first game this season against the Vikings, last year the Saints. Any struggling Packer team needs the Bears on the menu. This Bears team is too hard to pinpoint. The shaky offensive line is still there which Justin Fields will have run like Forest Gump for any offensive production. R-E-L-A-X my cheese Curd friends up North, Aaron Rodgers owns the Bears. The Packers receivers will suddenly catch the ball. Once again Green Bay will right the ship.
OUR PICK: PACKERS
TWO MONDAY NIGHT GAMES
TENNESSEE TITANS (0-1) AT BUFFALO BILLS (1-0)
The Titans I think is another team that will miss post-season this year. The Bills rebounded from that miserable playoff loss with the Chiefs that ended in overtime in maybe one of the ten best playoff games of all-time. Bills took all their frustrations out on the Rams last Thursday as they just throttled the Superbowl champs. Bills will take out the Titans best weapon in Derrick Henry on Monday night with that talented defense. I can’t see the Titans’ Ryan Tannehill beating the Bills with his arm alone.
Josh Allen in another prime time game makes me believe Bills at home should send the Titans back to the Moonshine state with 0-2 record.
OUR PICK: BILLS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1-0) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (1-0)
Whoever wins this one will be 2-0 in the NFC and feel like a legit playoff team. Over the last few years, most of these Monday Night games have been duds as Vikings and Eagles on paper look to be the cream of the crop. Will Kirk Cousins, who has been labeled as one who can’t win the big games, thrive on prime time? Vikings have an elite offense. The Eagles offense is no slouch with quarterback Jalen Hurts who could beat you with his arm and legs. Eagles have a very talented running game to go along with Hurts. Which defense will stand on their two feet? Vikings defense has proven themselves last week, but I need to see more. I give the Eagles the nod being at home.
Who do you have winning the next Superbowl? The Wild Shamrock blog will throw their hat into the ring and see if our predictions stick like Bologna darts.
We have no experts, but we have a case of beer chilling in the fridge. We predicted every team in the NFL record for this upcoming regular season. Then we went further and looked into our Crystal meth bowl of sugar and threw in post-season predictions with one team winning the entire thing. How did your team fare? We may have some hurt feelings. If you can’t cry in baseball, for sure you have to be man enough just to toughen up buttercup when talking football. You can agree or disagree, but whatever floats your boat will probably be totally wrong anyways. Could we also be right? The Jury is still out drinking that case of chilled beer. We have the cheap stuff while we dabble in a good craft beer and welcome football back into our lives. CHEERS!!!
REGULAR SEASON PREDICTIONS
AFC
EAST DIVISION
TEAM-WINS-LOSSES
Bills 14-3
Dolphins 9-8
Patriots 7-10
Jets 6-11
BILLS: Buffalo will clinch the number one seed in the AFC.
Dolphins: Miami once again will fall short of making the post-season by losing some tiebreaker.
PATRIOTS: The Empire may be seeking a new ruler as the Bill Belichick way will have many Boston faithful looking for ownership to make a switch at head coach.
JETS: Still Can’t find what I’m looking for. Jets U2 song for finding yet another quarterback in the upcoming draft.
NORTH DIVISION
NAME-WINS-LOSSES
BENGALS 12-5
RAVENS 10-7
STEELERS 8-9
BROWNS 7-10
BENGALS: New Offensive line in Cincinnati keeps Joe Burrows’ Bengals a playoff team.
RAVENS: Another Lamar Jackson injury and without a contract extension has the Ravens thinking hard about the future of their team.
STEELERS: Mitch Trubisky will hand over the reigns to rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett.
BROWNS: The Dog Pound will have to start neutering their own players to avoid giving rapid rabies outside the football field.
SOUTH DIVISION
TEAM-WINS-LOSSES
Colts 11-6
Titans 7-10
Texans 6-11
Jaguars 6-11
COLTS: Indianapolis takes advantage of their weak division. Jonathan Taylor leads the league in rushing stats.
TITANS: Travis Henry will blow out another tire. Ryan Tannehill will lose his starting job.
TEXANS: Lovie Smith will have that Texans defense even better this season where they look almost respectable even with the Junior Varsity offense.
JAGUARS: Jaguars will play competitive winning more games than the year before while losing lots of close games.
WEST DIVISION
TEAM-WINS-LOSSES
Chargers 12-5
Chiefs 10-7
Broncos 9-8
Raiders 7-10
CHARGERS: Khalil Mack coming from one end and Joey Bosa from the other. I can see Patrick Mahomes getting Malachi crunched. Better Chargers defense with that offense means they win the West.
Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes will running on empty at the end of regular season just because of the competition in the AFC West.
BRONCOS: Russell Wilson will get the Broncos back to the post-season.
RAIDERS: Patriots assistants as head coaches turn out like Lemons. Josh McDaniels will send the Raiders back to the couch during post-season.
NFC
EAST DIVISION
TEAM WINS-LOSSES
Eagles 9-8
Cowboys 8-9
Commanders 7-10
Giants 5-13
EAGLES: Threw a dart at the board for the dreaded NFC East division and Eagles are the Greatest Hit.
COWBOYS: Coach Mike McCarthy’s nuts will be roasted on an open fire by Christmas.
Commanders: I like the Washington Football Team name better than the Commanders.
GIANTS: New Giants head coach Brian Daboll has been collecting all of Buffalo’s rejects which is not enough to patch the holes on that roster.
NORTH DIVISION
TEAM-WINS-LOSSES
Packers 11-6
Vikings 10-7
Lions 7-10
Bears 5-12
PACKERS: Aaron Rodgers owns the North which consists of hovels as he is the Slum Lord of that division despite losing his top receiver.
VIKINGS: Can the defense catch up to the Vikings high powered offense? It is the biggest question in Minnesota.
LIONS: Can the Lions find the courage from the Wizard of Oz to close-out close games in the 4th quarter?
BEARS: Justin Fields can be the Bears answer behind center for years to come or be on that list of failed Ohio State University quarterbacks over the last ten years.
SOUTH DIVISION
TEAM-WINS-LOSSES
Saints 10-7
Buccaneers 9-8
Panthers 8-9
Falcons 2-15
SAINTS: Saints defense is Tom Brady’s Kryptonite. The Revenge of the Crab-Man!!!
BUCCANEERS: Tom Brady’s offensive line is weak with a new head coach as Father Time catches up with the GOAT.
PANTHERS: The tale of two halves. Baker Mayfield will sizzle at the beginning of the season and fizzle away in the second half.
FALCONS: Last 5 seasons, Falcons never had a defense. Now their offense will slink down to their defensive play with a team with no quarterback.
WEST DIVISION
TEAM-WINS-LOSSES
Rams 12-5
49ers 10-7
Cardinals 8-9
Seahawks 4-13
RAMS: Can Matthew Stafford stay healthy for a second season in a row? The Rams defense will do the heavy lifting this season.
49ERS: Jimmy Garoppolo will save the 49ers season from bad quarterback play by Trey Lance.
CARDINALS: I feel a let-down season is coming for the Cardinals. Kyler Murray will struggle after he got PAID!!!
SEAHAWKS: Pete Carol’s last year in Seattle. The last of the Mohicans in Seattle.
When is it that enough is enough when a player takes his stand on something he believes in, too far? Last season Cole Beasley caught 82 balls for the Buffalo Bills for 693 yards with a touchdown playing the slot wide receiver position. Recently Beasley ranted and raved that he put up those numbers playing through some injured ribs when fans criticized the 33 year veteran for still remaining as a free agent after the Bills cut ties with him in March. Why does a receiver who’s been in the league for nine seasons, playing 134 games catching 483 balls for 4,951 yards while grabbing 28 touchdown passes not have a job? Can Beasley still play in the NFL? Yes!!! Beasley is an Anti-Vaxxer and has plenty to say about the Covid-19 vaccination, which he does not believe in. Will Beasley not taking a shot eventually give him no shot to return to play in the NFL?
Cole Beasley has been fined by the Buffalo Bills several times for not taking the Covid protocols seriously. Beasley has chimed in on social media telling the world about the NFL players association deal about unvaccinated players getting stricter guidelines, calling it a joke. Sounds like Beasley could be a guy at your own work place finding something twisted in the company handbook. Perhaps some kind of clause in the Unions that may have hurt one of your co-workers? The NFL has plenty of players that are unvaccinated. Neither the Bills or the league have tied Beasley down on a table and injected him with a needle forcing him to play by their rules. Beasley gets on his soap box like that friend you have on Facebook that rants and raves about stuff they read on the internet to try to persuade you to agree with him. Most of the stuff people spew out is similar to the Peanuts comic strip adults talking. “Wah-wa-wah-wah!!!” The union of the NFL the players association who look out for the players came up with this. Sometimes in life you have to jump through hurtles for things you believe in. I’m vaccinated, but I don’t go around pointing fingers at Non-Vaxxers. Your choice. Sometimes choices have consequences. The saying is choose your battles. This is a pretty big battle to choose if you’re in Beasley’s shoes.
The Buffalo Bills goals are to make the post-season, get to the Superbowl, and win the entire thing. Cole Beasley was a nice security blanket to have for Josh Allen as slot receivers go over the middle of the field to catch some tough passes to convert first downs to move the chains while taking on a jarring hit. Can your friend on Facebook be a distraction if you invited him over to your house for a party? What if your family believes in the opposite of what this person says? What if your significant other’s family believes the opposite of what your friend thinks? Could it cause an uncomfortable situation in todays politics, drawing lines in the sand of hatred? Could Beasley’s actions be a distraction in the Bills locker room? Guess the nature of the beast of the situation is when younger guys emerge at the wide receiver position like Gabriel Davis and Isiah McKenzie for the Bills, it a no- brainer. Remove the cancer that is making bigger money and call it a day in which the Bills have did that done that.
What guys does Cole Beasley have this in common with? Colin Kaepernick is one of the most over-hyped quarterbacks of all time. People still make his play on the field legendary. Kaepernick chose to kneel during the national Anthem. Kaepernick has never played again in the NFL. Probably never will. Antonio Brown last year went bat shit crazy taking off his shirt and quitting on the field in the middle of the game. Brown continues to rant and rave about his former quarterback Tom Brady. Cole Beasley is not exactly Kaepernick or Brown. Most teams don’t want distractions. Except if your Browns fan just watch that unfold when Deshaun Watson returns from his 11 game suspension. Beasley, like most players that have their feelings hurt, sold his house in Buffalo recently. Beasley has ranted and raved about the Bills Mafia. One day the fans would boo Beasley for his Anti-Vaxx beliefs, on the next day they seek his autograph the receiver said on social media. Beasley then would say he loves the fans in Buffalo. The next rant Beasley would say he never was booed in the visitors stadiums. Again Red States Blue States here we go again. Beasley would also comment on when Bills Legend Bruce Smith visit. Smith would tell the team to get vaccination shots and come together as a team and watch over your brother’s back while they watch yours. Obviously Beasley has some bad feelings pentdup inside him as the 2022 season is almost upon us. I think if the team gets desperate at the wide receiver position, they may take a chance on Beasley. I could also see Beasley not getting another shot as his own soap box is bigger than any team’s goals of winning the Superbowl. I believe in freedom of speech. When it comes to the team, it does not matter what color, creed, Vaxxer, or Non-Vaxxer you are. It’s about winning football games on Sundays which is that simple. When your off the field issues are questions to your teammates, then you are not on the same page.
The Wild shamrock 