Is it too early to determine that Anthony Richardson may be a first round bust for the Indianapolis Colts? Can you pull the plug on a guy after two seasons who’s only played in 15 games and is only 23 years of age?
Richardson was drafted in the first round by the Colts 4th overall in the 2023 NFL draft from the University of Florida. How many chances to give a number one pick, especially the guys that play quarterback I’m thinking have nine lives in the NFL like Morris the cat? If Richardson was a fish and the field was his tank of water, he has been in and out multiple times for injuries or his poor play making him gasp for air and flop around. Suddenly Colts fans are having nightmares of one of their greatest quarterback busts in their history, Jeff George.
Jeff George was supposed to be the “real deal can’t miss” quarterback of the draft. The Colts selected George number 1 overall in the 1990 NFL draft out of University of Illinois. I watched him play for the Fighting Illini, and he had a cannon for an arm. George was born and raised in the state of Indiana so it seems like it was meant to be with the Colts hitting a home run on this pick. George would last 4 years in Indianapolis out of his 12 year career that featured stops in Atlanta, Oakland, Minnesota, and Washington. In 52 games over a 4 year span, George’s record as a starting QB for the Colts was 14-35 as he made 49 starts wearing the horseshoe on his helmet. George was simply a bad dude, not in a good way. He demanded to be traded. He would have arguments with coaches on the field wherever he played it seemed. He was not a good teammate on and off the field. A cancer in the locker room is putting it simply. He even made gestures in bad taste to fans in the stands. In 12 seasons he only had three winning seasons as a starter. He played in 131 NFL games in his career and as a starter he had a 46-78 record well below .500. He completed 57.9% of his passes and threw for 27,602 passing yards. He did throw 154 touchdown passes, but he a was gunslinger and threw 113 interceptions. This is a guy that had all the talent in the world but was too pig-headed to use these traits for good not evil purposes like the money and fame.
In two seasons, Anthony Richardson is strutting down Jeff George lane, but he is not the asshole the former University of Illinois quarterback was. Richardson only played in 24 college games. Basically he became the starter his last season on the college gridiron. Every team knew he was going to be a project that they had to mold into a true NFL quarterback. His athleticism is top notch. I’m not sure why the Colts even played him in the very first season he was drafted. You could make a case for him sitting on the sideline for one full season which could help his development. Patrick Mahomes sat most of his first season as he got action in a meaningless game at the end of the season for the Chiefs, who had their playoff position that year settled. Last season, Richardson completed only 47.7% of his passes. He tallied 1,814 passing yards in 11 games. He threw 8 touchdown passes to 12 interceptions. Surprisingly he went 6-5 as the starter for the Colts last year. In two seasons he has an 8-7 record as a starter. He has completed once again only 50.6% of his passes which is very bad. He has tallied up 2,291 passing yards. He has 11 touchdown strikes to 13 interceptions.
This season the Colts are going with another bad quarterback as their opening day starter – Former Giants QB Daniel Jones. Jones has one winning season under his belt in six seasons. Jones is a former first round pick by the Giants in the 2019 NFL draft as he was selected 6th overall. His starting record as a QB is horrific as his record is 24-44. His completion rating is much better than Anthony Richardson’s over his career at 64.1%. Jones has thrown 70 touchdown passes compared to 47 interceptions. This looks like an upgrade on paper. Jones will be looking to prove something after being dumped by the Giants. He is a better option giving the Colts a balanced offense. He can utilize all the talented receivers the Colts have as well. At which Richardson had problems. The Colts have a star running back in Jonathan Taylor. With Richardson, the opposing defenses can key on Taylor and Taylor only. Last year the Colts offense thrived with Joe Flacco behind center.
Will the Colts consider trading Anthony Richardson? Being athletic is not always the recipe at being a true quarterback in the NFL. You know in this league some coach is licking their chops to coach Richardson and mold him into a QB. Richardson has been in and out of the water so much he may be scarred right now being a back up in Indianapolis. He may need new scenery to develop. He may be a bust right now but a guy that is a late bloomer down the road like Sam Darnold. I believe he will have more chances like 9 lives, a number one pick gets compared to a 7th rounder. Present day in the NFL they expect these quarterbacks to establish themselves right away thrown to the wolves. Some can swim right away, but most cannot as teams move on quickly. I’m not feeling sorry for the Colts as they had legends behind center like Peyton Manning, who won them a Superbowl. They had Andrew Luck who was a solid QB for years for the Colts. Right now Richardson is on Jeff George Boulevard in his Colts career. Not with the bad attitude. George was able to at least complete passes down the middle of the field where Richardson will run more. He will get hit more in the open field. He will take on more injuries and eventually most running QB’s that can’t throw the ball with accuracy have a short shelf life in the NFL.
In 2020, Henry Ruggs III was drafted 12th overall in the first round of the NFL draft by the Las Vegas Raiders. He was the first ever pick by the Las Vegas Raiders in their first season in Sin Town after leaving Oakland. He was a talented wide receiver coming out of a big college football program at the University of Alabama. He would now be making millions and more millions of dollars living out his dream playing the game he loved his entire life. Being in Las Vegas could be naturally a distraction with loose women, fast cars, drugs and alcohol along with gambling which could be the whammy of hexes. No young man should ride that line as the ending is always no good. Young people are stupid and we have all been there ourselves. In his second year in the NFL, it was the fast car with the girl in the passenger seat going at an unbelievable high speed which ended killing a woman named Tina Tintor and her dog. Ruggs and his girlfriend at the time would survive that horrific night on November 2nd, 2021. Ruggs would end up going to jail as he was sentenced to 3-10 years charged with a felony DUI and misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter. In 2026, he will have his first parole meeting and he says he wants to still play football in the NFL and once again for the Raiders.
As a rookie, Henry Ruggs III’s first year in the NFL was decent. He played in 13 games, he was targeted 43 times, and caught 26 balls. He had racked up 452 receiving yards with two touchdowns. In his second year in the NFL, Ruggs played in 7 games before he got his Corvette up to a speed close to 160 MPH on a Las Vegas highway. In 7 games he was targeted in year two, 36 times. He caught 24 balls. In year two he already had the same amount of catches, yards, and touchdowns he did his rookie season. He racked up 452 receiving yards with another two touchdown catches. In 20 NFL games, Ruggs III had 50 catches for 921 receiving yards and hauled in 4 touchdown catches. By his numbers alone, he was starting to adapt and understand the NFL game while playing at a higher level. The NFL now plays 17 games per season so Ruggs III was on his way in year two to murder his rookie season numbers. If he played 9 more games, the standard 16 at the time, he should have had over 1,000 receiving yards and close to 100 catches and lets say 6 to 7 touchdowns. Now he’s starting to sound like a number 1 guy on a NFL team. If Ruggs III made the right decisions and not have drove his car while intoxicated with his girlfriend in the passenger seat. Who he had a kid with. He would have certainly made millions more dollars after playing out his rookie contract. Obviously if he stayed healthy on the field.
Henry Ruggs III spoke publicly for the first time about the tragic accident he caused to kill Tina Tintor and her dog on that night speeding to get to another party. It was at the Hope for Prisoners group held in Las Vegas where he spoke and wished he could go back to make things right. He would need a time machine to go back in time to save the girl he killed, who was 23 years of age. He is saying all the right things and apologized to the Tintor family. Not just for killing their daughter but bringing up the memories of the horrific accident when his face appears in the papers or his story goes on social media. He never addressed the family of the girl he killed face to face. He says he would like to apologize to them face to face to show them the real Henry Ruggs III. He admitted he was trying to escape the pressure of being a first round pick on a NFL team with stunts like living in the fast lane. He would like to play football again and even stay in Vegas where he is being incarcerated and play for the Raiders. He has had time to reflect about the situation and improve his mind set spiritually talking about it while praying and finding the Lord is my guess.
How do you get so intoxicated at a Top Golf place earlier in the evening, where Henry Ruggs III and his girlfriend were at before racing over to their next place? His alcohol limit was off the charts after he plowed into Tintor’s car. His girlfriend, Je’nai Kilgo Washington, needed arm surgery after the crash. Ruggs III was sentenced in May of 2023 as he took a plea agreement over the reckless driving charge. He also had a loaded hand gun and being intoxicated while possessing a gun is another law he broke. He has transferred to a transitional housing unit as his life seems to being closer to getting back to normal. His parole date is August 6th of 2026 and if he gets out, he will only be 27 years old. If he makes it back into professional football, his name would be in the headlines for the Tintor family to read about. Do you trust guys like Henry Ruggs III to have a second chance in life for being so stupid? This story will not stop future young men in their 20’s from driving like assholes. The more money they’ve got, the faster the car. We see it every day if you take a drive on a highway. People driving whatever car beyond it’s speed with no turn signals and cutting people off. No wonder we have road rage in life. Guys will say whatever they think the other person wants to hear to get what they want. Will the Tintor family be there to try to close the door on Ruggs III for longer time served? I know after Top Golf, he was not driving that fast wanting to kill somebody that night. Accidents can happen & that’s why they are accidents. I hope the Tintor family does have a say in the matter because losing somebody at 23 years of age in something like that is heartbreak for the rest of their life. If Ruggs III gets out and makes it back to the NFL, how is he going to escape the pressure the next time with the ghost of Tina and her dog on his shoulder when he’s on the field? Being only 27 years old does not mean you have all the answers. Serving time could improve a man’s mindset but for how long? What team will take a chance on a guy with this heavy load on his shoulders bringing this to your team’s locker room? I know lots of things have to happen before we do see Ruggs III back on the NFL gridiron. With that type of money, these guys in professional sports could afford the best car services to take these guys out to paint the town red. Not sure why they don’t use them because this guy may have been a number one receiver right now for somebody getting the bigger money. It’s the Tintor family we have to back, regarding their decision on anything to do with Ruggs III getting out early.
We are through with half of the second UFL season and I bet we are all confused. Is it a bird, a plane, a stallion, Renegade? I really don’t thing we have that super Stallions team right now. The best team in the league in the first half are the Defenders. The Stallions are falling. The BattleHawks are soaring again. The Showboats season has not sunk yet. The power rankings once again are a mess. We have another team on top of the power rankings making their second appearance as king of the mountain. We have a new bottom dweller. Are the Roughnecks making a run? We will try to sort it out as we kickoff the second half of the UFL with week six power rankings coming at you in plane bird style, that is not super. Enjoy the bottom dwellers to the top in our newest power rankings segment.
#8. SAN ANTONIO BRAHMAS (1-4)
XFL CONFERENCE: It did not take long for the Brahmas to fall back to the bottom of the UFL power rankings. The Brahmas are back in their comfort zone and fell two spots from last week.
ANOTHER ALAMO SLAUGHTER
Another slaughtering at the Alamo has occurred. This time it was the hometown Brahmas being trampled on by the Roughnecks at the Alamo dome. How do you beat the best team in the league one week and follow that up with a clunker to one of the worst teams in the UFL, Houston? They should load up the entire herd of Brahmas and send them packing to the slaughterhouse for mustering a total of 189 yards of offense that equaled to 3 points. The Roughnecks put a beat down on the Brahmas, 27-3, in an embarrassment in front of the San Antonio faithful bringing back old memories of the bad Gunslingers teams the city witnessed in the original USFL.
The Brahmas played their best game in week 4 defeating the undefeated Defenders and doing it through all three phases of their football team. Last week then they averaged 2.8 yards per play. Made it to the red zone twice the entire game. The defense was terrible. The quarterback play was horrific. The Brahmas still trot out Kellen Mond behind center like he has turned the corner. Which his stats tell a different story completing 4-9 passes for 35 passing yards. The Brahmas even gave the X Roughneck QB a try. Jarrett Guarantano was about the same as Mond completing 6-15 passes for 29 yards. Both QB’s threw an interception. I’m confused how this team beat the Defenders. The fix was in.
#7.MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (1-4)
USFL CONFERENCE: Moved up one spot from last week.
The Showboats’ entire season was sinking as they were the last team to finally put a W in the win column. It happened on Friday night lights as the Showboats took down the Stallions. Many are saying the Showboats used an illegal banned substance called flex seal.
Maybe the head coach of the Showboats, Jim Turner, read my power rankings segment as I mentioned they needed to try anyone else at QB.
The Showboats gave Dresser Winn his first UFL start of his career and all’s he does is win. Who is Dresser Winn? Winn played his college ball at UT Martin wherever the hell that is. He also played up north in the CFL (Canadian Football League) for the Edmonton Elks. He has been in the Rams camps as well. He’s 26 years old and he lit up the Stallions defense who are very solid this season. Dresser connected with his favorite target in this one, Dee Anderson, on a 78 yard deep ball for a score. The Stallions tied this game up and sent it to overtime. Anderson caught the clincher 2 point conversion in the OT face off rules of the UFL, the best out of three times at the 2 yard line. The Showboats scored also on a missed kick by the Stallions trying to connect on a long field goal. Isiah Hennie caught the ball in the end zone and ran it all the way back for a touchdown which a 108 yard play. With Dresser behind center, the Showboats receivers finally got the ball. Winn finished his master UFL debut completing 17-29 passes for 235 passing yards. Can Winn guide these Showboats to the post-season with a second half run?
#6. HOUSTON ROUGHNECKS (2-3)
USFL CONFERENCE: Moved up one spot from last week.
The Roughnecks notched their second win of the 2025 season. Houston has doubled their win total from the 2024 season. The Roughnecks shut down the Brahmas stampede and momentum San Antonio had after beating the hot DC Defenders squad in week 4. The Roughnecks defense has kept this team in games with the shaky quarterback situation all year around. They held the San Antonio herd to a 118 total yards last Sunday. The Roughnecks defense allowed only 3 points a field goal.
Marvin Moody leads this Roughnecks defense in tackles as he had 5 last Sunday which was tied for the team high. Rayshad Williams collected his second interception of the year off the Brahmas’ bad quarterback play. The Roughnecks had two interceptions in the game. The Roughnecks QB situation has improved as they inserted spring veteran Jalan McClendon behind center and he made his first start of the year and gets the win. McClendon showed last week that he is the best available that Houston has in moving this offense up and down the field. The Roughnecks running backs scored two rushing touchdowns in this one which was enough as Houston scored a season high of 27 points on a decent San Antonio defense. Suddenly Houston looking like they can make a run at a post-season spot as they are approaching the rear view mirrors of the Panthers and Stallions who both lost last week.
#5. BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (3-2)
USFL CONFERENCE: The Stallions are not galloping free and far ahead of the competition as they dropped one spot from last week in the power rankings.
I don’t think I ever had Skip Holtz’s Stallions in the bottom 4 of the spring power rankings. Here they are at number 5 after losing to the Memphis Showboats in overtime. The same Showboats who notched their first win on Stallion meat. With Matt Corral still injured. The Stallions former MVP Alex McGough is still on the IR with no timetable of returning. The Stallions turned to their 3rd starting QB of the season with spring veteran Case Cookus.
Case Cookus made his first start of the year against his former team, the Showboats. Cookus was originally with the Philadelphia Stars of the USFL as he guided them to the first championship of the reboot. The Stars played the Stallions in that title game as Cookus’ team had the lead until he got hurt. You know what happened after that. Cookus first start started out of the gates very slow. The Stallions defense was not crisp like they normally have been. Cookus is a gunslinger and will need to adjust his game to Skip Holtz’s offense. He completed 15-33 passes for 145 yards as he had two touchdowns and one interception. He threw a nice deep ball to his tight end Jordan Thomas for a touchdown strike. Cookus even had 83 yards on the ground which is not like him as he is a pocket passer. The Stallions made a comeback but lost in overtime. Maybe it took a half for Cookus to knock off the rust.
The Stallions brought their first championship quarterback out of retirement this week. J’mar Smith will be the emergency QB if called upon.
#4. ARLINGTON RENEGADES (3-2)
XFL CONFERENCE: Dropped one spot from last week
The XFL conference has three teams that look like they have a shot at the UFL second season title. The Renegades are one of them. Despite the 3-2 record, this team is not consistent this season. One week they look like they are the best team in the league and solid on all fronts. Then they lay a clunker as one of their units will fail them. The Renegades were up by 11 points on the DC Defenders in the 4th quarter. The Renegades have a true star on both sides of the ball that stand out. Donald Payne on the Renegades defense was having a solid game.
He had a sack, forced fumble, and 4 tackles. Payne in crunch time in closer mode did not shine as the Defenders tied the game. You want Payne to be that pain in the arse to close out the other team. Then on offense the Renegades have one of the best QB’s in the league in Luis Perez. Which is a big reason why this team should be in the post-season. It’s a league without much QB talent. Perez had another big day at the office – one touchdown pass which was a 63 yard strike to Deontay Burnett. He had 268 passing yards. Yet in crunch time he serves up the interception when things are knotted late. Perez has led this Renegades team to an XFL championship a few seasons ago. He can get the job done. This Renegades team has a definite pattern they need to break out of.
#3.MICHIGAN PANTHERS (3-2)
USFL CONFERENCE: The Panthers fall two spots from last week after being perched on top of the power rankings coming into week 5.
The Panthers imploded late in a game versus the BattleHawks. The Panthers were up by 14 points in St.Louis. The BattleHawks second string QB made the start in this one. Max Duggan did not play well in week 4 versus the Renegades. The good signs to the Panthers success and future of this team this season is the play at their QB position. Bryce Perkins is playing at a high level this seasons. Another 235 passing yards through the air. Two more touchdown passes.
The two-headed monster at the running back position could be a scary thing late in games wearing out opposing defenses. Toa Taua had a pair of rushing touchdowns versus the BattleHawks. He had 74 yards on the ground. Now he has 139 rushing yards for the season with 3 rushing touchdowns. I do like the Panthers defense. They crumbled letting Max Duggan escape the pocket and using his legs to gain chunks of yardage. The Panthers look and feel like the best team in the USFL conference. They have to get over their hiccups versus the Stallions though. They will be in the thick of things in the second half.
#2. ST.LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS (3-2)
XFL CONFERENCE: Moved up 3 spots from last week
The BattleHawks looked like road kill after losing Manny Wilkins to a season ending injury last week. The buzzards and vultures of the UFL were circling. The BattleHawks would soar once again with the horn frog behind center. Max Duggan’s redemption in front of the home crowd gives St.Louis fans hope for the post-season. Duggan was a complete disaster filling in for Wilkins. Duggan completed 9-12 passes for 124 passing yards with a touchdown pass. Then with his legs, he had two touchdowns on 10 carries for 70 yards. The BattleHawks trailed by 14 points in the second half.
Do you remember Hakeem Butler? He has missed some games with an injury. The big, tall, and lanky St.Louis receiver was targeted by not one but two BattleHawks quarterbacks. Butler had two catches for 124 receiving yards and a pair of touchdown catches. One from Duggan. Then the game winner from Blake Jackson who hooked up with Butler for the game winner on a 57 yard strike. St.Louis needs Duggan or if Jackson is the guy to play well, this team has a shot.
#1. DC DEFENDERS (4-1)
XFL CONFERENCE: Moved up one spot from last week to be at the top of the power rankings once again.
The Defenders finish the first half of the season with the best record in the league. They did come across a major hiccup in week 4 being knocked off their perch by a bad Brahmas team for their first loss of the year. This Defenders team lost their head coach before the first week. He bolted to the college game along with their defensive coordinator following him out the door. Things looked bad last week when they were down to the Renegades looking to give DC back to back losses. The Defenders came back from 11 points down and stunned their division rival, Renegades, in a 37-33 comeback win. Jordan Ta’amu had a 300 yard passing game with three touchdown passes. He leads the UFL in both passing yards with 1,213 yards and touchdown passes as he had 9 of them in 5 games. Versus the Renegades he completed 23 passes out of 46 attempts which is a 50% completion percentage which is not very good. For the year, Ta’amu has completed 88 passes out of 177 attempts which gives him a 49.7% completion percentage for the year. I would want my QB with a much higher completion percentage. In spring football it may be okay. This Defenders team seems to be about the right place right time as their free safety Josh Proctor was picking off Luis Perez late in the game with a tie score.
If Jordan Ta’amu is going to complete his passes at the right time of the game as they did versus the Renegades, it will not matter what his completion percentage or interception totals are. This team is living on the edge. The Defenders rushing attack is pretty much their quarterback. They really don’t have a true number one receiver. The defense thrives on getting turnovers. If the Defenders get to that championship game and are not Johnny on the spot, they will most likely lose. If teams face the Defenders and have a clean game, they could beat this team. In spring football there may not be such a thing as a clean game. We will see how long the beer snake has bite in the second half.
In week two of the young 2025 spring football season, we already have a new number one perch high and above the season power rankings. Is it time to take the Stallions to the glue factory as they were snake bitten in DC? Some musical chairs in the top 5 spots of the power rankings going into week two. I think the teams that live under the stairs will be there for most of the season. Okay, let’s unveil week two power rankings in the UFL starting with the bad all the way to the top of the food chain. It could be the Battlehawks or Bob freaking Stoops. Enjoy!!!
#8. HOUSTON ROUGHNECKS (0-1)
USFL CONFERENCE: SAME SPOT FROM LAST WEEK
Last week pointed out one of the major problems head coach Curtis Johnson and this Roughnecks team have – the quarterback and their offense. In the first Friday game in the UFL history, Houston was blown out of the waters at home by St. Louis. The Roughnecks were down 31-0 by the time they were moseying on in the end zone. Houston you have a problem at the QB position. The new guy, Anthony Brown, did not give this non-existent fan base any hope by completing 5-11 passing for a whopping 21 yards. It was the back up QB, Nolan Henderson, who connected with Houston’s only threat, Justin Hall, for the only score of the day. Nolan Henderson did okay and may not be the answer for the Roughnecks as they had this scoring drive in garbage time.
The Battlehawks defense did knock Nolan around, but he showed he may be the better option than Brown. Justin Hall seems the only threat on the Roughnecks these days. Hall scored the only touchdown for Houston. Hall has been in Houston when this team was called the Gamblers in the USFL reboot.
Maybe this Houston franchise should go back to their original name, the Gamblers. In 2022 & ’23, the Gamblers on the jersey went 8-12 in 2 seasons in the USFL. Since adopting the Roughnecks, this Houston squad is now 1-10.
#7. MEMPHIS SHOWBOATS (0-1)
USFL CONFERENCE: Same spot from last week
The Memphis Showboats are sort of in the same boat as the Roughnecks. They too have a solid play maker, named Jonathan Adams, who tallied up 93 receiving yards with one touchdown. The Showboats have two quarterbacks right now dueling it out to be the man behind center for the season. Both quarterbacks have spring football experience. Troy Williams, who is a former Pittsburgh Mauler, played for Memphis last year. He completed 8-11 passes for 104 passing yards but threw an interception. Then EJ Perry who completed 10-17 passes with an interception. Perry has experience playing for the Michigan Panthers. Adams has to take on extra credit to give these guys a bigger window so they can get him the ball. The Showboats scored 12 points & that doubled the total of what Houston scored. The Showboats’ new interim head coach Jim Wilson was thrown into action when Ken Whisenhunt had to leave the team for personal reasons only a week away from the first game. The Showboats were okay under Wilson as they opened up at home and lost to a solid team in the Michigan Panthers. The Showboats fan base have their own personal club like the Bills Mafia as they name themselves the Yacht club.
I love it, but where was the Yacht club in the home opener for Memphis? Was the entire fan base out on the water on a three hour tour and then became shipwrecked on some island. That leads up to the million dollar question: Ginger or Mary Ann?
#6. SAN ANTONIO BRAHMAS (0-1)
XFL CONFERENCE: Dropped 2 spots from last week
I was not impressed with Wade Phillips’ team in week 1. The Brahmas defense gave up the most points in the first week to the Renegades. The Brahmas defense was a big part of what brought this team to the championship game last year. It seems like their defense lost some of its juice they had in their attack style. On offense, same ole story about having a quarterback that is developed. Kellen Mond made his first spring start and he completed 17-31 passes for 159 passing yards. He did not throw any interceptions but was sacked twice and completed the majority of his passes which were short not down field. It was the Brahmas rushing attack that is still solid as John Lovett and Anthony McFarland combined for 105 yards on the ground. It took the Brahmas until the 4th quarter to find the end zone. The best thing for the Brahmas was their kicker made his first field goal since high school ball.
Donald De La Haye aka Deestroying it, got the Brahmas on the board with a 39 yard field goal. De La Haye was on the Brahmas last year but did not attempt a field goal as he was injured in week 2 and done for the season. De La Hoye leads the league in followers on YouTube . In college the NCAA came down on him about his videos at Central Florida University where he quit playing college football to keep doing his thing on social media. De La Haye’s second field goal attempt did not look very promising as it was a longer attempt but sailed far away from the goal post.
#5. DC DEFENDERS (1-0)
XFL CONFERENCE: Moved up one spot from last week.
Can a beer snake swallow a Stallion? It was the Defenders defense that swallowed Stallions QB Alex McGough 8 times in eight sacks on the former USFL MVP. It was an impressive victory for the Stallions and the new head coach Shannon Harris who just got the job a week before the season started when Reggie Barlow bolted to Tennessee State for the head coaching job there.
It was Anthony Hines III who put on a clinic on defense for the Defenders. He had 6 tackles with 2 sacks and fumble recovery. The Defenders have a QB that has plenty of experience in the spring football league as Jordan Ta’amu had another solid game behind center. He completed 17-37 passes for 211 passing yards & one TD pass, along with 1 interception. The Defenders only put up 18 points which was enough to give the champs their first loss of the season. The Defenders crowd looks like something out of the Big Bang Theory or some Dungeons and Dragons club that meets there to drink plenty of beer to feed the snake. I only moved the Defenders up one spot because I need to see more. Was this victory just a lucky win by them or will they be contenders? Last year this team were pretenders.
#4.BIRMINGHAM STALLIONS (0-1)
USFL CONFERENCE: Dropped 3 spots from last week.
The Stallions have fallen off their perch on the spring football mountain as they tumble in DC in week 1. The Stallions are the only winnless team I have in the top 4 of the power rankings because they are Birmingham and let’s not forget they have won three straight titles. The Stallions did suffer a loss last year. This Stallions team is still stacked with talent. Having Alex McGough back behind center everyone thought Birmingham would be unstoppable. The Defenders exploited something on the Stallions offensive line and sacked the former MVP 8 times. The Stallions defense only gave up 18 points which is a good thing to take from this loss. Tae Crowder had a big game for the Stallions on the defensive side of the ball.
He had 11 tackles and defended one pass. Do you think Tae is related to the Crowders in Kentucky?
I know Skip Holtz will have the Stallions back on track by week two. I think the Defenders will show their true colors next week as the team we thought they were.
#3. MICHIGAN PANTHERS (1-0)
USFL CONFERENCE: Dropped one spot from last week
Even though the Panthers did win last week, to me they dropped one spot because of their dueling banjos at the QB position that do not impress me. The Panthers defense is tops in the league. They can run the ball with the best of them in the league. They have a top playmaker at the wide receiver position in Marcus Simms.
The final piece to this Panthers team puzzle is the quarterback position which does not fit. The Panthers banjos have no strings and I’m not sure if you combined Bryce Perkins and Danny Etling into one Quarterback that you would have a top passer in the UFL. The Panthers should just stick with Perkins because he can run with the ball and can escape the pocket. One of these guys just needs to be the game manager and not screw up on game day. That defense will keep them in every game. Imagine if the Panthers had a top passer, they would be a championship team.
#2. ST. LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS (1-0)
XFL CONFERENCE: Moved up one spot from last week.
I guess if you are a Battlehawks fan you can say AJ who? Referring to AJ McCarron one of the top QB’s in the UFL last year as St. Louis moved on in a different direction. Maybe the Panthers should give McCarron a call. Just saying.
The Battlehawks wanted a mobile quarterback and that is where Manny Wilkens comes in. He razzled and dazzled the Roughnecks defense with his legs and arm. Wilkens threw for 189 passing yards with no interceptions. He also ran for two touchdowns on 43 rushing yards. The Battlehawks rushing attack is something to keep an eye out for. They set a new UFL record with 273 rushing yards of which 74 of them came from a Jarveon Howard who had 115 for the night. Then St. Louis star running back had 98 rushing yards. The Battlehawks defense only gave up 6 points.
#1.ARLINGTON RENEGADES (1-0)
XFL CONFERENCE: Moved up 4 spots from last week
The Renegades made the biggest jump in the power rankings moving up 4 spots and taking the number one spot.
Did you buy the King of the Spring fling’s new book? Luis Perez learned the QB position from watching YouTube videos. He has bowled more than one perfect game. He has helped the Renegades win an XFL title & now he is a published author. Perez was not the star of the Renegades in week one as he quietly completed 20-25 passes for 164 passing yards. The Renegades put the most points on the board in week 1. They did their damage with the running game and the Renegades defense was awesome.
Kalen Ballage galloped for a 77 yard run for a score. He led the Renegades rushing attack with 9 carries for 110 yards. The Renegades’ other running back De’Veon Smith who has been playing for Arlington for years, had 3 carries for 3 yards and 3 touchdowns. I think the Renegades had all 3 phases of their game playing at top level. They can run the ball. They have a solid defense. Most importantly they have one of the best quarterbacks in the league. The weakness in the UFL is the play at the quarterback position.
When Pete Carol was signed by the Las Vegas Raiders, you knew the “win now” mentality was going to be the plan for the oldest head coach in the league. You knew the Raiders would go in another direction with their quarterback room from last season that featured Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell. Many thought the Raiders would sign free agent Russell Wilson and Carol was set for their own reunion back in their Seattle days. The Raiders inquired about Matthew Stafford. The Rams were not going to trade their starting veteran quarterback. The free agent waters had some other interesting names like Sam Darnold, Justin Fields, and if you have the oldest coach in the NFL… why not get the oldest Quarterback in the league in Aaron Rodgers. Instead the Raiders went with Carol’s other guy from his Seattle days and struck a deal with the Seahawks bringing Geno Smith to Vegas baby! The Raiders will give Seattle a 2025 3rd round pick and the 34 year old Smith will be set for reunion with his old coach from Seattle.
Geno Smith was originally drafted by the New York Jets back in the 2013 NFL draft in the 2nd round 39th overall. After going 8-8 in his rookie season, Smith struggled after his first year in the league with the Jets. After 4 seasons the Jets pulled the plug on Smith. Smith bounced around the next two seasons before finding a back role for the Seahawks, as he backed up Russell Wilson. The Raiders will be Smith’s 5th NFL organization as he suited up one season each with the Giants and Chargers. Smith finally got another shot at the starting job when Wilson and Pete Carol’s relationship soured and he was traded to Denver. For the Jets, Smith had a 12-18 record as a starter dressed in green. For Seattle he will leave with a winning record of 28-24 in 5 seasons. He made two pro-bowls in 2022 & 23 both with Seattle where he resurrected his NFL career. In 11 seasons Smith has played in 94 games and has a record of 40-42 as the starter. He has tallied up 19,143 passing yards for his career with 105 touchdown passes to 72 interceptions.
Why Geno Smith over Russell Wilson? Wilson would have not cost the Raiders to give up any draft capital. I think the Raiders could have gotten Wilson cheaper as well. Wilson played 11 games last year for the Steelers where he was 6-5 as the starter. Wilson tallied 2,482 passing yards completing 63.7% of his passes. He threw 16 touchdowns to only 5 interceptions. Wilson had the Steelers in the driver’s seat to win the AFC North. The Steelers struggled at the end of the season and backed in the playoffs as a wild card, before they were quickly dispatched from the post-season after 1 game. Geno Smith completed 70.4% of his passes last season. He went 10-7 as a starter as he tallied up 4,320 passing yards. He threw 21 touchdown passes compared to 15 interceptions. He had Seattle in the driver’s seat in the NFC West, but the Seahawks would also fold down the stretch and miss the post-season. Wilson is 36 years of age and he can’t move like he used to back in his Seattle days. Smith is two years younger but has the ability to escape the pass rush with his legs. I think Smith has the stronger arm and can throw the ball down field better than Wilson can. Smith is more of that gunslinger mentality as Wilson is better at being careful with the football. Both guys are pretty much equal, but I would give Smith the edge. I think it comes down to Pete Carol probably has more trust with Smith than his old Quarterback he won the Superbowl with back in his Seattle days. I think Smith would get more respect in any locker room as Wilson is high maintenance and gets under most players’ skin with the special treatment he needs.
What is Seattle doing retooling or rebuilding? The Seahawks have one quarterback on their roster, former Washington Commander Sam Howell. In 2023 Howell chucked the ball 612 times that season which is by far the most passing attempts in the league. Howell has been in the league only 3 seasons and was back up to Geno Smith last year. He has played in 20 games and has a 5-13 record as a starter. In 2023 he tallied up 3,946 passing yards while throwing 21 touchdown passes but also threw 21 interceptions. He seems like Jameis Winston reincarnated. The Seahawks could be linked to Sam Darnold as their next starting quarterback. The Seahawks have freed up money by dealing Smith to the Raiders. Smith is the 19th highest paid QB in the league and is in his final year of a 3 year deal worth 75 million. The Seahawks were about 10 million apart with an extension for Smith. Seattle was looking to pay Smith 35 million per season, but his people wanted him to be paid 45 million per season. Seattle also has one of their top wide receivers in D.K. Metcalf who wants out and is seeking a trade. Even if you trade Metcalf, the Seahawks still have some interesting pieces for whoever their next starting quarterback will be. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a top receiver in the league. They have a pair of solid running backs in Zach Charbonnet and Kenneth Walker III. The Seattle defense played well last season.
The Raiders made a splash before this trade locking up their best asset on defense in Mad Maxx Crosby as he will be paid the most money by a player not being a quarterback in NFL history. The Raiders have brought in Chip Kelly to be the team’s offensive coordinator. Last year the Raiders ranked 29th in the NFL averaging 18.2 points per game. Kelly has had successful offenses that he had run in the NFL. Kelly was not a good head coach in the NFL. Kelly is most known for his exploding offenses at the college level. The Raiders have one of the best tight ends in the league. Brock Bowers may be the newest Travis Kelce in the entire NFL. Bowers in his rookie season caught 112 passes for 1,191 receiving yards and 5 touchdown catches. The Raiders will need another wide receiver. The one they currently had in Jakobi Meyers did have a nice season as well catching 87 balls for just over 1,000 yards and he caught 4 touchdowns. The Raiders will need a better running game than what they had last year. If the Raiders can add a few more guys to this high tempo offense Kelly likes to run, things may have gotten even more interesting in the AFC West.
Where does veteran Geno Smith fit in the pecking order of the AFC West at the quarterback position? You have to still rank Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs number one. Is Chargers Justin Herbert number two? His performance in the post-season last year versus Houston was weak. The Rise of Bo Nix for the Broncos may be the 2nd best QB in the division. Herbert and Smith could equal out behind Nix and Mahomes. The head coaching in this division is unbelievable. Remember the Chiefs, Chargers, and Broncos made the post-season last year leaving only the Raiders at home from the AFC West. Andy Reid, Sean Peyton, and Jim Harbaugh all explain why three teams made the post-season. Pete Carol and the Raiders are behind the 8-ball looking in, but today they improved their team with Smith behind center. The Raiders will need more pieces to be able to leap frog some of these division rivals. For the long haul I see the Raiders getting better as a team. They may grab a wild card spot next year or the year after. The Raiders and post-season don’t go together like the days of “just win baby” which now was decades ago. I don’t see the Raiders winning a Superbowl with Geno Smith as their quarterback. Smith is nowhere close to being the Rich Gannon style of QB who blossomed like Geno late in his career and led the Raiders to a Superbowl appearance. The Raiders need a true number 1 QB to go along with the rise of a Max Crosby and Brock Bowers. It is always good to talk about the silver and black finally getting their act together.
The job as a kicker or punter in the NFL was always a quiet position. They were two positions that were known as your outcasts on the team’s roster over the years. Kickers and punters don’t get down and dirty. The only time you would hear about a punter was if their kick was blocked or if he somehow botched the punt and it cost your team. The regular kicking job was a different story as you are either loved or hated. If you deliver a game winning kick on Sunday, they may be hoisted on the team’s shoulders in celebration. If these kickers miss a game winning field goal, they may be shunned in the locker room by their teammates. They may receive hate mail with death threats. The kickers/punters jobs are no longer the guy from the soccer team booting the ball for his team. No longer the foreign guy kicking the ball for your team. The positions have evolved as they are no longer the hush puppy on the sidelines. In the game of football, many players turn into savages in a violent game. It’s no longer the big guys in the trenches that have lost their marbles on the football field. It’s no longer the primadonnas at the wide receiver position talking foolishly. Suddenly the kicker and punter are contributing to those dramatic off the field stories like the rest of the players.
We start with our Deshaun Watson of the kicking world. The last player from the Baltimore Ravens team that won the 2012 Superbowl is Justin Tucker. He’s 35 years old and has played 13 seasons in the NFL, all with the Ravens. Tucker has played in 212 NFL games and has hit 417 field goals while knocking through 524 extra points. He has made quite the name for himself on the football field kicking winning field goals and burying long distance kicks through the uprights from high 50’s to 60-something yards out. He is a 7 x Pro Bowler and was part of the HOF All Decade 2010’s team. Tucker, like Watson, has the same problems on the massage table as he wants to fondle the merchandise. So far 16 massage therapists have come out of the woodwork just like in Watson’s case as he had more. All of them from the Baltimore area which makes sense. All the allegations are from 2012-’16 so Tucker eventually stopped. Or found the right girl with everything in the package deal. He exposed himself during the massage and probably handled all the girls stroking them on the inner thigh while leaving a wet spot on the table when concluded. More details will emerge.
Other recent news is a former Viking punter from 2005-’12 was arrested in California at a city council meeting. Chris Kluwe is 43 years old and he spoke at the meeting as he made his feeling clear that he is not a Donald Trump supporter. He compared the Make America Great Campaign to the Nazi Party. He compared Trump to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. He had to be dragged out of the meeting during his speech as things got heated. It was the Huntington Beach city council that were installing a plaque at the local Library of Donald Trump’s slogan Make America Great Again and giving MAGA their support. This is not the first time Kluwe has had words against this same library who were banning books a few years back. Kluwe said he’d rather play video games than be a politician which the Democrat party has been knocking at his door. He may consider running as multiple topics have him venting against the Trump regime. He played in 127 games in the NFL which was 8 seasons all with the Vikings. He says when he became an activist for gay rights and same sex marriages, his career was terminated by the Vikings and the NFL after the 2012 season.
The Kansas City kicker used his soap box in 2023 in a commencement speech at his Alma Mater, Georgia Tech University. Harrison Butker is the opposite of what Chris Kluwe is preaching. In that speech he said women that get degrees get excited more about getting married and having children than having a career. This is freedom of speech. It can be true and false, just an opinion. He goes on saying Catholic leaders are pushing ideologies on the youth of America. He ripped Joe Biden’s stance on abortion. Made comments on Pride month and the LGBTQ community. Butker did not get in trouble for his speech but did get some backlash. It’s freedom of speech but using all your political stance in a commencement speech is a little odd. He did not do it on the Chiefs clock. Maybe Butker and Kluwe will debate in the future of this country.
Then you have a former Buffalo Bills punter who was drafted in 2022 in the 6th round who got cut from the team because he was involved in a group rape back at his college, San Diego State. Matt Araiza calls himself the punt god. The girl in this sticky situation said she was 18 years old and she was at the college campus partying. She was only 17 years of age. At first it was said that Araiza got oral sex from the Jane Doe 17 year old, outside somewhere during the parties. Then led her back into the house where his teammates got a turn on Jane Doe as she was drunk and most likely everyone had a fair share. It went on for over an hour where three of the punt god’s teammates gave her a ride. The Bills did cut ties with Araiza who turned out to be innocent as the case was dropped. Araiza played his first season in the NFL with the Chiefs this season and played all 17 regular season games including the playoffs. You have to wonder why this kid put himself into a situation like this. Sure he is probably innocent, but some truth even if it’s a sliver of it means this kid made a bad decision. I blame the girl as well and whoever she hangs out with should not be called a friend of the future. She may have been embarrassed and was caught in a pickle or more. Someone could have paid her to go away. Maybe the others got the blame. The nickname punt god… give me a break. Kick the ball and that’s it. Do your job.
Marquette King played 84 games as a punter in the NFL. He played six seasons in the NFL 5 with the Raiders and one with the Broncos. He is now kicking in the UFL United Football League for the Arlington Renegades as he may tell you the NFL black balled him. King was a solid punter and he still is presently. In football, every player has to use the referee’s signal for first down when they achieve one. You have your touchdown celebrations. You have your sack dances on defense. Now on a turnover from all the defenses in the league you have, your group dances for that particular celebration. It’s really pathetic. King had his punt dances which would draw flags from the referees. King would also get in fights with the special teams coaches because he would call his own plays on the field. Like instead of kicking the ball, he’s going for the first downs and not getting them – putting his team in bad field position. Which some of these calls surely resulted in losses which head coaches are not going to like. King is a talent as he is also a pop and hip hop artist. Just do your job on the field and do your other stuff on your own time. No fan wants to see their punter dance or call plays on the field. Stay in your lane. King suffered an injury in his last season in Denver which may be the NFL’s excuse not to bring him back.
I remember when Todd Sauerbrun was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 1995 NFL draft from West Virginia University. He purchased a sports car he showed up to training camp in with vanity license plates that said “Hang Time.” It’s better than punt god. Why does a punter or kicker have to be flashy or use their position as a soap box opportunity? Justin Tucker is hot garbage like Deshaun Watson. The old days you never heard anything about kickers or punters off the field. Present days with social media everything is game and out there to read. You would think being in the spotlight just playing the game would be hard enough and not add off the field issues to the situation. All athletes are under the microscope. For Tucker he should be arrested. For Harrison Butker and Chris Kluwe, wait until your career is over and then get into the politics game. Look what happened to Colin Kaepernick. No team wants him bringing that kind of baggage to any locker room in the league. It would be stupid talking about day in day out “Colin this Colin that.” He was just an average QB. If a player is average or below average and your off the field issues are loud, you’re expendable. Marquette King is a solid punter but an easy change of the light bulb as a replacement. I think Tucker will be out of a job soon. Even if Tucker was winning Superbowls with the Ravens, he would still be kicked out the door. He is not a QB. Even though Watson should be done in the NFL because he not a very good QB anymore. The Browns are heavily invested and have their hands tied. Only a few kickers and punters play in the NFL. Only 32 punters and 32 kickers. Maybe some teams keep an extra kicker to do kick offs. Imagine how many kickers and punters that play in college and want a job in the NFL. Many!! You can replace a kicker and a punter easily. The best referees are unknown in the game. The best punters in the league are unknown. The best kickers you know because they convert when they are called upon in the clutch. Tucker will not be remembered now by those big kicks. He will be remembered as a sexual predator like Watson. Two peas in the same pod could compare their war stories on the massage table. The world has turned the footballer into a common savage like all of the others.
The NFL is must see television for what takes place on the field and off the field. We have come up with the ten people that we think were the biggest losers this season in the NFL and hurt their own team in the process. Guys that get paid millions of dollars to act like spoiled children. Some of them had temper tantrums and lost their cool. Some of these guys should call it a career and hang up the spikes for the the performance just on the field. I even threw one owner under the bus because he should sell the team not knowing anything about the game itself. Not putting the right people in charge. I could have added other owners as well. All these guys should be heckled for what they have done this season in some way or the other. I have a list of ten names starting with top of the barrel pond scum working all the way down to the depths of just putrefied organisms that don’t need light to survive.
#10. DE’VONDE CAMPBELL 49ERS
Once you quit on your own team, there is no turning back. No way to spin the situation to your own favor. It was a Thursday night game between the 49ers and Rams. De’Vonde Campbell made 12 starts this season at outside linebacker for the 49ers replacing the injured Dre Greenlaw. When Greenlaw came back, Campbell went to the bench. Greenwell re-injured himself in that first game he played. Campbell refused to go into the game, walked off the field, and headed back to the locker room. Dude, why did you even suit up for the game? The 49ers pretty much after the game released Campbell. He annoyed many of his teammates in the process pulling a move like that. Campbell has played in the NFL 9 seasons & probably has made enough money to retire. I don’t think he will field any offers from other teams any time soon.
#9. SHAHID KHAN
I would be nauseated to be a Jacksonville Jaguar fan. Believe me people have witnessed me being a Bears fan and we have one of the worst owners in the NFL. Anytime the Jaguars find their way to the post-season after piling up bad season after bad season, it crumbles right away. Is Trevor Lawrence a stud or dud quarterback? How many coaches has Shahid Khan been through since he purchased this team? The whispers you heard about him wanting to move the Jaguars to London, England are so irritating. Why do the Jaguars still play multiple games in England every season? Doug Pederson looked like a good hire. The Florida sun melted his brain away as he was fired on Black Monday. Who will the big name be this time? The uniforms are hideous. The team looked like it had promise for years to come and then goes to shambles that quickly. I’d rather have Kobra Khan owning the Jaguars which is the least talked about Florida team in the state, than Mr. Oil Wells Shahid or however he became a rich cat. Mr. needs to hire somebody that knows football. Someone that can find that next head coach they need. Stay out of London. Just stay out of the football operations period.
#8. ODELL BECKHAM JR.
Odell Beckham Jr. is a dog that should be put down. He should not be some final piece for some playoff team in some crazy idea to help them win the Superbowl. He was supposed to be that 3rd winger in the Miami aerial attack that was going to be the better version of the greatest show on turf the 1999 Rams. In 9 games, Beckham had 9 catches for 55 yards. The Dolphins eventually cut ties with him. It seems like the injury with the Rams in the Superbowl is still lingering. He did have a big game in that Superbowl before going down with an injury. No front office in the league should pay this dirt bag more than the minimum next year. He should just hang up the spikes and call it a career is what my eyes are telling me. Take him to the vet and put him down. He’s the kind of dog you take out back of the shed.
#7. KIRK COUSINS OR THE ATLANTA FALCONS
Can you blame Kirk Cousins taking a 4 year deal worth 180 million? No way I’m turning down that kind of cheddar. Cousins got this type of money coming off a serious Achilles tendon injury with Minnesota during the 2023 season. Cousins went 7-7 as a starter for the Falcons. He finished with 18 touchdown passes compared to 16 interceptions. He was rusty out of the gates. Captain Kirk got better as the season went on. The Falcons at one point looked like they would win the NFC South. Then the wheels came off the bus towards the end of the season for Cousins as he looked bad. More interceptions than touchdown passes down the stretch. Definitely not worth that amount of money he got paid. The Falcons were getting criticized for drafting Michael Penix number 8 in the NFL draft after giving the big money to Cousins. Penix looks like a solid pick. Now you’re stuck with Cousins eating away the salary cap next season if you don’t trade him. How many stupid Cleveland Browns franchises are out there that would want to trade for Cousins? Speaking of the Browns, they need a QB. You’re stuck with cap problems now in Atlanta. Cousins could be better next season after only one full season since the injury. He’s 36 years of age and he should have never got that kind of money in the first place. Now you have Penix. You do not need Cousins. But you may be stuck with the most expensive back up QB in the league.
#6. AZEEZ AL SHAAIR HOUSTON TEXANS
Azeez Al-Shaair was suspended for three games for a hit on Jacksonville’s Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence after he gave himself up on a slide. Al-Shaair ended up hitting Lawrence in the head and knocked him out of the game. Lawrence would be carted off with a concussion. Al-Shaair then was involved in the brawl between the Jaguars and the Texans that took place after the hit. Then he was kicked out of the game and heading into the locker room. Then things would get hostile again with more Jaguars players. He had his helmet off during some of this conflict and looked like a mad man possessed. The Texans line backer was fined twice for late hits out of bounds before he ended Lawrence’s season. When he played for the 49ers years before he had one play, he clutched Tom Brady’s throat a few years back. We may give him a hall pass on that play. Of course he apologized after the game in hopes the league would go easier on him after the Lawrence hit. He said he went to a dark place after the suspension. Tick tick tick. Just like a time bomb ready to explode as he most likely will not learn from flying off the handle like he done.
#5.TYREEK HILL MIAMI DOLPHINS
Tyreek Hill is another guy that quit on his team in the last week of regular season. The Dolphins needed to beat the Jets. They also needed the Broncos to lose to the Chiefs to qualify for post-season. The Chiefs rested many of their starters and the Broncos pretty much had an easy day at the office. Meanwhile the Dolphins were losing to the Jets. You have to think Hill was scoreboard watching in the 3rd quarter. That is when he walked off the field and called it a day and a season. The words from his teammate were caught on the microphone from wide receiver Jaylen Waddle with his hands up in confusion. “Hey Cheetah. You done?”
The clock was stopped as the Jets had challenged the previous play late in the third. Hill sat down on the bench the Dolphins would go on without their star receiver down only 18-6 with plenty of time remaining. After the game, Hill would say to reporters that he was dealing with an issue. Everyone assuming an injury. McGenius Mike McDaniel after the game said he was unaware of any injury. Even though he knew that post-season was not in the cards this season, he left his brothers to fight the rest of the battle. A division rival is enough to play for? Even ending the season on a high note with a win can benefit the team next year. Leaving your guys out there too while he sat on the bench is why this prima dona makes this list. He has always had that reputation of a guy that needs the ball or else he will bitch. He thinks he walks on water. No I in team Mr. Hill. Which is giving him too much respect.
#4. AARON RODGERS
Why would the New York Jets bring back Aaron Rodgers? Just because he beat the Dolphins in the last week of the season. Rodgers now joins that elite 500 touchdown club of quarterbacks to have thrown that many touchdown passes. He made history, but Rodgers has single-handedly destroyed the Jets team this season. The Jets were in need of a quarterback before they signed Rodgers. At the time they had a young stud defense. They had some intriguing play makers both at the running back position and in the wide receiver room. Signing Rodgers was going to solve all their problems. It did not happen. In year one Rodgers would only last a few plays in his Jets debut as he tore his Achilles tendon and was sidelined for the entire season. Rodgers played all the games this past regular season. He got the Jets head coach fired. He even got the Jets General Manager fired. After all the moves he made, Rodgers did not pan out. Rodgers played most of the season like shit. He blamed others rather than taking the blame himself on why the team was a disappointment. He was a cancer in that Jets locker room. It’s time for Rodgers to go back to the darkness retreat cave and hang up the spikes for good. I know he will resurface with another team because he will want more touchdown passes than his former teammate, Brett Farve. Which he is not far away in the pecking order. Some stupid team will take a risk on Rodgers once again. He may follow the same Farve path and go to Minnesota after his Jets career comes crashing down.
#3. TYRIQUE STEVENSON
The corner back for the Chicago Bears is more mush mouth than a defender in the NFL. Tyrique Stevenson has been in the NFL two seasons and the Bears should have cut him for taunting fans in Washington in the last play of the game with time still on the clock. It could happen to anyone. No, it does not. It happens to stupid people who want to be noticed and want to be important. Jayden Daniels and the Commanders set up for the Hail Mary play while Stevenson was taunting the Washington fan base on the field. He then was late to the party in the end zone as he let his guy be wide open in the end zone. Instead of covering the open man, he went for the ball. The ball was tipped right to an open receiver and Commanders win the game. Stevenson turns into a laughing stock and the butt of all jokes around the water cooler Monday morning. He has not learned his lesson after that game. Still taunting players on the other team and hooting and hollering. He has probably cost the Bears more games with his play than actually helping your team win games.
#2.DESHAUN WATSON
Karma is a bitch you scum bag. Deshaun Watson is a sociopath who will never admit he is wrong in being a sexual predator. His play on the field this season means he should look in the mirror because he is not worth 230 million dollars as the Browns made the worst trade in NFL history… period. On October 20th, Deshaun Watson’s season ended when he tore his Achilles tendon. It’s the second year in a row where his season ended early with an injury.The Dawg Pound, which is the home crowd for the Browns, booed him off the field because he is a dirt bag. Not because he was injured. Watson blamed others this season yelling at his offensive linemen because of his bad play. Just like having over 20 different women file sexual assault charges against you. In which you paid them to go away. If that is not guilty, then give me a million dollars and I’ll write sweet things about you. Karma bit him in the rear recently as he tore the same Achilles tendon practicing in Miami and will need another 7 months to recover and may miss most of the 2025 season. I will not celebrate someone being injured even if it’s a dirt bag like Watson. Watson should not be the second highest paid player in the NFL. He still has two years remaining on his deal. He would be better just to go away and perhaps join Aaron Rodgers in his darkness retreat cave. He will eventually resurface. Snakes usually do.
#1 GEORGE PICKENS
The Pittsburgh Steelers really know how to draft bipolar play makers. Everyone remembers crazy Antonio Brown who has played most of his NFL career without a full deck upstairs. Let’s not forget running back Le’Veon Bell, another doozy the Steelers drafted. The latest Steeler play maker that has a few missing screws in his head is wide receiver George Pickens. He’s only in his third year in the NFL and looked like he was going to be a solid receiver for the Steelers for years to come. The great Pickens blamed the snow as the big reason why Jameis Winston and the Browns beat the Steelers. Like it was not snowing when the Browns had the ball and scored in that game. In the final play of that game after the failed Hail Mary, Pickens got into a scuffle with Browns corner back Greg Newsome II. The two got tangled up on the final play. Then weeks later Pickens is targeted 6 times versus the Bengals and he dropped three of them and ended up with zero yards for the day. Pickens’ demeanor was pathetic on the sidelines in the last few weeks. He was upset with fans and was held back in one occasion. He was late for the Christmas game when the Steelers played the Chiefs that afternoon. The Steelers fans would love to ride this guy out of town. Look for Pickens to be in another uniform next season. It does not pay to be young and stupid.
In last April’s NFL draft, we saw six quarterbacks get selected in the first round. We now have seen 5 of them get action in their first year in the NFL. How has each QB done thrown to the wolves in the NFL, their rookie season? Some of these guys have started for their team day 1. One of these guys is just coming off his second start after sitting most of the season watching. Has it been a Happy New Year for the six franchises that chose the guy they hope would be their franchise QB for several years to come? Will any of these teams have new year resolutions to find another guy? Is it too early to judge these guys with only one season under their belt? We will rank them from worst to first which does not mean anything for the long haul. We will judge them by their performance on the field for this season. Some of these teams did not help their guy with protection as the offensive line was loose as a goose. We will take that into consideration. Here’s our list as we go worst to first in the 2024 first round rookie QB’s.
#6. JJ MCCARTHY: VIKINGS
JJ McCarthy never got on the field in the regular season due to an injury in pre-season. McCarthy’s pre-season injury ended his entire rookie season. If you were going to grade him, it’s an incomplete. McCarthy was selected number 10 in the NFL draft by the Vikings from the University of Michigan. He was coming off a season where he won the National Championship for the Wolverines. With veteran Sam Darnold playing out of his mind for the Vikings this season, will Minnesota end up trading McCarthy next year? This could be a blunder by the Vikings or a blessing in disguise. If McCarthy is a future bust, getting something for him now as he is still an unknown in the NFL could be plentiful. If Sam Darnold goes back to his old Darnold ways after you traded away McCarthy, then you’re back to square one. Do you trust Darnold coming off his best season in the NFL which may be his only good season he has ever had in the league? The jury is still out on this pick. The jury is definitely still out on Darnold.
#5. MICHAEL PENIX: FALCONS
Michael Peniz was drafted by the Falcons number 8 in last April’s draft from the University of Washington. Many wondered why the Falcons drafted a quarterback after shelling out the big bucks to veteran Kirk Cousins. Penix has had the opportunity to stand on the sidelines this season and watch a veteran like Captain Kirk. Guys like Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers benefited from holding the clipboard their first season in the league. Penix has finally been able to start the last two games as the Falcons have been hoping for a spark. Cousins has not done well in the last several weeks for the Falcons, so it was time to unleash the rookie. In two NFL games, Penix is completing 59.7% of his passes which is the lowest out of any other QB from the first round in last year’s draft. Penix is 1-1 as a starter and has tallied 463 passing yards with one touchdown pass and two interceptions. Was he called in to try to be the savior of this Falcons season? Lot of pressure. I think the entire NFL world has to see more on what he can do. The Falcons will trot him out there for the final game of the season. We know one thing, if I’m this franchise we are done with Cousins. The Falcons will look for a back up for Penix going into next season as they hope he will be QB 1.
#4.DRAKE MAYE: PATRIOTS
Drake Maye was drafted by the Patriots 3rd overall in the NFL draft from the University of North Carolina. Maye has started 11 games and is so far 2-9 as a starter in the NFL. He has completed 66.8% of his passes which is second highest among this rookie class. He has shown he can stand in the pocket and deliver a pass in tight windows. In 11 games he has thrown 15 touchdown passes compared to 10 interceptions. He has tallied 2,276 passing yards. I like his leadership. As a rookie he does make that one stupid throw a game, as he has thrown the 2nd most interceptions out of all these rookies, but he has played a few games less than Bo Nix who has the most. Out of all the QB’s he does not have the big name play maker to throw to like the other guys have one or even more of those weapons. Maye has also added two rushing touchdowns. He is a QB with a big frame so the Patriots could use him to score at the goal line using the tush push. We also would like to question the present coaching staff for the Patriots. Jerod Mayo is not the guy as they need some Miracle Whip to get Maye to the next level in his NFL career.
#3. CALEB WILLIAMS: BEARS
Caleb Williams was the number one pick in the 2024 NFL draft by the Bears. They got Williams out of USC and many thought he was the sure thing. Chicago is where quarterbacks and wide receivers go to die in their careers. Williams has started all 16 games so far as he is 4-12 under center as a starter. Williams has completed 61.9% of his passes which is hard to believe as he is closing in on David Carr’s old rookie record of being sacked the most in their first season in NFL history. The knock on Williams is he holds on to the football too long. You could also make the argument the Bears have one of the worst offensive lines in the league. He’s a quarterback that can run, but he always wants to throw first even when being chased as he has 19 touchdown passes to only 6 interceptions. He has tallied 3,393 passing yards. During his rookie season, the Bears fired the offensive coordinator. Then the front office fired their head coach. Then they promoted the new offensive coordinator to interim head coach in Thomas Brown. No way the Bears will keep Brown as they will move on and Williams will have to learn a new offense next season. Williams has shown glimpses of being a hell of a QB. He has also left you moments where you are scratching your head.
#2. BO NIX: BRONCOS
Bo Nix was the last quarterback selected in the first round. He went number 12 and was selected by the Broncos from the University of Oregon. You could say Nix has benefited from a QB whisperer in Sean Payton, the head coach for Denver. Nix started off slow but has really played well most of the season and surprised many experts regarding what this kid can do in the NFL. He is 9-7 as a starter and the Broncos need one more win to get to the post-season. He has completed 65.1% of his passes in year one. He has 3,454 passing yards with 25 touchdown passes as he is tied with Jayden Daniels for the most by one of these rookie sensations so far. He has 12 interceptions which is the most, but he started more games than Drake Maye. Nix has also used his legs as he has 4 rushing touchdowns. Nix has command of that Broncos offense. I have seen him throw some dimes to his receivers. The Bronco fans should be really happy because it has been a long time since Denver had a solid QB. You bet all the fans are singing the Rocky Mountain High with this rookie in place. You could make an argument he has been the top QB of this draft class as well.
#1.JAYDEN DANIELS: COMMANDERS
Jayden Daniels was selected 2nd overall in the 2024 NFL draft from LSU. The few experts that said before the draft that Daniels was the best QB in the draft should be whistling Dixie, because he played like it this season. Daniels has turned around a dysfunctional franchise that Washington was, very quickly. Daniels has been the starter for the Commanders since day 1 and is 11-5 behind center. He has the highest completion percentage of 69.4% which is outstanding. He is a double threat – a guy that can beat you running the ball or in the air with the pass. He has tallied up 3.530 passing yards which is the best out of this class. He has 25 touchdown passes which is tied with Bo Nix out of this class. He has three less interceptions than Bo with only 9. With the legs, he has 6 rushing touchdowns. He has been big in the clutch. He has engineered multiple game winning drives in his first season in the NFL. He has thrown some very nice balls through tiny windows to get the completion to his play makers. You may see Daniels win a playoff game as Washington is in the post-season as a wild card. He seems like a QB in the playoffs and in big moments he does not panic. This is why he is my number one choice right now from the 2024 1st round QB picks. The Hail Mary drive versus the Bears. Then the dart he threw in the last minute of regulation to beat the Eagles.
Where do you go if you are the Jets after losing to the Patriots last week? The Texans lost another weapon in their passing game as Stefon Diggs is out for the year with a knee injury. When is it time to pull the plug on Aaron Rodgers? Because the Jets are in the coffin right now as their 2024 season is being nailed shut?
The Jets are 2-6 and are favored in this contest. I know CJ Stroud did not play well last year at the Jets stadium in New Jersey. This match up can go either way. I can see Rodgers and this Jets team suddenly resurrect themselves and get the victory. I like the Texans defense in this match up as well. I love to see the Jets season end here. I pick Houston to win because the Jets are a badly-coached team and they make too many mistakes. I just don’t trust the Jets. Stroud will rely heavily on the running game with Joe Mixon taking this offense on his shoulders. The running game is the weakness to the Jets defense.
OUR PICK: TEXANS
THE SUNDAY SLATE
DENVER BRONCOS(5-3) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS(5-3)
The Broncos have won two straight games and their rookie QB Bo Nix continues to improve himself at the NFL level. The Ravens were absolutely stunned by the Browns last week getting beaten by the likes of Jameis Winston. You would think the Ravens in this match-up have the better defense, but that goes to the Broncos. Denver defense is the big reason why this team is 5-3. The Ravens defense may be one of the worst units in this team’s history. Hard to believe because last year the same defense dominated and got this Ravens team to the AFC Championship. The Ravens defense should slow Bo Nix down just enough for Lamar Jackson and that offense to get enough points for the win. The Ravens offense has been one of the best in the league. Jackson along with the running back Derrick Henry has created a rushing attack that teams can’t stop. Jackson gets his passing plays in as well to keep the Denver defense from not guessing what is next. I like the Ravens being at home. I like the Ravens offense getting their points on a solid defense. I think Ravens rebound from the lost to Cleveland and get back in the win column.
OUR PICK: RAVENS
DALLAS COWBOYS(3-4) AT ATLANTA FALCONS(5-3)
I thought the Cowboys were going to wake up last week versus a 49ers team they had trouble in the past beating. The Falcons won a big division game as they swept the Buccaneers and have a big tie breaker within the division they are holding. Both the Cowboys and Falcons defenses are struggling to stop opposing offenses. This game should be considered a shoot out. The Cowboys are due for a big game soon. That game where the Lions massacred the Cowboys is still lingering. I like Kirk Cousins keeping this a very close game. In the end the Cowboys find a way to win a game to right the ship at least for one week. They will calm the critics and be back at the 500 mark.
OUR PICK: COWBOYS
MIAMI DOLPHINS(2-5) AT BUFFALO BILLS(6-2)
The Dolphins offense showed a pulse last week in the return of Tua Tagovailoa. The Bills have won back-to-back games and beat up on the Seahawks. The Bills were the team when Tua landed a blow to the head and was out for multiple weeks with a concussion. The Bills defense tamed a great Seattle offense last week on the road. Seattle is a tough place with top play. How does Miami beat the Bills is the million dollar question? If the Bills can beat Miami this week, they could literally step on the fin’s throat and pretty much end their season as this team needs to win a ton games to be back in the playoff conversation. Miami defense is a problem as they allowed Kyler Murray to have a big game against them in Tua’s return. Josh Allen has dominated the Dolphins and he plays his best at home in Buffalo. The Bills defense has the recipe to keep the Dolphins Air and Water show in check.
OUR PICK:BILLS
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS(2-6) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS(1-7)
This game should be slated the toilet bowl of the NFC South. The Saints started out 2-0 and have lost six straight. The Panthers are the worst team in the league & have lost five straight games. The last time these two teams met was week one when the Saints put up 40 points on this Panthers team. The Saints have been decimated by injuries, but will get their starting QB back in this one Derek Carr. The Panthers corner back Jaycee Horn was bitching last week at Sean Payton for trying to run up the score as Denver scored 28 points and brought out the trick plays with 5 minutes left in regulation.
Jaycee Horn’s father Joe played for the Saints and was a wide receiver who used a cell phone in his touchdown celebration. Maybe the Panthers need a mercy rule. I think Carr will give this Saints offense the juice it needs to get back in the win column.
OUR PICK: SAINTS
LA CHARGERS(4-3) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS(2-6)
The Chargers are a quiet 4-3 as they beat the Saints last week without any big news or highlights. The Browns shocked the football world as they upset their division rival the Ravens with their back up QB, Jameis Winston. Could the bad start for the Browns come down to the bad play of Deshaun Watson? The Chargers defense will give this new Browns life a bigger challenge than what the Ravens defense has done all year. Winston having back to back games without the costly turnover is rare. The Chargers have Justin Herbert who has had a pretty good season with 8 touchdown passes compared to one interception.
Before this season it seemed like Herbert had the air show going every week throwing bombs through the skies all around the football world. Now he seems like a game manager under Jim Harbaugh. The Chargers don’t have those big weapons they let go in the off-season. The Browns defense now has a spark with last week’s win should be able to stop Herbert and company. I like Nick Chubb running the ball for the Browns to take the pressure off Winston. The Browns are at home, so we roll with Winston this week for the hell of it and watch Cleveland get their mojo back while Watson’s at home pouting about his future.
OUR PICK: BROWNS
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS(2-6) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS(3-5)
The Raiders gave the Chiefs a battle last week. The Bengals took a beat down by the Eagles. Joe Burrow is walking a thin line for this 2024 season. A loss by the Raiders may be the hole the Bengals can’t dig themselves out of. The Raiders will go with Gardner Minshew who started last week. The Raiders should be able to generate points off a bad Bengals defense. If Tee Higgins can go, I like the Bengals in this one. No way Minshew can keep up matching scores with Burrow throwing to Ja’Marr Chase and Higgins as his options. I still like the Bengals even without Higgins. The Raiders are gassed from throwing everything at the Chiefs now traveling to Cincinnati. Since Davante Adams was traded, the leading receiver for Raiders has been their tight end Brock Bowers.
Not enough as Burrow still thinks he can run the table and get the Bumbles, cough cough I mean Bengals, back in the playoff conversation. The Raiders will be the first notch on this long road.
OUR PICK: BENGALS
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS(2-6) AT TENNESSEE TITANS(1-6)
Who the hell do you pick in a game with these two teams? The Patriots upset the Jets and Aaron Rodgers which was priceless. Maybe the first time I rooted for the Pats since Drew Bledsoe was the man behind center. The Titans have been getting kicked around by the good teams the last two weeks. Before that the Titans would not do what I predicted which was very agonizing. The Patriots rookie QB Drake Maye suffered a concussion & he most likely will not play in this one. I like Mason Rudolf delivering in a game like this. Rudolf is better than Jacoby Brissett on any given Sunday. I have a predicted winner but really who cares about this game?
OUR PICK: TITANS
CHICAGO BEARS(4-3) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS(4-4)
It’s hard to believe the Cardinals right now are in a 3 way tie for first place in the NFC West. The Bears were beaten by a Hail Mary play at the end of regulation by the Commanders. Kyler Murray can do well against bad defenses as he delivered last week in a one point win over the Dolphins. The Bears were dominated by the Commanders most of the way. Then fought their way back in the game and took the lead. Then they shot themselves in the foot at the end of the game to give it right back to Washington. The Bears defense is solid, so Murray will have problems. Caleb Williams has done well against bad defense this season in a string of wins. Williams I believe will not get off to a slow start this week as the Bears should get an early rushing attack established to dictate this one for the win.
OUR PICK: BEARS
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS(2-6) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES(5-2)
Doug Pederson was the only head coach in Eagles history to have won a Superbowl. Pederson has been to Philadelphia as Head Coach of the Jaguars. This visit Pederson has no defense. The Eagles exposed a bad defense last week that the Bengals trotted out on to the field. The Jaguars have not won a road game all season. The Eagles defense contained the Bengals offense which is hard to do with Joe Burrow behind center. Trevor Lawrence is starting to find his groove, but his defense has let him down all year. In a shoot out Jalen Hurts will prevail because the Eagles defense will make some stops on Lawrence. The Eagles are one those quiet teams that are starting to string some victories together as they won three straight. Make it 4.
OUR PICK: EAGLES
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS(6-2) AT NEW YORK GIANTS(2-6)
Once upon a time ago… that’s how the story will be told. The first team rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels beat was the New York Giants. It was week 2 and it was a close game 21-18 Commanders win. The following week the coming out party for Daniels was heard throughout the football world. The Giants come home after giving the Steelers a battle most of the game on Monday Night Football. The Commanders won last week on a Hail Mary pass to beat the Bears in game they dominated and you don’t know why they needed to win using the rosary in the last seconds. The Commanders defense has turned into one of the better units in the league. We know the Commanders offense have razzled and dazzled the competition since playing the Giants last. We can’t really say that about the Giants. The Giants defense is okay, not scary like the Commanders. Daniel Jones will settle for more field goals than touchdowns in the red zone.
OUR PICK: COMMANDERS
DETROIT LIONS(6-1) AT GREEN BAY PACKERS(6-2)
The Lions and Packers right now are the two power houses of the NFL North, since the Vikings dropped two straight games. Combined the Packers & Lions have won 9 straight. The Packers 4 and the Lions 5. One problem involved the cheese heads. Will Jordan Love play? He suffered a hamstring injury in the win over the Jaguars last week. The Lions offense with Jared Goff, his receivers, and the two headed monster in the back field have been the best offense in the league. They scored 52 points versus the Titans last week. Let’s not forget the 40 something dismantling of the Cowboys a few weeks back. The Packers have survived without Love behind center. The former Titan, now Packer Malik Willis, is 2-0 as a starter this season. This will be a heavyweight fight between these two teams. Exchanging blows each quarter. The Lions get the final blow as Love will not be 100% & keeps Detroit king of the division at the half way point of the season.
OUR PICK: LIONS
LA RAMS(3-4) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS(4-4)
The NFC West is up for grabs. The Seahawks, Cardinals, and 49ers are all at the same record of 4-4. The Rams are right behind all three teams with 3-4 record. The 49ers have a bye this week. The Cardinals have their hands full dealing with the visiting Bears. This is a big game between Seattle and LA.
The Seahawks crumbled at home versus the Bills last week. Two of Seattle defenders got in a fight in on the sidelines during the game. The Seahawks offense who was scoring on every team, looked bad versus the Bills defense. The Seahawks may be without their star receiver DK Metcalf in this one as he was out last week with an injury. The Rams look like a new team with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back from their injuries. This made Matthew Stafford look like a different QB this season versus the Vikings. I’m going with my eye test here. The Rams defense looked solid last week and the Seahawks can be streaky with Geno Smith like last season he was cold more than he was hot. Stafford has the hot hand as the Rams have won two straight.
OUR PICK: RAMS
THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS(4-4) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS(5-2)
I thought the Colts should have started Joe Flacco versus a Texans team they would have beat if he was behind center last week. The Vikings started off 5-0 and now the wheels fell off the purple bus and they are desperate for a win. Flacco will get the start on Sunday night versus the Vikings and they are a different team when he starts over Anthony Richardson. The Vikings defense which has done well during that first 5 games were sliced and diced by Matthew Stafford. I like the Colts offense with Jonathan Taylor back as the premier back and how Flacco can open up the passing game like the Rams did to that Vikings defense. Remember Sam Darnold has always been a losing QB throughout his NFL career. One of the toughest things to do as a quarterback is break a losing streak. Darnold has played his best football this year behind center. This will be a close game. I like Flacco’s experience better as the Colts rebound from their division loss to Houston and win a tough road game.
OUR PICK: COLTS
THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS(4-4) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS(7-0)
Surprisingly Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers offense were still able to score a good amount of points last Sunday versus the Falcons without his two top receivers. Kansas City held off a Raiders attack and got their revenge from the great Christmas story of last year when Vegas beat the Chiefs. The Buccaneers defense has been like the easy slot machines giving money away on each button push. The Buccaneers have lost two straight and playing in Arrowhead with a solid defense the Chiefs have, is not a very good recipe. Let’s not forget the prince of the NFL Patrick Mahomes can run a balanced attack and keep the Chiefs perfect for the season.
LAST WEEK’S RECORD FOR WEEK 7, (12-3) Our best of the year.
THURSDAY NIGHT GAMES:(5-2)
FRIDAY GAMES:(0-1)
MONDAY NIGHT GAMES:(6-3)
SEASON RECORD:(68-39)
NFL WEEK 8 STRAIGHT PICK-EM
THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME
MINNESOTA VIKINGS(5-1) AT LA RAMS(2-4)
Last Sunday the Vikings got their first loss of the season by a division rival, Detroit Lions, on a game-ending field goal. The Rams managed to get by a bad Raiders team. The Rams will be getting some of their bigger play makers back on offense as Cooper Cupp and Puka Nacua will give Matthew Stafford his two best receivers back in the fold. The Vikings defense were gashed by the Lions after the offense built the team a nice lead early in that one. This will be the hardest thing for the Vikings all season, which is to rebound quickly from a loss on a short week which is their first one all year. Do you trust the Rams? They have been wishy washy all year. Stafford will get better with his guys back. The Vikings should rebound especially that defense. I’ve been liking what Sam Darnold has done to this point. Close game but I like Vikes on the road.
OUR PICK: VIKINGS
THE SUNDAY SLATE
BALTIMORE RAVENS(5-2) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS(1-6)
The Ravens have won 5 straight games. The Browns lost their starting quarterback for the year. The Browns fans are dancing in the streets naked until they see QB 2 in Jameis Winston. The Ravens defense has not been that elite unit like they were last season. With the interception king at quarterback for the Browns, oh the hunting they will go as they could force multiple turnovers. Overall I can see the Browns playing better with Nick Chubb back. I think Winston will keep this game close and watch the Browns offense run smoother. These two teams know each other. The Browns defense will have a hard time stopping Derrick Henry or do you get Lamar Jackson in an option running game that has worked well. I will go back to the interception king serving up too many gifts for the Ravens to seal the deal with another win under their feathers.
OUR PICK: RAVENS
TENNESSEE TITANS(1-5) AT DETROIT LIONS(5-1)
The Lions have taken over the throne of the NFC North kingdom removing the Vikings last Sunday. The Titans waving the white flag as they traded veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Chiefs. This will be the second consecutive road game for the Titans who are looking for Rudolf the back up quarterback to take the Lions down in his story. Mason Rudolf is a better option than Will Levis who is hurt and has not done well as the starting quarterback this season. The Lions are at home and their offense, and they score points which the Titans can’t match. The Lions are just far better than the Titans as well. Detroit will sit on their throne for at least another week.
OUR PICK: LIONS
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS(4-3) AT HOUSTON TEXANS(5-2)
This week 8 match up is a battle for first place in the AFC South. Some would have thought that Houston was light years ahead of any other team in the division. The Colts have quietly stayed in striking distance as they just got by the Miami Dolphins. The Texans lost a close game to the Green Bay Packers that sent Stephon Diggs in a tizzy with a Packers defender during that contest.
Diggs is lone wolf on things and his mind set is all about the Diggies which could sink the Texans time to time. The Colts will have their star running back Jonathan Taylor back. If the Colts win this, they will both be 5-3 for the year. I like Texans in this one because the Colts will have Anthony Richardson starting and he can’t match anything CJ Stroud is putting up on the scoreboard. If Joe Flacco was the starter, then this match up got way better.
OUR PICK: TEXANS
GREEN BAY PACKERS(5-2) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS(2-5)
The Jaguars return from their summer home in England the last two weeks, and now will play a home game in Florida with the visiting Packers. The Packers coming off a big win over the Texans. The Jags won last week over the Patriots and now you can say they are not in last place in the AFC south. The Packers are not the Patriots and Jordan Love should carve the Jaguars up like Thanksgiving turkey as Jacksonville has a weak secondary. Trevor Lawrence could have games where he can match anyone in the NFL but with the long stay and long flight the Jaguars may come out purring like kittens then a jungle animal.
OUR PICK: PACKERS
ARIZONA CARDINALS(3-4) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS(2-4)
The Dolphins will be getting the guy that makes their merry go round, go around. Tua Tagovailoa is cleared to start from the concussion protocols. Tua has missed several weeks after suffering a concussion in week two versus the Bills. The Cardinals found a way to beat a team not in their division with a walk off field goal to end the Chargers on Monday night. The Dolphins offense without Tua has been dormant. The Cardinals defense is the best recipe for the Dolphins to knock off the rust. Can Kyler Murray go head to head with TUA? I don’t like the Cardinals playing on the road in Miami where the humid conditions favor the Dolphins most of the time. Tua is the spark that will light up the Cardinals with a big boom.
OUR PICK: DOLPHINS
NEW YORK JETS(2-5) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS(1-6)
I find myself rooting for the Patriots in this one even though the wreckage of the previous dynasty is still smoldering. This match up gives me no choice because the Jets have Aaron Rodgers, a guy you have to hate with a deeper anger. Jets need this win more than the Patriots just because of the season aspirations coming in. Jets want to be that darling playoff team with an aging Rodgers leading them deep into post season. The Patriots are developing a rookie quarterback Drake Maye who has done well so far in a few starts. The Patriots coming home after playing in England will probably get steam rolled by the Jets as their defense who will make the bold statement. Mr. Darkness Retreat will play well in this one and get the Jets back in the win column.
OUR PICK: JETS
ATLANTA FALCONS(4-3) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS(4-3)
The Falcons and the Buccaneers met in week 5 on Thursday night that was an epic battle for sole possession of the NFC South. Last week Kirk Cousins was rattled as he felt like he was in a cage from the Seahawks defense which encapsulated him in the pocket with punishment all game. The Buccaneers defense has seen better days as the Ravens hung a 40 berger on them in the Monday Night game. I like the Falcons getting back on track with that Buccaneer defense being unable to stop anyone. The Buccaneers offense during that game lost their two best receivers in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Not sure how Baker Mayfield will respond with these guys out. The Falcons defense is nowhere to be compared to this Buccaneers unit. I like Cousins dropping another 30 points on this Buccaneers teams, sweeping the series. and taking over first place.
OUR PICK: FALCONS
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES(4-2) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS(3-4)
The Eagles and Bengals have quietly won two straight games. With a win, the Bengals will get to the 500 mark and once again look like they have dug themselves out of an early grave.
The Eagles are winning games but Jalen Hurts and that offense do not look crisp like they use to. The entire Eagles team just looks ordinary and nothing special. The Eagles should generate some offense from this terrible Bengals defense. Joe Burrow is the grave digger for this team and after the hole is dug, he brings his team out of the hole and the Bengals usually go on a tear and win 5 or more games. That Bengals offense will be hard for this Eagles defense to contain. Hurts and company will not score more than that Bengals offense. Bengals even up their record and are back in the playoff conversation. This is one of the norms about the NFL in these scenarios. Bengals find their way back into the season and Chiefs continue to win Superbowls. Just part of the regular scripts.
OUR PICK: BENGALS
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS(2-5) AT LA CHARGERS(3-3)
Did some witch doctor in New Orleans get the Voo Doo doll wrong? Derek Carr is still out. The Saints injured list is a mile long. Each week & each poke of the doll something bad happens to this Saints team who have now lost 5 straight after winning their first two games. The Chargers are Even Steven at 3-3 and lost to the Cardinals in a game that was not a thriller on Monday night on a walk off field goal. Chargers only scored 15 points. Spencer Rattler has had some flashes of looking like a quarterback in this league. He is still a rookie and the Chargers defense should gobble him up. The Chargers will run the ball well to establish control in this game. The Saints front office needs to eliminate the witch doctor to remove the curse or this season may be one of the worst for New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina leveled most of the town.
OUR PICK: CHARGERS
BUFFALO BILLS(5-2) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS(4-3)
Both the Bills and Seahawks come away with wins last Sunday. The Bills inserted their new weapon for Josh Allen and he connected with Amari Cooper for a score, a guy they just landed in a trade. Meanwhile Seahawks defensive front was in the face of Kirk Cousins all afternoon in a win over the Falcons. The Seahawks can score points. The Bills bend and try not to break defense will look for turnovers where Geno Smith can make mistakes. Smith has six interceptions this season. The Bills are 2-2 on the road this season and Seattle is not the easiest place to win on the road. I like Josh Allen being able to escape the Seattle pressure. I like the Bills well-balanced offense. The Seahawks will generate points. However the Seahawks will have one less weapon for the Bills to deal with in wide receiver DK Metcalf. The Bills defense will get that Smith turnover and get out of Seattle with a win.
OUR PICK: BILLS
CHICAGO BEARS(4-2) AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS(5-2)
This Bears versus Commanders game features the top two quarterbacks picked in last April’s draft. For the Bears Caleb Williams was picked number one. He started off slowly out of the gates & now looks like he has figured out the speed of the NFL game compared to college. Jayden Daniels out of the gates behind center has been red hot. Williams is completing so far 65.3% of his passes with 9 touchdown passes and 5 interceptions. Williams can run the ball but prefers to pass the ball when he is on the run. Then Daniels is completing a whopping 75.6% of his passes which is unbelievable. Daniels has thrown 6 touchdown passes to only 2 interceptions and has 4 rushing touchdowns with his legs. Both these teams have solid defenses to go along with electric offenses. Daniels looks like he will play but he will be playing with bruised ribs he suffered versus Carolina. This may be a start of inter conference battle for years to come. Who wins this one?
The X-factor is Montez Sweat who actually led both teams last year in sacks. Sweat was traded by the Commanders to the Bears. I can see Sweat having a big game and making a impact play to turn the tides in favor of the Bears as they win a close one.
OUR PICK: BEARS
CAROLINA PANTHERS(1-6) AT DENVER BRONCOS(4-3)
The Panthers are a very bad team. The Broncos knocked off a very bad team last Thursday beating up on the Saints. The Broncos have one hell of a defense that should paint the picture right there. The Broncos QB Bo Nix is slowly developing and should have a solid game versus a bad Panther defense. It’s in Denver. That’s all she wrote.
OUR PICK: BRONCOS
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS(6-0) AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS(2-5)
What happened to that Raiders team that knocked around Patrick Mahomes on Christmas Day? The silver and black would win that game. I ask myself: Is it possible for the Raiders that are 2-5 right now to give the Chiefs their first loss? The Raiders will reinsert Gardner Minshew who was benched weeks ago because he struggled. The Chiefs QB Mahomes has not thrown a touchdown pass of his own in weeks. The Chiefs just made a trade with the Titans as they land DeAndre Hopkins in hopes that will change in Vegas. It’s a home game for the Raiders but I imagine you will see more red than black jerseys. I’m sure the Raiders defense will throw everything including the kitchen sink at Mahomes. I just don’t see Minshew or the Raiders running game getting much off this Chiefs defense. It is just a pipe dream to think Raiders can resurrect that Christmas magic.
OUR PICK: CHIEFS
THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME
DALLAS COWBOYS(3-3) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS(3-4)
The last time we saw the Cowboys they were pummeled by the Lions. Detroit put up over 40 points on this horrible Dallas defense. The 49ers gave you hope last week for a little while of getting revenge versus the Chiefs from the Superbowl loss. The Chiefs won that as you all know that. The 49ers have a grocery store list at Aldi stocking up the covers and fridge with injuries. The Cowboys are rested and set for another prime time game. The last few meetings the 49ers defense has toppled the Cowboys offense. I really don’t care for either team as they both reek and desperate for a win. The 49ers are favored in this one. Just the way the NFL has gone, watch America’s team have a big night knocking the 49ers out with what ever they have standing in this game. Dak Prescott now the highest paid QB in the league has to show something or he will be headed for Watson Bust Boulevard. My gut says the Cowboys will be a complete different team and barely win this one on the road. You can’t have a week without talking about the Boys making it to the Superbowl those sickies.
OUR PICK: COWBOYS???
THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME
NEW YORK GIANTS(2-5) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS(5-2)
Do the Giants show a pulse in this Monday clash versus the Steelers? The Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin may be the QB whisperer.
The Steelers have gotten 5 wins out of QB’s tossed to the curb from other teams. Justin Fields went 4-2 as a starter to start the season for Pittsburgh. Last week Russell Wilson got his first action of the season and he looked like his old Seattle self and Steelers grounded the Jets. The Giants are probably the worst New York team that plays their games in New Jersey. The Steelers defense should easily prevent Daniel Jones from having any kind of chance that he thinks he’s going to win the game. Wilson may come down to earth but the Steelers running game will do the heavy lifting on offense and Pittsburgh should be 6-2 as we are closing on the first half of the season. Not too shabby.
The Wild shamrock 