The Captain, Jonathan Toews, returned to Chicago for the first time wearing something else instead of the Indian-head sweater. Tazer’s contract ended after the 2022-’23 season for the Blackhawks which was a year Captain Serious only played in 53 games. Health issues had followed the center like dark clouds since the pandemic was lingering in the world. He never retired from the game as the Blackhawks had no interest in bringing him back. After a few seasons of healing the body and redefining the mindset, he then made a plan of attack on a comeback to the NHL. The Captain was sharpening up his hockey skills with weeks of training to ink a one year deal with his hometown team, the Winnipeg Jets. His hockey home will always be at the United Center in Chicago where the former Blackhawk was like a rockstar in his return to Chicago. The fans wanted encore after encore because, ‘Let’s be Serious,” he did help the franchise hoist three Stanley Cup Championships.
In his first season with the visiting Jets, Jonathan Toews has played in 49 games. This season he has lit the lamp 7 times and has dished out 11 assists for a total of 18 points. The Jets wanted to add some leadership to a team that was one of the top seeds in their conference and made the Stanley Cup playoffs last season. The Jets have been struggling this season so far. They did not get out to the fast start they did last year. In his comeback, Toews has struggled on the ice most of the season. Still very good at face-offs. Knows what he is doing on the ice but does not have that ice speed he once had. The Captain still has those leadership skills on display every night on the ice. He has improved over the last few weeks overall in his game. Perhaps he is still knocking off the rust and maybe the body is responding to the grind on the ice in a 37 year old body. He scored 372 goals in a Blackhawks uniform in 15 seasons with the team that drafted him. He also served up 511 assists wearing the Indian head sweater. He has played in 1,116 games in the NHL and will be for sure a first ballot Hall of Famer when he does hang up the skates permanently.
In the first television timeout, the Blackhawks honored Jonathan Toews with a video tribute of all his top highlights in a Blackhawks uniform. After the tribute, the fans gave the Captain one of the longest standing ovations of all-time. Chants of “Johnny” filled the air inside the UC. Toews would go on the ice waving to all his fans from the Chicago days. Both teams behind the benches whacked their sticks against the boards like in a game when their team scores or one of their own wins a fight on the ice. Toews circled the ice & raised his stick as the thunderous applause kept coming down on him as it went on for 3 to 4 minutes. The Captain looked awkward for a moment because it went on and on. Toews was never a guy that looked for the fan appreciation. He played his game on ice and did everything he could to help lead his team to a victory on that night. The hard work paid off as the UC exploded with love for their former Captain who will one day have his jersey retired after his playing days come to an end.
When Patrick Kane played his first game at the UC in the enemy sweater the night of Chris Chelios’ jersey retirement night, he crashed the party. Kane did get a thunderous applause by the fans at the UC along with a video tribute. Kaner would end up scoring the winning goal in that game as his Red Wings beat the Blackhawks in OT. In the return of Jonathan Toews, the Blackhawks shut out the Jets 2-0 as Spencer Knight had a magnificent night in front of the net stopping 32 shots for his 3rd shut out of the season. Jason Dickerson scored the first goal of the game for the Blackhawks for his 6th of the season. Then the Blackhawks’ next superstar, they hope, Connor Bedard added an empty netter late in the contest to make it the final 2-0. On hand were two young superstars right now in the mix of the Chicago sports landscape. Caleb Williams is the quarterback of the Chicago Bears who just lost in the divisional round the night before to the Rams. Then Pete Crow-Armstrong is the centerfielder of the Cubs. The Cubs made the post-season last year. All three of these guys – Williams & Crow-Armstrong along with Bedard, could learn a lot from what they witnessed at the UC in the return of the Captain. You play hard and give it all you can on the field, ice, or court playing in the town of Chicago. They will love you for a lifetime. It did not hurt that Johnny Be Good Toews helped the city capture three championships along the way. You hate seeing guys like Toews wear another team’s jersey. That’s the nature of sports nowadays which has been going on for decades. You don’t get many players from any sport that stay with one team. I wish Toews the best of luck with his home team he grew up watching, the Jets. It’s a great story. Down the road I’ll be excited when we bring back the Captain to Chicago with all the bells and whistles when the organization retires his sweater to the UC rafters, with all the great Bulls and Blackhawks players of the past. Oh Johnny, that will be hot.
In life, history seems to always have a tendency to repeat itself. In the NFL world, it seems to happen more often. On Sunday this will not be the first time the LA Rams will meet the Chicago Bears in the post-season. The first time the Rams and Bears met in the post-season was in 1950. I was not alive then when the Rams would prevail in the NFL Divisional title game. That game was played in the LA Memorial Coliseum, obviously in LA. On Sunday this is not the first time the Rams will be facing ice in Chicago during the post-season. The ice that I’m talking about is not Donald Trump’s goon squad named ICE. The conditions in Chicago are close to below zero with frigid conditions and winds coming off the lake which is coined Bears weather. In 1986 the Rams came into Soldier Field for the NFC Championship. On Sunday the Rams will be visiting the Bears in the divisional round. Both times the Bears had quarterbacks with ice in their veins. If history repeats itself, the current Bears will head to the NFC Championship if they win. The Bears in 1986 won that NFC Championship and then went to the Superbowl. You know what happened then. The Bears won their only Superbowl trophy as they beat up the New England Patriots in New Orleans and did it in grand fashion. The Refrigerator Perry run in Superbowl XX to this day was one of the coolest things to happen in Chicago sports history.
On January 12th of 1986, Mike Ditka the head coach of the Bears referred to the Rams as the Smiths. He referred to his Bears team as the Grabowski’s. That game was almost 40 years ago. The Rams offense featured Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson. Their quarterback was Dieter Brock who probably had more success playing in the CFL (Canadian Football League) than the NFL. The Bears had the best ever running back in the history of the game in Walter Payton. They also had a quarterback who had ice water in his veins, Jim McMahon.
I compare McMahon to Jimmy Garoppolo, a guy who found ways to win games at a high rate but could not avoid the injuries. If he stayed healthy, he probably would have been the best Bears quarterback ever to this point. Not counting what Caleb Williams is doing now or what his future will be. McMahon versus the Rams in that championship tossed a touchdown pass to his favorite speedster wide receiver, Willie Gault. He also ran for a touchdown himself. He was nicknamed the Punky QB. Williams has earned the nickname Ice Man in present day. The Bears defense has to be mentioned here. As they played with ice water in their veins and may have been one of the best defensive units of all-time. They smothered Eric Dickerson on that cold day grinding him to pretty much nothing in the running game. The famous play in that game was Richard Dent blowing up Dieter as he forced a fumble. The ball was picked up by linebacker Wilbur Marshall as he had the scoop score with the big boy, the Fridge, downfield blocking. The Grabowskis that day put on a clinic over the Smiths. A 24-0 shutout. You could tell the California team was very effected by the cold conditions of Soldier Field located by the lake that day.
The present day Rams coming to Soldier Field are not going to be like the Smiths. I don’t think you can call the Bears the Grabowskis in this one. Neither team has a defense like they had in 1986. This game features two of the brightest young offensive minds in the game with the Rams’ Sean McVay and the Bears’ first year head coach Ben Johnson. The two players that are being talked about the most are the quarterbacks. Matthew Stafford is definitely not Dieter Brock. Stafford has won a Superbowl. Stafford has been in the MVP conversation most of the year. The Rams have two solid wide receivers in young Pua Nacua and a future Hall of Famer in Davante Adams. Stafford was originally drafted by the Lions who play in a dome. He has played in Chicago once a year suiting up for the Lions. Stafford has never played in a game under 20 degrees. He has played in some snow games. The Rams are coming from 80 degree weather, and the Bears weather has a cold advisory in effect on game day. Plus, this game is being played at night.
For the Bears it has been all about the ICEMAN!!! The number one draft pick in the 2024 NFL draft, Caleb Williams has flourished in year one under the guidance of first year head coach Ben Johnson. In the wild card round, he had an epic comeback against the arch-rival Green Bay Packers. Yes, Williams should be noted he has slayed the Bears arch-rival cheeseheads. This after decades of Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers torching the Bears for sport. Like some annual hunting deer trip, instead the cheese heads would add a Bear head every season to their den. Nice bearskin rugs by the fire place. Williams who played his college ball on the west coast at USC, which is probably not far from Rams country, has blossomed into a well-oiled machine in the cold weather. Many Bears fans would like to see him start off stronger as the Bears become hot in the second half of all these games that Williams had made a living taking over late and winning. Williams is a league leader this year in game winning drives and comeback wins.
The only other sports legend in Chicago sports that had the nick name ICEMAN was Hall of Fame basketball player George Gervin. However, Gervin earned that nickname long before he suited up with the Chicago Bulls. Gervin started his career in the ABA (American Basketball Association.) Then the leagues merged & he played 14 seasons in both leagues combined. He was a 12X All-Star and won 4 scoring titles. He played his last season of his decorated NBA career with the Bulls which was the 1985-86 season. He played one season with Michael Jordan who was in his second NBA season at the time. That season Jordan only played in 18 games because of a broken foot. You could say the true Iceman of Chicago Spots belongs to Caleb Williams. We know Air Jordan may still be the most clutch player in Chicago sports history after Williams career concludes as we don’t know how it will turn out. Beating the Rams will build up the ICEMAN legacy.
You could say with looking at both the Rams and the Bears, LA has the better team. If these teams played on a neutral field, the Rams would probably win 7 out of 10 match ups. In cold conditions especially, teams coming from warmer climates don’t really do well. Looking at both rosters right now you have a few names that would be considered Hall of Famers. If we skip ahead to like 40 more years into the future, we may have all sorts of players from both rosters in this game that make it to Canton. The Rams and Bears players that faced off in 1986 have a ton of names from that game in Canton. This has been one magical season for Chicago and it may not end in a Superbowl like the ’85 team. The Bears are a number two seed. If they win they will have to play Seattle in the NFC Championship which will not be a easy task. The Rams could adapt in the cold weather and pull this game off. When history seems to always repeat itself, this go around it could be the Johnson’s over the McVays. LA has fallen victim to the Chicago icy conditions before, so why not again on Sunday. Maybe it will not be the Iceman that wins it for the Bears. Maybe some Bears linebacker makes the play and rewrites Wilbur Marhsall’s scoop and score play back in ’86.
Probably the best play in the NFL in a divisional round was the Immaculate Reception by the Steelers versus the Raiders in 1972. Where Steelers running back Franco Harris catches the ricochet right before it hits the turf and runs it a far distance for a big Pittsburgh touchdown. Round two of this current post-season could have some diabolical play like that. Can the the Iceman turn into Superman & pull off another epic outcome? In this divisional round some defense will make their stand. Last week we did a very poor job at picking the winners as we went (2-4) in the wild card round. We are looking for that Immaculate Reception in the second round to redeem ourselves as we served up only jokers in the wild card round. We crunched the numbers. We drank a few shots. Followed that hard work up with some chasers to come up with 4 solid winners for the Divisional round.
ROUND 2 NFL PLAYOFFS
NFL DIVISIONAL ROUND
SATURDAY GAMES
AFC
#6.BUFFALO BILLS (13-5) AT #1.DENVER BRONCOS (14-3)
REGULAR SEASON HEAD TO HEAD: Did not play each other this season.
PLAYOFF HISTORY: Bills (2-0) Broncos
1992 AFC Championship: Bills 10-7 Broncos
2025 AFC Wild Card round: Bills 31-7 Broncos
This game between the visiting Bills and Broncos is a rematch of the first round wild card game from last post-season. That game was played in Buffalo and the Bills won it. The key to a Denver Broncos win is how Bo Nix does. Will Bo be Bo or will he be Nixed by the Bills defense? Will Bo have his old green Oregon University jersey on under the orange Broncos representing the color of kryptonite? Josh Allen last week put on the cape and took his Bills on the road to win his first ever playoff game on the road in Jacksonville. Kryptonite may be needed. The Broncos are well rested being the number one seed as they had a bye last week. Allen will face a tough defense by the Broncos. The Broncos can get to the quarterback as they are one of the top units in the league at sacking the quarterback. They are the best defensive unit in red zone efficiency in the league. The Bills weakness on defense is their run defense. Will the Bills defense make RJ Harvey look like a Hall of Fame running back? I liked how the Bills defense has played the last few weeks. Look for Joey Bosa to have a big game for the Bills. The Broncos are familiar with Joey playing all those years with the Chargers. Sean Payton will have tricks under his sleeve as he has pulled off plenty in post-season games as a head coach. Can the Bills head coach Sean McDermott unravel Payton’s evil genius plot?
The Broncos have a problem finishing drives and settle for field goals instead of touchdowns. In two of the 3 games the Broncos lost this season, the opponents rushed over 100 yards. The Bills are one of the best running teams in the league. James Cook won the rushing title. I think the Bills will have a better day at running the ball unlike last weekend versus the Jaguars who are a top run defense in the league. This game will be close. The Broncos have racked up the most NFL defensive pass interference penalties in the league. That can come into play in this match up. I think the Bills can hang with the Broncos most of the game until Allen puts the cape on. It will be cold. Being from the Fortress of Solitude, Allen and the Bills will get back to the AFC championship game stealing another road win from another top seed in the AFC.
OUR PICK: BILLS
NFC
#6.SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (13-5) AT #1.SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (14-3)
REGULAR SEASON HEAD TO HEAD: Both teams split the 2 game series.
PLAYOFF HISTORY: Each team has won 1 meeting against each other in post-season.
2014 NFC Championship: Seahawks 23-17 49ers
2023 NFC Wild Card round: 49ers 41-23 Seahawks
In the last meeting between these two division rivals, it was all about the DARKSIDE!!! The Seattle defense held the 49ers to three points and 173 total yards in week 18. It was the last game of the season between both teams, but everything was on the line which included the NFC West title and the number 1 seed. Seattle won that 13-3. The Seahawks are rested having a bye last weekend. Their quarterback Sam Darnold injured his oblique in practice but is expected to play. The 49ers went on the road last week and knocked off the defending champs from last year. The 49ers lost their star tight end George Kittle in that win in Philadelphia. The 49ers will have their star offensive line back for this game Trent Williams who missed week 18 vs Seattle. Can the 49ers get another road victory with all the injuries they are dealing with against another top team in the NFC? The Darkside defense will limit Christian McCaffrey and that 49ers run game. It will be up to Brock Purdy to slay the Seahawks dragon here. Purdy usually has a clean game as Seattle is a top scoring defense. I think Darnold is lucky not facing this 49ers defense full strength with his injury. The 49ers injuries consist of the important pass rushers that get after the quarterback. Seattle’s running game will eat the clock up putting pressure on Purdy to throw the ball more which is not good as he needs a running game behind him. This will be a close game. The battle will be won in the trenches which goes to the Darkside. I like Seattle defending their home turf to move on to the NFC Championship game.
OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS
SUNDAY GAMES
AFC
#5.HOUSTON TEXANS (12-5) AT #2.NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (15-3)
HEAD TO HEAD REGULAR SEASON: Did not play each other this season.
PLAYOFF HISTORY: Patriots (2-0) Texans
2013 AFC Divisional: Patriots 41-28 Texans
2017 AFC Divisional: Patriots 34-17
I feel like it’s hard to believe that we are still talking about the New England Patriots. They won the AFC East. They come into post-season as the number two seed in the AFC. They win their first game versus the LA Chargers and Justin Herbert in the wild card round.
Drake Maye if you’re following the Evil Empire is Kylo Ren as Tom Brady was Darth Vader. Maye like Vader and every evil dictator or villain out there or in the past, gets the easy kill in their first go round which was the Chargers. The Chargers only gave up 16 points versus the Patriots. I think the challenge now is how does Kylo Maye take on an actual Jedi which is not CJ Stroud? Will Anderson Jr. be unleashed on Ren and the Patriots offense? They were not very kind to Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers last week. I would say this will be a defensive game in cold weather which did not bother the Texans last week. The Patriots defense should be able to keep Stroud in check most of the game. Stroud has 5 playoff games under his belt. He will not have his number one weapon in this match up, Nico Collins, who suffered a concussion last week versus the Steelers. The Patriots have one of the top aerial games of teams left in the tournament. The Texans defense has been very good at shutting down the passing game.
Ole Chucky Gruden said weeks ago he liked the Texans and Seahawks in the Superbowl because of the talent they have on the defensive side of the ball. This Texans defense is a different animal than Maye has ever seen this season. The Texans are red hot which will melt the cold and snow away. They will score more points than the Patriots in a low scoring affair and come away with a crucial road victory.
OUR PICK: TEXANS
NFC
#5.LA RAMS (13-5) AT #2.CHICAGO BEARS (12-6)
HEAD TO HEAD REGULAR SEASON: Did not play each other this season.
PLAYOFF HISTORY: Both teams have won 1 meeting against each other.
1950 NFL Divisional: Rams 24-14 Bears
1985 NFC Championship: Bears 24-0 Rams
I think the only thing in Chicago to bring people together is the DA Bears!! Caleb Williams may have played his college ball on the west coast painting his fingernails in warm weather at USC. They call him the Ice Man because he has ice in his veins as he led another epic comeback as he slayed the Packers last week in the wild card round. Meanwhile the LA Rams who have not played outdoors much this season are coming to a ice cold environment in Soldier Field where it will be cold as ice at game time. Matthew Stafford has had an incredible season as he has been in the MVP conversation all year. Stafford used to play in Detroit, but the Lions played in a dome all those years. He is familiar playing in Chicago coming to Soldier Field once a year with Detroit. The Rams had a difficult time getting past the Panthers. The Bears were a no show in the first half with the visiting Packers. Both defenses are very vulnerable. Especially in the secondary. The Bears defense needs to get takeaways to thrive. While the Rams defense thrives when they get pressure on the quarterback. Both teams can run the ball well. This is a well-balanced offense squaring off in this match up. Will the cold temps effect the passing game? The Bears will have the advantage on special teams with the kicking game. Bears kicker Cairo Santos has been masterful kicking using the winds like he’s playing golf. The Rams encounter Harrison Mevis who grew up in cold weather in Northern Iowa. Kicking in Chicago is a different animal for first timers. Which offensive genius will have the better game plan? Ben Johnson of the Bears or Sean McVay? They are two young brilliant football minds playing chess against each other’s defenses. Most of the league is playing checkers while they are playing chess.
In a cold game I think the scoreboard will be lit up. Stafford has never played a game under 20 degrees. Coming to these conditions after being in 80 degree weather is a shocker to your system. I think the first half will start off slow since Williams is a slow starter. Stafford will need a half to adjust. In the end the Ice Man Sub Zero being played by Williams freezes out Scorpion who is being played by Stafford in a mortal ice sculpting thriller. The Rams have not been playing well for weeks now. I think it catches up to them here.
It’s official this week as the old Highmark Stadium has played their final home game. The Buffalo Bills opened up their current stadium back on September 30th, 1973 in a home game against the New York Jets which they won 9-7. It started with the Jets and ended with the Jets on January 4th of 2026 with a 35-8 victory in the last game of regular season. The Bills ended up being being a wild card spot and 6th seed in the AFC post-season. The last 5 seasons the Bills have won the AFC East which guaranteed them a home playoff game. Not this season as the New England Patriots took the division and at the same time ruined the Bills’ pipe dream of playing a home playoff game giving Highmark stadium one more game. Yes, the Patriots beat the 7th seed Chargers last week which killed the fantasy of the Bills hosting the Chargers in the AFC Championship.
In 1973 when they opened the new Buffalo Bills stadium, it was called Rich Stadium. At the time of the opening, a Buffalo-based food products company called Rich Products signed a 25 year deal for the naming rights. It was a 1.5 million dollar deal. Rich Foods had to pay the Bills $60,000 per season. Rich Stadium lasted from 1973 to 1997. When the name was under Rich Stadium, it was during those great 1990 Buffalo Bills teams with Jim Kelly leading the charge with the hurry up offense. Those Bills of the 1990’s went to 4 straight Superbowls as you know the results there. We will move on to 1998 when Bills owner Ralph Wilson named the stadium after himself. It was Ralf Wilson Stadium from 1998-2015. Then in 2016 it became New Era Field, which lasted three seasons until the finish of 2019. During the pandemic, it just became plain Jane Bills Stadium. Then from 2021 on it has been Highmark Field, the name that will transfer to the state of art new stadium across the street at 1 Bills Drive in Orchard Park, New York.
Before Rich Stadium was ever built, the Bills played on the east side of Buffalo. The Bills were established in 1960 as part of the AFL and played their home games at War Memorial Stadium, aka The Rock Pile. They played 13 seasons there which held a capacity of 47,000. Then in the merger of the AFL and NFL, the Bills had to find a new venue because back then the NFL stadiums had a mandate of 50,000 seats which eliminated War Memorial Stadium. Ralph Wilson explored relocation to cities like Memphis, Tampa Bay, and Seattle. In the end the state and the Bills ownership agreed to stay in Western New York as they landed a new stadium and the rest is history.
It was week 18, the final game of regular season and final regular season game at High Mark. The current Bills came out wearing the retro 1990 helmets that Jim Kelly and those guys played in. The Bills rested many of their starters as Josh Allen did get one play to keep his Iron Man streak alive. The Bills were playing to improve their wild card seed and did not need the starters to get the job done. Back up quarterback Mitch Trubisky led the offense after Allen’s one play and he and the offense lit up the Jets to give the Bills a win to end their season and a W for the crowd in the farewell game. Running back James Cook did have a few rushes in the game before he sat down. Those few rushes won him the NFL rushing title as he becomes the second Bills player to do that since the Juice OJ Simpson wore the uniform before killing his X-wife. It was an emotional farewell as all the Bills chants were being sung proud from all the memories of this old building. On hand were Hall of Fame Bills players such as Jim Kelly and Andre Reed and their Hall of Fame head coach, 100 year old Marv Levy. The atmosphere was festive on a cold day full of warmth watching their team win and enjoying the last memories of the stadium. The jumbo-tron had a farewell video during the post-game with the song Iris from Buffalo’s own Goo Goo Dolls that featured all the cool and great highlights of all these Bills teams that played here 53 seasons. At the end of the game after all the songs and chants were sung and beers drank, the jumbo-tron read, “Thank You Bills Mafia.” Simple & to the point. Not even alien intelligence could think of something better.
The Buffalo Bills had some very bad teams throughout the 53 seasons. Some of the playoff droughts were decades long. The first ever playoff game at Rich Stadium came in 1988, a Bills victory over the Houston Oilers. It was the Houston Oilers that the Bills beat in that epic playoff game in January of 1993 called the COMEBACK.
No Jim Kelly in that game. The Oilers dominated the first half. The Bills made the comeback with back up QB Frank Reich who erased a 32 point deficit in the second half. The best game I ever saw played on the gridiron. The Bills won every home playoff game until the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars came to town in 1996 and upset Buffalo in the wild card round. The Bills were perfect against three teams at Rich Stadium those 53 seasons. They beat all 31 teams at this stadium at least once. They went perfect against 3 teams. They were 5-0 versus the Cardinals, 3-0 versus the Buccaneers and 7-0 versus the Packers. On January 1, 2008 the stadium had the first NHL Winter classic as the Buffalo Sabres skated outside versus the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins. The Orangemen of Syracuse University played a few home games at this stadium. All the concerts over the years and many other events this stadium saw. All those great memories will last a lifetime for everyone who went there to see their beloved team perform. In society today, stadiums, like most things, don’t last forever. I wish we would have more stadiums stay open for over 100 years like Fenway Park in Boston and Wrigley in Chicago. The new Bills stadium across the street will be something special based on the looks of it from the outside. The Bills could have easily put up a dome. Especially with all the snow and cold games they have encountered over the decades. The fan base and the ownership chose to go with an open air stadium with grass instead. My feeling and that of every other Bills fan is that the memories will instantly roll over to the new state of the art facility that looks ginormous. Buffalo is like Whoville in the Grinch story. Christmas still came for the Whos in Whoville after the Grinch stole everything. The snow will come, but it never prevents the Bills Mafia from enjoying the Sunday game rooting on the Bills. GO BILLS!!!
The NFL playoffs have arrived and the first round offers some thrillers for the Wild Card weekend. Many of these match ups could go either way. Most of the regular season was a crap shoot week to week. Many headscratchers leaving many people without any hair.
Maybe your girl lost her hair watching yourself rip it out in chunks. That is the way the NFL wants Any Given Sunday that anybody can beat you, me, and the moose. No Kansas City Chiefs. No Baltimore Ravens. Three teams come into post-season red hot. Can the Eagles defend their title from last season? The league has their oldest rivalry going at it. Everything shapes up like it will be a barn burner every game. I will throw my darts pick out of the hat or maybe pick the better helmet out of each match up. I’ll pick each winner out of each match up. Not promising you I will do a great job. You do not know if I’m drunk right now. I will roll out the Wild Card picks in the first 6 post-season games of the tournament. Grab the big canister of cheese balls at Menard’s and enjoy!!
ROUND 1 NFL PLAYOFFS
NFL WILD CARD WEEKEND
SATURDAY GAMES
NFC
#5.LA RAMS (12-5) AT #4.CAROLINA PANTHERS (8-9)
REGULAR SEASON HEAD TO HEAD: Panthers beat the Rams in week 13, 31-28
PLAYOFF HISTORY: Panthers (1-0) Rams
The Panthers ended the Rams’ greatest show on turf dynasty back in 2003-04 in the NFC divisional round.
The cool thing for the Carolina Panthers is their quarterback Bryce Young will get his first taste of playoff action. Which could be a learning experience because I don’t think Carolina will win this game. The Panthers backed into post-season as they lost their last two games which included a week 18 match up versus the Buccaneers. They needed help from the Falcons to get into the doggie door of the post-season tournament. The Panthers running game has vanished their last two games. In the first match up, Matthew Stafford threw three interceptions. I don’t see that happening this go around. Sean McVay will be well prepared for this rematch. The Rams will be getting Davante Adams back on the field who has been out with a hamstring injury since week 15. I feel the Rams defense could force Young into some stupid throws. Stafford is 5-5 post-season all-time as the Panthers become another notch on his MVP season. The Panther by far are the worst team in this post-season, and they even come in with a losing record. The playoff experience the Rams have coming into this game makes this a very easy pick.
OUR PICK: RAMS
NFC
#7.GREEN BAY PACKERS (9-8) AT #2.CHICAGO BEARS (11-6)
REGULAR SEASON HEAD TO HEAD: Split the two game series
December 20th Bears won in OT 22-16 over the Packers in Chicago.
December 7th Packers beat the Bears 28-21 at their place
PLAYOFF HISTORY: Split the two post-season meetings
1941 Western Division playoff game, Bears won at Wrigley Field 33-14
2010 NFC Championship, Packers won 21-14
The last time Jordan Love was on the field was the December 20th game versus the Bears when he was knocked out of that contest. He has been out with a concussion ever since and will suit up and play this one. These two teams already played each other twice in the month of December. It’s the NFL’s oldest rivalry. I could see some more head hunting in this match up by both teams because they already have some bad blood that happen in the last two games. The Packers come into the playoffs losing the last 4 games. Last week they rested their guys as they were locked in at the number 7 seed. The Bears were playing for the number two seed. They have lost two straight coming into this game. If the Commanders did not beat the Eagles, this match up would not be happening this round. The Packers have the playoff experience over this Bears team. Ben Johnson has been involved in the playoffs with the Lions as the offensive coordinator. Can Caleb Williams get off to a fast start? The Bears’ slow starts coming from behind in the 4th quarter is much more difficult to do in the post-season. The Bears won that OT game with a lucky on side kick they recovered to send that one into overtime. In both games the Bears running game had the Packers defense on the ropes gasping for air trying to stop Chicago’s two-headed monster they have at the running back position. How will Love respond coming back against the team that knocked him into tomorrow land? That is the biggest question in a match up that can go either way. The Bears defense worries me. If they do not get takeaways they really are not stopping teams. The history of this rivalry does not favor Chicago. I think the Bears will not be the big cheese in this game.
OUR PICK: PACKERS
THE SUNDAY TILT
AFC
#6.BUFFALO BILLS (12-5) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (13-3)
REGULAR SEASON HEAD TO HEAD: Did not play each other.
PLAYOFF HISTORY: Jaguars (2-0) Bills
1996 Wild card game Jaguars 30-27 Bills
2017 Wild Card game Jaguars 10-3 Bills
This may not be a great match up for the Buffalo Bills in this first round. The Jacksonville Jaguars are one of the league’s hottest teams coming into the post-season as they have won 8 straight games. The Bills closed out Rich Stadium in the last regular season there as they are moving to a new stadium next year. The Bills handled the Jets and rested many of their starters who have been banged up. This game features the top run defense in the game the Jaguars have. The Bills offense features James Cook who won the NFL rushing title. Here are some of the important facts we have. The Bills head coach Sean McDermott has a 0-5 record on the road in post-season which included a loss in 2017. The Bills did not have Josh Allen that game as he was drafted in 2018. With McDermott 0-5 on the road, that means Allen has a 0-4 record on the road. However Allen is 2-1 in regular season vs Trevor Lawrence, the Surf Nazi who Must Die in this match up.
Allen has won at least 1 playoff game in the last 5 consecutive seasons the Bills have made it to the post-season. The Bills defense on the road give up 33.5 points per game. While at home it’s a different story with 19.8 points per game. The Jaguars could exploit the Bills run defense which has been very leaky this season. The Jags have the history behind them 2-0 all-time versus Bills in playoffs. However history can change as the Bills have much more playoff experience than the Jaguars. I expect Josh Allen to put on his Superman cape, notch his first playoff win on the road, and really change the dynamic of the post-season in the Bills’ favor. No Chiefs in the post-season. I like that it’s the last season for former Jaguar, Gabe Davis, to have his moment. Big Game Gabe will get a touchdown in this one.
OUR PICK: BIILS
NFC
#6.SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (12-5) AT #3.PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (11-6)
REGULAR SEASON HEAD TO HEAD: Did not play each other this regular season
PLAYOFF HISTORY: Split between both teams in two games
1996 Wild Card game 49ers 14-0 Eagles
2023 NFC Championship Eagles 31-7 49ers
The Eagles are the defending champions from last season and are ready for their first title defense with the 49ers coming to play in cold weather. The interesting match up here is the 49ers offensive mastermind of Kyle Shanahan vs the defensive guru of Vic Fangio of the Eagles. Both teams coming off losses last week. The Eagles had a chance for the number two seed and lost to the Commanders. The Eagles rested their starting quarterback Jalen Hurts. The 49ers had a chance at the NFC West title which the number 1 seed came along with it with Seattle. The Seahawks defense held the 49ers to 3 points in that loss. The 49ers are dealing with multiple injuries which seems like always the case. Brock Purdy will play but suffered a shoulder stinger and hurt his thumb in that loss to Seattle. The Eagles defense will be a problem for the 49ers. Purdy is 4-2 all-time in post-season. Hurts has a 6-3 record all-time. I think the Eagles will be able to get productive yardage from their star running back Saquon Barkley as Seattle gashed the 49ers for multiple big chunks of yardage. I think the Eagles can generate more points on the 49ers defense than San Francisco’s offense on that stout Philly defense which is the key to this Wild Card game. This game will be a low scoring affair. In the end the Eagles’ first title defense is successful in Philadelphia. The 49ers looked like they could have had the number one seed the way they were playing. Those injuries mean that defense will not cut the mustard against this Eagles team.
OUR PICK: EAGLES
AFC
#7.LA CHARGERS (11-6) AT #2.NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (14-3)
REGULAR SEASON HEAD TO HEAD: Did not play each other this season.
PLAYOFF HISTORY: Patriots 3-1 Chargers All-time
1961 AFL Championship, Chargers 51-10 Patriots
2007 AFC Divisional, Patriots 24-21 Chargers
2008 AFC Championship, Patriots 21-12 Chargers
2019 AFC Divisional, Patriots 41-28 Chargers
This is an interesting game to pick from with two solid coaches going against each other. Mike Vrabel for the Patriots who has them winning the AFC East snapping the Bills run of the last 5 seasons. They have the number two seed. Then Jim Harbaugh’s second season with the Chargers he has them in the post-season in back to back years. Harbaugh’s first NFL coahing job he took the 49ers all the way to the Superbowl. Vrabel’s first NFL head coaching gig his Titans derailed the team he used to play and head coach for, which was Bill Belichick and the Patriots in 2020. Vrabel has a 3-5 record as head coach in the post-season. While Harbaugh has a 5-4 record as a head coach in the post-season. This is Drake Maye’s first ever post-season start. Justin Herbert is looking for his first playoff win in his career. Is the 3rd time the charm for Herbert? Can the Chargers protect Herbert as their line could be a weakness for the Patriots to exploit? The Chargers defense is very good against the pass. Will the Patriot missiles in the aerial attack turn into scuds?
How will the Chargers do in cold weather? Along with a long flight from the West coast to the East? The Patriots are coming into the post-season winning three in a row and has a chance for the number one seed but Denver won. The Broncos beat the Chargers who took a knee in this game and rested players including Herbert who fractured his hand in week 17. The Chargers could have played for a higher seed in the AFC brackets. Instead they dropped to a seven. Is this what Harbaugh really wanted in this first match up in the AFC? The Patriots had most of this season played a easy schedule. They were perfect on the road, but their 3 losses come at home. Harbaugh may look like a mad genius here. I like the Chargers defense. I think the Chargers offense can get enough points to pull this out on the road and give the AFC conference another shocker in the wild card round.
OUR PICK:CHARGERS
MONDAY NIGHT
AFC
#5.HOUSTON TEXANS (11-5) AT #4.PITTSBURGH STEELERS (10-7)
REGULAR SEASON HEAD TO HEAD: Did not play each other this season.
PLAYOFF HISTORY: First ever playoff game between the two teams.
Will Anderson Jr. along with Danielle Hunter means Aaron Rodgers is a dead duck. The Texans can kill the quarterback.
The Texans defense is one of the best or the best unit in the post-season. It took a wide right field goal by the Ravens kicker to get the Steelers the AFC North title and into the dance. The Ravens are another team that comes into the post-season red hot winning 9 straight games. The Steelers have lost six straight playoff games as they have been one and done is their pattern. The difference is Aaron Rodgers is why the Steelers signed him. All the playoff experience. He is 12-10 all-time in the post-season. This may be his last moment in the post-season. If he goes out with a whimper, he will run and hide before coming out of the darkness retreat & hanging up the spikes. The Texans CJ Stroud has a 2-2 record in the post-season. He’s done well in the wild card round. Can the Steelers line protect the old man from being knocked into tomorrow land?
The Steelers will get back Rodgers’ number one receiver DK Metcalf who was suspended two games for punching the fan in Detroit. The Steelers are the fastest team at getting rid of the ball at 2.62 seconds which will keep Rodgers in one piece. I like the Steelers offense being able to get the points they need. The Steelers defense will find ways to get Stroud and that offense to turn over the ball. The Steelers luck continues as they outlast the Texans in the cold in a close one. In like a 21-20 nail biter.
The last game of regular season in the NFL, week 18 featured the visiting Baltimore Ravens at the Pittsburgh Steelers for all the marbles. The winner would win the AFC North and clinch a playoff spot at the same time. When division rivals go at it in a game where it means more than just bragging rights, most of the time it will be a solid game. This game did not disappoint as it had several lead changes and came down to the very end. The Ravens drove the length of the field and set up their rookie kicker, Tyler Loop, for his biggest kick of his career so far. It was a 44 yard field goal and if he makes it, Ravens are in the playoffs. He missed it. The Ravens would be eliminated from post-season and in the aftermath of the situation, the collateral damage is Baltimore fired their head coach, John Harbaugh. Due to the Ravens missing the playoffs, is what they are saying.
John Harbaugh had the second longest tenure of any head coach in the NFL with 18 years. Only Mike Tomlin & the team that eliminated the Ravens for the Pittsburgh Steelers has the longest tenure in the league. Harbaugh started in 2008 as he compiled up 180 regular season victories as the Ravens head coach. His regular season record was 180-113 which is impressive. His Ravens teams had 11 double-digit win seasons in his tenure. By far he is the best head coach in Ravens history. He guided the Ravens to the franchise’s second Superbowl title back in 2012 when the Ravens knocked off the San Francisco 49ers. The head coach at the time was his brother Jim. In 18 seasons his team made the post-season 12 times. He has guided the Ravens to 8 AFC North titles. He was named NFL Coach of the Year back in 2019. In post-season he will leave the franchise with a winning record of 13-11. With Lamar Jackson, John was 3-5 in those post-season battles.
Lamar Jackson may be one of the best duel threat quarterbacks of all-time. In 8 seasons in the NFL, Lamar with his arm has thrown 187 touchdown passes to 56 interceptions. He has used his legs to score 35 rushing touchdowns. He has ran for over 6,500 yards. He has the most 100 yard rushing games as a quarterback all-time with 14. In regular season when he starts, the Ravens are 76-31 with him. As an AFC quarterback he has mastered the NFC with a record 24-4 against that conference in his 8 seasons so far. He is a 2x MVP of the NFL. He made 4 Pro-Bowls while racking up many other football awards. He has helped the Ravens win 4 AFC North titles which is half of his playing career. However in post-season, he has a record of 3-5 with an AFC Championship appearance.
The Ravens started off the season 1-5. They righted the ship and eventually got back to a 6-5 record. Which they dug themselves out of that hole. They ended up 8-9 with the loss to Pittsburgh. If it was not for back up quarterback Tyler Huntley, they would have been eliminated weeks ago. The Ravens back up quarterback who did all the right things even though most of the time he fed his beast running back Derrick Henry the ball in that victory in Green Bay versus the Packers in week 17. That was a much needed victory for the Ravens because the Steelers lost to the Browns which set that final game, winner takes all. Huntley went 2-0 as a starter this season for the Ravens as he also beat the Bears. Lamar Jackson went 6-7 as the starter for the Ravens this season. He had multiple injuries he dealt with this year with the hamstring and the back. The Ravens once again this season blew a few games where they had double digit leads. John Harbaugh has lost 26 games as the head coach where he has seen his team blow double digit leads. Everyone remembers what Josh Allen did to the Ravens in week one with that unbelievable comeback by the Bills. Who’s fault is that for these blown leads over the last several years: Jackson or Harbaugh?
Lamar Jackson to me in some of those games where the Ravens blew the lead of these games is on the sideline laughing it up with teammates always thinking they have everything in the bag. It was week one when Lamar pushed the Buffalo fan back in his seat after the Ravens scored the touchdown to build a bigger lead. That Bills fan smacked his receiver in his helmet, DeAndre Hopkins, after he caught the touchdown. Why is your leader going after the fan? Because he ruined the touchdown celebration? Would Michael Jordan hit a fan? No, he would get his player out of harm’s way and use the situation as motivation to win the game. Lamar has that too cool for school vibe where he’s more about his own image than anyone else. One Baltimore writer wrote before Christmas that he’s an overgrown kid trapped in a man’s body. If anyone is critical of the great Jackson, he becomes withdrawn which a kid would do. He looks withdrawn when he wears a hoodie sweatshirt and snow parka always on the sideline during cold games. Looks like the little kid in A Christmas Story wearing the snow suit who can hardly walk. The Ravens have their own set of rules for Jackson different than the rest of the team. The article also said Jackson falls asleep in meetings because he stays up too late playing video games. Jackson only shows up to things like mandatory camps for one day or so, and then is not seen. He is a quarterback that often gets hurt. Why not put the controller down for awhile and work on your own body? Your temple. No way he will play close to his 40’s or into his 40’s like a Tom Brady. Because he is not taking care of what God has gifted him, the talent to play quarterback in the NFL.
John Harbaugh won the Superbowl with Joe Flacco. Lamar Jackson is a 10 times better quarterback than Flacco who is still playing. Harbaugh had pressure too from the front office to fire his offensive coordinator, Todd Monken. Maybe the offensive coordinator is responsible for calling a conservative game plan with his team in the lead by double digit points. The Ravens defense has been a liability the last two seasons. Harbaugh’s teams usually played solid defense most of his tenure. The Ravens miss Mike Macdonald who has Seattle with the number one seed in the NFC. Macdonald took the Seattle head coach job before the 2024 season as he is in his second season. Look at Seattle’s defense. Look at Seattle’s quarterback, Sam Darnold, who’s not the best in the league. He was coined a number one draft bust until last year when he finally clicked and had a monster year for the Vikings.
This is why 7 teams called about John Harbaugh 45 minutes after he was let go by the Ravens. Teams like the Giants, Titans, Browns, Cardinals, and Raiders all need head coaches & will be kicking the tires on Harbaugh. Then you’ve got teams like Miami, New York Jets and perhaps Cincinnati who may fire their current coach to get Harbaugh. Now through the grapevine, we hear Harbaugh did not see eye to eye with Jackson who is coddled by the front office. They say Harbaugh was losing the entire locker room because the head coach and quarterback were almost never on the same page. All this could be hearsay. I think if Harbaugh has a good defense and middle tier quarterback, he can win another Superbowl with another team. The Cleveland situation looks great having that defense. Myles Garrett reminds you of Ray Lewis. The QB situation dealing with the rapist in Deshaun Watson or another duel threat who is not very good in Shedeur Sanders is a worse situation than what you went through with Lamar. How about Joe Burrow and the Bengals? That would be interesting. He would need the entire Bengals defense to be revamped. All the money in Cincinnati is tied up with the offense. That would be a cool story if Harbaugh took a job with one of the teams in the same division as the Ravens. The Raiders job could be interesting with the number one pick. Dealing with Tom Brady and the rest of the Raiders ownership who fires head coaches for sport could be something you stay away from. I think he could take the New York Giants job. Having a young Jaxson Dart as your QB in year two. The Giants have some pieces on the defensive side of the ball. A few young playmakers are coming off season injuries. Which coach is going to get through Lamar Jackson’s muppet mind set? I like John Harbaugh’s chances to win his second Superbowl before Jackson can get to the dance. I’m not talking about dirty dancing with his teammates in the end zone with plenty of time on the clock for the other team to come back. Let’s remember Jackson in crunch time after teams come back on him will fold like a house of cards more than drive his team down the sideline for the victory. After the game he can forget about it and play some Donkey Kong.
Last week the Lions, Rams, and the Buccaneers laid a turd out there on the field costing me half my losses. Seeing the Ravens come to life in Green Bay was impressive but a loss. The Ravens should start Tyler Huntley this weekend and have him just hand the ball off to King Derrick Henry instead of trying Lamar Jackson. A guy who many by now should be soured on. Josh Allen should have converted the 2 point conversion on the Eagles & then I would have won that match up.
SEASON RECORD:(166-90)
NFL WEEK 18 STRAIGHT PICK-EM
Which villain in the final week of the NFL regular season will cause the most havoc? Will their plots be spoiled by the good? We will trot out the GOOD, BAD AND UGLY for week 18……..
SATURDAY GAMES
CAROLINA PANTHERS (8-8) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (7-9)
This game is for the dreaded NFC South title. I think most people would rather see the Saints or the Falcons represent this division in the post-season than either of these teams. The Buccaneers have lost 7 out of 8 games. They lost to a bad Dolphins team last week. They lost to this Panthers team two weeks ago. The Panthers have been very good at winning games after coming off a loss. They lost to Seattle last week but hung in there for most of the game until the Seahawks put them away in the second half. Can Baker Mayfield pull out one of those gutty performances and put on the cape? The Buccaneers have more experience in these games. Bryce Young will be facing a blitz at him which will include everything including the kitchen sink. I think Young will falter with the game pressure and the blitz, especially if the Buccaneers stop the running game. I have to bet on Baker coming up big here & then finding a way to knock off a team in the wild card round after this weekend.
OUR PICK:BUCCANEERS
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (13-3) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (12-4)
This game has a lot riding on it. The winner will get the number 1 seed in the NFC and a first round bye along with the NFC West title. Sam Darnold a few seasons back was the back up for the 49ers starting QB Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy. This game reminds you of the Legion of Boom defense Seattle used to back when these two teams would mix it up being the two superior teams back then in the NFC and in present times. I have to give Seattle the nod at having the better defense. Purdy won a shootout versus Caleb Williams and the Bears last week as the 49ers defense did not look very good. The 49ers have the better offense even though Seattle can score. Seattle is not far off from the 49ers scoring machine. If Darnold has a bad game, I like the 49ers in this one. Let’s remember the Seahawks came close to beating the Rams the first time this season with a 4 interception day from Darnold. I like great defense over great offense as on any day. Seattle will hold on to the number 1 seed with a huge win on the road to get the bye for next week.
OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS
THE SUNDAY TILT
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (6-10) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (7-9)
For the Saints, is this the last time we see aging players like Taysom Hill, Demario Davis and the great Cameron Jordan suiting up for New Orleans? The Saints have marched to their 4th straight victory while the Falcons are flying high winning their 3rd in a row. The Falcons shocked the Rams on Monday night. The Saints rookie quarterback Tyler Slough has been impressive 3 straight games with at least 250 passing yards and zero interceptions. Slough will have to play this one without his number 1 guy, wide receiver Chris Olave, who has a blood clot in his lung. Kirk Cousins is playing better. The Falcons have Drake London getting back to his old self who has a few games in from his injury that sidelined him for weeks. I’d like to see the Saints win this one. This game could go as a coin flip. My gut is telling me Atlanta as Cousins has the big game, delivers the decisive blow, and ends the Saints winning streak.
OUR PICK: FALCONS
TENNESSEE TITANS (3-13) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (12-4)
Game show question involving Jaguars quarterbacks for 100 dollars. You would think a guy like Trevor Lawrence will have a very easy time rewriting all the Jaguars QB records. Sometimes we find some unique ones. Lawrence has accounted for 35 touchdowns this season. He has thrown 26 and rushed for 9 scores. He needs two more whatever combo he chooses to tie the Jaguars legendary Blake Bortles, who set the franchise record of 37 back in 2015. The Titans have been playing much better down the stretch as Cam Ward is starting to look like a keeper. The Jaguars need a win to win the AFC South. If they do not win, they need Houston to lose to the Colts. The Jaguars have won 7 straight games. They have won the last three meetings against the Titans. This is a division rivalry as both teams dislike each other. It will be close until the Jags pull away in the second half. Lawrence and that Jags offense have been lighting up the scoreboard and I don’t think the Titans will be able to match the score at this time.
OUR PICK: JAGUARS
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (8-8) AT HOUSTON TEXANS (11-5)
This match up has both these teams going into different directions. The Texans have won 8 straight game and need to win this with a Jaguars loss, then they would win the AFC South. If the Texans can accomplish the division title, it would be their 3rd straight. The Colts have imploded losing six straight games in the second half after starting off 8-2. Indiana’s Daniel Jones got hurt. The Colts brought back Phillip Rivers out of retirement and he could not save their season losing all 3 of his starts. The Colts will give their rookie QB his first ever start in the NFL. Riley Leonard, a 6th round draft pick from Duke and Notre Dame, has played in 4 games this season. He has not really done well completing only 54.5% of his passes while tallying up 145 passing yards with two interceptions. The Texans defense is dangerous. Especially for rookie QB’s. I think the Texans will be quick and painless as Houston will put down the Colts like a horse heading to the glue factory after a long race while being a long shot having problems getting out of the gates.
OUR PICK: TEXANS
DALLAS COWBOYS (7-8-1) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (3-13)
This game does not mean much for either team. The Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka got his first NFL win last week versus a bad Raiders team. The Cowboys with a win would not finish the season with a losing record. A Cowboys win would also give them a 5-1 record in their own division. The Giants will be playing all their starters to give the Giants rookie QB Jaxson Dart ending his rookie season on a high note. The Cowboys QB Dak Prescott has something to play for. Coming in he leads the NFL in passing yards. No Dallas QB has ever finished leading the league in passing yardage as Prescott would like to be the first. I can’t see Dart matching Prescott here in scores. Should be a close one. In the end, the Boys get the W.
OUR PICK: COWBOYS
CLEVELAND BROWNS (4-12) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (6-10)
The Battle of Ohio subplot has the single season sack record on the line. Myles Garrett tied TJ Watt’s and Michael Strahan’s record at 22 sacks but has not been able to get that final notch to be the king of the season. Joe Burrow is one of the guys along with Lamar Jackson Garrett who has sacked the most in his career. I like Garrett getting the record with his 23rd sack on Burrow. Both teams are coming off victories last week. I like the Bengals getting the victory as Burrow will get the last laugh in a big day over the Browns defense to win the battle of Ohio which does not really mean much these days.
OUR PICK: BENGALS
GREEN BAY PACKERS (9-7) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (8-8)
The Packers have already locked up the number 7 seed in the post season. This last game does not mean anything for them as they can’t move up and better themselves with a win. A Vikings win would give them a winning record for the season. Former Houston University and Arizona Cardinals draft pick Clayton Tune will get his second career start. He’s a QB that has not been tuned in so far in his career. In 14 games with one start which he lost, he is only completing 55.65 of his passes. He has tallied up only 78 passing yards and has thrown 3 interceptions. JJ McCarthy will start at QB for the Vikings. His number one wide receiver Justin Jefferson is 53 yards shy of 1,000 receiving yards. The Packers will rest many of their starters. The Vikings defense will play the great Clayton Tune that will turn into a folk song somewhere on the ice in Minnesota waters while ice fishing.
OUR PICK: VIKINGS
DETROIT LIONS (8-8) AT CHICAGO BEARS (11-5)
How would you like to be a Lions fan right now? The Lions have lost three straight games and will not be making it to the post-season. Your division rival poached your talented offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and now he has the Bears in post-season and with a chance to get the two seed in the NFC. In week 2 the Lions blew the doors off the Bears defense in 52-21 massacre. Last week Detroit laid a turd on the field as Jared Goff had his worst game as a Lion. The Lions lost to a rookie quarterback making his second start versus the Vikings. The Bears hung with one of the cream of the crop teams in the NFC, the 49ers. Johnson has created the best QB in Bears history as Caleb Williams needs 270 passing yards to be the first Bears QB to ever reach 4,000 passing yards. The Lions are dead in the water thinking about their off-season plans. Playing outside with the Bears will not help get them tuned into this game. Johnson will execute a nice game plan for his team to win this one, and I think the Bears will feast off Goff as his turnover problem will linger into this contest.
OUR PICK BEARS
ARIZONA CARDINALS (3-13) AT LA RAMS (11-5)
The Rams are playing their starters in this one. They are playing for seeding. If they win week 18 with help from Seattle beating the 49ers, they would get the 5th seed. If Rams lose and the 49ers lose versus Seattle, then they would get the 6th seed. The Rams have lost two straight games. Most of the season everyone was talking about Matthew Stafford as MVP. He laid an egg on Monday night versus the Falcons throwing three interceptions. The Rams want to get the bad taste out of their mouths and go into the post-season on a high note. The Cards will help with that as they have lost 8 straight games. They have no division wins this season. The Cards defense has been horrible. They will play the role being that girl that helps men after break ups. Wham, bam, thank you ma’am.
OUR PICK: RAMS
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (6-10) AT (2-14) LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
Raiders vs Chiefs is one of the best rivalries in the NFL. Coming into this one both teams combined have lost their last 15 games. This could be Travis Swift’s last game as a Chief. This could be the last game of his NFL career. Can you imagine no more Taylor Swift sightings? No more bone-headed responses in interviews by the Meathead Kelce. The silver and black fans can have a week without watching Geno Smith as their quarterback. The Raiders will give Kenny Pickett playing time as he was 0-1 in the only start he had this season. However, they get back their 3rd year guy Aidan O’Connell who has been out most of the year with a wrist injury. He will get playing time and could be the X-factor in this match up. O’Connell has a 7-10 career record in two seasons as starter in the NFL. The Chiefs without Patrick Mahomes will roll with Chris Oladokun who lost his only start of his career vs Denver last week as he tallied up only 66 passing yards in that one. The Chiefs should just let the Raiders win to knock them out of the running for the number one draft pick while improving their own draft status. This game will be an ugly one. The Chiefs in their last 4 games had had either 1 touchdown or zero touchdowns. I like the Raiders in this one especially O’Connell showing me he is the best available QB still standing on both teams. COYOTE UGLY SPECIAL!!!
OUR PICK: RAIDERS
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (4-12) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (11-5)
The Eagles gave the Commanders a beat down two weeks ago.
I suspect we will see another beat down here. The Eagles have something to play for. They need a win and a Bears loss to take the number two seed in the NFC. However the Eagles will be resting some of their guys like their quarterback Jalen Hurts. The Commanders will be without 11 projected starters in this one as veteran Josh Johnson will get another start behind center for Washington. He has only 1 career win in the NFL which goes way back to the 2018 season where he suited up at that time for the Washington Redskins. The Eagles will give 25 year old Tanner McKee his second start in his NFL career. He was drafted by the Eagles in the 6th round from Stanford back in 2023. In 5 games so far in his NFL career, he has completed 68.8% of his passes and thrown 4 touchdown passes with no interceptions. He won his first career start in the NFL and should have no problem against a bad defense Washington has. Maybe this one will not be a beatdown. The result will end up in a Eagles win.
OUR PICK: EAGLES
LA CHARGERS (11-5) AT DENVER BRONCOS (13-3)
The Chargers don’t care about this game versus the Broncos. That’s why they will start Trey Lance in this one and rest Justin Herbert who has been dealing with an ongoing wrist injury. The Chargers have a wild card and don’t care if they drop in the seedings. They want to do their best to be healthy in the post-season whoever they face. The Broncos have something to play for. A win means they will clinch the number one seed in the AFC Conference. Lance, the former North Dakota State Bison, has 5 NFL starts and has won two of them. He has completed 56.4% of his passes while throwing 5 touchdown passes to 4 interceptions in 15 total games. The Broncos got a kneel down last year versus the Chiefs in the last week to win the game that got them in the post-season. They will get another easy kneel down game from the Chargers that will give them the top seed in the tournament.
OUR PICK: BRONCOS
MIAMI DOLPHINS (7-9) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (13-3)
The Patriots are beating up women and their opponents this season. Two Patriots that may be charged with a felony starting with wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who beat up his chef and did not pay the bill for her cooking. Then defensive lineman Christian Barmore beating up his girlfriend which is the first time this happened. The Evil Empire is going down the same road as the last dynasty. The visiting Dolphins will probably turn into freeze pops playing in the cold here. Quinn Ewers was impressive for the Dolphins last week vs the Buccaneers in his second career start as he is 14-22 for 172 passing yards and threw two touchdown passes. The Patriots do have a shot in a way at the number 1 seed. The Chargers are giving the Broncos the grand prize pretty much laying down in that game. I think the Cons will prevail over the Dolphins in this one. Miami will make it interesting, but will eventually think about getting back to the palm trees in Florida as the cold will doom them once again.
OUR PICK: PATRIOTS
NEW YORK JETS (3-13) AT BUFFALO BILLS (11-5)
This will be the last regular season game at Highmark Stadium for the Buffalo Bills. It has had multiple names and opened up back in 1973. The Bills will wear the old 1990’s helmet that Jim Kelly wore when he led those great teams to 4 straight Superbowls. The Jets come in projected to get the number two draft pick. The rookie Brady Cook will get his 4th start for the Jets. The Bills come in as the 7th seed as they took a tumble with the loss to the Eagles last weekend. They could improve their status if they win this game, and the Chargers lose, and even the Texans lose. It would mean they could jump two spots by the end of the weekend. Will Josh Allen play as he’s dealing with a lower leg issue? The Bills could probably beat the Jets with their back up quarterback Mitch Trubisky. I can see Allen playing some of this game to get the Bills off to a solid start and end the old stadium in regular season on a high note. James Cook is going for a rushing title. The Jets’ Cook has not been stellar so far in his 3 starts. The Bills defense played very well in the second half versus the Eagles last week. I think we will see them do the same thing in this one and give Cook a bad day at the office as the Bills’ Cook will do most of the cooking this weekend.
OUR PICK: BILLS
THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME
BALTIMORE RAVENS (8-8) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (9-7)
What will hurt each teams’ chances of winning this last game of the year for all of the marbles? Yes, the winner goes to the playoffs while loser goes home. The AFC North is at stake. The Steelers really missed their number one wide receiver last week as DK Metcalf was suspended two games for punching a Lions fan a few weeks back. For the Ravens, if Lamar Jackson gets the nod behind center will his back up hold up? The Ravens played one of their best games last week with their back up QB Tyler Huntley feeding the ball to his beast running back, Derrick Henry. The Steelers looked like they cared more about preventing Myles Garrett getting the sack record than the overall game versus the Browns. The Steelers won the first meeting a few weeks back. Can Aaron Rodgers be that guy and take the Steelers to the post-season? The Steelers will have TJ Watt back in the fold. I think Jackson will blow over like a house of cards. Rodgers will have a gritty performance. The Steelers defense will contain Henry for the win and the AFC North title.
The Nacua brothers have played football together all their lives. I imagine they played at the same high school together. Before that, grammar school or Pop Warner. I’m sure they envisioned each other playing in the NFL together. Perhaps playing on the same team in the NFL. They did accomplish the family dream as both brothers ended up playing together at the college level at BYU. One brother would be drafted and become one of the best receivers right now in the game, Puka Nacua. The other brother went undrafted and has had a cup of coffee twice in NFL training camps. Samson Nacua has played two seasons in the UFL to improve his skills thinking, “One day I will get to the NFL with my brother.” Off the field, the Nacua brothers have tarnished their family reputation in their own stupid ways. The dream has probably died because of one brothers off-the-field news. For Puka, like many wide receivers. they come off very stupid when they speak. Stupid runs in the family with these guys.
It starts with Samson Nacua tarnishing his brother’s reputation his family’s by getting caught stealing a car. Samson and his partner in crime, a guy named Trey Rose, stole a SUV off LA Lakers rookie Adou Thiero. Thiero has played in only nine games in the NBA so far. He is 21 years of age and was drafted in the first round 36th overall. The two geniuses went to a hotel somewhere in West Hollywood and checked the stolen car in with the valet services. I guess neither guy has ever seen C.S.I. The police were able to track the stolen SUV to the hotel. They seem to have forgotten to remove the GPS tracking. I can see a rookie athlete with all their money spending a pretty penny on a ride with some security systems. I think most new cars have tracking devices.
The two morons should know that the world today has video cameras all over the place. Especially at a hotel that has a valet service. Police looked at the video footage. Wham bam thank you ma’am and it’s an easy bust as they arrested Samsom and Trey on the spot. That is good police work. They made their work easy throwing a huge meat ball down the center of the plate that anybody could connect on. The worst part of this is you steal a car in the same town your brother is a professional athlete in, and from another athlete in the LA sporting landscape. What would the conversation be when Puka and Adou run into each other at the same restaurant or sports banquet? Awkward!!!!
If you have Puka Nacua on your football fantasy team, he can’t do anything wrong for you as you are happy as a clam. This year he has 119 catches for 1,639 receiving yards with 9 touchdowns for the Rams. Puka was drafted in the 5th round of the NFL 2023 draft. In three seasons so far he has 303 catches for 4,115 yards with 18 touchdowns. He’s a two time Pro-Bowler in 3 seasons. If you are a Rams fan you are ecstatic as Puka is putting up Hall of Fame numbers. All other fan bases would love to have him on their team right now. You hate watching him play against your team. This season Matthew Stafford is having a great season & the Rams are in the post season. The Rams have a shot at getting to the Superbowl. Then he opens his mouth to complain about the officiating. Saying stuff like, “The worst & they want to be on TV,” suggesting the refs are making bad calls to get their mug on your screen.
Puka Nacua went on a rant, “Some of the rules aren’t…these guys want to be. These guys are lawyers. They want to be on TV too. You don’t think he’s texting his friends in the group chat like, ‘Yo you guys just saw me on Sunday night football.’ That wasn’t pass interference, but I called it.”
Then Puka double downed on his previous comments after the Rams suffered that loss versus the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night. Eventually the NFL fined the wide receiver $25,000 dollars for his comments. after which he erased the stuff he wrote on social media. He apologized to his team for being a distraction. Overall his comments are not helping his team moving forward. Maybe the referees will miss a call on purpose at an important time in the post-season. I doubt it as the NFL should be monitoring what their referees are doing. The league I think will not be kind to some ref looking for revenge on Puka for his stupid comments. Players get away with stuff. Refs may not call certain things and let them play. Overall the wide receiver comments do not help his team moving forward. You know someone on the coaching staff, probably which most likely was Sean McVay the head coach of the Rams, told him to shut up and apologize immediately. Puka is not helping anyone including his own self. Play the game and do what you do is the only way to help your team win. Puka can’t control what the refs are calling. It’s better to be incognito than having a target on your back.
Samson Nacua I hope graduated from BYU and has something to fall back on instead of football. He played two seasons in the UFL for the Michigan Panthers. It is his only professional experience he has gotten in a game that counts. Yes, he did sign with the Colts and hook on with the Saints for preseason or in their camp but was cut as he never played a NFL game. In 2024, Samson caught 11 passes with the Panthers for 125 receiving yards. In 2025 he caught 9 passes for 121 yards with two touchdowns. His anger got to him after a game where video footage caught him striking a fan during an April game. It was after the game concluded when the Panthers played the BattleHawks. The UFL suspended Samson for one game after the incident.
It seems most NFL wide receivers have the foot and mouth disease. It’s very contagious as it has spread through all the teams in the league. I think Puka Nacua has learned not to use his NFL soap box as a loaded weapon against the referees. It first will make your bank account lighter, and it does not do your team any favors. Then having to deal with the embarrassment of your family. How many times had we heard about Patrick Mahomes drunken father and all of his DUIs? The deep rooted issues of Aaron Rodgers family such as how the Steelers quarterback does not have any communication with his parents and his brother. These stories could inure and hook on to Puka’s entire career now. If the Rams make the Superbowl, some reporter will ask about how his brother is doing or what’s his opinion about the referees that are calling that game. Puka should be able to escape what he said about the referees with his solid play on the field and not lashing out on social media about bad calls. If his brother is done being an idiot, life will go on and that story will be eventually be buried under the rug. These stories will go away if nothing else happens and the wide receiver just continues to play the way he does on the field. For now, the Nacua brothers have tainted their family with headlines they do not want.
“Gary Indiana, Gary Indiana, Gary Indiana, that’s the town that knew me when!”
The song “Gary, Indiana” was famous in the musical, The Music Man. Can Gary, Indiana be famous for the Monsters of the Midway? The Bears’ search for a new stadium has crossed the state line to Northwest Indiana. Tell me if you heard this story before, because you have. Back in 1995 this idea was hatched to build a new stadium in Gary, which at the time they dubbed the name Planet Park. The state of Illinois is being stingy with the funds to help the Bears open up the state of the art facility in Illinois. The Bears purchased primo land in the Northwest Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, where once was the horsetrack named Arlington Park. It’s a 325 acre site where they could build a stadium. The Bears could move their headquarters there. Then they build up the land with hotels, restaurants, and shops. The Bears picture a dome stadium, perhaps with a retractable roof. That could land the state and city of Chicago the Superbowl. When the Bears are not playing, concerts could make it a hot spot during the summer months.
“Our fans deserve a world class stadium. Our players and coaches deserve a venue that matches the championship standard they strive for every day”
These are the words spoken by the Chicago Bears President Kevin Warren, who is head of this operation. Warren says the Northwest Indiana search is not a leverage play. The Bears have been in the city of Chicago for over a century. The Bears have never owned a stadium as they played at Wrigley Field, home of North-side baseball in 1921. In 1970 the Bears moved to the lake front to Soldier Field and have been there since. In 2002 & ’03 Soldier field was renovated. Gutted out. As they placed a space ship on top of the old pillars.
The Bears are playing in the oldest stadium in the league. The Governor of Illinois, JB Pritzker, wants the Bears to address the 500 million outstanding debt they still have from that renovation back in 2003. The Bears came up with a 5 billion dollar plan in Arlington Heights. Then their focus was building a stadium next to Soldier Field on the lakefront. The mayor of Chicago liked the idea, but the Governor and state legislators were not buying what the Bears were selling. The Bears have looked into other spots in Cook County, Illinois. Then last spring the Bears turned their attention back on to Arlington Heights as they own the property. The Bears are seeking 855 million in public funding. The state of Illinois says that the Bears will not be a priority in 2026. Now the Bears are kicking the tires on moving across state lines to Northwest Indiana and perhaps Gary, where not too long ago was added a Hard Rock casino to their city.
The Bears leaving Soldier Field means I think immediately about all the history that took place there. The Bears are seeking a dome wherever they go. It stings a little because that takes all those cold weather games out of the equation. When the Bears go dome for their new home, it leaves the Packers the only team in the NFC North playing outside in the winter. I feel like football is heading that way professionally where every team will be housed in a dome, which is a shame. I think the current home for the Bears is a dump. If you are in nosebleed seats, you have to go down two levels to wait in a long line for the bathrooms which is big issue. The amenities are not there like at most stadiums where you have multiple places for beverages and food. Plenty of places to purchase your merch. The history of the 1980’s Bears is that the city of Chicago is still celebrating all those guys from the ’85 team that won the Superbowl. That’s all we’ve got as Bears fans. Getting to the lake is a pain in the ass. The stadium does not have restaurants and bars right across the street. It’s like planes, trains, and automobiles to go down there on a Sunday. The bus from the bar adds more money, but it’s worth it. Most stadiums you can go across the street to get your drink on.
Leaving the city of Chicago to open up a state of the art stadium in the burbs would be better for everyone. Many NFL teams play in the burbs in present day. Arlington Heights is easier for most Bears fans to get to the game. To actually have a spot to tailgate. To actually find a bathroom. I could get over what Packers fans have to say being the only team playing outside, because Soldier Field is a dump. Would I like a stadium with retractable roof to play games outside when it is nice out? Sure, but it’s not a deal breaker. It still has that dome feeling. But the amenities would be there. It will make game day different, but it can make it interesting at the same time. I think the only way is to go dome to help pay off the 855 million in public funding and it would give the state a huge sum of tax money. Adding the Superbowl, any of the professional sports drafts, or March Madness, would all mean the state of Illinois will get their money back in the long term. Perhaps these wind bags could balance the books on this broke state we call a home.
If the Bears move to Indiana, I still think it’s easier to get to the game than the lakefront. They would still be called Chicago if they played their home games in Indiana. The entire Northwest Indiana area are mostly Bears fans. It’s not like you are entering Indianapolis Colts territory. Most people that live in Northwest Indiana are from Chicago because they left the state with the high taxes. Both New York football teams, the Giants and Jets, play in the state of New Jersey in the stadium they share. We have seen leverage acts before with the White Sox talking about moving to Florida, but the state caved in and made them a new stadium. The Chicago Cardinals left the Windy City in 1960 after playing 40 years here. The state of Illinois would have egg on their face if the team moved to Indiana. Seeing Hoosier country rake in all that extra money would be pretty funny on these aristocrats we call the Governor and his stooges. It may sting for some Bears fans at first trying to grasp going to Indiana to watch their team. The Bears have made the post-season in year one of the Ben Johnson era. They have finally found a quarterback in Caleb Williams. We have not had one since the 1940’s with Sid Luckman, who played at Wrigley not Solider Field. It is a good time for Kevin Warren and his staff to play hardball and if Indiana is the better option because of those politicians, then go with it I say. Indiana is cheaper on gasoline. After going to the Bears game, we can fill up for cheap and head home. If the Bears continue to win, any move will be easy if the product on the field is solid each season. Calling them the Gary Bears may not come off the tongue very easily. Win some Superbowls, and I think Gary could slide easier off the tongue. GO BEARS!!!
Last week was the best week we had in straight pick-em and it was a 16 game slate. We lost picking the Chiefs to beat a bad Titans team. Which everyone in the football world picked Chiefs over Titans. The Ravens screwed us. Maybe Lamar Jackson had to get home early to play video games after exiting with a back injury in the New England game. The Lions wish they held on to Ben Johnson as Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers beat Detroit. We did well with picks like Bears over Packers. Maybe got lucky with Seahawks over the Rams on that epic Thursday night game. The Panthers pick was savvy over a troubled Buccaneers team. Hopefully the figgy pudding over the holidays doe not ruin our Spidey senses for week 17. Week 17 has many tricky match ups we hope to conquer.
SEASON RECORD: (156-84)
We are out to seek more justice in the NFL while we slay the majority of the week 17 match ups coming at you right up the middle of the defense.
NFL WEEK 17 STRAIGHT PICK-EM
DALLAS COWBOYS (6-8-1) AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (4-11)
The Washington Commanders may not be thankful for their Christmas gift at the QB position on Jesus’s birthday. In his second stint with Washington, Josh Johnson will be the starter since Jayden Daniels is shut down for the season. The other Washington quarterback, Marcus Mariota, is out with an injury. The Cowboys come in losing three straight games and were eliminated from the playoffs with a loss from the Chargers last week. Washington has been eliminated for awhile as this game looked great on paper before the season started. Now it has that feel of eating fruit cake and being forced to do so. Johnson in ten seasons in the NFL has 1 win in 9 starts. The one win came in 2018 in his first stint with Washington as they were known as the Redskins at the time. Johnson had more wins playing in the spring leagues as he suited up for the San Diego Fleet in 2019 in the Alliance of American Football league. Then in 2020 in the XFL first reboot with the LA Wild Cats. I think Johnson will be able to engineer some scoring drives for Washington. That Dallas defense has been let down the last three weeks. I know Dak Prescott will be able to generate more points than Johnson off one of the worst defenses in the league the Commanders have.
OUR PICK: COWBOYS
DETROIT LIONS (8-7) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (7-8)
The Lions are falling apart at the worst time of their season. The Vikings, even though they are eliminated from the post-season, are on a hot streak as they won three straight games. The Lions need to win out and need help to make it into the post-season. The Vikings will be without their starting quarterback JJ McCarthy who was injured early on last week in a win versus the Giants. The other Vikings rookie QB will make his second start. Max Brosmer finished the Giants game by going 7-9 for 52 passing yards no turnovers. It’s better than the 4 interception game he had in his first NFL game he started versus Seattle. Vikings won the first meeting between these two teams. I think the Vikings can generate some points on offense as the Lions defense is very giving around the Holidays. They were on Thanksgiving versus the Packers. The Lions defense should be able to contain Brosmer. The Vikings defense will come after Jared Goff, but the Lions offense will counter with short passes and a solid running game to avoid trouble from their pressure. Lions need this game while Brosmer just does not want to look foolish out there in front of an entire nation watching.
OUR PICK: LIONS
DENVER BRONCOS (12-3) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (6-9)
Can the Kansas City Chiefs play spoilers and be like the Grinch that stole the Denver Broncos Christmas? The Broncos winning streak of 11 games was snapped by Jacksonville last weekend with a beat down ON Denver. Could the Chiefs give the division rival another loss to help the Patriots get the number 1 seed in the AFC? The Chiefs will be without the face of the franchise in Patrick Mahomes. They lost their second string quarterback Gardner Minshew early in the game last week in another loss versus a bad Titans team. It will be up to Chris Oladokun making his first start in the NFL against one of the best defenses in the league which the Broncos have. The Chiefs will give the Broncos a game because it’s Christmas and everyone is watching. I do not like the Chiefs chances in this. Broncos will want to get that bad Jaguars loss out of their mouths quickly and take care of business in this one. They are very close to securing the number 1 seed which gives them the first round bye in the AFC post-season. The Broncos defense shuts down the Chiefs offense which seals the deal and keeps the number 1 seed in their grasp.
OUR PICK: BRONCOS
SATURDAY GAMES
HOUSTON TEXANS (10-5) AT LA CHARGERS (11-4)
Last time the Chargers and Texans got together was in January of 2025 in the wild card round. The Texans defense devoured Justin Herbert as they sacked him while picking him off 4 times in a 32-12 rout. I would say the Texans defense is better this go round. The Texans have won seven straight games but did not play the Raiders, a bottom feeder of the league, very well. The Chargers aerial attack bombarded the Cowboys defense with Herbert having a big game. The Chargers have won 4 straight. The Chargers have the top wild card and probably will not catch the Broncos. The Texans still have a chance at the AFC South division title. The Chargers are in the post-season while Houston still needs to nail down their berth. The Chargers have the Bills on their heels with the second wild card spot so a loss and Bills win would not go well for LA. Who wins this game? I think Jim Harbaugh’s teams are hard to beat a second time around even though these teams have not played each other since the wild card round. Herbert is the better QB than the Texans’ CJ Stroud. Can the Chargers defense contain Stroud and the Texans offense? Even though this a road game for Houston, it may look like a home game for them as Chargers have no fans. I think Herbert’s memories will play a factor as the Texans change the entire structure of the AFC post-season seedings with a win.
OUR PICK: TEXANS
BALTIMORE RAVENS (7-8) AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (9-5-1)
Ravens running back Derrick Henry needs only 64 rushing yards to pass up former Cowboys star Tony Dorsett on the NFL all-time rushing list. Henry will then be in the top ten running backs in yards all-time in NFL history and could continue to move up the charts in years to come. The running game is what both teams will need in this Saturday night game. The Packers will not have their starting QB. Jordan Love has been ruled out with a concussion he suffered versus the Bears. For the Ravens, Lamar Jackson is doubtful due to a back injury he suffered in the loss to the Patriots. The back up QB for the Packers is Malik Willis who suffered a shoulder injury versus the Bears filling in for Love. The Packers 3rd string QB is Clayton Tune. The Ravens will have to rely on Tyler Huntley in a must win game for the Ravens if Jackson can’t go. The Packers are still chasing the Bears for the NFC North title and are in the post-season due to the Lions losing on Thursday vs the Vikings.
The Packers should thank the two former Aaron’s who once suited up for the green and gold. Aaron Rodgers helped his old team beating the Lions last week. While Aaron Jones helped his former team beat the Lions once again on X-mas as he is suiting up for the Vikings these days. Huntley is 1-0 this season filling in as a starter for the Ravens as he beat the Bears this season. Huntley is 6-9 all-time as a starter in the NFL. Willis went 2-0 as the Packers starter last year in 2024. He was running the ball with big chunks of yardage last week vs the Bears. Huntley was not impressive filling in when Jackson left the game vs the Patriots. I like Willis.
The Packers are at home. The Ravens have not played well most of the year even with Jackson behind center most of the time.
OUR PICK: PACKERS
THE SUNDAY TILT
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (5-10) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (3-12)
Is this the farewell stretch for the Mormon Missile, the Saints’ Swiss Army Knife for the last 9 seasons? Hill is 35 years old, will be a free agent next season, and could decide to call it a career. The Saints have been marching winning their last three games in a row. The Titans may no longer be the laughing stock of the league as they are 2-1 in their last three coming off a win versus the Chiefs minus Patrick Mahomes. Cam Ward has thrown six touchdown passes in the last three games. He had only seven in the first 12 games. You have to like what Tyler Shough has done for the Saints this season. He has already set the franchise record for most wins as a quarterback breaking Archie Manning’s rookie record of 3 wins. The Saints head coach Kellen Moore has got something in Shough who has played well and is 4-3 as the starter now. The Titans have been doing well with their running game. I like the Saints defense stopping Tony Pollard, bringing the Titans running back to a grinding halt. Shough will do his thing which is not fancy but gets the job done. The Mormon Missile will have a big play in this one to end his career with somewhat of a bang. But not a whimper as Saints marched to their 4th in a row.
OUR PICK: SAINTS
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (12-3) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (8-7)
If the Panthers beat the Seahawks in this game, since they beat the Rams weeks ago you could say they would have wins over the best two teams in the NFC conference. The Seahawks are already in the playoffs and need to win this while hoping the 49ers and Rams lose to clinch the NFC West. If the Seahawks win the division, they certainly will have the first round bye which is the number one seed in the NFC. The Panthers win and Buccaneers lose, they win the dreaded NFC South. The Panthers beat the Buccaneers last week and play them again in week 18. The Seahawks won a wild one that went to OT to knock off the Rams last week. If Seahawks lose, they may be coming back to Carolina in the post-season in the wild card round. Can Sam Darnold knock off one of his former teams he has played for? Seattle is the better team. I think their defense can halt the Panthers rushing attack and limit Bryce Young. Darnold will focus on getting the win rather than getting any kind of revenge on a former team. The Seattle offense will be able to generate enough points to give Panthers fans high blood pressure for a rematch against the Buccaneers in week 18.
OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (11-4) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (8-7)
Imagine if Phillip Rivers had a few more games than only the two recent ones in this comeback tour, he may have better outcomes. On Monday in the Colts loss to the 49ers, in that first half Rivers was wheeling and dealing. He finished the night tallying 277 passing yards with two touchdown passes but could not stop the bleeding. The Colts have lost 5 straight games now. They face one of the hotter teams in the league, the division rival Jaguars who have won six straight. Earlier this month, the Jags held Jonathan Taylor to 74 rushing yards and won big in Jacksonville versus the Colts. If the Colts want to win this game, they need Taylor and Rivers to have their biggest games of the year. The Colts are still alive somehow but need to win out. They need help as well. The Jags win the division with a win and need a Texans loss. Taylor at home in the last 3 games versus the visiting Jaguars has torched them for 546 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns.The Jags have a top notch run defense this season like earlier in the month. Trevor Lawrence is red hot and the Colts defense has too many injuries to stop the Jaguars QB and running game. Old man Rivers is good for at least one pick in this game. Say good bye to the Colts season after this game. It was a nice run by Rivers though as he played well coming back at 44 years of age.
OUR PICK: JAGUARS
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (9-6) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (3-12)
Can Shedeur Sanders join two other Browns rookie quarterbacks by beating the Mike Tomlin-led Steelers in their first start against Pittsburgh? He can join the Browns greats such as Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Brandon Weeden. The Browns defensive end, Myle Garrett, tied the single season sack record last week versus the Bills. With one more sack, he could break both TJ Watt’s and Michael Strahan’s previous record of 22 sacks. The Steelers are in control over the AFC North. They need a win or a Ravens loss on Saturday to win the division and cement themselves into the post-season. The Browns gave the Bills a battle last week on their home turf. Mistakes by the Bills may have kept the Browns alive. I like the Steelers in this one to get the job done. Garrett gets the sack. The Steelers get the win and will get a takeaway or takeaways from you know who, Shedeur Sanders, who has 8 interceptions already and is 1-4 as the starring QB for the Browns this season. The Steelers will run the ball down the Browns throats and keep Cleveland perhaps looking at another QB in next year’s draft.
OUR PICK: STEELERS
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (7-8) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (6-9)
Right now the Miami Dolphins are the only Florida NFL team that will be home for the post-season. They have time to take down their X-mas lights. The Dolphins can also prevent the Buccaneers making the post-season by giving them a loss this weekend. The Buccaneers have to win out to be able to win the NFC South, their only way to get into the post-season. The Buccaneers started off hot at 6-2. Since then they have dropped 6-7 games. Last week they lost to the Panthers and play them once again in the final week of the season. The Panthers could be dropped by Seattle this week which a Buccaneers win keeps them alive. The Dolphins are starting their rookie QB once again. Quinn Ewers will be making his second start of his NFL career. In his first versus a bad Bengals defense, he tallied up 260 passing yards but threw two picks as the Dolphins were blown up. Bake Mayfield has not shone in weeks, however I think he has a big game here to get by the Dolphins and make week 18 a showdown versus the Panthers.
OUR PICK: BUCCANEERS
ARIZONA CARDINALS (3-12) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (5-10)
Before Arizona, the Cardinals played in St.Louis. Before Arch-town they played their home games at the old Comisky Park in Chicago, where they probably played the most cold games of their franchise history at home. In present day I would say the Cardinals will be affected by the cold weather in Cincinnati being from Arizona in the dry heat. Maybe Cincinnati has a dry cold. Joe Burrow put up over 40 points of offense on the Dolphins last week. The Cardinals have given up 40 points or more twice in the last three games. The Cardinals defense has been decimated with injuries. They have lost seven straight games. They have locked in a definite top ten pick in next year’s draft. Jacoby Brissett will face a bad Bengals defense in this match up. Burrow vs Brissett in cold conditions, even in warmer conditions, I have to give the nod to Joe over Jacoby. The Bengals will light up the scoreboard. The Cards will score about 20 points and lose by two scores or more.
OUR PICK: BENGALS
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (12-3) AT NEW YORK JETS (3-12)
The Jets rookie quarterback Brady Cook is not doing any cooking on the field as he started two games and played in 3 total contests. The Patriots are still looking to clinch the AFC East and go perfect on the road as they come in 7-0. In 11 quarters of frozen meats with Cook: He has 6 interceptions, 3 fumbles which he lost only 1, while being sacked 17 times. He has engineered two touchdown drives. He has thrown 1 touchdown pass. Meanwhile Drake Maye engineered a comeback win over the Ravens in a big win they needed in order to stay ahead of the Bills last week on Sunday night football. This game seems unfair for the Jets. Perhaps losing out they can get a better draft pick come April. This one should be a blow out for the Patriots.
OUR PICK: PATRIOTS
NEW YORK GIANTS (2-13) AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (2-13)
The Raiders will be without their star defender Mad Maxx Crosby who has been dealing with a lingering knee injury. He will be at home for the final two games of the Raiders season. He can quickly forget how bad this season was for the silver and black, and the visiting New York Giants. Both teams have the same record at 2-13 and have lost 9 straight games. The winner here snaps the 9 game losing streak. The loser here will get the number 1 draft pick next season. It’s a win/win. If it ends up in a tie, do they split the first pick down the middle? Which half would your team want? The Raiders offense had some life last week versus the Texans. The Giants lost another close game. Geno Smith will become the interception king after this contest because he is tied with Dolphins QB, Tua Tagovailoa. Give me Jaxson Dart to have his best game as a rookie this season as the Giants open the playbook and land their first road win of the season giving Pete Carrol the number 1 draft pick. Which he planned the entire time since he took the Raiders gig.
OUR PICK: GIANTS
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (10-5) AT BUFFALO BILLS (11-4)
Can the Bills get their white whale? The Eagles are the only team that head coach Sean McDermott and Josh Allen have not beaten in their tenure. The last time these two teams met, it was an epic game where the Eagles won. Both Allen and Eagles QB Jalen Hurts threw multi-touchdown passes and scored multi-times. Can the Bills defense stop the Eagles running game with Saquon Barkley? The Bills have had plenty of injuries piling up but they have won 4 straight games. The Bills defense have made plays in crunch time in those 4 victories. The Eagles have already clinched the NFC East. They come into week 17 as the number three seed and want to improve their seeding by winning on the road and leapfrogging the Bears. The Bills have clinched a playoff spot and are one game back of the Patriots with two games left on the docket. Bills may not win the AFC East, but they need stay ahead of the Texans and could jump the Chargers who are one seed ahead of them. This will be a good game. I like the Bills at home. I can see them playing much better than their performance last week vs the Browns even though they won. The Eagles have beaten cream puffs the last two weeks. Before that, they took on losses to the Chargers and Bears.
OUR PICK: BILLS
THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME
CHICAGO BEARS (11-4) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (11-4)
This is a big game for both the 49ers and Bears. Both teams have already clinched a playoff spot. Both teams are still in the hunt for the number 1 seed in the NFC conference. Both teams will be cheering for Seattle to lose who have a 12-3 record. The Bears lead their division after beating Green Bay last Saturday in an epic OT game. They need to win and with a Packers loss, they win the division. The 49ers are in the second spot in the NFC West with the same record as the Rams at 11-4 and both teams are chasing Seattle who is ahead of them by 1 game. This game is important for seeding for the 49ers just in case Seattle wins earlier, they want to keep ahead of the Rams who play on Monday night. The Bears have the most victories this season trailing in the last two minutes of the game with 6. The 49ers have won 5 straight games by double digits coming into this Sunday night melee. The Bears have gotten off to too many slow starts this season and have to make that comeback to win the game. The Bears converted on a onside kick last week versus the Packers late in that game which is unheard of nowadays. That play helped the Bears bring that game to overtime. When the Bears are good and face the 49ers when they are good, it has not worked out for Chicago over the decades. This game has a shoot out written all over it even though both defenses are not Bengals-like. Both offenses have a ton of talent and Brock Purdy and Caleb Williams are just clicking on all cylinders seeing the field perfectly. The slow start will doom the Bears as the 49ers will prevent the comeback as Chicago’s luck runs out, this week at least.
OUR PICK: 49ERS
THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME
LA RAMS (11-4) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (6-9)
Will the Rams continue to feast on Holiday bird by beating the Falcons on Monday night? I’m sure most of the Rams players indulge in turkey or perhaps goose on Christmas. Perhaps Kirk Cousins will be the jive turkey the Rams dogs on defense devour. The Rams come in already having clinched a playoff spot. A win over Atlanta and some help from other teams could help them get a better seed in the post-season. The Falcons have some insight information on the Rams. Will it help Atlanta that their former defensive coordinator, Raheem Morris, is the Falcons head coach? The Falcons are second in the league in sacks this season. Only problem is Matthew Stafford is very good versus the blitz and is very hard to sack because he delivers the ball out quickly. Cousins all-time on Monday football, his record is 3-10. However he is 3-1 in the last 4 games. The Rams are coming off that wild game versus Seattle with a debatable ending that did not go their way. I like Stafford getting the best over Cousins in this one. Falcons are too up and down for me to pick them even though Captain Kirk is playing better. Eventually Atlanta will bend and break, not being a part of the post-season.
The Wild shamrock 