LAST WEEK’S RECORD: (11-5)

I started out of the gates really bad with 2 losses on Thanksgiving day last week. Then the Bears upsetting the Eagles gave me 3 losses in the first 4 games. I rebounded with a very nice Sunday only losing 1 match up as the Panthers upset the Rams. My Monday night pick was a pipe dream going Giants over the Patriots.

OVERALL SEASON RECORD:(126-68)

NFL WEEK 14 STRAIGHT PICK-EM

THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

DALLAS COWBOYS (6-5-1) AT DETROIT LIONS (7-5)

The Cowboys come into this short week versus the Lions red hot. The Lions may not have their number 1 weapon of offense in wide receiver Amon-Ra St.Brown who left the Thanksgiving match up versus the Packers with an sprained ankle. The Lions have already lost their starting tight end for the remainder of the season in Sam LaPorta. The Cowboys are one of the top offenses in the league. They have also rebuilt their defense at the trade deadline and it has paid off. The Lions have struggled lately losing 2-3 games and barely getting by the Giants which took OT to do so. The Lions play better at home. The Lions defense are not stopping teams. I just can’t see Jared Goff short-handed keeping pace with the Cowboys offense. I think the Cowboys can put up points on that Lions defense to get out of Detroit on a short week with a win especially St.Brown not playing or if he does, not giving 100 percent,

OUR PICK: COWBOYS

THE SUNDAY TILT

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (8-4) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (8-4)

The Colts will not have have their hot sauce on defense. Sauce Gardner will miss this AFC South showdown which this game means a lot to both teams. The Jaguars are red hot winning three straight games. The Colts have lost two straight games. They have also lost 3 out of the last 4 games and you just feel this Indianapolis team crumbling right now. Daniel Jones is playing with a broken fibula. The Jags offense is clicking at the right time. Their defense has done well most of every game except in the 4th quarter. The Colts have not won in Jacksonville since 2014 which that streak will continue after this game.

OUR PICK: JAGUARS

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (3-9) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (4-8)

The Commanders showed me something last week even with the loss giving Denver a battle to the end which took overtime. The Vikings offense was on life support with the other rookie quarterback not named JJ McCarthy. The good news is McCarthy will be back behind center, if that is good news for Viking fans watching the growing pains unfold this season. Can Marcus Mariota find a way to beat this Vikings defense? The Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell wants to dumb down the offense for McCarthy and just let him play and react after being out with a concussion. Dan Quinn has this Commanders defense playing better which has not been the case most of this season. This game to me is a coin flip. I think the QB whisperer O’Connell finally gets through to his rookie QB and we see a Viking offense that will take off and generate just enough points to beat this Commanders team. The Viking defense will make a huge impact in this game as well to secure the win at home.

OUR PICK: VIKINGS

CINCINNATI BENGALS (4-8) AT BUFFALO BILLS (8-4)

Joe Burrow is a thorn in the side to teams at this time of the year. Last year the Bengals made a playoff push and the team got red hot the last few weeks. They did not get the help from other teams to get in the back door of the post-season. Burrow came back last week and beat Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. Burrow is 2-0 versus Josh Allen. The Bills came off an impressive win versus the Steelers last week which their defense stood tall. The Bills have taken on multiple injuries as Joey Bosa will miss this game and he came up big last week versus Aaron Rodgers. Burrow will have all his weapons in this one. The Bills have lost to teams with a losing record this season. This game looks all wrong for Buffalo. I do like the Bills running game versus a bad Bengals defense. The Bills at home they play much better there. This will be a game. Bills will prevail and find a way to finally beat Burrow and cool off his fire in December.

OUR PICK: BILLS

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (9-3) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (4-8)

The Seahawks are 5-1 this season on the road. The Falcons have been in games with Kirk Cousins under center since he took over for the injured Michael Penix Jr. The Seahawks won last week versus Minnesota which was not Sam Dranold’s best game. Look for the Falcons to bring everything including the kitchen sink at Darnold like the Vikings did. The Falcons offense has consisted of running the football and short passes which Seattle’s defense should be able to contain. Cousins has not been good at throwing the ball down field. You need a well-balanced offense to beat this Seattle defense. I think Darnold will have better results than he had last week and hit on some deep passes while avoiding the pressure for some big plays which result in another win in an epic three team race in the NFC West.

OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS

TENNESSEE TITANS (1-11) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (3-9)

Can Myles Garrett of the Cleveland Browns set the single season sack record versus the Titans? Garrett comes in already with 19 sacks. He needs 3.5 sacks to join Michael Strahan and TJ Watt who have the record of most sacks in one season with 22.5. Cam Ward of the Titans is the most sacked quarterback in the NFL this season. If Garrett gets 4 sacks, he sets the record in front of the Dawg pound. Even if he does not set the record this weekend, he has weeks left to break the record this season. This match up features Cam Ward vs Shedeur Sanders – two rookie quarterbacks. You better get used to this match up because this is the next Tom Brady versus Peyton Manning in the AFC for years to come. Most likely not because one of these guys will be washing cars in a few seasons. The Browns defense is the key in this match up. The Titans will not generate enough points. The Browns offense will squeak by with just enough offense to win their 4th game of the year.

OUR PICK: BROWNS

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (6-6) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (6-6)

Not sure what neighborhood is Mr. Aaron Rodgers’? Mr. Darkness may have to retreat to his cave. We saw him retreat to the blue tent last week. The Ravens found out Joe Burrow is not rusty in his return from the injury list. Both these AFC North teams are struggling even though this game is a first place battle between the two teams. They will meet twice before the end of the season. The Steelers can’t stop the run. Derrick Henry should have a big game. Rodgers is broken in multiple pieces. He has tainted the Steelers with his presence this season. The natives in Pittsburgh are chanting for the firing of their head coach, Mike Tomlin. Tomlin might get his first losing season with Rodgers as his QB. He has held on to the Steelers head coaching job like the Pope, which seems forever. I think this is going to get uglier for the Steelers. Even the original Mr. Rodgers of the neighborhood changed his last name to Robinson because of Aaron.

The Ravens will come after whoever is the QB for the Steelers. Lamar Jackson will rebound and have a better game. It’s the running of the Ravens that will get Baltimore to first place by themselves.

OUR PICK: RAVENS

MIAMI DOLPHINS (5-7) AT NEW YORK JETS (3-9)

The Miami Dolphins in cold weather are priceless. Miami head to New Jersey to play the Jets winning three in a row, their first winning streak of the season. Meanwhile the Jets are coming off a victory last week when they stunned the Falcons. The Jets have won 3 out their last 5 games. The Jets offense is starting to generate points. The Dolphins defense has gotten better. The Dolphins have been running the ball well which will be needed in colder temperatures. The Jets defense has also been playing better.The Jets defense are last in the league at finding ways to get turnovers. The Dolphins are a perfect team to change that stat around. The Dolphins have lost 7 straight games including the playoffs in temperatures 45 degrees or lower. The Jets will enjoy their meal of fish sticks after this game.

OUR PICK: JETS

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (2-10) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (7-5)

If you are in Northern Ireland in County Down, stop by Laverty’s pub. They are watching American football and giving out free pints. New Orleans Saints fans are all over the world, believe it or not. I can’t say that is a fact but they do have a kicker that hails from Northern Ireland. Charlie Smyth made his NFL debut last week and boomed a 56 yard field goal versus the Dolphins. At least somebody is watching Saints football. The Saints will travel once again to Florida to take on the Buccaneers this time. Baker Mayfield, who was questionable to play last week, showed grit ending a Buccaneers losing streak to stop the bleeding. That win kept them in front of the Panthers who upset the Rams last week. The Saints, you don’t know what to expect. They have played teams very hard even though they lack the talent to win the games. They have another wide receiver emerging with Devaughn Vele who is not Irish. He had 8 catches last week versus the Dolphins and a touchdown. I like to see Smyth beat the Buccaneers with a walk off 60 yard field goal which would send Laverty’s on a beer run because they would drink it all in the celebration. The Buccaneers defense should put a damper on things with the Saints offense. Could be multiple kicks by Charlie. The Buccaneers will be able to control the clock in this one with their running game. Mayfield and company will not overlook this game with a match up next week versus the Panthers.

OUR PICK: BUCCANEERS

DENVER BRONCOS (10-2) AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (2-10)

Geno Smith is heading straight down JaMarcus Russell avenue dressed in the Raiders silver and black. Smith is on pace for the lowest QB Rating of all-time held by the first round bust, Russell. The Raiders are allowing the second most sacks in the NFL. That is not great news for the Raiders this week hosting the Broncos front 7 that like to kill the quarterback. The Broncos have Pat Surtain II back in the secondary which he will shut down the Raiders only true offensive weapon in tight end Brock Bowers like he has done before. Smith’s bookends of his career, back with the Jets and now with the Raiders he has been awful. Smith and Pete Carroll seem to have pissed off the devil at some point because this combination of QB along with head coach has gone so bad. I don’t trust anything the Raiders have. Broncos will roll to their 10th straight victory while giving the Raiders their 7th straight loss.

OUR PICK: BRONCOS

LA RAMS (9-3) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (3-9)

How will the Rams respond after losing to the Panthers last weekend? The Cardinals have lost 4 straight games and are 1-5 at home this season. Matthew Stafford did not have MVP numbers last week like he had all season. Jacoby Brissett has started 7 games already for Arizona and is 1-6 as the starter. The Cardinals have been in most of those games with chances to win late. Brissett is completing 67.5% of his passes and has thrown 13 touchdown passes to 4 interceptions. This is a division game, so the Cardinals will give the Rams a good game like they do with all their opponents. Good is not enough obviously. I like the Rams defensive to make a stand. Stafford will not have to do everything as the running game will help get him and the offense back on track. Rams get their 10th win.

OUR PICK: RAMS

CHICAGO BEARS (9-3) AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (8-3-1)

I think someone had to pinch me seeing the Bears beating the Eagles last week for the Black Friday game. The Packers have won three straight games. The Bears are one of the hottest teams in the NFC & have won 5 straight games. With the Rams losing their game last week, the Bears are the number 1 seed in the NFC. I must be dreaming. I should also be ready for the collapse because it’s the Chicago way in this town’s sporting landscape. This will be the first meeting of the year between the Packers and Bears with another coming in 2 weeks. This game has division implications and also the conference seeding for the post-season. Jordan Love is 3-1 versus the Bears as he thrown 6 touchdowns to 1 interception in his career vs Chicago. Caleb Williams slayed the Packers in the last game of the season last year. He is 1-1 all-time versus the Packers. History has not been on the Bears’ side in decades. You have to go back to the 80’s when the Bears kicked around the Packers in that decade. Ben Johnson is the X-factor. Can Johnson’s plan be executed to perfection by the Bears? I think the Bears can run on the Packers defense as Green Bay has some injuries up front on that D-line. I have bet against the Bears for weeks and they continue to throw it back in my face. I hope they do. History is not on the Bears side as Green Bay always knocks Chicago down a few pegs if we are feeling good about ourselves.

OUR PICK: PACKERS

THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME

HOUSTON TEXANS (7-5) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (6-6)

Will the Texans put the final nail in the Chiefs coffin? This is a huge game for both teams. The Chiefs need to win this one for survival. They will not win the AFC West with the Broncos light years ahead. The Chargers are in front of them. Plenty of other teams like the Texans are ahead of them for a wild card spot. The Texans are chasing two teams in their division as well – the Colts and Jaguars. Those two teams are playing each other this weekend. If the Texans lose, it will be hard to get back up. The Texans have won 4 straight games. The Chiefs are 5-1 at home this season. The Texans defense has played lights out the last several games and they may be the best unit in the league. Patrick Mahomes will be a caged animal and will do anything to break free. Watch him do one of his best Houdini acts of his career and have a monster game to keep the Chiefs alive for at least one more week. Houston playing in the cold weather will favor the Chiefs defense. That final nail will come at some point for Mahomes and the meathead, Travis Swift.

OUR PICK: CHIEFS

THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (8-4) AT LA CHARGERS (8-4)

The Eagles were gashed by the Bears running game on Black Friday. The Chargers had an easy win over the Raiders, but Justin Herbert injured his non throwing hand. Will that injury come back to haunt the Chargers? The Eagles have now lost two straight games and suddenly the defense, which did very well versus the NFC North teams, has vanished. The Chargers last week rebounded coming off their bye week, but the Jaguars loss to me is still lingering in the rear view mirror before the week off. The Raiders are a cream puff. I can’t see the Eagles losing three straight games here. Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley are due for an explosive game. The hurt hand on Herbert sways me into a verse of “Welcome to the Hotel California,” performed by the Eagles.

OUR PICK: EAGLES

NFL WEEK 12 STRAIGHT PICK-EM

In honor of Shedeur Sanders making his first ever start in the NFL, we honor him with one of the biggest busts in the NFL. The Boz,. Brian Bosworth, was supposed to be the next Dick Butkus at linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks. The hype from Deion Sanders’ kid will be under the microscope in his first start versus the Raiders. Sanders’ son, who bombed at certain team’s interviews before the draft, I see will get a rude awakening in his first start in the NFL. This is why he was not picked in the first round of the NFL draft.

LAST WEEK’S RECORD: (10-5)

SEASON RECORD: (106-58)

THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

BUFFALO BILLS (7-3) AT HOUSTON TEXANS (5-5)

The Bills rebounded from the bad Dolphins loss at home giving the Buccaneers a beat down putting up 44 points. Meanwhile the Texans have won 2-0 with their back up QB behind center in Davis Mills. The Texans just survived beating a bad Titans team & needing a walk up field goal to win that one. The week before that they shocked the Jaguars with a come-from-behind win in the 4th quarter. The Texans will need more than 16 points to beat this Bills team. Mills will get the start once again for CJ Stroud who has been out with a concussion. What do we expect from the Bills? Will they play down to the competition? Houston has a solid defense and beat the Bills last season. The Bills still have losses to the Dolphins & Falcons this year. Allen was Superman last week having the monster game versus the Buccaneers. The Bills have some injuries on both sides of the ball. Anything can happen in these Thursday games on short weeks. I like the Bills getting out of Houston with a win.

OUR PICK: BILLS

NEW YORK JETS (2-8) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (5-5)

The Jets will bench Justin Fields in this game in favor of veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor. The Ravens have won 4 straight games and are looking to have a winning record for the first time this season. I think we’ve seen the last of Fields being a regular starting quarterback in this league. Taylor, like Fields, had his chances as a starter in the NFL. Now he’s just a permanent back up with a career record of 28-29-1 when he is the starter. Can the Jets win this game? The Jets defense has tallied 8 sacks in the last two games. The Ravens offensive line recently has been shaky as Lamar Jackson is getting sacked 3.2 times per game which is a career high for the Baltimore QB. Can the Jets bring everything including the kitchen sink on Jackson? The Ravens defense has gotten better with guys coming back from injuries. The Jets will run the ball. Taylor’s dink and dunk short passing game is not going to beat this Ravens team. The Jets have two quarterbacks that are the same . They can’t throw the ball down the field consistently. Jackson’s hamstring is getting better. The Ravens will get their 27 to 28 points they’ve been getting and hold the Jets into the teens to win this game and perhaps find themselves in first place in the AFC North when week 12 concludes.

OUR PICK: RAVENS

CLEVELAND BROWNS (2-8) AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (2-7)

The Cleveland Browns will give Deion Sanders’ kid Shedeur his first start ever in the NFL at quarterback. The Browns defense has to be licking their chops playing the Raiders offense where Geno Smith has thrown more interceptions than touchdown passes. However Mad Max Crosby may have an epic Sunday versus the Browns offense with rookie Shedeur Sanders getting the start behind center. This game has two solid defenses. This game also features two junior varsity offenses. Sanders saw some action last week filling in for the other Browns rookie quarterback, Dillon Gabriel, who was knocked out of the game with a concussion. Sanders was supposed to have been selected in the first round. He dropped to the 5th round. He looked bad last week versus the Ravens. He completed 4 passes out of 16 attempts for 47 yards. He threw 1 interception and also fumbled the ball. Crosby could show the entire football world that Deion’s son is a fraud at the quarterback position. This could get ugly very quickly. The Browns do have a veteran quarterback in Bailey Zappe waiting in the wings as the back up. Zappe would give the Browns their best chances to win this game. The last time a Browns rookie quarterback won in his debut, you have to go back to 1995 in Eric Zeier.

It has been 17 consecutive losses for the Browns rookie quarterbacks making their debut ever since. I’m not sold on Sanders. I think Pete Carroll, as bad as the Raiders have been, finds a plan to beat the Browns and the turd they are trotting out on the field.

OUR PICK: RAIDERS

NEW YORK GIANTS (2-9) AT DETROIT LIONS (6-4)

The New York Giants have had NFC North opponents on the ropes in two consecutive games. They are unable to FINISH THEM!!! The Giants let the Bears and Packers come from behind late in the game to beat them. The Lions offense went dormant versus the Eagles last weekend. More bad news is the Lions lost their tight end Sam LaPorta who underwent back surgery. He has been placed on injured reserve and most likely is done for the year. The Crab Man, Jameis Winston, is getting the start for the G-Men in this one while rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart is still in concussion protocol. Winston, king of the pick-six, threw an interception last week versus the Packers with under a minute left as the Giants were driving & trying to tie that game up. The Lions still have plenty of play makers to get that offense back on track. The Lions are at home. Winston will make mistakes as the Giants have shown they can’t finish their opponents.

OUR PICK: LIONS

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (6-4) AT CHICAGO BEARS (7-3)

This will be the first game of Aaron Rodgers’ career where he faces the team he owns in another uniform. Rodgers all-time is 25-5 versus the Bears which includes a playoff game when he even said, “I own you.” Can the Bears serve up a cold dish of revenge versus the former Cheesehead? Is Rodgers going to play? That is the million dollar question. Rodgers suffered a fractured wrist on his non-throwing hand in last week’s win over the Bengals. Rodgers did not play in the second half. Meanwhile the Bears have won three straight games. The last loss coming from an AFC North opponent, the Ravens. If Rodgers can’t go, they have a capable back up QB in Mason Rudolf who is 9-8-1 as a starter in his career. Rodgers is a game time decision. I feel like he will play, so he can slay the Bears once again. The Bears defense will have problems with multiple line backers ruled out in this one. The Steelers defense is very good at getting to the quarterback and creating turnovers. I feel the Bears have been lucky during this three game winning streak. I think Rodgers or Rudolf will generate the points off this wounded Bears defense to go on the road and get the victory to stay ahead of those Ravens who are in the rear view mirror of Pittsburgh.

OUR PICK: STEELERS

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (9-2) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-7)

It was one magic loogie from wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase that has him suspended in this game versus the visiting Patriots.

Last week Chase and Steelers trash-talker Patrick Ramsey had more than words in an altercation. Chase spit on the Steelers defender and Ramsey pushed the Bengals receiver after the magic loogie came out of his mouth. The Patriots don’t have to defend the Bengals’ best playmaker in this one. The Patriots have won 8 straight as Drake Maye is on fire. The Bengals have allowed 27 or more points in 9 consecutive games. This is a horrific defense the Bengals have and the Patriots offense should easily have their way. The Patriots can concentrate on the other Bengals playmaker, Tee Higgins. The Patriots defense is solid so taking Higgins out leaves Joe Flacco with not many other options that are game changers.

OUR PICK: PATRIOTS

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (4-6) AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (6-3-1)

For the Vikings this is must win game as they find themselves at the bottom of the division and have lost two straight games. Last week they lost to the Bears on a walk off field goal after taking the lead with under a minute left on the clock. The Packers escaped New York with a victory barely.

The Packers did not escape from the Big Apple like Jake Plissken. It was a struggle and you know the crab Man will deliver the opposing team a gift of the interception. The Packers have lost two straight games before the Giants win. One loss came from the Panthers. Both teams have struggled and both teams need this game because the division is so good, everyone has a winning record except the Vikings. JJ McCarthy has thrown 8 interceptions in 5 games. He was able to give his team the lead late in that game versus the Bears. The Vikings have a solid defense but are not getting the turnovers like they did at the high rate they did last season. The Vikings should easily stop the Packers running game which has not been good. Jordan Love will make a mistake in this one. The Vikings are better on the road than at home with a 3-2 record. The X-factor, Aaron Jones Sr., running back for the Vikings, will want to have a big game against his former team. I like the Vikings stunning Green Bay in Green Bay.

OUR PICK:VIKINGS

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (8-2) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (5-5)

Can Indianapolis Jones, aka Daniel Jones, slay one of the AFC’s bigwigs? The Colts have been reborn with Daniel Jones at quarterback and have the number one running back in the league in Jonathan Taylor. Can they put the final nail in the Chiefs season and keep them out of the playoffs? The Chiefs were handed a loss coming out of their bye week last week by the Broncos. Andy Reid’s teams have dominated coming back from a bye. The Colts coming off their bye week are well rested and have their defense looking at full strength. The addition of Sauce Gardner from the Jets should help keep the Chiefs receivers in check. The Chiefs have lacked a running game most of the season. They will need to rely on their defense and Patrick Mahomes if they want to stay alive and make a playoff run. The Colts have lost both games on the road as they have a 2-2 record. The Chiefs have been better at home where they are 4-1. I can’t believe the Chiefs will just go away. This is where the NFL script pulls the wool over our eyes as Patrick Mahomes will be Superman combined with all the Avengers and have a monster game to save their season. Look for the meathead Travis Kelce to have a big game as well. The Chiefs will get the phantom calls by the referees and come up with a big play afterwards that will give them the win. I would love to see the Colts win this one. I think the Chiefs defense like they have done in the past make the big stand here. The Chiefs will use this game to get on a tear in the next few weeks. It’s all in the script.

OUR PICK: CHIEFS

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (6-3) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (1-9)

The Titans may have played their best game last weekend versus the division rival Texans. Houston won on a walk off field goal. The Seahawks, despite Sam Darnold throwing 4 interceptions at the Rams, still had a chance to win that game as they lose their 3rd game of the season. The Titans offense is one dimensional. They have one of the worst rushing attacks in football. Seattle is ranked number six in the NFL versus the run. Cam Ward is expected to throw the ball more because of the lack of running game. Ward has one of the worst QB ratings in the NFL. In this game I expect Seattle to get back on track playing a team they should be able to beat up and not even work up a sweat.

On any given Sunday, the NFL wants any team to beat anybody. You can see the league maybe will flip the script on any game on any Sunday. Since we don’t get previews of the NFL manuscripts I pick Seattle.

OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS

ATLANTA FALCONS (3-7) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (2-8)

It only took the Saints rookie quarterback two starts to win his first game in the NFL as a starter. The Saints coming off their bye week last time they played Tyler Shough delivered, as New Orleans knocked off the Panthers. Meanwhile Atlanta is a team in shambles right now. This was the team that this season they had high hopes. They have lost 5 straight games. They have lost their starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. for the season with a knee injury. Their top wide receiver Drake London is out with a knee injury. Now they have to rely on aging quarterback Kirk Cousins, who may be ready to be sent out to the pastures by the time this season ends. Cousins is 1-5 in the last six starts, a guy that has not been able to get over the season ending injury he had back in his last season in Minnesota. The Saints defense has come to life. They will not have one of Shough’s weapons because Brandin Cooks wanted to be released from the team and the Saints granted his wish. Look for Alvin Kamara to continue his late in the season efforts with another solid running game. Chris Olave should be able to burn the Falcons defense. I like the way the rookie handled himself two weeks ago with the Panthers. He makes smart decisions and takes what the defense gives him. The Saints continue their roll.

OUR PICK: SAINTS

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (8-2) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (4-5-1)

The Eagles are rolling right now and winning games because of their defense. Last week they held the Lions high octane offense to under 10 points. The week before, they held the Packers to a touchdown. The Eagles defense has been halting their opponents’ running game due to the return of their line backer Nakobe Dean. Opponents are averaging 3.9 yards per rush now which was much higher weeks ago. The Cowboys have made some changes on their defense as they made some trades bringing in guys like Logan Wilson, Quinnen Williams, and DeMarvion Overshown. Then in secondary, they have Donavan Wilson and Malik Hooker back from injuries. The Cowboys tested their revamped defense against a bad Raiders team on the last Monday night game and they passed with flying colors. I sense an upset here in the works. The Cowboys’ emotions are high right now playing hard for their fallen teammate. Marshawn Kneeland committed suicide on the bye week after the Arizona game. Dak Prescott has won 18 consecutive games versus divisional opponents at home. The Eagles offense has not scored many points in the last few weeks but are still winning games. The Cowboys offense will score points off the Eagles defense. Jalen Hurts will not match Prescott score to score. I think this newly revamped Cowboys defense will get a true test with the Eagles and play well to help them win this game that will get Dallas to the .500 mark and be in the thick of things for the post season run.

OUR PICK: COWBOYS

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (6-4) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (3-7)

The Jaguars rebounded last week from the loss Houston hung on them, a huge comeback that gave Texans the win. The Jaguars offense exploded on the Chargers as they put up 35 points in a beat down of LA. The Arizona Cardinals are not a very disciplined team as they continue to rack up penalties at a high rate. The Cardinals’ Jacoby Brissett had to throw the football 57 times last week because the team got behind very quickly to the 49ers and the running game they had was not working very well. The penalties & some injuries mean the Cardinals struggle is real. I think that the Jaguars can bring that same offense to Arizona. Running back Travis Etienne Jr. found the end zone twice. Trevor Lawrence and this Jaguars offense has been well balanced for the last few weeks and should put up points versus the Cardinals defense. The Jaguars defense will find ways to create turnovers. Brissett threw two interceptions last week & I think he will throw 1 or more this week.

OUR PICK: JAGUARS

THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (6-4) AT LA RAMS (7-2)

The Buccaneers are collecting the frequent flyer mileage. Last week going up North to Buffalo, and now traveling across the country to play in LA. The Rams are one of the hottest team in the NFC right now as they have won 5 straight games. The Buccaneers have lost two straight games and have a Christmas list of injuries at the skill positions on offense. Baker Mayfield with the lack of weapons still has made a game out of each contest win or lose. The Rams may have the MVP of the league right now in Matthew Stafford. He is blowing up the competition with the aerial attack. He has 27 touchdown passes to only two interceptions, just mind blowing. We know the Buccaneers like to blitz and Stafford responds being number 1 in the league with 20 touchdown passes under pressure. The Buccaneers defense is good, but great offenses can score on them like Buffalo last week hung 44 points on the scoreboard. The Rams defense can get the job done as they picked off Sam Darnold 4 times last week. Right now I just can’t see the Buccaneers matching scores with the Rams right now. Baker Mayfield will make a mistake or two trying to do too much which the Rams will capitalize on.

OUR PICK: RAMS

THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME

CAROLINA PANTHERS (6-4) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (7-3)

Last week the 49ers got back their stating quarterback in Brock Purdy who missed several weeks due to an injury. He did not disappoint. Purdy threw three touchdown passes versus the Cardinals as he went 17-26 for 200 passing yards in a rout versus Arizona. The Panthers are that annoying team you can’t predict this season. You think they will beat the Saints and they don’t. You think they will lose to the Falcons, but then they win in OT last week versus the dirty birds. Bryce Young looks average one week & then turns into Joe Montana the next week. I can see the Panthers getting some points off a 49ers defense that has taken on too many injuries. From my vantage point, the 49ers look like the better team overall. Purdy is Mr.Reliable and the 49ers have been reliable so far for picking them this season to win or lose. Like Simon says. In the back of my mind, the Panthers will make me regret this pick like usual.

OUR PICK: 49ERS

Since this past week was Veterans Day, we want to honor former Cardinals defensive back Pat Tillman who gave up his NFL career to fight for our country, in this week’s Straight Pick-Em.

NFL WEEK 11 STRAIGHT PICK-EM

LAST WEEK’S RECORD: (8-6)

We would have to be helmet pickers in week 10 to have a better record than what we got. How do you figure the Dolphins over the Bills? Then the Saints over the Panthers was another slap to the face in trying to pick these match ups with some science to it. I know we have to go back to the lab and work even harder to better ourselves in week 11.

THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

NEW YORK JETS (2-7) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (8-2)

The Patriots come into this game winning seven straight games. They are talking around the football world that their quarterback in his second season is in the MVP conversation. What about the Jets? They have won two straight beating the terrible Bengals defense and winning over a solid defense that the Browns offer. The Browns offense is going through a rookie quarterback’s hiccups. The Patriots defense will be a different challenge for the Jets. I like Justin Field being able to match up scores with Maye and that Patriots offense. Fields and that Jets passing game is one of the worst in the league which makes them one dimensional. The Patriots will take away what works well for the Jets, that running game. The Pats stay hot at home.

OUR PICK: PATRIOTS

SUNDAY MORNING (EUROPEAN GAME IN SPAIN)

MIAMI DOLPHINS (3-7) AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (3-7)

This match up looked very good on paper before the season started. These are two bad teams playing overseas in Spain. Marcus Mariota will get the start at quarterback for the Commanders for the injured Jayden Daniels. The Dolphins come into this game with a pulse as they upset the Buffalo Bills last week in South Beach. Now, can the Dolphins swim the length of the pond and take their talents to Madrid’s beach? The head coach of the Commanders, Dan Quinn, will now call the plays on defense for Washington. Will that help bring Dolphins running back De’Von Achane to a halt? Probably not. The Dolphins defense should be able to fluster Mariota like they did to Josh Allen last week. Dolphins will finally have their first winning streak of the year.

OUR PICK: DOLPHINS

THE REST OF THE SUNDAY TILT

CAROLINA PANTHERS (5-5) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (3-6)

These two teams have made my hit list. How do the Panthers lose to the Saints and score one touchdown last week? The Falcons have pecked my eyeballs out a few times this season like some nightmare in the Alfred Hitchcock movie, The Birds.

It’s too bad the Falcons don’t play like the dirty birds of the olden days. They might win more games. The first meeting of the year with these two teams, the Panthers did not eat crow and beat up on the Falcons 30-0. The Falcons have lost 4 straight games. It is hard to sweep a team in divisional play. Bryce Young has struggled in the passing game. The Falcons have played better at home and have played in close games the last few weeks. I may end up giving both teams the bird trying to figure out who comes out victorious in this mess. I like Falcons by a beak.

OUR PICK: FALCONS

CHICAGO BEARS (6-3) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (4-5)

What do X Bears head coach Matt Eberflus and Caleb Williams have in common? They can’t win games in their own division. Eberflus as a Bears head coach went 2-10 in the NFC North. Williams as a starting quarterback is 1-7 versus teams in the NFC North and is 0-2 this season so far. In week one of the season, the Vikings had a second half comeback over the Bears in Chicago. It was a rookie debut for JJ McCarthy who led the comeback for the Vikings. The Bears last week look like they were blown out of the water by the Giants. Williams engineered another come from behind victory for the Bears as now he has 4 game winning drives this season. The Vikings are lingering around this season at the .500 mark waiting to get on a roll. They have played in some close games the last few weeks. They knock off the Lions and last week lost to Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. The Vikings defense will confuse Williams with their blitz packages. The Vikings should generate points from their rookie because the Bears defense is surrendering the most touchdown passes in the league. No comeback for Williams in this one as they lose on the road in a close game.

OUR PICK: VIKINGS

CINCINNATI BENGALS (3-6) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (5-4)

The first time these two teams met, it was a track meet with no defense on either side which ended up a high scoring game and a Bengals win. It was week 7 and Joe Flacco flung the ball all over the field, and the Bengals ran the ball well on the Steelers shower curtain that has all the holes in it. The Bengals are coming off their bye week and rumors around the water cooler are Joe Burrow is starting to practice again. The Steelers played sloppy last week which included Aaron Rodgers. I don’t think he will point the finger at himself, but many want to give the aging QB the finger for sure.

It was called the Icy Hot bowl in the first go around. I decided they should call part two the Ben Gay bowl. Not sure Ben Gay creme is still around. This time around the game is in Pittsburgh. I like the Steelers in this one. I think Mike Tomlin will have his guys rebounding from the bad game last week versus the Chargers. They will have a better game on defense. Rodgers will have a big game as well.

OUR PICK: STEELERS

GREEN BAY PACKERS (5-3-1) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (2-8)

Which set of problems would you rather have? Trying to figure out why the Packers offense went dormant or just the multiple Giant problems New York has. The Giants fired their head coach after the Bears game, Brian Daboll. The Giants were in control of the entire game until the Bears came out of hibernation to come back and win. The Packers lost 10-7 versus last year’s champions, the Eagles. Can Jordan Love find a way to resurrect this offense versus a Giants team that is all out of whack? The Giants interim head coach will be Mike Kafka. He will have his work cut out for him. Green Bay should win this game flat out. The Giants will not have their rookie quarterback, Jaxson Dart, who suffered a concussion versus the Bears. Russell Wilson will get get the nod at quarterback for the Giants. Do I have to say anything else?

OUR PICK: PACKERS

HOUSTON TEXANS (4-5) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (1-8)

Can the Texans find their way to the .500 mark after this game? The Titans are coming off a bye week. I’m sure the Titans don’t have some master plan they’ve been brewing up over their time off. The Texans shell socked the Jaguars with some 4th quarter magic last week in a come-from-behind victory with their back up QB Davis Mills who got the start. The Texans will have CJ Stroud back behind center in this one. The Titans really should be 0-9. Their only victory of the year came from the Cardinals, who gift wrapped that for them with a pretty bow. The Texans have a solid defense that should be able to stop the Titans rookie quarterback which is the key to a victory for Houston.

OUR PICK: TEXANS

LA CHARGERS (7-3) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (5-4)

THE HIPPIE BOWL

Remember in 2023 when the Chargers and Jaguars met in the AFC Wild card round? It was Justin Herbert vs Trevor Lawrence back then.

The Chargers had a 27-0 lead at the half in that post-season game. After a miserable first half, Trevor Lawrence led a huge come back in the second half as the Jags won the game 31-30. Lawrence is 2-0 all-time versus the Chargers. The Jags are coming off a humiliating loss to the Texans in the game they had last weekend. The Chargers blew the doors of the Steelers caravan. Can the Jaguars take advantage of getting to Herbert who has been sacked the third highest in the league? Herbert has also been hit a league high of 134 times. The Chargers defense has been doing most of the heavy lifting with this team this season. They will be the grill of the Surf Nazi quarterback all game and he will make some kind of mistake. Herbert will find pockets to avoid the Jaguars pass rush and generate enough offense to put these kitty cats to sleep for good.

OUR PICK: CHARGERS

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (6-3) AT BUFFALO BILLS (6-3)

The Buccaneers and the Bills are right now desperate for a victory. The Buccaneers are lacking play makers for Baker Mayfield. The Bills pretty much beat themselves last weekend versus the Dolphins. Josh Allen had a bad day at the office as the Bills turned over the ball multiple times ending solid drives. The Buccaneers are 4-1 on the road. Can the Buccaneers win in Buffalo in colder conditions? The Bills defense hung in there most of the game to keep Buffalo in that Dolphins game. Then the Dolphins ran wild on the Bills D and put the game on ice in South Beach. Mayfield has 4 game winning drives this season. If Mayfield does not engineer those key drives in the end of those games, the Buccaneers record would be totally different right now. I think the Bills defense can handle the Buccaneers lack of weapons. Josh Allen will have a big game. The Bills are at home and very tough to beat in Buffalo. The Bills get some key players back from sitting out with injuries in this one which will help.

OUR PICK: BILLS

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (6-4) ARIZONA CARDINALS (3-6)

Last week both the Cardinals and 49ers defense gave up over 40 points.

WELCOME TO THE X PATRIOTS BOWL

The 49ers will have X-Patriot Mac Jones as their starting quarterback in this one. Then the Cardinals counter with another X Patriot quarterback in Jacoby Brissett. Jones was 18-24 as a starting quarterback when he left New England. While Brissett went 2-5 as a starting quarterback with the Patriots in his time in New England. Brissett has done better than Kyler Murray this season who is on the injured list right now. Mac Jones has done very well filling in for the injured Brock Purdy. The Cardinals will be without two of their top wide receivers in Marvin Harrison Jr. and Zay Jones. I like Christian McCaffrey having a big game to get the 49ers back in the win column. It will be a close game until the 49ers pull away late in this one. Which Jones will win the X-Patriots bowl? He will get a free lunch with Bill Belichick in the North Carolina University cafeteria.

OUR PICK: 49ERS

BALTIMORE RAVENS (4-5) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (2-7)

This is the game where the Ravens will climb out of their gigantic hole they dug themselves out of earlier in the season when they were 1-5. The Ravens could get to the .500 mark with a win over the Browns who they beat up in week 2. The Ravens trail only the Steelers in the AFC North, who are 5-4. Meanwhile the Browns lost to the Jets last week.

The Browns are the first team since 1950 to hold their opponent to 175 yards or fewer while not turning over the football. The record coming in was 225-0. The Browns lack an offense and are going through growing pains with their rookie quarterback. The Browns defense have kept them in most games this season. Even though the face of this Browns team, Myles Garrett, did not like the DAWG pound booing his guys for losing to the Jets.

DA Coach Mike Ditka would tell Myles he has a big zero for his IQ. The Ravens will win this game. The Browns can’t stop Lamar Jackson and company all game long. The Browns will not generate the offense to keep up with the Ravens. They are back & they are in the thick of things.

OUR PICK: RAVENS

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (5-4) AT DENVER BRONCOS (8-2)

A Chiefs loss here will set Andy Reid back in the AFC West and in the conference. The Broncos have won 7 straight and are trying to stay ahead of the Chargers who are on their tails. The Chiefs are coming off a bye week. The Broncos are rested as well, playing on Thursday in their last game. The Broncos have been winning the one score games unlike last year. The Chiefs are losing the one score games unlike last year. It’s been the Broncos defense that has carried this team the last few weeks. Bo Nix and that Bronco offense have had hard times generating a lot of points but getting just enough to win the games. I would love to see the Broncos put the Chiefs in a worse situation by adding another L to their record. Andy Reid historically after bye weeks has responded with victories only. My gut is telling me Patrick Mahomes will have a big game to help the Chiefs stay afloat in the playoff picture.

OUR PICK: CHIEFS

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (7-2) AT LA RAMS (7-2)

This to me is the game of the week. This will be an epic NFC West show down with two offenses that put 40 points on the board last week. Both the Rams and Seahawks can play some defense as well. Both offenses are very well balance.

Both quarterbacks for each team are having one hell of a season. Matthew Stafford is completing 67.1% of his passes and has thrown 25 touchdown passes to only 2 interceptions. Just SICK numbers. Then Sam Darnold… you probably can’t say he’s a number 1 draft pick bust anymore. He has 17 touchdown passes and 6 interceptions. He is completing 71.1% of his passes. Is this a Cooper Kupp revenge game now? Playing for Seattle after years in LA which he helped them win a Superbowl. This obviously is for first place in the division as well. Who the hell do you pick here? I like Seattle’s defense just a tad over LA which leans me to the Seahawks side in which should be an amazing game.

OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS

THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME

DETROIT LIONS (6-3) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (7-2)

The Eagles have a hex on Dan Campbell’s Lions. It’s like the Eagles’ Kryptonite turns the Lions’ silver and blue, to green. Campbell has not beaten the Eagles since he took the job as head coach of the Lions. He is 0-2. The Eagles played on Monday night in Green Bay and won. This will be the Lions’ second straight road game for them. This looks like another awesome game to watch in week 11. It’s a game that could go either way. The Eagles defense has improved with the addition of Jaelan Phillips from Miami. They also got back another solid defender of theirs in Nolan Smith Jr. from the injury list. Last week they had 8 hits on the Packers QB along with 3 sacks. The Eagles can get the pressure on the QB. With that pressure, Jared Goff is only completing 50% of his passes with two picks and only one touchdown pass. When he is not pressured, he completes 80 something percent of his passes. I think the Eagles will slow down his high octane Lions offense just enough for their offense to give them one score better than them for the win.

OUR PICK: EAGLES

THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME

DALLAS COWBOYS (3-5-1) AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (2-7)

The Dallas Cowboys after their Monday night loss to the Cardinals almost two weeks ago had to deal with some sad news that went into their bye week. Marshawn Kneeland committed suicide after being involved in a police chase. Somehow the police lost him in that chase. They found Kneeland’s car after he crashed it. Then he fled on foot. After that he shot himself and police found his body. Kneeland was the defensive end that scored a touchdown versus the Cardinals on that Monday night game scooping the football off the turf and running it in. He was only 24 years old & in his second year in the league as he was drafted out of Western Michigan. He had a history of mental illness. The Cowboys should be amped up to get a win for their fallen teammate. The Cowboys added two solid defensive players at the trade deadline. They added former Jets defensive lineman, Quinnen Williams, and Bengals linebacker, Logan Wilson. Remember when the Raiders were king of Monday night football? That is a time warp. The Raiders are not very good this year. Pete Carroll has already been doing a shake up on his coaching staff getting rid of dead weight. The Cowboys are the better team. They will be emotional from their loss and get the job down in Vegas.

OUR PICK: COWBOYS

WEEK 9 STRAIGHT PICK-EM

LAST WEEK’S RECORD: (8-5)

Week 8 was terrible picking as we suffered five losses. The Jets bombed the Bengals for their first win. Mr. Rogers’ old neighborhood screwed Aaron’s second revenge game of the year as we picked Steelers over the visiting Packers. Cannot figure out the 49ers for the life of us as they do opposite of whatever we have them down for. The Ravens resurrect themselves like some bad Jason movie, Friday the 13th: The Chicago Massacre, with a back up QB. The Captain Kirk Cousins should have his stripes removed for the Falcons offensive no show versus a weak ass Dolphins defense. It was bad week if you quit sniffing glue, drinking, and even smoking the good stuff.

We peel ourselves off the pavement and come out swinging for week 9.

OUR SEASON RECORD: (79-42)

THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

BALTIMORE RAVENS (2-5) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (2-6)

I’m not buying what the Dolphins did last week versus an unpredictable Falcons team. The Ravens won with their old back up quarterback who is 3rd on the totem pole this season for the Ravens. Tyler Huntley looked like he should have been the number two after the Ravens beat the Bears and broke a long losing streak. And the win saved their season. This week they get Lamar Jackson back from injury. Bad Dolphins defense gives the Ravens their first back to back wins of the season.

OUR PICK: RAVENS

THE SUNDAY GAMES

ATLANTA FALCONS (3-4) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (6-2)

I don’t hear any more griping of all the people that were soured because the Patriots fired Jerod Mayo in the off-season for Mike Vrabel. The Patriots have won 5 straight games. This Falcons team plays well once in a blue moon and I’m not talking about the bottles in the cooler. The Falcons really do not do well on the road as they play better at home. The Falcons quarterback play has seen better days. I don’t care who they play this week. The Patriots will key on the Falcons rushing attack and that’s game when New England wins their 6th straight game.

OUR PICK: PATRIOTS

CAROLINA PANTHERS (4-4) AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (5-1-1)

When Aaron Rodgers played for the Packers he owned the Bears. Since Jordan Love beat Rodgers’ Steelers does Jordan own Aaron? We do know the Panthers will have Bryce Young back behind center which they missed him last week. The Panthers do not play well on the road while the Packers are awesome defending their home field. I just don’t see banged up Young getting the job done. Love lit up the Steelers as he should have no problems with the Panthers defense.

OUR PICK: PACKERS

CHICAGO BEARS (4-3) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (3-5)

Last year when the Bears got to their 4th win, they went on a long losing streak that went into double digits. Can the Bengals come back from losing to the Jets?

The Bears offense should be able to generate points off a bad Cincinnati Bumbles defense which may be the worst in the league. If former Bears QB Justin Fields can light up the Bengals defense, why can’t Caleb Williams rebound from a bad game versus the Ravens. I like the Bears in this one because Joe Flacco is dealing with shoulder injury. Bears defense will bounce in this one.

OUR PICK: BEARS

DENVER BRONCOS (6-2) AT HOUSTON TEXANS (3-4)

This game features two of the best in the league at defense. The Texans played well last week in a win versus the 49ers. Their best performance overall the entire season. The Broncos have been rolling winning 5 straight games and are trying to stay one game ahead of the evil Chiefs in the AFC West which Kansas City has thrived in for years. I like Bo Nix over CJ Stroud. Nix threw 4 touchdown passes in a win over the Cowboys last week as he is heating up at the right part of the season. The Texans have issues with their offensive line. They do not have a balanced offensive attack as they lack a running game. The Broncos are balanced on offense and have the better defense which will make the Texans their 6th straight victory.

OUR PICK: BRONCOS

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (7-1) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (4-3)

The Steeler are lucky they are playing in a bad division with teams like the Bengals, Browns, and Ravens who all have losing records. New York Giants fans have to be baffled seeing Daniel Jones playing well behind center for the Colts who are a team that looks like no one will stop. The Steelers have lost two straight games and their defense sucks. Aaron Rodgers has played well in a Steeler uniform, but he’s not the guy that will get you a guaranteed win when the defense does not show up. Jones is throwing dimes in the air. Jonathan Taylor is running wild and may be the best running back in the NFL. The Steelers will hang around all season until the Ravens finally over takes them for the division.

OUR PICK: COLTS

LA CHARGERS (5-3) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (1-7)

If you’re a Titans fan, what are the plans if you get another number 1 pick in next season’s draft? Is Cam Ward your guy? The Chargers are coming off a big Thursday night victory over the Vikings and should have no problem dispatching the Titans this week. Make it your survivor pick. The Titans are giving up 7.3 yards per pass play this season. Justin Herbert has played well. Perfect recipe for the Chargers. Make sure you rinse the vegetables before preparing the game plan.

OUR PICK: CHARGERS

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (3-4) AT DETROIT LIONS (5-2)

For the Vikings, Sam Darnold is that one night stand you want back. It was such a magical night when the Vikings fans and team met Darnold. Everything was new and refreshing. The team was fighting for the number one seed versus the Lions in the last game of regular season. Now what? Carson Wentz is done for the season. Now it’s back to the rookie quarterback JJ McCarthy who has been very injury prone since they drafted him. I don’t see McCarthy coming back behind center after missing the last few weeks and beating a very solid Lions team. The Vikings have had luck on their side most years inserting a QB into the offense like a light bulb. Now they are facing taking their lumps with a rookie QB. The Lions D will provide McCarthy with some lumps.

OUR PICK: LIONS

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (5-3) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (2-6)

The 49ers this season have been the story of cry wolf. You think they should win, they lose. You pick them to lose, they win. On offense they need a wolf because they have not been scoring points lately. Another road game for the 49ers as they lost in Houston last week. The Giants are like that novelty can of shooting snakes.

Some teams will not fall for it. Some will loosen the jar and the snake will Dart out. I have a feeling Jaxson Dart will hit a bullseye this week and give the Giants an upset victory over nonchalant injured ridden 49ers squad.

OUR PICK: GIANTS

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (4-3) AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (2-5)

Both of these teams are desperate for a win. Both teams are well rested coming off their bye weeks. The Jaguars have been having trouble establishing their aerial attack. While the Raiders have had issues generating offense. The Raiders defense have played well. The Jaguars defense has played better and seem to have the knack of getting turnovers. They are playing the man Geno Smith for the Raiders who has already thrown 10 interceptions. Trevor Lawrence will have a decent game and give the Jags what they need to crack the win column this week.

OUR PICK: JAGUARS

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-7) AT LA RAMS (5-2)

The Saints were dreadful on offense last week versus Tampa Bay. That was with Spencer Rattler behind center. Now the Saints will start Tyler Shough who has seen some action versus the Buccaneers defense last week. The Rams are coming off a bye week. Matthew Stafford will have a big game versus a Saints defense that has problems with the aerial attack. The Rams defense should give Shough in his first NFL start, a tough day at the office.

OUR PICK: RAMS

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (5-3) AT BUFFALO BILLS (5-2)

The Bills and Chiefs, a pair of heavy weights in the AFC, are squaring off in the game of the week. Josh Allen has dominated Patrick Mahomes in regular season. It’s the other way around in the post-season as the Chiefs have knocked out the Bills in multiple post-season meetings. The Chiefs offense is firing on all cylinders. The Bills came off their bye week and got their offense back on track putting up 40 points versus the Carolina Panthers. Whose defense is better right now? I think both defenses will be MIA this weekend. This game has shoot out written all over it. I like Allen at home in this one. The Bills win it in the last few minutes by one score.

OUR PICK: BILLS

THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (5-2) AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (3-5)

I don’t care if Jayden Daniels is playing for the Commanders in this one. The Commanders defense is a problem. Sam Darnold and the Seattle offense have played well and will score points off this Washington team. It’s a long flight for Seattle, but they are well rested coming off their bye week. Seattle’s defense has played well and will give Daniels a tough match up trying to give a go and being banged up. I just don’t see anything good here for the Commanders.

OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS

THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME

ARIZONA CARDINALS (2-5) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (3-4-1)

The Cardinals started off the season 2-0 and since have lost 5 straight games. The Cowboys were beating up by the Broncos last weekend. The Cardinals coming off their bye week will have the services of their starting quarterback Kyler Murray. Even with Murray, the Cardinals will not score a ton of points. Even against a bad Cowboys defense. No way Murray will match points with Dak Prescott. The Cowboys have one of the best offenses in the league. Their defense will make two key stops to give the Boys a home victory on Monday night in front of the entire world watching.

OUR PICK: COWBOYS

WEEK 8 STRAIGHT PICK-EM

LAST WEEK’S RECORD: (11-4)

We had a better week than week 6 when we only managed to get 8 correct out of 15 match ups. Week seven was sort of an easy week to pick. We were on the wrong side of the Icy Hot bowl that featured two aging quarterbacks. Thursday nights have not worked well the last few weeks. Picking the Commanders over the Cowboys turns into a very humiliating pick. Would love that one back. That is the way the cookie crumbles. In week 8 we are looking for perfection and no way we will come close to that. It sounds good on the computer screen writing it. We will get back on the horse and try to do better even though we have less match ups this week.

THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (3-3) AT LA CHARGERS (5-3)

The last few weeks picking Thursday night games has been disastrous. This Thursday is very challenging between two teams I have not figured out all year long. The Chargers and Vikings have solid defensive units this season. Justin Herbert is the better quarterback than Carson Wentz. I figure if you keep betting on Jim Harbaugh, he is bound to win more games than lose. Even though I picked the Chargers last week to beat the Colts, he disappointed me there. It’s a new week. I like the Chargers defense to force the Vikings QB into mistakes where they benefit from and change my Thursday losing streak by flipping the script.

OUR PICK: CHARGERS

THE SUNDAY TILT

MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-6) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (3-3)

The Dolphins have been swimming in toxic waters all year long. Can Kirk Cousins Wally Pipp Michael Peniz Jr., who pipped the former Viking QB? Whoever is the QB for the Falcons this week, Miami can not stop their running back Bijan Robinson who should have a big day versus the fish. Atlanta plays better at home and Miami should fire everyone.

OUR PICK: FALCONS

CHICAGO BEARS (4-2) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (1-5)

Can the Bears win 5 straight games? I bet you are thinking last time Chicago has done that was back in1985. The Bears did win 5 straight games back in 2018. The Ravens will be without their star quarterback Lamar Jackson who is dealing with a hamstring that has kept him out multiple weeks. The Ravens are in desperation mode right now. They need to win this game or their playoff hopes are crushed. The Ravens should be better on defense with some of their guys coming back and the team is rested from being on a bye last week. Without Lamar, the Bears should win this one on the road rather easily. The Bears have been playing well on both sides of the ball. Look for the Bears defense to make Cooper Rush have another bad day at the office as he already has thrown 4 interceptions in two starts.

OUR PICK: DA BEARS

BUFFALO BILLS (4-2) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (4-3)

The Panthers have won three straight games and are perfect at home. The Bills have lost two straight games and are coming off their bye week. The Panthers will be without their starting QB Bryce Young as veteran Andy Dalton gets the start. The Bills have been gashed by the running game the last two straight weeks that led to losses.

The Bills have reinforcements on their defense just in time. Their rookie corner back Maxwell Hairston will make his NFL debut coming off a knee injury he suffered in pre-season. Then two free agents the Bills signed in the off-season for their defense, Larry Ogunjobi and Micahel Hoecht, will make their season debut coming off the league’s suspension list. The Bills will be better on defense. The bye week should help this team clean up their act. Dalton will be a sitting duck for defense that wants to make a statement. Josh Allen redeems himself from the bad performance he had in Atlanta.

OUR PICK: BILLS

NEW YORK JETS (0-7) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (3-4)

The Jets have been secretive about who’s starting at quarterback this week like it’s Area 51. The Jets should take whatever alien is in the building at Area 51 and insert it at the QB position. It’s got to be better than trotting Justin Fields or Tyrod Taylor out there. Joe Flacco has given the Bengals hope and may be the guy that saved Cincinnati’s season. All Flacco needs to do is throw the football to Ja’Marr Chase 50 times. He’ll do the rest. The Bengals defense is terrible, but they should handle the Jets’ Area 51 secret project.

OUR PICK: BENGALS

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (5-2) AT HOUSTON TEXANS (2-4)

The Texans may be without their superstar wide receiver Nico Collins who is still on concussion protocol. The 49ers will lean in once again on Mac Jones as their starting quarterback who’s filling for the injured Brock Purdy. Jones is 4-1 this season as the starter. It’s the same story for Houston and San Francisco this season. The 49ers have concurred their injury problems by continuing to put W’s in the win column. The Texans have been solid on defense the entire season, but that does not help their offensive line. Being slim at the receiver position with an offense that has not run the ball well keeps me away from Houston like they have the herpes and are looking to spread the disease. The 49ers are the safer bet here.

OUR PICK: 49ERS

CLEVELAND BROWNS (2-5) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (5-2)

What do you think? The Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel has the new Death Star half built as New England has won 4 straight games. Rookie quarterback Dillion Gabriel won his first ever NFL start last week versus the Dolphins. Gabriel has not set the league on fire but has not been careless with the football. The Browns offense has been pretty dormant most of the season. The Patriots will face a challenge with the Browns stud defense that will keep them in the game. Drake Maye will out-duel the Browns rookie and keep the Patriots hot streak alive and well at least for another week.

OUR PICK: PATRIOTS

NEW YORK GIANTS (2-5) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (5-2)

The G-Men gave the Eagles their first loss of the season a few weeks ago. With that win, the Giants snapped a 8 game losing streak dating back to last year against teams in the division. Can the Giants sweep the season series versus the Eagles?

The Giants have not done well in Philadelphia over the last few years. It’s been a house of horrors for the team in blue. It’s hard to sweep a division opponent. It’s very hard to sweep the Superbowl champs from last year. Jaxson Dart has been giving the Giants a boost with his play at the quarterback position. However this is the same Giants team who blew a huge 4th quarter lead last week to the Broncos. The Eagles snapped a two game skid with a win last week. I like the Eagles to get their revenge. Dart will give the Giants a solid chance, but they come up short of the bullseye.

OUR PICK: EAGLES

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (5-2) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-6)

The Buccaneers offense went dormant on Monday night versus the Lions. The Saints continue to lose games & players while their quarterback Spencer Rattler has played well. Baker Mayfield is running out of guys to throw to as Tampa Bay lost Mike Evans for several weeks due to an injury versus the Lions. The Buccaneers last lost a few of their play makers. I think Tampa will run the ball down the Saints throats this week. Baker Mayfield will hook up with a few deep passes to the undrafted beer man suiting up for them this week only. The Saints will linger like they do. Tampa gets back in the win column with a solid defense performance.

OUR PICK: BUCCANEERS

DALLAS COWBOYS (3-3-1) AT DENVER BRONCOS (5-2)

Are the Denver Broncos lucky or are you convinced they are one of top teams in the AFC? The Cowboys are coming off one of their better wins of the season beating up the Commanders. This match up features the Broncos, one of the top defenses in the entire league, versus the number 1 offense in the entire league that the Cowboys have. The Cowboys are number two overall in scoring, but their defense is the problem. The Broncos have their problems as well as they lead the league in penalties. Shame on you Sean Payton. Can the Cowboys turn this game into a shoot out? Dak Prescott seems like he’s in some kind of shoot out every week. The Cowboys have not won consecutive games this year. They are 1-3 on the road. Denver in general is a tough place to win. I think top defense always trumps tower top offenses. Like ICE stealing candy from a baby.

OUR PICK: BRONCOS

TENNESSEE TITANS (1-6) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (6-1)

Who will get the worst beat down in Indianapolis this season? The butt fumbler Mark Sanchez or the Titans rookie QB Cam Ward? The Colts look and are playing like they are the cream of the crop in the AFC. The Titans are in hell right now. This game should be a blow out favoring the Colts because they are far far the better team. The Titans QB is going through growing pains right now. They fired their head coach. It’s a mess if you are a Titan fan.

OUR PICK: COLTS

THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME

GREEN BAY PACKERS (4-2) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (4-2)

Aaron Rodgers will face the Green Bay Packers for the first time in his career. Will he own them after the game like he did all those seasons owning the Bears? Rodgers says this is not a revenge game. Are you buying what he is selling everyone? Hell no as I thought about this from my dark place last night sleeping. Green Bay in general tends to struggle away from home. The Steelers offensive line has done better at protecting the old man. Rodgers has been getting the ball out quickly which should keep Packers defender Micah Parsons in check. I think this game means a lot for Rodgers like the Jets game mattered to him. I can see Rodgers makes a big statement in like an F-U to his old team. Steelers win a close one at home.

OUR PICK: STEELERS

THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (3-4) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (4-3)

The Commanders have all kinds of problems this season. They will be without their starting quarterback Jayden Daniels once again. The Commanders on defense can’t stop anybody. They are on the road with their back up quarterback being Marcus Mariota who is 1-1 filling in for Daniels so far this season. It’s hard to beat the Chiefs in general. It’s even harder to beat them at Arrowhead. Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are back on track after starting out of the gates 0-2. Mahomes and the Chiefs should score a ton of points on the Commanders defense. The Chiefs defense can limit Mariota and prevent him from having a big day. A big game from Mariota would not come close to an average game by Mahomes.

OUR PICK:CHIEFS

WEEK SIX STRAIGHT PICK-EM

Week 5 was a complete disaster for most people in the world trying to pick winners in an NFL game. With all the upsets & injuries you could compare it to the video game of Mutant League football where anything goes. I thought I was savvy on my Saints over the Giants pick. I really thought I pulled one out of a magic hat with the Jaguars over the Chiefs pick. The rest of them I felt like I was run over by a steam roller. I somehow finished week 5 with a even record.

LAST WEEK’S RECORD: (7-7)

On the 14 game slate, I had half of them correct. Is the entire NFL watered down where clearly there are no superior teams? Seeing the two undefeated teams, the Eagles and the Bills, lay an egg on Sunday to the Broncos and Patriots. Do you have to change the script pick with your gut? Go the opposite in what you believe? This is what the NFL wants where anything can happen. Where some weeks look like a highway wreck full of cars in a zombie apocalypse. We will continue to swing the bat and hope we make solid contact in week six.

SEASON RECORD: (52-26)

MONDAY NIGHT RECORD: (5-2)

THURSDAY NIGHT RECORD: (4-1)

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS (0-1)

WEEK SIX

THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (4-1) AT NEW YORK GIANTS (1-4)

How can the Eagles lose two straight games and one of the teams be the Giants? The Giants are at home and it’s a Thursday night where anything can happen. It’s also a division game where these two teams know each other very well. This is true, but the Giants have a rookie quarterback in Jaxson Dart and he was quickly brought back down to earth after winning his first ever start in week 4. The Giants turned over the ball five times in 5 straight drives. The Saints landed their first victory of the season. The Giants also give Spencer Rattler his first NFL win of his career after losing ten straight starts in his first two seasons in the league. Look for X-Giants running back Saquon Barkley to play a big part in the Eagles righting the ship and getting back in the win column.

OUR PICK: EAGLES

THE SUNDAY FLIGHT TO ENGLAND

DENVER BRONCOS (3-2) AT NEW YORK JETS (0-5)

Who’s waking up at the butt crack of dawn to watch Jets football being played across the pond in London? The Broncos travel to Europe after getting a significant win over the undefeated Eagles in Philly. The Jets may be the worst team in the NFL. If only Justin Fields had some kind of offensive line in his entire career. The Jets 0-line has allowed the most pressures in the league to this point of the season. When it comes to the Broncos they have pressured the QB the most this season until this point.

Broncos line backer Nik Bonitto has seven sacks by himself so far this season which is what the Jets entire defense has right now in 5 weeks. The Jets defense has not been able to produce one turnover yet. This will be good for Broncos QB Bo knows Nix.

OUR PICK: BRONCOS

THE REST OF THE SUNDAY TILT IN THE STATES

CLEVELAND BROWNS (1-4) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (3-1)

The last time the Browns won a game in Steel City it was back during the post-season of 2021. Back when Baker Mayfield was the Browns QB. Cleveland probably wishes they still had Mayfield. The Steelers are coming off a bye week. Which means Aaron Rodgers coming off a darkness retreat. The Browns traded away Joe Flacco so now the show belongs to Dillion Gabriel who started last week in the loss to the Vikings in Europe. Bailey Zappe, former Patriots QB, was activated from the practice squad as the number two QB. That leaves Deon Sanders Shedeur holding the clipboard as the number three guy on the Browns totem pole. The Browns have not won a regular season game in Pittsburgh since 2003. Rodgers will score some points off the Browns defense. The Steelers defense will throw a monkey wrench into the growth of Gabriel as they are second in the NFL in takeaways.

OUR PICK: STEELERS

CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-3) AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (2-1-1)

Joe Flacco started in AFC North with the Ravens. He may die in the AFC North with another team in the division. Flacco started the season with the Browns and he was traded to one of their rivals in the division, the Bengals. The Packers started out of the gates hot at home with a 2-0 record. The Browns beat the Packers on their first road game giving Flacco and the Browns their first win of the season. Then the Packers walked away from Dallas with a tie. Can Flacco light up the Bengals offense in the absence of Joe Burrow who may be out until December with an injury and are 0-3 without him? The Bengals second string QB has thrown 8 interceptions in three starts since Burrow went down. What happened to the Packers defense on the road? The Bengals are thinking Flacco could fling the rock all over the field with the talented receivers they have. Can Flacco beat Green Bay twice with two different teams in a matter of weeks? Green Bay is different at home obviously. Flacco should credit the Browns defense for the the first win and loss for the Packers. Flacco will get the start but will not be in sync right away with the Bengals offense. I like Green Bay doing a 360 and playing well at their home turf in this one and getting the better of Flacco in this one. Next year Flacco needs to be a Steeler to have all the uniforms in the AFC North.

OUR PICK: PACKERS

LA RAMS (3-2) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (1-4)

Lamar Jackson will miss his second game in a row for the Ravens due to a injury. The Rams should be licking their chops facing a junior varsity defense riddled with injuries. Former Dallas Cowboy Cooper Rush gets his second start in a Ravens uniform. His first start versus the Texans resulted in three interceptions. Matthew Stafford leads the league in passing yards and is closing in on Dan Marino on the all-time list as he needs 50 more yards.

The Ravens defense has already given up 177 points in 5 games which is the most in franchise history. I don’t see the Ravens defense stopping the Rams aerial attack. The Rams defense will zero in on Derrick Henry and take him out of play and that will be the key for a LA road victory.

OUR PICK: RAMS

ARIZONA CARDINALS (2-3) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (4-1)

Marvin Harrison Jr. faces his old man’s team, the Colts, in his father’s house in Indianapolis. The Colts are off to a great start as they are looking like one of the AFC power house teams right now. The Cardinals have lost three straight games by a walk off field goal in each of them. The Cardinals hit rock bottom last week shooting themselves in the foot multiple times and gift wrapping a victory for the Titans which even had a bow on top. The former Ohio State receiver has been quiet this year catching only 20 balls for 306 yards with 2 touchdowns. Kyler Murray is a streaky quarterback at best. He has not hit his stride yet this season for a big game. The Colts offense is well balanced. Jonathan Taylor is a beast. Daniel Jones is having a career year. The Colts defense should just do enough to tame the Cardinals offense here for the 5th victory of the year and another home win.

OUR PICK: COLTS

LA CHARGERS (3-2) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-4)

The Chargers are 3-0 versus teams in their own division. The Chargers are 0-2 versus everyone else. The Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel is 3-14 versus teams with a winning record since 2022. This will be the 4th time Justin Herbert versus Tua Tagovailoa have met. Tua has the 2-1 edge over Herbert. I don’t like the Dolphins defense. The Chargers defense has been solid most of the year. The Chargers are using their 3rd or 4th running back already this season. Whoever it is, Moe, Larry, or Curly, or even Shemp, the Chargers should have a running game to go along with the aerial attack versus this Dolphins defense.

I think the Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh will have his team playing their best after losing two straight games.

OUR PICK: CHARGERS

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (3-2) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (4-1)

This game is a toss up. I’m shocked that the Jaguars have been playing so well. Both quarterbacks for both teams – Sam Darnold for Seattle and Trevor Lawrence for the Jags – have lit up the skies. Lawrence was huge versus the Chiefs on Monday night knocking them off their high perch. Darnold lost in a shootout versus Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers. To pick this match up, it comes down to defense. Seattle has played well all year until they face the Buccaneers last week. Jacksonville continues to get takeaways like they mass produce them in a factory somewhere. This game has shoot out written all over it. I like the home team in this one. It’s a long flight for Seattle as well.

OUR PICK: JAGUARS

DALLAS COWBOYS (2-2-1) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (2-3)

The Carolina Panthers are undefeated at home winning both games they played there. The Cowboys offense can score 30 points per game and at the same time give up 30 points per game. The Cowboys will face their former teammate running back Rico Dowdle who’s coming off a 200 yard performance against a bad Dolphins defense. He should be able to have back to back solid games running the rock as the Cowboys defense can’t stop anybody. This game is another toss up. I give the nod to the Panthers since they defend their home turf very well.

OUR PICK: PANTHERS

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (3-2) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-4)

Spencer for hire Rattler finally won his first NFL start last week after going 0-10 as a staring QB for the Saints. The Patriots went into Buffalo and upset the Bills in a prime time Sunday affair. The Patriots offense is heating up with the Stephon Diggs making an impact with New England’s QB Drake Maye. The Saints have battled in most of the games they have played this season. The Patriots confidence is rising and their head coach Mike Vrabel is constructing the next dynasty here. Can the Patriots be overconfident in this one on the road after beating the Bills in Buffalo? Can Rattler stay hot? This is the NFL and anything can happen. Last week was a shit show of craziness. This will be a close game. I like the Saints in an upset to get it done and bring the Diggs show down a peg or two.

OUR PICK: SAINTS

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (1-4) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (1-4)

You wonder if Pete Carroll regrets coming back to the NFL as a head coach and taking this Raiders job? Geno Smith has been terrible this season as he tallied up 9 interceptions in 5 games. The Raiders have lost 4 straight.

The Titans finally won their first game of the season with their rookie quarterback Cam Ward & had an impressive comeback. Or did the Arizona Cardinals gift wrap that victory for Ward and the Titans? This game could go either way. I think Pete strikes a deal with the devil as he always has and the Raiders somehow pull out a victory on the road.

OUR PICK: RAIDERS

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (4-1) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (4-1)

How many injuries are piled up for both teams here and they each have won 4 out 5 games to start the season? Baker Mayfield coming off winning a shoot out versus the Seahawks will not have Mike Evans or Chris Godwin. The Buccaneers are hurting at the running back position. The 49ers have thrived with back up quarterback Mac Jones who will get another start for injured Brock Purdy. Jones is 3-0 as the starter and has 6 touchdown passes to only 1 interception in 3 games. Jones engineered an impressive win versus the LA Rams in week 5. This will be another close game that could go either way. I like the 49ers defense and confident they can do enough to slow Mayfield and that Buccaneers offense down and make a few stops to give Jones the drive he needs to win this game on the road.

OUR PICK: 49ERS

DETROIT LIONS (4-1) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (2-3)

Can the Lions go back to Arrowhead stadium and knock off the Chiefs like they did back in the opener of the 2023 season? The Lions have won 4 straight games since losing the opener on the road in Green Bay. The Chiefs started out of the gates 0-2 but since won 2 out 3 games. The Chiefs recently lost to the Jaguars on Monday night after building a two score lead on Jacksonville. Patrick Mahomes has never beaten Jared Goff as these two quarterbacks have faced each other more than once. The Chiefs offense has been better the last 3 weeks. The Lions have been solid in the last 4 games on both sides of the ball. The Chiefs are not that team like they used to be where Arrowhead was a guaranteed victory for Mahomes and company. I like the Lions to do it again while they have their defense intact as they put Mahomes and Andy Reid in a bigger hole to open their season.

OUR PICK: LIONS

TWO MONDAY NIGHT GAMES

BUFFALO BILLS (4-1) AT ATLANTA FALCONS (2-2)

The Falcons are well rested for this home game versus the visiting Buffalo Bills. The Bills encountered their first loss of the season versus the Patriots. The Falcons had a win over the Commanders before the bye where their offense put up 34 points. The Falcons in 3 were shut out by the Panthers. The Bills lost a close game and the team was sloppy with turnovers and penalties. Look for the Bills to clean up their game and get back on track like a well-oiled machine on offense. The Bills will key in on the Falcons running game. I think Michael Penix will be confused at the looks of the Bills defense which will create a few takeaways and escape Atlanta with a much needed victory to get back on track.

OUR PICK: BILLS

CHICAGO BEARS (2-2) AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (3-2)

Last year the Commanders won this match up with a Hail Mary pass to put the Bears away. Will Washington use the Our Father play to do in the Bears this year? The Bears have won two straight games. The Bears are coming off a bye week. The NFL will have the Commanders facing off versus the Bears for years to come as Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels were picked 1 and 2 in last year’s NFL draft. This will be the first ever Monday night game involving two quarterbacks going 1 and 2 in the same draft class. The Commander won in Daniels’ return last week versus the Chargers. The Bears won a wild one versus the Raiders in week 4. The Bears have gotten better, but the Commanders are the better team here. This should be another wild game as Washington defends their turf and gets the W.

OUR PICK COMMANDERS