HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

I did feel like Charlie Brown with my picks from last week.

LAST WEEK’S RECORD: (9-5)

SEASON RECORD: (115-63)

NFL WEEK 13 STRAIGHT PICK-EM

THE THURSDAY THANKSGIVING DAY GAMES

GREEN BAY PACKERS (7-3-1) AT DETROIT LIONS (7-4)

When division games are played on Thanksgiving, they normally turn out well. Even with winning records, both the Lions and Packers are looking up at the Bears leading the NFC North. That can’t be right. This is is a big game for both teams. Both these teams struggled to get by the Giants. Both teams score under ten points versus the Eagles in recent weeks. The Packers defense was impressive vs the Vikings. JJ McCarthy for the Vikings has struggled though throwing more interceptions than touchdown passes. The Lions offense lost one of their key weapons in tight end Sam LaPorta. The Lions offense can still hum with the best of them. I give the Packers a slight edge on the defensive side of the ball over the Lions. The Packers on opening day this season held the Lions offense to 13 points. The Packers have not been humming quite as they like to on offense. Can Jordan Love take advantage of a questionable Lions secondary? The Lions have the better running game over the two teams. I like how the Lions play at home. They also always play better on Thanksgiving Day. This game is too close to call. It is hard to sweep teams in the same division. I like the Lions winning this one in the last minute of the game in a battle the entire way. It sets the tone of some great football games in week 13.

OUR PICK: LIONS

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (6-5) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (5-5-1)

The Chiefs saved their season in a win versus the visiting Colts last week. The Cowboys are in the same boat as the Chiefs and they had a big win versus their arch rival, the Eagles, last week. The Cowboys have won two straight games since their bye week and are creeping up in the NFC conference. Both teams probably have no chance to win their own division. The Chiefs and Cowboys are fighting to land a wild card spot. In big games, Patrick Mahomes has gotten the job done for the Chiefs in the past over the Cowboys QB, Dak Prescott. The Cowboys on paper have the better offense. The Chiefs have the better defense. The Cowboys defense is better with the additions they added at the trade deadline. Overall, it’s a better unit and not the laughingstock of the league like it was. The Chiefs sit at 1-4 on the road this season. The Cowboys are better at home where they are 3-1. The Chiefs are favored to win this one. The Cowboys have the extra emotion playing for their fallen teammate, Marshawn Kneeland, who committed suicide over the team’s bye week. I like the Cowboys rushing attack over the Chiefs. The Chiefs will have a hard time running the ball versus the Cowboys’ front seven. The Chiefs are without their starting guard, Trey Smith, & that will eventually hurt Mahomes. The Cowboys’ new addition, former Jets defensive lineman, is trouble with a capital T for the Chiefs to handle. He will be the X-factor to help his team win their 3rd straight and sets the Chiefs back once again this season.

OUR PICK: COWBOYS

CINCINNATI BENGALS (3-8) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS (6-5)

HE’S BACK!!! Joe Burrow is back from his injury from earlier this season, and he will start the game for the Bengals. Can Burrow save the Bengals season? The Ravens have saved their own season winning 5 straight games after starting 1-5 out of the gates. The Ravens find themselves on top of the AFC North which is familiar territory for Lamar Jackson and company. With six games left for the Bengals, they pretty much need to win them all and hope other teams help them during that span to make it into the playoffs. The Bengals will have their star wide receiver returning, J’aMarr Chase, after getting suspended by the league 1 game for spitting on Steelers defensive back Patrick Ramsey. Burrow may be rusty. With those receivers he has, the Bengals will still score some points. Can Burrow win a shoot out in his first game from the injury? We have been waiting for the Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson since he has been back from his injury to have that big offensive game which he has not had. Jackson going against the Bengals defense means he could have a big night. The Ravens can lean heavily on their running game as well with Derrick Henry in the back field to kill the clock and keep Burrow on the sideline. It’s a division game. It will be close most of the way. The Ravens pull away late in this one to win their sixth straight while the Bengals lose their 5th straight.

OUR PICK: RAVENS

THE BLACK FRIDAY GAME

CHICAGO BEARS (8-3) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (8-3)

Shop until you drop or watch football on Friday afternoon the day after Thanksgiving. Which do you choose? The NFL has me sold watching football on BLACK FRIDAY!!! Can you place the Bears in the same conversation as the Eagles as two of the top teams of the NFC Conference? The Bears keep winning. The Eagles were snake bitten by the rebrand of those Cowboys last Sunday. The Eagles are defending champs and they have brought NFC North offenses to a screaming halt holding the Packers to just 7 points. Then the Lions to only 9 points. The Bears have the luxury of playing an easy schedule because they were horrific last year. The Bears did beat the Steelers last week. It was a Steelers team minus Aaron Rodgers who owns the Bears when he played for Green Bay. The Bears have beaten teams like the Saints, Raiders, Commanders, Giants, & Bengals without Joe Burrow, Vikings, and the Cowboys. That was when their defense was giving up way more than a whorehouse giving out free mints. The Bears losses have come from Ravens, Lions, and Vikings in week 1. You have to believe the Eagles will rebound from the division loss. They are playing this game in Philly. I don’t see any last minute heroics from Caleb Williams with that Eagles defense. The Bears defense is banged up & the Eagles should be able to run the ball well. Jalen Hurts should have no problem moving the offense with their aerial attack. The Bears need the Eagles to get in a bus crash on the way to the stadium to win this game.

OUR PICK: EAGLES

THE SUNDAY TILT

ATLANTA FALCONS (4-7) AT NEW YORK JETS (2-9)

The Falcons broke a long losing streak with their back up QB Kirk Cousins, who got it done in New Orleans last week. The Jets will have their back up QB facing Captain Kirk as they trot out Tyrod Taylor once again for his second start in two weeks.

The Jets former interim head coach will making his first appearance facing his old team. The X-factor Jeff Ulbrich is now the Falcons defensive coach. Ulbrich was the Jets defensive coordinator until he got promoted last year. The year of DARKNESS RETREAT with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. Ulbrich has his current Falcons defensive unit number 3 in the league in sacks. The Jets, despite some changes on their current defense, have played well against the run which is the Falcons’ bread and butter. Jets have won each game when they face their opponents back up QB as Cousins will be the third. Falcons are playing outside. Atlanta has not won two games in a row. I like how the Jets have been playing as they have been battling. They could have mentally cashed out weeks ago. I like an upset here.

OUR PICK: JETS

HOUSTON TEXANS (5-4) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (8-3)

Will Anderson Jr. is BEAST MAN from He-Man Masters of the Universe. He was all over Josh Allen last week as the Texans defense is for real as they had 8 sacks. The Colts have a kink in their armor. Indianapolis Jones, AKA Daniel, played his worst game as the starting QB in Indianapolis versus the Chiefs. Anderson Jr. former Texan & Mario Williams with six straight games with a sack. The Texans have won three straight and are back in the playoff picture. They have this winning streak because of Davis Mills, the back up QB who started all three games. The Colts still have the best running back in the game with Jonathan Taylor. The Texans will have their starting QB CJ Stroud back behind center. This is the first match up of the season between these division rivals. The Colts are 6-0 at home this season. I think Jones will be a sitting duck behind center playing with a fracture in one of his legs. I think Texans will get a spark from Stroud. The Texans defense will contain Taylor’s efforts, win the first one, and make things really interesting in the AFC South.

OUR PICK: TEXANS

ARIZONA CARDINALS (3-8) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (6-5)

Will Baker Mayfield suit up for the Buccaneers? The Buccaneers back up is veteran Teddy Bridgewater as Mayfield has a shoulder injury. The visiting Cardinals have their back up QB behind center for several weeks with Jacoby Brissett. The Cardinals are not winning games, but they are playing in many close games. They have lost three straight. The Buccaneers have also lost three straight as injuries have hurt Tampa Bay at their playmaker positions. The Cardinals will not make it to post-season as they are playing spoiler. The Buccaneers are lucky teams in the division like Panthers and Falcons have not strung victories together during this losing streak. This will be a close game. Mayfield will play, gut this one out, and help his team break this current losing streak. He’ll find the win column and keep the Buccaneers ahead in the NFC South.

OUR PICK: BUCCANEERS

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (2-9) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (4-7)

After the Saints rookie quarterback, Tyler Shough, won his first ever start, New Orleans regressed against a bad Falcons team. Meanwhile Miami was on their bye week and they have won two straight. The Dolphins have played better at home where they have a 3-3 record. Last week the Saints running back, Alvin Kamara, twisted his ankle and had to leave the game. They may not have Kamara’s services this week. Which leaves a rookie running back or the Saints’ Swiss Army knife.

Taysom Hill, AKA the Mormon Hill, can play tight end, wide receiver, quarterback, and running back. He has a career of 34 rushing touchdowns, but if the Saints have him carry the full load, they may be in trouble as he averaged only 2.2 yards per carry this season. The Dolphins defense is not very good but during this win streak they have played better all of a sudden. The Dolphins running back, De’von Achane, has been hot carrying the rock as he seeks his 3rd straight game with 100 or more rushing yards. The Saints on offense have problems scoring points. The Dolphins offense will get at least 20 or more points which will be enough to get another W in the win column.

OUR PICK: DOLPHINS

LA RAMS (8-2) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (6-5)

The Carolina Panthers are the box of chocolate from which no one in the world knows what to expect.

The Panthers defense last week picked off Brock Purdy three times. However Bryce Young threw two interceptions versus the 49ers D. The Panthers can win a shoot out with Atlanta and shit the bed versus the Saints. Panthers are 3-2 at home and are still in the conversation for now about the post-season. Now you face a better team in the Rams than the 49ers, like you did on Monday night. Young is too erratic for my taste. The Rams offense is rolling. Matthew Stafford is the best QB right now in the league. The Panthers have a good defense, but those wide receivers are too much for them to handle. The Rams defense can stop the Panthers offense. How does a Panthers offense keep up with the best team in the NFC right now in scoring? That is the biggest question. I think you know the answer.

OUR PICK: RAMS

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (8-3) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (3-8)

Now all of sudden Shedeur Sanders is the best thing since sliced bread because of his first start. Yes, he is the first Cleveland rookie QB to win his first start since the 1990’s. This breaking a string of 17 games. Why did the Raiders fire their offensive coordinator after this game? Chip Banks running that Raiders offense has done a very bad job. Sanders completed 11-20 throws which is good for 55% for 209 passing yards. He did throw a touchdown pass but also threw a pick. I’m not buying what he is selling, or the Browns organization, or his following. The 49ers team is a different animal. History is not on the 49ers side. The 49ers last time they won in Cleveland you have to go back to 1984. The Browns defense has kept them in most games this season. Jim Schwartz, the D-Coordinator in for the Browns in 3 games versus Kyle Shanahan’s offense, has held the 49ers to 15.7 points per game. Brock Purdy will have to do better than he did on Monday night versus the Panthers throwing three picks. I believe Purdy will rebound and have a flawless game. Christian McCaffrey will help doing the heavy lifting running the ball and taking short passes for scores. If I was a betting man, I bet Sanders will have a bad day at the office versus the 49ers defense that can get turnovers. That unit will be licking their chops ready to go beast mode on the rookie.

OUR PICK: 49ERS

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (7-4) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (1-10)

The Jaguars are chasing the Colts in the NFC South while the Texans suddenly caught fire and are chasing both Jacksonville and Indianapolis. Could the Jaguars look past the Titans due to facing the Colts next week? Cam Ward has upped his game as the QB rating is creeping up. Ward has had back to back games where he engineered two scoring drives to pull within one score of their opponents in the 4th quarter. The Jags are one of the teams that give up the most points in the 4th quarter. The stat that favors the Jaguars defense is they have tallied up 9 sacks in the last two games. Ward is the most sacked quarterback in the NFL. The Jaguars has a hot back in their back field in Travis Etienne Jr. the last few games. The Titans defense has their share of problems with running backs this season getting chunks of yardage. The Jaguars defense will get the pressure on Ward and that offensive and create a few turnovers to put away the Titans in this one. The Titans are playing better. I think Jacksonville will not give this game away.

OUR PICK: JAGUARS

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (4-7) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (7-3)

Oh if only the Vikings had a quarterback this season. The Vikings defense has played solid most of the year. Former Viking QB Sam Darnold will face his old team from last year where he stayed there one season and led Minnesota to the post-season. The Viking starting QB JJ McCarthy is out with a concussion in this game. He has thrown more interceptions than touchdown passes this season, his rookie season. Vikings veteran QB Carson Wentz is out with a shoulder injury. Now the Vikings are relying on an undrafted rookie in Max Brosmer, who played in the Big Ten last year with the Gophers at the University of Minnesota. I would love the underdog story of the undrafted QB playing football at the local University & then playing with the pro team and winning games. This is a tall task to ask for any kid trying to win in Seattle and starting his first ever game. The Seahawks have a great defense. Darnold has done well leading the offense this season and rebounded last week from his worst game two weeks ago versus the Rams. The Vikings have averaged 16.8 points per game in the last six games where they have lost 5 of them. I just don’t see Max coming out blazing in his first start in the NFL in a stadium that gets loud.

OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS

BUFFALO BILLS (7-4) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (6-5)

The Steelers will have Aaron Rodgers back this week versus the Bills. Rodgers sat out last week versus the Bears with a fractured wrist on his non-throwing hand. The Bills will be without their two stud offensive linemen in Spencer Brown and Dion Dawkins. Josh Allen was sacked 8 times in the Bills loss to the Texans a week before Thanksgiving. The Steelers will rely heavily on the run as the Bills have had problems stopping it this season. The Steelers defense has done very well at creating turnovers. The Bills have been making plenty of mistakes as Josh Allen has thrown 5 interceptions in last three games. The Bills are having some fumble issues as well. The thing the Bills could do is run the ball with James Cook who is one of the best running back in the NFL this season. He is averaging 5.4 yards per carry and has 8 touchdowns. The Steelers have 5 games they have allowed 30 points or more. The Bills do better at home than on the road. Some of the road losses the Bills offense have scored under 20 points. After some big losses this season, the Bills have came back and have won the next game. I think the mentality of the next man up will play big for the Bills. I think this team will come together and find a way to beat the Steelers on the road and get back on track.

OUR PICK: BILLS

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (2-8) AT LA CHARGERS (7-4)

The Raiders fired their offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. I think it’s time for the entire Raiders offense to walk the plank, especially their quarterback Geno Smith. The Chargers were embarrassed last time out as the Jaguars tortured LA for 35 points and left Justin Herbert eating the Florida turf. The Chargers coming off their bye week probably welcome the Raiders with open arms. The Raiders have lost 5 straight games. The Chargers are 3-0 versus the Raiders since he has taken over as head coach for LA. I think the Chargers addressed their offensive line issues in the bye week. They will have a better plan to protect Herbert. The Chargers defense will play better because their last time out there was not pretty. Before the Jaguars, the Chargers defense was playing well. The Raiders should start their back up Kenny Pickett. Smith will get the nod while the Chargers get back in the win column.

OUR PICK: CHARGERS

THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME

DENVER BRONCOS (9-2) AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (3-8)

Both the Broncos and Commanders are coming off their bye week. The Commanders last time we saw them in Europe were losing a close game to the Dolphins. The Broncos have won 8 straight games. The Commanders have lost 6 straight games. The Commanders will have Scary Terry McLaurin back from an injury.

However, the Commanders will not have their starting quarterback as Jayden Daniels will miss another game. His replacement veteran Marcus Mariota is 1-4 behind center this season as the starter. The Broncos are the best defense in the NFL. The Commanders have one of the worst even though their head coach Dan Quinn is calling the plays on defense. Their defense did better versus the Dolphins. The Broncos should have no problems dismantling the Commanders offense. Look for Bo Nix and the Broncos offense to have better overall performance on the scoreboard in this one. The Broncos streak stays alive and well.

OUR PICK: BRONCOS

THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME

NEW YORK GIANTS (2-10) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (10-2)

The Giants lost another game giving up the lead late. The NFC North teams have had their way with New York as the Lions won last week in over time. The Packers came back to beat the Giants the week before. Then The Bears did it. Meanwhile the Patriots have struck lightning in a bottle and now have won 9 straight games. The Giants have lost six straight games. The Patriots will have a bye next week and could be winners of ten straight. The Giants fired their defensive coordinator as the coaching staff continue to be shaken up. They fired Shane Bowen and now Charlie Bullen will call the defense. The way this week has played out, I see the Patriots stumbling here.

The Patriots have some injuries at the offensive line. I can see Drake Maye ending up on Dexter’s table. Dexter Lawrence and Brian Burns of the Giants defensive line will have a huge impact in this game and give Maye his worst game of the season. Burns already has 13 sacks this season. A new voice calling the plays. Plus, the Giants are getting their rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart back from his concussion he suffered during the Bears game. Dart is a duel threat and will not turn over the football like the others -Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson. I see the Patriots looking at their bye week and overlooking the G-Men who have been losing to many close games. Now they figure it out.

OUR PICK: GIANTS

The 2024 NFL class of quarterbacks that were drafted in round one have now all seen action in the league. All six quarterbacks have become the face of their franchise. Each franchise hoping they have found their solution behind center for the next ten seasons at least. It has been one full season and we are about 10 to 11 games into the second season. We have seen some ups and downs. We have seen improvement into the sophomore year. We have seen some of these top picks fizzle in their second season that leaves fans questioning if they got the right guy. Last year Jayden Daniels was by far the most impressive QB out of the bunch. Bo Nix was the sleeper pick who was the last guy standing out of the half dozen that Denver ended up with. Some of these guys have benefited with new coaches in their second year and a system that works for them. Are a few of these guys already skating on thin ice? We will rank the class from worst to first. Some of these franchises are bright with their guy. While dark clouds will follow some of these other franchises, and it’s not Chicago.

#6. Michael Penix Jr. (Atlanta Falcons)

The Falcons selected Michael Penix Jr. out of Washington University at number 8. Michael saw some action in his rookie year for the struggling Kirk Cousins. In three games in 2024, he gave the Falcons a jolt in their offense. This season Penix Jr. has a 3-6 record as a starter. He went 1-2 in his rookie season as the starter. He has completed 60.1% of his passes for 9 touchdown passes and 3 interceptions. In two seasons, he is 4-8 as a starter while completing 59.6% of his passes for 12 touchdown passes and six picks. His season ended last week as he tore his left ACL and will need a season-ending surgery. The Falcons should have been well aware of his injury history in college where he tore two ACL’s, fractured a collar bone, and needed shoulder surgery.

The word Fragile is not Italian describing Penix Jr. here. The Falcons were not getting enough offense from him when he was behind center this season. The Panthers shut out the Falcons in their first meeting earlier in the season. If I were the Falcons front office, I may look elsewhere next season for another quarterback.

#5. JJ McCarthy (Minnesota Vikings)

JJ McCarthy was selected after Michael Penix Jr. at the number 10 selection by the Minnesota Vikings from University of Michigan. This is McCarthy’s first season as he was injured in preseason and missed the entire 2024 season. McCarthy is another injury prone Quarterback as he has missed time this season already. He has missed several weeks and has only made 5 starts this year. The Vikings are 2-3 when McCarthy is the starter. He is only completing 52.9% of his passes. He has more interceptions than touchdown passes. Those numbers are 6 and 8. Do you give McCarthy a hall pass since it is his rookie season in the NFL? He is definitely behind the 8 ball more than the rest of the class. You can’t blame the Vikings system of head coach Kevin O’Connell who is a QB whisperer. Sam Darnold had a monster year last season and saved his NFL career playing in O’Connell’s system with very talented playmakers the Vikings have. You may have to say the jury is still out on the former college National champion. The lower completion percentage and interceptions will not keep him in the driver’s seat very long.

#4. Jayden Daniels (Washington Commanders)

Washington fans do not want to hear they may have their next R G III with Jayden Daniels. Robert Griffin III came into the league like gang busters just like Daniels last year. R G III was a duel threat and was doing things with his legs and arm as the Redskins at that time were winning games. Injuries caught up to the running man. In year two, Daniels has only made six starts so far after one hell of a rookie campaign. This season when Daniels has played, he has done well. He has a record 2-4 though. He has completed 62.5% of his passes and thrown 8 touchdowns to two interceptions. In two seasons, he is 14-9 as a starting QB in the NFL while completing 62.3 % of his passes. He has thrown 33 touchdown passes to only 11 interceptions. He has used his legs for impressive runs and has found the end zone multiple times. He has engineered some epic game winning drives including a Hail Mary pass to beat the Bears in 2024. He was selected number two overall by the Commanders from LSU. He was the Rookie of the Year last year. This season the injuries could just be a few bumps in the road. To me it looks like the ghost of R G III. Daniels’ size is a concern because running quarterbacks like him take way too many hits.

#3. Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears)

I have to admit the Chicago Bears have found a franchise quarterback in Caleb Williams. Mr. Number 1 draft choice overall in the 2024 NFL Draft out of USC. The Bears had to take him. If they went Drake Maye, everyone would have been yelling and screaming about the next coming of Mitch Trubisky. This as the New England quarterback went to North Carolina University like the Biscuit. Last time the Bears had a legit quarterback, you have to go back to the 1940’s with Sid Luckman. I know the punky QB Jim McMahon helped the Bears win their only Superbowl. He was a winner most definitely, but he won ugly. Injuries prevented him from being even better. Would Jayden Daniels have been that good his rookie season in a Bears uniform? Probably not. Williams is playing better than his rookie season because of the new head coach offensive genius, Ben Johnson. Williams this season as Bears starter is 7-3 as he completing 59.7% of his passes which could be higher. He has thrown 13 touchdown passes to 4 interceptions so far this season. He had a losing record with the old coaching staff his rookie season so as a starter in two seasons so far he is 12-15. He has for his career completed 61.4% of his passes, so you know he is capable. He has thrown 33 touchdown passes compared to 10 interceptions. The last Bears quarterback, Justin Fields, could not throw the ball down the field consistently. He is having the same problems in a Jets uniform. When Fields had control of the offense with the game on the line tied, down by a score he shit the bed. Williams is one of the top leaders in game winning drives this season. You knock him for that because why does he not have a complete game from the start of the game until the finish. Sometimes Williams’ throws are off the mark. You can point that on some cases, the receiver did not finish his route or did not time it out correctly. With Johnson’s offense, it will take time for everyone to be on the same page. I will be curious to see what Williams does if the Bears make the post-season. If the Bears do make the post-season, how will he do next season when the schedule gets tougher as Chicago is playing an easier one being bad last season. Williams is still a guy that is developing and has potential for playing like a number overall pick at some point.

#2. Bo Nix (Denver Broncos)

In my opinion, Bo Nix was second best out of the 2024 QB class last season. This season he is still second best. Only Jayden Daniels was better than Nix out of this class last year. Nix was drafted number 12 overall from Oregon University by the Broncos and was the last quarterback selected in the first round. Nix started off slow & then adapted to the speed of the NFL game and led the Broncos to the post-season in his first year as a pro. The Broncos this season have a difficult schedule from making it to the post-season last year, but Nix has responded. The Broncos are 9-2 and slayed the Chiefs demon last week and Denver should win the AFC West which Kansas City has owned for years. Nix as a starter this season is 9-2 and is completing 61.2% of his passes. He has thrown 18 touchdown passes to only 8 interceptions. So far in two seasons as a starter, he is 19-9 with a completion percentage of 61.2% and has 47 touchdown passes and 20 interceptions. Nix could be number 1 overall, but the Broncos offense has slowed it’s roll the last few games. Thank the lord they have that defense to help them continue to put up W’s in the win column. Nix looks like he has the stones to be the guy Denver has been looking for since Peyton Manning hung up the spikes for good.

#1. Drake Maye (New England Patriots)

It seems very unfair the Patriots have found their quarterback this soon. It seems like yesterday the Evil Empire was blowing up the league with Tom Brady. The Patriots have been red hot with Drake Maye behind center for them in year two as something has clicked. Maye was drafted third overall from North Carolina University. This year he is 9-2 with him as the starter. He has produced some sick numbers in a great way. First of all he’s completing 71.9% of his passes. Did he have Brady DNA pumped into his body? Maybe Bill Belichick back then found a way to tap into his former quarterback Brady just in case he left him high and dry. Which he did and Belichick would end up getting canned a few seasons after Tom went down to Tampa. Maye has thrown 20 touchdown passes and has only 5 interceptions. In two seasons so far, he does have a winning record due to this year he is 12-11 now. His completion rate all-time so far is still high at 69.1%. He has 35 touchdown passes overall to 15 picks. The Patriots are playing an easy schedule. The way Maye is playing, the Patriots will reclaim the AFC East that the BIlls have ran over the last dozen years. Maye is another guy who has a new head coach in Mike Vrabel. Along with a new offensive coordinator.The Patriots offensive coordinator is Josh McDaniels, who was a staple of the old dynasty is doing the same job. McDaniels sucks being a head coach in the NFL. However, he has mastered the offensive coordinator position and has helped Maye get better in his second season. The Patriots have an easy schedule this season being bad last year. I think Maye will still do well having a difficult schedule which he will most likely have next season. I’m curious how Maye will do in post season. If he is the new Brady, we are all in trouble. Right now his play on the field is the best out of this entire 2024 class of quarterbacks chosen in the first round.

WEEK 10 STRAIGHT PICK-EM

LAST WEEK’S RECORD: (9-5)

Last week big upsets did not help my overall record. The Lions losing to the Vikings. The Panthers beating the Packers. Even the Cardinals upsetting the stupid Cowboys on Monday night was a shocker. I should have gone 12-2. That’s why they say Any Given Sunday, any team can beat anyone on the NFL Schedule.

SEASON RECORD: (88-47)

THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (2-6) AT DENVER BRONCOS (7-2)

First looking at this match up, this game should be a blow out in Denver’s favor. Both teams are playing on a short week and both reside in the same division. When you meet twice a year in any division in the NFL, you know each other very well. The Raiders offense actually put up some points last week versus the Jags defense. The Broncos defense smothered the Texans offense. The Broncos offense struggled even though they still won the game. The Raiders defense is pretty good. I think Bo Nix and that offense will score some points and more than 18 they got against Houston. Geno Smith is a turnover machine, a guy with double digits in interceptions. The Broncos are 4-0 at home, so far this season. I see the Raiders offense going dormant versus one of the best or the best defense in the league. The Raiders don’t have the horses the Broncos have.

OUR PICK: BRONCOS

SUNDAY MORNING OVERSEAS (GERMANY)

ATLANTA FALCONS (3-5) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (7-2)

Who would not want to go to Germany where everything is supersized during the fall season? Now add some American football & it’s Oktoberfest part II. The Colts were cruising along and were stunned last week by Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers that broke one of the longest winning streaks in the league. Michael Penix was back for the Falcons last weekend in a loss, but the offense scored 23 points. This game features probably the two best running backs in each conference. In the AFC, Jonathan Taylor for the Colts. In the NFC, Bijan Robinson for the Falcons. The Falcons have lost three straight games. I don’t like picking the Falcons on the road. The Colts added corner back Sauce Gardner from the Jets in a trade at the deadline. Sauce gets a free trip to Europe and is pretty good at stopping the run. Colts get back on track in a home away from home game for Indianapolis Jones and the rest of the team.

OUR PICK: COLTS

THE SUNDAY TILT BACK IN THE STATES

BALTIMORE RAVENS (3-5) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (4-4)

The Vikings I have yet to figure them out this season. How does a rookie quarterback, JJ McCarthy, slay the Detroit Lions last week? Suddenly the Ravens are alive and well winning two straight games.

Lamar Jackson and that horrific Ravens defense looked like their season was done. Like a bad slasher movie, these Ravens are alive and well with Lamar leading the victory parade over the Dolphins last week. Then the back up quarterback, Tyler Huntley, helped the Ravens prevail over the Bears the week before the Dolphins game. The Viking defense halted the Lions high octane offense last week to a grinding halt. McCarthy had two touchdown passes and an interception, not the best numbers, completing 56% of his passes last week in the win over the Lions. Both teams need this notch on their bed posts. The Ravens defense has gotten healthier and has improved over the last few games. The Vikings have not strung a few wins together this season as is the reason they are .500. Jackson is 24-3 lifetime versus the NFC. The Ravens are a Friday the 13th movie as they will find their way to post-season to take Manhattan in the 15th movie of the series that never dies.

OUR PICK: RAVENS

BUFFALO BILLS (6-2) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS (2-7)

The Bills defense gave Patrick Mahomes a beat down last week in a big win over the Chiefs.

It felt like the walls were closing in on Mahomes most of the game. The Bills D should have another feast on quarterbacks with Tua Tagovailoa who is tied with Geno Smith for the most interceptions in the NFL. The Dolphins defense has been terrible. The fins traded away their best defender to the Eagles in linebacker Jaelan Phillips. Josh Allen and the Bills offense should be able to get yards in by the chunks in this one. Allen has dominated the fins over his career. I like the Bills in this one just in case you cannot tell.

OUR PICK: BILLS

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (5-3) AT HOUSTON TEXANS (3-5)

The Houston Texans will start their back up quarterback versus the Jaguars as CJ Stroud is out with a concussion he suffered last week. Davis Mills was once the Texans starter until Stroud was drafted. Mills has a 5-19 record as a starter in the NFL. The Jags won last week in a high scoring game versus a bad Raider team in a close affair. The Jaguars won the first meeting between these two teams, 17-10, where Jacksonville defense forced three turnovers on Houston. The Texans offensive line is their weakness. They lack a running game. The Texans defense will give this team a fair chance. The Jaguars defense is getting worse as the season goes along. The Texans defense took away the Jags running game in the first meeting. It’s hard to sweep teams. Look for Mills to get the ball out quickly to his weapons and deliver a victory, a much needed W, for Houston. The Jags have a winning record, but it is very questionable at the same time.

OUR PICK: TEXANS

CLEVELAND BROWNS (2-6) AT NEW YORK JETS (1-7)

The DAWG days of November for both the Jets and Browns. These two teams have three wins combined. Both teams coming off their bye week. The Jets won their first game of the year last time we saw them with a come from behind W over the Bengals. The Jets traded away two of their key pieces on defense this week. No more Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams for gang green.

Gardner says he will have revenge on New York after his free trip to Germany this weekend with the Colts. Justin Fields is the better quarterback in this match up. He is facing a very good and talented Browns defense which will not work well for Fields and the Jets offense. Meanwhile Dillon Gabriel should do well against the Jets defense now with missing pieces and they were not playing well in general. The Browns rookie quarterback is 1-3 in 4 starts this season. He has 5 touchdown passes to only two interceptions in 6 games played. The Browns running game has been decent and should give Gabriel a fighting chance to complete some passes and get in a nice rhythm on a defense that will be checked out for the season.

OUR PICK: BROWNS

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-8) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS (5-4)

The New Orleans Saints rookie quarterback will get his second start in the NFL versus the Panthers. The Panthers invaded Green Bay last week and came away with a victory on the road. The Saints switched quarterbacks last week going with rookie Tyler Shough over Spencer Rattler. Shough and the Saints offense scored 10 points versus the Rams defense and were held to a season low of a total of 224 yards of offense. The Panthers will run the ball down the throats of New Orleans as Rico Dowdle has been impressive taking over the starting duties in the back field. The Panthers are 3-1 at home this season as Bryce Young is getting his groove back he had late last season. The Saints have lost 4 straight games and will take more lumps with a rookie quarterback. The Saints traded away one of their top wide receivers in Rashid Shaheed who is off to Seattle. One less weapon for their rookie QB will not help the cause here.

OUR PICK: PANTHERS

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (7-2) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (6-2)

Drake vs the Bake sounds like an annual cook off championship.

Last year Jayden Daniels was the best rookie quarterback from the 2024 NFL Draft. You could say in year two the Patriots might have the best QB out of that 2024 class in Drake Maye.

You may hate the Drake or love him, but he’s completing 74.1% of his passes so far this season with 17 touchdown passes to only 4 interceptions. The Patriots have won six straight games. Meanwhile the Buccaneers are coming off their bye week and they have Baker Mayfield who’s been one of the best QB’s in the league this season. Only problem with the Buccaneers is the team is running out of options for Mayfield to throw to. Lots of injuries with the Buccaneers playmakers. I like how the Buccaneers defense has been playing. They will get the pressure on Maye to cause him to have a unusual poor outing. This will be a great game between two solid teams. It’s hard to keep racking up victories on the road like the Patriots have done. I like Tampa Bay in a close one here.

OUR PICK: BUCCANEERS

NEW YORK GIANTS (2-7) AT CHICAGO BEARS (5-3)

What do Kyle Monangai and the great late Walter Payton have in common? Both running backs in a single game for the Bears have had at least 26 carries and over 175 yards in a game. Monangai had 176 yards on the ground versus the hapless Bengals last week filling in for the injured D’Andre Swift. Whoever the Bears have in their back field, they have to be licking their chops facing a Giants teams that is allowing running backs 5.5 yards per carry. The Bears should be able to generate some offense with the visiting Giants after putting 47 points on the Bengals. The Giants who are led by Jaxson Dart should get their share of points because the Bears defense and special teams did not help in that game versus the Bengals who took the lead late and scored 42 points. Dart has carried the full load and will make this game interesting. I can’t see the Giants matching scores with Ben Johnson’s offense. The Bears defense will clean some things up. It will be a high scoring game which Bears will hold off the Giants while the Dart misses the bullseye by an eyelash.

OUR PICK: BEARS

ARIZONA CARDINALS (3-5) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (6-2)

The Cardinals shocked the Cowboys on Monday Night Football getting their first win since week two of the season. Arizona snapped a 5 game losing streak as Jacoby Brissett is now the man behind center and he played well. Kyler Murray is headed to the injured list and Brissett will get the keys to the car. Sam Darnold has this Seattle Seahawks offense humming right now. Seattle slaughtered the Commanders on Sunday Night. Then I have to mention the Seahawks added another weapon for Darnold as the team added Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed who is a flat out burner. Brissett will continue to use all his weapons that Murray did not utilize this season. This game will be tight. I give the Seahawks the edge with their defense. Seattle will win it by one score in a game where both teams ended up with 20-something points.

OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS

DETROIT LIONS (5-3) AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (3-6)

The Lions will eat well this weekend versus a Washington Commanders team without their starting quarterback Jayden Daniels. The Lions get revenge on the Commanders who knocked Detroit out of the playoffs last season. The Lions will rebound from being stunned by the Vikings last week. Marcus Mariota will get the start for Washington. The veteran quarterback is 1-2 filling in for Daniels this season and has thrown 4 interceptions. The Lions defense will maul Mariota and show them why they are the king of the NFC jungle. The Commanders are very bad on defense. This game could get ugly early as Jared Goff should be able to torch the DC secondary.

OUR PICK: LIONS

LA RAMS (6-2) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (6-3)

The NFC West should be renamed the Wild West. The Rams and Seahawks are 6-2. The 49ers are 6-3. The Cardinals could turn their season around with veteran journeyman Jacoby Brissett as their quarterback. Brock Purdy is still not healthy enough to start for the 49ers. Mac Jones is 5-2 filling in as the QB for the 49ers. Matthew Stafford is the Shane of the wild west with his six shooters delivering kill shots at high noon every Sunday. This is another close game on the docket in week 10. It could go either way. The Rams defense is healthier than the 49ers. Stafford is the better quarterback than Jones. The Rams have a well-balanced offense that makes Stafford that much more dangerous. I like the Rams to win the shoot out in an epic wild west battle royale.

OUR PICK: RAMS

THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (5-3) AT LA CHARGERS (6-3)

The Steelers defense last week simplified their scheme and it worked well versus the Colts, a team they upset last weekend. Can the Chargers survive losing their best offensive lineman in Joe Alt?

This will be the first time Aaron Rodgers faces off against Justin Herbert. Herbert has had an awesome year and is a guy that can light up the Steel shower curtain because their defense before last week was not very good. Rodgers has been delivering the goods with the Steelers. This is another game that could go either way. This one will be a close game as well. Can the Chargers new offensive lineman, Trevor Penning who they got from New Orleans in a trade, stop the bleeding and give Herbert the time he needs to deliver? I think Rodgers can escape LA with that Steelers defense playing like they did last week and come away with a big road victory here. I think the Steelers defense will get to Herbert and exploit the injuries the Chargers have racked up all year.

OUR PICK: STEELERS

THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (6-2) AT GREEN BAY PACKERS (5-2-1)

Do you think the Packers were looking ahead to this game as they were shell shocked losing to the Panthers in Green Bay? The Eagles are well rested coming off their bye week. The Packers seem to play much better against top tier teams than middle tier teams. The Eagles have a nice shiny new defender they got from the Dolphins in linebacker Jaelan Phillips. The Eagles head coach calls Phillips disruptive. He is a guy that can get to the quarterback. This is a great match up to end week ten with these two teams. This is another game can that can go either way. I know the Eagles are defending champs. My gut feeling here is Jordan Love gets the job done and the Packers get the win. The Packers play better at home. It will be a close game the entire 4 quarters. LOVE HURTS!!!

OUR PICK: PACKERS

WEEK 7 STRAIGHT PICK-EM

LAST WEEK’S RECORD (8-7)

It was the bigger games last week that screwed me. I went 49ers over the Buccaneers. Then the Lions failed me on Sunday night versus the Chiefs. Both Monday night games ended my week on a down note. My upset picking Saints over New England looked poorly executed. I did get Panthers right at home over America’s team. Who had Giants over Eagles? This season has been baffling when it comes to some of the outcomes. We will get back on the horse and throw darts at week seven picks.

OVERALL RECORD: (60-33)

MONDAY NIGHT RECORD OVERALL: (5-4)

THURSDAY NIGHT RECORD OVERALL: (4-2)

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS RECORD: (0-2)

WEEK 7

THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (4-1) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-4)

The Thursday night game is being coined the Icy Hot bowl because of two over the hill quarterbacks. The Bengals landed Joe Flacco from the Browns less than two weeks ago, who is 40 years of age. Then the other old guy, Aaron Rodgers at 41 years of age, is off to a great start with the Steelers in his first season in Pittsburgh. Rodgers is 3-0 versus Flacco over his career. All three wins for Rodgers came in a Packers uniform. Flacco lost to Rodgers twice with the Ravens and once with the Broncos. Rodgers will have the Steelers offense humming against a bad Bengals defense who will be without their best defender Trey Hendrickson is the team’s best pass rusher. Eventually Flacco will get the Bengals offense rolling because he has two of the best receivers in the league to throw to. They will make him look better. All he has to do is get it to them. The Steelers defense likes to tally up the takeaways and I think they will get some versus Flacco, a guy still learning the Bengals offense being this is his second start with the team. Now he’s playing on a short week.

OUR PICK: STEELERS

SUNDAY MORNING (LONDON)

LA RAMS (4-2) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (4-2)

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ home away from home is London, England. The Rams will not have Puka Nacua in their aerial attack as he’s out with an ankle sprain. The Rams still have another option for Matthew Staffords’ arsenal. That is Tutu Atwll who should pick up the slack of the Rams offense. The Jaguars lost to Seattle last week where their offense went dormant. Will the Jaguars try to force things into their rookie play maker Travis Hunter who plays both ways on the field? Jaguars upset the Chiefs on a Monday night game & then Trevor Lawrence gets sacked 7 times. The Rams are tied for 4th in the league in sacks. The Rams offense will be fine. My worry is the Jaguars will struggle on offense and make mistakes that will cost them in their own country.

OUR PICK: RAMS

THE SUNDAY TILT

CAROLINA PANTHERS (3-3) AT NEW YORK JETS (0-6)

When facing a team with no wins, like the Jets, it could feel like you’re going up against a caged animal with nothing to lose. The Panthers collected their three wins at home and are 0-3 on the road this season. The Jets are flying home from London where they played last week as they lost a close one to the Broncos. However Justin Fields was sacked 9 times by the Broncos. The good news for the Jets is the Panthers do not have that kind of pass rush the Broncos have. The Panthers are not very good at pressuring the quarterback.

The Panthers have been riding their back-up running back the last two games, Rico Dowdle who played very suave-like. He has set a Panthers record in a two game span piling up 473 scrimmage yards. The former Cowboy roasted his former squad Dallas last week. The Panthers starting running back Chuba Hubbard is expected back. I see the Panthers riding the Dowdle train a little bit longer. Fields will not have his top receiver to throw to in Garrett Wilson. The Panthers are 3-0 playing teams with losing records this season. I like that trend to continue here.

OUR PICK: PANTHERS

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (4-2) AT TENNESSEE TITANS (1-5)

The Titans fired their head coach this week as Brian Callahan did not last very long in Tennessee. Now to rub some more salt into the Titans’ current situation is the arrival of the former Tennessee head coach Mike Vrabel who was fired after the 2023 season concluded. The interim for the Titans is a guy named Mike McCoy. The Titans have 14 players still on that roster that played for Vrabel. Usually a team gets a spark with a different voice as they play loose, free, and dummy down the play book. The Patriots come into this one red hot looking to win their 3rd straight road game. The Titans are a complete disaster. The win they did get was gift wrapped by Arizona. Vrabel has the Patriots playing solid on both sides of the ball. He will leave town with a grin on his face getting back at the former franchise he coached at.

OUR PICK: PATRIOTS

MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-5) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS (1-5)

One of these teams will get their second win of the year. This is a game between two bottom feeders of the NFL. For the Dolphins, the choke collar on their head coach has to be squeezing Mike McDaniel wind pipes as more losses pile up.

The Titans pulled the plug on their head coach. Will the Dolphins follow their path? The Browns offense has struggled so far with the insert of their rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel behind center. The perfect recipe to jump start your offense and a rookie QB is the Dolphins defense. The Browns defense can put a damper on most offenses in the league. and I think they will be able to dissect the fish like an 8th grade science experiment. Dawgs squish the fish in he DAWG Pound.

OUR PICK: BROWNS

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (2-4) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (3-3)

We wanted the Chiefs to be done for the season after starting out of the gates 0-2. Since then the Chiefs have gone 3-1 and gave the Lions a beat down on Sunday night football. Meanwhile the Raiders found the victory column for only the second time this season beating up on a bad Titan team. The Chiefs will have one of Patrick Mahomes’ weapons back on the field as they welcome back Rashee Rice. Mahomes and company now do not have to rely on the meathead, Travis Swift.

The Raiders are not doing anything well in their first six games. Geno Smith has resorted back to his Jets ways where his career started in New York wearing the silver and black. The Chiefs are hard to beat at Arrow Head stadium. Mahomes is playing well. The referees are back on the Chiefs payroll as they had no penalties on Sunday night versus Detroit. Poor Pete Carroll may be regretting coming back to the NFL as a head coach.

OUR PICK: CHIEFS

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-5) AT CHICAGO BEARS (3-2)

Can the Chicago Bears win 4 straight games after starting the season 0-2? The Saints have hung around in almost every game they played this season. The Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler is starting to get it. Rattler has played well. Can he keep up with the way Caleb Williams has been playing?

Williams pissed off an ESPN announcer last week in the win over the Commanders. Troy Aikman maybe did not like his painted finger nails. DRAMA!! Teams have scored multiple passing touchdowns on the Saints defense this entire season. Teams can run on the Saints defense as well. The Bears offense is starting to mix in the run into their offense as D’Andre Swift had a big game running the ball in the win versus Washington. The Saints will make this a game. The Bears defense can make stops and are good at forcing turnovers. This is a tough road game for New Orleans to pull off. When was the last time the Bears have won 4 games? Pinch me I may be dreaming.

OUR PICK: BEARS

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (4-2) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS (3-2)

The Superbowl champs have suddenly lost two straight games. The Vikings are rested coming off their bye week looking to right their ship with the Eagles flying in. The Vikings will have their rookie quarterback back from the injured list, but he will not be starting in this one. Carson Wentz will face the team that drafted him. The Eagles offense has struggled in the last few games. Jalen Hurts has been holding on to the ball way too long. With a team that loves to blitz like the Vikings, look for the Eagles to hit on some short passes to get their star running back, Saquon Barkley, involved early and often in this one. I just can not see the Eagles losing three straight games. Wentz will make a few mistakes where Philadelphia defense will be all over it.

OUR PICK: EAGLES

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (5-1) AT LA CHARGERS (4-2)

The head coach of the Chargers, Jim Harbaugh, will be facing one of the teams he played for this Sunday, the Colts. When Harbaugh played for the Colts, he earned the nickname Captain Comeback for all his epic games where he led his team to a victory being down on the score board late in games. The Colts right now are the cream of the crop of the AFC. Jonathan Taylor is the number 1 running back in the NFL. Danny Dimes Jones has been reborn wearing the horseshoes on his helmet. Chargers have been riddled with injuries at the running back position. Justin Herbert has had another solid year behind center. The Colts have played an easier schedule most of this season. I like the Chargers defense to contain this Colts offense just enough for LA to generate the points needed to knock Jones and company off their horse and bring back down to earth. It will be a close game. The home team wins it for Captain Comeback.

OUR PICK: CHARGERS

NEW YORK GIANTS (2-4) AT DENVER BRONCOS (4-2)

Looks like the New York Giants have found the next Peyton Hillis of the NFL. The Great White Hope at the running back position for the Giants found themselves a beast name, Cameron Skattebo.

Skattebo already has tallied 5 touchdowns for the Giants. Just hope he does not land on the John Madden cover like Hillis who disappeared after landing on the video game. The Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart has given this franchise life once again. The two rookies face an incredible challenge going up against the defense of the Denver Broncos. The Broncos have been like a saw mill on rookie quarterbacks. Last week they sacked Jets veteran quarterback Justin Fields 9 times. Both these teams beat up on the Eagles in the last two weeks. I like the Broncos offense to get back on track versus the Giants defense. That is the match up that wins this game for Denver. No rookie love in this one for the G-Men reborn.

OUR PICK: BRONCOS

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (3-3) AT DALLAS COWBOYS (2-4)

This game has shoot out written all over it. Dak Prescott and that Cowboys offense is one of the best in the league. The Commanders have some injuries they are dealing with. Scary Terry McLaurin is out. The Commanders gave the Bears a victory on Monday night, a Jayden McDaniels fumble cost them. The Cowboys found out the hard way the Panthers are very tough to handle at their place. The Commanders won all the close games last year. This year they are not getting those W’s. The Commanders will still be able to produce points off the terrible Dallas defense. The Commanders defense is nothing to write mom about back home. The Commanders D will do just enough to secure this game for Washington.

OUR PICK: COMMANDERS

GREEN BAY PACKERS (3-1-1) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS (2-4)

The Packers are 3-0 in Green Bay. On the road it’s like the tale of two cities, they are 0-1-1. Arizona has their own problems. At home they are 0-3 for the season. On the road they are 2-1. The Cardinals have lost 4 straight games after starting out of the gates 2-0. Who is the starting QB this week for Arizona? Back up Jacoby Brissett played well last week filling in for the injured Kyler Murray in a close game versus the Colts. I think the Packers will get a solid game out of their defense with either QB they face. I’m not scared of the Cardinals running game without their number one back, James Connor. Jordan Love should be able to generate a good enough amount of points versus a Cardinal defense that has a rookie corner back in Will Johnson. Johnson has played well but dealing with Love stinks. The Packers have not been well balanced on offense in every game this season. Look for the running game to explode in this one as Josh Jacobs has big game.

OUR PICK: PACKERS

THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME

ATLANTA FALCONS (3-2) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (4-2)

The Falcons defense is worth talking about as they are allowing the league’s lowest in yards per game. Teams are only averaging 253.4 yards per game. The 49ers will be without Brock Purdy once again. Mac Jones has done very well filling in. The 49ers have been once again like last year with the Santa Clause list on the injury report. The Falcons took down the Bills last week on Monday night making last year’s MVP Josh Allen look like an average QB in the NFL. The 49ers found out what Baker Mayfield does best at the end of games as they lost to the Buccaneers. Is Atlanta a different team outside than inside the dome? The Falcons defense coordinator, Jeff Ulbrich, has ties to current 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. Both were a part of that Jets team where Aaron Rodgers’ mood swings took down the entire team. Then 49ers Kyle Shanahan worked with Ulbrich on the same staff in Atlanta. That 2016 team that lost in the Superbowl by Tom Brady’s Patriots impressive comeback. No Fred Warner on the 49ers defense looking for guys like Drake London and Bijan Robinson to have their way with San Francisco’s defense. Jones is due for a rude awakening at some point. Falcons make a statement in this one.

OUR PICK: FALCONS

TWO MONDAY NIGHT GAMES

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (5-1) AT DETROIT LIONS (4-2)

Are we looking at an early NFC Championship here where two of the top teams in the conference crash on Monday night? Baker Mayfield has been playing without his top weapons. Mike Evans could return. The Lions were embarrassed in week 1 by the Packers. Then won 4 straight finding their mojo like the Lions of the old. Last week versus the Chiefs in KC, they hit a speed bump. The Buccaneers continue to win wild ones as Mayfield does at the end of games by closing out the other team with an impressive drive on offense.

The Lions will be without one defensive back versus the Buccaneers Brian Branch, who bitch slapped Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster after the game concluded last Sunday night. The league suspended him. I don’t see defense really being a factor in this game. The Lions have scored 30 or over points in 5 straight home games dating back to last year. Lions are mad. The Mayfield magic at the end will run out in this one. This one will be settled by the team having the ball in the last minute. My gut tells me it’s the Lions.

OUR PICK: LIONS

HOUSTON TEXANS (2-3) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (4-2)

The Texans have won two straight games and are coming off their bye week to even their record at 3-3 for the season. The Seahawks dominated the Jaguars. They sacked Trevor Lawrence 7 times in that game. Sam Darnold is living up to the contract he signed with the Seahawks during the off-season. He will be challenged by a Texans defense who have been solid all season. The Texans run defense has been brilliant. Look for Seattle to get it done going air born. The biggest weakness in this match up is the Texans offensive line. Seattle has a strong push up the belly of the field which should cave in those Texans big guys in the trenches. CJ Stroud will be on the run most of the game. That’s where Seattle will take advantage of his mistakes and put the Texans on ice.

OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS