Being a Chicago Bears fan this is nothing new for the fan base getting humiliated on a national broadcast. That is what went down in Detroit on Thanksgiving. The Bears in the last three games have pretty much been MIA in the first half of important games against division rivals the last three weeks. In the second half it seems like the Bears rookie quarterback suddenly wakes up and finds ways to get the team back in the game. In the first game of the Thanksgiving Day slate, the Bears were lingering around the field goal range with about 30 seconds left with a time out and chance to tie the game with the Lions or perhaps win the game. Caleb Williams, like he’s done multiple times, took a bad sack on 2nd down as the clock ticked away. It took Williams at least 20 seconds to get the offense set up for the next play. Let me remind you that the Bears head coach Matt Eberflus had a time out in his back pocket. The play went off and by the time Williams threw the ball, seconds on the clock had vanished. It was a deep pass to rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze and ended up being incomplete. Game over!! As everyone was speechless over what just happened on turkey day with the entire nation wondering why the Bears did not use the time out to reset things.
Immediately the CBS broadcasters chimed in saying this clock management by Matt Eberflus was horrendous. The former Falcon QB Matt Ryan now working the telecasts went on to say….
“This is unacceptable from the head coach position. Your responsibility is not to panic in a critical situation to put your team in the best opportunity to win games. That is a massive, massive fail by Matt Eberflus.”
You know the first question Matt Eberflus was asked in the press conference after the game. Why didn’t you use the timeout? The head coach of the Bears did not accept the blame for yet another blunder & instead threw his quarterback under the bus, Caleb Williams. Basically saying the lack of presence of mind to get the offense situated in time to get the play off & then use the time out. Did Eberflus not see that his rookie quarterback was having problems getting the troops up to the line as precious seconds ticked off? If the time out was used to reset the offense, the Bears could have tried a side line pass to get the first down or even get into field goal range. Obviously whoever caught the ball would need to step out of bounds to stop the clock.The Bears could have also spiked the football to stop the clock & then reset the offense. Then find a play to get them in field goal range while stopping the clock with the time out to set up the kick. Once again we go back to Williams trying to line up his guys which throws the spike out of the equation. Why did the Bears have a deep pass set up on that final play to Rome Odunze? It took the Bears staff too long to get Williams the play. Which is concerning. Williams changed the play to go with the deep ball to the end zone. Overall with a rookie QB, Eberflus needed to call the time out seeing his offense was not responding getting up to the line like a fire drill.
Only three weeks ago the Bears used the offensive coordinator Shane Waldron as the team’s scapegoat and fired him. Before the three division games against the Packers, Vikings, and just recently the Lions, the Bears offense could not generate many points which is frustrating having all these play makers that should get the job done on a regular basis. The Bears promoted Thomas Brown as their new offensive coordinator and the Bears offense looked way better. The Bears were in all three of these division games. You could have said the Bears could have won all three games. How did they lose all 3 game? You have to point to all the mistakes on the field. Which comes down to the head coach on penalties that happened over and over. The bad sacks that happen to their starting quarterback over and over. The clock management, the risky 4th down gambles, and stupid challenges all come down to Matt Eberflus. He was the Jive Turkey of what happened in Detroit. Yesterday his goose was cooked as the Bears finally pulled the trigger on this guy to get rid another stooge they hired as the long list goes on back to the Lovie Smith days when the Bears actually had a decent head coach.
The Bears organization is so dysfunctional on Friday & they knew they were going to fire Matt Eberflus. They still let him do his regular press conference that he does after all games the following day. Answering questions about the game and how he was getting the team prepared for next week. The Bears front office wasted the reporters’ time and by lunch Eberflus had his walking papers. Eberflus should have been fired weeks ago for not calling the time out during that Hail Mary play by the Commanders that beat the Bears with a walk off touchdown. Once again he had a time out and one of his defenders, Tyrique Stevenson, was too busy chirping with the Commanders players and fans on the sidelines thinking his team had the game in the bag. He was late to the party and let the guy he was supposed to cover wide open, game over. The Bears front office should have fired Eberflus after last year. The Bears played better in the 2nd half of the 2023 season. Why keep this guy when you have the number one pick and are going after an elite quarterback. Now once again the last three quarterbacks the Bears have drafted will have to deal with a new head coach and learn a new playbook along with a new offensive scheme. Eberflus is a defensive minded coach and should never be a head coach again as he was way over his head in this type of job. He is a good defensive coordinator, so he should stick to his day job.
Matt Eberflus was in Chicago for three seasons and finished with a record of 14-32 which is only a .304 winning percentage. Eberflus’ record against teams in the Bears division was horrific. The Bears have lost six straight games this season and they went through a 14 game losing streak under the Eberflus watch. Eberflus makes the Bears’ last head coach Matt Nagy look like a genius. Eberflus will probably go down as one of the worst head coaches in Bears history along with the great Marc Trestman. The Bears have promoted Thomas Brown twice in the last few weeks as he will become the interim head coach for the rest of the season.
The Steelers coming off two impressive victories against the Commanders and then last week taking down Lamar Jackson and company the Ravens. The Browns were destroyed by the Saints. It’s a short week as both the Browns and Steelers are division rivals who know each other well so this should be a close game. Russell Wilson even in the win last week looked flat. That’s better than what the Browns have at QB with Jameis Winston in which the Steelers defense may feast on multiple turnovers. Browns defense keeps this game a game. In the end the Steelers prevail late.
OUR PICK:STEELERS
THE SUNDAY SLATE
MINNESOTA VIKINGS(8-2) AT CHICAGO BEARS(4-6)
Did the Bears get robbed last week versus the Packers on the no call penalty on the block field goal? The Bears would have won from a walk off field goal. The Vikings have won three straight and are heading to Chicago for their 3rd straight road game. The Bears offense looked better versus the Packers on the week they fired their Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. The Vikings defense has carried this team for several weeks now after the hot start. Sam Darnold the Vikings QB has definitely come back down to earth after getting out the gates looking strong. This game will be close. It seems when either the Vikings and Bears are good, bad, or ugly it does not matter when, it’s always a close game. I don’t trust the Bears because they lost 4 straight games and the offense has been dormant most of that time. The Vikings defense will do the heavy lifting and come after the rookie QB Caleb Williams and cause a few turnovers that will decide this one.
OUR PICK: VIKINGS
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS(9-1) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS(3-7)
Last week the Chiefs were knocked off their perch by the Buffalo Bills as they suffered their first loss of the season. The Carolina Panthers coming off a bye week and the last time we saw them they had a successful business trip to Germany and knocked off the Giants. The Panthers have actually won two in a row. The Chiefs are a different animal. This match up is varsity against the freshman team. The Chiefs are mad after their perfect season ended. This will be the story of the bully taking the younger kid’s lunch money… that simple.
OUR PICK: CHIEFS
TENNESSEE TITANS(2-8) AT HOUSTON TEXANS(7-4)
The Texans got back on track with a beat down of the Cowboys on Monday night. Do you remember the Titans last time they won? It must have been three weeks ago because they have lost two straight games. CJ Stroud looked better with the return of his old number one receiver in Nico Collins.
The Texans lost their other top notch receiver Stephon Diggs to a season ending injury. The Titans QB Will Levis as a starter this season is 1-6 and has only 8 touchdown passes. Levis has also thrown 8 interceptions and he makes too many bone-headed decisions. This game should be an easy one for the Texans to pad the division lead on the AFC South. They are the only horse in that stable that has gotten out of the gates.
OUR PICK: TEXANS
DETROIT LIONS(9-1) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS(5-6)
Another 50 point game for the Lions as they buried the Jaguars. The Colts surprised me with a win over the Jets. Maybe the Aaron Rodgers Jets team is just that bad as we all think they will take off sooner as later has arrived and they have been grounded all year. Anthony Richardson had one of his best games last week as a starter. The Lions are the king of the jungle of the NFC and can beat up many of the AFC teams. The Lions offense will baffle the Colts defense which is not a solid unit. The Lions will rule the ground game with their two headed monster back field. They will rack up points with the play action pass. The Lions defense will eventually slow down the Colts running back Jonathan Taylor. I see Richardson regressing from his last start a week ago. Lions will win their 9th straight.
OUR PICK: LIONS
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS(3-8) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS(4-6)
The Dolphins are swimming the high waters as suddenly they have won two straight games. The Dolphins have always feasted on bottom of the ocean level teams like the Patriots. I like the way Drake Maye has performed so far in his rookie season.
He is 2-4 as a starter completing 66.7% of his passes. He has thrown 9 touchdown passes but six interceptions you like to see him do better at protecting the football. Could Drake be the next Boston legend like May Day Malone?
Maye Day Drake may have a tough landing in Miami which is a tough place to play for visitors. Tua Tagovailoa for the Dolphins is playing his best since returning from his concussion injury that sidelined him for several weeks this season. Dolphins pick up their 3rd win in a row slowly crawling back into the playoff picture.
OUR PICK: DOLPHINS
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS(4-6) AT NEW YORK GIANTS(2-8)
In New York it is the end of the Daniel Jones era at the quarterback position. Looks like it was a mutual thing as Jones will go through waivers and another team may pick him up. Now the keys to the car have been handed over to Tommy DeVito, a 26 year old out of the University of Illinois. He has seen some action as he is 3-3 as a starter filling in for Jones which was all last season. He had 8 touch down passes and only 3 interceptions. The Giants need some kind of new direction & new life as they have lost 5 straight games. Meanwhile the Buccaneers coming off their bye week have lost 4 straight. A much needed bye for the Buccaneers because they got healthier. The Giants will look better this week with DeVito behind center. Baker Mayfield is having a great year and my gut is telling me he will have a big game and Tampa Bay will get back in the win column.
OUR PICK: BUCCANEERS
DALLAS COWBOYS(3-7) AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS(7-4)
The Cowboys are a gigantic mess as they lost 5 straight games. They are using back up quarterbacks with Dak Prescott out for the year. Will the Commanders see Cooper Rush or Trey Lance? They may even see both. The Commanders have lost two straight tough games versus the Eagles and Steelers as they are looking up at Philadelphia in the standings. These two teams are division rivals. Archrivals from the days of the Redskins. The Cowboys really have no chance in this one. Jayden Daniels will slice and dice this Cowboys defense with his arm and legs. This will be a easy one for the Commanders as they get back in the win column.
OUR PICK: COMMANDERS
DENVER BRONCOS(6-5) AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS(2-8)
The Bo Nix/Sean Payton marriage is looking like the real deal. Flashing back to the New Orleans days of Payton and Drew Brees.
The frightening thing is Payton has had Nix as a pup and has been programming him from day one. The Raiders have lost 6 straight games. Only thing you can say about the Raiders and Broncos is this is a division game so it could be a close game. I like the Broncos defense smothering a bad Raiders offense which is the X-factor of this match up. Nix will generate some points on the score board in a Broncos win.
OUR PICK: BRONCOS
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS(5-5) AT GREEN BAY PACKERS(7-3)
Every time I think the 49ers will take the right step forward, they seem to takes 4 steps backwards as they lost to the Seahawks last week after manhandling them in the first match up earlier in the season. The Packers get away with a penalty on a last second blocked kick and escape Chicago with a win. The injuries have riddled this 49ers team all year as they will be without their starting QB Brock Purdy in this one.
Brandon Allen will be the 49ers starter as he has been around for 5 seasons and is 2-7 as a starter in the NFL in his career so far. The 49ers will be without their star defensive lineman Nick Bosa. I like the Packers in this one even though Jordan Love has struggled in the last few weeks. The Packers being at home have found the 49ers at the right time.
OUR PICK: PACKERS
ARIZONA CARDINALS(6-4) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS(5-5)
This looks to me like the game of the week between the Cardinals and Seahawks. The Cards coming off their bye week have won 4 straight games and are perched at the top of the NFC West standings. The Seahawks season looked to be in a tailspin until they accepted the challenge and beat the division rival 49ers in a street fight style game. The Cardinals defense has played solid the last 4 weeks. The Seahawks defense has been up and down but played solid versus the 49ers. Kyler Murray has outplayed Geno Smith this season. This game can go either way. I like the Cardinals making the playoffs at the end of this season. The Seahawks will make a bold statement being at home that they are in the playoff conversation. These two teams will meet again in Arizona in 2 weeks. I like Seattle taking this one at home which is a hard place to win for visitors.
OUR PICK: SEAHAWKS
THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES(8-2) AT LA RAMS(5-5)
The Eagles have been one of the hottest teams in the league & winners of their last six games. The Rams season has been a battle of ups and downs as they handled business on the east coast last week in New England versus the Patriots. The Rams and Eagles have multiple young pieces on their defenses. These are two very talented defenses and units on the rise. That Rams defensive line is explosive going after the quarterback. Jalen Hurts will have his work cut out for him. You have to love both these teams’ starting running backs. Saquon Barkley for the Eagles is having an outstanding season in his first year as an Eagle. Kyren Williams is no slouch for the Rams and a guy that can get his yards in chunks. Matthew Stafford and that passing attack will take off on Sunday night which will give the Eagles defense problems and will end their six game winning streak. It will be a close affair. In the end Rams take this one at home.
OUR PICK: RAMS
THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME
BALTIMORE RAVENS(7-4) AT LA CHARGERS(7-3)
Jim versus John in another epic battle between the Harbaugh brothers. John has been a stationary fixture in Baltimore for over a decade. While Jim has bounced around the NFL and helped his alma mater, University of Michigan, win the National title last year. Jim has turned this Chargers team into a force in the AFC. The Ravens were in cruise control until Lamar Jackson could not slay his demon in the Ravens. This match up has Jackson versus Justin Herbert, two stud QB’s in the AFC. The Ravens lack a defense while the Chargers have defended the field this season well. The Ravens offense can score on anyone. The Chargers have won 4 straight. The Chargers have been playing a basic easy schedule. It’s hard to imagine the Ravens losing two straight. The Ravens have played the cream of the crop all year and have done well. I like John over Jimbo in this match up right now. In the future maybe it will be a different story.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS(7-3) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES(7-2)
Week 11 has multiple games like Commanders vs Eagles, a first place battle on Thursday night. The Eagles looking like the old Eagles two seasons ago when they made it to the Superbowl. The Commanders played a solid game versus the Steelers last week in which Pittsburgh may have gotten a few breaks their way in that one. The Eagles have won 5 straight and are playing well on both sides of the ball. The Commander offense will be one of the most challenging teams the Eagles has played this season. The Commanders defense is not the top unit in the league but they have played well. Anything could happen on a short week playing on Thursday night. I like Jayden Daniels pulling out an upset over the Philly special and getting back in the win column as Washington takes full control over the NFC East and take the split from the two Pennsylvania teams.
OUR PICK: COMMANDERS
THE SUNDAY SLATE
GREEN BAY PACKERS(6-3) AT CHICAGO BEARS(4-5)
I’m not going to lie to you about the Bears as I scream inside my head, put in the back up QB Tyson Bagent over the struggling rookie Caleb Williams. The Packers had a bye week last week with a chance to recharge their batteries to play a Bears team that is in a massive tailspin right now. The Bears have lost three straight games and the offensive line riddled with injuries has given up 15 sacks in the last two weeks. Jordan Love is already out of the gates against the Bears. He is 2-0 as he was handed down the torch from Aaron Rodgers & before that Brett Farve, the recipe for how to cook the Bears goose. The Bears this week fired their offensive coordinator Shane Waldron who will be the scapegoat for the time being until we watch them fail miserably this week. Even if the Bears make a change at QB, they might do better on the score board but this game is the Packers bread and butter team for an automatic W.
OUR PICK: PACKERS
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS(2-8) AT DETROIT LIONS(8-1)
Is it cannibalism when a Lion cat gnaws down a Jaguar puddy cat? The reason the Patriots traded away their former QB Mac Jones is because he’s terrible. The Lions are the best team right now in the NFC and they won on Sunday despite their QB Jared Goff throwing 5 interceptions. The Jaguars are 0-5 on the road this season and played better defense last week versus the Vikings. This is a team walking dead right now & just going through the motions. The Lions will clean up their mistakes, play a cleaner game, and should not even put up a sweat in this game as they eyeball the number one seed in the NFC.
OUR PICK: LIONS
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS(2-7) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS(3-6)
The Raiders come off their bye week and have to fly to Florida as they visit Miami. The Dolphins played a solid game versus the Rams on Monday night. The Dolphins defense did not allow the Rams to score a touchdown. The Raiders may have made a bad decision keeping their interim head coach Antonio Pierce. You have to bet that the reason why Raiders management kept him is because they had that win over the Chiefs on Christmas Day. McGenius, the Dolphins head coach Mike McDanie,l has issues as he has not sprouted very far from the Pierce weeds in the coaching landscape. Tua Tagovailoa finally got his first win back from the concussion injury that side-lined him multiple weeks. The Dolphins usually feasted on teams below 500 and they will do so at home versus a Raiders team that can’t match the number on the score board with this Miami aerial attack. The Raiders will be unprepared with bad coaching decisions that will doom them as Miami will start to trend upwards and get closer to the 500 mark.
OUR PICK: DOLPHINS
LA RAMS(4-5) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS(3-7)
The Rams had a melt down on Monday night as LA looked like the team they were without their top two receivers in the beginning of the season. The Patriots stunned the Bears in Chicago as New England racked up multiple sacks taking advantage of an injured offensive line in Chicago. The Patriots tend to play better at home. What do you think about the play so far from the Patriots QB, Drake Maye? He has shown some nice flashes of why he was picked in the first round. Before Monday night versus the Dolphins, the Rams were predicted to land a playoff spot. Matthew Stafford has to play better if they want to land a wild card spot or challenge the others in a tight race for the NFC west. The Patriots will give the visitors a game, but LA finds just enough offense to win the game and get back to the 500 mark.
OUR PICK: RAMS
CLEVELAND BROWNS(2-7) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS(3-7)
The revenge of the Crab Man as Jameis Winston plays his former team, the Saints. The Saints turned some heads after winning a big division game versus the first place Falcons. For Winston what are you going to get from him this week? His first start for the Browns he looked like a top QB in the league. Last week the Browns had a bye week. In Winston’s last start he threw multiple interceptions and the Browns lost. The Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi took over last week and his team looked prepared. The Saints played a solid game from all three phases. The Browns have the better defense. Derek Carr has the edge over Winston at the field general position. Winston really never played that much during his Saints tenure. I can see the revenge type of game against his first team, the Buccaneers. I think Rizzi’s voice changed this team as that humiliation losing to the Panthers a few weeks back has helped get this Saints swagger back.
OUR PICK: SAINTS
BALTIMORE RAVENS(7-3) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS(7-2)
Remember when the Steelers and Ravens featured some of the top defenses in the league? It seemed like last year both squads had an elite defense. The Steelers right now have the better D than the Ravens who have a hard time stopping anyone this season. Lamar Jackson is Superman most of the time. The Steel curtain contains Kryptonite as Jackson has not done well versus Pittsburgh. Jackson versus the Steelers is 1-3 in his career. Jackson has turned over the ball 10 times against the Steelers in those games. He has more interceptions than touchdowns. The Steelers are now 3-0 with the rebirth of the Seattle version of Russell Wilson. The Steelers offense is popping some big numbers as well. Let’s not forget the Ravens steam roller running back Derrick Henry who is new to this party like Wilson is. This is another big match up of week 11 and I have to lean towards the Steelers being at home and having the hex over Jackson. Every elite QB ever always has that one team that they have a hard time beating. I think the Steelers defense can stop the Ravens offense more than Baltimore’s defense stopping Pittsburgh’s offense.
OUR PICK: STEELERS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS(7-2) AT TENNESSEE TITANS(2-7)
Sometimes you can’t get rid all that New York Jets quarterback gangrene inside their bodies. Once a Jet always a Jet QB, is an infection. Look at Sam Darnold. He was in full control of this infection playing well as the Vikings starting QB. Now the infection is back and Darnold looks like the same QB from his Big Apple days. The Titans may have some infection at their QB position as Will Levis looks like a bust. Vikings won last week without scoring a touchdown holding another AFC South team, the Jaguars, to a touchdown. The Vikings used 4 field goals to win a road game in Jacksonville. I like the Vikings defense in this run as they also should lean on their running game and hope Darnold gets some ointment for his Jets infection that is still lingering. The Titans I’ve been done with for weeks picking them unless it’s against a team they can handle. They will not be able to handle the Vikings.
OUR PICK: VIKINGS
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS(4-6) AT NEW YORK JETS(3-7)
Last Sunday’s Mike Williams an X Jet got traded to the Steelers and scores a touchdown in his first game. Williams was one of Aaron Rodgers’ excuses he made for why the team was losing. Using Williams as a scapegoat. The Jets looked like total shit in a bad way last week in a loss to the Cardinals. The Colts are in their own slump as well and have lost three straight games. The Colts will make another switch behind center as Anthony Richardson will start over Joe Flacco. Something has to give in this game. I like Jonathan Taylor versus this Jets defense. Aaron Rodgers should be able to get their offense going with a Colts defense that is hot and cold, but mostly freezy freaky. With Richardson at QB, the Colts passing game is dwindled down to deep passes and really nothing over the middle. This will be an ugly game as the Jets are a stupid team but New York’s defense makes a stand with the season on the brink.
OUR PICK: (GRRR) JETS
ATLANTA FALCONS(6-4) AT DENVER BRONCOS(5-5)
The Falcons and the Broncos coming off tough losses last Sunday. The Broncos just needed a field goal to end the Chiefs perfect season only to get the kick blocked which should have been a walk off win for Denver. Then the Falcons losing to the Saints who came off a bad loss to the Panthers who’ve been the door mat for the entire league. The Falcons are 3-1 on the road this season, but Denver is a tough place to win a game in general. The Saints held Kurt Cousins and the Falcons offense to under 20 points. The Broncos defense is better and legit. I like the rookie QB Bo Nix being the General Lee out on the field and airing it out in this one.
Nix has improved each game he has played so far. The Falcons offense stumbles as the Broncos end their two game losing streak.
OUR PICK: BRONCOS
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS(4-5) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS(5-4)
Both these division rivals are heading in opposite directions. The 49ers have quietly won two straight. While Seattle has lost two straight games. Seattle is coming off their bye week and hope they get their star receiver DK Metcalf back in the mix. The 49ers welcomed back their running back last week as Christian McCaffrey played his first game of the 2024 season. The 49ers needed a field goal to get by the Buccaneers. A few weeks ago these two teams met and the 49ers won big 36-24. The Seattle’s defense has crumbled over the last few weeks. The 49ers kicker missed three field goals versus the Buccaneers so that score could have been different if he made them. Look for the 49ers to have a big offensive day as they light up the score board while sweeping the series over their rival.
OUR PICK: 49ERS
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS(9-0) AT BUFFALO BILLS(8-2)
Here we go again with another epic game between the Chiefs and Bills slated for this week’s game of the week. Patrick Mahomes versus Josh Allen has been the tales of two seasons. Allen has dominated the regular season match ups as he is 3-1 versus Mahomes and the Chiefs. We know Mahomes has master Allen and the Bills in the post season and has a record of 3-0. Last time these two teams met was the Divisional round when the Chiefs knocked off the Bills in a game where Tyler Bass missed a chance for Buffalo to regain the lead with a wide right field goal in the last two minutes of that game. The Chiefs are 9-0 and their defense has played well all season. The Bills defense is getting healthier and played well last week versus a not so good Colts team. Allen is having the better season as Mahomes has struggled lately. Can Allen and that Buffalo offense score points with the injuries piling up on that side of the ball? Watch this game be a defensive battle all the way through. If I was writing the script here, I would give the Chiefs the win and then have the Bills beat these guys in post-season. However you never know if these teams will hook up again after this game. Overall I think the Chiefs ;luck finally runs out and the Bills find a way on offense despite the injuries to find points as the Buffalo defense stands tall on Mahomey and the meat head, Travis Kelce. The Chiefs lose their first game of the year.
OUR PICK: GO BILLS!!!
THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME
CINCINNATI BENGALS(4-6) AT LA CHARGERS(6-3)
The Bengals are running out of time as they continue to try to get out of the hole they dug themselves. The Chargers have won three straight games.
Joe Burrow versus Justin Herbert has only happened once with these two QB’s as the Chargers won the game. This game will be a shoot out. The Bengals defense has been terrible all season. The Chargers defense has been the opposite as they are trending as one of the better units in the league. Burrow and the Bengals can score on any defense in the NFL. Ja’Marr Chase had a monster game last Thursday night versus the Ravens. Tee Higgins should be good to go versus the Chargers so the Bengals will have their top two play makers on the field. This is not the old Chargers teams where Herbert slings the ball all over the field in a shoot out. The Chargers offense is a balanced attack of ball control & run the clock out mentality. The Chargers will have a hard time catching up if Bengals start out of the gates scoring early. It seems like when the Bengals season is on the brink they win a game and they need this one being 2 games under 500.
OUR PICK: BENGALS
THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME
HOUSTON TEXANS(6-4) AT DALLAS COWBOYS(3-6)
It’s the battle of Texas on Monday night and both teams are absolutely dying for a victory. The Cowboys have lost 4 straight games and would need to find a way to string some victories together. Another lost Jerry Jones team could start making vacation plans. The Texans have lost two straight games and CJ Stroud seems to be having a sophomore year slump in the league. The Texans locker room seems to be grumbling as this was a team picked to go deep into post-season. The Cowboys have to rely on their back up QB Cooper Rush who got his first start of the season last week. He threw for just over 200 yards and completed about 56% of his passes and had a touchdown pass along with an interception. Stroud should be able to slice and dice the Cowboys bad defense in this one to right the ship for at least this week. Rush and the Cowboys will keep this close, but Texans win the battle of Texas.
Who is that masked man? It took a few years for the authorities to figure that out, but they finally got their man on Thursday. Former NFL & XFL linebacker Antwione Williams has been arrested for blitzing the Capitol building with many others on that dark day in America on January 6th 2021. Williams was originally drafted by the Detroit Lions back in 2016 in the 5th round of the NFL draft from Georgia Southern University. Williams played for the Washington Defenders in the XFL in 2020 during which the league’s season was cut short by the pandemic. Williams was out of the game in 2021 but demonstrated his attack on the quarterback with Capitol Police as he has been charged with two felonies as authorities put the bracelets on him at his home in Savanna, Georgia.
The Pro Donald Trump rally happened from the election results when Joe Biden won. Trump called the election rigged and his words created a hostile situation on January 6th with a riot that caused 1.5 million in damages. The authorities have arrested over 1500 people in connection in that dark winter day in the nation’s capital. Close to 600 people have been charged with assaulting and impeding law officials that day. Antwione Williams now is 31 years of age and is charged with assaulting, resisting, and impeding Capitol police officers. They got Williams on obstruction of Law Enforcement Duties. Then they added three misdemeanors to the arrest report. Entering and remaining on restricted grounds which is the Capitol building. This in addition to Disorderly Conduct and Acts of Physical Violence.
Imagine being a Police officer and having an out of control football player in your grill. Being an officer you are trained to handle specimens bigger than you are. In a riot with so many angered people, it’s hard to keep focus on just one assailant. Antwione Williams wearing a Covid mask covering up his face and a hat covering up his head, confronted the police and over powered them at the perimeter line. Sounds like a football game with Williams being a line backer getting through the offensive line to get to the quarterback. Williams grabbed a bike rack from an officer who was trying to clear an area. One play, Williams swatted a riot control spray out of the hand of an officer. Just like punching the ball out of a running back that is getting by you. He also struck an officer in the head in a powerful arm motion. That would draw a flag in any football game. When it was all over I’m sure the line backer thought he got away home free.
With cameras everywhere now a days, you wonder why people do stupid things knowing they are being recorded. The FBI are like dogs chewing on a bone. They will find you looking under every rock on earth until their suspect pays the price. In 2022 the FBI got a tip about Antwione Williams which could have been a Packers fan. They called the tip line and the FBI started to put things together. In 2023 the FBI interviewed Williams and noticed a red key fob hanging from his belt buckle like the one in the pictures and footage they had of the January 6th riots.
The smoking gun. Add a credit card statement that Williams; car was parked about ten minutes away from the Capitol building at Metro Station. Shake down, break down, and busted.
You have to be a solid football player to play the game at the College level. Then to be drafted by an NFL team you obviously had elevated your game. Antwione Williams would have one year in the NFL with the Lions. In 14 games he made 3 starts in the 2016 season. He tallied up 17 solo tackles which two of them were for a loss. He had one QB hit that season. After that season for whatever reason, he never got back in an NFL game. He tried to latch on with the Vikings and Panthers, but he just could not make it on the team’s roster. In 2020 he played for the DC Defenders of the XFL. He only played in 3 games as he tallied up 3 solo tackles. He has a college education to fall back on. Everyone has a boiling point in a moment that is not their real self. That one moment or multiple moments in life you want back as you see not the best of yourself as a human being. I’m surprised it took the authorities that long to track him down. The red fob is like the Police chasing a guy wearing shoes that light up in the dark. These types go into the stupidest criminal’s hall of shame. Now that Donald Trump will be back in the White House will Williams get a pardon from the rich aristocrat? Or will all these Trump followers end up being chumps? Following the flock off the cliff. Nobody in politics is that important to serve jail time over. Some of these rioters surly got caught up in the heat of the moment. Some of those people were bat shit crazy, pardon my French.
Week ten starts off with a bang with Bengals visiting Ravens. Expect a shoot out on prime time Thursday night football. Both teams lack a defense so expect big fantasy numbers from both offenses This game features two of the best quarterbacks in the league. Joe Burrow versus Lamar Jackson. The Bengals and Ravens are obviously division rivals and in the first meeting weeks ago, the game went to overtime and both teams lit up the score board. The Ravens won that one on the road 41-38. Can the Bengals get to the 500 mark? Can the Ravens keep up with the Steelers who are at the top of the division? Jackson has done well against the Bengals his entire career with a 9-2 mark going into this game. Burrow will keep this game close. The Bengals defense stinks as the Ravens defense is nothing special either, but they could at least make one more stop than Cincinnati. Derrick Henry is just in beast mode right now. The Bengals season is riding down a dark road at high speed with no brakes or head lights.
OUR PICK: RAVENS
THE SUNDAY SLATE
NEW YORK GIANTS(2-7) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS(2-7)
The Giants and Panthers will be meeting up in another NFL overseas game, this time in Germany. Germany is on my bucket list with big breasted women giving you big beers. GOOD TIMES!!! This game should have been scheduled during Oktoberfest so the fans could quickly forget what happens on the field. The Panthers had a surprise win last week against the Saints who been decimated by injuries. I think the last time the Giants won a game was when Donald Trump ran against Joe Biden 4 years ago. The Giants are the better team here. Daniel Jones should have better numbers than Bryce Young . The G-Men can play some defense as well. This one may not be worth getting up for, but it is football so a few Bloody Mary’s could make this one interesting.
OUR PICK: GIANTS
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS(2-7) AT CHICAGO BEARS(4-4)
In Chicago the sky is falling on the Chicago Bears season as they lost two straight on the road. Meanwhile the Patriots fans are watching their rookie QB develop as the season goes on. They should be happy with what they have seen so far in Drake Maye. The Bears have the top rookie QB in the draft as they selected Caleb Williams and they thought they had the best option. The Bears fans saw Jayden Daniels, the number two pick overall in the draft, beat Williams and Chicago on a Hail Mary pass 2 weeks ago. Could Drake rub salt in the wounds of Bears fans being picked third overall and leave Chicago with a victory? The Bears have shown me they are not the team we thought they were. This Bears roster has holes like their offensive line and I really think they need a new head coach. Matt Eberflus is terrible. The Bears will beat the Patriots as they are better at home and the better team. Once the Bears start to play the teams inside their own division, the sky will literally be falling in the Windy City.
OUR PICK: BEARS
BUFFALO BILLS(7-2) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS(4-5)
The Bills have won 4 straight as they beat Miami for the second time this season with a Tyler Bass boot of a field goal that was 61 yards in Buffalo. The Joe Flacco move last week did not pan out for the Colts as now they lost two straight games. The Colts will start Flacco in this one Sunday noon-er as Buffalo should see a heavy dose of Jonathan Taylor trying to run it down the Bills throats. The Colts defense has not been good even with some injuries to the Bills wide receiving core, Josh Allen and company will score points with a well-balanced attack. The Bills defense signed a pair of run stuffers this week.
Jordan Phillips along with Quinton Jefferson are X-Bills who are now back in Buffalo. They were cut by their teams which should help the defense clog up the middle of the field. I think the Bills defense will bounce back and get a few turnovers in this road victory.
OUR PICK: BILLS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS(6-2) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS(2-7)
The Vikings stopped the bleeding last week as they ended a two game skid with a win versus the Colts. The Jaguars made a comeback last week versus the Eagles and made that game look close as the Jags have lost two straight. Trevor Lawrence may not play in this one as he’s dealing with a left shoulder injury. The Viking defense should be able to feast on the X-Patriot Mac Jones, the Jags back up. The Jaguars defense is one the worst units in the league versus the pass. The Vikings Justin Jefferson should have a big day in Florida as Minnesota keeps pace with the Packers and Lions.
OUR PICK: VIKINGS
DENVER BRONCOS(5-4) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS(8-0)
I can’t wait to pop the champagne when the Chiefs finally lose a game. I don’t think the Broncos on the road will be the team to do that. Baker Mayfield gave the Chiefs a scare, but once again the two sided coin gave the ball to Kansas City in over time as you know what happened next. The Broncos defense has been solid until the Ravens last week put their unit through a buzz saw.
The Ravens scored 41 points on the Broncos last week. Bo Nix has improved at quarterback, but this game on the road in Arrowhead will not be his coming out party. The Broncos will play better but don’t have enough horses to beat the Chiefs on the road. Patrick Mahomes record versus teams in the AFC West is ridiculous!!!
OUR PICK: CHIEFS
ATLANTA FALCONS(6-3) AT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS(2-7)
Can the interim head coach of the Saints, Darren Rizzi, give New Orleans a spark after the front office canned Dennis Allen? The Falcons have won two straight and are perfect on the road this season at 3-0. I can see the Saints playing better than last week, especially Derek Carr who knocked off the rust coming back from an injury. The Falcons offense with Kirk Cousins will be hard for Carr to match scores with. The Saints are riddled with injuries and that defense looked horrific. The Saints traded away one of their healthy defenders, Marshon Lattimore, to the Commanders. Cousins should have no problem carving up the Saints like a turkey dinner.
OUR PICK: FALCONS
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS(4-4) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS(4-5)
Just what the doctor ordered if you are a 49ers fan. The return of Christian McCaffrey will make his first appearance of the 2024 season.
When healthy, McCaffrey is one of the best running backs in the NFL. The Buccaneers are still balling as Baker Mayfield is still without his two top playmakers on offense. The 49ers are well rested coming off their bye week while the Buccaneers played on Monday night and have a short rest period to gear up. The Buccaneers defense has been terrible, so look for the 49ers to exploit that lighting up the score board. Mayfield will keep them in the game but San Francisco prevails and gets back on track with the additional energy that McCaffrey will provide.
OUR PICK: 49ERS
PITTSBURGH STEELERS(6-2) AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS(7-2)
The Commanders and Steelers have won three straight games. Something will have to give in this contest. This will be Russell Wilson’s first start on the road in a Steelers uniform as he is 2-0 as the starter since making his debut 2 weeks ago. The Commanders are playing well and look like the cream of the crop in the NFC right now. The Commanders added a defensive piece in Marshon Lattimore from the Saints to improve Washington’s back end of that defense. The Steelers added former Jets and Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams who has not done much this season except irritate Aaron Rodgers. I like Jayden Daniels out playing Wilson in this one. I believe Wilson is in for his first clunker of the season. This game will be close, but Washington stands taller at the end.
OUR PICK: COMMANDERS
TENNESSEE TITANS(2-6) AT LA CHARGERS(5-3)
Are the Chargers for real this season as they have won two straight? The Titans struggled last week versus the Patriots but won the game in overtime. It was like a person about to puke but somehow kept the food down for a type of win for Tennessee. The Chargers are benefiting with an easy schedule but Jim Harbaugh has done a nice job turning this team around. I like Justin Herbert in this one. He has been playing solidly all year over whatever the Titans have behind center in Mason Rudolf or if Will Levis is back in the mix. The Chargers defense should stifle the Titans offense.
OUR PICK: CHARGERS
NEW YORK JETS(3-6) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS(5-4)
Am I going to jump on the Jets band wagon as they finally won a game? The Cardinals are another team I can’t figure out as they have won three straight. Betting against the Jets this season I have a winning record. Is the Cayenne Pepper spice in the water reincarnated Mr. Darkness Retreat? Aaron Rodgers will throw 5 touchdown passes and lead the Jets all the way to the promised land.
I don’t care what Rodgers drinks. The Cardinals have won three straight games and are on top of the NFC West coming into this week. Kyler Murray has been very good. The running of James Connor in the Cardinals back field is not being talked about. The Jets weakness is against the run. The Cardinals defense has stepped up, especially last week versus the Bears. The Jets to me are still a stupid football team that makes too many mistakes. I back the Cardinals to pop this Rodgers bubble being on cloud 9 and bring the Jets back to the airport.
OUR PICK: CARDINALS
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES(6-2) AT DALLAS COWBOYS(3-5)
I’m done thinking the Cowboys are due to have that break out game. The Eagles come into Dallas as one of the hottest teams in the league winning their last 4 games. The Cowboys will give the keys to back up QB Cooper Rush as Dak Prescott is hurt. Can Rush give this Cowboys team a spark? Rush is 5-1 in his career as a starter filling in for Dak. I think Rush will raise some eye brows in this one and give Dallas a chance to win this game at home and break a three game losing streak. In the end the terrible defense Dallas has, the Eagles Jalen Hurts will definitely exploit and leave Jerry Jones place with a win.
OUR PICK: EAGLES
THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME
DETROIT LIONS(7-1) AT HOUSTON TEXANS(6-3)
The Lions look like they are going all the way to the Superbowl as they have won six straight games and have only one loss. The Texans started out of the gates strong and are everyone’s sleeper pick in the AFC. The Lions offense – how do you stop it or even contain it? The Texans 2nd year quarterback CJ Stroud has lost two of his best wide receivers in Stefon Diggs who’s out for the year and Nico Collins, who is close to returning, was out several weeks. The Texans were beaten by Aaron Rodgers and the Jets on Thursday night of week 9.
The Lions defense has played well after losing their heart and soul of their defense in Aidan Hutchinson who is out for the year, several weeks ago. The Lions added Za’Darius Smith to their defensive line from the Browns this week which will help this unit even get better. Jared Goff has played better than Stroud. I like the Lions defense able to contain the Texans running back Joe Mixon which is right now the key to stopping Houston right now with their receivers out. I think the Lions will be able to generate points with their well-balanced attack on a suspect Houston defense.
OUR PICK: LIONS
THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME
MIAMI DOLPHINS(2-6) AT LA RAMS(4-4)
The Dolphins are a desperate football team who need a win badly or their season is over. The Rams season has turned around as all the pieces are in place as they have won three straight and have their record back to the 500 mark. The Dolphins have lost three straight and were beat by a field goal in Buffalo last week. The Dolphins got a boost with Tua Tagovailoa back in the mix as he returns from his injury he suffered in week two. However the Dolphins have lost both games since Tua’s return. Both games were very close. It’s the Dolphins defense that is the problem. I like the Rams chances with Matthew Stafford having all his weapons just picking that Dolphin secondary apart with a strong running game behind him. The Rams defense has stepped up and played well including a big performance on the road in Seattle last week in a win over the Seahawks. Got to go Rams as the Dolphins need to show me something before I pick them to win.
The New Orleans Saints hit rock bottom last week when they lost to the worst team in the NFL. The Carolina Panthers. The Saints steamrolled the Panthers in week one of the 2024 season putting up 40 points on a bad Carolina defense. It seems so long ago when the Saints started the season off 2-0 and had back to back games where Derek Carr and company lit up the scoreboard with 40 or more points. The Saints by far had the best offense in the league till that point. The season suddenly took a turn for the worst as the Saints now have lost seven straight games. The Panthers loss was the last straw for Saints ownership as they fired their head coach Dennis Allen after 9 games. The Saints have promoted their special teams coach, Darren Rizzi, who will be the interim coach for the final 8 games of the season. If the newly elected President of the United States, Donald Trump, can be convicted of a felony, why can’t the Saints hire Jon Gruden who was forced out of the NFL for his insensitive private emails?
Jon Gruden is only 61 years of age and still has some years left in him to be a head coach in the NFL. The last time we saw Gruden was back in 2021 when he was in his second stint with the Raiders. He was in his 4th year of a ten year contract at the time & the Raiders had to use to pry Chucky out of his ESPN gig. The Raiders were 3-2 when Gruden stepped away when an investigation uncovered all the racists, anti gay, and misogynistic emails back from his Washington days when he was just assistant coach. In 2018 the return of Chucky to Raider Nation, the team went 4-12 as he inherited a losing program prior to signing the big deal to come back and coach in the NFL. The Raiders had salary cap issues. Gruden traded away many of his hefty priced defensive players like Khalil Mack for draft capital. Mack was a star with the Raiders as he went to Chicago. The Raiders improved to 7-9 in 2019. In 2020 Gruden had the Raiders at 8-8 for the year as the team was showing some promise and future potential. Gruden’s first head coaching job of his career started with the Raiders in 1998. In 2002 he had that Raiders team in the AFC divisional round on the road in New England.
Everyone knows what happened on January 19, 2002 when Raiders defensive back Charlie Woodson forced a fumble on Tom Brady in the snow. The ball was recovered by the Raiders. The Raiders could have won this game after forcing the turn over that was over turned and became known as the “TUCK RULE.” Somehow it was ruled incomplete pass. The new rule that favored Brady was officially implemented the following year. If the QB’s arm is moving forward, it’s an incomplete pass. I think the jury is still out on that famous play in the middle of a New England snow storm that year in 2002. The Patriots would hold on to the football. Then ice the game by scoring points from that lucky opportunity into points. This rule could have put a kink in the Patriots dynasty if they lost that game. It certainly changed the Raiders football landscape. If the Raiders pulled that game off on the road in New England, they may have won the next game which was the AFC Championship. They had a solid team. Would Gruden have been traded to Tampa Bay the next season if the Raiders won that game in New England? Gruden’s old team the Raiders would make it to the Superbowl without him as they had a solid QB with Rich Gannon. This was the team Gruden built. The Raiders had Jerry Rice and Tim Brown as Gannon’s two main weapons that year and the silver and black had the top offense in the league.
Gruden’s new team, the Buccaneers, was not a bad team either. Gruden basically took Tony Dungy’s old team and got them to the Superbowl to meet his old team, the Raiders. Tony was not able to get that team that far. Dungy would have his day in the sun with the Colts winning a Superbowl with Peyton Manning as his QB. Gruden would get revenge against his old team as he knew the Raiders inside and out and had the advantage. The Buccaneers destroyed the Raiders in that Superbowl. Gruden would eventually wearout his welcome in Tampa. Then Gruden stepped away from coaching to be a bright spot for ESPN for his NFL knowledge doing the games and drafts.
In the past the New Orleans Saints have made a big splash at the head coaching position from a former Superbowl winning coach. Back in 1997 the Saints took a chance on former Bears legend head coach Mike Ditka.
Iron Mike Ditka did not do well in New Orleans after a 5 year hiatus away from the side lines. The Saints should have never traded all their draft capital for running back Ricky Williams in 1999. The move doomed Da Coach and the Saints as Ricky would never pan out wearing a New Orleans uniform. Bringing back Chucky is a higher ceiling type of move than relying on Ditka back in the day. Jon Gruden has worked well with quarterbacks like Brad Johnson and Rich Gannon. Veteran QB’s that got new life under Chucky’s guidance. In the second stint with the Raiders he worked with Derek Carr and they have a special bond of quarterback and head coach. Carr needs new life pumped into his career as he’s beginning to look like a back up QB instead of a starter. Gruden in 2023 worked as a consultant with Dennis Allen’s staff to put together an offense that was fitted around the talents of Carr. Because of the ties they had together with the silver and black. Most people in professional sports or in life in general want to stick it to someone that did you wrong. The Saints play the Buccaneers twice a year in the NFC South which could interest Gruden enough to come to the Big Easy. The cost to bring Gruden back into the NFL would not be that crazy amount like that 10 year deal the Raiders locked ole Chucky up in his second stint. The Saints general manager Micky Loomis is one of the best in the league and should work well with Gruden to figure out what he needs and get it done. Obviously it all comes down to the NFL and their say on any situation involving Gruden. Gruden has been bringing the heat to the NFL and the Commissioner Roger Goodell about the leaked emails in a lawsuit. How come no one else was thrown under the bus on this investigation of the Washington franchise? Maybe something could be worked out there. Maybe Darren Rizzi will show the Saints something that he’s the guy for the job in the future. Something about Gruden in the Big Easy leading the Saints has some teeth to make some big headlines. To finally find the Sean Payton replacement.
The Saints need to get out of that salary cap hell before they actually get a team that can make it back to the playoffs. Gruden makes those tough decisions. Look at the Raiders when he took the heat from trading Khalil Mack. The Bears went to the playoffs in 2018 and quickly lost to the Eagles. Mack did not get any playoff victories in Chicago nor has he helped the Chargers get to the playoffs since he was traded to LA. I don’t think it will ever happen as this is more of a pipe dream than a reality for Gruden to even come back into the NFL. The black and gold Chucky voodoo dolls would be something to see down in the Big Easy. If Donald Trump can have the biggest job in our country and be a felon, why can’t Chucky get back into coaching in the NFL? The Saints should be the first franchise to give him a call. Trump has said a lot worse things than Gruden probably wrote on his computer and sent to his own circle of friends in private. If that is the case these days in life, well Gruden should be able to work again.
The football gods may be against the Bears having a franchise quarterback. The off-season looked pretty good for the Chicago Bears drafting a number one quarterback in Caleb Williams. Drafting a top flight wide receiver in Rome Odunze. The Bears General Manager Ryan Poles made a savvy trade landing another top veteran wide receiver in Keenan Allen from the Chargers. The Bears landed a new offensive coordinator in Shane Waldron who came in with experience. The defense was set from the 2023 regular season and only to get better. The Bears got off to a 4-2 start and were sitting pretty as fans were thinking this could be the year the team gets back to the playoffs. The last two games the Bears have played, it shows their head coach Matt Eberflus is way over his head in this job. Since the Commanders’ Hail Mary pass, Ryan Poles has to be thinking he has made a colossal mistake keeping Eberflus as his guy as this team has taken a few major steps backwards with the meat of the schedule coming into play. The Bears season is hanging by a thread.
Let’s take the hot tub time machine back to the Hail Mary pass thrown by Jayden Daniels of the Commanders that broke the Bears’ back in week 8. Matt Eberflus calls the defensive plays even as the head coach of the team. Eberflus was hired from the job he did as a defensive coordinator & when he was with the Colts, his defense was solid. The last drive versus the Commanders in week 8, the Eberflus defense played too soft. The first two plays where Washington managed to get to mid-field, it was rather quickly. Then not having any time outs left to burn before the Hail Mary pass went off. Both teams were lined up as Bears defensive back Tyrique Stevenson was too busy taunting the crowd thinking that his team, the Bears, had the game wrapped up. Stevenson was late getting over to the party. He got there but did not cover the guy he was supposed to cover. He went up high in the air with the rest of the scrum and tipped the ball right into the hands of Noah Brown who was waiting in the end zone all by himself. This as Washington steals a game in which they dominated most of the game.
The Bears should have stole this game as their offense came alive late in the game. The Bears could have taken the lead way earlier as Eberflus let his offensive coordinator call a hand off to a back up offensive linemen, who fumbled the ball on the exchange with Caleb Williams. How do you let a guy cold and coming off the bench take a pivotal hand off at the goal line to take the lead of game the other team has dominated? Doug Kramer Jr. should have not even been in that situation. Why bring in the trickery at that point of the game? Eberflus could have nixed that play being the head coach as he is listening to all his coaches through the headphones. Bobby Wagner recovered the fumble off the hands of Kramer Jr. The Bears defense would make a stop & then the offense finally took the lead in the last minute of the game. Then the Hail Mary pass leaves the Bears with egg all over their face.
Last Sunday, the Bears offense were playing the 26th ranked defense in the entire league the Arizona Cardinals. The Bears disciplined Tyrique Stevenson after the Hail Mary debacle. He would not start versus the Cardinals. Stevenson did issue an apology for not boxing out Noah Brown, the Commanders wide open receiver. When he heard he was being demoted as part of the punishment, he took himself out of a practice during the week. Then during the game on Sunday versus the Cardinals, as the Bears were on offense you see wide receiver DJ Moore just walk off the field during a play. For no apparent reason. The Bears got annihilated by the Cardinals. The Cardinals ran down the heart and soul of that Bears defense. You could see mis-tackle after mis-tackle. The offense had no answers from the Cardinals defense. It seems like the Bears were running the same play over and over. The Cardinals would flush Caleb Williams out of the pocket and then he would throw the ball on the run for an incomplete pass most of the afternoon. The Bears as a team came out unprepared and undisciplined on both sides of the ball. They even had Williams sling the ball with two minutes left in the contest during garbage time. One play it looked like Williams was hurt. It would have been time for the pitch forks and torches if your number one pick got hurt in a game that was out of hand.
The Bears won 7 games in 2023 and had a great second half but laid a clunker in their last game in Green Bay to their rival, the hated Packers. In that game the Bears seem like they went through the motions. The Bears GM Ryan Poles thought it was good enough to keep Matt Eberflus who started out of the gates ugly but turned the season around. It was that defense that excited people last year & looked like it was one of the top units in the league. So far this season the Bears defense has played well for most of the season. The Cardinals steamrolled this Bears team. You can blame some injuries. Maybe this defense is unraveling hearing the same voice. You can blame the current GM as the team has a shaky offensive line and Williams seems to throw on the run often. This is the 3rd season under Eberflus and as a head coach, his record sucks at 14-28. The Bears have not faced any of their division rivals yet. The NFC North is stacked with the Packers, Vikings, and the Lions. Before the last two weeks the division was being talked about that possibly three teams could make the playoffs. In Chicago we were thinking the Vikings may be the team that did not make it. Now the finger points to the Bears as the weakest link. I have a feeling that the Vikings, Lions, and Packers will show how inferior the Bears really are. We as fans always get suckered in. This is the year. Amazed at all the shiny new pieces. The looks like it’s the best team we had ever assembled since the ’85 team. Then we remember that we have not had a franchise QB since the 1940’s.
The former great Carolina Panther wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad when he played for the Bears said, “Chicago is where receivers go to die.”
Now we need a new head coach because Matt Eberflus is terrible. The Bears will not ever fire a coach during the season. Besides, which coach does the Bears have on this Eberflus staff right now that has head coaching experience? The new offensive head coach may be a problem as Caleb Williams started off cold out of the gates. Then started to improve. Then now has regressed. Just your typical rookie QB’s, you can say. The number two pick in Washington, Jayden Daniels, is not playing like a rookie. Shane Waldron’s trickery plays have backfired. The lack of a running game is a head scratcher. Waldron could be expendable too. Once again we have the same ole Bears. It happened to Mitch Trubisky. Then Justin Fields. Now it could occur with Williams. Two head coaches, along with two offensive schemes in the first two seasons of your football career. It looks to me like Eberflus has lost his locker room. The division games the Bears play coming up in the meat of this schedule will show you this team is not a playoff team. This team and its roster and coaching staff have more holes and question marks than answers to having a playoff roster in the NFL.
Where do you go if you are the Jets after losing to the Patriots last week? The Texans lost another weapon in their passing game as Stefon Diggs is out for the year with a knee injury. When is it time to pull the plug on Aaron Rodgers? Because the Jets are in the coffin right now as their 2024 season is being nailed shut?
The Jets are 2-6 and are favored in this contest. I know CJ Stroud did not play well last year at the Jets stadium in New Jersey. This match up can go either way. I can see Rodgers and this Jets team suddenly resurrect themselves and get the victory. I like the Texans defense in this match up as well. I love to see the Jets season end here. I pick Houston to win because the Jets are a badly-coached team and they make too many mistakes. I just don’t trust the Jets. Stroud will rely heavily on the running game with Joe Mixon taking this offense on his shoulders. The running game is the weakness to the Jets defense.
OUR PICK: TEXANS
THE SUNDAY SLATE
DENVER BRONCOS(5-3) AT BALTIMORE RAVENS(5-3)
The Broncos have won two straight games and their rookie QB Bo Nix continues to improve himself at the NFL level. The Ravens were absolutely stunned by the Browns last week getting beaten by the likes of Jameis Winston. You would think the Ravens in this match-up have the better defense, but that goes to the Broncos. Denver defense is the big reason why this team is 5-3. The Ravens defense may be one of the worst units in this team’s history. Hard to believe because last year the same defense dominated and got this Ravens team to the AFC Championship. The Ravens defense should slow Bo Nix down just enough for Lamar Jackson and that offense to get enough points for the win. The Ravens offense has been one of the best in the league. Jackson along with the running back Derrick Henry has created a rushing attack that teams can’t stop. Jackson gets his passing plays in as well to keep the Denver defense from not guessing what is next. I like the Ravens being at home. I like the Ravens offense getting their points on a solid defense. I think Ravens rebound from the lost to Cleveland and get back in the win column.
OUR PICK: RAVENS
DALLAS COWBOYS(3-4) AT ATLANTA FALCONS(5-3)
I thought the Cowboys were going to wake up last week versus a 49ers team they had trouble in the past beating. The Falcons won a big division game as they swept the Buccaneers and have a big tie breaker within the division they are holding. Both the Cowboys and Falcons defenses are struggling to stop opposing offenses. This game should be considered a shoot out. The Cowboys are due for a big game soon. That game where the Lions massacred the Cowboys is still lingering. I like Kirk Cousins keeping this a very close game. In the end the Cowboys find a way to win a game to right the ship at least for one week. They will calm the critics and be back at the 500 mark.
OUR PICK: COWBOYS
MIAMI DOLPHINS(2-5) AT BUFFALO BILLS(6-2)
The Dolphins offense showed a pulse last week in the return of Tua Tagovailoa. The Bills have won back-to-back games and beat up on the Seahawks. The Bills were the team when Tua landed a blow to the head and was out for multiple weeks with a concussion. The Bills defense tamed a great Seattle offense last week on the road. Seattle is a tough place with top play. How does Miami beat the Bills is the million dollar question? If the Bills can beat Miami this week, they could literally step on the fin’s throat and pretty much end their season as this team needs to win a ton games to be back in the playoff conversation. Miami defense is a problem as they allowed Kyler Murray to have a big game against them in Tua’s return. Josh Allen has dominated the Dolphins and he plays his best at home in Buffalo. The Bills defense has the recipe to keep the Dolphins Air and Water show in check.
OUR PICK:BILLS
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS(2-6) AT CAROLINA PANTHERS(1-7)
This game should be slated the toilet bowl of the NFC South. The Saints started out 2-0 and have lost six straight. The Panthers are the worst team in the league & have lost five straight games. The last time these two teams met was week one when the Saints put up 40 points on this Panthers team. The Saints have been decimated by injuries, but will get their starting QB back in this one Derek Carr. The Panthers corner back Jaycee Horn was bitching last week at Sean Payton for trying to run up the score as Denver scored 28 points and brought out the trick plays with 5 minutes left in regulation.
Jaycee Horn’s father Joe played for the Saints and was a wide receiver who used a cell phone in his touchdown celebration. Maybe the Panthers need a mercy rule. I think Carr will give this Saints offense the juice it needs to get back in the win column.
OUR PICK: SAINTS
LA CHARGERS(4-3) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS(2-6)
The Chargers are a quiet 4-3 as they beat the Saints last week without any big news or highlights. The Browns shocked the football world as they upset their division rival the Ravens with their back up QB, Jameis Winston. Could the bad start for the Browns come down to the bad play of Deshaun Watson? The Chargers defense will give this new Browns life a bigger challenge than what the Ravens defense has done all year. Winston having back to back games without the costly turnover is rare. The Chargers have Justin Herbert who has had a pretty good season with 8 touchdown passes compared to one interception.
Before this season it seemed like Herbert had the air show going every week throwing bombs through the skies all around the football world. Now he seems like a game manager under Jim Harbaugh. The Chargers don’t have those big weapons they let go in the off-season. The Browns defense now has a spark with last week’s win should be able to stop Herbert and company. I like Nick Chubb running the ball for the Browns to take the pressure off Winston. The Browns are at home, so we roll with Winston this week for the hell of it and watch Cleveland get their mojo back while Watson’s at home pouting about his future.
OUR PICK: BROWNS
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS(2-6) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS(3-5)
The Raiders gave the Chiefs a battle last week. The Bengals took a beat down by the Eagles. Joe Burrow is walking a thin line for this 2024 season. A loss by the Raiders may be the hole the Bengals can’t dig themselves out of. The Raiders will go with Gardner Minshew who started last week. The Raiders should be able to generate points off a bad Bengals defense. If Tee Higgins can go, I like the Bengals in this one. No way Minshew can keep up matching scores with Burrow throwing to Ja’Marr Chase and Higgins as his options. I still like the Bengals even without Higgins. The Raiders are gassed from throwing everything at the Chiefs now traveling to Cincinnati. Since Davante Adams was traded, the leading receiver for Raiders has been their tight end Brock Bowers.
Not enough as Burrow still thinks he can run the table and get the Bumbles, cough cough I mean Bengals, back in the playoff conversation. The Raiders will be the first notch on this long road.
OUR PICK: BENGALS
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS(2-6) AT TENNESSEE TITANS(1-6)
Who the hell do you pick in a game with these two teams? The Patriots upset the Jets and Aaron Rodgers which was priceless. Maybe the first time I rooted for the Pats since Drew Bledsoe was the man behind center. The Titans have been getting kicked around by the good teams the last two weeks. Before that the Titans would not do what I predicted which was very agonizing. The Patriots rookie QB Drake Maye suffered a concussion & he most likely will not play in this one. I like Mason Rudolf delivering in a game like this. Rudolf is better than Jacoby Brissett on any given Sunday. I have a predicted winner but really who cares about this game?
OUR PICK: TITANS
CHICAGO BEARS(4-3) AT ARIZONA CARDINALS(4-4)
It’s hard to believe the Cardinals right now are in a 3 way tie for first place in the NFC West. The Bears were beaten by a Hail Mary play at the end of regulation by the Commanders. Kyler Murray can do well against bad defenses as he delivered last week in a one point win over the Dolphins. The Bears were dominated by the Commanders most of the way. Then fought their way back in the game and took the lead. Then they shot themselves in the foot at the end of the game to give it right back to Washington. The Bears defense is solid, so Murray will have problems. Caleb Williams has done well against bad defense this season in a string of wins. Williams I believe will not get off to a slow start this week as the Bears should get an early rushing attack established to dictate this one for the win.
OUR PICK: BEARS
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS(2-6) AT PHILADELPHIA EAGLES(5-2)
Doug Pederson was the only head coach in Eagles history to have won a Superbowl. Pederson has been to Philadelphia as Head Coach of the Jaguars. This visit Pederson has no defense. The Eagles exposed a bad defense last week that the Bengals trotted out on to the field. The Jaguars have not won a road game all season. The Eagles defense contained the Bengals offense which is hard to do with Joe Burrow behind center. Trevor Lawrence is starting to find his groove, but his defense has let him down all year. In a shoot out Jalen Hurts will prevail because the Eagles defense will make some stops on Lawrence. The Eagles are one those quiet teams that are starting to string some victories together as they won three straight. Make it 4.
OUR PICK: EAGLES
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS(6-2) AT NEW YORK GIANTS(2-6)
Once upon a time ago… that’s how the story will be told. The first team rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels beat was the New York Giants. It was week 2 and it was a close game 21-18 Commanders win. The following week the coming out party for Daniels was heard throughout the football world. The Giants come home after giving the Steelers a battle most of the game on Monday Night Football. The Commanders won last week on a Hail Mary pass to beat the Bears in game they dominated and you don’t know why they needed to win using the rosary in the last seconds. The Commanders defense has turned into one of the better units in the league. We know the Commanders offense have razzled and dazzled the competition since playing the Giants last. We can’t really say that about the Giants. The Giants defense is okay, not scary like the Commanders. Daniel Jones will settle for more field goals than touchdowns in the red zone.
OUR PICK: COMMANDERS
DETROIT LIONS(6-1) AT GREEN BAY PACKERS(6-2)
The Lions and Packers right now are the two power houses of the NFL North, since the Vikings dropped two straight games. Combined the Packers & Lions have won 9 straight. The Packers 4 and the Lions 5. One problem involved the cheese heads. Will Jordan Love play? He suffered a hamstring injury in the win over the Jaguars last week. The Lions offense with Jared Goff, his receivers, and the two headed monster in the back field have been the best offense in the league. They scored 52 points versus the Titans last week. Let’s not forget the 40 something dismantling of the Cowboys a few weeks back. The Packers have survived without Love behind center. The former Titan, now Packer Malik Willis, is 2-0 as a starter this season. This will be a heavyweight fight between these two teams. Exchanging blows each quarter. The Lions get the final blow as Love will not be 100% & keeps Detroit king of the division at the half way point of the season.
OUR PICK: LIONS
LA RAMS(3-4) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS(4-4)
The NFC West is up for grabs. The Seahawks, Cardinals, and 49ers are all at the same record of 4-4. The Rams are right behind all three teams with 3-4 record. The 49ers have a bye this week. The Cardinals have their hands full dealing with the visiting Bears. This is a big game between Seattle and LA.
The Seahawks crumbled at home versus the Bills last week. Two of Seattle defenders got in a fight in on the sidelines during the game. The Seahawks offense who was scoring on every team, looked bad versus the Bills defense. The Seahawks may be without their star receiver DK Metcalf in this one as he was out last week with an injury. The Rams look like a new team with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back from their injuries. This made Matthew Stafford look like a different QB this season versus the Vikings. I’m going with my eye test here. The Rams defense looked solid last week and the Seahawks can be streaky with Geno Smith like last season he was cold more than he was hot. Stafford has the hot hand as the Rams have won two straight.
OUR PICK: RAMS
THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS(4-4) AT MINNESOTA VIKINGS(5-2)
I thought the Colts should have started Joe Flacco versus a Texans team they would have beat if he was behind center last week. The Vikings started off 5-0 and now the wheels fell off the purple bus and they are desperate for a win. Flacco will get the start on Sunday night versus the Vikings and they are a different team when he starts over Anthony Richardson. The Vikings defense which has done well during that first 5 games were sliced and diced by Matthew Stafford. I like the Colts offense with Jonathan Taylor back as the premier back and how Flacco can open up the passing game like the Rams did to that Vikings defense. Remember Sam Darnold has always been a losing QB throughout his NFL career. One of the toughest things to do as a quarterback is break a losing streak. Darnold has played his best football this year behind center. This will be a close game. I like Flacco’s experience better as the Colts rebound from their division loss to Houston and win a tough road game.
OUR PICK: COLTS
THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS(4-4) AT KANSAS CITY CHIEFS(7-0)
Surprisingly Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers offense were still able to score a good amount of points last Sunday versus the Falcons without his two top receivers. Kansas City held off a Raiders attack and got their revenge from the great Christmas story of last year when Vegas beat the Chiefs. The Buccaneers defense has been like the easy slot machines giving money away on each button push. The Buccaneers have lost two straight and playing in Arrowhead with a solid defense the Chiefs have, is not a very good recipe. Let’s not forget the prince of the NFL Patrick Mahomes can run a balanced attack and keep the Chiefs perfect for the season.
This Russian attack is not the Soviet Army invading our country like in one of the greatest under the radar movies in Red Dawn, which has a cult following. This is not the insensitive invasion of Ukraine by the dick head Vladimir Putin.
This Russian attack is a lone wolf named Alex Ovechkin, invading the Great One’s all time goals list in the NHL. The Great One being Wayne Gretzky. Ovechkin, nicknamed the Russian machine, needs only 37 goals to tie a NHL record that in our lifetime we never thought we would see get broken.
In 1994 Wayne Gretzky was skating with the LA Kings when he scored his 802nd goal to pass up another legend hockey player. That player was Gordie Howe who had 801 goals in the NHL.
Gordie skated 25 years for the Detroit Red Wings & then went on to the WHA (World Hockey Association) to play a few more years. The WHA would fold up shop and eventually merge with the NHL back in 1979.
Howe would end up playing one more season in the NHL as a Hartford Whaler. On October 15th of 1989, Gretzky was only 28 years old and passed up Howe’s 1,850 points in his first year with the Kings against his old team, the Edmonton Oilers. The great one even added the overtime goal in that game to give the Kings a 5-4 win over the Oilers that historical night. The great one scored 894 goals in his career playing in 1,487 games in a 20 year NHL career and retired at the age of 38. Even if Alex Ovechkin breaks his record, I think many will say Wayne is still the best hockey player of all-time in the NHL.
This is the 20th season for Alex Ovechkin who was drafted by the Washington Capitals number one overall back in the 2004 NHL draft. Ovechkin is 39 years old and has played his entire career in Washington. Ovechkin helped the Capitals win their first ever Stanley Cup back in the 2017-18 season. Ovechkin has played in 1,434 games in his NHL career and has 857 goals. In 8 games this season Ovechkin has 4 goals. Last season Ovechkin had 31 goals, his lowest amount since the 2012-13 season playing a full schedule. During the Covid season Ovechkin had 24 goals in the 2020-21 season. In the 2022-23 season, Ovechkins had another 40 or more goals as he lit the lantern 42 times. He has scored at least 41 goals in 13-19 seasons coming into his 20th year in the NHL.
How would you feel about a Russian breaking the Great One’s record for most goals all-time? Alex Ovechkin has ties to the dictator Vladimir Putin which is never a good thing if he’s seeking endorsement deals. You have to respect the work he puts in on his craft to be a top scorer in the NHL for 20 seasons. If Russia does not invade Ukraine and are still at war with their neighbor country, I’m not really writing this part of the article. Former goalie and Hall of Famer Dominik Hasik compares Putin to Adolf Hitler. He would like to see the NHL do something about the Russians in the league. How Ukraine should get some compensation to help their country which could be paid out players from the Mother Country. Hasek wants the NHL to fork over the money as they have allowed Russian players in the league since the war started in 2022. The Russians that play in the NHL give their own country and world advertisement that nothing is wrong in the world. The Russians have been banned in the Olympics. Putin’s country still has his own people in sports across the world like tennis. Do you fault players who most likely want to play the game then fight in a war? How these players make money in the states and Canada and help their own back in the old country. You know some of that money is then taken by the Russian government to buy more bullets or tanks to kill innocent people and children always become victims.
Some of these Russian players have been some of the best players in the NHL over the decades. If Ovechkin breaks Gretzky’s record, it’s like Barry Bonds being the home run king cheating and passing Hank Aaron, a guy who did everything right. I don’t think of Ovechkin as a guy that cheated the game. If he gets the record this season or if it drags into next, it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth because he is a guy that had his picture with Putin. He is a guy that never said anything bad about his buddy dictator when reporters brought it up to him after his country invaded. Playing the old Nintendo game called Rush’n Attack which was spelled differently so no feelings were hurt during the sales in the late 1980’s during the Cold War. That is how the relationship seems to be strained as we look at it like the video game or Red Dawn the movie. We have to always look at most people in every country and believe they do not want to be involved in a war. They want to make a living they love with a significant other and have kids while being happy. How ironic that if Ovechkin does pass the great one, he is wearing a Capitals sweater and plays in the nation’s capital. Maybe Donald Trump will have his ICE guys take care of him on the ice. Trump may also be in a selfie with Ovechkin and text it to his old buddy Putin in Russia. Right now it just does not feel right for anyone to be close to the Great One’s record.
LAST WEEK’S RECORD FOR WEEK 7, (12-3) Our best of the year.
THURSDAY NIGHT GAMES:(5-2)
FRIDAY GAMES:(0-1)
MONDAY NIGHT GAMES:(6-3)
SEASON RECORD:(68-39)
NFL WEEK 8 STRAIGHT PICK-EM
THE THURSDAY NIGHT GAME
MINNESOTA VIKINGS(5-1) AT LA RAMS(2-4)
Last Sunday the Vikings got their first loss of the season by a division rival, Detroit Lions, on a game-ending field goal. The Rams managed to get by a bad Raiders team. The Rams will be getting some of their bigger play makers back on offense as Cooper Cupp and Puka Nacua will give Matthew Stafford his two best receivers back in the fold. The Vikings defense were gashed by the Lions after the offense built the team a nice lead early in that one. This will be the hardest thing for the Vikings all season, which is to rebound quickly from a loss on a short week which is their first one all year. Do you trust the Rams? They have been wishy washy all year. Stafford will get better with his guys back. The Vikings should rebound especially that defense. I’ve been liking what Sam Darnold has done to this point. Close game but I like Vikes on the road.
OUR PICK: VIKINGS
THE SUNDAY SLATE
BALTIMORE RAVENS(5-2) AT CLEVELAND BROWNS(1-6)
The Ravens have won 5 straight games. The Browns lost their starting quarterback for the year. The Browns fans are dancing in the streets naked until they see QB 2 in Jameis Winston. The Ravens defense has not been that elite unit like they were last season. With the interception king at quarterback for the Browns, oh the hunting they will go as they could force multiple turnovers. Overall I can see the Browns playing better with Nick Chubb back. I think Winston will keep this game close and watch the Browns offense run smoother. These two teams know each other. The Browns defense will have a hard time stopping Derrick Henry or do you get Lamar Jackson in an option running game that has worked well. I will go back to the interception king serving up too many gifts for the Ravens to seal the deal with another win under their feathers.
OUR PICK: RAVENS
TENNESSEE TITANS(1-5) AT DETROIT LIONS(5-1)
The Lions have taken over the throne of the NFC North kingdom removing the Vikings last Sunday. The Titans waving the white flag as they traded veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Chiefs. This will be the second consecutive road game for the Titans who are looking for Rudolf the back up quarterback to take the Lions down in his story. Mason Rudolf is a better option than Will Levis who is hurt and has not done well as the starting quarterback this season. The Lions are at home and their offense, and they score points which the Titans can’t match. The Lions are just far better than the Titans as well. Detroit will sit on their throne for at least another week.
OUR PICK: LIONS
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS(4-3) AT HOUSTON TEXANS(5-2)
This week 8 match up is a battle for first place in the AFC South. Some would have thought that Houston was light years ahead of any other team in the division. The Colts have quietly stayed in striking distance as they just got by the Miami Dolphins. The Texans lost a close game to the Green Bay Packers that sent Stephon Diggs in a tizzy with a Packers defender during that contest.
Diggs is lone wolf on things and his mind set is all about the Diggies which could sink the Texans time to time. The Colts will have their star running back Jonathan Taylor back. If the Colts win this, they will both be 5-3 for the year. I like Texans in this one because the Colts will have Anthony Richardson starting and he can’t match anything CJ Stroud is putting up on the scoreboard. If Joe Flacco was the starter, then this match up got way better.
OUR PICK: TEXANS
GREEN BAY PACKERS(5-2) AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS(2-5)
The Jaguars return from their summer home in England the last two weeks, and now will play a home game in Florida with the visiting Packers. The Packers coming off a big win over the Texans. The Jags won last week over the Patriots and now you can say they are not in last place in the AFC south. The Packers are not the Patriots and Jordan Love should carve the Jaguars up like Thanksgiving turkey as Jacksonville has a weak secondary. Trevor Lawrence could have games where he can match anyone in the NFL but with the long stay and long flight the Jaguars may come out purring like kittens then a jungle animal.
OUR PICK: PACKERS
ARIZONA CARDINALS(3-4) AT MIAMI DOLPHINS(2-4)
The Dolphins will be getting the guy that makes their merry go round, go around. Tua Tagovailoa is cleared to start from the concussion protocols. Tua has missed several weeks after suffering a concussion in week two versus the Bills. The Cardinals found a way to beat a team not in their division with a walk off field goal to end the Chargers on Monday night. The Dolphins offense without Tua has been dormant. The Cardinals defense is the best recipe for the Dolphins to knock off the rust. Can Kyler Murray go head to head with TUA? I don’t like the Cardinals playing on the road in Miami where the humid conditions favor the Dolphins most of the time. Tua is the spark that will light up the Cardinals with a big boom.
OUR PICK: DOLPHINS
NEW YORK JETS(2-5) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS(1-6)
I find myself rooting for the Patriots in this one even though the wreckage of the previous dynasty is still smoldering. This match up gives me no choice because the Jets have Aaron Rodgers, a guy you have to hate with a deeper anger. Jets need this win more than the Patriots just because of the season aspirations coming in. Jets want to be that darling playoff team with an aging Rodgers leading them deep into post season. The Patriots are developing a rookie quarterback Drake Maye who has done well so far in a few starts. The Patriots coming home after playing in England will probably get steam rolled by the Jets as their defense who will make the bold statement. Mr. Darkness Retreat will play well in this one and get the Jets back in the win column.
OUR PICK: JETS
ATLANTA FALCONS(4-3) AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS(4-3)
The Falcons and the Buccaneers met in week 5 on Thursday night that was an epic battle for sole possession of the NFC South. Last week Kirk Cousins was rattled as he felt like he was in a cage from the Seahawks defense which encapsulated him in the pocket with punishment all game. The Buccaneers defense has seen better days as the Ravens hung a 40 berger on them in the Monday Night game. I like the Falcons getting back on track with that Buccaneer defense being unable to stop anyone. The Buccaneers offense during that game lost their two best receivers in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Not sure how Baker Mayfield will respond with these guys out. The Falcons defense is nowhere to be compared to this Buccaneers unit. I like Cousins dropping another 30 points on this Buccaneers teams, sweeping the series. and taking over first place.
OUR PICK: FALCONS
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES(4-2) AT CINCINNATI BENGALS(3-4)
The Eagles and Bengals have quietly won two straight games. With a win, the Bengals will get to the 500 mark and once again look like they have dug themselves out of an early grave.
The Eagles are winning games but Jalen Hurts and that offense do not look crisp like they use to. The entire Eagles team just looks ordinary and nothing special. The Eagles should generate some offense from this terrible Bengals defense. Joe Burrow is the grave digger for this team and after the hole is dug, he brings his team out of the hole and the Bengals usually go on a tear and win 5 or more games. That Bengals offense will be hard for this Eagles defense to contain. Hurts and company will not score more than that Bengals offense. Bengals even up their record and are back in the playoff conversation. This is one of the norms about the NFL in these scenarios. Bengals find their way back into the season and Chiefs continue to win Superbowls. Just part of the regular scripts.
OUR PICK: BENGALS
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS(2-5) AT LA CHARGERS(3-3)
Did some witch doctor in New Orleans get the Voo Doo doll wrong? Derek Carr is still out. The Saints injured list is a mile long. Each week & each poke of the doll something bad happens to this Saints team who have now lost 5 straight after winning their first two games. The Chargers are Even Steven at 3-3 and lost to the Cardinals in a game that was not a thriller on Monday night on a walk off field goal. Chargers only scored 15 points. Spencer Rattler has had some flashes of looking like a quarterback in this league. He is still a rookie and the Chargers defense should gobble him up. The Chargers will run the ball well to establish control in this game. The Saints front office needs to eliminate the witch doctor to remove the curse or this season may be one of the worst for New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina leveled most of the town.
OUR PICK: CHARGERS
BUFFALO BILLS(5-2) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS(4-3)
Both the Bills and Seahawks come away with wins last Sunday. The Bills inserted their new weapon for Josh Allen and he connected with Amari Cooper for a score, a guy they just landed in a trade. Meanwhile Seahawks defensive front was in the face of Kirk Cousins all afternoon in a win over the Falcons. The Seahawks can score points. The Bills bend and try not to break defense will look for turnovers where Geno Smith can make mistakes. Smith has six interceptions this season. The Bills are 2-2 on the road this season and Seattle is not the easiest place to win on the road. I like Josh Allen being able to escape the Seattle pressure. I like the Bills well-balanced offense. The Seahawks will generate points. However the Seahawks will have one less weapon for the Bills to deal with in wide receiver DK Metcalf. The Bills defense will get that Smith turnover and get out of Seattle with a win.
OUR PICK: BILLS
CHICAGO BEARS(4-2) AT WASHINGTON COMMANDERS(5-2)
This Bears versus Commanders game features the top two quarterbacks picked in last April’s draft. For the Bears Caleb Williams was picked number one. He started off slowly out of the gates & now looks like he has figured out the speed of the NFL game compared to college. Jayden Daniels out of the gates behind center has been red hot. Williams is completing so far 65.3% of his passes with 9 touchdown passes and 5 interceptions. Williams can run the ball but prefers to pass the ball when he is on the run. Then Daniels is completing a whopping 75.6% of his passes which is unbelievable. Daniels has thrown 6 touchdown passes to only 2 interceptions and has 4 rushing touchdowns with his legs. Both these teams have solid defenses to go along with electric offenses. Daniels looks like he will play but he will be playing with bruised ribs he suffered versus Carolina. This may be a start of inter conference battle for years to come. Who wins this one?
The X-factor is Montez Sweat who actually led both teams last year in sacks. Sweat was traded by the Commanders to the Bears. I can see Sweat having a big game and making a impact play to turn the tides in favor of the Bears as they win a close one.
OUR PICK: BEARS
CAROLINA PANTHERS(1-6) AT DENVER BRONCOS(4-3)
The Panthers are a very bad team. The Broncos knocked off a very bad team last Thursday beating up on the Saints. The Broncos have one hell of a defense that should paint the picture right there. The Broncos QB Bo Nix is slowly developing and should have a solid game versus a bad Panther defense. It’s in Denver. That’s all she wrote.
OUR PICK: BRONCOS
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS(6-0) AT LAS VEGAS RAIDERS(2-5)
What happened to that Raiders team that knocked around Patrick Mahomes on Christmas Day? The silver and black would win that game. I ask myself: Is it possible for the Raiders that are 2-5 right now to give the Chiefs their first loss? The Raiders will reinsert Gardner Minshew who was benched weeks ago because he struggled. The Chiefs QB Mahomes has not thrown a touchdown pass of his own in weeks. The Chiefs just made a trade with the Titans as they land DeAndre Hopkins in hopes that will change in Vegas. It’s a home game for the Raiders but I imagine you will see more red than black jerseys. I’m sure the Raiders defense will throw everything including the kitchen sink at Mahomes. I just don’t see Minshew or the Raiders running game getting much off this Chiefs defense. It is just a pipe dream to think Raiders can resurrect that Christmas magic.
OUR PICK: CHIEFS
THE SUNDAY NIGHT GAME
DALLAS COWBOYS(3-3) AT SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS(3-4)
The last time we saw the Cowboys they were pummeled by the Lions. Detroit put up over 40 points on this horrible Dallas defense. The 49ers gave you hope last week for a little while of getting revenge versus the Chiefs from the Superbowl loss. The Chiefs won that as you all know that. The 49ers have a grocery store list at Aldi stocking up the covers and fridge with injuries. The Cowboys are rested and set for another prime time game. The last few meetings the 49ers defense has toppled the Cowboys offense. I really don’t care for either team as they both reek and desperate for a win. The 49ers are favored in this one. Just the way the NFL has gone, watch America’s team have a big night knocking the 49ers out with what ever they have standing in this game. Dak Prescott now the highest paid QB in the league has to show something or he will be headed for Watson Bust Boulevard. My gut says the Cowboys will be a complete different team and barely win this one on the road. You can’t have a week without talking about the Boys making it to the Superbowl those sickies.
OUR PICK: COWBOYS???
THE MONDAY NIGHT GAME
NEW YORK GIANTS(2-5) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS(5-2)
Do the Giants show a pulse in this Monday clash versus the Steelers? The Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin may be the QB whisperer.
The Steelers have gotten 5 wins out of QB’s tossed to the curb from other teams. Justin Fields went 4-2 as a starter to start the season for Pittsburgh. Last week Russell Wilson got his first action of the season and he looked like his old Seattle self and Steelers grounded the Jets. The Giants are probably the worst New York team that plays their games in New Jersey. The Steelers defense should easily prevent Daniel Jones from having any kind of chance that he thinks he’s going to win the game. Wilson may come down to earth but the Steelers running game will do the heavy lifting on offense and Pittsburgh should be 6-2 as we are closing on the first half of the season. Not too shabby.
The Wild shamrock 