Oddly enough, I’ve been watching the MLB Playoffs for the past couple of days. Citizens of The Manoverse already know that I am a Pittsburgh Pirates fan, so for many years I have essentially lost interest in baseball’s regular season after the initial hype of the first month. The Pirates have a collective record of 669-847 in the past decade, and I’m not wasting my time paying much attention to a team that wins only 44% of their games. At any rate, unlike the marathon 162 game regular season, baseball’s postseason is divided into much more digestible sprints, and there are usually a handful of teams that I have some reason to loathe, which is enough to keep my attention for a month, or until only teams I hate remain standing. At any rate, my point is that switching from football mode to baseball mode then back to football to make these picks isn’t easy. The things I go thru for you people. You’re welcome.
Observations from Last Week:
It’s hard being a college football fan in the Mountain State 😱. My Thundering Herd grabbed defeat from the jaws of victory in a double OT loss to Louisiana, while earlier that day I didn’t make it past the first half of WVU’s shellacking at the hands of Utah.
The NY Giants upset of the Chargers is the very definition of a Pyrrhic victory, given the season ending knee injury to star receiver Malik Nabers.
Not a football thought, but what the hell was up with the United States Ryder Cup team?!?!?!?? That effort was EMBARRASSING!!!! ⛳️🇺🇸😬
Tyreek Hill is definitely “out, bruh” 🚑.
The Philadelphia Eagles special teams coach is Michael Clay, and he deserves a raise 🦅.
My Season: 18-13
Zach’s Season: 9-22
Clemson (-13.5) at North Carolina
I noted in the preseason that I was anticipating this matchup simply because of the contrasting personalities of head coaches Dabo Swinney & Bill Belichick. At 1-3 the Tigers have been an epic disappointment thus far, with virtually zero chance of reaching the CFP. Meanwhile, Belichick seems more interested in indulging his adolescent girlfriend than leading the 2-2 Tar Heels to a conference championship. The home field intrigues me just a bit and makes me wonder if UNC can really make a go of it. However, I believe in the old adage “it isn’t the X’s & O’s, it’s the Jimmys & Joes”. At the end of the day, despite an atrocious first month of the season, Clemson has superior athletes. Zach has no doubt that Swinney will get things sorted out fairly quickly, while he thinks it might take Belichick a few seasons to build Carolina into a great program.
My Pick: Clemson
Zach’s Pick: Clemson
Kansas State at Baylor (-6.5)
It looks like both teams will be middle-of-the-pack in the Big 12, but the winner might have an opportunity to improve their lot. The 2-3 Wildcats have a really tough schedule ahead of them so this feels like a must win situation. The 3-2 Bears probably have a better shot at atleast securing a bowl invitation down the line, especially with a home victory in a winnable game. I don’t know who’ll come out on top, but I believe the margin of victory will be less than 5 points. Zach thinks the home field is enough for Baylor to win by a touchdown.
My Pick: Kansas St.
Zach’s Pick: Baylor
Miami (FL) (-5.5) at Florida State
For the first time in a very long time this Battle of Florida has meaningful implications. The Hurricanes are unbeaten and ranked 3rd in the nation. The 3-1 Seminoles suffered a brutal double OT loss to Virginia last week. Miami wants to stay in the conversation with other top national title contenders, while Florida St. needs a rebound if they don’t want everyone to assume their early season success was a fluke. I don’t mean to sound like a broken record, but I think a field goal one way or another will decide the outcome. Zach sees Miami as a legit Top 5 team. He foresees FSU putting up a hell of a fight, but likes the ‘Canes to get a solid win.
My Pick: Florida St.
Zach’s Pick: Miami (FL)
Minnesota (-3.5) vs. Cleveland
I am intrigued by this game simply because Minnesota just played our Steelers in Ireland last weekend, and now they’ll play their second consecutive game overseas. I assume the whole group stayed in Britain and will make the trek to London at some point this week. That already gives them a slight advantage. Of course they also have an advantage because…well, they’re playing the Browns 🤷🏻. Cleveland is starting rookie Dillon Gabriel at QB, and there is a not-so-small part of me that would be happy to see him ball out, sending a clear message that he is the team’s future at quarterback, not that narcissistic Sanders clown. However, I do not believe that’ll happen just yet. There’s a chance the Vikes could have JJ McCarthy available, but even if they roll with Carson Wentz under center I think they’ll win a low scoring snoozefest…something like 13-6. Zach isn’t very impressed with Minnesota, but thinks receiver Justin Jefferson is a difference maker.
My Pick: Minnesota
Zach’s Pick: Minnesota
Washington at LA Chargers (-2.5)
Speaking of quarterback returns, it seems as though Jayden Daniels could be back in Washington’s starting lineup after missing two games with a sprained knee. I don’t think the Commanders will overtake Philadelphia in their division, but it’s never too early to lay the foundation for a wildcard berth. Meanwhile, the Chargers sit atop their division thanks in part to the KC Chiefs’ slow start, but they can’t count on that lasting much longer. I’m getting playoff caliber vibes from this one, which I know sounds crazy at the beginning of October. It would certainly add to Daniels’ growing legacy to return from injury, lead his team into hostile territory, and escape with a victory. However, the reality is it’ll probably take a game or two for the young QB to be back in top form, and the Chargers seem like a team out to silence any doubters. Zach concurs.
Just when I was kinda sorta almost getting amped up for the return of football, news emerged of ESPN gobbling up the NFL Network & RedZone. I was upset last year when RedZone abandoned their “seven hours of commercial free football” tradition, although if I’m being honest the commercials were sprinkled in unobtrusively. However, ESPN (or, if we’re keeping it 100, Disney) tends to ruin perfectly great things with their meddling. I still haven’t forgiven them for canceling Mike & Mike in the Morning eight years ago. Disney…which is also now in bed with WWE…has become a greedy monster gobbling up everything in sight, and the fans pay the price. Anyway, I suppose further changes won’t occur until next season, so we’ll forge ahead as usual for now. As always, I’ll remind you that I really don’t know what the hell I’m talking about sometimes, so please…no wagering.
North
Detroit Lions (15-2) 11-6
Green Bay Packers (11-6) 10-7
Minnesota Vikings (14-3) 9-8
Chicago Bears (5-12) 8-9
I’m so tired of talking heads slobbering all over Bears’ QB Caleb Williams, using words like “generational”. No, he’s not. He’s just another guy. In three years, if I am wrong, I will admit my error and ask for mercy. At this point though, I don’t believe Williams will be much more successful than predecessors like Rex Grossman, Kyle Orton, or Jay Cutler. Chicago does have a new head coach though. Former Lions’ offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is getting his crack at a top job, and if anyone can prove me wrong about Williams it’s probably him. I like Vikings’ QB JJ McCarthy, but he is essentially a rookie after missing all of last season with a knee injury. The Vikes added some pieces on defense & bolstered their offensive line. Having said that, we probably need to show a bit of grace while McCarthy becomes acclimated to the NFL. Despite the presence of elite receiver Justin Jefferson, a solid running back group, and one of the best tight ends in the league in TJ Hockenson, I foresee a significant dropoff from a year ago. The Packers are being overlooked a bit, which might work in their favor. Jordan Love enters his third year as the starting quarterback, but he’s going to need more consistency from a deep & talented group of receivers, and their Top 5 defense has to maintain that level of intensity. Detroit’s defense was ravaged by injuries last year, and former defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has moved on to be the head coach of the NY Jets. How will their offense adjust after the departure of Ben Johnson?? That’ll be the key to the entire season. I expect a small regression, but it’ll be worth it if they have a deeper playoff run.
South
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7) 9-8
Atlanta Falcons (8-9) 9-8
Carolina Panthers (5-12) 6-11
New Orleans Saints (5–12) 6-11
While I don’t believe Bucs’ QB Baker Mayfield is worthy of being discussed alongside the league’s elite signal callers, I do think he has earned a spot on the second tier. A season ago that translated into a division title & a first round postseason exit, which is probably their ceiling once again. All eyes will be on Michael Penix Jr., now entrenched as the Falcons’ quarterback. Of course they also retained Kirk Cousins, whose services weren’t sought by any other team given his robust salary. Tight end Kyle Pitts has got to live up to his potential, and Atlanta’s defense, which ranked in the bottom third of the NFL last season, must kick it up a notch. The Panthers & Saints are spinning their wheels. New Orleans hired Kellen Moore to be their head coach, which may pay dividends in the future, but right now they simply have too many holes on the roster. I have come to the conclusion that the Panthers are football’s version of the Pittsburgh Pirates. They hire the wrong people, make bad decisions, and can’t evaluate talent properly. Their biggest issue is likely ownership, which won’t change until it does.
East
Philadelphia Eagles (14-3) 12-5
Dallas Cowboys (7-10) 10-7
Washington Commanders (12-5) 10-7
New York Giants (3-14) 6-11
Winning back-to-back Super Bowls is rare, but has been done as recently as the year before last. The Eagles have appeared in three Super Bowls since 2017, winning two. There has been some turnover on defense, but getting younger might not be a bad thing. Key free agents departed on both sides of the ball, yet, as long as Jalen Hurts is under center, he has his full complement of receivers, and Saquon Barkley is toting the rock, I see no reason to doubt Philly just yet. Brian Schottenheimer is now the head coach in Dallas, a change I’ve been predicting for a couple of years. Expect the Cowboys to rebound from a disappointing season and challenge Philadelphia for the division crown…assuming sack monster Micah Parsons gets paid. The Commanders will be right there in the mix as well, although QB Jayden Daniels won’t be sneaking up on anyone anymore. Does that mean Washington won’t be successful?? No…but I believe they’ll take a step back for now, especially if issues with receiver Terry McLaurin aren’t resolved satisfactorily. I actually like some of the things the Giants have done, but until Jaxon Dart supplants Russell Wilson behind center and young studs on defense gain experience there won’t be any postseason games at MetLife Stadium.
West
Los Angeles Rams (10-7) 10-7
Arizona Cardinals (8-9) 9-8
San Francisco 49ers (6-11) 9-8
Seattle Seahawks (10-7) 8-9
The Seahawks are almost unrecognizable. There’s a whole new offensive coaching staff, and Sam Darnold replaces Geno Smith at quarterback. Many will view that as an upgrade, but I’m not so sure. Receivers DK Metcalf & Tyler Lockett are gone, with former Ram Cooper Kupp stepping in as the new second receiver behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Seattle was a middle-of-the-pack defense last year, but with so many changes no one knows what to expect now. I don’t think the NIners will be as terrible as they were a year ago, but their defense was certainly impacted in free agency. Time will tell if draft picks pan out, and in the meantime alot is riding on the further development of QB Brock Purdy & the always unstable health of RB Christian McCaffrey. I don’t have much more faith in Cards’ QB Kyler Murray than I do Caleb Williams, but if receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. continues his ascent that’ll help. Arizona’s braintrust seemed to focus on a defensive rebuild this offseason, so we’ll see how that works out. I don’t think winning their second consecutive division title will be easy for the Rams, and I’m a little concerned about the health of QB Matthew Stafford, but the defense should be sneaky good enough to narrowly win the division.
My Steelers have been the talk of the offseason. Will they be terrible or will they be mediocre?? I believe that’s called damning with faint praise. Enigmatic Aaron Rodgers will be the quarterback, and he’ll be throwing mostly to DK Metcalf, who I see as an upgrade after George Pickens yapped his way out of town. He’s Jerry Jones’ problem now. Pass rusher TJ Watt got paid, and I have no doubt he’ll earn it. The running game looks different with rookie Kaleb Johnson & Jaylen Warren sharing duties after the departure of former first round bust Najee Harris. For the first time in several years I have good vibes about the offensive line & secondary. Everything seems to be held together by duct tape & prayer in Pittsburgh, which won’t get them to the Super Bowl but also hopefully means I won’t spend the next several months curled up in a dark room muttering to myself, as I assume Browns fans have been doing for decades. First of all, Cleveland’s quarterback room is unintentionally hilarious. Secondly, Myles Garrett is not the best defensive player in the NFL. Look on the bright side though…the Cavaliers are pretty good, and the Guardians ain’t half bad either. The division belongs to Baltimore, who’ve become the AFC’s Dallas Cowboys tribute band. No one doubts they’ll be successful in the regular season, but everyone assumes they’ll screw the pooch in the playoffs. Can the Bengals be a fly in the ointment?? Joe Burrow is a top notch quarterback. He has solid weapons, although if I were the GM I’d be looking for upgrades in the backfield & at tight end in the next draft. However, Cincy’s defense ranked in the bottom third of the league last season, and that was with pass rusher Trey Hendrickson in the lineup. If his holdout continues it’s a huge problem, and even if he plays there are other issues.
South
Houston Texans (10-7) 9-8
Jacksonville Jaguars (4-13) 8-9
Indianapolis Colts (8-9) 7-10
Tennessee Titans (3-14) 6-11
Which teams will improve and which teams will regress?? The Texans have a target on their back and tweaked their team just a bit. There are some new coaches on offense and a revamped offensive line. Quarterback CJ Stroud’s QBR dropped from 53.2 during his rookie season to 50.2 last year, while his passer rating dropped from 100.8 to 87. He has to be better. The Colts will choose between QBs Anthony Richardson & Daniel Jones, which is like having drunk munchies at 3am and your best options are the container of Chinese food that’s been in your fridge for a week or risking a DUI to grab some Taco Bell. Jonathan Taylor is only 26 years old & one of the best RBs in football when healthy, and I really like first round draft pick Tyler Warren, who has elite tight end potential. Indy ranked 29th in total defense a season ago, and I don’t know if they did enough to improve significantly. #1 overall pick Cam Ward has an opportunity to be a special QB for the Titans, but it’ll take a couple of years to build a competitive roster around him. The Jags brought in former Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Liam Coen to be their new head coach and drafted unicorn Travis Hunter, who will allegedly play WR & CB. I like receiver Brian Thomas, and there are some dawgs on defense, but everything in Jacksonville is contingent upon QB Trevor Lawrence rebounding from an injury plagued season during which he only played in ten games.
East
Buffalo Bills (13-4) 14-3
Miami Dolphins (8-9) 9-8
New England Patriots (4-13) 7-10
New York Jets (5-12) 7-10
There is no question that the Bills will win the division easily. Their focus is solely on solving recent playoff woes & playing in February. The Dolphins moved some chess pieces around, but I don’t believe their team is any better or worse than last season. QB Tua Tagovailoa only played in 11 games a year ago, and it seems like further concussion issues could seriously jeopardize his career. Patriots QB Drake Maye comes into his second season surrounded by a team that has undergone a significant transformation. Former linebacker & Titans head coach Mike Vrabel now runs the show for the franchise he won three Super Bowls with, and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels returns home after realizing he’s not really cut out to be a head coach. Things are looking up in New England, but let’s give them another year before raising expectations. The Jets are the Jets. I know there is some buzz around new quarterback Justin Fields, but I’ve never understood the hype. Former cornerback Aaron Glenn is the Jets’ fifth head coach in the past decade, and unfortunately I don’t think he’ll achieve much more than his last few predecessors.
West
Kansas City Chiefs (15-2) 12-5
Los Angeles Chargers (11-6) 10-7
Denver Broncos (10-7) 10-7
Las Vegas Raiders (4-13) 7-10
Have the Chiefs plateaued?? Can they make a fourth consecutive Super Bowl appearance?? I don’t believe it’ll be easy, but as long as Andy Reid is coaching and QB Patrick Mahomes remains healthy with no prominent erosion of his skills it’s too soon to dismiss KC. Having said that, I do think Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers will make things interesting. RB Najee Harris was a bust in Pittsburgh, and he’ll probably cede the starting gig to first rounder Omarion Hampton, but together they could be a formidable duo. A couple of receivers really need to step up for QB Justin Herbert, and the 11th ranked defense has to keep improving. A year ago I underestimated the skills of QB Bo Nix, but he showed alot of potential while leading the Broncos to the playoffs. Denver is probably looking at a very similar season in a really competitive division. I really like the Raiders trading for QB Geno Smith, who should be a significant upgrade over the potpourri of mediocrity that held the job the past couple of years. Super Bowl winning head coach Pete Carroll has also come out of retirement to lead the charge, which is oddly encouraging. With the addition of first round RB Ashton Jeanty & continued growth of tight end Brock Bowers there are signs of hope in Vegas, but their middle of the pack defense has to improve or they’ll continue to lose more games than they win.
First of all, F*^K YOU NFL. As silly as it may seem, last weekend, when RedZone host Scott Hanson changed his familiar catchphrase “seven hours of commercial free football” because they’re now running a few commercials during the broadcast, it upset me to the point that I was ready to drop out of every fantasy league I’m in and stop doing these picks in the future. Perhaps I have a screw loose. Or maybe the holiday season, which isn’t as merry & bright in my world as it once was, had me all up in my feelings. Thankfully I chilled out enough that my Steelers getting trucked by the Chiefs on Christmas Day barely raised my blood pressure. I still don’t know how I will proceed with RedZone, which I’ve loved for several years. The NFL has tested my patience for awhile with their “social justice” initiatives and watering down the game under the guise of “safety”, but RedZone felt like the last bastion for pure enjoyment of the sport. Now, a corporation that makes BILLIONS of dollars in profits is tainting that innocence for a few more ad dollars that won’t make or break them. It’s sick. Perhaps they’ll change their mind, but I won’t hold my breath. At any rate, Zach (3-2) bested me (1-4) once again to draw within one game of a tie for the season, which still doesn’t upset me as much as the whole RedZone situation.
My Season: 49-55
Zach’s Season: 48-56
Denver at Cincinnati (-3)
Both teams are still fighting for a playoff berth, but the 7-8 Bengals need some help. Obviously that starts with winning this game. Conversely, the 9-6 Broncos will be in with a victory. I really had both of these teams pegged wrong, believing that Cincinnati would bounce back from last season and be a factor in the AFC North, while Denver would secure a Top 5 draft pick. The opposite has occurred with both teams. Having said that, I think the home team wins on their turf and hangs on to a thread of hope for the postseason. Zach appreciates what the Broncos have accomplished with rookie QB Bo Nix, but feels they are an unfinished product with some work to do. He doesn’t like the Bengals defense at all, but gives the nod to Cincy & QB Joe Burrow in a shootout.
My Pick: Cincinnati
Zach’s Pick: Cincinnati
Green Bay at Minnesota (-1.5)
It might be the best game of the weekend. Both teams will make the playoffs, but the 13-2 Vikings can still claim a division title and maybe even a first round bye if things go their way. In their previous meeting way back in September Minnesota got a close win on the road, so I expect things to balance out with the 11-4 Packers returning the favor. Zach concurs.
My Pick: Green Bay
Zach’s Pick: Green Bay
Miami (-6.5) at Cleveland
I expected the Dolphins to challenge for a division title, but at 7-8 they’re just fighting to finish with a winning record. No one should be surprised by the futility of the 3-12 Browns, who are even worse than I expected and have dropped off significantly from last year’s mirage of success. The home field doesn’t even matter. It’ll probably be a yawn inducing slugfest, but I believe the visiting favorites will win comfortably. Zach agrees.
My Pick: Miami
Zach’s Pick: Miami
Atlanta at Washington (-4)
Don’t sleep on this game featuring two of the first eight selections in this past spring’s draft (and 2 of the top 4 quarterbacks). Jayden Daniels has been a revelation for the 10-5 Commanders, who are battling the Seattle Seahawks for the NFC’s third wildcard, while Michael Penix Jr. was just inserted into the lineup a week ago to boost the 8-7 Falcons to the NFC South crown, which is the only way Atlanta or the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will qualify for the playoffs. Penix might indeed be the answer in Atlanta, but we don’t really have much data yet, whereas I’ve seen enough to know how great Daniels & the Commanders can be. Zach concurs.
My Pick: Washington
Zach’s Pick: Washington
Detroit (-3.5) at San Francisco
One team has lived up to the hype, while the other has had their season torpedoed by misfortune. At 13-2 the Lions are safely in the postseason field, but they need to win to secure the division title & a first round bye. The 6-9 Niners have been a huge disappointment and will need to confront some tough issues in the offseason. A few months ago I would’ve assumed this to be one of the marquee Monday night games of the entire season, but now it just feels like an afterthought. The outcome of Green Bay-Minnesota could alter Detroit’s approach to the game, but either way I believe they will prevail. Zach agrees.
It must be noted that the plan to do bonus picks was determined by the impressive schedule (both college & pro), and isn’t a case of chasing wins after a disastrous week. Zach was 3-2 but still finds himself under .500 for the year, while I am barely staying above that mark after abysmal 1-4 results last weekend. College football in particular has been wild thus far, and the expanded playoff field might not be as predictable as I assumed it’d be.
My Season: 22-21
Zach’s Season: 19-24
Oklahoma State at BYU (-8.5)
The 3-3 Cowboys are winless in Big 12 action, and my lofty preseason opinion of them has been proven faulty. Conversely, the unbeaten Cougars have acclimated to the conference just fine and sit in the driver’s seat for an opportunity to play for the Big 12 title and receive a playoff berth. Lots of things can change in the second half of the season though. Does that shift begin now?? I don’t think so. It’s a Friday night game in Provo and the home favorites will be eager to show out on the national stage. Zach concurs.
My Pick: BYU
Zach’s Pick: BYU
Nebraska at Indiana (-6)
My younger nephew Noah has been singing the praises of Indiana all season, with good reason. The Hoosiers have always been known for basketball, while their football program has been a Big Ten doormat. They come into this game undefeated with an opportunity to announce their arrival with authority against an old school traditional powerhouse. The 5-1 Cornhuskers will put up a damn good fight, but in the end I believe the favorites will defend their home turf. Zach still needs to see more from Indiana and believes they haven’t really been tested yet. He sees Nebraska as inconsistent though and likes the Hoosier defense to lead their team to victory.
My Pick: Indiana
Zach’s Pick: Indiana
LSU (-3) at Arkansas
It could be the sleeper game of the entire weekend. The Bayou Bengals have rattled off five straight victories after a season opening loss to USC that seems worse now than it did a month & a half ago. Meanwhile, the Razorbacks are 4-2 but could easily be undefeated. Can they muster consecutive wins over Top 10 opponents?? I give them a chance with the home field, but ultimately I believe LSU finds a way to continue their momentum. Zach thinks Arkansas will fight until the end, but likes LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier to give his team a slight edge.
My Pick: LSU
Zach’s Pick: LSU
Georgia at Texas (-3.5)
Hey look…it’s this week’s edition of The Biggest Greatest Most Important Game EVER. The problem with that narrative is the Bulldogs have already lost to Alabama, who then lost to Vanderbilt. Conversely, while Georgia is fighting to hold onto their SEC title & playoff hopes, the undefeated Longhorns sit atop the college football world and likely view this as their last remaining obstacle to a conference championship & first round playoff bye. I’d be stunned if they screwed that up at home. Zach views Texas as the most complete team in the country. He won’t be surprised if we see the battle spill into overtime, but likes Texas to eventually outlast their opponents.
My Pick: Texas
Zach’s Pick: Texas
New England vs. Jacksonville (-6)
Apparently the NFL plays in Europe every week now. Kickoff from Wembley Stadium in London is at 9:30am Sunday morning for us, and since both teams are 1-5 it’s hardly worth skipping church or getting out of bed to watch. Not only was I way wrong about the Jags, but QB Trevor Lawrence has turned into Just Another Quarterback instead of the perennial Pro Bowl, multiple Lombardi winning, future Hall of Famer many projected he’d become when he entered the league four years ago. He’s still only 25 years old, so he can turn things around, although it feels like he’ll need to go elsewhere for that to happen. As for the Patriots, we already know that their glory days left town with Brady & Belichick, and I have zero sympathy for the organization. I foresee a forgettable game that no one will really pay much attention to, with Jacksonville figuring out a way to get it done. Zach is impressed with rookie QB Drake Maye so he’s riding with New England in OG England.
My Pick: Jacksonville
Zach’s Pick: New England
Cincinnati (-4.5) at Cleveland
The Battle of Ohio is always mildly amusing. I told y’all that the preseason hype for the Browns was BS, and they’ve proven me right. At 1-5 they’re closer to the top pick in the next draft than a playoff berth. The 2-4 Bengals aren’t much better, which kind of surprises me. It’ll probably be closer than it should be, but I believe, despite their rough start, Cincy is clearly a better team. Zach thinks the Bengals are figuring things out and the turnaround has begun.
My Pick: Cincinnati
Zach’s Pick: Cincinnati
Houston at Green Bay (-2.5)
I’m low key excited about the matchup. Injuries have played havoc with both the 4-2 Packers and the 5-1 Texans, but Houston currently leads their division while Green Bay is battling in perhaps the most competitive division in the NFL. If this game was being played a month from now I’d lean toward a huge home field advantage for The Pack, but I don’t think the tundra is frozen quite yet at Lambeau, which means we could see a mild upset. Zach thinks Green Bay’s defense might be a weak link.
My Pick: Houston
Zach’s Pick: Houston
Detroit at Minnesota (-1.5)
How will the loss of defensive end Aidan Hutchinson to a season ending broken leg affect the 4-1 Lions?? While I don’t think it completely torpedoes their season, it undoubtedly impacts their status as a Super Bowl contender. Conversely, the unbeaten Vikings have taken everybody by surprise. The resurgence of QB Sam Darnold has been remarkable. It might be the game of the day on Sunday, and despite the fact that Hutchinson’s loss is huge, my vibe is that Detroit finds a way to overcome. Sorry Minnesota…no one goes undefeated in the NFL. Zach thinks coaching makes the difference and he gives that advantage to Detroit.
My Pick: Detroit
Zach’s Pick: Detroit
LA Chargers at Arizona (-1)
The NFC West is up for grabs thanks to Frisco’s shocking mediocrity, and the 2-4 Cards are in the conversation after upsets of the 49ers & Rams. Meanwhile, the Chargers are 3-2 and hoping to remain in wildcard contention since chasing down the KC Chiefs seems unlikely. This is the Monday night game, but I’m not as pumped about that as I should be. Arizona hasn’t convinced me yet and I don’t think they’ll start now. I told you that Jim Harbaugh would transform the Chargers into a playoff contender, and I believe we’ll see evidence of that this week. Zach agrees.
I’m not a numbers guy. Math has never been my thing. Having said that, the symmetry in our numbers heading into the final week is kind of cool, given the fact that it was mostly unplanned. I knew I had a significant lead and it’d be tough for Zach to catch up, but I am a gentleman and had decided that we’d do bonus picks since it is our finale and it makes RedZone that much more entertaining. There is no Thursday or Monday game, so with the exception of two games on Saturday and an epic Sunday night battle all the action will be on Sunday afternoon. I hope Scott Hanson eats his Wheaties and gets plenty of sleep the night before. At any rate, we were both 3-2 last weekend, and with all but the CFP National Championship to be played Zach is 3-6 in our bowl picks while I am 5-4. What that means is that even if I lose every remaining pick I cannot slip below .500, while Zach could tie me if I lose every pick while he wins all of them. Realistically that won’t happen for a variety of reasons, but it’s amusing to view things mathematically.
My Season: 68-56
Zach’s Season: 57-67
Houston at Indianapolis (-1.5)
The winner will be in the playoffs, while the loser begins their offseason program. When they met in Week 2 in Houston the Colts won pretty easily, but that feels like a lifetime ago. The Texans are clearly on an upward trajectory and I foresee a rather comfortable victory. Conversely, Zach likes RB Jonathan Taylor to lead the Colts rushing attack, enabling them to win with ball control.
My Pick: Houston
Zach’s Pick: Indianapolis
Cleveland at Cincinnati (-4.5)
There’s nothing at stake in the Battle of Ohio except pride & momentum. The Browns are playoff bound and locked into the 5th seed, which means they’ll probably face the winner of the AFC South. The Bengals will miss the playoffs after being in the AFC title game a year ago. Do the Browns rest their starters?? Probably. Is that enough for Cincy to finish their disappointing season on high note?? I think so. Zach believes in Cleveland’s new starting QB Joe Flacco and thinks he’ll have another big game.
My Pick: Cincinnati
Zach’s Pick: Cleveland
Atlanta at New Orleans (-4)
The winner could actually capture a division title…or be out of the playoffs altogether. If Tampa wins this game is meaningless, but if they lose then the winner here gets a trip to the postseason. The Falcons got a home win the first time these teams met a month ago, but I don’t believe they can replicate that success on the road. Zach thinks QB Derek Carr will lead New Orleans to a big win.
My Pick: New Orleans
Zach’s Pick: New Orleans
Jacksonville (-3.5) at Tennessee
The Titans can only play the role of spoiler. If the Jags win they secure a division title, and if they lose they’ll need a couple other dominoes to fall the right way to sneak into the 7th playoff seed. Jacksonville won easily when the two teams met in November, but that was at home. Tennessee now has the home field, though with nothing to play for and rookie QB Will Levis banged up the deck is stacked against them. The favorites will likely have QB Trevor Lawrence back in the lineup, which should be enough. As a Steelers fan I hate it because we need the Jaguars to lose, but I have to be intellectually honest. Zach has faith in the Titans’ rushing attack and thinks they will control time of possession & the line of scrimmage en route to an upset.
My Pick: Jacksonville
Zach’s Pick: Tennessee
Tampa Bay (-5.5) at Carolina
If the Bucs win they’re headed to the postseason as division champs. Lose and they go home. The Panthers are even worse this year than last, but traded away what will now be the #1 overall pick to choose QB Bryce Young in last year’s draft with the top pick. Carolina seems to be a poorly run organization and will need to hit a home run with their next coaching hire. Anything can happen in the NFL, but this feels like a rather low hurdle for Tampa to clear. Zach agrees.
My Pick: Tampa Bay
Zach’s Pick: Tampa Bay
Seattle (-3) at Arizona
The 4-12 Cards are finishing up another miserable season and will spend the next several months asking themselves alot of questions. Conversely, the Seahawks will play in the postseason if they win and the Green Bay Packers lose. Obviously the only thing they can control is what they do, but it might not be as easy as most would assume. Arizona upset Philly on the road last weekend, so can they play that well at home?? Perhaps…but the smart money is on the favorites. Zach opines that QB Geno Smith is playing well right now and believes that’ll be enough.
My Pick: Seattle
Zach’s Pick: Seattle
Dallas (-13.5) at Washington
The Cowboys were gifted a win last weekend by an incompetent officiating crew, and now they can secure a division title with another victory. The Commanders are another team that might be making significant changes in the offseason, but they’d love to finish on a high note by knocking Dallas down a peg. I don’t think that’ll happen, but I do believe it’ll be a surprisingly close game. Zach concurs.
My Pick: Washington
Zach’s Pick: Washington
LA Rams at San Francisco (-3.5)
The Niners have already clinched the NFC’s top seed & a first round bye, so I suspect they’ll sit their starters for all or most of the game. The Rams have clinched a wildcard berth. When these teams met in Los Angeles in Week 2 ‘Frisco won by a touchdown, but much has changed for both teams since then, making comparisons impossible. My vibe is the game means more to the Rams, with the home team having their eyes on a bigger prize. Zach doesn’t believe ‘Frisco will lose even if they rest their best players. They are his Super Bowl favorites.
My Pick: LA Rams
Zach’s Pick: San Francisco
Philadelphia (-6) at NY Giants
The Eagles are playing for a division title despite losing 4 out of their last 5 games. Everyone is trying to figure out what exactly has gone wrong in the past month, and the powers-that-be in that locker room need to fix it quickly. The Giants have really gone off the rails this season and have nothing to play for, but neither do they have anything to lose. I don’t know if Philly can recover their mojo enough to get to another Super Bowl, but I think they’ll find a way to win this game. Zach agrees.
My Pick: Philadelphia
Zach’s Pick: Philadelphia
Buffalo (-3) at Miami
Sunday night has the best game last. The winner will be division champions. The Dolphins are in the playoffs no matter what. The Bills are in with a win, but would need some help if they lose. Miami is battling the injury bug, including the loss of linebacker Bradley Chubb with a torn ACL, which is why the oddsmakers like Buffalo on the road. Everything is pointing toward an emphatic victory for the favorites, but I think the Dolphins are ready to rise up & shock the world. Conversely, Zach likes QB Josh Allen to lead his team on a late, game winning drive.
While we limp to the finish here the NFL is just beginning to heat up. After going 1-4 a week ago Zach needs to kick it up a notch these last few weeks, and finishing 3-2 last week means my goal is to stay the course and close the season comfortably above .500. Our Steelers are long shots to make the playoffs, so I guess we’ll need to invest in other rooting interests on the road to the Super Bowl.
My Season: 59-46
Zach’s Season: 49-56
Buffalo (-11.5) at LA Chargers
Lots of folks were ready to give up on the Bills, but since handing the Cowboys a three TD beatdown it’s funny to watch people jump back on the bandwagon. They’re still not going to win the division, but watch out if Buffalo earns a wild card. Conversely, the Chargers have already fired their coach and lost QB Justin Herbert to broken finger. LA winning would be an epic stunner…but can they keep it close?? Zach believes that the underdogs could possibly play better than they have all season under new leadership, but it won’t be enough. I agree with that assessment.
My Pick: Buffalo
Zach’s Pick: Buffalo
Cleveland at Houston (-2.5)
Thanks to close victories by both teams last week the chances of the Steelers getting into the playoffs are slim to none, with slim warming up the car. Credit where it is due to the Browns, who have fared better than I expected, although I think they’d get beaten like a drum against any postseason opponent. The Texans still have an opportunity to win their division, but have work left to do. This is a monumental Christmas Eve battle, and I think the home team gets the job done as long as rookie QB CJ Stroud clears concussion protocol. Conversely, Zach gives the nod to Cleveland on the strength of their defense.
My Pick: Houston
Zach’s Pick: Cleveland
Seattle (-2.5) at Tennessee
The Seahawks got a monster win over Philadelphia Monday night but still have a few hurdles to clear in the NFC playoff scrum thanks to losing 5 out of 6 before beating the Eagles. The Titans have to settle for the role of spoiler, having lost two of their last three, both in overtime, meaning they haven’t given up and are still battling for victories. It’s a classic trap game and nothing would surprise me, but I think Geno Smith will be back under center for the favorites and they’ll remain in playoff contention. Zach concurs.
My Pick: Seattle
Zach’s Pick: Seattle
Las Vegas at Kansas City (-10)
The Chiefs should still easily win the AFC West, but they clearly have alot more doubters than anyone could’ve imagined as recently as Halloween. Meanwhile, the Raiders laid a smackdown on the Chargers that forced that organization to fire both the head coach & general manager. On paper it doesn’t look very appetizing, but could it be yet another trap game?? The home field is significant, and I’m not quite ready to toss KC into the trash bin. The points concern Zach, and he feels like the Chiefs have been playing down to their competition…but he doesn’t believe a Christmas miracle is in the cards for Vegas.
My Pick: Kansas City
Zach’s Pick: Kansas City
Baltimore at San Francisco (-5.5)
As much as I hate to admit it the Ravens are firing on all cylinders and might be the best team in the AFC. They’ve won four in a row, while the Niners are riding a six game winning steak. Could this be a Christmas Night Super Bowl preview?? It’s possible. I foresee a low scoring, well played slugfest with a couple of WOW plays on offense but even more impressive gems from both defenses. Something like 20-13, with the home team continuing their momentum. Zach sees ‘Frisco as the more complete & balanced team.
Greetings sports fans. We’re still talking about football, but there are a couple of other topics thrown into the mix as well. I hope the sun is shining wherever you are and cooler temperatures are giving way to the delightful warmth of spring.
Heavenly Father, bless Deshaun Watson, for he hath sinned. Now, I bet you think you know what I am referring to, but you’d probably be wrong. Don’t misunderstand…I am not looking past the allegations of sexual misconduct against Watson. However, a grand jury decided there wasn’t enough evidence to convict, so I am left with the impression that he is simply a single, wealthy horndog who enjoys a good massage a bit too much and expects favors many young ladies are not willing to grant. I believe he acted inappropriately, but to my knowledge no one was raped. Deshaun Watson may be creepy, but he’s not a criminal, and since I wasn’t exactly a saint when I was a 20-something I simply hope the young man learned his lesson, has been humbled, and will be better going forward. That being said, I cannot overlook the fact that Watson, who understandably wanted away from the dumpster fire that is the Houston Texans, ended up approving a trade to the Cleveland Browns. The Browns!! This dude could’ve gotten a new start in Carolina, Atlanta, or New Orleans…and he chose Cleveland!! Has he never heard of Tim Couch?? Colt McCoy?? Brady Quinn?? Brandon Weeden?? Hell, I could list two dozen more quarterbacks whose career died in The Factory of Sadness. I’ve been a big fan of Deshaun Watson since his days at Clemson, and I was counting on him to lead my dynasty fantasy team for the next decade, but I can’t cheer for the QB of the Browns, so I traded him for multiple draft picks. Thanks for nothing you moron.
Baseball’s Opening Day has finally arrived. As a lifelong Pirates’ fan it is difficult for me to be as excited as some of y’all might be, but it is a cultural touchstone and an unofficial (late) welcome to spring, so I am happy to embrace the event in the spirit in which it is intended. Pirates games are soothing background noise while I read a book or mindlessly scroll on my phone, so atleast I have that going for me for the next six months, which is nice.
I might have more thoughts on the NFL Draft before April 28, but for now let me offer one strong opinion. If my Pittsburgh Steelers mortgage the future to move up & select a quarterback who is far from certain to be a generational talent then the powers-that-be are absolute fools. I don’t think any quarterback in this draft is worthy of a first round pick, and I’m not sure any of them will be that successful in the NFL. I would prefer to see the Steelers address numerous other issues and ride with free agent signee Mitch Trubisky for a season (or two). If that means a couple of losing seasons before rebounding into perennial playoff contention for another long stretch then I’m okay with it. They’ve done a surprisingly good job of improving the offensive line this offseason, and I feel like they’re a wide receiver & perhaps some defensive depth away from being way better than anyone expects, but that isn’t a good enough reason to reach for a rookie quarterback in the draft.
Congratulations to the Kansas Jayhawks for winning the NCAA Basketball National Championship. To be honest this year’s March Madness wasn’t all that memorable or compelling, although there were some decent games & exciting moments. The tournament felt kind of like cotton candy though…tastes sweet for a few fleeting seconds then melts away into nothingness. After all the hype about Gonzaga and upsets by underdogs like St. Peter’s & Miami (FL) the title game came down to Kansas & North Carolina…two blue-bloods despite the Tar Heels’ misleading #8 seed. As a fan there simply wasn’t anything to keep my attention outside of Coach K’s retirement. The title game being on TBS was weird, and not even One Shining Moment felt like Must See TV.
It looks like Tiger Woods, a little over a year after suffering career threatening injuries in a car accident, will play in The Masters. As a fan I am excited to see him in the field, although expectations are obviously minimized. No one expects him to contend or even make the cut. As a human being I am fascinated by his redemption & comeback story. The sins of Tiger Woods are well-documented, but I am certainly not inclined to throw stones. The fact is that Woods in The Masters is good for golf and good for sports. If only my man Phil Mickelson were playing in the tournament 🤦🏻♂️…but that’s a whole other story.
Speaking of basketball, it is my understanding that the NBA Playoffs will begin soon. I have no idea who the odds on favorites are or which teams may or may not be in the field. I believe I heard or read that the Los Angeles Lakers will miss the playoffs altogether, which makes me chuckle. Lebron James can pucker up & kiss my crippled fat ass *lol*.
I suppose I have to address the Tom Brady situation. God knows I’d rather not think about the dude, much less write about him. At any rate, first Adam Schefter broke the news that TB12 was retiring, then Brady’s Dad was like “not so fast”, then a few days later Brady did post a retirement announcement on Instagram, because I guess that’s how it’s done nowadays. But wait…there’s more!! Like Jesus being tempted by Satan in the desert, Tom Brady spent 40 days in retirement before resurrecting his career. Much like Halloween‘s Michael Myers, the Clintons, and numerous rock bands who are my grandfather’s age, Brady just won’t go away. The only good to come out of this is the fact that Ben Roethlisberger won’t be forced into the background during the Hall of Fame festivities five years from now.
We have officially entered unchartered waters my friends. With the NFL expanding their schedule naturally ours has grown as well, meaning we will have picked more games than ever before. If only we were better at this whole thing 😬. We’re doing bonus picks again because…well, why not?? It’s our last hurrah, so we may as well end with a bang, right?? Also, after going 5-2 a week ago I am six games below .500 and want to give myself a mathematical chance to break even. Will that happen?? I’m not holding my breath, but never say never. In addition to that, with a perfect 8-0 record this week, and if I were to go 0-8, Zach (3-4 a week ago) could theoretically earn a tie for the season lead. That is even more unlikely, but hey, we’re having fun. The NFL playoff picture is mostly clear, but a couple of berths remain up for grabs, as well as various seeding scenarios, so almost all of these games matter on some level.
My Season: 56-62
Zach’s Season: 48-70
Dallas (-7) at Philadelphia
Okay, so this is one game that doesn’t technically matter. The Cowboys already clinched the NFC South and can’t catch Green Bay for the top seed, while the Eagles are locked into a wildcard spot. But it’s a cool rivalry. Back at the end of September Dallas won the first matchup pretty easily, and one could logically expect a similar outcome. However, Philly now has the home field, and with nothing to lose or gain it’ll be interesting to see which superstar players on both sides sit this one out. The Cowboys have already lost WR Michael Gallup to injury (again), and I have a hunch they might play it safe with RB Zeke Elliott & QB Dak Prescott. That’d be enough to swing momentum to the home team. Zach isn’t impressed with Dallas’ offense and thinks Eagles’ QB Jalen Hurts is good enough to lead his club to an upset victory.
My Pick: Philadelphia
Z’s Pick: Philadelphia
Buffalo (-17) at NY Jets
The first time they met in mid-November the Bills barely broke a sweat while winning easily. I don’t expect anything different this time, especially with the AFC East crown at stake. That being said, the points are a concern, especially with the Jets being at home. Could we see a scenario in which Buffalo is up by a couple of TDs in the 4th quarter and plays it safe by pulling their starters?? I think that is a very real possibility. Zach believes the favorites win the game but he doesn’t like the points.
My Pick: NY Jets
Z’s Pick: NY Jets
New England (-6.5) at Miami
Belichick isn’t sitting anyone or calling off the dogs late in the game. He’s just not built like that. Also, remember that the Dolphins went into Foxboro way back in the season opener and won by one point. That won’t happen again. Zach concurs.
My Pick: New England
Z’s Pick: New England
San Francisco at LA Rams (-5.5)
The Niners need to win and/or see New Orleans lose to secure a wildcard berth. The Rams need to win and/or Arizona to lose to win the NFC West. ‘Frisco won at home by three TDs back in mid-November, but they could be playing this one without QB Jimmy Garoppolo, who injured the thumb on his throwing hand right before Christmas. Rookie Trey Lance was 16/23 with 249 passing yards, 31 rushing yards, two TDs, and one interception in a 23-7 victory last weekend, but that was against the Houston Texans. The Rams have a far superior defense and the home field, so whether it is Lance or Jimmy G at less than 100% under center for the 49ers I don’t think it’ll make much difference. Zach agrees.
My Pick: LA Rams
Z’s Pick: LA Rams
Cincinnati at Cleveland (-3)
Round 2 of the Battle of Ohio is mostly inconsequential. The Browns will be watching the playoffs on TV as I predicted, while the Bengals already won the AFC North as I predicted. Cincy could move up a spot or down a spot in seeding depending on the outcome, but that’s the extent of the impact. It’s entirely possible that they’ll sit players like QB Joe Burrow and/or WR Jamarr Chase, although that is unlikely. Would it matter though?? When these teams met in Cincinnati back in early November the Browns won by three TDs, but they have proceeded to lose three straight games and QB Baker Mayfield is injured. I believe it’ll be four losses in a row and the Bengals will move on to the playoffs with positive momentum. Zach agrees.
My Pick: Cincinnati
Z’s Pick: Cincinnati
New Orleans (-4.5) at Atlanta
It’s a must-win for the Saints. They make the playoffs if they win this game and the Rams defeat the 49ers, which isn’t far-fetched at all. The Falcons occasionally show signs of life, but will end up with a losing record for the fourth year in a row. That being said, it must be noted that these two teams played in N’awleans the first week of November and the Falcons emerged victorious. Anything is possible, but I think the favorites gain a season split and sneak into the postseason. Zach likes the Saints defense to lead them to victory.
My Pick: New Orleans
Z’s Pick: New Orleans
Seattle at Arizona (-6.5)
A year ago this would’ve been a marquee matchup, but the Seahawks come into the final week 6-10 and in last place in their division. It’ll be their first losing season in a decade. Conversely, the Cards are on the verge of their first division title since 2015 IF the Rams lose their game, which I don’t think will happen. They’ll be in the playoffs though. Barring any unforeseen circumstances (you may have heard of a lil thing called COVID) I expect the home team to cruise to an easy win. Zach concurs.
My Pick: Arizona
Z’s Pick: Arizona
LA Chargers (-3) at Las Vegas
This is the Sunday night game, and probably the best matchup of the week. The Chargers aren’t going to win the division like I thought they would, but the future looks bright. Win & they are in the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Raiders have faced a fair amount of upheaval this season yet still have an opportunity to earn a playoff spot. Win & they are in, or they could sneak thru the back door if the Steelers & Colts both lose. These teams met in Los Angeles on the first Monday night in October, with the Bolts winning by two TDs. I think it’ll be much tighter this time around, but my money is on the visitors being victorious in a squeaker. Zach believes the Chargers offense is way too good for the Raiders to overcome.
Zach (5-5) bested me (2-8) in last week’s picks of the conference championship games, making a dent in my season lead in the process. I’m below .500 again, although there’s still plenty of football left to be played. We are finished with college football except for the bowl games, which we’ll deal with separately and won’t count as part of these picks. It’s all NFL all the time here for the next month, and I’m going to try not to be redundant in discussing the same teams over & over…but I can’t make any promises.
My Season: 45-51
Zach’s Season: 37-59
Las Vegas at Kansas City (-9.5)
It seems like just yesterday everyone was wondering what was wrong with KC, while Vegas was a team on the rise. But now everything is returning back to normal…or is it?? The oddsmakers sure seem to like the Chiefs, which is understandable since they have won five straight games. However, the Raiders are only two games out and certainly find themselves in the thick of the wildcard race. Arrowhead does provide a significant home field advantage, but the points are just too much for my taste. The Chiefs won’t win by more than a touchdown. Conversely, Zach sees two teams heading in opposite directions and thinks KC won’t have any issues covering.
My Pick: Las Vegas
Z’s Pick: Kansas City
Baltimore at Cleveland (-2.5)
The AFC North is playing out pretty much as I expected, which is good because that means our Steelers still have a postseason opportunity in front of them. I know the Browns have the home field, but I’m still a little surprised they are favored. That doesn’t say as much about any legit love the powers-that-be have for them as much as it shows a lack of respect for the Ravens. Zach doesn’t have any faith in the home team’s defense or their ability to stop QB Lamar Jackson.
My Pick: Cleveland
Z’s Pick: Baltimore
Dallas (-4) at Washington
These teams meet twice in the next three weeks. It’d be great if the Redskins would sweep, but I’m not counting on that. However, I believe they might pull off the upset at home. Zach foresees a fun & competitive game that’ll be close into the 4th quarter, but he thinks the visitors have what it takes to get the victory.
My Pick: Washington
Z’s Pick: Dallas
Chicago at Green Bay (-12.5)
The Bears are 4-8, but after missing the past two games with a rib injury rookie QB Justin Fields is back under center this week. Green Bay is 9-3 and has the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field in their favor. This is the Sunday night game on NBC and I fully expect the Packers to win, but by how much?? I feel as if it’ll be more like 10-ish points. Zach, on the other hand, believes Green Bay might pull off a four TD beatdown.
My Pick: Chicago
Z’s Pick: Green Bay
LA Rams at Arizona (-3)
The first time these teams met in early October the Cardinals scored an impressive 17 point victory. This time they are at home and playing on Monday Night Football. Will the results be any different?? I don’t think so. Zach has a lot more faith in the new look Rams defense and thinks they’ll do enough to slow down Cards’ QB Kyler Murray.
The college football playoff…at this moment…would be Georgia vs. Ohio St. & Alabama vs. Oregon. However, we know that Georgia & Alabama are playing each other in the SEC title game so things will change. Undefeated Cincinnati sits at #5, but even if they finish unbeaten I don’t know if they’ll be included, and quite honestly I am not so sure they’d deserve to be anyway. As far as the Heisman, I like RB Kenneth Walker from Michigan St., QB Matt Corral of the Ole Miss Rebels, & Ohio St. RB Treyveon Henderson. Let’s see who grabs the opportunity to shine when Walker & Henderson go head to head this weekend. Okay, so…Zach (0-5) had a pretty bad week, while I (3-2) was average, meaning I’ve extended the season lead to five games (I’m still below .500 though). We’ll probably be doing some extra picks in the next few weeks as college football reaches its regular season climax and the NFL rounds the turn into its second half.
My Season: 34-38
Zach’s Season: 29-43
Michigan State at Ohio State (-19.5)
I really don’t understand the points. These are two Top 10 teams that are in the playoff conversation. The advantage the Buckeyes have is their one loss came way back in September to Oregon, while the Spartans stumbled just a couple of weeks ago at Purdue. Timing matters, in life and in college football. Let’s not overlook the fact that the winner here most likely secures a spot in the Big Ten title game, and with a victory Michigan St. would hold head-to-head tiebreakers over Michigan & Ohio St. ESPN’s College Gameday will be on the scene just in case anyone didn’t get the memo that it’s a rather huge matchup. I think the home team will win, and they may even do it comfortably…but by almost three TDs?? Nah!! That’s crazy. Zach thinks Ohio St. is building momentum & peaking at the right time, but he also considers Michigan St. running back Kenneth Walker to be the Heisman frontrunner. Ultimately the points are just too much for him too.
My Pick: Michigan State
Z’s Pick: Michigan State
UCLA (-3) at Southern Cal
The Battle of Los Angeles has definitely lost its luster hasn’t it?? The Bruins initially looked like they might be pretty good this year, but have lost two of their last three games and sit at 6-4. Everyone keeps waiting for head coach Chip Kelly to turn things around, and to his credit this is his first winning season at UCLA in his fourth year, but mediocre isn’t going to cut it so his seat may be a bit warm. The 4-5 Trojans already fired their head coach back in September and are probably under the delusion that they can make a big splash with whomever they hire next. Perhaps they will, I don’t know. At any rate, once upon a time this would’ve been the prime time game on ESPN/ABC or Fox, but instead we’re getting a 4pm kickoff, and I have no idea what to expect. There is no significant home advantage since the two schools are less than an hour apart. It’s a coin flip for me, and in that scenario I always pull for the underdog. Conversely, Zach doesn’t believe it’ll be much of a game and likes the visitors to win big.
My Pick: Southern Cal
Z’s Pick: UCLA
Oregon at Utah (-3)
There is a lot at stake here. The Ducks are all but locked into the PAC 12 title game, but they’re also in the playoff conversation and cannot afford a misstep. The Utes are battling Arizona St. for a berth in the conference title game, so we could see these two in a rematch next month. This is the prime time game on ABC, and I’m happy I don’t have any plans so I can stay home to watch. Y’all know I love me some playoff chaos, but you may also recall that I predicted Oregon would be in the Final Four, so my pride is contending with my preference as a fan. At the end of the day I feel like the home field plays a significant role in games like this, which is why I’m leaning toward Utah. Zach foresees a fun, high scoring game and thinks Oregon will do enough to win and remain in the playoff hunt.
My Pick: Utah
Z’s Pick: Oregon
Detroit at Cleveland(-10)
The damn Lions somehow managed to tie our Steelers last week!! I know Pittsburgh was playing with a backup quarterback, but still…it was embarrassing. Can Detroit take things a step further & get over the hump this week?? Meanwhile, as I predicted, the 5-5 Browns haven’t met their unreasonably high expectations. QB Baker Mayfield has never lived up to the hype that comes with winning the Heisman Trophy and being the #1 overall draft pick, although, to be fair, it is rare that anyone justifies those lofty expectations. However, the AFC North is up for grabs and everything can change in the second half of the season. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Detroit score the upset & get their first win since December 6, 2020, but I’m not counting on it. I do think they’ll keep it close though. Zach’s opinion of both teams is pretty low, but after an embarrassing beatdown by the Patriots he believes Cleveland will rebound.
My Pick: Detroit
Z’s Pick: Cleveland
Dallas at Kansas City (-2.5)
Are the Chiefs back?? Everyone had kind of given up on them until they beat the Rodgers-less Packers & followed that up with a proper thrashing of the Raiders on Sunday night. Now the bandwagon seems to be full again. Meanwhile, the 7-2 Cowboys have had a stumble or two but otherwise they’ve mostly taken care of business throughout the season. Did you know that the Chiefs actually used to be the Cowboys?? Well, okay, not really. In the old days, when the AFL was a thing in the 1960s, one of their franchises was the Dallas Texans. At the same time the NFL expanded and the Cowboys were born. I guess Dallas wasn’t big enough for both teams, so the Texans relocated to Missouri (not Kansas) and became the Chiefs. At any rate, I think the home field is important and believe KC will get just enough big plays out of their high powered offense to score a close victory. Zach likes Dallas in a high scoring upset.
The Manofesto 