Denver Broncos

2025 Pigskin Picks of Profundity…Week 16

Our picks will focus on the NFL this week, but before we get to that let us contemplate the College Football Playoff since the field has now been set.

Imagine if a bunch of suits were to sit in a room and decide whether the Green Bay Packers were worthy of being in the playoffs, or if the berth should be awarded to the Los Angeles Rams. Ponder the possibility of the New England Patriots winning their division but being left out of the postseason while the Buffalo Bills are invited to the party. Laughable, right?? So why is it okay in college football?? Look, this isn’t the time to address all of the issues, but let’s consider a few things. 

First & foremost, there is a clear separation, both in perception and reality, between the “Power Four” & “Group of Five” conferences. While it is a nice story that Tulane & James Madison made the CFP, no one will be surprised when they are obliterated in the first round. It’s way past time for FBS to be divided into two divisions, each with their own national championship. Secondly, what is the point of conference title games when a team can win the championship (Duke) but not be in the playoff, while a team that didn’t even play in that game (Miami) still gets into the playoff?? Make it make sense. How can a team like Alabama that has three losses & were dominated in their conference title game receive a bid, while Virginia, who has the same record and lost their title game in OT, is left out?? 

The NFL is a meritocracy. On the field results…wins & losses…decisive, unemotional, indisputable facts are the only things that matter. Conversely, college football is a beauty contest where brand names, pedigree, money, and PR become deciding factors in important decisions, and it doesn’t matter whether it is two teams (remember the BCS?? 🙄), four teams, 12 teams, or inevitably 16 teams, because the powers-that-be (mainly ESPN) LOVE the debate. It is utterly ridiculous.

Observations from Last Week:

  • “Snow Globe games” (shoutout Scott Hanson) are fun to watch on TV, but there is no way in Hell I’d attend one in person ❄️.
  • I don’t possess enough expertise to analyze what has gone sideways with the Kansas City Chiefs, so let’s just blame their downfall on Taylor Swift.
  • Six months ago no one would’ve said a team is cooked without QB Daniel Jones, but after beginning the season 7-1 the Colts have lost four of the last five games, all while the Jacksonville Jaguars have won 5 of their last 6. Now Indy has to make their playoff push with rookie Riley Leonard, MAYBE Anthony Richardson, or possibly…*checks notes*…Philip Rivers, who is 44 years old & hasn’t played in the NFL since President Trump’s first term. Good luck 👀.
  • Well, two of my six fantasy teams are playoff bound, so atleast I got that going for me, which is nice.
  • The Steelers obviously heard all the criticism concerning receiver DK Metcalf’s lack of involvement in the offense. Keep it up yinzers…apparently it takes a ton of public scrutiny for Pittsburgh’s braintrust to do what should’ve been done in the first place 👊🏻.

My Season: 47-51

Zach’s Season: 44-54

Baltimore (-2.5) at Cincinnati

As a Steelers fan I have no problem opining that yes…that was a touchdown. IYKYK. However, as many times as the Steelers have been screwed over by poor officiating in the past…well, let’s just say I didn’t lose any sleep over this particular questionable call. At any rate, coming into the season the Ravens were amongst the favorites to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, but right now, at 6-7, they need to figure things out quickly just to make the playoffs. Meanwhile, the 4-9 Bengals have looked much better since the return of QB Joe Burrow, but still pissed away a victory in Buffalo last weekend. It’s almost as if we’ve yet to see who either of these teams really are this year, or perhaps what they are and what they were supposed to be are vastly different. With the home field I like Burrow to connect with his elite receiving corps on enough big plays to pull off a slightly surprising upset. Zach points out that the Bengals won the Thanksgiving meeting between these two in Baltimore, but doesn’t think they can do it twice. He agrees that the Ravens were unlucky last week, but still believes they are a superior team.

My Pick: Cincinnati 

Zach’s Pick: Baltimore

 

LA Chargers at Kansas City (-4.5)

The 6-7 Chiefs aren’t winning their division, and though they aren’t mathematically eliminated from the playoffs yet, ALOT has to go their way in the final month of the season. Conversely, the 9-4 Chargers, who aren’t winning the division either, sit in a rather comfortable wildcard spot if they don’t implode in the next few weeks. It would undoubtedly thrill the folks out in Los Angeles to put the final nail in KC’s coffin, but where is the drama in that?? Depending upon one’s level of cynicism, you have to believe that it’d be far more interesting for the Chiefs to retain a shred of hope while casting doubt on the Chargers’ postseason aspirations. Zach is simply looking at the fact that the Chargers are a better team that is peaking at the right time.

My Pick: Kansas City 

Zach’s Pick: LA Chargers

Buffalo (-1.5) at New England

The 8-4 Bills haven’t been quite the juggernaut many might’ve expected this season, but after an epic 4th quarter comeback last weekend they remain in the thick of the fight. Their biggest adversary?? The surprising Patriots. At 11-2 there is no shadow of nefarious tactics or propping of alleged icons. This team is legit. I don’t think there is any chance that Buffalo can overcome the numbers and win the AFC East. However, I do think they’ll avenge an October loss and remind everyone who they are. New England has had a great season and will be crowned division champions, but they are still a young team with lessons to learn. Zach concurs, believing that Buffalo’s recent experience in big games gives them the edge.

My Pick: Buffalo

Zach’s Pick: Buffalo

Green Bay (-2.5) at Denver

The 11-2 Broncos have already exceeded expectations and have a firm grasp on their division, although there is certainly work left to be done. They have won ten games in a row, and I am the type of guy who is less surprised by a bubble bursting than good fortune continuing in perpetuity. The Packers sit at 9-3-1 and are riding a four game winning streak, but they’re in a hell of a dogfight in their division. Can the NFC North put three teams in the playoffs?? Even if that happens, there is a huge difference between a division champion and a wildcard, which could be the 7th seed in the conference. That means this is a HUGE game. As mentioned, I believe bubbles are meant to burst, so I think Denver’s run ends at ten games, but it won’t have much of a negative impact. I predict The Pack & the Detroit Lions will both overcome the Chicago Bears and have an opportunity to be the NFC’s top seed. Zach foresees a high scoring affair, but thinks the Packers will struggle a bit in elevated mountain air.

My Pick: Green Bay

Zach’s Pick: Denver

Indianapolis at Seattle (-11.5)

Good Lord, what is happening in Indianapolis?!?!?? They’ve lost 3 of the past 4 games, now sit behind Jacksonville & Houston in the AFC South, could miss out on a wildcard berth, and won’t have the services of starting QB Daniel Jones down the stretch due to an achilles injury. It probably can’t get much worse for the Colts. Conversely, the 10-3 Seahawks have won six of their last seven games and sit atop the NFC West alongside the L.A. Rams. The  conference’s top seed remains very much in their grasp. This would’ve been a far more entertaining contest a month ago, but now it seems like a foregone conclusion, with only the margin of victory in question. Can Seattle cover the points?? With one of the league’s best home fields I believe they will. Zach agrees that Indy is a dumpster fire, but the points are just too much.

My Pick: Seattle

Zach’s Pick: Indianapolis

 

2025 Pigskin Picks of Profundity…Week 9

The NFL schedule is already underway, with the Chargers defeating Minnesota last night. The World Series begins tonight. Dodgers vs. Blue Jays. Absolutely zero interest. The NBA season started this week as well. I’ll check in on that in January. When I’m not watching football in the next week I’ll be embracing the spirit of Halloween, although that probably doesn’t look the same in my world as it does in yours. More on that later. In the meantime, we continue on our gridiron journey. 

Observations from Last Week:

  • Vanderbilt?!?!?? Really?!?!?? Vanderbilt is good at football now?? When did that happen??
  • I stand corrected…Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti just signed a long term deal to stay at with the Hoosiers. That’s probably a wise decision for all involved. 
  • Finally, the Billy Napier Era at Florida is over. He was 22-23 in 3 1/2 seasons. At West Virginia he probably would’ve received a contract extension.
  • I saw a quote that said “Mike Tomlin is the James Franklin of the NFL”, and while I believe it is an apt comparison, the difference is that, unlike Penn St., the Steelers don’t have the courage to do what needs to be done.
  • Justin Herbert looked more like Justin Sherbet in that Chargers’ alternative uniform.

My Season: 24-22

Zach’s Season: 15-31

Boise State (-21.5) at Nevada

I always get the Nevada Wolfpack & the UNLV Rebels mixed up. Boise beat UNLV last weekend, and that might’ve been a better game to pick. Atleast it was high scoring (whoever took the over won some $$). The Broncos are 5-2 and sit atop the Mountain West in their final season in that conference, although they can’t let their foot off the gas since there are a couple of teams in hot pursuit. Nevada is a putrid 1-6, with their only win being over an FCS opponent. The Wolfpack does have the home field, but no one expects that to make much of a difference. The only question is Boise’s margin of victory. I am always wary of a 3+ TD spread, but in this case I think the favorites can get there. Zach has some concerns about Boise’s defense, but he thinks they’ll win big anyway.

My Pick: Boise St.

Zach’s Pick: Boise St.

Kansas State at Kansas (-3)

It’s the Sunflower Showdown, which sounds a little wimpy for a football game. It’ll be the 123rd meeting since 1902, with Kansas leading the series 65-52-5, although State has won the past 16 games. Sixteen!! That’s quite a winning streak. I had higher hopes for the 3-4 Wildcats, but it isn’t the first time they’ve disappointed me. Meanwhile, after a malaise of nearly two decades the Jayhawks looked like they’d figured things out last season. However, now, sitting at 3-4, it feels like they may have regressed. So, can visiting underdogs go into hostile territory and continue what has to be one of the longest current win streaks in a rivalry game?? I think Kansas is on the right track in the grand scheme of things, but when it comes to this matchup I see no reason to believe the streak will be broken. Conversely, Zach expects Kansas’ offensive firepower to get the job done.

My Pick: Kansas St.

Zach’s Pick: Kansas

Ole Miss at Oklahoma (-4.5)

With the exception of the Red River Shootout, the loss of which could legitimately be blamed on QB John Mateer not being 100% after an injury, the 6-1 Sooners have been impressive, although the back half of their schedule is challenging. I feel like we’ve been sleeping on the 6-1 Rebels, despite their 4th quarter implosion at Georgia last week. I’m a little surprised that ESPN didn’t choose this one for Gameday, but I don’t know what factors into those decisions. It’s a Noon kickoff, which feels disrespectful. The underdogs have been in some pretty close contests and won, so I believe they’ll keep things interesting, but with Mateer’s health improving I think Oklahoma is probably a touchdown better. Zach, on the other hand, is a big fan of head coach Lane Kiffin and believes he’ll have some things up his sleeve to lead the visiting underdogs to an upset.

My Pick: Oklahoma

Zach’s Pick: Ole Miss

NY Giants at Philadelphia (-10.5)

The Eagles have a two game lead in the NFC East, and the Giants have no chance to maneuver themselves into playoff position. However, since pulling the trigger on making rookie Jaxson Dart the starting QB the G-Men have shown flashes of…something. With Dart under center, folk hero Cam Skattebo toting the rock, and receiver Malik Nabers at receiver, there is a very strong core for future success, but Nabers tore his ACL and those other guys are rookies, so everything is on hold. Meanwhile, Philly is 5-2 and leads their division, but they’ve lost 2 out of the last 3 games and something feels…off. Could this be a classic trap game?? The Giants could easily be 4-3 instead of 2-5, while the Eagles have had the ball bounce their way a few times at key moments. It’s not the smart move, but The Vibes smell an upset…or atleast a much closer game than most expect. Zach doesn’t expect an upset, but he agrees that it’ll be a close game.

My Pick: NY Giants

Zach’s Pick: NY Giants

Dallas at Denver (-4.5)

I will reluctantly give credit not only to the 3-3-1 Cowboys, but also to receiver George Pickens. As a Steelers fan I was hoping Pickens would implode in Dallas, but that hasn’t happened. If it weren’t for one of the worst defenses in the NFL the Cowboys’ record would certainly be much better. The 5-2 Broncos have been better than I anticipated and currently lead the AFC West, with two games against the Kansas City Chiefs still on the schedule. The home field is significant, and I have no faith in Dallas’ defense, so I expect QB Bo Nix to pick them apart. The Cowboys offense will keep it close for awhile, but Denver should pull away late for a double digit win. Zach is rolling the dice on Dak Prescott and his tremendous weapons to somehow pull off a mild surprise.

My Pick: Denver

Zach’s Pick: Dallas

2025 Pigskin Picks of Profundity…Week 4

When I was a kid my father was a much more invested football fan than he has become in his later years. I vaguely recall him actually going to WVU games at old Mountaineer Field before the current stadium opened in 1980. Back then the ‘Eers weren’t on television much. ESPN didn’t yet exist and the networks only aired the biggest games featuring elite programs. As time passed and sports evolved West Virginia was on TV more often. Dad isn’t superstitious, but he is a little stitious, so when things weren’t going well he’d get frustrated, mute the television, and turn on the radio broadcast featuring legendary play-by-play announcer Jack Fleming & color commentator Woody O’Hara. Technology is a bit more advanced now, and I’ve had to laugh in recent weeks as I found myself muting my television during WVU & Marshall football games and finding more familiar audio on my phone. A lifetime ago, not long after I’d graduated from college, my sister happened to be riding shotgun in my car when I popped in a Dean Martin CD. She gave me a puzzled look and simply said “Oh my God…you’re turning into Dad”. If only she could see me now 😂.

Observations from Last Week:

  • Perhaps the biggest surprise is Georgia Tech upsetting Clemson. I ranked Clemson 10th in my preseason poll and felt like they were a level below legit national championship contenders but would remain competitive in a weak conference. Now they’ll have to win every remaining game & claim the ACC title to even get into the playoff.
  • Allow me to reiterate…Notre Dame was my pre-season #1 🤨.
  • Less than a month ago, while discussing the Virginia Tech Hokies, I said “head coach Brent Pry is entering his 4th season in Blacksburg, and I’m not confident there’ll be a fifth”. Pry was recently fired after starting 0-3 and losing to Old Dominion by almost three TDs. Sometimes I know what I’m talking about.
  • Where was THAT Russell Wilson a season ago when he was in Pittsburgh?!?!?!?? Or…or…perhaps, once again, it’s time to ask questions about the Steelers’ coaching staff 🤔.
  • Joe Burrow is out for three months. JJ McCarthy will miss 2-4 weeks. Austin Ekeler is gone for the rest of the season. George Kittle is injured, as are Jayden Daniels, Aaron Jones, and Justin Fields. Pay attention fantasy owners, and adjust your lineups accordingly.

My Season: 9-8

Zach’s Season: 5-12

Texas Tech at Utah (-3)

The Red Raiders are 3-0 and average 58 points/game while only giving up less than a dozen points/game. The Utes are also 3-0, and they’re putting up nearly 46 points/game with their defense yielding only eight points/game. Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff show will be in the house, and the winner of the game will sit in the Big 12 driver’s seat. I ranked Tech 14th in the pre-season, and they haven’t given me any reason to move off that yet. Conversely, Zach can’t overlook the home field, so he believes Utah will win a high scoring shootout.

My Pick: Texas Tech

Zach’s Pick: Utah

Oregon State at Oregon (-35)

Rivalry games used to occur much later in the season, but conference realignment has obliterated so many of those old traditions. They call this one The Civil War, although officially that name was discontinued in 2020 because of…*checks notes*…George Floyd, which is one of the stupidest things I’ve ever heard. Good God…why has our society given so much credibility to a fentanyl addicted domestic abuser?!?!?? At any rate, f*#k those pansies, I’ll call the game whatever I want. It hasn’t been that competitive in recent years, with the Ducks winning six of the past eight meetings. Obviously the oddsmakers don’t see that trend changing, but wow…those points!! I don’t know if we’ve ever considered a game with that kind of spread. I tend to be somewhat conservative, so I’m looking at a 42-14 kind of score, with the home team winning comfortably but not covering. Zach thinks Oregon might be the best team in the country right now. He predicts they’ll be able to rest their starters in the second half and still cover.

My Pick: Oregon St.

Zach’s Pick: Oregon

Washington (-20.5) at Washington State

It’s really a shame what has happened to the once mighty Pac 12. Why the hell are UCLA & USC in the Big Ten?!?!?? What in the world are the Cal Bears doing in the freakin’ ACC?!?!?!?? The Pac 12 will be rebuilt next season with the addition of Boise St., Fresno St., and others, but it’ll never quite be the same. Anyway, the 117th Apple Cup isn’t shaping up to be all that compelling, with the 2-0 Huskies heavily favored over the 2-1 Cougars, who were beaten by nearly 50 points by North Texas last weekend. With all due respect to the Mean Green, that result would’ve been unimaginable just a few years ago. It might be a relative nail biter, but I foresee the visitors winning by 21-24 points. Zach points out how the Huskies fell off under a new coaching regime last year, a season after falling short in the CFP Championship. He believes State will rebound from last week’s ass kicking and atleast make things interesting.

My Pick: Washington 

Zach’s Pick: Washington St.

Illinois at Indiana (-4.5)

It could be the best game of the weekend. Both teams are 3-0, and every victory is huge in the ultra competitive Big Ten. I like the Hoosiers to win at home, but this feels like one of those situations that’ll be decided by a field goal in the final minute, or possibly overtime. Zach thinks the Illini has a slight edge with a better QB, which will be the difference.

My Pick: Illinois 

Zach’s Pick: Illinois 

Denver at LA Chargers (-2.5)

All the sudden the AFC West is in play for the first time in a decade, with Kansas City sitting at 0-2 and looking like they’ve lost their championship edge. I’m not ready to give Last Rites to the Chiefs just yet, but the other teams in the division are looking more impressive than they have in quite a long time. The Broncos lost a heartbreaker in Indianapolis last week, with there being a variety of opinions about how that played out. Meanwhile, the 2-0 Chargers have jumped out of the starting gate with consecutive divisional wins that could become huge later in the season. It’ll be a tight battle, but I like the home team to win by atleast a field goal, perhaps a touchdown. Zach is a huge Jim Harbaugh fan and believes the Chargers should be considered a serious Super Bowl contender.

My Pick: LA Chargers

Zach’s Pick: LA Chargers

2025-26 NFL Preview & Prognostications 

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.

Playoffs: Eagles, Rams, Lions, Bucs, Packers, Cowboys, Commanders

NFC Title: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys

North

Baltimore Ravens (12-5) 11-6

Cincinnati Bengals (9-8) 9-8

Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) 9-8

Cleveland Browns (3-14) 5-12

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.

Playoffs: Bills, Chiefs, Ravens, Texans, Chargers, Broncos, Bengals

AFC Title: Buffalo Bills vs. Baltimore Ravens 

Philadelphia Eagles  24

Buffalo Bills    27

Top 5 Picks in the 2026 NFL Draft

1 Cleveland Browns

2 New York Giants

3 Carolina Panthers 

4 New Orleans Saints 

5 Tennessee Titans

2024 Pigskin Picks of Profundity…Week 19

We’re doing a very quick turnaround because college football’s semifinals begin tonight. I am a little disappointed that so much of the NFL playoff picture was cleared up this past weekend, because I had visions of total chaos that’d push us into considering a few more games. Unfortunately it wasn’t meant to be. The good news is that we both went 4-1, which means that finishing above .500 for the season is within reach. With the college playoff expanding to 12 teams and the way the schedule falls, we will not be picking the semis or the championship game, which is probably for the best. As always I would like to thank my nephew Zach for indulging me with this fun little gig every football season, and give a shout out to anyone who might actually read what is written here. I have not been as productive in 2024 as I could’ve been, and I realize that citizens of The Manoverse who aren’t football fans probably gave up on me months ago. I’ll try to do better in 2025. Happy New Year everyone, and may God bless you as we all get the opportunity to begin again.

My Season: 53-56

Zach’s Season:  52-57

Fiesta Bowl 

CFP Quarterfinal

Penn State (-10.5) vs. Boise State 

The Nittany Lions easily defeated SMU in the first round, while the Broncos had a bye. That system of seeding & byes seems flawed given the fact that Penn St. is a double digit favorite. There will be much hand wringing & consternation in the offseason by folks who essentially believe that only two conferences and maybe a half dozen other teams really matter, which is just more proof that collegiate athletics is broken. As far as this particular contest goes, despite the fact that I’ve accused Penn St. of being overrated on multiple occasions, and I am almost always rooting for the underdog, the fact is that Penn St. will likely win. The question is, can they bitch slap Boise like a few teams got beat down in Round 1?? Boise St.’s only loss was in September at Oregon by three points, so I have to believe that they can stay within ten points of Penn St. Zach thinks that there is a legit chance that Penn St.’s defense has problems stopping Heisman runner-up RB Ashton Jeanty, and doesn’t have much faith in the Nittany Lions coming thru in big games. He agrees that Boise is unlikely to win, but won’t go away quietly.

My Pick: Boise St.

Zach’s Pick: Boise St.

Peach Bowl 

CFP Quarterfinal

Texas (-12.5) vs. Arizona State 

It might be the most entertaining game of the entire tournament. Texas handled Clemson in the first round, while Arizona St. had a bye. In three previous Pac 12 seasons the Sun Devils were 14-23. Head coach Kenny Dillingham, in his second season after serving as offensive coordinator at Auburn, Florida St., & Oregon, has  led a complete turnaround in the program’s inaugural Big 12 campaign. Look, I know that Texas has two QBs and probably a bunch of other players that’ll play in the NFL soon enough. I understand that the only two losses they suffered in their first year in the SEC were to Georgia, winner of two of the past three national championships. I get it. Have you watched Arizona St. play though?? They bulldozed Iowa St. in the Big 12 title game, and their only two losses were by a combined 18 points. Would I love to see a huge upset?? Damn straight. Do I think it will happen?? I’m not holding my breath. However, I do believe it’ll be a much closer game than the “experts” predict. At the beginning of the playoff Zach predicted Arizona St. could make a run and be a serious title contender, so he’s not moving off that now.

My Pick: Arizona St.

Zach’s Pick: Arizona St.

Rose Bowl 

CFP Quarterfinal

Ohio State (-2.5) vs. Oregon

I suppose this should be considered the marquee matchup of the four. Both teams have spent time at #1 this season. The Buckeyes only two losses were to Oregon & arch rival Michigan, and the folks in Columbus were so upset about the latter that some wanted head coach Ryan Day canned. People need to get with the times though. National Championships are no longer mythical. The system is flawed, but there is a system, which means that Ohio St.’s loss to Michigan should be considered less impactful than it might’ve been a decade ago. Sure, they missed out on a conference title and a first round bye, but they are here. They beat the snot out of Tennessee in Round 1 and now everything is in front of them. Meanwhile, in their first Big Ten season the Ducks ran roughshod thru a tough schedule, including a one point October victory over Ohio St., which came down to a field goal in the final two minutes. It is quite instructive that Oregon is considered the underdog. If there is one thing I have tried to learn while doing these picks, it is that oddsmakers know things we don’t, and oftentimes they have an uncanny way of being almost exactly right. So look for the favorites to win by a field goal. Surprisingly, Zach concurs.

My Pick: Ohio St. 

Zach’s Pick: Ohio St.

Sugar Bowl

CFP Quarterfinal

Notre Dame vs. Georgia (-1.5)

Has Notre Dame been overrated?? Sure, they’re 12-1, but the most impressive wins on their resume are the season opener at Texas A&M and a home victory over Louisville. Their Round 1 domination of Indiana has been much discussed, and if you believe the Hoosiers didn’t belong in the playoff (I’m looking at you SEC sycophants) then you can’t give much credence to the Irish winning that game. Conversely, even though Georgia hasn’t been as elite as we’ve been used to the past few seasons, no one questions their seat at the table. However, with QB Carson Beck out with an elbow injury, the intrigue for this contest is turned up a notch or two. I assume Georgia would be a much bigger favorite with Beck, but the fact that they’re still favored at all either shows how much respect the Bulldogs have earned thru the years, or casts a shadow on Notre Dame’s contender status. Perhaps both. The game is being played in Atlanta, which is basically a home field for the favorites. I think we’ll see a low scoring defensive struggle, probably decided by a few special teams plays. In that scenario I believe Georgia finds a way to escape with a close win. Zach agrees.

My Pick: Georgia

Zach’s Pick: Georgia 

Carolina at Atlanta (-7.5)

In my season preview I predicted that winning the NFC South would be a tough grind, because that’s exactly what it has been in recent years. So here we are. The Falcons have to win, and even then may fall short of the postseason. I am a bit surprised that they benched QB Kirk Cousins in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. A bold move for sure in a tight playoff race, but whether it is wise or not remains to be seen. The Panthers have been as hapless as I knew they would be, but teams with nothing to lose and an opportunity to play spoiler can be dangerous. I don’t believe the outcome is in much doubt, but Carolina will put up a fight. Still, I look for Atlanta to cover…barely. Zach concurs. 

My Pick: Atlanta

Zach’s Pick: Atlanta 

Kansas City at Denver (-10)

I know why the Broncos are favored, but it’s still a bit surprising. Having already locked up the division title and the AFC’s first round bye, the assumption is that KC will sit most of their starters. Meanwhile, the Broncos not only have the home field, but find themselves in a three team dogfight for a wildcard berth. One team will be super motivated, while the other has much bigger goals in mind. I think Denver will get the job done, but even playing with backups I can’t fathom the Chiefs going down by ten points. Zach agrees.

My Pick: Kansas City 

Zach’s Pick: Kansas City 

New Orleans at Tampa Bay (-13)

The Saints just haven’t been a good team this season and probably need to consider a total rebuild. Conversely, my assessment of Baker Mayfield was inaccurate, to put it kindly. The Bucs aren’t amongst the best in the conference, but they are scrappy and could catch a playoff opponent off guard. They need to win this game to even get there, but damn…the points are a bit much. When these teams met in The Big Easy in mid-October Tampa opened up a can o’ whoopass and won by 24 points, but I think it’ll be more like 10-12 this time. Zach concurs. 

My Pick: New Orleans  

Zach’s Pick: New Orleans 

Minnesota at Detroit (-2.5)

Both teams come into the game 14-2. The winner will be crowned NFC North champs and be the top seed in that conference, earning a first round bye. The loser will drop all the way back to the #5 seed. It’s the final game of the regular season, broadcast on NBC on Sunday night. I suggest muting your television and finding the radio call. IYKYK. When these teams met in October the Lions kicked the game winning field goal with 15 seconds on the clock. Since then Detroit’s defense has been decimated by injuries, to the point that I don’t believe they can still be considered Super Bowl favorites. If I were a die hard Lions fan, head coach Dan Campbell would drive me insane. Call me old fashioned, but while his aggressiveness is entertaining, it isn’t always wise. I think he’ll do something stupid…fake punt, unnecessarily going for a two point conversion, going for it on 4th down once too often…and it’ll cost his team a division title. Vikings QB Sam Darnold gets Zach’s vote for Comeback Player of the Year, and believes the smart choice is to ride with their momentum.

My Pick: Minnesota

Zach’s Pick: Minnesota 

2024 Pigskin Picks of Profundity…Week 18

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.

My Pick: Detroit 

Zach’s Pick: Detroit

2024 Pigskin Picks of Profundity…Week 16

College football’s conference championships were a bit kinder to Zach (5-4) than me (3-6), meaning that I have fallen to .500 for the season. Can I keep my head above water, or will Zach continue to cut into my lead?? We’re riding with the NFL this week, as division races and playoff battles begin to come into focus down the stretch. 

My Season: 47-47

Zach’s Season: 42-52

Miami at Houston (-3)

The 8-5 Texans seem to have the AFC South well in hand, with a two game lead and four games remaining. However, we never know who might get hot at the right time or which teams could implode. The 6-7 Dolphins aren’t winning the AFC East, but remain mathematically in the wild card chase. Every game is a must win for them. Miami is playing better in the back half of the schedule, while Houston was more effective early on, so I’m leaning toward a mild upset. Zach understands the momentum factor, but simply feels as though Houston is the better team.

My Pick: Miami

Zach’s Pick: Houston 

Buffalo at Detroit (-1.5)

The 10-3 Bills will win their division, but still have work to do to earn a first round bye, which is possible if they keep winning and the KC Chiefs falter a bit. Meanwhile, the 12-1 Lions are in the driver’s seat for the NFC’s first round bye, but the Philadelphia Eagles are hot on their heels. This very well could be a Super Bowl preview. I think the home field is huge, because if Detroit had to visit ice cold & snowy Buffalo the outcome wouldn’t be in much doubt. However, in the cozy confines of domed Ford Field I like the Lions to come out on top. Zach concurs.

My Pick: Detroit

Zach’s Pick: Detroit 

Tampa Bay at LA Chargers (-3)

Credit where it is due…QB Baker Mayfield is finally living up to the hype that accompanied him winning the 2017 Heisman Trophy and being the #1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He has the 7-6 Bucs atop the NFC South, although let’s be honest…they are a level below the top 2 or 3 teams in the conference. A step below is also where the 8-5 Chargers find themselves, although I assume most everyone connected to the organization is happy to be in that spot. They have a firm grasp on a wildcard berth, but also need to keep on winning. This might be one of the best battles of the weekend, and my money is on the home team getting the job done.  Zach is all in on head coach Jim Harbaugh.

My Pick: LA Chargers 

Zach’s Pick: LA Chargers

Indianapolis at Denver (-4)

The 8-5 Broncos are one of the most surprising stories in the league, atleast for me. Rookie QB Bo Nix has exceeded all expectations and has his team poised to claim a wildcard spot. Conversely, the 6-7 Colts have been a model of inconsistency. Injuries have been part of that equation, but frankly it just seems like they are a team in flux, hoping for the pieces to fall into place someday. Obviously that could happen, especially if QB Anthony Richardson eventually fulfill’s his potential. As for this game, I foresee the underdogs putting up a hell of a fight, but the home team is likely to win rather easily. Zach agrees.

My Pick: Denver

Zach’s Pick: Denver

Green Bay (-3) at Seattle

The Sunday night games have been hit or miss this season, and especially this time of year, after enjoying RedZone all day, I am inclined to watch an old Christmas movie rather than more football. However, I’ll probably be watching this game. Packers’ QB Jordan Love is a great example of someone raising the bar and fulfilling expectations in his fifth year in the league. Having said that, even at 9-4, Green Bay is in third place in their division. They’ll need to stay on their toes to secure a playoff berth. The same goes for the 8-5 Seahawks, who are in a dogfight for the NFC West crown. Will they win the division?? Earn a wild card?? Miss the playoffs altogether?? With one of the most significant home field advantages in the NFL I believe Seattle will remain on the positive side of that discussion for now. Conversely, Zach really likes Love to lead his team to a solid victory.

My Pick: Seattle 

Zach’s Pick: Green Bay

2024 Pigskin Picks of Profundity…Week 12

Kudos to Zach for the win a week ago after picking Alabama over LSU. I did not see that particular beatdown coming. This week is a bit unusual, as we’re only picking one college game. The schedule just didn’t seem that appealing, which is odd considering those teams are coming down the stretch with conference titles & playoff berths still up for grabs. At any rate, we’ll pick up the slack with NFL matchups that will ultimately make a difference in division races & playoff seeding.

My Season: 35-32

Zach’s Season: 31-36

Tennessee at Georgia (-9.5)

The 8-1 Vols are leading the SEC and have two four game winning streaks this season, separated by one 4th quarter collapse at Arkansas. Meanwhile, the 7-2 Bulldogs, who have won two of the last three national championships, are fighting for their playoff lives. The margin for error is basically nonexistent for both teams, and what surprises me most are the points. Sure, they have the home field…but IF the Bulldogs win it won’t be by more than a touchdown. Conversely, Zach sees Tennessee as fool’s gold, while Georgia will be fighting mad with their backs against the wall. He doesn’t think they’ll lose two in a row.

My Pick: Tennessee 

Zach’s Pick: Georgia

Green Bay (-6.5) at Chicago

The NFC North, or what ESPN legend Chris Berman used to call the Norris Division, is up for grabs, with 6-3 Green Bay still in the hunt, although ultimately I believe the Detroit Lions Lions will prevail. At 4-5 the Bears seem to be just as bad as last season, with rookie QB Caleb Williams looking like the epic failure I knew he’d be. Don’t be surprised if the home team puts up a spirited fight for three quarters, but at the end of the day the Packers should win comfortably. Zach hasn’t given up on Williams yet, but understands the team overall just isn’t very good.

My Pick: Green Bay

Zach’s Pick: Green Bay

Atlanta at Denver (-2.5)

The 6-4 Falcons lead their division, which might surprise people, although it shouldn’t. I don’t believe they’re ready to pose a serious postseason threat to the better teams in the NFC, but progress is progress. Conversely, the 5-5 Broncos play in the same division as the only unbeaten team in the NFL (as well as back-to-back defending Super Bowl Champions), so they’ll need to be happy with whatever scraps of triumph they can snag here & there. Unfortunately for the home team I don’t think even the much ballyhooed high altitude of Denver will save them, and I don’t know what the hell the oddsmakers were smoking. Zach has a little more faith in the Broncos to remain competitive, but agrees that the visitors will walk away victorious.

My Pick: Atlanta

Zach’s Pick: Atlanta 

Seattle at San Francisco (-6.5)

It’s a bit of a shocker that both teams sit behind Arizona in their division, although I expect that’ll change soon enough. The 4-5 Seahawks have got to tighten things up on defense because they won’t defeat many opponents who score 25+ points. The 5-4 Niners are in slightly better shape and can blame alot of their problems on injuries. This feels like a must-win for both teams. Having said that, I will boldly predict that one of them will win the division instead of the Cardinals, and perhaps both end up in the playoffs…even the loser this week. I don’t know who comes out n top, but I believe it’ll be way closer than the “experts” indicate. Zach observes ‘Frisco getting healthy, which spells trouble for their opponents.

My Pick: Seattle

Zach’s Pick: San Francisco 

Kansas City at Buffalo (-2.5)

The best game of the week (probably) will be played in the late afternoon window on Sunday, which means I can skip Chris Collinsworth violating my ears Sunday night. The Chiefs are undefeated, with a variety of meaningless opinions being tossed around as to how that has occurred. The Bills are 8-2 and have essentially already won their otherwise putrid division. Look, we already know how this goes…both are playoff locks who are strong Super Bowl favorites no matter what happens this week. What matters is seeding and who will (potentially) host the AFC title game. The outcome may differ in that presumed future contest, but with the home field, and considering the fact that KC will be relying on a backup kicker after Harrison Butker suffered a knee injury, I foresee Buffalo winning. Zach believes Kansas City has been lucky to remain unbeaten, and in a last minute, game winning drive scenario predicts that QB Patrick Mahomes will keep them perfect for the time being.

My Pick: Buffalo 

Zach’s Pick: Kansas City 

2024 Pigskin Picks of Profundity…Week 10

Happy Halloween Manoverse!! My trick or treating days ended during the Carter Administration, and my faith precludes me from celebrating darkness, death, & evil, but at the same time I don’t view an occasion when small children dress up in costumes to beg for candy as all that sinister. Your mileage may vary and that’s okay. What could’ve been much more ominous were last week’s results, but kudos to rookie sensation Jayden Daniels for saving the weekend with his heroics. Enjoy whatever tomfoolery awaits on All Hallow’s Eve, whether it be popcorn & Charlie Brown, cheap beer & bobbing for apples, or fun size candy & slasher flicks. Just remember the words of Jesus in the 8th chapter of John: I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

My Season: 31-26

Zach’s Season: 26-31

Ohio State (-4) at Penn State

The 6-1 Buckeyes are ranked 4th in the nation with only a one point loss to #1 Oregon staining their record. The unbeaten Nittany Lions are 3rd in the polls and have the home field. I think Penn St.’s schedule has been a bit more challenging, so they have earned respect from everyone except, it seems, the oddsmakers. Will they use that as fuel?? Perhaps. However, at the end of the day I believe the visiting favorites are probably just a little faster & more athletic. It’ll be tight, but I give a touchdown edge to Ohio St. Zach is expecting a low scoring defensive struggle and is…surprisingly…picking Ohio St. 

My Pick: Ohio St.

Zach’s Pick: Ohio St.

Georgia (-16.5) vs. Florida

The NCAA schedule is rather prosaic this week, and we try to avoid games involving teams we just dealt with last week, so this mid-season “rivalry” game makes the cut. I put it like that because it hasn’t been much of a rivalry in recent years, with the 6-1 Bulldogs winning six of the last seven meetings. Meanwhile, the 4-3 Gators seem to be spinning their wheels until the powers-that-be pull the trigger on firing head coach Billy Napier. It’s a neutral site contest in Jacksonville, and I have no doubt Georgia will win, but can they cover?? Well, in those six games they won in the past seven years, their average margin of victory is 22 points…so I’m riding with the ‘Dawgs. Zach has observed improvement from Florida, but also feels as if Georgia is really hitting their stride.

My Pick: Georgia 

Zach’s Pick: Georgia

Denver at Baltimore (-9.5)

I freakin’ hate the Ravens, but I’ll give them credit for building a good team. They aren’t hesitant to pull the trigger on a trade or sign an impact free agent. As a die hard Steelers fan I can admit that my team is leading the division thru smoke & mirrors, which probably isn’t sustainable thru an entire season. The task at hand for Baltimore is taking care of business at home against the 5-3 Broncos, who have already been way more successful than I thought they’d be. I’d be pleasantly surprised if Denver pulled off a huge upset, but will settle for moderately satisfied if they keep it close. Zach concurs.

My Pick: Denver

Zach’s Pick: Denver

Miami at Buffalo (-5.5)

The 6-2 Bills have a stranglehold on the AFC East, while the 2-5 Dolphins are struggling to equal last season’s playoff qualifying success. I don’t know that Buffalo is a Super Bowl caliber team, but they are certainly capable of easily handling business at home. Zach agrees.

My Pick: Buffalo

Zach’s Pick: Buffalo

Detroit at Green Bay (-1)

Holy cow, the 6-1 Lions opened up a can o’ whoopass on the Titans last week. Meanwhile, the 6-2 Packers are on a four game win streak and sit only a half game behind Detroit in the division. We’ve been doing this long enough to know that the de facto home field bump in the NFL is three points, so the fact that Green Bay is only favored by one is a nod to Detroit’s success…but it still feels disrespectful to the visitors. I believe they’ll see it that way and respond accordingly. Zach is looking forward to the game and believes in Lions coach Dan Campbell.

My Pick: Detroit

Zach’s Pick: Detroit 

2024 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 6

Baseball playoffs have arrived & the hockey season is starting, but we’re all about football here. However, since the subject came up, I will opine that a Yankees World Series against the Dodgers or Phillies holds absolutely zero interest for me. It’s probably too much to ask, but a Royals/Tigers vs. Padres Series would be palatable. We’ll see. In the meantime I’ll continue to happily spend most of my weekends…vicariously…on the gridiron.

My Season: 19-14

Zach’s Season: 15-18

Michigan State at Oregon (-24)

This is the Friday night game on Fox, which I have quickly grown to love. That is probably a sad commentary on my life, but that’s okay. The 3-2 Spartans are unlikely to pose a serious threat to the unbeaten Ducks, but can they keep it respectable?? Oregon has only beaten one opponent by more than three touchdowns, while only Ohio St. has beaten Michigan St. by that much. It’s risky, but I’ll lean toward the home team winning by 15-20 points. Zach is a bit concerned by the points, but not concerned enough to agree with my assessment.

My Pick: Michigan St.

Zach’s Pick: Oregon 

UCLA at Penn State (-27.5)

I am intrigued by these games with such a large point spread. How is that number arrived at?? What kind of analytics are used?? I know it’s not done haphazardly. At any rate, the Nittany Lions are undefeated and haven’t been challenged too much thus far. Conversely, the 1-3 Bruins have lost three consecutive games and need to rebound quickly before the season is a total debacle. If the game were being played in Pasadena I might consider that the underdogs could remain competitive, but in Happy Valley I think we will see complete domination. Zach doesn’t believe that Penn St.’s offense is built to be that dominant, so he thinks it’ll be slightly closer than four TDs.

My Pick: Penn St.

Zach’s Pick: UCLA

Michigan at Washington (-3)

It’s a National Championship rematch, and when these teams met in January the Wolverines won in dominating fashion. Of course, as this is college football, these are both far different teams than they were last season. They even have new head coaches. Michigan is off to a 4-1 start, with only a loss to Texas as a blemish. Meanwhile, the erratic Huskies are 3-2 and Michael Penix Jr. ain’t walking thru their door. Washington gets the home field bump, but I’m not buying it. The talking heads at NBC would love for this to be a Michigan-Washington 2023 redux and will probably try to hype it as such, but I think the visitors will achieve a fairly mundane “upset”. Zach is concerned about his Wolverines offensive ineptitude, opining that even I might be a better QB for them, which is hilarious for reasons very few will understand. Anyway, since Michigan defeated USC last month he believes they stand a chance to win out west. 

My Pick: Michigan 

Zach’s Pick: Michigan

Buffalo at Houston (-1)

Despite getting trucked by the Baltimore Ravens last weekend the 3-1 Bills have been more impressive than I anticipated. Conversely, the 3-1 seem underwhelming regardless of their record. Both teams are dealing with alot of injuries, with the status of several key players up in the air at the moment, which makes accurate prognostication nearly impossible. It’s a leap of faith either way, but I’m riding with the home team. Zach is expecting a close contest that comes down to the wire, and he has confidence in QB Josh Allen to lead Buffalo to a huge win on the road.

My Pick: Houston

Zach’s Pick: Buffalo

Las Vegas at Denver (-2.5)

Will receiver Davante Adams be traded before Sunday?? Probably not. Will he be traded at all?? We’ll see. Will he suit up for this game?? I don’t know. The 2-2 Raiders probably aren’t going to be too successful with Gardner Minshew at QB with or without Adams. The Broncos are also 2-2, with rookie QB Bo Nix taking his lumps. I’m not expecting an instant classic or even an entertaining game, but it should atleast be competitive. Denver’s home field is always promoted as daunting with the higher elevation and all that jazz, but that hasn’t seemed to translate into consistent success. I foresee a forgettable upset. Zach is a little more upbeat about the fun factor but agrees on the outcome.

My Pick: Las Vegas

Zach’s Pick: Las Vegas