Miami Dolphins

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 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 11

Better late than never, right?? The deadline for these posts is always before kickoff of the first game, so I suppose technically we’re not late. However, I usually strive to get things done by Wednesday or Thursday, especially if we’re picking a Thursday night game, which is why we don’t pick Thursday games often. At any rate, it’s very rare to not have everything up for public consumption Saturday morning, but occasionally your humble webmaster does have some semblance of a life, hence the delay. At any rate, there hasn’t been much of a shift in our records, so we’ll just move on to this weekend’s games. 

My Season: 33-29

Zach’s Season: 28-34

Clemson (-6.5) at Virginia Tech

Once upon a time it was a marquee matchup with, at the very least, conference title implications. Unfortunately both teams are on the outside looking in right now. The outlook could improve for the 6-2 Tigers with a victory, while the 5-4 Hokies are simply defending their home turf and playing for bowl eligibility. I expect a spirited battle, but in the end it’s hard to ignore the fact that Clemson is clearly a better team. Zach believes the visiting favorites will win big.

My Pick: Clemson

Zach’s Pick: Clemson

Alabama (-3) at LSU

Has a bit of the shine worn off this rivalry?? Perhaps, but not that much. At 6-2 both teams still have conference championship & playoff aspirations, but those dreams will likely end for the loser. Death Valley on a Saturday night is daunting for any visitor, even The Tide. I believe we’re looking at a last second field goal or overtime situation, and I feel an upset brewing. Zach, on the other hand, likes LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, but thinks ‘Bama is the better team. He wouldn’t be surprised to see overtime, but thinks the visiting favorites will snag a close victory.

My Pick: LSU

Zach’s Pick: Alabama 

BYU (-4.5) at Utah

Who would have predicted a few months ago that the Battle of the Beehive State would have conference title implications…for BYU?? Not only do the Cougars lead the Big 12, but they are an unbeaten Top Ten team. Conversely, the 4-4 Utes have had their season go completely off the rails in the past month. They have the home field, but since the two schools are less than an hour apart it probably doesn’t matter. It’s one of those late night kickoffs that I used to look forward to when I was younger, but now I don’t know if I’ll even be awake for the second half and don’t anticipate missing much. Zach predicts a high scoring shootout, with the visiting favorites ultimately prevailing.

My Pick: BYU

Zach’s Pick: BYU

Philadelphia (-6.5) at Dallas 

Both teams are looking up at the division leading Washington Commanders, which is kind of funny. To be fair, Philly is only a half game out of first place and seems to have fixed most of the issues that plagued them late last season. The addition of RB Saquon Barkley has been a huge boost, with him resembling the freak of nature he was back at Penn St. in 2017. Meanwhile, the 3-5 Cowboys are fulfilling my prophecy for them from a year ago. I should have stuck with those vibes this offseason. Even with the home field there is no reason to believe Dallas has a chance to come out on top. Zach concurs.

My Pick: Philadelphia 

Zach’s Pick: Philadelphia 

Miami at LA Rams (-2.5)

It’s the Monday night game, which means football fans will be watching. The question though is whether or not we should be excited to tune in. At 2-6 the Dolphins are, thus far, falling way short of expectations. Can they turn things around in the second half of the season?? The outcome of this game could go a long way toward answering that question. The Rams are 4-4 and in a dog fight with the other three teams in the NFC West, so a victory would be quite important to them as well. I view the Rams as solid yet unspectacular in all three phases of the game. Their record could easily be a couple of wins better, but sometimes the ball just doesn’t bounce the right way. I foresee the home favorites having an edge in turnovers & time of possession, which should help them come out on top. Zach believes it could be a nail biter, but thinks a healthy Rams team is peaking at the right time.

My Pick: LA Rams

Zach’s Pick: LA Rams

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 

2023 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 20

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.

My Pick: Miami

Zach’s Pick: Buffalo

2023 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 17

Zach & I were both 2-3 last weekend. Out of my six fantasy teams only one made the playoffs, so as a fan I’m hanging on by a thread to these picks, my Herd & Mountaineers in pedestrian bowl games, and the 7-6 Steelers, who average a measly 16 points/game & have the 21st ranked offense in the NFL.

My Season: 56-44

Zach’s Season: 48-52

Tampa Bay at Green Bay (-3.5)

The Bucs are 6-7 but in a three way tie for the division lead, almost mirroring the gridlock in the NFC South a season ago. There’s still time for things to shake out the way I predicted, but credit to Tampa for being slightly better than I thought they’d be. Meanwhile, the Packers are struggling as I knew they would. Not only does Green Bay have the advantage of The Frozen Tundra in December, but I think they’re beginning to figure things out and aren’t that far from being a pretty good team. Zach agrees.

My Pick: Green Bay

Zach’s Pick: Green Bay

NY Jets at Miami (-12.5)

The Dolphins suffered a heartbreaking loss to Tennessee last weekend but still sit atop the AFC East. The Jets surprisingly beat the snot out of Houston but still look to be a season or two or perhaps a piece or two from being contenders. I don’t think Miami will have any problem winning, but the points are certainly eye popping. If the Jets play as well this week as they did last week it could be a close game, but I don’t think they can pull that off two weeks in a row. Conversely, the points are just too much for Zach. He likes Miami to get the win but foresees the Jets remaining competitive.

My Pick: Miami

Zach’s Pick: NY Jets

Atlanta (-3) at Carolina

The Falcons are in that NFC South scrum and might be a great quarterback away from being a solid team. The Panthers could earn the top overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft – too bad they already traded it to the Bears. These are two teams heading down different paths…Carolina is treading water in the pool of mediocrity, while Atlanta looks to be swimming away from choppy waters toward a calmer sea. Zach thinks Desmond Ridder still has an opportunity to be the franchise QB the Falcons need.

My Pick: Atlanta

Zach’s Pick: Atlanta

NY Giants at New Orleans (-6)

The sports media is abuzz over Giants QB Tommy Devito, an undrafted free agent out of Illinois. The team isn’t achieving much, but atleast it’s a cool story. The Saints have the good fortune of playing in a mediocre division so their playoff dreams are very much alive. I believe that kind of hope is a great motivator. Zach thinks it’ll be a tight game and is rolling the dice on the Giants.

My Pick: New Orleans

Zach’s Pick: NY Giants

Washington at LA Rams (-6.5)

The Rams have no shot at winning their division, but are still in contention for a wild card. They’ve also won three out of the last four games and gave the Ravens all they could handle last week before falling in overtime. The Commanders have had some good moments this season, but don’t be surprised if new ownership makes a whole lot of changes in the offseason. I wouldn’t be shocked if the visitors pull off an upset, but the home team has much more on the line. Zach concurs.

My Pick: LA Rams

Zach’s Pick: LA Rams

2023 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 11

According to the CFP Committee Ohio St. is now #1, which probably doesn’t sit well with the folks down in Georgia. I’ve always believed in the philosophy of “Nature Boy” Ric Flair: to be The Man you’ve got to beat The Man. I didn’t see the show, but I assume the powers-that-be may have watched the Bulldogs let Auburn hang around awhile several weeks ago and also got all tingly watching the Buckeyes beat Penn St. Whatever the details, I’m sure they somehow justified their decision to the talking heads. None of it really matters at this point, although the playoff picture is slowly coming into focus. At any rate, I was 4-1 last week, while Zach was 3-2. There are some potentially important matchups this week, atleast on paper. Hopefully they’ll live up to expectations. We’ll see.

My Season: 35-23

Zach’s Season: 28-30

Notre Dame (-3) at Clemson

What in the hell has happened to the Tigers?? I didn’t expect that they’d compete for a playoff spot this season, but neither did I forsee them entering November at 4-4 with back-to-back losses, including one to NC St. Meanwhile, the 7-2 Irish might still be thinking months from now how an inexplicable loss to Louisville cost them a playoff opportunity. Neither team is elite, but both are still good enough to draw interest. Can the negative energy be galvanized by Dabo Swinney into enough motivation to pull off an upset?? How crazy is it that Clemson winning a game at home would be an upset?? Zach thinks that Coach Swinney has perhaps lost a bit of his team, but doesn’t believe it’s a long term problem. He agrees that we’ll see just enough of that old magic emerge for an upset to occur.

My Pick: Clemson

Zach’s Pick: Clemson

Oklahoma (-6) at Oklahoma State

Is this the last hurrah for Bedlam?? The 7-1 Sooners will be moving to the SEC next year because the NCAA clearly doesn’t give a damn about tradition & common sense anymore. Will the 6-2 Cowboys view it as a final opportunity for bragging rights?? The visiting favorites got outyanked at Kansas last week, while the home underdogs are riding a four game winning streak. This will be an emotional back & forth battle, and I think we’ll see a surprising result. Conversely, Zach thinks the Sooners will be ticked off after getting beat a week ago and will take out their frustration on their in-state rival.

My Pick: Oklahoma St.

Zach’s Pick: Oklahoma

Washington (-3.5) at Southern California

Let’s be honest…other than beating Oregon at home the undefeated Huskies haven’t really been challenged. As a matter of fact, it has occasionally felt like they’ve played down to the level of their competition in games that were closer than expected. Conversely, the 7-2 Trojans have come up short in two huge games that they probably should’ve won. It just seems like certain parties at USC aren’t “all in” and might be focused on other things. I think the underdogs will give it all they’ve got, but the visitors are so close to securing a playoff berth I don’t believe they’ll get caught by surprise…atleast not this week. Zach thinks we’re in for a shootout…first team to 60 wins!!

My Pick: Washington

Zach’s Pick: Washington

LSU at Alabama (-3)

Does this battle have as much cachet as it used to?? Maybe not. However, the 6-2 Bayou Bengals have won three in a row, while the 7-1 Tide is just sitting there in the Top 10 waiting for a couple of dominoes to fall so they can claim the playoff berth they believe is owed them. Both teams are coming out of a bye week, so they should be well-rested & healthy. ‘Bama gets the requisite home field bump, but I smell an upset and a changing of the guard at the top of the SEC West. Zach forsees another low scoring defensive battle, which is kind of the norm in this rivalry. He’s a Coach Saban fanboy almost as much as he loves Michigan.

My Pick: LSU

Zach’s Pick: Alabama

Miami vs. Kansas City (-2.5)

For the first time ever the NFL is playing a game in Germany. It’s a 9:30am kickoff on NFL Network here in The States, with a matchup worthy of getting out of bed to watch. Some folks are seeing chinks in the armor of the 6-2 Chiefs, which is understandable given a surprising loss at Denver last week. Meanwhile, the prolific Miami offense has scored less than 31 points in only one game thus far. At 6-2 the Dolphins lead their division but can’t afford to ease up now. Most fans are likely expecting or atleast hoping for a shootout that’ll pad the fantasy numbers of countless couch GMs across the country. That would indeed be fun to watch, but every time that kind of game looks to be on the horizon it rarely seems to actually happen. We’ll probably see a 28-24 type of game, with penalties & turnovers playing a factor. Reports of KC’s demise are far too premature, but right now I think Miami is the hotter team. Zach concurs.

My Pick: Miami

Zach’s Pick: Miami

2023 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 9

First things first…last week was atrocious. The less said about it the better. I did flippantly opine that I was about to self destruct with bonus picks, and that’s exactly what happened. I was 1-7, with Zach besting me at 2-6. He cut into my season lead by a game, but fell under .500 in the process. So now we move forward, hopefully with better results.

My Season: 27-21

Zach’s Season: 23-25

Penn State at Ohio State (-7.5)

It’s the current biggest, most important game of all time (until next week probably). The undefeated Buckeyes are ranked #3 in the country, while the unbeaten Nittany Lions are #7. Not only will the victor keep pace with Michigan in the Big Ten, but one can assume the loser will be eliminated from playoff contention, at least for now. I think the underdogs have played a slightly more challenging schedule, and they have two shutouts. No opponent has scored more than 15 points. The home team has held three opponents to single digits and not allowed more than 17 points. I expect a relatively low scoring contest…something like 19-13. I don’t know who will emerge victorious, but they won’t win by more than a touchdown. Zach has an irrational dislike for the entire state of Ohio. However, he also has little faith in Penn St. Coach James Franklin’s ability to win big games. He thinks Penn St. has been a bit overrated, but believes they’ll keep it close in a higher scoring affair than I’m predicting.

My Pick: Penn St.

Zach’s Pick: Penn St.

TCU at Kansas State (-7.5)

Clearly the 4-3 Horned Frogs aren’t going to match last season’s success, and the 4-2 Wildcats aren’t going to meet my lofty day expectations. It’s too early to know if either team can snag a spot in the Big 12 title game. None of that means we can’t enjoy an entertaining game Saturday night. I tend to stick with my preseason picks until I absolutely can’t, so that and the home field are enough to tip the scales toward the favorites. Zach isn’t as disappointed in TCU as some may be because he understands the amount of talent they lost. Having said that, he describes K-St. as “wishy-washy” and doesn’t think they can cover.

My Pick: Kansas St.

Zach’s Pick: TCU

Clemson (-10) at Miami (FL)

The 4-2 Tigers may not be elite like they have been the past decade+, but they’d still love to get to double digit victories for the 13th consecutive season. Competing for the ACC title is probably too much to ask, but if they win out anything is possible. Conversely, the 4-2 Hurricanes are looking for their first conference win, and they’ve lost two straight games. Of course they should’ve won one of those if it weren’t for one of the more boneheaded coaching decisions of all time. The ‘Canes do have the home field, and I just don’t like the points at all. It’s entirely possible that the favorites will prove me wrong and stomp a mud hole in their opponents, but I’m predicting it’ll be slightly more competitive. Zach forsees a low scoring game, with the team having less penalties coming out on top.

My Pick: Miami (FL)

Zach’s Pick: Miami (FL)

Miami at Philadelphia (-2.5)

It’s the Sunday night game and I’m probably going to miss most of it (I do grace polite society with my presence occasionally). The Eagles are no longer unbeaten after an inexplicable loss to the Jets, while the 5-1 Dolphins are averaging 37 points/game. I’m sure the folks at NBC are hoping for a high scoring shootout chock full of exciting plays, but life has taught me that when those are the expectations somehow defense ends up asserting itself and fans experience a letdown. I think Philly’s defense is superior, plus they have the home field, so look for something like a 27-21 game decided by turnovers & penalties. Zach is onboard with the TV suits, predicting “the highest scoring NFL game in a decade” (FYI, it would need to outduel a 54-51 defeat of the Chiefs by the Rams in 2018), and he likes Miami to get the upset.

My Pick: Philadelphia

Zach’s Pick: Miami

San Francisco (-7.5) at Minnesota

Okay, first of all I totally misjudged ‘Frisco in the preseason. Whether QB Brock Purdy is legit or simply benefits from top notch talent surrounding him is a debate I’ll leave to the talking heads, but he is firmly entrenched as the 49ers’ quarterback and it’s working out just fine. They too suffered a baffling loss last week though, and must rebound on the road. The 2-4 Vikings just haven’t gotten it together this year, and certainly miss star WR Justin Jefferson, who is out with a hamstring injury. They have the home field, but is that enough to make this game worth watching on Monday night?? Probably not. Barring some kind of unforeseen catastrophe the Niners should win comfortably. Zach concurs

My Pick: San Francisco

Zach’s Pick: San Francisco

2023 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 3

The big news from last weekend was “Neon” Deion Sanders & his Colorado Buffaloes backing up all the hype with action by upsetting TCU. Kudos to Zach for kinda sorta almost calling that in advance, which helped him to an impressive 7-1 week. In comparison I was 5-3, which I will proudly proclaim as not too shabby. We’re off to a rather decent beginning, and now will be able to throw the NFL into the mix. We’ll see how that works out.

My Season: 9-4

Zach’s Season: 9-4

Oregon (-6.5) at Texas Tech

The Ducks came out of the gate STRONG, hanging 81 points on Portland St. I hope the payday was worth it for the FCS Vikings. Conversely, the Red Raiders lost in overtime at Wyoming. Can we glean much out of those results?? Yes & no. I wouldn’t read too much into Oregon’s Week 1 beatdown. Sure, 81 points is impressive, but the bottom line is they did what they were supposed to do. What Tech’s loss means will be more accurately judged when we have a better idea how good Wyoming ends up being. I really don’t know exactly what to expect on Saturday evening, but I think the visitors are in for a much bigger fight than they faced in the season opener. Having said that, I feel like the favorites will win by 7-10 points. Zach isn’t impressed at all by Texas Tech, and he’s surprised by the points…surprised the oddsmakers think it’ll be that close.

My Pick: Oregon

Zach’s Pick: Oregon

Texas at Alabama (-7)

I don’t have ESPN right now because Disney is in a pissing contest with my cable provider. What that means, among other things, is that I won’t be able to watch this game. It’s unfortunate, but I’ll live. When these two teams met a year ago ‘Bama scored a last minute field goal for a one point road victory. If you believe the chatter there is a sense that the Longhorns are better this year while the Tide might not be as good. In my preseason rankings I opined “don’t be shocked if the ‘Horns march into Tuscaloosa in early September and upset ‘Bama”, and I stand by that. This is going to be a dogfight no matter who wins, and it’ll be closer than seven points. Zach believes Alabama is as good as they’ve ever been and thinks Texas is being overrated. He foresees a tight contest until the home team blows it open in the 4th quarter.

My Pick: Texas

Zach’s Pick: Alabama

Detroit at Kansas City (-6.5)

The NFL kicks off on Thursday night with the league standard bearer facing off against an up n’ comer with high expectations. The Lions haven’t won their division since 1993 and last appeared in the playoffs in 2016, but they’ve steadily assembled the ingredients for a team that could achieve both this season. The Chiefs have played in three of the past four Super Bowls, winning twice. I’m on board the Detroit hype train, but not this week. They’ll play hard and reinforce the positive outlook so many seem to have, but KC is still in their prime and that’s not changing anytime soon. Zach concurs.

My Pick: Kansas City

Zach’s Pick: Kansas City

Philadelphia (-3.5) at New England

Not to be outdone, the Eagles have played in two Super Bowls in six years, winning one of them. They’ve earned playoff berths in five of the past six seasons, and there’s no reason to believe there will be any significant decline. I’m not buying all of the Cowboys love and think Philly will scratch & claw their way to another division title. In contrast, the party seems to be over for the Patriots. Mac Jones is a decent QB, but he’s not the Second Coming of…well, you know. After going 8-9 a season ago I think it gets worse for New England before it gets better, and believe me when I say I won’t shed a tear. I really don’t think this game will be particularly close. Zach has the opposite outlook. He believes the Pats could actually win their division this year, and thinks that starts with a statement win that’d certainly surprise a lot of people.

My Pick: Philadelphia

Zach’s Pick: New England

Miami at LA Chargers (-3)

Are we overlooking these teams?? The Jets are a popular pick to win the AFC East, while the Bills are probably the safer bet. But what about Miami?? I’ve been perpetually flummoxed by the tepid response to the three year career of QB Tua Tagovailoa. In my opinion he’s a Top 10 quarterback. The Dolphins were 9-8 last season and earned a wildcard. I expect them to be slightly better in Coach McDaniel’s second year. The Chargers have a pretty good QB, with Justin Herbert flying way under the radar as opposed to folks openly questioning his abilities. I feel like the outcome rests mostly on defense, and believe the underdogs will make more plays on that side of the ball. Zach thinks Miami could be the biggest roadblock to New England winning the division. However, he also believes Herbert is the one that must prove himself, and foresees that effort getting off the ground with a big victory.

My Pick: Miami

Zach’s Pick: LA Chargers