New Orleans Saints

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 

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 19

As I sit here watching the Jets battle the Browns, enjoying the mid-holiday malaise between Christmas & New Year’s, I can’t help but believe this is one of the coolest times of the year. Christmas movies are over, but random college football games are on at totally arbitrary hours of the day. All the yuletide pressure & stress is behind us, and I’ve finally reached the age when going on out New Year’s Eve isn’t as appealing as it once was, so it is likely that I’ll just chill in my humble abode with my wacky neighbor eating pizza & watching The Ball drop on TV. There is also plenty of NFL action on Sunday, with only one game on Saturday and no Monday night game. I currently hold a comfortable lead in our picks, even though Zach (2-3), bested me (1-4) last week. I haven’t kept track of our bowl picks, so hopefully those don’t sink me below .500. Anyway, we’ll see you on the other side Manoverse. Happy New Year to all. In the words of Lt. Dan’s gal pal Long Limbs Lenore…”Don’t you just love New Year’s? You get to start all over. Everybody gets a second chance.”

My Season: 60-50

Zach’s Season: 51-59

Detroit at Dallas (-6)

The 11-4 Lions have clinched their first division title in over three decades, winning three out of four games in the process. They’d love to be the NFC’s top seed but it won’t be easy. Meanwhile, the 10-5 Cowboys will be in the playoffs, but they’re still chasing a division title and have lost two consecutive games for the first time all season. This is the Saturday night game and I hope it’s a great one. There is so much on the line that one can fairly assume the players will “leave it all out on the field”. It is a chance for Detroit to make a statement going into the postseason…an opportunity they need to grab with gusto. Zach thinks Dallas QB Dak Prescott is a legit League MVP candidate and might prove it with an upset victory, but he believes no matter what it’ll be very close either way.

My Pick: Detroit

Zach’s Pick: Detroit

Atlanta at Chicago (-3)

The 6-9 Bears don’t have much to play for other than pride, while the 7-8 Falcons play in such a weak division that they are still in the postseason conversation. Chicago has shown slight improvement in the second half of the season, but I still expect them to blow the whole deal up in the offseason and rebuild (again) with another new coach and most likely a different quarterback. Atlanta might keep the coaching staff intact, but will probably move on from QB Desmond Ridder. It’s The Windy City in December, so cold & dreary is a given, although it looks like it’ll be dry. I think we’re looking at low scoring, smashmouth football, with the underdogs scoring a mild upset. Zach has low expectations but thinks the Bears are on the upswing.

My Pick: Atlanta

Zach’s Pick: Chicago

New Orleans at Tampa Bay (-3)

At the moment the Bucs hold a one game division lead, but the Saints could change that, in the process actually pulling the Falcons (if they win) into a three way tie, much like last season. I have no idea about tiebreakers or any of that jazz. I’m a fan of New Orleans QB Derek Carr and believe he’ll lead his team to a division title. Conversely, Zach thinks Tampa is peaking late and has more faith in QB Baker Mayfield.

My Pick: New Orleans

Zach’s Pick: Tampa Bay

Las Vegas at Indianapolis (-3)

I don’t know if Vegas’ Christmas defeat of the Chiefs means good things for them or just indicates big trouble in KC. They aren’t winning the AFC West, but are mathematically still in the playoff hunt. Indy would be the final AFC playoff team right now, but there’s work left to be done. I have more faith in the Raiders defense than anyone else involved in this game, so I think they grind out a single digit victory. Zach opines that the Colts’ offense isn’t on the same level as Kansas City, ergo Vegas should be able to shut them down even easier.

My Pick: Las Vegas

Zach’s Pick: Las Vegas

Green Bay at Minnesota (-2)

We knew it’d be a transitional season in Green Bay, but The Cheeseheads can’t be thrilled with the possibility of a losing season. However, I’ve seen some good things and believe they’ll be much improved next year. The Vikings are right about where I thought they’d be and would’ve been much better if not for some key injuries. Oddly enough both teams still have a path to the playoffs, although it is a tough road. It’s the Sunday night game on NBC, and if I can’t be kissing a beautiful woman or watching old drunk people with no rhythm try to dance then I suppose this isn’t the worst alternative. Ultimately I don’t foresee the Packers in the postseason, but they should win this game. Zach concurs.

My Pick: Green Bay

Zach’s Pick: Green Bay

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 7

Greetings football fans. Hey, it’s my birthday!! Sadly, writing this lil ditty is about as exciting as my day will get, and that’s okay. At any rate, both of us had another mediocre week. I still can’t believe Georgia didn’t cover, and there are no words to explain what the hell happened to our Steelers. But, as Ferris Bueller once stated, life moves pretty fast. It’s time to focus on another weekend of gridiron action, and so we move forward.

My Season: 23-12

Zach’s Season: 20-15

Kansas State (-11.5) at Oklahoma State

We’re leaning heavily into the Big 12 this week, starting with a team I had high hopes for in the preseason. At 3-1, with only a close loss to Missouri blemishing their record, the Wildcats still have an opportunity to meet my lofty expectations. Conversely, the 2-2 Cowboys have lost two in a row and need to stop their downward spiral immediately. This is the prime time Saturday night game on ESPN, so someone somewhere must believe it’ll be fun to watch. The points concern me a little bit because I’m not sure the favorites are as elite as I’d hoped while the underdogs probably aren’t as terrible as the numbers might indicate. Having said that, anyone who has followed us here thru the years knows that I’m loyal to my preseason opinions until they’re proven wrong, so I’m riding with K-State to validate my prognostication with a statement victory. Zach isn’t impressed by either team but thinks the favorites have a more balanced attack that will lead to a comfortable win.

My Pick: Kansas St.

Zach’s Pick: Kansas St.

Texas Tech at Baylor (-1.5)

At 2-3 the Red Raiders look like fighting for bowl eligibility might be their ceiling. Ditto for the 2-3 Bears, who won 12 games & beat Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl just a couple of seasons ago. This feels like a pivotal game that could right the ship of the winner while tossing the loser deeper into the abyss. I have no idea what to expect and usually factor the home field rather heavily into these kinds of decisions, but The Vibes are gently nudging me toward Tech. Zach likes Baylor’s toughness to make the difference in a high scoring affair decided deep into the 4th quarter.

My Pick: Texas Tech

Zach’s Pick: Baylor

Oklahoma vs. Texas (-6.5)

I still call it the Red River Shootout even if the sports media has become too woke to do so. It’s the last time they’ll meet as Big 12 rivals, but unlike so many other great traditions that have been destroyed by conference realignment these teams will continue to battle annually as members of the SEC. After last season’s 6-7 abomination I had no expectations of the Sooners, but thus far they’re 5-0 & proving me wrong. I did have a reasonably high opinion of the Longhorns, but at 5-0 & ranked in the Top 5 they’ve outdone themselves. It’s a neutral site contest at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, with a Noon kickoff. It feels like Texas has much more at stake, with a possible playoff berth in their future if all goes well. Oklahoma looks to have too many obstacles in their path to work themselves into playoff contention, but ruining their opponent’s opportunity would be sweet. I’m looking forward to a real dandy, and think the favorites have enough firepower to win by a touchdown. Zach believes the total points may end up close to 100, with the underdogs scoring a mildly surprising upset.

My Pick: Texas

Zach’s Pick: Oklahoma

Jacksonville vs. Buffalo (-5.5)

I expected both teams to be playoff contenders, but so far I’ve been underwhelmed. I thought the 2-2 Jags would be the bandwagon everyone would jump on, but they lost a game & that spot to the Houston Texans. Similarly, the 3-1 Bills are atop their division, but share the lead with the Miami Dolphins, who have received a lot more buzz. This is a 9:30am kickoff in London on the NFL Network, the second consecutive week for Jacksonville in Merry Old England (they beat Atlanta last Sunday). That gives them a slight advantage in my mind, assuming they just stayed overseas instead of flying back & forth across the pond again. It would be an attention grabbing upset, and possible changing of the guard in the AFC. Zach thinks Buffalo has figured things out after a sluggish beginning to their season.

My Pick: Jacksonville

Zach’s Pick: Buffalo

New Orleans at New England (-1.5)

I feel like this is a must-win for both teams. The 2-2 Saints came out of the gate strong before dropping two straight. Injuries have been an issue. The 1-3 Patriots have folks questioning the perceived genius of allegedly one of the greatest coaches of all time. I could’ve told you years ago that was poppycock, but they kept winning Super Bowls by any means necessary. Witnessing New England’s implosion is delicious fun, and I wouldn’t mind seeing N’Awlins beat them by triple digits. Unfortunately the visitors aren’t that good. Are they good enough to squeak by in a close contest though?? I hope so. Conversely, Zach doesn’t thing Darth Belichick will lose two games in a row. He foresees them taking pressure off whoever starts at QB by establishing a strong running game.

My Pick: New Orleans

Zach’s Pick: New England

2023-24 NFL PREVIEW & PROGNOSTICATIONS

Has there ever been a Super Bowl rematch in back-to-back seasons?? Yes…once. The Dallas Cowboys beat the snot out of the Buffalo Bills in 1992 & ‘93. Could it happen again?? Perhaps. Who knows?? What I do know is that football is back and my weekends are about to become delightfully entertaining once again. For the 15th time we’re going to take a peak into the ol’ crystal ball and see if we can prophesy what to expect from the NFL this season. It’s an endeavor fraught with pitfalls & unknowns…injuries, coaching changes, rookies, aging veterans, free agency. Out of all the professional sports leagues the NFL is perhaps the most unpredictable, yet we do our best to do exactly that. It’s crazy, and probably kind of dumb…but it is also lots of fun, for me anyway. I hope you enjoy many wonderful Sundays, Mondays, & Thursdays in the next several months, and as always I discourage any wagering based on what you read here because I really have no idea what I’m talking about.

East

Miami Dolphins (9-8) 10-7

New York Jets (7-10) 10-7

Buffalo Bills (13-3) 10-7

New England Patriots (8-9) 7-10

A year ago I predicted “look out for the Jets in 2024”. They decided to accelerate the timeline by acquiring QB Aaron Rodgers & RB Dalvin Cook, amongst other pieces of the puzzle. They are clearly in Win Now mode and probably have a two year window. Last season I wasn’t too sure about new Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, but I have a more positive opinion now. Miami has quietly put together a good team that’ll make some noise, and it feels like a pivotal season for Tua Tagovailoa in his 4th year under center. The Jets & Dolphins ascending means that the Bills won’t cruise to a division title like they did last year, so a lot of folks might view them as disappointing despite a solid season. I’m a bit hesitant to stick a fork in the Patriots, but when a potential quarterback controversy involves Mac Jones & Bailey Zappe I don’t think anyone should be expecting much.

West

Kansas City Chiefs (14-3) 16-1

Los Angeles Chargers (10-7) 8-9

Las Vegas Raiders (6-11) 2-15

Denver Broncos (5-12) 2-15

There is absolutely nothing to be excited about in this division if you aren’t a Chiefs fan. I wonder if receiver Davante Adams cries himself to sleep at night pondering the fact that he bolted Green Bay, leaving Aaron Rodgers in the dust in exchange for his buddy Derek Carr, only to see that experiment fail miserably and Carr to be ran out of town?? QB Jimmy Garoppolo had foot surgery in the off-season and might not be 100% out of the gate, which is horrible news for the Raiders. The Broncos have said all the right things about QB Russell Wilson, but it’s hard to feel encouraged after he had the worst year of his career in 2022. Sean Payton is now the head coach and that’s cool, but when a franchise is putting everything on the shoulders of the coach because no one is too sure about the players that’s not good. I’d rather have a stacked roster with an unproven coach like the Dolphins and Jets. The Chargers are the only thing standing between Kansas City and the most effortless division title in the history of football, and trust me when I tell you that’s not causing Patrick Mahomes & Andy Reid to lay awake at night.

North

Cincinnati Bengals (12-4) 11-6

Baltimore Ravens (10-7) 9-8

Pittsburgh Steelers (9-8) 9-8

Cleveland Browns (7-10) 5-12

Can the Ravens stay healthy?? That seems to be their biggest issue in recent years. Will QB Lamar Jackson earn the five year/$260 million contract he maneuvered the team into after initially demanding a trade back in March?? Ehhh…I’m just not that impressed with Baltimore. They always receive a bunch of hype from the talking heads then fall short of lofty expectations. I see no reason that’ll be any different this year. They’ll give the Bengals a legit fight for the crown, but at the end of the day Cincy will win the division once again. Most “experts” aren’t expecting much from my Steelers, but with Kenny Pickett now firmly ensconced as the starting quarterback, some key additions on both sides of the ball in free agency & the draft, and everyone betting against them I believe they’ll be in the playoff hunt until the end and atleast protect Coach Tomlin’s much ballyhooed achievement of never having a losing season. Most assume that the Browns will be better with Deshaun Watson under center from the jump, but they were only 3-3 in the games he started a season ago. Sorry Cleveland fans, but I don’t foresee a happy ending for you.

South

Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8) 12-5

Indianapolis Colts (4-12-1) 7-10

Tennessee Titans (7-10) 6-11

Houston Texans (3-13-1) 5-12

This is it Jags fans!! You’ve made it thru the abyss. After 15 years of wandering in a desert of futility with some occasional glimpses of mediocrity (and that one inexplicable playoff run in 2007) Jacksonville enters the 2023 season with a decent head coach, QB & former #1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence in his prime, a potentially good defense, and competing in one of the worst divisions in the league. There’s no way they can screw this up, right?? As predicted the Colts went nowhere with Matt Ryan as their signal caller, and now they’re hitching the wagon to rookie Anthony Richardson. That might pay dividends in the future but there will be growing pains. I expect defenses to load the box against unhappy RB Jonathan Taylor (if he isn’t traded), so fantasy owners beware. The Titans might have a slightly better quarterback room with veteran Ryan Tannehill & first round pick Will Levis, but they also will rely heavily on pounding the rock with Derrick Henry, who has alot of miles on those tires. The signing of free agent receiver DeAndre Hopkins would’ve been impressive…in 2018. Now?? Ehhhh 🤷🏻‍♂️. If either defense in Tennessee or Indianapolis can rise to the occasion and carry their team perhaps they’ll be slightly more successful, but I’m not expecting much. I actually like the direction the Texans are headed, but need to see how first rounder CJ Stroud adjusts to the NFL, or if he can even keep the starting QB job. I have good vibes about new head coach (and former Texans linebacker) DeMeco Ryans. There are some nice pieces on the Houston defense, including #3 overall pick Will Anderson (Kevin Costner had to be somewhere smiling at those draft maneuvers), but it’s going to take this team some time. You’ll see signs of progress, but it might be another year or two before we see the payoff.

Playoffs: Chiefs, Jags, Bengals, Dolphins, Jets, Bills, Ravens

AFC Champion: Kansas City Chiefs

East

Philadelphia Eagles (14-3) 11-6

New York Giants (9-7-1) 10-7

Washington Commanders (8-8-1) 8-9

Dallas Cowboys (12-5) 8-9

A year ago I was rather dismissive of Giants’ QB Daniel Jones, who proceeded to lead his team to the playoffs & earn a four year contract extension worth $160 million. I’m not going to underestimate the Giants again, especially given the off-season acquisition of tight end Darren Waller in free agency and a solid draft. The Commanders are still treading water and have yet another new quarterback in Sam Howell, their fifth round pick in 2022. Actually, they’ve made more news off the field, as embattled owner Daniel Snyder finally sold the team this summer. My outlook for them might be a bit optimistic, but I like head coach Ron Rivera and the roster isn’t terrible. The Dallas Cowboys will make me look like a prophet or a fool. Head coach Mike McCarthy has gone 12-5 each of the past two seasons, but I foresee a huge decline and the end of his tenure. He may not last past Halloween. It’s not that they’re a bad team…I just think they’ll lose several close games when the ball simply doesn’t bounce their way. At the end of the day I believe the Eagles will win the division for the fourth time in seven years. They won’t seem as elite as a year ago and may have to go on the road at some point in the postseason, but ultimately I foresee a much more satisfying conclusion.

West

Seattle Seahawks (9-8) 9-8

San Francisco 49ers (13-4) 9-8

Arizona Cardinals (4-13) 8-9

Los Angeles Rams (5-12) 7-10

In 2022 I thought this would be one of the best divisions in the league, but the Rams & Cards were terrible, Seattle was just average, and ‘Frisco ran away with the title. I don’t think the division overall will be any better this season, but it might be more competitive. Former WV Mountaineer Geno Smith finally proved why he was a second round draft pick a decade ago and is the incumbent starting quarterback for the Seahawks. He has plenty of weapons on offense, and the defense is talented on paper. That talent didn’t back it up on the field last year though, so it’s something to keep an eye on. Seattle may become an afterthought if the 49ers QB situation solidifies, but who knows if former Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy will continue to shine?? 2021 first rounder Trey Lance & much traveled former first round pick Sam Darnold (now with his third team in six years) are around if Purdy falters, but that doesn’t inspire much confidence. ‘Frisco is a talented team, but I feel like they won’t be as successful as a year ago. I don’t know what to say about Arizona & Los Angeles, except that I see no reason to expect dramatic improvement, although it should be noted that the Rams were in the Super Bowl just a couple of years back so it’s possible they could figure out what went sideways and fix it.

North

Detroit Lions (9-8) 11-6

Minnesota Vikings (13-4) 10-7

Chicago Bears (3-14) 7-10

Green Bay Packers (8-9) 6-11

Carpe diem Lions!! Much like the Jacksonville Jaguars the brain trust in Detroit has quietly been building a team with tremendous potential, led by a young defense that includes budding stars Aidan Hutchinson, Cam Sutton, and rookie linebacker Jack Campbell. I really like head coach Dan Campbell, who went 9-8 a year ago, a six game improvement over his first year in the Motor City. The most significant question Campbell must answer is whether or not he & offensive coordinator Ben Johnson can elevate Jared Goff into a quarterback befitting the #1 overall pick that he was seven years ago. The biggest off-season news came out of Green Bay, who won’t have a Hall of Fame caliber quarterback starting for them for the first time since 1991. It might be a rough couple of years on the Frozen Tundra of Lambeau Field, but don’t worry Cheeseheads…they’ll get things figured out eventually. Can the same be said for the Bears?? I don’t believe Justin Fields will ever be a great pro QB, and I’m not impressed with his supporting cast or the Chicago defense. This isn’t the ‘85 Bears by a long shot. I must apologize once again for underestimating the Vikings last season, a mistake I won’t make again. Having said that, I think they’ll drop off just enough for Detroit to take the division.

South

New Orleans Saints (7-10) 9-8

Carolina Panthers (7-10) 6-11

Atlanta Falcons (7-10) 5-12

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9) 5-12

You might’ve heard that Tom Brady finally retired. Thank God. That’s great news for everyone except the Bucs, who will start Baker Mayfield at quarterback. That’s like moving out of a million dollar mansion into an efficiency apartment. Even the Colts are laughing. I’m not sure what the hell is going on in Atlanta. I really like running back Tyler Allgeier, who set the franchise record for most rushing yards by a rookie. Apparently that didn’t impress the powers-that-be though, as they spent their first round pick on RB Bijan Robinson out of Texas. Second year QB Desmond Ridder will be running the show, and he has a few young weapons with potential. That group is going to need time to mature, and in the meantime their veteran laden defense has to kick it up a notch. I have low expectations of #1 overall pick & new Panthers QB Bryce Young. At 5ft10 he is the same size as Arizona Cardinals’ quarterback Kyler Murray, but his 4.43/40 isn’t as fast as Murray’s 4.38. RB Miles Sanders is a nice addition, but honestly there’s nothing to be excited about on either side of the ball. By default that leaves the Saints to ascend to the top of the division. Head coach Dennis Allen enters his second season with new QB Derek Carr, some decent weapons, a solid offensive line, and a veteran defense that could surprise people.

Playoffs: Eagles, Lions, Saints, Seahawks, Giants, 49ers, Vikings

NFC Champion: Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles 20

Kansas City Chiefs 17

Top 5 Picks in the 2024 NFL Draft

1 Denver Broncos

2 Las Vegas Raiders

3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

4 Cleveland Browns

5 Atlanta Falcons

2021 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 19

We have officially entered unchartered waters my friends. With the NFL expanding their schedule naturally ours has grown as well, meaning we will have picked more games than ever before. If only we were better at this whole thing 😬. We’re doing bonus picks again because…well, why not?? It’s our last hurrah, so we may as well end with a bang, right?? Also, after going 5-2 a week ago I am six games below .500 and want to give myself a mathematical chance to break even. Will that happen?? I’m not holding my breath, but never say never. In addition to that, with a perfect 8-0 record this week, and if I were to go 0-8, Zach (3-4 a week ago) could theoretically earn a tie for the season lead. That is even more unlikely, but hey, we’re having fun. The NFL playoff picture is mostly clear, but a couple of berths remain up for grabs, as well as various seeding scenarios, so almost all of these games matter on some level.

My Season: 56-62

Zach’s Season: 48-70

Dallas (-7) at Philadelphia

Okay, so this is one game that doesn’t technically matter. The Cowboys already clinched the NFC South and can’t catch Green Bay for the top seed, while the Eagles are locked into a wildcard spot. But it’s a cool rivalry. Back at the end of September Dallas won the first matchup pretty easily, and one could logically expect a similar outcome. However, Philly now has the home field, and with nothing to lose or gain it’ll be interesting to see which superstar players on both sides sit this one out. The Cowboys have already lost WR Michael Gallup to injury (again), and I have a hunch they might play it safe with RB Zeke Elliott & QB Dak Prescott. That’d be enough to swing momentum to the home team. Zach isn’t impressed with Dallas’ offense and thinks Eagles’ QB Jalen Hurts is good enough to lead his club to an upset victory.

My Pick: Philadelphia

Z’s Pick: Philadelphia

Buffalo (-17) at NY Jets

The first time they met in mid-November the Bills barely broke a sweat while winning easily. I don’t expect anything different this time, especially with the AFC East crown at stake. That being said, the points are a concern, especially with the Jets being at home. Could we see a scenario in which Buffalo is up by a couple of TDs in the 4th quarter and plays it safe by pulling their starters?? I think that is a very real possibility. Zach believes the favorites win the game but he doesn’t like the points.

My Pick: NY Jets

Z’s Pick: NY Jets

New England (-6.5) at Miami

Belichick isn’t sitting anyone or calling off the dogs late in the game. He’s just not built like that. Also, remember that the Dolphins went into Foxboro way back in the season opener and won by one point. That won’t happen again. Zach concurs.

My Pick: New England

Z’s Pick: New England

San Francisco at LA Rams (-5.5)

The Niners need to win and/or see New Orleans lose to secure a wildcard berth. The Rams need to win and/or Arizona to lose to win the NFC West. ‘Frisco won at home by three TDs back in mid-November, but they could be playing this one without QB Jimmy Garoppolo, who injured the thumb on his throwing hand right before Christmas. Rookie Trey Lance was 16/23 with 249 passing yards, 31 rushing yards, two TDs, and one interception in a 23-7 victory last weekend, but that was against the Houston Texans. The Rams have a far superior defense and the home field, so whether it is Lance or Jimmy G at less than 100% under center for the 49ers I don’t think it’ll make much difference. Zach agrees.

My Pick: LA Rams

Z’s Pick: LA Rams

Cincinnati at Cleveland (-3)

Round 2 of the Battle of Ohio is mostly inconsequential. The Browns will be watching the playoffs on TV as I predicted, while the Bengals already won the AFC North as I predicted. Cincy could move up a spot or down a spot in seeding depending on the outcome, but that’s the extent of the impact. It’s entirely possible that they’ll sit players like QB Joe Burrow and/or WR Jamarr Chase, although that is unlikely. Would it matter though?? When these teams met in Cincinnati back in early November the Browns won by three TDs, but they have proceeded to lose three straight games and QB Baker Mayfield is injured. I believe it’ll be four losses in a row and the Bengals will move on to the playoffs with positive momentum. Zach agrees.

My Pick: Cincinnati

Z’s Pick: Cincinnati

New Orleans (-4.5) at Atlanta

It’s a must-win for the Saints. They make the playoffs if they win this game and the Rams defeat the 49ers, which isn’t far-fetched at all. The Falcons occasionally show signs of life, but will end up with a losing record for the fourth year in a row. That being said, it must be noted that these two teams played in N’awleans the first week of November and the Falcons emerged victorious. Anything is possible, but I think the favorites gain a season split and sneak into the postseason. Zach likes the Saints defense to lead them to victory.

My Pick: New Orleans

Z’s Pick: New Orleans

Seattle at Arizona (-6.5)

A year ago this would’ve been a marquee matchup, but the Seahawks come into the final week 6-10 and in last place in their division. It’ll be their first losing season in a decade. Conversely, the Cards are on the verge of their first division title since 2015 IF the Rams lose their game, which I don’t think will happen. They’ll be in the playoffs though. Barring any unforeseen circumstances (you may have heard of a lil thing called COVID) I expect the home team to cruise to an easy win. Zach concurs.

My Pick: Arizona

Z’s Pick: Arizona

LA Chargers (-3) at Las Vegas

This is the Sunday night game, and probably the best matchup of the week. The Chargers aren’t going to win the division like I thought they would, but the future looks bright. Win & they are in the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Raiders have faced a fair amount of upheaval this season yet still have an opportunity to earn a playoff spot. Win & they are in, or they could sneak thru the back door if the Steelers & Colts both lose. These teams met in Los Angeles on the first Monday night in October, with the Bolts winning by two TDs. I think it’ll be much tighter this time around, but my money is on the visitors being victorious in a squeaker. Zach believes the Chargers offense is way too good for the Raiders to overcome.

My Pick: LA Chargers

Z’s Pick: LA Chargers

2021 PIGSKIN PICKS OF PROFUNDITY…WEEK 2

For those who may be new to these picks we normally choose five games each week. However, since we didn’t do this at all last year, and since the college schedule was abnormally stacked with awesome season openers last week, and since the NFL is back this week…well, y’all get what I call bonus picks. To be honest that’s a tad bit dangerous since neither of us got out of the gate too well. Zach nailed Fresno covering the points against Oregon, while I correctly predicted Georgia upsetting Clemson. Unfortunately though, we both finished 4-5. Let’s see if we can do better this week.

My Season: 4-5

Zach’s Season: 4-5

Oregon at Ohio State (-14)

I usually don’t like picking games involving teams we dealt with just a week ago, but this one is just too tempting. The Buckeyes had a tougher time with Minnesota in their opener than most anticipated but still managed to win by two TDs. Oregon also had a close call but emerged victorious. Both teams are preseason playoff participants for me, but I don’t think the Ducks will go to Columbus and win. Can they keep it close?? Probably not. I think the home team wins by 15-20 points. Zach isn’t impressed by either team, opining that Ohio St. needs to take pressure off their young QB by running the ball. He thinks this will be a boring game but the home team will win by enough.

My Pick: Ohio State

Z’s Pick: Ohio State 

Iowa at Iowa State (-3.5)

I think this could end up being the most fun game of the weekend. The Hawkeyes surprised some people a week ago by handling the Indiana Hoosiers by 3+ touchdowns, but not me. Meanwhile, the Cyclones handled their business against in-state 1-AA foe Northern Iowa. Who knew there were so many colleges in the state of Iowa?? Anyway, I think this might be a really close one…like field goal close, which is why I’m taking the visitors. Zach notes that he’d pick the Hawkeyes easily if the game were on their home turf, but thinks it’ll be a little tougher winning on the road. Like me he won’t go so far as to pick the underdogs to score the upset, but believes they will keep it close. 

My Pick: Iowa

Z’s Pick: Iowa

Utah (-6.5) at BYU

Conference realignment has really messed with some of the traditional charm of college football, including long-standing rivalries, so it’s nice to see intrastate games that are all too rare nowadays. The Cougars, whose invitation to join the Big 12 might already be in the mail, beat Arizona in their opener, while the Utes hardly broke a sweat beating some pissant irrelevant team that atleast got a nice payday. Utah is a rare road favorite because everyone is impressed by the big bad PAC 12, but I’m picking the upset. Zach concurs, stating that once again he isn’t all that impressed with either team. 

My Pick: BYU

Z’s Pick: BYU

LA Chargers (-1.5) at Washington

Since I predicted that the San Diego…excuse me…Los Angeles Chargers will narrowly upend the highly touted Kansas City Chiefs for the AFC West crown I suppose I need to get behind them early. I’m a little concerned about RB Austin Ekeler’s hamstring injury, but even if he misses the game I think QB Justin Herbert is good enough to get the job done, and I like LA’s defense to stop the Redskins’ (yes, I still call them that…deal with it) lineup of QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, RB Antonio Gibson, & WR Terry McLaurin. I think Chargers’ pass rusher Joey Bosa will have a huge game. Conversely, Zach has more faith in FitzMagic than Herbert and believes the ‘Skins get the win. 

My Pick: LA Chargers

Z’s Pick: Washington 

Cleveland at Kansas City (-6)

All the talking is done for the Browns. It’s time to prove that they’re worthy of the hype, but I don’t think they can. The crowd at Arrowhead Stadium provides one of the biggest home field advantages in sports, and that’s not going to change now. I’ll be disappointed if the Chiefs don’t win by double digits. Zach is all in on the Cleveland hype and thinks the home team will start slow and find themselves in a nail biter. 

My Pick: Kansas City 

Z’s Pick: Cleveland 

Arizona at Tennessee (-3)

I expect big things from both teams this season, so the loser of this game shouldn’t be affected too terribly. The Titans get the requisite home field bump, and I think they’ll win by atleast that much. Look for RB Derrick Henry to wear down the opposing defense and allow his team to take control in the fourth quarter. Cardinals’ QB Kyler Murray can’t hurt you if he’s on the bench, right?? Zach thinks Arizona has a bright future, but believes Tennessee is a team built to win now. 

My Pick: Tennessee 

Z’s Pick: Tennessee 

Green Bay (-3) vs. New Orleans

It should be noted that this game is being played in Jacksonville, FL due to Hurricane Ida. Drew Brees ain’t walking thru that door for the Saints, so they have to hope that former Heisman Trophy winning QB Jameis Winston can finally fulfill all the potential so many have always seen in him. The offseason hasn’t been any easier on The Pack, as quarterback Aaron Rogers creates more drama than the writing team of Days of Our Lives. Will all that off the field turmoil cause issues on the field?? I think it just might, especially in the first half of the season. But fear not Packer fans, because I think they’ll eventually figure things out. That being said, I am picking the upset in this one. While Zach agrees with me that Green Bay is a Super Bowl caliber team in the long run he also believes they’ll get out of the gate fast. He thinks Winston is garbage and New Orleans will get destroyed in this game. 

My Pick: New Orleans 

Z’s Pick: Green Bay 

2019 Pigskin Picks of Profundity…Week 3

As happy as I am to have football back I have to say that last weekend wasn’t so great in The Manoverse. Both my West Virginia Mountaineers & Pittsburgh Steelers got mauled in their games, and the ol’ alma mater’s Thundering Herd looked like they had a shot to upset Boise St. until their offense decided to stay in the locker room after halftime. As far as our picks go, both Zach & myself were 5-3, which I guess isn’t terrible. The NCAA schedule is a bit prosaic this week, but I think we’ve cobbled together a slate of college & pro games that will be fun to keep an eye on.

My Season:        7-6

Zach’s Season:  6-7

 

 

 

 

 

Pitt                       at                Penn State (-17)

It’s a damn shame that so many intrastate and other geographic rivalries have gone by the wayside in recent years in the wake of conference realignment, but occasionally they do throw us a bone. I’m not sure one could call this particular rivalry all that competitive, as the Nittany Lions have won 9 out of the last 11 meetings and have clearly been the superior program dating back to atleast the 1970’s. The Panthers were beaten handily by the Virginia Cavaliers a week ago, while Penn St. is 2-0 and averaging 62 points per game, although that is against really weak competition. I don’t think the outcome is in much doubt; the only question is whether or not Pitt can muster enough pride to cover the points. My answer?? I don’t think so, and Zach agrees.

My Pick:     Penn St.

Z’s Pick:     Penn St.

 

 

 

Iowa (-2)              at                Iowa State

Here we have another intrastate rivalry featuring two teams in different conferences (because the NCAA is stupid). The Hawkeyes are 2-0 and haven’t broken a sweat, while the Cyclones took three OTs to get by a 1-AA team two weeks ago. Anyone who’s been with me on these picks over the years will recall that I don’t abandon ship on a team that I’ve predicted good things for, and I had State ranked 11th in my pre-season poll. I opined that they’ll beat either Oklahoma or Texas this season, and I’m not ready to move away from that. I understand why the oddsmakers are a bit trepidatious and have the visitors listed as favorites, but I believe the home team will defend their house. Conversely, Zach likes the Hawkeyes’ tight ends even though they’ve been virtually invisible thru the first couple of games, and he’s predicting a double digit victory for the visitors.

My Pick:     Iowa St.

Z’s Pick:     Iowa

 

 

 

Arizona               at                Baltimore (-13)

The sports media is still singing the praises of Cardinals’ head coach Kliff Kingsbury & rookie QB Kyler Murray, even after a riveting tie last weekend. I remain steadfast in my opinion that Kingsbury will be a college coach & Murray will be playing baseball a few years from now. The Ravens beat down the Miami Dolphins in the season opener, but a lot of teams will do that in the next few months. Having said that, it does seem like Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson is doing his best to quiet the doubters and prove he is a legit NFL quarterback. I’d be surprised if the Cards won the game, but it feels like keeping things competitive before ultimately falling short (pun unavoidable) might become Murray’s thing, so I think they’ll cover the points. Zach likes the Ravens’ defense to give the rookie a tough day and lead the way to an easy win.

My Pick:     Arizona

Z’s Pick:     Baltimore

 

 

 

New Orleans               at                LA Rams (-2)

If I were feeling a bit peppy I’d do some research and see who the officiating crew is for this one, but I’m not so I won’t. Bottom line: this is a revenge game for the Saints, and they’ll be motivated to put on a show. Sure they struggled to get by Houston last weekend, but the Texans are a really good team. The Rams went into Carolina and barely got by the Panthers, which I find considerably more alarming. Could the Super Bowl Curse be a real thing?? Are the Rams in for a tough season?? I don’t know about all of that, but I’m pretty sure New Orleans will win this game rather easily. Zach concurs.

My Pick:     New Orleans

Z’s Pick:     New Orleans

 

 

 

Cleveland (-2)              at                NY Jets

A year ago I wouldn’t have had any interest in watching a Browns-Jets game, but both teams are allegedly on the rise, so it theoretically should be fun. However, with Jets QB Sam Darnold on the shelf due to mono and Cleveland suffering an embarrassing loss in the opener after so much offseason hype the matchup is far less attractive than it could have been. The Monday Night Football folks can’t be very happy. Trevor Siemian will be behind center for the Jets, and I think it’d be absolutely hilarious if he hands the Browns their second loss. Zach doesn’t believe either team is any good, but likes Cleveland to score a close victory.

My Pick:     NY Jets

Z’s Pick:     Cleveland