Picks of the Week

 

So, back on the winning track (kind of).  Two games over .500 is a start, although losing the Big Bet made me go backward monetarily.  I will take the winning week as a springboard for a monster this week (I hope?!)

For those that are new to this site, I will select every game against the spread.  I will be selecting one big bet at $250 per, whereas everything else will be $100.  Winners count as winners, whereas, losses will be calculated including a 10% vig to make the math that much simpler.  On to the picks.

Pittsburgh Steelers -3 1/2 at Cleveland Browns

Ok, so first game and I am breaking the gambling rules by selecting the visiting team on a short week.  I don't like it, but instead of coming back down to earth after a big win over Ravens last week, I think the Steelers are going to be energized and really put it to the Browns.  I am thinking about making this my Big Bet.  We will see.

Chicago Bears +3 1/2 v. Minnesota Vikings

I cannot select two road, intradivisional favorites in a row.  That would drive me crazy.  And besides, this Bears defense is no joke.  The only question is can they bounce back after a second, heart-breaking defeat last week with the Packers blocking Cairo Santos' last-second field goal.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers -6 at New York Giants

This game, and this line is utterly preposterous.  Tommy DeVito?  What on earth to make of him?  Really, I don't care as I think Baker Mayfield will be happy to have Mike Evans back!  But this game is also why I picked the Bears.  Can't select three road favorites in the first 3 games.

Detroit Lions -7 at Indianapolis Colts

Until somebody proves otherwise, I am selecting the Lions.  I almost don't care the spread.  1st in scoring offense, 2nd in total offense, 3rd in rushing offense, 6th, in passing offense, 5th in scoring and rushing defense all make for a helluva squad.

Tennessee Titans -7 1/2 at Houston Texans

Only because Houston played Monday night.  The return of Nico Collins really does make for a more potent offense, though, so I was tempted to give the points, but Tennessee's defense is 1st against the pass and 2nd in total defense.

Miami Dolphins -7 1/2 v. New England Patriots

A whole lot of favorites here, but I think that Miami could put together a bit of a win streak here to make the playoff chase interesting down the line.

Washington Commanders -10 v. Dallas Cowboys

As I stated last week, going against the Cowboys until proven otherwise, almost no matter the spread.  And Dallas is on a short week this week (and next week, too!)

Kansas City Chiefs -10 1/2 at Carolina Panthers

OK, not sure if it is me that is not even trying and just picking favorites, or if these games really are out-of-control this week.  Picking KC not because of Mahomes, but because their 3rd rated defense is palying the worst rated offense.

Denver Broncos -6 at Las Vegas Raiders

I can't help myself.  The Broncos have been undersold on the betting lines all year, and the Raiders - except for Brock Bowers - might be tanking.  Oh year, and Maxx Crosby, that guy plays 100% no matter what.

Arizona Cardinals +1 at Seattle Seahawks

I could see this game go either way.  Even though it is only 1 point, I will take it.  Perhaps a 28-27 push.

Green Bay Packers -5 1/2 v. San Francisco 49ers

Jordan Love will make a crucial turnover.  San Francisco is getting George Kittle back.  He will be the difference.   That was my thoughts before seeing that Brock Purdy and Nick Bosa are both out, and maybe Trent Williams.  You know Bosa is hurt because he would have loved sacking Jordan Love.

Los Angeles Rams +3 v. Philadelphia Eagles

I actually think Philly is the better team and will win.  I do, however, really like this Rams team and would love to see them end up in the playoffs.  It will be hard to find a game with better receivers than A.J. Brown, Devonta Smith, Cooper Kupp, and Puca Nakua.  Should be a fun one to watch!

Baltimore Ravens -3 at Los Angeles Chargers

Baltimore will be angry after their loss to the Steelers.  The Chargers defense is number 1 in scoring, but they are 11th total and rushing, and 12th passing.  Baltomre is first in total offense, second in scoring and rushing, and 3rd in passing.  They are last in the league against the pass, so there might be some plays for Justin Herbert to exploint, but I think the Ravens win bigger than most think.

Big Bet:

Green Bay Packers -5 1/2 v. San Francisco 49ers

Jordan Love will make a crucial turnover.  San Francisco is getting George Kittle back.  He will be the difference.   That was my thoughts before seeing that Brock Purdy and Nick Bosa are both out, and maybe Trent Williams.  You know Bosa is hurt because he would have loved sacking Jordan Love.

Too many injuries for San Francisco against a really good team.

Record

Last Week's Record:  8-6

Last Week's Big Bet:  0-1

Year-to-Date Record:  77-82-7

Big Bet Year-to-Date: 6-5

Last Week's Winnings (Losses): ($25)

Year to Date's Winnings (Losses): ($1,245)

Picks of the Week

My head is still spinning from the tumultuous Space Force - Coast Guard college game last night.  If you don't know - ask me about it.  Hope I can get that conversation out of my head and concentrate on today's game to keep up my winning streak, as last week was very good!!!

For those that are new to this site, I will select every game against the spread.  I will be selecting one big bet at $250 per, whereas everything else will be $100.  Winners count as winners, whereas, losses will be calculated including a 10% vig to make the math that much simpler.  On to the picks...

Los Angeles Rams + 6 1/2 at Las Vegas Raiders

Baker Mayfield comeback notwithstanding, home team on a short week wins again.

Pittsburgh Steelers -2 v. Baltimore Ravens

Pittsburgh has won 3 of its last 4, and Baltimore is without Lamar Jackson.  Pittsburgh has been playing a lot better since T.J. Watt returned.

Minnesota Vikings +2 1/2 at Detroit Lions

This line is utterly ridiculous, and it seems way too obvious to pick the Vikings.  Not quite sure why I am doing it then, but, I have to.

 

Jacksonville Jaguars +3 at Tennessee Titans

Jacksonville is better offensively than the Titans (11th to 29th), and even in rushing (10th to 15th), and exactly the same defensively (both T25th overall).  Sounds like I will take the points in what should be a close game.

Philadelphia Eagles -7 at New York Giants

The third overall offense and the 2nd overall defense versus the Giants, who are in the bottom third of each.  Philly rolls.

New York Jets +10 at Buffalo Bills

Double digits is a big spread against a team that has recently made a dramatic upgrade at quarterback in Mike White, and which beat the Bills just over a mvonth ago.

Cincinnati Bengals -5 v. Cleveland Browns

DeShaun Watson looked pedestrian against the Texans last week.  Another week of practice should help, but playing the Bengals will not.  Joe Burrow leads a Cincinnati team that is 4th in passing to a bunch of scores.

Houston Texans +17 1/2 at Dallas Cowboys

I really want to take the Cowboys here just to say I did, but if I lost because Houston covers, I would be kicking myself.  If I lose this bet as it stands, I still stand by my bet.

Kansas City Chiefs -8 1/2 at Denver Broncos

The Chiefs lead the NFL in scoring, whereas Denver doesn't score.  This might be a bit too many points for a divisional rival, though, so I don't feel safe with this one.

San Francisco 49ers -3 1/2 v. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Brock Purdy looked pretty good last week, but more importantly, Tampa Bay played Monday night.

Seattle Seahawks -3 1/2 v. Carolina Panthers

I bet Carolina wishes they had a quarterback as good as Geno Smith.  Hell, I bet they wish they had a quarterback as good as Baker Mayfield.

Miami Dolphins -3 1/2 at Los Angeles Chargers

I wonder how the travel of the last two weeks affects the Dolphins (they played at San Francisco last week).  They are still better than the Chargers and their 27th ranked defense, so the Dolphins' 4th ranked total offense should move the ball and score.

New England Patriots -1 1/2 at Arizona Cardinals

I honestly cannot believe I am giving up points here, but the Patriots are on a two-game losing streak, and who thinks Belichick loses three in a row?  Also, the Patriots defense is solid (7th in total defense, T7th in scoring defense), whereas Arizona is next-to-last in giving up points.

Byes:  Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, Washington Commanders

Big Bet:

Minnesota Vikings +2 1/2 at Detroit Lions

This line is utterly ridiculous, and it seems way too obvious to pick the Vikings.  Not quite sure why I am doing it then, but, I have to.

This pick literally pains me, as I have been a huge proponent of betting on the Lions, but, in this case they are giving up points.  In the 1:p.m. game slot, the Noon Nightmare strikes again.

Last Week's Record:  9-6

Last Week's Big Bet:  1-0

Year-to-Date Record:  96-91-6

Big Bet Year-to-Date:  7-4-2

Last Week's Winnings (Losses):  $390

Year-to-Date's Winnings (Losses):  ($240)

Picks of the Week

The NFL is back!!!!  That means that the newest installment of my NFL picks of the week is also back!!!  Yes, this can be humiliating at times, rewarding at others, but for those of you that do or don't like some of my picks, just know it is A LOT more difficult when you force yourself to do EVERY game, and not pick-and-choose the ones you think are the easiest bets.  And with that, I am very much looking forward to this year!!!

For those that are new to this site, I will select every game against the spread.  I will be selecting one big bet at $250 per, whereas everything else will be $100.  Winners count as winners, whereas, losses will be calculated including a 10% vig to make the math that much simpler.  On to the picks.

Los Angeles Rams +2 1/2 v. Buffalo Bills

A very good home team getting points in the opening weekend?  I'll take them.  We saw how that turned out!  Ugh.

Chicago Bears +6 1/2 v. San Francisco 49ers

This is not a homer bet.  The Bears don't look to be a very good team by most prognostications, but do we really know what The 49ers have in Trey Lance?  No.  Do we know what the Bears have in Justin Fields?  Also know.  I'll take the almost touchdown.

Detroit Lions +5 1/2 v. Philadelphia Eagles

I have changed my mind many times on this game.  I think that Jalen Hurts has a chance to be VERY good, and now the Eagles have added A.J. Brown as a weapon on the outside.  But I keep remembering just how tough Detroit has played damn near everyone since Dan Campbell arrived as head coach, and they are at home.  Philadelphia may win, but Detroit keeps it close.

Houston Texans +7 v. Indianapolis Colts

Admittedly this is just a chance to continue the run of selecting home underdogs.  Colts still win, but this game has backdoor cover all over it.

Celveland Browns pick 'em Carolina Panthers

So, some road teams are going to win, right?  Might as well pick the one that doesn't have to give up points!  (And the one that has Nick Chubb AND Kareem Hunt!)  Baker will have a chip on his shoulder, but we won't really iknow what we are getting from Christian McCaffrey coming off his injury, and how Baker is going to gel with the receivers.

Washington Commanders -3 v. Jacksonville Jaguars

Damn it feels good to type that.  Even if it wasn't perhaps the best choice.  It beats having to type "Football Team" as well as "Racists" as in the past.  For that reason alone, and the fact that even with the Chase Young injury Daron Payne, Jonathan Allen and Montez Sweat make up the fiercest defensive line - meaning the entire line - in the NFL.

New England Patriots +3 at Miami Dolphins

Do I believe that the Dolphins are much improved, especially with the addition of Tyreek Hill?  Yes I do.  Do I also believe that Tuaniggamanuolepola Tagovailoa will also be improved with the confidence of the team and being the undisputed started?  Yes, I do.  Do I believe that these are the type of circumstances where Bill Belichick loves to screw with opposing teams, opposing coaches' minds, opposing fans, and also the betting lines?  Definitely.

Pittsburgh Steelers +7 at Cincinnati Bengals

Yes, Cincinnati is coming off of a phenomenal playoff run.  Yes, the seem to have improved their number 1 weakness from last year, the offensive line.  But, seems doesn't block T.J. Watt, and Pittsburgh beat Cincinnati both times they played last year.  AND, it looks like Pittsburgh will have a more-than-competent quarterback this year.  (Did I just say that about Mitchell Trubisky?)

Baltimore Ravens -6 1/2 at New York Jets

I cannot pick all of the home underdogs, right?  On paper Lamar Jackson is just so much better than the New York Jets.  I mean, it isn't like the Ravens secretary is full of Zach Wilson's mom's friends!  Only question is where is Jackson's mindset after the team and Jackson could not come to terms on an extension.  I think Jackson will be out to prove that he is worth as much as any quarterback in the league.  Think about it, he is the only NFL MVP from the QB position to have won the award before he turned 23.

Atlanta Falcons + 5 1/2 v. New Orleans Saints

This bet seems too easy.  New Orleans all the way.  I hate this bet.  I cannot believe that I am putting it on "paper."  But, I have this feeling we might get to see Desmond Ridder, and Jameis Winston could always thrown 4 or 5 picks.  (He could also throw 4 or 5 interceptions too.)  Home divisional rival getting points.  God do I hate this pick.

Kansas City Chiefs -6 1/2 at Arizona Cardinals

Patrick Mahomes is undefeated in opening games, having thrown 13 touchdowns and 0 interceptions.  That continues today.  Arizona strengthened its WR corps by adding Marquise Brown, but DeAndre Hopkins is suspended and Rondale Moore is out.  Zach Ertz is also questionable.  Juju Smith-Schuster has an amazing game.

Tennessee Titans -5 1/2 v. New York Giants

Lots of bets against the Giants from me unless and until Saquon Barkley proves he can play a full complement of plays each-and-every game at the original Saquon Barkley level.

Minnesota Vikings -2 1/2 v. Green Bay Packers

What is a Romeo Doubs?  Still, I make this pick with trepidation as you can never be confident betting against Aaron Rodgers.

Los Angeles Chargers -3 1/2 v. Las Vegas Raiders

How many sacks can Joey Bosa earn playing opposite Khalil Mack?  Robert Quinn had 18 1/2 last year.  Chargers are my early pick to win the AFC.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers -2 1/2 at Dallas Cowboys

I have changed this pick 3 or 4 times.  I don't like the line.  I don't like trying to figure out how Tampa is going to be with apossibly still ailing Chris Godwin and an aging Julio Jones.  I do love the situation Cameron Brate finds himself in, though.  Six or 7 catches for him today!

Denver Broncos -6 1/2 at Seattle Seawhawks

Big number for a divisional rival - wait - they haven't been rivals for a long time.  And Seattle looks like they are going to stink!!!  I have no qualms about picking this road favorite.

Big Bet:

Pittsburgh Steelers +7 at Cincinnati Bengals

So, when selecting a big bet, I always try to find a home team, and either getting points or giving away a small number.  Lots of home teams getting points this week.  But, I found a game getting points on the road, but with a big number that stands out to me.  An intra-divisional rivalry in which the number is inflated because of Cincinnati's playoff run last year.  (They were not the best team in the AFC - they just got hot at the right time.)  And although Cincinnati may have improved, it looks like Pittsburgh did as well.  Watch for George Pickens' to have his coming-out party, if not this week, then soon!!!

Last Week's Record:  6-10

Last Week's Big Bet:  0-1

Last Week's Record:  0-0

Last Week's Big Bet:  0-0

Year-to-Date Record:  0-0

Big Bet Year-to-Date:  0-0
Last Week's Winnings (Losses): 

Year to Date's Winnings (Losses):

Professional Football Wrap-Up

Boy is it good to have the NFL back!!! Despite any of the boycotts, the bar in which I watched the games was PACKED!!!  None of the patrons stood for the anthem, though.  I wonder what that means.  Anyway, here are my thoughts from Week 1 of the NFL season.

Game of the Week

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48 New Orleans Saints 40.   A few games could have taken this honor; Kansas City Chiefs 38 - Los Angeles Chargers 28, Cleveland Browns 21 - Pittsburgh Steelers 21 for example, but by far the most exciting game was Tampa Bay and New Orleans where Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 211 yards in the first half, and Drew Brees threw for even more!  Fitzpatrick - nay FitzMAGIC, finished 21-28 for 417 yards and 4 TDs, while rushing for an additional 36 yards and another score.  Who is this Jameis Winston again?  Drew Brees more than held his own against FitzMagic going 37-45 for 439 yards and 3 TDs.  The quarterbacks combined for ZERO interceptions.  For New Orleans Michael Thomas (180 yards 1 TD) and Alvin Kamara (112 yards, 1 TD receiving, 2 TDs rushing) both finished with over 100 yards receiving, but cold not keep up with the Buccaneers led by DeSean Jackson (146 yards, 2TDs) and Mike Evans (147 yards (1 TD).

Best Team Performance

Baltimore Ravens - Soundly defeated the Buffalo Bills 47-3 at home, and it wasn't even that close.  People around me were taking bets in the first quarter at how soon we would see Josh Allen replace Nathan Peterman.  Crazy thing is, I still don't know if this Baltimore team is any good.

Least Impressive Team Performance

Arizona Cardinals - OK, ok, the actual answer is Buffalo Bills, but I wanted to write about a different game, so this write-up goes to the Cardinals.  Defeated soundly 24-6 at home by the Washington Racists, the Cardinals could only manage 153 passing yards and 68 rushing yards, and only managed to score on a David Johnson touchdown run with 5:47 left in the game and down 24-0.  Although Sam Bradford only threw 1 interception, 20-34 for only 153 will leave fans clamoring for Josh Rosen sooner rather than later.  Only Larry Fitzgerald, with 7 catches for 76 yards, had a decent game offensively for Arizona.  Arizona did sack Alex Smith 3 times, which is something.

Most Impressive Individual Performance (Offense)

Ryan FitzMagic, QB - Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  See above.

For variety, I would like to honorably mention Tyreek Hill of the Kansas City Chiefs.  Hill caught 7 passes for 169 yards and 2 touchdowns, while also taking a punt return 91 yards for a touchdonwn.  In a league full of fast players, Hill might be the fastest.

Most Impressive Individual Performance (Defense)

T.J. Watt - DE, Pittsburgh Steelers - In a game dominated by defensive players (4 total interceptions and 11 total sacks), Watt stood out like no other player.  He finished with 11 total tackles (8 solo, 3 assists) and 4 sacks.  Perhaps most importantly, however, is that Watt blocked the Browns potential game-winning field goal with :06 left in overtime.  The performance of Anthony Hitchens of Kansas City with his 15 tackles also deserves some note.

Most Impressive Individual Performance (Special Teams)

Greg Zeurlein, K - Lost Angeles Rams - Zeurlein kicked 4 field goals, including one from 55 yards, and 3 extra points as the Rams defeated the Oakland Raiders 33-13.

Least Impressive Individual Performance

Nathan Peterman - QB, Buffalo Bills - Peterman finished 5-18 for 24 yards, with 2 interceptions and the Ravens sacked him 3 times in the aforementioned 47-3 shellacking.  At least he didn't throw 5 interceptions in the half.

Most Surprising Team Performance

Washington Racists.  Went into Arizona and annihilated the Cardinals 24-6.  Sure the score is not that impressive, but the Racists held the ball behind the rushing attack of Adrian Peterson ("Burgundy Jesus"?) (96 yards) and Chris Thompson (65 yards) and an efficient Alex Smith (21-30 for 255, 2 TDs, 0 Ints).  The defensive held its own with 2 sacks, and interception and a fumble recovery.

Most Disappointing Team Performance

Atlanta Falcons - Sure the defense played great against the Philadelphia Eagles, but the offense was non-existent with Matt Ryan going 21-143 for 251 yards and the team rushing for only 74 yards total.  At least Julio Jones caught 10 balls for 169 yards.

Most Surprising Individual Performance
Jared Cook - TE, Oakland Raiders.  Cook, who has never had more than the 759 yards receiving he amassed in 2011, his third season in the league, had 9 catches for 180 yards last night, in the 33-13 loss against to the Los Angeles Rams.

Most Disappointing Individual Performance

Ben Roethlisberger - QB, Pittsburgh Steelers.  Although the rushing game did not look like it suffered without Le'Veon Bell (James Conner 135 yards rushing, 2 TDs), Big Ben was only 23-41 (albeit for 335 yards) with 3 interceptions and was sacked 4 times.  Granted two of those sacks were at the hands of Myles Garrett, who looks All-Pro.  Big Ben single-handedly kept the Cleveland Browns in the game as both teams tied 21-21.

Most Impressive Team Performance (Premier League)

Off weekend for national team play.

Most Impressive Individual Performance (Premier League)

Off weekend for national team play.

Goat of the Week

Dan Quinn, HC - Atlanta Falcons. Why is a coach the goat of the week when his team lost to the defending Super Bowl champions by 6 on the road where they had a legitimate chance to win on the last play of the game?  Because of a decision he made on the very first drive.  On fourth-and-two from the Eagles 2 yard line, Quinn decides to forego a sure 3 points and go for the touchdown, where the Eagles stopped the Falcons and retained the ball on downs.  Although we can never predict the outcome of a game based upon one changed play as the teams would likely have played the game differently - those 3 points would have allowed Atlanta to kick an easy field goal to the tie the game in the 4th quarter and potentially win (or tie) in overtime instead of suffering a loss.

Goat of the Week (Premier League)

Off week for national team play.

Breakthrough Performance

Saquon Barkley - RB, New York Giants.  Barkley, the Giants number 1 draft pick out of Penn State, rushed for 106 yards on 18 carries, and caught 2 passes for 22 yards, living up to the hype of a first round draft pick.  This Giants team, which lost 20-15 at home to the Jacksonville Jaguars, has a long way to go, but Barkley is the right person to lead them.

Comeback Performance

Adrian Peterson - RB, Washington Racists.  Yes Peterson briefly and sparingly played at the end of last season, but he truly came back this weekend gaining 96 yards rushing and 70 yards receiving in the 24-6 defeat of the Arizona Cardinals.  Welcome back Burgundy Jesus!!!

Comeback Performance II

Aaron Rodgers - QB, Green Bay Packers.  After being injured in the first half, leading to a DeShone Kizer appearance, Rodgers, clearly hobbled by a left knee injury, returned to throw 3 fourth quarter touchdowns (39 yards to Geronimo Allison, 12 yards to Davante Adamns, and 75 yards to Randall Cobb), leading the Packers back from a 20-0 deficit to defeat the Chicago Bears.

Finally

Myles Garrett - DE, Cleveland Browns.  Although he showed flashes of talent last season, he did not look like a number 1 overall pick should.  Well, now he does.  Garrett had 6 overall tackles, with 2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles in a performance against a very good Alejandro Villanueva of Pittsburgh.

Impact Injury

Leonard Fournette, RB - Jacksonville Jaguars.  If Aaron Rodgers has to miss significant time, his is the most impactful injury, but since he returned to the game and we don't know Rodgers' long-term prognosis, Leonard Fournette's hamstring is the most important injury primarily because the Jaguars rely so much on defense and running the football, and secondarily because of the tremendous drop-off from Fournette to his backup T.J. Yeldon.

Team Rising

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Dismantled what is supposed to be the best Saints defense in a number of years.  Looking like a potential playoff team from the NFC South, with or without Jameis Winston.

Team Falling

Dallas Cowboys - Managed only 8 points on next-to-no offense in a 16-8 loss to the Carolina Panthers.  Looks like this could be another year outside of the playoffs for Jerry's boys.

Best Teams
(All undefeated teams will be ranked in the top 5 until there are less than five teams, and then the rankings will consist of my true thoughts and not just records).

1. Baltimore Ravens
2. Los Angeles Rams
3. Kansas City Chiefs
4. Washington Racists
5. New York Jets

Worst Teams
(All winless teams will be bottomed ranked teams until there are less than five teams, and then the rankings will consist  of my true thoughts and not just records)

32. Buffalo Bills
31. Arizona Cardinals
30. Oakland Raiders
29. New York Giants
28. Dallas Cowboys

Middle Teams
(Middle teams based on records until the teams play a significant amount of games to gauge their true ability).

15.  Carolina Panthers
16.  Pittsburgh Steelers
17.  Cleveland Browns
18.  Chicago Bears

Statistic That May Interest Only Me

All seven new coaches in the NFL, meaning coaches coaching their first game with their current team, lost this weekend, going 0-7.

Statistic that May Interest Only Me, Part 2

Frank Gore of the Miami Dolphins needs only 14 more yards to pass Curtis Martin for 4th place on the all-time rushing chart.  He has 14,087 yards to Martin's 14,101.  Depending upon how the season unfolds, Gore has a shot to pass Barry Sanders, with 15,269 yards, for 3rd place.

Statistic that May Interest Only Me (and Sinickal and Hopps), Part 3

The Cleveland Browns tied Pittsburgh 21-21.  This is the Browns best start to a season since 2004.

Preview - Game(s) of the Week

4. Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers - The Chiefs are flying high behind Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill, and will fly into Pittsburgh where they will find a Steelers team that desperately needs to find its way after its week 1 tie with Pittsburgh.

3. Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Tampa Bay will see if they can keep the FitzMagic going against the defending Super Bowl champions, which basically just shut down Atlanta's high flying (see what I did there) offense last week.

2. New England Patriots at Jacksonville Jaguars - In an AFC championship game re-match, the Jaguars must hope to have Leonard Fournette at close to 100% to have a chance.  If they do, it will be interesting to see what adjustments the Jaguars make on offense from last year, and the adjustments Belichick will make as well.

1. Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers - The Packers second divisional rival to ope the season.  This game will match Green Bay's explosive offense with Minnesota's stout defense.

Trivia

Chicago Bears LB Khalil Mack had a sack, forced fumble, fumble recover, interception, and touchdown in the first half of Sunday nights' game against the rival Green Bay Packers.  As widely reported, Mack was the first player since Lawrence Taylor in 1982 to record all of those statistics in one half.  Who was the last player in the NFL to accomplish this in a full game?

Sports Bar Review of the Week

Today's review is of Twin Peaks, Grease Burger Bar, located at 2224 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL

Although a chain, this place will likely be a staple of this column due to the fact that it has the best television arrangement/setup in my area.  Part of the ever-expanding "breastaurant concept", for those unfamiliar with Twin Peaks it has a hunting lodge theme with bartenders and waitresses in skimpy tied shirts and skirts.

Ambiance is simply generic-themed restaurant.  Large open space with a bar in the middle and an outdoor patio with its own bar.  Lots of large tables for groups that want to come watch games together. 

The sports feel/vibe is good.  As noted earlier, lots of televisions arranged where there is always easy access to at least four games.  Easy to watch for friends that may have different team allegiances, or for fantasy football players keeping eyes on different games.  On football Sundays, games are definitely the focus.

I ate before I went to Twin Peaks, so I cannot rate their menu at this time.

The beer selection is very good.  Lots of regular and craft beers, but Twin Peaks prides itself on the fact that it brews its own selections - Dirty Blonds, Naughty Brewnette and Drop Dead Read, to go with the misogynistic breastaurant theme.  Although noted by one in our party, they do not offer a Smooth Chocolate Stout, which might make some of the waitresses feel left out.  I partook in the Naughty Brewnette which is good, not spectacular.

Service was good, which in my experience is unusual with this establishment.  Waitress Soso (her name) deserves lots of credit for keeping us hydrated.

The bathrooms are spacious, and despite the size of the restaurant, there was never a wait, for the men or women.

Service - Philip Rivers
Drinks - Ben Roethlisberger
Food - Baker Mayfield (i.e. not yet known)
Cleanliness - Drew Brees
Sports Accommodations - Tom Brady
Overall - Russell Wilson

Rating System Based Upon Career of QBs chosen:  Meaning, even the rating system is subjective.

Trivia Answer

Check back in next week.