I find it really incredible how quickly Bears fans went from thumping their chests about how they were going to beat the Packers to saying how they are going to win next weekend at Solider Field and how this was a good effort. You really hate to see it.
I was happy with the result, but as Robert Frost would say, the Packers have miles to go before they sleep. And they'd better not sleep on the Broncos.
I can't really gloat about this because the Packers have a very tough game against Denver this weekend and are going to have to play the Bears in a game that could be for first place.
You want to gloat though, don't you?
Of course, but you know my high standards for objectivity and decorum, Geritol Fan!
Fabled in song and story and known from coast to coast.
I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYPPPPPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEE! and ready to pick some games. Watch me work.
Minnesota Vikings (+5.5) vs. Dallas How Bout Them Cowboys? So in the interest of full disclosure, I was coming back from an overnight trip and saw very little of last week's Vikings game live. After watching the highlights, it was clear to me that the Vikings dispatched a struggling Commanders team in impressive fashion. The Cowboys are going to be fighting for their collective playoff lives as they are going to need a win badly. The key for the Vikings is going to be someone on their maligned defense needs to hold down George Pickens. I know that CeeDee Lamb is their top wideout, but Pickens torched the Packers in Week 4, and seems to be a favorite target of Dak these days. This is going to be a hard test for the Vikings and one that they will keep close until Dallas pulls away in the 4th quarter. Though what would help the Vikings is for Justin Jefferson to stand up and go off. Quite frankly, his production hasn't been worth the QB money he is getting even allowing for the QB issues. How Bout Them Cowboys 28, Vikings 17.
You can play defense in this league and the Vikings have been known to do it at least intermittently this season. Can Dallas block the Vikings pass rush? If they can, it's going to be a long day for the Purple. The second question - can J.J. McCarthy put together two good games in a row? Up to this point, he has not proven that he can. He has an opportunity this week. I smell a shootout. Cowboys 38, Vikings 31.
Glorious Green Bay Packers (-2.5) vs. Denver Broncos The Packers were challenged by the Bears, but came through in the 4th quarter to get back leadership of the NFC North and put themselves in a good position to get the top seed in the NFC. However, the Denver Broncos are in a great spot with leadership of the AFC West and are also looking to get the top seed in the AFC. The Packers have only won in Denver once.
Yes, I remember:
Beyond that, the Broncos are a team that is tough minded and knows how to win close games. Also, keep in mind that with the Chiefs looking like they are going to miss the playoffs, a lot of AFC teams are thinking that this is a great chance to break through. I don't think that the Packers are going to overlook this game and prepare for the rematch against the Bears, but this is going to be a battle that the Packers need to be prepared for. I also can't count on the Browns winning in Chicago on Sunday. But the good news is that even if Josh Jacobs can't go, the Packers have won in places they have struggled in recently. Why not continue the trend this weekend. Packers 31, Broncos 24.
And now, a musical interlude from recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Warren Zevon:
Some good tips for visiting Packers fans right there.
You're always helpful, Old Dude. Now, could you pick the game?
I suppose. I don't know what to think about this game, other than to be annoyed with it. This is a very tough assignment for this time of the year and the way the schedule plays out, it seems incongruent. Having said that, the Packers are well situated now. Based on what I've seen this year, the Packers should win this game. Vegas making Denver a home dog is rare, but the wise guys know things. If Jordan Love has time, he will torch the Broncos defense. Packers 28, Broncos 24.
So if the Packers want to get back their NFC North crown, it turns out that they are going to have to take care of their own jobs given that the Bears are not going to go away.
It's for the same reason you had to have a bear box at Scout Camp - if you give bears any encouragement, they come around and pester you. And they aren't pleasant about it.
Did you expect something like this?
I never know what to expect. But that does bear (no pun intended) a resemblance their season thus far.
But the good thing is that the Packers are getting healthier even with the Devonte Wyatt injury.
Although that doesn't help.
No, it doesn't. By the way, I am not going to do a Very Special Comment about the Axe game. That wasn't close enough to warrant one anyway, and it's hard for me to complain about losing on the road to the Gophers.
I do have to say that's the first time I've ever seen a fanbase storm the field after beating a 4-8 team. Maybe expectations could be a little higher in Dinkytown?
At least Badger men's hoops is still doing well and I am in a better mood because the US got a very good World Cup draw and Everton played very well to win at Bournemouth this week.
Your mood is like a circus wheel. It changes all the time.
That sounds like another one of your ancient song lyrics.
It is. Apparently it went right over your head.
It did. And it sure feels nice. Well, good on you, Wolfman Jack! Meanwhile, the Vikings are getting a ton of heat. As it turns out, Max Brosmer isn't going to turn into Brock Purdy and my calling for JJ McCarthy to be traded is looking a lot better.
Well, a certain weekend radio host might still beg to differ.
In fact, I am going to say this right now. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's decision to run Sam Darnold out of town to waste salary cap space on questionable contracts to defensive players and draft JJ McCarthy too high is a worse decision than the Vikings trading for Herschel Walker. There, I said it.
Well, at least I get to use the "uh, no" trope early in this one.
I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEE! and ready to pick some games. Watch me work.
Indiana Hoosiers (+4) vs. A School In Columbus, in Indy So this game is not an elimination game by any means as both teams are safely in the playoff. That being said, winning the Big Ten still matters as well as making sure that a bye and top seed is going to be yours. I personally think that Indiana should be ranked number 1 because their top win was on the road against Oregon when compared to the Buckeyes beating Texas at home. That being said, I get why Ohio State is still ranked at the top of the class because you shouldn't move a team down for winning. I also think that Mendoza and Sayin are going to decide the Heisman in the only way that really matters. I feel like this is Indiana's time because they feel ready to take the next step and being the first school since Sparty to break the brand name stranglehold on the Big Ten title would be fitting. This will be a good and competitive game, but it would be hard to root against Indiana given that this game is in Indy. Google Them, They Win 42, Buckeyes 35.
I don't know what to expect, frankly. I've seen both teams play. OSU has more upside but IU is a talented and ruthless group. Could go either way, but just to be a contrarian.... Buckeyes 42, Hoosiers 35.
Washington Commanders (-1.5) vs. Minnesota Vikings The Vikings are a flat out mess right now, and even though the Wilfs are very patient there have been a lot of calls to clean house. I asked Mrs. D aka Mom for her view as a Vikings fan. She indicated that she thinks the Wilfs are going to stay the course. The good news for the Vikings is that they are at home playing a Commanders team that hasn't impressed me. Even though Jayden Daniels is going to give it a go, this is a good chance for the Vikings. I feel like the Vikings are going to have a good performance at home to get some confidence back. Vikings 24, Commies 0.
I really wonder if the Vikings are capable of scoring 24 points in a game. They are such a mess right now that I'm not sure they can. Washington is not good, though. Vikings 17, Commanders 14.
Bear Down Chicago Da Bearz Still Suck (+6.5) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers I was really happy with how the Packers looked on Thanksgiving. Micah Parsons looked outstanding, and Jordan Love made a lot of great throws. I wasn't a huge fan of LaFleur going for it on the 4th down late, but Wicks fittingly capped out an outstanding day by getting the catch to get out of Detroit with a huge win. There has been a lot of chatter in Chicago about how the Bears are back and that Caleb Williams is going to take back the NFC North. Now, I will admit that the Bears have won a lot, and that this game is going to go a long way to determine the NFC North given that there is a rematch in 13 days. The thing is, the Packers are 3-0 in the NFC North and historically have been very good in December under LaFleur. This will be a close game because of the nature of the rivalry, but order will be restored at Lambeau. Packers 27, Bears Still Suck 20.
I'm a little nervous about the run game for the Bears. The Eagles have turned into a hot mess lately, but the Bears having two 100-yard rushers against the Eagles was impressive, to say the least. The strength of the Packers defense is lateral pursuit and that should help, but they need some big bodies in the middle to come through - Brinson and Stackhouse have to be stout. On offense, I think Jordan Love will make throws and if Jayden Reed can go, that will really open things up. The Bears have lived a charmed life so far, but as Branch Rickey memorably put it, luck is the residue of design. And for the first time in a very long time, I think the Bears have a good design. But in the end, I think the better team is wearing green. Packers 27, Bears 19.
The Vikings came into Lambeau with a lot of intentions, but as it turned out the Packers have pushed more questions on the Vikings and if made the right decision with the JJ McCarthy gamble.
I have it on good authority that Kwesi is getting a little queasy.
Meanwhile, the Packers don't have to play on Thanksgiving every single year.
The NFL seems to disagree. Maybe they could try the Jaguars, who have never appeared on Turkey Day.
What could be more traditional than teal-colored predator cats?
Blue and silver predator cats?
Yes. And the Lions are looking for revenge after what happened in September.
I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYPPPPPPPPPPPEEEEEEE! and ready to pick some games. Watch me work.
Glorious Green Bay Packers (+3) vs. Detroit LOLions Okay, Geritol Fan, let's get this out of the way. Do you have Grumpy Lions guy ready?
As you wish.
You know him, you love him, you can't live without him
Good job - have an extra Carter's Little Liver Pill on me. The Packers are banged up, but thanks to the special teams actually doing something and the pass rush making the Vikings offensive line rethink their life decisions, last week was an emphatic statement. Also, the Packer defenders doing the Skol chant was the funniest celebration I've seen from the Packers since Jaire did the Griddy in the face of the Griddy Man. The Lions struggled against the Giants, and in September looked very helpless against a motivated Packers team. The problem is that because the Bears won't stop winning, the Packers have to win out to win the division. This won't be easy, but the key difference is that this time Micah Parsons is fresher and will not be on a snap count. I like the Packers in this one. Packers 27, Lions 13.
The Lions are still (a) enormously talented and (b) boneheads. The Packers defense will have to win this game and the key is keeping the Lions running backs from going nuts. If Jared Goff has to think about Micah Parsons on a regular basis, you'll know it's gonna be a tough one for the Kitties. Packers 27, Lions 26.
Beloved Wisconsin Badgers (-1.5) vs. Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat The Badgers being a road favorite in conference play seems strange to me. After what the Badgers did last week, it shows that the young guys want to win and turn this thing around. The Gophers have nobody to blame but themselves for what happened against the Purple Nerds, and I get the sense that they are going to be tight because winning the Axe is important. Fickell has earned back a little goodwill, but getting the Axe back would really give him some goodwill. If you remember, the Gophers winning the Axe in 2018 gave PJ some credit in the bank to kickstart their 2019 run. Just remember that and don't be surprised by this score. Badgers 37, Row Row Row Your Boat 15.
Before we proceed, a musical interlude:
Now there's a zoot suit for ya.
Old dude, you're not getting better, you're getting stranger.
No lies detected. Can I be honest with you? If the Badgers win on Saturday, I will be surprised. I do not dispute they are playing better than they had earlier in the season, and no one is going to confuse the Gophers with the Oregon Ducks or the Ohio State Buckeyes, but they have talent on both sides of the ball and a competent (if supremely irritating) coach. Would like to see the Axe leave town, but I don't think it will. Gophers 24, Badgers 17.
Minnesota Vikings (+11.5) vs. Seattle Seachickens In a twist of fate, the Vikings are going to be seeing their old buddy Sam Darnold for the first time as an opponent. Now, you can't judge the decision that the Vikings made to move on from Darnold based on what happens on Sunday. But that won't stop people from making that comparison. I asked Mrs. D aka Mom about who should be the QB next year, and she indicated that there is a 50/50 chance it is a QB on the roster or the Vikings could get someone else. The Vikings need this one badly, as they are in danger of being cut adrift in both the NFC North and playoff races given how good the Seachickens, Niners, and Rams are. The bottom line is that the Vikings better win and outplay Darnold with either Brosmer or McCarthy because then the heat on KOC and the front office will get lava hot. Thankfully, something tells me that Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are going to put the team on their back and get it done. Vikings 29, Seachickens 16.
I am not conviced the Seahawks are a great team, but right now the Vikings are a hot mess and asking a rookie quarterback to win in Seattle seems like a bit much. Maybe Max Brosmer is capable of being a junior grade Brock Purdy, but I think he could just as easily be Shaun Hill. And that's not the hill to die on. I bet Darnold coughs up a hairball or two, but in the end... Seahawks 20, Vikings 13.
Happy Thanksgiving, and enjoy the football this weekend. Ben out.
So old dude, the Packers almost got bit by the Giants, but thankfully got enough plays to escape New Jersey with the win. The problem is that there are too many injuries.
Did they play the game at MetLife Stadium, or on the New Jersey Turnpike?
Counting the cars on the New Jersey Turnpike
They've all come to look for America.
I'll say this, old dude - you're no Art Garfunkel.
Thanks, I guess.
As for the Vikings, they lost a game that they needed because the special teams and defense couldn't help JJ McCarthy change the narrative, and are going to come into Lambeau with a lot of desperation.
Yeah, that was not good on multiple levels.
I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYPPPPPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEE! and ready to pick some games. Watch me work.
Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat (+3.5) vs. Northwestern Purple Nerds. The Gophers already have bowl eligibility squared away, and are going to be playing at Wrigley against a Wildcat team that has been feisty against some good teams in the conference. The Gophers should win this one based on talent, but the Purple Nerds always save their voodoo for someone. With them having to face the Illini next week, they would love to not have to play for a bowl bid in a rivalry game. This game could get very scrappy, but the Gophers are going to win a game that is going to be close and pretty low scoring. Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 24, Purple Nerds 23.
It might actually be beneficial for the Gophers to play at Wrigley. Northwestern doesn't have a football stadium right now and they've done the vagabond bit this season. I agree with your pick, but I don't have a great feeling about this game. Gophers 27, Northwestern 24.
Illinois Cheating Illini (-8.5) vs. Beloved Wisconsin Badgers Wisconsin at least fought Indiana for a half, but pulling off a second miracle was asking too much against the Hoosiers. Illinois probably isn't going to get in the playoffs because realistically there are only a couple of at larges that aren't seemingly set when you consider that the ACC and Group of 5 reps are going to be ranked lower than 10th. For the Badgers, the way to save this season would be either get the Axe back or beat Illinois. Either would be a fun result, and I'll take my chances on a night game at home. As a side note, the Big Ten needs to mandate that every conference team should have to play night games in November and play on Fridays at home. Badgers 35, Illini 20.
The Badgers are playing a little better down the stretch, but I don't think they've exactly turned the corner, either. Illinois is not a great team, but they are solid and while it pains me to say it, Bret Bielema can coach 'em up. Illinois 31, Badgers 17.
Minnesota Vikings (+6.5) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers The Vikings are in a really tough spot right now, and the knives really have come out for JJ McCarthy. I've certainly been critical of McCarthy, but Vikings fans should be questioning if the front office has set KOC and McCarthy to fail. You might remember that Mrs. D aka Mom mentioned that success for McCarthy would be beating the Packers twice and winning a playoff game. Now is the chance to do that. What is going to help the Vikings is that the Packers are banged up and the Vikings finally have an intact offensive line. I'm wondering if the Packers team that looked so dominant against the Lions, Steelers, and Commanders shows up. Or will the team that has struggled against divisional opponents show up? We are going to learn a lot about the Vikings on Sunday. Packers 27, Vikings 20.
You mentioned the key to the game - is the Vikings offensive line up to snuff? If they can get the Packers blocked, I think they have a decent chance to win on Sunday. If the Packers defense gets McCarthy off schedule, it will be a very long day for the Purple. The Packers have an injury list the size of the Mankato phone book, but I suspect most of their guys will play. The Vikings can cause havoc on defense, but Jordan Love has been getting better and he'll have chances for some big plays. Packers 27, Vikings 17.
Old dude, I'll say this much. The Packers are very lucky that I can't do Very Special Comments every single weekend.
They did send this response:
So wait, the Packers hired Dana Carvey?
They've made worse hires.
True. I'd also mention and the Badgers put me in a really good mood.
Your mood is like a circus wheel, it changes all the time.
Is that one of your song lyrics again?
Yes. Source material:
If you keep interrupting me, you'll be looking at this one:
Good point - this is starting to turn into an old school Guilty Pleasures video with Fearless Maria. Maybe I should ask her if she wants to do one of those again sometime....
That's a good idea, but set that up on your own time, okay. Meanwhile, as a clarification to last weekend's post, I screwed up when mentioning Mike Shanahan, when I was discussing what LaFleur is trying to emulate in Packers history. I meant to say Mike Holmgren, who of course did coach the Packers to a championship. Mike Shanahan of course denied the Packers a championship. That should make a lot more sense with what I was trying to do. I had no problem being called out for a pretty bad mistake.
It's how we grow, grasshopper.
I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYPPPPPPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEE! and ready to pick some games. I know that this is going up while the Gophers are playing, but by the time this goes up the fate of the Gophers out in Eugene should be clear. Watch me work.
Beloved Wisconsin Badgers (+29.5) vs. Indiana They Win, Google Them Last weekend was one of the most shocking Badger wins I have ever seen. How the Badgers won a game when their punter was the leading passer and played 4 quarterbacks makes no sense. You would do well to find a more shocking upset in college football this season. What really impressed me was that it looked like Badger football. The defense played tough, the offense was able to do enough, and beating a ranked Washington football team can hardly be called a fluke. The problem this week is that the Badgers have to go to Indiana. The Hoosiers have a great argument to be ranked first in my view because they beat Oregon on the road. I figure that Google Me Cignetti isn't going to fall into the same traps that Washington did. But you know what, the Badgers have nothing to lose at this point and are playing with confidence. I've been really critical of Luke Fickell, but he has already made me eat some of my words at least for one week. If he beats Indiana on the road, this will be the most shocking win in college football since the 2003 Big XII title game. For reference, that was when a very good Oklahoma team got manhandled by Kansas State. Call me delusional, but strange stuff happens in November in college football. Badgers 21, Google Them, They Win 14.
If that prediction happens, if you Google them they'll have lost. But it won't. Indiana has been on a mission to destroy their previous tormentors. They hung 60+ on a ranked Illinois team. Despite the encouraging win last week, the Badgers aren't ranked. They're just rank. Historically, the Badgers have crushed the Hoosiers. That was then, and this is now. Indiana 83, Wisconsin 20.
The Bronze Turkey Bowl: Knox College Prairie Fire, Baby! (NL) vs. Monmouth College Scots Longtime readers know exactly why this game shows up every single year. If you are new here, I am a proud graduate of Knox College, and Monmouth is the school a few miles away. Now, I will admit that Knox hasn't gotten the Bronze Turkey back since the current students were born at this point, but streaks are made to be broken. I made a salad one day at the Knox cafeteria, and Monmouth awarded me a degree in nutrition, with highest honors. If you expect me to pick against my alma mater, then you are sadly mistaken. Prairie Fire 500, Scots -100
Ah, the Turkey Shoot. Monmouth may be lacking in academic rigor (actually not true, it's a perfectly good school), but they have really good football players and have already clinched the conference championship. The Scots have been crushing every team in their path all season. And that's quite likely to happen again. Monmouth 52, Knox 7.
Bear Down Chicago Da Bearz Still Suck (+2.5) vs. Minnesota Vikings The Vikings ended up losing last week because they failed to finish their drives, and the Ravens are a good enough team to take advantage. I asked Mrs. D, aka Mom, who she thought was going to be the key player for the Vikings to win. She indicated that the key to her is going to be JJ McCarthy taking care of the ball and finishing those drives. The Bears are out for revenge after melting down against the Vikings back in September to start another round of Is Caleb The Guy. With the NFC North looking more scrambled thanks to recent events, the Vikings have to be thinking that keeping their head to head and divisional record tiebreakers intact is critical. This feels like a type of game that the Vikings can win. Vikings 31, Bears Still Suck 30.
They can, but will they? The Vikings are weird; they go into Detroit and look like world beaters, then get a toe tag in their own building against a middling Ravens team. So who shows up? Vikings 27, da Bearz 24.
Glorious Green Bay Packers (-7) vs. New York Football Giants While it is true that Brandon McManus missed the game tying kick, he isn't super high on the blame list. The Packers are a team that confuses me offensively. There are games where they look really good, and there are games where the defense does incredibly well and the offense vanishes. If you had told me that the Packers would play well against an explosive Eagles offense, I would have assumed that things would have gone swimmingly. If LaFleur was really serious about changing things, then he should give up calling plays and let someone else do it. As for Love, I wanted him to throw more instead of trying to prove that they could outtough the Eagles. The Giants are a team that just fired Brian Daboll and have to go to Jameis Winston after Jaxson Dart got injured; meanwhile it's apparent that Russell Wilson is washed. I'm surprised that Joe Flacco wasn't signed to face the Packers once again. The Packers are facing a game that they got to have if they want the noise to go away. Thankfully, the Packers know this and should win if they avoid playing with their food. Packers 45, Giants 17.
The Giants aren't very good and they also have critical injuries on both sides of the ball. This is absolutely get-well week for the Packers. I think they figure it out. Prop bet - Jameis Winston throws a pick six to Xavier McKinney. Packers 31, Giants 14.
So before yesterday afternoon, I was planning to do a Very Special Comment about the disaster that the Packers served up. Don't worry, the Packers are still going to get that treatment. But as it turns out, the Badgers decided to keep Luke Fickell around. Even the Pohlads would think that is a bad decision that alienates the fanbase.
And no one alienates the fan base quite like the Pohlads.
I'll say this, old dude. You have to respect expertise in sucking.
Who knew the giant sucking sound would come out of Madison?
You might have something else in mind, Geritol Fan, but I take your point. We will also discuss that later because it's never a good thing when a fanbase is mad that a coach is staying and getting more "support" from their boss.
That is called the Full Falvey.
Yes it is. I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! and ready to pick some games. Watch me work.
Washington Huskies (-10) vs. Beloved Wisconsin Badgers You would think that Washington is in a good spot. While they aren't going to win the conference, they are ranked and are playing the worst Wisconsin team in my lifetime. So somehow Wisconsin gave Oregon a good accounting of themselves and finally scored a touchdown. Don't ask me why the Badgers gave Oregon trouble, but more than a touchdown was needed to beat Oregon on the road. That is worthy of keeping Fickell around! Call me a delusional homer, but the Badgers are going to pull out one more win this season. And when you look at the opponents left on the schedule, Washington is the likeliest because cross country travel is hard and the law of averages indicates that the Badgers have some pride to play for. This is more because I am a homer after all. Badgers 10, Huskies 7.
Haven't seen the Huskies at all this season. I've seen the Badgers. I've seen enough. Washington 23, Wisconsin 3.
Baltimore Ravens (-4) vs. Minnesota Vikings JJ McCarthy ended up causing me to eat some crow because the best way to make me shut up about calling the Vikings paper tigers is to go into the Lions den and pull out a good win against the Lions. As you can probably guess, I was watching the Packers game and didn't see much of the Vikings game. The Ravens are a lot better with Lamar back, and are always a tough team to beat. Given that there isn't a team that is 100% great this year in the NFL, the Vikings are going to have to play well at home in order to avoid a "Vikings Gonna Viking" game. The Ravens are going to need to play very good to beat a good Vikings team on the road, and this weekend is the classic Desperate Team At Home theory. Longtime readers know exactly where I am going with this one. Vikings 24, Ravens 23.
I did watch some of the Vikings against the Lions and the key was the job the defense did against Jahmyr Gibbs, which was impressive. Derrick Henry will be in Canton some day, but it's not clear he has much left in the tank. The one thing that gives me pause is the Vikings defense is built on speed and the Ravens have an absolutely enormous offensive line. If the Ravens get on their blocks, the Vikings will be in trouble. But I'm going to agree with you. Vikings 28, Ravens 24.
Philadelphia Tush Pushes (+1) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers Boy, I wish I was wrong about the Packers having trouble against the Panthers, but last week is for later on in the blog post. This game is going to be very hard and everyone knows about what happened in January. The Eagles coaches have finally figured out that Jalen Hurts has very good wideouts to throw the ball to, and are actually using their best weapons. The Packers are banged up and I think I speak for the Old Dude when I say that they have a lot to answer for after last week. One of the most frustrating things about the Matt LaFleur era is that the Packers play down to their competition but tend to play up to their competition. I really hope that the Packers who dominated the Steelers, Commanders, and Lions shows up instead of the team that showed up last weekend. Packers 22, Cry Eagles Cry 10.
You don't know which Eagles are going to show up, either. I think the Packers do bounce back, through - this Eagles team isn't as dominant as previous versions and the Packers will have answers for the Eagles, especially on offense. Tough to lose Tyler Kraft, but I think the Packers have the edge in team speed and it will come to the fore this weekend. Packers 27, Eagles 19.
And now, it is time for a double feature edition of A Very Special Comment.
Okay, everyone, better get ready:
That's right, kids, getcha popcorn. Here I go. Before I get into the Packers, I acknowledge Carolina deserves credit for playing hard and being prepared. Dave Canales had a great gameplan, and you would do well to find a better coaching performance in the NFL this season. The Packers on the other hand lost that game because they were not prepared for a game of few possessions. Moving the ball wasn't the problem, but what cost the Packers was leaving a ton of points on the field in the red zone. You cannot turn the ball over in the red zone, and settling for field goal attempts 3 times isn't excusable. For the record, I didn't have a problem going for it on the fourth down because that was trusting the offense and McManus had missed a field goal already. What really frustrated me was that LaFleur kept calling predictable run plays and slow developing screen plays that were not working all day. LaFleur keeps talking about how he needs to be better, but at some point he needs to stop talking about getting better and well, you know, get better. I get that sometimes teams lose to teams that they aren't supposed to, but this is a problem that has happened multiple times under the current coaching staff. This isn't a young first time staff anymore. You don't fire LaFleur because he wins a bunch of games, but Packers fans judge how successful you are by winning championships. If LaFleur wants to go from the Mike Shanahan level of good coach to the Mike McCarthy level of great coach, that means winning a Super Bowl. This team is all in, and it's time to act like it.
Shorter Benster - stop playing with your food, Packers. And I agree.
Now, let's talk about the Badgers. The reason that a lot of Badger fans are frustrated about keeping Fickell on is that he hasn't struggled for resources. Fickell was a hot coaching candidate, and has gotten plenty of help. There are improvements to facilities and the Badgers pay salaries that are pretty comparable to the rest of the Big Ten. The bottom line is that fans are frustrated because things have gotten worse and this is year 3. I can't sit here and pretend that Fickell has gotten better. The Badgers don't have any Big Ten caliber QBs, recruits aren't likely to sign, and it's hard to see what Wisconsin can offer guys in the portal. The Badgers also get Big Ten television revenue, and spending the money to get a coach who can improve things would be the right call. At some point, McIntosh needs to open his eyes and realize that the Badger job is going to be intriguing to someone even if it isn't as sexy an opening as an LSU, Penn State, or Florida. Remember, Curt "Google Me" Cignetti wasn't a "sexy hire" either, but was the right one for a Hoosier program that wasn't great for decades.
At some point the Badger administration needs to make the decision that the football program isn't doing well, and that the best way to fix it would be to fire Fickell. But nobody wants to admit that there is a problem in the athletic department. That is a screwed up situation and a slap in the face to people like me who have been loyal fans for a long time. All I ask is that McIntosh leaves the men's basketball program alone. Greg Gard is doing a great job in making the program more modern while keeping things that are familiar. I'd rather worry about the Badgers getting back to the Sweet Sixteen then worry about if football can make a bowl game in the near future.
My solution would be for the administration to fire Fickell and McIntosh and go get Scott Woodward and let him cook as AD. For all the crap he got on the way out at LSU, Woodward at least is willing to dare to be great and get great coaches.
That would be daring. Not sure it's gonna happen, but why not?
So as it turns out the Vikings are in some dangerous waters heading into a critical game against the LOLions. And the Packers got a pretty good win in Pittsburgh and are now able to fully turn the page on Aaron leaving.
A tidy synopsis.
And by the time this post goes up either the Blue Jays will be celebrating a deserved world title or the World Series is going to be decided this weekend.
Unless the game goes 18 innings again.
Also, Luke Fickell can be fired at any time and I am confident that the Wisconsin state government won't pull whatever the heck the Louisiana government is doing with the LSU coaching search down in Baton Rouge.
They apparently have all their other problems solved, so they have ample time to tend to their football program. Must be nice.
I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYPPPPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEE! and ready to pick some games. Watch me work.
Michigan State Sparty The Spartan (+3.5) vs. Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat The Gophers quite rightly deserved all of the criticism that they got. Losing to Iowa by that much in a rivalry game is unacceptable to the Gopher fans. The Gophers are playing for bowl eligibility again this week, and while Sparty is getting better, I think that the Gophers are going to come out with a point to prove at home. So while Sparty is going to be a much better outfit down the road, this feels like a get right game for the Gophers. Lindsey in particular is going to have a great game in my view, and after the week that Minnesota sports has had, something has to go right. Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 34, Sparty 17.
One problem with the supersized Big Ten is it becomes difficult to actually follow all the teams, so I'll be honest and admit I don't know about the Spartans, who haven't been very visible.
Sparty enjoys a Spartan Swirl, but might be swirling the bowl?
Since the game is here, I'll assume the Gophers will prevail. My one hunch about what happened last week? I think Iowa is a lot better than most people realize, so maybe the Gophers weren't as inept as they appeared. Gophers 27, Spartans 20.
Minnesota Vikings (+8.5) vs. Detroit LOLions So it's never a good thing when the Athletic calls out the Vikings and puts out an article saying that JJ McCarthy needs to be great or else the fallout is going to be bad. The Vikings looked bad against the Chargers, and are facing a game that both they and the Lions need to win in order to keep place with the Packers. To expand on what I said last week, the Vikings should have kept Darnold, because the guy did not deserve to lose his job even if the last two games wound up being tough ones for the Vikings. My concern about McCarthy is that he is being put in position to win with a team that was put around him to win now, and that is putting him a position where if he fails then the Vikings are in a position to be blown up. The Vikings have spent a lot of money and made a lot of moves to get talent around McCarthy, but spending all the money on guys besides the quarterback position and hoping that McCarthy is the guy is dangerous. The Vikings should have paid Darnold, or had an open quarterback competition instead of handing McCarthy a Ferrari at 16 years old before knowing how well he can drive a car. As for the actual game, the Lions are the desperate team at home, and should the Vikings lose this game I wouldn't be surprised if serious questions about the core of this team are going to be asked. Lions 31, Vikings 9.
You couldn't pay Darnold and everyone else, so the Vikings made a decision. Ordinarily if your quarterback is on a rookie contract, you can reward everyone else, which is the way most NFL teams operate. The key is whether McCarthy has it or not. We still don't have enough of a sample size to know for sure. One thing I do know - you can't help your club in the tub. Lions will be nasty, because this current incarnation is always that way. By the way, is Adam Thielen still on the team? Lions 27, Vikings 13.
Carolina Panthers (+13.5) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers Last week really was a huge step for the Packers, and I was really pleased. To go on the road against a quality Steelers team and win very comfortably showed us that the Packers are closer to the team that made the Lions and Commanders look really bad than the team who looked bad against the Cowboys and Browns. This game against Carolina makes me nervous. The Panthers are getting better, and two years ago almost pulled off an upset on Christmas Eve against the Packers. For whatever reason, Carolina plays the Packers tough and some Packers fans are assuming that this game is an easy W before the Eagles come to town next weekend on Monday Night Football. The good news is that the Panthers are going to be banged up on the offensive line, and that should allow Micah and Gary to go hunt Bryce Young. So while I think this game is going to be a lot closer than people expect, the Packers are going to pull this one out. Packers 24, Panthers 16.
I do not know if the Panthers are good or not. They've won four games. They've also been crushed a few times. The point spread seems ridiculous to me, but I think the Packers are better. Packers 34, Panthers 24.
The Vikings playing a game on Thursday Night Football in LA is a terrible idea and the NFL needs to do something about what games can and cannot be placed on Thursday Night Football.
Needs to, but won't. It's definitely a pet peeve of mine as well.
We'll talk about that later.
Meanwhile, the Badgers need to get serious about the football program. Chris McIntosh needs to do the right thing and understand that spending over $20 million on Fickell's buyout is a cost that you have to eat. He and the administration realize that the Big Ten has a big media contract and can easily cover the costs of a coaching change.
Firing Fickell is an admission of failure for McIntosh, so that might have something to do with it.
I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPEEEEE! and ready to pick some games. Watch me work.
Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat (+8.5) vs. Iowa Hawkeyes Well, as it turns out all of the predictions that the Gophers would be irrelevant in the 18 team Big Ten are all wrong. Now being a Wisconsin fan, this game is between the two archrivals, and sadly they both can't lose. PJ has proven he can beat Iowa in Iowa City, and getting the Pig back would go a long way to make his seat even cooler than it already is. The problem is that Iowa City is a tough place to win, and the 4th quarter is going to be played under Kinnick At Night conditions. I'll pick Iowa to win a close one because they are at home. Hawkeyes 21, Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 19.
Fleck drives me nuts because I think he's a blowhard, but he's built a solid program. Winning at Kinnick is tough, though. Iowa 27, Minnesota 20.
Beloved Wisconsin Badgers (+31.5) vs. Oregon Quack Quack This must be like what watching the Badgers in the dark ages must have been for older fans.
It is.
Uh, I'm working here, old dude. Ahem. The good news for the Badgers is that Oregon is traveling back cross country from Rutgers last week and the upcoming bye week would be an excellent time for the Badgers to pull the trigger on a coaching change. The report that the Badgers are going to keep Fickell made me very fru strated. Look, I understand that the schedule has been brutal this year and having to rely on third-string QB Hunter Simmons because of injuries would be hard for any coach. But the problem is that at some point someone needs to realize that not scoring any points in weeks and losing by 37 at home to Iowa isn't acceptable. I just am glad that the Badgers are going to be very good in hoops. Getting to the Sweet 16 is my goal, but that is a problem I can handle compared to football. Oregon is very good and needs this one to keep themselves in playoff contention since the SEC is going to beat themselves up. What is going to help the Badgers is that they are far away from the angry fans like myself and Oregon shoots themselves in the foot. Badgers 35, Quack Quack 21
I realize you never pick against the Badgers or the Packers, but c'mon, man. Oregon 35, Wisconsin 0.
Minnesota Vikings (+3) vs. Los Angeles Chargers I'll talk about the scheduling of this game later, but the Vikings have bigger issues then Amazon's greed. The Vikings shot themselves in the foot multiple times in the red zone. Carson Wentz was a disaster, and it is obvious that the Eagles were going to win because despite their offense shutting off in the first half, the Vikings crossing into the red zone wasn't a good thing. I'll say something that people in the Twin Cities don't want to admit. This team is a bigger paper tiger then the Bears are. Remember, the Vikings have gotten themselves a ton of talent for this "competitive rebuild", and it hasn't worked. Dallas Turner is danger of being a bigger bust than Troy Williamson, JJ McCarthy is being put in a position where he might not succeed, Justin Jefferson's contract should have gone to Sam Darnold, and the Vikings have won zero playoff games since 2019 despite the NFL media constantly talking about how much of an elite coach KOC is. The Vikings threw away their draft capital to further lock in a team that is in the worst place a team can be. You know where that is, Vikings fans? This Vikings core might win 1 playoff game, but will lose in the Divisional round to a real contender. The Chargers are a team that looks like they want to go further, and made needed changes with getting in Jim Harbaugh. I highly suggest that the Vikings consider taking a good long look at what they are doing, because Vikings fans deserve better than what they are getting. Go Back To San Diego 35, Vikings 10.
Sometimes in life you gamble. Sometimes you lose. We don't know if J.J. McCarthy is up to NFL standards and the Vikings live in a tough division. I also saw the Vikings haven't won a Thursday night road game since the 1970s. Don't know if that's true, but if it is the Vikings need to avoid such things. The Chargers are up and down, but after getting their doors blown off last week I have to think they'll be motivated. Chargers 27, Vikings 24.
Glorious Green Bay Packers (-3) vs. Pittsburgh Yinzers Oh boy, this game is going to cause a lot of overreactions. So obviously this is the first time that Aaron Rodgers is going to start against us. I'm too young to have seen Brett Favre at the height of his powers, so Aaron gave me almost two decades of brilliance and a Super Bowl run that I will always cherish. But now I will have to do something that I never wanted to do, and that is root against Aaron as an opponent. While it is far from fair to judge the decision to hand the keys of the Packers over to Jordan Love on one game, this game is going to give us a data point. The Packers have never won in Pittsburgh in my lifetime, and are going to have to play a lot better after the narrow escape against the Cardinals. Winning in Pittsburgh means blocking the Steelers and their high end pass rush. Thank God that this game isn't in Lambeau, because I lived through that circus once before and I never want to see a former legend come into Lambeau in an opposing uniform again. The Packers are going to play better this week despite Aaron being at his best. Despite my harsh words when he left, I will always have fond memories of Aaron. But he is an opponent of the Packers, and I will root for my team the same way I root for the Packers against Russ. Packers 31, Steelers 25.
If the Packers can rush the passer, they win. If not, they lose. The last time the Packers won in Pittsburgh, the Packers quarterback was (checking notes) Bart Starr. Think they're due. Packers 27, Steelers 20.
And now, it is time for a Very Special Comment. The Vikings have gotten hosed with their schedule this year. Two straight international games is bad enough as it is, but now they have to fly to LA on a short week. I understand that the NFL needs to balance games between their network partners, but there is a difference between a Monday night to Sunday gap going coast to coast and going Sunday to Thursday. If the NFL and Amazon want the best product on display, they need to make two simple changes. The first one is that only divisional games or teams that are in the next time zone are allowed on Thursday nights. The reason I would make an exception for divisional games is because the Chiefs playing one of their AFC West rivals is okay with me and it's fair to Amazon to not be cut off from showcasing a handful of AFC West games that doesn't exist.
The other rule for Thursday Night Football is that the NFL and/or Amazon is responsible for refunding all expenses for any fans that get screwed over by flexing games to Thursday nights. Both companies can easily afford to do that, and that would make it harder for a Thursday flex. The bottom line is that the Vikings have already had to take one for the NFL by having to play on Christmas Day and do two international games back to back. The NFL should be ashamed of themselves for this. The NFL is going to kill the golden goose with all of these standalone games and making even diehards like me have to figure out where to watch. I remember when it was Sunday afternoons, Sunday Night Football, and Monday Night Football. Sure you had the Kickoff game, Thanksgiving, and a couple of random Saturday games in December, but it was easy to remember. Don't be like college football where you have games all over the map and on 100 different channels and streaming services.
It is getting difficult and I agree, the Vikings are getting especially hosed this season. I'd like to see the NFL do better as well.
So a quick note, this is being written during the Minnesota-Nebraska game. By the time this goes up, we shall know if the Gophers are having a good night, and the Old Dude is watching the Brewers game.
Now that the Brewers have meekly submitted to the Evil Empire, I am also planning my strategy for No Kings Day tomorrow. Think I'll do this for breakfast:
That cereal has all the vitamins you need. But does it have all the Geritol you need?
Not likely.
Well, you'd better get over to a Rexall or something. Isn't that the drug store you used to use, or did you use an apothecary?
Aren't you supposed to be writing a predictions post?
Well, if you would stop going on about your various elderly ailments, I might be able to. By your leave. So, as I was saying, I am not doing a Very Special Comment on the Badgers because I've already laid out my concerns. That being said, the only reason Fickell probably still has a job is because the donors haven't ponied up the cash to can both him and the AD. At least men's basketball is ranked inside the top 25 preseason.
Greg Gard saves the day again!
I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEE! and ready to pick some games. Watch me work.
A School In Columbus (-25.5) vs. Beloved Wisconsin Badgers The Buckeyes are probably the best team in the nation, and even a hater like myself has no trouble admitting that. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Julian Sayin might be the best Buckeye quarterback of them all by the time he leaves, and Jeremiah Smith has a very strong argument to be the Heisman winner. The Badgers frankly are going to need a full reset in the offseason. But there is a glimmer of hope. Ohio State has been a little bit of a slow starter and has relied on their talent to bail themselves out in the late second and early third quarters. Given that they don't have a tough game until Michigan thanks to Penn State's implosion, the temptation is there for the Buckeyes to be looking ahead a bit to Thanksgiving weekend in Ann Arbor. Now this won't be an easy game for the Badgers by any stretch of the imagination. Stranger things have happened. Badgers 21, Buckeyes 18.
21-18, huh? I don't think David Gilreath is walking through that door. The fear is that Cardale Jones is. Ohio State 59, Wisconsin 0.
Philadelphia Tush Push Merchants (-2) vs. Minnesota Vikings The Vikings are going to roll with Carson Wentz, and there is obviously some history between him and the Eagles. The Eagles are coming off a stunning loss to the Giants, and probably need to get the ball to AJ Brown a bit more. If I am the Vikings, it is time for Justin Jefferson to take over this game. He is getting quarterback money to perform in big games and this is the first big game that the Vikings have had this year. Look at what his LSU teammate Ja'Marr Chase did last night for the Bengals in a game that the Bengals needed to have. With all due respect to all of the Vikings skill position players, KOC should have the Griddy Man lead what I think is going to be a successful hunt of an Eagles team that is in turmoil Vikings 38, Eagles 7
Well, the Eagles are a mess, but dude, really? I don't have a good read on the Vikings yet - they've been gone so long I'm not sure if they need to worry about ICE when they take the field. Eagles need this one badly and while the Vikings are capable (at least rumor has it), I don't see it going that way. Eagles 24, Vikings 21.
Glorious Green Bay Packers (-7) vs. Arizona Cardinals There was a lot of complaining about how the Packers struggled last week, and some of my fellow Packers fans need to remember that winning an NFL game is hard. A lot of credit to the Bengals for playing hard last week, and they ended up beating the Steelers last night. The Cardinals ended up playing fairly well last year against the Packers, and the Packers have played a bunch of tight games out in Arizona in my lifetime. Now is about the time for Micah Parsons to take over the games. He was brought here for a lot of money and draft capital, and Jeff Hafley should let Parsons loose to hunt. Jordan Love ended up playing well last week outside of an interception that wasn't his fault, and it was great to see Matthew Golden really take a step forward. The Packers should win this one in a game that will be tight early but open up a bit in the 3rd quarter. Packers 35, Cardinals 18.
I need to see the Packers prove they can win on the road. I think they will this week. Packers 27, Cardinals 19.
Something tells me that a lot of people at Camp Randall are going to be worrying about the Brewers being pushed to the brink by the Cubs.
While I am a Twins fan, I think I speak for the both of us when I say that the Brewers winning tomorrow night would be much appreciated.
Few things in my lifetime of being a sports fan have been as frustrating as being a Brewers fan. Perennial bridesmaids. I am likely jinxing my beloved Crew by doing this, but this is what I want to see after tomorrow night's affair in Milwaukee:
Harry Caray masks only $19.99!
Meanwhile, the Packers are playing a game that a lot of us are overlooking.
I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYPPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEE! and ready to pick some games. Watch me work.
Purdon't Spoilermakers (+7.5) vs. Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat The Gophers have looked good outside of the Cal game, and this shouldn't be too difficult a game. Purdue is still a dumpster fire, and the Gophers aren't going to get ambushed again like Rutgers a few weeks ago. Drake Lindsey should be a good Big Ten quarterback as he gets experience, and frankly has looked more impressive than Bryce Underwood. That isn't a typo, by the way. I look for the Gophers to jump out in front of Purdue early and PJ will then choke the life out of the game as per his typical gameplan. What I would like to see is PJ to let Lindsey start leading the offense a bit more. I know that he is a freshman, but I think you have to give him a chance to grow. Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 45, Spoilermakers 13
I didn't think the Gophers looked very good against Ohio State, but your mileage may vary. Purdue is a mess and the Gophers should be able to handle them without too much difficulty. Gophers 31, Purdue 14.
Iowa Hawkeyes (-3) vs. Beloved Wisconsin Badgers The Badger defense deserves a lot of credit for playing Michigan tough. The problem was that the offense didn't score enough points to win. If Fickell wants to keep his job, he is going to have to beat Iowa and the Gophers. He hasn't beaten Iowa and the facts are clear -- the Badgers don't have the phyiscal edge. Wisconsin-Iowa games are typically going to be low scoring types of games, and the Badgers are going to need to take advantage of their chances. A Wisconsin win is going to give Fickell some relief, because the Badgers need to get back to winning against our rivals. It's been arguably the biggest failure of Fickell's tenure. Badgers 21, Hawkeyes 14.
Iowa takes care of business. That's been the hallmark of this team for nearly 50 years now. The Badgers were like that until very recently. They aren't now. Iowa 28, Wisconsin 16.
Cincinatti Bungals (+14.5) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers This game is going to be a lot closer than people think. I realize that the Bengals are banged up badly and looked terrible against the Lions. But the Bengals are an NFL team and you never assume that winning in the NFL is a given. The Packers are also going to be banged up, and Matt LaFleur is notorious for not being prepared coming off a bye week. What I would like to see from the Packers is for less mental mistakes. The Packer special teams also has been rightfully called out, and I hope that Love is going to have a really good game after a couple of uneven performances against the Browns and Cowboys. The Packers should win, but the Bengals are going to come into Lambeau with a point to prove. I hope that we see the Packers who looked like world beaters against the Lions and Commanders instead of the paper tigers we saw against the Cowboys and Browns. Packers 38, Bengals 21.
Hope is not a strategy, but the Bengals bringing in Joe Flacco midweek to start tells you everything you need to know about this game. I think the Packers will win this one comfortably. Packers 38, Bengals 14.
