Benster and D Pick Your Games -- Dreams/Nightmares Edition

Old dude, the Vikings are 60 minutes away from the land of dreams, hoping to erase the memory of the Philly fans tormenting them and placing the Iggles into the dustbin of history. Dreams can come true, but dreams can also tatter into nightmares. Should the Vikings lose and the Eagles win, their dreams will be shattered, and the hot takes will be burning.

Souhan already has a sack of Kingsford in his shed for the occasion.

I imagine that these takes will make a certain former sportswriter shudder.

I'm not certain I know which sportswriter, but why choose?

I'm feeling the HYYYYYYYYYPPPPPEEEE!, and am ready to talk both pro and college. Watch me work.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish (+12.5) vs. Clemson Tigers, at Jerry World. Notre Dame feels that they are the underdog. A lot of people will disagree, because the Irish have a sense of entitlement that is hilarious to me. To be fair, they beat everyone they had to this year and belong in the playoffs based on that fact. Clemson has been around forever and are less annoying, but they always seem to win and it would be great to have a little bit of diversity in national title contenders. No team has a divine right to anything in sports. I think the Irish are better equipped to win this game because they don't have to answer questions about drug samples every 10 seconds. Irish 31, Tigers 23.

I think you hit the issue in the last sentence, Seabiscuit. Clemson is going to be missing some key players on defense, especially the mountainous Dexter Lawrence. This is a better Notre Dame team than we've seen in a while, but I'm not convinced they are good enough to beat Clemson. Clemson 28, Notre Dame 21.

Chokelahoma Boomer Sooners (+14) vs. The Crimson Tide Of Alabama. As a Packers fan, I will be watching this game with great interest. I really don't care about either team, but Lincoln Riley and Nick Saban are rumored candidates for the next head coach of the Packers. In the interest of full disclosure, I would prefer Alabama to lose so that Saban can come to Green Bay and start The Process. The Tide have a quarterback controversy again, and were lucky to escape Atlanta with their lives. I know that A School in Columbus is mad that they got screwed out of the playoffs. However, if you lose badly at Purdue, you have zero right to complain. I like Oklahoma in this one, even though Oklahoma historically has their fans down in the really important games. Oklahoma 45, Nick Saban to Green Bay? 21.

I've heard those rumors as well. This is the better of the two playoff games. Alabama is like a monster at the end of a slasher movie -- you swear they're dead, but somehow they survive. I don't think there's a controversy per se, but I wonder if Jalen Hurts doesn't see a grad transfer season in his future. Oklahoma can score. Alabama can stop you from scoring. Something's gotta give. Alabama 31, Oklahoma 28.

Detroit LOLions (+9) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers. If you call yourself a Packers fan and quit watching in the fourth quarter last week, please hand your fan identification card into your local Packer Fan Club branch. The Packers fought against long odds, and are a lot better than their record says they are. To all the loyal Packers fans who did not quit on the team last week, you are the real fans and should be commended for your loyalty. This team has shown true grit and determination, something that could lead to the start of something better. I think the Packers should win because they are all playing for their jobs. Packers 31, LOLions 0.

So I hear Matt Patricia might be in trouble in Detroit. Seems to show up late for his own meetings. The Lions have deteriorated this season and it's becoming evident that firing Jim Caldwell after last season was a mistake. The Packers had a nice rally last week against a dismal Jets team. Does it mean better days are ahead? I'm skeptical about that. But the Packers will beat the Lions this week. Packers 34, Lions 24.

Bear Down Chicago Da Bearz Still Suck (+5) vs. Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings fan I talked to claims to not be nervous. That's the right take, but I can see why Vikings fans are nervous. They need to win here or have the Eagles lose against the Gridlocks to make the playoffs. Gino would like to remind you that Bears NFC North champions gear is available at a store near you in the Chicago area, though I want to remind you that the Bears did not sweep the Packers despite holding a 20-0 lead in the fourth quarter of the first meeting. Da Bearz are playing for a playoff bye this week, and they won't lie down at all. Should the Vikings lose this game, there is going to be a lot of sniping in the media around here if they miss the playoffs. I want to watch the world burn, and I am a simple man. Da Bearz Still Suck 24, Vikings 10.

I take Henry Kissinger's stance about this game -- it's a shame they both can't lose. Desperate team at home wins, but the Bears take their revenge in Chicago next week. Vikings 23, Bears 17.

Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out.