Benster and D Pick Your Games----Big Ten Did Something Right Edition

 Old dude, the Big Ten actually did the right thing and actually improved something this year. The Axe game is back as the last game of the year, as it should be. Both Badgers and Gophers fans would agree that it is the correct decision.

Let me Axe you a question

Given the alternatives, yes. Certainly more compelling than a visit from Rutgers.

Plus, the Packers hold all the cards in the NFC. Life is good. The Pack is back, and I can feel the HYYYYYYPPPEEEEEE! Watch me work.

Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat (+13.5) vs. Beloved Wisconsin Badgers I think it's fair to say that this year has hit both schools hard. The Badgers have struggled to find their footing because of all the delays, and the Gophers have a younger team. Yes, the Badgers need to strongly consider playing Jack Coan this time around, but you can say that the Gophers have struggled all year. The Badgers can easily lose this game, but they will be up for this game. Look for the offense to improve, and for a senior class to be sent off the right way, hopefully. Badgers 24, Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 10.

Hopefully? Hedging your bets, good sir? The Gophers are a very poor defensive team, but the Badgers have been 1977-level bad the last three weeks. It's a matter of pride at this point and I hope the Badgers have enough pride to get this done. The point spread is absurd, by the way. Badgers 17, Gophers 13.

Bear Down Chicago Da Bearz Still Suck (+3) vs. Minnesota Vikings Both of these teams have had their moments, but quite frankly are flawed. I think Da Bearz were broken by the double doink, despite their offense doing very little that day. Funny, I don't hear Bears fans mentioning that. Hopefully they keep Matt Nagy and the front office around. As a Packers fan, they have done a great job, and have Bears football trending in the right direction for the future. The Vikings played decently well against the Bucs, but Dan Bailey had a terrible day. The Vikings had a golden chance in 2017, but the Minneapolis Miracle was the worst thing to happen to Mike Zimmer. There, I said it. That play covered up the fact that the Mike Zimmer's defense almost cost them the game, and he would have been lucky to not be fired had Diggs not bailed the Vikings out. Many Vikings fans conveniently choose to ignore that the Vikings blew a 17 point lead. The Vikings then foolishly disrespected the Eagles, and assumed that they had a god given right to play in a Super Bowl at their home stadium. The Vikings got blown out in a game that was never close, and the fanbase ignored the warning signs. Because the front office believed that the Vikings were closer than they were, they signed Kirk Cousins. History repeated itself last year. As much as Kirk Cousins gets the credit for the playoff game in the Superdome, the Vikings defense let the Saints get it to overtime. Oh, and Kyle Rudolph pushed off. The Vikings then got destroyed against the Niners, and it's been downhill ever since. The Vikings can win this game, and it's better for the Packers to do so. Both the Vikings and Da Bearz committed the greatest sin in pro football. They ignored the warning signs that they had flawed teams, and both are paying the price.  Vikings 23, Da Bearz Still Suck 10.

Shorter version: they both need better management. I think Zimmer does a good job with what he has on hand, which isn't much because Cousins has all the money. As for da Bearz, the Khalil Mack trade is not looking so good now; he seems to be a declining player and he's owed a lot of money. I think the Vikings are marginally better, but that's all. Vikings 20, Bears 17.

Carolina Panthers (+8) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers The Packers had everything go right last week. They clinched the NFC North, finished a game off and banked that experience, and took control of the top seed in the NFC thanks to the Eagles beating the Saints. They have two home games left, and the Saints have a couple of tough games on their schedule remaining. The Panthers are going to be easier to beat without Christian McCaffery, but they are a team that plays hard and they have a competent coaching staff. Also, it's important to remember that the Packers literally won by inches last November on the goal line. I think that the Packers can win this game, but they can't sleepwalk into a trap game. Packers 35, Panthers 21.

Packers seem to be hitting their stride now. Panthers are better than their record indicates, but they aren't going to win at Lambeau this year. Packers 33, Panthers 24.

Kansas City Chiefs (-3) vs. New Orleans Saints This game is going to be a lot of fun. I'm picking this game because the Saints are tied with us in terms of record, but the Packers hold the tiebreaker. The Chiefs need a win to stay ahead of the Steelers in the AFC side. Kansas City is probably the best team in the league, and I appreciate Patrick Mahomes for his contributions in fantasy football, even though I didn't make the playoffs. I expect points, and obviously Drew Brees being back with the Saints will help out. The Saints don't have the best secondary, and will lose in a track meet. Chiefs 70, Saints 51.

Bet the over? I think you underrate the Saints defense, which is actually pretty good. I think it's a closer game than you do. Chiefs 28, Saints 27.

Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out.