Benster and D Pick Your Games----We are On Assignment Edition

We are on assignment this weekend, and won't have a ton of time to have this be up to our normal standards. 

We have no time, dude.

It is time to watch me work.

Beloved Wisconsin Badgers (-7) vs. Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat Should be a physical game, but even with this game up here, Badgers should win because of their defense having a point to prove. Badgers 28, Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 14.

Sounds good. Badgers 27, Gophers 10.

A School In Columbus (-8.5) vs. Michigan Hail To The Victors This game should be close, but unfortunately won't go the way my heart wants it to go. Buckeyes 16, Wolverines 13.

Screw both these teams. Ohio State 31, Michigan 19.

Los Angeles Rams (-1) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers Need to block Aaron Donald somehow, but Lambeau should be the equalizer despite Stafford having cold weather experience. The bye week is coming at the right time. Packers 42, Rams 17.

It will be much closer than that. Packers 24, Rams 21.

Minnesota Vikings (+3) vs. San Francisco 49ers Vikings need to block well against the Niner pass rush, and hopefully what happened on Wednesday gets resolved as best as it can. Niners 21, Vikings 0.

Vikings don't need distractions. They are a distraction most weeks. Niners 24, Vikings 13.

Enjoy your football this week. Ben out. 

Benster and D Pick Your Games----Can't Celebrate Yet Edition

I laughed out loud when I saw that Cheat Carroll blamed the officiating for his team losing to the Packers. He doesn't appreciate the irony in that statement. Sure, the refs are to blame for your offense getting shut out. I've got some great oceanside property in Oklahoma to sell you as well.

He's a beauty. And in the rearview mirror

We move on. The Packers are up here to face off against the Vikings, and the Badgers are looking to take the next step towards getting to Indy. 

It's not a long drive, but it's a very long way.

I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYYPPPEEEEE!, and it is time to watch me work.

Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat (-7) vs. Indiana Wants Me, Lord I Can't Go Back There P.J. Fleck has some explaining to do after what happened in Iowa City. Iowa tried to hand the Gophers the game, but the Gophers couldn't take it, and all of a sudden the natives are a bit restless around here. I was told two years ago that the Gophers had turned the corner after that Penn State game, but now it seems like some people are getting off of the rowboat. Indiana has just been a complete dumpster fire all year, and they are probably the worst team in the Big Ten this year. It's really surprising considering they are the defending Big Ten East champions. That's not a typo, by the way. Indiana won that division fair and square before Kevin Warren changed the rules at the last minute to benefit the Buckeyes. Decisions like that is why I want the league to bring in a better commissioner. The Gophers won't be looking ahead to the Axe game by any means, and they should avoid a trap game. Or will they? Indiana Wants Me, Lord I Can't Go Back There 27, Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 9.

Well, if you're gonna quote it, ya gotta play it:

Lord, we can't go back there. But Indiana is back to playing bad football. Gophers are streaky, but they should have enough muscle to win this game. Gophers 27, Indiana 19.

Nebraska Cornhuskers (+9.5) vs. Beloved Wisconsin Badgers Last week was easier than expected against the Purple Nerds, which I can appreciate, especially not seeing them again for a while. Bucky looks like they are peaking at the right time of the year, and it's clear that whatever issues existed in the early part of the year have largely been figured out. But this won't be an easy game on Senior Day. Nebraska has been very competitive in a lot of their games. I know that the Big Tuna said that you are what your record says you are, but Nebraska is better than their record indicates. But thankfully the Badgers can ride a dominant defense and a more confident Graham Mertz to a victory. I also want to apologize to Mertz. I was very critical about him and advocated for a change, but he's made me eat my words. Badgers 31, Tom Osborne Ain't Walking Through That Door 14.

It definitely helps to play Rutgers and Northwestern instead of Notre Dame and Michigan. Having said that, the Cornhuskers are talented. But they tend to be dumb in key moments and Adrian Martinez is the football equivalent of former Cub great Shawon Dunston, an eternal rookie doomed to making the same mistakes over and over and over again. And he'll do it again on Saturday. Badgers 28, Nebraska 13.

Michigan State Sparty The Spartans (+18.5) vs. A School In Columbus Ohio State is another team that has improved since earlier in the year, and C.J. Stroud has largely quieted a lot of the critics. This won't be an easy game in the Horseshoe. Mel Tucker was a surprising hire to replace Mark Dantonio, but he has made them a contender again. The temptation for the Buckeyes is to look ahead to The Game next week, but they won't overlook the Spartans. I think Ohio State will win, but it won't be smooth sailing. #NotMy2020BigTenChampions 38, Sparty 34.

Sparty has been a nice story this season, but I'm not convinced they are a good team. Ohio State, on the other hand, is. Ohio State 38, Michigan State 21.

Glorious Green Bay Packers (-1.5) vs. Minnesota Vikings The Packers really had a statement win last week. I know that Russ was clearly rusty and you can argue that he came back too soon. But shutting down Metcalf and Lockett to that degree was very impressive. What Joe Barry has done with the injury challenges he's had to work with has made people like me who were confused about his hiring have to eat major crow. The Vikings are also coming off an impressive win after what happened to the team last week. I'll be honest with you, this game is going to played on November 21. I would dearly love to have the Packers win as a birthday present on Sunday. Don't screw this up, Packers. This is going to be a close game, but one that I feel like the Packers can win. That's including that the Vikings are a textbook case of the desperate team at home. By the way, I'm still not going to discuss any of Aaron Rodgers and his comments regarding the vaccine and his decision to immunize himself. Packers 24, Vikings 19.

Can the Packers make Kirk Cousins panic? That's the key. The defense will do what it can to slow down Dalvin Cook, who has done some very nice Chuck Foreman imitations over the last few seasons, but if you work too hard to stop Cook, that sets up the Viking receivers. It all depends on the offensive line. I think the Packers win, but it's going to be a nailbiter. Packers 26, Vikings 24.

Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out. 

Benster and D Pick Your Games----Vikings Turmoil? Edition

Remember when everyone was saying that the Packers were in turmoil last week? Turns out that the Vikings might have some problems of their own.

Do you hear the Vikings coming?

It's bizarre. I never thought that I would be typing out that Dalvin Cook is in possible legal trouble, and that Dakota Dozier is in the hospital after his positive COVID test. 

Embrace the suck, Grasshopper.

Nah, I'd rather not. Instead, I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYYPPPEEEEE!, and it's time to watch me work. 

Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat (+4.5) vs. Iowa Hawkeyes This is a game that both teams need to win to keep pace in the race to Indy. I've been very critical of Row The Boat Fleck over the years as I feel that he pushes his own brand over the Gopher brand, combined with how he doesn't acknowledge that the Gophers were successful on the field under the Kill/Claeys regime. That statement can be debated, and I will admit that Fleck does get results. What can't be debated is that Fleck has won a combined 1 game against Wisconsin and Iowa. He's also never beaten Iowa, and that needs to change if Fleck wants to avoid falling victim to the John Cooper experience. John Cooper won a lot of games at Ohio State, but had a very poor record against Michigan. A lot of Buckeye fans still hate Cooper for that reason only. Last week the Gophers lost a game in disturbing fashion to Illinois. Iowa struggled to put Northwestern away in Evanston last Saturday, but were able to get it done in the end. With this game being at Iowa City and ending under "Kinnick At Night" conditions, look for Iowa to win as they are the "desperate team at home" that we like to bring up around here. Hawkeyes 24, Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 16.

The Gophers have not won in Kinnick for a long time now. . . checking notes. . . 1999. That's a long time ago. Only a handful of the players on the field were even alive in 1999. So should they care about that? Not really. What they should care about is the Iowa defense. Iowa 19, Minnesota 13.

Northwestern Purple Nerds  (+24.5) vs. Beloved Wisconsin Badgers Speaking of the Purple Nerds, this game worries me. Look, I know that the Badgers are playing really great football right now, and that Northwestern isn't very good. But all Badger fans know that Northwestern gives Wisconsin fits every single year no matter the circumstances. I don't know why, but Pat Fitzgerald always seems to have teams that match up well against Wisconsin. Wisconsin looked great against Rutgers, but are a bit banged up coming out of that game. This game is going to be ugly Big Ten football, but the Badgers should get it done after a couple of scares. Badgers 31, Purple Nerds 17.

Northwestern is getting better on defense, which makes this a closer game than it might be otherwise. But the Badgers will win. Wisconsin 28, Northwestern 10.

Minnesota Vikings (+3.5) vs. Los Angeles Chargers This game is going to be U.S. Bank Stadium West, as the Chargers have no fan base. Seriously,  just go back to San Diego. Maybe that could take some of the sting off the collapse the Padres had. The Vikings have had a very bad week. Dalvin Cook might be in legal trouble, but as of this writing hasn't been charged with anything or had the league finish their review. Combine that news with the Vikings having issues related to the virus, I would guess game preparation has been disjointed to say the least. I also want to question why the Vikings are playing a road game in LA after playing on the road in Baltimore last week. That is a bad piece of scheduling, as they could have combined the game against the Chargers with either the Niners or Cardinals games. The Chargers are leading a crowded AFC West, and are going to need to win to keep pace. Go Back To San Diego 45, Vikings 24.

Every Minnesotan in the LA area could be in the stadium on Sunday, but the Chargers are getting used to that. Will Dalvin Cook play? Signs point to yes. Will the Vikings defense show up? Not so sure. Tough one for the locals. Chargers 33, Vikings 24.

Seattle Seachickens (+3.5) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers  First of all, this analysis assumes that Aaron is going to rejoin the team tomorrow. Jordan Love did give the Packers a chance against Kansas City, but couldn't get it done. Love isn't blameless, as Maurice Drayton's special teams were a complete disaster and cost the Packers at least 9 points. I also believe that Matt LaFleur shouldn't have gone away from the run as much. The good news is that if Aaron can't rejoin the team tomorrow, Love will have had a full week of preparation and will get to play an equal opponent at home. The Seahawks are still in dire straits despite getting Russ back, although his return is much to my delight in fantasy football. I've had terrible injury luck, as I drafted Russ, McCaffery, and Chris Carson. I'll be curious to see how much rust Russ has, and to see how he is going to be throwing the ball with that hand of his. I'm still not going to discuss what I think about Aaron doubling down on his comments to Pat McAfee, as I don't want this post to turn into a debate about the vaccine. But what I will say is that Aaron has lost a lot of trust and credibility that he has to make up to a lot of people. Packers 42, Seachickens 24. 

Just so you know, no one cares about your fantasy league team, young fella. But anyway, the last time the Seahawks won at Lambeau was. . . checking notes. . . 1999. It's gonna be cold and maybe snowy at Lambeau. Russ will not be happy. Packers 28, Seahawks 17.

Enjoy your football this week. Ben out. 

Benster and D Pick Your Games---Can We Stop Being Team Turmoil Edition

 Just when you think the Packers have gotten through a crisis, then they find new ways to make headlines. What are you doing Aaron? 

He's horse deworming. All the cool kids are doing it, doncha know?

Somewhere the 1993 Oilers are thinking that there is too much drama on the Packers. That is not something I thought I would type on Tuesday night.

Life moves fast, young fella. As do narratives.

I know. Despite it all, I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYYPPPEEEE! and it is time to watch me work.

Illinois Fighting Illini (+14.5) vs. Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat The Gophers are still in control of their own destiny, and can make that new contract they gave PJ look good. Illinois confuses me. They lose to UTSA at home, but win in Happy Valley? This is going to be a physical game, as we all know that Bret Bielema likes to play bully ball, and the Gophers have been grounding and pounding all year. With rivalry games looming in the distance for the Gophers, they mustn't fall into a game that looks dangerously like a trap game. Or will they? Illinois 21, Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 10.

If this game were down in Champaign, it would definitely be a trap game. But I don't see it happening here. Gophers roll. Minnesota 34, Illinois 13.

Beloved Wisconsin Badgers (-13.5) vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights There were a lot of questions about what happened to the Badgers in September. Well, they have figured some things out. Braelon Allen looks like he will be the next lead back in Madison, and the defense is still getting into the Iowa backfield. Rutgers is getting better. Greg Schiano knows how to win at Rutgers, and don't forget that they will get a full share of BTN revenue coming down the pipe. This won't be easy, but I think if the Badgers can follow the formula then it can be a win and then they can move on to the next test. Badgers 35, Buttgers 15.

I think the proper form of insult is Butger, but I digress. The Badgers haven't been to Piscataway for almost a decade; it appears Melvin Gordon was on that Badger squad. Badgers defense will hold the Scarlet Knights to minimal points. Wisconsin 24, Rutgers 3.

Minnesota Vikings (+6) vs. Baltimore Ravens The Vikings laid a gigantic egg last week on national television against the Cowboys. The clock management by Kirk Cousins and Mike Zimmer at the end of each half was just disgraceful, and the tackling on the third down conversion by Zeke in the fourth quarter was inexcusable. Baltimore is going to be a tough out, as Lamar Jackson is going to be ready to go and the Ravens are looking healthier this week. What the Vikings should do is to open up the offense and rely on Kirk Cousins a bit more. Where is Justin Jefferson? The guy has been a major bust for me as a fantasy owner. The Vikings were handed a route back into the division thanks to events in Green Bay, but they have two tough games lined up between that showdown. I like Baltimore to win at home to keep pace in the AFC North, and if the Vikings lose badly, then it's time to give Mike Zimmer and Rick Spielman the Lane Kiffin treatment on the tarmac. Ravens 38, Vikings 14.

Given the weirdness of the Vikings this year, I'm almost tempted to pick them to win this one. But I'm going to resist that temptation. The defense has had too many injuries and Lamar Jackson is too dynamic. Ravens 31, Vikings 24.

Glorious Green Bay Packers (+7) vs. Kansas City Chiefs After the thrilling win in Arizona last week, everything was looking up for the Packers. The team was getting healthier, we would have the full offense back for a showdown against Patrick Mahomes, and the drama that has been evident for months but would be over. But instead, 12 had to lie about being vaccinated and double down on said lie, and now everything is in jeopardy. But not quite. Jordan Love will get plenty of help, and he will have a healthy Davante Adams back, and the defense is getting healthier. This Packers team is a very tough team, and is more than just Aaron Rodgers. I'm not touching what Aaron said in his interview with a 10 foot pole, as I don't want to turn this into a political and ethical discussion. The Packers will rally around Love, and if they can pull off a win on the road with a bunch of guys out, then they can win one game without Aaron. Call me a delusional homer all you want, but the Chiefs have looked very suspect this year on both sides of the ball. Packers 28, Chiefs 21.

Not delusional, but simply wrong. Chiefs are not a juggernaut, but I think they are the proverbial desperate team at home. And that will be the difference. Chiefs 31, Packers 23.

Whatever punishment the league hands out to Aaron and the Packers, we deserve it. Ben out.