Video Dilettante, or something less than a Bicentennial Minute

 It's an experiment. And we need to do more than just turn this feature into a tout sheet for the Benster. So here goes. About 1 minute, completely off the cuff, and with only a modicum of stammering:

Benster and D Pick Your Games----We Need To Talk About Saturday Edition

 No, I'm not salty at all about what happened on Saturday. Yes, I'm still here. 

You posed for this, right?

Vintage. That was what you used back in the 1890s, right?

As far as you know.

I will have some words about the Packers, but I have an axe that is being sharpened. I hate to do it, but honesty is the best policy in this case. 

Honesty is tough sometimes. But there's little need for diplomacy at this point. The season is over for the Packers and it wasn't good. So what else?

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

Cincinnati Bungles (+7.5) vs. Kansas City Chiefs Needless to say, the Bengals have been the story of the year in the NFL. Zac Taylor took a lot of heat for his performance; it looked like the Bengals might have made a horrible decision to hire him. But it turns out that Joe Burrow can breathe new life into teams named after Tigers in the NFL level as well. Obviously, the Chiefs are probably the favorites now for the Super Bowl, and Arrowhead is rapidly turning into the proving ground for the AFC that Foxboro was for so many years. As much as the Chiefs winning wouldn't be too bad, a Bengals victory would be a real feel good story. I mean, if the Bearcats could get into the playoff, why can't the Bengals reach the Super Bowl? Bengals 28, Chiefs 14.

Why indeed. Cincinnati has been playing very well in the second half of the season and this could be a tremendously entertaining game, as the Chiefs are sporadic in their defensive efforts. The Bengals aren't quite as dynamic as Buffalo, but I see a high-scoring affair coming at Arrowhead. Chiefs 38, Bengals 33.

San Francisco 49ers (+3.5) vs. Los Angeles Rams I'll be fair to the Niners. Even though the Packers had their chances to win, the Niners did enough to win. Soon, this will feel like the 2007 NFC title game. The Niners have gotten this far, and will have to go through a tough opponent to get to the Super Bowl. The biggest challenge that the Niners have is that they will have to beat a good team for the third time in a season. The Rams survived an epic collapse, and major kudos for knocking out Tom Brady and avoiding another Super Bowl where he graces us with his presence. Matthew Stafford is trying to write a Hollywood ending for the Rams, in what might be the most important game the Rams have played in Los Angeles. If the Rams win, then they could make LA take notice of them in a similar way to the Dodgers and the Fakers. I like the Rams in this one, as you wonder how many bullets the Niners used up in JerryWorld and in Lambeau. Rams 45, Niners 18.

For what it's worth, the Niners kinda own the Rams. They've won, what, six in a row? That seventh one will be tough to get, though. I am not convinced that Matthew Stafford is going to do what is needed to win, but he may not have to. Another home game in the Super Bowl, I think. Rams 27, 49ers 24.

And now, it's time for a Very Special Comment. First things first, the Packers defense is excused from what is to follow. They did more than what could have been expected of them, and set the Packers up for success with multiple clutch stops. Only giving up 6 points in situations that they could control is great. But enough nice words, it's time to level some critiques. I take no pleasure in doing this, but I wouldn't be a real fan of this team since 2002 if I wasn't critical. And this is in no particular order. 

Special teams was a complete failure, and Maurice Drayton needs to be fired or leave of his own accord yesterday. Two blocked kicks were inexcusable, and how can you just let guys come up the middle on both of them? Once, I understand. But twice? And on the blocked punt, why didn't anyone cover up the punt? It was too easy for the Niners! All year long, special teams was an issue, but no matter the makeup of the unit it seemed to struggle. The front office needs to go find a great special teams coach, and give said coach all the resources he needs to succeed. 

Aaron, what was that? You played probably the worst game of your career in a game that mattered. Maybe if you stopped spending time with your buddies Pat McAfee and Joe Rogan, you could have played better. If Davante was covered, throw it to someone else. You asked the front office for Randall Cobb, and Cobb was there and healthy. Allen Lazard was on the field. You had options. If you were patient and took what the defense presented you instead of going for the downs, then you would have won. You have been a big distraction all year. I want you back, but you need to learn some humility. I defended you offline, but this is how you repay me? 

Matt LaFleur may be a great coach, but this was ultimately a game that got away from him. This is the first time under his tenure that he was horribly outcoached and failed to provide leadership. After the blocked punt, he should have gathered the team and made it clear that the Packers were still in the game. He also should have told Aaron to not try and win the game by himself, and to be patient. I don't want LaFleur to be fired by any means, and he is probably going to win Coach of the Year. But what he needs to do is to be a leader and proactive. So many times when things go bad, this team goes into the tank. He needed to make adjustments, and get the ball out of Aaron's hands. Hell, he should have gone for it a couple times in the second half. If the special teams is trash, minimize their time on the field! Crap like that is why I got Rocco Baldelli vibes. For those that aren't into baseball, Rocco is the manager of my beloved Minnesota Twins. Rocco seemingly is slow to adjust over the course of the game and not get the bullpen up when a pitcher is struggling. LaFleur needs to learn from this game, or the fanbase will want him gone in a few years. 

You wanna know the worst thing? We might be going into the wilderness again. I wouldn't be surprised if Gutey blows this thing up. All of the past decade has been a waste of talent, just like the Saints and Steelers. We should have made at least two Super Bowls, and won at least one of them. Then, at the very least the pain would have been worth it. I'm not abandoning the team or my fandom. At least the Packers care about winning and have given me fun memories in the playoffs. We will be back if this is indeed the end, and new success will be had. Unlike the Twins, but that's another blog post for another day. 

Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out. 

Benster and D Pick Your Games------Packers Are Healthier Edition

We were on assignment last week, so that explains why there were no picks last week. 

Well, I was in St. Louis and apparently there's no football there.

It is arguably the best weekend of football all year. The two best teams in the NFL come out to defend their home fields. 

I am assuming one of them is about 240 miles to the east?

You need to ask? I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYPPPEEEEEE! and it is time to watch me work.

Cincinnati Bungles (+3.5) vs. Tennessee Titans What a world we live in where the Bengals actually won a playoff game. Fun fact, this is the first time that the Reds or Bengals advanced in a postseason since the Reds won in the 1995 NLDS. The Titans are coming off their bye, and they will end up getting Derrick Henry back for the playoffs. As much as what the Bengals are doing is very impressive, it's hard to look past the Titans. If Henry can shake off the rust, then the Titans should win in a comfortable manner. Titans 38, Bengals 24.

I think the Titans can be had, but they are an exceptionally tough-minded team. They seem to win the games they are supposed to win. This is one of them. Joe Burrow wounds them but does not kill them. Titans 31, Bengals 26.

San Francisco 49ers (+5.5) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers This is a rematch of the Packers beating the Niners in the Bay Area during Week 3 thanks to Mason Crosby kicking a game winning field goal. The Niners have gotten better since their swoon in November, as they have discovered a winning formula in using Deebo Samuel and getting back to the physicality that led them to a Super Bowl berth two years ago. The Packers have had the bye work to their advantage as a lot of the injuries have healed, meaning that even without MVS being available, this is the healthiest this team has been in months. Even better, the weather forecast is going to be cold, which won't be much fun for Jimmy G and his injured shoulder. I think the two keys are going to be how the Packers contain Deebo Samuel, and how the Packers respond to a Trey Lance package that is similar to what the Niners threw at them in Week 3. I also want to thank the Niners for allowing America to laugh at the Cowboys melting down and causing the bandwagon Cowboys fans to jump off the bandwagon faster than those same fans did with the Golden State Warriors. This won't be easy, but the Packers should win a fairly tight game. Packers 27, Niners 17.

Does this game make me nervous? Sure, but I don't think the 49ers offensive line is nearly as dominant as it was in 2019. Meanwhile, the Packers are substantially stronger than they were in 2019. It's worth remembering that the Packers have won their last two matchups with this opponent and have been able to move the ball effectively. The 49ers will try to play bully ball, but it's not going to be that easy. I think the Packers score early and often and withstand the inevitable comeback. Packers 33, 49ers 24.

Los Angeles Rams (+3) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers This is a rematch of a game played earlier in the year in which the Rams comfortably beat the Bucs in LA. In an interest of full disclosure, I didn't watch the Bucs beat the Eagles due to being on assignment, but it looks like I didn't miss much. The Rams had a comfortable win over a Cardinals team that is clearly all sizzle and no steak. Kliff Kingsbury is that guy at your workplace that you wonder what does he actually do to warrant all the praise he gets from the bosses. The Rams can match up well against the Bucs. Look, as much as I think that the Bucs will win, I would love to see Tom Brady not get back to the Super Bowl. And no, it's not because of a certain playoff game last year. Rams 21, Bucs 20.

Tampa Tom is lacking a few weapons this time around. They don't have their pounding running back (Leonard Fournette) and their possession weapon (Chris Godwin). If Jalen Ramsey can handle Mike Evans, the Rams can win this game. While picking Matt Stafford over Tom Brady doesn't seem advisable, I believe the Rams will pull this off. Rams 28, Bucs 24.

Buffalo Bills (+1.5) vs. Kansas City Chiefs This is a rematch of last year's AFC title game, in which the Chiefs beat the Bills handily. But the Bills are a better team than they were last year. They took the Patriots to the woodshed last week, and it was more impressive than the Chiefs beating a Steelers team that snookered a playoff spot away from more deserving teams. Even the most delusional of the Yinzers would agree. While it is true that Patrick Mahomes has looked better in recent weeks, the Chiefs have gotten away with some narrow escapes at Arrowhead in the past few postseason games in Kansas City. That changes this weekend. Nobody Circles The Wagons Like The Buffalo Bills 42, It's The Rodgers Rate, Not the Patrick Price 0.

Uh, no. This should be a great game, but there's no way the Buffalo defense shuts out Patrick Mahomes in his building. Up and down the field, all day long. Last team with the ball likely wins. Chiefs 41, Bills 37.

Enjoy your football this week. Ben out.  

Benster and D Pick Your Games----Zimmer's Last Ride? Edition

Old dude, it's quite possible that the Mike Zimmer era could be ending against the Bears at US Bank Stadium on Sunday. But I thought that the Vikings were going to win last week? Even the KFAN approved Vikings hosts like Meatsauce, PA, and Bumper to Bumper told me so. 

What did that damned Benster write about me this week?

Now you're just trolling, Benster. But that's okay. Trolling is fun. And yeah, Zim appears to be dead coach walking now.

You love to see it. You also loved to see the Packers clinch home field a week early. 

It does make things more comfortable. But that's a double-edged sword. The last time the Packers came in feeling fat and sassy, the Saints handed them their asses.

True. But know this much -- I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYYYYPPPEEE! and am ready to talk about some games. It is time to watch me work. 

Bear Down Chicago Da Bearz Still Suck (+5.5) vs. Minnesota Vikings Remember when Bears fans claimed that the NFC North was run by the Bears? Pepperidge Farm remembers. Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace should stick in their jobs. I've said it before, they have done a great job running the Bears. As for the Vikings, I'll be talking more about Kirk later, but testing positive wasn't Kirk's fault. All credit to the Vikings fans for being just has hard on Kirk as they were on Aaron earlier in the year. I wouldn't be surprised if both teams go in different directions on Black Monday, but who would be the right people to lead a rebuild? This game is going to be a bit odd. Nobody has anything to play for, and I think it might be slightly more open than most people think. Vikings 26, Bears 23.

It puzzles me a bit, but the Bears seem to be playing better the last few weeks. Maybe the team wants to save Nagy. I agree -- I'm all for it. The Bears haven't had a real GM since Jim Finks and we won't belabor the quarterback jokes. As for the Purple, last week's performance was, well, pathetic. I can't prove the team quit on Zim, but it sure seemed that way. I should pick the Vikings here, but it feels like the Bears are more motivated. Therefore, Bears 24, Vikings 20.

Glorious Green Bay Packers (-3.5) vs. Detroit LOLions Meanwhile, the Packers have nothing to play for. It might have been a strange journey, but the Packers have the top seed clinched, and have the luxury of choosing to be careful. I personally would have sat Aaron to give him another week of rest for the toe, but that would have insulted Hub Arkush. When Mike Florio calls you out for hating on Aaron, that is something. I was also glad to see that some of the injuries are starting to heal, and that the Packers have fresh legs. This game has worried me for about a month. On an intellectual level, I see that the LOLions are terrible. But they have clearly fought hard for their coach, and played a lot of teams tough. In Week 2, they gave the Packers a lot of problems in the first half at Lambeau. I think the Packers will win, but it won't be easy, especially when the regulars get their bye week started. Packers 31, LOLions 17.

If you had told me at the beginning of the year that the Lions would look like the second most stable franchise in the division by the end of the year, I wouldn't have believed you. But here we are. The Lions are set up well for success for the first time in, well, 65 years. Extra draft picks and some nice pieces in place; if they don't blow it completely, the Lions could rule the division in a few years. But then again, they are the Lions. Packers 28, Lions 24.

Georgia Bulldogs (-2.5) vs. Alabama Crimson Tide, in Indy Oh great, another SEC vs. SEC title game that nobody asked for. The only redeeming factor to this Big Ten loyalist is that this game will be in Big Ten country, which is something that I have been advocating for years. If college football is to grow and prosper, it's time that the Big Ten get the chance to play games in locations favorable to us and our fans, who have been good soldiers in traveling to SEC, ACC, Big XII, and Pac 12 country for bowl games for years. Georgia laid an egg in Atlanta a month ago, and I'm sure that Kirby Smart has been very clear about reminding the Bulldog players of  that fact. It is hard to beat a good team twice in one season in college football. As much as I want both teams to lose, that isn't possible. If Georgia wins, then at least someone new wins, which could be healthy. If Georgia loses, then at least Bulldogs fans can console themselves with the Braves? Hate Feeds the Dawg 35, Can't Nick Saban Retire Already 34.

I agree -- it's not good for the college game if the SEC keeps dominating, but it's up to the other schools to get better. Georgia looked like a complete juggernaut against Michigan, but they have a mental block where the Tide is concerned. Can they break through? I'd like it, but. . . . Alabama 38, Georgia 29.

It's time for A Very Special Comment, and it's not another rant about why the SEC is evil or why they will rue the day they invited the Longhorns into the league. The Vikings are at a crossroads, and it's clear that Kirk Cousins is at the center of it. Now, I'm not a Vikings fan, and I have no emotional attachment to Kirk. That being said, Mike Zimmer and Rick Spielman haven't done a great job in giving Kirk the best chance to win. Zimmer clearly has struggled to keep offensive coordinators, even allowing for losing two to head coaching jobs. John DeFilippo wasn't the right fit, but he was hired in part to improve the offense, and they showed promise. He was right to hand the keys of the offense to Kirk, and to attempt to build an offense around what Kirk does best. Zimmer just wants to run the ball, and as we saw at Lambeau when that fails he is screwed. Also, how come Kirk doesn't have full control of the two minute drill? If Kirk is at the level of an Aaron, Brady, and Mahomes, then he should get more trust in him. Klint Kubiak is a nepotism hire, and the offense is a pale imitation of his dad's. Justin Jefferson might force his way out, as he seems frustrated with the offense at times. 

Rick Spielman has been around since the Triangle of Authority days. While it is true that Spielman has drafted plenty of great players, he hasn't done a good job in getting Kirk the help he needs. Spielman can't draft offensive linemen, and seems to draft a ton of defensive backs in recent years. That is despite defense not being the problem for the Vikings. He also should have told Zimmer in no uncertain terms that Kirk was brought here to get the Vikings over the hump because he thought that Case Keenum couldn't. As much as Vikings fans hate to admit it, the Packers show what can happen when you build around a quarterback when you want to get over the hump. They hired an offensive coach to work with Aaron, got him more weapons on offense, and have improved their relationship with the quarterback since the summer. Why can't the Vikes do the same?

I don't usually say much about your Very Special Comments, but in the case I'd simply observe that Spielman has picked a bajillion defensive backs because that's what his head coach wanted. And I would also add the Packers have spent more draft capital on defensive backs than any other position in recent years, mostly in vain. Having a great quarterback cures many ills and the Packers have had consecutive Hall of Famers. Having grown up with David Whitehurst and the petrified remains of John Hadl, I remain eternally grateful for the efforts of ol' number 4 and Mr. Rodgers.

Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out.