Benster and D Pick Your Games----LOL Tampa Bay Edition

 Lots of readers want to see me melt down over what happened last week in the Horseshoe. That is the subject of another post that will require research and the rest of the season to play out in order to get a better set of data. All I'm going to say now is that if the Buckeyes don't win a conference title, I got something special planned. You've been warned.

Wait a minute -- we have lots of readers?

I was also glad to see that the Packers beat the Bucs in Tampa despite having struggles on offense. And seeing the Bucs make a hilarious mistake at the end was the kicker. You really hate to see it.

Well, I don't.

You are a little bit literal minded, aren't you, Geritol Fan?

All in the service of the bit, Seabiscuit.

You be you, old dude. Although I'd rather not think about what that's like. But no matter -- I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYYPPPEEEE! for this week, and it's time to watch me work.

Purdont Spoilermakers (+11.5) vs. Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat So the Gophers ended up passing their first test in league play pretty comfortably. Now, them being ranked at 21 in the latest AP poll is low. Outside the top 10, you can make a fair case. But outside the top 20? They should be ranked ahead of Texas A&M, who should be doing a lot better with both the guys they have and their coach, but that is a conversation for another blog post. Purdue is okay, but they are road underdogs for a reason. The Gophers should roll and maybe move up depending how the rest of the picture plays out. Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 42, Spoilermakers 14.

Purdue is okay. Were the game in West Lafayette, maybe it would be different. But the Gophers have something going right now and as long as they don't believe their press clippings, they'll be fine. Minnesota 34, Purdue 20.

Illinois Cheating Illini (+7) vs. Beloved Wisconsin Badgers So the good news is that the Badgers won't be the last team to see that scoreline in the Horseshoe this year. There were many takes about the state of the program, and quite honestly everything should be considered and nothing is immune from possible changes. This game marks our old friend Bret Bielema returning to Camp Randall. Now, Bret did a lot of good things with Wisconsin. He won 3 consecutive Big Ten titles, and did a good job as Barry's chosen successor. But how he left Wisconsin left a bad taste in a lot of people's mouths, and he probably will get booed and for good reasons. Wisconsin needs to get back to basics, and I think against a much fairer test they should win fairly comfortably in a way that might be #karma. Badgers 31, Illini 10.

Good lord, have you seen Bert lately?

He's an ordinary Joe with a extraordinary Joe

He's gotta go four bills. I really am worried about him, actually. The man can coach, though, and frankly the Badgers have to be careful here. I think Bucky bounces back, but it won't be easy. Wisconsin 28, Illinois 17.

Minnesota Vikings (-3) vs. New Orleans Victim Complex, in London Old dude, who let the Vikings come to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the home of your beloved Tottenham club? The Vikings dodged a massive bullet against the Lions thanks to some clutch throws by Kirk and some awful game management by the Lions. The good news for the Vikings and my fantasy team is that Dalvin will be good to go, and it is the start of what Vikings fans like to call "Kirktober", where Kirk plays really well for a month and fuels the delusional dreams of Vikings fans, who forget 60 years of history and start to believe that they might actually not choke in the clutch like they do every time they have the chance to do something. The Saints are in desperate straits and are really banged up. If this game was in the Dome down in New Orleans, then it would be a different story. Or will it? You Wasted Drew Brees 31, KFAN Whine Line Will Be Lit 0.

Uh, no. The Saints have an unbelievable number of injuries. While I think Spurs may want to fumigate their stadium after these teams come calling, it won't be because of the Vikings. Minnesota 33, New Orleans 16.

New England Patriots (+9.5) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers That was a narrow escape from Tampa, but that win was vital on a day that the Packers didn't play well. Even better, the Packers will be getting a lot healthier with only Jaire Alexander being a question mark. As for the Patriots, they are going to be without Mac Jones, and are in danger of being cut adrift in the AFC. But the Hoodie will find a way to keep the Patriots in it. I'd imagine that he will try and take away Jones and Dillion and force the Packers to win matchups on the outside in the passing game. The Packers should win, but this will not be easy. Packers 26, Patriots 21.

The hoodie is a challenge, no doubt. But remember what the coaches say -- Johnnies and Joes beat Xs and Os. And this is the least talented Patriots team in the past 25 years. Packers will win and cover. Packers 31, Patriots 14.

Kansas City Chiefs (+1) vs. Tampa Bay Bucs Before we get into the main point of picking this game, there is one serious message to share. If you can, please donate to the relief effort in regard to Hurricane Ian. Lots of people in the Tampa area and beyond could use your help, and may everyone in that area be safe and in a good place. 

And now we get to return to our regular programming. God, it was awesome seeing Tom Brady, the Bucs coaching staff, and the scoreboard ops team make mistakes that no self-respecting high school team would make at the end of the game. If the Bucs knew that you needed to go for 2, the failure to not have a play ready for the conversion is unforgivable. What makes it even more hilarious is that they got extra time on the play clock because the touchdown had to be reviewed, even though it was clear and obvious. What makes it even funnier is that Brady isn't some rookie quarterback, and he knew the situation. Get your team lined up! If you are the GOAT, you should be able to do that simple requirement of your job every single time. And to add the cherry on top, the Bucs were dumb enough to show the play they had dialed up on the scoreboard for the Packers to see. And the real crappy part is that the scoreboard ops people will take the blame for that instead of the real culprit. If I were the Bucs, I would bench Brady for this game for taking the delay of game. I'm serious, by the way. The Bucs fired Bruce Arians to keep Brady happy, and it's his team. And all of Brady's enablers in the media will just sweep it under the rug and blame Todd Bowles and Byron Leftwich for this. It's time for Brady to finally take some accountability and have his ego be brought back down to size. The Bucs shouldn't have lost that game on a fundamental error by a quarterback who ain't the GOAT. 

Brad, pick up the white courtesy phone.

As for the actual game, the Chiefs are struggling on offense. But I think that Mahomes and company will come out swinging. And then maybe the Bucs can miss the playoffs and Brady can finally stay retired and go to the Fox booth where he belongs. Chiefs 45, Bucs 28.

Bucs are damaged. Chiefs aren't necessarily at full strength, either. But I agree, the Chiefs are the better team. The difference? This will be a lower scoring game than you think. Chiefs 27, Bucs 20.

It's great to see Brady take a L in a hilarious way. Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out!