Benster and D Pick Your Games----Packers Have Some Explaining To Do Edition

 You know it isn't good when I have some words for the Packers over last week. The Badgers are excused because they didn't fold at Spartan Stadium and lost because Sparty won it entirely on merit. And nobody on the team is excused from criticism.

Not around here. The Benster is a noted hanging judge.

Roy Bean had nothing on the Benster, except a better hat

Are you capable of cultural references that don't go back a half century?

Based on the available evidence, no.

Jeez, chug some Geritol, wouldya? Meanwhile the Gophers are facing what might be the most important road game of Fleck's tenure in Happy Valley against a Penn State team that is probably going to come out angry.

Whiteout at Beaver Stadium? That should be fun.

I am feeling the HYYYYYYYPPPEEEEE! and ready to pick some games. Watch me work.

Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat (+5.5) vs. Penn State Nittany Lions So the Gophers aren't out of the picture in terms of getting to Indy, but last week was a discouraging game in Champaign. The big question is if both Tanner Morgan and Sean Clifford are going to play. Also of note is that the Gophers are going into the Whiteout tomorrow night, and Beaver Stadium turns from a very tough place to play to another level. I expect that both teams are going to be desperate, and while I can see the Gophers winning, I revert to the classic theory of this feature. When in doubt, go with the desperate team at home. And this game isn't downtown. Nittany Lions 28, Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 21.

Gophers have a chance; they are a veteran team and they know how to play. Penn State is tough to beat under those circumstances. The psychology is key here. Fleck fancies himself a master psychologist, but he's not dealing with Mr. Carlin from the Bob Newhart Show here. Penn State 31, Minnesota 23.

Purdon't Spoilermakers (+1.5) vs. Beloved Wisconsin Badgers You can't blame last week on Allen's fumble, as there was plenty of plays that led to the result. Big credit to Graham Mertz for getting us to overtime. Purdue is a lot better than expected, but over the years they haven't beaten Wisconsin ever since Scott Starks forced the fateful fumble in Ross Ade in 2004. What the Badgers are going to need is a better performance from Mertz throughout the game, and to channel what we saw against Northwestern. Badgers 31, Spoilermakers 10.

Best chance Purdue has had in years, as you say. Won't matter. Badgers 34, Boilermakers 24.

Glorious Green Bay Packers (-4.5) vs. Washington Gridlocks So last week was the worst performance by a Packers team at Lambeau I have ever seen, and I attended a game where the quarterback matchup was Famous Jameis and Brett Hundley. But that will be for later for pacing reasons. Washington has been in the news for other reasons as Dan Snyder is somehow still an owner of a NFL franchise. When the Gridlocks are more corrupt than the federal government, you know that is bad. Taylor Heinicke will get the start, and I'm sure that the Gridlocks front seven will be looking to get some pressure on Aaron. This game is one that the Packers need, and they will get it. If they don't get it, I might have to do something that I really don't want to do. Packers 42, Gridlocks 0.

Something you really don't want to do? Being realistic? Packers are a mess right now. Either they are playing possum or the wheels have come off the wagon. Better get that Commanders line blocked or it's gonna be ugly. Packers 24, Washington Whatevers 21.

Bear Down Chicago Da Bearz Still Suck (+8) vs. New England Cheatriots Since the Vikings are on bye and the Vikings approved KFAN personalities like Dan Barreiro and Nordo will get a week off from getting the KFAN listeners to drink the false hope Kool-Aid, we can talk about the true archrival of the Packers. Da Bearz are still spinning their wheels, and Justin Fields has gone from the savior quarterback who would allow the Bears to run the North to another bust. It's almost like someone could have seen that coming. New England looks like they will get Mac Jones back for this game, but it's clear that the Patriots are deep in a rebuild. You really hate to see it. It's obvious by now that the Hoodie was carried by Gisele's husband, and can't win without cheating. If the NFL owners are so concerned with Dan Snyder's misdeeds, why is the Hoodie still allowed to coach? He has been caught breaking NFL rules multiple times, and Chicago will be checking for deflated footballs according to a news story that came out this week. This ain't NASCAR, where cheating seems to be encouraged. Why am I talking about NASCAR? I don't watch whomever can complete hundreds of circles faster in a car. New England should win, but it's time to kick the Hoodie out of the league if he's caught cheating again. Patriots 24, Bears Still Suck 0.

I actually wish the Bears well. It won't go well. Patriots 17, da Bearz 7.

And now, it's time for a Very Special Comment. You know things are bad for the Packers when I turned the stream off in the 4th quarter last week. This team is deeply flawed, and a couple of people deserve a ton of scrutiny.

Aaron, I love you. But you are holding the team hostage and still think that you can win the game by yourself like you could a few years ago. Father time is undefeated, and you need to trust the offense. Last week, I saw Aaron keep going for the downs every time instead of taking what was presented to him. You have two good running backs, and you don't need to carry the offense as much. Trust the playcalling, and take the short stuff. You have too much power on this team, and I'm worrying that you are turning into late stage Big Ben, where the Steelers didn't transition gracefully because they couldn't move past a franchise icon. It would also be good if you were easier on the rookies on the outside, and just let the offense come to you and pick your spots. You are a captain and leader, it is time to act like it.

I don't think that LaFleur is doing a good job in using his best weapons. Aaron Jones hasn't been getting a lot of touches, which considering he might be the best weapon we have on offense is a bad look. If you are considered this offensive guru like everyone says you are, adjust your playcalling. Run the ball more, and take the ball out of Aaron's hands for a bit. I expect more from you, and you've let me down last week. A head coach is supposed to get the most out of his talent, and he hasn't. The defense looks soft, and you need to tell the defensive coaches to tighten that crap out. In fact, you should consider stopping calling plays for a game to get more involved on defense. 

I said in January that 2021 might have been the last chance with this core. I wished that was wrong, but I was wrong. If this team misses the playoffs, it's time to consider everyone for replacement and rebuild. 

I agree 100% That's a first, I guess.

You're capable of learning, Old Dude! Who knew? Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out.