Benster and D Pick Your Games-----Vikings Still Live on the Edge Edition

 So the Vikings ended up once again riding their luck and winning another one possession game. Now, that doesn't mean that they are frauds by any means, but just remember that 8 of their 9 wins have been close ones. Luck might be the residue of design, but you don't get lucky over 20-21 games in the NFL every time.

So their luck will run out? Perhaps. But give them credit for winning all those games. It's impressive.

Hey, I'm just stating facts. But 9-2 is 9-2.

Who are you to dispute Chevy Chase?

I am Benster. I dispute everything. Meanwhile, I am feeling the HYYYYYPPEEEEEE! and ready to pick some games. Watch me work.

Michigan Hail To the Victors (+7.5) vs. A School In Columbus Well, the Buckeyes and the Wolverines both need this one for obvious reasons, as the winner will get a trip to Indy and the inside track to getting into the playoff. Ryan Day is doing something that he hasn't done yet, which is coach against Michigan in Columbus. I have some words about some of the crazy stuff I've seen on the web from delusional fans on both sides, so you have been warned. Ohio State wants to claim that they don't get run over, but in some ways Michigan has nothing to lose. And Buckeyes fans, you better hope that your team wins on Saturday. I have something special planned if you fail to win the Big Ten, and that something special won't be fun. With their injuries and being on the road, Harbaugh gets a free hit here especially considering he has the Ohio State monkey off his back. I think history repeats itself, and then Ohio sports talk radio is going to be lit on Monday. Michigan 35, Born On Third and Think You Hit A Triple 21.

I have a difficult time watching either team, but they are so far ahead of the rest of the conference it's ridiculous. Big 2 and Little 12 now. I think Ohio State wins, mostly because they have the home field, but it's gonna be close. Ohio State 34, Michigan 30.

Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat (+3) vs. Beloved Wisconsin Badgers The Gophers losing last week was a coaching loss. I've praised PJ, but you cannot be one dimensional at home. This is year 6, and every single Gopher is someone that you recruited. The Badgers were incredibly lucky to get out of Lincoln with a win, but a bowl game has been secured. While the head coaching position will have to stay open and some interviews will be done in accordance with state law, Jim Leonhard should get the job unless some objectively brilliant coach wants to come to Madison that the AD can't refuse. By the way, the Big Ten not overturning that crap targeting call on Herbig was weak. Kevin Warren has already shown himself to be inconsistent with how he enforces the rules before. I think that the Badgers will get the good Mertz, and the Axe is coming back home. Badgers 20, Gophers 10.

Gophers are one dimensional, but that dimension is pretty impressive. Mo Ibrahim is a hell of a back and the Badgers have been completely inconsistent all season. But yes, I think they win on Saturday. Defense will be stout and hold the Gophers down. Badgers 24, Gophers 17.

Glorious Green Bay Packers (+6.5) vs. Philadelphia Eagles Last Thursday was not good. Joe Barry's idea wasn't bad to stop Derrick Henry, and he had to work to get his yards by and large. But where was the pass rush and the adjustments? As I said before the Cowboys game, Barry gets almost complete control of the defense, and he doesn't use his best weapons even allowing for injuries. Look, this is going to be hard. And how come 12 waited to admit his thumb was broken? But lest we forget, the Packers have had a good record against the Eagles since the start of the 2010 season, and won the last time they were in Philly. Call me a delusional homer all you want, but this game is going to be closer than you think. Packers 42, Eagles 21.

Closer than you think and the Packers double the score? Maybe you want to check with Chevy Chase again about the math. Anyway, I don't see it. We now know one reason that Aaron Rodgers has been crappy this season -- a broken thumb on your throwing hand is not conducive to being an NFL quarterback. While I'm not entirely convinced that the Eagles are a great team, they will have enough to beat the Packers in Philadelphia. Eagles 28, Packers 20.

And now, it's time for a Very Special Comment. So let me begin by saying that the vast majority of Ohio State fans are perfectly reasonable people who aren't complete crazies and they are exempt from what I am about to say. Every team has their delusional homers, and I should know as I am a 100%, no-doubt about it delusional homer for the teams I support. I also get a lot of grief for suggesting that coaches should be fired for failure to win championships, but there are some morons who think that if Ryan Day sees his record against Michigan fall to 2-2, that he should be on the hot seat. Yes, actual people think that a coach who has only lost 4 games in total and 1 game in conference play coming into this week should be on the hot seat for the crime of dropping to a record of .500 against Michigan. 

I realize that John Cooper got a bad rap for losing to Michigan too much and saying that it was just another game. I understand the whole mentality of winning a championship or the season is a failure mentality from the Packers, but at some point I rationally expected that you can't win a Super Bowl every year. Buckeye fans, I'm going to say something right now that you won't like. Tomorrow is just one game in the grand scheme of things. Ohio State's  season isn't going to be a failure no matter what happens. They will have had a better season than almost everyone else in the country, and that should be celebrated. At the end of the day, while this game is important to the Buckeyes and Wolverines, there are other games that are important around the country to other fans. The Axe game ain't the biggest game, but it's no less important to the people of this area. Same with USC and Notre Dame, and all of the other rivalry games this weekend. Everyone in Ohio and Michigan needs to remember that this game has been blown up to a level that I think is unhealthy. Every single player that takes the field tomorrow at the Horseshoe is someone's kid. I hope that if the Buckeyes lose, that those crazy fans do something that they will regret online or in person. Everyone needs to relax surrounding this game for the greater good.

Wait, the Benster goes for the voice of reason gambit? Dang, didn't see that coming.

I told you it was a Very Special Comment. Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out. 

Benster and D Pick Your Games-----Emergency Vikings Thanksgiving Mandated Edition

 Old dude, I normally mock the NFL for playing on Thursday, but Thanksgiving is a tradition. Glad to see the Vikings host a game against New England, but the Vikings all of a sudden have issues. I was by US Bank Stadium tonight running an errand, and I think the tire marks from the truck that the Cowboys ran over the Vikings are still visible from the freeway.

It was a thoroughgoing demolition, no question of that.

Where do you find these videos, Geritol Fan?

A long life and lotsa memories.

I don't need memories like that! Don't worry, Brad. While I did take vicarious joy in seeing the Vikings getting stomped on, the Vikings will be fine. The rest of the NFC North is a complete tire fire, but we will talk about the Pack later on. 

In the kingdom of the blind, the one eyed man is king. 

I am feeling the HYYYYYYYPPPEEEEEE! and ready to do some picking. Watch me work.

New England Cheatriots (+2.5) vs. Minnesota Vikings So one week after the Vikings proved themselves and passed the test in Buffalo, the Vikings look mortal. You know things went horrible when CBS cut away from a Cowboys game to show a more competitive game. The biggest problem is that the Vikings are going to be shorthanded on the offensive line, and the Patriots can get pressure very easily. The Hoodie is a serial cheater who should have been banned from the NFL, but the guy can coach and he has a plan on this short week. The Vikings should win comfortably at home, and this crisis should be averted. But remember that these are the Vikings we are talking about, and I thank my lucky stars that I limit the pain of Minnesota sports that I feel to the Twins. Patriots 29, Vikings Gonna Vikings 19.

I assume two things about this game: first, Hoodie will take away Justin Jefferson; and second, Kirk Cousins better have his head on a swivel. The one thing the Vikings have going for them is that New England is offensively challenged; there's no one on that team with the offensive skills the Cowboys demonstrated the other day. I think the Vikings win a close one. Vikings 17, Patriots 13.

Have a good Thanksgiving. And if relatives start arguing over politics and other family drama, feel free to watch football. Ben out. 

Benster and D Pick Your Games----Vikings Are For Real Edition

 We welcome you back to our regularly scheduled HYYYYYYYYYYPPPEEEEE! Joe Barry should be on the unemployment line, but to discuss that disaster is for another date and time.

I'm okay with that. Rather not think about it. I try not to think about root canals, either.

As much as I mock KFAN for their Viking triumphalism, after what happened in Buffalo I have to admit that the Vikings are for real. So why are they a home dog against Dallas?

Well, it's less about their relative merit and more about getting people to bet on the game. Gotta keep Caesars buying those sweet, sweet ads. 

That makes sense. I'm ready to pick some games. Watch me work.

Iowa Hawkeyes (+2.5) vs. Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat The Gophers are in contention to win the Big Ten West, but there is one problem that PJ has. He has never beaten Iowa, and despite what he is selling you, beating Iowa is something that matters to the Gophers. Iowa is better offensively lately, and their defense can keep them in games. Sorry Gophers, get ready for another failure to beat the Hawkeyes. Even if Tanner Morgan plays, I don't see them winning even though the game is up here. Iowans 30, Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 10.

No one wants to see Iowa win this game, but it is indeed the sort of game Iowa tends to win. They are opportunistic and they don't make mistakes. Our man Fleck is trying to build something similar here and he's done a lot of that, but it always seems to come a cropper when the black helmets come to town. Will it happen this time? Gophers 24, Iowa 14.

Beloved Wisconsin Badgers (-10) vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers Bobby Engram's playcalling last week was atrocious. I get that the Iowa defense is tough, but throwing the ball constantly was a terrible idea. Nebraska is going to hang tough, but they are easier to run on, and the Badgers are going to go into Lincoln with a point to prove. Jim Leonhard should get the job permanently, as the worst kept secret in the program comes out. It would also be a good move for the Badgers to report all the tampering to players already in the program that has been going on in recent weeks to the NCAA and the Big Ten. If both organizations don't do anything, then call them out publicly and release all of the evidence. Any school that has tampered with our players should face harsh punishments and be charged with not fostering a climate of compliance with NCAA rules regardless of how much of a cash cow they are. Badgers 35, Tom Osborne Isn't Walking Through That Door 14.

Big time college football is a dirty business, young fella, and the recruiters are now able to essentially tamper at will. It doesn't mean anything and NIL has changed everything. While it happened way before either of us were born, Michigan stole Elroy Hirsch from the Badgers. It was during the war and there were extenuating circumstances, but you can look it up. I am not convinced that Braelon Allen will want to do the same thing, but the incentives are certainly there. As for the game itself, Nebraska remains what they have been for the last decade -- muddled. Badgers have to have this one and they'll get it. Badgers 28, Nebraska 20.

Dallas How Bout Them Cowboys (-1.5) vs. Minnesota Vikings Before last week, the Vikings weren't considered a Super Bowl contender because they had played an easy schedule, played in a trash division in the NFC North, and had flunked badly in their road test against a Super Bowl contender. After last week, the Vikings should be regarded as a legitimate contender. That was the type of game that in all honesty the Vikings would have lost in the past. Don't lie, Vikings fans. I will admit that I was dead wrong about the Vikings last week and don't mind eating some crow. Meanwhile, the Cowboys are stuck picking up the pieces from their worst collapse since Matt Flynn's comeback from 26-3 at the half in 2013. You love to see it. I don't want to hear another word about the Cowboys being a Super Bowl contender. The Vikings won't have a letdown this weekend, and even though Zeke is back, I expect that the Vikings will continue to get the hopes of their fans up. Brad will probably call my advice if you like to gamble bad, but if you like to gamble, take the Vikings and get some easy money. Vikings 35, Cry Your Heart Out Skippy 24.

The Vikings hired out an expert for a pregame pep talk: 

So should we respect the Vikings? Maybe. I think they've had a substantial rabbit's foot and horseshoe combo going for most of the season, but as the great Branch Rickey said, luck is the residue of design. Perhaps this year the Vikings have the right design. Put it this way -- if Matthew Stafford can win a Super Bowl, then Kirk Cousins can, at least in theory. Beating the overrated Cowboys would help. Vikings 31, Cowboys 27.

United States (NL) vs. Wales, in Al-Rayyan, Qatar This World Cup is going to be a complete disaster. The European calendar is all sorts of screwed up, it's still too hot in Qatar, and the hosts bribed the corrupt blazers at FIFA to host this event. Speaking of disaster, the United States roster is just baffling to me. Zack Steffen is probably one of our best goalkeepers, and Berhalter doesn't include him? Ricardo Pepi has been in great form for Groningen, but Berhalter includes Jordan Morris as an attacking option? I realize that the USMNT golden generation is going to be at it's peak for 2026 here, but at least call up your best players. Wales is going to be at a World Cup for the first time since the 1950s, and Gareth Bale is going to be a tough ask. But I will back the US to do well. One more thing. Monday is November 21 on the calendar. Don't screw this up for me, lads. Even though England and Iran will be interesting matches in our group, this will be important to get 3 points. United States 3, Wales 2.

I have no idea. I do know the U.S. is getting better at the Beautiful Game. And I'll agree with you, because you actually follow this stuff. USMNT 2, Wales 0.

Enjoy your football of all kinds this weekend. Ben out. 

Benster and D Pick Your Games---Emergency Jeff Bezos Mandated Edition

 Is this week Thanksgiving? No, that's next week. But because the NFL has gotten in bed with Jeff Bezos in pursuit of greed, I guess the Packers have to play on Amazon this week.

Well, it's not the worst website. And it usually comes in okay. By the way, I noticed you were a bit salty last week. Have you calmed down a little now that the Cowboys left town?

Yeah. It turns out I should call for people to get fired every week. That was a backs against the wall performance, and all of a sudden the Packers are back in the mix. You love to see it, and the haters can pound sand. And after I pick this game, I have to roast the Cowboys. Oh, and don't worry Brad. We will discuss the Vikings in our regularly scheduled HYYYYYYPPPEEEEEE!

Let's be gentle with Brad. He might represent up to half of our fan base these days.

That's a good point. We do love you, Brad, even if you defend the twisted KFAN Empire a bit too much. But we'll get back to that soon enough. It's time to talk about Thursday Night Football. Watch me work.

Tennessee Titans (+3) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers The Packers were up against it on Sunday, but at the hour of greatest need, Christian Watson finally put the pieces together to show why the team traded up to get him, and Rudy Ford made the most of his chance to keep the game close in the first half. The short week is going to help the Packers, because the positive momentum can be put to use, and we get the mini bye to rest up for the trip to Philadelphia. The Titans have been pretty good, but they are beat up with injuries and Ryan Tannehill has taken a step back ever since he had the nightmare playoff game against the Bengals. But the Titans shouldn't be overlooked. The key is going to be if Derrick Henry can be slowed down, and the Packers can protect Aaron from a great Titan pass rush. I think they can. Packers 27, Titans 13.

You've seen Derrick Henry, right? He's not especially subtle. And he's been at it for a long time. Here's some footage of a very young Henry trying his hand at rugby:

Now, having said that, the last time the Titans came to Green Bay the Packers did a very nice job on stopping the frightening Mr. Henry. So perhaps it will go well again. The key will be keeping the Titan offense off the field. While the quick strikes to Christian Watson were thrilling to see, ground and pound is the order of the day. The Packers are capable of doing that. Will they? Packers 27, Titans 20.

And now, time for me to laugh at the Cowboys. God, it was great to be on the right end of Mike McCarthy not knowing how to coach. Calling a pass play when Tony Pollard was shredding us all afternoon just doesn't make sense. We tried to warn you, Cowboys fans. But we had an agenda and were told he had changed. Skip Bayless, it was great to see you face reality that your team was flawed. Aaron lives rent free in your head, and watching your show for the meltdown you had was great television. Every single year you hype up this team as a contender, but they fall flat. Long may it continue. 

Skip is pushing 70. That means he was a kid during the Lombardi era. I continue to believe those 1960s Packers traumatized him in a way that is almost pathological.

Speaking of pathological, we turn our attention to all the other haters of the Packers like Mike Florio, who were very quiet this week. Florio always hates on us and calls us out for crap that he would never call out other teams for, and to see him eat crow gives me great joy. Florio, you are a hack who lets your fandom inform your writing on your website. Just like other Vikings fans, you let the Packers live rent free in your heads, and in a classic Vikings fan move, you enjoy watching the Packers fail more than you enjoy seeing the Vikings win. I don't know what NBC sees in you, but if you can't cover every NFL team in a fair and objective manner, then you aren't a journalist. Unlike you, I'm not a journalist. You may have published a book claiming how the NFL really works, but there is a reason why the Packers fanbase hates you. You might want to think about why. 

I doubt he will take you up on that invitation, or even read this, but I'm glad you make that distinction. You are an honest shameless homer, a rare thing indeed.

It's who I am, Geritol Fan. It's what I do. Meanwhile, we will back to discuss some more games at our normal time. Ben out.

Benster and D Pick Your Games ---- I Have Some Words For Certain People Edition

That performance last week in Detroit was a complete joke. And I have some words for some people. You have been warned. This might get spicy. 

Uh-oh -- Ben is breaking it all out:

Pour on the flavor

Spicy, but certainly not salt-free. 

Oh, it's been salty all season.

Meanwhile, this week has the most important rivalry in college football. It's called the Bronze Turkey Game, not something else.

I'm going to call it something else for sure.

I am feeling the HYYYYYYYPPEEEEE! and ready to pick some games. It's time to watch me work.

Northwestern Purple Nerds Voodoo (+15.5) vs. Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat It wasn't easy sailing for the Gophers in Lincoln, but the Gophers got it done against the Huskers. The big question is who is going to start at quarterback between Morgan and his backup. But it shouldn't matter too much who Row The Boat Fleck chooses. Northwestern is horrible and won't pull off any of their nerd voodoo this week. But if they did, that would be hilarious. Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 56, Purple Nerds 0.

Northwestern is not good. They dragged Ohio State into the Ryan Field tar pit a bit last weekend, but that was a fluke. And Fleck can handle flukes. Gophers 38, Northwestern 7.

Beloved Wisconsin Badgers (-1.5) vs. Iowa Hawkeyes Last week went pretty well for the Badgers against Maryland despite the wind causing problems all day in Madison. Iowa has gotten back on track, but the Iowa offense still is a work in progress. Brian Ferentz only has the job because of nepotism, and long may it continue. This rivalry game is often decided in the trenches, and Iowa City is going to be a tough out as it has been in the past. The Badgers should win another physical contest. In fact, I even found a nature documentary.

You'll thank me later. Badgers 31, Hawkeyes 27.

Marlin Perkins will have none of that. Iowa, as usual, has an excellent defense, but they have an offense that is a crime against humanity. So your predicted score makes no sense. However, this one does. Badgers 14, Hawkeyes 12.

The Bronze Turkey Game: Monmouth College Scots (NL) vs. Knox College Prairie Fire This is one of the oldest rivalries in the history of the NCAA across all the divisions, and is the most important Knox game all year. Now, you can tell me that the inferior school down the road known as Monmouth has won 22 straight. You can also tell me that the Scots are trying to get a share of the conference title and potentially play in the D3 playoffs. But just remember one thing. This Knox team is at .500 and is competitive, and streaks are made to be broken. No matter what happens, I graduated from the better school. Once, when I was eating in the cafeteria at Knox, I got myself a salad. Monmouth gave me a degree in nutrition with highest honors. Knox 31, Scots are Trash 0.

Ah, it's the Turkey Shoot! And Knox is hitting the ground like sacks of wet cement! It won't be that bad, of course, but if you see any helicopters over Galesburg, you'd best find cover. Monmouth 42, Knox 17.

Minnesota Vikings (+3) vs. Buffalo Bills So the Vikings are Super Bowl contenders according to the KFAN Vikings Politburo, the Pravda of the Minnesota sports media. As much as I would normally laugh at the Vikings enablers in the media, they have a point. But now they have to go to Buffalo, a Super Bowl contender as well. We all know what happened in Philly back in September, but there is a twist this time. Josh Allen's status is up in the air, and the Vikings could be looking at Case Keenum. Yes, the same guy who was the author of the Minneapolis Miracle, where I have to remind you that that single play covered up the Vikings blowing a 17 point lead, allowing the Vikings and their fans to disrespect the Eagles and get smoked the next week. But I digress. The Vikings can quiet the doubters, but this will be difficult. Nobody Circles The Wagon Like the Buffalo Bills 24, Vikings Gonna Viking 10.

I don't know what will happen, but if the Bills win the game on a last-second Keenum to Diggs touchdown pass, I will laugh my butt off. Vikings have won all the close games this year. Not sure they can sustain that, even if they aren't looking at Josh Allen this week. Bills 24, Vikings 19.

Dallas How Bout Them Cowboys? (-4.5) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers So last week didn't go well, and I have words for certain people. The good news is that some of the wounded will go, and this game wasn't flexed out because of the ratings the game will get. Mike McCarthy returns to Lambeau for the first time since we fired him in 2018. Despite the ending of his tenure, McCarthy did win us a Super Bowl among other great things, and he is the best coach the Packers have had in my lifetime after Mike Holmgren. The Cowboys are good, but there is good news for the Packers. McCarthy still makes bonehead decisions at times, and has wasted talented Cowboys teams. This is the last chance saloon, and the Packers have nothing to lose. Just like in 2009, the Packers were in dire straits facing the Cowboys at Lambeau, and won that day. Skip Bayless is going to be a fun watch on Monday. Packers 38, Cowboys 24.

I so want to pick the Packers. I really do. But they have no receivers available, their offensive line is a mess and they have lost about three key contributors on defense. And Dallas comes in healthy with something to prove. And so they shall. Cowboys 31, Packers 20.

And now, it's time for a Very Special Comment. There are four indviduals who need to be on the hot seat in Green Bay. This list isn't in order, as all four men are culpable in some way. 

Aaron Rodgers, you need to put down the bong and produce. You are getting paid 50 million a year, and you have gotten the organization to bend to your will. You haven't been good with the young receivers, and you had a pathetic performance against the Lions. You knew that this season was going to be about getting used to your weapons without Davante. Maybe instead of spending the summer going on every single damn podcast and playing golf with Gisele's ex, Allen, and Mahomes, you should have attended OTAs and worked to get on the same page with your weapons. You are becoming late stage Brett. You are the leader of this team, and goddammit, you need to start acting like one instead of bitching to the media. This might make me a wanted man, but it's time to strongly consider moving on from Aaron and giving someone else a shot to play quarterback. Maybe Love, or someone else. 

What's not to Love?

Pay no attention to the old dude -- this is my comment. Matt LaFleur's decision making last week was some of the most baffling I have ever seen from a Packers head coach. Four trips to the red zone, and not a single point came out of any of those trips? Calling a tackle eligible pass on 4th and goal? Not telling Aaron to just pick up first downs on the last drive instead of going for the downs? Still not running the ball enough after being called out about it for weeks? That is snobbery, and this team ain't good enough. At some point, get back to basics first and master them before trying to prove how clever you are. He is falling into the same trap that Mike Sherman fell into in 2005. If the Packers miss the playoffs, he should be fired for his refusal to adjust to what he has and not maximizing the chances of success. That's his job, and what we hired him to do. Maybe it's time to take away Aaron's ability to change the plays, or have him give up calling plays. But he won't do it, and continue to bury his head in the sand as this team burns around him and he doesn't do the basic jobs as a head coach. 

Joe Barry, your defense was supposed to be the strength of the team this year. I get that there have been injuries, but there is no increased pressure, and we allowed a broken Jared Goff too much time, and were soft against the run. It turns out hiring the defensive coordinator of the 0-16 Lions wasn't a smart idea. Considering LaFleur basically hands the defense to you, I expect a hell of a lot better. Have fun being the yearly organizational sacrifice of a coordinator like Pettine Prevent, Shaun Slocum, and Maurice Drayton. You may want to polish up your page on the ol' LinkedIn.

Gutey, you are falling into the same traps that Tradedown Ted had. Some of these contracts have been questionable, and every unit somehow looks worse despite you continuing to follow the draft and develop mantra that this organization talks about. Failing to get a wideout at the deadline is weak sauce. I don't care what other teams were asking for, go and get them. This team is in a win now mode, and other teams have made moves at the deadline to improve. Instead of hoarding the draft picks, you should have offered the Steelers more than what the Bears offered for Claypool, or even gone after someone similar to him. You should be fired, and it's time to go outside the Ron Wolf tree. And no, John Schneider is not leaving Seattle. Those draft picks you saved? Maybe someone else will be using them.

Mark Murphy, you know what a winning culture is when you played in DC for Joe Gibbs in the 1980s, when you were athletic director at Colgate when they won consecutive Patriot League basketball titles with Adonal Foyle and Jack Bruen, and when you oversaw Pat Fitzgerald at Northwestern. Your job is to run the organization for the shareholders, and the refusal to make necessary changes means that I expect you to hand in your resignation effective now. Not in a couple of years, but now. You hired everyone I have mentioned in some way, shape or form. Bob Harlan changed everything when he made the right hires, and made the fans believe that we would get back to what the organizational standards are. The Packers are the team who has won the most championships, and have always strived to have the best of everything in the NFL where we can win championships, and that no matter who is in the key positions, that the high standards of the organization are being met. This team isn't meeting the Packers tradition of excellence. And if you want to know why, I can send you a mirror. 

It's time for all of those men I have mentioned to leave, and find people who can return this team to being in position to successfully get the 14th world title. Our number one goal every year is to bring the Lombardi trophy home. There is a cancer within the organization, and it needs to be purged now for the betterment of the team. I used to trust all 5 of those men, but no longer. I will thank them for their contributions to the Packers, but the fans and shareholders deserve better. Only a real fan would say that, even though it hurts. But truths need to be addressed. 

Okay. I am not sure you can fire everyone, but I understand why you feel the way you do. I am glad you weren't around for the 1970s and the 1980s, because there was only false hope. We'll see what the rest of this year brings.

Fair enough. Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out. 

Benster and D Pick Your Games-------So I Was Wrong About the Packers Edition

 Well despite a pretty good second half, it turns out that the spirits who told me that the Packers won were from a different dimension all right. It's onto Detroit for the Packers.

A reminder about the nature of spirits appears to be in order. Take it away, Orson Welles!

I'm not saying you were channeling your inner Welles, young fella, but ya know...

Fortunately, I wasn't around for that. Ahhh, the French! What the heck is that, anyway?

I'd like to see an updated version with Paul Finebaum, actually.

Funny you should mention that. Finebaum and the rest of the SEC shills are already in overdrive hyping up Georgia and Tennessee this weekend. Just wait until The Game on Thanksgiving weekend for a Game of the Century.

How can we have a Game of the Century every year?

You're thinking too much, Geritol Fan! Have some Paul Masson, maybe? Otherwise, get with the program, because I am feeling the HYYYYPPPEEEEEE, and ready to pick some games. Watch me work.

Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat (-14.5) vs. Nebraska Remember The 1990s Huskers Remember when Scott Frost was going to return the glory days to Nebraska? It turns out that the delusional Huskers fans forgot that the only way the glory days were coming back to Lincoln was on VHS tapes. The Gophers were able to easily rout Rutgers last weekend, but are going to need a miracle to win the West. They should win in a hostile environment at Memorial Stadium, but this is the type of game that PJ has stumbled in before. Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 17, Tom Osborne Aint Coming Through That Door 10.

I don't know what to make of Nebraska, but they aren't that good. The Gophers aren't as good as they were advertised to be, but they should be good enough this week. Gophers 31, Nebraska 16.

Maryland Terps (+5) vs. Beloved Wisconsin Badgers Well, the Badgers have gotten through their bye week and look like they could be going bowling. The win against Purdue was mighty impressive, and getting Allen back healthy after the bye will be a big boost. Maryland is a team that has talent, but they are the team in the conference that is most often called enigmatic, because you never know who is going to show up. Tua's brother is a good quarterback, but I think the Badgers should win comfortably before getting in some rivalry games down the stretch. Badgers 42, Terps 0.

Terps will score. Can they defend? Not sure. The interesting thing about tomorrow is the weather forecast for Madison: 

Batten down those hatches, kids

I don't think an aerial circus is gonna work so well. Ground and pound, y'all. Wisconsin 31, Maryland 20.

Tennessee Volunteers (+8) vs. Georgia Bulldogs So obviously this game is going to be a huge one on a number of fronts. I believe that the winner of the SEC East will come out of this game, the SEC winner will come out of this game, the national championship picture will become clearer, and Hendon Hooker could take a big step to cementing his candidacy as the Heisman trophy favorite. Most people didn't think that the Vols were going to be this good, but they've answered every question and looked very impressive offensively against Alabama and Kentucky in particular. But the worry is that Tennessee has played all of their important games in Knoxville. This game is in Athens, and Georgia has plenty of big game experience befitting their title as defending national champions and a very decorated senior class. I think that the Georgia defense will assert themselves early and often, and the Vols will drop out of national title contention. Bulldogs 31, Vols 3.

The world has been waiting for someone named Hendon Hooker. Reminds me of one of my all-time favorite old NFL players:

Keep it Fair

I do agree -- Georgia has to be the favorite in Athens. Georgia 34, Tennessee 26.

Minnesota Vikings (-3) vs. Washington Gridlocks So the Vikings were able to win against the Cardinals as I predicted, even though Arizona was able to hang in there a lot longer than most Vikings fans would have wanted to. I don't know how much the Vikings will use their new toy TJ Hockensen, but they should be fine regardless. The Gridlocks are better than you think, and could hang in there a lot longer than Vikings fans will be admitting. I don't think they will lose, especially considering Chase Young is in street clothes. It's time to admit that the Vikings are certainly capable of a deep playoff run, which might scare some of the locals who know how that statement ends. But this team might be different. Vikings 27, Gridlocks 20.

I am not convinced -- yet. But maybe. The opportunity is there for the locals, because I don't see a dominant team in the NFC. The Eagles? Maybe. The Vikings are playing free and easy right now. That might be enough during the regular season. And it should be enough this weekend. Vikings 28, Washington 17.

Glorious Green Bay Packers (-3.5) vs. Detroit LOLions The Packers dug themselves too big a hole in the first half in Buffalo, but there were some encouraging signs. But the problem is that the front office seemingly sat on their hands at the deadline. Look, I know that it takes two teams to make a deal, and I'm not mad at the Steelers for taking what they thought was the better deal for Chase Claypool. But Gute, you have to at least get somebody. Gute needs to be fired, and honestly we need to get away from the Ted Thompson tree to bring a fresh outlook. The Packers are looking to be a bit healthier for once on the offensive line, and it looks like the running game was able to be effective. My message to the coaching staff and Aaron is to come out and run the ball a bunch early to allow Aaron to get some deep shots later on. I was also encouraged by some of the young receivers at least making some plays in the second half last week. This game could go either way, but I am more confident in the Packers this week. Packers 35, LOLions Gonna LOLion 24.

If the Packers can't win this week, it's over. They can win this week. But this is still not a good football team. Green Bay 21, Detroit 19.

Enjoy your football this week. Ben out.