Remember when the NFC North was called the deepest division in NFL history? Yeah, that take didn't age well. And thankfully, I got a working laptop again, so my brilliance will flow stronger than ever.
If you do say so yourself. I dunno. Philly is a tough place to win. The Rams played well. I wouldn't minimize what the Packers and the locals did this season, but yeah, Detroit needs to represent. That's called foreshadowing
The NFC North can go and join the SEC in the overhyped in 2024 party. You can see Greg Sankey and SEC hype men Clay Travis and Paul Finebaum looking upset at the buffet.
Is it the breakfast buffet at the Drury? Because that's usually pretty good.
No, and besides you know you're not supposed to eat all those biscuits. And trust me on this - where Sankey, Travis and Finebaum eat is more likely a place where everything is deep fried. But enough food references - I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYYYPPEEEEEEEE! and ready to pick some games. Watch me work.
Houston Texans (+8.5) vs. Kansas City Chiefs I think that I speak for most of America when I am begging for someone to beat the Chiefs. The Patriots may have fallen into a rebuild, but the idea of the Patriots wasn't killed. I think that the Chiefs are like the 2011 Packers. The record is very impressive, but the Chiefs have needed either some Mahomes magic or some late game mistakes by their opponents to get that record. The Texans are a sneaky good outfit. They looked great against the Chargers, and I think that Stroud is ready to take the next step in his evolution as a star. Remember, the weather isn't going to be great in Kansas City tomorrow. I trust Joe Mixon to be the difference maker. Texans 36, Chiefs 29.
I would love that, but I don't see it happening. Cold weather will work to the advantage of the Chiefs. I think Stroud learned some things this year that will help him be a top echelon quarterback in the league in the future, but as a group the Texans are not there yet. Chiefs will win this one. Chiefs 27, Texans 17.
Washington Gridlocks (+9.5) vs. Detroit LOLions I think Dan Quinn should be getting more consideration for Coach of the Year. Don't get me wrong, KOC winning is something that I can agree with. The argument for Quinn is that a defensive minded coach was able to have Jayden Daniels become a star, build a great culture, and show that there is a chance that his career isn't defined by 28-3. The Lions are going to be a lot healthier, and are a year wiser with the playoffs. The thing is, Dan Campbell has to show that he is willing to manage the game better if things get tight. I'm not saying that he is a bad coach, as he has delivered the goods. What I do question is whether can he learn from the decisions he made against the Niners last January? If the Lions lose, then the NFC North might be the biggest bunch of paper tigers in NFL history. 3 double digit teams and an 0-3 playoff record would be terrible. Also, Detroit isn't a cursed sports city. The Red Wings and Pistons have been winners in my lifetime, and the Tigers have made a couple of World Series. Hail To the Commanders 45, LOLions Gonna LOLions 0.
Uh, no. Love you to death - you are my son after all - but that pick is ludicrous. The Lions are in Detroit and they have been the best team in the NFC consistently all season long. They are getting healthier, as you mentioned. The Commanders are a nice story, but they are not going to go into Detroit and win. Lions 31, Commanders 17.
Los Angeles Rams (+6) vs. Philadelphia Eagles So I talked to Mrs. D, aka Mom. She is a Vikings fan, and she said that she was surprised at how easily the Rams were able to get to Sam Darnold last week. I agree with her, and think that the Rams winning that comfortably was jarring. The Eagles made more plays than the Packers, who needed to play a perfect game last week to have a chance. Sadly, that a terrible performance by the players and coaching staff. I think that the Eagles are a team that is getting a bit slept on. They have Super Bowl experience from 2 years ago, and I feel like they match up well against any opponent on the NFC side. While the Rams are going to be up for this, the Eagles are just too well rounded. Eagles 31, Rams 17.
Hey, it's a sensible pick! I knew you had it in you! I could see the Rams giving the Eagles a game, but their defense is quick and small. That worked against a banged up Vikings offensive line, but it won't work against the earth movers in Philadelphia. And at some point, Saquon Barkley is going to break one. And that will break the Rams. Eagles 27, Rams 19.
Baltimore Ravens (-1) vs. Buffalo Bills This game is going to be a lot of fun. Both Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson are on a mission, and these teams are very exciting squads. Sean McDermott has been through the ringer the past couple of years thanks to suffering some brutal playoff losses, and he seems to have made some adjustments to his coaching style that have paid dividends. Josh Allen is a great player to have in your corner when you need magic, and I feel like with the Bills having home field advantage, they are going to finally win a big postseason game with the magic going in their favor for once. No more 13 Seconds, a game Bengals team, and a brutal miss by a kicker this time. Nobody Circles the Wagons 35, Ravens 34.
I don't have anything against the Ravens per se, but I'm tired of them. Buffalo has been on the verge of breaking through for a while now and it's time they do so. The only thing that makes me nervous is that the Bills defense is kinda ordinary and the Ravens can score. But it's at home and the Bills fans will be crazed. And Lamar Jackson, for all his brilliance, has a propensity to cough up hairballs, too. Bills 31, Ravens 27.
A School In Columbus (-8.5) vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish, in Atlanta I love that there is no SEC team in this game once again despite the fact this game is in the heart of SEC country. You really hate to see it. I am going to say this very bluntly about Ohio State. The fans who melted down after the Michigan game and insulted this team and coaching staff are not true Buckeye fans. I don't want to hear any fan who insulted the players, Ryan Day, or the coaching staff celebrate anything about this team. Ryan Day is a coach that 99% of college football programs would kill to have, and this Buckeye team has had to deal with a loud minority of fans that have decided to hold them to a standard that not even Woody Hayes could match. For those Ohio State fans that have supported this team all year long and have not engaged in that behavior, you are the true fans and deserve this. Those that haven't shouldn't be watching on Monday.
Notre Dame has been very impressive. After a loss to NIU that looks worse every day, they have rallied. And remember, Marcus Freeman is in his third year as the coach of the Irish. The last 4 coaches at Notre Dame who have won a national championship did so in their 3rd year. I am no fan of the Irish, but I think that it would be deserving for a fanbase who supported their coach and team when the going got tough. Domers 26, Buckeyes 12.
Could Notre Dame win? Sure, I can see a scenario where it happens. Will they? I am skeptical. Ohio State has been crushing everything in its path since that Michigan loss and the win in Dallas was particularly impressive, because that was a very hostile venue. The Buckeyes have unbelievable skill players, as always - I would expect both of their top running backs and at least three of their wide receivers to be playing on Sundays in the future. They have a dominant offensive line and a nasty defense. Notre Dame can't match that. I think Freeman is an excellent coach and is building something that will wake up the echoes soon, but Monday is not the day. Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 24.
Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out.
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