Benster and D Pick Your Games -- So We Get Round 3 Edition

So the Packers get the chance to go back to Solider Field and get the rubber match. 

Bring it on.

 Meanwhile, the SEC is going to be out of the national title game again for the third straight year. You really do hate to see it. By the time this post goes up, will Miami get to play Oregon or Indiana? 

Here's a hint:

So, at least Dan Lanning can't go back there.

He may need to Google that Sadly, I was not able to regain my crown in fantasy football because despite having another good week, my opponent decided to drop 140 points. I know that nobody cares about my fantasy team, but this is the second year in a row I have lost the title game. 

No, that's okay, I care. I care deeply. Really, I do.

Sarcasm does not become you, Geritol Fan! I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYPPPPPPEEEEEE! and ready to pick some games. Watch me work.

 Los Angeles Rams (-10.5) vs. Carolina Panthers I'll be honest when I say that the Panthers have been one of the biggest surprises of the year. They have had a lot of turmoil, but all of a sudden they were able to win the bad NFC South and get the reward of playing a Rams team that lost that epic Thursday nighter in Seattle. The Rams have rebounded nicely after paying the price for their all in title win, and probably don't appreciate going across the country on a short week. If you remember, the Panthers won their earlier matchup. I believe that the Panthers are going to play their usual tough game to get the Rams into the mosh pit. But while Carolina is going to be determined, I believe that the Rams will gut out a tough win. Rams 21, Panthers 19. 

Carolina is sneaky good, but I suspect the Rams might be the best team in the NFC and they will handle business tomorrow afternoon. Rams 34, Panthers 17.

Glorious Green Bay Packers (-1.5) vs. Bear Down Chicago Da Bearz Still Suck So we all know what happened a couple of weeks ago at Soldier Field, and how both games between these two have been arguably been the game of the year. I was in favor of the Packers resting players because they have been too banged up in a similar fashion to 2016 where they had to chuck fringe NFL/UFL type guys to guard Julio Jones straight up. For Jordan Love and Caleb Williams, this is the game that they are going to be judged on. If you remember the 2010 NFC title game between these two teams, Jay Cutler's reputation never recovered from the unfair criticism he got that day. A Bears win won't fully erase that playoff loss, but this is a game that both Love and Williams can't lose. This Packer core that will play for the most part is the same as the one that made history two years ago against Dallas, and I like history repeating itself. Also, the Packers should have Jordan Love healthy for the entire game this time and the Bears can't keep relying on 4th quarter magic to bail them out of trouble again. Packers 21, Bears Still Suck 14.

The Bears themselves have been pretty quiet this week, but man, their fans have been insufferable. Perhaps the Packers have too many injuries, but I think they'll do well. The key guy is going to be Christian Watson. If he goes off, and I'm guessing he does, the Packers will move on. Packers 28, Bears 20.

Buffalo Bills (-1) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars While I personally think that Dave Canales should get Coach of the Year, Liam Cohen has also done a fantastic job. The Jaguars really have looked impressive, and in an AFC that is wide open given that the boogeyman of the AFC is at home they have a great chance. The problem is that Buffalo is experienced and is a team that is ready to take the next step. Josh Allen is at a point similar to Peyton Manning was in 2006. Allen has been brilliant and has revived the Bills, but hasn't been able to win the big one to this point in his career. With the Chiefs not being in the playoffs, this is a great chance for Allen to finally break through and win the ring that will silence all of the narratives forever. So while Jacksonville is a team that I like, Buffalo will use their experience to get this done. Nobody Circles The Wagons Like the Buffalo Bills 45, Jags 23. 

I think Jacksonville is, top to bottom, a better team. Buffalo has to go on the road and that will complicate matters further. While, I agree, nobody circles the wagons and all that, I'm thinking this one is where the Jags are overduuuuuuuuuuuuval. See, I can extend words, too! Jaguars 28, Bills 24.

San Francisco 49ers (+6) vs. Philadelphia Eagles Long time readers know that I am not a huge fan of Kyle Shanahan. I consider him a coach that while talented, is a coach who has not gotten it done for the Niners, despite having a loaded roster with Purdy on a cheap deal. This clearly has nothing to do with the Niners knocking out the Packers in the playoffs multiple times in the recent past, don't let that get in the way of this narrative. As for the Eagles, they somehow seem incapable of going a week without getting questioned despite being proven champions. This game is going to be a tough one, as the Niners lost their easy path to staying home all playoffs long after losing to the Seahawks last week. I like the Eagles to figure things out and finally let Jalen Hurts and their wideouts take them home. Eagles 35, Whiners 23. 

To be fair...

the 49ers have had some awful injuries, in some ways similar to what the Packers have gone through this season, and maybe worse. Philly is not the same team as last year, but they did not collapse down the stretch the way they did a few years back after winning a Super Bowl. I do believe they could return this year. To do that, they need to win this weekend And I believe they will. Eagles 27, Niners 19.

Los Angeles Chargers (+3.5) vs. New England Patriots The Patriots did the proper thing when Mike Vrabel was stupidly let go by the Titans and brought him back to New England to rekindle some of that old school vibes. These Patriots aren't as hated as the Cheatriots of old, and the only strike against Drake Maye in my book is helping Phil Longo get enough credibility to get a job with the Badgers. The Chargers are stuck in the cycle of good enough to make the playoffs but not do anything. With the AFC being wide open, New England should like their chances, but I like the Chargers to break through. Even though Jim Harbaugh can't win on a level playing field. Chargers 11, Patriots 8. 

Vrabel vs. Harbaugh is a fair fight. The Chargers are pretty good. The Patriots are better. Patriots 24, Chargers 16.

Houston Texans (-3) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Somehow, the Texans are not playing in the Saturday afternoon playoff game? Is nothing sacred in this world? The Steelers won their division last weekend on a crazy end of game sequence and I firmly believe that had the Ravens made that kick that Mike Tomlin would have been looking for work like John Harbaugh. It is nice to see Aaron back in the playoffs for the first time since he melted down in 2021 against the Niners. The Steelers haven't advanced in the playoffs since 2016 and that has been a big issue that the Yinzers have had with Tomlin. If Aaron can summon some of his old magic and the Steelers get enough splash plays from their highly paid defense, then I like the Steelers to win. Steelers 37, Texans 20. 

I hope this isn't the end for Aaron Rodgers, but I fear it will be. The Texans are a nasty group and while Rodgers is wily and will have DK Metcalf back, I think it's going to be too high a hill to climb. Texans 24, Steelers 13.

Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out.

Benster and D Pick Your Games---Is Graham Mertz On the Hotseat Edition?

 Old dude, the Packers are going to be the death of me some day. Can we please have a comfortable win for once?

Once again, I must remind you:

Even the thumbnail is gruesome! But I still don't think it's wrong to ask for a little less drama.

I appreciate drama, as opposed to Dramamine.

Okay, Geritol Fan. You might also notice there is a certain game in New England that people are talking about. You might have heard that Tom Brady has some history with the Patriots. 

Yeah, I think that's right.

I am really feeling the HYYYYYYYYPPPEEEEE! and it is time to watch me work.

Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat (+2.5) vs. Purdue Spoilermakers  I realize that I have no leg to stand on after what happened in Chicago, but the Gophers really crapped the bed against Bowling Green. Bowling Green isn't even a solid MACtion team, and P.J. Fleck has some questions to answer about his playcalling and quarterback choices from last week. Purdue is an interesting case, as they are a middling Big Ten West team, but quite frankly the Big Ten West looks really down after Iowa so far this year. The Gophers can play better, and I think they can win. But West Layfette is a tough place to play in this conference. Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 28, Spoilermakers 17.

This has heartburn written all over it. Purdue 24, Minnesota 22.

Michigan Wolverines (+2) vs. Beloved Wisconsin Badgers I know that the Badgers have played a very difficult schedule so far, and that things can be a lot worse. But that final quarter against the Irish was very disturbing. Graham Mertz for whatever reason has really struggled this year, and Paul Chryst has a lot to answer for in his play selections. I'm about out of patience with Mertz, and think a change needs to be made for the good of the team. As for Michigan, they seem to be doing better this year, though it must be noted that Washington is really down compared to what you would expect from the Huskies. The key to this game is going to be to get more creative, and see if Mertz actually shows up against a good opponent. Badgers 17, Wolverines 10.

Now or never, frankly. Mertz is playing more like Ethel Mertz right now. If the Badgers want to salvage something this year, it starts now. Badgers 24, Michigan 20.

Cleveland Browns (-1.5) vs. Minnesota Vikings  It's funny how things change after a week. Last week everyone was thinking that Zimmer would be fired and the Vikings were going to get blown up in the offseason. Now, the Vikings have some hope. I know that the Seahawks didn't play well, and it's fair to point that out. But give the Vikings some credit. They played very well defensively, and Kirk Cousins demonstrated that he can be the guy when leaned upon. But the Browns are going to be a tough out. They looked great against the Bears, and allowed us to laugh at Matt Nagy and his failure to prepare Justin Fields properly. You love to see it. Cleveland has a great offense, and I think that Kevin Stefanski wants to beat his old boss. I think the Vikings will play inspired once again, but this Browns team is better than the Seahawks, and is a sneaky pick to win the AFC. Browns 35, Vikings 21.

Don't clown with the Browns, pal. Just don't. Browns 24, Vikings 16.

Pittsburgh Steelers (+6.5) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers  There will probably be some Yinzers coming to Lambeau, and they haven't been happy about how the Steelers have been playing so far. Big Ben looks like he might be cooked, and the offense looks really bad. How exactly did this team go 11-0 to start last year? To answer that question, I need to hand it over to a Yinzer. Fair warning, there is some NSFW language.

The Packers almost gave me a heart attack out in Santa Clara, but were able to beat both the Niners and some questionable officiating. Seriously, no fine for a dirty hit in midair on Davante? The Packers are going to need another great performance from the offensive line, which looked amazing considering the youth and inexperience facing a great defense. The Steelers are great defensively, and I'm expecting T.J. Watt to play this week. Oddly, this is the first time Aaron and Big Ben are playing since Super Bowl XLV. This won't be easy, because the Steelers are never an easy out. But I like our chances to keep our foot on the gas. Packers 31, Days of Our Steelers 25.

I think the Packers have figured things out. They will handle Pittsburgh easily. Packers 28, Steelers 17.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-7) vs. New England Patriots  This might be the most hyped regular season game in the history of the NFL, and the most anticipated game to take place in New England since Game 3 of the 1999 ALCS between the Yankees and the Red Sox. For context, that game featured a pitching matchup of Roger Clemens, the former Red Sox ace against Pedro Martinez, the then ace of the Red Sox. I am excited for this matchup, for one simple reason. I've always wondered how the Hoodie would try and stop Brady, and we get to see what would happen. The Patriots are clearly rebuilding, and I feel bad for Mac Jones. He didn't ask to be put in this position, and we all know that New Englanders can be very demanding, especially as he has to face someone that New England adored for 20 years. Regardless of what happens, there will be hot takes for those hot take shows. The Bucs are too good, and Brady is too determined. Bucs 42, Patriots 10.

Belichick will have something for Brady. And it might work. But I'm not convinced the Patriots can outscore anyone. Bucs 27, Patriots 14.

Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out. 

Benster and D Pick Your Games---There are No Games Edition

 Old dude, thanks to the lack of NFL games of interest and utter incompetence of the Big Ten presidents and Kevin Warren, we are scraping the bottom of the barrel. 

Yeah, but Xavier won! And so did Irondale! And so did Washburn!

So you're doing high school football now? Are you Randy Shaver?

We've picked high school games before.

Right, but you have to pick them. We didn't pick any of those games.

Oh, I guess we didn't. 

Anyway, thanks for the update there, Shaver. Meanwhile, I ask again -- can Kevin Warren join Bill O'Brien on the unemployment line already? And when will Congressman Anthony Gonzalez run the league already?

Have they asked him?

No, but I'm asking him. That should count for something.

Good point. He really should be taking your calls.

You're finally figuring it out, old dude! I am feeling the HYYYYPPEEEEE! and it is time to watch me work.

Minnesota Vikings (+7) vs. Seattle Seachickens So the Vikings won a game that they needed to win on the road, and at least for one week the "fire everyone" subset of Vikings fans can avoid tying up the KFAN phone lines. However, this week is going to be much less of a sure thing. The Seahawks are 4-0, and are arguably just as good as the Packers. One thing to keep in mind, the bandwagon Seahawks fans who don't know who Shaun Alexander, Matt Hasselback, and Mike Holmgren even are will be nowhere to be seen on Sunday. Look, the Vikings haven't won here the last two years, and the Seahawks can pass the ball. Plus, Kirk Cousins also struggles in prime time. Get ready for the announcers to reference that every 10 seconds. Sorry Vikings fans, I don't like your chances, even though winning will help the Packers out. Pray for Corey Cove and Ron Johnson on KFAN when they have to do what they do. Seachickens 49, Vikings 10.

I believe the phrase is "Let Russ cook." And he is cooking. The Vikings need to put pressure on Russ to slow him down. They haven't done anything like that all season. I agree, a long night up in the Emerald City. Seahawks 34, Vikings 14.

Philadelphia Eagles (+7) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Well, the LOLions and Packers are on bye, and the college games were not interesting enough to comment. So, we get to discuss the Iggles and Yinzers. The Steelers are a confusing team. Yes, they beat the Titans, but they were in a dogfight for much of their games against the Giants and the Broncos, teams who have struggled so far. The good news for the Steelers is that they are healthy and have gotten rid of the off the field drama from Antonio Brown that led to the end of the Killer B era of the team. Big Ben has looked healthier and is still a Leader of Men. It also helps that they have James Conner and he is a great back to have for fantasy. I should know, I drafted him. As for the Eagles, it is time for a Very Special Comment.

The NFC East is going to be one of the worst divisions in the history of sports. After 4 weeks, the Eagles somehow lead the division with a record of 1-2-1. And somehow this joke of a division is going to be featured on national television just about every freaking week. I thought that the 2014 NFC South was a joke, but that Panthers team could probably beat every team in this division twice. This Eagles team is flawed, and quite frankly they have the wrong quarterback leading the team. Carson Wentz has been unable to stay healthy, and should have been traded after they won the Super Bowl. There, I said it. Big Dick Nick may be a flawed quarterback, but the dude was very comfortable in Doug Pederson's system. Look, I know that Frank Reich left to coach the Colts, and that the QB coach on that team is a scapegoat for Mike Zimmer and Vikings fans. But if this flawed quarterback is the face of a team that is the projected 4 seed and gets a home playoff game by virtue of being in a division that is a dumpster fire, it's a sad state. If a team like the Niners or Cardinals misses out to this Eagles team, then the NFL needs to change the playoff format.

Sorry, needed to get that out of my system. There will be some Yinzers at this game, and I will be honest. I want the Eagles to win, so a certain YouTube series will refuse to die. Sorry Tree. E A G L E S EAGLES 35, This Week On Days Of Our Steelers 10.

You should probably play some of his NSFW highlights, doncha think?

I probably shouldn't reveal where Benster gets some of his insights, but at least Benster mostly avoids F-bombs, so that's something. It's also more than most Eagles fans can manage. I think the Steelers are a better team, especially at home. And it will play out that way. Steelers 31, Eagles 19.

Enjoy your football weekend. Ben out.

Benster and D Pick Your Games -- Inauguration of Champions Edition

Old dude, it's time to see who is going to get to go down to Houston and play for a nice shiny trophy, and I am pretty sure that this post will be a political free zone here.

Man, I hope so. One of the reasons we play games is to forget about everything else and we're seeing too much of the political world seeping into places where it ought not.

That actually makes sense, Decrepit! Have they been putting some extra brain additives in your Geritol lately?

Again, I hope so. But that's not why we're here, right?

Nope, we're here because of football. And the biggest thing is we have two excellent matchups, and people are going to enjoy the football, and not worry about politics, at least for a couple of hours. And as usual, I have a metric ton of HYYYYYYYYYPPPPE! to unleash.

You never seem to run out.

That's right. I got it. And it is time to talk some football and pick some games. Watch me work!


Glorious Green Bay Packers (+5.5) vs. Hotlanta Dirty Birds. This is a rematch of a game played in October, that the Falcons won in a 33-32 shootout. The Packers come in very beat up, though it sounds like some of their injured players might be able to give it a go. What the Packers need to do is going to be tough, but I think they can do it. The key for the Packers is to have Ty Montgomery run the ball and keep Matt Ryan off the field. My biggest concern for Atlanta is that this is the final game in the Georgia Dome, and there is bound to be a lot of emotion and pressure on the Falcons. Matt Ryan has not performed well in the playoffs throughout his career, and that needs to change in the biggest game of his life. This game will feature a lot of points, but I think the Packers will still have another game to play. Packers 63, Falcons 50.

Bet the over, then? I suspect a lot of points will indeed be scored, but I don't see anyone putting up 63. Two key players for the Packers did not play the last time these teams met -- Jared Cook and Clay Matthews. Those are key contributors, especially Cook, who has really opened up the middle of the field for the Packer offense. Atlanta can rush the passer better than the Cowboys, but they are suspect along the back line. If the Packers can get a couple of stops defensively, they will win. But it's going to be a shootout for sure. Packers 37, Falcons 34.

Pittsburgh Steelers (+6) vs. New England Patriots. The Patriots were expected to roll through the Texans, and did just that. The issue I see for New England is that the Steelers are not just a team along for the ride. They have talent and Mike Tomlin has done a better job than some of his critics give him credit for, and it's worth remember the Steelers are a talented group of players. Even though New England won the first meeting in Pittsburgh, look for this game to be very close until the Steelers pull away late, and for New England sports fans to face the reality that maybe it is time to clean house. Steelers 35, Patriots 11.

What does Tom Brady have left in the tank? That's the question. He looked mortal at times against the Texans, although that's an excellent defensive team. The question for the Patriots is simple -- can you stop LeVeon Bell? No one has recently. The Patriots tend to take away one player, and the guess here is that they will concentrate on Antonio Brown instead. Pick your poison. Patriots 24, Steelers 20.

Enjoy your football Sunday, and hopefully these games are going to be dramatic and interesting. And again, I may say some crazy stuff, but I call it like I see it. Ben out!