No one for the Hall?

 We'll get the announcement this evening -- will anyone make the Baseball Hall of Fame this year? To be honest, I doubt it. Here's the list of candidates:

Curt Schilling -- I think he's worthy. The only guy with a shot this year. His tendency to be a conservative loudmouth has hurt his candidacy. It shouldn't matter, but sportswriters tend to be PC and it's hurt him. He has one more year on the ballot and the writers may decide to throw him a bone then; otherwise, he's a cinch on a Veterans' Committee in the future.

Bloody socks and bloody shirts

Roger Clemens -- Steroid guy; not proven but strongly suspected. Also a prickly personality. He was clearly the greatest pitcher of his generation and probably top 5-6 of all time, but he's probably not going to make it.

Barry Bonds -- Mr. BALCO. If he'd been able to control his jealousy at McGwire and Sosa and had stayed off the juice, he'd have been in the HOF years ago. Now, probably not.

Omar Vizquel -- great defensive player and ended up close to 3000 hits. Unfortunately, he seems to be a domestic abuser as well. Don't think he's gonna make it.

Scott Rolen -- one of the best third basemen in history, but he wasn't flashy and didn't attract attention to himself, so he's underrated. He's climbing the ladder and should make it as early as 2022 or 2023.

Billy Wagner -- dominant lefty relief pitcher. Not sure he's special enough to make it.

Gary Sheffield -- a legitimately fearsome hitter, but has the steroid taint and was also roundly considered a bad dude. Not likely to make it.

Todd Helton -- climbing the ladder; he played his entire career for the Rockies, so his power numbers are suspect, but he was a great hitter and won three Gold Gloves. Not this year, but eventually, yes.

Manny Ramírez -- like Sheffield, a legitimately great hitter and one of the most colorful characters in the history of the game. But he's lousy with steroids so he's not going to make it.

Jeff Kent -- a great hitter at a traditional defensive position (second base); has the numbers, but never seems to get the traction. A candidate for the Veterans Committee in the future.

Andruw Jones -- defensively elite center fielder who also hit more than 400 home runs, but his career fell off a cliff at the age of 30. He may make it eventually primarily for his defensive excellence, but he's a borderline case in any event.

Sammy Sosa -- over 600 homers and while he's never admitted to steroid use, everyone thinks he did. He's gotten weird post-career as well. No chance.

Andy Pettitte -- great pitcher, but a serious steroid taint. Not likely to overcome the stigma.

Bobby Abreu -- a modern-day Ken Singleton or Dusty Baker; a talented player who is seriously underrated. But no one thinks Baker or Singleton is a Hall of Famer, either.

There are three first year players who I think could stay on the ballot, although I don't see any of them making the HOF during the normal 10-year process. They are:

Mark Buehrle -- a high-quality lefty who mostly pitched for the White Sox. He's a lot like Mickey Lolich, but only old guys like me remember Lolich. 

Torii Hunter -- like all Twins fans, I love Torii Hunter. And he was a hell of a player, one of the best center fielders of his era. But he's not going to make it.

Tim Hudson -- a good righthander who won over 200 games in his career. His career numbers are quite similar to Catfish Hunter, who is in the HOF, but Hudson's taste in teammates wasn't as good. 

The rest of the 1st year players (Dan Haren, Barry Zito, Aramis Ramirez, Shane Victorino, A. J. Burnett, Nick Swisher, LaTroy Hawkins, and Michael Cuddyer) aren't going to make it. Even die-hard Twins fans would admit Hawkins and Cuddyer aren't worthy.

Benster and D Pick Your Games----Aaron Gets What He Wanted Edition

 Old dude, the Packers don't have to travel for the NFC Championship Game for once. This time, a team has to come to Lambeau in the snow. 

Yes. Here's a picture of Tom Brady arriving at Austin Straubel Airport for the game with some of his teammates:

Indeed, Geritol Fan, it is Tom Brady and his band of mercenaries who have to come up to the proving ground of the NFL.

Indeed. And let me guess -- might there be some, uh, hype involved.

You've been part of this for at least ten years. You know the answer. Of course I am feeling HYYYYYYPPPEEEEEEEE!, and it is time to watch me work.

Tompa Bay Bucs (+3.5) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers Some people say that Aaron Donald is still getting blocked by Elgton Jenkins to this very day. In all seriousness, that was a great performance by the Packers to beat a very good Rams defense, and earn a rematch against the Bucs. Obviously, we all know what happened in October, but that was a long time ago. Yes, I know that the Bucs are healthier on defense, but it is important to note that the Packers have played a lot better on defense. What is especially encouraging is that the Packers have had success against teams that run the football well. The Packers shut down in consecutive games Derrick Henry, David Montgomery, and Cam Akers to a large extent. It's also important to note that Allen Lazard did not play in October down in Florida, and he had a great game against the Rams even with the drop of a touchdown pass earlier in the game. This game will not be easy, as the Bucs play good defense and we all know that Brady is used to this stage. But I like the Packers to move on in a close game and send the Bucs back home without a home Super Bowl. Packers 24, Bucs 21.

At first, I hated this matchup. But as the week has gone on, I feel better about it. Brady was only okay against the Saints last week and that was in a dome. It will be snowy and windy in Green Bay and it's been noticeable that Brady struggles with long horizontal throws. I think there's a pick six coming on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Packers have had a chance to devise a game plan for Devin White and Lavonte David, who destroyed them last time. Don't let White come downhill; make him chase Robert Tonyan all over the field. Bucs will not go down easily, but they will go down. Packers 33, Tampa 24.

Buffalo Bills (+3.5) vs. Kansas City Chiefs Kansas City dodged a major bullet last week, thanks to Chad Henne playing well in relief of a concussed Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes has been cleared to return to action, and obviously tilts the field in favor of the defending champions. However, the Bills have been playing very well lately and did play the Chiefs close in the regular season. Kansas City throughout their run the past few years have had wins that were aided by a bit of fortune. Last year they survived 3 double digit deficits, and last week Dan Sorensen should have been flagged for a hit to the head on the controversial fumble late in the first half. I have nothing against the Chiefs, but those points have to be acknowledged. In fact, I think the Bills can hang in there, and pull off a major upset. Nobody Circles The Wagons Like The Buffalo Bills 35, Chiefs 34.

I was tempted to pick Buffalo, but we do need to disagree on one. Mahomes may not be 100%, but 85% of Mahomes is better than 95% of the league. Buffalo's weak running game will prevent the Bills from holding a lead should they get one. It'll be a shootout, but I like the Chiefs. Kansas City 38, Buffalo 28.

One question, old dude. Did our buddy Brad Carlson pick games this week?

Yes. Yes he did. You can see his picks here.

Enjoy your football weekend. Ben out. 

Hey, have fun with it

 An early live look at President Biden's inaugural address:

My "dumb" tag is gonna get a lot of work over the near future.

Benster and D Pick Your Games----Get Aaron What He Wants Edition

Old dude, the Packers have had their week of rest and should be in good shape to get Aaron a chance to play at Lambeau next week for the first time in his career. But the Rams will not make it easy, as they looked good at Seattle last weekend.

They did. Or perhaps the Seahawks looked bad. It's difficult to be sure.

Divisional weekend is always fun, because you have had to do something impressive to get here. I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYYYPPPEEE!, and it is time to watch me work.

Los Angeles Rams (+6.5) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers The Rams had the most impressive win on the NFC side last week with an impressive display against the Seahawks. But, the victory came at a cost. Aaron Donald and John Wolford left the game with injuries, and Jared Goff was struggling with his injured thumb. Of course Donald is going to play and still be a factor, and the Packers need to block him up along with Leonard Floyd. The challenge for the Rams is going to be how well Goff is going to play in a cold weather venue. As for the Packers, pretty much everyone is in better shape except Kingsley Keke. The biggest worry outside of the usual things the Rams throw at you is a fake punt. Johnny Hekker is one of the best fake punt guys, and the Packers have struggled all year with special teams. I wouldn't be surprised if Jalen Ramsey travels with Davante, so someone like MVS, Lazard, Big Dog, or Big Bob might need to step up a bit. On defense, Snacks Harrison probably is going to need to make a play against Cam Akers. I'm also going out on a limb to say that at least one of Amos and Savage need to make a play. The Packers can win this game, but it won't be easy. Thankfully, the fans in the stands should help the team get a win. Packers 31, Rams 28.

Winter is coming?

The Rams are a very good defensive team. The pick six on Russell Wilson last week was the play that changed the game. Aaron Rodgers is more careful than Wilson, so he's unlikely to make a similar mistake. The key will be getting the running game going. Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams, A.J. Dillon -- if the three of them combine for 200 yards, the Packers win easily. If they total 100, it's going to be bad. I don't think the Rams will be able to score enough on offense to win the game -- Akers is a nice running back, but Goff will struggle in the cold weather, especially with a surgically repaired thumb on his throwing hand. Packers win, but it won't be easy. Packers 27, Rams 20.

Baltimore Ravens (+3) vs. Buffalo Bills I have to start by apologizing for calling out Lamar Jackson last week. He played very well against the Titans, and I'm happy to admit that he proved me wrong and showed that he can win in the playoffs. It also was a great win for the Bills last week. Getting a home playoff win in front of Bills Mafia was fun to watch. As for the game, the Bills have the better defense, though obviously Jackson is a dynamic playmaker and is more explosive than Josh Allen. This game could go either way, but I like the Bills, especially because they look to be peaking at the right time and recovered nicely from the Hail Murray. Nobody Circles The Wagons Like the Buffalo Bills 24, Ravens 10.

Lamar Jackson could win this all by himself. The Bills have to be disciplined on defense and keep Jackson in the pocket. I believe they will. The Ravens have a decent defense, but they may not hold up in the end. Bills 24, Ravens 23.

Cleveland Browns (+10) vs. Kansas City Chiefs I know that everyone wants to laugh at the Steelers for getting blown out to the Browns and light into Big Ben and Mike Tomlin, but the Browns deserve a whole lot of kudos. Winning a playoff game without their head coach, key starters, and less practice time is very good. Browns fans, you deserve this moment of triumph after all of the jokes I and the rest of America lobbed at you over the years. Heck, that makes the news of the Lindor trade a lot less crushing. (Sorry for that, I'm a big Twins fan and enjoy making fun of an AL Central rival. The Central is going to be won by either us or the Chi Sox.). The Chiefs are the big favorites, but there is a couple of things that worry me about them. First, they rested their starters against the Chargers and lost. They are going to have some rust. Second of all, the Browns are coming in hot, and have nothing to lose. The final concern I have for the Chiefs is that during their run last year, they cheated death 3 times. By all rights, the Texans should have won in Arrowhead last year. Thanks to Bill O'Brien having an epic meltdown, they dodged the bullet. They also survived the Titans last year. They also narrowly survived the Niners in the Super Bowl. That's right, I'm picking the Browns to pull off another huge upset. Sorry Mahomie. I still love you in fantasy football. Don't Clown With The Browns 21, Chiefs 17.

The Browns are a nice story. The story does not have a happy ending. Chiefs 34, Browns 21.

Tompa Bay Bucs (+3) vs. New Orleans Blame the Refs This might be the last ride for Drew Brees, and might be the last home game for him as well. I would say that about Brady, but he wants to return to Foxboro next year to stick it to Darth Hoodie. The Saints beat the Bucs twice in the regular season, but it's very hard to beat a good team 3 times in one season. Of course, 2001 Duke and 2000 Michigan State basketball say otherwise. The Saints are healthy for once, and Brady has finally gotten in sync with Bruce Arians. I think the Saints have the better offense, and they look to be on a mission. I just hope they have to travel up to Wisconsin to get their rematch of Week 3. Saints should win big. Saints 35, Tompa Bay 0.

Uh, no. No way the Saints pitch a shutout. I think they win, though. I wonder if the Bucs can handle adversity and they'll be facing it. I could see a meltdown or two on their sidelines, as their team has a plethora of divas. Saints 35, Bucs 29.

One last thing, Seabiscuit -- here are our friend Brad Carlson's picks.

Enjoy your football this week. Also, live positive and test negative. Ben out. 

Shit's getting old

 Inevitable:

The House impeached President Trump for the second time Wednesday, charging him for behavior they believe caused the violent Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol that left five dead, dozens injured, and the historic building defaced and damaged.

Ten House Republicans joined all House Democrats to pass a single impeachment article accusing Trump of inciting an insurrection.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, must now decide when to send the article to the Senate, which is not scheduled to be in session until Jan. 19 and is unlikely to consider it until after Trump leaves office.

Trump’s term ends on Jan. 20 at 12 p.m.

Ya know, maybe if the Dems hadn't done the impeachment thing before over the Ukraine bullshit (you know it was bullshit because Biden never campaigned on the issue; of course there was an obvious reason for that, but whatever) this latest spasm of self-congratulation might have meant something. This is more like a medieval king exhuming an enemy's corpse to hang it.

The Dems have fears, though, doncha know:

But Democrats made the case during the one-day proceeding that Trump is too dangerous to remain in office a moment longer, coming to the floor to suggest Trump may incite additional violence, move to pardon the protesters charged in the Capitol siege, or even start a nuclear war during his final days in office.

“He must go,” Pelosi said on the House floor. “He is a clear and present danger to the nation we all love.”

There's not a chance in hell Trump will start a nuclear war. He might pardon some people, but the greater danger is that he will declassify a bunch of information the Democrats would prefer remain buried. And I hope he does.

If I'm Trump, my to-do list is as follows:

1. Pardon Julian Assange and Edward Snowden
2. Declassify everything
3. Pardon Hunter Biden, but only after issuing formal charges
4. Pardon Joe Biden
5. Pardon Hillary
6. Don't pardon Obama

The Democrats deserve to have their fears exposed, as well as their rampant malfeasance. I want to pardon some of them because it will make them look like the vindictive weasels they are and frankly I don't need to see any more witch hunts, even though Biden richly deserves the treatment Trump received, because he is a straight up corrupt politician. But it's over now. Biden will reveal who he is every time he opens his pie hole. He can't hide any longer -- this isn't FDR in 1944.

Shut up, they’ve explained

 I am 57 years old. I have always been free to speak my mind. Free speech is sacrosanct. Or at least it was. Not sure it is any more. Choose your words carefully. We are in a dangerous place.

Benster and D Pick Your Games----Don't Talk About Playoffs Edition - Update, with link to Brad's Picks

 Old dude, the good news is that Facebook and Twitter can't suspend this feature. I mean, it's not like taking shots at football teams breaks any rules. But if A School in Columbus takes over social media, then I am screwed.

Facebook and Twitter, no. But I continue to keep my head on a swivel.

Well, the Packers get a week off to chill out, and hopefully all the NFC games go into overtime. And by overtime, I mean multiple overtimes.

Can they play until Tuesday? That would be good.

I am feeling the HYYYYYYYPPPEEEEE!, and it is time to watch me work.

Indianapolis Colts (+6.5) vs. Buffalo Bills The Bills probably are the one team that can beat the Chiefs on the AFC side. But they haven't won a playoff game since the 1990s, and they really need this one badly. The Colts have a good formula for winning, and Phillip Rivers is probably on his last ride. I would expect JT to control the clock, and the Bills will have to take all of their chances on offense to win. If the Bills don't win, then serious questions have to be asked about their core. But thankfully the Bills have the better team and this is the week they can celebrate a playoff win. Nobody Circles The Wagons Like The Buffalo Bills 28, Colts 7.

If the Colts can play keep away, they have a chance. Buffalo will miss their fans in the stands for sure. But I agree, the Bills are the better team. Bills 28, Colts 20.

Los Angeles Less Annoying Showtime on Turf (+3) vs. Seattle Seachickens The Rams have major question marks at quarterback. Jared Goff might go, but he is probably going to have some trouble with the thumb. The Rams are the real Showtime in LA, and the reason I say it is because they don't have the annoying bandwagon fanbase the Fakers Lakers have and also don't have LeBron James. The Seahawks won't have the aid of their Microsoft and Boeing bro fanbase, but they are experienced and haven't lost a home playoff game in quite a while. As much as it would crack me up to see Cheat Carroll lose, his team is too talented and the Rams are too inconsistent week to week. Are There Real Seachicken Fans? 25, Rams 0.

I tend to agree with this assessment as well. You're being remarkably level-headed this week? Do you need some of my Geritol? Seahawks 24, Rams 21.

Tompa Bay Bucs (-7.5) vs. Washington Name Redacted The Name Redacted is an amazing story, and deserve a lot of props for being here. Yes, they may have won a horrible excuse of a division in the NFC Least, and did get help from the Eagles screwing over the Giants. Seriously, that ticked me off. The only reason I am not doing a Very Special Comment on benching Hurts is because I have to save it for another game. Riverboat Ron beat cancer during a year where it was very scary to have cancer, and Alex Smith is deservedly Comeback Player of the Year for showing the mental strength to get back on the football field after what he went through. The Bucs are inconsistent, and I think they will struggle to keep Brady upright. Look for the Name Redacted to pull the upset. Oh, and get ready for sports talk shows to endlessly debate who won the Brady divorce for the 1000th time this year. Name Redacted 17, Tompa Bay 8.

Another cogent analysis. I think the Bucs win it late, but I would not be surprised if the WFT knocks Brady out of the game early and takes it. Buccaneers 20, WFT 16.

Baltimore Ravens (-3.5) vs. Tennessee Titans This game is a rematch of the stunning upset in Baltimore last year, and there is more pressure on the Ravens than the Titans. Lamar Jackson is a great player, there is no doubt about that. The problem is that he has yet to win a playoff game, and really blew a golden chance last year in light of the Patriots being knocked out the week before. If the Ravens lose this game, then Lamar might need to be considered for replacement. There, I said it. The Titans didn't impress me when they were up at Lambeau, but they can run the clock, and Derrick Henry is still a beast. The Titans know their identity better than just about anyone in the league, and should win a home playoff game for the first time in a while. Remember the Titans 35, Ravens 10.

It took a while, but you finally made a ridiculous observation in re Jackson. I knew you had it in you! The Titans are not good on defense. This will be a shootout. Ravens 40, Titans 34.

Bear Down Chicago Da Bearz Still Suck (+10) vs. New Orleans Blame The Refs Da Bearz backed into the playoffs, and even Gino would agree with me on that one. As a Packers fan, nothing would please me more than ownership extending Ted Phillips, Ryan Pace, Matt Nagy, and Mitch Trubisky. All four of them have done a great job this year, and really have the Bears going in the right direction. As for the Saints, this probably is the last ride for Drew Brees, and the Alvin Kamara story will be monitored up until game time. The fact that this game is on Nickelodeon is just hilarious. The Saints should win this game, unless the refs find a way to screw them over again. Saints 70, Da Bearz Still Suck 0.

SpongeDrew SquareBrees vs. da Bearz. It's only sad the NFL didn't think of this while Sid and Marty Krofft were prowling the airwaves. 

Archie Manning and Bears Coach Abe Gibron, pregame 1973

The Bears aren't very good, either, but one exceptionally weird thing seems to happen in every Wildcard Round. So, even though I have no reason to believe this will actually happen... Bears 20, Saints 17.

Cleveland Browns (+6) vs. Pittsburgh Yinzers That's not a misprint. The Browns actually made the playoffs. But unfortunately they are playing without several key players and their head coach. As for the Steelers, they are fully rested after sitting their stars against the Browns last week. However, there are problems for the Steelers. Their defense has some depth issues, and Big Ben has clearly started to decline this year down the stretch. Also, when did JuJu turn into such a diva? The guy was likeable his first two years in the league, but has now been dancing on logos and making himself a target of ire for opposing defenses. It's clear that the Steelers might not have been as good as we thought earlier this year. If the Steelers were to lose, then it would be hilarious and I probably would listen to Pittsburgh sports radio for the meltdowns. Browns 20, This Week On Days Of Our Steelers 17.

The Browns are getting bit by the COVID bug. That will be enough to derail them, unfortunately. Steelers 24, Browns 20.

A School In Columbus (+8) vs. Alabama Crimson Tide, in South Florida Before the axe gets used, some praise towards Alabama. Don't worry Tide fans, you did nothing wrong. This might be the best team Nick Saban has worked with, and probably the best Alabama team of all time if you go back. They have no weaknesses, and I'm honestly impressed. I've been critical of Saban before, but this time I'm rooting for him heavily with a hazmat suit and a strong need to take a shower after the game. It's time for a Very Special Comment.

This should be a fun game, but only one team can say that they actually got there entirely without help from above. I find it hilarious that some of the Buckeye fans on the internet believe these outlandish conspiracy theories on how ESPN, the SEC, the ACC, and me are out to get them and hinder them when they brush under the rug that they got here in part because the Big Ten overturned their dumb 6 game rule. It's too late to change it now, but I have one thing to say. Barry Alvarez went to bat for the Buckeyes in their hour of need. If at any time in the future the Badgers need lobbying to get into the playoff, I expect Gene Smith to do the same thing willingly to repay his debt. You can say I should be rooting for the Buckeyes because of Big Ten honor. Well, that's not how it works. I'm rooting for Alabama. Do you know how terrible that is? I really dislike Alabama, but at least the one good thing I can say is that the SEC never overturned rules during the season to benefit the Tide. If you need a rule change during the season to even get to the title game, then that's not a title earned. The Big Ten pulled a move by doing this that made Vince McMahon think that it was too scripted. The football gods see all, and their justice will be coming.

I think the Tide should just dominate because they are better. Also, it's a shame because Ohio State actually has a likeable team this year. Nothing against the players or coaching staff. My beef is with those above them. Roll Tide 150, IU Got Screwed 0.

IU lost to Ole Miss. The Hoosiers didn't get screwed -- they are a nice team that, in a different year, would have been playing in the Duke's Mayo Bowl. As for this game, I agree -- this is as formidable an Alabama team as I have seen. Buckeyes are worthy, but they won't be able to hang with the Tide. Alabama 45, Ohio State 31.

Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out. 

Update from D: Brad Carlson's picks for Saturday are here.

Jack Dorsey Settles All Family Business

 

"Oh, I'm fine Mom, how's Washington?"

 Game on:

Best comment of the day, from a guy I know on FB:

It's a good thing when the ruling class has to have its head on a swivel.

If this sort of thing sends you to the fainting couch, I would suggest you'd better get the ol' fainting couch reinforced. For all his bluster and suboptimal bedside manner, it's important to understand that, for the last four years, Trump was asking nicely. 

Dems own the world

 I haven't been writing much about politics, because I could see what was going to happen. And it has. The Dems have won (stolen, most likely, but it's a meaningless distinction) Georgia. And so by the narrowest of margins, they control Washington. 

But they will control Washington. And they will control America. And they will control you. As a practical matter, they already have for some time now. Donald Trump fought like hell, but he couldn't overcome the forces arrayed against him. 

I am certain the Dems will do horrible things. But as we have learned from their laboratories in California, once they take control, they will not cede it. Your rights as a citizen are whatever your betters decide they are. Now put on your fucking face mask and get to work.

Benster and D Pick Your Games-----Get That Bye/D Forgets to Post Edition

 Old dude, the Packers need to get one more win to get that vital bye and the top seed. But it is fitting that the last hurdle is going to be the most difficult one in Chicago. Best of luck to you in fantasy this week. Hopefully you get that title. 

I hope so, too. I was engrossed in it that I forget to post this, and now the games are already in progress. 

You're just senile. Don't worry about it.

That's reassuring.

I'm here for you, Geritol Fan! Meanwhile, the Vikings have some important decisions to make about who will be around next season.

This guy is waiting to make decisions:

Thank you for coming, everybody!

Ziggy is Waluigi. No doubt in my mind. Meanwhile, I am feeling the HYYYYYYYPPPPEEEEE!, and it is time to watch me work.

Minnesota Vikings (-7) vs. Detroit LOLions So, some say that Alvin Kamara is still scoring touchdowns against the Vikings defense at the Dome to this very day. This game matters only if you root for one of these teams or if you are playing for a fantasy football title and have someone going. The Vikings have some decisions to make after this year, which quite frankly was not successful. The Purple have little cap room, especially since the cap won't go up much if at all due to a certain virus. The LOLions are probably moving on from Stafford, which is a shame. The guy deserved better from management. Then again, these are the LOLions. I think the Vikings will win, and then maybe we might see some people get fired. Vikings 35, LOLions Gonna LOLions 0.

So the game is already in progress, but I'm not watching it. I am picking the Lions just to be a contrarian. Lions 24, Vikings 20.

Glorious Green Bay Packers (-4.5) vs. Bear Down Chicago Da Bearz Still Suck This game on the other hand matters a lot to both teams. If the Packers win, we get the bye and a week off. If Da Bearz win, they get a trip to the playoffs and might save some jobs. This game is winnable for the Packers, but there are some concerns. Da Bearz are healthier than they were around Thanksgiving, and Trubisky has been looking better recently. But the Packers also have looked a lot better since Thanksgiving. The game against the Titans was their best performance under LaFleur, and the Packers especially looked very good against Derrick Henry. I've been very critical of Mike Pettine and his scheme, but he had the defense prepared. This game will be difficult because of the nature of the rivalry and the stakes, but the Packers should win and get the bye. Packers 31, Da Bearz Still Suck 20.

It won't be easy. But it will be a win. Packers 28, Bears 20.

Enjoy your football this weekend, and we'll also talk about the Buckeyes and Tide next weekend. Ben out. 

Bye, 2020

 

Times Square, 1940

I don't know what Times Square will look like tonight, when the ball drops and 2021 arrives. The New Year arrives no matter whether people gather this evening or not. 

I don't have great faith that the coming year will be better than year we've just experienced, but I am ready to face it. And I hope the coming year is better for you.

It was always Mary Ann

 RIP, Dawn Wells:

2020 has sucked in so many ways.

Benster and D Pick Your Games----Big Vikings Trouble In New Orleans Edition

 Old dude, the Vikings will not be having an easy Christmas Day down in the Dome. The Saints are going to be hoping for a slip up to get the top seed. 

Is Santa a Saints fan?

Also, I heard rumors of a boat crime at Camp Randall. A bunch of Badgers just flat out capsized a boat carrying some Gophers with an Axe. I heard that the boat capsized in an #Elite manner. You really hate to see it. 

That's not showing the Christmas spirit, Seabiscuit. P.J. Fleck certainly has elfin qualities.

Maybe he's like this elf!

Like pulling teeth

Too much hair for Hermey. You know that, right?

His hairline is borderline for sure, as is his coaching. PJ can talk all he wants, but he has only beat his two biggest rivals only once, and he never has won a home rivalry game. 

Trophies leave the Bank a fair amount, but don't you have other games to pick?

Yes, but I always make time to dunk on PJ. I am feeling the HYYYYYPPPPEEEE!, and it's time to watch me work.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons (+7) vs. Wisconsin Badgers I am picking this game now, because it's scheduled for the middle of next week and I may not get back to it otherwise. Besides which, we need to celebrate the glory of the Duke's Mayo Bowl! 

Close to the actual payout for the winning team

The Badgers have not played well this year, but accepting a bowl bid was the right move. You want the extra practices, and winning against Wake and keeping the Axe would be a good ending to a bad year. Wake is kinda middle of the road in the ACC, which to be fair is incredibly top heavy this year with Clemson and Notre Dame. By the way, seeing the Domers in a conference title game in football is so 2020. I look for the Badgers to play well in Charlotte, and send the seniors out the right way. Badgers 35, Wake 14.

I hope the trophy for the Duke's Mayo Bowl has a use-by date. Meh. Badgers 24, Wake Forest 20.

Minnesota Vikings (+7) vs. New Orleans Blame The Refs The NFL this year is pulling something out that I never thought would be possible. They will have played a game every day of the week, and this game should be very interesting. The Saints have recently had two brutal playoff defeats to the Vikings, including in the playoffs last year. Well, things have changed since that afternoon in the Dome. I love Drew Brees, but the man clearly didn't look like himself against Kansas City. Also, the Saints don't have a lot of wideouts to throw to. The Vikings quite frankly need this one badly after losing to Da Bearz at home. This is the type of game that the Vikings signed Kirk Cousins for, and he needs to deliver. I'm torn. As a fan of a division rival, it would be good if the Vikings got eliminated so my beloved Packers wouldn't have to see Dalvin run all over us again. But it would also help us if the Saints lose, so the Packers would look better to get the top seed in the NFC. I think the Vikings are just not good enough, and they are still flawed. In fact, I think Mike Zimmer is coaching for his job right now. Pray for Ron Johnson and Corey Cove. Plus, even though Sean Payton is annoying, the guy can coach up backup quarterbacks. The fact that New Orleans was competitive the past few years without Brees is the number one example. Blame the Refs, Not the Team 24, KFAN Vikings Whine Line 10.

There's no reason to pick the Vikings in this one. So I will. Vikings 28, Saints 24.

Los Angeles Rams (+1.5) vs. Seattle Seachickens This game is being picked because it directly impacts the Packers in terms of the top seed in the NFC playoff hunt. Seattle is leading the NFC West do in large part to one of the most hilarious results I have ever seen. The Rams somehow lost to the Jets. The Jets are so bad, that their fanbase was mad because they wanted to get Trevor. Seattle is at home, though the Microsoft and Boeing bro bandwagon fans will not be in attendance. A Rams win would be very nice and all of Wisconsin is rooting for them to get it done. I think they can, as the Seachickens have no defense, and lost to the freaking Giants at home. Rams 35, Seachickens 10.

The Seahawks lost to the Giants, but the Rams lost to the freaking Jets. Can't trust either side. Pick the home team. Seahawks 34, Rams 22.

Tennessee Tuxedos (+3.5) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers Last week was not exactly a work of art, but the Packers were the better team on the field against the Panthers. This week is the real test, and the one that the Packers fanbase has been dreading. The Titans are in the mix for the AFC South title, and have the thing that scares even a delusional homer like myself. That would be an elite running back. Derrick Henry is probably the best in the league, and we all know what he can do. The Packers thankfully can still clinch the bye against Da Bearz, but you don't want to have to worry about playing a desperate team at home. I think that the defense will stand up for itself and Mike Pettine will have the best defensive performance of his tenure in Green Bay on Sunday Night Football. Packers 31, The Fall of the Titan King Henry 10.

Wish I were that confident. You've seen Derrick Henry, right?

That's terrifying. I am picking the Packers, but if we see some of this, it could be a tough one. Packers 35, Titans 31.

Enjoy your football. Ben out. 

Benster and D Pick Your Games----Big Ten Did Something Right Edition

 Old dude, the Big Ten actually did the right thing and actually improved something this year. The Axe game is back as the last game of the year, as it should be. Both Badgers and Gophers fans would agree that it is the correct decision.

Let me Axe you a question

Given the alternatives, yes. Certainly more compelling than a visit from Rutgers.

Plus, the Packers hold all the cards in the NFC. Life is good. The Pack is back, and I can feel the HYYYYYYPPPEEEEEE! Watch me work.

Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat (+13.5) vs. Beloved Wisconsin Badgers I think it's fair to say that this year has hit both schools hard. The Badgers have struggled to find their footing because of all the delays, and the Gophers have a younger team. Yes, the Badgers need to strongly consider playing Jack Coan this time around, but you can say that the Gophers have struggled all year. The Badgers can easily lose this game, but they will be up for this game. Look for the offense to improve, and for a senior class to be sent off the right way, hopefully. Badgers 24, Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 10.

Hopefully? Hedging your bets, good sir? The Gophers are a very poor defensive team, but the Badgers have been 1977-level bad the last three weeks. It's a matter of pride at this point and I hope the Badgers have enough pride to get this done. The point spread is absurd, by the way. Badgers 17, Gophers 13.

Bear Down Chicago Da Bearz Still Suck (+3) vs. Minnesota Vikings Both of these teams have had their moments, but quite frankly are flawed. I think Da Bearz were broken by the double doink, despite their offense doing very little that day. Funny, I don't hear Bears fans mentioning that. Hopefully they keep Matt Nagy and the front office around. As a Packers fan, they have done a great job, and have Bears football trending in the right direction for the future. The Vikings played decently well against the Bucs, but Dan Bailey had a terrible day. The Vikings had a golden chance in 2017, but the Minneapolis Miracle was the worst thing to happen to Mike Zimmer. There, I said it. That play covered up the fact that the Mike Zimmer's defense almost cost them the game, and he would have been lucky to not be fired had Diggs not bailed the Vikings out. Many Vikings fans conveniently choose to ignore that the Vikings blew a 17 point lead. The Vikings then foolishly disrespected the Eagles, and assumed that they had a god given right to play in a Super Bowl at their home stadium. The Vikings got blown out in a game that was never close, and the fanbase ignored the warning signs. Because the front office believed that the Vikings were closer than they were, they signed Kirk Cousins. History repeated itself last year. As much as Kirk Cousins gets the credit for the playoff game in the Superdome, the Vikings defense let the Saints get it to overtime. Oh, and Kyle Rudolph pushed off. The Vikings then got destroyed against the Niners, and it's been downhill ever since. The Vikings can win this game, and it's better for the Packers to do so. Both the Vikings and Da Bearz committed the greatest sin in pro football. They ignored the warning signs that they had flawed teams, and both are paying the price.  Vikings 23, Da Bearz Still Suck 10.

Shorter version: they both need better management. I think Zimmer does a good job with what he has on hand, which isn't much because Cousins has all the money. As for da Bearz, the Khalil Mack trade is not looking so good now; he seems to be a declining player and he's owed a lot of money. I think the Vikings are marginally better, but that's all. Vikings 20, Bears 17.

Carolina Panthers (+8) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers The Packers had everything go right last week. They clinched the NFC North, finished a game off and banked that experience, and took control of the top seed in the NFC thanks to the Eagles beating the Saints. They have two home games left, and the Saints have a couple of tough games on their schedule remaining. The Panthers are going to be easier to beat without Christian McCaffery, but they are a team that plays hard and they have a competent coaching staff. Also, it's important to remember that the Packers literally won by inches last November on the goal line. I think that the Packers can win this game, but they can't sleepwalk into a trap game. Packers 35, Panthers 21.

Packers seem to be hitting their stride now. Panthers are better than their record indicates, but they aren't going to win at Lambeau this year. Packers 33, Panthers 24.

Kansas City Chiefs (-3) vs. New Orleans Saints This game is going to be a lot of fun. I'm picking this game because the Saints are tied with us in terms of record, but the Packers hold the tiebreaker. The Chiefs need a win to stay ahead of the Steelers in the AFC side. Kansas City is probably the best team in the league, and I appreciate Patrick Mahomes for his contributions in fantasy football, even though I didn't make the playoffs. I expect points, and obviously Drew Brees being back with the Saints will help out. The Saints don't have the best secondary, and will lose in a track meet. Chiefs 70, Saints 51.

Bet the over? I think you underrate the Saints defense, which is actually pretty good. I think it's a closer game than you do. Chiefs 28, Saints 27.

Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out. 

Thanks, King!

You may also pull his finger at 50% capacity

 This guy:

Indoor restaurants and bars will stay shut down, but fitness clubs and other venues will reopen under a new plan by Gov. Tim Walz to try to control the spread of COVID-19 and buy time for wide distribution of vaccine against the infectious disease.

But he has a generous offer for those restaurants under his boot:

One concession to the industry was the allowance of outdoor bar and restaurant service at 50% capacity, though that has limited benefit in the heart of Minnesota's winter. Closing time must be 10 p.m., and tables of no more than four people must be kept six feet apart.

Outdoor bar and restaurant service. Beginning on December Fucking 18th. No COVID, but hypothermia. In related news, King Walz is allowing Minnesotans to slide down bannisters at 50% capacity, as long as the bannisters have a razor blade attached on the bottom.

Benster And D Pick Your Games----B1G Rule Change Edition

Hi everyone. That title is intentional, and refers to a certain decision by the Big Ten to change the 6 game requirement for the title game. That noise you hear in the background is a sharpening of an axe, because I have some thoughts.

No -- you have thoughts? There's a headscratcher.

Yep, gotta keep some people honest.

And you use an axe to do that?

When necessary, yes.

Hmm.

Read on, old dude. In other news, the Badgers will actually be playing for consecutive weeks. And the Packers can clinch the North this week. I'm feeling the HYYYYYYPPPEEE! and it is time to watch me work.

Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat (+10.5) vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers The Gophers have returned to play, and they will be going to the team who likes to take credit for this season to be happening. PJ Fleck can keep coming up with his usual sayings, but his team has struggled all year. To be fair to him, not knowing if you are going to be playing is hard, and he has a young team. However, every team in the conference has had to deal with that. Nebraska ain't much better, and they really have been at war with Kevin Warren more than focusing on the games at hand. Scott Frost will get the time because he is the Nebraska version of Bart Starr. What I mean by that is that Frost is a link to the glory days and has the trust of the Husker faithful as he knows what it takes. Even if Frost fails as head coach, his legacy is secure. As for the game, I have to favor the desperate team at home. Stuck In the 1990's 31, Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 10.

I'd forgotten about the Gophers. They haven't played in a while. As I recall, they're okay. Snow in Lincoln overnight, so we'll see how that plays. Nebraska 31, Gophers 27.

Beloved Wisconsin Badgers (-2) vs. Iowa Hawkeyes Well, the Badgers looked awful again last week, and yet are somehow favored going into a game at Iowa City. Graham Mertz looked great against Michigan and Illinois, but looked horrible against Northwestern and Indiana. The defense is not the problem, and to be fair the Badgers have not gotten to play in consecutive weeks yet this year. Iowa is going to be your typical Iowa squad that plays good defense and wants to run the ball. The Badgers can win, but this is going to be hard. The offense needs to step up and actually do something. Badgers 21, Iowans 13.

This a tough one. I don't think the Badgers have it this year. Success will return to Madison, but let's write this year off. Iowa 17, Wisconsin 10.

Minnesota Vikings (+6.5) vs. Tampa Bay Bucs The Vikes are back in the playoffs based on a tiebreaker over the Cardinals. Last week, the Vikings were very loose in the turns and almost lost another "easy game". This time, the Vikings are not at home and facing a desperate team in the Bucs. It's clear that Tom Brady has had growing pains learning a new offense, and the Bucs are a team that has had a lot of internal discord supposedly swirling around. Both teams need to win to stay in the playoff hunt, and there will be a lot of Packer fans watching this game with interest. Even though the Bucs are not as good as they were when the Packers went down there, you have to honor the "desperate team at home" theory. If the Vikings lose, pray for Ron Johnson and Corey Cove. Bucs 28, Vikings 17

The Vikings have been scraping by against bad teams lately. The Bucs are a good team. Tampa 31, Minnesota 20.

Glorious Green Bay Packers (-9) vs. Detroit LOLions The Packers are in a great position. All of their goals are within reach, and they can clinch a playoff spot with a win and some help. In fact, if the Vikings lose and the Packers win, the North can be won on Sunday. The LOLions did beat da Bearz last week, and are better than people think. I know that sounds crazy, but they have been in some close games this year, and did jump out to a lead at Lambeau. Plus, Matthew Stafford has a good track record against the Packers. If you remember, last year the Packers had to fight to get that win at Ford Field to get the playoff bye. Packers 24, LOLions 18

I am a bit nervous about this game. The key is the Lions defense is terrible. Shootout! Packers 38, Lions 28.

And now it's time for a Very Special Comment. This will probably come off to you as yet another Benster ripping of the Buckeyes. I know that is part of who I am, and I admit that I have a hatred of Ohio State football. But please hear me out.

So the Big Ten announced that Ohio State would be allowed to play Northwestern next week for the conference crown. That is despite the fact that the conference decreed that a team needs to play in 6 conference games to qualify. Look, Ohio State is a good team, and I don't blame them for taking the offer. You can make an argument that the 6 game rule was dumb in the first place, and that the conference never should have included it. But it was the rule coming in, and the Big Ten was arrogant enough to believe that it wouldn't be a problem. Well, the league decided that Ohio State should get a pass, because they are undefeated. This is a week before the title game. Everyone knew the rules, and now the conference changed them in the middle of the game. Indiana got screwed. Yes, the Hoosiers had their chance to win in the Horseshoe. But under the rules that every school agreed to, Indiana was the team that qualified. Plus, Northwestern is getting boned. Not only do they have to prepare for a new opponent, but they have to play a rivalry game against Illinois while Ohio State gets a bye week. The Big Ten not only changed the rules for a "brand name" school, but gave said school every possible advantage. If Ohio State loses, then it would be one of the worst losses in the history of Buckeye football. They would have had every possible advantage, and thrown it away. 

Now, of course the Big Ten is not the only league screwing with their title game. The ACC canceled games for Notre Dame and Clemson to give them extra rest. But at least in that case, the Irish and Tigers both come into the game on even footing. The Big Ten can say that this is about being fair and making money, but that is missing the point. Big Ten football has gotten a lot more competitive and richer than the 1970s. Back then, it was the Big 2 of Michigan and Ohio State, and the Little 8 of everyone else. Now, there is more strength in depth in the conference, and they can sell Fox and ESPN on the fact that teams like Michigan State, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota that can be successful. All of those schools have won big bowl games, and have been positive stories in the Big Ten recently outside of Michigan and Ohio State in football. Heck, the basketball product is the most deep and consistent than at any point in league history. It behooves a conference to favor conditions that help everyone, and not just a handful of schools. Want to know why Nebraska left the Big 12? It was in part because the Big 12 favors Texas and gives the Longhorns a huge cut of revenue. Maryland was a founding member of the ACC, and had deep ties with a lot of those schools. Well, the ACC has constantly been accused of favoring basketball and in particular the Tobacco Road schools. Maryland left in part because that favoritism.

You can argue it is because of money, and there is a good reason why it behooves the conference to respect what each school brings. The Big Ten Network was founded in order to make it easier to make money and showcase all the teams in the league. The conference is strong because every school contributes on the field in different ways. Indiana and Michigan made the College World Series recently, Minnesota has a great hockey tradition, Iowa brings wrestling, Maryland brings great lacrosse, Wisconsin brings consistently good teams in basketball and football. Nebraska brings great baseball and legions of fan support. I love this conference because every team makes the same amount of money, and the various fanbases respect each other and get each other. Ohio State may contribute a lot in football, but they are one school. It's not the Ohio State Invitational League. It's the Big Ten conference. No school is bigger than the league, and every school brings something to the table. It's a shame that Kevin Warren doesn't understand that. If I were a Buckeye fan, I wouldn't accept this. In fact, read this article from an Ohio State fan about why this is wrong. 

Well, that's done. I hope you enjoy the football this weekend. Ben out. 

Election

 There's no doubt in my mind -- the Democrats cheated like hell in the election. There's also no doubt in my mind that Joe Biden is utterly unfit to be Leader of the Free World. 

Still, the case before the Supreme Court brought by Texas almost certainly has to fail. If it succeeds, states can sue other states for things that happen within their borders. And federalism, attenuated as it is, would be dead.

We're in a bad place. Civil war is a distinct possibility now. Frankly, I'm afraid.

Benster and D Pick Your Games---NFL Is a Clown Show Edition

 Old dude, I really have a bone to pick with the NFL over certain things. But I need to sharpen the axe. 

Glad you're doing it. You're keeping this enterprise afloat in a sea of rage.

And I have a suggestion for the Big Ten, but I don't need to sharpen the axe for that. I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYPPPPEEE! for a couple of these games, and we are going to learn a lot about people this weekend. It's time to watch me work.

Windiana Hoosiers (+13.5) vs. Beloved Wisconsin Badgers Well, the Badgers get to keep the Axe, as the Gophers have bigger problems to deal with on their end. The suggestion I have for the Big Ten is simple. There has been rumblings that Michigan might not be able to play against A School in Columbus next week, meaning that the Buckeyes would not have played in the 6 games needed to qualify for the conference title game. It also has been reported that the Big Ten is going to let A School in Columbus play in Indy even if they don't get that 6th game. Well, should the Badgers win out and Northwestern lose next week, then it is only fair that the Badgers get the nod to play. It's only fair, and would be a better test for Ohio State. But, the Badgers can't worry about that. Indiana has been the story of the year so far in the league. I know that Michael Penix Jr. will not be playing, but the Hoosiers are a disciplined team that is well-coached under Tom Allen. The Badgers played like absolute crap at Ryan Field, and yet somehow still could have won the game. Oddly, this is going to be the 2nd and last game at Camp Randall. This will be tough, but the Badgers can win and send the seniors away from Madison with a good memory. Badgers 24, Hoosiers 17.

A good Indiana football team is a rarity, but in a rare year it seems oddly fitting. The Hoosiers have two excellent receivers with strange names (Whop Philyor and Trey Freyfogle), who can catch the ball no matter who is throwing it to them. The Hoosiers also play good defense. But the game is at Camp Randall and the Badgers gotta have it, so I think they win. But they won't cover a -13.5 spread. Wisconsin 23, Indiana 14.

Jacksonville Jaguars (+10.5) vs. Minnesota Vikings The Vikings did get it done against Carolina, but dodged a massive bullet thanks to terrible clock management by the Panthers. Kirk Cousins got it done, and is probably back in the good graces of the fickle Vikings fans who blame him for the failure of management. The Jags are a team that will play tough and can hang in there even when they are outgunned, as evidenced by their inspired play at Lambeau a few weeks back. This is a trap game for the Vikings, and they need to have learned their lesson from last week. If you come out flat, you will lose. Thankfully, the Vikings have learned their lesson. Vikings 31, Jags 10.

Or have they? Jags 24, Vikings 23.

Philadelphia Eagles (+7.5) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers The Packers had no trouble at all against Da Bearz last week, and it was great to have some people in the stands at Lambeau. The Eagles are a mess. Carson Wentz looks like he has regressed, and the fanbase openly wants Jalen Hurts to play more. Well, this is a trap game for the Packers. If you remember last year, the Eagles came in and were the better team. Plus, thanks to the NFC Least making the 2010 NFC West and 2014 NFC South look like competent divisions, the Eagles still have a shot at a division title. I think that the Packers can win as they have more talent, and the pass rush finally looks like doing something. But there is danger in this game. Something in my gut tells me that, and hopefully I am wrong. Packers 31, Eagles 27.

I agree with your assessment. Eagles will give the Packers their best shot. It won't be enough. Packers 28, Eagles 20.

And now, it's time for A Very Special Comment.

So, the NFL seems to have had a bad week. The Steelers and Ravens game was a complete mess. The Steelers have not been getting much luck in when they have played certain teams. They lost their bye week thanks to the Titans mess, and then lost their mini bye thanks to the Ravens having a staffer just totally not following league rules and infecting multiple players. That Ravens-Steelers game was postponed from Turkey Day, to Sunday, to Tuesday, to Wednesday afternoon. Yes, you read that right. They had to play an NFL game on a Wednesday afternoon because apparently a Rockefeller Center tree lighting can't be moved by NBC. Now, the Steelers have to play on short rest for the next couple of games, and are likely to lose one of those games, meaning that Kansas City could sneak in and get the AFC bye. The Steelers have gotten hosed, and hopefully Art Rooney II can raise a stink at the next owners meeting. Plus, they lost Bud Dupree for the year. That game was a complete mess, and ruined one of the games that a lot of people were curious about. 

But the one thing that angers me the most is what happened in Denver. The Broncos lost their entire quarterback stable. Now, I know that Drew Lock was not following the league rules. But the Broncos game didn't get postponed, and they had to start Kendall Hinton, a practice squad receiver, at quarterback. The dude played as well as he could considering he had to learn the offense and got very short notice. Guess who the Broncos played on Sunday? The New Orleans Saints. Guess who is fighting with the Saints for the NFC bye? The Packers, the team I love through thick and thin. The Saints got a free win, as they didn't even have to try. Before you come at me with the excuse that Drew Brees didn't play, just remember that Taysom Hill at least is a quarterback, and knows the offense. He at least gave the Saints a fair chance. The Broncos didn't get the same luxury. Why did the Broncos not get the game postponed to Monday or Tuesday? Maybe then, they would have actually had a chance. You almost have to try and be this incompetent. Heck, the reason this happened was because the Broncos have an ownership dispute involving Pat Bowlen's kids. The Broncos have an awesome fanbase; the fanbase really knows their football, and the Broncos have been a model franchise for most of my lifetime. I hope that Hilton gets a fair chance on the Broncos to show what he can do as a wideout. Heck, he is welcome on the Packers anytime. I'll even buy him a beer. 

Roger Goodell was interviewed at halftime Wednesday by Mike Tirico. He claimed that the NFL was doing a great job this year. Uh, that was a lie. Look, I don't care what you think about the response (or lack thereof) by leaders. All of them screwed up, and that stands for both Republicans and Democrats. To make matters worse, the 49ers have to play games in Arizona because the local California leaders out there don't want there to be football in Santa Clara County. In fact, there are even rumors that the Rams and Chargers might have to leave the state to play. Where are those teams going to play?  This is a freaking dumpster fire. Heck, Rob Manfred and Gary Bettman did a better job with the MLB and NHL seasons respectively. Do you realize how hard it is to do that? I'm a baseball fan, and Manfred is a terrible commissioner who might not even like baseball. That being said, I loved what he did with the opening round of the playoffs that gave us wall to wall ballgames all day and did a great job by getting fans back for the NLCS and World Series. Bettman is hated by NHL fans, but he pulled out a great playoffs in Canada, and I really enjoyed watching the playoffs this year with all the games in the opening round being fun. The NFL had months before the season started to observe other sports leagues. It's clear they haven't come up with any contingency plans. Maybe Goodell is secretly Kevin Warren. Whatever the reason, the NFL is a joke. I remember when they were able to protect the shield. Not anymore. Please fire Goodell and hire Greg Sankey. Sankey actually has a chance to play all the games he scheduled with fans in attendance in the SEC. When I have to praise the SEC, that's when you know something is wrong.

Ben is fired up!

Yeah, I am. Despite all that, enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out. 

Benster and D Pick Your Games----Cosmic Revenge Edition

 Old dude, it looks like Kevin Warren messed with the football gods. Can you feel it?

It's cosmic!

The Big Ten is turning into a dumpster fire as we speak. How much do you wanna bet that Harbaugh sandbags the Buckeyes?

I hope he doesn't, but frankly, I wouldn't put it past him.

Yeah, I don't want to do a Very Special Comment. I think everyone knows my feelings on the Big Ten leadership. When I agree with Clay Travis, Paul Finebaum, and praise the SEC, you know that is screwed up.

Not my favorite group of commenters, to be sure. But for all the annoying triumphalism about, the Big Ten does not appear to be a great league this year. And while as a fan of the Badgers I enjoy seeing Michigan and Penn State down, it's not good for the league as a whole. So yeah, not good. But we still have the NFL, even if the Broncos are playing a practice squad WR as their quarterback.

I am feeling the HYYYYYYYYYYPPPPEEE! and can't wait to discuss some NFL. Watch me work.

Carolina Panthers (+3) vs. Minnesota Vikings Full disclosure, I was watching the Packers game and didn't get to see the Vikings. Boy, all the angry KFAN callers were coming back out of hiding, and somehow didn't bash Kirk Cousins. The Vikings are in a desperate situation and are going to need to win out to get a playoff berth. What will help them is that the NFC West teams will beat up on each other, and the Packers and Bears tangle twice. The Panthers are a team that has a bad record, but they play really hard. Matt Rhule is my vote for Coach of the Year, as he has done wonders. The interesting subplot is going to be the return of Teddy Bridgewater. It's just one game, but this will be a chance to see if Kirk Cousins was the right decision for the Vikings. Can the Vikings win? Yes, but this game could go the other way. Vikings 24, Panthers 17.

We get the Good Vikings some weeks. Last week we didn't. It will come down to the Vikings defense. Carolina is tricky and they have some weapons. Teddy would love to win here. But I think the Vikings are a marginally better team. Vikings 21, Panthers 20.

Bear Down Chicago Da Bearz Still Suck (+9) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers The Packers had a disaster of a game last week. The morons of our fanbase who blamed MVS for the fumble are as dumb as the Vikings fans who blame Kirk for everything. What really cost the Packers was the offense bogging down, and the coaching staff seemingly playing not to lose instead of winning. But that was last week. It's Bear week, and people are betting on the Bears to cover. The Bears made a change at QB, and are going back to Trubisky. Who would have thought that after every Bears fan told me that Nick Foles was the savior? Maybe BDN loses his powers outside of Philly? What the Packers need to do is to keep playing aggressive, and make Trubisky beat you. Oh, and the Bears blew a 20-0 lead less than a half after knocking Aaron out of the game on a cart. Oh, and Da Bearz don't run this division anymore. Packers 24, Da Bearz Still Suck 9.

The Bears haven't run the division for about 15 years now. They barely run their mouths any more. Akiem Hicks and Khalil Mack are always frightening, but no one on the offense scares me much. I will be curious to see how Trubisky plays, but I think the Packers are the better team right now. Packers 28, Bears 14.

Enjoy your weekend. Ben out. 

Coming attractions

Cook! Where's my hassenpfeffer?

It does boggle my mind – we almost certainly will be installing a senile corruptocrat as president in less than two months. It’s easy to believe the Democratic Party engaged in massive voter fraud to put Joe Biden over the top. It’s awfully difficult to prove, though, especially when those who sit in judgment are desirous of the result that’s coming and might be implicated themselves were fraud demonstrated and word of that fraud reached the populace.

Having said that, our overlords have grown tired of dissent. We communicate with technology online, on platforms that are easy to manipulate; the proprietors of these platforms have shown they are more than willing to silence dissenters. Today, I can post such observations. Tomorrow, perhaps not.

We are in a dangerous place. 

Benster and D Pick Your Games---Enough With Friday Gopher Games Edition

Seriously, why are the Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat still playing on Friday nights? It's like the Big Ten wants to have PJ row that boat early.

Fair question. Night time boat rides for the Gophers are often like this:

Robert Mitchum with his knife isn't that much different than Kirk Ferentz, I suppose.

I knew you'd have a great non-sequitur movie reference, old dude! That one is even older than your usual silliness. But still, the state government did cancel youth sports so the Gophers won't compete against high school football. I'll stop right there as I don't have a desire to turn this into a political Very Special Comment.

All your comments are special, Benster. 

Well, yeah. We shall see how the Badgers and Packers do against good opponents. I am feeling the HYYYYYPPPEEEE! and it is time to watch me work.

Purdon't Spoilermakers (-3) vs. Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat PJ Fleck can keep on coming up with new sayings and motivational tactics that involve reading odd kid books, but it can't hide the fact that the Gophers have been struggling. Purdue has looked fairly good, and it sounds like Rondale Moore might be making a return. Yeah, things are not going to end well. PJ might want to row the boat before it gets rowed for him. Timeout, Iowa! Timeout, Iowa, Timeout, Iowa! I'm sorry, Kirk Ferentz was interrupting me. The Gophers are going to get lit up. Spoilermakers 35, Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 0.

Purdue is pretty good. I think the Gophers will play better this week; not sure they could be any worse. But it won't be enough. Purdue 27, Minnesota 17.

Beloved Wisconsin Badgers (-7.5) vs. Northwestern Wildcats This game is going to have massive implications as to who will be going to Indy. Let's get one thing perfectly clear. Saturday is my birthday, and I would love a win as a birthday present. The Badgers looked great against Michigan in the Big House, and will be getting more guys back from Kevin Warren's dumb rules. But this line is too high in favor of the Badgers. Northwestern always plays the Badgers tough, they are incredibly well coached, and the Badgers struggle every time they play at Ryan Field. But this is a weird year, and this Badger team is on a mission. Badgers 31, Wildcats 23.

So the line is too high, but you're picking the Badgers to beat it? Interesting. Trips to Evanston are the football equivalent of a root canal. Badgers are more talented. It will be a struggle. Badgers 28, Northwestern 24.

Indiana Hoosiers (+20.5) vs. A School In Columbus The other big game in the Big Ten this week that will determine who will be going to Indy. A School In Columbus being involved in this game is no surprise at all. Indiana being involved is a surprise. Tom Allen has built up the program into a team, and they are legitimate threats to the Buckeyes. This line is really disrespectful to the Hooisers. It will take everything they have to beat the Buckeyes, but I would love to see the fanbase have a meltdown in Columbus. Windiana 31, A School in Columbus 0.

Obligatory:

Indiana has really improved. I think they're an excellent team. But Ohio State is at another level. Not yet, Hoosiers. Ohio State 34, Indiana 20.

Dallas How Bout Them Cowboahs (+7) vs. Minnesota Vikings The Cowboys have been an absolute dumpster fire this year even before they lost Dak. They only beat the Falcons because of terrible special teams play on an onside kick, and beat the Giants because NFC East. Why does this division get a home playoff game is beyond me, and needs to be looked at. The Vikings have suddenly gotten hot, and Packers fans have to root for the Cowboys in order to stay ahead in the NFC North. I really hate the Cowboys, and it is because of the ridiculous fanbase and the media cheerleading. I will do so with a strong need to take a shower and wearing a hazmat suit. I hate to do this, but I might have to even agree with Skip Bayless. How Bout Them Cowboahs 35, Vikings 14.

Cowboys are terrible. Vikings are not. Vikings 31, Cowboys 13.

Glorious Green Bay Packers (+2) vs. Indianapolis Colts Fox really screwed over those Packers fans in Minnesota and the western part of Wisconsin when they flexed the game to the late window. Because the NFL can't have the Cowboys play at noon, I have to find alternative measures to watch the Packers, and listen to Troy Aikman ruin yet another Packer game with his "color commentary" and hatred of Aaron Rodgers. Thanks a bunch, Fox. Why couldn't you have sent them to the Vikings game? Now that I am done ranting about NFL flex scheduling, we can talk about the game. The Packers played horribly against the Jags, but this time are in a dome and could get some of their injured back. The Colts are going to be a challenge. They have played well, and are leading the AFC South. The key is to get some pressure on Phillip Rivers and to get off to a better start. Plus, the Packers have played their best games in domed stadiums. This will be difficult, but doable. Packers 28, Colts 20.

Aaron Rodgers has played beautifully in domes this year. The Colts can play defense, but I think the Good Packers show up this time. Packers 31, Colts 24.

Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out. 

Benster and D Pick Your Games---Better Than Election Counters Edition

 Old dude, I think that I am going to not magically stop and start counting when compared to certain elections in certain parts of the country. 

Will it help our predictions?

Probably not, but who does the counting makes all the difference.

I've known that for years thanks to this guy:

Ahh aaa aaa!

Yeah, there will be some people who are angry. But not as angry as A School In Columbus fans who want Kevin Warren fired. Could you imagine the reaction if they can't play two more games?

Ohio State will go ballistic. As would the NCAA. And the networks, among others.

Yeah. No doubt. In other news, the Badgers are finally back. Thank the Lord for that. I am feeling the HYYYYYYPPPEEE!, and it is time to watch me work.

Iowa Hawkeyes (-3.5) vs. Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat This game should not be on a Friday night, as it is not traditional. PJ Fleck can keep on dropping his sayings and branded merchandise all he wants, but he has never beaten Iowa. That has to change as I'm getting the sense that some Gopher fans are starting to leave the Boat. Iowa is a tough matchup, and their running game should give the Gophers problems. PJ can't live off one win against Penn State forever. Iowa 24, Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 0.

I continue to be confused by what I see from the B1G this year. Difficult to tell what side is up. Game is in Minneapolis and I think that is the difference. Gophers 28, Iowa 20.

Beloved Wisconsin Badgers (-4.5) vs. Michigan Wolverines Thank the lord that I can finally talk about the Badgers again. They are still eligible to defend the West, and this game is going to be interesting. The big question is who will be lining up under center in Ann Arbor. If Graham Mertz is freed from the clutches of Kevin Warren's policies, then I feel great. If not, then the team will have to rely on being hungry like the Chase Wolf. As for Michigan, this game is going to be a defining one for the coaching staff. Jim Harbaugh has been a disaster, and it honestly cracks me up. I remember back in the day when people called out Lloyd Carr for not being good enough. Well, funny how things change. Ann Arbor is a tough place to win, but I think the Badgers can get it done. Badgers 31, Michigan 10.

Ol' Lloyd looks pretty good in retrospect. I have no idea what the Badgers are going to look like, but I don't think a trip to Ann Arbor is going to be pleasant. Having said that. . . Badgers 24, Michigan 20.

Minnesota Vikings (-2.5) vs. Bear Down Chicago Da Bearz Still Suck So it turns out that Da Bearz could actually be frauds. It just warms my heart. The Vikings have looked good, and could still somehow get into the playoffs. Dalvin Cook is a great weapon to have in cold weather, and the weather is getting colder. Get ready for the announcers to mention how Kirk Cousins has a terrible record in primetime games and on Monday Night Football multiple times. As for Da Bearz, their offense is really bland and predictable under the direction of Big Dick Nick. I hope the Vikings win to help us in the division. But if the Vikings lose, pray for Corey Cove and Ron Johnson. Vikings 24, Da Bearz Still Suck 10.

Lotta history for the Vikings in Chicago and almost all of it is bad. Dalvin Cook is great, but he's injury-prone. If he holds up the rest of the year, the Vikings are dangerous. Bears 21, Vikings 18.

Jacksonville Jaguars (+13) vs. Glorious Green Bay Packers So last week went pretty well for the Packers. Despite what morons like Terry Bradshaw and Howie Long had to say about the team, they got it done against the 49ers and should be healthier. Jacksonville has talent, and certainly will be up for this game. This game will not be played in the heat of Florida, but will be in Lambeau in the cold. Packers should roll comfortably. Packers 45, Jags 17.

I don't see a lot of success in the offing for the Jags. The talent gap is pretty big. The point spread seems a bit high to me, but I think the Pack wins. Packers 34, Jaguars 20.

Enjoy your football this weekend. Ben out. 

Confident in their victory

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Too many voters

Watch the turnout figures ‒ they can be a big giveaway.

You never get a 98% or 99% turnout in an honest election. You just don't.

Voting is compulsory in Gabon, but it is not enforced; even in Australia where it is enforced, where you can vote by post or online and can be fined for not voting, turnout only reaches 90-95%.

The main reason that a full turnout is practically impossible is that electoral registers, even if they are recently compiled, can rarely be 100% up-to-date.

Even if no-one gets sick or has to travel, people still die. And when a register is updated, new voters are keen to add themselves to the list.

No-one, however, has any great enthusiasm for removing the names of those who have died, and over time the number of these non-existent voters increases.

I once reported on an election in the Niger Delta where some areas had a turnout of more than 120%.

"They're very healthy people round here, and very civic-minded," a local official assured me.

But a turnout of more than 100%, in an area or an individual polling station, is a major red flag and a reason to cancel the result and re-run the election.

And there's this:

A high turnout in specific areas

Even where the turnout is within the bounds of possibility, if the figure is wildly different from the turnout elsewhere, it serves as a warning.

Why would one particular area, or one individual polling station, have a 90% turnout, while most other areas register less than 70%?

Something strange is almost certainly going on, especially if the high turnout is an area which favours one particular candidate or party over another.

Looking at you, Milwaukee. More, a lot more, at the link. Read it now while you can. 

This won't end well, part three

 Ann Althouse asks a great question:

They want a gracious concession — after the counting and litigation — but they never mention how ungracious the Democrats were when Trump won in 2016. Did they ever concede that Trump won and stand back and acknowledge that he legitimately held the power of the presidency? 

We all know the answer to that question. A few observations and a suggested to-do list:

• The Democrats are almost certainly going to get by with everything they've done for the last four years. Trump has never, not for even one day, had complete control of the executive branch. He still doesn't. John Durham is Godot, to name one example.
• Still, sunlight is the best disinfectant and at this point the best sunlight will leave a scorched earth. If I were Trump, I would continue to exhaust all my legal options until there are none left. 
• He needs to tell the world everything his team has found. It will be ignored or ridiculed, but it needs to be part of the public record. AOC has called for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, so let's begin the process now. Name names and expose the fraud for what it is.
• Following that, Trump should dump the entire investigative pile from Durham and everyone else on the country. Every move that Strzok and Page and Comey and the rest of the cabal made needs to be put out there. There will be no prosecutions now, so they might as well release all the evidence against everyone who was involved. I don't give a good god damn about "national security" or "sources and methods" -- that was always code for ass covering. The MSM will ignore it, of course, but people need to know precisely what happened. And the information needs to be part of the historical record. If Barr and Durham won't cooperate, Trump should can their well-padded asses. Trump owes them nothing. And more importantly, by doing so it will complicate Biden's efforts to get the band back together. I've read multiple reports that Sally Yates is in line to run DOJ. Blow her up. Same with the corrupt cabal of McGenerals -- everything they've done should be catalogued and exposed to the world.
• While he's at it, Trump needs to fire FBI director Christopher Wray and CIA chief Gina Haspel, who have been stonewalling him for the last four years. Trump can put Rick Grenell in charge of either agency for the last two months and he can make things happen. Biden will have to put new people in position anyway, but make Biden have to get his people past Cocaine Mitch first.
• Trump needs to pardon Michael Flynn post-haste. And then Flynn needs to tell his tale. Again, no one in the MSM will cover it, but the tale needs to be told.
• In addition, Trump should ensure that Hunter Biden is indicted for his crimes. He can make his father issue a pardon. And if Trump has anything on Biden himself, dump that. People need to know that Biden is more than a set of chattering teeth -- he's a set of chattering teeth with the stench of a half-century of corruption and self-dealing. 
• Bottom line -- Trump can count on Biden and the rest of the Dems to go after him with everything they have once he leaves office, so he might as well rub their noses in it for as long as he can. The Dems are not going to show Trump any quarter, so he might as well use the power he retains to make their sins known to the widest possible audience.

This won't end well, part two

 It's clear how all this is going to end. As always, William Butler Yeats has the right description of the next Leader of the Free World:

An aged man is but a paltry thing,

A tattered coat upon a stick

It's always been a con, a bait and switch. Joe Biden will get his name in the history books and his elevation should ensure his son won't end up in prison. That's good. But the goal has always been to get rid of the Bad Orange Man By Any Means Necessary.

Mission accomplished, I guess.

It's not going to go down smoothly, though. Even if you think Donald Trump has only built a cult of personality (and with a lousy personality to boot), it's a fundamental misreading of the man and his movement. He had four years to fight the Swamp, but the Swamp won. His acolytes will find another champion. I don't know who it will be yet, but I have a few guesses. And they will be back.

Some people are wondering why the professional Republicans aren't standing up for Trump. It's no surprise -- once you get to Washington, you get rich. Everyone in town is in on the graft in one way or another. Trump's greatest sin was not his bluster or his behavior in office. His greatest sin was that he told the truth about Washington. And for that, and his limited efforts to bring about reform, he needed to be destroyed. 

Back to Yeats -- the poem I quoted is "Sailing to Byzantium." It opens with this famous line:

That is no country for old men. 

Soon enough, that will become evident.

Benster and D Pick Your Games--Politics Free Zone Edition

 Old dude, the good news is that we won't be sued by the Trump/Biden campaigns over what we do this week. Plus, there are other things going on in the world.

Yeah, you probably don't want Rudy Giuliani in your breakfast nook.

No, that would be bad. I am feeling the HYYYYYPPPEEE! over a couple of games, and can't wait to see if certain things go as planned. It is time to watch me work.

Minnesota Golden Elite Rowers of the Boat (+7) vs. Illinois Fighting Illini PJ Fleck may continue to keep rolling with his brand, but he needs to focus on his day job. Blowing a 17 point lead on the road to the Terps was inexcusable. Look, I know that the kicking position was a wasteland. Sure, Maryland deserves all the credit in the world for fighting back. But at the end of the day it is about executing. The Gophers seemed to keep running the ball over and over, and here is something that PJ might not want to admit with the Gophers. Last year was their chance. This year they are young, and now PJ has to rely on his own recruits. That senior heavy team from last year was filled with guys that the current staff inherited. That Iowa game from last year will haunt the Gophers more than the 2003 Michigan game did for Glen Mason. Illinois is a bit of an enigma to me. Yes, they have some talent. But they did not defend the pass against Wisconsin, and Lovie made the mistake of cutting off his beard. The Gophers should win, but I am not sold on this team doing anything this year. Row Row Row Your Boat Elitely 17, Cheating Illini 10.

The beard was so good. That was a shame. I think the Gophers will win, but Illinois won't make it easy. They are a pretty good run defense and the Gophers are struggling in the air, Rashod Bateman notwithstanding. Gophers 24, Illinois 20.

Detroit LOLions (NL) vs. Minnesota Vikings Some say that Dalvin Cook is still outrunning the Packer defense. No, I'm not salty that he put up a 50 burger against me in fantasy football. The Vikings somehow pulled out a gutty victory at Lambeau, and have a lot easier job against the LOLions. Matthew Stafford may not play because of the virus, and the Vikings will be sky high after what happened last week. The good news for the Vikings is that as bad as they have looked in the past, the LOLions have been horrible this year. The Vikings should cruise comfortably and look ahead to other challenges. Vikings 45, LOLions 0.

Actually, I beg to differ about the Lions. They really haven't been terrible; they've won more games than the Purple and are still on the outer fringes of the playoff hunt. Dalvin Cook is the key to this game. If he goes off again, the Vikings win. Vikings 24, Lions 23.

Glorious Green Bay Packers (-7) vs. San Francisco 49ers I have no idea how this game is going to go, or even if this game is going to be played. The Packers looked like crap last week, and will be scraping the bottom of the running back barrel. The Niners are somehow in worse shape, and half of the guys they might play I don't know who they are. Keep in mind, I have been watching football for years. They will not have Jimmy G, Kittle, pretty much most of their wideouts, and a bunch of guys on defense. This road trip was the one that worried me coming into the year because it is a West Coast trip on a short week. Thanks a lot for that, Fox. Good luck trying to play some of these guys in fantasy football. The Packers should win because they could get healthier, and plus this is a revenge game for the team. Call me a delusional Packers homer all you want for this pick. Packers 31, Niners 10.

It's not delusional at all. I have no idea who is going to be running the ball for the 49ers, but Raheem Mostert won't be. The 49ers are also far less stout on defense without Nick Bosa and DeForest Buckner. The Packers should have time to throw and if it's a shootout, they may have more bullets. Packers 34, Niners 31.

Enjoy your football this weekend. #FreeMertz, and that Packer game is going to be a complete trainwreck. Ben out. 

This won’t end well

The only thing we can be certain of is this — half the country will not accept the result. I think we are headed for a very dangerous few weeks. More soon.