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NFL Power Rankings: Week 9

Posted by henpunk2 on

The Jets got a win! Baltimore back on track, maybe? But not a single change in the top ten.

#1 DETROIT LIONS (5-2)

Last Week: #1, BYE

Lions hold the top spot through their bye week

This Week: vs #23 Minnesota

#2 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (7-1)

Last Week: #2, won vs #31 Tennessee, 38-14

Colts are rolling & Jonathan Taylor should be in the MVP conversation.

This Week: at #13 Pittsburgh

#3 PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (6-2)

Last Week: #3, won vs #26 NY Giants, 38-20

Philly is looking like the team to beat again.

This Week: BYE

#4 LOS ANGELES RAMS (5-2)

Last Week: #4, BYE

Rams come out of their bye looking to take control of the NFC West.

This Week: vs #31 New Orleans

#5 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (5-3)

Last Week: #5, won vs #16 Washington, 28-7

KC may, once again, be the team to beat in the AFC.

This Week: at #10 Buffalo

#6 GREEN BAY PACKERS (5-1-1)

Last Week: #6, won at #11 Pittsburgh, 35-25

Packers played their best game since week two.

This Week: vs #19 Carolina

#7 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (6-2)

Last Week: #7, won at #28 New Orleans, 23-3

Bucs reach their bye with a chance to get healthy for the stretch drive.

This Week: BYE

#8 DENVER BRONCOS (6-2)

Last Week: #8, won vs #21 Dallas, 44-24

That might have been Denver’s most complete & impressive victory yet.

This Week: at #20 Houston

#9 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (5-2)

Last Week: #9, BYE

Seattle comes out of their bye looking to fight for the NFC West crown.

This Week: at #18 Washington

#10 BUFFALO BILLS (5-2)

Last Week: #10, won at #18 Carolina, 40-9

Buffalo dominated Carolina and a back up QB, now they get KC & Mahomes.

This Week: vs #5 Kansas City

#11 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (6-2) +1

Last Week: #12, won vs #25 Cleveland, 32-13

The Patriots are for real.

This Week: vs #21 Atlanta

#12 LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (5-3) +3

Last Week: #15, won vs #20 Minnesota, 37-10

Chargers got Joe Alt back and they looked like their early season form.

This Week: at #32 Tennessee

#13 PITTSBURGH STEELERS (4-3) -2

Last Week: #11, lost vs #6 Green Bay, 35-25

Steelers are starting to stumble just as Baltimore is getting healthy.

This Week: vs #2 Indianapolis

#14 CHICAGO BEARS (4-3) -1

Last Week: #13, lost at #23 Baltimore, 30-16

The loss to Baltimore exposed some deficiencies on the Bears.

This Week: at #24 Cincinnati

#15 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (5-3) -1

Last Week: #14, lost at #22 Houston, 26-15

The road doesn’t get any easier for the Niners in a tough NFC West.

This Week: at #26 NY Giants

#16 BALTIMORE RAVENS (2-5) +7

Last Week: #23, won vs #13 Chicago, 30-16

Ravens are getting healthy and the rest of the AFC North are coming back to them.

This Week: at #28 Miami

#17 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (4-3)

Last Week: #17, BYE

Does Jacksonville come out of the bye ready for a playoff push or ready to fade away?

This Week: at #29 Las Vegas

#18 WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (3-5) -2

Last Week: #16, lost at #5 Kansas City, 28-7

Washington’s season seems on the brink of collapse.

This Week: vs #9 Seattle

#19 CAROLINA PANTHERS (4-4) -1

Last Week: #18, lost vs #10 Buffalo, 40-9

Carolina wasn’t competitive without Bryce Young.

This Week: at #6 Green Bay

#20 HOUSTON TEXANS (3-4) +2

Last Week: #22, won vs #14 San Francisco, 26-15

Houston had its best offensive showing of the season.

This Week: vs #8 Denver

#21 ATLANTA FALCONS (3-4) -2

Last Week: #19, lost vs #30 Miami, 34-10

Just can’t trust this Falcons team.

This Week: at #11 New England

#22 DALLAS COWBOYS (3-4-1) -1

Last Week: #21, lost at #8 Denver, 44-24

Dallas is a completely different team on the road.

This Week: vs #27 Arizona

#23 MINNESOTA VIKINGS (3-4) -3

Last Week: #20, lost at #15 LA Chargers, 37-10

The Vikings are quickly falling out of the playoff hunt.

This Week: at #1 Detroit

#24 CINCINNATI BENGALS (3-5)

Last Week: #24, lost vs #32 NY Jets, 39-38

This might have been the loss that completely sunk the Bengals season.

This Week: vs #14 Chicago

#25 CLEVELAND BROWNS (2-5)

Last Week: #25, lost at #12 New England, 32-13

Browns may want to get Shedeur Sanders some action because I don’t think Gabriel is the answer.

This Week: BYE

#26 NEW YORK GIANTS (2-5)

Last Week: #26, lost at #3 Philadelphia, 38-20

Losing a game is one thing, losing Skattebo is another.

This Week: vs #15 San Francisco

#27 ARIZONA CARDINALS (2-5)

Last Week: #27, BYE

Coming out of their bye, the question is how long until the Cardinals fire their head coach?

This Week: at #22 Dallas

#28 MIAMI DOLPHINS (2-6) +2

Last Week: #30, won at #19 Atlanta, 34-10

The Dolphins saved McDaniel’s job for another week at least.

This Week: vs #16 Baltimore

#29 LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (2-5)

Last Week: #29, BYE

Do the Raiders have any fight coming out of their bye?

This Week: vs #17 Jacksonville

#30 NEW YORK JETS (1-7) +2

Last Week: #32, won at #24 Cincinnati, 39-38

Jets finally won a game, but the season is still lost.

This Week: BYE

# 31 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-6) -3

Last Week: #28, lost vs 7 Tampa Bay, 23-3

Did we see a QB changing of the guard in New Orleans?

This Week: at #4 LA Rams

#32 TENNESSEE TITANS (1-6) -1

Last Week: #31, lost at #2 Indianapolis, 38-14

Tennessee is just not a competitive team right now.

This Week: vs #12 LA Chargers

Week 8 NFL Picks

Posted by henpunk2 on

Last Week: 12-3 / 9-6

Season: 68-40 / 54-54

Minnesota Vikings @ Los Angeles Chargers (-3.5)

Chargers are the better team, and it’s at home.

CHARGERS 24-20

Chicago Bears (+2.5) @ Baltimore Ravens

Lamar Jackson is out, I’m picking the Bears to win outright.

CHI 23-17

New York Giants (+7.5) @ Philadelphia Eagles

Philly gets revenge for their last meeting, but the Giants will keep it close.

PHI 24-20

Miami Dolphins @ Atlanta Falcons (-7.5)

Falcons put another nail in Miami’s coffin in Atlanta.

ATL 27-10

Buffalo Bills (-7.5) @ Carolina Panthers

Bills, coming off the bye, should easily handle Carolina without Bryce Young.

BUF 30-13

New York Jets (+6.5) @ Cincinnati Bengals

Jets might make a change at QB, won’t change the results.

CIN 24-20

San Francisco 49ers @ Houston Texans (+1.5)

I’m picking the mild upset here. Houston is desperate and the Niners can’t keep winning with all these injuries.

HOU 20-19

Cleveland Browns (+7.5) @ New England Patriots

New England finally gets a home game after winning three in a row on the road.

NE 17-13

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-5.5) @ New Orleans Saints

Buccaneers bounce back from getting thumped in Detroit.

TB 28-17

Dallas Cowboys @ Denver Broncos (-3.5)

Dallas is on the road against a tough defense. Give me Denver.

DEN 24-17

Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts (-14.5)

I usually shy away from laying this many points, but the Colts & Titans are just on different planets.

IND 35-6

Green Bay Packers @ Pittsburgh Steelers (+3.5)

Aaron Rodgers revenge game. I like the Steelers to pull off the upset.

PIT 24-23

Washington Commanders (+10.5) @ Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs have found their groove, Washington seems to have lost theirs.

KC 30-21

BYES

Arizona Cardinals
Detroit Lions
Jacksonville Jaguars
Las Vegas Raiders
Los Angeles Rams
Seattle Seahawks

BJ & Da’ Bears: Week 7 Recap & Week 8 Preview

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Week 7 Recap

BJ & Da’ Bears vs The Tweedle Beetles

Second straight Monday night heartbreak for BJ & Da’ Bears. Despite my team not having a great week, neither did my opponent. I held a lead into the second half of the Seattle-Houston game, but lost on the Houston defense’s sack/fumble/touchdown in a game they were otherwise dominated.

My team didn’t deserve to win this week, but it’s still gut wrenching to come so close only to have it ripped away from you.

Caleb Williams had his worst week of the season, managing only two points in a plus matchup. I lost the QB battle 11-2.

Running back was another wasteland for me.i was outscored 19-8 at RB.

Quentin Johnston returned and scored a TD, but my other three WRs combined for 6 points. However, I only lost the WR battle by 3 points, 17-14, because my opponent had a player put up a goose egg.

Trey McBride was my lone bright spot. He’s really come on lately and won the TE battle for me, 23-11, despite my opponent playing two tight ends.

Ka’imi Fairbairn was decent, winning the kicker matchup, 10-2.

I streamed the Chicago Bears defense, who did well with 18 points. Unfortunately, my opponent’s defense put up 22.

Trey McBride earns my MVP for the week, hopefully the rest of my team can start to complement my TE.

Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals Photo Credit- Joe Camporeale/ USA Today Sports

Week 8 Preview

BJ & Da’ Bears vs Nerves of Steel

Projected Lineups

I’m a slight favorite at this point, mainly because my opponent doesn’t have a RB for his starting lineup because of byes. I’ve got bye issues, too, but I’m at least able to field a full lineup.

This game could come down to which of our reserves come through for us.

My keys to the week:

  1. Caleb Williams: Williams is coming off his worst game of the season. I need him to bounce back. I don’t need him to have a monster week, just league average would be nice. He’s got a decent matchup against Baltimore to do so.
  2. Rome Odunze: Odunze goes hand in hand with Williams. If one has a good game, the other likely does too. Odunze has had two down games in a row, I need him to get back to his early season form.
  3. Rachaad White: White is the best RB in this matchup & I need him to show it. He’s got a plus matchup versus New Orleans. He could very well carry me to victory this week.
  4. Kimani Vidal: Vidal is pretty much the only healthy RB the Chargers have left. The matchup against Minnesota isn’t great, but Vidal should get plenty of opportunities.

Trash Pandas: Week 7 Recap & Week 8 Preview

Posted by henpunk2 on

Week 7 Recap

Trash Pandas vs Lancaster Lightning

What a difference a week makes. Last week this team managed a measly 49 points. This week, one of my players outdid that completely by himself and another came damn close.

Big win for the Trash Pandas, stopping a two game skid & moving to 3-0 within my division.

Justin Herbert exploded this week for 54 points! He outscored my opponent’s QB by 37!

I played 2 RBs to my opponent’s 3, and one of my RBs, TreVeyon Henderson, put up a goose egg, yet I still won the RB matchup by 35 points because Jahmyr Gibbs romped for 47 points on Monday night.

Despite having three WRs in my lineup to my opponent’s two, I lost the WR battle, 40-31, but it wasn’t a terrible week. Quentin Johnston was back and scored a touchdown. Jordan Addison entered my lineup for the first time and put up 19 points. Rome Odunze was the only downer with his second straight dud.

I scooped up Dalton Schultz off the secondary waiver wire and he won me the TE matchup, 10-7.

Philadelphia’s defense added a touchdown to help my efforts.

My MVP goes to Gibbs, whose huge Monday night turned a probable heartbreaking loss into a breathe easy win.

Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions Photo Credit- Ryan Sun/ Associated Press

Week 8 Preview

Trash Pandas vs Township Gilmores

Projected Lineups & Reserves

I get the defending league champion this week and it couldn’t come on a worse week. My roster is decimated by bye weeks. I need to find a RB, preferably two so I don’t have to play TreVeyon Henderson against Cleveland.

It’s going to take some major luck for me to pull this one off, but here’s the keys to the week:

  1. Justin Herbert: Herbert had a monster game last week. It’s asking a lot for him to repeat it, but I could definitely use it.
  2. Dalton Schultz: Schultz actually had a nice game last week, he saw tons of targets. It would be nice if he saw the same volume this week.
  3. Rome Odunze: Odunze needs to break out of his mini slump if I want any shot at pulling off this upset.
  4. Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles defense needs a much better showing this week than the last time they played the Giants when they put up negative points.

The Hot Seat

Posted by henpunk2 on

Now that the Tennessee Titans have become the first team to fire their head coach this season, I thought I’d take a look at some other coaches on the hot seat. Listed in order of most likely to be out of a job come January:

White Hot

Photo Credit- John Kuntz/ Cleveland.com
  • Mike McDaniel, Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins are a mess. They have issues on both sides of the ball and in the locker room. They were not even competitive against the Cleveland Browns, not exactly a juggernaut. McDaniel’s seat is nuclear hot. I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s gone before Thanksgiving. Side Note- I think Miami will be breaking in a new coach and quarterback in 2026.
Photo Credit- Norm Hall/ Getty Images
  • Jonathan Gannon, Arizona Cardinals: When the Cardinals organization imposed a fine on Gannon for his altercation with running back Emari Demercado on the sideline during the game against the Tennessee Titans, Gannon’s seat became hot. With each mounting loss, the seat gets hotter. To be honest, Gannon is an example of a guy who probably rushed into being a head coach without fully looking into the situation he was getting into. The Cardinals, and Gannon, are tied to Kyler Murray and, sadly, that was never going to work. Murray has never shown a consistent ability to be a top tier quarterback and the Cardinals investment in him had hamstrung them in other areas. The offense has actually looked better without him the last two weeks. Gannon’s best hope to make it through the season may be to stick with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback and maybe, just maybe, they win a game or two along the way.

Smoldering

Photo Credit- Kai River Kanzer/ New York Post
  • Brian Daboll, New York Giants: Not only do I think Daboll is safe for the rest of this season, I think there’s a chance he returns in 2026. The reason? Jaxson Dart. Dart was Daboll’s hand picked quarterback and he’s looked the part. If he continues to grow, Daboll could be retained. BUT… Meltdowns like Sunday’s against Denver don’t help his cause. Sure, coaches aren’t making the plays on the field, it was the players that made the mistakes that allowed that improbable comeback, but Daboll made questionable decisions. He should never have put Dart in the position to throw that critical interception. There is such a fine line in this sport. Had the Giants won that game that would have been two big time upsets in a row and Daboll wouldn’t even be on this list, but here we are.
Photo Credit- Ken Blaze/ Imagn Images
  • Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns: Personally, I think Cleveland would be stupid to move on from a two time coach of the year, but the Browns have a habit of making stupid decisions. Cleveland’s troubles are a direct result of the stupid decision to jettison Baker Mayfield in favor of Deshaun Watson, and give Watson an enormous contract, fully guaranteed, that he’s come nowhere close to living up to and Cleveland has no way to get out of. Stefanski could end up being the fall guy, deserved or not. He’d be a top candidate for any opening if he is let go.

Waiting on a Spark

Photo Credit- Sam Greene/ The Enquirer/ USA Today Network via Imagn Images
  • Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Burrow’s injury may have given Taylor a pass on this season, especially if he can keep the Bengals in contention until Burrow’s return. However, there’s a couple scenarios that could ignite the hot seat. 1) If the Bengals completely fall out of contention, even after acquiring Joe Flacco, perhaps Cincinnati’s front office will see it a justification for moving on from a coach who seems to be squandering some world class offensive talent in their prime. 2) Even worse would be keeping them in contention yet still falling short upon Burrow’s return. You have to wonder if the front office is not just a little frustrated with not living up to expectations.
Photo Credit- Bryan Bennett/ Getty Images
  • Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills: Don’t get me wrong, I find this to be highly unlikely. I think the Bills will eventually win the AFC East and make a deep playoff run, but Buffalo’s last two games opens the possibility. The Bills are vulnerable, especially defensively, and that is McDermott’s specialty. If Buffalo should stumble down the stretch and miss the playoffs, I think the axe could fall. The inability to get over the hump in the postseason and wasting some prime Josh Allen years could weigh in as well.
Photo Credit- Eric Christian Smith/ Associated Press
  • Demeco Ryans: I’m listing Ryans simply because Houston has a history of making rash coaching decisions. Ryans has made the playoffs every year he’s been head coach, but they have an uphill climb to get there this season. The regression of CJ Stroud and stagnation of the offense may be all the justification the Texans’ ownership would need.

Short Leash

Photo Credit- Robert Deutsch/ Imagn Images
  • Aaron Glenn, New York Jets: I never thought we’d get here, but the Jets are an absolute embarrassment this season. They are undisciplined and make way too many mental mistakes. That’s coaching, and they’ve gotten worse as the season has progressed. Maybe Glenn will be able to scapegoat Justin Fields and not having his quarterback, but the problems are deeper. The Jets franchise has proven to be impatient in the past, so a one and done for Glenn isn’t out of the question.
Photo Credit- Jeffrey McWhorter/ Associated Press
  • Brian Schottenheimer, Dallas Cowboys: Jerry Jones certainly does things his own way, and he’s proven to be impulsive and impatient before. Schottenheimer was a surprise hire and he’s been decent. The Cowboys’ issues have been defensive, not Schottenheimer’s forte, and he had nothing to do with trading away their best defensive player. Still, it wouldn’t surprise me if Jones moves on if Dallas misses the playoffs.
Photo Credit- Charlie Riedel/ Associated Press
  • Pete Carroll, Las Vegas Raiders: Pete Carroll’s career resume should earn him a longer leash, but this is the Raiders. Whether in Vegas, Oakland or Los Angeles, the Raiders have a long history of quickly moving on from head coaches. Make no mistake, the Raiders are very bad and much worse than many expected. It wouldn’t be a total shock to see Carroll gone after one season.

No Heat, but…

Photo Credit- Albert Cesare/ The Enquirer/ USA Today Network via Imagn Images
  • Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers: Let me be clear, Tomlin won’t get fired unless Pittsburgh doesn’t win another game this season. However, I think a mutual decision to part ways is certainly in the cards if Tomlin can’t lead Pittsburgh to at least the second round of the playoffs.
Photo Credit- Ric Tapia/ Getty Images
  • John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens: Even if Baltimore’s season continues on its downward spiral, there is no way Harbaugh would get fired. But, maybe he’d get moved up to the front office. Some kind of mutual agreement type thing. Highly unlikely, nearly impossible in my mind.

NFL Power Rankings: Week 8

Posted by henpunk2 on

#1 DETROIT LIONS (5-2) +2

Last Week: #3, won vs #1 Tampa Bay, 24-9

The Lions earned a return to the top spot with a dominant performance against Tampa Bay.

This Week: BYE

#2 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (6-1)

Last Week: #2, won at #13 LA Chargers, 38-24

Indy is knocking on the door of being number one, I just can’t put them there, yet.

This Week: vs #31 Tennessee

#3 PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (5-2) +5

Last Week: #8, won at #17 Minnesota, 28-22

Philly found some rhythm on offense and ended their two game skid. I still think they’re the team to beat.

This Week: vs #26 NY Giants

#4 LOS ANGELES RAMS (5-2)

Last Week: #4, won vs #14 Jacksonville, 35-7 (in London)

Rams were utterly dominant across the pond.

This Week: BYE

#5 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (4-3) +4

Last Week: #9, won vs #26 Las Vegas, 31-0

Don’t look now, but the Chiefs offense is looking as dangerous as ever in the Mahomes era.

This Week: vs #16 Washington

#6 GREEN BAY PACKERS (4-1-1) -1

Last Week: #5, won at #25 Arizona, 27-23

The Packers won, but they were hardly dominant trailing most of the way in the desert.

This Week: at #11 Pittsburgh

#7 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (5-2) -6

Last Week: #1, lost at #3 Detroit, 24-9

I hate dropping the Bucs this far, but they were dominated and the injuries continue to mount.

This Week: at #28 New Orleans

#8 DENVER BRONCOS (5-2)

Last Week: #7, won vs #22 NY Giants, 33-32

I’m not sure if I should focus on Denver’s amazing comeback or the fact that they were being humiliated through 3 1/2 quarters.

This Week: vs #21 Dallas

#9 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (5-2) +2

Last Week: #11, won vs #21 Houston, 27-19

Seattle has the defense to contend, they need to protect the ball better on offense.

This Week: BYE

#10 BUFFALO BILLS (4-2)

Last Week: #10, BYE

Did the Bills come up with any answers for their defensive woes during the bye week?

This Week: at #18 Carolina

#11 PITTSBURGH STEELERS (4-2) -5

Last Week: #6, lost at #30 Cincinnati, 33-31

Bad loss for the Steelers, worse it exposed some defensive deficiencies.

This Week: vs #6 Green Bay

#12 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (5-2) +4

Last Week: #16, won at #31 Tennessee, 31-13

The Patriots are well ahead of schedule, can they sustain it through the rest of the season?

This Week: vs #25 Cleveland

#13 CHICAGO BEARS (4-2) +2

Last Week: #15, won vs #28 New Orleans, 26-14

The Bears have won 4 in a row. This week should tell us if they’re real contenders or not.

This Week: at #23 Baltimore

#14 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (5-2) +5

Last Week: #19, won vs #17 Atlanta, 20-10

With all the injuries, I’m not sure how the Niners keep winning, but they do.

This Week: at #22 Houston

#15 LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (4-3) -2

Last Week: #13, lost vs #2 Indianapolis, 38-24

The Chargers looked like one of the best teams in the NFL through 3 weeks. Now, they have a fight to get into the postseason.

This Week: vs #20 Minnesota

#16 WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (3-4) -4

Last Week: #12, lost at #24 Dallas, 44-22

Injuries have hampered Washington, and now they may be without Jayden Daniels for a bit.

This Week: at #5 Kansas City

#17 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (4-3) -3

Last Week: #14, lost vs #4 LA Rams, 35-7 (in London)

Two weeks after knocking off the Chiefs, Jacksonville looks very much like last season’s version.

This Week: BYE

#18 CAROLINA PANTHERS (4-3) +2

Last Week: #20, won at #32 NY Jets, 13-6

Carolina hasn’t been above .500 this late in a season in six years.

This Week: vs #10 Buffalo

#19 ATLANTA FALCONS (3-3) -2

Last Week: #17, lost at #19 San Francisco, 20-10

The Falcons continue their Jekyll & Hyde ways. Looking like world beaters one week, also rans the next.

This Week: vs #30 Miami

#20 MINNESOTA VIKINGS (3-3) -2

Last Week: #18, lost vs #8 Philadelphia, 28-22

The Vikings suddenly find themselves in the basement of the very tough NFC North.

This Week: at #15 LA Chargers

#21 DALLAS COWBOYS (3-3-1) +3

Last Week: #24, won vs #12 Washington, 44-22

Dallas can hang with anyone at home, on the road their defense usually does them in.

This Week: at #8 Denver

#22 HOUSTON TEXANS (2-4) -1

Last Week: #21, lost at #11 Seattle, 27-19

Houston has serious issues on offense, starting with the offensive line.

This Week: vs #14 San Francisco

#23 BALTIMORE RAVENS (1-5)

Last Week: #23, BYE

Have the Ravens gotten healthy over the break? Have they figured out the problems with their defense?

This Week: vs #13 Chicago

#24 CINCINNATI BENGALS (3-4) +6

Last Week: #30, won vs #6 Pittsburgh, 33-31

Big division win for Cincinnati, keeping their season alive, for now.

This Week: vs #32 NY Jets

#25 CLEVELAND BROWNS (2-5) +2

Last Week: #27, won vs #29 Miami, 31-6

The Browns in Cleveland is a tough matchup for anyone.

This Week: at #12 New England

#26 NEW YORK GIANTS (2-5) -4

Last Week: #22, lost at #7 Denver, 33-32

All time collapse by the Giants, but they have something in Jaxson Dart.

This Week: at #3 Philadelphia

#27 ARIZONA CARDINALS (2-5) -2

Last Week: #25, lost vs #5 Green Bay, 27-23

Cardinals have been in every game during this five game skid, but they can’t seem to finish.

This Week: BYE

#28 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-6)

Last Week: #28, lost at #15 Chicago, 26-14

Saints should probably turn the reins over to Tyler Shough soon, to see what they have.

This Week: vs #7 Tampa Bay

#29 LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (2-5) -3

Last Week: #26, lost at #9 Kansas City, 31-0

Have the Raiders hit rock bottom? What happened to Geno Smith?

This Week: BYE

#30 MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-6) -1

Miami is awful. Mike McDaniel is on the hottest seat now that Tennessee fired Brian Callahan.

Last Week: #29, lost at #27 Cleveland, 31-6

This Week: at #19 Atlanta

#31 TENNESSEE TITANS (1-6)

Last Week: #31, lost vs #16 New England, 31-13

New coach, same result. Cam Ward looks way in over his head and the Titans aren’t helping him at all.

This Week: at #2 Indianapolis

#32 NEW YORK JETS (0-7)

Last Week: #32, lost vs #20 Carolina, 13-6

I hate to say this, but the Jets may need to bench Justin Fields to salvage something from this season.

This Week: at #24 Cincinnati

Week 7 NFL Picks

Posted by henpunk2 on

Last Week: 9-6 / 7-8

Season: 56-37 / 45-48

Pittsburgh Steelers (-5.5) @ Cincinnati Bengals

Steelers pass rush could tee off on Joe Flacco.

PIT 24-13

Los Angeles Rams (-2.5) vs Jacksonville Jaguars (In London)

If this game was in Duval, I might have taken the Jags, but in a neutral site I’ll take the Rams.

Rams 27-24

Las Vegas Raiders (+12.5) @ Kansas City Chiefs

KC looks like they’ve found their footing, but even at home that’s a lot of points to lay.

KC 28-17

Miami Dolphins @ Cleveland Browns (-2.5)

Miami has some serious issues. Cleveland’s defense will win this game.

CLE 13-10

New England Patriots (-7.5) @ Tennessee Titans

Patriots are rolling, while Tennessee breaks in a new coach. Vrabel revenge game.

NE 31-13

Carolina Panthers (-1.5) @ New York Jets

Carolina is starting to look like a team on the rise. The Jets look like a team trying to find rock bottom.

CAR 24-16

New Orleans Saints (+5.5) @ Chicago Bears

Bears are starting to roll, but the Saints will put up a fight.

CHI 24-20

Philadelphia Eagles (-1.5) @ Minnesota Vikings

Philly should figure some things out on their mini bye, they should break their losing streak.

PHI 24-17

Indianapolis Colts (-1.5) @ Los Angeles Chargers

Chargers are just too banged up and too inconsistent to hold off the Colts at home.

IND 27-24

New York Giants (+7.5) @ Denver Broncos

Denver’s defense will win this game for them, the offense will keep them from covering.

DEN 16-13

Green Bay Packers @ Arizona Cardinals (+6.5)

Packers haven’t been dominant lately. Arizona will keep it close, but drop their fifth straight.

GB 23-17

Washington Commanders (-1.5) @ Dallas Cowboys

Washington needs a bounce back game. Enter the Dallas defense.

WAS 31-23

Atlanta Falcons (+2.5) @ San Francisco 49ers

Niners are just too injury ravaged to hold off the surging Falcons.

ATL 24-20

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+5.5) @ Detroit Lions

Huge battle for NFC supremacy, I’ll take Detroit at home.

DET 30-27

Houston Texans @ Seattle Seahawks (-3.5)

Texans are coming out of the bye, but Seattle is just too much.

SEA 24-13

BJ & Da’ Bears: Week 6 Recap & Week 7 Preview

Posted by henpunk2 on

Week 6 Recap

BJ & Da’ Bears vs Loose Lucy

I fell six points short of a signature win on Monday night, but due to the result of the Bears/Commanders game, I am not all that upset.

Caleb Williams had an okay game, it could have been better had there not been a ticky-tack penalty on a TD pass to Rome Odunze. Williams has become a safe floor fantasy quarterback.

Unfortunately, my opponent’s second year QB had a bigger game. I lost the QB battle, 38-23.

I also lost the RB battle, 23-22, even though I played 3 RBs to my opponent’s two. Rachaad White had a great game but David Montgomery did not.

I inserted Rhamondre Stevenson into my starting lineup and listed him as one of the keys to my week. It failed miserably. It’s hard to trust any of New England’s running backs right now.

I did win the WR matchup, 20-4, but again I had one more WR in my lineup than my opponent. Rome Odunze had his worst week of the season, but he did have a TD called back by a questionable penalty. Without that penalty, I win this game.

Tetairoa McMillan had his breakout game, catching two touchdown passes against Dallas and putting up 16 fantasy points. Williams had more points, but I’m giving my MVP to McMillan.

Quentin Johnston was one of my keys to the week, unfortunately he was a late scratch. I kept Brian Thomas Jr on my bench for the second week in a row and he had his best fantasy week of the season. I considered putting him back into the lineup when Johnston was ruled out, unfortunately I did not and it cost me the game.

I listed Trey McBride as one of my keys, saying he needed to at least cancel out one of my opponent’s two tight ends. He did that, but I still lost the TE battle, 23-13.

Overall, RB, WR & TE were pretty close, I actually won those matchups by 5 points.

Kicker was pretty much a wash. We both needed to hit the waiver wire, my opponent won the kicker battle by 1 point.

My streamed defense, Las Vegas Raiders, outscored my opponent, 20-12.

Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers Photo Credit- Cory Knowlton/ Imagn Images

This was a tough beat to a really good opponent. I had my chances. If I had chosen Brian Thomas Jr instead of Keon Coleman when Johnston was ruled out, I win.

If the Caleb Williams to Rome Odunze touchdown had stood, I win.

My team still has some issues, but they’ve actually been better than I expected. A couple breaks here and there and I could be right in the mix for a playoff spot.

Week 7 Preview

BJ & Da’ Bears vs The Tweedle Beetles

Projected Lineups

I face my nemesis this week. Early in our rivalry, I could never beat the Tweedle Beetles. No matter how good my team was, I always lost to them. In recent years, however, I’ve been able to right that ship.

This should be another tight game. I’m slightly favored, but we are pretty evenly matched. I catch a break with Derrick Henry being on bye, and I have no player of significance out.

Here’s my keys to this matchup:

  1. Rome Odunze: Odunze is coming off his only dud of the season and has a plus matchup versus the Saints. I need him to bounce back. I have plenty of confidence he will. If not for a borderline penalty call, Odunze would have had another double digit fantasy week this past week.
  2. Rachaad White: I need White to continue to take advantage of Bucky Irving’s absence. If he can even out Josh Jacobs’ production that would go a long way to securing a victory for me.
  3. Tetairoa McMillan: McMillan had his first two NFL touchdowns this past week, and his highest fantasy output of the season. I need him to continue his breakthrough.
  4. Trey McBride: McBride is also coming off his best fantasy week of the season and I need him to continue that trend. McBride needs to start winning the tight end battle for me on a consistent basis.

Trash Pandas: Week 6 Recap & Week 7 Preview

Posted by henpunk2 on

Week 6 Recap

Trash Pandas vs Cleveland Steamers

Well, I’m not going to dwell too long on this one. This was about as bad of a fantasy football performance as I’ve ever had. I pretty much knew I was going to lose by halftime of the one o’clock games.

It got so bad that I didn’t even bother replacing Cairo Santos at kicker when he was ruled out before kickoff on Monday night.

Justin Herbert was listed as my number one key to the week, and that’s about the only thing that went right. Herbert bounced back and he was the only guy in my lineup that actually produced.

Herbert actually outdueled Josh Allen and helped me win the QB battle, 26-20.

I lost the RB matchup, 26-14. Michael Carter was one of my keys, but he took a backseat to Bam Knight in the Cardinals’ backfield. Still, his 6 points were enough to equal Jahmyr Gibbs, who was thoroughly disappointing.

I nearly benched TreVeyon Henderson, but injuries forced me to put him in at flex. I was not rewarded.

Quentin Johnston was another of my keys, but he was unable to go. To make matters worse, Marvin Harrison got knocked out of the game with a concussion & Rome Odunze had a TD wiped out by a questionable penalty.

Brock Bowers, another of my keys, sat out another game. Mason Taylor didn’t replicate his week 5 output, as the Jets passing game was downright dreadful. I lost the TE battle, 23-0.

The signs for a bad week were there from Thursday night, when the Philadelphia Eagles defense managed to put up negative five points.

Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers Photo Credit- Carmen Mandato/ Getty Images

This was a thoroughly embarrassing effort. Everything that could go wrong, did, except Herbert rebounding for a solid game.

Short term memory, I need to move on to the next game.

Week 7 Preview

Trash Pandas vs Lancaster Lightning

Projected Lineups & Benches

Big matchup this week. I need to right this ship and get back to winning. This is also a division matchup and I’m 2-0 in the division thus far.

I’m a slight favorite, but I think we’re pretty evenly matched. We both have some injury questions. I’m unsure, as of this writing, if I’ll have Quentin Johnston, Marvin Harrison Jr or Brock Bowers available. My opponent may or may not have Puka Nucua available.

Here’s my keys to the week:

  1. Jahmyr Gibbs: Gibbs has another high profile matchup against a tough opponent, but I need him to come through. He’s been mildly disappointing this season and I need him to to start putting up some big weeks.
  2. TreVeyon Henderson: I need Henderson to take over that Patriots backfield, somehow, some way. I really don’t have any other viable option as my number two RB, Henderson needs to start putting up points.
  3. Jordan Addison: I could list any of my WRs here, they were all bad last week. But, I’m pretty confident Rome Odunze bounces back. Quentin Johnston was out with an injury, so I’m hoping he’ll be back to his normal, productive self this week. I’m going with Addison as a key because I’ve made the decision to play him over Marvin Harrison Jr, make it pay, please.
  4. Brock Bowers: Honestly, the troubles I’ve had with this team can all be traced to Bowers hurting his knee in week one. Bowers is a cheat code, when healthy. Plug and play and know I’m getting WR production from a TE. Instead, my TE position has been an abyss.

NFL Power Rankings: Week 7

Posted by henpunk2 on

Another chaotic week in the NFL, the top three teams all lost. We’ve got a new number one team for the third week in a row. This one might prove to be short lived, too.

#1 TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (5-1) +3

Last Week: #4, won vs #13 San Francisco, 30-19

It might end up being short lived, but the Buccaneers have earned the number one ranking thus far.

This Week: at #3 Detroit

#2 INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (5-1) +4

Last Week: #6, won vs #24 Arizona, 31-27

I still expect the Daniel Jones bubble to burst, but there is no denying the Colts are playing very good football.

This Week: at #13 LA Chargers

#3 DETROIT LIONS (4-2) -2

Last Week: #1, lost at #11 Kansas City, 30-17

Losing on the road in KC should never drop you too far down the rankings. Big chance to move back up with a showdown against Tampa at home.

This Week: vs #1 Tampa Bay

#4 LOS ANGELES RAMS (4-2) +3

Last Week: #7, won at #19 Baltimore, 17-3

The Rams have been a bit inconsistent, but they do have the talent to make some noise in the NFC.

This Week: vs #14 Jacksonville in London

#5 GREEN BAY PACKERS (3-1-1)

Last Week: #5, won vs #30 Cincinnati, 27-18

Green Bay was dominant through two weeks, since not so much, but the talent is there.

This Week: at #25 Arizona

#6 PITTSBURGH STEELERS (4-1) +2

Last Week: #8, won vs #25 Cleveland, 23-9

I’m not sold on Pittsburgh being true contenders in the AFC, but they are in total control of their division.

This Week: at #30 Cincinnati

#7 DENVER BRONCOS (4-2) +2

Last Week: #9, won vs #32 NY Jets in London, 13-11

Denver still has some work to do offense, but the defense is starting to be the dominant force many envisioned.

This Week: vs #22 NY Giants

#8 PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (4-2) -6

Last Week: #2, lost at #27 NY Giants, 34-17

The Eagles have serious issues on offense, especially, but I think they’ll eventually get them figured out.

This Week: at #17 Minnesota

#9 KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (3-3) +2

Last Week: #11, won vs #1 Detroit, 30-17

As other AFC elites are starting to show cracks, the Chiefs are starting to show fixes. Watch out.

This Week: vs #26 Las Vegas

#10 BUFFALO BILLS (4-2) -7

Last Week: #3, lost at #20 Atlanta, 24-14

Buffalo’s defense will torpedo any Super Bowl aspirations they have.

This Week: BYE

#11 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (4-2) +3

Last Week: #14, won at Jacksonville, 20-12

The Seahawks are the NFL’s road warriors. They could make some real noise in the NFC.

This Week: vs #21 Houston

#12 WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (3-3) -2

Last Week: #10, lost vs #17 Chicago, 25-24

Washington needs to get healthy and they need to clean up the sloppy ball handling, but they’re still in the mix.

#13 LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (4-2) +2

Last Week: #15, won at #29 Miami, 29-27

It wasn’t as resounding as one would’ve hoped, but the Chargers did snap their two game skid.

This Week: vs #2 Indianapolis

#14 JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (4-2) -2

Last Week: #12, lost vs #14 Seattle, 20-12

Jacksonville lost a tough one at home, have to go overseas for another tough matchup. This could define their season.

This Week: vs #4 LA Rams in London

#15 CHICAGO BEARS (3-2) +2

Last Week: #17, won at #10 Washington, 25-24

The Bears have won three in a row and have a string of very winnable games upcoming.

This Week: vs #28 New Orleans

#16 NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (4-2) +2

Last Week: #18, won at #26 New Orleans, 25-19

Patriots suddenly find themselves in first place and Drake Maye looks like a legit MVP candidate.

This Week: at #31 Tennessee

#17 ATLANTA FALCONS (3-2) +3

Last Week: #20, won vs #3 Buffalo, 24-14

Biggest win in Atlanta in years, the Falcons might have found a pass rush.

This Week: at #19 San Francisco

#18 MINNESOTA VIKINGS (3-2) -2

Last Week: #16, BYE

Minnesota should be healthier coming out of the bye.

This Week: vs #8 Philadelphia

#19 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (4-2) -6

Last Week: #13, lost at #4 Tampa Bay, 30-19

The Niners have endured a lot of injuries, but losing Fred Warner for the season could be the one that breaks them.

This Week: vs #17 Atlanta

#20 CAROLINA PANTHERS (3-3) +3

Last Week: #23, won vs #22 Dallas, 30-27

Carolina has shown some growth over the last couple weeks.

This Week: at #32 NY Jets

#21 HOUSTON TEXANS (2-3)

Last Week: #21, BYE

Coming off their bye, the Texans have an uphill battle in the AFC and their division.

This Week: at #11 Seattle

#22 NEW YORK GIANTS (2-4) +5

Last Week: #27, won vs #2 Philadelphia, 34-17

Giants are coming off their biggest win in years, can they keep the momentum?

This Week: at #7 Denver

#23 BALTIMORE RAVENS (1-5) -4

Last Week: #19, lost vs #7 LA Rams, 17-3

The Ravens’ free fall continues into the bye, but Lamar Jackson should return after.

This Week: BYE

#24 DALLAS COWBOYS (2-3-1) -2

Last Week: #22, lost at #23 Carolina, 30-27

Dallas is much better at home than on the road and that defense… Yikes.

This Week: vs #12 Washington

#25 ARIZONA CARDINALS (2-4) -1

Last Week: #24, lost at #6 Indianapolis, 31-27

Cardinals almost pulled off a huge upset with their backup QB, but the losing streak reaches 4.

This Week: vs #5 Green Bay

#26 LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (2-4) +5

Last Week: #31, won vs #28 Tennessee, 20-10

Vegas ended their losing streak and should get Brock Bowers back soon.

This Week: at #9 Kansas City

#27 CLEVELAND BROWNS (1-5) -2

Last Week: #25, lost at #8 Pittsburgh, 23-9

Cleveland’s defense will keep them in most games, the offense needs to find something.

This Week: vs #29 Miami

#28 NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1-5) -2

Last Week: #26, lost vs #18 New England, 25-19

The Saints put up a fight every week, but they just don’t have the talent to pull off the wins.

This Week: at #15 Chicago

#29 MIAMI DOLPHINS (1-5)

Last Week: #29, lost vs #15 LA Chargers, 29-27

Dolphins apparently have serious locker room problems, it translates onto the field.

This Week: at #27 Cleveland

#30 CINCINNATI BENGALS (2-4)

Last Week: #30, lost vs #5 Green Bay, 27-19

Cincy looked better with Joe Flacco, but this still isn’t a good team without Joe Burrow.

This Week: vs #6 Pittsburgh

#31 TENNESSEE TITANS (1-5) -3

Last Week: #28, lost at #31 Las Vegas, 20-10

Tennessee fired their head coach, not sure if that will translate into any wins.

This Week: vs #16 New England

#32 NEW YORK JETS (0-6)

Last Week: #32, lost vs #9 Denver in London, 13-11

That was as terrible an offensive display as I’ve ever seen, and I’ve been a Bears fan for over 30 years.

This Week: vs #20 Carolina