2017 NFL Picks Week Three and more...

2017 NFL Picks Week Three

Note for Fantasy Football Players: In addition to the (ugh) TNF game, the first game in London is this week (the first of TWO straight weeks of London games!) It will be undefeated Baltimore vs (home team) Jacksonville (whose owner ASKED for his team to play in London…go figure). If you don’t like (potentially) low-scoring defensive battles…you will HATE getting up early for this one (I won’t totally be loving it, for it starts at 1030pm, Sunday night here in South Korea, then everyone else starts after that (2am; 5-something am, before my Raiders play the Redskins in DC (actually suburban Maryland!....just being correct on location!) at 930 am Monday morning, Japan/Korea time!). Please adjust your rosters early for players in this early game accordingly. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Last Week:   NFL picks: 8-8, Bonus picks: 3-1 (will explain at bottom).

Season:   NFL: 17-14; Bonus picks: 3-1

Slow start on my picks this year, but it will get better. 8 2-0 teams, including my Raiders and Ravens and NOT New England or Dallas. So sue me. That means I am already playing with house money. This week will be harder, I think.

Thursday Night Football on NFL Network:

Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco: This may be the start to a string of crappy TNF games. (I checked, pretty much…yes as of now, until Kansas City at Oakland (October 19) in four weeks. Sorry, I don’t make the schedule. The Niners have no offense, yet they almost beat Seattle, who has better offensive talents anyway…go figure. The Rams showed they can score on offense with former first overall pick QB Jared Goff, though to be honest…if the Rams didn’t have HB Todd Gurley III and PK Greg Zuerlein scoring in both games and the defense (minus DT Aaron Donald) add 14 points (2 pick-sixTDs and 1 safety) in the opener at Indianapolis), this team would have fewer points than Seattle and the same number as these Niners does in 2 games (Seattle 21 other Rams 12, 49ers 12…seriously, I checked). Not good. This game won’t be better. But the Niners are 1 game out of first place. If the Niners win and Seattle loses on Sunday (possible), and Arizona loses on MNF (seems likely…right?), the NFC Weak…I mean, West, will be a 4-way tie at 1-2. Ugh. Remember…one of these four will be in the playoffs, at a minimum. Other than Gurley, I can’t find any real positives….on either team really. Watch this game at your own peril.

Who wins? Do we care? I am not loving this matchup at all. This will not be high scoring, unless the Rams defense get up WITH Donald like they did without Donald against the Colts. Maybe they like road games more. Or just can’t handle teams with legit QBs (so far), though they have only faced one so far. The Niners are worse on offense and their defense will only slow down Gurley for so long. I am taking the Rams on the road again. And I will not be surprised if the Niners go a third straight game without scoring even 1 touchdown. If they finish the first half of this game without doing so, that will (apparently) be a NFL record. (As best as I could find…the 1977 Tampa Bay Buccaneers did not score their first TD of the SEASON until the second quarter of their third game. They didn’t get their second TD until the second quarter of their fifth game (was shut out 13-0 in week 4). Not good). Rams win.  

Los Angeles Rams 15 San Francisco 6

Sunday’s Games:

Baltimore at Jacksonville (930am EDT start on CBS from London): The Ravens are 2-0 and are looking pretty good, all things considered. But starting with Cincinnati on the road and Cleveland at home kind of helps. Jacksonville did upset and smash a distracted Texans team in Houston before Tennessee smashed them at the Jaguars’ home opener after Oakland smashed the Titans in Nashville in Week 1. Get all that? Good. But both teams have good to great defenses. Offensively…not so much. Bottom line, every conference game is big, for no team will win a wild-card easily, looking at the stacked AFC West with 3 2-0 teams. Regardless of the location, this is a more important game than some might think. Hope they realize this.

Who wins? It is simple. Baltimore has a better, more experienced team, injuries notwithstanding, with a reasonable and experienced QB in Joe Flacco leading them who has won a Super Bowl…and a better more experienced defense. The Jaguars have a young, hungry defense…but the offense is a dumpster fire, mostly because of ineffective QB Blake Bortles, who has won nothing that matters, except a big contract as a high first-round draft pick four years ago. Simple as that. The Jaguars will make more mistakes and the Ravens will take advantage. Game may be close, but the Ravens will win this game…wherever.

Baltimore 24 Jacksonville 15

Cleveland at Indianapolis: This game may well decide who gets the first overall pick in the 2018 NFL (I know it is early, but I am serious). The Colts really suck, and injured starter QB Andrew Luck (shoulder from last year) is out again. Seriously, if Luck cannot play until midseason (if at all this year), the Colts should say so. This team won’t win much with Luck, never mind without because the cupboards are almost bare on both sides of the ball. The fan base deserves the truth. Cleveland is not much better, but rookie QB Deshone Kizer is young and raw and top WR Corey Coleman (broken right hand) just went on IR-designated to return (?), as well. Congrats to Browns LT Joe Thomas who has now played over 10,000 NFL snaps without missing a play from the start of his career, as of last week. Too bad this team sucks. Still…somebody has to win this game…..right?

Who wins? No one really cares, but Cleveland might want to lose this game, with all the picks they have next year. Unfortunately, if they want to tank, this may be the one game they will win (and avoid 0-16) despite themselves. Oh, wait…the Browns host the Jets in two weeks…and the Bengals in week 11…and the Bears on Christmas Eve (week 16). So that number might actually be a bit more than one. Sorry. Cleveland can at least score TDs….more than the Colts can right now. No Luck means Colts loss. Even to Cleveland. Period. Browns win.

Cleveland 20 Indianapolis 13

New York Giants at Philadelphia (home opener): This is not a good time for the Giants. They got punched out at Dallas in the SNF opener with star WR Odell Beckham, Jr. injured. They go home for MNF, get a mostly healthy OBJ back and Detroit (dome team!) comes in and beats them down. Now they travel south to Philadelphia to face the shaky…but still better Eagles. This is before they go to Tampa, host the hard-luck Chargers, go to Denver (who just did unnatural things to Dallas in that thin air!) before coming home for offensively challenged (for now) Seattle, whose defense may be stronger than in previous years and the Rams, who have defense, too. Not good. These new-look Giants look old-school weak. Spent a lot of money on defense (a little on offense) and they cannot score. The Eagles may have stole one in Washington in week 1, but went to KC and got punched out by former coach Andy Reid and the Chiefs. (Both teams had better remember they face all 4 AFC West teams this year…ouch.) Injuries will hurt the Eagles…both teams look punch-drunk going into this game. This game was going to be ugly, anyway. This will be a merde (French for bleep!) game all around. Sorry.

Who wins? The Giants cannot afford a 0-3 start (and 2 (road) division losses) if they want to make the playoffs. The Eagles would have a leg up on the NFC East if they win here. And they need it since they don’t see the Giants (in Jersey) again until the week before Christmas as part of a not fun 7 game finishing stretch (at Dallas, Chicago, at Seattle, at Rams, at Giants (to finish road schedule) home with Oakland on Christmas night and Dallas on New Years Eve). They may need a bunch of those games to clinch a playoff spot (or get a better seed). The Giants will be stronger in Jersey. Eagles needs home wins, especially in this home opener. Eagles will get this one, for if they don’t….that could flush their season down the toilet later. Fly, Eagles, Fly! (while you can!)

Philadelphia 28 New York Giants 17

Miami at New York Jets: I know Miami losing their great bye week due to Hurricane Irma sucks. But they won last week’s “new opener” and now they go to New Jersey to face the engineless Jets who got grounded and disemboweled at Oakland last week. New Miami QB Jay Cutler was all right…but it was just one game. Now LB Lawrence Timmons blows off (?) last week’s win at the Chargers (after the unplanned bye week. WTF?) and is now suspended. Miami trades to get a linebacker from the Saints to replace him this week. Getting to avoid a cold-weather game later is a plus on the schedule. It is not wise to call any game (right now) a near-sure thing, but this is as close as these Dolphins will come to such except for the week 6 rematch in Miami…and perhaps the two games with Buffalo in the final three weeks (road week 15, home in the finale on New Year’s Eve). Got to grab wins when you can, right?

Who wins? If okay or good Cutler plays this Sunday, Miami should roll here. If Bad Jay comes out, the Jets may steal this win. Okay Jay shows up…and that will be enough…only for this week. Mark my words. Dolphins win.

Miami 27 New York Jets 14

Denver at Buffalo: Wow. Denver is hanging in. How long can the offense survive with Simien as the QB? For a little while as long as that defense stays healthy. Buffalo doesn’t have the offense to beat the awesome Denver defense. Even in Buffalo, Denver should be able to get it done here. Right?

Who wins? As dangerous as Buffalo QB Tyrod Taylor is, they just won’t get points against this defense…unless the Buffalo defense generates some against on the Denver offense. Not betting on it. Denver wins.

Denver 28 Buffalo 20

Pittsburgh at Chicago: Short and sweet….Chicago is a mess. Pittsburgh is reasonably solid….with many more weapons on offense. If Chicago wins this game, it is because of many Steeler mistakes and/or injuries…not due to Chicago talent. Period.

Who wins? Seriously? I know the Bears gave a good fight against the Falcons here, but this is no Atlanta. I cannot take this upset. Sorry. Steelers win again.

Pittsburgh 26 Chicago 10

Atlanta at Detroit: Two good friends in starting QBs Matt Ryan of Atlanta and Matthew Stafford of Detroit face off on undefeated teams. Expect lots of passing yards and points on both sides. Feel bad for the defenses and the running games. Atlanta should get some yards on the ground…Lions…not so much. This game could be fun in the dome.

Who wins? As dangerous as Detroit is at home, especially lately, I don’t think Atlanta lets this game get away. A chance to win a road dome game against a team you might (doubt it) see in the playoffs? Atlanta will get this done. Falcons win again.

Atlanta 35 Detroit 30

Tampa Bay at Minnesota: The Bucs could be real good…but having no bye week now will have a toll..but not right now. Minnesota now knows starter QB Sam Bradford (knee) is out again. Is his season over? If so, is the season done for this year’s Super Bowl host city? Too early to say. This is a trap game with Bradford at QB. It is more so with backup Case Keenum starting. Beware, Tampa Bay.

Who wins? Like Miami and Jacksonville, I do think the early season distractions will affect these guys…but the Jaguars got to play their opener only because it was a road game and kept their bye week. The Bucs and Dolphins did not. Like Florida State, who lost two home games because of the hurricane, losing their late bye (the opener was at Miami) will hurt them now…and even more later. The Vikings will take advantage. It may not matter later…but we will see. Vikings score a upset in the dome.

Minnesota 27 Tampa Bay 24 (OT)

Houston at New England: Houston is still offensively challenged. New England is pissed after choking in their home opener. The Patriots are mostly all healthy, except from Gronk, who is sore but playing. Not that it matters. QB Tom Brady and friends are going to make the Texans into cold cuts after this beating. Houston’s defense will not stop that.

Who wins? No chance the Patriots will go down to 0-2 at home. Even if Houston found a way to score 40 points…New England will just get 45. Simple as that. Patriots win again.

New England 31 Houston 20

Seattle at Tennessee: This may not be a high-scoring game. Will Seattle bring some offense to Nashville? I doubt it. As dangerous as the Titans can be at home, the Seattle defense is stout. This game will be brutal. If you love low-scoring games…you will LOVE this game.

Who wins? The Titans can score…but this is not an average defense. Scoring a combined 37 points will be tough. I am taking Tennessee only because I don’t think Seattle will get to 14 points. 5 field goals might be enough to steal this one. Titans get a home upset win.

Tennessee 18 Seattle 17

Cincinnati at Green Bay: Green Bay is in early trouble. Cincinnati looks like bleep. Will there a beat down at Lambeau. Seems very possible. QB Aaron Rodgers is very tough to beat at home. Simple call, right?

Who wins? QB Andy Dalton is no Rodgers on his best day. He is far from that so far this year. Green Bay could not screw up enough to blow this game. Barring major injuries, this is a okay Green Bay home win. Simple as that.

Green Bay 30 Cincinnati 20

Kansas City at Los Angeles Chargers: Could this be the Chargers’ last stand? In week 3? It might be after two heartbreaking losses to begin the year. These guys are down 2 games to the entire AFC West. Lose this game and you are down three games to possibly all three teams in the division and in the wild-card. I don’t see any rallying from that. The Chiefs will be tested again today…but the six division games will be tough, regardless. This is a must-watch game. Even with the Chargers losing CB Nelson Verrett for the season (knee)…again…these guys will rally….this week.

Who wins? The Chiefs are solid, but are routinely weaker away from Arrowhead Stadium. I think Rivers gets it down this week…somehow. But the Chiefs will have to help them win this game. And they will. It is a choking Chiefs kind of thing. Chargers win.

Los Angeles Chargers 30 Kansas City 27 (OT)

Sunday Night Football on NBC:

Oakland at Washington

Monday Night Football on ESPN: This will be a war. Period. You know the history. Washington QB Kirk Cousins is good…but so is Raiders QB Derek Carr. This will be a high-scoring game and perhaps the best game on the SNF calendar before we get to the flex game option starting in Week 10. This will not be great for either defense, but they will factor in a major points of this game. Could both teams break 40 points? Maybe. Watch this game.

Who wins? The Raiders had been seemingly shaky in games played in the Eastern/Central time zones…but in recent years, that trend has turned around. Oakland has confidence having already beaten Tennessee in Nashville. Washington can be as tough as the Titans, especially at home, but their (almost expected) injury woes, especially at TE and having less at WR than in the past will limit Cousins. Carr will have no such issues. Raiders win.

Oakland 38 Washington 27

Dallas at Arizona (last team to have home opener): Dallas got smashed badly at Denver and cracks in the team’s unity is showing in the immaturity of embattled RB Ezekiel Elliott. I said before the season started that Dallas had to win a lot early in case Elliott is lost to that six-game domestic violence suspension hanging over his head. Elliott playing like a (bleep) last week didn’t help, though it may not have mattered in the beat-down Denver laid down. Arizona got a needed win last week, but now needs to take advantage of a distracted Dallas team (for more reasons than Elliott) in their home opener. More importantly, with the NFC West looking…shaky….Arizona had better take advantage where they can…like right now.

Who wins? I expect Elliott and Dallas to do better in this dome this week. But Arizona may be…and needs to be more desperate than Dallas right now if they want to win. This may not be as big a upset as it seems on paper when the schedule came out. But a upset it will be nonetheless. And the Cardinals will get it. Cardinals win.

Arizona 29 Dallas 27

Bonus picks: This is why I am 3-1:

I correctly predicted at least two Top 25 teams, excluding the Tennessee-Florida game (23 vs 24, who cares?) would be upset by unranked teams. Four top teams lost (then 12 LSU lost by 30 at now ranked Mississippi State), 18 Kansas State, 19 Stanford and 25 UCLA at undefeated Vanderbilt (who hosts 1 Alabama next) now ranked San Diego State and unranked (receiving a few votes, but a LONG way from anyone’s Top 25), but undefeated Memphis (who likely will not play another ranked team this year unless Navy gets to the top 25 before their game (unlikely), respectively.

a.      I correctly predicted the Alvarez-GGG middleweight title fight would end in a split decision. But I didn’t see that draw coming. That first (female?) judge who called it 118-110 Alvarez (what?) and the third judge who called it a straight 114-114 draw are likely both blind. Hopefully, the rematch will be quickly agreed to in the 3 week allowed window that just opened this week…and they get better judges for the “rematch”. Hard to call it a rematch if the first fight ended in a (questionable) draw, right? I am taking 1.5 points and not 2 points, since there was no actual “winner” to the fight and I had picked Alvarez to upset GGG to win the unified (?) title(s). Just being fair.

b.      I did say that I thought a non-Chase driver would win the NASCAR playoff opener at Chicagoland (which didn’t happen), but I did also say “assuming regular season champ Martin Truex, Jr. doesn’t do it”. Truex, Jr. did rally and win the race, the bonus points for the win AND the automatic berth to the quarterfinal (Round of Eight or whatever NASCAR calls it now..lol), plus the sizeable points lead he already had from the regular season. I got lucky, but I am still taking a half point win for this result.

This week’s bonus picks:

1.      College Football: Not a lot of interesting games this weekend. I do say ranked teams should beware of playing at undefeated (or shaky record with losses), unranked conference foes this week, specifically:

a.      Especially this one: 1 Alabama AT undefeated Vanderbilt (3-0), national 330pm EDT Saturday game on CBS, I think)

b.      20 Florida (1-1 only due to Irma) at unranked, undefeated Kentucky (3-0)

c.      4 Penn State at unranked Iowa (both 3-0, Big Ten opener for both).

d.      3 Oklahoma at Baylor (inexplicably 0-3, upset AT HOME by Liberty (Virginia school!) AND Texas-San Antonio) and at Duke (WTF?)).

e.      5 USC at California (both 3-0, Pac-12 opener for Cal)

f.       16 TCU at 6 Oklahoma State (both 3-0, Big 12 opener for both)

g.      Unranked, but undefeated Toledo (3-0) at 14 Miami (1-0 only due to Irma)

h.      22 San Diego State (3-0) at unranked Air Force (1-1), Mountain West opener for both

i.       7 Washington at Colorado (both 3-0, Pac-12 opener for both)

j.       24 Oregon (3-0…and they are only ranked No. 24 in the nation?) at

 Arizona State (1-2) Pac-12 opener for both

       Upsets?  I see two more coming. Take your pick where.

2.      NASCAR playoffs at New Hampshire: This race will be wild. With Martin Truex, Jr., the points leader having won last week and already advanced to the next one, who can grab a second automatic spot in the playoffs with a win? Bet on Kyle Busch or Denny Hamlin doing it for JGR, or maybe Jimmie Johnson for Chevy or Brad Keselowski or Kevin Harvick for Ford. I have my doubt a non-Chase participant will win here, barring at least one 5+ car wreck that takes contenders out.

3.      WWE (Raw exclusive) No Mercy PPV at Staples Center in Los Angeles Sunday night on WWE Network:

a.      Roman Reigns beats John Cena clean. But it doesn’t matter. Cena is off to film a movie after this and when he returns before Survivor Series (or whenever), he will be back on Smackdown Live!, anyway. A win will not get Reigns over. Nothing short of a Cena heel turn and historically horrific beat-down of Reigns  and cursing of the fans in the process would.

b.      Universal Championship: Brock Lesnar retains against Braun Strowman, but gets hurt in process, allowing him to be off TV until Survivor Series or longer without losing the belt.

c.      Raw Tag Team Championship: Ambrose and Rollins retain

d.      Intercontinental Championship: Jason Jordan upsets The Miz to win the Intercontinental title, and gets beat up by the Miztourage during and after the match.

e.      Cruiserweight Championship: Enzo Amore upsets Neville (but will lose title in first or second title defense and/or rematch against Neville on Raw or 205 Live within 2-3 weeks, or must relinquish it due to injury).

f.       Finn Balor beats Bray Wyatt

g.      Raw Women’s Championship: Nia Jax wins Fatal Five-Way over champion Alexa Bliss, former champs Sasha Banks and Bayley by pinning (fifth competitor) Emma to win her first Women’s Championship. A new champion is needed and Jax is the obvious and best choice versus the title changing hands between the three women who have been champion already.

2017 NFL Picks Week 2

Week One: 9-6 (with Tampa Bay-Miami delayed to Week 11, due to Hurricane Irma)

Week 2:

Thursday Night Football on NFL Network:

Houston at Cincinnati: Well, these two teams crashed and burned last week. The Texans have an excuse, considering all the mess they went through with Hurricane Harvey the last few weeks, though they were playing at home. Cincinnati does not. QB Andy Dalton played like (bleep) at Baltimore and sunk this team, who was not very helpful. Baltimore’s defense is good, but throwing four interceptions makes it easy to ultimately score, even field goals and/or worse, no (offensive) points, either. Now, Cincinnati comes home on a short week to face these Texans who had no offense against a young and hungry Jacksonville defense. Not totally surprised. Houston is going to start rookie Deshaun Watson this week instead of ineffective starter Tom Savage who was benched in the second half. This was looking like one of the better TNF matchups when the schedule came out in April. Not so much now. This is already a must-win game for both teams. The loser will be down two games in the conference, plus very few teams rally from 0-2 to make the playoffs. I will watch just to see who bounces back better from Week 1’s debacles.

Who wins? The Bengals are not one who loses multiple games in a row often in coach Marvin Lewis’ tenure….but they (nor he) has ever won a playoff game ANYWHERE, either. Houston may get a boost from the rookie QB Watson who seems to be as talented as Dalton, with less baggage and without red hair. More importantly, Houston has WR DeAndre Hopkins and DE J.J. Watt and OLB Jadeveon Clowney and Cincinnati doesn’t. Having TE Tyler Eifert and WR A.J. Green and rookie RB Joe Mixon and more is not enough for the Bengals on a short week, even at home. Texans win.

Houston 28 Cincinnati 17

Sunday’s Games:

Cleveland at Baltimore:  Cleveland put up a big fight at home versus the Steelers. Alas, as usual, they cannot finish the job and the Steelers escape. Now they go to Baltimore who went and took the Bengals to the woodshed, hanging a big 0 on the Bengals. Cleveland doesn’t have the firepower of those Bengals. Even with rookie DeShon Kizer starting, the Baltimore defense is no joke…ever. I don’t see another shutout here, but it won’t be pretty.

Who wins? These Browns are too young and inexperienced to beat a veteran Ravens squad, as long as QB Joe Flacco stays upright and the defense is brutal like they were in the vintage Ray Lewis/Ed Reed and friends days in the early 2000s. Too early to say on the latter, but the Browns will not steal this win away….without a miracle. Ravens win again.

Baltimore 30 Cleveland 10

Chicago at Tampa Bay: There was doubt about this game being played, due to the effects of Hurricane Irma bashing the state of Florida last weekend, but apparently the stadium held up well enough to allow Tampa (and Jacksonville) to have its home opener on time. Miami got the short end of things with their home game postponed to their (now) former bye week in 9 weeks, leaving the Dolphins to play away from Miami until October (more on this later). So this is the Buccaneers’ first game. Chicago didn’t look great in a loss to NFC champion Atlanta at Soldier Field, but they did fight hard and came close to a major upset. Starter Mike Glennon wasn’t horrible, but we know these Bears are close to being declawed on both sides of the ball. Still, could these Bears take advantage of the distracted and untested (this year) Bucs and steal an upset win, similar to what the Jaguars did in Houston?

Who wins? Tampa is clearly the better team and has more weapons all around, especially on offense with QB Jameis Winston, and WRs Mike Evans and free-agent pickup DeSean Jackson. The Bears don’t have the firepower to match up scoring-wise, nor has the defense to slow them down. But the Bears did play a real game last week and Tampa didn’t. If their field is less viable due to the hurricane than is being said, plus IF the Bucs are sloppy in their play…and the Bears are even sharper and feistier than they were against Atlanta….this is the trap of trap games. Glennon, a former Buccaneer QB, knows that team and that field. If anyone can take advantage, even with an inferior team (on paper), it could well be Glennon. This is too juicy a potential upset not to take…so I will. Tampa is still young in a lot of ways and ripe for an upset here, even though the circumstances are beyond their control. Ask Miami about that! Bears get a big upset.

Chicago 27 Tampa Bay 24 (OT)

 Minnesota at Pittsburgh: This game has more intrigue after the Vikings beat up the Saints on MNF Game 1. The Browns had the Steelers in trouble before they pulled it out late, and the Steelers were at full strength! Minnesota is a bit better, even outdoors, than Cleveland. Pittsburgh has defense and they still have QB Big Ben and his boys (WR Antonio Brown and RB Le’Veon Bell), but Bell did nothing last week, but Brown bailed them out. The Vikings and a tougher defense provide a tougher test. Having home field may not be enough…unless the Vikings have to kick a lot. Right. Knowing that Green Bay could well lose at Atlanta and Detroit could lose at the Giants after this game, Minnesota needs this game BAD. The Steelers may be okay if they lose unless the Bengals right their sunk ship FAST and Baltimore fades fast. Maybe. And these Steelers don’t lose often at home.

Who wins? If the newly revamped Minnesota offensive line can protect Bradford so he can throw like he did last week, and rookie RB Dalvin Cook surpasses last week’s strong run game, Minnesota can win. But I don’t think they will and/or the whole Pittsburgh offense comes in and does the job. I am pretty sure Bell will not stink it up 2 weeks in a row, unless he gets hurt (again). The Steelers are stronger at home, and the Vikings are too iffy to solve the ball-control game better than these Steelers. I have to take the home team.

Pittsburgh 27 Minnesota 20

New England at New Orleans: The champs got smacked around AT HOME by the Chiefs. Not good. QB Tom Brady had no TD passes (1 TD thrown to Gronk was called a drop after a review) and looked pissed...causing a new meme to go viral. Now they go on the road to face a Saints team who got beat down in Minnesota. QB Drew Brees didn’t have a horrible night but he didn’t exactly light it up. But these Saints are different in the SuperDome.  The Patriots had better be ready. They lose this game and fall to 0-2…odds are not good on them coming back from that. Check the records.

Who wins? These are the Patriots and they can rally. But we haven’t seen them in a serious rally mode in the Brady/Belichick era, except for the year the Chiefs tore up Brady’s knee in the opener and shelved him for the year. That team still won 9 more games (after backup Matt Cassel closed out the Opening Day win) and just missed the playoffs. But that was a decade ago. A lot has changed since then. Drew Brees is a future HOF QB just like Brady and can go. And these Saints…can be magical...at times in that dome. I am taking the Saints in another upset. This is the year that Patriot Nation gets smacked down..hard.  Saints steal one.

New Orleans 34 New England 31

Philadelphia at Kansas City: (return of Jeremy Maclin to KC) Few people outside of Kansas City would have thought it possible that the Chiefs would beat the defending champion Patriots in the opener in Foxboro last Thursday. Fewer expected the domination that occurred. Now the Chiefs come home for their home opener against an Eagles team that looked solid but not great in a win at Washington. Chiefs QB Alex Smith is seeking to make an awesome audition tape for himself for he doesn’t see himself in KC next year, having drafted QB Patrick Mahomes as a future starter. But as of now, the job belongs to Smith. But was last week a fluke win….for either team?

Who wins? The Chiefs are historically tough at home. But they also have crappy luck in games that matter. So does Coach Reid (for his career). Even with the advantage of the mini-bye, I just see a dropoff from the Chiefs after that upset last week. The Eagles could get it going on the road, knowing that if Dallas is beat in Denver, the Eagles could be alone in first in the NFC East. I think they will. I will take the Eagles in a minor upset that will make former Eagles coach Andy Reid smile. Eagles win.

Philadelphia 30 Kansas City 28

Tennessee at Jacksonville: This is a major opportunity for these Jaguars. After going into Houston and upsetting the expected division champion Texans and watching their field and homes survive Hurricane Irma last week, the Jags open the home schedule against a dangerous Titans team, who was tough, is in the same division, but also could not stop the Raiders at home last week….again. QB Marcus Mariota was decent, his RB tandem of Demarco Murray and Derrick Henry was steady. But kicking field goals and punting is not enough to beat this Raiders team. It might not be enough against this very young and hungry Jaguars defense. But can the Jaguars offense score enough on the Titans defense. A win makes the Jags 2-0 in the division AND the conference and could be a big leg up in a division where one has to figure only the champion will go to the playoffs. Don’t see a wild-card coming from the AFC South in this stacked AFC. Can they do it?

Who wins? If there is a time for QB Blake Bortles to shine…it must start NOW. Losing free-agent to be WR Allen Robinson (knee) for the year and with another WR out until at least mid-season will not help. But Bortles must rally whomever they have left and score points and help their defense who may really be better than one thinks (not just on paper). The Titans have weapons on offense and will be a different and far more potent kind of challenge than the offensively-challenged Texans were. I see a surprise here and at least this week…the Jaguars get it done with the extra motivation Irma’s wrath will give them that Harvey’s wrath didn’t give Houston. Jaguars win again.

Jacksonville 28 Tennessee 24

Arizona at Indianapolis: These Colts are already in trouble. I know the Rams have a better defense (sans DT Aaron Donald who sat after returning from a holdout just before the opener) than many think. And they did get two pick-sixes AND a safety, too. But the Rams got 30 offensive points in LA on these Colts, too with Jared Goff…who only threw 1 TD pass. Not good. We are asking, when (or if?) will QB Andrew Luck be back? I don’t know and it doesn’t look good. Worse, the Colts lost an offensive lineman to IR and have other injuries too. Trading for QB Jacoby Brissett may help down the road…but this offense if FUBAR right now. RB Frank Gore and WR T.Y. Hilton are not young and cannot do much if they can’t get the ball in their hands or blockers to make holes. They need a starting QB. Arizona fought hard but fell late to the Lions in Detroit. They come east to play in another dome before they go home to open in Arizona next week. They have a QB in Carson Palmer and future HOFer Larry Fitzgerald. But the injuries are piling up already and losing starting RB David Johnson for at least half to 2/3 of the regular season (screwing a lot of fantasy football teams....but not mine!) and now #2 WR John Brown (quad) is trouble. This game may not have many points scored. Such a shame.

Who wins? The Colts don’t have much on defense either, especially with starter CB Vontae Davis already hurt for a while. Arizona still has weapons and plenty of RBs to control the clock even before resigning RB Chris Johnson for depth. RB Kerwynn Williams will start for David Johnson (for now) and Andre Ellington is still the 3^rd down back. Arizona has enough to get this win, which they need bad with only the Rams at 1-0 in the (bleeped up) NFC West. Falling 0-2 in this division may not be a death blow…but what if? No one is expecting a wild-card from this division either. Just saying. Cardinals win a grinder kind of game. It may have to be the first of many…until David Johnson and some others get back. Hope that field goal kicker is loose and ready to work…a lot.

Arizona 18 Indianapolis 7

Buffalo at Carolina: Buffalo got it done at home over the underpowered Jets. So? With the surprise loss by the Patriots (and Miami’s unplanned bye), the Bills are alone in first in the AFC East for the first time in a long time. The path to an unexpected playoff berth is simple now: Keep winning somehow and don’t let Miami and/or New England catch up! Those two playoff teams have a harder schedule than the Bills, but this one is no easy test on the road. Carolina went to Santa Clara and took down a weak Niners squad. Solid…but not overwhelming. Carolina has a lot of weapons and we think QB Cam Newton is recovered from last year’s injuries and beat-downs that started in Super Bowl L and Week 1 against Denver and just kept coming all year. Also, the Panthers are mostly healthy all around and the addition of rookie 1^st round pick RB Christian McCaffrey is a big boost to help keep Newton cleaner and healthier. But Buffalo has weapons too, though they likely are always worried about the health of starting QB Tyrod Taylor and RB LeSean McCoy. These opposing combos will make for an interesting game without cold or bad weather to factor in.

Who wins? The Bills could steal this game and they do have some defenders too. But a healthy Panthers team (less WR Kelvin Willams, who is healthy now) was in the Super Bowl and ruled the NFC 2 years ago. They also still have all-world TE Greg Olsen too. That is a hard group to stop. And they will get it done in a shootout here. Panthers win at home.

Carolina 37 Buffalo 28

Miami at Los Angeles Chargers: Miami has been getting (bleeped) right in the blowhole for several weeks now. First, they lose injured starter QB Ryan Tannehill (for the year (?)) when he chooses not to get surgery on his injured knee in the offseason (why?) and rehabs without such, comes back and reinjures it worse early in training camp. Season over. So, rather than trust backup Matt Moore and/or signing former Niners starter Colin Kaepernick to take over, they convince former Broncos and Bears starter Jay Cutler to put off his (forced) retirement and cushy Fox announcing job to become the new Dolphins starter for a $10 million dollar 1 year deal, figuring he knew the new coaches’ offensive system well. Okay. Then, Hurricane Irma just had to come through and beat up the entire state of Florida on Opening Day, screwing them even worse. True, the Dolphins stadium is intact, as are the people of the state (can’t say the same for islands in the Caribbean!) as is Miami for the most part, but because the schedule-maker screwed Miami by giving them road games and a long trip to London for a “home game” 2 weeks from this Sunday, the Dolphins will not get to see their home field at all in September…AND lose their almost ideal late bye week as well, forcing them (and Tampa Bay) to play 16 straight weeks this year. I have bitched about my Raider’s not fun schedule for last year and this year (3 of the first four AND final four weeks on the road! WTF?), but that is manageable (as was proved….mostly…last year by the Raiders) compared to Miami’s hell. We have no idea how these (still talented) Dolphins will handle this. First challenge is going west (they left early to avoid the hurricane and have hung out in California all week) to face these LOS ANGELES Chargers in their home opener in their…..tiny…by NFL…or even FBS college standards….temporary home. But they are also on a short week. The Chargers rallied from a 21 point deficit at Denver due to turnovers and luck and had the Broncos staring at OT and maybe a LOSS…but alas…a timely “ice the (rookie) kicker” timeout and a more-timely blocked field goal afterwards dropped the Chargers franchise to 1-150-something when they fall behind by 21 points or more in a game. Bummer. Now these Chargers get a Miami team who are far from home and totally green as far as the regular season goes. However, these Chargers are more talented than that Chicago team that will go to Tampa earlier in the day under the same circumstances. The Chargers have weapons, young and strong defenders, especially DEs Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram and they have QB Phillip Rivers. No offense to Cutler, but we all know he is no Rivers. Miami has defenders and weapons too, but these are extraordinary circumstances on both sides. Watch this game and see what happens, which may be historic.

Who wins? On paper, it is a close game. But chuck the paper for the reasons above. We don’t know if Cutler can really guide the dangerous Miami offense (at all, much less better than Tannehill or longtime backup Matt Moore might have.) The Miami defense has talent, still…but these Chargers can go on both sides of the ball….and no one is hurt that matters (yet). At full strength, these Chargers are trouble for anyone….ask Denver about that. I just don’t have faith in the Miami coaches, nor in Cutler in particular, like I do Rivers. Unfortunately, a healthy Tannehill, nor Moore, is not like a major upgrade, anyway. That Charger D is very tough and is more prepared. Miami is not, despite the unplanned week off. Chargers win.

Los Angeles Chargers 27 Miami 17

San Francisco at Seattle: Just a few years ago, this was a major (division) game. Now….not so much. The Niners still have fight, but going to Seattle is tough. But after that weak performance on offense in Green Bay, I am not so sure home cooking will immediately fix the Seattle offense’s woes. But these Niners are not very strong on offense either. Bottom line, Seattle has QB Russell Wilson. SF has QB Brian Hoyer. Any questions?

Who wins? Bottom line, the Niners are rebuilding. Seattle is retooling, but their defense, led by the dangerous Legion of Boom secondary (CB Richard Sherman, S Kam Chancellor and friends) and augmented by the trade with the Jets to get DT Sheldon Richardson, has a clear advantage. There may not be many points scored, but this will be an interesting in-division battle. Remember, the Rams are the only team in the NFC Worst…I mean, West…lol…with a win. A loss here could really hurt later. Seattle needs this one. And they will get it. Seahawks win…but not big.

Seattle 20 San Francisco 10

Dallas at Denver: This is a major game. Could this be a (very early) potential Super Bowl preview? Dallas took advantage of 1) having RB Ezekiel Elliott available and 2) the Giants coming to Dallas without injured WR Odell Beckham, Jr. (ankle) being able to play. Elliott could be officially suspended (domestic violence-6 games) at any time as the courts sort it out, but not this week. Dallas didn’t score a lot last week, but Denver is another animal. They are shaky at QB with Trevor Simien and maybe at RB, too. But they still have WR Emmanuel Sanders and Demayrius Thomas and they still have that defense. Oh, my. Can Dallas QB Dak Prescott, WR Dez Bryant, TE Jason Witten and friends score a lot of points on THIS defense…IN Denver? I have my doubts. Don’t expect many points here.

Who wins? If you love defense, this is a good game to watch. Dallas has more weapons, but can the Dallas defense keep Denver’s offense off the board? It wasn’t the defense’s fault that the Chargers almost rallied to beat Denver, needing a blocked FG to save the game. It may come to that again. As much as a Denver loss would help my Raiders, I don’t know. Screw it. I am taking Dallas because I just cannot believe in Simien to lead the Denver offense to score enough to win. Dallas better grab this one while they can, just in case they lose Elliott in the coming week(s). Cowboys win.

Dallas 27 Denver 17

Washington at Los Angeles Rams: Those LA Rams. Wow. I didn’t see this team score that many points on anyone. But it helps when almost half of those points came from 2 pick-sixes and a safety (you don’t see THAT often…even on Madden (if you play on Easy level…I do not)….rare feat indeed!). Remember, stud DT Aaron Donald DID NOT PLAY since he had just returned from his salary holdout. The Rams needed that but can they do it again? The Redskins fought hard at home but mistakes and questionable calls doomed them against the Eagles. The Eagles have a good defense. Now they come west to face this rugged Ram defense. The other question is…can the Eagles offense under QB Carson Wentz and free agent pickup WR Alshon Jeffrey score in bunches? Washington may have the advantage at QB  with embattled starter Kirk Cousins, but that supporting cast worries me, especially talented, but injury prone TE Jordan Reed. Will be an interesting late game to watch.

Who wins? I am not convinced of the talent of Rams starter QB Jared Goff yet. But that defense is tough, with or without Donald. I don’t know how much he will play Sunday, or what he could do after missing preseason. Bottom line, I don’t see much scoring this week. The Redskins defense is not all that, though they were all right last week, but Cousins does have a fair number of turnovers. Unless he plays a perfect game, that will enough to sink this team again. I have to take the defense and the Rams this week.

Los Angeles Rams 20 Washington 17 (OT)

New York Jets at Oakland: The Jets looked horrible last week at Buffalo. They look like a team trying to get the 1^st overall pick in the next NFL draft. But at least they did score points! Now, they go west to face a happy Raiders squad in their only home game in September after going to Nashville and beating a dangerous Titans team in their house (again).  The Raiders defense passed a major test against the dangerous Titans double-headed running game and young gun QB Marcus Mariota. They will face many more test this season. Likely, this week will not be one of them. Though the Jets have a little bit of a running attack, this offense is no Tennessee, nor would such challenge any of the other AFC West teams the Raiders will face later in the season. Oakland has offense, with QB Derek Carr back from injury and hometown hero RB Marshawn Lynch leading the running game with the already dangerous passing game with WRs Armani Cooper, Michael Crabtree and Seth Roberts, plus free agent pickup TE Jared Cook and all world DE/LB Khalil Mack and LB Bruce Irvin leading a (hopefully) improving defense, the Raiders can run up some stats here, in one of the rare weeks where that is an option. Great for Oakland, bad (in certain ways) for these Jets.

Who wins? Barring injury and/or playing worse than the Bengals, Giants and Texans did last week, this will be a laugher. The Jets cannot score with these Raiders on their best day with the personnel they currently have, and these Raiders need and will make an early statement at home, for they really don’t need more close or last-minute wins, like they did last year, as exciting as they were. A few blowouts wins will be nice for these still-young Raiders, especially with the challenges the schedule has ahead for them. Raiders win easily and then go back on the road again.

Oakland 37 New York Jets 18

Sunday Night Football on NBC:

Green Bay at Atlanta: This was already a must see game as the NFC champs begin in their new home, hoisting a championship banner….just not the BIG one they let slip through their fingers, due to poor (Seattle-based) coaching and lack of killer instinct. Anyway, the black birds of the NFL get to have QB Aaron Rodgers and the Packers as their first home test. Good luck with that. The Packers come off a tough win over Seattle at home, while Atlanta…just got by the Bears in Chicago. This test is big for the defenses, neither of which are all that. Can the veteran and his revamped set of weapons score enough to keep with QB Matt Ryan and the Falcons? We will see.

Who wins? Green Bay is not a sucky team, but look, that defense is not exactly built to slow down a high scoring passing team like Atlanta. Seattle prefers to run more often and throw a little. Atlanta is a pass first team, even with two decent RBs in Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman in the lineup. Bottom line points will be scored. Barring injuries and/or big errors, WR Julio Jones and friends will score more at home. Falcons win. This may be one of the highest scoring games of the year…in Week 2!

Atlanta 48 Green Bay 42

Monday Night Football on ESPN:

Detroit at New York Giants: Detroit really sucked early but rallied behind four second half TDs from new Mr. Money Man, QB Matthew Stafford, to get by Arizona at home. Now they go outdoors and into the cooling air of New Jersey to face the Giants. These Giants sucked in Dallas, not even able to score 1 touchdown, likely because all-world WR Odell Beckham, Jr. (ankle) did not play, free agent pickup WR Brandon Marshall (shoulder) was hampered and shut down and no one else, including QB Eli Manning showed up to play. Will Beckham play? As of today (Thursday), we have no idea. I think he will, but will be 80% at best. Having him on the field means you have to account for him and I don’t know if Detroit has the defensive backs to shut him and Marshall and WR Reuben Randle and the tight ends and the running game (weak) AND get Manning at the same time. Not a lot of teams do. This is, on paper, one of the better MNF games on the schedule. If Beckham plays (well), than it will not disappoint. If not, well………you get the idea.

Who wins? Detroit outdoors is never a great bet, since they automatically play at least 9-10 games in domes every year, but it is not December so they have a chance. Eli’s best days as a QB may be behind him, but his supporting cast is dangerous and deeper than most teams. The loser of this game is in trouble, because their divisions are tough and getting a NFC wild-card spot may be tougher. Hard to say who needs this game more. I am taking Detroit because the Giants are just another team if Beckham is not healthy and playing…and he isn’t 100% right now! Lions win.

Detroit 38 New York Giants 28

Bonus picks:

1A.   College football: I see at least two ranked teams getting upset (other than 23 Tennessee vs 24 Florida, where you can’t call an upset here). I do think 14 Louisville can upset 3 Clemson at home, but I don’t think it will happen. Unfortunate, since the loser of this game is likely out of the ACC and national title picture (again), but that is the schedule.

2B.   Boxing:  I am taking Canelo Alvarez to upset middleweight champ Gennady Golvokin in a split decision. It will be a good fight, but since we already say Mayweather-McGregor, who really cares (outside of boxing) about this one? Not that many.

3C.  NASCAR:  The playoffs begin on Sunday at Chicagoland. Watch this race between NFL games, because this will be a good race and the last one with this track in the Chase format. (The order of races changes a bit in 2018.).  Below is a brief report on the 16 Chase drivers below. I am predicting that a non-Chase driver wins this race (maybe Dale Jr. entering his final 10 races as a full-time driver?  Aric Almirola in his (we assume) last 10 races in the iconic Petty 43 Ford? Danica Patrick stuns the world in her last 10 races for SHR (and/or in NASCAR, too?)), assuming regular-season champ Martin Truex, Jr, doesn’t do it. I expect a more competitive, if not nastier playoff series than in recent years. Just a thought.

Drivers in the Chase for the Monster Energy Cup (or NASCAR playoffs or whatever they (bleeping) call it now):

11. Martin Truex, Jr.- Furniture Row/Bass Pro Shops Toyota-Car 78- 4 wins-regular season champion and points leader: Truex has overcome a lot of issues in the car and in his personal life (girlfriend overcoming cancer) to be in this spot. He has enough playoff points that he MIGHT be able to weather one disaster race in the first (or second) round and still advance. He has led just over a fifth of the laps driven this year. He has the car, team and momentum on his side. Only mistakes or bad luck can stop him from winning his first Cup title. Right?

  2. Kyle Larson- Ganassi Target Chevrolet-Car 42-4 wins- This young gun is very good. He earned this spot. But his playoff inexperience versus the champion drivers behind him will be hard to overcome. But if he does, he could be champion this year.

33. Kyle Busch-Joe Gibbs M&M/Skittles Toyota-Car 18-The most “colorful” of the JGR drivers. Already one of the best drivers around with 100+ wins across the three national series, he is a major favorite. Remember what he went through just to make the playoffs, never mind win his only Cup championship 2 years ago? He could do it again. He is unquestionably the John Cena of NASCAR from fan support/disdain, but he is that damn good. Period. Fatherhood, marriage, injury and experience has tempered him. His talent and his team, if his luck gets better in the playoffs, can carry him to a second title.

44. Brad Keselowski-Penske Miller Lite Ford-Car 2-The highest ranking Ford in the playoffs, Brad K. is a great driver. Fewer overall wins than K. Busch but he is as talented. Beware of Brad K. for the last time he had to go in the playoffs “alone” with no teammate with him in the chase, when he was driving a (lame-duck) Dodge, he outdrove all 4 Hendrick cars, and other multi-car teams to win his only Cup championship. With a few breaks (and wins), he could do it again.

55. Jimmie Johnson- Hendrick Lowe’s Chevrolet-Car 48-Mr. Seven-time is in the playoffs (no surprise) but has struggled and has been quiet all summer, if not longer. However, we all know what he can do in the playoffs. Having two teammates in the playoffs will help, but I doubt either will do much to change the final outcome. If Johnson gets hot in the next 9 races again and makes the final four…Johnson will be the prohibitive favorite to win his record 8^th Cup title and be The Man in the Monster Energy Cup record book. Good luck with that.

  6. Kevin Harvick-Stewart Haas Budweiser Ford-Car 4-Harvick is a tough driver. Very good, very skilled. Not always lucky, but one you don’t want on your rear bumper on the last lap going for a win. People don’t call Harvick “The Closer” for nothing. If he makes it to Homestead as part of the Final Four, many will bet on Harvick to win his second Cup title….against anyone else in this field. Seriously.

77. Denny Hamlin-Joe Gibbs FedEx Toyota-Car 11-Steady, strong and experienced Chase driver, former finalist, too. Total dark horse in the playoffs versus his champion teammates and the rest. He needs some breaks (and wins) to get to the final four at Homestead. Beware if he gets there, especially at the expense of one of the six drivers ahead of him in these standings. If he and Jimmie Johnson are two of the final four, no matter who the other two drivers are….expect fireworks at Homestead.

    8. Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.-Rousch Fenway Ford-Car 17-Stenhouse gets Rousch back in the playoffs. Great. Stenhouse can drive, but is young. I don’t think he has the skill yet, nor the experience to steal rounds to get to the final four. The experience will do him a lot of good, though.

99.  Ryan Blaney-Wood Brothers Motorcraft Ford-Car 21-It is good to see the iconic Wood Brothers 21 car in these playoffs. Blaney is a rising star. I don’t see him escaping the first round, but this team and this driver is rising fast.

110.   Chase Elliott-Hendrick Dupont Chevrolet-Car 24-Elliott has already proven he can drive, just like his Hall of Fame dad, Bill, whose number (9) he will take on next year. Elliott would love to take the iconic 24 car that he took over from from future HOF driver Jeff Gordon to another title. Can he win often enough in the playoffs to do it?

111.   Ryan Newman-Childress Catepillar/Quicken Loans Chevrolet-Newman made the playoffs with a win instead of on points for once! This guy is a gritty, skilled and fun driver. I have my doubts he gets past the second round, but if he gets to the Final Four in Homestead…I like Newman to shock the world in that race.

112.  Kurt Busch-Stewart/Haas Monster Energy Ford-Car 41- This former Cup champ is another dark horse. Talented like his brother Kyle, can be even more fiery. He is another dark horse, looking for a second title and it would be wild with the Cup series sponsor on his car. Needs some help to do it…but IF he gets it…watch out!

113.   Kasey Kahne-Hendrick Farmer’s Insurance Chevrolet-Car 5-Kahne has mostly underachieved as the fourth Hendrick car for years. He finally wins and makes the playoffs…but finds out he will be dumped next season anyway. Will this fuel him to fight for a shot at a championship.

114.   Austin Dillon-Richard Childress  Dow/Cheerios  Chevrolet-Car 3- Dillon, the grandson of owner Richard Childress did a great job getting this team and the iconic 3 car back in the playoffs. Can this playoff rookie make noise? Yes, but only with perfect strategy and an upset win or two. Don’t see that happening with similar circumstances that got him a win and into the playoffs in the first place. Beware of this kid in 4 years.

115. Matt Kenseth-Joe Gibbs Dollar General Toyota-Car 20: The former champ needs a bit playoff run to help him find a viable ride for 2018, since he apparently won’t be back in this car next year. He has the skill, but I don’t think the third Gibbs car can get Kenseth through 3 rounds.

116.   Jamie McMurray-Ganassi McDonald’s/Cessna Chevrolet-Car 1- McMurray is a good driver, but not the superstar that some of those above him on that list is. Just getting in on points with the second Ganassi car is great, but he needs a lot of luck and wrecks and wins to escape the opening round. But he won’t. Sorry.

2017 NFL PIcks Week One

                                                                      2017 NFL Picks

Week One:

BYE: Tampa Bay, Miami (delayed to Week 11 due to Hurricane Irma)

Opening Night: September 7 on NBC:

Kansas City at New England: Once again, the opening NFL game is in New England. The Patriots look as strong as ever to start the season, with some surprising (for New England) trades. However, losing several players for the year, especially WR Julian Edelman will hurt. The hope is that the new receivers Phillip Dorsett and especially Brandon Cooks will cover the loss, and then some. Maybe. As long as QB Tom Brady is healthy and playing well, New England can overcome most losses…on offense. But the depth on defense, especially, gives me pause…and no games have been played yet. Kansas City is still dangerous, but look, QB Alex Smith is no Brady, and for all he has done, head coach Andy Reid is no Bill Belichick. They have a decently strong team, but injuries (CB Steve Nelson (IR-knee) for one) and departures (like RB Jamaal Charles to Denver…not as big of a loss as one thinks) leaves more (of the same) questions for this team as they try to do something they haven’t done in almost 50 years…get to a Super Bowl. This defense will be tested with Nelson’s loss, as will the run game with whatever they have left. Yes, they still have TE Travis Kelce and WR Tyreek Hill…but that is not enough. KC is stronger when they have offensive balance and strong defense. Yes, they have a lot of talent all around, but with the rest of the AFC West being stronger, especially Oakland and their schedule being….not fun, can the Chiefs get it done (at least in Week One?)

Who wins? The Chiefs are not a patsy, nor will they lay down in Foxboro. Andy Reid and his culture in KC is too strong for that. But this coach, this QB, and this franchise all have moderately low ceilings and while they have crashed against such for years, they can never find a way to break through and fly higher, no matter who the coach is, no matter who the players are. Hard to do when the intangibles and/or luck never go your way when the (bleep) is about to hit the fan. New England is still nearly unbeatable at home, and there may only be 2-4 teams in this league who could go to Foxboro and beat a (mostly) healthy Patriots team WITH Brady right now, without the fix being in (in their favor. Yeah, right). The Chiefs is not one of them…even on their best day. Patriots win.

New England 42 Kansas City 24

Opening Day Games: September 10:

Tampa Bay at Miami: This game has been postponed to Week 11 (their original bye week) due to the oncoming Hurricane Irma approaching Florida, expecting to hit or brush by Miami (and maybe Tampa Bay, too) on Sunday, if not sooner. Hence, I will discuss this game at that time. Thoughts to all those being (and who will be affected by this monster and historic storm).

New York Jets at Buffalo: This is not going to be an easy to watch game. The Jets are clearly trying to do whatever they must to get a top-5 (if not the top) pick in the (allegedly) quarterback-rich 2018 draft. So they have a weak roster, just traded away DT Sheldon Richardson to Seattle for picks and have very old and broken down QB Josh McCown as a one year placeholder. If given enough help and breaks, McCown can run an offense and they can play some defense and did get younger (better?) in their secondary. But the Bills still have weapons, even after trading injury-prone former top pick WR Sammy Watkins to the Rams, in QB Tyrod Taylor and RB LeSean McCoy. But outside of that and a good defensive line, what do they really have? Not much…on either team.

Who wins? Who really cares? This game won’t be much to see, but it has to be played. Neither can stop the Patriots, both want a high pick in the draft. Who can stink it up worse? Simply put, barring major errors? The Jets. I am taking Buffalo…ugh.

Buffalo 28 New York Jets 23

Jacksonville at Houston: With Hurricane Harvey doing nasty things to the Houston area and the southern coast of Texas recently, playing a NFL game this soon doesn’t seem quite right. But the city does need this home date to help the spirits of the hurting populations. The team losing their last preseason game due to the hurricane could hurt or maybe not. All-world DE J.J. Watt is back and healthy and the Texans are a team that compete…if they get anything good at the QB position. I think Tom Savage is the starter over 1^st round pick Deshaun Watson, but that could change. Jacksonville has their own QB issues with Blake Bortles and he has to know this is his last chance to prove he can play or he will be gone, like RGIII or Johnny Manziel just flamed out, to name two. Unfortunately, with Hurricane Irma heading toward Florida this weekend, they may find themselves kind of stranded and unable to immediately go home after their game, just like the Texans were 2 weeks ago. (We hope not). With the Texans understandably distracted, can the young Jaguars steal a division road game (while they can)?

Who wins? The answer is, I don’t think so. The Jaguars are young and have talent. But I don’t think they have the skill or firepower to stop an extra-motivated Texans team from winning this one. Think the Saints in their first home game after Katrina. Right. I fear the Jaguars may be given similar motivation by Monday, unless the new hurricane(s) turn away from Florida…and I doubt that seriously. Just talking football and nothing else, Jacksonville is not ready to beat a healthy Houston team…yet. Texans win.

Houston 30 Jacksonville 21

Arizona at Detroit: This game could be a shootout. Or maybe not. The Lions just resigned franchise QB Matthew Stafford to what is (for now) the largest contract (extension) in league history, passing the one just signed by Raiders QB Derek Carr. And? As good as Stafford is….this is still….Detroit. Not impressed. Arizona’s window to go for that first Super Bowl title is nearly shut, I think. But QB Carson Palmer is back for what might be his last hurrah for these Cardinals. Feel bad for the defenses….for they will have a long day at Ford Field.

Who wins? This will be a war. But Detroit is a bit younger overall and they are playing at home. This week, that will be enough. Later in the year….not so much. Arizona is kind of old. That worries me. I am taking Detroit.

Detroit 38 Arizona 30

Atlanta at Chicago: Atlanta…..has a great new stadium and a good team. But we all saw what else they have in the Super Bowl. No brains. But none of that matters this week. Chicago is not good. Not good at all. Surely these Falcons can in win in Chicago, right? They have the talent and the knowledge. Plus Chicago just plain sucks. This will be a bad game.

Who wins? Barring injury, Chicago has no chance. They don’t have the firepower to slow down not score on Atlanta. Doesn’t matter who starts at QB for the Bears. They have nothing compared to QB Matt Ryan. And they and everyone knows it. Atlanta wins and can go home and open that new stadium…and answer questions on how you rebound from that Super Bowl finish.

Atlanta 30 Chicago 14

Baltimore at Cincinnati: Big division fight. Both teams with a lot to prove. Both teams with weapons and lots of desire. But how good is either team? Hard to say. Baltimore is worried because their QB Joe Flacco has been hurt and basically didn’t play in the preseason and barely practiced. The veteran may be okay with the lack of field time. But can he stay healthy, with a team that is shaky around him? And Cincinnati…whatever. Can’t win in the playoffs. Who cares about the regular season? Show me something different. Coach Marvin Lewis…this has to be his last stand. No more excuses. QB Andy Dalton, WR….mostly all the same. Can’t get it done. Can they start to change the same old, same old? Or is Lewis and these Bengals….done?

Who wins? I have no faith in the Bengals. Baltimore is shaky, but Cincinnati is just….mediocre. And I don’t see anything that will make them much better this year. Adding their rookies in might help, but not in Week 1. Baltimore is steadier and more settled. And I think they will steal this road win.  Ravens win.

Baltimore 34 Cincinnati 24

Pittsburgh at Cleveland: And now…the other half of the AFC North. Cleveland….what else need to be said about the dumpster fire of the NFL. Will they any better this year than…the last 5? Likely not. But you have to wonder…what if? But first overall pick DE Myles Garrett is OUT for Cleveland. Here we go again. The Steelers are still good, but QB Ben Rothliesberger is not young. He still has the weapons, but can he get it done? Can they protect him well enough to let him be Big Ben…or not? Is that defense still good? But come on….this is Cleveland. Pittsburgh can win in Cleveland, right?

Who wins? Cleveland has a punchers chance to win. But the Steelers still have their 3 B’s (Ben, Bell, and Brown) and who does Cleveland have to stop any, never mind all three? Right. Where the game is played doesn’t matter.  The Steelers just have too much…this week. Steelers win.

Pittsburgh 31 Cleveland 17

Indianapolis at Los Angeles Rams: The Rams have some defense. But…their best defender DT Aaron Donald held out the entire preseason. He finally came back…but won’t play today (and maybe not next week either). However, they are at home hosting a Colts team that looks not that good. Worse yet, QB Andrew Luck is out for Lord knows how long as he continues to rehab from his injuries from last year. So the Colts have almost nothing at QB, an old set of playmakers led by RB Frank Gore and WR T.Y. Hilton and no good luck at all (forgive the pun). Will these teams put more than 25 points up…combined?

Who wins? The Colts would have worried me since they are shaky, not great outdoors and look old. But now, you have all that and no Luck? Rams QB Jared Goff may finally get his first NFL win…..but the defense will be why….just saying. I am taking the Rams in a minor upset….or is it a upset?

Los Angeles Rams 15 Indianapolis 9

Seattle at Green Bay: This is a must watch game. Seattle comes to Green Bay looking even stronger on defense with the addition of DE Sheldon Richardson (trade with the Jets) to the iconic Legion of Boom secondary to face the Packers and QB Aaron Rodgers. This will be a great game. Let’s hope the officials don’t get dumb….like a certain game a few years ago. You know the one. Watch this game. It will be fun.

Who wins? This is a classic battle of offense versus defense. We know Seattle seems shakier away from home, but that defense…is fierce. Rodgers has weapons too, but I am not so convinced they will come out on fire, even at home. Plus, the Packers defense is nowhere near as good. Sorry. I have to take Seattle here. A rematch in the playoffs will NOT surprise me, though.

Seattle 27 Green Bay 23

Carolina at San Francisco: This is not a must see game. The Niners really suck too. But, this is a trap game off the bat. Carolina has a great new playmaker in rookie RB Christian McCaffrey. But former NFL MVP QB Cam Newton looks fragile right now. Very little preseason play. How is that body? How is that arm? After that beat down in the opener last year, which included a couple of Denver cheap shots, Newton has not looked so good. Which Newton will appear in Santa Clara? If it is shadow Cam, can the weak Niners take advantage?

Who wins? I don’t see 0-16 in San Francisco, but this is a game they can steal, unless Cam is a lot better than we think. The Niners cannot stop full force Cam and friends, and they have all their weapons healthy. San Francisco will make it close….but not THAT close. Panthers win.

Carolina 34 San Francisco 27

Philadelphia at Washington: This is another must watch game. NFC East games are hard-hitting, nasty and is never friendly. The Eagles are trying to build something and is on their way. Starting with QB Carson Wentz, they have weapons all around. But they are still needing some things. So does Washington. The contract situation with QB Kirk Cousins is beyond belief. The Redskins let both of their best receivers leave, partially due to this, so now younger guys are the weapons Cousins must use to maybe finally get that long term deal (right?). True, TE Jordan Reed is still here, but he is hampered (big toe) already. Is RB Rob Kelley the real deal? Can the young WRs get it done? If Cousins can still put up similar numbers with this bunch, Washington will finally give him the money…right? What if he can’t? What then? This will be a wild year…in both cities.

Who wins? Toss up. It will come down to who makes fewer mistakes and who plays harder. Washington may play harder, but make fewer mistakes? Hard to say. I will take the home team, but this game is no easy thing. A tie would not surprise me. Nor would a few near-fights. Watch this game.

Washington 31 Philadelphia 28 (OT)

Oakland at Tennessee: This is an intriguing battle of teams with young guns at QB. Both teams have great young QBs….but are coming off leg injuries. Tennessee may be on the verge of going to the playoffs. But….is QB Marcus Mariota ready? Is his WRs? We know of the power running game…but is the rest of the team ready? Oakland made the playoffs for the first time since the early days of this century, but lost QB Derek Carr just before the playoffs and that ended that. Carr is back and he has more weapons on offense with the additions of WR/KR Cordelle Patterson and TE Jared Cook..and of course, Oakland native RB Marshawn Lynch. But despite having all-world DE/LB Khalil Mack on defense, the rest is…shaky, especially against the run. IF the defense doesn’t improve, Oakland is in trouble, even if Carr can lead the offense to more scoring. We all know Tennessee will run a lot on this team, but is running going to be enough to beat Oakland? Can the Titans defense stop the Raiders offense?

Who wins? The scoreboard and the fans. Scoring could abound in this game. Running the ball is good…but I sense the Raiders will be ready for that. But the Raiders can run the ball too….and I hear nothing about Tennessee stopping the Raiders on the ground…OR in the air. Mariota is good, but Carr is better AND has more weapons overall, even without PK Sebastian Janikowski (IR-back). Sorry, Tennessee, Raiders are coming in and they will win on the road.

Oakland 40 Tennessee 31

Sunday Night Football on NBC:

New York Giants at Dallas: AGAIN??? WTF????? Fox has to be mad to keep losing this game on the schedule every year. But it is always entertaining. And this year will be no exception. The big storylines is injuries versus suspension. Dallas RB Ezekiel Elliott is suspended (domestic violence/assault/naughty boy stuff) for six games of the season after losing his appeal on Tuesday night via arbitrator. However, Elliott IS being allowed to play in the opener (WHY?) and then start the suspension for the second through seventh game of the season. Hence, RBs Darren McFadden and Alfred Morris get a reprieve on carrying the (full) load on the ground for THIS week. Losing their final preseason game due to Hurricane Harvey trashing Houston (their scheduled opponent) will hurt, but maybe not so much. True, Dallas still has their other offensive weapons (QB Dak Prescott, WR Dez Bryant and TE Jason Witten) and a very good O-line. But that wasn’t enough in a HOME playoff game last year. Why will it be (in the regular season) now? Will Prescott have a sophomore (season) slump? Better hope not, with former starter Tony Romo now manning a CBS announcer’s booth. The defense still is shaky in areas…and this team barely got by these Giants last year. The Giants are a little better overall, and they still have QB Eli Manning. But both free agent pickup WR Brandon Marshall (shoulder) and all-world (Mr. One-handed catch!) WR Odell Beckham, Jr. (ankle) are hurt and one or both may not play in the opener. The Giants may have even better defense to slow down the Cowboys offense like they did (sort of) in last year’s opener, but will that be enough to win (this must-win game)?

Who wins? Dallas (if they don’t make mistakes anywhere) are still tough to beat. Some say almost ANY RB can run behind that (Great Wall of) Dallas (II) offensive line. Starting next week (and to some extent Sunday night)…we get to find out how true that really is and how good Prescott really is without Elliott behind him. Now we can see if Eli can generate some magic with some help from his defense and his offensive playmakers…or will they fall short again, due to errors or bad luck. I am taking the Giants in an upset. Dallas doesn’t look totally ready…and the Giants are better than last year. And the Giants know they need this one…bad.

New York Giants 27 Dallas 24 (OT)

Monday Night Football Doubleheader on ESPN: September 11, 2017

New Orleans at Minnesota: For the first of the now-traditional ESPN MNF Week One doubleheader games, we get an intriguing game at the home of Super Bowl LII (on NBC). The two teams are, to an extent, new look and showcased in the Vikings’ new palace of a stadium (we can argue later if the Falcons’ new home looks better. If you have watched the college games played there over Labor Day weekend, you may have your opinion ready now!). The Saints have a still dangerous offense, bolstered with the addition of (future HOF?) RB Adrian Peterson, who will be hungry to prove himself, but weakened with trading away WR Brandin Cooks to the champion Patriots for their first round pick (32 overall) this year (OT Ryan Ramczyk). The young lineman can help protect future HOF QB Drew Brees and open holes for Peterson and incumbent starter Mark Ingram. True, Brees can rack up passing yards with virtually anyone catching the ball, like Tom Brady and a few other QBs. But the Saints are running out of bodies, with Cooks gone, young WR Terron Armstead hurt, and WR Willie Snead (DUI) suspended for the first three games. However, grabbing WR Max McCaffrey (brother of rookie RB Christian, son of former Broncos WR Ed) away from Green Bay for their practice squad may be good. He likely will have to be on the active roster Monday night (and beyond). Good for him, not good for the team. Worse yet, this defense, despite trying to improve it….still sucks. Once again, Brees and the offense may not be able to score enough to overcome the porous defense they have. The Vikings are hurting too, in other places. But they do still have QB Sam Bradford in place of injured starter QB Teddy Bridgewater (PUP-knee), who may or may not even be on the active roster this year…if ever. Letting Peterson walk was necessary…but can rookie and top (2^nd round, 41^st overall) pick RB Dalvin Cook and free agent pickup Latavius Murray, along with RB Jerick McKinnon and veteran Bishop Sankey carry the load and lighten such for Bradford and the weakened passing attack? Will the five (yes, FIVE!) new offensive linemen help protect Bradford and help the running game? Can the defense and special teams help out? Hmmmm…..

Who wins? These teams have to think for the future, but I am not loving all the moves of both teams. Brees will be in the Hall of Fame, Peterson might be. But I don’t know if they can do big things together with what surrounds them in New Orleans. Not enough receivers, perhaps too many running backs. The Vikings are excited and they can throw as long as Bradford stays clean. If Cook has the game in the pros that he had in college, the Vikings will be helped out, whether Murray does anything for them or not. I am taking the Vikings at home…barely.

Minnesota 23 New Orleans 20 (OT)

Los Angeles Chargers at Denver: Well, the Chargers have move north, allegedly for good. They however will play in a soccer stadium for at least 2-3 years. Ouch. More on that later. These Chargers want to just do well and not have so many damn injuries to key players. Good luck with that.  IF their players can just stay on the field and play well, this team is dangerous, especially with QB Phillip Rivers. But with LB Denzel Perryman (ankle) on IR (likely to return later) already, along with WR Mike Williams (back) likely out for at least September (?), I don’t like the looks of this. Denver is hoping to bounce back, but with their uncertainty at RB and especially QB…I don’t know. QB Trevor Simien will likely start this first game but with backup Paxton Lynch hurt, even with the (questionable, but likely necessary) resigning of former Bronco, Texans and (ever so briefly) Browns starting QB Brock Osweiler, I would be very worried…even if Simien does not get hurt. None of the three would make me that confident, no matter what Broncos head exec and Hall of Fame Broncos QB John Elway might say. Oh, and don’t forget they have a new head coach, too! Injuries are hurting Denver beyond QB, though some of the other injured guys (DEs Derek Wolfe and Jared Crick and WR Demaryius Thomas) might play in this game. If you can stay awake long enough to see this game on MNF (I will…but then again…it will be lunchtime on Tuesday for me here in Korea!), it will be worth it.

Who wins? Both teams need this win to have a chance to challenge Oakland and KC for the division title and/or an AFC wildcard berth. Every win is a premium in arguably the toughest, top to bottom, division in the NFL today. In the end, the experience of Rivers and the train-wreck that is the Denver offense outside of at WR will turn the tide here. I am taking the Chargers in one of the (maybe few) winnable games this team may get all year.

Los Angeles Chargers 30 Denver 27

2016 NFL Week 11..the stretch run starts NOW! Plus The NASCAR Championship and WWE Survivor Series!

Last week:




Season:






Teams on Bye:
1. Atlanta (7-3):



2. New York Jets (2-9):



3. San Diego (5-6):


4. Denver (7-3):




Thursday Night Football on NBC/NFL Network:
New Orleans at Carolina:





Who wins? Two desperate teams, two teams that have struggled this year. Who wants it more (this week)?



Carolina 24 New Orleans 23

Sunday's Games:

Buffalo at Cincinnati:



Buffalo 27 Cincinnati 24

Pittsburgh at Cleveland: Ugh. This may be welcome news to the Steelers to get Cleveland now...even on the road. Of course, they have to win the game first, right?


Who wins? Really?


Pittsburgh 28 Cleveland 27

Jacksonville at Detroit:


Detroit 31 Jacksonville 20

Arizona at Minnesota:

Arizona 33 Minnesota 27

Chicago at New York Giants:




New  York Giants 29 Chicago 27

Tennessee at Indianapolis:




Tennessee 32 Indianapolis 31

Tampa Bay at Kansas City:



Tampa Bay 38 Kansas City 35 (OT)

Miami at Los Angeles Rams:




Los Angeles 25 Miami 22 (OT)

New England at San Francisco:


Who wins? Right. Seriously?

New England 40 San Francisco 24

Philadelphia at Seattle:



Seattle 28 Philadelphia 20

Dallas at Baltimore:




Baltimore 27 Dallas 24 (OT)

Sunday Night Football on NBC:
Green Bay at Washington:




Washington 34 Green Bay 31 (OT)

Monday Night Football on ESPN: At Mexico City:
Houston at Oakland:





Oakland 34 Houston 28 (OT)

Bonus Picks: The NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup: Championship Four Finale: Race Ten: Homestead (Miami):

Four drivers left. One Race. Winner Take All. Simple matter: Whomever of the four finalists finishes highest in this race (or wins) wins the championship. All four drivers will start between 9th and 14th in the starting grid, so no real advantage on qualifying. DVR this race for sure while you watch football. I am, History is made today, period. Here are the finalists and my choice.

1. Jimmie Johnson: Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet: The six time champ finally gets his chance to get the record-tying seventh Sprint Cup title, to tie Hall of Famers Dale Earnhardt (Sr) and Richard Petty. Years ago, the Chase was Johnson's playground, but recent bad luck in Chase races and the new tiered elimination format has stymied him, until now. He will be the favorite today, but FAR from a sure thing.
2. Kyle Busch: Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota: The one-time and defending Sprint Cup champ has had to work this year, but not nearly as much as last year overcoming injury that cost him a third of the season to still make the Chase and win the whole thing anyway. Busch has the mindset to win it all and will not fear Johnson. But this will not be easy. Not with a 6 time champ, a rival and a hungry teammate in the final four.
3. Carl Edwards: Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota: The "sleeper" of the four Gibbs Toyota cars and the surprising finalist. He is one of two drivers who has never been champ, losing the title to Tony Stewart a few years ago via TIEBREAKER when Stewart won Homestead and Edwards finished second. He hasn't forgotten. He knows to surely win the title, he must win this race by whatever means necessary. But does his calm demeanor, compared to Busch, especially and the others allow him to finally win the big one?
4. Joey Logano: Penske Motorsports Ford: This car should have been in the finale last year but friction and a payback crash out done by Gibbs teammate Matt Kenseth took out Logano late in the Chase last  year. Now he made it to the final and looks for his first title and to give Penske their first title since teammate Brad Keselowski took his lame-duck Dodge and beat ALL of the Hendrick cars plus 5 other power teams to win the title 4 years ago. Logano has the talent and the nerve to do it, but can he keep his cool and not make the big mistake against the other more experienced finalists? He could be the first driver in the Chase era to win Daytona AND the championship in the same year if he wins.

My pick: Edwards. He will get the least press and the worst odds and is the quietest of the four. He has more hunger than all of them and knows he may well not get another chance at this with teammate Denny Hamlin and others wanting a shot at the title in the near future. With three great teammates (2 champs) on his own team without counting the Hendrick cars, Logano and Brad K and the Stewart-Haas cars (Hendrick and Clint Bowyer taking over for the retiring owner Stewart in 2017), Edwards' time must be NOW. Logano has time and the others have won titles before. Edwards wins the race and the title in a MASSIVE upset!

Bonus Picks: Sunday night: WWE Survivor Series winners:

Kalisto (Smackdown Live!) defeats Brian Kendrick (Raw) to win the Cruiserweight Championship and brings the ENTIRE Cruiserweight division to Smackdown Live! as well. Kalisto is no joke and is a former two time US champ. He is the Rey Mysterio of today's WWE. Kendrick is good...but he cannot handle a focused Kalisto. Plus, some say that the cruiserweights may be better on Smackdown Live! anyway. This change would almost then justify making Smackdown a three hour show and/or shorten Raw down to two hours. Just a thought.

The Miz (Smackdown Live!) defends and defeats Sami Zahn (Raw) to retain the Intercontinental Title and keep it on Smackdown Live! But, I do think that a future trade (maybe send former champ Dolph Ziggler to Raw?) may bring Zahn to Smackdown Live! and he wins his first main roster singles title in early 2017.

Team Raw defeats Team Smackdown Live! in a Traditional 10 on 10 (5 Tag Teams) Elimination Match:  Smackdown Live! has two decent and one upcoming tag team on their team, and one lucky  but okay team  as the champs. Team Raw has the three, perhaps four best tag teams in WWE on their team and the fifth team is nearly as good as any on Smackdown Live! And almost all of them are bigger and heavier hitters than those on the blue brand. Though the red brand may have more turmoil within the team, Team Raw will win without too much worry.

Team Raw defeats Team Smackdown Live! in a Traditional 5 on 5 Women's Elimination Match:
Same situation as the 10 on 10 match. Smackdown Live! has some good women, including captain Nikki Bella. But the fact that champ Becky Lynch is NOT the captain of the blue team, veteran Natalya is the "coach" and not actually wrestling and the other three on this team are either young and/or hungry for the Smackdown title that Lynch holds says it all. Also, Raw has arguably the three best (and all young) women wrestlers in WWE on their team, plus a former champ in Alicia Fox AND the largest (in stature) and most powerful female in WWE since Beth Phoenix or Kharma in Nia Jax, who will be a future champ? Without cheating or outside interference, Team Smackdown Live has no chance here. If fewer than three of the Raw ladies are not standing at the end of this match, I will be surprised.

Team Smackdown Live! defeats Team Raw in a Traditional 5 on 5 Men's Elimination Match:
Same situation as the 10 on 10 match. Raw has the power with US Champ Reigns and former Wyatt Family giant Braun Strowman.  However, both teams has tensions within the teams and from outside. Seeing Smackdown Live! Commissioner Shane McMahon in the match is strange and risky. The Undertaker would have been an better choice, but he is technically still a free agent, despite his appearance on Tuesday's 900th episode. The bottom line is that the experience is almost even...but the wildcards (McMahon, Wyatt and Orton) are all on Team Blue. I kind of see former teams reforming during this match (Wyatt with Stroman, The Shield all together) for moments. At the end, McMahon somehow gets Team Blue the win...and little else is solved.

Goldberg upsets Brock Lesnar:  Lesnar winning does nothing for the pay per view or his standing in WWE. There is almost no one on the current roster on either brand who can stand up to Lesnar for long...much less beat him, clean or otherwise. Undertaker and Big Show and honestly, Cena and other stars are too old or not big enough and Strowman is too green, among other things. Goldberg is the only one who might be able to beat him...like Mickie James almost beat the undefeated Asuka for the NXT womens title last night...but the NXT womens division is bare with everyone good now on the main roster..and they all were beat by the champ anyway. We all knew that. A Goldberg win will be like Undertaker losing to Lesnar at Wrestlemania XXX. But the bottom line is that Lesnar will be unstoppable until that young star comes around to beat him. That may not happen anytime soon. A loss by Lesnar makes him more vulnerable, but does not hurt his aura. WWE will disagree, hence Lesnar will ultimately win. Unfortunate.