Houston heads to New England. Find out which team gets to the AFC Championship Game.
Chris
Ransom Last Updated: January 16, 2026.
6. Buffalo Bills 13-5-0
Versus
1. Denver Broncos 14-3-0
Chris Ransom's Pick
We're back for the 2025 NFL Season. You can follow our weekly predictions crew. Jesse Lucas won the first year in 2014-2015. Jason Bantle and myself now have two championships after I won the NFL Pickem Champion Trophy for most accurate predictions against the spread in 2020-2021 and had the most accurate NFL predictions again in 2022-2023. Oren Shiri, Tanya Holmes, and Wes Langley have one pickem title too back in 2021-2022. Lisa Donovan got her first pickem Championship two years the best record in the country last year in 2023-2024. Andrew Kermish had the best pickem record on Draft Utopia in 2024-2025 with 203 games, but ESPN's Matt Bowen had 204 games correct and won the National pickem pool with Andrew finishing third in the country. Tony Mario replaces Jason Bantle after a decade of outstanding contributions at Draft Utopia. William Yanish and Daniel Keyser also join our NFL Predictions pool. Send me your predictions on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn to be eligible for prizes should you have a perfect week. You will also see each Draft Utopia members record from the season at the bottom of the screen including my record with Who Draft Utopia picked replacing Who Everyone Else Picked which is the new change I rolled out for 2025.
For the fourth year in a row Draft Utopia defeated the maintstream media in NFL Predictions. After I had the best record in 2020-2021 going 181-74-1, Wes Langley went 189-95-1 in 2021-2022. I went 190-92-3 in 2022-2023 allowing Draft Utopia to become the first sports website in the world to three peat in NFL predictions. Two years ago Lisa Donovan went 199-86 on the year before her and three other staff members left the site following that NFL Season in 2023-2024. Last year Andrew Kermish had 203 games correct with Wes Langley having 199 games correct and ESPN"s Matt Bowen barely and one other person edging out Andrew with 204 games correct on the year as Kerm finished third in 2024-2025. I will provide updates on where people are nationally, but our records will be displayed below our winners.
Wes Langley emerged as the overall leader in the 2025 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings as Wes was the National Pickem NFL Champion in 2021 helping Draft Utopia repeat during our tenure where we four peated in NFL predictions. Wes is 186-92. Wes is first nationally and has a five game lead on the field after going 5-1 in the wild card round with Philadelphia as his only incorrect winner.
Andrew Kermish is now second in the 2025 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings. Andrew is 181-97. Andrew is now second nationally which is an improvement from him finishing third nationally a year ago.
Tony Mario is now third in the 2025 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings. Tony is 177-101 and is fifth nationally trailing only Regan Holgate at 179-99 and Jason Reid of ESPN whose at 178-100 despite going 2-4 during wild card week. Pete Prisco only picked 3 wild card games getting all of them wrong at CBS which is why he dropped from fourth to sixth nationally. Pete Prisco has the same four divisional round winners as our national pickem leader Wes Langley. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN also went 0-2 during wild card week.
I are now fourth in the 2025 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings. I am 175-103 on the year. I am in sole possession of seventh nationally.
Oren Shiri is fifth in the 2025 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings. Oren is 174-104 on the year. Oren is eighth nationally.
Daniel Keyser is now sixth in the 2025 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings. Daniel is 172-106 on the year. Daniel crushed it during wild card week making a huge jump as Daniel Keyser and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN are tied for the final two spots in the top ten nationally as Daniel also went 5-1 with Green Bay as his only incorrect team last week.
Tracy Porter is now seventh in the 2025 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings. Tracy is 163-115. Tracy is twenty sixth nationally after a 5-1 wild card week as the Jacksnville Jaguars were the only incorrect winner during wild card week.
William Yanish is eighth in the 2025 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings. William is 162-116 on the year and is tied for twenty seventh nationally after going 5-1 during wild card week with the Carolina Panthers as the only blemish on his wild card record.
Joseph Potter is ninth in the 2025 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings. Joey is 160-118 on the year and is thirtieth nationally.
My pickem pool expanded once again from 84 members to 90 members. I'm hoping we end up at 100 members for NFL Predictions at a certain point.
If you want to be listed and are not listed email me at chris@draftutopia.com. You can also direct message me on social media.
Why the Buffalo Bills Will Win: Josh Allen finally won his first MVP last season. Josh Allen has a great offensive line with Dion Dawkins at left tackle, David Edwards at left guard, Connor McGovern at center, O'Cyrus Torrence at right guard. and Spencer Brown at right tackle. Buffalo and Tampa Bay were the only teams that weren't effected by injuries on the offensive line in 2023. Buffalo is moving Connor McGovern back to center where he played at Penn State after losing Mitch Morse Morse with David Edwards getting a second chance to start at left guard on a team friendly deal after being a backup to Connor McGovern at left guard in 2023. Buffalo saw their offensive line stay fully healthy for the second year in a row in 2024. Sedrick Van Prann, a 2024 fifth round pick out of Georgia that I had a third round grade on is the backup center as center is the one position that Buffalo has depth at on this offensive line. Kendrick Green and Dan Feeney are good enough to be backup guards on Buffalo, but both players are on the Buffalo Bills practice squad. Both Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown have been ruled out in week 13.
Buffalo has Khalil Shakir as their flanker wide receiver, Keon Coleman Buffalo's 2024 second round pick out of Florida State is the secondary wide receiver, and Joshua Palmer as the slot receiver as their top three wide receivers. All three guys can play flanker wide receiver, secondary wide receiver, or slot receiver. Joshua Palmer took the secondary wide receiver job from Keon Coleman after Coleman began the year as the number two wide receiver. Tyrell Shavers began the year as the number six wide receiver, but took the slot receiver job from Keon Coleman due to Coleman's maturity issues in year two as Shavers was an undrafted wide receiver in the 2023 NFL Draft that spent his first two seasons on the Buffalo Bills practice squad before cracking the 53 man roster this season. Keon Coleman is now the number four wide receiver, but the defacto backup to Joshua Palmer whose a game-time decision as Palmer missed the first two days of practice before returning on Friday. Brandin Cooks is the number five wide receiver and the backup to Khalil Shakir, Josh Allen's number one wide receiver. Gabe Davis got promoted from the Buffalo Bills practice squad and is now the number six wide receiver.
Joshua Palmer, Tyrell Shavers, and Gabriel Davis all got placed on injured reserve. Buffalo will go with Khalil Shakir at flanker wide receiver, Keon Coleman as their secondary wide receiver who started for an injured Josh Palmer in the wild card round, and Brandin Cooks as their slot receiver. Buffalo has no more depth at wide receiver and faces a team with four quality cornerbacks.
Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo's 2023 first round pick out of Utah supplanted Dawson Knox as the starting tight end following the injury to Dawson Knox in 2023. Jackson Hawes, the Buffalo Bills 2025 fifth round pick out of Georgia Tech is the third string tight end. Buffalo started Dawson Knox over Dalton Kincaid in week 8 and did the same thing in week 9 hoping they could trick the Kansas City Chiefs into covering Knox so Kincaid would fly under the radar. This strategy worked ot perfection as Dalton Kincaid felt like he had a chip on his shoulder with Knox getting the start as Kincaid caught every target Josh Allen threw against the Kansas City Chiefs while also having over 100 receiving yards, and 1 receiving touchdown.
Buffalo has James Cook as the starting running back as he enters his second season as a full-time starting running back. Ray Davis, Buffalo's 2024 fourth round pick out of Kentucky did well as the backup running back as a rookie after jumping Ty Johnson on the depth chart with a strong showing in training camp. Ty Johnson is the third string running back. Reggie Gilliam is back at fullback. Buffalo has more depth at wide receiver and tight end than last year with Buffalo being just as deep at running back.
Buffalo has Joey Bosa at 4-3 right end, Ed Oliver at 4-3 defesive tackle, Daquan Jones at 4-3 defensive tackle, and Gregory Rosseau their 2021 first round pick as the starting 4-3 left end. A.J. Epenesa is the backup 4-3 right end with T.J. Sanders Buffalo's 2025 second round pick out of South Carolina as a backup defensive tackle along with Deone Walker the Buffalo Bills 2025 fourth round pick as the other backup defensive tackle. Landon Jackson, Buffalo's 2025 third round pick out of Arkansas is the backup 4-3 let end.
Buffalo wanted to ease their 2025 rookies at defensive tackle into the lineup by keeping them on third string as long as possible. Michael Hoecht got suspended and honestly, Hoecht might be a third stringer on Buffalo when he comes back if Landon Jackson impresses with limited reps since I believe Landon Jackson has a higher ceiling than Michael Hoecht. The other defensive tackle that got suspended is Larry Ogunjobi who will be needed after he returns from his suspension if either or the rookie defensive tackles struggles right out of the gate. DeWayne Carter Buffalo's 2024 third round pick out of Duke as the backup 4-3 defensive tackle to Ed Oliver as a rookie, but suffered a season ending injury in year two which is why the rookie defensive tackles got promoted to second team. DeWayne Carter will have to compete with the rookie defensive tackles in camp next year for a roster spot entering year three which won't be easy with the loser of that competition being the third string defensive tackle on Buffalo. Javon Solomon is the third string 4-3 left end with Michael Hoecht being the third string 4-3 right end. Buffalo has six different defensive ends and six different defensive tackles for the defensive line on their 4-3 base defense that also runs a 4-2-5 nickel defense when everyone is healthy.
Ed Oliver has shoulder surgery in late October as Ed Oliver is expected to miss the rest of the regular season, but he could be back for the playoffs. Ed Oliver now had knee surgery, but he is eligible to come off injured reserve and has practiced in a limited capacity. I do not see Ed Oliver playing. DaQuan Jones got injured and missed last week in week 17 and is out in week 18. Jordan Phillips last week. Deone Walker, Buffalo's 2025 fourth round pick out of Kentucky that I had a first round grade on took over for Ed Oliver and never gave the job back. T.J. Sanders, Buffalo's 2025 second round pick out of South Caroilina has started next to Deone Walker since week 15.
Buffalo has Matt Milano at 4-3 right outside linebacker and Terrell Bernard at 4-3 middle linebacker on plays where Buffalo deploys a 4-2-5 nickel defense. Buffalo has Dorian Williams as the 4-3 left outside linebacker and the backup outside linebacker in a 4-2-5 nickel defense. Shaq Thompson is the backup 4-3 middle linebacker to Terrel Bernard.
Matt Milano missed the first half of the season with injuries. Terrel Bernard is missing the second half of the season with injuries. Terrel Bernard is out in week 18. Shaq Thompson is healthy and will start at middle linebacker in week 18. Shaq Thompson will start at middle linebacker once again as he will compliment Matt Milano whose back. There is a chance Terrel Bernard returns at middle linebacker this week.
Buffalo has Tre'Davious White back at field cornerback covering number one wide receivers, Christian Benford did well at boundary cornerback covering number two wide receivers before taking the number one cornerback job after White got injured in Buffalo a few years ago, and Taron Johnson at nickel cornerback covering slot receivers in nickel packages. Maxwell Hairston, Buffalo's 2025 first round pick out of Kentucky will be the dime cornerback. Dane Jackson is the quarter cornerback. Dorian Strong, Buffalo's 2025 sixth round pick out of Virginia Tech is the number six cornerback after actually starting the week 1 game against Baltimore as a boundary cornerback.
Buffalo did not have Taron Johnson at nickel cornerback in week 9. Maxwell Hairston their 2025 first round pick was cleared to play, but Buffalo didn't want to tip their hand to Kansas City, so they opted to start Cam Lewis at nickel cornerback instead while easing Maxwell Hairston into this game giving Kansas City the impression he was still the Buffalo Bills dime cornerback as Hairston recorded his first career interception. Buffalo has kept Hairston in a dime cornerback role, but he's out for the wild card round. Luckily, the other three Buffalo Bills starting cornerbacks would be healthy.
Buffalo has Jordan Poyer as the starting strong safety and Cole Bishop the Buffalo Bills 2024 second round pick out of Utah as the starting free safety. Taylor Rapp is the backup strong safety and Damar Hamlin is the backup free safety. Jordan Hancock, the Buffalo Bills 2025 fifth round pick out of Ohio State had to convert from nickel cornerback to safety, but played well enough to earn the number four safety job on the Buffalo Bills roster. Jordan Hancock started in week 18. Jordan Poyer returned for the wild card game, but has not practiced this week leading up to the divisonal round
Buffalo has Tyler Bass at kicker. Tyler Bass is the only asset on Buffalo's special teams. I don't trust Brad Robbins at punter or Brandon Codrington the return specialist at both kick returner and punt returner. Buffalo placed Tyler Bass on injured reserve on Friday. Buffalo signed Matt Prater to replace Bass until he comes back. Matt Prater has actually been better than Tyler Bass this year.
Why the Denver Broncos Will Win: Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix won the starting quarterback job as a rookie after being Denver's 2024 first round pick taking Denver to the playoffs. Bo Nix has Garrett Bolles at left tackle, Ben Powers at left guard, Luke Wattenberg at center, Quinn Meinerz at right guard, and Mike McGlinchey the former San Francisco 49ers right tackle is now Denver's starting right tackle. Matt Peart the swing tackle and Alex Forsyth the backup center is the only backups I like on this offensive line. Denver's offensive line is better than you would think if their starters can stay healthy. Ben Powers got injured in week 5 and had surgery following Denver's week 5 win as he will miss two months before making a return at left guard in December.
Ben Powers is off of injured reserve, but Denver has been so impressed with Alex Palczewski filling in for Powers, that Ben Powers has been demoted to the Denver Broncos backup left guard. Luke Wattenberg is on injured reserve, but Alex Forsyth has been superb in relief of Wattenberg as Forsyth was teammates with Bo Nix at Oregon during Nix first season with the Oregon Ducks prior to the 2023 NFL Draft. Alex Palczewski is an RFA, so Denver can trade Ben Powers in the final year of his contract or release him to save $8,650,000 in cap space.
Courtland Sutton is the flanker wide receiver. Troy Franklin, Bo Nix's teammate at Oregon and Denver's 2024 fourth round pick is the as the secondary wide receiver. Marvin Mims Jr. is the slot receiver. Pat Bryant a 2025 third round pick out of Illinois is the number four wide receiver. Trent Sherfield is the number five wide receiver. Marvin Mims Jr. was out in week 9, so Pat Bryant got to play at slot receiver in relief of Marvin Mims Jr.
Evan Engram is now the starting tight end. Adam Trautman Sean Payton's former tight end in New Orleans is the backup tight end. Adam Trautman started in week 9 as Evan Engram was the backup tight end to Trautman despite being cleared to play since Trautman knows Sean Payton's offense and he was healthier than Engram. I'm not sure who will start in week 10 on a short week.
J.K. Dobbins reclaimed the starting job he won at the beginning of the season. RJ Harvey, Denver's 2025 second round pick out of Central Florida was the starting running back in week 3 after J.K. Dobbins started the first two games, but is now the backup running back. Jaleel McLaughlin last years backup running back is the third string running back.
Denver's offense is completely healthy outside of the injury to Luke Wattenberg at center and J.K. Dobbins on injured reserve. Gettng the one seed means possibly both of those guys come back at full health for Denver.
Denver has John Franklin-Myers at 3-4 right end, Malcolm Roach at 3-4 nose tackle after he took the starting 3-4 nose tackle job from D.J. Jones, and Zach Allen is the 3-4 left end. D.J. Jones is now the backup 3-4 nose tackle.
Denver has Jonathon Cooper at 3-4 right outside linebacker, Alex Singleton at 3-4 middle linebacker, Dre Greenlaw at 3-4 middle linebacker, and Nik Bonitto at at 3-4 left outside linebacker. Jonah Ellis is the backup 3-4 right outside linebacker after being Denver's 2024 third round pick out of Utah. Nik Bonitto is the backup 3-4 left outside linebacker. Drew Sanders is injured for the third year in a row at 3-4 middle linebacker. Dre Greenlaw and Drew Sanders could both be back for the Divisional Round.
Denver has Patrick Surtain II at field cornerback, Riley Moss is the boundry cornerback, Ja'Quaun McMillian last years nickel cornerback becomes the nickel cornerback, Jahdae Barron, their 2025 first round pick out of Texas is the dime cornerback after beginning the season at nickel cornerback, and Kris Abrams-Draine their 2024 fifth round pick is the quarter cornerback. Damarri Mathis surprised everyone when he took control of the boundary cornerback job as a 2022 fourth round pick out of Pittsburgh. Talanoa Hufanga is the starting strong safety and Brandon Jones is the starting free safety. Brandon Jones is still on injured reserve, but he could be back for Super Bowl 60 if Denver can find a way to win the AFC with homefield.
Denver has Will Lutz at kicker and Jeremy Crawshaw a 2025 sixth round pick out of Florida at punter. Marvin Mims Jr. is the return specialist in addition to the slot receiver at both kick returner and punt returner.
Carl Cheffers is the refree. Both teams have had a lot of success under Carl Cheffers, but the Bills have had more success. Even if Buffalo loses, the Buffalo Bills should be able to cover the spread.
Prediction: Denver is a 1.5 point favorite at -1.5. The over or under is 45.5 with 56% of the public betting on Denver. The money line is +105 for Buffalo and -115 for Denver. I like Denver to win and Buffalo cover with the under at +105. Bet $195 on this game for Buffalo and win up to $300 as long as the Broncos win by 1 or less.
Final Score Broncos 21 Bills 20
Who Draft Utopia Picked
Chris Ransom
Oren Shiri
Tony Mario
Joseph Potter
Andrew Kermish
Tracy Porter
Wes Langley
William Yanish
Daniel Keyser
175-103
174-104
177-101
160-118
181-97
163-115
186-92
162-116
172-106
6. San Francisco 49ers 13-5-0
Versus
1. Seattle Seahawks 14-3-0
Chris Ransom's Pick
Draft Utopia airs on Talkshoe. We have a show on as well as our usual weekend show on Talkshoe and Restream which livestreams what I do on Talkshoe to Youtube showcasing the visuals I use when breaking down things on my podcast. The Draft Utopia podcast is already underway with season 15 of Draft Utopia kicking off you can watch the videos in of seasons 13-15 on Restream in the playlist below with the most recent episodes from season 15 at the top of the playlist. I've also posted my playlist with my 2026 NFL Draft player rankings below.
Why the San Francisco 49ers Will Win: Brock Purdy has a terrific offensive line with Trent Williams at left tackle, Ben Bartch at left guard, Jake Brendel at center, Dominic Puni their 2024 third round pick out of Kansas at right guard, and Colton McKivitz at right tackle. Spencer Burford is the swing tackle, Colby Connor their 2025 seventh round pick out of Iowa is the swing guard, and Matt Hennessy is the backup center. San Francisco had Spencer Burford at left guard in relief of Ben Bartch and Matt Hennessy at center in relief of Joe Brendel in week 9. Trent Williams missed weeks 17 and week 18. He didn't practice wednesday with some doubting his availability for the wild card, but did practice in a limited capacity on thursday. Trent Williams practiced on Friday, so San Francisco should have a fully healthy offensive line for this years NFL Playoffs.
San Francisco has Brandon Aiyuk as their flanker receiver, Ricky Pearsall as their secondary receiver, and Jauan Jennings as their slot receiver. Kendrick Bourne is the number four wide receiver. Jordan Watkins a 2025 fourth round pick out of Ole Miss is the number five wide receiver, Russell Gage Jr. is the number six wide receiver, and Skyy Moore is the number seven wide receiver. Brandon Aiyuk is still on the PUP list, so he may miss week 1 which would make Pearsall the number one target, Jennings would play on the outside instead of the inside, and Russell Gage Jr. would play in the slot until Brandon Aiyuk returns. San Francisco will get Jauan Jennings back this week and could get Jordan Watkins back. This would give San Francisco a three wide receiver set of Jauan Jennings, Kendrick Bourne, and Jordan Watkins at wide receiver even without Brandon Aiyuk and Ricky Pearsall. Brandon Aiyuk will not return this season and San Francsico is expected to cut Brandon Aiyuk in 2026, but San Francisco cannot cut Aiyuk without taking a cap hit until 2027.
Ricky Pearsall has not practiced this week and likely looks like he is out. San Francisco will not have Brandon Aiyuk or Ricky Pearsall against Philadelphia for their wild card game. Jauan Jennings would be the flanker wide receiver, Kendrick Bourne would be the secondary wide receiver, and Demarcus Robinson would be the number three wide receiver without Pearsall or Aiyuk in the lineup.
George Kittle is San Francisco's starting tight end. San Francisco's tight end depth is much weaker than last year, so San Francisco is in trouble if George Kittle goes down. George Kittle tore his ACL in the wild card round and is out for the year.
San Francisco has Christian McCaffrey as their starting running back whose considered the best running back when fully healthy after dominating in 2022 and 2023 before a season ending injury in 2024. Brian Robinson Jr. is the backup running back. Isaac Guerendo a 2024 fourth round pick out of Louisville is the third string running back. Jordan James a 2025 fourth round pick out of Oregon is the fourth string running back. San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk is the best fullback in the NFL. San Francisco has the best running back, fullback, and depth of any team in the NFL. Jordan James is out i week 1. Christian McCaffrey is questionable to play in week 1.
San Francisco has Nick Bosa at 4-3 right end, Jordan Elliott at 4-3 defensive tackle, Alfred Collins San Francisco's 2025 second round pick out of Texas at 4-3 defensive tackle, and Mykel Williams the San Francisco 49ers 2025 first round pick out of Georgia at 4-3 left end as their starters on the defensive line. Yetur Gross-Matos is the backup 4-3 right end behind Nick Bosa, Kalia Davis and CJ West San Francisco's 2025 fourth round pick out of Indiana are the backup defensive tackles, and Bryce Huff is the backup 4-3 left end. Nick Bosa tore his ACL and is out for the season. Mykel Williams will move to 4-3 right end and Yetor Gross-Matos is now the starting 4-3 left end. Both Jordan Elliott and Alfred Collins left week 8 with injuries. San Francisco traded for Keion White. Mykel Williams is out for the year.
San Francisco does not have Nick Bosa or Mykel Williams. Keion White their third best pass rusher did not practice either. This means Bryce Huff and Yetur Gross-Matos are starting at 4-3 defensive end for San Francisco. Jordan Elliot and Kalia Davis would compliment those two at 4-3 defensive tackle.
San Francisco has Dee Winters at 4-3 right outside linebacker, Fred Warner at 4-3 middle linebacker, and Luke Gifford as their 4-3 left outside linebacker as well as the backup to Fred Warner at middle linebacker in a 4-2-5 defense. Nick Martin San Francisco's 2025 third round pick out of Oklahoma State is the backup outside linebacker. Fred Warner got carted off against Tampa Bay and is out for the season at 4-3 middle linebacker. Dee Winters also left week 8 with an injury.
Dee Winters has not practiced this week and is likely out. Dee Winters, the 4-3 right outside linebacker, Fred Warner the 4-3 middle linebacker, and Nick Martin the 4-3 left ouside linebacker are all out this week. Eric Kendricks, the former UCLA middle linebacker from the 2015 NFL Draft that was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings is a player I've liked for mahy years, but he's now a role player compared to the dominant force he was a decade ago when he first entered the league. Eric Kendricks will need to step up and be a dominant force if San Francisco goes on any sort of run in this years NFL Playoffs.
San Francisco has Renardo Green, San Francisco's 2024 second round pick out of Florida State is the new field cornerback, Deommodore Lenoir is the boundary cornerback, and Upton Stout San Francisco's 2025 third round pick out of Western Kentucky is the nickel cornerback at nickel cornerback. Upton Stout missed week 17, but is questionable for week 18. Malik Mustapha their 2024 fourth round pick out of Wake Forest returns at strong safety with Ji'Ayir Brown the San Francisco 49ers 2023 third round pick out of Penn State as the starting free safety. Jason Pinnock is the backup strong safety. Marques Sigle a 2025 fifth round pick out of Kansas State is the backup free safety.
San Francisco has Eddy Pineiero starting at kicker. Thomas Morstead is the starting punter. Isaac Guerendo is the kick returner and Skyy Moore is the punt returner.
Why the Seattle Seahawks Will Win: Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is the new starting quarterback with Geno Smith leaving Seattle. Drew Lock is the backup quarterback. Jalen Milroe, Seattle's 2025 third round pick out of Alabama is the third string quarterback.
Sam Darnold has Charles Cross at left tackle, Grey Zabel, Seattle's 2025 first round pick out of North Dakota State at left guard, Jalen Sundell barely won the starting center job, Anthony Bradford Jr. at right guard until Christian Haynes their 2024 third round pick out of Connecticut returns from injured reserve, and Abraham Lucas the starting right tackle. Josh Jones is the swing tackle and Jalen Sundell is the backup left guard if either Gray Zabel or Anthony Bradford Jr. injured with Christian Haynes out with Seattle not wanting to start either their 2025 sixth round pick at left guard or 2025 seventh round pick at right guard. Seattle doesn't want to play either guard, and I didn't have either guard getting drafted in 2025. Charles Cross has been ruled out in week 18.
Seattle has Jaxon Smith-Njigba Seattle's 2023 first round pick out of Ohio State at flanker wide receiver, Cooper Kupp is their secondary wide receiver after playing flanker wide receiver his entire career while also winning Super Bowl 56 MVP, and Tory Horton, Seattle's 2025 fifth round pick out of Colorado State will be the slot receiver. Jake Bobo and Dareke Young are the backup wide receivers. Cooper Kupp was ruled inactive in week 9. Tory Horton got promoted from slot receiver to secondary wide receiver for this game, but Seattle traded for Rashid Shaheed whose a good fill in player while Cooper Kupp is recovering from his injury. Jake Bobo the number four wide receiver and Dareke Young the number five wide receiver were both inactive for this game due to injuries with both of those guys getting demotions in th lineup once Cooper Kupp returns. Seattle's 2025 seventh round pick Ricky White III out of UNLV that I had a third round grade on got promoted from the practice squad to the active NFL roster for Seattle's week 9 game, but is pretty clear Seattle only promoted him as an emergency wide receiver in week 9. The fact that Seattle traded for Rashid Shaheed after Cooper Kupp, Jake Bobo, and Dareke Young were injured while leaving Cody Martin the number six wide receiver in week 1 on the practice squad shows Martin regressed while Ricky White III improved enough to jump Martin, but not enough to be on Seattle's NFL roster full time. That shows you how stacked the Seattle Seahawks wide receiver room is.
Cooper Kupp got a hamstring injury on October 30, 2025. This was on the thursday before Seattle's week 9 game in Washington. My guess is Cooper Kupp sits out this week and Seattle activates him for Seattle's first game of the year against their division rival, the Los Angeles Rams, where the Los Angeles Rams 2017 third round pick out of Eastern Washington won Super Bowl 56 MVP before leaving the Los Angeles Rams to sign with the Seattle Seahawks and return to the state of Washington. Seattle has placed Tory Horton on injured reserve prior to their week 12 game. Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, and Rashid Shaheed enter this week all healthy.
Seattle has AJ Barner as their starting tight end, Elijah Arroyo Seattle's 2025 second round pick out of Miami FL began week 1 as the third string tight end behind AJ Barner and Eric Saubert, but he made his first NFL start in a two tight end set in week 9 with Cooper Kupp inactive as well as backup tight end Eric Saubert getting placed on injured reserve once again following Seattle's bye week as Elijah Arroyo was the third string tight end until week 4 when he got promoted to bckup tight end. Seattle lost Will Dissly after 2023 and cut Noah Fant earlier this offseason meaning Seattle is much weaker at tight end then two years ago and weaker at tight end than last year.
Seattle has Kenneth Walker III as their starting running back after Michigan State's former running back dominated as a rookie with Seattle in 2022. Zach Charbonnet a 2023 second round pick out of UCLA is now the backup running back. Kenny McIntosh, Seattle's 2023 seventh round pick out of Georgia is the third string running back after being the fourth string running back as a rookie for the second year in a row with Kenny McKintosh on injured reserve. George Holani is the fourth string running back when Kenny McIntosh is healthy, but right now he's the third string running back. Wesley Steiner the fullback that was expected to start is on injured reserve. Robbie Outzts a 2025 fifth round pick that was a backup tight end at Alabama won the starting fullback job despite Wesley Steiner getting injured. Zach Charbonnet has been ruled doubtful in week 3.
Seattle has Jarran Reed at starting 3-4 right end, Byron Murphy II Seattle's 2024 first round pick out of Texas at 3-4 nose tackle, and Leonard Williams at 3-4 left end. Rylie Mills the Seattle Seahawks 2025 fifth round pick out of Notre Dame is the backup 3-4 right end, but he's currently on injured reserve. Jonathan Hankins the backup 3-4 nose tackle is also currently on injured reserve. Mike Martin the backup 3-4 left end is the only backup defensive linemen not injured. Jarran Reed has been placed on injured reserve and will be out from weeks 10-13. Rylie Mills might get his first career NFL start in week 10.
Seattle has Demarcus Lawrence at 3-4 right outside linebacker and Uchenna Nwosu complimenting him at 3-4 left outside linebacker as these two guys are the starting edge rushers in Seattle for the 2023 season. Tyrice Knight and Ernest Jones IV are the starting 3-4 middle linebackers. Derrick Hall is the backup 3-4 right outside linebacker and Boye Mafe is the backup 3-4 left outside linebacker. Uchenna Nwosu, Boye Mafe, and Derrick Hall will all get reps at 3-4 left outside linebacker across from Demarcus Lawrence since Seattle thinks all three of those guys have a case to start next to Demarcus Lawrence.
Seattle has Devon Witherspoon back at field cornerback. Tariq Wolen dominated number two wide receivers at boundary cornerback during his rookie season out of UTSA going even as far as to be a finalist for Defensive Rookie Of The Year after being a 2022 fifth round pick with Tarqi Wollen entering the final year of his rookie deal. Josh Jobe is the nickel cornerback and he feels like an upgrade over Tre Brown, who replaced Michael Jackson in 2024. Nehemiah Prichett their 2024 fifth round pick is the dime cornerback. Devon Witherspoon was out in week 5. Devon Witherspoon and Tariq Woolen were both out with injuries in week 6. Woolen returned in week 7 on Monday Night Football before the bye week. Devon Witherspoon returned in week 9.
Seattle opted to start Devon Witherspoon at field cornerback in his first game back from an injury with Josh Jobe at boundary cornerback moving Seattle Seahawks strong safety Cobee Bryant to nickel cornerback. Nick Emmanwori their 2025 second round pick played strong safety and Ty Okada an undrafted free safety out of Montana State got the start at free safety, after Seattle opted to place Julian Love their starting free safety on injured reserve again following the week 8 bye week meaning week 13 against Minnesota is the earliest Julian Love could return at free safety. Josh Jobe has been ruled out in week 10 meaning Tariq Woolen will start at boundary cornerback with Seattle keeping their week 9 lineup on the secondary.
Seattle has an under the radar top 10 kicker in Jason Myers at kicker. Michael Dickson isn't a bad punter. George Holani is the at kick returner and Tory Horton is the punt returner.
John Hussey is the referee in Seattle. He will be calling this game.
Prediction: Seattle is a 7 point favorite at 7. The over or under is 44.5 with 74% of the public betting on Seattle. The money line is +270 for San Francisco and -325 for Seattle. I like Seattle to win and San Francisco to cover with the under. Bet $330 on this game for San Francisco and win up to $600 as long as the Seahawks win by 6 points or less.
There's a lot of star power in the next two NFL and NHL Drafts. The 2026 NBA Draft has a better top three than the 2022 NBA Draft which featured Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren, and Jabari Smith Jr. That's what Wes Langley told me earlier this week and after rewatching the tape of Darryn Patterson, AJ Dybantsa, and Cameron Boozer. ESPN analysts are saying the 2026 NBA Draft is the best NBA Draft Class since the LeBron James draft in 2023. This is the strongest goalie draft I've scouted for the 2026 MLS Draft and the weakest center back draft that I have scouted as well. I will post a 2026 WNBA Mock Draft with a Women's College Basketball draft simulator at some point very soon now that we know the Dallas Wings won the WNBA Draft Lottery again. The 2026 MLB Draft Lottery will be next week too. The top 10 of the 2026 MLB Draft looks strong, but its weak after that.
Why the Houston Texans Will Win: C.J. Stroud the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Ohio State ended up winning Offensive Rookie Of The Year and took the Houston Texans to the Divisional Round as a rookie before doingn that once again as a sophomore. C.J. Stroud has Aireontae Ersery the Houston Texans 2025 second round pick out of Minnesota at left tackle, Laken Tomlinson at left guard, Jake Andrews, the New England Patriots backup center as a rookie in 2023 that was drafted out of Troy got demoted to third string center in 2024 after New England signed Ben Brown, yet somehow Jake Andrews beat out Jarrett Patterson for the starting center job, Ed Ingram at right guard, and Tytus Howard the right tackle. Juice Scruggs is the swing guard, Jarrett Patterson is the backup center, and Blake Fisher is the backup right tackle as these moves on the offensive line strengthen the Houston Texans depth on the offensive line. Houston did not have Aireontae Ersery in week 17 due to a thumb injury, but he went from a limited practice on Wednesday to a full practice on thursday. Houston will have their offensive line at full health when they play the Indianapolis Colts in week 18.
Houston has Nico Collins as their number one flanker receiver, Jayden Higgins, the Houston Texans 2025 second round pick out of Iowa State began the year as the number two secondary wide receiver, but he got benched for Xavier Hutchinson in week 3 and was the number four wide receiver on the depth chart. Jayden Higgins has jumped Xavier Hutchinson since then to become Houston's slot receiver in week 12. Jayden Higgins did win player of the game on Draft Utopia when Houston defeated the Indianapolis Colts earlier this year. Last week, Houston promoted Jayden Higgins to their secondary wide receiver role and demoted Christian Kirk to slot receiver. Houston's other rookie out of Iowa State, Jaylin Noel, the Houston Texans 2025 third round pick out of Iowa State was the player of the game in week 17 last week and is literally pushing Christian Kirk for the starting slot receiver job as Noel got more targets than Kirk who only had one against the Los Angeles Chargers. Houston will roll with Collins and Higgins on the outside this year and next year.
Nahaniel "Tank" Dell, Houston's 2023 third round pick will replace Christian Kirk as the veteran slot receiver once he's back from his injury in 2026 since he took the number two wide receiver job from Stefon Diggs in Houston during his sophomore year before tearing his ACL after showing great promise as a rookie slot receiver. Jaylin Noel will most likely compete with Dell for the slot receiver job next season with Dell on the final year of his rookie deal unless Houston trades Dell and finds a buyer for Tank Dell this offseason ince. If Houston trades Dell, the wide receiver C.J. Stroud told the Texans to draft, then Noel could be Houston's permanent slot receiver next season.
Xavier Hutchinson a 2023 sixth round pick out of Iowa State started at slot receiver in week 3 with Tank Dell expected to be out most of this season, but is now the number four wide receiver. Hutchinson will probably be Houston's number five wide receiver if Tank Dell recovers and plays for the Texnas in his contract year. Houston has stability at wide receiver this year and in 2026.
Justin Watson is the number six wide receiver back off of injured reserve. Braxton Berrios is the number seven wide receiver. Houston has seven of their eight wide receivers that made the final roster with Tank Dell being the only injured wide receiver. Tank Dell will probably not play this season, but he's making enough progress in his rehab to where he should be at Houston Texans Training Camp in 2026. Nico Collins was ruled out for this game.
Dalton Schultz is the starting tight end. Cade Stover, the Houston Texans 2024 fourth round pick out of Ohio State is the backup tight end. Brevin Jordan, Houston's 2021 fourth round pick out of Miami FL is the third string tight end once he returns from injured reserve, but he might get some games as the backup tight end once he comes back. Harrison Bryant who began the season on the practice squad emerged into a quality third string tight end. Luke Lachey the Houston Texans 2025 seventh round draft pick with the Houston Texans remains on the Houston Texans practice squad. I think Houston was always planning on stashing Lachey on the practice squad for this season before making him their third string tight end starting in 2026.
Jo'quavious "Woody" Marks, the Houston Texans 2025 fourth round pick out of USC is the entered the season as the fourth string running back, but became the starting running back after Joe Mixon's season ending injury and Nick Chubb's struggles. Jahwar Jordan, Houston's 2024 sixth round pick out of Louisville made his NFL debut in week 14 where he had 17 carries, 101 rushing yards, 17 receiving yards, and 118 total yards with a 50 yard carry in his NFL debut which is now the longest carry in Houston Texans history. Jahwar Jordan spent most of two seasons on Houston's practice squad, but his impact in his short tenure was so massive, that he already supplanted Nick Chubb as the backup running back behind Jo'quavious "Woody" Marks meaning that Nick Chubb is the current third string running backs. Joe Mixon will not be back this season, but if the Pro Bowl running back makes a full recovery next season, Houston would have Mixon to go with Marks and Jordan in 2026. Houston can also move Mixon for draft capital or cut him to save $8.5 million in cap space since Houston has a fourth and sixth round pick on rookie deals that have shown they can get 100 rushing yards in relief of Mixon.
Dare Ogunbowale was supposed to be the fifth string running back, but is playing fourth string running back behind Jo'quavious "Woody" Marks, Jahwar Jordan, and Nick Chubb. British Brooks is the Houston Texans starting fullback as he is going to make his first start of the season in week 9 playing fullback.
Houston has Danielle Hunter starting at 4-3 right end, Sheldon Rankins starting at 4-3 defensive tackle, Mario Edwards Jr. starting at 4-3 defensive tackle, and Will Anderson Jr. their third overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Alabama starting at 4-3 left end. Derek Barnett is the backup 4-3 right end with Darrell Taylor Jr. as the backup 4-3 left end. Tim Settle Jr., the former Buffalo Bills defensive tackle is the backup 4-3 defensive tackle with Folorunso Fatukasi being the other backup 4-3 defensive tackle. Dylan Horton is a third string defensive end and Tommy Togiai is a third string 4-3 defensive tackle.
Houston has their two sack artist pass rushers Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. fully healthy, but their backups Derek Barnett ad Darrell Taylor Jr. are both back from injured reserve, plus third stringer Dylan Horton is there. This is the first time since Houston's week 3 44-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens that all five defensive ends are at full health. Sheldon Rankins, thier best defensive tackle is healthy too. Houston has four different defensive takles on injured reserve including Mario Edwards Jr., Tim Settle Jr., Folorunso Fatukasi, and their number six defensive tackle Kyonte Hamilton, the fourth string defensive tackle behind Tommy Togiai and Denico Autry is also on injured reserve. Kurt Hinish the other fourth string defensive tackle is on the PUP list too. Togiai and Autry are solid enough as a tandem together to hold up next to Rankins until some of the other defensive tackles return.
Houston has E.J. Speed at 4-3 right outside linebacker, Azeez Al-Shaair at 4-3 middle linebacker, Henry To'oTo'o, a 2023 fifth round pick out of Alabama began the year starting at 4-3 right outside linebacker, but has moved to 4-3 left outside linebacker in a 4-3 set. In a 4-2-5 nickel defense, he's still the right outside linebacker. Christian Harris, Houston's 2022 third round pick out of Alabama is the backup linebacker to Speed, Al-Shaair,and To'oTo'o.
Houston has Derek Stingley Jr. at field cornerback, Kamari Lassiter won the boundary cornerback job as a 2024 second round pick out of Georgia, and Jalen Pitre is back at nickel cornerback. Jimmie Ward is starting at strong safety while Calen Bullock is starting at free safety as a 2024 third round pick out of USC. M.J. Stewart is now the Houston Texans starting strong safety until Jimmie Ward returns. Jaylin Smith, the Houston Texans 2025 third round pick is the number four dime cornerback behind the top three cornerbacks for depth. Jimmie Ward, M.J. Stewart, Jaylen Reed, and Jaylin Smith the top four options at strong safety are all on injured reserve, but Calen Bullock the USC teammate of Jaylin Smith is still fully healthy at free safety.
Houston has arguably the most complete defense in the entire NFL when everyone is healthy. Houston is getting Kamari Lassiter back and will have a very healthy defense for teh wild card round. With five defensive tackles, three safeties, and multiple cornerbacks injured with Lassiter and Jaylin Smith, there are some tiny holes in Houston's defense that are beginning to crack.
Houston has Ka'imi Fairbairn at kicker. Tommy Townsend the Kansas City Chiefs punter signed with the Houston Texans.
Why the New England Patriots Will Win: The New England Patriots Drake Maye the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of North Carolina entering year two as the starting quarterback.
Drake Maye will have Will Campbell, New England's 2025 first round pick out of LSU at left tackle, Jared Wilson a 2025 third round pick out of Georgia at left guard, Garrett Bradbury at center, Michael Onwenu at right guard, and Morgan Moses at right tackle. New England has Verderian Lowe last years starting left tackle as the backup left tackle. Caedan Wallace kicks inside to guard after being New England's 2024 third round pick and backup right tackle as a rookie. Marcus Bryant the New England Patriots 2025 seventh round pick out of Missouri is the backup right tackle.
New England has Stefon Diggs as their flanker wide receiver. Kayshon Boutte is the secondary wide receiver. DeMario Douglas is the slot receiver. Kyle Williams New England's 2025 third round pick out of Washington State began the season as the number four wide receiver after impressing enough in the preseason to push for the slot receiver job, but got demoted to the number five wide receiver, but now he's back at number four with Mack Hollins going on injured reserve. Efton Chism III an undrafted wide receiver out of Eastern Washington is the number five wide receiver. Both Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III have shown they can handle bigger roles next season in limited action at wide receiver this year.
Hunter Henry will remain the starting tight end. Austin Hooper is the backup tight end. Austin Hooper is in concussion protocol and New England doesn't have a quality third string tight end behind Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper.
New England has TreVeyon Henderson, New England's 2025 second round pick out of Ohio State is the starting running back running back. Rhamondre Stevenson is now the number two running back. New England has rotated Stevenson and Henderson as the number one running backs down the stretch. Terell Jennings the fourth string running back got promoted from the practice squad to New England's roster once Antonio Gibson went down. Jack Westover is the starting fullback.
New England looks much better offensively than a year ago. That should translate to the New England Patriots being much more competitive this season with Josh McDaniels back at offensive coordinator.
New England has Christian Barmore at 3-4 right end, Khyiris Tonga at 3-4 nose tackle, and Milton Williams at 3-4 left end. New England has Joshua Farmer a 2025 fourth round pick out of Florida State as the backup 3-4 nose tackle. Cory Durden, the third string 3-4 nose tackle got called up from the practice squad after Joshua Farmer got placed on injured reserve and Cory Durden did a respectable job as New England's starting 3-4 nose tackle in week 18 starting for an injured Khyiris Tonga, but Khyris Tonga will be back.
New England has Harold Landry III at 3-4 right outside linebacker, Robert Spillane at 3-4 middle linebacker, Christian Elliss at 3-4 middle linebacker, and K'Lavon Chaisson as the starting 3-4 left outside linebacker. Anfernee Jennings is the backup 3-4 right outside linebacker and Jahlani Tavai, the former New England Patriots starting 3-4 middle linebacker before injuries is now the backup 3-4 left outside linebacker. Marte Mapu and Jack Gibbens are the backup 3-4 middle linebackers.
New England has Christian Gonzalez their 2023 first round pick out of Oregon is the the number one field cornerback. Carlton Davis III is the boundary cornerback next to Chrstian Gonzalez. Marcus Jones last years nickel cornerback will play nickel cornerback. Alex Austin is the dime cornerback. Isaiah Bolden is the quarter cornerback after being the dime cornerback lst year. Craig Woodson, New England's 2025 fourth round pick out of California is the strong safety and Jaylinn Hawkins is the starting free safety.
New England has Andres Borregales their 2025 sixth round pick out of Miami FL at kicker and Bryce Baringer a 2023 sixth round pick out of Michigan State who was my top punter in the 2023 NFL Draft as the starting punter with Barringer entering year three as the starting punter. TreVeyon Henderson is the kick returner and Marcus Jones is the punt returner. New England has their twenty two best starters at full health for the first time since week 11.
Shawn Smith is the referee in New England. He will be calling this game.
Prediction: New England is a 3 point favorite at -3. The over or under is 40.5 with 63% of the public betting on New England. The money line is +150 for Houston and -175 for New England. I like New England to win and Houston cover with the under at +150. Bet $250 on this game for Houston and win up to $400 as long as the Patriots win by 2 or less.
Final Score Patriots 17 Texans 16
Who Draft Utopia Picked
Chris Ransom
Oren Shiri
Tony Mario
Joseph Potter
Andrew Kermish
Tracy Porter
Wes Langley
William Yanish
Daniel Keyser
175-103
174-104
177-101
160-118
181-97
163-115
186-92
162-116
172-106
5. Los Angeles Rams 13-5-0
Versus
2. Chicago Bears 12-6-0
Chris Ransom's Pick
Year two of my 12 team playoff is underway. Unlike last year with my preason projections, this poll will include updated records from week 1 inlcuding rankings. Also, I try to put undefeated teams over 1 loss teams in my AP polls for fun until the official rankings come out. If a one loss team lost by one score to a ranked opponent and their tape looked good with that team keeping the game competitive, I will consider moving them up or down.
Indiana 15-0
Indiana has Fernando Mendoza at quarterback, Lee Beebe Jr. at running back, Elijah Sarratt at wide receiver, and Carter Smith at left tackle on offense. Mikail Kamara is the pass rusher that anchors this defnse. Indiana also has Aiden Fisher at right outside linebacker. D'Angelo Ponds is the field cornerback. Amare Ferrell and Devan Boykin makea formidable safety tandem. Indiana defeated Oregon on the road. Indiana defeated Michigan State to improve to 7-0 as Ferando Mendoza threw for over 300 passing yards for the first time all season. Indiana defeated UCLA to improve to 8-0. Indiana blew out Maryland to improve to 9-0. Indiana pulled off a fourth quarter comeback against Penn State to get to 10-0. Indiana went 12-0 in the regular season. Indiana defeated Ohio State to win the Big 10 Championship 13-10. Indiana will face Miami FL for all the marbles in the National Title game.
Miami FL 13-2
The Miami Hurricanes defeated a top 10 team for the first time since defeating Notre Dame in 2017. Carson Beck played well in this game thanks to protection by his offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa. The real star was defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. who might be the best defensive end in the 2026 NFL Draft. Charles Brantley and OJ Frederique Jr. is a very strong cornerback duo for the Miami Hurricanes. Mark Fletcher Jr. is a solid running back and Jordan Lyle isn't bad either with those two running backs stepping up after losing Damien Martinez. CJ Daniels is back at wide receiver. Alex Bauman is a guy that I think can be better than Elijah Arroyo down the road. The Miami Hurricanes edged out Notre Dame for the final at large spot in the College Football Playoff due to their head to head win as Miami FL will face Texas A&M in this years College Football Playoff. Miami FL won that matchup and will face Ohio State on New Years Eve. Miami FL faces Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl next Friday.
Previously Ranked: 4th
Oregon 13-2
Oregon has one of the most complete offenses in the country. Dante Moore did well at quarterback and Isaiah World did a good job replacing Josh Connerly Jr. at left tackle. Matayo Uiagalelei is the 4-3 right end. Makhi Hughes is the starting running back. Dillon Thieneman is a really talented safety. Iapani Laloulu and Theran Johnson give Oregon a great cornerback tandem. Other players like Emmanuel Pregnona at left guard, Kenyon Sadiq at tight end, Teitum Tioti at left outside linebacker, Bryce Boettcher at middle linebacker, and defensive tackle Bear Alexander are players to watch. Oregon defeated Penn State in overtime, but lost to Indiana at home before rebounding which is why they moved up a spot. Oregon handled USC quite easily. Oregon made the Final 4 where they will face Indiana in the Peach Bowl after losing to them earlier in the regular season.
Previously Ranked: 4th
Ole Miss 13-2
Ole Miss has Damien Tayor as their starting runnign back. Ole Miss has De'Zhaun Stribling and Cayden Lee at wide receiver. Luke Hasz and Dae'Quan Wright are a formidable tight end tandem. Zxavian Harris is the 4-3 defensive tackle. Suntraine Perkins plays 4-3 right outside linebacker. Ole Miss beat LSU to improve to 5-0 on the year. Ole Miss lost to Georgia, but has defeated everyone else they have faced. Ole Miss defeated Georgia and will now face Carson Beck and the Miami Hurricanes.
Previously Ranked: 3rd
Ohio State 12-2
Ohio State managed to defeat number one Texas 14-7 in a defensive game. Ohio State took a 14-0 lead in the fourth quarter with Matt Patricia frustrating Arch Manning in his debut as Ohio State's defensive coordinator before Arch Manning threw a garbage time touchdown. Ohio State defeated Grambling in week 2. Ohio State appears to have reloaded on the defensive line with Ohio State having guys like Sonny Styles and Caleb Downs emerge as stars on defense. Jeremiah Smith is the best offensive player in college football with Smith being my top player in the 2027 NFL Draft and Caleb Downs being my top player in the 2026 NFL Draft. Carnell Tate and Max Klare compliment Jeremiah Smith quite well at wide receiver and tight end. Davison Igbinosun and Jermaine Matthews Jr. compliment Caleb Downs at cornerback, and Ohio State has five star recruit Devin Sanchez as their dime cornerback. James Peoples and Jayson Ball are a solid running back tandem as quarterback Julian Sayin showed a lot of poise. My favorite college football teamm claims the top spot after beating Texas in week 1 for now. Ohio State enters the first College Football playoff rankings as the 1 seed. Ohio State has maintained that top spot since beating Texas back in week 1 and has three games left in the regular season. Ohio State is 10-0 with two games left a home game against Rutgers and a road game against Michigan. Ohio State also went 12-0. Ohio State was number one all year. They only dropped a spot for losing by three. That game could have went to overtime if Ohio State's kicker hadn't missed a field goal. Ohio State never lead at any point in the entire game against Miami FL.
Georgia 12-2
Georgia dominated Marshall in the season opener. Georgia and Texas were the two preseason favorites to win the SEC for the second year in a row. KJ Bolden the top safety in the 2027 NFL Draft is the Georgia Bulldogs best overall player. The only other three players that I could see becoming stars are C.J. Allen at middle linebacker, Oscar Delp at tight end, and Daylen Everette at cornerback. Georgia has some other guys that could be high end starters in the NFL like Monroe Freeling at left tackle, Earnest Greene III at right tackle, Zachariah Branch at wide receiver, Noah Thomas at wide receiver, Dilln Bell at slot receiver, and Lawson Luckie the number two tight end. I think Gunner Stockton is worse than both Stetson Bennett and Carson Beck, but his supporting cast feels just as good as the last two Georgia quarterbacks. Georgia was the preseason favorite to win the SEC. Georgia only lost one game to Alabama. Georgia defeated a previously undefeated Ole Miss team to improve to 6-1 as Georgia defeated Florida to improve to 7-1. Georgia is now 9-1 on the year and has finished SEC play. Georgia defeated Alabama to win the SEC Championship. Georgia lost the rematch to Ole Miss.
Texas Tech 12-2
I have to put a Big 12 team in the playoff. Texas Tech destroyed Utah on the road 34-10 as Texas Tech was my preseason pick to win the Big 12 over Arizona State. Arizona State was the only team to defeat Texas Tech this year, but Texas Tech has beaten everyone else convincingly. BYU faces Texas Tech which is a home game for Texas Tech this weekend. Texas Tech has Behren Morton at quarterback, Quinten Joyner at running back, Reggie Virgil at wide receiver, Caleb Douglas at wide receiver, Terrance Carter at tight end, Vinny Sciury at left guard, Sheridan Wilson at center, Davion Carter at right guard, and Sheridan Wilson at center. Texas Tech has Jacob Rodriguez at right outside linebacker and David Bailey a former Stanford edge rusher at 4-3 left end as their two signature pass rushers on the edge. Texas Tech also has Lee Hunter at 4-3 defensive tackle as Hunter has the size of a nose tackle with Skyler Gill-Howard, whose got the size of a 3-4 defensive end as the other defensive tackle complimenting Lee Hunter. Maurion Horn is the cornerback on Texas Tech. Texas Tech defeated BYU once again to win the Big 12 Championship. Texas Tech got shutout in their first College Football Playoff game after a bye week.
Alabama 11-4
Alabama has Ty Simpson at quarterback and Jam Miller at running back. Alabama has a wide receiver tandem of Ryan Williams a top 5 pick at wide receiver in the 2027 NFL Draft and Isaiah Horton at wide receiver. Germie Bernard is a senior wide receiver that plays at slot receiver. Kadyn Proctor is the left tackle, Parker Brailsford is the center, and Jaeden Roberts is the right guard on Alabama's offensive line. LT Overton can play 4-3 defensive end, 4-3 defensive tackle, and 3-4 defensive end with his versatility on the defensive line. Tim Kennan III is a senior 4-3 defensive tackle. Deontae Lawson has the versatility to play 4-3 middle linebacker, 4-3 left outside linebacker, and 3-4 middle linebacker with his versatility. Alabama has Domani Jackson, Zabien Brown, and Cam Calhoun at cornerback. Bray Hubbard is the strong safety and Keon Sabb the free safety complete one of the most complete secondaries in the country. Alabama lost the season opener to Florida State, but has won three in a row defeating Georgia on the road. Alabama defeated Vanderbilt at home. Alabama defeated Missouri on the road. Alabama improved to 7-1 on the year since the opening week loss to Florida State and is the 4 seed in the official college football playoff with four games left. Alabama won the Iron bowl and wll play Georgia in the SEC Championship. Alabama lost the SEC Championship. Alabama will travel to Norman, Oklahoma to take on the Oklahoma Sooners. Alabama deffeated Oklahoma and will now face Indiana in the Rose Bowl. Alabama got routed in the Rose Bowl against Indiana.
Texas A&M 11-2
Texas A&M has Le'Veon Moss at running back, Amari Daniels as their change of pace running back, and Rueben Owens as their third string running back, Kevin Concepcion at wide receiver, Amari Niblack at tight end, Trey Zuhn III at left tackle, Ar'maj Reed-Adams at right guard, and Dametrious Crownover at right tackle on offense. Texas A&M has Cashius Howell at 4-3 right end, Tyler Onyedim at defensive tackle, Taurean York at right outside linebacker, Will Lee III at cornerback, Julian Humphrey at cornerback, and Dalton Brooks at safety. Texas A&M still has one of the leagues most complete rosters even with all of the turnover from last year. Unlike last year, the Aggies are now 8-0 and have the 3 seed in the first playoff. Texas A&M won in the last two weeks to get to 10-0. Texas A&M trailed South Carolina 30-3 at halftime only to come back and win. Texas A&M hosts Samford in a non conference game this week and travels to Austin Texas to take on the Texas Longhorns on Black Friday. Texas A&M lost the regular season finale to Texas. Texas A&M also lost in the first round of the College Football Playoff to Miami FL.
Oklahoma 10-3
Oklahoma has a pretty complete roster on both sides of the ball. Oklahoma has John Mateer at quarterback, Michael Fasusi a five star recruit starting at left tackle as a true freshman as he is the first of the trio of five star offensive tackles to make the transition to left tackle. Oklahoma has Jaydn Ott at running back as well as Jovante Barnes to form a formidable one two punch. Deion Burks is the number one wide receiver. Jaren Kanak has been a pleasant surprise at tight end. R Mason Thomas is the 4-3 right end, Damonic Williams is the 4-3 defensive tackle, Kip Lewis is the 4-3 right outside linebacker. Kendal Daniels at strong safety and Robert Spears-Jennings at free safety form a formidable safety tandem. Two home wins over Michigan and Auburn have them in my top seven as Oklahoma was one of five colleges along with Ohio State, Miami FL, Penn State, and Oregon to get a first place vote. Oklahoma's two losses came against Texas when John Mateer was injured and Ole Miss with John Mateer's first game from John Mateer. Oklahoma lost to Alabama in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
Tulane 11-2
Tulane has Jake Retzlaff at quarterback, Derrick Graham aat left tackle, Shadre Hurst at left guard, and Maurice Westmoreland at right end. Tulane won the American Conference and has a head-to-head victory over the current ACC Champion Duke Blue Devils. Tulane gets a rematch with an Ole Miss team that creamed Tulane earlier in the season.
James Madison 12-1
James Madison has Alonza Barnett III at quarterback. James Madiso ha a running back tandem of Wyane Knight and Ayo Adeyi. George Pettaway might be the best third string running back in the country as he is one point shy of my grade for players with NFL starter potentail. Pat McMurtie is the right tackle. Jacob Thomas is the best player on James Madison's defense as he has the versatility to play both strong safety and free safety. James Madison will face Oregon in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
Why the Los Angeles Rams Will Win: Matthew Stafford is still the quarterback, but the Los Angeles Rams have Jimmy Garoppolo as their backup, and Stetson Bennett IV, the Los Angeles Rams 2023 fourth round pick out of Georgia as the third string quarterback. Los Angeles has Alaric Jackson at left tackle, Steve Avila moves back to at left guard, Coleman Shelton is the starting center, Kevin Dotson is the right guard, and Rob Havenstein is starting at right tackle. D.J.Humphries is the backup left tckle, Beaux Limmer is the backup left guard, and Warren McClendon Jr., the Los Angeles Rams 2023 fifth round pick is the backup right tackle. Steve Avila returned from his injury, but Rob Havenstein missed his first start of the season at right tackle. Rob Havenstein is going on injured reserve and Warren McClendon Jr. will start the next four games. Kevin Dotson could be out this week too as he is the only starter that did not practice this week.
Los Angeles has Puka Nacua as their flanker number one wide receiver, Davante Adams is the secondary wide receiver, and Tutu Atwell is the slot receiver. Jordan Whittington a 2024 sixth round pick out of Texas is the number four wide receiver after being the number six wide receiver as a rookie. The Los Angeles Rams drafted Pittsburgh wide receiver Konata Mumpfield in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft as Konata Mumpfield is the number five wide receiver.
The Los Angeles Rams have amazing depth at tight end too. Tyler Higbee is the starting tight end. Colby Parkinson who played most of last year as the number one tight end when Higbee was injured is the number two tight end. Terrance Ferguson, the Los Angeles Rams 2025 second round pick out of Oregon is the third string tight end. Davis Allen got some experience as a backup tight end in his sophomore season, but now he is the fourth string tight end once again for the first time since his rookie season.
Los Angeles has Kyren Williams as their starting running back with Blake Corum their 2024 third round pick out of Michigan as the number two running back. Jarquez Hunter, the Los Angeles Rams 2025 fourth round pick out of Auburn is the third string running back.
Los Angeles saw Braden Fiske a 2024 second round pick out of Florida State that was my second best defensive tackle behind Jer'Zhan Newton taking over for Aaron Donald at 3-4 right end with Fiske doing a great job there. Poona Ford as the starting nose tackle, and Kobie Turner a 2023 third round pick out of Wake Forest was one of the best rookies at 3-4 left end. Larrell Murchison is the backup 3-4 right end to Braden Fiske. Ty Hamilton, the Los Angeles Rams 2025 fifth round pick out of Ohio State that I had a starter potential grade on is the backup 3-4 nose tackle to Poona Ford as Hamilton enters a great situation where he can learn under Ford for two to three years and start for the Rams in the final year of his rookie deal in 2028 when Ford becomes a UFA. Tyler Davis their 2024 sixth round pick out of Clemson is the 3-4 left end which is a role that might actually suit him better than nose tackle since Davis was 290 coming out of Clemson.
Los Angeles will have Jared Verse at 3-4 right outside linebacker and Byron Young a 2023 third round pick out of Tennessee starting at 3-4 left outside linebacker. Omar Speights who went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft is one of the undrafted rookies to win a starting job as he will start at 3-4 middle linebacker despite the fact that I had a fourth round grade and starter potential on Speights a year ago and Nate Landman who will compliment Speights feels like an upgrade over Christan Rozeboom. Nick Hampton a 2023 fifth round pick out of Appalachian State is the backup 3-4 right outside linebacker and Josaiah Stewart, the Los Angeles Rams 2025 third round pick out of Michigan is the backup 3-4 left outside linebacker. The Rams have Troy Reeder and undrafted middle linebacker Shaun Dolac who I had graded as a late round pick that could develop into a starter as their two backup 3-4 middle linebackers.
Los Angeles has Darious Williams at field cornerback, Akhello Witherspoon at boundary cornerback, Quentin Lake at nickel cornerback, Decobie Durant as their dime cornerback, and Emmanuel Forbes, the former Washington Commanders 2023 first round pick at quarter cornerback. Kamren Curl is the starting strong safety and Kamren Kinchens one of their two 2024 third round picks out of Miami FL is the starting free safety after beginning last season as a backup before becoming a full-time starter in the middle of the season where he started next to Curl and never looked back. Darius Williams got benched for Emmanuel Forbes as the Rams played Witherspoon at field cornerback, Forbes at boundary cornerback, and Lake at nickel cornerback in week 1. Ahkello Witherspoon got injured in week 2 and did not return to the game. Los Angeles benched Emmanuel Forbes at boundary cornerback for Darious Williams in week 5. Quentin Lake is also going on injured reserve. As long as Darious Wiliams, Decobie Durant, and Emmanuel Forbes are healthy, the Rams should be okay. If the Los Angeles Rams have three of their five cornerbacks or more on injured reserve, then we can look at the Rams. Ahkello Witherspoon went on injured reserve.
Joshua Karty is the starting kicker as the Los Angeles Rams got my top kicker in the 2024 NFL Draft. Ethan Evans enters his second year as the starting punter after being a 2023 seventh round pick. Jordan Whittington is the kick returner and Xavier Smith is the starting punt returner.
Why the Chicago Bears Will Win: Caleb Williams the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of USC enters year two as the starting quarterback. Tyson Bagent is the backup quarterback with Bagent getting a two year extension this summer.
Caleb Wiliams has Ozzy Trapilo their 2025 second round pick out of Boston Colelge at left tackle, Joe Thuney at left guard, Drew Dalman is the Chicago Bears starting center, Jonah Jackson starting right guard, and Darnell Wright rounds out this offensive line after the Chicago Bears drafted the Tennessee right tackle tenth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Chicago has Theo Benedet as their backup left tackle as well as the backup right tackle, Luke Newman a 2025 sixth round pick out of Michigan State as the backup left guard, Ryan Bates as the backup center, and Kiran Amegadjie their 2024 third round pick out of Yale as the Chicago Bears backup right guard, which was the first position Amegadjie played at Yale during his freshman season before transitioning to left tackle. Braxton Jones is back from injured reserve and Ozzy Trapilo sat out in week 18 to recover from an injury.
Chicago has D.J. Moore as their number one flanker wide receiver after trading the first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft away to Carolina for D.J. Moore. Rome Oduzne, who was also drafted in the top 10 of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Washington along with Caleb Williams is the number two wide receiver. Luter Burden III, the Chicago Bears 2025 second round pick out of Missouri that was my top wide receiver in the 2025 NFL Draft entered training camp as the favorite to win the slot receiver job and did take over at slot receiver by week 3. Olamide Zaccheaus is now the number four wide receiver. Devin Duvernay is the number five wide receiver on the Chicago Bears wide receiver depth chart. D.J. Moore and Rome Oduzne are both playing through injuries.
Chicago is going to run a two tight end set in their offense with two starting tight ends on their depth chart. Chicago has two special tight ends in Colston Loveland Chicago's 2025 first round pick out of Michigan that was drafted tenth overall and Cole Kmet who got a contract extension after being a 2020 second round pick out of Notre Dame will be the two starting tight ends this season. Chicago also has Durham Smythe, but he's mainly a backup tight end and if either of these tight ends get injured, I expect Chicago to deploy a three wide receiver set like most NFL teams. Cole Kmet was out in week 8.
Chicago has D'Andre Swift as their starting running back, Kyle Monangai, Chicago's 2025 seventh round pick out of Rutgers that I had a second round grade on has jumped Roschon Johnson as the backup running back, and Roschon Johnson is the third string running back. Roschon Johnson and Travis Homer are both inactive in week 12, but D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai are both fully healthy.
I love Chicago's depth at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, and on the offensive line. I loved Chicago's depth in every area outside of the offensive line last year. Chicago made the necessary improvements offensively under first year head coach Ben Johnson.
Chicago has Montez Sweat at 4-3 right end, Grady Jarrett at 4-3 defensive tackle, Gervon Dexter at 4-3 defensive tackle, and Dayo Odeyingbo at 4-3 left end. Chicago added Joe Tryon, Tampa Bay's 2021 first round pick that signed with the Cleveland Browns as a third pass rusher that can compliment Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo as a situational pass rusher. Chicago gave Cleveland a 2026 sixth round pick and got Joe Tryon and the Cleveland Browns 2026 seventh round pick. Andrew Billings and Chris Wills are the backup 4-3 defensive tackles. Shemar Turner, Chicago's 2025 second round pick out of Texas A&M is the third string 4-3 defensive tackle. Grady Jarrett did not practice this week, but even if he's out veteran Andrew Billings would start next to Gervon Dexter and with Billings experience, I don't see the absence of Grady Jarrett causing a drop off in the Chicago Bears defensive tackle group since Chicago has three quality defensive tackles with Jarrett, Gervon Dexter, and Andrew Billings despite Jarrett being the best of that bunch with Jarrett missing a few games due to injures.
Chicago has T.J. Edwards entering year three at 4-3 right outside linebacker as well as right outside linebacker in a 4-2-5 nickel defense. Chicago Tremaine Edmunds as their new 4-3 middle linebacker as he will also play middle linebacker in a 4-2-5 nickel defense. Noah Sewell is the 4-3 left outside linebacker as well as the backup middle linebacker in a 4-2-5 nickel defense. Ruben Hyppolite II, Chicago's 2025 fourth round pick out of Maryland will play 4-3 left outside linebacker in a 4-3 scheme, but when Chicago runs a 4-2-5 nickel defense, he will be a backup to T.J. Edwards at right outside linebacker.
Chicago has Jaylon Johnson at field cornerback, Tyrique Stevenson at boundary cornerback, and Kyler Gordon is currently holding the nickel cornerback job. Terrell Smith, Chicago's 2023 fifth round pick out of Minnesota is currently the dime cornerback, but suffered a season ending injury. Jaylon Jones returns as the quarter cornerback with all of Chicago's top four cornerbacks from last year returning, but he will be the dime cornerback this season with Terrell Smith suffering a season ending injury. Jaylon Jones has been limited in practice. Chicago did not have Jaylon Johnson or Kyler Gordon in week 1 and only had their top three cornerbacks at full health once this season in week 13.
Jaquan Brisker is the starting strong safety. Kevin Byard is the starting free safety. Elijah Hicks is the backup strong safety and Jonathan Owens is the backup free safety.
Chicago has Cairo Santos as their starting kicker and Tory Taylor their 2024 fourth round pick out of Iowa as their starting punter. Devin Duvernay is the return specialist at both kick returner and punt returner.
Shawn Hochuli is the referee in Chicago. He will be calling this game.
Prediction: Los Angeles is a 4.5 point favorite at -4.5. The over or under is 48.5 with 62% of the public betting on Los Angeles. The money line is -200 for Los Angeles and +170 for Chicago. I lke Chicago to win and cover with the under at +170. Bet $230 on this game for Chicago and win up to $400 as long as the Rams win by 3 points or less.
Final Score Bears 31 Rams 17
Who Draft Utopia Picked
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Tony Mario
Joseph Potter
Andrew Kermish
Tracy Porter
Wes Langley
William Yanish
Daniel Keyser
175-103
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181-97
163-115
186-92
162-116
172-106
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Oklahoma 10-3
Tulane 11-2
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