2023 NFL Week 7 Predictions

Miami heads to Philadelphia. Find out who wins the NFL rematch between two former Alabama quarterbacks in Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts.

Chris Ransom Last Updated: October 19, 2023.

Jacksonville Jaguars 4-2-0	Versus	New Orleans Saints 3-3-0

Chris Ransom's Pick

I'll be introducing a brand new segment to Draft Utopia for the Thursday Night Games called Unfiltered Al. It's basically a parody of all the savage things that Al Michaels could say after blowing people out of the water with his comments on Amazon Prime last year.

Unfiltered Al: Welcome to Thursday Night Football. Jacksonville is heading to New Orleans which is the same location where Trevor Lawrence lost a National Championship to Joe Burrow.

Kirk Herbstreet: To be fair to Trevor Lawrence, Joe Burrow took the Bengals to a Super Bowl and two consecutive AFC Championships. New Orleans has a fully healthy roster on both sides of the ball and Jacksonville has some injuries on both sides of the ball with Zay Jones, Walker Little on the offensive line, and DaVon Hamilton at nose tackle. Trevor Lawrence has to find a way to overcome that adversity and help the Jacksonville Jaguars defeat the New Orleans Saints.

Unfiltered Al: Indeed, New Orleans finally delivered their first statement win of the year in week 5 when shutting out New England 34 to 0 at Gillette Stadium. New Orleans came together as a team and with both the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons having 0 injuries the race in the NFC South Division is heating up.

Kirk Herbstreet: Both the AFC South and NFC South are interesting so far. C.J. Stroud has been incredible for the Texans despite the injuries. The Colts entered week 6 tied with the Jaguars at 3-2 before tonights game in week 7. New Orleans has to deal with Atlanta and Tampa Bay in that division. While New Orleans and Atlanta have no injuries, Tampa Bay's only injuries at the moment are at wide receiver and center.

Unfiltered Al: Our pregame coverage is done. It's time for the coin toss and then kickoff.

Why the Jacksonville Jaguars Will Win: Trevor Lawrence has Cam Robinson at left tackle, Walker Little at right tackle at left guard in a contract year, Luke Fortner at center, Brandon Scherff at right guard, and Anton Harrison Jacksonville's 2023 first round pick at right tackle.

Anton Harrison played left tackle in High School and college before being the Jacksonville Jaguars 2023 first round pick. Both Walker Little and Anton Harrison are pushing each other to the limit for that left tackle job as Trevor Lawrence's blindside while Cam Robinson has been used in a limited capacity since he's serving a four game suspension to start the season. Jacksonville decided to make Cam Robinson the left tackle and kick Walker Little inside to left guard even though Little currently ranks fifth among thirty two left tackles in pass protection. This means last years starting left guard Tyler Shatley is now the backup left guard as well as the backup center. Cooper Hodges, the Jacksonville Jaguars seventh round pick out of Appalachian State that I liked made the final roster and is the number four offensive tackle on this depth chart behind Cam Robinson, Walker Little, and Anton Harrison for the time being. When Robinson and Harrison are both healthy, Little will kick inside to left guard. Walker Little got injured in week 5 with an MCL injury.

Walker Little was inactive in week 6 after getting injured in week 5 in London. Jacksonville's offensive line has Cam Robinson at left tackle, Tyler Shatley at left guard, Luke Fortner at center, Brandon Scherff at right guard, and Anton Harrison at right tackle for week 6. My guess is this is Jacksonville's exact lineup for week 7 as well since Jacksonville opens up week 7 with a Thursday Night game. Walker Little didn't pratice at left guard, but neither did right guard Brandon Scherff.

Jacksonville has Calvin Ridley as their flanker wide receiver, Christian Kirk as their secondary wide receiver even though you can argue he's good enough to be a number one target since he was the Jacksonville Jaguars number one target in 2022, and Zay Jones last years number two target is now playing at slot receiver. Zay Jones has missed the last two games since playing in the season opener where he was the number two wide receiver with Christian Kirk, but he was a full practice on Wednesday. Zay Jones returned in week 5, but also got injured in London and has been ruled out for week 6. Zay Jones may not return until week 8 against Pittsburgh.

Jacksonville's wide receiver depth outside of their top three is lackluster unless you think Jamal Agnew is a solid number four option, but Parker Washington Jacksonville's 2023 sixth round pick out of Penn State can learn under him for a year and take over in 2024 unless Agnew agrees to a team friendly deal. I like Agnew on special teams, but he's someone you can upgrade from at wide receiver. Parker Washington couldn't beat out two undrafted guys for a backup wide receiver gig. That's why I say the Jacksonville Jaguars are much thinner at wide receiver compared to 2022 when eleven different wide receivers were on this teams active roster and practice squad combined. Jacksonville's wide receiver depth is thinner than most realize with Jacksonville cutting the bulk of their backup options at wide receiver from the active roster.

Evan Engram is Jacksonville's number one tight end with Luke Farrell as their number two tight end. Brenton Strange, Jacksonville's 2023 second round pick is the third string tight end which makes sense since Strange ranked twenty out of twenty on my tight end rankings for the 2023 NFL Draft. Engram's self esteem and confidence skyrocketted in Jacksonville which led to his extension. Jacksonville just had a ridiculous amount of talent at running back in the preseason with Travis Etienne as the starting running back, Tank Bigsby as the number two running back, JaMycal Hasty last years numbe two running back as the third string running back. D'Ernest Johnson the third string running back on the Cleveland Browns last season is the fourth string running back. Jacksonville has numerous rushers that can carry the rock wtih Doug Pederson modeling Jacksonville in similar fashion as his previous employer the Philadelphia Eagles.

Jacksonville has Folorunso Fatukasi at 3-4 right end, DaVon Hamilton at 3-4 nose tackle, and Roy Robertson-Harris at 3-4 left end. Jacksonville has good starters on the defensive line, but I'm not sure the depth is there. DaVon Hamilton was on injured reserve from weeks 1-5, but Hamilton got taken off of injured reserve on thursday for good and got limited reps in practice on Friday. Hamilton could play in week 6, but that appears to be a long-shot. DaVon Hamilton has been a full practice everyday, but Jacksonville ruled him out on a short week in week 7.

Jacksonville has Josh Allen at 3-4 right outside linebacker and Travon Walker at 3-4 left outside linebacker. Foyesade Oluokun and Devin Lloyd are the starters at 3-4 middle linebacker. Jacksonville has Yasir Abdullah as their backup 3-4 right outside linebacker and K'Lavon Chaisson as their backup 3-4 left outside linebacker. Chad Muma and Shaq Quarterman are the backup 3-4 middle linebackers thanks to Ventrell Miller, Jacksonville's 2023 fourth round pick out of Florida having a season ending injury. Miller should be ready to take over for Quarterman after this season when Quarterman's contract expires. Devin Lloyd, Jacksonville's 2022 first round pick out of Utah is inactive for the game in London in week 4 because he had thumb surgery earlier this week leading up to week 4. Devin Lloyd could return this week.

Jacksonville has Tyson Campbell at field cornerback, Damarious Williams at boundary cornerback, and Tre Herndon at nickel cornerback. Rayshawn Jenkins remains at strong safety with Andre Cisco at free safety. Andrew Wingard and Daniel Thomas are solid backup safeties for depth. I'm not too thrilled with the Jaguars cornerback depth, but as long as Damarious Williams and Tre Herndon play like they did down the stretch last year, cornerback shouldn't be an issue. Tyson Campbell is dealing with a hamstring injury, so Montaric Brown will start next to Williams with Herndon playing nickel cornerback. I don't have a lot of confidence in these cornerbacks outside of Damarious Williams.

Jacksonville replaced Riley Patterson with Brandon McManus at kicker which I think was an excellent decision by the Jaguars at kicker. Logan Cooke doesn't excite me as a punter, but Jamal Agnew is a heck of a return specialist at both kick returner and punt returner. Parker Washington the Penn State wide receiver that Jacksonville drafted in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft is the backup return specialist to Jamal Agnew.

Why the New Orleans Saints Will Win: New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr has a much stronger offensive line in New Orleans compared to last year after the Las Vegas Raiders ownership gave up on Derek Carr. New Orleans has Trevor Penning at left tackle, Andrus Peat at left guard, Erik McCoy at center, Cesar Ruiz at right guard, and Ryan Ramczyk at right tackle. Landon Young a 2021 sixth round pick out of Kentucky is the backup left tackle, but he's dealing with an injury. James Hurst will now be the backup left guard as well as the backup right tackle will only play if Andrus Peat or Ryan Ramczyk gets injured in 2023, but James Hurst is also dealing with an injury as is Ryan Ramczyk. Max Garcia, a former center on the Arizona Cardinals who backed up Rodney Hudson before starting down the stretch is the backup center. Nick Saldiveri the New Orleans Saints 2023 fourth round pick from Old Dominion is both the backup right guard. I think any of the three quarterbacks can succeed here whether it be starting quarterback Derek Carr, backup quarterback Jameis Winston, or third string quarterback Jake Haener who New Orleans drafted in the fourth round out of Fresno State. All three quarterbacks looked great against the Super Bowl 57 Champion Kansas City Chiefs in the preseason, but the backups on this offensive line aren't terrible either. The problem is the backups on this offensive lne aren't great players, yet the positive is those players aren't liabilities either.

Ryan Ramczyk got a concussion in week 6 while the backup offensive tackles Landon Young and James Hurst were both injured. New Orleans moved right guard Cesar Ruiz to right tackle once Ryan Ramczyk left week 6 with an injury. New Orleans will have Trevor Penning at left tackle, Andrus Peat at left guard, Erik McCoy at center, Nick Saldiveri at right guard, and Cesar Ruiz at right tackle in week 7.

New Orleans has two number one receivers with Chris Olave supplanting Michael Thomas as the flanker receiver while Michael Thomas is now the secondary wide receiver. Rashid Shaheed, Tre'Quan Smith, and A.T. Perry the New Orleans Saints 2023 sixth round pick out of Wake Forest all made a case to be the slot receiver for New Orleans in the preseason. Tre'Quan Smith got ruled out for week 1, so I think we may see A.T. Perry in that slot receiver role this weekend. Juwan Johnson is the starting tight end. Foster Moreau, Derek Carr's teammate on the Las Vegas Raiders came to New Orleans as the third string tight end, but beat out Taysom Hill for the backup tight end job. Foster Moreau is out in week 3, so Taysom Hill has backup tight end duties once again until Moreau returns. Former New Orleans Saints legend Jimmy Graham is back in New Orleans for one more season as the fourth string tight end, but is a third string tight end this week with Moreau out of the lineup.

New Orleans has Alvin Kamara as their starting running back when fully healthy, but he's supsended for one more week. Backup running back Jamaal Williams is dealing with a hamstring and is on injured reserve. Kendre Miller, the New Orleans Saints 2023 third round pick out of TCU is the third string running back, but Miller had a knee injury which is worth monitoring which has kept him out the first two weeks, but Miller is expected to play in week 3 with Miller making his first NFL start. Tony Jones Jr. the fourth string running back who got promoted to backup running back due to injuries had 2 rushing touchdowns in week 2 on Monday Night Football against Carolina, so he should retain that role while splitting carries with Kendre Miller.

New Orleans has Carl Granderson at 4-3 right end and Cameron Jordan at 4-3 left end. Isaiah Foskey, the New Orleans Saints 2023 second round pick out of Notre Dame beat out Payton Turner the New Orleans Saints 2021 first round pick for the backup 4-3 right end job. Tanoh Kpassagnon is the backup 4-3 left end behind Cameron Jordan, while Payton Turner has been relegated to third string. Khalen Sanders the backup defensive tackle on the Kansas City Chiefs and Nathan Shepherd the backup defensive tackle on the New York Jets both have had potential to start for years since both FCS players came out of college for their respective NFL Drafts in 2018 and 2019, but the New Orleans Saints upgraded at defensive tackle by gambling on both players because I wasn't sold on the other players that New Orleans had at defensive tackle last year. New Orleans also has 2023 first round pick Bryan Bresse for depth after spending a first round pick on the former Clemson defensive tackle with the pick that New Orleans acquired when trading former head coach Sean Payton to the Denver Broncos.

New Orleans has Pete Werner at 4-3 right outside linebacker, Demario Davis at 4-3 middle linebacker, and Zack Baun at 4-3 left outside linebacker. Nephi Sewell is the backup 4-3 right outside linebacker and D'Marco Jackson is the backup 4-3 middle linebacker, when the Saints run a nickel defense Baun will be the backup outside linebacker while Jackson remains the backup middle linebacker. Demario Davis got injured in week 6, so it looks like D'Marco Jackson a 2022 fifth round pick out of Appalachian State will get his first NFL start, but Demario Davis is a game-time decision, so the Saints could have their defense at full health on Thursday if Davis plays.

New Orleans has Marshon Lattimore at field corneback, Paulson Adebo at boundary cornerback, and Alontae Taylor at nickel cornerback. Marcus Maye is the starting strong safety and Tyrann Mathieu is the starting free safety. Adebo returned in week 5 and Marcus Maye returns from his suspension this week. New Orleans has a fully healthy roster on both sides of the ball entering week 6. New Orleans is going from having co defensive coordinators in 2022 to hiring former Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Joe Woods as their new defensive coordinator in 2023. Joe Woods shut out my New England Patriots and seems to be thriving as defensive coordinator so far in New Orleans.

Prediction: New Orleans is a 1 point favorite at -1. The over or under is 43 with 51% of the public betting on New Orleans. The money line is +100 for Jacksonville and -120 for New Orleans. Take New Orleans to win and cover with the over at -120. Bet $180 on this game for New Orleans and win up to $300 as long as the Saints win by 2 or more.

Final Score Saints 24 Jaguars 17

Who Everyone Else Picked


Tanya Holmes	Oren Shiri	Jesse Lucas	Jason Bantle	Joseph Potter	Andrew Kermish	Lisa Donovan	Tracy Porter	Wes Langley	Brian Bayless

Detroit Lions 5-1-0	Versus	Baltimore Ravens 4-2-0

Chris Ransom's Pick

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Why the Detroit Lions Will Win: Quarterback Jared Goff has a stronger offensive line than last year. He's got Taylor Decker back at left tackle, Jonah Jackson at left guard, Frank Ragnow at center, Graham Glasgow at right guard, and Penei Sewell at right tackle. Graham Glasgow impressed Detroit enough to take the starting right guard spot from Halapoulivaati Vaitai. Halapoulivaati Vaitai could start at left guard after Detroit Lions left guard Jonah Jackson did not practice this week on Wednesday and Thursday heading into week 6. Teddy Bridgewater is the Detroit Lions backup quarterback now with third string quarterback Nate Sudfield out for the year and Detroit Lions 2023 third round pick Hendon Hooker is still on the NFL injured list and will miss the first four games of the season after helping the Tennessee Volunteers defeat Alabama during his senior season before tearing his ACL.

Jared Goff has Amon-Ra St. Brown as his flanker wide receiver, Jameson Williams is back from his suspension as the secondary wide receiver, and Marvin Jones Jr. is the slot receiver for the first time all season after Amon-Ra St. Brown missed week 5 with an injury. Amon-Ra St. Brown practiced on Wednesday in limited capacity and was a full practice on Thursday. Detroit has Josh Reynolds and Kalif Raymond for depth at wide receiver. Sam LaPorta the 2023 second round pick out of Iowa is the starting tight end, Brock Wright is the backup tight end, and James Mitchell is the third string tight end. James Mitchell is out with a hamstring injury, so Detroit will have to rely on Sam LaPorta who missed thursdays practice before returning on Friday and Brock Wright as their top two tight ends. David Montgomery is the Detroit Lions starting running back, but Jahmyr Gibbs started in week 3 when Montgomery was out with an injury before Montgomery returned in week 4. Craig Reynolds is the third string running back behind Montgomery and Gibbs. Gibbs missed week 5 and is out in week 6. Zonovan Knight the third string running back to David Montgomery and Craig Reynolds during Gibbs injury suffered a season ending injury. David Montgomery is out for a few weeks and Craig Reynolds did not practice, so if Jahmyr Gibbs cannot go this week, Detroit will be down to a fifth string and sixth string running back as their top two running backs with practice squad guys in the backfield.

Detroit will have Aidan Hutchinson at 4-3 right end and John Cominsky at 4-3 left end once again with both Hutchinson and Comisky fully healthy. Josh Paschal and Romeo Okwara are the backup 4-3 defensive ends with Okwara as a backup to Aidan Huchinson at 4-3 right end with Paschal as a rotational edge rusher complimenting Cominsky as a backup 4-3 left end. Josh Paschal has been ruled inactive in week 6 meaning Romeo Okwara will be the situational edge rusher instead of Josh Paschal. Detroit didn't have a team practice on wednesday with all of their injuries. Alim McNeil and Benito Jones are complimenting those two at 4-3 defensive tackle for Detroit's 4-2-5 nickel defense as Detroit will run a hybrid of the 4-3 base defense and nickel defense under defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. Isaiah Buggs and Levi Onwuzurike Detroit's 2021 second round pick out of Washington are the two backup 4-3 defensive tackles. Broderic Martin Detroit's 2023 third round pick out of Western Kentucky is now the third string defensive tackle.

Alex Anzalone is moving from 4-3 right outside linebacker to play the WILL on the weakside after playing 4-3 middle linebacker at the MIKE. Jack Campbell Detroit's 2023 first round pick out of Iowa will start at 4-3 middle linebacker at the MIKE. When Detroit runs 4-3 schemes Charles Harris, Detroit's 4-3 left end last year will start at 4-3 left outside linebacker in the SAM in a role similar to the one Haason Reddick played with the Philadelphia Eagles. Detroit seems to have a lot of depth on the front 7 right now when you consider that Derrick Barnes is the backup to Alex Anzalone at 4-3 right outside linebacker, Anzalone will move back to middle linebacker if anything happens to Jack Campbell, and Julian Okwara in a contract year is the backup to Charles Harris. James Houston IV is still on injured reserve.

Detroit currently has Cameron Sutton at field cornerback, Jerry Jacobs at boundary cornerback, Brian Branch as their nickel cornerback, Will Harris at dime cornerback, and Chase Lucas who was n Detroit's practice squad is now the quarter cornerback with boundary cornerback Emmanuel Moseley now out for the fourth week in a row. Detroit got Emmanuel Moseley back in week 5, but he suffered a season ending injury. Jerry Jacobs is gonna be the number two boundary cornerback moving forward. Brian Branch was inactive at nickel cornerback in week 5. Will Harris played nickel cornerback in week 5 when Brian Branch was out and did well against Carolina's slot receiver, but Detroit's next two opponents are Tampa Bay and Detroit meaning that if Branch misses weeks 6 and 7 there's a window of opportunity for rookie wide receivers Trey Palmer and Zay Flowers to exploit Will Harris if Brian Branch is out of Detroit's lineup. Will Harris intercepted Baker Mayfield on a pass intended for Mike Evans when Dave Canales tried to line Evans up in the slot. C.J. Gardner-Johnson is out for the year at strong safety. Tracy Walker should move back from free safety to strong safety this week if Kerby Joseph, Detroit's starting free safety returns in week 5 after missing the last two weeks.

Riley Patterson is Detroit's kicker. Jack Fox is punter. Kalif Raymond is the return specialist at kick returner and punt returner.

Why the Baltimore Ravens Will Win: Lamar Jackson has Ronnie Stanley at left tackle, John Simpson at left guard, Tyler Linderbaum at center, Kevin Zeitler at right guard, and Morgan Moses is starting at right tackle. Patrick Mekhari is the backup left tackle, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu is the backup left guard, Ben Cleveland is the backup right guard, and Daniel Faalele is the backup right tackle with Baltimore having depth everywhere on their offensive line outside of center. John Simpson played right guard on the Raiders after playing left guard at Clemson. Honestly, there's a chance John Simpson can rebound at left guard in Baltimore an if he doesn't, Andrew Vorhees, Baltimore's 2023 seventh round pick out of USC will be ready to develop for training camp in 2024 once he recovers from the torn ACL he suffered when attempting to run the 40 yard dash at the 2023 NFL Combine. Ronnie Stanley and Tyler Linderbaum missed weeks 2 and 3, but ESPN's Adam Schefter reported both offensive linemen were full practices against Cleveland. Linderbaum returned in week 4, but Stanley didn't. Ronnie Stanley fully practiced on Wednesday, so he should be back in week 5. Morgan Moses left week 4 against the Cleveland Browns with an injury and missed week 5, but he will be back at right tackle in week 6 giving Baltimore a fully healthy offensive line for the first time since week 1. Patrick Mekari got injured in week 5, but was a full practice so Baltimore will have all four offensive tackles fully healthy for the first time since week 1.

Baltimore's top three wide receivers are Rashod Bateman Baltimore's 2021 first round pick out of Minnesota, Odell Beckham Jr. whose getting $18 million on a one year deal, and Zay Flowers Baltimore's 2023 first round pick out of Boston College as a slot receiver in three wide receiver sets. Nelson Agholor, Devin Duvernay, and Tylan Wallace Baltimore's 2021 fourth round pick did enough to beat out Laquon Treadwell and James Proche Baltimore's 2020 sixth round pick for the number six wide receiver job after a slow start his first two seasons as Wallace was considered a top 100 player in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma State before falling to Baltimore in the fourth round. Rashod Bateman was a full practice in week 5 and Odell Beckham Jr. was a limited practice. Baltimore has Rashod Bateman, Odell Beckham Jr., and Zay Flowers all as full practices entering week 6.

Mark Andrews dominated in week 4 against the Cleveland Browns. Baltimore also has Isaiah Likely a top 5 tight end in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Coastal Carolina who will start at tight end in week 1. Charlie Kolar, a tight end that Baltimore drafted out of Iowa State in the 2022 NFL Draft is healthy after missing his entire rookie season with an injury and will be the backup tight end in week 1 with Mark Andrews out.

Gus Edwards and Justice Hill as the top two running backs on this depth chart with Keaton Mitchell as the third string running back now thanks to the season ending injury to J.K. Dobbins. I think Keaton Mitchell and Justice Hill have the most upside with Dobbins out of the lineup, but Gus Edwards is the starting running back. Baltimore still has a ton of depth in the backfield, but lacks that impact player starting at running back now with Baltimore most likely moving on from J.K. Dobbins in the offseason. Patrick Ricard is the starting fullback on the Balitmore Ravens and is one of the leagues better fullbacks.

Baltimore has depth at running back, fullback with Ben Mason on the practice squad as a backup fullback to Patrick Ricard, depth at wide receiver, and depth at tight end. Baltimore has way more depth at key positions compared to a season ago when dealing with injuries at playmaker. Tyler Huntley made a Pro Bowl with a lackluster supporting cast despite being Lamar Jackson's backup quarterback. Huntley may be able to start 1 or 2 games with this supporting cast, but if you are a Baltimore Ravens fan, you want Lamar Jackson starting all 17 games period. Baltimore does have Josh Johnson who played in this years NFC Championship blowout loss to Philadelphia as their third string quarterback, but he's mainly a practice squad guy who only gets promoted if something happens to Jackson or Huntley. Baltimore's offense is fully healthy outside of running back J.K. Dobbins despite dealing with a roller coaster of injuries early in the season.

Baltimore has Broderick Washington their 2020 fifth round pick out of Texas Tech replacing Calias Campbell at 3-4 right end. Michael Pierce and Travis Jones are a potent combo 3-4 nose tackle. Justin Madubuike took over at 3-4 left end last year and the 2020 third round pick out of Texas A&M enters his second year as a starter in a contract year. Baltimore brought back Brent Urban for depth at 3-4 defensive end as Urban will be both the backup 3-4 right end and backup 3-4 left end at 5-techinique.

Baltimore has Odafe Oweh at 3-4 right outside linebacker and Tyus Bowser at 3-4 left outside linebacker. Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen are quite the tandem at 3-4 middle linebacker. David Ojabo is the backup 3-4 right outside linebacker with Jadeveon Clowney as the backup 3-4 left outside linebacker. Malik Harrison and Trenton Simpson are the backup 3-4 middle linebackers. Odafe Oweh hasn't played since week 2 and has been ruled out for week 6, but he was a limited practice, so he could be back. David Ojabo is also currently injured at 3-4 right outside linebacker as Ojabo is on injured reserve for two more weeks. When Jadeveon Clowney got injured in week 6, Kyle Van Noy came in and started the rest of the game. Odafe Oweh and Tyus Bowser would start at pass rusher if both were healthy.

Baltimore will have Marlon Humprhrey at field cornerback after returning to the lineup in week 5 after missing the first four weeks. Ronald Darby will be at boundary cornerback. Arthur Maulet a former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback for depth is Baltimore's new nickel cornerback. Rock Ya Sin is the dime cornerback now. Brandon Stephens, who recorded an interception last week is now the quarter cornerback. I don't trust Damarion Williams or Jalyn Armour Davis at cornerback, but Jalyn Armour Davis is the number six cornerback and he will not see the field. Baltimore has Kyle Hamilton at strong safety and Marcus Williams at free safety. Geno Stone is a great backup safety. Marcus Williams will be back in week 5 after missing the last three games, but Williams got injured again in week 6 after Kyle Hamilton got ejected for unnecessary roughness. Geno Stone should start next to Kyle Hamilton at free safety.

Prediction: Baltimore is a 3 point favorite at -3. The over or under is 41.5 with 72% of the public betting on Detroit. The money line is +270 for Detroit and -350 for Baltimore. Take Baltimore to win and cover with the over at -350. Bet $450 on this game for Baltimore and win up to $800 as long as the Ravens win by 4 or more.

Final Score Ravens 28 Lions 21

Who Everyone Else Picked


Tanya Holmes	Oren Shiri	Jesse Lucas	Jason Bantle	Joseph Potter	Andrew Kermish	Lisa Donovan	Tracy Porter	Wes Langley	Brian Bayless

Las Vegas Raiders 3-3-0	Versus	Chicago Bears 1-5-0

Chris Ransom's Pick

I got College Scoreboards from the Scorestream app as well as NFL scores. I just feel like posting ten different scoreboards before getting to the article will cause readers to lose interest. Scoreboards for the ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Pac 12, and SEC are now up.

Why the Las Vegas Raiders Will Win: The Las Vegas Raiders were competitive in 2022 mainly due to quarterback Derek Carr, running back Josh Jacobs, wide receiver Davante Adams, and left tackle Kolton Miller. Those were the impact players and star players on this offense and it cannot be more blatantly obvious as to why that is the case.

Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis, Las Vegas Raiders GM Dave Zeigler, and Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels all decided to bench Derek Carr for the final two games before releasing him. Now Jimmy Garoppolo whose had two season ending injuries in the past three years is your starting quarterback and Jimmy Garoppolo leads the NFL in interceptions heading into week 6. Jimmy Garoppolo got injured in the first half of week 6 and Brian Hoyer started the second half. It is uncertain whether Brian Hoyer or Aidan O'Connell starts in week 7. Most Raiders fans I know believe Jimmy Garoppolo will thrive here because he thrived as a backup in New England before thriving with the San Francisco 49ers. Both of those teams had strong offensive lines, and the Las Vegas Raiders happen to have one of the leagues worst offensive lines.

Las Vegas has Kolton Miller at left tackle, but that's the only bright spot on the offensive line. Dylan Parham, the Las Vegas Raiders 2022 third round pick did well as a run blocker, but gave up the second most quarterback hurries in the NFL as a rookie left guard. Parham has to improve as a pass blocker in year 2. Andre James gave up 24 quarterback hurries at center last year despite retaining the starting center job. Alex Bars gave up the tenth most quarterback hurries at right guard, but he got replaced by former Buffalo Bills backup Greg Van Roten who played 354 offensive snaps due to injuries while giving up 0 sacks in 2022 when filling in for Mitch Morse at center. Jermaine Elumenor wasn't bad as a right tackle in his second season with the Raiders as he finished in the top 32 among offensive tackles on Pro Football Focus after failing at offensive tackle with three different NFL teams prior to joining the Raiders, but I'm not entirely sold on him as a long-term bookend to Kolton Miller either while his backup Thayer Munford really impressed me in limited snaps at right tackle as a rookie coming out of Ohio State.

The Raiders opted to remain patient with their current core of offensive linemen rather than reload with new blockers and frankly I don't agree with that decision. Jimmy Garoppolo has less mobility and durability than Derek Carr despite the fact that he was in the 2014 NFL Draft and currently has two more Super Bowl rings than Derek Carr which is why I see the Raiders struggling for the time being.

Las Vegas has weapons in the passing game to make up for a lackluster offensive line. Davante Adams is arguably a top 5 wide receiver in the NFL and is going to be the primary flanker wide receiver in Las Vegas once again. Adams missed practice on wednesday, but got upgraded to a limited practice on thursday which is good news for the Las Vegas Raiders. Jakobi Meyers is the secondary wide receiver after Josh McDaniels signed the former New England Patriots wide receiver in Free Agency. Hunter Renfrow who was the number two receiver when the Raiders made the playoffs two years ago after Jon Gruden got fired is the slot receiver. Tre Tucker, the Las Vegas Raiders 2023 third round pick out of Cincinnati did well enough to get the Raiders to cut Phillip Dorsett from the active roster. DeAndre Carter was the number five wide receiver on the Los Angeles Chargers before a season ending injury and he's gonna play the same role with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023. Davante Adams did not practice

Austin Hooper who lost the starting tight end job to David Njoku on the Cleveland Browns in 2021 and Chigoziem Okonkwo on the Tennessee Titans in 2022 might be the first tight end to lose the starting tight end job with three different teams if Michael Mayer supplants him later in the regular season. Austin Hooper is listed as the starting tight end on the Raiders depth chart, but Michael Mayer has been targeted more in the passing game the last two weeks which tells me Michael Mayer, my top tight end in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame could be starting sooner rather than later. Michael Mayer should supplant Austin Hooper by the end of the season, but he's been relatively quiet in training camp this year. That's somewhat concerning after trading starting tight end Darren Waller to the New York Giants before letting Foster Moreau walk in Free Agency to re-unite with former quarterback Derek Carr.

Josh Jacobs led the NFL in rushing yards in 2022 despite having one of the worst offensive lines. Josh Jacobs got franchise tagged and finally ended his holdout. Backup running back Zamir White is the current starting running back until Josh Jacobs shows up. Ameer Abdullah last years backup running back is expected to be the third stringer behind Josh Jacobs and Zamir White. Brandon Bolden remained the fourth string running back.

I don't like the Raiders depth on the offensive line, but the supporting cast of playmakers isn't bad. If Jimmy Garoppolo goes down, then Aidan O'Connell would be the backup with Brian Hoyer as the third stringer. Aidan O'Connell, the Raiders 2023 fourth round pick actually started

Las Vegas has Malcolm Koonce at 4-3 right end and Maxx Crosby at 4-3 left end. Tyree Wilson is currently the backup 4-3 defesive end after being the Raiders 2023 first round pick. Bilal Nichols started all 17 games with the Las Vegas Raiders last year at 4-3 defensive tackle with Jerry Tillery starting next to him after the Chargers released Jerry Tillery.

Las Vegas let their best linebacker Denzel Perryman walk. Divine Deablo was a safety coming out of Virginia Tech, but he did well at outside linebacker regardless of whether the Raiders ran a 4-3 or nickel defense. Deablo looks promising, but this will be the year that determines whether he's an asset or a liability at 4-3 right outside linebacker. Robert Spillaine was a backup linebacker on Pittsburgh before Mike Tomlin benched 2019 first round pick Devin Bush. Robert Spillaine feels like a downgrade versus Denzel Perryman for this reason, but Spillane stepped up with two interceptions in week 5 on Monday Night Football.

Nate Hobbs did well as a number one cornerback during his rookie season despite being a 2021 fifth round pick out of Illinois getting the Raiders to the playoffs despite Jon Gruden being fired. Hobbs was out in week 5 and looks like he will be out in week 6. Marcus Peters the boundary cornerback on the Baltimore Ravens a season ago is now the boundary cornerback on the Las Vegas Raiders and this move is the one move that I can get behind after the Raiders waited until the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft to pick a cornerback. Marcus Peters was a number one field cornerback during his rookie season with the Kansas City Chiefs, but he's better off as a number two cornerback. Untl Nate Hobbs returns, Peters is the Raiders number one cornerback. Amik Robertson played boundary cornerback in week 5 getting the game-winning interception with Nate Hobbs ruled inactive. Jakorian Bennett, the Las Vegas Raiders 2023 fourth round pick out of Maryland is going to start at nickel cornerback right away as a rookie. Bennett got looks at both nickel cornerback and boundary conrerback with Bennett and Amik Robertson rotating next to Marcus Peters with Nate Hobbs out of the lineup. Brandon Facyson who was the boundary cornerback last year got demoted to quarter cornerback and is now the number five cornerback on the Las Vegas Raiders depth chart.

Marcus Epps is the starting strong safety on the Philadelphia Eagles is now a Raider. Tre'von Moehrig the Las Vegas Raiders 2021 second round pick out of TCU enters year three as the starting free safety. Las Vegas doesn't have any depth at safety.

Daniel Carlson is a top 10 kicker, but not a top 5 kicker. DeAndre Carter was the kick returner and punt returner on the Los Angeles Chargers before his season ending injury and will have a similar role with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Why the Chicago Bears Will Win: Justin Fields enters year three as the Chicago Bears starting quarterback, but he broke his thumb in week 6 and undrafted backup Tyson Bagent is set to get his first career NFL start on Sunday. Chicago has Larry Borom at left tackle for the one more week with Braxton Miller going on injured reserve. Teven Jenkins returned to Chicago's starting lineup at left guard in week 5. Cody Whitehair, Chicago's left guard for many years was rumored to kick inside to center and he did with both Teven Jenkins and Nate Davis back. Nate Davis the Tennesee Titans starting right guard signed with Chicago in Free Agency as Davis missed a few weeks before returning in week 5. Darnell Wright rounds out this offensive line after the Chicago Bears drafted the Tennessee right tackle tenth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Chicago's offensive line looked amazing in their week 5 win against a fully healthy Washington Commanders defensive line. Minnesota does have a fully healthy front 7 in week 6, but there's a chance Braxton Miller returns at left tackle in week 7 when the Chicago Bears host the Las Vegas Raiders.

Braxton Miller isn't ready to return at left tackle and Nate Davis suffered a high ankle sprain at right guard. Chicago will have Larry Borom at left tackle, Teven Jenkins at left guard, Lucas Patrick at center, Cody Whitehair at right guard, and Darnell Wright at right tackle in week 7.

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. Darnell Mooney has been the Chicago Bears flanker receiver the last two years, but he moves to a secondary wide receiver role in his contract year. Chase Claypool is now the slot receiver on the Chicago Bears. Equanimeous St. Brown last years slot receiver is now a backup, but he's no longer guaranteed the number four wide receiver job with both 2022 third round pick Velus Jones Jr. out of Tennessee and 2023 fourth round pick Tyler Scott the rookie receiver from Cincinnati on the second team pushing Equanimeous St. Brown for the number four receiver job. Chicago not only has good starters at wide receiver, but also has three other wide receivers that may thrive in depth roles. The two wide receivers that Chicago cannot afford to lose to injuries are D.J. Moore and Darnell Mooney. If Claypool went down, one of the backups might be able to step in as a slot receiver without any drop off in the production of the offense. Chicago added former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Trent Taylor as a number seven wide receiver for depth with him mainly playing on special teams.

Chicago has a special tight end in Cole Kmet who got a contract extension after being a 2020 second round pick out of Notre Dame. Chicago also added Green Bay Packers starting tight end Robert Tonyan Jr. as their backup tight end and Marcedes Lewis, Green Bay's backup tight end in 2022 is now the third string tight end on Chicago. Chicago has Khalil Herbert as their starting running back, Roschon Johnson as their backup running back after he jumped D'Onta Foreman on the depth chart, and D'Onta Foreman Carolina's starting running back after Christian McCaffrey got traded as the third string running back. Travis Homer also made Chicago's roster as a fourth string running back after previously playing with the Seattle Seahawks during his rookie deal, but he's also been ruled inactive. Chicago has D'Onta Foreman starting and Darryington Evans as their backup running back in week 6 and those two should be the top two running backs in week 7.

Chicago has Yannick Ngakoue at 4-3 right end and Demarcus Walker complimenting him at 4-3 left end, but both guys are versatile enough to play edge rusher on either side. Justin Jones started all 17 games at 4-3 defensive tackle for Chicago in 2022 with Free Agent signing Andrew Billings who started 14 games with the Las Vegas Raiders complimenting him. Dominique Robinson a 2022 fifth round pick out of Miami Ohio is the backup to Yannick Ngakoue at 4-3 right end while Rasheem Green is the backup to Demarcus Walker at 4-3 left end. Gervon Dexter Sr. Chicago's 2023 second round pick from the Baltimore Ravens in the Roquan Smith trade was a player that I had a first round grade on. Dexter may also have a higher ceiling than current starter Justin Jones. Zacch Pickens was the Chicago Bears 2023 third round pick to kick off the third round out of South Carolina and he's currently the backup to Andrew Billings despite handing Will Levis a sack in the preseason.

Chicago has T.J. Edwards, Philadelphia's 4-3 middle linebacker in 2022 moving to 4-3 right outside linebacker in 2023. Chicago also has Buffalo Bills middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds a top fifteen pick in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Virginia Tech as their new 4-3 middle linebacker. Jack Sanborn who showed promise taking over for Roquan Smith moves to 4-3 left outside linebacker. The only backup linebacker that I like on Chicago is Noah Sewell, but at least Chicago has some depth at middle linebacker heading into the season as Sewell entered the preseason as the top linebacker in the NCAA a year ago before dropping to the fifth round after Penei Sewell's little brother was once considered a first round prospect. When Chicago runs a nickel defense, Jack Sanborn is the backup outside linebacker with Noah Sewell as the backup middle linebacker.

Chicago has Jaylon Jones at field cornerback, Tyrique Stevenson at boundary cornerback, and Terrell Smith is currently holding the nickel cornerback job thanks to Kyler Gordon's injury as Gordon is on injure reserve for two more weeks. Chicago's 2023 second round pick out of Miami FL did enough this offseason to win the number two cornerback job right out the gate as a rookie over Kyler Gordon a 2022 second round pick out of Washington. Terrell Smith, Chicago's 2023 fifth round pick out of Minnesota is currently the dime cornerback and Smith did so well he took the number four cornerback job from Kindle Vildor who currently began training camp injured before getting cut from the team. I don't trust Chicago's depth at safety if something happens to Brisker or if Eddie Jackson gets a season ending injury like he did a season ago in 2022. Chicago is getting Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, and Eddie Jackson back fromm injuries in week 6.

Chicago has Cairo Santos as their starting kicker. Trenton Gill, Chicago's 2022 seventh round pick out of North Carolina State is the starting punter. Tyler Scott is going to be Chicago's kick returner. Trent Taylor will be Chicago's punt returner. Chicago's special teams could be electric if Tyler Scott can recapture the glory days and magic that Devin Hester brought to the Chicago Bears as a kick returner.

Prediction: Las Vegas is a 3 point favorite at -3. The over or under is 37.5 with 79% of the public betting on Las Vegas. The money line is -115 for Las Vegas and +105 for Chicago. Take Las Vegas to win and cover with the under at +105. Bet $185 on this game for Las Vegas and win up to $300 as long as the Raiders win by 4 points or more.

Final Score Raiders 17 Bears 13

Who Everyone Else Picked


Tanya Holmes	Oren Shiri	Jesse Lucas	Jason Bantle	Joseph Potter	Andrew Kermish	Lisa Donovan	Tracy Porter	Wes Langley	Brian Bayless

Cleveland Browns 3-2-0	Versus	Indianapolis Colts 3-3-0

Chris Ransom's Pick

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Why the Cleveland Browns Will Win: Cleveland Browns starting quarterback Deshaun Watson has more guaranteed money than any quarterback in the NFL. Cleveland Browns 2023 fifth round pick Dorian Thompson-Robinson won the backup quarterback job in training camp beating out Joshua Dobbs for the position in the preseason, but struggled in his week 4 start to the point where he got demoted to the third string quarterback role. Cleveland Browns third string quarterback P.J. Walker got promoted to backup quarterback and is starting in week 6 with Deshaun Watson out this week. Deshaun Watson said he could potentially play in week 7 and it was ruled that Deshaun Watson would make his return in week 7 on Saturday the day before this game.

Cleveland has Jedrick Wills Jr. at left tackle, Joel Bitonio at left guard, Ethan Pocic at center, Wyatt Teller at right guard, and Dawand Jones at right tackle with Jack Conklin out for the year on their offensive line. Cleveland also has James Hudson II as their backup left tackle, Luke Wypler as their backup left guard, Nick Harris as their backup center, Michael Dunn as their backup right guard, and Ty Nsekhe as the backup right tackle. Cleveland has 10 quality players starters and backups on the offensive line. I think three of Cleveland's current backup offensive linemen could warrant opportunites as starters elsewhere with the backup offensive tackles being the weak link if anything happens to Jedrick Wills Jr. or Dawand Jones now that Jack Conklin is out for the year. Joel Bitonio missed week 6, but should be back in week 7.

Cleveland has Amari Cooper as their flanker wide receiver, Donovan Peoples-Jones as their secondary wide receiver and Elijah Moore as their slot receiver at slot receiver. Cedric Tillman is the number four wide receiver and will only be used in four wide receiver sets situationally for now, but if one of Cleveland's top three receivers gets injured look for Tillman to grab a starting spot and potentially not give it back. Marques Goodwin is Cleveland's number five wide receiver with David Bell as the number six wide receiver barely making Cleveland's roster after a rough rookie season.

Cleveland has David Njoku as their starting tight end, Jordan Akins as their backup tight end, and Harrison Bryant is now the third string tight end after once showing enough potential to be a backup to Njoku during his first two seasons. Cleveland has Jerome Ford as their starting running back with Nick Chubb out for the year. Kareem Hunt is now the backup running back. Pierre Strong Jr. is their third string running back.

Cleveland has Myles Garrett at 4-3 right end and Z'Darius Smith at 4-3 left end, but expect Jim Schwartz to put both Garrett and Smith against left tackles with the other edge rusher facing right tackles. Dalvin Tomlinson and Jordan Elliott are the starters at 4-3 defensive tackle. Ogbo Okoronkwo is the situational pass rusher and backup to Myles Garrett and Z'Darius Smith with Alex Wright beginning this season on the NFL injured list. Isaiah McGuire, Cleveland's 2023 fourth round pick out of Missouri that Joey and I mentioned on the podcast will be the number four defensive end on Cleveland's depth chart until Wright returns from his injury. Isaiah Thomas Cleveland's 2022 seventh round pick out of Oklahoma originally got cut from the Browns, but Cleveland brought him back once placing Alex Wright on the NFL injured list.

Cleveland has Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah at 4-3 right outside linebacker, Anthony Walker Jr. at 4-3 middle linebacker, and Sione Takitaki at 4-3 let outside linebacker which is a good trio of starters to have when all three are fully healthy. Tony Fields II is a good backup 4-3 right outside linebacker to Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. Jordan Kunaszyk, Matthew Adams, and Mohamoud Diabate whose a good left outside linebacker, but has no business at middle linebacker are the backup linebackers on Cleveland with Diabate starting out as a third string middle linebacker rather than a third string left outside linebacker. I would take Diabate over Matthew Adams at the backup left outside linebacker spot, but no backup outside of Tony Fields II can step in and start for Cleveland if the injury bug hits the Browns at linebacker again like it did in 2022. Anthony Walker Jr. didn't practice on Wednesday and if he's out, there is a chance that the Cleveland Browns run defense struggles.

Cleveland has Denzel Ward at field cornerback, Martin Emerson Jr. at boundary cornerback, and Greg Newsome II at nickel cornerback after Emerson took the number two cornerback job from Cleveland's 2021 first round pick out of Northwestern. Cleveland played Greg Newsome II at boundary cornerback in week 6 while playing Martin Emerson Jr. at nickel cornerback, but Greg Newsome II didn't practice on Wednesday due to his injury.

Grant Delpit is the starting strong safety and Juan Thornhill is the starting free safety. I liked Cameron Mitchell coming out of Northwestern and he was a good addition in the 2023 NFL Draft as Mitchell did enough to win the dime cornerback job. A.J. Green III from Oklahoma State and Mike Ford are warm bodies. Honestly, if either of those corners plays it will get to the tipping point where Kenny Pickett may tear this secondary a new asshole. Neither of Cleveland's backup safeties impress me. Cleveland priortized depth on the defensive line and getting four quality cornerbacks in coverage rather than adding depth at linebacker and safety. That's the one thing that could keep the Browns from a playoff appearance in 2023, but as long as Cleveland stays healthy, the Browns may be a dark horse this season.

Cleveland has Dustin Hopkins at kicker after Cade York unraveled in the preseason. I'm not sold on Corey Bojorquez at punter somehow he kept his roster spot while Cade York got cut. Cleveland lost Jakeem Grant at kick returner and punt returner to a season ending injury for the second year in a row in 2023. Jerome Ford is expected to be Cleveland's kick returner while Donovan Peoples-Jones multitasks as both the number two wide receiver in three wide receiver sets as well as punt returner. I'm sure Cleveland will rotate Elijah Moore and Donovan Peoples-Jones in two wide receiver sets when both receivers are healthy. With all the depth Cleveland has at wide receiver, the decision to let Donovan Peoples-Jones, who is one of Cleveland's top three receivers return punts is certainly an interesting one.

Why the Indianapolis Colts Will Win: Anthony Richardson got placed on injured reserve as he could be out as little as four weeks and as late as eight weeks with an estimated six week recovery, but after announcing surgery he is out for the year. This means backup quarterback Gardner Minshew II will start for the rest of the season. Indianapolis has Bernard Raimann at left tackle, Quinton Nelson at left guard, Ryan Kelly at center, Will Fries at right guard, and Blake Freeman at right tackle with starting right tackle Braden Smith being ruled inactive at right tackle in week 7. Blake Freeman started two games at left tackle when Bernard Raimann was injured in weeks 3 and 4, but now the Indianapolis Colts 2023 fourth round pick out of BYU will start at right tackle in week 7. Danny Pinter who was supposed to start at right guard and Jake Witt the backup left tackle from Northern Michigan are both currently on injured reserve with Pinter still on injured reserve and Witt out for the year.

Indianapolis has Michael Pittman Jr. as their flanker wide receiver, Alec Pierce as their secondary wide receiver. Isaiah McKenzie and Josh Downs have been splitting reps at slot receiver during the preseason despite the fact that McKeznie was ahead of Downs on the depth chart prior to the Colts first preseason game. Indianapolis intially cut McKenzie to trim the roster, but brought him back once placing Jelani Woods on injured reserve. Alec Pierce didn't practice on wednesday which means Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs will be starting on the outside in two wide receiver sets with Isaiah McKenzie in the slot if Pierce is unable to play against Cleveland.

Moe Alie-Cox is the starting tight end, Kylen Granson is the backup tight end, Will Mallory, the Indianapolis Colts 2023 fifth round pick replaces Jelani Woods as the the third string tight end with Woods on injured reserve, and Drew Ogeltree is still the fourth string tight end with Jelani Woods on injured reserve. Kylen Granson didn't practice leading up to week 7 and is out in week 7. Will Mallory will be the backup tight end to Moe Alie-Cox in week 7.

Indianapolis has Jonathan Taylor as their starting running back and Zack Moss as their backup running back with both running backs being heavily involved in this offense. Deon Jackson last years third string running back got cut. Evan Hull, a 2023 fifth round draft pick out of Northwestern suffered a season ending injury. Jonathan Taylor and Zack Moss can split carries with former Philadelphia Eagles running back Trey Sermon now the third string running back with Evan Hull out for the season. Obviously Jonathan Taylor will be the bell cow at some point since Indianapolis extended him paying Taylor $14 million a year for the next three years.

Indianapolis has Kwity Paye at 4-3 right end and Samson Ebukam joining him at 4-3 left end after Ebukam played with the San Francisco 49ers in 2022. DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart remain the starters at 4-3 defensive tackle. Tyquan Lewis is the backup 4-3 right end and Dayo Odeyingbo is the backup 4-3 left end with Taven Bryan is the backup 4-3 defensive tackle backing up Buckner. Buckner played in week 5, but Kwity Paye missed the last two games in weeks 4 and 5. Kwity Paye will be back on Sunday in week 6. Indianapolis had their defensive line at full health for two games in weeks 1 and 6, but now Grover Stewart got suspended for failing a drug test. This means Taven Bryan will be starting at 4-3 defensive tackle for the first time for the Indianapois Colts in 2023 against his former team the Cleveland Browns, which was the team Taven Bryan played for after his rookie deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Indianapolis has Shaquille Leonard once known as Darius Leonard at 4-3 right outside linebacker, Zaire Franklin at 4-3 middle linebacker, and E.J. Speed at 4-3 left outside linebacker. I like Leonard, but he dealt with injuries last year, and I'm not sure if the Indianapolis Colts will be as effective at linebacker without Bobby Okereke, but Zaire Franklin stepped up in week 3 against the Baltimore Ravens. Shaquille Leonard and Zaire Franklin will be the two starting linebackers when the Indianapolis Colts operate a 4-2-5 nickel defense. Shaquille Leonard was a full practice leading up to week 6 and will be back. Indianapolis has their linebackers at full health for the first time all season.

Indianapolis didn't have Julius Brents on their secondary got exposed as a result in week 2. Brents came back in week 3 when Indianapolis defeated Baltimore with Gardner Minshew II filling in for Anthony Richardson. Dallis Flowers was the boundary cornerback, but he got ruled out for the year with Darrell Baker Jr. starting in relief of Dallis Flowers. Kenny Moore is a servicable nickel cornerback. Jaylon Jones, the Indianapolis Colts 2023 seventh round pick is now the dime cornerback even though a case can be made to start him across from Brents. Indianapolis is starting Julian Blackmon at strong safety and Rodney Thomas II at free safety while leaving Nick Cross on the bench.

Prediction: Cleveland is a 2.5 point favorite at -2.5. The over or under is 40 with 56% of the public betting on Cleveland. The money line is -115 for Cleveland and +105 for Indianapolis. Take Cleveland to win and cover with the under at -115. Bet $185 on this game for Cleveland and win up to $300 as long as the Browns win by 3 or more.

Final Score Browns 16 Colts 13 OT

Who Everyone Else Picked


Tanya Holmes	Oren Shiri	Jesse Lucas	Jason Bantle	Joseph Potter	Andrew Kermish	Lisa Donovan	Tracy Porter	Wes Langley	Brian Bayless

Buffalo Bills 4-2-0	Versus	New England Patriots 1-5-0

Chris Ransom's Pick

We're back for the 2023 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. Send me your predictions on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn to be eligible for prizes should you have a perfect week. You can also email me your season picks by emailing me at chris@draftutopia.com.

For the third 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. Wes, myself, and the rest of our entire staff are back to make picks for the 2023 NFL Season.

Lisa Donovan is first in the 2023 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings with a 62-30 record. Lisa is tied with Leo Sells of Gridiron Experts for second in the country behind Sideline Report whose now 64-29 after reaching 2,200 twitter followers earlier this week after going 10-5 in week 6. Go follow Sideline Report if you haven't already. T-Web who was tied for first last week nationally went 9-6 and is now 62-31 is now fourth nationally.

Joseph Potter, Jason Bantle, and Brian Bayless are all tied for second place in the 2023 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings at 61-32 on the year. Those three, Emmy Bantle the defending champion in Jason Bantle's Yahoo pool, and Jared Dublin of CBS Sports are all tied for the final spot in the top 5 nationally entering week 7. This means everyone in the 5-9 range of the top 10 in the country is 61-32. David Barnett from Sideline Report's NFL Pickem pool, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk on NBC Sports, Stolty Take 2 from Jason's Yahoo pool which I believe is Sue Stoltenberg a Packers fan whose friends with Jason, and Anakin's mom from Jason's Yahoo pool, which is actually Jason's wife in real life are tied for the tenth and final spot in the top ten at 60-33 with five people in the 10-14 range. Three people are currently tied at 59-34 on the year with one person in Jason's yahoo pool named Brian holding this record along with Fanduel and Mike Clay of ESPN.

Oren Shiri and Andrew Kermish are currently tied for fifth in the 2023 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings with a 58-35 record. Andrew was in last place heading into week 6 on Draft Utopia, but going 13-2 last week vaulted him into the top 5 on the site. Their both tied for eighteenth in the country entering week 7 along with three more handles so the 18-22 spots nationally are occupied by people with 58-35 records entering week 7.

Wes Langley and Tanya Holmes are tied for seventh place in the 2023 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings at 57-36. Both Wes and Tanya are tied for twenty third nationally entering week 7.

Tracy Porter and I are tied for ninth place in the 2023 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings at 56-37. Tracy, myself, and five other individuals enter week 7 outside the top 25 at twenty sixth nationally with spots 26-32 being occupied be people with 56-37 records.

Jesse Lucas is now eleventh in the 2023 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings at 55-38. Jesse is tied for thirty third in the country entering week 7.

Why the Buffalo Bills Will Win: Josh Allen is one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Josh Allen has a great offensive line with Dion Dawkins at left tackle, Connor McGovern at left guard, Mitch Morse at center, O'Cyrus Torrence at right guard. and Spencer Brown at right tackle. Spencer Brown looked worse in 2023 on Monday Night Football in week 1, but he's looked a lot better since then. Brown showed promise as a rookie, but had a sophomore slump in 2022 and kept missing assignments against second team defensive linemen on the New York Jets in week 1. He's improved throughout the season, but not enough to warrant a contract extension. Tommy Doyle, Buffalo's backup left tackle is on injured reserve, so Buffalo doesn't have any depth at left tackle if something happens to Dion Dawkins. David Edwards is a good backup left guard. Ryan Bates started at right guard last year, but will now be both the backup center and backup right guard. Germain Ifedi is now the backup right tackle to Spencer Brown.

Buffalo has Stefon Diggs as their flanker wide receiver. Gabriel Davis remains the number two wide receiver. Trent Sherfield won the slot receiver job. Khalil Shakir, last years slot receiver is now the number four wide receiver. Deonte Hardy is the number five wide receiver on this depth chart. It feels like Buffalo is thinner at wide receiver compared to a season ago. There's still a ton of depth at wide receiver in Buffalo.

Dawson Knox is still the starting tight end for Buffalo, but Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo's 2023 first round pick out of Utah may have a say in who is the starting tight end by 2024 or 2025 since Kincaid caught every target in week 1 against the New York Jets. For now, he will be a very good high end number two tight end to Dawson Knox. Quintin Morris was not good enough to be an NFL starter after watching his Bowling Green tape. Somehow he won the backup tight end job to Dawson Knox in 2022, but is now rightfully back in a third string tight end role that suits him better. Both Dawxon Knox and Dalton Kincaid were questionable at tight end entering week 6, but both of those tight ends are much healthier in week 7 with Quintin Morris out this week.

Buffalo has James Cook as the starting running back taking over for Devin Singletary. Damien Harris is a good number two running back to compliment James Cook. Latavius Murray is the third string running back. Buffalo still has depth at running back. Reggie Gilliam is back as the starting fullback.

Buffalo gets Von Miller back at 4-3 right end whose been cleared to resume practice on wednesday as Von Miller was a full practice. Backup 4-3 right end Leonard Floyd was the 3-4 right outside linebacker on the Rams Super Bowl 56 team with Von Miller at 3-4 left outside linebacker. Floyd currently has 3.5 sacks in Buffalo's first three games and should move to 4-3 left end. Gregory Rosseau played 4-3 right end as a rookie and moved over to 4-3 left end as a sophomore in 2022, but Rosseau could be used as a situational pass rusher with Von Miller and Leonard Floyd as the two starters against Jacksonville. A.J. Epenesa is the backup 4-3 right end until Von Miller comes back from his injury. Shaq Lawson is the 4-3 left end. Buffalo had trouble getting pressure on the quarterback without Von Miller, but the Buffalo Bills still have a lot of quality players that can blitz off the edge even without a sack artist like Von Miller.

Buffalo has Jordan Phillips starting at 4-3 defensive tackle with Daquan Jones since Ed Oliver will be out at 4-3 defensive tackle in week 7. Tim Settle and Poona Ford will be the backup 4-3 defensive tackles with Ed Oliver out of the lineup in week 7 and perhaps even week 8 too with the Buffalo Bills on a short week in week 8.

Buffalo has Dorian Williams at 4-3 right outside linebacker and Terrell Bernard at 4-3 middle linebacker. Matt Milano will play outside linebacker with Terrell Bernard at middle linebacker on plays where Buffalo deploys a 4-2-5 nickel defense. Matt Milano is now out for the year, so Buffalo's 2023 third round pick will now start with Terrell Bernard the rest of the season.

Buffalo is moving Christian Benford to field cornerback covering number one wide receivers with Tre'Davious White out for the year, but it is worth pointing out that Benford missed week 5 meaning Buffalo didn't have either one of their top two cornerbacks against Jacksonville. Christian Benford is a full practice in week 6 and did play in week 6 against the New York Giants. Dane Jackson will play boundary cornerback covering number two wide receivers with White out for the season, but he did not practice on Wednesday and Thursday before being a limited practice on Friday heading into week 6 after being Buffalo's field cornerback in week 5. Taron Johnson at nickel cornerback covering slot receivers in nickel packages. Kaiir Elam, Buffalo's 2022 first round pick as the dime cornerback in four cornerback sets, but he started in week 5 when both Tre'Davious White and Christian Benford were out against Jacksonville. Buffalo signed Josh Norman which means Josh Norman is now the Buffalo Bills quarter cornerback even with Tre'Davious White out for the year. Buffalo has Jordan Poyer at strong safety and Micah Hyde at free safety. Taylor Rapp is the backup strong safety while Damar Hamlin is the backup free safety. Damar Hamlin started at strong safety next to Micah Hyde in week 4 when Poyer was out. Jordan Poyer practiced on Wednesday and returned in week 5.

Buffalo has Tyler Bass at kicker. Deonte Hardy is the kick returner and punt returner for the Buffalo Bills this season.

Why the New England Patriots Will Win: New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones has an average starting offensive line featuring Trent Brown at left tackle, Cole Strange at left guard, David Andrews at center, Michael Onwenu at right guard, and Riley Reiff at right tackle. New England ruled out Cole Strange in week 6 despite being a limited practice while Riley Reiff still hasn't played this season. New England Patriots 2023 fourth round pick Sidy Sow out of Eastern Michigan is the backup left guard to Cole Strange. New England Patriots 2023 fourth round pick Jake Andrews out of Troy is the backup center to David Andrews. Atonio Mafi, New England's 2023 fifth round pick is the backup right guard to Michael Onwenu. New England traded for Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Tyrone Wheatley Jr. who will be the backup right tackle to Riley Reiff. I'm not sold on Calvin Anderson as the backup left tackle, but my guess is he's a fill in until Connor McDermott returns from injured reserve.

Offensive tackle depth is gonna be an issue if anything happens to Trent Brown or Riley Reiff this season. New England didn't have Reiff all season and didn't have Trent Brown versus Miami. Trent Brown didn't practice this week, so New England could have backup offensive tackles against Buffalo in week 7.

New England has JuJu Smith-Schuster as their flanker wide receiver, but JuJu Smith-Schuster got ruled out with a concussion which kind of sucks for New England since New England thought it would be smarter to replace Jakobi Meyers with JuJu Smith-Schuster. DeVante Parker is the secondary wide receiver after getting a contract extension making $11 million per year following JuJu Smith-Schuster getting a three year contract in Free Agency, but got ruled out in week 1 before returning in week 2. DeVante Parker is New England's number one target in week 6. Tyquan Thornton was a limited practice in week 6 after being placed on injured reserve from weeks 2-5, so there is a chance Thornton is New England's number two target. Kendrick Bourne should remain in the slot, but it's possible New England puts Bourne on the outside and places Tyquan Thornton in the slot with Thornton coming back from injured reserve. Demario Douglas is out with a concussion like JuJu Smith-Schuster. Kayshon Boutte will start at slot receiver if Tyquan Thornton isn't cleared to play on sunday. Matthew Slater is the number six wide receiver on this depth chart until Tyquan Thornton is cleared from the injured reserve list as Bill Belichick called Matthew Slater the best return specialst he's ever coached. New England has Hunter Henry as their starting tight end and Mike Gesicki is the backup tight end. Both tight ends are capable of starting, but New England usually carries three or four tight ends compared to two tight ends.

New England has Rhamondre Stevenson as their number one running back. Ezekiel Elliott New England's number two running back will probably be the third down back since he's better in pass protection as well as the goal line running back. Backup quarterback Matt Corral walked out on Bill O'Brien, so Bailey Zappe is now the backup once again.

New England has Lawrence Guy Sr. at 4-3 right end when the Patriots run a 4-3 defense as well as 3-4 right end. Davon Godchaux will play 4-3 defensive tackle as well as 3-4 nose tackle in Bill Belichick's hybrid defense. Deatrich Wise Jr. will play 4-3 left end and 3-4 left end. Christian Barmore will play 4-3 defensive tackle in New England's hybrid defense while being used as a backup 3-4 right end. Keion White New England's 2023 second round pick out of Georgia Tech is the backup 3-4 left end, but he's inactive in week 7.

New England has Matthew Judon at 4-3 right outside linebacker and 3-4 right outside linebacker who should be an every down player regardless if New England is running 4-3, 3-4, or nickel. Ja'Whaun Bentley is the starting 4-3 middle linebacker as well as the 3-4 middle linebacker. Jahlani Tavai will play 4-3 left outside linebacker and 3-4 middle linebacker. Josh Uche will play next to Matthew Judon at 3-4 left outside linebacker in 3-4 schemes only. Matthew Judon and Josh Uche were the only edge rusher tandem to have 10 or more sacks in the NFL last year, so it's possible that this pass rusher tandem can carry the New England Patriots to wins this season. Matthew Judon has missed the last two weeks and Josh Uche didn't practice on wednesday leading into week 7. Mack Wilson and Marte Mapu, New England's 2023 third round pick out of Sacramento State are the two backup 3-4 middle linebackers. Matthew Judon missed week 5 and he's expected to be out in week 6.

New England Patriots 2023 first round pick Christian Gonzalez is out for the year, so J.C. Jackson who admitted he's not 100 percent is taking over for Gonzalez. J.C. Jackson is New England's field cornerback for the rest of the 2023 NFL Season. Jack Jones played boundary cornerback during his rookie season against number two wide receivers and retains that role to start 2023, but will be out in week 1. Jack Jones finally returned to New England's locker room, but still hasn't been activated on injured reserve as Jack Jones has missed the first six weeks. Jonathan Jones was the field cornerback a season ago, but will probably be the nickel cornerback when Jack Jones comes back. For now Jonathan Jones is a boundary cornerback across from J.C. Jackson. Marcus Jones last years nickel cornerback will play dime cornerback once Jack Jones returns, but will play nickel against Philadelphia in week 1. Marcus Jones got placed on injured reserve following the week 2 contest against Miami and is out for one more week. This means New England Patriots quarter cornerback Shaun Wade is currently the nickel cornerback.

New England's top two cornerbacks were injured which is why New England traded for J.C. Jackson despite his legal problems with the Chargers. Jonathan Jones didn't practice on wedensday leading up to week 7 and Marcus Jones is still injured, so all of New England's top four cornerbacks could be out. Ameer Speed a 2023 sixth round pick out of Michigan State currently the dime cornerback despite how effective he can be in coverage at times until Jack Jones comes back. Shaun Wade is the quarter cornerback on New England's 53 man roster until Jack Jones comes backup. New England has Kyle Dugger at strong safety and Adrian Phillips starting at strong safety Jabrill Peppers and Jalen Mills are now backup safeties on this depth charts thanks to Devin McCourty officially retired from the New England Patriots after being the New England Patriots 2010 first round pick spending his entire NFL career in New England.

New England has Chad Ryland a 2023 fourth round pick out of Maryland as the starting 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. Marcus Jones is the kick returner and punt returner for the New England Patriots.

Prediction: Buffalo is a 9 point favorite at -9. The over or under is 44 with 87% of the public betting on Buffalo. The money line is -360 for Buffalo and +310 for New England. Take Buffalo to win and cover with the under at -360. Bet $440 on this game for Buffalo and win up to $800 as long as the Bills win by 10 or more.

Final Score Bills 42 Patriots 6

Who Everyone Else Picked


Tanya Holmes	Oren Shiri	Jesse Lucas	Jason Bantle	Joseph Potter	Andrew Kermish	Lisa Donovan	Tracy Porter	Wes Langley	Brian Bayless

Washington Commanders 3-3-0	Versus	New York Giants 1-5-0

Chris Ransom's Pick

Draft Utopia airs on Talkshoe and Spotify now. We have a show on Spotify with Oren and myself that airs sometimes 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 the first five episodes of season 13 on Talkshoe while our podcast on is also on Restream with the newest Restream episodes embedded to Youtube like the newest episode where Joey and I discussed the wide receivers in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Why the Washington Commanders Will Win: The Washington Commanders have Sam Howell starting with Jacoby Brissett is the backup. Washington has Charles Leno Jr. at left tackle, Saadiq Charles Washington's 2020 fourth round pick out of LSU at left guard thanks to Washington releasing Andrew Norwell to save cap space, Nick Gates the New York Giants backup center is now the starting center on the Washington Commanders, Sam Cosmi Washington's 2021 second round pick out of Texas is moving from right tackle to left guard after playing left tackle at Texas, and Andrew Wylie the right tackle from the Super Bowl 57 Kansas City Chiefs takes over at right tackle being re-united with his offensive coordinator in Kansas City with Eric Bienemy. Ricky Stromberg, Washington's 2023 third round pick is the backup right guard to Sam Cosmi after being a four year starter as the starting center at Arkansas since Tyler Larsen is listed as the backup center to Nick Gates.

Washington has Terry McLaurin as their flanker wide receiver, Jahan Dotson is their secondary wide receiver after being a first round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, and Curtis Samuel is the slot receiver. Washington has nice wide receiver depth with Dyami Brown as their number four receiver, Byron Pringle as their number five receiver, and Dax Milne as their number six receiver. Washington's backups could fill in for Curtis Samuel in the slot if he goes down, but the Washington Commanders will be in trouble if anything happens to Terry McLaurin or Jahan Dotson this season.

Washington has Logan Thomas as their starting tight end, John Bates their 2021 draft pick out of Boise State is the backup tight end, and Cole Turner Washington's 2022 fifth round pick at Nevada is the third string tight end. Logan Thomas missed the last two games, but he's back from an injury. Washington also has Brian Robinson Jr. as their starting running back with Antonio Gibson as a solid backup running back. Chris Rodriguez Jr. Washington's 2023 sixth round pick out of Kentucky is the third string runing back.

Washington has Montez Swet at 4-3 right end, the 2019 first round pick has been the best pass rusher on this defense. Chase Young compliments Sweat at 4-3 left end in 2023 after the second pick in the 2020 NFL Draft won defensive rookie of the year before missing the last two years with an injury before Sweat stepped up and claimed the 4-3 right end job. Jonathan Allen their 2017 first round pick, and DaRon Payne their 2018 first round pick are the two 4-3 defensive tackles. Casey Toohill had 2 sacks in week 6 against Atlanta as the backup 4-3 right end and K.J. Henry Washington's 2023 third round pick out of Clemson is the backup 4-3 left end.

Washington has 2021 first round pick Jamin Davis at outside linebacker in their 4-2-5 defense. Cody Barton replaces Cole Holcomb at middle linebacker after a career high 136 total tackles in his contract in Seattle after being the Seattle Seahawks 2019 third round pick

Washington has Kendall Fuller as their field cornerback after Fuller rebounded in 2022 following a rough 2021 season where Washington was dead last in pass defense. Danny Johnson has stepped up to the point where he took the boundary cornerback job from Emmanuel Forbes, Washington's 2023 first round pick. Benjamin St. Juste is the nickel cornerback. Washington has Jartavius Martin as their dime cornerback the cornerback/safety out of Illinois that played nickel cornerback, strong safety, and free safety with their 2023 second round pick. Emmanuel Forbes a Mississippi State cornerback who improved without Martin Emerson whose now on the Cleveland Browns is the man that the Washington Commanders drafted sixteenth overall before Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez fell to the New England Patriots a pick later. Emmanuel Forbes began the season as the boundary cornerback, but is now the quarter cornerback as the number five cornerback on this depth chart. It is early, bur Forbes looks like a potential bust.

Kamren Curl is back at strong safety with Darrick Forrest back at free safety. Percy Butler is the backup free safety to Darrick Forrest who did well in the season opener against Jacksonville last year while Curl did well in this years season opener against Arizona. Kendall Fuller didn't practice on wednesday and may be out on Sunday. Washington would play Kendall Fuller and Benjamin St. Juste on the outside with Jartavius Martin their 2023 second round pick out of Illinois, who had the highest Pro Football Focus grade on defense in week 6 against Atlanta after Fuller got injured.

Joey Slye is the starting kicker with Antonio Gibson as the kick returner and Jameison Crowder as the punt returner. Washington is the only NFL team entering week 5 to have no starters on offense or defense injured.

Why the New York Giants Will Win: New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones got the bag after his 2022 season where he guided the New York Giants to a playoff appearance with a win in the wild card round. Daniel Jones didn't practice on Wednesday due to a neck injury that he suffered in week 5 against Miami. Daniel Jones missed week 6 and has been a limited practice in week 7. New York Giants backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor will make his first start with the New York Giants against his former team the Buffalo Bills.

The New York Giants will not have Andrew Thomas at left tackle or John Michael Schmitz at center against Washington. Evan Neal might move over to left tackle until Andrew Thomas returns, it is going to be a long night for Tyrod Taylor. Evan Neal didn't practice on Wednesday heading into week 7. Matt Peart is also now injured, so the New York Giants will have to start Evan Neal and their worst backup at offensive tackle against the Washington Commanders after playing their worst offensive tackle at left tackle and keeping Evan Neal at right tackle against the Buffalo Bills. New York will not have any of their top 3 offensive tackles against Washington in week 7. Daniel Jones may end up playing again, but I would let Jones neck heal another week until the offensive line is healthier. Justin Pugh dominated in his first start wth the New York Giants at left guard in week 6.

Wan'Dale Robinson is the flanker wide receiver, but Robinson is injured after being the number one target for Daniel Jones in the Monday Night game. Isaiah Hodgins is the secondary wide receiver with Darius Slayton as the slot wide receiver. Parris Campbell is your number four wide receiver. Jalin Hyatt, a 2023 third round pick out of Tennessee who won the Billetnikoff Award in 2022 is the number five receiver on this depth chart, but could be the number one target by the end of the season. Sterling Shephard is the number five six receiver. The New York Giants have a lot of wide receiver depth for quarterback Daniel Jones, but not a true number one superstar for their franchise quarterback who got a four year extension.

The New York Giants traded for Darren Waller whose now the starting tight end. Daniel Bellinger started as a rookie, but is now the number two tight end. Darren Waller didn't practice on Wednesday heading into week 6.

Saquon Barkley returned in week 5. Saquon Barkley is someone who will have to step up in week 6 if Daniel Jones is out.

New York has Leonard Williams at 3-4 right end and Dexter Lawrence at 3-4 nose tackle. I don't trust either A'Shawn Robinson or Rakeem Nunez-Roches at 3-4 left end. Teams with star players at right guard will be able to expose the glaring weakness on the New York Giants defensive line.

Kayvon Thibodeaux enters his sophomore season in the NFL as the starting 3-4 right outside linebacker with Azeez Ojulari complimenting him at 3-4 left linebacker, but Azeez Ojulari missed the first three weeks before making his season debut in week 4. Azeez Ojulari played in weeks 4 and 5, but is out in week 6. New York also placed Azeez Ojulari on injured reserve before week 6. Azeez Ojulari is out in weeks 6-9.

Carlos Basham is the backup 3-4 right outside linebacker and Jihad Ward is the backup 3-4 left outside linebacker. Carlos Basham started the first three weeks when Ojulari was out of the lineup. Jihad Ward started in week 6 against the Buffalo Bills and will probably start the next three games.

New York signed Bobby Okerke to a 4 year contract at 3-4 middle linebacker. Micah McFadden is starting next to him and McFadden is a guy with the floor to be a really good backup, but he's not an ideal starter at 3-4 middle linebacker. Isaiah Simmons is the backup 3-4 middle linebacker ot Micah McFadden even though you can make a case for Simmons starting over McFadden. One more thing to take into account is that Jarrad Davis is on injured reserve and is out for the first four games.

The New York Giants aren't just starting one rookie cornerback. The New York Giants are starting two rookie cornerbacks. Deonte Banks, the New York Giants 2023 first round pick out of Maryland won the field cornerback job. The bigger surprise is Tre Hawkins a 2023 sixth round pick that played at Old Dominion won the boundary cornerback job. Tre Hawkins played cornerback, strong safety, and free safety before wowing NFL teams with his 40 time. Tre Hawkins is great in zone coverage, but his man coverage and press coverage is gonna have to improve based on what he did at Old Dominion. In Tre's defense, he beat out Adoree Jackson for the number two cornerback job. Adoree Jackson was New York's number one cornerback last year, but now he's the nickel cornerback. Darnay Holmes last years nickel cornerback got demoted to dime cornerback in a contract year. Cor'Dale Flott is the quarter cornerback. Jason Pinnock is starting at strong safety while Xavier McKinney who played strong safety last year is moving to free safety in a contract year. Dane Belton is the main backup safety as the 2022 fourth round pick out of Iowa enters his second season.

New York has Graham Gano as their starting kicker. Eric Gray Jr., the New York Giants 2023 fifth round pick out of Oklahoma is currently the fourth string running back on this depth chart because of his pedestrian pass blocking, but he's also fast and catches the ball out of the backfield when you watch him at Oklahoma. Giving someone like Eric Gray Jr. the punt returner job is an interesting decision. If he can generate some explosion on punt returns he could create a big play.

Prediction: Washington is a 2.5 point favorite at -2.5. The over or under is 39 with 55% of the public betting on Washington. The money line is -120 for Washington and +100 for New York. Take Washington to win and to cover with the under at -120. Bet $180 on this game for Washington and win up to $600 as long as the Commanders win by 3 or more.

Final Score Commanders 27 Giants 10

Who Everyone Else Picked


Tanya Holmes	Oren Shiri	Jesse Lucas	Jason Bantle	Joseph Potter	Andrew Kermish	Lisa Donovan	Tracy Porter	Wes Langley	Brian Bayless

Atlanta Falcons 3-3-0	Versus	Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3-2-0

Chris Ransom's Pick

I'm going to try my best to update Tony Mario's 2023 NFL Power Rankings this week. He's a Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan and the Buccaneers have a huge game against Detroit this week.

Why the Atlanta Falcons Will Win: Desmond Ridder will have Jake Matthews at left tackle, Matthew Bergeron at left guard, Drew Dalman at center, Chris Lindstrom at right guard, and Kaleb McGary at right tackle. Drake London is Atlanta's flanker wide receiver. Van Jefferson is the secondary wide receiver thanks to a trade with the Los Angeles Rams. Mack Hollins is the slot receiver. Atlanta has Kyle Pitts starting at tight end with Jonnu Smith as the backup tight end. Atlanta has Bijan Robinson as their starting running back, Tyler Allgeier as their backup running back, and Cordarrelle Patterson as their third string running back.

Atlanta has Calias Campbell at 3-4 right end, David Onyemata at 3-4 nose tackle, and Grady Jarrett at 3-4 left end giving Atlanta one of their best 3-4 defensive lines in years. Atlanta has Bud Dupree at 3-4 right outside linebacker with Arnold Ebiketie complimenting him at 3-4 left outside linebacker. Kaden Elliss and Troy Andersen will both start at 3-4 middle linebacker.

A.J. Terrell, Atlanta's field cornerback is the only healthy cornerback at the moment. Jeffrey Okudah who Atlanta traded for at boundary cornerback is expected to be back in week 3. Clark Phillips III is also expected to make his debut at nickel cornerback in week 5 after missing the first four weeks of the season and being a full practice. Strong safety Richie Grant and free safety Jesse Bates III give Atlanta one of the better safety tandems in the NFL.

Younghoe Koo is one of the best kickers in the NFL. Atlanta's kicker asserted himself as a top 5 kicker last season.

Why the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Will Win: Baker Mayfield is replacing Tom Brady who is considered the greatest quarterback of All Time for winning seven Super Bowls all as a starting quarterback with six in New England and one more in Tampa Bay now that Tom Brady retired. Tristian Wirfs is moving from right tackle to left tackle, Matt Feiler is at left guard, Robert Hainsley gets a second year to start at center thanks to a career ending injury for Ryan Jensen after Jensen missed all of the 2022 NFL season, Cody Mauch is at right guard after being the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2023 second round pick out of North Dakota State, and Luke Goedeke is moving from left guard to the right tackle position he played at Central Michigan. Tampa Bay has literally zero depth on the offensive line if injuries occur now to make matters worse following the news that Ryan Jensen wouldn't be out for all of 2023, but that he'd never play a down in the NFL again on top of that.

Tampa Bay has Mike Evans as their flanker wide receiver, Chris Godwin is their secondary wide receiver, and Russell Gage is Tampa Bay's slot receiver. The bad news for Tampa Bay is that Russell Gage is out for the season, so Tampa Bay's 2023 sixth round pick Trey Palmer out of Nebraska is now Tampa Bay's slot receiver for this season. Rakim Jarrett made Tampa Bay's roster as an undrafted Free Agent out of Maryland, but he's also now the number four wide receiver on this depth chart. If anything happens to Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, or Trey Palmer, you should see Rakim Jarrett this season.

Cade Otton Tampa Bay's 2022 fourth round pick at tight end is now Tampa Bay's starting tight end with Ko Kieft another tight end Ko Kieft a 2022 sixth round pick out of Minnesota as the backup tight end to Otton. Kieft played in all 17 games as a rookie starting 12 as a number two tight end when Tom Brady had two tight end sets. David Wells is the third string tight end. Payne Durham the Purdue tight end that Tampa Bay drafted in the fifth round of 2023 NFL Draft is the fourth string tight end despite being the front runner to be the third string tight end with both tight ends on Tampa Bay's final 53-man roster.

Tampa Bay has Rachaad White as their starting running back, Chase Edmonds as their backup running back, Ke'Shawn Vaughn from the 2020 NFL Draft is their third string running back in a contract year as a third string running back, and Sean Tucker Tampa Bay's undrafted Free Agent is currently the fourth string running back despite being medically cleared by doctors to practice with the team prior to Tampa Bay's first preseason game. Sean Tucker made Tampa Bay's final roster and impressed in the preseason, but is still the fourth string running back at the moment.

Tampa Bay has Greg Gaines at 3-4 right end, Vita Vea at 3-4 nose tackle who played with Gaines at Washington, and Calijah Kancey at 3-4 left end. Tampa Bay also has Logan Hall as their backup 3-4 right end and William Gholston as their backup 3-4 left end. With Calijah Kancey, Tampa Bay's 2023 first round pick out of Pittsburgh who commanded triple teams is expected to make his debut in week 6 as he practiced after the bye week. Both Vea and Kancey commanded triple teams in college, so double teaming Vea or Kancey will open things up for Greg Gaines and Vea or Kancey whoever ends up getting double teammed. Tampa Bay's 3-4 defensive line looks strong as long as those three stay healthy. Tampa Bay doesn't have a backup to Vita Vea if Greg Gaines plays five technique instead of nose tackle. Vea is the leader of this defensive line, but his supporting cast looks as promising as when Tampa Bay won Super Bowl 55.

Tampa Bay has Shaquill Barrett at 3-4 right outside linebacker and Joe Tryon at 3-4 left outside linebacker. Tampa Bay also has Lavonte David and Devin White at 3-4 middle linebacker. Anthony Nelson who filled in when Barrett suffered a season ending injury is back as a situational edge rusher that can be used as a backup 3-4 right outside linebacker to Barrett or a backup 3-4 left outside linebacker if Barrett is injured. Yaya Diaby is the backup 3-4 left outside linebacker to Joe Tryon who was Tampa Bay's 2021 first round pick. Tampa Bay has K.J. Britt a 2021 fifth round pick out of Auburn and SirVocea Dennis a 2023 fifth round pick out of Pittsburgh as their backup 3-4 middle linebackers. Shaquill Barrett hasn't practiced the last two days due to dealing with an illness which means Anthony Nelson will probably start against Detroit if Barrett cannot go. Tampa Bay has depth everywhere on their front 7 except nose tackle, but Vea may be the only four down 3-4 nose tackle in the entire NFL which says a lot.

Tampa Bay has Carlton Davis at field cornerback, Jamel Dean playing boundary cornerback against number two receivers for the first time in his career after being a nickel cornerback, and Zyon McCollum as their nickel cornerback whenever Tampa Bay decides to pivot from a 3-4 base defense to a 3-3-5 nickel defense. Ryan Neal is starting at strong safety and Antoine Winfield Jr. is starting at free safety. Tampa Bay could have everyone on defense at full health for the first time all season against the Detroit Lions, but the big concern right now is the status of Shaquille Barrett since the other ten guys besides Tampa Bay's defense are fully healthy. Barrett is a game-time decision for Sunday at the moment.

Prediction: Tampa Bay is a 2.5 point favorite at -2.5. The over or under is 37 with 52% of the public betting on Tampa Bay. The money line is +115 for Atlanta and -135 for Tampa Bay. Take Tampa Bay to win and cover with the over at -135. Bet $165 on this game for Tampa Bay and win up to $300 as long as the Buccaneers win by 3 or more.

Final Score Buccaneers 21 Falcons 17

Who Everyone Else Picked


Tanya Holmes	Oren Shiri	Jesse Lucas	Jason Bantle	Joseph Potter	Andrew Kermish	Lisa Donovan	Tracy Porter	Wes Langley	Brian Bayless

Pittsburgh Steelers 3-2-0	Versus	Los Angeles Rams 3-3-0

Chris Ransom's Pick

North Carolina VS South Carolina game film is now up. I posted Drake Maye and Spencer Rattler game film. I also added game film for South Carolina wide receiver Xavier Legette to this playlist. I will be working on prospect film for Texas VS Alabama, Colorado State VS Colorado, Ohio State VS Notre Dame, Notre Dame VS Duke, and Oklahoma VS Texas. I'll be adding Oregon VS Washington to this list of games I'm currently editing next week.

I posted a film cut of Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy versus Alabama. I am also working on a film cut of his teammate Adonai Mitchell.

Why the Pittsburgh Steelers Will Win: Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett enters his second year in the NFL after being the face of the Pittsburgh Panthers football team that won the 2021 ACC Championship prior to being drafted twentieth overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2022 NFL Draft. Pickett threw 7 touchdowns and 9 interceptions as a rookie, but played well down the stretch even with a lackluster offensive line. Pittsburgh fixed their offensive line and will have Broderick Jones at left tackle, Isaac Seumalo at left guard, Mason Cole at center, James Daniels at right guard, and Chukwuma Okorafor at right tackle. Broderick Jones, Pittsburgh's 2023 first round pick out of Georgia looked like an All Pro in his first career NFL start against the Balitmore Ravens despite Matt Canada's inept playcalling in week 5.

Dan Moore Jr. is now the backup left tackle. Spencer Anderson is the backup left guard and backup center to start the season thanks to Pittsburgh trading away backup left guard Kevin Dotson to the Los Angeles Rams and third string offensive lineman Kendrick Green to the Houston Texans, Nate Herbig is the backup right guard. The only questionable decision the Steelers made was cutting Le'Raven Clark and making Dylan Cook the backup right tackle to Chukwuma Okorafor.

Pittsburgh is considering starting Dan Moore Jr. at left tackle over Broderick Jones which is crazy. Mike Tomlin stated that Pittsburgh hasn't announced who is starting at left tackle.

Mitchell Trubisky is back as the backup quarterback to Kenny Pickett after entering the 2022 NFL Season as the starting quarterback, but I don't trust him as the starter in the event that something happens to Kenny Pickett. The same could be said with third string quarterback Mason Rudolph who got a roster spot. Kenny Pickett is a game-time decision for week 5 after leaving week 4 with an injury.

Kenny Pickett has George Pickens as their flanker receiver thanks to Diontae Johnson's. Diontae Johnson is expected to come off injured reserve and will be the secondary wide receiver. Allen Robinson, who Pittsburgh traded for now goes fromsecondary wide receiver to slot receiver with Diontae Johnson back. Pittsburgh has Calvin Austin III as their number four wide receiver. Miles Boykin and former New England Patriots wide receiver Gunner Olszewski are the backup wide receivers on this depth chart. Pittsburgh will have all six wide receivers at full health for the first time since week 1 in week 7 following Pittsburgh's bye week.

Pittsburgh has Pat Freiermuth as their starting tight end and Darnell Washington as their third string tight end. Darnell Washington ended the draft process as my second best tight end in the 2023 NFL Draft. Connor Heyward is Pittsburgh's starting fullback, yet he's also listed as a tight end on Pittsburgh's depth chart when Pittsburgh doesn't want to deploy a fullback. Pat Freiermuth didn't practice leading up to week 5, so Darnell Washington made his first NFL start. Pat Freiermuth got placed on injured reserve prior to week 7 meaning Darnell Washington will start the next four games.

Kenny Pickett has potential to be a good starter, but I don't see him as a guy who can be a Pro Bowl quarterback. Some people in Pittsburgh may feel that way about Pickett, but it's understandble why the Steelers feel that way after passing on Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Dan Marino in 1983. Kenny Pickett's arm strength is better than Mac Jones was coming out of Alabama. Pittsburgh has their deepest team on offense since the Steelers went to their three Super Bowls in Super Bowl 40, Super Bowl 43, and Super Bowl 45. The problem is Kenny Pickett didn't enter the NFL having the same impact as Ben Roethlisberger, who set the bar sky high going undefeated as a rookie before losing to New England in the AFC Title game before helping the Steelers win Super Bowl 40 as the six seed the following year.

The biggest issue with this offense may be Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Canada is one of the most bland vanilla offensive coordinators in the NFL. Canada even admitted behind closed doors that he refuses to call hot routes. I call hot routes all the time when I play my older brother in Madden, so this feels like a red flag for me. Maybe that's just the gamer in me talking, but a few of my Fantasy Football friends on Twitter are posting Blame Canada gifs from the South Park movie when describing the Steelers offensive coordinator which is pretty messed up, yet justifiable when you consider how poorly Canada did last season. With all the depth Pittsburgh has on offense, there's no excuse not to call audibles and utilize more hot routes if you see a weakness on the opposing defense that you can exploit.

Pittsburgh has to decide whether to start Isaiah Loudermilk or DeMarvin Leal at 3-4 right end with Cameron Heyward injured at 3-4 right end. Keeanu Benton did great as the starting 3-4 nose tackle. Larry Ogunjobi remains the starting 3-4 left end. Montravius Adams who started at nose tackle last season, has been demoted to second string after Pittsburgh's 2023 second round pick out of Wisconsin wowed the organization and won the starting 3-4 nose tackle job. Pittsburgh has a ton of depth on their defensive line this season. Pittsburgh will have one of the leagues best defensive lines as long as Cameron Heyward remains healthy leading this core of defensive linemen. Now that Heyward is injured, I won't be surprised if this defensive line struggles until Heyward returns. Cameron Heyward could return as early as week 10 when the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Green Bay Packers according to Gerry Dulac.

Pittsburgh has a top 5 edge rusher duo in the league with Alex Highsmith at 3-4 right outside linebacker and T.J. Watt at 3-4 left outside linebacker. Highsmith led the Steelers in sacks in 2022 after T.J. Watt got injured with Watt winning 2021 NFL Defensive Player Of The Year prior to his injury in 2022. Highsmith is making $17.01 million a year while Watt is making over $28 million a season with Pittsburgh's two starting edge rushers making over $45-million dollars combined. Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts both looked good enough to replace Myles Jack and Robert Spillane at 3-4 middle linebacker in Pittsburgh's preseason win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Pittsburgh has Nick Herbig a sack artist at Wisconsin and the younger brother to Nate Herbig as their backup 3-4 right outside linebacker after being Pittsburgh's 2023 fourth round pick out of Wisconsin. Pittsburgh also added Markus Golden the starting pass rusher on the Arizona Cardinals as the backup 3-4 left outside linebacker to T.J. Watt. If Watt is less than 80 percent Pittsburgh can rotate Golden whose been effective as a starter as a situational pass rusher. Kwon Alexander the backup 3-4 middle linebacker did enough to show me he could be a viable replacement to Devin Bush as a 3-4 middle linebacker.

Patrick Peterson and Levi Wallace were pushing each other for the field cornerback job as the number one cornerback during the preseason before Peterson won the number one cornerback job. Patrick Peterson should be the field cornerback covering number one receivers with Levi Wallcace covering number two receivers at boundary cornerback. Joey Porter Jr., Pittsburgh's 2023 second round pick out of Pen State showed he could be a number one cornerback lining up at field cornerback as a number one cornerback getting a game-winning interception versus the Baltimore Ravens in week 5. Chandon Sullivan is the dime cornerback and Pittsburgh and James Pierre is the quarter cornerback.

Corey Trice, Pittsburgh's 2023 seventh round who some mocked in the top 100 suffering a season ending injury. Joey Porter Jr. probably has the highest ceiling of all the cornerbacks on Pittsburgh's depth chart.

Pittsburgh has Damontae Kazee, Keanu Neal, and Miles Killebrew competing for the starting strong safety job next to Pro Bowl free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Pittsburgh now has Miles Killebrew at strong safety and Minkah Fitzpatrick at free safety with Damontae Kazee and Keanu Neal as the backup safeties. Pittsburgh has good depth at safety once again.

Pittsburgh has Chris Boswell at kicker and Pressley Harvin III the 2020 Ray Guy Award winner as their 2021 seventh round pick. Calvin Austin III, Pittsburgh's 2022 fourth round pick is expected to play kick returner and punt returner for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023 after missing his rookie season with a season ending injury simply due to Pittsburgh's depth at wide receiver. Gunner Olszewski is the backup return specialist after being Pittsburgh's return specialist in 2022.

Why the Los Angeles Rams Will Win: Matthew Stafford is back from his injury and should be healthier in 2023. Los Angeles has Joseph Noteboom at left tackle, Steve Avila their 2023 second round pick out of TCU at left guard, Brian Allen at center, Tremayne Anchrum won the right guard job, and Rob Havenstein is starting at right tackle. Alaric Jackson is the backup left tackle starting at left tackle down the stretch with Noteboom injured. Zachary Thomas a 2022 sixth round pick out of San Diego State got cut by the Chicago Bears and picked up by the Los Angeles Rams as the backup left guard. Coleman Shelton is the backup center after starting some down the stretch. Kevin Dotson is the backup right guard, but Dotson feels like the one backup who could end up starting if Tremayne Anchrum slips up. Warren McClendon Jr. the starting right tackle at Georgia last year was the Los Angeles Rams 2023 fifth round pick. The Rams offensive line was healthy for the first month of the season. Joseph Noteboom got injured in the Monday Night game and his backup Alaric Jackson didn't practice on Wednesday. Both left tackles didn't practice this week.

Los Angeles has Cooper Kupp as their flanker number one wide receiver. Puka Nacua is the secondary wide receiver. Tutu Atwell will be the slot receiver. Ben Skowronek was huge in Super Bowl 56 and will be the number four wide receiver. Demarcus Robinson who was a backup wide receiver on the Baltimore Ravens as a number four wide receiver is now the number five wide receiver rounds out the depth chart at wide receiver for the Los Angeles Rams.

The Los Angeles Rams have amazing depth at tight end too. Tyler Higbee is still the starting tight end on this team and has maintained his job as the starting tight end all the way back to 2017 after being drafted out of Western Kentucky in the 2016 NFL Draft. Brycen Hopkins is the backup tight end to Higbee as the 2020 third round pick out of Purdue that I interviewed at the 2020 Reese's Senior Bowl enters his contract year. Hunter Long a 2021 third round pick out of Boston College was acquired from the Miami Dolphins in the trade that sent the Los Angeles Rams best cornerback Jalen Ramsey to Miami. Tyler Davis a 2023 fifth round pick out of Clemson is the fourth string tight end that rounds out this depth chart.

Los Angeles has Kyren Williams as their starting running back. Ronnie Rivers is the backup running back. Both Kyre Williams and Ronnie Rivers are injured. Zach Evans, the Los Angeles Rams 2023 sixth round pick out of Ole Miss still made this roster initially as the fourth string running back and he's now the starting runnng back after the Rams traded Cam Akers. Darrell Henderson Jr. who was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams out of Memphis is now back with the Rams as the backup running back to Evans.

The Rams have a lot more depth at running back, wide receiver, tight end, and offensive line compared to a season ago when injuries began to pile up. As long as everyone on this offense is fully healthy, Stetson Bennett might be able to come in and make an impact if something happens to Matthew Stafford. For now, quarterback Matthew Stafford and Super Bowl 56 MVP Cooper Kupp at wide receiver are still the core pieces on this offense.

Los Angeles has Aaron Donald back at 3-4 right end. I'm not sold on Bobby Brown III a 2021 fourth round pick out of Texas A&M as the starting nose tackle, and Kobie Turner a 2023 third round pick out of Wake Forest that was at the 2023 East West Shrine Bowl will be starting next to Aaron Donald at 3-4 left end. Larrell Murchison is the backup 3-4 right end to Aaron Donald Earnest Brown IV is a backup 3-4 left end. Aaron Donald is incredible and Turner is someone who I can see thriving at 3-4 left end surprising many this year. The rest of this group is a work in progress which means depth will be an issue if Aaron Donald gets shut down like he did in 2022.

Los Angeles will have Michael Hoecht at 3-4 right outside linebacker and Byron Young a 2023 third round pick out of Tennessee starting at 3-4 left outside linebacker. Hoecht had 5 quarterback hurries against Arizona in week 6 and Byron Young has continued to get better each week. Ernest Jones a 2021 third round pick out of South Carolina and Christian Rozeboom are the two starters at 3-4 middle linebacker. The one depth player I like is Nick Hampton a 2023 fifth round pick out of Appalachian State the backup 3-4 right outside linebacker while Ochaun Mathis is the backup 3-4 left outside linebacker.

Los Angeles has Decobie Durant at field cornerback, Ahkello Witherspoon at boundary cornerback, Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson a 2023 sixth round pick out of TCU at nickel cornerback, and Derion Kendrick at dime cornerback. Duke Shelley is the quarter cornerback and can ball out at times. Shaun Jolly is the number six cornerback and was once considered the number one cornerback on Appalachian State. John Johnson III will start at strong safety with Jordan Fuller at free safety. It's possible that Quentin Lake and Russ Yeast two safeties that the Rams drafted in the sixth and seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft see more playing time this year. Lake was a player I really liked as a backup coming out of UCLA while Yeast has been making a lot of noise for the Rams during the preseason.

Los Angeles has Brett Maher at kicker. Maher isn't perfect, but he's done well as a replacement to Matt Gay so far.

Prediction: Los Angeles is a 3 point favorite at -3. The over or under is 42.5 with 69% of the public betting on Los Angeles. The money line is +160 for Pittsburgh and -200 for Los Angeles. I like Pittsburgh to win and to cover with the over at +160. Bet $240 on this game for Pittsburgh and win up to $400 as long as the Rams win by 4 or more.

Final Score Steelers 24 Rams 23

Who Everyone Else Picked


Tanya Holmes	Oren Shiri	Jesse Lucas	Jason Bantle	Joseph Potter	Andrew Kermish	Lisa Donovan	Tracy Porter	Wes Langley	Brian Bayless

Arizona Cardinals 1-5-0	Versus	Seattle Seahawks 3-2-0

Chris Ransom's Pick

Mock Drafts for 2024 are now up on Draft Utopia. You can click the links to my 2024 NFL Mock Draft and my 2024 NHL Mock Draft. Wes Langley also posted his mock, which I've linked as well. Click the links to read my mocks or this mock Wes Langley's 2024 NFL Mock Draft that Wes posted. I will have a 2024 MLS Mock Draft one round after decision day in the MLS with the 2024 MLS Super Draft set for December 19, 2023.

Why the Arizona Cardinals Will Win: Arizona Cardinals starting quarterback Kyler Murray tore his ACL in week 14 against the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football last year. Arizona hasn't named a starting quarterback yet, but it looks blatantly obvious that veteran Joshua Dobbs will start over Clayton Tune, Arizona's 2023 fifth round pick out of Houston. Kyler Murray returned to practice leading up to week 7. Kyler Murray still isn't on the active roster, but was designated to return to practice in limited capacity. Arizona can bring Kyler Murray on their roster after week 8.

Arizona has D.J. Humphries at left tackle who is one of the ten best left tackles in the league. The fact that Arizona extended Humphries after extending Kyler Murray tells me he's gonna remain a Cardinal. Elijah Wilkinson won Atlanta's starting left guard last year after beating out Jalen Mayfield in training camp for the left guard job in 2022 is now the Arizona Cardinals starting left guard. Hjalte Froholdt who was awful with the Cleveland Browns is the Arziona Cardinals starting center replacing Rodney Hudson who retired. To make matters worse, Pat Elflein who was supposed to challenge Froholdt for the starting center job suffered a season ending injury in training camp leading up to the second game of the preseason which essentially forces the Cardinals to start Hjalte Froholdt. Will Henrandez returns as the starting right guard. Paris Johnson Jr. who Kyler Murray wanted at right tackle got drafted sixth overall out of Ohio State.

Paris Johnson Jr. was my top ranked offensive tackle in the 2023 NFL Draft and with D.J. Humphries, Paris Johnson Jr. can be a bookend rather than someone who plays left tackle. Outside of Kelvin Beachum who started at right tackle last year, Arizona doesn't have a single quality backup on the offensive line at the momen since Arizona traded their backup left tackle Josh Jones to the Houston Texans in his contract year.

Arizona has Marquis Brown the first receiver drafted in the 2019 NFL Draft as their number one flanker receiver after releasing DeAndre Hopkins. My top three receivers that year were N'Keal Harry, Anthony Johnson, and Dillon Mitchell. Deebo Samuel was my number four receiver that year with A.J. Brown and D.K. Metcalf as my number five and six options and spoiler alert these were the three best wide receivers in 2019 unless you want to make a case for Terry McLaurin. I wasn't high on Marques Brown at all he was pure speed for me, but he played with Kyler Murray at Oklahoma so he clicks with Murray from a team chemistry standpoint, but with Murray out of the lineup you can't expect much from Marques Brown. I don't consider Marquis Brown a number one wide receiver even though he is currently Arizona's top receiver on the Cardinals depth chart. Rondale Moore, Arizona's 2021 second round pick is the number two secondary wide receiver. Zach Pascal the number four wide receiver on the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl 57 team with Arizona Cardinals new head coach Jonathan Gannon who was the Eagles defensive coordinator last year is the slot receiver. Stanford wide receiver Michael Wilson is the number four wide receiver on this depth chart, but he looked promising in his preseason debut. Arizona's 2023 third round pick may challenge Zach Pascal for a wide receiver spot since Pascal had some nice moments in Super Bowl 57, but was hardly utilized until Super Bowl 57. Michael Wilson went off in week 4 and he's jumped Zach Pascal as the slot receiver on this depth chart if you ask me.

Zach Ertz has been medically cleared to return so he should be Arizona's number one tight end and started in week 1. Trey McBride Arizona's 2022 third round pick out of Colorado State should improve. Geoff Swaim who started 29 of his 57 career starts over the last two seasons with the Tennessee Titans is the third string tight end. Michael Wilson's Stanford wide receiver teammate Elijah Higgins got claimed by Arizona off of waivers after being released by the Miami Dolphins. What's even more fascinating is that Elijah Higgins is the fourth string tight end on Arizona's depth chart. Arizona has a lot of depth at tight end.

Arizona has James Conner as their starting running back, but he's been placed on injured reserve for the next three weeks. Backup running back Keontay Ingram was good in college, but clearly doesn't have the same upside that James Conner has as a starting running back.

Arizona's linebacker tandem of Kyzir White at 4-3 right outside linebacker and Zaven Collins at 4-3 left outside linebacker is a bright spot at outside linebacker, but Collins can also play inside in a 4-2-5 nickel defense. The safety tandem of Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson is the brighest spot on this defense, but Budda Baker is on injured reserve and Jalen Thopson has been ruled out in week 6 after both safeties missed week 5 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Budda Baker still isn't on the active roster despite being a limited practice while Jalen Thompson is dealing with injuries. Ke'Trel Clark, Arizona's 2023 sixth round pick out of Louisville is starting in week 1 as the number two boundary cornerback next to Marco Wilson. Marco Wilson, Arizona's 2021 fourth round pick out of Florida has started next to Byron Murphy for the past two seasons, but Wilson now has to be Arizona's number one cornerback due to how depleted the Cardinals are at cornerback. Zaven Collins is the best linebacker now with Isaiah Simmons being demoted to a second team safety. Arizona stuck with a 3-4 despite hiring a 4-3 coach in Jonathan Gannon. Arizona might have the worst defense in the enitre NFL despite having some promising pieces on offense.

Matt Prater is Arizona's kicker. Greg Dortch who started a few games at wide receiver for Arizona last year isn't just the number five receiver on this depth chart. Dortch also happens to be the leader to win the return specialist job on both kickoff returns and punt returns.

Why the Seattle Seahawks Will Win: Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith 2022 first round pick Charles Cross at left tackle. Damien Lewis starts at left guard, Evan Brown starts at center, and Phil Haynes starts at right guard. Abraham Lucas Seattle's 2022 third round pick out of Washington State got injured in week 2 and has missed weeks 3, 4, 6, and will be out again in week 7 at rght tackle.

Damien Lewis and Phil Haynes are both going to be game-time decisions this week. Damien Lewis didn't practice on Wednesday or Thursday while Phil Haynes was a limited practice. Anthony Bradford is the backup right guard after being a 2023 fourth round pick, but he came in at right guard after Phil Haynes got injured in the Monday Night game and looked good. There's a possibility that Anthony Bradford gets his first NFL start at left guard if Damien Lewis is ruled inactive in week 6 following the bye week. Damien Lewis an Phil Haynes were limited in practice, but Evan Brown did not practice on wednesday heading into week 7.

Olusegun Oluwaitimi, Seattle's 2023 fifth round pick out of Michigan won the Rimmington Award and could start at center down the road if Evan Brown struggles or gets injured. Olusegun Oluwaitimi coule make his first NFL start if Evan Brown is ruled out at center in week 7. Stone Forsythe a 2021 sixth round pick isn't a bad backup right tackle, but I don't ever see him as a legitimate starter. Seattle clearly feels the same way if they prioritize Jason Peters over Stone Forsythe.

Seattle has D.K. Metcalf at flanker wide receiver, Tyler Lockett is their secondary wide receiver, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle's 2023 first round pick out of Ohio State will be the slot receiver. D.K. Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are both dealing with injuries. If those two play, this offense will click. Jake Bobo an undrafted Free Agent from the 2023 NFL Draft out of UCLA will fill in at slot receiver if Jaxon Smith-Njigba is ruled inactive in week 3. D.K. Metcalf played every game in the first four weeks, but did not practice in week 6 on Wednesday or Thursday with a rib injury following Seattle's bye week. Metcalf was off the injury report meaning he has been cleared to play for week 6, but D.K. Metcalf was ruled out in week 7 which means Tyler Lockett will play flanker wide receiver, Jaxon Smith-Njigba will play secondary wide receiver, and Jake Bobo will play slot receiver in week 7.

Seattle has Will Dissly as their starting tight end. Noah Fant is the backup tight end. Colby Parkinson, Seattle's 2020 fourth round pick out of Stanford isn't bad for a third string tight end. Parkinson does enter a contract year though, so he needs to show something in the limited opportunities he receives if he wants to get paid after this season.

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. DeeJay Dallas a 2020 fourth round pick out of Miami FL enters a contract year. Kenny McIntosh, Seattle's 2023 seventh round pick out of Georgia made Seattle's 53 man roster as a fourth string running back and will probably get promoted to third string running back next season. Seattle also has Nick Bellore starting at fullback.

Seattle signed Dre'Mont Jones, the Denver Broncos 3-4 right end to be the new starting 3-4 right end in Seattle. Jarran Reed is back in Seattle where he began his career as Jarran Reed will start at 3-4 nose tackle for this season after having a one year stint as a 4-3 defensive tackle in Kansas City and another one year stint in Green Bay at 3-4 left end. Mario Edwards Jr. isn't anything special, but he's a steady reliable starter at 3-4 left end. His production can be underwhelming on a 4-3 defense, but he can do just enough to contribute at a high level at times when placed in a 3-4 defense. Seattle also has Cameron Young a 2023 fourth round pick out of Mississippi State as the backup 3-4 nose tackle and Mike Morris a 2023 fifth round pick out of Michigan as a backup 3-4 defensive end that can fill in siituationally for both Dre'Mont Jones and Mario Edwards Jr.

Seattle has Uchenna Nwosu at 3-4 right outside linebacker and Boye Mafe complimenting him at 3-4 left outside linebacker as these two guys are the starting edge rushers in Seattle for the 2023 season. Derick Hall a 2023 second round pick out of Auburn that Seattle had a first round grade on is the backup to Uchenna Nwosu. Darnell Taylor, Seattle's 2020 second round pick started next to Uchenna Nwosu for a majority of games last year going up against left tackles while Nwosu faced right tackles. Now Nwosu is facing left tackles while Taylor is now a rotational player in a contract year after Boye Mafe developed during his rookie season. Seattle has Jordyn Brooks their 2020 first round pick and Bobby Wagner as their starting 3-4 middle linebackers. The backup 3-4 middle linebackers on this roster are Devin Bush who lost his starting job in Pittsburgh and Drake Thomas who probably wouldn't be on my 53 man roster. Essentially, Seattle has great depth at 3-4 outside linebacker, yet very little depth at 3-4 middle linebacker in the event something happens to Brooks or Wagner.

Seattle has Michael Jackson back at field cornerback with Jackson moonwalking against number one receivers in coverage for the second year in a row. 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 got injured in week 2 and missed the last two weeks, but he is playing in week 6. Devon Witherspoon dominated in week 4 at boundary cornerback, but will move back to nickel cornerback after being drafted fifth overall out of Illinois in the 2023 NFL Draft. Coby Bryant last years nickel cornerback who will play dime cornerback when Witherspoon returns will start for Seattle to open up the season. Kyu Blu Kely will play quarter cornerback in quarters packages once Witherspoon returns from his injury after the Baltimore Ravens cut the former Stanford cornerback drafted in 2023 NFL Draft. Tre Brown will be the number six cornerback on this depth chart once he returns from his injury. Artie Burns is the number seven cornerback on Seattle.

Seattle will have Jamal Adams at strong safety and Quandre Diggs at free safety when both safeties are fully healthy. Seattle replaced Ryan Neal who was incredible in relief of Jamal Adams with Julian Love who is the backup strong safety to Adams after being a free safety on Notre Dame and the New York Giants during his rookie deal with Julian Love filling in for an injured Jamal Adams in the first three weeks of the season, but Jamal Adams is expected to be back in week 4. This leaves Jerrick Reed II, a 2023 sixth round pick out of New Mexico who impressed me on film as the backup free safety to Quandre Diggs. Seattle has good depth at safety and unless multiple safeties are injured depth will not be an issue at safety. In fact, I'd go as far as to say that Seattle will be alright at safety as long as two of the teams four safeties remain healthy each week. Jamal Adams came back last week and week 6 will be the first week where everyone on this secondary is fully healthy. I'm not sure if Seattle Seahawks GM John Schneider or Head coach Pete Carroll is that confident about the teams safety play in their locker room, but I am for now.

Seattle has an under the radar top 10 kicker in Jason Myers at kicker. Michael Dickson isn't a bad punter. DeeJay Dallas isn't just Seattle's third string running back, he's also the return specialist at both kick returner and punt returner this season.

Prediction: Seattle is a 7 point favorite at -7. The over or under is 46.5 with 78% of the public betting on Seattle. The money line is +115 for Arizona and -135 for Seattle. Take Seattle to win and cover with the under at -135. Bet $165 on this game for Seattle and win up to $300 as long as the Seahawks win by 8 points or more.

Final Score Seahawks 27 Cardinals 13

Who Everyone Else Picked


Tanya Holmes	Oren Shiri	Jesse Lucas	Jason Bantle	Joseph Potter	Andrew Kermish	Lisa Donovan	Tracy Porter	Wes Langley	Brian Bayless

Green Bay Packers 2-3-0	Versus	Denver Broncos 1-5-0

Chris Ransom's Pick

Draft Utopia now has an E-Commerce Store on Teespring. Click on the word Teespring to be redirected to our shop to buy Draft Utopia merchandise. You can get an 11-NO shirt with Steelers colors or a Go Be Great shirt with Browns colors.

Why the Green Bay Packers Will Win: Jordan Love takes over for Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. Green Bay has David Bahktiari at left tackle, Elgton Jenkins at left guard, Josh Myers at center, Jon Runyan Jr. at right guard, and Zach Tom at right tackle. Green Bay placed David Bahktiari on injured reserve prior to week 4, but it was later revealed that David Bahktiari is out for the season. Elgton Jenkins is also injured at left guard.

Green Bay will have Rasheed Walker at left tackle, Royce Newman at left guard, Josh Myers at center, Sean Rhyan at right guard, and Zach Tom at right tackle on the offensive line for the next four weeks unless left guard Elgton Jenkins or right guard Jon Runyan Jr. returns within that timespan. It sounds like David Bahktiari is going to be out for the rest of the 2023 NFL Season. The writing is on the wall for Green Bay to reload at left tackle.

All three of the Green Bay Packers 2022 draft picks at wide receiver are the top three wide receivers on this depth chart. Christian Watson, Green Bay's 2022 second round pick out of North Dakota State finished his rookie season strong after missing the early portion of the season with injuries and enters year two as the flanker receiver and number one target, but he missed the first three weeks despite being a full practice last week. Watson has been limited in practice this week, but hasn't been cleared to play yet. Romeo Doubs Green Bay's 2022 fourth round pick out of Nevada is the secondary wide receiver. Jayden Reed Green Bay's 2023 second round pick out of Michigan State beat out Samari Toure for the slot receiver job in the preseason.

Samari Toure Green Bay's 2022 seventh round pick out of Nebraska that Jason Bantle mocked to Green Bay in the third round of his 2022 NFL Mock Draft has made strides in year two and almost won the slot receiver job, so he should be the number four wide receiver on this depth chart. Dontayvion Wicks another rookie from the 2023 NFL Draft is the number five receiver on the depth chart.

Green Bay has Luke Musgrave their 2023 second round pick out of Oregon State as the starting tight end. Tucker Kraft was a starting tight end on South Dakota State before the Packers picked him in the third round of this years NFL Draft. Tucker Kraft managed to beat out Tyler Davis for the backup tight end job which led to Tyler Davis getting cut by the Green Bay Packers.

Green Bay still has Aaron Jones as their starting running back and A.J. Dillon as the backup running back. Aaron Jones missed week 2 after getting injured in week 1, and Jones is out once again in week 3. I don't like Green Bay's third string running back, but Josiah Deguara is a decent fullback option if Green Bay opts to use the former Cincinnati fullback at his natural position rather than an extra tight end.

Green Bay is moving Kenny Clark from nose tackle to 3-4 right end, Devonte Wyatt one of Green Bay's two 2022 first round picks out of Georgia is at 3-4 left end, and Terdarrelle Slaton is the starting the nose tackle Florida drafted in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft is starting at 3-4 nose tackle after developing under Kenny Clark as a backup for two years, but he's now known as T.J. Slaton. Ourlads reported this back in May, but now the Green Bay Packers team website confirmed this on their updated depth chart. Colby Wooden will be the backup 3-4 right end to Kenny Clark with the rookie out of Auburn learning under Kenny Clark and Karl Brooks the Bowling Green defensive tackle playing 3-4 left end as a backup to Devonte Wyatt. Green Bay doesn't have a backup 3-4 nose tackle to T.J. Slaton, but could always move Kenny Clark back to his natural position if an injury occurred. Doing this would mean that Green Bay would have to start Karl Brooks or Colby Wooden if something were to happen to Slaton.

Green Bay has Preston Smith starting at 3-4 right outside linebacker with Rashan Gary starting at 3-4 left outside linebacker. Green Bay has D'Vondre Campbell and Quay Walker as their two starters at 3-4 middle linebacker. With D'Vondre Campbell out, it is looking like Green Bay's 2021 sixth round pick Isaiah McDuffie who played 4-3 right outside linebacker at Boston College when Matt Milano left could be getting the start. Honestly, if I were Green Bay's defensive coordinator, I'd explore moving Preston Smith inside allowing Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness, Green Bay's 2023 first round pick to play the edge at 3-4 outside linebacker. This way Green Bay can still utilize Preston Smith to his strengths as a run stuffer and coverage linebacker while blitzing with Gary and Van Ness.

Lukas Van Ness is going to be a situational pass rusher as a backup to Preston Smith at 3-4 right outside linebacker, but I have to believe he will start across from Smith at 3-4 left outside linebacker if Rashan Gary suffers a season ending injury. Green Bay drafted Lukas Van Ness out of Iowa with the thirteenth pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Green Bay can release Preston Smith post June 1st in 2024 and save $12.4 million pairing Lukas Van Ness with Rashan Gary in 2024 if Gary bounces back from his season ending injury riddled 2022 season in 2023.

Green Bay has Jaire Alexander as their field cornerback as the Green Bay Packers 2018 first round pick out of Louisville is still the teams top cornerback, but after playing in the first two weeks, he will miss his first game of the regular season in week 3. Jaire Alexander also missed week 4 along with Eric Stokes, but Jaire Alexander returned for Monday Night football in week 5. Rasul Douglas is playing boundary cornerback with 2021 first round pick Eric Stokes still on the NFL injured list as Eric Stokes is now out for the first four games of the 2023 NFL Season. Keisean Nixon, Green Bay's dime cornerback when all three cornerbacks are healthy still has to play nickel cornerback until Eric Stokes comes back leaving a glaring weakness in this defense at nickel cornerback. Even though I wasn't sold on Nixon initially, he did well enough to be named defensive captain for Green Bay in their home opener against the Saints back in week 3. Maybe Nixon is finally playing well enough to remain on this roster. Green Bay has Rudy Ford at strong safety replacing Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage back at free safety.

Anders Carlson the younger brother of Daniel Carlson replaces Mason Crosby as Green Bay drafted Auburn's kicker in the 2023 NFL Draft. Pat O'Donnell is the punter. Keisean Nixon Green Bay's nickel cornerback until Eric Stokes returns from his injury is the return specialist at kick returner and punt returner.

Why the Denver Broncos Will Win: Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson has Garrett Bolles at left tackle, Ben Powers the former Baltimore Ravens left guard as the Denver Broncos new left guard, Lloyd Cushenberry III gets a second chance as the starting center after once losing the center job to Graham Glasgow center, Quinn Meinerz is a stable piece at right guard, and Mike McGlinchey the former San Francisco 49ers right tackle is now Denver's starting right tackle. That's what is so compelling about this years Denver Broncos team. Luke Wattenberg is the backup left guard and Alex Forsyth is the backup center.

Wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton are both capable of being Russell Wilson's number one target at the flanker receiver. Both receivers are top targets. Denver drafted Marvin Mims Jr. out of Oklahoma and he's won the slot receiver job thanks to Denver's starting slot receiver Tim Patrick suffering a season ending injury in training camp which landed him on injured reserve for the entire season. Denver also cut K.J. Hamler from their active roster, so Brandon Johnson an undrafted wide receiver from Central Florida that spent last season on Denver's practice squad as rookie will have to start if Jeudy misses week 1 since Denver only has four receivers on the depth chart when taking Tim Patrick's injury along with Hamler being cut from this roster into consideration. Adam Trautman Sean Payton's former tight end in New Orleans is now re-united with Payton in Denver as the 2020 third round pick from Dayton enters a contract year. Greg Dulcich was the starting tight end late in the season and he barely beat out Trautman for the starting tight end job. Dulcich has been on injured reserve for a few weeks now.

Javonte Williams is the starting running back for the Denver Broncos back from his season ending injury in 2022. Samaje Perine the backup running back on the Cincinnati Bengals last year is the backup running back on Denver and Perine could break out if Williams gets injured again since Denver lacks a third string running back. Michael Burton, the starting fullback on the Kansas City Chiefs last year is now the fullback on the Denver Broncos. Javonte Williams got injured in week 4 against Chicago and missed week 5.

Denver now has Zach Allen at 3-4 right end with D.J. Jones at 3-4 nose tackle. Jonathan Harris is the 3-4 left end. I like Allen and Jones, but Harris could be a weak link on this defensive line for some of the leagues best guard tandems to exploit. D.J. Jones didn't practice at 3-4 nose tackle, so Denver might be playing a

Denver cut their starting 3-4 right outside linebacker in Randy Gregory as well as their 3-4 left outside linebacker Frank Clark. Denver now has Nik Bonitto starting at 3-4 right outside linebacker with 5.5 sacks and Jonathan Cooper is now starting at 3-4 left outside linebacker with 4 sacks. Baron Browning their 2021 second round pick is off the PUP list and was a full practice on wednesday meaning he will get playing time in week 7. Alex Singleton was a top 10 linebacker on Pro Football Focus and he's back at 3-4 middle linebacker. Josey Jewell is also back at 3-4 middle linebacker. Both inside linebackers were missing tackles left and right against Miami. Drew Sanders their rookie linebacker out of Arkansas as the backup 3-4 middle linebacker and is on the bench where he belongs.

Denver has Patrick Surtain II at field cornerback and he's one player in the 2021 NFL Draft that's guaranteed a fifth year option after this season. Damarri Mathis surprised everyone when he took control of the boundary cornerback job as a 2022 fourth round pick out of Pittsburgh. K'Wuan Williams entered training camp as the nickel cornerback, but got placed on the PUP list and has been on IR ever since. Kareem Jackson will most likely start for an injured Caden Sterns who may be done for the season. Delarrin Turner-Yell has gotten more looks at strong safety through rotating with Kareem Jackson. Justin Simmons practiced in week 3 after missing week 2. He was a limited practice on Wednesday. Denver has JL Skinner, their 2023 sixth round pick out of Boise State back as their backup free safety. Denver will have Eddie Jackson and Justin Simmons starting at safety in week 7.

Denver replaced Brandon McManus with Will Lutz. I feel like downgraded here, but at least Sean Payton has a kicker he is familiar with.

Prediction: Green Bay is a 1 point favorite at -1. The over or under is 46 with 51% of the public betting on Green Bay. The money line is -115 for Green Bay and +105 for Denver. I like Denver to win and to cover with the under at +105. Bet $195 on this game for Denver and win up to $300 as long as the Broncos tie or win.

Final Score Broncos 21 Packers 17

Who Everyone Else Picked


Tanya Holmes	Oren Shiri	Jesse Lucas	Jason Bantle	Joseph Potter	Andrew Kermish	Lisa Donovan	Tracy Porter	Wes Langley	Brian Bayless

Los Angeles Chargers 2-3-0	Versus	Kansas City Chiefs 5-1-0

Chris Ransom's Pick

Speaking of Bill Clinton. Every week leading up to the College Football Playoff we will have Bill Clinton's College Football Playoff where Bill Clinton ranks the top 4 teams in College Football. This will also be the final year of this segment with the new 12 team playoff coming next season.

Bill Clinton's College Football Playoff Selection Special

Georgia

UGA goes WOOF WOOF after winning the National Championship once again. The National Champs are hoping to three peat.

Michigan

Michigan has supplanted Ohio State as the team in the Big 10. Michigan rocks the maize and blue like Monica Lewinsky.

Ohio State

The Ohio State University has a big game against Penn State this weekend. That game will decide which undefeated Big 10 Team challenges for the conference.

Previously Ranked: Not Ranked

Florida State

Florida State slaughtered Brian Kelly and LSU in Camping World Stadium. Florida State looks like a top four team at the moment. Florida State also beat Clemson on the road clearing the path for Florida State to potentially finish the season without a loss.

Why the Los Angeles Chargers Will Win: Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has a good offensive line with Rashawn Slater at left tackle, Zion Johnson at left guard, Cory Linsley at center, Jamaree Salyer at right guard, and Trey Pipkins III at right tackle. Los Angeles has Jordan McFadden as their backup left guard and Will Clapp as their backup center. Los Angeles needs Slater and Pipkins III to stay healthy. Trey Pipkins III did good in 2022, but struggled in the preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams second team defense as the Chargers played Pipkins in the entire first half. There's no depth at offensive tackle if Slater or Pipkins get injured. Easton Stick is the backup after being a third string to Herbert and Chase Daniel for a few years while the Chargers 2023 seventh round pick Max Duggan is now the third string quarterback. Stick and Duggan are solid backups, but neither guy has the ceiling Herbert has and to say otherwise would be nonsense.

Los Angeles has Keenan Allen at flanker wide receiver and Quentin Johnston the rookie first round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of TCU as their secondary wide receiver thanks to Mike Williams tearing his ACL. Josh Palmer will remain at slot receiver. The thing is both players are more effective when both receivers are fully healthy. Jalen Guyton, last years number four wide receiver is going to be demoted to the number five receiver role where DeAndre Carter played when he returns from the PUP list. For now Derius Davis, Quentin Johnston's TCU teammate from the 2023 NFL Draft is the number five wide receiver, but Davis could end up getting demoted to the number six wide receiver and final backup in three wide receiver sets. In two wide receiver sets, your number five and number six wide receivers are third stringers.

Los Angeles has Gerald Everett as their starting tight end, Donald Parham Jr. as their backup tight end, and Tre' McKitty as their third string tight end. The Los Angeles Chargers also have Austin Ekeler a their starting running back, Joshua Kelley as their backup running back, and Isaiah Spiller as their third string running back. Austin Ekeler missed weeks 2-4, but should be back in week 6 following the bye week. Joshua Kelley will be the backup running back and Isaiah Spiller will be the third string running back for the first time since week 1.

The Los Angeles Chargers run a 2-4-5 under Brandon Staley. This is a nickel defense that has five defensive backs while also having four linebacker with only two defensive linemen. Brandon Staley is the only head coach in the NFL that runs this defensive scheme. Sebastian Joseph-Day is back at 3-4 right end for both the 2-4-5 and the 3-4 defense despite dealing with a quad injury that is limiting him in practice. Austin Joseph the starting 3-4 nose tackle has been taken off the PUP list making him officially active again.

The Los Angeles Chargers have Joey Bosa at 3-4 right outside linebacker and Khalil Mack complimenting him at 3-4 left outside linebacker with both edges having the ability to win one-on-ones against left tackles or right tackles. Eric Kendricks and Kenneth Murray are the starters at 3-4 middle linebacker. Eric Kendricks and his backup Daiyan Henley, the Chargers 2023 third round pick out of Washington State have both been ruled doubtful for this game. Kendricks did not practice on Wednesday after missing week 2. Los Angeles has Chris Rumph II as their backup 3-4 right outside linebacker and Tuli Tuipulotu as their backup 3-4 left outside linebacker to Khalil Mack after playing 3-4 left end at USC as well as edge rusher in a 3-4 defense on USC's defensive line. Amen Ogbongbemiga and Nick Niemann are the backup 3-4 middle linebackers. The Los Angeles Chargers have more depth than usual at both outside and inside linebacker to compliment their starters despite still having injuries on the defensive line. Joey Bosa missed week 4, and it sounds like Bosa could be out in week 6 as well following the Chargers bye week since he did not practice.

The Los Angeles Chargers have Michael Davis at field cornerback and Asante Samuel Jr. is the boundary cornerback. Los Angeles has Derwin James at strong safety, but his status remains unknown after leaving last weeks game with an injury against the Minnesota Vikings. After free safety Nasir Adderley retired, Alohi Gilman entered training camp as the starting free safety, but he got injured before being cleared to return as the Los Angeles Chargers 2020 sixth round pick is starting at free safety in a contract year. JT Woods the Los Angeles Chargers 2022 third round pick who played with Jalen Pitre at Baylor isn't ready to start with a Chargers writer on Fansided describing their safety situation worrisome. Woods wasn't bad for a backup, but he wasn't a guy I viewed with starter potential, but now the Chargers will give JT Woods one more year to develop on his rookie deal before starting him in year three of his rookie deal. Alohi Gillman is out in week 7 meaning that JT Woods will start in his place at free safety. Los Angeles should have Derwin James at strong safety, but he's questionable to play as he is a game time decision for week 7.

The Los Angeles Chargers have Cameron Dicker as the starting kicker and JK Scott as the starting punter. Derius Davis ended up winning the return specialist which comes as no surprise to anyone who saw him in Mobile this January.

Why the Kansas City Chiefs Will Win: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has Donovan Smith at left tackle, Joe Thuney at left guard, Creed Humprhey at center, Trey Smith at right guard, and Jawaan Taylor starting at right tackle. Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback in the NFL right now and Blaine Gabbert will now backup the two time Super Bowl MVP thanks to backup quarterback Chad Henne retiring as Kansas City cut both their third string and fourth string quarterbacks. As long as Mahomes is healthy the sky is the limit for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Outside of Donovan Smith at left tackle, I trust the rest of the offensive linemen in these roles. The crazy thing is Donovan Smith balled out in the first two preseason games against New Orleans and Arizona despite facing lackluster competition. Donovan Smith did not play in the Chiefs preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns. Prince Tega Wanaogho played right tackle in the second half of Kansas City's regular season game against Jacksonville and enters this year as the backup left tackle as well as the OT3 on Kansas City's depth chart. Lucas Niang who once started at right tackle for Kansas City as a rookie before injuries is the backup right tackle to Jawaan Taylor. Kansas City also has their 2023 third round pick Wanya Morris out of Oklahoma whose amazing in pass protection, but is a massive project as a run blocker as the number five offensive tackle on this depth chart. Kansas City has just as much offensive tackle depth as a season ago. Kansas City ruled Lucas Niang and Wanya Morris as inactives in week 1.

Kansas City has Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling as their top three wide receivers. Travis Kelce is the best tight end in the NFL as well as the main receiving target option on this offense despite being a tight end. Backup receiver options include Ritchie James, Justin Watson, Rashee Rice, and Justyn Ross as all seven of these wide receivers made the Kansas City Chiefs final 53 man roster as expected with Ross showing flashes of that number one target that he was at Clemson when he balled out with Trevor Lawrence during the two seasons Clemson made the National Title Game. Ritchie James and Justin Watson are injured, but Kansas City traded for Mecole Hardman.

Travis Kelce remains the starting tight end. Noah Gray is the backup tight end with Blake Bell as the third string tight end. Jody Forston the front runner to win the fourth string tight end job who stepped up as a third string tight end at times during Blake Bell's injury in 2022 is out for the year and will miss all of 2023. I didn't even mention wide receiver Cornell Powell or tight end Matt Bushman who both made the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad.

Travis Kelce got ruled out for the opener, but he is returned for Patrick Mahomes twenty eighth birthday in Jacksonville in week 2. Kelce has started the past three games at tight end. Noah Gray has two years of experience as a number two tight end. Blake Bell is the third string tight end. Matt Bushman got called up from the practice squad to be the third string tight end after Kelce's injury, but will probably get sent back down to the practice squad.

Kansas City's playmakers were awful in week 1 without Travis Kelce. Kansas City has won five in a row since Kelce returned.

Isiah Pacheco is the starting running back. Kansas City has Jerick McKinnon as the backup running back and Clyde Edwards-Helaire as their third string running back. Deneric Prince one of the top UDFA's out of Tulsa did manage to impress me at the 2023 East West Shrine Bowl in Las Vegas, but he didn't make Kansas City's final roster. He does happen to be stashed on the Chiefs practice squad as an option at running back if injuries occur. With Donovan Smith and Jawaan Taylor being added as replacements at offensive tackle to Orlando Brown Jr. and Andrew Wylie, I definitely see the Kansas City Chiefs running the ball more in 2023. The pass protection with those starters at offensive tackle looked just as good as a season ago with moderate improvements in run blocking as well which has to be encouraging if you happen to be a Kansas City Chiefs fan. The pass blocking has been bad in the regular season after dominating in the preseason, but Mahomes is making the right reads though.

Kansas City has Mike Danna at 4-3 right end. George Karlaftis Kansas City's 2022 first round pick from Purdue enters year two at 4-3 left end. Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Kansas City's 2023 first round pick is the backup 4-3 right end and Charles Omenihu is the backup 4-3 eft end. Kansas City is bringing back Frank Clark as a backup 4-3 right end, that can be used as a situational pass rusher on third down behind Mike Danna and Felix Anudike-Uzomah.

Kansas City has Chris Jones and Derrick Nnadi the two starting 4-3 defensive tackles with guys like Tershawn Wharton, Keondre Coburn their 2023 sixth round pick out of Texas, Matt Dickerson, or Neil Farrell Jr. who the Chiefs acquired in a inner division trade with the Las Vegas Raiders as backup 4-3 defensive tackles for depth.

Kansas City has Willie Gay Jr. at 4-3 right outside linebacker, Nick Bolton at 4-3 middle linebacker, and Leo Chenal at 4-3 left outside linebacker. Kansas City has three quality starters at linebacker that can defend the run and drop back into coverage. When Kansas City runs 4-2-5 nickel Willie Gay Jr. will be the starting outside linebacker with Nick Bolton as the middle linebacker. Leo Chenal would be the backup outside linebacker to Willie Gay Jr. while former Los Angeles Chargers starter Drue Tranquill will serve as a backup to Nick Bolton. Nick Bolton missed the last three games due to an injury, but he's been cleared to play.

Kansas City has Trent McDuffie at field cornerback, L'Jarius Sneed at boundary cornerback, Justin Reid at strong safety, and Bryan Cook their 2022 second round pick taking over for Juan Thornhill at free safety. If there is a weakness on this defense, it may be Cook since I had a fifth round grade on him projecting him as an NFL backup. Jaylen Watson is playing at nickel cornerback, Joshua Williams is playing at dime cornerback, and Darius Rush the rookie cornerback out of South Carolina as a quarter cornerback give the Kansas City Chiefs the depth at cornerback to limit opposing wide receivers from making big plays as Rush had a top 100 grade in the late third to early fourth round before being waived by the Indianapolis Colts. Kansas City also has Nic Jones their 2023 seventh round pick out of Ball State who impressed me on tape and the interview process before making the Chiefs 53 man roster. Mike Edwards the Tampa Bay Buccaneers strong safety from last year is the backup strong safety to Justin Reid with 2023 fourth round pick Chamarri Conner moving over from cornerback to free safety. Kansas City listed Darius Rush, and Nic Jones as inactives at cornerback relying on their top 4 cornerbacks from last years Super Bowl 57 roster.

Kansas City has Harrison Butker at kicker. Kansas City also has Tommy Tonwsend at punter. Ritchie James is the return specialist at kick returner and punt returner. This will be Kansas City's first game with everyone at full health since week 2 when Kansas City defeated Jacksonville back in week 2.

Prediction: Kansas City is a 5.5 point favorite at -5.5. The over or under is 52 with 87% of the public betting on Kansas City. The money line is and +200 for Los Angeles and -250 for Kansas City. Take Kansas City to win and cover with the over at -250. Bet $350 on this game for Kansas City and win up to $600 as long as the Chiefs win by 6 or more.

Final Score Chiefs 35 Chargers 28

Who Everyone Else Picked


Tanya Holmes	Oren Shiri	Jesse Lucas	Jason Bantle	Joseph Potter	Andrew Kermish	Lisa Donovan	Tracy Porter	Wes Langley	Brian Bayless

Miami Dolphins 5-1-0	Versus	Philadelphia Eagles 5-1-0

Chris Ransom's Pick

All ten teams in the BFFL League have team logos. I'll use this section to rank where the 10 teams stand on Yahoo.

The Chosen One's 4-2

Bantle Bowl Championships: 3
BFFL League Champion (2010), Bantle Bowl II (2016) and Bantle Bowl VI (2020)

Bantle Bowl Appearances: 6
BFFL Finalist (2010), Bantle Bowl I (2015), Bantle Bowl II (2016), Bantle Bowl IV (2018), Bantle Bowl V (2019), Bantle Bowl VI (2020), and Bantle Bowl VIII (2022)

BFFL Playoff Record: 9-5
The Chosen One's, also the commissioners team are the most consistent team in the league making the playoffs seven out of eight years while also appearing as a finalist in six of the leagues last eight Bantle Bowls. The Chosen One's won the league as a 4 seed in 2016 and he won the league again four years later in 2020. The Chosen One's best regular season came in 2018 where the team had a 13-1 regular season before losing to a 12-2 Breez Nuts team in Bantle Bowl IV. This is also one of the shrewdest and most aggressive teams in Free Agency on the waiver wire. This is a team that made the most draft day trades in 2020 and 2021 while making the second most draft day trades in 2022 and currently trails me by 2 or 3 trades in our ongoing 2023 BFFL Draft.

Manager:
Jason Bantle

Rival: Chris Ransom Jason and Chris have met in three playoff matchups including two championship games where each owner won once.

All Time Winning Percentage: .590 196-135-1 is The Chosen One's All Time Record from 2003-2023 with 196 wins in 332 total games with The Chosen One's having a .590 winning percentage.

Team Summary: The Chosen One's opted to load up on running backs by using a first round keeper on Christian McCaffrey. Trading their fourth round keeper Tyreek Hill to get Austin Ekeler with the sixth pick in the first round. That decision has paid off with Christian McCaffrey and Austin Ekeler making the big plays and dominating in week 1. Then Jason drafted Bijan Robinson in the second round, but later traded him to get Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow in the first round since Jason is a Bengals fan in real life.

Other notable players on The Chosen Ones include Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson, Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner as his backup running back, and Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson. Jason also drafted three rookies to stash including Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young the first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison, and Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Jason drafted four rookies if you count the fact that he drafted Bijan before trading his draft rights along with his keeper rights away for Joe Burrow.

Projected Record: 11-4 Yahoo gave Jason Bantle the best draft grade of any of the league owners with an A+ grade. Jason won in week 1 and he should sweep me in week 15. The Chosen One's are one of the front runners to get a top 2 seed in the 2023 BFFL Playoffs.

Jason and myself are easily the two odds on favorites for Bantle Bowl IX in 2023 heading into the 2023 NFL Season with one of us probably winning the Contenders Division in 2023. Honestly, I'd prefer winning Bantle Bowl IX in 2023 if I'm being completely honest. Jason got an A+ grade on Yahoo, he's projected to finish 11-4 on Yahoo, but has a ceiling to go 13-2 if he can sweep my team during rivalry week. That averages out to a median record of 12-3. With both Gangster Squad and The Chosen One's projected at 12-3, total points scored throughout the season will matter in spades when it comes to getting the top seed in the 2023 BFFL Playoffs. Jason lost a game he was favored to win in week 4 which drops his projected win total from 12-3 to 11-4.

Previously Ranked: 4th

Taco Corp 4-2

Bantle Bowl Championships:
0

Bantle Bowl Appearances:
0

BFFL Playoff Record: 1-1
Selvan is 1-1 in the playoffs, but he's 2-1 if you count their third place win over H.B.'s Vinegar Strokes last year. I'll leave that record up for debate between Selvan and our readers.

Manager:
Selvan Thamilavel

Rival: Jimmy Dicken

All Time Winning Percentage: .347 43-81 is Taco Corp's All Time Record from 2015-2023 with 43 wins in 124 total games played gives Taco Corp a .347 All Time Winning Percentage. This low winning percentage is largely due to having the leagues only winless season going 0-14 in 2019. Selvan won the consolation bracket two years later in 2021 before getting a third place finish last season.

Team Summary: Selvan chose to keep Saquon Barkley at running back and Justin Fields at quarterback. Selvan spent his first pick on Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert to pair with Justin Fields in Superflex. Last year, Selvan took Kenneth Walker III in the eleventh round and could have kept him over Fields, but opted for Fields as a Chicago Bears fan. He also traded his first round pick for Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill who should be a top 5 wide receiver in 2023 as long as Tua Tagovailoa is healthy. Jahmyr Gibbs, Zamir White, and Khalil Herbert are the replacement options to Kenneth Walker III. Calvin Ridley is a great WR2 to yreek Hill. Jared Goff is a nice backup quarterback option for a seventh round pick while eighth round pick David Njoku is a top 10 tight end. A tight end has never caught 40 or more receptions with Deshaun Watson at quarterback. Njoku has to buck this trend if Selvan wants to make it back to the playoffs in 2023 after making the playoffs for the first time a season ago. Selvan drafted Jahmyr Gibbs at running back, Quinton Johnston of the Los Angeles Chargers at wide receiver, and Tank Dell the Houston Texans 2023 third round pick as potential rookie keepers to stash if any of those three break out.

Projected Record: 10-5 Taco Corp's floor is 7-10 if they get swept by Riley and Jason the two owners who haven't set their lineups and Selvan's ceiling as an owner for 2023 is 12-3 as Yahoo gave Taco Corp the best regular season record at 12-3 along with an A grade during the 2023 BFFL Draft. Selvan went 10-5 a season ago. Taco Corp should be the second wild card team from the Champions Division along with either Gangster Squad or The Chosen One's depending on how the season plays out. If someone keeps Jason or myself from winning Bantle Bowl IX it will probably be Selvan. Taco Corp lost a game they were projected to win in week 2 which alters their projection from 10-5 to 9-6, but they also won two games when they entered the week as underdogs which improves Taco Corp's projected record to 11-4. Taco Corp lost another game that they were projected to win dropping their projected record to 10-5.

Previously Ranked: 1st

Fields Of Dreams 4-2

Bantle Bowl Championships: 1
Bantle Bowl I (2015)

Bantle Bowl Appearances: 2
Bantle Bowl I (2015), Bantle Bowl II (2016)

BFFL Playoff Record: 3-1
Fields Of Dreams named after Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields was named Jimmy after the manager of this team when Jimmy won Bantle Bowl I back in 2015.

Rival: Jimmy Dicken

Rival: Selvan Thamilavel

All Time Winning Percentage: .496 57-58 is Fields Of Dreams's All Time Record from 2013-2022 while leaving from 2019-2021 before returning in 2022 with 57 wins in 115 total games played gives Fields Of Dreams a .496 All Time Winning Percentage.

Team Summary: For the second year in a row, Fields Of Dreams had a top two draft pick and instead of keeping that pick and the player he drafted, he traded the player he drafted away. Fields Of Dreams will have Christian McCaffrey, Austin Ekeler, Josh Allen, Travis Kelce, and either CeeDee Lamb or Nick Chubb, potentially both if I don't use a 2024 keeper on either player next season.

Projected Record: 6-9 If Fields Of Dreams gets Swept by The Avengers this is a 1-14 team. Fields Of Dreams is projected to beat my team Gangster Squad in week 9 when a majority of my core players have a bye week as well as sweep The Avengers according to Yahoo giving Fields Of Dreams a 3-12 ceiling as well as the only F grade in the 2023 BFFL Draft. That averages out to a 2-13 record on the season, but Fields Of Dreams won three games that they were projected to lose. This improves that initial projection from August to 6-9.

Previously Ranked: 2nd
H.B.'s Vinegar Strokes 3-3

Bantle Bowl Championships: 1
Bantle Bowl VII (2021)

Bantle Bowl Appearances: 1
Bantle Bowl VII (2021)

BFFL Playoff Record: 2-5
Both of H.B.'s Vinegar Strokes two playoff wins came during their championship season in 2021 which was a year where I missed the playoffs. He defeated George Pabst as the fourth and final seed before defeating The Avengers in the Championship round back in 2021. H.B.'s Vinegar Strokes went 12-2 back in 2019 and had the leagues best regular season record that year before losing in the playoffs two years prior to winning Bantle Bowl VII.

Manager:
Heath Berman

Rival: Riley Stokosa

All Time Winning Percentage: .488 120-126 is H.B.'s Vinegar Strokes All Time Record from 2008-2023 with 120 wins in 246 total games played gives H.B.'s Vinegar Strokes a .488 All Time Winning Percentage.

Team Summary: Heath drafted Jalen Hurts in the first round and Stefon Diggs in the second round retaining his two best players from his 2022 team that made the BFFL Playoffs after winning Bantle Bowl VII in 2021. Having wide receivers like Davante Adams, D.J. Moore, and Deebo Samuel as a flex to compliment Diggs makes Heath team potentent offensively. Heath also used a twelfth round keeper on Drake London. Joe Mixon, Rachaad White, and Rhamondre Stevenson are a solid trio of running backs with Mixon being the only running back that is considered a bell cow among those three. Chigoziem Okonkwo is Heath's starting tight end. Daniel Jones, Kyler Murray, and Sam Howell are all potential QB2 options that Heath can rotate in various weeks.

Projected Record: 7-8 Heath has two toss up games against Hallmahomsey who has Patrick Mahomes now and The Chosen One's who haven't set their lineups in the first two weeks. H.B.'s Vinegar Strokes and Car RamRod are projected to tie 146.15 to 146.15 in week 3 after those games. H.B.'s Vinegar Strokes are projected to get swept by Taco Corp and Gangster Squad. This means Heath Berman's Vinegar Strokes has a floor of 4-11 if this team gets swept in all five toss up games and has a ceiling of 9-6 if the former 2021 BFFL Champion manages to win all five of those contests. That averages out to the 6-9 record that Yahoo projects H.B.'s Vinegar Strokes to have in 2023. Heath defeated The Chosen One's which improves his projected win total from 6-9 to 7-8. Heath also defeated Car RamRod who was a slight favorite which improves this teams projected record to 8-7. Heath lost a game against Selvan that he was projected to win in week 4 which reverts his projected win total to 7-8. Heath won as an underdog once again in week 5 which improves his projection on the year to 8-7. H.B.'s Vingar Strokes lost as a favorite in week 6 which reverts their projection to 7-8. H.B.'s Vinegar Strokes can use a first and second round keeper on Jalen Hurts and Stefon Diggs reloading his team for 2024 where he should have a chance to win the Contenders Division next season in 2024 with a strong draft next Summer.

Previously Ranked: 3rd

Threat Level Midnight 3-3

Bantle Bowl Championships: 3
Bantle Bowl III (2017), Bantle Bowl IV (2018), and Bantle Bowl V (2019)

Bantle Bowl Appearances: 3
Bantle Bowl III (2017), Bantle Bowl IV (2018), and Bantle Bowl V (2019)

BFFL Playoff Record: 6-2
Threat Level Midnight formerly known as Breez Nuts was the only team to three peat in the BFFL over the past eight years. This team was known as Breez Nuts when Drew Brees played for the New Orleans Saints, but was later renamed Threat Level Midnight after Drew Brees retired. This team is 6-0 in their last six playoff contests despite being absent from the playoffs since 2019. The 2017 Breez Nuts Team and the 2022 Gangster Squad teams are the only teams to win the Bantle Bowl and be crowned league champion after finishing with the leagues best regular season record. Breez Nuts went 12-2 in 2018 getting the 2 seed after being swept by my team during the regular season, yet still ended up defeating my team in the playoffs and a 13-1 Chosen One's Team that had the leagues best record in 2018. Breez Nuts would defeat The Chosen One's in a 2019 rematch of Bantle Bowl IV during Bantle Bowl V to three peat after The Chosen One's upset top seed H.B.'s Vinegar Strokes while Breez Nuts handed my team its fourth playoff loss to the eventual league champion in five years.

Manager:
Mitch Pabst

Rival: George Pabst

All Time Winning Percentage: .616 90-56 is Threat Level Midnight's All Time Record from 2015-2023 with 90 wins in 146 total games played gives Threat Level Midnight a .616 All Time Winning Percentage.

Team Summary: Mitch loaded up with weapons like A.J. Brown, Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, and Dameon Pierce in the first four rounds before taking Aaron Rodgers in the fifth round. After drafting Terry McLaurin in the sixth round and Dallas Goedert in the seventh round, Mitch added Derek Carr as his QB2 in superflex. If Aaron Rodgers and Derek Carr bounce back on their new NFL teams after the Packers traded Rodgers to the Jets while Carr dominates in New Orleans, then Threat Level Midnight has a chance to play dark horse in 2023.

Projected Record: 9-6 Yahoo projects Threat Level Midnight at 4-11 and gave his draft a D grade. Threat Level Midnight could win a mininum of 7 games and a maximum of 9 games after examining their schedule on a week to week basis. Threat Level Midnight was projected to lose to Millenial Menace in week 1, but won which improves Threat Level Midnight's original projection from 7-8 to 8-7. He was also projected to lose in week 4, but won improving his projection on the season to 9-6 now.

Previously Ranked: 6th

The Avengers 3-3

Bantle Bowl Championships:
0

Bantle Bowl Appearances: 2
Bantle Bowl III (2017) and Bantle Bowl VII (2021)

BFFL Playoff Record: 2-2
The Avengers went 12-3 securing the 2 seed in 2017 and then went 10-5 getting the 3 seed in 2021. The Avengers are 2-0 in the Semfiinals, but 0-2 in Bantle Bowls.

Manager:
Gary Bantle

Rival: Andrew Kermish

All Time Winning Percentage: .451 139-167-2 is The Avengers' All Time Record from 2003-2023 with 139 wins in 308 total games played gives The Avengers a .451 All Time Winning Percentage.

Team Summary: The Avengers used a first round keeper on Travis Kelce. Gary used his second round pick on Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp who looks like he might have a hamstring injury. Javonte Williams in round 10 was a massive steal at running back while Jordan Love in the fifth round was considered a reach. Gary Bantle is a Green Bay Packers fan which is why his team is stashed with Packers.

Projected Record: 6-9 Gary is projected to go 4-11 on Yahoo when examining the week by week schedules mainly due to Hallmahomsey and The Chosen One's not setting their week 1 lineups meaning The Avengers have a floor of 0-15 if this team manages to lose all 15 regular season games. Yahoo did give The Avengers a B+ grade and a projected 10-5 record with The Avengers winning the Contenders Division. I averaged the floor of 0-15 and the ceiling of 10-5 to get a 5-10 record. The most compelling team in the BFFL this year has to be The Avengers. The Avengers were underdogs in weeks 1 and 2 meaning their projected record improved from 5-10 to 7-8 now. The Avengers went from winning two games they were projected to lose to losing a game they were projected to win dropping them back to 6-9.

Previously Ranked: 8th

Car RamRod 2-4

Bantle Bowl Championships:
0

Bantle Bowl Appearances:
0

BFFL Playoff Record: 0-0
Andrew might the only owner without a playoff appearance, but I seriously believe he will break that drought in the BFFL this season since he's had a strong 2023 Draft. He also has his own Fantasy league which I take part in, but don't feature on the site. I did feature the league draft for his league on Restream which is on the Draft Utopia Youtube channel by the way. Andrew also helps with NFL Predictions, the Draft Utopia podcast when available, and also helps me run my Fantasy Hockey league on Yahoo.

Manager:
Andrew Kermish

Rival: Gary Bantle

All Time Winning Percentage: .372 45-77 is Car Ramrod's All Time Record from 2015-2023 with 45 wins in 122 total games played gives Car RamRod a .372 All Time Winning Percentage.

Team Summary: Car RamRod took Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson in round 1, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in round 2, Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews in round 3, and Kenneth Walker III in round 4. Deshaun Watson is also his superflex quarterback complimenting Dak Prescott.

Projected Record: 9-6 I thought Andrew Kermish killed this draft. Andrew is the only owner who hasn't been to the BFFL Playoffs in the past eight years, but he's helped me out with my Fantasy Hockey league, invited me to his Fantasy Football league, and been just an amazing friend to me over the years even contributing on my podcast while calling into both The Rich Eisen and Paul Finnebaum shows. Car RamRod's week 2 win over Taco Corp as an underdog changes their projected record from 8-7 to 9-6. CarRamRod lost as a favorite though reverting their initial projected record to 8-7. CarRamRod defeated my team in week 4 as underdogs to bring their projection back to 9-6. CarRamRod lost as favorites in week 5 which brings their projection down to 8-7. Car RamRod defeated Fields Of Dreams which increases their projection to 9-6.

Previously Ranked: 9th

Millenial Menace 2-4

Bantle Bowl Championships:
0

Bantle Bowl Appearances:
0

BFFL Playoff Record: 0-1
Millenial Menace actually had the leagues best regular season record in 2021 and was the one seed. Unfortunately, Millenial Menace lost to eventual league champion H.B.'s Vinegar Strokes as the top seed back in 2021.

Manager:
George Pabst

Rival: Mitch Pabst

All Time Winning Percentage: .537 29-25 is Millenial Menace's All Time Record from 2020-2023 with 29 wins in 54 total games played gives Millenial Menace a .537 All Time Winning Percentage in 2023.

Team Summary: Millenial Menace used a first round keeper on Jonathan Taylor. Millenial Menace used their second round pick on Lamar Jackson. Lamar Jackson has to play a full season for this team to win the Contenders Division, especially with Jonathan Taylor missing the first four games of the season. J'Maarr Chase at wide receiver remains a keeper on Millenial Menace only costing a fifth round pick after George drafted Chase in the seventh round when Chase dominated as a rookie before using a seventh round keeper on Chase in 2022. George can use a third round keeper on Chase in 2024 and a first round keeper on Chase in 2025 holding the Bengals best wide receiver hostage in Fantasy for two more seasons. Yahoo called ninth round selection Evan Engram, the Jacksonville Jaguars tight end the best value pick by Millenial Menace. Russell Wilson is the QB2 in Super Flex to Lamar Jackson and was labeled George's worst pick by Yahoo.

Projected Record: 7-8 Millenial Menace has a floor of 6-9 and a ceiling of 10-5 after Yahoo handed a B- grade to Millenial Menace ranking them fifth among teams. Not having Jonathan Taylor for the first four games along with a quarterback tandem of Lamar Jackson and Russell Wilson could keep this team out of the playoffs if another team goes 8-7 in the event that both quarterbacks perform how they did in 2022. Millenial Menace was favored in week 2 and lost which changes their projection from 8-7 to 7-8.

Previously Ranked: 5th
Gangster Squad 2-4

Bantle Bowl Championships: 1
Bantle Bowl VIII (2022)

Bantle Bowl Appearances: 2
Bantle Bowl VI (2020) and (2022)

BFFL Playoff Record: 3-5
All five of Gangster squads playoff losses in the BFFL came to the eventual league champion when getting eliminated in 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020 despite making the BFFL Playoffs in six out of eight seasons since I started calling the BFFL Championship game the Bantle Bowl before buying the eventual league champion the first Bantle Bowl trophy when working part time at T.J. Maxx. Gangster Squad missed the playoffs twice in 2017 with a fifth place finish at 7-7 and in 2021 with a sixth place finish at 8-7. Gangster Squad is the only team in the BFFL to have 0 losing seasons in the past 8 years since I started tracking the teams on the site. Gangster Squad once formerly known as Hobo Jungle went 2-2 in third place games from 2015-2019, so if we take those third place games into account Gangster Squad is actually 5-7 All Time in the playoffs, but I'm not counting a third place game as a playoff game for me since there's nothing on the line except for a bronze participation trophy courtesy of Yahoo Sports. Gangster Squad didn't win their first playoff game 2020 when when his 8-6 squad defeated a 13-1 team with the leagues best record if you decide to exclude the third place victories back in 2015 and 2016 back when my team was the one seed and had the top regular season record in the two years I finished third place. Two years later, Gangster Squad became the 2022 league champions by winning Bantle Bowl VIII in a rematch of Bantle Bowl VI where I had the best regular season record for the third time in eight years before securing my first league title.

Manager:
Chris Ransom

Rival: Jason Bantle Your reigning Bantle Bowl Champions flipped a coin to decide whether H.B. Vinegar's Strokes would remain our rival or whether The Chosen Ones would be our rival fo this season. The coin landed on heads making Jason our rival for this upcoming season.

All Time Winning Percentage: .617 82-51 is Gangster Squad's All Time Record from 2015-2023 with 82 wins in 133 total games played gives Gangster Squad a .617 All Time Winning Percentage.

Team Summary: The league is going to have new keeper rules this season. For example if you draft the offensive rookie of the year in the final round of the draft in round seventeen, you can use a keeper on that player from 2024 to 2032 if you use a 17th, 15th, 13th, 9th, 7th, 5th, 3rd, and 1st round keeper on the player you drafted in consecutive years meaning you could keep the player you drafted in 2023 from this season all the way up to the end of the 2032-2033 NFL Season. I decided to use keepers on Josh Allen by giving up my first round pick and my backup quarterback Trevor Lawrence which only cost me an eighth round pick after going all in to get Mahomes to pair with Allen in our superflex league last year which allows you to play two quarterbacks. This resulted in my first championship thanks to Josh Jacobs and Nick Chubb's contributions in the backfield along with Mark Andrews at tight end. Want an outlier? I waited till the eighth round to pick my first wide receiver a year ago.

Josh Allen, Trevor Lawrence, Nick Chubb, Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, and Justin Tucker are six players from last years Championship team that are back. I could have chosen to keep Mahomes over Josh Allen, but I think Allen's supporting cast on the offensive line is stronger at the moment despite the fact that Mahomes has far more playmakers to distribute the ball to. My Bills friend Thomas and my Fantasy Football consultant both advised me to keep Mahomes over Allen and I went against their advice just for the hell of it. If Trevor Lawrence takes the league by storm in 2023, it would only cost me a sixth round keeper to reclaim Lawernce in 2024, a fourth round keeper in 2025, and a second round keeper in 2026. I'm leaning towards keeping Lawrence in 2024, but haven't made that decision official yet since the 2023 BFFL Season hasn't played out yet.

My strategy was pretty simple. Get the most top 50 players that weren't keepers in the first five rounds of the 2023 BFFL Draft and get the most picks in the late rounds after drafting a defense and kicker much earlier than usual, so I can maximize my odds at getting a player that I can stash for years to come since I won't be able to keep Josh Allen in 2024.

I had Allen and Lawrence in my top ten as Superflex players and decided to part ways with Patrick Mahomes since I feel like Allen will outperform Mahomes in 2023. Dak Prescott, Justin Herbert, Stephon Diggs, CeeDee Lamb, and Nick Chubb were all in my top 10 and all five players were in play at 14. Ultimately, I decided to trade down to 18 hoping to get Diggs or Lamb. The original plan was to get CeeDee Lamb at 18 and trade up for Stephon Diggs at 19. When I traded 14 Dak Prescott got picked with Diggs going a pick later. I traded up a spot from 18 to 17 to get Lamb after Diggs was since I think Diggs or Lamb will be WR1 in the NFL this season with those two finishing ahead of Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase. Nick Chubb the tenth best player on my board was still available at 19 and wanting to get two top 10 players to pair with Allen and Lawrence in a superflex league is paramount if you want to make a run at repeating like myself.

New additions to my roster include Miles Sanders as my RB2 for the Carolina Panthers since I picked Carolina to win the NFC South and George Kittle whose been the best tight end in the NFC the last five years. I drafted the Buffalo Bills defense. Some of the rookies I stashed included Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers in round 12, Deuce Vaughn the Dallas Cowboys rookie running back in round 16, Luke Musgrave Green Bay Packers starting tight end in round 17 as my backup to Kittle, and Jalin Hyatt the New York Giants rookie wide receiver in round 17.

I've set my lineup for the season. Right now, the only team projected to defeat me is Field Of Dreams in week 9. To be fair, two owners haven't set lineups for their teams yet. One of those owners plays me in week 1 and Yahoo said this owner had the best draft in the league this year. This owner was last years runner up, so keep reading to find out how the 2022 BFFL runner up plans to exact their revenge in 2023.

Projected Record: 10-5 Yahoo gave me an A- grade and projected me at 10-5. I had this team finishing anywhere between 10-5 and 14-1 with a 12-3 projection. I lost to The Chosen One's, The Avengers, and Car RamRod in three games I was projected to win, which alters my 12-3 projection to 9-6. Right now The Chosen One's at 11-4, Taco Corp at 10-5, Car RamRod at 9-6, Threat Level Midnight 9-6, and Gangster Squad 9-6 are the top 5 projected teams with Threat Level Midnight and Gangster Squad tied for the last wild card. Threat Level Midnight currently has more total points than my team which is the tiebreaker, so based on those projections, my team would be the odd man out of the playoffs. I won as an underdog in week 6 which takes my projected record up to 10-5 on the year.

Previously Ranked: 9th
Hallsmahomsey 2-4

Bantle Bowl Championships:
0

Bantle Bowl Appearances:
0

BFFL Playoff Record: 0-1
Hallsmahomsey formerly known as TaylorDactals formerly known as RES Express, Done, and Kerryon My Wayward Son went 13-1 back in 2020 after this team replaced former 2014 league champion Anti-Bantle. Kerryon My Wayward Son ran into my 8-6 team with Tom Brady, Dalvin Cook, and Stefon Diggs back in 2020 and the rest is history as my team got its first playoff win over this team. Kerryon My Wayward Son changed their team name to TaylorDactals in 2021 after drafting Jonathan Taylor with their first round pick.

Manager:
Riley Stokosa

Rival: Heath Berman

All Time Winning Percentage: .493 40-41 is Hallsmahomsey's All Time Record from 2018-2023 with 40 wins in 81 total games played gives Hallsmahomsey a .493 All Time Winning Percentage.

Team Summary: Riley took Patrick Mahomes second overall in a very wise decision after I didn't use a keeper on Mahomes. Amon Ra-St. Brown the Detroit Lions wide receiver is a good number one option for Mahomes with rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson as his QB2.

Projected Record: 6-9 Yahoo gave Riley a 4-11 record. At the same time, Riley has the ceiling to go 8-7 and if that happens, then Riley can potentially win the tiebreaker for most points in the division in large part due to having the reigning MVP as the face of his franchise. Hallsmahomsey won in week 1 as an underdog, but he lost as a favorite in week 4 which reverts their initial projection to 6-9.

Previously Ranked: 8th

Why the Miami Dolphins Will Win: Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has Terron Armstead at left tackle thanks to avoiding an injury scare, but Armstead got ruled out in week 1 with Kendall Lamb playing at left tackle and Isaiah Wynn at left guard. Connor Williams is back at center. Robert Hunt remains at right guard. Austin Jackson is the blindside at right tackle for left handed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Terron Armstead returned in week 3 giving the Miami Dolphins a fully healthy offensive line for the first time all year where Miami dropped 70 points on the Denver Broncos without Jaylen Waddle. Terron Armstead got injured again in week 4 with Kendall Lamb having to come in. Armstead didn't practice on Wednesday after missing week 4.

Miami has Tyreek Hill as their flanker receiver and Jaylen Waddle as their secondary wide receiver even though Waddle showed ability to be a number one target before Miami traded for Tyreek Hill. Braxton Berrios won the slot receiver job. Cedrick Wilson Jr. and River Cracraft are pushing each other for the number four wide receiver job. Erik Ezukanma a former Texas Tech wide receiver that I was high on rounds out this core of wide receivers on Miami's depth chart. While Miami is just as deep at wide receiver compared to last year, I think their worse at tight end with backup tight end Durham Smythe replacing Mike Gesicki.

Miami had Raheem Mostert and De'Von Achane after Miami's 2023 third round pick out of Texas A&M had over 200 rushing yards against Denver last week in week 3. De'Von Achane will now be out for a few weeks with an injury as Miami placed him on injured reserve this week. Jeffrey Wilson Jr. and Ronald Jones are on injured reserve for the first four games of the season. Fullback Alec Ingold was good with the Las Vegas Raiders and has a chance to be great with this supporting cast in Miami. The scary thing is that this is the first game all season where the Miami Dolphins offense is at full health.

Miami has Christian Wilkins at 3-4 right end, Raekwon Davis at 3-4 nose tackle, and Zach Seiler at 3-4 left end who jumped Emmanuel Ogbah on Miami's depth chart at 3-4 left end after finishing fourth in total tackles and first in the NFL in forced fumbles during Ogbah's season ending injury in 2022 before getting a team friendly extension after Christian Wilkins wouldn't re-sign with Miami. Miami has Bradley Chubb at 3-4 right outside linebacker and Jaelen Phillips at 3-4 left outside linebacker. Jerome Baker and David Long Jr. will play at 3-4 middle linebacker. Anderew Van Ginkel is the backup 3-4 right outside linebacker Miami can use Emmanuel Ogbah as a situational edge rusher or a situational 5-technique player on the interior at both 3-4 left end and 3-4 left outside linebacker. Miami can also has Channing Tindall for depth at 3-4 middle linebacker. When Jaelen Phillips got injured in week 3, Andrew Van Ginkel played 3-4 left outside linebacker in week 4 before Emmanuel Ogbah came back from his injury and played that role in week 5. Jaelen Phillips was a full practice heading into week 7 meaning that Miami's starting 3-4 left outside linebacker could be back this week against Philadelphia who lost their right tackle Lane Johnson to an injury.

Miami has Xavien Howard at field cornerback covering number one receivers. Jalen Ramsey was supposed to play boundary cornerback next to Howard giving Miami two number one cornerbacks, but he's out until December. Kader Kohoo who did surprisingly well as an undrafted rookie and Eli Apple are competing for the number two spot across from Howard in Ramsey's absence while the loser of that competiion moves to nickel cornerback. Eli Apple will play boundary cornerback until Jalen Ramsey returns. Kader Kohoo remains Miami's nickel cornerback until December, but may retain that role if Eli Apple ends up being awful this upcoming season. Kelvin Joseph is the dime cornerback for now, but should be the quarter cornerback by the time Ramsey returns after Miami traded Noah Igbinoghene their third 2020 first round pick at cornerback to Dallas for Kelvin Joseph whose still got two years left on his rookie deal for less money. Miami has Jevon Holland at strong safety and Brandon Jones at free safety. Miami added DeShon Elliott for depth at free safety as Elliott will now backup up Jones which is funny because Jones backed up Elliott at Texas when both safeties were teammates in the Big 12 back in college.

Miami has Jason Sanders at kicker and Jake Bailey at punter. Braxton Berrios is the return specialist at kick returner and punt returner for the Miami Dolphins.

Why the Philadelphia Eagles Will Win: Philadelphia has Jalen Hurts at quarterback. Philadelphia has Jordan Mailata at left tackle, Landon Dickerson at left guard, Jason Kelce at center, Cam Jurgens at right guard, and Lane Johnson at right tackle. Cam Jurgens could miss a few weeks at right guard. Lane Johnson got injured against the New York Jets and did not return to the game, but will play against Miami.

Philadelphia has A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith two wide receivers that are capable of being number one options at wide receiver. Smith played flanker receiver as a rookie, but became the secondary wide receiver once Philadelphia traded for A.J. Brown in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Quez Watkins and Olamide Zaccheaus will split reps at slot receiver when Philadelphia deploys three wide receivers. Quez Watkins got placed on injured reserve and with DeVonta Smith being unknown for week 7, Philadelphia signed Julio Jones for depth. Right now Olamid Zaccheaus is the slot receiver with Quez Watkins out, but he becomes the number two target if DeVonta Smith gets ruled out as well. DeVonta Smith will play against Miami in week 7 though. Dallas Goedert remains a top 10 tight end in the NFL making him another asset in the passing game for quarterback Jalen Hurts.

Philadelphia has four different running backs. Those four running backs are D'Andre Swift, Rashaad Penny, Kenneth Gainwell, and Boston Scott. Philadelphia may be deeper at running back this season despite losing last years starting running back Miles Sanders.

Philadelphia has Josh Sweat at 4-3 right end, Fletcher Cox at 4-3 defensive tackle, Jordan Davis their 2022 first round pick at 4-3 defensive tackle, and Brandon Graham at 4-3 left end. Philadelphia has Derek Barnett as their backup 4-3 right end. Jalen Carter their 2023 first round pick out of Georgia is the backup 4-3 defensive tackle, but should rotate with Cox and Davis. Milton Williams, Philadelphia's 2021 third round pick is now the number four defensive tackle on this depth chart. Tarron Jackson is the backup 4-3 left end. Marlon Tuiolotu is still the third string 4-3 defensive tackle. There's been speculation that Philadelphia's new defensive coordinator may bring some 5-2-4 packages with three defensive tackles on the defensive line with Fletcher Cox, Jordan Davis, and Jalen Carter all playing along with some speculation about a 5-1-5 nickel defense that allows Philadelphia to bring five defensive linemen while also keeping five defensive backs for a nickel defense. If the execution of Sean Desai's playcalling is sound thanks to the departure of Jonathan Gannon, then this Philadelphia Eagles defense has a chance to be more lethal compared to a season ago.

Philadelphia didn't have Fletcher Cox in week 5, but will get Cox back for week 6 after Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter started next to each other. Jordan Davis will get another start with Jalen Carter being ruled out in week 6 against the New York Jets. Jalen Carter will be back in week 7.

Philadelphia has Zach Cunningham replacing Kyzir White at 4-3 right outside linebacker which I honestly have mixed feelings about. Nakobe Dean is starting at 4-3 middle linebacker now that T.J. Edwards is gone and he got placed on the injured reserve list in week 2. Nakobe Dean was a full practice heading into week 6, so Nakobe Dean will start his first game since week 1. Nicholas Morrow did well at 4-3 right outside linebacker. Zach Cunningham did well in relief of Nakobe Dean at 4-3 middle linebacker. Haason Reddick is the starring 4-3 left outside linebacker. Dean and Reddick will be the two starters when Philadelphia deploys a 4-2-5 nickel package. Nolan Smith, Philadelphia's second 2023 first round pick is a depth player at outside linebacker. Christian Ellis is the other backup outside linebacker. If something happens to Nakobe Dean, my guess is Zach Cunningham moves back to middle linebacker, which is where he played at Vanderbilt in the SEC, Houston the NFL team that drafted him, and Tennessee the second NFL team Cunningham was on. That's probably why Philadelphia went into the season with only one middle linebacker on their active roster. To be fair, Shaun Bradley, Philadelphia's backup middle linebacker is on injured reserve which is something that I didn't take into account when assessing the linebacker room.

Philadelphia has Darius Slay at field cornerback who looked incredible against New England, and he is out in week 6 after starting the first five weeks. James Bradberry missed the first two weeks before returning at boundary cornerback in week 3 and Philadelphia's defense has looked a lot better with Bradberry next to Slay in weeks 3-5. Josh Jobe started next to James Bradberry the first two weeks and then became a regular starter at nickel cornerback once Avonte Maddox was ruled out for the season. Josh Jobe will go back to boundary cornerback in week 6. Kelee Ringo will play at nickel cornerback this week with both Darius Slay and Avonte Maddox injured at cornerback. Darius Slay will be back in week 7.

Philadelphia replaced strong safety Marcus Epps and free safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Terrell Edmunds is making his second start of 2023 at strong safety. Philadelphia is starting Justin Evans over Sydney Brown with starting fere safety Reed Blankenship out of the lineup. Sydney Brown Philadelphia's 2023 third round pick out of Illinois feels like a better fit at free safety than Justin Evans. From what I've read though, it sounds like Evans is getting the start at free safety on Thursday. Sydney Brown was inactive in week 5 forcing Justin Evans to start where he got injured. Sydney Brown is back in week 6 though. Sydney Brown should be able to perform at a high level with Justin Evans out of the lineup.

Philadelphia has Jake Elliott at kicker and Boston Scott as their kick returner. Olamide Zaccheaus is the punt returner for Philadelphia. I didn't see a punter on the Eagles depth chart, so it's possible for kicker Jake Elliott to play both kicker and punter.

Prediction: Philadelphia is a 3 point favorite at -3. The over or under is 51.5 with 69% of the public betting on Philadelphia. The money line is +130 for Miami and -155 for Philadelphia. Take Philadelphia to win and cover with the under at -275. Bet $245 on this game for Philadelphia and win up to $400 as long as the Eagles win by 4 or more.

Final Score Eagles 27 Dolphins 23

Who Everyone Else Picked


Tanya Holmes	Oren Shiri	Jesse Lucas	Jason Bantle	Joseph Potter	Andrew Kermish	Lisa Donovan	Tracy Porter	Wes Langley	Brian Bayless

San Francisco 49ers 5-1-0	Versus	Minnesota Vikings 2-4-0

Chris Ransom's Pick

I just cannot stand ESPN's Monday Night Football Coverage. Monday Night Football On KDKA is back with Bob Pompieni, Mark Madden, Andrew Filiponi, and Rich Walsh. Tonight the gang is in Minnesota

Pompieni: Welcome to Monday Night Football. Bob Pompieni along with Mark Madden and Andrew Filiponi covering ESPN Monday Night Football on KDKA from Minnesota. Mark what are your thoughts on this game?

Madden: Kirk Cousins is awful in primetime. Cousins chokes harder in prime time than a star in an adult film. Want me to start blurting out the names of pornstars?

Filiponi: No Mark, we're good. Remember when the Minnesota Vikings showed a picture of Johnny Sinns during military month last year.

Walsh: Minnesota is being punished for Kirk Cousins celebrating on the flight back to Minnesota shirtless after the Minnesota Vikings overtime win. Also the tough strength of schedule doesn't help.

Pompieni: True Rich Walsh. It looks like all of you are picking the 49ers right?

Madden: That's correct Bob. Who in there right mind would take the Vikings? Pompieni: Tonights game is brought to you by Target. Target's main corporate headquarters are located in Minnesota. The Minnesota Timberwolves have the Target Center and the Minnesota Twins have Target Field.

Madden: No tonights game is brought to you by Lake Minnetonka. The official lake of the Minnesota Vikings sex party from the Daunte Culpepper and Randy Moss era.

Pompieni: We'll be right back with kickoff after these commercials from US Bank, Target, and Lake Minnetonka.

Why the San Francisco 49ers Will Win: Brock Purdy has a terrific offensive line with Trent Williams at left tackle, Aaron Banks left guard, Jake Brendel at center, Spencer Burford at right guard, and Colton McKivitz taking over for Mike McGlinchey at right tackle after learning under McGlinchey as his backup for three years. Brock Purdy needs to stay healthy because Sam Darnold is the backup. Jaylon Moore was suprisingly effective at times when filling in for Trent Williams as a backup left tackle over the last two years during the regular season. Nick Zakelj will be the backup left guard to Aaron Brooks. Jon Feliciano can be a backup on the interior offensive line at both center and right guard. Matt Pryor, who was god awful with the Colts last year is the backup right tackle to Colton McKivitz which has to be somewhat concerning after Mike McGlinchey left San Francisco. Mike McGlinchey was awful at right tackle in pass protection, but Denver still gave him the bag in Free Agency since he did well for a run blocker in his contract year.

San Francisco has Deebo Samuel as their flanker receiver, Brandon Aiyuk as their secondary receiver, and Jauan Jennings as their slot receiver. Danny Gray the number four wide receiver is still on the PUP list. San Francisco has Ronnie Bell their 2023 seventh round pick out of Michigan as the number four wide receiver, but he will probably be fifth on the depth chart once Gray returns. Ray-Ray McCloud is the sixth and final wide receiver on the 53 man depth chart, but he's the number five receiver for now until Gray comes back. San Francisco didn't have Brandon Aiyuk in week 3, but got him back in week 4. Deebo Samuel got injured in week 6, but has been ruled out the next two weeks. Deebo Samuel will be back following San Francisco's bye week in week 9.

George Kittle is San Francisco's starting tight end. Kittle is still a top 5 tight end in the NFL. Cameron Latu, San Francisco's 2023 third round pick out of Alabama is on injured reserve which is the biggest reason he's still on this roster because he was rumored to be in jeopardy of getting cut as a rookie despite the fact that Latu was my number two tight end in the 2023 NFL Draft back in January prior to the 2023 Reese's Senior Bowl.

San Francisco has Christian McCaffrey as their starting running back whose considered the best running back when fully healthy after dominating in 2022 following his trade from Carolina to San Francisco. Elijah Mitchell is their backup running back after starting some as a rookie in 2021. Jordan Mason is the third string running back and Tyrion Davis-Price 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. Christian McCaffrey got injured in week 6 and is a game-time decision in week 7.

San Francisco 49ers 4-3 right end Nick Bosa wants to be the leagues highest paid defensive player. Nick Bosa, the second overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Ohio State won 2022 NFL Defensive Player Of The Year, and wants more money than Aaron Donald. Nick Bosa got paid on Thursday. Nick Bosa will start at 4-3 right end with Drake Jackson at 4-3 left end if Nick Bosa ends his holdout before week 1. If Nick Bosa doesn't show up, backup 4-3 right end Clellin Ferrell would start in place of Nick Bosa with backup 4-3 left end Robert Beal Jr. learning under Drake Jackson. Robert Beal Jr. is on injured reserve at the moment. Javon Hargrave and Arik Armstead are the starters at 4-3 defensive tackle for San Francisco. Javon Kinlaw, San Francisco's 2020 first round pick who started for three years after replacing DeForest Buckner out of South Carolina is now a backup defensive tackle. Kevin Givens one of San Francisco's backup defensive tackles last year is remains the number four defensive tackle on this depth chart.

San Francisco has Dre Greenlaw at 4-3 right outside linebacker and Fred Warner at 4-3 middle linebacker. These two start in these respective roles regardless of whether San Francisco runs a 4-3 base defense or a 4-2-5 nickel defense. Oren Burks will start at 4-3 left outside linebacker, but will be the backup 4-3 outside linebacker in 4-2-5 packages. Dee Winters, San Francisco's 2023 sixth round pick out of TCU that I had a third round grade on actually won a backup linebacker job where he will be a backup to Greenlaw in 4-3 packages and a backup to Warner at middle linebacker in 4-2-5 packages. Jalen Graham, San Francisco's 2023 seventh round pick out of Purdue will be the backup 4-3 left outside linebacker to Oren Burks and would only play situationally on 4-3 plays if something happened to Burks.

San Francisco has Charvarius Ward at field cornerback, Deommodore Lenoir at boundary cornerback, and Isaiah Oliver Atlanta's boundary cornerback at nickel cornerback. Ambry Thomas, San Francisco's 2021 third round pick is the current dime cornerback at the moment due to injuries to Darrell Luter Jr. being injured. The good news for San Francisco is their top three cornerbacks are fully healthy right now. Talanoa Hufanga returns at strong safety with Tashaun Gipson returning at free safety for his second season in San Francisco. Ji'Ayir Brown the San Francisco 49ers 2023 third round pick out of Penn State is the best backup that San Francisco has on their secondary as he's currently learning under Gipson at free safety.

San Francisco has Jake Moody their 2023 third round pick out of Michigan starting at kicker with his competition Zane Gonzalez still on the injured reserve list. Zane Gonzalez had two straight season ending injuries in Carolina, so its kind of baffling that San Francisco traded for him. Mitch Wishnowsky is San Francisco's punter after being a 2019 fourth round pick after the former Utah punter won the Ray Guy Award in 2018. Ray-Ray McCloud remains the return specialist at kick returner and punt returner for San Francisco.

Why the Minnesota Vikings Will Win: Minnesota Vikings starting quarterback Kirk Cousins has Christian Darrisaw at left tackle, Ezra Cleveland at left guard, Garrett Bradbury at center, Ed Ingram at right guard and Brian O'Neill at right tackle. This is an effective offensive line when fully healthy, but the Vikings do not have any depth behind these five starters. Minnesota added Dalton Risner as a backup left guard to Ezra Cleveland which gives Minnesota depth at left guard. Garrett Bradbury is out and Christian Darrisaw didn't play in week 2, but should be ready to start his first game since week 1 in week 3. Minnesota did add depth at quarterback though with Nick Mullens as their backup quarterback and Jaren Hall the quarterback out of BYU as their third string quarterback.

Jordan Addison is going to be the flanker wide receiver with K.J. Osborn remaining at secondary wide receiver for the next four weeks thanks to Justin Jefferson being placed on injured reserve and to make matters worse Minnesota isn't a team with a lot of depth at wide receiver so losing a number one receiver like Jefferson who many consider to be the best in the game is a massive blow. T.J. Hockenson is the starting tight end, Josh Oliver is the backup tight end, and Johnny Mundt who was the number two tight end to T.J. Hockenson last year is now the third string tight end. Minnesota has last years backup running back Alexander Mattison as their starting running back. Cam Akers who Minnesota traded for is now their backup running back. Ty Chandler last years fourth string running back is now the third string running back.C.J. Ham remains the starting fullback in Minnesota.

Minnesota has depth at quarterback, running back, and tight end. However Minneosta still lacks depth on the offensive line outside of left guard and lacks depth at wide receiver if an injury occurs to Jefferson, Addison, or Osborn.

Minnesota has Harrison Phillips at 3-4 right end, Khyiris Tonga at 3-4 nose tackle, and Dean Lowry at 3-4 left end. Minnesota has some depth at 3-4 defensive end with Jonathan Bullard as their backup 3-4 defensive end to Dean Lowry and Jacquelin Roy won Minnesota's backup 3-4 nose tackle job after being the Minnesota Vikings 2023 third round pick out of LSU.

Minnesota has Marcus Davenport replacing Z'Darius Smith at 3-4 right outside linebacker with Davenport as a game time decision for Thursday in week 2. Davenport missed weeks 2 and 3 while not practicing on wednesday leading into week 4. Danielle Hunter is still starting at 3-4 left outside linebacker. Jordan Hicks and Ivan Pace Jr. an undrafted player from the 2023 NFL Draft are the starting at 3-4 middle linebackers with Ivan Pace Jr. having a pass rushing grade of 90 on Pro Football Focus. Troy Dye and Brian Asamoah II are the backups. D.J. Wonnum is the backup 3-4 right outside linebacker with Patrick Jones II as the backup 3-4 left outside linebacker. Marcus Davenport returned in week 5. Marcus Davenport played for two weeks, but will now be placed on injured reserve from weeks 7-10.

Byron Murphy Jr. replaces Patrick Peterson as the Minnesota Vikings main field cornerback and Mekhi Blackmon Minnesota's 2023 third round pick out of USC is the number two boundary cornerback. Minnesota has Akayleb Evans their 2022 fourth round pick out of Missouri at nickel cornerback, but with Evans injured in week 5 it is possible that Andrew Booth Jr. gets promoted to nickel cornerback. Andrew Booth Jr. their 2022 second round pick that I had a first round grade on out of Clemson as the dime cornerback, but could play nickel if Akayleb Evans is injured. Jay Ward Jr., Minnesota's 2023 fourth round pick out of LSU is the quarter cornerback. `Byron Murphy didn't practice on Wednesday and if he is out that means all three of Minnesota's corners will be rookies or sophomores. Mekhi Blackmon's college tape was good. Evans surprsied me as a rookie when he got the opportunity to play. He looked good in trainining camp and the preseason. Now he's reverted to the player I expected him to be. Booth amazed me in college, but has been a disappointment in the NFL so far. Minnesota has Camryn Bynum at strong safety and Harrison Smith at free safety. Minnesota has Lewis Cine as the backup strong safety after the 2022 first round pick suffered a season ending injury as a rookie and Josh Metellus is the backup free safety. It feels like Metellus has started more than Bynum this season which feels weird to say.

Minnesota Vikings kicker Greg Joseph is a top 10 kicker. Minnesota has question marks at punter, kick returner, and punt returner on special teams heading into the season. If all of Minnesota's players who are limited in practice get cleared to play this week, than Minnesota will have their roster at full health for week 5 for the first time since week 1 and I cannot stress how huge that is for Minnesota with every other team in the NFC North having one of their twenty two starters injured at the moment.

Prediction: San Francisco is a 6.5 point favorite at -6.5. The over or under is 49 with 89% of the public betting on San Francisco. The money line is -120 for San Francisco and +100 for Minnesota. Take San Francisco to win and cover with the over at -120. Bet $180 on this game for San Francisco and win up to $300 as long as the 49ers win by 7 or more.

Final Score 49ers 38 Vikings 20

Who Everyone Else Picked


Tanya Holmes	Oren Shiri	Jesse Lucas	Jason Bantle	Joseph Potter	Andrew Kermish	Lisa Donovan	Tracy Porter	Wes Langley	Brian Bayless

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2023 NFL Week 7 Predictions

Chris Ransom's Pick

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Chris Ransom's Pick

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Chris Ransom's Pick

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Chris Ransom's Pick

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Bill Clinton's College Football Playoff Selection Special

Who Everyone Else Picked

Chris Ransom's Pick

Bantle Bowl Championships: 3

Bantle Bowl Appearances: 6

BFFL Playoff Record: 9-5

Manager:

Bantle Bowl Championships:

Bantle Bowl Appearances:

BFFL Playoff Record: 1-1

Manager:

Bantle Bowl Championships: 1

Bantle Bowl Appearances: 2

BFFL Playoff Record: 3-1

Bantle Bowl Championships: 1

Bantle Bowl Appearances: 1

BFFL Playoff Record: 2-5

Manager:

Bantle Bowl Championships: 3

Bantle Bowl Appearances: 3

BFFL Playoff Record: 6-2

Manager:

Bantle Bowl Championships:

Bantle Bowl Appearances: 2

BFFL Playoff Record: 2-2

Manager:

Bantle Bowl Championships:

Bantle Bowl Appearances:

BFFL Playoff Record: 0-0

Manager:

Bantle Bowl Championships:

Bantle Bowl Appearances:

BFFL Playoff Record: 0-1

Manager:

Bantle Bowl Championships: 1

Bantle Bowl Appearances: 2

BFFL Playoff Record: 3-5

Manager:

Bantle Bowl Championships:

Bantle Bowl Appearances:

BFFL Playoff Record: 0-1

Manager:

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