Dallas heads to San Francisco. Find out who our staff likes in week 8.
Chris Ransom Last Updated: October 26, 2023.
Minnesota Vikings 5-1-0
Versus
Los Angeles Rams 2-4-0
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. Sam Darnol heads to Los Angeles to take on Matthew Stafford. The bigger matchup has to be between two of the leagues best wide receivers in Justin Jefferson and Cooper Kupp.
Kirk Herbstreet: This should be an incredible game. Last weeks contest was a blowout. I expect this game to be much more competitive despite the Los Angeles Rams record.
Unfiltered Al: Indeed, Minnesota was the last team without a loss in the NFC this year. There's a reason for that.
Kirk Herbstreet: Sofi Stadium is one of the newer stadiums in the league. It is an incredible site to call a game whether it is College Football or the NFL.
Unfiltered Al: Our pregame coverage is done. It's time for the coin toss and then kickoff.
Why the Minnesota Vikings Will Win: Minnesota Vikings starting quarterback Sam Darnold has Christian Darrisaw at left tackle, Blake Brandel 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 drafted Oklahoma left tackle Walter Rouse in the sixth round for depth at left tackle. J.J. McCarthy suffered a season ending injury in practice as Minnesota's 2024 first round pick and will not play this season after getting season ending knee surgery.
Justin Jefferson is a number one flanker receiver for Minnesota, but he's also the best wide receiver in the NFL. Jordan Addison is going to start out as the secondary wide receiver on this depth chart as he returns in week 4 with Jalen Nailor remaining at slot receiver. Johnny Mundt and Josh Oliver will split reps at tight end until T.J. Hockenson returns from his injury after Minnesota's bye week. T.J. Hockenson did practice this week, but was not cleared to play and ruled out for week 8. Minnesota has Aaron Jones as their starting running back and Ty Chandler as the backup running back.
Minnesota has Jerry Tillery at 3-4 right end, Harrison Phillips at 3-4 nose tackle, and Jonathan Bullard 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 Andrew Van Ginkel at 3-4 right outside linebacker, Blake Cashman at 3-4 middle linebacker, Ivan Pace Jr. at 3-4 middle linebacker, and Jonathan Greenard at 3-4 left outside linebacker. Dallas Turner, Minnesota's other 2024 first round pick is the backup 3-4 right outside linbeacker, Brian Asamoah II is the backup 3-4 middle linebacker, and Patrick Jones II is the backup 3-4 left outside linebacker. Ivan Pace Jr. is out at 3-4 middle linebacker in week 3 and once again in week 4, so Brian Asamoah II will take his place as the other starting 3-4 middle linebacker next to Brian Cashman. Dallas Turner could be back this week in a depth role.
Byron Murphy Jr. is the field cornerback and Stephon Gilmore is number two boundary cornerback this season with Mekhi Blackmon tearing his ACL. Minnesota has Shaq Griffin at nickel cornerback after he beat out last years nickel cornerback Akayleb Evans their 2022 fourth round pick out of Missouri for that job in training camp. Akayleb Evans is dealing with an injury. Khyree Jackson died and Minnesota traded Andrew Booth Jr. away. Minnesota has Camryn Bynum at strong safety and Harrison Smith at free safety. Minnesota has Josh Mettellus as their backup safety.
Minnesota Vikings kicker Will Reichard has done well at kicker. Minnesota has question marks at punter, kick returner, and punt returner on special teams heading into the season.
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 is the left guard, Jonah Jackson is the starting center, Kevin Dotson is the right guard, and Rob Havenstein is starting at right tackle. Alaric Jackson is the backup left tackle and he got suspended to start the year. Connor McDermott the backup left guard is on injured reserve to begin the year. Beaux Limmer a 2024 sixth round pick out of Arkansas is the backup center. Logan Bruss is the backup right guard. Warren McClendon Jr. the starting right tackle at Georgia last year was the Los Angeles Rams 2023 fifth round pick is the backup right tackle. The Los Angeles Rams have better starters and still have quality depth on the offensive line even though the depth doesn't feel as strong as last year. I do think the Rams have better starters on the offensive line though. Los Angeles doesn't have Joseph Noteboom at left tackle, Steve Avila at left guard, or Rob Havenstein at right tackle due to injury heading into week 2. Los Angeles got Rob Havenstein back at right tackle in week 2, but lost center Jonah Jackson whose now on injured reserve. Alaric Jackson missed week one, but returned to the starting lineup in week 2 just like Rob Havenstein. KT Leveston and Connor McDermott are both on injured reserve. If either Alaric Jackson or Rob Havenstein get injured, the backup left tackle would be Gerod Christian and the backup right tackle would be Warren McClendon Jr. who started in week 1 in relief of Havenstein. Beaux Limmer will make his first career NFL start at center against the San Francisco 49ers. Joseph Noteboom is expected to be back from his injury at left tackle.
Los Angeles has Cooper Kupp as their flanker number one wide receiver, Puka Nacua is the secondary wide receiver, but showed he could be a number one primary receiver as a rookie when Cooper Kupp was injured, and Demarcus Robinson is the slot receiver. Tutu Atwell is the number four wide receiver, Tyler Johnson is the number five wide receiver, and Jordan Whittington a 2024 sixth round pick out of Texas is the number six wide receiver beating out Ben Skowronek for that final roster spot at wide receiver. Puka Nacua got placed on injured reserve meaning Demarcus Robinson and Tutu Atwell will be starting next to Cooper Kupp. Cooper Kupp will make his first start since he got injured in week 8 and Puka Nacua might too.
The Los Angeles Rams have amazing depth at tight end too. Tyler Higbee is on the PUP list to begin the year. Colby Parkinson who was brought in to be the number two tight end to Higbee will be the number one tight end in week 1. Davis Allen the third string tight end is the backup tight end until Tyler Higbee returns. Hunter Long the fourth string tight end is the third string tight end until Tyler Higbee returns.
Los Angeles has Kyren Williams as their starting running back with Blake Corum their 2024 third round pick out of Michigan as the number two running back. Ronnie Rivers is the third string running back. Cody Schraeder is the fourth string running back.
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 with young emerging talents like Puca Nacua and Kyren Williams estabilishing themselves as stars on this offense as well.
Los Angeles has Braden Fiske their 2024 second round pick taking over for Aaron Donald at 3-4 right end. 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 was one of the best rookies at 3-4 left end. Neville Gallimore replaces Larrell Murchison as the backup 3-4 right end to Braden Fiske. Tyler Davis their 2024 sixth round pick out of Clemson is the backup nose tackle, and Desjuan Johnson, Mr. Irrelevant in the 2023 NFL Draft is the backup 3-4 left end. Los Angeles still has a lot of depth on this defensive line despite Aaron Donald retiring.
Los Angeles will have Jared Verse at 3-4 right outside linebacker and Byron Young a 2023 third round pick out of Tennessee starting at 3-4 left outside linebacker. Omar Speights who went undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft is one of the undrafted rookies to win a starting job as he will start at 3-4 middle linebacker and Christian Rozeboom are the two starters at 3-4 middle linebacker. Nick Hampton a 2023 fifth round pick out of Appalachian State is the backup 3-4 right outside linebacker and Michael Hoecht last years 3-4 right outside linebacker is now the backup 3-4 left outside linebacker. The Rams don't have great depth at 3-4 middle linebacker if anything happens to Omar Speights or Christian Rozeboom as that is one area of the defense that will need to be upgraded if both guys underperform and this is a weak inside linebacker draft in 2025.
Los Angeles has Tre'Davious White at field cornerback, Darious Williams at boundary cornerback, and Decobie Durant at nickel cornerback. Quentin Lake is the dime cornerback. There's no depth at cornerback outside of Lake due to Derrion Kendrick going on season ending injured resrve along with Tre'Vious Hodges-Tomlinson. Russ Yeast also got cut by the Los Angeles Rams. Darious Williams going on injured reserve for the first four weeks. Kamren Curl is the starting strong safety and John Johnson III is the starting free safety. Kamren Kinchens one of their two 2024 third round picks out of Miami FL is the backup safety.
Joshua Karty is the starting kicker as the Los Angeles Rams got my top kicker in the 2024 NFL Draft. Ethan Evans enters his second year as the starting punter after being a 2023 seventh round pick. Tutu Atwell is the kick returner and Kyren Williams is the starting punt returner.
Prediction: Minnesota is a 3 point favorite at -3. The over or under is 46.5 with 61% of the public betting on Los Angeles. The money line is -160 for Minneosta and +135 for Los Angeles. I like Los Angeles to win and to cover with the over at +135. Bet $165 on this game for Los Angeles and win up to $300 as long as the Vikings win by 2 or less.
Final Score Rams 27 Vikings 21
Who Everyone Else Picked
Oren Shiri
Jason Bantle
Joseph Potter
Andrew Kermish
Tracy Porter
Wes Langley
Baltimore Ravens 5-2-0
Versus
Cleveland Browns 1-6-0
Chris Ransom's Pick
We're back for the 2024 NFL Season. You can follow our weekly predictions crew. Jesse Lucas won the first year in 2014-2015. Jason Bantle and myself now have two championships after I won the NFL Pickem Champion Trophy for most accurate predictions against the spread in 2020-2021 and had the most accurate NFL predictions again in 2022-2023. Oren Shiri, Tanya Holmes, and Wes Langley have one pickem title too back in 2021-2022. Lisa Donovan got her first pickem Championship last year the best record in the country last year in 2023-2024 I'm hoping to pass the torch onto someone else if you can supplant Draft Utopia in 2024-2025. Send me your predictions on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn to be eligible for prizes should you have a perfect week.
For the fourth year in a row Draft Utopia defeated the maintstream media in NFL Predictions. After I had the best record in 2020-2021 going 181-74-1, Wes Langley went 189-95-1 in 2021-2022. I went 190-92-3 in 2022-2023 allowing Draft Utopia to become the first sports website in the world to three peat in NFL predictions. Last year Lisa Donovan went 199-86 on the year before her and three other staff members left the site following this NFL Season. We still got seven of our eleven from last year trying to keep our run against the mainstream media for a potential fifth year in a row for the 2024 NFL Season.
Matt Bowen of ESPN went 15-1 in week 1 and that is the best start in week 1 since people starting keeping track of mainstream media predictions in 2014. Matt Bowen ended up going 7-9 in week 2 which puts Matt at 22-10 on the year. Matt Bowen went 9-5 in week 5, but maintains the best record in the country for the second week in a row and the sixth time in the first eighth weeks entering week 8 with 75 games correct on the year. Jason Bantle's grandmother has 74 games correct on the year and Stephania Bell of ESPN has 72 games correct.
Jason Bantle is the new leader in the 2024 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings. He's improved to being tied for fourth nationally at 71-36.
Andrew Kermish is 70-37 on the year. Andrew is seventh nationally and in sole possession of second place in the 2024 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings.
Wes Langley is 68-39 on the year. Wes is now third in the 2024 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings. Wes Langley fell out of the top 10 and is tied for thirteenth nationally.
I'm now 66-41 on the year. I've been 24-5 the past two weeks, but so has Jason Bantle. I improved by ten spots going from twenty eighth to eighteenth in nationally. I'm fourth in the 2024 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings.
Tracy Porter of Draft Utopia is twenty eighth nationally at 63-44. Tracy is fifth in the 2024 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings.
Joseph Potter is 57-50 on the year. Joey is tied for thirty fifth in the nation and is sixth in the 2024 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings. Joey also fell in the National standings from thirtieth to thirty third despite going 12-2 like Jason and myself in week 6 to thirty fifth after a 6-9 week 7.
Oren Shiri is 53-54 on the year. Oren is thirty seventh nationally and is now seventh which is now last place in the 2024 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings.
There's a lot fewer NFL picks records being posted this year as I only have 60 in my database and that includes Tony Mario's picks which aren't posted on the site he emails me his winners each week. If you want me to feature yours email me at chris@draftutopia.com, where I will respond and post your prediction records to the site.
Why the Baltimore Ravens Will Win: Lamar Jackson is coming off of his second MVP regular season as the Baltimore Ravens quarterback since being drafted with the last pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Lamar Jackson has Ronnie Stanley at left tackle, Andrew Vorhees at left guard, Tyler Linderbaum at center, Daniel Faalele moving from right tackle to right guard, and Patrick Mekari is starting at right tackle. Josh Jones is the backup left tackle and Roger Rosengarten is the backup right tackle. The addition of Josh Jones gives Baltimore even more depth at offensive tackle compared to the last two seasons.
Baltimore's top three wide receivers are Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and Nelson Agholor playing in the slot. Baltimore has Tylan Wallace, Devontez Walker, and Deonte Hardy for depth at wide receivers. I like Baltimore's depth at wide receiver, but outside of Flowers and Bateman there doesn't feel like a third starting wide receiver in this group. Baltimore might use some two tight end sets and some two running back sets to mask this weakness in their offense and I wouldn't be suprrised to see some option plays incorporated into this offense too.
Mark Andrews is still one of the leagues best tight ends and he might supplant Travis Kelce as the leagues top tight end in 2024. Baltimore also has Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar giving Baltimore ridiculously good depth at tight end.
Baltimore has Derrick Henry as their starting running back, Justice Hill as their backup running back, Keaton Mitchell as the third string running back, Rasheen Ali is the fourth string running back when the top three running backs are healthy. Baltimore could have their top four running backs back in the backfield for the first time all year against Cleveland in week 8.
Baltimore has depth at running back, wide receiver, tight end, and offensive tackle if injuries occur at those positions. If anything happens to Lamar Jackson the Ravens are screwed. Same could be said with the Baltimore Ravens interior offensive line.
Baltimore has Justin Madubuike at 3-4 right end, Michael Pierce at 3-4 nose tackle, and Broderick Washington at 3-4 left end. Travis Jones is the backup 3-4 nose tackle.
Baltimore has Odafe Oweh at 3-4 right outside linebacker and Kyle Van Noy at 3-4 left outside linebacker. Roquan Smith and Trenton Simpson are quite the tandem at 3-4 middle linebacker. David Ojabo is the backup 3-4 outside linebacker. Yannick Ngakoue is the backup 3-4 left outside linebacker. Adisa Isaac is now the third string 3-4 outside linebacker when he comes back from injuries.
Marlon Humphrey is the field cornerback, Brandon Stephens is the boundary cornerback, and Nate Wiggins is the nickel cornerback. Arthur Maullet last years nickel cornerback is back at dime cornerback coming off of injured reserve this week. Ar'Darius Washington who played nickel cornerback in week 1 is now the quarter cornerback. T.J. Tampa, a 2024 fourth round pick out of Iowa State is currently the number six cornerback. Brandon Stephens and Nate Wiggins should play in week 8 as Stephens practiced and Wiggins didn't but resumed playing on Monday Night Football after he got injured. Marlon Humphrey could be out this week, but the rest of the Baltimore Ravens roster is healthy. Marlon Humphrey's knee injury is minor as it is a mild knee sprain, but he didn't practice on Thursday. He will only be out 1-2 weeks tops.
Baltimore has Kyle Hamilton at strong safety and Marcus Williams at free safety. Baltimore replaced Geno Stone with Eddie Jackson as their situational backup safety. All of Baltimore's defensive starters from last years team that returned are fully healthy. Baltimore's only injuries are at third string running back with Keaton Mitchell and Rasheen Ali injured. Everyone else on the Baltimore Ravens is fully healthy entering week 5 as the Baltimore Ravens are fully healthy on defense for the first time all season entering week 5.
Baltimore has Justin Tucker at kicker and Jordan Stout at punter. Justice Hill is the projected kick returner on Baltimore with Tylan Wallace being the punt returner on the Baltimore Ravens.
Why the Cleveland Browns Will Win: Jameis Winston has Jedrick Wills Jr. at left tackle, Joel Bitonio at left guard, Ethan Pocic at center, Wyatt Teller at right guard, and Jack Conklin at right tackle with Deshaun Watson tearing his ACL. Cleveland also has James Hudson II as their backup left tackle, Javion Cohen as the backup left guard, Nick Harris as their backup center, Zak Zinter as the backup right guard, and Dawand Jones as the backup right tackle. This could be the first game where the Cleveland Browns have their offensive line at full health, but there is also a chance Jedrick Wills Jr. at left tackle misses this game as he did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday.
Cleveland has Jerry Jeudy as their flanker wide receiver, Elijah Moore as their secondary wide receiver and Cedric Tillman as their slot receiver at slot receiver. Jabari Thrash the Cleveland Browns 2024 fifth round pick is the number four wide receiver. Cleveland has David Njoku as their starting tight end and Jordan Akins as their backup tight end. David Njoku returned to practice in a limited practice and will be back in week 5. Cleveland has Nick Chubb as their starting running back, Jerome Ford has been the starting running back since Nick Chubb got injured in week 2 last year, Pierre Strong Jr. is the third string running back, but the backup until Nick Chubb returns, and D'Onta Foreman is the fourth string running back, but the third string running back until Nick Chubb returns. Pierre Strong Jr. is the fifth running back. All of Cleveland's five running backs practiced in a limited capacity, but Nick Chubb still hasn't been cleared to play in week 5 despite practicing with the Cleveland Browns this week. Nick Chubb did well in his first game back.
Cleveland has Myles Garrett at 4-3 right end, Dalvin Tomlinson at 4-3 defensive tackle, Shelby Harris at 4-3 defensive tackle, and Z'Darius Smith at 4-3 left end. Cleveland has Ogboninna Okoronwo as their backup 4-3 right end to Myles Garrett, Quinton Jefferson is the backup 4-3 defensive tackle to Dalvin Tomlinson, Maurice Hurst III is the backup 4-3 defensive tackle to Shelby Harris, and Alex Wright is the backup 4-3 left end as well as the backup to Z'Darius Smith. Cleveland has a lot of bodies as well as depth on their defensive line. Myles Garrett did not practice on Wednesday neither did Alex Wright. Maurice Hurst is still on injured reserve and Alex Wright is now on injured reserve after getting injured in week 4.
Cleveland has Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah at 4-3 right outside linebacker, Jordan Hicks at 4-3 middle linebacker, and Devin Bush at 4-3 left 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. Nathaniel Watson is the backup 4-3 left outside linebacker as Cleveland's 2024 sixth round pick. Cleveland doesn't have depth behind Jordan Hicks at middle linebacker if he goes down, but I'd imagine Devin Bush moves to middle linebacker and Nathaniel Watson plays at 4-3 left outside linebacker when Cleveland depoys a 4-3 defense. Jordan Hicks is on injured reserve now at 4-3 middle linebacker. Cleveland's run defense will be suspect until Hicks returns. Jordan Hicks may be back this week and until he returns the Cleveland Browns run defense will remain a bottom five run defense as Cleveland ranks twenty eighth in the league in run defense. Jordan Hicks did not practice heading into week 8.
Cleveland has Denzel Ward at field cornerback, Martin Emerson Jr. at boundary cornerback, and Greg Newsome II at nickel cornerback. 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. Rodney McLeod is the backup strong safety and Ronnie Hickman is the backup free safety. D'Anthony Bell last years backup strong safety is now a third string safety. Juan Thornhill is back at free safety after going on injured reserve following their week 1 game. Cleveland has everyone on defense at full health outside of Jordan Hicks at middle linebacker.
Cleveland has Dustin Hopkins at kicker after Cade York unraveled on the Cleveland Browns last year. I'm not sold on Corey Bojorquez at punter, but the Cleveland Browns like him. Cleveland has Pierre Strong Jr. as their kick returner.
Prediction: Baltimore is a 11 point favorite at -11. The over or under is 42.5 with 54% of the public betting on Baltimore. The money line is -500 for Baltimore and +375 for Cleveland. Take Baltimore to win and cover with the over at -500. Bet $600 on this game for Baltimore and win up to $1,100 as long as the Ravens win by 12 or more.
Final Score Ravens 34 Browns 20
Who Everyone Else Picked
Oren Shiri
Jason Bantle
Joseph Potter
Andrew Kermish
Tracy Porter
Wes Langley
Tennessee Titans 1-5-0
Versus
Detroit Lions 5-1-0
Chris Ransom's Pick
Draft Utopia airs on Talkshoe. We have a show on as well as our usual weekend show on Talkshoe and Restream which livestreams what I do on Talkshoe to Youtube showcasing the visuals I use when breaking down things on my podcast. The Draft Utopia podcast is already underway with season 14 of Draft Utopia kicking off you can watch the videos in of season 14 and season 13 on Restream in the playlist below.
Why the Tennessee Titans Will Win: Will Levis took over for Ryan Tannehill in the second half of last season as the starting quarterback as the 2023 second round pick out of Kentucky did well enough to remain the starting quarterback without getting benched. Tennessee added former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph, who started in Pittsburgh's wild card loss to Buffalo as their backup. Mason Rudolph came in for an injured Will Levis in week 4 and won the game for the Tenenssee Titans. Will Levis started in week 6, but finally got benched for Mason Rudolph in week 7. There's no certainty as to whether Will Levis or Mason Rudolph starts in week 8.
Tennessee Titans quarterback Mason Rudolph has JC Latham Tennessee's 2024 first round pick switching from right tackle at Alabama to left tackle after being drafted seventh overall, Peter Skoronski Tennessee's 2023 first round pick who was Northwestern's left tackle entering year two at left guard, Lloyd Cushenberry III at center, Dillon Radunz is the starting right guard, and Nicholas Petit-Friere will start at right tackle. Jaleyn Duncan is the backup left tackle, Dane Brunskil is the backup interior lineman at all three interior spots. Will Levis got injured and backup quarterback Mason Rudolph did a much better job leading the Tennessee Titans to their first win in week 4. One has to wonder if Mason Rudolph will be the Tennessee Titans starting quarterback moving forward.
Tennessee has Calvin Ridley as their flanker wide receiver, Tyler Boyd is their secondary wide receiver, Treylon Burks is their slot receiver, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine is the number four wide receiver as well as Jha'Quan Jackson their 2024 sixth round pick out of Tulane as their number five wide receiver. Tennessee traded DeAndre Hopkins to the Kansas City Chiefs which is why the wide receiver room looks different. Calvin Ridley might be out this week with an injury as he did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday. Treylon Burks is on injured reserve too. There's a chance Tennessee heads into week 8 with Tyler Boyd as their primary flanker wide receiver, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine as the secondary wide receiver, and Jha'Quan Jackson as the slot receiver.
Tennessee has Chigoziem Okonwko as their starting tight end and Josh Whyle as the backup tight end. Tennessee has Tony Pollard as their starting running back and Tyjae Spears their 2023 third round pick out of Tulane entering year two as the backup running back. Tyjae Spears is out at running back in week 7. Tennesee has depth at wide receiver, but that feels like the only position the Tennessee Titans have depth at.
Tennessee has Jeffrey Simmons at 3-4 right end, T'Vondre Sweat, Tennessee's 2024 second round pick out of Texas will start at 3-4 nose tackle, and Sebastian Joseph-Day will start at 3-4 left end replacing Denico Autry. Tennessee also has Keondre Coburn for depth at nose tackle as Coburn mentored Sweat at Texas when Sweat was a freshman.
Tennesee has Harold Landry at 3-4 right outside linebacker and Arden Key at 3-4 left outside linebacker. Rashad Weaver is the backup 3-4 right outside linebacker with Arden Key back. Caleb Murphy is the backup 3-4 left outside linebacker. Kenneth Murray will start at 3-4 middle linebacker and call the plays on defense with Jerome Baker complimenting him. Jack Gibbens and Cedric Gray, Tennessee's 2024 fourth round pick out of North Carolina are the two backup 3-4 middle linebackers. Tennessee has quite a bit of depth at 3-4 outside linebacker and 3-4 middle linebacker when everyone is fully healthy.
Tennessee has Chidobe Awuzie at field cornerback, L'Jarius Sneed at boundary cornerback, and nickel cornerback Roger McCreary enters his third season at nickel cornerback. Jarvis Brownlee Jr. a 2024 fifth round pick out of Louisville is the dime cornerback. Chidobe Awuzie got placed on injured reserve in week 4. In week 4, Tennessee started Jarvis Brownelee Jr. their 2024 fifth round pick at field cornerback, left L'Jarius Sneed at boundary cornerback and left Roger McCreary at nickel cornerback. Jarvis Brownlee Jr. will start as the number one cornerback on the Tennessee Titans for the next three weeks and could become a permanent starter in this secondary depending on how he does with Chidobe Awuzie's injury history as Jarvis Brownlee Jr. has done a good job in relief of Chidobe Awuzie. L'Jarius Sneed could be out at boundary cornerback in week 8 and Chidboe Awuzie is expected to be out again. Roger McCreary will start with Jarvis Brownlee Jr., but that third cornerback will get exposed until Awuzie or Sneed returns.
Tennessee has Amani Hooker at strong safety and Quandre Diggs at free safety. Tennessee also has Jamal Adams as the backup strong safety and Mike Brown as the backup free safety.
Tennessee has depth at nose tackle, 3-4 outside linebacker, 3-4 middle linebacker, cornerback and safety. Tennessee doesn't have depth at five technique if Jeffrey Simmons or Sebastian Joseph-Day get injured at 3-4 defensive end.
Tennessee has Nick Folk at kicker and Ryan Stonehouse is back at punter. Tyjae Spears is expected to be the kick returner while Jha'Quan Jackson is expected to be the punt returner.
Why the Detroit Lions Will Win: Detroit Lions starting quarterback Jared Goff has a strong offensive line once again He's got Taylor Decker back at left tackle, Graham Glasgow at left guard, Frank Ragnow at center, Kevin Zeitler at right guard, and Penei Sewell at right tackle. Dan Skipper is the backup left tackle and Colby Sorsdal is the backup right tackle. Detroit has good starters on the offensive line, but the depth you'd like to see isn't there. Detroit Lions 2023 third round pick Hendon Hooker is the backup to Jared Goff after redshirting as a rookie quarterback.
Jared Goff has Amon-Ra St. Brown as his number one flanker wide receiver, Jameson Williams is the secondary wide receiver, Kalif Raymond is the slot receiver. Jameson Williamsis going to be suspended for the next two games. Sam LaPorta had a great rookie season last year and managed to emerge as a top 10 starting tight end. Brock Wright is the number two tight end. Jahmyr Gibbs is expected to be the number one running back with David Montgomery complimenting Gibbs. Last year David Montgomery started with Jahmyr Gibbs complimenting him with Gibbs being eased in. Detroit has two number one running backs in their backfield. Craig Reynolds is the third string running back and Detroit Lions 2024 fourth round pick Sione Vaki a safety at Utah is the fourth string running back.
Detroit will have Aidan Hutchinson at 4-3 right end, D.J. Reader at 4-3 defensive tackle, Alim McNeil at 4-3 defensive tackle, and Marcus Davenport at 4-3 left end as their starters on the defensive line. James Houston IV is the backup 4-3 right end with John Cominsky on injured reserve, Levi Onwuzirike is the backup 4-3 defensive tackle to D.J. Reader, Mekhi Wingo is the backup 4-3 defensive tackle to Alim McNeil, and Josh Pascal is the backup 4-3 left end to Marcus Davenport with John Cominsky on injured reserve. Both Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport are out for the year at 4-3 right end and 4-3 left end. John Cominsky the backup 4-3 defensive end is injured too, so Detroit will have to start their number four and number five defensive ends until John Cominsky returns. Josh Pascal, Detroit's 2022 second round pick that was drafted in the same year as Aidan Hutchinson will start at 4-3 right end. Josh Pascal, Detroit's 2022 second round pick that was drafted in the same year as Aidan Hutchinson will start at 4-3 right end. James Houston IV Detroit's 2022 sixth round pick is starting at 4-3 left end.
Alex Anzalone is moving from 4-3 right outside linebacker, Jack Campbell Detroit's 2023 first round pick out of Iowa will start at 4-3 middle linebacker, and Derrick Barnes at 4-3 left outside linebacker. Malcolm Rodriguez is the backup 4-3 right outside linebacker as well as the backup right outside linebacker in a 4-2-5 nickel defense. Derrick Barnes is the backup to Jack Campbell in a 4-2-5 nickel defense. Jalen Reeves-Maybin is the backup 4-3 left outside linebacker as well as a third string right outside linebacker in a 4-2-5 nickel defense.
Detroit currently has Carlton Davis at field cornerback, Terrion Arnold their 2024 first round pick out of Alabama is at boundary cornerback, Brian Branch as their nickel cornerback, Amik Robertson is the dime cornerback, and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. their 2024 second round pick is the quarter cornerback. Ifeatu Melifonwu is the strong safety and Kerby Joseph is the starting free safety. There's some speculation that Brian Branch moves from nickel cornerback to strong safety with Amik Robertson starting at nickel corenrback, but Robertson isn't that good, so I'll believe it when I see it.
Jake Bates is Detroit's kicker. Jack Fox is punter. Craig Reynolds is the kick returner and Kalif Raymond is the punt returner.
Prediction: Detroit is a 9.5 point favorite at -9.5. The over or under is 45 with 75% of the public betting on Detroit. The money line is +375 for Tennessee and -500 for Detroit. Take Detroit to win and cover with the under at -500. Bet $600 on this game for Detroit and win up to $1,100 as long as the Lions win by 10 or more.
Final Score Lions 31 Titans 13
Who Everyone Else Picked
Oren Shiri
Jason Bantle
Joseph Potter
Andrew Kermish
Tracy Porter
Wes Langley
Indianapolis Colts 4-3-0
Versus
Houston Texans 5-2-0
Chris Ransom's Pick
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Why the Indianapolis Colts Will Win: Anthony Richardson the fourth pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Florida started the year before a season ending injury shut him down early in 2023. I feel like Anthony Richardson is poised to rebound in 2024 and as long as he's healthy the Indianapolis Colts have a shot to make things interesting in the AFC South Division. Indianapolis also signed Joe Flacco to be his backup this season. Joe Flacco came in for an injured Anthony Richardson in week 4 and the Indianapolis Colts still won largely due to the play of running back Jonathan Taylor. Joe Flacco started two games. Anthony Richardson is starting again.
Anthony Richardson has Bernard Raimann at left tackle, Quinton Nelson at left guard, Ryan Kelly at center, Tanor Bortolini at right guard replacing Will Fries whose out for the year after Bortolini finished in the top five among centers as a rookie the last two weeks when Ryan Kelly was out, and Braden Smith at right tackle. Matt Goncalves a 2024 third round pick out of Pittsburgh is the backup left tackle, Danny Pinter is the backup left guard, center, as well as the backup right guard, and Blake Freeland one of their draft picks out of BYU is the backup right tackle. Jake Witt a 2023 seventh round pick out of Northern Michigan is the third string left tackle. Indianapolis didn't have Ryan Kelly in week 4. The Colts offensive line has been healthy the last two weeks outside of Will Fries getting a season ending injury at right guard.
Indianapolis has Michael Pittman Jr. as their flanker wide receiver, Josh Downs as their secondary wide receiver when fully healthy, and Alec Pierce as their slot receiver. Adonai Mitchell the Indianapolis Colts 2024 second round pick out of Texas is the number four wide receiver. Ashton Dulin who scored a 54 yard receiving touchdown in week 1 is the number five wide receiver on this depth chart. Anthony Gould a 2024 fifth round pick out of Oregon State is the number six wide receiver, but he feels like nothing more than a career backup.
Kyler Granson is the starting tight end. Mo Alie-Cox is the backup string tight end. Drew Ogletree is the third stright tight end thanks to Jelani Woods going on injured reserve for the second year in a row after staying healthy and starting in the second half of his rookie year. Indianapolis remains stacked at tight end.
Indianapolis has Jonathan Taylor as their starting running back, but the Colts are in trouble if he goes down again. Trey Sermon a fourth string running back on the Philadelphia Eagles last year is the backup running back. Evan Hull a 2023 fifth round pick out of Northwestern whose better in pass protection than Sermon is struggling to jump Sermon on the depth chart after missing most of his rookie season with a season ending injury so far in his second NFL season. Indianapolis had Zack Moss last year which is why they were able to stay competitive at times even without Jonathan Taylor and I'm not sure that's the case again in 2024 if Jonathan Taylor goes down as Taylor is the most important player on this offense with a lack of quality depth options behind him. Jonathan Taylor has missed weeks 5-7 after helping the Indianapolis Colts win in week 3 and week 4. Jonathan Taylor is practicing again heading into week 8, so there's a good chance he returns from his injury.
Indianapolis has Laiatu Latu their 2024 first round pick out of UCLA at 4-3 right end, DeForest Buckner at 4-3 defensive tackle, Grover Stewart back at 4-3 defensive tackle, and Kwity Paye their 2021 first round pick at 4-3 left end. Dayo Odeyingbo a 2021 second round pick out of Vanderbilt is the backup 4-3 right end with Samson Ekubam tearing his ACL, Raekwon Davis will be the backup number three 4-3 defensive tackle, Adetomiwa Adebawaroe a defensive lineman out of Northwestern that I loved in the 2023 NFL Draft is the number four 4-3 defensive tackle. DeForest Buckner got plced on injured reserve leading up to week 3 and will be out for one more week. Samson Ekubam is out for the year on injured reserve and so is Tyquan Lewis. Indianapolis is getting DeForest Buckner back in week 8. Indianapolis will have their defensive line at full health for the first time since week 1.
Indianapolis has E.J. Speed at 4-3 right outside linebacker in their 4-2-5 nickel defense and Zaire Franklin at 4-3 middle linebacker in their 4-2-5 nickel defense. I'm not sold on Jaylon Carlies as a linebacker since he played safety at Missouri.
Indianapolis will have Julius Brents their 2023 second round pick out of Kansas State as their number one field cornerback. Jaylon Jones a 2023 seventh round pick out of Texas A&M is the boundary cornerback. Kenny Moore II last years nickel cornerback remaining at nickel. Julius Brents is having season ending knee surgery at field cornerback which could hurt the Indianapolis Colts. Kenny Moore II got injured in week 3 and missed the last two weeks, but Kenny Moore II retured in week 5.
Indianapolis is starting Julian Blackmon at strong safety. Ronnie Harrison Jr., Nick Cross, Trevor Denbow, and Rodney Thomas II have all struggled to win the free safety job with defensive coordinator Gus Bradley stating he has no idea who will start at free safety across from Blackmon. Daniel Scott who got injured as a rookie is still on injured reserve entering year two. Indianapolis wisely opted to name Nick Cross the starting free safety across from Blackmon as Nick Cross was a 2022 third round pick out of Maryland. Julian Blackmon is starting at strong safety and Nick Cross is starting at free safety.
Matt Gay is the Indianapolis Colts starting kicker. Some guy named Rigoberto Sanchez who I never heard of is the Indianapolis Colts punter. Anthony Gould will be both the kick returner and punt returner for the Indianapolis Colts on special teams. Matt Gay didn't practice on Wednesday or Thursday, but he showed up on Friday.
Why the Houston Texans Will Win: C.J. Stroud the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Ohio State ended up winning Offensive Rookie Of The Year and took the Houston Texans to the Divisional Round as a rookie. Houston has Laremy Tunsil at left tackle, Kenyon Green at left guard, Juice Scruggs a 2023 second round pick out of Penn State at center, Shaq Mason at right guard, and Tytus Howard at right tackle. Blake Fisher is the backup left tackle, Kendrick Green is the backup left guard, Jarrett Patterson is the backup center, and Charlie Heck is the backup right tackle. Unlike last year there is depth everywhere on the offensive line outside of right guard and also this offensive line is fully healthy which should frighten the rest of the league. Houston had some players out with injuries in weeks 5 and 6, but Houston had everyone on the offensive line at full health in week 7. Laremy Tunsil and Tytus Howard have done well most of the year, but the offensive tackle tandem struggled versus NFC North teams in weeks 3 and 7.
Houston has Nico Collins as their number one flanker receiver, Stefon Diggs as their number two secondary receiver, and Nathaniel "Tank" Dell as their slot receiver after Stroud told the Houston Texans to draft the Houston Cougars wide receiver as a receiving target. Houston took Tank Dell in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Houston. Houston has John Metchie III currently the number four receiver on Houston's depth chart, Robert Woods is the number five wide receiverm, Steven Sims is the number six wide receiver. Xavier Hutchinson is the number seven wide receiver on this depth chart. Tank Dell will be back this week. Houston placed Nico Collins on injured reserve entering week 6. Houston went 1-1 without Nico Collins as Nico Collins is out for two more games.
Dalton Schultz is the starting tight end. Brevin Jordan has been the backup tight end in Quitoriano's absence before Houston cut Quitoriano. Brevin Jordan is out for the year. Cade Stover is now the backup tight end as he showed big time playmaking in the Hall Of Fame game after being a 2024 fourth round pick out of Ohio State after entering training camp as the fourth string tight end. Cade Stover's rapport with C.J. Stroud dating back to their time at Ohio State is incredible.
Joe Mixon is the starting running back. Dameon Pierce is the backup running back. Cam Akers has started the last two weeks and has emerged as a player that will probably be the Houston Texans third string running back when Joe Mixon and Dameon Pierce return. Cam Akers will make his third straight NFL start in week 5. Dameon Pierce could be back in week 6, but it looks like Joe Mixon will be out another week. British Brooks is the starting fullback. Davis Mills and Case Keenum looked good as backups in the preseason, but both were going against second team players on the Chicago Bears in the Hall Of Fame game. Davis Mills is the current backup to C.J. Stroud while third stringer Case Keenum is on injured reserve.
Houston has Danielle Hunter starting at 4-3 right end, Folorunso Fatukasi starting at 4-3 defensive tackle, Mario Edwards Jr. starting at 4-3 defensive tackle, and Will Anderson Jr. their third overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Alabama starting at 4-3 left end. Jerry Hughes is the backup 4-3 right end until Dylan Horton gets back with Derek Barnett as the backup 4-3 left end. Denico Autry may start when he returns from his suspension if Mario Edwards Jr. struggles at 4-3 defensive tackle in absence. Tim Settle Jr., the former Buffalo Bills defensive tackle is the backup 4-3 defensive tackle. Jerry Hughes is still on injured reserve. Derek Barnett the backup 4-3 left end is also dealing with an injury.
Houston has Christian Harris a linebacker from Alabama at 4-3 right outside linebacker, Azeez Al-Shaair at 4-3 middle linebacker, and Henry To'oTo'o at 4-3 left outside linebacker. Christian Harris and Azeez Al-Shaair will be the only starters at linebacker in 4-2-5 nickel packages, but I'd start Henry To'oTo'o over Azeez Al-Shaair since I beleive Henry To'oTo'o has a higher ceiling. If any of those three linebackers get injured Houston won't have any depth with Henry To'oTo'o being the only depth Houston has at linebacker when the Houston Texans choose to operate a nickel defense. Christian Harris did get placed on injured reserve and is out the first four weeks, but Harris is back now. Azeez Al-Shaair is going to be out again, but Houston is getting Henry To'oTo'o back from concussion protocol.
Houston has Derek Stingley Jr. at field cornerback, Kamari Lassiter took the boundary cornerback job from free agent Jeffrey Okudah, Jalen Pitre will transition from free safety to nickel cornerback, Jeffrey Okudah is the dime cornerback. Jimmie Ward is starting at strong safety while Calen Bullock is starting at free safety as a 2024 third round pick out of USC. Eric Murray and M.J. Stewart remain backup safeties with Eric Murray as the backup free safety and M.J. Stewart as the backup strong safety. M.J. Stewart is out in week 1, so there won't be any depth behind Jimmie Ward if he goes down with an injury since Houston opted to move Jalen Pitre to nickel cornerback which was a position Pitre played situationally at Baylor despite mainly being a strong safety and free safety at Baylor. Jimmie Ward is out in week 4 and is game-time decision for week 5. He missed the Wednesday practice heading into week 6, but played that week. Kamari Lassiter could be back at cornerback in week 8. Jimmie Ward could miss the second week in a row and the fourth game in five weeks.
Houston has Ka'imi Fairbairn at kicker. Tommy Townsend the Kansas City Chiefs punter signed with the Houston Texans. Dameon Pierce is the kick returner and the punt returner despite seeing less carries in Houston's backfield with the arrival of Joe Mixon.
Prediction: Houston is a 6 point favorite at -6. The over or under is 47.5 with 62% of the public betting on Houston. The money line is +205 for Indianapolis and -250 for Houston. Take Houston to win and cover with the under at -250. Bet $350 on this game for Houston and win up to $600 as long as the Texans win by 7 or more.
Final Score Texans 27 Colts 20
Who Everyone Else Picked
Oren Shiri
Jason Bantle
Joseph Potter
Andrew Kermish
Tracy Porter
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Green Bay Packers 5-2-0
Versus
Jacksonville Jaguars 2-5-0
Chris Ransom's Pick
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I've been uploading film to our Youtube Channel for the 2025 NFL Draft. We're even incorporating that film into our mock drafts. If you do film cut ups, add me on Twitter @DraftUtopia and message me. I'm also posting full College Games On Rumble as well as older games which are currently archived on Bitchute like LSU's National Title win over Clemson that got 8,500 views on Bitchute, but I'll probably focus more on Youtube and Rumble since Bitchute wouldn't let me upload content.
I posted a film cut of Texas A&M EDGE Nic Scourton VS Notre Dame.
Why the Green Bay Packers Will Win: Jordan Love became the highest paid quarterback after going 9-8 and taking Green Bay to the Divisional Round of the NFC Playoffs last year after Green Bay's 2020 first round pick finally replaced Aaron Rodgers. Green Bay has Rasheed Walker at left tackle, Elgton Jenkins at left guard, Josh Myers at center, Jordan Morgan at right guard, and Zach Tom at right tackle. Green Bay also has Andre Dillard as the backup left tackle, Jacob Monk as the backup center, and Sean Rhyan as the backup right guard with better depth on their interior offensive line for quarterback Jordan Love.
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 three as the flanker receiver and number one target. Romeo Doubs Green Bay's 2022 fourth round pick out of Nevada is the secondary wide receiver, but will be Green Bay's number one receiver unless he gets ruled out too after being listed as questionable for week 1. Jayden Reed Green Bay's 2023 second round pick supplanted Romeo Doubs as the number two secondary wide receiver on this depth chart after winning the slot receiver job as a rookie. Dontayvion Wicks is the number four wide receiver on the Green Bay Packers.
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 the 2023 NFL Draft. Green Bay has a good starter and backup tight end on rookie deals for three more years and both tight ends can perform like number one tight ends when fully healthy. Luke Musgrave got placed on injured reserve heading into week 6 and is out for two more weeks.
Green Bay has Josh Jacobs as their starting running back and Marshawn Lloyd is the backup running back, and A.J. Dillon is the third string running back, but he will begin the season on injured reserve. Marshawn Lloyd the backup was inactive in week 1. Emmanuel Wilson who was supposed to be the third string running back got promoted to backup running back at the last minute. Green Bay has depth at running back, wide receiver, tight end.
Green Bay is moving from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense. Preston Smith will start at 4-3 right end, Kenny Clark will start at 4-3 defensive tackle, T.J. Slaton will start at 4-3 defensive tackle beating out DeVonte Wyatt for one of the starting defensive tackle spots, and Rashan Gary is the starting 4-3 left end. Lukas Van Ness is the backup 4-3 right end as the backup to Preston Smith, Devonte Wyatt one of Green Bay's two 2022 first round picks out of Georgia is the backup 4-3 defensive tackle to Kenny Clark, Karl Brooks is the backup 4-3 defensive tackle to T.J. Slaton, and Kingsley Enagbare is the backup 4-3 left end is the backup to Rashan Gary. Colby Wooden is Green Bay's third string 4-3 defensive tackle despite being drafted two rounds ahead of Brooks in 2023. Kenny Clark has not practiced this week.
Green Bay has Quay Walker as their 4-3 right outside linebacker in a 4-2-5 nickel defense with Isaiah McDuffie projected to start at 4-3 middle linebacker. Ty'Ron Hopper a rookie drafted in the third round is the backup to Quay Walker and Edgerin Cooper is the backup to Isaiah McDuffie right now, but something tells me Edgerin Cooper is starting for Green Bay by next season at the very latest with McDuffie in a contract year on the final year of his rookie deal. Quay Walker is in concussion protocol, but there's a chance he's cleared by Sunday.
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. Eric Stokes is the boundary cornerback after being Green Bay's 2021 first round pick. Keisean Nixon is Green Bay's nickel cornerback. Carrington Valentine is the dime cornerback and Corey Ballentine is the quarter cornerback. Green Bay has Xavier McKinney at strong safety and Javon Bullard at free safety. Jaire Alexander missed week 4. He might be back in week 5, but he could also be out this week. Jaire Alexander played in week 5. Evan Williams has looked like a starting safety despite playing situationally.
Brandon McManus is the new stating kicker. Keisean Nixon Green Bay's nickel cornerback is the return specialist at kick returner and punt returner.
Why the Jacksonville Jaguars Will Win: Trevor Lawrence got extended at quarterback. Jacksonville has Cam Robinson at left tackle, Ezra Cleveland at left guard, Mitch Morse at center, Brandon Scherff at right guard, and Anton Harrison at right tackle. Walker Little is the backup left tackle, Cole Van Lanen is the backup left guard, Luke Fortner is the backup center, Cooper Hodges is the backup right guard, and Javon Foster is the backup right tackle. Jacksonville's offensive line can be lethal if they avoid injuries and I love the backups in their respective roles. Cam Robinson suffered a concussion in London, but Walker Little showed he could pass block and run block finishing week 7 with a top 5. Cam Robinson did practice in a limited capacity on Thursday as this could be the first game where the Jacksonville Jaguars are fully healthy since week 1.
Jacksonville has Gabriel Davis as their flanker wide receiver, Brian Thomas Jr. as their secondary wide receiver as a 2024 first round pick out of LSU, and Christian Kirk as the slot receiver. Devin Duvernay is an okay number four wide receiver, but I saw him enough in Baltimore to know he's nothing more than a quality backup at best. Parker Washington is the number five wide receiver. Jacksonville is in trouble if Gabriel Davis, Brian Thomas Jr., or Christian Kirk gets injured at wide receiver.
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 has Travis Etienne as the starting running back, Tank Bigsby as the number two running back, D'Ernest Johnson is the third string running back , and Keilan Robinson a 2024 fifth round pick is the fourth string running back. Travis Etienne had a hamstring injury in week 6 and even though he had limited participation he may be doubtful for week 7. Travis Etienne could be back in week 8 after missing week 7.
The only position where I'm comfortable with the backups from a depth perspective on the Jacksonville Jaguars offense is the offensive line. If something happens to Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne, Gabriel Davis, Brian Thomas Jr., Christian Kirk, or Evan Engram then Jacksonville is in trouble. Mac Jones did sign with Jacksonville to be a backup to Trevor Lawrence, but I'm not sold on him as he peaked after his rookie season.
Jacksonville has Josh Hines-Allen at 4-3 right end, DaVon Hamilton at 4-3 defensive tackle, Arik Armstead at 4-3 defensive tackle, and Travon Walker at 4-3 left end. Roy Robertson-Harris is the backup 4-3 defensive tackle, Jeremiah Ledbetter is the other backup 4-3 defensive tackle, Maason Smith a 2024 second round pick out of LSU is the number five 4-3 defensive tackle, and Jordan Jefferson his LSU teammate that Jacksonville drafted in the fourth round is the number six 4-3 defensive tackle playing with Maason Smith on the third string defensive tackle pairing. Jacksonville doesn't have much depth at 4-3 defensive end, but has depth in spades at 4-3 defensive tackle.
Jacksonville has Foyesade Oluokun at 4-3 right outside linebacker in a 4-2-5 nickel defense and Devin Lloyd at 4-3 middle linebacker in a 4-2-5 nickel defense. Chad Muma is starting at 4-3 left outside linebacker, but will also play backup middle linebacker in a 4-2-5 defense. Jacksonville also has Yasir Abdullah as the backup outside linebacker at both right and left outside linebacker. Foyesade Oluokun practiced in a limited capacity. Vontrell Miller has done well enough to push Devin Lloyd ahd Chad Muma for starting middle linebacker reps. Jacksonville has a lot of depth on their front 7 when everyone is healthy. This is the healthiest Jacksonville's front 7 has been since week 1.
Jacksonville has Tyson Campbell at field cornerback who they recently extended, Ronald Darby at boundary cornerback, former Green Bay Packers safety Darnell Savage is the new nickel cornerback, Montaric Brown is the dime cornerback, Jarrian Jones a 2024 third round pick out of Florida State and De'Ante Prince a 2024 fifth round pick out of Ole Miss are competing for the quarter cornerback job. Antonio Johnson will be the new starting strong safety with Andre Cisco at free safety. Andrew Wingard is the backup free safety and Daniel Thomas who signed a team friendly extension is the backup strong safety. This will be the first week since week 1 where the Jacksonville Jaguars defense is at full health
Jacksonville replaced Cam Little at kicker which I think was an excellent decision by the Jaguars at kicker. Logan Cooke doesn't excite me as a punter yet he's back. Devin Duvernay replaces Jamal Agnew as both a kick returner and a punt returner.
Prediction: Green Bay is a 4 point favorite at -4. The over or under is 47.5 with 52% of the public betting on Green Bay. The money line is -215 for Green Bay and +175 for Jacksonville. Take Green Bay to win and to cover with the under at -215. Bet $285 on this game for Green Bay and win up to $500 as long as the Packers win by 5 or more.
Final Score Packers 24 Jaguars 19
Who Everyone Else Picked
Oren Shiri
Jason Bantle
Joseph Potter
Andrew Kermish
Tracy Porter
Wes Langley
Arizona Cardinals 3-4-0
Versus
Miami Dolphins 2-4-0
Chris Ransom's Pick
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Why the Arizona Cardinals Will Win: Arizona Cardinals starting quarterback Kyler Murray seems to have matured this offsesason and it is refreshing to see him take responsibility. Arizona has Paris Johnson Jr. at left tackle after playing right tackle as a rookie, Evan Brown, the Seattle Seahawks center is Arizona's new starting left guard, Hjalte Froholdt is Arizona's starting center, Will Hernandez is back at right guard, and Jonah Williams signed with Arizona on a one year deal as a bookend to Paris Johnson Jr. after making the transition from left tackle to right tackle with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2023. Arizona has Kelvin Beachum as their backup left tackle who will now be the main swing tackle with Arizona's backup right tackle on injured reserve the first four weeks, Isaiah Adams Arizona's 2024 third round pick is the backup left guard, Trystan Colon is the backup center, Jon Gaines II is the backup right guard, and Christian Jones is the backup right tackle once he returns from injured . Arizona has Will Hernandez on injured reserve at right guard and Jonah Williams at right tackle after Jonah Williams got injured in week 1. Kelvin Beachum has filled in for Jonah Williams at right tackle even though Christian Jones might be a better starter.
Arizona got a true number one flanker wide receiver for Kyler Murray in Marvin Harrison Jr. who was the best receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft. Michael Wilson is the number two secondary wide receiver. Greg Dortch dominated training camp to the point where he's supplanted Zay Jones as Arizona's slot receiver. Zay Jones is now the number four wide receiver. Zach Pascal was a number four wide receiver on the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl 57 team that Jonathan Gannon was a defensive coordinator on, but he's a number five wide receiver on this roster. Former Colorado wide receiver Xavier Weaver, who I had a fifth round grade on, made Arizona's final 53 man roster as an undrafted rookie and begins the season as the number six wide receiver on this depth chart. Xavier Weaver remains that role, but Arizona has a ton of depth in terms of wide receiver.
Trey McBride, Arizona's 2022 second round pick out of Colorado State took the starting tight end job from Zach Ertz in the second half of the2023 season after seeing limited action as a rookie when Ertz got injured in 2022. Elijah Higgins who showed promise down the stretch as a number two tight end is the backup tight end. Tip Reiman a 2024 third round pick out of Illinois is the third string tight end.
James Conner remains the starting running back. Trey Benson, Arizona's 2024 third round pick is a good backup for James Conner in Arizona. Arizona will rely heavily on those two in the running game. Arizona has the best wide receiver depth, tight end depth, offensive tackle depth, and guard depth that Kyler Murray has ever had in his career. Arizona doesn't have a number three running back or a quality center as I'm not sold on Froholdt or Colon.
Arizona has Justin Jones starting at 3-4 right end, Roy Lopez starting at 3-4 nose tackle, and Bilal Nichols who played with Justin Jones in Chicago as their starting 3-4 left end. Dante Stills who led Arizona's defensive line in sacks as a rookie is the backup 3-4 right end. Khyris Tonga who entered the season as the favorite to start at nose tackle is now on Arizona's second team as the backup 3-4 nose tackle following the emergence of Roy Lopez and Darius Robinson, Arizona's second 2024 first round pick is the backup 3-4 left end. Arizona will have a lot of depth on this defensive line when everyone is fully healthy, but Darius Robinson will begin the first four weeks on injured reserve. Khyris Tonga the backup 3-4 nose tackle on the Arizona Cardinals is out with an injury in week 4.
Arizona doesn't have B.J. Ojulari or Dennis Gardeck at 3-4 right outside linebacker. This means any team with a decent quarterback and left tackle has the chance to steal a win from the Arizona Carinals. Zaven Collins Arizona's 2021 first round pick out of Tulsa will play 3-4 left outside linebacker. Kyzir White and Mack Wilson Sr. are the two starting 3-4 middle linebackers.
Arizona Cardinals 2024 second round pick out of Rutgers, Max Melton is covering Marvin Harrison Jr. in practice and actually breaking up passes Kyler Murray is throwing Marvin Harrison Jr.'s way which means he's taken the number one field cornerback job from veteran free agent Sean Murphy-Bunting whose been a number two cornerback his entire career even dating back to Central Michigan as now Sean Murphy-Bunting can be a boundary cornerback against number two wide receivers while also mentoring rookie Max Melton on how to be the best number one cornerback he can possibly be. Garrett Williams, the Arizona Cardinals 2023 third round pick out of Syracuse is the projected nickel cornerback. This cornerback room is going to be better than I initially projected them to be if Max Melton is the field cornerback covering number one wide receivers. Jalen Thompson is back at strong safety with Budda Baker back at free safety, but both safeties are versatile enough to play both safety roles. As long as these five defensive backs stay healthy, Arizona's secondary may force some turnovers to bail out Kyler Murray when he has Call Of Duty flashbacks during NFL games.
Matt Prater is Arizona's kicker. DeeJay Dallas is the kick returner and Greg Dortch is expected to go from return specialist on both kickoffs and punts to just returning punt returns this upcoming season.
Why the Miami Dolphins Will Win: Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has Terron Armstead at left tackle, Robert Jones at left guard until Isaiah Wynn is cleared to return from his injury off of the PUP list, Aaron Brewer at center, Robert Jones at right guard, and Austin Jackson is the blindside at right tackle for left handed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Miami has Patrick Paul a 2024 second round pick as the backup left tackle, Lester Cotton is the backup right guard, and Kendall Lamm is the backup right tackle. The one position Miami is kind of thin at is center, but as long as these starters remain healthy on the offensive line Miami will have one of the leagues best offenses. Tua Tagovailoa is finally back from his concussion in week 2.
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. Odell Beckham Jr. is the slot receiver, but he's still on the PUP list. Braxton Berrios last years slot receiver is now the number four wide receiver, but he's been the slot receiver in relief of Odell Beckham Jr.. Miami also has Malik Washington a 2024 sixth round pick out of Virginia is the number five wide receiver on this depth chart who might play slot receiver this week if Odell Beckham Jr. is out along with Braxton Berrios. River Cracraft, Tajh Washington, and Anthony Schwartz all begin the regular season on injured reserve which is why Miami didn't have to cut any of those backups yet.
Jonnu Smith is Miami's starting tight end. Durham Smythe compliments him as the number two tight end. Miami could upgrade at tight end in the 2025 NFL Draft if both tight ends underachieve, but I doubt they do that with their current contracts.
Miami has Raheem Mostert as their starting running back, De'Von Achane, Miami's 2023 third round pick out of Texas A&M surprised me as a rookie and is the number two running back, and Jaylen Wright Miami's 2024 fourth round pick is the third string running back. Fullback Alec Ingold enters year two as the Miami Dolphins fullback.
Miami has Calias Campbell at 3-4 right end, Benito Jones at 3-4 nose tackle, and Zach Seiler at 3-4 left end. Miami's 3-4 defensive line is much weaker and has much less depth than a year ago. I still like Calias Campbell, but he's a downgrade over Christian Wilkins at this point despite his effectiveness and longevity.
Miami has Bradley Chubb at 3-4 right outside linebacker, Jordyn Brooks at 3-4 middle linebacker, David Long Jr. at 3-4 middle linebacker, and Jaelen Phillips at 3-4 left outside linebacker. Bradley Chubb is still on the PUP list after his late season injury last year. Chop Robinson beat out Emmanuel Ogbah for the starting 3-4 right outside linebacker job next to Jaelen Phillips until Bradley Chubb returns which is no surprise considering that Chop Robinson was the Miami Dolphins 2024 first round pick out of Penn State. Anthony Walker Jr. is the backup 3-4 middle linebacker and Emmanuel Ogbah is the backup 3-4 left outside linebacker. Jaelen Phillips is out for the year again at 3-4 left outside linebacker.
Miami has Jalen Ramsey at field cornerback covering number one receivers. Kendall Fuller replaced Xavien Howard, but will play boundary cornerback covering number two wide receivers. Kader Kohoo is the nickel cornerback. Siran Neal is the dime cornerback. Cam Smith is the quarter cornerback, but he's on injured reserve. Jordan Poyer is now Miami's strong safety and Jevon Holland is Miami's free safety. Marcus Maye is the Miami Dolphins backup strong safety. Jalen Ramsey didn't practice on Wednesday or Thursday leading up to Miami's week 1 game against Jacksonville. Jalen Ramsey did play in that game. Kendall Fuller might be out in week 4.
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.
Prediction: Miami is a 3 point favorite at -3. The over or under is 47.5 with 69% of the public betting on Miami. The money line is +130 for Arizona and -155 for Miami. Take Miami to win and cover with the over at -155. Bet $245 on this game for Miami and win up to $400 as long as the Dolphins win by 44 or more.
Final Score Dolphins 27 Cardinals 23
Who Everyone Else Picked
Oren Shiri
Jason Bantle
Joseph Potter
Andrew Kermish
Tracy Porter
Wes Langley
New York Jets 2-5-0
Versus
New England Patriots 1-6-0
Chris Ransom's Pick
Looking at the 2025 Draft Classes in each sport there is a lot of intrigue. I'd argue the 2025 NBA Draft which would have had every player in the top 12 go ahead of last years first overall pick Zachary Rissacher in the 2024 NBA Draft headlined by Duke power forward Cooper Flagg is the strongest of the six after being the weakest of the six in 2024 when comparing that draft to the NFL, NHL, MLB, MLS, and WNBA mock drafts. The 2025 NFL Draft is pretty strong at defensive end, running back, and defensive tackle as my two round 2025 NFL Mock Draft is up. My 2025 NHL Mock Draft is also up. My 2025 NBA Mock Draft is also up.
There's 19 skaters with experience on the first line at forward as well as defensemen in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft which is fewer than the 2023 or 2024 NHL Drafts, but it is the best goalie draft since 2012 with Andrei Vasilevsky, Matt Murray, along with Connor Hellebuyck or 2017 which featured Jake Oettinger, Ukko-Pekko Lukkonen, Stuart Skinner, Jeremy Swayman, as well as Cayden Primeau with the 2017 NHL Entry Draft producing five NHL starting goalies because the 2025 NHL Entry Draft has 10 goalies projected to go in the top 90 meaning its literally the equivalent of the 2012 NFL Draft when you had nearly that many quarterbacks go in the first three rounds. The 2012 NHL Draft was stacked at goalie, but outside of guys like Morgan Reilly whose still the number one defenseman on Toronto twelve years later, it was an underwhelming draft for skaters with Nail Yakupov, Ryan Murray, and Alex Galchenyuk going in the top three ahead of Reilly with everyone in the top 3 of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft being a bust.
The 2025 MLB Draft has Ethan Holliday Jackson Holliday's younger brother is the top prospect as well as the top High School batter, Seth Hernandez is the top High School pitcher, Jace Laviolette a center fielder on Texas A&M is the top college batter, and Jamie Arnold the number one starter on Florida State is the top college pitcher with those four all projected to go in the top 8. The Chicago White Sox, the worst team in the MLB will not pick until 10 due to lottery rules for the 2025 MLB Draft.
The 2025 MLS Draft will be headlined by Wisconsin forward Dean Bolz and Pittsburgh center back Niklas Soerensen. These two freshman could end up going in the top 2 of the 2025 MLS Super Draft. There will be other sophomores, juniors, and seniors in College Soccer that will warrrant consideration for the 2025 MLS Super Draft on December 20, 2024.
Connecticut point guard Paige Buekers will headline the 2025 WNBA Draft with the Golden State Valkyries set to join the WNBA as an expansion team in 2025. I doubt Golden State will be a part of the 2025 WNBA Draft Lottery and the bottom four teams in the regular season this year should be in the Paige Buekers lottery.
Why the New York Jets Will Win: New York got Aaron Rodgers to be their starting quarterback thanks to a pre draft trade with Aaron Rodgers leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft. This time, the New York Jets hope Aaron Rodgers stays healthy at quarterback. The New York Jets have Tyron Smith at left tackle, John Simpson at left guard, Joe Tippman at center, Alijah Vera-Tucker at right guard, and Morgan Moses at right tackle. Olumuyiwa Fashanu, the New York Jets 2024 first roundp pick out of Penn State is the backup left tackle and Max Mitchell is the backup right tackle. New York's offensive line returned to full health in week 6 and week 7. Both Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses didn't practice on Wednesday, but that might be due to a short week due to playing the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football in week 7.
The New York Jets Garrett Wilson as the flanker wide receiver, Davante Adams is the secondary wide receiver, and Allen Lazard is the slot receiver. Xavier Gipson is the number four wide receiver, Mike Williams is the number five wide receiver, and Malachi Corley, the New York Jets 2024 third round pick is the number six wide receiver on this depth chart. New York now has two number one wide receiver targets for Aaron Rodgers thanks to trading for Davante Adams.
Tyler Conklin is the starting tight end. Jeremy Ruckert last years third string tight end is now the backup tight end. The New York Jets feel weaker at tight end compared to last year, but I'm okay with Ruckert as a number two tight end.
New York has Breece Hall as their starting running back, Braelon Allen their 2024 fourth round pick as their backup running back, Isreal Abanikanda a 2023 fifth round pick out of Pittsburgh is the third string running back. New York has a lot of depth at offensive tackle, wide receiver, tight end, and running back. Tyrod Taylor is a better backup quarterback than Zach Wilson, but if Aaron Rodgers goes down again the New York Jets are in trouble.
The New York Jets have Will McDonald IV a 2023 first round pick starting at 4-3 right end following his 3 sack game after Jermaine Johnson II, the New York Jets 2022 first round pick tore his achilles, Quinnen Williams as their starting 4-3 defensive tackle, Javon Kinlaw as their other starting 4-3 defensive tackle, and Hasson Reddick as their 4-3 left end. Michael Clemons a 2022 fourth round pick is now the situational pass rusher. Solomon Thomas is the backup 4-3 defensive tackle to Quinnen Williams, Leonard Taylor III is the backup 4-3 defensive tackle to Javon Kinlaw. Hasson Reddick will make his debut this week in week 8.
New York has Quincy Williams at 4-3 right outside linebacker in a 4-2-5 nickel defense and C.J. Mosley at 4-3 middle linebacker in a 4-2-5 nickel defense. I'm not sure whether Jamien Sherwood has started at 4-3 left outside linebacker. Zaire Barnes is both a backup outside linebacker in a 4-3 defense as well as a middle linebacker in a 4-2-5 defense.
The New York Jets have Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner at field cornerback covering number one wide receivers. D.J. Reed is the boundary cornerback covering number two wide receivers. Michael Carter II is back at nickel cornerback. Isaiah Oliver is the dime cornerback. Chuck Clark is the strong safety. Tony Adams is the free safety. I think Tony Adams is a player that the New York Jets should consider replacing after this season. D.J. Reed is expected to be back in week 8 after missing week 7 following his week 6 injury on Monday Night Football. All of the New York Jets top three safeties Chuck Clark, Tony Adams, and Ashtyn Davis are dealing with injuries.
Greg Zuerlein is the starting kicker. Thomas Morstead is the punter. Xavier Gipson is the return specialist at kick returner and punt returner.
Why the New England Patriots Will Win: The New England Patriots have three quarterbacks in Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of North Carolina, and Joe Milton who was drafted 190 picks after Drake Maye with the one hundred ninty third pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Tennessee. Jacoby Brissett won the starting job despite Drake Maye outplaying him in the preseason. Drake Maye will finally play and New England might play spoiler and win some games with Drake Maye. New England's offensive line is bad, but I'm convinced Drake Maye cannot be any worse than Jacoby Brissett regardless of how bad his supporting cast is. Drake Maye did much better than expected in his NFL debut.
Drake Maye will have Vederrian Lowe at left tackle thanks to Chukwuka Okorafor leaving the team, Michael Jordan at left guard, Ben Brown at center with David Anderews out for the year, Layden Robinson a 2024 fourth round pick at right guard, and Michael Onwenu at right tackle. New England does not have a good left tackle. Cole Strange the starting left guard is on the PUP list and may be out until week 8. Sidy Sow has started this year, but is now the backup guard. Caedan Wallace is the backup right tackle after being New England's 2024 third round pick. Vederrian Lowe and Caedan Wallace are injured at left tackle. Cole Strange is injured at left guard. David Andrews is injured at center and might be done for the year. Michael Onwenu's been at right tackle while Sidy Sow and Layden Robinson have started at guard. Jake Andrews the New England Patriots 2023 fourth round pick out of Troy is the backup center. Layden Robinson might be out at right guard this week.
New England's has Ja'Lynn Polk their 2024 second round pick as the flanker wide receiver, K.J. Osborn as the secondary wide receiver, and DeMario Douglas as their slot receiver. Javon Baker is now the number four wide receiver, Tyquan Thornton went from pushing Osborn as well as Douglas for the top target in week 1 to falling all the way down to fifth on the depth chart at wide receiver. Kayshon Boutte is the number six wide receiver. Ja'Lynn Polk is in concussion protocol.
Hunter Henry will remain the starting tight end. Austin Hooper is the backup tight end and Jaheim Bell a 2024 seventh round pick out of Florida State is the third string tight end.
New England has Rhamondre Stevenson as their number one running back. Antonio Gibson is the number two running back. I'm not big on JaMycal Hasty, but Hasty is the third string running back. Antonio Gibson started in week 5 as well as week 6. Rhamondre Stevenson missed the last two games at running back before returning in week 7.
The weapons are there for Drake Maye to succeed in 2025 and beyond as I believe Polk and Baker are the future number one and number two wide receivers on this depth chart. Until then, New England just needs to get through this years NFL Season unscathed by injuries. Drafting a left tackle like Will Campbell out of LSU or Kelvin Banks out of Texas will go a long way in protecting Drake Maye's blindside as Maye has gotten better in training camp, but still hasn't done enough to cement himself as the top quarterback on this depth chart.
New England has Christian Barmore at 3-4 right end, Davon Godchaux at 3-4 nose tacke, and Keion White at 3-4 left end. New England's best depth player on the defensive line is Deatrich Wise Jr. Christian Barmore is on the non football injury list and as long as he's out, New England's defensive line will struggle to get pressure on the opposing quarterback. Keion White has stepped up in his absence and New England's defensive line culd be scary good once Barmore comes back.
New England has Anfernee Jennings at 3-4 right outside linebacker who should be an every down player regardless if New England is running 4-3, 3-4, or a 3-3-5 nickel. Raekwon McMillan is the starting 4-3 middle linebacker as well as the 3-4 middle linebacker now that Ja'Whaun Bentley who had 100 total tackles for New England the past three seasons got ruled out for the year. Raekwon McMillan has a lower floor than Bentley, but a higher ceiling as well. Jahlani Tavai will play left outside linebacker and 3-4 middle linebacker regardless of whether New England is running a 4-3, 3-4, or 3-3-5 nickel. Josh Uche will play next to Anfernee Jennings at 3-4 left outside linebacker in 3-4 schemes only. Sione Takitaki is off of injured reserve, but is not ready to play this week.
New England has Christian Gonzalez their 2023 first round pick who should be the number one field cornerback. Jonathan Jones is the boundary cornerback next to Chrstian Gonzalez. Marcus Jones last years nickel cornerback will play nickel cornerback. Marcus Jones didn't practice on Wednesday heading into week 7 despite getting an interception against Houston in week 6. Kyle Dugger is starting at strong safety and Jabrill Peppers is starting at free safety. Kyle Dugger got injured in week 4 and is questionable in week 5 after not practicing all week. Jaylin Hawkins who looked good in the preseason as a backup safety will start if Kyle Dugger is ruled out in week 5. Kyle Dugger missed the last two games, but he's expected to return in week 7. Jabrill Peppers got placed on the commissioners exempt list before week 6, so Jayln Hawkins will probably start at free safety after starting at strong safety in Kyle Dugger's absence.
Season ending injuries to Matthew Judon and Christian Gonzalez crippled this defense in 2023 before New England traded Judon to Atlanta for a 2024 third round pick. Christian Barmore is the only player injured on the defense right now, but he should be healthy for week 1. If New England's defense is fully healthy then this defense will be problematic for opposing NFL teams as this defense has the ability to limit what your offense does when the defense is fully healthy. With Christian Barmore out of the lineup, teams with fully healthy offensive lines should be able to give their quarterback a clean pocket.
New England has Joey Slye 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 with those two entering year two as a starter. Marcus Jones is the return specialist at both kick returner and punt returner for the New England Patriots.
Prediction: New York is a 6.5 point favorite at -6.5. The over or under is 39.5 with 67% of the public betting on New York. The money line is -300 for New York and +240 for New England. I like New England to win and to cover with the over at +240. Bet $260 on this game for New England and win up to $500 as long as the Jets win by 6 or less.
Final Score Patriots 28 Jets 27
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Atlanta Falcons 4-3-0
Versus
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4-3-0
Chris Ransom's Pick
I'm going to try my best to update Tony Mario's 2024 NFL Power Rankings this week. He's a Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan and the Buccaneers have a huge game against Atlanta this week.
Why the Atlanta Falcons Will Win: Atlanta signed Kirk Cousins to a four year contract in Free Agency before drafting his successor Michael Penix Jr. out of Washington eighth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft to groom behind Kirk Cousins.
Kirk Cousins 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, but Atlanta's got even less depth on this offensive line than a year ago after everyone stayed healthy in 2023 as Jovaughn Gwyn a 2023 seventh round pick is the only backup offensive linemen Atlanta drafted while their other four backups outside of Gwyan are all UDFA's with the only notable name among those four backups being Storm Norton. If Jake Matthews or Kaleb McGary gets injured, Storm Norton will be playing and the last time Storm Norton played, Jacksonville caused a storm in Sofi Stadium back in 2022 against the Los Angeles Chargers thanks to Storm Norton, the Norton Antivirus of offensive linemen in week 3 following the torn biceps by Rashawn Slater. I'm a little concerned about the depth Atlanta has on the offensive line, but Minnesota did the same thing with Kirk Cousins relying on the starters to stay healthy which worked in 2022 before backfiring in 2023. Drew Dalman got injured in week 3 and is on injured reserve for the next four games. Kaleb McGary also got injured at right tackle and did not practice on Wednesday entering week 4 as Kaleb McGary got ruled out for week 4. Kaleb McGary might return this week meaning Atlanta will have both offensive tackles and guards at full health in week 5.
Atlanta has Drake London as their flanker wide receiver, Darnell Mooney who began his career as a number one wide receiver in Chicago before being supplanted by D.J. Moore last year is now a number two wide receiver as he compliments Drake London quite well. Rondale Moore was supposed to be Atlanta's slot receiver, but he suffered a season ending injury in training camp. I like Ray-Ray McCloud on special teams as a return specialist. He's a solid number six or number five wide receiver, but I don't see him thriving as a slot receiver.
Atlanta still has Kyle Pitts their 2021 first round pick drafted fourth overall out of Florida as the main starting tight end. Kyle Pitts can thrive as long as he's healthy. My issue with Atlanta is their depth at tight end was so much better a year ago with Jonnu Smith and MyCole Puritt were on this roster. Charlie Woerner, San Francisco's third string tight end last year doesn't move the needle for me as a pass catcher despite being an okay blocker in San Francisco. Woerner would start at tight end if Kyle Pitts gets injured.
Bijan Robinson is the starting running back and Tyler Allegeier is the backup running back. Both running backs are expected to see lots of carries with Allegier getting significant playing time despite being the second running back on Atlanta's depth chart. Avery Willaimson is the third string running back, and Jase McClellan Atlanta's 2024 sixth round pick out of Alabama is the fourth string running back. Atlanta feels just as deep at running back as a year ago despite the departure of Cordarrelle Patterson. Robert Burns the starting fullback on Atlanta is currently on the PUP list.
Atlanta has Grady Jarrett back at 3-4 right end following the departure of Calias Campbell, David Onyemata at 3-4 nose tackle, and Zach Harrison at 3-4 left end. Ta'Quan Graham enters year four as the backup 3-4 right end in the final year of his rookie deal. Eddie Goldman is the backup 3-4 nose tackle. Kentavius Street is the backup 3-4 left end. Ruke Orhorhoro is the third string 3-4 right end, and Brandon Dorlus is the third string 3-4 left end. Atlanta's three deepest positions are quarterback, running back, and the 3-4 defensive end spot at five technique.
Matthew Judon is the starting starting 3-4 right outside linebacker. Kaden Elliss and Troy Andersen are good starting 3-4 middle linebackers. Lorenzo Carter is the starting 3-4 left outside linebacker after starting at 3-4 right outside linebacker in 2023. Nate Landman a UDFA whose shown some flashes in Atlanta after being a former Colorado middle linebacker and J.D. Bertrand Atlanta's 2024 fifth round pick out of Notre Dame are the two backup 3-4 middle linebackers. Arnold Ebiketie is the backup 3-4 outside linebacker and situational pass rusher in Atlanta.
A.J. Terrell, Atlanta's field cornerback is the only healthy cornerback at the moment. Atlanta is starting Mike Hughes who was awful at nickel cornerback for Kansas City and just as awful at dime cornerback for Detroit at boundary cornerback against number two wide receivers. Dee Alford is the nickel cornerback job. Clark Phillips III who won the nickel cornerback job as a rookie before missing time with injuries early in the season, has been demoted to dime cornerback. Clark Phillips III has done well in training camp, but Hughes and Alford have done more to warrant playing time. I still think Clark Phillips III has a chance to beat out Dee Alford for the nickel cornerback job. Alford did intercept Cleveland back in 2022 when he was the nickel cornerback before getting demoted to dime cornerback after Atlanta drafted Clark Phillips III. Strong safety Justin Simmons and free safety Jesse Bates III give Atlanta one of the better safety tandems in the NFL. Atlanta also has Richie Grant for depth as a number three safety for depth.
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 did well in his first year as a starting quarterback, but I'm not sure he does as well without his offensive coordinator Dave Canales. Baker Mayfield has Tristian Wirfs at left tackle, Ben Bredeson at left guard, Graham Barton their 2024 first round pick is the starting center, Cody Mauch is at right guard after being the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2023 second round pick out of North Dakota State entering his second year, and Luke Goedeke is entering his third season as well as his second season at right tackle. Royce Newman the backup left guard and Robert Hainsley the backup center are the only quality backups on the offensive line.
Tampa Bay has Mike Evans as their flanker wide receiver, Chris Godwin is their secondary wide receiver, and Jalen McMillan their 2024 third round pick as the slot receiver. Trey Palmer, Tampa Bay's 2023 sixth round pick out of Nebraska was the slot receiver last year as a rookie, but is now the number four wide receiver this year. Sterling Shepard is the number five wide receiver on this depth chart, but showed he could still be a serviceable slot receiver in week 5. Tampa Bay feels deeper at wide receiver than last year. Mike Evans will be out until week 12 and Chris Godwin is out for the season Tampa Bay will have Jalen McMillan as the flanker number one wide receiver, Trey Palmer as the secondary wide receiver, and Sterling Sheppard as the slot receiver for the next two games until Tampa Bay's bye week.
Cade Otton Tampa Bay's 2022 fourth round pick at tight end enters his second season as Tampa Bay's starting tight end. Payne Durham their 2023 fifth round pick is the backup tight end. Ko Kieft a 2022 sixth round pick out of Minnesota is the third string tight end. Devin Culp their 2024 seventh roun pick out of Washington is the fourth string tight end. Tampa Bay has incredible tight end depth as they look stronger in terms of depth than last year despite not having a star tight end. Payne Durham the backup tight end is injured and out in week 7 Third string tight end Ko Kieft becomes the backup tight end and fourth string tight end Devin Culp becomes the third string tight end in week 7.
Tampa Bay has Rachaad White as their starting running back, Bucky Irving their 2024 fourth round pick out of Oregon is their backup running back, and Sean Tucker last years fourth string running back is now the third string running back. Bucky Irving hasn't practiced this week, but he didn't leave the Monday Night Football game with the injury.
Tampa Bay has Logan Hall at 3-4 right end, Vita Vea at 3-4 nose tackle, and Calijah Kancey at 3-4 left end. Greg Gaines is the backup 3-4 nose tackle and William Gholston as their backup 3-4 left end. Tampa Bay will have their defensive line at full health for the first time all season in week 6.
Tampa Bay has Yaya Diaby at 3-4 right outside linebacker and Joe Tryon at 3-4 left outside linebacker. Tampa Bay also has Lavonte David and K.J. Britt at 3-4 middle linebacker. Anthony Nelson is the backup 3-4 right outsie linebacker, SirVocea Dennis a 2023 fifth round pick out of Pittsburgh as their backup 3-4 middle linebacker, and Chris Braswell a 2024 second round pick out of Alabama is the backup 3-4 left outside linebacker. Tampa Bay has quite a bit of depth on the front 7 despite Shaquille Barrett leaving the team and retiring shortly afterwards.
Tampa Bay has Zyon McCollum at field cornerback, Jamel Dean at boundary cornerback, and Tykee Smith their 2024 third round pick out of Georgia as a nickel cornerback. Jordan Whitehead is starting at strong safety and Antoine Winfield Jr. is starting at free safety. Antoine Winfield Jr. missed weeks 2-5, but will finally be back in week 6. This will be the first game all season where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense is fully healthy. Jamel Dean got injured in the first quarter of the week 6 game, and he did not practice leading into week 7. Jamel Dean got placed on injured reserve prior to week 7 and Tykee Smith is in concussion protocol.
Chase McLaughlin is the starting kicker. Bucky Irving is the kick returner for Tampa Bay as a rookie. Trey Palmer is the punt returner for Tampa Bay, so he will still have a pivotal role on this team despite being demoted from the slot receiver to the number four wide receiver.
Prediction: Tampa Bay is a 1.5 point favorite at -1.5. The over or under is 48.5 with 53% of the public betting on Tampa Bay. The money line is +105 for Atlanta and -125 for Tampa Bay. I like Atlanta to win and to cover with the over at +105. Bet $195 on this game for Atlanta and win up to $300 as long as the Buccaneers win by 1 or less.
Final Score Falcons 31 Buccaneers 30
Who Everyone Else Picked
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Joseph Potter
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Wes Langley
Philadelphia Eagles 4-2-0
Versus
Cincinnati Bengals 3-4-0
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, SEC, and Mountain West are now up.
Why the Philadelphia Eagles Will Win: Philadelphia has Jalen Hurts at quarterback. Philadelphia has Jordan Mailata at left tackle, Landon Dickerson at left guard, Cam Jurgens at center, Mekhi Becton at right guard, and Lane Johnson at right tackle. Philadelphia also has Trevor Keegan as a backup left guard, Matt Hennessy as a backup center, Tyler Steen as a backup right guard. Lane Johnson missed week 4, but he was a full practice following Philadelphia's bye week. Jordan Mailata was ruled out against the New York Giants in week 7, but I've heard Mailata may be out until November 14th. Mekhi Becton hasn't practiced this week at right guard either.
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. Jahan Dotson is the slot receiver. Johnny Wilson, Philadelphia's rookie wide receivers drafted in the sixth round is the number four wide receiver. Ainis Smith, Philadelphia's 2024 fifth round pick is the number five wide receiver. Philadelphia has all of their wide receivers at full health following the bye week.
Dallas Goedert remains a top 10 tight end in the NFL making him another asset in the passing game for quarterback Jalen Hurts. Grant Calcentera remains the backup tight end to Dallas Goedert. Dallas Goedert will be out in week 7.
Philadelphia has Saquon Barkley as their starting running back, Kenneth Gainwell as their backup running back, and Will Shipley the former Clemson running back from the 2024 NFL Draft as the third string running back. Philadelphia is deep at a lot of positions offensively and will be a force in the NFC as long as Jalen Hurts is healthy at quarterback, Jordan Mailata is healthy at left tackle, and Lane Johnson is healthy at right tackle. They have depth to reload if others on this offense outside of those three get injured, but those three must play all 17 games for Philadelphia to go on another run to a Super Bowl. I also believe offensive coordinator Kellen Moore will do well as the Philadelphia Eagles new offensive coordinator.
Philadelphia is moving from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense. Jalen Carter is going to start at 3-4 right end, Jordan Davis will start at 3-4 nose tackle, and Milton Williams will start at 3-4 left end in a contract year. Byron Young who got cut by the Raiders is the backup 3-4 right end which is a scheme he's better suited in while Moro Ojomo is the backup 3-4 left end.
Philadelphia has Josh Sweat at 3-4 right outside linebacker, Zach Baun starting at 3-4 middle linebacker after playing outside linebacker at Wisconsin and on the New Orleans Saints, Nakobe Dean starting at the other 3-4 middle linebacker spot, and Bryce Huff starting at 3-4 left outside linebacker. Philadelphia has Nolan Smith one of their two 2023 first round picks after Jalen Carter as their backup 3-4 right outside linebacker. Oren Burks and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. are the two backup 3-4 middle linebackers. Brandon Graham is the backup 3-4 left outside linebacker. Patrick Johnson is the third string 3-4 right outside linebacker and Jalyx Hunt, Philadelphia's 2024 third round pick out of Houston Christian is the third string 3-4 left outside linebacker.
Philadelphia has Darius Slay at field cornerback, Quinyon Mitchell is the boundary cornerback, and Cooper DeJean is Philadelphia's nickel cornerback as he looks as good as advertised. Avonte Maddox is the dime cornerback and Kelee Ringo is the quarter cornerback. Isaiah Rodgers is the number six cornerback.
Philadelphia brought back C.J. Gardner-Johnson to start at strong safety and Reed Blankenship will start at free safety. James Bradberry is the backup strong safety. Sydney Brown their 2023 third round pick out of Illinois is the backup free safety.
Philadelphia has Jake Elliott at kicker. Jake Elliott is the only asset Philadelphia has on special teams, but having a top five kicker is crucial when you need points.
Why the Cincinnati Bengals Will Win: Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow will have Orlando Brown Jr. at left tackle, Cordell Volson at left guard, Ted Karras at center, Alex Cappa at right guard, and Amarius Mims at right tackle. Cincinnati's depth is horrible on the offensive line outside of Trent Brown as the backup right tackle. Amarius Mims is out in week 1, so Trent Brown will get the start at right tackle. Trent Brown started weeks 1, 2, and 3 before suffering a season ending injury, so now Amarius Mims will get his first start at right tackle in week 4. Amarius Mims did well in week 4 and will gain more experience in week 5.
Cincinnati has Ja'Marr Chase as their flanker wide receiver, Tee Higgins as their secondary wide receiver even though you can argue he's good enough to be a number one target when Chase is injured, and Andrei Iosivas is the slot receiver. Trenton Irwin remains the number four wide receiver job. Jermaine Burton is the number five wide receiver, but he's pushing both Iosivas and Irwin for the slot receiver job despite being a 2024 third round pick out of Alabama which is encouraging. Charlie Jones, Cincinnati's 2023 fourth round pick out of Purdue is the number six wide receiver.
Mike Gesicki is the Cincinnati Bengals starting tight end. Drew Sample is the backup tight end. Tanner Hudson last years backup tight end is the third string tight end.
Cincinnati has Zack Moss as their starting running back, Chase Brown Cincinnati's 2023 fifth round pick out of Illinois entering year two as the backup running back, and Trayveon Williams their 2019 sixth round pick as the third string running back. Cincinnati has depth everywhere except quarterback and as long as Joe Burrow is healthy the sky feels like the limit for the Cincinnati Bengals over the next five years.
Cincinnati has Trey Hendrickson at 4-3 right end and Sam Hubbard complimenting him at 4-3 left end. Sheldon Rankins and B.J. Hill compliment Hendrickson and Hubbard at 4-3 defensive tackle on the inside. Joseph Ossai is listed as the backup 4-3 right end with Myles Murphy probably taking over as the backup 4-3 left end now that he's no longer on injured reserve with Cam Sample out for the year.
Zach Carter, Cincinnati's 2022 third round pick out of Florida and Kris Jenkins Jr. a 2024 second round pick on Michigan's 15-0 are the two backup 4-3 defensive tackles. Jay Tuefele is a third string defensive tackle and so is McKinley Jackson, Cincinnati's 2024 third round pick out of Texas A&M. B.J. Hill will be returning from his injury which he suffered in week 1. Sheldon Rankins played the first two weeks before missing the last three weeks, but Rankins looks like he will be back in week 6.
Cincinnati has Germaine Pratt at 4-3 right outside linebacker and Logan Wilson at 4-3 middle linebacker with both guys locked up long-term which is outstanding news for the Bengals who run a combination of a 4-3 base defense, but mainly utilize a 4-2-5 nickel defense with Pratt being the starting outside linebacker and Wilson playing middle linebacker on the inside. Cincinnati can use Akeem Davis-Gaither as a 4-3 left outside linebacker, but he will probably be the main backup outside linebacker to Pratt. Cincinnati doesn't have the depth they used to at middle linebacker, so the Cincinnati Bengals are in trouble if Joe Burrow or Logan Wilson goes down.
Cincinnati has Cam Taylor-Britt at field cornerback, D.J. Turner took the boundary cornerback job as a rookie as Cincinnati now has their top two cornerbacks on rookie deals for the next two years, and Mike Hilton as their nickel cornerback. Daxton Hill, Cincinnati's 2022 first round pick is the dime cornerback who could move back to nickel cornerback next year when Mike Hilton becomes a UFA assuming Mike Hilton leaves. Josh Newton, Cincinnati's 2024 fifth round pick out of TCU is the quarter cornerback. Von Bell will start at strong safety with Geno Stone starting at free safety. Jordan Battle is the backup strong safety and Daijahn Anthony a 2024 seventh round pick beat out Tycen Anderson for the backup free safety job. Mike Hilton has played every game this season, but has missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday this week.
Cincinnati has Evan McPhearson at kicker in the final year of his rookie deal at kicker and Brad Robbins from Michigan in the 2023 NFL Draft at punter. Trayveon Williams is the kick returner and Charlie Jones is the punt returner.
Prediction: Cincinnati is a 2.5 point favorite at -2.5. The over or under is 49.5 with 60% of the public betting on Cincinnati. The money line is +115 for Philadelphia and -135 for Cincinnati. Take Cincinnati to win and cover with the over at -135. Bet $165 on this game for Cincinnati and win up to $300 as long as the Bengals win by 3 or more.
Final Score Bengals 20 Eagles 17
Who Everyone Else Picked
Oren Shiri
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Joseph Potter
Andrew Kermish
Tracy Porter
Wes Langley
Buffalo Bills 5-2-0
Versus
Seattle Seahawks 4-3-0
Chris Ransom's Pick
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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, David Edwards at left guard, Connor McGovern at center, O'Cyrus Torrence at right guard. and Spencer Brown at right tackle. Buffalo and Tampa Bay were the only teams that weren't effected by injuries on the offensive line in 2023. Buffalo is moving Connor McGovern back to center where he played at Penn State after losing Mitch Morse Morse with David Edwards getting a second chance to start at left guard on a team friendly deal after being a backup to Connor McGovern at left guard in 2023. Sedrick Van Prann, a 2024 fifth round pick out of Georgia that I had a third round grade on is the backup center as center is the one position that Buffalo has depth at on this offensive line.
Buffalo has Amari Cooper as their flanker wide receiver, Keon Coleman Buffalo's 2024 second round pick as their secondary wide receiver, and Khalil Shakir as their slot receiver. Curtis Samuel is the number four wide receiver and Mack Hollins is the number five wide receiver. Buffalo has a much better wide receiver core with the addition of Amari Cooper.
Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo's 2023 first round pick out of Utah supplanted Dawson Knox as the starting tight end following the injury to Dawson Knox. Quintin Morris is still the third string tight end.
Buffalo has James Cook as the starting running back as he enters his second season as a full-time starting running back. Ray Davis, Buffalo's 2024 fourth round pick out of Kentucky seems to have the backup running back job secured after jumping Ty Johnson on the depth chart with a strong showing in training camp. Ty Johnson is the third string running back. Reggie Gilliam is back at fullback. Buffalo will have to win games with Josh Allen, their tight ends, and their backfield if the depth chart reports about Keon Coleman beginning the season on the second team are true. Ray Davis did well starting in relief for James Cook. Buffalo might have a more lethal one two punch in the backfield than originally anticipated.
Buffalo has A.J. Epenesa at 4-3 right end, Ed Oliver at 4-3 defesive tackle, Daquan Jones at 4-3 defensive tackle, and Gregory Rosseau their 2021 first round pick as the starting 4-3 left end. Von Miller is the backup 4-3 right end with DeWayne Carter Buffalo's 2024 third round pick out of Duke as the backup 4-3 defensive tackle to Ed Oliver, Austin Johnson the Los Angeles Chargers nose tackle as the backup 4-3 defensive tackle to Daquan Jones. Dawaune Smoot signed a one year deal in Buffalo and is currently beating out Javon Solomon Buffalo's 2024 fifth round pick out of Troy for the backup 4-3 left end job behind Gregory Rosseau. Buffalo has Casey Toohill as their third string 4-3 right end and Javon Solomon as their third string 4-3 left end. Austin Johnson hasn't practiced the first two days heading into week 5. Von Miller is suspended the next two games games before he can return after week 8.
Buffalo has Dorian Williams at 4-3 right outside linebacker and Terrell Bernard at 4-3 middle linebacker on plays where Buffalo deploys a 4-2-5 nickel defense. Buffalo's best linebacker Matt Milano is out until December again. Terell Bernard has missed weeks 2, 3, and 4 now. Terrell Bernard is back. Terrell Bernard did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday. Baylon Spector the backup 4-3 middle linebackr might be starting again in relief of Bernard in week 8.
Buffalo has Christian Benford at field cornerback covering number one wide receivers, Rasul Douglas at boundary cornerback covering number two wide receivers, Taron Johnson is out this week so, Kaiir Elam, Buffalo's 2022 first round pick will be the nickel cornerback in relief of Taron Johnson as Taron Johnson has missed weeks 2, 3, and 4. Taron Johnson might be back in week 5. Kaiir Elam has done much better in training camp to the point where he's pushing both Rasul Douglas and Taron Johnson for the boundary corneback job across from Benford. Buffalo has Taylor Rapp last years backup strong safety back on a team friendly deal as the starting strong safety replacing Jordan Poyer after showing he could start in relief of an injured Poyer. Damar Hamlin is projeced to start at free safety. Mike Edwards who did well as a backup strong safety on the Kansas City Chiefs the last two years is now the backup strong safety. Buffalo also drafted Cole Bishop the Utah free safety with their second draft pick in the 2024 NFL Draft which is something I actually predicted correctly in my 2024 NFL Mock Draft as Cole Bishop is the backup free safety to Damar Hamlin. Taylor Rapp is still in concussion protocol, but it is uncertain whether backup strong safety Mike Edwards or backup free safety Cole Bishop gets the start in relief of Taylor Rapp if Rapp is out in week 5.
Buffalo has Tyler Bass at kicker. Tyler Bass is the only asset on Buffalo's special teams. I don't trust Sam Martin at punter or Brandon Codrington the return specialist at both kick returner and punt returner.
Why the Seattle Seahawks Will Win: Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith has every starter in 2022 back with Charles Cross at left tackle, Laken Tomlinson at at left guard, Connor Williams at center, Anthony Bradford Jr. at right guard, and George Fant at right tackle with Abraham Lucas the starting right tackle on the PUP list. Anthony Bradford is the backup left guard after being a 2023 fourth round pick. Stone Forsyth is the backup left tackle, Sataoa Laumea Seattle's 2024 fifth round pick out of Utah is the backup left guard, Olusegun Oluwaitimi, Seattle's 2023 fifth round pick out of Michigan won the Rimmington Award is the backup center, Christian Haynes Seattle's 2024 third round pick out of Connecticut is the backup right guard, and Michael Jurrell Seattle's 2024 sixth round pick is the backup right tackle until Abraham Lucas returns from the PUP list. George Fant got injured at right tackle. All three of Seattle's right tackles are injured heading into week 2. George Fant could come off of injured reserve in week 6, but Seattle may bring him back in week 7. I'm guessing Abraham Lucas will be activated off of the PUP list sometime in week 7 and make a return in week 9 or week 11 after Seattle's week 10 bye week.
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. JaJake Bobo, Dareke Young, and Lavisaka Shenault Jr. are the backup wide receivers. Unlike last year, all of Seattle's wide receivers are fully healthy.
Seattle has Noah Fant as their starting tight end. With Will Dissly gone, Seattle's depth at tight end is much weaker compared to previous years if anything ends up happening to Noah Fant.
Seattle has Kenneth Walker III as their starting running back after Michigan State's former running back dominated as a rookie with Seattle in 2022. Zach Charbonnet a 2023 second round pick out of UCLA is now the backup running back. Kenny McIntosh, Seattle's 2023 seventh round pick out of Georgia is the third string running back after being the fourth string running back as a rookie. Kenneth Walker III returned to the lineup in week 4 after missing weeks 2 and 3.
Seattle has Dre'Mont Jones at starting 3-4 right end, Jarran Reed at 3-4 nose tackle, and Leonard Williams at 3-4 left end. Seattle also has Jonathan Hankins and Byron Murphy their 2024 first round pick for depth on the defensive line. Byron Murphy is out with an injury.
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. Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson are the starting 3-4 middle linebackers. Uchenna Nwosu has been ruled out in week 1. Both Uchenna Nwosu and Boye Mafe have not practiced this week. Jerome Baker hasn't practiced this week either at 3-4 middle linebacker. Tyrel Dodson may be out too as he got downgraded from full participation on Thursday to limited participation on Friday leading up to week 4. Uchenna Nwosu missed weeks 1-4 before returning in week 5, but now he's on injured reserve again. Derrick Hall did well in relief of Boye Mafe, but Boye Mafe is a game-time decision for week 6.
Seattle has Devon Witherspoon back at field cornerback. Tariq Wolen dominated number two wide receivers at boundary cornerback during his rookie season out of UTSA going even as far as to be a finalist for Defensive Rookie Of The Year after being a 2022 fifth round pick. Tre Brown is the nickel cornerback. Nehemiah Prichett their 2024 fifth round pick is the dime cornerback. Tariq Woolen is out in week 6 and this makes things so much easier for San Francisco because now they just have to throw away from Devon Witherspoon by targeting Tre Brown and Nehemiah Pirchett. Tariq Woolen is on injured reserve which is a much bigger blow than most realize because now Nehemiah Prichett or Tre Brown has to play. Teams can just throw away from Devon Witherspoon and carve these cornerbacks.
Seattle will have Rayshawn Jenkins at strong safety and Julian Love at free safety when both safeties are fully healthy. Seattle's depth at safety feels a lot weaker after losing starting strong safety Jamal Adams and starting free safety Quandre Diggs. Rayshawn Jenkins is on injured reserve too.
Seattle has an under the radar top 10 kicker in Jason Myers at kicker. Michael Dickson isn't a bad punter. Laviska Shenault Jr. is the return specialist at kick returner and punt returner.
Prediction: Buffalo is a 3 point favorite at -3. The over or under is 48 with 61% of the public betting on Buffalo. The money line is -155 for Buffalo and +130 for Seattle. Take Buffalo to win and cover with the over at -155. Bet $245 on this game for Buffalo and win up to $400 as long as the Bills win by 4 or more.
Final Score Bills 28 Seahawks 21
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New Orleans Saints 2-5-0
Versus
Los Angeles Chargers 3-3-0
Chris Ransom's Pick
I started a new show called Under The Bleachers with William Yannish and Brandice Bell. Here's a playlist of all the episodes.
I started a new show called Utopia Football Insider with Oren Shiri. Here's a playlist of all the episodes.
Why the New Orleans Saints Will Win: The New Orleans Saints have Derek Carr at quarterback. Jake Haener the 2023 Senior Bowl MVP who was drafted in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints is the backup quarterback. Spencer Rattler the 2024 Senior Bowl MVP was drafted in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of South Carolina is the third string quarterback. Derek Carr will be out multiple weeks. Jake Haener struggled in relief of Derek Carr. Spencer Rattler will start the next two games for the New Orleans Saints and could start longer than that if he does well. If he does poorly, Derek Carr will probably start when he returns from his injury.
New Orleans has Taliese Fuaga at left tackle, Lucas Patrick at left guard, Erik McCoy at center, Cesar Ruiz at right guard, and Trevor Penning at right tackle. Landon Young is the backup left tackle, Nick Saldiveri is the backup left guard. New Orleans might have the worst starting left guard situation in the entire league after losing Andrus Peat. Lucas Patrick left week 1 with an injury, so Nick Saldiveri the 2023 fourth round pick out of Old Dominion might get his first career NFL start in week 2. Erik McCoy and Cesar Ruiz got injured in week 3. Erik McCoy got placed on injured reseve and Cesar Ruiz has been ruled out in week 4. Lucas Patrick is also injured at left guard, so the entire interior offensive line for the New Orleans Saints is out with injuries. This will be the fourth week in a row the Saints entire interior offensive line is out with injuries. There's a chance Lucas Patrick returns this week, but Erik McCoy and Cesar Ruiz will be out in week 7.
New Orleans has Chris Olave as their flanker wide receiver and Rashid Shaheed is the secondary wide receiver. New Orleans also has Cedrick Wilson Jr. as their slot receiver and Bub Means a 2024 fifth round pick out of Pittsburgh as their number four wide receiver. Chris Olave should be cleared to play in week 8. Rashid Shaheed is out for the year after having surgery on his meniscus. Cutting A.T. Perry who signed with the Denver Broncos doesn't look so smart now.
New Orleans has Juwan Johnson as the starting tight end, Foster Moreau as the backup tight end, and Taysom Hill as their third string tight end. Foster Moreau did leave week 1 with an injury. New Orleans has Alvin Kamara as their starting running back, Jamaal Williams as their backup running back, and Kendre Miller as their third string running back.
New Orleans has Carl Granderson at 4-3 right end, Nathan Shepherd at 4-3 defensive tackle, Bryan Bresse, the New Orleans Saints 2023 first round pick out of Clemson now starts at 4-3 defensive tackle, and Cameron Jordan at 4-3 left end. New Orleans has Chase Young as their backup 4-3 right end, Khalen Saunders as the backup 4-3 defensive tackle, Khristian Boyd a 2024 sixth round pick is the other backup 4-3 defensive tackle, and Payton Turner a 2021 first round pick out of Houston is the backup 4-3 left end. Isaiah Foskey is the third string 4-3 right end and Tanoh Kpassagnon the current third string 4-3 left end is on the PUP list. John Ridgeway III is the third string 4-3 defensive tackle.
New Orleans has Willie Gay Jr. at 4-3 right outside linebacker, Demario Davis at 4-3 middle linebacker, and Pete Werner at 4-3 left outside linebacker. Jaylan Ford is the backup 4-3 right outside linebcker, D'Marco Jackson is the backup 4-3 middle linebacker. Not only does New Orleans have good starters at linebacker, the New Orleans Saints also have good depth at linebacker. Willie Gay Jr. did leave week 1 with an injury, so Pete Werner may end up starting at 4-3 right outside linebacker with Jaylan Ford starting at 4-3 left outside linebacker and Pete Werner playing right outside linebacker in a 4-2-5 if Willie Gay Jr. cannot go in week 2. Willie Gay Jr. has missed the last three weeks and is not going to be back when he returns to Kansas City in week 5.
New Orleans has Marshon Lattimore at field cornerback, Paulson Adebo at boundary cornerback, and Alontae Taylor at nickel cornerback. Kool-Aid McKinstry is the dime cornerback. Jordan Howden a 2023 fifth round pick is expected to start at strong safety with Marcus Maye no longer on he roster and Tyrann Mathieu will start at free safety. Will Harris is the backup strong safety and the backup free safety. Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo both left the game injured in week 7.
Blake Grupe is the starting kicker. Lou Hedley is the punter. Rashid Shaheed is the return specialist at both kick returner and punt returner.
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, Bradley Bozeman at center, Trey Pipkins III at right guard, and Joe Alt, the fifth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft at right tackle. Los Angeles has Jordan McFadden as their backup left guard and Jamaree Salyer as the backup right guard. Los Angeles has a good starting lineup on the offensive line along wity quality backups at both guard spots. The lack of offensive tackle depth is still an issue, but as long as Slater and Alt are healthy this team will be tough to stop defensively as Justin Herbert will have a clean pocket. Both Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt missed week 4 before the bye week. Slater was ruled out while Alt was questionable before being ruled out. Both Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt practiced in a limited capacity. There's a chance the Los Angeles Chargers get both of their starting offensive tackles back in week 6 after Rashawn Slater had a pectoral injury and Joe Alt had a knee injury which kept both offensive tackles out in week 4 before having another week to rest during the Los Angeles Chargers bye week in week 5.
Los Angeles has Ladd McConkey thier 2024 second round pick out of Georgia at flanker wide receiver. Josh Palmer is the secondary wide receiver. D.J. Chark is the slot receiver. Quentin Johnston, the Los Angeles Chargers 2023 first round pick out of TCU won is the number four wide receiver on the Los Angeles Chargers depth chart. Derius Davis is the number five wide receiver. Simi Fehoko is the number six wide receiver rounding out the second string wide receivers and Brendan Rice a 2024 seventh round pick as well as the son of Jerry Rice is the number seven wide receiver on this depth chart. D.J. Chark got placed on injured reserve for before week 1 and Quentin Johnston has been a top three wide receiver on this depth chart in D.J. Chark's absence. Quentin Johnston is out in week 7 and D.J. Chark is a game-time decision.
Los Angeles has Will Dissly as their starting tight end and Hayden Hurst as their backup tight end. Hayden Hurst could be back this week, so you could see more two tight end sets. The Los Angeles Chargers also have J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards as their top two running backs with both running backs capable of being a number one running back in this backfield. J.K. Dobbins is the starter and Gus Edwards is the backup, but both are getting treated like number one running backs in a run heavy ofense.
The Los Angeles Chargers have Otito Ogbonnia at 3-4 right end, Poona Ford at 3-4 nose tackle, and Morgan Fox at 3-4 left end. Justin Eboigbe a 2024 fourth round pick out of Alabama is the backup 3-4 defensive end and Teair Tartt is the backup 3-4 nose tackle.
The Los Angeles Chargers have Joey Bosa at 3-4 right outside linebacker, Denzel Perryman at 3-4 middle linebacker, Daiyan Henley at 3-4 middle 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. Los Angeles has Bud Dupree as their backup 3-4 right outside linebacker, Junior Colson a 2024 third round pick as one of their backup 3-4 middle linebackers with Troy Dye as the other backup 3-4 middle 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 leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft. Los Angeles has more depth on the front seven than a year ago. Joey Bosa missed week 4. Khalil Mack started at 3-4 right outside linebacker with Tuli Tuipulotu starting at 3-4 left outside linebacker in week 4. Joey Bosa missed weeks 4, 6, and 7. Joey Bosa looks like he will be back in week 8.
The Los Angeles Chargers have Asante Samuel Jr. at field cornerback, Kristian Fulton is the boundary cornerback, Ja'Sir Taylor is the nickel cornerback, Elijah Molden is the dime cornerback as Molden did get an interception in week 2, Cam Hart a 2024 fifth round pick out of Notre Dame is the quarter cornerback only seeing the field in five cornerback sets, and Tarheeb Still another 2024 fifth round pick out of Maryland is the number six cornerback. The Los Angeles Chargers have more cornerback depth compared to a year ago and Kristian Fulton has rebounded with the Los Angeles Chargers after struggling with the Tennessee Titans in 2023. Los Angeles has Derwin James at strong safety and Alohi Gilman at starting free safety. The Los Angeles Chargers will have their defense at full health this week.
If all of the Los Angeles Chargers top three cornerbacks are out in week 7 after multiple corners were out in week 6, Elijah Molden the Chargers number four cornerback and backup free safety would be covering Courtland Sutton in one on ones. Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still, the two rookie cornerbacks the Los Angeles Chargers drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft would be starting as rookies.
The Los Angeles Chargers have Cameron Dicker as the starting kicker and JK Scott as the starting punter. Derius Davis ended up as the return specialist as a rookie starting at both kick returner and punt returner which comes as no surprise to anyone who saw him in Mobile at the 2023 Reese's Senior Bowl.
Prediction: Los Angeles is a 6.5 point favorite at -6.5. The over or under is 40.5 with 59% of the public betting on Los Angeles. The money line is +230 for New Orleans and -280 for Los Angeles. Take Los Angeles to win and cover with the over at -280. Bet $320 on this game for Los Angeles and win up to $600 as long as the Chargers win by 7 or more.
Final Score Chargers 28 Saints 17
Who Everyone Else Picked
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Kansas City Chiefs 6-0-0
Versus
Las Vegas Raiders 2-5-0
Chris Ransom's Pick
I posted a playlist for the 2025 NFL Draft. This playlist has rankings for the quarterbacks, running backs, fullbacks, wide receivers, and tight ends. I will have the offensive tackle rankings up in the next episode of Draft Utopia.
Why the Kansas City Chiefs Will Win: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has Wanya Morris at left tackle, Joe Thuney at left guard, Creed Humprhey at center, Trey Smith at right guard, and Jawaan Taylor starting at right tackle. Kingsley Suamatia Kansas City's 2024 second round pick is now the backup left tackle after starting the first two games before getting benched, Hunter Nourzad is the backup center, C.J. Hanson is the backup right guard, and Ethan Driskell an undrafted Free Agent out of Marshall beat out Lucas Niang for the backup right tackle spot which caused Lucas Niang the Kansas City Chiefs 2020 third round pick to get demoted to the practice squad. Kansas City has depth everywhere on their offensive line outside of left guard. Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback in the NFL right now with two regular season MVP's and three Super Bowl MVP's. Carson Wentz is the backup quarterback to Patrick Mahomes.
Kansas City has DeAndre Hopkins as their flanker wide receiver and Xavier Worthy as their secondary wide receiver with their 2024 first round pick as the number two wide receiver with Marquis Brown and Rashee Rice out for the year. Kansas City has Justin Watson, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman splitting reps at slot receiver with Skyy Moore now going on injured reserve. Travis Kelce is the best tight end in the NFL as well as the main receiving option on this offense . Noah Gray is the backup tight end. Jared Wiley last years starting tight end at TCU is the Kansas City Chiefs third string tight end. Peyton Hendershot, the Dallas Cowboys third string tight end last year is now the fourth string tight end on the Kansas City Chiefs.
Isiah Pacheco is the starting running back, but he's on injured reserve. Clyde Edwards-Helaire is the backup running back, but is being placed on the non football injured list for the first four games. Carson Steele, an undrafted Free Agent out of UCLA is the third string running back, but will be the backup running back in the first four games. Samaje Perine is the fourth string running back, but will be the third string running back in the first four games. Kareem Hunt has been starting at running back and Carson Steele has been the backup.
Kansas City has Mike Danna at 4-3 right end and George Karlaftis at 4-3 left end. Felix Anudike-Uzomah is the backup 4-3 right end and Charles Omenihu is the backup 4-3 left end when he gets activated off of the PUP list. Kansas City had Chris Jones and Derrick Nnadi the two starting 4-3 defensive tackles. Mike Pennel and Tershawn Wharton are back as backup 4-3 defensive tackles.
Kansas City has Drue Tranquill at 4-3 right outside linebacker, Nick Bolton at 4-3 middle linebacker, and Leo Chenal at 4-3 left outside linebacker. Kansas City still has depth on the defensive line, but their lack of depth at linebacker compared to the last two years does concern me to a point.
Kansas City has Trent McDuffie at field cornerback for the third year in a row. Last year both Joshua Williams and Jaylen Watson played nickel cornerback next to Trent McDuffie and L'Jarius Sneed, but with Sneed being traded to Tennessee, there are other cornerbacks like Nazeeh Johnson at boundary cornerback, Chamarri Conner at nickel cornerback, Joshua Williams is the dime cornerback, and Jaylen Watson at quarter cornerback. Jaylen Watson was the main boundary cornerback in week 1, but he got placed on injured reserve. Justin Reid remains at strong safety, and Bryan Cook is the starting free safety. I'm not sold on Jaden Hicks, Kansas City's 2024 fourth round pick whose the number three safety on the depth chart. I'm not sure if Kansas City has a number two cornerback now and Kansas City lacks the safety depth you'd like to see.
Kansas City has Harrison Butker at kicker. Kansas City also has Matt Ariaza at punter. Mecole Hardman will be the kick returner and Xavier Worthy will be the punt returner.
Why the Las Vegas Raiders Will Win: The Las Vegas Raiders have Aiden O'Connell and Gardner Minshew II competing for the starting quarterback job. I don't trust either guy, but Gardner Minshew II won the starting quarterback job. Gardner Minshew II got benched against Denver and Aidan O'Connell will be the starting quarterback moving forward. Aidan O'Connell broke his thumb and now Desmond Ridder is the backup to Gardner Minshew II.
Las Vegas has Kolton Miller at left tackle, Cody Whitehair at left guard, Andre James at center, Dylan Parham at right guard, and Thayer Munford Jr. at right tackle. Andrus Peat is the backup left tackle, Jackson Powers-Johnson is the backup interior offensive lineman at all three interior spots after being a 2024 second round pick, and DJ Glaze a 2024 third round pick is the backup right tackle. Thayer Munford Jr. missed the last two games, but he should be back at right tackle.
Las Vegas has weapons in the passing game. Jakobi Meyers is the flanker wide receiver. Tre Tucker, the Las Vegas Raiders 2023 third round pick out of Cincinnati will be the secondary receiver. The Raiders need a slot receiver at the very worst even if they trust the tandem of Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker.
Brock Bowers, the Las Vegas Raiders 2024 first round pick is the number one tight end. Michael Mayer is the number two tight end in two tight end sets as well as the backup tight end after being my top ranked tight end in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame as well as the Las Vegas Raiders 2023 second round pick. Harrison Bryant is the third string tight end. Michael Mayer will be out in week 4 which means Harrison Bryant will be the number two tight end. Michael Mayer will be eligible to return in week 11 following thier week 10 bye after being placed on injured reserve prior to week 6.
Zamir White is the starting running back. Alexander Mattison is the backup running back. Ameer Abdullah the backup running back two years ago returns as the third string running back.
I don't like the Raiders depth on the offensive line, but the Raiders starters on the offensive line are decent for once. Tight end and running back are the Raiders two deepest positions as I don't trust the depth that the Las Vegas Raiders have at wide receiver.
Las Vegas has Malcolm Koonce at 4-3 right end, Christian Wilkins at 4-3 defensive tackle, John Jenkins at 4-3 defensive tackle, and Maxx Crosby at 4-3 left end. Tyree Wilson is currently the backup 4-3 defensive end to both Malcolm Koonce and Maxx Crosby entering year two. Malcolm Koonce suffered a season ending injury in his contract year back in week 2. Tyree Wilson could be starting at 4-3 right end moving forward since Wilson was a 2023 first round pick.
Las Vegas has Divine Deablo at 4-3 right outside linebacker. Robert Spillaine is the starting 4-3 middle linebacker. Tommy Eichenberg a rookie middle linebacker and 2024 fifth round pick out of Ohio State is the backup 4-3 middle linebacker. Divine Deablo has missed the last three games, but he might be back in week 6.
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 missed some games with injuries, but is still the field cornerback entering his contract year in 2024. Jack Jones is the boundary cornerback on the Las Vegas Raiders complimenting Nate Hobbs. 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 and maintains that role heading into his second season. Darnay Holmes is the dime cornerback and is now the number four cornerback on the Las Vegas Raiders depth chart. Decamrion Richardson a 2024 fourth round pick from Mississippi State is the quarter cornerback. Marcus Epps is the starting strong safety and Tre'von Moehrig the Las Vegas Raiders 2021 second round pick out of TCU enters year four 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. Some guy I've never heard of named Tyreik McCalister is the return specialist at both kick returner and punt returner.
Prediction: Kansas City is a 9.5 point favorite at -9.5. The over or under is 43.5 with 67% of the public betting on Kansas City. The money line is -450 for Kansas City and +350 for Las Vegas. Take Kansas City to win and cover with the under at -450. Bet $550 on this game for Kansas City and win up to $1,000 as long as the Chiefs win by 10 or more.
Final Score Chiefs 23 Raiders 10
Who Everyone Else Picked
Oren Shiri
Jason Bantle
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Andrew Kermish
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Chicago Bears 4-2-0
Versus
Washington Commanders 5-2-0
Chris Ransom's Pick
I will be doing a 12 team College Football Breakdown of myy top 12 teams in College Football Each Week. This will be replacing the Bill Clinton College Football Playoff Selection Special that I've done for many years meaning you will get an authentic take from yours truely. I will also rank my projected SEC, Big 10, ACC, and Big 12 Champions in the top 4 overall since that's how the final College Football Playoff will be formatted with teams 5-11 also being power 4 teams as well as one group of five team.
Oregon
Oregon has one of the most complete offenses in the country. Dillon Gabriel is the starting quarterback, Evan Stewart as well as Tez Johnson are the top two wide receivers, Terrance Ferguson is the starting tight end, Josh Connerly is the blindside at left tackle, and Ajani Cornelius is the bookend offensive tackle at right tackle. Oregon clobbered Oregon State in the Civil War. Oregon defeated Ohio State 32-31 making them the new number two team in the country.
Previously Ranked: 2nd
Miami FL
The Miami Hurricanes are my ACC winner. I think with the additions of Cam Ward at quarterback and Damien Martinez at running back, the U finds a way to climb back into relevancy after attacking the transfer portal. Xavier Restrepo is a good wide receiver that Ward can depend on. Miami FL's offensive line has Jalen Rives at left tackle, Zach Carpenter at center, Anez Cooper Jr. at right guard, and Francis Mauigoa a potential 2026 first round pick at right tackle. They have the number seven offensive line with four returning starters up front and number twelve defensive line in the country according to Phil Steele. Miami barely beat Virginia Tech and California, but the best team in the ACC is 5-0 on the year.
Previously Ranked: 3rd
Iowa State
Iowa State is the highest ranked Big 12 Team in the top 25. Iowa State's win over Iowa gives them the landslide edge over BYU with both teams tied for the best record in the Big 12 as unbeaten teams.
Previously Ranked: 4th
Texas A&M
Number one ranked Texas lost to Georgia. The only two SEC teams without a loss are LSU and Texas A&M. I think Georgia is the best overall SEC team, but until they are the undisputed leader in the SEC, I will give any SEC team that is undefeated in conference play priority over them at this point. LSU and Texas A&M are the only two undefeated teams in SEC Conference play with no zero loss teams in the SEC and those play each other this weekend.
Previously Ranked: Not Ranked
Penn State
Penn State has Drew Allar back at quarterback, Nicholas Singleton back at running back, Tyler Warren back at tight end, Sal Wormley back at right guard, and Abdul Carter back at right outside linebacker. Penn State also added Julian Fleming Ohio State's slot receiver in the transfer portal. Penn State's toughest game is a home game against Ohio State as they do not play Oregon or Michigan. Penn State is the one of three undefeated teams left in the Big 10.
BYU
BYU leads the Big 12. BYU is the only undefeated Big 12 team that is 4-0 in conference play. BYU barely defeated Oklahoma State 35-31.
Indiana
Indiana is the fourth unbeaten team in the Big 10. They are the only Big 10 team 4-0 against the Big 10 so far in 2024. This makes Indiana my 7 seed in the 12 team playoff with only 11 undefeated FBS teams left.
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is 6-0 for the first time since 1991. When Pittsburgh won the ACC two years ago they lost to both Western Michigan and Miami FL at home. Their redshirt freshman quarterback was a four star recruit from Alabama and he looks more promising than Kenny Pickett so far. At the same token Pittsburgh has an easy strength of schedule.
Army
Army is one of the 12 undefeated teams left in the FBS. Them and their rival Navy are the only two unbeatens in the AAC. Army is 7-0 and now twenty third in the top 25.
Navy
Navy upset a Memphis team that was favored to win the AAC. Navy rounds out this top 12 for now. Navy is 6-0 and rounds out the top 25.
Georgia
Georiga on paper is the best SEC team. They also currently rank second in the AP Poll. Liberty lost to winless Kennesaw State on Wednesday which forced me to update this top 12 early as there are now only ten undefeated teams in the FBS.
Previously Ranked: Not Ranked
Ohio State
Ohio State has a ton of talent returning and they might be a more complete team than Georgia. Georgia has Carson Beck at quarterback while Ohio State has former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard coming in from the transfer portal to replace Kyle McCord whose now at Syracuse. Lots of seniors returned to Ohio State and this is the preseason number two team in the country as well as the consensus favorite to win the Big 10. Ohio State only lost to Oregon by 1 point. This is still the best one loss team in the country.
Why the Chicago Bears Will Win: Caleb Williams the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft takes over as the starting quarterback. Chicago has Braxton Jones their 2022 fifth round pick out of Southern Utah who won the left tackle job as a rookie entering year three at left tackle, Teven Jenkins at left guard, Coleman Shelton is the Chicago Bears starting center, Nate Davis enters year two as the Chicago Bears starting right guard, and Darnell Wright rounds out this offensive line after the Chicago Bears drafted the Tennessee right tackle tenth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Chicago has Kiran Amegadjie their 2024 third round pick as the backup left tackle and Ryan Bates as the backup center.
Chicago has D.J. Moore as their number one flanker wide receiver after trading the first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft away to Carolina for D.J. Moore. Rome Oduzne, who was also drafted in the top 10 along with Caleb Williams is the number two wide receiver. Keenan Allen the Los Angeles Chargers number one wide receiver joins Chicago and is now the slot receiver. Tyler Scott is the number four wide receiver. Velus Jones Jr. got demoted to the number five wide receiver spot after losing the number four role to Tyler Scott last year. DeAndre Carter is the number six wide receiver. Dante Pettis the number seven wide receiver is on injured reserve. Keenan Allen was out in week 2 and is out once again in week 3. Keenan Allen is expected to return in week 4 and this will mark the first game since week 1 where the Chicago Bears will have everyone at full health since week 1.
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 Gerald Everett the number two tight end to Tyler Higbee on the Los Angeles Rams as well as the Los Angeles Chargers starting tight end last year as their backup tight end, and Marcedes Lewis came back for one more year as a third string tight end. Chicago has D'Andre Swift as their starting running back, Khalil Herbert as the backup running back, and Roschon Johnson the backup to Bijan Robinson at Texas as the third string running back.
I love Chicago's depth at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end as Tyson Bagent the backup quarterback to Caleb Williams looked good in the preseason despite not having a high ceiling and a good floor.
Chicago has Montez Sweat 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. Andrew Billings and Gervon Dexter are both starting at 4-3 defensive tackle. Austin Booker a 2024 fifth round pick is the backup 4-3 right end. Zacch Pickens was the Chicago Bears 2023 third round pick to kick off the third round out of South Carolina and he's entering year two as a backup to Andrew Billings. When Billings fatigues, Pickens can be used as a situational defensive tackle. Darrell Taylor, a former Seattle Seahawks pass rusher is the backup 4-3 left end. Zacch Pickens will be out again in week 6, so Chicago will not have depth at defensive tackle despite every starter on the defensive line being fully healthy.
Chicago has T.J. Edwards entering year two at 4-3 right outside linebacker as well as right outside linebacker in a 4-2-5 nickel defense. Chicago Tremaine Edmunds as their new 4-3 middle linebacker as he will also play middle linebacker in a 4-2-5 nickel defense. Jack Sanborn will play 4-3 left outside linebacker in a 4-3 scheme, but when Chicago runs a 4-2-5 nickel defense, he will be a backup to Tremaine Edmunds at middle linebacer.
Chicago has Jaylon Jones at field cornerback, Tyrique Stevenson at boundary cornerback, and Kyler Gordon is currently holding the nickel cornerback job. Terrell Smith, Chicago's 2023 fifth round pick out of Minnesota is currently the dime cornerback. Jaylon Jones returns as the quarter cornerback with all of Chicago's top five cornerbacks from last year returning. Terrell Smith might be out in week 6 when Chicago goes to London.
Jaquan Brisker is the starting strong safety. Kevin Byard is the starting free safety. Chicago added Jonathan Owens for depth at safety as Owens is the backup free safety. Elijah Hicks is the backup strong safety. Chicago enters week 8 fully healthy.
Chicago has Cairo Santos as their starting kicker and Tory Taylor as their starting punter. Velus Jones Jr. will be the kick returner and DeAndre Carter will be the punt returner.
Why the Washington Commanders Will Win: The Washington Commanders have Jayden Daniels starting at quarterback as the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of LSU will start at quarterback after winning last years Heisman Trophy. Washington has Brandon Coleman a 2024 third round pick out of TCU at left tackle, Nick Allegretti at left guard, Tyler Biadasz at center, Sam Cosmi Washington's 2021 second round pick out of Texas is at right guard, and Andrew Wylie the right tackle. Washington doesn't have a lot of quality depth players on the offensive line. Nick Allegretti did not practice entering week 4. Jayden Daniels didn't practice on Wednesday or Thursday. Marcus Mariota may be starting this game against a fully healthy Chicago Bears team off of a bye week in week 8.
Washington has Terry McLaurin as their flanker wide receiver, Dyami Brown secondary wide receiver, and Olamide Zaccheaus is the slot receiver. Washington has Luke McCaffrey their 2024 third round pick out of Rice as the number four wide receiver, Jamison Crowder as their number five wide receiver, and Noah Brown as their number six wide receiver. Byron Pringle is the number seven wide receiver. Washington is starting two wide receivers that were number four wide receivers last year. Jameson Crowder is the only key player on injured reserve for the Washington Commanders in week 5 and he's eligible to come off injured reserve before Washington travels to Baltimore in week 6. Noah Brown is also out in week 5.
Washington has Zach Ertz as their starting tight end, John Bates their 2021 draft pick out of Boise State is the backup tight end, and Ben Sinnott their 2024 second round pick out of Kansass State is the third string tight end. Washington also has Brian Robinson Jr. as their starting running back with Austin Ekeler as a solid backup running back as Ekeler will be the change of pace running back to Brian Robinson Jr. Washington's third string running back is weaker than last year as the Washington Comanders will rely heavily on Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler. Austin Ekeler is going to be out in week 4. Austin Ekeler is trying to clear concussion protocol and Brian Robinson Jr. didn't practice. If both running backs are out Washington may be in trouble.
Washington has Dorance Armstong Jr. at 4-3 right end, Jer'Zhan Newton their 2024 second round pick starts at 4-3 defensive tackle replacing Jonathan Allen who suffered a season ending injury, Da'Ron Payne at 4-3 defensive tackle, and Clellin Ferrell at 4-3 left end. Sebastian Jean-Baptiste their 2024 seventh round pick is the backup 4-3 right end behind Dorance Armstrong Jr., Phidarian Mathis is the backup 4-3 defensive tackle to Da'Ron Payne as well as Jer'Zhan Newton thanks to Jonathan Allen suffering a season ending injury, and Dante Fowler Jr. is the backup 4-3 left end behind Clellin Ferrell.
Washington has Frankie Luvu as their 4-3 right outside linebacker, Bobby Wagner is the 4-3 middle linebacker, and Jamin Davis the Washington Commanders 2021 first round pick out of Kentucky is the 4-3 left outside linebacker in a 4-3 defense, but he's also the backup middle linebacker in a 4-2-5 nickel defense. Washington has good starters at linebacker, but there's not a lot of depth at linebacker.
Washington has Benjamin St. Juste moving from nickel cornerback to field cornerback, Michael Davis is the boundary cornerback, Mike Saintristl their 2024 second round pick is the nickel cornerback. Emmanuel Forbes is the dime cornerback after being Washington's 2023 first round pick. Noah Igbinoghene is the quarter cornerback. Jeremy Chinn is the starting strong safety and Jartavius Martin now known as Quan Martin is the starting free safety. Darrick Forrest is the backup safety to both Chinn and Martin.
The Washington Commanders cut their kicker Cade York, but Austin Seibert was great at kicker in his debut in week 2 making seven field goals in one game. Byron Pringle is the kick returner and Jamison Crowder is the punt returner.
Prediction: Washington is a 1.5 point favorite at -1.5. The over or under is 47 with 55% of the public betting on Chicago. The money line is and +105 for Chicago and -125 for Washington. Take Washington to win and cover with the over at -125. Bet $175 on this game for Washington and win up to $300 as long as the Commanders win by 2 or more.
Final Score Commanders 28 Bears 21
Who Everyone Else Picked
Oren Shiri
Jason Bantle
Joseph Potter
Andrew Kermish
Tracy Porter
Wes Langley
Carolina Panthers 1-6-0
Versus
Denver Broncos 4-3-0
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.
Millenial Menace 7-0
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: .542 39-33 is Millenial Menace's All Time Record from 2020-2024 with 39 wins in 72 total games played gives Millenial Menace a .542 All Time Winning Percentage.
Team Summary: Millenial Menace drafted Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill and Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry with their first two picks. George used a third round keeper on Ja'Marr Chase and a fifteenth round keeper on Nico Collins. George is stacked at wide receiver, but is relying on fourth round pick Matthew Stafford and sixth round pick Baker Mayfield as his two quarterbacks.
Projected Record: 13-2 Millenial Menace is projected to go 13-2 and get the top playoff spot after winning weeks 1, 2, 5, and 6 as an underdog. Millenial Menace ranks first in wins, first in points scored, and his projected record improves to first at the end of the season.
Threat Level Midnight 5-2
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: .622 102-62 is Threat Level Midnight's All Time Record from 2015-2024 with 102 wins in 164 total games played gives Threat Level Midnight a .622 All Time Winning Percentage.
Team Summary: Mitch loaded up with weapons like Christian McCaffrey at running back, Garrett Wilson at wide receiver, Puka Nacua at wide receiver, Travis Kelce at tight end, Amari Cooper at wide receiver, and Aaron Jones at running back. Mitch drafted Aaron Rodgers as his second quarterback in the seventh round while getting Terry McLaurin as a flex player. Mitch used a ninth round keeper on Alvin Kamara another potential flex option and a twlelfth round keeper on C.J. Stroud whose his first and main quarterback. His other picks included Devin Singletary, Tony Polard, Jameson Williams, Taysom Hill, Bo Nix in the fifteenth round as a third quarterback for depth during bye weeks. Jake Moody the San Francisco 49ers kicker is his kicker and the New York Jets defense are the defense Mitch drafted.
Projected Record: 11-4 Threat Level Midnight had the best draft according to Mitch's simulator and Yahoo. They are projected to finish 11-4 after losing as favorites in week 1 and week 7. Christian McCaffrey got placed on injured reserve prior to week 2, but Threat Level Midnight is 5-0 since McCaffrey got placed on injured reserve. Threat Level Midnight is the projected 2 seed in the 2024 BFFL Playoffs.
The Avengers 5-2
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: Jason Bantle
All Time Winning Percentage: .453 148-175-2 is The Avengers' All Time Record from 2003-2024 with 148 wins in 327 total games played gives The Avengers a .453 All Time Winning Percentage.
Team Summary: The Avengers used their first round pick on Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams was their second round pick. Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans was The Avengers third round pick. Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs was The Avenger's fourth round pick. Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love was Gary's fifth round keeper. Gary also used a sixteenth round keeper on Jayden Reed. Gary drafted Stefon Diggs in the sixth round before taking Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram to be his starting tight end.
Projected Record: 9-6 The Avengers are projected to go 7-8 this upcoming season after a surprise week 1 win in a game where they were underdogs. Right now, The Avengers are third in the league as far as records go as well as third in the league in points scored, but their projected record at the end of the year is still the seventh best projected record which is why I ranked them at third after Yahoo ranked them at 1 following week 1. The Avengers lost in week 2 as expected, but are now favorites in week 3 after previously being underdogs in that game. The Avengers won as underdogs in week 4 which changes their projected record to 9-6.
H.B.'s Vinegar Strokes 4-3
Bantle Bowl Championships: 2
Bantle Bowl VII (2021) and Bantle Bowl IX (2023)
Bantle Bowl Appearances: 2
Bantle Bowl VII (2021) and Bantle Bowl IX (2023)
BFFL Playoff Record: 4-5
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 to The Chosen One's in the playoffs two years prior to winning Bantle Bowl VII. H.B.'s Vinegar Strokes saw both Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson go down with injuries when attempting to repeat in 2022 before losing to eventual league champion Gangster Squad my team. This year H.B.'s Vinegar Strokes were healthier as far as injuries went knocking out The Chosen One's getting his first playoff win over long time friend and league commissioner Jason Bantle in the BFFL Playoffs. He also defeated Riley in last years Championship to secure a second Bantle Bowl in three years. My playoff win over Heath two years ago is the one thing that kept Heath from three peating.
Manager:
Heath Berman
Rival: Chris Ransom
All Time Winning Percentage: .498 131-132 is H.B.'s Vinegar Strokes All Time Record from 2008-2024 with 131 wins in 263 total games played gives H.B.'s Vinegar Strokes a .498 All Time Winning Percentage.
Team Summary: Heath drafted New York Jets running back Breece Hall, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, Los Angeles Rams widde receiver Cooper Kupp, Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Wtson, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, and Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb in the first eight rounds. Heath used a ninth round keeper on Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Muray and a tenth round keeper on Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London. Heath also has Jordan Addison, Jonathon Brooks, Austin Ekeler, Curtis Samuel, and Rico Dowdle for depth. Ka'imi Fairbairn is his kicker and the Seattle Seahawks defense is his defense. Heath's starting lineup might be the best outside of Mitch's team if his quarterback trio of Daniels, Watson, plus Murray steps up. His depth players aren't great, but his starting lineup of playmakers if fantastic enough to warrant respect. My guess is if Heath will replace his depth players with the waiver wire if those players underperform.
Projected Record: 9-6 H.B.'s Vinegar Strokes are projected to go 9-6 after losing as favorites in week 6. They entered the year as the projected two seed in the 2024 BFFL Playoffs. Heath enters week 7 ranked fourth in wins, second in points scored, and fifth in projected record at the end of the year. H.B's Vinegar Strokes would edge out the Avengers for the last wild card if both teams go 9-6.
The Chosen One's 4-3
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: 9-6
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: Gary Bantle Jason's rival will be Gary Bantle. Jason will have the advantage in this matchup, but this is the best team Gary has drafted in a while, so do not be surprised if Gary splits with Jason despite the fact hat Jason is favored in both games.
All Time Winning Percentage: .586 205-143-1 is The Chosen One's All Time Record from 2003-2024 with 205 wins in 350 total games with The Chosen One's having a .586 All Time winning percentage.
Team Summary: The Chosen One's drafted Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow in the first round. Jason drafted two running backs afterwards in Saquon Barkley and De'Von Achane. Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams was the first wide receiver Jason drafted in the fourth round. Jaylen Waddle was the second wide receiver Jason drafted. Balitmore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews is the starting tight end. Jason used keepers on Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. at wide receiver in the ninth round and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy in the twelfth round.
Projected Record: 8-7 The Chosen One's are projected to go 8-7 after winning as underdogs in week 7.
Car RamRod 3-4
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: Riley Stokosa
All Time Winning Percentage: .355 49-89 is Gravity Suck's All Time Record from 2015-2024 with 49 wins in 138 total games played gives Car RamRod a .355 All Time Winning Percentage.
Team Summary: Gravity Sucks took Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts in the first round before taking Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff in the second round. Gravity Sucks selected New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave in the third round. Gravity Sucks selected their third quarterback Jacksonville Jaguars Trevor Lawrence in the fourth round. San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk was Gravity Sucks fifth round pick. Kenneth Walker III was the first running back Gravity sucks drafted in the sixth round. Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts was the seventh round pick for Gravity Sucks. DeVonta Smith was one of the keepers that Gravity Sucks used.
Projected Record: 5-10 Gravity Sucks is projected to finish 5-10. That's what gives Andrew a shot at the consolation bracket.
Previously Ranked: 8th
Gangster Squad 2-5
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. I went 9-8 and failed to repeat, but I'm the only owner without a losing record over the past nine years.
Manager:
Chris Ransom
Rival: Heath Berman Heath is my rival again. This will be the first season with one division of ten teams so there won't be two separate divisions.
All Time Winning Percentage: .605 92-60 is Gangster Squad's All Time Record from 2015-2024 with 92 wins in 152 total games played gives Gangster Squad a .605 All Time Winning Percentage.
Team Summary: I drafted Patrick Mahomes with the first pick before trading CeeDee Lamb to draft Lamar Jackson at 6. I also got Travis Etienne at running back. My wide receivers include D.J. Moore, Zay Flowers my twelfth round keeper, Tee Higgins, George Pickens, and Jerry Jeudy. I also have Trey McBride as my starting tight end. Harrison Butker is my kicker and the Baltimore Ravens defense is my deense. I got David Njoku as my second tight end for depth. Running back two might be my weakness, but I like my options with David Montgomery and Javonte Williams. Trey Benson was my final pick in the seventeenth round.
Projected Record: 10-5 My team is projected to finish 10-5 even after losin the last two games. This team ranks fourth in the league in scoring and despite a sloppy start, Gangster Squad is only two games back of the wild card.
Previously Ranked: 6th
Taco Corp 2-5
Bantle Bowl Championships:
0
Bantle Bowl Appearances:
0
BFFL Playoff Record: 1-2
Selvan is 1-2 in the playoffs, but he's 3-2 if you count their third place win over H.B.'s Vinegar Strokes last year and his third place win this past season. I'll leave that record up for debate between Selvan and our readers.
Manager:
Selvan Thamilavel
Rival: Jimmy Dicken
All Time Winning Percentage: .338 51-91 is Taco Corp's All Time Record from 2015-2024 with 51 wins in 151 total games played gives Taco Corp a .338 All Time Winning Percentage.
Team Summary: Selvan chose to draft Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in the first round before taking Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown in the second round. Selvan used his third round keeper on Jahmyr Gibbs. Deebo Samuel was Selvan's fourth round pick. Buffalo Bills running back James Cook was Selvan's fifthr ound pick. Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins was Selvan's sixth round pick. Rhamondre Stevenson was the third running back Selvan drafted in the seventh round, Ladd McConkey is the number three wide receiver on Selvan's depth chart. Daniel Jones in the eighth round is the backup quarterback. Selvan also took Keenan Allen in the ninth round and then took Zack Moss after trading up with me. Selvan used his fourteenth round keeper on Sam Laporta and did not draft a second tight end.
Projected Record: 9-6 Taco Corp should go 9-6 after winning as underdogs in week 6. Taco Corp could be competing with H.B.'s Vinegar Strokes, The Avengers, The Chosen One's, Car RamRod, and myself for the last wild card.
Previously Ranked: 7th
One In A Williams 2-5
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
One In A Williams 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: .466 61-70 is One In A Williams All Time Record from 2013-2024 while leaving from 2019-2021 before returning in 2022 with 61 wins in 131 total games played gives One In A Williams a .466 All Time Winning Percentage.
Team Summary: Jimmy used a second round keeper on Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson. He also acquired Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb in a trade I made. Caleb Williams is Jimmy's starting quarterback.
Projected Record: 2-13 One In A Williams is the worst projected record in the BFFL in 2024. I have them winning one game on the season based on Yahoo projections for each team, but they are only projected to lose to my team in week 3 and have an outside chance to pull an upset this week. One In A Williams ranks seventh in the league in wins and points scored through three weeks, but he's tied with another owner for worst projected record. He beat my team head to head, so I'll move him up in the rankings this week since he's not the only owner with an 0-3 start.
Tua's My Njigba 1-6
Bantle Bowl Championships:
0
Bantle Bowl Appearances: 1
Bantle Bowl IX (2023)
BFFL Playoff Record: 1-2
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. Halls Mahomsey made Bantle Bowl IX before losing to H.B's Vinegar Strokes.
Manager:
Riley Stokosa
Rival: Andrew Kermish
All Time Winning Percentage: .490 48-50 is Hallsmahomsey's All Time Record from 2018-2024 with 48 wins in 98 total games played gives Tua's My Njigba a .490 All Time Winning Percentage.
Team Summary: Riley took Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor with his first round pick. Riley drafted Anthony Richardson in the second round. Riley used his third round keeper on Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. Riley drafted Tua Tagovailoa in the fourth round. Christian Kirk was the first wide receiver Riley drafted this year if you exclude his third round keeper. Zamir White his sixth round pick will be the number two running back, and Jaxson Smith-Njigba will be the number three wide receiver. Riley also drafted Rome Oduzne in the eighth round on Dalton Schultz in the ninth round at tight end. Riley also used a sixteenth round keeper on Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson.
Projected Record: 2-13 Tua's My Njigba is projected to go 2-13 after losing week 1 as favorites. That's why this team could make a drop. Tua's My Njigba is tenth in the standings and is currently the only 0-3 team in the BFFL entering week 4.
Why the Carolina Panthers Will Win: Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, the first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Alabama got benched for backup Andy Dalton. Bryce Young is starting again. Bryce Young will have Ikem Ekwonu at left tackle a second year left tackle as well as Carolina's 2022 first round pick out of North Carolina State, Damien Lewis at left guard, Austin Corbett at center, Robert Hunt at right guard, and Taylor Moton at right tackle. Austin Corbett and Taylor Moton got injured in week 5, but both could be back in week 8.
Bryce Young has Diontae Johnson as his number one flanker receiver, Xavier Legette a 2024 first round pick out of South Carolina as his secondary wide receiver, and Adam Thielen as his slot receiver. Jonathan Mingo goes from being the number two wide receiver as a rookie to now being the number four wide receiver. Diontae Johnson could be back in week 8.
Carolina has Ian Thomas last years backup tight end as the starting tight end. Tommy Tremble, Carolina's 2021 third round pick out of Notre Dame last years third string tight end is the backup tight end. Carolina drafted Texas tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft as Sanders was my second best tight end behind Brock Bowers. I figured Ja'Tavion Sanders would be starting at tight end, but he's currently the third string tight end on Carolina. Ian Thomas and Tommy Tremble were both out of practice on Wednesday and Thursday heading into week 1, and if both players get ruled out then Ja'Tavion Sanders would be thrown into the fire starting in week 1 despite being a fourth round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Tommy Tremble returned in week 3.
Carolina has Chubba Hubbard as their starting running back, Miles Sanders is the backup running back, Jonathon Brooks was their 2024 second round pick out of Texas and he's still on the NFL injured list. Jonathon Banks could be back as early as this week in week 4.
Carolina has Derrick Brown at 3-4 right end, Shy Tuttle at 3-4 nose tackle, and A'Shawn Robinson at 3-4 left end. Derrick Brown the best player on the Carolina Panthers defense will be out for a while as the 2020 first round pick out of Auburn got extended this offseason, but an injury will keep him out for the year while which will cripple Carolina's defense. Carolina has D.J. Wonnum replacing Brian Burns at 3-4 right outside linebacker once he gets back from the PUP list, Shaq Thompson at 3-4 middle linebacker, Josey Jewell at 3-4 middle linebacker, and Jadeveon Clowney at 3-4 left outside linebacker. Carolina's defensive line is better than last year, but their edge rusher play at 3-4 outside linebacker is worse with Brian Burns being traded to the New York Giants. Shaq Thompson and Josey Jewell are both dealing with injuries at 3-4 middle linebacker.
Carolina has Jaycee Horn at field cornerback, Michael Jackson at boundary cornerback, Troy Hill at nickel cornerback, Xavier Woods at strong safety, and Jordan Fuller at free safety. Carolina added Nick Scott as the backup strong safety. The cornerback depth Carolina has is not good if injuries occur.
Carolina has Eddy Pinero at kicker. Johnny Hekker is the punter. I feel like an upgrade over Raheem Blacksheer at return specialist could be made though.
Why the Denver Broncos Will Win: Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix won the starting quarterback job as a rookie after being Denver's 2024 first round pick. Bo Nix has Garrett Bolles at left tackle, Ben Powers at left guard, Luke Wattenberg at center, Quinn Meinerz at right guard, and Mike McGlinchey the former San Francisco 49ers right tackle enters year two as Denver's starting right tackle. Denver's offensive line is better than you would think if their starters can stay healthy. Mike McGlinchey went on injured reserve in week 3 and Denver has gone 3-0 in their last three games with Alex Palczewski filling in for Mike McGlinchey at right tackle. Alex Palczewski missed week 6. Luke Wattenberg may be out at center in week 7. Both Mike McGlinchey and Alex Palczewski are questionable to play in week 7.
Courtland Sutton is the flanker wide receiver. Josh Reynolds replaces Jerry Jeudy as the secondary wide receiver. Marvin Mims Jr. is the slot receiver. Lil Jordan Humphrey is the number four wide receiver. Troy Franklin, Bo Nix's teammate at Oregon and Denver's 2024 fourth round pick is the number five wide receiver, but I believe he's good enough to supplant Reynolds as the number two wide receiver down the road since he's currently the backup to Reynolds. Devaughn Vele is the number six wide receiver as Denver's 2024 seventh round pick. Denver signed former New Orleans Saints wide receiver A.T. Perry to be the number seven wide receiver.
Josh Reynolds is out this week in week 7. Courtland Sutton will be the flanker wide receiver, Troy Franklin will be the secondary wide receiver, and Lil Jordan Humphrey will split reps with Marvin Mims Jr. at slot receiver despite the absence of Josh Reynolds. Devaughn Vele is the number four wide receiver and A.T. Perry is on Denver's practice squad even though he could be used as a number five wide receiver.
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 is the backup tight end. Lukas Krull is the third string tight end.
Javonte Williams is the starting running back for the Denver Broncos back from his season ending injury in 2022. Jaleel McLaughlin is the backup running back. Audric Estime, Denver's 2024 fifth round pick out of Notre Dame is the third string running back.
Denver has John Franklin-Myers at 3-4 right end with D.J. Jones at 3-4 nose tackle. Zach Allen is the 3-4 left end. Denver's defensive line looks pretty good on paper with this trio.
Denver has Jonathon Cooper at 3-4 right outside linebacker, Alex Singleton at 3-4 middle linebacker, Cody Barton at 3-4 middle linebacker, and Baron Browning at at 3-4 left outside linebacker. Jonah Ellis is the backup 3-4 right outside linebacker after being Denver's 2024 third round pick. Nik Bonitto is the backup 3-4 left outside linebacker. Denver has depth at edge rusher, but thanks to Drew Sanders season ending injury they will not have depth at 3-4 middle linebacker. Alex Singleton and Cody Barton can be solid inside linebackers if both stay healthy. Baron Browning is out in week 3, so it is uncertain whether Jonah Ellis or Nik Bonitto starts at 3-4 left outside linebacker. Alex Singleton tore his ACL at 3-4 middle linebacker and is out for the year and his backup Drew Sanders is also out.
Denver has Patrick Surtain II at field cornerback, Riley Moss is the boundry cornerback, Ja'Quaun McMillian is the nickel cornerback until Damarri Mathis returns from injured reserve, Levi Wallace is the dime cornerback, and Kris Abrams-Draine their 2024 fifth round pick is the quarter cornerback. Damarri Mathis surprised everyone when he took control of the boundary cornerback job as a 2022 fourth round pick out of Pittsburgh. P.J. Locke is the starting strong safety and Brandon Jones is the starting free safety. J.L. Skinner looked good in the preseason and he might supplant P.J. Locke as the starting strong safety at some point this season. Denver's backup free safety Dellarin Turner-Yell is on the PUP list.
Denver has Will Lutz at kicker and Riley Dixon at punter. Marvin Mims Jr. is the return specialist in addition to the slot receiver at both kick returner and punt returner.
Prediction: Denver is a 4 point favorite at -4. The over or under is 42.5 with 61% of the public betting on Denver. The money line is +190 for Carolina and -230 for Denver. I like Carolina to win and to cover with the over at +190. Bet $210 on this game for Carolina and win up to $400 as long as the Broncos win by 3 or less.
Final Score Panthers 31 Broncos 28 OT
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Dallas Cowboys 3-3-0
Versus
San Francisco 49ers 3-4-0
Chris Ransom's Pick
Hank Hill from King of the Hill and assistant GM and Director Of College Scouting Dale Gribble finally got back to the playoffs since taking over for Lumberg in 2020. Dallas is 44-27 since 2020.
Here is this weeks hot take from Hank Hill.
Kick San Francisco's ass. John Lynch the San Francisco 49ers GM has made us his bitch for way too long. It's our turn to make John Lynch our bitch.
Why the Dallas Cowboys Will Win: Dak Prescott has Tyler Guyton their 2024 first round pick out of Oklahoma at left tackle, Tyler Smith at left guard, Cooper Beebe, the Dallas Cowboys 2024 third round pick out of Kansas State at center, Zack Martin at right guard, and Terence Steele at right tackle. Dallas has great starters on the offensive line, but the depth isn't what it was last year. As long as Dallas stays healthy on the offensive line, this will be one of the toughest offenses to stop after Dak Prescott got $60-million a year for the next four years.
Having weapons like CeeDee Lamb as your flanker wide receiver and Brandin Cooks as your secondary wide receiver helps since Dak Prescott has two wide receivers who have experience as a number one wide receiver. Jalen Tolbert is the slot receiver when Dallas runs three wide receiver sets after being the number four wide receiver in his first two seasons. Jalen Brooks a 2023 seventh round pick out of South Carolina is the number five wide receiver is now the number four wide receiver. Ryan Flournoy a 2024 sixth round pick from Southeast Missouri State is the number five wide receiver. KaVontae Turpin is the number six wide receiver. Dallas has three wide receivers on this depth chart with the upside to be good and has enough starters as the backups are solid, but not spectacular meaning the backups can make plays, but they won't move the needle like hte top three wide receivers. Tight end Jake Ferguson is the starting tight end, Luke Schoonmaker a 2023 second round pick out of Michigan won the backup tight end job. Dallas does not have a good third string tight end which makes the decision to release Peyton Hendershot even more puzzling. Jake Ferguson got injured against the Cleveland Browns, but he will only be out one to two weeks. Luke Schoonmaker got his first NFL start this week in week 2 before Jake Ferguson returned.
Dallas placed Brandin Cooks on injured reserve prior to week 5 meaning Jalen Tolbert is now the number two wide receiver after being the slot receiver. Tolbert got a game-winning touchdown in his first start as a number two wide receiver. Dallas doesn't have a good slot receiver until Brandin Cooks returns which will be week 10 at the earliest.
Dallas has Ezekiel Elliott as their number one running back. Rico Dowdle is the backup running back. Dallas drafted Kansas State runing back Deuce Vaughn in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Kansas State. Dallas has depth at running back and wide receiver, but they are thinner at most positions offensively compared to last year.
Dallas has Micah Parsons at 4-3 right end, Mazi Smith at 4-3 defensive tackle, Osa Odighizuwa at 4-3 defensive tackle, and DeMarcus Lawrence at 4-3 left end. Marshawn Kneeland the Dallas Cowboys 2024 second round pick out of Western Michigan is the backup 4-3 right end with Sam Williams on injured reserve, Linval Joseph is the backup 4-3 defensive tackle to Mazi Smith, Jordan Phillips is the backup 4-3 defensive tackle to Osa Odighizuwa, and Chauncey Golston is the backup 4-3 left end to Demarcus Lawrence. Dallas has a lot of bodies and depth on the defensive line and could be better than last year. Micah Parsons could be back by week 8 after the Dallas Cowboys bye week. Demarcus Lawrence got placed on injured reserve prior to the week 5 game against Pittsburgh. Micah Parsons hasn't practiced this week, but he could be back. Micah Parsons may be out this week.
Dallas is starting DeMarvion Overshown their 2023 third round pick out of Texasat 4-3 right outside linebacker and Eric Kendricks at 4-3 middle linebacker. Dallas will also have Damone Clark their 2022 fifth round pick out of LSU as a 4-3 left outside linebacker, but he will also be the backup right outside linebacker in a 4-2-5 nickel defense. Marist Liuafu the Dallas Cowboys 2024 third round pick out of Notre Dame is the backup 4-3 middle linebacker. DeMarvion Overshown got injured in week 4.
Dallas has Trevon Diggs at field cornerback. Dallas has DaRon Bland back at boundary corenrback. Jourdan Lewis is the nickel cornerback. Caelon Carson is the dime cornerback. Dallas has Andrew Booth Jr. as their quarter cornerback. Isreal Mukuamu is the number six cornerback. Dallas could get both DaRon Bland and Caelon Carson back at full health in week 6. Dallas will have all of their cornerbacks at full health for the first time all year following the bye week. DaRon Bland still hasn't made his debut with the Dallas Cowboys this season, but Caelon Carson could be back.
Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson are the starting safeties with both safeties having the versatility to play strong safety or free safety. Dallas doesn't have the safety depth they had last year.
Former Notre Dame center back Brandon Aubrey is now the Dallas Cowboys kicker. I actually found an archive of my Aubrey scouting report from the 2017 MLS Super Draft when Toronto F.C. took Brandon Aubrey in the first round of the 2017 MLS Draft. After Aubrey failed in the MLS, he went to the USFL and had success as a kicker there before receiving a contract to join the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL. Brandon Aubrey dominated in his first NFL season. Bryan Anger is the punter. KaVontae Turner the number six wide receiver on the Dallas Cowboys depth chart is the kick returner and punt returner for the Dallas Cowboys.
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, Dominic Puni their 2024 third round pick out of Kansas at right guard, and Colton McKivitz at right tackle. 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. Ben Bartch the former Jacksonville Jaguar is the backup center. Spencer Burford is the backup right guard. Brandon Parker is the backup right tackle. Outside of Jaylon Moore the backup left tackle and Spencer Burford the backup right guard, there's not a backup on this offensive line that I'm satisfied with.
San Francisco has Deebo Samuel as their flanker receiver, Ricky Pearsall as their secondary receiver, and Jauan Jennings as their slot receiver with Brandon Aiyuk ruled out for the season. Jacob Cowing is the number five wide receiver and Danny Gray is the number six wide receiver. San Francisco has Ronnie Bell their 2023 seventh round pick out of Michigan as the number seven wide receiver.
George Kittle is San Francisco's starting tight end. San Francisco's tight end depth is much weaker than last year, so San Francisco is in trouble if George Kittle goes down. George Kittle got injured in the Minnesota Vikings game and will be a game-time decision. George Kittle did not play in week 3, but returned in week 4. George Kittle played in week 5 and was a full practice entering week 6.
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 as Elijah Mitchell will begin this season on injured reserve. Jordan Mason is the third string running back and he will be the backup running back with Elijah Mitchell on injured reserve to start the season. Isaac Guerendo a 2024 fourth round pick out of Louisville is the fourth string running back, but will be the third string running back until Elijah Mitchell returns from the injured reserve list. 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 missed week 1 and Kyle Shanahan said he would be out for multiple weeks. Jordan Mason has started with Christian McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell on injured reserve with McCaffrey still on injured reserve and Elijah Mitchell out for the year in the final year of his rookie contract. Christian McCaffrey could be back as early as next week in week 7 against Kansas City and he could be back as late as week 10 when San Francisco travels to Tampa Bay after the bye week in week 9.
San Francisco has Nick Bosa at 4-3 right end, Javon Hargrave at 4-3 defensive tackle, Maliek Collins at 4-3 defensive tackle, and Leonard Floyd at 4-3 left end as their starters on the defensive line. Yetur Gross-Matos is the backup 4-3 right end behind Nick Bosa, Kevin Givens is the backup to Javon Hargave, Jordan Elliott the former Cleveland Browns defensive tackle is the backup to Maliek Collins, and Robert Beal Jr., San Francisco's 2023 fifth round pick out of Georgia is the backup 4-3 left end to Leonard Floyd. San Francisco's depth on the defensive line doesn't excite me like it did the last two years and Maliek Collins feels like a guy who actually could be upgraded on this defensive line. Javon Hargrave is out at 4-3 defensive tackle in week 4 and got placed on injured reserve prior to week 4. Maliek Collins didn't practice heading into week 7 neither did Jordan Elliott. Leoanrd Floyd didn't practice at 4-3 left end. Drake Jackson is also still on the PUP list as a backup 4-3 defensive end.
San Francisco has De'Vondre Campbell filling in for an injured Dre Greenlaw at 4-3 right outside linebacker as Greenlaw got injured in Super Bowl 58 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. Demetrius Flanigan-Fowles will start at 4-3 left outside linebacker if San Francisco decides to use a 4-3 scheme. Dee Winters is the backup 4-3 middle linebacker.
San Francisco has Charvarius Ward at field cornerback, Isaac Yiadom at boundary cornerback, and Deommodore Lenoir at nickel cornerback. Renardo Green, San Francisco's 2024 second round pick out of Florida State who I liked is the dime cornerback. Rock Ya-Sin is the quarter cornerback. Talanoa Hufanga returns at strong safety with Ji'Ayir Brown the San Francisco 49ers 2023 third round pick out of Penn State as the starting free safety. San Francisco drafted Wake Forest safety Malik Mustapha in the fourth roud of the 2024 NFL Draft and he's the backup safety. Talona Hufanga is off of the injury report and will play in week 5, but Talona Hufanga got placed on injured reserve prior to week 6 meaning the earliest Hufanga will return is week 11.
San Francisco has Jake Moody their 2023 third round pick out of Michigan starting at kicker, but he got injured against Arizona. Matthew Wright will take Moody's place until Moody returns. 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. Ronnie Bell is the kick returner and Jacob Cowing is the punt returner.
Prediction: San Francisco is a 6.5 point favorite at -6.5. The over or under is 49 with 67% of the public betting on San Francisco. The money line is +240 for Dallas and -300 for San Francisco. Take San Francisco to win and cover with the under at -300. Bet $400 on this game for San Francisco and win up to $700 as long as the 49ers win by 7 points or more.
Final Score 49ers 21 Cowboys 13
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New York Giants 2-5-0
Versus
Pittsburgh Steelers 5-2-0
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 newcommer Rich Walsh. Tonight the gang is in Pittsburgh.
Pompieni: Welcome to Monday Night Football. Bob Pompieni along with Mark Madden and Andrew Filiponi covering ESPN Monday Night Football on KDKA from Pittsburgh. New York heads to Pittsburgh.
Madden: Daniel Jones has faced some toough defenses. He hasn't faced anything like the Steel Curtain Defense.
Filiponi: Yeah Mark, Joey Porter Jr. is gonna make Malik Nabers his bitch. Same could be said about T.J. Watt emasculating Daniel jones.
Walsh: I agree Pittsburgh has this regardless of who starts at quarterback whether it is Justin Fields or Russell Wilson.
Madden: Haha, good one Rich Walsh. Pittsburgh should win this game.
Pompieni: Yeah, Tonight's game is brought to you by the Acrisure. The official sponsor of Acrisure Stadium.
Madden: No tonights game is brought to you by the Heinz. This stadium should still be named Heinz Field.
Pompieni: Alright tonights game is brought to you by Acrisure and Heinz. We'll be right back with kickoff in our hometown city after this.
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. The New York Giants have Andrew Thomas at left tackle, Jon Runyan Jr. at left guard, John Michael Schmitz a 2023 second round pick out of Minnesota starts at center as a rookie, Greg Van Roten is the starting right guard, and Jermaine Eluemunor is the starting right tackle. Joshua Ezeudu is the backup left tackle and Evan Neal is the backup right tackle. Andrew Thomas is out for the year. New York is deciding whether Joshua Ezeudu their 2022 third round pick or whether Evan Neal their 2022 first round pick will start at left tackle.
New York has Malik Nabers their 2024 first round pick out of LSU as their number one flanker wide receiver. Jalin Hyatt, a 2023 third round pick out of Tennessee who won the Billetnikoff Award in 2022 is the number two receiver on this depth chart and the complimentary wide receiver. Wan'Dale Robinson is the slot receiver wide receiver. Darius Slayton is their number four wide receiver. Malik Nabers got injured near the end of the week 4 game and got ruled out with a concussion. Malik Nabers missed the last two weeks in concussion protocol, but he could be back in week 7.
The New York Giants have Daniel Bellinger as their starting tight end. Theo Johnson is their number two tight end.
Devin Singletary is New York's starting running back. Tyrone Tracy Jr. a 2024 fifth round pick out of Purdue is the backup running back. Eric Gray a 2023 fifth round pick out of Oklahoma is the third string running back. Tyrone Tracy jr. might start soon.
New York has Dexter Lawrence at 3-4 nose tackle and he's the only good player on this defensive line so he will get triple teammed like Aaron Donald did when he was on the Los Angeles Rams. I don't trust Rakeem Nunez-Roches at 3-4 left end and now he's starting at 3-4 right end. Dexter Lawrence didn't practice on Wednesday and might be out in week 7.
Kayvon Thibodeaux enters his third season in the NFL as the starting 3-4 right outside linebacker with Brian Burns complimenting him at 3-4 left linebacker. 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. Carlos Basham is the backup 3-4 right outside linebacker behind Kayvon Thibodeaux. Azeez Ojulari is the backup 3-4 left outside linebacker. Kayvon Thibodeaux is on injured reserve and Brian Burns might be out in week 7.
Deonte Banks, the New York Giants 2023 first round pick out of Maryland won the field cornerback job as a rookie and maintained it. Adoree' Jackson is the boundary cornerback. Dru Phillips, the New York Giants 2024 third round pick out of Kentucky is the nickel cornerback. Tyler Nubin, the New York Gians 2024 second round pick out of Minnesota is the starting strong safety and Jason Pinnock is the starting free safety.
New York has Graham Gano as their starting kicker. Gunner Olszewski is the return specialist at both kick returner and punt returner.
Why the Pittsburgh Steelers Will Win: The Pittsburgh Steelers signed two quarterbacks to one year deals. Russell Wilson and Justin Fields both got one year contracts with the Pittsburgh Steelers. I think both of these quarterbacks are massive upgrades over Kenny Pickett and Mason Rudolph. Russell Wilson will start in week 1. Russell Wilson got ruled out in week 1 with an injury, so now Justin Fields will start in week 1. Justin Fields has won the first three games for Pittsburgh, so he has the starting quarterback job locked up. Russell Wilson is taking first team reps and that is creating a ton of friction as Russell Wilson will get the start after Justin Fields helped Pittsburgh score 32 points on th Las Vegas Raiders in week 6.
Pittsburgh has Broderick Jones their 2023 first round pick out of Georgia finally starting at left tackle after easing him in last year, Isaac Seumalo is the left guard, Zach Frazier Pittsburgh's 2024 second round pick out of West Virginia will start at center, James Daniels is the starting right guard, and Troy Fautanu, Pittsburgh's 2024 first round pick out of Washington is the starting right tackle. Fautanu was a blindside to Michael Penix Jr. at Washington, but has experience at both left tackle and right tackle making him an ideal bookend to Broderick Jones since he doesn't have the high ceiling Jones has. Troy Fautanu had knee surgery and is out for the regular season, so Pittsburgh opted to start Dan Moore Jr. at left tackle and moved Broderick Jones back to right tackle where he played as a rookie after he started two games at left tackle. James Daniels is out for the year at right guard too. Spencer Anderson has also started in relief of Isaac Seumalo at left guard, but Seumalo is back this week. Pittsburgh enters week 6 with Dan Moore Jr. at left tackle, Isaac Seumalo at left guard, Zach Frazier at center, Mason McCormick at right guard, and Broderick Jones at right tackle. There is a chance Spencer Anderson starts at right guard, but Mason McCormick looked a lot better in pass protection than Spencer Anderson which leads me to believe McCormick will start at right guard this week. Zach Frazier was out in week 7.
George Pickens is the flanker receiver and has been Pittsburgh's number one wide receiver the last two years. Van Jefferson is the secondary wide receiver as Pittsburgh essentially replaced Diontae Johnson who started out as the flanker receiver when George Pickens arrived with Van Jefferson since Johnson was no longer performing like a number one receiver the last three years with constant drops. Calvin Austin III is the slot receiver. Roman Wilson, Pittsburgh's 2024 third round pick out of Michigan is the number four wide receiver. Scotty Miller a former Tampa Bay Buccaneer wide receiver who played under Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith in Atlanta last year when Smith was their head coachis the number five wide receiver, but since Roman Wilson got ruled out in week 1, Scotty Miller will be the number four wide receiver.
Pittsburgh's wide receiver depth is respectable, but there's not a guy in this group outside of George Pickens that has the star power you want from a wide receiver. Roman Wilson could be that guy eventually, but the fact that he failed to win a starting wide receiver job does say something and he's also out in week 1.
Pittsburgh has Pat Freiermuth as their starting tight end, Darnell Washington was my number two tight end behind Michael Mayer in the 2023 NFL Draft despite falling to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round. Washington showed me why he has starter potential when filling in for an injured Freiermuth despite entering training camp as the third string tight end before beating out Zach Gentry for the tight end two job as a rookie. Pittsburgh is also moving starting fullback Connor Heyward into the third string tight end role since he outplayed Gentry like Darnell Washington last year. MyCole Pruitt who was Arthur Smith's third string tight end in Atlanta is the fourth string tight end in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh has Najee Harris their 2021 first round pick out of Alabama as their starting running back coming off a third straight season with over 1,000 rushing yards. Pittsburgh chose not to place a fifth year tender on Najee Harris despite his consistency due the emergence of their backup running back Jaylen Warren who showed he could be a number one running back on Pittsburgh. Warren is an RFA after this season and will be cheaper to retain than Harris which is probably why Pittsburgh didn't place a fifth year tender on Najee Harris. Pittsburgh also added Atlanta Falcons third string running back Cordarrelle Patterson who entered last years training camp as the first team running back before being supplanted by both Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier in Atlanta. Patterson knows Arthur Smith's offense since he was the bell cow when Arthur Smith was first hired as Atlanta's head coach so having Patterson in this running back room to teach Harris as well as Warren concepts in Arthur Smith's offense is a major asset in its own right despite the fact that he's currently on the NFL injured list for Pittsburgh. Ptitsburgh also has Jack Colletto a former Oregon State running back as their starting fullback managing to reload at fullback after moving Connor Heyward to tight end. Najee Harris might be out this week. Jaylen Warren is questionable.
Pittsburgh has more depth at running back and tight end than last year. I think they downgraded at wide receiver and will be dependent on George Pickens for big plays as I don't see Van Jefferson doing much in Pittsburgh's offense. The quarterback play as well as the lack of experience on this offensive line with Broderick Jones finally starting at left tackle in the NFL after being Pittsburgh's 2023 first round pick along with Fautanu a 2024 first round pick at right tackle and Zach Frazier a 2024 second round pick at centr means this offensive line could dominate down the road, but might also have some growing pains this upcoming season. If Isaac Seumalo is out in week 1, Mason McCormick would be the third rookie on this offensive line to start in week 1 as Seumalo got injured in practice last week.
Pittsburgh has Cameron Heyward at 3-4 right end, Keeanu Benton at 3-4 nose tackle, and Larry Ogunjobi at 3-4 left end. Dean Lowry is the backup 3-4 right end after being a starting 3-4 right end on Green Bay and Minnesota in 2023. Montravious Adams started at nose tackle prior to Benton beating him out for the nose tackle job as a second round rookie out of Wisconsin in the 2023 NFL Draft, but Adams has done well as the backup nose tackle. Isaiahh Loudermilk last years backup 3-4 right end to Heyward is now the backup 3-4 left end when Lowry is healthy. DeMarvin Leal, Pittsburgh's 2022 third round pick out of Texas A&M is now being listed as the third string 3-4 right end and Logan Lee, Pittsburgh's 2024 sixth round pick out of Iowa is the third string 3-4 left end.
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 as this is one of the better pass rushing tandems in the NFL. Patrick Queen left Baltimore to go to Pittsburgh with Baltimore's 2020 first round pick and Elandon Roberts as the two starting 3-4 middle linebackers. Nick Herbig is the backup 3-4 right outside linebacker as the 2023 fourth round pick out of Wisconsin showed promise down the stretch as Nick Herbig is now the number three edge rusher in Pittsburgh as the main 3-4 outside linebacker thanks to Markus Golden retiring. Payton Wilson, the Butkus Award winner that Pittsburgh drafted out of North Carolina State in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft is the main backup 3-4 middle linebacker. Pittsburgh feels thinner at 3-4 outside linebacker and 3-4 middle linebacker in terms of depth. Alex Highsmith is back at full health and returns from an injury.
Joey Porter Jr. came in as a 2023 second round pick and ended up becoming Pittsburgh's number one field cornerback by midseason. Pittsburgh let both Patrick Peterson and Levi Wallace walk. Pittsburgh traded for Carolina Panthers field cornerback Donte Jackson who will get to cover number two receivers at boundary cornerback instead of number one receivers. Jackson had to face Julio Jones, Mike Evans, Michael Thomas, Chris Godwin, Drake London, and Chris Olave when he was fully healthy in Carolina. Now he will get guys like Rashod Bateman, Tee Higgins, and Jerry Jeudy which will be good competition, but also probably more managable for him when facing AFC North teams. Pittsburgh also brought back their former cornerback Cameron Sutton who was the Detroit Lions field cornerback last year. Cameron Sutton got suspended for the first eight games and will not be back until after Pittsburgh's bye week in week 9. Beanie Bishop Jr. an undrafted rookie out of West Virginia ended up beating out Corey Trice Jr. and Darius Rush for the nickel cornerback job until Cameron Sutton returns from his suspension which mans Corey Trice Jr. will be the dime cornerback and Darius Rush will be the quarter cornerback in the absence of Cameron Sutton.
Pittsburgh signed DeShon Elliott who did well for Miami at safety last year as their new starting strong safety. DeShon Elliott will compliment Pittsburgh's Pro Bowl free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick quite well. Miles Killebrew remains the backup strong safety while Damontae Kazee remains the backup free safety. I did not like Terrell Edmunds as I had a fifth round grade on Pittsburgh's 2018 first round pick and gaslit the Steelers front office for allowing Lamar Jackson to fall to a Division Rival. Turns out I was right on that one yinzers. As far as the Pittsburgh Steelers current safety tandem entering 2024, this might be the most encougaring safety tandem Pittsburgh has had since Troy Polamalu lined up at strong safety with Ryan Clark at free safety there's also good depth behind those two safeties as well.
Pittsburgh has Chris Boswell at kicker and Cameron Johnston at punter. Cordarrelle Patterson will be Pittsburgh's kick returner while Calvin Austin III will be the punt returner. Quez Watkins could end up as Pittsburgh's kick returner if Cordarrelle Patterson isn't healthy enough to play by week 1.
Prediction: Pittsburgh is a 3.5 point favorite at -3.5. The over or under is 37.5 with 64% of the public betting on Pittsburgh. The money line is +150 for New York and -180 for Pittsburgh. Take Pittsburgh to win and cover with the under at -180. Bet $220 on this game for Pittsburgh and win up to $400 as long as the Steelers win by 4 or more.
Final Score Steelers 17 Giants 9
Who Everyone Else Picked
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