NFL Week 2: Uhm, What Just Happened

Well that was...something. Week one in the NFL was definitely one of those any given Sundays. First the Chiefs smacked the Patriots on opening night. Then, the Rams dropped 46 on the Colts. The Saints struggled on a Monday Night Football against the Vikings. The Bengals didn't even show up against the Ravens.

The Raiders, Cowboys, and Broncos looked really good in their first week, and you really have no idea how difficult it was for me to even say that statement. The Bills and the Lions also played well in week one, and the Falcons did not show much evidence of the Super Bowl meltdown during week one. 

The Dolphins and Buccaneers are both beginning their season after they had to postpone their game due to Hurricane Irma. Then there is this...LA will host not one, but two games today for the first time in over 23 years. Atlanta will open their 1.5 billion dollar stadium tonight on Sunday Night Football against the Green Bay Packers. The Patriots and the Saints are both trying to right the ship and not go 0-2 in New Orleans today.

I didn't perform all that well during week one. First, I forgot to predict the Thursday Night Game, and second, well, my picks left something to be desired. I did a respectable 7-7 in week one, but I have, and I expect better this week.

Sunday, September 17
Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens: Baltimore

Buffalo Bills at Carolina Panthers: Carolina

Arizona Cardinals at Indianapolis Colts: Arizona

Philadelphia Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs: Kansas City

New England Patriots at New Orleans Saints: New England

Minnesota Vikings at Pittsburgh Steelers: Pittsburgh

Chicago Bear at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tampa Bay

Miami Dolphins at Los Angeles Chargers: Los Angeles

New York Jets at Oakland Raiders: Oakland

Dallas Cowboys at Denver Broncos: Dallas

Washington Redskins at Los Angeles Rams: Washington

San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks: Seattle

Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons: Green Bay

Monday, September 18
Detroit Lions at New York Giants: Detroit

Monday, September 18
Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers: Los Angeles

That's all, folks. Until next week, "Success is not a good teacher, failure makes you humble."-Shah Rukh Khan

NFL Week One: Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!!!

Welcome back, everybody!!! I know that I haven't posted since the 20th Anniversary of the Harry Potter series. Still a little rusty. Plus, I've started a new job for the second time in two years. Why? I'm a mess mostly, but I've also started working at a college which is sooooooo much more awesome!!!

This is the eighth year that I have been writing about a lot of unnecessary stuff. Much like last year, I'll not only be posting about the NFL, but I will be here to live blog my favorites The Walking Dead and Stranger Things.  I'm not one hundred percent certain that I will make it through the entire season of American Horror Story: Cult. I'm starting to lose interest in the series. For now let's talk about the NFL.

The biggest story in the NFL this off season was not so much who moved where, who drafted whom, nor who will be suspended again this season. Nope, the biggest story since last preseason has and continues to be Colin Kaepernick, but I'm not discussing this here today. I will devote another post to that issue.

There are a host of new head coaches hoping to take their teams in a new direction. You have Vance Joseph in Denver, Anthony Lynn in Los Angeles (Chargers), Doug Marrone in Jacksonville, Sean McDermott in Buffalo, Sean McVay in Los Angeles (Rams), and Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco. You have many new faces in new places among the player rankings, too. Brandon Cooks showed his value on opening night as he starts his career in New England. After many years with Minnesota, Adrian Peterson is banking on showing he still has gas in New Orleans. Fans as well as Jeremy Maclin were shocked when the Chiefs released the veteran receiver, but he found a new home in Baltimore. Marshawn Lynch is trying to help his hometown Raiders rise to the top of the AFC West. Victor Cruz left the East Coast for the midwest with a new start in Chicago. Not to mention, Jay Cutler's brief retirement before heading to Miami after Ryan Tannehill went down with an injury. Even former players made some moves in the offseason. Tony Romo is moving to the CBS broadcast booth pushing Phil Simms to the NFL Today who also hired Nate Burleson to replace Bart Scott who was let go. Tony Gonzalez left CBS for FOX who will be joined by Michael Vick. Steve Smith is headed to the NFL Network.

Did you see opening night? DID YOU SEE WHAT MY CHIEFS DID TO THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS ON OPENING NIGHT? I didn't write this post earlier because I didn't want to jinx my boys, but was that an opening night or what? That debut of Kareem Hunt! If you had taken a shot every time Cris Collinsworth reminded us that he fumbled on his first play, you would have been drunk by halftime, but way to go Kareem in overcoming that bumpy start! Also, Alex Smith showing us all his deep ball threat. Patrick Mahomes may be the future, but Alex showed that he is the starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs. You'll get your chance rookie, but not this year. The only bad news from the game was the loss of Pro Bowl Safety Eric Berry. Best Wishes, EB, we will you back next season.

So, the Patriots began the season with undefeated hopes, which were dashed by the Kansas City Chiefs, but I have no doubt that the Pats and Brady will be making their annual appearance in the post season. Atlanta, what in the world happened to y'all in the Super Bowl? So, who am I picking this year. My annual mistakes that's what. Here we go...

NFC East: Dallas 
NFC South: Carolina (division rarely has a repeat winner)
NFC North: Green Bay 
NFC West: Seattle
Wildcards: New York, New Orleans

AFC East: New England
AFC South: Houston
AFC North: Pittsburgh
AFC West: Kansas City
Wildcards: Denver, Baltimore

NFC Champ: Green Bay                  AFC Champ: Kansas City
Super Bowl Champs: Kansas City

Look I like picking oddly. What better oddly than the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.

Well, traditionally, I do better in the regular season than the post. Last year, I finished the regular season with a 164-89 record. So, here are my Week One Picks.

I finished the regular season 164-89 record.

Sunday, September 10
New York Jets at Buffalo Bills: New York

Atlanta Falcons at Chicago Bears: Atlanta

Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals: Baltimore

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns: Pittsburgh

Arizona Cardinals at Detroit Lions: Arizona

Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans: Houston

Oakland Raiders at Tennessee Titans: Oakland

Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Redskins: Washington

Indianapolis Colts at Los Angeles Rams: Indianapolis

Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers: Green Bay

Carolina Panthers at San Francisco 49ers: Carolina

New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys: New York

Monday, September 11
New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings: New Orleans

Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos: Denver

Miami and Tampa Bay has been postponed due to Hurricane Irma. Prayers to those in Florida and Houston.

That's it, guys. Until next week, “The beautiful journey of today can only begin when we learn to let go of yesterday.” ― Steve Maraboli

Super Bowl Sunday: A Letter to the Atlanta Falcons

Hey everybody!!! Sorry, I missed the Conference Championships and the Pro Bowl, but I was still in deep mourning after the way my Chiefs played in the divisional game. Today is Super Bowl Sunday and the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons are playing in Houston. I don't really care for the Patriots, and I feel like I need to address the Falcons.

Dear Atlanta Falcons,

How are you guys?  It has been a fabulous year for the Dirty Birds.  Congratulations to you, Matt Ryan, on winning league MVP.  Your former favorite target Tony Gonzalez has been calling it for weeks.  Aside:  Tony Gonzalez was on Lip Sync Battle this week. I think I'm going to just leave it at Ray Lewis won. We know why, but this blog is not for dissing Tony Gonzalez. 

Atlanta, I am a Braves fan, and have been for almost 30 years. I've seen some bad sports teams in the ATL.  I've never been a Falcons fan, but there have been moment when I rooted for you guys.  When Deion Sanders, Brian Jordan, and Andre Rison were Falcons, I rooted for you.  When Bobby Hebert was your quarterback, I rooted for you. I rooted for you when Morton Anderson was your kicker. For FIVE straight years, I rooted for you guys to help get my favorite all time player, Tony Gonzalez, a Super Bowl ring.  I risked life and limb twice by entering the Super Dome in a Falcons jersey to root for you guys against the Saints.

Now, I know I have been throwing a lot of shade in your general direction the last few years since Tony Gonzalez has retired. I have sent a lot of hate, and I have stated that I hoped all bad things happened to the Falcons after that last craptastic season you guys made Tony a part of. I admit this. I accept responsibility for my actions.

Falcons, my Chiefs are once again at home, and there is no one left for me to root for, so I'm putting all my faith in you. I'm pretty sure Chiefs Kingdom is rooting for you. I'm sure most of the Nation is rooting for you, I know that the last 7 MVPS have lost the Super Bowl, I know the Falcons have never won a Super Bowl. I know that the last several teams who have worn white have won the Super Bowl, and the Pats are wearing white. I know what Tom Brady is capable of, but he is not unbeatable. So, Atlanta, I am begging and pleading, and praying that you guys RISE UP like the rebels and defeat the Empire. Defeat the Emperor and Darth Vader. Luke, I mean, Matt, Tony G. has put all his faith in you, and he has been singing your praises for years.  Do for Tony and all the other Falcons who have never had an opportunity to taste the sweet victory of a Super Bowl.  If for no one else, please win it for me. I cannot take months of the smugness of Tom Brady if he wins. Do it for America, Atlanta!!
We are all rooting for you!!!!!

Sincerely, 
Diana Dishes

If you haven't guessed it, I'm picking the Falcons for Super Bowl 51!!!!

Have a great Super Bowl Sunday!!! I'll be back next week with Dead Viewing and the return of The Walking Dead!  Until next time, "Laissez les bons temps rouler!!!!"

Divisional Playoffs 2017

Welcome back, everybody!!! Hope you are enjoying your weekend!!! It's is time for the Divisional Playoffs!!!

Last weekend, Pittsburgh, Seattle, Green Bay, and Houston won their Wild Card matches to advance to the Divisional round. Now, we are eight teams away from the Super Bowl, and while their Super Bowl dreams are still alive many NFL teams are at home preparing for next year. Two will begin their new seasons in a home.  The San Diego Chargers officially became the Los Angeles Chargers this week, and the Oakland Raiders are on the verge of filing paper work to make Las Vegas their home.  Meanwhile, the NFL coaching vacancies are starting to fill. Jacksonville made Doug Marrone their official coach and hired Tom Coughlin as president of football operations.  The Denver Broncos hired Vance Joseph away from the Miami Dolphins.  After much speculation, including a possible trade for New Orleans head coach Sean Payton, the Los Angeles Rams made 30-year-old Sean McVay the youngest coach after he spent three seasons as the offensive coordinator with the Washington Redskins. Finally, Anthony Lynn left the East Coast for the West Coast to become head coach of the newly minted Los Angeles Chargers.  

Well, to the picks. Last week, I was a perfect 3-0, but I expect no perfection this week. 

Saturday, January 14, 2017
Seattle Seahawks vs. Atlanta Falcons (4:35 pm EST on FOX):  Seattle.  I really have no faith in the Falcons. I want to pick them to win because they should win. They don't have a great defense, but Matt Ryan has been playing out of his mind this year. Russell Wilson's team has the better defense. That said, I just can't trust the Falcons.  They are like my Braves. They get riiiiiiiiiight there and find a way to lose. Remember, Tony Gonzalez wide open three years ago?  Remember, the 2 point game against New York?  That's what I'm saying.

Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots (8:15 pm EST on CBS):  New England.  I'm not going to spend a great deal of time here. We are all thinking it. IT is a forgone conclusion. Tom Brady wants revenge after his four game suspension...Blah-blah-blah, MVP, blah, blah, blah, Bill Belichick, yada-yada. Houston has Brock Osweiler who had a meh game over a meh Raiders team. I wish the Texans the best, but yeah, Brady should win this...easily...

Sunday, January 15, 2017
Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys (4:40 pm EST on FOX):  Green Bay.  Yes, I know Prescott and Elliott have been balling out of control all year. Yes, I know that Tony Romo is ready just in case the rookie slips up, but the way Aaron Rodgers has been playing the last few weeks has me thinking of the Giants from a few years back who ran the table then beat the undefeated Patriots in the Super Bowl.  The Cowboys should win, but I'm sticking with the Packers.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Kansas City Chiefs (8:20 pm EST on NBC):  Kansas City.  This was supposed to be the first game on Sunday, but due to the ice storm that is headed Kansas City's way, the NFL made the move change the time of the game from 1:20 pm to 8:20 pm.  This should be the coldest game of the weekend, and these teams really don't like each other.  The Pittsburgh Steelers have had the upper hand on the Chiefs for the last few meetings including the 43-14 beatdown earlier this year, a game James Harrison claims to not remember playing. I did not want my team to play the Steelers.  There, I said it.  My brain tells me this is the time of the year when Ben Roethelisberger plays his best and my Chiefs, much like the Falcons, turn into the Atlanta Braves. Yet, I soooooooo want this to be the year for the Chiefs. My brain tells me that Pittsburgh is going to win, but my heart is with the Chiefs, so that's my pick, and I'm sticking to it.

Enjoy your games this week!!! Until next time, in Honor of Dr. King's Birthday on Sunday, “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”-Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

NFL Week 16: Who has been Naughty, and Who has been Nice...

Merry Christmas Eve, everybody!!!! With Christmas falling on a Sunday this year, most of the NFL games are slated for today with only two teams playing on Christmas. It's the time of year when NFL Coaches begin to look over their shoulders for the man with the pink slips. Jeff Fisher and Gus Bradley have already gotten the ax, and Rex Ryan has been walking a tight rope for weeks. Then, there is Todd Bowles in New York, and the Saints are exploring the trade value of Sean Payton. Other coaches who may be packing U-hauls along with their players are Mike McCarthy, Chip Kelly, and John Fox.  Black Monday is only a week away, and I fear that this year may be a particularly vicious one.

My Chiefs...I don't even know where to begin. I didn't watch last week's game against the Titans. They were not playing in my area, so I watched the Pittsburgh/Cincinnati game. My Chiefs are the weirdest team. Games they should lose, they win, and games they should win, they lose. Was there literally no one on the sidelines to tell Andy Reid not to ice Ryan Succop. This guy was one of the best players on the Chiefs team for a few years before they let him walk. Icing this guy just makes him mad, and he made the Chiefs pay. Now, I have to go back to work to a gloating co-worker who loves his Titans. Sigh...The Chiefs take the national spotlight on Christmas night against the Denver Broncos. They will be without Justin Houston who is having issues with his knee, Derrick Johnson who is out for the year with that Achilles, and the Chiefs have officially shut down Jamaal Charles for the year. Sigh...I'm picking my Chiefs, but my confidence is no where near as strong as it should be. At least we got a truly bizarre promo add from NBC...


New England and Dallas have clinched their divisions, playoff berths, and first round byes. Seattle has clinched their division and a playoff berth.  Oakland has also clinched a playoff berth. Everything else is still up for grabs with two games left.  Last week, I had an okay week with many of my losses decided by 3 points or less.  I posted a 10-5 week bringing the year's total to 142-80.  Both of my fantasy teams are alive in the playoffs but things are not looking good with my players dropping like flies.  Here are my picks for the week.

Saturday, December 24, 2016
San Diego Chargers vs. Cleveland Browns:  San Diego (Honestly, I can not in good faith every pick Cleveland)
Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers:  Atlanta
Miami Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills:  Miami
Washington Redskins vs. Chicago Bears:  Washington
Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers:  Green Bay
New York Jets vs. New England Patriots:  New England
Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars:  Tennessee
Indianapolis Colts vs. Oakland Raiders:  Indianapolis
Arizona Cardinals vs. Seattle Seahawks:  Arizona
San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Rams:  Los Angeles (In what has to be one of the saddest games this week)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints:  New Orleans
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Houston Texans:  Houston

Sunday, December 25, 2016
Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers:  Pittsburgh
Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs:  Kansas City

Monday, December 26, 2016
Detroit Lions vs. Dallas Cowboys:  Dallas

Here is wishing you all a very happy Holiday season to you and yours!!! Enjoy your families and your games!!! Until next time, "Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting. It is happiness because we see joy in people. It is forgetting self and finding time for others. It is discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values."-Thomas S. Monson

NFL Week 15: It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...

Welcome to Week 15, everybody!!!  The NFL Season is winding down and for the first time in years, there are 26 teams alive with a chance at the playoffs!!! The Seahawks, however, are the only team that has clinched their division. 

There was a game last night, or at least, there was supposed to be a game last night. The Miami Dolphins trounced the New York Jets 34-13.  Honestly, I forgot that this game was even on last night. I was too busy entertaining a two-year old and watching Frozen for the 900th time (FYI, I don't really care for this movie...at all). Yet, I would rather watch Frozen, than this dumpster fire of a game.

Jerry Jones and the Cowboys, they have been on a roll, but one bad game, and people are already calling for Romo.  Seriously, Cowboys, even Romo, had bad games, give the kid a break. It wasn't a blowout like Seattle in Green Bay. Even, the Hawks recovered to put a beatdown on LA Thursday night.  Seriously, let's go ahead and put a Thursday Night Football to pasture.

Good luck to everyone whose fantasy playoffs begin today.  Last week, I had an 11-5 run bringing the year's total to 132-75. 

Sunday, December 18, 2016
Tennessee Titans vs. Kansas City Chiefs: Kansas City
San Francisco 49ers vs. Atlanta Falcons:  Atlanta
New Orleans Saints vs. Arizona Cardinals:  Arizona
Oakland Raiders vs. San Diego Chargers:  San Diego
Cleveland Browns vs. Buffalo Bills:  Buffalo
Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears:  Chicago
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals:  Pittsburgh
Indianapolis Colts vs. Minnesota Vikings:  Indianapolis
Detroit Lions vs. New York Giants:  New York
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Baltimore Ravens:  Baltimore
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Houston Texans:  Houston
New England Patriots vs. Denver Broncos:  New England
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Dallas Cowboys:  Dallas

Monday, December 19, 2016
Carolina Panthers vs. Washington Redskins:  Washington

Thursday, December 22, 2016
New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles:  Philadelphia

Until next time, "Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence."-Helen Keller

NFL Week 8: Living on a Prayer...

With all respects given to Bon Jovi, we are almost at the halfway point boys and girls, and other than the New England Patriots, does anyone really, really, really want to control their division?  Sorry, I lapsed into the Spice Girls for some odd reason...I cannot explain Miami beating Buffalo or NY Jets beating Baltimore, or Atlanta allowing San Diego to come back to win. Well, at least my Chiefs won. Yay!!!!

Speaking of the Chiefs, I want to send best wishes to former Chiefs (Browns and Chargers) coach, Marty Schottenheimer.  He has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease.  Marty Schottenheimer is by far one of my favorite coaches (outside of Bill Walsh).  He was the coach when I became a Chiefs fan, and part of the reason I never actually root against the Chargers, (Shawne Merriman is the other).  I loved his spirit on the sidelines and love for his players, especially the relationship with Derrick Thomas. I really hate this disease which took the life of Pat Summit earlier this year. I truly wish Coach Schottenheimer and his family the best during this difficult time.

I'm somewhat recovered from last week's nightmarish edition of The Walking Dead, only to wake up to the nightmare that the Raiders, yeah, those Raiders are on the top of the pile in the AFC West. Ugh...I hate those guys. New England, sporting the best record in the league is atop the AFC East, while a Ben Roethlisberger-less Steelers team is 1st in the North with Houston first in the South.

Dallas is riding high in the NFC East, Minnesota in the North, Seattle in the West, and Atlanta is on top of that dumpster fire known as the NFC South. Atlanta-Dumpster...made me think of Glenn for a moment...pour one out for Glenn Rhee y'all...

Oh, by the way, Tony Gonzalez news, the former All-Pro tight end and future Hall-of-Famer, will join Charles Woodson as NFC legends captains at the 2017 Pro Bowl. Jerome Bettis and Ray Lewis will be the captains for the AFC. FYI, Tony G should have been with the AFC, but at least he will give me a reason to watch the Pro Bowl again.

Well, much like the carnage of last week's The Walking Dead, my picks took a major hit (no pun intended, although fitting).  I had a disastrous week with a 7-8 finish, bringing my record to 61-46 at the halfway point. My fantasy teams, you asked? Lucille Swings is currently holding it down in first place with a 5-2 record, while Lochted and Loaded is 4-2 and holding its own in third place (not bad for a raging hot mess of a team).  Fantasy Players: Miami, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, NY Giants, San Francisco, and Los Angeles all have byes this week.  Now, let's hope I can right the ship this week.

Sunday, October 30, 2016
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Indianapolis Colts:  Kansas City
Seattle Seahawks vs. New Orleans Saints:  Seattle
San Diego Chargers vs. Denver Broncos:  Denver
Washington Redskins vs. Cincinnati Bengals:  Cincinnati
New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills:  New England
New York Jets vs. Cleveland Browns:  New York
Oakland Raiders vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  Oakland
Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers:  Carolina
Detroit Lions vs. Houston Texans:  Houston
Green Bay Packers vs. Atlanta Falcons:  Atlanta (IF they lose this game, I'm done.)
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys:  Dallas

Monday, October 31, 2016
Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears:  Minnesota

Thursday, November 3, 2016
Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  Tampa Bay

That's that, guys! Check out my live blog of season 7 of The Walking Dead tonight! Until next week, remember, "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog."- Mark Twain

NFL Week 5: You Think You Know

Those of you who are about my age remember that wonderful time in the NFL when Jim Mora was the coach of the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts.  Mora was a decent coach with .541 winning percentage, but much like Herman Edwards, Mora is mostly remembered for the soundbites that he provided after a Saints or a Colts lost. This is one of my particular favorites.



Last week was one of my worse weeks ever when it comes to making predictions. The only teams that seem to have their game plans in order are Denver (The last unbeaten team in the AFC), Minnesota, and Philly. Denver won the Super Bowl (Peyton had very little to do with that), so it is expected of them, but Minnesota and Philadelphia? WHAT?!

New England is no longer undefeated after that nightmarish game against...Buffalo? What the what, New England. The Colts lost in England to...wait for it...the Jaguars. Yes, those Jaguars and not the fancy car. The Falcons embarrassed the Panthers while Oakland and the Saints slipped past San Diego and Baltimore. The biggest embarrassment came later that evening on national television when the Pittsburgh Steelers took my Kansas City Chiefs to the woodshed. I have never been so glad that Fear the Walking Dead was on at the same time. There was less carnage on that show than at the game...RIP Chris Manawa, not that I'm really going to miss your annoying character...

Thank goodness, the Chiefs have had the week off so maybe they can figure out that it was not just the rain that led to that 43-14 debacle. Sheesh...to think people picked them as  a playoff team, and Tony G actually picked them to win this game. I mean, so did I, but man...stop embarrassing us on national tv. We all have to go back to work and defend that on Monday to laughing co-workers, especially Steelers fans.

My fantasy teams both lost last week and will probably lose this week because Lucille Swings is batting without Cam Newton (although Andy Dalton is a decent replacement) and no kicker, because I've dropped all the people I am willing to drop during the bye week, and I'm not taking a chance that someone will grab Cairo Santos before I can get him back. Lockte and Loaded is a nightmare, and I will soon refer to them as the team who shall not be named. Fantasy players the byes for this week are Kansas City, Jacksonville, Seattle, and New Orleans.

Last week, my picks were a garbage dump with a 5-10 finish. My record for the season is now at 34-29. I hope I will do far, far better this week. Who knows...

Sunday, October 9, 2016
San Diego Chargers vs. Oakland Raiders: Oakland
New England Patriots vs. Cleveland Browns:  New England
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Detroit Lions:  Philadelphia
Chicago Bears vs. Indianapolis Colts:  Indianapolis
Tennessee Titans vs. Miami Dolphins:  Tennessee
Houston Texans vs. Minnesota Vikings:  Minnesota
New York Jets vs. Pittsburgh Steelers:  Pittsburgh
Washington Redskins vs. Baltimore Ravens:  Washington
Atlanta Falcons vs. Denver Broncos:  Denver
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Dallas Cowboys:  Dallas
Buffalo Bills vs. Los Angeles Rams:  Los Angeles
New York Giants vs. Green Bay Packers:  Green Bay

Monday, October 10, 2016
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers:  Tampa Bay

Thursday, October 13, 2016
Denver Broncos vs. San Diego Chargers:  Denver

Until next week, “All I could have said was I don’t know, a sentence that was becoming a kind of witness to our own ignorance or incompetence. Or both.” 
― Jeff VanderMeer

NFL Week Three

Guys, it is already Week Three in the NFL. The only thing we really know is that Bill Belichick has apparently sold his sold to the devil, because even without Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski, the New England Patriots are winning. Just winning...Just making me absolutely nauseated. Talking parity in the NFL, there are only 7 undefeated teams left. Denver, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, New England, New York Giants, Philadelphia (really, Philly?), and Minnesota.

Green Bay, Seattle, and Kansas City look mediocre at best, which of course worries me. The Chiefs lost to a Houston team that had their behinds handed to them by the Patriots four days later. They also broke their eleven game regular season win streak which began when a former Tight End (pictured above) hit that drum. They just can't seem to keep the opposing defense away from Alex Smith. UGH...Green Bay and Seattle lost to teams they would have easily handle in the past. Philly is killing it with a rookie quarterback. FYI, Jay Cutler...just call it a career. I don't think your heart has been in it for years. 

My fantasy team took a hit this week with Adrian Peterson after he tore his meniscus last week. In Thursday nights game, Jacoby Brissett joined Jimmy Garoppolo on the bench with Tom Brady. Belichick will probably win with the janitor at QB next week, though...Don't forget, Bye Weeks begin next week.

I would like to take a moment to say a prayer for Jose Fernandez. The 24 year old star pitcher for the Miami Marlins was killed last night in a boating accident. Today's game against the Atlanta Braves has been cancelled. Rest in Peace...

Last week, my Chiefs, the Pack, and the Hawks hurt my heart. I still ended the week 11-5 bringing my season to 21-11. Let's try again...

Sunday, September 25, 2016
San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks: Seattle (not two weeks in a row)
San Diego Chargers vs. Indianapolis Colts: Indianapolis (like the Hawks, I can't see two weeks in a row)
New York Jets vs, Kansas City Chiefs: Kansas City (Here's hoping my Chiefs can play like the team I know exists there.)
Arizona Cardinals vs. Buffalo Bills: Arizona
Denver Broncos vs. Cincinnati Bengals: Cincinnati (I just need the Broncos to lose.)
Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers: Green Bay
Oakland Raiders vs. Tennessee Titans: Tennessee
Cleveland Browns vs. Miami Dolphins: Miami (in what has to be the saddest game of the day)
Washington Redskins vs. New York Giants: New York (I have little faith in Washington.)
Minnesota Vikings vs. Carolina Panthers: Carolina
Baltimore Ravens vs. Jacksonville Jaguars: Baltimore
Los Angeles Rams vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tampa Bay
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Philadelphia Eagles: Pittsburgh
Chicago Bears vs. Dallas Cowboys: Dallas

Monday, September 26, 2016
Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints: New Orleans (Atlanta just struggles at the Dome)

Thursday, September 29, 2016
Miami Dolphins vs. Cincinnati Bengals: Cincinnati

Okay everybody, enjoy your last byeless week for a while, and until next week, "Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next." -Gilda Radner

NFL Conference Championship Weekend...Stage 4

Welcome to Championship Weekend, ladies and gents. Yeah, no exclamation point because neither team that I picked for the Super Bowl is left in the dance. My Chiefs will once again not lift the Lamar Hunt trophy in victory. Sigh...I really cannot stand Tom Brady and the Patriots. I figure in my fandom stages of grief that I'm at Stage four-depression and reflection. Oh, how this could have been such a great story to look back upon if my Chiefs had been able to lift that Super Bowl trophy in San Francisco with Joe Montana handing the trophy to Andy Reid. Alas, it is not to be...

Instead, we are watching Brady vs. Manning XVII. The AFC Championship will once again involve Tom Brady and the Patriots and Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos. During any other time in his storied career, this Chiefs fan, who lost a fair share of playoff games to Pey-Pey and the Colts, would root for Peyton Manning against the Emperor and Darth Vader. No, no...I like Darth Vader, and I'm not going to compare Brady to Vader. Vader, at least had some redeeming qualities. Belichick and Brady are more...Sauron and Saruman...yeah...just evil..., I apologize for the nerd digression. I could go into stats about who has won more, yards, blah, blah, blah, but truth be told, I wish both teams could fall into a large hole like the aforementioned villains, while all of their opponents cheered like the men of the West. As I said earlier, I would usually root for Peyton, but since he joined the Broncos, that so is not going to happen. In a game I absolutely care nothing about, I believe the Pats will win, again. Yeah, the hate is strong in this one...


I would like to say I care about the NFC championship game, but truth be told, I don't. I really don't. I have no feelings about either of these teams. I don't hate them, I don't root for them, I truly don't care about either of these teams. Yes, they have performed extraordinarily well this year. they have fought off the Packers and the Seahawks, and everybody else. They have been the best teams all year, and they both deserve to be here. I like Cam Newton somewhat, and I like Larry Fitzgerald somewhat. What do you want from me? They aren't Tony Gonzalez, so yeah, I'm not fawning over either. (Let's Face it, I'm strictly an AFC girl, and I only watched the NFC because the Chiefs saw fit to ship Tony G to the Falcons, and the Saints are pretty much the home team of my home town.) I have not dog in this fight, so I'm picking Carolina. They have been the best all year, and it would warm my cold heart to have Cam Newton flex a dab in Tom Brady's smug mug at the end of the Super Bowl.


That's all I've got. Until next week, we bid farewell with a tribute to the late Glenn Frey who passed away this past week, "Take it easy, take it easy
Don't let the sound of your own wheels drive you crazy
Lighten up while you still can
Don't even try to understand
Just find a place to make your stand, and take it easy...
We may lose and we may win, though we will never be here again
So open up I'm climbin' in, so take it easy"

NFL Divisional Playoffs 2016

Welcome, welcome, welcome! Happy Divisional Playoffs, and may the odds be ever in your favor! And then there were eight...the divisional round of the NFL playoffs begins today, and for the first time in a long time my Chiefs are still standing! Now, I'm not going to get excited because the Chiefs drew the Patriots in Foxborough. Sigh...


Before we get to the games, the coaching carousal has begun. Chip Kelley leaves the East coast for the West coast taking the 49ers head coaching job. Hue Jackson has landed in Cleveland, Adam Gase is the newbie in Miami, Dirk Koetter is replacing Lovie Smith in Tampa Bay, and Ben McAdoo is headed to Jersey to coach the Giants. There is the all but the signing on the dotted line of Chiefs' offensive coordinator Doug Pederson headed to Philadelphia.


To the games. Last week, I went 3-1. I wanted to pick Green Bay, but honestly, they have had some sketchy play recently.


Saturday, January 16, 2016
Kansas City Chiefs vs. New England Patriots-Sigh, I really, really want to pick the Chiefs. Every body knows Tom Brady and Belichick have been formidable opponents for everyone for years. It frightens me when everyone picks my Chiefs. So, I'm going way out on a limb here picking my Chiefs to win. Please, please, please...*fingers crossed*


Green Bay Packers vs. Arizona Cardinals-Remember when I picked the Pack to go to the Super Bowl, but not to win last week. That hasn't changed. Now, look I know that Seattle drop-kicked the Cards in the mouth in their last game, and Green Bay showed a spark last week against Washington. Flipping a coin...Green Bay. Of course, Arizona will prove me wrong. 


Sunday, January 17, 2016
Seattle Seahawks vs. Carolina Panthers-I'm not going to even pretend to dwell here. I'm picking Carolina. I hated every moment of that Seattle/Minnesota game, and while Seattle has shown sparks of greatness this year, I believe Carolina is the better team.


Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Denver Broncos-My sister is one of those weirdo fans who has two favorite teams in the same conference. These are her two teams. Pittsburgh is playing with multiple injuries after that MMA game they played with Cincinnati last week.  Denver has rallied around the returning Peyton Manning. Sigh, makes me sick to say...Denver.


This past week, we lost two giants in the entertainment industry David Bowie and Alan Rickman. I was a fan of both-David Bowie, because of his music and his willingness to be the weirdest person imaginable thus making your feel comfortable in your own skin, and Alan Rickman, because he made you believe he was every character he ever played, and how I loved his bad guys, especially Severus Snape. Until next week-"Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened."~Theodor Seuss Geisel

NFL Week 15: What We Know is that We Know Nothing...

Hey everybody! Happy Holidays! For me, happy Christmas break! Woo-Hoo! I have been noticeable quiet about my Kansas City Chiefs. I intend to stay that way. You have to understand that I have been a Chiefs fan for a long, LONG time, and they have had a history of disappointing me on numerous occasions. I will enjoy, but I will not brag or thump my chest about it.

The injury bug has continued to sprinkle his evilness throughout the NFL. I can't be the only person pulling out the team roster to recognize the players on the field. The NFL Postseason is going to be awful interesting, and the Pro Bowl is going to be a bunch of people most of us never heard of in August. If nobody watched the Pro Bowl before, they sure won't this year. (For the record, I only watched when one of my favorites played anyway, i.e the Chiefs, Tony Gonzalez, Jerry Rice, or Joe Montana).

Super Bowl 50 is now 49 days away. Most of us think that all signs point to a Carolina/New England Super Bowl, but do they really?  Yet, to quote Jim Mora himself, "You think you know, but you don't know, and you never will, okay?" Just take a look at last week. There was no way you would have me believe that Indianapolis, San Francisco, Detroit, Denver, and Buffalo would have lost last week, but see, wrong. Carolina and New England should be the Super Bowl, but you never know when an upstart team will upset a sure thing...see Ronda Rousey...


As a result, last week was my worse pick week this year with a lousy 7-10 record which brings my record thus far to 116-79. I would love to say that this week I will do much better, but you know what, I probably won't. Good luck in your fantasy playoff with whoever you can pick up to take the place of the backups you are already using...


Sunday, December 20, 2015
Kansas City Chiefs at Baltimore Ravens: Kansas City
Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts: Houston
Tennessee Titans at New England Patriots: New England
Carolina Panthers at New York Giants: Carolina
Buffalo Bills at Washington Redskins: Washington
Atlanta Falcons at Jacksonville Jaguars: Jacksonville
Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings: Minnesota
Green Bay Packers at Oakland Raiders: Green Bay
Cleveland Browns at Seattle Seahawks: Seattle
Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers: Pittsburgh
Miami Dolphins at San Diego Chargers: San Diego
Cincinnati Bengals at San Francisco 49ers: Cincinnati
Arizona Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles: Arizona


Monday, December 21, 2015
Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints: New Orleans


Thursday, December 24, 2015
San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders: San Diego


Saturday, December 26, 2015
Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles: Philadelphia


Until next week, "Playoffs?! Don't talk about playoffs! Are you kidding me? Playoffs?! I'm just hoping we can win a game, another game!"-Jim Mora

NFL Week 14: Into the Home Stretch

Hey guys, very short post this week. The real job is also into the home stretch which means...EXAMS!

Last week, I had a 10-6 record thanks to slip-ups by New England, San Diego, Washington, and Atlanta. Atlanta and the New York Giants find inventive ways to tick me off every week. Oh, and GO CHIEFS! The record on the season is now 109-69.

Sunday, December 13, 2015
Seattle Seahawks at Baltimore Ravens: Seattle
Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers: Carolina
Washington Redskins at Chicago Bears: Chicago
San Francisco 49ers at Cleveland Browns: San Francisco
New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tampa Bay
Detroit Lions at St. Louis Rams: Detroit
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals: Cincinnati
Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars: Indianapolis
San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs: Kansas City
Tennessee Titans at New York Jets: New York
Buffalo Bills at Philadelphia Eagles: Buffalo
Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos: Denver
Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers: Green Bay
New England Patriots at Houston Texans: New England

Monday, December 14, 2015
New York Giants at Miami Dolphins: Miami

Thursday, December 17, 2015
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at St. Louis Rams: Tampa Bay

Saturday, December 19, 2015
New York Jets at Dallas Cowboys: New York

Good luck this week to those of you who have fantasy playoffs this week. Until next week, "When the world says, "Give up," Hope whispers, "Try it one more time."-Author Unknown

NFL Week 12: Do We Have Any Starters Left?

Welcome to Week 12 of the NFL Season! I hope you have all recovered from your turkey comas, and the 900 variations on turkey we've had since Thursday. This NFL season has been a pill when it comes to keeping players healthy. Two weeks after returning to Cowboys, Tony Romo is out for the year with a collarbone injury. Injuries are taking a toll on practically every team. You can field an all-star team with the number of people out for the year--Tony Romo, Joe Flacco, Colin Kaepernick, Steve Smith, Reggie Bush, Le'Veon Bell, Jamaal Charles, Victor Cruz, Arian Foster, Devin Hester, and the list goes on. Then you have the list of the walking wounded like Ben Roethlisberger, Andrew Luck, and Peyton Manning.


The good news for fantasy players is that the bye weeks are finally behind us; the bad news is trying to salvage enough players to make a starting line up. I've lost two starting running backs this season. My Just Gonzo current lineup includes: Tom Brady (so I really shouldn't complain), Spencer Ware, Todd Gurley, Larry Fitzgerald, Chris Harper, Travis Kelce, Jeremy Maclin, Cairo Santos, and the Denver Defense. Brady and Santos have been the only dependable people on this list. This year I lost Le'Veon Bell, replaced him with Charcandrick West (who probably will not play this week), dropped Peyton Manning and Golden Tate, benched Frank Gore and Danny Amendola. Today, I play one of the best teams in my fantasy league. Wish me luck, y'all.


As I mentioned the bye weeks are over, and the fantasy playoffs are approaching. Let's hope we have enough players left to make it to the finish line. With the Thanksgiving games included, I had a year's best 12-4 record bringing my total to 90-58 on the year. I tell you, picking games has been a crapshoot all year. You never know with the way some of these teams are playing. So, fingers crossed...


Sunday, November 29, 2015
Minnesota Vikings at Atlanta Falcons: Minnesota (I have so little faith in the Falcons.)
St. Louis Rams at Cincinnati Bengals: Cincinnati
Oakland Raiders at Tennessee Titans: Tennessee
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Indianapolis Colts: Indianapolis
Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs: Kansas City
Miami Dolphins at NY Jets: New York
NY Giants at Washington Redskins: New York
San Diego Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars: Jacksonville (I can't believe I said that)
New Orleans Saints at Houston Texans: New Orleans
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers: Arizona
Pittsburgh Steelers at Seattle Seahawks: Seattle (only because they are a hard out at home)
New England Patriots at Denver Broncos: New England


Monday, November 30, 2015
Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns: Baltimore (even with a backup because Cleveland is a mess)


Thursday, December 3, 2015
Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions: Green Bay


Good luck everyone! Until next week, "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere."-Frank A. Clark

NFL Week 1: My Very, Very, Very, Bold Prediction

After months of waiting, the 2015 season is here! The season kicked off with the controversial Super Bowl winning New England Patriots defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers in a show of pomp and pageantry usually saved for the Bowl itself or the Grammy Awards. I’m not going to tarry long today rambling about how long it has been since my Chiefs have been to the Super Bowl or the fact that they were undefeated during the preseason (which means nothing).

Here are my picks (which are sure to fail) for the season.

NFC East-Dallas Cowboys

NFC West-Seattle Seahawks

NFC South-Carolina Panthers

NFC North-Green Bay Packers

 

AFC East-New England Patriots

AFC West-Kansas City Chiefs

AFC South-Indianapolis Colts

AFC North-Baltimore Ravens

 

Wildcards

NFC-Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints

AFC-Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers

 

NFC Champion-Green Bay Packers

AFC Champion-Kansas Chiefs

 

My bold prediction…I’m picking my Chiefs for Super Bowl 50. Why? Because, just because. It’s a feeling. How awesome would that be a repeat of Super Bowl I, but with the Chiefs taking the title?  Okay seriously, it will probably be New England vs. Seattle Part Two, with Seattle winning, but a girl can dream, right.

Sunday, September 13

Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills: Indianapolis
Kansas City Chiefs at Houston Texans: Kansas City
Cleveland Browns at New York Jets: Cleveland

Miami Dolphins at Washington Redskins: Miami

Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears: Green Bay
Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars: Carolina
Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams: Seattle

New Orleans Saints at Arizona Cardinals: New Orleans
Detroit Lions at San Diego Chargers: San Diego

Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos: Denver

Cincinnati Bengals at Oakland Raiders:  Cincinnati
Tennessee Titans at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tennessee

New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys: Dallas

Monday, September 14

Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Falcons: Philadelphia
Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers: San Francisco

Until next week, "Risk more then others think is safe. Care more than others think is wise. Dream more than others think is practical. Expect more than others think is possible." -Cadet Maxim

Championship Weekend Picks

It's Championship Weekend! We are down to the Final Four and a mere two weeks until Super Bowl XLVIII.  We get Brady vs. Manning 15 and The Young Guns 2 - Kaepernick vs. Wilson.  These should be two really good games. Yet, I'm having a hard time rooting for anybody.  It is no secret that I have no love for Brady and the Pats, but I always liked Peyton Manning until he became a Bronco, and therefore, public enemy #1.  Kaepernick is captaining the team that use to be my favorite team, but I don't really care for him nor his coach.  Then, there are the Seahawks. I'm beginning to hate everything about this team-Their logo, their uniforms, their coach, their quarterback, their corners, their rabid fans.  Granted, Russell Wilson has done nothing really for me to dislike him, nor has Colin Kaepernick, but there is something, I can't put my finger on it, that makes me think they are a little sketch. Maybe, it's the hater in me, but, yeah...not fond of them.

Three more teams, not Cleveland, finally have head coaches. Jim Caldwell replaces Jim Schwartz in Detroit, Ken Wisenhunt for Mike Munchak, and Jay Gruden for Mike Shanahan.  Good luck, gents! Speaking of the Redskins, what did you guys think about RGIII's Facebook response to fans.  He complains that he doesn't want publicity as he garners more publicity with this response.  I think he has been spending too much time perusing through the Kanye West playbook on how to handle the media. 

So, last week was the first week in a long time that I didn't mention the now former tight end of the Atlanta Falcons. Well, that's to The Big Lead, there are rumors going around that my favorite player of all time is in discussion to work at either at CBS or FOX.  Word on the street is that CBS wants to shakeup their cast on the NFL on CBS.  Let me digress for a moment here. I use to be a fan of the NFL on CBS, but with James Brown inanely yelling "Shay-non," every single time he had to address  Shannon Sharpe (whose speech has not gotten better), Dan Marino mannequinesque demeanor, and Boomer Esaison's apparent exclusion in all things, I changed the channel. I went to ESPN, but seriously, it's like watching a Football version of Grumpy Old Men. I watch GameDay morning on NFL Network, but seriously, my pregame favorite is the NFL on FOX.  Now, while the NFL on FOX doesn't want to mess with the chemistry on their show, and CBS is interested in possibly replacing Shannon Sharpe.  I want to go on record saying I like the choices here:  FOX which would give me a daily dose of Tony Gonzalez or CBS which is a weekly dose-win-win.

Last week, I was 3-1 thanks to the Panthers dropping the ball. Last pick before the Super Bowl.

San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks

The 49ers handled the Panthers on the Panthers home field, and they have had the hot hand like New York a couple of years ago.  The Seahawks looked a little sketch even at home last week against the Saints. I'm not going to even start with Marques Colston and Jimmy Graham. It's hard to go against Seattle in the Emerald City with the 12th man riding shotgun, but I'm going with my old favorite-49ers.

New England Patriots at Denver Broncos

In the two teams I dislike the most bowl, we see Tom Brady and Peyton Manny meeting for the 15th time.  Tom Brady has the most victories in this rivalry with 10. It's...yeah, you have heard all of the rhetoric this week about these two...blahdy-blahdy-blah-Broncos.  Man up, Manning.

Well, that's that...Happy 205th Birthday to Edgar Allan Poe, "All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream."-Edgar Allan Poe

Divisional Playoff Weekend Picks

I am thoroughly depressed. I realize that it has been over a week since Wildcard Weekend, but I'm still bitter about the Chiefs loss to the Colts.  The Chiefs' bad omens began in the first half when they loss running back Jamaal Charles to a concussion.  Most people, including myself, now saw 1/3 of the Chief offense sitting on the bench, but Alex Smith didn't see it that way and gave every Chiefs fan a false sense of hope by jumping out to a 38-10 lead. Chiefs' fans were ecstatic!  We were 30 minutes away from seeing our beloved Chiefs end a 20 year playoff drought, but alas, it was not to be.  The 28 point lead disappeared along with injuries to five more players.  Andrew Luck and the Colts stabbed Chiefs fans in the heart with a one point 44-45 victory.  Sickening...just...sickening.

The other games provided just as much excitement, not San Diego and Cincinnati, but the Saints, Chargers, and 49ers are now moving on to the Divisional rounds to take on the teams who were relaxing during their bye weeks.  My picks were a mediocre 2-2 thanks to Kansas City and Green Bay where the wheels fell off of the band wagons...

Saturday, January 11
New Orleans Saints at Seattle Seahawks
In a rematch of their Week 13 meeting, the Saints travel to Seattle to try to avenge the 34-7 drumming at the hands of the Saints.  I want to pick the Saints, but I think Russell Wilson and the 12th man will be too much-Seahawks

Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots

This is the only game in which the teams did not play this year.  Me thinks young Mr. Luck's fortunes may not fall his way today at Gillette-Patriots

Sunday, January 12
San Francisco 49ers at Carolina Panthers

Young guns Colin Kaepernick and Cam Newton will battle for the second time this season.  The week 10 game saw the Panthers topping the 49er at Candlestick. I'm looking for a repeat of that game (hopefully with a better score)-Panthers

San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos

Philip Rivers and the Bolos, I mean, the Bolts are traveling back to Denver for a third meeting with the Broncos. The Chargers and Broncos split the season series with the Chargers winning the last match up at Mile High. The Chargers are on a roll, but I'm going to have to go with Pey-Pey-Broncos.

This is one of those weekends where I almost hope I go 0-4. I really don't care for a single team I picked, but alas, they are the stronger teams going in.  Enjoy your Divisional Playoff Weekend!

Until next time, good luck to your teams and "May the odds be ever in your favor!"-Suzanne Collins.