Cleveland heads to Baltimore. Find out if Lamar jackson can secure the AFC North.
Chris Ransom Last Updated: January 4, 2025.
Cleveland Browns 3-13-0
Versus
Baltimore Ravens 11-5-0
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 now has a 188-68 record on the year. John Gonzalez the admin of The Sports Authorities Facebook group and Emmy Bantle last years runner up to Lisa Donovan are both 186-70 on the year.
Andrew Kermish has the lead with one regular season left in the 2024 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings. Andrew is now 185-71 on the year which is now tied for fourth nationally after going 15-1 in week 17. Carlos of The Sports Authorities Facebook group is also 185-71 on the year which is tied with Andrew with Andrew and Carlos occupying the final 2 spots in the top 5 nationally. Doug Burrell of Gridiron Experts is sixth nationally outside of the top 5.
Wes Langley is in second place with one regular season left in the 2024 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings. Wes has a 181-75 record on the year. Wes is tied with Gary Bantle, and Chris from The Sports Authorities Facebook group for seventh nationally with Wes, Gary, and Chris occupying the 7-9 spots nationally.
Jason Bantle moves into third place in the 2024 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings. Jason Bantle is tied for fourteenth nationally with a 178-88 record on the year.
I am now 172-84 on the year. I am in sole possession of fourth place in the 2024 NFL Draft Utopia Pickem Standings. I am thirty sixth nationally.
Tracy Porter of Draft Utopia is fifth in the 2024 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings with a 165-91 record on the year. Tracy is tied for forty fifth nationally.
Oren Shiri is 157-99 on the year. Oren is sixth in the 2024 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings. Oren is tied for sixty third nationally.
Joseph Potter and is seventh in the 2024 Draft Utopia NFL Pickem Standings at 150-106 on the year. Joey has sole possession of sixty fourth nationally as he moved ahead of the one opponent standing between him and Oren in the national standings.
There's a lot fewer NFL picks records being posted this year as I only have 90 in my database and that includes Tony Mario's picks which aren't posted on the site he emails me his winners each week as I've increased my database from 80 to 90 people for NFL predictions this 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 Cleveland Browns Will Win: Deshaun Watson tore his ACL and Jameis Winston got benched. Dorian Thompson-Robinson got benched. Bailey Zappe the fourth string quarterback will start the season finale. Bailey Zappe 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 could have their offensive line back at full health in week 11. Jedrick Wills Jr. is out in week 12 and Dawand Jones is out for the year. Jameis Winston will have Germain Ifedi at left tackle, Joel Bitonio at left guard, Ethan Pocic at center, Wyatt Teller at right guard, and Jack Conklin at right tackle. Jedrick Wills Jr. missed weeks 12 as well as week 13 and he will miss week 14. Jedrick Wills Jr. got placed on injured reserve a week ago.
Cleveland has Cedric Tillman as their flanker wide receiver, Jerry Jeudy as their secondary wide receiver and Elijah Moore 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. Cedric Tillman did not practice on thursday and may be out on Monday Night Football in week 13. This means Cleveland would have Jerry Jeudy as the flanker wide receiver, Elijah Moore as the secondary wide receiver, and Jabari Thrash starting at slot receiver in week 13. Cedric Tillman is out once again in week 14 and now Jamari Thrash is out in week 14. Cedric Tillman returned in week 15.
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. Nick Chubb broke his foot in week 15 and is out for the year. Jerome Ford the backup running back. Cleveland will be starting a fourth string quarterback and third string running back in the regular season finale.
Cleveland has Myles Garrett at 4-3 right end, Dalvin Tomlinson at 4-3 defensive tackle, Shelby Harris at 4-3 defensive tackle, and Ogboninna Okoronkwo at 4-3 left end. Cleveland has Isaiah McGuire 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. Cleveland has a lot of bodies as well as depth on their defensive line. Ogbonnina Okoronkwo is out at 4-3 left end this week.
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. 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. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah may have to retire due to the severity of his injury. Jordan Hicks is out this week.
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. Cleveland will not have Denzel Ward or Martin Emerson Jr. in week 18.
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.
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, Patrick Mekari at left guard, Tyler Linderbaum at center, Daniel Faalele moving from right tackle to right guard, and Roger Rosengarten is starting at right tackle. Josh Jones is the backup left tackle, Andrew Vorhees, who started the year at left guard is the backup left guard, Nick Samac Baltimore's 2024 seventh round pick is the backup center, Ben Cleveland is the backup right guard.
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 Steven Sims for depth at wide receiver. Zay Flowers didn't practice on Sunday or Monday leading up to the games on Christmas and if he doesn't practice on Tuesday he will be out. Baltimore Ravens head coach said in his Monday press conference that Zay Flowers will play, so I have to keep looking at the injury report throughout the day on Christmas Eve. Nelson Agholor is likely out and Baltimore cut Diontae Johnson because he didn't want to play ont he bench.
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. Justice Hill got injured in week 16 and missed week 17. He will be out in week 18.
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 placed Michael Pierce on injured reserve heading into week 8. He served his four games on the injured reserve and is eligible to return in week 12, but Baltimore hasn't activated Pierce off of injured reserve yet. Michael Pierce is supposed to be back and Travis Jones is also healthy.
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 right outside linebacker, Malik Harrison is the backup 3-4 middle linebacker, Adisa Isaac is the backup 3-4 left outside linebacker. Roquan Smith got injured in week 11 with a hamstring injury and looks like he is out in week 12. Malik Harrison stepped up in week 12. Roquan Smith is back this week.
Marlon Humphrey is the field cornerback, Brandon Stephens is the boundary cornerback, and Nate Wiggins is the nickel cornerback. Tre'Davious White is the dime cornerback. Ar'Darius Washington who began the season at nickel cornerback is the quarter cornerback. Arthur Maullet last years nickel cornerback is the quarter cornerback. Jalyn Armour-Davis the former Alabama cornerback that the Ravens drafted in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft is the number six cornerback. Tre'Davious White is the number seven cornerback. T.J. Tampa, a 2024 fourth round pick out of Iowa State is currently the number eight cornerback. Arthur Maullet is on injured reserve and Jalyn Armour-Davis is out in week 18.
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 9. Kyle Hamilton left week 10 with an injury, but John Harbaugh said the injury wasn't serious.
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.
Prediction: Baltimore is a 20 point favorite at -20. The over or under is 41.5 with 96% of the public betting on Baltimore. The money line is and +1,300 for Cleveland and -2,800 for Baltimore. I like Baltimore to win and Cleveland to cover with the under at +1,300. Bet $1,700 on this game for Cleveland and win up to $3,000 as long as the Ravens win by 19 or less.
Final Score Ravens 20 Browns 3
Who Everyone Else Picked
Oren Shiri
Jason Bantle
Joseph Potter
Andrew Kermish
Tracy Porter
Wes Langley
Cincinnati Bengals 8-8-0
Versus
Pittsburgh Steelers 10-6-0
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. I also added a playlist for the 2025 NFL Draft positional rankings.
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 with Cincinnati having no quality depth behind their starters. Amarius Mims did well in week 4 and has gained more experience. Orlando Brown Jr. got injured in week 8 and is likely out in week 9. Cody Ford started at left tackle for Orlando Brown Jr. in week 9 and both of those guys were college teammates at Okalhoma on Baker Mayfield's offensive line. Cody Ford is mainly a guard, but did well as a swing tackle playing in relief of Orlando Brown Jr. at left tackle in week 9. Orlando Brown Jr. missed weeks 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, and 16. Cody Ford the backup left tackle missed week 15 before returning in week 16. Orlando Brown Jr. could be a full practice this week as there is early speculation that he will not only practice, but potentially return this week.
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. Tee Higgins was ruled out in week 8 and was out in week 9. Andre Iosivas will be the secondary wide receiver with Trenton Irwin at slot receiver if Tee Higgins is ruled out again in week 9. Jermaine Burton and Charlie Jones also missed week 9 with injuries. Tee Higgins, Jermaine Burton, and Charlie Jones are injured at wide receiver with Cincinnati lacking depth at wide receiver. It may not matter though if Joe Burrow plays out of his mind. Tee Higgins could be back in week 11.
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 Chase Brown Cincinnati's 2023 fifth round pick out of Illinois as their starting running back, Khalil Herbert is the backup running back with Zack Moss likely out ofr the year, and Trayveon Williams their 2019 sixth round pick as the third string running back. Zack Moss began the year as the starting running back, but he probably won't finish the season as the starting running back.
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. Sam Hubbard got injured in week 15 and missed weeks 16 as well as week 17. Sam Hubbard will be out in week 18.
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. Sheldon Rankins missed weeks 10, 11, 13 and is out in week 14 now.
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. Logan Wilson was ruled out for this game.
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. D.J. Turner broke his clavicle. Cincinnati will have Cam Taylor-Britt at field cornerback, Josh Newton at boundary cornerback, and Mike Hilton at nickel cornerback with D.J. Turner and Daxton Hill out for the year.
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.
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. That 32 points was the highest point total of the year until Russell Wilson bested that with 37 points in his debut.
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.
George Pickens is the flanker receiver and has been Pittsburgh's number one wide receiver the last two years. Mike Williams replaces Van Jefferson as the secondary wide receiver as Pittsburgh essentially replaced Diontae Johnson who started out as the flanker receiver when George Pickens arrived and I like the addition of Mike Williams in Pittsburgh. Calvin Austin III is the slot receiver. Van Jefferson is the number four wide receiver for depth in a role that suits him much better. Roman Wilson, Pittsburgh's 2024 third round pick out of Michigan is the number five wide receiver as you can continue to develop him. 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 coach is the number six wide receiver.
Pittsburgh's wide receiver depth is goes from respectable to good, but not great if Mike Williams shows up after playing awful with the New York Jets. I think Mike Williams will have to go back to being that wide receiver he was when the Los Angeles Chargers drafted him in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft if Pittsburgh wants to make a playoff push. George Pickens has been ruled out in weeks 14 and 15. It looks like George Pickens will be out once again in week 16. George Pickens looks like he could be back in week 17.
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. Larry Ogunjobi missed week 16, but will be back in week 17.
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. Preston Smith the starting 4-3 right end and 3-4 right outside linebacker on the Green Bay Packers is now the backup 3-4 left outside linebacker to T.J. Watt in Pittsburgh. 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 got Alex Highsmith back in week 14. Pittssburgh has all four pass rushers they got at full health now.
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 is keeping Beanie Bishop Jr. at nickel cornerback after his impressive start. Corey Trice Jr. is the dime cornerback. Cameron Sutton will be the quarter cornerback back from his suspension as Pittsburgh signed him hoping he would be their nickel cornerback before his suspension. C.J. Henderson is the number six cornerback for depth.
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. This is the healthiest Pittsburgh's defense has been all season with Cameron Sutton coming back from a suspension and Pittsburgh trading for Preston Smith. DeShon Elliott missed week 16.
Pittsburgh started Joey Porter Jr. at field cornerback, Corey Trice Jr. at boudary cornerback over Cameron Sutton, Beanie Bishop Jr at nickel cornerback, moved Minkah Fitzpatrick from free safety to strong safety with DeShon Elliott out and started backup free safety Damontae Kazee in week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens. Pittsburgh gets Donte Jackson and DeShon Elliott back in week 17, but won't have Joey Porter Jr. This means Pittsburgh probably starts Donte Jackson at field cornerback where he played on the Carolina Panthers, Corey Trice jr. plays boundary cornerback, Beanie Bishop plays nickel cornerback, DeShon Elliott plays strong safety, and Minkah Fitzpatrick plays free safety. Joey Porter Jr. is expected to be back and while Donte Jackson is questionable, I expect him to play.
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.
Prediction: Cincinnati is a 2.5 point favorite at -2.5. The over or under is 47.5 with 57% of the public betting on Cincinnati. The money line is -135 for Cincinnati and +115 for Pittsburgh. Take Cincinnati to win and cover with the under 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 28 Steelers 13
Who Everyone Else Picked
Oren Shiri
Jason Bantle
Joseph Potter
Andrew Kermish
Tracy Porter
Wes Langley
Buffalo Bills 13-3-0
Versus
New England Patriots 3-13-0
Chris Ransom's Pick
There's a few 2025 Senior Bowl invites. There's also a blockbuster update on the 2025 East West Shrine Bowl. I'll post some of those.
Jalen Milroe is playing in the 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl. Milroe will probably be the main attraction if Cam Ward opts for just throwing at the 2025 NFL Combine or if Cam Ward goes to the East West Shrine Bowl.
Shedeur Sanders chose the 2025 East West Shrine Bowl over the 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl because he wanted to play with his teammates in the East West Shrine Bowl. There are also rumors that Cam Ward will now go to the East West Shrine Bowl too. I'm keeping Sheduer in this spot for another week unitl we get an update on Cam Ward.
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 Khalil Shakir as their flanker wide receiver, Amari Cooper is theri secondary wide receiver, Mack Hollins is their slot receiver, Keon Coleman Buffalo's 2024 second round pick is their number four wide receiver. Curtis Samuel is their number five wide receiver. Buffalo has a lot of depth at wide receiver even though I question the decision to start Mack Hollins over Keon Coleman.
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. Dalton Kincaid missed weeks 11 and 12 at tight end. Dalton Kincaid is out in week 13.
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 linebacker might be starting again in relief of Bernard in week 8. Matt Milano returns in week 13. Matt Milano was inactive in week 16.
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. 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. Rasoul Douglas missed week 16 as did Taylor Rapp at strong safety. Kaiir Elam and Cole Bishop played in relief of those two in week 16.
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.
Buffalo is only going to play their starters a series or two. The backups should be in the game by the second quarter at the latest now that Buffalo has locked up the two seed in the AFC.
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 has done well this season and looks like the quarterback of the future in New England.
Drake Maye will have Vederrian Lowe at left tackle thanks to Chukwuka Okorafor leaving the team, Cole Strange may make his season debut at left guard, Ben Brown at center with David Andrews out for the year, Sidy Sow will also be back from an injury 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 has been out longer than expected. 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. Cole Strange could make his season debut with New England in week 12. New England waived Michael Jordan, so this tells me either Sidy Sow or Cole Strange returns from an injury. Both players could end up starting at left guard and right guard which will not only boost the running game, but give Drake Maye the best pass protection he's had from this interior offensive line all season with steady guard play.
New England's has Demario Douglas as their flanker wide receiver after he began the season as the slot receiver, Kayshon Boutte as their secondary wide receiver after he began the year as the number six wide receiver after struggling as a rookie, and Kendrick Bourne is the slot receiver. K.J. Osborn began the year as the secodary wide receiver and he's now the number four wide receiver. Ja'Lynn Polk, New England's 2024 second round pick began the year as the number one wide receiver, but got demoted to the number five wide receiver. Javon Baker New England's 2024 fourth round pick began the year as the number four wide receiver, but he's now the number six wide receiver. Ja'Lynn Polk got the first reception in week 12, but Javon Baker was listed as a top three wide receiver in week 12. I said that Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker could both be the long-term number one and number two wide receivers for the New England Patriots after the 2024 NFL Draft and I still believe that even though neither rookie has stood out much this season.
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.
The weapons are there for Drake Maye to succeed in 2025 and beyond if Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker develop this year and improve on that level of play in year two. 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 back from his injury and he got a sack in week 12. Keion White has stepped up in his absence and New England's defensive line could be scary good once Barmore comes back. Christian Barmore returned in week 12.
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. Yannick Ngakoue will start at 3-4 left outside linebacker. Sione Takitaki will split reps with Yannck Ngakoue at 3-4 left outside linebacker.
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. Jayln Hawkins is a good backup safety. Marcus Jones is out at nickel cornerback in week 17.
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: Buffalo is a 2.5 point favorite at -2.5. The over or under is 36.5 with 64% of the public betting on Buffalo. The money line is -150 for Buffalo and +125 for New England. I like New England to win and to cover with the under at +125. Bet $175 on this game for New England and win up to $300 as long as the Bills win by 2 or less.
Final Score Patriots 19 Bills 17
Who Everyone Else Picked
Oren Shiri
Jason Bantle
Joseph Potter
Andrew Kermish
Tracy Porter
Wes Langley
New Orleans Saints 5-11-0
Versus
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-7-0
Chris Ransom's Pick
I'm going to try my best to update Tony Mario's 2024 NFL Power Rankings this week. Find out who remains atop the NFL Power Rankings this week.
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.
New Orleans has Taliese Fuaga at left tackle, Nick Saldiveri the 2023 fourth round pick out of Old Dominion took the starting left guard job from Lucas Patrick after Patrick got injured, Erik McCoy remains at center, Cesar Ruiz starts at right guard, and Trevor Penning at right tackle filling in for an injured Ryan Ramczyk. Cesar Ruiz is back at right guard and Lucas Patrick is back, but New Orleans added former New York Jets center Connor McGovern out of Missouri to fill in while Erik McCoy remains on injured reserve. Erik McCoy got placed on injured reseve prior to week 4, but is not back on New Orleans yet. New Orleans will not have Erik McCoy in week 10. New Orleans will ahve Taliese Fuaga at left tackle, Nick Saldiveri at left guard, Connor McGovern at center, Cesar Ruiz at right guard, and Trevor Penning at right tackle. Erik McCoy could be back at center this week. New Orleans could have Taliese Fuaga at left tackle, Nick Saldiveri at left guard, Erik McCoy at center, Cesar Ruiz at right guard, and Trevor Penning at right tackle. Nick Saldiveri is out at left guard this week.
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. Bub Means is out in week 14. Chris Olave has not played in weeks, but was a full practice all week. He's listed as questionable, but I'm leaning towards him playing.
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. Alvin Kamara has not played in a while after getting injured in week 15.
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.
New Orleans has Paulson Adebo at field cornerback, Alontae Taylor at boundary cornerback, and Kool-Aid McKinstry at nickel cornerback even after trading away Marshon Lattimore. 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. Paulson Adebo has been ruled out for the season. Alontae Taylor will be the field cornerback in week 9, but Rico Payton and Ugo Amadi two undrafted cornerbacks will be starting due to three of the New Orleans Saints top four cornerbacks being injured. Early speculation is that Alontae Taylor will be the field cornerback and Kool-Aid McKinstry will be the boundary cornerback in 2025. Those two will have an opportunity to build rapport at cornerback once Kool-Aid McKinstry returns from his injury as Kool-Aid McKinstry could be back from an injury this week.
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 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. Rakim Jarrett is the number six wide receiver. Tampa Bay feels deeper at wide receiver than last year. Chris Godwin is out for the year, but Mike Evans is finally back in week 12. Mike Evans will be the flanker wide receiver, Jalen McMillan will be the secondary wide receiver, and Trey Palmer will be the slot receiver.
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 round 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.
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. Greg Gaines is out in week 9 after having a fully healthy defensive line the last three weeks.
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. Lavonte David missed week 8, but he will play in week 9.
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. Tampa Bay's safeties are injured again, but the top three cornerbacks are all fully healthy.
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 14 point favorite at -14. The over or under is 43.5 with 90% of the public betting on Tampa Bay. The money line is +600 for New Orleans and -900 for Tampa Bay. Take Tampa Bay to win and cover with the over at -900. Bet $1,100 on this game for Tampa Bay and win up to $2,000 as long as the Buccaneers win by 15 or more.
Final Score Buccaneers 30 Saints 14
Who Everyone Else Picked
Oren Shiri
Jason Bantle
Joseph Potter
Andrew Kermish
Tracy Porter
Wes Langley
Carolina Panthers 4-12-0
Versus
Atlanta Falcons 8-8-0
Chris Ransom's Pick
Draft Utopia now has an E-Commerce Store on Teespring. Click on the word Teespring to be redirected to our shop to buy Draft Utopia merchandise. You can get an 11-NO shirt with Steelers colors or a Go Be Great shirt with Browns colors. I want to add Scouting College Football, Scouting College Basketball, and Scouting College Soccer shirts to the store soon.
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. Moton returned in week 9, but Brady Christensen played well at center in relief of Austin Corbett before moving over to left tackle after Ikem Ekwonu got injured. Ikem Ekwonu is out at left tackle in week 9. Brady Christensen a former backup left guard who started at left guard before the signing of Damien Lewis in the 2024 NFL Free Agency period has stepped up at center and left tackle for Carolina. Cade Mays looked good in his first start of the year at center despite being the third string center entering the season. Ikem Ekwonu could be back at left tackle this week. Carolina will have Ikem Ekwonu at left tackle, Damien Lewis at left guard, Cade Mays at center, Robert Hunt at right guard, and Taylor Moton at right tackle.
Bryce Young has Xavier Legette a 2024 first round pick out of South Carolina as his flanker wide receiver, Jalen Coker an undrafted Free Agent out of Holy Cross that I had a third round grade on as the secondary wide receiver, and Adam Thielen as the slot receiver. David Moore is the number four wide receiver. Jalen Coker is out once again in week 14 after missing week 13. Carolina had Xavier Legette as their flanker wide receiver, Adam Thielen as their secondary wide receiver, and David Moore as their slot receiver in week 13 and will have those three wide receivers starting in week 14.
Carolina has Ian Thomas last years backup tight end as the starting tight end, but Ian Thomas is on injured reserve. Tommy Tremble, Carolina's 2021 third round pick out of Notre Dame last years third string tight end is in the final year of his rookie deal. Tommy Tremble is starting at tight end in week 14. Ja'Tavion Sanders, Carolina's 2024 fourth round pick out of Texas has played enough to where Dave Canales moved Ja'Tavion Sanders ahead of Tommy Tremble as the backup tight end on Carolina's depth chart, but now Sanders is the backup tight end behind Tremble with Ian Thomas on injured reserve.
Carolina has Chuba Hubbard as their starting running back, Miles Sanders is the backup running back, Jonathon Brooks was their 2024 second round pick out of Texas is finally off of injured reserve and he will make his debut in week 12 versus the Kansas City Chiefs. Miles Sanders was out in week 12. Chuba Hubbard got placed on injured reserve. Jonathon Brooks tore his ACL a few weeks ago. Carolina's fourth string and fifth string running backs have to split carries.
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. LaBryan Ray is filling in for Derrick Brown at 3-4 right en. 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. Trevin Wallace, Carolina's 2024 third round pick out of Kentucky has looked encouraging in relief of Shaq Thompson since taking over as the starting 3-4 middle linebacker in relief of Shaq Thompson in week 5.
Carolina has Jaycee Horn at field cornerback, Michael Jackson at boundary cornerback, Troy Hill at nickel cornerback, Chau Smith-Wade a 2024 fifth round pick out of Washington State is the dime cornerback, and Caleb Farley is the quarter cornerback. Xavier Woods at strong safety, and Jordan Fuller at free safety. Carolina added Nick Scott as the backup strong safety. Demani Richardson has been pushing Jammie Robinson Carolina's 2023 fifth round pick for the backup free safety job so much that Carolina actually started Demani Richardson an undrafted rookie out of Texas A&M at free safety in their week 9 win over New Orleans. Sam Franklin is the third string strong safety and Jammie Robinson is the third string free safety. Jaycee Horn left the week 14 game with an injury and did not return. He might be out in week 15.
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 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. Michael Penix Jr. will start in week 16 as Atlanta benched Kirk Cousins.
Michael Penix Jr. 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..
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. Drake London left week 9 with an injury and he's questionable in week 10.
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 right outside linebacker and situational pass rusher in Atlanta. DeAngelo Malone is the backup 3-4 left outside linebacker.
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.
Prediction: Atlanta is a 7.5 point favorite at -7.5. The over or under is 48.5 with 73% of the public betting on Atlanta. The money line is +320 for Carolina and -410 for Atlanta. Take Atlanta to win and cover with the over at -410. Bet $490 on this game for Atlanta and win up to $900 as long as the Falcons win by 8 points or more.
Final Score Falcons 30 Panthers 21
Who Everyone Else Picked
Oren Shiri
Jason Bantle
Joseph Potter
Andrew Kermish
Tracy Porter
Wes Langley
Washington Commanders 11-5-0
Versus
Dallas Cowboys 7-9-0
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 47-32 since 2020.
Here is this weeks hot take from Hank Hill.
Kick Washington's ass. We got a rare opportunity to sweep the NFL Offensive Rookie Of The Year.
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.
Washington has Terry McLaurin as their flanker wide receiver, Noah Brown is now the secondary wide receiver after his hail mary catch after starting the year as the number six wide receiver. Luke McCaffrey their 2024 third round pick out of Rice as the number four wide receiver earned the slot receiver job by week 4. Dyami Brown their secondary wide receiver who began the season as the number two wide receiver in week 1 got benched for Luke McCaffrey after McCaffrey stepped up in Washington's Monday Night Football win versus the Cincinnati Bengals in week 3, but Dyami is still the number four wide receiver. Olamide Zaccheaus began the year as the slot receiver, but he's now the number five wide receiver. Jamison Crowder was the number five wide receiver at the beginning of the year, but he's currently on injured reserve.
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 Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kinsbury decided to start all three tight ends while only starting their best wide receiver Terry McLaurin in week 9 against the New York Giants. Washington won and that controversial decision by the former Arizona Cardinals head coach paid off. Kingsbury has done a masterful job as an offensive coordinator with Jayden Daniels, but if your a Washington fan you want to keep Kingsbury on as the offensive coordinator as long as possible because he's a great offensive coordinator, but not an NFL head coach.
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. Washington has Jeremy McNichols as their third string running back and Chris Rodriguez Jr. their 2023 sixth round pick out of Kentucky going from third string running back to fourth string running back. When Brian Robinson Jr. was ruled out in week 9, Chris Rodriguez Jr. got promoted from the practice squad to third string running back. Austin Ekeler started that game, but Chris Rodriguez Jr. showed he could push Jeremy McNichols for backup reps if Brian Robinson Jr. is injured. Brian Robinson Jr. is out again he missed week 9 and will miss week 10.
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 Marshon Lattimore at field cornerback, Benjamin St. Juste is the boundary cornerback after having to transition from nickel cornerback to number one cornerback in the final year of his rookie deal as trading for Lattimore gives you the flexibility to put Benjamin St. Juste against number two wide receivers rather than number one receivers, Mike Saintristl their 2024 second round pick is the nickel cornerback. Michael Davis is the dime cornerback. Emmanuel Forbes is the quarter cornerback after being Washington's 2023 first round pick. Noah Igbinoghene is the number six cornerback 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. Washington's pass defense was ranked fifth in the NFL before adding a true number one cornerback in Marshon Lattimore at the 2024 NFL Trade Deadline, but Washington's pass defense is ranked high because Washington played an easier strength of schedule at the beginning of the year. Marshon Lattimore missed weeks 10 and 11. Marshon Lattimore played in week 16 making his debut, but he's out in week 17.
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.
Why the Dallas Cowboys Will Win: Dak Prescott got injured and backup quarterback Cooper Rush will be the starter going forward with Dak Prescott going on injured reserve from weeks 10-13. Trey Lance will start in week 18. Cooper Rush 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. Zack Martin will be out at right guard in week 14.
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 the 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 should have all of their weapons back for the first time since week 4.
Dallas has Rico Dowdle as their number one 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 missed weeks 5, 6, 8, and 9. Micah Parsons should be back in week 10, but DeMarcus Lawrence will remain on injured reserve with Dak Prescott now injured.
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 cornerback. 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 had their cornerbacks at full health for the first time all year in week 13.
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.
Prediction: Washington is a 6.5 point favorite at -6.5. The over or under is 43.5 with 72% of the public betting on Washington. The money line is -275 for Washington and +225 for Dallas. Take Washington to win and cover with the under at -275. Bet $325 on this game for Washington and win up to $600 as long as the Commanders win by 7 or more.
Final Score Commanders 28 Cowboys 14
Who Everyone Else Picked
Oren Shiri
Jason Bantle
Joseph Potter
Andrew Kermish
Tracy Porter
Wes Langley
Chicago Bears 4-12-0
Versus
Green Bay Packers 11-5-0
Chris Ransom's Pick
You can check out US Football Tips our newest partner with us at Draft Utopia. Feel free to compare our point spreads to theirs. You can also go to Bet US and enter the promo code Draft Utopia as Draft Utopia has partnerships with both US Football Tips and Bet US.
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. Both Braxton Jones and Kiran Amegadjie are out at left tackle in week 9 with injuries. Larry Borom the backup right tackle started at left tackle in his first game in week 9. Darnell Wright also got injured in week 9 and it got so ugly that Chicago Bears backup right guard Matt Pryor is now starting at right tackle where he was awful for the Indianapolis Colts a few years ago. Braxtn Jones, Darnell Wright, and Kiran Amegadjie all got ruled out in week 10 which means Chicago will have Larry Borom at left tackle and Matt Pryor at right tackle. Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright were limited in practice on Wednesday. Chicago got both offensive tackles back from injuries this week in week 11. Teven Jenkins returned in week 12.
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. Andrew Billings is on injured reserve. Byron Cowart filled in for Andrew Billings in week 12. Gervon Dexter missed week 16 with Zacch Pickens starting, but Dexter is expected to start in week 17.
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 Johnson at field cornerback, Tyrique Stevenson at boundary cornerback, and Kyler Gordon is currently holding the nickel cornerback job. Terrell Smith, Chicago's 2023 fifth round pick out of Minnesota is currently the dime cornerback. Jaylon Jones returns as the quarter cornerback with all of Chicago's top five cornerbacks from last year returning.
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. Jaquan Brisker missed weeks 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 with his concussion even after a week 7 bye week. Brisker got placed on injured reserve before week 11, so he's out for two more weeks. Jonathan Owens filled in for Jaquan Brisker at strong safety since week 5. Chicago started Elijah Hicks at strong safety next to Kevin Byard benching Jonathan Owens.
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 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 has not played since week 4. Luke Musgrave rehabbed in practice by practicing in a limited capacity. I doubt Luke Musgrave plays in week 13 or week 14 next thursday when Green Bay goes to Detroit. I bet Musgrave returns in week 15 or week 16 if he does end up returning.
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. Lukas Van Ness 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. Kingsley Engabare is the backup 4-3 defensive end as the backup to both Lukas Van Ness as well as Rashan Gary, 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, and Karl Brooks is the backup 4-3 defensive tackle to T.J. Slaton. Colby Wooden is the third string 4-3 defensive tackle.
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. Edgerin Cooper missed week 12 and will be out again in week 13.
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. Jaire Alexander is out in week 12. Green Bay will have Eric Stokes at field cornerback, Carrington Valentine at boundary cornerback, and Keisean Nixon at nickel cornerback in week 12. Green Bay will go with the same three cornerbacks in week 13 that they went with in week 12.
Brandon McManus is the new stating kicker. Keisean Nixon Green Bay's nickel cornerback is the return specialist at kick returner and punt returner.
Prediction: Green Bay is a 10 point favorite at -10. The over or under is 41.5 with 83% of the public betting on Green Bay. The money line is +350 for Chicago and -455 for Green Bay. Take Green Bay to win and cover with the over at -455. Bet $545 on this game for Green Bay and win up to $900 as long as the Packers win by 11 or more.
Final Score Packers 31 Bears 20
Who Everyone Else Picked
Oren Shiri
Jason Bantle
Joseph Potter
Andrew Kermish
Tracy Porter
Wes Langley
Jacksonville Jaguars 4-12-0
Versus
Indianapolis Colts 7-9-0
Chris Ransom's Pick
You can go to Fanpicks and enter the Promo Code draftutopia to win $20 dollars. We also have a Draft Kings advertisement on our home page so you can go there to sign up for Fantasy Football as well.
Why the Jacksonville Jaguars Will Win: Trevor Lawrence got extended at quarterback. Trevor Lawrence is out in week 10 with an injury, so backup quarterback Mac Jones will start in week 10. Mac Jones will start once again in week 11 due to Trevor Lawrence being injured. Trevor Lawrence could be back after the bye week in week 13. Trevor Lawrence did return to practice. Jacksonville has Walker Little at left tackle, Ezra Cleveland at left guard, Mitch Morse at center, Brandon Scherff at right guard with Brandon Scherff being traded to Seattle, and Anton Harrison at right tackle. Javon Foster is the backup left tackle after starting the season as the backup right tackle, Blake Hance is the backup left guard, Luke Fortner is the backup center, Cooper Hodges is the backup right guard, and Cole Van Lanen is the backup right tackle now that Cam Robinson is no longer on the Jacksonville Jaguars, but Jacksonville did extend Walker Little heading into week 13 giving him a three year contract which keeps him in Jacksonville until 2028. Anton Harrison was a surprise inactive in week 14.
Jacksonville has Brian Thomas Jr. as a 2024 first round pick out of LSU as their flanker wide receiver, Parker Washington as their secondary wide receiver, and Devin Duvernay as the slot receiver after Garbiel Davis and Christian Kirk suffered a season ending injuries.
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 whose shown he can start, 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 missed the last two weeks, but he will be back for week 9. Tank Bigsby has jumped Travis Etienne as the starting running back on Jacksonville's depth chart.
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.
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.
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. With Duvernay injured, Tank Bigsby is the kick returner and Parker Washington is the punt returner.
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. Indianapolis benched Anthony Richardson for Joe Flacco despite Anthony Richardson having 12 total touchdowns to only 11 interceptions. Joe Flacco will start again in week 18 with Anthony Richardson missing the second week in a row.
Joe Flacco has Bernard Raimann at left tackle, Quinton Nelson at left guard, Ryan Kelly at center, Dalton Tucker an undrafted Free Agent at right guard replacing Will Fries whose out for the year despite Tanor Bortolini finishing in the top five among centers as a rookie Ryan Kelly was out at center, 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 since week 7 outside of Will Fries getting a season ending injury at right guard. Bernard Raimann got ruled out in week 9. Matt Goncalves the Indianapolis Colts 2024 third round pick started in relief or Raimann, but Raimann is expected to clear concussion protocol to play in week 10. Ryan Kelly got placed on injured reserve and Tanor Bortolini will get four more starts to add to his resume. He was ranked among the top five centers in pass blocking in each of his first two starts. Bernard Raimann missed week 11 after getting a knee injury in week 10 and he's out in week 12.
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 Dayo Odeyingbo a 2021 second round pick out of Vanderbilt 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. Laiatu Latu their 2024 first round pick is now the the backup 4-3 right end after beginning the season as the starter 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 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.
Prediction: Indianapolis is a 3.5 point favorite at -3.5. The over or under is 43.5 with 61% of the public betting on Indianapolis. The money line is +155 for Jacksonville and -185 for Indianapolis. I like Jacksonville to win and to cover with the under at +155. Bet $245 on this game for Jacksonville and win up to $400 as long as the Colts win by 3 or less.
Final Score Jaguars 23 Colts 20
Who Everyone Else Picked
Oren Shiri
Jason Bantle
Joseph Potter
Andrew Kermish
Tracy Porter
Wes Langley
New York Giants 3-13-0
Versus
Philadelphia Eagles 13-3-0
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 New York Giants Will Win: Drew Lock is the starter. Tommy DeVito is the backup. Tim Boyle is now the third string quarterback. Tommy DeVito got ruled out in week 13 one week after the New York Giants released Daniel Jones. 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. Jermaine Eleumenor is going to be out at right tackle too. New York is starting Chris Hubbard who did poorly with both the Steelers and Browns at right tackle and he's the blindside for Drew Lock. Evan Neal will start at right tackle. Drew Lock will have second string offensive tackles against Dallas. Drew Lock started in week 13 and got the start once again in week 14. Drew Lock missed week 15, but will be back in week 16.
New York has Malik Nabers their 2024 first round pick out of LSU as their number one flanker wide receiver. Wan'Dale Robinson was the slot receiver wide receiver, but he jumped Jalin Hyatt and is now the number two wide receiver on this depth chart. Darius Slayton began the year as the number four wide receiver and he is now the slot receiver. Jalin Hyatt, a 2023 third round pick out of Tennessee who won the Billetnikoff Award in 2022 entered the year as the number two wide receiver and is now the number four wide receiver on the New York Giants. Malik Nabers got injured near the end of the week 4 game and got ruled out with a concussion.
The New York Giants have Theo Johnson as their starting tight end. Theo Johnson supplanted Daniel Bellinger.
Devin Singletary is New York's starting running back. Tyrone Tracy Jr. a 2024 fifth round pick out of Purdue is the starting running back after taking the job from Devin Singeltary who began the year as the starter before being ruled the backup running back. Eric Gray a 2023 fifth round pick out of Oklahoma is the third string running back.
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 suffered a season ending injury in week 13.
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 returned from injured reserve in week 12. Azeez Ojulari got placed on injured reserve and will be out in weeks 13-16. Brian Burns didn't practice this week. Bobby Okerek has missed the last two games at 3-4 middle linebacker.
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. Deonte Banks has missed the last two games, but could be back from an injury.
New York has Graham Gano as their starting kicker and Jamie Gillan as their starting putner. Gunner Olszewski is the return specialist at both kick returner and punt returner.
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. Jalen Hurts got injured in week 16 and backup quarterback Kenny Pickett came in. Pickett looked good early, but struggled as the game progressed. Former Eagles running back LeSean McCoy believes Pickett will start and Hurts will be out in week 17. Jalen Hurts and Kenny Pickett will be out in week 18, so third string quarterback Tanner McKee makes his first career NFL start.
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. DeVonta Smith will be back from his injury in week 14 after missing the last two games.
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 got placed on injured reserve.
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 Nolan Smith starting at 3-4 left outside linebacker. Philadelphia has Bryce Huff 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. Jalyx Hunt, Philadelphia's 2024 third round pick out of Houston Christian began the season as the third string 3-4 left outside linebacker, but has now been promoted to backup 3-4 right outside linebacker thanks to Bryce Huff their backup 3-4 right outside linebacker heading to injured reserve meaning Jalyx Hunt will be the backup 3-4 right outside linebacker in weeks 12, 13, 14, and 15. Philadelphia will not have Bryce Huff back until week 16 and lost Brandon Graham to a season ending injury as Graham announced his retirement following this season on monday.
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. Isaiah Rodgers is the dime cornerback, Avonte Maddox is the quarter cornerback, and Kelee Ringo is the number six cornerback. Darius Slay left week 12 with an injury against the Los Angeles Rams. Philadelphia's secondary was not as good with Isaiah Rodgers in the lineup despite excellent play from both Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. Darius Slay returns in week 14.
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.
Philadelphia locked up the 2 seed in the NFC. Philadelphia is resting their staters in week 18. Saquon Barkley will not play in week 18.
Prediction: Philadelphia is a 2.5 point favorite at -2.5. The over or under is 37.5 with 58% of the public betting on Philadelphia. The money line is +105 for New York and -125 for Philadelphia. I like New York to win and to cover with the over at +105. Bet $195 on this game for New York and win up to $300 as long as the Eagles win by 2 or less.
Final Score Giants 20 Eagles 19
Who Everyone Else Picked
Oren Shiri
Jason Bantle
Joseph Potter
Andrew Kermish
Tracy Porter
Wes Langley
Houston Texans 9-7-0
Versus
Tennessee Titans 3-13-0
Chris Ransom's Pick
Sometimes I'm a regular on the COWPOTE Radio podcast. He hosts the NFL and NHL Podcast on Spreaker. I'll post links to those below.
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, Juice Scruggs a 2023 second round pick at left guard, Jarrett Patterson a 2023 sixth round round pick out of Notre Dame at center, Shaq Mason at right guard, and Tytus Howard at right tackle. Blake Fisher is the backup left tackle, Kenyon Green is the backup left guard, and Charlie Heck is the backup right tackle. Houston moved Tytus Howard to right tackle and Blake Fisher to right tackle when Juice Scruggs got ruled out in week 15 and it looks like Scruggs is going to be out once again in week 16. Houston will not have Juice Scruggs in week 17 or Shaq Mason in week 17 without either guard versus Baltimore.
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 receiver, 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. Nico Collins returned in week 11.
Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell both suffered season ending injuries. Houston signed Diontae Johnson, who Baltimore cut this week hoping he fills a void. Houston has Nico Collins at flanker receiver, Diontae Johnson as their secondary receiver if they play him, and John Metchie III as their slot receiver. Robert Woods is the number four wide receiver, and Xavier Hutchinson is the number five wide receiver with both Stefon Diggs as well as Tank Dell out for the year.
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. 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. Folorunso Fatukasi will be out in week 12. Houston had all four defensive ends at full health for the first time all season in week 12, but Folorunso Fatukasi missed the week 12 game.
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 made his return last week, but played 4-3 middle linebacker with Henry To'oTo'o playing 4-3 right outside linebacker. Houston's front 7 looked a lot better with everyone at full health for the first time all season. Foley Fatukasi has missed 3 of the last four games after returning in week 15 before not playing in week 16.
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. Houston had their secondary at full health for the first time in week 12 and then Jalen Pitre got injured, so he will miss multiple weeks. Jeffrey Okudah will take over as the nickel cornerback for the Houston Texans. Jimmie Ward also got placed on injured reserve.
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.
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. Will Levis will start in week 10 despite Mason Rudolph leading Tennessee to both wins this season after Levis got sixty percent of the reps heading into week 10 with Mason Rudolph having 40 percent of the reps. Mason Rudolph will start in week 16. Will Levis will start in week 18.
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 Leroy Watson IV has taken the right tackle job from Nicholas Petit-Frere. Jaleyn Duncan is the backup left tackle, Dane Brunskil is the backup interior lineman at all three interior spots, and Nicholas Petit-Frere is the backup right tackle whose the main swing tackle after losing the right tackle job to Leroy Watson IV. Leroy Watson IV has missed week 10, 11, and will now be out in week 12 meaning Nicholas Petit-Frere will start at right tackle.
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. Tennessee has Calvin Ridley at flanker wide receiver, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine as the secondary wide receiver, and Tyler Boyd 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 for the third week in a row in missing weeks 7, 8, and 9. Tennesee has depth at wide receiver, but that feels like the only position the Tennessee Titans have depth at. Tony Pollard returned from an injury in week 9.
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 entered the year as the dime cornerback, but he might be the number one field cornerback in 2025 after doing well after the injuries to Chidobe Awuzie and L'Jarius Sneed. 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. Tennessee started Jarvis Brownlee Jr. at field cornerback, Darrell Baker Jr. at boundary cornerback, and Roger McCreary at nickel cornerback in their week 9 victory over New England. Tennesseee may roll with that cornerback tandem again in week 10 as Chidobe Awuzie still hasn't been activated off of injured reserve and L'Jarius Sneed is out again in week 10. L'Jarius Sneed missed week 11 and is on pace to miss week 12. Tennessee will not have Awuzie or Sneed in week 12.
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.
Prediction: Tennesssee is a 1.5 point favorite at -1.5. The over or under is 36.5 with 56% of the public betting on Tennessee. The money line is +105 for Houston and -125 for Tennessee. Take Tennessee to win and cover with the over at -125. Bet $175 on this game for Tennessee and win up to $300 as long as the Titans win by 2 or more.
Final Score Titans 22 Texans 19
Who Everyone Else Picked
Oren Shiri
Jason Bantle
Joseph Potter
Andrew Kermish
Tracy Porter
Wes Langley
Kansas City Chiefs 15-1-0
Versus
Denver Broncos 9-7-0
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. Wes Langley posted his 2025 NFL Mock Draft with an updated draft order. My 2025 NHL Mock Draft is also up. My 2025 NBA Mock Draft is also up. My 2025 MLS Mock Draft is also up. My 2025 WNBA Mock Draft is up. Draft results for the 2025 MLS Draft are up as well.
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 Washington Nationals won the 2025 MLB Draft Lottery, and my 2025 MLB Mock Draft is coming soon now that the draft order has been finalized.
Why the Kansas City Chiefs Will Win: Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has D.J. Humprhies at left tackle, Joe Thuney at left guard, Creed Humprhey at center, Trey Smith at right guard, and Jawaan Taylor starting at right tackle. Wanya Morris is the backup left tackle, Hunter Nourzad is the backup center, C.J. Hanson is the backup right guard, and Ethan Driskell an undrafted Free Agent out of Marshall is the backup right tackle. Kingsley Suamatia Kansas City's 2024 second round pick is now the third string left tackle after starting the first two games before getting benched for Wanya Morris before Wanya Morris got benched for D.J. Humphries and Lucas Niang is the third string right tackle. Kansas City has depth everywhere on their offensive line outside of left guard. D.J. Humphries got injured in week 14 and missed week 15 as well as week 16. He looks like he will be out in week 17, but left guard Joe Thuney held his own against boh Myles Garrett and Danielle Hunter when transitioning from left guard to left tackle. Jawaan Taylor is also dealing with an injury at right tackle in addition to D.J. Humphries. 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 secondary wide receiver, and Marques Brown will be the slot receiver with Rashee Rice out for the year. Kansas City has Justin Watson, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman splitting reps as backp wide receivers. 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. Kareem Hunt is the backup running back with Clyde Edwards-Helaire being injured. 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.
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 Josh Uche is the backup 4-3 left end. 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 more depth at defensive end after trading for Josh Uche, who was a pass rusher on the New England Patriots who had 10 sacks in 2022 during the third year of his rookie deal after being a second round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Mike Danna is out this week. Felix Anudike-Uzomah will start in relief of Danna in week 9. Mike Danna came back in week 11. Charles Omenihu returned in week 13. Chris Jones got injured in week 16. His status for week 17 is uncertain. Chris Jones the best defensive player on Kansas City's defense is out in week 17.
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. Chamarri Conner and Jaylen Watson are both dealing with injuries at cornerback and both cornerbacks are out in week 16. Kansas City tried moving Conner to nickel and Joshua Williams to boundary cornerback in week 15 against Cleveland. I'm guessing Kansas City will play Trent McDuffie at field cornerback, Joshua Williams at boundary cornerback, and Nazeeh Johnson in week 16. Nazeeh Johnson did not play in week 16.
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.
Kansas City is resting their starters in week 18. Kansas City locked up the one seed back in week 17.
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.
Courtland Sutton is the flanker wide receiver. Troy Franklin, Bo Nix's teammate at Oregon and Denver's 2024 fourth round pick is now the secondary wide receiver with Josh Reynolds on injured reserve. Devaughn Vale, Denver's 2024 seventh round pick out of Utah is the slot receiver. Marvin Mims Jr. is the number four wide receiver. Lil Jordan Humphrey is the number five wide receiver. A.T. Perry is the number six wide receiver if Denver activates him off of their practice squad. Josh Reynolds got placed on injured reserve before week 7 and is eligible to return in week 11. Josh Reynolds remains out in week 12.
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 who got a four year extension, Alex Singleton at 3-4 middle linebacker, Cody Barton at 3-4 middle linebacker, and Nik Bonitto at at 3-4 left outside linebacker after trading away Baron Browning. Jonah Ellis is the backup 3-4 outside linebacker after being Denver's 2024 third round pick as he will be a situational pass rusher. 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, but Singleton got ruled out for the year. Alex Singleton tore his ACL at 3-4 middle linebacker and is out for the year and his backup Drew Sanders is also out. Drew Sanders fully practiced for the first time since tearing his ACL in May, but will remain out in week 12. He might play when Denver hosts Monday Night Football in week 13, but I'd keep my fingers crossed on that. Drew Sanders got a sack on his only snap in week 15. He played in week 16 and got a sack in the Thursday Night game. He might get more reps in week 17.
Denver has Patrick Surtain II at field cornerback, Riley Moss is the boundry cornerback, Ja'Quaun McMillian is the nickel cornerback, Kris Abrams-Draine their 2024 fifth round pick started out as the number six cornerback, but started the last two games in relief of an injured Riley Moss is now the dime cornerback, Damarri Mathis is the quarter cornerback, and Levi Wallace is the number six cornerback for depth as he was inactive in week 16. 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. P.J. Locke is out at strong safety and Dellarin Turner-Yell is out at free safety in week 9. J.L. Skinner or Devon Key will start at strong safety next to free safety Brandon Jones in week 9. Key is listed above Skinner on Denver's depth chart, but I like Skinner more personally. Denver ended up starting Devon Key in week 9.
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 10.5 point favorite at -10.5. The over or under is 40.5 with 84% of the public betting on Denver. The money line is +400 for Kansas City and -535 for Denver. I like Kansas City to win and to cover with the under at +400. Bet $600 on this game for Kansas City and win up to $1,000 as long as the Broncos win by 10 or less.
Final Score Chiefs 23 Broncos 17
Who Everyone Else Picked
Oren Shiri
Jason Bantle
Joseph Potter
Andrew Kermish
Tracy Porter
Wes Langley
Miami Dolphins 8-8-0
Versus
New York Jets 4-12-0
Chris Ransom's Pick
I started a new show called Under The Bleachers with William Yanish 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 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. Austin Jackson got placed on injured reserve prior to Miami's week 10 win. Tyler Huntley will start in week 17 with Tua Tagovailoa.
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. Anthony Walker Jr. is out in week 17.
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 is back in week 14 after missing weeks 12 and 13. Kendall Fuller is out in week 17.
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, but he's out for the year so that hampers Miami on special teams.
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 round pick out of Penn State is the backup left tackle, Jake Hanson is the backup right guard, Max Mitchell is the backup right tackle. Alijah Vera Tucker is out at right guard for the second week in a row. John Simpson, Alijah Vera-Tucker, and Morgan Moses did not practice heading into week 10 and it looks like Alijah Vera-Tucker might be out for the third game in a row. Jake Hanson is also injured as the backup right guard too and may be out this week. Morgan Moses is expected to play at right tackle while the two guards on the New York Jets are questionable in week 10. New York placed Tyron Smith on injured reserve heading into week 13. Olumuyiwa Fashanu, the New York Jets 2024 first round pick out of Penn State is the starting left tackle, John Simpson remains at left guard, Joe Tippman remains at center, Alijah Vera-Tucker remains at right guard, and Morgan Moses remains at right tackle. Olumuyiwa Fashanu left this game injured.
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, and Malachi Corley, the New York Jets 2024 third round pick is the number five wide receiver on this depth chart after trading away Mike Williams. 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. Breece Hall is out in week 14.
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.
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. C.J. Mosley wll be out at 4-3 middle linebacker in week 8. New York started Quincy Williams at 4-3 right outside linebacker, Sam Eguavoen at 4-3 middle linebacker, and Jamien Sherwood at 4-3 left outside linebacker in week 9. The New York Jets linebackers did well even without C.J. Mosley whose missed the last two weeks. C.J. Mosley has been out since week 8.
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. Jalen Mills is the backup strong safety and Isaiah Oliver is also the backup free safety. New York had success at safety against Houston in week 9 with Jalen Mills and Isaiah Oliver at safety. Chuck Clark came back from an injury in week 12. Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner is out in week 14, but he came back in week 16.
Greg Zuerlein is the starting kicker, but he is getting placed on injured reserve for the next four games. Thomas Morstead is the punter. Xavier Gipson is the return specialist at kick returner and punt returner.
Prediction: Miami is a 1 point favorite at -1. The over or under is 38.5 with 51% of the public betting on Miami. The money line is -120 for Miami and +100 for New York. I like New York to win and to cover with the under at +100. Bet $200 on this game for New York and win up to $300 as long as the Dolphins tie or lose.
Final Score Jets 20 Dolphins 19
Who Everyone Else Picked
Oren Shiri
Jason Bantle
Joseph Potter
Andrew Kermish
Tracy Porter
Wes Langley
San Francisco 49ers 6-10-0
Versus
Arizona Cardinals 7-9-0
Chris Ransom's Pick
I will be doing a 12 team College Football Breakdown of my 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.
Texas 13-2
Texas only lost one game to Georgia. Texas won out to clinch a spot in the SEC Title game. Texas lost the SEC Title to Georgia in overtime. Texas did well against Clemson and Arizona State. Texas is now the highest seeded team left in this years College Football Playoff.
Previously Ranked: 5th
Penn State 13-2
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 lost to Ohio State. Penn State won out while Ohio State lost to Michigan. Penn State played SMU and Boise State having a really easy path to the Semifinals after losing the Big 10 Championship to Oregon.
Previously Ranked: 6th
Notre Dame 13-1
Notre Dame lost to Northern Illinois earlier in the season. Notre Dame finished 11-1. As long as Notre Dame wins out they should be in the 12 team playoff. Notre Dame should be the 6 seed. Notre Dame ended up getting the 7 seed beating both Indiana and Georgia. Notre Dame will play Penn State in the Orange Bowl.
Previously Ranked: 7th
Ohio State 12-2
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. Ohio State defeated Penn State on the road handing the Nittany Lions their first loss of the year. Ohio State has two regular season games left. Ohio State hosts Michigan after blowing out Indiana. Ohio State lost to Michigan, but they no longer control their own destiny. Ohio State lost to Oregon by 1 point 32-31 and Michigan by 3 points 13-10. Their two losses are by fewer points then the two games Tennessee lost which is why they beat out Tennessee for the number eight spot heading into the Conference Championship week. I believe the 5-8 spots will be Oregon, Notre Dame, the SEC runner up, and Ohio State at 8 if Penn State wins the Big 10 Championship. Georgia was ranked higher in the preseason than Ohio State and Texas has a head-to-head win over Michigan, so both of those teams deserve to be ranked ahead of Ohio State since Ohio State lost to Michigan. I believe the top 5-8 spots will be Notre Dame, the SEC runner up, Ohio State, and Tennessee with Penn State coming in at 9 if Oregon wins the Big 10 Championship. Ohio State outscored Tennessee and Oregon 82-35 in the first two rounds of the College Football Playoff. They play Texas in the Semifinals at the Cotton Bowl which could be considered a home field for Texas.
Previously Ranked: 8th
Oregon 13-1
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 finished the regular season undefeated in the regular season. Oregon remains undefeated heading into the 2024 Big 10 Championship Game and if they win that, they will be the number one overall seed. Oregon trailed Ohio State 34-0 in the first half and even though Oregon scored 21 points on Ohio State, they got routed by Ohio State in the quarterfinals of the this years College Football Playoff.
Previously Ranked: 1st
Georgia 11-3
Georgia has clinched a spot in the SEC Championship prior to this week. Georgia needed 8 overtimes to defeat Georgia Tech, but they made it to Atlanta where they get a rematch at a Texas Longhorns team they defeated earlier in the regular season. Georgia won the 2024 SEC Championship in overtime. Carson Beck had UCL surgery before the playoff game against Notre Dame. Georgia couldn't find a way to defeat Notre Dame.
Previously Ranked: 2nd
Boise State 12-2
Boise State's only regular season loss was to Oregon. Boise State has one game left against Oregon State at home before the Mountain West Championship. Boise State should win out. Ashton Jeanty is now the favorite to win the 2024 Heisman Trophy. Boise State won the Mountain West Championship game. Boise State couldn't do shit against Penn State's defense even with Abdul Carter and Kevin Winston Jr. the two best players on Penn State's defense out of the lineup.
Previously Ranked: 3rd
Arizona State 11-3
Arizona State finished the regular season at 10-2. Arizona State demolished Iowa State in the 2024 Big 12 Championship to secure the 4 seed in the 12 team playoff. Arizona State lost a heartbreaker to Texas in double overtime of the quarterfinals.
Previously Ranked: 4th
Tennesseee 10-3
Tennessee finished the year 10-2. Their only losses came to Arkansas and Georgia. I think Tennessee is firmly locked into the top nine heading into this week. If Oregon wins the Big 10 Championship, I think Tennessee moves into the top 8 and Penn State slides down to 9 especially if Penn State loses by more than 1 which is what Ohio State lost to Oregon by even with the loss to Michigan. If Penn State wins the Big 10 Championship Oregon would be 5 and Notre Dame would be 6. Ohio State would be 7 and Tennessee would be 8 if Georgia won the SEC Championship. If Texas gets even with Georgia, I suspect Georgia would be 7 and Ohio State would be 8 moving Tennessee down to 9. The only way I believe Tennessee stays at 9 is if Texas and Penn State win their conference championships in the SEC and Big 10 next week. Tennessee got slaughtered by Ohio State in Columbus in the first round of the first College Football 12 Team Playoff.
Indiana 11-2
Indiana finished the year 11-1. Despite the blowout loss to Ohio State, I believe they are firmly locked into the top 10. I believe the 9 VS 8 game will either be Penn State VS Tennessee if Penn State wins the Big 10 or Tennessee VS Ohio State if Oregon wins. Indiana will most likely the SEC runner up in the 10 VS 7 matchup on the road against Texas or Georgia. Indiana got blown out by Notre Dame. The only reason the game looked close at the end was due to some garbage time points by Indiana in South Bend.
SMU 11-3
The SMU Mustangs also known as Southern Methodist located in Dallas, Texas are undefeated in conference play in their first ACC season. SMU lost the ACC Title to Clemson by a field goal. SMU got blown out by Penn State in Happy Valley in the play-in round of the first 12 team College Football Playoff.
Clemson 10-4
Right now the eleven seed is up for grabs. I gave Alabama over Clemson the edge heading into this week. However, if Clemson defeats SMU to win the ACC Championship, I believe Clemson would move into the top 4 and SMU would drop to 11 setting up an SMU VS Notre Dame, SMU VS SEC runner up, SMU VS Penn State, or SMU VS Ohio State. If SMU wins the ACC, they will be the three seed and Alabama will likely keep this spot playing either Penn State, Notre Dame, or Ohio State on teh road depending on what happens in the Big 10 Championship. The selection committee will avoid conference matchups in the first round. Clemson lost to Texas in the play-in round.
Why the San Francisco 49ers Will Win: Brock Purdy is out this week with an injury. Backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs is also out with an injury. Third string quarterback Brandon Allen will get the start. San Francisco has 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 will not have Trent Williams in week 13, but are expected to get Brock Purdy back at quarterback. Trent Williams is out once again in week 14 as is Aaron Banks at left guard. Ben Bartch the backup left guard and backup center also got injured in week 14.
San Francisco has Deebo Samuel as their flanker receiver, Jauan Jennings as their secondary receiver, and Ricky Pearsall 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.
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. Jordan Mason and Isaac Guerendo are both injured too.
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 with Hargrave being ruled out for the year. 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. Nick Bosa is out at 4-3 right end for the third week in a row as he has missed weeks 12, 13, and 14.
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, Renardo Green, San Francisco's 2024 second round pick out of Florida State at boundary cornerback, and Deommodore Lenoir at nickel cornerback. Isaac Yiadom began the season at boundary cornerback, but has been demoted to 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 round of the 2024 NFL Draft and he's the backup safety.
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. Isaac Gurendo is the kick returner and Jacob Cowing is the punt returner. Jacob Cowing is out in week 12 which means Isaac Guerendo will be both the kick returner and punt returner.
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. Will Hernandez suffered a season ending injury in October.
Arizona's offensive line had Paris Johnson Jr. at left tackle, Evan Brown at left guard, Hjalte Forholdt at center, Trystan Colon at right guard, and Kelvin Beachum at right tackle in week 9. Kelvin Beachum got injured in week 9 and did not practice on Wednesday, meanwhile Jonah Williams did practice, so Arizona could get their right tackle back. There is a possibility Kelvin Beachum slides over to right guard if Jonah Williams returns.
Jonah Williams could be back at right tackle Jonah Williams got injured in week 1, but he's practicing in a limited capacity and could be cleared to play at right tackle with his backup Kelvin Beachup not practicing on Wednesday due to an injury. If Jonah Williams and Kelvin Beachum are both inactive, then Christian Jones, the Arizona Cardinals 2024 third round pick out of Texas would make his first start at right tackle against the New York Jets.
Jonah Williams finally returned in week 12 against Seattle at right tackle. There were some complaints about the flow of the offensive line in terms of chemistry in Williams first game back at right tackle. I think Jonah Williams will do much better in his second game back at right tackle.
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. Dante Stills took over at 3-4 right end after Justin Jones got placed on season ending injured reserve back in September. Roy Lopez got injured in week 12 against Seattle and Khyris Tonga the backup nose tackle has been dealing with an injury since 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 Cardinals. Zaven Collins Arizona's 2021 first round pick out of Tulsa started the year at 3-4 left outside linebacker, but will move to 3-4 right outside linebacker. Kyzir White and Mack Wilson Sr. are the two starting 3-4 middle linebackers. Arizona traded for Denver Broncos starting 3-4 left outside linebacker Baron Browning hoping Browning can play well enough next to Zaven Collins to guide Arizona to an NFC West title.
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, but with him injured Chad Ryland has stepped up for Arizona. 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.
Prediction: Arizona is a 4.5 point favorite at -4.5. The over or under is 42.5 with 67% of the public betting on Arizona. The money line is +180 for San Francisco and -220 for Arizona. Take Arizona to win and cover with the over at -220. Bet $280 on this game for Arizona and win up to $500 as long as the Cardinals win by 5 or more.
Final Score Cardinals 26 49ers 17
Who Everyone Else Picked
Oren Shiri
Jason Bantle
Joseph Potter
Andrew Kermish
Tracy Porter
Wes Langley
Seattle Seahawks 9-7-0
Versus
Los Angeles Rams 10-6-0
Chris Ransom's Pick
Jake Ellenbogen is one of the better Rams insiders on Youtube. We had him on the podcast. In one of his latest videos Jake discusses why Los Angeles Rams fans should not take time with quarterback Matthew Stafford for granted.
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, Olusegun Oluwaitimi, Seattle's 2023 fifth round pick out of Michigan won the Rimmington Award in 2022 is now the starting center with Connor Williams retiring, Anthony Bradford Jr. at right guard, and Abraham Lucas at right tackle. Stone Forsyth is the backup left tackle, Sataoa Laumea Seattle's 2024 fifth round pick out of Utah is the backup left guard, Christian Haynes Seattle's 2024 third round pick out of Connecticut is the backup right guard, and George Fant is the backup right tackle. Michael Jurrell Seattle's 2024 sixth round pick is the third string right tackle. Sataoa Laumea started at right guard over Christian Haynes in week 13 when Anthony Bradford Jr. got injured in week 12.
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. Noah Fant missed week 12, but is coming back this week in week 13.
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. This will be Seattle's first game since week 11 where the entire offense has zero injuries and is at full health. Zach Charbonnet started the last two games, but Kenneth Walker III is gonna be back in week 16. Kenneth Walker III left this game injured and did not practice.
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 he'started when Uchenna Nwosu got placed on injured reserve. Tyrece Knight has done well starting at 3-4 middle linebacker too as a 2024 fourth round pick out of UTEP thanks to some injuries at 3-4 middle linebacker with Tyrel Dodson going down. Uchenna Nwosu returned in week 15. Seattle started Uchenna Nwosu at 3-4 right outside linebacker and Derrick Brown at 3-4 left outside linebacker with Boye Mafe as a rotational player.
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. Josh Jobe took the nickel cornerback job from Tre Brown. Nehemiah Prichett their 2024 fifth round pick is the dime cornerback. Tre Brown went from nickel to quarter cornerback on this depth chart.
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 moved Coby Bryant from dime cornerback to strong safety until Rayshawn Jenkins returns and Bryant has thrived at strong safety. Coby Bryant remained the starting strong safety even with Rayshawn Jenkins back from his injury.
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.
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. 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.
Joseph Noteboom missed week 8 and week 9. He could be back soon in week 10. Steve Avila could be back at left guard and Jonah Jackson could be back at center. Los Angeles could have Joseph Noteboom at left tackle, Steve Avila at left guard, Jonah Jackson, Kevin Dotson at right guard, and Rob Havenstein at right tackle. Los Angeles could have their offensive line at full health for the first time all year. Los Angeles had Steve Avila and Jonah Jackson back, but did not have Joseph Noteboom at left tackle in week 10. Joseph Noteboom and Rob Havenstein did not practice on wednesday heading into week 11. Joseph Noteboom and Rob Havenstein missed week 12, but both should be back in week 13.
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.
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. Tyler Higbee is expected to make his season debut in week 16.
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 signed Rahshod Weaver as a 3-4 outside linebacker for depth. Los Angeles signed Tony Fields II to their roster after the Cleveland Browns demoted him to the practice squad.
Los Angeles has Darious Williams at field cornerback, and Decobie Durant at boundary cornerback. Quentin Lake is the nickel 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. John Johnson III has been out with an injury since week 2 and Kamren Kinchens has gained invaluable experience starting at free safety as a rookie.
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: Los Angeles is a 6 point favorite at -6. The over or under is 48 with 58% of the public betting on Los Angeles. The money line is +200 for Arizona and -240 for Los Angeles. Take Los Angeles to win and cover with the under at -240. Bet $260 on this game for Los Angeles and win up to $500 as long as the Rams win by 7 or more.
Final Score Rams 27 Seahawks 20
Who Everyone Else Picked
Oren Shiri
Jason Bantle
Joseph Potter
Andrew Kermish
Tracy Porter
Wes Langley
Los Angeles Chargers 10-6-0
Versus
Las Vegas Raiders 4-12-0
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 15-2
Bantle Bowl Championships:
1 Bantle Bowl X (2024)
Bantle Bowl Appearances:
1 Bantle Bowl X (2024)
BFFL Playoff Record: 1-1
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: .573 47-35 is Millenial Menace's All Time Record from 2020-2024 with 47 wins in 82 total games played gives Millenial Menace a .573 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: 15-2 Millenial Menace went 15-2. They got the one seed in the 2024 BFFL Playoffs. They won the first round of the 2024 BFFL Playoffs to make Bantle Bowl X.
2025 BFFL Draft Keeper Options George's keeper options include a first round keeper on Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase who George used a seventh round keeper on in 2022 after his other worldly rookie season, a fifth on in 2023, and a third round keeper this past season in 2024, a first round keeper on Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill, a second round keeper on Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry, a fifth round keeper on Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White, a sixth round keeper on New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers, a seventh round keeper on Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, a eighth round keeper on Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris, a eleventh round keeper on Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown, a twelfth round keeper on Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, a thirteenth round keeper on Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins who George used a fourteenth round keeper on in 2024, a thiteenth round keeper on Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., and a fourteenth round keeper on Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker. George has at least five different keeper options that provide quality value. If he wants to repeat he should probably keep Ja'Marr Chase and Baker Mayfield. If they want to play the long-game and post a winning record in the regular season year after year like I've done the past ten years, then using a twelfth round keeper on Brock Bowers and a thirteenth round keeper on either Nico Collins or Brian Thomas Jr. is the route to go.
Gangster Squad 10-7
Bantle Bowl Championships: 1
Bantle Bowl VIII (2022)
Bantle Bowl Appearances: 3
Bantle Bowl VI (2020) Bantle Bowl VIII (2022), and Bantle Bowl X (2024)
BFFL Playoff Record: 4-6
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 decade 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 decade. I can get to .500 in the playoffs with a win in Bantle Bowl X or I will end up falling to 4-6 with all 6 playoff losses coming to the eventual league champion.
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: .617 100-62 is Gangster Squad's All Time Record from 2015-2024 with 100 wins in 162 total games played gives Gangster Squad a .617 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: 10-7 My team handled business. Gangster Squad locked up the 3 seed in the 2024 BFFL Playoffs. Gangster Squad won the playoff game putting my team at 100 career wins. Gangster Squad faces Millenial Menace in Bantle Bowl X. I was the first owner to score over 200 points in the championship game and end up losing.
2025 BFFL Draft Keeper Options My keeper options include a first round keeper on Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, a first round keeper on Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, a fourth round keeper on Chicago Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore, a fifth round keeper on Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, a sixth round keeper on Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, a seventh round keeper on Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride, a eighth round keeper on Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery, a tenth round keeper on Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers who was my twelfth round keeper, a eleventh round keeper on Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy, and a twelfth round keeper on Clevleand Browns tight end David Njoku. I am going to use one of my keepers on Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, but am unsure of who I will use the other keeper on. Whenever I feel a player peaks, I often trade that player away in a trade package and just reload with a different player. I did this in 2022 when I traded Austin Ekeler for league MVP Patrick Mahomes and I did the same thing this year trading away CeeDee Lamb to get a first round pick which I used on Lamar Jackson.
The Chosen One's 10-7
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: 9-7
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. The Chosen One's ended up rebounding making the most draft day trades in 2024.
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: .592 213-146-1 is The Chosen One's All Time Record from 2003-2024 with 213 wins in 360 total games with The Chosen One's having a .592 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: 9-6 The Chosen One's ended the year 9-6. They won the points tiebreaker over Threat Level Midnight for the last wild card even though Threat Level Midnight swept them in head-to-head play. The Chosen One's will play The Avengers.
2025 BFFL Draft Keeper Options Jason's keeper options include a first round keeper on Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, a second round keeper on Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, a third round keeper on Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane, a fourth round keeper on New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams, a tenth round keeper on James Conner, a tenth round keeper on Brock Purdy who Jason used a twelfth round keeper on last year, and a sixteenth round keeper on T.J. Hockenson. Jason will probably use a first round keeper on Joe Burrow and a second round keeper on Saquon Barkley since he's a Cincinnati Bengals fan. De'Von Achane is also in consideration, but I doubt Jason relinqueshes Burrow without a significant return and Barkley is just the untouchable on The Chosen One's in 2025.
Previously Ranked: 4th
The Avengers 10-7
Bantle Bowl Championships:
0
Bantle Bowl Appearances: 2
Bantle Bowl III (2017) and Bantle Bowl VII (2021)
BFFL Playoff Record: 2-3
The Avengers went 12-3 securing the 2 seed in 2017 and then went 10-5 getting the 3 seed in 2021. The Avengers were 2-0 in the Semfiinals before losing to me this year, but 0-2 in Bantle Bowls.
Manager:
Gary Bantle
Rival: Jason Bantle
All Time Winning Percentage: .458 153-179-2 is The Avengers' All Time Record from 2003-2024 with 153 wins in 334 total games played gives The Avengers a .458 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: 10-7 The Avengers were projected to go 7-8 at the beginning of the year. They ended their season 10-5 and clinched the 2 seed. The Avengers ended the year at 10-7.
2025 BFFL Draft Keeper Options Gary's keeper options include a first round keeper on Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, a second round keeper on Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams, a third round keeper on Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans, a third roun keeper on last years fifth round keeper Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love, a fourth round keeper on Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs, a sixth round keeper on Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs, a eighth round keeper on Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift, a ninth round keeper on Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson, a fourteenth round keeper on Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey, and a fourteenth round keeper on Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed who Gary used a sixteenth round keeper on last year. This team has five star players. My guess is Gary will use his first round keeper on Josh Allen and his fourth round keeper on Josh Jacobs. He knows he's could be losing Kyren Williams and will try to retain Jordan Love in the second round since Gary is a die hard Green Bay Packers fan at heart.
Previously Ranked: 3rd
Taco Corp 8-9
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: .348 56-95 is Taco Corp's All Time Record from 2015-2024 with 56 wins in 161 total games played gives Taco Corp a .348 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: 8-9 Taco Corp ended the regular season 6-9. They got the final spot in the consolation pool. Taco Corp won both consolation games and got the first pick in the 2025 BFFL Draft as well as a final 8-9 record on the year. Last year, Selvan used a third round keeper on Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs and a fourteenth round keeper on Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta leading up to the 2024 BFFL Draft. Selvan, the owner of Taco Corp would have to give up a twelfth round keeper to keep LaPorta once again and a first round keeper, the number one pick in the 2025 BFFL Draft to keep Gibbs. Why would Selvan give up that pick to take Gibbs when he can just take Gibbs or one of the two quarterbacks I drafted in the first round that I cannot use a keeper on next year.
2025 BFFL Draft Keeper Options Selvan's keeper options include a first round keeper on Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, a second round keeper on Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown, a fourth round keeper on San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel, a fifth round keeper on Buffalo Bills running back James Cook, a sixth round keeper on Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins who got benched, a seventh round keeper on New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson, a eighth round keeper on Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey, a tenth round keeper on Chicago Bears wide receiver Keenan Allen, a twelfth round keeper on Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta, a thirteenth round keeper on New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry, a thirteenth round keeper on Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette, and a fifteenth round keeper on the Kansas City Chiefs defense. The two players that I'm going to recommend using keepers on are Ladd McConkey and Sam LaPorta. It would only cost Taco Corp an eighth round pick to keep Ladd McConkey and it would only cost a twelfth round pick to keep Sam LaPorta. These are the two players on Taco Corp's roster with the most long-term upside from a keeper/dynasty standpoint as well as the two players Selvan is most likely to get a premium return for in a trade in the 2025 BFFL Draft.
Previously Ranked: 6th
H.B.'s Vinegar Strokes 9-8
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: .498 136-137 is H.B.'s Vinegar Strokes All Time Record from 2008-2024 with 136 wins in 273 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: 9-8 H.B.'s Vinegar Strokes finished second in the league in scoring. They failed to reach their projected point total seven times this season. H.B. Vinegar's Stroke started 3-0 this year and still missed the playoffs due to an 8-7 finish. They were one of two owners with 200 points in the first week of the playoffs. They lost the fifth place game meaning H.B.'s Vinegar Strokes picks second in the 2025 BFFL Draft. H.B.'s Vinegar Strokes used a ninth round keeper on Kyler Murray and a tenth round keeper on Drake London before the 2024 BFFL Draft, so if he keeps either player it would cost a seventh round keeper to retain Kyler Murray and an eighth round keeper to retain Drake London
2025 BFFL Draft Keeper Options Heath's keeper options include a first round keeper on New York Jets running back Breece Hall, a second round keeper on Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson, a third round keeper on Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., a fourth round keeper on Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, a fifth round keeper on Los Angeles Rams wide receiver, a seventh round keeper on San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, a seventh round keeper on Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, a eighth round keeper on Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London, and a sixteenth round keeper on Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle. Since Heath inquired about possibly keeping a player for a second year in a row, my guess is he uses his fourth round keeper on Jayden Daniels with the other keeper being Kyler Murray or Drake London. George Kittle is also a keeper possibility, but with how volatile tight ends were this season in Fantasy, my guess is Heath goes with Jayden Daniels and Kyler Murray as his keepers using the 2025 BFFL Draft to load up on weapons with the resurgance at running back in 2024.
Previously Ranked: 5th
Car RamRod 7-10
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: .358 53-95 is Gravity Suck's All Time Record from 2015-2024 with 53 wins in 148 total games played gives Car RamRod a .358 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: 7-10 Gravity Sucks lost in the first round of the consolation pool, but won the seventh place game. This means Gravity Sucks will pick third overall in the 2025 BFFL Draft.
2025 BFFL Draft Keeper Options Andrew's keeper options include a first round keeper on Philadelpha Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, a sixth round keeper on Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith, a seventh round keeper on Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts, and a seventeenth round keeper on Minnesota Vikings kicker Will Reichard. Gravity Sucks can use up to two keepers, but Andrew only has three keeper options and has used only one of their two keepers in the past.
Previously Ranked: 8th
Threat Level Midnight 9-8
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: .606 105-68 is Threat Level Midnight's All Time Record from 2015-2024 with 105 wins in 173 total games played gives Threat Level Midnight a .606 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: 9-8 Threat Level Midnight ended the year as the five seed. They will pick fourth overall in the 2025 BFFL Draft after losing both consolation games.
2025 BFFL Draft Keeper Options Mitch's keeper options include a first round keeper on San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, a second round keeper on New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson, a third round keeper on Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, a fourth round keeper on Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, a fifth round keeper on Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper, a sixth round keeper on Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones, a seventh round keeper on New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers, a seventh round keeper on New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara after using a ninth round keeper on Kamara in 2024, an eighth round keeper on Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin, a tenth round keeper on Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud after Threat Level Midnight used a 2024 twelfth round pick to keep C.J. Stroud, a thirteenth round keeper on Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams, a fifteenth round keeper on Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, and a sixteenth round keeper on San Francisco 49ers kicker Jake Moody. Just because Moody is a keeper option doesn't mean he's in play. Threat Level Midnight is in a tough spot because the smart long-term strategy would be to stash C.J. Stroud and Bo Nix for five more years allowing Mitch to keep those quarterbacks late in the draft while also stockpiling the team with weapons. Mitch is a New Orleans Saints fan, so he may opt to use the seventh round keeper on Alvin Kamara.
Previously Ranked: 7th
One In A Williams 4-11
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: .453 63-76 is One In A Williams All Time Record from 2013-2024 while leaving from 2019-2021 before returning in 2022 with 63 wins in 139 total games played gives One In A Williams a .453 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: 4-11 One In A Williams entered the year the worst projected record in the BFFL in 2024. I had them winning one game on the season based on Yahoo projections for each team, but they won three games as underdogs making them 4-11 on the year. One In A Williams exceeded their projected point total five times this season which is pretty good for a team that was projected to be the worst in the league entering the year on Yahoo.
2025 BFFL Draft Keeper Options One In A Williams will probably use a third round keeper on Caleb Williams and either a ninth round keeper on Isiah Pacheco or a tenth round keeper on Sam Darnold. One In A Williams cut good bulk of players they drafted. Jimmy used a second round keeper on Bijan Robinson and he got CeeDee Lamb in a trade in last years draft after I used a second round keeper on CeeDee Lamb before moving him to Jimmy's team, so he cannot use keepers on those players as those players will hit the open market in the 2025 BFFL Draft. Jimmy will pick sixth overall in the 2025 BFFL Draft.
Tua's My Njigba 1-14
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: .453 48-58 is Tua's My Njigba's All Time Record from 2018-2024 with 48 wins in 106 total games played gives Tua's My Njigba a .453 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: 1-14 Tua's My Njigba only won one game in week 4. Tua's My Njigba will pick fifth in the 2025 BFFL Draft after going 1-14 in 2024.
2025 BFFL Draft Keeper Options Riley has a ton of keeper options, a first round keeper on Jonathan Taylor, a second round keeper on Anthony Richardson, Riley could also use a first round keeper on Amon-Ra St. Brown after using a third round keeper on Amon-Ra St. Brown, a fourth round keeper on Tua Tagovailoa, a eighth round keeper on Rome Oduzne, a tenth round keeper on Drake Maye, and a thirteenth round keeper on Brian Robinson Jr. I would use those two keepers on Maye and Robinson by stocking up on talent in the first few rounds. Riley also changes his team name each year and if he keeps Maye he will probably rename his team Mayeflower and the logo will involve Drake Maye's face on the flag of a sailing ship with pilgrims to Plymouth Massachusetts. Riley has six months to decide which two keepers to keep.
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. Trey Pipkins III is out this week, but Jamaree Salyer should do a good job in relief of Trey Pipkins III.
Los Angeles has Ladd McConkey their 2024 second round pick out of Georgia at flanker wide receiver. Quentin Johnston, the Los Angeles Chargers 2023 first round pick out of TCU went from being the number four wide receiver at the beginning of the year to the secondary wide receiver on the Los Angeles Chargers depth chart. Josh Palmer went from the secondary wide receiver to the slot receiver. D.J. Chark is the number four wide receiver for depth. 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.
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. Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst have both been injured and that has hurt the Los Angeles Chargers. Hayden Hurst will be activated off of injured reserve and will play in week 16. Will Dissly practiced this week and will be back as the Los Angeles Chargers will have all three tight ends at full health in week 17.
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. Hassan Haskins is the third string running back. Kimani Vidal a rookie running back that was drafted in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft after playing on the Troy Trojans leading the Trojans to back-to-back Sun Belt Championships in the Sun Belt Conference. J.K. Dobbins got injured in week 12. J.K. Dobbins got placed on injured reserve and will be out in weeks 13-16. J.K. Dobbins did get cleared to play in week 17.
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. Denzel Perryman got injured in week 11 and looks like he will be out in week 12. That means Daiyan Henley and Junior Colson would start at 3-4 middle linebacker in week 14 after the Los Angeles Chargers activated Junior Colson off of injured reserve heading into week 14. Denzel Perryman missed weeks 12-16 and is on pace to miss week 17.
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 in the first two games of 2024 after struggling with the Tennessee Titans in 2023. Los Angeles has Derwin James at strong safety and Alohi Gilman at starting free safety. Los Angeles did not have Asante Samuel Jr. or Kristian Fulton in week 9.
Los Angeles started Cam Hart at field cornerback whose looked amazing as a rookie in relief of Asante Samuel Jr. to the point where Cam Hart might be the Los Angeles Chargers number one cornerback for the forseeable future. Tarheeb Still the Los Angeles Chargers 2024 fifth round pick out of Maryland has also been excellent showing up and dominating as the number two boundary cornerback. Elijah Molden was the nickel cornerback next to Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still in week 9. Those three cornerbacks will start again in week 10. Los Angeles had Cam Hart at field cornerback, Kristian Fulton at boundary cornerback, and Tarheeb Still at nickel cornerback in week 11.
Cam Hart suffered a concussion in the saturday practice before the Monday Night game in week 12. Los Angeles played Kristian Fulton at field cornerback, Tarheeb Still at boundary cornerback, and Elijah Molden at nickel cornerback. Alohi Gilman got injured at free safety in week 12 too. Cam Hart is out in week 16, but will make his return in week 17.
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.
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 missed the last four games. Aidan O'Connell could be back in week 13. Gardner Minshew II suffered a season ending injury, so Desmond Ridder is now the backup to Aidan O'Connell.
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. Jakobi Meyers is dealing with an injury.
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. Zamir White and Alexander Mattison are both injured at running back. Ameer Abdullah could be a bell cow for the Las Vegas Raiders down the stretch. Zamir White is injured and out. Ameer Abdullah and Sincere McCormick are out. Alexander Mattison is back this week. Alexander Mattison and Ameer Abdullah split reps in this game.
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. Maxx Crosby is out for the year.
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. Robert Spillane did not practice on Wednesday leading up to week 9 and Tommy Eichenberg is on injured reserve. The Las Vegas Raiders might be in trouble at middle linebacker in week 9.
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. Nate Hobbs got injured against the Cincinnati Bengals in week 9. Nate Hobbs missed week 11. Nate Hobbs is out in week 12, but so is Jakorian Bennett the nickel cornerback. Both Nate Hobbs and Jakorian Bennett should be out in week 13. Nate Hobbs missed week 16.
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: Los Angeles is a 4.5 point favorite at -4.5. The over or under is 41.5 with 68% of the public betting on Los Angeles. The money line is -190 for Los Angeles and +160 for Las Vegas. Take Los Angeles to win and to cover with the under at -190. Bet $210 on this game for Los Angeles and win up to $400 as long as the Chargers win by 5 or more.
Final Score Chargers 27 Raiders 13
Who Everyone Else Picked
Oren Shiri
Jason Bantle
Joseph Potter
Andrew Kermish
Tracy Porter
Wes Langley
Minnesota Vikings 14-2-0
Versus
Detroit Lions 14-2-0
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 Detroit.
Pompieni: Welcome to Sunday Night Football. Bob Pompieni along with Mark Madden and Andrew Filiponi covering ESPN Monday Night Football on KDKA from Detroit. Minnesota heads to Detroit for week 18. Who do you guys like?
Madden: I like Minnesota. Sam Darnold is more manly than Jared Goff, so Minnesota gets home field.
Filiponi: Dan Campbell is more manly than Kevin O'Connell. Detroit gets home field. See what I did there Mark Madden and Rich Walsh?
Walsh: Detroit got Z'Darius Smith out of Cleveland. Detroit wins on that alone.
Pompieni: Yeah, Tonight's game is brought to you by the Ford. Look at the business savy moves Shelia Ford has made.
Madden: No tonights game is brought to you by the Little Ceasar's. Pizza Pizza!
Pompieni: Tonight's game is brought to you by Ford and Little Ceasar's. We'll be back with kickoff after this.
Why the Minnesota Vikings Will Win: Minnesota Vikings starting quarterback Sam Darnold has Cam Robinson at left tackle atfter Christian Darrisaw tore his ACL and MCL in week 8, 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. That's why Minnesota traded for Cam Robinson after their 2021 first round pick Christian Darrisaw got paid. Minnesota drafted Oklahoma left tackle Walter Rouse in the sixth round for depth at left tackle, but he struggled in his NFL debut. 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. Daniel Jones, the former New York Giants starting quarterback who handed Kevin O'Connell a loss in Kevin O'Connell's only playoff game as a head coach wanted to go to a contender, so Minnesota signed Daniel Jones for only $375,000.
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. T.J. Hockenson is Minnesota's starting tight end and he will make his season debut. Johnny Mundt and Josh Oliver will split reps as the number two tight end with the other guy being the third string tight end. Minnesota has Aaron Jones as their starting running back and Ty Chandler as the backup running back. Josh Oliver is out at tight end in week 12.
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 Jonathan Greenard at 3-4 right outside linebacker, Blake Cashman at 3-4 middle linebacker, Ivan Pace Jr. at 3-4 middle linebacker, and Andrew Van Ginkel 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. Blake Cashman missed week 9, but he's gonna finally be back from his injury in week 10. Ivan Pace Jr. got injured in week 9. Blake Cashman and Ivan Pace Jr. are both questionable in week 10.
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 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. Taylor Decker did not practice on Monday or Tuesday.
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 Williams should be back from his two game suspension in week 10. 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. Sam LaPorta missed week 11, but returned in week 12. Kalif Raymond will be out at slot receiver in week 13. David Montgomery is out for the season.
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. Detroit will start Z'Darius Smith at 4-3 right end and will move Josh Pascal their 2022 second round pick over to 4-3 left end with the injuries to Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport. James Houston IV is the situational pass rusher as well as the main backup 4-3 defensive end despite starting a few games at 4-3 left end due to injuries 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. Levi Onwuzirike and Mekhi Wingo got injured in week 13. Alim McNeil got injured again and he's out for the season.
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. Malcolm Rodriguez tore his ACL, so Jalen Reeves-Maybin will nw be the backup outside linebacker.
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 cornerback, but Robertson isn't that good, so I'll believe it when I see it. Terrion Arnold missed week 12, but should be back in week 13. The big question is whether Carlton Davis plays after not practicing on Monday and Tuesday. Carlton Davis got injured in his first game back and he is out for the season.
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 2.5 point favorite at 2.5. The over or under is 56.5 with 58% of the public betting on Detroit. The money line is +125 for Minnesota and -150 for Detroit. Take Detroit to win and cover with the over at -150. Bet $250 on this game for Detroit and win up to $400 as long as the Lions win by 3 points or more.
Final Score Lions 30 Vikings 27
Who Everyone Else Picked
Oren Shiri
Jason Bantle
Joseph Potter
Andrew Kermish
Tracy Porter
Wes Langley
Click the links for access to your favorite NFL Teams.
The Utopia Of Sports
Texas 13-2
Penn State 13-2
Notre Dame 13-1
Ohio State 12-2
Oregon 13-1
Georgia 11-3
Boise State 12-2
Arizona State 11-3
Tennesseee 10-3
Indiana 11-2
SMU 11-3
Clemson 10-4
Millenial Menace 15-2
Gangster Squad 10-7
The Chosen One's 10-7
The Avengers 10-7
Taco Corp 8-9
H.B.'s Vinegar Strokes 9-8
Car RamRod 7-10
Threat Level Midnight 9-8
One In A Williams 4-11
Tua's My Njigba 1-14
