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Just when you think you have things figured out, you get a big WEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLL!

That pretty much sums up the first week of every NFL season. We have an off-season full of time to put together our expectations on what we will see. Then the curveballs…

“This is it – the Browns are back! They will easily find their way to a division title and maybe even a Super Bowl berth!”

WEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLL!

“After an off-season of the Double-Doink looming over their heads, the Bears are hungrier than ever and could make a Super Bowl run of their own!”

WEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLL!

It doesn’t look like things will get any easier as we have a strong slate of even matchups this week. But, someone has to make the predictions!

Week 2 – HERE WE GO!!!!

(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

16 – BALTIMORE over Arizona – The Ravens looked unstoppable last week, but that was against the Dolphins. Lucky for the competition doesn’t exactly make too much of a jump this week.

15 – HOUSTON over Jacksonville – The Texans defense will have something to prove after last week. A home debut against a rookie backup starting QB should do the trick.

14 – CAROLINA over Tampa Bay – If you haven’t figured it out yet, this game will be another example as to why it’s time for the Bucs to move on from Jameis Winston.

13 – New England over MIAMI – The Dolphins have typically played the Pats tough in Miami. But, I mean, come on…

12 – TENNESSEE over Indianapolis – It’s safe to say that no one expected the Titans to perform the way they did in Cleveland last week. Look for them to keep that momentum going in their home debut.

11 – GREEN BAY over Minnesota – This game will be pretty similar to week 1 for the Packers – low-scoring against a top defense, but Aaron Rodgers is able to pull one out.

10 – Dallas over WASHINGTON – The Cowboys embarrassed the Giants enough last week that we got our first glimpse of a first round QB…that may happen again this week.

9 – Los Angeles Chargers over DETROIT – Melvin who?

8 – Seattle over PITTSBURGH – It doesn’t look like Juju will pan out as a #1 WR the way he did a #2. My BOLD PREDICTION for this week is the THE STEELERS WILL FINISH LAST IN THE AFC NORTH THIS SEASON.

7 – LOS ANGELES RAMS over New Orleans – I, for one, can’t wait for the first pass interference called in this NFC Championship Game rematch! 

6 – Kansas City over OAKLAND – The Raiders proved that their offense doesn’t need AB, but the young defense may not be able to stop the Chiefs enough.

5 – Cleveland over NEW YORK JETS – After an off-season of expectations, the Browns NEED this Monday Night win!

4 – CINCINNATI over San Francisco – The Bengals showed some signs of life in Seattle last week. Look for them to keep that going.

3 – NEW YORK GIANTS over Buffalo – Random observation, the Bills will start the season with two road games in the same stadium…

2 – ATLANTA over Philadelphia – The Falcons are that team that you know you should go against…but you also know that once you do, they’ll play the best game of their season. 

1 – DENVER over Chicago – I think it’s safe to say that the Bears offense isn’t ready to go up against the Broncos defense in Dever

Seven months. Seven…long…months. We’ve had to go seven months without football!

No more though! Football is back!

We are just hours away from the 100th season of the NFL being kicked off by the greatest rivalry that this wonderful league has created in the best city the league calls home – Bears…Packers…in Chicago!

Not only does football itself return, but we are back for another year of Confidence Picks! Welcome back! It’s been an interesting off-season to say the least – running backs holding out, thein-game retirement of a potential Hall of Fame quarterback, and the realization of the dangers of cryotherapy.

With all of that going on, we have just been waiting, waiting to have more than just random off-field drama to focus on! Waiting for the games to start!

We’ve been waiting long enough, so let’s get to it!

Week 1 – HERE WE GO!!!!

(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)

16 – NEW ENGLAND over Pittsburgh – Some things never change…but why won’t the Patriots ever change?!?

15 – CLEVELAND over Tennessee – Seeing the Browns this high on the board would seem like a joke in recent history. Not this year though!

14 – LOS ANGELES CHARGERS over Indianapolis - In order for the Colts to have a chance, they’ll need to rely on the golden arm of Andrew L…oh…

13 – NEW ORLEANS over Houston – Days before going up against the Saints offense may not have been the best time to send Jadeveon Clowney away!

12 – SEATTLE over Cincinnati – Andy Dalton will also agree that it was a horrible time for the Texans to trade Clowney!

11 – PHILADELPHIA over Washington – For a team that won the Super Bowl just a year ago, not enough people are talking about the Eagles right now.

10 – CHICAGO over Green Bay – The season kicks off with what I think will be the way it ends, a Bears win! My first BOLD PREDICTION of the year is that THE WINNER OF THE SUPER BOWL WILL BE DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA BEARS.

9 – DALLAS over New York Giants – If the Giants use Saquon to his fullest potential and can catch a break or two they just may be able to…oh, Zeke’s back? Oh…nevermind.

8 – OAKLAND over Denver – The 8 catches for 120 yards and a TD or two that are coming will be the best way for everyone to forget about AB’s helmet and cryofreezing BS of the off-season.

7 – Baltimore over MIAMI – After the Cardinals took a QB with the first pick in the draft, they traded Josh Rosen to Miami…who will probably take a QB with the first pick in the draft next year.

6 – TAMPA BAY over San Francisco – This is a game full of potential, one that the Bucs are lucky enough to be the home team for.

5 – Kansas City over JACKSONVILLE – A big story this season will be the Jags – will they be the 2018 team or the 2017 team? I think they’ll be better than last year, which is why they will at least keep it close against the AFC favorites.

4 – NEW YORK JETS over Buffalo – Don’t sleep on the Jets defense this year!

3 – MINNESOTA over Atlanta – This could very well be the best matchup of the weekend – and a possible playoff preview!

2 – Los Angeles Rams over CAROLINA – The Panthers just have too many questions to run with the Rams. Their only hope is that weather conditions may slow down the Rams offense.

1 – Detroit over ARIZONA – The Kilff Kingsbury Air-Raid offense is something that I will have to see to believe in the NFL.

It’s the most wonderful time of the NFL off-season! It just goes to show how popular football is in this country – playoffs going on in the NBA and NHL, baseball is still in its opening month excitement, but the sports world seems to be fixated on what will be going on this weekend in Nashville.

This time last year it looked like this draft had to be as boring as the dreaded 2013 draft was. Definitely not the case! The amount of story lines heading into this year’s “Annual Selection Meeting” does not disappoint.

• Will the Cardinals take a QB first overall just a year after taking a quarterback 10th overall?
• Have the Giants found the Eli Manning heir apparent?
• Who moves up? Who moves down?
• The Raiders always provide drama and/or confusion with their draft strategy…and they pick THREE times!!

So to get ready to boo the commissioner 32 times in one night, let’s take a look at how the first round could go Thursday Night!

With the first pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, the Arizona Cardinals select…

1 – ARIZONA CARDINALS – Kyler Murray – QB – Oklahoma

There has been a whole lot of “will they, won’t they” going around with this pick. Most of the reports recently say that the Cardinals will look in the direction of someone other than the Heisman Trophy winning quarterback.

I don’t buy it.

Josh Rosen is not the answer. I said it when he was drafted, he gives off a very strong Ryan Leaf vibe…not something you want in your organization. Murray has the potential to be the star leader that this young team needs. Well…young team plus Larry Fitzgerald…a solid plus for a quarterback to have!

2 – SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS – Nick Bosa – EDGE – Ohio St.

People have called him the best prospect in the league and he will be more productive than his brother, Joey. Better than 28.5 sacks in 35 games? I’m sure the 9ers will accept that.

3 – DENVER BRONCOS (Mock Trade w/NYJ) – Drew Lock – QB - Missouri

It happens every year, and you know it will happen again this year. Teams always make crazy moves up for a quarterback. This year will be no different with all of the names available.

This year, it will be the Broncos that make that move to get a guy that really seems to be a “John Elway” guy. As for the Jets, they move down seven spots, pick up a decent haul of draft capital and will possibly still get a defensive starter…(foreshadowing!)

4 – OAKLAND RAIDERS – Josh Allen - EDGE

Yes the Raiders have removed their scouting team from the War Room, yes they have announced that they are planning on doing something “surprising” But what if all of this buzz is just a way to get teams to think they’ll take a quarterback when really they just want to get a team to move up, take a quarterback, and ensure that the Raiders will get Allen as a Khalil Mack replacement. Maybe the Raiders…as hard as I’m sure it is for you to accept…know what they’re doing!

5 - TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS – Devin White – LB -LSU

All of the hype leading up to the draft on the defensive side has been centered on Bosa, Allen and Quinnen Williams, but don’t sleep on White. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bucs find the Defensive Rookie of the Year falling in their lap.

6 – NEW YORK GIANTS – QUINNEN WILLIAMS – DT - Alabama

Speaking of falling in their lap! The Giants do need to start thinking of an Eli succession plan, but they have two picks this first round and don’t need to reach for a quarterback here. Instead, they just settle for the Aaron Donald-like Williams who many consider to be the best player in the draft.

7 – JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS – Jawaan Taylor – T - Florida

You just spent a LOT of money on a quarterback…protect him at all costs!

8 – DETROIT LIONS – Rashan Gary – DE - Michigan

Medical questions are starting to come up on Gary but the Lions look past that to get a potential Pro Bowler who won’t need to go too far from his dorm room to make it to work.

9 – BUFFALO BILLS – T.J. Hockenson – TE - Iowa

Josh Allen (the quarterback taken last year, not the linebacker taken this year…this is confusing!) anyway, the Bills' Allen can chuck the ball 70 yards with ease. Not every play calls for that though, so the Bills get the underneath insurance that he needs.

10 – NEW YORK JETS (Mock Trade w/DEN) – Montez Sweat – EDGE – Mississippi St.

The Jets make out like bandits in this scenario, getting a ton of picks from Denver and still grab the edge rusher that they need.

11 – CINCINNATI BENGALS – Brian Burns – EDGE – Florida. St.

Some have said the Bengals may look to snag a quarterback here, but Andy Dalton isn’t exactly waiting on his AARP card and next year’s draft is much more quarterback heavy. So instead, the Bengals reach a bit to grab someone to get to Big Ben and Baker.

12 – GREEN BAY PACKERS – Ed Oliver – DT - Houston

Possibly the steal of the draft as the Packers sit tight and come away with a smaller but much more athletic B.J. Raji replacement.

13 – MIAMI DOLPHINS – Jonah Williams – G - Alabama

I have a feeling the Dolphins are setting themselves up to tank this year for a high pick next year for their franchise quarterback. Might as well be prepared with a new dominant lineman to protect whoever it will be.

14 – ATLANTA FALCONS – Christian Wilkins – DT - Clemson

Wilkins becomes the first of many Clemson defensive linemen off the board and heads to Atlanta when he should be able to help revitalize the Falcons defense.

15 – WASHINGTON REDSKINS – Marquise Brown - WR - Oklahoma

A lot of people have been talking about D.K. Metcalf after he showed how much of an athletic freak he is at the Combine but the Redskins are able to look past that to grab the best all-around receiver in the draft. But who will throw to him? Hhhmmm…stay tuned!

16 – CAROLINA PANTHERS – D.K. Metcalf – WR - Mississippi

Cam Newton needs someone to throw to other than his running back and tight end. Metcalf should fit in nicely with the Panthers offense.

17 – NEW YORK GIANTS (from CLE) – Dwayne Haskins – QB – Ohio St.

Patience pays off as the Giants are able to still get their guy along with Williams at 4. For the first time in a long time, it will be a good day to be a Giants fan!

18 – MINNESOTA VIKINGS – Andre Dillard – T – Washington St.

The Vikings should only be concerned with protecting a guy that they gave over $80 million guaranteed to. The Minnesota offense has weapons all around, now it is time to solidify the line.

19 – TENNESSEE TITANS – Clelin Ferrell – DE - Clemson

The hometown crowd will be able to witness live their beloved Titans come away with what could be a strong candidate for steal of the draft.

20 – PITTSBURGH STEELERS – Deandre Baker – CB - Georgia

Initial reaction would be that the Steelers need to go offense after losing both Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell. But with James Conner and JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh has the luxury of focusing on their defense.

21 – SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – Jaylon Ferguson – EDGE – Louisiana Tech

After trading Frank Clark, Seattle will be looking to fill the pass-rushing void and do so with a small –school gem that could be the next Clark at a MUCH cheaper price for the next 4-5 years.

22 – BALTIMORE RAVENS – Cody Ford – G - Oklahoma

So many people have Baltimore going wide receiver here, which is technically a “need.” But when you’ve chosen to go with a quarterback that can’t throw the ball, it makes a lot more sense to protect him than to give him a weapon that he won’t use.

23 – HOUSTON TEXANS – Devin Bush – LB - Michigan

Some are saying that Bush is the best linebacker in the draft – even ahead of fellow Devin, Devin White. If that is the case then the tough Texans defense just got a lot tougher to deal with.

24 – OAKLAND RAIDERS (from CHI) – Josh Jacobs – RB - Alabama

Reports having been coming out that Jon Gruden is in love with the idea of having Jacobs in his backfield. With the recent retirement of Marshawn Lynch, this pick seems like a foregone conclusion.

25 – PHILADELPHIA EAGLES – Byron Murphy – CB - Washington

The Eagles are rumored to be interested in Jacobs as well. But with him off the board they have to “settle” for arguably the best cornerback in the draft.

26 – INDIANAPOLIS COLTS – Dexter Lawrence – DT - Clemson

They say that a football team should be built from the inside out. The Colts will spend the last two drafts buying into that hypothesis big time!

27 – OAKLAND RAIDERS – Rock Ya-Sin – CB - Temple

Stop me if you’ve heard this before but the Raiders are on the clock! As for this pick, I mean come on, the man’s name just screams “Raiders”!

28 – LOS ANGELES CHARGERS – Greg Little – T - Mississippi

If Philip Rivers is going to stick around for a few more years, it is imperative that the Chargers build an offensive line that they have confidence in.

29 – SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (from KC) – Johnathan Abram – S – Mississippi St.

Seattle replaced Frank Clark with their first 1st round pick – now they try and replace Earl Thomas.

30 – GREEN BAY PACKERS (from NO) – Noah Fant – TE - Iowa

Aaron Rodgers loves his tight ends and he is getting a good one here for years to come.

31 – LOS ANGELES RAMS – Jefferey Simmons – DT – Mississippi St.

Simmons has been labeled as a top-10 talent by some, which means he should be able to properly replace the departing Ndamukong Suh.

32 – WASHINGTON REDSKINS (Mock Trade w/NE) – Daniel Jones – QB - Duke

Bill loves trading down and he will have several chances with Jones still on the board. The Redskins will be the ones to put the package that entices the Pats together for the Duke signal caller.

Folks, this is what we have been preparing for!

We have reached the last week of the NFL season, and the last week of the Confidence Pool. If you have been following along with my picks, you should be in pretty good shape right now and just need one more solid week to clinch a win in your season-long pool. But hey, might as well throw in a weekly payout on top of that as well, right?

Normally, Week 17 is always a tricky one. With only one week to go, playoff spots and seeds are almost entirely figured out already, which means that star players end up getting a Sunday off. Obviously, this adds a degree of difficulty when making your Confidence Pool picks.

Not this year!

Heading into the final week of the season it seems like only 2 or 3 of the 12 playoff seeds have been determined. No need to worry about whether Tom Brady will be in all game – he will. Will Patrick Mahomes be under center from start to finish in KC? Absolutely! Is Todd Gurley in the Rams backfield all game on Sunday! He…well…he won’t be…but we already know this and can prepare accordingly!

It has been another great football season! Thank you all for following along all year!

We’ll see you in September!

WEEK 17 – HERE WE GO!!

(HOME TEAM IN ALL CAPS)

16 – NEW ENGLAND over New York Jets – Another season another Patriots division title…ho-hum. Unfortunately for the Jets the Pats are still playing for a potential #1 seed.

15 – KANSAS CITY over Oakland – Re-read what I just wrote and replace Patriot references with Chief references and Jet references with Raider references … that.

14 – SEATTLE over Arizona – And with this…the Cardinals are officially “On The Clock.”

13 – PITTSBURGH over Cincinnati – These games are always intense and fun to watch. Will more than likely be a LOT more fun for Steeler fans to watch this time around, though.

12 – LOS ANGELES RAMS over San Francisco – The once seemingly invincible Rams are still fighting to get a first round bye. Lucky for them all they need to do is beat the 9ers at home.

11 – HOUSTON over Jacksonville – These two teams have reversed roles throughout the year. The Texans look like a legit threat for the Super Bowl.

10 – GREEN BAY over Detroit – The Lions WOULD have a chance in this one if the Packers would sit Aaron Rodgers. BUT, Rodgers is probably still on the “screw McCarthy” kick and will probably throw for 600 yards…ish.

9 – BALTIMORE over Cleveland – Baltimore is still playing for a division title which will be enough against the Browns…this year! My final BOLD PREDICTION of the 2018 season is that THE BROWNS WILL MAKE THE PLAYOFFS NEXT SEASON.

8 – Los Angeles Chargers over DENVER – Since the Chiefs will probably easily handle the Raiders prior to this game, the Chargers will be locked in the 5^th seed with nothing much to play for – but will be playing a team that has played like they have nothing to play for all year.

7 – NEW ORLEANS over Carolina – It doesn’t sound like Drew Brees will be playing since the Saints have already locked up the #1 seed. But Cam won’t be playing either and I have more faith in Teddy Bridgewater than (insert Panthers QB name here).

6 – Atlanta over TAMPA BAY – Everybody wants out of Tampa. That’s not exactly the best way to end the season with a win.

5 – MINNESOTA over Chicago – The Vikings will make the playoffs with a win here…unfortunately that (more than likely) means traveling to Chicago to play a healthier, rested, and just better Bears team.

4 – PHILADELPHIA over Washington – It wouldn’t surprise me if the Redskins end up playing their 17^th quarterback of the season in this game with how hard the Eagles will be coming.

3 – BUFFALO over Miami – A glimmer of hope for the Bills future…that’s pretty much all I can say here.

2 – TENNESSEE over Indianapolis – The regular season will end in Nashville with what could end up being two teams fighting for the last playoff spot…the way it should be.

1 – NEW YORK GIANTS over Dallas – The Cowboys are locked in the 4^th spot and really don’t have anything to play for…music to the Giants ears!