Sports Krunch w/DKROM

1. Week 15 Takeaways

Me: It’s time to put Drew Brees in the discussion as one of the five best QB’s of all time  

Hal: 49ers with a huge lost opportunity

2. Truth/Exaggeration 

-The Browns should fire BOTH Freddie Kitchens and John Dorsey

-The Jaguars problems will only get worse if they retain Tom Coughlin

-Matt Patricia will get fired after the 2020 season if the Lions fail to sniff the playoffs

-The Buccaneers should extend Shaq Barrett by February and give Jameis Winston the franchise tag as opposed to a multi-year deal

-The Indianapolis Colts should use their first-round pick on Utah State QB Jordan Love if he significantly impresses them during the pre-draft process

-With their offense re-discovering its 2018 mojo and their defense playing underrated football, the Kansas City Chiefs are the team the Ravens should fear the most in the playoffs

-Kirk Cousins, Dak Prescott, Fred Warner, and Justin Simmons should have made the Pro Bowl as opposed to Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Luke Kuechly and Earl Thomas

-ALL NFC playoff teams outside of New Orleans should be praying hard that the Saints don’t get the NFC’s #1 seed again

3. Game of the Week: Bills at Patriots

-Should anybody be surprised if the Bills pull off the upset in Foxboro on Saturday?

-Is there a case for Tre’Davious White as already being on the level of Stephon Gilmore?

-Key matchups: Cole Beasley vs. Devin McCourty, Jordan Phillips and Ed Oliver versus Patriots iOL

-Game picks

4. Game of the Week: Packers at Vikings

-While some people may see a high-scoring shootout in this game, I also think a defensive struggle is just as likely, especially given the inconsistencies of the Packers offense and Dalvin Cook looking iffy to play. What do you think?

-X Factors for each team

Packers: Kenny Clark, Jaire Alexander/Kevin King 

Vikings: Alexander Mattison, Eric Kendricks/Linval Joseph

-Key matchups: David Bakhtiari/Bryan Bulaga vs. Danielle Hunter/Everson Griffen, Brian O’Neill vs. Za’Darius Smith, Blake Martinez vs. Alexander Mattison  

-Game picks

5. Picks for remainder of Week 16 games

-Texans at Buccaneers

-Rams at 49ers

-Jaguars at Falcons

-Ravens at Browns

-Saints at Titans

-Panthers at Colts

-Bengals at Dolphins

-Giants at Redskins

-Steelers at Jets

-Lions at Broncos

-Raiders at Chargers

-Cowboys at Eagles

-Cardinals at Seahawks

-Chiefs at Bears

6. BOLD PREDICTIONS

ME: Matt Prater wins the game for the Lions on an NFL record 65-yard field goal

HAL: Mitchell Trubisky throws 3 TD’s, 250 pasisng yards, 100 rushing yards

7. Challenge Flags

ME: San Francisco 49ers…let last weekend’s loss against the Falcons hurt as bad as it can and let it be your fuel these final two games and in the playoffs

HAL: Jason Garrett, Doug Pederson: WHO WANTS THE NFC EAST????

1. Week 14 Takeaways

Me: 

-It is the gravest injustice in the history of the NFL that a 12-win team (49ers or Seahawks) will have to go on the road for a playoff game against a 7-8 wins team (Eagles or Cowboys). And even worse? The NFL hasn’t even considered reforming their flawed playoff seeding system, which allows a division winner a home game!!  

Matt: Niners with a statement

2. Truth/Exaggeration 

-The New England Patriots should be docked another first-round draft pick for being caught in an incident that is now being widely coined “Spygate 2.0”

-Barring an absolute implosion over these final three weeks, the Broncos must plan on sinking or swimming with Drew Lock as their unquestioned starting QB in 2020

-The Jets should NOT trade Jamal Adams unless they get a first-round pick, a fourth-round pick, AND an equally talented player in return

-IF Philip Rivers retires or departs in free agency, the Chargers MUST draft a QB in the first round if the right one is there

-If Thomas Dimitroff is retained as Falcons GM, that will be enough to get Josh McDaniels to leave New England this time and become the Falcons head coach

-The Browns should fire both HC Freddie Kitchens AND GM John Dorsey after this season

-Ryan Tannehill deserves serious MVP consideration if the Titans go on to win the AFC South and/or mount a deep playoff run

3. Game of the Week: Texans at Titans

-Do you anticipate this game being a shootout? An unexpected defensive struggle? Or somewhere in between?

-X Factors for each team.

Texans: Will Fuller (Me), Deshaun Watson (Matt)

Titans: A.J. Brown (Me), A.J. Brown (Matt) 

-Key matchups: Jeffery Simmons versus Texans iOL, Harold Landry versus Chris Clark, Derrick Henry vs. Texans DL 

-Game picks

4. Game of the Week: Bills at Steelers

-This game certainly has defensive struggle written all over it. Will it surprise you to see both offenses to have a somewhat conservative game plan to try not to turn the ball over and win the field position battle, especially early?

-X Factors for each team

Bills: Devin Singletary, Cole Beasley

Steelers: Diontae Johnson, T.J. Watt

-Key matchups: T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree vs. Dion Dawkins and Cody Ford, Ed Oliver vs. DeCastro/Pouncey 

-Game picks

5. Picks for remainder of Week 15 games

-Jets at Ravens

-Patriots at Bengals

-Dolphins at Giants

-Eagles at Redskins

-Bears at Packers

-Buccaneers at Lions

-Broncos at Chiefs

-Seahawks at Panthers

-Jaguars at Raiders

-Browns at Cardinals

-Vikings at Chargers

-Rams at Cowboys

-Falcons at 49ers

-Colts at Saints

6. BOLD PREDICTIONS

ME: Tom Brady throws for 400 yards and 4 TD’s

MATT: Deebo Samuel puts up numbers like Emmanuel Sanders did against New Orleans

7. Challenge Flags

ME: Jaguars and Cowboys: SHOW SOME FIGHT!!!!

MATT: Titans/Texans, Bills/Steelers…LIVE UP TO THE HYPE!!!

1. What is the latest you’re hearing on Tua Tagovailoa’s decision?

2. If Tua’s med checks don’t come back clean, how high can you see Oregon’s Justin Herbert being taken in round one? Do you think he will attend the Senior Bowl at the moment?

3. If you thought the 2014 WR class was epic, this exceptionally talented and deep 2020 WR class has the potential to be the best in NFL history. When you look at the very top of the WR board, you can make a case for either Jerry Jeudy or CeeDee Lamb being the first WR taken off the board. But since the NFL is falling increasingly in love with smaller, faster receivers that are a threat to take it to the house every time they touch the ball, would it surprise you if Henry Ruggs is the first WR taken? How many WR’s can you see being taken in round 1?

4. Another position group that looks pretty good in this draft is OT. The top two on most Draft Twitter boards at the moment are Georgia’s Andrew Thomas and Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs. But another guy who may be making the move up to that tier is Alabama’s Jedrick Wills. Dane Brugler had him as the top OT off the board in the mock draft he did last week. Can you see him being the consensus top OT in this class when all is set and done?

5. While Joe Burrow may indeed be the first overall pick (especially if the Bengals remain in that spot), most everybody agrees the best prospect period in this draft is edge rusher Chase Young from Ohio State. Aside from his freakish athleticism and stellar production, what makes him so special? 

6. Both you and I will be headed to Mobile, Alabama for the Senior Bowl next month. A position group I’m excited to watch down there is the DT group. Both South Carolina’s Javon Kinlaw and Alabama’s Raekwon Davis have accepted their invites, and Auburn’s Derrick Brown (currently the cream of the crop at this position) is expected by some to accept his as well. What makes Brown so intriguing and do you think Kinlaw, Davis, or anybody else has a shot to close the gap on him before draft day?

7. Which other position groups that we haven’t covered seem strong to you as far as this 2020 draft class goes?

1. Week 13 Takeaways

Me: 

-Regardless of how the Steelers season ends, give Mike Tomlin Coach of the Year honors!!!!

Hal: Could we be headed for a Super Bowl XLVII rematch in February? 

2. Truth/Exaggeration 

-The Broncos should put Von Miller and his MCL sprain on ice for the remainder of the season

-Tom Brady only has at MOST three years remaining in his illustrious NFL career

-If the Tennessee Titans make it to the playoffs, they’ll be the team NOBODY wants to face

-The Seahawks and 49ers are not only on a collision course to likely decide who wins the division in Week 17, but on a collision course to meet a third time in the playoffs as well!

-After Sunday’s loss to the Duck Hodges-led Steelers. Freddie Kitchens is back on the hot seat in Cleveland and a top candidate to be fired at season’s end

-Baylor head coach Matt Rhule should be the number one candidate for all NFL teams with a head coaching vacancy

3. Coaching Carousel 

-Most ideal potential landing spot for Ron Rivera: Jaguars, Giants, Falcons, Lions, Browns, Redskins, Cowboys

-Top candidates for Panthers job: 

4. Game of the Week: Ravens at Bills

-No defense other than the 49ers has done a better job against the Ravens offense this season. How capable is the Bills defense of doing as good or an even better job containing Lamar Jackson than the Niners did?

-How much more dangerous does the emergence of Ed Oliver make this Buffalo D? What does he add that wasn’t there earlier in the season?

-Everybody, and rightfully so, is praising the Ravens for designing a run first offense to suit Lamar Jackson’s strengths. But shouldn’t more people be saying the same about the Bills and what they’ve done with Josh Allen? According to ESPN’s Field Yates, both QB’s have a combined 1,407 rushing yards this season and on Sunday, that will represent the highest such total by opposing QB’s in the same game in NFL history. Josh Allen was heavily doubted by most (myself included) during the pre-draft process in 2018. How has he exceeded your expectations so far? 

-Key matchups: Tremaine Edmunds vs. Lamar Jackson, Ed Oliver versus any Ravens interior OL not named Marshal Yanda, Hollywood Brown vs. Tre’Davious White

-Game picks

5. Game of the Week: 49ers at Saints

-Just like the Patriots passing game has enormous questions outside of Julian Edelman, the Saints passing game has enormous questions outside of Michael Thomas. None of their two other main WR’s (Tre’Quan Smith and Ted Ginn, Jr.) have had more than two receptions in a game since Week 3. Do you see the 49ers coming up with a similar plan for this game as the Texans had for the Patriots last week  (double Thomas and daring Smith and Ginn to beat them)?

-The 49ers almost did everything right last week to beat the Ravens. The main difference in the game turned out to be arguably Jimmy Garoppolo’s first quarter fumble. Could a turnover-free performance from Garoppolo this week be THE key to a Niners win?

-Key matchups: Fred Warner vs. Alvin Kamara, DeForest Buckner vs. Eric McCoy, 

-Game picks

6. Game of the Week: Chiefs at Patriots

-What did the Texans do to get more than their fair share of big plays in the passing game against the Patriots secondary last weekend and how can the Chiefs do so?

-X Factors: How significant can the presence of Mecole Hardman be in this game? If there is a Patriots pass catcher not named Edelman or James White that can go off against this Chiefs pass defense, who is it?

-Key matchups: Tyreek Hill vs. Stephon Gilmore, Chiefs RB’s/Travis Kelce vs. Patriots LB’s

-Game picks

1. Week 12 Takeaways

Me: 

-The Los Angeles Rams are in trouble. BIG trouble. Their $112 million “franchise” QB Jared Goff has been exposed as a QB who is only as good as his offensive line is, as evidenced by the decline of that unit and his 0 TD/5 INT, 4 fumble, 58.9 passer rating month of November. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. WHY? First, they’re going to be hamstrung by the salary cap next season. According to OverTheCap.com, they will have over $95 million tied up into four players: Goff, Aaron Donald, Todd Gurley (who is WAY past his prime due to his arthritic knee), and Brandin Cooks…and dead cap charges make it impossible to release any of them. Next, most of their estimated $26 million in cap space will likely have to go toward re-signing Jalen Ramsey, for whom they traded away their 2020 AND 2021 first round picks. Thus, due to the lack of financial capital and high-end draft capital, it’s going to take a miracle of miracles for them to rebuild that OL and help get Jared Goff back on track these next few seasons…and to top it off, their best OL (Andrew Whitworth) is likely retiring after this season. NOBODY should be surprised if the Rams end up in the NFC West cellar as early as next season.

Matt: Three top teams did not play well: Patriots, Saints, Packers

2. Truth/Exaggeration 

-The Giants and Lions should put Saquon Barkley and Matthew Stafford, respectively, on the shelf for the remainder of the 2019 season

-The Tennessee Titans biggest offseason priority should be extending Ryan Tannehill

-Although Jason Garrett deserves to be fired, Jerry Jones remains the Cowboys biggest problem

-The Jaguars should go back to Gardner Minshew at QB to close out the season, especially if Nick Foles continues to lay eggs

-Lamar Jackson has now pulled ahead of Russell Wilson in the 2019 NFL MVP race

3. Coaching Carousel: Fire or Retain?

-Bengals: Zac Taylor

-Giants: Pat Shurmur

-Falcons: Dan Quinn

-Jaguars: Doug Marrone

-Lions: Matt Patricia

4. Game of the Week: 49ers at Ravens

-What makes this game so unique (aside from it being a potential Super Bowl preview) is that it’s a battle between an unstoppable force (Lamar Jackson and the Ravens O) against an immovable object (49ers defense). And BOTH sides have players and schemes that can PERFECTLY exploit weaknesses and nullify strengths of the other, don’t they?

-Is this arguably the biggest game of Jimmy Garoppolo’s career to date? Like if the Ravens score early and often, this will likely be the game where he MUST prove that he can go toe-to-toe with elite QB’s in a shootout

-Key matchups: Fred Warner vs. Lamar Jackson, D.J. Jones vs Ravens backup center

-Game picks

5. Game Predictions

-Bears at Lions

-Bills at Cowboys

-Saints at Falcons

-Browns at Steelers

-Jets at Bengals

-Eagles at Dolphins

-Titans at Colts

-Packers at Giants

-Redskins at Panthers

-Buccaneers at Jaguars

-Rams at Cardinals

-Chargers at Broncos

-Raiders at Chiefs

-Patriots at Texans

-Vikings at Seahawks

7. BOLD PREDICTIONS

ME: Cole Beasley goes berserk against his former team on Thanksgiving catching 10 passes for 150 yards and 2 TD

MATT: Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs combine for 300 yards and 3 TD’s

8. Challenge Flags

ME: Texans. Don’t make the same mistake the Cowboys did and scheme creative ways to get DeAndre Hopkins open against Stephon Gilmore

MATT: Browns. PROVE you’re not the same old Browns!!

Hal joins me to preview Week 12 of the 2019 NFL season. Topics include:

-Should the Falcons keep Dan Quinn if they continue this level of play?

-Time for the Duck in Pittsburgh?

-Why Dak Prescott has become a legit franchise QB

-Ideas for the new NFL CBA

-Breakdown of Sunday night's Packers/49ers game

...and A LOT MORE!!!!!!!!!

1. Week 10 Takeaways

Me: 

-So much for the “Fish Tank” in Miami. The Dolphins are now winners of two straight games…and their previous three losses have been by an average of eight points. This borderline bare cupboard of a roster is playing HARD football, and that is a testament to the incredible job Brian Flores is doing as head coach. The Dolphins MUST keep him for at least three more seasons. He has proven himself to be THE guy to see this rebuild through.  

Hal: The Steelers defense is for real

2. Truth/Exaggeration (Division race edition)

-AFC West (The Raiders have an EXCELLENT chance to overtake the Chiefs and win the AFC West)

CHIEFS REMAINING SCHEDULE RAIDERS REMAINING SCHEDULE

@ Chargers Bengals

BYE @ Jets

Raiders @ Chiefs

@ Patriots Titans

Broncos Jaguars

@ Bears @ Chargers

Chargers @ Broncos

-NFC North (The NFC North battle will likely be decided when these two teams meet Week 16 on Monday Night Football)

PACKERS REMAINING SCHEDULE VIKINGS REMAINING SCHEDULE

BYE Broncos

@ 49ers BYE

@ Giants @ Seahawks

Redskins Lions

Bears @ Chargers

@ Vikings Packers

@ Lions Bears

-NFC West (Whoever wins the Week 17 matchup, wins the NFC West)

49ERS REMAINING SCHEDULE SEAHAWKS REMAINING SCHEDULE

Cardinals Bye

Packers @ Eagles

@ Ravens Vikings

@ Saints @ Rams

Falcons @ Panthers

Rams Cardinals

@ Seahawks 49ers

-Given their easier schedule the rest of the way, the Eagles should be at least slightly favored to win the NFC East

3. GAME OF THE WEEK: Texans at Ravens

-The Texans defense did an excellent job minus JJ Watt against the Jaguars a few weeks ago. But know they face MVP candidate Lamar Jackson and that MONSTROUS Ravens ground attack. Do you have tremendous concern that the absences of both Watt AND Jadeveon Clowney will be felt big time in this game?

-The Ravens defense did a tremendous job a few weeks ago against Russell Wilson. What makes Deshaun Watson and the Texans O just as difficult for them to defend (if not more so)?

-Game deciding matchups: DeAndre Hopkins vs. Marcus Peters

-Game Predictions

4. Waiver Wire: Gem or Garbage?

-Nick Foles

-Brian Hill

-Derrius Guice

-Dede Westbrook

-Diontae Johnson

-Jacob Hollister

-Noah Fant

5. Game Predictions

-Steelers at Browns

-Bills at Dolphins

-Jets at Redskins

-Cowboys at Lions

-Broncos at Vikings

-Jaguars at Colts

-Falcons at Panthers

-Saints at Buccaneers

-Cardinals at 49ers

-Patriots at Eagles

-Bengals at Raiders

-Bears at Rams

-Chiefs at Chargers

7. BOLD PREDICTIONS

ME: Minkah Fitzpatrick picks off Baker Mayfield THREE times

HAL: Kyler Murray 4 TD’s (3 passing, 1 rushing), 300+ yards passing, 100+ yards rushing

8. Challenge Flags

ME: Rams. Every game from here on out is a playoff game. Either feed Todd Gurley 20 touches per game or come clean about his health once and for all

HAL: Jon Gruden and Raiders…MAKE THE PLAYOFFS!!!!

1. Week 9 Takeaways

Me: 

-12 teams have three wins or less at the halfway point of the season. Last season, only one team (Cardinals) finished the season with three wins or less. That number is almost certain to rise this year. It will be fascinating to see by how much and whether or not it forces certain teams to try to “tank” harder for a better draft pick.   

Matt: Home teams dominate after a season of historical success for road teams

2. Truth/Exaggeration

-Minkah Fitzpatrick is a serious contender for DPOY honors

-After the season, the Jaguars should trade either Nick Foles or Gardner Minshew 

-Cam Newton has played his last snap as a Carolina Panther 

-For the remainder of the season, the Chicago Bears must roll the dice and use Mitchell Trubisky the same way the Ravens used Lamar Jackson late last season

-Three years from now, Lamar Jackson will be regarded as THE best QB from the 2018 draft class

-The Niners and Saints are starting to separate themselves from the rest of the pack in the battle for the NFC

-Regardless of what happens the rest of this season, Vic Fangio has made a convincing case that the Broncos must ride with him for at least two more seasons as they move forward with their rebuild

3. GAME OF THE WEEK: Seahawks at 49ers

-The 49ers are for real, but they face arguably their biggest test of the season with Russell Wilson coming to town. And their vaunted defense suffered a major loss last week as LB Kwon Alexander suffered a season ending torn pectoral. How will the Niners compensate for his absence, specifically in this game?

-Russell Wilson is obviously having an MVP caliber season and a big reason why is he arguably has his most explosive WR duo to date in Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf. And that explosive duo just might have become an explosive trio as the Seahawks claimed Josh Gordon off waivers from the Patriots last week. How much more dangerous does Gordon make the Seattle aerial attack?

-Game deciding matchups: Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny/49ers LB’s in passing game, 49ers DL vs. Seahawks OL

-Game Predictions

4. This or That?

-Who would you give the NFL MVP to if the season ended today: Russell Wilson or Lamar Jackson?

-Who would you name NFL Assistant Coach of the Year if the season ended today: Robert Saleh or Greg Roman?

-Which city will be a better market for the Chargers should they decide to move again: London or St. Louis?

-Whose 2019 draft class looks more impressive so far: Jaguars or Raiders?

5. Game Predictions

-Chargers at Raiders

-Chiefs at Titans

-Bills at Browns

-Ravens at Bengals

-Lions at Bears

-Giants at Jets

-Falcons at Saints

-Cardinals at Buccaneers

-Dolphins at Colts

-Panthers at Packers

-Rams at Steelers

-Vikings at Cowboys

6. BOLD PREDICTIONS

ME: Christian McCaffrey totals over 300 scrimmage yards

MATT: Kyler Murray and Jameis Winston combine for 9 TD’s

7. Challenge Flags

ME: Kirk Cousins, SILENCE THE DOUBTERS AND WIN A CLOSE GAME IN THE FOURTH QUARTER!!!!!

MATT: Browns and Jets, FIRE YOUR COACHES THIS WEEEKEND!!!!!!!!!

1. Week 8 Takeaways

Me: 

-As Herm Edwards famously said “You play to win the game.” And it’s a MAJOR disappointment that many teams, in this new, uber-aggressive, offensive centric NFL still don’t get the point. Matt Nagy, WHY did you take a knee with 43 seconds left and one timeout left rather than gain more yards to make the game winning FG attempt easier. Broncos OC Rich Scangarello, WHY run a predictable draw on 3rd-and-5 rather than go for the kill to get the first down to ice the game? And Andy Reid, on a night when your defense struggled to contain Aaron Rodgers and Aaron Jones, AND when Matt Moore played very efficient football in place of Patrick Mahomes, WHY DID YOU PUNT on 4th and 3 near midfield with three minutes left in the game??

Hal: Welcome back Drew Brees! Cooper Kupp is on fire!

2. Midseason Awards

Honor David Hal

MVP Aaron Rodgers Aaron Rodgers

Offensive POY Dalvin Cook Russell Wilson

Defensive POY Stephon Gilmore Shaq Barrett

Offensive ROY Gardner Minshew Josh Jacobs

Defensive ROY Nick Bosa Nick Bosa

Comeback POY Cooper Kupp Cooper Kupp

Coach Of The Year Frank Reich Bill Belichick

Assistant Coach Of The Year Robert Saleh (49ers DC) Robert Saleh (49ers DC)

3. Truth/Exaggeration

-If the Bears continue to implode, both Ryan Pace AND Matt Nagy should be fired

-The relationship between Jamal Adams and the Jets has suffered irreparable harm

-In the offseason, the Bengals should try to trade Andy Dalton for a second or third-round pick before they release him

-The new pass interference challenge rule is worthless and will be scrapped before next season

-The Titans should re-sign Ryan Tannehill regardless of what their 2020 draft plans are at QB

-The Broncos should release Joe Flacco after this season and make 2020 mainly about helping Drew Lock become successful and “building the nest” so to speak around him

4. GAME OF THE WEEK: Patriots at Ravens

-With Nick Chubb running for 121 yards against the Pats last week, how ominous of a sign is it for the Patriots defense going up against the electric Lamar Jackson and that run-centric Ravens offense? Is the Ravens offense the biggest challenge for this Patriots defense so far this season? 

-Bill Belichick always makes offenses beat him with their weakest link, so you can expect the Patriots to stack the box early and often to take away the run. That said, that could leave an opening for the Ravens to exploit in the middle of the field with their stud second-year TE Mark Andrews. And as we saw last week, the Patriots LB’s still struggle to cover TE’s so they may have their hands full with Andrews as well, no?

-Game-deciding matchups: Stephon Gilmore vs. Mark Andrews, Ravens OL vs. Patriots DL

-Game Predictions

5. Waiver Wire: Gem or Garbage?

-Kenyan Drake

-Mark Walton

-Darius Slayton

-Chris Conley

-Jonnu Smith

6. Game Predictions

-49ers at Cardinals

-Texans at Jaguars (London, 9:30 AM ET)

-Redskins at Bills

-Vikings at Chiefs

-Jets at Dolphins

-Bears at Eagles

-Colts at Steelers

-Titans at Panthers

-Lions at Raiders

-Buccaneers at Seahawks

-Browns at Broncos

-Packers at Chargers

-Cowboys at Giants

7. BOLD PREDICTIONS

ME: Deshaun Watson throws for 350+ yards and 3 TD, but Gardner Minshew outduels him, throwing for 400+ yards and 4 TD

HAL: Ravens are going to become the first team to score 20+ points against the Patriots this season, and Lamar Jackson throws three TD’s!!!

1. Week 7 Takeaways

Me:

-Four weeks ago, virtually every analyst and prognosticator (myself included) was calling Kirk Cousins a wasted signing for the Vikings. Fast forward to now, he’s made us all look like IDIOTS!!! The last three weeks, Cousins has completed 75.6% of his passed for 976 yards, 10 TD and 1 INT. He also is now tied for the league lead in yards per pass attempt AND he became the ONLY QB in NFL history with at least three straight games of at least 300 passing yards and a QBR of 130.0 or better. Nothing makes me happier than when players prove us wrong…so BRAVO Kirk Cousins and keep it up!!!

Hal: The re-emergence of Aaron Rodgers and the Packers passing attack. Is Kyle Allen the new Dak Prescott and Cam the new Romo?

2. Truth/Exaggeration

-The Indianapolis Colts should be a team NOBODY wants to play going forward

-Lamar Jackson has a strong case for NFL MVP through the first seven weeks

-The Bears should bench Mitchell Trubisky for Chase Daniel if he lays another egg this weekend

-The Eagles should send the Broncos their 2020 second-round pick for Chris Harris, Jr.

-It will take 16 losses for the Dolphins to get the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft

-The NFL should force a sale of the Denver Broncos in two years (if not sooner) if their ownership situation remains unresolved by then

-If Patrick Mahomes is not 100% four or five weeks from now, he shouldn’t risk further injury and undergo season-ending surgery to get healthy for 2020

3. GAME OF THE WEEK: Panthers at 49ers

-We all know how great the 49ers defense has been this season, but the Panthers bring a similar unit that should no longer be slept on. Just how good is this underrated Panthers defense? Given the 49ers injuries at OT, is this a golden opportunity for the Panthers to make a pretty big statement?

-How should we expect the 49ers to utilize Emmanuel Sanders in this game?

-Game deciding matchups: Sam Young/Daniel Brunskill versus Brian Burns, Matt Paradis/Trai Turner versus DeForest Buckner

-Game Predictions

4. Waiver Wire: Gem or Garbage?

-Mason Rudolph

-DaeSean Hamilton

-Mohamed Sanu

-Ty Johnson

-Irv Smith, Jr.

-Jimmy Graham

5. Game Predictions

-Redskins at Vikings

-Chargers at Bears

-Giants at Lions

-Eagles at Bills

-Broncos at Colts

-Buccaneers at Titans

-Jets at Jaguars

-Bengals at Rams

-Cardinals at Saints

-Seahawks at Falcons

-Browns at Patriots

-Raiders at Texans

-Packers at Chiefs

-Dolphins at Steelers

6. BOLD PREDICTIONS

ME: Kirk Cousins throws for 400 yards, 7 TD’s and 0 INT

HAL: Chase Edmonds runs for 200 yards and 2 TD’s

7. Challenge Flags

ME: Seahawks, BE MORE AGGRESSIVE AND UNLEASH RUSSELL WILSON WHEN YOU NEED HIM THE MOST!!!

HAL: Andy Reid…get the Chiefs right FAST as you wait for Mahomes to heal. Split these next four games