NFL Week 1 and CFB Week 2 Reaction

CFB

3 Alabama vs 11 Texas

Jalen Milroe is not a QB Alabama can rely on. He consistently did not make good decisions and is not a good enough passer to throw Bama back into games they are losing. On the flip side, Quinn Ewers played like a 1st round pick. He made big throws and made plays in big moments to lead Texas to victory.

Is this the end of the Alabama dynasty? Texas has much better skill position players than Bama and it showed Saturday. It is no coincidence that two of the biggest opponents to the transfer portal and/or NIL have been Saban and Dabo Sweeney and their programs have fallen off somewhat the past couple years. The transfer portal and NIL have started a new era of college football. Schools and coaches must either adapt or die.

22 Colorado vs Nebraska

Colorado keeps giving us reasons to think they’re legit. They didn’t even play that well and still beat a Nebraska team with a good defense 36-14. They should beat Colorado St. next week and have two straight tough tests with Oregon and USC back to back.

Nebraska QB Jeff Simms is hurting his team. Simms was responsible for FOUR fumbles (3 of which were lost) and threw an awful pick. If he doesn’t play that bad, Nebraska would’ve had a chance.

NFL

Patriots vs. Eagles

The Pats got off to such a shitty start and were not dynamic enough on offense to comeback. Mac Jones showed why he isn’t elite by squandering good field position multiple times when his team needed him. However, it was still a promising game as their defense played great and their offense looked way better than last year. If they can play like they did the last 3 quarters, they can fight for a playoff spot.

Eagles DT Jalen Carter was said to be the most talented player in the draft and he showed why Sunday. He had the most pressures of any player and looks like a force to be reckoned with.

Loved seeing Brady getting honored. Seems like there will be multiple honors for him, including inducting him into the Patriots HOF on 6/12/2024 (6 for the 6 Super Bowls he won with the Pats, 12 for his number). Of course, there will be his jersey retirement and statue unveiling too. Seeing all the fans and former teammates there shows how great of a player and person he was. Makes me realize how good us Pats fans had it and wish I appreciated it more.

Jets vs. Bills

The pregame ceremony was absolutely awesome. Seeing Aaron Rodgers run out with the American Flag was great and there was no better stadium to the host Sunday and Monday night games.

As a Pats fan, I genuinely feel bad for Jets fans. You never want to see a great player go down, especially when they just joined a new team. Here’s to hoping Rodgers makes a speedy recovery and comes back in full force next year.

Both the Jets and Bills have such great defenses, along with the Patriots. Putting up points against AFC East teams is going to be tough this year.

Josh Allen NEEDS to stop taking hits. He is a superstar quarterback, but if he keeps taking all these unnecessary hits, he is going to have a short career. His reckless play was evident in his 4 turnovers and general carelessness with the ball. He is amazing but needs to stop trying to be Superman.

Breece Hall is a great player and Zach Wilson still is not. The Jets will compete with their talent, but they will not make the playoffs with Wilson.

Overall

Picks: 2-2 (6-5 Overall)

Spread: 3-1 (8-3)

O/U: 1-2-1 (3-7-1)

Top 10 QBs of All Time

1 Tom Brady

He has put up the amazing stats in the regular and postseason. He has won regular season awards. And most importantly, he has won more Super Bowls than any NFL Franchise has. The one and only GOAT.

2 Joe Montana

A guy who played his best during the biggest moments. 4-0 in Super Bowls, 3 Super Bowl MVPs, 11 TDs-0 INTs, and a QB rating of 127.8. Oh yeah and he wasn’t too bad in the regular season, winning 2 MVPs and being a 5 time All-Pro.

3 Peyton Manning

A super likable guy off the field, he was a killer on it. A ten time All-Pro, 5 MVPs, and he also won 2 Super Bowls.

4 Aaron Rodgers

He probably throws the greatest ball in NFL history and doesn’t even look like he’s trying. It’s no surprise he’s won 4 MVPs and put up a ridiculous TD-Int ratio of 475-105.

5 Brett Favre

The ultimate gunslinger. Favre would improvise like no one else and was never afraid to make any throw, which led to many interceptions, but also 3 MVPs and a Super Bowl.

6 John Elway

One of the most hyped QBs coming out of college and he delivered with 2 Super Bowls and an MVP.

7 Johnny Unitas

Unitas was putting up big numbers in the passing game well before most QBs were. His 3 MVPs and 7 All-Pro selections show how dominant he was.

8 Patrick Mahomes

Probably the most talented QB to ever play. At only 27, he still has a lot of his legacy left to write and could make a run for the top spot on this list.

9 Dan Marino

He was dominant and put up modern day numbers in the 80s. The fact he’s on this list despite not winning the big one shows how good he was.

10 Drew Brees

He put up huge numbers year after year and brought NOLA a much needed Super Bowl.

NFL Week 1 and CFB Week 2 Preview

The King returns as the NFL season kicks off. CFB is back for Week 2 with some intriguing non-conference matchups.

CFB

3 Alabama vs 11 Texas

The game of the week between the two biggest brands in college football. After easy opening games, both teams are looking to prove something this week. Bama wants to show it is still dominant and new QB Jalen Milroe is the guy. Texas and Quinn Ewers want to show they are a CFP contender who can make some noise. I think Alabama wins this game, but does not cover (-7) and the under (53.5) hits.

22 Colorado vs Nebraska

This is Colorado’s chance to show last week was not a fluke. They face a team that also has a notable new coach in Matt Rhule, who is trying to return Nebraska to its glory days. Colorado’s offense looks so high powered and I don’t think a Nebraska team that looked flat last week will be able to keep up. Colorado wins, covers (-3), and the under (59) hits.

NFL

Patriots vs. Eagles

The Pats and Eagles square off in a rematch of Super Bowl LII. It’s an opportunity for the Pats to show that a real OC has given them back a real offense. Jalen Hurts and Co. will try to avoid a Super Bowl hangover and show last year wasn’t a fluke. The biggest storyline is the return of Tom Brady to New England. As a Pats fan, it’ll be great to see him back home and getting honored but… is there something more at play? Could they be trying to bring Tom back in some capacity as an emergency player, future exec, or something else? I fucking hope so. Regardless, I think the Eagles win, cover (-4), and the over hits (45).

Jets vs. Bills

Aaron Rodgers makes his debut in the Big Apple. The honeymoon period is officially over and now it’s all about winning games. Unfortunately for Jets fans, the Bills are a better football team with more chemistry. I think the Bills win, cover (-2.5), and the over (45.5) hits.

Top 10 QBs in the NFL

Below are my top 10 QBs for this year. I am not solely basing it off last year, but instead both the last couple of years plus how I think they’ll perform this year. I will update again at midseason.

1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

No explanation needed.

2. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

Herbert’s size, arm, and athleticism have led to him to have the most passing yards and 2nd most passing TDs by a QB in their first 3 seasons. Poor coaching and injuries to teammates have affected him, but the postseason wins will start to come.

3. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

Burrow has proven to us since college he is a gamer and a winner. His spectacular play will keep the Bengals contenders for years to come.

4. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

The most physically gifted QB I have ever seen. I worry all the hits will pile up, but for now he is dominant and fun to watch.

5. Aaron Rodgers, New York Jets

An all-time great QB who still has a lot to prove. The 4-time MVP is still good enough to add a 2nd ring to his legendary resume.

6. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

He jumped onto the scene as an MVP candidate last year. Will he be able to continue to build on his great play?

7. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars

One of the highest rated QB prospects ever showed us how good he was last year. Like Hurts, it’s now about building on that and getting even better.

8. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Lamar has proven he is the most athletic QB ever and can rack up the regular season wins. He now needs to stay healthy and start having more postseason success.

9. Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos

I absolutely do not think his best days are behind him. With new coach Sean Payton, he may show he’s still a Top 5 QB this year.

10. Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns

He was rusty last year, but with an entire offseason to continue improving, I think we see the Houston Deshaun who was a borderline Top 5 QB.

On the Bubble:

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

Dak needs so much help around him to be great and consistently does not lead his team deep in the playoffs.

Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings

Kirk puts up big numbers, but does not get it done in the playoffs.

Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals

Super talented QB, but there are big questions about his durability and leadership

Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

He is now in a situation similar to his Detroit days (albeit with a better coach). He wasn’t a top 10 QB then, and still is not now.

Bold Predictions for 2023

With the regular season approaching, below are some bold predictions I have for this upcoming season:

I have long been a Justin Fields guy and always thought he should’ve been the 2nd QB taken in his draft. Every elite QB who was drafted in the past 10 years has put it together by the end of Year 3. Fields enters Year 3 and I think he puts it all together this season, throws for at least 3,000 yards and 25 TDs, and makes his first Pro Bowl.

Ron Rivera will get fired after this year. He has not posted a winning season in 3 years and won’t this year as the roster isn’t very talented outside of WR and D-Line. With a new ownership group that is even considering changing the team name again, they probably want to clean house and build the team in their vision.

The Packers will finish last in their division for just the 11th time in 103 seasons. That shows how good this franchise has been in its history, but this is a reset year for them.

This will be Bill Belichick’s last season as the Patriots coach. I think another mediocre season leads to Bill and the Pats deciding to part ways. I also think Josh McDaniels gets fired this year and returns to coach the Patriots. The Raiders will be the worst team in their division and will want to rebuild and move in a different direction. With Belichick leaving the Pats, I think they call on McDaniels to be their next coach.

Justyn Ross will have a great season and establish himself as a starter on the Chiefs. Ross has the talent, as he led the 2018 National Champion Clemson Tigers in receiving as a freshman. He made a remarkable comeback in college from a congenital fusion of two vertebrae in his neck and also dealt with a foot injury last year that cost him the season. He had an impressive training camp and preseason and now gets to make a name for himself for a team with the best coach/QB in the league, who also don’t have a clear cut star wide receiver.

Russell Wilson will double his TD passes from last year and come back to form. Wilson is not washed, last year was a fluke. With a great offensive coach in Sean Payton, Wilson is primed to get back on his Hall of Fame trajectory.

Jahan Dotson will have 1,000 yards receiving this year despite the QB uncertainty in Washington. He has tons of talent and will benefit from Terry Mclaurin seeing double teams.

Chase Young will bounce back from injuries to have double digit sacks and play himself into a massive contract. There’s a reason he was a number 2 overall pick and the DROY. He is so talented and will benefit from playing on the best D-line in the league.

Jared Goff will throw 30 TDs this year. He has surpassed expectations as the QB for the Lions and should put up big numbers in a high powered Lions offense.

Kyle Pitts will have another Pro Bowl season, doubling his yardage total from last year. He’s so talented and the best receiving option on the Falcons, so I see him bouncing back.

This is more of a long term prediction, but I think Anthony Richardson will end up being the best QB from the 2023 class. Richardson will be a work in progress right now, but his raw athletic skills remind me of Josh Allen and I think new coach Shane Steichen helps him realize his potential.

CFB Week 1 Reaction

Florida at 14 Utah

Utah is simply a better team than Florida. Utah showed their depth with two backup QBs playing well for them and a defense that shut Florida down.

Florida just made too many mistakes and needs to be more disciplined. False starts, bad punts, having two guys with the same number on the field, fielding punts backwards inside the 5. You name something dumb and Florida probably did it. And their mistakes kept coming at crucial times and ultimately sank them.

17 TCU vs. Colorado

I was flat out wrong about Colorado. They completely matched up with TCU and had way more chemistry than I thought they would. I still think they are overhyped, but look to be better than I expected.

Colorado’s Travis Hunter is the real deal. First time I’ve seen him play and he looks like he could play in the NFL on either side of the ball. They just need to ensure they don’t play him too much and run him into the ground.

Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders also looked much better than I thought he would. Threw a great deep ball and would’ve had even better numbers if not for a couple drops.

Colorado RB Dylan Edwards can absolutely fly. It looks he’ll be a great weapon for Coach Prime for years to come.

South Carolina vs. 21 North Carolina

UNC’s defense stepped up big time and shut down a great USC offense. Their pass rush and run defense was exceptional and if they can keep playing this way, UNC has a shot to win the ACC.

UNC QB Drake Maye had a solid start to the year. He wasn’t perfect, but one of his interceptions was not his fault and I think he’ll play much better for the remainder of the season.

This should be a rivalry game that’s played every year. The passion for the border war was great and the winner gets to say they’re the “real Carolina” for the year.

8 FSU vs. 5 LSU

Both teams clearly had jitters in their first game and got off to rocky starts. FSU shook them off and looked like a CFP team. LSU did not. The most surprising thing was how FSU completely bullied LSU and was way more physical than them.

FSU WR Keon Coleman is amazing. He carried FSU to victory and should be a first round pick next year.

Duke vs. 9 Clemson

Wow! The last game of the weekend produces the most shocking upset. Duke to its credit played clutch defense and scored when they needed to, but this game was not as lopsided as the score suggests.

Clemson is a better team than they showed, but they need to figure some things out. Their offense really had no spark and they completely failed to capitalize in the red zone.

Game/Betting Picks

Game Picks this week: 2-3 (4-3 overall)

Spread Picks this week: 3-2 (5-2)

O/U Picks this week: 2-3 (2-5)

CFB Week 1 Predictions

Week 0 was a great warmup, but the big matchups start this week for college football.

14 Utah vs. Florida

This is a better Thursday Night Game than most of the NFL matchups last season. It was an exciting game last year and hopefully, this year will be the same. Florida has a great rushing attack, but I don’t think they’ll be able to go toe to toe with Utah, especially in Salt Lake City. Even with Cam Rising out, I see Utah winning, covering the spread (-4.5), and the over hitting (44).

17 TCU vs. Colorado

Coach Prime’s debut! I think Deion is a great coach and will eventually make Colorado a much better program. However, TCU comes into the game with more momentum from last year than CO and is just flat out better. I think TCU covers the spread (-20.5) and the over hits (59.5).

South Carolina vs. 21 North Carolina

If not for that big game on Sunday night, this would be the game of the weekend. A battle of the Carolinas. Drake Maye vs. Spencer Rattler. North Carolina comes in as the favorite and both teams are led by their great QB and offenses. A lot of people are picking USC to win, but I think UNC wins, covers the spread (-2.5), and the over (63.5) easily hits in what should be a shootout.

8 FSU vs. 5 LSU

GAME. OF. THE. WEEK. Two powerhouses on the rise with CFP hopes. Both teams return great quarterbacks and are loaded with talent. I give the edge to LSU to win and cover (-2.5) mainly due to having the better coach in Brian Kelly. I also think the under hits (57.5).

Duke vs. 9 Clemson

On paper, this may not look like a great game, but Duke won nine games last year and at least should put up a fight. This is the perfect opening game for Clemson as they play a respectable opponent, but one they should beat. I think Clemson wins but doesn’t cover the spread (-13) and the under (55.5) hits.

Other Interesting Things to Look For

I always find it funny how big some spreads are in the first couple weeks of the CFB season when you have CFP contenders going against far inferior opponents. Biggest one I could find is Alabama -39.5 vs. Middle Tennessee which is equal to the smallest over/under: Northwestern vs. Rutgers 39.5. Would you bet on either of those games?

CFB Week 0 Reaction

Couldn’t be happier that CFB is back. Below are some thoughts on the weekend.

13 Notre Dame vs. Navy

Notre Dame messed up by not wearing more Ireland-themed jerseys. Some Kelly green jerseys would’ve absolutely slapped. I did like the Irish Flag on the classic gold helmets though.

I really like Marcus Freeman and think he’ll be very successful at Notre Dame. Seems very energetic and his players absolutely love him.

The economic impact of the game on Dublin was $159 MILLION. That’s crazy and shows how there is nothing else like football on this planet and I love it.

Notre Dame should play in Ireland every year. The atmosphere was incredible.

Jason Garret should not be on TV. He is painfully awkward and brings nothing to the broadcast. I think I’d rather just have silence than listen to him stumble his way through irrelevant points.

6 USC vs. San Jose State

Caleb Williams is still amazing. Zachariah Branch also looks like an electric weapon for the Trojans.

As much as we heard about how USC rebuilt its defense, they still looked pretty bad and just allowed 28 points to San Jose State (I just found out this school existed earlier this week). The offense is going to have to continue to carry the team.

The fact this game was on the PAC-12 network and the only streaming services that have it are Sling and Fubo is exactly why the PAC-12 is dying.

Bonus: Swamp Kings Review

The Urban Meyer Florida Gators needed a documentary and Netflix delivered. I feel like those Gator teams get overlooked a little because they were sandwiched right between the early 2000s USC teams and the Saban Bama Dynasty, but this doc puts into perspective how good these teams were. If you haven’t seen it, go watch it.

Overall

Going to keep track of my game picks and betting picks throughout the year.

Game Picks: 2-0

Betting Picks: 2-2 (Spread: 2-0; O/U: 0-2)

2023 College Football Predictions

I admittedly know the NFL much better than CFB, so these predictions will not be as extensive or in depth as my NFL ones. But I got nothing to lose, so I mine as well make them:

CFP Seeds

1: Georgia Bulldogs

The back to back National Champions have a new QB and have lost a lot of talent the past two drafts. However, a cupcake schedule, amazing coach, and roster still loaded with talent warrants Georgia winning the SEC and being the top seed in the CFP again.

2: Ohio State

Ohio State will also have to break in a new QB but their coaching and offensive skill players are so good, I see them thriving regardless. We have seen them bring in a new QB countless times and not skip a beat.

3. Clemson

Dabo is still one of the best coaches in all of college football and Cade Klubnik has the chance to be really special for the Tigers. Combining that with a relatively easy schedule and motivation from not making the past two CFP, I see Clemson returning to the Playoff.

4: Michigan:

Unlike many other top programs, Michigan returns a proven starter at QB. They also have one of best running back duos in the country and still have a very physical O-line and defense.

CFP Semifinals

#1 Georgia vs #4 Michigan

In a rematch of the Orange Bowl two seasons ago, I think Michigan finally matches up well with Georgia and gets by them this year.

#2 Ohio State vs #3 Clemson

Ohio State will simply be too explosive and too much for Clemson and will bulldoze its way into the CFP Championship game.

CFP Championship

#2 Ohio State vs #4 Michigan

THE (championship) GAME! In an all-time CFP Final, Michigan gets revenge on Ohio State for beating them earlier in the year and gets their first National Title this century.

Heisman Winner

Drake Maye, QB North Carolina: There is no doubt Maye will put up numbers, but the big question surrounding him winning the award is if his team will win enough. I think they win 9 or 10 games against a pretty weak schedule and that combined with great statistics gives UNC their first ever Heisman winner.

College Football Week 0 Preview

Finally the day has arrived! Football is officially back with the start of Week 0 this weekend. Yes, the games are never amazing, but none the less I am thankful meaningful football is back until February. Here are the main games I’m looking forward to:

#13 Notre Dame vs Navy (In Dublin!!)

I think having Notre Dame play in Ireland is beyond cool. I see them covering the -20.5 spread and the over hitting (51).

#6 USC vs San Jose State

Likely #1 overall pick Caleb Williams and Lincoln Riley are back and looking to lead USC to their first College Football Playoff in their last season in the Pac-12. While they will definitely demolish SJSU, I don’t see them covering the 30 point spread or the over hitting this game (64.5).