Chapter Two

2025 NCAA 0-2
2025 NFL 1-0
2018-2025 NCAA 117-122-6
2018-2025 NFL 159-132-11

Jaguars -3.5 – HIT!

Week 1 in the NFL is in the books! Now is the fun time to question whether what we saw in week 1 was real, same or different from last year, or if it was just one of those weeks. I hope it’s real because the Jaguars looked great and the Bills looked as explosive as ever. But, last year the Saints started 2-0 with the best offense in the league so who knows!
College wise, there were some good games but the slate was pretty mid. I’ll watch a mid slate don’t get me wrong, but I might not play a mid slate. And this week’s slate coming up? Even worse. But I’m still going to watch!
Rutgers handled business overall vs Miami Ohio especially according to the scoreboard but it was another game the defense looked poor. QB Finn had a HUGE improvement between his Wisconsin game and his Rutgers game. Long term I am very worried about this team with their swiss cheese defense. The offense looks amazing which is fun, but to upset some teams the boys will need to strap up on the other side. This week there is no line for the Rutgers Norfolk game. It’ll be a success if they get to play backup QB Surace in the 4th quarter with a comfortable lead. And as always, no injuries please.

I’m going to stay away from college for one more week. After that 0-2 start I really want my next game as a winner. I like, but not love the following. Kansas State -1.5 because I thought coming in to the season they’d be great but might be this year’s Florida State. USF +17.5 because I hit them v Boise but was gunshy v Florida and now I have fomo missing out on another upset. Jacksonville State +3.5 because Gavin Wimsatt is a wagon. LSU -7.5 because I love Lagway but the coaching staff is mid. South Carolina -3.5 because Vandy won’t creep up on anybody this year. All in all, I feel the board isn’t speaking to me like I want it to. So, let’s stick with NFL until the tides turn.

49ers -3.5 at Saints

A long time ago, in the 2021 NFL Draft, we all assumed Mac Jones would go #3 overall to the 49ers. Jones has bounced around, but it’s fitting that he winds up starting for the Niners this weekend. A short write up would say, Christian McCaffrey is playing, Trent Williams is playing, the Niners beat a Spencer Rattler led team comfortably. A longer write up would start with Kellen Moore. I think he will be a very good head coach, but I wonder if this personnel fits what he wants to do. Spencer Rattler throwing 46 times a game? He likes to condense things and the Saints really only threw to their two receivers and tight end. The two problems with that is Alvin Kamara had two targets, and Rashid Shaheed who averages 15 yards a catch only averaged 5.5 yards a catch week 1. It’s only week 1, but Moore’s vision might not fit his puzzle pieces. I also think this Saints DLine won’t be able to get after it like they did vs Arizona. Mac Jones is a very accurate QB and Kyle Shanahan is an elite play caller / designer. Shanahan has shown the ability to go quick and neutralize DLines his whole career. The Saints lack playmakers in the secondary so I expect a big game out of route runners Ricky Pearsall and Kendrick Bourne. The Saints are one of it not the worst team in football, and the Niners still have plenty of stars. Niners by double digits.

Raiders +3.5 v Chargers

This line should be closer to Raiders -2 than +3.5. The Chargers looked strong vs the Chiefs in Brazil, but the Raiders looked good week 1 as well. Geno Smith continues to play high level football throwing for 362 yards at New England. Justin Herbert might be creeping into top5 category, but Geno is in that top10 range. Let’s just say Brock Bowers cannot play. Jakobi Meyers is the most underrated receiver in the game, Tre Tucker and Dont’e Thornton stretch the field vertically, and Michael Mayer has been coming into his own. Sure, Ladd McConkey is better than Meyers like Herbert is better than Geno, but is it really that much a gap? The Chargers surprised us all throwing as much as they did week 1. That is music to Maxx Crosby’s ears.
He is one of the few who is a true game changer if he can pin back and rush the passer. And if the Chargers try and mix it up and run more, well rookie rb Hampton averaged 3.2 yards per carry and didn’t show much wiggle. I’ll take the home divisional team, whose talent is comparable. Raiders squeak by.

Power Rankings

I gave out my Power Rankings in the Fantasy Football Road Map, and forgot to copy and paste them for the last two articles, but those were week 0 and 1, so no need. The number in parentheses is where they were last edition.

1. Bills (3)
2. Eagles (1)
3. Packers (8)
4. Ravens (4)
5. Chargers (14)
6. Chiefs (2)
7. Commanders (9)
8. 49ers (5)
9. Buccaneers (11)
10. Rams (10)
11. Bengals (7)
12. Lions (6)
13. Broncos (15)
14. Jaguars (17)
15. Cowboys (16)
16. Vikings (13)
17. Raiders (24)
18. Steelers (19)
19. Colts (27)
20. Cardinals (26)
21. Seahawks (23)
22. Texans (12)
23. Bears (18)
24. Falcons (20)
25. Jets (29)
26. Patriots (21)
27. Browns (31)
28. Giants (28)
29. Titans (30)
30. Saints (32)
31. Dolphins (22)
32. Panthers (25)

Thank you,
Goose