Chapter Five

2025 NCAA 0-5 lol
2025 NFL 3-3
2018-2025 NCAA 117-125-6
2018-2025 NFL 161-135-11

UConn -4 at Buffalo – Miss BY ONE POINT
Ravens -2.5 at Chiefs – Miss

The confidence is killing me in college football. I keep getting hooked! I’m not sure if it’s this particular slate, or if it’s my confidence, but I’m seeing an ugly board. I also get to save time by not giving a college football game because wow what a week! Tim’s bachelor party in AC was A+, and now I head to Buffalo on Friday. Between the exhaustion and excitement, I’ll stay low on college football and reevaluate next week. And UGH, Rutgers close but no cigar two weeks in a row. Good time for them to regroup in a bye week.

Raiders +6.5 at Colts

Coming in to the year, I viewed the Raiders and Colts as the same. Through four weeks, the Colts clearly look the better team. I’m just not sure if they are 6.5 points better. The Colts have looked good until AD Mitchell dropped the ball on the goal line in a loss to the Rams. That kind of stuff lingers, and I look for the Raiders to capitalize. Geno Smith is a solid QB who got off to a horrible start last week. He will not throw three interceptions in the first half this Sunday. Ashton Jeanty is off of his first 100+ yard rushing game and he is back to his signature vertical run stance. The Raiders are well coached, and the offense looks to be picking steam. The Colts secondary isn’t particularly good so I look for Brock Bowers to finally break out. Both teams will score and I think the Raiders will keep up. The Raiders support a rush defense that only allows 4 yards per carry and Jonathan Taylor will probably get his 100, but he’ll have to earn it vs the Pete Carroll defense. I think we’ll have a nail-biting shootout.

Cowboys -2.5 at Jets

The Jets are 0-4 with three one possession losses, but I do not feel they are that close. Their Bucs and Dolphins loses were more backdoor than it truly being one possession. Whether it’s Fields or Tyrod, the offense isn’t moving in the first half and they struggle to pass the ball. Anyone can rip it soft shell coverage, but Justin Fields is a whopping 6 for 9 for 77 yards first half. His team isn’t even trusting him. Sure, the Cowboys have a rough defense, but they can sure score the ball. I look for the Cowboys to jump early on the Jets, and get them uncomfortable where they cannot run the rock a lot in the 2nd half. The Cowboys also have a very respectable rushing defense, it’s the pass rush and corners that lack. Outside of Garrett Wilson, the Jets don’t strike fear in any secondary. I look for the Cowboys to get up early and hold on.

Eagles -3.5 v Broncos

The Eagles are somehow 4-0 barely passing the ball. It’s only a matter of time before the offense breaks out and I think this will be the week. Bo Nix makes too many mistakes and he is looking like he’s entering a sophomore slump. Enter the Eagles secondary who’s giving up a league best 56.9 completion percentage. The Eagles confuse quarterbacks and make them press, because that team knows they’ll have to keep up with the Eagles defense. Turnovers are a recipe for disaster vs the Eagles since they play such a clean brand of football. 0 interceptions, 0 fumbles lost, the Eagles play almost NCAA academy school like. You don’t want to air it out vs Denver, and this will play right in to the Eagles hands.

Chargers -2.5 v Commanders

The Commanders made it to the NFC Championship game last season, but they didn’t beat any elite elite teams. Now they will go cross-country and take on a Chargers team in Jayden Daniels first game after missing two. I see this more a -4.5 spot for the Chargers, who are one of the best teams in the NFL. The Chargers are slinging the rock left and right, and the Commies are just not making plays on that side. They made the Falcons look like the greatest show on turn last week, and I expect similar with Herbert and the boys this weekend. What makes the Chargers even scarier moving forward is the emergence of rookie running back Omarion Hampton. He is adjusting to the NFL and moving chains. I wouldn’t back the Chargers vs teams with a good pass rush with both their tackles out, and looking at the Commies, they don’t have the edge presence that makes me hesitate.

Power Rankings

The number to the right of the team is where they were ranked last week.

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

Thank you,
Goose