NFL Week 3 Picks

BAD WEEK LAST WEEK 7-8-1   AFTER 2 WEEKS 17-13-2

Packers and Vikings was a loss because of the Clay Matthews penalty. I've looked at that play from all angles and that was not a penalty hit. The NFL stands by the ruling on the field but this bad call cost the Packers a game and me breaking even.

The Jets didn't look good against the Dolphins. Is that more of a reflection on how far the Jets need to go or are the Dolphins this good?

What can I say about my Eagles...they looked listless and almost uncaring. Of course, they did run across the Bucs and Fitzmagic!

The 'Skins also didn't look very good! Is Luck back and can he carry the Colts. Alex Smith can't carry the Redskins.

The Patriots lost to a very good Jaguar team. Maybe I shouldn't be surprised but I am.

So...let's regroup and tackle Week 3:

Thursday

Jets @ BROWNS (-3)(WIN)     Browns are favored...think about that! Gotta go with the Browns

Sunday

Saints (-1) @ FALCONS (LOSS)     Saints have looked bad while Falcons are better that they look
49ers @ CHIEFS (-5.5)(WIN)     Media building up Mahomes...hope it continues
Raiders @ DOLPHINS (-2.5)(WIN)     Raiders will win but not this week
Bills @ VIKINGS (-16.5)(LOSS)     Don't like the point spread but I like the Vikings
Colts @ EAGLES (-6)(LOSS)     Why the Eagles give 7 I don't know but #flyeaglesfly
PACKERS (-2) @ Redskins(LOSS)     Pack fine offensively need to work on the defense
BENGALS @ Panthers (-3)(WIN)     Dalton don't let me down watch the naked bootleg right
Titans  @ JAGUARS (-10)(LOSS)   Bortles for MVP erhh Jags defense for MVP
Broncos @ RAVENS (-5.5)(WIN)     Hate taking the Ravens and points but today they make it right
Giants @ TEXANS (-6.5)(LOSS)     Look up inept in the dict. and you see a picture of the Giants
Chargers @ RAMS (-7)     Gurley and Goff they're my boys
BEARS (-5) @ Cardinals     When was the last time da Bears were a 7 point favorite
COWBOYS (-1) @ Seahawks     Tossup but I'll take Dak and Zeke over Carroll's Comedy
PATRIOTS (-6) @ Lions     Belichick vs Patricia NO! It's Brady et al vs Stafford et al

Monday

Steelers (-1) @ BUCCANEERS     Oo Oo Oo it's Fitzmagic!

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NFL Week 2 Picks with Odds

I did pretty well picking the NFL on the 1st week of real competition. I went 10-5-1. The Seahawks/Broncos were a push.

On an interesting not, all 7 new Head Coaches in the NFL lost. That has never happened before.

The Steelers were either very disappointing or the Browns are much better than we think. A tie could come back to haunt the Steelers come playoff time.

The Saints were favored by a large margin and lost outright to the Buccaneers, without Jamies Winston.

The Bears came close to beating the Packers. It took another Aaron Rodgers effort to hold them off. With a stellar defense and a no mistakes defense, the Bears could threaten the Packers and the Vikes this year.

What can you say about the Lions. They looked pathetic on Monday night, losing 48-17 to a Jets team with a rookie QB. The OL was terrible in protecting Safford.

So...let's get on with the picks for Week 2:

Thursday

(LOSS) RAVENS (-1) @ Bengals     Maybe too early to tell but Flacco has competition this year

Sunday

(WIN) PANTHERS @ Falcons (-6)    Falcons come back with a renewed offensive strategy
(WIN) CHARGERS (-9) @ Bills    The Bills are bad and it's not early enough for cold weather
(PUSH) VIKINGS (even) @ Packers    Rodgers injured? Vikes better offensively than Bears
(WIN) Texans (-1) @ TITANS     Just a guess but Titans at home should win
(WIN) BROWNS @ Saints (-10)     Early but these odds seem high for a team that lost to the Bucs
(LOSS) Dolphins @ JETS (-2.5)     J E T S Jets. Hope springs eternal
(WIN) CHIEFS @ Steelers (-4)     Chiefs are better than the Browns
(LOSS) EAGLES (-3) @ Buccaneers     Eagles defense is better that the Saints
(LOSS) Colts @ REDSKINS (-6)     A lot of points to give but the 'Skins are in the NFC East
(WIN) Cardinals @RAMS (-14)     Very large odds but Cardinals are bad
(LOSS) Lions @ 49ERS (-7)     Lions bad...49ers average. When was the last time 49ers by 7
(LOSS) Raiders @ BRONCOS (-6)     Broncos let me down last week...one more shot
(LOSS) PATRIOTS (even) @ Jaguars     Could be the upset of the week...but Brady
(WIN) Giants @ COWBOYS (-3)     Toss up OBJ better be at his best

Monday

(WIN) Seahawks @ BEARS (-3)     The "Mack Attack" does in the "Legion of Gloom|

NFL Week 1 Picks with Odds

Here we are again entering another NFL season. There are some interesting matchups with some interesting betting odds.

For example: Last years Superbowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles are only a 2 point favorite playing the Falcons at home. It used to be that the home team enjoyed a 3 point advantage. Nick Foles, who engineered the SB win will start because Carson Wentz hasn't been cleared to play.

The odds makers are putting a lot of faith in Andrew Luck's return with the Colts a prohibitive favorite over the visiting Bengals.

The Saints are a 10 1/2 point favorite playing at home against the Jamies Winston less Buccaneers. Good pick here but 10 1/2 points in the 1st game of the season is tricky.

Jimmy Garoppolo vs. Kirk Cousins and the Vikings with the Vikes a 7 point favorite.

And last, but not least, Jon Gruden and the Raiders are a 4 point dog to the visiting LA Rams. How much will the loss of Kalil Mack hurt Gruden's spread offense?

Here are my picks for Week 1. Remember...if you bet, legally this year, based on my picks...you're crazy! My picks are in CAPITOL letters.

Thursday

(WIN)Falcons @ EAGLES -2     The run in 2018 continues...Fly Eagles Fly.

Sunday

(LOSS) STEELERS (-4) @ Browns     The Browns will win, just not this week.
(WIN) BENGALS @ Colts (-3)     Colts need more than "Luck" to win this one.
(LOSS) TITANS (-1.5) @ Dolphins     This really is a "pick'em"
(WIN) 49ers @ VIKINGS (-6)     Honeymoon over for Garoppolo.
(WIN) Texans @ PATRIOTS (-6.5)     Going against a 40 year old Brady is crazy!
(LOSS) Buccaneers @ SAINTS (-9.5)     Brees breezes...Get it?
(WIN) JAGUARS @ Giants (-3)     Jags win despite Bortles.
(WIN) Bills @ RAVENS (-7)     We might even see RGIII in this rout.
(WIN) CHIEFS @ Chargers (-3)     Chiefs win...it's the regular season.
(PUSH) Seahawks @ BRONCOS (-3)     Legion of Boom becomes Legion on Gloom.
(WIN) REDSKINS @ Cardinals (even)     Steady Alex Smiths guides the 'Skins.
(WIN) Cowboys @ PANTHERS (-3)     Take the Panthers at home.
(LOSS) Bears @ PACKERS(-7.5)     The 'Pack is back!

Monday

(LOSS) Jets @ LIONS (-7)     J-E-T-S...Forget it Jet Fans...Rookie QB
(WIN) RAMS (-6) @ Raiders     As much as I am rooting for Gruden...I don't see it!

So there you have it...Week 1 is a lock...I see a 16-0 week...What do you think?

The experts and I disagree on 8 of the 16 games this week. The so-called experts prefer
the Falcons, Texans, Browns, Chargers, Cardinals, Seahawks, bears and Jets. We'll just see!

NFL Anthem Protest: Right, Wrong or Wrongly Perpetuated?

WOULD THIS PROTEST CONTINUE IF NO ONE KNEW IT WAS GOING ON?

With the start of a new NFL season, thoughts of Super Bowl games dance in the heads of all football fans. This could be the year the Browns win their division and go all the way. Can the Eagles repeat? Will a 40 year old Brady get that last ring and ride off into the sunset as the GOAT?

Despite all the hopes of a new season, the elephant in the room is the anthem protest. First, the NFL decrees that the players must either stand for the National Anthem or remain in the locker room. Then the NFLPA cries foul and the NFL walks back the rule and says "let's talk". So, no change and no solution. Is there really a solution?

To be fair to both sides we must remember that the NFL had no "anthem stand" requirement until 2009 when they signed a lucrative contract with the Pentagon to "promote patriotic displays".

Sally Jenkins, sports reporter for the Washington Post, in a column on the 22nd of July, wrote that the "anthem debate is a case of misplaced emphasis". She goes on to say the "enforced patriotism, is not patriotism at all".

But sports in America is indeed rooted in patriotism, as it is in all the countries of the world. Soccer matches in Mexico begin with the their Himno Nacional. The people in the bleachers stand, remove their hats and proudly sing along. The players are all standing, with their hands on their hearts, singing along.

Jenkins asks the question, "How can a mild protest by at most 12 % of the league cause such a stir"?

To answer this, we must agree on two things.
     1. The average NFL fan, whether at the game, or at home is very patriotic.
     2. A player seen kneeling is perceived as being unpatriotic.

Tommie Smith and John Carlos, medalists at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, were loudly and roundly booed for their raised fists on the medalists podium. This action was widely seen as anti-American and unpatriotic. Colin Kaepernick's "pig socks" were similarly seen as divisive and unamerican by the average NFL fan.

When NFL players, in the UK and Mexico stood for the host nation's anthem yet knelt for the Anthem of the United States of America, this too was viewed as unamerican, unpatriotic and a slap in the face to all Americans.

The average American sports fan agree with Tim Suttle, a Pastor and writer from Olathe, Kansas who penned: "The liturgies of sport teach us that America is a singular beacon in a world of hackneyed imposters...The game embodies the belief that this nation stands above all other nations as more powerful, virtuous, righteous and more justified in our actions...".

We, as fans are proud of our nation! All other nations are too. As a group, we desire our athletes to be like us. We don't say, so and so the black football player, or so and so the ballplayer from the Dominican republic. No...we say my teams pro bowl Safety or our All Star shortstop. Sports fans everywhere want an escape. We turn to sports.

So..what is my solution to this morass the NFL has created? Let the protests continue. Do nothing. What can it hurt if just 12%, a figure attributed to Jenkins, of the league protest a perceived injustice.

But, the league needs cooperation from the media. Are the protests worthy of attention? Without the television constantly covering the sidelines during the anthem, there would be no attention brought to the subject. Censorship you say...during the 2017 season the networks, and even local coverage, deliberately avoided showing the empty stands. The league "suggested" coverage of this was detrimental to the ratings. Constant badgering of the players by the print media on how they "felt" about the kneeling served no purpose but to inflame an already agitated fan base.

The owners should press Goodell to minimize the effect on ratings and league attendance. The Green Bay Packers reported in their annual report to stockholders that revenue was up year-to-year and that 99% of the season ticket holders had renewed with a waiting list of 137,000.

The league is in fine shape!

So...can the Eagles repeat or what?

 

NFL Picks Week 4

Well...the Cowboys didn't have enough adrenaline to hold off the Falcons, the Ravens defense couldn't stop the juggernaut that are the Bengals and the Colts recovered from their 0-2 record to top the Titans. I went 13-3 to improve my overall record to 27-21.

This week the Patriots and the Titans have the week off so I only get to pick 15 games.

Here they are:

Baltimore @ Pittsburgh   (W)Ravens 21-10   It'll be a dog fight against Vick and the Steelers "D"
NY Jets @ Miami   (W)Jets 28-24   Dolphins are not very good offensively
Houston @ Atlanta   (W)Falcons 24-10   Atlanta outruns the Texan's "D"
NY Giants @ Buffalo  (L) Bills 31-30   Ryan needs this win to stay relevant
Oakland @ Chicago   (L)Raiders 28-17   "I'm a Believer"
Kansas City @ Cincinnati   (W)Bengals 21-10   Bengals have a very good "D" and can score
Jacksonville @ Indianapolis   (W)Colts 28-20 Luck vs Bortles at home...revitalized
Carolina @ Tampa Bay   (W)Panthers 24-17   Cam is old enough to win this one
Philadelphia @ Washington   (L)Eagles 21-19   Kelly's heroes pick up steam
Cleveland @ San Diego  (W) Chargers 35-21   Who is "Da Man" in Cleveland?
Minnesota @ Denver   (L)Vikings 29-24   Vikes roll...Manning stumbles
St. Louis @ Arizona   (L)Cardinals 24-12   Offense too much for Rams
Green Bay @ San Francisco   (W)Packers 35-17   Maybe 5 more TDs for Rodgers
Dallas @ New Orleans   (L)Cowboys 24-20   Battle of QB backups
Detroit @ Seattle   (W)Seahawks 31-21   The 'Hawks already know the plays

Check back late Monday for the results. I should be 42-21 after then.

9-6 for the week. It took an overtime win by the Colts and a fumble at the 1 yard line by Calvin Johnson to get me to that. Of course the Eagles and Raiders didn't help.

36-27 overall. 4 teams with a by next week. Jets, Miami, Minnesota and Carolina all get to relax.

NFL Picks Week 1

With much hemming and hawing I have made my picks for the 1st week of the NFL season. Deflate gate, Tim Tebow cut, Trent Richardson can't make the Raiders 73 man cut, domestic violence, Wilson's huge contract, Packers injuries, Jamies Winston, Marcus Mariota, Roger Goodell, Rex Ryan in Buffalo, Ndamukong Suh in Miami and Jerry Jones has made for an interesting off season...let's get going with the regular season...please!

Pittsburgh @ New England     (W)Patriots 21-17   They beat the NFL, the Steelers should be easy
Indianapolis @ Buffalo           (L)Colts 28-17   Without McCoy...no chance for the Bills
Green Bay @ Chicago             (L)Bears 20-17   Who knows with GB injuries
Seattle @ St. Louis                  (L)Seahawks 28-10   Big contract = Big wins
Cleveland @ NY Jets              (L)Browns 17-10   Neither team very good
Miami @ Washington             (W)Dolphins 17-6   Despite Suh Miami still needs to score
Carolina @ Jacksonville         (W)Panthers 28-24   Superman back to prove naysayers wrong
Kansas City @ Houston          (L)Texans 21-20   Defense wins games...We'll see
New Orleans @ Arizona         (W)Cardinals 28-14   Saints no longer rolling in
Detroit @ San Diego                (L)Lions 31-28   Stafford late to Johnson for the win
Baltimore @ Denver               (W)Broncos 28-21   Running game wins it
Cincinnati @ Oakland             (W)Bengals 30-10  Oakland is really bad
Tennessee @ Tampa Bay        (W)Titans 21-20   Mariota vs Winston...toss up
NY Giants @ Dallas                (W)Cowboys 35-17   Cowboys will "round up" the NFC East
Philadelphia @ Atlanta            (L)Eagles 23-16   Bradford likes change of scenery
Minnesota @ San Francisco     (L)Vikings 17-12   49ers still reeling from offseason

As you can see I finished 8-8 for the 1st week...I promise next week will be better as I absorb the losses of the Seahawks, Colts, Lions, Eagles and Texans!!

JJ Watt Contnues To Help Texans...Even In The Off Season

Photo courtesy chron.com

The 2014 unanimous pick for Defensive Player of the Year, JJ Watt, continues to help the Houston Texans throughout this off season.

Watt was due to receive a $10 million roster bonus but he has agreed to a $10 million signing bonus instead.

What is the difference you ask? The entire roster bonus would count against the Texan's salary cap while the signing bonus can be spread over the next 5 years. Don't worry though, JJ will get his $10 million this year and the Texans can sure use the $8 million savings.

Read the full ESPN article here. 

John Fox and Broncos Agree To Part Ways

Jofn Fox, the head coach of the Denver Broncos have agreed that the results of the past few seasons show a necessity for both parties to part ways.

"I had a productive visit with John Elway this afternoon in which we were both very honest about our time together and how to best move forward," Fox said in a statement Monday. "After this discussion, John and I mutually agreed that the timing was right for this decision."

Read the ESPN article here.

Harbaugh and 49ers "Mutually Agree" to Part Ways

As if anyone doubted that Jim Harbaugh would leave the 49ers following this season, ownership, this evening, announced that the team and the coach have "mutually agreed" to part ways.

Paul Gutierrez has these quotes in an article for ESPN.com.

"Jim and I have come to the conclusion that it is in our mutual best interest to move in different directions," Niners CEO Jed York said in the statement. "We thank Jim for bringing a tremendous competitive nature and a great passion for the game to the 49ers. He and his staff restored a winning culture that has been the standard for our franchise throughout its history. Their commitment and hard work resulted in a period of success that should be looked back on proudly by our organization and our fans. We wish Jim and his family all the best."

"For the last four seasons I have had the great privilege to coach one of the storied franchises in the history of football," Harbaugh said in the statement. "We accomplished many great things together as a team during this period, which is a tribute to the incredible efforts of some of the most dedicated players and coaches in the NFL. I will miss competing alongside this group of players and coaches, I have the utmost respect and admiration for their hard work and support. It has been my honor to share the sideline with these mighty men. I will always appreciate and remember fondly, the passion and support of our Faithful fans, and want to express my particular thanks to them."

Look for Harbaugh to take over the head coaching position at the University of Michigan, his alma mater. I think the announcement will come before the playoffs start.

Harbaugh to Meet University of Michigan Officials

Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com has filed a story on two representatives from the University of Michigan meeting with San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh. Gutierrez notes that Harbaugh has one year remaining on his contract with the 49ers.

Read the article by Paul Gutierrez here.

Most Clicked on 2014 Stories on Yahoo Sports

It's that time of the year when we look back 2014 to remember the sports stories we all came to love/hate.

Here is 2014 in retrospect byYahoo Sports

Battle of 2-12 Teams Goes to Jacksonville

A battle of 2-12 teams that could determine who gets a shot at Marcus Mariota in the spring draft, was won by the Jacksonville Jaguars over the Tennessee Titans 21-13.

Tennessee took a 10 nothing lead before Blake Bortles hit Marcedes Lewis with a 4 yard pass with :31 seconds on the clock in the 1st half.

Toby Gerhart scored on a 1 yard run in the 3rd quarter to put the Jags ahead 14-10. Jordan Todman broke loose on a 62 yard touchdown run in the 4th quarter to put Jacksonville up 21 10 with 9:13 left in the game.
Ryan Succop  hit a 23 yard field goal with about 6 minutes to go to put the score at 21-13 and the Titans were driving when Charlie Whitehurst was sacked on the last play of the game to seal the win for the Jaguars.

NFL Game Picks Week 16

After an 11-5 week last week, thank you Aaron Rogers and Chip Kelly, I'm sure to knock 'em dead this week.

(L) Tennessee @ Jacksonville     Titans 20-17     Tossup. Titans defense wins
(L)Philadelphia @ Washington     Eagles 28-24     Eagles O too fast
(W)San Diego @ San Francisco     Chargers 30-21     Harbaugh looking East
(W)Minnesota @ Miami     Dolphins 20-17     Tossup. Going with the home team
(L)Baltimore @ Houston     Ravens 20-13  Defensive struggle...Ravens with too much O
(W)Detroit @ Chicago     Lions 28-13     Cutler out...Goodbye Bears
(L)Cleveland @ Carolina     Browns 20-10     Why...I don't know
(L)Atlanta @ New Orleans     Saints 30-24     Brees wants to get to 8-8
(W)Green Bay @ Tampa Bay     Packers 35-13     It was too cold in Buffalo
(W)Kansas City @ Pittsburgh     Steelers 17-13     Good D by both teams
(W)New England @ NY Jets     Patriots 30-13     Brady or Smith...Brady
(L)NY Giants @ St. Louis     Rams 20-10     Not much O but good D in STL
(W)Buffalo @ Oakland     Raiders 17-12     I don't know...Raiders D
(L)Indianapolis @ Dallas     Colts 20-17     No Murray...No win!
(W)Seattle @  Arizona     Seahawks 22-9     Lindley v. Seahawks secondary...no way!
Denver @ Cincinnati     Broncos 28-13     Manning all better this week

Saints Beat Listless Bears 31-15 on MNF

Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints looked like a new team on Monday night, defeating the Chicago Bears 31-15. Brees threw for 375 yards and 3 touchdowns with no interceptions in the win. The Saints improved to 6-8 on the year, a game in front of the Carolina Panthers and the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC South Division.

Jay Cutler went 17 of  31 for 194 yards, 2 touchdowns and 3 interceptions against a stingy, swarming Saints defense. Cutler was sacked 7 times for the game.

Read the ESPN recap here.

Arizona Cardinals Over Rams 12-6

The Arizona Cardinals rode the toe of Chandler Catanzaro to victory last night, 12-6, over the St. Louis Rams. The two teams combined for 6 field goals and 0 touchdowns.

The Cardinals became the first team this year to win a game without scoring a touchdown while the Rams have not allowed a touchdown in their last three games.

Drew Stanton, who left the field in the 3rd quarter with an injury, and Ryan Lindley were a combined 16 of 30 passing for 139 yards and no touchdowns for the Cardinals while Shaun Hill was 20 of 39 for 229 yards, no touchdowns and one interception for the Rams.

Arizona rushed for 143 yards on 33 carries, led by Kerwynn Williams' 75 yards and the Rams were held to 69 yards on the ground with Tre Mason running for 33 yards on 13 carries.

Read the ESPN recap here.

Green Bay outlasts Falcons 43-37 on MNF

The Green Bay Packers held off the Atlanta Falcons last night on MNF by a score of 43-37. The game was still in doubt late in the 4th quarter until the Packers recovered a Falcon's onside kick attempt and James Stark took a handoff from Aaron Rodgers 41 yards to the Falcon's 6 yard line with just over a minute to go in the game.

It was a game of two halves as the Packers built a 31-7 lead after two quarters and the Falcons held Green Bay to 12 points in the second half while scoring 30 points of their own.

Aaron Rodgers connected on 24 of 36 passes for 327 yards and 3 touchdowns. Rodgers has now thrown 35 TD passes with just 2 INTs all year. Matt Ryan, of the Falcons, was equally effective going 24 for 39 for 375 yards and 4 touchdowns.

The Packers rushed for 179 yards on 30 carries with 2 touchdowns. James Stark led the Packers with 75 yards and a touchdown and Eddie Lacy ran for 73 yards and a TD. Lacy also caught a touchdown pass from Rodgers.

Although Atlanta was held to 91 yards on the ground for the night, Steven Jackson gained 50 yards and had a 4 yard touchdown run.

Julio Jones had a career best receiving game with 11 receptions for 259 yards with a 79 yard touchdown catch and run. Roddy White, Harry Douglas and Eric Weems also caught touchdown passes from Ryan.

Jordy Nelson caught 8 passes for 146 yards and 2 touchdowns for Green Bay including a 60 yard touchdown reception.

Dolphins Plod to 16-13 Win Over Hapless Jets

Thankfully last night's Monday Night Football game has come to an end. Without looking back on every MNF contest through the years I can say, without reservation, that this game between the Miami Dolphins and the NY Jets was the most boring game I have ever watched. The Dolphins beat the Jets 16-13.

After three quarters of play the Dolphins had 52 yards on the ground and 167 through the air. The Jets on the other hand had 233 yards rushing and just 42 yards receiving. Geno Smith, Jets quarterback, was 3 of 6 passing for the first half. Only Tim Tebow has ever won an NFL game while attempting 15 or fewer passes in a game.

There was a situation in the second quarter, with the Jets leading 10-6 and facing a 4th and 2 from the Miami 27 yard line that seemed the perfect time to go for it on 4th down. The Jets defense had held the Dolphins for most of the half and the Jets had 228 yards rushing at the time. The worst case scenario for the Jets, if they didn't make it, would be that the Dolphins would take over on downs at their own 27 and the Jets defense would force them to go 73 yards in a drive, something the Dolphins had not been able to do in the game. Ryan chose to kick the field goal for a 13-6 lead.

Geno Smith attempted just 13 passes all game and completed 7 of them for 65 yards with no touchdowns and 1 interception. Statistically, Ryan Tannehill had a better night at 25 of 35 passes for 235 yards but he also failed to record a touchdown and also threw an interception.

The teams combined to miss 3 field goals, 2 by the Jet's Nick Folk and 1 by the Dolphin's Caleb Sturgis. Folk's second miss came with the score tied at 13 and 10:24 to go in the game.

Caleb Sturgis connected for 3 with 1:57 left in the game but the win was not assured until Geno Smith threw an interception with 34 seconds left.

The Dolphins somehow have managed to stay in the playoff hunt at 7-5 while the Jets fall to 2-10 on the year.

Running Back Ben Tate Claimed Off Waivers by Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings claimed former Cleveland Browns running back, Ben Tate, off the waiver wire on Wednesday.

Tate will be paid $353,000 as the Vikings part of his salary for 2014 and $46,900 for each game he remains on the Vikings 46 man roster.

Adrian Peterson, unless he wins an appeal, has been suspended for the remainder of the season by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. While waiting on word of his suspension, the Vikings have been using rookie Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata to fill in for Peterson. McKinnon is averaging 4.9 yards a carry while Asiata has 6 rushing TDs and 1 receiving touchdown.

On the face of the pickup, it appears to be a bad decision by the Vikings front office as Tate's performance for the Browns, where he was used primarily as a third down back, has not been as productive nor produced the results the Vikings have had with their current backs.

Dolphins Best Bills 22-9

Ryan Tannehill threw for 240 yards and 2 touchdowns as the Miami Dolphins overcame 5 sacks and 2 lost fumbles to beat the Buffalo Bills 22-9 on Thursday night.

The Dolphins defense held Kyle Orton to 193 yards through the air with no TDs. They also held the Bills to just 54 yards on the ground. Anthony Dixon had 35 of those yards on 10 carries to lead the Bills ground game.

Jarvis Landry and Brandon Gibson had the receiving touchdowns for the Dolphins.

The lone bright spot for the Bills was the play of Mario Williams who had 3 1/2 sacks in the game.

Read the ESPN recap here.

Packers Manhandle Bears 55-14

In seven years as the Green Bay Packers starter, Aaron Rogers has faced the Chicago Bears 13 times. The University of California, Berkely star with a Wonderlic score of 35 has owned the Bears. Rogers, drafted 24th behind #1 pick Alex Smith, has dominated the NFC North. On Sunday night the 2010 Super Bowl MVP had little trouble with the Bears.

The Chicago Bears should be familiar with the Packers schemes and the Packers players. Even the coach of the Packers, Mike McCarthy, has been there the entire 7 years. On Sunday night the Bears lost to the Packers 55-14. The Bears looked as if each formation they saw was from another team, in a different year. Aaron Rogers, the quarterback they have faced for 7 1/2 years, threw for 315 yards and 6 touchdowns - in the 1st half.

The Packers rushed for 132 yards on 32 carries against a team that prides itself on defense. Jordy Nelson caught 6 balls for 152 yards and 2 touchdowns. Randell Cobb, Eddie Lacy, Andrew Quarless and Brandon Bostick each caught a touchdown pass from Rogers.

The vaunted Bears defense recorded no sacks while the Packers got to Jay Cutler 4 times, had 8 tackles for losses and 6 QB hits.

The Pack are now 6-3 and in command of the NFC North while the Bears fall to 3-6 and look forward to the 2015 draft and rebuilding for the 2015 season.