First, congratulations to Karl, the New leader of the Braggarts!!!  Wish I knew how you do it... and now, before I get to the Thursday pick, an important public service message:



Do you miss the olden days when NFL teams were often defined by their running backs?  The legendary teams like Jim Brown's Browns, Eric Dickerson's Rams, Earl Campbell's Oilers, O.J. Simpson's Bills, Barry Sanders's Lions, Gale Sayers's Bears, or Walter Payton's Bears? Or even the less-legendary teams defined by their RBs, Chris Warren's Seahawks, Wilbert Montgomery's Eagles, or John Riggins's Redskins? Well, if you've been missing them, or just wondering what it was like to watch games like that, check out the Rams at the Vikings this weekend, which ought to billed as the NFL's "Clone Wars."  The Rams' running back, Todd Gurley, a 10th overall draft pick, is 6-1, 227 pounds, and is tearing up the league a year after suffering a torn ACL.  Adrian Peterson, 7th overall pick, is 6-1, 220 and of course he lit up the league for 2,097 yards in 2012, the year after he tore an ACL.  The Rams’ offense ranks 30th overall, 3rd in rushing, 32nd in passing and 28th in scoring.  The Vikings' offense rank 29th overall, 5th in rushing, 30th in passing and 24th in scoring.  Well, how about defense? The Vikings rank 7th, the Rams rank 6th.  This is about as close to a 70s or 80s era NFL game as you may ever get to see again.

If you aren't terminally bored by defensive games and rush-first-football, you owe it to yourself to check it out.


And, as for Thursday,

Bengals over Johnny Football.



Packers over Panthers... and then there were none (undefeated teams in the NFC)

Pats over 'skins.  Defense may win championships, but the Patriots win regular season games.

Aints over Tennessee Tuxedos.  Brees is back.

Bills over the resurgent Fins.  Tyrod Taylor has one huge advantage that Ryan Tannehill lacks: a good rushing game.

Rams over Vikings.   It will be very, Very windy in Minnesota today, which really helps the team that can run better.  Usually that is the Vikings, but not today.

Jets over Jags.  The Jags play much better at home, but this game is in New Jersey.  The Raiduhs showed how to shut down Chris Ivory, but the Jaguars aren't ready to duplicate that feat.

Steelers over Raiders.  Not a Super Bowl rematch, but a perennial AFC playoff rematch from years gone by.

New Jersey Jiants over Bucs.  
		The Bucs: "What's our record, Larry?"
		Larry:  "Three and four."
		Bucs:  "Three... and four.  How'd we ever win three?"
		Larry:  "It's a miracle."
		Bucs:  "It's a miracle (that we're in the NFC South).  This... is a simple game..."

Falcons over 9ers.  Without Carlos Hyde and Anquan Boldin, benching Kaepernick is a mercy.

Broncos over Colts.  My horse-sense is tingling!

Iggles over 'boys.  Greg Hardy is sooo sorry... that the photos were published.  "... a league source told [ESPN's Ed] Werder that at no time during the NFL's investigation, nor through his suspension and appeal, did Hardy demonstrate any remorse for the incident."

Bolts over da Bears.  Matt Forte is the best RB in this game- except he won't be playing. Keenan Allen is the best WR in this game- except, ditto.  Eddie Royal isn't the best WR, but he's busy keeping the other MIAs company...