By Daniel Thompson

    Michigan doesn’t play football this weekend. That also means that Michigan won’t win for the first time in 7 weeks. But don’t make plans this Saturday yet, there are still a few ways Michigan can come out of this weekend as a winner. Ohio State doesn’t play, Alabama and LSU don’t play for another week, but some of these games can improve Michigan’s Big Ten title and CFP odds.

1. Northwestern defeats Wisconsin

    Thanks to the Spoilermakers, we’re now at the point where it wouldn’t be arrogant for Michigan fans to start rooting for a weak team from the Big Ten West to advance to the Championship game. And the Big Ten West is wiiiiiide open. Wisconsin, Iowa, Northwestern, and Purdue have all lost only one game in conference play. Northwestern is in the driver’s seat as the only one of the four with four conference wins. They also beat Purdue in West Lafayette already and now get Wisconsin at home. Should the Wildcats (-3.5) pull off the upset, they would instantly become the favorites to win the Big Ten West. They have to go on the road to play Iowa, but they could afford to slip up in that one with a win today. Of the four teams in contention, Northwestern and Wisconsin are the two that have played Michigan, and Northwestern certainly came much closer to winning, but it would be foolish to want to play Wisconsin again at a neutral location rather than Northwestern. By all metrics that first Michigan Northwestern had no business being that close, and Michigan would be a heavy favorite if they met again, this would not be the case against Wisconsin, who might remember they have Jonathan Taylor the second time around. Root for the Cats to pull off the upset in order to set up the easiest path to a B1G Championship for the Wolverines in ages.

2. Penn State defeats Iowa

    Staying in the Big Ten, Michigan has a lot to gain from this one. Penn State coming to Ann Arbor doesn’t look like it will have all the same hype it started the year with, but beating a two-loss Penn State team would still be a huge win for the Wolverines. Most importantly, it would give Michigan their third top 25 win of the season, three more than Big XII favorite Oklahoma. Should Michigan win out, their only threats to a CFP bid would be a 12-1 Oklahoma or anyone beside Alabama winning the SEC. Right now Oklahoma has a loss to top-10 Texas at a neutral site, but that’s trumped by Michigan who boasts the best loss in the country. The bigger advantage comes from the fact that Oklahoma has 0 wins versus ranked opponents. Michigan can begin to get comfortable if Penn State wins today, moves up into the top-15 of the first CFP rankings, and then adds another win against a team likely to be ranked at the end of the year. Penn State is also two games back of Michigan in the Big Ten East, so a loss would not put Michigan’s Big Ten title bid in danger. Conversely, Iowa is probably the last team Michigan wants to see come out of the Big Ten West. If they keep winning, Iowa will be a top 10 team come December 1st, and back to back wins versus Ohio State and Iowa would mean Jim Harbaugh has now beaten every Big Ten school as a coach while also adding another stop on the Revenge Tour, but Iowa regularly pulls off upsets like they did in 2016. This team is good, and their spooky factor is maxed out. A top 15-opponent in the hand is worth a top-10 opponent in the bush. Please keep Iowa far away from Indy.

3. Florida defeats Georgia

    The ninth ranked Gators will meet the 7th ranked Bulldogs in Jacksonville. This is unequivocally the game of the week, and probably the SEC East Championship Game. So it belongs on this list, but neither result helps Michigan much either way. That being said, Michigan definitely wants Florida. If either of these teams win the SEC, they are making the playoffs, and possibly Alabama too. So Michigan should root for the weaker team to win. Florida is less likely to beat Alabama, and best of all, currently trails Kentucky in the SEC East. Florida winning provides the best shot at Kentucky possibly winning the SEC East. Either way, loser of this game is eliminated from playoff contention.

4. Oklahoma State, Kansas State, or Florida State winning

    These teams play Texas at home, Oklahoma on the road, and Clemson at home respectively. The last two will probably lose, but S&P + actually thinks Oklahoma State is considerably better than Texas, home field advantage aside. A Clemson loss would be the most valuable, but they have 0 presently ranked teams on their schedule. At Florida State is their toughest game remaining by default. They ain’t played nobody, but they’re still really good. A loss would probably keep Clemson out if Michigan, Oklahoma, or Texas win out, and if it’s going to happen, it’s probably this weekend. Kansas State’s odds are slim, but we can hope. Any one of these teams winning is reason to celebrate.

5. The CFP Committee loves the Big Ten

    The first CFP rankings come out this Tuesday. It is very unlikely Michigan is anything but 5th in the first rankings. But, the committee did surprise people ranking Georgia number 1 in their first rankings last year. The real victory for Michigan would be if the committee ranks other Big Ten teams favorably. The advantage of not ranking until more than halfway through the season is perspective. Penn State’s OT win vs Appalachian State looked ugly at the time, but is now debatably a quality win. Appalachian State just lost their first game since, on the road to a now 7-1 Georgia Southern team. The higher the Big Ten is ranked, and the lower the Big XII, the better for Michigan. Hope to see Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin, and Iowa all ranked and get excited if anyone else is. Hope that at least four of the five are top 15. I’ll forgive you if you don’t hope any of these things happen to Ohio State. Hope that only Texas, Oklahoma, and West Virginia are ranked out of the Big XII and that they are ranked low compared to the AP Poll.

​image credit: ​https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/2018/06/13/world-cup-2026-host-cities-indianapolis-doesnt-make-list-while-nashville-cincinnati-do/697983002/

By Andrew Miller
​
Week 8 Power Rankings

1) LA Rams
    There is no doubt that this team is the best team in football right now. Todd Gurley had an “off week” last week and still had 2 TDs. Until I see this team break a sweat I am not gonna be scared. Point of Worry: Rams Defense has been giving up a lot of big plays and points when they don’t play CJ Beathard. The rest of the season they play legit offenses (Packers, Chiefs, Saints, Bears, Lions, Eagles).

2) Kansas City Chiefs
    If I were to bet on one team to score a TD on any drive I’d pick the Chiefs. This team has the best collection of talent on offense in the league (I know who is number 1 in these rankings). They can score in less than 2 min every drive. Tyreek Hill Hill is now officially the best WR in football; I can’t think of anyone defenses are more afraid of. Point of Worry: The secondary is awful; Eric Berry alone won’t fix it. Every team that plays them knows to just throw it Orlando Scandrick’s way and they can get 8-25 yards each play, if not Pass Interference. This team can win in a shootout, but they will lose if Orlando Scandrick is the best they can do at CB2.

3) New England Patriots
    Horrible injury to Sony Michel sets this team back a bit, but James White has done enough to earn the Patriots’ respect. Much like the previous two teams, this team's offensive talent is elite, and their offensive schemes are ridiculously creative. Josh Gordon has shown he can actually play football, who knew? Dont’a Hightower seems to have regained a gear. Point of Worry: The defense is still not scaring anyone. This team has shown they can give up yards at any point. Luckily this is Bill Belichick, so even if they are in the red zone, a TD is not certain.

4) New Orleans Saints
    It is time. The sports world must give this underrated personality his just due after years of excellence. His name is Sean Payton. I’m sorry just to vent, I appreciate all the Drew Brees hype right now, congrats buddy you deserve it, but let’s talk about the genius that is Sean Payton. This team went from Drew Brees making scripted passes to get to 5000 yards to get to 8-8 to being a power running game with all the weapons Drew Brees could ask for. It’s hard to scheme against the Saints because they can play any type of football. I am excited to see what Sean Payton can do with Taysom Hill for the rest of the season Point of Optimism: Their schedule is very favorable moving forward, playing no elite teams other than the Rams, and maybe the Panthers twice.

5) LA Chargers
    I love this football team, they are elite. STILL WITHOUT JOEY BOSA. This team has  3 speedy guys who are all at least 6ft 3, in the Williams and Keenan Allen. Their offense is electric even without Melvin Gordon, who is playing like a top 4 back. Philip Rivers found an extra gear in the back end of his career. This team can make some real noise, and they may be one of the most complete teams in the NFL. Point of Worry: The Chargers play a good mix of nasty defenses (Ravens, Broncos, Bengals) and explosive offenses (Steelers, Chiefs).

6) Carolina Panthers
    It bothers me a little bit that the panthers were down 17-0 in Philly with Cam Newton bringing them back to win, and all anyone can talk about is how the Eagles are in their Super Bowl Hangover. Talk about how good the Panthers are because they are sensational. Their offense has maybe one of the most intriguing collection of weapons in the sport. Funchess is a great 50/50 ball catcher, Curtis Samuel looks like a nice gadget player, is McCaffery a receiver a running back, I don’t know. Not to mention DJ Moore and Greg Olsen. I think that this team could be the surprise Super Bowl contender. Point of Optimism: Their schedule is super favorable to their strengths and also they get to play the Saints twice and are only one game behind the Saints in the NFC South standings.

7) Minnesota Vikings
    I’m not sure if I trust this team the most in the NFC North, but they certainly have the best record. The problem being that I don’t think this team matches up well with any team in their division all that well, and that offensive line isn’t going to make it any easier. This team has potential, but a Mike Hughes injury seems a lot more significant than it probably should have been. Point of Optimism: This team has the best collection of weapons in the North and with Dalvin Cook (hopefully) back, this team still has a multifaceted offense that should scare opposing defenses.

8) Baltimore Ravens
    This team was a Justin Tucker PAT miss from probably beating the Saints. What I saw last week was a team that stuffed Mark Ingram into being ineffective and kept Kamara honest. I haven’t seen the Saints O-line beaten all season until this week. The Ravens can win any week against any team. The only problem is that they have no legitimate playmaker at their skill positions. I wouldn’t trust Alex collins and Michael Crabtree with my season. Point of Worry: The Ravens play the Steelers, Panthers, Chiefs, Chargers, Bengals, Browns, and Falcons, all losable games in my eyes. Only gimme is Oakland at home.

9) Pittsburgh Steelers
    Let’s call this team baby Chiefs. Good team with the same strengths and weaknesses as the Chiefs, just the strengths are not at strong and the weaknesses are worse. The best corner on the Steelers is between Artie Burns and Joe Haden (YIKES) and, Le’Veon still doesn’t look like he is ready to return, (double yikes). This team can score, but unlike the Chiefs I am not always certain they will outscore their opponent. Point of Worry: They have to play some of the best teams in the NFL (Panthers, Ravens, Bengals, Browns, Chargers, Jags, Patriots, Saints). I don't think it is crazy to predict a sub .500 record for that slew of games.

10) Green Bay Packers
    Oh boy is Aaron Rodgers just amazing. I don’t think I will ever see a team jump up this many spots in the rankings just by other teams disappointing me so terribly. My opinion hasn’t changed, this is a 6-10 football team at best, but Aaron Rodgers makes them a contender. After the BYE the Packers can now get Rodgers’ leg healthy, Randall Cobb healthy, Jaire Alexander healthy, and figure out how to effectively use Aaron Jones. I guess if there is something to say about their defense, Kenny Clark is HUGE, and they need Jaire back. Point of Optimism: The Packers schedule moving forward is very favorable playing only two teams with winning records, one of them being the Dolphins and the other being Minnesota for a true tiebreaker game.

11) Houston Texans
    The team that is in the lead for the AFC South, your Houston Texans. I fully expect them to win this garbage pile of a division which is why they are this high. I have no faith in them being a threat to anyone in the playoffs because that offensive line should expose them every game. Point of Optimism: That two headed monster at pass rusher may be the best we’ve ever seen, and they play in the AFC South.

12) Chicago Bears
    I may have been too high on the Bears… This year. I stand by that this is still one of the best rosters in all of football with a very creative offense. I’m not ready to count them or any team out of the NFC North, they are all good teams. I think this defense is still elite, just the secondary is pretty thin outside their starters. Point of Optimism: Bears still have two games each against the Lions and Vikings and another with the Packers, with only the Giants, 49ers and Rams rounding out the other games. The Bears, more than maybe any other team, control their own destiny.

13) Philadelphia Eagles
Calm down Eagles fans everything is going to be fine. You have easily the best QB, and defense in your division. Just because you haven’t been electric is more a testament of how much this team misses Legarrette Blount and Jay Ajayi. It needs a power run option. Am I really worried that Washington is gonna win the Division? I don’t know is Alex Smith elite? Point of Worry: They play the Saints and Rams, but do play Washington twice.

14) Cincinnati Bengals
    Oh Andy Dalton, I missed you being bad, it was only a matter of time. The only hope is that Cincinnati starts to realize that they go through Joe Mixon and then look for Aj Green and Tyler Boyd and not the other way around. This team can make noise, but I am not sure they are a TRUE playoff team, but will be fighting tooth and nail for a spot. Point of Worry: They only play the Ravens and Steelers once, but have to play good defenses on the way and the Browns twice, Broncos and not to mention the Saints.

15) Detroit Lions
    The Lions have found their identity after 10 years of the Stafford Era. The have a very good offense and they have finally found a power running game that teams are still catching up to. The Lions are in the hunt and are going to remain in it for the rest of the season. The offensive line has opened up holes for Kerryon Johnson, which has allowed Stafford better looks (going 5 straight games with a passer rating > 100). For the first time in a while the Lions have, dare I say, potential. Point of Worry: The Lions still have to play the Bears twice, Rams, and Panthers all while having an atrocious run defense. Maybe Snacks Harrison will fix that.

16) Washington Football Team
    Washington beat the Cowboys and the Panthers back to back, despite both being games they should have lost. However they won both by less than a touchdown. I am not convinced that an Alex Smith led team can win this division moving forward, or really contend for a playoff seat. The defense is up and coming but they haven’t came yet. I think this team will be really good next year. Point of Optimism: Moving forward they only play 1 team with winning record, that being the Texans

17) Miami Dolphins
    The Miami Dolphins have won more games than they have lost, that is about the nicest thing I can say about this team. They lost their best receiver in Albert Wilson and possibly their second best in Kenny Stills. Kenyan Drake came back but a lot of his production came on a 70 yard run against the Lions’ run defense. Point of Worry: They are a bad team with key injuries, who are just not overachieving enough to warrant sacrificing draft position, while their best player is turning 37.

18) Dallas Cowboys
    The Boys lost a questionably called game to Washington, and look like an interesting team moving forward. In a division that is up for grabs they made an ill-advised investment in an athletic drop machine named Amari Cooper. The Cowboys’ D is legit and their D Line is scary. David Irving is a massive human being, and Byron Jones is looking like the most under the radar star CB in the whole league. Point of Optimism: This team’s schedule is favorable, pretty much only playing division foes, while their only other challenge will be the Saints.

19) Seattle Seahawks
    Russell Wilson is a legit star, and Chris Carson looks like a legit RB in this league. I think this team could spoil any team’s week with a surprise win. Doug Baldwin looks at least back to his former self, and the pass rush on the Seahawks has been a modest surprise. Point of Worry: They play really good offenses throughout the rest of the season (Lions, Packers, Panthers, Rams, and even the 49ers).

20) Jacksonville Jaguars
    This may be a little bit of an over-reaction, but the Jags have a real problem and I can’t have them with the playoff contenders while Blake Bortles is still the best QB on the roster. This defense is elite, it is special, you all know how good this defense is. I love this team and my only hope now is that they trade for Tyrod or Teddy, cut Blake Bortles and give one of them number 5. Point of Optimism: If they get a new QB in time, they will be playing the Colts twice, Bills and Titans, they can still win.

21) Denver Broncos
    The Broncos’ defense has found a rekindling of a fire once lost. I like this team to spoil many other teams’ playoff hopes for the rest of the year. I also fully expect this to be Demaryius Thomas’ last year as a Bronco with the emergence of Cortland Sutton. That’s about it on a team that plays hard but not great. Point of Worry: The Broncos play the Steelers, Chiefs, Chargers, and Texans, all clearly better than the Broncos.

22) Cleveland Browns
    The Browns are an interesting case because they have the talent on their team to really contend. If they were in the AFC South they would be ahead of the Texans. Myles Garrett is a beast, Nick Chubb looks good running behind an amazing offensive line, David Njoku looks like the athlete we knew he could be, and Baker looks alright. The problem is the offense is kind of basic, and Hue Jackson taking back play calling isn’t gonna make things better, not to mention they play is one of the most grueling divisions in football. Still they are super talented. Point of Optimism:  Hue Jackson will be fired and they can take a stab at Lincoln Riley and use their still impressive stable of mid round draft picks next year.


23) Atlanta Falcons
    A low scoring win against Eli and the Giants isn’t gonna impress me, if anything it sours me on the whole thing. Sark is a failure, their offense is basic and takes little risks. I understand that Devonta Freeman is out, but Tevin Coleman looks honestly better than Freeman really has in his career; he could stand to break tackles rather than just fly by them. I think the team could be a playoff contender if their offense was creative enough to score points, but it is not. Point of Optimism: They are going to have a decently high draft pick and not have to pay Vic Beasley.

24) Tennessee Titans
    The 2 point conversion is emblematic of the Titans’ season, the can hang in with good teams, but they just fall short of contending. The Titans are nothing special on both sides, and the only reason they are this high is because I think they have the right coach in Mike Vrabel. I like his aggressive attitude, and think he can be a star coach in this league. Otherwise, I’m just waiting for next year. Point of Worry: I don’t know if it is real, but does anyone really trust Mariota to win you football games?

25) Indianapolis Colts
    Is there any better guilty pleasure than garbage time Colts? I love it that they don’t take plays off no matter if they are losing or beating the snot out of the Bills. The emergence of Marlon Mack has been a decent surprise along with Nyheim Hines being one of the league’s better receiving backs. T.Y. looks healthy, which is also a plus. The Colts are a fun watch for any football fan. Is there anything better than prime Andrew Luck? Point of Optimism: The offensive line is very impressive. The Colts have a foundation to build on in this upcoming draft, could be a not-so-surprising division favorite next year.


26) Tampa Bay Bucs
The Bucs are overachieving this year, they should really be a 2-5 football team, but had Fitzmagic early. They barely beat out the Browns, but to me that win is a little sour and could have gone either way. The secondary is still atrocious, and they have a real problem on the D-Line too, JPP isn’t getting it done. I am also not sold on Ronald Jones to make that offense elite, he is just a hair too slow. Point of Worry: With this draft class, the Bucs may be forced to hold on to Jameis another year.

27) NY Jets
    I don’t hate watching the Jets play football, I just don’t like it that much either. There is nothing special to watch other than Sam Darnold show progress. I am just not in love with their scheme on either side of the ball, and with Quincy Enunwa out, I am not in love with any of their weapons on offense. Someone needs to provide a spark-plug to this team before I fall asleep watching them play. Point of Optimism: As a roster they are better than the Dolphins and Bills.

28) Buffalo Bills
    Derek Anderson or Nathan Peterman. That is now the question that Buffalo fans must toil with each week. It is really sad to watch a team whose best weapon is Kelvin Benjamin play football. I don’t know what else to say besides pleading the Bills to not fire Sean McDermott. Point of Optimism: It could not possibly get worse at QB, and this WR class is pretty deep.

29) New York Giants
    THIS TEAM MAKES ME MAD!!!!!!!!! This team is wasting the talents of possibly the best RB and WR in the league, all because they want to make sure that Eli has the stats to go to the Hall of Fame (of which he does not belong). Odell has every right to be frustrated. Also this defense isn’t that bad either, Snacks (that 2019 5th rounder) and Dalvin Tomlinson are huge men stopping any teams run, and Landon Collins is legit. Eli cannot make any throw that requires effort. The Giants just got rid of the wrong Eli (Apple) and it makes me sick. Point of Pessimism: It looks like Justin Herbert might not declare.

30) San Francisco 49ers
    I just feel bad for Kyle Shanahan. He and Sean McVay both started out in Tampa Bay around the same time. Both were rightly pegged as offensive masterminds. One goes to San Francisco and the other to Los Angeles. Sean McVay got jared Goff and Todd Gurley, while Kyle got to draft CJ Beathard. McVay and Shannahan both are now contemporaries in the same division and face each other twice a year. I feel no need to talk about this season of 49er football unless someone finds a way to cure ACL tears out of nowhere. Point of Worry: There is no such cure.

31) Oakland Raiders
    Give it up for the people of Oakland. Now stomp on their heart because I just remembered the same people are fans of the Warriors. The Raiders are now in a rebuild that will probably last as long as the Raiders do in the Colosseum. They have no more building blocks besides Derek Carr who’s playing not well (not as bad as the media says but still not great). This is going to show that the Raiders have thrown in the towel, ensuring that the Jon Gruden Era is here to stay through a whole rebuild. Point of Optimism: 5 1st round picks in 2 years.

32) Arizona Cardinals
    I am not one to panic normally, especially first year starting QBs, but I am worried about Josh Rosen. The interceptions he threw are not that concerning to me as one might think. He made those throws under duress because his O-line couldn’t block for him, even if you paid them millions of dollars to do so. Josh Rosen throws a beautiful ball and the touch and arm strength is evident when he steps back. I am worried that Josh Rosen clearly isn’t mobile enough in the pocket to protect himself from the pressure that his line is giving him. With his injury background, I have never been more terrified that a player who I like, will get hurt playing for the team that drafted him. Let’s hope he makes it through the year and they can draft Jonah Williams to protect him. Point of Optimism: A lot of contending teams have a need at CB, Patrick Peterson could demand a bidding war, if he ever makes up his mind about wanting to be traded.

image credit: ​https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article220227835.html

How often do you get a chance to play against your sibling in a Division 1 level college sport? Not often. However, on October 12th, Michigan Hockey player, Quinn Hughes, played against his 17-year-old brother, Jack Hughes, who plays for the USA USHL U18 developmental team. Quinn’s Wolverines fell short to his younger brother’s team by a final score of 6-3.
    This offseason, Quinn Hughes was drafted 7th overall in the 2018 draft to the Vancouver Canucks; arguably pretty good for a boy who just turned nineteen a couple days ago. This will likely be Hughes’ last season with Michigan hockey, since the Canucks plan on adding him to their team when he looks ready. By being one of the best defensive players in the Big Ten hockey league, Quinn Hughes has shown that he will soon be ready to join the NHL . However, as much as Quinn Hughes deserves all the hype surrounding him, he is a bit outshined by his younger brother. Jack Hughes is predicted to go number one overall in the 2019 NHL draft and has not yet committed to any college hockey team. The younger Hughes will probably head straight to the NHL, even though he is only turning eighteen in May. When the two brothers faced off last Friday, one of them really stuck out. Jack Hughes had one goal and two assists for a total of three points. Quinn Hughes did not get any points against the USA U18 team. The USA team dominated Michigan, outscoring the Wolverines by three goals, without giving them a chance to take the lead or even tie it up. By the end of the second period, the Michigan team was tired and the US sat comfortably with their three goal lead.
    Friday was one of three losses that Michigan has to the USA developmental team in its history. Although the USA team is full of NHL-bound players, last year Michigan hockey handily beat them. All of the players on the USA team are 18 and younger, with less experience than most college hockey players. Nine times out of ten, a college hockey team should beat them. So, what does that mean for Quinn Hughes and his team? Yes, the USA team is talented, competitive, and knows how to handle the puck against older players. Yes, they did beat Michigan’s rival, Notre Dame, the reigning B1G champions, 5-2 the weekend before. Regardless, Michigan, who made the Frozen Four just six months ago, should have won. This non-conference game was a wake up call to the Wolverines. No single player, not even Quinn Hughes, can lead a team to victory. Michigan hockey has to change something if they want to have another successful season this year. The Big Ten teams are more difficult than the USA development team, even without players like Jack Hughes on their offensive line. Michigan hockey must wake up soon or they will get left behind in college hockey’s toughest conference.

​Written by Vanessa Litchard

By: Dean Persichetti

             The NFL is changing right in front of our faces. Young coaches and young quarterbacks that play well above their expected means seem to be the norm right now. Patrick Mahomes is coming off one of the better performances out of a quarterback this season, and still lost 40-43 against the Patriots this past Sunday Night. I had to double-take a few times throughout this game to make sure I wasn’t watching Big XII football. It would be putting it kindly to call both the Pats' and Chiefs' secondaries Swiss Cheese. They’re 10 times worse. Make that 20 times worse. More along the lines of a muenster cheese that’s been fermenting in a dumpster filled with Indian food for three weeks. Absolutely horrid stuff.
            Anyways, back to the AFC North. This division as a whole (excluding the Browns, sort of) has played exactly the kind of football NFL fans love for the past five years. The Steelers and Bengals displayed that this past Sunday in the Steelers' 28-21 win over the Bengals. It was a classic game of “out-physical” the guy across from you, and hope it leads to points.
The Ravens and Browns played the exact style of football two weeks ago, in the Browns last-second overtime win 12-9. These are teams that duke it out at the line of scrimmage and play pissed off. If I had to freeze my ass off in any of these cities I’d probably be pissed too. The remainder of these AFC North matchups should be top-of-the-line football down the stretch. If you’re into run, run, pass and hard-nosed defense. You know, the real “grassroots” style of football, the working man’s football. Then these teams should not be missed throughout the course of the 2018 NFL season.
 
Bengals
 
This Bengals team essentially tries to beat the Steelers by bullying them every time they play. Not with schematics, not with comprehensive game planning, but picking on the Steelers until they break. Now this strategy hasn’t exactly boded well for Marvin Lewis, who's a career 8-24 against the Steelers and a shocking 2-15 against them at home. P.S…. It really isn’t that shocking. Lewis does the same thing year after year with this team against the Steelers. Bully them and lay big hits until it gets to their heads. Literally.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


​

​            It might not win games, but it’s one hell of an entertaining product and folks; I’m certainly here for it. Most of us remember when Vontaze Burfict hit Antonio Brown in the head three years ago in the Bengals classic playoff loss against the Steelers. Well evidently, you can’t teach a dog new tricks, and you can’t teach Vontaze not to kill Antonio Brown. This classic "Burfict" play caused Antonio Brown to leave the field for a few plays after being shaken up.
​
​                  Burfict hit Brown in the head once again this past Sunday, but was not penalized. This did not ultimately lose the game for the Bengals like three years ago, but is still indicative of what’s to come for this team in the future. There’s a difference between smash mouth football, and being reckless. Burfict does not seem to get that, and Marvin Lewis seems well past the point of potentially enlightening him. This Bengals team will be fun to watch over the next couple of months and will probably sneak into the playoffs. But, it looks like the same old problems will continue to haunt them once they get there.

Steelers
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           Both the Steelers and the Patriots seem to develop these annual growing pains each year, but only one of them actually gets results. Ben Roethlisberger has looked great on paper this year, other than his performance against the Ravens. But he still has those throws that make you scratch your head, and wonder if that motorcycle accident several years ago did permanent damage to the little voice in Ben’s head. “Ben he’s open, he’s open, and it’s six the other way.”
           To take shots at a potential serious brain injury that may have taken place outside of the safe venue that is the game of football might be a little harsh. Given the injuries that Big Ben has sustained just by playing the game, let alone diving into what he does away from football...

But it's these kinds of throws late in big games that will keep the Steelers from winning the division.​

​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlIUmQVztJQ


Plus, the lack of that Le’Veon Bell guy. James Conner has looked great this year,and is fifth in the league in rushing with 453 yards, and had an impressive 111 yards rushing in the Steelers win on Sunday. But Bell is a generational talent and probably the most dynamic player in all of football. So, despite what James Conner does this season, Bell is still clearly more capable and versatile overall.​

Ravens
          
           This Ravens team has the making of all of the classic Ravens squads that have made deep runs in the playoffs in the past. Physical at the line of scrimmage, and studs at every level of the defense. They shutout the Titans 21-0 on the road, and set a franchise record for sacks in a game with 11 this past week. The Titans offensive line is anchored by All-Pro Taylor Lewan at left tackle and 2016 All-Pro Jack Conklin at right tackle. Just to put it in perspective how mean and talented this Ravens defense is, they racked up more sacks on Sunday than the 49ers, Buccaneers, Dolphins, Falcons, Giants, Patriots, Raiders, and Redskins have all season. 2015 fourth round pick out of Kentucky, Za’Darius Smith, led the team with 3 sacks.


           Jimmy Smith is a top 10 Corner in this league when he’s healthy. Eric Weddle might be the best safety in all of football at 33 years old. Three-time pro bowler C.J. Mosley is playing at the top of his game, and I haven’t even mentioned the leadership of stud 36-year old Terrell Suggs who already has 4.5 sacks on the year. This Ravens team has all the makings of their previous 2012 and 2000 Super Bowl teams. Ozzie Newsome finds value in later rounds, and builds his defenses at every level. That is exactly what this year’s Ravens team looks like, and be prepared to watch them make a run at the Super Bowl with Joe Flacco’s more recent consistent play.



Browns


           Ah the Cleveland Browns with the ugliest record in all of football at 2-3-1, and nearly being 1-3-2 after the conversion of a horrendous looking field goal against the Ravens at the last second two weeks ago. But, hey a win is a win and even if it "knuckle balls" through, it's still a big time win against a divisional opponent.


      Despite winning in ugly fashion, the Browns beat a highly competitive Ravens team. Cementing them as a legitimate threat in the AFC North for the remainder of the season. Then… they came back down to earth and realized they were the Browns. Losing embarrassingly, on both sides of the football this past Sunday, 38-14 at home against the Chargers. There is no question this Browns team has talent. Myles Garrett is living up to the hype with 5 sacks on the season, and Christian Kirksey and Joe Schobert have looked great at linebacker this year. But there still are question marks as far as discipline goes with this team.


           There have been multiple times this season where players like Jarvis Landry and Antonio Callaway look disinterested in running their routes. Landry is the only experienced player in the receivers' room, and at age 25, he's not that experienced. He seems to still be figuring out how to stretch the field and create more separation downfield, but the Browns simultaneously are looking for him to step into a leadership role. I think the Browns overpaid for Landry this offseason, and Baker Mayfield is paying the price for this lack of a solidified receiving corps. Granted, Mayfield looked bad against the Chargers and Ravens, but the effort from his receivers isn’t doing him any favors. Nor is there rush defense, which gave up 246 yards on the ground this past week. They have been hurt on the ground all season, and “frosted tips” Gregg Williams needs to get that sorted out for this team to go five hundred on the season.

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