Every true NFL devotee should make a pilgrimage once a year.
Not Canton, of course. Sure, the Hall of Fame might be a cool experience, but vacation time is precious. Your time is better served than wandering the halls of some Ohio building, looking at bronze busts and saying to yourself, “oh yeah, I forgot about that guy.”
No, I’m talking about the holy land for NFL fans. I mean LAS VEGAS. Every year I try and book a trip to Sin City during football season because there’s nothing like spending a Sunday with a mélange of fans from all over the country.
I’m not even much of a gambler. Well, that’s not entirely true. I enjoy placing bets but I rarely win. When I bet the over on a game, that’s when the Bills defense pitches a shutout. When I take the under, that’s when Mitch Trubisky throws six touchdown passes.
I just enjoy seeing people decked out in their gear, mixing cordially, with drinks in their hands. Sure, they’re there to cheer on their favorite team, but nobody is being a jerk about it. People float in, they float out, and you’re listening for when you hear a roar and switch your eyes to their television to see what turnover just led with a back door cover (gambling lingo).
It’s a good time. My sportsbook power rankings would have Mandalay Bay, Caesars and the Westgate at the top. But that’s just me.
I’ve got my tickets and I’m leaving on Thursday night. I. Can’t. Wait. And do yourself a favor and plan a trip during the season if you haven’t already.
(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)
NFL’S TOP 10
1) Rams – Yahoo Sports took a look at this team’s chances of going 16-0. I won’t go into every detail, but I’ll build on their view that it’s doubtful and say it’s impossible. Of their nine remaining games, seven are against quality competition with some tough road tests sprinkled in. They’re going to lose at some point soon, but I’m just enjoying the success while it lasts.
2) Patriots – I’m not a big fan of the New England area right now, considering my Dodgers are facing the Red Sox, but I have to respect success. The Patriots look like a completely different team now that they’re figuring things out. Defense still stinks, but they get stops when necessary. That might be good enough.
3) Chiefs – Why are they below the Patriots? I asked myself a question: Which team would win in the playoffs? I would pick New England at home or on the road. Patrick Mahomes is still a stud and Kareem Hunt is becoming a more consistent threat as a pass-catcher.
4) Saints – I’m anointing this team the Rams killers. It’s perfectly set up as L.A. will be coming off what will probably be a close win over Green Bay and will have to travel to the Superdome. And as you might have heard, the Saints have the No. 1 rush defense in the league. So, if they can bottle up Todd Gurley, some serious crowd noise might cause Jared Goff to crack.
5) Chargers – Their bye week is coming at just the right time. I’m part of a growing chorus of people to sing this team’s praises, but they got lucky to get through that London game vs. the Titans with a win. It’s the NFL, they don’t all have to be pretty.
6) Vikings – They still need to run the ball better (27th in rushing? Come on, guys), but they’ve won three in a row, including a win over the defending champs. Things are looking up.
7) Steelers – Le’Veon Bell might be back soon! We hope! In the meantime, they’re coming off a bye, which is a good thing because they have three interesting games in front of them. They have a game at the Ravens sandwiched between home matchups vs. the Browns and Panthers.
8) Panthers – There are times when I feel I don’t give this team the respect they deserve. It wasn’t just that they beat the Eagles, but that they did it away from home. Is this the start of a winning trend? Recent history with this team says no, but they’re strong enough on both sides of the ball to be a team nobody wants to face late in the season.
9) Ravens – Disappointing loss at home, even if it was against the Saints. The look on Justin Tucker’s face when his extra point kick sailed wide told the whole story. Everyone in the country was as shocked as he was. Fun facts: They’re 10th in passing yards and 24th in rushing yards, which is strange because I imagined it would be the exact opposite before the season began.
10) Redskins – Should the Eagles be here? No. The Redskins are in sole possession of first place in the NFC East and that has to count for something. Bill Parcells once said “you are what your record is.” I think. Maybe it was someone else. But the point is true.
WHAT’S THE CHATTER?
Wheeling and dealing: The Raiders dealt Amari Cooper to the Cowboys for yet another first-round draft pick. And there was much breathless jabbering. I don’t understand the excitement. As a fantasy owner, I can attest that Cooper spends more time letting you down than succeeding. Who knows, maybe he can find success with inconsistent Dak Prescott. But don’t hold your breath.
JuJu’s big plan: The Steelers wideout bought 120 Mega Millions ticket before the last drawing, joking he wanted to win so the team could get Le’Veon Bell back. Sadly, it didn’t work. I’m the guy who always envisions what it would be life to win that kind of jackpot, but is too lazy to buy a ticket. I think it’s because I’m always behind people buying lottery tickets at a convenience store and those people take FOREVER. Come on, I’m just trying to pay for this Snapple and get on with my day. Move it!!
Goodbye, Chad: The Broncos released backup quarterback Chad Kelly one day after he was arrested for criminal trespass. You screw up like that, you’re done. Those are the rules. You know who hasn’t screwed up like that? Colin Kaepernick. And yet …
Oh, crap: Aaron Rodgers had a full practice as the Packers returned from their bye week and hopes to play Sunday’s game vs. the Rams without a knee brace on. Sigh. Was kinda hoping he’d still be a tad sore and maybe not have his full range of motion … and I’m kidding. I’m not that kind of fan, I swear.
Name game: Texans have ruled WR Keke Coutee out for Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury. This isn’t important news, I just enjoying saying “Keke Coutee.”
They’re all good: Patrick Peterson wanted out of Arizona in the worst way. He told everyone about it. The team made it clear the elite cornerback isn’t going anywhere. Now everything is fine. Sort of. “At the end of the day, I’m here. I’m an Arizona Cardinal. … My teammates know I fight for those guys each and every day I step on the field.” He was just hoping he could fight for teammates on a different team.
Perfect: Ravens safety Eric Weddle described Cam Newton as a ‘fast dinosaur.” That’s such an amazing way to describe him that I’m annoyed Weddle came up with it first.
WHAT TO WATCH IN WEEK 8
Eagles at Jaguars: Again, I’m not pushing the panic button. The Eagles are still just 3-4 and there’s so much football left. However, if they have a hiccup here, things will get dicey. Fortunately, Blake Bortles is the man taking snaps for the other team. At least for now.
Jets at Bears: Khalil Mack didn’t practice on Wednesday with an ankle injury. You can guarantee Sam Darnold is keeping a close eye on that injury report leading up to Sunday. If Mack doesn’t play, the Jets might have a chance here. If Mack does, expect Sammy to hit the turf often.
Seahawks at Lions: People made fun of Matt Patricia after Week 1. Now they can move above .500 if they can get past a Seahawks team that has put it together over their past couple games. This will be an entertaining game.
Browns at Steelers: How will Baker Mayfield handle his first trip to Pittsburgh? I love tracking the progress of the young quarterbacks.
Ravens at Panthers: Baltimore can shake off last week’s sting, but it won’t be easy on the road. I have full confidence in the Ravens defense.
Packers at Rams: One of the two sexiest games of the week. Aaron Rodgers will play in the Coliseum for the first time since his Cal days. There will be a wonderful feeling of nostalgia. As long as the Rams win, of course.
Saints at Vikings: This is the other sexy matchup. I’m going with my Super Bowl pick here. I think they’re strong enough to get it done on the road.
NFL Analyst
Currently a Mobile Editor at Yahoo, Saraf spent 5.5 years (Oct. 2010 – Feb. 2016) working for FOX Sports as an NFL Editor and Writer. Prior to that, Saraf worked for CBS Interactive for 4.5 years (May 2006 – Oct. 2010) as a Staff Editor.