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Friday, September 11, 2026
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
NFL - Week One Preview
The Thursday night game will be in Melbourne, Australia between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers in what should be a good NFC West battle. On Sunday, the Buffalo Bills travel to take on the Houston Texans in a game between two teams that lost in the AFC divisional playoffs last January. Both of these teams are regarded as teams that could get to the Super Bowl this time around.
There are four games featuring division rivals as the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings go at it in an NFC North tilt. The NFC East will have all four teams facing off in the opener as the Dallas Cowboys face the New York Giants on the road on Sunday Night Football while the Philadelphia Eagles will host the Washington Commanders earlier in the day. On Monday Night Football, the Denver Broncos will face the host Kansas City Chiefs in what should be another exciting one.
All in all, the opening week around the NFL is one of the most unpredictable as the 32 NFL teams don't usually show too much from their starting players during the pre-season and this time around it was no different.
This is the 18th season this blog is picking games on a weekly basis and it's always fun to try and figure out how things might go during the course of the NFL season. These picks made here are strictly predictions and are not to be taken serious for gambling point spreads or straight up plays or anything like that. So if people like to do that sort of thing, you're on your own with the sports odds makers.
With that said, here goes nothing as Heftyinfo makes the picks for Week One around the NFL with the capsule style previews for all 16 games featured and then the actual picks for the games.
New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks - The home team should come out on top, but in a season opener, expect the unexpected. The Patriots will be without running back TreVeyon Henderson (ankle injury) in this game, so quarterback Drake Maye will have the chance to throw more often to his two new wide receivers. Seattle's defense will be ready for the challenge and the offense will look to do the same.
San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams (Melbourne, Australia) - When these two teams go at it, expect a battle and this one should be no different. Both teams feature very good defenses in this game in the "land down under." The call here is the Rams win in a close finish.
Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers - The Bears have higher expectations entering this season and the Panthers won the NFC South a year ago. This game will likely come down to the wire.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals - Bucs QB Baker Mayfield has a new contract and should be flying high for this one. The Bengals have Joe Burrow at quarterback with two of the best wide receivers in the game and what they hope will be an improved defense with several new players.
New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions - Take the Lions in what should be a high scoring game.
Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans - This game is a test in the opener for two starting quarterbacks looking to shed the "choker" label following earlier than expected playoff exits last year.
Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts - The Ravens looking to bounce back in 2026 after a disappointing season while the Colts will look to do the same after so many injuries ruined a great start last year.
Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars - Take the Jaguars at home against a Browns team being led by QB Deshaun Watson, who hasn't started in nearly two years.
Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers - The Steelers rate the edge in this opener as QB Aaron Rodgers begins his final NFL season. Falcons QB Tua Tagovailoa is looking to revive his career.
New York Jets at Tennessee Titans - In a game between two teams that went 3-14 a year ago, something positive has to happen. Some payback perhaps for Titans new head coach Robert Saleh as he goes against the team that fired him two years ago.
Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Chargers - Arizona appears to be in total rebuild mode this year while the Chargers are looking to improve a stagnant offense with new coordinator Mike McDaniel on board this season. This one should be an interesting game.
Miami Dolphins at Las Vegas Raiders - Two teams with new head coaches looking to rebuild on the fly as the season gets started. Toss up.
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings - NFC North rivals in this one and the Vikings have Kyler Murray now playing quarterback, looking to get the offense back in gear this season. Packers are expecting good things in the 2026 season after making the playoffs last season. This game will likely go down to the final possession and perhaps even into overtime. Definite toss up here.
Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles - The Eagles coming into this season with a chip on their shoulders as QB Jalen Hurts has been questioned by many following a down 2025 season right after a Super Bowl title. The Commanders also looking to prove themselves after falling hard with QB Jayden Daniels being injured for most of the 2025 season after his spectacular rookie year.
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants - The Sunday night "prime time" game between two teams that dislike each other. Dallas will attempt to prove all the hype about them is correct as they enter 2026 with a huge revamping of the NFL's worst defense from a year ago. The Giants appear to be up and comers, led by second year QB Jaxson Dart. This game should be a good one with the Cowboys sneaking it out against the home team.
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs - Monday Night Football in Kansas City with Patrick Mahomes and company taking on the Broncos, the team that took over AFC West crown a year ago. Take the Chiefs in a squeaker.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week One . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Seattle over New England
L.A. Rams over San Francisco (game played in Melbourne, Australia)
Chicago over Carolina
Cincinnati over Tampa Bay
Detroit over New Orleans
Buffalo over Houston
Baltimore over Indianapolis
Jacksonville over Cleveland
Pittsburgh over Atlanta
Tennessee over N.Y. Jets
L.A. CHARGERS over Arizona
Las Vegas over Miami
Minnesota over Green Bay
Philadelphia over Washington
Dallas over N.Y. Giants
Kansas City over Denver
2025 FINAL SEASON RECORD - 176-95-1
Lock of the Week Record - 16-2
Saturday, September 5, 2026
NFL 2026 SEASON - Preview And Predictions
Seattle will have a battle once again in the NFC West division with the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers this season and perhaps all three of those teams will again make the NFC playoffs. The Seahawks blasted the 49ers, 41-6 in the divisional round of the playoffs and then outlasted the Rams, 31-27 in the NFC Championship game prior to their Super Bowl victory over the Patriots. Meanwhile, the Patriots made some moves with their offense and have some new faces at wide receiver in A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, to accompany quarterback Drake Maye, who was last seen running for his life in the Super Bowl loss against Seattle. The opening game should be an interesting affair for sure, but look for the Seahawks to prevail over the Patriots yet again.
On Thursday Night Football, the Rams and 49ers will face each other for some reason all the way over in Melbourne, Australia. That game should be a good one as these fierce rivals go at it with the Rams featuring premier defensive player Myles Garrett, who is the single season sacks record holder. Last year, Garrett (with the Cleveland Browns) totaled 23 quarterback takedowns and he will be teaming with Aaron Donald, a future Hall-of-Fame player who came out of a three-year retirement to join his former team in their quest for a Super Bowl title. The 49ers have a strong defense as well, which should be bolstered by the return of edge rusher Nick Bosa and linebacker Fred Warner from injuries that kept them out of action for most of last season.
It will be a fun start to what should be an entertaining and unpredictable NFL season.
There are so many questions to be answered in the next four and half months as the 32 teams battle it out to see who will emerge as the Super Bowl champions at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on February 14, 2027 in Super Bowl LXI.
Can the Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals, with many new faces on defense, overcome their demons and finally get to the NFL promised land?
Can the Buffalo Bills, led by quarterback Josh Allen, finally reach the Super Bowl after so many playoff disappointments?
What about the Baltimore Ravens and their beleaguered QB Lamar Jackson, the same can be said about them?
Will quarterback Patrick Mahomes (coming off major knee surgery) and the Kansas City Chiefs bounce back in 2026 and reclaim their throne atop the AFC?
What about the Denver Broncos in the competitive AFC West division? Can they ride their strong defense and will third year QB Bo Nix show more improvement as he looks to overcome a severe ankle injury that kept him out of the AFC title game last January?
Will the Philadelphia Eagles win a third straight NFC East title with QB Jalen Hurts now devoid of one of his top wide receivers, A.J. Brown who went to the New England Patriots this off-season?
Can quarterback Aaron Rodgers lead the Pittsburgh Steelers back to the AFC playoffs in this his 22nd and final NFL season?
Can the Chicago Bears continue to be late-game miracle workers with third year quarterback Caleb Williams, who dubbed himself the "Ice Man" during the frosty weather run last January in the NFC playoffs?
Will the Detroit Lions make a comeback effort in the 2026 season and get back to the playoffs after tumbling to NFC North division cellar?
Will the NFC South division winner actually have a winning record this season?
So many questions to be answered and it will play out over the 18-week schedule from now until early January. So here goes as Heftyinfo looks to predict how the divisional races will shake out and which teams will go at it in the post-season before two teams eventually square off in the Super Bowl in February.
(Teams listed in italic bold are the number one playoff seeds and get a bye; Wild Card teams listed in bold)
NFC
East - 1. Philadelphia 2. Dallas 3. N.Y. Giants 4. Washington
North - 1. Detroit 2. Chicago 3. Minnesota 4. Green Bay
South - 1. Tampa Bay 2. New Orleans 3. Carolina 4. Atlanta
West - 1. L.A. Rams 2. Seattle 3. San Francisco 4. Arizona
AFC
East - 1. Buffalo 2. New England 3. N.Y. Jets 4. Miami
North - 1. Baltimore 2. Cincinnati 3. Pittsburgh 4. Cleveland
South - 1. Jacksonville 2. Houston 3. Indianapolis 4. Tennessee
West - 1. Denver 2. Kansas City 3. L.A. Chargers 4. Las Vegas
NFC PLAYOFFS
Wild Card Round - Philadelphia over Dallas; San Francisco over Detroit; Seattle over Tampa Bay
Divisional Round - L.A. Rams over San Francisco; Seattle over Philadelphia
NFC Championship Game - L.A. Rams over Seattle
AFC PLAYOFFS
Wild Card Round - Denver over Houston; L.A. Chargers over Baltimore; Kansas City over Jacksonville
Divisional Round - Buffalo over L.A. Chargers; Denver over Kansas City
AFC Championship Game - Buffalo over Denver
SUPER BOWL LXI
Los Angeles Rams over Buffalo Bills
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Rest In Peace Dolly Parton
She was known for her beautiful singing voice and busty physical appearance and long blonde hair. But Dolly was much more than all of that as she was a very generous, caring person who donated millions of books for children to read as well as many charities she was responsible for. She was not only a singer and entertainer, but also a philanthropist, who gave hundreds of millions of dollars to literacy, healthcare, education and disaster relief. Parton came from a large family in Tennessee. She was the fourth of twelve children, born on January 19, 1946 in Locust Ridge, Tennessee.
She also had the theme park "Dollywood" in the Pigeon Forge-Gatlinburg, Tennessee area. She also appeared in quite a few movies, including the hit movie 9 to 5 (1980) and also Steel Magnolias, which was released in 1989. Some of her many hit songs included "I Will Always Love You", "Jolene", "Coat of Many Colors" and of course 9 to 5, the title track from the motion picture. Dolly Parton won ten Grammy Awards during her career as well. Dolly Parton was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
God Bless You Dolly and Rest In Peace.
John Roberts Led U.S. Supreme Court Gets It Wrong Again
As for Roberts and his wife . . . well, well, looky here . . . there are whistleblower documents that allege Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts' wife, Jane Sullivan Roberts, earned over $10.3 million in commissions as a high-end legal recruiter from 2007 to 2014 working with firms that had business before the Supreme Court. Critics and ethics complaints argue this created conflicts of interest and that Roberts mischaracterized the commission income as a "salary" on financial disclosures.
Now of course, this SCOTUS (with no less than six republican partisan hacks) just ruled yesterday, during their annual summertime recess mind you, that Donald Trump can go ahead with his executive order of controlling the U.S. postal service and mail-in ballots for the Congressional mid-term elections in November.
This U.S. Supreme Court, led by John Roberts, is full of shit, to put it simply.
They have no business ruling on this.
Trump is a traitor (January 6, 2021 failed coup attempt) and as well as being named hundreds of thousands of times in the Epstein Files, he cannot, by the rule of the U.S. Constitution, have any say on how individual states in this country run the elections.
Period. End of discussion.
And like so many of his attempts in court cases regarding elections, he will lose yet again with this futile effort, which is actually the idea of Project 2025 and the so called Heritage Foundation. The elections are too close at hand and this executive order will not have time to be implemented by then. Count on this happening folks . . . the elections will take place and the republicans up for re-election in Congress will be soundly defeated by we the people as we vote.
Just like it happened 20 years ago in the 2006 Congressional mid-term elections, there will be a shellacking and the republican party will no longer have the majority control of the U.S. House and perhaps even lose the U.S. Senate majority.
As for Trump and his six lap dogs on the SCOTUS, they can all go to hell.
This is our country and it's not going to happen.
Vote!
Sunday, August 23, 2026
NFL 2026 Season Preview - SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
2025 Record - 14-3-0
Head Coach - Mike Macdonald
2025 Offensive Rank - 351 YPG (7th); Rushing - 123 YPG (10th), Passing - 228 YPG (8th) SCORING - 28.4 PPG (3rd)
2025 Defensive Rank - 286 YPG (6th); Rushing - 92 YPG (3rd), Passing - 194 YPG (10th) SCORING - 17.2 PPG (1st)
Key Player Additions - Jadarian Price (RB), Dante Fowler, Jr. (LB), Rodney Thomas (DB), Noah Igbinoghene (DB), Emmanuel Wilson (RB)
Key Player Losses - Kenneth Walker III (RB), Coby Bryant (DB), Cam Akers (RB), Riq Woolen (DB), Boye Mafe (LB)
OFFENSE - Quarterback Sam Darnold put together a successful season in 2025, passing for 4,048 yards with 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Drew Lock is the backup quarterback. Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III left in free agency, leaving Zach Charbonnet (730 rushing yards, 4.0 YPC and 12 touchdowns) as the primary running back. Rookie Jadarian Price (Notre Dame) was the top draft pick for Seattle and will get his chances to contribute. The wide receivers are Jaxon Smith-Njigba (119 receptions for 1,793 yards and ten TD), Cooper Kupp (47, 593, two TD) and Rashid Shaheed (59, 687, two TD with both Seattle and New Orleans in 2025). The tight ends are A.J. Barner, who had 52 receptions for 519 yards and six touchdowns and Elijah Arroyo, who was limited in his rookie season with knee injuries.
DEFENSE - The defensive front has nose tackle Jarran Reed along with Leonard Williams (seven QB sacks), Byron Murphy (seven sacks) and DeMarcus Lawrence. The linebackers are Ernest Jones IV (team high 126 tackles and also five interceptions), Drake Thomas (89 tackles), Derrick Hall and Uchenna Nwosu, who had seven sacks. In the defensive backfield are cornerbacks Devon Witherspoon and Josh Jobe and the safeties are Nick Emmanwori (81 tackles) and Julian Love. Veteran cornerback Trevon Diggs was recently signed and Terrion Arnold is another possible addition in the secondary. Also looking to provide depth in the secondary are D'Anthony Bell, Noah Igbinoghene, Rodney Thomas and rookies Julian Neal (Arkansas) and Bud Clark (TCU). The Seahawks led the NFL in scoring defense last season, allowing just 17.2 points per game and had 47 sacks along with 18 interceptions.
2026 SEASON OUTLOOK - The Seahawks won the Super Bowl in dominating fashion last year and the defense showed why it was one of the best in the NFL in that victory against the New England Patriots. Head Coach Mike Macdonald came on board with a reputation as a defensive guru and he would like to see more of the same as the Seahawks look to defend their title, which won't be easy playing in the NFC West along with the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers.
The offense finished third in the league in scoring as QB Sam Darnold played well enough with a balanced attack that saw wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba lead the NFL in receiving yardage while the running attack was in the top ten in the NFL. Running back Zach Charbonnet is looking to return from a knee injury that kept him out of the post-season and rookie RB Jadarian Price will be a key piece until Charbonnet is back as a starter. The defense was tremendous and like the offense, has ten starting players from last year returning in 2026, so that should bode well for the team.
As long as the key players stay healthy and complacency doesn't set in, the Seahawks should be right there with the Rams and 49ers in the fight for the NFC West crown this year. All three of those teams could make the NFC playoffs yet again and if the Seahawks are going to go far in January, then Darnold and company must do their part on offense as they did in the Super Bowl run last year. The chances to repeat as Super Bowl champions is always difficult, so Seattle is in for a battle. The talent is definitely there to get it done again, so now is the time for them to go out and prove it.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. New England
Week Two - at Arizona
Week Three - at Washington
Week Four - vs. L.A. Chargers
Week Five - vs. San Francisco
Week Six - at Denver
Week Seven - vs. Kansas City
Week Eight - vs. Chicago
Week Nine - vs. Arizona
Week Ten - at Las Vegas
Week Eleven - BYE
Week Twelve - at San Francisco
Week Thirteen - vs. Dallas
Week Fourteen - vs. N.Y. Giants
Week Fifteen - at Philadelphia
Week Sixteen - vs. L.A. Rams
Week Seventeen - at Carolina
Week Eighteen - at L.A. Rams
Saturday, August 22, 2026
NFL 2026 Season Preview - NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
2025 Record - 14-3-0
Head Coach - Mike Vrabel
2025 Offensive Rank - 379 YPG (3rd); Rushing - 129 YPG (6th), Passing - 250 YPG (4th) SCORING - 28.8 PPG (2nd)
2025 Defensive Rank - 295 YPG (8th); Rushing - 102 YPG (6th), Passing - 193 YPG (9th) SCORING - 18.8 PPG (4th)
Key Player Additions - Romeo Doubs (WR), Kevin Byard III (DB), Dre'Mont Jones (LB), K.J. Britt (LB), Julian Hill (TE), Kindle Vildor (DB)
Key Player Losses - Stefon Diggs (WR), Garrett Bradbury (OL), K'Lavon Chaisson (LB), Austin Hooper (TE), Jack Gibbens (LB), Jaylin Hawkins (DB), Khyris Tonga (DL), Anfernee Jennings (LB), Vederian Lowe (OL), Jahlani Tavai (LB)
OFFENSE - Quarterback Drake Maye had a huge season in his second campaign as he passed for 4,394 yards and had 31 touchdown passes along with just nine interceptions while also rushing for 450 yards (4.4 YPC) and he scored four times. Treveyon Henderson (911 rushing yards, 5.1 YPC, nine TD) and Rhamondre Stevenson (603, 4.6 YPC, seven TD) form a solid one-two punch in the backfield. The wide receivers will be led by Mack Hollins (46 receptions for 550 yards and two touchdowns), Romeo Doubs (55, 724, six TD with Green Bay) and Kayshon Boutte, who hauled in 33 receptions for 551 yards and six touchdowns. The tight end is Hunter Henry, who had 60 receptions for 768 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
DEFENSE - Up front is nose tackle Cory Durden along with Christian Barmore and end Milton Williams, providing solid run defense that finished sixth in the NFL a year ago. The linebackers are Dre'Mont Jones, who had seven combined quarterback sacks with Tennessee and Baltimore last season and also Robert Spillane (97 tackles and two interceptions), Christian Ellis (76 tackles) and Harold Landry III, who led the team with 8 1/2 sacks. K.J. Britt and rookies Gabe Jacas (Illinois) and Namdi Obiazor (TCU) will look to add depth. The secondary has safeties Craig Woodson (75 tackles) and Kevin Byard III, who made 95 tackles and had an NFL leading seven interceptions with the Chicago Bears last year. The cornerbacks are Carlton Davis III, Marcus Jones (three picks) and Christian Gonzalez. The Patriots defense had ten interceptions last year and totaled 35 sacks while allowing just under 19 points per game.
2026 SEASON OUTLOOK - The Patriots shocked the NFL last year by going to the Super Bowl after two successive 4-13 seasons prior and many said it was because of the easy schedule they played in the 2025 season and was the reason for their success. They only faced two teams that made the AFC playoffs a year ago and this time around it looks more challenging on the 17-game schedule, including the season opener in Seattle for a Super Bowl rematch with the defending champion Seahawks.
Head Coach Mike Vrabel has had a pretty tumultuous off-season personally and whether or not that is a factor in 2026 remains to be seen. As for the football, the Patriots have a solid core on both offense and defense, including third year quarterback Drake Maye, who will look to keep things going in the right direction after a tremendous run in 2025. The offense was balanced last year and finished second in the NFL in scoring and brings in Romeo Doubs at wide receiver to replace Stefon Diggs (now with Washington) in the passing attack. The pass protection for Maye will need to improve as he was sacked 48 times last year and a bunch more in the post-season.
The defense was solid and New England had a plus-3 in turnovers, though the pass rush could improve after finishing in the bottom third of the league with only 35 sacks. The red zone defense was good and when the chips were down late in games last year, the Patriots usually delivered. The Super Bowl loser hangover is always a factor, but Vrabel has the coaching experience as well as being a former player who has been there, to help this team keep their focus. The Patriots will most likely battle the Buffalo Bills for the AFC East title again and if they make the playoffs, they can go far. Only this time around, they will have the targets on their collective backs as other teams will not be taken by surprise as the season goes along.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - at Seattle
Week Two - vs. Pittsburgh
Week Three - at Jacksonville
Week Four - at Buffalo
Week Five - vs. Las Vegas
Week Six - vs. N.Y. Jets
Week Seven - at Chicago
Week Eight - at Miami
Week Nine - vs. Green Bay
Week Ten - vs. Detroit (Munich, Germany)
Week Eleven - BYE
Week Twelve - at L.A. Chargers
Week Thirteen - vs. Buffalo
Week Fourteen - vs. Minnesota
Week Fifteen - at Kansas City
Week Sixteen - at N.Y. Jets
Week Seventeen - vs. Denver
Week Eighteen - vs. Miami
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