Oh, how good it feels to be back.
That’s right, your favorite NFL pick’em column has returned for its third season. The trilogy of Can Connor Cover?, if you will. We’re coming off of a stellar year in which we covered 148 times and finished 19 games above .500. A far cry above the very poor first year of this experiment. Of course, we’re hoping to improve even more this season, and coming off a great record as well as a fantasy football championship, I feel like my ball knowledge is at an all-time high.
It has been an interesting spring and summer to say the least. For those who read our paper daily, you probably saw a story about a month ago detailing my current struggles with my kidney, and how I am currently looking for a living donor as I try to avoid dialysis. I found this news out in March, and it has completely changed my life and lifestyle. For starters, I’ve been a lot more careful with the food I’ve been eating, losing almost 40 pounds in the last five months.
I don’t know what the future holds in this department, but I pray that I am able to resolve it soon and get back to a sense of normalcy in my life. Luckily, I’m still able to travel, go out to the movies and do everything that I love, which brings me to my next point.
Last year, I talked about how my summer was the summer of movies. While I’ve been in the theater a whole bunch this year (Dune 2, Longlegs, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and Fall Guy being some of my favorites), this summer has been the summer of theme parks. Stef and I went to six different theme parks across three states, including two different trips to my favorite place, Cedar Point. I went to Holiday World in southern Indiana for the first time, going twice and getting 15 rides on the Voyage, the greatest wooden roller coaster I’ve ever been on. Most recently, we spent Labor Day weekend with our first trip to Kings Island in Cincinnati, which blew me away with how amazing it was. I got six rides on the famous Beast, including two at night. It felt like a rite of passage.
Overall I rode 41 different coasters this summer, most of those for the first time. That totaled 76 miles of track and 119 inversions. I’m currently planning a trip down to Pigeon Forge, TN and Dollywood in November to add onto that total.
But we all know that’s not why you’re here.
Football is back. The greatest sport in the world that makes this the greatest time of the year. My Bears are officially BACK once again, and this time I mean it. Their stint on HBO’s Hard Knocks has fired me up more than I can remember in any recent years. Caleb Williams is the truth, and he is finally the quarterback that is going to reverse decades of bad signal calling.
College football is back as well. A year after sneaking up on the entire country, the Missouri Tigers began the season just outside the top 10 at No. 11. Could this be the first time in my life I’ll be able to enjoy TWO good football teams? I will become insufferable if that’s the case, but I totally deserve it.
High school football is extremely back, heading into week three this Friday. It looks to be another good year for Tippecanoe Valley, and while Warsaw suffered a tough loss last week, it was to a very, very good 6A team. It will make the Tigers much better as the season goes along. Those are definitely the two teams worth keeping an eye on locally.
Football is absolutely back on every level, and it’s shaping up to be the best season since last year, only to be replaced by the year after this one. If you’re not fired up, then maybe this isn’t the column for you. I’m counting down the hours until Thursday night, only to try and savor up every second of the next few months while it takes over my life.
But before we get into the first slate of picks, let’s go over this week’s quick hitters:
Don’t talk to me about the White Sox.
I am no longer a Warsaw resident, as Stef and I moved into an apartment in Goshen this summer. The commute is a little longer than it was previously, but I’m not going anywhere. You’re stuck with me as Sports Editor for the foreseeable future.
It’s been nice going out to cover games this season and see a lot of familiar faces, most of them asking about my health and telling me they’re praying for me. I can’t tell you all how much it means to me to be a part of such a kind and close community. It still amazes me how quickly I was welcomed with open arms.
I know you are all still wondering, yes I’m still obsessed with LEGO. I’m currently working on my birthday present to myself, The Eye of Sauron from The Lord of the Rings. It’s over 5,000 pieces and is going to be massive.
A special shout out to former Manchester coach Eddie Fields. While he is no longer leading the Squires, he did shoot me a message this summer to let me know he’s still going to be reading this column every week. I hope these picks steer you in the right direction!
Whew, it feels so good to write that first intro. Okay, now to the meat and potatoes. Picks for Week 1. This is always the hardest week of games for me to pick, with not much to go off of besides some preseason action and offseason moves.
Let’s do this.
THURSDAY NIGHT
Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs (-3)
The first game of the season is not only banner night for the reigning champion Chiefs, but it’s also a rematch of last season’s AFC Championship game. It was an interesting offseason for the champs. Rashee Rice got into some legal trouble after a car accident. People got really mad at Harrison Butker. Chris Jones finally got his long awaited contract extension and the team drafted receiver Xavier Worthy. The Ravens picked up Derrick Henry to be their new running back, an interesting concept to pair him with two-time MVP Lamar Jackson. Heading into the season, I’m assuming the Chiefs are going to come out of the AFC yet again, because why bet against them? However, teams that they beat in the playoffs usually have better regular season success against them. Maybe it’s because Andy Reid doesn’t like giving everything away. Ravens get some temporary revenge in the opener.
The Pick: Ravens +3
BATTLE IN BRAZIL
Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles (-2.5)
For this first time ever, the NFL is headed to Brazil for an international game Friday night. Those stinky Packers have been one of the darlings of the offseason. Many are praising Jordan Love, his receivers, and are saying they are going to be a powerhouse this season. It’s amazing what one playoff win against the Cowboys, notorious for choking in the playoffs, can do. The Eagles were one of the craziest stories last season, absolutely falling apart down the stretch, culminating in a first-round loss to Tampa Bay. The coaching staff has been overhauled, and all the pressure in the world is on Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts this year. I know you’re shocked, but I think Green Bay is severely overrated heading into this year. Give me Philly to serve them a piece of humble pie to start the campaign.
The Pick: Eagles -2.5
1 O’CLOCK SUNDAY
Tennessee Titans at Chicago Bears (-4.5)
As mentioned earlier, the Bears are all the way back. Caleb Williams is the quarterback of the future. They traded for Keenan Allen and drafted Rome Odunze to give him the weapons needed to succeed. The defense looks like it's going to be awesome. I really do think my guys could be a dark horse to make the playoffs this year. The Titans are one of the teams I think is going to have a down year, especially after parting ways with Mike Vrabel, who consistently coached that team to a better record than they were. I don’t think I’d pick Chicago and a rookie quarterback with a line this high, but the Titans are an objectively worse football team.
The Pick: Bears -4.5
Houston Texans (-2.5) at Indianapolis Colts
The Texans were probably the biggest surprise of the year, getting into the playoffs and winning a game with rookie QB CJ Stroud. The Colts also had a very fun rookie quarterback in Anthony Richardson, but his early season injury was too much for the team to overcome. Houston added Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon this offseason to redo the offense. Richardson is back, and hopefully can stay healthy this time. I think Indy rides the high momentum of getting their guy back and wins the opener at home. The Colts haven’t won a Week 1 game in 10 years, and it changes here.
The Pick: Colts +2.5
Arizona Cardinals at Buffalo Bills (-6.5)
A lot of people are down on the Bills this year after another disappointing playoff loss followed by losing Stefon Diggs. The Cardinals picked up Marvin Harrison Jr. as a marquee weapon for Kyler Murray. As long as Buffalo has Josh Allen, they will be a contender. A slow start last season resulted in the team maybe gassing out at the end of last year to try and make the playoffs. I think they start the 2024 campaign a bit better with a win here.
The Pick: Bills -6.5
New England Patriots at Cincinnati Bengals (-7.5)
The Patriots are definitely going to be in the running for worst record in football this season. They aren’t even starting No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye in the opener, going with Jacoby Brissett instead. The Bengals will get Joe Burrow back after he missed a good chunk of last year with an injury. After a bad season last year, the Bengals will look to get back on track with a playoff run this season. However, Cincy has begun the season slowly in each of the last three years. They win the game, but this isn’t a blowout. The Pats keep it close in the first game without Belichick.
The Pick: Patriots +7.5
Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami Dolphins (-3.5)
The Jaguars were another team that started off the season fantastically, but faded down the stretch, ending up missing the playoffs completely. The Dolphins did make the playoffs, but also had a bad final month, blowing a big lead in the division race and settling for a wild card spot. This opener is usually a game that Miami owns, dominating a team that comes to their hot stadium in September for a big win. This time though, they’re facing off against another Florida team that is used to that heat. At the end of the day, Miami has the better team on both sides of the ball.
The Pick: Dolphins -3.5
Minnesota Vikings (-1.5) at New York Giants
The new era for the Minnesota Vikings is going to have to wait for another season after JJ McCarthy suffered an injury that will keep him out for all of 2024. It looks as if Sam Darnold will start for Minnesota as they begin the season in New York. The Giants lost Saquon Barkley to their rivals up in Philly, so I don’t know how this team is going to look this year. Outside of Justin Jefferson, the Vikings are in for another long year with backup quarterbacks having to carry the team. This is out there, but I love picking against my NFC North rivals. Give me the G-Men to win this one.
The Pick: Giants +1.5
Pittsburgh Steelers at Atlanta Falcons (-3.5)
Both teams in this game will be starting new quarterbacks, with Russell Wilson taking over for Pittsburgh and Kirk Cousins making his debut for Atlanta. After a year of poor quarterbacking prevented the Falcons from doing anything with a stacked roster, they’ll rely on Cousins to try and get them over the hump. The Steelers picked Wilson over Justin Fields, I don’t know how that’s going to work out. I think the Falcons are the much better team here. They win this at home.
The Pick: Falcons -3.5
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints (-3.5)
The Panthers were the worst team in the sport last year, bad enough to get the No. 1 pick in the draft, which was handed over to the Bears and used to select Caleb Williams. I will love Carolina forever for this. With a new coach, Bryce Young will look to have a better sophomore campaign. I really do think Carolina will be much improved this year. The Saints didn’t do much to get better this offseason, and I don’t think a great season is in store here. Wouldn’t surprise me if Dennis Allen is the first coach fired this year.
The Pick: Panthers +3.5
LATE AFTERNOON SLATE
Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Chargers (-3)
The Raiders had a solid end of the season after making Antonio Pierce their head coach. Good enough to keep him for this season. The Chargers made a big splash, hiring Jim Harbaugh to be their new leader in the locker room. It’s going to be an interesting season of LA, with a lot of question marks on how quickly Harbaugh can get them ready to compete. The Raiders have a talented roster, but will this finally be the year they can use it to make a run? I like them in this one to start off on the right foot.
The Pick: Raiders +3
Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks (-5.5)
The Broncos are another team with a rookie quarterback making his debut in Bo Nix. The Seahawks are sticking with Geno Smith to be their guy, with a new head coach in Mike Macdonald after Pete Carroll’s departure. With a loud home crowd behind them and a very good defensive line, I think Seattle takes advantage of Nix in his debut, cruising to a victory.
The Pick: Seahawks -5.5
Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns (-2.5)
Few teams were as criticized this offseason as the Dallas Cowboys. Outside of signing star receiver CeeDee Lamb to a big deal and bringing back Zeke Elliot to be the running back, the team didn’t do much this offseason after another disappointing playoff exit. The Browns are hoping Deshaun Watson can stay healthy and finally make his mega contract worth it, and have a fantastic defense that will keep them in contention once again this season. While much of the Cowboys hate comes from yet another early playoff exit, I think they should still be solid again this season. Look for them to pull off the upset win here.
The Pick: Cowboys +2.5
Washington Commanders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3.5)
No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels makes his debut under center for the Commanders as they take on Tampa Bay, the reigning NFC South champs. While I believe in what Washington is building, I want to see how Daniels plays in his first game before I feel confident in taking him and his team. Tampa Bay should be the cream of the crop in that division once again this season, and I like them to start the year with a win.
The Pick: Buccaneers -3.5
WAITIN’ ALL DAY FOR A SUNDAY NIGHT
Los Angeles Rams at Detroit Lions (-3.5)
The hype around the Lions is big this year after the team finally put together a great season last year. The Rams made the playoffs as well, losing to Detroit in the first round. This is a big and emotional game for the Lions to begin the season on Sunday Night Football, the perfect storm for the team to pick up a big win. They get it done against a Rams team that's in for a good year as well.
The Pick: Lions -3.5
MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
New York Jets at San Francisco 49ers (-4.5)
The Jets will finally have Aaron Rodgers back after he missed all of last season, while the Niners will begin their quest to return to the Super Bowl after an offseason filled with holdouts. While I’m not as down on San Fran as a ton of other people are, I worry they might get off to a slow start due to all of the offseason drama. The New York defense is legit and I think it will carry them to a winning season. They start it off here.
The Pick: Jets +4.5
Whew, that’s a lot of picks. Hopefully I can start this season off on the right foot. Let’s get some winners!
Cheers.

Last Season's Record: 148-129-8