Even a Super Bowl rematch can’t draw attention away from Roger Goodell’s mess. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

I lack the energy to write about the NFL “scandal” at the moment. However, please enjoy these fabulous tweets;

Sports and entertainment are not isolated from culture, but reflect culture. #NFL does not have a domestic abuse problem, our culture does.

— D Man (@d_rek_coyle) September 18, 2014

https://twitter.com/SchmolkieSays/status/513051842604179456

Season:       19 – 13 – 0
Last Week:  9 – 7 – 0

Thursday Recap

Buccaneers 14 at Falcons 56
In a close one, the Falcons snuck past the Buccaneers. It was thrilling.

Early Games (1:00PM ET)

Chargers at Bills
Even without Melvin Ingram, the San Diego defense is better than given credit. I typically like the Bills at home, but the Chargers have been stellar all season except for a four-minute stretch that ended up costing them a victory. At this point, even the west to east time zone situation doesn’t scare me. CHARGERS If I were Charles Barkley; Chargers +2

Cowboys at Rams
I could be wrong, but don’t the Cowboys usually go right back to Tony Romo chucking the football 40 times the week after DeMarco Murray carries them to victory? If so, that’s a bad idea against Robert Quinn and a very good St. Louis pass rush. RAMS If I were Charles Barkley; Rams +2

Redskins at Eagles
If Nick Foles stares off into space wondering what happened after each poorly thrown football for the third week in a row I may enter panic mode. I know it’s early, but if three weeks against three average to below average defenses isn’t enough to get yourself right then I’m not sure what would do the trick. Also, Alfred Morris terrifies me this week. The Colts offense was perfect in the 1^st half last week: Pound the Eagles on the ground. Eat clock. Keep Foles and the offense out of sync. Only problem; the plan fell apart in the 2^nd half due to turnovers. EAGLES If I were Charles Barkley; Eagles -6

Texans at Giants
I can’t believe I abandoned the Texans last week. I’m a coward. Regardless, the Giants have to win sometime. If Arian Foster is banged up, this should be a prime opportunity. GIANTS If I were Charles Barkley; Pick

Titans at Bengals
BENGALS If I were Charles Barkley; Bengals -7

Ravens at Browns
I’m 89% in on the Ravens. RAVENS If I were Charles Barkley; Ravens -2

Packers at Lions
Which Packers team shows up? The one we saw over the first six quarters of the season or the last two? Eddie Lacy is averaging 3.1 yards per carry on 25 attempts. This is his second season. He’s from Alabama. Sound familiar? (Just kidding. He’s not Trent Richardson. But it’s always fun to fake panic.) PACKERS If I were Charles Barkley; Packers +2.5

Colts at Jaguars
I wouldn’t be shocked if Indianapolis left Florida 0-3 on the season. Wait, didn’t you rank them 10^th in your Power Rankings? Yes. Yes I did. I ranked them 10^th for two reasons. 1. They played two very solid teams. They probably should have beat the Eagles and I was impressed how they fought back against Denver. 2. Andrew Luck is dragging a defense missing it’s best player and an offense without a top tier receiver to impressive performances on a weekly basis dating back to last season. I don’t think the Colts are a top ten team but after two weeks, with the Saints, Packers and 49ers looking sloppy and inconsistent, the Colts deserved recognition for playing solid football for two straight weeks. COLTS If I were Charles Barkley; Jaguars +7.5

Raiders at Patriots
No thanks. PATRIOTS If I were Charles Barkley; Patriots -14

Vikings at Saints
Drew Brees is due. Brees returning home after two substandard outings AND desperate for a win? Smells like an offensive explosion. Or at least it use to. SAINTS If I were Charles Barkley; Saints -10.5

Afternoon Games (4:05PM ET)

49ers at Cardinals
You can squeeze by with Drew Stanton under center against the Giants. I’m not feeling it against a 49ers squad coming off a humiliating collapse on national television. 49ERS If I were Charles Barkley; 49ers -3

Broncos at Seahawks
I know it’s in Seattle, and Seattle is coming off a loss, but Denver probably has more to prove here than the Seahawks. The Broncos have appeared to be sleep walking at times through the first two weeks of the season. They’ll wake up on Sunday. BRONCOS If I were Charles Barkley; Broncos +5

Chiefs at Dolphins
Dolphins will win simply because Andy Reid’s Chiefs will lose Alex Smith and Tamba Hali before halftime. Kansas City is cursed this year. DOLPHINS If I were Charles Barkley; Dolphins -3.5

Sunday Night (8:30PM ET)

Steelers at Panthers
I hope the Panthers wear black. I hope the Panthers wear black. I hope the Panthers wear black. PANTHERS If I were Charles Barkley; Panthers -3.5

Monday Night (8:30PM ET)

Bears at Jets
Don’t laugh, but I’m somewhat excited to see the Jets Monday. I haven’t paid attention to Geno Smith yet and I’m interested to see the progress. Some NFL writer (I forget who) offered that he’d take Smith over Ryan Tannehill for the next five years. Consider me intrigued. BEARS If I were Charles Barkley; Bears +2.5

*****

If I were Charles Barkley…
Season:        15 – 17 – 0
Last Week:   8 – 8 – 0