‘Match Game” legend Nipsey Russell has been hanging out with the Grim Reaper for a while now, but he and Kevin Cusick are still following the NFL with feverish intensity. That’s still our story, and we’re still sticking with it …
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
“A Tale of Two JJ’s”
New QB on the scene
Is novice Wolverine
Can he be among best in the game?
Will be tragic, alas
If, again, comes to pass
All-world Jefferson coming up lame
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is seen before the start of a preseason NFL football game against the New England Patriots Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
“The Life of a Showgirl’s Beau”
For years he shattered tight end mold
Each hardened critic turned believer
But as Travis Kelce gets old
Now Patrick’s sixth-favorite receiver
Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs kisses Taylor Swift after defeating the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in overtime during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on Feb. 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
“What’s in a Name”
Should DC’s team take back old name?
Commander-in-chief turning preachy
On this, “Redskins” fans feeling shame
Backing Trump, whose face paint’s more peachy
FILE – Native American leaders protest against the Redskins team name and logo outside U.S. Bank Stadium before an NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Washington Redskins in Minneapolis on Oct. 24, 2019. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)
GREEN BAY PACKERS
“Riding Coach”
Despite all his wins with the Pack
Some fans look askance on LaFleur
From tone of the trolling attack
You’d think that his name was “Shedeur”
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur talks with side judge Jeff Lamberth (21) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
DALLAS COWBOYS
“Jerry Rigged”
This week’s football fix
We turned to Netflix
An eight-hour ode to The Boys
Thirty years, Dallas moans
Thanks to foibles of Jones
Their crash, one of life’s purest joys
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones walks the field before the game against the Washington Commanders at FedExField on Jan. 07, 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
“In the Pink?”
What’s powder Diggs dished out on cruise?
Our old Vikings fave has no answer
Pats fans can relax with the news
They’ve found their new locker room cancer
New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs during an NFL football practice, Monday, June 9, 2025, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
“Ode to a Sign Stealer”
Franchise has 65 years with no crown
So a Super Bowl ring would be sweet
Millions will cheer when again Bolts go down
Since risible coach is a cheat
Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Los Angeles Chargers looks on during warm ups prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Dec. 08, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
“The Jordan Rules”
Old Pete Carroll acted quick
Unretired like Belichick
At seventy-three, he’s a sage
Still has something to prove
Matching Bill’s power move:
Date someone his granddaughters’ age
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll holds a football while wearing Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s sunglasses before an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
DETROIT LIONS
“Campbell’s Soup”
There once was a burly coach, Dan
Biting knees as hard as he can
Blowing chances at crown
Foolish gambles: fourth down
‘Til proved otherwise, just a clown
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell speaks at a news conference after the NFC Championship NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
BALTIMORE RAVENS
“Addition by Subtraction”
Ravens couldn’t act quicker
In dumping their kicker
Despite thoughts that Tucker might sue
Removing the weirdo
Who lived by the credo
“What would Deshaun Watson do?”
FILE – Baltimore Ravens place kicker Justin Tucker (9) walk on the field before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun, FIle)
CHICAGO BEARS
“QB or not QB?”
McCaskeys have shelled out big bucks
To bolster a roster in flux
T’will be same old sad tale
Johnson destined to fail
If No. 1 quarterback sucks
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner (15) sacks Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) in the third quarter of a NFL football game at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)
CLEVELAND BROWNS
“Legendary”
Surely, Shedeur could be humbler
While breaking Cleveland from slumber
As he barely makes team
All those Deion fans scream
To demand Browns retire his number
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) answers a question during a news conference at NFL football minicamp in Berea, Ohio, Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
“If You Can’t Beat ‘Em …”
Birds’ rivals proved to be some votes short
In their failed rule-making ambush
So from now on, we’re sad to report
32 teams will use the Tush Push
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) scores against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
BUFFALO BILLS
“HBO Maxout”
They’ll again be the beast
Of the AFC East
For bettors, it’s safest of locks
But we’ll be party pooper:
No one has been Super
After starting the year on “Hard Knocks”
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) runs with the ball against Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) during the AFC Championship NFL football game against the Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Peter Aiken)
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
“Immunized from Victory”
Despite Aaron’s hopes to be gunning
Tomlin’s Steelers just keep on running
Rodgers’ only recourse
Hit the airwaves, of course
Complaining to McAfee … stunning!
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers participates during practice at NFL football minicamp Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
MIAMI DOLPHINS
“Goin’ to Kansas City?”
Hill’s salad days ceased
Getting cuffed by police
Miami turned vice on the Cheetah
Tyreek much more at home
Catching balls from Mahomes
Going back to the Chiefs would be neat-ah
Cleveland Browns linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) attempt to tackle Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
HOUSTON TEXANS
“C.J. M.I.A.”
As a rookie, Stroud was starring
With his prowess to run and to pass
So his sophomore slump was jarring
When he spent all last year on his a**
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, right, is sacked by Kansas City Chiefs defensive end George Karlaftis (56) during the second half of an NFL football divisional playoff game, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025 in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs defeated the Texans by a score of 23-14. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
“Two Ways to Nowhere”
You’ve got to love Hunter
He’s all but a punter
Would play offense and defense for Jags
But sadly, in Duval
Their last overhaul
Left roster with just scallywags
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) poses for a photo with a fan during practice at NFL football minicamp, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
NEW YORK JETS
“Justin Time”
In the swamps, Meadowlands
They’ve been paring down plans
And ratcheted down visions of glory
So they’re hoping Fields
Eventually yields
Something better than usual gory
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) celebrates during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, in Cleveland. The Browns won 24-19. (AP Photo/David Richard)
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
“No-Run CMC”
McCaffrey once set world ablaze
Leaving lesser teams’ fans amazed
But he’s constantly lame
Barely makes half a game
Niners dynasty talk: Just a phase
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) warms up before an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
“The Spirit of ‘24””
Indy fans have no cause to rejoice
Their impending offensive disgrace
The Horseshoe’s quarterback choice
Is worst since last president’s race
Quarterback Anthony Richardson #5 of the Indianapolis Colts holds off Isaiah Oliver #23 of the New York Jets as he scrambles during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium on Nov. 17, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
“That Darn Quarterback”
‘Twas wonderful year for ol’ Sam
Then Vikings requested he scram
Now he’s at Puget Sound
For another rebound
More likely, again runs aground
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold warms up during practice at NFL football minicamp, Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at the team’s training facility in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
DIVISIONAL RACES
NFC North
Lions (11-6), Vikings (9-8), Packers (8-9), Bears (8-9)
NFC East
Eagles (11-6), Commanders (9-8), Cowboys (7-10), Giants (4-13)
NFC South
Buccaneers (10-7), Falcons (9-8), Panthers (5-12), Saints (1-16)
NFC West
49ers (10-7), Rams (10-7), Cardinals (9-8), Seahawks (7-10)
AFC East
Bills (12-5), Dolphins (9-8), Patriots (8-9), Jets (8-9)
AFC North
Ravens (12-5), Bengals (10-7), Steelers (9-8), Browns (3-14)
AFC South
Texans (10-7), Jaguars (9-8), Colts (7-10), Titans (5-12)
AFC West
Chiefs (12-5), Chargers (11-6), Broncos (11-6), Raiders (8-9)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) is sacked by Detroit Lions defensive end Za’Darius Smith (99) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Rey Del Rio)
PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS
NFC wild card
Vikings over Cardinals, Rams over 49ers, Lions over Buccaneers
AFC wild card
Chiefs over Broncos, Ravens over Chargers, Bengals over Texans
NFC divisional
Eagles over Rams, Lions over Vikings
AFC divisional
Bills over Bengals, Ravens over Chiefs
NFC championship
Lions over Eagles
AFC championship
Ravens over Bills
Super Bowl LX
Ravens over Lions
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) breaks away from Houston Texans safety Calen Bullock during an NFL football game Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Coming next week
The Loop begins our annual drive for prognostication perfection with the Week 1 Fantasy Football column on Wednesday and the Week 1 NFL picks on Sunday.
You can hear Kevin Cusick on Wednesdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on X — @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.
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