Steve Brownlee

With the first NFL overseas game of this season to be played in London on Sunday morning, it got me thinking about some of the rules of English soccer.

This probably applies to other countries’ soccer leagues, too, but I’ve only actually heard of it being used in “jolly ol’ In-glun.”

My word for today is relegation. Heard of it? That’s where the worst teams, at least in elite divisions, get pushed down into the next lower class of teams for the following season.

Meanwhile, the top teams from the second-tier league get to join the big boys in the elite class.

Wouldn’t that be a hoot over here in the U.S.?

Certainly in the NFL, it would mean that, after their awful 2023 season, the Carolina Panthers wouldn’t be in the NFL anymore, instead playing in the — what would we call it? Of course, the UFL, that spring football league.

Taking the Panthers’ place would likely be the UFL champion Birmingham Stallions. And they would be a natural fit in Carolina’s division, the NFL South.

So it would be Tampa Bay, Atlanta, New Orleans and … Birmingham.

Jacksonville would be the early betting favorite for getting relegated this year as the Jaguars are the only 0-4 team right now in the NFL.

Of course, one problem with this idea is that the Detroit Lions would just now be getting back to the league one below the NFL after all their seasons of mediocrity … well, mediocrity would keep you in the NFL … their seasons of BAD football.

I would imagine the Motor City Puddy-Tats would’ve fallen down to about the fifth- or sixth-level league some 15 or 20 years ago.

They would’ve put together some impressive league championships against the likes of the Wilkes-Barre Cardinals and the Punxsutawney Phils of the Lower Pennsylvania League as they made their rise back to the UFL.

Right about now, they would have to compete with the UFL’s Michigan Panthers for use of Ford Field in Detroit, not withstanding that that field is owned by the Ford family, also owners of the Lions.

Wouldn’t this be an interesting can of worms to deal with?

OK, now back to reality, which includes not picking four teams this week as the first of the byes come into play, including for those Lions:

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Today, 8:15 p.m.

Tampa Bay at Atlanta — I’m hearing that the Falcons are rather banged up.

Oh, oh, wait a minute. I stumbled upon a website called PewterReport.com, I think a reference to part of the modern color scheme of the Tampa Bay Bucs, and its says the Buccaneers have 15 players on the injury report and Atlanta just four.

Add in it being a divisional game in a short week on the road for the Bucs, and I’ll have to take Atlanta, 30-24.

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Sunday, 9:30 a.m.

Minnesota vs. New York Jets, at London — Love those morning games on the other side of the pond. I wouldn’t love it if I was a 40-year-old quarterback like the Jets’ Aaron Rodgers facing an old-time nemesis from his Packer playing days.

Then again, Vikings QB Sam Darnold is facing his old team from New York. The Jets are starting to resemble their old form, and Minnesota, well, more like the Purple People Eaters of the 1970s. Give me the Vikings, 29-20.

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Sunday, 1 p.m.

Carolina at Chicago — Chicago isn’t looking that great compared to what people expected of them this year. But compare them to the team they’re entertaining on this day, and they look like Super Bowl contenders, not a team that should be relegated. Bears, 33-26.

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Baltimore at Cincinnati — The Bengals are certainly contenders for underachievers of the year. In what is usually a contentious division, give me in a relative blowout the Ravens, 34-20.

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Buffalo at Houston — Me thinks Buffalo got a wakeup call from that ugly loss vs. Baltimore, while Houston seemed to sleepwalk in barely beating Jacksonville. Bills, 28-23.

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Indianapolis at Jacksonville — As bad as Indy has looked, last weekend the Colts dealt Pittsburgh its first loss. And I know QB Anthony Richardson was out at least part of the game.

However, it’s more concerning that Indy has both its QB and top running back Jonathan Taylor in question about whether they’ll have to go on injured reserve. Eeeh, give me the Jaguars, 24-17.

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Miami at New England — I had no problem picking the Will Levis-led Titans to beat the suddenly headless Dolphins on Monday. Why not go with struggling New England, too, over a Miami team still having to start its No. 3 QB, Tyler Huntley? Patriots, 26-19.

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Cleveland at Washington — Now Washington might struggle facing the elites of the league, like the Chiefs, Ravens … and Lions? Did I just say that about Detroit? Anyway, Cleveland looks more like a team worthy of relegation than real respect. Commanders, 24-16.

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Sunday, 4 p.m.

Las Vegas at Denver — I figured the Broncos would get better once their rookie QB, Bo Nix, got some games under his belt. I’m not sure that was the reason that Denver outlasted the Jets 10-9 in a rainy quagmire on Sunday. Still, Broncos, 20-16.

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Arizona at San Francisco — What can you think about either one of these teams? I’m reading that the 49ers are at least a touchdown favorite here, but are the bookies in Vegas relying too much on each team’s reputation? Still, being at home and in the division, San Fran’s gotta have at least a little pride. 49ers, 27-25.

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Green Bay at Los Angeles Rams — Well, the Rams’ Cooper Kupp and Green Bay’s Christian Watson are each team’s top receivers and likely out. No advantage there.

Matt Stafford vs. Jordan Love — would’ve been a great NFC North QB matchup, but Detroit had to let their guy go a few years back.

Don’t know if the Pack’s top pass defender Jaire Alexander will be back, but even if he isn’t, there’s no Justin Jefferson on the Rams to worry about, so give me the Packers, 29-23.

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New York Giants at Seattle — I don’t know how you pick the Giants against just about anybody, and Seattle ain’t just “anybody,” especially after the Giants make a cross-country trip. Seahawks, 31-22.

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Sunday, 8:20 p.m.

Dallas at Pittsburgh — The Steelers should be able to toy with a depleted Dallas team that can’t run the ball nor stop the run. Steelers, 24-11.

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Monday, 8:15 p.m.

New Orleans at Kansas City — Two weeks ago, you could’ve picked the Saints to “motorboat” the Chiefs even if KC was fully healthy with the start to the season New Orleans had, scoring 91 points in two games. Then they’ve stunk up the joint for the past couple games, losing close ones to Philly and Atlanta. I’ll go with recency bias, plus the fact that KC is good. Chiefs, 30-27.

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Last week — 9-7, 56 percent. Season — 35-29, 55 percent.

Steve Brownlee can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 552. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.