The Blog Of Football Guesses is a twice-weekly homage to a former Clear Channel iHeartMedia Director of Digital who once informed me, in all seriousness, that "football picks drive web traffic, especially if you toss in a picture of a cheerleader."  

I consider myself to be a good American citizen. I pay taxes. I vote. I genuinely care about the city and neighborhood I call home. I worry about the country's future. I wish for cures for its ills. I'm grateful for the men and women who defend it, appreciative of the people who helped build it, and understanding of the freedoms both have allowed.

I grasp our country's imperfections. I try to think of solutions to its problems. I embrace its diversity of opinions. I yearn for a day when life in the United States is better for all. I know we're not all going to agree on how to make that happen.

I also enjoy watching the National Football League. I enjoy going to games, giving high-fives when the Bengals score, and discussing how the game, the league, and my favorite team can each improve.

I like to tailgate. I looking watching games over beers with friends. I savor Red Zone Channel Sundays. I indulge in my fantasy team, betting lines, and three-team parlays.  

I get wowed by watching Aaron Rodgers thread the needle. I get amazed by seeing Odell Beckham do the impossible. And I marvel at watching how much ground Vontaze Burfict can cover.

I feel the excitement when a game hangs in the balance. First and ten. Ball on the 25. A timeout to burn. Just over a minute remaining.  Or fourth and goal from the two, offense needing six and the defense needing a stop. 

I get a kick out of playing along with the coaches. First-guessing strategies then second-guessing them based on what worked.  I dig the battles in the trenches, the jostles for 50/50 balls, and shifty runners making tacklers miss.

I want the sport to be better. I want the league to do better. Mainly, I want the Bengals to play better.

I love our country. I love its people and their freedoms. I love watching and following the National Football League.

Doing all of those at the same time really isn't that hard. 

Trying to get back to .500 after last week's 6-10 mark sent me to a discouraging 23-24.....

Nice of the Bears to hand the Steelers their first loss last week, extending Pittsburgh's weird run of losing to inferior teams, but it's hard to rely on a team that's averaging 16 points per game when it goes on the road on a short week to play Aaron Rodgers, even with Green Bay's line as brutal as it is.  I'll go with Green Bay (-7.5) over Chicago.  

God Bless America.