Junk Food Nation, FOOTBALL IS HERE!  And personally, despite the blowout last night, I thought it was a great way to start the season.  You want TDs to get the blood flowing!  Thanks Peyton for netting Demaryius Thomas HUGE fantasy points for me last night!  Ray Rice, you need to step it up a bit.

This year, I decided to whittle down my fantasy / gambling addiction to really focus on the games.  One fantasy league.  One survivor league.  One pick’em league.  THAT’S IT.  NO MORE.

It’s time, then, for my picks for this season, with some small commentary (or just skip ahead to the review!) The order listed is the order I think they’ll finish in the division.

AFC EAST

Patriots: Hate them, but in this division?  They should roll.
Bills: EJ MANUEL TIME.  EJ MANUEL TIME.  IF I SAY IT LOUD ENOUGH, IT WILL BE HIS TIME.
Dolphins: This is more by default, because…
Jets: I’m sorry, Gang Green, but I’ve seen dysfunction, and it never ends like in the movies where everyone rallies together after the backup QB comes in.

AFC WEST

Broncos: Um, did you see last night’s game?  Wes Welker is going to be giving the entire league a big eff you this year. They have the easiest strength of schedule.  I could see them winning 13+ games this year.
Chiefs: Finally a healthy Jamaal Charles and a SEMI-decent QB…I think KC could sneak up in this division.
Chargers: Again, more by default (even though Philip Rivers is clearly on the decline), because…
Oakland: Two Words. Epically Bad.  Terrelle Pryor and Matt Flynn?  I’m not sure who’s worse!

AFC NORTH

Bengals: The sexy pick, but have made the playoff 3 of the 4 past seasons, and added even more weapons on both sides of the ball.
Steelers: I think Big Ben has one more good year left in him, and if Le”veon Bell comes back strong, no brainer.
Ravens: Maybe I’m a HUGE pessimist, but I was NOT impressed by ANYTHING I saw last night.  Starting regret drafting Ray Rice.  The champs don’t make the postseason this year.
Browns: You wanna talk awful teams? This is one.  I think I said the same thing last year.

AFC SOUTH

Colts: Luck takes a step forward this year, and with the 3^rd easiest strength of schedule, this is a no brainer for me.
Texans: Where I think Andy Dalton as a game manager is on the uptick, Matt Schaub is not.  Arian Foster’s knees scare me.  Still, it was tough putting them second to the Colts…but I think it’s the right move.
Titans: Is THIS the year Chris Johnson “returns to form”?  We’ll see.  Jake Locker is poo poo.
Jaguars: Just ugly.

NFC EAST

Redskins: If RGIII = healthy, then 10 wins.  If RGIII = not healthy, 4 wins.
Cowboys: The Cowboys ALWAYS find ways to stick around…I’m banking on a healthy DeMarco Murray making a difference.  Maybe.
Giants: The Giants will probably prove me wrong and win the division…grumble.
Eagles: EEEEEEEEErrrgrh picking the NFC East is tough.  With the Eagles, I actually think Chip Kelly’s offense will surprise…the Eagles D, however, won’t surprise anyone.

NFC WEST

Niners: I’m bullish on the Niners, they go 10-6, but have a VERY tough schedule.  Still – bullish.
Seahawks: I actually think the Seahawks go 10-6, but lose the tiebreaker to the Niners
Rams: Rams will surprise this year, as I think Bradford will be much better this year with some weapons.  Defense is improved too.  This is a good team.
Cardinals: Cardinals D will be very good.  Too bad they’ll be on the field all the time.  Mendenhall?  Yuck.

NFC NORTH:

Packers: A seemingly easy pick, but it really depends on whether Eddie Lacy can provide some space.  Plus, O-Line concerns all over the place (Miss you, Beluga!)
Bears: Bears offense will be awesome this year, I’m telling you.  Defense has pretenders.
Lions: Second hardest schedule and a horrible mentality.  Matt Stafford, at least your girlfriend is smoking hot.
Vikings: AP doesn’t repeat.

NFC SOUTH:

Falcons: I mean, they have SO many weapons, and Steven Jackson is Michael Turner, but four years younger.
Saints: Sean Payton is back, and that’s sort of scary.  Still, rough schedule.
Carolina: Cam Newton was actually pretty good last year.  They picked up some pieces…but I’m still not all in yet.
Bucs: Shame…Bucs aren’t a bad team either, but this division is brutal.

AFC Wildcards: Texans and Steelers

NFC Wildcards: Seahawks and Saints

NFL MVP: Peyton.

AFC Championship: Patriots over Broncos.  I know, such a BLAH pick.  But in the AFC, I really only see these two teams dominating, and Brady is just better than Peyton in cold weather.  Welker does not get his revenge.

NFC Championship: Seattle over Saints.  Sorry Niner fans…Seattle’s D is just nasty, and if Harvin comes back healthy, this could be a very dangerous team.

Super Bowl: Seattle over Patriots.

Super Bowl MVP: Russell Wilson

So…I have Seattle winning it all?  Blech.  Of course, last year I had Houston beating Chicago, so….yeah.  I’m not smart.

Today’s junk food: Peanut Butter & Co. The Bee’s Knees Peanut Butter!

What can I say, I’ve been on a peanut butter kick lately.  I’ve reviewed plenty of Peanut Butter & Co.’s flavors on this website, and here is one more.  Peanut Butter & Co. The Bee’s Knees Peanut Butter is the final flavor the good folks over at PB & Co. sent me a while back, and I’m very excited for it.  I had a stretch where I was eating a lot of PB, honey, and banana sandwiches (don’t judge, jerks), so PB & Honey makes sense to me.

Oh, hell yeah, Peanut Butter & Co. I will DEFINITELY try your Bee’s Knees Peanut Butter in a smoothie.  One of my favorite places in DC, Protein Bar, does a PB & J smoothie, and it is DEEEELICIOUS. From PB & Co.’s website:

“Our all-natural peanut butter blended with scrumptious honey. The Bee’s Knees is a delicious new way to enjoy our peanut butter. You can really taste the honey in this new variety, which promises to become a new classic in sandwiches and snacks across the country. It contains no cholesterol, no trans fats, no hydrogenated oils, and no high-fructose corn syrup. It is also gluten-free, vegetarian, and certified kosher pareve by the Orthodox Union.”

Peanut Butter & Co. The Bee’s Knees Peanut Butter smelled sweet as soon as I opened the jar.  Nothing had separated out; the surface of this PB was unbroken and pristine…

Peanut Butter & Co. The Bee’s Knees Peanut Butter was soooooooooooooooooooooo smooth.  My spoon cut through it like…well, like peanut butter.  And yes, I may have put this whole spoonful right into my gaping maw.

Peanut Butter & Co. The Bee’s Knees Peanut Butter was really REALLY good.  I actually liked this better than their White Chocolate Wonderful.  Texture wise, it was smooth, light, and easy EASY to spread.  Maybe that’s all the oils, but whatever.  This peanut butter didn’t give any snag or pull to my spoon.

Taste wise, it was sweet. VERY sweet.  While most people think the White Chocolate Wonderful tastes more like Peanut Butter Cup filling, I actually think this Bee’s Knees tastes more like candy cup filling.  It was sweet and peanut butter without being over-the-top sugary.  That must be the honey.  While I couldn’t taste the honey right at the start besides the sweetness, I did detect that honey sweetness in the aftertaste, much like how you’d get that honey essence after finishing a honey graham cracker or a honey granola bar.  It was really nice tasting.

Overall, this might be my second favorite Peanut Butter & Co. flavor yet – just behind the Cinnamon Raisin Swirl.  Tasty tasty.

PURCHASED AT: via mail!  Can be bought online here.

COST: $6.00

Thoughts? Please comment below or hit me up on Twitter @junkfoodguy or LIKE my Facebook Page and message me there. Also, you can always email me at junkfoodguy@junkfoodguy.com. Let’s do this.

Sincerely,

Junk Food Guy