Weekly Takes - Monday, September 13 Edition

1. Outside of playing for a rebuilding team, I have no idea where Ilya Mikheyev thinks he can go and expect to play more than he did for the Maple Leafs last season.

He is a bottom-six winger with high-end speed, a long reach, penalty kill ability, and hands of stone.

If anything, he had too large of a role last season.

2. It cannot be understated enough: If the Blue Jays can somehow manage to make the playoffs and win the wild card game, there is not one team that they should be afraid of come playoff time.

They are a true World Series contender and it would be a shame if they miss the playoffs.

3. There is nothing easy about facing a team with LeBron James and Anthony Davis in a seven game series, but the Lakers sure are putting a team together that is going to be relatively easy to game plan against come playoff time.

Where is their three-point shooting going to come from?

4. The demise of the Steelers has been greatly exaggerated.

They have the best pass-rush in the NFL, an above average secondary, one of the best wide receiver rooms in the league, and revamped running back and tight end rooms.

The offensive line is what it is, as is their tough schedule, but they are more than capable of making the playoffs in the AFC this season.

5. I had the Saints making the playoffs this season, in large part due to their defence and how easy their division is.

If Jameis Winston can even come close to doing what he did yesterday for the rest of the season, they can make a run in the NFC.

6. I am completely out on Daniel Jones, not that I was ever in on him.

There is no denying that he shows flashes of excellence multiple times throughout a game but his lows are way too low for a franchise quarterback.

7. Let’s relax on the Aaron Rodgers slander.

The Packers are still going to win their division and they are still a top-five team in the NFL.

There is no way they would trade him midseason, nor should they.

8. The Rams have an elite head coach, a high-end quarterback, and a top-two defence.

I know everyone is ready to hand the NFC to the Bucs but the Rams will be a nightmare to face in the playoffs this year.

9. My NFL picks for week two…

• Giants (+4)

• Broncos (-6)

• Texans (+11.5)

• Bills (-3.5)

• Rams (-4)

• 49ers (-3)

• Bengals (+3)

• Raiders (+6)

• Patriots (-3.5)

• Saints (-3)

• Vikings (+4)

• Bucs (-13)

• Cowboys (+3)

• Titans (+6)

• Kansas City (+2)

• Packers (-10.5)

Survivor Team Pick: Browns (I picked the Rams in week one)

(I went 7-7 in week one, with Ravens-Raiders still pending)

10. The Argos defence showed last Friday just how dominant they can be when they are at their best and that was without the likes of Charleston Hughes and Shane Ray.

They are naming McLeod Bethel-Thompson as their starting quarterback away from being the class of the East Division.