The Cream Rises: Week 4 Picks

Photo Image By Chris Sorrell



The philosopher Aristotle said: "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."

It reminds us of cousin Taso and his obsession with drinking the perfect coffee every day.

It was something his father did. Religiously, every morning at 7:30 a.m., a daily rite, meticulous and surgical, he’d infuse the house with aroma and consequentially a love for the “teleiotes” perfectness in the brew. 

Taso adopted this precision from a young age. Scientific and superstitious, the beans had to be from the most recent batch Loumides had sent over from Athens, the flitzani, his lucky Asteras Tripoli one bearing the team’s emblem, and the copper briki with the time worn patina he had inherited from his baba. 

Everyone knew not to bother him during the brew. His focus was singular, the details were paramount, the discipline uncompromising. The perfect cup was born from the perfect harmony of temperature, time and technique. His kaimaki (rich foam) was the best in town and everyone knew it. 

Bills quarterback Josh Allen channels this spirit. He’s always been an underdog at Firebaugh, Fresno State and then Wyoming. Recruiters weren’t clamoring for his services. NFL scouts worried about his accuracy. This has served him well, hardening his resolve, refining his attention to detail and catalyzing his pursuit of excellence. 

Another year gelling in Buffalo he now has a personal chef and personal handshakes with each of his teammates. He is cutting off blue light exposure 30 minutes before bedtime, incorporating massage and red light therapy. He has reemphasized mechanics and is hopeful his repetitive technical training will yield the aspirational flow state he esteems in Bruce Lee.

Like Taso’s craft concoctions, Allen’s cream is rising; thick and substantive, his kaimaki is almost perfect. 

There is some debate as to who the best team is in the NFL right now, but most pundits put the Bills at the top of their power rankings this season. Allen has been lights out the last two seasons, including winning the MVP. He continues to lift his team when needed and puts them on his back.

In week 1 against Baltimore, he mounted a comeback at the end of the game with  help from his defense. The Bills have a pretty easy schedule that should help keep them at the top.

In Indianapolis the Colts have built the supporting pieces to give Daniel "Indiana" Jones a well-oiled machine that he drives like a Porsche—for now.

The Packers are intriguing, because their defense is a monster. Their offense can function on a high level when not facing a defense better than their own.

The Eagles are 3-0, but needed to return a blocked field goal to cover last week in a game that was dominated by the Rams into the third quarter. They've been a boring champion, with the tush push killing the momentum of their games.

The Lions had a statement win against the Ravens but will they have an answer for the Packers defense when they play again?

The Bucs are 3-0 with game-winning drives at the end of each of their games this season. They are already hobbled and cobbled together wins with Baker Mayfield making magic.

The Chargers are 3-0, but the wear and tear on the offensive line is starting to show. Herbert is playing so well, it makes us wonder about last year's injury and how much it affected him. Take the Chargers (-6.5) against the Giants. Jim Harbaugh is 4-0 against the spread when playing a rookie QB in their first start.

Is there excellence in one of these teams? Are the habits formed, or is it an act? Josh Allen has us believing that the Bills will have the best record in football this year. They play the feisty Saints whose QB has yet to win a game (0-9) when starting. The line favors the Bills by 15.5. Tough to bet in that kind of spread but take the Bills.

What of the disappointing Chiefs and Ravens, who play each other this week? One of these teams will be 1-3 after Sunday. Take the Chiefs (+2.5) who need the win more. After this week the Ravens might not lose again this year.

Last Week 2-0.

Season Total 4-2.