239 games picked, 158 wins, 81 losses. Not bad. Just a cat hair away from picking correctly two out of three times!
Everybody needs money. That’s why it’s called ‘money.’
Despite those gaudy numbers, Football Cat was inexplicably Beat in 2025 by Andy, Murph, and multiple time winners Vin and Warren’s Aunt! Congratulations again!
Thanks to all who read, participated, or just cheered from the cheap seats. Football Cat will Return.
Football Cat lives in New Hampshire, enjoys watching football, and is a cat.
Oh, yes, for those who have been wondering, the healthy gal in the cheetah patterned two-piece is Australian model, influencer, blogger, designer, and businesswoman Natalie Roser. You’re welcome.
Is this old barn ready for unexpected playoff guests in 2026?
By Vinny Jace, Special to the15net dot com:
(Note: the statistics do not include Monday night’s game)
If you’d told me at the start of the season that the Celtics would be sitting at 20-12—on a 50-win pace—with a revolving cast of contributors, I’d have looked at you like you’d grown two extra heads.
The bottom line is that fans like to say they always knew when a relatively obscure bench player was on the verge of taking a leap, when in fact they don’t. Neither you nor I possess that knowledge. We’ve been wrong before. Ante Žižić, Tremont Waters, and Romeo Langford come to mind as projects we spent offseasons eagerly waiting to see blossom. Every puff piece or Reddit thread dedicated to their skills—bolstered by YouTube highlight videos—had us buying in. It isn’t a crime to want to believe every player your team drafts is a secret diamond in the rough. But one of the first lessons you learn is that it’s far likelier your team just picked a lemon with the 16th pick.
The difference between then and now is that former general manager Danny Ainge’s philosophy centered on exploiting what he saw as inefficiencies in the draft market: trying to recreate Isaiah Thomas by targeting players with similar skills and builds, and sometimes using draft-and-stash for project players. Ainge wasn’t a bad drafter, but in the later years of his regime, he exhibited traits that led to mistakes. Picking late in the first round every year means you’re the last dog at the bowl. As anyone who’s watched Moneyball knows, what happens to the runt of the litter? He dies. It’s safe to assume other teams try to implement similar strategies.
To earn attention from the coaching staff on the Celtics, one must be willing to put their body on the line. Boston draws 0.41 charges per game—10th most in the NBA. Rookie Hugo González and second-year guard Baylor Scheierman average 0.8 and 0.7, respectively.
What Mazzulla wants in his players is relentless, bulldog-like intensity coupled with consistency from three-point land. This means players are walking a delicate tightrope: slack off for one possession and you’re out; miss a rotation and you’re out. Mazzulla is quick to sub out anyone he thinks is slacking. But this roster is made up of players who won’t let that get to them. Professionalism and maturity are key. You don’t want players who accept that there will be games they won’t play in, but you also want them to maintain readiness for when they’re dusted off the bench and given 25 minutes due to whatever circumstances arise.
The three-point numbers for the rotation players are encouraging:
– Jordan Walsh — 45.1% on 1.9 attempts per game
– Josh Minott — 44.4% on 2.6 attempts per game
– Baylor Scheierman — 41.6% on 1.6 attempts per game
– Hugo González — 37.8% on 1.4 attempts per game
González has opened the door for himself by playing hard and tough for a 19-year-old rookie, displaying maturity and intangibles. His hustle plays are reminiscent of Marcus Smart. Off-ball, he’s shown a tremendous ability to cut to the basket and finish craftily. His defensive versatility thus far has been inspiring—the 6-6 rookie has held his own against big men like Karl-Anthony Towns, Bam Adebayo, and Kel’el Ware.
The offseason acquisitions Josh Minott and Luka Garza have essentially switched roles in little over a month. But Minott’s tendency to find himself in early foul trouble, inconsistent offensive input, and the Celtics’ competitive, deep bench have stapled the former Minnesota Timberwolf to the sidelines.
Conversely, Garza has assumed the title of backup big behind Neemias Queta, riding a phenomenal December to escape the doghouse. In November, he shot 55.3% from the field; in December, he raised that to 65.5%.
Outside the core players, you can’t really bank on who’ll find themselves on the floor from game to game. Josh Minott has shown he can contribute but struggles for consistent minutes. Minott began the season showcasing energy on offense, earning crunch-time minutes and even guarding the opposing team’s best player. Like González, Minott can adequately defend positions larger than his own, doing good work against players like Evan Mobley earlier in the season.
Third-year forward Jordan Walsh has played excellent defense on the likes of Tyrese Maxey and Cade Cunningham. While he’s shared crunch-time minutes with Anfernee Simons, the progression is real for Walsh.
Stevens’ ability to identify that the league is trending toward young, intense players who aren’t afraid to grind and get their hands dirty has kept this team afloat during some lean times in the first quarter of the season. And it’s because of his patience in developing players we’d largely forgotten about that the Celtics are no longer thinking about the lottery heading into 2026.
Vinny Jace appears on the Entitled Weekend podcast. He does not liveina seaside shanty in Hull.
Can YOU pick more winners than our own Football Cat? If so, you become eligible to win prizes!
Another season of picks almost done. Need to stretch into the New Year.
How to play? Simply pick who you think will win this weekend’s games. (No Monday game this go around, only Saturday and Sunday) Pick more winners than FC, and you can win your choice of either a The15 Inside Joke Prize Pack, a $25 Amazon Gift Card, or a $25 Supermarket Gift Card! Your choice as to Market Basket, Big Y, Shaw’s, or Stop & Shop! (Or another, if you are outside the New England Area)
Prizes to be won!
(One winner per week. In the event of a tie, a winner will be chosen at random.)
Here are this weekend’s NFL matchups:
Seahawks at 49ers
Saints at Falcons
Browns at Bengals
Colts at Texans
Titans at Jaguars
Packers at Vikings
Cowboys at Giants
Jets at Bills
Lions at Bears
Chargers at Broncos
Cardinals at Rams
Chiefs at Raiders
Dolphins at Patriots
Commanders at Eagles
Ravens at Steelers (Tiebreaker – total points scored)
Email your picks to bjbsjournalintern@gmail.com (prior to kickoff of the first listed game) or, if that isn’t your bag, post them on the Twitter and our raring to go squad of interns will make sure your entry is added to this week’s pool of contestants!
Good luck one last time this NFL season to all our contestants!
After going an impressive 13-2 in Week 16 and not being bested by any of you primates, Football Cat has decided to spend this between-the-holidays weekend maxing and relaxing at the Fortress of Fortitude. Football Cat will return for the final week of the NFL season.
Can YOU pick more winners than our own Football Cat? If so, you become eligible to win prizes!
Presents? For me? Aw, you shouldn’t have!
Congratulations to Vinny for winning a second time!
How to play? Simply pick who you think will win this weekend’s games. (Saturday, Sunday and Monday only, Football Cat negotiated no non-holiday Thursdays) Pick more winners than FC, and you can win your choice of either a The15 Inside Joke Prize Pack, a $25 Amazon Gift Card, or a $25 Supermarket Gift Card! Your choice as to Market Basket, Big Y, Shaw’s, or Stop & Shop! (Or another, if you are outside the New England Area)
Fun!
(One winner per week. In the event of a tie, a winner will be chosen at random. Winners remail eligible to also win in future weeks.)
Here are this weekend’s NFL matchups:
Eagles at Commanders
Packers at Bears
Buccaneers at Panthers
Bills at Browns
Chargers at Cowboys
Jets at Saints
Vikings at Giants
Chiefs at Titans
Bengals at Dolphins Falcons at Cardinals
Jaguars at Broncos
Steelers at Lions
Raiders at Texans Patriots at Ravens
49ers at Colts (Tiebreaker – total points scored)
Email your picks to bjbsjournalintern@gmail.com (prior to kickoff of the first listed game) or, if that isn’t your bag, post them on the Twitter and our holly jolly band of interns will make sure your entry is added to this week’s pool of contestants!
Can YOU pick more winners than our own Football Cat? If so, you become eligible to win prizes!
Congratulations once again to Warren Dull’s aunt for beating Football Cat in Week 14! She should play the Powerball tonight!
How to play? Simply pick who you think will win this weekend’s games. (Sunday and Monday only, Football Cat negotiated no non-holiday Thursdays) Pick more winners than FC, and you can win either a The15 Inside Joke Prize Pack or a $25 Supermarket Gift Card! Your choice as to Market Basket, Big Y, Shaw’s, or Stop & Shop! (Or another, if you are outside the New England Area)
Maybe play some KENO?
(One winner per week. In the event of a tie, a winner will be chosen at random. Winners remail eligible to also win in future weeks.)
Here are this weekend’s NFL matchups:
Browns at Bears
Ravens at Bengals
Cardinals at Texans
Jets at Jaguars
Chargers at Chiefs
Bills at Patriots
Commanders at Giants
Raiders at Eagles
Packers at Broncos
Lions at Rams
Panthers at Saints
Colts at Seahawks
Titans at 49ers
Vikings at Cowboys
Dolphins at Steelers (Tiebreaker – total points scored)
Email your picks to bjbsjournalintern@gmail.com (prior to kickoff of the first listed game) or, if that isn’t your bag, post them on the Twitter and our merry band of interns will make sure your entry is added to this week’s pool of contestants!
Can YOU pick more winners than our own Football Cat? If so, you become eligible to win prizes!
Football Cat is all rested up and is ready to again take on all comers!
How to play? Seriously? It’s Week 14. Okay, maybe some of you are playing for the first time. Simply pick who you think will win this weekend’s games. (Sunday and Monday only, Football Cat negotiated no non-holiday Thursdays) Pick more winners than FC, and you can win either a The15 Inside Joke Prize Pack or a $25 Supermarket Gift Card! Your choice as to Market Basket, Big Y, Shaw’s, or Stop & Shop! (Or another, if you are outside the New England Area)
Stuff the stockings with Fluff
(One winner per week. In the event of a tie, a winner will be chosen at random. Winners remail eligible to also win in future weeks.)
Here are this weekend’s NFL matchups:
Titans at Browns
Seahawks at Falcons
Colts at Jaguars
Commanders at Vikings
Bengals at Bills
Saints at Buccaneers
Steelers at Ravens
Dolphins at Jets
Broncos at Raiders
Rams at Cardinals
Bears at Packers
Texans at Chiefs
Eagles at Chargers (Tiebreaker – total points scored)
Email your picks to bjbsjournalintern@gmail.com (prior to kickoff of the first listed game) or, if that isn’t your thing, post them on the Twitter and our jolly team of interns will make sure your entry is added to this week’s pool of contestants!
Good luck and glad tidings to all our contestants!
Can YOU pick more winners than our own Football Cat? If so, you become eligible to win prizes!
Again? Inconceivable!
Congratulations again to Warren Dull’s aunt for beating Football Cat in Week 11! It’s a good thing we’re not like all the casinos and betting sites that banned Dan Lifshatz for winning too much! Hahahahaha!
Three wins = Turkey Dinner
How to play? Simply pick who you think will win this weekend’s games. (Sunday and Monday only, Football Cat negotiated no non-holiday Thursdays) Pick more winners than FC, and you can win either a The15 Inside Joke Prize Pack or a $25 Supermarket Gift Card! Your choice as to Market Basket, Big Y, Shaw’s, or Stop & Shop! (Or another, if you are outside the New England Area)
Stuff n’ Fluff
(One winner per week. In the event of a tie, a winner will be chosen at random. Winners remail eligible to also win in future weeks.)
Here are this weekend’s NFL matchups:
Jets at Ravens
Steelers at Bears
Patriots at Bengals
Giants at Lions
Vikings at Packers
Colts at Chiefs
Seahawks at Titans
Jaguars at Cardinals
Browns at Raiders
Eagles at Cowboys
Falcons at Saints
Buccaneers at Rams
Panthers at 49ers (Tiebreaker – total points scored)
Email your picks to bjbsjournalintern@gmail.com (prior to kickoff of the first listed game) or, if that isn’t your bag, post them on the Twitter and our swell team of interns will make sure your entry is added to this week’s pool of contestants!
Throughout the first few weeks of the regular season, coach Joe Mazzulla has discovered what works and what doesn’t: tapering the rotation, trimming Anfernee Simons’ minutes when it’s clear he doesn’t have it, and putting Chris Boucher on ice to free up minutes for the emerging Neemias Queta and the hot-and-cold Luka Garza.
It’s no secret what Boston lacked heading into the season and continues to miss—a glaring void that stares you in the face during every game: the absence of elite passing, dribbling, a steady hand at the wheel during moments of crisis, and rebounding whenever Queta is on the bench.
Not having Jayson Tatum around makes it easier for opposing teams to strangle the offense, especially in the last two minutes. The Celtics in the clutch lack sufficient answers, and the offense reverts to a “cross your fingers and hope it works out” philosophy. Boston sports a 2-6 record in close games. Their offensive rating sits at 118.4; defensive rating at 112.9; and net rating at +5.4. Derrick White and Payton Pritchard are solid players, but filling in for the role Jrue Holiday once did is above their pay grade. They’re better suited as connective passers, not table-setters.
Johnston Joe is a hard-nosed Rhode Islander.
How the Celtics cobbled together 7 wins in the season’s first 14 games stems from a hard-nosed, barebones approach that takes every game to the wire. If I were to tell you White was shooting just 35.9% to start the year, you’d assume the team ranked amongst the dregs. But it’s how players like him have contributed on defense even when being challenged offensively that is a testament to “Mazzulla-Ball” and its flexibility. Defense is the real bulwark of this team that’s held together by duct tape—White being the best shot-blocking guard on any roster.
The aforementioned big man, Queta, and his 7-foot frame—able to shift his hips like a soccer player on the pitch to stay with his man even outside the paint—keeps the defense from having to collapse inside to help. His 108.7 defensive rating, on top of his +13.1 on/off-court rating, showcases the rewards of Boston’s years of development of him since coming over from Sacramento. It was once far-fetched to imagine Queta being anything but a rotational big man; now, you have to imagine a contract extension is in play if he keeps this up.
There is no need to be afraid of Jordan Walsh when he is off the court.
In the middle of their in-between season, the Celtics have managed to keep themselves interesting. Jordan Walsh is slowly emerging as a credible defender, having back-to-back solid efforts against Tyrese Maxey and James Harden. The younger players have earned their keep.
Fans have labeled the Celtics’ approach to the season “Ethical Tanking”—losing games while maintaining competitiveness. While it’s likelier to land the Celtics outside of the lottery, perhaps it leaves open the possibility that they aren’t far from re-entering the title conversation when Tatum comes back next season.
Vinny Jace appears on the Entitled Weekend podcast. He does not livein Johnston.
Can YOU pick more winners than our own Football Cat? If so, you become eligible to win prizes!
Congratulations to Warren Dull’s aunt for beating Football Cat once again in Week 10!
So. Happy. For. You. Ma’am.
How to play? Simply pick who you think will win this weekend’s games. (Sunday and Monday only, Football Cat negotiated no non-holiday Thursdays) Pick more winners than FC, and you can win either a The15 Inside Joke Prize Pack or a $25 Supermarket Gift Card! Your choice as to Market Basket, Big Y, Shaw’s, or Stop & Shop! (Or another, if you are outside the New England Area)
(One winner per week. In the event of a tie, a winner will be chosen at random. Winners remail eligible to also win in future weeks.)
Here are this weekend’s NFL matchups:
Commanders at Dolphins
Panthers at Falcons
Buccaneers at Bills
Chargers at Jaguars
Bears at Vikings
Packers at Giants
Bengals at Steelers
Texans at Titans
49ers at Cardinals
Seahawks at Rams
Ravens at Browns
Chiefs at Broncos
Lions at Eagles
Cowboys at Raiders (Tiebreaker – total points scored)
Email your picks to bjbsjournalintern@gmail.com (prior to kickoff of the first listed game) or, if that isn’t your bag, post them on the Twitter and our hardy heam of interns will make sure your entry is added to this week’s pool of contestants!
The 15 