With each week that passes, Rex Ryan creeps closer to Derek Jeter status. He’s the guy I want to hate – because of his affiliation with a New York team – but he makes it very difficult not to like him.

As a Patriots fan, Ryan is a cocky, loud-mouth loser. As an objective football fan, Ryan is entertaining as hell. He’s honest, confident and a great motivator. And, as we are learning with the recent foot fetish videos, he’s just another guy with a few quirks.

Bill Belichick is the best coach in football, without a doubt.  As a Patriots fan, he’s brilliant, cerebral and he handles his media obligations better than anyone in sports. But as an objective football fan, he’s booooooooorring. He’s the anti-Rex Ryan. In sports, we want to see the human side to these coaches and players. We want to see their personalities – their weaknesses, their superstitions, the type of stuff that can help us relate to them (even though they are millionaires and most of us are not).

It’s similar to how people obsess over movie stars. They live a glamorous life, but how are they like us? Who’s in rehab, who’s getting divorced, etc.? It’s a sick way of living – vicariously through other people we don’t know – but it’s the way of the world. Belichick will never let us relate to him because he’s a smart football coach. ALL of his comments and actions – at least in the public eye - relate to his football team. Ryan, on the other hand, is a guy who isn’t afraid to let his guard down and wear his emotions on his sleeve.

Foot fetish? I don’t get it. Some people can relate to it, I’m sure. I don’t. But we all have some quirks, especially when it comes to relationships. It’s what makes us human.

So, I will continue to root for Belichik and his Patriots, and I’ll continue to despise Rex Ryan’s Jets. But if I had to choose the coach I would rather hang out with, or who I could most identify with, it would be the guy leading the New York team.

Before I get to the picks, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!

DALLAS AT ARIZONA: Pick – Cowboys

NEW ENGLAND AT BUFFALO: Pick – Patriots

N.Y. JETS AT CHICAGO: Pick – Bears

BALTIMORE AT CLEVELAND: Pick – Browns

TENNESSEE AT KANSAS CITY: Pick – Chiefs

SAN FRANCISCO AT ST. LOUIS: Pick – 49ers

DETROIT AT MIAMI: Pick – Dolphins

WASHINGTON AT JACKSONVILLE: Pick – Redskins

INDIANAPOLIS AT OAKLAND: Pick - Colts

HOUSTON AT DENVER: Pick – Texans

SAN DIEGO AT CINCINNATI: Pick – Chargers

N.Y. GIANTS AT GREEN BAY: Pick – Packers

SEATTLE AT TAMPA BAY: Pick – Buccaneers

MINNESOTA AT PHILADELPHIA: Pick – Eagles

NEW ORLEANS AT ATLANTA: Pick - Saints

Last week: 8-7

Thursday night: 1-0

Season Record: 137-87