College Football Chaos & NFL Week 12 Picks! Broncos + Nuggets Return! | Episode 256 — Companion Blog
College Football Chaos & NFL Week 12 Picks! Broncos + Nuggets Return! | Episode 256 — Companion Blog
Benchwarmer Nation… we’re officially back.
After a much-needed bye week full of wrestling meets, travel, and what basically turned into an impromptu episode recorded in the upper bowl of Ball Arena, Episode 256 dropped with everything you love about The Far End of the Bench: energy, chaos, debates, and Colorado sports talk that goes straight for the heart.
Whether it’s the wild College Football Playoff picture, the Denver Broncos becoming legit AFC contenders, the start of the NBA season for the Denver Nuggets, or the emerging goalie storyline for the Colorado Avalanche, this episode delivers wall-to-wall action.
🏈 College Football Playoff Chaos Takes Over
The latest College Football Playoff rankings came in hot, and the only guarantee right now is chaos. With late-season upsets, ACC madness, and Big 12 volatility, the race for the CFP is tighter than ever.
Texas drops. The ACC could end in a six-way tie. The Big 12 might give us the most entertaining championship of the entire season. And with the expanded playoff era redefining what matters, November football has never felt more unpredictable.
🐴 The Denver Broncos Are the No. 1 Seed in the AFC
Yes, you read that correctly.
The Denver Broncos are 9–2 and currently hold the No. 1 seed in the AFC—and they even hold the tiebreaker over the Philadelphia Eagles. After years of frustration, Denver finally has a team that wins tough games, controls the clock, and plays elite defense.
Bo Nix continues to prove he’s a gamer, the defense is suffocating teams, and the entire city feels different. When the Broncos win, the sun shines brighter in Colorado. Everyone knows it’s true—even if science can’t explain it.
🏀 The Denver Nuggets Start the 2025 NBA Season Strong
Niko finally got the floor to talk Nuggets basketball again, and he made the most of it. Despite a recent home loss, Denver still looks like one of the strongest teams in the NBA. Nikola Jokić is already in MVP form, the rotation is settling in, and the energy inside Ball Arena feels like playoff intensity in November.
And yes—Niko’s Vancouver travel schedule is getting suspiciously close to a part-time residency.
🥅 Colorado Avalanche: Is There a Goalie Controversy Brewing?
Scott Wedgewood continues to impress, and Avalanche fans are starting to ask the question nobody expected: Is there a real goalie competition in Colorado?
It’s not a full controversy yet, but Wedgewood’s performance is absolutely forcing the conversation. This is a storyline to keep an eye on as the season progresses.
🏈 NFL Week 12 Pick’em: Updated Standings + Picks
Current Pick’em Standings
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Niko: 36–8
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Jimmy: 30–13–1
Niko’s Week 12 NFL Picks
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Colts over Chiefs
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Ravens over Jets
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Lions over Giants
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Browns over Raiders
Jimmy’s Week 12 NFL Picks
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Patriots over Bengals
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Steelers over Bears
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Seahawks over Titans
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Rams over Buccaneers
Some picks were made with logic. Some were made with emotion. If you’ve listened to the show long enough, you already know whose was whose.
⭐ Player of the Week Awards
Niko’s Player of the Week: Nikola Jokić
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29.3 PPG
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13.4 RPG
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11.1 APG
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65% FG
A near-perfect stat line. A basketball masterpiece. A borderline unfair human being.
Jimmy’s Player of the Week: Sean Tucker (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
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19 carries, 106 yards, 2 rushing TDs
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2 receptions, 34 yards, 2 receiving TDs
A four-touchdown performance that deserves way more national attention.
🧊 Benchwarmer of the Week
Niko: Ja’Marr Chase
For spitting on Jalen Ramsey, denying it, and getting suspended. Not a great trilogy.
Jimmy: UCLA Football
The spark is gone. The magic disappeared. The lights went out. Better luck next season.
🎙 Final Thoughts
From College Football Playoff madness to the Broncos’ resurgence, from Jokic dominating the NBA to the Avalanche navigating a goalie shake-up, Episode 256 delivered nonstop sports energy from start to finish.
Now that we’re rolling again, expect more Colorado sports talk, more NFL action, more debates, and more of the show you love.
Subscribe, comment, and join the bench.
The comeback starts NOW.
Jimmy Pallotto
Co-Host
Jimmy Pallotto - Co-Host, The Far End of the Bench
Born and raised in the heart of Colorado, Jimmy Pallotto is the passionate voice behind The Far End of the Bench. A lifelong sports enthusiast, Jimmy brings unparalleled energy, humor, and insight to the podcast, combining his deep-rooted love for the game with a sharp analytical edge. As a proud alumnus of Western Colorado University, where he majored in Communication Arts and Sociology, Jimmy’s background equips him to deliver thoughtful commentary and engage in meaningful discussions with fans and guests alike.
Jimmy’s love for sports extends beyond the mic. By day, he’s shaping young minds as a 7th-grade social studies teacher and multi-sport coach, mentoring athletes in wrestling and football. A dedicated coach and educator, Jimmy instills the same values of teamwork, leadership, and dedication in his students that he shares on the podcast.
When he's not in the classroom or recording episodes, Jimmy enjoys spending time with his girlfriend Carlye, their energetic Border Collie Boomer, and his close-knit family. Whether he's breaking down game-winning plays, sharing hilarious locker room stories, or diving deep into the latest sports controversies, Jimmy’s vibrant personality and authentic voice make him a fan favorite.
Catch Jimmy every week on The Far End of the Bench, where he and his co-host Niko Bryant tackle everything from Colorado sports to national headlines, bringing the sidelines to center stage.
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