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NFL Expert Picks for Week 3 of 2025

ByJohannesburg, Gauteng South Africa

Sep 19, 2025
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The season keeps ticking and we keep picking. Last week was particularly brutal for the entire panel with some game being nothing like we expected.

Two game in particular really stood out as ones that made perfect sense when we first made the picks, but the games themselves played out in weird ways. The first was the Seahawks beating the Steelers, in which 7-of-10 pickers went with Pittsburgh only to see Aaron Rodgers and co. get whooped. The far bigger surprise was on Sunday night though when J.J. McCarthy turned into a pumpkin on national TV, giving the Falcons the win. The panel were 9-of-10 for Minnesota in that game, thinking their comeback win over the Bears to open the season was indicative of more success to come.

How wrong we were.

Week 3 is a minefield of injuries and tricky picks. Bengals vs. Vikings is one that’s very difficult to parse due to injuries to both Joe Burrow and J.J. McCarthy, making this the QB duel between Jake Browning and Carson Wentz we all expected. Meanwhile in an NFC West divisional matchup we have the battle of the 2-0 teams with the Cardinals and 49ers locking horns. There’s no doubt San Francisco is the better team on paper, but injuries to George Kittle and Brock Purdy’s status being up in the air has this game on shaky ground.

Here are our picks for Week 3.

Week 1 Mookie Alexander James Dator Chet Gresham Brandon Lee Gowton Jared Mueller R.J. Ochoa Ricky O’Donnell Mark Schofield Nick Simon Matt Warren
TNF: Dolphins vs. Bills Bills Bills Bills Bills Bills Bills Bills Bills Bills Bills
Bengals vs. Vikings Vikings Vikings Bengals Bengals Bengals Bengals Vikings Vikings Bengals Vikings
Texans vs. Jaguars Texans Texans Jaguars Texans Texans Texans Texans Texans Jaguars Texans
Colts vs. Titans Colts Colts Colts Colts Colts Colts Colts Colts Colts Colts
Raiders vs. Commanders Commanders Commanders Commanders Commanders Raiders Commanders Raiders Commanders Raiders Commanders
Rams vs. Eagles Eagles Eagles Eagles Eagles Eagles Rams Eagles Eagles Rams Eagles
Falcons vs. Panthers Falcons Falcons Falcons Falcons Falcons Falcons Falcons Falcons Falcons Falcons
Steelers vs. Patriots Patriots Steelers Patriots Steelers Patriots Steelers Patriots Steelers Steelers Steelers
Packers vs. Browns Packers Packers Packers Packers Packers Packers Packers Packers Packers Packers
Jets vs. Buccaneers Buccaneers Buccaneers Buccaneers Buccaneers Buccaneers Buccaneers Buccaneers Buccaneers Buccaneers Buccaneers
Broncos vs. Chargers Chargers Chargers Chargers Chargers Chargers Chargers Chargers Chargers Broncos Chargers
Saints vs. Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks
Cowboys vs. Bears Cowboys Cowboys Cowboys Cowboys Cowboys Cowboys Cowboys Cowboys Bears Cowboys
Cardinals vs. 49ers Cardinals Cardinals 49ers 49ers Cardinals Cardinals 49ers 49ers 49ers 49ers
SNF: Chiefs vs. Giants Chiefs Chiefs Chiefs Chiefs Chiefs Chiefs Chiefs Chiefs Chiefs Chiefs
MNF: Lions vs. Ravens Ravens Ravens Ravens Ravens Ravens Ravens Ravens Ravens Lions Ravens
2025 Pick record 20-12 23-9 22-10 22-10 19-13 21-11 25-7 19-13 20-12 23-9

By Johannesburg, Gauteng South Africa

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From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5 The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Article .From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5: The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Report on the Shifting Landscape of Substance Abuse in Nigeria Nigeria faces a severe and evolving drug crisis, particularly among its youth. What began with the widespread abuse of Tramadol has progressed through mixtures like “Canadian” to newer pharmaceutical diversions such as Exol-5. This shift reflects deeper issues: easy access to prescription drugs, weak regulation, socioeconomic pressures, and aggressive street-level marketing. NDLEA operations and health studies reveal a public health emergency that threatens an entire generation. Phase 1: The Tramadol Epidemic (2010s–Early 2020s) Tramadol, a synthetic opioid prescribed for moderate to severe pain, became Nigeria’s most notorious street drug. Cheap, potent, and widely smuggled (often from India and other Asian countries), it offered users energy, euphoria, and pain relief — appealing to commercial drivers, laborers, students, and young men seeking confidence or stamina. Scale of the Problem: Millions of tablets seized annually by NDLEA. High prevalence among young males aged 15–35. Linked to increased crime, sexual violence, organ damage (kidney failure, seizures), and mental health breakdowns. Contributed to broader opioid misuse alongside codeine cough syrups. Government responses included tighter import controls and public awareness campaigns, but these only displaced demand to other substances rather than eliminating it. Phase 2: The Rise of “Canadian” (Mid-2020s) “Canadian” or “Canadian Loud” emerged as a popular code for high-grade cannabis (often indica-dominant strains) or cannabis mixed with other synthetics. It gained traction as users sought alternatives or combinations to Tramadol’s effects. This phase marked a move toward imported or locally cultivated premium weed, sometimes laced with stronger chemicals. Youths in urban centers like Lagos, Kano, Jos, and Onitsha embraced it for its perceived “cleaner” high compared to opioids. However, it fueled polydrug use — combining cannabis with opioids, sedatives, or alcohol — amplifying health risks. Phase 3: Exol-5 – The Current Threat (2024–2026) Exol-5 (Benzhexol Hydrochloride / Trihexyphenidyl 5mg), originally a prescription medication for Parkinson’s disease and drug-induced movement disorders, has become the latest pharmaceutical being heavily abused. Why Exol-5? Euphoric Effects: Users report intense euphoria, hallucinations, and a sense of detachment — making it attractive as a cheap “upper” or escape. Accessibility: Sold over-the-counter or on the black market despite being a controlled prescription drug. NDLEA has seized millions of pills in single operations (e.g., 3.1 million pills in Kano in late 2024, and over 5.6 million combined with Tramadol in other busts). Street Names: Exol, Artane, Benzhexol, “Farin Mallam” (in Northern Nigeria). Demographics: Prevalent among youths, laborers, and even psychiatric patients who divert prescriptions. Studies show abuse rates as high as 25% among certain outpatient groups. Health Consequences: Anticholinergic toxicity: Confusion, dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, and in high doses — delirium, psychosis, seizures, and heart issues. Long-term: Cognitive impairment, addiction, exacerbated mental health disorders. Often mixed with Tramadol, codeine, or cannabis, creating dangerous synergies. In cities like Jos, Exol-5 sits alongside diazepam, Rohypnol, and Tramadol on street markets, easily available to teenagers and young adults. Why This Evolution Continues Supply-Side Failures: Porous borders, corrupt officials, and overproduction of pharmaceuticals enable diversion. Demand Drivers: Unemployment, poverty, peer pressure, trauma, and the pursuit of performance enhancement (e.g., for “hustle” culture). Weak Regulation: Many pharmacies sell restricted drugs without prescriptions. Online and street vendors fill gaps. Displacement Effect: Cracking down on one substance (Tramadol/codeine) pushes users and dealers toward the next available option. NDLEA reports ongoing large seizures, but the problem persists due to high profitability and low risk for mid-level distributors. Broader Impacts on Nigerian Youths Education: Increased dropout rates and poor academic performance. Mental Health: Rising cases of psychosis and depression. Economy: Lost productivity among the working-age population. Crime and Violence: Drug-fueled robberies, cultism, and family breakdowns. Public Health System Strain: Overburdened hospitals treating overdoses and chronic complications. Young people aged 15–39 remain the hardest hit, with national surveys showing drug use prevalence significantly above global averages. What Must Be Done Stronger Enforcement: Consistent prosecution of corrupt enablers and large-scale traffickers. Regulation: Crackdown on rogue pharmacies and better tracking of prescription drugs. Prevention & Rehabilitation: School programs, community outreach, and expanded treatment centers (currently woefully inadequate). Economic Alternatives: Address root causes like youth unemployment. Public Awareness: Honest campaigns highlighting real dangers of “Exol-5” and similar drugs. Conclusion From Tramadol’s opioid grip to “Canadian” cannabis culture and now Exol-5’s anticholinergic highs, Nigeria’s drug crisis is mutating faster than responses can contain it. Exol-5 represents the dangerous new frontier — a legitimate medicine turned youth destroyer due to misuse and greed. Without urgent, multi-layered intervention — combining supply disruption, demand reduction, and socioeconomic support — an entire generation risks being lost to addiction. The time for half-measures is over. Nigeria’s future depends on winning this fight.

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