Mon. May 25th, 2026
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Now that was a surprising week to come off. We had the Browns beating the Packers, the Panthers shutting out the Falcons, and Caleb Williams putting it all together for a big win against Dallas. We’ve learned through the first month of the season that preconceived notions are out the window, and separating the good from the bad is still damn-near impossible in the NFL with offenses really struggling to find their footing league-wide.

We roll into Week 4 with a few really interesting statement games on the slate. This opens up on Thursday Night Football with Seahawks vs. Cardinals. Both teams are battling in the NFC West with the division-leading 49ers, who are finding themselves mired in injury woes, but still managing to keep up. Seattle is rolling right now and look like a very solid team, while Arizona took a big step backwards in Week 3 losing to a Mac Jones-led Niners team without George Kittle and several other big-name players.

Two other fascinating games to circle will be Colts vs. Rams, where we’ll get a better sense for whether this Indianapolis team with Daniel Jones under center is actually for real, and then Ravens vs. Chiefs — two teams assumed to be the best in the AFC, but both of whom have had struggles to start the season.

Here’s our panel’s picks for this week in the NFL.

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: Seahawks vs. Cardinals Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Cardinals Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks Cardinals
Vikings vs. Steelers Vikings Vikings Steelers Steelers Vikings Vikings Steelers Steelers Steelers Vikings
Commanders vs. Falcons Falcons Commanders Commanders Commanders Falcons Commanders Commanders Commanders Commanders Commanders
Chargers vs. Giants Chargers Chargers Chargers Chargers Giants Chargers Chargers Chargers Chargers Chargers
Titans vs. Texans Texans Texans Texans Texans Texans Texans Texans Texans Titans Texans
Eagles vs. Buccaneers Eagles Eagles Eagles Eagles Eagles Buccaneers Eagles Eagles Eagles Eagles
Panthers vs. Patriots Patriots Panthers Patriots Patriots Patriots Panthers Patriots Patriots Patriots Patriots
Saints vs. Bills Bills Bills Bills Bills Bills Bills Bills Bills Bills Bills
Browns vs. Lions Lions Lions Lions Lions Browns Lions Lions Lions Lions Lion
Jaguars vs. 49ers Jaguars 49ers 49ers 49ers Jaguars 49ers 49ers 49ers 49ers 49ers
Colts vs. Rams Rams Rams Rams Colts Rams Colts Rams Rams Colts Rams
Bears vs. Raiders Raiders Bears Raiders Bears Raiders Raiders Bears Raiders Bears Raiders
Ravens vs. Chiefs Ravens Ravens Ravens Chiefs Chiefs Chiefs Chiefs Ravens Ravens Ravens
SNF: Packers vs. Cowboys Packers Packers Packers Packers Packers Packers Packers Packers Packers Packers
MNF: Jets vs. Dolphins Jets Dolphins Dolphins Dolphins Jets Jets Dolphins Dolphins Jets Jets
MNF: Bengals vs. Broncos Broncos Broncos Broncos Broncos Broncos Broncos Broncos Broncos Broncos Broncos
2025 Pick record 29-19 33-15 32-16 32-16 26-22 28-20 34-14 30-18 31-17 34-14

You missed

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.