Hoops trial getting more outlandish by the day

In our Week 3 NFL picks and predictions, red-hot Tampa Bay plays a rude host to a struggling Pittsburgh team. Plus, New England’s trip to Detroit results in a comfortable win for the Patriots.

After a long, agonizing silence, Malcolm Butler really has opened up this week about his infamous benching in Super Bowl LII. The Boston Herald’s Jeff Howe published a piece Wednesday, in which Butler explained why he believes he didn’t play a defensive snap in the Patriots’ crushing loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. And in a telephone conversation with SB Nation’s Thomas George on Wednesday, Butler — who just signed with the Tennessee Titans — revealed what Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said to him after the game. Per George: “You’re a fighter and good luck in the future,� Belichick said, according to Butler. “Thank you,� Butler said he replied. Short and (bitter)sweet. The former Pro Bowl