WEEK EIGHTEEN CRYSTAL BALL: A Weekend of Consequence
Published continually since 1994
My friends, THE GURU enters Week Eighteen with a spring in his oafish step as the playoffs await. Indeed, my heart is full as we’ve got a number of consequential games to set the postseason table including a winner-take-all affair and rivalries aplenty.
Kicking things off at 4:30 pm ET today on ABC/ESPN, the Panthers (8-8, 3-5 away) visit the Bucs (7-9, 3-4 home) in a game that could determine the NFC South champ. Chris Fowler, Dan Orlovsky, Louis Riddick, Peter Schrager and Katie George are on the call.
A win gives Bryce Young & Co. the division while the Bucs claim the title if they beat the Panthers and the Saints beat the Falcons. The latter scenario would leave Tampa and Carolina knotted at 8-9 with the Bucs winning the tiebreaker, which is record vs. common opponents.
That said, I’m taking Carolina for two reasons: one, they’re playing better than Tampa and, second, this is a banged-up Buccaneers outfit that has lost its juju, its mojo and its confidence. Take the Panthers by three…
…I like the host Falcons (7-9, 3-4 home) against the Saints (6-10, 3-5 away) in the other NFC South contest at 1 pm Sunday on Fox. Bijan Robinson is the real deal, and Kirk Cousins is playing well enough that Atlanta will have some QB decisions to make in the offseason. Chris Myers, Mark Schlereth and Jen Hale call the action…
…on Sunday at 8:20 pm, the Ravens (8-8, 5-3 away) travel to Pittsburgh (9-7, 5-3 home) to determine the AFC North winner. NBC has the broadcast with Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth and Melissa Stark manning the mikes.
Predicting this one is tougher than picking my favorite buffet - I was always partial to Shakey’s - so I’ll take the easy out and pick the home team. Give the Steelers a two-point victory and listen for the roar from THE HOUSE OF SUSSEX.
While only a few games will determine playoff participants, there are several contests that will decide the top seeds in the two conferences.
This evening at 8 pm on ABC/ESPN, I like the Niners (12-4, 5-2 home) to take down the Seahawks (13-3, 7-1 away) in Santa Clara. Edge goes to Shanahan and the victory gives San Francisco the NFC West title and pole position in the NFC. Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters and the hard-working Laura Rutledge are on the air…
…over in the AFC, Denver (13-3, 7-1 home) earns the AFC’s top seed with a win over the visiting Chargers (11-5, 5-2 away). Catch the action Sunday at 4:25 pm with Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson on CBS.
Even with LA sitting Justin Herbert and other regulars, this game could be as tight as September’s matchup, a three-point Chargers’ win. Yes, Sean Payton & Co. have won 12 of their last 13 but Jim Harbaugh doesn’t give ground to anyone…
…if the Broncos falter and the Patriots lose, the Jags (12-4, 6-2 home) can earn the top seed by winning their home game against Tennessee (3-13, 2-6 away). Adam Amin, Drew Brees and Kristina Pink have the call at 1 pm Sunday on Fox.
I view Liam Coen and his crew are a near-mortal lock to beat the Titans, leaving their newly minted #1 fan, THE SONGBIRD, aflutter. A Jacksonville native who has spent the past two decades in Kansas City, our hero is rapidly swapping his Chiefs gear for an ensemble of teal, black and gold. Jaguars by 22…
…the other potential AFC top seed is New England (13-3, 5-3 home), which meets the Dolphins (7-9, 2-5 away) in Foxboro at 4:25 pm Sunday on Fox. Joe Davis, Greg Olsen and Pam Oliver handle broadcasting duties.
Look for the Pats to throttle Miami as the New England faithful pray for a Denver loss to vault Mike Vrabel’s club into the top spot. Just don’t expect a repeat of the 1982 regular-season battle between these two teams, the famed “Snowplow Game”.
The abbreviated story: New England and the Dolphins met in Week Six of the strike-shortened ‘82 season and treated fans to a scoreless battle in the snow until the game’s waning moments. That’s when Mark Henderson, a convicted burglar on work release from Walpole State Prison, drove a John Deere 314 tractor onto the Schaefer Stadium turf and cleared a spot for Pats kicker John Smith to drill the game-winning 33-yard field goal.
Miami coach Don Shula - a member of the NFL’s Rules Committee - was rightfully irate but he exacted revenge when the Dolphins beat New England in the first round of the playoffs four weeks later. It was 70 degrees and sunny in south Florida that day as Miami romped to a 28-13 win.
More importantly, Henderson went legit and turned his life around. And he - and the day’s combatants - will never forget his role in the game’s outcome.
LE GURU’s role as a prognosticator left much to be desired last week as I registered a 9-7 (.563) performance, dropping the season mark to 140-103 (.576). On to the rest of the games…
SUNDAY
1 PM – FOX
I love the Cowboys (8-8, 3-5 away) at the Giants (3-13, 2-5 home) with Kevin Kugler, Daryl Johnston and Allison Williams doing the TV work. It’ll be another long winter for the Jints and their fans. Can’t wait!
1 PM - CBS
The Browns (4-12, 1-6 away) lose in Cincinnati (6-10, 3-4 home) as SIR STRIPES gains some modicum of respect, the kind of esteem his skin-tight Lululemon shorts won’t earn him. On the call: Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta and Aditi Kinkhabwala..
…I’ll take the Vikings (8-8, 4-4 home) against the visiting Packers (9-6-1, 4-3-1 away). Love vs. McCarthy will get far more interesting in 2026. Announcing this one are Tom McCarthy, Jason McCourty and Amanda Balionis…
…I don’t see the Colts (8-8, 3-5 away) beating the Texans (11-5, 6-2 home), even if host Houston rests its starters. This week’s CBS crew is a stellar one: Ian Eagle, J.J. Watt and Evan Washburn.
4:25 pm - FOX
The Bears (11-5, 6-1 home) finish with a home win against the Lions (9-7, 3-4 away) as they fight to earn the #2 seed. Fox’s A‑team handles the action: Kevin Burkhardt, Tom Brady and Erin Andrews…
…the Rams (11-5, 5-2 home) topple the hobbled Cardinals (4-12, 2-5 away) as Sean McVay turns up the heat. Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Megan Olivi are on the call.
4:25 PM ET – CBS
In three games that few will watch…
…go with the Chiefs (7-9, 3-5 away) at the Raiders (3-13, 2-5 home). Here’s hoping that Pete Carroll gets a second crack at things in Vegas. On the mike: Chris Lewis, Kyle Long and Tiffany Blackmon…
…the traveling Jets (3-13, 1-6 away) fall to the Bills (11-5, 6-2 home) as Buffalo readies for a playoff run. Could this be the year for THE FRANKLINVILLE KID? Tune in to hear Andrew Catalon, Charles Davis, Jason McCourty and AJ Ross…
…last but not least, expect My Beloved Commies (4-12, 2-6 away) to shock the resting Eagles (11-5, 5-2 home), giving Josh Johnson his second career win as an NFL QB. It’s been a tough season in DC, but I’ll still tune in to hear Kevin Harlan, Ross Tucker and Melanie Collins chronicle the pain.
That’s all for this week, folks. Enjoy the finales and God bless!