Week Four Crystal Ball - Weekend: Cause for Optimism in DC?
Week Four Crystal Ball - Weekend: Cause for Optimism in DC?
My friends, THE GURU is cautiously optimistic about developing events in our nation’s capital, and, yes, I’m talking about My Beloved Commies, now 2-1 after Monday night’s upset win in Cincinnati.
I’m cautiously optimistic because…
Jayden Daniels shows signs of being the real deal with a virtuoso performance, completing an NFL rookie record 91% of his passes vs. the Bengals, including a late-game TD dart to Terry McLaurin to seal the deal.
The defense held firm in the red zone in the first half to allow MBC to build a cushion.
The near-term schedule isn’t foreboding with five of the next six games against Arizona, Cleveland, Carolina, Chicago, and the Giants.
I’m cautiously optimistic because…
Jayden Daniels is slight of build - he could Hula Hoop with a Cheerio - and prone to taking big hits.
The defense hasn’t forced an offense to punt since the season opener. It’s true.
The second half of the schedule is next-level terrifying with two games against both Dallas and Philly as well as matchups against Pittsburgh, New Orleans, and our old guy, Kirk Cousins.
Back to Daniels for a moment as the Commies, led by offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, have turned in an unprecedented effort the past two weeks. Seriously.
Indeed, per the Associated Press, MBC is the first team in the Super Bowl era - 57 years - to have no punts or turnovers in two straight games. And, in the 2000s, there have only been nine games where a team scored on every drive1 and the Commies have done it in back-to-back weeks! That’s 14 straight possessions, folks2!
Of course, as a Skins fan, there is a natural understanding that disaster lurks around the bend, which brings us to today’s matchup with Washington (2-1, 1-1 away) at Arizona (1-2, 1-1 home.
I’ll be succinct: I expect Daniels & Co. to play well but think Kyler Murray and his rookie wideout, Marvin Harrison, Jr., go absolutely bananas. Call it 33-26, Cards.
That said, my picks have been consistently malodorous this season at 25-24 (.510) so all may not be lost this afternoon for THE CHIEF and THE TRE MAN. Tune in to Fox at 4:05 pm to find out.
Let’s get to the meat of the schedule…
SUNDAY, 1 PM, FOX
New Orleans (2-1, 1-0 away) falls at Atlanta (1-2, 0-2 home) in a battle of bitter rivals. Saints-Falcons isn’t highly regarded outside of the South but, I’m telling you, these teams get after one another and the games are often toss ups. In fact, the all-time series is knotted at 55-55.
An important programming note: the word on the street is that NOLA running back Alvin Kamara will play today. Thank you, ESPN…
…Host Chicago (1-2, 1-0 home) tops the LA Rams (1-2, 0-2 away).
These franchises have been mixing it up since 1937, when the Rams were based in Cleveland (!). But there’s a matchup that I remember most.
I’m talking about the 1985 NFC Championship game at Soldier Field when Chicago’s vaunted defense dominated coach John Robinson’s club to the tune of 24-0. The home team could only muster 232 yards but that didn’t matter as LA turned it over thrice and future Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson was held to 46 yards rushing.
Interestingly, the Rams were quarterbacked by a fella named Dieter Brock, a 34-year-old rookie who had starred in the Canadian Football League for the previous decade. The two-time CFL Most Outstanding Player set the Rams’ single-season completion percentage record and led them to a rare NFC West title, the only time in the ‘80s that the Niners didn’t win it3. Unfortunately, Brock hurt his knee and back in the 1986 preseason4 and never played again…
…Philadelphia (2-1, 1-0 away) at Tampa Bay (2-1, 1-1 home)
This game recalls Tampa’s thrashing of the Birds in last year’s playoffs but I go to a different place, the 2002 NFC Championship when the Bucs dismantled Philly to advance to Super Bowl XXXVII. It was also the last game at the not-so-venerable Veterans Stadium.
When Tampa cornerback Ronde Barber picked off a Donovan McNabb pass and took it 92 yards to the house, I immediately called a distraught TOMMY BIRD and told him “I feel like I just won 10 Super Bowls.”
My outreach, sadly, was not appreciated…
…Cincinnati (0-3, 0-1 away) remains winless at Carolina (1-2, 0-1 home). The Red Rifle was on target in last week’s takedown of the Raiders and methinks he will be particularly juiced for this matchup against his former team.
If the Panthers lean on Mr. Dalton’s arm and run it well against Cincy’s struggling defense, this one could be a laugher…
SUNDAY, 1 PM, CBS
Green Bay (2-1, 1-0 home) topples Minnesota (3-0, 1-0) in a matchup of divisional rivals dating to 1961.
That was the year5 that Teflon pans and food stamps were introduced, the first Hardee’sopened and, to the eventual delight of my son, Mrs. Butterworth’s syrup hit the market. I was always more of a Log Cabin man, myself, but Mrs. B is beautiful in her own right…
…Pittsburgh (3-0, 2-0 away) keeps it rolling at Indianapolis (1-2, 1-1 home).
These two teams are forever connected by the biggest mistake in Steelers’ history: cutting Johnny Unitas, the future Hall of Fame quarterback.
Unitas was selected by Pittsburgh in the NFL Draft’s ninth round in 1955 and quickly discarded. Baltimore picked him up in ‘56, promptly made him their starter and, two years later, he led the Colts to their first title in “The Greatest Game Ever Played” vs. the Giants.
Making matters worse, the Steelers made another huge QB miscalculation in 1959, sending Len Dawson, another future HOFer, to Cleveland. The Browns cut him after two seasons and, as fate would have it, Dawson got picked up by the AFL’s Dallas Texans in 1962 and led the team to the AFL title. The Texans relocated to KC and became the Chiefs a year later and the rest, as they say, is history6.
…Denver (1-2, 1-1 away) loses a tough one at the Jets (2-1, 1-0 home). The Broncos showed signs of progress in last week’s win at Tampa, but I think they’ll struggle against New York’s defense today.
Dual alum of note: Jim Turner was an outstanding kicker for both teams, winning Super Bowl III with the Jets and kicking in Denver for nine years, including the franchise’s first Super Bowl (XII). He’s in the Broncos Ring of Fame and, when he retired, was second all-time in field goals made7…
…Jacksonville (0-3, 0-2 away) shocks Houston (2-1, 1-0 home) and gets win #1. These are two teams headed in opposite directions, but Doug Pederson squads respond well with their backs against the wall. Just a hunch.
SUNDAY, 4:05 PM, FOX
New England (1-2, 1-1 away) loses at San Francisco (1-2, 1-0 home) in a rout. The gulf between these teams is GURU-wide and it won’t narrow anytime soon.
When these franchises meet, I think of late tight end Russ Francis, who was a stalwart for both squads. A rare TE who could catch, run and block with great consistency.
SUNDAY, 4:25 PM, CBS
Cleveland (1-2, 1-0 away) stumbles in Las Vegas (1-2, 0-1 home). Coach Antonio Pierce will have the Raiders sky high after last week’s debacle against Carolina.
Dual alumni of note: Bob Golic, brother of Mike and a Notre Dame linebacker turned NFL defensive linemen. While not as well-known as his little brother, Bob, had a far more prolific NFL career, playing 14 years and earning three Pro Bowl appearances and a couple of All-Pro nods8…
…Kansas City (3-0, 1-0 away) lays the wood to the Chargers (2-1, 1-0 home) in the City of Angels. This rivalry is a great one - dating to the 1960s AFL - but LA is just too beat up to compete with the Chiefs.
SUNDAY, 8:20 PM, NBC/Peacock
Buffalo (3-0, 1-0 away) visits Baltimore (1-2, 0-1 home) and I like the Ravens in a tight one.
It’s always fun when two men from the Andy Reid Coaching Tree face off and I’m sure Sean McDermott and John Harbaugh will have their teams ready. The Bills are the better team but, at 1-2, I think the Ravens will be more motivated to win.
MONDAY, 7:30 PM, ESPN
Tennessee (0-3, 0-1 away) at Miami (1-2, 1-1 home) brings to mind the biggest game in Titans franchise history when the then-Houston Oilers beat top dog Miami on a Monday night in H-Town.
The star was future Hall of Famer Earl Campbell, who ran over, through and past the Dolphins’ defense in a 35-31 win that put the Oilers on the NFL map. Campbell’s rushing totals for the game: 28 carries for 199 yards and four TDs9, including an 81-yard fourth-quarter gallop for the ages.
MONDAY, 8:15 PM, ABC
Seattle (3-0, 1-0 away) drops a tough one at Dee-troit (2-1, 1-1 home). I love what Coach McDonald is doing in the Northwest but think Detroit rises up for Monday Night Football and gets the win.
The first meeting of these clubs? It was a 41-14 Lions’ victory in 1976, the Seahawks inaugural season. Detroit’s defense forced eight turnovers in the game, including six picks by Seattle QB - and future MBC head coach - Jim Zorn. Jack Patera’s club fell to 1-6 with the loss.
Greg Landry, perhaps the most accomplished UMass football alum10, was at the controls for the Lions, who finished 6-8 under head coaches Rick Forzano (1-3) and Tommy Hudspeth (5-5)11.
That’s all for this week, folks! Enjoy the games and God bless!
Excluding kneeldowns at the end of a half or game. Thank you, AP.
Oddly, New Orleans and QB Derek Carr scored on 15 consecutive drives to begin this season, per AP.
It should also be noted that, in 1982, Dieter’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers swept both games against Mouse Davis’ Toronto Argonauts by scores of 39-35 and 29-16.
Thanks, New York Times.
Also of note, Life and Total cereals hit the market, making ‘61 a year of breakfasting.
If anyone is wondering why the Steelers were the NFL’s laughingstock until Chuck Noll showed up in 1969, they need look no further than those two player mistakes. And no, Pittsburgh fans, we aren’t going to get into the team’s decision to bypass Dan Marino in the 1983 NFL Draft.
H/T Pro Football Reference.
The Golics’ dad, Bob, was also a pro ballplayer, spending seven years in the CFL after leaving Indiana University.
Thanks, Pro Football Reference.
With Victor Cruz a close second IMO.
Kudos, Pro Football Reference.