WEEK NINE CRYSTAL BALL - WEEKEND: A Tough - yet Delicious - Night in the Heartland
Published continually since 1994
My friends, THE GURU and FATBACK took it on our respective (multiple) chins last Monday night in Kansas City, vicious haymakers that we’ll be feeling for a while.
But we’re still fogging up the mirror.
Indeed, though the loss hurts, it was a perfect KC night in many respects. The skies were clear, temps were in the mid-50s, and link sausage and cheesy potato bake were abundant at our tailgate. The latter is a dish that you simply must try, by the way - see the recipe here - and it packs a wallop.
Hey, did you think FATBACK sculpted that ever-so-voluptuous physique by eating nuts and berries?
The loss leaves Our Beloved Commies (3-5, 2-1 home) staring into the abyss as the Seahawks (5-2, 3-0 away) arrive in town. You can catch the action at 8:20 pm tonight on NBC with Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, and Melissa Stark on the mike.
The good news for the Burgundy & Gold: Jayden Daniels returns from injury at QB and that could present issues for Mike Macdonald’s Seattle defense, which is as stingy as a toddler and seventh in the league in points allowed. Yes, JD5 remains one of the world’s most dynamic threats - cheesy corn bake is another - and that should lead to points, even with Terry McLaurin back on the shelf with that bad right quad.
A win tonight would be big for DC, especially against a Seahawks club that is 10-1 on the road since Macdonald came aboard. Let’s call it Washington, 24-23.
And, no matter the outcome, FATBACK and I will keep smiling (probably).
As for yours truly, Thursday night’s Ravens win bumps the season mark to 68-53 (.562). On to the games with the Browns (2-6), Bucs (6-2), Eagles (6-2) and Jets (1-7) on the bye…
SUNDAY 1 PM ET - CBS
Take the visiting Bears (4-3, 2-2 away) at Cincinnati (3-5, 1-3 home) with Joe Flacco and Trey Hendrickson questionable to play for the hosts…
…the Broncos (6-2, 2-2 away) fall at resurgent Houston (3-4, 2-1 home). That DeMeco Ryans is steady in a storm, isn’t he?…
…Atlanta (3-4, 1-2 away) loses a tough one at New England (6-2, 2-2 home) as Mike Vrabel’s honeymoon rolls on.
Hey, let’s hope his fate turns out better than my 2004 post-wedding celebration with THE FAIR CLAUDINE. Sure, we had a blast, but I got a sunburn that could’ve killed me and the breakfast buffet went, yep, straight to the hips…
…San Francisco (5-3, 3-2 away) gets the W against the host Giants (2-6, 2-1 home). Purdy is questionable to play but, either way, the Niners roll. The Skattebo injury will have long-running ramifications for BROTHER BLUENIK’s Jints…
…I like Indianapolis (7-1, 2-1 away) at Pittsburgh (4-3, 2-2 home).
Historically speaking, the biggest mistake in Steelers’ annals was a gift for the Colts. The Rooneys cut QB Johnny Unitas in 1955, Baltimore picked him up a year later and he was their starter by midseason. Then, in 1958, he led the team to its first title in “The Greatest Game Ever Played” against the Giants, putting “Johnny U” on a path to become a legend…
…Tennessee (1-7, 0-3 home) falls to the visiting Los Angeles Chargers (5-3, 2-1 away). It is going to be a long, painful slog - think THE CHIEF in his daily search for the remote as “Gunsmoke” is starting - for the foreseeable future.
1 PM ET - FOX
I love Dee-troit (5-2, 3-0 home) against Minnesota (3-4, 2-2 away) as J.J. McCarthy returns for the visitors. This one could be a Tony Montana-style bloodbath…
…the Panthers (4-4, 1-3 away) play the role of sacrificial lamb in Green Bay (5-1-1, 3-0 home). This one could be over in the time it takes ERIC THE GREAT to polish off a plate of cheese curds.
4:05 PM - FOX
It’ll be a long day for the visiting Saints (1-7, 0-3 away) against the Rams (5-2, 2-1 home). Puka Nacua returns from injury today and methinks he’ll come up big against a New Orleans club that surrenders 26 points a game.
Expect sharp criticism from former Saints star linebacker Jonathan Vilma, who is working the broadcast with Kenny Albert and Megan Olivi…
…the Jaguars (4-3, 1-1 away) get a win in Vegas (2-5, 1-2 home) without star rookie receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter, who injured his right knee in a non-contact drill in practice Thursday. Prayers up for the Heisman Trophy winner.
4:25 PM - CBS
Kiss of Death Alert: I’m taking the Chiefs (5-3, 1-2 away) at Buffalo (5-2, 3-1 home) in a matchup of AFC titans. KC has won five of its last six and I think Mahomes pulls a rabbit or two out of his hat to get the victory.
MONDAY 8:15 PM - ESPN
The Cardinals lose (2-5, 1-2 away) at Dallas (3-4-1, 2-0-1 home). Arizona’s only hope? A virtuoso performance by the greatest receiver in team history: Rod Tidwell.
That’s all for this week, folks! Enjoy the games and God bless!