Week Seven Crystal Ball - Weekend: Ready to Meet the Challenge
"Hold my beer so I don't drop The Ball" - Sir Stripes, in a Brooklyn Heights pub, circa 1995
My friends, THE GURU is taking stock of this week’s big NFL trade news with two prominent wide receivers, Davante Adams and Amari Cooper, landing in what they hope are greener pastures with the New York Jets and Buffalo, respectively.
The Adams trade is particularly interesting as the ex-Raider is now paired with his former Packers teammate Aaron Rodgers, reuniting one of the most prolific duos in NFL history. Adams, Rodgers & Co. are charged with reviving the 2-4 Jets, who lost a 23-20 heartbreaker to the aforementioned Bills last Monday night.
While there is surely pressure on Adams and Rodgers, the heaviest weight rests on the shoulders of interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich, the team’s former defensive coordinator. Of course, based on his past, I’m betting the 22-year NFL veteran is undaunted by the challenge.
You see, before he was drafted as an NFL player more than two decades ago, Ulbrich was part of the greatest turnaround in college football history, a revival so dramatic that it galvanized a football program as well as an entire community.
Jeff Ulbrich started his football journey as a linebacker at Live Oak High School in Morgan Hill, Calif., and, after a short stint at San Jose State and a junior college called Gavilan, he wound up in, of all places, Hawaii. Specifically, the University of Hawaii, which then competed in the Western Athletic Conference with the likes of BYU and Air Force.

Unfortunately, the football scene was far from paradise as the Rainbow Warriors sputtered to an 0-12 season in that first season for Ulbrich, his junior campaign. Then arrived a bearded savior by the name of June Jones, the former Atlanta Falcons head coach. He’d played at U of H collegiately - in addition to Oregon and Portland State - and was excited about reviving the program.
Turns out there was reason for his excitement as, equipped with talented leaders like Ulbrich and future Broncos wideout Ashley Lelie1, Jones led the team to a 9-4 record, then the greatest one-season 180 in college football history.
Ulbrich was a star on that team, manning the middle linebacker position and setting a UH single-season record with 169 tackles. The mark still stands and is a testament to his hard work, a common thread through his journey as a 10-year NFL veteran and, eventually, a college and pro coach over the past 15 seasons.
So that brings us to this weekend with Ulbrich’s Jets (2-4, 1-2 away) visiting the Steelers (4-2, 1-1 home) on Sunday evening. Kickoff is at 8:20 pm on NBC/Peacock.
Normally, I’d favor the hosts, but I think New York gets an edge with Russell Wilson starting at QB for Pittsburgh over Justin Fields. Of course, Mike Tomlin knows a little more about the pigskin than I do.
One more thing: it interests me - and perhaps no one else - that Steelers Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw played his final career game against the Jets. The date was December 10, 1983, and the Blond Bomber tossed two TDs before departing with an arm injury. It was his only game of the year as he was already recovering from March 1983 arm surgery. The name he was admitted under: Thomas Brady.

Speaking of Louisiana, it was a tough night for the Saints on Thursday but a win for LE GURU as Denver rolled to improve my season record to a middling 48-42 (.533). Let’s check out this weekend’s action with the Bears (4-2) and Cowboys (3-3) enjoying the bye…
SUNDAY, 9:30 AM – NFL NETWORK
Yes, the game has already started and, sure, the Patriots are up 7-0, but I’m still taking the Jaguars in a matchup of 1-5 teams. Doug Pederson’s Jacksonville squad has been in The Big Smoke2 for the entire week following Sunday’s loss to the Bears, so they should be better prepared for four quarters of football.
The burning question from THE TRIBECA MULE: Does Patriot-turned-Jaguar Mac Jones get any playing time in this game?
1 PM – CBS
Titans (1-4, 1-1 away) at Bills (4-2, 2-0 home)
These combatants bring the famed “Music City Miracle” to mind when Tennessee took down Buffalo as Kevin Dyson scored one of the most improbable last-minute touchdowns in NFL playoff history.
The man who started that play, Titans tight end Frank Wycheck, passed away in the past year at the early age of 52. A tremendous player out of Philadelphia’s Archbishop Ryan High School, he was drafted by Washington and cut after two seasons, a huge mistake. He was quickly claimed by the Titans and embarked on a remarkable career, finishing with 482 career receptions, third in Titans/Oilers franchise history3.
As for the game, let’s take the Bills by seven…
…the Bengals (2-4, 2-1 away) win in Cleveland (1-5, 0-2 home).
Did you know that both teams have the legendary Paul Brown – arguably the father of modern pro football - at their roots? He coached the Browns, who were named after him, to seven AAFC4 or NFL championships before birthing the Bengals in 1968. It must’ve been a painful labor.
Brown was responsible for game film, the facemask and many other innovations thought, sadly, the walking taco was someone else’s brilliant idea…
…the Texans (5-1, 2-1 away) lose a tough one at the Packers (4-2, 2-1 home).
These teams have only played five times but, with these two QBs at the helm, you get the feeling that they might meet in the big game one day.
Did you know? Former Packers head coach Mike Sherman (2000-05) spent the next two years as an assistant with the Texans. His son-in-law? Bengals head coach Zac Taylor. Think they talk a little ball during the holidays?
1 PM – FOX
The Seahawks (3-3, 1-1 away) visit the Falcons (4-2, 2-2 home). These birds of a feather do not often flock together, meeting just 21 times heading into today with the Hawks holding a 12-9 advantage. Take Kirk & Co., who are hotter than FATBACK’s car seat after a cross-country drive…
…the Dolphins (2-3, 1-1 away) visit the Colts (3-3, 2-1 home) and I’m taking Indy. With apologies to my buddy FISHBOY, nothing feels right with the Fins right now.
You can’t blame it on Indianapolis but the Colts’ biggest mistake – firing Don Shula – was Miami’s biggest windfall. The young coach fell out of favor after losing Super Bowl III to the Jets and was sent packing a year later in spite of his 71-23-4 record with Baltimore.
How did Shula exact revenge? By bludgeoning the Colts with a 36-17 record as Dolphins head coach, including 24 wins by double digits…
…the Lions (4-1, 2-0 away) visit the Vikings (5-0, 3-0 home) and I like Dee-troit. Yes, Minnesota was off last week and had extra prep time but, after seeing Dan Campbell’s crew dismantle Dallas last week, it feels like they’re on a mission.
By the way, if these teams continue on their current pace, it will be just the second time – ever – that both franchises have won double-digit games in the same season. The first: 1970 when the Vikes took the NFC Central with a 12-2 mark and the Lions captured a wild card spot at 10-45.
…the struggling Eagles (3-2, 1-1 away) get a road win against the Giants (2-4, 0-3 home). Philly looks rough but New York’s big-man injuries – first Kayvon Thibodeaux and now left tackle Andrew Thomas – make it very tough. Heck, if there’s a Miracle at the Meadowlands this week, it’ll be a Jints’ win.
A little-known fact, Joe Pisarcik - the New York QB for the original Miracle – was traded to the Birds two years later to back up The Polish Rifle, Ron Jaworski. History hasn’t been kind to Pisarcik, which is garbage in my book: the man played pro ball for 11 years and remains a New Mexico State legend, along with guys like Roy Gerela (Steelers) and Duriel Harris (Dolphins).
Aside: THE TRE MAN and I grabbed a workout at NMSU two years back and loved the facility. Ok, he worked out and I threw him a few footballs.
4:05 PM – CBS
The Raiders (2-4, 1-2 away) lose to the host Rams (1-4, 1-1 away).
The head coach for the Giants in the aforementioned Miracle at the Meadowlands? None other than John McVay, grandfather of Rams head coach Sean. The current LA head coach could use a miracle himself as his squad looks snakebit with three losses by six points or fewer.
Of note: The Raiders and Rams shared the Los Angeles Coliseum as their home field from 1982-946, simultaneously bolting the City of Angels for Oakland and St. Louis respectively in advance of the 1995 season. But now they’re about 270 miles apart…
…the visiting Panthers (1-5, 1-2 away) fall to My Beloved Commies (4-2, 2-0 home). Andy Dalton plays well but the home team finds a way to get the win as Washington wins its third straight home game.
We’re all painfully aware that Washington lost a lot of fans during the Daniel Snyder Era, but the slippage actually began when the Panthers began play in 1995. Indeed, the Carolinas were long Redskin Country but that changed when Jerry Richardson was awarded the new franchise.
4:25 PM – FOX
The Chiefs (5-0, 2-0 away) visit the Niners (3-3, 2-1 home) and I like San Fran in an upset as I think they’re officially off the schneid. This one is gonna be a joy to watch.
MONDAY
8:15 PM – ESPN/ABC/ESPN+
The Ravens (4-2, 2-1 away) visit the Bucs (4-2, 2-1 home) and get a win. This is just the eighth meeting between these teams7 and Tampa coach Todd Bowles is likely fine with that.
9 PM – ESPN+
The Chargers (3-2, 2-1 away) get a big road win at Cardinals (2-4, 1-2 home). Jim Harbaugh knows how to win in Arizona, judging by his 6-2 record while coaching the Niners from 2011-14.
These franchises are connected by the groundbreaking Don Coryell, perhaps the best coach in the history of each franchise. He captured two of the four NFC East titles in Cardinals’ history (1974-75) and the first three AFC West titles for the Chargers (1979-81)8. As great an offensive innovator as the game has ever seen.
That’s all for this week, folks. Enjoy the games and God bless!
Lelie was a 1,000-yard receiver for Mike Shanahan in Denver in 1994, averaging 20.1 yards per catch!
A long-used nickname for London following the Great Smog of 1952. By the way, Slingin’ Sammy Baugh retired after the 1952 season and many, including yours truly, consider him the greatest football player who ever lived.
Among players who spent the bulk of their career in Tennessee, Wycheck ranks #1 in catches.
The All-America Football Conference existed from 1946-49 before folding with some of its teams, including the Browns and 49ers, joining the NFL.
It took some digging but my chubby little fingers did the work. Thanks, Pro Football Reference!
Thanks Wikipedia!
Appreciate you, Pro Football Database!
Wikipedia for the win!