WEEK SEVENTEEN CRYSTAL BALL - WEEKEND: The Battle for #1
Published continually since 1994
My friends, THE GURU teeters on the edge of his sweat-stained seat, eager to see who wins the big game.
I’m speaking, of course, about Sunday’s tilt between the Giants (2-13, 0-8 away) and the visiting the Raiders (2-13, 1-6 home), two teams in the throes of awful campaigns. How bad has it been? Pete Carroll’s Vegas squad averages an NFL-low 14.5 points per game while New York allows a whopping 27.5 ppg, 28th in the league.
With facts like these, something’s got to give, and it could be BROTHER BLUENIK’s sanity. The man has suffered with pigskin-related indigestion since Eli’s retirement with his team a hideous 11-38 (.225) over the past three years. And now, because of their struggles, the Jints are in position to post the league’s worst record and earn the #1 overall draft pick for the first time in 60 years.
New York has garnered the top selection twice since the draft was instituted in 1935, choosing a pair of running backs: Southern Methodist’s Kyle Rote (1951) and Auburn’s Tucker Frederickson (1965). Both turned into Pro Bowlers though, it should be noted, they bypassed this trio in ‘65: Sayers, Butkus and Namath.
Meanwhile, the Raiders have made the top pick just once, infamously selecting LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell in 2007 over four first-round Hall of Famers: Georgia Tech receiver Calvin Johnson (picked #2 by Dee-troit), Wisconsin offensive tackle Joe Thomas (#3 by Cleveland), Ole Miss linebacker Patrick Willis (#11 by San Fran), and Pittsburgh cornerback Darrelle Revis (#14 by the Jets)1.
The good news for Raiders faithful: the team is in full tank mode, sitting stars Maxx Crosby and Brock Bowers this weekend. As a result, I think Vegas loses to New York, 33-25, and probably drops the finale to Kansas City too, finishing 2-15 and securing the coveted top spot. Kevin Harlan, Trent Green, and Melanie Collins call the “action” at 4:05 pm Sunday on CBS.
Let’s look at the rest of the Week Seventeen slate with one note: LE GURU enters the weekend at 132-98 (.574). Nothing to write home - or a column - about, is it?
SATURDAY
At 4:30 pm, the Texans (10-5, 4-3 away) visit the Chargers (11-4, 6-2 home) in what could be the game of the weekend. This one’s a coin flip but let’s go with Harbaugh & Co. since they’re at home, avenging last January’s playoff loss to Houston. Catch this one on NFL Network…
…significantly less interesting to yours truly: the Ravens (7-8, 4-2 away) at the Packers (9-5-1, 5-2 home) in a game with few playoff implications. Barring a Steelers collapse, Baltimore will be home in January while Green Bay awaits its first-round opponent as a likely wild card entrant. Let’s go with the Pack by three as backup QB Malik Willis shines.
SUNDAY
1 PM, CBS
Take Pittsburgh (9-6, 4-3 away) to topple host Cleveland (3-12, 2-6 home). The big question: will the Steelers keep Myles Garrett from getting the single-season sack record and fulfill James Harrison’s prediction?…
…Seattle (12-3, 6-1 away) wins a close one at Carolina (8-7, 5-2 home) in one of the weekend’s most important games. The Seahawks are fighting for the NFC’s #1 seed and the Panthers are battling Tampa for the NFC South and a playoff berth…
…I love the Saints (5-10, 2-5 away) at Tennessee (3-12, 1-7 home). The Titans’ victory over KC was a one-week mirage that told us more about the fading Chiefs than it did about Mike McCoy’s squad…
1 PM, FOX
The Colts (8-7, 6-2 home) lose to visiting Jacksonville (11-4, 5-2 away), continuing Indy’s slide. Don’t blame Phil Rivers though. The man still slings it like a short order cook…
…New England (12-3, 7-0 away) beats the Jets (3-12, 2-6 home) to remain perfect on the road. A win this week gives the Pats their first unbeaten record away from home since 2016, the year they took down Atlanta to win Super Bowl LI…
…the Bengals (5-10, 2-5 home) take down the Cardinals (3-12, 2-5 away) in Cincy. Spoiler alert: major change is coming for both teams in the offseason…
…Tampa Bay (7-8, 4-4 away) ends its three-game losing skid with a victory at Miami (6-9, 4-4 home), setting up a Week Eighteen winner-take-all battle against Carolina for the NFC South crown. That’ll be a home game for Todd Bowles and his troops but first they need to vanquish FISHBOY and friends.
In Sunday’s other late afternoon game, I’m taking host Buffalo (11-4, 6-1 home) over the Eagles (10-5, 5-3 away) at 4:25 pm on Fox. Don’t be surprised if these teams meet again in February…
…at 8:20 pm on NBC, I like San Fran (11-4, 4-2 home) to beat the Bears (11-4, 5-3 away). Chicago is making a lot of last-minute magic, but I think the Niners are on another level right now. It’ll be tight but I’m rolling with Shanahan.
MONDAY 8:15 PM ET – ESPN
In the week’s finale, I’ll take the Rams (11-5, 5-3 away) at Atlanta (6-9, 2-4 home) in a shootout. Bold prediction: Stafford and Cousins combine for 800+ passing yards in the LA win.
That’s all for this week, folks. Enjoy the games and Happy New Year!
Other notables bypassed by the Raiders in 2007: running backs Adrian Peterson from Oklahoma (#7 by Minnesota) and Marshawn Lynch from Cal-Berkeley (#12 by Buffalo).