My friends, THE GURU is flying his flag at half staff this month out of respect for NFL legend Mike Ditka, who passed October 9th at the age of 86.
To many, Ditka is known best as the coach of the legendary 1985 Bears and that’s understandable. After all, the squad is universally viewed as one of history’s best and Da Coach’s unique personality was front and center throughout that amazing run.
To others, he is known as a product pitchman and NFL studio host and, given how omnipresent he was on our televisions for decades, that made sense too.
But, to me, my first thoughts of Ditka are always of him as a player. He shattered records as an NFL tight end and, without question, still belongs in the conversation about the greatest to ever play the position.
Born in the football hub of Aliquippa, Pa. - alums include Tony Dorsett, Sean Gilbert, Ty Law, and Darrelle Revis - Ditka starred at nearby University of Pittsburgh before being picked fifth overall by the Bears in the 1961 NFL Draft1. And it didn’t take him long to reward George “Papa Bear” Halas for making the selection.
Indeed, as a rookie, Ditka set NFL single-season records for receptions (56), receiving yards (1,076) and touchdowns (12) by a tight end while averaging an eye-popping 19.2 yards per catch. You read that right: he set all-time records for his position as a first-year kid.
The rest of his career wasn’t bad either as he racked up 427 catches and 43 TDs over 12 seasons, including five All-Pro selections and five Pro Bowl trips. His 75 catches in 1964 also set an NFL record that stood until the great Kellen Winslow topped it with 89 receptions with San Diego in 1980.
A truly remarkable career. Rest in piece, Iron Mike.
Today, Ditka’s Bears (3-2, 1-1 away) travel to Atlanta (2-3, 0-2 home) to face a Falcons outfit that seems much better than its record. You can catch the action at 1 pm ET on Fox.
For Da Coach’s sake, I’d like to take Chitown but I’m concerned that Caleb Williams will be rusty in his return from a torn right hamstring. I’m going to roll with Bijan & Co. at home, despite the team’s questions at QB. Call it 27-24, Falcons, and remind me later that I overthought this pick.
LE GURU’s record stands at 48-32 (.600) after Denver’s win over Seattle. Let’s move on to the rest of the slate with Cincy (3-2), Dee-troit (3-2), Miami (0-5) and Minnesota (5-0) on the bye…
SUNDAY — 9:30 AM ET — NFL NETWORK
Houston (1-4, 1-1 road) falls to Jacksonville (4-1, 3-0 home) as the Jaguars enjoy another week British home cooking at Wembley Stadium. I’ll take a Full English, please!
1 PM ET — FOX
Baltimore (4-1, 3-0 road) loses at Cleveland (3-2, 2-0 home) with Lamar on the shelf…
…Tennessee (0-5, 0-2 road) remains winless at Indy (2-3, 1-1 home) as Robert Saleh pines for his time in San Fran…
…New Orleans (1-4, 1-1 road) shocks the Giants (3-1-1, 3-0 home) at MetLife. Who wouldn’t love a Tyler Shough-Jameis shootout?
1 PM ET — CBS
The Jets (2-3, 1-2 road) lose at New England (3-2, 2-0 home) as the Patriots hit their stride, giving THE TRIBECA MULE a respite from Colby College’s 0-5 start to their 2026 campaign…
…Carolina (2-2, 1-1 road) wins at Philadelphia (2-3, 1-1 home) with Jalen Hurts out with a blood clot. Praying that Hurts, the consummate leader and pro, is back on the field soon…
…Pittsburgh (3-2, 0-2 road) gets the W at Tampa (1-4, 0-3 home) as longtime Bucs backer REAL ESTATE ROB turns his focus to his WNBA postseason fantasy team. Hey buddy, you’ve still got your South Florida Bulls!
4:05 PM ET — FOX
The host Rams (2-3, 1-2 home) take down Arizona (1-4, 1-2 road) but the NFL’s most underrated superstar, Cards TE Trey McBride, makes his presence felt. More to come on this recordsetting young man in future Ball coverage.
4:25 PM ET — CBS
The Chargers (0-5, 0-2 road) remain winless at Kansas City (4-0, 2-0 home). There is none better than Andy Reid coming off of the bye. Career win percentage: .815…
…Buffalo (4-1, 2-0 road) takes one on the chin at Las Vegas (3-2, 1-1 home) as Cousins outduels Josh Allen. There are two things LE GURU can’t hide: his extra 40 pounds of blubber and his love for Captain Kirk.
8:20 PM ET — NBC
Dallas (2-3, 1-1 road) loses again, this time at Green Bay (3-2, 1-1 home). Was last week’s Packer domination of Chicago real or an apparition? We’re about to find out.
MONDAY — 8:15 PM ET — ESPN / ABC
Finally, under Monday’s bright lights, My Beloved Commies (1-3-1, 0-2 road) surrender to San Francisco (5-0, 3-0 home).
That said, I don’t think we go down without a fight as, despite the record, DC has played well for lengthy in-game stretches this season. Sure, San Fran is excellent so it wouldn’t stun me if we got blown out but I think the boys come to play this weekend and give the Niners a run for their money.
One additional point: Jayden Daniels is being criticized from pillar to post after last weekend’s clock mismanagement but folks are failing to recognize one thing. He was absolutely outstanding last week until that fateful final minute, both as a runner and a passer.
My multi-jowled pal FATBACK HOBBS insists that JD5 will use last week’s failure as fuel from here on out and I’m inclined to believe him. The rest of the league is now on notice.
That’s all for this week, folks. Enjoy the games and God bless!
Ditka was one of seven Hall of Famers in the class, including QB Fran Tarkenton, who starred for the Vikings and Giants.