WEEK SIXTEEN CRYSTAL BALL - SATURDAY: A Repeat Performance
Published continually since 1994
My friends, THE GURU is going back, way back…to 2004. A year of epic victories.
Bush beat Kerry. The Red Sox defeated “The Curse of the Bambino”. THE FAIR CLAUDINE hogtied LE GURU.
And, for the fourth straight season, the Philadelphia Eagles - those despised Birds - took down all comers to win the NFC East. In fact, SLICK WILLIE’s Iggles rolled all the way to the big game, losing Super Bowl XXXIX to New England.
Philly’s 2004 NFC East title was significant as it represents the last repeat champion of the division. That’s right, in the 20 full seasons since, there has been a new winner every year. Here’s the list:
2005: New York
2006: Philadelphia
2007: Dallas
2008: New York
2009: Dallas
2010: Philadelphia
2011: New York
2012: Washington
2013: Philadelphia
2014: Dallas
2015: Washington
2016: Dallas
2017: Philadelphia
2018: Dallas
2019: Philadelphia
2020: Washington
2021: Dallas
2022: Philadelphia
2023: Dallas
2024: Philadelphia
Of note, the Eagles and Dallas have been the top dogs, winning seven titles apiece with My Beloved Commies and the Giants bringing up the rear with three each. And can you believe those Jints haven’t been division champions since 2011?
Putting that ugly New York football fact in perspective: THE TRE MAN was still in diapers the last time New York won the NFC East. And THE CHIEF and BROTHER BLUENIK were not yet in diapers.
Unfortunately, the two-decade streak ends shortly as the Iggles (9-5) are closing in on the division crown with Dallas (6-7-1) a speck in the rearview mirror. It’s a done deal, folks.
Philadelphia (9-5, 4-3 away) aims to earn the elusive back-to-back championship in Washington (4-10, 2-4 home) Saturday, a victory that would give coach Nick Sirianni three championships in five seasons at the helm. Kickoff is at 5 pm on Fox with Joe Davis, Greg Olsen, and Pam Oliver on the mic.
The Birds got back on track last week with a 31-0 pounding of the Raiders while DC won for the first time in nine games, slipping past the hapless Giants. With the home team reeling from injuries and Philly smelling blood, this one looks like a blowout on paper.
That said, games aren’t played on paper, with the notable exception of Tic Tac Toe and Hangman.
I envision a strong effort by the Washington crew with the two teams trading blows deep into the Landover afternoon. The hosts will lean heavily on their run game and do what they can to contain Saquon. Yet, like skipping my mom’s famous frozen ice cream dessert, that’s easier said than done. BIRDS, 29-27.
In the nightcap at 8:20 pm, I like the Bears (10-4, 5-1 home) to topple the visiting Packers (9-4-1, 4-2-1 away). The Fox crew of Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews, and Tom Rinaldi will handle the duties.
I’m not sold on Chitown long term - save for the pizza and Portillo’s Italian Beef - but I think this could be their year. Plus, not having to face Micah Parsons isn’t the worst luck either.
Bad luck befell yours truly Thursday night when Seattle stormed back to send the Rams - and your author - to defeat. That puts the season mark at 120-92 (.566).
That’s all for today, folks. Enjoy the games and I’ll be back for my Sunday thoughts ASAP.