WEEK SIXTEEN CRYSTAL BALL - SUNDAY: Little Big Man
Published continually since 1994
My friends, THE GURU is ready for Patriots-Ravens under the lights in a key AFC matchup with playoff implications. Vrabel against Harbaugh. Two-time MVP Lamar Jackson against 2025 MVP frontrunner Drake Maye.
Indeed, Maye is having a spectacular second season and Jackson remains one of the game’s most electric players but neither can lay claim to the best performance in a matchup between these two fair cities. No, that distinction belongs to a 5’9” running back with bad eyesight and a common name.
The date was September 18, 1978, and the man was “Little Joe” Washington, then in his first year with the Colts as part of an outstanding 10-year career with San Diego (1976-77), Baltimore (1978-80), Washington (1981-84) and Atlanta (1985).
What did Joe do on the Monday evening in question? Well, the better question is “What didn’t he do?”
You see, in the span of one remarkable quarter, the third-year pro from the University of Oklahoma scored in nearly every way imaginable. He kicked it off with a 54-yard touchdown pass to wideout Roger Carr. Next was a 23-yard reception from Bill Troup to give the visiting Colts a 27-13 lead. And then came the pièce de résistance.
After the Patriots had rallied with two touchdowns to tie the game at 27 with 1:33 remaining, Washington took the ensuing kickoff and danced, darted and sprinted 90 yards for the game-winning score.
The Colts won the game, and Joe became the first player - before or since - to score by passing, receiving and returning in the same game. And he did all of these things in a single quarter1!
Top that, Lamar and Drake!
From there, Washington continued to astound, leading the NFL in receptions in 1979 with a personal best 82 catches. Next were four years - and the Super Bowl XVII title - in DC where he formed a particularly potent combination with John Riggins in 1983 as Joe Gibbs led one of the greatest teams in NFL history. The scatback set a bunch of career highs during that season, averaging 5.3 yards per carry and catching six scoring passes.
Little man, big legend.
As for tomorrow’s action, I like the Patriots (11-3, 6-0) to bounce back from last week with a big win in Baltimore (7-7, 3-5 home). Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, and Melissa Stark have the call at 8:20 pm on NBC.
Some may wonder if the Pats loss to Buffalo was a harbinger of things to come, but I don’t think Coach Vrabel will allow a defeat to the streaking Bills to carry over. Call it New England, 31-29.
Sunday 1:00 PM – FOX
I’ll take the Chargers (10-4, 4-2 away) at Dallas (6-7-1, 4-2-1 home) in a game so high octane that Shell and Amoco will want to profit from it…
…the Bucs (7-7, 4-3 away) lose at Carolina (7-7, 4-2 home) as Baker Mayfield is bested by his 2023 Tampa offensive coordinator, Dave Canales. Don’t look now, folks, but this Panthers squad is legit…
Sunday 1:00 PM – CBS
Kansas City (6-8, 1-5 away) gets a much-needed win at Tennessee (2-12, 0-7 home) to snap a three-game skid. Take heart, Chiefs fans: seven of KC’s eight losses have been by one score. Look for Andy Reid’s crew to be a force again in 2026…
…I’ve got the Bills (10-4, 4-3 away) at Cleveland (3-11, 2-5 home) in a laugher. Buffalo is heating up like FATBACK’s debit card at Chik-fil-A…
…let’s go with the Bengals (4-10, 2-5 away) at Miami (6-8, 4-3 home) as Dolphins rookie QB Quinn Ewers gets his first career start. Don’t be surprised if the youngster has a good outing against Cincinnati’s #32-ranked defense…
…the suddenly-hot Saints (4-10, 2-5 home) make it three in a row with a win against the visiting Jets (3-11, 1-5 away). Kudos to coach Kellen Moore for putting his rookie quarterback, Tyler Shough, in position to succeed.
Sunday 4:05 PM – FOX
I love the Falcons (5-9, 3-5 away) at Arizona (3-11, 1-6 home) with the hosts counting down the days to vacation. The bright spot for the Cardinals: Trey McBride is having another stellar campaign and is on pace to set the single-season mark for receptions by a TE. B-E-A-S-T…
…Liam Coen’s Jaguars (10-4, 4-2 away) fight valiantly but lose in Denver (12-2, 7-0 home). LE GURU fervently believes in three things: Jesus, high altitude and Uncle Mo(mentum). Look for the Broncos to extend their Mile High winning streak to 13 games in a hard-fought battle.
Sunday 4:25 PM – CBS
I like Dee-troit (8-6, 5-2 home) to right the ship with a home win against Pittsburgh (8-6, 3-3 away). Thoughts and prayers for the broadcasting crew of Nantz, Romo and Wolfson, as they don’t get to cover the Chiefs and Mahomes this week…
…Bet the ranch, the mortgage and the naming rights for your first born on Houston (9-5, 5-2 home) to topple the visiting Raiders (2-12, 1-6 away). Vegas is several years away from relevancy, while the Texans have won six straight.
Monday 8:15 PM – ESPN/ABC
In the week’s finale, I like the Niners (10-4, 6-2 away) at Indy (8-6, 6-1 home). Phil Rivers gave the Colts a shot of life last week, but they’re simply finding ways to lose right now.
That’s all for this week, folks! Enjoy the games and God bless!