WEEK THIRTEEN CRYSTAL BALL: The Vikes Outsmart Themselves
Published continually since 1994
My friends, THE GURU is perplexed by a league that analyzes things to death yet still makes head-scratching decisions.
Case in point: Minnesota electing not to re-sign quarterback Sam Darnold after he closed a banner 2024 campaign with two clunkers - losses to Dee-troit and the Rams in the regular season finale and playoff opener, respectively.
Never mind the Vikings nine-game winning streak immediately preceding the two losses, the team’s longest run of victories in 24 years. Forget about Darnold’s 35 TD passes and 4,300 yards through the air. And ignore his 14 victories, the most ever by a Minnesota QB in a single season.
Fast forward to today and the former USC star is now in Seattle where he has Mike Macdonald’s Seahawks (8-3, 3-2 home) sitting pretty as they host the struggling Vikings (4-7, 3-3 away). Kickoff is at 4:05 pm ET on Fox with Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olsen, and Pam Oliver on the call.
Darnold’s counterpart, second-year man J.J. McCarthy, won’t see the field today as he recovers from a concussion suffered last week at Green Bay. The Michigan product has battled injuries and inconsistency this year and sits 33rd in QBR rating, per ESPN.
Sam Darnold ranks sixth.
Listen, McCarthy may still become a player and shouldn’t be judged harshly based on such a small sample size. He’s a talented kid who works hard. But I’d guess many a Minnesotan - including Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell - wishes they’d rewarded Darnold with another season at the helm instead of rolling the dice with McCarthy.
Meanwhile, in the Northwest, the Seahawks have done something radical by asking Darnold to be exactly who - and what - he is. A grown-up QB charged with getting the ball out on time and avoiding disaster. An evolving player who, despite being an eight-year veteran, is still only 28 years old.
No, he hasn’t been perfect - tying a career high with four interceptions against the Rams - but he’s been exactly what the team needs and his teammates will go to the mat for him. And there’s a lot to be said for that.
As for today, I’ll take Seattle in a rout as undrafted rookie QB Max Brosmer leads the Vikes into one of the league’s loudest buildings. The Hawks will bring pressure early and often and, though I expect the former University of New Hampshire star to show poise, it’ll be too much to overcome.
The polar opposite of the composed young Brosmer is yours truly, melting down like a pint of Ben & Jerry’s in the Arizona heat. Yep, as we enter the stretch, my season win-loss record is a pedestrian 92-78 (.541) and that’s no bueno. On to the games…
1:00 PM – CBS
I’ll take the Niners (8-4, 5-2 away) at the Browns (3-8, 2-3 home) though the hosts will put up a fight. The end result? A perpetually distraught TIMMY THE BROWN wandering aimlessly through the cold Cleveland streets in search of answers and a tasty lager…
…let’s go with the Jaguars (7-4, 3-2 away) in Tennessee (1-10, 0-6 home) as the Titans continue to struggle protecting the passer. Nashville is Vandy’s town right now, folks…
…I’ll ride with Indy (8-3, 6-0 home) against the visiting Texans (6-5, 2-3 away) thought I’m tempted to take DeMeco Ryans’ surging squad. Houston is playing the kind of football my late buddy - and Houstonian - RAVISHING ROY REYNOLDS would’ve loved discussing over a plate (or two) of tacos. Damn, he was good people.
1:00 PM – FOX
I’ll take host Miami (4-7, 3-3 home) against the Saints (2-9, 1-4 away) in a tight, ugly affair. FISHBOY begins the day certain the Fins are about to go on a roll but, if things go south, he’ll quickly be calling Mel Kiper for his thoughts on a left-footed punting prospect he’s had his eye on at Middle Arkansas State…
…Atlanta (4-7, 2-4 away) falls at the Jets (2-9, 1-5 home). Cousins plays well for the Falcons, but this Aaron Glenn team is starting to hit its stride…
…Tampa (6-5, 2-2 home) gets off the schneid against visiting Arizona (3-8, 2-3 away) as the Bucs’ pass rush feasts like yours truly on that honey-baked ham last Thursday…
…the Rams (9-2, 4-1 away) narrowly avoid the upset at Carolina (6-6, 3-2 home). Don’t look now but this Panthers outfit is turning into a legit enterprise, aiming for its first winning season since 2017.
4:25 PM – CBS
I’m going with the Bills (7-4, 2-3 away) at Pittsburgh (6-5, 4-2 home) as THE HOUSE OF SUSSEX starts looking for “fun family things” to do for the remaining Sundays of the 2025 season. Spoiler alert: there is no such thing as a fun Sunday when your team is struggling…
…the Raiders (2-9, 1-4 away) fall to the host Chargers (7-4, 4-2 home) as LE GURU thinks about one of the most iconic plays in NFL history, the “Holy Roller”.
8:20 PM - NBC
In the nightcap, I’ll grudgingly pick the visiting Broncos (9-2, 3-2 away) against My Beloved Commies (3-8, 2-3 home) with this caveat: Washington is playing hard under Dan Quinn so, if Bo Nix is loose with the football, we’ve got a legit shot.
MONDAY 8:15 PM – ESPN
Take the Patriots (10-2, 4-2 home) vs. the Giants (2-10, 0-7 away) in Foxboro in a game that should be close. After all, the Jints have lost three straight games by one score.
Expect BROTHER BLUENIK to swear “I’m done with this team forever” before kickoff, only to reconsider and have his heart broken in the waning moments. After all, his blood runs blue, folks.
That’s all for this week, all! Enjoy the games and God bless!