My friends, THE GURU understands the widespread concern about happenings in our nation’s capital. These are indeed dark days, the kind that test our resolve as a nation.
Yes, franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels is on the shelf this week and that means three things: BONELESS MING is a puddle of mush, THE BURGUNDY PEACH is chewing his nails to the cuticle, and that old diehard, THE CHIEF, is on his aging knees, praying for the good Lord to take his QB’s pain away.
Now, some are wondering if we’re looking at an RGIII 2.0 situation where a promising young QB - and Offensive Rookie of the Year winner - never becomes the player that we thought he could be.
Simply put, that ugly history will not repeat itself.
Fact is that Griffin’s undoing in DC was not injuries but instead the result of owner Daniel Snyder’s incessant meddling into football operations as he empowered RGIII in a manner that was equal parts unhealthy and unproductive. That kind of football ineptitude won’t happen under current owner Josh Harris.
Harris and GM Adam Peters are on their way to building a championship franchise but success - like the path to the buffet - is rarely linear. That means a repeat of last year’s trip to the NFC championship game is unlikely in 2025, even though DC is in the process of building a better team.
You see, while Harris and Peters are planning for the long haul, they still have to clean up the mess they inherited and that means patching the roster with bubble gum and Scotch tape. Here’s why: of the 33 players drafted by the previous regime from 2020-2023, only six remain in the Washington fold, including zero first-round selections. And that lack of success in picking young players means that the roster needs older veterans like Von Miller (36 years old), Bobby Wagner (35), and Zach Ertz (34) to compete.
Now do you understand why the Commies have the oldest roster of any NFL team - average age 28.1 years - since at least 2012?
Fortunately, there are positive signs regarding roster turnover as seven players picked by Peters in the past two years are starters. But it is going to take time and that means drafting the right dudes year after year after year, like the Eagles, Ravens, etc.
As for this season, I’m sticking to my original projection of a 9-8ish record with a shot at squeaking into the playoffs as a wildcard if the ball bounces in our favor. Most importantly, here’s the bottom line: the Washington franchise is again relevant and that scares the bejesus out of everyone from Jerry Jones to TOMMY BIRD.
This afternoon, Washington (1-1) hosts septuagenarian coach Pete Carroll and the Las Vegas Raiders (1-1) with Marcus Mariota taking over for Daniels at QB. Fox has all the action with Chris Myers, Jen Hale and former Skins Super Bowl champion left guard Mark Schlereth on the mike.
Job #1 today? Finding a way to keep all-world Vegas defensive end Maxx Crosby away from Mariota so the 2014 Heisman winner can operate with the surgical precision of THE GUZ. Sadly, like skipping that last piece of crumb cake at yesterday’s tailgate, that’s easier said than done.
I expect a hard-fought game that goes down to the wire with a field goal deciding the victor. Call it Raiders, 24-22.
After Thursday’s Buffalo win, the season mark stands at 20-13 (.606). On to the other games…
SUNDAY – 1 PM FOX
Take Atlanta (1-1) at Carolina (0-2) with the Panthers still dealing with injuries to both their offensive and defensive lines…
…the host Bucs (2-0) lay the wood to the New York Jets (0-2). Tampa is missing left tackle Tristan Wirfs and receiver Chris Godwin, but New York has medical issues of its own with Justin Fields sidelined with a concussion. In his place is Tyrod Taylor, who will start for his sixth NFL franchise today (the others: Bills, Browns, Chargers, Texans, and Giants)…
…visiting Green Bay (2-0) remains unbeaten with a pasting of Cleveland (0-2). This was nearly my upset special but the Packers, fresh off pounding the Skins, simply look elite. On the flip side, TIMMY THE BROWN can, once again, turn to fall pursuits that don’t involve the gridiron. Dust off that pumpkin-carving kit, old pal…
…the Rams (2-0) fall at the Eagles (2-0). LA keeps this one competitive but, in the end, it’s too much Philly.
SUNDAY – 1 PM CBS
Houston (0-2) gets win #1 at Jacksonville (1-1). DeMeco Ryans simply won’t let an 0-3 start happen…
…Cincinnati Bengals (2-0) remains unbeaten at Minnesota (1-1). Raise your hand if you went to bed dreaming of a Jake Browning-Carson Wentz QB matchup. Please sit down sir!
Seriously, big props to both guys, especially Wentz, the former Philadelphia star who is demonstrating an astounding ability to remain in the league. In fact, when he takes the initial snap today, he will become the first quarterback in NFL history to start for six different teams in six consecutive seasons. The list:
2020: Eagles
2021: Colts
2022: Commanders
2023: Rams
2024: Chiefs
2025: Vikings
He’s no Josh Johnson but, my goodness, the man is finding a way to stick around…
…Pittsburgh (1-1) beats host New England (1-1) with head coaches Tomlin and Vrabel matching wits - and death stares…
…the visiting Colts (2-0) take down Tennessee (0-2). The Titans gave Denver a run for its money last week, but the combo of Jonathan Taylor and stud rookie tight end Tyler Warren is going to be too much for the hosts to handle.
SUNDAY – 4:05 PM CBS
The Broncos (1-1) win at the Chargers (2-0). This Payton-Harbaugh rivalry is going to be get-your-popcorn-ready viewing over the next few years as the duo engages in an epic battle of “Which guy can do the best job of getting under the other guy’s skin?”…
…the Saints (1-1) fall at Seattle (1-1), a rematch of the famous “Beast Quake” game when the Hawks stunned the defending Super Bowl champions in the 2010 playoffs on this run by running back Marshawn Lynch. Give this fan’s video a watch and listen…
SUNDAY – 4:25 PM FOX
Dallas (1-1) beats the hapless Bears (0-2), bringing a smile to THE ENGINEER OF VERSAILLES. Ben Johnson has a shot to turn this thing around in Chitown but it’s an ocean liner, not a PT boat, that he’s got under his command. It’s gonna take time, folks…
…the much-improved Cardinals (2-0) beat Mac Jones and the Niners (2-0) in San Fran. It’s shaping up to be a barnburner of a season in the NFC West with three of the four teams unbeaten after two weeks (the Rams are the other).
SUNDAY NIGHT – 8:20 PM NBC
Kansas City (0-2) struggles but finally gets win #1 at the Giants (0-2). Back in the middle west, RIGHT WING MATT celebrates with a stream of one-syllable words that will remind folks of the highbrow dialogue in “Planet of the Apes”.
As for BROTHER BLUENIK’s Jints, though I like Brian Daboll, his won-loss record of 9-27 (.333) since 2023 doesn’t bode well for his long-term head-coaching future. The good news: star left tackle Andrew Thomas is expected to make his season debut for Big Blue today…
MONDAY NIGHT – 8:15 PM ESPN/ABC
Take the Ravens (1-1) against visiting Dee-troit (1-1). I love Dan Campbell and his crew but will always go with Lamar, at home, with the bright lights shining. Annual reminder that he was taken with the 32nd pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
That’s all for this weekend, folks. Enjoy the games and God bless!