NFL 100: A Spotlight
The Cincinnati Bengals in 1988 was a dream season. Their quarterback Boomer Esiason was named NFL MVP, Sam Wyche guided the team to a 12-4 record and a Super Bowl berth, and a 2nd round pick would create a dance that would turn into a craze. That 2nd round pick was Ickey Woods.
Woods was born on February 28th, 1966 in Fresno, California. He would attend college at the University of Nevada Las Vegas. In the 1988 NFL Draft he was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2nd round, 31st overall. While he would only play for four seasons, he helped introduce the "Ickey Shuffle" to the world.
While the dance wasn't quite as flashy as the "Dirty Bird" or the "Floss" the Ickey Shuffle was rather simple. The dance would begin with three hops to the left and three hops to the right and then a football spike. The dance, like the season itself, would eventually drift away to memory.
The 1988 Bengals would dominate their competition and into the playoffs. They would beat the Seattle Seahawks and Buffalo Bills enroute to Super Bowl XXIII in a Super Bowl rematch against the San Francisco 49ers. Ickey Woods wouldn't quite have the stellar game as he did during the season as he finished with 20 carries for 79 yards.
Week 10 Picks!
Pittsburgh (5-4) @ Cleveland (3-6) (FOX/NFL Network): TW: Steelers; CV: Steelers
Both teams got wins last week as the Steelers beat the Rams and the Browns beat the Bills. The week starts off with a meh game in the AFC North. The Steelers are the hot team coming into the game while the Browns haven't done a lot to show how great they are. If Pittsburgh's offense can get going and give their defense a break, I like the Steelers chances in this one.
Houston (6-3) @ Baltimore (7-2) (CBS): TW: Ravens; CV: Ravens
The Texans were on a bye and the Ravens beat the Bengals last week. Both teams are fairly similar on offense, especially at quarterback. I think the Texans defense is weaker than the Ravens defense since Houston lost JJ Watt a few weeks ago. I can't trust Houston enough to give them the pick this week, especially in a match-up like this.
Denver (3-6) @ Minnesota (7-3) (CBS): TW: Vikings; CV: Vikings
The Broncos were on a bye and the Vikings beat the Cowboys last week. Denver is coming into the game with longer rest but ultimately it comes down to talent on the offensive end, which Minnesota has quite a bit more than Denver. Its a bit more closer in terms of defense but unfortunately Minnesota owns in that department as well. The game could be close if the Broncos running game can get going but in most cases, I'll take the safe bet in Minnesota.
Jacksonville (4-5) @ Indianapolis (5-4) (CBS): TW: Colts; CV: Colts
The Jaguars were on a bye and the Colts lost to the Dolphins last week. Jacoby Brissett is likely to return to play for this game after missing last week's game. If the Colts want to get to the playoffs, they need to get a good start from Brissett. I trend towards the Colts in this game but in the AFC South, everyone beats up on everyone.
New Orleans (7-2) @ Tampa Bay (3-6) (FOX): TW: Saints; CV: Saints
The Saints lost to the Falcons and the Buccaneers beat the Cardinals last week. Last week has to be a fluke if you're a Saints fan. I feel the Saints will get back on track on defense and take advantage of a Jameis Winston that tends to throw interceptions. I mean you can't lose back-to-back games in a heavily contested NFC, right?
NY Jets (2-7) @ Washington (1-8) (FOX): TW: Redskins; CV: Jets
The Jets beat the Giants and the Redskins were on a bye last week. In terms of this game, no one really wins, as its fairly meaningless. I tend to like Washington as their defense is pretty underrated and if their offense can get enough going, I somewhat like their chances. Of course it could just blow up in my face but I'll take that chance.
Dallas (5-4) @ Detroit (3-5-1) (FOX): TW: Cowboys; CV: Cowboys
The Cowboys lost to the Vikings and the Lions lost to the Bears. Dallas has been awful since their debacle against the Jets. Ezekiel Elliot has been quiet for the past few games and will need to get back to form against a 28th ranked rush defense in Detroit. I can see Detroit winning it if the Cowboys shoot themselves in the foot. Other than I can't see them losing to the Lions.
Buffalo (6-3) @ Miami (2-7) (CBS): TW: Bills; CV: Bills
The Bills lost to the Browns and the Dolphins beat the Colts. At some point the Dolphins realize that tanking means they have to lose games, right? I don't expect them to win their third straight against a fairly better Buffalo team. The Bills defense is really and truly better than Miami's. You can't expect the Bengals to win a game against the Raiders.
Atlanta (2-7) @ Carolina (5-4) (FOX): TW: Panthers; CV: Panthers
The Falcons beat the Saints and the Panthers lost to the Packers. Somehow this Atlanta team beat the Saints last week. I feel the Panthers will bounce back with their MVP candidate Christian McCaffrey and a solid passing attack with Kyle Allen. Matt Ryan had a below average game despite them winning. I'll take Carolina.
Arizona (3-6-1) @ San Francisco (8-1) (FOX): TW: 49ers; CV: 49ers
Both teams lost last week as the Cardinals lost to the Buccaneers and the 49ers lost to the Seahawks. Their previous meeting was rather close and this game could end up being a pretty good one as well. San Francisco needs to get back to running the football better, if they can do that, then everything can fall into place.
Cincinnati (0-9) @ Oakland (5-4) (CBS): TW: Raiders; CV: Raiders
The Bengals lost to the Ravens and the Raiders beat the Chargers. Oakland has been playing pretty well since their game against the Bears in London. They've had a resurgence in quarterback with Derek Carr and a great running game with Josh Jacobs. I really can't see Cincinnati winning this game as they just have no real quality talent on both sides of the ball, except for maybe Joe Mixon
New England (8-1) @ Philadelphia (5-4) (CBS): TW: Patriots; CV: Patriots
Both teams were on a bye last week. Philadelphia has an interesting position to regain some ground against Dallas but they're running into a Patriots team that lost last week. New England typically doesn't lose back-to-back games and often win those games fairly big. I'll take New England but I hope this game will be a good one as this is the marquee game.
Chicago (4-5) @ LA Rams (5-4) (NBC): TW: Rams; CV: Rams
The Bears beat the Lions and the Rams lost to the Steelers last week. NBC really should've gotten this game flexed out as this might've been a decent match-up earlier in the season. Both teams are just not that superb. Rams have more talent on defense and I will take Los Angeles on that alone.
Kansas City (6-4) @ LA Chargers (4-6) (ESPN): TW: Chargers; CV: Chiefs
Both teams lost last week as the Chiefs lost to the Titans and the Chargers lost to the Raiders. The week finishes up with an okay match-up in Mexico City. The Chiefs running attack and defense just isn't as great as one would assume. Patrick Mahomes just can't do it all on his own, his team needs to back him up. I like the Chargers in this one as they do have a legit running game. As long as Philip Rivers throws to people in blue jerseys, they should do fine in this one.
Local TV Schedule (courtesy of 506sports.com, coverage subject to change):
FOX Single:
Dallas @ Detroit
Kevin Burkhardt, Charles Davis
CBS Early:
Denver @ Minnesota
Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon
CBS Late:
New England @ Philadelphia
Jim Nantz, Tony Romo
The Records (By Week & Year):
Cardinal Viking:
2017: 167-89
2018: 156-98-2
2019:
Week 1: 11-4-1
Week 2: 10-6
Week 3: 10-6
Week 4: 7-8
Week 5: 9-6
Week 6: 7-7
Week 7: 10-4
Week 8: 11-4
Week 9: 8-6
Week 10: 2-11
Overall: 85-62-1
My record:
2012: 164-90-2
2013: 162-92-1
2014: 172-83-1
2017: 164-92
2018: 156-98-2
2019:
Week 1: 12-3-1
Week 2: 10-6
Week 3: 11-5
Week 4: 8-7
Week 5: 5-10
Week 6: 9-5
Week 7: 7-7
Week 8: 14-1
Week 9: 8-6
Week 10: 5-8
Overall: 89-58-1
See you guys after the Monday night game for the Week 11 recap. Enjoy the games!
-Tom
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