The Crystal Ball 2009 Week 10 Thursday Night Special

We’ve reached the point in the season where the Thursday night game has been restored. Yes, some may say this is the beginning of Thursday night games, but come now. I remember one way back in the beginning of September. There was a big amount of hoopla surrounding it too, if I recall.

Regardless, I’m a might confused as to the start this year. Perhaps my memory fails me, but did they not begin again on Thanksgiving previously? I suppose Tuesday Morning Quarterback would just include this in his Universal Theory of Creep.

Nonetheless, we now have three scrumptious days of NFL action on which to indulge, and never more than two consecutive days without a game. My cup runneth over.

And with this game, a return of NFL game coverage on the NFL Network. This season, since Cris Collinsworth nabbed the sweet gig on Sunday Night Football, Bob Papa will be teamed with Matt Millen. Wouldn’t it be fun to have Bryant Gumbel and Millen in the same booth? Imagine that pairing.

So with a game scheduled before Sunday, I give this tasty early pick, a sort of appetizer before the main course. And who doesn’t love appetizers?

On Tap Tonight

Chicago (4-4) at San Francisco (3-5)

NFLN keeps pimping the Singletary facing his old team storyline. Sure there’s a compelling side to this angle, as Singletary had a Hall of Fame career as the Bears middle linebacker in a legendary defense. And that defense brought the Bears their only Super Bowl victory. But when was the last time Mike was intimately associated with Chicago? It’s not like they parted ways acrimoniously so there’s some revenge factor involved, nor are Chicago and San Francisco natural division rivals either. I suppose some ridiculous angle must be exploited to hype a game between two teams who do not have winning records.

San Francisco started off wild, with a 3-1 record and seemingly gunning for the division. After that, four straight losses although they did face some fierce competition. Regardless, if you want to be a team on the rise, you must deliver.

Chicago, well they have Jay Cutler, they must be 8-0 right? No? How is that even possible? He’s the greatest quarterback of all time right? By the items I read, you would think Jay has won the Super Bowl in every season he’s played. What, he hasn’t? I don’t understand. I thought by what people were saying of his greatness, that Denver made the dumbest move in the history of the universe in letting this charming, personable and intelligent young man find fame and fortune elsewhere. Yeah, I’m still not buying the Cutler hype.

Ok, I’m not a real big fan of either team. But I am a fan of Singletary and how he gets his boys ready. If he had just a few more key people, he might have something there. But even without, I think this is a good time for them to break their losing streak.

49ers over Bears