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NFL £200,000 PICK 7: WEEK 15
It is the penultimate weekend of the NFL regular season and that means two more stabs at winning the £200,000 jackpot. Check out my views on this weekend’s Colossus Bets pool below…
PITTSBURGH STEELERS @ CINCINNATI BENGALS
Le’Veon Bell carried the Steelers to victory on the road in Buffalo last weekend and I fancy the best running back in football to do the same in this AFC North contest. Bell touched the ball an incredible 42 times in that contest, recording almost 300 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns. He will be instrumental in Pittsburgh’s chances in Cincinnati…
The Bengals have struggled to inspire confidence this year but back-to-back victories over the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns have given them an outside chance of making the playoffs. Andy Dalton may have lost star wide receiver AJ Green but Tyler Eifert is one of the best tight-ends in the business and those two could combine to keep this close.
Selection: Steelers by 1-6
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS @ MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Chuck Pagano’s hot seat is getting hotter and he may lose his job if Indianapolis miss out on the playoffs this year. Simply put, the Colts have to win this weekend in order to keep pace with the Houston Texans but it won’t be easy. Expect Andrew Luck to carry this offense once again but Indy’s chances rest on their very inconsistent defensive unit…
Adrian Peterson might be back for this one and that spells trouble for the Colts. On his day, the Vikings star is an elite option at the position and Sam Bradford will relish the chance to open up the passing game with Peterson’s presence. Minnesota have an elite defensive unit and the pass-happy Colts may get caught out if they are too aggressive through the air.
Selection: Vikings by 7-12
TENNESSEE TITANS @ KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
The Titans are still in the AFC South hunt and Marcus Mariota may lean heavily on DeMarco Murray this weekend. The former Dallas Cowboys star has enjoyed plenty of success this year and Tennessee’s run-heavy approach could wear down the Chiefs. The Titans will need a bit of luck to go their way in order to win but it would be foolish to write them off…
Kansas City are on the verge of securing a playoff spot and victory over the Titans will do just that. The Chiefs are one of the most complete sides in the NFL and they are sensational at Arrowhead Stadium. With Spencer Ware and Travis Kelce making plays on offense and a star-studded defence, Kansas City have a shot at victory every time they take to the field.
Selection: Chiefs by 1-6
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS @ ARIZONA CARDINALS
New Orleans had every chance of reaching the postseason but three defeats in their last four fixtures have hindered their hopes this year. Drew Brees is a future Hall of Famer and he will need to use all of his talent to dissect this aggressive Arizona defence. On their day, the Saints are capable of great things but this could be a stern test of their credentials…
The Cardinals are a different beast at home and Bruce Arians’ men will be confident ahead of this particular clash. Arizona are out of the NFC West battle but a wildcard spot is still up for grabs and they should roll with hot hand David Johnson. New Orleans have struggled against the run this year and the Cardinals star could feat if given the chance.
Selection: Cardinals by 7-12
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS @ DENVER BRONCOS
Tom Brady and the New England Patriots are looking very strong ahead of the playoffs but they will be up against it in Denver. Bill Belichick’s men have struggled in road games against the Broncos in the past and no Rob Gronkowski could hinder their chances. However, the Patriots always seem to find a way to win and that is why I’m backing Brady and co…
The Broncos have underperformed at times this year but they always tend to save their best form for the big stage. Denver will need plenty of luck to go their way in this one but they could surprise us all if Trevor Siemian steps up to the plate. Denver’s defence is capable of great things and they will need to pressurise Brady in order to keep this one close.
Selection: Patriots by 1-6
OAKLAND RAIDERS @ SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
Derek Carr is one of the first names mentioned in MVP conversations and rightly so. The Oakland quarterback has matured into one of the best and most reliable options at the position and he will be confident of guiding the Raiders to the playoffs this year. Oakland are on a roll right now and it would be foolish to back against Jack del Rio’s men…
The Chargers have been very unlucky this year after losing a number of key stars to injury throughout the campaign. Keenan Allen and Danny Woodhead suffered season-ending knocks and Philip Rivers has done miraculously well with his second-string receivers. This one may be a step too far though; Oakland are just too good.
Selection: Raiders by 7-12
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS @ DALLAS COWBOYS
The Buccaneers are in with a chance of securing a playoff spot and Jameis Winston deserves plenty of plaudits for his form this year. He isn’t making as many individual errors and they have adopted a more balanced approach in recent weeks; which makes them a dangerous unit ahead of the playoffs. Watch this space; the Bucs could surprise Dallas here…
Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott have carried this Cowboys offense so far this year and Jason Garrett will stick with his rookies until Dallas have secured a first round bye. It looks like the playoffs will run through AT&T Stadium this year and an expected victory over Tampa Bay will certainly help their chances of finishing atop the NFC.
Selection: Cowboys by 13-18
