Sport
NFL £200,000 Pick 7: Week 6
Last week, nine of the 14 scheduled matches were settled by seven points or more – and that could mean plenty of work on defence for most NFL franchises in the run-up to their Week 6 fixtures. For the third week in a row, I’m here to try and take down the £200,000 Pick 7; feel free to check out my thoughts on the Colossus Bets Pool below…
Baltimore Ravens @ NEW YORK GIANTS
Baltimore have lost their way in recent weeks; losing their last two fixtures after winning three on the spin at the start of the campaign. With Terrance West and Kenneth Dixon, they are blessed with talent at running back but Baltimore’s lack of threat at wide receiver is beginning to hurt Joe Flacco and co.
Meanwhile, the Giants showed plenty of courage and endeavour when losing to Green Bay last weekend – and Ben McAdoo’s men will fancy their chances on home soil. Stud wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr recorded his first touchdown of the season against the Packers and New York may have too much for Baltimore if they play at their best.
The Ravens fired offensive co-ordinator Mark Trestman after their defeat to Washington and it may take a few weeks for Baltimore’s offense to adjust. With that in mind, the Giants look well placed to get back to winning ways after three consecutive defeats…
Selection: Giants by 1-6
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS @ Chicago Bears
It’s been a funny old year for Jacksonville so far. At the beginning of the season, they were dark horses for the Super Bowl. Now, they’re contenders for the number one overall pick in next year’s draft. The Jaguars just haven’t lived up to the hype but a much-needed victory over the Colts in their most recent encounter could give them a confidence boost.
By the same token, the Bears are also struggling to get going; having lost four of their five games so far this year. John Fox’s men have lost the likes of Jay Cutler and Jeremy Langford to injury in recent times but rookie Jordan Howard is looking good. It wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see the Chicago man dominate proceedings on Sunday evening.
This Jaguars defence has to get it together eventually – they have too much individual talent to fail. And coming fresh off their Week 5 bye after London, it could prove beneficial to side with Jacksonville at Soldier Field…
Selection: Jaguars by 7-12
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES @ Washington Redskins
Philadelphia fell agonisingly short in last week’s defeat to the Detroit Lions but Carson Wentz and co will be looking to bounce back in this NFC East clash. Wentz struggled at times against Detroit’s fierce front seven but should find more time in the pocket against the Redskins – and that could bode ill for the defending divisional champions.
If truth be told, Washington haven’t looked like divisional winners so far this season but have managed to win their last two fixtures after a slow start. Kirk Cousins isn’t performing tremendously well but the Redskins defence has really stepped up in recent times – as has running back Matt Jones.
For the Redskins to win, they will need a lot to go their way. Unfortunately, I fancy Wentz to respond like a true professional with a dominant performance. Washington may struggle to cope with Doug Pederson’s new-look scheme….
Selection: Eagles by 7-12
Atlanta Falcons @ SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Atlanta are soaring at the top of the NFC South after beating Carolina and Denver – becoming the third franchise to beat both Super Bowl contenders from the previous year in back-to-back weeks. Offensively, the Falcons are right up there with the best sides in the NFL and they could cause Seattle plenty of problems here.
The Seahawks are coming off their bye week and Russell Wilson will be raring to go after a tricky start to the campaign. Seattle are 3-1 on the year but they have been plagued by injury issues and an early bye week may help Pete Carroll’s men in the long term. If they can step up on defence, Seattle should win this.
And that is exactly what I think the Seahawks will do. Richard Sherman, arguably the best cornerback in the game, is set to take on Julio Jones in a true heavyweight battle. If Sherman can keep Jones quiet, Seattle will nick it…
Selection: Seahawks by 1-6
Dallas Cowboys @ GREEN BAY PACKERS
Dallas are riding high on Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott right now but a difficult trip to Lambeau Field could prove a step too far for Jason Garrett’s talented rookies. Eventually, the Cowboys will slip up on offense and you cannot afford to give Aaron Rodgers too many opportunities to score points.
On the other hand, the Packers are sticking with their ‘tried and tested’ stars. Rodgers is widely regarded as one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL and he has number one target Jordy Nelson back at full fitness. While the Green Bay running game is still struggling, their wide receivers and powerful defence have stepped up to the plate.
Both sides are strong but it may be prudent to back the Packers on home soil. Green Bay have lost just six of their last 42 regular season fixtures at Lambeau and I’m backing Mike McCarthy’s men to continue their fine run of form…
Selection: Packers by 7-12
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS @ Houston Texans
Indianapolis finally stood strong on defence last weekend as they stopped a late Chicago drive to snatch a crucial victory in their bid to regain the AFC South title. Andrew Luck is one of the best quarterbacks in the business and the Colts will need their elite talent to be at his best if they are to emerge victorious at NRG Stadium.
Meanwhile, it is all going downhill for Houston. The Texans have allowed 51 points since defensive stud J. J. Watt was ruled out for the rest of the season and I’m expecting that trend to continue here. While Lamar Miller may finally score his first touchdown of the year against the suspect Colts defence, this one could get away from Houston early on.
Bill O’Brien’s men fell short against Minnesota and they must now stop Luck in what could be a high-scoring affair. The Colts are a game down in the AFC South but Chuck Pagano’s men will climb above Houston with a victory; and I think the Texans may crumble…
SELECTION: Indianapolis by 7-12
New York Jets @ ARIZONA CARDINALS
The Jets have been torched in recent weeks and it is hard to back New York with any sort of conviction right now. On defence, they are giving up the big plays on a regular basis whilst quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is struggling to inspire confidence on offense. Ultimately, Todd Bowles is under serious pressure – and it won’t get any easier against Arizona.
Bruce Arians is one of the best coaches in the NFL and the blitz-happy Cardinals will go after Fitzpatrick in this one. While Arizona have struggled for form in the early stages of the year, most will still expect them to find their feet at some stage. And with Carson Palmer set to return to the starting line-up, the Jets could be in big trouble.
Arizona have enough talent at wide receiver to exploit this suspect Jets secondary and that is why I’ll be backing the Cardinals to produce a convincing performance here. Bowles won’t lose his job if they lose in the desert but the clock is certainly ticking at MetLife Stadium…
SELECTION: Cardinals by 13-18
