Sport
NFL £200,000 PICK 7: WEEK 7
We’re almost halfway through the regular season and the fight for the playoff spots is beginning to heat up. Once again, I’m here to try and secure the £200,000 Pick 7 jackpot – take a look at my thoughts on this week’s Colossus Bets Pool below…
Indianapolis Colts @ TENNESSEE TITANS
The Colts may have the talented Andrew Luck at quarterback but their defence is rivalling the New Orleans Saints as the worst in the NFL. Simply put, you won’t win many games if you cannot stop the opposition – even with a quarterback like Luck in charge of the offensive unit.
Tennessee’s offensive play-makers are beginning to come good and Marcus Mariota could lead the Titans to a third straight win on Sunday. DeMarco Murray is regarded as one of the best running backs in the AFC and he could run riot against Indy’s weak rush defence; back the Titans to get the job done on home soil…
Selection: Titans by 7-12 points
OAKLAND RAIDERS @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Oakland have defied the odds to win four of their opening six games this season but Jack del Rio’s men fell short against Kansas City last weekend. However, Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has started to find top receiver Amari Cooper on a regular basis – and that bodes well for Oakland fans.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars managed to pick up their second victory of the year last weekend against Baltimore and Jacksonville’s defence is beginning to make plays. Whilst it could be a tight-knit affair, I can see Oakland doing just about enough to notch another win – it might even come down to a Sebastian Janikowski field goal attempt…
Selection: Raiders by 1-6 points
WASHINGTON REDSKINS @ Detroit Lions
The Redskins defence showed up in a big way when beating Philadelphia in Week 6 and Jay Gruden will be expecting another solid performance at Ford Field. For now, DeSean Jackson’s status is up in the air and Washington fans will hope that the veteran wideout is good to go on Sunday.
Matthew Stafford has been fantastic so far this season and former Cincinnati Bengals receiver Marvin Jones has stepped up after Calvin Johnson announced his retirement at the end of last year. If the Lions bring their A-Game, they could come out on top in this one…
Selection: Lions by 7-12 points
San Diego Chargers @ ATLANTA FALCONS
Philip Rivers has done brilliant things with this banged-up San Diego offense but they could come unstuck against Atlanta’s fiery defence. Rookie tight-end Hunter Henry has been a revelation so far this season and both he and running back Melvin Gordon will need to be at their best to give the Chargers a chance in this clash.
Simply put, the Falcons have been outstanding so far this year. Matt Ryan is looking like an elite quarterback and the backfield duo of Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman is wreaking havoc. Defensively, they’re solid too. Atlanta have already beaten the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers; and I fancy Dan Quinn’s men to pick up another win here…
Selection: Falcons by 13-18 points
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS @ SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Tampa Bay will be without Doug Martin once again but Jacquizz Rodgers could feast on San Francisco’s suspect defensive unit. With Vincent Jackson also set to miss out, Buccaneers number one wide receiver Mike Evans could be expected to carry the offense – he is Jameis Winston’s favourite target by a long way.
The 49ers have injury issues of their own; with Carlos Hyde doubtful ahead of what could be described as a must-win game for Chip Kelly’s men. For the second week in a row, Colin Kaepernick is set to start at quarterback – although that is not necessarily a good thing for the 49ers. I fancy the Bucs to edge this one…
Selection: Buccaneers by 1-6 points
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Since Tom Brady’s return from suspension, the Patriots have been on another level and they look primed to go all the way to Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium in February. Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett are dominant figures on offense and both tight-ends will be incredibly effective; especially if Ryan Shazier is ruled out.
Had Ben Roethlisberger been fit, the Steelers might’ve got the better of Belichick’s men but it is hard to imagine Pittsburgh coming up trumps against the Patriots with Landry Jones under center. Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown will keep Pittsburgh in the contest but I just can’t see the Steelers stopping New England from scoring…
Selection: Patriots by 7-12 points
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS @ Arizona Cardinals
Seattle aren’t the dominant force that they were three years ago but they still boast one of the strongest defensive units in the National Football League. With that in mind, and Russell Wilson’s unique ability to make a play out of nothing, the Seahawks are always in with an outside chance of snatching victory – even in the desert against their NFC West rivals.
Arizona haven’t been at their best in recent times but running back David Johnson could be the difference-maker once again as the Cardinals look to close the gap at the top of the division. On paper, Bruce Arians’ men are stronger but that will mean very little when the two teams take to the field in the early hours of Monday morning. I’m backing the Seahawks to continue their fine run of form...
Selection: Seahawks by 1-6 points
