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NFL Week 7 - Sunday Preview Part 1

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 NFL Week 7 - Sunday Preview Part 1

New York Giants (2-3) @ Los Angeles Rams (3-3) - Twickenham Stadium

The Los Angeles Rams take a home game to London and Twickenham Stadium when they host the Giants on Sunday. Part of the Rams deal when moving from St. Louis to Los Angeles was to expand their global brand and they get the chance to showcase their wares here against a fellow inconsistent opponent. The Rams have dropped their last two games narrowly against the Bills and Lions and this becomes a must win if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Giants escaped with a last minute touchdown to controversial wide receiver Odell Beckham Junior seeing them scrape through for their 2nd win of the season over the Ravens.

Verdict - Rams 20 Giants 16

I don't have a whole heap of faith in either of these teams, however I think the Rams have a bit more upside on recent form. Their defence has surprisingly let them down the last couple of losses with Case Keenum and the offence playing better than expected. I just think they can get after Eli Manning here and force a couple of turnovers that might prove crucial. 

Cleveland Browns (0-6) @ Cincinatti Bengals (2-4) - Paul Brown Stadium

It's the battle of Ohio as the winless Browns visit their struggling cross town rivals in the Bengals. The Browns are the only remaining winless team in the NFL and despite a litany of close losses have suffered another big injury with star free safety Jordan Poyer out. The Bengals are in danger of being the big under achievers of 2016 as they were blown off the park in tough road games in Dallas and New England. At 2-4 the Bengals simply have to win this game if they want any chance of going back to the playoffs for a 6th consecutive season under Marvin Lewis.

Verdict - Bengals 27 Browns 21

There is a part of me which is very tempted to take the Browns here. They have probably played just as well as the Bengals this year, however they had plenty of injuries and lost a lot of close games. However the Bengals just have more talent and surely they can't drop this game as it would make their season all but on life support. Bengals to escape with an unconvincing win. 

Washington Redskins (4-2) @ Detroit Lions (3-3) - Ford Field

The Redskins go in search of their first 5-game winning streak since 2012 as they head to Detroit to take on the Lions on Sunday. The Redskins' defence has really started to step up to the plate having failed to concede an offensive touchdown in the past 7 quarters. Quarterback Kiri Cousins has rebounded from a tough start to the season to throw 8 touchdowns to only 3 interceptions in the 4-game winning streak. The Lions got a crucial win last week with a narrow 31-28 home win against the Rams getting them back to .500. The Lions finish a stretch of 3 straight home games having won the last two courtesy of late field goals to Matt Prater. 

Verdict - Lions 28 Redskins 27

I think the home team can make it three straight here in a high scoring, tight and entertaining contest. Both teams have been on the right side of a lot of close games of late, however with the Lions being at home I give them a slight edge here in a game that could go either way. 

Indianapolis Colts (2-4) @ Tennessee Titans (3-3) - Nissan Stadium

The Colts and Titans face off in a crucial AFC South divisional matchup in the muddled AFC South at Nissan Stadium on Sunday. The Titans are riding a 2-game winning streak and are looking at their first 3-game win streak since 2011 if they can topple the struggling Colts at home on Sunday. The Colts are reeling at 2-4 having inexplicably collapsed last week against the Texans in Houston. Holding a 23-9 lead with 7 minutes to play, the Colts were forced into overtime before predictably losing 26-23 to send the Texans to 4-2 and outright 1st place in the division. The Colts have a great record against the Titans having last lost to Tennessee in 2011. 

Verdict - Titans 23 Colts 21

I'm ignoring the Colts great record against the Titans here and going for Tennessee to win a close one at home. The Colts were in a great position to win last week and I think will be reeling with a short turn around against another division opponent. The Titans have enjoyed much prosperity of late so the prospect of a 3rd straight home win against a rival might get the crowd into this game and help propel them over the line. 

New Orleans Saints (2-3) @ Kansas City Chiefs (3-2) - Arrowhead Stadium

The Saints are going for a 3rd straight win when they make the daunting trip to Arrowhead to take on the Chiefs on Sunday. The Saints appeared to be in a huge hole at 0-3 and trailing by 10 points against the Chargers late in the 4th quarter. However they found a way to win that game and backed that up with a wild 41-38 win over the Panthers at home last week. While the defence is still as bad as ever, Drew Brees is leading the best passing attack in the NFL averaging over 330 yards per game in the air. The Chiefs showed their credentials last week by dominating the Raiders in all three phases in a 26-10 beat down in Oakland. At 3-2 the Chiefs have been inconsistent to start the year, however at their best have the ability to win a wide open AFC West. 

Verdict - Chiefs 32 Saints 17

I don't like picking against the Chiefs at home. They were super impressive last week against the Raiders. While the Saints can be explosive on offence, they are usually not quite as productive on the road, and their defence remains amongst the NFL's worst. 

Buffalo Bills (4-2) @ Miami Dolphins (2-4) - New Miami Stadium

The Bills and Rex Ryan are eyeing a 5th straight win as they take on the Dolphins in Miami on Sunday. Rex Ryan was under severe pressure after the Bills slumped to 0-2 after an embarrassing home loss to the Jets in Week 2, however the team appear rejuvenated and on track for the playoffs. The Bills have the longest playoff drought of any NFL team having missed the post season every year since 1999. They have not won five games in a row since 2004 and will fancy their chances against an inconsistent Miami side. The Dolphins produced their best performance of the season last week with a stunning 30-15 upset of the Steelers. Jay Ajari rushed for 204 yards as the Dolphins salvaged a season that appeared to be fast slipping away. The Dolphins have lost 5 of their past 6 games against the Bills.

Verdict - Dolphins 20 Bills 17

This will be a tough and physical division game here. I just think the Dolphins can cause a bit of an upset here at home despite a poor overall record against the Bills. I  remain unconvinced about Tyrod Tayler's consistency as Buffalo's quarterback and I think Tanehill might be able to outperform him here. 

Batimore Ravens @ New York Jets (1-5) - MetLife Stadium

Both the Jets and Ravens will be looking to break alarming losing streaks when they clash at Metlife Stadium on Sunday. The Jets have turned back to Geno Smith at quarterback after the disastrous form of Ryan Fitzpatrick to start this season. Smith was underwhelming in his first two seasons at the Jets throwing 27 touchdowns to 36 interceptions.  The Ravens started the year at 3-0 however 3 barrow losses has taken the wind right out from under their sails. The Ravens conceded a last minute touchdown last week in the same stadium against the Giants and now back at 3-3 are back in the muddled middle of teams fighting for a playoff berth. Quarterback Joe Flacco is in doubt for the game with back up Ryan Mallett on standby. 

Verdict - Jets 22 Ravens 17

If Flacco does not play you would have to favour the Jets at home against Ryan Mallett. I am not a huge Geno Smith fan, however back at home he might be able to make a few plays here and sneak away with a tight win. 

Minnesota Vikings (5-0) @ Philadelphia Eagles (3-2) - Lincoln Financial Field

Sam Bradford returns to Philadelphia with his undefeated Minnesota Vikings in a high octane matchup at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday. The Vikings lost starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to a knee injury in the pre-season and traded for Bradford. This allowed Carson Wentz to start for the Eagles and you could make a strong argument that both teams are flourishing from it with Bradford and Wentz excelling for their respective teams. The Vikings defence has been outstanding this year leading the league with 19 sacks and a turnover differential of + 11. The Eagles have dropped their last two narrowly on the road to the Lions and Redskins and  need a win here to stay in touch in the NFC East. 

Verdict - Eagles 24 Vikings 7

I am going for the Eagles at home here to bounce back in a big way. They were not bad in their last two road losses and in their last home game they blew out the Steelers by 30 points. I think Bradford has been good for the Vikings so far, however he is due for a tough afternoon and I expect his old team to dish that out to him.