NFL Week 7 Preview by Sportsfreak NFL Guru Hamish ‘Girvana’ Girvan
0A Pick 6 for Week 7
“ Hey Peyton – things have changed – you now serve the drinks here”
Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals – Live on ESPN Friday afternoon
This NFC West clash brings together two defences that are pretty formidable. Although the Cardinals are a three win three loss team, this division is as competitive as it gets. The Seahawks only loss this season has come at the hands of the Indianapolis Colts. They play high tempo football on both defence and attack and any turnover is pounced upon and usually punished. Seahawks safety Richard Sherman talks it up week in week out. The other side of the Cardinals defence has Tyrran Mathieu, a first year rookie, who can make plays as though he’s a veteran. Seemingly putting his off field issues aside he had whilst at college, he is adding to a defence that can make this tough for anyone. A low scoring game is on the cards with the Seahawks getting by in a close one.
New England Patriots at New York Jets
New England plays old school football with a Quarterback that is clutch. Tom Brady drove plays down the field and beat the Saints, in the last seconds of the game, last week. Bill Belichick is fifth all time in terms of NFL wins with 210 which is quite an achievement. The master of the understatement he comes up against brash Rex Ryan who famously declared when he took the Jets job he is not there to kiss Belichicks rings. The Jets are in a rebuilding phase and will struggle to make any post season games, however this match is always has a lot of pre hype and talk. The Patriots won a close one in week 2 and the same should happen here. Remember the Patriots play situational football, so will adapt here to anything the Jets through at them.
Cleveland Browns at Green Bay Packers
The Cleveland Browns came down to earth with a thump after three straight wins, and suffered a second half blitz from the Detroit Lions who scored 24 unanswered points to win comfortably. This week they come up against a Green Bay team who ravaged by injuries, are playing a defence based smash mouth football, and got a rare win at the Baltimore Ravens last week. At home Green Bay are always a favourite and should have no issues here. The Browns declared their rebuild plans earlier in the season and although competitive at times are not expected to play a part in the off season. The Packers at home will prove too much.
San Francisco 49ers at Tennessee Titans
The rise of Colin Kaepernick last season was one of the stories of the NFL and his experience in the Super Bowl was seen as being able to push them to that one step further. The 49ers although solid have not quite hit the form pundits thought they would and Kaepernick has not dominated like he did last season. The loss of defensive player Aldon Smith is a major issue and unless he can put his off field issues behind him it may be a while before he returns. The Titans are one of those teams that started the season well however are now falling away a bit. The 49ers should condemn the them to loss number four here. The NFC West is now the toughest in the NFL and any slip up could be crucial in the final wash up. Take the 49ers to win.
Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
Another divisional match up – in the weakest of NFL divisions these days. Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has stamped his mark as one of the elite after his recent performances. Although he suffered a loss two weeks ago against the Broncos, he easily dispatched old divisional rivals the Redskins last week. Here he faces an Eagles team that got back on track against the hapless Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week and they still have a question around the fitness of their own quarterback, Michael Vick. The Cowboys play each week under the pressure of the watching eyes of owner Jerry Jones, and although this is no gimme, they should have too much class here. The Cowboys look odds on now to win this division.
Denver Broncos at Indianapolis Colts – Live on ESPN Monday afternoon
Hey Peyton – welcome back to your old home. We have moved on and have a new leader who may be better then you one day. We will honour your return with a ceremony however expect no favours on the gridiron. We are a team on the rise and have a star in quarterback, Andrew Luck. We did not look good on our trip to the West Coast last week in losing to the Chargers. We hope you enjoy your return and catch up with old friends. We are fully motivated to make sure we are the team that provides you with your first loss of the season. Thanks the Indianapolis Colts.
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