NFL week 9 – The start of the business end

By Hamish Girvan

Now it’s at the mid-point of the season some games have more relevance then others in terms of playoffs. One of these games could determine who is top seed in the NFC and the other who is the best Quarterback in the NFL

Los Angeles Rams at New Orleans Saints – 10.25am Monday NZ time

The unbeaten Rams travel to New Orleans to face a Saints team who have quietly gone about their business with a 6-1 record.

The Rams are so far the out and out favourites to win Superbowl, and have a stacked roster in an all out attempt to do it this season. They have a defence and offense that complements each other and so far look relatively invincible. At this stage if the Rams made Superbowl they would have a 3 point start over whatever AFC team they would face. Running Back Todd Gurley is playing at a MVP level and Defensive end Aaron Donald is the NFL sack leader.

The Saints at home are always a difficult prospect and Quarterback Drew Brees relishes these sort of match ups. They have two running backs in Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram who are both dominant and the Saints use them well in tandem. The Saints dominated last week against the Vikings however to duplicate that performance will be a challenge.

In an indoor dome weather will not be an issue and the Rams possibly have that extra edge. Take the Rams -1.

Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots – 2.20pm Monday NZ time

This primetime fixture pits the best two quarterbacks to play in the NFL in the last decade and possibly the best two ever. The Packers Aaron Rogers heads to Foxborough to face Tom Brady’s Patriots. Both teams are not quite as dominant as they use to be. The Packers are use to owning the NFC North division however this season they have a 3-3-1 record. Coach Mike McCarthy certainly has made some odd game decisions and to some not giving Rogers a chance to win games is seen a travesty

The Patriots at home. Enough said. They have a fortress there and as a prime time game it looks like  a lock. Quarterback Tom Brady is still Mr Reliable and if anyone can construct a final drive to win a game Brady is the best at it. Coach Bill Belichick always makes a player move that surprises and this season it was the pickup of Browns troublesome wide receiver Josh Gordon. Gordon is starting to make those big plays expected of him

Predicable the Patriots are home favourites and against a Green Bay defence who oddly just traded one of their better defensive backs in Clinton-Dix. As long as they can keep the ball out of Aaron Rogers hands – which they should do – they should win comfortably. Take New England -5

Odds of winning Superbowl of thee four teams at the start of the season and now in brackets

Los Angeles Rams 10-1 (4-1)

New Orleans Saints 14-1 (7-1)

Green Bay Packers 12-1 (33-1)

New England Patriots 6-1 (5-1)

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