LAST WEEK, MOSSY Quinn got the better of TheScore.ie after coming from behind at Thanksgiving to post a 4-2 record to our own 3-3.
This week, it’s the turn of Connacht wing Tiernan O’Halloran who is hoping to match his coach Dan McFarland’s perfect six picks back in week 11.
O’Halloran – who is currently recovering from an injury picked up in pre-season – developed an interest in American football in school.
“I was in boarding school in Roscrea and there were a few lads big into the fantasy football and I started watching it with them. The best team at the time were the Colts with Peyton Manning winning the Super Bowl so I kind of jumped on the bandwagon there and started following Indy.
“I was pretty disappointed when they let Manning go and – as I kind of supported him more than the team anyway – I moved with Manning to the Broncos.
“It was disappointing last year to see them lose to the Seahawks in the Super Bowl but Seattle were so good it’s difficult to have too many complaints.”
Here are Tiernan’s picks this week:
Dallas Cowboys @ Chicago Bears
Tiernan O’Halloran: I was very surprised by the way the Cowboys played against the Eagles and I really didn’t expect them to lose that game. This is a nice game for them to bounce back in though even if Chicago were better in the first half against the Lions than they have been in recent weeks. Unfortunately for them, running back Matt Forte is their biggest weapon and Dallas have a good run defence that will stuff him, so I’m going with the Cowboys.
TheScore.ie: As I said last week, I’ve been a Jay Cutler fan in the face on all the evidence but last week was just terrible. It’s like he’s lost all interest in playing in Chicago. Dallas’ shortcomings – we now know for sure they’re not as good as their record suggests – were exposed against the Eagles last week but they’ll still have more than enough to deal with the Bears so Cowboys for me too.
Indianapolis Colts @ Cleveland Browns
Tiernan O’Halloran: I’m going with the upset here because I do think the Browns will beat the Colts. I was very surprised to hear they’re starting with Brian Hoyer over Johhny Manziel but I still think they’ll get the win because they’re in such a tight division they know they need it to keep pace with the other three. Josh Gordon is well overdue a touchdown too and the Colts secondary is very average.
TheScore.ie: It didn’t take long for us to disagree. I have to go with the Colts and not just because I’m hoping Andrew Luck will carry me to fantasy football glory this season. Their offence is great to watch and is first in the league in points, yards and passing yards. I don’t think the Browns really know what to do at quarterback – bringing in Manziel last week can’t help Hoyer’s confidence – and that’s never a good thing.
Buffalo Bills @ Denver Broncos
Tiernan O’Halloran: From my old team to my new one. I don’t think it’s a very fair pick because I’m certain the Broncos will win easily. The Bills do have a very good defence, keeping teams to 18 points per game this season, but I still think Denver will win. Peyton is too good at picking teams apart and he has so many weapons in the likes of CJ Anderson and maybe even Julius Thomas back.
TheScore.ie: While I do think we’ve seen a definite reduction in Peyton Manning’s arm strength this season, I agree with Tiernan that – as good as their defence is – the Bills just can’t score enough to trouble Denver. The emergence of CJ Anderson as a top-tier running back over the last few weeks has been fascinating and, against one of the best run defences in the league, it’ll be interesting to see if it continues. Still though, Broncos for me too.
Seattle Seahawks @ Philadelphia Eagles
Tiernan O’Halloran: This is a very tight game I think. The Eagles are very good at home. The Seahawks didn’t get off to the best of starts this season but they’re looking good the last few weeks and with Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman both playing well, the Legion of Boom are back. Mark Sanchez is doing very well for Philly and it’s always fun to watch a Chip Kelly offence but I still think the Seahawks will win.
TheScore.ie: My head tells me that Seattle are getting back to their Super Bowl winning best but there is not another team in the league as capable of winning a game in all three areas – offence, defence and special teams – as Philadelphia. I’m quite literally tossing a coin here and going with the Eagles.
New England Patriots @ San Diego Chargers
Tiernan O’Halloran: That Patriots loss against Green Bay hurt last week and I honestly thought they’d beat the Packers. San Diego started the season well but they dipped a bit in the middle. However, while I think Philip Rivers is back to his best, he’s coming up against a hurting Tom Brady who has Gronk as a weapon so I’m backing the Patriots.
TheScore.ie: I’d almost forgotten about the Chargers until Philip Rivers’ late heroics against the Ravens last weekend. With the Chiefs seemingly imploding, they’re well in the hunt for the AFC West. However, Brady and (Bill) Belichick so rarely lose two in a row – New England are 36-4 in games following a loss since 2003 – I have to go with the Patriots.
Atlanta Falcons @ Green Bay Packers
Tiernan O’Halloran: Again, this is a bit of a mismatch. The Falcons are actually going very well in the last couple of games and got a win over the Cardinals last time out. However, Rodgers at home is on fire and with Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Eddie Lacy there to back him up, it’s difficult to see anything other than a Packers win.
TheScore.ie: I’m just not buying any Falcons comeback. That NFC South is still horrible even if it looks slightly less likely a team will win it with a 6-10 record. The Packers are the form team in the NFL at the moment and I see no reason their win-streak will stop at four.
Pick Six leaderboard
Dan McFarland 6-0
Jackie Tyrell 5-1
Daniel Goulding 5-1
TheScore.ie 5-1
Mossy Quinn 4-2
Eoin Murphy 4-2
Kevin Cadle 4-2
Shane Jennings 3-3
– First published 21.07, 4 December
