San Francisco 49ers @ Jacksonville Jaguars
THE NFL IS back in London this weekend but the result of the game is not in doubt. The San Francisco 49ers are 17 point favourites over the hapless Jacksonville Jaguars and with good reason. The Jags — who could be calling London home for a lot more than just a couple of games — have managed to score a whopping 11 points at home this year. The 49ers will win, and win comfortably.
Of course, that doesn’t make for a great preview especially for those of you heading to London for the game so, instead, here’s a list of things not to say/do over the coming days.
1. Have ‘London Baby’/'London Calling’/etc as your Facebook status
2. Instagram pictures of your tickets with a sepia filter
3. Tweet a complaint about your view in the stadium
4. Wear the jersey of a team not playing (you wouldn’t do it in any other sport)
5. Take loads of pictures of the pre/half-time entertainment, none of the game
Verdict: With one hand tied behind Colin Kapernick’s back the 49ers would win this game. However, I think the spread is just too high. San Francisco by 15.
Cleveland Browns @ Kansas City Chiefs
When he lines out against the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday, Jason Campbell will be 20th quarterback to start for the Cleveland Browns in their current incarnation and the third in eight games. The omens aren’t good for the former Oakland Raiders quarterback as he faces the league’s best pass rush (35 sacks) behind the league’s second-worst offensive line (27 sacks allowed).
The Chiefs are the last unbeaten team in the NFL but their 7-0 hides the fact they’ve yet to face a team with a winning record and only managed a one point victory over the struggling Texans last weekend despite Houston being without Matt Schaub before the game even started and losing Arian Foster and Brian Cushing during it.
That’s not to take away from Andy Reid and his coaching staff’s accomplishments, 7-0 is not to be sniffed at regardless of who you’re playing but tougher tests will come for Kansas after their bye week when they face Denver twice in three games.
Verdict: The Browns aren’t as terrible as a team that released Trent Richardson and who are on their third starting quarterback should be but the Chiefs will still be too strong. Kansas City by 5.
New York Giants @ Philadelphia Eagles
These two teams were involved in two of the ugliest football games I’ve seen for a long time last weekend but while the Giants could at least take some comfort from the fact they beat the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football, the Eagles must be wondering where it all went wrong; scoring just three points at home to the Cowboys and giving up the lead in the NFC East in the process.
Of course, the Giants were helped by the fact new Vikings quarterback Josh Freeman appeared to only know about 10 plays and, even then, consistently overthrew his receivers which meant Big Blue’s defence could stack the box and all but eliminate the running threat of Adrian Peterson (28 yards on 13 carries).
The Eagles, meanwhile, could end up starting rookie QB Matt Barkley after Nick Foles was knocked out of last weekend’s game and the status of Michael Vick’s hamstring remaining unclear. When these two sides met earlier this season — the game in which Vick injured his hamstring — the Eagles forced three interceptions by Eli Manning in the fourth quarter.
Verdict: It’s terrible to think a team that has won one of seven games this year is still in the hunt for the playoffs but the Giants will be after they win this. New York by 3.
The rest*
Carolina Panthers (-6) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Dallas Cowboys @ Detroit Lions (-3)
Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots (-6.5)
Buffalo Bills @ New Orleans Saints (-11.5)
New York Jets @ Cincinnati Bengals (-6.5)
Pittsburgh Steelers (-2.5) @ Oakland Raiders
Atlanta Falcons @ Arizona Cardinals (-2.5)
Washington @ Denver Broncos (-12.5)
Green Bay Packers (-9) @ Minnesota Vikings
Seattle Seahawks (-11) @ St Louis Rams
*Note the team in bold has been picked to beat the spread, not necessarily win the game.
