KEVIN CADLE HAS been the face of Sky Sports’ NFL coverage for two decades and is set to get even busier with the broadcaster securing the rights to Monday Night Football from next season.
This week though, he faces his stiffest challenge to date when he goes head-to-head with TheScore.ie to pick six of this week’s NFL games.
Here’s who they went for:
New York Jets @ New England Patriots
Kevin: The Patriots. You’d hope that the Jets might be able to sneak up and get one over the Patriots but who is Geno Smith or Michael Vick going to throw the ball to? Revis Island will really be closed tonight.
TheScore.ie: I’m not buying into the theory that Tom Brady is finished just yet nor do I think he’s anywhere close to the quarterback who won three Super Bowls. Even still, the Patriots will have too much for the Jets in Foxboro.
Minnesota Vikings @ Buffalo Bills
Kevin: I don’t have a whole lot of faith in Buffalo right now though it seems like it’s been that way for 12 or 13 years. That said I’m going with the home team in a close game so the Bills for me.
TheScore.ie: You never know what you’re going to get with rookie quarterbacks and last week we saw some pretty poor decision making from Minnesota’s Teddy Bridgewater. However, you have to score points to win NFL games and the Bills don’t score enough of them (averaging less than 17 in their last four) so I’m picking the Vikings in this one.
Cincinnati Bengals @ Indianapolis Colts
Kevin: Cincinnati gave up 37 points at home to the Panthers last week but that was more to do with the fact that they couldn’t get a handle on Cam Newton running around making plays than their defence being bad. Facing a pocket passer like Andrew Luck, they’ll be more comfortable so I’ll pick the Bengals.
TheScore.ie: Of course this game will come down to more than just who the quarterbacks are but if it’s a choice between Andy Dalton and Andrew Luck, I know who I’m siding with every time. The Colts have a realistic shot at the AFC this year, winning this game against another contender will help.
New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys
Kevin: It’s tough to know which Giants team is going to turn up but the Cowboys look good this year man.
TheScore.ie: The most DeMarco Murray has carried the football in an NFL season is 217 times. This year he’s on course for nearly 425 carries. Given that he’s yet to complete a full season, the Cowboys can’t keep riding that particular workhorse. However, they’re still better than the Giants so Dallas for me too.
San Francisco 49ers @ Denver Broncos
Kevin: Oooh, that’s a good one. It’s gotta be Denver and my man Petyon Manning though. Not only are they at home but I still think the 49ers are missing too many players.
TheScore.ie: Peyton Manning has just four touchdowns in five games against San Francisco and Sunday night he faces a team that has won six of their last 10 road games as underdogs. With that in mind, I’m going to have to go against Kevin and pick the 49ers.
Houston Texans @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Kevin: JJ Watt is one of those rare players who got paid and yet is still performing above the value of the millions and millions of dollars that Houston are paying him. For me, it’s got to be the Texans.
TheScore.ie: The Steelers just lost 31-10 to the Browns and while the Texans are coming off back-to-back defeats – not to mention having to suffer Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback – they have touchdown machine JJ Watt. He could well add another score this Monday.
Sky Sports is showing the NFL as part of an autumn of sport that includes Premier League, Champions League, Formula One and Autumn Internationals.
