Advertisement
NFL

The LA Rams start life without Jeff Fisher by entering the lion's den in Seattle

It’s our NFL week 15 preview.

Los Angeles Rams (4-9) @ Seattle Seahawks (8-4-1) – 1.25am, Friday

On Football Separation Kelvin Kuo Kelvin Kuo

EVEN FOR THE Rams, this has been a strange season. The decision to trade up for Jared Goff made little sense when they left him on the bench for half the season.

Then, they signed Jeff Fisher to a two-year extension despite his 31-43-1 record at the time. 10 days later, when the loss column rose to 45, Fisher was fired by the front office. Explain that one.

Rams interim coach John Fassel becomes the first head coach to debut on a Thursday Night (that wasn’t an opening night). He faces a trip to Seattle to face a team coming off a 38-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers, but the Seahawks boast a perfect 6-0 record at home this season.

The Rams have lost four straight games, losing their last three by a combined 72 points.

Russell Wilson and his offense came up unstuck in Green Bay, but they should encounter no such problems against the travelling Rams.

Verdict: The Seahawks go into the game as 15-point favourites and it’s hard to see anything other than a blow-out win. Seahawks by 17.

Miami Dolphins (8-5) @ New York Jets (4-9) – 1.25am, Sunday

https://www.instagram.com/p/BN5kQJWhXRr

We’ve got a rare Saturday NFL game in store as two AFC East rivals with contrasting fortunes clash at Levi’s Stadium. This one won’t be a classic. The Jets have won just once at home all season, while Miami’s road record stands at 2-4.

It’s likely the Miami Dolphins will be without quarterback Ryan Tannehill on Sunday after he suffered a reported torn ACL in the Week 14 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

Nine-year veteran Matt Moore will run the Miami offense against the Jets, who snapped a four-game losing run with an overtime defeat of the San Francisco 49ers last week.

The Jets named 25-year-old Bryce Petty as their starting quarterback a week ago and he threw for 257 yards and an interception in that victory over the 49ers.

Verdict: In Week 9 Miami ran out 27-23 winners when these sides last met and the Dolphins should be good to scrape a season sweep here. Dolphins by 3.

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-5) @ Cincinnati Bengals (5-7-1) – 6pm, Sunday

Steelers Practice Squad Grads Football Don Wright Don Wright

The Steelers head into this AFC North matchup with a one-game advantage over the Baltimore Ravens in the race for the division title.

The Bengals are coming off a two-game winning run against mediocore opposition in the form of the Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns.

The Steelers are enjoying a four-game winning run and, while Big Ben hasn’t exactly been electric on the road, they should have enough to account for the Bengals.

Verdict: Pittsburgh to keep its lead at the top of the AFC North intact. Steelers by 5.

Carolina Panthers (5-8) Washington (7-5-1) – 1.30am, Tuesday

Panthers Bye Football Chuck Burton Chuck Burton

After a three-game roadtrip, Washington return home to face this patchy Carolina Panthers side.

Following tough losses on the West Coast to the Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks, the Panthers secured a much-needed win last weekend, despite an erratic performance from Cam Newton. Newton completed 10 of 27 passes for 160 yards and one touchdown.

Carolina boasts the league’s fifth-ranked rushing defence while former Panther Josh Norman lines out for Washington.

Verdict: It’s impossible to know what Panthers team will show up, so Washington is a safer bet. Washington by 1.

And the rest (picks against the spread in bold)

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Houston Texans (-6)
Tennessee Titans @ Kansas City Chiefs (-5)
Indianapolis Colts @ Minnesota Vikings (-4)
Cleveland Browns @ Buffalo Bills (-10.5)
Detroit Lions @ New York Giants (-4.5)
Green Bay Packers (-6.5) @ Chicago Bears
Philadelphia Eagles @ Baltimore Ravens (-6)
San Francisco 49ers @ Atlanta Falcons (-14)
New Orleans Saints @ Arizona Cardinals (-2.5)
Oakland Raiders (-3) @ San Diego Chargers
New England Patriots (-3) @ Denver Broncos
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Dallas Cowboys (-7)

The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!

These are the four NFL games London is getting in 2017

The NFL has tried to make the Pro Bowl more interesting by adding a skills competition

Your Voice
Readers Comments
1
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.