Richard Graves picks NFL week 11 games against our UK Seahawks fan
Wednesday 16 November 2016 16:14, UK
Sky Sports reporter Richard Graves snapped a two game losing streak to beat our Carolina Panthers fan by a solitary game in week 10.
You can't script sports, or indeed predictions as it was Panthers who proved to be the clincher for Richard, finishing with a 9-5 record to keep his faint play-off hopes alive.
This week Richard puts his predictive powers to the test against Liz Fox, Seattle Seahawks fan and editor-in-chief of @NFLGirlUK.
New Orleans Saints @ Carolina Panthers, Friday, 12:30am Sky Sports 1
Richard: A big NFC South showdown to kick off week 11 and it's between two teams still in the play-off race following the Atlanta Falcons' surprise defeat in Philadelphia. That being said, both these teams come into this match-up off the back of heartbreaking losses themselves. None more so than New Orleans, losing to a blocked extra point attempt which was returned for a two-point defensive conversion.
When Carolina went to New Orleans in week 6, they fought out a thriller - rallying from a double digit deficit, only to fall short as the Saints hung on for a 41-38 win. This may well be another high scoring affair on a Thursday night.
Both teams rank in the bottom ten for points allowed, Carolina have the 25th ranked pass defence while the Saints are dead last.
The New Orleans offence is now the number one ranked unit in the NFL for yards per game, but the Panthers possess the second best rushing defence in the league. All signs point to an entertaining encounter. Panthers
NFL Girl UK: Both teams suffered massive last-minute defeats on Sunday so they each have something to prove, and I'm hoping it will be a high scoring game. Drew Brees seems to be single-handedly leading his team to victory and Panthers can't seem to stop anyone right now. Saints
Baltimore ravens @ Dallas Cowboys, Sunday 5:30pm Sky Sports 2
Richard: This promises to be the pick of the Sunday games. The top team in the AFC North locking horns with the top team in the NFC East. Baltimore's number one ranked run defence facing the Cowboys number one ranked rushing offence. Dallas rookie running back Ezekiel Elliot now with 1005 yards through nine games on his own! He requires just three more yards to break the Cowboys' all time rookie rushing record.
Baltimore snapped a four game losing streak when beating the Browns last time out and they've had 10 days to prepare for this test, but if they are to cause an upset in this one it'll be down to their defence, which has already limited the Steelers' Le'Veon Bell and Buffalo's LeSean McCoy to 90 yards combined this season! A defence which is second in interceptions (11) and is the NFL's fifth-ranked unit against the pass and allows only 17.8 points per game.
It'll be no easy task though. Rookie QB Dak Prescott has only thrown two interceptions all season behind an offensive line which affords him 2.4 seconds per passing attempt (only Buffalo are better). If Baltimore win, it'll be a huge statement to the NFL from them. If Dallas win, that'll be nine in a row - a franchise record. Cowboys
NFL Girl UK:: The Ravens steamrolled Cleveland last week (but then that's hardly difficult for any team playing Browns right now) and the Cowboys played out a great game against Pittsburgh. Dallas currently lead the NFL in both rushing and time of possession. It'll be a close game but as much as I may personally dislike some Cowboys players, I think they'll take this one. Cowboys
Miami Dolphins @ Los Angeles Rams, Sunday 9pm Sky Sports 2
Richard: We've had to wait until week 11 but finally the NFL will be introduced to quarterback Jared Goff. The man the L.A Rams believe is the future of their franchise, and gave up a boat load of draft picks in order to secure with the draft's number one overall pick.
The problem is, all season long head coach, Jeff Fisher, has told us Goff isn't ready! Well, he's certainly stepping into the fire here against a Miami Dolphins team which is hot!
The Dolphins have won four in a row and a defensive front led by Ndamukong Suh will be salivating at the mouth at the prospect of facing a rookie QB making his debut. Factor in that the Rams offensive line just hasn't been very good this season and this has the potential to get ugly. Expect running back Todd Gurley to get plenty of touches with a greater emphasis on getting the ball into the hands of wide receiver Tavon Austin and, as we've seen throughout this season, the Rams will also lean heavily on their defence to keep them in the game.
Bottom line, Jared Goff is playing because the LA Rams are desperate to see a spark in their offence - anything! It's an offense which ranks 31st overall, it's dead last in scoring (15.4 points per game) and ranks in the bottom eight for both passing and rushing. However, unless he's improved dramatically from the player we saw in pre-season and then in London, this could be a one-sided contest. Dolphins
NFL Girl UK: The Dolphins are on fire at the moment with Jay Ajayi absolutely storming the field. Goff has been announced as the starting quarterback which I feel will bring a new excitement to the game for them. Goff will open up the passing game, which in turn should open up opportunities for Gurley. Rams
Green Bay Packers @ Washington Redskins, Monday 1am Sky Sports 2
Richard: After two weeks of the season and with a 0-2 record everyone was writing off the Washington Redskins. Now their record is 5-3-1 and if the play-offs were today, they'd have a wild card slot.
In contrast, confidence in the Green Bay Packers is waning on the back of a disappointing defeat to the Colts and then a humiliating 47-25 loss in Tennessee. First the cause for the Packers' slump in form was attributed to their receivers not getting open. Then Aaron Rodgers' play was questioned. Now, a banged up secondary that just can't stop anyone is being cited.
The truth is, all are correct to some degree and Green Bay are short on confidence but with their record standing at 4-5, they remain just a game outside first place in the NFC North, with all to play for.
Many questioned whether the Packers could get the job done when they last visited Washington in last year's playoffs - they won comfortably, 35-18. Both of these teams are in vastly different positions from their last match up though... Redskins
NFL Girl UK: The Packers offence is struggling and Aaron Rodgers has played average at best in recent weeks. Ryan Kerrigan and the Redskins defence has improved greatly and overall the team is on a good run, so this could be their game. Redskins
Houston Texans @ Oakland Raiders, Tuesday 1am Sky Sports 1
Richard: The NFL heads to Mexico for Monday Night Football and, returning from their bye week this should be an Oakland Raiders team brimming with confidence after knocking off the Super Bowl champion, Denver Broncos two weeks ago.
Their offense is ranked in the top six in every major category, fifth overall and is averaging over 27 points per game this season.
The Houston Texans in contrast are ranked just 29th in total offence and won last week despite quarterback Brock Osweiler throwing for just 99 yards. It's their defence which has kept them competitive - ranked fourth overall, third against the pass but 26th against the run! This is where the Raiders will look to make the difference.
The success they've enjoyed through the air will force Houston to give help against wide receivers Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper and that should afford some running room for Latavius Murray. He ran in three touchdowns against Denver and gives the Raiders balance to that air attack. With a 7-2 record, there are still some question marks surrounding their defence, which has shown improved play in recent weeks. This is now a game Oakland are expected to win, the question is will they? Raiders
NFL Girl UK: With the best young QB in the league, the Raiders will continue their hot streak through the air with Cooper and Crabtree and on the ground with Murray. If Oakland can cut down on the number of penalties then they should be no match for the Texans who have struggled to move the ball away from home this season. Raiders
