In our sixth Head to Head of the season Offensive Lineman Jon Amokah took on Youth Team Head Coach Nick Benning. Here’s how they got on…
Seahawks 20 49ers 3
AMOKAH: “Everyone knows all is not well with the Seahawks defence,” said Jon ahead of Thursday Night Football. “Question is, do Kaepernick and co have what it takes to capitalise?” He thought they did, turns out they really, really didn’t. Not a brilliant start. 0-1.
BENNING: Correctly predicted Russell Wilson to continue his strong streak against the 9ers, who are in freefall. Coach is off to the best possible start. 1-0.
Bills 31 Jaguars 34
AMOKAH: What a ridiculous game this was, with the Jags threatening to blow the Bills out of the water before remembering that they’re the Jags and very, very nearly throwing it away. Anywho, Jon called a big day for Jacksonville, who got their first Wembley win. 1-1.
BENNING: He was worried the game would be dull for those in attendance, but it turned out to be arguably one of the most entertaining games in the history of the International Series. Also backed the Bills incorrectly, so it’s back down to earth with a bang for Benning as he’s also now 1-1.
Vikings 28 Lions 19
AMOKAH: He went on record to say the Lions “are too talented to be a 1-5 team”. Well they’re now a 1-6 team Jon, are they too talented for that? Fortunately for the big man he had the foresight to still predict a Vikings win, and that takes him to 2-1.
BENNING: One of our resident Vikings fans, was he ever going to go for anything other than an away win? Of course not, and he was spot on to do so. 2-1.
Saints 27 Colts 21
AMOKAH: We’re all for grudges, especially if they’re left unexplained like why Mr Amokah thinks the Colts are “too big for their bridges” (we think he meant “britches”but it’s fine). No questions asked, the Saints win and Jon moves to 3-1.
BENNING: “On paper I should probably go for the Colts, but on the back of Brees and the boys getting the win against the previously undefeated Falcons, I can feel the Saints hitting form” he said. Good job he didn’t talk himself out of it. 3-1.
Steelers 13 Chiefs 23
AMOKAH: The Steelers were supposed to keep strong thanks to their “Next Man Up” mentality, but they didn’t and Jon moves to 3-2.
BENNING: Coach Benning is still nipping at Amokah’s toes thanks to this Pittsburgh loss on the road at London-bound Kansas City, he’s also 3-2.
Texans 26 Dolphins 44
AMOKAH: Oh boy, this isn’t going to be pretty. The only unit he said he trusted in this match up was the Texans offense. Not sure what Ryan Tannehill, Lamar Miller and the rest of the Dolphins thought of that when they were up by 40-odd points at the half. 3-3.
BENNING: So, are the ‘Fins back or are the Texans really are as bad as we think they are? Maybe it’s both, but all that matters now is that Benning is also 3-3.
Jets 23 Patriots 30
AMOKAH: “There are three things in life you don’t do. You don’t tug on Superman’s Cape, you don’t put Baby in the corner and you sure as hell do not give Belichick and Brady something to prove.” Sums it up quite nicely for me, and puts Jon back on the right track. 4-3.
BENNING: Correctly predicted yet another win for the Pats to also move to 4-3.
Browns 6 Rams 24
AMOKAH: Went with the Rams on a toin coss, and they duly took the Browns apart. Amokah goes to an impressive 5-3.
BENNING: Broke the mould by backing the Browns on the road in St Louis, and it cost him his winning streak. Coach is now playing catch up at 4-4.
Falcons 10 Titans 7
AMOKAH: Our lineman hasn’t got a lot wrong this week (apart from thinking the Falcons were still undefeated), and he called this one right as well. On to 6-3.
BENNING: Reckoned Atlanta would win by three scores. They didn’t, winning instead by three points, but a win’s a win and Nick is back in the game at 5-4.
Buccaneers 30 Redskins 31
AMOKAH: If you know a Tampa Bay fan you might want to give them a hug this week after the ‘Skins staged the biggest comeback in franchise history to sneak by the hapless Bucs. Jon said he marginally favoured the home side, and they marginally won. 7-3.
BENNING: Nick said he’d be impressed if either of these teams managed to win, and for a while it didn’t look like either side wanted to. In the end though he went for the wrong side, moves to 5-5, and maybe that’s that.
Raiders 37 Chargers 29
AMOKAH: The Raiders raced into a huge lead before taking their foot off the gas and eventually only beating the Chargers by one score in this battle for second in the AFC West. Jon said that Oakland would win, and it takes him to 8-3.
BENNING: Nick spent an age describing why he wanted the Raiders to win…and then backed the Chargers. He should have known better, and surely it’s game over now. 5-6.
Cowboys 20 Giants 27
AMOKAH: Said Jon of this NFC East battle: “everyone knows exactly how the ‘Boys are going to blow this one. The Defence will hold up, but the offence will continually stall”. Bang on, and he’s 9-3.
BENNING: Coach got this one right, even if did say the Giants defence would get in (the injured) Tony Romo’s face. No matter, he’s 6-6 and keeping it respectable.
Eagles 16 Panthers 27
AMOKAH: Never doubted for a second that the underrated Panthers would pull out the W against the Eagles, and that confidence sees Amokah coasting into Monday Night Football with an 10-3 record.
BENNING: Said the Panthers would remain undefeated against inconsistent Philly, and that takes him to 7-6.
Ravens 18 Cardinals 26
AMOKAH: Jon’s spoiler alert was that the Cards would batter Baltimore in Monday Night Football. It didn’t really go down like that, but it’s hard to argue with a 11-3 record.
BENNING: Coach also finished with a flourish by picking the Cards to finish with a pretty respectable score of 8-6.
So there we have it. As a result of this week’s scores the Coaches and Staff’s lead after six rounds has been cut to 54-35 to 52-37. It’s still all to play for, so be sure to check back on Thursday for this week’s predictions.
Did any of this week’s results in the NFL surprise you? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment in the box below, by posting on our Facebook page, or by sending us a Tweet.