If there’s one thing sure to split opinion quickly it’s the age-old battle of who knows more about the NFL, the players or the staff?
To try and resolve the issue once and for all players take on coaches and backroom staff one on one to see who really knows their stuff.
The concept is pretty simple: each week one Eagles player and one staff member will go head to head predicting the outcome of the weekend’s NFL games, and by the end of the season the true power houses will emerge.
In week one Wide Receiver Chris Cowley took on Club Chairman and Offensive Coordinator Neale McMaster battled out a 6-10 draw which was followed by Head Coach Will White defeating Tight End Jack Judge by a score of 13-3 to 11-5.
Three weeks ago Vice Chairman Mark Chilton edged passed Offensive Lineman and Rookie of the Year Danny Cousins, a fortnight ago Running back Matt Duffin and Running Backs coach Neil Duffy drew 10-4 and last week Treasurer Michael Dilley saw off the challenge of Wide Receiver Jack Davis-Fletcher.
Heading into this week where Offensive Lineman Jon Amokah meets Youth Team Head Coach Nick Benning, the Coaches and Staff lead the players 46-29 to 41-34.
Let’s see what the weekend has in store…
Seahawks @ 49ers (Thursday Night Football – Sky Sports 1 HD, Friday 01:25)
AMOKAH: The Legion of Boom have been found out! The tape is out on these guys and everyone knows all is not well with the Seahawks Defence. Question is, do Kaepernick and co have what it takes to capitalise? Because with Beast Mode back and the much-anticipated Wilson-Graham connection beginning to blossom, the 49ers D are going to have their hands full. I think they have a lot of upside with Carlos Hyde, and CK has shown he can get the ball to Boldin and Smith, and that’s why the 9ers pip it this week! 49ers to win.
BENNING: So over the the last couple of seasons this rivalry has been one to watch, this game will be too..but maybe for the wrong reasons. The 2014 NFC title game is a distant memory now. Who has fallen the least in between this season and last? Both teams have a 2-4 record, however when you factor in Russell Wilson’s ability to put points on the 9er’s (nearly three times as many as conceded since he became a starter) you have to go with the Seattle boys. Seahawks to win.
Bills @ Jaguars (International Series – Wembley Stadium)
AMOKAH: The Bills have been the most inconsistent team in the league! Maybe they don’t have an identity under Rex Ryan yet, but as sure as a day is long, they will find it sooner rather than later. In a conference that 8-9 wins could get a playoff spot, the Bills have a compelling reason to decide who they are under Ryan this week in a game that is going to feel more neutral than an away game. With Tyrod Taylor out, it falls to EJ Manuel to find the better form of last season to work into a playoff berth and…screw it, the fact that there is too much going on with the Bills is reason enough to assume the Jags have this! TJ Yeldon is out, but in his place comes the dynamic offensive weapon Dennard Robinson (easy sleeper for this week in fantasy, you heard it hear first), and without the major distraction, the Jags could take this, and are my pick to win this tie. Jaguars win.
BENNING: In week 1 this actually looked like it might not be as bad a game as it initially looked to me on paper. As in, the Bills looked like they might be a half decent unit and we would get the annual UK romping over the poor Union Jaxs. McCoy? Harvin? What’s not to like? They have however since fallen on inconsistency and so I fear this game will be a bore for all those at WEM-BEER-LEEE on Sunday. Bills to win it, Rambo pick 6….just because he’s called Rambo. Bills to win.
Vikings @ Lions
AMOKAH: I’m going to go on record and say the Lions are too talented to be a 1-5 team. 5th in the league in passing tells it’s own story, but with 3 under-utilised talented backs, not getting much work tells you that Jim Caldwell is not a fan of the running game, since this was the same stuff he pulled with Payton Manning, and Joe Flacco (yes they went on to win Super Bowls under his tutelage, but they still had established running backs who I suspect wouldn’t put up with this). The Vikings have been a one-man organisation for a while and still, Peterson is reliably unstoppable. Lions are at home, and might have an extra dimension if they use the running game, and they should win this with that! But won’t because Jim Caldwell doesn’t like to run! Vikings win.
BENNING: As a Vikings fan, this one is a no-brainer and luckily we are playing one of the worst teams I’ve seen for a while. Sure the Lions have Megatron, but he’s going to need more than his fair share of Energon cubes to get them through this one. Teddy showed that the Vikes can find some form in the to add to Purple Jesus’s running game. Vikes go 4-2.
Saints @ Colts
AMOKAH: This is personal to me – and I will feel like this for a while – but the Colts are too big for their bridges. I am rooting for, and predicting, the Saints will be all good to part Andrew Luck and co with a W. No questions asked, New Orleans win!
BENNING: Another game of inconsistent vs incompetent. 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. Saints win.
Steelers @ Chiefs
AMOKAH: Since the fall of Big Ben, the Steelers have delivered a masterclass in “Next Man Up”, and getting it done. Something the Chiefs are going to have to learn to do, this week, since the fall of Jamaal Charles. So the Steelers have been doing it longer and this is why they win this week!
BENNING: When I started playing ball Steelers were THE team. A lot has changed since then and some dark days have lurked, however it seems they are reaching the light at the end of that tunnel. With a 4-2 record so far this season and now playing the Chiefs, happy days in Pittsburgh. So as much as it pains me to pick Mike Keogh’s team…Steelers to win.
Texans @ Dolphins
AMOKAH: Here, we find the two most underachieving defences this year. How Nkomadong Suh doesn’t have the flesh of past quarterbacks between his teeth, this season, is beyond me. But hey, JJ Watt isn’t quite up to the standard we have grown to expect from him either. In fact the only unit I trust in this match up is the Texans offence. With the recent coach changes in Miami, it’s hard to see where the plays are going to come from. Texans win.
BENNING: Another tough game to call, but for the wrong reasons. Both teams come into this game with losing records so far this season. The ‘Fins look average but do seem to be an improvement on previous seasons. The Texans should be great with the names on that D, but a lackluster O has let them down. However a win in the last game and new Coaches in at the Fins make me go for the guys from the lone star state. Texans to win.
Jets @ Patriots
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. And if Deflategate was dying down, all the Colts did last week was open up a fresh wound. Sorry Jets, I like what you are doing, but just not this week! Pats ftw!
BENNING: Another tough call, but this time for the right reasons. The irresistible force (Pats O) vs the immovable object (Jets D). Post-Rex Ryan Jets look like the team they should have been a few seasons ago, currently 4-1 and looking good for a post-season football bet. The Pats, well are the Pats, when will they stop being good? Currently 5-0, but came from behind in a Monday night shootout! This could be a classic, but I’ll have the Pats to win.
Browns @ Rams
AMOKAH: Nobody wins here, these teams have been indifferent this season. Nick Foles is a far shade from the dude who replaced Michael Vick and torched Tampa Bay two years ago. Joe Haden is missing in action, making this a true coin toss. Yeah, Rams it is.
BENNING: This won’t be a game for the ages, but could still be surprisingly interesting. Both teams have losing records, however they both have some decent scalps to their names this season. I tried using the Fox Sports predictor to help me with this one…but it went into meltdown. Even in defeat against the Broncos the Browns showed they can put points on the board. So lets go with the Money, Browns to win.
Falcons @ Titans
AMOKAH: What’s not to like about Atlanta? 5-0 (ed-do you want to tell him or shall I?), passing game on point, Devante Freeman a refreshing sight, Defence balling out. And Tennessee aren’t exactly starting fires. Falcons win.
BENNING: The Falcons dropped the ball big style against the Saints last Thursday. Luckily for them they can regroup against the Titans. The Tennessee squad is very much in development and I doubt they have enough in the locker to put up a real fight. White and Jones to grab a brace each, Falcons to win by 3+ scores.
Buccaneers @ Redskins
AMOKAH: Kirk Cousins, Washington’s answer to a question no one asked. I like what Tampa are trying to do with rookie QB Jamies Winston, but he is not quite fully ready to tear up the league yet. So I am marginally favouring the home side this week. Redskins win.
BENNING: I’d be impressed if either of these teams managed to win. But sadly in the NFL someone always has to, even the awful teams. The tie-breaker could be the Defence and the Bucs can at least boast their place in the top 5 in both yards against and rushing. Bucs to win by 3 safeties.
Raiders @ Chargers
AMOKAH: With Denver at 5-0, (somehow) this is an opportunity for both sides to pip each other to second spot. With Phillip Rivers propensity to try to be the saviour for the side letting him down, Oakland have a shot at drawing next blood in this sluggish division. And I think they will! Raiders win.
BENNING: I have to admit to having a soft spot for the Raiders, being a child of the 80’s I can actually remember when they were good…seriously I can! Recent years haven’t been so good for the Silver and Black, however this season they have looked a bit better. Sure they have a losing record so far, but the 3 C’s (Carr, Crabtree and Cooper) do provide a decent threat to any of the other mid-level teams. That brings me on to the Chargers, the no.1 offence in the league so far this season pushes them just out of the mid-level bracket. My heart wants to say Raiders…but I’ll go with my head, Chargers to win.
Cowboys @ Giants
AMOKAH: Cowboys without Romo is something we haven’t seen in a while, predictable! And in a division that nobody seems to want to win, everyone knows exactly how the ‘Boys are going to blow this one. The Defence will hold up, but the offence will continually stall. Provided the Giants turn up. Which they will, as a reaction to the defeat to Philly, Giants win!
BENNING: Despite the records this could be a great game. I’m not a fan of Romo and I think the Giants D will really get in his face (ed-do you want to tell him or shall I?). Manning, Cruz and Odell Beckham to give the Cowgirls secondary a ‘mare. Giants to win.
Eagles @ Panthers (Sunday Night Football)
AMOKAH: What’s it going to take for the Panthers to be taken seriously? After the comeback against the Seahawks, Carolina are the real deal! Much has been made of Chip Kelly’s trade policy this season, and with reason. Make no mistake, Kelly is a mad man with t team, but not enough to stop Ron Riviera, and co. There is no version of this that Panthers don’t win.
BENNING: For me the Panthers have been a surprise package this season. Sure we all know Cam is a top draw QB, but it did for a while seem like teams had him figured out. Well I figured wrong. That offence looks great, with a strong running game and the’ve only gone and added my buddy Jared Allen to the D, all be it in what could be his last pro season. Eagles, sadly just don’t have the fire power to stop them. Panthers to go 6-0 and my pick for a Superbowl spot.
Ravens @ Cardinals (MNF)
AMOKAH: BIRD FIGHT!!!! Not really a fight, more of a beat down with Arizona looking to further strengthen their position in the NFC West and the Ravens proving that there are newer ways to lose a game, this isn’t a prediction, this is a spoiler, ARIZONA FOR THE WIN.
BENNING: Ravens are another team that has fallen from grace in recent times. This season they seem to have hit rock bottom. Flacco and the Cards on the other hand are looking very good with the no.5 ranked Offence. I don’t expect any surprises here, Cards to win by 2 + scores.
Summary
| Match | Amokah | Benning |
|---|---|---|
| Seahawks @ 49ers (TNF) | 49ers | Seahawks |
| Bills @ Jaguars | Jaguars | Bills |
| Vikings @ Lions | Vikings | Vikings |
| Saints @ Colts | Saints | Saints |
| Steelers @ Chiefs | Steelers | Steelers |
| Texans @ Dolphins | Texans | Texans |
| Jets @ Patriots | Patriots | Patriots |
| Browns @ Rams | Rams | Browns |
| Falcons @ Titans | Falcons | Falcons |
| Buccaneers @ Redskins | Redskins | Buccaneers |
| Raiders @ Chargers | Raiders | Chargers |
| Cowboys @ Giants | Giants | Giants |
| Eagles @ Panthers (SNF) | Panthers | Panthers |
| Ravens @ Cardinals (MNF) | Cardinals | Cardinals |
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