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 try and decide once and for all 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, and last week Head Coach Will White defeated Tight End Jack Judge by a score of 13-3 to 11-5.
Next up we have Offensive Lineman and Rookie of the Year Danny Cousins taking on Vice Chairman Mark Chilton.
You can let us know what you think of their predictions by leaving a comment in the box below, by posting on our Facebook page, or by sending us a Tweet. Be sure to check back to Tuesday to see how they got on:
Ravens @ Steelers (Thursday Night Football – Sky Sports 1 HD, Friday 01:25)
COUSINS: The Ravens are 0-3 and the Steelers have lost Big Ben. Not ideal situations for either team. Although I think that Vick will do ok for the Steelers, they also have Bell and Brown on their side of the ball and home advantage. Steelers win by 1 TD.
CHILTON: Baltimore are 0-3 for the first time in their history but are playing better than that record suggests. Pitt will be without their starting quarterback and will turn to an ageing Michael Vick whose magical powers are diminishing. The short week won’t help. I pick Baltimore to open their account.
Jets @ Dolphins (International Series – BBC2 HD, Sunday 14:00)
COUSINS: I’m struggling to decide on this one. The Jets and Dolphins are both coming off home losses but the Dolphins haven’t had great results against any of their opponents this year. Ivory will come back in week 4 and post 100yds+ and the Jets get a close win over an under-performing Dolphins team. I reckon it will come down to a FG.
CHILTON: I’ve supported The Jets for thirty years and know them to be cursed. The last time I saw them play Miami, in New York they stunk the joint out. This time at Wembley with me watching again it will be different. The key battle is that Miami’s offensive line will not cope with the stunts and blitzes The Jets fearsome defense will deliver and Tannehill will be pressured all day. The Jets may have the best defense in the league and their conservative offence will have enough on Sunday. I am definitely biased; but for once there’s logic to it.
Texans @ Falcons
COUSINS: The Texans beat the Buccaneers last week but they face a far more formidable offense in the Falcons where Julio Jones is on fire. I reckon the Falcons will go 4-0.
CHILTON: I like Atlanta. They are often overlooked and are my dark horses for a bit of a run this season. They have a consistently balanced offence led by Matt Ryan which should be a model for many teams to copy. Devonta Freeman rushing and Julio Jones receiving combined for 350+ yards and five touchdowns last week. Even JJ with his super-hero powers is not stopping that. Falcons win.
Giants @ Bills
COUSINS: I’m gonna go with my instincts and say that the Giants can’t overcome the Bills. OBJ still has a great game (for the sake of my fantasy team), but not enough to beat the Bills and they win by a TD. Bills win.
CHILTON: Buffalo have been spanked by New England – who hasn’t – but have otherwise been effective on both sides of the ball. The Giants have been finding exotic ways to throw games away but I reckon they will make this close. Home field advantage may tilt it in Rex’s favour. Bills win.
Raiders @ Bears
COUSINS: The Raiders had a great game last week with Carr, L. Murray and Cooper all looking awesome. With the Raiders showing great potential for the future and the Bears on a dismal run, the Raiders win.
CHILTON: Chicago competed well against Green Bay in week 1 but has particularly suffered from poor special teams play in posting 0-3 for the first time in more than ten years. They also can’t move the ball without Cutler. The Raiders sprung a surprise in beating the Ravens and won on the road last week for the first time in a season and a half. Toss a coin on this one, they might both lose. Raiders win.
Chiefs @ Bengals (Sky Sports 2 HD, Sunday 17:30)
COUSINS: The Bengals offense are looking good at the moment along with a good defense. I think they’ll keep the Chiefs’ offense in check and get the win with the Bengals clocking over 200 yards on the ground. Bengals win.
CHILTON: The Bengals have edged games which they might have lost and that’s a good habit to have. The Chiefs record is misleading as they have lost to two very good teams in Green Bay and Denver. They will provide the toughest opposition Cincy has faced yet. Sean Smith their best corner returns following a DUI suspension so a decent defense will get better. Chiefs to edge it.
Jaguars @ Colts
COUSINS: The Colts offense will finally come good and blow the Jaguars away. They win by 3+ TDS. Colts win.
CHILTON: Jax are underfunded perennial strugglers and are likely to be the next franchise to up sticks for somewhere else. Indy has had a slow start and has lost to good teams but kick started their offense putting up 35 last week. Another long afternoon for the Jax D. Colts win.
Panthers @ Buccaneers
COUSINS: I think the Panthers will have the fire power to beat the Buccaneers. Panthers win convincingly.
CHILTON: Both teams have prevailed against New Orleans. Carolina has had a soft schedule to date and Tampa has looked very ordinary in their other games and has a propensity to be terrible. No surprises here as I take Carolina’s passing game to win the day. Panthers win.
Eagles @ Redskins
COUSINS: Eagles get the win, but only just. Low scoring game with less than 7 points in it. I’m sure one of these teams will make me eat my words on this one, let’s hope it’s the Eagles!
CHILTON: Inexplicably Washington are in freefall. I’m surprised they won’t trade RG3 if they are not going to play him. He retains value andthey have holes all over. Philly had a good first half last week and hung on gamely for their first win. Chip Kelly has found a way to be effective and this will continue. Eagles win.
Browns @ Chargers
COUSINS: Chargers bounce back from their loss against the Vikings and get a home win against the Browns. Chargers win.
CHILTON: Both teams have started poorly and neither will contend. San Diego can’t defend the run and even pulled Phillip Rivers for Kellen Clemens last week. Hardly a great sign. But then Cleveland has yet to establish a running game and have QB inconsistencies of their own. I’ll go with home advantage with no confidence whatever. Chargers win.
Rams @ Cardinals (Sky Sports 2 HD, Sunday 21:15)
COUSINS: Carson Palmer has thrown 9 TD passes already this season! With home advantage they get yet another win. Cardinals win.
CHILTON: The Rams did well to beat a complacent Seahawks team but have been unconvincing since. The Cardinals ripped The 49ers a new one last week with two rushing, two receiving and two defensive touchdowns and vie with Atlanta and Green Bay as the best team in the NFC. This is the home banker/lock of the week. Cardinals win.
Vikings @ Broncos
COUSINS: The odds might be stacked against us, but I can’t go against my own team. I think we’ll need to rely on our running game heavily (AP to rush for 150yds+), and then burn them with the deep pass to Wallace once they’ve stacked the box. Fingers crossed for a Vikings win.
CHILTON: Minnesota has celebrated the welcome return of Peterson, given his issues, but this is a tough ask. Peyton is on the last lap of a brilliant career and deserves to go out as one of the best ever. I feel that Denver will have too much at Mile High altitude for the Vikings. Two good teams but Denver to edge it. Broncos win.
Packers @ 49ers
COUSINS: The Packers are looking like the team to beat in the NFC, they’ve been putting on some fine performances even after losing Jordy Nelson for the season. Are the Raiders and Giants kicking themselves after releasing James Jones, or could Aaron Rodgers even make me look like a world class receiver? I don’t know, but he’ll get at least another TD this week. Packers win by 3+ TDs.
CHILTON: Green Bay look strong again and San Francisco most decidedly does not. Their home opener win against The Vikings would be reversed if it were to be played again. I see The 49ers shipping 40 points for the second successive week against Green Bay’s potent offence. Packers win.
Cowboys @ Saints (Sky Sports 2 HD, Monday 00:30)
COUSINS: Can the Cowboys O line carry their offense? Will Drew Brees be back? I think the Cowboys have more quality overall. They get the win by one TD.
CHILTON: This is an example of roster management. Jimmy Graham’s free agency move to Seattle has left a hole that New Orleans has yet to fill but Dallas has coped just fine without DeMarco Murray. I expect this trend to continue and predict another Cowboys win.
Lions @ Seahawks (Sky Sports 2 HD, Tuesday 01:15)
COUSINS: The Seahawks shut the Bears out last week and the Lions haven’t looked great this season. Seahawks have enough to get the win.
CHILTON: Kam Chancellor ends his hold-out and Seattle posts their first win. Coincidence? I think not. But it shows lack of depth. The Seahawks have been in the last two Super Bowls but I do not expect a 3-Pete, although they’ll have too much for Detroit who are in for another long season. At least they get Chicago twice – but not this week. Seahawks win.
Summary
| Match | Cousins | Chilton |
|---|---|---|
| Ravens @ Steelers (TNF) | Steelers | Ravens |
| Jets @ Dolphins | Jets | Jets |
| Texans @ Falcons | Falcons | Falcons |
| Giants @ Bils | Bills | Bills |
| Raiders @ Bears | Raiders | Raiders |
| Chiefs @ Bengals | Bengals | Chiefs |
| Jaguars @ Colts | Colts | Colts |
| Panthers @ Buccaneers | Panthers | Panthers |
| Eagles @ Redskins | Eagles | Eagles |
| Browns @ Chargers | Chargers | Chargers |
| Rams @ Cardinals | Cardinals | Cardinals |
| Vikings @ Broncos | Vikings | Broncos |
| Packers @ 49ers | Packers | Packers |
| Cowboys @ Saints (SNF) | Cowboys | Cowboys |
| Bears @ Seahawks (MNF) | Seahawks | Seahawks |