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. Two weeks ago Head Coach Will White defeated Tight End Jack Judge by a score of 13-3 to 11-5, and last week Vice Chairman Mark Chilton edged passed Offensive Lineman and Rookie of the Year Danny Cousins.
Heading into this week where Running back Matt Duffin takes on Running back coach Neil Duffy, the Coaches and Staff lead the players 28-19 to 25-22.
Coach Duffy, our resident Viking, has gone for a scientific approach to this weekend’s games. He has calculated the average scores for each team to come up with a formula to work out who is more likely to win. Duffin on the other hand, has made it up as he went along. Let’s see how it goes…
Colts @ Texans (Thursday Night Football – Sky Sports 1 HD, Friday 01:25)
DUFFIN: I think the Colts will beat the Texans quite convincingly in this one. Indy by 16. Colts win.
DUFFY: The Texans are struggling (as usual), and the Colts without Luck, this will be a close game, but not in a good way. Colts win. Just.
Redskins @ Falcons
DUFFIN: Falcons to remain unbeaten against the Skins and win by nine. Falcons win.
DUFFY: It’s hard to see Washington break the Falcons winning start to the season. Falcons win.
Browns @ Ravens
DUFFIN: I dislike both of these teams but will have to go with the Ravens due to the home field advantage. Ravens by 4.
DUFFY: The stats say this will be close, but I think the Ravens will be energised by their win last week. Ravens win.
Seahawks @ Bengals
DUFFIN: Seahawks to ruin the Bengals’ 100% record in a close one. Seahawks by 3.
DUFFY: The Bengals have looked annoyingly solid in every game so far, it’s hard to see them slipping up here. Bengals win.
Rams @ Packers
DUFFIN: I think the Packers will dominate the Rams in every aspect of this game. Green Bay by two scores.
DUFFY: Packers comfortably.
Bears @ Chiefs
DUFFIN: No idea why I fancy the Chiefs for this one but Kansas by 8.
DUFFY: The two teams with the highest average points against. This will be a high scoring game, but the Chiefs offence will make the difference.
Saints @ Eagles (Sky Sports 2 HD, Sunday 17:30)
DUFFIN: Can’t imagine this being the most exciting of games, but I’ll go with the Saints by 7.
DUFFY: Stats suggest the Eagles will win, but it is close and with Brees back, I think stats be damned, it’s the Saints to win this one.
Jaguars @ Buccaneers
DUFFIN: Not sure about this one at all but I’ll go with the home team. Buccaneers win by 5.
DUFFY: The stats say it will be a tie, but we don’t need stats to know it will be a boring game. I would like the London Jagwars to win, though I will be brave and trust the numbers to say a tie.
Bills @ Titans
DUFFIN: This one is a complete guess, I know next to nothing about either team. Bills by a score.
DUFFY: Stats suggest it will be close game, but the Titans have had one big win against poor opposition and then two losses to weak or weakened teams, which inflates their stats, so Bills by 10.
Cardinals @ Lions
DUFFIN: Can’t see the Lions breaking their 0.000 record against the Cardinals. Cards by two scores.
DUFFY: Arizona by a large margin.
Patriots @ Cowboys (Sky Sports 2 HD, Sunday 21:15)
DUFFIN: With the Pats unbeaten so far and the Cowboys with so many injuries, I reckon this could be fairly one sided. Pats by 3 scores.
DUFFY: Always bet on the team most likely to cheat. Patriots to win.
Broncos @ Raiders
DUFFIN: Can’t imagine the Raiders will be able to cope with Denver. Broncos by 13.
DUFFY: The Raiders are playing better than usual, but you have to go with the Broncos.
49ers @ Giants (Sky Sports 2 HD, Monday 01:30)
DUFFIN: Another guess, but I’ll go with Manning over Kaepernick. Giants by 7.
DUFFY: The 49ers are the lowest scoring team by a significant margin, so this has to be the Giants.
Steelers @ Chargers (Sky Sports 1 HD, Tuesday 01:15)
DUFFIN: As a Steelers fan I’m going to have to back them in this one. Steelers by 9.
DUFFY: Heart, head and stats all say Steelers…
Summary
| Match | Duffin | Duffy |
|---|---|---|
| Colts @ Texans (TNF) | Colts | Colts |
| Redskins @ Falcons | Falcons | Falcons |
| Browns @ Ravens | Ravens | Ravens |
| Seahawks @ Bengals | Seahawks | Bengals |
| Rams @ Packers | Packers | Packers |
| Bears @ Chiefs | Chiefs | Chiefs |
| Saints @ Eagles | Saints | Saints |
| Jaguars @ Buccaneers | Buccaneers | TIE |
| Bills @ Titans | Bills | Bills |
| Cardinals @ Lions | Cardinals | Cardinals |
| Patriots @ Cowboys | Patriots | Patriots |
| Broncos @ Raiders | Broncos | Broncos |
| 49ers @ Giants (SNF) | Giants | Giants |
| Steelers @ Chargers (MNF) | Steelers | Steelers |
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.