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.
This week we have Wide Receiver Ross Hubbard taking on Head Coach Will White. So far the players have the lead with a score of 93-66 to 87-72, but let’s see what the weekend has in store…
Packers @ Lions (TNF)
HUBBARD: A harder pick than this would have been pre-Thanksgiving. The Packers are on the slide and the Lions are looking for their fourth straight win. Can Rodgers break the slump and galvanize the Packers season on TNF? Going with the team on a streak (god I hope #81 is not injured), Lions to Win!
WHITE: Pack over Lions by two scores, the Lions are struggling.
Texans @ Bills
HUBBARD: The Bills haven’t beaten the Texans since 2006 (thanks Google!) so JJ Watt and Co. to terrorize Tyrod Taylor and get their fifth win in a row. Texans to win!
WHITE: Texans over Bills. I’m not a Rex Ryan fan, he’s too damn cocky.
49ers @ Bears
HUBBARD: The Bears have an awful home record this year. Fortunately they are playing the 49ers, who are even worse on the road. Bears to win!
WHITE: Bears over 49ers, the Niners suck.
Bengals @ Browns
HUBBARD: The Browns lost as only the Browns can against the Ravens (though this was a bit close to home, where have I seen this before!). Austin Davis will not be anywhere near as good as last week, there’s a lot more pressure when starting. Bengals to win!
WHITE: Bengals over Browns with Cleveland having QB issues.
Ravens @ Dolphins
HUBBARD: The Ravens are my team and it has been painful to watch them this year. They have found a way to lose their games, never pulling away when in the lead! Their luck changed against the Browns and are 5-0 against Miami since 2007. Ravens win!
WHITE: Dolphins over a banged-up Ravens team with too many injuries.
Jets @ Giants
HUBBARD: Apparently the Jets haven’t beaten the Giants in the regular season since 1993, who knew! Jets to win.
WHITE: Jets over the Giants as I dislike Manning and his Smurfs.
Cardinals @ Rams
HUBBARD: Probably the easiest pick of the week. Cardinals to stack the box against Todd Gurley as he is the St Louis offense currently, and let #21 & #32 pick the recently-promoted Case Keenum all day long. Cardinals to win!
WHITE: Cardinals over the Rams – the Cards offense has too much for St Louis.
Falcons @ Buccaneers
HUBBARD: This is a big showdown in the NFC South. Atlanta had a player’s only team meeting this week and I have seen enough American Sports films to know that as a result of this they cannot lose…I never understand why teams don’t get together every week and talk about not losing. Buccaneers to win!
WHITE: Falcons over the Bucs as they look to get back on track.
Jaguars @ Titans
HUBBARD: This was close when they last played and the Titans let a win slip out of their hands. Titans to win!
WHITE: Jags over the Titans in the battle of bad teams.
Chiefs @ Raiders
HUBBARD: This is risky as OC/Chairman Neale is a Raiders fan (I think – he wears a cap all the time) but I can’t see them beating the Chiefs. Chiefs to win!
WHITE: Raiders over a banged-up Chiefs side.
Broncos @ Chargers
HUBBARD: Brock Osweiler is 2-0 since replacing Peyton and has knocked off Brady’s unbeaten Patriots. Only sign of hope for the Chargers is Ware will probably miss this week’s game and there could be a come down after a big win over the Pats. Broncos to win!
WHITE: Broncos over the Chargers, the Broncos defense will be too much.
Eagles @ Patriots
HUBBARD: Tom Brady to avenge their loss against Denver by throwing 5 TDs and that’s without Gronk. The Eagles defence has been like a sieve the last few weeks and the Pats aren’t the team to be playing after they’ve lost with a bad defence. Patriots to Win!
WHITE: Pats over the Eagles. Brady gets the boys back on track against a poor Philly team.
Panthers @ Saints
HUBBARD: Now that TB12 is no longer undefeated does that make Cam the #1 MVP contender? The Panthers get more impressive every week and with Superman at QB and Clark Kent on defence (Luke Kuechly, look him up) at the moment they arguably have the best Offensive and Defensive player playing on the same team. Panthers to win!
WHITE: Panthers over the Saints as they continue their run towards an undefeated season.
Seahawks @ Vikings
HUBBARD: The Vikings are at home and atop the NFC North but with Seattle now 6-5 and on a real hot streak, I’m going to take a risk and go with Seattle to steal one on the road. Seahawks to win, narrowly!
WHITE: Seahawks over the Vikes in a tight one fighting for a play-off spot.
Colts @ Steelers (SNF)
HUBBARD: The big question is whether Big Ben will play (he was fully participating in practice Thursday) as I think the Colts would win if Landry Jones plays most of this game. Steelers to win!
WHITE: Steelers win a tight one over a surging Colts team.
Cowboys @ Redskins (MNF)
HUBBARD: No Romo no wins, simple as that really. QBs are important, who knew? Redskins to Win!
WHITE: Redskins keep their winning streak going against a weak Cowboys team that has no Romo.
Summary
| Match | Hubbard | White |
|---|---|---|
| Packers @ Lions (TNF) | Lions | Packers |
| Texans @ Bills | Texans | Texans |
| 49ers @ Bears | Bears | Bears |
| Bengals @ Browns | Bengals | Bengals |
| Ravens @ Dolphins | Ravens | Dolphins |
| Jets @ Giants | Jets | Jets |
| Cardinals @ Rams | Cardinals | Cardinals |
| Falcons @ Buccaneers | Buccaneers | Falcons |
| Jaguars @ Titans | Titans | Jaguars |
| Chiefs @ Raiders | Chiefs | Raiders |
| Broncos @ Chargers | Broncos | Broncos |
| Eagles @ Patriots | Patriots | Patriots |
| Panthers @ Saints | Panthers | Panthers |
| Seahawks @ Vikings | Seahawks | Seahawks |
| Colts @ Steelers (SNF) | Steelers | Steelers |
| Cowboys @ Redskins (MNF) | Redskins | Redskins |
Previous Results
Wide Receiver Chris Cowley 6-10 vs Offensive Coordinator Neale McMaster 6-10
Tight End Jack Judge 11-5 vs Head Coach Will White 13-3
Offensive Lineman Danny Cousins 8-7 vs Vice Chairman Mark Chilton 9-6
Running Back Matt Duffin 10-4 vs Running Back Coach Neil Duffy 10-4
Wide Receiver Jack Davis-Fletcher 6-8 vs Treasurer Michael Dilley 8-6
Offensive Lineman Jon Amokah 11-3 vs Youth Team Head Coach Nick Benning 8-6
Lineman of the Year John Rudgard 9-5 vs Special Teams Coordinator Gary Villiers 7-7
Defensive MVP Gareth Pullen 6-7 vs Chairman and Offensive Coordinator Neale McMaster 5-8
Running Back Paul Settle 6-6 vs Defensive Coordinator Darren Hill 5-7
Defensive Back James Drake 11-3 vs Treasurer Nick Chapman
Offensive Lineman Jon Amokah 8-8 vs Gameday Manager Paul Smyth 8-8
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.