In our seventh Head to Head of the season Lineman of the Year John Rudgard took on Special Teams Coordinator Gary Villiers. Here’s how they got on…
Dolphins 7 Patriots 36
RUDGARD: I’ve been to Miami, and New England within the same holiday. I liked them both, both were hot, but that was summer, this is winter (kind of) so I think the Dolphins will be all like “ooooh this isn’t nice weather like where we’re from” that plus Tom Brady plays for the Patriots and I’ve heard he’s good…so Patriots to win.
Result: The big man gets off to a good start, possibly because of the weather. Who knows. 1-0.
VILLIERS: Everybody loves Thursday Night Football right!? Except the coaches and players who have three days fewer to prepare maybe? The Dolphins were awful at Wembley and the Patriots are NFL royalty with Bill Belichick and Tom Brady showing how to win again and again. But new HC Dan Campbell has The ‘Fins full of confidence with Ryan Tannehill on fire. Surely there’s no chance of an upset but I say the Pats get deflated this week. Dolphins win, no really!
Result: Should have stopped at “surely there’s no chance of an upset”. 0-1.
Lions 10 Chiefs 45
RUDGARD: This should be close, both teams doing pretty rubbish, with the Lions having the edge on rubbishness this season slightly. However I see them being more at home in London (from what I remember from Robocop) so I’m going Lions to win.
Result: Not even close, Robocop and all. 1-1.
VILLIERS: Everybody loves a home game at Wembley right!? See above. At least the Chiefs’ coaches recognise each other, whilst the Lions go into meltdown and wonder who will go next? Having said that, what does it say about The Chiefs when the kicker is the best player on offense? Looks like another Wembley classic. This week the Stafford and Johnson combo get it done for The Lions.
Result: This game couldn’t have been more of a blow-out, much to Coach v’s surprise. 0-2.
Buccaneers 23 Falcons 20
RUDGARD: This one’s easy, Falcons beat Houston and Houston beat Bucs…ergo Falcons to win. It’s pure science/maths…Next.
Result: Hard as it may be to believe, even science gets it wrong sometimes. 1-2.
VILLIERS: The Falcons could well be off to another good start but, as is tradition, look like they are beginning to struggle with the excitement of a winning record, whilst the Bucs gave a lesson in how to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory at Washington last week. They will be stung by throwing away a 24 point lead and giving up the winning score with 24 seconds left. Watch out for Doug Martin running the Falcons defense ragged. The Bucs to bounce back against their divisional rival. Buccaneers to win.
Result: Coach gets off the mark thanks to this surprising result in the NFC South. 1-2.
Cardinals 34 Browns 20
RUDGARD: Being confused as to why the Cardinals have a bird on their hats and not some sort of man of the cloth (like that team from Ipswich) I looked into it and found out it’s also a type of bird. Anyway I’m not sure why, but I’m backing Browns. They pushed the Broncos close recently, so maybe they’ll play well and win?!?!?! Go Browns.
Result: We’re not sure why you backed the Browns either John. 1-3.
VILLIERS: Will Josh McCown be fit to lead The Browns or will be Johnny Manziel be steering the ship? Better a ship than a car…For Browns fans it seems like a rock and a hard place but The Cards secondary are licking their collective lips. Carson Palmer looks fit and strong safely behind the excellent Cardinals O Line and Chris Johnson is rushing for fun. Cardinals to win on the road.
Result: Never really in doubt, Coach is up to .500. 2-2.
49ers 6 Rams 27
RUDGARD: 13th century King of France has an NFL team named after him? And San Fran are named after the gold rush people of 1849? Anyway, I’m saying Rams gonna win, the SF defense looks a bit rubbish.
Result: The SF defense does indeed look “a bit rubbish”. 2-3.
VILLIERS: Let’s face it, neither Colin Kaepernick or Nick Foles are NFL starting quality QBs. However, at least Foles has star (in the making) running back Todd Gurley who looks like one of the best rookies of 2015 with over 400 yards in 3 games whilst apparently not quite 100% fit! He also has the luxury of knowing that The Rams Defense will destroy The 49ers attack. Easy win for The Rams vs divisional rivals.
Result: It’s not just the SF defense that looks ropy. Imagine being told you’re being benched for Blaine Gabbert next week. Yeesh. 3-2.
Giants 49 Saints 52
RUDGARD: I’m not gonna lie, this is a tough one. Flip, I just don’t know…these guys aren’t good, but they aren’t rubbish either…9/11 was bad and Katrina was bad, but I saw on a Top Gear special how a lot of New Orleans still looks pretty rubbish, whereas New York is now all cleaned up…God bless all of those whom have suffered, but based on that I’m choosing the Saints.
Result: You can’t argue with a well thought out, constructed argument. 3-3.
VILLIERS: Much depends on which Giants turn up this week. can you be “consistently inconsistent?” Maybe it’s to stop opposing teams scouting them?? Meanwhile, The Saints have won two straight and look like they are starting to get their season moving. Both Drew Brees and Eli Manning are quality with the ability to turn this game in their favour. The difference may well be Odell Beckham. Or maybe it will finally be a breakout game for CJ Spiller. It’s going to be close but The Giants have too much for The Saints.
Result: It was certainly close but Gary backed the wrong horse. 3-3.
Vikings 23 Bears 20
RUDGARD: A guy called “Adrian Peterson” plays for the Vikings, I saw him play once…He was good in that game and Wikipedia has told me he is regularly good. That on top of this season’s record the Vikings look the likely victors. For anyone that doesn’t know, the Bears also used to have a running back called Adrian Peterson. Vikings win.
Result: Wikipedia for the win! 4-3.
VILLIERS: Apparently, The Vikings haven’t won at divisional rivals Chicago since 2007. With all the soldiers appearing to have abandoned the field this must be the year. The Bears Defense is just not good enough and giving up too many points. The Vikings with Teddy Bridgewater and Adrian Peterson are heading for the play-offs whilst The Bears will have an extended winter break. Vikings win.
Result: It may have only been by one score but the Bears’ miserable season continues. 4-3.
Chargers 26 Ravens 29
RUDGARD: San Diego, it’s the greatest city in the world. It’s a fact. Discovered by the Germans in 1904…I don’t know much about Baltimore, however due a to a recent post I saw on Facebook I did learn to distinguish between a Raven and a crow: look out for a larger, slightly downward curved beak on the Raven, and they also travel in pairs. These teams look a good match for each other. Looking through a lot of this season’s results, a lot of scores are very close, making win/loss records kind of unreliable as a predictor. Crumbs what a ramble…OK I’m going with the Ravens.
Result: Have no idea what is going on any more. 5-3.
VILLIERS: The big question here is, “who cares?!” Two of the most disappointing teams in The AFC. The Ravens offering a lesson every week in how to “not quite win” and The Chargers totally unable to stop the rush and not great against the pass. This will be the Flacco and Forsett show as The Ravens finally nail it.
Result: If by “finally nail it” Gary meant “squeeze past by the skin of their teeth” then he got it spot on. He also moves to 5-3.
Bengals 16 Steelers 10
RUDGARD: Ooooh look at the Bengals being all unbeaten…but a few very close victories. Never the less, I’m ignoring what I said previously regarding league position as a predictor and I’m going with the unbeatens. Cincinnati is more fun to say also…
Result: Right for all the right reasons. 6-3.
VILLIERS: One of the top games this week and a great AFC North divisional battle. The Bengals are off to an unbeaten start with Andy Dalton looking outstanding at the helm. Meanwhile, the Steelers must be relieved that they are still in with a chance of taking the division despite missing “Big” Ben Roethlisberger, mostly due to the quality of LeVeon Bell and Antonio Brown. The only way The Bengals can lose this week is if QB #1 Big Ben returns from his knee injury. Bad news Bengals fan, Steelers win.
Result: Nope. 5-4.
Titans 6 Texans 20
RUDGARD: Cripes, there are a lot of tough games to call here. I like this one because I know two players in it…Vince Wilfork: he bowls around in dungarees, a hat and boots (no t shirt/shirt) and gets bare lolz. And I also know JJ Watt, who a lot of people seem to like. I’m going with the Titans due to Houston’s unimaginative choice of the name “Texans”. Titans win.
Result: Wrong, but still for all the right reasons. 6-4.
VILLIERS: Well both teams got beat up bad by a resurgent Dolphins and let’s face it, The AFC South is just awful. Somehow, the Texans coaches remain intact despite a poll in The Houston Chronicle that called for everyone to be sacked! The Titans have managed to lose 5 in a row but they do have rookie QB Marcus Mariota and may just be improving. Titans to nick it.
Result: Looks like the bubble might be bursting for Coach V. 5-5.
Jets 20 Raiders 34
RUDGARD: So the Jets jet off to Oakland to face the Raiders (at school this guy called Matthew Agrimi, aka “Gypsy”, got a rip-off NFL jacket with “LA Radars” written on the back, suffice to say he got rinsed for it). Jets look good, but I think Neale likes the Raiders so I’ll go with them. Raiders win.
Result: Correct, and sales in “LA Radars” merch goes through the roof. 7-4.
VILLIERS: The Jets are having a good start and need a win to stay in touch with The Patriots. The Raiders are having an OK start but need a win to stay in touch with The Broncos. Lot’s of incentive for both teams with an eye on the play-offs. Jets may be without star RB Chris Ivory and Raiders’ RB Latavius Murray is due a big game. However, Ryan Fitzpatrick appears to have The Jets full of confidence and The Raiders have lost two at home so may feel the pressure? Tricky to call but I say Jets win.
Result: Uh-oh, Gary’s suddenly two games down with only three to play. John couldn’t could he? 5-6.
Seahawks 13 Cowboys 12
RUDGARD: I’ve heard that the Seahawks are called the Legion of Boom, like those wrestlers from WWF “Animal” and “Hawk”?!? My mate liked them, me not so much…sounds scary but they’ve lost a few already. All talk no trousers. Cowboys win.
Result: As much as I wanted this to be right, Big John’s momentum has been halted. 7-5.
VILLIERS: The Cowboys are in free fall and have no QB capable of playing in the NFL let alone taking on The Seahawks defense. The Hawks are in “must win” mode and Russell Wilson will enjoy playing against a defense giving up 26 points per game. It will be all out attack and brutal. Seahawks win.
Result: The Cowboys D conceded half the points they usually do, but unfortunately their O couldn’t step up. Coach is back in it at 6-6. It all comes fown to Sunday Night Football…
Packers 10 Broncos 29
RUDGARD: Hot dang, big “bragging rights” to play for here as two unbeatens clash. Ever since the Broncos were ridiculed on the Simpsons, they’ve made it their mission to clear their name as a rubbish team, and they seem to be doing just dandy. So I’m going with them, I want them to win…that can make a difference if we all do it. I saw Uri Gellar do it once on “This Morning”, and some plonker rang in saying his TV started levitating…
Result: The power of positive thought has done it for John! 8-5 and an unassailable lead heading into MNF..!
VILLIERS: Two unbeaten teams in a massive “Game of the Week!” Aaron Rodgers vs Peyton Manning in a QB battle that may well be a Super Bowl preview!? The Broncos are really tough to beat at home and have won their last 10. The Packers are pretty average away from Green Bay despite their hordes of travelling fans. The difference will be whether Manning can eliminate the recent mental errors that have seen him throw more interceptions than you’d expect from a top QB. Rodgers is a machine. Packers to spoil The Bronco’s home record.
Result: Green Bay clearly didn’t get the memo about how bad Peyton is supposed to be this year. Either that or the Denver D is really that good. In any event, Coach slips to 6-7 and it’s game over.
Colts 26 Panthers 29
RUDGARD: “Colts” is a rubbish name for a team, it basically means a little boy horse. Panther – badass big black cat…Panthers to win.
Result: The badass big black cat takes the win, and John finishes 9-5.
VILLIERS: Are Carolina, “the worst undefeated team” in the league? Is that actually an insult??? You can only beat what’s in front of you! They looked pretty good against The Seahawks…Colts QB Andrew Luck is top quality, one of the best. He has absolutely no offensive line which makes life difficult. Cam Newton has The Panthers full of belief and more than ready to beat The Colts. Plus, I will never forgive The Colts for sneaking out of Baltimore…I have a long memory. Panthers to go 7-0.
Result: The long memory no doubt helped keep it respectable. Coach finishes 7-7.
As a result of this week’s scores we’re now neck and neck between the Coaches/Staff and the Players, 61-42 to 61-42. 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.
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